Site: best4date From: jovita0102 Date: 10.1.2016 hello. dear friend my name is Jovita i am single young girl, i found you at (http://www.best4date.com) after then i pick interest in you, i have an important reason of contacting you and i hope we shall know more about each other here. you can write to me direct to my e-mail address at (jovitagomezsango20@hotmail.com) so i can tell you more about me together with my picture i will be waithing for your responce, Miss Jovita. From: Jovita Gomez Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:25:12 +0000 Subject: Hello My Dearest. My Dearest, How are you doing presently, I hope this my mail will reach you in good condition of health, I will really like to have a good relationship with you and I have a special reason why I decided to contact you because of my situation here. My name is Miss Jovita Gomez. Am 23 years old girl from zimbabwe, the only daughter of Late Mr Gomez Sango. my late father Mr gomez Sango was a importer and exporter. my late father was killed by high killers, my late father business partner sent group of high killers to my parents, the high killers killed my father, killed my mother, and my only two brothers, am the only survivor in my family because i was not at home when the high killers came, i was in the school Hostel that is what save me. i run away from zimbabwe my country because my father business partner want to kill me, i run away because those killers still want to kill me by all means i decided to move out from zimbabwe for the sake of my life, Meanwhile I wanted to escape to Europe but is very difficult to me because i do not have money at hand for traveling document. i manage to toke my Father's Files which contains important documents. So I decided to run to the refugee camp in senegal where I am presently seeking asylum under the United Nations High Commission for the Refugee here in Dakar senegal, I wish to contact you personally for a long term business relationship and investment assistance in your country. please please please i really really need your honesty and trustworthiness, My father deposited the sum of US$ 5.700.000 (Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand U.S.A. Dollars) in Finance Firm with my name as the next of kin. However, I shall forward to you the necessary information of the deposit on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the transfer and investment of the fund in your country. i want the bank to transfer the money to you in your country and i will join you in your country, i want you to help me in this transaction and i want you to help me to invest the money for me in your country immediately the bank transfer the money to you in your country, and I will like to complete my studies in your country because I was in my school before i decided to escaped to senegal to safe my life. According to the financial governing laws of this country senegal, people under refugees are not allowed to participate into monetary transaction or operate personal bank account with large sums international or locally. It is from my heart to compensate you with 20% of the total money for your services and the balance will be my investment capital. This is the reason why I decided to contact you. Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. I am staying at the female refugee camp here in dakar senegal. Am waiting your urgent and positive response. Please keep this thing only to your self please I beg you do not tell anybody this thing till I come over to your country after the transfer. I hope my explanation is very clear but if you need further clarification then send in your questions. I have attached my photos here special for you and i will like to see yours too. Thanks as i hope to receive from you soon. Yours Sincerely Miss. Jovita Gomez. From: Jovita Gomez Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 11:38:23 +0000 Subject: My Dearest One Please I Need Your Assistance. Dearest in Heart, I appreciate your concern and your willingness so far for assisting me, the most important thing i need from you right now is your honesty and trustworthiness as i told you before. what i mean is that I saw your profile I choose you in this transaction because of my situation based on my present situation here in Dakar as a refugee under asylum. According to the financial governing laws of this country senegal, people under refugees are not allowed to participate into monetary transaction or operate personal bank account with large sums international or locally as i told you before. I want you to understand more about my situation here in the camp, I am e-mailing you from the office of the Reverend Father Francis Daniel who is Priest at the church in the refugee camp, I have explained to him a little about my life though not everything i told the reverend father about my communication with you and he permitted me to access my e-mail in his office computer twice a day, here in the refugee camp, meanwhile life is not easy with me since I don't have anybody here to take care of me. I don't have access to further my education, no access to clean water,no access to good food here in the refugee camp, life has not been easy for me. I am only surviving through the help of Reverend Father Francis Daniel. who is the priest at the church in the refugee camp, i told him about you and he permitted me to be receiving phone calls from you through his office telephone number; which is as follows: +221703369394 +221778341799 call me i don't have any money at hand here for now, when you call Reverend father Francis Daniel tell him that you want to speak with Miss. Jovita Gomez the zimbabwe girl. I will send you all the important documents of the money, only if you can promise me that you are not going to betray me or sit on my inheritance after the money transfer to your account in your country, please tell me more about yourself again in your next mail. Please understand that there is no illegality involvement in this transaction, you are going to deal with the holding bank directly. i am with important documents here. deposit certificate of the money and death certificate of my late father. all i need from you now is your sincerity, honest and seriousness about this transaction. try to send mail to me every day. so that we will do this transaction with out any delay. Please reply my mail urgently with Your Full name,......................... Your country name ................ Your phone number ............. Your pic if you have pic ......... Your age............ Your occupation ............ So that i can submit them to the bank to enable send mail about you for them to know that you are the one who will access to my father's deposited funds and then apply for it's claim and transfer directly on my behalf to your account. May God bless you and your family, i will send you the bank contact in my next mail so that you will contact the bank for the transfer. I am waiting for your mail soonest. Yours sincerely Miss. Jovita Gomez. Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 19:03:27 +0000 To: Harry Renvall Subject: My Dearest Please Contact The Bank immediately For The Transfer. My Dearest, Thanks alot for your response I hope you are doing fine, togethers with your health which is very important to me because you mean a lot to me now. God will bless and reward you for every effort you are about to make to see me out from this horrible prison called refugee camp where i am living today as a result of my parents death (may their gentle souls rest in peace). This is the bank contact. i send it to you now so that you will contact the bank for the transfer. try to contact the bank now for the transfer. i have told them every thing about you. try to contact them immediately so that the will transfer the money to you in your country. After the transfer of the money to your account in your country, you will withdraw sum money and send to me so that i will get my travelling documents and join you over there in your country. I want you to send an application letter to the bank email and ask them to transfer the fund into your account because i have officially sent a nomination letter to the bank introducing you to them as my partner. Here is the contact information of the bank in Scotland, United kingdom where the money was deposited by my late father. send application letter to their email address for the transfer. THIS IS THE BANK CONTACT INFORMATION Royal Bank of Scotland 9-13, Paternoster Row, EC4M 7EJ, London,United kingdom Email; (rbs_scotlandlondon@accountant.com) Tel: +447011136116 Fax: +447031774734 Contact Person. Mr.Gerrard Aloter ( Director Foreign Remittance Department) Let them know that you are my partner for the transfer of the fund in the account details bellow here, i have informed them about you try and contact them today so that we can hear from them soon. i have told this bank every thing about you so send them application letter for the transfer now. THIS IS MY LATE FATHER ACCOUNT INFORMATION ACCOUNT NAME......(Mr Gomez Sango.) ACCOUNT NUMBER......012458005638 AMOUNT DEPOSITED....US$ 5.700.000.00 NEXT OF KIN.......Miss Jovita Gomez. SWIFT CODE :(RBOSGB1L) I am waiting to hear from you the response from the bank. Thanks and be blessed. Yours sincerely, Miss. Jovita Gomez. From: "ROYALBANK ROYALBANK" Cc: jovitagomezsango20@hotmail.com Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:10:52 +0100 Subject: ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND,NOTICE OF TRANSFER. ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC. Registered in Scotland No. 90312. BANKING & FINANCE OFFICE adrress: No 9-13, Paternoster Row, London, EC4M 7EJ UNITED KINGDOM rbs_scotlandlondon@accountant.com Tel; +447011136116 +447031774734 Banking & Finance of ( R.B.S.) Swift code (RBOSGB1L) Attention; 15/01/2016 Sir, I have been directed by the director of Foreign Operation/Wire Transfer to write you in respect of your partner mail we received in our bank here royal bank of Scotland. Actually, we have earlier been told about you by the young lady Miss Jovita Gomez, that she wishes you to be her trustee/representative for the claim of her late father's deposit with our bank. Late Gomez Sango is our late customer with substantial amount (US $5.700,000.00) five million seven hundred thousand us dollars deposited to us. Hence you have been really appointed as a trustee to represent as next of Kin. However before our bank will transact any business concerning the transfer of the fund with you, we will like you to send the followings to our bank office here: (1) A notarized Power of Attorney from a Senegalese resident lawyer permitting you to claim the said fund on her behalf. (2)Affidavit of Support from Senegal High court of Justice where she is residing, to prove the authentication of the power of attorney. (3) The death certificate of late Mr Gomez Sango, that confirmed his death. (4) A copy of Deposit Certificate our bank give Mr Gomez Sango when he deposited the 5.700,000.00 us dollars in our bank here (ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND) London. Note: The above mentioned documents are compulsory and are needed to protect our Interest, yours, the next of kin after the claims. As soon as you get the Power of Attorney and Affidavit of Support from Senegal High court of Justice our bank will transfer the money to you. When you get all these documents both from senegal high court and the Deposit Certificate with death certificate, Then The original copies of those four required documents should be submitted to our office here. These shall also ensure that a smooth, quick and successful transfer of the fund is made. Processing and transferring of lodgements/Funds to your nominated locations/accounts shall commence as soon as we receive the above mentioned documents. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Should you have any questions, contact the Funds Transfer Department Director. Mr.Gerrard Aloter, Tel +447011136116 for more information's. Yours Faithfully Mrs. Kate Aliou Customers Relation Department (ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND ) London. From: Jovita Gomez Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 09:44:51 +0000 Subject: My Dearest Please Contact The Lawyer immediately For The Documents. My Dearest, I appreciate the way you are handling this transfer, I am suffering here in the prison called refugee camp and i believe with you i can start a new life in your country after the transfer of my money to your account. I can see what the bank is demanding before they will transfer my money to you in your country. Presently i have my late father death certificate and deposit certificate with me here which i have given to the lawyer to send to you when you contact him. try to contact the bank tell them that you have receive there mail and you will send them those documents for the transfer very soon. The problem we have now is the power of attorney and Affidavit Support which the bank said that it will be issued by a lawyer here in Senegal for me to sign my signature on it. After reading their mail, I discussed it with Reverend Father Francis Daniel and he gave me the contact of this lawyer Barr. Alvin Logan. He is one of the lawyers working with the united nations here in Dakar Senegal. I will want you to contact him on both phone and email telling him that you are my foreign partner that you need his services to prepare a power of attorney that will enable you transfer my US$ 5.700,000 from Royal Bank of Scotland, to your account in your country on my behalf due to my refugee status. His contact information's are as follows, Name..................... Barr. Alvin Logan phone number......... +221773989530 Email: (equalrightlawchamberofsn@gmail.com) Please contact this lawyer immediately i have told him about you. Yours sincerely Jovita Gomez. Date: Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:15:40 +0000 From: EQUALRIGHT LAWCHAMBER Subject: EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER,YOUR INFORMATION. EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER. SOLICITORS / ADVOCATES.MEMBER ECOWAS BANK ACCREDITED ATTORNEYS. NO 48 WEST FOIR AVENUE, YOFF CLOSE 28874 DAKAR SENEGAL Tel: +221773989530 Date: 16/01/2016 ATTENTION: Dear Sir, In respect of the mail which i received today in my noble law firm, on how to obtain power of attorney / affidavit of oath in your name for you to stand on behalf of your partner (Miss Jovita Gomez ) to transfer the total sum of money, from (Royal Bank Of Scotland) to your account in your Country . I have been told about you by your partner. (Miss Jovita Gomez) My noble law-firm wishes to bring to your notice that before we can proceed with this services, I will want you to forward your personal informations on how it will appear in those documents to my noble chamber immediately. Informations as Follows: 1)......FULL NAME. 2)......FULL ADDRESS. 3)......TEL. ......FAX. 6)..... DATE OF BIRTH. 8)......PROFESSION. All these informations listed above will appear on the (power of attorney and affidavit of oath) to be obtained. Along the line, i will go to the federal high court here in dakar Senegal to ascertain the cost of the authentification of the power of attorney and affidavit of oath before it becomes valid for the transfer of the fund to your nominated account. After the due process, my law-firm will contact you back for the cost, Before accepting to render the required legal services. My priority is to render the best and efficient services to my clients. Thanks for choosing this law chamber to serve you in this transaction. I render standard services to my respected clients. in service, Brr. Alvin Logan. (Principal Attorney) EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER, DAKAR, REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL. Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2016 09:31:39 +0000 From: EQUALRIGHT LAWCHAMBER Subject: EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER.THE COST. EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER. Solicitors / Advocates. MEMBER ECOWAS BANK ACCREDITED ATTORNEYS.NO 48 WEST FOIR AVENUE, YOFF CLOSE28874 DAKAR SENEGAL Tel: +221773989530 Date: 18.01.2016 ATTENTION, Dear Sir, In respect to the contents of your mail, I wish to inform you that after due confirmations from the royal bank, of the true existence of the money, its legitimacy and enquires from appropriate quarters about the needful for successful completion of the transfer process, that I hereby accept to dutifully handle the case. Prior to my conversation with the royal bank as i contacted the royal bank. I understand from the royal Bank Transfer director that the actual credit balance is US$5.700.000.00 The Transfer director also mentioned that you have already being nominated as the next of kin and they are expecting that you get back to them soonest for further transfer to your bank account in your country. the bank director told me that they will demand for your bank account information for the transfer immediately they receive those documents they requested from you. your partner miss Jovita Gomez have gave me the deposit certificate of the money and her late father death certificate. those documents bank demanded for the transfer remain only power of attorney and affidavit of support to be complete for the transfer. I have drafted a tentative power of attorney and affidavit of oath based on bank request and information which will be notarized on my chambers letter head after the signature of the party involved at the Federal High Court Here In Dakar Senegal. After due consultations from Dakar Federal High Court, I understand that it will officially cost the sum of 580 Dollars (only) to legalize the power of attorney, but poverty alleviation levy imposed by government of Senegal on any investor in the country in the category of such fund income is 370 Dollars which must be paid to Inland Revenue Office. My legal Processing Fee is ...... 200 Dollars only. The payment receipt would be tendered to the Federal High Court before the power of attorney is notarized. you should arrange and send to me they total of (1,150 Dollars Only) to enable me commence and conclude actions on the authentication of the power of attorney/agreement in the Federal High Court. To speedy the process you are to send these money through (Money Gram transfer system or Western union money Transfer) which is the fastest means of sending money to enable this noble office prepare and validate the power of attorney here in the high court and notary republic respectively. You are to send the total of (1,150 Dollars) with my name Alvin Logan. so that I will start the preparation of those documents as you requested which will take only one working days for it's readiness for the transfer. INTERNATIONAL MONEYGRAM TRANSFER OR WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER. The name and address for payment is: Receiver Name ..... Alvin Logan. Send the payment information as soon as you send the money to enable me go for the collection of the money from any of their local office here in dakar senegal. Yours in Service, Barr Alvin Logan Address .... .. NO 48 west foir avenue, yoff close.(3rd-floor) Dakar, Senegal. (Principal Attorney) EQUAL RIGHT LAW CHAMBER, DAKAR, REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL. Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 05:07:06 -0800 From: EQUALRIGHT LAWCHAMBER Subject: DEAR MR, , DEAR MR, , WHY I REQUESTED YOU TO GO TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OR MONEY GRAM IS BECAUSE THIS IS THE FASTEST MEANS OF TRANSFERRING FAST MONEY AND IT DOES NOT DELAYED SOMETIMES THE BANK TRANSFER HAS TO BE COMPLICATED DUE TO THE INADEQUATE NETWORK SERVICE PROVIDER, AS YOU HAVE PREFER THE BANKING SYSTEM OF METHOD TRANSFER HERE IS MY AGENT ACCOUNT AND HE IS MY SECRETARY IN MY OFFICE. HIS NAME IS MR. GASSAMA OMAR. BELOW IS THE ACCOUNT DETAIL..... BANK OF AFRICA ADDRESS ____: IMMEUBLE ELLAN ZONE 12 ROVTE DES ALMADIES DAKAR SENEGAL. Bank Name ___:BANK OF AFRICA - SENEGAL Account Name ___:GASSAMA OMAR Account No _____:02729650003 Bank Swift______ :AFRISNDAXXX Bank Code _____:SN100 Code Guichet ___: 01004 Cle RIB________ : 40 IBAN _____: SN08 SN10 0010 0400 2729 6500 0340 WHEN YOU MADE THE TRANSFER PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU SCAN TO ME THE PAYMENT SLIP PAPER TO CONFIRM IT FROM THE BANK IMMEDIATELY. THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. BARRISTER ALVIN LOGAN, If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more.... 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President Barack Obama ordered flags to fly at half-staff across the United States until the long-serving justice, first appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1986, is laid to rest. Scalia's death after three decades on the Supreme Court bench has profound ramifications, and could potentially tip the balance of the highest court in the land from its current 5-4 conservative majority to a liberal one. Obama led the chorus of tributes pouring in for the stalwart conservative, who died in his sleep at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas, according to the US Marshals Service. "For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin Scalia was a larger than life presence on the bench, a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style," Obama told reporters in Rancho Mirage, California. "Tonight we honor his extraordinary service to our nation and remember one of the towering legal figures of our time." But the US leader also fired the first shot in a tense battle over Scalia's succession. Obama said he fully intended to nominate a successor, in accordance with his "constitutional responsibilities," after leading Republicans -- including all six conservative White House contenders -- argued that the outgoing president should not be allowed to fill Scalia's vacant seat. He called for the Republican-controlled Senate to give his nominee a "fair hearing and a timely vote." "These are responsibilities that I take seriously as should everyone," Obama said. "They're bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy." The president nominates a Supreme Court candidate, who requires Senate approval before taking up the lifetime post. For three decades, Scalia's outsized personality gave voice to the values of conservative America on the Supreme Court bench, on matters of religion, family, patriotism and law enforcement. A staunch defender of gun rights and the death penalty, the Roman Catholic justice was also openly opposed to abortion, gay marriage and affirmative action. The Supreme Court's conservative majority had recently stalled key efforts by Obama's administration on climate change and immigration, and replacing Scalia with a Democratic appointee could significantly alter the balance of the court. Republicans immediately drew battles lines over the implications of the vacancy. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," said Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, also called for a delay. "It's been standard practice over the last 80 years to not confirm Supreme Court nominees during a presidential election year," he said. The Republican calls met with a sharp rebuttal from the Democratic camp. McConnell's Democratic counterpart Harry Reid pressed for Obama to send a nominee to the Senate "right away," stressing that a yearlong vacancy -- raising the prospect of 4 to 4 splits on major issues -- would be "unprecedented." "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities," Reid said. Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton said Republicans calling for a delay "dishonor our Constitution." The often belligerent Scalia, the first Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court, was known for his brash demeanor and sharp tongue, his biting opinions making him a hero of conservatives and causing the ire of his liberal foes. "War is war and it has never been the case that when you capture a combatant, you have to give them a jury trial in your civil courts," he once said, referring to prisoners at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay. "It's a crazy idea to me." Scalia was a champion of originalism, a strict theory that views the Constitution's meaning as fixed at the time it was ratified. According to this view, there is no doubt as to the validity of the death penalty and individuals' right to bear arms. His affable personality and portly physique contrasted with his sometimes radical ideas -- and he was often the only justice on the otherwise stern bench to trigger a laugh in highly technical debates. On the debate stage in South Carolina Saturday night, all six challengers for the Republican presidential nomination bowed their heads in silence to honor the late justice -- and united to oppose Obama nominating his successor. Senator Marco Rubio warned Obama would seek to "ram down our throat a liberal justice." "This is a tremendous blow to conservatism," Republican frontrunner Donald Trump warned of Scalia's death. He said he fully expects Obama to nominate a justice -- and said it was up to Republicans in the Senate to "delay, delay, delay." Search Keywords: Short link: An assessment of Greece's attempts to reform its struggling economy is being held up by disagreements between the European Union and the IMF, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said. "Negotiations on the reform plan have fallen behind, which is in nobody's interest," he said Sunday, cited by the Avghi daily, close to Tspiras' Syriza party. Greece sent creditors its pension reform plans at the start of January but "to date we have had no official response from the institutions, which is due to disagreements at their heart," Tsipras asserted. Facing fears it may yet have to quit the eurozone, cash-strapped Greece is under mounting pressure to deliver credible reforms, notably on pensions, International Monetary Fund European zone head Poul Thomsen said last week. The IMF worked with the EU on two previous bailouts for Greece since 2010 but the IMF said itself it would not participate in the third rescue plan without credible reforms and an EU agreement to ease Greece's debt burden. Ten days ago, a first round of talks held in Athens between creditors and Greek authorities proved inconclusive. The Greek government says further talks will be held soon. But Thomsen's comments last week warned against "over-optimistic assumptions (which) will soon cause Grexit fears to resurface once again and stifle the investment climate." He added that pension reforms were crucial -- Greece spends some 17 percent of GDP on pensions according to Eurostat, more than any other EU member. For a time last year there were fears Greece would have to exit the eurozone after defaulting on a debt payment to the IMF, which fears Athens' ability to deliver on reforms to cut soaring public debt. But in July the EU stepped in with a new EUR86 billion of financial aid programme -- which the IMF has not joined -- in exchange for economic measures and pension reform, still the subject of hot debate. Athens responded to Thomsen's concerns by accusing the IMF of "demanding the application of a radically different programme than that agreed" by Greece and its eurozone partners last year. Avghi further quoted Tsipras as saying Greece "demands an end to fetters put unilaterally in place by some (people) preventing a first evaluation" of Athens' proposed reforms. He added that "Europe cannot continue discussing unreachable (budgetary) objectives, especially now, when it is facing important challenges such as the migration crisis" stemming from the conflict in Syria. Search Keywords: Short link: Pope Francis waded into one of Mexico's most dangerous cities on Sunday to celebrate an open-air mass with more than 300,000 Catholic faithful longing for a message of peace. Throngs lined the concrete-laden streets of Ecatepec, whose walls were decorated with graffiti art featuring the pope's image, to cheer the pontiff on the second full day of a trip that will take him to other Mexican hotspots. The rough Mexico City suburb of 1.6 million people has become infamous for a spate of disappearances of women, whose bodies have turned up in abandoned lots or canals. The city lies in the populous state of Mexico, where some 600 women have been killed between January 2014 and September 2015, according to the non-governmental National Citizen Observatory of Femicides. The 79-year-old Argentine pontiff arrived from Mexico City by helicopter after flying over the majestic Moon and Sun pyramids of the pre-Columbian city of Teotihuacan. Thousands of pilgrims spent the night outdoors, wrapping themselves in blankets and using cardboard as makeshift tents against freezing temperatures on the field where the mass will be held. Many said that despite the city's bad reputation, they were not concerned about sleeping outside. Hundreds of police officers stood guard around the field. "We know that Ecatepec has a lot of problems like the lack of security and kidnappings," said Rodrigo Perez, a 25-year-old public security student. But the pope's visit, he said, is a chance to "talk about peace and unity." The Argentine-born pontiff made it clear before his arrival in Mexico that he would speak out about the corruption and crime afflicting parts of the country. He used his visit to the National Palace and the capital's cathedral on Saturday to bluntly tell political and religious leaders to provide Mexicans with "true justice" and combat drug violence with "prophetic courage." Many Mexicans, fed up with a decade of drug violence that has left 100,000 dead or missing, had hoped to hear such words from the 79-year-old pontiff. Pope Francis has chosen to visit some of Mexico's most troubled regions during his five-day trip to the world's second most populous Catholic country. The crimes against women in the state of Mexico, which surrounds the capital, prompted the federal government to declare a "gender violence alert" requiring protective measures in 11 towns, including Ecatepec. "People who kill or who are wicked should think about the fact that we are women and that we should be respected," said Mariana Virginia Hernandez, 45, who came from the neighboring state of Hidalgo for the mass and wore several sweaters and a poncho due to the cold. Ana Yeli Perez, legal adviser at the National Citizen Observatory of Femicides, said the organization is "concerned about the lack of visibility of the issue because the government controls it. We hope the pope speaks about it." But Karla Paola Romero, a 21-year-old activist who was nearly kidnapped three years ago, said gender violence would not be resolved "with a miracle." Romero, who will not be at the mass, spoke near a hill where a woman's body was found in December. The victim had been raped and hanged. The pope will face other tough issues during his trip. On Monday, Pope Francis will travel to Mexico's poorest and least Catholic region, the southern indigenous state of Chiapas. On Tuesday, he will visit the capital of Michoacan, a western state where farms formed vigilante forces to counter a drug cartel in 2013. The pope caps his trip in Mexico's former murder capital, Ciudad Juarez, for a mass that will straddle the US-Mexico border to highlight the plight of migrants. Search Keywords: Short link: Besides honouring the iconic Sharif, the 5th Luxor African Film Festival will also honour Moroccan critic Mustafa Elmesnawy and Ivorian director Henry Duparc A book celebrating the late Omar Sharifs legacy and published by Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) is now complete, according to a press release issued by the festival. The book, titled Omar Sharif in the Eyes of the World, "comprises a total of 50 published articles, all translated into Arabic, and which were written about the late actor in newspapers across nine different countries," Al-Ahram Arabic quoted MENA news agency as saying. According to MENA, film critic Ali Abou Shady was tasked with writing the introduction to the book. MENA quoted an excerpt from the books prelude in which Shady writes, When (the LAFF) organisation chose to dedicate its (5th) edition to the late Omar Sharif, and have this edition carry his name, its main aim was to affirm his Egyptian identity and assert his sense of belonging to this country, whose people he respected all his life." "As such, it was important to explore how this great actor was seen by others who made a legend out of him. Sharif died of a heart attack on 10 July 2015. He was born in Alexandria in 1932 to Catholic Syrian-Lebanese parents who named him Michelle Chalhoub. His life's work comprised over 110 films, his international fame guaranteed following his role in David Leans Lawrence of Arabia (1962), for which he earned a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination as well as a Golden Globe Award. For his role in Dr Zhivago (1965), Sharif won a Golden Globe Award for best actor. Sharif is one of the "golden age" heroes of Egyptian cinema for his films A Man in Our House (1961), A Love Rumour (1959), Struggle on the Nile (1959), The River of Love (1960), and many others. Besides honouring the iconic Sharif, the 5th Luxor African Film Festival will also honour Moroccan critic Mustafa Elmesnawy and Ivorian director Henry Duparc. Headed by scriptwriter Sayed Fouad, this years edition is scheduled to run between 17-23 March, and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Ivorian film. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: Two stolen and illegally smuggled Egyptian artefacts are to come back soon to their homeland from Germany Freiburg Court in Germany has affirmed Egypt's rightful possession of a pre-dynastic Egyptian stony pot and ruled it be returned to its homeland. The verdict came after the Egyptian antiquities ministry provided evidence of possession and that the pot was illegally smuggled out of the country during the security vacuum that followed the January 2011 revolution. Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh Eldamaty explained that the story of the pot started when Stuttgart Customs Authority seized a collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts. A court ruled that the artefacts all be sent back to Egypt, except the pot, which bears elements of Levantine civilisation. "The court today approved the pot's return to Egypt. The pot was brought to Egypt through commercial trading between the ancient Egyptian and Levantine civilisations," Eldamaty added. General supervisor of the Antiquities Repatriation Department, Shaaban Abdel Gawad, told Ahram Online that the pot is to be handed over to the Egyptian embassy in Berlin soon. "The embassy also received an ivory statue that was illegally smuggled out of the country in 2013. The statue was stolen from the storehouses of Aswan inspectorate and was put on sale at an auction hall in Germany," Abdel Gawad said. "The Ministry of Antiquities succeeded in stopping the sale and having it ordered to be returned to Egypt." The statue is carved in ivory at 4.8 centimetres tall and depict a man standing holding a gazelle on his shoulders. The statue is dated to the late 7th century or early 8th century AD. Search Keywords: Short link: Those who say there is hostility between the regime and the youth are wrong. Nor is the youth united against the regime. Sensible voices know great changes took place, amid limited resources More than five years have passed since one of the most important days in contemporary Egyptian history. Days when the masses took to the streets to demand the departure of the president, the overthrow of the regime, and the rights of freedom, dignity and justice. This is exactly what happened 18 days later when the late intelligence chief Omar Suleiman read a brief statement saying that the president had decided to step down from office and delegate authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. That is when an entirely new chapter began for Egypt and Egyptians, known as the interim phase. It was supposed to last between six to 12 months at most. But events and political and security instability extended the timeline of the interim phase to 18 months, when the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate won the presidential race and officially became the president of the republic on 30 June 2012. From the first moment of this shocking announcement, it was clear to Egyptians including those who pretended to give benefit of the doubt to Muslim Brotherhood rule that the group came to rob the country not govern it, to divide the people, to end its sovereignty, give away parts of its territories to foreign parties, and take unnecessary political and military risks. Their main concern was to demonstrate obedience to the US, Turkey and Qatar. As the intentions of the Muslim Brotherhood became apparent, action on the party, public and institutional levels began to restore Egypt. Then came 30 June 2013, that ended the Muslim Brotherhood farce and its president. Egypt began a second interim phase supported by the people where the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, venerable Judge Adly Mansour, was chosen as interim president. This journey was completed with the election of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in June 2014, and the election of a new parliament in late 2015. Looking back at these five years one can take stock of the difficulties, suffering, unprecedented insecurity, the fierce battle against terrorism, the many martyrs who died in defence of the nation, overt and covert foreign meddling, and the accumulation of six decades of political marginalisation and economic retreat. Also, the sagging administration of the state, scarce resources, the great and growing budget deficit of the government, the rising price of imports, the depletion of monetary reserves, decreasing production compared to growing consumption, as well as the raised aspirations of Egyptians and their impatience to reap the rewards of revolution, and their desire to improve their lot in the shortest time possible. We should question the viability of what actually happened, and whether Egypt is on the right track despite the obstacles and challenges, especially terrorism and security conditions. Or has nothing changed and have we returned to pre-25 January 2011 conditions? Some answers to these questions are biased and only see matters from a narrow and shallow angle, basing their views on incorrect assumptions. Namely, that the revolution failed because certain figures have not returned to the public domain. Those who hold this view never ask themselves what is the real reason behind the absence of these figures, who suddenly appeared, were dazzled by the limelight and believed they were above the law and have the right to act without accountability. But when they collided with the law, they unleashed a crusade about what they describe as the return of Mubaraks repressive regime. They do not realise that the true meaning of revolution, namely affecting comprehensive change and fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of Egyptians, can only be achieved through hard work, increasing productivity, overcoming scare resources, reforming institutions, ending all threats, regardless of their origins, application of the law, submission to it, respect for it and holding all and any accountable, no matter who he is. Also, releasing freedoms with responsibility, asserting citizenship and equality among all citizens, and not being arrogant about the basic needs of people in terms of security, employment, advanced education and dignified healthcare. These requirements and others cannot be achieved overnight and will not bear fruit without a general conviction among Egyptians that building the future requires calculated sacrifices that everyone, young and old, will shoulder. The motto its none of our business that some use when they are asked to do more will just lead to more chaos, frustration and difficulties. Some of those who are afflicted by Egypts course insist there is a crisis between the youth and the regime, which they view as repressive and that discounts the symbols of the revolution. This insistence is entirely unfair relative to what is happening in reality. The youth are not one deaf bloc who all follow five or six youth leaders who became famous in January 2011, waiting for them to lead them to another revolution. These are illusions built on overactive imaginations and denials of reality. Part of the problem of those who participated in constructing the June 2013 regime, then changed their positions later because the spotlight was turned off or they were removed from centres of power or faced personal problems here or there, is that they are in denial that any positive change has taken place. They act as if the goals of the revolution bread, freedom and social justice can descend on society overnight. They ignore the problems that accumulated over six decades and more, and present their visions as if the country has all the elements for progress, but the repressive regime is blocking it by removing the symbols of the revolution from leadership roles. This is a false proposition because there is no hostility between the regime and the youth, and nor are the youth united against the regime as some claim. What is certain is that there are segments among the youth who understand the magnitude of change that took place over the past two years, and that the countrys resources are limited. They are also aware that institutions are working to improve conditions, create more job opportunities, and invest all their energy to end the countrys multiple crises. The irony is that these detractors believe the police have not changed, and therefore the reasons behind the revolution are still in place and must be utilised to take to the streets. These people ignore the incredible sacrifices made by the police when confronting terrorist and violent groups that are either homegrown or are funded and incited from abroad. Anyone, including the delusional Muslim Brotherhood terrorists and others, who believes that the scene of 25 January 2011 will be repeated in the same manner is mistaken. The police are not oblivious and the army is not removed from the scene; nor do the people themselves believe there is an inkling of good intentions or nationalism in those who want to destroy their country and serve the interests of foreign powers in return for a handful of dollars. The writer is a political commentator and senior advisor at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. Search Keywords: Short link: Finding answers to why the Zika epidemic has struck at this particular moment in Brazil is the basis of any reactive health protection, while the implications of these answers could be hard to contain Zika, one of the world's oddest viruses, is causing a commotion in the Western Hemisphere and sapping productivity in Brazil, one of the most dynamic economic powerhouses in South America and the world. The genetically modified mosquito-borne Zika virus is the emblematic cause of fear in contemporary South, Central America and the Caribbean. Zika has deep roots. Genetically modified mosquitoes in Brazil are linked to the current Zika epidemic. Curiously, the genetically engineered Oxitec mosquito, commonly known as "Friendly Aedes aegypti," appears to have its origins in Egypt, and hence the scientific appellation "aegypti." People in Brazil, pregnant women in particular, are petrified. So how did Zika spread to the Americas from Egypt? Well, Zika was first detected in 1947 in Uganda and it is not normally considered life-threatening. This is a puzzling fact. Indeed, most people suffering from Zika have no symptoms. Why has it now become such a menace? First, it is widely believed that Zika virus is causing brain damage and birth defects in infants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) expects infection rates of up to four million people in Brazil and the Western Hemisphere. Second, as research is progressing swiftly, new and more menacing symptoms are cropping up. A remarkable amount has been discovered in the past few months, yet much is concealed from the public, or seems to be covered up. Why are people kept in the dark? Mothers are becoming less misty-eyed and more furious about the status quo. El Salvador's government suggests avoiding pregnancy until 2018. A number of other Latin American countries are discouraging women from becoming pregnant. Meanwhile, most of the continent's population are Roman Catholic, at least nominally, so contraception in certain countries is rejected on religious grounds. What Zika did was to send a signal that something horrifically sinister is going on in the laboratories that produce genetically modified mosquitoes. Many Latin Americans suspect foul play. Is Zika an excuse to halt population growth? They wonder. In Colombia, which has the second-highest Zika infection rate after Brazil, there is strong suspicion of a baser motivation. Capitalist Colombia screeches about the possibility of the privatisation of the country's healthcare system, as in certain neighbouring and leftist countries, such as communist Cuba and socialist-leaning Venezuela. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for Zika, which is related to Dengue. Many Brazilians are questioning whether vaccines are the real cause behind the microcephaly brain deformity. Brazil launched a mandatory vaccine campaign for pregnant women in 2014, so without wanting to sound like a conspiracy theorist, studies indicate that most of the Brazilian babies with brain defects and head deformations actually did not suffer such deformities because of Zika. Brazil, with a population of 210 million people, is the largest country in South America in area and population. The sprawling country has been the hardest hit, documenting more than 3,500 cases of Zika between October 2015 and January 2016. Brazil, which borders all South American countries except Ecuador and Chile, has deployed 220,000 troops to help in battle against the Zika virus. Zika emerged at a particularly precarious moment in the country's history. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world are scheduled to converge on Brazil for the 2016 Olympics games. There are predictions that many tourists will stay away for fear of contracting Zika. Medical practitioners have scare-mongered about Zika, and yet the record shows no signs of past epidemics. Malaria is a far more serious plague in Africa south of the Sahara. From 1951 through 1981, evidence of human infection was reported from other African countries, such as the Central African Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as in parts of Asia, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, it rarely reached epidemic proportions. "Zika is generally mild and only causes symptoms in one in five people," notes a WHO study. They include joint pains, feverishness, headaches and conjunctivitis, or redness of the eyes. In other words, symptoms are far less severe than patients of malaria, Dengue fever, or other similar ailments. So how did Zika metamorphose, according to WHO director general Margaret Chan, "from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions?" A reality check appears long overdue. The possible association of Zika virus with congenital microcephaly may not be valid. "The link with Zika has not been confirmed. But some babies who died had the virus in their brain and it has been detected in placenta and amniotic fluid too," noted a recently released WHO report. In Brazil, there are growing fears that vaccines are to blame. Expectant women in Brazil are routinely given the DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccine, or its modern version, the TDAP. Brazilian authorities are systematically scouring cities for mosquito breeding grounds, fumigating, and educating residents on the dangers of still and stagnant water where female insects lay their eggs. Last week, the United States warned pregnant women to avoid travelling to 14 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Washington and the countries south of the Rio Grande are at loggerheads over this issue, in particular because Brazil is hosting the Olympics. The American ban is bound to ruin the Brazilian economy which is already is a state of recession since 2011. Here perhaps is the core Ziko paradox: finding answers to why the epidemic has struck at this particular moment in Brazil is the very basis of reactive health protection, while the implications of these answers could be hard to contain. Search Keywords: Short link: As well as harming the country and the president, and undermining Egypts progress, security intrusions may ignite a new revolutionary wave inside universities I wrote earlier about security intrusions that can damage the country as well as the president. I also wrote about an assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University who is preparing her PhD at a university in Europe, while security agencies sent a letter to the university requesting that she be sent back and her studies terminated. I watched on YouTube a phone-in by the president of Cairo University to Gaber El-Armoutis programme where he read out my article. In the phone call, the university president said it is nothing to do with the university, adding that there may be security reasons relating to the state's higher interests. He also said that anyone can be wrong, even the security agencies. Here are the facts of the matter: 1. The board of the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University and the university board and president (through his deputy) approved a personal grant given to Kholoud Saber, assistant professor in the faculty, to earn a doctorate degree in psychology from the University of Leuven in Belgium. The university board agreed on 12 August to grant her study leave with payment, and paid an airline ticket. She filled in four copies of forms to security agencies and left. 2. The chairman of the department called her a few months later and sent her a letter asking her to return, because security agencies did not grant approval. Some professors called the university president asking him to intervene and he promised to help resolve the issue. 3. As well as the universitys approval, the law clearly makes a distinction between academic missions funded by the state which require the approval of the Executive Committee of Missions at the Ministry of Higher Education and sabbaticals that are not funded by the state. Besides, the committees opinion is only advisory and not final. This committee meets twice every academic year, and therefore recalling Saber has nothing to do with academic missions, but rather with security agencies intruding on the independence of the university and not wanting Saber to earn a doctorate from a reputable university (among the top 100 in the world) without funding from the state, even though she is the top of her class with honours. This is only because Saber is a respectable person and leader who is popular with her colleagues and students, and refuses to follow directives from security agencies. She played a key role in standing up to the Muslim Brotherhood, out of patriotism and not because security agencies made her do it. Security agencies do not want honourable, patriotic leaders to become members of university faculties, but instead want kind people who listen to orders or at least are not active. Ideally, they would be spies for security agencies, writing reports about their colleagues. 4. If security agencies have valid reasons for requesting Saber's return and the termination of her studies they should make them public and send them officially to the president of the university. If there is a threat to national security, they should tell us about it. Egypt will not make any progress, nor be secure, nor will the regime grow in strength and popularity, without patriotic academic leaders in universities, active labour unions, student unions, and professional syndicates. That is when the people become the main support for the regime, instead of doing constant battle with security agencies. Security agencies must understand that their job is to protect Egypt, not destroy all that is good in the country. Tension is building up and one month ago a petition was signed by dozens of university professors, whose numbers will grow by the hundreds at Cairo University, and others in support of Saber. Why push the country to the precipice? Why undermine the presidents popularity unnecessarily? Why create a new problem for the president of Cairo University who is already burdened by hundreds of others? To those in charge of security, either make public the rationale with documented evidence or withdraw your letter. We want justice and will not be silenced. Stand up, Egyptians. Egypt is always calling on you. The writer is head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party. Search Keywords: Short link: Slovakia wants its development aid to be more effective, efficient 2016-02-14 13:28 BRATISLAVA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Slovakia's development assistance needs to be of more effective and more efficient, said Michal Mlynar, director of the Department of the International Organisations, Development and Humanitarian Aid at the Slovak Foreign Ministry on Saturday. Mlynar also called for the increase of the country's international aid. He added that in 2016 Slovakia is putting aside only 0.09 percent of its GDP for development aid, instead of 0.7 percent, which it should. "Of course I'm not satisfied as we don't fulfil international commitments that we took on," stressed Mlynar. From the total volume of about 56 million euros (63 million U.S. dollars) intended for the aid per year, approximately 50 million euros (56 million U.S. dollars) is intended for contributions to international funds, and the rest is allocated to bilateral development assistance. Most of Slovakia's international aid went to Kenya, Moldova and Afghanistan. Turkey meets domestic opposition over military action in Syria 2016-02-14 21:33 ANKARA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Troubled with recent developments in Syria's north near its border, Turkish government pushes hard for a military action with its allies and partners to stem refugee wave and protect rebel holdouts against Syrian regime. Turkish military pounded Kurdish militia targets with artillery fire on Saturday to halt and possibly reverse gains by the Kurdish People's Protections Units (YPG), the armed faction of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The shelling targeted YPG positions in and around Menagh Air Base, near the village of Manaq in the south of the town of Azaz. Turkish action, signaled earlier by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu who leads the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in Turkey, came before the expiration of the deadline for the deal by major powers for halting the fighting in Syria that will take effect next Friday. Confirming on the shelling on late Saturday night, Turkish Prime Minister vowed his government would not allow a demographic change in areas close to its border by the YPG, described as terrorist group by Turkey. Davutoglu accused the PYD of acting as "pawn" at the hands of major powers and Syrian regime to change the make-up of Aleppo by forcing "hundreds of thousands of refugees" toward Turkey. "There is no single shred of doubt on this," he emphasized. Ankara has been lobbying for some time with the NATO military allies for an intervention into Syria to establish a safe zone for refugees, a no-fly zone to deter aerial assaults, halt Russian bombardments and push back advancing Syrian government forces. NATO has been cold to such demands by Turkey so far with the U.S. calling on Turkey to halt shelling of PYD targets in Syria. U.S. State Department spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement that the U.S. is aware of shelling by Turkey and that the U.S. "urged Turkey to cease such fires." However, the Turkish army resumed shelling positions held by YPG for a second day on Sunday, the local media reported. Turkey, suffering from its own Kurdish insurgency in a conflict with the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) for three decades, is concerned about gains by Kurds in northern Syria. Ankara says the PYD is an affiliate of the PKK that is listed as terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. TURKEY- SAUDI OFFENSIVE Ankara also said it is willing to commit ground troops to combat Islamic State (IS) and is working together with Saudi Arabia to accomplish that. "If there will be a comprehensive strategy within the scope of fight against IS, we all said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in a published remarks in a Turkish daily Haberturk on Saturday. He also added that Riyadh will send fighter jets to the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey's southern province of Adana where the U.S.-led coalition forces already deployed air force assets to combat the IS. The advance inspection team by Saudi Arabia has already arrived to Incirlik Air Base. However, the Turkish political opposition parties are up in arms against Turkey's possible intervention into Syria with ground troops, saying that such an action will put Turkish lives at risk. Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the third largest political party in terms of popularity, said on Saturday that it would be a grave mistake for Turkey and Saudi Arabia to enter into a war with Syria. Devle Bahceli, the leader of the MHP, said "the result could be terrible" for Turkey, calling on the government to urgently brief the nature and scope of Turkey's reported agreement with Saudi Arabia. Aytun Ciray, the lawmaker from the main opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP), said on Sunday that a Turkey-Saudi military intervention into Syria will throw the region into a further chaos. Underscoring that the Saudi military is not capable enough to launch such a ground offensive in Syria, Ciray said, adding the whole burden will be on Turkish army. "This would damage Turkey's ties with Arab world beyond repair for generations," he warned. Turkey's former Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis, who had served as an ambassador in major Arab countries, said the Arab world would very much oppose a Turkish incursion into an Arab country. He also cautioned that the Turkish military will have to face Russian forces if it intervenes in Syria. He said that Russia has been waiting for a reason to unleash severe punishment on Turkey since the Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian Su-24 bomber in 2015. Feature: Sichuan Opera staged at museum in London to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016-02-14 10:42 LONDON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Artists from southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality Saturday brought their classic Sichuan Opera performances to the Museum of London Docklands to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with local people. Prior to the performance, the Museum of London Docklands held various kinds of family activities on Saturday morning, including Chinese traditional paper cutting and calligraphy lessons for children as well as enchanting Chinese ribbon dance and peacock dance lessons. Shen Tiemei, director of Chongqing Chuan Ju Theater, and also a leading character of Sichuan Opera introduced the history of Sichuan Opera, the five different roles and their different costumes and performance style. After a brief introduction of the 300-year-old national intangible cultural heritage, actors performed some parts of the classic Sichuan operas. The comic A Roller with an Oil Lamp on the Head received warm applause from the audience. Shen has taken her team and Sichuan Opera to New York, Toronto, Amsterdam and many other cities across the world, however, this was the first time that Sichuan Opera being displayed at a British museum. "The form of combining lecture with performance is very helpful not only for adults but also for children to have a better understanding of the unique traditional Chinese culture," Shen said. Alex Werner, head of History Collections of Museum of London told Xinhua that the Museum of London Docklands is very close to the first Chinese community in London, the Limehouse area where the first Chinese settlers established themselves almost 200 years ago. The principal reason to hold Chinese New Year celebration at the museum was because there are still many Chinese Londoners living in the area, meanwhile, an increasing number of Londoners love the Chinese New Year celebrations as well. "Chinese New Year celebrations are one of the high points in London's festival season," he said. The celebration and relevant events on Saturday attracted a lot of local families. "It's a chance to learn about other cultures and these spectacular customs that the opera actors wear I think is one of the main attractions," said Werner, adding that any kind of cross cultural event in London is really important, as it is the cultural link between the global city and the world. Max Fras brought his three-year-old son to take part in the celebrations at the museum, they learnt Chinese calligraphy and wrote Chinese characters. "We are interested in different cultures in the world, and Chinese culture is quite important in London, so we come here to see how the Chinese New Year is celebrated," he said. "Celebrations being held in the main local organizations is the best way to open to the wider public, because if it was only happening in the Chinese community center, it wouldn't be known about," added Fras. It has been confirmed that a notification for acquiring the required land for K-Rail's 11 Road-over-Bridges project has been issued. #SK data center fire SK C&C's data center raided over massive server outage Police on Friday raided regional offices of SK C&C, the host of the data center for Kakao Corp., in an investigation into a data center fire last week that caused massive servi... #USFK fire drills U.S. Forces Korea reveals artillery firing drills The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) on Friday disclosed footage of its recent "routine" artillery live-fire training, after North Korea fired artillery shells on the pretext of responding... BEIJING - No traffic accidents involving more than 10 deaths were reported nationwide during the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday, which started on Feb 7, said the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday. Preliminary statistics show that some 1.56 million traffic violations, among which 4,751 were drunk driving, were handled by traffic police during the holiday. Traffic accidents and deaths were down more than 30 percent compared with that of last year, said the ministry in a statement. Police faced high pressure to maintain traffic safety during the holiday as more Chinese people now drive. More than 140,000 police officers and 40,000 police cars were deployed daily during the holiday. In addition, festive celebrations at major cities and scenic spots were held in a safe and orderly manner, with no serious fires, firework explosions or stampedes reported. China urges EU to strictly follow WTO rules on anti-dumping investigations Updated: 2016-02-15 00:28 (Xinhua) BEIJING -- A Ministry of Commerce (MOC) official on Sunday said that he expected the European Commission (EC) to strictly follow the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese steel exports. On Feb. 13, the EC said in a notice that it would investigate steel imports including seamless tubes and launch provisional anti-dumping measures on cold-rolled flat steel products originating from China. The MOC official said the EC should be prudent, restrained and lawful in employing trade remedy instruments. Russian PM warns against 'new cold war' at MSC Updated: 2016-02-13 20:53 (Xinhua) MUNICH, Germany - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned here on Saturday that the world has slid into a "new cold war," criticizing the West's "unfriendly" policy against his country. "Almost every day we are called one of the most terrible threats either to NATO as a whole, or to Europe, or to the United States," Medvedev said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). "We have slid back to a new cold war," he warned, "Sometimes I wonder whether it is 2016 we are living in or 1962." Different positions in Syrian conflicts and Ukraine undermined the relations between Russia and the West. Both sides posed sanctions against each other. Medvedev criticized that policies including expansion of NATO towards eastern Europe were "unfriendly" towards Russia. Facing various challenges including terrorism and regional conflicts, cooperation instead of confrontation was necessary, he said. "Sanctions are not only against those whom these sanction are introduced to, but also against those who use those sanctions," Medvedev said, adding that "active dialogues on the future architecture of security" was particularly important to avoid repeating mistakes in history. We want your comments and your story tips! geniusofdespair@yahoo.com (use ALL caps in subject line) afarago@bellsouth.net. Actually I never look at my email, Genius, so write to Gimleteye. Musings and pictures from an expat's adventures in Hong Kong * Big cities still growing despite slowing economies * Investors eye returns on consumer goods, financial service * Urbanisation stirs social problems, potential unrest * Graphic on Africa's urbanisation: http://reut.rs/1W6TbYv By Joe Brock JOHANNESBURG, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Africa's biggest economies have been hammered by the collapse in commodity prices over the past 18 months but there are still investment bright spots to be found. In cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Kinshasa and Johannesburg, growth remains robust and investors are prospering in the retail, financial services, technology and construction sectors. This means investors can now re-adjust their strategy for Africa. Instead of taking a view on the continent as a whole, or choosing one country over another, they can seize opportunities city by city. Sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing faster than anywhere else in the world and city dwellers have more money to spend. "In the current economic environment, investors want areas where success is proven, growth is strong and will remain strong. Big African cities give you that," said Jacob Kholi, a partner at Abraaj, a private equity firm with $9 billion under management. "It has become even more important to focus on these key cities than before," Kholi added. Nairobi is the most attractive destination for foreign investment, according to a 2015 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, followed by Accra, with Lagos and Johannesburg equal third. Consumption per capita in Accra is 1.6 times greater than the average in Ghana, 2.3 times bigger in Lagos than the average in Nigeria, and 2.7 times larger in Nairobi than nationally in Kenya, Abraaj estimates. Lagos, one of the world's fastest growing cities and with a population of 20 million, expects economic growth of 7 percent this year, twice the pace of the country as a whole. Even South Africa, which is grappling with youth unemployment of over 40 percent and could slip into recession this year, has areas where industry is booming. Story continues "Looking around here, you wouldn't know things were so bad," construction worker Sifiso Zwane told Reuters in Johannesburg's wealthy Sandton business district. "Rich people will always find a way to make more money," said Zwane, with cranes filling the skyline behind him and billboards advertising new retailers like Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Hennes & Mauritz. There are similar stories elsewhere. This year, Kenya is set to unveil the Two River malls in Nairobi, the continent's largest shopping centre outside South Africa, with brands like Porsche, Hugo Boss and France's Carrefour already booking space. "The economy still has opportunities," said Gabriel Modest, a jeweller who says demand for the gold necklaces and bracelets he sells remains strong. "Sometimes you have to treat yourself," he added, ordering a bowl of muesli and yoghurt at an upmarket Nairobi coffee shop. In Lagos, plans are in place to develop the vast multi-billion-dollar Eko Atlantic city, a Dubai-style gated community that will boast chrome skyscrapers, business parks, palm trees and a marina. "MEGA-CITY" By 2025, Mckinsey estimates that more than 80 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have populations of more than one million, accounting for 58 percent of the region's growth. This rapid urbanisation means Africa's big cities will need more roads, hospital and power stations, while growing numbers of new inhabitants will be buying consumer goods like instant noodles, washing powder and mobile phone cards. Though some big companies like Massmart, Barclays and Nestle have slowed expansion plans in Africa in the last two years they are still making healthy profits in the big urban centres, according to banking sources. "Our investment is focused on cities where we see the best opportunities even if the investment environment in the rest of the country isn't as robust," said Louis Deppe, partner at Actis, an emerging market-focused investment company. "The 'mega-city' trend is still very much on the cards." The share of Africans living in urban areas is expected to grow from 36 percent in 2010 to 50 percent by 2030, with cities expected to be home to 85 percent of the national population in some countries, according to the World Bank. The rapid urbanisation of mostly the young and unemployed is placing a huge strain on infrastructure and will put pressure on politicians to direct more resources towards cities. Inequality in African cities is already among the highest in the world. African governments with stretched public finances will need to improve housing and social safety nets in cities and diversify their economies to support rural areas in order to avoid an increase in inequality that could stir up discontent. "In a more risk-averse world, 'urban bias' - where there are proven returns - is likely to be reinforced. Investors will look at urban areas," said Razia Khan, head of Africa research at Standard Chartered. "This trend runs the risk of the rural electorate being marginalized - in especially unequal regions, it may raise political risks, and the potential for unrest." Back in Lagos, business is still expanding for cab-owner Cyril Ugochukwu, whose earnings are running well above the target he set for his business, which has contracts with online firm Easy Taxi. "Individuals must make trips whether times are good or bad," he told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Duncan Miriri in Nairobi and Chijioke Ohuocha in Lagos; Editing by Giles Elgood) By Joe Brock JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Africa's biggest economies have been hammered by the collapse in commodity prices over the past 18 months but there are still investment bright spots to be found. In cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Kinshasa and Johannesburg, growth remains robust and investors are prospering in the retail, financial services, technology and construction sectors. This means investors can now re-adjust their strategy for Africa. Instead of taking a view on the continent as a whole, or choosing one country over another, they can seize opportunities city by city. Sub-Saharan Africa is urbanizing faster than anywhere else in the world and city dwellers have more money to spend. "In the current economic environment, investors want areas where success is proven, growth is strong and will remain strong. Big African cities give you that," said Jacob Kholi, a partner at Abraaj, a private equity firm with $9 billion under management. "It has become even more important to focus on these key cities than before," Kholi added. Nairobi is the most attractive destination for foreign investment, according to a 2015 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, followed by Accra, with Lagos and Johannesburg equal third. Consumption per capita in Accra is 1.6 times greater than the average in Ghana, 2.3 times bigger in Lagos than the average in Nigeria, and 2.7 times larger in Nairobi than nationally in Kenya, Abraaj estimates. Lagos, one of the world's fastest growing cities and with a population of 20 million, expects economic growth of 7 percent this year, twice the pace of the country as a whole. Even South Africa, which is grappling with youth unemployment of over 40 percent and could slip into recession this year, has areas where industry is booming. "Looking around here, you wouldn't know things were so bad," construction worker Sifiso Zwane told Reuters in Johannesburg's wealthy Sandton business district. "Rich people will always find a way to make more money," said Zwane, with cranes filling the skyline behind him and billboards advertising new retailers like Krispy Kreme doughnuts (KKD.N) and Hennes & Mauritz (HMb.ST). Story continues There are similar stories elsewhere. This year, Kenya is set to unveil the Two River malls in Nairobi, the continents largest shopping center outside South Africa, with brands like Porsche, Hugo Boss and Frances Carrefour already booking space. "The economy still has opportunities," said Gabriel Modest, a jeweler who says demand for the gold necklaces and bracelets he sells remains strong. "Sometimes you have to treat yourself," he added, ordering a bowl of muesli and yoghurt at an upmarket Nairobi coffee shop. In Lagos, plans are in place to develop the vast multi-billion-dollar Eko Atlantic city, a Dubai-style gated community that will boast chrome skyscrapers, business parks, palm trees and a marina. "MEGA-CITY" By 2025, Mckinsey estimates that more than 80 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have populations of more than one million, accounting for 58 percent of the region's growth. This rapid urbanization means Africa's big cities will need more roads, hospital and power stations, while growing numbers of new inhabitants will be buying consumer goods like instant noodles, washing powder and mobile phone cards. Though some big companies like Massmart (MSMJ.J), Barclays (BARC.L) and Nestle (NESN.VX) have slowed expansion plans in Africa in the last two years they are still making healthy profits in the big urban centers, according to banking sources. "Our investment is focused on cities where we see the best opportunities even if the investment environment in the rest of the country isn't as robust," said Louis Deppe, partner at Actis, an emerging market-focused investment company. "The 'mega-city' trend is still very much on the cards." The share of Africans living in urban areas is expected to grow from 36 percent in 2010 to 50 percent by 2030, with cities expected to be home to 85 percent of the national population in some countries, according to the World Bank. The rapid urbanization of mostly the young and unemployed is placing a huge strain on infrastructure and will put pressure on politicians to direct more resources towards cities. Inequality in African cities is already among the highest in the world. African governments with stretched public finances will need to improve housing and social safety nets in cities and diversify their economies to support rural areas in order to avoid an increase in inequality that could stir up discontent. "In a more risk-averse world, 'urban bias where there are proven returns - is likely to be reinforced. Investors will look at urban areas," said Razia Khan, head of Africa research at Standard Chartered. "This trend runs the risk of the rural electorate being marginalized in especially unequal regions, it may raise political risks, and the potential for unrest." Back in Lagos, business is still expanding for cab-owner Cyril Ugochukwu, whose earnings are running well above the target he set for his business, which has contracts with online firm Easy Taxi. "Individuals must make trips whether times are good or bad," he told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Duncan Miriri in Nairobi and Chijioke Ohuocha in Lagos; Editing by Giles Elgood) Damascus (AFP) - President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recapture the whole of Syria and keep "fighting terrorism" while also negotiating an end to the war, as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. His defiant stance, in an exclusive interview with AFP released Friday, doused hopes of an imminent halt to hostilities that world powers are pushing to take effect within a week. Assad said the main aim of a Russian-backed regime offensive in Aleppo province that has prompted tens of thousands of people to flee was to cut the rebels' supply route from Turkey. He said his government's eventual goal was to retake all of the country, large swathes of which are controlled by rebel forces or the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group. "It makes no sense for us to say that we will give up any part," he said in the interview conducted on Thursday in Damascus, before a plan for a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria was announced. Assad said it would be possible to "put an end to this problem in less than a year" if opposition supply routes from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq were severed. But if not, he said, "the solution will take a long time and will incur a heavy price". Assad said he saw a risk that Turkey and Saudi Arabia, key backers of the opposition, would intervene militarily in Syria. World powers on Friday announced an ambitious plan to stop fighting in Syria within a week, but doubts have emerged over its viability, especially because it did not include IS or Al-Qaeda's local branch. US Secretary of State John Kerry said there were "no illusions" about the difficulty of implementing a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" as he announced the deal in Munich alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The US State Department also hit back at Assad's claim he wants to retake the whole country, with spokesman Mark Toner calling him "deluded if he thinks that there's a military solution to the conflict". Story continues - Humanitarian aid - Moscow says its more than four-month-old bombing campaign in Syria targets IS and other "terrorists", but critics accuse Russia of focusing on mainstream rebels. Lavrov underlined that "terrorist organisations" such as IS and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front "do not fall under the truce, and we and the US-led coalition will keep fighting these structures". He also talked about "direct contacts between the Russian and US military" on the ground, where they back opposing sides, although the Pentagon said there were no plans for increased military cooperation. The 17-nation International Syria Support Group also agreed that "sustained delivery" of humanitarian aid would begin "immediately". Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Friday called for aid to be delivered to "the afflicted populations and to the many refugees seeking safety in neighbouring lands" after they met in Havana. But after Assad's forces this month nearly encircled Aleppo, Syria's second city, several nations put the onus on Moscow to implement the deal. "Through its military action on the side of Assad's regime, Russia had recently seriously compromised the political process. Now there is a chance to save this process," German foreign ministry spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz said. "What is important now is embracing this opportunity, stopping the air strikes, ceasing targeting civilians and providing humanitarian access," added Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Twitter. He later said that Russian bombing killed 16 civilians in Syria early Friday "despite the agreement we made last night". - Question marks - However, analysts remained sceptical about the chances of ending a war that has killed more than 260,000 people and displaced more than half the population. "There are huge question marks," said Julien Barnes-Dacey of the European Council on Foreign Relations. The failure to include Al-Nusra was particularly important, he said, since the group is active in Aleppo and surrounding regions, and many of the more "moderate" rebels have links with it. "This effectively gives the green light for the Syrian government and its allies to carry on military action while paying lip service to the agreement," said Barnes-Dacey. Other analysts said it was significant that Washington and Moscow had been able to strike a deal at all. The US and Russia have "taken ownership of this now. This is important," said Michael Williams, a former UN diplomat in Lebanon and now at London's Chatham House think tank. "It will put quite a bit of pressure on Assad and his regime. It's very hard for them now to walk away." Peace talks collapsed earlier this month over the offensive on Aleppo, which has forced at least 50,000 people to flee and killed an estimated 500 people since it began on February 1. A key Syrian opposition body, the High Negotiations Committee, said Friday it was up to rebels on the ground whether to implement the deal. Assad supporter Iran said it would work with rival Saudi Arabia to fight IS in Syria. Kerry said talks between the opposition and the regime would resume as soon as possible, but warned that "what we have here are words on paper -- what we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground". There have been widespread protests about Canberra's use of remote Pacific camps for asylum-seekers (AFP Photo/Peter Parks) An Australian hospital has refused to return an asylum-seeker baby to detention in Nauru, as momentum built across the country on Sunday against offshore Pacific camps for processing refugees. Under the government's tough immigration policy, asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to detention camps in the Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be refugees. The hospital's move came as state governments, churches and activists stepped up their efforts to stop the return of some 267 refugees to Nauru following a High Court ruling. On Sunday, campaigners from ActionAid, Amnesty International, GetUp! and Greenpeace unfurled a #LetThemStay banner on Sydney's iconic harbour calling for the asylum-seekers, who are set to be deported after being brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be allowed to stay. The #LetThemStay campaign, which has been trending on Twitter, has also seen hundreds of people maintain a vigil -- now in its third day -- outside the Brisbane hospital where the baby is being cared for. The 12-month-old infant, who is called Asha and the child of Nepalese asylum-seekers, was brought to the eastern city of Brisbane for treatment in late January after being scalded with hot water at the remote Nauru facility. Following the High Court's ruling earlier this month in favour of the government's policies, Asha and 36 other babies born in Australia are among the asylum-seekers facing removal. But a spokesman for Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital said Asha "will only be discharged once a suitable home environment is identified". - Growing political, community support - Their stance was supported by Queensland state's Health Minister Cameron Dick, who said in a statement Sunday that he "strongly support(s) doctors in our hospitals to make the right clinical decisions". Story continues "Doctors must expect to advocate for their patients," Doctors For Refugees co-founder Richard Kidd, who has joined the vigil outside the hospital, told AFP. "We have... overwhelming evidence over many years now that detention does terrible harm to babies and children, particularly their mental health but also physical health." Australian church leaders in early February vowed to defy the federal government, offering sanctuary to the asylum-seekers. Several state government premiers have said they would help settle in their communities those facing deportation if they were allowed to stay. There have also been numerous community-led protests. Thirty-seven cots -- one for each of the Australia-born babies -- were set up on Sydney's Bondi Beach, while two campaigners abseiled from a Melbourne bridge with a "Let Them Stay" banner. "I think the case of the 267 people has just really spoken to the hearts of the people across Australia," GetUp! organiser Sally Rugg told AFP. "It's people from all walks of life. We are seeing churches and hospitals and teachers and premiers, it's a whole movement." Canberra has long defended its policy, saying it has prevented the deaths of asylum-seekers at sea and secured its borders. But rights groups have criticised the measures and detention conditions, while the government-funded Human Rights Commission has found that children who lived in the Nauru centre had high levels of mental illness. "This offshore detention policy is being operated by the Australian government in secrecy and there's a severe lack of transparency and that's obviously not how people of Australia want their taxpayers' money being spent," Amnesty's Ming Yu Hah told AFP. Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz addresses a town hall event at an American Legion post on February 8, 2016 in Manchester, New Hampshire (AFP Photo/Dominick Reuter ) Washington (AFP) - Fresh off of Donald Trump's New Hampshire primary rout, arch-conservative rival Ted Cruz launched a sharp offensive Wednesday against the billionaire frontrunner, heralding a brutal battle for the next Republican contest in South Carolina. The US senator from Texas, who won the Iowa caucuses last week and placed third Tuesday night in New Hampshire, wasted no time slinging mud against Trump as a fake conservative, as Cruz fights to be the evangelical and right-wing standardbearer for the 2016 Republican nomination. "The only candidate who can beat Donald Trump is me," Cruz told reporters in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Republicans vote on February 20. Cruz highlighted the "significant glaring differences" between the two on health care, stressing that Trump was keen on "adopting Bernie Sanders-style socialized medicine," a reference to the independent senator challenging Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Trump and Cruz both say they want to dismantle President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, but Trump has been hammered by conservative rivals for expressing support years ago for universal health care. The pair occupy the far-right lane in the crowded Republican nomination race, with a handful of more mainstream candidates -- Senator Marco Rubio, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, and Ohio Governor John Kasich who finished second in New Hampshire -- seeking to push them aside. The real estate mogul has repeatedly taunted his rivals, saying those who wage war against him end up plunging in polls. But Cruz likely sees it as a necessity. Trump leads in South Carolina with 36 percent support in the RealClearPolitics poll average. Cruz runs second at 20 percent, with Rubio well back in third, below 13 percent. With Trump proving in New Hampshire that he can win over a broad coalition of Republicans and independent voters, and Cruz riding high among evangelicals and other social conservatives, the Trump-Cruz battle will be paramount, with mainstream candidates likely scrapping for bronze in South Carolina. Story continues The first southern state to vote in the primaries is a rough-and-tumble political swamp. Cruz told the Mike Gallagher radio show on Wednesday that "South Carolina is going to play a key role in choosing whether the Republican nominee is a proven conservative or simply a candidate who talks the talk on the trail but hasn't walked the walk." Trump, scheduled to hold a Wednesday night rally in the state, meanwhile unleashed a South Carolina campaign ad criticizing Cruz as "the worst king of Washington insider who just can't be trusted." Donald Trump. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) sparred in an early presidential-debate exchange during which Trump confronted the audience multiple times. Bush brought up Trump's name unprompted in order to question the real-estate developer's plans to combat the Islamic State in the Middle East. Bush said it was "ludicrous" to support Russia helping the US out in Syria, as Trump has done. "Let me just tell you this: Jeb is so wrong. Jeb is absolutely so ah," Trump began. A chorus of booed in the audience interrupted Trump, who then suggested that the crowd was stacked with pro-Bush elites in the GOP establishment. "Just so you understand: You know who that is? That's Jeb's special interests and lobbyists talking," Trump continued. Trump took another shot at the audience shortly after. The crowd loudly booed Trump when he mocked Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), for having "0%" in the polls before dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing Bush. "I only tell the truth, lobbyists," Trump told the people booing him. "We've spent $5 trillion all over the Middle East. We have to rebuild our country." At an earlier debate this month, Trump similarly confronted the audience for booing him after taking a shot at Bush. Trump said tickets to the event had been given out to "donors" and other establishment figures who supported Bush. NOW WATCH: Donald Trump just won New Hampshire back in November, we tried to answer 3 questions everyone has about him More From Business Insider elizabeth warren Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), an influential member of the Senate Democratic caucus, unloaded on Republicans who have said that President Barack Obama should not attempt to fill a newly vacant Supreme Court seat after the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) said Saturday that the vacancy should be left to the next president. The "American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," McConnell said. In fact, argued Warren, the American people did have a say when they reelected Obama in 2012. "Sen. McConnell is right that the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next Supreme Court justice. In fact, they did when President Obama won the 2012 election by 5 million votes," she said in a statement posted to her official Facebook page. Warren, a veteran law professor, also cited Article II of the US Constitution, which gives the president the power to nominate Supreme Court justices with the "advice and consent of the Senate." She quipped that she "can't find a clause that says, 'except when there's a year left in the term of a Democratic President.'" "Senate Republicans took an oath just like Senate Democrats did. Abandoning the duties they swore to uphold would threaten both the Constitution and our democracy itself. It would also prove that all the Republican talk about loving the Constitution is just that empty talk," she said. For his part, Obama has said he plans to fulfill his "constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time." Some Democrats have pointed to the confirmation of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and confirmed during the 1988 election year. Warren's post had been shared almost 100,000 times as of Sunday afternoon. NOW WATCH: A Harvard Law professor explains why he thinks Ted Cruz is ineligible to run for president More From Business Insider By Andrew R.C. Marshall and Timothy Mclaughlin BANGKOK/YANGON (Reuters) - When U.S. President Barack Obama hosts a meeting of Southeast Asian leaders in California this week, his Myanmar counterpart Thein Sein will be notably absent. Myanmar's outgoing president abruptly pulled out of the summit as secretive talks continued between his country's powerful military and the incoming government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. For his admirers, a smooth transition of power would seal Thein Sein's legacy as the former general who led Myanmar's dramatic emergence from nearly half a century of military dictatorship. He freed political prisoners, scrapped censorship, oversaw a historic election and repaired relations with the West, turning Myanmar from a global pariah into a buzzing destination for tourists, investors and world leaders. On March 31, he will pass the unfinished task of transforming Myanmar to a National League for Democracy (NLD) government led by Suu Kyi, his wildly popular political rival, who in November won the country's first credible general election in 25 years. Despite fears of fraud, the election ran smoothly and Thein Sein's Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), dominated by former military officers, accepted a crushing defeat. But critics say Thein Sein, who gave no reason for cancelling his attendance at the California summit on Monday and Tuesday, did little to tackle his country's profound poverty or the religious tensions that regularly erupted into deadly violence. Nor did he challenge the military, whose abiding influence over every aspect of Myanmar - politics, bureaucracy, business - poses a major challenge to Suu Kyi's fledgling administration. "Thein Sein will be remembered as the president who really turned Myanmar around," said Richard Horsey, a Yangon-based analyst and former United Nations official in Myanmar. "His administration has been far from perfect, but his legacy will be an enduring one." Former junta leader Than Shwe appointed him prime minister in 2007, the same year the military government brutally suppressed pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks. Four years later, after winning a general election marred by vote-rigging allegations and boycotted by Suu Kyi's NLD, Thein Sein became president of a nominally civilian government packed with former soldiers. LOOKING WEST He set the tone for his presidency with his abrupt suspension in September 2011 of a $3.6-billion, China-backed dam at Myitsone, in northern Myanmar, source of the mighty Ayeyarwady River. The dam had drawn protests on both environmental and patriotic grounds, and suspending it boosted Thein Sein's popularity among his 51 million people. It also signaled that the preferential treatment China had received during the years of junta rule was over. A bookish-looking 70-year-old, Thein Sein's leadership style is "low-key, people-centred, even humble", said analyst Horsey. Suu Kyi was less impressed. She first met Thein Sein in the capital, Naypyitaw, in August 2011, eight months after she was freed from house arrest. For an ex-general struggling for global credibility, it was a pivotal encounter. Suu Kyi pronounced Thein Sein "sincere" about reforming Myanmar. That endorsement paved the way for a visit by Hillary Clinton, then U.S. Secretary of State, in November and an end to most Western sanctions the following year. Thein Sein held many more closed-door meetings with Suu Kyi, but their relationship would sour. When asked by Reuters in April 2014 whether she still thought Thein Sein was sincere, Suu Kyi replied: "No. Because if he had been sincere about reform then we would be much further ahead than we are." Presidential spokesman Ye Htut described Thein Sein as an intensely private man whose chief concern was Myanmar's stability. This meant putting issues such as corruption on the backburner so as "not to rock the boat", said Ye Htut. Critics say it also meant preserving the military's powers - and ignoring its well-documented human rights abuses - in the name of national reconciliation. The military, which holds a quarter of parliamentary seats and key ministerial posts, remained outside civilian control under Thein Sein. RELIGIOUS STRIFE Thein Sein was also widely criticized for failing to halt religious violence that killed hundreds of people, mostly Muslims, and caused lasting damage to relations with majority Buddhists. He was condemned for Myanmar's treatment of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority forced to live in squalid camps in western Myanmar, and for the passage of four so-called "race and religion protection" laws championed by radical Buddhist monks. The laws, which rights groups said discriminated against Muslims and women, made Thein Sein a "hero" to Buddhist extremists, said Wai Wai Nu, a Rohingya activist and former political prisoner. "A democratic president should not be biased toward one religion," she told Reuters. Suu Kyi was also criticized for failing to speak up for the Rohingya. Thein Sein's most ambitious plan was to bring peace to a nation fractured by decades of fighting between the military and dozen of ethnic rebel armies. But only eight of 15 armed groups signed a nation ceasefire in October, with many of the most powerful staying away. The fighting continues. (Reporting by Andrew R.C. Marshall and Timothy Mclaughlin; Editing by Alex Richardson) * Iran has one of the world's biggest zinc deposits * Investors look at potential, curbed by slump in mining sector * India considering $2 bln aluminium smelter in Iran By Eric Onstad LONDON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Iran's rich deposits of zinc, copper, gold and other minerals are tempting international investors after the lifting of Western sanctions, but development of the sector will take time and problems will have to be overcome. A slump in metals prices and uncertainty about working with the Tehran government, which controls virtually all the country's mines, means that many foreign mining firms are not scrambling to sign deals. Nevertheless, some agreements have already been struck and other foreign firms have been looking at Iran's mining and metals sector in the weeks following the scrapping of sanctions as part of a nuclear deal, which went into force last month. Iran, which boasts one of the world's largest undeveloped zinc projects and myriad other mines, has been trying to lure investors since it became clear that sanctions would be lifted under last year's deal signed by Tehran and six world powers. Iran's state-owned mines and metal holding company IMIDRO told an Australian mining conference in November that its mining sector needed $20 billion of investment by 2025. "Iran absolutely has world class mining assets, which have hitherto been shrouded from investors, but we're in the depths of one of the darkest, worst downturns in mining for some time," said Neil Passmore, chief executive of Hannam & Partners boutique merchant bank in London. The slump in commodity prices has hit international mining firms, forcing them to sell assets, cut dividends and slash capital spending to preserve cash, but some deals with Iran are still being done. "During the six to 12 months that it's looked likely sanctions would be lifted, people have been starting to do some work and now that things have opened up, they're increasing the pace," Passmore added. Story continues In India, national aluminium company NALCO said last month it planned to send a team to Iran to explore setting up a smelter worth about $2 billion and state-run KIOCL is considering building an iron ore pellet complex. Other companies from Italy and China to South Korea have either signed deals or are looking into possibilities. FACTBOX-Iran's mineral wealth spans gold to zinc UNCERTAINTY But highlighting the uncertainty among potential investors, NALCO said it was also looking at Oman and Qatar as possible sites for its aluminium smelter. A spokesman for global miner Rio Tinto , which was previously involved in the Sara Gunay gold project in Iran, said there was no work being done by their exploration team regarding the country. Chief Executive Mark Bristow of Randgold Resources, which has experience of mining in risky areas of Africa, told Reuters the firm was not interested in Iran. Dealing with Iran, which is beset by political infighting between pragmatic and hardline factions, can be complex and time consuming. Foreign energy executives hoping to invest in oil and gas fields there complain Tehran has still not revealed contract terms, abruptly cancelling a conference due to be held this month when they had expected it to do so. Although minerals development may take years, Iran's bounty and low energy costs will eventually build it into a substantial player in the global metals industry, analysts say. Iran's Mehdiabad project is one of the world's largest zinc deposits, which was previously due to be developed by Australian's Union Resources, with annual output of 300,000 tonnes a year. Iran says it has 68 types of minerals, including iron ore, coal, gold and copper with total reserves of 43 billion tonnes. Besides growing as a producer, the country of 80 million people is also set to help boost global demand for metals since it is the biggest economy to rejoin the global trading system since Russia, following the breakup of the Soviet Union over two decades ago. "As they get more oil revenue, there's no reason why they shouldn't look to diversify the economy and drive metals exports," said Robin Bhar, head of metals research at Societe Generale in London. "It plays both ways, as they're welcomed back into the international fold, hopefully they'll also contribute to the demand side of the ledger, as they've got a young and rising population." (Reporting by Eric Onstad; editing by David Stamp) Veteran US Senator John McCain, 80, has been diagnosed with brain cancer, according to his office (AFP Photo/Saul LOEB) (AFP/File) Munich (Germany) (AFP) - A senior figure in the Syrian opposition movement on Sunday criticised the truce deal forged by the US and Russia, saying Moscow was continuing its onslaught on civilian areas. "We have gotten used to conferences and hope put into words but what we need is action, and the action I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians," said Riad Hijab, head of the High Negotiation Committee that represents several Syrian opposition groups. "The Syrian people continue to live in terror and utter despair after the international community has failed to prevent the gravest crimes," he told the audience at the Munich Security Conference. Hijab dodged questions about whether the "moderate" rebels would accept the "cessation of hostilities" agreement reached on Friday that calls for a truce within a week. "Why is the onus on the opposition and whether it has preconditions for negotiations? I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement," said Hijab. Critics have said Friday's deal is hobbled by the fact it does not include "terrorist" groups such as the Islamic State group and the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra, leaving room for Russia to continue attacks by claiming it is targeting jihadists. It followed a major offensive by Syrian government forces, backed by heavy Russian bombing and Iranian troops, on the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. - 'Very pessimistic' - Others, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, lined up to voice their doubts about the deal. "I'm very pessimistic about a potential cessation of hostilities at the end of this week. Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability (in Syria) for a very, very long period of time," said Yaalon. He said it was very hard to imagine Syria being reunited. "We know how to make an omelette from an egg, we don't know how to make an egg from an omelette. We are going to see enclaves -- Alawi-stan, Syria-Kurdistan," said Yaalon. Story continues US Senator John McCain also slammed the deal, saying it would only empower Moscow's "military aggression". "Let's be clear about what this agreement does: It permits the assault on Aleppo to continue for another week. It requires opposition groups to stop fighting but it allows Russia to continue bombing terrorists which it insists is everyone, including civilians," said McCain, a leading member of the opposition Republicans and head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. "If Russia or the Assad regime violates this agreement, what are the consequences? I don't see any," he told the conference. McCain said it was "no accident" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had chosen this moment for a deal. "We've seen this movie before in Ukraine," he said. "Russia presses its advantage militarily, creates new facts on the ground, uses the denial and delivery of humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip, negotiates an agreement to lock in the spoils of war and then chooses when to resume fighting." Kei Nishikori of Japan returns a shot to Taylor Fritz of the United States on February 14, 2016 in Memphis, Tennessee (AFP Photo/Stacy Revere) (Getty/AFP) Japan's seventh-ranked Kei Nishikori captured his fourth consecutive ATP Memphis Open title on Sunday by defeating 18-year-old US wildcard Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4. Top seed Nishikori won his 11th career ATP crown by taking his 17th consecutive Memphis match victory. He joins Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the only active players to have won the same event four years in a row. "It has been amazing," Nishikori said as he accepted the guitar-shaped champion's trophy. "It was really fun on the court. This is something I've never done before, something new. I'm very happy for that." Fritz, in only his third tour-level event, was the youngest American in an ATP final since a 17-year-old Michael Chang won at Wembley in 1989. "It was a great week for me," Fritz said. "Winning the tournament four times, that's incredible. He was too tough for me today." Fritz smashed a backhand winner down the line to break Nishikori's first service game of the match -- his lone break of the contest -- and then held at love himself for a 3-0 edge. But the Asian ace bounced back by winning six of the next seven games. A double fault cost Fritz a break in the fifth game and he struggled to hold in the seventh, denying Nishikori break points on two aces and a service winner. Nishikori broke in the ninth game on a forehand winner and held at love to claim the first set after 36 minutes. In the second set, Nishikori broke on a forehand winner for a 3-2 lead and forced Fritz to save two match points in the ninth game before holding in the 10th on a forehand winner to end it after 79 minutes. After starting the week 1-2 in ATP play, Fritz will jump from 145th to 103rd in the world rankings. "I'm sure he has got a bright future and is going to be among the top players very soon," Nishikori said of Fritz. Fritz, last year's US Open junior champion, made his ATP debut last year at Nottingham, beating Carreno Busta before a second-round exit. He lost to compatriot Jack Sock in five sets in the first round of last month's Australian Open. The company logo of Noble Group is displayed at its office in Hong Kong, China January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (Reuters) By Anshuman Daga and Sarah McFarlane SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) - Three liquefied natural gas (LNG) traders at Asia's biggest commodity trade house, Noble Group Ltd , including two co-heads of the team, are leaving to join rival trader Glencore , sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Noble and Glencore declined to comment. The sources said that Noble will continue to trade LNG, having restarted its London-based trading desk in 2014. Noble will still have about five people involved in the LNG business. The departures come after a tough period at Noble. The company's shares have shed more than two-thirds of their value in the past year, after Iceberg Research alleged the company inflated its assets by billions of dollars by inaccurately representing the value of its contracts. A slump in commodity markets also hit the firm. Noble has rejected the accusations of accounting irregularities. Last month, Noble's executives said the company was taking measures to bolster its balance sheet. It has slashed capital expenditure on areas such as its non-ferrous metals business and sold its stake in its agribusiness unit. LNG, however, has been an attractive area for commodity traders, as a wave of export projects planned over the past decade come to fruition, boosting supply and creating trading opportunities. One of Noble's biggest LNG ventures has been its two-year supply deal into the burgeoning Egyptian market after the country launched two import terminals last year, enabling it to quickly become a significant buyer of the fuel. Switzerland-headquartered Glencore noted last year that LNG offered growth opportunities for the trade house. Two trade sources separately told Reuters that two LNG traders from Glencore had recently departed from the company. Glencore declined to comment on the departures. (Reporting by Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE and Sarah McFarlane in LONDON; Editing by Alison Williams) Pope Francis Mexico City Pope Francis landed in Mexico on Friday and will celebrate Mass in the capital city on Sunday. Once he leaves the capital, however, he will encounter a much harsher part of a country that is home to the second-most Catholics in the world. The pontiff will travel south, to the state of Chiapas, which has become a focal point for the migrant crisis that has challenged the Mexican government and people in recent years. The wave of migrants that has surged out of the Northern Triangle, which is made up of the countries of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, over the last two years has flowed through Chiapas, as residents of the region flee faltering economies and rampant violence driven by gangs and drugs. In July 2014, a spike in the number of unaccompanied child migrants arriving at the US border prompted calls to action from US lawmakers. With US support, Mexico responded, and the number of undocumented Central Americans apprehended in Mexico rose by 71% between July 2014 and June 2015, compared the same period a year prior, according to a report from the Washington Office on Latin America. Mexico southern border Chiapas Guatemala Central American migrants detained in Mexico jumped to over 170,000 in 2015, up from about 78,000 in 2013, according to The New York Times. Most of those caught, WOLA notes, are intercepted in Chiapas. In Mexico, however, many of those migrants find more of the horror that forced them from their homes. "When you live in Honduras, you quickly learn that anywhere and anything is better, a 17-year-old migrant told The Dallas Morning News in summer 2014, but then you get to Mexico and you understand that hell extends beyond Honduras." Story continues 'A permanent fear' Pope Francis has spoken before about the plight of migrants fleeing Central America. In July 2014, as child migrants arrived at the US border, the pontiff said, This humanitarian emergency requires, as a first urgent measure, these children be welcomed and protected. But his also zeroed in on a policy response to the migrant crisis. These measures, however, will not be sufficient, unless they are accompanied by policies that inform people about the dangers of such a journey, he continued, according to the Huffington Post. And, above all, [policies] that promote development in their countries of origin, he added. Mexico Central Amercia migrants arrested The Catholic Church and related groups have also been involved in Central America, including in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, which saw a 72% increase in homicides in 2015. There is an urge to flee, because of the very asphyxiation that people feel, Veronica Reyna, a psychologist with a Catholic Church-linked group in San Salvador, told The Wall Street Journal. In El Salvador, there is a constant paranoia, a permanent fear. Francis returned to the topic during his visit to the US in September last year. We must not be taken aback by their numbers, he said, referring to the migrants, but rather view them view them as persons, seeing their faces and listening to their stories, trying to respond as best we can to their situation. Mexico Central America migrant Honduras While the popes trip to Chiapas is sure to address that states indigenous community, the poverty that afflicts it (76% of the state lives in poverty, 32% in extreme poverty), and the alienation they feel toward the church, he is also likely to touch on migrant rights. Amid the Mexican governments crackdown on the stream of migrants, any comments or gestures he makes about their plight is likely to irk Mexicos political leadership. It will be an uncomfortable visit, Jesuit father David Velasco, a professor in Guadalajara, told The Guardian in December, before the popes itinerary had been announced. The Mexican government has a strategy of painting a fantasy of a country that doesnt exist, he added. Central America migrant Mexico On Saturday, his first full day in the country, Francis addressed those leaders directly. Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, the pontiff said, according to the AP, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development. Mexico migrants central america protest Like migrants fleeing Central America, Pope Francis will travel north from Chiapas. He will stop in Michoacan, a violence-wracked state in Mexicos southwest, where bloodthirsty gangs have terrorized the population. His visit there will also likely mention the priests who, along with residents, have stood up to criminals. Those clergymen have paid the price, as the 40 of them killed over the last decade have made Mexico the most dangerous country for priests in the Americas, according to El Pais. The popes trip will conclude on February 17 in Ciudad Juarez, the northern border city that was, just a few years ago, the most violence city in the world. His visit is expected to help broadcast the citys economic and social recovery, but that fact that its a border city links it to the broader migrant crisis. mexico pope francis Though Pope Francis' current plans don't involve him traveling into the US, the significance of that crossing has not been lost on him. To enter the United States from the border with Mexico would be a beautiful gesture of brotherhood and support for immigrants, he said early last year. NOW WATCH: Forget 'El Chapo' this is Mexico's most powerful drug lord More From Business Insider Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead in Texas on Saturday, according to multiple reports. The office of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement on Scalia's death late Saturday afternoon. Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution," Abbott said in the statement. The US Marshall's Service confirmed Scalia's death later Saturday. Reports from local ABC affiliate KVIA and San Antonio News-Express suggested Scalia, 79, died after spending time at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a luxury resort outside Marfa, Texas. KVIA reported that Scalia "did not report feeling ill ... and retired to his room after dinner" Friday night. Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. He was the longest-serving Justice on the current Supreme Court bench. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, and their nine children. Reacting to the news of Scalia's death, CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said Scalia was one of the "handful of most influential Supreme Court justices in history." "Only a handful have enormous personal legacies," he said, and Scalia was one of them. "His departure leaves a huge political fight in the offing." Antonin Scalia In a statement, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said, "As liberals and conservatives alike would agree, through his powerful and persuasive opinions, Justice Scalia fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Constitution ... returning focus to the original meaning ... after decades of judicial activism." Story continues Cruz, who is a contender in the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, added that "Scalia's three decades on the Court was one of President Reagan's most consequential legacies." Commenting to The New York Times, Chief Justice John Roberts applauded Scalia's "transformative legal theories," and "outsize personality," and called him a "leader of the conservative intellectual renaissance." Antonin Scalia Here's the full statement from Abbott's office: Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans. We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion of the written Constitution and the rule of law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers. President Obama, who was traveling in California on Saturday offered his condolences. A full statement from the White House was expected later. Scalia's replacement would be Obama's third appointment to the Supreme Court, according to Reuters. The court has several major upcoming cases to consider, involving matters of abortion, voting rights, and immigration, among others. More From Business Insider ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwired - February 13, 2016) - Noted spiritual leader, author, and humanitarian Roberts Liardon has worked on providing education on HIV/AIDS as part of his compassionate work. After spending time in Africa, he is continuing his mission and offering much needed teachings to communities in Asia. The epidemic continues to be a worldwide issue, with tens of millions infected and about 1 million individuals dying from HIV-related causes annually. However, it is clear that the virus disproportionately affects those in developing countries, with over two-thirds of all people living in Sub-Saharan Africa infected. And while getting the appropriate medication to remote areas is an absolute necessity, one of the most effective tools in preventing the contraction and transmission of the virus remains education. Born in Oklahoma, Roberts Liardon quickly showed a passion for helping others, the Word of God, and chronicling the history of the Protestant Church and its leaders. At the age of 25, he established Spirit Life Bible College in Orange County, California. This became the base for his work around the globe, a large part of which would be assistance of all kinds to the poor, sick and otherwise needy. Including the work in Namibia, battling the spread of HIV/AIDS. The low populated country is listed among the ten countries with the highest HIV prevalence levels in the world. Unsafe practices are not the only cause of sexual transmission -- there are inaccurate beliefs that are widespread in rural communities. Health organizations highlight education as a critical tool in lowering contraction of the virus and eventual development of AIDS. Liardon received permission to enter schools and, along with a team of missionaries, began successfully educating young people on the true causes and effects of HIV/AIDS as well as how to prevent contraction and transmission of the virus. While Sub-Saharan Africa is by far the leader in HIV/AIDS prevalence, the Philippines is recognized as having one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. A major challenge faced here is the severe under-reporting of incidents of the sickness -- always a risk magnifier in the spread of the disease. Understanding that reluctance to speak openly about the matter was putting more individuals in danger, Roberts Liardon has been working with missionaries to provide the same sort of knowledge shared in Namibia to the Philippine population -- along with new information specific to their country. His ministry, Roberts Liardon Ministries, has established strong contacts in the Philippines, yet he has also brought a friend back to the States for more in depth training to ensure the greatest possible success on their return to the Philippines. Through these educational efforts as well as additional ongoing humanitarian work (including provision of supplies, financial support and spiritual teachings), Liardon hopes to continue making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Story continues Roberts Liardon is a spiritual leader, public speaker, historian, and humanitarian. He has sold over 15 million books worldwide, including 1.5 million books of 'I Saw Heaven', written when he was just 17 years old, and the best selling series "God's Generals," which cemented his place as a leading Protestant Church historian. He established Roberts Liardon Ministries based in Sarasota, Florida and Spirit Life Bible College in Irvine, California, to better serve The Lord and his fellow man. Throughout his life, his humanitarian efforts have received accolades from the public and presidents alike. He and his missionary teams have provided spiritual guidance and assistance to those in need both at home and around the world. Roberts Liardon has maintained a demanding speaking schedule and continues to mentor the next generation of spiritual leaders. Roberts Liardon - Spiritual Leader and Author: http://www.robertsliardonnews.com Roberts Liardon - Harrison House: http://www.harrisonhouse.com/contributorinfo.cfm?ContribID=282 Roberts Liardon (@Roberts Liardon) - Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertsLiardon Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/14/11G082810/Images/Roberts_Liardon_--_Continues_His_Efforts_With_Help-7c994a8a159f98289bdb2558beb3c75a.jpg Embedded Video Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoYKK1H30AM Chad's President Idriss Deby Itno arrives in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on an official visit, on January 21, 2016 (AFP Photo/Ahmed Ouoba) (AFP) Ouagadougou (AFP) - Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno declared Thursday that terrorism is worse than the Ebola virus, during a visit of solidarity to Burkina Faso days after jihadist gunmen killed 30 people after storming a top hotel in Ouagadougou. "Terrorism is like an epidemic, worse than Ebola, worse than any illness," Chad's leader said. The landlocked central African country of Chad is pivotal in the fight against the Boko Haram Islamists operating in sub-Saharan Africa. Chad is also a key member of France's counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel region, known as Operation Barkhane. Friday's deadly attack in Ouagadougou "like those we have seen in the Sahel nations do nothing to dent our firm resolve to fight terrorism with all means at our disposal," Deby said after visiting the scene of the attack, the four-star Hotel Splendid, accompanied by his Burkinabe counterpart Roch Marc Christian Kabore. "I have come to visit the place which was a place of horror, where 30 people of various nationalities died and dozens more were injured," he said. The Splendid Hotel is popular with foreigners and United Nations staff and around half of those killed were foreigners, according to differing tolls given by the Burkinabe government and the public prosecutor. "These innocents were gunned down by mad men, this is unacceptable," Deby added. He also stressed the economic impact of such attacks. "At the same time you cannot, with the meagre means available to us in this region, combat terrorism while also thinking about development, about youth employment, about creating jobs. It's impossible," he said. Deby announced he was calling for a summit of leaders of the G5 Sahel grouping -- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger -- on the margins of the larger African Union summit to be held in Addis Ababa on January 31. "Mali and Chad have already been victims, now its Burkina Faso. Practically all the G5 nations have been affected," he said. Story continues The Ebola outbreak, which began in Guinea in December 2013, killed more than 11,000 people and was the deadliest outbreak of the virus yet. Most of the victims were in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. A new case of Ebola has been confirmed in Sierra Leone, officials said Thursday, the second since west Africa celebrated the end of the epidemic last week. 136 out of 139 2010 & 136 out of 140 2016, 136 out of 142 2017 133 out of 138 2013, 133 out of 140 2011 & 133 130 out of 135 2015 129 out of 133 2009 126 out of 136 2008 & 2003 123 out of 134 2006 138 out of 142 2012137 out of 140 2014 & 137 out of 142 in 2017 2000 - 2022 24 .- . focus-news.net, () . 24 . 24 . . 24 . We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Feb. 14 (CNA) The newly completed Aviation Education Exhibition Center in the southern city of Kaohsiung not only features an exterior design shaped like a UFO, but also has something unique inside -- it is the first museum in Taiwan where historically important planes are exhibited suspended from the ceiling. Pipeline projects need 'indigenous licence', says AFN National ChiefSome pipeline projects should be allowed to proceed if they have an "indigenous licence" according to the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations."We need to make sure that there is, I call this the indigenous licence, not just social but indigenous licence," Perry Bellegarde told Chris Hall on CBC Radio's The House.The AFN hosted its First Nations Forum on Energy this week in Vancouver to allow First Nations leaders, politicians, environmentalists and key industry players to talk about how to develop some of the country's natural resourcesPerry Bellegarde's language about major energy projects now almost mirrors that of the prime minister. "Yes, we have to look at ways to get things to the international markets, in a meaningful, substantive way," he said.Last month, Justin Trudeau told the House of Commons: "We are working very, very hard right across the country with municipal leaders, with provincial leaders, to make sure we're creating the social licence, the oversight, the environmental responsibility and the partnership with communities to get our resources to market in a responsible way.""We have to find that balance between the economy and the environment. That's what it's all about," Bellegarde said. Appointing a Governor General What does the Governor General do? Constitutional powers of the head of state His Excellency reads the speech from the throne to open the 42nd Parliament. to summon, prorogue, and dissolve parliaments; to appoint justices, senators, and other key federal officials; to approve orders-in-council (i.e., executive orders) requested by cabinet; and to grant royal assent to bills, once passed by both the Senate and Commons. Commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces His Excellency visits the Canadian Forces deployed abroad for Christmas. Representing Canada and Canadians Recognition of excellence His Excellency presides over an investiture ceremony for the Order of Canada. Bringing Canadians together As 2017 approaches, discussions have already started as to the appointment of Canada's next governor general. The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P., seems to have started the public conversation early, commenting today that "[he] will take into account the nature of Canada and the desire of Canadians to see institutions and appointments across the government that reflect the diversity of Canada." He made the announcement at an event in Toronto, Ontario.Her Majesty the Queen is Canada's head of state; of course, as the Queen is head of state for no less than sixteen Commonwealth realms, Her Majesty is represented in most of those countries by a governor general, to perform the functions of the head of state. In Canada, the governor general is appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister.The governor general serves at the pleasure of the Queen. They usually serve for about five years, but they have sometimes served longer. The current governor general, His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., had his term extended for an additional two years, as there was a risk of no party having a majority of seats in the House. (Prime ministers tend to seek experienced governors general during potentially unstable parliaments, so as to ensure that they have enough expertise to navigate uncharted constitutional waters.)The governor general represents the Queen here in Canada. They are responsible for five core areas: the constitutional role of representing and exercising the powers of the head of state; acting as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces; representing Canada and Canadians at home and abroad; encouraging and recognizing excellence; and bringing Canadians together through non-partisan causes, dialogue, and community-building activities.While the governor general is not the head of state (that role remains that of the Queen), most of the Queen's powers are exercisable in Canada by the governor general. They must ensure that Canada always has a government that enjoys the confidence of the elected House of Commons. Usually, this task is straightforward; during a majority government, the political leader who has the most seats in the Lower House gets to be the prime minister. However, things are not always clear-cut.When no party has a majority of seats, the governor general can be called upon to act as a constitutional referee. This is why governors general frequently see their terms extended if it appears that an election might not be conclusive; a seasoned governor general might be better able to navigate a political crisis, in terms of the selection of a prime minister.The day-to-day constitutional duties of the governor general, representing the Queen, are:Almost invariably, these powers are exercised on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet, who are responsible to the elected House. The governor general does have the right to advise, encourage, and warn the prime minister; they also have some reserve powers, which can be exercised during a constitutional crisis to ensure that Canadians continue to have a prime minister and a government who enjoy the confidence of our elected representatives.The governor general, by letters patent, is authorized by the Queen to act as the commander-in-chief in and over Canada. As the commander-in-chief, the governor general plays a leading role in ensuring that Canadians recognize the importance of Canada's armed forces, and in recognizing and honouring excellence and bravery among our service-people.On the advice of the prime minister, the governor general appoints the chief of the defence staff. They also appoint royal colonels of Canadian regiments, on the advice of the minister of national defence. The governor general is responsible for issuing Canada's highest military honours, including the Order of Military Merit, Meritorious Service decorations, Military Valour decorations, and Peacekeeping and Special Service medals. New insignia and badges require their approval.The governor general regularly visits members of the Canadian Forces, and their families and loved ones, at home and abroad. They also present new colours to units, and sign commission scrolls. The governor general also serves as a colonel of the Governor General's Foot Guards, the Governor General's Horse Guards, and the Canadian Grenadier Guards.The governor general promotes Canadian sovereignty, and represents Canada and Canadians abroad. Typically at the request of the government, the governor general receives and hosts visiting heads of state; they conduct state visits abroad, to strengthen diplomatic ties between Canada and other countries; they receive ambassadors and high commissioners; and they sign diplomatic documents.An ambassador (or a high commissioner from a country where the Queen is not also head of state) cannot start working in Canada until they have been welcomed to Canada by the governor general, and presented to the governor general their letters of credence (i.e., the official accreditation by a foreign head of state to act as their representative here in Canada). The governor general also signs the papers of Canadian ambassadors and high commissioners, before they leave Canada to start their work abroad. There are over 130 heads of mission active in Canada.The Queen is the head of the Canadian honours system, and the governor general has a number of responsibilities as Her Majesty's representative in this respect. The purpose of the Canadian honours system is to pay special tribute to those who have shown excellence, dedication, or courage, in a way that impacts the very fabric of Canadian society.The governor general is the chancellor and principal companion of the Order of Canada, our highest national honour. The governor general also oversees the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, Decorations for Bravery, and myriad other national honours to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the service of Canada and Canadians.The governor general, as a non-political Canadian leader, has the duty of bringing Canadians together around non-partisan causes. The governor general encourages Canadians to build a caring and compassionate society, and they promote Canadian values, diversity, inclusiveness, culture, and heritage. The governor general undertakes numerous activities throughout the year to meet with Canadians and to advance these principles.His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, our current governor general, made 2015 the year of sport, through royal proclamation. His Excellency has also made the promotion and encouragement of volunteerism a key theme throughout his mandate. Other governors general have also selected special causes on which to focus their energies. His Excellency's predecessor, the Right Hon. Michaelle Jean, P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., focused on breaking down solitudes. O Allah! Strengthen the mujahideen [jihad fighters in the path of Allah] everywhere, make their hearts firm and strong, let them hit their targets, give them victory over their enemies. O Allah! Destroy the oppressors. O Allah! Destroy your enemies, the enemies of religion [Islam]. O Allah! Whoever wishes good for Islam and the Muslims, bestow all goodness upon him. O Allah! Whoever wishes ill for us and wishes ill for Islam and the Muslims, make his plot [tied] around his neck and make him preoccupied with himself, and make his plan cause his own destruction. Blackleaf said: Of course, being a member of the British Establishment it was all covered up and no action was taken. Click to expand... So it would appear to be the case......................Perhaps the most shocking of Nicks allegations concerns a Conservative MP accused of murdering a boy, who looked about 12 years old, during a sadistic sex game in 1980. He claimed that he and the brown-haired boy were collected in a chauffeur-driven car and taken to a town house in Central London for one of these abuse parties, where members of the military, law enforcement and political establishment would give glasses of whiskey to the children before violating them.Speaking to the investigative journalism website Exaro , Nick gave a graphic account of the way the MP sexually assaulted and then strangled the child to death. I watched while that happened. I am not sure how I got out of that, he said.Nick said he had witnessed a second boy being beaten so savagely by two men at one of the parties that he succumbed to his injuries and died, while a serving member of the Thatcher government watched on. He alleges that a third boy, aged 10 or 11, was deliberately hit by a car and killed by a member of the pedophile network in 1979.The extraordinary allegations were first made public earlier this year by Exaro, which agreed to maintain the victims anonymity. He subsequently asked a reporter to accompany him as he dared to share his story with the police for the first time.Twenty men have come forward to claim they were abused as boys by Smith, who was investigated numerous times during a three decade career but was never charged with any crime.more We thought that the U.S. represented Canada and Mexico." Japanese officials say they believed they were also negotiating with Canada and Mexico when they struck a controversial side agreement with the United States on automobiles last year during the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.They did not explain why they thought the United States was negotiating on behalf of Canada and the Mexico.The Liberal government signed the TPP earlier this month in New Zealand, but says it will not formally ratify the deal it inherited from the Harper government until it consults Canadians and puts it to a vote in Parliament.The Japanese officials said their country has no official timetable for ratification, but there is hope that might occur by the end of June.Japan hosts this year's G7 summit, and Dion and Kishida have a broad agenda that also includes combating terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change.Kishida's visit is the first visit to Canada by a Japanese foreign minister in 20 years.Dion and Kishida met in November at the APEC summit in Manila and struck up a good rapport, said the Japanese officials. Maybe we should start hanging efigees from lamp posts as "troubling signs" for Liberals. I think that Ontario was ready for a change the last election until the Conservative leader opened his yap and lost the election in 1 minute, 30 seconds with his "Million Gazillion Jobs" boast. Ontarians would prefer, for sure, a boring but capable government of competent bean counters. These are the same voters who put the Federal Conservatives into power. Whacko, out there claims along with the faint smell of extremist Libertairian drove the fed-up Ontario voters back into the arms of a worn out Liberal government. Why do the sediments tilt toward the slope in the soil just below the Uffington White Horse? Could it be because of (for parts One and Two go here and he... 2 years ago The shale revolution is the dominant reason for the fall. I know columnists are not supposed to say I told you so, but I did: Oil prices look set to fall as America exploits a shale cornucopia, I wrote here in 2013, when the price was persistently high: Shale gas is old hat; the shale oil revolution is proving a world changer. This was at a time when pessimistic predictions that we had reached peak oil were still widespread, and many thought oil prices would rise even further. A combination of horizontal drilling and much improved hydraulic fracturing, first developed for shale gas, then adapted for oil, has unleashed a gusher from North Dakota and Texas in particular. It has taken the United States right back to the top of the oil-producing league, reversing a 30-year decline (of almost 50 per cent) in just three years. This is one of the most momentous innovations of the modern world. this shale revolution has a long way to go. Although the current low oil price is bankrupting many producers and explorers in North Dakota and elsewhere, and many rigs are now standing idle with jobs being lost, there has only been a very modest fall in production. The Price of Oil , a book by Roberto Aguilera and Marian Radetzki (fellow and professor of economics at universities in Australia and Sweden respectively), predicts that That is because the technology for getting oil out is improving rapidly and the cost is falling fast , so some producers can break even at $30 or even $20 a barrel and it takes fewer rigs to generate more oil. It is one of the cruel features of innovation that it usually benefits the consumers more than the inventors. This means the shale industry can now put a lid on oil prices in future. Aguilera and Radetzki argue that not only is the US shale industry still in its infancy, but that there is another revolution on the way: when the price is right, conventional oil fields can now be redrilled with the new techniques developed for shale, producing another surge of supply from fields once thought depleted . They also expect that other countries beginning with Australia, Argentina, China and Mexico are ripe to join the technology revolution begun in American shale. As a result, they calculate that, barring political crises, the oil price could well stay low till 2035 about $40 to $60 a barrel in todays prices. This is in sharp contrast to both the International Energy Agency and the US Energy Information Administration, which forecast an oil price in 2035 of $128 and $130 respectively. As Aguilera and Radetzki point out, the shale revolution has repeatedly made fools of forecasters, who persisted until very recently in seeing the shale-oil revolution as a flash in the barrel. Why is the price of oil so volatile? I thought I knew the answer scarcity and Opec till I read Aguilera and Radetzki. They make the case that depletion has never been much of a factor in driving oil prices , despite the obvious drying up of certain fields (such as the North Sea today). Nor did Opecs interventions to fix prices make much difference over the long run. What caused the price of oil to rise much faster than other commodities, though erratically and with crashes, they argue, was the result of one factor in particular. There was a wave of nationalisation in the oil industry beginning in the 1960s . Today some 90 per cent of oil reserves are held by nationalised companies. ExxonMobil and BP are minnows compared with the whales owned by the governments of Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Russia. Post-colonial nationalisation affected many resource-based industries, but whereas many mineral and metal companies were privatised in the 1990s as their grotesque inefficiencies became visible, the same has not happened to state oil companies. The consequence is that most oil is produced by companies that are milked by politicians, and consequently starved of cash (or incentives) for innovation and productivity . Lamenting politicians extraordinary ability to mess things up, the two authors note the severely destructive role that can be played by political fights over the oil rent and its use. Conservative thoughts on the issues of today We have confirmed that Turkey has a contingency plan to seize the NATO nuclear arsenal at Incirlik with the help of Saudi Special Forces, who have been trained in Israel to defeat US nuclear weapon security measures. We have confirmed that Turkey has a contingency plan to seize the NATO nuclear arsenal at Incirlik with the help of Saudi Special Forces, who have been trained in Israel to defeat US nuclear weapon security measures. Turkey already has 84 nuclear weapons at Incirlik Air Base under NATO control. We have confirmed that both Saudi Arabia and Turkey have American planes, both F 15 and F 16 modified for nuclear attack by Israel. America has removed all nuclear attack planes from Turkey under orders of President Obama. Our sources confirm that Saudi Arabia is prepared to bring tactical nuclear weapons to Turkey . Turkey already has 84 nuclear weapons at Incirlik Air Base under NATO control. We have confirmed that both Saudi Arabia and Turkey have American planes, both F 15 and F 16 modified for nuclear attack by Israel. America has removed all nuclear attack planes from Turkey under orders of President Obama. We have a touch and go situation in the success of the Syrian-Russian anti-terrorism campaign. The US coalition, the Arab League, all those that supported the overthrow of Syria have a lot of egg on their face, as support for Assad and the Syrian army is going up every day not the kind of situation in which the regime change crowd want to negotiate. You just cant make this stuff up Turkey and the Saudis see the jihadis being rolled up in Syria in a couple of months, so they are holding little territory to bargain with at the future peace talks, if there ever are any. Turkey and the Saudis see the jihadis being rolled up in Syria in a couple of months, so they are holding little territory to bargain with at the future peace talks, if there ever are any. We do not know how much US and NATO cooperation there may be, if any, on this. Erdogan was busting a guy this week for denouncing the US for working with the Syrian Kurds, a touche to Erdogan for not really fighting ISIL, but using that as a cover to run his war on the Kurds. We do not know how much US and NATO cooperation there may be, if any, on this. Erdogan was busting a guy this week for denouncing the US for working with the Syrian Kurds, a touche to Erdogan for not really fighting ISIL, but using that as a cover to run his war on the Kurds. VT readers know that Henry Kamens and our own Jeffrey Silverman have been all over the story for several years now, to the extent that the Lugar lab had to be cleaned for a press tour. VT readers know that Henry Kamens and our own Jeffrey Silverman have been all over the story for several years now, to the extent that the Lugar lab had to be cleaned for a press tour. This morning our sources are reporting that Turkey is bringing into the Syrian Kurdish region, via the age old ambulance cover, a part of its biological weapons warfare that it thinks it will be able to deny. But after the big Sarin gas attack in Syria that was tracked back to Turkish involvement, the Lugar lab and other bioweapons undercover labs ringing the Russian Federation have been watched very carefully for the obvious threat that they were. This morning our sources are reporting that Turkey is bringing into the Syrian Kurdish region, via the age old ambulance cover, a part of its biological weapons warfare that it thinks it will be able to deny. But after the big Sarin gas attack in Syria that was tracked back to Turkish involvement, the Lugar lab and other bioweapons undercover labs ringing the Russian Federation have been watched very carefully for the obvious threat that they were. We also suspect todays hacking to have been an eavesdropping event to delay a new story we are working on how Turkey has purchased swine flu from an employee at the Lugar lab in Georgia, which already has killed 1000 in Ukraine, been released in Russia, and surprise, surprise beginning to show up in the Turkish Kurdish resistance. We also suspect todays hacking to have been an eavesdropping event to delay a new story we are working on how Turkey has purchased swine flu from an employee at the Lugar lab in Georgia, which already has killed 1000 in Ukraine, been released in Russia, and surprise, surprise beginning to show up in the Turkish Kurdish resistance. With this shelling, Turkey is in effect saying they are initiating an artillery buffer zone, something most would consider a repudiation of the Munich cessation of hostilities. If the Kurds and Syria can move closer to their own borders, they can mine the roads to slow down any Turkish advance. With this shelling, Turkey is in effect saying they are initiating an artillery buffer zone, something most would consider a repudiation of the Munich cessation of hostilities. If the Kurds and Syria can move closer to their own borders, they can mine the roads to slow down any Turkish advance. This comes the day after Munich started, with the Turks shelling Azaz, 4 to 5 miles south of the Turkish border the last town on that supply road to Aleppo. This comes the day after Munich started, with the Turks shelling Azaz, 4 to 5 miles south of the Turkish border the last town on that supply road to Aleppo. [ Editors Note, 2:30 pm ET: VT is back up after being hacked for several hours when one key story was up the one below on the Saudis moving tactical nukes to Turkey, to be closer to the NW Syrian battleground, and the NATO tripwire for any attack that might be launched on Syria after some staged provocation. [ Editors Note, 2:30 pm ET: VT is back up after being hacked for several hours when one key story was up the one below on the Saudis moving tactical nukes to Turkey, to be closer to the NW Syrian battleground, and the NATO tripwire for any attack that might be launched on Syria after some staged provocation. Turkey has begun continuous shelling of YPG Kurds (pro-American) inside Syria for at least 3 hours; this is seen as a prelude to a ground attack on anti-ISIS forces inside Syria. Turkey has begun continuous shelling of YPG Kurds (pro-American) inside Syria for at least 3 hours; this is seen as a prelude to a ground attack on anti-ISIS forces inside Syria. We have a confirmation that Saudi Arabia is moving planes to the American nuclear base in Turkey. This week US planes bombed civilians in Aleppo from this same base. Word from Saudi Arabia and Russia is that they expect a full scale Turkish invasion in response to Kurdish YPG consolidation, with American help, of new positions which would block Turkeys access to its ISIS partners in Syria. Both high level Russian and Syrian sources contacted this morning have confirmed that a much broader war is imminent. Turkey has officially announced that they are ready to move into Syria against the US backed YPG who they deem as a terrorist group. Turkey has yet to attack ISIS and is only fighting Kurds with the exception of the Erbil regional group in Iraq. There is conclusive evidence that both Erbil and Ankara are fully behind ISIS. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. They (Saudi military) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come. Turkey supplies ISIS in Iraq through the Duhok road aided by the Erbil regime, who have turned against both Baghdad and other Kurdish forces. __________ from Southfront: Amid Turkish preparations for a military intervention in Syria, main stream media and think tanks prefer to provide political speculations and local rumors instead of facts and analysis. SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence stands on another ground and provides an exclusive paper studying the Turkish military grouping which will be likely used in this operation. Foreign Policy Diary Turkeys military intervention to Syria,which covers the possible results of this act of aggression. We also recommend that you view an exclusive videowhich covers the possible results of this act of aggression. ____________ Written by Brian Kalman exclusively for SouthFront: Analysis & Intelligence. Brian Kalman is a management professional in the marine transportation industry. He was an officer in the US Navy for eleven years. He currently resides and works in the Caribbean. Recent public comments by the Turkish government have hinted at a possible invasion into Syrian territory to stabilize the situation and secure Turkeys national security. Significant clashes between Turkish army and security forces with elements of the YPG and PKK, which have exacted a costly toll on the Kurdish civilian population have been raging in southern Turkey and northern Syria in recent months. Russian satellite surveillance and human intelligence employed by both Russian and Syria in the region have confirmed the build-up of troops and material on the border. It is reasonable to believe that Turkey is preparing to salvage its failed policy of supporting Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups in Syria by invading and establishing a safe area for these groups along its southern border with Syria, while at the same time dealing a crushing blow to the Kurdish forces that have been successful in fighting them. Turkey is not only trying to topple the Assad government in Syrian, but is also trying to liquidate the Kurdish threat both in Iraq and Syria, as well as within its own borders. Turkeys membership in NATO complicates its plans of invasion. Unless Turkey is itself attacked, the NATO alliance is not obligated to defend the nation. Turkey will have to engineer a provocation that frames it as the target of an aggression either by Kurdish forces from beyond its borders or by Syrian or Russian forces combating its terrorist allies in Syria. Such a false flag provocation in not outside of the realm of possibility. When a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Su-24, claims that the bomber had strayed into Turkish airspace for a number of minutes and ignored radio warnings from the Turkish aircraft were proven to be patently false. A year earlier in 2014, an audio recording of Turkish officials, including the head of the Security Service (MIT), Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Foreign Minister and the Undersecretary to the Foreign Minister discussing staging an attack on the Tomb of Suleiman Shah (a sovereign piece of Turkish territory) in Syria and using it as a pretext to intervene in Syria were leaked anonymously on YouTube. The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan responded by banning YouTube in Turkey, in affect giving support to the recordings authenticity. Now that the Syrian government has the upper hand militarily, gaining back territory and destroying, surrounding or pushing back various Turkish-backed terrorist forces, Turkey may be ready to engineer a new excuse to invade. It is most likely that elements of the Turkish Second Army are positioned along the southern border with Syria, and will form the nucleus of any invasion force. The 2 nd Army is responsible for defending Southwestern Turkey. Its headquarters is based in Malatya, with approximately 100,000 troops under its command. The army is comprised of three corps, the 4 th , 6 th and 7 th which are composed of the following units: 3rd Tactical Infantry Division 28th Mechanized Infantry Brigade 58th Artillery Brigade 1st Commando Brigade 2nd Commando Brigade 5th Armored Brigade 39th Mechanized Infantry Brigade 106th Artillery Regiment 34th Border Brigade 16th Mechanized Brigade (Diyarbakr) 20th Armored Brigade 70th Mechanized Infantry Brigade 172nd Armored Brigade 2nd Motorized Infantry Brigade 6th Motorized Infantry Brigade 3rd Commando Brigade 107th Artillery Regiment It is not known how many elements of the 2 nd Army have been committed to the build-up of forces on the border, nor how many elements of other Armies of the Turkish Armed Forces have been temporarily attached to this possible invasion force. Additional commando or mechanized units could be pooled from other military districts and added to the core of mechanized infantry, armor and artillery forces of the 2 nd Army. It is surmised that most of the 2 nd Army has been committed to a possible invasion or a limited offensive operation against the forces of the YPG all along the border. The map below shows the position of these units: Photographic evidence shows that the mechanized and armored forces being used in the internal operations against the Kurds within Turkey and Syria and also the incursion into northern Iraq, are composed of relatively modern tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Reports have recently been made public that over 1,000 pieces of military equipment, likely consisting of MBTs, IFVs, self-propelled and towed artillery and their prime movers, as well as trucks and light vehicles have been massing in staging areas just north of the border. Turkish military spokesmen have stressed that they have positioned approximately 30 percent of the Turkish land forces along the border with Syria. The troops belonging to these units are highly trained and motivated. They have been engaged in fighting in the border regions for many years and know the territory well. They have also been engaged in fighting the irregular forces of the PKK in urban areas for decades. The forces assembled are equipped with modern, effective combat arms and equipment that has been proven in battle. From video and photographic evidence, Turkey has deployed at least the following types of equipment: MBTs: M-60T (Turkish version of the Israeli Sabra Mk.II).Turkey has 170 M-60-Ts in service. This modernized and up-gunner version of the M-60, is an Israeli design. It boasts better armor protection than the M-60A3, as well as a more powerful 120mm main gun and better fire-control and imaging systems. M-60 ATT and A3. Turkey has 762 of these U.S. designed tanks in service. This is a sound tank design, but is not on par with later generation MBTs. Armored units, possibly of the 5 th , 20 th or 172 nd Armored Brigades utilizing large numbers of these tanks have been seen deploying to the southern border in the previous weeks. They were used during incursions into Syria and Iraq in earlier operations to combat Kurdish forces in both nations. Leopard 2A4. Turkey has 354 of these highly capable German manufactured tanks. It does not appear that these MBTs are in use by any of the armored units currently deployed in operations against the Kurds in the south of the country, nor incursions into Syria or Iraq. It is most likely that these more capable MBTs are with units tasked with guarding Turkeys border with Russia and the Caucasus, where they would have to fight against a much more capable adversary, utilizing more modern and capable MBTS and Anti-Tank (AT) weapons. IFVs: FNSS ACV-15. Based on the Turkish Armys experience with the U.S. M113, the ACV-15 is an indigenous design that has many variants including APCs, Mortar Carriers, Ambulances, and ARVs. The IFV is equipped with a 25mm cannon. MRAPs: Kirpi (Hedgehog). Turkey acquired MRAPs after the U.S. invasion of Iraq exhibited the weakness of most light vehicles when confronted with IEDs and urban ambush. Turkey has between 200 and 600 MRAPs of this indigenous design. Approximately 1200 of these small MRAPs exist in the Turkish Land Forces inventory. These are small utility vehicles much like the Russian Tiger or U.S. HUMMV; however they have increased survivability against mines and IEDs, as they were purpose built to deal with these threats. They are widely used by all Turkish land forces, including border and internal security forces. Self- Propelled Artillery: T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzer. The T-155 was the product of a joint venture with South Korea to develop a more modern self-propelled howitzer. The South Korean variant is known as the K9. The Turkish Firtina makes use of the chassis and 155mm/L52 gun of the South Korean K-9, but uses an indigenous turret design, and navigation, communications and fire-control systems. There are at least 280 units in service with the Turkish Army. M-52T self-propelled howitzer. A major modernization program was conducted in the 1990s to modernize a weapons system that was developed in the 1950s by the United States. The vehicle was up-gunned from a 105mm howitzer to a German produced 155mm L39 gun. Turret design was modernized and electronics systems were brought up to modern standards including communications and fire-control. There are at least 360 units in service. Air-Defense Artillery: Atilgan and Zipkin short range AA missile system. These pedestal mounted air defense systems (PMAD) have been mounted on various vehicles, including the ubiquitous ACV-15 and M-113. They can fire Igla or Stinger short range anti-aircraft missiles. They are deployed with mechanized and armored units to give them their own short range defense against both low flying fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft. The most obvious strategic aim of a Turkish invasion into Syrian territory would be to secure a sizable safe zone for Turkish-backed insurgents and terrorist forces in northern Syria. Not only would this salvage the Turkish proxies for future use, possibly in guerilla style attacks and acts of terrorism against Syria, but would more importantly drive a wedge between the Kurdish YPG forces in Northwestern Syria (north of Idlib Province) and those located in the Northeastern Syria (east of Jarabulus). The Turkish government is determined to make sure that the YPG does not gain control of the Kurdish dominated regions in an unbroken area all along the border. The YPG has recently been successful in attacks against Turkish-backed terrorists in small offensives in this wedge between YPG areas of control. These offensives have been backed by Russian air operations and with airdrops of weapons and ammunition in recent weeks. It is most likely the prospect of greater territorial gains by the Kurds that the Turkish Army will be deployed to prevent. How the Turkish military command plans to carry out such an operation successfully, and how the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russia will respond will determine the course of the conflict and undoubtedly the odds of a wider war. An initial observation of the forward deployment of Turkish Army units along the border with Syria gives hints as to their tactical employment in a possible invasion. Two armored brigades and two mechanized brigades are positioned just north of the border, adjacent to the area that is currently controlled by various terrorist groups and militias under the umbrella of support of the Turkish regime, and that lies in between the YPG dominated areas. Their axis of advance would cover, approximately the area between Azaz and Jarabulus, and would probably not extend beyond the depth of 20 to 25 miles (30 to 40 km). Two armored and two mechanized brigades, representing approximately 15,000 to 20,000 men would be able to mount a fast assault. These units are highly mobile, flexible, and self-sufficient and pack a great deal of offensive power. They would most likely be aided by elements of at least one commando brigade. They could cover the 20-25 mile distance quickly and consolidate the area rapidly, and would be maintaining short lines of communication and supply. Fixed wing and rotary wing attack aircraft would be assigned to provide air cover to the ground operation. The initial assault would most certainly be followed up by the advance of infantry and border patrol units to establish and provide internal security for the long haul. The unknown variable for the Turkish military planners is the reaction of the Russian forces deployed within Syria, at the request of the only legitimate government of that country. Will the Russian air forces deployed in Syria react to thwart the incursion of a hostile force that aims to directly undermine the sovereignty of Syria? Will Russian air defense forces based at Khmeimim airbase or naval vessels positioned offshore fire upon Turkish aircraft that violate the sovereign airspace of Syria engaged in providing air cover for Turkish ground forces, and that could possibly threaten the Russian position in Latakia? There are a number of unknown variables that present immense uncertainties in the Turkish strategic calculus when planning such an undertaking. The recent Russian snap drills by forces in the Southern Military District, which included the participation of airborne and air transport units, was a clear message to Turkey that Russia was prepared to defend her borders and her national interests in Syria. This is only the latest in a series of clear messages by the Russian leadership that it will not tolerate a Turkish sabotage of its campaign in Syria to restore order and to stabilize the situation in the country. The question remains, does the Erdogan regime believe that the potential benefits of setting up a de-facto safe haven for its proxies in Syria outweigh the potential of direct military conflict with Russia? The determination of the Erdogan regime to undermine the sovereignty of Syria by supporting, both logistically, materially and monetarily various factions of Islamic fundamentalist mercenaries and terrorist groups, has only harmed the security of Turkey and strengthened the position of their long time enemy the Kurds. The past five years have enriched the bank accounts of the Erdogan family and their cronies through the illegal oil trade, human trafficking of refuges, and the smuggling of arms; however, the Turkish people have suffered from a bloody crack-down on the Kurdish minority in the south of the country, terrorist bombings, an assault on civil rights, press censorship and the erosion of Turkish-Russian relations to a level not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War. This policy of intervention in the affairs of both Syria and Iraq, the support of a multitude of Islamic terrorist groups, and the undermining of neighboring countries to the benefit of a ruling elite in Turkey has been disastrous. It may turn out in the end that Turkey itself has been the most negatively affected by Erdogans misguided policies. NATO and Europe as a whole have been undermined, and it remains to be seen how much longer even they will tolerate the situation. Is NATO ready to be dragged into a war with Russia as a result of Turkeys aggressive and misguided foreign policy? A pretext for invasion that casts Turkey as the victim will have to be engineered by the Erdogan regime prior to any incursion south in order to maintain NATO support. By bringing to light, in embarrassing detail, the Erdogan regimes illegal activities in direct support of internationally recognized terrorist groups and the illegal plunder of the oil resources of Syria and Iraq and the establishment and operation of the logistics network that facilitates the sale of the oil at great profit to the Erdogan family itself, Russia has laid the truth bear to the world. In so doing, they have also allowed Erdogan a way to back off the stage, so to speak, and abandon his misguided aspirations in Syria. Continued support by NATO and the United States in light of the ugly realities of Turkeys actions in the conflict, will only undermine both parties legitimacy in the eyes of the international community. Turkey most definitely has the military power in place to successfully carry out a limited invasion to establish a terrorist safe zone and to prohibit the consolidation of the entire northern border under the control of the Kurds; however the costs if this invasion is contested by Russia and Syria nullify any potential benefits. In short, further efforts to salvage a disastrous foreign policy on the part of the Erdogan regime through force of arms will only hasten their political isolation and destruction. The Turkish people deserve better, and as political opposition continues to grow in the government and on the street, a disastrous invasion just may push the current regime out of power. This would be a positive development; however, the very real possibility of a Turkish incursion developing into a wider war would prove disastrous to the entire world. From RT.com: Turkish military shells Kurdish targets in northern Syria Kurds to RT Turkeys army has shelled targets near the city of Azaz in northwestern Syria, Kurdish sources on the ground tell RT. The Turkish shelling of Kurdish positions has continued for more than three hours almost uninterruptedly, a Kurdish source told RT, adding that the Turkish forces are using mortars and missiles and firing from the Turkish border not far from the city of Azaz in the Aleppo Governorate. The source also said that that there were casualties, but the exact number is unknown. The Turkish forces fired shells at the villages of Malikiya and Tannab, a source told RT, citing a statement by the Jaysh al-Thuwwar group. A source in the Turkish government confirmed to Reuters that the Turkish military had shelled Kurdish militia targets near Azaz on Saturday. The Turkish Armed Forces fired shells at PYD positions in the Azaz area, the source said, referring to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara views as a terrorist group. A Kurdish official confirmed to Reuters that the shelling had targeted the Menagh air base located south of Azaz. According to the official, the base had been captured by the Jaysh al-Thuwwar rebel group, which is an ally of PYD and a member of the Syria Democratic Forces alliance. Syrian Kurds are actively engaged in the fight against the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorist group and have been recently described as some of the most successful forces fighting IS jihadists in Syria by US State Department spokesman John Kirby, AFP reports. Earlier, the US also called the PYD an important partner in the fight against Islamic State, adding that US support of the Kurdish fighters will continue. Saudi Arabia is to deploy military jets and personnel to Turkeys Incirlik Air Base in the south of the country, Ankara said. The base is already used by the US Air Force for their sorties in Syria. The deployment is part of the US-led effort to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. At every coalition meeting, we have always emphasized the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group, he said, referring to IS by an Arabic-language abbreviation. Cavusoglu spoke to the Yeni Safak newspaper after addressing a security conference in Munich, Germany, where the Syrian crisis was one of the top issues on the agenda. If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch a ground operation, he added, fueling concerns that a foreign troop invasion may soon further complicate the already turbulent situation in the war-torn country. Russian PM warns US, Saudis against starting permanent war with ground intervention in Syria Earlier, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE voiced their readiness to contribute troops for a ground operation in Syria on the condition that the US would lead the intervention. Damascus and its key regional ally, Iran, warned that such a foreign force would face strong resistance. The US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have shared goals in Syria, as all three want the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad to be toppled by rebel forces. On other issues they differ. For example, the US supports Kurdish forces in Syria who scored significant military victories against IS, but Turkey considers them terrorists and is targeting them with airstrikes. Russia, which supports the government of Bashar Assad, seeing it as the only regional force capable of defeating IS on the ground, has warned against a ground intervention, which, Moscow believes, would only serve to prolong the war in Syria. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev called on his Western counterparts not to threaten a ground operation in Syria, stressing that Moscow is doing its utmost to pave the way for a lasting peace in the war-torn country. Russia and other leading world powers have brought Damascus and a number of rebel groups to negotiations and leveraged them into agreeing to a ceasefire. The agreement, however, remains shaky, as neither side trusts the other, and the unity of the rebel delegation remains questionable. The terrorist groups IS and Al Nusra Front are not part of the talks. Russian PM warns US, Saudis against starting permanent war with ground intervention in Syria Russian PM Dmitry Medvedev told German media that sending foreign troops into Syria could unleash yet another war on Earth. The warning follows increasingly aggressive statements made by Saudi Arabia and Turkey amid Bashar Assads gains in Aleppo. All sides must be compelled to sit at the negotiating table, instead of unleashing yet another war on Earth, Medvedev told Germanys Handelsblatt newspaper. Any kinds of land operations, as a rule, lead to a permanent war. Look at whats happened in Afghanistan and a number of other countries. I am not even going to bring up poor Libya. The PM was commenting on recent statements from Saudi Arabia claiming that it was ready to send ground troops to Syria, should Washington lead the way. The Americans and our Arab partners must think well: do they want a permanent war? Do they think they can really quickly win it? It is impossible, especially in the Arab world. Everyone is fighting against everyone there, Medvedev added. The interview was published on the eve of the International Syria Support Group meeting in Munich, where the cessation of hostilities in Syria became a top item on the agenda. Meanwhile, the situation in Syria has been heating up, as Syrian government troops have been making advances in the northern city of Aleppo, half of which is considered to be under the control of anti-government rebel groups. The same region has also been inundated with terrorist groups, such as Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), Ahrar al-Sham, and Al-Nusra Front, which are all being targeted by Russian as well as US-led air campaigns. At the same time, the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have recaptured a former military airbase from jihadists near the Turkish-Syrian border, reportedly with the support of Russian air strikes. The base is located near the rebel-held town of Azaz in Aleppo province. Turkey, meanwhile, continues to insist that the Kurdish militia fighting IS are terrorists just as the Kurdish rebels fighting inside Turkey. Ankara, which has been criticized for bombing Kurds inside Syria instead of helping to fight IS, has recently fallen out with Washington over Americas support for the Kurdish YPG. On the Syrian battlefield, Turkey openly supports anti-Assad rebel groups. The latest statement by Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu, who pledged to return a historical debt to Turkeys Aleppo brothers,gave new rise to speculations over a looming Turkish ground invasion of Syria. The situation has prompted fears of a possible military clash between world powers backing different sides of the Syrian conflict, with hopes that the Munich talks could de-escalate the deadlock. While some Western leaders have openly called upon Russia to stop supporting Assad with airstrikes, the communique that was agreed upon after five long hours of discussions does not directly mention any downsizing of strikes. Instead, it calls for anationwide cessation of hostilities over the period of one week, although it exempts terrorist groups from the potential ceasefire. In the latest alarming episode, Russian and American militaries traded accusations over the bombing of civilian infrastructure in Aleppo. Russias Defense Ministry said two US Air Force A-10 warplanes had destroyed nine facilities in the city, with the Americans shifting the blame onto Russias air campaign afterwards. Russian jets, however, had not targeted any civilian areas and were operating 20 kilometers away, according to the ministry. The spat started on Wednesday with the US alleging the destruction of two main hospitals in Aleppo by Russian and regime attacks. From February 4 to 11, the Russian Air Force performed over 500 sorties, eliminating nearly 1,900 terrorist facilities in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Al-Hasakah and Raqqa, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on Thursday. Meanwhile, the US is seeking to boost the anti-Islamic State coalition it is heading in Iraq and Syria by officially drawing in NATO as a member, AFP reported. While some NATO member states are already active members of the coalition, the military alliances chief, Jens Stoltenberg, said their increased role could bring significant development and unique capabilities which include building partner capacity, training ground forces and providing stabilization support. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has been lobbying for greater participation by NATO in the war on Islamic State, giving a dramatic Thursday speech on a new stage in the coalition campaign to defeat ISIL and adding the countries would then be able look back after victory and remember who participated in the fight. The alliance, however, has already found itself in one uneasy situation related to the conflict, when it had to back Turkeys downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber that was striking militant positions in Syria. While Ankara rushed to seek NATOs support following the aggressive and clearly avoidable move, and the bloc delivered this support on an official level, reports cited sources taking part in a NATO emergency meeting at the time as expressing discontent with the rash unilateral move by the Turks. At midday on Friday 5 February, 2016 Julian Assange, John Jones QC, Melinda Taylor, Jennifer Robinson and Baltasar Garzon will be speaking at a press conference at the Frontline Club on the decision made by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on the Assange case. I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat. Will Rogers You probably read or heard that quote a time or two recently as pundits looked for ways to describe the latest round of problems with Iowa caucuses. And certainly, the jabs and criticism were fair from those who watched our first-in-the-nation go-round in the presidential selection process. Four years ago the Republicans got it wrong in announcing that hmmm oh, yes, Mitt Romney won the caucuses by a razor-thin margin. Wait, the winner was really Rick Santorum. Or was it Romney? No, definitely Santorum. There was plenty of egg on GOP faces well-cooked from the hot lights of the media wondering how Iowa Republicans got it wrong and why it took a couple of weeks to get it right. This year it was the Democrats. After a long night when Hillary Clinton maintained a lead over Bernie Sanders, she was finally declared the winner by the tiniest margin in the partys caucus history. Although the party chairman announced early Wednesday morning after the caucuses that Clintons lead was too great to be overcome despite a few precinct results being missing, it wasnt until later that afternoon that the results were official. This time it was the process more than reporting the results that caused questions. There were stories of confusion, even miscounts; long lines and long waits to get registered; poorly trained leaders; facilities that were too small for the number of people attending; running out of supplies; not being able to hear or see what was going on. And some of that applied to both parties. Because the margin for Clinton was so very close, there were almost instant calls for recounts, although with no actual ballots in the Democratic caucus process there is no direct paper trail to go back to. State party officials double-checked with precinct officials and came up with the final distribution of delegate equivalents. While the margin changed just a bit, Clinton was still the winner. And off the candidates and the media went to New Hampshire, where Sanders proved to be every bit the popular candidate polls said he was. So where does that leave Iowa? There are always going to be calls for our state to be stripped of its first-in-the-nation status because were too small, too white, too old, too rural, etc. New Hampshire doesnt get much favor, either, for those same reasons. The real tests, say many pundits, come now in more diverse places like South Carolina and Nevada. But as much as we shuddered upon seeing problems develop in the way the caucuses were conducted this year, we still believe Iowa can fulfill the role as the first solid test in every presidential campaign even if its as one writer described it, as a weedwhacker, helping cull the field. The thing is, it has to be done right. The Republicans took stock after their problems in 2012 and made changes to more accurately and quickly report results. They had some problems this year because the turnout in some areas was greater than many had predicted, but all-in-all, too much enthusiasm is a good problem to have. Now the Democrats need to step back and re-evaluate. Are there ways to ensure more reliable reporting? How can state and county party officials do a better job with the always-difficult task of finding people to effectively run the almost 1,700 precinct caucuses across the state? Is it time to consider going to a direct candidate preference vote like the Republicans have? (Although we suspect if Iowa edges too close to a popular vote in both parties that New Hampshire will raise a fuss because its role as the first primary state is being threatened.) Certainly its appropriate to address the criticism that the way caucuses are currently done leaves out people who have to work at night, or who are serving in the military out of state, or who for any number of legitimate reasons cant show up precisely at 7 p.m. on a weeknight. Is there some way to allow absentee or even online or telecommunication participation? As we have said before, the caucuses are good for Iowa. Media attention is intense and some people actually learn that Iowa is more than cornfields and snowdrifts. Campaign workers flood the state from all corners of the country and find out we have some pretty nice, intelligent, engaged people here. And, of course, all the hubbub is good for the economy, even though theres a price to be paid putting up with those media hordes and negative advertising. And the caucuses are good for the country. Iowans take their role being first seriously and do a good job getting to know the candidates and making informed opinions. Even if those opinions dont end up precisely mirroring the rest of the country, the Iowa process requires candidates to prove their ability to run a campaign and to meet with people one-on-one instead of almost entirely through a television screen. Much of Donald Trumps somewhat surprising second-place finish in Iowa was attributed to his lack of a ground game in the state. If recent history repeats, the 2020 campaign will begin almost before the new president takes the oath of office. No doubt the calls will come again to knock Iowa off that first-in-the-nation spot because we still havent figured out how to get it right. That were still too small, too white, too old, etc. The time for the parties to take fresh looks at their caucus systems and make needed changes is now, not 3 years from now. We simply cant wait until the next presidential caucus night, then scramble to Wal-Mart for more paper and pencils when things go wrong. Iowa will be able to continue to start the country in the presidential selection process only if we can show we have the ability to deliver the results of our decisions quickly, reliably and accurately, whether the precinct locations are nearly empty or packed to overflowing. We agree with Bloomberg columnist Jonathan Bernstein that Iowa and New Hampshire should go first because for no other reason than theyve gone first for decades. Some states have to go before others, he said, and there are advantages for the parties in stability. But that stability will erode if the system isnt improved. We know the world will be watching. We trust that Iowans can prove Will Rogers wrong, for both parties. Quote: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Finland requires that all teachers have masters degree and funds the same to ensure that its teachers impart high quality of teaching. A. degree and funds the same to ensure B. degree, funds the same, and ensures C. degree and fund the same to ensure D. degree, funds the same, ensuring E. degree, funding the same to ensure wrote:The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Finland requires that all teachers have mastersthat its teachers impart high quality of teaching. Here is the official explanation for this question: Understand the Meaning of the Original Sentence The sentence presents two facts about an organization in Finland - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This organization does two things with an aim to ensure that its teachers impart high quality of teaching.1. It requires that all teachers have masters degree2. It funds the same i.e. it funds the masters degree education of teachers. Find the Errors in the Original Sentence Organization requires all teachers have funds 1. The[/color]for Economic Cooperation and Development in Finlanda. thatmasters degree2. andthe same to ensure that its teachers impart high quality of teaching.In this sentence the two verbs requires and funds make sense and agree in number with the subject - organization. Per the context of the modifier to ensure that its teachers, it is clear that it provides the purpose of both the actions of the organization. This sentence is correct as is. Review Answer Choices to do POE Choice B This choice no longer provides the purpose of the actions. By changing to ensure to and ensures, the sentence implies that the organization somehow (probably with some other measures) ensures that its teachers impart high quality of teachers. This is not the intended meaning of the sentence.Choice C This choice is also grammatically correct but it changes the intended meaning of the sentence. Per this choice, the organization requires two things from the teachers.1. Teachers have masters degree2. Teachers fund the masters degreeThis is clearly not the intended meaning. Per the intended meaning, the organization requires that teachers have masters degree and in fact the organization itself funds the same (obviously for the teachers who do not have masters degree). The organization implements this requirement and funds the education with a single aim high quality of teaching.Choice D This choice does not use correct punctuation to connect the two verbs requires and funds.Choice E Use of funding the same is incorrect here. Neither of the two interpretations of the verb-ing modifier is correct:1. Organization requires that teachers have masters degree this results in the organization funding the education. Illogical.2. Organization requires that teachers have masters degree by funding the same. - Illogical TAKE AWAYS 1. Understand the meaning of the original sentence. Note the relationships among each part of the sentence both from grammatical standpoint and from logical standpoint.2. Make sure that these relationships are maintained in the correct choice as well._________________ A random journal about local politics, baseball and whatever comes to mind. Police are looking for two thieves who they say stole at least 200 pairs of women's underwear from a Victoria's Secret outlet in Staten Island. Although if Valentine's Day is all about grand gestures, then we can't help but see the romance here. The first incident happened on January 1st, when the pair pilfered 80 pairs of underwear, valued at $1,000, from the Victoria's Secret located inside the Staten Island Mall around 12:15 p.m. Then a few weeks later on January 16th, the two struck again inside the same location, this time stealing 120 pairs of underwear valued at $1,500. You can see surveillance video of the pair in the video belowthe first part of the video shows the first incident, the latter part of the video shows the second. Victoria's Secret Theftby Gothamist As for what they did with all that underwear, we can only speculate... Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. On Friday, a teen had his arm ripped off in Brooklyn after being run over by an SUV driven by a man who claims the teen had robbed him for sneakers. The Post reports today that doctors at Brookdale University Hospital were able to successfully reattach 17-year-old suspect Zachary Sam's arm. Police couldn't confirm that, but the News cautions it was not immediately clear if the procedure worked. Sam has been charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, for the incident while his alleged victim, 39-year-old Phillippe Pierre, has also been charged with attempted murder. The lawyer for Pierre, a married father-of-three, argued in Brooklyn Supreme Court yesterday that Sam got what was coming to him for pulling a gun on his client: I dont mean to be harsh, but I think Mr. Sam in a sense was getting what he deserved," defense attorney James Harding said, according to the News. My client is an absolute victim in this case. This incident unfolded around 1 p.m. on Friday on E. 86th Street near Avenue M in Canarsie when Sam met Pierre so he could buy a pair of $190 Air Jordan 8 Retro sneakers off of him after arranging the meetup on Craigslist. Sam allegedly pulled a gun on Pierre in side his SUV and demanded the shoes for free. "He said, 'Make a move and Ill kill you. Youll do exactly what I say,'" Harding said in court. "Im astonished (Pierre) has been charged ... He was trying to make an honest dollar for his family." As you can see in the surveillance video below, Sam took the shoes and exited the car. Pierre sped down the block, made a U-turn, then slammed into the teen, pinning him against a metal fence. Surveillance video shows teen robbery suspect being run down b... Exclusive surveillance video shows a teen suspect being run down by the victim he allegedly robbed at gunpoint in Brooklyn. (Warning: Video may be considered disturbing) Details: http://7ny.tv/1SmvHk4 Posted by ABC7NY on Friday, February 12, 2016 The impact of the SUV apparently sheared off Sams right arm just below the elbow. He was shaking," Harding said of his client. "He made a U-turn and tried to do three things at once, including call police, avoid getting shot, and see where Sam went. Harding claims Pierre saw Sam "reaching into his pocket," so he "ducked and his car jerked forward ... My client was terrorized and terrified." Witnesses said that after he was struck by the car, the one-armed Sam tried to run onto a city bus nearby. "Everyone is screaming, 'Come back, come back, your arm. Youre bleeding too much,'" one said. We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today This website makes use of cookies in order to make your browsing experience better. By using this website you agree to our use of cookies. Click here to view Google's privacy practices. Click here to see how Google uses data. News VIDEO: Sheikh Sultan inspects progress of 'Hanging Gardens' project Sheikh Sultan was briefed on the plans for the remaining stages in the implementation of the project, which extends over an area of one and a half million square feet, listening to the progress of work and the most important completed and remaining stages. -- Thomas JeffersonSyndicated columnist Charley Reese (1937-2013): "Gun control by definition affects only honest people. When a politician tells you he wants to forbid you from owning a firearm or force you to get a license, he is telling you he doesnt trust you. Thats an insult. ... Gun control is not about guns or crime. It is about an elite that fears and despises the common people."The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles -- Jeff Cooper (1920-2006)Note for non-American readers: Crime reports from America which describe an offender just as a "teen" or "teenager" almost invariably mean a BLACK teenager.We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics.Two lines below of a famous hymn that would be incomprehensible to Leftists today ("honor"? "right"? "freedom?" Freedom to agree with them is the only freedom they believe in)It is of course the hymn of the USMC -- still today the relentless warriors that they always were.The intellectual Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) said: "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."How much do you know about Trayvon Martin? It's all here (Backups here and here An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. HeinleinAfter all the serious stuff here, maybe we need a funny picture of a cantankerous cat sometimes i try to write them down State v. Maharaj (HSC November 18, 2013) Background. Peter Maharaj was charged with a single count of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, better known as driving under the influence. Specifically, the charge was in violation of HRS 291E-61(a)(1), which requires proof that Maharaj was operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in an amount sufficient to impair the persons normal mental faculties or ability to care for the person and guard against casualty[.] Maharaj was orally charged in the district court. The charge did not include a state of mind. He was ultimately convicted at trial and then appealed to the ICA. The ICA affirmed after it noted that a transcript for the motion to suppress was never included in the record. Then, the HSC issued its decision in State v. Nesmith , 127 Hawaii 48, 276 P.3d 617 (2012) . Maharaj filed a motion for reconsideration on the grounds that the oral charge was defective ala Nesmith . Maharaj arg Names and faces Daniel Trost, CWS, CFP, senior vice president, financial adviser at D.A. Davidson & Co., has recently completed the intensive course work required to earn a Certified Financial Planner designation. The program is designed to help exceed client expectations regarding wealth planning advice and solutions. A Montana native, Trost is a graduate of Great Falls High School and received both his bachelors and masters degrees in applied economics from Montana State UniversityBozeman. Committed to continuing education, he has also received a graduate degree in banking from Georgetown University and holds a Certified Wealth Strategist designation. Trost works out of the Helena branch of D.A. Davidson. *** Bank of the Rockies, N.A. has announced that Keith Kelly has rejoined their board of directors. Kelly had joined in 2008 and retired from the board in January 2013. At that time, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to become the assistant secretary of the Veterans Employment and Training Service, and was sworn in on Jan. 22, 2013. VETS is an organization that assists military service members through the transition to civilian employment. On May 21, 2015, Kelly retired from this position and returned to Montana. A combat veteran, Kelly was the commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry from 2005 until 2013. He served as chairman and vice chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee from 2009 until 2010. Kelly was awarded the Combat Infantrymans Badge and Bronze Star for Service with the Armys 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. *** Bob Russell, chairman of the Helena chapter of SCORE, has announced that Zoann Attwood and Karen Bohlinger have recently joined as mentors for the organization. Attwood has extensive experience in marketing, strategic planning and new business development. She is currently the COO of Bale/Doneen Method and has held this position for the past five years. Prior to that she spent 20 years in the lottery industry beginning in 1990 as the director of the Montana Lottery, Texas Lottery, Minnesota and Oregon lotteries and two lottery vendors. She has worked for multiple advertising agencies with more than 10 years in video production and public relations. Bohlinger, former second lady of Montana, has an extensive career in business and politics. As president of Corporate Consultants, Inc. she serves as a strategic planning, marketing and public relations specialist. Since 1992, Karen has assisted Montana businesses in developing export markets participating in trade missions and traveling to more than 90 countries. She currently serves on the Montana Arts Council and the Presidents Advisory Council for the University of Montana. Since 1964 SCORE, Mentors to Americas Small Business, has helped more than 9 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through mentoring and business workshops. For more information about starting or operating a small business visit SCORE at www.score.org. For information about your local SCORE office, call 442-4986, ext. 306 or visit www.Helena.score.org. *** Amy Brown has been hired as a public health nurse in the Disease Control and Prevention Division of Lewis and Clark Public Health. She is a registered nurse with 5 1/2 years of experience in acute care and bedside nursing. She has previously worked at St. Peter's and Bozeman Deaconess hospitals. She got her nursing degree at Montana State University. *** Lea Chiavaras, GNP, RN has joined the Internal Medicine Department at St. Peters Medical Group Broadway. Chiavaras earned her Master of Science in Nursing from University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she graduated with honors. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carroll College, graduating with honors. She is board certified as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is also licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Montana. *** The Lewis & Clark Republican Women's Club, which was organized in Helena in 1938, recently installed 2016-2017 officers: Shirley Herrin, president; Joy Novota, vice president/program; Elaine Herman, second vice president; Evy Sass, secretary; Danette Warren, treasurer; Sharlene Snoddy, corresponding secretary, and directors Dorothy Keys, Terri Paske and Susan Ayres. Others serving include Shirley Warehime, parliamentarian, audit/bylaws; Fee Lamping, chaplain; Margaret Beattie, fundraising; and Becky Buckmaster, membership, who may be called at 227-8787 for additional information. *** News and notes The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $4,015,045 contract for Nelson Dikes modification to Johnson-Wilson Constructors, Inc. of Helena, to mitigate seepage-related safety deficiencies of dikes at Nelson Reservoir, 19 miles northeast of Malta. On-site activities for the project will launch late this spring, said Steve Davies, Montana-area office manager. At that time, the contractor will begin prepping the site for construction work. We expect normal reservoir operations to continue until approximately July 1. Davies said. Around that time, Reclamation will begin drawing down Nelson Reservoir to reach an elevation of 2,205 feet by August 25, 2016 in order to facilitate construction activities. The reservoir will remain at this lower level until at least Oct. 15. Depending on the available water supply, Nelson Reservoir could be back to normal operating levels as early as spring 2017. Construction is scheduled to be complete by summer 2017. An Environmental Assessment for the modification has been finalized and a Finding of No Significant Impact has been signed. The public can access the final EA and FONSI on Reclamation's website at www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/nelson/. *** The Montana Department of Revenue reminds nonprofit organizations and other tax exempt property owners that March 1 is the deadline to reapply for property tax exemption. A new state law requires all owners of tax exempt real property in exempt status before 2014 to submit an application. The reapplication requirement includes property owned by most nonprofit organizations, private schools and colleges, churches, parsonages, low income housing, veterans clubhouses, community service and fraternal organizations, cemeteries and land leased from a railroad by a nonprofit organization. In November, the department mailed letters and applications to organizations with tax exempt properties in the state system. You can also download and print the application, form AB-30R, at revenue.mt.gov. Tax exempt property owners need to submit the exemption application, all required documentation, and a small application fee. The fee is $15 for a vacant land parcel, $25 for a land parcel with structures. There is no application fee for nonprofits with total gross receipts less than $5,000. You will need an application and fee for each parcel your organization owns, but only one set of supporting documentation. Organizations need to submit their IRS Form 990 or other documents that confirm total gross receipts. The application lists additional documentation to submit for your specific exemption. Youll also need a legal description of your property. For help finding your legal description, visit 'My Property' under 'Property Assessment' at revenue.mt.gov. Applicants should mail the materials to Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8018, Helena, MT 59624-8018. For more information, visit revenue.mt.gov or call toll free 866-859-2254; in Helena, call 444-6900. *** The USDA Rural Development Montana agency has scheduled a workshop about energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to help small business owners and agriculture producers cut costs and maximize profits. The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Helena Chamber of Commerce, 225 Cruse Ave. Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. Write or call Donna Wyatt at USDA Rural Development with the names of all attendees: 406-585-2545 or donna.wyatt@mt.usda.gov. The workshop will highlight Montana businesses that have realized a return on investment as a result of improvements made with the help of programs such as Rural Energy for America, utility commercial and rural electrical co-op rebates and other state and local funding programs. Along with representatives of USDA Rural Development and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, NCAT Energy Engineer Vicki Lynne will be a presenter at the workshop. Other speakers are from the city of Helena, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Montana Community Finance and the Small Business Administration. Guidelines The IR welcomes reports of hiring, promotions, awards, recognition, learning opportunities and other news from local companies and nonprofits. We accept press releases and photos (digital images at 300 dpi or more are preferred, but we can also use regular photos; we dont guarantee return of these). There is no charge for items appearing in the Business Briefcase. Items are run on a space-available basis, and we reserve the right to edit and use information as we see fit. The deadline is Tuesday at noon to be considered for publication the following Sunday. BUTTE -- The inspiration to start his own literary press came after Butte-born novelist Matthew R. K. Haynes got rejected by a literary agent on the East Coast. Haynes submitted a manuscript in 2008 to his New York agent, who thought well enough of his work that she took the manuscript with her to the Hamptons, an affluent vacation destination on New York's Long Island, east of New York City. Haynes felt flattered because his agent wanted to read his work while she was away for the Thanksgiving holidays. But after reading Haynes' submission, she contacted him to say she loved the work, but found it too literary. She couldn't sell it. "She said 'There's no way in hell I can sell this,'" Haynes said. "It broke my heart for the literary world. That it can be too literary didnt make sense to me." Two to three titles a year So Haynes decided it was time to change things. He moved back to Butte last year after a 22-year absence and started his own literary press, called Educe Press. Haynes says hes undaunted by his lack of business experience. "I know writing and editing and I want to publish writing I thought should be out in the world and not really care about money." Haynes said his plan is to publish two to three titles a year. Educe Press plans to publish an international work of poetry Feb. 10. The chapbook -- a small collection of poetry about 40 pages long -- is called Home, No Home. The author, Naoko Fujimoto, a poet from Nagoya, Japan, received her college and graduate education at Indiana University at South Bend. The chapbook, written in English, is the first in the Oro Fino Chapbook competition. Haynes intends to have a round of chapbook submissions each year. This is not the first publication for Educe Press. Robby Nadler's full-length book of poetry, Jesse Garon Writes a Love Letter, became the first Euduce Press publication, arriving in readers hands last spring. The book was nominated for the prestigious Lambda Literary Award. Haynes has gotten some assistance with his venture, both here and abroad. For help reading the submissions, he brought in two editors, Idaho-based Carrie Seymour and Butte-based Colin Cote. Cote works at the Butte Public Library. The trio received over 400 submissions. Haynes found a designer, Igor Zelenov, who lives in St. Petersburg, Russia, to design the book cover. Haynes met Zelenov when he was traveling through Butte this past fall. Poet Diane Raptosh, previously long-listed for the National Book Award for her book of poetry American Amnesiac in 2013, also helped Haynes and added prestige to his venture by judging the final selection of submissions. Haynes said he chose Raptosh because he admires her poetry. "I thought she'd be a person who would find something that sparkled a little differently," Haynes said. Labor of love The endeavor is a labor of love for all involved. No one has gotten paid for their work. Haynes, who read his work in Missoula on Jan. 30, published his first novel, Moving Towards Home, in 1999. He was a State of Idaho Writing Fellow in 2010. He published a second novel, Friday, last spring. Graduating from Butte High School in 1992, Haynes left Butte when he was still a teenager by hopping a Greyhound bus to explore the West. He got a scholarship to Boise State University, where he received a bachelor of arts, master of arts and master of fine arts degrees. Haynes has traveled the world, spending time in such far-flung places as Paris and Hawaii, but he's happy to be back home. He left his job teaching creative writing at Boise State to return to Butte to be closer to his mother, Kuuipo Haynes, after his father died. To anyone who scoffs at the idea that Butte residents are not interested in new writing, Haynes might disagree. He says the monthly reading series he started at the Imagine Butte Resource Center in Uptown Butte last winter, when he first arrived in town, brought out as many as 52 people at one of the readings. "It was amazing," Haynes said "We never had less than 10 (audience members)." He added that he's attended readings in large cities where only a handful of people came out to hear an author read literary work. Haynes said listeners came from all over Montana, as well as Butte, to attend the monthly reading series. Literary tradition Butte-born writer Edwin Dobb, who also relocated to Butte in middle age, is not surprised to learn that there is an independent literary press and a literary reading series here. He says the Mining City has a long-standing literary tradition, which connected residents to their Irish roots. "Miners read poetry and wrote poetry. They told stories. They sang songs. That love of language kept the culture alive," Dobbs said via a Facebook message. Dobb calls the love of poetry and literature in Butte an extension of "the oral tradition of the Irish and other ethnic groups," who migrated to Butte to go underground and work in the mines. Haynes, who is part Hawaiian and part Irish, said it's great to be back in Butte. He said he felt anxious at first, in part because he was leaving behind such a vibrant artistic community in Boise. But, in time, he found things to love about Butte. Ive always been curious about the idea of returning home, Haynes said. You can never see home the way you see it the first time. Julie Williams Stewart, 55, died February 9, 2016 at her home in Helena, MT. Julie was born June 10, 1960 in San Diego, CA to Dave Williams and Betty Williams Freiburg. She worked many years for the State of Montana. Julies life was centered around her two boys and the love for their horses. She enjoyed camping with the family, her boys and all her nieces and nephews. She would often take drives up old dirt roads winding through the mountains or out to the west coast to visit relatives. She had a solid belief in the resurrection that the bible promises. She looked forward to everlasting life in perfect health on a paradise earth. Julie is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law Ashby and Breanna Stewart, Austin and Kendra Stewart, grandson Jaxon Stewart and Jaxons soon to be born brother, her brother Tim Williams, sister-in-law Cindy, sister Connie Williams Clark, brother-in-law Dave, sister Terri Williams Moreci, brother-in-law Scott, several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, stepfather Ralph Freiburg and three stepbrothers. A service will be held on February 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses, 1018 Cole Ave. Helena, MT. A reception will follow at the East Helena Fire Hall, 2 East Pacific, East Helena, MT. I am a citizen of Montana and reside in Flathead County. I have followed the issue of refugee resettlement with great interest and concern and have watched the effect it has had in Europe as well as in major cities and metropolitan areas across the United States. It is my observation that unlike legal immigration of the past, where immigrants have properly assimilated into the American culture and American way of life, the current wave of refugees from various overseas countries have swept into our nation bringing with them their national identity, cultural conditions and demands for care provision according to their foreign way of life under policies and guidelines that can be described as inconsistent with the American values. On Monday, Feb. 1, I attended the Rally Against Refugee Resettlement in Missoula as I remain concerned for the effect resettlement efforts can have in our state. Of greatest concern is whether or not there is comprehensive vetting of any refugees to prevent nefarious individuals from infiltrating our state. To the best of my knowledge and according to a variety of sources in local, regional and federal law enforcement agencies, there is simply not a method that can meticulously vet refugees from nations that do not possess a method for tracking and documenting their own citizens. While it may be unfortunate for the refugees seeking to escape their nations of origin, I believe it is a priority of our local, regional and national elected officials to prohibit resettlement of refugees from any nation until the communities into where the refugees are placed can be assured that all refugees have been painstakingly vetted by all necessary levels of law enforcement. Security of our communities, regions and our nation must come first. Along with the issue of security and safety is the potential financial burden our local communities and our state will be required to bear for ongoing support and maintenance for the refugees. After receiving federal support for anywhere between one and four months following their arrival in our country, the burden of financial support then falls onto the local communities and state entitlement programs. An analysis of refugees who have recently arrived in the United States put together by the Center for Immigration Studies in November 2015 states, that each Middle Eastern refugee creates a cost of $64,370 in the first five years on average. Per-refugee costs include $9,230 spent by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). They also include $55,140 in expenditures on welfare and education for the first five years. While the costs for ORR and PRM are only in the first year, welfare and education costs persist for many years. At the household level, the five-year cost is $257,481. It should be clear that what drives these costs are the initial expenditures by ORR and PRM and the very high use of welfare by Middle Eastern refugees. It is my belief that security of our communities and nation is our highest priority, indeed supported by the Constitution of the United States. While I do have compassion for those individuals genuinely seeking refuge from crises in their nations of origin, I cannot place my compassion for these refugees over the need to protect and secure our homeland, both our nation and our local communities. Until such time that a comprehensive and meticulous vetting process supported and approved by all levels of law enforcement agencies is established, I believe the risk is too high to bring refugees into our communities. I further believe that the financial burden and expense refugee resettlement poses to taxpayers of our state and our nation is excessive considering that many Americans are already in need of support through our social assistance and entitlement programs like welfare, food stamps, health care, housing, insurance not to mention our education systems and other social programs necessary to allow Americans to succeed. Our current level of taxation to support existing social and educational programs for Americans in need is a significant burden for many taxpayers. To extend similar social assistance to refugees could push many American families to the breaking point financially. It is unfortunate that refugees do not have available social assistance programs to support them in their countries of origin. Yet, just as the United States cannot police the world, we are also unable to provide social assistance to the world. It is not a matter of lacking compassion or mercy, it is simply a matter of numbers and available financial resources. As Americans, I believe, we ought to take care of our own citizens first before extending that same level of support to refugees from other nations. I ask the question, is opposition to refugee resettlement really a matter of emotional, angry, racist, xenophobes refusing to extend support to individuals in need or is it actually a matter of substance and concern regarding security, safety, finances and expenses? I believe it is the latter and I hope that people in Montana on both sides of this issue choose to debate this topic in a rational manner without name calling, criticism or accusations and instead choose to discuss the substance and facts of the issue. Jane Walters Lakeside BILLINGS -- With a month left to qualify for the Montana ballot, only three presidential candidates have made the cut. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders and Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have gathered enough Montana signatures to be part of states June 7 primary election. The rest of the crowded presidential field has slightly more than four weeks to get at least 500 people to endorse their bids. Trump and Sanders qualified just in the last few days, Cruz a little earlier. The last time I checked was two days ago and Sanders had 1,300 signatures. The other two were in the 600s, Blair Fjeseth, of the Montana Secretary of States office, said late last week. Andy Boyd, a Bernie Sanders supporter in Bozeman, said Sanders easily qualified for the Montana ballot. Supporters have evolved from a loose knit group interested in Sanders to an organized campaign that will be forming phone banks and calling voters to get out the vote. There is still no official office in Montana for the Sanders campaign, though supporters communicate through Facebook and meet regularly. Trump supporters are also without an official campaign headquarters in Montana, but coordinate events through Facebook. A map of Facebook likes, posted Thursday by New York Times statistician Nate Silvers 538 Blog, showed that Montana is Ben Carson country when it comes to Facebook likes, with 29 percent of the likes by Montanans liking candidate pages on the social media site. Sanders was second with 24 percent. Trump was third with 21 percent. Cruz was fifth at 13 percent. Carson has not qualified for the Montana ballot, but has received the most financial support from Montanans, according to campaign reports filed Jan. 31. Hillary Clinton was sixth in Facebook likes by Montanans at 4 percent. But Clinton is also close to qualifying for the Montana ballot, said Carol Williams of Missoula, a former legislator who is currently spearheading Clintons Montana campaign. We literally were waiting for Hillary to sign the initial affidavit for signatures to be gathered, Williams said. I think maybe it wasnt until mid-January. As in 2008, the Democratic primary is turning into a horse race. Williams said she expects Clinton will visit Montana at some point. There's a chance Clinton will send surrogates to the state in March. MOIESE Its probably safe to say no one saw this coming. Not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees who manage the 108-year-old National Bison Range as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Not the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, whose attempts over the last 22 years to partner with FWS to run a refuge located on land that was originally reserved for the tribes, and started with animals they helped save from extinction, have always been thwarted thus far. On Feb. 5, FWS officials from the Mountain-Prairie regional headquarters in Denver approached CSKT Chairman Vernon Finley with a question. Would the tribes be interested in entering into discussions about the possibility of the federal agency backing legislation to transfer the Bison Range to CSKT? Such legislation, which would require the approval of Congress, would place the refuges 18,766 acres in trust for the tribes, and leave it to them to manage and operate. The Fish and Wildlife Services role at the Bison Range would end, as would the Bison Ranges place in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Less than 10 years ago, the same agency was locking tribal employees out of the Bison Range and requiring them to turn in their gear as armed federal agents stood guard. That came after the first attempt for the tribes and FWS to pair up at the Bison Range under an annual funding agreement turned into a bitter feud between CSKT and the federal agency, with increasingly heated accusations and exchanges flying from both sides. Five years ago, the plug was pulled on a second agreement that appeared to be working just fine, when a federal judge ruled an environmental assessment was necessary before an agreement could be entered into. That assessment has since been completed, but a third agreement has never been reached. Everything about tribal involvement at the Bison Range seemed to be in limbo until the Feb. 5 surprise put it on an entirely new track. Groundbreaking legislature Martha Williams, an assistant professor at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, says legislation leading to a transfer would be groundbreaking. Its historic, and a long time coming, says Williams, who teaches public land and natural resources law. It signals the Department of Interior (which oversees the Fish and Wildlife Service) may be willing to look at its trust responsibilities in a new light. The federal government can ensure that the Bison Range continues as a wildlife refuge open to the public, Williams says. They can still preserve the concept of the Bison Range and its underlying purpose, Williams says of the Department of Interior. I dont think the tribes would want to do it differently anyway, but there are mechanisms the Department of Interior, as trustee, can use to make sure the purposes of the Bison Range carry through in a transfer. You can attach those strings. Many other questions, including who would pay the costs of managing and maintaining the Bison Range have not yet been answered. FWS currently budgets $737,000 a year for doing so, according to Anna Munoz, FWS assistant director for external affairs. Weve barely just started the discussions, Munoz says. There is a lot to be worked out. It would be premature to discuss what might happen. Were just at the start of this process. Munoz was able to confirm what FWS employees at the Bison Range say they were told on the afternoon of Feb. 5, when three officials from Denver visited the refuge to inform them of the discussion they had with CSKT earlier in the day. The proposed transfer would involve the Bison Range only, Munoz said. The refuge is the largest single entity of what FWS calls the National Bison Range Complex, which includes three more national wildlife refuges and 15 waterfowl production areas located both on and off the Flathead Indian Reservation. All other parts of the complex, including two refuges, Ninepipe and Pablo -- which, interestingly, are located on tribal, not public, land -- would remain under the management of the Fish and Wildlife Service. Valued employees Noreen Walsh, director of the FWS Mountain-Prairie Region, told the Bison Range employees they would remain valued employees of the Service, regardless of the outcome of these discussions, Walsh noted in an email to FWS employees. How, or where, are some questions that probably wont be answered for some time, depending on how the talks go. Munoz declined to answer another question this week about staffing at the refuge as talks move forward. FWS has appeared reluctant to fill all openings at the Bison Range during the period that funding agreements with the tribes have come and gone, given that CSKT employees fill several of the jobs when agreements are in place. Now that FWS is actively discussing the potential transfer of the range, what will happen if any of the handful of FWS employees left at the Bison Range leave or retire during the process? That is a personnel issue, and we arent going to comment on personnel issues, Munoz said. Williams gave Walsh kudos for speaking to the Bison Range employees, and informing all FWS employees in the Mountain-Prairie region about the proposal in an email, on the same day the tribes were approached about the possibility of a transfer. While FWS never made a public announcement that it had approached CSKT about turning the Bison Range over to the tribes, it certainly had to know the news would leak quickly. By Monday, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility -- which has long opposed any tribal involvement at the Bison Range, and filed the lawsuit that undid the most recent annual funding agreement -- had posted the emails from both Walsh and National Refuge System Chief Cynthia Martinez on the transfer. Being transparent in that conversation from the beginning was the right thing to do, Williams said. I commend Noreen Walsh for that. Walsh visited the Bison Range on the afternoon of Feb. 5, along with assistant regional director of refuges Will Meeks, and Mike Blenden, refuge supervisor for Montana, Wyoming and Utah, and spoke to FWS employees. ETA on transfer One thing most everyone agrees on: No one has any idea how long it would take, if a bill to transfer the Bison Range to the tribes is introduced, for the legislation to work its way through Congress. Its not going to happen overnight, Williams says. And if it gets to Congress, are there any guarantees? My heavens, no. I imagine there will still be a public process the Fish and Wildlife Service will go through. Montanas congressional delegation appeared to be learning of the proposal about the same time the public was. For hundreds of generations, the Salish and Kootenai Tribes have been excellent stewards of the land, wildlife and resources in the Mission Valley, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said in a prepared statement. As these discussions continue, I look forward to working with stakeholders on the ground to strike a fair agreement that works for everyone, promotes tribal sovereignty and maintains public access to the area. Alee Lockman, communications director for Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Daines welcomes feedback from tribal members and area residents on this issue. He will stay in close communication with CSKT leaders, local elected officials and folks in the surrounding communities as this discussion continues. And Heather Swift, communications director for Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said Zinke would be meeting with CSKT officials during the week, and members of his staff will meet with FWS officials later this month to go over details of the proposal. Response to question If anyone, by the way, wondered how Chairman Finley and CSKT responded to the question of whether they would be interested in further investigating a transfer, their answer was yes. We are pleased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to restore the National Bison Range lands to the tribes for continued bison management and continued public access, Finley said. It makes historical and managerial sense to return these responsibilities to the original stewards of the reservation bison herd. Todays herd descends from four bison brought to Dixon from eastern Montana in 1870 by a local Indian who was worried the species was being hunted to extinction. Those animals became the start of what would be known as the Pablo-Allard herd, much of which was used to start the Bison Range herd. Finley noted that in a transfer, the land title would continue to be held by the federal government, but in trust for the tribes. This shows the confidence that the Service has in the tribes' management record, and we believe it is the best solution to a highly unique situation, Finley said. It is unique, Williams says, and not comparable to attempts by some to transfer federal lands to states. The specifics of the Bison Range are very different, says Williams, co-director of the law schools Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic. Its part of those lands CSKT reserved when it entered into the Treaty of Hellgate. The treaty was signed in 1855. The Bison Range was established in 1908, two years before the 1904 Flathead Allotment Act opened the reservation to homesteaders in 1910. The Allotment Act really cut up the Flathead Reservation, and led to the federal government carving out the Bison Range, Williams says. Since then, the Indian Reorganization Act (1934), the Indian Self-Determination Act (1975) and the Indian Self-Governance Act (1994) have all given tribes more control over Native American lives and lands. The latter act gave the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes the right to seek the annual funding agreements and partner with FWS to manage and operate the Bison Range. Federal lands to tribes The transfer of federal lands to Indian tribes has been a precedent in the past 15 years. Williams says the National Park Service has done so at least twice, including 2000, when Congress approved the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act, which returned 7,500 acres in Death Valley National Park to the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. However, a proposal to create the nations first tribal national park out of part of Badlands National Park in South Dakota has gotten nowhere in 10 years. And it has led to acrimony between the National Park Service and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Munoz says the Fish and Wildlife Service has transferred federal land to a tribe, too. In 2002, it transferred a New Mexico fish hatchery the agency had closed two years earlier to the Mescalero Tribe. The emails to FWS personnel from Walsh and Martinez cited several reasons the agency suggested a possible transfer of the Bison Range to CSKT. They pointed to the elusive nature of workable annual funding agreements with the tribes that can survive both on the ground and in the courts. They mentioned a desire to support the principles of Indian self-determination, and a need for the agency to focus on landscape-scale conservation efforts. And they noted that the Bison Range was established at a time when it was questionable whether the over-hunted species would even survive. Its primary purposes was to help the bison avoid extinction, and thats been done, Walsh and Martinez said. FWS employees who want the Bison Range to remain part of the National Wildlife Refuge System will tell you the agency can hang a Mission Accomplished banner up if it wants, but bison are a far cry from the only resource being managed at the refuge. It is also home to elk, mule and whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, muskrats, rattlesnakes, mountain cottontails, more than 200 species of birds, and native plants and grasses. It should come as no surprise that FWS employees arent anxious to let the National Bison Range go, or that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are excited about the possibility of getting it back. The only surprise is that the Fish and Wildlife Service suggested it. I dont think you can overplay what a really big deal this is, Williams says. DECATUR -- Rylan Ekis was excited to finally take the stage and look out into the crowd for her family. What she may not have expected was a standing-room only crowd in the Eisenhower High School Auditorium that pushed its 439 max capacity. The 9-year-old from Illiopolis was among the 175 students from 16 schools across Central Illinois who put on a show as part of the sixth annual Millikin University Childrens Choir Festival. The event was moved to Eisenhower from Millikin due to the overwhelming response of children wishing to participate. The event was hosted by the Millikin Childrens Choir Program, whose three choirs perform several concerts throughout the community each semester. The festival gives area students a chance to see what it's like to rehearse and sing together and consider participating in the choir program. Students at the festival had the chance to rehearse a number of pieces, ranging from the "Star-Spangled Banner" and other traditional pieces such as "Bye Bye Blackbird." They also had the chance to break off into groups with choirs of similarly aged children to learn new songs and practice their singing, all in an effort to instill in the children a love of music, said Christine Smith, artistic and music director of the program. We want to bring them together with other people who love music and help to foster that love of music, she said. And of course, to help them sing well. The yearlong Millikin children's program is made up of three level choirs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The youngest choir, Dolce Choir, is made up of kindergartners through second-graders. The Cantabile Choir is for third-graders through fifth-grade, while the Concert Youth Chorale is for sixth-graders through high school seniors. The event finished with a free performance for families, as the students performed together and with their smaller groups to a capacity audience of supportive parents, grandparents and siblings. For those such as Vanna Schriefer, it was a chance to do something she loves. Im really interested in singing, said the 7-year-old from Unity West Grade School in Tolono. This has been such a great day. That sentiment was shared by many of the students at Eisenhower, including Elia Smith. I liked practicing with my friends, said the 8-year-old from Holy Family School in Decatur. The performance was a highlight for the students, as parents continued to roll into the theater even after the show began, and ushers tried their best to find seats for those standing in the back of the auditorium. Its a thrill to see so many people come out here today in support of the kids and for the arts, Smith said. Among the parents who were able to get into the theater was Lori Wicklund, who came to see her daughter, Sophia, perform in the show. Having already had one daughter go through the program, Wicklund knew it was something that strengthened her childrens love of music and gave them an artistic outlet. With the children already saying they want to go to Millikin when they get older, Wicklund said she was happy to have something like the program in the community. Its something special to have here, and it just makes sense to support something thats a part of our community, she said. NORMAL College students who formerly received state aid in the form of Monetary Award Program, or MAP, grants say the lack of a state budget has become a vicious cycle, affecting more than just their finances. Kyra Ester is a single mom of four studying business administration at Heartland Community College. She is a MAP grant recipient. As Heartland cut programs to absorb MAP costs for students, Esters hours working at the school library were reduced. It created a ripple effect, said Ester of Normal. My future and my familys future will be impacted if there is no state budget. Ester was among other local college students and officials who spoke Friday at a news conference at Heartland. They zeroed in on the importance of MAP grant funding. The purpose was to send a message to Springfield: create a state budget or higher education will suffer. Recently, Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill providing $397 million for MAP grants, but Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to veto the bill next week. He and other GOP lawmakers say the state cannot afford it and no funding was included. Normal Mayor Chris Koos said the town of Normal exists because of higher education. Every college and university is handling this differently, but its still causing long-term pain, Koos said. I urge the state government to pass the 2016 budget and support full funding of higher education in Illinois. More than 125,000 low-income students in Illinois currently receive MAP grants, including 20 percent of students at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan Universities and about 7 percent of Heartland students. The loss of MAP grant funding doesnt just impact current students," Heartland President Rob Widmer said. "Potential students in the community or from other states are now wondering if Illinois supports the education system at all." Connor Joyce is a student trustee at Illinois State University and a MAP grant recipient. Without that funding, Joyce said he will have to pick up more hours at work, meaning less time to focus on academics and extracurricular programs. Ive done my job of attending college in Illinois; now, its the states turn to do its job, said Joyce, of Gurnee. Through cuts to programs and staff, some universities have been able to credit eligible students accounts for the spring semester. Heartland and Wesleyan were unable to extend the credit for the spring semester. We did see a drop in students from fall to spring who were receiving MAP grants, though we cant determine if they left because of the funding situation, said Widmer, who encouraged MAP recipients to "keep faith" that a budget will be approved. "Many students pursue education under the assumption that grants are out there," said Widmer. "Higher education in the state is the engine that drives the community and work force forward. Now, statewide, that engine needs fuel." The discussion about reforming workers compensation in Illinois often pits greedy business owners vs. workers injured on the job. But as often happens when complicated issues are reduced to talking points, there are some common sense reforms that would make Illinois more competitive. It should be noted that the reforms passed in 2011 by the General Assembly have had a positive effect. Workers compensation premiums have been reduced a total of 19 percent. Still, Illinois has some of the highest workers compensation rates in the nation and certainly the highest in the region. In the competition for jobs, the states high workers compensation costs put Illinois at a disadvantage. Here are three reforms, being pushed by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations that would make a difference: Defining the major cause of a health issue: Under current Illinois law, if the workplace is deemed to be at all involved in a health issue, workers compensation pays 100 percent of the costs. For example, if an employee had a pre-existing condition that was aggravated at the workplace, workers compensation would pick up all of the costs now and going forward. Even if a work accident contributed to only 1 percent of a medical issue, workers compensation would then pay the entire costs. Twenty-nine other states have higher standards and many other states are adopting those standards. This is the biggest issue in workers compensation reform. Attorney General Lisa Madigan, whose office represents the state in workers compensation cases, agrees that causation is a big issue. Defining a traveling employee: Illinois courts have ruled that worker compensation can be paid when an employee is involved in an accident commuting to or from work. Certainly, workers compensation needs to be paid when an employee is traveling in the course of their job duties. But rewarding employees for accidents while on their own time, such as commuting, does little but to drive up costs. The General Assembly needs to better address the definition of a traveling employee. Adopting a medical fee schedule in line with the rest of the nation: Thirty-five states currently use a federal reimbursement schedule in workers compensation cases. Illinois, of course, does not but relies on a higher schedule. The Illinois fee schedule has been found to be at least 19 percent higher than other states, and in some cases as much as 45 percent higher. Workers legitimately injured on the job are entitled to compensation. No one is disputing that. But the current system in Illinois obviously needs reforms in these three areas, and possibly others. These reforms would make the system fairer, without harming employees with legitimate worker compensation claims. Whats needed are legislators willing to dig in and resolve these types of nitty-gritty problems, rather than resorting to sounds bites that solve nothing. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A financial scandal of international proportions erupted after Herve Falciani, then an employee of HSBCs Swiss Private Bank, smuggled out the names of over 100,000 individual and corporate bank customers with secret accounts set up for tax evasion and more nefarious purposes. Falciani turned over the documents to French tax authorities who then launched an investigation into the concealment of hundreds of millions of dollars from tax authorities. The smuggled documents were later obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) via the French Le Monde newspaper. In addition to tax evasion, the documents offered a glimpse into the murky inner world of the HSBCs Swiss private banking arm, an institution that seemingly profited from doing business with a host of unsavory characters worldwide. The ICIJ then created a 45-person team to study the documents. The findings were summarized in a February 8, 2015 article entitled Swiss Leaks: Murky Cash Sheltered by Bank Secrecy. The entire ICIJ study, Swiss Leaks, is a detailed account of the more than US$100 billion held by the HSBCs private banking system, broken down by countries and clients. While the ICIJ prefaces the Swiss Leaks study by stating that There are legitimate uses for Swiss bank accounts and trusts, the media organization also points out in the article cited above that These disclosures shine a light on the intersection of international crime and legitimate business. The international crimes include arms trafficking, the trafficking of blood diamonds, in addition to tax evasion and outright money laundering.In its study findings the ICIJ admits that not all account holders were breaking the law. At first, HSBC demanded that the ICIJ destroy all the data it had obtained. In January 2015, after being informed of the full extent of the reporting teams findings, HSBC made the following confession. We acknowledge that the compliance culture and standards of due diligence in HSBCs Swiss private bank, as well as the industry in general, were significantly lower than they are today. HSBC added that it had tightened controls and implemented reforms, and that its Swiss private bank had reduced its client base by almost 70% since 2007. The Swiss Leaks study revealed that 106,000 clients from 203 countries had accounts totaling more than US$100 billion at the private HSBC bank. The data was broken down into three categories: the accounts opened at the Swiss bank and account holders from 1988-2007; operating accounts and their maximum amounts in 2006-2007; notations by made bank employees regarding clients and conversations with them. When compiling its list of top countries by #clients/by $money, the ICIJ decided not to display detailed information for countries with $0 and with 3 clients or less. Of note is that one client could be linked to more than one country, given that citizenship, place of birth and residence is taken into account. The Top Countries by Client Number (2006-2007) Switzerland 11,235 France 9,187 United Kingdom 8,844 Brazil 8,667 Italy 7,499 The Top Countries by $Money (2006-2007) Switzerland US$ 31.2 billion United Kingdom US$ 21.7 billion Venezuela US$ 14.8 billion USA US$ 13.4 billion France US$ 12.5 billion So where did Armenia rank in the listings? The country ranked #146 among the 203 countries with the largest dollar amounts in the leaked Swiss files. (As for Armenias regional neighbors, Turkey was 23rd on the list with 3,105 clients and total accounts of $3.5 billion at HSBCs Swiss bank. Russia was 35th on the list 740 clients and $$1.8 billion. Iran was 38th 573 clients and $1.5 billion, Georgia was 132nd - 25 clients and $29.4 million. Azerbaijan was 167th - 14 clients and $3.8 million.) 10 Clients Associated with Armenia and Other Armenians with Swiss Bank Accounts According to Swiss Leaks findings, there were 10 clients associated with Armenia (4 had an Armenian passport/nationality) who opened 21 client accounts between 1989 and 2006 that were linked to 23 bank accounts. The maximum amount of money associated with a client connected to Armenia was $5.8M. 17 of the 21 client accounts were opened by private individuals, 2 by offshore companies and two were numbered accounts. The ICIJ states that these ten clients held a total of $15.4 million in the bank between 2006 and 2007. While Swiss Leaks stated that four of the ten clients were either citizens of Armenia or had Armenian nationality (not ethnic), Hetq obtained data from the ICIJ regarding the ten clients and it turns out that all are ethnic Armenians or companies registered in Armenia. Furthermore, there are other ethnic Armenians, citizens of other countries, who held accounts in the Swiss bank. As such, they are not included in the list of clients associated with Armenia. (We will have something to say about these other Armenians later on). For now, lets see who these ten clients were. Karekin II - Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians HSBC internal files first listed Karekin II among its clients in 2000. He was connected to an account named His Holiness Karekin II Nersis that listed one bank account and held as much as $1,074,926 in 2006/2007. The leaked files do not specify the exact role that Karekin II had in relation to the account. In response to an ICIJ query, the Mother See at Etchmiadzin claimed that the account in question was opened by His Holiness Karekin II's predecessor "for the benefit of the Church and its charities, and that the account was transferred to His Holiness Karekin II Nersissian upon the death of his predecessor to be used for the same purposes. The Catholicosate the area of responsibility of the Catholicos- of the Armenian church is a national religious institution and is not subject to any taxes" and that His Holiness "has immunity from any taxes." Radik Martirosyan Martirosyan, who has served as the president of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia since 2006, also had an account in the Swiss bank. Born in 1936 in the NKR village of Mataghis, Martirosyan opened a client account in the bank on December 4, 1997 when serving as rector of Yerevan State University (1993-2006). From 2006-2007 Martirosyan had $14,684 in the Swiss bank. His client account was numbered 3310FT. Only Martirosyan can explain why his account was numbered. Of interest is the fact that the bank account was a joint account. The joint owner was Archbishop Shahe Ajemian (Ajamian in ICIJ documents, 1926-2005). In the ICIJ documents hes listed as a bishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Jerusalem). This is outdated information. (An interesting sidebar is that Ajemian was an Honorary Doctor at the National Academy of Sciences (Armenology). He was a member of the Brotherhood of Saint James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem from 1960 to 1994. During his years of service in Jerusalemhe was Chancellor and Property Manager for the Patriarchate. In 1994 Ajemian moved to Armenia and established the Theological Faculty at Yerevan State University. In the ICIJ documents, Ajemian (born in Aleppo) is listed as an Israeli citizen residing in Jerusalems Mt. Olive neighborhood. This is why Ajemian wasnt included in the list of individuals associated with the Republic of Armenia. Another account linked to Ajemian is client account 3304SA. This numbered account was opened in March 1997 when the archbishop had already moved to Armenia. There are ten bank accounts linked to client account 3304SA. Two other individuals are linked to the numbered account Silvia Adjamian (registered as residing in Cliffside Park, NJ) and Diana Dikranohi Mkhitarian (Tenafly, NJ). These two individuals had numbered client accounts of their own. The ten bank accounts linked to 3304SA held a total of $3,960,278 in 2006-2007. Gagik Bazikyan Gagik Bazikyan is the deputy director of dispensary and polyclinic problems and the head of oncology department at Armenias V.A. Fanarjian National Center of Oncology in Yerevan. He is one of the ten individuals revealed in the Swiss bank documents with ties to Armenia. Even though the documents sent to Hetq by the ICIJ show that Bazikyan held no money in the bank from 2006 t0 2007, his name, according to other data, was linked to another client account registered as Roseland Services Corp. Bazikyan, as well as Yousef Haik Setrak Babikian and Walid Adib Omar Taybeh, were the beneficiaries of the Roseland Services Corp. account, according to the ICIJ. The latter two are from Amman, Jordan. In 2011, they patented a cancer treatment drug in the United States. Yousef Babikian and Khatoun Babikian had another client account under the name of Khatoun. HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC had $3,552,555 in the HSBC Swiss bank between 2006 and 2007. In 1996 Midland Armenia Bank was founded in Armenia. Earlier, in 1992, HSBC Holdings plc (the main company of HSBC Group) obtained Midland Bank which, until 1999, operated under that name. That year the name was changed from Midland to HSBC. In Armenia, Midland Armenia Bank was changed to HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC. The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has 70 per cent ownership, and members of overseas Armenian businesses with 30 per cent ownership. Vatche Manoukian, a London-based investor and founding shareholder of the bank, was appointed chairman of the board in 1995. Manoukian also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund. Armimpexbank Armimpexbank was the name of AmeriaBank CJSC prior to 2008. Armenian Import-Export Bank CJSC was founded in 1992. In April 1995 Computron Industries Establishment (Lichtenstein), purchased the majority of shares of the Bank. In August 2007, the main share holdings of the Bank (96%) was obtained by TDA Holdings Limited (which was renamed to Ameria Group (CY) Limited in November, 2011). In 2007-2013, gradually increasing the Charter Capital of the Bank, the major shareholder Ameria Group (CY) Limited increased its equity participation up to 100%. According to the ICIJ, between 2006 and 2007 Armimpexbank CJSC held $2,770,051 in the Swiss HSBC bank. Irina Kliouchnik Akopova and Julienne Baloian The IJIJ has next to no data regarding Akopova. The amount of cash in this deposit from 2006-2007 isnt mentioned. Documents reveal that she was born in Armenia in 1946. Baloian was also born in Armenia (Leninakan, 1950). Her address is registered as Belgium. According to the ICIJ, she had $877,536 in the Swiss bank from 2006-2007. Armen Khachador Lazarian Lazarian was born in 1920 and died in January 2005. Nevertheless, according to the ICIJ, there was $92,326 in his account from 2006-2007. Records show that Lazarian lived in Londons Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; the location where his death was registered. Nevertheless, in bank documents, Lazarian was portrayed as a citizen of Armenia and thus included in the list of those with links to the country. Ovik Nalbandyan Nalbandyan, who resides in Russia, was born in Armenia in 1947. Now a Russian citizen, Nalbandyan graduated Moscows Physical Mathematics Institute. He taught at Yerevan State University from 1976-1989 and served as a department head at Armenias Ministry of Education from 1989-1994. Nalbandyan served as a division head at the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The author of numerous scientific papers, Nalbandyan is also engaged in speech technology matter. He, along with a few others, founded the Moscow Socio-Humanitarian Institute in 1996. According to ICIJ documents, Nalbandyan had $1,162,620 in the Swiss HSBC bank from 2006 to 2007. Sarkis Serge Bedoian Bedoian was born in France (Bourg-la-Reine a southern suburb of Paris) in 1944. Bedoian is a member of the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church in France. A Hetq source says that he has close ties to Catholicos Garegin II and was also close to Archbishop Shahe Ajemian. While the ICIJ notes Armenia as Bedoians address, he doesnt appear in Armenias voter registry and is a citizen of France. (The photo to the left shows Bedoian and Minister of Diaspoea Affairs Hranush Hakobyan.) Every year Bedoian organizes a trip to Armenia for students at the Ecole Franco-Armenienne Tebrotzassere and Ecole Saint Mesrob in France to participate in April 24 Genocide commemorations. In 2011, Armenia Minister of Diasporan Affairs Hranoush Hakobyan bestowed Bedoian with the Boghos Noubar medal. In 2014, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan awarded Bedoian the Movses Khorenatsi medal for his contribution in strengthening Armenia-Diaspora relations and preserving Armenian identity. On May 31, 2015, the Church of the Holy Archangel was consecrated in the town of Sevan. The construction of the church began in 2009. Construction was financed by Sarkis Bedoian of France, in memory of his parents Avedis and Takuhi Bedoian. The architect was Artak Ghulyan. On that day, Sevan Mayor Rudik Ghukasyan made Bedoian an honorary citizen of the town and Catholicos Garegin II Holiness bestowed Mr. Sarkis Bedoian with the Medal of St. Sahak-St. Mesrop. Bedoian is a deacon in the Armenian Apostolic Church and served at the first Divine Liturgy at the Sevan church. According to ICIJ data, Sarkis Bedoian had six client accounts at the HSBC Swiss bank from 2006-2007. Regarding Armenia, the IJIC noted that the maximum amount of money associated with a client connected to Armenia was $5.8M. Bedoian is the client referred to. He had $5,818,919 in the bank during those years. Internet sources claim that Bedoian is the president of a real estate management firm founded in 1992 called Financiere Marceau. The company is registered at 14, Rude de Berri, Paris. (See below) The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (www.WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, other news media and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates. 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. Patricia Randolph's Madravenspeak: Coyote killers death toll: Will you or your dog be next? Last month, the International Dairy Foods Association held its annual Dairy Forum in suburban Phoenix. Not only did the conference provide me great insights on the future of our industry, but the setting highlighted just how extreme some of the proposals for groundwater regulation in Wisconsin have been. Phoenix is dry. There is water in the aquifer and you see the occasional green lawn, but make no mistake, Arizonas water situation is nothing like ours. Even a drive to the higher elevation grassland does not remind you of the verdant green we experience for half the year here. Yet there are those within our state that would like to see groundwater withdrawals regulated in a manner far more severe than any laws in Arizona. Given our rate of groundwater consumption and the annual recharge due to rain and snow, our resources are safe now and will be for the generations to come. Even in areas where a high water table and tight connection between groundwater levels and surface waters have contributed to falling water levels in some lakes and streams, the aquifer levels are stable or rising. There may be a few limited areas in the state that deserve more study and might even need a special regulatory framework, but that should not hold the rest of the state back from using our groundwater in a reasonable and productive way. Our ready access to fresh water gives Wisconsin a competitive advantage in attracting new farms and other businesses that rely on water. We should be promoting this advantage, not regulating it out of existence. Since the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its Lake Beulah decision in 2011, approvals for high-capacity wells in our state have been mired in uncertainty. Finally, there is hope the situation will improve. First of all, the DNR has been working to become more efficient in handling applications. More importantly, a recent court decision has favored a narrower view of the state Department of Natural Resources authority over these approvals. This month, our legislative leaders asked the Wisconsin attorney general to issue an official opinion to further clarify how the approval process should work. That opinion will likely be out this spring. Unfortunately, some so-called environmental groups have fought against even seeking guidance from the attorney general. Instead, they offer legislative solutions, which would enshrine the uncertainty of the past several years. The dairy community in Wisconsin should not accept these false solutions. We must demand a predictable approval process. The Dairy Business Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of Wisconsin dairy farmers, milk processors, vendors and business partners. John Holevoet can be reached by email at jholevoet@widba.com. 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. Gov. Scott Walker's hand-picked Supreme Court justice is expected to advance from Tuesday's high court primary. Incumbents rarely lose Supreme Court races, and Justice Rebecca Bradley has powerful conservative interests running television and radio ads on her behalf. Voters looking for an alternative will have to choose between two perceived liberals but how? Seeking to take Bradley's spot on the high court in the April 5 general election are Milwaukee County Judge Joe Donald and state Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, who unsuccessfully ran in 2011 against conservative-leaning Justice David Prosser. While officially nonpartisan, Supreme Court races in recent years have split along party lines, drawing heavy spending from ideologically-driven outside groups providing some of the only cues for voters to figure out which candidate aligns with their preferences. That's because Supreme Court candidates often don't comment on past decisions or potential future opinions. "One of the great ironies of nonpartisan races is that despite it being nonpartisan, voters have to look for cues such as who is supporting these candidates," said Charles Franklin, Marquette Law School Poll director. "Candidates for judicial offices very rarely discuss actual decisions ... That's inherently frustrating to voters because it doesn't provide very much information about what they do." The race thus far has focused on Bradley, her ties to Walker and how much conservative group Wisconsin Alliance for Reform has spent in advertising on her behalf six figures-worth thus far. Bradley is quick to dispute that the race has become partisan. "This is a nonpartisan position that I hold and the race should be nonpartisan and I have been running a very positive race that is focused on qualifications," she said. "I have always followed the law and I have always said what the law is and not what I think it should be." She said this message is "resonating across the political spectrum." Franklin said in differentiating between Donald and Kloppenburg, voters can look to Kloppenburg's past race to learn more about her views. "I think Judge Donald has the bigger task," said Franklin. Andy Suchorski, campaign manager for Donald, said he expects Bradley to secure 55 to 60 percent of Tuesday's votes, leaving Donald and Kloppenburg to fight for the rest of the pie. The top two vote getters will square off in the general election. "I still think JoAnne started ahead of Joe she started with name recognition," said Suchorski. "Joe was kind of this unknown guy and we have tried to stay true to who he is by staying in that independent lane." Donald often touts his appointment from Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson and endorsement from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat. "We are gambling that there will be enough people fed up with the standard left versus right, and we do think our message of independence will still appeal to people on the left, and we do think there are enough people on the right as well who are dissatisfied with (Walker)," Suchorski said. In an interview, Donald said he's expecting success because he's hearing voters don't want to see the court aligned to a political party. Donald said one of his proudest accomplishments was starting a program in Milwaukee County that would allow non-violent offenders convicted of drug crimes to get treatment and receive a lesser sentence. He said he's been criticized for not being tough enough on crime for the program, but emphasized his goal is to keep offenders from offending again, and drug treatment was imperative in that effort. Donald has backed Bradley as a circuit court judge, which Kloppenburg's campaign is eager to point out. Donald said his aim is "to get politics out of our Supreme Court." He said to remain fair and impartial, judges cannot be influenced by or beholden to politicians or special interests. "There's a recognition, also, of the historical significance of my campaign," said Donald, who is black. "People feel that now might be the time to send that message. To say, 'Hey, we might need to change the complexion of the court.' We need to get politics out of our court. We need to go beyond divisiveness and ideology and have justices who are truly fair and balanced and impartial." Suchorski characterizes Kloppenburg as running "essentially the same campaign" she ran in 2011 against Prosser as the anti-Walker candidate. Kloppenburg disputes the characterization of being liberal-leaning, however, despite being supported by liberal-leaning groups who spent heavily on her behalf in her past race. She said she is different than her opponents because voters want a Supreme Court justice who stands up for people and decides cases on facts and the law. She said her judicial philosophy is rooted in keeping "an open mind." She said voters have told her they are backing her because "I will not know how I will decide any case." Who mailed a package containing three reels of film from Monona to Norway in 1980? Why was it never picked up? And most mysterious: What was on the film? Answers to those questions and others were sought recently via media in Norway, a search that was solved after much speculation last week. Two weeks ago, a journalist for the Norwegian Broadcasting System, Roy Hilmar Svendsen, wrote a story about artist Kjell-Erik Ruuds plans to show the movies, which were sent from Monona to a now defunct hotel 35 years ago. Hotel Jarl was in Voss, a ski area about an hour east of Bergen. Ruud acquired the package of movies when he bought the contents of the hotel, mostly for the used furniture. He found the package in a box that was supposed to be discarded, he told the Wisconsin State Journal. The only clue to the contents came from the sender and address: D.J. Long, of 5210 Academy Drive, Monona, Wisc. 53716 U.S.A. It was sent Sept. 18, 1980, to David Jon Long, c/o Hotel Jarl, 0700 Voss, Norway. Ruud decided to show the movies at an art gallery this week without watching them first. But he wanted to find David Jon Long first. Svendsens article went up on the NRK website, and then an English version circulated on Facebook. Speculation spread as to the contents of the 16 mm films: A family reunion? Adult-only movies? Something tourism-related? A label on one film suggested an old Western. The State Journal joined the search, too. A Thomas Long family, but no David, is listed in city directories as residents of the home on Academy Drive in 1980, but not after that date. A couple of Longs were named as employees of Famous Footwear. Records show a couple of David Jon Longs living in Wisconsin, but none were the one who sent the films. Last week, Ruud got an email from that David Jon Long, after a friend in Norway sent Long an Internet link to the article. Long lives in Pennsylvania and never really lived in Monona, though that was really his address, he said. Long, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Brookfield, had a brother, Thomas, who lived on Academy Drive. I traveled around the world, a lot, and I needed an address in the United States, so I used that one, he said. He had picked up a job in the Hotel Jarl in Voss, then also got a job as a ski instructor in Voss. At the time, Norways ski industry was looking for ways to promote the sport, so when he returned for a visit to the U.S., he went to ski resorts out West and picked up promotional films from the various resorts. I was traveling with a backpack and didnt want to carry them around, so I sent them to myself at the hotel in Norway, he said. Before he could receive his package, though, his mother, Jane Long, died in Madison, which extended his stay in the United States. By the time I got back to Norway, the films had slipped my mind, said Long, now 65. He worked as a ski school director and instructor in the area until 1985, then returned to traveling, he said. He eventually married and has lived in Pennsylvania for about six months, he said. He said his sister and father still live in Wisconsin. I got about four phone calls from people I know in the United States saying, Theyre looking for you, which was a little unnerving, said Long, adding, I have never actually seen those films. Ruud, the artist in Voss, showed the movies to about 20 people who showed up for the exhibition Tuesday night, which was after he had been contacted by Long. Still, he said, it was a fun stunt. A volunteer offered a projector to run the film, said Ruud, who added that he was enthralled by the search to find the sender and solve the mystery. Here, said Ruud, is a man who sends something to himself but never picks it up. Look at all of the history and stories weve made of it, of the people who have helped with this adventure. And the films themselves became even more important once I heard Davids story. He described the ski promotional films as extremely 70s-style, and the soundtrack was quite heftig. in English, groovy. The newspaper Hordaland described the films as showing renowned American ski areas Jackson Hole, Park City, Breckenridge and Alpine Meadows. Its not much of a leap to think that many local residents would like to do something to help close the Madison School Districts decades-old achievement gap. And many would also love to contribute to an effort to slow the dreaded summer slide, when students often regress academically during the out-of-school months. We now have a chance to do just that in the form of a project called the Read Up! Madison Fund. Today, the Wisconsin State Journal and WISC-TV are launching an effort to raise money for a promising summer reading program directed at the K-5 age group. Read Up! is a two-summers-old program that puts books into the hands, and homes, of children who often are most at risk academically. It also provides structured activities around reading, as well as outreach to families to encourage a love of reading in the household. So far, it is showing measurable results in improving reading scores. Its so wonderful, said Krissy Wick, youth services manager at the Madison Public Library, one of the handful of quality partners in the Read Up! program. For many kids, even some third-graders, its the first book theyve ever owned. Its pretty moving to see that happen. Imagine a child whos never owned a book getting to choose not just one, but five shiny new books from the shelf that meet his or her interests and reading level. Ponder for a moment the excitement and energy involved as that child takes them home and starts his or her very own library. The program costs about $10,000 to run per site. So far, it has operated at two of the 16 summer school sites in the Madison district that have been identified as having children who need extra reading support. We hope you will consider joining us in raising money to expand Read Up! to more sites this summer. While closing the well-documented academic achievement gap between white kids and kids of color is complicated and complex, to say the least, the essence of the Read Up! program is simple: Is there a better idea than giving books to kids who otherwise wouldnt have them? Even more, the Read Up! program focuses on the family unit, and helps parents understand the need to read in the home, especially during the summer months when children can head in the wrong direction academically. The State Journal and WISC-TV decided to launch the Read Up! Madison Fund as a means of commemorating the Schools of Hope project started by the two media outlets just over 20 years ago. Schools of Hope started as a civic journalism project and grew into a respected tutoring effort aimed at closing the districts achievement gap. Among the many things we like about the Read Up! initiative is that it represents the best of collaboration and direct intervention with many young, at-risk students. The summer program involves the school district, Madison School and Community Recreation, United Way and the Madison Public Library, from which the original summer reading program was hatched. And thanks to efforts by United Way of Dane County, the reading/free books program will also spread to two suburban districts Sun Prairie and Middleton with pilot sites this summer, and hopefully to more districts in years to come. To get the Read Up! Madison Fund started, the State Journal and WISC are each making $5,000 contributions. Together, that $10,000 donation will fund one more site this summer. We hope that hundreds, maybe thousands, of like-minded citizens will join us by supporting the Read Up! Madison Fund with a donation. Just like books, and the kids who read them, donations are welcome in all sizes and sure to make a difference. Thank you for any help you can provide as together we try to grow a proven, useful program to a scale that will serve more kids who need our help. I read the advice from a retired British officer in a Friday letter that the United States ought to follow the British example of banning semi-automatic assault rifles, because it's not a weapon for either self-defense or hunting. The AR-10, chambered in .308 Winchester, makes a fantastic hunting rifle. The more common AR-15, chambered in .223 Remington, is lightweight, high-capacity, has almost no recoil and most importantly is easy to shoot accurately. As such, it makes a great self-defense rifle. I feel compelled to point out the irony of an Englishman lecturing Americans about their gun laws, as I think we've already had that discussion when we sent them packing in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War. And a National Rifle Association campaign sent 7,000 donated guns to help re-arm the British in during World War II. The United Kingdom used to be a superpower. Today portions of the former British empire are ruled by Sharia law. I understand some people would like to see the United States humbled, but no thanks. Our forefathers learned from the mistakes of Europe and gave us the Second Amendment. -- Mark Luetschwager, Cross Plains Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-14 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] Tsipras: 'Open fronts will soon close and Greece will turn a page' [02] After weekend respite farmers return to road blocks next week [03] Thousands demonstrate in Kos against building of hotspot, tear gas fired [01] Tsipras: 'Open fronts will soon close and Greece will turn a page' Greece will soon overcome its three most pressing problems the first review of its economic program, the refugee crisis and the debt issue and will turn a new page, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Avghi newspaper in an interview published on Sunday. "The open fronts do not frighten us," he was quoted as saying, adding that the government will manage in the most "effective and decisive" manner these three challenges. "When these fronts are closed - and will close very soon, Greece will have turned a page," he said. Commenting on the ongoing negotiations over the country's adjustment program, the prime minister warned that delaying the negotiation "serves no one" and called on those who are "unilaterally stalling the positive completion of the first assessment to stop." He said the government sent a month and a half ago its proposals for social security reforms and the institutions have not commented, while he noted that the program is being delayed because the institutions are disagreeing among themselves. On the refugee crisis, Tsipras said the key to resolving the issue is transferring the management of the refugees to Turkey, as it has already been agreed between the EU and the neighboring country and explained that Greece accepted the intervention of NATO "under the very strict condition that they will respect our sovereignty and that both Greece and Turkey will operate within their own territorial waters." He also dismissed any scenarios for early elections, noting that they were held three months ago and that the government's overall policy has already been judged by the people three times in less than a year. [02] After weekend respite farmers return to road blocks next week Greek farmers participating in the roadblock at Tempi Valley in central-northern Greece closed the motorway again at noon on Sunday, saying their action will continue indefinitely, while more groups of protesters announced new action for next week. During the weekend, farmers from around Greece staged a massive protest rally in central Athens, demanding that the government withdraws its proposed social security and pension reform bill and starts dialog from scratch. Tempi Valley had remained open over the weekend so that protesters could attend the labour action in the capital. Farmers at Tempi, along with their colleagues at Mikrothives, central Greece are still expecting an invitation from the government on the proposals they submitted last week with improvements to the bill. Further north in the region of Rodopi, farmers announced they will close the Greek-Bulgarian border crossing at Nymphea for 72 hours as of Monday. This means that for three days no cars or trucks will be able to cross from Greece into Bulgaria and vice versa. Until Sunday and until midnight, farmers at the block said they will open the crossing every two hours and for 15 minutes to allow trapped drivers to pass through. In Xanthi, northeaster Greece, farmers announced they will close the bridge at Nestos River, on the Egnatia Highway for seven hours as of Monday noon and until 17.00 (local), according to statements made to ANA-MPA by the representative of the roadblocks in the region, Kostas Dalatsis. [03] Thousands demonstrate in Kos against building of hotspot, tear gas fired Thousands of people are demonstrating on the island of Kos in the Eastern Aegean on Sunday against the creation of an identification and registration centre for refugees and migrants who are entering the European Union through Greece. Protesters are demanding that the government reconsiders its decision to build the so-called "hotspot" in the area of Pyli, where work is already underway. Kos is among the several islands near the country's borders with Turkey which has borne the brunt of the refugee crisis. Earlier, riot police clashed with protesters and tear gas was fired to disperse the crowd, after a group of people tried to enter the construction site. On Tuesday, the municipal council on Kos is expected to convene to decide the way in which it will conduct a local referendum on whether to construct the center. The decision to hold the referendum was taken earlier this week by the council. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-14 Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article From: The Athens News Agency at CONTENTS [01] Dutch FM: 'Preferable to have effective border control than close Greek-FYROM borders' [02] Three British nationals arrested with heavy weapons in northern Greece [01] Dutch FM: 'Preferable to have effective border control than close Greek-FYROM borders' SKOPJE (ANA-MPA/ N. Frangopoulos) a It is preferable to have more effective screening process for the refugees and migrants arriving into Europe than to close the Greek-FYROM borders, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said on Sunday, following a meeting with his FYROM counterpart Nikola Poposki at Skopje. "Some EU member-states are urging FYROM to close its borders with Greece. However, as we concluded, it is important to continue the process of European cooperation on the matter. It is much more important to have an effective border control than to close them," he said. The Dutch foreign minister also said that his country, which holds the EU presidency for the current 6 months, believes it is very important to hold talks with Austria, Greece and FYROM in order to find an effective solution for the refugee crisis. On Friday, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz urged FYROM to be ready to stop migrants at its borders with Greece, during a visit to the country. Koenders will be in Athens this afternoon for talks with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at 18.00 (local). [02] Three British nationals arrested with heavy weapons in northern Greece Greek authorities arrested three British nationals of Iraqi descent in the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis near the Turkish border on Saturday night, after they found heavy weapons and ammunition hidden in their car and trailer. The prosecutor charged two of the three suspects with participating in a criminal organization, involvement in terrorist acts, smuggling and transportation and possession of ammunition and firearms. The three men were arrested by coast guard officials near the customs office at Kipoi. During the search, officials found 18 machine guns and tenths of thousands of bullets neatly packed in boxes and hidden crypts, as well as 400 U.S. dollars, 2,000 Turkish Liras and 10,000 Iraqi dinars on one of the suspects. A second suspect carried 900 euros and five cell phones. According to the initial investigation, the weapons are likely to have been bought in Germany and Austria and were to be transferred to northern Iraq. Authorities believe the three men were a member of the same criminal group but no terrorist link has so far been established. They say it appears that the purpose of the transfer of these weapons was to sell them. None of them has a record of a prior arrest, criminal action, or pending arrest warrant in any European country. Police also said the suspects had been residing in a hotel in Alexandroupolis for about eight days. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article I have learned the hard way not to put my personal life on the Internet. But suffice it to say that, God willing, things should be pretty much back to norm... 1 week ago All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary. Another "nightmare scenario" for conservatives would be whether or not the President could or would nominate himself to the lifetime appointment, and whether the McConnell-led Republican majority would confirm Obama if he were to nominate himself. Others are saying it is too soon to raise the highly-charged question about the future replacement. But there's no question Saturday's developments will change the focus of the presidential campaigns. WASHINGTON - Some are predicting that the first question to be asked tonight during the CBS GOP Presidential debate with five candidates - Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson and Jeb Bush - will be "Who would you nominate to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death?" Responses to the sudden development have been coming in from GOP presidential candidates. "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Justice Scalia and send my prayers out for his family in this difficult time. His death is a serious loss to our nation and the Court," Ohio Governor John Kasich said in a statement. "He was an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow. His dedication to the Constitution and love for and service to our country will be deeply missed." "Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him and the nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement," said Senator Ted Cruz. Donald J. Trump wrote on Twitter minutes ago, "The totally unexpected loss of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a massive setback for the Conservative movement and our COUNTRY!" "Today, our nation has suffered a deep loss. Justice Scalia was one of the most consequential Americans in our history and a brilliant legal mind who served with only one objective: to interpret and defend the Constitution as written," Senator Marco Rubio said on his Facebook page. "One of the greatest honors in my life was to attend oral arguments during Town of Greece v. Galloway and see Justice Scalia eloquently defend religious freedom. I will hold that memory forever. The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear. Jeanette and I mourn the loss of Justice Scalia, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Maureen and his family." Dr. Ben Carson released a longer comment: I am saddened to hear the news about Justice Antonin Scalia. We have lost a great man and a great Supreme Court Justice. For the past three decades, his towering intellect and trenchant wit has characterized the deliberations and decisions of the high court. He made Americans proud, not only because he gave to the court the power and persuasion of his brilliant legal mind, but because he defended the Constitution with an unshakeable commitment to the text and to the intent of the Founders. In an age where it is popular to subscribe to a "living Constitution" and during a time when political and judicial leaders prefer legal decisions that are politically convenient, Justice Scalia always dutifully carried out his responsibilities to interpret the law, not to make new ones. Time and again, he ruled based on where the black letter of the law led him, not according to the politics of the moment. For that reason, he has angered Americans on both the left and the right, but he has never wavered in his dedication to the Constitution. Incisive and relevant analysis on SA politics and other social issues that make-up our social fabric. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma today said that he has suffered injuries after he was attacked by ABVP activists in JNU campus when he was returning with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after attending a protest meet held by students there. By India Today Web Desk: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma today said that he has suffered injuries after he was attacked by ABVP activists in JNU campus when he was returning with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after attending a protest meet held by students there. The "attack" took place some distance away from the place where the meeting was held at the university campus with the ABVP activists using "cover of the darkness," Sharma claimed. advertisement "There was a bleeding from my left ear following the attack and I also suffered some cuts," Sharma said, adding his personal security officer too was "pushed from behind" by the attackers. The Congress leader has even filed complaint after the attack in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. Meanwhile, the Congress has also condemned attack on its party leader and termed it as a "black day" in country's democracy. The former Union minister said that ABVP activists "reflect the frame of mind of the Modi-government," who want to siphon off the voice and take away civil rights of students. Sharma even asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to take against the culprits and also give an explanation on the attack, as law and order is the responsibility of the government and Delhi Police. "Prime Minister and BJP president owe an explaination...We want to ask the Prime Minister whether law and order is not his and Delhi Police's responsibility," he said. "Will Prime Minister now take action against those goons and hooligans...Will Modi take action against Delhi Police who failed to protect and provide security. "Is this the intolerance that is in the mind of the government and BJP, by which, if you disagree with BJP, either you will be branded as anti-national or you will be physically attacked and bodily harmed caused to you," he said. Meanwhile, ABVP rubbished the allegations, saying its members did not indulge in any such activities. "They were peacefully registering their protest against the presence of politicians on the campus which has politicised the whole issue," ABVP leader and JNUSU Joint Secretary Saurabh Kumar Sharma said. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi at JNU: Suppressing voice of students is most anti-national --- ENDS --- The Army today paid homage to Gunner Sahadev Maruti More and Naik Shankar Chandrabhan Shinde, who were killed in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Saturday, in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. General Officer Commanding 15 corps Lt Gen Satish Dua paying floral tributes to two army soldiers during wreath laying ceremony, who were killed during gun fight with militants in the Zonreshi Village, Chowkibal of Kupwara District in North Kashmir near t By India Today Web Desk: The Army today paid homage to Gunner Sahadev Maruti More and Naik Shankar Chandrabhan Shinde, who were killed in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Saturday, in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. More was to get married next week, having delayed the wedding to allow his bride complete her education, but fate willed otherwise and he achieved martyrdom with his best friend Masterji. advertisement More and Shinde were best friends and died as such. "They lived like buddies, they served like buddies and (as) buddies they embraced martyrdom in the highest traditions of the organisation and nation they served and died for. "And in this sacrifice, they redefined camaraderie," reported PTI quoting an army official. More (26), fondly called Maurya by peers, came from a humble family of farmers in Bijapur, Karnataka, the army official said. He is survived by his old parents and was about to leave for home in a weeks time, the official said, adding he had insisted on delaying the wedding so his prospective bride could complete her education. Army jawans carry the body to two soldiers after wreath laying ceremony, who were killed during gun fight with militants in the Zonreshi Village, Chowkibal of Kupwara District in North Kashmir near the Line of Control, at 15 corps head quarter Badami Bagh in Srinagar on Sunday. Two army soldiers and five militants were killed in the encounter. (Photo: PTI) Army jawans carry the body to two soldiers after wreath laying ceremony, who were killed during gun fight with militants in the Zonreshi Village, Chowkibal of Kupwara District in North Kashmir near the Line of Control, at 15 corps head quarter Badami Bagh in Srinagar on Sunday. Two army soldiers and five militants were killed in the encounter. (Photo: PTI) Shinde (34), from Nashik in Maharashtra, had been deployed as a UN peacekeeper in South Sudan during the turbulence in 2012 where he had discharged his duties with aplomb, he said. "His exceptional instructional capabilities and tactical acumen had earned him the nickname Masterji," the army official said. "Though coming from two different parent units (Infantry and Artillery) with almost ten years separating them in age and service, they began their tenures in the 41 Rashtriya Rifles unit together in June 2015," he said. During this short span, the two had also carved a niche for themselves as sharp scouts and had been part of numerous operations, he said. Saluting the heroes, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua said the duo have inspired an entire generation of soldiers and soldiers to be with their sacrifice. --- ENDS --- Omar tweeted that the Home Minister was levelling very serious charges against the JNU students, and that if he had evidence he should share it with everyone. By India Today Web Desk: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah lashed out at Home Minister Rajnath Singh for claiming that the protests going on at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) had the support of Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) chief Hafiz Sayeed. "The incident of JNU had the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. It's an unfortunate incident," said Rajnath Singh. WATCH: 'Unfortunate that JNU incident has been supported by LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed', says HM Rajnath Singhhttps://t.co/Djplbeakyo&; ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 advertisement Omar tweeted that the Home Minister was levelling very serious charges against the JNU students, and that if he had evidence he should share it with everyone. "Cracking down on students and using Hafiz Saeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government," he tweeted. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all.&; Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed&; Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. #JNUCrackdown&; Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 On Tuesday, an event was organised on JNU campus by some students at the Sabarmati Dhaba against the execution of Afzal Guru and separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, and for Kashmir's right to self-determination. Afzal Guru was hanged on February 9, 2013 for his role in the 2001 attack on Parliament, and Bhat was hanged in 1984. Anti-India slogans like "Kashmir ki azadi tak jung chalegi, Bharat ki barbadi tak jung chalegi" were reportedly raised at the protest meet. The university turned into a battleground after students from various groups began to voice their opinions on the matter. The administration had to call in the police after the situation turned violent. Kanhaiya Kumar, the president of the JNU students' union, was arrested on Friday, charged with sedition and conspiracy, and sent to police custody for three days. The police arrested Kumar, after a case of sedition was registered following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and right-wing students' body Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Also Read: #BigAfzalFight: JNU protests had support of Hafiz Saeed, says Rajnath JNU campus row: Anti-national activities will not be tolerated, says Rajnath Singh JNU students clash over event against Afzal Guru hanging --- ENDS --- advertisement RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, who has been accused of raping a minor, was today suspended from the party. By India Today Web Desk: RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, who has been accused of raping a minor, was today suspended from the party. The complainant, a resident of Bihar Sharif, said that she was taken by her neighbour Sulekha Devi and her daughter to the MLAs house. The incident reportedly happened on February 6. After she was raped, the girl said the woman gave her Rs 30,000. She then went home and spoke about the incident to her parents who approached police. advertisement An arrest order was also issued against Yadav after a minor girl filed a complaint of abduction and rape against him, police had said. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Patna Range) Shalin told the media here that police have issued an arrest order against Yadav after the charges seemed to be true based on evidence and the girl's statement. "Police have begun investigation in the case and action would be taken against Yadav on the basis of the victim's statement. She has identified the place and him (Yadav)," Shalin said. --- ENDS --- By Bakul Kodikal: A quick Google search tells you that pizza originated from the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, who topped breads with olive oils and local spices. Pizza, as we know it today, was being widely served in the poorer areas of Napoli in Italy in the early years of the 19th century - bread topped with tomato passata, cheese, olive oil and other toppings. advertisement The readily available, fresh and affordable raw materials required for the dish meant that it fast became a delicacy in the poor districts of Italy. Neapolitan pizza transcended class and status and brought royalty and common man alike to the table. Also read: You needn't give pizza up to be healthy; Anna Perenna has organic ones Rumour has it the humble Margherita pizza was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy because she loved the dish so much. Pizza sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to America with late 19th century Italian immigrants and, although very popular in the Italian communities, it only really boomed after the end of World War II. From there, pizza has gone beyond national borders and is now truly a global phenomenon. This brief history of Pizza seems to highlight two things: One, pizza is for everyone regardless of social status. Two, pizza is a dish that should be both affordable and freshly made. And by fresh, I mean fresh. Fresh dough made using highly refined and finest ground flour, live yeast, salt and water. Fresh toppings using the best fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs and cheeses. This is the big secret to great pizza. Always fresh. Why is this not the case today? How did we lose our way out of the streets of Napoli? As a customer, I find myself faced with the options of either a cheap pizza made with frozen dough, "liquid cheese sauce" (synthetic cheese) or one that is too expensive for all but the super-rich. Both options have lost the essence of what pizza is all about - homemade, accessible and affordable. We are blessed in this country to have many amazing ingredients, many talented chefs and a real love of food - everything that pizza needs to thrive! So, let us remove ourselves from the frozen dough and embrace fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients to create pizza that wouldn't be alien to the 19th century Neapolitan people. A pizza that all can enjoy, from the man on the street to a Queen. A pizza that is freshly prepared, baked and served. That is what pizza is to me. Making the pizza dough advertisement Ingredients 1 tsp active dry yeast 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon warm water 1 1/2 cups high gluten flour 2 teaspoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons olive oil Method Dissolve the yeast in the water and let it proof for 5 to 10 minutes. The yeast should have a little island of fizz/bubbles before you start. In a separate bowl mix all of the dry ingredients and create a little well in the middle. Dump your yeast mixture and the olive oil into the well and stir with either your fingers or a wooden spoon. Once a lumpy kind of dough forms lightly oil your hands and start to knead the ball. Knead it for at least 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth. Lightly coat the ball in olive oil and place in an airtight container, allow to rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. About 2 hours later, deflate it, and split into 2 equal portions. Roll both portions into balls, sealing any cracks as tightly as possible. Place the new dough balls on opposite sides of a shallow dish and cover with plastic wrap. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. After this just heat your pizza stone to 260 degrees C, roll out your dough balls, top them, and slide them into the oven using a flour dusted pizza peel. advertisement Pizza Margherita Ingredients 170 gm pizza dough 90 ml tomato passatta 75 gm mozzarella cheese diced 3 balls bocconcini Few sprigs of basil leaves Method Hand stretch the proofed pizza dough, making sure a great thick crust is formed with a even thin centre. Apply the tomato passatta evenly over the pizza base, leaving the crust untouched. Scatter the diced mozzarella cheese at various points across the pizza Cook the pizza in oven at 260-270 degrees and watch until the pizza is almost done. Garnish the pizza with fresh bocconcini and fresh basil hand torn. Serve hot. Pizza Basil Pollo Ingredients 170 gm pizza dough 90 ml tomato passatta 75 gm mozzarella cheese 5-6 pitted olives 30 gm sliced courgettes 90 gm chicken breast (coated with chopped basil) 10 gm parmesan 5 rocket leaves (Aragula) 10 gm basil leaves 2 balls bocconcini Method Hand stretch the proofed pizza dough, making sure a great thick crust is formed with a even thin centre. Apply the tomato passatta evenly over the pizza base, leaving the crust untouched. Scatter the diced mozzarella cheese at various points across the pizza. Top with olives, sliced courgettes. Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground pepper over the courgette. Add pulled chicken breast coated with chopped basil. Finish off with grated parmesan. Cook the pizza in oven at 260-270 degrees and watch until the pizza is almost done. Garnish the pizza with fresh bocconcini, rocket leaves and fresh basil. --- ENDS --- advertisement By Siddhartha Rai: A day after the Delhi Police slapped sedition charges on Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNU campus turned into a gladiatorial political arena on Saturday. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi came calling on students agitating for Kumar's release. Rightwing students' body ABVP greeted him with black flags and "Go Back" slogans. He was accompanied by CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja and Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, besides Ajay Maken and Anand Sharma from the Congress. The ABVP mobbed Gandhi's motorcade when he was leaving the campus and the Congress leader had to be escorted out in a different vehicle from an undisclosed gate. Allegations flew thick on social media that Sharma was beaten up by a group of students. advertisement ABVP's JNU unit president Alok Singh, however, denied any role of his organisation in it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal jumped in too. He ordered a magisterial inquiry into the February 9 incident when a group of students had raised anti-India slogans at a meeting called to celebrate hanged terrorists Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat. The HRD ministry has sought a status report from the university on the issue, though the varsity administration maintained that it had not received the communication so far. Raja has come under attack as his daughter Aparajitha Raja, also a JNU student, was seen participating in the February 9 protests in a video which was widely shared on social media. Raja claimed that he had received calls threatening that his daughter would be shot. The Rajya Sabha member also claimed to have received calls from Australia, ostensibly from an underworld don. Raja said he has apprised Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the threats. Gandhi attacked the RSS and the BJP, coming close to comparing the Modi regime to that of Hitler. "Most anti-national people are those who are suppressing the voice of students in this institution. People who suppress the voice of this institute are anti-national. They are trying to crush the voice of the youth. There was a person in Germany named Hitler who had destroyed millions and millions of people. If only that man had listened to other people, may be that country would not have gone through that much of pain," he said, amid cheers from Left-leaning teachers and students. He also referred to the suicide of Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad Central University. "They do not understand that in crushing you, they are making you stronger. Don't let those bullies push you around," Gandhi said. "I was in Hyderabad some days back and the same people said Rohith was an anti-national element. A youngster expresses himself and the national government says he is anti-national. Later a minister comes and says he was not even a Dalit. Sushma Swaraj-ji, nobody asked whether he was a Dalit or not. The question is why an Indian student was not allowed to say what he believed in." advertisement BJP's retort was sharp. "What kind of ideology is Rahul Gandhi supporting? The ideology that says 'Pakistan zindabad' and 'Bharat ki barbadi tak, jung rahegi jung rahegi' is anti-national. His remarks are an insult to the nation, our Constitution and legal system. It shows his mental bankruptcy," party national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. "Congress spokespersons are on record questioning the lack of action after the event in JNU. But when legal action is taken, Rahul Gandhi and his friends are speaking the language of LeT terrorist Hafiz Saeed." Earlier in the day, Left and JD(U) leaders met Union home minister Rajnath Singh demanding Kumar's release from police custody. "We met the home minister and apprised him about the tense atmosphere in JNU. The Delhi Police have released a list of 20 students in connection with the event, which also includes D Raja's daughter, but we are asking are they seen in the video shouting slogans?" Yechury said. "They were present because they are members of students union or groups, but that does not mean they were involved in it. We have demanded that Kanhaiya be released. The home minister has assured us that no action will be taken against any innocent student." Yechury was joined by Raja and JD(U) spokesperson Tyagi. The home minister maintained his tough stand that anti-nationalism would not be tolerated, though he also assured that no innocent would be acted against. In a series of tweets, Singh said: "If anyone shouts anti-India slogan and challenges nation's sovereignty & integrity while living in India, they will not be tolerated or spared." After meeting Yechury's delegation, he said: "No question of harassment of students. But the guilty will not be spared." advertisement AAP too did not leave any chance to attack the Modi government, though with caution. "All those raising Pakistan zindabad slogans and involved in anti-India activities must be punished. But the way JNU student leaders and professors are being targeted smacks of a deep-rooted conspiracy by the Delhi Police and ABVP," Kejriwal said. AAP leader Ashutosh said at a press briefing: "First FTII, then Rohith Vemula, and now the way in which JNU is being handled - Modi's anti-student policies are becoming clearly visible to all. " Also read: Rahul Gandhi at JNU: Suppressing voice of students is most anti-national --- ENDS --- Rajnath Singh has said the Afzal Guru event in JNU had the backing of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed.On Saturday, several Congress and Left leaders visited the JNU campus to show solidarity with the students protesting againt Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest.Rahul, who visited the JNU campus along with Delhi PCC chief Ajay Maken and former Union Minister Anand Sharma, was shown black flag by members of ABVP.On Friday, cops arrested JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. By India Today Web Desk: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today made explosive claims on the Jawaharlal Nehru(JNU) row by saying whatever happened in JNU had support of Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) chief Hafiz Sayeed. "The incident of JNU had the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. It's an unfortunate incident," said Rajnath Singh. WATCH: 'Unfortunate that JNU incident has been supported by LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed', says HM Rajnath Singhhttps://t.co/Djplbeakyo&; ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 advertisement Attacking the Opposition for politicising the matter, Singh said, "I appeal to all the political parties that whenever such situation arises, where anti-India slogans are raised, the entire nation must speak in one voice." I seek cooperation and support from all political parties &people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces&; Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) February 14, 2016 He also said that anybody found guilty of anti-national activities in JNU will not be spared. Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed.&; Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) February 14, 2016 Meanwhile, the Congress has challenged Rajnath Singh's statement. The party has even demanded evidence and action to prove his claims. The row over 'anti-national' activities in JNU is getting bigger day by day. Various political parties paid visit to the varsity on Saturday after JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on sedition charges. Kanhaiya Kumar, the president of the JNU students' union, was arrested on Friday, charged with sedition and conspiracy, and sent to police custody for three days. The police arrested Kumar, after a case of sedition was registered following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and right-wing students' body Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Also Read After Afzal show, JNUSU president arrested for anti-India conspiracy Anand Sharma says he was attacked by ABVP activists at JNU, files complaint JNU campus row: Even prostitutes better than female protesters, says Haryana CM's ex-OSD Jawahar Yadav #BigAfzalFight: JNU campus turns into a political arena post sedition charges on students --- ENDS --- If you have a weekend to spare on your trip to Bengaluru, ride to the Kolli Hills. The waterfalls will make it worthwhile. By Anmol Deep: After the best possible adventurous start to the New Year with a bike ride covering 1,000 plus kilometres in just 46 hours on my Avenger, I was still hungry for more. I decided to plan out a bike ride to Kolli Hills, a serene and pristine hill station which is neither commercialised nor polluted. The best part was the fact that one got to ride along 70 continuous hairpin bends along the road. What else can a biker want from life? advertisement After discussing the plan with my biker buddies, five of us rode out on our majestic Avengers, Royal Enfields and even one R15, towards Kolli Hills. Located in Tamil Nadu, the hills lie at an average height of 1,370 metres. The one-way distance from Bengaluru, from where we set out early in the morning, was about 285 km. Also read: 3 countries, 34,000 km, 4,900 pictures: One man's fascinating journey The morning sun was yet to rise when we started our ride at around 6:15 am - we began early since we had to return the same night before 10 pm. The route was pretty straight forward - we had to drive on the NH7 for 200 km till we hit Salem and then continue on the same highway till Namakkal, where we needed to take a sharp left to climb for the 54 km stretch of 70 hairpin bends. After riding for about 80 km, we took breakfast at Saravana Bhavan at Krishnagiri - idli vada and poori bhaji - which gave us some energy to drive. The tea was as refreshing as ever. This was the fifth time I was using this highway, and I decided to stop next about 30 km before Salem, where one can see a straight stretch of the highway over the railway line with beautiful hills of the Eastern Ghats alongside. We stopped for a while and then rode ahead to Salem, continuing on NH7 till we reached Namakkal. There, we had to take the left turn through a small village, cutting across SH95. Soon, we were at Karavalli, where we had to pay Rs 20 per head to enter the forest area. The forest officer confirmed there was no strict limit on the time. That was a relief, since it was already noon and we were running late. In a short span of time, we reached the milestone that read 1/70, which was the starting point of the 25 km stretch of hairpin bends our bikes were eagerly waiting for. After stopping for a while, we resumed our journey and enjoyed the curves for around 35 hairpin bends after which we stopped to rest. The telephone signals had already vanished and we couldn't find any shops on the bends where we could stop for lunch. It was only after we crossed the 70th bend, and reached Solakkadu, that we stopped for some cool drinks, bananas and biscuits. advertisement Also read: 5 most challenging road trips in India every biker must take It was here that a local lady (who knew Hindi) guided us to the Agaya Gangai waterfall, which was to be our next destination. The lady's directions turned out to be a bit inaccurate, so we rode slowly through the villages, asking for directions to the waterfall from whoever understood Hindi. Finally, guided by people and following the vehicles ahead of us, we reached a waterfall. We were totally disappointed as the fall was not that high nor was the pressure of the water impressive. Thanks to Google maps, we realised that this was not the Agaya Gangai waterfall. We had, instead, turned up at a smaller one called the Masila Falls. Not trusting our phone signal and considering our luck, we decided to take a shower there itself. (`10 per head for the entry to the falls.) In 30 minutes, we changed into a lungi following the famous saying, 'In Rome do as the Romans do', and set out to find our actual destination. We reached the location for the Agaya Gangai waterfall according to Google Maps, but found a temple instead. It was already 3 pm and we had to search quite a bit before finally reaching the fall's entry gate. The entry to the waterfall was supposed to close at 3 pm but we managed to get the last tickets. advertisement We had to trek down uncountable steps till we could hear the sound of the water falling with high pressure on the rocks. We still had not been able to see the falls, and the stairs seemed endless. A few of us suggested that we stop and go back. Though stressed and tired, we climbed down and were finally able to see the waterfall. The water was cold, the breeze was pleasant and we were deep down in a pit of water surrounded by hills on all sides. The height and the majesticity of the waterfall could not be questioned or compared. After taking few photographs, my friends and I decided to swim and reach the waterfall itself. There were few people at the waterfall, so we enjoyed at our leisure. The journey was worth it after that half-an-hour shower under the Agaya Gangai waterfall. advertisement Like they say, nothing in life comes for free. So, we had to climb all the way up to reach to the main road where we had parked our bikes. Climbing up, struggling and stopping after every 100 steps for a sip of water, I finally reached the top after counting a 1,000 steps. It was 5 pm and luckily, there was a shop in front of the entry to the waterfall that sold food. Next, we paid a quick visit to the Shiv temple and geared up for our travel back to Bengaluru. Riding back is as boring as riding away is exciting. We kickstarted our bikes and began the descend of the hills, stopping at the 34th hairpin bend for the beautiful view. Once we reached the base of the hills and crossed the forest check-post, we continued riding in to the night. The stars were bright and the ride, till now, remains the most memorable one of my life. --- ENDS --- One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills.Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit.The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved.Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education. By India Today Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today presented the report card of Aam Aadmi Party on completion of its one year in office. Kejriwal along with his ministers will hold a public interaction session today in which the ministers will answer phone calls from people. Speaking on one year of Delhi government, CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "Today I am here to give account of our work in 1 year". advertisement Here are the live updates of Kejriwal's speech There will be mohalla clinics in each locality. Free x-ray, surgery and medicines will be available free of charge at all government hospitals. We will not allow quota admissions in Delhi schools. The government will inaugurate 20 Aam Aadmi polyclinics. The basic infrastructure in our education institutions needs to be improved and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is working on it. Now we are investing Rs 10,000 crores only for education. 8000 new classroom in government schools till july 2016, 45 new schools are being constructed. 100 new schools will be built this year. We want our government hospitals better than the private ones. One of our poll promises was to subsidies electricity bills. Today only two states in India have cheaper electricity than Delhi. Pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. For A and B categories - 25 per cent, C - 50 per cent, and D - 75 per cent. of pending water bills till November 30, 2015 will be waived off. We are hopeful to win the case in Supreme Court and electricity prices will further come down after CAG audit. We stand firm on our commitment for cheap water. We have been working on this. Electricity and water bills are in complete disarray. I am disappointed that some people are still using water tankers because it's free. Delhi Jal Board(DJB) revenue increased Rs 176 crores after giving 20,000 litre water free. Areas where pipeline has reached won't get water tankers. Click on the image to see the results of India Today-GFK Mode Survey Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP and the Congress today took to the streets and slammed the AAP government for "a year of complete failure and betrayal". Delhi BJP plans to observe Sunday as a 'Black Day'. Last year on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP: Arvind Kejriwal tweets Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today expressed happiness over completion of one year in the office. He said the bonding between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the national capital is 'deep and everlasting'. "Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep n everlasting," Chief Minister Kejriwal said in a tweet. Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep n everlasting.&; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 "Today, at 11 am, Delhi govt will make some announcements, which will benefit lakhs of people in Delhi. Do u hv any Q from Del govt? I, alongwith my cabinet, will directly answer ur Qs. Call at 011-41501367, 41501383, 23346658 betn 11AM to 1 pm," he added. Today, at 11 am, Delhi govt will make some announcements, which will benefit lakhs of people in Delhi&; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 Do u hv any Q from Del govt? I, alongwith my cabinet, will directly answer ur Qs. Call at 011-41501367, 41501383, 23346658 betn 11AM to 1 pm&; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 advertisement A year back on February 14, Arvind Kejriwal had taken oath as the Delhi CM for the second time. Also Read AAP government's 1-year report card: Arvind Kejriwal gets a thumbs up After a year, Arvind Kejriwal still a hit with Delhiites --- ENDS --- A 10-year-old boy was thrown into a well following a dispute between two neighbours over getting water from a hand pump in a village in Bihar. By Giridhar Jha: A 10-year-old boy was thrown into a well following a dispute between two neighbours over getting water from a hand pump in a village in Bihar. Sunny Kumar paid the price for a quarrel between his grandmother Nageena Devi and her neighbour Madan Sao at Sadosopur village under Bihta police station of Patna district when the latter's son Bittu threw him into a well in a fit of rage. The police, however, rescued him in the nick of time after being informed about the incident by the villagers. advertisement An FIR has been lodged against Bittu on the basis of Nageena's statement. Both Sao and his son have been arrested. According to reports, Nageena was washing clothes at a public hand pump in the village when Rao arrived there. He wanted to take water from the hand pump but she asked him to wait. This resulted in a verbal dual between them. The matter aggravated after the family members from both the sides joined issue and started fighting with each other. The local villagers, however, intervened to pacify them. Sao's 20-year-old son Bittu, however, still nursed a grudge against Nageena. When he saw Sunny alone later in the evening, he allegedly threw him into a well in the village. Hearing loud cries of the boy, the villagers informed the police and assembled to rescue him. The police reached the spot and managed to pull Sunny out. The traumatised boy was taken to a private hospital in Patna where he was condition was stated to be stable. Bittu's family said that he was of unstable mind. The police, however, arrested him along with his father and sent them to jail. Also read: 6-year-old child dies after falling in school's water tank in Delhi --- ENDS --- By Rana Banerji: Though Mohammed Ali Jinnah had re-assured Pakistan's minorities in his August 11, 1947, speech that they would be "free to go to your temples, mosques or any other place of worship" and that there would be "no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another", this vision remained unfulfilled. Pakistan slid down the slope of intolerance and religious extremism during the last 60 years of its existence. Farahnaz Ispahani's book chronicles this descent with great diligence, even anguish, depicting how insecurities of identity, quest for an ideological State, militarism and islamisation pushed Pakistan inexorably downhill. Granddaughter of Pakistan's first ambassador to the United States, Mirza Abol Hassan Ispahani, the author was born in Karachi and grew up in Karachi, Dhaka and London. advertisement She graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, USA, majoring in political science. She is the third wife of the mercurial yet brilliant Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, whose tenure there was short-lived because of ire earned from Pakistan's all powerful army establishment over "the Memogate affair" in May 2011. Farahnaz seems to share the hurt caused by this shoddy treatment of her husband. At the time of Partition in 1947, almost 23 per cent of Pakistan's population comprised non-Muslims. Now it stands at less than 3 per cent. The turmoil of communal clashes and exodus/influx of refugees across the entire subcontinent during Partition threw all these demographic data topsy-turvy. Hindus particularly seemed to face unmitigated repression and had to hide their temples in their own houses. Even in the aftermath of Partition, Ispahani recounts how a series of political decisions and miscalculations sent "the land of the pure" hurtling towards an "embrace of bigotry and prejudice". Also read: 15 books to read in 2016 In March 1949, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, for instance, moved the 'Objectives Resolution' in the Constituent Assembly, which accepted the premise that "sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to God Almighty alone" and that the State would exercise authority "within the limit prescribed by Him" - this laid the foundation of an Islamic State. Defeat in the 1971 war and separation of Bangladesh forced Zulfikar Bhutto to initially promise a new beginning, where ageold ties of Muslims with Hindus and Buddhists would be nurtured. However, for possibly political reasons, his tenure first as President and then as Prime Minister, under the 1973 Constitution was influenced by obscurantist tendencies and an unconstructive harping on Islam. The proportion on non-Muslims in Pakistan had shrunk considerably. The 1972 Census revealed that out of a total population of 62.4 million, Hindus amounted to 8,99,000, then falling below Christians, who numbered 9,07,861. Anti-Ahmediya violence escalated during this phase. Ahmediyas were banned from performing azaan through a Presidential Ordinance in 1984. Once Gen Zia-ul-Haq seized power through a military coup in 1977, draconian Islamic laws were brought in - ostensibly designed to create 'Nizam-e-Mustafa' - the aim essentially was to provide underpinnings for a long stint of dictatorial rule. Sectarian strife intensified immediately afterwards as Shias felt unfairly targeted and persecuted under the Zakat & Ushr Ordinances. Sunni clerics started receiving heavy funding from State and foreign donors. Anti-Shia militancy strengthened. Ispahani emphasises that "religious minorities in Pakistan have continued to suffer under the discriminatory legal order left behind by Zia" and "at the hands of jihadist groups, which were nurtured by the Pakistan military". advertisement In subsequent chapters, she narrates the unfortunate fate of Pakistan's minorities under 'the era of global jihad', when militancy, terrorism and sectarianism continued to prosper under the State's blind or even benevolent eye. The Hazara pogroms in Baluchistan after 2008 are attributed by Ispahani to "Pakistan's national security policies", as "Sunni extremists involved (Lashkar-e-Jhangvi) were seen as the military's allies in its campaign against Baloch nationalist insurgents". All in all, Ispahani's book is a brave narrative, described aptly by Asma Jahangir, well-known human rights activist, as "an amazing account of the manner in which Pakistan's laws were instrumental in perpetuating injustice and encouraging brute force by religious militants with impunity". This makes the work indispensable reading for all serious Pakistan watchers. The reviewer is a Pakistan expert advertisement Purifying The Land Of The Pure by Farahnaz Ispahani, HarperCollins; Rs 499 --- ENDS --- By Giridhar Jha: Trouble seems to be mounting for the Grand Alliance government in Bihar by the minute. Close on the heels of the Bihar BJP vice-president being gunned down, a bahubali MLA of the RJD has been accused of raping a minor girl. A 15-year-old girl claimed that Nawada legislator Raj Ballabh Yadav outraged her modesty at his residence on February 6. The police have prima facie found the allegations to be true. DIG (Patna) Shalin, who investigated the matter, has issued an arrest warrant against the MLA following which a team raided Yadav's residence but could not find him there. According to the FIR lodged in the women's police station in Nawada on February 9, the victim was lured to Yadav's house by a woman. According to the police, the victim had identified the MLA and the photographs of his house during the course of investigation. "On the basis of various evidences and the statement of the girl, I have found the charges against the accused to be true," he said and added that action would be taken as per law. advertisement The allegation has come as another jolt to the Nitish's Grand Alliance government, which is already under fire over a series of political killings and other crimes. On Friday, Bihar BJP vice-president Vishehwar Ojha was gunned down in Bhojpur district. His killing took place less than 24 hours after another BJP leader Kedar Singh was found murdered in Saran district. The killings of the BJP leaders followed the sensational murder of a Lok Janshakti Party leader Brijnathi Singh by the criminals wielding AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons last week. The high-profile killings have put the state government on the defensive, with the Opposition alleging return of the Jungle Raj (lawless regime) in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has issued directives to the police to check crime but the murders, abduction and rape have not stopped. The Opposition alleged that Nitish had miserably failed to curb crime after coming back to power in November. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the rising crime graph was a matter of grave concern. "Nitish Kumar gives directive to the police during the day to control crime but the killing of a BJP leader takes place in Bhojpur. Earlier, another BJP leader and an LJP leader were killed," he said. "When Nitish was running the government with the BJP, crime was well under control but what has happened now?" Meanwhile, most parts of the Bhojpur district observed a bandh in protest against the killing of Ojha. Even though no bandh call had been given by any political outfit, shopkeepers downed shutters. The police have arrested two persons and detained four in connection with the killing. Senior BJP leaders, led by former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi visited Ojha's village to offer condolences to the bereaved family. Modi said the rule of the law had come to an end in Bihar. "How long will the political killings go on in the state?" he questioned. A BJP delegation will meet Governor Ramnath Kovind and submit a memorandum on the law and order situation prevailing in the state. The BJP leaders also demanded action against IG (Central range) Kundan Krishnan, who had allegedly threatened a journalist of a private channel who had gone to Bhojpur to cover the situation after Ojha's killing. Bihar has witnessed a spurt in crime soon after the Nitish government returned to power. Also read: RJD MLA from Nawada accused of kidnapping, molesting minor girl --- ENDS --- A car rally is being organized in Delhi to spread awareness about the false rape cases filed against men. By India Today Web Desk: While the greetings of love is all around, Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) is promoting pragmatism with their "this Valentine's Day, think from brain not just from heart" cautionary note. To spread awareness regarding the false rape cases which are filed against men, a car rally has been organized on Sunday in Delhi. Out of 17,649 rape cases filed in 2014, only 4,944 accused were convicted while 12,705 were acquitted or discharged. So considering the statistics, "false cases of rape were thrice as many as the true ones," the activists say. advertisement Barkha Trehna, leads the group of activists working to highlight this issue and support such men "who get no support from the society or state". "False accusation are used as tool of revenge and extortion for financial gains," say the activists. Moreover, 29,995 cases were filed under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (outraging the modesty of a woman) but 21,573 cases came out clean. The rally themed as "look before you leap and think before you love", aims to spread awareness among the youth. A social media campaign is also being carried out and people are actively tweeting with the hashtag #valentinerapesmen. --- ENDS --- A 22-year-old woman allegedly raped in ICU of a private hospital in Haryana, she had given birth the day before The incident occurred early on Saturday when the man walked inside the hospital and committed the crimeThe pictures of the accused had been captured by CCTV cameras as he is seen walking in the hospitals corridors and parking area By PTI: In a shocking incident from Haryana, a 22-year-old woman who had given birth to a child recently, was allegedly sexually assaulted in the ICU of a private hospital at Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district. The incident occurred early yesterday when the man walked inside the hospital and committed the crime, Jhajjar SP, Sumit Kumar said today. "The 22-year-old woman was assaulted by the man. The victim first thought a doctor was examining her and soon thereafter the accused walked out after committing the crime," Kumar said. advertisement He said the pictures of the accused had been captured by CCTV cameras as he is seen walking in the hospitals corridors and parking area. "According to the clues we have obtained from the footage, he had come in a Hyundai Elantra car. We are hopeful of arresting him soon," he said. Police has launched raids in Bahadurgarh and its neighbouring areas to nab the accused whose movements were captured on CCTV cameras installed at the hospital. The SP said that though their priority was to arrest the accused, action will be initiated against hospital staff and security as well if negligence on their part is found. "Of course, we are questioning the hospital authorities to establish how a man managed to walk inside the hospital ICU and commit the crime without anyone coming to know about it," he said. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said police had been directed to take swift action in the matter. "Stern action will be taken against the accused as per law," Vij said. Vij said the same man was stated to have visited another private hospital nearby some time after the first incident, where he had tried to repeat his action. "Police is already on the job and the accused will be nabbed soon," Vij said. Bahadurgarh DSP Ajit Singh said a case under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and other relevant provisions has been registered against the unidentified accused. "The woman thought a doctor had come to examine her. However, after realising that something was not right, she objected, after which the accused walked away," he said. Police said the accused was said to be wearing a white coat resembling the attire worn by doctors. The victim had recently delivered a child through a caesarean operation and was admitted in the ICU at the private hospital in Jhajjar. Police said CCTV footage showed a man getting down from the Elantra car outside the hospital, at around 3.30 am, and going straight to the ICU. He is also seen leaving the hospital. advertisement After the incident, the woman called a nurse to inform her husband who later lodged a complaint with police. --- ENDS --- Investigative reporting from the inner city to Wall Street to the United Nations This is the blogspot version InnerCityPress.com About half of the prospective candidates for the parliament, or Islamic Consultative Assembly, were cleared by the Guardian Council to stand in the forthcoming elections. The race for the Assembly of Experts, which is tasked with overseeing and potentially selecting a new supreme leader, is even more restrictive. About one-fifth of the candidates who originally registered will actually appear on the ballot, meaning that about 165 candidates will be vying for 88 seats, some of them running uncontested in their districts. On Thursday, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran indicated that even these figures do not convey the full extent to which the regime has been manipulating the electoral process. The report indicates that the existing Assembly of Experts has been violating Irans own election laws by refusing to expand the number of seats in accordance with the growth of the population. The NCRIs election document also points out that the disqualifications for the Assembly of Experts included every woman who attempted to register as a candidate, since the regime formally considers women to lack the competence to make decisions related to the authority of the supreme leader. It is currently unknown how many female candidates for the parliament have been cleared to appear on the ballot. But currently, one nine of the 260 members of that parliament are women, and all of them are known conservatives who have spoken out against reforms that would limit restrictions on womens freedom of dress and assembly. Furthermore, Eurasia Review pointed out on Thursday that female candidates who were rejected by the Guardian Council faced the possibility of severe backlash, especially in conservative small towns. The vast majority of disqualifications are attributed to lack of practical commitment to Islam, so the rejection of a female candidate can lead to the perception that she is out of compliance with the expected social behaviors of a woman living under the fundamentalist regime. This is especially dangerous in light of developments in recent years, whereby the parliament has enhanced the authority of civilian militias to accost other citizens and particularly women for such perceived violations as improper veiling. Eurasia Review went on to say that the potential for backlash could discourage would-be Iranian female politicians from actually seeking public office, especially if they maintain progressive views on womens rights and other issues. The recent rejection of as much as 99 percent of prospective reformist candidates illustrates that a progressive female candidate would have next to no chance of being qualified by the Guardian Council. Observations like this demonstrate that any factional feuding ahead of elections is unlikely to relate to serious issues at the heart of the regimes ideology. This is not to say that there is no factional feuding ahead of the current elections. Many Western media outlets and even Iranian opposition groups like the NCRI have acknowledged that there is, but most have tended to emphasize that the feud relates to difference in tactics aimed at the same goal of preserving the status quo. For instance, Reuters reported on Thursday that the recent cancellation of an Iranian oil industry conference in London appears to relate to factional feuding over the extent to which the regime should open up its markets to Western entities. Traditional hardliners have taken issue with proposed contracts that they see as giving ownership of Iranian resources to foreign entities. Meanwhile, the pragmatist faction associated with President Hassan Rouhani has tended to push for a more liberal approach to economic relations in order to secure financial capital for the clerical regime. So while Irans financial interactions with the West may be influenced by the outcome of this months elections, most analysts have rejected the notion that a victory for one faction could bring about a sea-change in Irans foreign and domestic policies. This goal was furthered this week when recent satellite images emerged that appeared to show further sanitization and construction work taking place at the Parchin military base. This led some experts to speculate that Iran is still hiding evidence of previous military-related nuclear work, and also that it is continuing to develop nuclear facilities that will not be immediately available to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors. The general concerns surrounding these suspicions were expressed on Tuesday by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who told a congressional hearing that it was not presently clear whether or not Iran would strive to break out to a nuclear weapon, either by violating the JCPOA or by waiting for its provisions to expire or be cancelled. Clappers commentary suggested the perception that the Obama administrations policies on such issues as Irans ballistic missile stockpiles have been insufficiently assertive. And this perception was made much more explicit on Thursday when House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce held another hearing on the nuclear deal. In it, according to Breitbart, he aggressively questioned two administration officials: Stephen Mull, the State Departments lead coordinator on Iran Nuclear Implementation, and John Smith, the acting director of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. Royce raised questions not only about the nuclear deal but also about related aspects of Iran policy, including the administrations efforts to circumvent a congressional ban on visa-free travel from Iran to the US. That ban was instituted on the basis of concerns about Irans longstanding support for terrorism and the possibility of such terrorism coming to American shores, especially at a time when sanctions relief is providing the Iranian regime with additional wealth that might be devoted its illicit activities. Congressmen like Royce have also repeatedly expressed concerns that sanctions relief could exacerbate Irans influence and aggression within the Middle Eastern region. Royce himself reiterated these concerns on Thursday and accused the White House of being insufficiently attentive to them. As evidence of this, he cited the administrations decision to lift an INTERPOL red alert on a Mahan Air executive as part of last months prisoner swap, which set free four American citizens who were imprisoned in Iran. The commercial carrier, Mahan Air is known to be used extensively by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in order to ship arms and personnel to Syria for the defense of the government of Bashar al-Assad. As such, any softening of restrictions on that carrier are seen by Obamas critics as contributing to the growth of Irans hegemonic influence in the region. The recent scrutiny of the nuclear agreement has given those critics new opportunities to highlight evidence that suggests the Obama administration has a cavalier attitude toward much of Irans behavior, including its nuclear activities. Toward that end, Stephen Mull had admitted that the US does not know exactly where Irans stockpiles of low-enriched uranium ended up after they were reportedly shipped to Russia in compliance with the nuclear deal. In spite of recent tensions between the US and Russia, and in spite of the expanding coordination between Russia and Iran, Mull expressed confidence in trusting Russia to safeguard Irans nuclear material. this prompted New Jersey Republican Representative Christ Smith to issue a statement declaring Mulls attitude on this issue to be outrageous and unbelievable. Itongadol.- A traveler at heart, Shabtay has worked at restaurants in Amsterdam (Vakzuid), Mumbai (Zenzi), New York (Odeon), Belgrade (Ginger, Camelon and Diva) and Prague (SaSaZu), Mexico, Spain and Myanmar. And he and partners operated pop-up restaurants in Cambodia and Greece. Anyone can open a restaurant in Paris or New York, Shabtay told Haaretz. I love to open up in places that other chefs dont reach. The award-winning chef says having Israeli chutzpah has helped him succeed along the way.The kibbutz and the army teach us to dare, he told Jewish Business News. Israelis have unmistakable markings that anyone abroad learns to immediately identify a body language, a style of talking, dressing. Its a warmth in the eyes; but it can also be aggravating. Ive found out that you either love the Israelis or hate them. A few years ago there was a shining moment in [our] struggle. It seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poorboth black and whitethrough the poverty program. There were experiments, hopes, new beginnings. Then came the buildup in Vietnam and I watched the program broken and eviscerated as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war . . . True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. A true revolution of values will soon look uneasily on the glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. Having seen and said these things, what would Dr. King have said about our 2016 presidential campaign? Would he have been eager to escalate our role in the struggle against ISa struggle that, as our President says, is a struggle among Muslims for the heart of Islam? Or would he be eager to continue his lifelong struggle for racial justice and economic equality? Would he recognize that, today, young African-American males, among whom unemployment in some cities exceeds 50%, are the canaries in our coal mine, feeling the brunt of the toxic gas of oligarchy as it permeates our nation? Would he see the brutal, unrestrained behavior of over-militarized police as a symptom, not a cause, of our vast and growing economic and social inequality? By and large, police dont beat up or kill equal citizens of an egalitarian society, let alone the rich. They are beating and killing powerless African-Americans as practice for the rest of us, when inequality and injustice become rampant and the dam of civility holding back popular resentment cracks. Dr. King was a revolutionary, a peaceful, nonviolent revolutionary of the stature of Gandhi and Mandela. Like Bernie today, he knew that only a revolution of values can put us Yanks on the right path. His shifting of focus from a revolution in racial justice to a revolution in foreign and military policy and in economic equality may have been partly responsible for his assassination in 1968. Today, we have two views of America. Hillary thinks we need (or can have) only incremental change, more business as usual. Bernie tells us, as Martin did almost half a century ago, that only a peaceful political revolution will do the job. Our youth appear to agree with Bernie. In the New Hampshire primary, about 85% of them voted for himan extraordinary Millennial landslide. So whatll it be? Hillarys brand of triangulation and incrementalism? Her claim to competence, the like of which lost John Kerry the White House in 2004, against a man who may have been the worst president in American history? Or will people who havent voted before see, with Bernie, that enough is enough? Will they register and vote to complete the peaceful revolution that Martin called for nearly 50 years ago? After half a century, the answer is still blowin in the wind. Update: Erica Garners Endorsement Remember Eric Garner, the big but out-of-shape African-American whom New York police killed with a choke hold for allegedly selling cigarettes illegally? Two days ago, his daughter Erica endorsed Bernie. She did so for the reasons discussed in this post. But Im white; Erica is black. My post is theory and sympathy; Ericas endorsement emerges from practice and unending personal horror. She has had to live with the unspeakable consequences of police brutalitythe untimely and unjust death of a beloved fatherfor nineteen months. For all that time, she has protested twice a week. For all that time, she has lived the political revolutionthe peaceful but relentless activismthat Bernie stands for. Can the rest of us do less? Female Leaders Female leaders have a high bar to leap for two reasons. First, there have been so few. Second, the reason why there have been so few is that we humans are primates. As with most social mammals, our biological evolutionary paradigm of leadership is the alpha male. Thats why an inconsistent, capricious, fear and hate monger like Donald Trump can garner so much inexplicable support. Even in the twenty-first century, some of us instinctively hanker for a strong male leader. It doesnt much matter what he says or does, as long as he appears to be a winner and takes charge. This feature of our biological evolution is so strong that it has moved us to follow alpha males into the jaws of Hell. Examples are: Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Mao Zedong and Pol Pot. Today it has given us Assad, the Kims, Mugabe, and the steady devolution of Putin and Erdogan from ostensible democrats into tyrants. Once an alpha male entrenches himself as leader of a clan, its hard to dislodge him, even if the clan has members numbering hundreds of millions. Think I exaggerate? Then watch or re-watch the whole of the GOP South Carolina debate Saturday night. Some interesting practical ideas got mentioned. They included: a flat tax, making the first $36,000 of income tax free, a consumption tax, enticing corporations to bring home foreign cash hoards estimated collectively at $2.5 to $5 trillion dollars, enticing or forcing corporations to bring jobs home, and attracting immigrants we need to do our dirty work fairly, whether with guest-worker programs or a path to permanent residency or citizenship. But there was no serious discussion of or debate on any of these ideas. They were self-evidently rare sops to the few college-educated viewers who might have thought that a little policy substance in a debate among candidates for the presidency is mandatory. Instead, the candidates focused on attacking each others records, repeating the slams others had made on their rivals, and debating who was a real conservative. It was a test of dominance among alpha males, not a discussion of policy. Even the discussion of foreign policy, which may have been the most substantive, became a test of which alpha male could best dominate perceived foreign enemies. In the test for primate dominance, Trumps profanity, insults, and claims to be a winnerto which he devoted his entire closing statementserved him well. You could almost see the biggest ape showing his teeth, growling, and giving the other contenders roundhouse swipes with his huge paws. So his chances for winning in South Carolina, as he did in New Hampshire, appear good, despite the apparently staged boos in response to some of his wilder remarks. Our species desperately needs to change this biological evolutionary paradigm. For our modern technology has vastly outpaced our social development. Now we threaten not only our own survival, but the survival of numerous other species that share our small planet. Nuclear proliferation, unchecked pollution, and global warming are all human phenomena, things we have caused. Any one of them, let alone all together, could take us out. They could take out much of the biosphere with us. So we humans desperately need the life-giving, life-nurturing and life-preserving instinctsplus the pragmatic wisdomthat biological evolution has assigned primarily to females. We can exploit those instincts with social evolution, which proceeds must faster than biological evolution. Despite their scarcity, female leaders have been instrumental in our social evolution. Queen Elizabeth I took an island riven by constant male internecine warfare and rife with assassinations among kings, queens and their heirs. She forged the explorational, technological, business-oriented, democratic culture that has now come to dominate the world. Chancellor Angela Merkel has completed the transformation of the last centurys most brutal conqueror into a beacon of progress and humanity at the center of Europe, in energy, immigration, and rational social and economic organization. Great female leaders like these two have been few and far between. But their contribution to human social evolution has been far out of proportion to their numbers. Think also of Queen Hatchepsut, Golda Meir and Indira Gandhi. Fighting our biological evolution with social evolution may be the hardest thing we humans ever do. But its absolutely necessary. Thats why its vital for the first female president of the worlds now-dominant culture to be a stunning and unquestionable successan Angela Merkel on steroids. Is Hillary Clinton that female? I think not. She voted for invading and occupying Iraq. She did so without reading the National Intelligence Estimate, which revealed stark division and dissent inside our own intelligence community. At the time, Hillary was de-facto leader of the Democratic Party and therefore of progressive forces in America. She didnt read the NIE because she had made her fateful decision purely for domestic political reasons: to prevent the GOP propaganda machine from tarring her as weak in foreign affairs. She was trying to outdo the alpha males. Was that leadership? I think not. Was it helpful? Absolutely not. Just look at Iraq and Syria today. Bernie is absolutely right to keep mentioning this failing. It was infinitely more consequential than E-mail-gate. We had Saddam contained and controlled with a no-fly zone, which we could have tightened like a noose. Our collective blunder in invading and occupying Iraq spawned an ogre: a debacle and quagmire now thirteen years old, with no sign of ending. The ogres children are Syrias utter devastation, the EUs refugee crisis, and IS. The decision to invade and occupy Iraq was the second biggest blunder in foreign and military policy in our national history, after Vietnam. As leader of our Yankee progressives, Hillary facilitated it, not as a matter of thoughtful policy, but in a vain attempt to advance her own career. That was a catastrophic blunder in policy, wisdom, perspective, and judgment. We have a much more promising female waiting in the wings. Shes not as tested or as experienced as Hillary. Not yet. But Elizabeth Warren has all the vital traits that Hillarys personal story lacks. Warren has penetrating intelligence that gets to the heart of issues. She doesnt just make lists. She sets bold goals and priorities and follows through. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that she created has vastly reduced big banks scamming of hapless consumers. Finance and banking are Warrens special points of expertise. She has relentlessly pointed the finger at the bankers who caused the Crash of 2008, and she has pursued them with vigor. Like Bernie, she has called repeatedly for breaking up the big banksthe only expedient for preventing the next Crash that has good odds of success.. Thats why her enemies kept Warren from heading the CFPB that she created. Thats why the people of Massachusetts elected her junior senator, to replace the venerable Ted Kennedy. As someone who worked with Warren briefly, I have followed her political career closely. As far as I know, she has never made any policy decision just to advance her own career, let alone push for war. On the contrary, she told the truth relentlessly at a time when doing so insured her marginalization from executive politics. Then she fought for and won her Massachusetts senate seat with honesty and simplicity as relentless as Bernies. Today, she carries the banner of progressivism proudly and unapologetically, as heedless of the enemies she unwittingly makes in so doing as was FDR, who said, I welcome their hatred. Can Warren leap to the level of national executive in four years, when Bernie will be 78? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear right now. If we Yanks want our first female supreme leader to be anything like Queen Elizabeth I or Angela Merkel, we had better look to another Elizabeth and be patient. permalink .] Our recent holiday in honor of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., came and went with mostly ritual observance. For many of us, Martin has become a plaster statue on a pedestal, a figure of the past, whose struggles are over. Yet Martin was far from static. His restless, probing mind was constantly re-evaluating the state of the world, and of America, and the threads of cause and effect. A year before he was martyred, he gave a speech entitled A Time to Break Silence . In that 1967 speech, he came out, for the first time ever, against the War in Vietnam. Today we have wagedmajor needless wars: in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. We are war weary, despite the fact that 99% of us bear no burden, except taxes, from todays two needless wars. No one wants to send more combat troops to Iraq or Syria, just a few special forces. So its hard to imagine the moral courage that Dr. King required to make his first antiwar speech half a century ago. When he made it, the antiwar movement was just beginning. It was almost entirely a movement of students, who didnt want to be drafted to fight a useless war, and professors, who almost alone could see how wrong-headed it was. The vast majority of Americans supported the war out of ignorance and blind patriotism. After Dr. King made his 1967 speech, they turned against him. So did many of his own supporters. They argued against wasting precious political capital that should have been spent in the struggle for racial equality, then just beginning to achieve some success. But Dr. King was not just a peaceful revolutionary. He was a also a great thinker. He saw webs of cause and effect that few others could see, especially at that time. He saw that needless wars, economic inequality, and racial injustice are all interrelated as cause and effect. And with perhaps impolitic honesty, he told it like it was. Heres what he said:Just as clearly, Dr. King saw that Christian charity is not enough to produce an economically and morally just society: This blog is just about the reflections of the daily and day to day but important problems faced by people from the point of view of the river Jhelum, which has been there for ages..... Short stories Poetry The Pooh Brooch The Contraption (p.17) Shoeboxes Control - Ugly Truths Just Thinking Disintegration Jewelweed(p.4) Hiding Places The Human Face Foretastes and Afterglows The Language of Hands Touching Poem IT An Honest Poem Do the Right Thing Suburbia II After Pinter A Matter of Fact The Seasons In the Wake The Only Way Schisms Deconstructing Jimmy Seek and Ye Shall Find Hands Silent Echoes Casual Poetry The Rape of Language Still Travelling Visitation Rights Marks Poem Without a Flower Old Haunts The End of All Illusions On Consciousness Beckett Bloody Foreigners The Answer The Other Side of the Poem II Naive Poem Sometimes Scrap Values As Is Reading into Things A Matter of Fact II Truth's Last Gasp Synaesthesia Communication Gap Petrified Poem Cut the Blue Wire If Only Pigs Could Fly Something to Think About A Thoughtful Poem The Skeleton of a Poem Lowest Common Denominator Second Draft A proposed plan to redevelop the southeast corner of Ninth and O streets would include a 12-story mixed-use building that likely would be the tallest building built in the city since the 1970s. According to documents filed with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department, the building proposed for that corner would have first-floor retail; four floors of parking for up to 350 cars, including one level underground; five floors of hotel space; and three floors of residential units. Dallas McGee of the city's Urban Development Department said developers did not include a specific height in their proposal, but his understanding is that the building would be as tall as or slightly taller than the Terminal Building directly to the east, which stands at about 130 feet, not counting the radio tower on top. That would likely make it the tallest building built in Lincoln since the 1970s. According to Emporis.com, an online database of skyscrapers from around the world, the last building constructed in Lincoln that was taller than 130 feet was the Wells Fargo building at 13th and O streets, which was built in 1976. Pinnacle Bank Arena is about 125 feet tall, and the new headquarters building for Hudl at Canopy and P streets will be about 110 feet tall. Neither of the high-rise downtown hotels built since 1980 -- Embassy Suites and The Cornhusker Marriott -- is more than 10 stories -- nor are any of the downtown apartment buildings built in the past few years. "It would probably be the tallest building since that time period," McGee said. According to the planning documents, the project is expected to cost $45 million to $55 million and use $8 million to $10 million in tax increment financing. McGee said developers have not specified what they might use TIF for, but the law allows it to be used for costs related to demolition, moving and upgrading utility lines and a number of other things. Few other details about the project have been revealed, including who the developers are, when two existing buildings on the site would be torn down and how long construction would take. A lawyer for the developers did not return a message seeking comment. McGee cautioned that the proposal is very preliminary at this point and aspects could change, including the proposed height. "But it will be a very significant building," he said. A Planning Commission hearing on whether the proposal fits with the city's Comprehensive Plan is tentatively scheduled for March 2. One hundred twenty-five years ago, George Lininger -- the "Warren Buffet of his day" -- owned one of the largest farm implement businesses in the U.S., was a state senator and established an art gallery that Baedeker travel guides noted was a must-see Omaha attraction. Today, his name is barely remembered or even recognized. George Washington Lininger was born in 1834 in Pennsylvania and moved to Peru, Illinois, in 1848. Growing up in comfortable circumstances, he was able to buy a stove company for $200 in 1854. Two years later, partially to learn more about his grandfather, he joined the Masons and began forming what would become referred to as the most complete Masonic library in the world. In 1868, his physician recommended he move to Kansas, but a malaria scare there caused him instead to choose Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he joined E.L. Shugart in forming the Shugart Implement Co. on South Fifth Street near First Avenue and where he supposedly bought four paintings from a street vendor. The Iowa implement company also operated an Omaha branch and in 1872 he moved to Nebraska to develop it. Two years later, Lininger started his own firm. By 1878, he was elected to the Omaha City Council, associated with the Omaha Board of Trade, became a board member of the Omaha Bee, and was the president of the Bee Building Co. As the implement company became successful, Lininger bought the George M. Mills brick mansion on North 18th Street and began seriously collecting art. In 1879, the implement firm became Lininger & Metcalf and purchased the Bemis Brewing Co. buildings at Sixth and Pacific streets, situated on both the Union Pacifics and Burlington & Missouri River Railroads sidings, which were extensively remodeled for the implement business. At that point the firm covered three acres with enclosed buildings, some of them three or four stories tall, totaling 65,000 square feet. An industrial directory called the firm one of the largest jobbing implement houses in the world, with 18 retail branches in Nebraska, four traveling salesmen covering the rest of Nebraska and Iowa and employing about 100 men in Omaha alone. G.W. Lininger Co. and the subsidiary firm of Haines Bros. & Co. had offices at 1424 Farnam St. 1879 also saw the Lininger family travel to Egypt and the Holy Land to study the Masonic fraternity and collect art. The new firm of Lininger & Metcalf incorporated in 1881 with a capital of $100,000, and the same year, Lininger was one of the founders of the Omaha Barbed Wire Co., which operated only four months before burning to the ground. By 1883, the implement business was annually selling more than $1 million, allowing him to plan a tour of northern Europe including Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Turkey and Greece. With an art collection reaching a point where he could no longer display it, he hired Omaha architects Mendelssohn, Fisher & Lawrie to design a gallery building to be attached to the mansion. The stone, brick and terra cotta building completed in 1888 was 35-by-70 feet with a 20-foot ceiling and a 14-by-40-foot skylight. It had an interior of Spanish tile, marble, bronze and mahogany and cost more than $15,000. Lininger and eight others organized the Inter-State Exposition, which began hosting art shows at the gallery and the Omaha Academy of Fine Arts. They hired J. Laurie Wallace to oversee and teach art. In 1891, the art collection consisted of some 222 oil paintings, watercolors, statuary and other items and was valued at $200,000. During the 1898 Transmississippi Exposition in Omaha, the gallery was considered one of the most-visited attractions in the city. Perhaps the most famous and recognizable painting in the gallery was William-Adolphe Bouguereaus "Return of Spring." The painting, which has a central nude figure, was twice damaged by vandals, most famously by Carey Warbington, who threw a chair through the then-$18,000 oil in 1890 and was later declared insane. Lininger was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 1887, to the Omaha Park Commission in 1889, to the aforementioned Omaha City Council and was one of the founders of the Masonic Home in Plattsmouth and on the Real Estate Owners Association in 1891. Lininger died June 8, 1907. When his wife died in 1927, the art was sold and given away, with "Return of Spring" ending up at the Joslyn Art Museum. Several hundred objects identified as the Lininger-Monell Collection found their way to the University of Nebraskas State Museum at Morrill Hall. In the 1930s, his house and gallery were razed, becoming part of the site of the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Several of the 501 Pacific St. distillery/brewery/implement buildings survived through the 1970s as the Peerless Wiping Cloth Co., but the Lininger name exists primarily only in the local art world. A telegram told the North Platte lawman about the jailbreak, so he went down to the tracks to search for the escaped prisoner from Sterling, Colorado. Police Chief Hank L. Baker started with the eastbound trains, and hed just climbed down from a car when he stepped into the path of an oncoming locomotive. The engine knocked him flat and crushed his left leg. The 54-year-old lived for six more hours at North Platte General Hospital, but then he was gone, and then he was largely forgotten. A century later, the newest North Platte police chief wanted to change that. Mike Swain put out a public plea last month for any information about Baker -- and particularly for leads that could put the police department in touch with his descendants. Swain wanted to let the fallen officer's family know his name will be added to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial in Grand Island during a ceremony May 9. The memorial, dedicated in 2009, includes the names of nearly 140 Nebraska law officers killed in the line of duty since 1866. It adds more names every year, when officers die doing their jobs, or when the stories of those who fell in the past surface in the present. Some of them are very cut and dried, and some take a lot of research, said Russ Zeeb, the memorial's chairman. There was no question that Kerrie Orozco, for example, would be honored. The Omaha police detective was shot and killed in May, just hours before going on maternity leave. And last year, it added Butler County Sheriff Mark Hecker, who suffered a heart attack after struggling with a person he was trying to take into emergency protective custody in August 2014. But it's not always so clear. When the memorial receives a nomination for officers who died, a committee chaired by Seward County Sheriff Joe Yocum reviews the time, cause and circumstance of the death -- and sometimes conducts its own research -- before recommending to the full board whether to approve the application. An officer who suffers a heart attack within 24 hours of a strenuous, on-the-job incident -- like Hecker -- is eligible. But if the officer has the heart attack 25 hours later, he's not. And reliable information isn't always available. Orozco's death made national news, but an officer killed a century ago in, say, Gordon, didn't generate the same headlines. It's very complicated, Zeeb said. The memorial rejected two nominees last year because they didnt meet the criteria, he said. Chief Baker, struck by a locomotive on Nov. 1, 1916, was deemed eligible, and he will be one of five officers included on the monument in May. His relatives won't be there to represent. As far as Chief Swain could ultimately determine, he doesnt have any. We knew it might be a little bit difficult, he said. We actually got a good response, but being that far back in time, we couldnt find anyone who personally knew the family. But they learned this: Baker, an only child, left behind a wife, a son and a daughter. His wife died soon after. His daughter Eva had married and stayed in the area, but never had children. Baker's son, Willis, moved away and married but was childless, too. Were not looking anymore, Swain said. The trail ran dry. Erik Pearson squats to the level of his 3- and 5-year-old, pig-tailed daughters. Hands on the glass, they peer into a display of colorful rotary phones. "Which color phone do you want?" Pearson asked his daughters, both clad in pink. "I want that big one!" one of them says, pointing to a console half her size. "Oh yeah? Well I want that bigger one!" her sister says, pointing to another. Pearson came to the Frank H. Woods Telephone Pioneer Museum on a field trip when he was a kid. When he heard it might be closing, he decided to bring his kids to the museum's Valentine's Day event. "I wanted to have the chance to explain how things used to be," Pearson said. "They've never seen or used anything like this." The museum has been located at 2047 M St. for about 20 years, but in August, the board found out that might have to change. Windstream, the former owner of the property, sold it to Speedway Properties and Nelnet. Now, the property will be used to develop the new Telegraph District. That means the museum either has to extend its lease or find a different place to house its artifacts, according to Kathy Dvorak, a board member of the museum. Otherwise, it will close come March 31. "It's disheartening, but times change," Dvorak said. "And we have to think positive. It's not the end yet." The museum is open every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., but also arranges tours throughout the week for groups ahead of time. Dvorak said they frequently have elementary schools and senior homes arrange tours. Admission is free, but the board has considered implementing a fee to raise necessary funds for a new location. On Valentine's Day, more than 100 community members went to the museum and made Valentines with notes supporting it. "We're thrilled with the turnout," said Diane Walkowiak, a volunteer with the museum, who estimated between 350 and 400 people attended the even throughout the afternoon. "The community support is there, but we just need to convince the developers to make it possible to save the museum." She added that because the new district is named after the telegraph, she thinks it would be fitting to have the Telephone Museum in it. Nobody from Speedway or Nelnet was available for comment on Sunday. However, in a recent interview via email with the Lincoln Journal Star, Ken Fougeron, Speedway's operations manager, said the company is "interested and willing to discuss how the museum could be a part of the redevelopment." Speedway is also "willing to work with the museum to allow them to remain in their current building for the short term." Jack and Marilynn Hoenig came to the museum for the first time on Valentine's Day. While walking through the displays, they reminisced on their own experiences as the telephone became more popular. "We're not spring chickens anymore, but we remember some of this from the farm," Jack said. "And some of it that came even before that we haven't seen before." Marilynn added: "It'd be a real shame if it closed. They need to keep it open, especially for the children." Dvorak said that if they don't find another location, all the artifacts that have been saved will go into storage. She said ideally, they want a new location that's at least 10,000 square feet, but they're open to whatever they can afford. Walkowiak said the museum has been busy since it announced that it might have to close. "This is a wonderful treasure not just for Lincoln, but for Southeast Nebraska," Walkowiak said. "When developers see how important this is to everyone, I can't help but think they'll find a solution." Tony Wenzl sat down and did the math. Forty-seven years for him and Carol, 67 for Merna and Ray, 61 for John and June, 57 for Betty and Lyle, 55 for Bill and Karen, 47 for Don and Arvilla, 44 for Christal and Dan and, come August, 41 for Jim and Terry. Eight brothers and sisters and their spouses with 418 years of marriage between them, and not a single date with divorce at the courthouse. A pretty impressive endorsement of the institution, says Tony, who married into the Wilson clan on Dec. 28, 1968. I am guessing that this would not make us eligible for the Guinness Book of World Records, he says. But there are times that I think 45 years is a miracle by itself. For better or worse Its Valentines Day. The day of PDA and FTD and candlelight and Hallmark. Its the day one of the eight Wilsons got engaged. Congratulations, Christal Wilson and Dan Dehning! And its the day one of the eight Wilson spouses was born. Happy 77th birthday, Lyle Stolte! Its a good day. But its not what marriage is all about. Not what keeps marriages together. Marriage is hard work, the Wilsons and their other halves say. They have a few pointers, after more than four centuries of combined commitment. Such as? Not going to bed mad. Not speaking in anger. Not having to be right. Working things out. Waiting things out. Faith in God. Faith in family. Marrying well. You have to marry the right person, says Betty Stolte, who married Lyle in 1958. (She met him in high school. He was outgoing and fun and she liked to be the flower on the wallpaper, so they balanced each other out.) As far as Betty can tell, all of her sisters and brothers made good matches, too. We all pretty much liked what we had. For richer and poorer It started with their parents, who celebrated 61 years together, says Betty (along with Merna and Carol and Bill and Christal). Seta and J. Walter Wilson, who married young and stuck together through the thick and the thin, mostly thin. Raising five daughters and three sons and caring for ailing parents and milking cows and cooking from scratch and doing without electricity for the first 20 years, without indoor plumbing for 30 and without a phone until their baby, Jim, left home in 1975. I know they had hard times, says Carol. Growing up, we never really had a lot, but we always kept close. They all know the story of how the pair met: Dad was an only child and he and his folks were living on a farm south of Lincoln when they heard a new family had moved in down the road. A family with four daughters (or maybe three, depending on who is doing the telling). Either way, Walter walked on over and knocked on their door. He said whichever daughter answered was the one he was going to marry, Carol says. That was Mom. And in 1929, Seta Lassen said I do to Walter Wilson -- an easygoing and hardworking woman hitched to a thrifty and quiet man with a soft side. A side sweet enough to make the perfect Valentines Day story. Mom liked to dance and Dad didnt know how, Betty says. A few years after they were married, her parents moved to California and she went to visit, and while she was gone Dad took Arthur Murray dance lessons to surprise her. Awwww ... In sickness and health The oldest of the eight Wilson offspring -- Merna -- married Ray McDiffett in 1948, and the youngest of the eight, Jim, wed his wife Terry in 1975. Eight church weddings in all, with fancy white dresses and gossamer veils and towering cakes with plastic brides and grooms posed on top. Followed by 36 babies and 94 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a family tree that stretches as wide as a river birch. Theyre still a close family despite its size, says Merna, now 86. Theyd hold a big family picnic every July while their parents were still alive, and on Easter and at Christmas they still get together, or as many of them as can possibly make it. Why did all those marriages last? I credit my parents, she says. They raised us with a lot of love, but they were strict. We had to mind and we could never lie or cheat. I guess that made us pick and chose the partners we wanted to be with carefully. (So dont get her wrong when she tells you she met Ray standing out in front of a tavern. Her dad took the car and she was waiting for a ride ) A lot of it was probably our parents influence, says Bill, the oldest Wilson son who met his wife Karen, while rollerskating and married her on Dec. 17, 1960. Divorce wasnt really in our vocabulary, says Betty. It was for the long haul. Yep, says Carol. "We stayed together because of our Christan upbringing and our parents." Agreed, says Christal, who married Dan Dehning on July 10, 1971, and has a daughter preparing to celebrate her own 25th wedding anniversary this year. I tell people when they get married, dont think everything is going to be 100 percent perfect, because its not. Tony, the in-law who ran the numbers -- average length of a Wilson marriage: 52.25 years -- has another theory. Where some people drink alcoholic beverages or do drugs, the Wilsons spend that part of their 24 hours with family, friends or church activities. Besides: I think clean living adds years to a persons life, which in turn adds to the number of years of marriage. A sparkling apple juice toast to that. 'Til death do us part Early in 2015, the longest of the eight Wilson marriages ended. Ray died on Jan. 22, a few weeks after he and Merna celebrated 67 years together. He went fast, pneumonia and then the flu and then a blood clot. Merna is still in the house they shared for more than a half-century. Shes keeping busy, visiting her four daughters and their families. Her calendar is full of church functions and surprise parties. Shes out and about and keeping herself occupied, says her brother Bill. Shes doing OK, but she misses him, Im sure. Something terrible, says Merna, a catch in her voice. Then the first of the Wilson siblings to lose her spouse has a last piece of advice. I have to tell everyone, just love one another. Just appreciate them while you have them. WASHINGTON -- Bernie Sanders, greedy for power to punish people he considers greedy, has occasioned 2016's best joke (reported in Bloomberg Businessweek): "In the Bernie Sanders drinking game, every time he mentions a free government program, you drink someone else's beer." But neither Sanders' nor Hillary Clinton's hostility to the First Amendment is amusing. Both have voted to do something never done before -- make the Bill of Rights less protective. They favor amending the First Amendment to permit government regulation of political campaign speech. Hence they embrace progressivism's logic, as it has been explained separately, and disapprovingly, by two eminent economists, Ronald Coase and Aaron Director: There is no reason the regulatory, redistributive state should distinguish between various markets. So, government that is competent and duty-bound to regulate markets for goods and services to promote social justice is competent and duty-bound to regulate the marketplace of ideas for the same purpose. Sanders and Clinton detest the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, which they say their court nominees will promise to reverse. It held that unions and corporations -- especially incorporated advocacy groups, from the National Rifle Association to the Sierra Club -- can engage in unregulated spending on political advocacy that is not coordinated with candidates or campaigns. The decision simply recognized that Americans do not forfeit their First Amendment rights when they come together in incorporated entities to magnify their voices by speaking collectively. Opposition to Citizens United is frequently distilled into the slogan that "corporations are not people," to which Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., adds this example of progressive insight: "People have hearts. They have kids. They get jobs. They get sick. They cry. They dance. They live. They love. And they die." And a few teach at Harvard Law School, as Warren was able to do only because Harvard did not die: It is descended from the first corporation chartered in colonial America. Surely she learned in law school something she can relearn by reading "Are Corporations People?" in National Affairs quarterly by Carson Holloway of the University of Nebraska, Omaha. The concept of corporate personhood, he says, is not an invention of today's conservatives. It derives from English common law and is "deeply rooted in our legal and constitutional tradition." William Blackstone, the English jurist who richly influenced America's Founders, said corporations are "artificial persons" created to encourage socially useful cooperation among individuals and are accorded certain rights so that they can hold property and have lives, identities and missions that span multiple generations. Early in America's history, many for-profit corporations were less important than the nonprofit educational and religious corporations that still produce America's robust civil society of freely cooperating citizens. If corporations had no rights of personhood, they would have no constitutional protections against, for example, the arbitrary search and seizure by government of their property without just compensation. And there would be no principled reason for denying the right of free speech (the First Amendment does not use the word "person" in guaranteeing it) to for-profit (e.g., The New York Times) or nonprofit (e.g., the NAACP) corporations. In his attack on the Bill of Rights, Sanders voted to exempt for-profit media corporations from government regulation of corporate speech. Why? Because such corporations, alone among for-profit and nonprofit corporations, are uniquely altruistic and disinterested? Please. In 2007, in a Cato Institute lecture, Judge Janice Rogers Brown of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit warned us: People who are eager to weaken protection of private property in order to enable government to redistribute wealth will also want to weaken constitutional protections of free speech in order to empower government to redistribute ideas. Since then, college campuses have been responsive to people eager to regulate what others say, hear and see. Now, in the name of campaign finance reform, progressives like Sanders and Clinton want to expand government's regulatory reach to political speech. Both are ardent for equality and, as Brown foresaw, the argument for economic equality easily becomes an argument for equalizing political influence. The argument is: Government regulates or seizes property in the name of equity, so why not also, for the same reason, regulate the quantity, content and timing of speech intended to "influence elections"? Progressives, with their collectivist itch, are ever eager to break private institutions to the saddle of the state, and to fill private spaces with regulations. Do they consider government uniquely altruistic and disinterested? Please. In Sundays Local View, my friend Sen. John McCollister wrote that his Medicaid expansion bill, LB 1032, is not the failed Arkansas plan also disastrously emulated in Iowa. This claim contradicted months of statements senators made in media reports about the proposal. The day Senator McCollister introduced LB 1032 he also said it was based on the Arkansas model. Now he says critics havent read the bill to understand the differences. But I have read the bill. Its only 12 pages. Theres nothing in LB 1032 bill that differentiates itself from the Arkansas plan. Every mandatory, enforceable provision in the bill is the same. Its a Medicaid expansion program that buys silver-level private insurance for recipients, regardless of price. Taxpayers pay the insurance companies for all premiums, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Recipients cant be removed from the program for non-payment of required monthly contributions. Theres no time limit for participation, and no work requirement for recipients. The job referral program Senator McCollister added to the bill is entirely optional, and payment enforcement measures he says have been used in Indiana are not contained in LB 1032. Even if they were, they would require approval by the federal government in waiver negotiations. These shoddy incentives pushed nearly 300,000 more people onto Medicaid in Arkansas and reduced workforce participation among the able-bodied, mostly childless adults who became eligible. Instead of providing transitional help, the Arkansas model has become a new entitlement that traps people in government dependency. Many Arkansans who were paying for private insurance, or were eligible for ACA subsidies, reduced their hours at work or stopped working altogether to qualify for the free insurance. Actuaries hired by the Department of Health and Human Services and researchers from the Congressional Budget Office and National Bureau of Economic Research project the same results for Nebraska under this model. Learn more about this research at PlatteInstitute.org/Arkansas. On Wednesday, the Legislatures Health and Human Services committee held LB 1032s hearing. Throughout the testimony, no senators denied that LB 1032 is the Arkansas plannot even Senator McCollister. The first testifier invited by committee chair Sen. Kathy Campbell was a consultant who helped develop the Arkansas plan. State Sen. Bryan King, a legislator from Arkansas, also traveled to Nebraska to warn about the private entitlements many broken promises. Senator King said that legislators were promised that Medicaid expansion would create more health care jobs. But since passage, the industry has seen job losses. Expansion supporters in Arkansas also promised that recipients would make monthly contributions to their insurance, as LB 1032 suggests. But Senator King says Arkansas is not collecting contributions. Since coverage cannot be terminated for non-payment, more than 95 percent of the recipients arent paying. Iowa also followed the Arkansas plan for its private insurance entitlement, and ended up scrapping the program after insurers couldnt absorb enrollment and cost overruns. One insurer dropped out due to rising premiums and another, CoOpportunity Health, became totally insolvent. Now all of Iowas enrollees are on regular Medicaid. New Hampshires Medicaid expansion waiver program never tried to pretend it required any contributions from participants. Hospital finances have taken a major hit after reductions in uncompensated care were outpaced by increases in hospital utilization and lower reimbursement rates for enrollees who had dropped their previous private coverage. Though the Arkansas model in LB 1032 is a demonstrated failure in numerous states, many supporters feel it isnt fair to wait for alternatives when this policy is on the table now. But even senators supporting LB 1032 acknowledge Nebraskas Medicaid waiver wont be submitted and approved by Washington until well after a new president is elected. Reform options which expand access to affordable care, but are opposed by the current administration, may become available in 2017. Rather than following a failed approach that has confined more people in poverty, the state should seek to negotiate with the next administration to build a truly effective Nebraska-based health care reform model. Gov. Pete Ricketts property tax relief plan turns out to be a lid on local government and school spending. That approach is contained in LB958, which limits increases in agricultural land valuation and sets a lid for local governments other than schools, and LB959, which sets a school spending lid. Lids have been tried multiple times in multiple states and have rarely succeeded in the long run. Initially lids drive up property taxes as subdivisions increase their budgets to the maximum to reduce the impact of coming restrictions. Then, over the years, the lids have forced the deterioration of schools, cities and towns. At the legislative hearing on LB958, Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler warned lawmakers that the lid would be devastating to the city, could destroy joint agencies like the City-County Health Department and negatively impact its bond rating. Sioux Citys city administrator labeled the plan draconian and Omaha and Sarpy County weighed in against the measures impact on communities abilities to keep up with growth. And school districts have yet to have their opportunities to address LB959, which will undoubtedly amount to similar or worse criticism. Ricketts and the bills proponents argue that the provisions in the measures that allow for a public vote on spending measures above the lid would allow the cities and schools to have the budget flexibility to pay for large expenses. That process, however, would be cumbersome, expensive and its outcome uncertain. As West Point Mayor Marlene Johnson pointed out, voters are unlikely to vote for a needed local project, like the paving of a neighborhood street. Theres a philosophical reason for opposing the lid. It comes from the top down, imposed by the state in a state where local control is seen as the primary and most responsive way of governing. If budgets need to be limited or cut, taxpayers can make that happen through city councils, county boards and schools and if needed, can use the ballot box every two years to select officials who will make those reductions. There are serious ways to reduce property tax from the state level that the Legislature and Ricketts could consider. Those include raising sales and income taxes to more closely reflect the one-third split envisioned when the states tax system was created. Or school districts, particularly in rural areas where the vast majority of taxes to support education come from ag land, could be encouraged or required to consolidate, which should result in substantial property tax reduction. But those are third rail solutions that politicians are loathe to touch. So Ricketts and his legislative allies have turned to the oft-tried, seemingly less painful alternative. Nebraska voters rejected a lid years ago when such restrictions were the national rage. The Legislature should do the same this session. Hillary Clinton's Nebraska campaign is following a modernized version of the same game plan employed by Barack Obama to defeat her here eight years ago. Early endorsements, organized ground game, an updated emphasis on social media, a visible commitment of campaign resources that clearly states a determination to win here. Kane Miller, a 30-year-old presidential caucus veteran who journeyed across the border after serving as a regional organizing director in the Iowa caucus held earlier this month, is state director of Clinton's Nebraska caucus campaign. "I come from the Obama world," Miller said during a Lincoln interview. That's where he was "trained as an organizer" eight years ago, when the president was an Illinois senator mounting an uphill campaign to overtake Clinton. "We want to do what works," Miller said, "and that means taking a lot out of the Obama playbook." Nebraska's Democratic caucus is scheduled for March 5 with 25 delegate slots at stake. That's not many, but an Obama strategy of guerrilla warfare in 2008 that Clinton witnessed first-hand was to steadily pile up small clumps of delegates in caucus states while she was focused on big-state primaries. The challenge in Nebraska, Miller said, will be to "talk to as many people as we can as fast as we can." The campaign had 10 months to get ready for the Iowa caucus; it will have four weeks in Nebraska. And absentee voting, a new wrinkle in the Nebraska caucus this year, begins even earlier than that with absentee votes due by March 1. "Door-knocking, phone-calling," Miller said as he peered ahead. "And if you want to talk to people about politics, Facebook and Twitter are the places for political conversations. That's acceptable political space for young people. And we want to meet people where they are." Young voters appear to be a challenge for Clinton as they rally behind Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' message of bold change and reform, gathering by the thousands at exuberant rallies during his campus appearances. "We know we've got to earn every vote," Miller said. "We're not going to cede any location or any type of voter." Clinton already has wrapped up three of the five so-called superdelegate votes held by Nebraska in addition to the 25 slots that will be open at the local caucuses next month. Rep. Brad Ashford of Omaha, Democratic National Committeewoman Patty Zieg and Democratic National Committeeman Ron Kaminski have committed their votes to Clinton. Democratic State Chairman Vince Powers and the party's first associate chairwoman, Maureen Monahan, are remaining neutral for now. Eight years ago, most of Nebraska's Democratic establishment, led by then-Sen. Ben Nelson, lined up for Obama in advance of the caucus, which he easily won with more than two-thirds of the vote. Two months ago, the Clinton campaign announced a list of endorsements that represented a big chunk of the Democratic establishment in the state. The 2016 Clinton campaign's similarity to the 2008 Obama campaign is a match for Clinton's evolving message, which has tied her ever closer to the president in the wake of Sanders' big victory in the New Hampshire primary election following Clinton's razor-thin win in Iowa. "She is prepared to protect the Obama legacy and build on that," Miller said. The Clinton campaign is determined to extend "a footprint all across the state," he said. Offices have been opened in Lincoln and Omaha, and organizing events were held in other communities last week. About 300 persons showed up at nine events, said Kate Waters, who also moved across the border after the Iowa caucus to be communications director for the Nebraska campaign. Miller doesn't know yet whether Hillary Clinton or former President Bill Clinton will come to Nebraska before the March caucus, and there probably won't be much advance notice if they do. Hillary Clinton addressed an enthusiastic rally in Omaha in December and daughter Chelsea is scheduled to be in Omaha this week. In 2008, Obama attracted 10,000 supporters to a boisterous rally in Omaha two days before the Nebraska caucus, and Michelle Obama journeyed to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus the next day. Clinton skipped Nebraska and sent Chelsea to speak as her surrogate. For Miller, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduate of the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, a trip to Lincoln represents a nostalgic return visit. For three summers in a row when he was a high school student, he participated in the summertime International Thespian Festival hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. PONCA -- Two tables and a whiteboard in the Ponca Public School library are all that Randy Lukken needs -- most days. Sometimes there aren't enough chairs around those tables for the students who need Lukken to share his math expertise. "The days I'm there, I poke my head in each of the study halls and announce I'm there to help with math. There's times when I've had 20 kids in there with me," said Lukken, one of two retirees who volunteer to tutor Ponca students in math. Lukken sets up three times a week in a corner of the school's library. Myra Woggon, a retired teacher, helps fifth- and sixth-grade math teacher Stacey Carnell. It's a luxury any school district would enjoy, and many do seek volunteer tutors from their communities. "It makes a huge difference. I'm able to assist so many more kids," Carnell said. "We're able to get those kids who need it that extra push." They don't all necessarily need it, but they like to come, Lukken said. A lot of honor roll students, kids motivated to do well, show up, he said, probably more than students who are struggling with a lesson. The reason doesn't matter to Lukken, he's happy to help. "It's just the satisfaction of seeing the light bulb come on and the wheels spin a little faster that they're picking it up. I clearly enjoy working with the kids, but I couldn't have been a full-time teacher," he said. A 1970 Ponca graduate, Lukken has bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering. He retired from Northern Natural Gas in June 2011 and moved back to Ponca. "When I retired, I was only 59 years old and needed something to do," he said. With his math background, he asked school officials about helping students with math. His offer was readily accepted, and now he helps junior high and high school students with general math to precalculus. On a recent morning, his two tables were nearly full of students who filed in and pulled out their textbooks, pencils, calculators and worksheets. "Mr. Lukken, do you know how to do functions?" one of them asked. She sat down at a table as Lukken studied the problem and explained it. Satisfied, the student pulled out an algebra 2 textbook and returned to her seat to finish her work. Lukken takes a lot of questions, gives a lot of help in just one class period. Some students appear to need the help. Others quietly do their work, never raising their hand. "A lot of kids come in here and work and never ask me a question," Lukken said. "I had a girl who came in every day during sixth period to do her work. She never asked me a question. I think she liked knowing that I was here if she did have one." He draws the line at doing geometry proofs. But he's become adept at solving story problems, which he never liked as a student himself. If he's unsure, he reads through the textbooks to refresh his memory on topics he maybe hasn't tackled in decades. "A lot of kids think I remember this stuff," he said with a laugh. Lukken has since obtained a substitute teaching certificate and subs in Ponca and nearby Allen. He also drives a school bus and helps farmers. "All the others (jobs) I get paid for, but I like this one the best," Lukken said of his tutoring position. In addition to helping students, it helps him stay sharp. "One of the things I'm hoping is it's going to keep my mind functioning a little better." All the while helping Ponca students function better in math. Construction on SouthPointe Pavilions started 20 years ago, and the mall has not seen much change since opening in 1998. But it's about to undergo a huge expansion -- $104 million -- to build a new standalone Scheels store and a parking garage. Although the project is being driven by Scheels, SouthPointe's owner acknowledges that keeping the mall fresh and updated is important to its continued success. Jeff McMahon, a Lincoln native and one of the principals of RED Development, which developed and built the mall, said the company is always looking for "newer, better, fresher tenants over time." "The better the product, the better the experience," he said. And the new $85 million Scheels store will be quite the experience. The sporting goods retailer plans to build one of its flagship stores, like one that opened in Overland Park, Kansas, last summer. It will be 220,000 square feet and have a Ferris wheel, aquarium, shooting gallery and restaurant. The original Scheels store at SouthPointe is about 70,000 square feet and was considered state-of-the-art when it was built more than 15 years ago. But now it is a "square peg in a round hole," McMahon said. The new Scheels is expected to draw about half of its traffic from outside Lancaster County, which McMahon said will be about 15 percent more than the current store does. Once Scheels moves into its new store -- sometime in fall 2018 -- SouthPointe will build a $19 million parking garage with more than 1,000 stalls, a project that is expected to be paid for with an additional 1 percent sales tax to be levied on SouthPointe shoppers starting next year. McMahon said the parking garage is being built somewhat out of necessity, because the increased retail footprint will require more parking, while land that has parking now will disappear. The best solution is a garage, he said. While the SouthPointe project is the first major change to the mall in its history, Gateway Mall, more than 30 years older, has made major alterations and additions several times. Its latest project involves a 70,000-square-foot expansion on the mall's south side, next to Sears. The mall is putting up a new building for Granite City Food & Brewery, which will move later this year so its current location on the south side of the mall can be torn down. Gateway has not commented on who the new tenant is, but a building permit filed in January indicated it is for Dick's Sporting Goods. Dick's representatives have not responded to numerous emails and phone calls. The price tag for the building permits for the mall addition and new Granite City building is nearly $9 million, but the overall cost of the expansion will be much more. Gateway has been much more active over the past decade or so in terms of doing major projects and changing its tenant mix. In 2005, the mall finished a $45 million makeover that included a new center court focal area at the middle of the mall, along with a larger food court. The mall also has done several smaller projects since to consolidate smaller retail bays into larger spaces to attract the likes of Shoe Dept. Encore, Forever 21 and H&M. A retail expert says shoppers are likely to continue to see the remaking of malls across the country as owners look to keep the interest of shoppers and appeal to changing habits and tastes. "The shopping experience today is much different than it was even five years ago," Kathy Grannis Allen, senior director of media relations for the National Retail Federation, said in an email. While many people believe malls are becoming obsolete because of online retailing and a millennial population that seems less interested in consumption and owning "stuff," Grannis Allen said that simply isn't true. "American malls are in a really unique situation where they can wipe the slate clean and create a brand-new user experience that shoppers of all ages will love," she said That means bringing in gyms, movie theaters, or, in the case of Lincoln's malls, new and bigger sporting goods stores. Malls also are creating more open-air spaces for shoppers and using technology including smartphone apps, Grannis Allen said "Its an exciting time for malls to look for a way to reinvent themselves," she said. McMahon said SouthPointe is among the first of RED Development's malls to undergo a major change. He expects many of its other malls will see similar makeovers in the future. As for SouthPointe, he expects the Scheels project to be the only major project for the foreseeable future and doesn't see the mall growing any larger after that. "I don't see changes relating to density, but I hope we can continue to add better tenants," McMahon said. Even as Zoetis has cut its worldwide workforce and number of manufacturing sites, its Lincoln plant continues to grow. In the past two years, the animal health company wrapped up a 19,000-square-foot, three-story expansion on the west side of its Lincoln property at 601 W. Cornhusker Highway. It's now in the process of adding a 29,000-square-foot space to the east. Currently, the Lincoln plant employs more than 500 workers and is hiring for the coming expansion, said Betty Mason, site leader. At the same time the Lincoln plant is expanding -- investments will approach $70 million -- Mason said company officials are committed to reducing costs, especially those that negatively affect the environment. Were not just expanding at all costs, Mason said. Were insuring were taking care of the environment. Since the former Pfizer property became Zoetis in February 2013, Mason said the plant has reduced its energy consumption by more than 8,340 megawatt hours per year. That's equivalent to eliminating 3,640 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, she said. The reductions are the result of more than 25 projects around the plant, she said, including improved steam condensate recovery, improved insulation and recovering heat from air handling systems. Its also a cost-savings for us, so its a win-win, she said. The Lincoln plant is one of the largest manufacturing sites of biological and pharmaceutical products for Zoetis, according to Kristen Seely, external communications manager. The Lincoln plant primarily focuses on products for cattle, swine and companion animals, Mason said. Some of the lines have an output of about 500 bottles a minute, producing some of the companys flagship products and vaccines, including Bovi-Shield, for prevention of respiratory and reproductive disease in cattle; RespiSure, for prevention of respiratory disease in swine; and Rimadyl, for treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Synovex, a product that helps increase weight gain and feed efficiency in beef cattle, is being manufactured in the 19,000-square-foot addition completed in August. The next expansion is for the manufacture of the companys anti-itch therapy for dogs. A warehouse on the north side of the Lincoln plant will eventually package and store the product. Simparica, a once-monthly chewable flea and tick medication for dogs, is also made in Lincoln and should see growth after the drug gained approval to be sold in the European Union. Mason said Zoetis is in a spot to play an important role in the animal health industry as the global population grows. With more people comes more demand for a healthy food supply. Officials said the U.S. Department of Agriculture turns to companies such as Zoetis for a solution when emerging infectious diseases strike, like the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in pigs or the avian influenza outbreak that hit the poultry industry hard last year. Thats the environment were in today, Mason said. We need to feed the increasing population in the globe. MILWAUKEE The Wisconsin Supreme Court primary election arrives Tuesday with the same overt partisanship that has characterized the court itself in recent years, but a look past the campaign ads finds more differences in the candidates than just ideology. Rebecca Bradley started her career defending doctors in malpractice lawsuits and focused on business law before ascending to the lower-court bench. JoAnne Kloppenburg is a former Peace Corps volunteer who spent more than two decades in the attorney generals office. Joe Donald helped create a drug treatment court in Milwaukee. All three say their impartiality makes them uniquely suited to the job, but only two will advance to the spring election in April. The challenge for voters, Kloppenburg said, is to see who is most likely to deliver on that promise. Kloppenburg, who did rural development work in Botswana and established a womens nutrition program in upstate New York when she returned to the U.S. in the early 80s, said her more than 20 years experience as a prosecutor in the Wisconsin Justice Department, her background as the only candidate who was first voted in to office, rather than appointed, and her judicial record suggest she wont be beholden to political agendas or special interest groups. Voters support me because they cant tell how Im going to decide a case in advance, the appeals court judge said. But Donald has cast Kloppenburg as the choice of liberals even as he himself has been endorsed by Democrats such as Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore. The longtime Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge began to raise his profile when he helped establish a special court program in 2009 that looked to deal with the underlying causes of drug crimes, including poverty, addiction and untreated mental health problems. We had to figure out a way to maintain safety, but also help people, he said. He said people who have been through the program are less likely to reoffend and that the drug court has reduced the cost associated with locking so many people up. He was appointed by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1996 and says its proof of his independence. He also says he hasnt received support from special interest groups. Im trying to get politics and money out of our court, he said. Outside help Kloppenburg has criticized Donald for supporting Bradley in the past. Both challengers, however, have gone after Bradley, the incumbent by way of a recent appointment, as the conservatives pick who would further tip the courts balance in that direction. They point out that she has been appointed to three judgeships in three years by Gov. Scott Walker and that she has received support from the conservative Wisconsin Alliance for Reform. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, which tracks political spending, the Wisconsin Alliance for Reform is the only outside group to purchase television ads in the race about $435,000 in air time as of Friday. The Bradley campaign hasnt booked TV time. Donalds campaign has spent about $143,000 on TV spots, compared to Kloppenburgs $133,000. The candidates were fairly even in their own fundraising. Donald and Kloppenburg have tried to turn Bradleys outside support against her, saying money from groups that dont have to disclose their donors doesnt belong in the race. These expenditures raise concerns among voters that justice is for sale, Kloppenburg said. Bradley says such groups are exercising free speech and its not my place to tell them not to do so. The former private practice attorney has had a rapid ascent she was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court late in 2012. She was tapped for an appeals court spot last spring and was selected for the states highest court in October. Bradley says her experience as a trial court, appeals court and high court judge are unmatched. That, plus her 16 years in all manner of civil litigation in private practice make her uniquely qualified, she said. Bradley said shes running on her judicial philosophy, which is to make the right decision under the law. She expands on the concept in a statement on her campaign website, which reads: The role of a justice is to interpret the law, not invent it. The people of Wisconsin are best served by justices who understand and embrace their duty to state what the law is, not what they prefer it to be. Bradley declined to comment on recent decisions by the right-leaning court. But Donald and Kloppenburg said rulings on voter ID and on John Doe investigations are examples of politically driven decisions that benefit conservatives. RACINE As the Racine Unified School Board enters its first election under a new system of geographic representation districts, three newcomers will face off in a primary election on Tuesday for the new 6th District. The top two vote-getters Tuesday will advance to the April 5 general election. The 6th District takes the shape of a jagged, uneven boot with Gateway Technical College as its heel and Washington Park as its toe. It extends from English Street on the north down around Gateway and then spreads as far west as West Boulevard and as far south as 17th Street, all in the City of Racine. The candidates are: John Heckenlively, a self-employed writer who has been active with the local Democratic Party and unsuccessfully tried to unseat House Speaker Paul Ryan in the 2010 race for 1st District U.S. representative; Ernest NiA, a local pastor who is active with the local NAACP and has lately served on several district advisory committees; and Jim Venturini, an insurance sales executive who previously co-owned with his family a chain of Gingiss Formalwear stores in the area. The Journal Times recently asked the three candidates questions about current issues facing the School Board and the district. Here are their responses: 1. Last year, the School Board was divided for months on the districts employee handbook. What role should administrators, unions and the board have in future handbook changes? Heckenlively: I strongly believe that changes need to be made on a collaborative basis, with administration and the union discussing any changes. My way or the highway is not a constructive model for labor/management relations. Both the board and the administration need to treat Unified employees with respect. Teachers and assistants are the ones on the front lines, we need to listen to them. NiA: First of all, we need to understand the effects Act 10 had on the handbook. It is my understanding that Act 10 restricts certain bargaining and countering that was permitted historically. The state has also restricted employment action and prohibited strikes, which make it very difficult for workers to see an even playing field. However, I believe in a win-win method of old-fashioned talk, discussion and compromising to get things done, and that my friend, we still have at our disposal. Venturini: As any good employer would, the administration should be willing to solicit input from the teachers to improve student outcomes and have a productive and engaged workforce. However, ultimately the buck stops with the superintendent. It is imperative that she be allowed to bring changes to the board, for a healthy discussion, that she believes are necessary to drive improved outcomes. The board needs to be engaged in that process, but not an obstacle to change, when change will improve student outcomes. 2. The district recently entered into a tentative agreement to buy the Sturtevant Sportsplex for $5.2 million, and the district is studying how to use and pay for the complex before the boards May 10 deadline to approve the deal. If you are elected, under what conditions would you support the district buying the Sportsplex? Heckenlively: Currently, I am very leery that buying the Sportsplex is the best path forward for the district. While there is a case to be made that growing student populations in the west end of the district call for new facilities, its not clear the Sportsplex is the best solution. I would have to be convinced that buying the Sportsplex was prudent both financially and from a policy standpoint before I would vote to approve it. NiA: The bean counter in me will have to respond by insisting that everything we do must have a benefit that equals the cost. Although not everything we do can be adequately measured in dollars and cents, this is an area I believe we can. Therefore I will enter the discussion asking: How can the Sportsplex pay for itself? Venturini: I dont know the behind-the-scenes discussion, but my initial reaction would be to oppose the purchase. Obviously that could change upon receiving more facts, but I dont believe the district has communicated a clear plan for this site. My support for the purchase would be contingent on a clear plan for the site that doesnt add any additional costs to the tax levy. 3. As the district implements block scheduling in high schools next year in preparation for new career academies, some have criticized the district for moving ahead on the change too fast, most notably employee unions. Should the district go ahead with block scheduling next year? Why or why not? Heckenlively: In some school districts, block scheduling works. However, data tends to suggest it is less successful in urban school districts such as Racine. Even if the data suggested it was a good idea, there seems to be a rush to implement it. Such a major curriculum change requires a great deal of planning and professional development. We also need to involve parents in such changes, so they can help students adjust. If we are going to do this, lets do it correctly. We should hold off until the 2017-2018 school year, so that everybody will be up to speed. NiA: I believe the block schedule concept is a good thing because it allows the teacher more time to learn the student and vice-versa, but timing and implementation is equally important. Therefore, I cannot give an intelligent answer without more data on both sides. Venturini: Yes, since this concept will better prepare students for college or a career, and it will provide students with hands on, experiential learning opportunities. This will allow students to see a real-world relevancy to what they are learning, which leads to improved engagement. Since block scheduling is a key component to (the academy) model, we need to act swiftly. While RUSD has shown improvement over the last couple of years, its not where our community needs it to be performing. There is no reason to delay implementing these changes, but its important to communicate with and adequately train the teachers. 4. Over the last year, the villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant have been weighing whether to fund a study of leaving the Racine Unified School District. Would you support these communities breaking away from Unified? Why or why not? Heckenlively: Racine Unified already faces huge financial challenges as a result of the expansion of the voucher program. Losing students from Caledonia, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant would be disastrous. It also makes little sense for them to break away It would cost them far more because they would have to build new facilities and hire new staff among other costs. NiA: The new School Board districting that has been imposed should solve the problem. We have three districts that will assure representation of these municipalities, particularly Caledonia and Mount Pleasant. Therefore, I do not support breaking away, rather, I encourage working together. Venturini: I believe this split could be detrimental to the Greater Racine (east of Interstate 94) community. My first preference would be to fix and improve the current district. Lets work to fix the existing system, before we decide to create what could be several new districts. In business, you can find efficiencies and improvements through consolidation and thats what this model was built on. By putting good and competent people in leadership positions, I believe we can make this district a success. If we dont make the necessary improvements over the next several years then we can look at all options. 5. If elected, what is the most pressing change you would push for the district to make? Heckenlively: We need to work on improving employee relations. It is essential to restore a relationship of respect and trust, and to create a positive working climate in schools. After all, the working climate for teachers is the learning environment for students. There has been a virtual war on public education in recent decades, especially from certain Madison politicians. It is important to push back against that trend at the local level. NiA: I am campaigning on more than one issue. However, if I have to pick one, it would be the Chromebooks. One of the two committees of the school district I presently serve on regards Chromebooks and Internet access. We are in the age of technology and can no longer afford any of our students not to be completely computer-literate and technologically savvy. Venturini: Of course this is a difficult question to answer since there are a number of important issues. With that said, the most pressing change is working united. I believe we have a wonderful city with great potential considering our demographics, but we are struggling to draw new business partially because of our education system. We need to work together to achieve what is good for the whole and not individuals or special interests groups. By doing this we can reach the ultimate goal of improving our schools and providing a level of education to our children which they deserve. RACINE As the Racine Unified School Board enters its first set of elections under a new system of geographic election districts, three candidates in the 7th District will face off in Tuesdays primary election. The two top vote-getters will advance to the April 5 general election. The 7th District includes a swath of the City of Racines north and west sides extending from Old Holy Cross Cemetery at Kinzie Avenue and West Boulevard in a northeastward, diagonal band to the edge of the Village of North Bay. In the race, longtime incumbent Don Nielsen, a retired high school counselor, seeks to hold on to the seat he won just last year. Facing him are challengers Brian F. OConnell, the recently retired director of city development for Racine, and Adrienne Moore, managing attorney for the Racine regions Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office. Both have previously sought to be appointed to vacant seats on the School Board. The Journal Times recently asked the three candidates questions about current issues facing the School Board and the district. Here are their responses: 1. Last year, the School Board was divided for months on the districts employee handbook. What role should administrators, unions and the board have in future handbook changes? Moore: I support the district receiving input from all educational partners. I especially believe the district should be open to receiving input from the staff whom the handbook will affect, that is simply good business. I do not believe that a collaborative process has to be a formal written process. I believe that parties do have to trust that everyone has the interests of the students in mind whenever changes to the handbook are made. Nielsen: It should be a collaborative process with the School Board making the final decision. OConnell: The stalemates and delays on the board are what motivated me to run now. The district is under intense scrutiny to show rapid improvement. The delays and stalemates suggest to observers that the district is not up to the challenge. If I am elected, I will impress on my fellow board members the need for deliberation but prompt action. Had I been on the board, I would have offered a compromise that would keep the handbook committee but expand its membership beyond the employee groups. This change would protect the handbook and the committee from legal challenge. 2. The district recently entered into a tentative agreement to buy the Sturtevant Sportsplex for $5.2 million, and the district is studying how to use and pay for the complex before the boards May 10 deadline to approve the deal. If you are elected, under what conditions would you support the district buying the Sportsplex? Moore: I did attend a meeting where the Sportsplex was discussed. My understanding is that part of the Sportsplex would be utilized for purposes of a recreational center where profit could be made, and the other part would be a Montessori school for 3- to 5-year-olds. If the Sportsplex is something that could generate profit for the district, I see it as a business venture I would support. If it will take money from the district, then I could not support this initiative. Nielsen: I would like to (see) a 10-year facility plan prior to making this commitment. OConnell: Before I could support the purchase of the Sportsplex, I would need answers to three questions: 1) How does the purchase relate to districts overall capital improvements needs? The Sportsplex purchase must not siphon resources from its other needs. 2) Does the purchase save money in the long term? I need assurance that future economies will offset any immediate costs. 3) What is Sturtevants position? Is the village agreeable to the removal of the Sportsplex from its tax base, particularly from its tax increment district? 3. As the district implements block scheduling in high schools next year in preparation for new career academies, some have criticized the district for moving ahead on the change too fast, most notably employee unions. Should the district go ahead with block scheduling next year? Why or why not? Moore: I would like to speak to students who have experienced block scheduling to find out what impact block scheduling had on their education. As a member of the School Board, I would see my role as an advocate of students receiving an excellent education. After thorough research, if I believed block scheduling would provide a better education for students, I would support it. I certainly understand the concern that the teachers have about block scheduling being implemented during the upcoming school year. I would hope that there would be sufficient training, so this process can be implemented well. Nielsen: I have stated that I feel the process is going too fast. My research has shown that to be successful in implementation you need input from all stakeholders and at least two years to prepare. Implementing this schedule while continuing implementation of PBIS, Restorative Justice, a new approach to placement of special education students, using a new software package for scheduling/record keeping, implementing a new teacher evaluation process mandated by the state, and implementing block scheduling all at the same time with fidelity, is too much in my opinion. This does not mean I oppose either block scheduling or the academies, on the contrary I support a slower timeline. OConnell: Yes, the district should go ahead. The transition addresses the urgent need for improvement. The transition to the Academies of Racine and block scheduling has been in the planning stages for months. The 2016-17 school year is the appropriate time. Delay only raises questions about the districts ability to advance. The question appears to be: are the teachers adequately prepared? If that is a concern, then extra, paid training should be provided over the summer if necessary to ensure the change is ready to launch in the fall. 4. Over the past year, the villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant have been weighing whether to fund a study of leaving the Racine Unified School District. Would you support these communities breaking away from Unified? Why or why not? Moore: I dont believe I know enough about the reasons why these communities want to break away to be able to adequately address this question. I would hope since the redistricting happened, in which individuals will be elected directly from those communities and thereby have those communities interests at heart, that they do not see a reason to leave Racine Unified at this time. In order for Racine Unified to thrive it needs the support of everyone in the community. Nielsen: I have publicly stated that if the mandated process developed by the state is followed I would not stand in the way. That is still true. OConnell: Greater Racine is stronger with the existing, unified school district. The push for villages to secede is an echo of the intercommunity friction that hindered Greater Racines economic advancement in the past. I base this opinion on my 13-plus years of experience in economic development here. Quality schools and career-ready workers are important for attracting jobs. That is why I am running for the board. Improving the schools is the means to achieve those goals, not splitting the district. A metropolitan area that has a reputation for advancing under a common agenda is a powerful magnet for private investment. 5. If elected, what is the most pressing change you would push for the district to make? Moore: The achievement gap is something that needs to improve and I believe that Racine Unified is actively working on this area. I have been told there have been strides made, but I hope I can be a part of making even bigger strides in this area. Nielsen: If re-elected I will continue to have the district increase its maintenance budget every year until it reaches the level to truly maintain all of our facilities. Other priorities are improving staff/administrative relations, improving the overall climate in our schools and eliminating the publics negative perceptions, developing a ten-year facilities usage plan, and improving student achievement. In closing, no board member can do it all. It is going to take an entire board working together. OConnell: First is more outreach to all stakeholders. I will place a high priority on improving two-way communication and transparency with the whole community. Second is improving teacher morale. The changes that followed Acts 10 and 32 devastated morale. Yet the implementation of our goals depends on the people who have the one-on-one contact with the students. They will not be fully committed to our efforts if they do not feel appreciated and involved. Board members represent the whole community, not the employees, but I will also remember that teachers and staff are essential to the success of the district. Standardized tests are familiar to a majority of the population who have taken at least one. The memory of sitting in a room, listening to the proctor ramble. Out of the entire speech, one phrase stands out: You may not know the answer to some of the questions. Standardized tests are the primary measurement of a schools success in the United States. These tests provide puzzling results. Based on the data collected by the examinations, Racine Unified School District is labelled as failing. Does that mean that the districts students know less than others? Research has shown that school districts with more working class families perform poorer on standardized tests. If students in the districts are given a different way of demonstrating their knowledge, those who learn unconventionally can be successful in achieving the states requirements. Because standardized tests do not accurately represent a students intelligence, their measurements appear to be questionable. Their implementation will not stop by itself, but we as a community parents, students, teachers and school administration can work to change it. The first step become involved. The school board holds open meetings every third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 3109 Mount Pleasant Street. Your attendance provides a voice for many. In the words of many test proctors, You may not know the answers to some of the questions, but standardized testing and their poor representation of students is not it. Mary Franitza Racine "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." attributed to Helen Keller "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie ten Boom "Wherever you are, be all there!" - Jim Elliot "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." - Corrie ten Boom "That is genuine faith - believing and declaring what God has said, stepping out on what appears to be thin air and finding solid rock beneath your feet." - From "Streams in the Desert" [JURIST] The US Senate [official website] on Thursday voted in favor of a wide-ranging House bill aiming to strengthen US trade, sending the bill to President Barack Obama to be signed. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 [HR 644], passed [vote] the House of Representatives [official website] in December, with voting falling largely along party lines, with Republicans in favor. The legislation, which passed the Senate easily, is expected to be signed [press release] by the president despite significant disagreement within the democratic party about its virtues. Some democrats assert that the Senate-House compromise weakened the bill, especially in the language seeking to prevent China and other nations from manipulating currency to make their exports more affordable. Democratic minority leader Senator Harry Reid said the bill is full of missed opportunities and half measures. The US has been active in trade agreements of late. Earlier this month the US became one of 12 signatories [JURIST report] to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is purportedly aimed increasing the flow of trade between the nations in a manner beneficial for workers and large corporations. Members of the labor industry dispute the claimed benefits, arguing that job losses will result from the agreement as corporations will begin to send jobs to countries with less restrictive labor laws and lower costs. In June the House passed [JURIST report] the Trade Preferences Extension Act, providing assistance to workers who lose their jobs to international trade and renewing President Barack Obamas authority to negotiate trade deals on behalf of the country. It also establishes programs to increase trade between the US and Africa. In July 2014 the European Court of Justice ruled [JURIST report] that the European Commission was not being sufficiently transparent regarding negotiations with the US on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which, like the TPP, aims to remove trade barriers between the EU and US. A spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) [official website], Melissa Fleming, expressed concern over the growing number of migrants arriving in Europe and urged [press release] all EU member states to implement measures agreed on last year to ensure human treatment of all refugees entering their nations. The measures include hotspot arrival points, relocation of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Italy and Greece, and to apply the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan. According to Fleming, some countries have tightened their border control to keep refugees out instead of trying to find solutions. Some countries, she said have also created measures with the purpose of appearing less desirable than other countries and some strip refugees of any valuables. The UN is urging European countries to remember that asylum is a fundamental human right and these measures are necessary to reduce the dangers that come from sea voyages or putting their lives in the hands of smugglers. The issue of migrant rights has emerged as one of the most significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions seek asylum from conflict nations. Earlier this month, the EU Commissioner stated that Turkey must ensure [JURIST report] that fewer refugees enter Greece by keeping more refugees in their country. In November UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed [JURIST report] the UN General Assembly and cautioned the international community to avoid discrimination against Muslims, especially refugees and migrants entering Europe, as a result of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris a week earlier. Earlier that month Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] analyzed [JURIST report] the EUs approach to the refugee crisis and recommended changes to ensure international law is followed and human rights are appropriately valued. In October Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] called on [JURIST report] the EU and Western Balkans states to focus on remedying what it characterized as deplorable conditions for asylum-seekers in Europe. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights gave the opening statement [JURIST report] at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council in September in which he addressed, among other pressing human rights issues, the migrant crisis. US Supreme Court [official website] Justice Antonin Scalia [official profile] died Saturday at the age 79. Friends reported that he died in his sleep [CNN report] during a trip to Texas. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the following statement: On behalf of the court and retired justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Maureen, and his family. The court is currently in recess and will reconvene for a conference on February 19. As a replacement is unlikely to be appointed before the end of the current term, all pending cases will now be decided by an eight-member court. A four-four split would allow the lower court decision to stand [SCOTUSblog report]. Scalia was the longest serving member the court, having been appointed by Ronald Reagan and confirmed in 1986. He was one of the more conservative justices and authored many noteworthy decisions, including District of Columbia v. Heller [JURIST report], in which the court ruled that the Second Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits the District of Columbia from banning private handgun ownership. Scalia was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on March 11, 1936. Before being appointed to the Supreme Court he served on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. [JURIST] A partnership of voting rights groups on Friday filed suit [complaint, PDF] against Brian Newby [EAC profile], executive director for the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC), alleging that his recent decision limiting the use of national voter registration in Alabama, Kansas and Georgia deprives eligible voters from the right to vote. On request from the states governments, Newby unilaterally instituted a requirement that voters seeking to use the federal mail voter registration must provide proof of citizenship. This, the complaint alleges, violates the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which requires the full EAC to vote on any such changes. The plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters (LWV) [advocacy website], claim that Newbys actions were illegal and should be promptly overturned. This is now the fifth time that the EAC has been pushed to give a different answer to the same question, said Elisabeth MacNamara, president of the LWV, [e]nough is enough. They can keep coming back but we will not tire of making sure they continue to fail. The LWV is represented by the Brennan Center for Justice [official website] and its director Wendy Weiser, who said, [t]his change was unauthorized and illegal, and is hugely detrimental to voters in Alabama, Georgia, and Kansas. With presidential primaries fast approaching, these citizens deserve clarity on howor ifthey can register to vote. Voting rights remain a controversial legal issue in the US. Last month a judge for the US District Court of the Middle District of North Carolina declined to grant [JURIST report] a motion by the NAACP and other plaintiffs that would have kept the state from implementing a voter identification law in the upcoming March elections. In May the New Hampshire Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a 2012 law requiring voters to be state residents, not just domiciled in the state. In March the US Supreme Court denied certiorari [JURIST report] to hear challenges to Wisconsins voter ID law. Also in March Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed a new law [JURIST report] that made Oregon the first state in the nation to institute automatic voter registration. A federal appeals court rejected [JURIST report] a Kansas rule that required prospective voters to show proof-of-citizenship documents before registering using a federal voter registration form in November 2014. The West Virginia Legislature [official website] passed the WV Workplace Freedom Act [text; materials] on Friday, overruling a veto by the Democratic Governor Earl Ray Tomblin [official website] the day before. West Virginia is now the twenty-sixth state [AP report] in the country with a right-to-work law, a law that bars employers from requiring that their employees pay union fees. The West Virginia law makes it unlawful to force or restrain employees from joining a labor organization, to discriminate against any worker for not joining, or to cease business with someone based on their employees union statuses. Proponents of the law say [WVU report, PDF] that it lures business into the state and gives employees the freedom to determine for themselves whether they want to join a labor organization. On the other hand, critics believe that the laws reduce union membership, wage rates, and middle-class economic activity. The law will be effective July 1. In recent years, there has been increasing controversy regarding right-to-work laws [JURIST backgrounder]. The US Supreme Court [official website] heard oral arguments [JURIST report] last month on the First Amendment rights of public teachers who do not wish to pay union fees. Last year the Wisconsin Senate approved [JURIST report] Senate Bill 44, which provides that employees cannot be required to join a labor organizations. In November 2014 the Indiana Supreme Court upheld [JURIST report] the states right-to-work law, stating it did not violate the states constitution. In August 2013 the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled [JURIST report] that Michigans right-to-work law applies to civil service employees. 3rd Saturday of the month: This is our normal monthly KaCSFFS meeting date. Setup begins at 6:00 p.m. If there's a business meeting, it'll run 6:30-7:00 p.m. Programming starts at 7:00 p.m., followed by socializing, eating, and tabletop games as available. Meetings usually last till 9:30 or so. 4th Monday of the month: Our friends the SF&F Literati meet to discuss a book selection ten months out of the year (not in December or May), at the Oak Park Barnes & Nobles Booksellers, 11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214, at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd floor. Every Memorial Day Weekend (May): Don't miss ConQuesT, our annual SF Convention! Please watch the blog for notices of changes to any of these!Our friends thenormally present a program on one of these two weekends (usually the 2nd Saturday), starting about 4:15 p.m. Watch the blog for program announcements, exact dates, and how to learn about the location! Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Caan estimates cost of Rs160 million Installing solar power systems at domestic airports will need an investment of Rs160 million, according to the estimates of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan). NC General Convention inaugural session at Khullamanch The inaugural ceremony of the 13th general convention of the Nepali Congress would take place at the Khullamanch and the closed session will be held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. Pakistan president condemns St Valentine's Day Pakistan's president has denounced St Valentine's Day, saying the festival has no connection with Pakistani culture and should be avoided. Pope condemns Mexico 'drugs cancer' Pope Francis has urged Mexico's leaders to provide "true justice" to citizens hit by drug violence in the country. Syria conflict: Turkey shells Kurdish militia Turkey has shelled a Kurdish militia in northern Syria and demanded it retreat from territory it has seized, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said. 1. Yes. Its important to cast my votes early and avoid the lines on Election Day. 2. Yes. With nearly two weeks of early voting, its a more convenient way to take part. 3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, in case any last-minute information surfaces. 4. No. Im not planning to vote early or on Election Day. It isnt worth my time. 5. Unsure. It depends on how the campaigns are shaping up. Ill play it by ear. Vote View Results Trollfest '09 Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, How I sold out to da Man. Robbie Bell again performs: Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells and Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to Dancing with the Stars, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango. Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and Big Cat Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge. Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson". In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word jackass was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates. Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one. Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!! This is definitely a Beaver production. Note: Security provided by INS. Time for positive shift in NK policy It is time to call a spade a spade. North Korea has said it will become a nuclear state. It has matched its words with action. If there has been any doubt, its two latest provocations have proved otherwise. Last month, the North tested what it claimed was a small-scale H-bomb. This month the North fired a rocket that can be converted to a long-range missile. So far, South Korea has said it will help the North if it gives up its nuclear development. That is nothing but wishful thinking. Now Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, are trying to persuade Beijing to stop protecting its client state and join an effort at the United Nations to punish the North for its provocative acts. The three nations are separately preparing steps against Pyongyang. Seoul, for one, has done what is seen as an extreme measure, having pulled out of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, the 13-year-old last remnant of inter-Korean cooperation. The North has not budged and it will not because it has no other choice. First, the ruling Kim dynasty knows well that the nuclear weapons and missiles are the key to its survival. Without them, it would collapse. Kim Jong-un cannot afford to open up to the outside for full economic cooperation because it would cause the public to become disenchanted and rebel against him. The third-generation heir would not have a chance of holding on to power in an "open" North Korea. His double take of nuclear development and economic development is unrealistic. Therefore, its survival strategy is to portray the U.S. as public enemy No. 1 and give North Koreans an object to hate. This is why the North claims its missiles and nuclear weapons target the U.S., which is far stronger than the impoverished North. The South is also included on the North's list of imaginary list of foes as a U.S. puppet that needs toppling. As it is beyond doubt that the North will not give up its weapons of mass destruction, it is time for Seoul to make a shift in its bona fide policy toward the North and seek a regime change in Pyongyang. Or, if that is too controversial, Seoul at least should not rule it out. There are two reasons for this. First, adopting a regime change as policy, hidden or ostensible, would help harden Seoul's policy toward the North, giving it flexibility to soften it depending on the North's behavior. So far, it has been the other way around, primarily taking a soft approach but occasionally getting tough. The existing approach has determined Seoul's North Korea policy whether it was Kim Dae-jung's reconciliatory "sunshine" policy or the current "trustpolitik", both of which have failed spectacularly. The Gaeseong closure could be a starting point for such a policy change, if all other efforts to punish the North for its errant behavior fall into place, and put a strong stranglehold on the North. Second, from an international perspective, Seoul could gain a greater leadership role in dealing with the North one-on-one. Seoul is a leading emerging economy and an active member of the global community, but the North has relegated the South to the role of bystander in international decisions that affect its fate. It is time for Seoul to take charge of its own fate and be responsible for it. President Park Geun-hye's tussle with Chinese President Xi Jin-ping for tougher U.N. action against the North can be interpreted as one example of Seoul trying to influence the process and outcome of decisions to deal with the North's challenge. Platforma blogowa Blox zostaa zamknieta Blog kurpanik.blox.pl nie zosta przez autora przeniesiony w nowe miejsce [jestem wascicielem tego bloga] MIAMI (TNS) In 2007, physicians working on a remote island in the western Pacific Ocean reported an outbreak of an illness with flu-like symptoms similar to dengue fever, a debilitating viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and well documented since the 18th century. But the illness observed by doctors on Yap Island in Micronesia seemed different than dengue with sudden onset of rash, joint pain or red eyes, and no cases of hemorrhagic fever. Patient blood samples sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would later confirm the first recorded outbreak of what was then an obscure pathogen. We didnt have any idea that it was Zika virus, said Lt. Col. Mark Duffy of the U.S. Air Force, one of the lead physician researchers dispatched to investigate the mystery illness in June 2007. There was just a paucity of literature that was out there. Until then, Zika had been something of a sleeper virus. Only 14 cases of human Zika disease had been documented prior to 2007, and all of them were in Africa and Asia, according to an article on the Yap Island upsurge published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2009. Researchers identified 49 confirmed cases of Zika, and estimated that 73 percent of the population had been infected with the virus. Nearly nine years after the first Zika outbreak was documented by Duffy and a team of disease detectives a collaborative effort involving the CDC, the World Health Organization and the nonprofit Pasteur Institute the virus has spread rapidly across South America and the Caribbean, triggering warnings of a global health threat. But physicians and public health officials still lack the basic scientific research to understand precisely how Zika spreads or to establish a causal connection with a concurrent spike in microcephaly, a congenital birth defect, and other neurological disorders following outbreaks of the virus in Brazil in 2015 and in French Polynesia in 2014. There is no tool available that allows physicians to diagnose Zika virus in the field, limiting their ability to quickly identify the disease and take action. There is no vaccine or specific medical treatment for the virus symptoms, which affect only one in five infected people. And its unclear whether the virus is transmitted only by mosquitoes, or perhaps also through sexual contact, as health officials believe occurred in Texas this year. Were all steep on this dreadful learning curve, said Elizabeth Talbot, a physician and infectious diseases expert at Dartmouth Colleges Geisel School of Medicine. There are a lot of negatives, and there are a lot of unknowns right now. Those unknowns, particularly the suspected link between the virus and birth defects, are precisely the reasons cited by the WHOs Emergency Committee for declaring an international emergency for Zika on Feb. 1. Catherine Spong, a physician-scientist and acting director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said the most important unanswered question is whether or not Zika virus is causing birth defects and other neurological disorders. If in fact it is, Spong said, then we need to work through exactly when that happens and how can we prevent that. Duffy, the physician who investigated the Zika outbreak on Yap Island in 2007, said the team of scientists spent a month in the field studying the transmission and symptoms of the disease. In that time, he said, the team made several important observations, including the determination that only about 1 in 5 people infected with the virus show symptoms. Duffy surmised that the Zika virus likely arrived on the remote island via an infected monkey, an infected person or a mosquito carried aboard a cargo container or airplane. The team determined that about 75 percent of the islands population had been infected with Zika during the outbreak, he said, and they were the first to characterize the diseases symptoms in a broad population. But, Duffy said, There wasnt any indication at that point about the fetal anomalies or Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological disorder often associated with viral infections. The only way to prove a causal link between the virus and any of the suspected outcomes is through epidemiological research, including cohort and case-control studies, which then would require further research for prevention and treatment. Scientific efforts, including case investigations and ecological research, already are underway to close the knowledge gap on Zika, the WHO reported. President Barack Obama on Tuesday asked Congress for $1.8 billion in emergency funding to combat the virus through mosquito control, vaccine research, education and improving health care for low-income, pregnant women. The CDC also is responding to state requests for help, sending 950 Zika antibody tests to Florida this week at the request of Gov. Rick Scott in addition to 475 tests sent last week. Sixteen cases have been identified in Florida so far, all acquired outside the country and none involving pregnant women. Talbot, the infectious disease expert at Dartmouth, who also is New Hampshires deputy state epidemiologist, said very active investigations into a causal link between Zika and birth defects are under way now. But, she said, the scientific community shouldnt expect to arrive at definitive conclusions for three to six months. Until then, she said, people worried about Zika virus should listen to what is known about transmission of the disease and its symptoms. Why cant it all be as relaxed as Adam Greuel makes it sound? The laid-back 25-year-old who supplies vocals, guitar and the dobro for Horseshoes and Hand Grenades makes the bands rising success seem like such a natural thing. Its definitely fun, man, Greuel said. The five members of the band recently drove through the heart of a massive winter storm on their way to Nashville, Tenn., only to have their scheduled gig cancelled. That didnt bother them; they threw an impromptu concert in the heart of the famous musical city instead. The folks were really happy, as it turned out, he said. Thats pretty much the case wherever Horseshoes and Hand Grenades goes, and its a sure bet the same will happen when it returns this month to the Cavalier Theater. The only thing Greuel was insistent about was not pigeonholing the genre of the string bands music, which has been described as progressive high-energy. Our music is certainly eclectic, he said. A broad base of musical expertise is the hallmark of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades. For instance, member David Lynch (harmonica and accordion) specializes in Cajun music, while Sam Odin (bass) studied improvisational jazz. For Greuel, his base was even wider. I was influenced from all kinds of music coming from all over the world, he said. Growing up near Stevens Point, Wis., Greuls mom was instrumental in arranging the Portage County Cultural Festival. A celebration of ethnic diversity that now brings in about 10,000 people from every conceivable background, Greuel learned at a young age the importance of allowing yourself to step outside the box. It helps to open your mind, he said. Formed in 2010, a year after Horseshoes and Hand Grenades members more or less met at the Northland Ballrooms famous Bluegrass Jam, Greuel called the bands progression a natural one. They started out playing for friends, and they soon realized this wasnt just fun it would be their profession. The universe has a magical way of providing the answer sometimes, Greuel said. Frequently touring with bands they look up to (Greensky, The Infamous String Dusters, Yonder Mountain), Greuel said theyre basically five best friends traveling the country, sharing their music. Thats definitely a joy, he said. And, sooner rather than later, the subject of beer comes up. Its something the band enjoys, apparently enough to make HHG APA happen; a pale ale inspired by their music and concocted by Wisconsin-based Central Waters Brewing Co. Its yet another element that feeds into the bands overall impression of a handful of talented musicians out for a good time and wanting that same kind of elation for their audiences. Playing 150 to 200 gigs a year isnt maybe as easy as it sounds. Still, thats a collective decision the band has made. Thats part of our interest in putting ourselves out there the way we have, Greuel said. That, by the way, includes a line of merchandise and three albums. Its a heady mix for a bunch of Wisconsin boys whove made good. But, without too much surprise, Greuel has a pretty simple philosophy about it all. Lifes too short to be doing anything you dont want to be doing, he said. You are a chip off the ol block. Like father, like son. The apple doesnt fall far from the tree. Youre just like your dad. Thats often how it goes in families, and in the new book The Golden Lad by Eric Burns, it happens in famous, historic families, too. Theodore Roosevelt loved two things above all: war and children. As a sickly boy growing up in the shadow of his beloved father, Teedie dreamed of glory on the battlefield. Alas, he suffered from several childhood illnesses, but with help and inspiration from Theodore Senior, young Roosevelt healed, making his body and his attitude, which was adventuresome and manly. That steely determination, perhaps, enhanced his eagerness for war any war which Roosevelt finally got in 1897 when he left for Cuba just months after his youngest son, Quentin, was born. Yet, despite his thirst for fighting, letters from Roosevelt during the Spanish-American War show how much he missed his family. He updated his wife, Edith, on his battles; advised his elder sons; told his younger daughter how much he loved her; and seemed eager for news of the baby. Once the war ended, Roosevelt came home and plunged into politics, first as governor of New York, then as vice president and, after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901, as president of the United States. Americans loved the former Rough Rider, and they loved his rambunctious family especially rowdy Quentin, who had become the favorite child. After a happy eight years in office, leaving the White House in 1909 was tough on the entire Roosevelt family, but more so on Roosevelt . Not knowing what to do with himself, he departed for a yearlong African safari; upon returning, he suffered from ill health, exacerbated by an empty house as his sons left home for school. And then, says Burns, it happened. World War I broke out, and Roosevelt hoped to have a hand in it, though then-President Woodrow Wilson would have none of that. Instead, Roosevelt got second-best over the course of months, his four sons each enlisted. One of them didnt come home. I have to admit, I was no fan of The Golden Lad for a good part of it. I wasnt sure what point author Burns was trying to make, and I grew impatient. Was it a biography of Roosevelt , a story of accomplishments, adventures, family, or ...? The answer is: All of the above, and I was glad I stuck around. About halfway through, this book turns the story somewhat away from the old lion and toward that of his beloved son, becoming a daredevil-adventure tale of a swashbuckling (though not-quite-prepared) soldier. And then it becomes a tearjerker that, because I was then so wrapped up in the story, left me lump-in-the-throat bereft. Ultimately, though, I think this book is best for historians or fans of TR, and I dont think its anything that should be hurried. Savor it; in fact, The Golden Lad is a book youll want to chip away at. As a single mother living in poverty in a city known for its weak record of educating students of color, Kanesha Wingo realized her odds of finding success were slim. But with help from a learning center in her apartment complex, Wingo completed her college education, creating a foundation for herself and young daughter. Wingo, 28, earned a bachelors degree in psychology, sociology and religious studies from Alverno College in 2013 and recently earned a masters degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University. Wingo earned both degrees from the Milwaukee schools with the help of scholarships through the community learning center. Wingo said she believes education is the key to avoiding that stereotype, that statistic that I was kind of born into a young black woman living in low-income housing. Experts say centers like the one at the neighboring Greentree and Teutonia apartment complexes in Milwaukee where Wingo lived offer a promising method, developed over the past two decades, of shrinking academic achievement gaps. The challenge is daunting: As reported in the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism Children Left Behind series in December, Wisconsin has the largest disparity between the performance of black and white students in the country, the worst graduation rate for black students and the nations highest suspension rate for black students. Greentree and Teutonia are two of six low-income housing sites run by Carmen Porco, an executive at the nonprofit Housing Ministries of American Baptists in Wisconsin. These properties, in addition to Northport Apartments and Packer Townhouses in Madison, are available through the national rental assistance program, commonly known as Section 8. Under this housing voucher program, rent is based on ability to pay. This ensures residents can still afford monthly payments, even if they have been laid off, take a job with lower pay or have to cut work hours. The groups properties provide numerous services to the low-income residents, including child care, family literacy classes and after-school tutoring for residents of all ages. College scholarships for up to $1,500 each semester are also provided through the sites. Funding for the programming and scholarships is generated on site from tenants rent, Porco said. The Northport learning center costs $237,000 and the center at Packer is $284,000 to run per year, which includes funding the scholarship program and staff payroll. The learning center shared by Greentree and Teutonia in Milwaukee costs close to $243,000 to operate, he said. About 670 students between ages 3 and 18 live at the six Madison and Milwaukee properties. Such low-income housing sites in Madison and Milwaukee are working to break the link between poverty and poor academic performance. Coming to the center really helped me a lot, said Wingo, who now works as Greentree-Teutonias leasing agent. Education helps you gain skills, and it takes you places you probably wouldnt (go) on your own. The number of poor Wisconsin students, measured by those who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school, has risen significantly over the past decade, from 30 percent in 2005-06 to 42 percent in 2014-15. In Madison, 48 percent of students are considered economically disadvantaged; in Milwaukee the figure is 83 percent. University of California-Irvine education researcher Deborah Lowe Vandell found in 2013 that when elementary students consistently participate in after-school enrichment programs, achievement gaps in math between low-income and high-income students narrow. Education, Porco said, cannot just occur in the public schools. Home away from home Ien Roder-Guzman, 24, describes the learning center in the apartment complex where he lived as a home away from home that kept my head focused on future stuff. Roder-Guzman grew up at the Packer Townhouses on Madisons North Side and began going to the community learning center when he was 5. Despite moving around Madison and attending several schools, Roder-Guzman kept coming back to the learning center. He now works there part time. Roder-Guzman graduated from Madison College in December with a two-year liberal arts degree that will help him transfer to a University of Wisconsin System school, but he said he also is considering joining the military. He said the learning center became a main support system for him while in school. Data on Porcos learning centers are limited. But what is available indicates students who are participating in the on-site educational programs are succeeding, said Charles Taylor, an education professor at Madisons Edgewood College. Taylor gathered data from students in Porcos housing units and compared them to Madison and Milwaukee students overall. Although the sample size of 68 students was small, Taylor found that students living in the stable, low-income housing complexes exceeded their peers in each city when it came to academic performance and graduation rates. From 2010-14, 97 percent of students in the study at the Madison properties graduated, and 100 percent of students in the study who lived at the Milwaukee properties graduated, Taylor found. The four-year graduation rate in the Madison district is 79 percent and Milwaukees is 61 percent. This is something that I believe is worth celebrating and duplicating, Taylor said. Eric Grodsky, an education researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, acknowledged Porcos work on Madisons North Side sounds amazing, but without a more rigorous study of the program, it is hard to know the extent of the centers effectiveness. With a strong evaluation I think their work could benefit hundreds if not thousands of kids, Grodsky said. Without that evaluation, its a lot harder to get other entities to commit the sorts of resources necessary to do what they have done. Scholarships key to college success Since 2006, the properties in Madison and Milwaukee have given out about $668,000 in scholarship money to more than 115 individuals. Residents pursuing undergraduate or masters degrees said the scholarship and rent-assisted housing were critical to completing their degrees. Wanda Melton, 33, who has a 12-year-old daughter, is a school counselor at Northwest Catholic School in Milwaukee. She completed her bachelors degree in psychology at Upper Iowa University in 2010 and earned her master's degree in school counseling at Mount Mary University in 2014 while she was a resident of Greentree-Teutonia. While she was completing her counseling degree, Melton said she was required to complete an internship and had to take an unpaid leave of absence from her job. I definitely was able to lean on the scholarships, Melton said. Jean Knuth, Greentree-Teutonias housing manager, said the learning center has turned the complex into a community that meets many needs. There is child care, tutoring for students and a computer lab that helps residents search for jobs or write resumes. We cant fix everybody and we cant fix all of their children, but we can do something, Greentree-Teutonia program director Vicki Davidson said. All they have to do is let us know what they need. Stanford University professor Sean Reardon, who has studied racial achievement gaps, concluded that schools alone can reduce such disparities but they cannot eliminate them because of larger socioeconomic disparities. That is where Porcos anti-poverty housing model may come in. Porco began his experiment after taking over several low-income housing sites in 1974 including Packer and Northport in Madison and Greentree-Teutonia in Milwaukee. Porco said he aims to fill a community gap by making services readily available rather than waiting for residents to seek them out. Susan Goetz, an instructor with Madison College, teaches adult basic education and GED classes at Packer and English as a second language at Northport in Madison. She works with adult students who did not make it through high school and are already at a disadvantage. I try not to let people give up, said Goetz, who has worked at the learning center for 17 years. June Johnson, a Northport resident, is among those who did not give up. In 1989, after a divorce, Johnson moved into the low-income apartment complex with her three children. She began working at the learning center eight years later. Johnson attended but did not graduate from Madison East High School and eventually earned her high school equivalency degree through the learning center. (The center is) a great salvation for some people, and I was one of them, Johnson said. Unstable housing, poor performance closely related Housing instability is another barrier to school success. Thousands of Wisconsin students have no permanent home. In the 2014-15 school year, there were at least 18,000 homeless students across Wisconsin a number that has more than tripled since 2003-04. Among homeless students across the state, there are 14,294 students who share housing with other families, 333 who have nowhere to live, 2,271 living in a shelter and 1,409 living in a hotel, according to data from the state Department of Public Instruction. Housing stability allows people such as Martinus Roper to form crucial bonds with struggling students. Roper is the assistant program director at Milwaukees Greentree-Teutonia community center. Roper, called Mr. M by the students, recently earned an associate degree in business management through Cardinal Stritch University classes at the learning center. Roper grew up in the Greentree-Teutonia complex and said he can identify with many of the students. He grew up without a father and understands the importance of having a consistent adult presence in a childs life. I kind of take that role of a dad, big brother, uncle, whatever you need me to be in that moment, because I know how much that means, especially going through that as a child, Roper said. Packer program director Jacki Thomas has seen generations of students grow up on the property and in the learning center. Her involvement at the center allows her to form important bonds that help students succeed. People need to feel known, Thomas said. No gaps in education are ever going to change without relationship. Eileen Guzman agreed. She said the Packer community center became a pseudo-parent to her son, Ien, who spent many hours in and around the center, safe under the watchful eyes of neighbors. If the learning center was not available, Guzman said, we would have lost a lot of kids. LAKE ELMO, Minn. (AP) After three days of silence, Mike Seifert says, the return to normalcy can be jarring. Seifert spends one weekend a year in silent retreat at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House in Lake Elmo. When he returned to his home in St. Paul last month after his latest retreat, he was met at the door with the news that his wifes car wouldnt start and his glass coffee pot was broken. Im, like, Oh, shoot, here it is all again, Seifert said. Immediately, I was right back into all the noise and the reality of the real world. There was a total demarcation from complete relaxation to Oh my God, wheres the battery charger? Each weekend, as many as 70 men gather for three days of prayer and meditation near Lake Demontreville. Conducted by the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church, the retreats have been held since 1948. Some 3,000 men take part each year. From Thursday night to Sunday, they devote their time to meditation, prayer and spiritual exercises based on the writings of St. Ignatius, the 16th century Spanish priest who founded the Jesuits. Other hours are spent reading, in private religious devotion or hiking through the retreats 100 acres. The Rev. Patrick McCorkell, the retreat house director, said the men come to the retreat in pursuit of learning how to know, love and serve God in this world. To really know, love and serve God, however, one must know oneself, McCorkell said. Silence is essential if you are ever going to know who you are. You have to filter out all the noise at some point and get down to your core and say, Who am I in this creation? If your head is full of noise, youre not going to hear the voice of God. Seifert, 48, an advanced software support engineer for Oracle Corp., went to his first silent retreat five years ago after being invited by a friend from Lumen Christi Catholic Community. Now, he said, he wouldnt miss another. I mark time by it now, and I think about it all year, Seifert said. If work were to suddenly say, You cant go; something has come up, I would have to seriously think about quitting on the spot. The sound of silence At the beginning of each retreat, McCorkell asks the men to be perfectly still and notice what they do not hear. They dont hear traffic. They dont hear a radio blaring. They dont hear ads on TV. They dont hear their phones ringing, he said. Then I ask them what they do hear .... There is a sense in which you hear silence. Its like space; you create empty space. Known as retreatants, 90 percent of the men are Catholic. Many are on repeat visits; some now are grandfathers returning with their sons and grandsons, McCorkell said. A strict daily order is followed, beginning about 7 a.m. and plotted to the hour and half-hour, with blocks of free time. Lights are out at 10:15 p.m. Talking is allowed during two short recreation times Friday and Saturday nights, but strict silence is demanded for practically the entire retreat. The men stay in six Dutch colonial homes named in honor of St. Ignatius: Manresa, Xavier, Campion, Regis, Loyola and Bellarmine. The rooms are spartan a bed, small desk, chair, sink, suitcase rack and crucifix. There are no clocks; a bell alerts men to meal and prayer times. The predictability of the environment and the slow pace encourage silence, McCorkell said. We dont rush from one thing to the next, he said. Things are spaced far enough apart so that theres a physical slowing down. I talk about silence at three levels: verbal silence, the silence that is in your mind that you dont let a thousand thoughts come running or racing around and physical silence, just the way you move, how you close a door. Seifert said he likes the sameness of everything. He returns at the same time each year (the third weekend in January), stays in the same house and in the same room (Loyola, Room 23) and sits in the same seat at chapel (back row, on the left, go in four). He even hangs his coat on the same hook in the main building (first rack, third in from the left). In the dining room, you sit with the same guys at the same table, he said. For a joke once, one of the guys switched name tags around so we were all sitting in different chairs, and we were all, like, What is this? It rocked my world. I moved one seat over, and it was all different. Seifert spends part of one day walking a birch-lined path to a statue of St. Joseph and part of another hiking through a field to look for turkeys. As he walks, he said, he thinks of family, school friends, neighbors, work colleagues and God. Everyday life provides too many distractions, which can lead one away from what is important, he said. Demontreville brings you back. You can truly relax. At home, when you get up in the morning, you start running lists through your head and when you go out the door. . You dont have to do any of that there. Where else are you going to get that opportunity? One man said, Its the best thing Ive ever done as an adult. Thats a helluva statement. Quiet brings people back Larry McMahon, 76, of St. Paul has attended the retreats for 45 years. He relishes the silence, the solitude and the time to take stock. Its as if Im a company, and once a year Ive got to take an inventory and see whats going on, he said. McMahon said he worries about young people who are constantly surrounded by the noise of everyday life. Going on retreat has probably given me an outlook over the years to be less tolerant of the wired world we live in where everybody has got the Facebook or their smartphones in front of their noses, said McMahon, a retired print and packaging salesman for OlymPak Printing & Packaging in Brooklyn Park. Mike Zipko, who has attended since 1998, said he begins to unwind as soon he pulls into the front gates of the Jesuit Retreat House. The owner of Zipko Strategy, a St. Paul-based public affairs consultancy service, he is a self-proclaimed Type A personality. I have to be aware and engaged in all sorts of things whether its media and the community and things my clients are working on, he said. But, for me, being able to go and spend three days thinking about where am I at with my life, whats going on, what do I like and what am I going to do about it, is good. Zipko, who lives in Ellsworth, Wis., always attends the second weekend in January. He said he likes going early in the year because its a great way to change the oil, so to speak, in your brain. Taking time and space to really deprogram your brain and put it back together again in a world where were getting bombarded all the time is hard to do, he said. The bond of silence Amid their silence, McCorkell said, each group of men forms a bond. Its a marvelous thing how a commonness of purpose form among them and how they really do care for each other, he said. There is great freedom to be who you are. Nobody is judging anybody. There are no visible, measurable standards that people have to meet. . Ultimately, it comes down to Gods acceptance of who you are. McCorkell cites the Bible passage of Kings 19: 11-13 in which God shows himself to Elijah not as a big, huge wind, but as a small, gentle breeze. Theres no guarantee that in silence it will happen, he said, but you can pretty much guarantee that if it isnt silent, it wont happen. To really know, love and serve God, however, one must know oneself. Silence is essential if you are ever going to know who you are. You have to filter out all the noise at some point and get down to your core and say, Who am I in this creation? Rev. Patrick McCorkell, retreat house director Imagine the horror of being wrongly imprisoned for a heinous crime you didnt commit. In Wisconsin, that has happened to an estimated 40 people in the past 25 years. In addition to setting the person free, how much financial compensation will the state provide for that crushing error? The maximum is $25,000 an embarrassingly low amount. A bill that has passed the Assembly and will be considered in the Senate would increase the payout to $50,000 a year, to a maximum of $1 million, plus provide additional assistance to the wrongly convicted. While the state could never truly return those years behind bars, the additional compensation is long overdue. Sadly, theres a component of the legislation that we cant agree with and its troubling on more than one level. The legislation would require the court to seal all records of the criminal case involved in the wrongful verdict and remove records from the states online court records database if the wrongfully convicted person requests it. While that may seem like the fair thing to do, it is not. It isnt fair to the victim. It isnt fair to the rest of us. Our judicial system isnt perfect, but its the best system we have. Mistakes happen. Juries and judges can get it wrong. And, with the increasing use of sophisticated technology, new evidence can change the result of a case. We should all have the right to know about and examine the cases in which errors occur. Democracy can be a messy business. Having the ability to openly scrutinize that public business regardless of the branch of government is a crucial tenet of democracy. Lets also consider the person who was wrongly imprisoned. On the surface, sealing all records of the criminal case may seem like a humane approach. The legislation allows records sealed under this section shall be accessible to the person but may not be available for public inspection or through the consolidated court automation program case management system. But after all the publicity involving a criminal conviction, what happens if the person cant refer a friend or a prospective employer to the court record either in the court file or the digital record through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, known as CCAP, to prove that the conviction was in error? You cant expunge all of the information about the conviction from Internet searches, so why would you seal the record that proves innocence? Why doesnt the state in bold words listed on court records and on the online court files let everyone know that the person was wrongfully convicted of the crime and has been released from custody because of the error? That truly is the most humane way to treat the person who was wrongly convicted. And its the most transparent way to admit that justice isnt always accurately served. TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD The American Locomotive Co. was once one of the largest builders of steam engines in the world. In 1907, six years after the New York company was formed by a merger of the Schenectady Locomotive Works and seven other companies, ALCO, as it was then known, set a production record. Its 6,200 workers built 942 locomotives, turning out an average of 18 of the steel and cast iron behemoths every week at a cost of about $20,000 each, according to the Schenectady Digital History Archive. Restoring just one of the 60-ton pieces of history is taking considerably more time and money. More than two years after one of ALCOs locomotives was taken apart and shipped 37 miles from North Freedom to a rural machine shop north of Middleton, nearly two years of work still remain on the $2 million rebuild. The 1385, built for the Chicago & North Western Railroad and owned for over 50 years by the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in central Sauk County, is starting to look like its old self again. But the relic that used to pull the Great Circus Train from Baraboo to Milwaukee and back might not hit the Mid-Continent tracks until 2018. A project of this magnitude takes patience. Its been a very long, long process, said Peter Deets, a volunteer with the museum and the last person to fire up the locomotives engine before it was taken out of service in 1998. Everything thats been done here has equaled if not surpassed original build. And thats really what our aim is, to return the engine to original build specifications. So when an open house is held Feb. 20 and 21 at SPEC Machine, 7175 Riles Road, fans of the massive undertaking will see progress but not a locomotive ready for a tender filled with coal. The engines three sets of 63-inch-diameter drive wheels, one set of which weighs 15,000 pounds, are resting on tracks in the rear of the shop and are connected to the 40-foot-long chassis. The drive arms are attached, much of the locomotive has coats of fresh paint and there are newly minted parts made of steel and brass. The wooden cab is nearing completion at a shop in Fond du Lac, while the design of the boiler could be completed this spring by Performance Engineering in Waunakee. Instead of using rivets, the boiler will be welded this summer by Hamon Deltak, a maker of industrial boilers and steam generators in Plymouth, Minnesota. But the bulk of the restoration is being done at SPEC Machine, where owner Steve Roudebush has used lathes and milling machines to repair farm implements and create highly specialized parts and machines for biomedical, manufacturing and food companies. His shop has also made high-tech rat cages for experiments aboard the International Space Station. Working on the locomotive for Roudebush, who has an affinity for anything steam-related, has been a passion more than a business decision. Its important for me to see it run again, Roudebush said. Every part you need to make it, fit it, and see how it affected the 14 pieces in front of it and the 14 pieces that follow it. And thats what takes so much time, the researching. The locomotive was a workhorse for the Chicago & North Western Railroad from 1907 to 1956. When it was retired, Mid-Continent members scraped together $2,600 to buy it in 1961. Beginning in 1963, the locomotive pulled cars on the museums 3.5 miles of track but was taken out of service in 1998 for what museum officials thought would be $125,000 in boiler repairs. A closer inspection revealed the engine needed a complete restoration that is now being paid for through donations and grants. When completed, the 1385 will become the only operating C&NW steam locomotive in the country and one of only eight that have been preserved. But the restoration is about more than just bringing a piece of history back to life. The 1385 is tied to the future success of Mid-Continent, a nonprofit museum that showcases railroad equipment made between between 1885 and 1915, when steam locomotives moved 90 percent of the nations passengers and freight. A working 1385 has the potential to draw thousands of tourists each year to the museum, located a short drive from the tourist hotbed of Wisconsin Dells, officials say. Roudebush, 52, who grew up in Waunakee and remembers the Circus Train rolling through the village, has used old photos, history books and over 700 blueprint drawings from the Lake States Railway Historical Association in Baraboo to guide him on the restoration. He also has a series of encyclopedias on locomotive construction from 1908 and another set of 14 books from 1910 that cover topics like engine management and installation, steam engine and valve gears, and riveted joints. It all looks like big pieces but every big piece has a whole heap of little pieces rolled into it, and they all need attention and care, Roudebush said of the locomotives design. Its been a lot of work because nothing is straightforward. The front truck (four smaller wheels that sit in front of the drive wheels) of the locomotive is in pieces, with the frame of the truck being recreated after decades of wear that has compromised much of the steel beyond repair, including the pins and bushings. The footplate of the locomotive, which serves as the connector between the frame and drawbar and needs to withstand massive forces, was littered with cracks and replaced with a stronger version. An Underwood portable boring bar machine from the 1890s was recently used to bore out one of the locomotives cylinders. The machine is a collection of gears, drive shafts and cutting heads driven by an air motor. The antique device is from Mid-Continents museum collection and has been used on two other locomotives over the years. The machine that they built to maintain the machine still can hold the accuracy and still does everything we need it to do to todays standards, Deets, the museum volunteer, said. It was designed for this purpose and its also honoring the people who built these machines and maintained them. ONALASKA Before there was plastic, people kept their dresses, shirts and pants fastened with mother-of-pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is the iridescent lining found on the inside clam shells. The demand for the fasteners before the era of plastics created a flourishing industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The history of clamming on the Mississippi and Black rivers will be the topic of a program to be presented at the Onalaska Area Historical Societys meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16. Storyteller Terry Visger will share what shes learned about the history of clamming in the area. Visgers interest in freshwater mussels began when she and her husband, Ken, volunteered at the Genoa fishery of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Visger learned some mussels are the most endangered animals in the area. The story Visger created for La Crosses 150th anniversary is one that could have been told by the wife of a clammer. When I needed a story for the La Crosse sesquicentennial, I thought of the mussels, and so researched the pearl button industry in La Crosse, said Visger. I discuss how the pearl button industry started and how mussels were harvested. I tell a lot about pearl buying and the different pearls that were found in the different mussels. I also tell a little bit about the Wisconsin Pearl Button Co. in La Crosse. Clammers began harvesting mussels heavily in the late 19th century, taking millions of clams from the Black and Mississippi rivers for the button-making trade. Clammers could harvest as much as a ton of clams in one day. Those clammers gave clam varieties nicknames, and many are still known today by these monikers, such as pistol grip, maple leaf, snuffbox, monkeyface and pimpleback. At one time, there were 500 clammers in the state harvesting on a seasonal basis. The clamming industry basically stopped in the 1940s after plastics were developed and used to make buttons. There was a short revival in clamming in the 1970s and 80s when clam shells were used for the overseas pearl industry. Bits of the shells were placed in the oysters to serve as the seed for the pearl. Of Wisconsins 50 native species of mussels, 18 are now considered threatened or endangered. The harvesting of the mollusks is now heavily regulated because of over-harvesting during the clamming heyday. Because poaching endangered native mussel populations, clamming has essentially been shut down. According to Lisie Kitchel, conservation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation, mussels and clams have a greater value in improving environment than in producing pearls and buttons. The mollusks filter the water in which they live, removing pollutants suspended in the streams. The mollusks prefer gently moving, cool water. In the right environment, they can live a long time; some species in Europe have been determined to be 200 years old. The rings on the shell indicate how old they are, similar to aging trees. I just enjoy the different mussels, their story and the story of the pearl buttons, said Visger. As a family we started looking for mussels that were stranded on sandbars and returned them to the river. Visgers interest has led her to collect shells and other artifacts from the clamming era. Her collection includes hooks and buttons as well as shells. Shell have the items on display for viewing before and after the program. After telling her tale about clamming on the Mississippi River, Visger will take questions about mussels and the industry. Why are so many people enamored with Hillary Clinton? During her lackluster political career, the former secretary of State and Democratic candidate for president has accomplished virtually nothing. Unless, of course, you count the numerous scandals, controversies, coverups and deceitful practices for which she is credited. Dont be fooled by her smile or bobble head tirelessly bouncing up and down. Its all phony. The Clintons are reportedly worth more than $200 million. Really, folks, do you honestly think she cares about us normal people? Not by a long shot. She only cares about herself. Watching her gallop across Iowa, slinging her rhetoric the farmers know they will not have to fertilize their fields this spring, thanks to her manure. Do not vote for her just because she is a woman; the future of this country is at stake. Clinton is a liar, and she should be in prison for her misdeeds. Whatever happened to the $6 billion that went missing from the State Department under her watch? And of course, there was the Whitewater real estate scandal and coverup. And many more. Clinton is so arrogant, so callous, and she jokes about highly sensitive emails on her private server like they dont matter. This is the person who wants to be president? And will President Barack Obama's Justice Department indict her? Clinton should be disqualified from even running for president. She cannot be trusted. A vote for her is a vote for the demise of this country. At the end of this year, there will be four states Washington, California, Oregon and Vermont that will have legalized physician-assisted suicide. Only a few candidates for president have taken a position on this issue, but I think it's a topic that should be addressed by all candidates before the election. Physician-assisted suicide has helped hundreds of terminally ill patients die with dignity. It has put them out of the unfathomable pain they would have had to endure in the last few months of their lives. When a pet is dying, its owners do not force the animal to live out its life in pain. I struggle to see the difference between euthanizing an animal and the use of physician-assisted suicide on humans. How can we justify keeping a dying person alive when we have alternative methods that would allow them to pass painlessly? Whoever wrote the headline "Delay in clean power plan stokes worries about Paris climate treaty" (Thursday's Tribune) lives in a different world than I do. There was no climate treaty" in Paris. At best, there was kind of a gentlemens agreement to try harder. There were no solid goals and there are no penalties. Treaties require ratification, but, in this case, there was nothing to ratify. The quote about the president's credibility on the issue was a joke. You cannot have credibility on anything when you lead from behind and make no effort to sell the importance of your plan to Congress or the American people. The United States already has reduced carbon dioxide emissions more than any country in the world, and it has had zero effect. The costs for that achievement already have been high, and the clean power plan will make those already high costs climb exponentially. To accomplish what the United Nations is proposing will require we stop eating meat, stop driving cars and flying airplanes, and stop heating our homes. No one is talking much about the specifics of what is realistically required to achieve these goals that may or may not even be meaningful. This whole subject is a fools errand until we have far more knowledge than we have today and then have clear goals that will provide specific results. With those goals come meaningful consequences for failure to achieve the objectives. Otherwise the whole effort is nothing but a feel-good moment. MEXICO CITY (AP) Pope Francis challenged Mexicos political and ecclesial elites on Saturday to provide their people with security, justice and courageous pastoral care to confront the drug-inspired violence and corruption that are wracking the country, delivering a tough-love message to Mexicos ruling classes on his first full day in the country. The raucous welcome Francis received from cheering Mexicans who lined his motorcade route seven-deep contrasted sharply with his pointed criticism of how church and state leaders here have often failed their people, especially the poorest and most marginalized. Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development, he told government authorities at the presidential palace. In a subsequent hard-hitting speech to his own bishops, Francis challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexicos wealthy and powerful to courageously denounce the insidious threat posed by the drug trade and not hide behind their own privilege and careers. He told them to be true pastors, close to their people, and to develop a coherent plan to help Mexicans finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened. The speech was met with tepid applause, with only a handful of bishops standing in ovation. Francis entire five-day trip to Mexico is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the churchs shortcomings and the governments failure to solve entrenched social ills that plague many parts of the country poverty, rampant drug-inspired gangland killings, extortion, disappearances of women, crooked cops and failed public services. Over the coming days, Francis will travel to the crime-ridden Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec, preach to Indians in poverty-stricken Chiapas, offer solidarity to victims of drug violence in Morelia and, finally, pay respects to migrants who have died trying to reach the United States with a cross-border Mass in Ciudad Juarez. The grueling schedule appeared to be already taking a toll: By Saturday evening, Francis seemed tired and winded. He appeared to doze off during Mass and lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him to pray before the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The 79-year-old Francis has had an exhausting two days, with back-to-back public events, dozens miles spent standing in his popemobile and a seven-hour time zone difference. In addition, Mexico Citys altitude of more than 7,000 feet provides a challenge to anyone not acclimatized, perhaps more for Francis who lost part of one lung as a young man. Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death. Pope Francis 93-year-old woman dies after house fire near River Falls -- RIVER FALLS The Pierce County Sheriff's Department says a 93-year-old woman has died after a fire destroyed her home near River Falls in western Wisconsin. The fire was reported around 10:30 a.m. Friday. The sheriff's department says the lone occupant of the home, Alice M. Merta, was flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she died at 8 p.m. of injuries she suffered in the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but no foul play is suspected. Man imprisoned in 2013 home invasion hangs himself -- PORTAGE A man convicted in a 2013 home invasion and sexual assault in Milwaukee apparently hung himself in his cell at the Columbia Correctional Institution, authorities said. A statement Friday from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office said staff at the state-run maximum security prison brought down and unsuccessfully attempted to revive Julio Quiles-Guzman, 25, after he was found about 5 a.m. Thursday. It said initial autopsy results indicated that Quiles-Guzman killed himself, and foul play is not suspected. Quiles-Guzman was convicted in 2014 of first-degree sexual assault and robbery for the June 2013 home invasion, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported . Court records show he was sentenced to 42 years in prison and 18 years of extended supervision. 80-year-old woman dies in house fire -- MILWAUKEE Authorities say an 80-year-old woman has died in a house fire in Milwaukee. Police and fire officials say the fire at the home on Milwaukee's south side was reported just before 7:30 p.m. Friday. Police say the blaze started in the kitchen and was put out quickly. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The woman died at the scene. Her name was not immediately released. Russia: West rekindling the Cold War MUNICH Russias prime minister accused NATO on Saturday of restarting the Cold War amid increased military maneuvers and troop deployments to countries neighboring Russia, moves the alliances top official defended as a necessary response to aggression from Moscow. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a meeting of top defense officials, diplomats and national leaders that sanctions imposed after Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and new moves by NATO only aggravate tensions. The comments came after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told the Munich Security Conference that Russias rhetoric, posture and exercises of its nuclear forces are aimed at intimidating its neighbors, undermining trust and stability in Europe. Hopes of Syria truce dim MUNICH Hopes of securing a temporary truce in Syria within a week dimmed Saturday as Syrian government forces tightened the noose around rebel-held parts of Aleppo and Russias foreign minister put the chances of a quick truce at less than 50 percent. His comments and strong words from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry underscored deep U.S.-Russian disagreements over Syria. Further complicating the picture, Turkeys foreign minister said his country and Saudi Arabia may launch ground operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, Turkish media reported Saturday. Neurological disorder on rise in Zika outbreak BERLIN A rare neurological disorder is on the rise in several Latin American countries that are also seeing an outbreak of the Zika virus, the World Health Organization said Saturday. The U.N. health body in Geneva said in a weekly report that Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis, has been reported in Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela. The increase in Guillain-Barre cases is appearing in conjunction with the spread of the Zika virus to 34 countries and also with increasing cases of microcephaly, a rare condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads. 2 heavily armed men arrested near Turkish border THESSALONIKI, Greece Greek authorities say they have arrested two heavily armed suspects near the border with Turkey. A high-ranking security official said the suspects were both Iraqi-born British subjects in their 20s. The two were arrested Saturday night by coast guard officers near the port of the northeastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis. They were driving a trailer. The suspects were carrying more than a dozen guns and well over 20,000 bullets, the security official says. The two are not on any terrorist or criminal database. You have the power to keep local news strong for the coming months. Your financial support today keeps our reporters ready to meet the needs of our city. Thank you for investing in your community. Stories like these are only possible with your help! Start your day with LAist Sign up for How To LA, delivered weekday mornings. Subscribe Between 1910 and 1970, 6 million Black Americans left the rural South for urban areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and Westincluding, of course, Los Angeles. During this "Great Migration" the populations of northern industrial cities like Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia exploded with Black Americans looking to escape the increasingly-frequent lynchings, racism, and lack of economic opportunity. Detroit's Black population, for example grew from 6,000 to 120,000that's a 2,000 percent increasebetween 1915 and 1920 alone. The Great Migration would naturally come to Los Angeles, but it would take a bit longer before it reached the kinds of stratospheric population increases as its Northern and Midwestern counterparts. In 1910, there were 7,599 Black individuals living in Los Angeles. By 1920, that number nearly doubled to 15,579. It wasn't until the 1930s and postwar years that the Great Migration as we knew it shaped the population of Los Angeles. As KCET's Kelly Simpson notes in her series of articles on the Great Migration in L.A, that yes, although the city's Black population didn't really surge until the postwar years, there was nonetheless already a decades-long history of Southern Black migration to Los Angeles. Between the 1890s and 1910 in Los Angeles, as Simpson writes, Large groups of Black Americans migrated to Los Angeles from Texas, Shreveport, New Orleans and Atlanta to escape the racial violence and bigotry of the South with hopes for better access to wealth. Job opportunities were plentiful, including hauling lumber, digging ditches, cleaning toilets, laying brick, scrubbing laundry and shining shoes. Black migrants quickly laid claim to Central Avenue between 8th and 20th Streets in Downtown Los Angeles, and the area became known as "Brick Block" - with clubs, churches black-owned businesses and newspapers like the California Eagle supplying community needs. This particular batch of photos, culled from the Los Angeles Public Library's photo collectionspecifically, the Shades of L.A. projectshowcase the era Simpson writes about, up until the population turning point of the 1930s. Saturday, February 13, 2016 The Washington Post obituary is here. In a statement Saturday, Chief Justice John G. Roberts said: On behalf of the Court and retired Justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family. In the first official notice of Justice Scalias death, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said: Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans. We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Some of the first reports were from Texas media, including one from a San Antonio outlet: Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said. Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa. According to a report, Scalia arrived at the ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people. When he did not appear for breakfast, a person associated with the ranch went to his room and found a body. from the official Supreme Court biography: Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice,was born in Trenton, New Jersey, March 11, 1936. He married Maureen McCarthy and has nine children - Ann Forrest, Eugene, John Francis, Catherine Elisabeth, Mary Clare, Paul David, Matthew, Christopher James, and Margaret Jane. He received his A.B. from Georgetown University and the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and his LL.B. from Harvard Law School, and was a Sheldon Fellow of Harvard University from 19601961. He was in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio from 19611967, a Professor of Law at the University of Virginia from 19671971, and a Professor of Law at the University of Chicago from 19771982, and a Visiting Professor of Law at Georgetown University and Stanford University. He was chairman of the American Bar Associations Section of Administrative Law, 19811982, and its Conference of Section Chairmen, 19821983. He served the federal government as General Counsel of the Office of Telecommunications Policy from 19711972, Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States from 19721974, and Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel from 19741977. He was appointed Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1982. President Reagan nominated him as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and he took his seat September 26, 1986. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/conlaw/2016/02/in-memoriam-justice-antonin-scalia.html Benjamin Banneker was born in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1731. His mother was a free black. His father was a freed slave. At the time, the American colonies were heavily engaged in the slave trade from Africa. Around the time Banneker was born, about 37,000 enslaved people arrived in the colonies. Free black people such as Banneker were rare. Free blacks also faced the risk of being kidnapped and sold as slaves. A talented youth Young Benjamin Banneker showed remarkable skill in mathematics and mechanics. He did not regularly go to school because of his work on the family farm. But he did briefly attend a local Quaker school. Quakers are a religious community who believe in racial equality, an unusual idea at the time. The mechanics of machines greatly interested young Banneker. He showed his mechanical abilities by building an accurate clock made of wood, at the age of 22. Some say it was the only clock of its kind in the Americas. The device continued to run for many years until it was destroyed by fire. Banneker also used his mathematical knowledge to calculate the time of a solar eclipse. That knowledge was also useful in calculating longitude and latitude, methods for finding a places position on the globe. Planning the nations capital As a young man, Banneker developed a working relationship with a surveyor named Andrew Ellicott. Surveying is the measuring and mapping of land. It was an important task in a young country where land records needed to be made. Many influential men, including George Washington, worked as surveyors. In 1791, Ellicott was given the task of surveying land for the new federal district that would become the capital of the United States. Ellicott hired Banneker to help him. They worked to set accurate boundaries for the District of Columbia. Banneker is credited with positioning the starting point at Jones Point in Alexandria, Virginia. An almanac Banneker put his abilities to use in other ways, too. He began publishing an almanac in 1792. Almanacs are books containing a wide range of information. They often include times and dates for astronomical events, like sunrise and sunset and for high and low tides. It was the kind of information that farmers or fishermen around the Chesapeake Bay would need and use. In addition, Bannekers almanac gave times for meetings of the courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as essays and other interesting writings. The almanac was titled the Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Almanac and Ephemeris. Creating it gave Banneker an idea. The year before the first copy was published, he sent an early version to Thomas Jefferson, who was then the secretary of state. With the book, Banneker sent a letter. Letter to Jefferson Jefferson was known throughout the country as the author of the Declaration of Independence. Banneker knew the document stated that all men are created equal. It also said that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Banneker considered it unfair that those rights should not be recognized for all people in the country. He said in his letter that Jefferson proposed to safeguard the rights of the people when he wrote his famous document. This, Sir, was a time when you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery, and in which you had just apprehensions of the horrors of its condition. Jefferson, then the nations secretary of state, replied to Bannekers letter. He said, No body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colors of men. The letter and Jeffersons reply to it raise important questions about the condition of slaves and the young nations dedication to liberty. But it also questioned the thoughts and opinions of one of the most famous politicians and thinkers in America at the time. These questions are not easy to answer and they can be asked again and again by successive generations. Banneker published six almanacs in 28 editions. He continued to live on his farm until his death in 1806. By that time, Thomas Jefferson was serving his second term as President of the United States. The letter to Benjamin Banneker from Thomas Jefferson can be found online at the Library of Congress website. Mario Ritter wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly J. Kelly and Kathleen Struck were the editors. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story accurate adj. able to produce results that are correct longitude n. the distance measured by degrees from east to west around the globe latitude n. the distance measured in degrees north to south ephemeris n. an document that gives times, dates and position for astronomical objects in the sky like the sun, moon and planets unalienable adj. impossible to take away or give up apprehensions n. fear that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen, worries brethren n. a formal way to say brothers or to refer to fellow members of a church The sudden death of United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday quickly became part of the presidential campaign. Republicans campaigning for the partys presidential nomination said President Barack Obama -- a Democrat -- should not try to replace Scalia before he leaves office in January. They said he is too close to the end of his presidency. Republican front-runner Donald Trump even called on Republican Senate leaders to block the nomination. He said, Its called delay, delay, delay. But Democrats said it is the duty of the president to name new justices no matter how soon his or her presidency is to end. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton told supporters the president has a responsibility to nominate a new justice and the Senate has a responsibility to vote. Justices serve on the Supreme Court until they leave voluntarily or die. Some of them serve for many years after the president who named them leaves office. Obama said Saturday that he would seek Senate approval for a new justice before he leaves office. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, he said. The president also called on the Senate to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. Theyre bigger than any one party -- theyre about a democracy. Republican Mitch McConnell is the Senate Majority Leader. He said the president should not nominate a new justice. The U.S. Constitution gives the Senate the power to approve a presidential nominee for the Supreme Court. Some political experts have said if the president were a Republican with little time left in office, Democrats would be calling for him or her not to name a new justice. And they would be calling on the Senate not to vote on the nominee. In other words, the experts believe that a politicians positions change depending on whether they believe it is good for their political party. If the Senate does not confirm a new justice before Obama leaves office, the seat will be empty for almost a year. It is unusual for a seat on the court to be empty for so long. In the past 100 years, ten justices have died while they were on the court. They were replaced within about three months on average. Republicans say a Supreme Court justice should not be named in a presidential election year. But 14 justices have been approved in the same year as a presidential election, including in 1988. Many important cases on the court are decided by a vote of 5 to 4. Scalia was often on the winning side of cases that conservatives supported. But now, without his vote, conservatives cannot win many of their cases because there are four liberals on the court. A Supreme Court that has eight members can still decide some cases, if more than four justices agree. Without a fifth vote, many important cases cannot be decided. This year the court was to consider many difficult issues -- including abortion, immigration and religious freedom. Im Jonathan Evans. VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. In Jordan, some people are using theater to suggest a different path than terrorism. The goal is to use actors to show dangers facing young people who join the Islamic State or other terrorist groups. Our role is to produce plays, TV drama, tackling the danger of extremism, a Jordanian actor told VOA. It is considered a powerful way to fight extremist ideology. The goal is to offer another view than the one presented by terrorist groups through social media. He said terrorists are using social media to seduce youth. A Jordanian actress said she is playing a mother trying to protect her children from extremism. The theater group aims its shows at university students. The shows call for taking care of family and respect for all religions. The group mixes serious messages with humor. The actors say they cannot get their message across if they take a serious tone throughout the shows. In the United States, President Barack Obama recently visited a mosque. He talked about ways to combat terrorism. Obama said it is important for Americans to show respect for Muslims and all they do for the U.S., including serving in the military and Department of Homeland Security. I want every American to remember how Muslim communities are standing up for others, Obama said. Because right now, as we speak, there are Muslims in Kenya who saved Christians from terrorists, and Muslims who just met in Morocco to protect religious minorities, including Christians and Jews. He also said Muslim leaders should speak out against terrorism. And while Obama said Muslims should feel free to criticize the United States, a right belonging to all Americans, there should be a balance. Muslim political leaders have to push back on the lie that the West oppresses Muslims and against conspiracy theories that say America is the cause of every ill in the Middle East, Obama said. I'm Mario Ritter. Haider al Abdadi reported on this story from Jordan for VOA. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story role n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation ideology n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group seduce v. to persuade someone to do something tone n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing conspiracy adj. the believe that some people are engaging in a secret harmful or illegal activity LINCOLN,Neb. -K2 and other forms of synthetic marijuana, and the retailers that sell the products, are the targets of State Senator Matt Williamss LB 1009. The bill creates a new definition of lookalike drugs, and give law enforcement the ability to move quickly against them as well as provide steep financial penalties for businesses that sell them. Williams said he saw a lot of frustration during last years session that the Unicameral was unable to get a law passed dealing with K2 and other lookalike drugs. That inspired him to work with a fellow senator to put together a working task force. We had prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, crime lab personnel, the pharmaceutical industry, and asked, What is our common goal? We found it was getting K2 off the shelves and keeping it off, Williams said. For the first time that I know of, we had everybody working together for the common goal. All too often around here, people dont seek the advice and help of others, he continued. K2 and the like are often labeled as incense or potpourri, and not intended for human consumption, Williams said, which has previously allowed businesses to avoid culpability. Additionally, attempts to ban specific compounds meant that chemists could slightly adjust the formula to keep the product legal. By making a definition for lookalike drugs, LB1009 will make such maneuvering by chemists a moot point. Alaska and Indiana both have lookalike laws that served as an inspiration for LB1009, though the bill was crafted to suit Nebraska specifically, Williams said. If passed into law, police officers will be able to seize suspected lookalike drugs from store shelves, have the substance tested, and then prosecute the retailer. Currently, if officers do not know for certain that a product is a controlled substance, it cannot be seized. Along with empowering law enforcement, the bill also creates substantial financial risk for businesses that sell lookalike drugs. It creates a new liability in Nebraska under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If a business is selling or manufacturing a substance deemed to be a lookalike drug, they can be charged as a civil penalty matter, Williams said. It really is just a handful of retailers who are trying to profit from the sale of this horribly dangerous product. LB1009 is directed right at their heart, he added. The bill was passed out of committee following a hearing that saw no opposing testimony. The bill will be prioritized, and I see virtually no opposition to it. I think it will be passed, Williams said. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS TO LITTLE INDIE BLOGS Artists/bands wishing to have their product reviewed, please adhere to the followi... This blog is written at irregular intervals by Lameen Souag , a researcher at LACITO (CNRS) in Paris focusing on historical linguistics and language contact in North Africa and the Sahel.If your preferred feed is Twitter, you can follow @lameensouag to get links to new posts here as they appear. 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The weather at Khardung La remains extremely poor and all attempts to bring the mortal remains of the nine soldiers to Leh are being made, a senior Army official said. If weather permits, the bodies will be brought to the national capital not before Monday, he said. A wreath-laying ceremony is expected to be held in New Delhi. "Plan to further move the mortal remains to Bangalore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Madurai, Pune, Hyderabad, is in place," he said. The mortal remains of nine soldiers were transported from Siachen Glacier to Siachen Base Camp in helicopters on Saturday. A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine other soldiers of Madras Regiment were buried under the avalanche on 3 February. While Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad was miraculously dug out alive, the bodies of nine others were recovered on 9 February. One of those killed was Subedar Nagesha TT, a highly motivated and physically fit Junior Commissioned Officer. The JCO had served 12 years in tough field areas out of his 22 years of service. During his illustrious career, he had taken part in 'Operation Parakaram' where he laid and recovered large number of mines. He also participated in Operation Rakshak at Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir for two years where he was actively involved in counter-insurgency operations. He volunteered to serve with Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir for two years. The JCO also volunteered to serve as a Commando in NSG for three years. Later, he went to North East from 2009 to 2012 to take part in 'Operation Rhino' where he was part of several successful operations against the militants as the ghatak platoon JCO. His colleagues remember him as 'Rambo' who used to lift others weapons as well as load in addition to his own. He was highly adventurous and also did a para-motor course with outstanding grading. He is survived by wife Asha and two sons Amit TN and Preetham TN aged six and four respectively. The others killed in the avalanche were Havildar Elumalai M of Dukkam Parai village, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, Lance Havildar S Kumar of Kumanan Thozhu village, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, Lance Naik Sudheesh of Monroethuruth village, Kollam district, Kerala and Sepoy Mahesha PN of HD Kote village, Mysore district, Karnataka. Sepoy Ganesan of Chokkathevan Patti village, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, Sepoy Rama Moorthy of Gudisatana Palli village, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed of Parnapalle village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh and Sepoy (Nursing Assistant) Suryawanshi S V of Maskarwadi village, Satara district, Maharashtra are the others. PTI Chandigarh: A 22-year-old woman who had given birth to a child recently, was allegedly sexually assaulted in the ICU of a private hospital at Bahadurgarh in Haryana's Jhajjar district. Police has launched raids in Bahadurgarh and its neighbouring areas to nab the accused whose movements were captured on CCTV cameras installed at the hospital. The incident occurred early Saturday when the man walked inside the hospital and committed the crime, Jhajjar SP, Sumit Kumar said on Sunday. "The 22-year-old woman was assaulted by the man. The victim first thought a doctor was examining her and soon thereafter the accused walked out after committing the crime," Kumar said. He said the pictures of the accused had been captured by CCTV cameras as he is seen walking in the hospital's corridors and parking area. "According to the clues we have obtained from the footage, he had come in a Hyundai Elantra car. We are hopeful of arresting him soon," he said. The SP said that though their priority was to arrest the accused, action will be initiated against hospital staff and security as well if negligence on their part is found. "Of course, we are questioning the hospital authorities to establish how a man managed to walk inside the hospital ICU and commit the crime without anyone coming to know about it," he said. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said police had been directed to take swift action in the matter. "Stern action will be taken against the accused as per law," Vij said. Vij said the same man was stated to have visited another private hospital nearby some time after the first incident, where he had tried to repeat his action. "Police is already on the job and the accused will be nabbed soon," Vij said. Bahadurgarh DSP Ajit Singh said a case under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and other relevant provisions has been registered against the unidentified accused. "The woman thought a doctor had come to examine her. However, after realising that something was not right, she objected, after which the accused walked away," he said. Police said the accused was said to be wearing a 'white coat' resembling the attire worn by doctors. The victim had recently delivered a child through a caesarean operation and was admitted in the ICU at the private hospital in Jhajjar. Police said CCTV footage showed a man getting down from the Elantra car outside the hospital, at around 3.30 am, and going straight to the ICU. He is also seen leaving the hospital. After the incident, the woman called a nurse to inform her husband who later lodged a complaint with police. PTI Allahabad: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the JNU stir received support from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and this needs to be understood by the nation even as he asked political parties not to view such protests through the prism of political gains or losses. "The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate." "Never should have something been done which puts a question mark over the country's sovereignty and integrity. On such occasions, the entire country should be speaking in one voice. I would also appeal all political parties not to view such episodes through the prism of political gains and losses," Singh told reporters in Allahabad. Asked about the investigation regarding the JNU incident, he said, "Necessary instructions have been given (to the authorities concerned). I have made one thing clear that those who are found guilty should face action but the ones who are not, should not be harassed at any cost." Responding to questions on the arrest of JNU Student's Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and allegations that he may have been falsely implicated, the Home Minister said, "We should allow the investigation to take place unhindered. The police must have acted on the basis of some evidence." His comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet by the handle named HafeezSaeedJUD which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers.' The Home Minister was in the city on a brief visit, to meet West Bengal Governor and senior party colleague Keshri Nath Tripathi and condole the death of his wife who passed away a fortnight ago while undergoing treatment at the AIIMS, New Delhi. Singh said, "Whosoever targets the unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation or tries to cause hurt at a scale which affects the country's honour will not be forgiven at all." He later tweeted, "I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty & integrity of the country." The Home Minister said, "Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed." He also tweeted, "I seek cooperation and support from all political parties & people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces." On Tuesday, an event was held inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, following which a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy was registered and the JNUSU president was arrested. The police have formed teams which are looking for 13 other students for their alleged involvement in the event. On Friday, Singh had warned of "strongest possible" action against those involved in raising anti-India slogans during the event. "If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on country's unity and integrity, they will not be spared. Stringent action will be taken against them," he had told reporters in Allahabad. The Home Minister had said he asked Delhi Police to take "strongest possible action" against those who were allegedly involved in anti-India acts in JNU. PTI New Delhi: A group of youths on Sunday tried to vandalise the CPI(M) headquarters here as the police detained one of them. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. While the CPI(M) said the attackers were RSS-BJP workers who also hurled stones, the police said the detainee claimed to be member of an outfit called the 'Aam Aadmi Sena'. "Three youths came to the office of CPI(M) where they sprayed black ink on the wall of the office building. While, two of them managed to flee, one was held by CPI(M) workers and handed over to police," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. "The youth, identified as Sushant Khosla, told police that he is a member of the Aam Aadmi Sena. We have initiated legal action in connection with the matter and investigation has been taken up," he added. Confirming the attack, CPI(M) General Sitaram Yechury said "they tried to write slogans like Pakistan Zindabad at our office board. They were pursued by our comrades and one of them was caught and handed over to the police." "We condemn this attack. The RSS which venerates the assassins of Mahatma Gandhi, is now branding the most secular democratic force, the CPI(M), as anti-national. "We do not need certificates of patriotism from the murderers of Gandhi. We will meet this challenge politically," he told PTI. "The RSS is doing this to divert attention from the complete mess they have brought to the country in terms of economic and social conditions. They want to divert the attention of the people by whipping communal polarisation," Yechury said. CPI(M) sources said the youths threw stones and shouted slogans like 'CPI(M) Desh Chhodo' (CPI-M quit the country). CPI National Secretary D Raja strongly condemned the attack on the CPI(M) office and said "the Sangh Parivar cannot subvert our democratic political system and the constitutional arrangement of our polity." "If they have anything to argue, they can argue but they should not resort to such cowardly and uncivilised attacks," Raja said. Yechury later shared a picture of the board at the party headquarters which was defaced. He stressed the alleged attack was a move aimed at "scaring" the Communist party members, which he termed as "Gujarat Model". "Tweet ka jawab pathar se? Just a poser to Home Minister and #SanghiHandles deface our Central Office! #GujaratModel." "Our accessible office now has barricades. Their idea is to try and scare us off! Us today-who tomorrow #GujaratModel," he tweeted. PTI New Delhi: With all Left parties extending support to their unions in Jawaharlal Nehru University, the stage is set for an all-out political battle over the police crackdown on students. They have decided to adopt a multi-pronged approach, along with friendly political parties such as the JD(U), to counter the growing intolerance on the university campuses and the RSS interference in the academia. What gives an air of urgency to their moves is the fact that the name of CPI general secretary D Rajas daughter Aparajita figures on the list of suspects of the Delhi Police. She is a member of CPI-backed students union All India Student Federation (AISF). BJP MP Mahesh Giri on Saturday levelled serious allegations against her, saying she was present during the anti-India protest in JNU and was raising slogans. CPI leader Raja who had earlier condemned the arrest said, We have demanded that police must be withdrawn from the JNU campus and the university must be allowed to function in a normal way. And who are they to question the integrity of my daughter or me? Let the nation that Raja is doing anti-national activity," he said. On Saturday, besides convincing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to institute a magisterial probe into the authenticity of the sedition charges slapped against JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja and JD (U) spokesperson KC Tyagi met Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday to discuss the JNU fiasco. Providing clarity to Lefts stand on the JNU row and claiming non-involvement of its students body, the CPI (M) central committee member, Badal Saroj said, The incident needs to be seen on three aspects. First, the group that raised slogans and hailed Afzal Guru on 9 February was not from any of the Left-affiliated students unions. Second, despite CPM-affiliated Students Federation of India (SFI) not being a part of it, crackdown was on them along with All India Students Association (AISA). SFI is anyway ranks third in the campus. The Left-backed unions have already distanced themselves from this JNU issue. They had nothing to do with the particular group. Third, let proper authorities concerned investigate and take action. Instead, the entire matter was politicized by the BJP, after its students body Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged demonstration in the campus and at India Gate on Friday. Students who were not involved in hailing Afzal Guru were also named by the police. BJP wants to introduce RSS agenda in academic institutions and universities, and the government wants to crush any voice against this. In India, PDP is the only political party known for openly supporting and hailing Afzal Guru. They asked for his body back in Kashmir after he was hanged. Its the BJP, and not the Left that has joined hands with PDP in forming government in J&K. This is BJP and RSS ideology. The NDA should first understand the philosophy and policy of a political party, rather than saying or doing that suits them. Weve come to know that AISA or AISF studentsas a part of the JNUSU were there on 9 February to stop the group from raising slogans, added Saroj. Launching a scathing attack on Modi-government, the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) has termed the crackdown as a pre-planned war by the Modi government against campus democracy and the students movement. It has called for a campaign Defend JNU, Defend Democracydemanding immediate release of arrested students and withdrawal of sedition charges against them. AISA is the student body of CPI-ML. Just as Rohith Vemula was branded anti-national and subjected to a witch-hunt, JNU student activists are today being subjected to the same political witch-hunt. Campuses like HCU and JNU are being targetted for raising voices of dissent against the government and the Sangh Parivar. Those who raised provocative slogans had nothing to do with the Left student organizations, as the latter have never supported divisive ideas, CPI-ML general secretary, Dipankar Bhattacharya stated. In protest of the crackdown, SFI has given call for a nationwide agitation on university campuses. It is likely to take out protest rally in the national capital. Despite being in third position at JNU, the SFI has made a gradual comeback and has been gaining its lost ground by taking up issues related to education and social justice. Due to this weve been targetted and ABVP damaged our offices in Uttarakhand and Lucknow. One of our joint secretaries from Delhi University was detained by the police, because he was carrying an SFI flag. The aim of the government is to gag students voice by terrorising them. Weve given a nationwide protest call and demanded to make public the source of the video and group involved, said Vikram Singh, All India general secretary, SFI. GREENVILLE, S.C. Republican presidential candidates urged President Barack Obama on Saturday not to nominate a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, saying it should be up to the next president to decide. Scalia's death, announced earlier on Saturday, and the consequences for the conservatives' 5-4 advantage on the high court cast a shadow over the ninth debate between rivals for the Republican presidential nomination for the Nov. 8 election. "I would like the president for once here to put the country first," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at the outset of the two-hour debate hosted by CBS. "Were going to have an election very soon ... I think we should let the next president of the United States decide." Obama, speaking shortly before the debate began, said he planned to nominate a successor to Scalia and said the U.S. Senate should give the nominee careful consideration. The Republican candidates were unanimous in saying Obama should put off a decision. Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should ensure that any Obama nominee is blocked from confirmation. "Delay, delay, delay," Trump said. With a week to go until South Carolina's Republican primary vote on Feb. 20, the debate came at a time of high anxiety for Trump's opponents. Trump, who won New Hampshire handily on Tuesday after placing second in Iowa on Feb. 1, has a big lead in the polls in South Carolina. Unless he is slowed down, he could be in position to roll to his party's presidential nomination for the November election. That means it was in the interests of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to try to raise questions about the New York billionaire before it is too late. Those three candidates, along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, are competing to emerge as the top alternative to Trump for mainstream Republicans. (Editing by Mary Milliken, W Simon and Bill Trott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Tim Wilson is giving up his $400,000 Human Rights Commission job after officially launching his bid to enter Parliament. Mr Wilson has publicly confirmed he is seeking Liberal pre-selection in Andrew Robb's safe Melbourne seat of Goldstein. He will resign as Human Rights Commissioner later this week, just two years into his five-year term, with his responsibilities to wind up at the end of the week. A former bikie turned rollover witness who helped put stolen rocket launchers in the hands of hardened criminals is facing deportation after blowing his prosecution immunity on drug busts. The former police informant who can only be referred to as Harrington was instrumental in a case involving the stolen rocket launchers swiped from an Australian Defence Force base between 2001 and 2003. A captain with the army explosive ordnance team, Shane Della-Vedova, who was jailed for at least seven years, stole 10 of the weapons instead of destroying the launchers. The rocket launchers made their way to Harrington, a criminal recently released from jail, who on-sold the weapons for tens of thousands of dollars. She is the elusive brothel madam who is outfoxing authorities and making millions of dollars from an illegal prostitution racket inside Sydney apartment buildings. Suki Wu is operating an underground vice den, which masquerades as a remedial massage centre, from inside the foyer of the Maestri Towers residential complex, alongside Town Hall station, in Kent Street. A Fairfax Media investigation has found that during one typical day at "Town Hall Massage" last week, five female workers provided services to 59 male clients, over an 11-hour shift. Based on a minimum spend scenario, Wu is accumulating an annual cash turnover of at least $2 million. Not only has she ignored one "cease use" notice served by the City of Sydney on January 4, she is the same madam who was prosecuted by Willoughby Council in the Land and Environment Court 15 months ago for running an identical racket in another residential complex at North Sydney. The multi-sided war raging in Syria became even more tangled when Turkish troops shelled positions near the border controlled by U.S.-allied fighters from the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed the overnight Saturday artillery barrage and demanded the YPG withdraw from the Syrian border town of Azaz and vacate a nearby air base the Kurds seized last week from Syrian rebel forces. The Turkish shelling continued Sunday. The Kurdish rebels backed by the West and Gulf countries have been battling for more than a week against a ferocious Russian-backed offensive by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces. Operations by YPG forces and their allies in northern Syria the past few days have complicated the defenses of the Western-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Islamist militias. Syrian rebels accuse the YPG of coordinating with the Assad government and acting as a spoiler tactically. Rebel commanders say YPG fighters are now in parts of Azaz just six kilometers from the border with Turkey. The YPG is in effect the armed wing of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which in turn is an offshoot of Turkeys outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkey considers both the PYD and PKK as terrorist groups. Despite continued Turkish shelling Sunday the YPG claimed to have captured the village of Ayn Daqnah, east of Menagh and south of Azaz. Effective US partner Rebel commanders accuse the YPG, which has been the most effective partner with the U.S. on the ground in the struggle against Islamic State in Syria, of assisting a government assault on the nearby and strategically important town of Tell Rifaat, where on Saturday women started to arm themselves to form a loosely coordinated battalion. Mohammed Adeeb, a senior figure in the 10,000-strong Shamiya Front, an alliance featuring moderate and Islamist armed factions as well as fighters who describe themselves as Islamic nationalists, said his fighters had overheard YPG militiamen on the radio calling in Russian airstrikes. According to Turkish military officials, the shelling of YPG positions came in retaliation for Kurdish gunfire and was focused just southwest of Azaz. Rami Abdel Rahman, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said Turkish shelling struck wider afield, targeting YPG positions near the Menagh, an air base the Kurds took from Syrian rebels. Turkish officials also confirmed that on Saturday Turkish soldiers shelled Syrian regime forces near the Calbogaz border post in the province of Hatay. Again they say this was in retaliation for gunfire directed at them. Turkey, Saudi Arabia discuss ground force The shelling came as both Turkish and Saudi officials upped their talk of dispatching a ground force into northern Syria ostensibly as part of the international coalitions struggle against Islamic State militants. But in an interview Saturday with German newspaper Handelsblatt Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir focused his comments on Russia's military intervention, saying it would not help Assad remain in power, suggesting both Ankara and Riyadh may be contemplating military action against Assad, widening a war dangerously and raising the prospect of a Turkish clash with the Russians. There will be no Bashar al-Assad in the future, he told a German newspaper. Turkeys Foreign Minister Melvin Cavusoglu seemingly took back on Sunday earlier remarks that suggested a strategy had already been agreed upon by Turkey and Saudi Arabia for a ground campaign, saying no solid decision for such an operation had yet been reached. But he did confirm Saudi Arabia would be sending an undisclosed number of warplanes to the NATO air base at Incirlik in Adana near the Syrian border in southern Turkey. As of today, there is no decision regarding a ground operation, he said. Turkish media are reporting that eight to10 Saudi jets will be deployed at Incirlik within the coming weeks. Four F-16 fighters are expected to arrive in a first wave. Seeking wider intervention Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu appeared to stress Turkeys wish for a wider intervention than just one focused on Islamic State. We will take every necessary step to ensure an environment that guarantees Turkeys security, an environment without Daesh [IS], the Syrian regime or the PYD, he told a news conference in Erzincan, northeast Turkey. Davutoglu expressed frustration with the ongoing UN-brokered peace negotiations in Munich, casting doubt on the hopes for a cessation of hostilities that is meant to begin in days. Meetings between Russia and the U.S. continue, Davutoglu said. And behold, after every meeting, the siege on Aleppo gets tighter and the number of refugees coming from Aleppo increases. He added: Somebody needs to draw a line against Russia and raise their voice. YPG military encroachments in northern Syria According to Turkish officials Davutoglu talked this weekend with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden concerning Turkish anger about YPG military encroachments in northern Syria, adding that Biden had said he would pass the Turkish Prime Ministers remarks on to the relevant parties. U.S. officials say there is little to be done to counter militarily the Russian-backed Assad offensive and they argue the vicious five-year-long Syrian civil war that has left upwards of 250,000 dead wont be resolved by the clash of arms but through a negotiated political settlement. In an interview with the AFP news agency Friday, President Assad said he didnt rule out that Turkey and Saudi Arabia would intervene militarily in Syria. But said his armed forces will certainly confront it. U.S. Republican presidential hopefuls said Saturday at a debate in the southeastern state of South Carolina that President Barack Obama should not nominate a replacement for late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and instead leave the matter for his successor. Businessman Donald Trump, who leads in national polls, called Scalia's death hours before the debate a blow to conservatism in the United States and said it is up to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay the nominating process so that a justice cannot be confirmed before Obama leaves office next January. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Ohio Governor John Kasich and neurosurgeon Ben Carson all said Obama shouldn't make a nomination. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush stood apart from his competitors, saying it is the president's right to put forth a nominee, but that he would not expect Obama to make a consensus choice. The candidates are trying to convince voters in South Carolina before the state's primary election on February 20, as they try to amass the support necessary to become the Republican Party's nominee for president. National security The debate became testy on the issue of national security, with Trump attacking Bush based on the record of his brother, George W. Bush, who served as president before Obama. Trump said the war in Iraq "was a big fat mistake." When Bush and Rubio asserted that George W. Bush's actions made America safer, Trump repeatedly mentioned the destruction of the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York. Bush also criticized Trump's stated support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it is "ludicrous" to suggest Russia can be a positive partner in the conflict in Syria. Immigration plans Immigration brought more exchanges, particularly between Rubio and Cruz. Rubio advocated a focus on first addressing illegal immigration, saying no other programs will be effective unless the government proves that methods to secure the borders are working. On illegal immigrants already in the country, Rubio said he thinks the American people will be "reasonable but responsible" about someone who has been in the U.S. for a long time. Cruz asserted his plans are different, saying he does not support any path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the U.S. Ohio Governor John Kasich, who finished second in the New Hampshire primary, said he favors a path to legalization but not citizenship, as well as sealing the border and a guest worker program.. He also spoke out against the attacks engaged in by the rest of the field, saying that tenor is going to lose them the election in November. He advocated stopping attack ad and simply saying what they stand for. Turkey says it will continue to target U.S.-allied Kurdish fighters on the Syrian frontier near its border, despite mounting international pressure on the Ankara government to stop the artillery bombardments. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in telephone talks Sunday, told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Turkish forces will "not permit" the Kurdish People's Protection Units fighters (YPG), of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) "to carry out aggressive acts." Both France and the United States have called for an "immediate halt" to the Turkish bombardments. YPG fighters, backed by the West and Gulf countries, have been battling for more than a week against a ferocious Russian-backed offensive by Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces. However, the Ankara government sees the YPG as linked to an offshoot of Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK, and considers both groups terrorist organizations. Davutoglu earlier confirmed artillery strikes overnight Saturday and demanded the withdrawal of YPG fighters from the Syrian border town of Azaz. Ankara also demanded the Kurds vacate a nearby airbase seized last week from Syrian rebel forces. Rebel commanders say YPG fighters are now in parts of Azaz, just six kilometers from the border with Turkey. The Turkish shelling continued Sunday, with new fighting reported around the strategically important town of Tell Rifaat between Syrian rebels, Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters. Amidst the shelling, the YPG claimed to have captured the village of Ayn Daqnah, east of Menagh and south of Azaz. According to Turkish military officials, the shelling of YPG positions came in retaliation for Kurdish gunfire, and was focused just southwest of Azaz. Rami Abdel Rahman, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said Turkish shelling struck wider afield, targeting YPG positions near Menagh, the airbase the Kurds took from Syrian rebels. Later Sunday, Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to the NATO air base at Incirlik in Adana, near the Syrian border in southern Turkey, to step up operations against the Islamic State group in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said Saturday that no decision had yet been made on a ground force against IS, which analysts say could dangerously widen the multi-factioned conflict and raise the specter of a Turkish clash with the Russians. Meantime, the Syrian regime has condemned Turkey's shelling of PYD-held areas inside Syrian territory, describing it as an attempt to raise the morale of "terrorist" groups. According to Turkish officials, Davutoglu spoke this weekend with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden concerning Turkish anger about YPG military encroachments in northern Syria, adding that Biden had said he would pass the Turkish Prime Ministers remarks on to the relevant parties. U.S. officials say there is little to be done to counter militarily the Russian-backed Assad offensive and they argue the vicious five-year-long Syrian civil war that has left upwards of 250,000 dead wont be resolved by the clash of arms but through a negotiated political settlement. Watch: Helicopter Drop Barrel Bombs over Daraya, Syria British forces in Singapore have surrendered unconditionally to the Japanese seven days after enemy troops first stormed the island. A war correspondent of the Japanese News Agency in Singapore reported that fighting ceased along the entire Malayan front at 2200 local time. The British and Japanese commanders-in-chief, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival and Lieutenant-General Yamashita Tomoyuki met in the Ford motor plant at the foot of Bukit Timah Hill to sign the surrender documents. The British capitulation comes one week after Japanese forces invaded Singapore and only two weeks since their onslaught on the Malay Peninsula forced the British troops withdrawal to the island. According to reports from Japanese headquarters the final deal was signed at 1900 local time and the ceasefire came into effect three hours later. Under the terms of the surrender, 1,000 British troops will be left in Singapore city to maintain order until the Japanese Army complete their occupation. The invasion began under cover of darkness on the night of 8 February when at least 50 boats laden with members of the 5th and 18th Japanese army divisions crossed the narrow Johore Straits, which is all that separates Singapore from the Malay Peninsula. By morning thousands more troops had landed. The well-trained and battle-hardened Japanese forces were also supported by aircraft and tanks. Although they met some spirited counter-attacks, it was soon clear the islands defence had been poorly planned. In attempting to defend the islands entire coastline, the General Officer Commanding, Lieutenant-General Percival had spread his forces too thinly. The Allied force consisting of Australian, Malay, Indian and British soldiers, many fresh from defeat on the Malay Peninsula, were also short of weapons and poorly trained and with inadequate air support. Against them, the Japanese troops moved swiftly across the island. The last line of defense, Singapore City, fell earlier today. Courtesy BBC News In context Prime Minister Winston Churchill described the fall of Singapore as the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history. The Japanese claimed to have taken 60,000 Imperial troops in Singapore 16,000 British, 14,000 Australian and 32,000 Indian soldiers. They also captured a large amount of equipment. The high number of prisoners was not surprising as the troops had been ordered to defend Singapore until the last possible moment so no major evacuation had been ordered. Lt-Gen Percival, the British General Officer Commanding, said he had been forced to surrender when the loss of food, water, petrol and ammunition made it impossible to carry on the struggle. The Japanese advance continued, taking US held Guam, Wake Island and the Philippines. The heroic resistance of the US garrison at Corregidor ended on 6 May 1942. In Burma Japanese forces reached the Indian border before pausing for breath. The Japanese advance in the Pacific was only finally halted in June when all four of its aircraft carriers were destroyed by the US in the Battle of Midway. An attempt to invade India from Burma was halted by British and Empire troops in 1944 The perpetrators of violent clashes in Hong Kong last week shattered its values in one night, the citys financial secretary said, urging those involved to turn their horses back from the cliff. The small group of people who lost rationality marred the citys interests and tarnished its image, and their actions are a departure from Hong Kong peoples respect for the law, John Tsang said in a blog post yesterday. He referred to the biblical story The Judgment of Solomon, where two women who claim to be the mother of a baby were advised to cut the infant in two. A mother who truly loves her son would not saw him in half, and would never themselves be the executioner, Tsang wrote. Addressing those involved in the clashes, he said, if you continue wading deeper into the mud, its the Hong Kong you claim to protect that will lose in the end. Tsangs comments come less than a week after attempts by government officials to clear illegal food stalls escalated into a violent face-off between police and protesters, resulting in injuries on both sides. Officers used batons and pepper spray to disperse the protesters, some of whom threw bricks and started fires in the citys Mong Kok district. On Friday, police said they would charge more than 30 people for rioting, while continuing to detain others. Coverage of the fallout has dominated newspapers during the Lunar New Year period. Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Chinese governments liaison office in Hong Kong, said yesterday he was shocked and saddened by the incident, which he said contained terrorist tendencies. In a statement posted on the liaison offices website, Zhang said he believed justice will prevail over evil and that the Hong Kong government would handle the situation in accordance with the law. Benny Tai, a leader of the Occupy Central With Love and Peace movement, said in an open letter Saturday that Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying bears the most responsibility for the events. While denouncing the violence and saying peaceful protest is the way to achieve political goals, Tai said Leung was accountable for discontent among the people he governs. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Leung said many of those charged for the violence were unemployed or involved in extremist political organizations, and as such dont reflect societys opinions. He wasnt responding directly to Tais comments. Sixty-five people have been arrested in connection with the incident, he said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei attributed the events to a local radical separatist organization, according to a Feb. 11 statement from the foreign ministry. The stronger language sparked speculation that security laws could be strengthened. Asked yesterday whether the Mong Kok incident would be used to revive so-called Article 23 anti-sedition laws shelved after massive protests against their implementation in 2003 Zhang said, right now these two issues arent linked, according to a broadcast of his comments on the local Cable News channel. Tsang noted in his post that tourism is an anchor of Hong Kongs economy. The number of tourists from the mainland declined 2.5 percent last year, he said, citing tourism department data, but the number of visitors from Southeast Asia has grown. He said the city must continue to improve itself. Feeling a sense of love for Hong Kong is normal, Tsang said. Even if people have different perceptions of what allegiance to Hong Kong means, we still hope to see Hong Kong thrive and wont accept it being damaged. Natasha Khan, Bloomberg Melco Crown has reportedly installed special face recognition technology to prevent banned individuals from re-entering its casinos. German biometric firm Cognitec developed the system, calling it FaceVACS-VideoScan. It is capable of detecting peoples faces in live video streams and comparing their faces with images stored in a database. Security staff are then alerted when a banned individual is detected, thereby potentially preventing casino losses and deterring criminal activities. According to a statement on Cognitecs website, Stephen Meltz, Managing Director Asia Pacific, said: Melco Crowns security team welcomed Cognitecs technical specialists to work determinedly toward the completion of these projects. We are proud to deliver the first system of its kind in the casino market [in Macau], he added. The implementation of the new systems comes at a time when Macaus gaming- related crime is on the rise. A total of 1,553 related crimes were committed in 2015, representing a more than one-third increase over the previous year. According to local police reports, most of these occurred inside casinos. FaceVACS-VideoScan will be used to prevent the entry of undesirables such as criminals. Gaming addicts that volunteer their identity for so-called auto excluded lists may also be detected and prevented from entering the premises. The South China Morning Post published a report on Saturday stating that Melco Crown steps up security against banned customers with facial recognition technology. The Times contacted Melco Crown yesterday, but the report could not be verified by the gaming operators representatives by press time. CHINA A nationalist newspaper says American politicians are resorting to petty actions following a unanimous bill approval by the Senate to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after an imprisoned Chinese political dissident. More on p11 BRAZIL The Zika outbreak and its suspected link to microcephaly set off calls for Brazil to loosen its near-ban on abortion, and that has brought a backlash, particularly among families with disabled children, who are taking to social media to say all babies have a right to be born. Haitian lawmakers yesterday chose the countrys Senate chief to lead a caretaker government that will fill the void left by last weeks departure of former President Michel Martelly and perhaps ease lingering tensions that recently pushed the deeply polarized nation into political crisis. SWEDEN Five British men, reportedly including members of British indie band Viola Beach, were killed when their car drove through a barrier and plunged into a canal near Stockholm. The accident on Saturday afternoon occurred when the mens hire car crashed through a barrier that was closed to stop vehicles as a drawbridge was opening up ahead. The victims were British and aged between 20 and 35, he said. US Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the U.S. Supreme Court, has died, leaving the high court without its conservative majority and setting up an ideological confrontation over his successor. PORTUGAL Its been quite the wild ride for investors in Portuguese government bonds in 2016 and, with history seeming to repeat itself, theres no end in sight. Portugals 10-year bond yields moved in a range of 143 basis points last week amid concern that lawmakers plans to speed up the reversal of state salary cuts and increase indirect taxes will hit its reform program. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC went ahead with a presidential runoff vote yesterday that many hope will solidify a tentative peace after more than two years of sectarian fighting left untold thousands dead and forced nearly half a million people to flee to neighboring countries. The government has announced plans to conserve and restore parts of the A-Ma Temple pavilion and relics that were damaged in a accidental fire that occurred last week during the Chinese New Year celebrations. In a statement, the government said that it is highly concerned about the incident believed to have been caused by an electrical fault and that the government calls on all owners, managers and staff members at Macaus heritage sites to ensure close attention is paid to fire and electrical safety. The statement also indicated that the government would offer its complete support to the temples management during the restoration process by providing a thorough fire safety inspection of the site, assisting with the safeguarding of its architectural structure and offering consultative advice for the works. Last week a government inspection of the damaged site, undertaken by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), revealed that the initial restoration work might take two to three months. However, it was estimated that it could be at least one year before the structure is fully repaired and the interior restored. Other experts and engineers, such as those from the Macau Institution of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEEMM), conducted further damage assessments at the A-Ma Temple, uncovering faults in the sites electrical system that may have been responsible for the out- break of the fire. A lead engineer in the inspection told TDM that, worryingly, basic safety standards were being overlooked. The size and use of some metal wires was not thought through. Calculation of circuits was not even made. The possibility of a faulty situation was not considered, said Lei Chi Chio, a member of AEEMM. [Temple management] should take Beijings palace museum as a reference and have regular maintenance inspections conducted every five years. The fire, which broke out at the World Heritage Site in the early hours of Wednesday morning, resulted in severe damage to some of the pavilions interior, including an altar, some wall plaques, and wooden furniture. According to the IC, the statue of the Goddess A-Ma regarded as the item of the greatest historical value in the damaged pavilion suffered no major damage. Additionally, the damaged portions of the pavilion including the main beams, walls and roof can all be comfortably repaired. Staff reporter The recent proposal by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, to set up a postgraduate medical training facility the Academy of Medicine will not solve the problems of the territory in the short term, according to Rui Furtado. The surgeon and former president of the Association of Macau Portuguese Speaking Physicians admits he does not know the full extent of the project that, in his opinion, should be considered more as an idea, for the moment. Dr Furtado thinks that the governments idea is to create a similar project to the one currently existing in Hong Kong, which besides offering medical training also functions as a professional association. It is definitely something ambitious for Macau, says the professional, adding that the importance of the academy justifies the involvement of the whole community and under the direction of highly competent people, with the scientific and pedagogical council to be comprised of people from different areas. Dr Furtado thinks that this idea has not yet reached the project stage and that it will take a long time to put this [Academy of Medicine] to work as it is needed. He suggests that in the short term, the government should establish cooperation protocols with Hong Kong institutions that have good reputations to commence this formation process. Mario Evora, President of the Macau Cardiology Association and on the board of directors at the Macau Public Hospital (CHCSJ), said that the future academy is a way for the territory to fulfill some of its needs in terms of specialists. He pointed out that Macau does not have a Faculty of Medicine and is totally dependent on external training providers in terms of resources in this field, adding that these professionals come from various places around the world. Some are foreigners, others locals who went abroad to study and then returned to Macau, and we need to have a way to integrate their knowledge and practices. Evora commented that the ideal solution would be to have a local Faculty of Medicine, but that would take too much time, so this academy can work as a first step toward that [Faculty being established] in the future, I hope. He is in favor of the creation of the academy as a way to promote and elevate the quality of medicinal practice in the territory. Like Furtado, Evora also supports the idea that the government should conceive of a routine structure in that field that can boost the start of the academy. For that purpose, he suggested the University of Lisbons Faculty of Medicine, since it is an institution that already has its modules of academic teaching and research perfectly tested. Physicians salaries deemed insufficient The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, recently said that the salaries of physicians in Macau are too low, and that this is contributing to the difficulty in attracting talented individuals from abroad to Macau in this field. Two physicians interviewed by the Times share the opinion that embarking on a career in medicine needs to be carefully considered. According to Rui Furtado, Medical staff have a very specific function in society and their job cannot be fitted easily onto a salary scale like any other. In his opinion, the government should decide, based on its importance and value to society, a fair price for that job and apply it accordingly. Mario Evora agrees with this sentiment and says, the medical profession should be removed from the general scale used for public servants and have its own, like what happens with judges or teachers at the University of Macau. He added that the way that it is now, [the profession] will not be able to attract good professionals to work in Macau. We need to elevate the standards and widen the recruitment base, he said. Rui Furtado stated: When compared to Hong Kong or Australia, the salaries are definitely low. He gave the example of the neighboring SAR, in which a few years back a head of service would earn around MOP60,000 [per month in Macau], while in Hong Kong the same position would pay around HKD100,000. Furtado concluded by saying, On the day the government decides that they want to have excellent professionals from Hong Kong working here, they will come! But for that, the government must remunerate them well. A human resources specialist operating in greater China said that a Head of Service Doctor working in Macau currently earns a little over MOP100,000, while someone holding a similar position in Hong Kong earns approximately double that (a little less than HKD200,000) and a doctor working in mainland China in Beijing or Shanghai earns around RMB133,000. Jetstar Pacific Airlines is suspending flights between Macau and Da Nang between February 22 and March 26, according to customers of the low-cost carrier. The airline reportedly told customers that it is canceling all scheduled flights because of operational reasons, but would ensure that affected passengers are repaid in full. The Civil Aviation Authority of Macau told Radio Macau that they have not received any official notification from the carrier, and the information that they did receive made no mention of the period of suspension or the reasons behind it. Under the current rules, airlines are not required to justify the suspension of operations. In 2014, Jetstar suspended flights between Macau and the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, less than three months after the company launched the daily trips. The route was suspended following safety concerns due to escalating violence against Chinese nationals in Vietnam in relation to territorial issues in the South China Sea. Later that year, a representative of the Macau International Airport Company Ltd (CAM) told the Times that the route would be re-launching soon. The carrier continued to list the Hanoi route on its webpage but search results indicated no available flights. The route has since been removed. According to the companys website, the remaining direct flights between Macau and Vietnam are to the cities of Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh. However, search results revealed no availability at any time, indicating that the carrier may no longer be operating these routes either. Staff reporter Taiwans newly completed Aviation Education Exhibition Center will not permit entry by PRC nationals (including those from Macau and Hong Kong) due to security concerns, say center authorities, because it is located inside Taiwans Air Force Academy, which is part of the Gangshan Air Base. The exhibition center features a UFO-shaped exterior that is intended to represent an advanced high-tech aircraft. It will display a total of 36 decommissioned planes from the Air Force, Navy and Army, 19 of which will be suspended from the ceiling. The center is the first museum in Taiwan to exhibit historical aircraft in such a manner. Among those that are planned to hang from the ceiling are an AT-6 fighter trainer, an F-84G fighter, a U-3A liaison aircraft and other planes from the period between 1945 and 1967 when Republic of China forces were fighting communist forces on the mainland. The museum will also exhibit three MiG fighters from China that were flown to Taiwan by Chinese defectors, according to the center, as well as four other planes delivered the same way. They include an IL-28 bomber, and three more MiG fighters. The new building will also feature an exhibition paying tribute to the Republic of Chinas War of Resistance against Japan between 1937 and 1945, and the subsequent development of Taiwans military during the Cold War. According to Taiwans Central News Agency, the Air Force Academy has said that it will commission a private company to run the 2.8-hectare center before it is formally opened to the public. Britain says a missing Hong Kong bookseller was likely abducted to mainland China, calling it a serious breach of the treaty under which Beijing took control of the city. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a twice-yearly report on Hong Kong affairs released Thursday that Lee Bo was involuntarily removed to the mainland. Britains Foreign Office said it was the first time that Britain has accused China of a serious breach of the 1984 treaty, although it has previously raised concerns about Chinese compliance. Lee, a British citizen, is one of five men linked to Hong Kong publishing company Mighty Current Media and its Causeway Bay Bookshop who have gone missing in recent months only to turn up later in mainland China. Their disappearances have raised international concern. Lee is chief editor of Mighty Current, which specialized in books critical of Chinas communist leadership that were banned in the mainland but popular with visiting Chinese tourists. Hammond said while visiting Beijing last month that he made urgent inquiries with Chinese authorities about Lees whereabouts. Lees disappearance at the end of December sparked international concern because he was last seen at his companys Hong Kong warehouse and didnt have his mainland China travel permit with him, raising suspicions he was snatched by Chinese security agents who crossed over from the mainland. He later sent letters to his wife saying he was helping with an investigation on the mainland, though some believe he was coerced. The full facts of the case remain unclear, but our current information indicates that Mr. Lee was involuntarily removed to the mainland without any due process under Hong Kong SAR law, the report said. This constitutes a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and undermines the principle of one country, two systems which assures Hong Kong residents of the protection of the Hong Kong legal system, the report added. The Joint Declaration is the treaty signed in 1984 between Britain and China safeguarding Hong Kongs rights and freedoms after Beijing took power in 1997. Under the one country, two systems principle, Hong Kong retains a high degree of control over its own affairs, including law enforcement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was strongly displeased by the British report, the official Xinhua News Agency said. He said the report contained groundless accusations against China, and urged Britain to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, Xinhua said. The Hong Kong government said in a statement Friday that while its police are continuing to investigate and have sought assistance from mainland authorities, Any suggestion that Mr. Lee was involuntarily removed to the mainland remains speculative. Lees colleague, Swedish citizen Gui Minhai, disappeared from Thailand in October and turned up last month on Chinese state TV to confess to a decade-old fatal drunk driving accident. Hong Kong police said last week the three other men are being held on the mainland for an investigation into unspecified illegal activities. Kelvin Chan, Hong Kong, AP Q: If an officer is called to a loud music complaint and upon arriving they find several cars with music playing loudly. Who gets the ticket, the owner of the property, or the people playing it in their vehicles? -Donna A: That depends on whether citations are signed as state violations or city ordinances. It would also depend on what the music was because we all know that rock and roll music is only loud for old people (boo, hissI know). State code allows for anybody disturbing the peace of another to be cited. That would mean the owners of the vehicle would be eligible to be cited under the state code (18-6409). I will add that if you read the code it also states that anybody using profane language within the presence or hearing of children, in a loud and boisterous manner is also eligible to be cited for disturbing the peace. What you will find if you cite for it though is that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that this is freedom of speech and many judges are dismissing the charge for that reason (Most kids seem to know more profanity than most adults anymore). Also remember that this is just my understanding and not an excuse to test the system because if Im wrong about this its a misdemeanor if the judge says I told it wrong. There are city ordinances that leave the property owner as the citable person when it comes to loud music. This makes the owner of the property responsible to make sure that the music playing in all the cars is at an acceptable level. Most cities use the music heard at so many feet rule to decide if a violation has occurred. Q: I just moved from one county in Idaho to another one. Do I have to get a new license plate? -Ed I A: Yes and you must also take doughnuts to your local police department too (another joke). The true answer is, no, you dont have to get a plate for the county you move to. That choice would be up to you though. The license plate county designator only tells law enforcement which county you got the plate in. The main thing to remember here though, is that you will need to change the address you move to on the registration. You have 30 days to get that done. Quote of the month (For Valentines Day of course) Love is when the other persons happiness is more important than your own -H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Officer down Please put these officers, killed in the line of duty, and their families in your prayers. They fought the good fight, now may they rest in peace. God bless these heroes. Sergeant Jason Goodding, Seaside Police, Oregon K9 Aren, Port Authority of Allegheny County Police, Pennsylvania Have a question for Policemandan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@yahoo.com or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336 KETCHUM Aimee Christensen wanted to talk about new opportunities for solar power. Todd Stewart, Medicaid expansion and water legislation. Blaine County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg wanted to hear about a tax cut on the wealthy, and Gerry Morrison was interested in the minimum wage. Gary Hoffman wanted to talk about banning Styrofoam pellets on the heels of a bill designed to preempt local jurisdictions from banning the use of plastic bags. And Roxanne Jensen wanted to know why state Republicans seem to favor the Primary Care Access Plan over the Healthy Idaho Plan when the latter could save the state millions of dollars. But it was education that got the spotlight when District 26 legislators Sen. Michelle Stennett and Reps. Donna Pence and Steve Miller held the first of a series of town hall meetings Friday night. Why is Idaho ranked 50th in the country when it comes to education? asked Gerry Morrison, one of three dozen constituents packed into Ketchum City Hall. How can you vote for a tax cut when education needs money? asked another man. A tax cut should only occur when the economys growing, Miller said. He went on to explain that 61 percent of the states general fund goes to education. Health and Welfare gets a 25 percent cut and the Department of Correction, 10 percent. The rest of the government gets 4 percent. You can cut back only so far on prisons and Health and Welfare programs when a recession hits, he said. And during the 2008 recession, it was governmental programs like Park and Recreation that took the brunt of cuts. Parks and Recreation, for instance, had 35 percent of its budget docked. Were just getting back to where we were, he said. That said, Miller noted, more than $100 million has gone to education each of the past two years, and even more will likely be allocated this year. It takes time to build a consensus, he said. And you need a governor thats committed. Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra requested $300,000 in funding this week to provide assistance to the 70 percent of Idahos school districts classified as rural. Miller said hes helped get more discretionary money for smaller schools. I understand your impatience, he told attendees. But if you talk to junior colleges, theyre doing less remedial work with their students now than they were a few years ago. Miller referred to a study that indicated students at some schools perform and test above average, even though the schools are spending less than average. Students at other schools, in contrast, do below-average work even though the schools spend more than average. Its a matter of having a school board and community thats involved, rather than just trying to throw money at a problem, he concluded. Ninety-five of 115 school districts had to have supplemental levies so money is part of the problem, Stennett countered. Pence said she was disappointed legislators declined to pass a literacy bill earlier Friday morning that would have ensured a child could read before he or she moves on. If you dont read by third grade, you never catch up, she said. If you cant read, you cant live up to your potential. Stennett discussed her work addressing the growing cost of college and incentives for student loan forgiveness. Legislators are also considering incentives that would provide more money for colleges and universities that do a better job of arming students with degrees and getting more kids into jobs within a few months of graduation. Pence said she has advocated for career counseling that would get more students in advanced placement courses that will earn them college credits while in high school. Sixty percent of future jobs are going to certificates of some kind, she said. And were at 40 percent rate right now. BLACKFOOT Teachers and other staff at Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center sat in a rectangle around some folding tables on a recent Friday, with snacks and sodas, and discussed how the week went. They cracked jokes throughout the three-hour session usually held 9 a.m. to noon at the end of the school week and shared tactics for coping with particularly difficult elementary-level children. Eventually one of the teachers, Krystal Murdock, stood up to present a new assignment that she wanted to integrate into the curriculum. After receiving instructions, the teachers, and their administrator, Fred Ball, analyzed a literary poem about the Boston Tea Party, and filled out a worksheet in the same manner students would. A couple of the teachers children ran around the building. Apart from them, and the adults seated in the main hall, the place was vacant. For the 365 children who attend the elementary school, it was the weekend. Some teachers look at it as a prep day, but we do more than that, said Blackfoot Charter first-grade teacher Ashley Schaffner. Its our time to learn new techniques, and learn about new technology. We really make a point to figure out whats going to help our students, and use what works. Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center operates independently, but 43 of Idahos school districts , along with a handful of charter schools, have also embraced the four-day week, according to an Idaho Education News report. Some districts made the change because of potential budget savings, while others did it for logistical reasons. Recent studies have shown that many claims of savings were overblown, but leaders from most schools that made the switch boast of the flexibility the schedule offers, along with the opportunity for teachers to collaborate and prepare for the following week. Despite those advantages, however, theres still uncertainty of the schedules academic effects. Minimal cost savings During the 2006-07 school year, only 10 Idaho districts operated Monday through Thursday, Idaho Ed News reported. From 2008-13, Idahos 19 percent drop in per-pupil spending was the fourth-largest in the nation, according to a report by the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities. Now, districts in 29 of Idahos 44 counties operate on four-day schedules. Instead of class on Friday, the other four school days are 30 minutes to an hour longer. The dramatic increase in schools using four-day weeks came largely from attempts statewide to save money at the local level when education funding was slashed during the recession. Yet despite budget-cutting motives, schools generally havent seen significant savings by removing Fridays from the schedule. In 2015, the Rural Opportunities Consortium of Idaho found that savings have been elusive in most localities. Its so minimal, its not really a cost-savings affair, said Ball, whose school made the four-day switch before he arrived in 2005. They thought they could cut their busing costs, their utility costs, other costs, but you dont save much money. The largest ongoing cost for districts is in teacher and administrator salaries and benefits, and those dont change after converting a school from five days to four. In Idaho, 85 percent of transportation costs are reimbursed by the state, so local schools dont see a large margin of savings there either. Schools do retain money from decreased utility costs, but those savings can become negligible if schools run sporting events on Fridays, or have teachers come in to get ahead on their workload. The other source of savings is cutting time for hourly employees. The custodial staff, the food-service staff, and the drivers are going to be the ones that hurt financially because theyre now only working four days per week. Ive never seen a teachers salary decrease because they went to a four-day week, said Colby Gull, former superintendent of the four-day Challis School District, and current superintendent of the Uinta County School District No. 6 in Lyman, Wyo., which also runs on a four-day schedule. Gull, also a doctoral candidate at Idaho State University, is conducting a study on how four-day school weeks affect children academically. So far, results are inconclusive. Despite the increased popularity of four-day schools over the last eight years, the schedules impact on academic performance is unknown. The Idaho Education News report said the state had not studied the schedules impacts since 2008, before the explosion in districts employing the schedule. I think whether (its) the Department of Education, or whether (its) the State Board we need to have somebody take a look at four-day performance versus five-day performance, Gov. C.L. Butch Otter said in a November education task force meeting. Logistical advantages Separate from budget savings, some schools favor the four-day week for logistical purposes. Removing Friday from a schools schedule typically reduces absenteeism by providing time to schedule doctor appointments and sporting events, which does increase a schools endowment. And, its one fewer day students are riding the bus to and from school, something that can save a significant amount of time in rural areas. Four-day school weeks also allow districts to schedule professional Fridays, either monthly or weekly, while the students are gone. Having that support system on Fridays really helped build my confidence. It made me a better teacher for those students, said Schaffner, who is a fourth-year teacher. There were times, especially as a first-year teacher, when you think I dont know what Im doing, or I dont know how this works. Blackfoot Charter originally adopted the four-day schedule as a cost-saving measure. Ball didnt make professional Fridays mandatory until the school acquired some new smart boards that teachers werent yet familiar with. Ten years later, the schools staff still meets every Friday. The time away from students allows teachers to share new assignments and techniques with each other. A teacher having trouble with a second-graders behavior, for example, may be able to find an effective disciplinary strategy from the first-grade teacher who taught him the year before. In a sense, its a time and place for teachers to become students again, and learn from each other. Knowing that weve got a significant block of time, when we see that theres a need at the school, we can schedule it in and train, Ball said. And teachers, when they come up with a really good idea or find something thats really neat, they know that they can share that with the others, and theyre going to be able to better utilize it. When you get that foundation built into your culture, people get excited about it. Teachers usually meet within their grade teams, following the group meeting. Then the rest of the day is used to grade papers or prepare the next weeks lesson plans. Making use of Fridays Although Blackfoot Charter uses its Fridays for professional development every week, it stands outside of the norm in making them mandatory. With most of the (four-day) districts Ive talked to, teachers dont work on Fridays, Gull said. Most schools dont do a lot of things on that day off. Neither Schaffner nor Ball said they would support four-day schools without professional time at the end of the week. Im not in favor of that, Ball said, And I think thats detrimental to the educational progress to students. Riverside Elementary School in Blackfoot operates on a four-day schedule, and doesnt require its teachers to work Fridays. Located within the Snake River School District, it made the switch more than six years ago. Its principal, Janae VanOrden, is still an ardent supporter of the four-day schedule, as are dozens of other principals in similar schools. As an educator, I like it because we have more uninterrupted time with the students. As far as scores and data, there hasnt been a lot in the elementary grades to say whether theyve increased or decreased, said VanOrden, who taught in the district for 13 years, and at Blackfoot Charter. I also love it as a mom; it gives us more time on the weekend as a family. A lot of questions to ask Theres also the children themselves. Uncertainties exist surrounding how students with special needs are affected by four-day school weeks. I would say the biggest negative is there are a certain percentage of kids who have learning disabilities that affect their capacity to retain, and with a three-day-weekend, theres a certain loss of information, Ball said. And those kids probably dont benefit as much from the four-day week as others do. Gull agrees. The special needs students, we already know that theyre going to have some challenges, and then you take a longer break from their learning time. And thats hard, he said. Gull expects his study to be finished and submitted for approval by an ISU committee in late spring. If published, itll join a sparse research landscape on the benefits and disadvantages of four-day school weeks. I think schools just have to make the decision thats best for their community based on their needs, and be honest about why theyre doing it, Gull said. How are they going to spend that fifth day? Are they going to spend it with everybody at home, or are they going to spend it helping to make their school better? There are a lot of things that can happen on that day, and lots of questions to ask. HAGERMAN Armed with binoculars, scopes and hiking boots, local birders gathered for the first day of field trips, workshops and camaraderie at the Hagerman Bird Festival. This bi-annual festival began Friday evening, and will close out its festivities Sunday. There were unique events for bird enthusiasts to attend, including an Owsley Bridge sunrise birding trip, a backyard birding workshop, a behind-the-gate field trip of the Vardis Fisher ranch and many more. Teresa and Steve Lipus are birders who traveled from Boise to enjoy the festival. They attended the Saturday morning Billingsly Creek behind-the-gate trip, and really enjoyed opportunity to broaden their bird knowledge. The couple said they watch out their back window and often see California quail, doves, chickadees and finches. The couple said they liked seeing the diversity of species and having experts on-hand to help them identified the birds. Im not very advanced in my bird calls, Teresa said. So having someone out here to point out, Oh, thats a rail! is very nice. The Billingsly Creek field trip was led by local birders Austin Young and Fran Golding. During the three-hour hike alongside flowing water, birders saw a variety of birds, including an uncommon sighting of the Virginia rail. It was really fun, we got to see some of the local species like Stellers jay. We got people out and about, saw some new faces, met some new folks, Young said. We also saw the Virginia rail and heard the sora. Young was one of the youngest birders in attendance, but his enthusiasm for birding was rivaled by almost no one. I think I got the birding bug before I was born, because Ive been going at it for as long as I can remember, Young said. It connects people with the natural world so easily. Golding has been birding since 1963, and has found that birding is a wonderful way to bring people together. Just being able to show the area back behind Billingsly Creek where people cant usually go, Young said. Its a behind the gate area, and to share that with people that havent seen that is great. Its also a great way to get exercise and be out in nature; see things you wouldnt normally see. This trip with Young and Golding is not the only trip that ventured into Billingsly Creek, so those who missed the opportunity to go Saturday morning had ample opportunity to visit a birders paradise again later that day. Although only in its second year, the growth of this festival has been tremendous, and according to Golding its because of the wonderful people who work tirelessly to promote and plan the Hagerman Bird Festival. Its a lot of work to put on, but its a labor of love. Everybody who is involved is a volunteer, we all just get together and say its time to get started, Golding said. Our vendors are wonderful, our sponsors are wonderful, our volunteers are wonderful and without them we wouldnt be able to do this. Today is the final day of the Hagerman Bird Festival, but there is still plenty more to do, see and learn. Whether you are attending to add to your life list, or simply enjoy looking at all the species Hagerman has to offer, the final day of the Hagerman Bird Festival is not one you want to miss. BURLEY An app that gives teens a platform to post anonymous messages tied to their schools has singled out students, angered parents and raised suicide concerns in south-central Idaho. Teens have always looked for ways to express their thoughts and feelings. But widespread use of the After School app has left a vicious mark of bullying in its wake along with a lot of sex talk that includes the names of students and educators. Jayleen Lovell, a senior at Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls, felt the sting of bullying comments posted on the app. One post about me said all Jayleen has going for her is her looks, Lovell said. Another post said the teen needs to stop opening her legs. Lovell shook off the comments and didnt let them bother her, she said. But other kids may not be able to do that. Posts on After School message boards tied to other south-central Idaho schools have included nude photos of students, derogatory comments about appearance, name calling and comments about students body parts. One post said a particular male student was big downstairs and showed a weatherman standing next to a map with wind patterns in the shape of male genitalia. A male student posted about how he secretly filmed his sister and worried that he was guilty of child pornography. Others mention how the poster would like to perform specific sex acts on a classmate; the sexual comments sometimes refer to teachers and principals, too. Many vulgar posts do not include actual photos of students but use provocative stock images of scantily clad males and females. Lovell said one girl at Canyon Ridge became so upset by After School posts about her that she was crying and puking. To compound her pain, some boys at lunch handed her a rope and told her to go hang herself. Other apps target teen and preteen users, too, but After School is a particularly dangerous one. A Reason to Be Naughty Whats different about this app? Created by Cory Levy and Michael Callahan, the After School app is made for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and is available to download free on iTunes but not for parents or any other adult. Parents who try to download the app will find it requires student verification in the form of a student identification card or drivers license. The app logs in the student through his or her Facebook account, which makes deleting it more difficult. Students 17 and older can enter sections reserved for upperclassmen which allow profanity and talk about sex and drugs, but those kinds of comments are not limited to the restricted section. In one case, a topless photo of a female student was posted on the apps Burley High School message board. Students regularly make slightly suggestive to pornographic posts in the section designed for younger students; the difference is that some banned words are substituted with easily recognized symbols. The majority of it is bullying, said Braeden Hill, a senior at Minico High School in Rupert. Hill said he deleted the app after realizing most of the posts were inappropriate. Contacted by the Times-News, the company failed to respond to a list of questions and instead emailed a blurb describing its app. The companys website says it takes measures to monitor each post and will remove posts if they are reported and block users who misuse the app. The website also says the company has responded to complaints by school districts and parents across the county by making modifications like the 17+ age restriction for sex and drug talk and by adding a button where users can report offensive content. The company also has added a help line for at-risk teens. But its claims have done little to quell the daily bullying and the sexually explicit posts that many parents would find shocking. When kids hear the word anonymous they think its a reason to be naughty, said Rachel Jensen, school counselor at Raft River High School in Malta. And they think it cant be traced. Although some students have downloaded the app at Raft River High, Jensen said it is not widely used right now. Jacob Hall, a senior at Minico High, said most of the students at his school using the app now are younger. A lot of the upperclassmen realized it was not good, he said. Its a stupid and pointless way to bash on other people. Hill and Hall are both members of Minico Highs Source of Strength program, which trained about 60 students to reach out to others in a positive way. The program was available through a grant by Idaho Lives, which targets suicide prevention. Students at junior high schools and even middle schools in south-central Idaho have school message boards available through the app. Minico High counselor John Kontos advice to students: Dont download it or even look at it. Weve had kids extremely upset about the derogatory things that are being said, Kontos said. In our experience, nothing positive has happened with this app. Cyberbullying can be especially devastating to a student who may be at at risk for suicide, he said. Stuff like this can push kids over the edge. We Cant Control It Do you know what your kids are looking at? Few parents seem to pay any attention to what their children have on their phones, Kontos said. If they were, all this sexting wouldnt be happening. Sexting is sending sexually explicit messages or nude photos over a cellphone. In the past couple of months, the Twin Falls School District has had complaints about bullying on the After School app at all three of its high schools, district spokeswoman Eva Craner said. The district policy requires students to use the districts network during school hours, which has a filter that blocks the app. School districts in Cassia and Minidoka counties use filters to block the app, too. The loophole is if they dont use the school network and switch to data, we cant control it, Craner said. Craner said the district contacted the After School staff to complain and was told the company would keep a close eye on the district and add extra moderators to monitor posts. Cyberbullying is a widespread phenomenon that the district would like to control, Craner said. Its easy to say something mean when its anonymous like that. Cassia County School District has also received complaints. Its horrifying, spokeswoman Debbie Critchfield said. She said the Cassia district also complained to the apps makers, but they are in denial. The app was designed for students to make fun comments like I have a crush on Billy, Critchfield said, but thats not how its being used. She said some After School activity goes beyond inappropriate; it crosses the line into illegal. Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward has logged into the After School app at Burley High and concluded about half of the student body was using it. If posts include nudity of a minor, even if the minor in the photo posts it, Heward said, it is a crime. Those posts can be traced. Teens often think they are sending nude photos to a boyfriend or girlfriend but dont realize they may be forwarded to others or posted online. They dont understand that once nude photos are put on social medial they are on the Internet and out there forever. They can never get them back, Heward said. In the case of the After School app, schools can do only so much because it is downloaded onto the students private property. The buck stops with parents, and they must monitor what their children are putting on their phones. Love your kids, check their phones, he said. Stay on Top of Things as Parents Heidi Cranney, a Cassia County parent and a former high school teacher, is concerned about the apps widespread use. Its hard for teens to filter through all the things that they are targeted by, said Cranney, who downloaded the app, tried to log in and managed to reach a point that she could see posts briefly before they faded away. I was really taken aback and upset by some of the posts. Even parents who regularly monitor their childs cellphone may miss the app, which can be hidden under shell apps that look like objects such as calculators. There are also restriction settings on iPhones that allow the user to hide apps from a parents view. Critchfield said the topless student photo was discovered by a parent who opened the app on a childs phone and recognized the girl. Parents are morally and legally responsible for their children until they are 18, Critchfield said. Look at whats on your childs phone. You are paying for it, and they are minors. Often a bullied child may be embarrassed and reluctant to talk with a parent. Critchfields advice to parents: If you find the app, encourage the user to delete it. If a student had negative experiences with it, he or she should talk with a trusted adult or counselor. Its not a bad rule to have all electronic devices on the countertops at night to make sure students are not staying up all night on them, Jensen said. Get those devices out of the kids rooms at night so they can sleep. The After School app is advertised to teens as a fun way to talk about good things. But there could be sinister long-term consequences. The app asks to scan students drivers license bar codes in order to admit them to the over-17 message board. By doing that you give the app all of your information on your license, including how old you are, where you live, your height, Lovell said. That is unusual and inappropriate. Who is keeping track of all these students personal information? Parents have to educate their teens about the risks that come with putting personal information on social media and letting apps have access to it. It may affect their lives down the road, Cranney said. No electronic messages are truly anonymous. When kids get older and they apply for jobs, anything that they are putting on social media may be viewed by a potential employer, she said. A lot of employers pay good money to access that kind of information. It will follow you. Parents should also put parental control filters on their childrens phones. I get pretty angry that we as parents have to fight this battle, Cranney said. But we need to share what we know and pass it along to others so they can stay on top of things as parents. LEWISTON Idahos new Justice Reinvestment Act is putting the pinch on some small county jails in an effort to keep offenders closer to home and reduce the states recidivism rate. Idaho County has been the hardest hit in the five-county region of north-central Idaho. The jails maximum limit is 11 inmates but the average census is 18. County officials have noted a rise in felony arrests in the past two years because of an increase in drug-related incidents in the area. But they also point to the new law with its emphasis on county jail time and probation as a means to cut back on repeat offenses. Idaho County Sheriff Doug Giddings said a problem occurs when people ordered to serve out their sentences on weekends show up and theres no room for them in the jail. They call in and say, Do you have room in your jail? And we say, No, the sheriff said at a recent county commission meeting. Six months later when the person must report back to the judge the sentence has still not been fulfilled. Its a tough situation when you have a small jail and too many people to put in it, Giddings said. The county lately has been contracting with neighboring counties for longer-term offenders to free up space for weekend inmates. Not all counties feeling the same pinch Latah County Sheriff Wayne Rausch is hesitant to blame the new law with its emphasis on keeping inmates closer to home. But the act could potentially be one of the reasons why the Latah County Jail sometimes sees its 42 beds full and needing to find room for people checking in on the weekends. In that case, Rausch said, the county asks state correction authorities to remove their inmates from the jail to free up space for the locals. Its a difficult thing to put your finger on because I dont know that anybody has done a study to determine what the problem is, Rausch said. One of the reasons may have to do with the current magistrate judge, John Judge, who is more likely than the previous judge to mete out longer jail terms, Rausch said. You can speculate, but unless somebody can come up with cold hard facts its hard to attribute (jail overcrowding) to any one thing, Rausch said. Lewis County Sheriff Brian Brokop said jail overcrowding is a hit and miss problem in his county and the act may have some impact. We have an increase in calls for service and every year it goes up a little bit, Brokop said. Like Idaho County, Lewis County is seeing an increase in felony crimes and many of those are associated with an uptick in the drug trade. We average 11 to 12 inmates a day and we have housing for Idaho Department of Correction inmates because the female prison for the state is overcrowded, so theyre reaching out to the counties, Brokop said. Everything comes in waves. Weve been at the same point as Idaho County where we cant house people on the weekends. Were helping them out and Im happy we can help them. Clearwater and Nez Perce counties have not felt pressure from the growing inmate population. Nez Perce County Sheriff Joe Rodriguez said his jail is housing a couple of inmates from Idaho County at a cost of $60 to $65 a day. The 162-inmate capacity jail often keeps offenders from outlying counties, the Nez Perce Tribe, or the state and federal governments. The jail was completed in 2009 and was constructed with the intention of housing other inmates to help offset building costs, according to the Nez Perce County clerks office. We never run close to maximum, Rodriguez said. When we have any kind of event (such as the Lewiston Roundup or Hot August Nights) we send people back to their original counties or ask inmates to be moved, if need be. Well decrease our population for possible people coming in. Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz said his 32-bed jail is rarely full and he also houses inmates from Idaho County, the Nez Perce Tribe and the state on a temporary basis. Cost of jail space is $45 a day, Goetz said. Act designed to reduce recidivism rate Although Idahos overall crime rate is among the lowest in the nation, the incarceration rate, as of 2012, was the countrys eighth highest. According to the Idaho Justice Center the states prison population was expected to rise from 8,076 in 2014 to 9,408 in 2019. Absorbing that growth is expected to cost state residents $288 million in operating and construction costs. As a result, lawmakers in 2013 called for a way to decrease spending on corrections, develop strategies to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. Focus groups and meetings were held around the state and in 2014 the Justice Reinvestment Act was passed into law. The act focuses on ways to reduce inmates recidivism rate and an inefficient use of prison space much of which is being taken up by people whose probation or parole has been revoked. The act also targets improvements to strategies aimed at reducing the prisons revolving door. Jeffrey Ray, a spokesman for the Department of Correction, said implementation of the act is in the early stages and its difficult to say how it will affect Idahos criminal justice system in the long run. We are seeing a slight decline in our prison population, Ray said, but there are a number of factors that this could be attributed to, not just (the act). Because the legislation requires more oversight of people who have been released from prison, probation and parole officers are dealing with an increased workload, Ray said. Idaho Department of Correction Director Kevin Kempf recently reorganized his headquarters at Boise and moved 15 positions to the front lines of the agency. This re-org, coupled with the new positions we got as a result of the support we received from the governors office and the Legislature has bolstered the departments ranks by 13 probation and parole officers over the past two years, Ray said. The agency also ramped up the limited supervision unit from 300 offenders to more than 1,300. These are lower-risk offenders who have an established track record of complying with the conditions of their supervision. Instead of having periodic, face-to-face meetings with a probation and parole officer, this group of people check in monthly using the correction departments Web-based reporting system, which relieves some of the pressure on probation and parole officers. Still there is plenty of work to do and time will tell how (the act) will impact the system, Ray said. But we can say what we expect will happen. No clear solution to inmate overcrowding issue Vaughn Killeen, former Ada County sheriff who is now the executive director of the Idaho Sheriffs Association, said the idea of the Justice Reinvestment Act is if you can keep offenders closer to home the chances of rehabilitating themselves is always better when they have family support. Even so, Killeen acknowledged that means more pressure on county jails and probation and parole officials. Its been my experience that if (local jails) have too many (inmates) the Department of Correction will work with the jail and move them to another location, Killeen said. So this is an ongoing thing that never ends, whether youre dealing with the Justice Reinvestment Act or state prisoners housed in a jail. Its a huge puzzle and its an ongoing activity. Killeen said there is solid research showing that keeping first-time offenders out of the main prison is key to their success at being rehabilitated. In this day and age we need to take a look at the research and make the changes if we feel its going to improve the system and if its going to keep people from re-offending, Killeen said. We need to be careful about who were locking up and who were putting on probation. Certain kinds of offenders, just being exposed to that (prison) environment, if they never went in there, they would be less likely to re-offend. Its kind of the old thing of hanging around with the wrong crowd. Sheriff Giddings sees no relief for small counties coming from the Legislature, especially since the state correction department is trying to solve its inmate crowding problem by housing some state offenders in the counties. If you have a larger jail youre housing state inmates, where our small jail, we dont house state inmates, except on rare occasions, Giddings said. The solution probably is, were looking at a new jail or regional jails where you get two, three or four counties together. Were working on it; we just dont have the answer yet. HAILEY | With the sun on their backs, holding their horses reins, each skier whipped down the path trying to outpace the last. My first visit to the Wood River Valley after living in south-central Idaho since May wasnt to take in the scenery. I hit Quigley Canyon to take in the sight of the Norwegian pastime of skijoring and it became clear: Its not a true Saturday on the job for me without seeing something completely foreign to this Southerner. People dressed in puffy, bright-colored winter garb with skis strapped to their feet shuffled to the Wood River Extreme Skijoring Associations course in a field next to Wood River High School. The air was crisp, very clean. I felt like I was in Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics but with horses dragging those skiers. The 800-foot course was surrounded by more than 200 spectators and gorgeous, powdered sugar hills. There were stations with three orange rings and a few bumps I expected the skier to catch air from. At the cue of the announcer, each skier got behind horses that were no doubt ready to burn off the chilly air. They clenched onto long ropes, darting down the 800 feet in a matter of about 17 seconds. They zig-zagged through the course at break-neck speed, knees coming up to their chests as they rode up each bump and picked up more miles per hour. With each pass, the skis made a swishing sound as they carved the snow. They jammed their arms into the rings, trying to grab all three without dropping them and getting penalized. The horses hooves pounded manically as they inched towards the finish. Across the way, the 200 or so silent spectators were dressed in parkas that reminded this Floridian of Han Solo on the planet Hoth on his search for Luke Skywalker. While I cant say Im searching for more skijoring or the great Jedi knight for the matter, I can say I appreciate the skill it takes to crisscross the snow behind an eager horse without losing control and falling, or smacking right into the obstacles. The news reports of children poisoned by tap water in Flint, Mich., and of babies' brains damaged by Zika in Brazil are horrifying for some of the same reasons. In both cases, the threat is invisible. Lead has been leaching into Flint's water from pipes buried deep underground. The Zika virus, carried by tiny mosquitoes, produces no symptoms in 80 percent of infected people. With Zika and lead, it can take months or years to realize that irreversible damage has been done - for microcephaly to become evident in a fetus, for lead poisoning to show up as learning disabilities and behavior problems. In the meantime, it's difficult to trust what health authorities are saying, because government officials in Flint seem to have acted with negligence verging on malice and because doctors are still trying to understand Zika. But perhaps the most chilling parallel between Zika and lead is that they both assault children. In an era of heightened anxiety about protecting kids from contamination and harm, they play on our greatest fears. What will we do with those fears? Typically, we respond in one of two unhelpful ways. We overestimate the risk and focus exclusively on safeguarding our own children. Or we discount the danger, telling ourselves it can't happen to our kids. We ignore what disease pathologies and water-distribution systems should remind us: how connected we are. Rep. Elijah Cummings offered an impassioned ode to children at this month's congressional hearing on Flint. "I've often said that our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see," the Maryland Democrat said. "The question is: What will they leave us? And how will we send them into that future? Will we send them strong? Will we send them hopeful? Will we rob them of their destiny? Will we rob them of their dreams? No, we will not do that!" This is a fairly modern way of thinking about children - as vulnerable beings we should cultivate and protect. Of course, the impulse to protect children no doubt has an evolutionary dimension. Individual parents may be genetically programmed to invest in the survival of their offspring. But the notion that children are innocent, fragile creatures that society as a whole should shelter from contamination is a relatively recent idea. In my research, I've documented how colonial Americans considered children depraved. Babies, they thought, were dangerously unformed, immoral and animalistic, as evidenced by their inability to speak or stand. Parents were expected to teach their children to walk upright, help them to memorize scripture and then put them to work as soon as possible. By contemporary standards, there was a surprising lack of concern for children's welfare. Children frequently suffered severe burns playing near fireplaces, fell into uncovered wells or were attacked by wild animals, all suggesting an absence of adult supervision. Yes, many children died of diseases not then treatable. But they also died of easily preventable causes. Around the middle of the 18th century, attitudes began to shift. Drawing on John Locke's notion that children are blank slates and Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of children as pure and spontaneous, a romantic vision of childhood encouraged parents to shelter their children from adult realities to preserve their innocence. Parents kept children at home, in school and away from work longer than in the past. And an array of new institutions - from public schools to orphanages to children's hospitals - emerged to protect children's welfare. Still, the overwhelming majority of 19th-century American autobiographies report children being disciplined with a cane, paddle or leather strap. Child abuse and neglect became criminal offenses starting only in the 1870s. Mandatory schooling did not become universal until the early 20th century. The United States abolished child labor only in 1938. Slowly, incrementally, protecting children from harm became a public priority. Indeed, the growth of the American welfare state, from Aid to Dependent Children in the 1930s to Head Start, established in 1965, was largely driven by concern for children's well-being. This effort to ensure a "right to childhood," free from abuse or exploitation, was bipartisan and reflected a growing consensus that children, by virtue of their special vulnerability and their role as our collective future, deserve public support. Unfortunately, in recent decades, collective concern has often given way to something more inward looking. Anxiety about children's welfare is at the heart of modern parenting. As soon as pregnancy is confirmed, many parents start to worry about threats to their developing fetus from various foods, environmental toxins and maternal stress. A child's first year brings apprehension about sudden infant death syndrome, choking, sharp corners and electrical sockets. Even as children grow and gain independence, parents continue to agonize about their physical health, personality development, psychological well-being and academic performance. As a result, more moms and dads drive their kids to school, producing congestion in school zones that actually endangers children. Parents discourage their children from roaming freely outdoors, which contributes to obesity and excessive time spent in front of screens. Often, instead of translating their fears into a communal response - for example, by increasing supervision at parks and playgrounds - parents react to their worries on an individual basis, to the detriment of all children's well-being. With Zika and with lead poisoning, children are especially vulnerable. Their developing brains transform what's mild in adults into serious conditions. In the context of generalized anxiety about kids, it's easy to see how panic can result from World Health Organization warnings about the Zika virus "spreading explosively" and newspaper headlines such as "Untold cities across America have higher rates of lead poisoning than Flint." Across the United States, pregnant women are calling their doctors with questions about Zika. "It's very terrifying," a pregnant woman in Dallas told her local NBC affiliate. Her doctor, Sheila Chhutani, reminded her that there are no mosquitoes carrying Zika in northern Texas - or anywhere in the United States, for that matter. "I'm not worried about my pregnant patients here," Chhutani said. "I'm still more worried about them getting the flu, or making sure they get their flu shots, more than I am about the Zika virus." At the same time, parents are questioning whether they can trust the water coming out of their taps or what government officials say about it. Pediatricians in New Haven, Conn., tried to assure their patients that the water was safe - but then privately wondered whether that was true. Parents may feel genuine anguish for the children and families who have actually been affected by Zika or lead poisoning. But so far, for the most part, their responses have been self-regarding. They want to do everything they can to advance their own children's life prospects. What happens from here? Parents may overestimate the risks and go to great lengths to protect their own children. We saw this in the 1970s and 1980s, when exaggerated fears of stranger abductions led many parents to severely restrict their children's outdoor play, while alarm over purported sexual abuse in day-care centers led to prosecutions that were ultimately overturned. More recently, a significant minority of parents have refused to vaccinate their children out of a misplaced fear that this might contribute to autism. And even though school shootings are rare, many parents say they fear for their children when they drop them off each day. In other situations, parents may compartmentalize harm, dismissing it as something that happens to other people's children - to people who are somehow less deserving, who have bad luck or who live dramatically different lives. Two times now, heartbreaking images of Syrian children have provoked passions in the United States. In September 2013, there were the videos of children writhing in pain, dying, after a chemical weapons attack allegedly by President Bashar Assad's forces. And last September there was the Syrian toddler whose body washed up on a Turkish beach after a refugee boat capsized. Yet because these children were far away, because their experience was so unlike ours, passion didn't move us to action. President Obama's proposal for airstrikes against the Syrian regime proved unpopular. Assad remains in power. And while some Syrian refugees have been welcomed into the United States, they have also been confronted by calls to close the borders and ban Muslims. Similarly, the thousands of Central American children seeking to escape violence and poverty by coming to the United States captured the public's attention in the summer of 2014. But pleas for compassion competed with anti-immigrant sentiment. And now, outrage over deportation raids targeting those children and their families is largely limited to immigration rights advocates and Latino leaders. Compartmentalizing is easier for people to do when the children are from another country and speak a different language. It also happens when the threat disproportionately affects poor children, as with Brazil's Zika and Flint's water. But a communal response is critical in those cases, because poor people don't have the resources to protect their children like wealthier parents can. They can't hunker down in their air-conditioned homes until the mosquito threat is under control or a vaccine is developed. They may not have access to contraceptives, prenatal care or abortion. They don't have the luxury of forgoing straight tap water in favor of bottled water and reverse-osmosis filters. They often can't make their voices heard. We can help children by pressing our government to provide communities with resources to replace decaying water systems, to conduct trustworthy lead-level monitoring, and to offer health and educational supports to those poisoned in the past. We can help if the United States is willing to support mosquito control in Zika-infected regions, to improve and expand testing, and to accelerate the quest for a vaccine. The key question is whether Americans will respond to Zika and lead poisoning as problems predominantly of the poor, met with pity and a shrug of the shoulders, or as a call to arms demanding concerted collective action and a deepening commitment to children's welfare, irrespective of nationality or class. Will we fulfill our responsibility to children beyond our own? It takes a brave man to reject a scientific paper by Albert Einstein. But thats what the physicist Howard Percy Robertson did in 1936, as editor of the journal Physical Review. Einstein was so enraged that he never published there again. If Einstein were alive today, he might thank Robertson, who saved the great scientist from retracting the most far-reaching prediction of his theory of relativitythe existence of gravitational waves. The first direct detection of Einsteins waves was announced this week to much fanfare and celebration. Scientists say the waves emanated from the powerful collision of two black holes. The finding was hailed as a vindication, though Einstein was one of the biggest doubters of his own idea. He flip-flopped several times over the years, said physicist Daniel Kennefick, co-author of An Einstein Encyclopedia. The tale ended well, thanks to Einsteins wisdom in knowing when to be sure, when to have doubts, when to ignore his doubters and when to listen to them and regroup. The idea grew out of Einsteins relativity theories. He published his special theory of relativity in 1905, changing the way scientists understood space and time. He published the general theory in 1915 and changed the way scientists understood gravity, redefining it as the effect of curves in space and time. In February of 1916, Einstein predicted that if space and time could have lumps and bumps, then perhaps those bumps could move, said Kennefick. After all, we can see moving hills and valleys on the surface of water that we call waves, so if gravity curves space-time, why couldnt it create moving distortions? Einstein understood that these waves would be subtle. Only something dramatic could emit a signal strong enough to provide a chance to detect themsomething like a merger of black holes. But Einstein was skeptical about the existence of black holes at all, even though others predicted them based on his theory. These doubts didnt mean that that Einstein was insecure. He boldly predicted that the curve of space would produce a visible bending of starlight around the sun. That prompted the worlds best astronomers to see for themselves, waiting for a 1919 eclipse of the sun to make the behavior of faint light from background stars measurable. When asked how hed feel if relativity was disproved by the eclipse experiment, Einstein famously replied: Then I would feel sorry for the dear Lord. The theory is correct anyway. Einstein knew when to be certain, said Kennefick. He had a good physical intuition, and he also knew when he was ranging around in new territory. So its perhaps understandable that he would at one point decide to quash his gravitational-wave prediction in a high profile journal article. In hindsight, one could see Robertsons rejection as a double negativea negation of Einsteins doubt that added up to positive support for his original idea. Einstein didnt see it that way. According to historical accounts, he was furious. He submitted the paper to another journalthe more obscure journal of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, not that anything with Einsteins name on it could be obscure by that point in history. But before Einstein could reject his gravitational waves in that journal, Robertson indirectly nudged him to change his mind back again. Robertson did this by becoming acquainted with one of Einsteins assistants, Leopold Infeld, said Kennefick. It doesnt appear that either Infeld or Einstein knew about Robertsons role in rejecting the paper, as its traditional for reviewers to be anonymous. Robertson explained to Infeld why he thought Einstein was right the first time. That led to discussions between Einstein and Infeld, and before the paper came out, Einstein made radical revisions so that it supported rather than refuted the now famous forecast. Who knows how history would have unfolded had Robertson let Einstein publish the original anti-gravitational-wave paper. It certainly helped to have Einstein on the favored side of things when it came to the difficult task of detection. The project that eventually led to a positive signal cost $1.1 billion over a period of 40 years. Called the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, it qualifies as the most expensive apparatus ever funded by the National Science Foundation. The concept for LIGO was put forward by the MIT physicist Rainer Weiss back in 1972. The experiment is in the form of twin detectors, one near Hanford, Washington and one near Livingston, Louisiana. In each one, a laser beam travels down L-shaped pipes, each arm stretching two and a half miles. In theory, a gravitational wave would move mirrors at the ends of these pipes an inconceivably small distance that could be measured by the lasers. The apparatus went through two iterationsa preliminary version that went up in 2010 and a more advanced version that went online in September of 2015. Within a few days of starting operation, the advanced detector registered something, which the physicists say fits the description of two black holes colliding. The physicists say they can read a lot of information into the signal. They were able to discern the masses of the black holes29 and 36 times the mass of the sunand a distance to the event of 1.3 billion light years from earth. If they detect more collisions, the project could give scientists a more refined measure of distances to faraway objects and a better handle on the scale and expansion rate of the universe. They may observe other collisions between massive objects known as neutron stars, and learn about the nature of these exotic objects. And then theres always the hope that they will find something completely unexpected. When wealthy special interest groups want to defeat good policy, they turn to hired guns like Michael Saltsman. In an opinion published Sunday, Mr. Saltsman of the Employment Policies Institute denies the overwhelming body of evidence showing that minimum wage increases create more and better-paying jobs while lifting millions off of government assistance. At a minimum, Mr. Saltsmans remarks are misleading. His job, after all, is to protect his clients: wealthy corporations that pay low wages. Idaho has a higher proportion of workers in low-wage jobs than any other state, and he aims to keep it that wayworking from his Washington, D.C., office. Special interests such as the tobacco and alcohol industries pay Mr. Saltsmans fees. He simply doesnt have the best interests of hard-working Idahoans at heart. He suggests that the impact on real people is small potatoes, but he does so using a study cherry-picked to suit his purpose. Were getting less than the whole truth when he tells us that the research that shows that most recipients of the wage increase arent receiving public benefits. He neglected to mention this years study on wages and public assistance from the Economic Policy Institute, which finds that for every $1 increase in hourly wages, spending on government assistance programs falls by roughly $5.2 billion dollarsand that doesnt include Medicaid. Nearly 60 percent of workers paid less than $7.42 an hour use government programs, either directly or through a family member. Same for more than half of workers earning less than $9.91 an hour. Thats billions-with-a-B in reduced spending and millions of lives impactedprobably not much money to Mr. Saltsman and his clients, but more than enough for sensible people to take note. Under other circumstances, Mr. Saltsmans statements might just seem misguided. But the jurys in, and has been for decades: We can turn to David Card and Alan Kreuger, whose study of two neighboring statesone with a modest increase in the minimum wage, one withoutconcluded that increases in the minimum wage correlate with a rise in employment. Today, over 600 American economists are asking senators and representatives of both parties, for everyones good, to raise the minimum wage. In recent years, economists have shown with increasing certainty that even in hard times, jobs dont just vanish when regular people get a raise. Estimates from the Economic Policy Institute show that a wage increase of $1.17 an hour among people earning near-minimum wages helps one million hard-working people leave government assistance. In short, decades of research shows that raising the minimum wage makes for better lives and stronger economies. Given that Mr. Saltsman has been writing opinion pieces everywhere from the Magic Valley Times to the Wall Street Journal, Im confident that Im not the first to point it out. If Idaho is to prosper, hard work must earn fair pay. Responsible increases in the minimum wage are an excellent and well-vetted first step on a path to broader economic stability. The Smithsonians American History Museum is home to the inkwell President Abraham Lincoln used while writing the first draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. The museum notes that Republicans in Congress were urging President Lincoln to take a stand for freedom, and Lincoln drafted the Emancipation Proclamation ordering that on Jan. 1, 1863, all slaves in states still in rebellion would be then, thenceforward, and forever free. The original of the Emancipation Proclamation now rests in the National Archives. Like President Lincoln, many of our nations presidents led our country through difficult times, shaping the course for advancing our great United States of America. The Smithsonian aptly titled its exhibit on the American Presidency A Glorious Burden. This Presidents Day we celebrate, once again, the enormous contributions of the past presidents who guided Americans and helped build our nation into the leader of the free world. The celebration of this federal holiday is tied to the birthday of our nations first president, George Washington, who led our country during the American Revolutionary War and helped form our government as a Founding Father. The holiday typically falls between the birthdays of President Washington and President Lincoln. President George Washington was born Feb. 22, 1732. President Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809. According to the Congressional Research Service, in 1879, Congress added George Washingtons birthday, Feb. 22, to the list of holidays observed. Then, in 1968, through the enactment of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, the commemoration of the holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February. CRS notes that contrary to popular belief, federal law did not mandate the name of the holiday be changed from Washingtons Birthday to Presidents Day. Nonetheless, the holiday has been widely recognized as a time to honor all of those who have served in our nations highest office. This Presidents Day, we can reflect on the collective legacy of some of our nations great leaders and assess what we can do as Americans responsible for the future of our nation to maintain the foundation they built and propel our nation forward into a new era of progress. President Lincolns words in his annual message to Congress in 1862 still ring true today: The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we might rise to the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. We have our work cut out for us to grow our country and set it on a sound path, but we have every opportunity to rise to the occasion. This appeared in the Idaho Statesman An army of analysts and educators equipped with an arsenal of tools, programs and money is working toward an elusive and complicated goal: removing obstacles to postsecondary education that will translate into the skilled workers and career-ready graduates employers need. Who would argue with the premise of Complete College Idaho, a State Board of Education initiative launched in 2010? It was introduced as a plan for growing talent to fuel innovation and economic growth in the Gem State. . . The State Board has set an ambitious goal that 60 percent of Idahoans ages 25 to 34 will have a degree or certificate by 2020. This is not some blue-sky think-tank mantra. Achieving it is critical to Idahos economic success and future position as a place that can provide the skilled and educated workers employers need. If you dont build it the talent pool then they will not come. New companies and industries will bypass Idaho for states that do provide the prescribed workforce. If we fail, the good, living-wage jobs will locate beyond our borders, further branding the Gem State as a place where lower-paying service industry work dominates. At the time the Complete College Idaho program was launched, a Georgetown University study estimated that by 2018, 61 percent of Idaho jobs would require some form of postsecondary credential, and by 2020, 63 percent would require a certificate or degree. Idahos starting point back then: just 35 percent of students were prepared. Since then, the job market goalposts have moved. The new estimate says 69 percent of Idaho jobs will require postsecondary education or training. Idaho got its rate up to 42 percent at one point, but then regressed to 40 percent. This does not reflect a lack of enthusiasm, funding or work toward the goal. To the contrary, Gov. Butch Otters Task Force for Improving Education and its five-year K-to-career plan has been all about meeting the challenges of Complete College Idaho. An array of programs rolls out every year as obstacles are identified, including some initiatives in the 2016-2017 education budget: $5 million for college and career counseling for students; $5 million for adult degree completion scholarships; a series of initiatives targeting various public colleges; more slots for students seeking one-year certificates. What concerns the board is a situation that Idaho educators have little or no control over: a belief embraced by too many high school students and their parents that investment in postsecondary education is not worth it. Statistics say the opposite. The low-hanging fruit of jobs that pay enough to make rent and a car payment are out there. A marginally improving Idaho economy in which, for example, construction has picked up and put people back to work is another form of competition for the goal. Idaho has a culture of college-going that is not as robust as we wish it was, said Matt Freeman, executive director of the State Board of Education. To its credit, the states top educators are not scaling back. They cant and shouldnt. Moving the goals to, say, 2025 would be tantamount to giving up on five years of students who will fall further behind those with better skills. But nobody wins trophies for trying hard. The State Board is shooting for 50 percent success by 2018, and we wont get there unless we all become evangelists for both ends of the learning spectrum: from early education to those postsecondary goals. We equates especially to parents, teachers, counselors, legislators, the media, and all other elected officials and role models. We have to carry the message that the living-wage jobs of the future that will keep our best and brightest working and succeeding in Idaho will require training, education, investment and commitment. As attractive and traditional as some fields might be, the future is not going to sustain the same number of farmworkers and ranchers. There wont be as many jobs in the mines and forests. Lumber mills that once hired by the hundreds now can operate with a couple of dozen skilled workers. Advocating for Complete College Idaho is not just the right thing to do philosophically and morally its the right thing to do because our future hangs in the balance. Nothing irks an Idaho Republican quite like the federal government. Whether it is lands, education, health care or just about any other issue (even driving licenses), the GOP-controlled Idaho Legislature has the same predictable response when it comes to the feds: We know better than you, so leave our state the hell alone. Increasingly, the Legislature is becoming just as predictable in how it deals with cities and counties: We know better than you, so let us tell you how to run your towns. Oh, the irony. In just the past week, Statehouse lawmakers have advanced two head-scratching bills that would suck power away from cities. One would block cities from deciding whether to ban plastic grocery bags in their communities. Another would prevent cities from setting their own minimum wages. Lets be clear about this: We wouldnt necessarily support a ban on plastic bags or a mandatory minimum wage in Twin Falls or any other Magic Valley city. But we do take issue with a state government whose intent is to block cities from even having the debate. Regardless of what you think about grocery bags and fast-food jobs, both bills represent a troubling encroachment by state government on the sovereignty of local communities. Just as Washington knows better than Boise, so does Boise know better than Twin Falls. Perhaps this would be easier to stomach if lawmakers didnt spend so much time touting local control in the summer and fall, only to turn around each winter and strip more local rights away. No local-control issue is as maddening as education. Because lawmakers have failed to properly fund education at the state level, especially since the recession (Idaho still pays its teachers less than almost every state in the country, even though it has one of the highest student-teacher ratios), lawmakers have been content to force local school districts to turn to voters again and again through bonds, just to keep buildings from deteriorating. Its up to local voters, legislators say, to decide whether they want to fund their schools. At the same time, legislators have repeatedly blocked efforts that would allow cities to vote locally over a local-option sales tax. Now, local-option taxes are allowed only in a handful of Idahos resort communities, such as Ketchum. But they could be big economic boosters for cities like Twin Falls, whose population doubles every day as people from surrounding areas come here to shop and work but dont pay for local services like roadwork and policing. In the fall, city leaders practically begged lawmakers to revisit a local-option tax this session. City leaders werent asking lawmakers to pass a tax they simply want the freedom to let local voters decide if its a good idea. Not surprisingly, the citys request went nowhere with the Magic Valley delegation. Boise, it seems, always knows best. As a resident of Cassia County who pays property taxes on both residential and commercial properties, I encourage the citizens of Cassia County to support the school bond election scheduled for March 8 and would like to address some of the publicly voiced concerns about the bond election. It is terrible that a citizens committee and the school trustees were given inaccurate information concerning construction costs. However, those who have been involved in public building construction projects realize that they have to rely upon information given by consultants. Everyone now knows the cost information was inaccurate, but that does make the improvements evaluation inaccurate. The need is there. A citizens committee representing every area of Cassia County, elected trustees representing every area of the county, and the voters in the first bond election all affirmed the need for the improvements. If the needs are not addressed now, the only ones who suffer are the coming generations of students. The trustees and citizens committee have nothing to gain other than improving the school system for the children of Cassia County. The members of the citizens committee volunteered their service. Unlike almost every other Idaho elected office, trustees receive no compensation for their service. Construction of public buildings is not the same as constructing private buildings. Many things inflate the cost: the public bidding process, safety codes, the requirement to pay Davis/Bacon wages, the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, designing for use by thousands of students and the public over many decades and other governmental rules and regulations, all of which increase the cost. If one doesnt like what is going on with the school district, get involved. Run for office. Volunteer to serve on a citizens committee. Discover the details that are considered when putting together these types of proposals. It is easy to sit in the bleachers and yell, it is much more difficult to be in the fray making tough decisions. Let us not punish the children of our school district for the errors of a consultant. Let us join together and correct the error by providing the needed facilities. For more information, visit the districts website. Please support the bond election by voting yes either before the election at the old Cassia County courthouse on Overland Avenue or on March 8 at your voting precinct. Kent Fletcher Burley The After School app has singled out students, angered parents and raised suicide concerns in south-central Idaho. Take our quiz to see what you know about the app, then turn to our special report on page B1. 1. Students use the After School app to: A. Help with homework. B. Keep track of social engagements. C. Post anonymous comments about classmates and teachers. D. Track school assignments. 2. The icon for the After School app looks like: A. A calculator. B. A calendar. C. A tiger in sunglasses. D. Hidden, or any of the above. 3. Can parents download the app to monitor their childs activity on a school-specific message board? A. Yes, parents are allowed. B. No, a user must be verified as a student to gain access to the apps message boards. C. Yes, but parents have limited privileges. D. Parents can download the app with their childs permission. 4. Are vulgar, sexual and bullying comments and photos filtered out? A. Yes, no vulgar content appears on the message boards. B. The app removes reported posts, but many vulgar words are replaced by symbols and remain on the board. C. Nude photos of teens have been posted. D. Bullying behavior has been reported on the message boards at several south-central Idaho schools. 5. What should parents do if their child is bullied on the app? A. Report the bullying to the apps makers. B. Report the incident to the childs school. C. Talk with the child and seek counseling if the incident is severe. D. All of the above. Answer key: 1 C. Students use the app to post anonymous comments to a message board tied to their school. 2 D. The After School app icon has a tiger head wearing sunglasses, but it can be hidden entirely from view or look like a common object such as a calculator or calendar. 3 B. Users must be verified students to log on to a message board, but some local parents have viewed the board by using their childs app. 4 B, C and D. The app claims to remove reported posts, but symbols are often used to replace vulgar or obscene words, and the posts remain on the board. Nude photos have appeared on the message boards, and bullying behavior has been reported to school officials and to the apps makers. 5 D. If your child has been bullied, you should report the post to the app makers and to the childs school. Talk to the student and seek counseling if necessary. Jane Stafford in Sabahar's weaving shed - Adis Ababa, Ethiopia. Jane working with the weavers. Well known weaving instructor, Jane Stafford has just returned from a trip to visit Sabahar in Ethiopia.Jane and Sabahar first met at the 2011 Maiwa masterclass in Bengal. So, like a textile matchmaker, Maiwa is quite proud that the two have kept in touch and maintained a relationship.Jane has given a full description of her Ethiopian visit in her newsletter and now she is re-posting the story on her website.Here are direct links:Part 1Part 2 As promised, I am back for more NCAA Gymnastics live blogging. This afternoon is all about # 5 LSU visiting # 11 Georgia.Last weekend, Georgia narrowly defeated Florida by only.050. Can Georgia pull off another win or will the LSU Tigers devour the Gym-Dogs. Refresh the page every few minutes or so to find out! Before I officially begin, I just want to muse on the hilarity and eye-roll inducing SEC scoring. Last night the Alabama at Auburn meet had me eyeing certain scores suspiciously. My husband was watching with me and he also gave a few scores the proverbial side eye. I usually try to remain neutral, but I'm anticipating some scoring shenanigans as is expected in the SEC.Rotation one, Georgia, the home team will start on vault, LSU will begin their night on bars.Leading off vault for Georgia, Ashlyn Broussard - FTY, hop on landing. 9.825Jessica Savona leads off bars for LSU -shaposh + bail, giant 1/1 + taktchev, DLO, stuck, or as far as I could tell. I couldn't see through Jay Clark's ass. 9.85Natalie Vaculik VT GA - FTY - chest down, step FWD 9.7Myia Hambrick LSU UB - jimp KCHS + tkatchev, giant 1.1 + bail, toe shoot Full in, step FWD 9.825GiGI Marino GA VT - Yurchenko 1 & 1/2, stuck. Nice form in the air. 9.9Julianna Cannamela LSU UB - jump KCHS, toe on + tkatchev, bail, nice hS positions, full in, step back. Good routine. 9.825Sydney Snead VT GA - FTY very high, far, nice form, bounces in place. 9.9Randii Wyrick LSU UB (replacing Lexie Priessman I guess since she's injured AGAIN) - Jump KCHS giant 1/1 + tkatchev, falls, bail, DLO, stuck. 9.175Brittany Rogers VT - DTY huge, hop back. 9.875Sarah Finnegan UB LSU - jump KCHS, ray, toe on + bail, toe shoot to HB, DLO, small step back. good routine for her. 9.875Brandie Jay VT GA - yurchenko 1 & 1/2, small hop forward. 9.925Shae Zamardi LSU UB- maloney+pak 1/2, giant 1/2 + khorkina, double arabian, small hop. 9.825It's Georgia in the lead after the first rotation. Here are the scores:Georgia vault total: 49.425LSU bars total: 49.2Second rotation, Georgia goes to bars and LSU will go to vault.Props to ESPN for doing a splat-fest montage on beam.Julianna Cannamela is leading off vault for LSU - FTY nice form in the air. Small step on the landing. 9.8Natalie Vaculik leads off bars for Georgia - toe on + giant 1/2 + piked jaeger, bail, full in, some crazy legs in the air. step back. 9.775Sydney Ewing VT LSU - yruchenko 1 and a half, hop on landing. 9.875Gracie Cherry UB GA - jump KCHS tkatchev, flexed feet, bail, DLO small slide back. 9.775Sarah Finnegan VT LSU - FTY, small step back.9.8Sydney Snead GA UB - jump KCHS, clear hip + tkatchev, bail, short HS, giant 1/1, DLO hop fwd. 9.825Erin Macadaeg VT LSU - FTY, tries to hold the landing. 9.75Rachel Schick GA UB - tkatchev, giant 1/2 + piked jaeger, bail, DLO, big hop FWD, chest slightly down on landing. 9.75Myia Hambrick VT LSU - very high, good form, small hop and step back. 9.85Brandie Jay UB GA - toe on + bail, shushunova, full twisting DLO, floats it and sticks 9.925Ashleigh Gnat VT LSU - DTY Huge power, stuck. 9.95Brittany Rogers UB GA - jump KCHS stalder + ricna +pak, in bar, + maloney DLO stuck. 9.95(that may have been a little side eye inducing, there were definitely short handstands)Scores after 2 rotations:Georgia 98.675, bars total 49.25LSU 98.475, vault total 49.275Third rotation, LSU will go to floor, Georgia will go to beam. LSU could overtake Georgia if they have a splat fest on beam.Friday was yesterday, ESPN, so this should be Saturday Night Heights, just FYI.Natalie Vaculik leads off beam for Georgia - sw + spl, BHS + LOSO, solid, fro aerial + beat jump, side somi, 1/1 turn, aerial cartwheel + 1/1 dismount. 9.825Sydney Ewing leads off floor for LSU - 1 1/2 twist, FHS + fro 1/1 + fro lay, sw 1/4 + popa, double pike.9.85Brandie Jay BB GA - 1/1 turn, cat leap + aerial cartwheel, fro toss + bhs, sw + sw 1/4 to front support to clear hip, round off + 1 1/2 twist, stuck. 9.9Myia Hambrick LSU FX - beautiful DLO opening pass. 2 1/2 + fro tuck, tour jete + wolf, double pike, bounces out, 9.875Brittany Rogers BB GA - fro aerial + wolf, bhs 1/1, BHS + LOSO, omelianchik, BHS + 1 1/2 9.925Sarah Finnegan FX LSU - 1 1/2 + 2 1/2, double back, memmel 1/1, sw ring + sw 1/2, double pike, put her hands down 9.3Vivi Babalis BB GA - fro aerial + LOSO, sw + cat leap + 1/1 turn, fro toss, punch 1/1 stuck.9.875McKenna Kelly FX LSU - beautiful DLO opener, fro lay + fro 1/1, tour jete 1/2 + tuck 1/1, double back, nice. Very much improved. 9.8Ashlyn Broussard GA BB - BHS + BHS +LOSO, sw + straddle side, 1/1 turn, aerial + straddle cross jump, cat leap + gainer 1/1 stuck. Another solid beam routine from Georgia. 9.9Randii Wyrick FX LSU - full in, fro 1/1 + fro lay + fro 1/2, sw 1/4 + popa, double stag, double back, big step out. 9.825Mary Beth Box GA BB - BHS + LOSO arm waving, sw + straddle 3/4, the moonwalk, 1/1 turn, fro aerial, round off + 1 1/2 dismount, small step.9.775Ashleigh Gnat LSU FX - DLO, beautiful, 2 1/2 + front tuck, sw ring + tour jete 1/2, double pike, stuck with two feet. 9.925 (I'm kinda surprised it didn't get a 10)Scores after 3 rotations:Georgia 148.1, beam total 49.425LSU 147.750, floor total 49.275Final rotation, Georgia will end on floor and hopefully, random dudes won't be sitting on the edge of the floor on a couch again. LSU will end on beam.Erin Macadaeg leads off beam for LSU - 1/1 turn, sw + s 1/2 + beat fro aerial + cross straddle, BHS + LOSO, gainer 1/1 stuck. 9.925Sydney Snead leads off floor for Georgia = whip + double back, big step out, FHS + rudi + sissone, sw + wolf 1/1, double pike, OOB. 9.7Myia Hambrick BB LSU - cat leap + aerial, sw + side straddle, BHS + LOSO, nice back scale, , round off + 2/1 twist 9.9Vivi Babalis FX GA - whip + double back, tour jete 1/2 + tour jete 1/1, fro lay + fro 1/1 double pike. 9.8Suzanne Youclan gives that the fist pump seal of approval.Julianna Cannamela BB LSU - 1/1 turn, BHS + LOSO, sw + sw 1/4, standing LOSO, round off + 1 1/2 dismount. 9.75Brittany Rogers FX GA - double arabian, huge, sw ring + tour jete 1/2, 1/1 turn, 1 1/2 + fro lay, double pike, she's happy with that routine. 9.875Sydney Ewing BB LSU - BHS + 2 ft lay, cat leap + sw 1/4, 1/1 turn, LOSO + cross straddle, round off + 1 1/2, step back. 9.8GiGi Marino FX GA - DLO, huge, tour jete 1/1 + popa, 1 1/2 + fro lay, double pike. 9.9Sarah Finnegan LSU BB - 2 1/2 wolf turn ( was going for 3, but stopped at 2 1/2) BHS + LOSO, sw + sw 1/2, side somi, aerial cartwheel + 1/1. 9.675Mary Beth Box FX GA - The bouncy hair is back! double pike, 1 1/2 + fro lay, sw 1/4 + popa, flips her hair, double back. That was a great routine! 9.925 - underscored.Ashleigh Gnat BB LSU - fro aerial + beat jump (slow connection), 1/1 turn, sw + side straddle, sw 1/4, BHS + LOSO - falls. round off + 1 1/2. 9.3Brandie Jay FX GA - full out, FHS + fro 1/1 + fro lay, sw + wolf + popa, whip 1 /2 + fro 1/1. 9.925Day-um Georgia. Way to bring it. Nary a side eye was given. LSU... gotta get those road scores up.Final scores:Georgia 197.525, floor total 49.425LSU 196.8, beam total 49.050I'll be back at 7 MST (9 ET/6 PT/8 CT) for Washington at Utah, then at 9 MST (11 ET/8 PT/10 CT) for Oregon State at UCLA. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited news content and The Canberra Times app. Premium subscribers also enjoy interactive puzzles and access to the digital version of our print edition - Today's Paper. My book, "Health, Medicine and Justice: Designing a fair and equitable healthcare system", is out and and widely available! Medicine and Social Justice will have periodic postings of my comments on issues related to, well, Medicine, and Social Justice, and Medicine and Social Justice. It will also look at Health, Workforce, health systems, and some national and global priorities The Florida Department of Corrections attempt to restore normalcy to its troubled prison healthcare system is now tangled in a legal dispute over the agencys decision to award up to $31 million in fees to a politically well-connected company as part of a $268 million no-bid contract. The contract between the prison agency and Centurion of Florida was signed Feb. 1 after Corizon Health told FDC Secretary Julie Jones in December that it planned to walk away from its five-year, $1.2 billion contract three years early. The company had complained it had been losing $1 million a month on its contract to provide mental, physical and dental healthcare for 82,000 of the states inmates and was under fire from the agency to improve its performance. Jones determined that the emergency situation did not require the state to seek competitive bids and, rather than a formal bid-seeking process, she asked other healthcare companies to offer proposals to fill the gap in prison healthcare until the agency negotiates a new bid with new companies in 2018. Three companies submitted proposals Wexford, the company that serves 18,000 inmates in the South Florida region, Centurion, and Armor. Two of them were tens of millions of dollars more expensive than the awarded vendors price, said McKinley Lewis, FDC spokesman. The department awarded the contract to Centurion, a partnership between MHM Services, a provider of mental healthcare services, and Centene, the company that holds a lucrative Medicaid managed-care contract with the state. The company has contributed $298,000 to legislative campaigns and political committees in 2015 alone, and its chief lobbyist is former House Speaker Dean Cannon. Story here. Look at the spirit out there! he gushes as we swing past waving supporters. Did you stand there in that room and feel that kind of response? A big part of Trumps appeal is that he speaks like a regular guy instead of a cautious politician. During a ride to the airport he invited me to join, the billionaire presidential front-runner is gracious and warm, every bit the accessible everyman. No press handlers butting in, no candidate shying away from politically dicey issues and little skittishness about winging it on matters to which he has paid scant attention. Its like talking to your amiable and opinionated uncle in New Jersey about stuff going on in Florida but in this case your uncle is poised to become the Republican presidential nominee. Trump, 69, repeatedly steers the conversation back to the size of his crowds and vast support across red and blue states, asking nearly as many questions as he answers. But during the 16-minute ride to a private plane awaiting him, he disparages both Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, sounds skeptical about increased offshore drilling and praises Gov. Rick Scott. Is it fair that Cubans who arrive in America automatically get legal status, a path to citizenship and benefits such as Social Security, when other foreign-born people dont? I dont think thats fair. I mean why would that be a fair thing? responds Trump, an answer his rivals are likely to remind him of when campaigning in Miami-Dade County, where thousands of residents fled political persecution in Cuba. More here. @cveiga and @ByKristenMClark A familiar face is back at the center of a perennial tug-of-war in the Florida Legislature between privately-managed charter schools and district-run public schools over taxpayer money for construction projects: Erik Fresen, the Miami Republican who controls the purse for education funding in the Florida House. His connections to the charter school industry continue to raise questions about conflicts of interest. He has fast-tracked a mid-session bill that would limit school district spending on capital needs. It would also force districts to share their construction tax money with charters. Fresen is a $150,000-a-year land consultant for Civica, an architecture firm with a specialty in building charter schools. Many of those schools were built for Academica which has been described as the largest charter school management company in Florida and which counts Fresens brother-in-law and sister as executives. Fresen says he simply wants to hold districts accountable for the money they spend and ensure equitable funding for charter schools, which are classified as public schools. Nothing in this bill has anything to do with anything that I do for a living, he said. But Fresen, 39, is dogged by questions that his goal isnt so well-intentioned. More here. @ByKristenMClark U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Jupiter, said on Sunday that his primary opponent in Florida's U.S. Senate race -- fellow U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson -- has "violated the public trust" and "put Floridians second to his pocketbook" through his management of an offshore hedge fund and that Grayson should resign his seat from Congress "if all of these allegations are true." Questions over Grayson's hedge fund activities have dogged the Orlando Democrat for much of the past year. Various media outlets, including the Tampa Bay Times, have reported on the investments, which until last fall were based in the Cayman Islands. Grayson also faces a congressional ethics investigation into the matter. He denies any wrongdoing; his spokesman said again Sunday that Grayson "did nothing unethical, illegal or even fattening." The controversy boiled over late last week with a detailed New York Times report that cited interviews, emails and marketing documents indicating Grayson was using his position in Congress to advance the hedge fund he managed. (Grayson denounced the report as "replete with misleading statements, innuendo and outright lies.") The article prompted Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Friday to call on Grayson to end his bid for Marco Rubio's U.S. Senate seat. Reid -- whose political committee previously donated to Murphy's campaign -- said Grayson "has no moral compass" and his alleged activities "disgrace the halls of Congress." Two days later, in a conference call with reporters on Sunday, Murphy offered a similar sentiment toward Grayson. "Its clear that he used his official position for personal gain. Thats not only unacceptable, it's unethical," Murphy said. Murphy and Grayson are competing in the August Democratic primary in Florida's U.S. Senate race -- which has drawn national attention, because the outcome of the November election could decide which party controls the chamber next year. "Alan Grayson has broken the trust of the voters who put him in office, and he has failed his constituents," Murphy said, calling on Grayson to close his hedge fund or show proof that it has been closed. "Patrick Murphy can't legitimately call for anything when he ducks questions about selling his votes to political donors," Grayson spokesman David Damron said. "Congressman Grayson did nothing unethical, illegal or even fattening, so Wall Street's errand boy should stop this desperate, issue-phobic smear campaign, and be more respectful to voters. Does he even understand the concept of Valentine's Day? Like Reid, Murphy called the allegations against Grayson "deeply troubling." When asked whether Grayson should end his Senate campaign -- as Reid had called for -- Murphy said "that's up to him, quite frankly," but Murphy said he didn't know how Grayson could continue campaigning while dealing with both his job in Congress and the hedge fund controversy. As to whether Grayson should resign from his current seat in the U.S. House, Murphy said: "If all of these allegations are true -- and I'm assuming it's true that there is an actual ethics investigation going -- I would think he would have to resign from office." "I think that would be the necessary course of action," Murphy added. Grayson, a liberal progressive, has previously highlighted campaign contributions Murphy has received from Wall Street. As Murphy's conference call was set to begin, Grayson's campaign sent to reporters a few suggested questions regarding Murphy's own record on investment legislation before Congress -- specifically Murphy's co-sponsorship of H.R. 766, which Grayson's campaign said would "make it harder to prosecute white-collar criminals on Wall Street" and which Murphy co-sponsored but "has avoided voting on" since he entered the Senate race last spring. Murphy didn't directly respond to reporters who broached Grayson's questions on the call. Murphy said Grayson's attacks "strike me as very desperate" and his spokesman Joshua Karp said Grayson was attempting to "distract" from responding to his own hedge fund controversy. Photo credit: Walter Michot / Miami Herald via @adamsmithtimes Eric Miller, a prominent Republican activist, Martin County State Committeeman, and former candidate for Florida GOP Chairman, is calling on the state party's vice chairman,Joe Gruters, to step down as co-chairman of Donald Trump's Florida campaign. Miller calls Trump - currently the overwhelming favorite of Republicans in Florida - an "unprincipled shell of a man." Here is Miller's Valentines Day letter to Gruters and other state party leaders and activists: 14 February 2016 Mr. Vice Chairman: As Americans we once again find ourselves at a crossroads as a Nation. We are at this juncture by no other reason than our own. I am sending this open letter to you with the sense that if those with influence do not speak out now, we will all pay a heavy price when Liberty is lost and darkness consumes our Nation. With Progressive elements now in control of leadership across both sides of the aisle, be cautioned that the Republican Party will either be known in history as the vehicle that solidified a National Socialist as President or we will be remembered as the people that restored our great Nation to a Constitutional Republic. We can no longer feed our desire to win at all costs as Republicans and Americans with malevolent pomposity. It is time that we all begin to perform our political duties not in our own interests but based on our common American principles of Liberty. Joe, I know you well enough to say that you are not the unprincipled shell of a man that Donald Trump is. Nor do you wish to bring harm to the name Republican. However, your position as Florida Co-Chairman of the Donald Trump for President Campaign is doing just that. You are not the issue. Your title and how it is being viewed are the matter at hand. I am respectfully asking that you choose between your office as Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and the position of Florida Co-Chairman with Mr. Donald Trump. The two positions create a contradiction of principle and do not allow for or give the appearance of unbiased behavior as Vice Chairman of the third largest Republican State in the Union. I am sure that I echo a loud voice when I say that we would welcome the opportunity to have you on our side as a Party leader and as our Vice Chairman in Florida. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter. I will pray that you are guided to make an ethical decision that is based on the principles of American Constitutionality and one that reflects best on our Grand Old Party. Cordially, Eric D. Miller RPOF State Committeeman Martin County State GOP Vice Chairman Gruters, who himself has run for state party chairman before, is currently running for Sarasota county commission, and also served as chairman of the Sarasota Republican Party, is co-chairman of Trump's Florida campaign along with Susie Wiles, a lobbyist in the Jacksonville area who ran Rick Scott's first campaign for governor. Gruters was also an early Scott supporter, and neither he nor Wiles are paid for their work on Trump's behalf in Florida. Gruters dismissed Miller's letter: "I am proud to be the State Co Chairman of Donald Trump here in Florida. Bold Leadership is needed and we can no longer continue to elect the same candidates from the political elite who are controlled by the special interest. Donald will only be beholden to the people," Gruters emailed. "It is also becoming clearer that Mr Trump will be our Nominee and our President. He is winning every poll and there is nothing that will stop his momentum. Obviously this upsets the establishment. I will continue my duties in all of my positions and look forward to working with everyone to ensure our nominee is victorious in November. I also fully believe in his message and vision and he will Make America Great Again." For what it's worth, Florida Democratic Chairwoman Allison Tant and Vice Chairman Alan Clendenin are members of the Hillary Clinton campaign's Florida Leadership Council. --ADAM C. SMITH, Tampa Bay Times By Alex Kotch and Chris Kromm This week a panel of three federal judges refused to delay its order that North Carolina redraw congressional maps before the state's March 15 primary elections on the grounds that North Carolina's 1st and 12th districts were unconstitutionally gerrymandered along racial lines. The ruling was not a surprise: North Carolina's congressional and legislative districts have been embroiled in litigation since they were devised by state Republicans after the 2010 Census. In their decision, the judges agreed with voting rights plaintiffs who argued that the unconstitutional way race was used as a "nonnegotiable criterion" in drawing up the maps outweighed the inconvenience the ruling posed to the state, which would could be forced to move its primaries if the ruling stands. State attorneys immediately appealed the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court; elections experts are split in their predictions about which way the high court will rule. The North Carolina case highlights the growing role of powerful, well-funded political organizations in the high-stakes world of election map-making. In North Carolina, the Republican State Leadership Committee a Washington, D.C.-based super PAC created in 2002 to elect state-level GOP candidates played a uniquely influential role in both creating the state's contested districts and helping to elect state lawmakers and a N.C. Supreme Court Justice who would pass and approve them. WINNING THE LEGISLATURE: As documented by Facing South and others, in 2010 the Republican State Leadership Committee made it a priority to win over state legislatures in time for the biennial redistricting process. The RSLC funneled $1.25 million to Real Jobs NC, a 527 political committee launched by conservative donors including Art Pope, who sat on the group's board. Real Jobs NC was part of a constellation of Pope-connected groups that targeted nearly two-dozen races. Republicans won 80 percent of the contests, helping fuel the GOP's historic capture of the N.C. General Assembly, and putting Republicans in charge of drawing the state's new Congressional and legislative districts. DRAWING THE LINES: After winning the election, the Republican State Leadership Committee turned to its nonprofit arm, the State Government Leadership Foundation, to aid in creating North Carolina's new political districts. As reported by ProPublica , Chris Jankowski who headed both the RSLC and the Leadership Foundation wrote a letter to North Carolina lawmakers describing the role his groups could play in the process. The letter, which became public as a result of the redistricting lawsuits, read in part: Our team would be happy to assist in drawing proposed maps, interpreting data, or providing advice We are engaged in a number of states and believe we are playing a meaningful role in helping draw fair and legal lines that will allow us to run competitive elections in 2012 and in future cycles. Heading the Leadership Foundation's redistricting team was Tom Hofeller, a GOP mapmaking veteran . On Feb. 1, 2011, Hofeller came to North Carolina for the first of 10 visits he would make to the state. According to depositions gathered in the lawsuit, Hofeller and others including Art Pope used Hofeller's software to create a so-called "10-3" map that would pack Democrats (and African Americans) into three districts, allowing 10 others to be dominated by Republicans. SECURING THE COURT: With North Carolina's controversial districts guaranteed to face a robust legal challenge, the RSLC moved aggressively to secure a conservative majority on the N.C. Supreme Court, where the redistricting lawsuit would be heard. In 2012, with conservative Justice Paul Newby facing a tough election and the court's 5-4 conservative majority on the line, the RSLC funneled nearly $1.2 million into the North Carolina-based group Justice for All N.C. , formed in May of that year. Justice for All then used that money and donations from other sources to fund another state-based group, the North Carolina Judicial Coalition , which ultimately spent nearly $2 million on ads supporting Newby. Justice for All also spent $175,000 directly on ads supporting Newby, who beat opponent Sam Ervin by a 52-48 margin. In 2014, the RSLC sent over another $1.3 million to Justice for All, which spent nearly $900,000 on a widely-panned attack ad against incumbent justice Robin Hudson, and $425,000 more supporting conservative candidate Mike Robinson in a second supreme court race. Both liberal incumbents held onto their seats. The N.C. Supreme Court ruled twice to accept the congressional and state legislative districts, most recently in December 2015 on a 4-3 decision following party lines. Justice Newby refused a request from attorneys involved in the redistricting lawsuit that he recuse himself, given the role the RSLC played in both drawing the maps and electing him to office. The conservative N.C. Supreme Court majority approved the maps in December even after the U.S. Supreme Court, which remanded the case back to North Carolina, had taken a clear stand against racial gerrymandering in a similar case in Alabama. As legal expert Billy Corriher wrote for the Center for American Progress , "When it upheld the maps [in December], the North Carolina Supreme Court's four-justice conservative majority essentially ignored the rules laid out in the Supreme Court's Alabama decision." This week, the state Supreme Court refused to rehear a different case that challenges both the legislative and congressional districts, a case that may also end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. Big Money, court conflicts The RSLC's role in North Carolina's judicial elections has been especially controversial given the backing the political group receives from key corporate interests in North Carolina, including companies and groups with business before the N.C. Supreme Court. A Facing South/Institute for Southern Studies analysis of reports submitted to the Internal Revenue Service finds that eight North Carolina companies have given $100,000 or more to the RSLC since 2011. While the donations slowed slightly in 2015, they continue to come from many of the companies that have been faithful donors over the years. Total contributions from North Carolina businesses to the RSLC totaled nearly $733,000 last year. Among the largest North Carolina backers of the Republican State Leadership Committee: REYNOLDS AMERICAN: Leading the pack by a wide margin is tobacco giant Reynolds American, based in Winston-Salem, which has given the RSLC close to $3.1 million over the past five years. Last year, Reynolds completed a Leading the pack by a wide margin is tobacco giant Reynolds American, based in Winston-Salem, which has given the RSLC close to $3.1 million over the past five years. Last year, Reynolds completed a $27.4 billion merger with Greensboro-based tobacco company Lorillard, which is the state's second-biggest donor to the RSLC, having pitched in nearly $335,000 since 2011. The merger unites two already substantial political donors to conservative groups. In addition to funneling money through the RSLC, the two companies which have had key cases appear in N.C. courts in recent years have been directly involved in spending on judicial elections: Since 2012, Reynolds American has given Justice for All $130,000 and Lorillard has donated $25,000. Reynolds gave $150,000 to the N.C. Judicial Coalition in 2012. DUKE ENERGY: The nation's biggest utility company, which has had considerable business before the high court regarding rate hikes and environmental issues such as its 2014 coal ash spill, has given consistently every year since 2011 for a total of $305,000. Time Warner Cable($300,000) and Variety Stores, the retail chain owned by Art Pope ($250,000). The following chart outlines North Carolina's top corporate contributors to the RSLC: Other leading corporate donors to the RSLC from North Carolina include($300,000) and, the retail chain owned by Art Pope ($250,000). The following chart outlines North Carolina's top corporate contributors to the RSLC: BILLINGS Tavern owners and craft brewers have often had a frosty relationship in Montana, fighting for their share of thirsty beer drinkers money. But on Tuesday, the two groups, along with the Montana Restaurant Association, announced a new alliance. Signs and stickers stating Buy Local Beer Here are popping up at bars, restaurants and breweries statewide, part of a broader campaign to highlight Montana-made brews at Montana establishments. We decided to focus on the thousand things we have in common instead of the three things we disagree on, said John Iverson, government affairs director of the Montana Tavern Owners Association. The tavern owners, restaurateurs and brewers produced about 6,000 stickers in this first run and are encouraging consumers to post pictures with messages on social media, said Matt Leow, director of the Montana Brewers Association. They have hashtags, #BuyLocalBeer and #MTBeer, which they hope will get people talking on social media. There's a website, too: montanabrewers.org/buylocalbeer. Look out for the Buy Local Beer Here sign on storefronts and slap a sticker on your car, bike, skis or boat to show support for Montana craft beer, Josh Townsley, president of the brewers association and owner of Lakeside-based Tamarack Brewing Co., said in a statement. Montana has 71 licensed breweries, and the number has more than doubled since the beginning of the decade, according to the state Department of Revenue. Initially, the growth of tap rooms made tavern owners nervous. They resembled bars, but the licenses could be obtained at a fraction of the cost. However, both sides recognized that craft brewing was growing. In 2014, the brewers, tavern owners and beer distributors began meeting to work on new craft-beer legislation, but the partnership disintegrated when the distributors and a small group of brewers broke off to write their own bill. Both bills failed in the Legislature, but both sides say the new buy-local campaign is step forward. This is a foundation for future collaboration, Iverson said. For restaurateurs, its also a chance to put their mark on a growing trend, said Brad Anderson, who owns six Buffalo Wild Wings franchises in Montana. Its very important for us to stay relevant in the market, he said. MOIESE Its probably safe to say no one saw this coming. Not the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees who manage the 108-year-old National Bison Range as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Not the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, whose attempts over the past 22 years to partner with FWS to run a refuge located on land that was originally reserved for the tribes, and started with animals they helped save from extinction, have always been thwarted thus far. On Feb. 5, FWS officials from the Mountain-Prairie regional headquarters in Denver approached CSKT Chairman Vernon Finley with a question. Would the tribes be interested in entering into discussions about the possibility of the federal agency backing legislation to transfer the Bison Range to CSKT? Such legislation, which would require the approval of Congress, would place the refuges 18,766 acres in trust for the tribes, and leave it to them to manage and operate. The Fish and Wildlife Services role at the Bison Range would end, as would the Bison Ranges place in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Less than 10 years ago, the same agency was locking tribal employees out of the Bison Range and requiring them to turn in their gear as armed federal agents stood guard. That came after the first attempt for the tribes and FWS to pair up at the Bison Range under an annual funding agreement turned into a bitter feud between CSKT and the federal agency, with increasingly heated accusations and exchanges flying from both sides. Five years ago, the plug was pulled on a second agreement that appeared to be working just fine, when a federal judge ruled an environmental assessment was necessary before an agreement could be entered into. That assessment has since been completed, but a third agreement has never been reached. Everything about tribal involvement at the Bison Range seemed to be in limbo until the Feb. 5 surprise put it on an entirely new track. *** Martha Williams, an assistant professor at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, says legislation leading to a transfer would be groundbreaking. Its historic, and a long time coming, says Williams, who teaches public land and natural resources law. It signals the Department of Interior (which oversees the Fish and Wildlife Service) may be willing to look at its trust responsibilities in a new light. The federal government can ensure that the Bison Range continues as a wildlife refuge open to the public, Williams says. They can still preserve the concept of the Bison Range and its underlying purpose, Williams says of the Department of Interior. I dont think the tribes would want to do it differently anyway, but there are mechanisms the Department of Interior, as trustee, can use to make sure the purposes of the Bison Range carry through in a transfer. You can attach those strings. Many other questions, including who would pay the costs of managing and maintaining the Bison Range have not yet been answered. FWS currently budgets $737,000 a year for doing so, according to Anna Munoz, FWS assistant director for external affairs. Weve barely just started the discussions, Munoz says. There is a lot to be worked out. It would be premature to discuss what might happen. Were just at the start of this process. Munoz was able to confirm what FWS employees at the Bison Range say they were told on the afternoon of Feb. 5, when three officials from Denver visited the refuge to inform them of the discussion they had with CSKT earlier in the day. The proposed transfer would involve the Bison Range only, Munoz said. The refuge is the largest single entity of what FWS calls the National Bison Range Complex, which includes three more national wildlife refuges and 15 waterfowl production areas located both on and off the Flathead Indian Reservation. All other parts of the complex, including two refuges, Ninepipe and Pablo which, interestingly, are located on tribal, not public, land would remain under the management of the Fish and Wildlife Service. *** Noreen Walsh, director of the FWS Mountain-Prairie Region, told the Bison Range employees they would remain valued employees of the Service, regardless of the outcome of these discussions, Walsh noted in an email to FWS employees. How, or where, are questions that probably wont be answered for some time, depending on how the talks go. Munoz declined to answer another question this week about staffing at the refuge as talks move forward. FWS has appeared reluctant to fill all openings at the Bison Range during the period that funding agreements with the tribes have come and gone, given that CSKT employees fill several of the jobs when agreements are in place. Now that FWS is actively discussing the potential transfer of the range, what will happen if any of the handful of FWS employees left at the Bison Range leave or retire during the process? That is a personnel issue, and we arent going to comment on personnel issues, Munoz told the Missoulian. Williams gave Walsh kudos for speaking to the Bison Range employees, and informing all FWS employees in the Mountain-Prairie region about the proposal in an email, on the same day the tribes were approached about the possibility of a transfer. While FWS never made a public announcement that it had approached CSKT about turning the Bison Range over to the tribes, it certainly had to know the news would leak quickly. The Missoulian had obtained a copy of Walshs email within a few hours. By Monday, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility which has long opposed any tribal involvement at the Bison Range, and filed the lawsuit that undid the most recent annual funding agreement had posted the emails from both Walsh and National Refuge System Chief Cynthia Martinez on the transfer. Being transparent in that conversation from the beginning was the right thing to do, Williams said. I commend Noreen Walsh for that. Walsh visited the Bison Range on the afternoon of Feb. 5, along with assistant regional director of refuges Will Meeks, and Mike Blenden, refuge supervisor for Montana, Wyoming and Utah, and spoke to FWS employees. *** One thing most everyone agrees on: No one has any idea how long it would take, if a bill to transfer the Bison Range to the tribes is introduced, for the legislation to work its way through Congress. Its not going to happen overnight, Williams says. And if it gets to Congress, are there any guarantees? My heavens, no. I imagine there will still be a public process the Fish and Wildlife Service will go through. Montanas congressional delegation appeared to be learning of the proposal about the same time the public was. The Missoulian reached out to all three members for their reactions during the week. For hundreds of generations, the Salish and Kootenai Tribes have been excellent stewards of the land, wildlife and resources in the Mission Valley, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said in a prepared statement. As these discussions continue, I look forward to working with stakeholders on the ground to strike a fair agreement that works for everyone, promotes tribal sovereignty and maintains public access to the area. Alee Lockman, communications director for Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Daines welcomes feedback from tribal members and area residents on this issue. He will stay in close communication with CSKT leaders, local elected officials and folks in the surrounding communities as this discussion continues. And Heather Swift, communications director for Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said Zinke would be meeting with CSKT officials during the week, and members of his staff will meet with FWS officials later this month to go over details of the proposal. *** If anyone, by the way, wondered how Chairman Finley and CSKT responded to the question of whether they would be interested in further investigating a transfer, their answer was yes. We are pleased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to restore the National Bison Range lands to the tribes for continued bison management and continued public access, Finley said. It makes historical and managerial sense to return these responsibilities to the original stewards of the reservation bison herd. Todays herd descends from four bison brought to Dixon from eastern Montana in 1870 by a local Indian who was worried the species was being hunted to extinction. Those animals became the start of what would be known as the Pablo-Allard herd, much of which was used to start the Bison Range herd. Finley noted that in a transfer, the land title would continue to be held by the federal government, but in trust for the tribes. This shows the confidence that the Service has in the tribes' management record, and we believe it is the best solution to a highly unique situation, Finley said. It is unique, Williams says, and not comparable to attempts by some to transfer federal lands to states. The specifics of the Bison Range are very different, says Williams, co-director of the law schools Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic. Its part of those lands CSKT reserved when it entered into the Treaty of Hellgate. The treaty was signed in 1855. The Bison Range was established in 1908, two years before the 1904 Flathead Allotment Act opened the reservation to homesteaders in 1910. The Allotment Act really cut up the Flathead Reservation, and led to the federal government carving out the Bison Range, Williams says. Since then, the Indian Reorganization Act (1934), the Indian Self-Determination Act (1975) and the Indian Self-Governance Act (1994) have all given tribes more control over Native American lives and lands. The latter act gave the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes the right to seek the annual funding agreements and partner with FWS to manage and operate the Bison Range. *** The transfer of federal lands to Indian tribes has precedent in the past 15 years. Williams says the National Park Service has done so at least twice, including 2000, when Congress approved the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act, which returned 7,500 acres in Death Valley National Park to the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. However, a proposal to create the nations first tribal national park out of part of Badlands National Park in South Dakota has gotten nowhere in 10 years. And it has led to acrimony between the National Park Service and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Munoz says the Fish and Wildlife Service has transferred federal land to a tribe, too. In 2002, it transferred a New Mexico fish hatchery the agency had closed two years earlier to the Mescalero Tribe. The emails to FWS personnel from Walsh and Martinez cited several reasons the agency suggested a possible transfer of the Bison Range to CSKT. They pointed to the elusive nature of workable annual funding agreements with the tribes that can survive both on the ground and in the courts. They mentioned a desire to support the principles of Indian self-determination, and a need for the agency to focus on landscape-scale conservation efforts. And they noted that the Bison Range was established at a time when it was questionable whether the over-hunted species would even survive. Its primary purposes was to help the bison avoid extinction, and thats been done, Walsh and Martinez said. FWS employees who want the Bison Range to remain part of the National Wildlife Refuge System will tell you the agency can hang a Mission Accomplished banner up if it wants, but bison are a far cry from the only resource being managed at the refuge. It is also home to elk, mule and whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, mountain lions, muskrats, rattlesnakes, mountain cottontails, more than 200 species of birds, and native plants and grasses. It should come as no surprise that FWS employees arent anxious to let the National Bison Range go, or that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are excited about the possibility of getting it back. The only surprise is that the Fish and Wildlife Service suggested it. I dont think you can overplay what a really big deal this is, Williams says. Last spring, students at the University of Montana approved a referendum that called on the UM Foundation to divest from fossil fuels and students backed it by 80 percent. In September, the board of trustees at the UM Foundation, the fundraising arm of the institution, decided against divesting in a unanimous vote. This year, Reinvest Montana, the campus group calling for the university to join the international movement to stop investments in fossil fuels and redirect money to "environmentally and socially responsible enterprises," is more committed than ever. "It has made us buckle down and become frustrated, angry, determined, passionate," said Simon Dykstra, co-president of Reinvest Montana, in an interview last week. "... Our core is stronger now than it ever has been." Reinvest students see the foundation as inaccessible to them and lacking transparency, and they plan to continue taking actions that demonstrate their commitment to change. Seven or eight members make up the core group, but at least 200 show up to planned actions. In November, the group took ribbons to President Royce Engstrom's office where people wrote down the things they had to lose in the face of climate change. One student named homes in the Bitterroot Valley endangered by wildfires. Later this month, Reinvest Montana plans to hold a wedding ceremony tying the knot between the UM Foundation and the fossil fuel industry. "It is symbolic," said Jess Moore, co-president of Reinvest Montana. "And it's forcing institutions that have power to take a stand on climate change, and that is going to contribute to a larger movement." If the UM Foundation's board of trustees is married to anything, though, it's devoted to its mission to "provide the best possible returns for the University of Montana," said Melissa Wilson, vice president for marketing and communications at the UM Foundation. "They take that goal seriously and feel that, to do so, they must have freedom in their investment strategies," Wilson said. "They don't feel it's their role to use the endowment for social or political activism." *** At the end of the 2015 fiscal year, the UM Foundation's endowment was at $172.8 million, with roughly 8 percent to 10 percent of the money invested in "energy," Wilson said. "That can encompass fossil fuel companies as well as alternative energy companies, like wind or solar," said Wilson, who provided information via email and an interview. The exact amount invested in fossil fuels is difficult to identify for a variety of reasons, including the different types of companies conglomerates hold, she said. The foundation and students have different perspectives on the significance of divesting. As Wilson sees it, even if as many as 30 colleges and universities across the country have chosen to divest so far, that's still fewer than 1 percent of the 5,300 institutions in the U.S. And the money UM invests in fossil fuels doesn't undercut its commitment to sustainability, she said. In fact, she said, it supports conservation measures on campus as well as the students' opportunities to learn about environmental issues (see sidebar). "Students can get directly involved in science that's identifying problems related to climate change and developing innovative solutions to those problems," Wilson said. *** The students are indeed learning about climate change, and the generation enrolled at UM has been hearing about the issue since grade school, said the Reinvest presidents. What they've learned tells them the matter is urgent, both morally and financially. For instance, communities in Alaska are relocating, Moore said. The moves are expensive, she said, but so is the cost of disaster relief and public services for communities hit by the effects of climate change. "The longer we wait to address climate change, and the worse it gets, the more it's going to cost us," she said. Both Dykstra and Moore talk about the movement in terms of their "stake" in it. Dykstra had been in an emotionally abusive relationship, and he felt dis-empowered in the relationship the same way he did in other areas of his life. "Joining the divestment movement empowered me and made me feel like I had the ability to enact change, the kind of change I want to see in the world," he said. Knowing the group on campus is connected to a larger national movement amplifies his feeling that he can use his social position to help those most affected by climate change people of color, those who earn low incomes and indigenous communities, he said. "As someone who is relatively privileged and has access to power, I should use that to get behind frontline communities and do what I can to address the crisis that's destroying their lives," Dykstra said. Moore wants to be able to look back on her life and know she took action, even if it felt like it was already too late. "It's really easy to feel dis-empowered because it's such a huge issue," she said. *** Still, the students are making demands of their university. In a resolution relating to divestment last spring, the Associated Students of the University of Montana urged the UM Foundation "to create ... mechanisms to incorporate student input into their decision-making process as it pertains to divestment and reinvestment." The resolution called for student representation on the board, communication from the foundation with interested students, and open meetings. "They've been extremely opaque toward us. Transparency has been a huge issue," Dykstra said. "It touches on the fact that students feel we have limited power to make change within the institution we uphold, the university." At President Engstrom's recent midyear update, Moore asked if the stance against divestment, one largely against student opinion, she said, made sense given UM's need to increase enrollment. The president said divestment was an ongoing conversation, and in a state like Montana, he noted students and donors weren't all aligned on the issue. While the percentage of colleges and universities that have chosen to divest of fossil fuels may be small, Reinvest sees the amount of dollars it represents as significant and growing. According to Fossil Free, which bills itself as "an international network of campaigns and campaigners working toward fossil fuel divestment," the divestment effort represents $3.4 trillion to date, with faith institutions making up the largest group at 27 percent, and universities and schools accounting for some 12 percent. Moore has read about students who are choosing an educational institution based at least partly on its stance on fossil fuels, and she knows UM has been a leader in other areas of conservation. Reinvest's divestment proposal (see sidebar for excerpt) references professor Steve Running, who shared in a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007. "Students want to be in a learning environment where their opinions and their values are upheld," she said. *** Wilson said the UM Foundation is open to students, and trustees remain open to discussing their ideas, but board representation may not be realistic. The foundation places demands on trustees that students may not be able to meet in terms of financial expertise, time and fiscal responsibility, she said. "These are very successful business people who have years of expertise and experience and time to help focus on this," Wilson said. At the same time, she said, the group has been open to talking with the students, but the trustees researched the issue when it came before them, and at this point, they determined divestment is not the right decision for the foundation's mission to financially support UM and its students. The students and the board of trustees disagree on the financial effect divestment would have on UM, and they may disagree on how frequently their conversations should take place, too. If energy represents 10 percent of the foundation's endowment, the board also has to manage the other 90 percent of its $172.8 million. Dykstra, though, said another record-setting wildfire season isn't going to wait for the foundation. "The time to act is now," Dykstra said. "It's an ongoing problem. The earlier we act, the better the outlook is for the future." Last week the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service showed signs it is finally coming to its senses with regard to the National Bison Range. The 18,500-acre range in the heart of the Flathead Reservation, home to hundreds of healthy buffalo, has long suffered a bad case of federal foot-dragging disorder. The obvious cure is for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to assume management. The tribes have strong cultural, historic and legal claims to both the land and the iconic species that calls it home. The Fish and Wildlife Service, however, has been unable to decide on any course of action that might open the way for the tribes to assume a stronger role in management. And it has arrived at these indecisions at an agonizingly slow pace. That is, until the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 5, when FWS Mountain-Prairie Region Director Noreen Walsh sent an email to employees that indicates support for tribal management and points a way forward. In an effort to achieve the best, long-term solution for our many conservation priorities, the specific conservation goals of the National Bison Range, and to support the principles of Indian self-determination, according to Walshs email, there was a discussion today with the CSKT about the potential for the Service to support legislation that would transfer the lands comprising the National Bison Range to be held in trust by the United States for the CSKT. Walshs message signals a significant change of direction for FWS on the Bison Range, and an opportunity Montanas congressional delegates ought to seize right away. They should begin working with FWS and tribal leaders to craft legislation that would allow the Fish and Wildlife Service to officially transfer management of the National Bison Range to the CSKT. The National Bison Range was created more than a century ago thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt, who authorized funding to establish the range in 1908. FWS has managed it ever since as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. While the federal governments goal of conserving bison is certainly noble, its treatment of the tribes throughout this process is nothing to be proud of. The wishes of Native Americans were not taken into account, and when CSKT asserted its claims, they were repeatedly marginalized or outright ignored. For decades now, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have fought to make their case heard. They continue to fight for the right to manage an animal of distinct cultural and historic importance, on what is culturally and historically tribal land. Legally and politically, the groundwork for their case was laid 40 years ago, when the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistant Act was passed by Congress. It contains provisions that explicitly allow tribes to manage programs that affect tribal welfare. This very obviously includes the National Bison Range. Yet it wasnt until 2004 that CSKT was finally able to land an agreement to assume a portion of the management responsibilities concerning the range. And that agreement fell apart within two years amid a flurry of petty squabbles and unfounded accusations. A second agreement was reached in 2010 after negotiations resumed, but it was cancelled in court because it ran afoul of federal procedure by failing to include an environmental assessment. An environmental assessment was then completed; however, negotiations on a third agreement since then have gone nowhere. If Congress eventually does take action on this issue and it should it will only cede management of the range, while the federal government will continue to hold it. Indeed, Walshs email specifically indicated support only for legislation that would allow the range to be held in trust by the United States for the CSKT. With all due respect for political realities and the congressional process, thats backwards. It ought to be the CSKT that holds the bison range in trust for the people of the United States including its original inhabitants. This opinion on the refugee resettlement will stick to the religion Islam, and the reader can decide whether displaying American largess is worth the risk of the probable consequences, already evident in Germany; Amarillo, Texas; and now Sweden. (See http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/amarillo-tx-being-destroyed-by-refugee-overload/.) Missoula County commissioners have opted to accept refugees; 100, so we're told. These refugees are mostly Muslims from Syria, raised to convert the world to Islam, and also raised in anti-American rhetoric. If that statement or any other here annoys you, then you must be harboring a bit of the hatred assigned to Islamophobes. Some say Islam is a religion of peace. To be fair, portions of the Koran do instruct Muslims to be peaceful to "infidels," but the same Koran says in other places to kill them, so does it contradict itself? The Koran also says it' OK to lie in the furthering of Islam, so if one is looking for consistency of theme in this religious book, it follows that the peace is only a pretense. The practice of Muhammed himself bears this out, as any reliable archive will show. We as Americans can practice acceptance in the name of religious freedom, but it's guaranteed to allow fundamental Islamists into our land, and we have no way of knowing who is who among them. To petition against resettlement, go to www.actforamerica.org. Otherwise, Missoula needs to prepare for a circus. To get a read on each refugee, it's imperative to ask him or her if he or she will renounce Allah. Eric Knutson, Dayton C.M. Russell Museum director to speak at MMAC C.M. Russell Museum Executive Director Michael Duchemin will present a lecture titled Nature and Culture in the Rocky Mountains on Tuesday at the Montana Museum of Art & Culture at the University of Montana. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts and Radio/TV Centers Montana Theatre. Duchemins presentation will be in conjunction with MMACs exhibition, Glorious Vista: Art of the American West from the Permanent Collection. The exhibition explores the geography and people of the Rocky Mountain West during the 19th and 20th centuries. Sixty landscapes and historical depictions of Native peoples are on view through Saturday, Feb. 20, in the Paxon and Meloy galleries of the PAR/TV Center. Duchemin was hired as executive director of the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls in 2013. The museum preserves, interprets and educates on the art and life of Charles M. Russell and his contemporaries. MMAC academic-year gallery hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The museum is open to the public with a suggested $5 donation. For more information, call 243-2019 or visit umt.edu/montanamuseum. *** In other campus news: The Fulbright Specialist Program selected UM professor Amanda Golbeck to advance the understanding of public and global health research at the University of Latvia in Riga, Latvia. Golbeck, a professor of public and community health sciences, will spend two weeks in May sharing her knowledge about modern, state-of-the-art, statistical research methods to enable more sophisticated and useful public health research at the University of Latvia. I am grateful to the United States and Latvia for this extraordinary opportunity that will bring me together with faculty at the University of Latvia under the auspices of the Fulbright award program, Golbeck said. I look forward to establishing productive, sustainable and impactful global public health connections with my host scholars. The project overview states that Latvia experiences relatively high rates of depression, with the suicide rate considered the third-highest of all European countries. Latvia also has the third-highest rate of traffic accident fatalities in Europe. In Latvia, Golbeck will conduct a series of lectures and seminars for masters degree and doctoral students, as well as faculty members from various disciplines of study, including psychology, education, economics, sociology and medicine. As a Fulbright specialist, the University of Latvia also invites Golbeck to conduct consultations with doctoral students and faculty members, sharing her recommendations on research methods to use for specific projects. Through the partnership, faculty members hope to learn higher-quality research methods to have a greater practical application toward improving general and mental health, mental health services, education, demographic issues and more. In addition, the project will stimulate networking between the University of Latvia and UM, which could result in future joint research projects and joint publications, as well as the development of collaborative online lectures, seminars and perhaps an online course. For more information, contact Golbeck at 243-4446 or amanda.golbeck@umontana.edu. *** Sarah J. Halvorson, a UM geography professor, recently received a Fulbright fellowship to conduct research on climate change perceptions and adaptation scenarios in the south-central European country of Slovenia during spring semester 2016. Halvorsons research concentrates on the social, health and policy aspects of water-related problems, including the implications of climate change for the governance of mountain watersheds and community water supplies. While in Slovenia, Halvorson will collaborate with other geographers and environmental social scientists to focus on two major projects: an assessment of experiences and observations of climate change risk and vulnerability among Slovenias mountain communities, and an analysis of the perceived effectiveness of current climate change policies and planning tools. Her primary research collaborator is the Slovenian geographer and mountaineer Irena Mrak, who was a Visiting Fulbright Scholar to UMs Department of Geography during the 2012-13 academic year. Halvorsons institutional host in the capital city of Ljubljana is the Geological Survey of Slovenia, or GeoZS. I am truly grateful that Dr. Mrak identified UMs Department of Geography as her host during her Fulbright visiting scholar fellowship a few years ago, Halvorson said. It was from our interactions in the halls and classrooms of Stone Hall, as well as in the field, that our research collaboration developed. GeoZS is a terrific place to study climate change impacts on mountainous places, she said. It is one of the leading research institutes in Slovenia working in the fields of hydrology, geohazards and long-term environmental change. In addition, my local hosts and collaborators, Drs. Mrak and Matevz Novak, have each made important contributions to the fields of mountain geography, adaptation scenarios, and environmental risks and hazards. While serving as a Fulbright fellow, Halvorson also will deliver guest lectures in environmental geography courses at the University of Ljubljana and the College of Environmental Protection, her second institutional host, which is located in Velenje. During her stay, she plans to contribute to field courses and work on geography education outreach activities in collaboration with Slovenian colleagues. Climate change-related impacts on mountain watersheds are of international concern. In the case of the European Alps, model calculations and measurements indicate that the warmest temperatures recorded in over 500 years have occurred in the past 20 years. The World Glacier Monitoring Service and others estimate that the total glaciated area within the Alps has decreased approximately 25 percent to 100 percent in the 20th century, in a similar manner to patterns observed worldwide. The downstream effects of shifts in snowmelt, precipitation and glaciation in Slovenia have local and regional implications for food production, energy development, tourism, water sharing and regional water security. HOUSTON The closest community to the West Texas resort where Justice Antonin Scalia died is barely even a place anymore: It is a virtual ghost town where perhaps only a dozen people still live. And when a silver hearse drove across the rocks outside the Cibolo Creek Ranch on Saturday, it was from a funeral home at least an hour away. People go there with great confidentiality, I think, said Teresa Todd, the city attorney for Marfa, more than 30 miles from the ranch. People go there, and youre not bothered. For years, public figures, including Justice Scalia and Mick Jagger, and wealthy, anonymous vacationers have descended on the 30,000-acre enclave of the Chinati Mountains. It is a place where remoteness is cherished, and where, without ever leaving the grounds, guests can spend weeks in historic adobe forts. Q. How did you land your current position? A. In 2010, the three founding investors of HYT were looking for a C.E.O. They were from different backgrounds, medical, automobile and finance, and none of them was familiar with the watch industry. Their idea was to create a watch brand whose concept was to integrate liquids into mechanical watches. Image Vincent Perriard of the Swiss watch brand HYT says that instinct is important. Credit... Stephane de Bourgies It sounds like a completely paradoxical notion but, as it turned out, while at Concord I had experimented with the crazy idea of liquids and mechanics in a watch. The C1 Gravity Tourbillon was a model in which we had encapsulated a liquid to display the power reserve. That model had won the top design prize at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve in 2008. The HYT investors noticed my profile. Suddenly, I was sexy to their eyes. Q. It sounds like you have taken paths that have opened up for you rather than traced them deliberately yourself. A. That is absolutely the case. Instinct has guided me, mostly. I never had a specific career target. But I have also never shied away from risk. My motto has been, if you think it is the right idea, go for it. That has always worked for me. Q. With HYT, have you stepped into unknown territory? A. It is unknown territory for our team every day. That can be very exhausting. There are days when I think I would prefer to manage a conventional watch brand that makes purely mechanical movements. I would know what to expect. But when innovation is the DNA of your brand, you have a different responsibility, and that is to come up with new ideas constantly. The biggest thing that motivates me is making the competition irrelevant. I love that we strive to be different in concept, design and marketing. Q. Does that explain why the word most often associated with you is disruptive? A. Disruptive is a word I love. I actually associate it with that extraordinary advertising man, Jean-Marie Dru, who came up with the concept in advertising and branding. Disruption is about doing something completely unexpected. Drus book on the subject has had a great influence on my vision in the business world. I try to be the same way in life. In fact, I am launching a new radio station this year with a group of friends. It is purely passion-driven. Some may even say it is completely disruptive. Welcome to the Friends of Molesey Library website : http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-grim-1995.html 2. Beyond (2014) {Mondo Bizarro} : http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-beyond-2014.html 3. Homoti (Homo E.T.) {Mondo Bizarro} : http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-homoti.html 4. Manos- The Hands of Fate (A Life in 24 FPS): http://alifein24fps.com/2015/06/03/project-terrible-manos-the-hands-of-fate/ 5. Breeders (1997) {Mondo Bizarro}: http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-breeders-1997.html 6. Rappin' (A Life in 24 FPS): http://alifein24fps.com/2015/06/05/project-terrible-rappin/ 7. Mak0- The Jaws of Death (A Life in 24 FPS): http://alifein24fps.com/2015/06/12/project-terrible-mako-the-jaws-of-death/ 8. Age of Ice (The Girl Who Loves Horror): http://thegirlwholoveshorror.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-age-of-ice-2014.html 9. The Apple (Maynard Horror Movie Diary): http://www.horrormoviediary.net/2015/06/project-terrible-apple.html 10. 100 Below Zero (The Girl Who Loves Horror): http://thegirlwholoveshorror.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-100-below-zero-2013.html 11 and 12: Baby Geniuses/Superbabies- Baby Geniuses 2 (Maynard's Horror Movie Diary): http://www.horrormoviediary.net/2015/06/project-terrible-baby-geniuses.html 13. Bolero (A Life in 24 FPS): http://alifein24fps.com/2015/06/27/project-terrible-bolero/ 14. Hercules (1983) {A Life in 24 FPS}: http://alifein24fps.com/2015/06/29/project-terrible-hercules/ 15. Meteor Apocalypse (The Girl Who Loves Horror): http://thegirlwholoveshorror.blogspot.com/2015/06/project-terrible-meteor-apocalypse-2010.html 16. Daniel Der Zauberer/Daniel the Wizard (Maynard's Horror Movie Diary): http://www.horrormoviediary.net/2015/06/project-terrible-daniel-der-zauberer.html 17. Space Mutiny (Maynard's Horror Movie Diary): http://www.horrormoviediary.net/2015/07/project-terrible-space-mutiny.html 18. 2012- Doomsday (The Girl Who Loves Horror): http://thegirlwholoveshorror.blogspot.com/2015/07/project-terrible-2012-doomsday-2008.html 19. Superman: Requiem (Bob): http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/07/project-terrible-superman-requiem.html 20. The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (Bob): http://mondobizarrocinema.blogspot.com/2015/07/project-nostalgic-awesomeness-trial-of.html Motoring-Malaysia.blogspot.my is an award winning Malaysian motoring / automotive / car news & reviews website or auto blog. It is where we rant and rave about cars, trucks, buses, motoring, motor vehicles and any interesting automotive industry related stuff. Unswayed in our point of view and darn proud of it! It's not about the numbers...it's about passion. Since 2006 and going strong. Drones have had both highs and lows in the news over the years. The following represents a few highlights in drone news, along with a few mishaps. Aug. 2, 2014: Dutch Tourist Theodorus Van Vliet accidentally landed his drone in Yellowstones Grand Prismatic Spring while trying to catch an aerial glimpse of the natural wonder. Vliet was later fined $3,000 for the incident. A week prior to that, a German tourist was fined $1,600 for flying his unmanned vehicle into Yellowstone Lake. Meanwhile, an Oregon man was fined $1,000 in October 2014 for violating a ban on drones in U.S. national parks. Jan. 26, 2015: In the early hours of the morning, an inebriated security-agency employee lost sight of his drone, which eventually crash-landed on the grounds of the White House in Washington D.C. Somehow the drone managed to evade both White House radar and observation by Secret Service agents. Ultimately the incident lead to concerns about security vulnerabilities at the nations capital. Aug. 12, 2015: An FAA news release said that 650 pilots reported drones flying near their aircraft in 2015, reaching altitudes as high as 10,000 feet. This was up from the previous year, when only 238 pilots reported drone encounters. The FAA urged drone pilots to operate their vehicles with caution and fly within the guidelines of the Know Before You Fly campaign. March, 2015: The marketing-company AdNear performed a test in Los Angeles to see if drones were capable of capturing wireless cellphone data. Ultimately the company wants to use aerial data to send target advertisements to mobile-phone users. We only collect signals passively and do not record videos or photos, said the company on its blog. Despite reassurances from AdNear, the test caused many people to worry that drones could be used to collect personal data. Jan. 31, 2015: The Dutch National Police Corps announced that the organization was testing a pilot program to see if it could train eagles to attack unwanted drones. The initiative was created in collaboration with the company Guard From Above, which describes itself as the worlds first company specialized in training birds of prey to intercept hostile drones. Feb. 2, 2016: Sean Nivin Riddle was arrested for reckless endangerment after he crashed a drone into the Empire State Building. Riddle, who was trying to shoot a promotional video for a nonprofit, later told his Twitter followers he consulted a police officer to find out if flying a drone next to the iconic building was legal. All I wanted was to shoot 5 seconds of video to promote a non-profit, wrote Riddle. I asked a cop 20 minutes before I did it. He said it was fine. The information Riddle received was incorrect, and he was arrested at the scene. Montana Tech professor Nick Hawthorne distinctly recalls the day he flew the colleges drone for the first time and lost it somewhere over Anaconda. He immediately posted fliers asking residents to report any sightings of the missing $800 aircraft. The first response came from a man who threatened to blast the drone with a shotgun if Hawthorne ever flew it past his house again. The second call was from a man who found the drone face-down in the snow in Washoe Park. Ultimately, the man returned the drone. Im living proof that these can really get out of hand and you can lose them, said Hawthorne, who has since improved his skills as a pilot. Welcome to the newly developing world of drones. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos made headlines in 2013 when he announced that his company was exploring the possibility of using them to deliver packages to its world-wide customer base. Although Amazon has yet to use the unmanned technology, the announcement left people imagining a world where drones buzz above cities, performing various tasks that we humans find tedious. Hawthorne, however, says drones wont be delivering pizzas to your doorstep anytime soon. This is because drones are heavily regulated by the FAA. Hawthorne said drone pilots must fly within sight and below 400 feet and cannot hover above sporting events, near airports, or above groups of people. In addition, the FAA recently announced that drone owners now need to register their aircraft in a national database. But these restrictions havent stopped drone hobbyists like Hawthorne from enjoying the unmanned vehicles. Hawthorne who heads the Professional and Technical Communications Department at Montana Tech uses drones as an educational tool. He petitioned his department to buy a drone in 2013, and in 2015 the program bought a second unmanned vehicle. Because many of his students have ambitions of working in commercial media, Hawthorne sees the use of drones as a way to provide students hands-on experience with a technology they may be using in the future. It gives students a chance to play with something thats new said Hawthorne. Its really a portion of the class that students look forward to. Karli King is one of Hawthornes former video-production students. I thought it was really fun, and it was definitely a great learning experience, said King. I learned a little bit more about video production from a different perspective. Hawthorne has an affinity for the latest and greatest in technology, but hes not the only person in the Mining City who's taking in aerial views of the Mining City. Butte-native Blaise Nuthak also owns a drone. The 22-year-old construction worker said he bought his $2,000 drone two years ago and has been enjoying sky-high perspectives ever since. "I just like it because of the places you can go and the pictures you can take," said Nuthak. Guy Vesco is another drone owner in Butte. Vesco describes himself as a kid at heart who likes to make videos. He has used his drone to take footage of Fourth of July fireworks and scenic mountain landscapes. Last year Vesco shot footage near Goose Bay in Alaska, which gave him a birds-eye view of a frozen inlet lined by frost-covered trees. As for regulations, Vesco said the new FAA rules bother him but that he understands the safety concerns behind them. Drones have been involved in some infamous mishaps over the years. In January 2015, a drone crashed on the White House lawn, leading to concerns about security risks. In 2014, a Dutch tourist accidentally landed a drone in a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. And just last week, a man was charged with reckless endangerment after he crashed a drone into the Empire State Building. Although drones can be fun, both Hawthorne and Vesco said they can be hard to control for an inexperienced pilot. The problem is getting too close to objects and consequently hitting them, said Vesco. Hawthorne also pointed out that crash landings could lead to some potentially frightening scenarios. If you flew one of these into oncoming traffic, you could cause a huge wreck said Hawthorne. Regardless of whether drones will prove to be a safety hazard or a powerful new tool for commerce, people will never cease being fascinated by the novelty of flight. Drones give us the capability of seeing something in a new way, said Hawthorne. It allows you to get unique perspectives on certain things... Even the most mundane things can look pretty neat. Nuthak added that although he hates flying in traditional manned airplanes, he enjoys the sensation of freedom that piloting a drone gives him. "The flying itself is what I enjoy," said Nuthak. Michelle Leigh (Mandic) Mandich passed away January 28, 2016, in Wiggins, Mississippi. Michelle was born on Sept. 19, 1969, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Steven J. and Dorothy A. (Moran) Mandic, and moved to Butte with the family at the age of 4. She attended local schools: Grant, Longfellow, East Jr. High and Butte High. She began her studies at Montana State University and went on to University of Montana where she received a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts. She enjoyed travel both stateside and abroad, even spending a college semester backpacking around Europe, and later a spontaneous trip to Ireland. Michelle lived and worked in several cities and enjoyed her work at Childrens Hospital in Denver which motivated her to go back to school, completing pre-medical studies at MSU and gain hands-on experience at locations in several western states. After enrolling in the U.S. Army medical program, she graduated from officers training and then graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine with a D.O. degree and the rank of captain. She was stationed at Tripler Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she was working on the residency requirements of a D.O. license when she received a medical discharge. Her determination to advocate for those who didnt have a voice showcased her sense of justice. While in Hawaii, Michelle legally changed her last name to reflect the historical spelling of the family name, Mandich. Michelle had a deep passion for music and theater and she made them an active part of her life from an early age. Her training included piano and voice lessons and she taught herself to play several instruments. She sang in multiple choirs at Butte High School, performed in musicals like HMS Pinafore, and attended the Montana State Music Festival. In Missoula, she continued singing and performing with the University of Montana choirs and appeared in the Missoula Community Theatres production of Annie Get Your Gun. She enjoyed teaching tap dancing to adult women, including some seniors. Michelle loved the way music brought people together and she was an ambassador for the arts. Wherever she moved, Michelle was involved with the Catholic Church, providing music worship as part of the choir, delivering readings during Mass, and participating as a Eucharistic minister. She loved her grandma, Marguerite Moran, and we are sure she is in Heaven with her now where the sound of her beautiful, unforgettable voice will forever be heard in the heavenly choir. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Francis and Marguerite Moran, and Vaso (Sam) and Mary Mandic; uncles and aunts: Peggy (Moran) and Bill Stordahl, Jimmer Moran, Helen (Moran) Hancock, Ann (Mandic) and Jim Lawrence, and Frank and Beverly Mandic, and several cousins. Michelle is survived by her parents, brothers Doug and Tony Mandic, sisters Denise (Mandic) Folkstad and Stauna Mandic, and her nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her aunts and uncles: Mary Frances (Moran) and Bill Burns, Patty (Moran) and Ray Capp, Betty (Moran) and Don Hogan, Larry Hancock, Sharon (Moran) Heinen and Roland Hasner, Lynn Moran, and Marie (Mandic) and Joe Sullivan, as well as numerous cousins and their children. Many of her friends grieve with us and we honor the role each of them had in Michelles life. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to http://www.militarywithptsd.org/donate/ to help those with PTSD get the help they need. A memorial service is being planned for a time near the Fourth of July. Details will be announced in the Standard and on FaceBook closer to that date. Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com. MUSCATINE, Iowa If you want to see the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra perform at Chicago Symphony Hall on Feb. 21, tickets range from $15 for students up to $75 . Plus the travel to Chicago. Or you can just wait until the group comes to Muscatine three days later and catch the concert for free. While the international ensemble performs at large venues with high-priced admissions, investors in the Merrill Hotel project are bringing the show to Muscatine at no charge for the show. Glad Cheng and Daniel Wang of China Windows Group extended the invitation to CBCO to perform in Muscatine after they perform in Chicago and Detroit as part of Chinese New Year Celebrations, according to a press release from the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra. The Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee and the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra are working with China Windows Group to coordinate the performance in Muscatine. "We are honored that the orchestra chose to come to Muscatine," Carolyn Airola, president of Muscatine Symphony Orchestras board of directors, stated in the press release. "It's a great opportunity to hear another style of instrumental music and meet with people from another culture." While the Chinese Orchestra is in Muscatine, they will stay with host families and have tours of the community. Muscatine High School orchestra students will have the opportunity to welcome CBCO members to their orchestra class, the press release stated. China Windows Group saw the CBCO performance as an opportunity to further their mission of strengthening the relationship between Muscatine and China. "We look forward to bringing high level Chinese performing arts to Muscatine and we hope the concert gives viewers a glimpse into Chinese culture, Wang stated in the press release. Since forming China Windows Group, Cheng and Wang became minority investors in the Merrill Hotel Project and purchased the former Marie Lindsay Building at 129 W. Second St. and 2911 Bonnie Drive was acquired and developed into the Sino-U.S. Friendship House. 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 [] The idea of free higher public education, or what student activists have termed #FeesMustFall, is appealing. It is also, however, inherently regressive in societies and countries where massive social and economic inequities abound. This is a not a new position. In 2002, myself and Professor Bruce Johnstone one of the worlds pre-eminent scholars on financing higher education contributed to a special issue of the Journal of Higher Education in Africa. In it, we pointed out that free public higher education never actually is free. In Africa, theres an array of heavily pressing and competing public needs. These include elementary and secondary education, public health and immense public infrastructure needs such as sanitation, water, housing, roads, telecommunications, a social safety net and public safety among others. This means that every additional public dollar, franc, cedi, shilling or rand spent on higher education is one that cannot be spent on these other urgent needs. This situation constitutes what economists call the opportunity cost of additional resources to higher education. Higher education budgets in most African countries are already stretched to extremes. South Africa, which has been the site of #FeesMustFall protests since late 2015, is no exception. Theres been a massive growth of government funding to universities from R9.8 billion in 2004-05 to R24.8 billion in 2012-13. The governments purse is straining. Governments can raise additional revenue either by borrowing or by raising taxes. South Africa, like other countries in Africa, is at the limits on both. Universities under pressure A major portion of government revenue is typically generated through taxation from both the indigent and the affluent. Such revenue, along with any that is borrowed from global financial institutions, is then distributed to public institutions. This process presumably happens according to a countrys national plan and its priorities. There is little or no way in the current economic climate for most African governments to raise additional higher educational revenue through increased taxes or more governmental borrowing. Universities financial constraints have driven a discussion in the past decade about revenue diversification. This supplements the increasingly scarce revenue obtained through tax or borrowing. It could come through entrepreneurship by a faculty or institution. It could also be generated through cost-sharing that is, by passing some of the additional costs on to parents, guardians and students. In Africa, a hugely disproportionate number of university students come from upper and middle income families. Malawi is an extreme case. It is one of the worlds poorest countries and more than 90% of those in higher education come from the highest income quintile. South Africa has a greater population and a much larger middle and upper class population. Still, parallel but comparable patterns are easy to contemplate. No blanket amnesty Such inherent inequalities and inequities render the argument students are making for a blanket free education for all simply unfair and unjust. If its free for all, the whole society ends up paying more. A quixotic slogan such as free education for all may make sense in countries like Norway and Finland. There, the economic stratification is more just and the social safety strands more robust. Similar approaches may also be relevant for countries which are either emerging from a massive national crisis or starting from scratch. But in a society like South Africa, there should be no rationale for a barefooted peasant to subsidise the university education of the children of the well-heeled. They are, after all, already enjoying advantaged, and privileged, upbringing and education. A blanket amnesty free education for all must not be granted to affluent students. Instead, parents, at least those who are financially able, and students at least those who are able to take loans at reasonable rates of interest should share the rising costs of higher education along with the general taxpayer. And different forms of funding higher education businesses, NGOs, foundations, alumni must also be pursued. A more robust means-testing, effective loan-provision and aggressive loan-recovery schemes must also be put in place. It is no-brainer that not everyone is cut out for university education and individuals have to be realistic in their expectations and governments pragmatic in rendering and executing their policies. The International Journal of African Higher Education will soon publish a piece by Johnstone that provides an excellent analysis and recommendation on student loan issues in Africa. It follows from already published research in which he explored the same issue in all low- and middle-income countries. Heavy costs In our 2002 article, Johnstone and I concluded that any forms of cost-sharing are not easy solutions, either technically or politically. Consequently, there is no easy or obvious solution to the financial dilemma of higher education. Anyone is going to come with heavy opportunity costs and political costs. This article is based on a piece written for the International Network for Higher Education in Africa, of which Professor Damtew Teferra is the founding director. Damtew Teferra, Professor of Higher Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. More on education Dont study university degrees which will leave you unemployed How much it costs to send your child to private school and university in SA President Jacob Zuma recently told Parliament in his State of the Nation Address that he wants to urgently investigate the practicality of having two capitals in South Africa. Currently, Pretoria is the administrative capital, while Cape Town is the legislative capital. It stands to reason that if South Africa adopted a single capital, it is likely to be one the existing capital cities. The choice is: do you want a world-class city for a capital, or do you want Pretoria? president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce Janine Myburgh told the Sunday Times. Its a no-brainer. Myburgh argued that Cape Town was the cleanest, safest, and best-run urban area in South Africa. Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said that instead of jostling capitals, the government should rather save money by trimming the cabinet and being more efficient. In his request to Parliament, Zuma said that members of the national executive had to have two cars and two houses one in Cape Town and one in Pretoria. There were also a number of officials who travelled back-and-forth between the cities. Tim Harris, CEO of Cape Towns trade and investment agency Wesgro, said that the cost of a new parliamentary precinct in Pretoria would dwarf the existing travel costs. The full report is in the Sunday Times of 14 February 2016. More on the SA government Zuma wants one capital city in South Africa Zumas 21 principles for the new era of state-owned entities Zuma wants one capital city in South Africa South Africas economy is heading to zero Radical South African Government shake-up: DA versus ANC U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died at age 79, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed Saturday afternoon. According to CNN, the conservative justice died in his sleep on a trip to Texas. A government official told CNN that Scalia said he didn't feel well Friday night before bed, and he didn't show up for breakfast Saturday morning. Scalia was the Supreme Court's longest-serving justice. He was nominated to the high court by President Ronald Reagan and took his seat Sept. 26, 1986. GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said the Supreme Court vacancy should not be filled until there is a new president, the Associated Press reported. In a live statement from the White House on Saturday night, President Barack Obama said he will seek to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by Scalia's death, charging into a heated and likely prolonged election-year fight with Republicans in Congress. Obama said a nomination was "bigger than any one party.'' With a half-dozen or more major cases before the court, Obama said he pIans to fulfill his constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time. He said the Senate should have "plenty of time ... to give that person a fair hearing and timely vote.'' In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts said: "On behalf of the Court and retired Justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served." Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court farther to the right and to get it to embrace his "originalist'' view of judging after his 1986 appointment. Republican presidential candidate and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said, "Today, our nation has suffered a deep loss. Justice Scalia was one of the most consequential Americans in our history and a brilliant legal mind who served with only one objective: to interpret and defend the Constitution as written. ... The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear." Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "Justice Scalia, one of the greatest legal minds of the last 100 years, passionately upheld the rule of law and served honorably on our nations highest court. He leaves behind a legacy of just service to our judiciary and loyalty for the U.S. Constitution." Florida Senator Bill Nelson also released a statement on Justice Scalia's passing, saying "I am stunned since Justice Scalia seemed to be in the prime of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. And I take very seriously our constitutional responsibility to fill this vacancy." Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. When you walk into the laundry room and find your father hanging, you know that life is never going to be the same. That is a sight you cant unsee and a pain you cant unfeel. I was 13 years old and still a little girl. My dad was my heroa Vietnam vet, a Michigan grad, a Springsteen fan. I remember being a kid, flying down the road in his Oldsmobile with the windows rolled down and the music cranked up. I looked over and he smiled, his blue eyes sparkling and his black hair blowing in the wind. He played the trumpet and I played the sax, and we would sit, side by side, blaring out duets that sounded amazing to us and probably awful to anyone else. I was 13 years old and I didnt know about depression, didnt know that my dad had struggled silently with his mental health for years. I didnt know the name for what started to change him. Why he became so tired, so withdrawn. Why he seemed weighed down with a heavy sadness. I didnt know why the light went out of his eyes. The music had stopped and in its place I heard a deafening silence. So like a little sponge I absorbed what I sensed. I absorbed the unnamed sadness, I absorbed the undercurrent of fear and anxiety. I took it all in and I didnt ask why and nobody offered an explanation. I sensed the pressure build and build in our home until it felt like the charged atmosphere just before a tornado. Wrung with a fear that I couldnt name I finally asked him, Dadwhats wrong? His blue eyes clouded over as he said, softly, I . . . dont feel good. Needing to know more, I asked, When are you going to feel better? He said nothing as his eyes filled with tears. I had never seen him cry before and it scared me. I raced out of the room and slammed the door like the teenage girl that I was. I expected him to follow, to explain. He never did. Three days later, he was gone. My childhood ended and I became a survivor of suicide loss and a trauma victim. At first, the suicide felt unreal, as if somehow it could still be undone. When a policeman explained to us what had happened on the morning of my dads death, I interrupted him and asked, Cant you bring him back? Is he really dead? He choked up as he said, No, darling, I cant bring him back. Theres nothing I can do. The pain was so enormous that it felt just as physical as it was emotional. Almost immediately I began experiencing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I had flashbacks to the moment of finding my dad in the laundry room. I couldnt get the image of his hanging body out of my head. I lay awake at night, terrified that if I fell asleep another tragedy would strike my family. And I struggled to understand why, why, why. Why did my dad kill himself? Why did he leave? What made him do it? I didnt know how to reconcile the father I loved with the man who had inflicted so much pain on our family. On me. From my 13-year-old perspective, depression was to blame. I viewed it as an unstoppable evil, not a mental illness. As he had become increasingly and more obviously sick our family never discussed it. I had no frame of reference for the symptoms I saw until just hours after he died. At which point I associated depression with dying. Mental illness seemed like dangerous business and I knew one thing for sure: I didnt ever want to have it. There is no road map for surviving a suicide loss, especially for a seventh grader. My mom got me professional helpI went to therapy. But when I talked with the counselor about my dads death I felt detached, like I was describing somebody else. I couldnt seem to connect the words that came out of my mouth with the pain that I felt in my body. Talking to most people about my dads death was at best uncomfortable but usually unbearable. I hated the awkward pause that almost always came after I said the S wordsuicide. I dreaded the awful question about how he killed himself. I was asked if we did enough to try to save him. Once, an acquaintance called my dad a coward for giving up and leaving his family. Worst of all was being told that they couldnt understand, that they just couldnt imagine. Try, I would think to myself, try to understand. Because it did happen. Its my life. So as time went by I stopped talking about my father. I took the pain and the trauma and the shame and I shoved it way down deep inside of me. I was tired of having to make other people feel comfortable when I shared, rather than feeling supported and understood. And I was tired of the sadness, tired of the bone-deep pain that never seemed to go away. I became a master at avoiding my dads name in conversation. I stopped thinking about him, I stopped missing him, and after a while it started to feel like I never had a father to begin with. Through my teens and twenties I carried that pain inside of me like a sleeping dragonI knew it was in there and I tried my best not to wake it up. Life went onI was a smart kid with lots of friends and a sparkling personality. I went off to a top-tier college and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude. On the surface, everything looked good. But when I was 22 my mom was diagnosed with cancer and the terror and anguish came roaring out. Paralyzed with fear that I would lose my other parent, I stopped eating. I couldnt sleep. I would drive around the Beltway for hours, sobbing and listening to the same sad songs on repeat. I told my therapist about my behavior and she said, Honey, I think you have depression. My diagnosis felt like a death sentence. My dads suicide left me feeling suspicious and fearful of mental illness. I saw how bad depression could getI had lived the worst-case scenario. I didnt want it to become my problem and I certainly didnt know how to deal with it. Depression felt more like a family curse than a legitimate health issue that demanded treatment. Although I felt conflicted, I agreed to start medication and I continued in therapy. But acceptance was still a long way off. For most of my twenties I lived in no-mans land. Part of me knew that I needed to take depression seriously and the other part of me wanted to run and hide. And though I tried my hardest to push the pain of my dads suicide away, it was always lurking just below the surface. At 27, I got engaged and in the process of wedding planning, our minister asked how I wanted to include my father in the wedding. Hes not invited, I snapped back. Surprised, she asked if I had forgiven him, if I had made peace with his death. No, I said, no I havent found peace. I dont even know what that means. I seemed to have inherited my dads ability to over-perform at work and keep depression hidden. We were both highly successful in our Washington, D.C., professional liveshe was a brilliant labor lawyer who filed hundreds of briefs for the Supreme Court and I was a communications director, a rising star at every job I held. Mental illness didnt feel like a topic I could share at work. Like my father, I was fearful of what others would think, if it would limit my opportunities or damage my reputation. So when I struggled with the wet-blanket sadness and gripping fear that characterize my depression and anxiety, I didnt tell my colleagues. I pushed myself harder and smiled even bigger. Like so many people who live with mental illness, you never would have known. Finally, at the age of 31, the sleeping dragon woke up. Under the advice of a doctor I tapered off my antidepressants in the hopes of getting pregnant. After six months of struggling through withdrawal and becoming more and more depressed, I bottomed out. I felt myself losing controlthe sadness and anxiety and shame and trauma of the past 18 years seemed to hit me with the force of a tsunami. Panic overwhelmed my body and I felt like I was going to die. Catch me, I said to my husband as I gripped both his arms, catch me. Im falling. And fall I did. That first panic attack was the beginning of a long and slow dive into a year-long mental health crisis. I often thought that I had descended into hell and I didnt know how to come back. Unable to stabilize and feeling unsafe, I checked myself into a psychiatric hospital. Twice. I spent nearly six months in a partial hospitalization program. I quit my job. Once again my whole life changed. But as I sifted through the ashes of my career, my self-confidence and my sense of meaning, I found some nuggets of truth. Getting so sick forced me to accept that depression and anxiety are real illnessesnot my flaws and not my fault. I found that treatment was helping me and that recovery was possible. I dug deep and finally accepted that I could live with depression. I could cope with anxiety. I came to see that depression didnt have to end with suicide. And growing into these truths helped me to find compassion for my dad. I made a promise to myself as I got stronger: that I wasnt going to hide my depression any more. I was going to say the S word out loud. I made this vow not only for myself but also for my dad, because I want to share what he wasnt able to. For years I have been haunted by the legacy of his obituaryprinted in The Washington Postwhich made no mention of suicide and listed his cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest. Hear me now: Im not ashamed of his life or his mental illness or his suicide. The burden of silence ends with me. As I drove home from work tonight, American Pie came on the radioone of my dads favorites by Don McLean. Even though its January I rolled the windows down and turned the music up so loud it hurt my ears. I sang along and let myself cry, let myself feel the pain. The sky was on fire with a brilliant sunset, streaked with bursts of orange and magenta and purple. A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile Are you out there, daddy? I hope youre flying free. In loving memory of Douglas Sidney McDowell. Aug. 31, 1943May 1, 1996. The early months of our home improvement project were surprisingly pleasant, if not downright idyllic. Ive described the charms of living in the attic of a detached garage while the back of our house was ripped off for reconstruction. Free of accumulated possessions, we experienced the lightness that comes from a scaled-back lifestyle that still has all the essential comforts. We mostly cooked on an electric skillet, all our waking moments were spent in one long room with a slanted ceiling, we trekked in the rain to the main house for baths and showers. This was strangely fun in the early months, but could the charm last? Could we possibly pull off a garage Christmas in high spirits? The odds in Vegas were against us. Bookmakers know that prolonged construction projects wreak havoc on marital harmony. Well, we proved the oddsmakers wrong. We sailed through the holidays still content with our ultra-snug garage abode. Then came the rains of January when progress on the project slowed to a snails pace. Workers tarped stacks of wood, expensive equipment and our roofless bathroom/laundry room and went home. What a sad state of affairs this was. Why had we started construction in autumn, with an El Nino bearing down on us? Why had the rains intensified just as the contractor was poised to put on a roof? Why, why, why? I obsessed on weather reports. At the dinner table, I lamented the construction that was not happening. Things took a frightful turn in mid-January. A big storm was headed our way just as the workers finished nailing down the subflooring for the new living room and kitchen. What happens if you soak plywood? Wont the sheets buckle? Might our new flooring undulate like a kiddie roller-coaster? The construction crew went to battle stations, draping tarps on top of tarps. Then the rains and the stiff winds came. That night, just before dusk, I peeked at the project. The roof-level tarps were in shambles. The plywood flooring was now a swimming pool. Ponded water represented project ruination. I was certain of it. I put out a mayday call, then went to work with our super-sized squeegee, trying to remove as much water as I could before darkness fell. Several workers arrived to re-rig the tarps. Not to worry, I was told. The plywood is guaranteed to survive a year under water. Seriously? At dawn, I came down in the rain to take a fresh look. Again, carnage. Tarps blown all over. A 50-gallon water sack was suspended overhead, ready to burst. I put out another mayday. I did more squeegeeing. Id never seen wood so wet. Lacking all control of the situation, Cheryl and I ended up fleeing the property for breakfast. To someplace drier. Wed let the building professionals fight the chaos. Soon the clouds parted and the serious rain stopped. A tarp the size of Rhode Island was nailed in place. This super tarp did the job. It took a couple of weeks, but the plywood flooring did dry out. That weekend deluge was nearly our breaking point. We struggled with waves of despair. Dark, dark thoughts replaced our early optimism. Its now mid-February. The days are warm and sunny. The blooming ornamental pears are in their glory. And our project is humming along at a good clip. We can walk inside the shell and imagine what life in the reborn house might be like. While the new kitchen and living room will certainly be nicer than what existed before, we cant help but question if we will be any happier in the revamped house than we have been in the garage. This is probably nothing more than self-indulgent speculation. But suppose the project doesnt buy greater joy and comfort? Is that even possible? I wonder what the Vegas oddsmakers would say. When is enough enough? For 40 years, every U.S. president has officially designated February for celebrating Black History; all other races have been unofficially neglected! When does repetition become excessive? When will others be next in line to have their time? Omitting the other histories for such a protracted period evokes a mental image of second-rate; not worthy of having their accomplishments and hardships portrayed across the country. This of course, is not characteristic for a nation of freedom and equality. So, why did past presidents not extend similar support and acknowledgement to other races? Whatever the reason, it is what it is --- another part of history. We cant change it, but we can make changes --- then move on. My humble, but sincere, opinion is simple: All racial histories should be embraced and celebrated. One history (good, bad or average) is just one history. But presenting all histories (good, bad or average) is American history. What we learned from history yesterday we use today For a better tomorrow. Tom Koch Yountville Wrapping ornaments of gold and diamonds, mixing chocolate and trimming roses, Napa businesses are knee deep in Valentines Day preparations as the heart-themed holiday approaches. Were ready, said Wendy Sherwood, owner of La Foret Chocolate & Confections on Browns Valley Road. After many years of making chocolate creations for Valentines Day, weve got it pretty much dialed in, Sherwood said. Some ingredients are prepared ahead of time, such as dried persimmons and candied orange peel. Shipped orders were finalized on Tuesday. Sherwood said she expects to see more customers as the end of the week draws nearer. Most chose wrapped gift boxes of chocolate, but the store also has different-flavored bars and lots of things in heart shapes. Regardless of selection, theres something for everybody. All chocolate is a treat, she said. John Prittie, owner of Beau Fleurs Flower Company on Silverado Trail, said his longtime floral business is also used to meeting the demand of a traditional holiday like Valentines Day. Weve got it down to a science because weve done it for so many years now. We have a plan and stick to it, he said. Part of that plan includes bringing in extra staff to help form bouquets and other arrangements. Because Valentines Day is on Sunday this year, Prittie said he expects to make a lot of office deliveries on Thursday and Friday, followed by home deliveries on Saturday and Sunday. The gold standard continues to be the classic dozen red roses, said Prittie. Those who send roses know that its an appropriate item to purchase and their wives or girlfriends will be very happy to receive them. Prittie said the shops biggest Valentines Day delivery was an order of 10 dozen red roses. Sometimes, Valentines Day visitors like to order multiple bouquets to decorate an entire hotel room, he said. The going rate for a dozen roses delivered is $90 to $100, he said. As of about a month ago, Napas Wine Train had already sold all the seats for its Valentine-themed excursions, said Kim Powers, content coordinator at the Wine Train. Riders this weekend will each enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and serenades from a strolling violinist. There is just something about the nostalgia of the train and having a nice time with your sweetheart, said Powers. Some couples make their train trip extra memorable. We see a lot of special questions asked on Valentines Day, said Powers. We do get a lot of proposals on board as well as on our love lock bridge. A bridge next to the train has been covered with thousands of declarations of love in the form of personalized locks. Sometimes they are aware of proposal plans, and if so, try and facilitate as much as they can, said Powers. She said as many as five couples could get engaged over the weekend. A proposal usually includes a ring, and jeweler Kent Gardella of Napa Valley Jewelers said one of the most popular rings these days is the two stone ring, made with two larger diamonds. Its hot this year, said Gardella. In addition to rings, You will always sell a few diamond hearts around the Feb. 14 holiday. On Tuesday, Gardella said that every sale the store had made that day was for Valentines Day. Located in a mostly empty stretch of the former Town Center, now under construction and redevelopment, Gardella said sales at his business are down. His longtime customers are sustaining his business, he said. If they are a jewelry buyer, this is one of the holidays they buy jewelry for, he said. Sweetie Pies Bakery owner/pastry chef Toni Chiappetta said she expected walk-in customers in search of Valentines Day goodies, starting with office workers, on Thursday and Friday. Business is usually really good, Chiappetta said. To prepare, shes baking individual cakes, cupcakes and cookies, along with making dipped strawberries. Those strawberries, along with an I (heart) You devils food cake, are her most popular sellers, she said. As for the weekend, were busy all day Saturday and Sunday, she said. In addition to extra staff, she creates a larger breakfast menu on Sunday. One year, we had somebody get engaged, recalled Chiappetta. A certain table was reserved and when the couple arrived, a special cake with the question: Will You Marry Me? was presented. The answer was yes, said Chiappetta. According to the National Retail Federations Valentines Day consumer spending survey, 54.8 percent of consumers will celebrate Valentines Day, spending an average of $146.84 on flowers, jewelry, candy, apparel and more, up from $142.31 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $19.7 billion, a survey high. As the first major consumer holiday of 2016, Valentines Day could provide a positive boost in spending our economy needs, said National Retail Federations president and CEO Matthew Shay. When it comes to the top gifts this Valentines Day, 50 percent of consumers surveyed said they plan to buy candy, spending a total of $1.7 billion. Another $4.4 billion will be spent on necklaces, earrings and other jewelry, with 19.9 percent planning to treat their significant other or family member to something precious. Nearly half of those celebrating will spend $1.1 billion on greeting cards. An estimated $2 billion will be spent on apparel and $1.9 billion will be spent on flowers. According to the survey, consumers will spend $681 million to treat their favorite pets to Valentines Day delights. Country fans bury Pittsburgh in trash http://t.co/ma81QqRD13 Boing Boing (@BoingBoing) June 22, 2014 Well Luke Bryan's Saturday night foray into big boy shows was a huge success, but it was also really, really trashy. Luke played his very first stadium show as a headliner Saturday night at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and by the looks of the tons of trash left behind by concert-goers it was one helluva a party. Crews were busy cleaning up the thousands of pounds of trash were left behind in the parking lot after the show and the pictures are disturbing and sad and makes country fans look like a bunch of pigs. Not sure why fans at these shows can't just throw their crap away. According to several concert-goers, two garbage bags were even given to everyone entering the parking lot to help. Despite the trashy look of things, though, venue workers are saying that the trash left behind after Luke's concert wasn't near as bad as the trashpocolypse at Kenny Chesney's the previous year (although Boing Boing disagrees). "It was as high as your waist on you," a Pittsburgh police officer told one reporter about the trash that accumulated outside Heinz Field in 2013. At least there is some good news coming out today about the concert. Live Nation has confirmed that this was the largest country music show ever held at Heinz Field. Luke has two more stadium shows on his tour this year - Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Aug. 15 and Soldier Field in Chicago on Aug. 31. let's just hope everyone cleans up after themselves during those stops. How Cold Are Black Holes? : Today were going to have the most surreal conversation. Im going to struggle to explain it, and youre going ... Question -- What is the goal of this website? Why do we share different sources of information that sometimes conflicts or might even be considered disinformation? Answer -- The primary goal of Nesaranews is to help all people become better truth-seekers in a real-time boots-on-the-ground fashion. This is for the purpose of learning to think critically, discovering the truth from withinnot just believing things blindly because it came from an "authority" or credible source. Instead of telling you what the truth is, we share information from many sources so that you can discern it for yourself. We focus on teaching you the tools to become your own authority on the truth, gaining self-mastery, sovereignty, and freedom in the process. We want each of you to become your own leaders and masters of personal discernment, and as such, all information should be vetted, analyzed and discerned at a personal level. We also encourage you to discuss your thoughts in the comments section of this site to engage in a group discernment process. "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Aristotle 11 Posted by PickupTrucks.com Staff | December 3, 2011 Lead photo by Michael S. Smith By G.R. Whale Once the power and towing bragging rights are out of the way, trucks are built to haul stuff, and payload rating is the value most often quoted to represent that. But where did that rating come from, and can you do anything to change it? Related: Pickup Trucks 101: Payload Classifications Theres no doubt youve seen comparisons of payload ratings, but they should have many footnotes because there is no detailed industry standard, and ratings change so fast that few are up to date. Truck makers typically define maximum payload as the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) minus the trucks curb weight and in the case of GM, they use base option curb weight to calculate and payload is composed of passengers and cargo. Numbers May Vary From the outset theres a gray area, as GM and Ram Truck consider all passengers to weigh 150 pounds at each seating position. That seems a bit optimistic to us. Even the FAA is considering raising its 170-pounds-per-person specification of recent years because of potential overloading of small aircraft and the ever-increasing weight of Americans. Transport Canada has proposed 200 pounds for men and 165 pounds for women. Even if we use the 150-pound specification, a half-ton four-wheel-drive pickup with five passengers could easily be left with an effective cargo capacity of just 350 to 750 pounds. Its important to note that the payload figures in brochures and on manufacturer websites highlight best-case scenarios. The specific truck in question will be fitted with the minimum equipment needed to attain that given rating. Optional parts usually add weight, though there are exceptions, like changing from steel wheels to alloy wheels, an aluminum-block engine rather than iron, smaller mirrors, or deleting the bumper or spare tire. Anything else you add a hitch, winch, or megawatt stereo will subtract from your payload rating. The only way to boost the payload rating is to take weight off the truck: removing the rear seat or bumper, using lighter wheels and/or tires that meet gross axle weight rating requirements, and so on. Numbers Will Not Vary Although payload determination may vary by manufacturer, the GVWR and GAWR (gross axle weight rating) on the certification label are standardized and absolute. Only the manufacturer or an upfitter that started with an incomplete vehicle can set the GVWR. Theres no wiggle room or fudge factor here; the rating exists because above it, things can and will break. And if you overload the vehicle, a break may also break your wallet because the warranty wont cover it. Finally, be aware that regulations often treat recreational and commercial use differently. Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) validation covers things like driveline durability and cooling, while GVWR and GAWR validation covers brakes (we dont recommend any full-size truck running anywhere near GCWR without trailer brakes), frame, wheel bearings, springs, suspension arms/bushings, steering pumps and gear, tires, and box integrity. Look at the rear axle GAWR on many single-rear-wheel pickups, and youll find an odd number thats exactly twice the maximum load rating for the tires on it. Be Aware As a result, you cant increase your payload, but you can do things to make your truck more comfortable operating at or very near GVWR. Thicker, additional or re-arched spring leafs or wound coils; auxiliary airbags or a complete air suspension swap; and added or thicker anti-roll bars can help control weight better, but use caution: Increasing the diameter of one anti-roll bar without addressing the other end will change balance and handling characteristics, and increasing the spring rate requires matching the shocks. Coil-over and air shocks are less than ideal because they transfer weight to shock mounts that are not designed for them. More From PickupTrucks.com: And, of course, be aware that the weight of any airbags, additional suspension hardware, airbag compressor or heavier tire/wheel combo also lowers payload capacity. The best advice we can offer is to make sure your load is properly distributed so you dont exceed either axles GAWR, and keep the heaviest part of the load as low in the bed as possible. Naturally, changing your trucks center of gravity will affect ride and handling. If you still need to get more carrying capacity out of your pickup, consider trading it in for one you should have bought to begin with. The Express Tribune reported that Wahidi was in Islamabad with his family to acquire visas to travel to the UK. Pakistan officials were quoted, as saying that Wahidi had gone to a restaurant with his 12-year-old grandson when unidentified persons arrived in two vehicles and kidnapped him, leaving the child behind. Pakistan media quoted official sources,as saying that the former governor was staying at a guesthouse in Islamabad's F-7 sector and was near the Rana Market when he was abducted. The officials added that the reason behind the former governor's kidnapping is unknown. Afghan Embassy officials in Islamabad said they have registered a case with the police about the abduction of the former governor.(ANI) Ban Ki-moon telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday evening and asked him to play a 'pivotal role' in defusing the row owing to Pakistan's good ties with both nations, reports Dawn. Pakistan Prime Minister has good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia and thus he can play a pivotal role in finding a solution to the problem and can resolve the issue, said Ban Ki-moon. The officials said Premier Nawaz also briefed the UN secretary general about his visits to Saudi Arabia and Iran. Meanwhile, a delegation of Pakistani businessmen called on Prime Minister Nawaz at the PM House on Friday. The delegates lauded him for bringing about macroeconomic stability in the country. They credited the government's 'prudent economic policies, efficient and transparent management, deployment of available resources, investments and improvements in overall security in the country for the economic turnaround. (ANI) The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's Election Commission has taken an exception to irregularities in the party membership campaign, including fake membership by workers and leaders by using a number of mobile SIMs. Noorani said the commission was receiving complaints that people were using up to five SIMs on one identity card to create five votes, reports the Dawn. He added that the commission was preparing a list of voters and would verify independently in the light of the Election Commission of Pakistan's voters' list. He futher said the new members' verification would also be made through different ways, including direct calls andthose numbers found switched off continuously would be blocked. Noorani said the commission had decided that those found guilty of making fake members would facing punishments, including ineligibility to contest the intra-party election, refusal of party ticket for elections or termination of party membership.(ANI) "He expressed concern about the unfortunate incident that took place on February 9, in JNU campus which led to disturbance of peace and tranquility, affecting its academic programme," varsity said in a statement. "He appreciated the quick response by the Vice Chancellor and his team, in dealing with this matter in setting up the enquiry committee and also many other follow up actions," it added. The statement further said Kasturirangan emphasized the need for all sections of the JNU community to extend full support to the JNU administration. "He expressed confidence that effective steps would be taken to restore normalcy on campus and to ensure that such incidents do not recur," it added. (ANI) Chandrika commended the government for getting the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill which seeks to increase women representation to a minimum of 25 percent in local government bodies, the Colombo Page web site reported. She said the new Bill provides justifiable rights to women in Sri Lanka which created such heroic figures as Vihara Maha Devi, Soma Devi and lately the world's first female Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. She said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) provided the opportunity for Sri Lanka to have the world's first female prime minister and the country's first female executive president, Ms. Kumaratunga. She, however, said that she was ashamed of the indisciplined behavior of certain SLFP members in parliament when a bill aimed to increase women's participation in active politics was being debated. She added that the opposition's reaction on this important bill for women's liberation is an insult to the entire fraternity of the country.(ANI) They demanded release of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was remanded to three-day police custody by a Delhi court on Friday. He has been charged with sedition and conspiracy for allegedly indulging in anti-India activities. A group of students on Tuesday held an event on the campus to mark the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, some students shouted anti-India slogans. Talking to reporters after meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Home Minister has assured them that the investigation will not be carried out against any innocent person. On the other hand, BJP leader Shrikant Sharma said rather than condemning such slogans, some political parties are justifying it which is shameful. Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi also met Rajnath Singh over the JNU issue. He is believed to have submitted a status report regarding the JNU row. (ANI) Oli said that all political parties should work together to further develop the country and strengthen democracy. He was on the way to the Dharan based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences to attend its convocation ceremony, reports The Himalayan Times. Talking to mediapersons at Biratnagar Airport, the Prime Minister said political parties which demonstrated unity in concluding the Constitution drafting process after the earthquake should once again come to a common ground for the building of nation. He expressed his hope on the upcoming visit of India and said that it would further consolidate the bilateral ties. Oli further added matters of delineation of federal provinces would be sorted out by forming a separate body.(ANI) Congratulating the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for entering into a pre-poll alliance in Tamil Nadu, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on Saturday said both of them together "ruled and ruined" the country, as they were together in the UPA and now it's going to be "UPA-Tamil Nadu". "Best of luck! I don't think it would have any impact on Tamil Nadu's politics. The Congress and the DMK are coming together is quite but natural. Both of them together ruled and ruined the country. They were together in the UPA, now it's going to be 'UPA Tamil Nadu', said M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Naidu, however, said both the parties are having same problems. "You know what has happened to the DMK and what has happened to the Congress Party; unless they realise that, mere coming together is not going to help them at all," he added. Earlier today, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad formally announced that his party would contest the assembly polls in alliance with the DMK. "It was a courtesy call. We have decided to fight the elections together. We will have an alliance. Karunanidhi ji is an esteemed leader. Our goal is to put in place a government led by the DMK," Azad told media here. "I am more than sure that we will form a government under the leadership of DMK Party. DMK, Congress and other allies will be a very formidable combination to defeat other political parties," he added. Welcoming the alliance, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin said, "Congress has promised full cooperation. Karunanidhi has already given an invitation to DMDK. We are hopeful of a positive response." (ANI) According to reports, the students, who were trying to protest at Indira Gandhi Kala Kendra, have been taken to the Parliament Street police station for questioning in connection with the case. The police had cracked down on a group of protestors at the JNU on Friday and arrested the student leader on sedition charges for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during a demonstration in the campus to mark the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on Tuesday. Kumar's arrest evoked strong reactions from JNU students and teachers, past and present, and Opposition parties even as the RSS's students wing ABVP 'thanked' police for arresting the "anti-nationals". The arrest of Kumar, a member of the CPI's students wing AISF, was made a day after BJP MP from East Delhi, Maheish Girri, registered a complaint. The protest was staged even though the JNU administration had revoked permission following a complaint from the ABVP. (ANI) He cut the ceremonial ribbon in the presence of Finland Prime Minister Juha Petri Sipila and Sweden Prime Minister Kjell Lofven along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other high profile dignitaries. The Make in India Centre is focus location of the Make in India Week. Spread over an area of 2.2 lakh square meters and 27 halls; it is holding national and international exhibitions. Along with 17 state exhibitions, the Centre is holding exhibitions from Sweden, Germany and South Korea. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi will officially inaugurate the 'Make in India' Week at NSCI, Worli where he will address a gathering of more than 800 delegates comprising senior leaders and captains of industry from both India and abroad. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to sign some important MoUs with at least three major companies in the presence of Prime Minister Modi this afternoon. Make in India Week is the flagship event to provide greater momentum to the Make in India initiative, and to promote India as a preferred manufacturing destination globally. Government delegations from 49 countries and business delegations from 68 countries are slated to attend the event. The Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with senior foreign leaders. (ANI) "Exploiting very narrow window of fair weather army avn heptrs, in a daring act, succeeded in moving mortal remains of 9 bravehearts. Mortal remains moved from northern glacier to airstrip close to base camp," The Additional Directorate General of Public Information for Indian Army (ADG PI) tweeted. With the weather continuing to be extremely adverse, the bodies have been moved to the Military Hospital in Hunder for embalming and custody. After certain formalities, a quick wreath laying ceremony will be done following which, all mortal remains will be transported to Delhi from Thoise in an IAF aircraft. "In Delhi, another wreath laying ceremony is planned, following which the bodies of the nine martyrs will be transported to their home towns," said the Northern Command in a statement. The lone survivor of the Siachen Glacier Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad died on Thursday after almost a week-long battle. (ANI) Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday formally announced that the party will fight the Assembly polls in an alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). "It was a courtesy call. We have decided to fight the elections together. We will have an alliance. Karunanidhi ji is an esteemed leader. Our goal is to put in place a government led by the DMK," Azad told media here. "I am more than sure that we will form a government under the leadership of DMK Party. DMK, Congress and other allies will be a very formidable combination to defeat other political parties," he added. Azad further stated that DMK leadership will identify other potential allies and initiate talks. On seat sharing, he said further talks would take place with the DMK. Welcoming the alliance, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin said "Congress has promised full cooperation. Karunanidhi has already given an invite to DMDK. We are hopeful of a positive response." Earlier, Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, who met M. Karunanidhi, downplayed reports that he had come on behalf of the Congress to form an alliance in the poll-bound state and said that the final decision in this regard rests in the hands of the DMK chief. Replying to a poser on whether he had come on behalf of the Congress to urge him and form an alliance in the poll-bound state, the National Conference leader said that it was for Karunanidhi to decide. "That will be his decision. I cannot say anything as I don't belong to the Congress. I am sure he would do very well in the coming elections. I wish him the best of luck," he added. (ANI) Expressing their dissent over the ongoing row at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, a delegation of Left parties on Saturday met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and asked him to release Kanhaiya Kumar, the university's students' union president. Hours after Singh and Human Resource and Development Minister Smriti Irani denounced the raising of alleged anti-India slogans in the JNU, the Delhi Police had yesterday arrested the Kanhaiya Kumar, on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy. Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member Sitaram Yechury, who led the Left delegation to the Home Minister, said that the actions taken by the police in the university, were even worse than what happened during the emergency "We informed the Home Minister about the happenings inside the university. We told him that the kind of actions taken by him, dubbing the whole university as anti-national, is even worse than what happened during the emergency," Yechury said. He also said that no one who would accept that JNU students are anti-national. "We also presented our dissent that the RSS is trying to spread its ideology in all the universities of the country. He assured that no action would be taken against any person who is not guilty. Acknowledging his assurance we said that Kanhaiya Kumar, university's students' union president, should be immediately released," he added. "The 20 people, who are being targeted and against whom the sedition charges are being slapped, are not seen raising slogans in the video. The list of those 20 people includes the name of D. Raja's daughter also. The Centre is just using this to interfere in higher educational institutions and spread the ideology of the RSS," he further said. "It should be proved that they are at fault. It should be proved that these incidents actually happened. The university has no cameras, so where did the tape come from?" he added. Kumar's arrest evoked strong reactions from JNU students and teachers, past and present, and Opposition parties even as the RSS's students wing ABVP 'thanked' police for arresting the "anti-nationals". The arrest of Kumar, a member of the CPI's students wing AISF, was made a day after BJP MP from East Delhi, Maheish Girri, registered a complaint. The alleged anti-India slogans were reportedly raised during a protest march on the campus on Tuesday against Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's hanging. The protest was staged even though the JNU administration had revoked permission following a complaint from the ABVP. (ANI) Pakistani troops are likely to participate in a joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia over the next week, though it is still unclear whether Islamabad will join the proposed Islamic Military Alliance (IMA). According to the London-based daily The Nation, the planned "North Thunder" military exercise is aimed at sending a clear message to Iran and the countries in the region it supports that any hostile intentions and actions will be firmly dealt with by Riyadh. The military drill is scheduled to be held in the northern region of Saudi Arabia in the next few days and a number of countries will be participating in it, local media has reported. Military experts have warned that the next probable threat to the Gulf states is likely to come from the northern areas, after Iran demographically occupies Iraq and uses that country as its military arm to meddle in the affairs of neighboring countries and drain Gulf states' resources. The Nation quoted Col. Ibrahim Al-Marie, military and strategic analyst, as saying that the three main goals of the exercise are to ensure joint security of the Gulf, Arab and Islamic states, increase combat readiness and coordinate joint operations between participating forces. "Participating countries are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, the UAE, and some Gulf states, through maritime, air and land efforts," he said. He further stated, "This manoeuvre is considered the most important in the past five decades conducted by Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries. It will rely on the latest technology in light of the growing regional terrorism and turbulent environment, and after the success of Decisive Storm." Col. Al-Marie said the exercise provides a chance to improve and activate the Islamic military alliance announced by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and defense minister, for joint participation of Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries in a number of these exercises. He denied any link between North Thunder and the recent announcement by the Kingdom regarding ground military intervention in Syria, noting that these exercises were announced previously and are part of a defensive, not offensive, approach. Al-Marie revealed that Iran seeks control in Iraq for extremist Shiites who are loyal to Tehran, and not Baghdad. "We know that Iran has been trying to widen its footprint in Iraq through a so-called demographic occupation and emptying Iraq of Sunnis, either by displacing them or wiping them out, as well as by emptying the country of moderate Shiites loyal to Iraq," he said. However, Pakistan is yet to take a formal decision on joining the 34-member Islamic Military Alliance, though verbally has extended support to Saudi proposal. Informed sources told The Nation that the government is yet to inform the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs about this. Answering a question raised by Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said that details about the 'counter-terrorism coalition' were still not clear and that the government would take a decision in due course of time. Members of the committee, however, called for a categorical statement from the foreign ministry on the issue and said that avoiding the matter would not send a positive message to the public. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said it was unwise for the government to take any position on the basis of media statements. He said that he had already stated in a policy statement that the foremost objective of foreign policy was to protect national security. Talking to reporters after the meeting Mr. Sayed said "the government's response was ambiguous". A statement issued by the committee said its members had voiced concern over any possibility of the country's involvement in the Syrian conflict and that this could have repercussions for internal situation. "National interest should be protected and neutrality observed at all costs," the statement said. (ANI) Site: spiritualdating From: nada00 Date: January 03, 2016 My name is Miss Nada, i saw your profile and became interested in you, please contact me through my email address (nadamakara2@hotmail.com) to know each other and i have something very important to tell you, i wait for your response to my email ID. nadamakara2@hotmail.com yours Nada. From: Nada Makara Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2016 12:30:38 +0000 Subject: RE: from nada,i need your help. From Nada Thanks for your reply. I know that this mail will not come as a surprise to you because we have not had a previous correspondence, please bear with me. I like to have a good relationship with you, and I have a reason why i decided to contact you. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of my situation here, My name is Miss Nada Makara Am 25 years old girl from Libyan in Northern Africa, 5.9 tall, (never married before) the only daughter of the late Late Dr. Duele Makara, who was a politician also a business man in Libya. My father died in cold blood. Wednesday night, May 26, 2011 while as a result of The Libyan civil war, that was fought in my country, The war was preceded by protests in Benghazi beginning on Tuesday, 15 February 2011, which led to clashes with security forces that fired on the crowd before they went to my beloved fathers rest home and killed him, I lost my biological mother long time ago when I was just 6 years old and since then, my father loved me so dearly may he rest in peace and may the great God give him a safe entry in Paradise. Amen. I am compelled to contact you because of the abuse I receive from my step mother who are planning to take my father treasury and properties from me since the unexpected death of my beloved Father. Her aim was to kill me. Meanwhile, I wanted to escape to the Europe but she hide away my international passport and other valuable traveling documents. Luckily she did not discover where I kept my Father's File which contains important documents. So I decided to run to the refugee camp where I am presently seeking asylum under the United Nations High Commission for the Refugee here in Dakar, Republic of Senegal. I wish to contact you personally for a long term business relationship and investment assistance in your country. My father of blessed memory deposited the sum of US$6.800,000.00 (Six Million Eight Hundred Thousand U.S.A. Dollars )in the bank in the Europe with my name as the next of kin. I have my late father's File which contains important documents here with me now, However, i will forward the necessary documents to you as soon as i have confirmed your acceptance to assist me to transfer money to your account and the fund's investment. As you help me in an investment and I would like to complete my studies, as I was in school when the crisis began. It is my intention to compensate for 30% of the total money for their services and the balance shall be my investment capital,This is why I decided to contact you. Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes. As soon as i receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately After your acceptance to assist me I would like to have your full information to enable the bank to address you as my partner standing on my behalf. Before that you should send me your information as below: 1. Your Full Names:....................... 2. Your Address:........................... 3. Your Sex:.............................. 4. Your Age............................... 5. Your Marital Status:.................... 6. Your Occupation:........................ 7. Your Direct Phone number:.................. 8. Your Resident City:.................... 9. Your Resident State:................... 10.Your Country:........................... My dear, I am e-mailing you from the office of the Rev. Father who is Priest at the church in the refugee camp where i am presently. I don't have my own phone for now,so make sure you call me with the (Reverend Father Paul David) phone, he is the priest here in the refugee camp, call and say you want to speak with Miss Nada the Libyan girl and he will send for me in the female hostel room 104. This is the number +221761249639 Awaiting your urgent and positive response please do not disclose it to any one until the fund has been transferred to your account, Attach here are my pictures. Sincerely, Nada. From: Nada Makara Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2016 18:00:22 +0000 Subject: Contact the bank This is the bank contact, please write application later to the bank immediately for the transfer Hello My Dear, i hope you are fine. your health is very important to me because you mean a lot to me now. God will bless and reward you for every effort you are about to make to see me out from this horrible prison called refugee camp where i am living today as a result of the untimely of my parents (may their gentle souls rest in peace). Please being a Refugee, is like one staying inside prison, and i don't want to continue like this, once the bank start up the transfer process i will start up too for my arrangement to meet you face to face, my intention is to have a good future, and a good living and continue with my studies, I sent you my pictures in the begging because i had accepted and trusted you already from my heart, i really love your pictures and can't wait to meet and tell you much i care and love you face to face, and i hope you will always be there for me? I believe in my heart that your help to me will bring something good to you, and i assure you that if God will use you to help me out of this situation, i will never forget you in my life, from your lovely message and pictures, i know you will not betray me or let me down, as i trusted you from the begging. I have confidence to go ahead with you and for the rest of my life for my better life. Dear, i leave myself completely for you and my late father's inheritances, from below you will find all my late father's banking contact information and all that you need to know about me, please do not betrayed me. Now you should send message to bank because i have sent your information to them as my trusted partner, and i hope they will be waiting for your confirmation message to tell us the possibilities of the transfer. DEAR TRY TO CONTACT THE BANK TODAY THIS IS THE BANK CONTACT INFORMATION Royal Bank of Scotland 9-13, Paternoster Row, London, EC4M 7EJ. Scotland, United kingdom Email ............. royalbanktransferdpt@scotlandmail.com Email ............. info.rbs.consultant@consultant.com Telephone number:....................+447043313380 Fax:.............................. +448701309015 Contact Person Mr. Ross McEwan: (Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Foreign Remittance Department) The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc Looking forward to hear your response from the bank. God bless you Please Call the Bank and send mail to them as well today because i have written to them and have introduce you to them as my partner. when you get them on line, tell them that you are my partner. You are representing me as the foreign next of kin to the fund of my late father being deposited in there bank with my name as the next of kin, and ask them the possibility of transferring this fund to your position in your account in your country. Looking forward to hear your response from the bank. God bless you Please Call the Bank and send mail to them as well today because i have written to them and have introduce you to them as my partner. when you get them on line, tell them that you are my partner. You are representing me as the foreign next of kin to the fund of my late father being deposited in there bank with my name as the next of kin, and ask them the possibility of transferring this fund to your position in your account in your country. THIS IS MY LATE FATHER ACCOUNT INFORMATION ACCOUNT NAME......(Dr. Duele Makara) ACCOUNT NUMBER......012458000038 AMOUNT DEPOSITED....US$6,800.000.00 NEXT OF KIN.......Miss. Nada Makara SWIFT CODE :(RBOSGB1L) This is my own information. Full Name...... ......... Nada Makara Resident.................. Unit 225 church Road Medina UN. Refugee camp Dakar Senegal. Identity card No ........... A20547896 My dearest, The most important thing is to make sure that you make contact with the bank let us hear from them before any other thing will be done. Go ahead and call or mail them OK. Expecting to hear from you the response from the bank. Please take good care, and always put me in your daily prayers, God bless you, Yours truly, Nada Makara PLEASE COPY THE NOTE BELOW AND SEND IT TO THE BANK Dear Sir, It is a great pleasure to write you Sir in regards to the information pass across to me by one Miss Nada Makara whose father's name is late Dr. Duele Makara and that the father has the sum of U.S. $6.8M (six Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars) in your Bank, Miss Nada Makara in several occasion has communicated with me over E-Mail to assist her receive a funds which her late father deposited with your Bank. I do here by demand that according to advise of Miss Nada Makara that this bank should grant our request by transferring the said funds into my account in my country. I will appreciate if my request is urgently granted. Thanks Your's Mr. From: "Royal Bank" Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 10:33:23 +0100 Subject: R.B.S. NOTICE OF TRANSFER Royal bank of Scotland 9-13, Paternoster Row, London,EC4M, SCOTLAND,UNITED KINGDOM PHONE ; +447043313380 Date; 14 - 1 - 2016. Attention; Sir I have been directed by the director of Foreign Operation/Wire Transfer to write you in respect of your partner mail we received in our bank here in London. Actually, we have earlier been told about you by the young lady Miss. Nada Makara that she wishes you to be her trustee/representative for the claim of her late father's deposit with our bank. Late Dr. Duele Makara. is our late customer with substantial amount (US$6,800,000.00) deposited with us. Hence you have been really appointed as a trustee to represent as next of Kin. However before our bank will transact any business concerning the transfer of the fund with you, we will like you to send the followings: 1. A notarized Power of Attorney from a Senegalese resident lawyer permitting you to claim the said fund on her behalf. 2. The death certificate of late Dr. Duele Makara, her deceased father confirming the death. 3. Affidavit of Support from Senegal High court of Justice where she is residing, to prove the authentication of the power of attorney. 4. A copy of the Deposit Certificate of Dr. Duele Makara, given by our bank (ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND). London Note: The above mentioned documents are compulsory and are needed to protect our Interest, yours, the next of kin after the claims. When you get all these documents both from high court and the power of attorney, Then, The original copies of the four required documents should be submitted to our office. These shall also ensure that a smooth, quick and successful transfer of the fund is made. Processing and transferring of lodgement/Funds to your nominated locations/accounts shall commence as soon as we receive the above mentioned documents. We promise to give our customers the best of our services. Should you have any questions, contact the Funds Transfer Department Director. Mr. Ross McEwan Yours Faithfully Mrs. Nicole A. Caves. Customers Relation Department ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, London,UK. From: Nada Makara Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 20:46:14 +0000 Subject: RE: Contact the lawyer My love please contact this lawyer immediately for the preparation of the documents demanded by the bank. Hello Darling, How are you today? I believe you are fine. God will bless and reward you for every effort you are making to bring me out from this horrible situation i found my self today. As for me i am fine here with all hopes that you will assist me to transfer my money to your position for a better life with you. I appreciate the way you are handling this transfer of my money to your position pending my arrival to meet with you to start a new life. I am suffering here in the prison called refugee camp and i believe with you i can start a new life in your country after the transfer of my money to your account. I can see what the bank is demanding before they will transfer my money to your position. Presently i have my late father death certificate and deposit certificate with me here which i have given to the lawyer to send to you when you contact him. try to contact the bank tell them that you have receive there mail and you will send them those documents for the transfer very soon. The problem we have now is the power of attorney and Affidavit Support which the bank said that it will be issued by a lawyer here in Senegal for me to sign my signature on it. After reading your mail,I discussed it with Reverend Father and he gave me the contact of this lawyer Barr. Bronson Aliu. He is one of the lawyers working with the united nations here in Dakar Senegal. I will want you to contact him on both phone and email telling him that you are my foreign partner that you need his services to prepare a power of attorney that will enable you transfer my US$6.800,000.00 million dollars from Royal Bank of Scotland,to your account on my behalf due to my refugee status. His contact information are as follows, Name......... Barr. Bronson Aliu Tel: ....... +221773444735 Email: humanright.lawfirm@yahoo.fr Email: Barr.BronsonAliu@legislator.com My dearest, remember to send your information to him 1) Name: 2) Address: 3) Tel no: 4) E-mail: 5) Your age; 6) Country: 7) Occupation; God bless you as you contact him immediately. yours in love forever Nada Makara. From: "Barrister Bronson Aliu" Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:29:34 +0100 Subject: Human Right LAW-FIRM, HUMAN RIGHT LAWFIRM. Solicitors / Advocates MEMBER ECOWAS BANK ACCREDITED ATTORNEYS. Add NO 48 West Foir Avenue, Yoff Close 28874 DAKAR SENEGAL E-mail; Barr.BronsonAliu@legislator.com humanright.lawfirm@yahoo.fr Number: +221773444735 Fax/ 338952912 Friday, January 15, 2016 Attention Sir. I appreciate the opportunity to advise you regarding the two strong document,1; power of attorney (POA) 2; Affidavit of oath. To ensure a complete understanding between us, I am stating the pertinent information about the courage that I will be rendering and the facts you provided to me all the needs. I have received your information. Therefore you should scan to me your any available identity card or passport for confirmation. Be informed that i got a positive and acknowledgment result from Royal Bank Plc,United Kingdom and they confirmed the transaction soonest the legal Document is ready on their Desk. Here are few things you should know about this document before creating two files and start your work immediately, For Durable Power of Attorney and affidavit of oaths Document will cost you only (U.S/ $2,100), Two Thousand One Hundred Dollars Equivalent. And it will paid to the federal law court before we proceed to your Document. Remember once we confirmed your payment, we will proceed on your legal Document. Therefore you should send US/ $2,100 through MoneyGram or western Union money transfer, RECEIVER NAME ---- BRONSON A. ALIU AMOUNT----------------- US/ $2,100 QUESTION -----------CODE? ANSWER ----------- YES. COUNTRY ---------- SENEGAL CITY-------------- DAKAR ADDRESS NUMBER----- NO 48 WEST FOIR AVENUE, YOFF CLOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER ----- 00221773444735 COUNTRY CODE ---------- 00221 (Note to attach the paid receipt after payment) Your partner will provide her signature before the chief magistrate at the law court to legalize, validation and Authentic legal Document immediately it is ready, She gave me the Death Certificate and the account statement Document of her late father. I am going to attach them to you together with Power of Attorney and affidavit of oaths when you have paid for the service, Remember your legal Document will be ready in 2 working days immediately i confirmed your (US/ $2,100 payment). I am much committed to serve you, Therefore you should do the best to send the fee with the above information. I serve my clients with the best of my service and satisfies their curiosities. Regards, (Principal Attorney) Human Right LAW-FIRM, DAKAR, REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL Tel: +221773444735 From: Nada Makara Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:55:24 +0000 Subject: Hello My Sweet Heart, Hello My Sweet Heart, sweet heart I am crying as i am talking to you now. I do not know exactly what to do after reading the letter you received from the lawyer, i am so excited to receive your email with the understanding that the lawyer has accepted to provide the legal documents for us to enable us achieve our goal You are being a wonderful man to my life. I am very lucky having you as my partner, I know that we are made to be together, I am hoping and longing more than anything to meet you in person as soon as this money transferred to your account, To show you all the appreciation with the love of my heart. Though i am happy but I am worried based on the request of the lawyer for the amount of (2,100 U.S$) before getting the documents for us I am very much afraid because you know that I don't have any money at hand here and I have no way to get it here, Because here in the refugees camp I hardly feed very well in a day due to lack of money and good hospitality, My Darling This is why I want to leave this refugee camp before i will die here, because it makes me to crying every middle of the night when I remember having a huge amount of money in the bank and been suffering here in the refugees camp. I want you to listen to me with all your heart, I have never thought of stressing you with the issue of money in this matter, but as you can see now we can not get the money without those documents. I went to the law chamber with the reverend father and we pleaded with the lawyer to help us. but The lawyer said that the money is mostly for the government of this country. He said that he cannot proceed until he get the money. I even cried before the lawyer but he said that he has no agenda to sponsor clients in his chamber. But according to the lawyer's explanations the lawyer must require the money to be able to get the document from High Court Authorizing stamp duty on the documents before it will be accepted by any organization and he can not get it without money, So we have no option than to send the money to the lawyer. Since you already know that I have no money and I don't have any other person than you, I beg you in the name of God our Creator do your best and send the money to the lawyer as he requested. I beg you to contact the lawyer and ask him how he will prefer to receive the money and send the money to him immediately, I know that you never expected this, i know that it is not going to be easy for you, but remember that we are expecting some greater things that is going to make our future brighter and comfortable, I want you to know that you are also saving a life created by God if you help me out, I am expecting your kind understanding towards this last chance to my freedom. I am hoping that God will surely help for you to send this money to our lawyer. The man has so many lawyers working in that chamber. my darling base on what you are requesting for,i must tell you that i am totally surprise to the documents you are asking for, i believe that you read my previous mail very well and the mail you got from the lawyer also, i already told you that my late father death certificate and Deposit Certificate is with the lawyer as we speak right now, i have already giving the two documents to the lawyer because the lawyer requested for it and i handle over the two documents to the lawyer,as you can read it clearly as the lawyer stated that i have giving it to him from his mail you sent me,what do you want me to do now? the lawyer already said that he will send you the 4 copy as soon as the remaining two is ready for use,i only have with me my refugee ID-document, if you want me to scan my refugee ID-document to you then let me know so that i will scan it for okay. i can't wait to join you over there after the transfer. Waiting for your mail and good news so that we will reach our goal and i am also waiting to hear a good news from you that you have send the money to the lawyer. Remain blessed my darling. God bless you Yours Dearly Nada From: "Barrister Bronson Aliu" Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 10:20:29 +0100 Subject: HUMAN RIGHT LAWFIRM, HUMAN RIGHT LAWFIRM.Solicitors / Advocates MEMBER ECOWAS BANK ACCREDITED ATTORNEYS. Add NO 48 West Foir Avenue, Yoff Close 28874 DAKAR SENEGAL E-mail; Barr.BronsonAliu@legislator.com humanright.lawfirm@yahoo.fr Number: +221773444735 Fax +221338952912 Tuesday, January 19, 2016 ATTENTION: Dear Mr , below is the bank account per your request. deposit the money through this account and send me the scan copy of paid receipt. Client ID: NWABUDIKE FERDINAND Bank: Ecobank Senegal Bank code: SN094 Code counter: 01018 Account: 891022087801 Key RIB: 06 Swift: ECOCSNDA thanks you. (Principal Attorney) Human Right LAW-FIRM, DAKAR, REPUBLIC OF SENEGAL Tel: +221773444735 From: Nada Makara Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:51:18 +0000 Subject: Re: compensation from Nada Hello my dear, My name is Miss nada. I could not contact you earlier before now due to my tight schedules. I am very happy to inform you about my success in getting my fund/money under the cooperation of a new partner Mr. John Corlins from Canada, Presently I am in Toronto Canada with my partner for some projects with the money. Meanwhile,I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in that process despite that it failed us at that time due to no trust. Now, I want you to contact Reverend Father Philip, He is the presiding Reverend at the church 144 rue Medina, Dakar, Senegal. I dropped a cheque of $300,000,00 dollars for you, just to compensate you for your past efforts to help me retrieve my fund. His email address is -- (philip.father@yahoo.com) his phone number is +221777478033 This Rev. Helped me a lot when the going was too difficult and i decided to keep your money with him because he is a man to be trusted and a man of God to the chore. Arrange with him how the total cheque sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) will reach you safely which I have already kept for your compensation for all the past efforts and attempts to assist me in this matter. I appreciated your efforts at that time very much. So feel free to get in touch with The Rev. and discuss with him how the amount will reach you. Please do let me know immediately you contact him to receive it so that we can share the joy after all the sufferness at that time. As at moment,I am very busy here because of the projects which I and my husband are having at hand. Finally,remember that I had forwarded instruction to the Reverend on your behalf to receive that cheque, so feel free to get in touch with him and he will send the cheque to you without any delay. Contact him through his email and phone number, God bless you. Best regards, nada If you received a similar letter, please ignore it. Do not answer it. If you do, you will end up on more of the mailing lists used by the criminals behind this fraud. Read more.... With the United States turning volte-face and deciding to decision to notify the sale of eight F-16 Fighting Falcons to Pakistan, the Congress Party in a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought to know from the NDA Government as to what is the net result of the so-called friendship between the Indian Prime Minister and U.S President Barak Obama. "The so-called friendship between the Indian Prime Minister and the US President, which was very much publicised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and this government, what is the net result now," asked P.C Chacko. "It shows the miserable failure of Indo-U.S. relations and India conveying its opinion on matters to the U.S. or convincing the US," he added. Till recently, the US was taking a position that Pakistan was inhibiting and supporting terrorism, and they would not do any kind of arms deal with a country like Pakistan which harbours terrorism, he said referring to the U.S officials statement that it would become very difficult for their government to convince the Republican-controlled Congress to approve the sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan, if Islamabad is seen as reluctant in taking action against these terrorist groups. "After this public stand, now if they (the US) have decided to do that, that means the U.S. is not at all concerned with India's concerns, which is a miserable failure of the India's foreign policy, especially towards America," Chacko added. The Pakistan Government has, so far, not taken any tangible action on the evidences provided by India with regard to the Pathankot attack. The U.S. decision to notify the sale of F-16 Fighting Falcons comes at a time when a prime accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror David Coleman Headley testifying the roles of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Islamabad's backdoor support to terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in perpetrating terrorism in India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned United States (U.S.) Ambassador to India Richard Verma this morning and expressed India's disappointment over the Barak Obama Administration's decision to notify the sale of eight F-16 Fighting Falcons to Pakistan. According to MEA sources, Ambassador Verma met Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar at South Block this morning, though it was not clear immediately as to what the MEA had conveyed to him during the nearly half an hour-long meeting. "We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan. We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help combat terrorism. The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," the MEA said in a statement," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement, adding that "U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma would be summoned to convey the government's displeasure". Earlier too, India had expressed disappointment over reports that the U.S. Government had, during the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the U.S, notified the U.S. Congress about a proposed sale of eight F-16 fighters to Pakistan and also to offer a civil nuclear deal to them. As per reports, the U.S. is selling the eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan at a cost of 69.90 billion dollars. The Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal. The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defence capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter terrorism operations. (ANI) The Dawn reports that Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency which oversees foreign arms sales said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal. The proposed deal will go through a 30-day notification period after which it will be finalized. The agency said that F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all weather environments and at night, improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. India said it was disappointed with decision of US. 'We disagree with their rationale those arms transfers help to combat terrorism,' Vikas Swarup, spokesperson for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter. Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are well-vetted before any formal notification.(ANI) Lauding the contribution of art in society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said art brings history to life, and described it as ageless and timeless. "This is a society that has influenced three centuries. The strength and the message of art is the reason. Is art only about being the pride of our walls or is art about being the strength of society. Art brings our history to life," Prime Minister Modi said at the inauguration of the Bombay Art Society here. "Art can't have any restrictions or limits. Art is first in the heart and mind of the artist, then on the paper or canvas. Art is ageless, race, region or religion less and timeless," he added. He further stated that art is the strength of the society and it resides in temples. "Art resides in God's place. You can see art in temples. It shows how much art is important in our cultural journey. Art must be rewarded. There must be no restriction to art. It is the responsibility of every state to reward art," he said. Prime Minister Modi will launch the 'Make in India' Week, a week-long series of events to showcase India as a preferred manufacturing destination to the world. The objective of the Make in India Week is to showcase the world the achievements of India in its manufacturing sector and to promote the country as preferred manufacturing hub globally and its theme is innovation, design and sustainability. The Prime Minister of Sweden Kjell Lofven, the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Petri Sipila and the Prime Minister of Lithuania Algirdas Butkevicius will be guest of honour on this occasion. (ANI) (We have a video to back this story. Please access the same.) An arrest warrant has been issued against Rajballabh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator from the Nawada assembly constituency, in connection with rape and abduction of a minor girl. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police, Patna Range, Shalin Kumar said the victim identified the MLA, who hails from Nalanda district. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) in this connection, and have launched a manhunt to nab the MLA. The Bihar Police had on Saturday said that preliminary investigations indicated that the kidnapping and rape charges levelled by a minor girl against Yadav appeared to be true. Speaking to ANI, the DIG said the victim has indentified the perpetrator and the place, where the heinous act was committed. "The girl registered a case on February 9. The investigation so far indicated that the allegations are true. We are investigation the matter. The victim's statement has been recorded. She has recognized the house in which the incident took place. She also recognised the person," he said. The girl has alleged that a woman took her to the accused on pretext of taking her to a birthday. "She said that she would take to a birthday party. Then she took me to the fifth floor of a building. A man entered the room and misbehaved with me," she said. The victim said that the women, who accompanied her, also took money from the accused. The DIG of the area has issued orders to arrest the RJD MLA and initiated probe into the matter. (ANI) "My condolences on the passing away of noted Malayalam poet Shri ONV Kurup.With his demise Malayalam lit has lost a much loved &admired voice," Gandhi said in tweet. Kurup died at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to age-related illness. He was 84. He was suffering from illness for a while and suffered a heart attack on Saturday 4.50 p.m. As a lyricist, the Malayalam poet-lyricist, won the National Award for Best Lyricist in 1989 and had won the Kerala State Film award 13 times. He was conferred with Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011. He is survived by his wife Sarojini and two children. (ANI) With India widening its global economic and political footprints each passing year, the Ministry of External Affairs is in an increasing need of funds to finance its activities and would be looking for more financials resources from this years Union Budget."Indias obligations under the development partnership and expansion and sustenance of its ITEC programme, besides the very fact of having 183 missions across the globe makes the need for more money very obvious, and this need is expected to be taken care of in this budget, officials said.The total outlay for the External Affair Ministry in last years budget was Rs 14730.39 crore which is 25.70 % more than the budget allocated for 2013- 14 (Rs11719 crore).A fair part of this Budget was committed towards technical and economic cooperation with other countries through both Plan and Non-plan funds.The number of countries to which India is giving development assistance has been growing over the past few years, and so the number of projects. It was in view of this,the Development Administration Partnership (DPA) was created in the MEA in January 2012.Under this partnership which is based on the needs identified by the partner countries, DPA has started to create in-house, specialized technical, legal and financial skills in order to fast-track all stages of project implementation.All these obligations are leading to extra need for funds as compared to the past.The Ministry is supporting several large developmental projects in the areas of infrastructure, hydroelectric power projects, agriculture, industry etc., which are undertaken in the neighbouring countries of India like Bhutan, Afghanistan and Myanmar.Bhutan is one of Indias principal beneficiaries from the Plan budget head. Many important hydroelectric power projects like Punatsangchu Hydroelectric Projects I and II and the Mangdechu Hydroelectric Project are being implemented. Afghanistan is also another important destination for funds from Plan component.Under the non-plan expenditure, the principal beneficiaries of Indias Technical Cooperation Programmes last year were Bhutan ( Rs1350 crore), Bangladesh ( Rs 350 crore), Afghanistan ( Rs 550 crore), Sri Lanka ( Rs 500 crore), Nepal ( Rs 450 crore), Myanmar ( Rs180 crore) and African countries ( Rs 300 crore). Some other beneficiaries include Maldives, Mongolia, countries from Latin America, Eurasia and other regions.A sectoral analysis of the budget allocation as per the Budget Estimates of 2014-15 shows that out of a total allocation of rs 14730.39 crore , 64.05 % (Rs 9434.82 crore) of the budget was allotted on projects under Technical and Economic cooperation (Rs 6268.81 crore) and as loans and advances to foreign governments ( Rs 3166.01 crore).The Missions and Posts were allocated 12.44 % ( Rs 1832.31 crore) of the budget. The rest of the allocation was on Special Diplomatic Expenditure (10.83 %), Passport & Emigration (3.69 %), International Organisations and Grant to Institutions (4.18 %), Capital Outlay (2.03 %) and MEA Secretariat (1.92 %) .Despite expansion in its work, the Ministry is still tiny as compared to that in other countries. There are around 1800 Foreign Service Officers in the Ministry which is quite inadequate to represent a country of a billion plus population.Officials also added that the Ministry had of late started increasing its intake through UPSC. To finance its expanding mandate ,the Ministry ,this time is looking for a substantial rise in funds for MEA in the coming budget. UNI NAZ PS SB 1039 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-589565.Xml The Start-up Mysuru will focus on entrepreneurs to embrace Make-in-Mysuru concept so that the city not only gets brilliant ideas from entrepreneurs placed anywhere in India, but takes root in thecity to give a fillip to local industrialisation. The Start-up Mysuru contest will try to harness the response to Start-up India action plan unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will be dovetailed with the Make-in-India initiative. A pan-Indian competition for Start-up ideas to foster creativity and innovation in business and to promote industrialization and generate jobs is on the cards. The upside for the entrepreneur is that the idea will be funded for implementation for the first two years or more, if found to have business potential. Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, who has conceived the concept, told UNI that this will be one of its kind competition and the best three ideas would be selected for the funding. The move behind this is to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurship, investment and start-ups in Mysuru. I am holding talks with a few fund managers at least two of them have committed to fund the projects the idea looks exciting and full of possibilities for Mysuru, Mr Simha said. The competition would be launched in due course and the promoters are looking for physical infrastructure to get the incubation centers started. The details of the concept are available on the website www.startupmysuru.in.The rationale for the competition stems from the prevailing inertia in the business and industrial sector in Mysuru, which has not taken off as expected. Tourism is a major economic driver of Mysuru with an annual turnover of around Rs. 650-Rs.850 crore. But, the IT and BT sectors have not made much inroads. Mr Suresh Kumar Jain of the Mysore Industries Association told UNI that the new Start-up ideas are welcome as the city has a good potential in terms of trained manpower, as an education centre besides connectivity and resources. The entrepreneurs would also get the assistance of mentors and advisers for which a core team of established entrepreneurs is being constituted. While the focus of Start-up India will be on harnessing innovation in business with focus on digital entrepreneurship, there are other broad areas where Start-ups have a potential in a Tier II city like Mysuru. Mr Jain pointed out that the technical expertise of two major food research laboratories 'CFTRI and DFRL' could be harnessed by entrepreneurs. There is a tremendous promise for the food industry but it is yetto take off, he said. Harnessing the state-of-the-art technology for value addition in food industry was a gold mine waiting to be exploited; he said and added that its growth was stymied due to lack of innovative ideas.Besides food industry, similar Start -ups in the manufacturing sector would help bring the latest technology and benefit the entirecluster, Mr Jain added.UNI BSP VV VS1113 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-589587.Xml Chief Minister T R Zeliang has advised the Village Development Boards (VDBs) across Nagaland to adopt five-year plan system for the maintenance of proper planning and transparency at the village level. Speaking at the inaugural programme in Gaili Namdi village gate yesterday, Zeliang lamented that villages in the state have no systematic planning for development and funds are used injudiciously. He said most of the villages pursue for VDB fund without making any plans and when the fundswere released they distribute amount amongst the villagers as have nothing to do withthe fund. Stating that Nagaland would not develop even in 100 years if such trend continued, Zeliang encouraged villages to make long term plans like the state government and central government so fund meant for development could be used judiciously. Zeliang also encouraged the village council, GBs and leaders to include women and youth while charting plans for village developmental activities. Congratulating Gaili Namdi village on being recognised by the government, the chief ministerurged the villagers to plan the village in such a way that it could become a proper model village. With government of Nagaland declaring several villages across the state as model village,Zeliang, however, said that these villages could not really be termed as a model village as theywere not well planned villages. He also encouraged villages across the state to plant trees and make respective villageenvironment-friendly and hospitable so as to promote tourism. State home minister Y Patton also encouraged Gaili Namdi villagers to maintain cordialrelationship with neighbouring villages and work towards making the village a model villagethrough proper planning. He also spoke about Zeliangs undisputed leadership and reiterated that there was no disputein his ministry. He urged the people of Peren to get Zeliang elected unopposed in the next assembly elections. Nagaland minister for rural development C L John assured all possible help to Gaili Namdivillage and asked them to strive in making the village a model village.UNI AS AKM PS SB RK1205 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0140-589680.Xml The government will consider four new special economic zones proposals, of IT giants including Infosys on February 23 .The Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, will take up these applications at the meeting, according to the agenda note. Besides Infosys and Cognizant Technologies, the Ministry will also decide on the fresh proposals of Saltire Developers and Amin Properties. Infosys has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS special economic zone in Mohali at an area of 20.23 hectares. Similarly, Cognizant Technologies Services has also plans to set up the zone in Telangana. According to the agenda note of the BoA meeting, Mahindra World City (Jaipur) has sought extension of the validity period of formal approval period of formal approval, granted for setting up of sector SEZ for Gems and Jewellery at Jaipur, beyond February 1. UNI ABI SB 1223 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-589674.Xml A 59-year-old ex-serviceman and his second wife were hacked to death, while their two children sustained serious injuries by an unidentified gang at Pongundupatti village under Mathagupatti police limits, here late last night. Police said the four-member gang barged into the house of Veeraiah and attacked him indiscriminately with sickles killing him on the spot. His second wife V.Jyothi (45) who rushed to save her husband was also hacked to death by the gang. Later, the assailants attacked V.Samyuktha (12) and V.Rajesh (5), the children of the couple and fled from the spot. The two children were admitted to the Government Head Quarters Hospital in a serious condition. Police suspect the role of the victims' family members of Veeraiahs first wife V.Gandhi in the double murder over family and property dispute. Further investigations was on. UNI GSM VV VS1201 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-589634.Xml The stage is being prepared for SouthIndias Kumbh Mela, which also attracts a large number of devotees, at Thiramakudalu Narasipura in Mysore district. It is scheduled to commence on February 20 and conclude on to 23. Even as the Maha Kumbh Mela, reckoned as the largest gathering ofpeople in the workd, gets under way at prayag in Allahabad, drawingthe devout and the curious from all over the world. The event began around 20 years ago and is held once in three years. Unlike the story of Samudra Manthan or the churning of the cosmic ocean by the Gods and the demons for divine nectar, associated with the Maha Kumbh in Prayag, Ujjain, Haridwar and Nasik, this site in Mysore district has no mythological significance. And, not surprisingly, the attendance at T Narsipur Kumbh Mela isnot a patch on the numbers that the Maha Kumbh attracts. But, visitors to the T Narsipur Kumbh are definitely on the rise. From the feeble response it received in 1989, when it was first conceived, the numbers rose to nearly five lakh in 2013. The figure is expected to further rise this time. The initiative to organise a Kumbh mela at T Narsipur was taken by Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami of Suttur Math and late Sri Balagandaranath Swamiji of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt. According to them, the event would provide an opportunity for thedevout in the Mysore region to participate in rituals such as takinga dip in the river during an auspicious time, as not many couldparticipate in the Maha Kumbh. As T Narsipur is at the confluence of three rivers the Cauvery,the Kapila and the mythical Spatika Sarovar they ordained that theKumbh mela there would have the same sanctity as the one at Prayag,which is also considered a triveni sangama (confluence of theGanga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati). The district administration was gearing up for the ninth edition of the event and a review meeting to oversee preparations has been held. With the State government providing support, focus would be oncreating temporary toilets, sprucing up bathing ghats and makingimprovements to temples to host religious conferences and cultural events. T Narsipur, which is known as Dakshina Kashi, is also the site for Panchalinga Darshana, which draws large crowds. For the local community, despite the large crowds, such events are welcome as the infrastructure is shored up.UNI BSP HVB1055 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-589590.Xml Statue of slain dacoit Shiv Kumar alias Dadua, was today installed at a temple in Narsinghpur Kabraha village ending the 11-day long religious rituals. Earlier, state PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav was slated to be present on the last day of the religious function but he was unable to make it. This would be the second statue of any dacoit in Uttar Pradesh, after that of dreaded dacoit Mohar Singh in Agra. Statues of Dadua and his wife Seema Devi were unveiled today, while that his mother and father were already there. Earlier, the district authorities had refused permission to install the statue but later changed their decision. Today, being the last day of the 11-day long religious function, a big 'bhandara' has been organised where people from ten districts of UP and Madhya Pradesh have been invited. More than one lakh people are likely to join the event. UPs dairy development minister Ram Murti Verma, too, had visited the temple yesterday and interacted with Balkumar, former MP and brother of Dadua. The visit by Verma, an MLA from Ambedkar Nagar, is seen as an extension of support to his community of Kurmi, the caste Dadua belonged to as well. Dadua's son and SP MLA Veer Singh said here today that there is no need for any permission to install the statues as the temple is on a private land. Sources said the life size statues of Dadua and his wife, made of white marble from Jaipur had cost around Rs 3 crore. Construction work for the temple, which Dadua himself had initiated, was completed by his family members, which include, besides Balkumar, his son Ram Singh and Daduas son Veer Singh both MLAs of the Samajwadi Party. A native of Chitrakoot district, Dadua famous as the Veerappan of North and one who held sway for over three decades over the Bundelkhand region had more than 180 criminal cases pending against him when the UP Special Task Force gunned him down in an encounter in 2007. He carried rewards of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, respectively. The then chief minister, Mayawati, had later announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the STF team involved in the encounter.UNI XC-MB SB VN1317 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-589717.Xml The two-day national conference on Mainstreaming the North East Region concluded here after adopting some resolutions for the progress of the region. The conference organised by Association for Environment and Development Research (AEDR), Progress Harmony Development (PHD) house, centre for WTO studies NECTAR and supported by government of Nagaland was held at Kohima. On the concluding day yesterday, the conference resolved that it is necessary that the people oriented development takes place, agricultural production reaches higher value adding increase in farmers income. It also resolved to identify product specialisation in the states and to improve connectivity within the North East Region (NER). The conference also agreed that an essential requirement remains to set up some organisation or task force which can facilitate inter-state coordination in matters of marketing, training, technology and production. It was agreed that PHD chamber, Delhi, & AEDR would co-ordinate the next activity in the next 30 days and NECTAR would provide all technical assistance. The conference decided that DONER & NEC and north east state governments would be approached for necessary support and that technical agencies like APEDA and specialised product boards would also be approached. Speaking on the sideline of the conference, AEDR vice president Professor Naushad Ali Azad said the conference was part of the long term research project by the academicians and action oriented project. He said the conference focused on the problem of development in the whole region of northeast particularly in Nagaland. Azad said the region was agriculture dominant area and there was a need to focus to identify the various products and value addition products. Professor Azad said the conference also focused on the issue of NER for better connectivity, industry at regional level, food processing units, how to increase economy of the state and nation as a whole and next five year plan keeping in view the south east Asian countries. He also stated that Nagaland could export products like honey, bamboo, handicraft, ginger and citrus fruits. and boost its economy. During the conference, an interaction and comments were held between traders both from the NER and the rest of the country. The conference was attended by state bureaucrats, NEC, DONER, and State NGOs, youthnet, academicians from NECTAR, AEDR, CWTOS, PHD and others. UNI AS AKM PS RK1320 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-589649.Xml A documentary movie on the Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) of Nagaland has won the Golden Beaver Award at this years 6th National Science Film Festival held in Mumbai. Nagaland is changing. But was awarded the best films made by institutions category yesterday, during the festival organised by Vigyan Prasar of the department of science and technology. According to a release by M.Lokeswara Rao, principal chief conservator of forests and head of forest force, the film also received the technical excellence award for best sound design. The prize money for both the awards is Rs 1 Lakh and Rs 20,000 respectively. The film, produced by state forest department in technical collaboration with TERI, New Delhi, was directed by Gurmeet Sapal, Mr Rao informed. Sapal received the award today from noted filmmaker MS Sathyu. Mr Rao, expressed happiness at receiving the award. The real champions are communities of Nagaland who are protecting and conserving these areas since time immemorial, he stated. With the screening of film, he said, the whole world came to know the dedication of communities in conserving these areas which are rich in carbon pool. The communities are preserving to mitigate climate change. They should get enough support from government of India and international organisation. UNI AS AKM SB VN1319 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0213-589651.Xml The Colombian Government has called on women to delay pregnancy for six to eight months because of the Zika virus outbreak. According to the Colombian National Institute of Health, the outbreak has affected 26,542 people and 5,013 pregnant women. The Zika virus is transmitted through sex and by mosquitoes in the daytime. It can survive in semen for more than 60 days after infection. It does not cause serious complications in adults, but is suspected of leading to severe brain defects and microcephaly cases in newborn children. According to official statements, Colombia is believed to have up to 6,000 cases of the virus just in 2016. World researchers are still struggling to develop a vaccine or treatment as the Zika virus has run amuck. Zika virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days. Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people. (ANI) Toll free helpline number 1098 has been set up in 366 districts across the country to provide support to children in distress for an emergency outreach service. The dedicated toll free number can be accessed by children in crisis or adults on their behalf. According to Ministry of Women and Child Development sources, the ministry is providing support in public private partnership mode through Childline India Foundation and their local NGO partners under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). There are centralised call centres at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Gurgaonfor the Childline toll free centres, sources said.UNI SD SB 1408 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-589782.Xml Two youths were killed on the spot while seven others suffered injuries, three of them critically, when their jeep hit a roadside tree near this district headquarters on Indore-Jaipur road in the wee hours today. The accident occurred when all the people were returning from Indore after attending a marriage ceremony. The deceased were identified as Ravi (27) and Devendra Gwali (30). The injured were admitted to local hospital while critically injured were rushed to Ujjain for treatment.UNI XC-BDG AE NS1342 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-589798.Xml Terming the first year of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi as a "black year" in the history of the capital, the Delhi BJP said the city government failed to fulfill its poll promises and "deceived" the people."The last one year has proved to be a black year in the history of Delhi. Delhiites last year gave a historic mandate to the Aam Aadmi Party seeking a change in polity but it turned out to be a year of betrayal," Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay told reporters.Mr Upadhyay said the Delhi BJP observed a `Protest Day` today."A protest was organised at Jantar Mantar against the completion of one year of the AAP government which has failed to fulfil its promises made during the assembly elections," Mr Upadhyay said.Leader of Opposition in the Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta presented a report on how the Kejriwal government`s "habit" of creating constitutional crisis and conflicts brought development and administrative work to a standstill."The year turned out to be a year of deceit. The government has brought development and administration to a standstill by creating constitutional conflicts," Mr Gupta said.UNI SY AE 1522 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-589890.Xml Yesterday five militants of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) were gunned down in the frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir, where two soldiers also laid down their lives and two others were injured. Official sources said security forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint operation at Lilhar New Colony Kakpora in Pulwama district in south Kashmir today following a tip-off about the presence of militants. However, when the security forces moving towards the particular area, militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated and in the initial exchange of fire one militant was killed. There could be one or two more militants trapped there, they said, adding operation was going on when the reports last came in.UNI BAS AE NS1524 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0153-589852.Xml "Security forces surrounded Astan Mohalla (Kakpora) in Pulwama district today (Sunday) following specific information about the presence of militants there," a police officer said here. When the hiding militants were challenged, they fired indiscriminately at at the security forces triggering a gun battle, he said. "Two militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in this operation which is still going on," the police officer said. Some people from the neighbouring Lalhar village indulged in heavy stone pelting at the security forces who had cordoned off the area during the gunfight. "To quell the mob, security forces fired in the air during which a protesting civilian sustained a gunshot injury in his leg," the officer said. The injured civilian was shifted to a hospital where doctors said his condition was out of danger. --Indo-Asian News Service sq/pr/dg ( 174 Words) 2016-02-14-16:15:33 (IANS) : The fast-unto death by the fisher youth of Veerampatinamvillage was called off here today, the second day of their agitation. This followed sub-collector Kanagaraj holding talks with the agitators, when he assured them that he would apprise their demands to the state government. Accepting this assurance, the youths called off their fast temprarily. It may be noted that the fisher youths began a fast-unto death yesterday, protestingagainst the setting up of a coast-guard station and hover-craft port in Veerampatinam village, which they felt would severely affect their livelihood.UNI PAB KVV ADB 1615 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-589908.Xml : Considering the proactive approach of the leadership of Government of Andhra Pradesh for achieving major milestones in the area of Energy Efficiency & Energy Conservation, The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, a highly reputed global agency, has agreed in principle to extend Research & Development (R&D) support for establishment of the proposed prestigious Energy University in the Andhra Pradesh, which paves way for latest studies on technological advancements in Energy sector. The TERI is considering imparting highly advanced technologies on Energy efficiency front to the most energy efficient states particularly Andhra Pradesh for exchange of know-how and sharing the global best practices to realise the untapped potential of energy efficiency in the country from their foreign collaborations such as TERI-Washington D.C (USA), TERI-London, Japan, Malaysia & United Arab Emirates. India, being the importer of 25 per cent of energy such as Coal, Oil, Natural Gas is focused on reducing the import dependence and enhancing the energy security. We are going to facilitate the lectures by eminent personalities and experts in various fields such as energy, environment, education, media to motivate the students & scholars of proposed energy university at Ananthapur. Disclosing the above in a communication to Ajay Jain, Secretary (Energy, I&I CRDA), Ajay Mathur, the newly appointed Director General of the prestigious Global organization TERI, has assured the State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) to continue the support for all the energy efficiency activities of Andhra Pradesh.UNI MORE UNI VV KVV AK 1650 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-589973.Xml Events for and against celebrations of the Valentine's Day were held in Tamil Nadu today. In the city, lovers thronged the famous MarinaBeach, the tourist spot of Mahabalipuram and theGuindy National Park and celebrated the occasionby exchanging pleasantries and gifts. It was a day to rejoice for lovers, who impressed their soon-to-be-better halves with some attractive gifts to mark the occasion, amid some protests bysome fringe Hindu outfits. In the marina beach, police were seen patrollingthe area and warned some couples when they tried togo 'overboard'. While the activists of some outfits, including the Democratic Youth Federation of India(DYFI) celebrated the occasion by distributing sweets to couples on the Marina Beach front, some of the Hindu outfits conducted weddings between 'dogs' and 'goats' in the city, including workers of the Hindu Munnani and Hindu Makkal Munnani, to stoutly oppose the celebrations, alleging that the tradition and culture were being spoiled. In a symbolic protest to the V-day fete, activists of the Muslim outfit Tamil Nadu Towheed Jamath distributed pamphlets condemning the celebrations. Similar, events, like marriage between two dogs and between a male dog and a female goat were also organised by Hindu outfits in Kanniyakumari district and in other parts of the State. While 'solemnising' a marriage between a dog and goat at Gobchettipalayam in Erode district, the Hindu Munnani named the female dog as "beautiful' and the male goat 'handsome' as a mark of protest. Apart from donning them with a golden ring as part of the marriage, they took the 'newly-wed couple' in a procession and shouted slogans denouncing the V-day celebrations. However, the celebrations received thumbs-up from an NGO, Doctors' Association for Social Equality (DASE), which honoured inter-casteand inter-religious married couples at an event held in the city. Several couples, who had made it to the function, were honoured by presenting them shawls and a certificate. DASE State General Secretary, G R Ravindranath said the Central and the State Governments should encourage inter-caste and inter-religious marriages and provide them economic and social security.UNI GV VV ADB 1715 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-590031.Xml It was also a spiritual Valentines Day celebration for hundreds of couples who thronged "Lord Krishna" temple at Vellore in Tamil Nadu and performed "Sudarsana Homam" for the welfare of their ilk at this shrine which is also known as "Temple of Love". The temple autherties had sent an invite calling for devotees to attend the ritual in which more than hundred couples from different hues took part marking a departure from the usual celebration during which lovers make a beeline to cinema halls, beach and restaurants. The programme, titled "celebrate your love by chanting and refresh your body, mind and soul", was not only attended by the locals but also pairs from other other districts from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Trichy. "Even several newly wed couples attended the Homam", R Ranganaath, a staunch Krishna devotee, who constructed and named the temple as "Valentines Sri Krishna Temple" said. "Lord Krishna is not only the God of the entire universe, but he is also a symbol of love. Therefore, we named the main deity as Valentine's Sri Krishna", Ranganaath said. According to him, unlike other temples in Tamil Nadu, "couples" (devotees) will be allowed to touch the deity and offer poojas themselves. Located at Sholinghur in Vellore district, the temple is not only famous for Valentines Day, but also widely known during New Year day and Pongal festival where people, especially lovers and young wedded couple even from other states visit and seek the blessings of Lord Krishna. "It gave me immense sanctification after attending the function. There is some power in it", claims Lakshmi and Mohan Babu, a couple, who came all along from Chennai said. The temple tower was constructed by a professional from Srirangam temple town in Trichy district. And the deity "Lord Krishna and Radha" - was made from Jaipur marble. After facing threats from Hindu outfits, the temple authorities decided to change the name as Vrinthavana Thulasi Sri Krishna temple. UNI GV VV ADB1800 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0415-590153.Xml Irked over a notification of the Transport Department about a sharp hike in permit fees, the unions of autorickshaws, taxis and tour bus operators have threatened to go on indefinite strike shortly demanding to reduce the fee. The notification issued last week stated the permit renewal fees of metered taxis, contract carriage buses, goods carrier vehicles, private service vehicles and others have been revised to Rs 1,000 from Rs 200. In case of late renewal of permits, owners will have to shell out Rs 5,000 per month instead of Rs 200, thusirking the unions who have planned to agitate against the sudden hike. Shashank Rao, leader of Mumbai Autorickshawmen's Union (MAU), said the government should understand that autorickshaw drivers work and earn daily. He said they are not businessmen who can afford to pay such hefty fees and noted that the Transport Department should understand this. ''It is a conspiracy to completely stop autorickshaws operating in the city,'' he alleged. Autorickshaws are a part of the city's public transport system and the Department should understand that most auto drivers come from low-income group and are the only earning members of thefamily, the auto union leader added. A L Quadros, leader of Mumbai Taximen's Union (MTU), described the hike as completely 'uncalled for' and said the taxi drivers are poor and cannot afford so much money. Often permit owners are old or widowers and they forget to renew their permits and charging them Rs 5,000 is wrong, he said. ''We will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and if he does not listen to us, then we will protest and the agitation will continue,'' Mr Quadros added. Anil Garg, leader of the School Bus Operators' Association, said, ''We will charge Rs 100-250 extra for field trips and picnics per child now. The Transport Department should re-consider the hike in permit fares. Passengers will have to shell out more because of the increase in permit cost.'' Along with taxi and autorickahaw unions, the unions of buses, school buses and truckers' are also planning to launch an agitation against the rise in their permit fees.UNI AAA SS AE NS1622 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-589837.Xml The trade body urged the traders in the State to unite to protecttheir legitimate interests seeking a Trade Policy to protectTraditional retail Trade and early implementation of GST. The Federation, as a part of their Centenary Celebrations, willbe organising a Centenary Trade Meet on February 16 here. The objective of the event is to interact with the traders inKarnataka and present their views and demands at the forthcomingTraders National Conclave organized by Confederation of All IndiaTraders (CAIT) in Delhi from April 4. FKCCI President Tallam Dwarakanath today urged traders inKarnataka to unite to protect their interests in the conclavedemanding early implementation of GST besides protection of theinterests of retail traders. He said the federation would urge the governments at the centreand in the State to ensure business friendly Food Safety & StandardsAct, bring out a Trade Policy to protect Traditional retail Trade,provide Incentives to encourage cashless economy and ensureEffective implementation of MUDRA Yojna through Trade Associations. Mr Dwarakanath told reporters here that the FKCCI would also seekenhanced banking facilities for small businesses, a clearregulations for e-Commerce and for Direct Selling. He said the government should also ensure redefining of Creditrating norms for trading community and better infrastructurefacilities in traditional commercial markets. Through the Conclave in New Delhi, CAIT plans to send a strongmessage to the Government and all other political parties thatTraders interests are very important for the development of oureconomy, he said. He said Praveen Kandelwal, National Secretary of CAIT and B CBhartia, National President of CAIT would be the keynote speakers atthe FKCCI event.UNI RS VV ADB1600 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0284-589750.Xml A decision to this effect was made in a meeting which Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, had with Tatsuya Terazawa San, Director General, Economic Cooperation Bureau of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan, in Mumbai. Tatsuya Terazawa said that speedy execution of these projects would attract more Japanese companies to invest in Haryana. He said Haryana is the most important state for Japanese companies to invest. The Chief Minister said that the state government has already conveyed its in-principle approval for these projects to Government of India. The discussion between Mr Khattar and Tatsuya Terazawa San revealed that Japan has made up its mind to be a partner country in the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 to be held at Gurgaon on March 7 and 8. Informatively, the Chief Minister is in Mumbai to hold a road show and meet investors so as to invite investments to Haryana. UNI NC ADG NS1755 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-589974.Xml A disaster was averted when an explosion did not occur despite a passenger train heading for Rajasthans Nathdwara from Gujarats Okha colliding with a gas cylinders-laden truck that was crossing the tracks at 0100 hrs in the vicinity of Ratlam-Ajmer Sections Dodar Station, Railway sources said. Following an alert vis--vis the mishap -- that took place when the train was heading for Mandsaur after crossing this district headquarters -- police, fire brigade and ambulance personnel rushed to the spot and conveyed injured locomotive drivers Dinesh Chaturvedi and Rajendra Prasad Sharma to a Mandsaur-based hospital where they were admitted. As a consequence of the damaged locomotive remaining stationary on the track for a long while within a forest between Dodar and Kachnara stations, train movement between Ratlam and Ajmer remained affected for approximately a couple of hours. A relief train reached the spot from here. The 19330 Udaipur-Indore Express was halted at Mandsaur and its locomotive sent to the spot from where it pulled the passenger train to Mandsaur. However, several passengers left for Mandsaur and this district headquarters by road.UNI XC-AC AE BL1837 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0044-590114.Xml Three cheats duped a local resident of Rs 43.50 lakhs on the pretext of helping him to get allottment of a LPG agency and even prepared fake letters of then Union Minister Oscar Fernandez and Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily. Interestingly the cheats reportedly received Rs 17 lakh from the victim in the premises of petroleum ministry it self. Failing to get any agency the victim urged the accused to return his money following which the cheats threatened to implicate him in a rape case. On refusal by accused to return money, the victim filed a complaint with Kaithal SP and the case was sent to CIA-2 branch which after two months long investigations reportedly found substance in the complaint. On the basis of crime branch report the SP directed the civil lines police to register an FIR and the police has registered a case against three persons under section 406 and 420 IPC. In a complaint made to SP, Satish Kumar, one of the victims, said that he and his father Kesho Pal were interested in getting a LPG agency. In 2012 they came in to contact with Balbir Saini, a resident of Sajuma village of this district, who told them that he had some contacts in the petroleum ministry. Then he introduced Satish and his friend to Manish and Hazari Lal two residents of Delhi. The duo were told that they would get gas agency with in two months but they would have to spend substantial amount. In due course of time the accused allegedly extracted Rs 43.50 lakh from the victims on various occasions which included Rs 17 lakh which they took in the premises of petroleum ministry. To impress their victims, the cheats showed them a copy of recommendatory letter written by Oscar Fernandes to Veerappa Moily. Not only this they also showed him copy of a letter written by Moily to Oscar Fernandes in which he had asked the later to make some amendments in the recommendatory letter already written. The victim alleged that when he pressed for the return of money wife of Hajari Lal threatened to implicate him in rape case. UNI XC DB CJ AE NS1920 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-590156.Xml Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar who interacted with investors in Mumbai today to seek investment for his state Haryana, said the state received huge investment proposals to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore as various leading companies have offered to invest in different areas. These areas included industrial infrastructure, logistics, defence and aerospace manufacturing, renewable energy, agribusiness and finance, retail, skill development, paints and hospitality. The Chief Minister was interacting with the mediapersons after taking round of the Haryana Pavilion at the Make in India Centre (MII), MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai. He was also accompanied by Industries and Commerce Minister Capt Abhimanyu. He added that in the earlier road shows held at Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, entrepreneurs have shown overwhelming response in making investment in Haryana. The Chief Minister said the state government has decided to provide various incentives to the start-ups for setting up their units. Under this, they would be provided rebate of Rs 2 per unit in the electricity tariff besides providing them the facility of loan. Mr Khattar said he had one-to-one meeting with Chief Executive Officers and heads of various leading companies of Mumbai and all of them have expressed keen interest in making investment and set up their units in the State. He said Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) would be signed with several companies during the Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit2016 scheduled to be held at Gurgaon on March 7 and 8, 2016 to give final shape to these proposals. He said considering the overwhelming response shown by the entrepreneurs in the new Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015, Haryana hopes to exceed the target of Rs one lakh crore.MORE UNI NC AE NS1940 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-590188.Xml The Minister was speaking at the Jat Pratibha Samman Samaroh organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Chhotu Ram in Bhiwani today. He said the leaders of opposition parties who were supporting anti-national elements in this incident, should resign from their posts. Mr Dhankar also paid floral tributes to Sir Chhotu Ram and said the leader had devoted his life to fighting for the rights of farmers. He said farmers should become aware of the ins and outs of the market and should raise their voice to get better price for their produce. UNI NC AE BL1932 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-590261.Xml Aam Aadmi Party Punjab Convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur welcomed Captain Amarinder Singh's reported move to raise an army of volunteers to reach out to voters along the lines of AAP. In a statement here today, the AAP leader said the move was a belated recognition of the need for parties and politicians to reach out to the common voter. He, however, said the task was not as simple as just 'recruiting volunteers'. If people were responding to the AAP it was because the party offered a positive alternative, a model that had been proven despite all odds in Delhi. It also explained the tremendous public response to AAP's recent Parivar Jodo initiative that had unnerved other parties. The Congress, which had ruled Punjab for long periods, was a discredited party and was now looking to empty slogans like the Pagri Sambhal Kisana, which did not offer a long-term solution to farmer problems, he said and added that by contrast the AAP government in Delhi had quickly responded to rain-hit farmers in Delhi and released Rs 50,000 per hectare as compensation. It had also developed a sustainable model. Terming the engagement of Mr Prashant Kishor, the man credited with the JDU-RJD victory in Bihar, to manage the Congress campaign in Punjab another gimmick, Mr Chottepur said this betrayed Punjab Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh's lack of confidence in his own party workers. UNI DB RSA BL1942 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-590275.Xml Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said his government would take the state to new heights of development in the next five years. Addressing the people while participating in the Yojana Banao Abhiyaan at Tetulia Pancahayat of Chas Block in this district, he said previously the government used to be formed in Delhi and plans were formulated in Ranchi. But now this government would frame the policies and schemes at the village panchayats. He also assured that ration cards would be made for all the people of the state. "The panchayati raj institutions were functional in the state. As per the recommendations of the 14th finance commission each panchayat would be getting Rs 80 lakh for development," he said adding that the Mukhiya would be responsible for execution of the plans while the DCs and the government would ensure that there is no loot of the funds. He said the days of middlemen were over in the state. Mr Das said creating employment, education for girls and providing irrigation facilities for agriculture featured on the priority list of the state government. He also issued a warning to the criminal outfits who were busy extracting 'levy', stating that they would be eradicated soon out of the state. The chief minister said in the next five years Jharkhand would stand together with states likes Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He also said the state government would give an award of Rs 1 lakh for alcohol free villages. State's Tourism Minister Amar Bauri, Dhanbad MP P N Singh and local MLA Biranchi Narayan were also present in the function apart from the DC and the SP. UNI XC-AK PL AJ RSA NS2050 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0211-590146.Xml Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address aFarmers Rally here on February 27, BJP Karnataka President and LokSabha member Prahalad Joshi said today. Talking to newspersons here, Mr said Mr Modi willenlighten farmers about 'Pradha Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana'. During the former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee's tenure the 'Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme' was started, but was distorted by the UPA government by bringing farmers unfriendly amendments to the scheme. Citing example, he said the crop loss was made to 50 per cent, which was now brought to 33 per cent. In order to bail out farmers during natural calamity, the schemeis reintroduced with new name with additional benefits. Under thescheme, the farmer has to contribute only one and half per centtowards premium. About 50 lakh farmers will be benefited under thescheme in the country in the first phase, he added. ON Kalasa-Banduri Nala project linking Mahadayi river, Mr Joshialleged that the Congress party is misleading the farmers. It wasPratap Singh Ranes Congress government in Goa that approached SupremeCourt, contesting the proposed Kalasa Bhanduri Nallah scheme. BJP hasput in all efforts and approached Prime Minister on the issue, he added. Replying to a question, the BJP leader said there is no provision in theexisting law which allows the Centre to interfere when the matter isbefore the Tribunal. UNI HVN MSP KVV ADB 2010 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-590341.Xml The body of Sahadev Maruti Moreof Rashtriya Riffles was brought here by a special craft to BelagaviSambra Airport and by helicopter today. Brigadier Praveen Shinde, Maratha Light Infantry regimental center(MLIRC), Air Force Top officials, District In-charge MinisterShatish Jarkiholi, BJP State President and MP Pralhad Joshi paidtributes to the departed soul at Belagavi. Sahadev M More was hit by bullets from militants during exchangeof fire at Kupwara in Kashmir recently. Ministers M B Patil and S R Patil and scores of people thronged toSainik School grounds to pay their last respect to the departed soul. The last rites will be conducted at his native village Saralasangainn Indi taluk.UNI MSP KVV ADB 2037 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-590367.Xml Chad has appointed MP Albert Pahimi Padacke as prime minister of the Central African country following the resignation of his predecessor, state television said, heralding a Cabinet reshuffle just two months ahead of presidential elections.No reason was given for the departure of Kalzeube Pahimi Deubet earlier yesterday. He had served as prime minister for more than two years.President Idriss Deby, a key Western military ally in power for more than a quarter of a century, is set to bid for a fifth term as leader of the oil-producing country in April.He has pledged to reintroduce term limits thereafter. Attempts by other African leaders to abolish them in order to extend their rules have led to violence, such as in Burundi, Burkina Faso and Congo Republic.Pahimi Padacke, a former minister of justice, is seen as a close ally of Deby despite having run against him in the last presidential polls in 2011.A political observer who asked not to be named said the appointment might help Deby lure supporters from opposition leader Saleh Kebzabo who comes from the same region as the new prime minister. REUTERS DS PR 0410 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-589475.Xml Speaking to 1,000 of his soldiers at a mountain base on Myanmar's border with Thailand, the leader of a powerful ethnic armed group called on other rebels to join government-led peace talks and appealed for unity among the country's minorities."Stop shooting and come to the negotiation table," said Yawd Serk, who leads the 6,000-strong Shan State Army-South (SSA-S). "Whether it is trustworthy or not, we should grab the chance to talk."Ending decades of ethnic conflict is one of the biggest challenges for the incoming government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has made it her first priority.But although Yawd Serk signed a government-brokered ceasefire deal last October, in a much-needed boost to the peace process of outgoing President Thein Sein, over the winter some of his troops have been fighting another ethnic group for control of remote swathes of eastern Myanmar.That a contingent of Yawd Serk's soldiers could travel unchallenged some 300 km north to fight the Ta'ang National Liberation Army near the border with China shows how little control Suu Kyi's government will have over Myanmar's wild hinterlands at the start of its five-year term on April 1.It also highlights the shifting loyalties and complexities that have made peace so elusive in the ethnic conflicts that have plagued the former Burma since World War Two.Yawd Serk has courted international businesses since signing the ceasefire and recently joined a study trip to Switzerland. He is not willing to lay down his arms, however, or give up influence over a region rich in gold, timber and gemstones."Disarming is impossible," said Yawd Serk, flanked by a heavily armed security detail including a man who said he was a former member of US special forces.NATIONAL DAYThe SSA-S leader was speaking as thousands of Shan from Myanmar and Thailand flooded his windswept headquarters at Loi Tai Leng, perched on a ridge a few hundred metres from the Thai border, last Sunday to mark Shan National Day.Visitors pitched tents on the mountainside. The base's main thoroughfare, a dirt road straddling Thailand and Myanmar, was lined with carnival games, noodle stands and mobile phone booths selling Thai mobile phone SIM cards."We are not soldiers with guns but we help as much as we can," said Lar Yen, 33, selling Shan souvenirs with the proceeds donated to the SSA-S.One of the new cadets was Sai Sai Wan, 28, who, like many soldiers, said he joined the group to protect Shan heritage and shared its deep distrust of the Myanmar military that ruled the country with an iron fist for decades."We need to protect our people and our country. We don't want the Burmese army controlling our future," he said.He signed a five-year contract in December and will be paid 11 dollars a month for his service.While ethnic groups carry many grievances rooted in decades of discrimination by a government and military dominated by the Bamar majority, their vested economic interests, many illicit, and human rights abuses make achieving peace a daunting task.Officers in Yawd Serk's militia say it has given up forced recruitment from villages and towns, though the UN Secretary General still lists the SSA-S as "persistent perpetrators" in the recruitment and use of children in its ranks.The SSA-S emerged under Yawd Serk's command in 1996 as a breakaway faction of a narco-army led by heroin kingpin Khun Sa, who signed a ceasefire with the then-ruling junta.It has been accused of continued involvement in the drug trade along the borders with Thailand and China, an allegation its members reject.To fund its operations, the group collects "taxes" on everything from mining and logging operations to cars driven by residents of towns under its command.Asked what would happen if someone refused to pay, one group member said: "You are going to have some trouble." REUTERS DS PR 0647 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-589493.Xml Saudi Arabia confirmed it would send aircraft to NATO-member Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State militants. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri told pan-Arab Al Arabiya television that the kingdom was committed to stepping up the fighting against Islamic State and that the move was part of those efforts. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and US Defence Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper yesterday that Saudi had carried out inspections at the air base in preparation to sending aircraft. REUTERS DS PR0709 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-589494.Xml Pope Francis called on Mexico's government to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and he then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country - the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis." Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. "Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death," the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, government ministers and foreign diplomats. He said Mexico's leaders have a "particular duty" to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. The pope later celebrated mass at the vast Basilica of our Lady Of Guadalupe. Some 5,000 mostly well-heeled spectators gathered inside the church, while at least five times as many spectators gathered outside under the beating sun. Francis had said he yearned to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America, and to reflect silently in front of her image. "'Don't be afraid,' that is what she tells me," the pope said ahead of his visit. While inside a small niche behind the altar to venerate the icon, he lost his balance and fell back into a chair, causing the crowd to gasp, although it did not seem serious. After praying for about 20 minutes, the 79-year-old pope, who suffers from sciatica in one leg, stood up and walked out. 'BAD, CORRUPT, CRIMINALS' Carrying pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, thousands converged on the basilica, many in family groups, some clutching coveted tickets to enter inside. Guadalupe Nava, a 23-year-old lawyers, said the pope should ask the Virgin "to intercede for us, to put love in the hearts of those who are bad, the corrupt officials and the criminals." In his three years as pope, Francis has repeatedly told political leaders as well as senior figures inside his own Church to do better, and earlier this month he urged Mexicans to fight against corruption and brutal drug gang violence. Some Mexicans are looking to him to take that even further while he's here. The country is still reeling from the abduction and apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers by a drug gang in league with police in late 2014. The pope appeared to refer to them in his homily on Saturday, speaking of "children leaving, becoming lost or even being taken by criminals." He has also taken a stand for migrants around the world, making it a central issue of his papacy, and he will end his visit to Mexico in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will meet relatives of victims of violence. Speaking in his native Spanish before bishops inside Mexico City's main cathedral earlier on Saturday, the Argentine-born pontiff urged religious leaders to do more to help migrants, "pouring balm on their injured feet" through social and charity programs. "Brothers, may your hearts be capable of following these men and women and reaching them beyond the borders," he said, calling on Mexico's Church to strengthen its ties to the US episcopate. From the US border to the indigenous south, Francis will visit some of Mexico's poorest and most violent corners on his five-day trip. He will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico's poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state that has been plagued by violence between drug gangs and armed vigilante groups. In Juarez, he will also visit a prison. In a reminder of Mexico's corruption and violence, 49 people were killed in a fight between rival gangs in a prison just days before the pope's arrival.REUTERS DS PR0724 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-589496.Xml Republican presidential candidates urged President Barack Obama not to nominate a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, saying it should be up to the next president to decide.Scalia's death, announced earlier on Saturday, and the consequences for the conservatives' 5-4 advantage on the high court cast a shadow over the ninth debate between rivals for the Republican presidential nomination for the November 8 election."I would like the president for once here to put the country first," Ohio Governor John Kasich said at the outset of the two-hour debate hosted by CBS. "We're going to have an election very soon ... I think we should let the next president of the United States decide."Obama, speaking shortly before the debate began, said he planned to nominate a successor to Scalia and said the US Senate should give the nominee careful consideration.The Republican candidates were unanimous in saying Obama should put off a decision. Republican front-runner Donald Trump said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell should ensure that any Obama nominee is blocked from confirmation."Delay, delay, delay," Trump said.With a week to go until South Carolina's Republican primary vote on February 20, the debate came at a time of high anxiety for Trump's opponents.Trump, who won New Hampshire handily on Tuesday after placing second in Iowa on February 1, has a big lead in the polls in South Carolina. Unless he is slowed down, he could be in position to roll to his party's presidential nomination for the November election.That means it was in the interests of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to try to raise questions about the New York billionaire before it is too late.Those three candidates, along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, are competing to emerge as the top alternative to Trump for mainstream Republicans. REUTERS DS VN0822 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0137-589508.Xml Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose taxes on Carrier air conditioning units manufactured in Mexico in light of the company's decision to move production from Indiana, a position in line with his strong opposition to international trade deals.Video of the company's announcement last week to employees went viral on the Internet, showing emotional reactions to the loss of jobs while a representative of the company explained the move was "strictly a business decision." Carrier, a manufacturer of air conditioning units, is owned by United Technologies Corp and announced it would be moving 1,400 jobs to Monterrey, Mexico.During night's Republican debate, Trump said if he were president, he would approach Carrier officials and give them two choices."I'm going to tell them, 'Now I'm going to get consensus from Congress and we're going to tax you,'" Trump said. "'So stay where you are [in Mexico] or build in the United States.' Because we are killing ourselves with trade pacts that are no good for us and no good for our workers."A central part of Trump's campaign message has been his opposition to international trade pacts that allow products manufactured overseas to be imported with limited or no tariffs. It's a policy position that reverberates with middle- and low- income Americans, who have watched manufacturing jobs leave the country in the last several decades.Trump cited the video of the workers, which has more than 2.8 million views on YouTube, at the debate."If you saw the people, because they have a video of the announcement that Carrier is moving to Mexico, they were laid off," he said. "They were crying. It was a very sad situation." REUTERS PS VN2353 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-589639.Xml The Israeli army said troops shot dead two Palestinian teenagers who were throwing stones at cars in the occupied West Bank today after coming under fire from one of them.In a separate incident, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli paramilitary policeman at a checkpoint in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, and was shot dead, police said.Israeli soldiers have killed at least 161 Palestinians, 105 of whom Israel says were assailants, while the others were shot dead during violent anti-Israeli protests, as the bloodshed persists into a fifth month.Stabbings, shootings and car rammings by Palestinians have killed 27 Israelis and a U.S. citizen since early October.As well as frustration over Jewish settlement-building, deemed illegal by the United Nations, on land Palestinians want for a state, tensions have been rising over Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound and Islamist calls for Israel's destruction.In Sunday's shooting near the West Bank city of Jenin, "two assailants hurled rocks at cars", a military statement said. "Forces arrived and were fired upon by an assailant. Soldiers responded and shot the attackers, resulting in their deaths."The Palestinian Health Ministry said two 15-year-old Palestinians were killed.Wassef Abu Baker, a 56-year-old local resident, told Reuters that after hearing gunshots, he drove to within 40 metres (yards) of where one of the teenagers was lying on the ground."He was still moving. The soldier shouted at me to move back and they fired at him - maybe it was 12 bullets," he said.Abu Baker said he could not see whether the person on the ground was armed. A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted a photograph of what appeared to be an M-16 assault rifle on the pavement, which he said was the weapon used against the soldiers. REUTERS CJ NS1932 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-590330.Xml Fighters for the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram have been trained in Somalia on Africa's eastern coast before returning to West Africa, Somalia's president told a security conference in Germany .Somalia, plagued by political in-fighting, corruption and attacks by al Shabaab insurgents, has recently made limited progress towards creating a functioning political system, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said."Without a stable Somalia, the whole region of the Horn of Africa will remain unstable and by and large, the African continent. There are proofs and evidence that (for) some time Boko Haram has been trained in Somalia and they went back to Nigeria," he said."The terrorists are so linked together, they are associated and so organised, (that) we the world we need to be so organised," he said, speaking in English.It was not clear from his comments whether he believed al Shabaab was still training Boko Haram fighters, who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.Somalia's al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda and wants to overthrow the Somali government and impose a harsh version of Islamic law, claimed responsibility for a blast this month that punched a hole in the fuselage of a plane.REUTERS CJ NS1934 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0400-590339.Xml Sydney (AFP) - Some 150,000 penguins died after a massive iceberg grounded near their colony in Antarctica, forcing them to make a lengthy trek to find food, scientists say in a newly-published study. The B09B iceberg, measuring some 100 square kilometres (38.6 square miles), grounded in Commonwealth Bay in East Antarctica in December 2010, the researchers from Australia and New Zealand wrote in the Antarctic Science journal. The Adelie penguin population at the bay's Cape Denison was measured to be about 160,000 in February 2011 but by December 2013 it had plunged to an estimated 10,000, they said. The iceberg's grounding meant the penguins had to walk more than 60 kilometres (37 miles) to find food, impeding their breeding attempts, said the researchers from the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) Climate Change Research Centre and New Zealand's West Coast Penguin Trust. "The Cape Denison population could be extirpated within 20 years unless B09B relocates or the now perennial fast ice within the bay breaks out," they wrote in the research published in February. Fast ice is sea ice which forms and stays fast along the coast. During their census in December 2013, the researchers said "hundreds of abandoned eggs were noted, and the ground was littered with the freeze-dried carcasses of previous season's chicks". "It's eerily silent now," UNSW's Chris Turney, who led the 2013 expedition, told the Sydney Morning Herald Friday. "The ones that we saw at Cape Denison were incredibly docile, lethargic, almost unaware of your existence. "The ones that are surviving are clearly struggling. They can barely survive themselves, let alone hatch the next generation. We saw lots of dead birds on the ground... it's just heartbreaking to see." In contrast, penguins living on the eastern fringe of the bay just eight kilometres from the fast ice edge were thriving, the scientists said. Story continues The researchers said the study had "important implications" for the wider East Antarctic if the current trend of increasing sea ice continued. Sea ice around Antarctica is increasing, in contrast to the Arctic where global warming is causing ice to melt and glaciers to shrink. Scientists believe the growth in Antarctic sea ice is largely driven by changes in wind and local conditions. Sanaa (AFP) - A Saudi-led coalition air strike on a sewing workshop killed at least two people and wounded 15 in the rebel-held Yemeni capital on Sunday, the owner told AFP. "Two employees, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed and 15 others wounded in the overnight air raid," Faisal al-Musaabi said. A search was underway for another employee still buried under the rubble of the building in the east of Sanaa, he added. The coalition has been carrying out air strikes against Iran-backed rebels across Yemen since March. The rebels, who have controlled Sanaa since September 2014, reported a higher death toll of 11 employees killed and four others wounded in the strike on the workshop, according to their sabanews.net website. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict since the coalition began its raids, about half of them civilians. On Sunday, Human Rights Watch accused the Saudi-led coalition of using US-supplied cluster bombs in Yemen, causing civilian casualties. "Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners, as well as their US supplier, are blatantly disregarding the global standard that says cluster munitions should never be used under any circumstances," said HRW's arms director Steve Goose. One type of air-dropped cluster munition used by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the US-manufactured CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon, has "harmed civilians in at least two attacks," Goose said. "The evidence raises serious questions about compliance with US cluster munition policy and export rules," he added. "The Saudi-led coalition should investigate evidence that civilians are being harmed in these attacks and immediately stop using them," said Goose. The coalition last month announced that an independent inquiry would examine charges of possible abuses against civilians in the conflict. A panel of UN experts says the coalition has carried out 119 sorties that violated humanitarian law, and called for an international probe. Story continues Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates -- a key member of the coalition -- announced that one of its soldiers taking part in the Yemen war was killed on Sunday and another was wounded. The Armed Forces statement published on the official WAM news agency website did not give details. But a Yemeni military source told AFP that a bomb-laden vehicle targeted an Emirati armoured vehicle in Yemen's southern Lahj province, killing one soldier and wounding another. A Yemeni civilian also died, the source said, adding that the attack appeared to be carried out by the Islamic State jihadist group, which is becoming increasingly active in the south. The UAE has lost more than 70 soldiers in Yemen since the Arab coalition launched its military campaign in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's internationally-recognised government. Riyadh (AFP) - Armed forces from around 20 countries were gathering in northern Saudi Arabia Sunday for "the most important" military manoeuvre ever staged in the region, the official news agency SPA reported. The "Thunder of the North" exercise involving ground, air, and naval forces sends a "clear message" that Riyadh and its allies "stand united in confronting all challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region", SPA said. Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in its southern neighbour Yemen. Last December, it also formed a new 35-member coalition to fight "terrorism" in Islamic countries. Sunday's announcement also comes as the kingdom, a member of the US-led coalition targeting the jihadist Islamic State group, said it has deployed warplanes to a Turkish air base in order to "intensify" its operations against IS in Syria. SPA did not specify when the military exercise will begin or how long it will last. However, the agency called it the "most important and largest in the region's history" in terms of the number of nations taking part and the weaponry being used. Twenty countries will be taking take part, SPA said. Among them are Saudi Arabia's five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Tunisia, it added. A Saudi source said on Thursday that members of the new "anti-terrorism" coalition will gather in Saudi Arabia next month for its first publicly announced meeting. Riyadh has said the alliance would share intelligence, combat violent ideology and deploy troops if necessary. Kabul (AFP) - The number of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan last year was the highest recorded since 2009, the UN said Sunday, with children paying a particularly heavy price. There were 11,002 civilian casualties in 2015 including 3,545 deaths, the UN said in its annual report on Afghan civilians in armed conflict, a four percent rise over the previous high in 2014. "The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable," said Nicholas Haysom, the UN's special representative for Afghanistan. "We call on those inflicting this pain on the people of Afghanistan to take concrete action to protect civilians and put a stop to the killing and maiming." Fighting and attacks in populated areas and major cities were described as the main causes of civilian deaths in 2015, underscoring a push by Taliban militants into urban centres "with a high likelihood of causing civilian harm", the report stated. The UN began compiling the annual report in 2009. Including Taliban-claimed attacks, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan assigned responsibility for 62 percent of total civilian casualties in 2015 to anti-government elements. The Taliban rejected the report's findings in a statement Sunday. But the report also noted a 28 percent year-on-year surge in the number of casualties caused by pro-government forces, including the Afghan army and international troops. Seventeen percent of all casualties in 2015 were caused by such forces, the report said. It was not possible to say which side caused remaining 21 percent of casualties. The report criticised Afghan forces in particular for their reliance on explosives in populated areas. US and other international troops moved from a combat role to a training, advisory and assistance role in Afghanistan on January 1, 2015, leaving Afghan forces to take the lead in fighting the resurgent militants as they targeted towns and cities. "Why did they fire this rocket? Why was it necessary?" the father of a man killed in shelling by the Afghan army in a village in Wardak province in December was quoted as saying in the report. Story continues Nine people died in that attack, according to the report, highlighting the dangers to civilians during ground engagements. "Can you imagine how difficult it is when your son is lying in his own blood and you are crying for him?" the father is quoted as saying. The Afghan government thanked UNAMA for the report in a statement released Sunday, though it disputed the decision to attribute such a large number of civilian deaths to unknown factors rather than the Taliban. - Vulnerable paying the price - The statistics in the report do not "reflect the real horror", Haysom told a press conference Sunday. "The real cost... is measured in the maimed bodies of children, the communities who have to live with loss, the grief of colleagues and relatives, the families who make do without a breadwinner, the parents who grieved the lost children, the children who grieved the lost parents," he said. One in every four casualties in 2015 was a child, with the report documenting a 14 percent increase in child casualties over the year. "Tell these people not to attack children," it quotes a 12-year-old survivor of a mortar attack that killed four others, as saying. "I want to study, not to die." While fighting and improvised explosive devices were the top two killers of children, unexploded ordnance picked up and played with by curious and unsuspecting youngsters also claimed a heavy toll, killing 113 children -- an average of two a week -- and injuring 252 more in 2015. Women also paid a heavy price, with a 37 percent surge in female casualties. One in every ten casualties recorded was a woman, the report said. The document highlighted an increase in women being targeted for alleged moral crimes, calling the executions and lashings a "disturbing trend", and saying the UN plans to release a separate report on such incidents soon. Chillingly, the report documented a doubling of civilian casualties due to the deliberate targeting by militants of judges, prosecutors and judicial institutions. There were 188 such cases last year, of which 46 involved fatalities. The Taliban claimed 95 percent of such targeted attacks, the report said. While ground engagements were the largest cause of civilian casualties, improvised explosive devices came second, the report said, adding that the use of such weaponry violated international law and could constitute war crimes. It reflects "a disconnect between commitments made and the harsh reality on the ground", said the director of the UN's human rights mission in Afghanistan, Danielle Bell. It's not easy making a living goring sacred cows, says documentarian Alex Gibney. Still, the 62-year-old filmmaker has kept at it, with his exposes of corporate America (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room), pedophilia in the Catholic Church (Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God), the U.S. military (Taxi to the Dark Side) and Scientology (Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief). Along the way, he's collected an Oscar and five Emmys while attracting the ire of the entrenched interests who would rather their secrets be kept hidden. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter while finishing the mix for Zero Days - his latest feature, about the dangers of cyber-espionage revealed by the Stuxnet computer worm of 2010 - Gibney reflected on the hidden "doomsday" threat of cyber-war and Scientology's ongoing campaign against him and many others involved with Going Clear. Read more: Berlin: Buyers Looking for Laughs With A-List Comedies Were you surprised that Going Clear wasn't nominated for an Oscar after the Church of Scientology actively campaigned against it? I don't want to comment on the record about that. There definitely was a campaign against [the film], but I have no evidence that was responsible for influencing Academy voters. They didn't vote for it and that's that. ... I've been inundated with litigious letters [from the Church of Scientology] threatening lawsuits as has every venue where we exhibited this film, in this country and abroad. They haven't sued, but they threatened a lot. There's been a high cost to releasing the film. I get accosted from time to time - you can see a few exchanges on YouTube - but the people who really took it on the chin are the people who spoke to me for the movie. They've been shadowed by private investigators and in ways that are intended to intimidate - woman have been threatened, people have had their lives destroyed economically, their houses taken away. It's been thuggish intimidation. The church has lived up to its reputation. Story continues Has there been any professional repercussions for you, working in Hollywood? Not really. I can't say there's been any impact there. But in terms of the Hollywood element, I found it somewhat disturbing that Tom Cruise continues to manage to elude any responsibility for the ongoing human-rights abuses that are basically conducted in his name. He is the most visible and most vocal proponent of the religion. This isn't about the creed of the church, it's about the deed. By not investigating human-rights abuses in the church, he's tacitly giving his approval to them. You've explored an even more clandestine world in Zero Days - the world of cyber-espionage and malware hacking. What surprised you most in your investigation into the Stuxnet attack? That this is a much bigger story than most people have realized. It was the first known attack in which malware crossed from the world of cyber to the world of physical - the Stuxnet worm took control of machines in an Iranian nuclear plant and made them spin widely out of control. And it was autonomous. Nobody pressed a button; it attacked on its own when it felt the time was right, a little like the doomsday device in Dr. Strangelove. The Stuxnet story showed the ability of a computer program to manipulate or destroy critical infrastructure: water treatment plants, electricity grids, transportation systems, everything essential to normal life. It shows the potential for cyber-war is both terrifying and comical, and I think it is something people have not paid sufficient attention to at all. Read more: Berlin: Icon-Driven Documentaries Spark a Frenzy at EFM Did you discover anything in your research that shocked you? Yes. The level of secrecy shocked me. Because this is a big deal - we are talking about a potential global cyber-war - and our leaders aren't even talking about this. The launch of cyber-weapons, in the same way as nuclear weapons, needs a presidential signoff. But there's been no official recognition (of the Stuxnet attack). It's as if after 1945 the U.S. government were to have said, "What bomb?" This isn't just a computer story; it's a story of global espionage and war. It's very much in the news now - that espionage played a role in the recent, controversial nuclear agreement with Iran. We are living with the consequences. How great a threat does the film represent for you and your team? Angry hackers can wreak even more havoc that Scientologists. I took as many precautions as I could. I have no idea how effective they were. This is very scary terrain. The possibility of an attack is ever-present. We live in a world of extraordinary vulnerability. The Sony hack made people aware of the possibility of something like this, but Stuxnet goes way beyond that. We have to demand more from our government in terms of transparency and protection. This film attempts to raise the questions of what the government is keeping secret - and why. By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has a number of likely options as he looks for a nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on Saturday. Within a few hours, Obama said he intends to make a nomination, despite Republicans stressing they opposed any appointment being made until after November's presidential election. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate would have to approve the nomination. If Obama's nominee is not confirmed by the Senate, the White House could use the process to energize Democratic voters ahead of the presidential and congressional elections in November. If a Democratic nominee were to replace Scalia it would lead to a sizable shift in the ideological balance of the high court, which has had a conservative majority for decades. Here are some of the possibilities, including two prominent Asian-American judges: Sri Srinivasan Among those the administration could turn to is Sri Srinivasan, 48, who has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since May 2013. He would be the first Indian-American on the court and has impeccable bipartisan credentials. The Senate confirmed him on a 97-0 vote three years ago. He was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor, now retired, a 1981 appointee of Republican President Ronald Reagan. At Srinivasan's confirmation hearing, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, now a presidential candidate, described himself as a long-standing friend dating back to their time together as law clerks in the U.S. appeals court based in Richmond, Virginia. Cruz said Srinivasan had done a "very fine job" in answering the committee's questions. During his nomination to the appeals court, prominent Republicans such as former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson supported Srinivasan. At his 2013 investiture, leading lights of the legal establishment from both parties praised him. Federal appeals court judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, a Reagan appointee for whom Srinivasan was also a law clerk, called him lightning smart. So far on the appeals court, his rulings have not sparked controversy. Jacqueline Nguyen Other names the administration could consider include Jacqueline Nguyen, 50, a Vietnamese-American who has been a judge on the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since May 2012. The first Asian-American woman to sit on a federal appeals court, she was confirmed by the Senate in 2012 by a 91-3 vote. When she was a child, Nguyen fled South Vietnam with her family toward the close of the Vietnam War in 1975, and then lived in a refugee camp in California. Nguyen was a federal prosecutor and district court judge in Los Angeles before she was elevated to the appeals court. Paul Watford An African-American who is also a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Paul Watford is another possibility. He was an appellate litigator at the Munger, Tolles & Olson law firm before Obama nominated him to the appeals court in 2011. Watford, 48, clerked for 9th Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski, a libertarian-leaning Republican, and for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of Scalia's colleagues on the Supreme Court. He was confirmed by a 61-34 vote, as some Republicans raised concerns about Watfords work as a lawyer on immigration and death penalty cases. Jane Kelly Jane Kelly, a white woman and former public defender who has served on the St. Louis, Missouri-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since April 2013. She was supported by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the key committee that would review the nominee. Kelly, 51, clerked for now-retired Judge David Hansen, a friend of Grassley's who served on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. She was confirmed by the Senate on a 96-0 vote. (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley and Joan Biskupic. Additional reporting by Dan Levine; Editing by Martin Howell) Washington (AFP) - The sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative icon on the US Supreme Court, has set off an epic election-year battle over his successor that will shape American life far into the future. Scalia died of an apparent heart attack at age 79, leaving what has been a conservative-dominated court evenly divided in a year of blockbuster cases -- on abortion, affirmative action, immigration and President Barack Obama's health care law. The news sent shockwaves through the race for the White House, as Republican and Democratic candidates absorbed the implications of the surprise, potentially course-altering opening on the court. "I think last night with the passing of Justice Scalia, we are reminded of how important this election is, how high the stakes are and why we must win," Senator Marco Rubio, in a bitter fight for the Republican nomination, told "Fox News Sunday." Firing the first shot in the succession battle, Obama said he would exercise his "constitutional responsibilities" and name a successor. Leading Republicans -- including all six conservative White House contenders -- threatened to block any nomination Obama puts forth, arguing that it should be left to the next president to fill Scalia's vacant seat. Republicans contended that no president in 80 years has nominated a Supreme Court Justice in his final year in office. But Justice Anthony Kennedy, nominated by Ronald Reagan, was confirmed in 1988, an election year. Obama called on the Senate to give his nominee a "fair hearing and a timely vote." The president nominates Supreme Court candidates, but Senate approval is required for them to take up the lifetime post, which has led to some viciously fought nomination battles. - 'Rare talent' - Obama ordered flags to fly at half-staff across the United States to mark Scalia's passing, praising him as "one of the towering legal figures of our time." Story continues Scalia died at a private ranch in the Big Bend area of West Texas during a hunting trip. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told WFAA television the cause of death was a heart attack. Appointed to the Supreme Court by Reagan in 1986, Scalia championed originalism, the legal theory that the meaning of the Constitution should be interpreted as fixed at the time it was ratified, in 1788. According to this view, there is no doubt as to the validity of the death penalty and the right to bear arms. A devout Catholic who had nine children, Scalia derided abortion and same-sex marriage as new rights that would have been unfathomable to the writers of the Constitution. Brilliant, witty and scathing in his opinions, he was known as much for his slashing dissents as his majority opinions. Scalia "was a bad boy on the bench who certainly never wrote a bad sentence," biographer Joan Biskupic told CNN. To the surprise of some, the portly, affable Scalia was able to separate his legal opinions from his personal relations, celebrating New Year's each year with liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and taking the newest justice Elena Kagan skeet shooting. "He was a jurist of captivating brilliance and wit, with a rare talent to make even the most sober judge laugh," Ginsberg said in remembering her "treasured friend." - Court's future in play - His death's impact on the court will be immediate, even though the succession struggle will take time to play out. With a 5-4 conservative majority, the court had recently stalled key efforts by Obama's administration on climate change and immigration. Now, with the court split evenly 4-4, lower court rulings will be upheld in cases that end with a tied decision, thereby blunting the conservatives' hold. This term is stacked high with hot button issues, including the first abortion case since 2007 -- a review of restrictions imposed by the state of Texas on abortion clinics. The court also will decide whether Obama has the authority as president to protect millions of illegal immigrants from deportation. And it will take up a challenge by religious groups to his signature Affordable Care Act. Another case involves whether race and ethnicity can be used in deciding college admissions. - 'Delay, delay, delay' - Republican leaders immediately took up the cry against an Obama nomination to the court, setting the stage for a bruising election year fight. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," said Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." McConnell's Democratic counterpart Harry Reid pressed for Obama to send a nominee to the Senate "right away," stressing that a yearlong vacancy -- raising the prospect of 4 to 4 splits on major issues -- would be "unprecedented." "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities," Reid said. Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton said Republicans calling for a delay "dishonor our Constitution." Her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders insisted a "full contingent" was needed on the Supreme Court. On the debate stage in South Carolina Saturday night, all six Republican presidential contenders bowed their heads in silence to honor the late justice -- and united to oppose Obama nominating his successor. Republican frontrunner Donald Trump said it was up to Senate Republicans to "delay, delay, delay" any nomination sought by Obama. A senior Beijing official on Sunday blamed "radical separatists" for a riot that erupted in Hong Kong last week, the worst clashes the city has seen since mass pro-democracy protests. In unusually blunt remarks on a local Hong Kong matter, Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing's top representative in the semi-autonomous city, told reporters the violence that left dozens of police officers hurt also showed elements of "terror". "After the riot in Mong Kok, we are feeling very much shocked and saddened," Zhang told reporters. "We strongly condemn those radical separatists who have become increasingly violent, even (carrying out) activities that showed terror tendencies," the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said in Chinese. The clashes erupted when protesters gathered following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood of Mong Kok during Lunar New Year celebrations late Monday night. Police fired warning shots in the air, while demonstrators hurled bricks levered up from pavements, charged police lines with homemade shields and set rubbish on fire. About 100 people were injured, including police officers, journalists and protesters, and 65 were arrested in the rare outbreak of violence. Some 30 have been charged with rioting. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said Sunday most of the protesters were unemployed and did not reflect mainstream views. "The majority of them are jobless. Quite many of them belong to radical political groups. Their political demands... cannot reflect the majority of society," the chief executive said. The battles have been dubbed the "fishball revolution" after a favourite Hong Kong street snack and reflect underlying tensions over the erosion of the city's traditions. Demonstrators included "localist" activists who want to restrict Beijing's influence on the city. Mong Kok, on the city's Kowloon peninsula, was the scene of some of the worst violence during the 79-day "Occupy" pro-democracy street protests in late 2014. Story continues The mass rallies seeking fully free leadership elections in the city blocked some major streets for more than two months. But the rallies failed to win concessions from the authorities. Pro-democracy activist Joseph Cheng said weighing in on the protest was a tactic by Beijing to justify its hardline approach to the pro-democracy movement. "The whole idea, of course, is to condemn the protesters in association with the pro-democracy movement in the public opinion war," the retired scholar, who has advocated direct leadership elections for Hong Kong, told AFP. "Condemning the riot has the purpose of justifying the hardline (stance) of Beijing," He added he expected the Hong Kong authorities to conduct a "neutral investigation" into the incident, despite the outspoken comments from Beijing. Hong Kong was returned by Britain to China in 1997 with its way of life protected for 50 years by a joint agreement. But there are fears that freedoms enshrined in the agreement are being eroded by Chinese influence, including the recent case of five Hong Kong publishers known for titles critical of Beijing, four of whom it is confirmed have been detained on the mainland. The concept of parallel universes is a fascinating topic in science fiction, but in this years Berlinale Retro, Germany 1966 Redefining Cinema, audiences get to experience a unique nexus of the twin worlds of East and West Germany in a defining year for both. It began in 1962, when the new generation of West German filmmakers declared at the Oberhausen Film Festival that the old cinema is dead, and vowed to create a new one, which would become the New German Cinema. Meanwhile, on the other, communist-run side of the Wall, another declaration was made: The Party Congress of 1963 was calling for a new freedom in society and the arts in East Germany. On both sides, explains Retro director Rainer Rother, there were conflicts that were smoldering in society. A post-war generation was re-examining how their lives should look, a culture (was) in transition, trying to modernize itself. The young people had different ideas and they were searching for a way to define them. While certainly responding to their collective past, Rother continues, the new filmmakers were reacting very strongly to the present. You notice it particularly how the films looked. He notes that it was an aesthetic decision to go out of the studio and into the streets, with young characters and unknown faces, sometimes they were even non-actors. So it was no longer the big star cinema, no longer genre cinema, they were seizing on the world of their own experience in East and West and were trying to present it in a more authentic and spontaneous way. And in 1966, things started to hit. In the West, Volker Schloendorffs first feature, Der junge Torless (Young Torless) won the film critics prize in Cannes, while Alexander Kluge won the Silver Lion in Venice for his debut, Abschied von Gestern (Yesterdays Girl). Meanwhile, Ulrich Schamonis Es (It) cleaned up with five prizes at the German Film Awards, and his brother Peter got a Silver Bear in Berlin for Schonzeit fur Fuchse (No Shooting Time for Foxes). Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog were making their first short films. Story continues In the East, however, the bottom fell out. In the Soviet Union, the Leonid Brezhnev era had begun party line was reversed, now calling for an end to works that portrayed the evil desire for doubt. Half of that years productions from the state-run DEFA studio were banned. Some, like Berlin um die Ecke (Berlin Around the Corner), by Gerhard Klein, or Frank Beyers Spur der Steine (Traces of Stones), were forbidden outright. Others, such as Jahrgang 45 (Born in 45) by Jurgen Boettcher, and Karla by Hermann Zshoche, were reworked in an attempt to make them acceptable and then banned anyway these two films will be shown in the Retro in both original and censored versions, with discussions with the filmmakers. But there was plenty of activity on both sides, with their own take on similar issues, like a searching for self as in Jimmy Orpheus by Roland Klick in the West, and Heiner Carlows Die Rise nach Sundevit (Journey to Sundevit) in the East. The emerging role of women in society was the focus of Playgirl by Will Tremper in the West, while Kurt Barthels Fraulein Schmetterling (Miss Butterfly) showed the life of a socialist women through a combination of documentary realism and fantasy. Program coordinator Connie Betz concludes, the films have a big connection to contemporary subjects, and also a lot of questions about self determination in young people. I find the films astonishingly fresh, and they still have much to say to us today. Related stories Berlin Film Review: '24 Weeks' Berlin: Lionsgate U.K. Acquires British Rights for 'Ghost Stories' Berlin Film Review: 'In the Last Days of the City' Text and Pictures by Kok Yufeng, Video by Jeremy Ho Heads turned skyward and camera shutters clicked as eight T-50B fighter jets zoomed above Changi, leaving trails of coloured smoke. South Korean aerobatics team the Black Eagles drew oohs and aahs from members of the media, who on Sunday (14 February) were treated to a preview of the aerial displays that are set to wow the crowds during the Singapore Airshow 2016. The Black Eagles are back for a second time at the prestigious aviation event, which will be held from 16 to 21 February at the Changi Exhibition Centre. The team made their debut at the Airshows previous edition in 2014, when their jaw-dropping stunts drew a crowd of close to 100,000 public attendees. (The Black Eagles performing during a media preview for Singapore Airshow 2016.) Singapores own aerobatics team the Black Knights will not be performing in this years flying display. Those who turn up next weekend when the show is open to the public will still be able to catch impressive stunts from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), as well as displays by aircraft from France, the United States and Malaysia. The RSAFs integrated aerial display is one of the headlining acts this year. For the first time, a team consisting of an F-15SG fighter jet and an AH-64D Apache helicopter will perform a total of 11 manoeuvres during a 12-minute performance, including the Vertical Punch, which will be performed for the first time. We have undergone intensive training to finesse the aerial manoeuvres to showcase the grace and power of the two aircraft and to thrill the audience, Major Max Ng, who pilots the F-15SG, said in a press release. (An F-15SG fighter jet and an Apache helicopter from the RSAF perform a move called the high speed flash pass.) The Black Eagles have also added three new moves to their repertoire, bringing the total number of stunts in their High Show display to 23. One of the new and original manoeuvres the team have developed is called the Turning Mecard, inspired by a character in a popular Korean childrens cartoon of the same name. Story continues For this years spectacle, the team took about two months for preparation and planning, group commander Colonel Son Sug-Rag said. Due to the limited airspace available in Singapore, the team had to practice about 15 times back home before coming over, Son, 48 and the oldest of the group, added. Of the 12 pilots in the Black Eagles, only four took part in the previous Airshow. Other aerial displays will be performed by an Airbus A350 XWB, the US Air Forces F-16C/D Fighting Falcon and C-17 Globemaster III, the French Air Forces Dassault Rafale fighter jet and the Sukhoi Su-30MKM from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. On land, visitors can get up close with 64 different commercial and military aircraft in the static display area. Highlights include an F-16C Black Knight fighter jet, displayed in its iconic red and white livery, a pair of F-22 stealth fighters from the US Air Force, as well as luxury jet manufacturer Gulfstreams latest flagship, the G650ER. (Members of the media capture the moment when the Black Eagles form the Taegeuk symbol in the sky with smoke trails. The symbol is featured on the South Korean national flag.) Emerging business opportunities For trade professionals, there will be exhibitors from more than 1,000 participating companies, including 65 of the top 100 aerospace and defence companies, housed in a 40,000 sq m indoor exhibition space. This year, there will also be the launch of the inaugural Singapore Airshow Aero Campus, held over two days. Aspiring students and young professionals who want to work in the aviation industry can discover education and employment opportunities and rub shoulders with executives from companies such as Airbus, Rolls Royce and Boeing Asia. (ST Engineerings pavillion at the Singapore Airshow 2016. The company is the largest participant this year, exhibiting more than 100 products, services and solutions in the areas of Aviation, Smart Combat and Smart City.) Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events, said the initiative will help inspire the next generation of professionals to power Singapores aerospace sector. With a series of forums and conferences at the Airshow, Leck said the focus this year will be on emerging opportunities and technologies. Participants and trade visitors will find the Airshow relevant and impactful, he added. We have curated a programme to make sure that we are at the cutting edge of developments in the aviation industry. Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - Election officials began counting ballots Sunday after the Central African Republic voted in delayed legislative elections and a presidential run-off it hopes will bring peace after the worst sectarian violence since independence in 1960. Voting took place under tight security with thousands of UN peacekeepers deployed across the country, but the polls apparently passed off peacefully. "For the first time we have a true opportunity to turn our backs on war," said Paterne, a voter in his 40s, as he queued at a polling station in the capital Bangui. Vote counting began on Sunday evening in school classrooms where election officials used chalk to tally totals, according to an AFP reporter. The first official results are not expected for several days. The two men in the close presidential race are both former prime ministers who have campaigned on promises to restore security and boost the economy in the mineral-rich but chronically unstable and impoverished country. - 'Act of love' - Anicet Georges Dologuele, a 58-year-old former central banker known as "Mr Clean" for his efforts to bring transparency to murky public finances, won the first round on December 30, taking 23.78 percent of the vote. He faced Faustin Archange Touadera, a former maths professor, in the run-off. Also 58, Touadera was standing as an independent and surprised everyone by coming second in the first round with 19.4 percent. Touadera's popularity stems from a measure he introduced as prime minister -- paying government salaries directly into bank accounts, ending decades of pay arrears and unpaid wages. Dologuele wished voters a happy Valentine's Day as he cast his ballot in Bangui. "Valentine's is a celebration of love, and I'd like Central Africans to see voting today as an act of love for their country." Touadera, speaking to voters near the working-class neighbourhood of Boy Rabe, pitched himself as the people's candidate. Story continues "I am confident of the outcome of the vote," he told supporters who were already addressing him as "president". Central Africans also voted in a re-run of the last legislative election, also held on December 30, that was later annulled over numerous irregularities. A total of 1,800 candidates were competing for 105 seats in the National Assembly. - 'Fewer mistakes' - Queues in the capital were noticeably thinner than in December, with barely half of eligible voters having cast their ballots less than two hours before polling stations were due to close at 1500 GMT. Some polls did not close until an hour later, having opened late in the morning. Voters in some parts of Bangui and the provinces complained of being turned away because their names were not on the list or because they were not carrying proof of identity. But the head of the African Union election observation mission, Ousmane Ndene Ndiaye, praised the overall organisation of Sunday's polls. "There were fewer mistakes" than in the first round, he said on national television. The race for the presidency is expected to be tight. Dologuele has the backing of the candidate who came third in the first round while Touadera has the support of 22 other candidates who ran in December. CAR's most recent episode of bloodletting was sparked by the March 2013 ousting of veteran president Francois Bozize, a Christian, by the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel alliance. The coup triggered a series of revenge attacks involving Muslim forces and Christian vigilante groups known as "anti-balaka" (anti-machete) militias. Thousands were slaughtered in the spiral of atrocities that drove about a tenth of the population of 4.8 million to flee their homes. Both Dologuele and Touadera are Christians. Turnout was high in December's elections, despite huge logistical problems. Some 1.3 million valid ballots were cast in a country with nearly two million registered voters. The elections came after 93 percent of voters backed a constitutional referendum that cleared the way for the vote. It also followed Pope Francis's groundbreaking trip to the former French colony in November, his first to a war zone, during which he made an impassioned plea for peace and reconciliation. N'Djamena (AFP) - Chad's president has appointed a new prime minister, Albert Pahimi Padacke, national radio reported, as he looks to extend his grip on power in the central African nation. Observers say the appointment is most likely a reward after Pahimi Padacke announced his support Friday for President Idriss Deby Itno, who is running for a fifth term in April elections. Outgoing prime minister Kalezeube Pahimi Debeu, in power since 2013 and a member of the ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), resigned from the post. The radio broadcast Saturday did not give any further details, but the new prime minister is leader of the National Rally of Chadian Democrats (RNDT), a political party aligned with the MPS, and came second in presidential elections in 2011. President Deby, who has been in power for 26 years, modified the constitution in 2004, scrapping its two-term limit on presidential tenure, and won the following elections by a huge majority. Deby had seized power in 1990 after toppling Hissene Habre, who is on trial at a special court in Senegal for crimes against humanity. Habre, 73, was president of the oil rich but poverty-entrenched country from 1982-1990. An investigating commission found that more than 40,000 people were killed during his rule, which was marked by fierce repression of his opponents and the targeting of rival ethnic groups. A verdict is due in May and Habre could be sentenced to life imprisonment with forced labour. Shanghai (AFP) - Chinese authorities have urged investors to register their claims against a now shut peer-to-peer (P2P) lender allegedly behind the country's biggest ever Ponzi scheme, according to a statement, raising hopes of compensation. The Ministry of Public Security, or police, on Saturday called on investors in the financial products of Ezubao -- which allegedly bilked 900,000 people out of 50 billion yuan ($7.6 billion) -- to provide their personal information through a newly established online platform. The ministry would collect the information until May 13, using it to assist in the investigation and as a "reference for return of funds", according to the statement. Police shut down the company in December and state media earlier this month paraded some of the 21 arrested executives involved with Ezubao and its parent firm Yucheng, saying their platform was a fraud. The scandal has highlighted poor regulation in the world's biggest P2P market but also how Chinese investors fail to recognise financial risk. Claimants were invited to submit their information electronically given the large number of investors spread over a wide geographical area and involving a massive amount of data, the statement said. But some investors voiced scepticism about the government's motives, with one saying she feared authorities might use any information against her for participating in what the police statement called "illegal fund-raising". "They called it illegal fund-raising and if I register, I'm the one who was doing that," Wang Dehong, who lost 180,000 yuan, told AFP. Police said the government would "protect the legal rights of investors". The collapse of the company has already sparked protests, which the government typically fears out of worries over social unrest. China has nearly 2,600 platforms described as P2P businesses, according to one industry estimate, with transactions valued at around $150 billion last year. KINSHASA (Reuters) - Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo briefly detained a prominent opposition leader on Sunday, the government said, two days before a general strike to pressure President Joseph Kabila to step down from office. Kabila is required by the constitution to stand aside in December after 15 years in power. Critics accuse him of trying to delay a presidential vote due in November in order to stay in office. Dozens died in protests over this issue last year. Martin Fayulu, president of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development (ECIDE) party and one of the organizers of Tuesday's strike, was held briefly for "incitation to public disorder", government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters, declining to elaborate further. Mende said Fayulu was released after a few hours because of his immunity as a national deputy. Investigators will transfer his dossier to parliament, which could authorize judicial proceedings against him, he added. Mende declined to say who had detained Fayulu. The director of the U.N.'s Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in Congo, Jose Maria Aranaz, confirmed Fayulu's release on Sunday evening, adding he had been detained by Congo's military intelligence service. Opposition leaders have called for all Congolese people to stay at home on Tuesday. It is not clear how well observed the strike is likely to be. "It's the same pattern of intimidation contrary to freedom of peaceful assembly enshrined in the constitution," said Aranaz. The United Nations said in a report in December that a crackdown on political dissent, including summary executions and arbitrary detentions, would likely undermine the credibility of upcoming elections. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Editing by Tom Heneghan) Jerusalem (AFP) - Construction started on 1,800 homes for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank last year, 265 of them in wildcat outposts, settlements watchdog Peace Now said Sunday in its annual report. The overall number of starts was down sharply from the 3,100 that Peace Now reported for 2014 as right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu campaigned for a third term as prime minister, but was slightly higher than in the preceeding years. The year "2014 was an exceptional year in terms of construction", the Peace Now report said. It said that in 2015 work on infrastructure was carried out for planned construction of at least another 734 housing units in the West Bank. "Despite government declarations of a 'freeze', construction on the ground continued in full force," the report said. Settlers did not contest the latest figures, but said they were evidence of a devastating spiral. "The numbers that Peace Now talks about only prove what a difficult state we in the settlement movement have been in for a long time," Shilo Adler, head of the Yesha Council of Jewish settlements, told public radio. "How can it be that with a settlement population of close to half a million we are building in such low numbers?" About 380,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements, with another 200,000 in east Jerusalem. The report does not cover Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. Israel's settlement expansion has been a major source of contention with the international community. US Secretary of State John Kerry said in December that such a policy raises "honest questions about Israel's long-term intentions". US-backed peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel collapsed in April 2014 amid bitter mutual recriminations. A chief grievance of the Palestinians was the building of Jewish settlements on land they claim for a future state. The news of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death cast a somber pall over Saturday night's Republican presidential debate. In response to the tragic news, the candidates avoided their previous belligerent tones, answering the questions posed to them with dignity and refraining from personal attacks. Nah, just kidding. This ninth debate, held in a venue called The Peace Center (insert your own joke here), was perhaps the nastiest and most raucous to date. And Chris Christie wasn't even there, having dropped out of the race after a miserable showing in New Hampshire. That was bad news for fans of the most addictive series on television not produced by Shonda Rhimes. The good news is that he's now available to moderate upcoming debates. There had been plenty of exciting developments since the last debate. John Kasich came in a strong second in New Hampshire, an impressive feat even if he had to personally babysit for every family in the Granite State to do it. Donald Trump called Ted Cruz a "pussy" yes, he claims he was merely repeating the epithet screamed out by a rally attendee and the world was waiting with bated breath to see if he would double down. And a porn actress was found to be appearing in a Cruz campaign ad, which I think we all agree couldn't happen to a nicer guy. The event began with a moment of silence, which needless to say didn't last long. With the body not yet cold, each of the candidates vigorously politicized the issue, declaring that President Barack Obama should refrain for the rest of his term from nominating a new Justice. Trump said it was the duty of Congress to prevent a new appointment. "It's called delay, delay, delay," he shouted. (Somewhere, Tom DeLay's ears were picking up.) Kasich said about Obama, "For once, he should put the country first." And Cruz, after scuffling with moderator John Dickerson over whether or not a Supreme Court nominee had been appointed by a lame-duck president in the last 80 years (turns out the answer is yes, by Ronald Reagan), segued into his stump speech. Story continues Foreign policy was the next subject addressed, with the candidates acting as if they were in a mosh pit. Trump and Jeb Bush got into a death match over issues ranging from Russia to the Iraq War. "As a businessman, I get along with everybody," Trump declared, saying that "Jeb is so wrong" on, well, everything. "This is a guy who gets his foreign policy from 'the shows,'" Bush sarcastically pointed out. "How did he [George W. Bush] keep us safe when the World Trade Center came down?" taunted Trump, inciting loud boos from the crowd. Cruz, standing between the two men, sported a Cheshire cat grin, and Kasich, the self-appointed voice of reason, lost his composure at witnessing the bloody spectacle. "I gotta tell you, this is just crazy! This is nuts!" he complained. The evening only went further downhill from there. The next to go at it hammer-and-tongs was Cruz and Marco Rubio, this time over immigration. The crowd response was so deafening that if their noise was isolated on the soundtrack you'd swear that they were at a WWF match. At one point in the exchange, Cruz attacked Rubio over something he had said on Univision, to which Rubio responded, "I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision, because he doesn't speak Spanish." Cruz then launched into a stream of words in the language, forcing viewers at home to frantically try to figure out how to activate the English subtitles on their televisions. Bush, rolling his eyes and saying that he would channel "my inner Chris Christie" (now there's a scary thought), helpfully pointed out that nobody cared about the details of obscure Senate bills. Read More: Donald Trump Threatens Lawsuit Over Ted Cruz "Cheating," Negative Ads Then the bell rang and it was time for Bush and Trump to go at it again, with Trump complaining, "Two days ago he [Bush] said he would take his pants off and moon everybody" and the media didn't seem to care. (Speaking on behalf of the media, we don't. We really, really don't.) Kasich jumped in again, this time sounding like Andy Griffith. "I think we're fixin' to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don't stop this," he commented, although it was hard not to think that he was secretly disappointed that no one cared enough to attack him. Not long after, Cruz and, you guessed it, Trump, went into the ring, with Trump shouting at him, "You are the single biggest liar," among so many other accusations that Dickerson, sounding very depressed, told Cruz to "pick from the buffet there" for his allotted response time. "We're in danger of driving this into the dirt," Dickerson added, although, at the risk of mixing metaphors, that ship had sailed much earlier. Read More: GOP Debate: Donald Trump Takes Shots at Jeb Bush, Picks Panthers to Win Super Bowl Trump, apparently not having gotten the memo about debate rules, simply talked over every one of his opponents, shouting out random insults as if he had Tourette's syndrome. "Donald, adults learn not to interrupt each other," Cruz scolded, as if he was addressing a first-grader. Even by GOP debate standards, the evening was an embarrassing display, although Teflon Donald, who treated the event like one of his rallies filled with rabid fans, probably won't lose too much sleep over it. Toward the end of the night, Trump was asked about his controversial use of profanity. He explained that he got into the habit while delivering his many paid speeches. (You could imagine Hillary, watching with her advisors saying, "Wait, what?"). "I will not do it again," Trump finally said, as if confident in the knowledge that there isn't a television with a screen wide enough to fully capture his growing nose. Copenhagen (AFP) - Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen warned Sunday that Denmark still faces a "serious terror threat" as it marked a year since a gunman killed a filmmaker and a Jewish security guard in twin attacks in Copenhagen. The Danish capital honoured the victims under tight security, as Rasmussen left flowers outside the cultural centre and the synagogue targeted on February 14, 2015 by Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane of Palestinian origin. An emotional day closed after dark when some 2,000 people walked in silence along route between the two locations attacked, lit by a chain of 1,800 candles. "We must stand up and fight against hatred and violence," said Harold Ryan, a retired journalist who joined the 3.6-kilometre (2.2-mile) march with his wife. El-Hussein opened fire with an automatic weapon at the cultural centre where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks -- reviled by Islamists for portraying the Prophet Mohammed as a dog in 2007 -- was attending a conference on freedom of expression. Danish filmmaker Finn Norgaard, 55, was killed and three policemen were wounded. After managing to escape, the assailant shot dead a 37-year-old Jewish security guard, Dan Uzan, in front of a synagogue, also wounding two police officers. El-Hussein, seemingly inspired by the attacks on French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, was killed a few hours later in a shootout with police in Copenhagen's immigrant-heavy Norrebro district. - 'Serious terror threat' - Rasmussen told journalists Sunday: "The Danes have shown that we insist on living our peaceful life. "We must live in harmony... must protect democracy and tradition which we have had for years in Denmark, to live side by side even if we believe in a different God," he said. He added: "We're in a situation where there is still a serious terror threat against Denmark -- that is unchanged. But it is also a situation where we have acted... We have equipped our intelligence service, we have equipped our police." Story continues Later the Danish leader attended an event at parliament organised by the Finn Norgaard Association, a charity for immigrant youngsters set up in the filmmaker's name. "What we want in the association is to ensure that something as insane as what took Finn away from us does not happen again," its founder Jesper Lynghus told AFP. El-Hussein, who had been released from prison weeks before the attacks after serving time for a stabbing, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group on his Facebook page on the day of the attack. Danish intelligence agency PET was criticised for failing to act on information from prison services that he was at risk of radicalisation, and former classmates said they tried to warn police as far back as 2012. - 'Used to living with terror' - Four men charged with helping El-Hussein will appear in court next month. Danes "have become used to living with terror and don't let it dominate" life, Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on radical Islamic movements at the Swedish National Defence College who helped Copenhagen officials devise an anti-radicalisation plan, told AFP. Nearly every year in the past decade, authorities have thwarted attacks linked to Denmark's involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and to the Mohammed cartoons published in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in 2005, Ranstorp said. Denmark's already tough tone on Muslim immigration has hardened further over the past year, partly as a result of the attacks but also due to Europe's refugee crisis. Denmark registered 21,000 asylum applications in 2015, making it one of the top European recipients of migrants relative to its size. Once a champion of refugee rights, attitudes have gradually shifted along with the rise of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party over the past 15 years. And some observers say there has been an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the attacks. "Some people have used this shooting episode to bring forward their hate speech, it has become a little clearer than before," said Sami Kucukakin, chairman of an umbrella group for Danish Muslim organisations. When Colombia, El Salvador, and Brazil recently warned women not to get pregnant because of the Zika virus, some human rights advocates hoped the outbreak would propel the Latin American nations to reconsider their strict antiabortion laws. But as the virus continues to infect thousands of pregnant women throughout the region, putting them at risk of giving birth to babies born with brain damage, the Roman Catholic Church is doubling down on its conservative stance against both contraceptives and abortion. Contraceptives are not a solution, Bishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner of Brazil said in an interview with The New York Times, in which he confirmed that the Zika outbreak would not cause the church to change its long-held position on the use of birth control. He joins Cardinal Odilo Scherer of Sao Paulo and Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras in publicly condemning the use of contraceptives in response to the Zika outbreak, which has been linked to microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads. RELATED: Here's the Problem With Telling Women in El Salvador Not to Get Pregnant Instead, church officials have advocated for couples to either abstain from sex or practice natural family planning, a method in which a woman tracks her menstrual cycle to determine when she is most or least fertile and plans sexual intercourse accordingly. While the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops asserts that this method for family planning is rooted in science, numerous studies have demonstrated that it is not nearly as effective at preventing pregnancy as most contraceptives. Twenty-four percent of all women using fertility-awareness-based methods will experience an unintended pregnancy, compared with just 9 percent of women using pills or patches, 6 percent using injectables, and fewer than 1 percent using an implant or IUD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contraceptive use in Latin America and the Caribbean has soared to 72 percentexceeding the global average of 63 percent, according to International Planned Parenthood Federationbut many womens advocates worry that reproductive health care throughout the region is largely out of reach for poor people, the young, and those living in rural areas, either because of a lack of education, awareness, money, or physical distance to family planning centers. At the same time, 56 percent of all pregnancies in Latin America and the Caribbean are unintendedmarking the highest proportion of unintended pregnancies worldwide, according to a 2014 study by the reproductive health nonprofit Guttmacher Institute. RELATED: Church-Abuse Survivors Accuse Vatican of Empty Promises But that hasnt stopped five Latin American and Caribbean nations from warning women not to get pregnant in response to the threat of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. In El Salvadorwhere women can face manslaughter charges and jail time for terminating a pregnancywomen have been asked not to get pregnant until 2018. In Brazil and Colombia, abortion is illegal except for instances of rape or incest or to save a womans life. Women in those countries have been advised to delay pregnancy for at least six months. Colombias national health institute on Saturday reported more than 31,000 cases of Zika, 5,000 of them among pregnant women. Jamaica, which has also advised women to delay pregnancy owing to the virus, responded to the outbreak by issuing a reggae-inspired public service announcement with rhyming lines such as A special shout out to pregnant ladies/Protect yourselves and your babies. While it remains to be seen whether Pope Francis will address the issue of the Zika virus during his trip to Mexico this week, a spokesperson for the Vatican suggested to the Times that the virus is unlikely to sway his stance on reproductive rights, which is rooted in centuries of church doctrine. The Zika virus, said Rev. Thomas Rosica, offers an opportunity for the church to recommit itself ot the dignity and sacredness of life, even in very precarious moments like this. Related stories on TakePart: Heres the Problem With Telling Women in El Salvador Not to Get Pregnant Is the Zika Virus (or Something Worse) Killing Nicaraguas Monkeys? Climate Change Could Tell Us Where the Zika Virus Will Spread Next Original article from TakePart Luton (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Europe's airline sector is on course for further consolidation, while the region offers "massive opportunities" for growth, according to Carolyn McCall, chief executive of British budget airline EasyJet. "I definitely think there will be consolidation in Europe," McCall told AFP in a recent interview held in EasyJet's headquarters at Luton airport, north of London. And she believes the company can build on its exceptionally strong growth during her almost six years in charge. "If you actually look at the whole of Europe, we still see massive opportunities for growth. "That is competing with some low cost carriers, but it is still mainly competing with the legacy carriers," she said from a hangar painted in the carrier's famous orange and transformed to house EasyJet's control centre and top management team. Since McCall's appointment in 2010, EasyJet has grown pre-tax profits from around A50 million to almost A700 million ($1.0 billion, 891 million euros) in its last financial year. "It's an enormous profit growth and we need to reinvest some of our money.... Our aim is to continue to grow profit and particularly to grow returns for shareholders," said McCall, who is one of only six women heading a company trading on London's benchmark FTSE 100 stock index. McCall sees opportunity for further growth especially in France, where EasyJet has a 15-percent market share and is second only to dominant player Air France. But the 54-year-old boss doesn't see her airline joining peer Norwegian Air Shuttle in become a long-haul operator and entering for example the US market, despite the low oil-price environment. "Long-haul for us is not on our agenda. We think it's a different model, we think it's a high risk model. We await with interest how Norwegian does and of course if they make it a great success I'm sure others will follow but it's not for now," said McCall. Story continues - Consolidation on horizon - EasyJet's boss does however foresee a coming together of airlines, with Europe mirroring consolidation experienced in the United States. "In the US... it happened much more quickly and now there are four big airline groups," she noted. "There are many other considerations when you look at airlines in Europe, including political considerations. So it is a different landscape but consolidation will happen and I think we will be part of driving some of that consolidation." McCall said that the low oil price environment was "making it easier for legacy carriers to stay alive with their capacity in Europe". She added: "They're allowing some capacity that would not exist at a higher price of fuel." Although McCall stressed that no airline enjoys oil-price volatility, as has been the case for many months, she insisted that "EasyJet performs well regardless of" the cost of crude used to make jet fuel. She explained: "When oil is low we obviously get the benefit on the cost but it doesn't help us grow. You pass on quite a lot in fares.... Consumers benefit a great deal. "As oil price increases, the capacity environment shakes out quite a lot. The weaker players take out a lot of capacity and we continue to grow... It's probably easier for us when oil is stable and higher." McCall told AFP that ticket prices have come down also following last year's Paris terror attacks and the fatal airliner incident in Sharm el-Sheikh. While demand has returned, "what hasn't recovered is pricing, so we've had to stimulate demand, all airlines had to do that... so the ticket prices have come right down", she said. - 'EU best for Britain' - Looking ahead, McCall re-iterated EasyJet's stance that it does not wish to see Britain leave the European Union, as the country gears up for a referendum on the issue later this year. "Britain being in Europe is the best thing for Britain and that is based on the fact that deregulation of aviation has been a fantastic benefit to consumers," she told AFP. "It's reduced fares by 40 percent and it's increased routes by 170 percent." And neither does McCall have any intention of stepping down from EasyJet any time soon, following media reports that she had recently been approached to take over the helm at British clothing-to-food retailer Marks and Spencer. "I've been here, and I've loved every minute of it, for nearly six years. There's so much more to do and I'm totally committed to being at EasyJet. "We have a fantastic opportunity for the foreseeable future," McCall said as she prepared to face shareholders at last week's annual general meeting. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's top court on Sunday annulled a 15-year jail sentence for a policeman accused of the fatal shooting of a female protester and ordered his retrial, a court official said. Shaima al-Sabbagh was struck by birdshot in January 2015 as police dispersed a small march on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. A lower court sentenced Lieutenant Yassin Mohamed Hatem, 23, to 15 years in prison after convicting him of "battery that led to death". Hatem's trial was a rare legal proceeding against policemen charged over protestor deaths since the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. On Sunday, the Court of Cassation annulled the lower court's order after accepting an appeal filed by Hatem and ordered a retrial, a court official said. His lawyer Gamil Sayid confirmed Sunday's decision. "It just proves that my client was innocent from the start," Sayid told AFP, adding that Hatem, who is currently in jail, would soon be freed. The Court of Cassation did not immediately give its reason for annulling the previous judgement and a new trial date has yet to be fixed. Sabbagh's death triggered outrage in Egypt and abroad. Part of the incident that led to her death was captured on film, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to publicly demand that the perpetrator be brought to justice. Sabbagh was hit on January 24, 2015 on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the anti-Mubarak uprising when police dispersed a peaceful protest that had been organised by her Socialist Popular Alliance, a small leftist party. Marchers had been carrying a wreath to a monument in Cairo's Tahrir Square to commemorate the deaths of protesters during the 2011 revolt. Tahrir Square was the epicentre of that uprising and the scene of violent confrontations between police and protesters. Dozens of policemen were tried for protester deaths after the revolt against Mubarak, which had been partly fuelled by police abuses. But most were acquitted. Rights groups have accused the police of killing hundreds of mostly Islamist protesters after Morsi's ouster, including around 700 in one day in August 2013 during clashes when they dispersed a pro-Morsi Cairo sit-in. A crackdown launched by authorities on Morsi supporters has also seen thousands jailed and hundreds sentenced to death in mass trials. Paris (AFP) - France called Sunday for Turkey to immediately halt the bombing of Kurdish forces in Syria and said it was concerned at the "worsening" situation in northern Syria. Echoing an appeal made by the United States on Saturday, France called for "an immediate halt to the bombing, both that of the regime and its allies throughout the country and that of Turkey in the Kurdish zones". On Sunday, the Turkish army struck positions held by Kurdish fighters inside Syria for a second day, with Turkish state media reporting that it was in response to incoming fire. The army hit Democratic Union Party (PYD) targets around the Syrian town of Azaz using howitzers stationed on the Turkish side of the border, Anatolia news agency reported. The French foreign ministry said it was concerned at the "worsening situation" around the besieged city of Aleppo and elsewhere in northern Syria. She tipped back her head, her white throat swelled with a sigh; and weakened with a long tremor she gave herself up to him, wrote Gustave Flaubert about Emma Bovarys surrender to Rodolphe. French novelists have been teasing us with heavy breathing and heaving bosoms for centuries. But from Flaubert and Stendhal to Marguerite Duras, none ever hinted at the fact that women in the City of Lights, and the rest of France, struggle to have their buttons properly pushed in bed. Yet A whopping 31 percent of French women admit to regularly faking orgasms. Thats the anticlimactic news from French polling institute IFOP, which conducted a study on behalf of the adult website CAM4. Its researchers questioned 8,000 women online roughly 1,000 each from France, Spain, Italy, the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Canada. They found that French ladies (49 percent) were on top in terms of struggling to reach climax, that is. But this is the land of Duras and Flaubert, where women feel no shame in discussing their sex lives, or lack thereof, says Pierre-Yves Angles, a research assistant at IFOP. Outspoken American women, 29 percent of whom said they fake it regularly and 44 percent of whom complained of struggling to climax, arent doing much better, but they too may just be speaking up more than Italians or Germans. Fakers elsewhere included 22 percent in Canada, 25 percent in Italy and the U.K. and 24 percent in Germany. Spain and the Netherlands can bask in the warm glow of knowing that only 19 and 18 percent of their women, respectively, are fakers. Chicago-based psychotherapist and social worker Kelley Kitley says that for many women, once their partner has climaxed, sex is considered over. Angles and his colleague Francois Kraus, IFOPs director of research and a well-known sexual-health expert, also point to gender relations. In countries where women tend to be more respected and where gender relations are more equal, women tend to have more orgasms, says Angles. Dutch women are happier in bed, he explains, because this equality encourages them to enjoy more diverse sexual practices. Story continues But sex is still very much the realm of the man in many countries. Globally, sexual intimacy is more oriented toward male pleasure, Angles says, noting that this begins with foreplay, during which most men pay little attention to the clitoris. And that inequality, he says, filters down into the sexual positions couples practice, which often dont cater to womens pleasure. Kitley agrees, noting how sex is more normalized for men and shamed for women. Lesbian couples, by contrast, declare that they have much more sexual satisfaction than women in straight couples, Angles says. This isnt only unfair; it also means straight women are often being cheated out of the psychological health benefits associated with the ultimate release. Climaxing, says Kitley, helps lift mood and fight stress while enabling better sleep. So how can women be as fulfilled as literary heroines? By writing their own destiny, which includes demanding equality in bed, giving in to sensation and, says Kitley, granting themselves permission to reach orgasm. Related Articles By Andreas Rinke and Tatiana Jancarikova MUNICH/BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls rejected on Saturday the idea of a permanent quota system for distributing refugees across Europe, putting Paris at odds with Germany ahead of a summit to discuss the EU crisis over migration. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 refugees European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but would not accept additional numbers. "We won't take any more," Valls said. He expressed admiration for Germany's readiness to take on more refugees, but added: "France never said 'come to France'." German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to push European partners to accept so-called "contingents" of refugees at a meeting on Thursday in Brussels, shortly before European Union leaders come together for their summit. Cobbling together a coalition of countries ready to accept more asylum seekers over time is crucial to Merkel's efforts to convince Turkey to stem the tide of refugees fleeing countries in the Middle East, notably Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will attend the pre-summit meeting. "France rejects this," Valls said of the permanent quota mechanism. He said France had received 80,000 asylum applications last year and was struggling with youth radicalisation and high unemployment. BALKAN BORDERS In another sign of Europe's deep divisions over the influx of migrants and refugees, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said Germany had protested against plans by eastern European leaders to help Macedonia and Bulgaria seal their border with Greece, the entry point into the EU for many migrants. Leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, known as the Visegrad Group, meet on Monday in Prague with their Macedonian and Bulgarian counterparts and could offer them manpower and other aid, diplomats said on Friday. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier - prominent social democrats in the government led by the conservative Merkel - have sent a letter to European Socialist leaders calling for a common approach, a message simultaneously sent to the central European governments. "Such measures must be agreed together and may not be unilaterally directed against one member state," the letter said. Closure of Greece's northern borders could strand migrants in Greece, which has been struggling to protect its sea borders as the huge influx of migrants and refugees arrive via Turkey. "We want an agreement among the Visegrad Four countries that if Greece is not working, and it's not working, it makes more sense to invest money into the protection of borders between Greece and Macedonia, Bulgaria and other countries," Fico said. "We received a demarche (saying) how do we dare as V4, Bulgaria and Macedonia to discuss protection of external borders. Germany has filed a protest with our deputy foreign affairs minister because of this summit, saying we need to seek another way," he said. The Czech government tried to defuse the tension, saying the Visegrad group supported cooperation with Turkey, NATO's engagement in the Aegean Sea and was also ready to increase aid for Greece as well Macedonia and Bulgaria. "We therefore consider help for Macedonia to be a natural part of a European solution of the migration crisis," State Secretary for European affairs Tomas Prouza said. As the European Union gave notice to Athens on Friday that its failure to control hundreds of thousands of refugees landing via Turkey over the past year will see a long-term suspension of some passport-free travel in Europe, EU officials said they expected more border tightening by Greece's Balkan neighbours. Concern at a "domino effect" of border closures rippling down the Balkan peninsula to Greece and leaving large numbers of Syrians, Iraqis and others stranded in some of Europe's poorest countries, has prompted the EU to offer aid and cooperation to those states, all of them candidates to join the bloc. (Additonal reporting by Robert Muller in Prague; Writing by Noah Barkin; Editing by Dominic Evans) Thessaloniki (Greece) (AFP) - Greek police said Sunday they had arrested three heavily armed Britons near the border with Turkey where they were suspected of heading to join Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State jihadists. One of the three, a 40-year-old said to be of Kurdish Iraqi origin, had four firearms and 200,000 rounds in his possession when he was picked up at the Kipi border post on the Evros River which borders the two nations. Police arrested two other men, both in their mid-30s, in the port of Alexandropolis, the main town in the Evros region and a key commercial centre in northeastern Greece. They were found in possession of 18 firearms and 40,000 22mm and 5.5 mm bullets stowed in a trailer. Counter-terrorism services are now investigating the trio afer police said they suspected all three of "terrorism and belonging to a criminal organisation," as well as arms trafficking. On January 31, two men with Swedish passports were arrested in the same region after they were found carrying "combat material" having flown to Greece from Sweden before heading towards Turkey by bus. One, Mirsad Bektasevic, a suspected jihadist of Bosnian origin, was charged with "terrorist" activities along with an accomplice believed to hail from Yemen. Bektasevic was previously arrested in 2005 in Sarajevo after a police search of his house uncovered ammunition and explosives and a video in which a masked man called for attacks on Capitol Hill and the White House. By Promit Mukherjee MUMBAI (Reuters) - A huge fire engulfed the venue of a cultural event in Mumbai on Sunday that was being held at the opening of a "Make in India" week launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to drum up foreign investment. Television pictures showed fire breaking out at the front of the outdoor stage during a performance by dancers. Fanned by high winds, it quickly spread, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig and lighting up the night sky. Thousands of spectators, among them dignitaries including the chief minister of the host state of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, were evacuated safely. "Venue was evacuated immediately. Traffic management allowed early dispersal without any trouble," Fadnavis tweeted, adding that no fatalities or injuries were reported. The fire broke out at 8:24 pm (1554 GMT) due to a short circuit and 14 fire engines and 10 water tankers took just over an hour to bring it under control, said Raviraj Kamde, fire officer at the Maharashtra Fire Control Room. Kamde confirmed there were no casualties and people at the event had been evacuated safely. Eyewitnesses said the evacuation was orderly. "We were shaken with the sudden announcement that there has been a fire at the venue but thankfully there were multiple exit routes," said Heman Goyal, a Delhi businessman who was attending the event. "There was chaos but we all got out in time. I saw parts of the stage burning." The blaze is likely to overshadow the message of India being open for business that Modi wanted to send. When he opened the investor jamboree on Saturday, Modi called Make in India "the biggest brand India has ever created". The prime ministers of Sweden and Finland took part in Saturday's gala opening ahead of Make in India Week, which is being attended by 2,500 foreign companies and 8,000 firms from India. (Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee and Rupam Jain; Writing by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Tom Heneghan) The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld Michigan's ban on using race as a factor in college admissions. The justices said in a 6-2 ruling that Michigan voters had the right to change their state constitution to prohibit public colleges and universities from taking race into account in admission decisions. The justices said that a lower federal court was wrong to set aside the change as discriminatory. The high court made clear that in ruling on Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, it was not deciding the larger question of whether affirmative action admission policies are lawful. "This case is not about how the debate about racial preferences should be resolved," wrote Justice Anthony M. Kennedy for the majority opinion. "It is about who may resolve it." The justices rejected the argument made by civil rights groups that Michigan's constitutional amendment Proposal 2, approved by voters in 2006 barring college admissions decisions based on race imposed burdens on racial minorities in violation of the U.S. Constitution's equal protection guarantee. Kennedy, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, said that an appeals court that threw out the law did not have the authority to do so. The dissenting votes came from two liberal members of the court, Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Sotomayor wrote that the decision was a blow to "historically marginalized groups, which rely on the federal courts to protect their constitutional rights." The court undermined its own precedents, which state that the majority cannot suppress minorities' right to participate in the political process, she added. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a separate opinion, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas, in which he said that challenges to laws that rest on equal protection claims must show that the law reflects a discriminatory purpose. The Michigan law did not, he said. Justice Stephen Breyer was the only member of the liberal wing of the court to join the majority. He wrote that the ban was constitutional because the prohibition gave voters, rather the university officials, the right to decide whether to adopt race-conscious admissions policies. Justice Elena Kagan, who had worked on the case when she was solicitor general, recused herself. Leticia Smith-Evans, interim director of Education Group at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said Tuesday's decision wasn't a death-knell for admissions policies that consider race. "While this decision is a setback for diversity efforts in Michigan, it is important to note that this case did not address the merits of race-conscious admissions, which have been previously upheld by the court, as the justices emphasized in today's ruling," Smith-Evans said. Still the ruling was a let down for those who had hoped to see it dismantled. Kevin Gaines, an African-American studies professor at the University of Michigan and one of the plaintiffs arguing for the removal of the ban, expressed disappointment at the decision, according to a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union. "Proposal 2 has meant less diversity in our universities, which has had a chilling effect on the quality of discourse in the classroom. Unfortunately, that will continue, at least for the time being, in Michigan," Gaines said. Since the ban passed, the share of freshmen at the University of Michigan who identify as black has fallen 30 percent, prompting the Black Student Union in November to launch a social media campaign that trended nationally and spread to dozens of other major schools to highlight racial injustice on U.S. college campuses. The effort, known by #BBUM Being Black at U.M. was so successful that members of the student union have met weekly with administration officials since releasing a list of demands in January to discuss ways of addressing both the plummeting enrollment figures and a range of challenges facing black students there. Mark Rosenbaum, a lawyer for the ACLU who argued against the ban in the case, also criticized the decision. "This case is ultimately about whether students of color in Michigan are allowed to compete on the same playing field as all other students. Today the Supreme Court said they are not," Rosenbaum said in a press release. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rosenbaum said that the Supreme Court's decision allows for preferential treatment on the basis of whether a student's parents attended a school or donated money, allowing the consideration of good fortune and privilege, but lets admissions officers ignore race as a factor. "One of the things that the majority opinion does is to treat racial identity as if it was a thing of the past or as if it were invisible, and I think that's both unfair and untrue." The case was argued in October 2013, just four months after the justices issued a narrow ruling on affirmative action in a different case involving the University of Texas at Austin. In a lopsided 7-1 ruling in the Texas case that few had expected, the court warned that university policies that took race into account could be more vulnerable to legal challenges in the future. But the court did not strike the policy down and instead sent the case back to a lower court for reconsideration. The Michigan case raised a different legal question, focusing not on the state's ban on affirmative action itself but on the political process that led to the policy change Wilson Dizard contributed reporting, with wire services. By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel voiced doubt on Sunday that an international ceasefire plan for Syria would succeed, suggesting a sectarian partition of the country was inevitable and perhaps preferable. While formally neutral on the five-year civil war racking its neighbor, Israel has some sway among the world powers that have mounted armed interventions and which on Friday agreed on a "cessation of hostilities" to begin within a week. The deal, clinched at a Munich security conference, is already beset by recriminations between Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad militarily and wants to see his rule restored, and Western powers that have called for change in Damascus involving select opposition groups. Addressing the conference after he met European counterparts and Jordan's King Abdullah, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was "very pessimistic" about the truce's prospects. "Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time," he said. "And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelet from an egg. I don't know how to make an egg from an omelet." Referring to some of the warring sects, Yaalon added: "We should realize that we are going to see enclaves - 'Alawistan', 'Syrian Kurdistan', 'Syrian Druzistan'. They might cooperate or fight each other." Ram Ben-Barak, director-general of Israel's Intelligence Ministry, described partition as "the only possible solution". "I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there," he told Israel's Army Radio, arguing that Assad's minority Alawite sect had no way to heal its schism with the Sunni Muslim majority. "I can't see how a situation can be reached where those same 12 percent Alawites go back to ruling the Sunnis, of whom they killed half a million people there. Listen, that's crazy." Helped by Russian firepower, Syrian government forces and their allies have been encircling rebel-held areas of Aleppo. That would give Assad effective control of western Syria, Ben-Barak said, although much of the east is dominated by Islamic State insurgents. An Assad victory in Aleppo, Ben-Barak said, "will not solve the problem, because the battles will continue. You have ISIS there and the rebels will not lay down their weapons." While sharing foreign concerns about Islamic State advances, Israel worries that the common threat from the insurgents has created a de-facto axis between world powers and its arch-foe Iran, which also has troops helping Assad. "As long as Iran is in Syria, the country will not return to what it was, and it will certainly find it difficult to become stable as a country that is divided into enclaves, because the Sunni forces there will not allow this," Yaalon said in an earlier statement. (Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla in Munich; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Stephen Powell) Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare appearance by a serving premier before the country's Supreme Court on Sunday to defend a contentious natural gas deal. Critics say the agreement between the government and a consortium including US firm Noble Energy, pushed by Netanyahu, overly favours the firms involved and have petitioned the court to block it. There have also been denunciations of political manoeuvring by Netanyahu to override anti-trust authorities. "Today I appeared before the Supreme Court," he told visiting US Jewish leaders at a conference in Jerusalem on Sunday evening. "I asked to appear before the Supreme Court. It's the first time an Israel prime minister has asked to appear before the Supreme Court in our history," he said. "The current plan has no alternative and if it is not approved it will cause the country long-term harm," private television station Channel Two reported him as saying in court earlier. "Without this plan there will be no competition, no development, no investment." Entrance to the courtroom was restricted, with no broadcasting or recording allowed. Neither the government not the court released details of Netanyahu's address. The deal he champions concerns development of the Leviathan field in the eastern Mediterranean, described as one of the largest recent natural gas discoveries. "Israel can be an energy-exporting country," Netanyahu told the conference in Jerusalem. Currently only the Tamar field west of the port of Haifa is in production, and the government argues that depending on a single source which is a potential target for sabotage means that diversifying supply is of strategic as well as economic importance. "We shall not have energy security as long as we have only one gas field, which is within range of missile fire" from enemies such as Hezbollah in south Lebanon, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told the court on February 3. Story continues Israel's monopolies commission opposed an initial agreement between the government, Noble and its Israeli partner Delek, leading to months of further negotiations under strong political pressure. To sidestep the commission, Netanyahu used an obscure clause allowing the deal to be pushed through by the economy minister. After the incumbent minister resigned rather than overrule the regulators Netanyahu then took over the post himself. The size of the Leviathan field is estimated at 18.9 trillion cubic feet (535 billion cubic metres, or bcm) of natural gas, along with 34.1 million barrels of condensate. Noble and Delek also control Tamar, which holds 250 bcm of natural gas, and lies 80 kilometres (40 nautical miles) west of Haifa. By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel's top court on Sunday the country must forge ahead with developing a large natural gas field, with billions of dollars worth of potential exports, for both economic and security reasons. In an unusual step for an Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu testified, at his own request, in the Supreme Court to defend a framework gas deal after opposition parties and non-government organizations filed petitions to block plans to develop the Leviathan field off Israel's Mediterranean coast. Critics, including the anti-trust authority, have argued that planned control of the country's gas reserves by one consortium will limit competition and keep prices high. Under the deal, Texas-based Noble Energy and Israel's Delek Group, which discovered Leviathan in 2010, would retain control of the field but are being forced to sell other, smaller assets such as the nearby Tamar field that began production in 2013. Netanyahu argued the blueprint provided major opportunities for Israel's foreign relations and that any delay in its implementation could lead to the deal's collapse and cause "long-term significant damage" to the country's security and economy. Holding estimated reserves of 622 billion cubic meters, Leviathan will cost at least $6 billion to develop. It is meant to begin production by 2020 and supply billions of dollars worth of gas to Egypt and Jordan, and possibly Turkey and Europe. Egypt and Jordan are the only Arab states to have signed peace deals with Israel. Gas exports could help shore up ties between Israel and its neighbors to the east and south. "There is no realistic alternative to the gas deal," Netanyahu said. "If we reverse course, we will fall into the chasm once and for all." After years of political infighting Netanyahu signed a framework deal that gave long-awaited approval for Leviathan's development. Netanyahu had defended the deal in an affidavit to the Supreme Court last week and requested appearing in front of the judges before they make their final, binding ruling. Last year, parliament narrowly approved the deal but the anti-trust commissioner resigned in protest. The deal still needed anti-trust approval or for the economy minister to sign a waiver to bypass the Anti-Trust Authority. The minister, Aryeh Deri, refused and ultimately resigned and Netanyahu took over as economy minister. In December, he invoked a never-before-used clause in the anti-trust law that allows for decisions of the Anti-Trust Authority to be overridden in the name of security and international diplomacy. Last month, the Leviathan partners signed a deal to sell $1.3 billion of gas over 18 years to Edeltech Group and its Turkish partner Zorlu Enerji for power plants they plan to build in Israel. Other deals with Jordan and BG are pending while Israel is in talks with Greece and Cyprus to build a natural gas pipeline to Europe. It is not immediately clear when the Supreme Court will hand down its ruling. (Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Alison Williams) In 1996, Antonin Scalia assessed the legacy of the great liberal Justice William Brennan: He is probably the most influential justice of the century. Depending on future events, the legacy of the great conservative Scaliawho died Saturday at 79may eclipse that of Brennan. Scalias death is a monumental event; a Supreme Court without him is difficult to imagine. His legacy is so large and complex that it will take weeks simply to catalogue the questions he leaves behind. By all accounts, in private Scalia was a figure of considerable charm to liberals and conservatives alike. As a public man, he was by turns impish, saturnine, quarrelsome, and penetrating. He set the terms of debate in the law in not one but two areas: the interpretation of statutes (which is the bulk of the Courts docket) and the application of an 18th-century Constitution for 20th- and 21st-century needs. In statutory construction, he emphasized the text and the text alone. Before his ascendancy, it had been customary to infer the intent of the legislature from committee reports and statements by the measures sponsors. Scalia would not have thatonly the words of the statute were law, he insisted; a reviewing court should apply only them. Though Scalia called his approach a modest one, the austere textual creed had the effect of placing judges at the center of the complex world of federal statutes. That said, it must be added that his background in the law of administrative agencies made him a careful readerwhich a textualist ought to be. In cases with no ideological valence, it was clear that his colleagues often looked to him for legal guidance. On constitutional questions, however, his approach was almost the reverse: The Constitution must be read as it was originally understoodrequiring historical research to determine the original public meaning of such terms as the right to keep and bear arms and cruel and unusual punishment. The original public meaning of those terms, he insisted, was easy to discern from Founding-era documents; the duty of a judge was to apply that meaning and nothing else. Not a living document, he said, it was the good, old dead Constitution, fixed in meaning until the people changed it by amendment. In 2016, its hard to remember that, when Scalia joined the Court three decades ago, originalism was a vaguely disreputable heresy. Constitutional law was dominated by Brennans idea of contemporary ratification: the argument that each generation must interpret the Constitution according its own needs and the changes in society since the Framing. Three decades later, liberals and conservatives speak the language of original meaning. Consciously or not, they are playing by Scalias rules. Recommended: The Many Heresies of Donald Trump Though he was proudly conservative, his conservatism was complex. On civil liberties, he championed the Fourth Amendments protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. In a groundbreaking series of cases, he also pioneered the doctrine that criminal defendants could not be convicted or sentenced except on the basis of facts assessed by a jury. His free-speech views genuinely reached the lonely pamphleteer and the dissidentwitness his vote to strike down state and federal laws against flag burning. Scalia was the anti-Brennan, too, in a different way. Where Brennan moved the Court in part through charm, Scalia used brute force of will. He did not compromise; he was unsparing of friend or foe when another justice strayed from what he saw as the path of correct interpretation. He dismissed an opinion by his fellow Reagan appointee, Sandra Day OConnor, by saying it cannot be taken seriously. He attacked his own chief justice, John Roberts, for faux judicial modesty. He was merciless in his scorn for Anthony Kennedy, another Reagan appointee, dismissing his marriage-equality opinion as mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie. The jurisprudential equivalent of smashing a guitar onstage. Even agreeing with Scalia had its perils. You had to be right in the right way, or you were still wrong. In a case called United States v. Bond, he concurred angrily from the bench (an exceedingly rare event in the history of the Supreme Court), charging that Robertss majority opinion reads like a really good lawyers brief for the wrong side, and was entirely made up. He was on their side, but they were still very, very wrong. The New Yorker correspondent Margaret Talbot once wrote that a Scalia opinion was the jurisprudential equivalent of smashing a guitar onstage. But if they were not always models of decorum, Scalias opinions were fiercely effective in reaching a public beyond the world of lawyers and courts. For many ordinary conservatives, Scalia became a hero because he spoke of their own fears and frustrations in language they could understand. Recommended: Why Ted Cruz's Preemptive Rejection of a Supreme Court Nominee Is Illegitimate In doing so, it must be said, he wrote or said things that scarred the objects of his wrathnot his fellow justices, who seemed to take it in good fun, but relatively powerless outsiders like prisoners, racial or religious minorities, or gays and lesbians. Considering a 1994 appeal by an inmate facing execution, he detailed the brutality of the crime. How enviable a quiet death by lethal injection compared with that! he concluded. Time has not been kind to his ferocity: The inmate was later shown to be innocent and freed at last. When the Court struck down anti-gay sodomy laws in 2003, Scalia dissented: Many Americans do not want persons who openly engage in homosexual conduct as partners in their business, as scoutmasters for their children, as teachers in their childrens schools, or as boarders in their home. The reference to scoutmasters and teachers echoed popular fears of gays as child molesters and predators. In oral argument in the pending case of Fisher v. University of Texas, he mused aloud that African American students might do better at lesser schools and that perhaps the University of Texas ought to have fewer black students. It was a distortion of a serious theory of college admissions; it made headlines; and the wordsuttered from the bench of the same Court that decided Brown v. Board of Educationbrought gasps in the courtroom and pain in many who read him. In all, then, there is much in his legacy that I find somber. But as he passes from the scene he dominated, all should freely admit that his was a triumphant life, lived on its own terms and faithful to its own stern moral code. He fought for what he believed, and he leaves behind a world of law and constitutional interpretation forever changed. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Warren Strobel and Benet Koleka TIRANA, Albania(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stopped off in Albania on Sunday to encourage its leaders to complete anti-corruption measures that could improve its chances of joining the European Union. His visit, planned to last four hours, was shown live on television and crowds lined his route through the capital. Kerry met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as well as opposition leaders. The Balkan country is a close NATO ally, but has struggled to halt the intertwining of political and criminal power a generation after the end of Communism. The parliament in Tirana is weighing reforms, backed by the West, that include a new anti-corruption unit modeled after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. "The evidence is absolutely clear, and Albanians should be very pleased with the fact that your country is moving in the right direction. You're on the right track," Kerry said at an appearance with Rama after their meeting. "I know that it's tough to take on those who have become happy with a process of avoiding their shared responsibility," Kerry said, referring to corrupt individuals. The secretary of state's aides said he would push Albania's leaders to quickly complete the legislative reform package. Rama noted this year's 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Washington and told reporters: "Our joint goal, bearing in mind the direct implications the reform has for joining the European Union, is to vote the package of constitutional changes in parliament in March ... I'm fully confident that we shall succeed." In December, Albania's parliament voted to kick anyone with a criminal record out of politics and the state administration. Albania has received sustained U.S. economic assistance, including $20 million thus far to reform its judiciary and law enforcement. Tirana, in return, has frequently helped Washington with its foreign policy goals. Albania has given 15,000 tons of excess, Soviet-era ammunition to Kurdish fighters and Iraqi Security Forces battling Islamic State, a senior State Department official said. It has also contributed a small number of troops to Afghanistan, where Rama said they would remain "as long as it is deemed necessary." Kerry and Rama also planned to discuss efforts to deter people from leaving the Balkans to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. U.S. officials said Albania has cracked down on the flow, reporting 140 citizens who left to fight in the Middle East in 2013-2014, compared with none in recent months. (This version of the story corrects the length of the stay in paragraph two.) (Editing by Tom Heneghan) By Noah Barkin MUNICH (Reuters) - Germany, Europe's reluctant hegemon, is trying its best to lead in the face of multiple overlapping crises, but no one is following. That was a central message from this year's Munich Security Conference, an annual event where leaders and diplomats from Europe, the Middle East and the United States gather to debate the world's problems. It ended on Sunday on a far gloomier note than it started -- with doubts being cast over a fledgling truce plan for Syria, with Russia defiant and confrontational, and Berlin struggling to win over European allies in the refugee crisis. "You have leaders who are disconcerted and overwhelmed," said Constanze Stelzenmueller, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, describing this year's gathering as "oddly limp". "The lack of confidence is as pervasive as a damp fog. Germany is doing its best on the diplomatic front, but there is a real struggle to find pragmatic solutions and form effective coalitions." On the eve of the conference, a meeting of major powers hosted by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed to a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria, providing a glimmer of hope in a five-year war that has killed at least 250,000 people. But within hours, signatories to the deal itself were calling it into question. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the chances of it failing were greater than success, and made clear Moscow would not stop its air strikes in support of Syrian forces descending on the northern city of Aleppo. His remarks and those of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev appeared to dash hopes of a more constructive approach from Moscow. Medvedev warned of a new Cold War and evoked President Vladimir Putin's confrontational Munich speech of 2007, in which he accused the United States of a destructive drive to become the world's "one single master". "They were both here to deliver a telegram from Putin," said Francois Heisbourg, special adviser to the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research. "The message was: we don't take you seriously, and we're going to make life difficult for you 24/7." On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his German counterpart Steinmeier did their best to sound optimistic. But by Sunday, one of Chancellor Angela Merkel's senior conservative allies in parliament, Norbert Roettgen, was telling the audience that he had no faith that Russia would behave constructively in Syria, accusing Moscow of creating "facts on the ground" there to bolster its negotiating position. MORE LEADERSHIP Two years ago at this conference, Steinmeier, German President Joachim Gauck and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen all called for more active German leadership in foreign affairs, arguing that it was no longer acceptable to shy away from "Fuehrung" 70 years after the end of World War Two. Since then, Berlin has taken the diplomatic lead in the Ukraine crisis and agreed to join the fight against Islamic State through the provision of arms to the Kurds and military support to allies carrying out air strikes in Syria. But with a war-weary United States hesitant to become too entangled in Syria and anyway distracted by its own election campaign, Berlin is finding it difficult to forge consensus and looking more isolated than ever on its central objective -- to limit the flow of refugees into Europe from Syria and other troubled spots in the Middle East and Africa. In Munich, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls made clear his country would not take a single refugee more than the 30,000 Paris has already agreed to accept under a European Union pact. In a setback for Merkel, Valls also rejected the idea of a permanent mechanism for distributing refugees across Europe, a crucial plank of the German leader's push to convince Turkey to cooperate in stemming the flow of migrants. Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda made clear in Munich that Russian aggression was a far bigger priority for his country than refugees. The messages suggest that Merkel, whose popularity ratings have slid over her refugee policies ahead of three important state elections next month, may struggle to put together a convincing "coalition of the willing" in Europe to help her in the crisis. "Despite valiant attempts by both the German foreign and defense ministers to put the refugee crisis at the heart of debates here, the issue that tops all others is Syria," said Jan Techau, director of Carnegie Europe, who also attended the conference. Diplomats in Munich expressed doubts about the latest German initiative in the refugee crisis -- Merkel's push to have NATO ships patrol the Aegean Sea to help Turkey and Greece crack down on criminal networks smuggling refugees into Europe. "We're not sure how this will work," said one European diplomat. "It looks to me like Merkel just wants to show that Germany is not completely alone." Heisbourg described the NATO initiative as the latest attempt by Germany to push Europe in the direction it wants on the crisis, but predicted failure. "They are trying to set the agenda on their own terms but it's simply not working, it's a self-defeating approach," he said. (Reporting by Noah Barkin; editing by Giles Elgood) In what was a closely watched case, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a 35-foot protest-free zone outside abortion clinics in Massachusetts. The justices were unanimous in ruling that extending a buffer zone 35 feet from entrances to the clinics violates the First Amendment rights of protesters. Chief Justice John Roberts said authorities have less intrusive ways to deal with problems outside the clinics. While the court was unanimous in the outcome, Chief Justice John Roberts joined with the four liberal justices to strike down the buffer zone on narrow grounds. In a separate opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia criticized Roberts' opinion for carrying forward "this court's practice of giving abortion-rights advocates a pass when it comes to suppressing the free-speech rights of their opponents." The decision will further stoke the flames of an already contentious debate between the anti-abortion rights and pro-abortion rights camps. The Planned Parenthood Federation condemned the ruling, saying it reflects a troubling level of disregard for American women who should be able to make medical decisions without running into a gauntlet of harassing and threatening protesters, the organization said in a release. Todays ruling isnt the end of the story, said Martha Walz, CEO of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our patients and staff, and we will work with local law enforcement and elected officials to protect public safety. The Pro-Life Action League celebrated the court's decision. The pro-life community sees this as a real vindication of the right to peaceful counseling," Eric Scheidler, executive director of Pro Life Action League, told Al Jazeera. "We see this as an opportunity to encourage more people to engage in sidewalk counseling, reaching out to abortion clients so they can choose life. The case came to be after Boston-area grandmother Eleanor McCullen and other abortion opponents sued over the limits on their activities at Planned Parenthood health centers in Boston, Springfield and Worcester. At the latter two sites, the protesters say they have little chance of reaching patients arriving by car because they must stay 35 feet from the entrance to those buildings' parking lots. Planned Parenthood provides health exams for women, cancer screenings, tests for sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and abortions at its clinics. The organization said that the buffer zone has significantly reduced the harassment of patients and clinic employees. Before the 35-foot zone went into effect in 2007, protesters could stand next to the entrances and force patients to squeeze by, Planned Parenthood said. Before 2007, a floating buffer zone kept protesters from approaching unwilling listeners any closer than 6 feet if they were within 18 feet of the clinic. The floating zone was modeled after a Colorado law that the Supreme Court upheld. Although that decision was not called into question in Thursday's ruling, Scalia stated in his concurrence that it should be overruled. "Protecting people from speech they do not want to hear is not a function that the First Amendment allows the government to undertake in the public streets and sidewalks," Scalia said, referring to the Colorado law. Clinic officials said they are most concerned about safety because of past incidents of violence. In 1994, a gunman killed two receptionists and wounded five employees and volunteers at a Planned Parenthood facility and another abortion clinic in nearby Brookline. The most recent killing was in 2009, when Dr. George Tiller, who performed abortions, was shot in a church in Wichita, Kan. Abortion protesters said that other state and federal laws already protect health center workers and patients, as well as access to clinics. "The kind of activities that they are pointing to are already addressed by other state and federal statutes," Scheidler said, adding, "The fact is the justices ruled unanimously that sidewalk counseling is lawful. To infringe on the right to peaceful protest is simply wrong." Meanwhile the nations premier First Amendment organization notably took a more reserved stance in response to the decision. While agreeing with the holding that fixed buffer zones impose First Amendment costs, the American Civil Liberties Union took issue with the nine justices "underestimation" of the proven difficulty of protecting the rights of women seeking abortions. Todays opinion makes it more important than ever that the police enforce the laws that do exist that in order to ensure that women and staff can safely enter and leave abortion clinics, the ACLU said, noting that it was a hard case for the court. Al Jazeera and the Associated Press Justice Antonin Scalia was known for his well-written Supreme Court opinions and his obscure word choices. On the anniversay of his passing last year, heres a look at some Scaliaisms that remain with us today. The ever-quotable Justice gave a lengthy interview to New York magazine in 2013, where he stumped writer Jennifer Senior with the word ukase in the following exchange about the power of the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. Scalia said such a decision was not at the ukase of a Supreme Court. When Seniors response was simply, What? the Justice spelled out the word and defined it like a Spelling Bee judge. U-K-A-S-E. Yeah. I think thats how you say it. Its a mandate. A decree, Scalia said. And the Justice was correct. The Merriam-Webster definition of ukase is a proclamation by a Russian emperor or government having the force of law. In past years, Scalia had befuddled some observers and delighted Scrabble fans and word geeks with two other word choices. In his DOMA dissent, Scalia categorized the majority opinion, which struck down DOMA, as legalistic argle-bargle. Ben Zimmer, who writes about words and language for The Wall Street Journal and produces Visual Thesaurus and Vocabulary.com, carefully explained the origins of argle-bargle on the Visual Thesaurus blog in June as a description of a verbal dispute or a wrangling argument. Zimmer also acknowledged he wasnt that familiar with the word choice that Scalia used. Another term used by Scalia has a bigger following on the Internet but is still not used in popular conversation: panopticon. In his dissent in Maryland v. King, a case about taking DNA samples from arrest suspects, Scalia warned of the dangers of a genetic panopticon. Scalia was alluding to a plan from 1791 from Jeremy Bentham to build a prison called the panopticon that would allow guards to see prisoners at all times, while the prisoners could never see their guards. Story continues Thats not the first time Scalia had talked about the use of historic architecture. Back in 2000 in Dickerson v. U.S., Scalia lamented about a ruling that converts Miranda from a milestone of judicial overreaching into the very Cheops Pyramid (or perhaps the Sphinx would be a better analogue) of judicial arrogance. In one of his early dissents, Johnson v. Transportation Agency in 1987, Scalia quoted Shakespeare, using an exchange from Henry IV to speak about spirits from the vasty deep. And there was the historic battle in 2009 involving Scalia and a presenting lawyer over the use of the word choate in a case argument. Randolph Barnhouse was arguing about a choate interest in property. There is no such adjective, Scalia said. I know we have used it, but there is no such adjective as choate. There is inchoate, but the opposite of inchoate is not choate. In a 2010 New York Times story, Zimmer explained it wasnt the first time that Scalia took an attorney for using choate in his courtroom. In 1992, another attorney took a Scalia upbraiding during oral arguments for using the word. But Scalia wasnt always been on the positive side of a word-choice critique. No less an authority than William Safire investigated Scalias claims about the usage of the word modify, which was at the center of majority decision Scalia wrote in MCI v. AT&T in 1994. Safire examined the arguments in the court of grammatical opinion in a column called Scalia v. Merriam-Webster. In his opinion, Scalia said that MCI had misused the word modify and he pointed to the Merriam-Webster definition as supporting his case. Safire contacted the dictionarys editor in chief, who said Scalia didnt exactly interpret the definition correctly. I regret having to say that Judge Scalia is in error on this matter, but at least he has the satisfaction of knowing that his error is not reversible by a higher court, said Frederick C. Mish. At 8 years old, I nervously stood in a third-grade classroom listening to the two black women standing over me. One was Lillie Costin, not only the first black teacher I ever had, but the first black teacher Id ever seen. The other was my mother, who told Costin, Teddy is smart and well-behaved, but dont hesitate to pop him if he acts up. CostinGod bless ertold my mother she would keep an eye on me. And then, as I sheepishly took my seat among the gaggle of my new giggling classmates, the two ladies exchanged The Look. In the simplest terms, The Look is unspoken dialogue that confirms both sides are, as black parishioners often say, on one accord. In my case, it was a mothers plea and a sisters promise to pay special attention to this child and not allow him to get lost in the system. It wasnt an agreement for favoritism; it was a pact to stay particularly attuned to my development and ensure I was not shut out from any opportunity. They both knew that no one understands the plight of a black student better than a black teacher. Recommended: The Many Heresies of Donald Trump In 2008, when then-Senator Barack Obama rode the highest black voter turnout in U.S. history to the White House, black voters felt The Look had been exchanged. It was the electoral version of what happened that morning in third-grade. African American voters, frustrated by the governments lack of responsiveness to decades of socioeconomic disparities, felt that a black president could give them special attention and understand black Americas grievances better than any other. They didnt assume, much less expect or desire, that Obamas election would translate into a glut of administrative and legislative actions geared toward black people. It wasnt favoritism African Americans sought; they simply wanted an acknowledgement that structural racism is real and some executive resolve to address it from the first president to have experienced it firsthand. But things havent gone quite as they had hoped. And frustration has given rise to a new generation of black voters and activists, a generation who uses more overt and dynamic techniques to influence the political agenda. It all started with an unprecedented connection to the presidency, which galvanized black voters. They followed 2008s groundbreaking turnout with a higher participation rate in 2012, hand carrying Obamas reelection to a second term. And even now, though Obamas presidency has been filled with actions that seem to deliberately distance the Oval Office from any perceptions of racial nepotismsuch as, Im not the president of black America or Nobody cares if you suffered some discriminationblack voters remain the presidents staunchest ally. Yet, African Americans have sensed that the presidents practicality was crowding out the promise. Obamas hesitancy to make the causes and concerns of black Americans central tenets of his presidency became more apparent. And though the president has certainly been bolder in his lame-duck years, the die has been cast. The welled-up hope that racism would be a presidential priority and undergo an incremental process of amelioration began to slowly dissipate in the face of politics as usual and a particularly uncooperative relationship between the executive and legislative branches. Unquestionably, his agenda helpedObamacare increased their access to health insurance, the Recovery Act stemmed the recession, and more blacks are working againbut these are rising-tides-lift-all-boats actions that did little to reduce systemic disparities. Black Americans understood that Obamas maneuverability and political capital were limited, and they knew all too well that his race was a factor in the constraints he faced, but that was all of little consolation when their policy concerns went unaddressed. When it came to racial inequalities, Obamas pragmatism equaled the status quonot a good look. Recommended: The Remarkable Life of Antonin Scalia This realization has fueled frustrations and energized an already spirited African American constituency to take actions to exert external pressure on the political system, subsequently emboldening civic engagement. Rephrasing Martin Luther Kings famous justification of Why We Cant Wait, young African Americans are declaring, We wont wait. * * * The next iteration of black political behavior is here. In 1993, Harvard professor Katherine Tate argued in her book From Protest to Politics: The New Black Voters in American Elections that Jesse Jacksons 1984 and 1988 presidential candidacies activated African Americans to identify and support leaders who could advance black Americas political aims through elected office. This was a marked shift from the Civil Rights era, when protest was the primary vehicle for enacting policy demands. Black voter participation rates and Obamas elections are proof that Tates thesis was correct. Post-Obama, however, the allure of an elected official, even a black one, to effect change has worn off. Protest politics are returning to center stage. The nation is witnessing the emergence of a post-Obama black electorate. It is a constituency that has grown impatient with elected officials generational promises that their programs will eventually pull blacks from the doldrums of society into a fairer America where opportunity is accessible and hard work is rewarded equally. To combat institutional lethargy, this wave of young people is employing a variety of tacticsfrom protest to pop cultureto influence the political agenda. They are the offspring of six decades of activism, growing voting power, and increased intra-racial class diversity. Recommended: Why Ted Cruz's Preemptive Rejection of a Supreme Court Nominee Is Illegitimate The post-Obama blocs urgency for action is clear. African Americans are sick of the unemployment rate being perpetually twice the rate of whites. They are tired of poverty touching more black children while declining for other groups. They are sick of black neighborhoods being patrolled by battle-ready police. They are tired of rights and opportunity being held from them just because of their race, whether its new voter-identification laws that complicate access to the ballot or the persistence of employment, rental, and housing discrimination due to black skin and a black-sounding name. Plus, with health care increasingly inaccessible and health outcomes tragically worse for African Americans, they are literally sick and tired. If recent trends are sufficient indication, the post-Obama black electorate will probably be characterized by three things: stratified voter participation, increased reliance on alternative methods of political pressure, and initial signs of growing partisan and political diversity. The new black electorate is fired up and ready to go, but the ballot box may not be the destination it once was. Though overall black voter participation increased between 2008 and 2012, Obamas reelection came courtesy of African Americans over 45 years old. But for blacks born in the late 1980s onward, their turnout dropped nearly 7 percent in that same period, marking the first time that has occurred in decades. At the macro level, its evident that the Civil Rights generation and their oldest children value the power of voting differently than black Millennials, who are less interested in conforming to traditional institutional and power structures. This stratification is paralleled in different ways, including partisan affiliation, religiosity, and marital rates. As a result, older blacks are more likely to rely on the vote to bring about policy change, whereas young voters place less confidence in electoral strategies. In the short-term, this may translate to an overall drop in black voter participation rates. But decreased voter turnout should not be mistaken for disinterest. * * * The post-Obama bloc employs a different strategy to bring about changeone rooted in creativity and energy. It is because of them that Black Lives Matter exists. Their hunger strike and protest at the University of Missouri, emblematic of campus protests across the country, accomplished what complaints to the state legislature and the board of directors could not. In South Carolina, one of them yanked the states Confederate battle flag off the pole before the governor officially took it down. Another wrote a reparations article that created a national conversationsomething that a congressmans annual reintroduction of House Resolution 40 could not. Together, and in front of a polarized nation, they have compelled the president to directly address their concerns, from Trayvon Martins death to the lack of diversity at the Oscars. And after releasing an unapologetically black new music video, Beyonce put on the most powerful display of black femininity the Super Bowl has ever seen, and black lives dominated the news cycle yet again. These devices have been successful in getting specific issues of concern into the national conversation and onto the federal agenda with more urgency than their forebears. The post-Obama black electorate is also the most diverse black electorate the nation has ever seen. As the black American experience becomes more nuanced due to a wider mix of income, education, housing, geography, and a number of other socioeconomic indicators within the group, the electorates policy views have become more varied and complex. This, coupled with exasperation with electoral politics, has revealed that many blacks are beginning to feel like a people without a party. As Ive previously written, the intra-racial diversity of lived experiences is exposing fault lines between blacks and the Democratic Party. This is evident in how Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have been more vigorously challenged on race issues than in past election cycles. Moreover, more black Republicans are running for national office: Half of the newest black members of Congress are Republicans, and more black Republicans have run for the presidency since 2000 than black Democrats. In 2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney nearly doubled the percentage of black Republican votes compared with McCain in 2008. And new research shows that some segments of the black electorate are beginning to prioritize their self-interests over the groups well-beinga departure from the black voting canon. So what does all this mean for 2016? It wont take long to find out. The first substantial glimpse of the post-Obama black electorate will occur when South Carolinas African American voters head to the polls for the states open-primary elections this month. Will turnout be high with diverse support? Which black emissaries will the campaigns employ (Jesse Jackson? Tim Scott? Al Sharpton? Cornel West?)? Will Black Lives Matter or some other entity force the candidates to talk about Mother Emmanuel, Walter Scott, and delicate policy solutions in front of the home crowd? What is certain is that the new black electorate is here and demanding to be heard. It is visible in the streets; online; in social, cultural, and news media; and in the shifting demographics that have increased black political power. The resulting political hybrid is an evolutionary adaptation that strategically positions black America to exert serious influence on national politics for years to come. Call it The New Look. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. Once upon a time, comics created for women were built around plots of women finding love, usually with a stable, square-jawed fella. The stories in midcentury series like Young Romance and Secret Hearts were more about reinforcing what women were supposed to want than in exploring fantasy. Fresh Romance, a monthly series of romance comics thats just published its sixth issue, is the modern eras counter to such gendered relics and a reminder that theres nothing wrong with telling love stories, just with expecting every story to look the same. Readers pay $4 per issue or $63 for a yearlong subscription. Each of the three ongoing stories are served up in bite-size pieces you have to wait a month between servings and range from a regency-era romance to a supernatural prep-school melodrama. One big difference from the original romance comics: Fresh Romance covers protagonists of all races and orientations, which got the series a nomination for a Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics this week. Theyre fascinating and ridiculous and gorgeous and infuriating and fun as hell, and I love them with a passion. Sarah Vaughn, writer The Kickstarter-funded project, which was pitched as a progressive take on the classic formula, is unabashedly all about the sap. For Sarah Vaughn, who writes the anthologys historical drama comic Ruined, romance comics are an old obsession. Ive been collecting vintage romance comics since I was 16, she says. Theyre fascinating and ridiculous and gorgeous and infuriating and fun as hell, and I love them with a passion. So when publisher Janelle Asselin asked Vaughn to pitch Ruined as a comic story rather than the novel it started out as, it was a fairy tale as fulfilling as anything out of Secret Hearts. To be sure, romance comics werent exactly dead Japanese comics, for example, never really stopped addressing matters of the heart. But even in Western culture, romance comics may have had their chance and whiffed it. American comics production and distribution mechanisms froze tween girls out, says author and critic Douglas Wolk, and those girls found other media that better spoke to them. Romance comics havent seen any big revival outside of Fresh Romance. Story continues Its tempting for women who love comics to dismiss romance comics as sexist claptrap. While mixing in advice columns and deep dives into the projects design, Fresh Romance is an unfamiliar feminist artifact, one unabashedly in love with love, and that refuses to apologize for it. But part of being a feminist is realizing that stuff traditionally coded for women isnt necessarily worse, and that everyone can enjoy a good love story. The episodic structure and the will-they-or-wont-they-or-maybe-they-will-again that energizes most irresistible love stories is what keeps readers coming back. Related Articles Argentinas Lucia Puenzo, one of Latin Americas most notable distaff directors (XXY, The Fish Child), will make her French-language debut helming Barbe Bleue, inspired by Amelie Nothombs 2012 novel and set in a modern-day Paris, including the restoration vaults of the Louvre. Written by Puenzo and Sergio Bizzi, Barbe Bleue is produced by Luis and Lucia Puenzo at Argentinas Historias Cinematograficas and Francis Boespflug and Stephane Parthenay at Paris-based Pyramide Productions. Following on The German Doctor, about a young girls fascination with Nazi criminal Josef Mengele, Barbe Bleue turns on the growing attraction of Severine, who restores paintings at the Louvre, with fifty-something Elemerio, who rents her a suspiciously cheap room in a luxurious Paris mansion. Saturnine falls under his spell he offers her the chance to restore Waterhouses Hylas and the Nymphs, which he stolen. They become lovers. But she also investigates, like a detective in her own horror film, per Puenzo, the fates of other young women who once lived in the mansion, battles to bring Elemerio into the modern world and save him from himself. I want to narrate in a microscopic manner how someone can fall in love with a person although they sense theyre dangerous, Puenzo commented, calling Barbe Bleu a mixture of elements from a fable, the sinister and a genre film. The apartment, the locations, the Louvre, A character who looks like hes from another planet: Rather like David Finchers films, Barbe Bleue, suggests theres a danger, we just dont know where, Boefsplug added. Puenzo is currently writing a new screenplay draft. Producers are in discussions with potential cast, per Parthenay. Barbe Bleue is scheduled to go into production in September/October, shooting, among other locations, in the Louvres real restoration rooms. Luis Puenzo won an Academy Award for The Official Story; Pyramide Productions co-produced The Barbarian Invasions, another Oscar winner. Story continues Related stories BERLIN: TrustNordisk Inks Deals On 'The Model,' 'Magnus,' 'Pyromaniac' Berlin: Fest Retrospective Focuses on German Cinema in 1966 Berlin: Culinary Cinema Serves Up Tasty Films Stockholm (AFP) - A man was shot and critically injured at a pro-Kurdish rally in a Stockholm suburb at the weekend, police said on Sunday. Organisers of the event said the incident in the suburb of Fittja on Saturday had a "political motive" but did not elaborate. Police spokeswoman Ewa Nilsson told AFP the victim was in critical condition, adding that the assailant fled by car and was still at large. Local media reported that the victim, described by the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper as a 52-year-old Kurdish man, was in a minibus covered in Kurdish flags that was following the march when he was shot. "This is a direct attack against the protesters, against the Kurds," one of the rally organisers was quoted as saying by Swedish news agency TT. There are about 170,000 Kurds in Sweden, which has a total population of 9.8 million. After profiling renowned chefs in its 2015 series "Chef's Table," Netflix is heading back into the culinary world with "Cooked," which airs February 19. This four-episode docuseries is based on the book of the same name by Michael Pollan. The American food writer's onscreen adaptation looks at the ancient culinary traditions that have shaped human lives and how these are under threat from the modern food industry. "When we learned to cook is when we became truly human," says American activist Michael Pollan, author of the 2013 book "Cooked: A Natural Industry of Transformation." Like the book, his upcoming Netflix docuseries will be split into four parts, each examining one of the four elements -- fire, water, air and earth -- and the different culinary practices and traditions associated with them. The presenter starts off with fire, meeting an Aboriginal tribe in Australia and exploring barbecue cooking techniques and how these relate to ancient culinary practices. For the water episode, Michael Pollan heads to India and looks at food processing methods. Bread and gluten are examined in the episode on air, while the earth-based installment examines fermentation methods. As well as visiting an Aboriginal tribe, "Cooked" sees Pollan meet an American nun making traditional French cheese and Peruvian brewers using human saliva to ferment beer. Outlining and investigating these historical traditions has led Michael Pollan to believe that modern consumers have lost touch with how food got to their plates. He is also critical of the food industry for trying to deliberately dismantle the culture of home cooking. The series has been produced by Alex Gibney, winner of the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2008 with "Taxi to the Dark Side." Check out the series trailer here: https://youtu.be/epMAq5WYJk4 Washington (AFP) - President Barack Obama should not nominate a successor to fill the critical vacancy in the US Supreme Court left by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia's death, the Senate Republican majority leader said Saturday. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," Mitch McConnell said in a statement, referring to the upcoming November general election. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." McConnell mourned the loss of "an unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans," referring to Scalia's fidelity to the US Constitution. "Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning of the Constitution," McConnell added. Republicans, who control both houses of Congress, are eager to prevent Obama, a Democrat, from pushing through in the final year of his term a nomination that could tip the balance of the court from a conservative majority to a liberal one. McConnell's Democratic counterpart Harry Reid pressed instead for Obama to send a nominee to the Senate "right away." Reid said it would be "shameful" for the chamber to fail to confirm a replacement before the next US president is sworn in, in January 2017. "There is no doubt Justice Antonin Scalia was a brilliant man. We had our differences and I disagreed with many of his opinions, but he was a dedicated jurist and public servant," Reid said. "The president can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities." According to the Congressional Research Service, the average number of days from a president's nomination of a Supreme Court justice candidate to a final Senate vote has been 67 days, or a little more than two months, for the past four decades. MUNICH (Reuters) - Fighters for the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram have been trained in Somalia on Africa's eastern coast before returning to West Africa, Somalia's president told a security conference in Germany on Sunday. Somalia, plagued by political in-fighting, corruption and attacks by al Shabaab insurgents, has recently made limited progress towards creating a functioning political system, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said. "Without a stable Somalia, the whole region of the Horn of Africa will remain unstable and by and large, the African continent. There are proofs and evidence that (for) some time Boko Haram has been trained in Somalia and they went back to Nigeria," he said. "The terrorists are so linked together, they are associated and so organised, (that) we the world we need to be so organised," he said, speaking in English. It was not clear from his comments whether he believed al Shabaab was still training Boko Haram fighters, who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. Somalia's al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda and wants to overthrow the Somali government and impose a harsh version of Islamic law, claimed responsibility for a blast this month that punched a hole in the fuselage of a plane. (Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Ros Russell) "That wealth which tastes of pain, bitterness and suffering. This is the bread that a corrupt family or society gives its own children," the pope said at the Mass in the city of Ecatepec. Mexico is home to one of the worlds richest men, billionaire Carlos Slim, and a wealthy political class stained by corruption even as much of the country is steeped in poverty and violence. A gritty expanse of cinder block homes north of the Mexican capital, Ecatepec has seen a surge in crime in recent years as it expanded to cover surrounding hillsides and became infested with warring drug cartels. Fueled by a weak economy and youth unemployment, gang violence has driven Ecatepec's murder rate to one of Mexico's highest. It is also notorious for the unsolved murders of women, whose bodies have been found abandoned in garbage dumps and tossed in a canal only miles from where Francis will speak on Sunday. "We are living through a period of great violence ... May [the pope] give us strength to continue to bear this, to keep struggling against it," said Maria Dolores Angeles Martinez, a 26-year-old housewife from Ecatepec, wearing a T-shirt welcoming Francis. Across the country, more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade and some 26,000 are missing. President Enrique Pena Nieto has failed to significantly curb the bloodshed, with murders rising last year after falling early in his term. Before becoming president, Pena Nieto was governor of the State of Mexico that is the home to Ecatepec. In the second half of his 2005-2011 term as governor, the murders of women doubled. Corruption and incompetence are rampant in underfunded police forces across Mexico. The vast majority of murders are never solved and family members complain authorities show little interest in the cases of the missing. Unlike his predecessor Pope Benedict, who visited Mexico's conservative heartland in 2012, Francis is stopping in some of the country's most troubled corners on his first trip as pontiff. He will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico's poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state where drug gangs and armed vigilante groups have waged a bloody conflict. The pope will end his trip in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will address the tide of illegal immigration into the United States, meet relatives of victims of violence, and visit a prison. On Saturday, he spoke out against endemic corruption in a speech before Pena Nieto and political elites. Pena Nieto's government has drawn criticism for failing to go after corrupt politicians, even those indicted in the United States. He, his wife and his finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict-of-interest scandals over houses purchased from government contractors. Addressing Mexico's bishops on Saturday, Francis exhorted them to speak out more boldly against drug traffickers, calling the drug trade a social cancer eating away at the country. Reuters Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - President Barack Obama said he would name a new Supreme Court justice to replace Antonin Scalia, slapping down Republican demands for a delay and setting up a monumental election-year fight. "I plan to fulfil my constitutional responsibilities," Obama said Saturday, rejecting a chorus of right wing demands that he leave Scalias replacement to his successor. The conservative justice, appointed to the lifetime post in 1986 by president Ronald Reagan, died unexpectedly in Texas on Saturday, 11 months before the end of Obama's term. He was 79. Scalia was a dependable conservative vote on the bench, opposing gay marriage, abortion and expanded healthcare. Until Scalia's death the nine-member court had five conservative justices and four liberals. With Scalia gone conservatives and liberals are equally balanced. The prospect that Obama would name a liberal replacement decisively tipping the court balance has turbocharged an already divisive presidential election campaign. Obama has already appointed two liberal Supreme Court justices, and a third would make him the most consequential president for the court since Reagan. History would suggest that he will announce his choice within weeks. - Senate approval needed - The nominee would then go to the Republican-controlled Senate, where the candidate would need support from a majority of senators for confirmation. Obama could choose a political centrist in the hope of winning over four Republican senators, enough to secure confirmation assuming all 44 Democrats and two independents also back his choice. The US vice president would cast a deciding vote if needed. Alternatively, Obama could nominate a more ideological figure that rallies the Democratic base but has no chance of being confirmed. Republican leaders have made it clear they have no intention of approving Obamas choice. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," the Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement. Story continues "This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." The US presidential election is set for November 8, and the next president takes office in early January. Under this scenario the Supreme Court would be one justice short for about a year. - A "do nothing" Congress? - Republicans' most likely first line of defense is the Senate Judiciary Committee, which considers the nominee before the full Senate. Committee chairman Chuck Grassley faces reelection in November, along with two other Republicans, meaning their actions will be under fierce scrutiny by Republican voters. A misstep could result in a right-wing challenger entering the race. If Republicans are determined torpedo Obama's nominee, the committee may simply offer no opinion. Previous Supreme Court nominations have withered as the committee has refused to act, leaving the process stuck. If that happens, Obama indicated his willingness to put Republicans before the court of public opinion. Obama's White House has long sought to paint the Republican-controlled legislature as a "do nothing" Congress. Months of White House hectoring about inaction over something as important as the Supreme Court could find favor with voters, many of whom already have a low opinion of lawmakers. Insisting there was plenty of time for the Senate to consider his pick, Obama urged lawmakers to take their responsibilities seriously. "Theyre bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy. They're about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life, and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our Founders envisioned," he told reporters. If hearings are held, all eyes will be on Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz, a Senate Judiciary Committee member who clerked at the Supreme Court and whose profile could be significantly boosted by raking the nominee over the coals. That could also result in the nominee withdrawing. George W. Bush nominee Harriet Miers withdrew her name following intense scrutiny and criticism. - High stakes - The Supreme Court has played a major role in US politics in recent years. The court halted a fiercely contested ballot recount in Florida in the 2000 presidential election, resulting in Republican George W. Bush taking office over Democrat Al Gore. More recently it paved the way for non-governmental groups to pour money into election campaigns. Last week the court with Scalias backing froze the implementation of a major White House effort to cut carbon emissions, after a Republican legal challenge. If the Republicans thwart all of Obama's efforts to appoint a new justice, and controversial legal cases that reach the Supreme Court end in a 4-4 decision, then lower court rulings stand. That could have deep ramifications for cases coming before the court, which include a full hearing on the emissions reductions to immigration orders. Athens (AFP) - Greek riot police fired tear gas on Sunday at demonstrators protesting against the development of a centre to house migrants on the tourist island of Kos, officials said. About 2,000 people joined a rally against the so-called "hotspot" centre being built on the Aegean island despite the opposition of local residents and the mayor, fearful of the effect on the vital tourism industry. Riot police fired tear gas to disperse several dozen protesters who tried to break in to the construction site about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the port of Kos, the island's deputy mayor David Gerasklis told AFP, confirming media reports. The protest followed a rally last Wednesday in the port which drew about 1,000 people. "The number of demonstrators Sunday was bigger than on Wednesday, about 2,000 people," said Gerasklis. Greece has pledged to build five "hotspots" to house and process migrants on the islands of Kos as well as Chios, Leros, Lesbos and Samos. Situated just a few kilometres from the Turkish coast, the scenic tourist idylls have become the gateway to Europe for tens of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in hope of a better life. EU member states last week gave Brussels a three-month deadline to remedy "deficiencies" in controlling the influx of migrants, or effectively face suspension from the 28-nation bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, held talks with Greek premier Alexis Tsipras in Athens and agreed on the need to work "efficiently" to clamp down on migrant traffickers. Koenders said he wants to work to improve cooperation and coordination between EU countries to ease the migrant crisis gripping the continent. Montreal (AFP) - A police officer was killed while responding to a domestic dispute in the Canadian province of Quebec by a suspected gunman who likely committed suicide, authorities said Sunday. The incident happened in the aboriginal community of Lac Simon in the west of the largely French-speaking province. Two officers were responding to a call about a dispute at a home late Saturday, when one of them was fatally wounded by at least one shot fired in their direction, Sergeant Benoit Coutu of Quebec's provincial police told AFP. The suspected shooter was later found dead in the home, after "in all likelihood turning the gun on himself," Coutu said. Last month, a shooting in the small aboriginal community of La Loche in the western province of Saskatchewan left four people dead. The 17-year-old shooter went on a rampage at the local high school, killing two teachers. Two teenage brothers were also killed at their nearby home. A Filipino priest studying in Rome gifted Pope Francis with a doll that resembles the pontiff in Romes cathedral last Thursday. Fr. Robert Young presented the Lolo Kiko doll to Pope Francis at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, according to CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. A photo posted on the Facebook page of Vatican Radio shows Pope Francis delighted while holding the doll given by Young. Lolo Kiko was the nickname given by Filipinos to Pope Francis when he visited the Philippines in January last year. Young, who is taking up his Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, said he took the opportunity to give the doll to the 79-year-old pontiff. Young said he had to cross security lines to be able to get near the pope. The pontiff visited the cathedral for the annual meeting with the Roman clergy. After his speech, Pope Francis excused himself as he had to prepare for his apostolic visit to Mexico. When the pontiff was walking down from the platform, Young ran and shouted Santo Padre. The priest approached Pope Francis and said in Italian, Heres a gift for you, made in the Philippines by a friend of mine. The pope smiled and replied: Oh Lolo Kiko! Is it for me? I said, yes and he replied, grazie, Young, who belongs to the Prelature of Batanes, said. Although it was just a brief encounter, the priest said it would be a lifetime memory for him. I was so happy. Pope Francis remembers the Philippines so well with Lolo Kiko. It was a once in a lifetime experience. It may not happen to me again, Young said. He said the doll came from a friend in Manila, who made the Lolo Kiko dolls as souvenirs for the papal visit. Evelyn Macairan By Philip Pullella and Gabriel Stargardter MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis called on Mexico's government on Saturday to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and he then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country - the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis." Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. "Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death," the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, government ministers and foreign diplomats. He said Mexico's leaders have a "particular duty" to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. The pope later celebrated mass at the vast Basilica of our Lady Of Guadalupe. Some 5,000 mostly well-heeled spectators gathered inside the church, while at least five times as many spectators gathered outside under the beating sun. Francis had said he yearned to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America, and to reflect silently in front of her image. "'Don't be afraid,' that is what she tells me," the pope said ahead of his visit. While inside a small niche behind the altar to venerate the icon, he lost his balance and fell back into a chair, causing the crowd to gasp, although it did not seem serious. After praying for about 20 minutes, the 79-year-old pope, who suffers from sciatica in one leg, stood up and walked out. 'BAD, CORRUPT, CRIMINALS' Carrying pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, thousands converged on the basilica, many in family groups, some clutching coveted tickets to enter inside. Guadalupe Nava, a 23-year-old lawyers, said the pope should ask the Virgin "to intercede for us, to put love in the hearts of those who are bad, the corrupt officials and the criminals." In his three years as pope, Francis has repeatedly told political leaders as well as senior figures inside his own Church to do better, and earlier this month he urged Mexicans to fight against corruption and brutal drug gang violence. Some Mexicans are looking to him to take that even further while he's here. The country is still reeling from the abduction and apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers by a drug gang in league with police in late 2014. The pope appeared to refer to them in his homily on Saturday, speaking of "children leaving, becoming lost or even being taken by criminals." He has also taken a stand for migrants around the world, making it a central issue of his papacy, and he will end his visit to Mexico in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will meet relatives of victims of violence. Speaking in his native Spanish before bishops inside Mexico City's main cathedral earlier on Saturday, the Argentine-born pontiff urged religious leaders to do more to help migrants, "pouring balm on their injured feet" through social and charity programs. "Brothers, may your hearts be capable of following these men and women and reaching them beyond the borders," he said, calling on Mexico's Church to strengthen its ties to the U.S. episcopate. From the U.S. border to the indigenous south, Francis will visit some of Mexico's poorest and most violent corners on his five-day trip. He will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico's poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state that has been plagued by violence between drug gangs and armed vigilante groups. In Juarez, he will also visit a prison. In a reminder of Mexico's corruption and violence, 49 people were killed in a fight between rival gangs in a prison just days before the pope's arrival. (Additional reporting by David Alire Garcia, Noe Torres, Anahi Rama and Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by Simon Gardner; Editing by Anna Yukhananov and Kieran Murray) Ecatepec (Mexico) (AFP) - Pope Francis waded into one of Mexico's most dangerous cities on Sunday to celebrate an open-air mass with more than 300,000 Catholic faithful longing for a message of peace. Throngs lined the concrete-laden streets of Ecatepec, whose walls were decorated with graffiti art featuring the pope's image, to cheer the pontiff on the second full day of a trip that will take him to other Mexican hotspots. The rough Mexico City suburb of 1.6 million people has become infamous for a spate of disappearances of women, whose bodies have turned up in abandoned lots or canals. The city lies in the populous state of Mexico, where some 600 women have been killed between January 2014 and September 2015, according to the non-governmental National Citizen Observatory of Femicides. The 79-year-old Argentine pontiff arrived from Mexico City by helicopter after flying over the majestic Moon and Sun pyramids of the pre-Columbian city of Teotihuacan. Thousands of pilgrims spent the night outdoors, wrapping themselves in blankets and using cardboard as makeshift tents against freezing temperatures on the field where the mass will be held. Many said that despite the city's bad reputation, they were not concerned about sleeping outside. Hundreds of police officers stood guard around the field. "We know that Ecatepec has a lot of problems like the lack of security and kidnappings," said Rodrigo Perez, a 25-year-old public security student. But the pope's visit, he said, is a chance to "talk about peace and unity." - 'Prophetic courage' - The Argentine-born pontiff made it clear before his arrival in Mexico that he would speak out about the corruption and crime afflicting parts of the country. He used his visit to the National Palace and the capital's cathedral on Saturday to bluntly tell political and religious leaders to provide Mexicans with "true justice" and combat drug violence with "prophetic courage." Story continues Many Mexicans, fed up with a decade of drug violence that has left 100,000 dead or missing, had hoped to hear such words from the 79-year-old pontiff. Pope Francis has chosen to visit some of Mexico's most troubled regions during his five-day trip to the world's second most populous Catholic country. The crimes against women in the state of Mexico, which surrounds the capital, prompted the federal government to declare a "gender violence alert" requiring protective measures in 11 towns, including Ecatepec. - Faith in God - "People who kill or who are wicked should think about the fact that we are women and that we should be respected," said Mariana Virginia Hernandez, 45, who came from the neighboring state of Hidalgo for the mass and wore several sweaters and a poncho due to the cold. Ana Yeli Perez, legal adviser at the National Citizen Observatory of Femicides, said the organization is "concerned about the lack of visibility of the issue because the government controls it. We hope the pope speaks about it." But Karla Paola Romero, a 21-year-old activist who was nearly kidnapped three years ago, said gender violence would not be resolved "with a miracle." Romero, who will not be at the mass, spoke near a hill where a woman's body was found in December. The victim had been raped and hanged. The pope will face other tough issues during his trip. On Monday, Pope Francis will travel to Mexico's poorest and least Catholic region, the southern indigenous state of Chiapas. On Tuesday, he will visit the capital of Michoacan, a western state where farms formed vigilante forces to counter a drug cartel in 2013. The pope caps his trip in Mexico's former murder capital, Ciudad Juarez, for a mass that will straddle the US-Mexico border to highlight the plight of migrants. Ecatepec (Mexico) (AFP) - Pope Francis urged Mexicans to reject the devil and build a nation free of "merchants of death" during an open-air mass with 300,000 people in a crime-ridden city. The pontiff used the service in Ecatepec, a rough Mexico City suburb, to touch on two major themes of his trip to Mexico -- drug violence and the plight of migrants. The pope urged his flock to turn Mexico into a "land of opportunity," where "there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream" and where they will "not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the merchants of death." Ecatepec, a city of 1.6 million people, has become infamous for a spate of disappearances of women, whose bodies have turned up in abandoned lots or canals, prompting authorities to declare a "gender violence alert" last year. The city lies in the populous state of Mexico, where some 600 women have been killed between January 2014 and September 2015, according to the non-governmental National Citizen Observatory of Femicides. Francis urged the faithful to resist the three temptations of Christ -- vanity, pride and wealth. "Brothers and sisters, let's get this into our heads: You can't talk with the devil. You can't talk with him because he will always defeat us," the 79-year-old emphasized. "Only the word of God can defeat him." - 'Too many kidnappings' - Throngs lined the streets of Ecatepec, where walls were decorated with graffiti art featuring the pope's image, to cheer the popemobile on the second full day of a trip that will take him to other Mexican hotspots. Hundreds of police officers stood guard around the field. "What the pope said was important. (Violence) is a delicate issue because the authorities aren't doing anything to end this," said Alicia Tejeda, a 27-year-old accountant who watched mass on a large screen installed near the field. Story continues Patricia Flores Marin, 46, was touched by the message about migrants because her daughter illegally migrated to the United States, but she is glad her child no longer lives in Ecatepec. "I wouldn't be at ease having her here. There are too many kidnappings," she said. The Argentine-born pontiff made it clear before his arrival in Mexico that he would speak out about the corruption and crime afflicting parts of the country. Two massacres served as reminders of Mexico's ills during his visit: 49 inmates died in a prison riot in the northern city of Monterrey on the eve of his arrival, while 13 people were shot dead in the drug cartel-plagued Pacific state of Sinaloa on Saturday. Francis used his visit to the National Palace and the capital's cathedral on Saturday to bluntly urge political leaders to provide Mexicans with "true justice" and security. Many Mexicans, fed up with a decade of drug violence that has left 100,000 dead or missing, had hoped to hear such words from the pope. - Serenaded by girl - After the outdoor mass, the pope met with sick children at a pediatric hospital in Mexico City along with first lady Angelica Rivera, who wiped away tears when a girl sang for the pontiff. "Seeing your eyes, your smiles, your faces made me want to thank you. Thank you for the affection that you have shown in welcoming me," the pope told the children. Francis has chosen to visit some of Mexico's most troubled regions during his five-day trip to the world's second most populous Catholic country. The pope will face other tough issues during his trip. On Monday, he visits Mexico's poorest and least Catholic region, the southern largely indigenous state of Chiapas, where monks and pilgrims began to arrive for a mass in three native languages. On Tuesday, he heads to the capital of Michoacan, a western state scarred by drug cartel violence. The pope caps his trip in Mexico's former murder capital, Ciudad Juarez, for a mass that will straddle the US-Mexico border to highlight the plight of migrants. The idea of wartime as time riven from normality by virtue of its unconventional legal processes goes back at least to Rome. Cicero expressed it that way in his phrase Inter arma enim silent leges (In wartime, laws are silent). The assumption in this line of thinking is that when a society is threatened existentially, its incumbent on the state to do everything in its power to neutralize the threat, including sacrificing the normal legal processes of peacetime for wartime expediency. Jurist and philosopher Carl Schmitt defined the power of the sovereign, the supreme source of political will in any country, as emanating from its ability to define the exception. Time is central to how we define war. Temporally, wartime stands apart from the normality of peace. The Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben went so far as to define war in direct opposition to normality, calling it a suspension of the legal order itself, dramatizing a major social effect of wartime: a parallel set of laws or no laws at all during martial struggle. Without even the pretense of legal cover for the conduct of war, are we now entering an age when the demarcation between wartime and peacetime is meaningless? What do we lose when that distinction is eroded? AUMFs have a precedent going back to 1798 and dont always result in the use of force, but the AUMF that Congress gave the president on Sept. 14, 2001, was basically an open-ended abdication of congressional responsibility to rein in executive wartime privilege. Since then, the AUMF has been used as dubious legal cover for conducting attacks all around the world, including in countries with which were not at war and against American citizens . The legal question of Congress ability to put a check on the executives use of military force raises a serious question, When is America actually at war? The fact that Obama has been able to deploy troops and conduct airstrikes without a formal declaration speaks to the practical meaninglessness of an authorization for use of military force (or AUMF). His statements brazenness was almost camouflaged by its simplicity. The president was saying that he didnt need Congress to declare war in order for him to conduct war. Or, to be more accurate, he didnt need Congress to continue conducting war. During his final State of the Union address, President Barack Obama challenged members of Congress to send a message to our troops and the world by finally authorizing the use of military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), then said that they werent really necessary when it came to doing so. The American people should know that with or without congressional action, ISIL will learn the same lessons as the terrorists before them, he said. In the late 19th century, wars ballooned to sizes and costs completely unprecedented in human history as war and industrialism became entwined in a double helix. Mass production and modern transportation became the backbone of any large-scale military endeavor. Since the Civil War, every major conflict has preceded a tightening of the belt, as Maj. Jason Warren, a faculty member at the U.S. Army War College, put it. And that means switching from a wartime economy back to a peacetime one. Factories turned from making things essential to the war back to meeting peacetime demands; materials such as rubber, aluminum and silk were no longer rationed by the armed forces. And so in this demarcation of normality, wartime meant that the economy was also on a wartime footing, that average citizens were expected to make material sacrifices in their day-to-day lives and that every last industrial resource was martialed for the war effort. This economic shift from a war back to a peacetime economy was another example of normality versus the aberration of wartime. In a 1940 speech Franklin Delano Roosevelt warned that if the Axis powers won World War II, we would have to convert ourselves purely into a militaristic power on the basis of war economy. Despite the Allied victory, the atomic bomb ensured that his prophecy came true. The anxiety of the Cold War, with two nuclear-armed superpowers poised at each others throats, was a major step toward achieving a permanent state of war without war: the growth of a permanent war economy and the nation on a permanent war footing without the declaration of war against the Soviet Union. The state of affairs that emerged gave rise to the now permanent military-industrial complex that Dwight D. Eisenhower warned about in his farewell address as president on Jan. 17, 1961. Wars against North Korea and Vietnam, falling under the umbrella of the Cold War, were representative of the constant struggle against communism. War against an ideology instead of a state only seemed to confirm the confused definition of normality in the second half of the 20th century. The global war on terrorism was another step in the same direction. Before the 9/11 attacks, terrorism and war were two different and very distinct things. But drawing on a Cold War precedent, George W. Bush and his administration decided to split the difference. By calling Americas struggle against terrorism a war, he was indicating that the U.S. was entering a time when the normal rules didnt apply. The 9/11 AUMF, which took the place of a formal declaration of war, is at the center of this ambiguity. It reads: That the president is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons. As Gregory Johnsen wrote for Buzzfeed, its power hinges almost entirely on this single sentence. That sentence doesnt have to be misread or overinterpreted to mean that the White House has the authority to kill whomever it wants, wherever it wants, without a formal declaration of war. Judging by this sentence alone, Obama doesnt seem wrong in insisting that this AUMF gives him the legal cover to bomb Syria. It clearly does. It also authorizes pre-emptive strikes. Rather than see this AUMF as a singular obstacle in the path to a restoration of conventional wartime and peacetime, it should be read as an artifact that confirms a long-running trend. The U.S. has been on something resembling a wartime footing at least since the beginning of the Cold War. Even during drawdowns, our military still eats up a huge portion of our budget. Our special forces and clandestine services have been consistently subverting international law since the end of World War II. And the global war on terrorism has only kicked the trend into overdrive, so that on a now permanent wartime footing, the traditional legal and economic markers of normality are disappearing. What would normality look like? Would we be spending $11 million a day on airstrikes? Would the government be spying on its citizens? Would American troops still be dying in Afghanistan? Until the future president, whoever that turns out to be, gets something more than acquiescence in response to the blurring of discrete wartime and peacetime, this will be the new normal for the U.S. a never-ending series of international escapades, paired with extralegal intelligence gambits, financed at exorbitant costs by American taxpayers. George Orwell put it best: a peace that is no peace. Compton (United States) (AFP) - Kendrick Lamar, the reflective rapper who is nominated for a near record haul of Grammys, enjoyed a hero's welcome Saturday as he returned to his hometown of Compton. The notoriously rough city in Los Angeles County, which gave birth to gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A. in the 1980s, presented Lamar a symbolic key to the city, as students from local schools put on choreographed dances to his songs. Lamar is in contention for 11 Grammys on Monday at the music industry's signature award ceremony, more than any artist in history except Michael Jackson. The 28-year-old has won wide acclaim for his album "To Pimp a Butterfly," an experimental rap opus whose tracks include "Alright," which has become an unofficial anthem of Black Lives Matter movement against police abuse. Lamar told the students that he was proof of Compton's resilience, saying, "I knew for a fact that I could be anything I wanted to be." "Through all the pain and hardship -- losing family members, losing homeboys -- for some reason we always still love Compton because we have faith," he said. "Before I wrote, 'We're gonna be alright,' that's what we're thinking since day one," said Lamar, who now lives elsewhere in southern California. Regis Inge, who taught Lamar in middle school, called the rapper's success "a teacher's dream come true." "You have not only pursued your dream, but you have taken on the responsibility that comes with leading people to their own destiny," he said. Satra Zurita, president of the school board, predicted that "Alright" will live on for decades as a great protest song, in a league with Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On." Lamar came "just when rap started to begin to sound like a bunch of repetitive cliches, and sometimes like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, that even I, who was born in the rap capital of the world, cannot understand," she said. Story continues Lamar "single-handedly restored the art of storytelling and social consciousness in the genre of rap, this generation's music," she said. If the praise was not enough, Mayor Aja Brown assured Lamar that the key to the city was bigger than the one just received by chart-topping rapper Drake from his hometown of Toronto. Despite leading in Grammy nominations, Lamar faces tough competition in key categories from artists including pop superstar Taylor Swift. (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died, setting up a major political showdown between President Barack Obama and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace the jurist just months before a presidential election. Following is reaction to Scalia's death. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA "For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin 'Nino' Scalia was a larger-than-life presence on the bench, a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style, an incisive wit and colorful opinions." "I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote." "These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. They're bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy. They're about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our founders envisioned." FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH "He was a towering figure and important judge on our nation's highest court. He brought intellect, good judgment, and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country." SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served." REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." DEMOCRATIC SENATE MINORITY LEADER HARRY REID "The president can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities. REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY, SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN "Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice." SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY, RANKING DEMOCRAT ON SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE "The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons. It is only February. The president and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court." REPUBLICAN SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM "Unless (Obama) can find a consensus choice, the next president will pick the replacement for Justice Scalia ... If we lose the election, Hillary Clinton is going to pick somebody that I wouldnt pick. Im telling every conservative now, dont expect to lose the election and still get your way." REPUBLICAN SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS "I think it is too late to nominate someone now. "He (Obama) has every right to nominate but it will be up to the Senate to evaluate that nomination ... and decide whether to move forward with it." DEMOCRATIC SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL "My hope is that the president will promptly nominate someone with strong intellect and integrity who can win bipartisan support. I will work vigorously as a member of the Judiciary Committee to achieve confirmation." HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "While I differed with Justice Scalias views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court." DONALD TRUMP, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "He was a justice who did not believe in legislating from the bench and he is a person whom I held in the highest regard and will always greatly respect his intelligence and conviction to uphold the constitution of our country." SENATOR TED CRUZ, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "As liberals and conservatives alike would agree, through his powerful and persuasive opinions, Justice Scalia fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Constitution and statutes, returning the focus to the original meaning of the text after decades of judicial activism." SENATOR MARCO RUBIO, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "One of the greatest honors in my life was to attend oral arguments during Town of Greece v. Galloway and see Justice Scalia eloquently defend religious freedom." JEB BUSH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "His logic and wit were unparalleled, and his decisions were models of clarity and good sense. I often said he was my favorite justice because he took the Constitution, and the responsibility of judges to interpret it correctly, with the utmost seriousness." OHIO GOVERNOR JOHN KASICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "His death is a serious loss to our nation and the court. He was an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow." BEN CARSON, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "It is imperative that the Senate not allow President Obama to diminish his legacy by trying to nominate an individual who would carry on his wishes to subvert the will of the people." DAVID AXELROD, FORMER ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA I expect they will nominate a replacement and the Senate will refuse to take it up. From a policy standpoint, a lot of knotty decisions that might have been 5-4 will now be tied and, assuming the Senate won't act, the lower court rulings will stand. That means on immigration, for example, the Fifth Circuit ruling invalidating the president's order may prevail." (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, Richard Cowan Jeff Mason, Lawrence Hurley, Alana Wise; Editing by Bill Trott, Paul Simao and W Simon) By Scott Malone and Valerie Vande Panne BOSTON (Reuters) - Residents of much of the northeastern United States woke up on Sunday to bone-chilling cold conditions that shattered Valentine's Day records in Boston, Hartford and Providence. Officials warned residents to stay indoors in the face of the -9 degree Fahrenheit (-22.8 Celsius) temperatures, which felt as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit with the wind chill. "It's fair to say that this is a historic Arctic outbreak for the modern era," the National Weather Service said in a morning forecast update. Forecasters warned that frostbite could set in on exposed skin within minutes, and urged residents to check on elderly neighbors. While the system brought intense cold to the region, little snow has fallen so far this winter, placing less stress on roads and rails than last winter's record-setting 9 feet (2.75 meters) of snowfall in Boston. New York was also feeling the coldest weather it had experienced in a year, and Governor Andrew Cuomo urged people to stay inside. "With bitterly cold temperatures expected to continue through the long weekend, New Yorkers should remain alert and avoid all unnecessary travel," Cuomo said. The cold put a damper on some couples' Valentine's Day celebration plans, with walks and other outdoor activities curtailed. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kristen Carlson, 25, and her boyfriend Ross Crory, also 25, were adapting their plans. "We're going to brunch," Carlson said. "We're going rock climbing later. Indoor activities. Tonight we're staying in and cooking dinner." Others embraced the extremes, with more than 2,000 taking part in the Sea Isle, New Jersey, annual "Polar Bear Plunge," dipping into the icy Atlantic to raise funds for the city's revitalization. Police throughout the region sought homeless people to urge them to spend the night in shelters, where cots, mats and even chairs were rolled out to give people a place to shelter from the cold. But Kevin Taylor, a 49-year-old native of Massachusetts living on the street in Harvard Square, outside Boston, said he had coped with the cold on his own. "I got a sleeping bag sized tent that protects me from wind and snow. I got a zero degree sleeping bag and fleece blankets," Taylor said. "I was born and raised in New England. I'm used to this. It'll start breaking tomorrow." Forecasters said temperatures around Boston would rise to about 29 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.7 Celsius) on Monday. (Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Alison Williams and Phil Berlowitz) GENEVA (Reuters) - The Red Cross said on Saturday it had entered the war-torn Yemeni city of Taiz for the first time since August, delivering three tonnes of life-saving medical supplies to four hospitals treating the wounded. Taiz has been one of the hardest-fought fronts in a war in which local militias and forces loyal to a Saudi-backed government ousted by Houthi rebels last March are seeking to fight their way back to the capital Sanaa. Many residents of the city of 200,000, in the southwest of the country, say the Houthis have blocked aid from entering and bombed civilian targets. "This is a breakthrough and we hope that today's operation will be followed by many more to come," Antoine Grand, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Yemen, said in a statement. The ICRC team delivered surgical items, intravenous fluids and anaesthetic supplies to help treat hundreds of wounded, he said. "Essential medicines and supplies for pregnant women were also provided. All of these items are in high demand by the hospitals in Taiz that continue to receive a daily influx of wounded people," Grand said. Living conditions for civilians in the city have continued to worsen, with residents facing daily insecurity and a constant struggle for medical care, food and water, the ICRC said. Yemen has become one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The U.N. says famine looms as over half the population, or 14.4 million people, face hunger and not even its hospitals are spared. The al-Thawra hospital in Taiz has had all its windows blown out by the pressure of bombs landing nearby, and several direct hits have reduced one ward nearly to dust. ICRC spokesman Francis Markus confirmed that al-Thawra was one of the four that received medical supplies, along with Al-Taawon, Al Hikma and Al-Jumhoury hospitals. "What is needed is regular unimpeded access," he said. After the government fled into exile, a Saudi-led alliance of Arab states joined the war to restore it to power, recapturing the port city of Aden, where President Abd Rabbu Mansour al-Hadi is now based. Riyadh and its allies have launched hundreds of air strikes, sent in ground troops and set up a naval blockade to restrict goods reaching Yemen. The Saudis say the Houthis, drawn mainly from a Shi'ite sect that ruled a thousand-year kingdom in north Yemen until 1962, are puppets of its arch rival, Shi'ite Iran. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Hugh Lawson) A farmer in Australia who lives "in the middle of nowhere" got a creepy treat over the weekend when he came upon a dead snake dangling like a titanic trophy from the web of a daddy longlegs. Turns out, the spindly spider may have given the snake a run for its money. "When I walked out to the shed on Sunday and saw this brown snake strung up by a daddy longlegs in its web, I couldn't believe it," said Patrick Lees, who runs a farm of cereal crops in Weethalle, New South Wales. "So I took some photos and shared them on a Facebook page I've started called 'the Aussie farmer,'" said Lees, who captured the snake-spider encounter on video. "I'd never seen anything like it before," Lees told Live Science. "People have this idea that everything in the bush is trying to kill you, but this took it to the next level. I just thought it was a classic Australia moment and had to share it." [See Photos of Spiders Ensnaring Bats in their Webs] This daddy longlegs was likely a type of cellar spider in the Pholcidae family; the mild venom of such spiders could've been potent enough to kill the snake, one expert said. (The term "daddy longlegs" is also used to refer to harvestmen, which are not spiders, don't have venom and don't spin webs.) "I have never seen a pholcid spider catch a snake or other vertebrate in its web, but I have seen lizards caught in the webs of other spiders," such as widow spiders, said Lorenzo Prendini, curator of Arachnida and Myriapoda at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Though mild, "their venom may be powerful enough to subdue a small vertebrate like this snake," Prendini told Live Science in an email. Another spider expert, James Starrett, has also heard of black widow spiders, but not daddy longlegs, killing vertebrates with their venom. "I guess it is possible that the spider was able to injure the snake with a bite, but it could also be that the snake just got tangled in the web and wore itself out trying to get free," Starrett, of San Diego State University, told Live Science. "I can't really say with out witnessing it." Story continues What's in store for the dangling snake? "The snake was dead when I found it, but I left it there because I couldn't take down his trophy," Lees said. The spider may have plans beyond keeping the slithery corpse for show: "The spider will slowly feed on it over a period of days. This will involve a process of external digestion: The spider will release digestive enzymes onto the snake flesh, which will effectively liquefy it," Prendini said. "The spider will then suck up the digested juices, ultimately leaving a dry husk of undigested skin and bone. It is highly unlikely the spider would digest and eat an entire snake of this size, however." Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on Live Science. Copyright 2016 LiveScience, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Greenville (United States) (AFP) - Donald Trump and Ted Cruz take the stage with mainstream Republican candidates desperate to knock them off their perch in Saturday night's Republican presidential debate, where fireworks are expected ahead of South Carolina's primary. With the first two nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire under their collective belt, the candidates vying to be their party's standardbearer are blanketing the so-called Palmetto State known for its bare-knuckle politics. The state holds its Republican primary on February 20, the same day Democrats vote in Nevada for either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. Trump, the brash billionaire whose insurgent campaign has turned the presidential race on its head, has now made legal threats against his nearest rival Cruz, and all eyes will be on the senator from Texas to see if he goes after the real estate tycoon face to face. Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio have stepped up their aggressive campaigning and Trump criticism. John Kasich, who placed an impressive second in New Hampshire, sought to keep his head above water in the more conservative, more evangelical South Carolina. The broad Republican field has narrowed now to six candidates -- Trump, Cruz, Senator Rubio, former Florida governor Bush, Ohio Governor Kasich and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. All will compete in the debate in Greenville beginning at 9:00 pm (0200 GMT Sunday). The New Hampshire primary, swept by Trump who won 35 percent of the vote, weeded out two candidates, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina. Trump, eager to protect his frontrunner status, launched an attack Friday on Cruz, telling his six million Twitter followers that if Cruz "doesn't clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen." Cruz was born in Canada, and while he insists he is constitutionally eligible to run for president, Trump has repeatedly expressed doubts about that, and warned that Democrats would seek to bar him from the ballot should Cruz win the nomination. Story continues Rubio also will be closely watched to see whether he can turn the tables after a poor showing in the previous weekend's debate, which was widely blamed for his fifth-place showing in New Hampshire just days later. Christie had savaged Rubio for robotically repeating talking points during that debate, seeking to expose the first-term US senator as ill-prepared to be commander in chief. Rubio has adapted on the fly, holding lengthy press conferences in South Carolina and speaking extemporaneously to supporters as he punched back against the narrative that he is too green. "We feel very good about our message, our campaign," Rubio told Fox News. Meanwhile, campaigns and their supporters have saturated South Carolina's airwaves with negative advertising, including a harsh takedown of Trump by a pro-Bush group that criticized Trump for denigrating women, associating with the Clintons and for insulting decorated war heroes. The debate is certain to address the sudden death Saturday of conservative US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79, an issue likely to dominate the 2016 campaign. A bitter fight is expected this year over President Barack Obama's future nominee to the court to replace Scalia, with Republicans likely to block efforts by the White House to install a new justice before the November presidential election. Perhaps the most haunting memory of the night will be the audience. Previous presidential debates have banned cheering and booing. Saturday nights Republican debate in Greenville was marked by both. Permitted or not, the rowdy crowd ventilated its feelings without concern for how it looked or sounded to the viewers at home. This unconcern for appearances was a Republican theme of the weekend. Hours before the debate opened, news broke that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died. Candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio promptly issued statements opining that any appointing any replacement should be left to the next president. Its not unheard of for candidates to express emotive positions adopted for political advantage. But that same evening, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell joined in, with a statement ruling out any Senate action on any Supreme Court nominee, no matter who it might be. Recommended: The Many Heresies of Donald Trump Candidates and senators justified their stance by citing the so-called "Thurmond rule, by which the Senate has sometimesnot alwaysstopped considering judicial nominations in the summer of presidential election years. The rule isnt really a rule, more a single controversial precedent that senators sometimes invoke and as often condemn and ignore. If theyd wanted, though, Republicans could find a newer and more relevant example of a senior constitutional official unilaterally expanding an undoubted constitutional right into a bold new claim of power. That example is President Obamas two 2014 immigration orders, suspending all enforcement action against millions of illegal aliensand unilaterally extending to them rights of residency and work in the United States. Their premise? That the president has discretion to decide which illegal immigrants to act against, and in which order. It follows that the president has discretion to decide not to act against entire classes and categories of illegal immigrantsand, more than that, to inform them so in advance, along with potential employers, landlords, and so on. Story continues The structure of that claim is exactly parallel to that advanced by McConnell. Premise: The Senate has discretion not to schedule hearings or votes on any particular judicial nominee. Conclusion: The Senate can properly announce in advance that it will refuse to schedule hearings or votes on all judicial nominees. Recommended: The Remarkable Life of Antonin Scalia If anything, McConnells claim seems far more logical and less anti-constitutional than the former. Yet extending the so-called Thurmond rule to the full year before an election is unprecedentedand also, by the way, very dangerous, for the country and for Republicans. By assuring Obama that he need not worry that a nominee will actually serve on the Court, McConnell empowered and invited the president to play radical politics with the nomination. The big concern Democrats have (or should have) about 2016 is the decline in turnout that occurred between 2008 and 2012. Obamas support dropped by 3.6 million votes between his election and his re-election. The Republican ticket gained only 900,000 votes over the same four years. Absenteeism was most marked among younger voters and Latinos. What saved Obama was the loyalty and commitment of African Americans: their participation actually increased between 2008 and 2012and it was their ballots that provided the president with his margin of victory. If they should feel uninspired in 2016, the Democratic nominee is likely doomed. Democrats will want to do everything they can to rev up African American excitement and energy. Such as for example, nominating somebody like Eric Holder, who might welcome his nomination with a fiery statement about voting rights, affirmative action, and Black Lives Matter. Republicans would of course go wild, denying him a hearing and Democrats would gain a bloody shirt to wave in November. Emancipated from worrying about the best candidate for the bench, they could instead use the nomination to elect their candidate to the Oval Office. Recommended: Why Ted Cruz's Preemptive Rejection of a Supreme Court Nominee Is Illegitimate Maybe the president wont go quite so far as that. Maybe hell dial down the provocation slightly. But the possibility exists, and the lesson of the past seven years is that the restraints against provocative behaviorby either partyhave become more feeble, when they are not shredded outright. If that lesson needed further dramatization, it was enacted on the South Carolina stage Saturday night. Whatever norms, whatever conventions, whatever assumptions have governed the behavior of candidates for a party nomination in the past vanished. Eugene McCarthy running against President Lyndon Johnson during the bloodiest months of the Vietnam War never called for Johnsons impeachment. In 1988, Bob Dole may have bitterly accused George H.W. Bush of lying about my record," but that was in an interview program, not in a prepared debateand Dole never recovered from the outrage sparked by his intemperate words. Yet on Saturday, all that happened! Trump accused George W. Bush of lying about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Marco Rubio accused Ted Cruz of lying, a charge Cruz rejected as knowingly false. Trump refused to retreat from a long-ago television interview calling for George W. Bushs impeachment. On Twitter, I compared the night to a horrible Thanksgiving at which one too many bottles of wine is opened, and the family members begin shouting what they really think of each other. But in retrospect the evening was too ominous for even so bitter a joke. For a decade and a half, Republicans have stifled internal debates about the George W. Bush presidency. They have preserved a more or less common front, by the more or less agreed upon device of not looking backward, not talking candidly, and focusing all their accumulated anger on the figure of Obama. The Trump candidacy has smashed all those coping mechanisms. Everything that was suppressed has been exposed, everything that went unsaid is being shouted aloudand all before a jeering live audience, as angry itself as any of the angry men on the platform. Is this a functional political party? Is this an organization readying itself to govern? Or is it one moremost spectacularshow of self-evisceration by a party that has been bleeding on the inside for a decade and longer? Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. The U.S. Senate should not act to fill the sudden Supreme Court vacancy opened up by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia until after President Obama departs office, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement Saturday. The American people should have a voice in the selection of the next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president, McConnell said. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, as well as current Republican presidential candidates and Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, also came out of the gate opposing confirmation of a final Obama Supreme Court nominee. The Republican majority in the Senate gives the party leverage for a battle with Obama over a new Supreme Court nomination. Any nominee would need 60 affirmative votes on cloture to proceed to final confirmation, meaning that Obama would be under pressure to choose a more moderate versus liberal justice in order to win the at least 14 Republicans he would need to support his nominee. Previous Senate majorities have given presidents of the opposite parties a list of preferred nominees and influenced selections by indicating whom they would confirm. Slideshow: Justice Antonin Scalia A look back But that pressure would vanish if Republicans cannot retake the White House in 2016 or hold their majority in the Senate. Many Republicans in D.C. are skeptical that the party will be able to do either, especially if Donald J. Trump or Ted Cruz win the GOP presidential nomination. These establishment Republicans have seen evidence that Trump or Cruz would create a drag on races lower down the ballot, such as the Senate races in November, and are worried Republicans could lose the Senate. Republicans currently hold the Senate majority with 54 members, but 24 of those seats are being contested this year including seven in states where Obama won twice. If Republicans wait and Democrats win the White House and regain the Senate majority, a hypothetical President Hillary Clinton, for example, would have greater leeway to select a more liberal justice than Obama might have submitted. Story continues But the politics could also work in Republicans favor, as mobilization for a Supreme Court nomination by a Republican president could cause conservative voter turnout to spike in 2016, helping candidates across the board. Democrats, of course, would similarly seek to boost turnout and support based on the nomination fight (or lack thereof). There is precedent for the Senate to act in a presidential year on a confirmation. Justice Anthony Kennedy was chosen by Republican President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by a Democratic Senate on February 3, 1988 also the last year of a lame-duck presidency. But SCOTUSBlogs Tom Goldstein does not see a scenario in which Senate Republicans will change their minds. Theoretically, that process could conclude before the November election. But realistically, it cannot absent essentially a consensus nominee and probably not even then, given the stakes, he wrote. A Democratic president would replace a leading conservative vote on a closely divided court. The Republican Senate will not permit such a consequential nomination which would radically shift the balance of ideological power on the court to go forward. Democrats, of course, do not see it that way, but without the Senate majority, theres little they can do but highlight what they believe is political negligence and then campaign on that. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called on Obama to send a nominee to the Senate, and Obama said Saturday night he would, indeed, nominate someone. The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patrick Leahy, released a statement mourning Scalia and calling on Republicans to work with Democrats to replace him swiftly because failing to do so would weaken democracy for partisan reasons. I hope that no one will use this sad news to suggest that the president or the Senate should not perform its constitutional duty, Leahy said. The American people deserve to have a fully functioning Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons. It is only February. The president and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court. CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia confirmed late on Saturday it sent aircraft to NATO-member Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State militants. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri, adviser in the office of Saudi Arabia's minister of defense, told pan-Arab Al Arabiya television that the kingdom was committed to stepping up the fighting against Islamic State and that the move was part of those efforts. He also said that the current presence in the air base was limited to aircraft and no ground troops had been sent. "What is present now is aircraft that are part of the Saudi Arabian forces," Assiri said in response to a question on whether ground troops were included. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had carried out inspections at the air base in preparation to sending aircraft. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Mary Milliken and Matthew Lewis) The prophecy is more than seeing into the future. For the prophecy sees without the element of time. For the prophecy sees things as they were, as they are, and as they always shall be. CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia confirmed late on Saturday it sent aircraft to NATO-member Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State militants. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri, adviser in the office of Saudi Arabia's minister of defence, told pan-Arab Al Arabiya television that the kingdom was committed to stepping up the fighting against Islamic State and that the move was part of those efforts. He also said that the current presence in the air base was limited to aircraft and no ground troops had been sent. "What is present now is aircraft that are part of the Saudi Arabian forces," Assiri said in response to a question on whether ground troops were included. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had carried out inspections at the air base in preparation to sending aircraft. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Mary Milliken and Matthew Lewis) Dubai (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkish airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, a senior Saudi defence official has said. "The Saudi kingdom now has a presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey," brigadier general Ahmed al-Assiri was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya television late on Saturday. "Saudi warplanes are present with their crews to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia," Assiri said, without providing further details. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against IS in Syria. Riyadh and Ankara are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would "amount to aggression that must be resisted". Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of US-led anti-IS coalition members, who decided step up their fight against the jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi had made its decision in coordination with the coalition and said that a ground operation was being planned. "There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the kingdom is committed to that," Assiri said. "Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalise the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country." Turkey on Saturday hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 since it began in 2011. Dubai (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkish airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, a senior Saudi defence official has said. "The Saudi kingdom now has a presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey," Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya television late on Saturday. "Saudi warplanes are present with their crews to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia," Assiri said, without providing further details. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against IS in Syria. Riyadh and Ankara are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would "amount to aggression that must be resisted". Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of US-led anti-IS coalition members, who decided step up their fight against the jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi Arabia had made its decision in coordination with the coalition and said that a ground operation was being planned. "There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the kingdom is committed to that," Assiri said. "Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalise the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country." Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also told reporters on Sunday that his country was ready to send special forces to Syria to take part in ground operations against IS, without giving further details. Turkey on Saturday hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 people since it began in 2011. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia intercepted a Scud missile fired towards the kingdom by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the insurgents has said. The official Saudi SPA news agency said the missile was destroyed by the kingdom's air defences at around 2145 (1845 GMT) on Saturday, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) from its border with Yemen. Yemen's Shiite Huthi rebels meanwhile said in a statement on their sabanews.net website that the missile targeted the Abha Regional Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. The missile "precisely hit its target," it said. Saturday's incident is the third time Saudi Arabia says it has shot down a Scud fired from Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition said that a Saudi Patriot missile had downed a Scud fired from the rebel-held Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Riyadh has deployed Patriots designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, which have been fired occasionally since March when the coalition began air strikes in support of the Yemeni government after Huthi rebels seized Sanaa and advanced towards second city Aden. In April last year the Saudi defence ministry said coalition strikes had removed threats to the kingdom's security "by destroying heavy weaponry and ballistic missiles" seized by the Yemeni rebels. Vehicle-borne Scud ballistic missiles have a much longer range and more powerful warhead than the rockets and mortar bombs which have struck the kingdom's southern border regions, killing about 90 civilians and soldiers since the coalition intervention began. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people in Yemen have been killed in the conflict since March, about half of them civilians. Associate Justice Antonin Scalias unexpected death on Saturday sent shock waves through Americas legal and political system, with President Barack Obama saying he will nominate a replacement in due time. scalia456 I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, President Obama said in comments made to the nation on Saturday night. However, given that the GOP controls the Senate, which needs to confirm any nomination, the debate has started about the likelihood of any Justice being approved before a new President takes office in 2017. Scalia died in his sleep while on a trip to Texas at the age of 79. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement on the news of Justice Scalias passing. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues, Roberts said. His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family. For Roberts and the Supreme Court, Scalias death will complicate how an eight-person panel of Justices will settle pending decisions. Some of the Courts biggest cases this term have yet to be heard, and others that have been heard could be affected by the absence of Scalias vote in any decision. But another problem relates to how a new Justice is nominated to the Court and approved in a contentious election year. In the past, Justice Anthony Kennedy was approved unanimously in the 1988 election year, while Abe Fortass approval as Chief Justice failed in the election year of 1968. The GOP currently has 54 votes in the 100-seat Senate, and any nomination this year would need Republican confirmation. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley said on Saturday he hopes that the Senate will wait until after the presidential election to agree on Scalias replacement. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said a delated confirmation would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senates most essential constitutional responsibilities. Story continues But the failure to name a replacement in the next year could have broader implications. Constitution Daily contributor Lyle Denniston, writing for SCOTUSblog, framed the issue in a column for that website. Today, the Court has at least four more months remaining in the Term. with most of the really controversial and high-stakes decisions still to come, he said. Whatever unfolds from here on, the Supreme Court will be a dominant topic of political conversation and lobbying warfare. Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at American University Washington College Law, told CNN that Scalias passing changes the course of the Courts current term. The Court can try to go ahead, but on cases where they are split 4-4, their only options are to leave the lower court decision intact or to hold the case over until Justice Scalias replacement is confirmed, Vladeck said. The Supreme Court returns from its current break for a conference on Friday, February 19 and starts hearing arguments on Monday, February 22. Recent Stories on Constitution Daily Scalias passing will present legal, political challenges A look at the Justice Antonin Scalias most unusual word choices Justice Antonin Scalia rails again about flag-burning weirdoes Justice Scalia opines on changing clothes at work It's estimated that $1.9 billion will be spent on flowers and $1.7 billion on candy this Valentine's Day, according to a recent consumer survey. But once the flowers are dead and the candy is gone, what do you have? Nothing. You probably should have given the gift of weed instead. Screw Roses and Chocolate Here's Why Weed Is the Best Valentine's Day Present of All "Overall, cannabis lends itself to being a highly valued and very well-received gift. From the look and smell, to the taste on both the inhale and the exhale, to the way it enhances tactile stimuli, cannabis engages nearly all of the five senses," Evrett Kramer, the co-founder of Potbox, a San Francisco-based cannabis subscription club, told Mic. The effects of cannabis on people's sex drives are well documented, with landmark 1984 research finding that more than two-thirds of those surveyed reported increased sexual pleasure and satisfaction from smoking weed before sex. Sex therapists are also increasingly recommending that couples use marijuana to enhance their sex lives. According to a 2015 study by SKYN Condoms, millennials who smoke weed regularly reported having sex "several times per day," with 59% of them qualifying their sex as "amazing" or at least "very good." "Cannabis has been shown to increase your resting and active heart rate, thus increasing circulation, which is a key component to sexual health," Kramer said. "Cannabis also promotes empathy, which is another key component to psycho-sexual and emotional-sexual health. Also, I am sure many people who would love their partner to be more focused on them during sexual play will appreciate the benefits of cannabis." Cannabis can offer just the right amount of physical and psychological effects that can enhance physical connection between partners. Yet, different strains can lead to different experiences. If you're looking to enjoy some herbal refreshments before V-Day sex, Kramer recommends hybrid strains that "combine the effects of both indica and sativa flowers." (Indica strains tend to produce a more relaxed high, while sativa strains tend to be more dynamic and uplifting.) Story continues On its own, an indica strain can enhance physical connection and lower inhibitions, leading to "some beautifully unforeseen experiences between partners," Kramer said. On the flip side, a sativa strain is more energizing, creating heightened senses between partners. Combining the two strains, Kramer suggests, is ideal for sex because a hybrid offers the best of both worlds. Christie Strong, from cannabis chocolatier Kiva Confections, agreed that a hybrid is probably your best bet. "A pure sativa can be anxiety or paranoia-inducing in those sensitive to it, while a pure indica can be sedative and make you more sleepy than amorous. A hybrid will give the perfect balance of body relaxation and mind stimulation," Strong told Mic. If you don't feel like smoking weed on V-Day, you can also consume it in various other forms, such as edibles like chocolates or brownies. (There's even cannabis-infused lube by Foria that's comprised of coconut oil and cannabis oil.) "Rather than smoking a joint with your partner, the two of you could share a piece of chocolate in the late afternoon, and then enjoy a whole night of sensual togetherness, relaxation, giggliness, and all the other awesome benefits of cannabis edibles," Strong said. That said, before you go calling your local dealer, it should be noted that the there are only four states where recreational cannabis use is legal: Colorado, Washington, Alaska and Oregon, as well as the District of Columbia. (Marijuana has also been decriminalized in some form in 20 other states.) But in light of the backlash against the candy-and-chocolate-hearts-infused commercialism of Valentine's Day, as well as the growing acceptance of marijuana use among couples (hell, weed weddings are even a thing), weed could very well become a less cheesy alternative to Hallmark cards and boxes of chocolate on V-Day. As Kramer put it, "cannabis flowers make a much better gift to share than 'regular' flowers." Berlin (AFP) - Seminal 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson would have been a big fan of Twitter, "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon said Sunday after premiering her biopic of the reclusive writer at the Berlin film festival. Nixon plays the mysterious Dickinson, who only published a handful of poems in her lifetime but in death became one of the United States' most acclaimed writers, in the lush period drama "A Quiet Passion" by British director Terence Davies. The 49-year-old actress said Dickinson, who never married and spent her life in increasing isolation in her parents' Massachusetts home, would have loved 21st century social media. "Even though Emily was so secluded, she was really all about connecting to other people, not necessarily in person, sometimes through letters and sometimes through poems," Nixon said. "It's quintessentially 'today' in a certain way -- she's so longing for communion with people who she loves and are not there. I can imagine her just emailing and tweeting all day long." But Nixon said Dickinson might have been savvier about online addiction than many. "I think the thing about Emily that we should learn from... is she knows how to 'unplug', right? So she can do all this stuff, she can communicate, communicate, communicate and then she's selfish in the best way, she then takes time for herself." The film seeks to correct the image of Dickinson as an eccentric recluse, portraying her instead as a witty if exacting free spirit who bridled at the Puritanical strictures of her time in New England. - 'Lot to identify with' - Nixon became a global star in the hit television and movie series "Sex and the City" playing Miranda, an ambitious New York lawyer juggling love and a career. She has since played in several television dramas including a turn as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in "Warm Springs" and numerous roles on Broadway. Story continues She called it "intimidating" to play "such a great thinker and artist" whose work she fell in love with as an adolescent. "As kind of a shy young person, I found a lot to identify with her and I think that's not unusual, I think a lot of people see themselves in Emily Dickinson. So that made me a little more bold." Davies, 70, is best known for the 2011 drama "The Deep Blue Sea" starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston, and his 2000 adaptation of Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth" featuring Gillian Anderson. He said he was drawn to Dickinson's story due to the power of her poetry but also because she was so unsung during her lifetime. "When someone is as great as that and they don't get recognition, that really upsets me," he said. The 11-day festival is featuring several much-anticipated biopics this year including "Genius" starring Colin Firth as influential literary editor Max Perkins, who published some of the 20th century's greatest American writers. Jude Law plays Thomas Wolfe, Nicole Kidman his lover and muse Aline Bernstein, with Dominic West portraying Ernest Hemingway and Guy Pearce as F. Scott Fitzgerald in the picture premiering Tuesday. And Don Cheadle of "Hotel Rwanda" is due in the German capital Thursday to present "Miles Ahead" in which he directs and stars as jazz great Miles Davis. The festival runs until February 21. Ljubljana (AFP) - Slovenia said Sunday it would clamp down on the number of migrants allowed to enter the country, ahead of tougher measures set to be announced by neighbouring Austria later this week to slow down the influx. The two EU member states, which also belong to the passport-free Schengen zone, have become key transit nations for migrants and refugees trekking up through the Balkans to reach western Europe. Austria, which has hardened its stance in recent weeks, will in the coming days announce a daily cap on the number of migrants allowed to enter the country via its main border crossing with Slovenia. The country of nearly nine million people last year received 90,000 asylum claims, one of the bloc's highest rates per capita. In anticipation of Vienna's move, the Slovenian interior ministry said it would also begin limiting the arrivals to avoid becoming a bottleneck. State TV reported the tougher controls would start Monday morning and see the number of people allowed to cross the Sentilj checkpoint into Austria restricted to 1,000 per day. Slovenia said in a statement released by its interior ministry it had informed neighbouring Croatia, the next country along the migrant trail, of its decision to bring in tougher border controls. Hermann Muhr, the spokesman for Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, confirmed to AFP Sunday that "a series of tougher measures will be announced in the course of this week including a daily quota of migrants, in line with what Germany is already doing". Last month, Vienna already warned it would cap this year's number of asylum claims at 37,500 and deport at least 12,500 people. The continent is grappling with its worst migrant crisis since World War II, which shows no sign of abating. In 2015, over a million people reached Europe's shores -- nearly half of them Syrians fleeing a civil war that has killed more than a quarter of a million people. Story continues Germany has been the main destination for most of the migrants once they land in Greece or other points in Europe. Austria, along with the so-called "Visegrad Four" group -- Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic -- is accusing Athens of failing to protect the EU's external borders. The Visegrad Four will meet leaders from Macedonia and Bulgaria, which both share a border with Greece, in Prague on Monday to discuss reinforcing border controls. Lets admit it, weve all had a huge Strictly-Come-Dancing shaped hole in our lives ever since Jay McGuiness was announced the winner and the series ended last December. Thankfully, those lovely folk over at the BBC treat us annually to the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, where some of our fave couples dance for our viewing pleasure as they battle it out nightly for that days glitterball trophy. Not a bad replacement for our Saturday night telly, eh? And thats why when the tour hit London we just had to go along to embrace our Strictly love to the extreme - and although Helen George was unfortunately unable to dance due to injury, we still learned a lot along the way: 1. Max Branning Has Busted Out Of Prison Jake Wood wowed us with his snakehips in the Strictly class of 2014 but was unable to take part in the tour due to his filming commitments with BBC soap EastEnders. However, with the actor in the middle of a year-long break from the show he was able to join this time around whilst his onscreen persona, Max Branning, rots in a prison cell for a crime that he didnt commit. Still, at least Jake is having a better time in his year off than Max is, eh? 2. Although He Doesnt Do The Max Branning Dance Jake made a name for himself in week one of the show when he performed what became known as 'The Max Branning Dance to the tune of Britney Spears 'Toxic. Actually a tango Jake fully embraced his lothario alter-ego and immediately became one of the favourites to win, and we have to admit that we were a little bit gutted when he didnt perform that dance on tour. 3. Jays Jive Has Somehow Improved Speaking of signature dances, last years winner Jay basically secured himself his spot in the final during movie week when he and Aliona performed an amazing Pulp-Fiction-inspired jive. This is one iconic dance from the show that thankfully did make it to the London Wembley stage and as excited as we were to fi-na-lly see it in person, we were stunned to see that Jay had somehow managed to improve on what we already thought was perfection. Story continues WE WANT TO SEE IT AGAIN. 4. And Jay Will Always Win Although there are no eliminations at the end of each performance, the audience still do get to vote for their winner of the night and its probably unsurprising that Jay seems to constantly nab the top spot. When we went along on Friday night Jay and Aliona managed to win against second place winners Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko, and we have a feeling that this is probably a common occurrence. Well, he is the reigning champ after all. 5. Anita Doesnt Get Enough Credit Speaking of, Anita really doesnt get enough credit for how bloomin amazing she is. One of the only uber successful Strictly celebs to not have had any professional dance training in the past, she and her professional partner Gleb really did work ruddy hard to make her one of the best dancers in the shows history - and that is saying something. Despite this, most of the post-dance comments seemed to focus on how attractive and amazing Gleb is rather than her own achievements - credit where its due next time, judges. 6. Georgia And Giovanni Are So In Love Coronation Streets Georgia May Foote was the most recent star to fall victim to the 'Strictly Curse, leaving her boyfriend after developing feelings for professional dancer Giovanni Pernice. Although speculation surrounded their romantic situation for a good ol while, the pair finally went public and confirmed that they are in love, probably because they were no longer able to hide it during their nightly performances on tour. We mean, we saw chemistry between all of the dancers but when it came to Giovanni and Georgias two routines the love on the dancefloor was unmistakable. Bless 'em. 7. Some Things Never Change Yes, we are on tour and the stars are entertaining the audience and the audience bloomin love it But is that enough for Craig Revel Horwood to leave his Mr. Nasty pants at home? Of course not! Despite the leader-board being borderline meaningless, Craig still made good use of his low paddles whilst his fellow judges, Bruno and Len, stuck purely to the 8s and upwards. Lighten up a little, Craig. 8. Mel Giedroyc Is All Of Us With no Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman in sight it was down to Great British Bake Offs Mel Giedroyc to run the show, and she could not have done a more brilliant job. Cracking jokes faster than you can say 'Keeeep dancing Mel proved that shes a gal after our own hearts when she suffered her own very awkward encounter with hunky Gleb. Being seduced into trying out a sexy dance move with the pro, Mel laid down on the floor ready to give it a go when she realised that her flies were undone and had been for the majority of the show. Cue hysterical laughter and one very red face, although trust us, Mel, we never would have noticed. Qamishli (Syria) (AFP) - Lined up in a chilly schoolyard in northeast Syria, primary school students say good morning to their teachers in the Kurdish language before rushing inside for class: "Roj bas, mamuste!" The Kurdish language was once banned by the government in Damascus, but now the local semi-autonomous government has rolled out an entire curriculum for primary school students in Kurdish in parts of the territory under its control. The curriculum is currently being taught alongside the government's Arabic-language programme at institutions like the Musa Bin Nasir school in the city of Qamishli. "I'm learning and writing the Kurdish alphabet in my notebook," said six-year-old Brefa Hussein proudly. "Our teachers tell us stories and teach us the names of animals and flowers," said Brefa, whose parents were forbidden from learning Kurdish. The new curriculum has been developed by the autonomous Kurdish administration, which runs its own government institutions, security forces and now schools in parts of northern and northeast Syria. The administration took over when government forces withdrew from Kurdish areas in 2012, a year after Syria's popular uprising erupted. There were around three million Kurds in Syria before the war, though not all identified primarily as Kurdish. The minority was heavily discriminated against prior to Syria's uprising, with their language banned in official contexts and hundreds of thousands denied passports and banned from public sector jobs. But with the withdrawal of government forces from majority Kurdish areas, the minority has begun to assert itself, including reviving its language. Bundled in coats and hats to stay warm, children sprint into different classrooms at the school. While Arab students will follow the existing Arabic programme developed by Syria's government, Kurdish students now study a Kurdish curriculum that their own administration began implementing in the 2015-2016 academic year. Story continues - 86,000 students - More than 86,000 students are being taught by about 3,830 instructors in schools run by the autonomous administration, says deputy head of education Samira Haj Ali. The new curriculum has already been rolled out for primary school students, though older pupils are still studying the government's curriculum until an alternative is developed. Haj Ali says the autonomous administration eventually plans to also implement its own Arabic- and Syriac-language curricula next year. It has set up teaching institutes to train instructors on the Kurdish curriculum and is planning to open similar centres once its Arabic and Syriac programmes are ready. The administration's move has been controversial: Syria's government has shuttered its schools in the affected areas and refused to pay teachers using the Kurdish curriculum. And even some Kurdish parents have pulled their children out of the new independent schools. Amina Berro, an English language teacher and a Kurd, transferred her children to a government-run school in protest at the new Kurdish programme. Her children were studying the Arabic curriculum, but she said she was uncomfortable having the new programmes side-by-side. "The Kurdish curricula is not recognised and the teachers are not capable enough," she told AFP. Berro said she supports teaching the Kurdish language as a subject matter, but not an entire curriculum being taught in the language. Some of the students in Qamishli's schools are Arabs displaced from elsewhere in the country. Nine-year-old Riham al-Ahmad and her family sought safety there after fleeing clashes in Syria's second city Aleppo. - 'Language is survival' - After trying the Kurdish curriculum, she moved to the Arabic section at Musa Bin Nasir. "I'm really happy when I'm with my classmates. In the beginning, it was hard to get used to them. Qamishli is a foreign city for me and people speak a language I don't understand," she said. "But now things are easier because I understand very well," she added excitedly. For Kurdish families, learning the native language represents the realisation of a childhood dream. Jana Musa, a 21-year-old Kurdish language teacher, said she hopes "that all students will learn their mother tongue". "We're teaching them the alphabet and the subject of social issues," Musa said, wearing a thick green coat as she corrected students' assignments. Jamil Murad, a 44-year old director, learned the Kurdish language in secret while growing up. He is thrilled that his eight-year-old son, Raman, can now do the same in the open. "Language is part of the survival of a people," he said. In a candle-lit room in northeast Syria, Murad was helping Raman complete his homework. For Murad, teaching the Kurdish language is an investment in his people's future. "The biggest achievement by the autonomous administration... was in teaching tens of thousands of its children their mother tongue," he said. "They are our future, even if the scales are tipped against us." Amulree (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Tam O'Braan has had several lives. Having been a soldier, an agronomist and an entrepreneur, he now grows tea in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, and is the envy of those who once called him crazy. Four years since he began growing tea at Dalreoch, a former sheep farm close to the small Scottish village of Amulree, the Irishman saw his tea crowned a winner at the Salon de The awards in Paris last year. Now O'Braan sells his tea in luxury stores like Mariage Freres in Paris where it goes for 78 euros for 20 grams ($87 for 0.7 ounce) and London's Fortnum & Mason, where it brings 40 (51 euros, $57) for 20 grams, as well as to famous hotels like The Dorchester. "My neighbours thought I was mad," O'Braan said. "We were told categorically by people who have been working in the tea industry for 30, 40 years, that it couldn't be done." Scottish 19th-century botanist Robert Fortune had already shown it was possible to grow tea in Scotland but his project failed due to having the wrong plants. Determined not to make the same mistake, O'Braan imported tea trees that grew in the foothills of the Himalayas (Camellia sinensis sinensis), before adapting them to the Scottish climate. The plant seeds, which are similar to small nuts, are germinated outside before the plants are grown in a small unheated greenhouse. "Those plants who originally started on the foothills of the Himalayas, that can deal with snow, are even stronger," O'Braan said. - Revolutionary tea? - Once the tea plants have adjusted, Scotland has proved to be an ideal place for them to grow, with its fog, high rainfall, hilly landscape and rich soil. "It's well accepted among tea experts that the finest teas in Darjeeling or Assam come from areas which are shrouded in clouds for the majority of the year," O'Braan said. "Also because the plants are in what many would consider to be an unnatural environment, we're producing a certain amount of chemical stress within the leaf. That's responsible for the rather sweet flavour that our tea produces." Story continues The harvest, which is currently beginning and will continue until September, collects the youngest leaves for white tea and rougher leaves for green and black tea. Dalreoch Estate tea is the first white tea whose leaves are smoke-dried, making it "revolutionary and unique", according to Mariage Freres. In the Habitat cafe in the village of Amulree close to Dalreoch, owner Mike Haggerton offers sceptical customers free samples of the teas. "We give a little bit to our clients and the reaction is never been anything other than 'this is incredible'," Haggerton said. "There is the potential for so much more great tea to come out of Scotland." - Scottish tea growers - In 2015 O'Braan produced 500 kilos (1,100 pounds) of tea from his 14,000 plants and founded the Scottish Tea Growers Association in a bid to be more recognised in a land better known for its whisky. Ten people have joined him, creating small tea plantations of about 1,000 plants each in places like the Isle of Mull and the Lowlands. O'Braan hopes that there will be 28 tea growing sites in Scotland by 2017. "From the same tea plant you can make 300 different types of tea. So there's no reason why my neighbours should look to manufacture the same as I'm doing," O'Braan said. "In fact we should all diversify and make different types of tea." "We're not going to replant Scotland. It's always going to be boutique, artisan tea," he said. Members of the association can use a small tea processing plant that O'Braan is setting up on his farm. The production of Dalreoch itself is sold out for the next four years, according to O'Braan -- meaning there should be plenty of business to go around. Feverishly jotting down ideas in a funky glass-panelled conference room, Thailand's "Mad Men" are doing what they do best -- creating tearjerker adverts that leave viewers scrambling for the tissue box. So-called "sadvertising" has exploded around the world in recent years as brands jostle to engage customers and stand out from competitors. An annual nostalgia-tinged Christmas commercial from retailer John Lewis has become a festive tradition in Britain, while Budweiser's Lost Dog pulled heart strings and swept advertising awards in the US. But few places are doing it with such devastating efficacy as the Thais, where the adverts are often as gruelling as they are memorable. To outsiders Thailand advertises itself as the Land of Smiles, but its more emotionally complex than that. The Thai language has more than one hundred phrases that use the word heart -- "jai" -- to discuss a whole gamut of emotions, while its soap operas are renowned for their notoriously tragic storylines. The same is true of adverts. One recent spot, for a lingerie brand, pivots on a woman diagnosed with cancer on the same day she discovers she is pregnant, leaving her with the heart-wrenching choice of risking the baby's life with chemotherapy, or her own. Another, accompanied by the trademark soft piano music and a melancholic voiceover, is about a deaf and dumb father who saves his daughter with a blood transfusion after she attempts suicide. - 'Why would they do that?' - The emotional punch packed by such adverts has flummoxed many international viewers, with videos of non-Thais trying not to weep through the adverts doing the rounds on YouTube. "This is so horrible," exclaims one viewer under the name 'Deadlox' as he watches the advert featuring the girl who attempts suicide, which was commissioned by a life insurance company. "Why would they do that?", he says of the filmmakers. Story continues Jinn Powprapai, founder of CJ Worx, a Bangkok agency that specialises in producing emotional viral adverts, offers one answer. "Being a Buddhist is all about giving and caring. We tend to always have an emotional sympathy for people less fortunate than us," he tells AFP. One of the company's recent commissions was from Khrung Thai Bank, a state-owned entity looking to promote its scholarship fund. After months of back and forth they settled on two lengthy internet spots. One tells the tragic tale of a female student who learns to conquer her fear of the neighbourhood dog 'Olieng' after his elderly owner dies. Girl and dog then become inseparable, until she returns from school one day to find it fatally injured by a car. Olieng eventually dies in her arms as memories of his happy life with the girl flash before his fading canine eyes. The advert then skips to the present day where the girl has become a vet and is patching up another person's beloved pooch. "While others were lost in life's bad moments," a voiceover states, "she recognises the good times are an inspiration to reach our dreams." - 'Universal appeal' - It's a formula that clearly works for the domestic market. Since its 11 January release the advert has racked up 12 million views and more than 350,000 shares on Facebook and 1.68 million views on YouTube. But Phil Townsend, Asia-Pacific managing director of Unruly, which specialises in getting adverts to emotionally resonate with viewers, says creatives around the world are taking note of Thailand's tearful output. "We get a lot of people asking us: 'How can we make videos like that?'," he says. Ralph Brunner, chief marketing officer in Asia for insurance company MetLife has been making adverts across the region since the late 1990s. "The Thais have a knack for emotional storytelling," he says. "You see it on TV, short films that either make you cry or a have a tremendous sense of humour and a very playful nature." MetLife had one of the most successful emotional ads of 2015 with a spot about a father struggling to provide for his daughter. On YouTube alone it has been viewed over 11 million times. It was shot in Thailand, but aimed at multiple markets across Asia. Unlike humour, which is very specific to countries and even ages, parental struggles are something almost everyone understands, says Brunner. "It's a universal theme people can relate to." Dave McCaughan, a veteran of advertising who spent nearly three decades across Asia with McCann, believes the rise of the genre is linked to rapid economic and social changes -- and growing disquiet over what the future holds. When he first arrived in Thailand in the economic boom years of the mid 1990s, many adverts employed slapstick comedy. More recently Thailand's economy has become known as sick man of Southeast Asia, following a decade of political turbulence. And the adverts have got sadder. "There's a lot of disconnect and dysfunction going on -- and those ads play to old fashioned values," he says. McCaughan believes Asia will produce more tear jerkers in the coming years, especially as China's economic slowdown impacts the region. "What happens when you're feeling low, you go for the security blanket," he says. "It doesn't matter which culture you are, it's the same. And the big security blanket here is real emotions." jta/ssm/apj/lto Here is a selection of some of the most successful or powerful recent "sadverts" produced in Thailand: Khrungthai Bank "Growing Together": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TVCak69GZ4 Thai Life Insurance "Unsung Hero": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU Thai Life Insurance "Silence of Love": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZMX6H6YY1M Line messenger "Closer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTZIBZf1wsY Wacoal "My beautiful woman": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFG6W2_iiQE MetLife "My dad's story": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bdm4NBYxII MADRID (Reuters) - The head of the Madrid branch of Spain's ruling People's Party said on Sunday she had resigned after police investigated members of her office for alleged illegal financing, the latest in a string of graft scandals involving PP. Esperanza Aguirre, a party veteran of over thirty years, said she was not linked personally to the bribery and money laundering case, but she assumed responsibility. She said acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy understood her decision. Her resignation comes at a delicate time for Rajoy, who has spent almost two months in fruitless negotiations with other parties to form a coalition government. If no government is formed, new elections may be called. Rajoy lost his parliamentary majority in an indecisive December election, after newcomer parties campaigned against perceived deep-rooted corruption. Hundreds of politicians across Spain are currently under investigation. "Corruption is completely killing the party," Aguirre told a news conference at the headquarters. "The gravity of these reports, even though they are not yet validated, leads me to present my resignation." A Spanish judge had ordered police searches on Thursday of the offices and homes of the former head of the PP's Madrid headquarters and of a corporate executive of Spanish builders OHL. Last month in a separate anti-corruption investigation, police arrested 24 people, most linked to the PP, in the region of Valencia over the alleged payment of illegal commissions in exchange for public contracts. (Reporting by Miren Masides; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Larry King) Ankara (AFP) - Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday, despite growing pressure on Ankara to stop the shelling. In telephone talks, Davutoglu told Merkel that Turkey "will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so," his office said in a statement. Turkish artillery struck at targets of the PYD and its People's Protection Units (YPG) militia on both days of the weekend, while insisting that it was returning fire under the rules of engagement. Davutoglu alleged to Merkel that the Syrian Kurdish forces, who Turkey accuses of being the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), had been advancing with Russian air support. Russia is the key ally of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Turkey wants to see ousted. He said the move by the Kurdish fighters was aimed at uprooting "hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians" from the border region and "creating a new humanitarian crisis" that would affect both Turkey and the European Union. "This is aimed not just at Turkey but also the European Union," he said, warning of a "new wave of hundreds of thousands of refugees". The EU and Turkey, which hosts over 2.5 million Syrian refugees, are already grappling with the crisis that saw around one million migrants cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the EU in 2015. France had earlier called for an "immediate halt" to Turkey's artillery bombardments while the US State Department had also urged Turkey to cease firing. Jerusalem (AFP) - Five Palestinians, including three teenagers, were killed while attacking Israelis in a string of assaults across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. They were the latest in a wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks that erupted in October and came as US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power visited Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks with leaders from both sides. In the first incident, two 15-year-olds attacked an Israeli patrol west of the city of Jenin with rocks before firing on soldiers with a rifle, an army statement said. "The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths," it said. The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked. They were not thought to be closely related. Later in the day, a Palestinian tried to stab Israeli border police between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank before being shot dead, Israeli authorities said. The Palestinian health ministry identified the assailant as Naim Safi, 17, who was from a village near Bethlehem. Also on Sunday, a young Palestinian woman tried to stab an Israeli policeman but was shot in the attempt in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli police said. She was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said the attacker drew a knife on a border police officer at a checkpoint and the officer, who was unharmed, shot her. She was identified as Yasmin al-Zaru, 20. The incident took place close to the shared religious site known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. Tensions are high at the site -- a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead in a stabbing attempt there on Saturday. - Shootout in Jerusalem - Late Sunday violence also flared in central Jerusalem when two armed Palestinians attacked Israeli police just outside the Old City walls before being shot dead by officers, police told AFP. Story continues A police statement later said that one was spotted carrying a bag in a way that made officers suspicious and when they ordered him to drop it he pulled out a weapon and took aim, but was shot dead before he could pull the trigger. A second gunman then opened fire but was killed by police without wounding any officers, it said The statement said the attackers, both about 20 years old, were armed with "improvised automatic weapons". Since the current round of bloodshed erupted at the beginning of October, 172 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. Most were carrying out attacks but others died during clashes and demonstrations. The violence has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis, as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. Many of the assailants have been teenagers who appear to have acted on their own. Some analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest. Israel blames incitement by Palestinian leaders and media as a main cause of the violence. Questions have been raised over whether Israeli forces have used excessive force in certain cases, allegations they firmly reject. International efforts to halt the violence have so far failed. US ambassador Power said she intended to discuss her country's "commitment to two states side-by-side in security and peace" during her visit. WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland should recommit to the respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law, three U.S. senators said in a letter sent to the prime minister, referring to new laws on media and the constitutional court. Poland's ruling party, the conservative and eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS), has packed the constitutional court with its appointees and changed the court's voting system, curbing its ability to censure legislation. It has also passed a law giving the government direct control over the appointment of public media chiefs. This has already raised concern in the European Commission, which began an unprecedented inquiry into whether Poland's new government, which won an outright majority in October, has breached the EU's democratic standards. U.S. three senators -- Ben Cardin, John McCain and Richard J. Durbin -- said in their letter to Beata Szydlo dated on Feb. 10 that they were concerned about the actions taken. The letter, posted on Cardin's website, described them as having close ties to Polish-American communities in the United States. They said Poland's action "threaten the independence of state media and the country's highest court and undermine Poland's role as a democratic model for other countries in the region still going through difficult transitions". "We urge your government to recommit to the core principles of the OSCE and the EU, including the respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law," the letter said. Szydlo replied on Sunday, also in a letter, that was made available for some local media. Szydlo blamed the former government for the situation in the constitutional court and said the new media law did not breach any European standards. "... the interest and goodwill of the American politicians cannot be changed into instructing and imposing actions concerning my fatherland," Szydlo said in the letter. (Reporting by Agnieszka Barteczko and Jakub Iglewski; Editing by Alison Williams) By Karolina Tagaris LESBOS, Greece (Reuters) - She drowned trying to reach Europe, but her headless body was never identified. Her tombstone will bear no name. Like others buried beside her in an olive grove on the Greek island of Lesbos, the marble plaque on her unmarked grave will proclaim the victim "Unknown". Her epitaph an identification number, the date she washed ashore, and her presumed age: one. Sixty-four earthen graves have been dug in this land plot for refugees and migrants who drowned crossing the Aegean Sea trying to reach Europe. Just 27 of those are named. The others state plainly: "Unknown Man, Aged 35, No 221, 19/11/2015;" "Unknown Boy, Aged 7, No 40, 19/11/2015;" "Unknown Boy, Aged 12, No 171, 19/11/2015." More than half a million people fleeing Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries plagued by war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa have arrived on Lesbos since last year hoping to continue to northern Europe. In 2015, the deadliest year for migrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean, more than 3,700 people are known to have drowned or gone missing, the International Organization for Migration says. The actual number is believed to be higher. Hundreds have drowned in Greece since arrivals surged last summer. So many, in fact, that the section of one Lesbos cemetery designated for refugees and migrants has long run out of space. Locals conclude that entire families have drowned in the same shipwreck, leaving no survivors to identify the victims. They recall bodies found severely decomposed after days at sea, or dismembered from crashing against the rocks of the island's long coastline. "It doesn't feel right, seeing a child of unknown identity, an unknown child, a child of 'roughly this age'," said Alekos Karagiorgis, a caretaker who has transported hundreds of corpses from beaches across the island to the morgue since summer. "It doesn't matter if it's your job. It breaks your heart." Remote beaches on the island still bear the traces of arrivals: flimsy, discarded life jackets are strewn across the rocks as well as the odd shoe, a jacket, milk formula and nappies. Though fewer than 10 nautical miles separate the Aegean island of Lesbos from Turkey, hundreds have drowned trying to make it across on overcrowded rubber or wooden boats. In October, following a nighttime shipwreck from which more than 200 were rescued but dozens died, the St. Panteleimon cemetery ran out of space to bury the dead and the island's morgue had to bring in a container to keep the bodies. That prompted local authorities to set aside a plot of land in one village for burials. DOZENS BURIED There Mustafa Dawa, a boyish-looking 30-year-old from Egypt in Greece since his 20s, has taken on the unofficial role of washing, shrouding and burying the dead, their heads faced towards Mecca. "I did 57 funerals in seven days. In one day I did 11," he said, recalling spending a few minutes crouched in the grave of the headless child, weighed down by emotion. Dawa says it's the least he can do. "I can't stop the war there, I can't make them cross (to Europe) legally. All I can do is bury them." Since the October shipwreck, Theodoros Nousias, a coroner, has photographed and taken DNA samples of more than 200 victims who drowned off Lesbos and the island of Samos, keeping an archive in case relatives seek them out. One body washed ashore this week, but it's anyone's guess when or where the person died, he said. Whenever the wind blows, those who drowned in Turkey are washed ashore on Lesbos. While some victims have been identified through photographs, others are simply unidentifiable, he said, except through DNA. Only one of hundreds has been traced this way so far, Nousias said. Like Nousias, Karagiorgis, the caretaker, and others on Lesbos faced daily with the reality of death, hope for the day the victims will be identified. "I hope they trace them through DNA so that these people can rest," Karagiorgis said. "So that their souls can rest in peace, the mother or father searching for this person finds peace and says, 'you know what, they chose to do this and they drowned this way'." (Editing by Stephen Powell) Washington (AFP) - A self-proclaimed socialist, a high-powered capitalist: The distance seems huge between Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Donald Trump, whose sweeping primary victories have galvanized the race for the White House. But Sanders and Trump have something in common, and they are proud of it. Their campaigns have succeeded so far without the help of "Super PACs," the outside groups, or political action committees, that can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations and unions. These groups are supporting their rivals, playing into the public's perception of massive donations making candidates beholden to the interests of big companies and the wealthy. Sanders and Trump do not want money from Super PACs, both saying so-called "dark money" hurts US politics. It is "a corrupt campaign finance system undermining American democracy, where billionaire, Wall Street, corporate America can contribute unlimited sums of money into Super PACs and into candidates," Sanders said. The Vermont senator says his $75 million campaign chest has been built largely by individual donations averaging $27 each. Sanders's rival in the race for the Democratic party's presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, has also raised millions from individuals under the legal limit of $2,700 per person. But she is still battling suspicions that she is in Wall Street's pocket, due to the Super PAC supporting her campaign, which has raised about $41 million. More than a third of it comes from the financial sector, notably billionaire investor George Soros, who gave $7 million, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. - Trump's wealth trumps - On the Republican side, Trump, the real estate mogul, also slams the financial political system which he, with a personal fortune estimated at $4.5 billion, says he can afford to ignore. "I am self-funding my campaign and therefore I will not be controlled by the donors, special interests and lobbyists who have corrupted our politics and politicians for far too long," Trump said. Story continues His Republican rivals all benefit from Super PACs, whose spending cannot be directly coordinated with a candidate's campaign. Right to Rise, the group supporting Jeb Bush, has raised $118 million to buy advertising and voter mailings. But Bush has had poor results in the first two primaries of the election season this month. "Money can't make up for a bad candidate, but it can help them to stay in the race even if they should have already dropped out," said Lawrence Noble of the Campaign Legal Center. "In that sense the Super PACs are distorting the race," added Noble, a former US Federal Election Commission official. Their influence can make or break an election. "When the race is very tight and when you need every vote, that's when the Super PAC money can make a difference," Norman Eisen, a former ethics adviser to President Barack Obama, told AFP. Businesses usually do not directly contribute to the Super PACs. "They don't want to be seen as really aggressive in the political progress out of fear that it could upset their customers and their shareholders," said Bob Biersack of the Center for Responsive Politics. - Business chiefs donate - But business leaders and those close to them dig into their own wallets. The chairman of software giant Oracle, Larry Ellison, has given $3 million to a committee supporting Republican Marco Rubio, while Texas oil magnates the Wilks brothers have pumped $15 million into a Super PAC for Ted Cruz. Some donate for purely ideological reasons but others are hoping for a return on their investment: privileged access to the potential future president of the United States. "A candidate is often very well aware of how much money was given to him by executives. They often spend time with them and all of that leads to a relationship," said Biersack. Such proximity, however, can come at a political cost. "You're undermining your credibility when you accept so much money from corporate executives," said Noble. "Your decisions, even when they're solidly fact-based, will always be regarded with suspicion." It is this cloud that overhangs Clinton. "Name anything they've influenced me on," she said in response to questions about her ties to Wall Street bankers, whose greed is blamed largely for the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession. "I'm going to jail them if they should be jailed." "Dark money" also gathers elsewhere in the political system. Companies can directly finance nongovernmental organizations such as Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS, which in turn can finance campaigns without having to identify their contributors. "The Super PACs are already bad enough, but the non-profits are even worse," Eisen said. None of these organizations responded to requests for comment. The bar has officially been raised for young romantics everywhere. Hayden Godfrey, a 17-year-old student at Sky View High School in Smithfield, Utah, passed out carnations to every girl at school all 834 of them! on Thursday. "So I did a thing today," he wrote on Facebook. "Today I passed out 900 carnations, one to every girl at SVHS and it was totally worth it. I don't think anything can compare to seeing every girl in your life holding a flower as they walk through the halls." So I did a thing today.Today I passed out 900 carnations, one to every girl at SVHS and it was totally worth it. I don... Posted by Hayden Godfrey onA Thursday, February 11, 2016 Godfrey started the project his freshman year, when he anonymously sent flowers to about 30 girls, according to Salt Lake City's KUTV News. "I thought as many people as possible should be happy on Valentine's Day," he told the news station. The high school senior told ABC News he worked at McDonald's, a nearby Mexican restaurant and a local grocery store for the last year and a half to save the $450 needed to buy 900 carnations from an online wholesaler. "I think it's something I'll remember for the rest of my life," he said. "I got a lot of thank yous that day. It was really cool." Godfrey's girlfriend, 18-year-old classmate Lilyan Sharp, told ABC News she's definitely not jealous of the 834 recipients of her boyfriend's "very special" gesture. "I, myself, spent a lot of Valentine's Days not receiving anything," she said. "I know how it feels." Closing out his Saturday Night Live performance of Feb. 13, Kanye West announced that his latest album, The Life of Pablo, was not only available on Tidal, but also on his website. The only thing that's available on KanyeWest.com, however, is a message from Yasiin Bey. Which is confusing for those of us who missed the 2012 moment when, in an Anchorage, Alaska parking lot, rapper Mos Def shed his longtime stage name in favor of something less tired and less likely to eclipse his true self. "My professional name will be my chosen and my legal name, which is Yasiin Bey," the rapper said at the time. "And I don't want to have to wait for it to be in Source or Vibe or someplace. I figure, we're all here. We can see each other. "Y-A-S-I-I-N, first name," he continued. "Last name: B-E-Y." The artist formerly known as Mos Def was born Dante Terrell Smith; the name Yasiin Bey, according to Digital Trends, is a nod to his Muslim faith and, apparently, one his family and friends have used since 1999. Yasiin Bey still performs with Mos Def's signature red microphone. What's Bey saying on KanyeWest.com? Anyone who listened to the recording all the way through will be familiar with the premise. For those who didn't, here are the words (as best they can be deciphered from a crackly recording) Bey raps to the general tune of "No More Parties in L.A." "Peace, This is Yasiin /No more parties in S.A., please tell 'em no more parties in S.A. /Ain't home arrest, I don't need to stay /I'll leave and I'll stay away /I committed no crime any place /Why these police up in my face? /Why they raiding my place? /Why I don't feel safe? This is not an expression of fear /This is just to make things clear /My intentions are pure in coming here /And that's why everything I love I hold dear /Umi's in the buidlin' /So is my wife and my children /I committed no crime /Why is the state wastin' my time /They must be out of their minds /I forgive 'em that's the spirit of divine. I just want to go where I'm wanted, where I'm loved /Stop frontin' /Where I live is my choice /You cannot mute my voice /Thank you Kanye West for being a real friend." Story continues S.A. stands for South Africa: The message ends with a lengthy explanation of Bey's current situation, which clarifies his rap. "At this present time, I am currently in Cape Town, South Africa and I am being prevented from leaving unjustly, unlawfully, and without any logical reason." Like his name change, Bey's recording isn't exactly new. According to CNN, it went up around the same time "No More Parties in L.A." dropped, which means that Bey has been detained in South Africa for something like a month now. According to the Associated Press, Bey possessed a U.S. passport and a visitor's permit when he moved in South Africa in 2013. The visitor's permit expired in 2014, which is why Bey was arrested at the Cape Town International Airport on Jan. 14, 2016: He was "violating local immigration laws while trying to leave the country," from which he is now banned (with the prospect of appeal). He is both banned from and detained in South Africa? Paradoxically, yes. The World Service Authority issued Bey a World Passport when it turned out that he possessed neither a valid visa nor a valid U.S. passport. But the thing about a World Passport is, as Digital Trends reported, it isn't officially recognized as a legitimate document by most countries, including the U.S., the European Union, Russia, China or Japan, because it's relatively easy to procure. Bey contends that South African authorities have wrongly deemed his passport "fictitious" and suggests that the listener look up the country's precedent for accepting the document. Indeed, on the World Service Authority's site, South Africa is the first example listed as proof that a World Passport is an acceptable international travel document. According to CNN, South Africa's move would typically be to send Bey back to his home country. However, the rapper has apparently given up his U.S. citizenship. Because he is a man without a country, he's stuck in bureaucratic limbo. In other, related news: Bey used the recording to make a big announcement. "I'm retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today, and also from Hollywood, effective immediately," he said at the end of his message. "I'm releasing my final album this year, and that's that." Where he goes from here is, in every way, uncertain. NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Brooklyn man pleaded not guilty on Sunday to murder and other charges in the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend, their daughter and another child at a Staten Island hotel being used to shelter the homeless family. Michael Sykes, 25, was arraigned in court after the discovery on Wednesday of the bodies of Rebecca Cutler, 26, her daughter Ziana Cutler, 1, and 4-month-old Maliyah Sykes. Cutler's older daughter, Miracle Cutler, 2, was wounded but survived. Sykes pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal possession of a weapon. "The heinous and violent nature of this tragic crime make it a top priority for my office," Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said. "The public should be assured that my staff intends to vigorously prosecute the case against this murderer." Sykes was due back in court on Tuesday. He is being held on Rikers Island. New York City police arrested him on Saturday at a Ramada Inn, where the city had been housing the family in lieu of a homeless shelter. Chief of Detectives for the New York Police Department Robert Boyce said security cameras at the motel showed Sykes entering the room where the family had been staying. Sykes left the room a few minutes later and took a bus to a ferry that runs between Staten Island and Manhattan. Police believe he stabbed Cutler and the children before leaving. Police said Sykes and Cutler had an argument on Tuesday and were seen at a delicatessen with the children early on Wednesday. Sykes was accused of forcibly taking Cutler's cellphone, according to a sworn police statement. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Peter Cooney) Police search for ex-con in murder probe Nagakiyas costume-clad body was found under a tree in Queens Park Savannah, Port-of- Spain on Ash Wednesday hours after she played mas in the band Legacy on Carnival Tuesday. An autopsy confirmed she had been manually strangled. She may have put up a fight against her attacker with lacerations on her head, elbows and her legs, suggesting signs of a struggle. Her murder investigation triggered a series of searches in Port-of-Spain yesterday, with Homicide Bureau investigators calling on the assistance of the Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit after recognising a man with a criminal record on CCTV footage which showed him around Picton Court on Picton Street, Newtown where Nagakiya was staying for Carnival. Investigators are also looking for three other men, two from Woodbrook and the other from Port-of-Spain, who are also seen in the footage and sources said they too are known to the police, although they have never been charged and convicted for any crime unlike the main suspect who has a conviction. However, sources would not disclose the crime the suspect had been convicted for. Based on information from local friends of Nagakiya and the surveillance footage retrieved from Picton Court, investigators believe Nagakiya was killed between 7 pm and 9 pm on Carnival Tuesday (February 9) and her body was left under a tree at the Savannah, opposite Queens Royal College. Camera images show Nagakiya first walking into Picton Court and then she is later seen outside on Picton Street at about 6 pm. She never rejoined Legacy masqueraders. I n v e s t i g a t o r s learned that Nagakiya was first staying at a Woodbrook location but due to financial constraints she moved into more affordable accommodation at Picton Court. They have also been told that Nagakiya had been seen with the four men on several occasions and investigators said she may not have known about the main suspects record and that the other three have been monitored by the police. The search in areas where the main suspect often visited was unsuccessful and investigators believe he has gone into hiding. The other men also cannot be found. A profile of the main suspect has been distributed to officers of other police units as the net to find him widens. Investigators said they intend to use all available resources to apprehend the murderer. This is tourism. This one could really affect the country. People come to enjoy themselves and play mas and they end up dead? We cant take that. We want them. We cant leave this investigation open at all, said one investigating officer. He said homicide detectives continue to review CCTT footage and interview persons who had contact with the victim. Sunday Newsday understands the National Security Council led by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley met on Friday afternoon during which Nagakiyas murder and other crimes were discussed for several hours. The meeting ended shortly after 7 pm and sources revealed strategies to deal with crime were discussed, but due to confidentiality declined to say if any specific measures related to solving Nagakiyas murder. National Security Minister Edmund Dillon yesterday said he could not comment on matters discussed but offered condolences on the Japanese womans death. Nagakiyas murder which has drawn the attention of international media and prompted the Japanese Embassy to warn nationals of violent crime in the country advising them to be cautious when going out. Several Port-of- Spain steelbands have Japanese pannists who visit each year to play in Panorama. Pan Trinbago Inc TC, the World Governing Body for the Steelpan, expressed condolences to the family and friends of Nagakiya in a press release on Friday. Michael Joseph, Public Relations Officer of Pan Trinbago Inc described her as an accomplished pan musician, a true global ambassador for the steelpan who loved and was passionate about the artform, and who would be greatly missed. The steelband fraternity regard all pannist as one family, so we share the grief and concern of the immediate family members. Still in shock, we too would like to know why. We also hope that the law would act swiftly in bringing whoever is involved to justice, he said. Police killing sparks fiery protest They kill the man like a dog, one male resident shouted. Residents burned pieces of wood, tyres and other debris at the corner of Belle Vue Road and Fred Circular, also known as the alley, and disrupted traffic. They also had a second fire set on Fred Circular closer to where the shooting happened. We want justice, people shouted. The residents were protesting the killing of Sheldon Mek Mek Bernard, a 42-year-old construction worker and resident of Belle Vue Road. According to police at about 11.20 am officers from the Western Division Task Force were at Belle Vue Road, Long Circular when they stopped and searched an individual. Police say while attempting to search Bernard he pulled out a weapon and police responded, shooting him once in the chest. Bernard was taken to the St James Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police also reported they recovered a .38 revolver from the scene. Protesting residents, however, had a different account. Bernards son and only child, Shaquille Holder, said he was told by residents around 10am police found his father with a marijuana cigarette, chased him to Fred Circular and then shot him while he was unarmed saying taking this. Residents showed blood stains where he had been killed. We want to know what they kill him for, one resident demanded. Residents said Bernard was a rum drinker and liked to smoke weed but was no bad man and did not own a gun. One male resident described him as cool soldier who was sweet with women, and he limed with him in St James on Friday night. One female resident and friend of Bernards said the police cant kill a man for a piece of weed. Bernards relatives could be seen crying and comforting each other yesterday. At about 3.40 pm four police officers, two of them armed, arrived and attempted to placate the angry residents but they proceeded to shout and protest even more. Officers cautioned them about using obscene language. A fire tender arrived about 20 minutes later and the two blazes were put out. Residents, however, promised to keep up their protests. That is the starting of the fire but is more fire, one man commented. $4M drug bust in South Police intercepted a vehicle in the Woodland area on the outskirts of San Fernando and confiscated cocaine and marijuana which has a street value of $4.2 million. The drug bust took place at about 8.50 am following which, a 44-year-old national of the Dominican Republic and a 33-year-old man from Carenage, were arrested. Up to late yesterday they were in police custody as police investigations continued into the source of the drugs. According to a police report, a party of police officers set-up a road-block at various intersections leading into Woodland and,at the M2 Ring Road, on the outskirts of San Fernando. Among the police party were Sgt Parasram, Cpl Joseph, Police Constables George, Ramadhin, Roban, Samaroo, Lancaster and Woman Police Constables Joint, Plenty and Noel of the Southern Divisional Task Force. The police report stated that during the roadblock, in which police officers stopped motorists and searched their vehicles, a cream-coloured Tuscon SUV vehicle proceeding along the road in Woodland was stopped. The vehicle was searched and 7.1 kilogrammes of pure cocaine, and 23.3 kilogrammes of high-grade marijuana were found. The drugs were seized and the suspects were taken into police custody at the San Fernando Police Headquarters. The police officers were commended by senior police officers Supt Hacksaw, ASP Ramdeo and Inspector Don Gajadhar. If charges are laid, the two men will be taken to the San Fernando Magistrates Court. Despers victory parade up the hill Manager Curtis Edwards said the trophy will be presented to residents and die-hard supporters in a celebration on the site of Desperadoes soon-to-be-completed steelband panyard facility at Upper Laventille Road, Laventille. The presentation, he said, will be made during a motorcade throughout the community, beginning from 1 pm. We just want to do our bit in getting the community back together, said Edwards, alluding to the crime situation that has long plagued the beleaguered district. Edwards said Desperadoes, which performed at last nights Champs in Concert at Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain was also planning a thanksgiving service for later this month. God is responsible for this victory, he declared during a Sunday Newsday interview at the bands temporary panyard at the former site of the Greyfriars Church of Scotland, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain. He put our whole team together. He was responsible for the vibes in the band. Desperadoes has made a 360-degree turn from where we were last year. Several years ago, Desperadoes was forced to relocate to venues outside of its panyard on the hill mainly because the band needed more space for rehearsal sessions. Crime was also a concern among several players. With the assistance of the East Port-of-Spain Development Company, Desperadoes later began refurbishment of its existing structure and is hoping to return to the panyard by the end of March. Rebounding from its disappointing eighth place finish in the 2015 National Panorama competition, Desperadoes clinched its 11th Panorama title, last Carnival Saturday, during the hotly-contested 2016 finals at the Queens Park Savannah. Playing 5Star Akils Different Me, a piece arranged by Carlton Zanda Alexander, the band delivered a near flawless performance, which Edwards said reminded supporters of Desperadoes glory days. He said the victory was significant for several reasons; it marked the 50th anniversary of Desperadoes triple crown win in 1966 and also kept the band in line with its reputation as perhaps the most consistent steelband in the country. Most importantly, Edwards said, Desperadoes win also brought back life to Laventille. Supporters of every nook and cranny have come out to share in the victory. I mean I saw one woman with a 1983 (Desperadoes) jersey, he said with a laugh. For all of the bands previous Panorama victories, though, Edwards said the 2016 title was the sweetest, primarily because of the contribution of its management team and young players. Regarding the latter, Edwards said the future of Desperadoes will be in safe hands. We had young people who only started rehearsing in June and they have already experienced a Panorama victory, he said. So overwhelmed were the young people by the victory, Edwards said, many of them volunteered to assist with the storage of the steelpans at their panyard on Frederick Street after the bands winning appearance. Saying the young adults in Desperadoes have played a pivotal role in the band over the years, Edwards noted the band was putting measures in place for successorship. Despers is in good hands until 2025, he boasted. Edwards argued that young people must be given a chance to prove themselves. What I have realised is that young people must be given some responsibility. There is a feeling that society belongs to the adults but young people also have a contribution to make, he said. In the short to medium term, Edwards said Desperadoes was planning a series of cultural shows, within Laventille, aimed at restoring pride in the community. The band, he said, also plans to embark on some business deals which he preferred not to divulge at this time. Edwards said Desperadoes was also intent on being the first steelband to own its own studio. For now, the band is looking forward to returning to its panyard at Upper Laventille Road. Arthur Lewis, communications officer of the East Port-of-Spain Development Company, told Sunday Newsday the upgraded, multi-purpose facility, funded under the Infrastructure Development Fund, will contain three levels, adjoining the East Port-of- Spain Regional Complex. Expected to be completed this month, Lewis said the facility will include increased practice space and pan storage, a mezzanine floor with class/training rooms and administrative offices and a multi-purpose rooftop space accessed through an internal stair case and an external lift for moving pans and racks. He said the East Port-of-Spain Development Company and Desperadoes will also partner with other agencies such as the Citizen Security Programme (CSP ) to design and implement a youth friendly space at the site. Lewis said the company will also establish a programme to ensure that the Desperadoes panyard is a safe space. The company continues to partner with Desperadoes and other key stakeholders to confirm elements of a Despers Heading Home Campaign, including establishing a safe zone and safe access to/from the panyard and use of the space for community learning, recreation and social enterprise initiatives, he said. Asami, Trini-to-the bone From what the past week has informed us, her name is Asami Nagakiya, 30 years old, a graduate of Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, and originally from the Sapporo-shi district in Hokkaido, Japan. More than anything else, we know it was her love for playing pan that brought her to our shores year after year for some eight years to play in the worlds largest pan festival, Panorama. But her name will go down in Carnival history as the young woman who was murdered in Port-of-Spain, far away from the revellers with whom she fraternised, under one of the spreaded trees of the Queens Park Savannah some time between Carnival Tuesday evening and Ash Wednesday. The first time Asami came here I saw this tiny Japanese woman who was always happy, Marcus Ash, drill master of PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars the band in which Asami found a musical home recalled to Sunday Newsday last week. Every time she came into the panyard she would always be screaming and hugging everyone. Later, I realised that her dream was to be in Trinidad she played steelpan in college and fell in love with it, so she wanted to be in the home of steelpan. Ash was one of those Trinidadians with whom Nagakiya became close so close that he is the recipient of her last body of work which she recorded just before boarding a plane to come to Trinidad for this years Carnival. This, her latest CD was titled Flowers, and Ash has just the one copy which Nagakiya wanted him to hear and to give her his opinion. I would have liked to sit with her and listen to this CD and give her my impressions personally, Ash said. We were actually supposed to do that on Thursday, but she was found (dead) on Ash Wednesday. When members of Silver Stars on Thursday laid flowers at the site where she was murdered on the western end of the Queens Park Savannah, Ash said it pained him to know that he will never be able to tell her what he thought. For days, the emotions of losing one Nagakiya were so great that he was unable to even break the seal on the CD, but after paying final respects, he felt strong enough to hear the collection. One of her compositions, Cluster Amaryllis was even aired on a popular radio talk show. Ash enjoyed the songs. She made sure to keep it simple, yet she used the music to create a storyline. Each piece was named after a flower, and, according to Ash, she used the music to create an atmosphere, and build a scenery around each flower. For example, one of her songs Hurricane Lilly began with the light sounds of rain drops, and used the ambience of wind and rain in the background. The work caused Ash to reflect even more on who this young woman was. Originally from the Sapporo-shi district in Hokkaido, Japan, Nagakiya discovered steelpan when she went to Kanagawa, to study music at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. She spent four years there, and when she graduated in 2007, she packed her bags and made her way to Trinidad to fulfil her dream of playing on steelpans biggest stage, Panorama, at the Queens Park Savannah. Over her many visits, Nagakiya played with several bands including Pandemonium at its Norfolk Street base in Belmont, but a couple years later she found a home in the Newtown-based Silver Stars. Nagakiya quickly became popular with both members and non-members of the band, as she was frequently seen hugging and starting conversations with persons in the panyard, despite the language barrier. She would just hug everybody and start a conversation, Ash remembered, Her English wasnt as good then, but now it certainly has improved. She was the friendliest person in Silver Stars. We would always go and lime; I carried her, along with other foreign players, for bake and shark at Maracas beach that soon became a tradition. We also carried her on a boat ride called Rep Yuh Band which is promoted by Desperadoes. All the steel orchestras come together for a boat ride and represent their band and party. She met a lot of other players, and through all the interactions she grew in popularity among the community. Nagakiyas effervescent personality may have come from the teachings at her college, as Wakao Maeda, founder of Senzoku Gakuen College, built it in the spirit of Keep your dreams lofty, but be humble in your actions. Ash noted that over the years, Asami showed more passion for the national instrument than some Trinidadians. She would come to Trinidad and play for free; if she gets paid she gets paid, if she doesnt, she wouldnt care, Ash recounted. The second year she played with us, after Edmond Pouchet, the then arranger, got a heart attack, she didnt charge the band a cent. She told us to take what she earned and donate it to Pouchets medical bills. That is the kind of person she was. Her dream really was to cross the stage on a final night and play for Panorama. Ash revealed. She played on that stage five times. This year, she was with the band again, supporting their rendition which would give them seventh place in the finals. Nagakiya made it a habit of bringing souvenirs for her friends and fellow band members every time she came into the country. One of these was the CD, which she gave to Ash with a note that read: Dear Marcus, this is my CD. Please let me know your impressions. All composed by me. Had Ash known that his time with her was limited, he would have torn open the CD and immersed himself in her songs, but instead he decided to wait until after the Carnival to properly listen to the CD. Ash, along with several members of the band, last saw her alive at the panyard, on Carnival Tuesday evening. She told band members that she was going to her apartment at Picton Court, to change. Ash told Sunday Newsday that he tried calling her on Wednesday to join the band to lime down the islands. He did not get a response from her, and did not find out her fate until the group returned from the islands. Nagakiya was found dead at about 9.30 on Ash Wednesday morning, under a tree on the western side of the Queens Park Savannah, near Queens Royal College. An autopsy confirmed she was manually strangled. Lasting Love TODAY is Valentines Day and around the world many will be pledging everlasting love to their significant others. Two people who know quite a lot about long lasting love are Bensley and Lenore Brathwaite who will be celebrating an impressive 68 years of marriage next month. Sunday Newsday visited the couple at their Petit Valley home last Friday and they spoke about meeting each other seven decades ago, their married life and the keys to staying together. Bensley, 95, and Lenore, 84, first met in 1943 as neighbours living at what was then Park Avenue in Cocorite, now Farfan Street. Lenore was 11 and had just begun attending Osmond High School, Henry Street, Port-of-Span which was started by her uncle Arthur Murray, one of three black men who began secondary schools in the 1940s. Bensely, a 21-year-old Barbadian, came to Trinidad seeking work. He explained that it was during World War II and Trinidad and Tobago was the only Caribbean country that could survive because it hosted two American bases - a naval and an army base. A carpenter and cabinet maker he found work at the naval base in Chaguaramas and stayed there for eight years. Bensley moved into a housing area populated by West Indian bachelors on Park Avenue. It was located down the hill from where Lenore lived with her parents and eight brothers. Lenore recalled that initially Bensley had nothing to do with her as she was a young girl in her school uniform. The years passed and by 1947 the 15-year-old Lenore began noticing Bensley. She would see him coming from work in an American truck. She recalled that he had a whole head of curly hair and did not look like the other West Indian bachelors. He was, and is, good looking, she said smiling. The two began speaking by chance. One of Lenores brothers was nicknamed Brathwaite which coincidentally was Benselys last name. When she would go down the hill to fill water she would call out to her brother, Brathwaite. Bensley, believing he was being called, would look out of his window and ask what you calling my name for? Lenore in response would steups. Bensley was also friends with Lenores eight brothers and would go swimming and fishing with them in Carenage on the family pirogue. He recalled that he had a girlfriend in Trinidad at the time but seeing (Lenore) my mind shift. He noted that in Barbados they liked to know the family you were marrying into was a good one and he determined that if he was to get married in Trinidad it would be to a reputable family. Lenores family, he recalled, was well known, well educated and musical. He eventually decided to give up his girlfriend and turn his attentions to Lenore, who he found young and promising and had a lot of life. He called me Daisy, Lenore recalled smiling. Her mother and grandmother had a habit of calling of Bensley, Charlie and Lenore, who found Bensley such a big name , also started calling him that too and has continued to this day. The two began speaking with each other and Lenores parents took notice of the budding attraction. Bensley recalled that his mind was focused on her and eventually wrote a letter to Lenores father asking to marry her. Lenore said her parents were concerned that Bensley was not a Seventh-Day Adventist but they liked him. Bensley said they liked his quiet attitude and that he never like to make a scene. The two were engaged in June 1947. Their courtship did not include any dates and Lenore said back then she did not know the word. Instead they would go on family outings, weddings and church conferences together, taking the train to their destinations. At the end of 1947 her parents began planning their wedding and set a timeline for three months. At 16 years and three quarters Lenore was a minor and her parents had to go to the Red House to post banns. She recalled that Bensley bought her crown and veil while her parents bought the cloth for her aunt to make her wedding dress. A marriage of faith They were married on March 28, 1948 and, without any honeymoon, moved to La Canoe, Santa Cruz. From there Bensley would ride his bike to work in Chaguaramas every day. He said he was young back then and the journey was nothing. I cant do it now, he quipped. They lived at Santa Cruz until the birth of their first child, a boy they named Ronald, and then returned to live in Cocorite where they first met. They would go on to have seven more children: Pearl Joseph, Christine Carter, Carol Brathwaite, Peggy Mitchell, another boy, Eric Brathwaite, Susan Dixson and Jacqueline Jerome. Those eight children would have 18 grandchildren and those grandchildren 10 great grandchildren. In 1975, Lenore moved to the United States (US) to work as a nurses assistant to help her three children studying there. She would remain in the US for 15 years while Bensley remained in Trinidad working as a carpenter at Geddes Grant at the corner of Chacon Street and South Quay and opposite Huggins department store; a Courts store is currently at that location. Asked about the difficulty being apart for so long Lenore said that she came home every Christmas and Bensley would come to the US every August. When her children completed their degrees she returned home to Trinidad. Bensley recalled that his parents had instilled in him the importance of having his own house and he eventually built their current home in Petit Valley back in the 1950s. Lenore said it is a beautiful thing to marry a tradesman and secondly accepting Christ. She noted they are both born again Christians and are saved by the blood of Jesus. The couple spend their days listening to gospel music, reading the Bible and newspapers. After they watch the news they have Bible devotions, with Bensley as the congregation and Lenore preaching and playing the piano. At 9pm they go to bed and mediate on the day and the devotions. Bensley said their life is in Jesus Christ and they have nothing more to look forward to. Lenore said the Lord has blessed them and kept them. She noted they have their medical issues but it is no problem. Trouble and sorrow with Jesus is not as with the world, she added. Understanding, sacrifice, compromise Asked what is the key to a long, happy marriage Lenore responded that it is about pleasing one another and cant do without one another. She also noted that children keep a marriage and she could not see herself leaving with one child. By the time you have eight you not going anywhere, she added. Lenore recalled she was so young and served her husband. She noted in the Bible Sarah called Abraham lord and that was the only thing she did not do for her husband. I serve my husband all his married life. He is the best husband in the world, she said. Bensley said their married life has been a happy one. We have had our ups and downs and so forth. (But we) never allow that to separate us. Through ups and downs we grow stronger and have more desire, he noted. Right through my life I can see no other but her. Best woman in the world. Bensley said their life in Jesus helped them to grow together and when married people both like something it is quite easy. He noted, alternatively, that a difference can cause conflict. Lenore said in the all their years they have never been against each other and nor have ever had a major quarrel. That was long time days. Now people full of pressure, she commented. She noted they began life when a pound of flour or a tin of condensed milk was six cents. Lenore stressed the importance of pleasing one another and compromise, and especially for children of God it should not be that hard. She said they had an understanding and you cannot say that I am right and I dont want to hear you as with that attitude the marriage will not last. She noted that though they have their rough days they make up. Bensley also noted that in marriage both partners have to be willing to sacrifice. If one half dont want to then things will break up, he stressed. Marriage life could be the best of the worse. Is how you, the couple make it, he added. Asked about plans for their 69th anniversary next month Lenore noted that their children residing abroad were in the country to celebrate Bensleys 95th birthday on January 9th so they were not sure if they would be able to return. She pointed to the photos of their many anniversaries over the years. I would marry him again, said Lenore. She then turned to Bensley for his response. We are still in love, he said. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Despers win a blow to crime This was the sentiment expressed by social activist and founding members of the Laventille Council of Elders William Thunderbolt Williams Thomas, following the bands 11th Panorama title with Carlton Zanda Alexanders arrangement of Different Me, on Carnival Saturday (February 6), at the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of- Spain. Thomas, who claims to be the leader of the Hill, said in an interview last Wednesday that he had visited the bands rehearsal sessions in the run-up to the Panorama competition and was certain Desperadoes would have emerged victorious. It was long overdue but God answered our prayers, an upbeat Thomas said of the win. A victory parade through Laventille takes place today. According to Thomas, Despers return to steelband glory would positively impact the troubled community, at least in the short term, but he maintains that the feat alone would not minimise crime. Schoolboys murders hurt deeply In the wake of the recent shooting deaths of teenage schoolboys Mark Richards and Denilson Smith, which he regarded as senseless, Thomas had called for an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and stakeholders in Laventille to discuss crime and other social issues plaguing the area. He had told Sunday Newsday the problems confronting the community required quick and decisive action. We have to act now and do what we have to do, Thomas had said, noting there was too much bloodshed in the community. Richards and Smith, students of Success/Laventille Secondary School, were pulled from a private- hire taxi and murdered by a gunman whilst returning to their homes in Picton, Laventille, on January 21. Fed-up of the bloodshed in the community, Thomas said last Wednesday the killings touched him deeply. I was in church when I heard what had happened to the boys and I cried for them, he said. Thomas said he heard that someone had ordered the killing of the students and has vowed to get to the bottom of the their murders. Following the killing, the Prime Minister called for a permanent army presence in crimeplagued communities. Thomas said the proposed meeting with Rowley must include the ministers of Housing, Works and Infrastructure, National Security and Social Development and Family Services. The former champion wrestler said following the consultation, a proposal for the communitys development must then be forwarded to Finance Minister Colm Imbert. Once we get a nice package, everything will quiet down and go nice. But there has to be a restructuring in Laventille and it is only when we fix Laventille that everything else could fall in place, he said. Thomas envisaged that Laventille will experience a turnaround in at least three months once an agreement was reached between the Government and stakeholders. Within recent years, a deeply spiritual Thomas has played a role in helping to minimise crime in Laventille Two years ago, in August 2013, the activist had called on religious bodies to unite and walk through Laventille, praying for change. He urged the then Peoples Peoples Partnership administration to designate three days completely to praying for the nation. We have to go through every little track praying and not only for those days but every weekend after that in all the communities. The steelbands and DJs have to go to every corner and play classic music and hymns. This is the vision I have gotten, Thomas had said on that occasion. Today, Thomas is again leading the charge to stem the crime wave affecting Laventille and other communities. Through the Council of Elders, which he said has experienced a resurgence within recent times, Thomas told Sunday Newsday that he has already visited several blocks to speak to activists because when the Prime Minister calls us, we want to be ready. Thomas said although Laventille has for decades been synonymous with crime, incidents such as the unwarranted killing of the two teenagers would never have occurred during the heyday of the Council of Elders. Voters in New Hampshire who are registered as undeclared, or without any party affiliation, can choose whether to participate in the Democratic or Republican primary. The GOP frontrunner is Donald Trump with a 32 percent average. The Democratic race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders swerved in a new direction after a pair of prominent Clinton supporters criticized female voters who support Sanders despite the prospect of electing the first female president. Trump, the billionaire businessman, launched the harshest attacks - not just against Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who had bested him in Iowa, but against Jeb Bush as well. Among the Republicans, Trump headed the field with 31%, topping Florida Sen. Christie said his final pitch to voters is very much rooted in the debate. Christie, Bush and Kasich are hoping that Rubio's rough night halts momentum he built up coming third in Iowa. Vying for votes in Nashua, Bush described his opponent variably as a loser, a liar, a whiner and the worst choice for president. Flint Legislation Approved By US House The damaged pipes continue to contaminate the water, and it could take months - or years - to fix and rebuild the water system. But Edwards says the Flint River is already high in phosphorus and adding more wouldn't have had any effect on bacteria. "When you repeat something over and over again, that's basically a canned phrase and it validates a belief you're not ready to be president", Bush told CNN's Dana Bash Monday. His campaign Sunday added three events for Monday, in addition to an already-scheduled rally in Manchester. Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler responded via email, saying, "Let's not forget who whipped who in Iowa". Referring to Rubio's more extreme position, Christie said in an MSNBC interview, "I think that's the kind of position that New Hampshire voters would be really concerned about". Since the debate, Rubio has only doubled down on his original talking point. A strong performance in New Hampshire was critical for Kasich, who all but skipped Iowa's caucuses to grind out town hall after town hall in New Hampshire. Absolutely. But when it comes to the - what he's trying to do to America, it's part of a plan. CHRISTIE: I'm going to SC. At seemingly every turn, Christie zeroed in on Rubio, pelting him with zingers about his inexperience and record in Washington. Bush's campaign debuted a new ad questioning Kasich's conservative credentials, while an outside group backing Rubio ran an ad assailing Bush. Both however were within the margin of error with Rubio and Bush besting Clinton by the same 45 percent to 43 percent margin. CDC confirms Zika case in Yolo County As of Tuesday, more than 30 countries and territories reported local transmissions of the Zika virus, Frieden said. Right now the mosquito carrying the Zika virus is located in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Christie, the New Jersey governor, who needs a breakthrough in New Hampshire to keep his flagging hopes alive, seemed to have drawn blood in a big way. He wants America to become more like the rest of the world. "It is just going to take a little longer, but we are going to get there". As polls closed, her campaign manager Robby Mook blasted out a memo touting Clinton's strength with Hispanics and black voters and arguing that a Democrat can not win the presidency without support from those constituencies. Sanders, a Vermont senator, is well known to voters in neighbouring New Hampshire. Behind Clinton's upbeat demeanor, however, are growing concerns within her campaign about her standing with young people, who are flocking to Sanders. He is barely registering in recent preference polls, but the New Jersey governor was the toughest candidate on the debate stage Saturday night. The former first lady insisted it was all overblown. "It was tiresome. I've heard it before", said Katherine Bringhurst, a 66-year-old retired office manager. Consultants are notorious for getting into a candidate's head and forcing them to memorize talking points, but that strategy has backfired for Rubio and he appears to be a man that is unable to speak for himself. Hoping to avoid any last-minute misstep, he stuck to core campaign themes as he addressed cheering supporters in Nashua. Trump leads ahead of New Hampshire vote Republican Donald Trump is doubling down on his support for intensifying interrogation techniques for some foreign prisoners. Sanders' strength with younger voters only heightens the threat he poses to what was once Clinton's decisive national lead. In the Democratic race, Sanders tops Clinton 61% to 35%, an uptick for Sanders since the last update to the tracking poll, while Clinton holds steady. The Zika virus has spread throughout Latin America via mosquitoes. "And when I say local transmission - I mean one person who is infected with Zika and is bitten by a mosquito and that mosquito carries it to another person", said Scott Harris, The Alabama Department of Public Health. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said they will be sending samples directly to the CDC for analysis. What is of most concern is the fact that the Zika virus has been associated with a rise of microcephaly birth defect cases. On Wednesday, U.S. health officials reported that traces of the Zika virus had been identified in the tissue of two babies who died in Brazil from microcephaly. Pam Bondi cheers Supreme Court halting President Obama's Clean Power Plan The initiative requires states to cut carbon emissions , providing incentives to replace coal plants with wind and solar farms. In August 2015, the White House unveiled the Clean Power plan as a centerpiece of national efforts to combat climate change. Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) officials confirmed one new case of the Zika virus, bringing the county's total up to three. The CDC has issued travel alerts to more than 25 countries, urging pregnant women to avoid areas where they could become infected. Forty-million Americans travel from the U.S.to Zika-affected areas every year, officials say. Researchers suggest the virus can also be transmitted through sexual activity of a person who is already infected. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can carry the Zika virus. "This is not unexpected given the number of reported cases nationally and internationally", said Dr. Karyl Rattay, head of Delaware's Division of Public Health. Trump leads ahead of New Hampshire vote Republican Donald Trump is doubling down on his support for intensifying interrogation techniques for some foreign prisoners. Sanders' strength with younger voters only heightens the threat he poses to what was once Clinton's decisive national lead. In a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Hughes said the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay and aquatic venues for other Olympic events in August were another matter when it comes to the threat of illness. "We are stretched", Frieden said, telling lawmakers the money is needed fast, within weeks. "A few people have asked advice, and they're generally happy just to receive up-to-date information", he said. The The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, announced new guidance for doctors whose pregnant patients may have traveled to regions with a tropical illness linked to birth defects. Dr. Thomas Frieden testified before Congress, saying the US needs to prepare for thousands more cases. The CDC explains that common symptoms of the Zika virus include conjunctivitis, joint pain, rash and fever. In the weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Trump held leads in nearly every statewide and national poll though his dominance in Iowa wobbled after Cruz won a key endorsement from a local evangelical Christian leader. Ted Cruz of Texas in the Monday-night Iowa caucuses. The Democratic firm Public Policy Polling survey which was to be released later on Thursday, found that 25 percent of the Republican-primary voters were still supporting Trump while Rubio and Cruz both ranked in second at 21 percent. Following Monday's Iowa Republican caucus, the race for the 2016 Republican nomination is tightening up. While Carson only indirectly criticized Cruz, his longtime adviser Armstrong Williams was blunt: "He cheated". Cruz's victory, declared relatively early in the night, led many to wonder what, exactly, a Trump concession speech even looked like. Yahoo! (YHOO) Stock Rises in After-Hours Trading as Verizon Explores Deal Armstrong also played a key role in helping AOL acquire TechCrunch and The Huffington Post . Armstrong runs AOL as a semi-autonomous media and advertising business. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson grabbed 11 percent. Cruz apologized to Carson on Tuesday, in a statement that mischaracterized CNN's reporting. The Florida senator also comes out on top when voters are given the choice between him and Cruz. The publication reveals that Rubio was just one percent behind Trump since the Florida senator received 23 percent of the votes while Trump was at 24 percent. Donald Trump's gracious acceptance of his second-place finish in Iowa was short-lived. And the surprisingly strong Iowa third-place finisher Rubio is working to consolidate the establishment vote at the expense of Bush, Christie and Ohio's John Kasich. More than 130 missing, 18 dead in Taiwan quake I opened my metal door and saw the building opposite fall down", said a 71-year-old neighbour who gave his name as Chang. However, city officials have said it is too early to say for certain if poor construction was a factor in the collapse. Entrance polls conducted by Fox News showed that 55 percent of caucus-goers who made up their minds in the final few days chose to support Cruz or Rubio. Trump has polled well in the moderate New Hampshire and two new polls indicate that is still the case as the other candidates see rises and collapses. "I like Ben Carson very much", Trump told Cooper. "It is total voter fraud", Trump said. "I think that the good old simple system where you walk in and you cast your vote, like we have, as an example, in New Hampshire, I think it's better". Most Constitutional scholars argue that because Cruz's mother was a USA citizen, Cruz is clear to serve as president. With 20 percent support, Texas Sen. About 300 crowded into Finn's Brick Oven and Pizza in Mount Pleasant to see and hear Kasich, with half spilling onto the restaurant's patio and grass outside. The South Carolina Republican primary and Nevada caucus, both beginning February 20, are the next two major primaries to take place. Already, more than $32 million has been spent on TV ads here, according to CMAG/Kantar Media data much of it by Right to Rise, the PAC backing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. He talked about the contributions he received from average Americans: "I am overwhelmed, and I am deeply moved far more than I can express in words by the fact that our campaign's financial support comes from more than one million Americans who have made more than $3.7 million individual contributions than any candidate in the history of the United States up until this point in an election". 'The Walking Dead': First 4 minutes of midseason premiere hint at mayhem As to Rick's evolving worldview, Kirkman said, " Rick's views are always evolving, and I think that's one of his strengths". In the end, we're left with a cliffhanger that's enough to have fans crouching in their seats for fear of what comes next. Rubio's team has long expressed confidence about his chances in SC. Kasich, a more moderate Republican, poured almost all of his campaign resources into the state. And as senior aides embraced the possibility of a brokered national convention, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., said the Rubio operation is "built for a long campaign". We've been building an organization here. Trump's remaining opponents, a lot of them mainstream Republicans, will likely benefit from their departures, which leave seven Republicans from a field that once had 17 candidates. It is considered a better barometer of the overall sentiment of the Republican base than Iowa, which in recent years has anointed the ultra-conservative candidate out of the GOP pack, or New Hampshire, whose large bloc of independent voters can produce unpredictable outcomes. Bush, Kasich and Rubio are competing for the rest, which should constitute a plurality in a three-candidate race. All the candidates sided with GOP congressional leaders, who said earlier that any nomination to fill Scalia's vacancy should happen under a new president, putting them at odds with Democrats and the White House. Instead, he finished New Hampshire looking up at Kasich, the sitting OH governor, and Bush, the former Florida governor. Scarborough painted a very different picture, one in which by dint of his town hall work, Christie had been steadily climbing in the New Hampshire polls-until Rubio unleashed a wave of negative advertising on Christie that drove his numbers back down. At a rally in Spartanburg, Rubio called the state "definitive and determinative". Scalia death sparks political debate over seat He was proud to be a New Yorker , and New Yorkers were proud to have one of their own serve as a Supreme Court Justice. But another problem relates to how a new Justice is nominated to the Court and approved in a contentious election year. "My kids were watching me last night", Rubio said of his nationally televised admission that a poor debate performance pushed voters away. He played into that characterization when he repeated the same practiced line multiple times under pressure from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Perhaps worst of all for a politician, he became the subject of ridicule, mocked on Twitter with the hashtags #Rubiobot and #Rubiorobot and followed around New Hampshire by someone dressed as a robot. However, Christie's debate ambush of Rubio did not ultimately seem to help him at the New Hampshire polls, and also triggered blowback from some conservatives. "I wish tonight had gone differently", Clinton wrote in a fundraising email. "We're going to take stock, but it's going to be the campaign that I've got", Clinton told MSNBC ahead of the vote. We're going to be the nominee. Rescuers have pulled out alive an eight-year-old girl and her aunt from the rubble of a Taiwan apartment block, more than 60 hours after it was toppled by an quake. Wang Ting-yu, a politician who represents the area, told reporters that a woman, Tsao Wei-ling, was found alive under her dead husband. Another male survivor, Lee Tsung-tien, 42, was pulled out conscious from the sixth floor section of the collapsed building, in the southern city of Tainan, where the rescue efforts of emergency workers and soldiers have been focused. Search and rescue crews believe there are more than 100 people still buried under the debris. Police shot man 20 times, including 6 in back The San Francisco police released a statement to KGO-TV contending that the autopsy fit with their version of events. Republication, retransmission or reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc.is prohibited. Family members of the missing flooded into the information centre to wait for news of their loved ones. Some of them walked around with green name cards around their necks indicating their missing relative's name and location in the building. About 4,000 rescue workers faced a race against time trying to find survivors among more than 100 people still missing in the ruins of the 17-story Weiguan Jinlong residential complex, the most badly damaged building in Tainan. "It was all topsy-turvy. I said to her I had to lay on top of her and she said to me it's OK", Ko told reporters at the hospital where he was recovering. While visiting victims at a hospital in Tainan, Tsai also pledged that her government would conduct safety checks on some of Taiwan's ageing buildings and support urban renewal projects. North Korea's mobile missile launcher seen moving: Japan's NHK The South, Japan and the United States, however, would also have an opportunity to test new hardware, should the North launch. Models of different types of rockets are displayed at the Sci-Tech Complex in Pyongyang, North Korea Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. Before that, rescuers saved a woman who was partly shielded by her dead husband, on the seventh floor of the Wei Guan building. Two survivors were rescued on February 8, after being trapped for more than 50 hours in the rubble of an apartment complex felled by a strong natural disaster in Taiwan on February 6. The collapse of the high-rise building raised questions about the quality of its construction. Taiwan's interior minister said an investigation would examine whether the developer had cut corners. Huang Jia-rui, a structural engineer in Tainan, said Taiwan's buildings are not as safe as Japan's, which is a leader in engineering quake-proof structures, but the island is catching up. "But this needs to be evaluated by authorities", he said. It is one of the country's biggest holidays and some people have as many as nine days off. Taiwanese President has subdued the Chinese New Year ceremony to oversee rescue and recovery operations at the national disaster headquarters. The U.S. takes Turkey's concerns about the PYD "very serious" and is in "constant" communication with the Turkish government to address those concerns, but adding also that both countries also "disagree on the YPG", he said, referring to the military wing of the PYD which is the Syrian branch of the PKK. "Hey, America. Because you never recognized them as a terrorist group, the region has turned into a sea of blood", Erdogan said bluntly. "This happens once or twice, and then we'll open the gates and wish them a safe journey, that's what I said", he said on Thursday. REUTERSThe threat follows what Mr Erdogan described as a"shameful response to the Syrian migrant crisis Moscow views United States allegations that it uses unguided munitions in Syria as "totally unfounded", Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing. "Is there a difference with the YPG?" However, under U.S. law, the PYD is not considered a terrorist group and United States officials repeatedly said that their cooperation with the PYD against ISIL will continue. "But there are no principles here". Tensions between the two European Union leaders did not offer a better deal to help Turkey manage the refugee crisis. US declares 22 Hillary Clinton emails 'top secret' The State Department did not reveal whether the messages were all sent to Clinton or if she authored any of them. The Clinton campaign immediately objected and called for the messages to be released. "We know from their [ISIL] own publications that they're now telling their fighters not to come to Syria, but to go elsewhere, to Libya for example", he told lawmakers. "If its the second, then bilateral relations will fray", he said. With Syrian troops backed by Russian warplanes waging a major offensive between the northern city of Aleppo and the Turkish border, the Kurds appeared to be exploiting the chaos to expand their nearby enclave, known as Afrin. Baton Rouge police say 2 officers, 1 suspect shot Gina Chambers said the suspect is 22-year-old Calvin Smith, who has been living at her Baton Rouge home since December. Chambers said she does not know where Smith obtained the rifle and was not aware of any gun being stored in the house. "Shame on you!" said Erdogan, saying the United Nations should be telling states to take in refugees from Turkey. Ms Hennessy said there was no risk to the public as the virus was not transmitted person to person, and was not present in Australian mosquitoes. The letter also explains some of basic information about Zika, including that it's spread by mosquitoes and that symptoms are most often mild. According to the Associated Press, China confirmed the first Zika virus infection in a man who traveled to Venezuela. Trump's National Lead Continues to Shrink, While Cruz and Rubio Make Inroads When asked if he thinks Trump's reactions are amusing , Cruz replied, "I think they're very amusing ". That is why all of the polls were so wrong any (sic) why he got more votes than anticipated". The disease causes a range of symptoms including joint pain and high fevers. There is scant evidence in the limited studies on the disease of it being linked to fatalities. The main concern for pregnant women is the link of Zika to Microcephaly, a rare neurological condition in which a baby is born with a very small head. Maduro said, while speaking on national television, that the country has reported over 300 confirmed cases of the virus. Scientists are now working to develop a vaccine, but it will likely be months if not years before it's available. "Again, before we go any further, I want to emphasise the importance of respecting this woman's privacy and her health and wellbeing is an absolute priority for us". The virus has been mainly spread in Latin America by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which does not live in northern climes. GOP Debate: And then there were six Bush the candidate went on the attack Thursday against blustery Republican frontrunner Donald Trump . Marco Rubio of Florida and Jeb Bush , the former Florida governor, in New Hampshire. Results from DHH lab tests performed on samples taken from the patients were positive for Zika virus, and samples have since been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing. This week another pregnant woman became the third confirmed case in Queensland in 2016. Forty-million Americans travel from the U.S.to Zika-affected areas every year, officials say. Brazilian authorities say they have already alerted the World Health Organisation about the fatalities. San Antonio health officials stated all cases were travel-related. Unfazed by quake, Lydia Ko wins New Zealand Women's Open Her ball striking on the front nine was world-class and gave her a birdie-look on every hole. Her first birdie came at the second when she delivered a delightful chip for a tap-in four. A pregnant woman diagnosed with the Zika virus in Victoria faces an anxious wait to see if the illness affects her unborn baby. By James Oliphant and Ginger Gibson By James Oliphant and Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The sudden and shocking death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia opened a new and incendiary front in the already red-hot 2016 presidential race, one that promises to divide Democrats and Republicans and, perhaps, Republicans from themselves. The vacancy on the court, which is now evenly split 4-4 between its conservative and liberal wings, had Republicans calling on President Barack Obama to refrain from choosing a successor to the right-leaning Scalia while Democrats urged Obama to do as the U.S. Constitution requires and put forward a candidate to face confirmation in an albeit hostile Senate. The prospect of such a battle drew swift and furious comment from candidates vying to be elected president in November. Facing off in a debate only hours after the 79-year-old Scalia's death was announced, some Republican presidential candidates seized the moment to caution voters that their party's front-runner, billionaire businessman Donald Trump, could not be trusted to nominate a stalwart conservative. "If Donald Trump is president, he will appoint liberals," charged U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas during the debate in South Carolina, which holds a Republican nominating contest next Saturday. "Two branches of government hang in the balance, not just the presidency, but the Supreme Court," Cruz said. "If we get this wrong, if we nominate the wrong candidate, the Second Amendment, life, marriage, religious liberty, every one of those hangs in the balance." Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also took a shot at Trump. "Donald Trump is not a conservative, so I dont trust him to pick a judge," Graham said before the debate. A real estate mogul, Trump has supported Democratic politicians in the past. Trump, who also has taken several positions at odds with Republican orthodoxy, joined other candidates at the debate in insisting that Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican majority leader in the Senate, stand by his promise to block any Obama high court choice. Its up to Mitch McConnell and everyone else to stop it," Trump, a former reality TV show host, said. "Its called delay, delay, delay." Under the U.S. system, the president nominates justices for the nine-member court and the Senate confirms them. The last justice to be approved by the Senate of the opposite party during an election year was Justice Anthony Kennedy in 1988. Obama has already indicated that he intends to send a choice to the Senate in coming weeks, meaning that the nominee will be heavily scrutinized by presidential candidates in both parties - and more than likely be opposed by the majority of Republicans. "The court may genuinely be a major issue this year," said David Axelrod, a former top political adviser to Obama. "It will be a hell of a fight." SOCIAL ISSUES ON DOCKET Criticism of the court, which in recent years has upheld Obama's sweeping healthcare plan and legalized same-sex marriage, has already been a thread running through several Republican candidates' campaigns. The conservative majority on the court had appeared poised to invalidate Obama's immigration and climate-change policies. The loss of Scalia, considered to be a lodestar of conservative legal thought, and the potential swing of the court to the left, ensures that whatever drama plays out in the Senate this year will be mirrored on the campaign trail. There is no more clarifying debate in politics these days than when it comes to Supreme Court nominees, said Jim Manley, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. "This now is for all the marbles." Reid was majority leader of the Senate when it confirmed previous Obama court nominees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Manley called McConnell's threat not to allow a vote on a potential Scalia replacement "completely beyond the pale." Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton seemed inclined to make McConnell's threat a campaign issue. "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution," Clinton said in a statement. Axelrod said that the issue could help Clinton, locked in a tight race with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. I think it will make electability and experience in this realm more important," he said. OBAMA'S OPTIONS Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, and a longtime observer of the Supreme Court nomination process, said Obama likely has two options. "He could nominate a more liberal candidate who would have no real chance of getting through a Republican Senate - in which case this would become a salient political issue in 2016," Hasen said. Or he could nominate a more moderate candidate who might gain enough Republican support to gain approval, he said. There are risks to both approaches: A Republican obstruction of a liberal nominee would animate the Democratic Party's progressive base in an election year but would leave the court without a potentially tie-breaking vote for perhaps a year. That same Democratic base might view a moderate nominee as a betrayal, while conservative Republican voters likely would frown on any senator who voted to approve an Obama choice. Manley said that McConnell has already shown that he is unwilling to support any choice made by Obama and that the White House must act aggressively. The president should go forward and nominate the most liberal candidate possible, he said. Given the need to fire up its most passionate voters, that might just be exactly what Republican candidates want as well. (This version of the story was refiled to fix the mistyped word "then" to "than" in paragraph 16.) (Writing by James Oliphant; Reporting by Ginger Gibson and James Oliphant; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Jeff Mason; Editing by Howard Goller) SAP is the sponsor of this content. It was independently created by Reuters' editorial staff and funded in part by SAP, which otherwise has no role in this coverage. His absence this year will have as much impact as his presence would have. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is a sad and tragic event for his loved ones, including 28 grandchildren and a large network of admirers. The political stakes for the country, its governing institutions, and, yes, the planet dwarf them in scale. The mortality of Supreme Court Justices is an element of wild randomness in the American political system. Enormous stakes rest upon the frail vulnerabilities of human flesh. Thurgood Marshalls retirement 13 months before the 1992 presidential election, and two years before his death, paved the way for his replacement by Clarence Thomas. In todays polarized era, no justice who had the physical ability to stay on would depart a Supreme Court seat under an opposing-party president. Whether and how the current system can handle these jolts of random chance is an open question. The immediate and easily foreseeable impact is staggering. Last week, the Supreme Court issued a stay delaying the implementation of Obamas Clean Power Plan. The stay indicated that a majority of the justices foresee a reasonably high likelihood that they would ultimately strike down Obamas plan, which could jeopardize the Paris climate agreement and leave greenhouse gasses unchecked. Without Scalia on the Court, the odds of this drop to virtually zero. The challenge is set to be decided by a D.C. Circuit panel composed of a majority of Democratic appointees, which will almost certainly uphold the regulations. If the plan is upheld, it would require a majority of the Court to strike it down. With the Court now tied 4-4, such a ruling now seems nearly impossible. Even if the Senate does not confirm any successor, then, Scalias absence alone reshapes the Court. Modern conservative legal doctrine has moved toward a form of aggressive judicial activism, devising or, more precisely, resurrecting theories that allow the Court to strike down vast swaths of laws conservatives find objectionable. Activist Courts require a majority. That is now gone. What happens next or, what would have happened under the old rules of American politics is that the president names a successor. Senate Republicans might object to a particular successor on the merits, arguing that an individual candidate is too extreme, or scandal-plagued, or otherwise unqualified. But the old rules no longer apply, because they are not rules at all, they are mere social norms. The consistent pattern in Washington over the last two decades is that any social norms that stand between one of the parties and power inevitably falls by the wayside. For instance, the Senate used to apply what it called a Thurmond Rule again, not a rule but a norm according to which the Senate would not confirm any new judicial appointees during the last six months of a presidential election year. Conservatives have already demanded the extension of the Thurmond Rule to the entire year, and the Republican Senate has mostly complied. Influential conservatives are already demanding that the Senate block any Obama appointee at all: MARCO RUBIO says the next president should nominate Scalias successor. pic.twitter.com/30w9Gg0qaX Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) February 13, 2016 Senate must simply refuse to appoint anybody. Would be outrageous to replace a giant like Scalia with a minnow like Sotomayor. Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) February 13, 2016 If Scalia has actually passed away, the Senate must refuse to confirm any justices in 2016 and leave the nomination to the next president. Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 13, 2016 Some of the worst news we could get. One of the Constitution's great heroes. Senate must keep vacant past election. https://t.co/FuTznD4ZmZ Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) February 13, 2016 If anything this will put a full stop to all Obama judicial nominees going forward. Conn Carroll (@conncarroll) February 13, 2016 Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement. Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 13, 2016 McConnell statement -- rejecting a president's right to nominate a SCOTUS justice. Wow. pic.twitter.com/xGChmDmNPi Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) February 13, 2016 Obama has no reason to comply with such a policy, of course. On the other hand, the Republicans in the Senate have no reason to confirm his appointee when they believe they stand a chance to take back the White House and put their own justice in place. And Obama can try to pressure the blue state Republicans up for reelection this term, but the odds of him winning the four necessary Republicans are probably not strong. The issue is likely to dominate this years Senate races in competitive blue states where control of the chamber lies. Whats more, it cannot even be taken for granted that, if Democrats win in November, Republicans will allow a Democratic justice to replace Scalia in 2017, either. Senators used to furnish what were viewed as qualified mainstream appointees with wide, bipartisan support. Increasingly, Senators vote against any justice nominated by a president of the opposing party. The notion that the Senate needs to let the president appoint somebody to a vacant Supreme Court seat is nothing but a social norm, and social norms in modern politics have a short lifespan. Society destabilizing emoji. Last fall saw a great technological leap forward: the addition of more representative emoji to the keyboard. Tacos for everyone! The new set also included other important additions, like a variety of races and same-sex emoji couples. But that last category could disappear from your iPhone at least, if you live in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has asked WhatsApp and Facebook, among other apps, to remove LGBT-themed emoji and stickers from their Indonesian products and stores. A spokesperson for the countrys Information and Communication Ministry told the AP that Social media must respect the culture and local wisdom of the country where they have large numbers of users. It was prompted by Japanese app Line, which removed LGBT-related stickers from their Indonesian store after a backlash. While Indonesia doesnt legally bar homosexuality, it isnt exactly friendly to it, with certain regions taking particularly harsh measures against LGBT populations. The ministry spokesman also cited a concern that stickers and emoji could be particularly appealing to children. Emoji could be the subversive wave of the future. Marxism, "Comrade Thomas" (aka "Yakov Reich", "Arnold Rubinstein") and Wilhelm Reich Of late I've been undertaking historical research on the Russian Revolution as it relates to the various mass-murders committed by Lenin and Trotsky, and in one of my references I came across a passage about a Soviet spy who used the pseudonym "I.S. Reich", and whose life-path eventually crossed that of Wilhelm Reich: "When in the summer of 1919, Lenin instructed I.S. Reich (known in the Comintern as 'Comrade Thomas') to establish a Comintern base in Germany, he referred him both to Dzerzhinsky - for the Vecheka [Cheka] to facilitate his clandestine mission - and to Ganetskii, who maintained a secret Party fund at Lenin's entire disposal. To finance [Comrade Thomas] enterprise, Ganetskii gave him the pick of a huge hoard of precious stones and other valuables, which had been seized by the [Cheka] on Lenin's orders and deposited in the vaults of the Palace of Justice." - George Leggett, The Cheka: Lenin's Political Police, Clarendon Press, 1981, p.300. For those who haven't read it, the book Wilhelm Reich and the Cold War by James Martin, identifies "I.S. Reich" as an iteration of "Yakov Samojlovic Reich", the real name of "Comrade Thomas", as detailed in Martin's book, p.65 (Natural Energy Works 2014 edition). For those who have read Martin's Wilhelm Reich and the Cold War, and the parallel confirmation of Martin's findings as detailed in my In Defense of Wilhelm Reich, there is nothing dramatically new in this. But it does provide some additional interesting detail that further confirms this lesser-known part of W. Reich's biography, and the various characters who moved in and out of his circle, some of whom became his deadly enemies. Yakov Reich or "Comrade Thomas", under an additional false name of Arthur Rubenstein, would later become the new husband for Wilhelm Reich's ex-wife Annie Pink, and temporary step-dad for Reich's two children Lore and Eva Reich. Meanwhile Wilhelm Reich - a man marked for death by both the Nazis and the Soviet NKVD - fled to Denmark and later Norway and America. It also underscores the Communist extremism and top-spy nature of "Comrade Thomas Rubenstein", who got instructions direct from Lenin, and then met with two top Communist Party mass murderers, Dzerzhinsky and Ganetskii. Rubenstein-Thomas then received exceptional funding from that "huge hoard of precious stones and other valuables", with orders in the summer of 1919 to move to Germany and undertake Comintern activity to destabilize the young Weimar Republic. One can imagine Comrade Thomas stuffing his briefcase with confiscated Russian Royal jewels, necklaces and gemstones, before departing off to Berlin. Shortly after Hitler gained power, Wilhelm Reich's troubles in Germany multiplied, being attacked by the Nazis who wanted him dead, and by the German Communist Party (KPD), which at that time was secretly drafting up name-lists of thousands of "troublemaker" people for reporting to the NKVD for arrest and probable execution. As detailed in my writings, Reich's name was included on a list of around 3000 such people, of which a sample of notable cases was extracted in a 1936 document recently uncovered in Soviet Archives, "Memorandum on Trotskyists and Other Hostile Elements in the Emigre Community of the German CP", where Reich's name appeared several times. It was a death-list, wherein a high percentage of those so listed wound up either executed or deported to the Siberian Gulag, never to be heard from again. Reich's marriage with Annie Pink was on the rocks even earlier than the NKVD document, and by 1933 they separated. Reich fled to Denmark, then later to Oslo Norway, and finally in 1939 to the USA, just ahead of the outbreak of WW2. Annie fled to Czechoslovakia with her children, where she met up with "Comrade Thomas/Arthur Rubenstein", later fleeing with him to the USA. Once safely in America, Rubenstein-Thomas and W.R's. ex-wife Annie would slander Wilhelm Reich severely, with the lies that he was "promoting masturbation therapy" and other ugly things. As detailed in Wilhelm Reich and the Cold War and In Defense of Wilhelm Reich, most of Reich's troubles in the USA came at the hands of such slander whisperers, but also from leftist writers working within Communist-Soviet circles and spy rings. Both Martin's book, and my own, provides an astonishing amount of documentation on the profoundly Hard-Left sentiments and Soviet spy-ring connections of Reich's major detractors in the USA, who successfully engineered public slanders of him, pulling strings within medical and psychoanalytic circles where Reich was also hated, to stimulate a phony "investigation" by the FDA, and a subsequent derailing of his legal defense through various surreptitious measures. But this element of Reich's ex-wife hooking up with a major Soviet spy who carried Russian Royal gems and other loot into Germany, gains heightened emphasis with the above quotation from the independent Cold-War scholar Leggett. There's a comedy film from decades past, touching upon the secret sales in Paris of Russian royal jewels by Communist Party spies, to fund their "revolution": Ninotchka. The communists wind up being seduced by capitalist pleasures, something that also seems to have happened with the spy Arthur Rubenstein and his new wife Annie Pink. From what I can determine, Rubenstein and Pink were far more Red in the true Communist sense than Wilhelm Reich ever was (the same is true with nearly all of Reich's European-period slanderers). But in the end they, too, fled to safety in the "evil" capitalist America, carrying whatever Soviet loot was remaining. Anyhow, the movie is worth to see. I've a new book in preparation that significantly expands upon the materials in my on-line essay "The Marx-Engels Genocide Quotes". Whatever ferocious and deadly quotes I found being written by Marx and Engels, the writings, letters, speeches and telegrams of Lenin and Trotsky were far worse! Some of the older materials are posted up at my webpage. http://www.orgonelab.org/MarxEngelsQuotes.htm The new book in preparation significantly expands upon it. What monsters of boiling hatred and genocidal fanaticism were all of these early Reds, condemned out of their own mouths and scribblings, and by dirty deeds far worse! And the later Reds were following in the same path, of committing mass-murder, then covering it up or lying about it, or blaming their butchery on their victims, and on the "evil" Western democracies. Pure emotional plague. Unfortunately, today in formerly old-liberal circles, extremism has taken root, and "Communism is Cool!" One of the major two political parties is today running two extreme Left candidates for president, one of whom is openly socialist-communist, the other still cloaked. And Americans flock to them, not merely in spite of it, but because of it. One hopes this phenomenon will be short-lived, formulated upon ignorance of the many Red genocides and chronic lying which characterizes their rise to power in every historical case. But the New Left leaders today, who thrived within capitalist society, getting advanced university degrees and living the life of the "1%" they claim to hate so much, seem pretty enthusiastic about shredding the US Constitution, imprisoning dissenters, or even killing them as some fanatics have stated. And not for merely political dissent! They speak about silencing dissenters to the CO2 theory of global warming, or to the "infectious HIV" theory of AIDS, which are de-facto evidence of how badly science has been so totally mixed with political agendas. Over years, I've posted up many essays and articles documenting the speeches of the leftist politicians and leftist "scientists" calling for "prison" or "death" to dissenters, so the reader will understand if I don't provide the documentation on that again and again. Simple internet searches will turn it up. Meanwhile in Europe, the left-politic is busy destroying their generally decent and peaceful democratic post-war societies by inviting massive invasions of severely armored and collectively psychotic, woman-hating cultures (95% of whom are military-age men) directly from the most violent Saharasian regions. And just like Hitler before them, they openly tell everyone what are their genocidal goals, to take over Europe, suborn the non-Muslim into slavery, and take whatever they want in money, property and women. When one understands what Marxism, Leninism and Socialism-Communism are all about, however, it becomes very clear why the political Left in Europe is so hysterically supporting this Islamic invasion. But I digress.... To repeat a point made some years back, I can find nothing in Reich's biography or writings which indicates that, during his own early period of Marxist/Communist interests, he knew anything about the early Red genocides, nor the central role of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky in formulating them, or carrying out such mass-murder as is very well documented today. Conditions degenerated even worse after Stalin and Mao, who turned out to be the two top mass-murderers in human history, with lesser communist tyrants appearing in North Korea, SE Asia, Cuba, Etc. These findings also suggest the power of the left-sympathetic news media of Reich's day, to censor out the reality of the dire situation in Soviet-controlled territory, and also Reich's naivete about the Marxist politic of his European period. The Soviets and German CP was then publicly self-defining as the only possible force that could effectively oppose Hitlerism, even while behind a curtain, secretly supporting German militarism and later Hitler's regime. Today we have good documentation that the Soviets under Lenin make secret alliances with the German High Command during the Weimar years, as early as 1922, with the subsequent construction of massive armaments factories run by German engineers deep in Soviet territory, beyond the Urals to conceal them from Allied inspectors trying to insure that Germany would live up to its post WW1 disarmament agreements. But they did not, and plotted with Lenin, Trotsky and later Stalin, for world conquest in yet another big world war. When Hitler took power in 1933, massive munitions were shipped by the trainload into Germany in the dark of night, to appear "miraculously" in German military parades, leading to the false image of Hitler as "miracle worker"! Their dirty plot was finally unmasked a month before the invasion of Poland in September 1939, in the Hitler-Stalin Pact. I make a brief mention of this with citations to the primary sources in the Timeline Chapter of my In Defense of Wilhelm Reich, but the fine details on that gigantic betrayal of the anti-Hitler German liberals by their Communist "comrades" must wait for another article in preparation. For now, it is simply important to note that Wilhelm Reich and all the decent liberal workers in the Sex-Pol movement, such as Max Hodann and Willy Brandt (who later became Chancellor of post-WW2 Germany) were all betrayed by the European Communist organizations. I will resist the temptation to recount some personal examples of quite serious injurious betrayals, slanders and dirty-tricks I also experienced from Marxist "Reichians", who turned out to be far more Marxist than Reichist. In any case, there's nothing in Reich's English-translated books or biography journals which indicates he knew any of the monstrous words and deeds of the various Saints of Communism. In historical retrospect, it is clear Reich wrote naive and undeservedly kind words about Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky, without knowledge of how those monsters had been preaching mass-murder and genocide in lesser-known writings, or in the case of Lenin and Trotsky, had actually committed such atrocity. Thankfully Reich's primary focus was always on bettering the life of ordinary people, helping them overcome neuroses and self-defeating behavior, working with mothers and babies, emphasizing love and human happiness, and improvement of public health. Where he ventured into politics, it was towards that same goal, of changing laws which drove people into difficult corners, as with the laws against contraception, abortion and divorce. He emerged from the political quagmire with many new insights about the emotional plague of mankind, about the similarities between Nazism and Communism, and then turned to questions on the emotional-sexual life-energy in biology and natural science. Even more amazing discovery emerged thereafter, with the bions, bioelectric experiments, and various aspects of orgone biophysics and cosmology. Marxist ideas quickly became a distracting irrelevancy, and so eventually vanished from his lexicon. For most of his American period, he was decidedly anti-Communist, and accurately identified as Communists the central-most people who were slandering him. They were out to destroy him for his insights and public writings about the cloaked fascism and chronic betrayals of life and love by the Left-politic - something we see today very clearly, once again, in their falsification of history and apologetics for blood-soaked Islam and Communism. Many of his later biographers claimed Reich became paranoid or somehow wrong for writing as he did against Communism in the later part of his life. But they were proven wrong, and Reich proven correct. He was correct also to abandon Marxism as anything of merit for serious scientific or health-related work. Orgonomy and the world would be better served if his example was followed. James DeMeo, PhD After Peak Debt Comes Deflation Paper money, the Heaven-sent leaf, is nothing new, but it has not always been held in high regard nor previously attained its unquestioned position as the lubricant of trade, financial markets and the road to wealth. In fact, for most of the last 2,500 years, since Croesus brought scalable coinage to the world, paper money has been considered a temporary, even flaky, alternative to real money hard money gold and silver specie. Indeed, even in recent memory, the road to the Emerald City was paved with ounces of gold, hence the Yellow Brick Road in the Land of Oz If you are an investor, this may be the time to have a serious talk with the face you see in the mirror and ask: Have we really moved on from the barbarous relic? Can paper money keep its value when all the Central Bankers and planners in the world are intent upon printing as much of it as they possibly can? Is it different this time? Related: The Hidden Agenda Behind Saudi Arabias Market Share Strategy Who needs paper, you say? Now we have electronic money, bits and photons flashing across our screens, capable of leaping vast oceans at a single bound. That is different. What isnt different is that those bits, and that paper have to represent something of value, and in a world where the ability to produce anything and everything from the paper itself, to copper, aluminum, iron ore, oil and the ships to move them around the world has reached a point that there seems to be more stuff available than demand from those who put that stuff to work, or even on the shelf expecting to sell it in the not too distant future. In the process, driven by animal spirits that have always taken markets to new heights, another summit has been reached peak debt. From the pages of The New York Times we read: Beneath the surface of the global financial system lurks a multitrillion-dollar problem that could sap the strength of large economies for years to come. One sure way to know that the worlds economy is in a pickle is the arrival, and continuation, of low, even zero or negative rates of interest around the world. What does that even mean? It means that investors are so concerned they would rather pay a government or institution for the privilege of lending them money than keep it in a local bank or under the mattress. It happened in 1932, just before the wheels fell off the U.S. banking system. It is happening now. Related: France To Build 621 Miles Of Solar Roads David Stockman, the Reagan Administrations boy wonder when it came to financing supply-side economics, a policy that Mr. Reagans presidential rival in 1980 (George Bush Sr.) called Voodoo economics, has seen the light. I think its the end of an era . . . [Central Banks] create[d] a massive credit expansion in the world thats stopping . . . Everywhere is at peak debt . . . Secondly, the Central Banks are all out of powder. The Fed has painted itself into a corner . . . They cant see whats coming right at us which is a global deflation . . . Were gonna have a Capex depression, he told Bloomberg on February 9. What a pity it wasnt gold paint. Chart of Gold Prices A move from 1,100 to 1,900 -- 2011 peak -- is a gain of 72 percent, roughly the gain mandated in the Gold Reserve Act of 1934. Related: Why Todays Oil Bust Pales In Comparison To The 80s Even if the thought of buying or owning gold is sacrilege to your ears, and you just cannot bring yourself to do it, you ought to be asking yourself if more paper money makes sense now. When you had that chat with the face in the mirror did you ask: How much faith do you have in paper money? How much faith do you have in Central Banks? How much faith do you have in the fiscal probity of the government? Attention K-Mart shoppers, shares that could be bought in 2009 at the devilishly low price of 666 on the S&P 500 are now going for 2,000. Get em while they last. Dont wait for 3,000. In other words, shares that were too risky at 666 became prudent investments at 2,000. At 3,000 they should be risk free. Am I missing something? If you cannot help yourself and still believe that the road to wealth and security lies along the paper trail (and not a trail of tears), you wont be alone: We few, we happy few, we band of buyers . . . . . . Be he neer so vile, This trade shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in T-Bills now instead Shall think themselves accursd they were not here, And hold their net worths cheap whiles any speaks That bought with us upon St. Greenspans Day. By Henry Hewitt of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Content may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. The material is only a general review of the subjects covered and does not constitute legal advice. No legal or business decisions should be based on its content. You should not send confidential information to us unless, and until, one of our lawyers requests it. 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We do not seek to represent anyone desiring legal representation, based upon viewing this web site, in any state or country where this web site would not be considered in compliance with all applicable laws and ethical rules.To read the complete disclaimer click here Reprinted from The Civil Arab Dear Beyonce, I watched your Super Bowl performance last Sunday. I heard your words. I was excited. Ecstatic. Encouraged. I watched pundits on cable news networks talk about how you were "making a statement." Someone even said you were being "unapologetically black." I loved it. Much to my surprise, however, your contentious performance at our nation's biggest sporting event wouldn't be the most controversial thing you'd do this week. Yesterday, the Times of Israel reported that you'll be performing in Tel Aviv in August. Twice. At first, I hoped it was a rumor, perhaps some sort of smear directed at you after your Super Bowl saga. Sadly, it's all too real. So, Beyonce, Bey, habibti, I'm asking you not to do it. Israel doesn't wear a halo. She's a naughty girl. She doesn't even pay her own bills, bills, bills. Actually, we Americans do, to the tune of almost $250 billion over the years. That should make you lose your breath. I know you're not doing it for the money. You're an independent woman. So I have to ask you: Beyonce, are you crazy in love with Israel? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has dispossessed and disenfranchised millions of native Palestinians, illegally settling their land, depriving them of the most basic of political rights, and silencing their narrative? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has ignored more United Nations Security Council resolutions than any other? Are you crazy in love with a nation that will let you travel across the world to perform in Tel Aviv, but restricts the movements of millions of Palestinians, through the use of hundreds of checkpoints? I don't want to get into the murderous wars in Gaza that have killed thousands of civilians, many of them defenseless children. But I will tell you that the almost 2 million Palestinians who live there, under a blockade, less than an hour from Tel Aviv, have no hope of coming to see you. Crazy, right? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has routinely discriminated against black individuals, destroying blood donated by Ethiopian Jews, injecting their women with contraceptives without their consent, and expelling thousands of African asylum-seekers (whom Israel labeled "infiltrators")? Are you crazy in love with Israel? Because Angela Davis, Cornel West, and Talib Kweli definitely aren't. And you know who else wasn't? The one and only Nelson Mandela. Do you remember how you performed at a benefit concert organized by him back in 2003? Or how Israel staunchly supported the South African apartheid regime? Or how Israeli leaders skipped his funeral? Mr. Mandela said a couple things about us: "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians." "My view is that talk of peace remains hollow if Israel continues to occupy Arab lands." Well, we're still not free. And we're still occupied. Copyright All posts contained herein unless otherwise quoted are the exclusive property of Anorak Thing and should not be reprinted without express written permission . (Image by healthcare.gov) Details DMCA As Bernie Sanders often says, "let's be perfectly clear:" The Affordable Care Act is an inadvertent attempt to delay the demise of the private health insurance industry. It is nothing but a fool's errand if it is meant to be a solution to the problem of national healthcare. Wake up America! The actual premium for private health insurance for a 45-64 year old with multiple pre existing illnesses may run to thousands of dollars per month and many thousands for family coverage. Just think of the irony, Republicans and Hillary Clinton both telling their supporters that the solution is to defray this enormous burden to the backs of manufacturers and small business owners! Without these companies providing outrageously high cost group insurance, none but the very healthiest or wealthiest of us could possibly afford medical insurance at all. Please wake up. The money for our presently outrageously inflated medical costs is paid for by lowering working wages! It is covered by letting productive employees go, by not even hiring those 45-60 year olds. It is covered by higher costs for manufactured products, adding as much as 1500-2,000 dollars to the price of an automobile. The present archaic and unmanageable health insurance model, as Hillary proudly admits, is a holdover from World War Two. IT IS OBSOLETE! Without huge government bailouts, the system will lead to the inevitable demise of the health insurance industry. As I have written so many times before, it is the same model as that of homeowners insurance. Not even the largest homeowners insurance companies can afford to cover their unfunded liability, that is their projected losses in case of a widespread disaster. They can't even afford the huge cost of "reinsurance," that is paying another larger insurance company premiums to cover their losses. Instead, the federal and state governments become their reinsurance guarantors, while the homeowners insurance companies are held to only a small portion of their actual responsibility. Notice to Republicans and to Hillary Clinton: The health insurance industry fully expects the same handouts! It's known as "CORPORATE WELFARE!" It is the "chicken soup" designed to temporarily ward off the demise of a failing aspect of the insurance industry. Sorry Folks! Just like homeowners insurance, if the government is to be the "deep pocket" for medical insurance, then they must own it! No more "CORPORATE WELFARE!" It is my hope that readers can visualize a scenario in which decreasing corporate welfare and providing a competently and honestly managed single payer health insurance system can actually decrease the number of individuals on welfare. As a practicing physician for thirty four years, I can assure you that a substantial number of "disabled" Americans are on the welfare rolls for the healthcare insurance, not for the token paltry sum they receive in their welfare check. If everyone were afforded equal health care, many of these people would be employed and paying taxes. Easing the unfair burden of healthcare insurance from the backs of U.S. manufacturers and small businesses needs to go hand in hand with raising wages and keeping prices down. Ironically, if the Insurance companies are paid by the government to efficiently manage a single payer system, to expertly negotiate prices for services and goods, then they may be able to save their industry as well. If the federal and state governments finally take the time and effort to work with healthcare professionals, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, various therapists and Hospice to finally establish here-to-fore non existent healthcare standards, then, with the help of, as opposed to the interference by, insurance companies, we may actually achieve the goal of an "affordable healthcare act." I for one am tired of trying to explain to politicians exactly why we need an honest single payer healthcare system. I am also tired of explaining why the private insurance companies must be tabbed to run the system. It is not that I trust corporations more than I trust the government bureaucracy. I believe that they are equally well trained. However, bureaucrats are under the thumb of Congress which, since the Citizen's United decision, is basically immune from prosecution for taking unlimited bribes. At least the insurance corporations can be prosecuted if they are caught taking the same bribes from the same lobbies that are currently so generously paying off congressmen, congresswomen and Supreme Court Justices with equal impunity. What I am really tired of is explaining the ideas in this article to politicians who point to their mouths and ask, innocently, "Sir, is this my front end or my rear end?" Al Finkelstein, D.O. By Dave Lindorff Justice Antonin takes his leave of the Supreme Court (Image by ThisCantBeHappening!) Details DMCA It's appropriate that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died at a luxury resort while freeloading as the guest of thus far unidentified wealthy sponsors as one of 40 guests at a private quail-hunting vacation party. The resort where he died, Cibolo Ranch Resort, located on land stolen by its founder from the Apache and Comanche people in the Big Bend region of west Texas, is a posh retreat favored by the ultra rich, offering rooms priced from $350 to $800 a night -- and the bed Scalia died in was the top-priced presidential suite, as he was the guest of honor. His credit card didn't need to be swiped when he checked in, since reportedly the guests at the gathering all had their bills covered by the resort's owner, John Poindexter, a mullti-millionaire real estate owner, rancher and former investment banker.) The acerbic, blunt-speaking Scalia made his name as a High Court judge accepting freebies from wealthy businesspeople and right-wing outfits like the Federalist Society, even taking free trips and vacation junkets from the likes of the aptly-titled "Vice" President Dick Cheney back in 2004 when Cheney had a case pending before the court involving an effort to force the VP to disclose what oil company executives had attended a closed meeting in his office on energy policy early in the first term of the Bush-Cheney administration. (Scalia, notably, did not recuse himself from hearing that case.) We don't at this point know what Scalia's final junket was about -- Poindexter makes a point of saying it "wasn't about politics or law" -- but it's no surprise he wasn't there on his own dime. That wasn't the way Scalia operated. Indeed, so egregious and frequent were Scalia's junkets that in October 2015 the New York Times wrote an editorial condemning them and calling for a reform to make such legalized bribery illegal. Supreme Court justices, unlike members of Congress, don't need to report such things as who takes them on luxury hunting trips. They are simply required under a vague judicial ethics standard to recuse themselves when they themselves feel they have a conflict of interest. Scalia made it abundantly clear, during his record 30-year tenure on the Supreme Court bench, that he did not feel getting freebies from the wealthy, affect his his judicial judgement even when his benefactor had a case pending before him... For the rest of this article by DAVE LINDORFF in ThisCantBeHappening!, the independent, uncompromised, five-time Project Censored Award-winning online alternative news site, please go to: www.thiscantbehappening.net/node/3043 (Article changed on February 14, 2016 at 17:37) (Article changed on February 15, 2016 at 07:16) (Article changed on February 15, 2016 at 11:15) (Article changed on February 15, 2016 at 11:18) Articles Listed By Date List By Popularity Search Title Date Between Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 and Any 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Any 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Page 1 of 2 First Last Back Next 2 View All (1 comments) SHARE Normalization With Zionism: An Intro What defines normalization with Zionist groups and individuals? Debates and misunderstandings abound about the subject and what Palestinians demand. Tuesday, January 26, 2021What defines normalization with Zionist groups and individuals? Debates and misunderstandings abound about the subject and what Palestinians demand. (2 comments) SHARE I'm Voting For The Ham I'm a Palestine-loving, Bernie Sanders progressive. So, let me be clear. I'm not going to vote for Donald Trump. He has done stupid and damaging things. He is a nativist, a white nationalist, a racist. He vilifies people of color. And he put kids in cages. Saturday, October 31, 2020I'm a Palestine-loving, Bernie Sanders progressive. So, let me be clear. I'm not going to vote for Donald Trump. He has done stupid and damaging things. He is a nativist, a white nationalist, a racist. He vilifies people of color. And he put kids in cages. SHARE J Street Is Great! Right? If Not Now brands itself as a group chiefly concerned with immediately ending support for the occupation among American Jews, without explicitly supporting Zionism or denouncing BDS in the process. Thursday, December 12, 2019If Not Now brands itself as a group chiefly concerned with immediately ending support for the occupation among American Jews, without explicitly supporting Zionism or denouncing BDS in the process. SHARE Boycott Burgerim? Yes! Burgerim's rise was performed on stolen Palestinian land, supported by the same state that is responsible for millions of Palestinian refugees, daily home demolitions, the denial of civil rights to non-Jews, indiscriminate bombings of Palestinian neighborhoods, the jailing of Palestinian children, and more. Wednesday, July 3, 2019Burgerim's rise was performed on stolen Palestinian land, supported by the same state that is responsible for millions of Palestinian refugees, daily home demolitions, the denial of civil rights to non-Jews, indiscriminate bombings of Palestinian neighborhoods, the jailing of Palestinian children, and more. (1 comments) SHARE Don't mess with Palestinians They drop bombs, we drop babies. They have tanks and helicopters, but we have the strongest weapon in the world. Don't push us. Don't challenge us. We end up as multilingual, super-educated, hyper-reproductive, overachieving marvels. That's right. Don't mess with us Palestinians. If you do, we will outwork you, we will outsmart you, and we will, if necessary, outfuck you too. Friday, May 17, 2019They drop bombs, we drop babies. They have tanks and helicopters, but we have the strongest weapon in the world. Don't push us. Don't challenge us. We end up as multilingual, super-educated, hyper-reproductive, overachieving marvels. That's right. Don't mess with us Palestinians. If you do, we will outwork you, we will outsmart you, and we will, if necessary, outfuck you too. (2 comments) SHARE I Said, "Please Don't Be Arab" ... Then I Realized He Couldn't Be This past weekend, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Robert Bowers calmly walked into the Tree of Life Congregation and murdered 11 Jewish parishioners. Reportedly, he yelled out, "All Jews must die!" It was the single deadliest attack on Jews in American history. May the victims rest in peace and may their souls be exalted. Wednesday, October 31, 2018This past weekend, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Robert Bowers calmly walked into the Tree of Life Congregation and murdered 11 Jewish parishioners. Reportedly, he yelled out, "All Jews must die!" It was the single deadliest attack on Jews in American history. May the victims rest in peace and may their souls be exalted. (1 comments) SHARE Are We Palestinians So Hard To Understand? We Palestinians are Israel's constant reminder. And this is what Israel hates most. We are being killed precisely because we won't bow down. Our imprisonment, exile, and dispossession are not sufficient for our occupier. It's not enough for Israel that we are its victims. We must shut up too. Sunday, April 8, 2018We Palestinians are Israel's constant reminder. And this is what Israel hates most. We are being killed precisely because we won't bow down. Our imprisonment, exile, and dispossession are not sufficient for our occupier. It's not enough for Israel that we are its victims. We must shut up too. SHARE Yes, "Black Panther" Is A Little Anti-Muslim "Black Panther" is a $200 million Marvel superhero movie, so I don't necessarily expect it to be sophisticated, delicate, or profound in a social or political manner. On the other hand, it will gross over $1 billion, and to demonstrate that a Black movie can do that is wildly important. Sunday, March 4, 2018"Black Panther" is a $200 million Marvel superhero movie, so I don't necessarily expect it to be sophisticated, delicate, or profound in a social or political manner. On the other hand, it will gross over $1 billion, and to demonstrate that a Black movie can do that is wildly important. (2 comments) SHARE Trump's Immigration Policy Is More American Than You Think It's quite popular these days to declare that Donald Trump's racist views on immigration are "un-American." He only wants white people coming here. "Why can't we have more people from Norway?" He wants to get rid of Latinos and black people. "Do we really need more Haitians?" He devalues, denigrates, and dehumanizes the culture of Africans. "They come from shithole countries." Thursday, January 18, 2018It's quite popular these days to declare that Donald Trump's racist views on immigration are "un-American." He only wants white people coming here. "Why can't we have more people from Norway?" He wants to get rid of Latinos and black people. "Do we really need more Haitians?" He devalues, denigrates, and dehumanizes the culture of Africans. "They come from shithole countries." (1 comments) SHARE Jerusalem Still Speaks Arabic Jerusalem's been Arab for 1,400 years. Crusader campaigns tried to change her. It didn't work. Israeli colonization, settlement, and profanity have tried to change her. They've failed terribly. Some stuttering speech about an embassy won't succeed either. She's one of us. Don't worry. She can handle this. Friday, December 8, 2017Jerusalem's been Arab for 1,400 years. Crusader campaigns tried to change her. It didn't work. Israeli colonization, settlement, and profanity have tried to change her. They've failed terribly. Some stuttering speech about an embassy won't succeed either. She's one of us. Don't worry. She can handle this. (7 comments) SHARE One state in "Palestein" It's time, and has been for some time, for us Palestinians to get on board with Israel's right-wing and advocate for one state in all of historic Palestine (Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza). I'll be the first to say to #Trumpenyahu, "I'm with you." Let's go for a "Greater Israel." In fact, I have a slogan for it: "Make Israel Great Again." Thursday, February 16, 2017It's time, and has been for some time, for us Palestinians to get on board with Israel's right-wing and advocate for one state in all of historic Palestine (Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza). I'll be the first to say to #Trumpenyahu, "I'm with you." Let's go for a "Greater Israel." In fact, I have a slogan for it: "Make Israel Great Again." (12 comments) SHARE Sam Harris, Bill Maher, and their amateur hour on Islam We can build coalitions against such in-your-face bigotry (one of the positive offshoots of Trump, if I'm looking for any). Countering blatant Islamophobia is necessary. But it is not a brave exercise. The challenge is how to deal with the latent sort, the brand of Islamophobia that cloaks itself in liberalism. Thursday, February 9, 2017We can build coalitions against such in-your-face bigotry (one of the positive offshoots of Trump, if I'm looking for any). Countering blatant Islamophobia is necessary. But it is not a brave exercise. The challenge is how to deal with the latent sort, the brand of Islamophobia that cloaks itself in liberalism. (14 comments) SHARE A letter to my Trump-voting neighbors You might have voted for him because you're scared. Because you don't have a good job, and because you're worried your kids won't either. Because the government is screwed up and rigged. And you think he's the answer. But when you elected him, you empowered this ugliness. You, intentionally or not, allowed some to think it's now acceptable to openly and proudly make the rest of us feel like we don't belong. Sunday, November 13, 2016You might have voted for him because you're scared. Because you don't have a good job, and because you're worried your kids won't either. Because the government is screwed up and rigged. And you think he's the answer. But when you elected him, you empowered this ugliness. You, intentionally or not, allowed some to think it's now acceptable to openly and proudly make the rest of us feel like we don't belong. (1 comments) SHARE The Arab American Bernie aftermath A note to the Clinton campaign. It seems, by your actions, that either you take us for granted ("They won't vote for Trump, right?") or you are completely inattentive and/or disdainful on our matters of interest. I wouldn't be so dismissive if I were you. As we showed Bernie, we will respect politicians after they respect us. Pay attention, Mrs. Clinton. After they respect us. Never before. Saturday, July 23, 2016A note to the Clinton campaign. It seems, by your actions, that either you take us for granted ("They won't vote for Trump, right?") or you are completely inattentive and/or disdainful on our matters of interest. I wouldn't be so dismissive if I were you. As we showed Bernie, we will respect politicians after they respect us. Pay attention, Mrs. Clinton. After they respect us. Never before. (1 comments) SHARE My grandfather's name was Muhammad too I could talk about Ali's compassion, kindness, and influence. But to me, his defiance is what I remember. It's what I identify with. America is a place that allows us to speak loudly, achieve proudly, and preach avowedly. But it also a place that oftentimes can alienate those of us who sound, look, eat, and celebrate outside of the norm. Saturday, June 11, 2016I could talk about Ali's compassion, kindness, and influence. But to me, his defiance is what I remember. It's what I identify with. America is a place that allows us to speak loudly, achieve proudly, and preach avowedly. But it also a place that oftentimes can alienate those of us who sound, look, eat, and celebrate outside of the norm. SHARE Mandela's statue arrived in Palestine, but his legacy hasn't yet As a Palestinian, I am excited to see Mandela arrive in my homeland. I hope his legacy follows, because it's not there yet. Yes, Israel has been acting like apartheid South Africa for some time. Mr. Mandela, our leadership doesn't deserve to look at you. I apologize that it was Mahmoud Abbas who welcomed you into our beautiful land. We surely had better choices. Saturday, April 30, 2016As a Palestinian, I am excited to see Mandela arrive in my homeland. I hope his legacy follows, because it's not there yet. Yes, Israel has been acting like apartheid South Africa for some time. Mr. Mandela, our leadership doesn't deserve to look at you. I apologize that it was Mahmoud Abbas who welcomed you into our beautiful land. We surely had better choices. SHARE Bernie is the real hope and change With Bernie, we don't have to hope. We don't have to have faith. If you like the things Bernie says, well, you're in luck, because he has been saying them for 50 years. This is perhaps the most important distinction between that 2008 campaign and the campaign of today. Bernie has always been on message, hearing and bearing the political attacks all along the way. Monday, April 18, 2016With Bernie, we don't have to hope. We don't have to have faith. If you like the things Bernie says, well, you're in luck, because he has been saying them for 50 years. This is perhaps the most important distinction between that 2008 campaign and the campaign of today. Bernie has always been on message, hearing and bearing the political attacks all along the way. (1 comments) SHARE A week of being Palestinian My goal as a Palestinian isn't trying to get you to believe my story. I wish it were that simple. No, instead, it's getting you to believe that I'm worthy of telling a story to begin with. Being Palestinian means possessing the quite exhausting daily task of convincing the world that you are, in fact, a human being. It means having to engage in the absurd discussion of whether or not al-Sharif's murder was justifiable. Tuesday, March 29, 2016My goal as a Palestinian isn't trying to get you to believe my story. I wish it were that simple. No, instead, it's getting you to believe that I'm worthy of telling a story to begin with. Being Palestinian means possessing the quite exhausting daily task of convincing the world that you are, in fact, a human being. It means having to engage in the absurd discussion of whether or not al-Sharif's murder was justifiable. (1 comments) SHARE This Arab is voting for the Jew While Sanders doesn't explicitly say what we want him to on Palestine, when I look around during his rallies, I see a sea of faces that do. And if they can say "Free Palestine," I can legitimately work to make Bernie say it too. With a strong Arab American voice, I can quite comfortably proclaim that I #FeelTheBern. Tuesday, February 23, 2016While Sanders doesn't explicitly say what we want him to on Palestine, when I look around during his rallies, I see a sea of faces that do. And if they can say "Free Palestine," I can legitimately work to make Bernie say it too. With a strong Arab American voice, I can quite comfortably proclaim that I #FeelTheBern. (5 comments) SHARE A letter to Beyonce from a Palestinian Beyonce, are you crazy in love with Israel? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has dispossessed and disenfranchised millions of native Palestinians, illegally settling their land, depriving them of the most basic of political rights, and silencing their narrative? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has ignored more United Nations Security Council resolutions than any other? Saturday, February 13, 2016Beyonce, are you crazy in love with Israel? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has dispossessed and disenfranchised millions of native Palestinians, illegally settling their land, depriving them of the most basic of political rights, and silencing their narrative? Are you crazy in love with a nation that has ignored more United Nations Security Council resolutions than any other? Page 1 of 2 First Last Back Next 2 View All YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Late in the evening of February 13 armed terrorist groups bombed some districts of Aleppo, there are causalities Armenpress reports Aleppo-based Gandzasar newspaper informs that Armenian Viken Voskerichian, 1983, is among victims. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign and Expatriates Ministry voiced the governments strong condemnation of Turkeys repeated attacks on the Syrian people and its transgression into the Syrian territory. Armenpress reports about this, citing SANA agency. Turkish artillery shelling of Syrian territory constitutes direct support to the armed terrorist organizations, the Ministry told the UN Secretary General and the Security Councils Chairman in two letters addressed to both officials. It was referring to shelling by Turkish artillery based inside Turkish territory of Syrian land targeting Syrian Kurds and Syrian army sites. The attack was launched on Saturday afternoon and continued on as the Turkish artillery also targeted the civilian populated villages of Maranaz, al-Malkieh, Minnegh, Ein Daqneh and Bazi, according to the letters. The shelling came in response to the Syrian Arab armys advance on military fronts in the northern countryside of Aleppo province and in a bid to boost the morale of the armed terrorist organizations, the Ministry clarified. It went on citing Turkish attacks in more Syrian areas on the same day, saying that 12 pickups with DShK and 14.5 mm machine guns mounted on them had their way from the Turkish land into Syrian territory across Bab al-Salameh border crossing. The Ministry noted that the pickups were accompanied with 100 gunmen, some of them are believed to be Turkish soldiers and Turkish mercenaries, adding that munitions supply operations into the Syrian Aazaz area continue. The Turkish attacks, the letters said, were coupled with statements made by the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that confirmed Turkeys blatant intervention in the Syrian affair and the continued Turkish support to Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Jabha al-Shamiya, Ahrar al-Sham and other al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organizations. These statements, the Ministry said, officially attested to the Turkish regimes premeditated acts of violating the Security Councils resolutions related to combating terrorism. The Ministry referred in its letters to the chiefs of the UN and the Security Council to the irresponsible actions of the Turkish regime that caused the recent Geneva intra-Syrian meeting to fail. The Syrian government expresses strong condemnation of Turkeys repeated attacks on the Syrian people and its transgression into the Syrian territory, calling these attacks a gross violation of the Syrian sovereignty and a flagrant breach of the UN Charters objectives and principles, the rules of the international law and the Security Councils counterterrorism resolutions, the letters said. Syria, however, stresses that it will maintain its legitimate right to respond to the Turkish crimes and attacks and to claim compensation for the damage caused, the letters added. The Ministry also conveyed the Syrian governments call on the Security Council to assume its responsibility to put an end to the Turkish regimes classified crimes against the Syrian people and its repeated attacks against Syrian territory. The government also demanded, according to the letters, that the Security Council work to compel the countries backing terrorism, including Turkey, to comply with its relevant resolutions on fighting terrorism and bring them to account for their unlimited support to the terrorist groups. India summoned USA envoy in New Delhi NEW DELHI: A 'disappointed' India summoned on Saturday United States envoy in New Delhi, Richard Verma, over Obama administration's decision to sell eight Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, along with training, radar and other equipment, a deal worth $699 million. "We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said on Twitter. "The US ambassador will be summoned by the ministry of external affairs to convey our displeasure." Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar later met the US ambassador at the ministry to convey India's disapproval of the deal to Washington, in a meeting which lasted 45 minutes, reported The Hindu. The Obama administration notified the Congress on Friday that it planned to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, with a State Department spokesman saying that US weapon sales to Pakistan contributed to the fight against terrorism and furthered Americas foreign policy interests. The remarks followed a move by some US lawmakers and a campaign in the US media to stop the Obama administration from selling eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. Although Congress has delayed the proposed sale, the administration still seems interested in pushing it through, insisting that its in vital US interests to do so. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," Swarup said. "The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself." When asked at a State Department news briefing if he had any figures to back up the claim that US assistance to Pakistan had reduced terrorist activities, spokesman Mark Toner said he did not have such figures in front of him but noted that no country in the region had been more touched by terrorism than Pakistan. We believe its in our vital national security interests to support Pakistan in carrying out its efforts to destroy these terrorist networks, and we believe its an important partner in the region in achieving a stable and secure Afghanistan, said the US official. The F-16 aircraft would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all kinds of weather, at night, as well as "enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations," the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which coordinates such foreign arms sales, said in a statement. The proposed deal will now go through a 30-day notification period after which it will be finalised. The new aircraft will add to Pakistans sizable force of fighter jets which includes more than 70 F-16s and dozens of French and Chinese attack aircraft, the report said. In May 2015, the US handed over to Pakistan over 14 combat aircraft, 59 military trainer jets and 374 armoured personnel carriers, Dawn newspaper had reported. The weapons supplied to Pakistan were earlier used by American forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Turkey and Saudi Arabia to launch a ground operation against IS in Syria ISTANBUL: Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against the militant Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, while Riyadh is also sending war planes to a Turkish base to fight the extremists, the Turkish foreign minister said Saturday. If there is a strategy (against IS) then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Yeni Safak and Haberturk newspapers after taking part in the Munich Security Conference. Some say 'Turkey is reluctant to take part in the fight against Daesh (IS)'. But it is Turkey that is making the most concrete proposals, he said. Cavusoglu added that Saudi Arabia, which has become an increasingly close ally of Turkey in recent months, is also sending planes to the Turkish base of Incirlik to fight IS. They (Saudi officials) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come, Cavusoglu said. Incirlik is a key hub for US-led coalition operations against IS, with planes from Britain, France and the United States carrying out raids inside Syria from the base. They (Saudi Arabia) said 'If necessary we can also send troops'. Saudi Arabia is showing great determination in the fight against terror in Syria, said the Turkish minister. Saudi Arabia and Turkey both see the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as essential for ending Syria's five-year insurgency and are bitterly critical of Iran and Russia's support of the Syrian regime. Asked if Saudi Arabia could send troops to the Turkish border to enter Syria, Cavusoglu said: This is something that could be desired but there is no plan. Saudi Arabia is sending planes and they said 'If the necessary time comes for a ground operation then we could send soldiers'." His comments come after President Assad told AFP in an exclusive interview published on Friday that he would recapture the whole of Syria and keep fighting terrorism. Turkey's relations with fellow mainly Sunni power Saudi Arabia have warmed considerably in recent months. In December, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Riyadh for talks with King Salman as well as key decision-makers crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef and deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Turkey has also been tightening relations with Qatar, another key opponent of Assad in the Syria conflict. Erdogan on Friday held several hours of talks in Istanbul with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the presidency said, but the contents of the talks was not revealed. USA concerned over security of Pakistan nuclear weapons WASHINGTON: The United States expressed concern on Friday over the security of Pakistans tactical nuclear weapons. The statement followed the US announcement about its intention to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. At a State Department news briefing, Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said that tensions between India and Pakistan were equally worrying and urged the two nations to continue their dialogue to alleviate some of those tensions. Were concerned both about the security of those nuclear weapons, and thats been a common refrain in our discussions with Pakistan, said Mr Toner while responding to a question about the alleged increase in Pakistans tactical nuclear weapons. But were also concerned, clearly, about tensions between India and Pakistan in the region, and we want to see a dialogue between those two countries, clearly, to help alleviate some of those tensions, he said. Earlier this week, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry dismissed claims that Pakistans nuclear arsenal programme was the worlds fastest growing, and repeated Islamabads demand for induction into a club of nuclear trading nations. The foreign secretary also said that the Nuclear Suppliers Groups discriminatory waiver to India and the Indo-US nuclear deal had allowed New Delhi to increase its fissile material and disturb the strategic stability in South Asia. A recent joint study by the Carnegie and Stimson research organisations estimates that Pakistan has the capability to produce 20 nuclear warheads annually while India appears to be producing about five warheads. Pakistan only goes for credible minimum deterrence. Our nuclear deterrence is for self-defence. It is not status driven, he said. He also dismissed safety and security concerns about Pakistans nuclear weapons, saying the United States in unambiguous terms has appreciated the safety measures Islamabad has taken over the past 15 years to prevent proliferation. The US Defence Intelligence Agency director, Lt Gen Vincent Stewart, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week that Pakistan continued to take steps to improve nuclear security and was aware of the threat presented by extremists to its programme. But the general also said that Islamabads nuclear stockpile continued to grow. Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom."-Thomas Jefferson Read more at Buzzle: Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."-Nathaniel HawthorneRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-wisdom-quotes.html Desiderata - things wanted or needed; the plural of desideratum: Happily-ever-after and eternal love appear to be the desiderata of the current generation. GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. By Max Ehrmann 1927 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... Note: The Civil Unions Bill [20/2014] has successfully passed through the Maltese Parliament with 37 votes in favour, 30 absentions and 0 votes against on the 14th April 2014. It gives the same rights and obbligations to same-sex couples as those who are registered in a civil marriage (mutatis mutandis). The Bill was signed by the President of the Republic of Malta on the 17th April 2014 and became Law [Act IX/2014]. The best is enemy of the good. The profoundest truths are paradoxical. Silicon Forest If the type is too small, Ctrl+ is your friend Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Search This Blog A button for your sidebar "PEACE IS A BY-PRODUCT OF VICTORY. PROSPERITY IS A BY-PRODUCT OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE. " "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States QUESTION: WHICH VERSION OF ISLAM DID MUHAMMED PRACTICE, "MODERATE ISLAM"OR "RADICAL ISLAM"? THE ANSWER IS THE ONLY THING YOU REALLY HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT ISLAM - AND ITS APOLOGISTS. Blog Archive For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser For U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, watching Gov. Andrew Cuomo deliver the State of the State address looked like a scene out of "The Hunger Games." There was the 10-foot tall lectern that made it seem as if the governor was towering over his audience. And there was a 10-minute video clip full of praise for Cuomo's work on economic issues. Any mention of Cuomo and "The Hunger Games" typically refers to the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, a $1.5 billion economic development competition the governor launched last year. But Gibson, a Republican who is exploring a gubernatorial run in 2018, thinks the Cuomo-Hunger Games comparison extends beyond the economic initiative. Gibson criticized the taxpayer-funded television commercials Cuomo's administration has used to tout the Start-Up New York program, another key piece of the governor's economic strategy. The ads seek to spread the message that New York is open for business. But New Yorkers, Gibson says, aren't buying it. "If he's doing it to raise his job approval, it's not working," he said in an interview this week. "Fifty-eight percent of the people in New York think that he's not doing a good job. Maybe if he stops running the commercials and lowers the taxes, he'll actually get the numbers that he's looking for." Gibson has visited 42 of New York's 62 counties as he considers a run for governor. A three-term congressman from Kinderhook in Columbia County, he announced in January 2015 that he wouldn't seek a fourth term in the House of Representatives. Instead, he set his sights on running for statewide office in New York. Last week, he launched an exploratory committee, which will allow him to raise money in preparation for the 2018 campaign. While he isn't officially a candidate, Gibson has some ideas for what his platform would look like. ECONOMY New York's unemployment numbers have improved since the Great Recession, particularly in upstate. But Gibson believes that doesn't tell the whole story about the state of the economy. "A lot of individuals don't feel secure in their jobs," he said. "They wonder if they're still going to have that job in 3 to 5 months. We've had an issue for really the past 20 years and this transcends New York, but includes New York and that is really the absence of rising wages." Gibson supports broad-based tax relief. He cited a study which found New York's tax climate ranks 50th out of 50 states. Lowering taxes, he said, could have a major impact. "We're not going to go from 50th to first overnight. That's not going to happen," he said. "But when we start to make progress and New Yorkers see that truly we're making progress on that, these trends tend to be infectious." Addressing the state's regulatory environment is also a priority for Gibson. He hears from small business owners who feel that when state regulators show up for inspections, they're looking for ways to penalize them. He recalled his time commanding units in the U.S. Army. He said his staff would conduct site visits, but before they would leave, he would remind them that their role is to assist the various battalions and companies. That same approach, he said, should be used by the state's regulators. "Our small business owners feel like every time the regulators show up, all this is is an approach to try to get more revenue into the state to penalize them and write them fines," he said. "We have to have an orientation approach that really recognizes that while we're always constantly striving to get better, that we're all in this together and we need to move forward in that way." EDUCATION Gibson said one of the most-talked about issues during his statewide tour is Common Core. The standards, he says, were rolled out without input from administrators, parents, students and teachers. High-stakes testing raised concerns and some critics believe the curriculum isn't age appropriate. At the federal level, Congress passed an elementary and secondary education bill last year which Gibson says allows states to withdraw from Common Core without being penalized. "I think it was an important reform," he said. In New York, Gibson supports rolling back Common Core and returning to the state's education standards. He said parents, students and other key stakeholders should be included in any discussions about new learning guidelines. He also thinks there needs to be more funding for mentoring and professional development. In the Army, he would mentor company commanders. That experience, he said, helped the officers become better leaders. "I find it tragically ironic that at a time that this governor has been demonizing teachers, he's been cutting the budget for professional development," Gibson said. "So, he's completely upside down." He added later, "My approach will actually bring more value on excellence than the approach the governor has taken." ETHICS REFORM After ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos were convicted on public corruption charges late last year, there have been more calls for ethics reform in Albany. Gibson said there needs to be leadership by example. He singled out Cuomo's proposal, which was first announced in his State of the State address, to impose a limit on outside income for state legislators. The concept is worthy of debate, Gibson said. But he noted that Cuomo accepted more than $700,000 to write his 2014 book, "All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life." "Here's someone who's willing to take a $700,000 check outside money but then turn around and, without blinking an eye, ask other people to do something that he won't do himself," he said. "We're all products of our experience. I'm no different. In the infantry, you just don't do that. No infantry leader you're not successful by telling your troops to take a hill. What you do is you get out front and you say, 'We're going to the hill. Follow me.'" Gibson used himself as an example. As a member of Congress, he is paid $174,000 a year. Before serving in Congress, he was in the U.S. Army for 29 years. He receives a pension for his service, but voluntarily returns the funds to the U.S. Treasury "so that we don't double dip in these hard times." As a congressional representative, he self-imposed term limits he pledged to serve no more than four terms in the House. He also cosponsored legislation that would impose term limits on members of Congress. "You could imagine how unpopular that is," he said of the bill. "But I didn't wait on a change in the law. I did it first." If he's elected governor, Gibson pledged to serve no more than two four-year terms in office. He would then ask the state Legislature to approve a measure setting gubernatorial term limits. There are other proposals he supports, including closing the LLC loophole which enables wealthy individuals to donate unlimited amounts of money to political campaigns. He's a proponent of independent redistricting and believes public officials who are convicted of corruption should lose their pensions. And he supports term limits for legislative leaders. Along with ethics reform, Gibson believes there needs to be legislative reforms. He commended state Assembly Republicans for their proposals, one of which is allowing bills that have majority support in the chamber to receive a hearing and a floor vote. "Too often we see this three men in a room that decides on what gets put into law," he said. "That's wrong in so many ways. We're meant to have a representative form of government. Regardless of party, our legislators are a voice for all of us... So, if they've got an idea that comes from their people and they put a bill in and a majority of the legislators support it, they ought to at least get a hearing and a vote." SAFE AND SECURE COMMUNITIES Gibson wants to address issues affecting communities, whether it's the heroin epidemic or gun violence. He challenged one of Cuomo's key legislative feats, the SAFE Act, a gun control measure signed in 2013 just weeks after the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut and Webster, a town near Rochester. If elected governor, Gibson said he would advocate for the SAFE Act's repeal. "We're not even thinking about and characterizing this in the right way, in my view," he said. "The issue is not gun control. When we had these tragic events that happened across the country, the first thing that Governor Cuomo does is knee-jerk to more gun control. This never works and here's why: Because it targets law-abiding citizens who are already following the law." Instead of gun control, Gibson said he would work with the state Legislature to make communities more safe and secure. His approach would put an emphasis on mental health treatment. (His wife is a licensed clinical social worker.) He noted that the perpetrators in the Aurora, Newtown and Tucson shootings exhibited signs of psychosis. "For those that are suffering from psychosis, most of them the overwhelming number of those individuals are not violent," he said. "But that is the vulnerability area that we have to be cognizant of is individuals with psychosis who are hearing voices with, if you will, homicidal ideations. That's the issue we need to be focused in on." IF HE'S ELECTED GOVERNOR ... The next gubernatorial election is more than two years away. Gibson, who is finishing up his final year in Congress, has time to make a decision on whether he'll run for governor. That announcement will likely come in early 2017. He isn't the only Republican interested in the seat. The party's past two gubernatorial nominees, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino, may run again. Other names have been mentioned, including Harry Wilson, who ran for state comptroller in 2010. If Gibson succeeds in securing the party's nomination and is elected governor, one thing is clear: He won't be delivering the State of the State address behind large lecterns in a convention center. He would outline his annual agenda in the state Assembly chamber, which was the traditional setting for the State of the State until Cuomo took office in 2011 and moved the event to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. "That address was really meant to be delivered in the people's chamber," he said. "The whole point is that the executive is a servant. The executive works for the people of New York and works with the elected representatives of New York. I think that address really needs to be given in the people's chamber." When Jews celebrate their Passover Seder, which tells the story of their escape from slavery in Egypt, the youngest child (or at least someone designated to play that role) asks, What makes this night different from all other nights of the year? The questioner then proceeds to ask four questions. The eldest male (or the person designated to play that role) then responds with answers to the questions. Memories of childhood Seders came to mind as I thought about this years Valentines Day. Even before same-sex marriage was first legalized and recognized, I told the couples that I considered them to be weddings in the religious sense. I always included this line: On the day that the state catches up to God and recognizes the depth of your love and commitment to one another, I will gladly sign your marriage license. Fortunately, I no longer need to include those words. This is the first Valentines Day since the U.S. Supreme Court recognized that love knows no social boundaries and all people, regardless of gender or race, have the right to marry. Regardless of whether we ourselves are gay, of have a friend or family member that is, this event is something to celebrate. It is what makes this Valentines Day different from all previous Valentines Days. As Unitarian Universalists, we speak about honoring the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In our congregations, we celebrate February as Standing on the Side of Love month. Our congregation has even made it a point of dedicating our monthly art exhibit (known as Gallery 607, because we are at 607 N. Seward Ave.) to this theme. I believe that this is one of the things that sets our religious tradition apart from many others. While compassion, empathy and respect for one another are often given lip service in other religious communities, we hold ourselves accountable by embodying these values and striving to practice radical inclusivity. For centuries, our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters were prevented from being able to express their love for one another, let alone to have it recognized in the same way that heterosexuals were able to. There are some who still look askance at same-sex marriage, and even the act of homosexuality. As much as I am repulsed and saddened by it, I recognize that this is their religious choice. Often, they practice selective scriptural reading to do so. As most scholars readily acknowledge, what has made it to scripture was the result of human decisions, rather than some divine stenographer copying down verbatim commands from above. This is why civilized people do not stone adulterers or chop off the hands of thieves. In fact, we look upon countries that exact such punishments in places such as Saudi Arabia as barbaric for behaving this way. By the way, after mentioning such punishments, the Quran goes on to say, Whosoever foregoes [retaliation] as a freewill offering, that shall for him be an expiation. (Arberry translation: Sura 5:45). As Unitarian Universalists, we join other religious progressives in recognizing the absurdity of merely literal readings of any scripture. Even Pope Francis has asked, Who am I to judge? when it comes to whether homosexuals will make it to heaven. While Francis does not seem ready to take this step, I expect that some future pope will build on his initial steps, acknowledge that love wins, and clear the way for same-sex marriage. Questions about whom we are allowed to love physically, as well as emotionally and spiritually have been around for centuries. Some would point to the biological aspects of reproduction and say this is Gods argument for heterosexual behavior. Such arguments fail to take into account advances in biological science and overall human knowledge. It also denies the reality that the same God (if we are to stay with theistic logic) created within us the emotional capacities to love another person to the same degree, regardless of gender. As Lady Gaga (to quote a poet rather than a theologian) has sung, some people were born this way. Personally, I believe that we should applaud all who are standing on the side of love because true love respects and honors the humanity of the other person, and does not intentionally try to cause harm or suffering. About a year ago, before the Supreme Court decision, a cousin called and asked me if I would perform her sons wedding. She said, Hes gay. I said, I would be honored. It was my favorite wedding of the year. Watching the two of them sharing their vows and pledging themselves, body and soul, to one another was a testament to the indomitable power of all-conquering love. This Valentines Day, I will be lifting a toast to them, and to all of our brothers and sisters who have worked so hard to have their love for one another recognized in every state. That is why this Valentines Day is such a memorable event to celebrate, and why it is different from all previous Valentines Days. Flash mobs are pretty cool, especially in a giant group at a sporting event. You know whats less cool? Middle-aged white broadcasters dabbing and doing the nae nae out of rythym on live television. During the first half of Wisconsin and Marylands game in College Park, the Maryland student section broke into a pretty impressive flash mob featuring various dances they had learned in a pregame practice session. ESPN commentators Bob Wischusen and Stephanie White attempted to join in, and it didnt go great. Props to White and Wischusen for having fun out there, but their respective children might want to avert their eyes. ESPN seems interested in expanding the whole broadcaster-interacts-with-students thing beyond the domain of Dick Vitale, but it sure creates some odd situations, like a split screen in which Jim Calhoun watches a game and viewers watch Jim Calhoun. Wischusen and White might want to practice their dance moves before their next broadcast. After a couple of Flagstaff-cold weeks, you may be looking for an extra set of sweater, mittens, gloves or hats. Store-bought items are convenient, but sometimes theyre not the right color, pattern or size. Purl in the Pines on Fourth Street can help you make something thats more in line with your style and size. The full-service yarn shop offers all the tools and a rainbow of yarn colors in every possible fiber you can think of: wool, cotton, acrylic, silk, linen, bamboo, alpaca, angora, cashmere, merino and mohair. Theyll even teach you how to knit, crochet, weave and even spin your own yarn. They also offer help finishing projects you may have started and are stuck on. Michele Roberts started the shop in 2008. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving. I remember because I was worried because we didnt have the shelves up yet for the yarn. I bought a bunch of boxes from Home Depot and opened anyway, she said. Roberts said the idea of opening the shop came to her because she had just started knitting a sock project and lost one of her double-pointed needles. Double-pointed needles usually come in a set of four or five. Theyre great for making round projects like socks, mittens and gloves. Lose one and you usually have to buy a new set. But Roberts couldnt find a new set of double-pointed needles to finish her project at any of the craft stores in town and at the time there wasnt a shop dedicated exclusively to knitting, crocheting and other fiber arts. So she decided to open one of her own. Roberts started knitting shortly after she turned 40. She was on a trip with her book group and they stopped at a yarn shop. The colors and varieties of yarn and the numerous items you could make with a pair of needles intrigued her. Before the end of the trip, she was working on her first project. She taught herself a lot of the techniques by reading books, surfing the internet and talking with friends, which is why she is particular about the people she hires to staff her shop. She likes to employ people who know how to knit, crochet, spin or weave. All of her employees are knowledgeable about the various yarns, needles, tools, books, sewing notions and other items the shop carries. Purl in the Pines also offers a variety of classes on basic techniques, projects like blankets, slippers and gloves, and kids classes. Shes working on a kids summer camp and offers her shop for birthday parties. The classes cost $15 per hour. She also offers one-on-one classes at $15 per half hour. For her customers that dont live in the Flagstaff area, Roberts has an online store where they can buy many of the yarns she offers in her shop. The online shop caters to people around the nation. She recently sent an order out to Wisconsin. For those looking for a little company during the long knitting nights of winter or the bright ones of summer, Purl in the Pines offers Sit n Sitch every Tuesday and Friday, or Sit n Spin on the last Tuesday of every month for those who like to spin yarn. These events are free and open to the public. Roberts encourages her customers to participate in numerous charity events, such a Field of Hope. Field of Hope creates knitted or crocheted projects each year that honor the loss of each child who died from injuries due to abuse or neglect in Arizona. This years project consists of knitted or crocheted squares that will be later formed into a giant blanket. The shops customers also make hats for chemo patients and the homeless and specialize in fair-trade yarn made by women in shelters. Spread across three weekends, the Tournees French Film Festival is returning to screen a vibrant cross-section of dramas, thrillers, comedies and one animated film surrounding murder, treachery and illicit activities. Dubbed Cest une crime! or Its a crime, audiences will follow the thread through award-winning cinema brought to Northern Arizona University to share in francophone culture. Tournees launches Thursday, Feb. 18. All films are shown in French with English subtitles and are screened in Liberal Arts Room 120 on NAUs north campus. All start at 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays through March 4, except Ptit Quinquin, which starts at 6 p.m. March 3. Thanks to a grant from the French American Cultural Exchange, all films are free to attend. Learn more at nau.edu/cal/events/tournees-film-festival. With dozens of hours logged since last summer, French department lecturer Michael Rulon and associate professor Erika Hess have assembled a list with broad appeal from the more serious to more lighthearted cinematic fare. Their mutual love of mysteries inspired the pair to follow the thread of crime throughout the series offerings. The selections, Rulon said, are intended to spark conversations about films not often available overseas, in a community with a thirst for cultural diversity. I really think one of the highlights of a curated film series or festival is the communal enjoyment. Part of that enjoyment is discussing it afterward, he added. The films take on the question of crime in different ways. We thought it would be neat to show these films together and see what the audience thinks, how they react, what they say. The series kicks off with Bande de filles or Girlhood, directed by Celine Sciamma, on Thursday, Feb. 18. Her third shot behind the lens, Sciamma continues to explore the trials of young females. Set in the poverty-stricken banlieues or projects surrounding Paris, the film tracks Marieme who attempts to gain confidence and reinvent herself by joining a gang. Fridays film, LEnlevement de Michel Houellebecq, intersects with the College of Arts and Letters International Film Series. In the 2014 film, Houellebecq Frances beloved and equally controversial author plays a version of himself as he is abducted by three amateur kidnappers. Inspired by real-life incidents in 2011 that caused media outlets to speculate whether Houellebecq was really missing, Guillaume Niclouxs comedic quasi-documentary fills in the gaps of what couldve been. I like seeing the intersection of crime and comedy, Rulon said of this abduction story. I think comedy is terribly underrated as a film genre. People tend not to take it seriously, but a lot of times what makes us laugh says a lot about us as a society. Following in the comedic vein, Le Roi et loiseau, or The King and the Mockingbird by Paul Grimault is the only animated selection. Though released in 1980, critics still laud the creators seminal work that has seen its own share of ups and downs. With introductions by French department faculty and students, it will be interesting to hear what they have to share about these classics, especially The King and the Mockingbird. In Tournees we like to have French faculty do the introductions. Each of the faculty has a very different area of specialization, which is nice because when we present the films we are all presenting a different aspect of it. Its neat to see people with such different academic backgrounds present a film in a meaningful way to the audience. The series takes a thrilling twist with La French/The Connection. A sort of companion to William Friedkins 1971 classic, The French Connection, Cedric Jimenezs 2014 adaptation follows the high-energy, true-crime exploits of a law enforcement officers six-year quest to bring down a drug kingpin. Darkness and light are not only opposite but complementary. Bruno Dumonts dark slapstick piece Lil Quinquin originally aired on French television as a four-part miniseries. The story follows a series of grisly murders where the killers M.O. is to shove body parts inside livestock. While two bumbling cops are cold on the trail, a group of students with nothing better to do led by the title character investigate on their own. Closing out the series is The Blue Room," starring one of Frances beloved actors, Mathieu Amalric, who also co-wrote and directed this adaptation of Georges Simenons novel. Flashing from present to past, the film follows Julien (Amalric) who finds himself in police custody on the wrong side of the interrogation table. Flashes of memory cause him wonder who is really a murderer. Opera seeks child dancers for show SARATOGA SPRINGS Opera Saratoga announces open auditions for child dancers for the American Premiere production of The Witches of Venice, an opera-ballet by Philip Glass that will be presented as part of Opera Saratogas 2016 Summer Festival. The Witches of Venice will be directed and choreographed by internationally renown choreographer Karole Armitage. In addition to featuring members of the New York City-based Armitage Gone! Dance Company, the cast of The Witches of Venice will include nine child dancers, to be selected through an open audition at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at the School of the Arts at The National Museum of Dance. Opera Saratoga is seeking young male and female dancers, between 42 and 50 inches tall, who have significant training in ballet and/or modern dance. Children must be available on all weekends and for weekday evening rehearsals from May 28 to June 26, and then for all in-theater rehearsals and performances through July 17. All children who wish to audition should arrive to register for the audition no later than 1:45 p.m., and should bring a recent photograph and performance resume if they have one (though the latter is not required). Dancers should wear proper dance attire and have ballet slippers for the audition. Armitage will audition all children interested in participating in the production. Children selected for the production will receive a modest honorarium for their participation. Fort Ticonderoga offers War College TICONDEROGA Registration is open for Fort Ticonderogas Twenty-First Annual War College of the Seven Years War from May 20 to 22. The annual seminar focuses on the French & Indian War in North America (1754-1763), bringing together a panel of distinguished historians from across the United States. The War College takes place in the Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center and is open to the public; preregistration is required. Begun in 1996, the War College of the Seven Years War has become nationally recognized as the premier seminar on the French & Indian War (1754-1763), a conflict that spread across the globe and set the stage for the American Revolution. The War College features a mix of new and established scholars in an informal setting for a weekend of presentations related to the military, social and cultural history of the French & Indian War. Registration for the War College is now open at $145 ($120 for those registering by March 15); additional discounts available for Members of Fort Ticonderoga. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.fortticonderoga.org under the Education tab by selecting Workshops and Seminars on the drop-down menu and then clicking on the War College. A printed copy is also available upon request by contacting Fort Ticonderoga at 585-2821. Battenkill Chorale awarded $5K grant The Battenkill Chorale has received a $5,000 grant from the Maurice Sendak Foundation in honor of one of the foundations directors, Dona Ann McAdams. The grant will help fund the chorales spring performance of The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with internationally famous bluegrass band Monroe Crossing. Performances of The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass are at 7 p.m. May 7 and at 4 p.m. May 8 at Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls. For information about tickets, call 692-7458 or email jen.braucher@gmail.com. Camp offers Scout programming Girl Scout Troops will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors at YMCA Camp Chingachgook on Lake George during the Girl Scout Days this winter Feb. 26 to 28. Troops can select a badge to work on, or design their own day at Camp Chingachgook. The cost is $37 per Scout for troops with eight or more and includes a day of programming with Chingachgook staff member and lunch. For an added cost, extra meals are available, as well as lodging in Camps Adirondack-style cabins which are insulated and heated during colder seasons. For more information about this and other programs, please call 656-9462, or visit www.LakeGeorgeCamp.org. Chase Con unveils lineup for show Chase Con Expo announces its Spring Show coming to the Saratoga City Center on April 23 and 24. There will be amazing talent in the form of celebrities and artists, as well as panels, science fiction/fantasy, Cosplay and gaming contests. The guest star lineup includes actress Rochelle Davis, known for her character as one of the main actresses in The Crow, Shelly; voice over artist D.C. Douglas, whose commercial work spans more than 20 years; and Jason Spisak, voice over artist and on-camera actor for 15 years. For a complete list of guest stars, go to www.ChaseCon.org. Tickets range in price starting at $15 for a one-day pass, $25 for a weekend pass, and VIP packages and family four-pack packages starting at $60. Go to www.ChaseCon.org to purchase tickets in advance and receive a link to the program book before the Con and free admission to the after party. Auditions offered for Shades of Blue GLENS FALLS Auditions for Shades of Blue: The Show will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 5 in the Christine McDonald Room at Crandall Public Library. The show is a staged reading of stories, poems and original music about mental illness. Participants will take the stage with some of the incredible essayists of the critically acclaimed book Shades of Blue, edited by Amy Ferris. The show will be performed at 7 p.m. May 28 at the Wood Theater, 207 Glen St. An audition will also be held from 1 to 3 p.m. March 19 in the H. Dutcher Community Room of Saratoga Library. Prepare an essay, poem or original piece of music that speaks of your experiences having or loving someone with a mental illness. No more than 5 minutes. Email Logan Beth Fisher at loganbethfisher@gmail.com to schedule a time. Arts group offers spring class lineup GLENS FALLS NorthCountryARTS presents a busy calendar of spring classes and workshops. Tuition rates are $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Most classes will be held in Betty OBriens studio and teaching facility in Studio 204 at The Shirt Factory building at 71 Lawrence St. Classes start March 26 and run through May 28, in such art forms as drawing, clay, mark making, watercolor, collage, mixed media and writing. To register for classes, download a registration form from www.NorthCountryARTS.org from the Programs menu. LARAC hosts open potluck dinner, talk GLENS FALLS LARAC, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, invites artists or community members to attend its annual Winter Potluck from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with guest speaker Rosemarie Oakland from Salem Art Works. Learn about the arts and enjoy great food and company. LARACs potluck dinners are free with a dish to pass (dishes can be beverages, side dishes, homemade or store bought). Oakland will present information about Salem Artworks Alzheimers Glass and Iron Project. The presentation will highlight the past three years of the project and will also include information about childrens memory glass blowing workshops and the Alzheimers Awareness Brunch open to the entire community at Salem Art Works. RSVP by calling 798-1144, ext. 2. Ticonderoga group offers programming TICONDEROGA The Ticonderoga Historical Society unveiled an ambitious lineup of exhibits and programs for 2016. Principal exhibits will include a look at pivotal world events through Adirondack eyes. Opening March 18, A Terrible Beauty addresses how Irish-Americans in Ticonderoga, the Adirondack region and New York state provided support for Irish independence and the subsequent creation of the Irish Free State. The opening will feature a program by Diane OConnor. In addition to the exhibit of nearly 100 loaned items relating to Irish freedom, the Historical Society will four Irish-themed movie and discussion evenings April 15, May 20, June 3 and July 8. Movies will include The Quiet Man, Michael Collins, The Wind that Shakes the Barley and The Secret of Roan Inish. Herbal History of the Adirondacks opens April 8 and looks at how Native Americans and early white settlers used native plants as medicinal preparations and how this has led to a contemporary herbal culture that continues to thrive today. Noted local herbalist Nancy Scarzello was the principal designer of the exhibit and will speak at the opening. Opening May 6 is From the Adirondacks to the Arctic, which examines the life and accomplishments of pioneering local aviator Floyd Bennett, who piloted Admiral Byrd on his historic and controversial 1926 flight over the North Pole. Also included in this exhibit is a broader discussion of local connections to exploration and discovery, including the USS Ticonderogas role in spacecraft recovery. Historical Society President Bill Dolback will present a program at the opening. On July 16, the community is invited to attend Happy Birthday Hancock House, a 1920s style picnic supper celebrating the 90th anniversary of the dedication of the imposing building that sits at Moses Circle. The Summer OFair will take place Aug. 13 and feature a military encampment in addition to a celebration of Celtic music, dance and spoken word. Additional programs will include Jeremy Davis speaking on Lost Ski Trails of the Adirondacks on Friday and Robert Lambs look at the WWII Battle of North Cape on May 6. Specific information regarding programs and events can be obtained by calling the Historical Society at 585-7868, by checking Facebook or ticonderogahistoricalsociety.org. Zonta Club names Zontian of the Year Judith Hillis was honored as the Zontian of the Year for 2015. The Zonta Club of Glens Falls Past Presidents Committee recognized Hillis at the Holiday Party as an outstanding Zontian who has dedicated her time and energy in our local and international community in improving the status of women through service and advocacy. Hillis has served on the Zonta Foundation Board of Directors, the Zonta Club of Glens Falls Board of Directors and as chairperson of the groups largest fundraiser, The Country Faire. Zonta Club of Glens Falls has been serving the community since 1924, by empowering women through educational scholarships, as a strong supporter at the Glens Falls Hospital Cancer Boutique program, as well as working to end violence against women through Catholic Charities and the Wait House. Zonta was founded in 1919 and is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to empower women through service and advocacy. QUEENSBURY | Travis Whitehead, an electrical engineer and government watchdog, used a household analogy to sum up the countys deals with Siemens Building Technologies. I can go and put in a smart thermostat and pay $150 for it, and I can pay that back in less than a year, he said. I can put in LED lighting, and I can get that back in a year or two. Those investments pay for their higher initial costs as soon as they save an amount of energy that has a value equal to the premium paid for the improved technology. Thereafter, the energy saved is a boon to a households finances. But thats not what Siemens has done for the county through an energy performance contract at the county Municipal Center on Route 9, Whitehead said. Whitehead first started looking into the Municipal Center contract after an investigation of another energy performance contract between the county and Siemens: the co-generation project at the Westmount Health Center on Gurney Lane. What launched Whitehead on the probe of the Municipal Center contract, he said, was a county meeting in October, during which the co-generation project was characterized as an anomaly, and it was claimed that other Siemens projects in the county were working as designed. That was like a gauntlet being thrown, Whitehead said. The county is now trying to get money back from Siemens for the Westmount project, even as Whitehead works with investigators probing the Municipal Center project to see if there is evidence of criminal wrongdoing there. The Post-Star recently sat down with Whitehead to dig deeper into his research. Here is some of what he has found: Geothermal vs. co-generation Completed in 2008, the Municipal Center work called for the installation of a geothermal environmental control system, improved lighting and other improvements, at a total cost of around $4.1 million. Whitehead is among a group of county residents and officials who now believe the system was flawed from the outset and never produced the reported savings. They are pushing for restitution from the energy service company. Whitehead contends the countys deal with Siemens has resulted in the county paying a huge premium for a system that will never deliver enough savings to justify the initial cost, let alone regular upkeep costs and interest expenses for the debt taken on to finance the purchase. If I went ahead and sold you something that saved you $10,000 a year, but you were paying me $40,000 a year for it, would you say you had $10,000 in savings? Whitehead said. And those numbers are small, considering Whitehead's calculations put the county's overall loss closer to $3 million. He is still asking questions about the Municipal Center project, having amassed a trove of legal documents, county meeting minutes and resolutions, purchase orders and utility bills for the 114,000-square-foot building. Hes not the only person questioning it. The Warren County Board of Supervisors moved last month to hire an engineer through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to investigate the work that was done and the savings that resulted. That came after a criminal investigation last year focused on a natural gas-powered energy generation system installed at Westmount Health Facility in 2005, at a cost of $3.5 million. The Westmount probe followed an independent review of the system that showed Siemens reports of energy savings from the facility were inaccurate at best and fraudulent at worst. No criminal charges resulted from the investigation, however. Siemens refused to answer questions for this story and has repeatedly issued prepared statements saying the company stands behind its efforts here and has lived up to all of its contractual obligations. Missed flags In the Municipal Center project, red flags popped up before the first shovel hit the ground, Whitehead said. Specifically, the cost of the improvements shot up from around $734,000 in a proposal Siemens submitted on Feb. 6, 2006, to about $2.5 million at the time the county authorized the project. Including 15 years of financing for the work, the cost to the county will be about $4.1 million. But the energy performance contract itself was also flawed, Whitehead contends. The state comptroller defines an energy performance contract as an agreement with an energy service company, or ESCO, for services in which energy systems are installed, maintained or managed to improve the energy efficiency, or produce energy for, a facility in exchange for a portion of the energy savings or revenues. As long as the company guarantees energy consumption savings will generate enough money to pay for the project over time, the state allows the project to proceed without competitive bidding or the need to issue bonds. But it is up to the municipality or school district to ensure projects are being monitored for energy savings. When it comes to the Warren County Municipal Center project and the Westmount Health Center cogeneration plant the county repeatedly chose not to verify the savings through an independent engineering firm, instead relying on Siemens to report on the performance of its own projects. Over the years, as shown in meeting minutes, county leaders admitted they didnt understand the Siemens' reports. But they repeatedly balked at the cost of hiring a third-party expert to confirm the savings. Whitehead and other critics of the deals believe the damage was done the moment the county signed the contract. What savings? The way the contracts define savings hinges on a redefinition of the phrase, actual savings. The term is defined differently depending on whether one reads the Westmount contract, in which a system generates electricity using natural gas, or the Municipal Center contract, in which a system purportedly saves electricity and gas by using geothermal energy to cool and heat the building, along with other efficiency measures. The contract for the Municipal Center stipulates the actual savings will be based either on the price of electricity and natural gas charged by the utility during the reporting period in question or on a rate set forth in a baseline period chart, included with the contract. That chart assumes price increases for both commodities in each year of the contract. The stepped increases are called an escalation rate in the contract. To calculate actual savings, the amount of energy saved by the Siemens projects in therms for natural gas or in kilowatt hours for electricity is multiplied by whichever price is greater the price charged by utilities or the baseline period cost set forth in the contract. The baseline period price increases from $1.25 per therm to $2.25 per therm over the 15-year term of the contract, an 80 percent increase. The price for electricity rises by a similar percentage, from 14.8 cents per kwh to 26.7 cents over the same period. For the latest reported year, savings were calculated based on natural gas costing $1.71 per therm and on electricity costing 20 cents per kwh. Whitehead, who has obtained the energy bills for the municipal center over the life of the contract, said the county is actually paying about 38.5 cents per therm for natural gas and about 8 cents per kwh. Using the inflated energy prices, Siemens is able to exaggerate the value of energy saved through its systems. Whitehead points to wording in the contract for the Westmount co-generation plant as proof the intent of the contract was to mislead the county about how much it was saving. The cogeneration plant burns natural gas to make electricity. Under the terms of the Westmount energy performance contract, actual savings are calculated based on a baseline period chart similar to that used in the Municipal Center contract with the same escalated energy rates over the term of that contract. The Westmount contract stipulates, however, that savings will be based on whichever price is lower the escalated rate or the actual price being charged by utilities when it comes to natural gas. That is opposite wording from the Municipal Center contract. Since every kwh generated by the cogeneration plant is a kwh the county didnt have to buy, a low cost for the natural gas used to generate high-cost electricity results in greater savings. The reported savings for the Municipal Center project would dwindle significantly if the same calculation were used for it as is used for the cogeneration plant. The latest summary provided by Siemens for energy savings at the co-generation plant includes a natural gas cost of 38.5 cents per therm the price that appears on the countys utility bill for purchased natural gas. But the savings calculation for the Municipal Center is based on a price of $1.71 per therm the escalated rate set forth in the contract chart. The most exasperating thing for Whitehead is that Siemens only defense for the disparities is that it is living up to the terms of the contracts, which were approved by county leaders. We did consume less, Whitehead said of the Municipal Center geothermal energy project. There is an energy savings there, but the savings are only half of what they should be (based on the contract) for electricity and one-sixth of what they should be for natural gas. The purported dollar savings are further inflated by the escalated rates in the contract. Whitehead estimates the cost savings are inflated by a factor of four for electricity and by a factor of about 25 for natural gas, as a result. Chilly winters A bigger portion of savings at the Municipal Center has likely been realized from the Siemens-proposed temperature setback system, which reduces heating demand in the winter when the municipal building is closed, mainly at night. Its similar to what a programmable thermostat does to save energy, although more complicated due to the size and layout of the Municipal Center. The setbacks have been changed in the years since the geothermal system was installed, as county employees have complained about cold offices. At one point, the county had to ban space heaters and ask workers to stop putting cups of cold water on thermostats to try to trick the system into sending more heat to colder rooms. But the setback savings could have been realized without spending millions of dollars on a new geothermal system, critics suggest. You could have issued blankets for $5 per blanket, Whitehead said. There were also electricity savings, Whitehead said, realized from the lighting upgrade done by Siemens. Frozen asset Perhaps the most perplexing aspect of the Municipal Center project is the way the geothermal system works or doesnt. In its Feb. 6, 2006, preliminary proposal to Warren County for the municipal center improvements, Siemens pitched a geothermal heating and cooling system. Using geothermal as the primary heat or cooling source can eliminate the use of fossil fuel for heating and improve the efficiency of the existing (water source heat pump) system, providing enhanced cooling capability as well as reduced cost of operations, the proposal states. The cost of that system along with other improvements like more efficient lighting, the temperature setback program and new heat pumps throughout the building was projected at about $734,000. But the geothermal system that was installed comprising 160 wells dug to a depth of 130 feet in a field next to the municipal center doesnt run in the winter. It was never designed to run in the winter, according to Frank Morehouse, the countys director of buildings and grounds. The original intent was to replace an aging cooling tower that was over next to the building, and that was the glycol system, Morehouse said. This has no glycol in it. Its just water ground water. Ethylene glycol is used in vehicle radiators to keep the water from freezing in the winter. It is often used in closed-loop geothermal systems for the same reason, according to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, which provided financial incentives of around $52,000 for the Municipal Center project. NYSERDA defines geoexchange technology as that which uses stable underground temperatures in the low 50-degree range in New York state throughout the year to help heat buildings in winter and cool them in summer. In a geoexchange system, a fluid is circulated between the building and the ground loop piping buried in the ground, states a NYSERDA document on geothermal projects. In the summer, the fluid picks up heat from the building and moves it to the ground. In the winter, the fluid picks up heat from the ground and moves it to the building. Heat pumps in the building make this transfer of heat possible. NYSERDA officials refused to answer questions related to this story. The Authority did issue a statement saying its only involvement with energy performance contracts is to ensure the criteria are met for any state incentives provided. Meanwhile, Siemens continues to report energy savings at the Municipal Center as if the geothermal system were being used to heat the structure, according to Whiteheads research. Specifically, he cites natural gas cost savings outlined in savings reports sent to the county. Morehouse, who cautioned he is not an engineer, said he thinks hopes for using the geothermal system to heat the Municipal Center were dashed once the digging started. I think, originally, they wanted to use the geothermal for both sides of the equation, but it just wasnt feasible to do here, and I dont know whether it was because the wells they dug out here were dry wells, Morehouse said. They never hit water, and I think that would have made a big difference; I think you could have pulled some heat out of it if there was water in the ground. The bottom line Whitehead did his own cost-benefit analysis of the Municipal Center project, taking into account what the county spent on the Siemens initiatives and what was saved: the avoided cost of replacing an aged cooling tower and heat pumps within the building, the electricity savings from the improved lighting, the geothermal cooling system savings and energy savings from the setback system. Morehouse said maintenance costs under both systems are similar, so Whitehead considered that a wash. He then calculated what the county likely would have spent to replace the old cooling tower (around $100,000, according to a county estimate), the heat pumps inside the Municipal Center as they needed replacing and to make the lighting improvements and implement a temperature setback program. What I found is, over 15 years, you have $4 million worth of payments (under the Siemens project), but youve only saved $1 million, he said. So were out $3 million. The film festival circuit in the U.S. has expanded into a major industry on its own with big names such as Sundance, Telluride and South by Southwest being massive draws. And rising high on the top list of film festival destinations has become the Sedona International Film Festival, which hosts its 22nd year among the red rocks starting this week. Among the big highlights for this year include a star-filled reunion of the George Lucas film classic American Graffiti (including Mackenzie Phillips and Cindy Williams); the appearance of Elliott Gould, who will receive a lifetime achievement award from the festival; the band Chicago, set to play sold-out concerts and there as part of a premiere of a film about them; and Mike Farrell, who played Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H and will do a one-man environmentally themed show. The nine-day festival will also include 169 films that screen in multiple venues across Sedona, as well as multiple special workshops, panels and presentations. Passes and ticket prices vary. To get more information on the films, events and schedules, visit www.sedonafilmfestival.org. When I first took this job, people would say were going to be next Sundance, said Patrick Schweiss, executive director of the Sedona Film Festival. I said, Thats never going to happen. Were never going to be as big as Sundance Instead, we have become one of the top regional or destination film festivals in the country. And were proud of that. He added, Were not a market festival like Sundance. Were not here for the industry, were here for the film-goer and here for the filmmaker. And now we have indie filmmakers and indie film companies reaching out to us. The result in the growing reputation has led to a robust festival with the multiple films and events around those films. The film festival team faced the daunting task of pairing down the films to show for the nine days of screenings. Schweiss said he is excited for the lineup, and noted that one particular theme has appeared among the titles. One of the big themes that seemed to emerge from our films was coming out of tough situations, Schweiss said. Indias Daughter, A Woman Like Me, Right-Footed, In Harmony and The Student Body are all different examples of films of people overcoming difficult circumstances and rising above them. The latter film, The Student Body, was created by a 13-year-old girl fighting what she thought was an unjust memo sent out by the school district where she went to school in Ohio. It required students had to meet a certain body mass index. In essence, it was fat-shaming. The documentary tracks two girls who work to fight the initiative and Schweiss considers it one of the highlights of the festival. Along with presenting films about underdogs who rise above, the Sedona Film Festival itself has emerged with a victorious formula for its annual event. Schweiss said that it has, for a number of years, reached a steady level and likely doesnt have room for major expansion. Its stabilized in that weve maximized Sedonas capacity, he said. We can grow to where every single seat and every single screening is completely full. Thats where our opportunity for growth is. But we dont have the facilities to expand much beyond that here. And were at nine days, 10 this year if you count the Chicago show. I dont see us adding days. Our movie goers cant handle it. Theyre exhausted after nine days. For Flagstaff residents and others looking to jump into the Sedona film festival mix, Schweiss said its a great event to just make a day of. He suggested that local cinephiles make a trip to the festival and hear what the buzz is on the different films. Some of the films get wait-lists, and pass holders sometimes give up spots for films and open up seats. Schwiess also recommended that people be open-minded and flexible. We hear it all the time. Someone will say, I was so sad I couldnt get into this film, but I was happy that I got to see this other film that I didnt know much about We feel like you cant go wrong no matter what you pick. Not Found The requested URL was not found on this server. Apache Server Port 80 My mother was a romantic, except when it came to Valentines Day. The romantic side of her loved to read romance novels, particularly a novel series whose covers always included passionate men and women in the attire of the French Revolution. I can see her now, in the family room, seated in the overstuffed reading chair with her shoes off still wearing her nylon stockings, her feet on the ottoman, legs crossed at the ankles, as she read a thick paperback and tapped cigarette ashes into the beanbag ashtray on the upholstered arm. To anyone who wished her, Happy Valentines Day, Barbara, she would reply, Happy Statehood Day, Dear. My mother was very proud of her Arizona roots. She was born in Mesa. Both of her parents were born in Arizona, before statehood. My siblings and I were born in Montana. We ended up in Arizona. I have inherited from my mother an abiding affection for the state. This does not imply that I am delusional. I have misgivings about our politics, about aspects of our history, but all of that is mitigated by the landscape. Ive been thinking about going back down to visit the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument before it gets too warm down on the border. Last time we were there, large sections of it were off limits due to the drug interdiction efforts underway along remote sections of the border. I hear the entire monument is open again. I used to make the trip to Kingman regularly, taking Old Route 66 from the Crookton Road exit of I-40 all the way there. Theres that stretch of the Aubrey Valley west of Seligman that has a power line that runs parallel to the north side of the road. On every third or fourth pole raptors sit to survey the huge prairie dog town that dots the landscape. Its an all-you-can-eat buffet for those birds. If you know where to look, you can see the fence enclosure where the Arizona Game and Fish Department is managing the black-footed ferret reintroduction project. Id like to drive the Apache Trail again from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Dam and then head into the Sierra Anchas to Pleasant Valley and reach State Route 260 east of Payson. That drive through the Sierra Anchas will loosen every bolt in your vehicle, but they dont call it Pleasant Valley for nothing. I havent been up to Lowell Observatory in some time. I need to do that again. I should check to see if theres water in Stoneman Lake. Head to the Arizona Strip country and visit Bundyville, I mean, Mount Trumbull. Pipe Springs National Monument. Monument Valley. Canyon De Chelly. The Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. The list goes on and on. And when in doubt, a drive out to the Osprey viewpoint on Upper Lake Mary will soothe a troubled mind. So, to my romantic readers, Happy Valentines Day. For the rest of you, Happy Arizona Statehood Day, dears. PHOENIX -- Legislative leaders are engaged in what amounts to a staring contest over what happens this coming week with legislation to restore funding for career and technical education programs. And at this point, with political bragging rights at stake, no one is willing to blink. Hanging in the balance is $28 million that Joint Technical Education Districts say they need to keep their doors open this coming school year. There is pretty much unanimous support for the expenditure. Even Gov. Doug Ducey, who had proffered a much smaller financial package -- and one with conditions -- said he's willing to accept this plan. In fact, both the House and Senate have given unanimous approval. The House acted first, sending the plan to the Senate on Tuesday. And House Speaker David Gowan said he fully expected the Senate to simply ratify that and send it on to Ducey. Senators, however, got around to voting its version on Thursday. But Sen. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, who has led the charge for JTED funding all session, made a last-minute change before the roll-call vote, a change he said is necessary to ensure that some currently enrolled students get to finish out the semester. That version then was sent to the House. And Senate President Andy Biggs told Capitol Media Services that's the version that the House should act on and send to the governor. More to the point, Biggs said he has no intent on bringing up the House version for discussion. The Senate president said he expects the House to act on the Senate plan -- and send that one to the governor. "It's kind of up to them, really,'' he said. Gowan, however, said there was no reason for the change -- and no reason for the Senate not to simply accede to the House version and send that one to Ducey. At this point, neither Biggs nor Gowan has scheduled a hearing for the other chamber's version, leaving the issue in legislative limbo. The lack of action has left Ducey, leaving for the National Governors Association next Thursday, a bit anxious. "Let's put our kids first and get it done,'' said press aide Daniel Scarpianto. "There's urgency,'' Scarpinato continued, with the JTEDs all waiting for legislative action to craft their budgets for the coming year. "He wants to get moving here.'' Tina Norton, assistant superintendent of Pima County JTED, underlined the need for action -- and soon. "It allows districts to go on and plan for next year, enroll kids and have teachers not feeling they have to go find other jobs,'' she said. Norton said JTED teachers are "uniquely hard to find, hire and retain because they come out of industry.'' Quick action, however, seems unlikely, especially with emotions running high. On Thursday, lobbyist Gretchen Jacobs approached House Majority Whip David Livingston to inform him of changes to the package made by the Senate. The result was a confrontation, which occurred in front of several witnesses, with Livingston refusing to back down. Norton, who witnessed the incident, described Livingston's demeanor as "heated.'' Livingston did not return calls seeking comment. But Gowan said he has heard no argument why the House version would not work. Norton, however, noted the original proposal crafted by Shooter was to restore the entire $30 million cut set to take effect this coming school year. To get that down to $28 million, the measure removes state funding that now exists for adult students who already have graduated from high school who need job training. Norton said if the House bill becomes law it would result in immediate loss of state dollars for those students. The change inserted by Shooter and approved by the Senate makes the state will pay through the end of the semester. "That's why it was very important to clear it up so there weren't thousands of kids who would be defunded,'' she said. But there's also politics at play. It was Shooter who first put together a coalition of more than 70 legislators demanding restoration of the JTED funds, challenging the governor's $10 million plan. And it was Shooter who announced the $28 million deal. All that comes with bragging rights in an election year. The House bill was crafted so the first name on that is Rep. Chris Ackerley, R-Sahuarita. House GOP spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said all 60 members signed on as sponsors, saying Ackerley was listed first solely because his name comes first alphabetically. But it was Ackerley, as prime sponsor, who addressed the committee hearing the measure. Ackerley also needs bragging rights, being a first-term Republican who comes from a legislative district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by 14,000. Norton said there's some "anxiety'' around the current stalemate given that there have been setbacks to get this far, including what had initially been the governor's opposition. She said that leads to fears that, despite the broad support in the Legislature "this won't get fixed at all.'' Biggs said he's presuming it won't come to that. "Hopefully we can just put this thing to bed,'' he said, though he still believes it is Shooter's version that should get signed into law. But Jacobs, who lobbies for JTEDs, suggested the whole spat -- and question of those bragging rights -- is silly. "Who gets the credit for signing on (the bill) I really think is irrelevant at this point because it has become clear that the entire Legislature wants this,'' she said. Vendors in African informal settlements play vital but overlooked roles in alleviating food insecurity. Many vendors are women selling affordable food to their fellow residents. Using participatory research, we offer a gender-sensitive analysis of how food vending intersects with environmental hazards, insecurity, and governmental neglect in Nairobis informal settlements. We argue that improving food security must form part of a wider set of upgrading initiatives to promote jobs, community safety, and political empowerment. Food vendors in informal settlements are a key entry-point for such interventions. By nourishing and recognising these livelihoods, vendors can lead the way towards equitable food systems. M WAQAR..... "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary.Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death." --Albert Einstein !!! NEWS,ARTICLES,EDITORIALS,MUSIC... Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.....(Liberal,Progressive,Secular World.)''Secularism is not against religion; it is the message of humanity.'' "I am proud to be the First African leader to visit Iran after the nuclear agreement and also the first Ghanaian leader to come here after the Islamic Revolution," Iranian State broadcaster, Press TV, quoted him as saying at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Sunday. READ MORE:President Mahama arrives in Tehran According to Mahama, Ghana is hopeful of cooperation in a variety of fields, including oil and gas, agriculture, power generation and production of cement, home appliances and engineering products. "We think Iran enjoys a good advantage in these fields and can become a suitable partner for Ghana," he said. "I also thank Iran for its agricultural services which it offers to poor and remote areas in Ghana which have led to better production and food security in these regions," he said. He was welcomed at the Mehrabad International Airport by the Iranian Minister for Agriculture, Mahmoud Hojjati. Dr Jonah, who was speaking at the fifth session of the 48th congregation of the School of Graduate Studies of the University, said they would fail the nation if as elites, they did not take bold initiatives to eliminate that canker from the society. He said it was imperative for them to be led by the truth, hard work, selflessness and dedication as they prepared to join the countrys workforce, to be able to overcome the imminent challenges confronting the country. This year, a total of 1,915 graduands received higher degrees in various disciplines including 31 Ph.D.s, 246 Master of Philosophy/ Master of Commence and 1,378 Masters Degrees by course work as well as 260 Post-graduate diplomas and certificates. Dr Jonah admonished the graduates to make the spirit of entrepreneurship a viable option for sustenance in this era where the unemployed graduate phenomenon had become inevitable in the social fabric. The Vice Chancellor of UCC, Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole said eleven new graduate programmes were introduced last year in an effort to improve and attract more graduate students for nation building. The new programmes, he said, included Master of Philosophy/PhD in Drug Discovery and Toxicology, African Studies, International Relations, Home Economics and Infection and Immunity. He said UCC has significantly transformed its curricula and the mode of delivery over the past years and would continue to chart innovative paths to respond to the national needs through effective teaching, research and community engagement. Professor Kuupole said the University has established an Endowment /Graduate Development Fund to support the research work of graduate students. Awards were given to graduands who exhibited outstanding research work from each of the colleges of the University. This, she said, would enable African governments to initiate and implement key actions, towards reversing the negative HIV and AIDS trends among adolescents. "For far too long, this area of intervention has suffered neglect by partners on the scale that is required." Mrs Mahama, who was speaking at the launch of the United Continental "All-in" adolescent HIV campaign as part of their three-day Seventh Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, urged her colleagues to take advantage of their unique positions in the society to implement the standards in the fight. The programme was also attended by First Ladies from Kenya,Chad, Mali, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. The "All-in" campaign is focused on engaging, mobilizing and empowering adolescents as leaders and actors of social change and improving data collection to better informed programming. It would also encourage innovative approaches to reach adolescents with essential HIV services adapted to their needs and place adolescents HIV firmly on the political agenda to spur concrete action and mobilize resources. The First Lady expressed dissatisfaction at the slow reduction figures in new infections among adolescents adding that the girls were the most affected. "Yet data specific to the adolescent age groups,10-14 and 15-19 is almost non-existent... And you and I have to do something quickly." Mrs Mahama said although AIDS related deaths were declining in most of the age groups the same could not be said of adolescents thus between the ages of 10 and 19 making it the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa and the second leading cause of deaths among adolescents globally. She appealed to the traditional authorities to lend their support for the fight against the disease particularly among the adolescents throughout the country. Dr Angela El-Adas, Director General of the Ghana AIDS commission, said Ghana has been able to reduce new infections by over 56 percent over the years as opposed to the global increase of new infections. She said research shows that girls between the ages of 15 and 24 had multiple partners and unprotected sex and thereby exposing themselves to the risks involved in their practices. Lack of access to services, she said, contributed immensely to the high prevalence adding that "those who are informed make better choices." There were messages from other First Ladies pertaining to the countries and various initiatives were adopted to help curb the spread of the disease. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! He noted that the making unsubstantiated claims on social media by some unknown persons, as well as the spreading of false information through the same medium is a practice that should not be allowed to continue. I think that in this trend, we ought to advice ourselves on the abuse of social media. It is not just related to this particular incident or what is happening to Stan Dogbe. I may not like Stan Dogbe but I think that somebody is dead and if you have vital informationif you have evidence, if you have support for the claims you are making, why do you have to come to social media and dent peoples image, only to leave it at that? he asked. To call somebody a murderer is not easy because you dont know who might have read and these days people read everything. Your child might have read it Mr Mornah said during a panel discussion on Accra-based Radio Gold. Mr. Dogbe has been accused of masterminding the murder of the Abuakwa North Member of Parliament (MP), Joseph Boakye Danquah- Adu at his residence at Shiahsie in Accra. In a Facebook post, he rubbished such claims and accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of spreading such falsehood for political gains. On Saturday, the Police in a statement categorically stated that Mr. Dogbe was not involved in the murder case. "The Police can state on authority that the suspect has never mentioned Mr Stan Dogbe or any politicians name as of now, the statement said. Mr. Mornah criticised political parties for capitalizing on issues for political gains. In every aspect of our lives, we put it in partisanship and it is hurting and injuring the many things that we have done. Why are we doing this in our society? he asked. He however charged the security agencies to investigate the source of such rumours and punish the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others who hid behind social media to spread such rumours. This should be easy to investigate. I am sure that our CID is up to the task. They can track which number originated tit first and at what time and who is it for; so that you can just close in on such persons and pick them up. Today it may be Stan Dogbe, tomorrow, it will be you! As for concocting stories, its easy and so nobody should celebrate it. I think that we should all condemn such foolishness on our social media, he fumed. Flagstaff residents do not have to worry about lead in their drinking water. In a recent report to Council, Steve Camp, the citys utility regulatory compliance manager, stated that the city has never exceeded the federal action level for lead or copper in any sampling. According to the report, the city doesnt have any lead mainline water pipes and lead is not found in the citys water source. The city does have some old lead connections that were used in customer service lines, but the number of lead connections is very small. The city started sampling for lead and copper throughout its water system in 1992, the year after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its lead and copper rule, he said. The city samples water by asking homeowners to fill sample bottles with water that has sat in their pipes for at least six hours. Since 1992, the city has taken 359 water quality samples and none has exceeded the action level for lead or copper. In 1995, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality granted the city a reduced monitoring permit for lead and copper. The city currently tests for lead and copper every three years at 30 different location throughout the city limits. The most recent sampling happened in 2014. The sample locations included older homes in order to make sure that the citys water wasnt corrosive, which could cause lead to leach from older pipes. The city treats its water to prevent corrosion. The highest lead sample collected in the citys system in the past five years was 14 micrograms per liter. One microgram is equal to one part per billion. Seventy percent of the samples collected in 2014 were less than 1 microgram per liter, which is less than 10 percent of the federal action level for lead. He criticized the common practice where the media describes communal clashes as religious clashes. What happened in Tafo was unfortunate but why is anybody surprised about the way the media carries stories in this country? There is trouble in Tafo and all of a sudden it is Muslim and Christians; then it turned out that Christians are not involved; then it turned out that it was Muslims verses the Traditional authority and so that becomes the caption. He questioned why the media tagged the Tafo clashes as a religious clash and not some youth who had a disagreement over a piece of land. According to Mr. Mornah, during the outbreak of Ebola in the West African sub-region last year, the media in Ghana constantly put out reports which suggested that they would have wished there was a case of the disease recorded in the country. It was as if the media was always craving for Ghana to get Ebola. When there was a suspicion of a possible case and it is cleared, they will say, there is no Ebola yet. Are we expecting it to happen in our country? he asked. Queenie Akuffo, a student, charged with unnatural carnal knowledge, pleaded not guilty. The victim, who mounted the dock narrated to the Court what transpired between her and Queenie on the day of the incident. Led in evidence by Detective Inspector Judith B Asante, she told the Court that she has been washing the clothes of the accused person. She said on January 25, the accused person asked her [victim] younger sister to call her and she obliged. The first prosecution witness said on reaching the accused persons house, she met her drinking. Queenie, the witness said, offered her some of the drink but she declined and after some insistence from Queenie she drank as requested. Later, witness said, Queenie asked her [victims] younger sister to buy two more bottles of beer and she drank them. Witness contended that she could not see anything again until she found herself at the hospital. Prosecuting Detective Inspector Judith B. Asante told the Court that Comfort Sam is the complainant and mother of the victim. Prosecution said accused person and the victim both reside at Ablekuma and are tenants in the same house. On January 25, at about 1800hrs Queenie sent the victims younger sister, a witness in the case to go and call the victim and the witness obliged. Detective Inspector Asante said when the victim arrived, Queenie offered her Vodka beer and other beer varieties to drink after which the victim got intoxicated and Queenie lured her into her bedroom. The prosecution said Queenie asked other witnesses around to leave and she locked her bedroom. The witness informed the victims brother known as Nana Sasu and he also alerted her mother [the complainant]. The prosecution said witnesses rushed to the aid of the victim and saw her lying naked in the accused person bedroom with vomit all over her. Prosecution said as victim was unconscious she was rushed to the hospital after obtaining a medical form from the Police station. The Police proceeded to the scene and apprehended Queenie and a search into her room revealed an empty Vodka beer, star beer bottles, and bottles of Orijin alcoholic beverages. According to the prosecutor, the artificial penis was found on top of the accused persons wardrobe and a video recording of the act was on Queenies Infinix mobile phone. Prosecution said Queenie in her caution statement to the Police admitted the offence. The Court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku admitted Queenie to bail in the sum of GH 40,000 cedis with three sureties. Hearing continues on February 24. This, he said is because the cost of replacing an MP is higher than the cost of replacing a Cabinet Minister. The cost of replacing an MP is probably 10 times more than the cost of replacing a cabinet Minister because you have to go and do a by-election and ask all governments the cost of doing a by-election. Yes, we need general securitybut the security of the MPs must be discussed for the general good of Ghanaians. Speaking on Joy FMs News File, the Manhyia MP stated that in my short while in Parliament, not less than seven MPs have been attacked in the bosom of their bedrooms which easily could have ended up in murder. He said: A female MP was attacked by five armed robbers in her bedroom; Gifty Klenam; Benita Owusu Bio was sleeping on the bed when armed robbers entered his bedroom, Asiamah has been robbed two times, Sorogo has been robbed, Bia West MP has been robbed, even Bediameh was shot at so for how long will we give this excuse that we hear that we need general security. He questioned by the executive and judiciary have adequate security except the legislature saying, all arms of government, why do you neglect one? Dr. Opoku Prempeh explained that the only reason why MPs dont have security is that in our constitutional dispensation, the youngest of all the children are Parliamentarians. Military rule or not, the executive arm of government has continued and they have controlled all the state resources and security. The parties agreed to halt the extradition process on Saturday, February 13, 2015 following a petition by the Ogun East Senatorial District Senator's lawyer to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The parties agreed to look into the allegations and issues raised by the Senator and conduct a thorough investigation as well as outcome of the suit on the matter at the court before further actions are taken. Kashamus lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, had in his petition claimed that NDLEA operatives had perfected strategies to forcefully take him to the US in order to answer alleged drug related charges. The chairman, of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions had revealed the stand of the parties involved on Saturday while addressing journalists in Abuja. Reacting to allegations that that he awarded contracts for the proposed ultra modern Oja Oba market, the Fly over in Fajuyi and the proposed Airstrip to his relatives, business associates and those who financed his election, the governor said none of the tales were true. Even if they are contractors, I would not have been foolish to the extent of asking them to come to Ekiti to take up contracts. So, all the All Progressives Congress was doing is to discredit me for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari, Fayose had replied. The governor also used the medium to warn erring workers in the state to desist striking actions as this might spell doom for whoever is found guilty. Fayose threatened to apply no-work-no-pay rule for workers who embark on strike in the state without following due process and labour laws. The governor cited the state's primary school teachers' two-day warning strike as an example of his warnings. He said though he holds the state workers in high esteem, his government would no longer tolerate acts of indolence and unnecessary strikes that could further worsen the states financial position. 'Since I came back, Ekiti is financially challenged. I have not hidden the financial position of the state from workers, particularly the teachers, because they are the set of people I have shown so much love for. I celebrate them on annual basis. Even during my first term, people called me Teachers Governor due to my love for them. 'But the strike they embarked on recently could have been resolved without any crisis if we had dialogued. Repect, they say, begets respect. Every worker in the State knows how much Ekiti takes after FACC in Abuja, because I always lay it bare on the table. The Secretary of the association, Salisu Buba Wakinso, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Sunday. He said the gesture would boost the morale of the beneficiaries and that of other members of the group all of whom were assisting security agencies in the counter-insurgency operation in the area. "Those honoured that included two women were selected based on their outstanding performance. "We also hope that the measure would go a long way in encouraging them and other members to do more for their fatherland. ``While we laud the support and cooperation the association has been receiving from government and the public, we need more vehicles, guns and ammunition to enable us to be more effective. "Boko Haram have been dealt with in Adamawa but we need more vehicles, guns and ammunitions to properly man local government areas bordering Borno in order to check any possible incursion into Adamawa by remnants of the insurgents," Buba said. The Director of Fire Services in the state, Mr Ndareke Ukpe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo that some of the incidents occurred in 71 residential buildings. Ukpe said that others occurred in 59 market stores and 42 government buildings. He, however, said that the department was able to save property worth N94.06 billion during the period. He attributed the fires to carelessness by the residents and the use of fake or substandard electrical materials by builders. The director advised the residents to adhere to safety standards and switch off their electrical appliances when leaving their homes. He urged the people to promptly report outbreaks in their premises to the fire service department for immediate action. He advised the public not store petroleum products in their residential houses to avoid fires. He warned smokers not to throw away their cigarette butts indiscriminately to avoid fire, especially during the dry season. "We attended to 191fire calls from private individuals and government establishments in the state last year. During the period, we were able to save property worth N94 billion that would have been lost. Fire does not just happen; it is caused by carelessness and installation of fake electrical materials in our buildings, he said. Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Sunday that the amount realized was meagre considering the over 2000 IDPs taking refuge in Bauchi state. He however said that in spite of the meager amount realised, the organization was able to touch the lives of the displaced persons positively. He thanked Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of the state for providing the association with venue during the concert and urged him to continue encouraging the organization to embark on humanitarian activities. Its Public Relations Officer, Mr Fwaji Atajiri, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Sunday that no one was killed in the attack suspected to be carried out by youths from a neigbouring village. ``Four people were injured in the attack that occurred on Saturday; no one was killed; but we are already investigating the matter,'' he said. The official said that normalcy had returned to the area, adding that policemen were patrolling the villages, while residents were going on with their normal businesses. ``When we are through with investigation, we will let you know,'' he told NAN. Alhaji Haruna Samanja, the Chairman of the Local Government, who also confirmed the incident, said that he had reported it to the police ``immediately I heard it''. Samanja, said however, that he met 11 persons being treated of wounds from the attack, when he visited the specialist hospital in Gombe. ``The wounded persons included the District Head of Kinafa, Malam Musa Inuwa; two victims were referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, because their situation was bad and they needed some surgery,'' he explained. He said he had visited the two communities to speak with them on the need for peaceful co-existence, and warned that anyone found culpable would face the law. The chairman attributed the violence to clashes over farmlands for irrigation purpose. The District Head of Kinafa told NAN that the attackers met him at the farm. Brig. Gen. Victor Ezugwu, GOC, 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri. ``We are winning the war. We are bringing the war to conclusion, very soon,'' Ezugwu said. ``We want everybody to help us to support the peace that is emerging. ``The peace is more enduring and more gratifying for us in Borno and other parts of the North-East of Nigeria,'' Ezugwu said. He commended the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as well as Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) that had been partnering with the military toward the success of the counter-insurgency operation. ``I thank traditional rulers and NGOs that are stakeholders to us in the fight against insurgency. But only a few people know that he's actually an Igbo prince, who left Nigeria for the United Kingdom after been tired of incessant strike actions in University of Nigeria Nsukka. The Radio Biafra MD, who currently has the backing of his father and his siblings, had noted that his cause is just and he would go through with it. 1. He is the first son of his father and has four siblings (two male, two female) 2. His father, HRM Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, is a king and the traditional ruler of Isiama Afara, a community in Umuahia, Abia State. 3. He was once a member of Movement for the Actualisation of Biafra but quit to kick of Indigenous People Of Biafra after his fallout with Ralph Uwazuruike. 4. He has the backing of his father and his community irrespective of what becomes of him after this travail. 5. He had been incarcerated in 2008 over his pro-Biafra beliefs though his father claims the arrest was a result of Ralph Uwazuruike's envy towards him. 6. He left University of Nigeria Nsukka to complete his education in the United Kingdom after series of incessant strikes in the varsity According to a report by Punch Newspaper, following the Supreme Court judgment on his trial at the CCT, the Senate President had began moves to seek favours from the President and Tinubu. Though the moves by Saraki are said to have been indirect, he is rumoured to be desperate to reach a favourable agreement with the top political figures before the hearing of his 13 counts charge of false asset declaration resume on March 10, 2016. To reach the President, Saraki had allegedly sent a delegation led by Senate leader, Ali Ndume and Dino Melaye to meet with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo while the President was on a six days vacation. Though Ndume denied discussing Saraki's trial with the Vice President when he met with him, it is believed that the Vice President had clearly stated that the president would not mix personal tribulations with the national issues. While the Senate President keeps seeking other means to reach out to the President for favours, he's reported to have sent out emissaries to Tinubu, who sources say have cut all ties with the Kwara State ex-Governor. Tinubu, sources disclosed, has decided to wash his hands and will not say a word again regarding Saraki, thus, all efforts to reach him has been blocked. He has been visiting other African countries preaching the gospel of Democracy and become unavailable for the delegates led by opinion leaders and clerics that Saraki had sent to his Bourdillon home in Ikoyi, Lagos. The Supreme Court had on February 5, 2016 ruled that Sarakis trial should continue at the CCT. The apex court had affirmed the propriety of Sarakis trial at the CCT on 13 counts of false asset declaration. Saraki and Tinubu fell out in June 2016 when he defied the directive of the APC and became the Senate President under controversial circumstances. Meanwhile, the Senate President's media aide had reiterated that Saraki meets with the President when national issues arise, thus, it would be wrong to say he's seeking favours or contact with him. Shettima stated this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri. `` The military has recorded tremendous achievements in the past six months, we are now consolidating the emerging peace in the state. ``It is wrong for anyone to say that the Boko Haram are in control, yes you might have pockets of them trying to foment mischief, but eventually, we shall overcome the hiccups. ``We are all living witnesses to what is happening in Borno, you and I know that in the last couple of months Ngala was liberated by the military, so also was Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa, Mafa and so many other communities that were hitherto under the terrorists control. ``The military deserve commendation not condemnation,'' the governor said. He said it was clear that the Boko Haram terrorists had been decimated by the military. ``The Boko Haram terrorists have been decimated and President Buhari deserves special commendation for that. ``The people of the North-East, especially those of Borno are eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment toward restoring sanity in the area,'' Shettima said. ``The most important thing for us now as a people is to support the Federal Government on the anti terrorism war,'' Shettima said. The army chief talked about the new focus of the military under the leadership of Major General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Army Staff at the unveiling of the movie, 76. The Major General said: With every regime come different concepts and ideas. So with the coming of Maj Gen T.Y Buratai as Chief of Army Staff, he has a vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian army in discharge of its constitutional mandate. And part of that is to develop a military/ civil relationship that will close the gap between the military and the civilians. That is what we are trying to do. The issue of people not having channels to complain is now a thing of the past. Right now, we have a human rights desk in our office. We are collaborating with the National Human Rights Commission and the Nigerian Bar Association. We welcome and encourage any filmmaker who wants to do a movie on the insurgency war as long as it is within the confines of the law. Interested participants can come up and we will look into it and collaborate. When we are collaborating with a filmmaker, it means that there is counterpart funding for it. This means that it is a two-way traffic, not that the Nigerian Army alone will fund such movies. If you come up with a proposal and you think that it will be beneficial to the Nigerian Army and indeed, Nigerians as a whole, then we will be ready to look into it. 76 stars undefined, Ramsey Nouah, Chidi Mokeme, undefined, Ada Ofoegbu and undefined. 76 tells a tale of love in the time of war. The movie deals with a range of issues including the plight of the African woman, and the usually invisible pain of a soldiers wife. 76 highlights the enduring Nigerian cultural values of courage, resilience, patience, loyalty, faith and family and the nations ability to surmount all challenges, the award-wining director shared. The movies thematic preoccupation presents a number of questions including the countrys mis-direction amongst many other issues, said Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill the executive director of the film. The apostle Paul was a prisoner on board a ship headed from Palestine to Rome. After they ventured through the Mediterranean Sea and docked at the island of Crete, God told Paul to advise the crew not to leave the harbour because there was going to be a great storm. But they wouldnt listen, and they ended up shipwrecked. Why? Impatience! They had a schedule to keep (see vv. 9-12 NLT). Read More:Caring versus controlling The truth is, when we allow ourselves to become impatient we often end up in a storm. One pastor writes: Ive spoken with many crisis-ridden people who were impatient to get married or get a new job or move to the other side of town. They didnt take time to check things out with God, and they sailed right into the awaiting storms. Instead of waiting for Gods choice of a mate, loneliness can drive you into the arms of the wrong person and a lifetime of misery. Making financial decisions without consulting God first can land you in debt that may take years to get out of. Heres something youd do well to keep in mind: God does a work of preparation within you to equip you for what he has in mind for you. His Word says, He that believeth shall not make haste (Isaiah 28:16 KJV), so dont get impatient and jump the gun. Wait for the LORD, follow his path, and he will honor you (Psalm 37:34 GWT). The central African nation has been in turmoil since April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza vowed to run for a third term, sparking protests by the opposition who said his bid was unconstitutional. Celestin Singirankabo, the regional administrator of Gisozi commune in Mwaro province some 60 km (37 miles) east of the capital, Bujumbura, said one of the people killed on Friday was a village administrator. "Five people came around 9.30 p.m. and called the elected administrator by name and ordered him out of his house. They shot at him and he died," he told Reuters by phone on Saturday. "After that they moved to another nearby house and also shot another person," he said, adding that three of the unidentified gunmen wore either police or army uniforms. While it was not immediately clear who the gunmen were, activists and authorities have in the past reported a number of apparently targeted killings. Nearly quarter of a million people have fled the violence in Burundi, with more than 70,000 seeking refuge in neighbouring Rwanda, according to the U.N. refugee agency. Burundi accused Rwanda in December of supporting a rebel group that was recruiting Burundian refugees on Rwandan soil, a charge dismissed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame. A confidential report to the U.N. Security Council accuses Rwanda of recruiting and training Burundian refugees with the aim of ousting Nkurunziza. In a sign of the tensions, thousands of demonstrators mainly from Nkurunziza's ruling CNDD-FDD party and its UPRONA ally held peaceful marches against Rwanda on Saturday. Demonstrators rallied in Bujumbura and elsewhere, waving placards saying "We denounce Rwanda's open aggression against Burundi." Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg Scott Searle, his mother, Katherine, and his son, Caden, moved around the kitchen of Searles Davenport home on Saturday, putting together a big pot of chicken noodle soup. In a few hours, they would take the soup to the Kings Harvest Ministries homeless shelter in downtown Davenport to serve a hot meal to those waiting in line for the shelter to open at 9 p.m. As his mom got the stock ready with onions, carrots and other vegetables, Searle put the chicken in the oven to bake. Searle said this is the second month he has done something for the homeless. The seed of the idea was planted on Jan. 10, when Searle, an avid runner who hits the streets for seven to 10 miles a day, rain or shine, saw a sight that tugged at his heart. I was running along Main Street when, between 14th and 15th streets, I saw a man, obviously homeless, with ice and frost all over his face and beard, Searle said. The high temperature for that day was 10 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The low hit 1 degree. I couldnt help but think, I am so blessed to have a warm home to go to and sleep in, he said. So last month, he and a couple of friends made a pot of chili, bought some hats and gloves, set up a card table and fed people waiting in line to enter the shelter. Katherine Searle, 64, is a teacher at Davenport West High School who works with the student senate to raise money for the non-profit organization. Scott runs all over town, so he sees all the things that are wrong, she said. As the cold wind began to bite and the temperature dropped, the Searles began setting up in front of the shelter. Caden, a student at Hayes Elementary School in Davenport, ladled out soup, which steamed in the cold air. Its not something kids our age see, he said of the homeless population. A number of Scott Searles friends had seen his Facebook post about his idea and showed up to help. Kristie Wallace brought items for the people at the shelter, including new socks, as well as fresh fruit and other foods to go with the soup. The issue of homelessness seems to be growing locally, she said. Another person brought cups for the soup. It quickly turned into a labor of love. The line for the soup wasn't quick to form. Eventually, several men and women who were waiting for the shelter doors to open came up to get soup. Scott Searle said he plans to do something next month, but he doesnt yet know what that will be. I just hope its a lot warmer, he said. Through the summer well do sandwiches and stuff. "Maybe next month Ill see if I can get a few donations and then come down here with a grill and we can grill out," he said. "But we'll be here." MUSCATINE, Iowa The Muscatine City Council has approved a resolution of support for an application by HNI to the state's High Quality Jobs program. "This project is a multi-location, modernization investment. It will be approximately a $26.8 million investment. Part of that, $8 million of that, is in additional research and development efforts. The rest of it is predominantly in machinery and equipment. So this is an investment in equipment. It is an investment in processes. It's an investment in layout. It is also and investment in ergonomics," said HNI Vice President Gary Carlson. With the council approval, the city becomes the sponsor of the application. "It is really focused on making us more efficient and effective," Carlson told the council Thursday night. Councilman Scott Nativig asked Carlson about a note in the application about HNI keeping manufacturing in Muscatine. HNI does have manufacturing facilities elsewhere. "It's a wonderful city for HNI Corporation and we have a great partnership with the city and with the county and with the community and I guess our heart is here as well," Carlson said. The High Quality Jobs program provides qualifying businesses tax credits and direct financial assistance to off-set some of the costs incurred to locate, expand or modernize an Iowa facility. "This is going to be a super project for our community. HNI continues to invest for all of us in the town and it's a great opportunity to extend their commitment to the community," said Greg Jenkins, president & CEO of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We talk often about how economic development is about existing industry growth and sustaining it. This is the truth." The Iowa Economic Development Authority board is expected to review the application at its meeting next Friday. On paper, this region is blessed with a pioneering 2 million-acre forest restoration plan that is a model for the rest of the nation. But in reality, there is little to show yet for all the effort that has gone into the Four Forest Restoration Project. More than a half-dozen years of coalition-building, environmental impact reports, RFPs and contract awards have produced barely 5,000 acres of thinning. And despite assurances from the new primary contractor that lost ground will soon be made up, it doesnt look as though 4FRI will be turning the corner anytime soon. As we report today, theres a disconnect between what the contractor, Good Earth Power AZ, is promising and what the experts say can reasonably and responsibly be delivered. A new, $80 million lumber mill, for example, is supposed to be built and start operation by May 2017 when some say the project will likely take three years and GEP AZ has yet to file for a permit to start building. WHAT KIND OF MILL? There are also doubts about whether a traditional lumber mill is needed for small-diameter trees. And once the accelerated thinning begins to allow GEP AZ to catch up, it will be much more intense than conservation groups in the coalition have agreed to. The Forest Service recognizes the delay and has agreed to put in $10 million a year for the next decade to bring other forest contractors on board. But without a mill, it is uncertain what the loggers will be doing with the wood they harvest. As for GEP AZ, it is fronting the investment in the mill with the hopes of realizing a profit from whatever comes out of it. There is also a biofuel operation, a composting business and an electric plant powered by wood chips to help generate additional income from various forest products. RESULTS ONLY But the Forest Service, even though it awarded the 10-year, 300,000-acre thinning contract to GEP AZ, says it is only responsible for monitoring the results on the ground: how many acres are treated and the impacts on flora, fauna, streams and the remaining forest. It contends it has no oversight over the financing and operations of any GEP AZ projects once all permits are in order. Thus, members of the 4FRI coalition are left to receive periodic oral reports from GEP AZ executives without written documentation or any significant Forest Service input. At a meeting last month, for example, CEO Jason Rosamond said a small, closed sawmill the company had purchased and reopened in Williams was producing 40,000 board-feet per shift. But as we report today, a check-in with the mill manager revealed only one load of lumber had been processed while employees replace old machinery. Given that credibility gap, the Forest Service ought to be conducting its own regular checkups on all GEP AZ operations, then sharing them with 4FRI members. That kind of close oversight seems warranted in light of timber and development projects in Africa that parent company Good Earth Power touted in its proposal to take over the 4FRI contract but which are far from completion. As we reported last month, those projects have had the same kind of delayed contractor payments that have marked GEP AZ relations with local loggers and haulers. PATIENCE REQUESTED Rosamond has said it will take time to rebuild a forest products infrastructure in northern Arizona and has asked for patience. But his new timetable has conservationists worried that a sustainable annual thinning schedule of no more than 50,000 acres will balloon to more like 80,000, threatening to return the region to the days of industrial forestry that left hillsides eroded and streambeds altered beyond recognition. Researchers are ready to document impacts on threatened Mexican spotted owls and bugbane plants, along with fish and other wildlife. Its up to the Forest Service to hold GEP AZ to the sustainable level of harvesting called for in the plan perhaps the 10-year contract could be extended to level off the cutting levels. As we said at the beginning, a lot of work has gone into the 4FRI plan on paper. Now its time to make sure the principal contractor is delivering what it promised. As the issuer of the contract, the Forest Service has a duty to assure that it can be carried out financially and operationally. Its time to document that progress or lack of it and act accordingly. Ill never forget the look on Carly Fiorinas face when I asked that question. It was somewhere between shock and anger. Id been watching her, standing on stage at debates as the only woman running for the GOP nomination, and I wanted to know what that was like and how she had to adjust her leadership style. But as soon as I saw the look on her face, I realized what Id done. I asked the woman question. She adjusted in her chair and gave the answer every woman gives. Its not about gender, its about experience and skill. Truth is, I don't blame her. I hate it when people pointed out I was the first female editor when I was at past jobs. I felt it diminished my accomplishments in some way when the conversation was about my physical attributes and not about hard work or experience. Youre sexist, someone said later to me about my question to Fiorina. And so when Hillary Clinton came in, I asked her about the best way to keep ISIS out of Tunisia, instead of asking her what I really wanted to know how does a female secretary of State adjust her style when conducting diplomacy in a country where women arent allowed to drive? I was happy to believe in that moment that it was inappropriate to ask the woman question, because were beyond that. Candidates today run on merit, not gender. And when I posted on Facebook that Hillary Clinton was the first woman to ever win the Iowa caucus, someone responded by asking why I was still talking about it in those terms. Youre sexist. When I was a child, I remember people saying that a woman could never be president because women are too emotional. I cant imagine anyone saying that now. Having two men call me sexist this election season felt like an important cultural moment to me. If its outdated to mention a presidential candidates gender, then the eggshells we all walk on are gone. Theres air to breathe. And then Gloria Steinem opened her mouth. She said 20-somethings make political choices to please men and thats why they arent supporting Hillary Clinton. Steinem threw all those eggshells back on the ground like confetti. The talk show host looked at her, shocked. He said, If I said that, people would call me sexist. Suddenly, the woman question was everywhere. On Thursday nights PBS Democratic debate, there was a whole segment dedicated to the question of gender. Was Bernie Sanders robbing the nation of a historic moment to elect the first woman president? Should women support Hillary Clinton just because she was female? I felt embarrassed for everyone on that stage and everyone in the audience. This is a difficult time in history for both genders. Women constantly calibrate personalities to thread that needle between assertive and feminine. And, no matter how open minded a man tries to be, its not easy to be a trailing spouse of a successful wife or a stay-at-home dad. Thats why, when a man holds the door for me, I always say thank you, because I know theres something awkward in that simple kindness now. We have to help each navigate this new normal if its every going to be the actual normal, and Im pretty sure that the questions posed at the PBS debate Thursday are not the way forward. Im pretty sure that Gloria Steinem telling a younger generation that they dont think for themselves is not the way forward. I thought we'd moved on. This month we celebrate Black History Month and honor the contributions countless African Americans have made to the Department of Defense, U.S. Army, Rock Island Arsenal, Quad-Cities and our nation. African Americans have helped strengthen the Department of Defense military, civilians and retirees through their invaluable contributions to our nation in both wartime and peace. The theme of this years observance is Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories. This theme reminds us that the imprint of African Americans is deeply embedded in the narrative of the American past, present, and future. In the latest Army figures available, African-American soldiers make up approximately 21 percent of the active duty Army, 14 percent of the Army National Guard and 22 percent of the Army Reserve. These are soldiers and patriots who continue to serve their nation and make history. One of those soldiers who recently made history is Lt. Gen. Nadja West, who became the first African-American three-star general, first African American Army Surgeon General and the highest-ranking woman to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. On Feb. 16, Army Sustainment Command will host an African-American/Black History Month observance here on Rock Island Arsenal, which is open to the public. As part of the observance, LaMetta Wynn, the first African-American mayor of Clinton will serve as the guest speaker. Wynn, the first African-American female mayor in Iowa, served as mayor from 1995 to 2007. I invite you, our Quad City neighbors, to join us in attending the observance, and reflect on the contributions African Americans have accomplished for our local community and our great nation. First In Deed. For the third year in a row, state legislators last week defeated a measure that would have repealed the death penalty in South Dakota. The Senate State Affairs committee voted 7-2 against the bill, whose main sponsor was Sen. Arthur Rusch, R-Vermillion, a retired circuit judge. Rusch, who has prosecuted a death penalty case, told the committee he has seen the death penalty's damaging effects firsthand. He said capital punishment financially overburdens counties, traumatizes both judges and jurors, and is not an effective deterrent on crime. In his 12 years as a state's attorney who handled 20,000 criminal cases, Rusch said he saw that the only thing about punishment that is an effective deterrence is that the punishment is quick and certain." He said South Dakota's death penalty is certainly not quick nor certain. The last three individuals to be executed in South Dakota, the lawmaker said, were those who essentially consented to it by abandoning their avenues for appeal. Meanwhile, one death row inmate, Charles Rhines, has been appealing his sentence since it was handed down 23 years ago. Rusch said that besides being a costly government program, capital punishment can also lead to mistakes that cannot be rectified, which includes the killing of innocent people. It really affects and offends the true conservative principles of respect for life, of fiscal responsibility and limited government, he said. The death row inmate in whose case Rusch presided, Donald Moeller, was executed in 2012 for the crime of murder. The opponents at the hearing included the widow of Ronald Johnson, a state correctional officer who was killed by two inmates during an escape attempt in 2011. One of the inmates, Eric Robert, was executed in 2012. His accomplice, Rodney Berget, has been on death row for four years. The defeated bill, Senate Bill 94, was introduced with 24 bi-partisan co-sponsors. In the previous legislative session, a measure repealing the death penalty was also defeated in the Senate State Affairs committee. In 2014, a similar bill suffered the same fate at the House committee level. South Dakota has a representation problem. Women represent 50 percent of the state's population, yet huge disparities exist between men and women in elected political office. From city councils to state representatives to the Governor's office, women are underrepresented or not represented at all. The problem, some of prominent women in South Dakota politics say, isn't so much that women are losing to men in elections, but rather that not enough women are running. Pierre Mayor Laurie Gill said, "Typically, women need to be asked to be a candidate versus men who are more likely to step up and say I want that." That assessment is backed up by a 2008 study by the Brookings Institution that shows women are just as likely to win elections as men, but the number of women running for local offices has plateaued over the last several decades. Of South Dakota's 20 most populous cities, none has a city council or commission with a majority of women serving. Twenty-five percent don't have a single female representative at all. In total, women make up 21 percent of the members of city councils surveyed. The Rapid City Council has three women and seven men, and the mayor, Steve Allender, is a man. Alderwoman Amanda Scott, who was elected in 2012, said the council could be more representative of the public. "I think there is talent out there that would give us better representation on the City Council," Scott said. Scott made a bold prediction that the City Council will have equal representation within 5 years. Only two cities that were surveyed, Vermillion and Brandon, have equal representation of men and women on their city councils. Of the cities surveyed, only four have women mayors. Rapid City has never had a female mayor. Gill sees the disparity of women serving in elected office as a problem because elected officials should reflect the diversity of its population. She says any disparities should be acknowledged and changed over time. She said that it will take women stepping forward into powerful positions so that other women will have the confidence to run for office. Further, she called for a concerted effort to actively seek out female candidates to fill vacancies. The counties' glaring numbers The most extreme example of the disparity between men and women is at the county level. Forty percent of the state's 20 most populous counties with a board of commissioners don't have a single woman representative. Pennington County is an exception: Two of the five commissioner seats are held by women. Commissioner Nancy Trautman has served on the commission for over 9 years. From 2011 to 2014 she was the only woman on the commission of the second-most populous county in the state. Trautman points to South Dakota's agricultural heritage and the shifting of women taking over ranches and owning their own businesses'' as signs of societal change. "I believe without a doubt, a very qualified younger generation of women will become involved" in politics, she said. The South Dakota State Legislature comprises 21 percent women according to the Center for American Women and Politics. The national average is 24.5 percent of women in state legislatures. Of the 11 people Gov. Dennis Daugaard has appointed to the state Legislature, only one, Representative Kris Langer, is a woman. The center ranked South Dakota 33rd of 50 states in terms of women representation in state legislatures. Neighboring Minnesota is near the top, at No. 5, but Nebraska is only one slot ahead of South Dakota at No. 32, while North Dakota is No. 38, and Wyoming No. 50. The center also reports that since 1975, South Dakota has bounced between a low of 8.6 percent of women in the legislature in 1977 to a high of 24.4 percent in 1991. In Colorado, the state ranked No. 1, 42 percent of the lawmakers are women. Debbie Walsh, director of The Center for American Women and Politics, perceives the same problem Mayor Gill of Pierre pointed to: The challenge is not that women are running and losing, it is that women aren't running in the first place. She said in a 2008 study by the center that surveyed state legislators about their decision to run for office, 53 percent of women in state houses had to be asked to run versus 28 percent of men. Forty-three percent of male state representatives said it was entirely their decision to run versus only 26 percent of women. The need to mentor and recruit State Sen. Terri Haverly, R-Rapid City, said that active mentoring and recruitment can close the gap of women in elected office. "Perhaps we as women need to reach out and be mentors for other women," Haverly said, adding that she sees plenty of qualified women who could serve in Rapid City and South Dakota, but several factors are preventing them from running. Haverly said that state legislators do not make enough money to live on. Many families need both husband and wife to work full time, and for women, "A lot of times the home life falls more on their shoulders." Assistant House Minority Leader Julie Bartling, D-Burke, was less hopeful for a change in representation in the Legislature. "I think based upon whos out there with the potential to run, quite frankly we are going to stay around this same percentage where we are at," she said. Bartling reiterated Haverly's sentiments about the financial barriers to running for office. Bartling is a business owner and doesn't think she could have run for office otherwise. At the state executive level, only two of the 10 elected positions are held by women. They are Shantel Krebs as Secretary of State and Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen. Krebs disagreed that the disparity of women in elected office was a problem. "I dont see it as an issue at all," she said. Krebs said that she actively recruits women to run for office in her daily interactions with South Dakotans who reach out to her on issues, adding, "I always ask the question, 'Have you considered running for office yourself?'" There has never been a female governor of South Dakota and only one female Lieutenant Governor, Carole Hillard, who held office from 1995 to 2003. South Dakota does have some encouraging history of electing women to federal office. The state elected its first female representative to the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, in 2004. She was defeated by current U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem in 2010. Noem, a Republican, said when she ran for office in 2010 she encountered several constituents who told her they would not vote for her because she was a woman. She said that a lot has changed in the last six years, and she no longer receives such comments. But Noem is an example of the single impediment that several of the political women pointed to: She, like many other female politicians, needed to be asked to run for office. Knowing that women tend to need to be asked," Noem said, "I think we have to be more aggressive telling women I think you have the skills, we need your perspective, will you consider running for this? South Dakota elected its first and only female U.S. senator, Gladys Pyle, to Congress in 1938. She was the first woman in the nation to be elected to that office without previously being appointed. Unfortunately, she served less than 2 months because she was elected to finish out the term of a senator who died, and she was never officially sworn into office, according the the History, Art and Archives office in Congress. South Dakota has not since sent a woman to the Senate since. At the local level there are some encouraging signs of equality. Pennington County has elected women to the offices of county auditor, treasurer and register of deeds consecutively over the past 15 years. In the Rapid City area, Spearfish, Belle Fourche, and Hot Springs have female mayors. At the national level, statistics for women in public office are no better than in South Dakota. In the U.S. Congress, only 19 percent of House members are women and 20 percent of the Senate are women. The U.S. has never had a female president or a woman represent a major party in a presidential election. Noem said that women make up 50 percent of the population yet political parties continue to frame women as a voting block. She said that women are more collaborative than men and often put ego aside to get things done. "We would be better served," Noem said, "if we had women in these offices." Just as much as the snake talks to Eve, we have our own belief system. The Black Hills, if we could get one acre back, would be a big thing for our tribe and the generations to come. Rep. Shawn Bordeaux, D-Mission, in a failing effort to garner support for his resolution urging return of the Black Hills to Native American tribes who once owned the lands "This insanity is being promoted all over South Dakota. Overnight your South Dakota home can be transformed by a never-ending nightmare." Rancher Dean Lockner, of Ree Heights, arguing against a measure that would speed up approval of permitting of industrial feedlot operations "It's intended to make sure that people that vote in our elections here have at least some connection to South Dakota." Sen. Craig Tieszen, R-Rapid City, explaining his bill to forbid use of a mail-forwarding service as an address for voter registration "When you watch a loved one go through that pain and die that way, you start to realize this is not just about you." Former Rapid City Mayor Jerry Munson, supporting a measure to legalize medical marijuana, which he said could have aided his mother who had a leg amputated "In our situation, the driver's license is really a dire need. You can't even get a job without it." Sen. Jim Bradford, D-Pine Ridge, in a losing effort, arguing to rescind a state law that blocks those who owe the state money from renewing licenses The 2016 state Legislature has a chance to make history. If undecided lawmakers have the courage to join their colleagues and vote for Gov. Dennis Daugaard's education reform package, they can help give our children a brighter future while bringing property-tax relief to homeowners, businesses, farmers and ranchers. It's a win-win scenario that would ripple through the states economy for years to come. Now, South Dakotas teachers are by a wide margin the lowest paid in the nation, making it difficult for school districts to find and keep good teachers. The problem extends to the business community, whose leaders will tell you that being ranked 51st in teacher pay hampers their efforts to recruit and retain top talent. The centerpiece of the governor's proposal raises the sales tax by one-half percent and generates an estimated $67 million mostly earmarked for teacher pay and $40 million for property-tax relief. The beauty of using sales tax to pay for the plan is that about 35 percent of the money would come from tourists, rallygoers and other visitors. Meanwhile, 100 percent of the benefits would be enjoyed by South Dakotans. But, more importantly, a reliable source of funding will enable school districts to compete with other states for the teachers who will prepare our children for the future, a fundamental duty of government. South Dakota teachers earn an average of $8,000 to $12,000 less a year than their colleagues in neighboring states. Instead of receiving 20 applications for a teaching position, schools now only get two or three, if any. Once an opening is filled, those same teachers often leave after a year or two for better-paying jobs. This is happening as many veteran teachers are about to retire, raising concerns about where the next generation of educators will come from. At the same time, the governors proposal will reduce a property owners payment to the local school district by 12 percent, a savings of $14 million for homeowners alone. An increase in teacher pay also makes South Dakota a more attractive place for doctors, nurses and others in the health-care industry to work. Regional Health officials say job candidates want to be assured their children receive a quality education, but wonder how that is possible with the way we now fund education. Companies and small businesses have the same recruitment and retention concerns and wonder why they should continue investing in a state that isn't willing to invest in public education at the level other states do. The goal of the legislation is to raise the average teacher pay from $40,023 to $48,500, which some claim is too much. But the legislation does not boost all of the teachers' pay to that level. In Rapid City, starting pay for new teachers with a bachelor's degree is around $33,000 a year, but those newcomers will not see an immediate $15,500 pay raise. They will have to earn it by putting in their time and continuing their education. And we need them to stay here and improve their skills. In 2014, a total of 501 out of 2,793 high school graduates had to take remedial classes in their first year of college at the states public universities, imposing an additional financial burden on them or their parents. Gov. Daugaard and his Blue Ribbon Task Force have worked for months to address a problem that impacts every aspect of our lives. While the Legislature will consider other proposals to pay for education reform, none are as reliable as sales tax nor do they guarantee property-tax relief. Yet, the bar is high to raise taxes as two-thirds of lawmakers need to support it. Some are opposed to any tax regardless of the benefits to others. It is time for those lawmakers to open their minds and do what is best for the entire state, which is to vote for education reform, and for the governor's sales-tax proposal to fund it, both of which the Rapid City Journal wholeheartedly endorses. Although journalism is about telling stories with words, numbers are ever more important in a data-driven age. The challenge for journalists is to put them into a context that readers find useful. That usually means we wont simply be parroting back what press spokesmen tell us. One tactic of the PIOs is to use numbers instead of percentages. The Ducey camp likes to tout the $3.5 billion that Prop. 123 will pump into school funding over 10 years. Except that the state will already be planning to spend at least $40 billion, so the increase will be 8 percent still not good enough to move Arizona much beyond 49th place in state school spending per pupil. Polls are another numbers game. When they are produced by a candidate, a party or a PAC with an interest in the outcome, we ignore them. They can be too easily manipulated by how a question is asked or who is polled. We usually report only polls by neutral, professional pollsters. Achievement test scores are tricky to decipher based on only one year or in isolation from test results from similar schools. Thats why we usually include several years and schools for comparison. And when FUSD started breaking out high school magnet program scores, we reported those to give readers a clearer picture of how those college preparatory students compare to ones at Basis or NPA. House values can also be tricky, especially when the assessed value is so different from the median sales prices. But newsprint is a great platform for lists that can be clipped and saved, so we try to provide complete tables of both look the annual valuation list for dozens of Flagstaff neighborhoods no later than early March. Then theres median income in a college town. Household income is the standard measure, but that includes many college students who skew the figure lower than in non-college towns. Families, however, are defined as two or more related persons, and they are the ones usually buying houses and cars. In Flagstaff, the household median as of 2014 according to the U.S. Census was $48,000, while the family median was $61,000. Monthly jobless rates in small cities are usually less definitive than the decimal point would make them appear. In larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson, the rates are based in part on actual claims filed for benefits. In Flagstaff, they are based in part on employer surveys but are far less precise, so take them with a grain of salt or round them to the nearest whole number. Budget surpluses can also be hard to decipher. Some localities account for every possible revenue source so that they are authorized to spend it if it comes in. When it doesnt, the budgeted figure is sometimes rolled over into the next year, no matter how unrealistic. But at least it makes it easy for the agency to say it didnt overspend its budget. Finally, there is the difference between a tax deduction and tax credit. The former is based on your tax bracket (say, 28 percent) the latter is a 1-for-1 tax refund of an expense up to a certain limit. It obviously makes a difference to both the taxpayer and the agency handing out the deductions and credits. I wish I knew an easy way to make it clearer to readers, though. Any suggestions? Randy Wilson is editor of the Arizona Daily Sun. You can reach him at rwilson@azdailysun.com or (928) 556-2254. BILLINGS, MONT. | Kenneth "Ken" Schroeder Jr., 75, passed away on Feb. 2, 2016, at home of complications from a total bypass surgery of his right leg. Kenneth Arnold Schroeder Jr. was born on March 26, 1940, in Huron, SD, to Kenneth A. Schroeder Sr. and Blanche Edna Christina (Oakland) Schroeder. He grew up in Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School in 1958 and attended Huron College through May 1960. Ken graduated from San Diego State University receiving his Bachelors Degree. In September 1960, Ken was accepted into the U.S. Navy, Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program and earned his "Navy Wings of Gold." He was commissioned as a helicopter pilot and served 30 years retiring as Captain, USNR. While in the Navy Ken served in the Pacific on aircraft carriers and did three tours of Vietnam chopper rescue. His second career began as a test pilot for Hughes Aircraft then as a pilot and Captain for United Airlines retiring in 2000, after 30 years of service. On Dec. 31, 1999, he was joined in marriage to Lois Jane (Barker) Schroeder at Mount Rushmore, SD. He enjoyed living near the Black Hills for 22 years until moving to Billings in 2015, due to health reasons. Ken was a passionate advocate for South Dakota hunting and fishing sportsmen as a District 3 Director/member of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation, past President/Director of the Black Hills Sportsman Club, and South Dakota Sportsman Against Hunger. He was also past President/Director of the Rapid City Downtown Lions Club. He loved singing in the choir at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD, fishing and bird hunting, especially pheasant and duck. Surviving Ken include his wife of 16 years, Lois, of Billings; sons, Kenneth and Brian, both of San Diego, CA; step-daughter, Lisa (Dr. Brent) Reich of Billings; sister, Loris (Frank) Martin of Clifton Park, NY; brother, Mark (Linda) of Watertown, SD; step granddaughter, Liv Reich of Billings; eight nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Donna Lindner; and brother-in-law, Roman Lindner. Cremation has taken place and a private family service was held Feb. 7, at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Billings. Kens wishes were to have his ashes spread amongst his beloved South Dakota pheasant hunting grounds. The family has requested memorials be made in Kens name to King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4125 Grand Ave., Billings, MT 59106-1729 or Rocky Mountain Hospice, 2110 Overland Ave., Suite 111, Billings, MT 59102. Arrangements are in the care of the staff at Dahl Funeral Chapel and memories may be shared at dahlfuneralchapel.com. Yellowstone County Implement, Billings local John Deere dealer is a longstanding fixture of the MATE Show. Attendees look forward to their diverse sampling of the latest equipment for farm and home each year, and secretly hope they will be the lucky winner of the MATE Show Grand Prize that Yellowstone County Implement takes part in donating annually (this year, a John Deere Gator).Yellowstone County Implement is one store of four dealerships in Montana owned by C & B Operations. The partnership of Dan Cronin and Rod Burwell began in 1988 with a single store located in Gettysburg, S.D. It has since expanded to into 24 stores located throughout Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and Minnesota.Eric Esp, manager of Yellowstone County Implement, has been attending the MATE Show for at least three decades. He says his store, along with other regional dealerships, C&B Operations and John Deere are happy to donate the grand prize for the MATE Show each year because they value the show.The MATE is run by the NILE, which is made up of our local ag producers. These are our main customers, said Esp.John Deere, founded in 1837, is one of the oldest companies in the United States. While technology has changed radically since its inception, the company still sticks to its high standard of quality, refusing to put its name on anything that is not the best of us.We are doing things today we wouldnt have dreamed of twenty years ago, Esp said. Producers are growing way better products today. We have to change and get more out of our inputs in order to feed the world.Even with all the changes in equipment over the past 179 years, one thing C&B Operations stores continue to value above all else is customer service.According to Esp, It is our only focus.With their commitment to exceed customer expectations by providing the highest quality products, service and after-market support, it is no wonder that Yellowstone Valley Implement and its partner stores continue to make a noticeable impact in the communities they serve.Esp will have a variety of equipment at Yellowstone Valley Implement booth 47 inside the Expo Center to suit the yard-keepers, recreationists, and ag producers.To learn more about C & B Operations and Yellowstone Valley Implement, visit www.deerequipment.com. For more on the MATE Show, go to www.themateshow.com. Scott Kuehn is not of a fan of reality television. That Ax Men program has put our profession back 30 years, said the Salmon River Wood forester. Its just so staged. Thirty or 40 years ago, you might have yahoos like that working in the woods, but those days are long gone. Kuehn is preaching to the choir as he visits with his boss, Joe Fraser, at the fork in the road on the Threemile Wildlife Management Area on this springlike morning. The two are checking maps and making sure their crew is doing everything just right on a timber sale thats certain to be scrutinized in the coming months. The thinning project on the state-owned wildlife management area is the first of perhaps many more to come as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks looks to manage its forests in hopes of improving wildlife habitat. Weve had a pretty good run here so far, Fraser said. Were down to two or three weeks if the weather holds. Originally slated to thin about 250 acres of overgrown ponderosa pine forest, FWPs new forester added another 127 acres to the contract after the sale price came in higher than expected. They want us to get rid of the some encroachment thats happened into this meadow, Fraser said. They also want to open up some areas where there is some aspenIts not your normal timber sale. They are focused on improving wildlife habitat, just like they should. The sale will produce a couple hundred truck loads of logs to Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake. The trees that wont make a board are hauled to a pulp operation in Bonner. Some of the smaller trees will be made into rails at a facility in Clancy. But more importantly for Fraser, the work means that some of his employees can go home at night and be with their families. Thats a luxury that doesnt happen all that often anymore. His crews are currently scattered on jobs in three states. You do what you have to to keep people working, he said. Fraser founded Salmon River Wood in 1982 after relocating to Missoula from Idaho when logging on federal lands all but ceased. Several loyal employees followed him to the new location where opportunity to log on tribal, private and state lands was enough to sustain the logging company. Fraser has been working in the woods for about as long as he can remember. I always wanted to become a logger, so I became one, he said. The first timber sale that he bought, Fraser put up his own home and land as collateral. Today, his logging company is one of the largest that remains in the state. Its a challenging time for the industry, especially with the warped view the public has about the people who work in the woods that comes from television. We have millions of dollars of equipment out here on any given day, Fraser said. The guys who work for me have to be professional. You cant treat people like they do on those reality shows. Reality TV is not reality, Kuehn said. Unfortunately, thats who the public thinks we are now. Just down the road, Jake Kries is flawlessly operating a half million dollar piece of equipment thats processing logs into piles headed for the mill or the Bonners pulp operation. Not too long ago, Fraser said he watched Kries process 90 logs in 20 minutes using the same machinery. Hes so productive, its just scary, Fraser said. Its expensive to run that machinery. You need to know that the operator is top notch. Ive never seen him get rattled. Hes calm and steady. Exactly the kind of guy we like. Hes a Christian guy with a young family who is raising three kids, Fraser said. Hes just a nice guy trying to make a living for his family. Thats just like it should be. Fraser said hes careful when it comes to hiring. His employees must be willing to take a drug test and steer clear of trouble. I have the right to pick who I want to work for me, he said. I dont want trouble. I dont want to work with some derelict. Most of my guys are just decent family men. Thats how most logging companies are these days. Most of the hard living riff-raff are gone, Fraser said. The mills all have the specs that need to be met. You cant afford to have mistakes. The public doesnt understand the kind of financial risks that mill owners and loggers take to keep people employed, he said. These family-owned mills are multi-million dollar businesses, Fraser said. If people knew the real profit margins that they operate under and the risks they take to remain open to support their communities, they might take a different view. This is a way of life for people, he said. Were all trying to do the right thing for the people who work for usMost of us who are left are getting up there in age. Were going to wear out. Some young guys are going to have to step up to the plate. As the decades have passed, Fraser said its been the people hes worked with that have made everything possible. You get emotionally involved with them, he said. Thats not only me. When youre talking about a mill, that employs all these people and supports a town. What are those mill owners going to do when times get tough? Well, theyre going to do the right thing. They are solid men who support a lot of young families. When youre done with this life, youre going to leave here with nothing, Fraser said. All youre going to leave behind are the bonds that youve formed the othersWhats the American dream? Maybe it just comes down to finding a way to help someone else as you travel down that road. On a stark stage with only a microphone, competitors stood in the spotlight and filled the air with words of deep contemplation that created visceral images and moving musings in the audience members minds. The Hamilton Performing Arts Center hosted the Western Divisional Poetry Out Loud competition Thursday for 21 high school students from western Montana. Hamilton High School English teacher Neil Massey organized the event. Poetry memorization and recitation provides students with an interesting challenge, one that is often personally rewarding, Massey said. I still remember a poem I had to recite in the eighth grade in Corvallis Middle School. It allows students to have direct contact with a significant, unique literary tradition (poetry) that they may otherwise overlook. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and in Montana, the Montana Arts Council. High school students began months ago by selecting poems for memorization and then competed in classroom and school-wide contests before the divisional competition. The state competition is March 12, national competition is May 3-4, and the ultimate winner receives a $20,000 scholarship. Three Hamilton High School students survived the cuts. Two will compete at state and one is an alternate. Three judges and an audience of nearly 100 enjoyed an hour-and-a-half of presentations of two poems by each student. Winners of the Western Divisional Poetry Out Loud competition: first place Esther Lyon Delsordo, Hellgate High School; second Caroline Brandberg, Chrysalis School; third Gabrielle Johnson, Sentinel High School; fourth Jules Willick, Chrysalis School; fifth Alleah Jordan, Hamilton High School reciting April Midnight and I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings; sixth Tiegen Tremper, Whitefish High School; seventh Finn Bellanger, Hamilton High School, reciting Anthem for Doomed Youth and The Desert; and alternate Minica Casbara, Hamilton High School, reciting Blackberrying and Dirge in Woods. These competitors move on to the state contest on March 12 in Helena and will memorize a third poem for the state round. The winners of the state competition receive $200 and an all-expense paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington, D.C. for the national competition. Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003. To the editor: What a difference just one word makes. The writer of the letter Iraq War coverup has 2016 legs" warns voters to consider the implications of advisors to current Republican presidential competitors who, in his words, helped falsely justify the Iraq war. Their actions, according to him, were to overlook a Joint Chiefs memo that indicated intelligence was 90 percent incomplete as to the location of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and still bully Congress into war. The word in question? Location. Not existence of WMDs, but location of WMDs. Our prime allies all agreed that WMDs existed in Iraq. Hussein's people played hide and seek with UN inspectors. Iraq attempted to purchase yellowcake. Aluminum tube purchases were suspected to be for centrifuge development. WMD parts from the Gulf War were located; it appeared Hussein was ready to restart the WMD development as soon as sanctions ended. The writer called the Iraq War a fiasco. Evenhanded analysts might also consider the Democratic front-runner. At its best, Arab Spring was a fiasco. She supported and encouraged it. Arab Spring falls right in the lap of Hillary Clinton. Libya in chaos, the Benghazi attack and the rise of ISIS? Those too. Actions speak louder than the questionable use of words. When considering withholding your vote for candidates because of their advisors, instead consider your vote for a person who is directly responsible for the chaotic situation in the Middle East and Clinton's efforts to avoid responsibility. DICK MONROE Flagstaff Having been through a stint earlier as Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) of India from 1996 to 2000, Praveenshankar Pandya, the recently elected Chairman of GJEPC, comes more than well-equipped to head the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India (GJEPC); and steer the now distressed Indian industry, which is going through its most difficult time, back on the fast track. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Praveenshankar Pandya is a Director of the Shankar Group of Industries. He is also the founder Chairman of Diamond India Ltd. (DIL) from 2002 to May 2013 and presently a permanent Director of DIL. Praveenshankar Pandya is associated with the Indian gem & jewellery industry in various capacities - as Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Fund; trustee of the Friends of Tribal Society member of the National Board of Trade set up by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GoI; Director of the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery; and many more humanitarian and Charitable causes. Here, in an Interview with Rough&Polished, Praveenshankar Pandya elucidates on the numerous challenges before the Indian gem & jewellery industry; throwing light on areas that need to be redressed; Councils initiatives to bring back the industry to its robust condition and more Difficult times for the Indian gem & jewellery industry plagued by multiple problems and hurdles seem to be weighing down on the industry, going by its export performance in recent times. Can you throw some light on the steps taken by GJEPC to bring the Industry back on track? The current scenario of the industry is the result of two factors which can be classified as external factors and internal factors. The external factors that have affected the industry is the slowdown in major consuming markets like China and Europe, which led to low demand for diamond and diamond jewellery. The industry will see a revival in trade only after there is improvement in the economic condition of these countries and see an improvement in demand for our products. The internal factors that have been affecting the industry are the imbalance in rough and polished diamond prices and policy related issues. The establishment of IDTC in Mumbai, India, is an achievement for the industry. But currently, we have achieved only 50% as the government has permitted only diamond viewing in SNZ. This will be achieved in totality only after sale of diamonds will be permitted, otherwise the trade will lose a lot of money due to auction as prices will be hiked up. Other than this, the industry has already drawn the attention of the Government of India to put back the industry on track. Some of this issues include: - Introduction of presumptive taxation scheme for diamond industry - Inclusion of gems and jewellery sector under 3% interest subvention scheme and Merchandize Exports from India Scheme - Bridging the gap of 2% import duty between gold bars and Dore bars to % - Re-start of replenishment scheme thus providing a huge relief to jewellery sector Though recent reports of polished diamonds prices going up is making news, on the whole the Indian diamond industry seems to be hard hit with stagnant/low polished prices, high rough prices, slowdown in most of the consuming markets, high inventory of polished stones and a host of other problems. How are all these stumbling blocks being addressed? Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel, in the near future? We will have to wait till the storm passes. Although we address the internal issues like high rough diamond prices, we will have to wait till there is an improvement in economic condition of the major consuming markets and see a demand for our products. All the stakeholders need to be positive about the revival of the industry, hopefully by end of the 2nd quarter of 2016. By then the industry should be ready to meet the demands by solving all internal issues. Also by then I expect all the stakeholders would have come together to support generic marketing of diamonds as a category. With no or less demand from most consuming markets across countries, India seems to be looking towards the US market for sustenance, but is not very satisfied. Are the Initiatives taken by the Council in the US showing positive results? Do you see a turnaround in the US market in the coming months? USA is a significant market for the Indian industry, and has started showing signs of positive economic growth. Although, the 2015 was a difficult year for the Indian diamond industry, the overall exports of gems and jewellery to USA was pretty decent. The overall exports of gems and jewellery in 2015 accounted for US$ 8.73 billion as compared to US$ 8.29 billion in the previous year. The Council has been organizing India Diamond Week in association with Diamond Dealers Club (DDC), and the fourth edition of the DDC held from 18-21 January, 2016 was a huge success. The Council, every year, participates in some of the largest, glamorous and most prestigious trade events across the world. For the 12th consecutive year, GJEPC presented the India Pavilion at JCK Las Vegas, held last year in May 29th - June 1st, 2015. These shows play a significant role not only in improving existing trade relations but also builds new ones as both the buyers and sellers get to know each other and take better business decisions. While the efforts put in by GJEPC /BDB and other industry organizations to detect and check mixing of lab grown/synthetics diamonds in natural is widely appreciated, but general perception is that the problem is not easy to tackle, given that mixing is done by greedy and unscrupulous people who cannot be restrained or keep in check. Can we have your opinion on this please? In our society, to maintain law and order, we have forces and institutions who keeps a check or prevent any harm to our society from anti-social elements. Still there are crimes and criminals are being punished as well. Mixing of synthetic diamonds with natural diamonds is a crime, and industry is clear that it wont tolerate such activities as it erodes the consumers confidence in natural diamonds. The industry has formed Natural Diamond Monitoring Committee (NDMC) and Diamond Detection & Resource Centre in Mumbai and Surat to keep a check on greedy and unscrupulous people who involve in such activities. If we find any person involved in mixing of synthetics with natural diamonds, then strict action will be taken by the trade, as per the law and order. Additionally, in the recently concluded Diamond Detection Expo & Symposium, the industry got to see all leading manufacturers of diamond detection machines, and researchers and scientists conducted seminars to make the industry aware of the latest technology available for detection of synthetics. The industry has kept our concern in front on them and have asked the scientists to make machines that are cheap and accessible to all. The recent overgrading fiasco in GIA labs in connivance with TCS staff was something that shook the confidence of jewellery consumers in a big way. Is there a solution to stem these disturbing trends, lest consumer confidence is lost forever? I am glad that GIA handled this very well by invalidating the reports and asking to return the reports to GIA for further inspection. However, I am sure that GIA would have taken the required steps so that such things doesnt happen in the future. Despite the numerous machines available for detecting synthetic/lab grown stones, theres still apprehension about the effectiveness of the machines. Another aspect is the problem of detecting such stones from studded jewellery especially smalls diamonds, to enhance consumer confidence. Your take on this? At DDRC, we have machines that can rapidly detect Synthetic stones in parcels of small diamonds ranging from 0.01-0.20 cts in a cost effective manner. At the recently concluded Diamond Detection Expo & Symposium, we brought together all leading manufacturers of diamond detection machines; also top-class researchers and scientists conducted seminars to make the industry aware of the latest technology available for detection. During DDES, the industry has explained the problems to researchers and scientists, with a request to manufacture machines that are cheap and accessible to all. What is the current situation in the Indian diamond industry, in terms of polished diamond prices? How has the reduction of prices of rough as well as a convenient purchasing mode for the rough buyers by mining companies affected the Indian Industry? Some sections of the industry think that rough diamonds sold with high discounts by some African countries is one of the reasons behind the polished prices softening. What are your views? Due to high prices of rough during first half of the year, majority of the manufacturers decided to reduce the production drastically from June 2015. This step had positive effect on the polished diamond prices. Post Diwali polished prices recovered due to scarce supply of polish and demand from USA and China. And, due to sluggish demand of diamonds and jewellery, the manufacturers asked less rough from the mining companies, which helped restrict polished diamond prices to fall further and brought stability in polished diamond prices. Miners also accommodated by allowing the sight holders to buy less rough than their allocated quota. Currently price corrected from various miners are in relevance to the current polished prices. Globally, due to meltdown and weak economies in China, Eurozone, Middle East, the prices of diamonds and jewellery fell sharply. This forced the manufacturer of diamonds to reduce production drastically. This resulted in reduction of demand of rough diamonds, because the rough supplied by some African countries in form of tenders/auction fetched less prices. The manufacturers were able to recover some of the losses incurred during 2015. The need for generic marketing is being discussed by global leaders in every conceivable meeting, but there is no consensus reached on the subject. Do you feel the DPA should take the initiative, so that the others in the pipeline, too, can collaborate and support this effort? What is next in GJEPCs agenda, given that the Indian diamond industry is now going through the toughest of times? We have World Diamond Mark and The Diamond Producers Association who are engaged in the groundwork to unlock the consumer insights that will help us to show how to engage with the millennial consumers. These associations need to be fueled with the required capital to get the desired results. It is high time that the upstream, midstream and downstream stakeholders in the industry come together and invest in generic marketing of diamonds, as there is high competition from other luxury products also. India, being the largest cut and polished market, is the most effected by the slowdown in major consuming markets. From our end, we will be doing everything possible to support this initiative. During the recently concluded IDTC inauguration function at Bharat Diamond Bourse, Mumbai, I had also asked Honble Minster Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to fund the Generic Marketing of diamonds. If we get funding from government, then it would be a great help for our labor intensive industry. The diamond industries of Namibia and Botswana have seen their share of success, but do you see them sustain long-term growth? Is the Indian diamond industry involved in the beneficiation initiatives in these countries in setting up manufacturing units? The Indian government supports beneficiation in African Countries and the trade has agreed to build an Indo-African Diamond Institute in Botswana under Government of India patronage. Diamond financing has always been a bane to SMEs in the Indian diamond industry. What is the situation with the bankers currently? How is GJEPC helping industry players to meet the many challenges they are facing besides low profitability, bank finance, etc.? Yes, hardly any SME is getting bank finances in the diamond sector. The reason behind this is: a) In the opinion of the Council the parameters of the credit rating agencies are not consistent and somewhat not transparent and so, rating of the SMEs by such agencies are questionable; b) Mostly banks are dependent for financing the diamond industry on ratings given by such credit rating agencies; c) Banks are also asking for more than 100 % (sometimes 150%) collateral from the SMEs against financing, if the company somehow qualify the rating criteria. What is the situation with the bankers currently? Banks are hardly financing any SMEs currently. They are insisting the SMEs to go for corporatization to avail the bank financing at liberal norms. How is GJEPC helping industry players to meet the many challenges they are facing besides low profitability, bank finance, etc.? The GJEPC is continuously discussing with bankers to evolve with their own due diligence mechanism and consider their (banks) own internal rating of such SMEs for sanctioning the limits. In addition, the GJEPC is also trying to convince the banks to give the % of collateral discount to the corporatized company. GJEPC is trying to pursue with ECGC so that they continue with ECIB for whole turnover policy with SMEs with turnover up to Rs.200 cr at old rates. The council is also trying to pursue with IBA to support our contention that based on RBI directive for bearing by the banks of the policy premium for whole turnover, they should continue to bear the post shipment premium in case of Individual Turnover ECIB policies also as they serve the same purpose. Meanwhile, GJEPC is planning to organize the Annual Banking Summit-2015 very soon to mitigate the other ongoing banking and financing issues of the industry, including the SMEs financing. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished BY KELESHIA POWELL Observer staff reporter keleshiap@jamaicaobserver.com Sunday, February 14, 2016 ASH Wednesday was no ordinary holiday for friends and relatives of Lansil Gregory, 71, and his 74-year-old wife Corita, who had gathered to clean the couples rural Manchester home. While lively music of an old-time church song blared from a car parked in the yard, the atmosphere was redolent with gloom and the tragedy that had struck could be felt. The couple, described as devoted Christians, was chopped to death late Sunday evening after returning from church. Their burgundy Toyota Camry motorcar was stolen along with other valuables from their home. Lansil and Corita Gregory When the Jamaica Observer visited on Wednesday, the strong scent of detergent filled the air as it masked the blood odour that was being washed from the walls and floors. The small traces of blood that could be seen at the time were soon washed away as people busied themselves, trying to restore the home to its former glory. Lansils cousin Alwyn Gregory told the Sunday Observer that it had become a daily routine for their daughter Nadine Gregory, who resides in Boston, to check in with her parents due to a robbery at the house two years ago. When calls to their phones between Sunday evening and Monday went unanswered, she grew worried and initiated a search. Alwyn, a former officer in the Jamaica Defence Force, said that upon visiting the house Monday evening, he saw droplets of blood on the veranda and summoned the police. They along with help from neighbours cut the veranda grille to enter the house and were greeted with the raw smell of blood before stumbling on Coritas body in the living room. Just around the corner Lansils lifeless body lay in the passage leading to their bedroom. His blood had seeped through the wooden-floor bedroom he shared with Corita and into the garage down below. They were both still dressed in church attire when their lives were snuffed out. The couples apartment building which was a source of income after they retired. Alwyn found it strange that Lansils walking cane, which he needed for support, was found in the living room, a good distance from where his body was. After he got a stroke in 1986, we nursed him back to the point where he could walk, but he lost the use of his left arm and walked with a limp, the couples only son, Patrick Gregory, revealed to the Sunday Observer. I give my consent to Sakshi Post to be in touch with me via email for the purpose of event marketing and corporate communications. Privacy Policy To the editor: I was surprised that Republican nominee debates are so focused on the loss of our personal freedoms by an overreaching government. Having lived in Europe for over a year I came to the conclusion that the freedoms we enjoy as Americans are extraordinary. However, then it hit me, the Republican nominees are absolutely correct. They see the very real attack on person freedoms by the Arizona state government! Our Ducey/Koch Brothers rulers are despots who believe their vision for Arizona citizens should be imposed despite the will of the people. Their big government knows best edict includes restricting local judgment over use of plastic bags. But a much firmer authoritarian hand was used with the minimum wage issue, as that big government decision came with a threat. We now are awaiting to see if the unanimous wish of all three universities to keep guns off campuses (safe work and learning environments) will likewise be ignored. Related to this assault on local authority, a bill introduced by Representative Montenergo will use taxpayer dollars to pay for concealed carry permits. While no one has been saved by a citizen with such a permit, three faculty members of the University of Arizona were murdered by an individual with such a permit. I wonder if the tax dollars of his victims will be used retroactively to reimburse his permit costs? It really is time to say No to big government; a threat to all us of living in this wonderful state. STAN LINDSTEDT Flagstaff Adrian Martinez thrives in K-State offense Turning Adrian Martinez loose has not come back to bite Kansas State. The senior quarterback has yet to turn the ball over this year. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Saturday afternoon, the country ground to a halt as news broke of the death of senior Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia had flown Friday to a luxury hunting resort in the Big Bend region of Texas called Cibolo Creek Ranch, as DCist and others report, attended a function with about 40 others last night, and was found dead this morning of apparent natural causes. He was 79. The famously conservative constructionist spent his latter career on the nation's higher court arguing, often vociferously, sometimes spitefully, and always intelligently for the strict, textual interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, fighting with his more liberal colleagues over what he perceived as overstepping their roles and legislating from the bench. In this election year, those on the left will of course need to tread lightly rather than be perceived as dancing on the man's grave, despite the enormous implications of this surprise opening on the court in the last year of President Obama's presidency and the chance to tip the balance of the court to left for years to come. Whether Congress will be able to obstruct the President from filling that seat will now be part of the national discussion, and the election, for months to come. The SF Chronicle got a quote from U.S. District Judge Fred Biery of the Western District of Texas who said, "My reaction is it's very unfortunate. It's unfortunate with any death, and politically in the presidential cycle we're in, my educated guess is nothing will happen before the next president is elected." Texas governor Greg Abbott issued a statement calling Scalia an "unwavering defender of the written Constitution." The New York Times has put up this quick obit, pausing it seems before publishing the full obituary they've no doubt already written and have filed away. San Francisco and Silicon Valley have immediately taken to Twitter to announce and discuss the news, and discuss how the news is being believed and/or disbelieved as it breaks. The story originally broke via the San Antonio Express-News, but many people have been cautious to believe the report. It's now been confirmed both by El Paso station KVIA, and CBS News. Some of the reactions, naturally, fall in the "too soon" category too. And, of course, Donald Trump has already chimed in. And we would do well to remember that Scalia was a human being, and a longtime close friend of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, despite their differences of legal opinion. If indeed Scalia is dead I suggest we also take a moment to think of his friend Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Politics does not define our humanity. James Poulos (@jamespoulos) February 13, 2016 Meanwhile, PBS's Gwen Ifil tries to moderate. Hey Twitter. Everybody take a breath. gwen ifill (@gwenifill) February 13, 2016 Previously: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Has Died At Age 79 [DCist] Earlier this week, Wise Sons Bagel sprang to life via delivery service Caviar, and now we learn via Tablehopper they've set a firm opening date of February 26. Also, Caleb went out and tried that $15 cup of fair-trade Equator coffee and kind of loved it, and we rounded up the city's finest all-season patios for dining. Here's what else has been up. Dogpatch is getting a new Hawaiian spot borne out of popular brunch pop-up of the same name, 'Aina. As Inside Scoop reports, it's the project of Hawaiian-born chef Jordan Keao and business partner Jason Alonzo, both of whom used to work at La Folie, and the plan is to open first for brunch only, slowing adding happy hour (which they're calling pau hana") from to 4 to 5:30, and ultimately, dinner. Keao promises, regarding the menu, "everything will stem from something I ate or saw growing up." The first brunch date is still TBA. Potrero Hill's Dat Spot, the reportedly great rotisserie spot with the terrible name, has abruptly closed after just five months. Eater isn't sure why, but restaurateur Joselyn Bulow (Chez Maman, Papito) is likely not giving up this space, so keep an eye out. Over in Berkeley, Dominique Crenn's third local restaurant project, Antoinette, opened its doors on Monday inside the Claremont Club & Spa. The menu is French brasserie-inspired, and it's being executed by chef Justin Mauz, who's worked with new Coi chef Matthew Kirkley at Chicago's L2O, and comes to the Bay Area from Joel Robuchon at the Mansion in Las Vegas. Eater's got the whole menu to show you, and it features things like frog's legs en papillote, and a whole roasted duck for two. Hopefully an apparent fire situation in the building earlier this week will not delay the opening of Brasserie St James, the second location of the Reno-based brewpub that's set debut in the former Abbot's Cellar space on Valencia on February 25. As Inside Scoop shows us, the interior has gotten some more decoration and a more lived-in feel, and the place will now feature a full bar and cocktail program, a small brewing operation in back producing a few SF-exclusive beers (Saison of the Witch, anyone?), as well as a food menu featuring Argentinian-style barbecue, New Orleans-inspired dishes, and a raw bar. Seven-year-old, culty vegan restaurant Loving Hut has shuttered their North Beach/Chinatown location on Stockton Street, as Hoodline reports. They still have two other culty outposts, in the Inner Sunset and at the Westfield food court. The one-year-old Market on Market has been an apparent failure in its quest to be a Whole Foods or Bi-Rite equivalent on mid-Market, and now it's undergoing a makeover as more prepared food hall, less market. As the Chron's Paolo Lucchesi explains, there are quite a few reasons why it wasn't working, not the least of which is tech-employed Millennials don't grocery shop or cook, and there can only be one Bi-Rite. Over in the Mission, four-year-old Thai House 530 has called it quits on Valencia, as Capp Street Crap tells us. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kauffman tells the story of well loved Portola neighborhood diner Breakfast at Tiffany's (2499 San Bruno Avenue), and how it was saved and revived by a new owner who had planned to open a Northern Chinese noodle spot instead, but decided to give the 'hood back what they wanted. The big, OG, Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center kicks off once again on March 4, and Eater posted the full new lineup of vendors here. And after some ownership shakeups and name changes, the former Martin Macks in the Haight has settled on a new identity: HQ. Owner Vivian Walsh tells Hoodline it's because she always referred to the place, jokingly, as "headquarters." This Week In Reviews Michael Bauer is making his rounds to update this year's Top 100, and his update review of Flour & Water sister spot Central Kitchen suggests that it will be losing its place on the list this year. First off, he notes the prices have gone up while the quality has not, and the kitchen has a rather heavy hand with salt these days. Also, desserts were "an afterthought," and service isn't great, and "The staff dresses like they came in off the street." All told: two stars. And Bauer is positively in love with Volta, the new European-by-way-of-Sweden brasserie from Perbacco chef Staffan Terje. He gives the place three stars in his glowing Sunday review, saying that Terje and partner Umberto Gibin have created "a great package with a fully realized interior and a menu that offers something a little different for San Franciscos already-rich resume of great restaurants." He says the servers, though, "need to chill." Pete Kane checks out new downtown Brazilian churrasco Fogo de Chao, and he writes, "It's big, it's across the street from the Moscone Center's endlessly refreshed hordes of business travelers, and it's begging to be expensed." Also, he says, it "feels very Vegas-y," but dollar for dollar you could do worse if what you want is a belly full of ribeye. And this week Petit Crenn got a little love in the Travel section of the New York Times, where Nick Czap finds the room "radiantly warm," and says that the moules marinieres steamed in Breton cider "were a kind of perfection." In #SF right now a major fire on Fulton between Baker and Lyon pic.twitter.com/SBp4YziJaD Chris Golden (@chrisgolden) February 14, 2016 Sixteen people have been displaced and a young boy injured following a three-alarm fire on Fulton Street between Baker and Lyon Streets Saturday evening. The San Francisco Fire Department alerted followers to the fire via Twitter at 8:22 p.m. Saturday. The blaze, which encompassed buildings at 1565 Fulton Street and 1571 Fulton Street, was raised to three alarms by 8:59 p.m.. It was contained at 9:27. The only injury, according to SFFD, was an 11-year-old boy whose foot was cut during the incident. Hoodline reports that the building at 1571 Fulton "is the 'Sunshine Castle,' a communal living space that's the unofficial headquarters of the Wigg Party." Nick Brown, a Sunshine Castle resident, says that the fire started on the first floor of a structure at 1563-1567 Fulton Street, then spread to the neighboring building. The fire was smoky enough that area residents were urged to "close windows and turn on fans" to avoid inhaling the fumes. PSA smoke in area of Fulton and baker LIKELY FROM THIS FIRE If not sure call 911. CLOSE WINDOWS TURN ON FANS pic.twitter.com/I4464fgIzF San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 14, 2016 Though initial reports stated that the fire included a Baker Street address, and that 50 people had been displaced in the fire, the SFFD tweeted updates revising the location at 10:03 and reducing the number displaced to 16 as of at 10:52 p.m. UPDATE corrected address: 1571 and 1565 FULTON street RedCross on scene. Displaced has dropped to 25. pic.twitter.com/vouZJROZSb San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 14, 2016 UPDATE 1571/65 FULTON 16 only displaced 1 injury 11yo cut foot San Francisco Fire (@sffdpio) February 14, 2016 According to the SFFD, the Red Cross had been dispatched to assist the displaced residents. As of publication time, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Pics from active fire at Fulton and Baker. Strong work to all crews on scene. Please stay safe. #sffd pic.twitter.com/rTAmPUKKJp SF Firefighters 798 (@SFFFLocal798) February 14, 2016 A Baby Boomer's musings on art, family history, reading and finding a little beauty each day. SIOUX CITY | Ted Waitt returns to Sioux City Monday for a rare public appearance. "A Conversation with Ted Waitt," begins at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Francis Center on the campus of Briar Cliff University. Waitt will talk about his experience as an entrepreneur and the history of the computer business that he and a friend started in 1985 on the Waitt family cattle farm near Sioux City. The audience Monday also will have the chance to ask him questions. Gateway, a pioneer in direct marketing of personal computers, grew into a Fortune 500 firm with locations and employees around the globe. At its peak in the 1990s, the company employed nearly 6,000 at its North Sioux City campus. Gateway was sold to Taiwan-based Acer Inc. for $710 million in 2007. Waitt, 53, has a net worth estimated at about $1.3 billion, according to Forbes magazine. He is considered one of the countrys leading philanthropists, having donated more than $125 million toward violence prevention, the protection and restoration of our oceans, and scientific innovation and discovery, according to the website Inside Philanthropy. His appearance at Briar Cliff, organized by the school's Enactus team and sponsored by the Siouxland Economic Development Corp., will kick off Entrepalooza, a series of entrepreneurial-related events over 10 days. The first event starts earlier Monday. From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., ISU Design West will host "The Journey to Your Vision," an event designed to help Iowa entrepreneurs uncover opportunities for improving their business. The event is sponsored by Iowas West Coast Initiative, Iowa Farm Bureau and CIRAS. Pre-registration is required. Additional Entrepalooza activities include: Consulting Fair When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday Where: Advanced Sciences Building, Rooms L416-17, Western Iowa Tech Community College Skinny:: Free advice for prospective small businesses from experts in the field. The event is sponsored by the Small Business Development Center and local SCORE chapter. Speed Networking When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: Springboard Coworking, Suite 210, 700 Fourth St. Skinny: Hosted by Morningside Colleges Entrepreneurship Group, the social event offers business leaders and students a chance to meet others and build contacts in a fast-paced environment. Ice Cream Cocktails and Biz Tales When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday Where: Ps Pizza House, 630 Eight Ave S.W. in Le Mars Skinny: This first-ever Entrepalooza event offers participants a chance to network and brick the brains of fellow entrepreneurs while enjoying tasty treats in the Ice Cream Capital of the World. 5th Grade Jump Start Market When: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday Where: College Center, 1001 College Way, South Sioux City Skinny: As part of the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce coffee hour, members of the public will be able to purchase products created by 5th graders involved in the Jump Start Market. The event will be hosted by the Northeast Community Colleges Enactus Group. 'The Recipe for a Small Business Community' When: 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22 Where: College Center, South Sioux City Skinny: Steve Records, vice president of field operations for SCORE, gives his take on what Siouxland needs to successfully support its small businesses. SCORE, a national volunteer organization of retired executives, offers free services to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Innovation Grow Market When: 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 Where: Ho-Chunk Centre, 600 Fourth St. Skinny: Students in entrepreneurship classes in local high schools will pitch their ideas for new businesses to judges who belong to the Sioux City Growth Organization. The winning business will receive $200 from Briar Cliff Universitys Enactus team. Innovation Market When: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 Where: Ho-Chunk Centre Skinny: Young professionals will submit their ideas for new businesses, community events and nonprofit groups. The event is sponsored by the Sioux City Growth Organization. Educational Summit When: 4:30 p m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 Where: ISU Design West, 1014 1/2 Design Plaza Skinny: A panel of educators will discuss their experiences with implementing entrepreneurship curriculum into local schools. A question and answer session will follow at the Creating Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators event, which is sponsored by Briar Cliffs Enactus team. Swimming with the Sharks When: 6:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 25 Where: St. Francis Center, 3303 Rebecca St., Briar Cliff University Skinny: Local entrepreneurs will pitch their business plans to a panel judges in competition patterned after the ABC reality show, Shark Tank. Finalists will vie for mini-grants valued up to $4,000. The contest is hosted by Briar Cliffs Enactus team, and prize money will be provided by Siouxland Economic Development Corporation and area economic development offices. PITTSBURGH | After the drum line drummed and cheerleaders and costumed Blackhawk mascots revved up the crowd at a Bethel Park High School assembly, seniors Wil Dunn and Nick Marsteller asked their fellow students to donate money for homeless animals at local no-kill shelter Animal Friends. They had what the school calls a magic minute to make their pitch. Their goal was $300. Students armed with collection cans ran through the crowd, and in just 60 seconds, they collected $334.82. But thats not all that these guys have done. Theyve been working since September on a public relations campaign to increase awareness of pet overpopulation and to promote adopting animals from shelters and rescue organizations. They collected animal supplies at their school in December and used donated cash to buy more toys, food and other items at Pet Supplies Plus, where they were given a discount. The Dunns dog, Lima, 7, a miniature pinscher, enjoyed shopping with them. On New Years Eve, they delivered the supplies to the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township, Pennsylvania. Its annual New Years Eve rescue takes in animals from animal control agencies and other over-filled shelters where they would have been euthanized. It opened our eyes. Animal Friends was taking in so many animals, Wil said. The two teens walked dogs at the South Hills Pet Rescue and Rehabilitation Resort in Union Township, Pennsylvania. They were a great asset to us, said Ashley Rittle, who runs the rescue with her husband, Nick Ferraro. The students made multiple visits and the dogs looked forward to them coming. They walked a lot of dogs, Rittle said. The rescue generally has 60 to 80 dogs and desperately needs dog walkers, she said. Last year, they saved 515 dogs. An online survey that drew 230 responses indicated that most potential adopters prefer younger dogs from private breeders, Nick said. So he and Wil set up email and Twitter alerts to help promote Animal Friends Pup of the Week, with a focus on available older dogs. Both students are members of DECA, an international program that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Under the direction of marketing teacher Emily Smoller, they put together a public relations campaign that included 25 projects and a 30-page paper that was due Jan. 22, the same day as the high school assembly. Both students are college-bound and considering business majors. We brainstormed, Nick said, and they came up with a project that they really care about helping animals. Nick and his parents, Brad and Erin Marsteller, have cats Tucker, 10, Sullivan, 7, and Eloise, 7. Wil and his mother, Rina Dunn, have their min-pin, a rescue dog, and hope to add a shelter dog to their home. Dana Schultz, humane educator at Animal Friends, visited Bethel Park High School for several marketing classes with her therapy dog, Molly, a Boykin spaniel and an Animal Friends alumnus. Were thrilled to be working with Nick and Wil to promote shelter adoption, Schultz said. She told marketing students how the shelter markets and advertises adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits. It was such a great opportunity to see the next generation of animal lovers want to learn about and spread our mission to others, Schultz said. Part of the money the boys raised for the shelter will go toward naming rights for an animal. They favor Blackhawk, although they might ask Bethel Park students to vote on it. DES MOINES | Results that didnt come in until early the next morning and discoveries of reporting errors in the days that followed have sparked calls for wholesale changes in Iowas Democratic caucuses. But some county-level party leaders think the fuss over the Feb. 1 caucuses is overblown and it would be a mistake to throw out the Democrats unique caucus format. Others suggest the party must keep an open mind when performing a self-examination of its presidential nominating process. The Feb. 1 Iowa Democratic caucuses featured the second-highest turnout more than 171,000 and a historically narrow margin: Hillary Clinton emerged on top by earning 49.8 percent of state delegate equivalents; Bernie Sanders was close behind with 49.6 percent. The Iowa Democratic Party drew scrutiny when those results arrived late the party did not publish official results until 2:30 a.m., and even then they were incomplete. And some of the precinct results were contested. The state party spent the ensuing days answering questions from the media and double-checking results from roughly a dozen of the states 1,681 precincts. When the party completed its review, results were changed in five precincts, but it was not enough to alter the outcome. Meantime, Iowa Democrats found themselves in the crosshairs of media opinion pieces. The Chicago Tribune wrote about Iowas caucus mess and the Boston Globe about the caucus debacle. Some of the criticism was native, too: A Feb. 5 headline on a Des Moines Register editorial said, Something smells in the Democratic Party. Some Democrats, from both inside and outside of Iowa, suggested in the wake of the caucus-night issues that the party should consider moving away from its caucus format of organizing and re-shuffling people in a room and employ something more akin to a traditional ballot, as Iowa Republicans do in their caucuses. Democratic county party leaders from across the state said in interviews last week much of that criticism and calling for change amounted to over-reaction. They acknowledged some precincts were overwhelmed by high turnout and inadequately prepared leaders, but county officials said the vast majority of Democratic precinct caucuses were well-run and well-received. I think its much ado about nothing, Pat Sass, chairwoman of the Black Hawk County Democrats, said of the criticism. Sass said she sees no need to change the Democratic caucus process. Nor does Penny Rosfjord, chairwoman of the Woodbury County Democrats. Rosfjord said the party will examine ways to improve the caucuses, as it does every four years. But she does not think dramatic changes are necessary. Going forward, I think we will definitely be looking at ways to improve the process, but I am not a person that really wants to throw the baby out with the bath water, Rosfjord said. Definitely some improvements need to be made, and well go from there. Thom Hart, chairman of the Scott County Democrats, cautioned against making sweeping changes based on one years caucuses. I think they need to be careful making changes in reaction to anything, Hart said. I think the system worked well here (in Scott County) and generally works well across the state. Changing the Democratic caucus format may do more harm than good anyway, said Mike Gronstal, the Democratic Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate. If we do that, heres the challenge: The reality is it is unlikely the Democratic National Committee will continue to have Iowa go first, its unlikely that New Hampshire who have been partners with us for several decades on this that theyll go along with us essentially being a primary, Gronstal said. So if thats the reality, we can certainly move to that and have our vote in June at the primary and never have a presidential candidate visit our state. We have an outsized influence right now with this system. And those that suggest we move in a direction, that would probably mean we lost our first-in-the-nation status, and I think theyre wrong. Kurt Meyer, chairman of the Tri-Counties Democrats, a group that covers Howard, Mitchell and Worth counties, said the party must consider its options when assessing the caucuses. Anyone that wants to do a massive overhaul, thats probably not going to happen. Yet, if thats where the facts lead, then so be it, Meyer said. A massive overhaul probably isnt the remedy. But if (the caucuses) leaves people disenfranchised or frustrated or less likely to participate in this wonderful every-four-year process we have, then we are doing something wrong, and you have to be at least open (to changes). Meyer said turnout is a significant challenge to the Democrats caucus system, which was created as a party-building exercise conducted by small groups of friends and neighbors. Now, some precincts have hundreds of caucus-goers. Bret Nilles, chairman of the Linn County Democrats, thinks turnout was a big part of the issues that plagued this years caucuses. He said some venues were not big enough to support the crowds that came out to caucus. Some precincts wound up conducting their caucus outside because space inside was insufficient. I think what we need with the caucuses is maybe a little bit more, better planning in terms of the facilities and how do we accommodate a caucus of 350 to 400 people as we experienced here in Cedar Rapids at some locations, Nilles said. Its a matter of, those places where we had good accommodations, everything went fine. (The issues occurred at) those locations where we had tight quarters, where people werent trained well enough to handle crowds of that size in space that wasnt available. Andy McGuire, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said the party will conduct its usual self-analysis and determine what changes need to be made. After every caucus, the party goes through a self-examination process to discuss what went right and what can be improved upon, McGuire said in a statement issued Feb. 7 with the final results. This process will continue this year, and in conjunction with our state central committee, our partners and our allies, I will convene a committee to ensure we can improve on our caucus process while preserving what makes it special. McGuire and Democrats know whatever moves the party makes, Iowas first-in-the-nation status is at stake. Meyer said he thinks Iowa Democrats are game to the task of making necessary changes to maintain that distinguished position. I believe that any party, out of necessity, evolves and changes and morphs and is reborn and is transformed many times over. You look back on things that happened one or two or three cycles ago, and you say, 'I cant believe that is how we did things back then. Because theres constant change, Meyer said. Maybe its tweaks, maybe the changes are more significant than that. At this point, its fair to say I dont know, and I would be loathe to jump to the conclusion that tweaks are sufficient or a massive overhaul is required. I simply dont know. We havent done the post-mortem. But I also think if youre going to base your future improvements on facts rather than vague impressions or defensive reactions, you have to be open to the fact that we may need something a little more significant than just rearranging the deck chairs. With Iowa's presidential campaign caucuses having passed into history books, it's time for an assessment by leaders of both state political parties with an eye to identifying shortcomings and making improvements for 2020. For example, in at least one caucus site in Northwest Iowa - in Sioux Center, on the campus of Dordt College - some Republican voters were allowed to cast ballots and leave before the meeting began at 7 p.m. In fact, The Journal reported, an email was sent to Dordt College students before the caucuses in which they were told they could vote prior to the 7 p.m. time at which all caucus meetings begin in every precinct across the state. Both state political parties should discourage early voting. First, early voting violates the spirit of the caucuses. By design, Iowa's caucuses are different from a primary. The unique caucus system is part of Iowa's presidential campaign charm and a big reason why the state is first in the nation. Second, early voting creates the potential for fraud. Conceivably, a voter could cast a ballot early at the caucus precinct site of one party, then attend the caucus of the other party at a different location in the same precinct, change his or her registration, and vote again. In our view, it's important for all precinct caucus sites to respect the process and adhere to a uniform set of rules. In other words, no freelancing. In 2012, Republicans were wiping egg from their faces after the state party first announced Mitt Romney was winner of the GOP caucuses, by eight votes, over Rick Santorum, then 16 days later had to announce Santorum was, in fact, the victor, by 34 votes, over Romney. As a result of this embarrassing error, calls were made for reforms, and properly so. This year, Republicans - and Democrats - embraced new technology for reporting of caucus results from individual precincts to the state party. In the wake of their own oh-so-close contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, Democrats this year face reasonable caucus criticisms, including fresh complaints about counting and reporting of votes. "Inside the Iowa caucus chaos" read the headline over a Feb. 8 Politico story. Ripe for criticism, for example, is the fact a Clinton-Sanders recount isn't possible due to the way Democrats conduct their caucuses. In our view, it's time for Democrats to at least discuss use of traditional ballots, like Republicans use, for their caucuses. Bottom line: Both political parties should respect complaints about caucus night and resist temptation to minimize them or excuse them away. To their credit, this appears to be the strategy for Democrats who are taking the brunt of scrutiny in light of how incredibly close the numbers were for Clinton and Sanders. "After every caucus, the party goes through a self-examination process to discuss what went right and what can be improved upon," Andy McGuire, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said for a story in today's Journal. "This process will continue this year, and in conjunction with our state central committee, our partners and our allies, I will convene a committee to ensure we can improve on our caucus process while preserving what makes it special." We believe the fact Republicans set a record for the Iowa caucuses this year with turnout of more than 186,000 and Democrats produced their second-highest turnout of more than 171,000 bodes well for the future of our state's first-in-the-nation position. Open-minded evaluation of this year's caucuses and adoption of prudent changes to correct flaws, by both state political parties, will only help strengthen Iowa's case to remain No. 1. "Since Auschwitz we know what man is capable of, since Hiroshima we know what is at stake. - Viktor Frankl World War II opened our eyes to the reality of what even average men were capable of in the concentration camps. Viktor Frankls book Mans Search for Meaning shows us the truth that cant simply be blamed on Hitler or the SS. The inhumanity that existed in average men given power without a restraining influence was like cold water thrown in the face of humanity as the reality of the concentration camps became known. The reality of the bomb that leveled Hiroshima being placed in the wrong hands added an element of sober reason that meant we had much work to do as political leaders in our society and in the world in the hearts and minds of most people following the war. Those sober realities are as meaningful today. Our fears today arent being restrained by some of our political leaders whose goals seem to be to make the sand glow and to do whatever is necessary to get information from prisoners - a return to torture. We need leaders who are mindful of the true dangers and complexities in this world that make the simple solutions being offered extremely dangerous given what men are capable of and what is truly at stake. We need leaders capable of accepting the very complex task of true world leadership. Inhumanity anywhere, by anyone, even us, is a threat to humanity. - Jerry Eaton, Sioux City LOS ANGELES | Universal Studios Hollywood is putting a price tag on the demand for fun. The Los Angeles-area theme park is anticipating huge crowds for the April 7 opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. If you want to be one of the first to experience it, be prepared to pay more than if you want to go, say, on a slow Tuesday in September. So-called demand, or variable, pricing is nothing new to airlines and hotels. They have long charged higher prices on holidays and during popular seasons. Uber and Lyft charge higher rates during hours when the car-hailing services are in most demand. (Remember New Years Eve?) Universal is the first major U.S. theme park to embrace demand pricing, though experts say consumers should expect more to follow. Walt Disney Resorts put out feelers to annual pass holders last year, asking their opinion of a three-tiered pricing system aimed at charging more during Christmas, spring break and summer. Its sort of a no-brainer, said Martin Lewison, a theme park expert and business management professor at Farmingdale State College in New York. As the parks see the bigger companies doing it more and more, it will become more accepted. Under the pricing policy launched Tuesday by Universal Studios, tickets bought at the gate remain $95. But visitors who book tickets online for low-demand days such as a weekday in February before Harry Potter opens can save up to $20. During weekends and peak demand days during spring break or summer, parkgoers save only $5 by booking online. Universal wants people to plan ahead, which will help it manage its operations. Parkgoers can lock in prices by buying tickets online for dates through the end of September. People who procrastinate might see online prices fluctuate depending on last-minute demand. Buying online comes with another incentive entry into the new Harry Potter area an hour before the rest of the park opens. The new Harry Potter world will feature two new rides, one restaurant, a food cart and eight shops based on the wildly popular books and films about the boy wizard. Harry Potter has already been wildly successful at Universals other parks. After a Harry Potter ride made its U.S. theme park debut at Universals Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, attendance jumped nearly 30 percent in 2011, according to estimates by Aecom, a Los Angeles engineering firm. There are many fitness goals out there that we desire. Some of us want to be leaner and others wish to put on muscle mass. The thing is, for you to achieve your fitness goals, you need to The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. teaching, living, and loving dance; raising two boys and one sweet little warrior princess on African music and art and lots of rice. Comments and essays about Life in Spain. ST. VALENTINES Day, the popular holiday of Anglo-Saxon origin celebrating love, is currently celebrated by four fifths of Slovaks. Font size: A - | A + This year, they plan to spend about the same amount on Valentines presents as last year, only one in five plan to pay more, a survey made by the Ipsos agency for the UniCredit Bank showed. Valentine's Day, illustrative stock photo (Source: SITA) Most money is spent on sweets, the poll made online of 840 Slovak and 840 Czech respondents aged 18 to 65 showed. Slovaks spend an average 11 on chocolates and desserts, which totals 34 percent of all gifts, and which are followed by invitations to a restaurant (21%). Women tend to buy chocolates and sweets (for 12), while men prefer to buy flowers (22 in average, 21% of men). If a man decides to buy lingerie, the average expense amounts to 90. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement In 2015, Slovaks spent 24 on average (2.5 less than in 2014) on Valentines, and they mostly plan the same costs also for this year. About 20% want to pay more, while approximately 6% plan to spend less. The willingness to spend money for Valentine depends very much on the age, UniVredit Bank spokeswoman Zuzana Dudakova told the TASR newswire. While one third of those young want to spend more than last year, only 11% of those over 50 plan to do so. She added that the holiday has become a universal phenomenon in the country, as even most elderly Slovaks observe it. With the growth of online shopping, Slovaks also grow ever more daring, and for St Valentines Day, as a result buy ever more erotic gifts and frivolous events, a poll by the Zlavomat.sk discount shopping website found. Valentine's Day, illustrative stock photo (Source: Sme) On average Slovaks spend 20 to 50 for Valentine surprises, with massages, wellness trips and romantic weekends costing more than 100. The holiday is among the few when men show an increased interest in shopping and close the spending gap compared to women. Although it still cannot equal other holidays like Christmas or summer holidays as toexpenses spent, its popularity keeps growing, Zlavomat summed up. Among the top Valentine gifts are those with ones own photo or a heart; romantic dinners; wellness treatments and stays; Valentine stays; erotic gifts and events. And those latter have their own chart of popularity, topped by disposable lingerie, erotic massages, and packages with condoms and gels. China is a hot topic in Washington and this is sort of a new political low because this political trading is common in Washington, usually it is trading favors over policies but trading political favors over people is a new low in American politics. She further said that their actions are no different than, if China erected a statue of Ed Snowden in front of the US embassy in Beijing. I think this is very counterproductive and its truly small minded and vindictive signal that they are sending to other nations. Talking about whether this plaza will actually be renamed, the expert said that she cant say definitely because the Obama administration has to sign the bill and if it does pass someone can rename later. But just the idea of such a bill is already sending a message to the Chinese that Washington is still being very hostile and is not trying to find common ground, an anathema for diplomatic relations. The US certainly has individuals that they redeem enemies of the state just like any other countries would this is truly about the political positions and that analogy is very similar. I wouldnt say that there is a big difference between Snowden or Chelsea Manning or putting Julian Assanges name on something. She further said that this comes down to political horse trading which is done behind closed doors and people are not aware of this as much is done in secret, Ann Lee concluded. LONDON (Sputnik) "HSBC Holdings plc announces that its Board of Directors has concluded its review of the best location for the headquarters of the Group, and has decided to remain headquartered in the United Kingdom," the group said. The Boards decision to stay in the United Kingdom was unanimous, it added. "The UK is an important and globally connected economy," HSBC stressed. "London is one of the worlds leading international financial centres and home to a large pool of highly skilled, international talent. It remains therefore ideally positioned to be the home base for a global financial institution such as HSBC." According to Slovakian Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajcak, it is wrong to rely on Turkey to resolve the refugee problem. "As long as there is no common European strategy [on the migration issue], attempts of the states at the Balkan route to protect their borders are legitimate," Lajcak said, cited by the magazine. When it comes to Europe's problems, European states cannot rely on Turkey, the diplomat stated. Lajcak also questioned the effectiveness of the distribution of refugees between the EU countries. The Russian prime minister stressed that this is the primary responsibility of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko , the Ukrainian government and the parliament. "They should find a compromise, obtain a constitutional majority, amend the constitution and start implementing legislation already in place they have the authority to do it. Some laws have been adopted but have yet to be implemented. Some laws have not been passed yet. There are laws that have been adopted, but not signed. They need to address all those issues. As soon as all this is done, they can hold local elections," he said. He added that the elections should be held under the formula proposed by Frank-Walter Steinmeier: the self-government law is first applied on a provisional basis during the elections, and once their results are certified under OSCE procedures the law becomes permanent. "We have been saying this for a long time. The Russian President has raised this issue with Angela Merkel only recently. Yesterday I talked to Mr Steinmeier. Of course, our colleagues are talking to each other as well. But we have to do something. Thats what we keep telling our Ukrainian colleagues. This is the path they should take," Medvedev stressed. Assads enemies have been supplying terrorists with weapons via a Turkish-based operations center and from Saudi Arabia. Some of the vetted groups have also received military training provided by the CIA. The Syrian government has said it aims to seal the border to cut supply routes from Turkey. Such a "dramatic turn of events" may have two possibilities for the situation in Syria, Daniel McAdams wrote in his article for the Ron Paul Institute. One, that since the deal is not finalized on paper, Assads foreign enemies have not felt the need to halt their supplies to rebels and may have hastened their delivery. Two, that these supplies do not fall under the terms of the document. If the ceasefire does not apply to Daesh or affiliated forces, foreign weapons suppliers may have decided that if Russia will bomb the terrorist groups, then Saudi Arabia and Turkey are free to provide them with weapons. "Does anyone have any confidence in this kind of ceasefire when either the 'moderates' or named terrorist groups are being armed to the teeth on the eve of its implementation? Will the Russians begin to doubt the veracity of their western partners' commitment to halting the violence in Syria when they learn of this massive weapons shipment?" he wrote. Saudi warplanes, currently deployed at Turkeys Incirlik airbase, are ready to bomb Raqqa and its environs with a senior Defense Ministry official saying that Riyadh planned to destroy Islamic State forces in and around Raqqa as part of the US-led coalitions intention to step up its airstrikes against the terrorist group. Mentioning the possibility of a ground operation against Daesh in Syria, the official said that there were no Saudi troops in Turkey right now, but the coalition was generally agreed on the need for such an operation. Meanwhile, a senior Syrian opposition representative said that the country had enough people ready to fight for democracy and did not need any outside help. We really have more than enough people ready to fight for democracy out there, and we need no outside help, Salem Meslet, a representative of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, told Sputnik on Saturday when commenting on some Arab nations stated readiness to deploy their ground forces in Syria. He added that the situation could change if Russia or Iran decided to send their ground forces to fight alongside the army of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In the meantime, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that Washington was not considering any major Arab deployments to Syria, adding that the coalition was only studying the possibility of sending commando units to help the local opposition militias retake the de facto Daesh capital Raqqa in the north. Turkey is making increasing efforts to undermine PYD-Russia coordination with the US. As a result, the two have found each other to be useful allies, both against Daesh and Turkey. "In fact, it was the Russians who pushed to have PYD representatives acknowledged in last weeks Geneva talks on Syria and the current assault on Aleppo is believed to have helped the YPG greatly," the analyst pointed out. Furthermore, it is a fact that the US is "unpredictable" in its support for militant groups, and the Kurds are no exception. Third, Kurds are leaning toward Russia because Moscow "has the most leverage and influence over Damascus in any post-conflict settlement." The Syrian Kurds may be maneuvering for their best chance during post-war settlement, the article read. "As the PYD nears the consolidation of its territorial goals and no longer fears intra-insurgent competition, it is becoming free to focus its diplomatic attention on securing the best autonomy deal possible. These dynamics can help explain why nearly four months ago, the PYD increased its diplomatic attention to Moscow," Kaplan wrote. "Putin is without a doubt Assads greatest international ally and thus has the most leverage to help secure Syrian Kurdish demands," he added. From a Syrian Kurdish perspective, the road to settlement with Assad and potential autonomy for Kurds in Syria lies through ties with Moscow and not Washington, the article concluded. According to Clark, all of these lies are happening because the Russian anti-Daesh campaign in Syria is exposing lies that Western governments have been trying to work on an attempt to change regime and the Balkanization of Syria all under the pretext of the war on terror. To prove his point, the British journalist brought up a declassified secret US intelligence document, which said that the possibility of establishing a declared or undeclared Salafist principality [in Syria was] exactly what the supporting powers to the opposition want, in order to isolate the Syrian regime. The US and its allies werent only supporting and arming an opposition they knew to be dominated by extreme sectarian groups; they were prepared to countenance the creation of some sort of Islamic State as a Sunni buffer to weakening Syria, Clark cited the words of the Guardians Seumas Milne, who investigated the secret US document. Nearly all parties want to go after Daesh but at the same time there is still a debate going about who is an extremist and who isnt. The Russians and Iranians position is different than the Western so this is going to continue throughout the rest of the next few weeks about sorting out who is who on the ground. Talking about Sergei Lavrovs statement in which the foreign minister sees a 49% chance that a ceasefire in Syria will successfully be in place within one week, the analyst said, Lavrov is on to an agreement that was made with Kerry and other major actors in this war. March 1st is the date for this ceasefire. Similarly the Geneva conference is in place working to establish a peace process in Syria but according to the analyst it is a little too early to make conclusions about the progress. At this juncture it is a little premature to say that everyone will agree to disagree. A number of speakers are opposed to each other and there will be further discussions between now and March 1st that are more behind the scenes because there needs to be some cohesive agreement which may be far-fetched, Karasik concluded. "We would have been more secure as a nation, and might have contributed to a more stable world, if we had followed Russia's foreign policy lead in the past," he wrote. He also reminded about the failure of US interference in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They were right both times, and we were wrong. In Syria, Russia is right for a third time," he asserted. Kinzer concluded that the best decision for Washington would be to support Moscow's strategy in Syria, otherwise it will only encourage continuous bloodshed in the region. By stubbornly refusing to cooperate, the US does itself more harm to itself than it does to Russia. The expert further said, Iran sees Russia as a strategic partner for many years to come. Tehran has expressed interest in the purchase of automated air defense systems and missile defense. Iranian submarines are also in need of modernization. In order to solve this problem, specialized modern weapons need to be purchased and Russia has something to offer, the expert told Sputnik Persia. Abshenas mentioned that Iran is interested in purchasing modern Russian Su-30, Su-35 aircraft. The purchase of Russian weapons, such as the anti-missile defense system S-400 and its upgraded models are also probably going to be a part of the forthcoming discussion. The ordnances such as the Russian tanks T-90 and T-95 may also be highlighted during the talks. In general, it should be noted that Iran is willing to offer Russia cooperation in the military-industrial complex to jointly create tanks, missile weapons and marine navigation systems. Therefore, we will wait to see what agreements Dehgan will reach during his visit to his Russian colleagues. It can be assumed that as a result a number of contracts will be signed. It should be recalled that in April 2015, the head of the Defense Ministry of Iran also paid an official visit to Moscow and took part in the International Conference on Security. As part of that visit the parties discussed the exact contract for the supply of Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States efforts to deliver a precision-guided weapon anywhere in the world within an hour, Prompt Global Strike (PGS), poses a threat to the arithmetic of strategic stability, Russian NATO envoy Alexander Grushko said in an interview with US media published Sunday. "We should add issues like prompt global strike. This is very dangerous development in military terms for strategic stability," Grushko told The Wall Street Journal. Grushko said Moscow had a number of concerns with NATO, including a missile defense system planned to be deployed in Europe and the weaponization of space. "For example, James Jeffrey, also of the Washington Institute, explicitly places discussion of Syria in the context of US-Soviet competition in the Middle East during the Cold War, talks of the region as a 'US security zone,' bemoans how Russia 'seems to be moving from victory to victory in Syria,' asks 'if Putin can get away with such activities in Syria, where might he act next,' and asserts that what is happening in Syria has 'potentially serious implications for the entire US global security system,'" the author wrote. However, instead of analyzing Russian President Vladimir Putins motivations for the operation in Syria, US experts should focus their attention on "current realities that both Russia and the US are facing in Syria today," Pillar wrote. First, the current situation in Syria is not a zero-sum game. Some Russian objectives conflict with US goals but others are neutral with respect to US interests and others are the same as those interests. Russia has a "strong interest" to resolve the Syrian crisis via negotiations. Despite successful airstrikes, Moscow has realized that the Syrian Army will be unable to regain territories it has lost during the war and defeat Islamist groups, according to the article. Another component of the compromise may be the Syrian crisis , it added. Moscow and the West have one common enemy in Syria Daesh (also known as the Islamic State terrorist group). There is also the potential for more bargaining. Russia could exact concessions from the US on NATOs buildup along its borders, according to the article. At the same time, Washington could be interested in cooperation with Moscow on the political settlement to the Syrian conflict. "Both sides are still working on opposite ends of the fight, but their shared interest in containing the security threat of the Islamic State, which has struck both Europe and Russia, presents an opportunity for cooperation on other issues," it read. However, compromise over Ukraine may be hampered by the growing political instability in the country, the author underscored. Ratings of the ruling coalition led by President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk are falling. In addition, reforms have stalled and the economic crisis in deepening. "There is certainly a lot that stands in the way of an end to the conflict in Ukraine. But recent developments suggest Kiev, Moscow and the West could be more open to advancing negotiations in the coming months. They should be taken seriously," the article concluded. Press Release: A ribbon cutting and Open House will be held Thursday, March 10, for Beaufort County Community Colleges Washington County Center, pictured above. The public is invited to attend. The lobby area of Beaufort County Community Colleges Washington County Center is pictured here. The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and Open House for the center on Thursday, March 10. A classroom in the Washington County Center will enable Beaufort County Community College to offer health-related classes to Washington County residents in their home county. Beaufort County Community Colleges classroom and computer lab in the new Washington County center is pictured above. It will give the college room to offer occupational training and adult basic skills classes, among others to Washington County residents in their home counties. The newly-opened Washington County Center, bringing Beaufort County Community College classes to a permanent location in the county, will be featured during a ribbon cutting and Open House scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m., Thursday, March 10.The open house is sponsored by BCCC's Division of Continuing Education, the Washington County Board of Commissioners, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Northeastern Workforce Development Board.The center, located at 100 N.C. Highway 32 North in Roper, will enable BCCC to bring a variety of adult basic education, personal interest, small business, occupational and health-related classes to Washington County for the first time in many years.As a result of legislation approved last year by the N.C. General Assembly, BCCC was authorized to provide all classes offered by its Division of Continuing Education to Washington County residents in their home county.In response, BCCC opened the Washington County Center in order to give the college a permanent location to provide these classes."BCCC is delighted to be able to serve the people of Washington County in their home county," said Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard. "Our continuing education faculty and staff have worked hard to develop a schedule of classes that will appeal to our Washington County student population."The ribbon cutting will begin at 3 p.m. with a welcome and introduction by Ellen Respass, with the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. This will be followed by brief remarks from N.C. Rep. Paul Tine, BCCC President Barbara Tansey, N.C. Sen. Erica Smith-Ingram, Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners Cole Phelps and Roper Mayor Denise Blount.Following the ribbon cutting, an Open House and tours of the center will be available to the public until 6 p.m.The Washington County Center is a 7,500 square-foot facility that features classrooms, computer workstations and a health sciences lab for Nurse Aide and other health-related classroom work.Several continuing education classes have already been held in the center and several more - including Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency, Job Seeking Tools, National Career Readiness Certification Prep Class, Defensive Driving, Taking Your Home Business to the World Market with Etsy and Beginning Microsoft Excel for Small Business - are scheduled to be offered this spring.For more information about classes offered at the Washington County Center, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 252-940-6375 or visit the division's webpage at www.beaufortccc.edu and click on the Continuing Education link. When asked how he thinks he will figure in history, as a man who saved Syria or a man who destroyed it, President Assad said, This depends on who will write the history. If it is the West, it will give me all the bad attributes. Whats important is how I think. Certainly, and self-evidently, I will seek, and that is what Im doing now, to protect Syria, not to protect the chair Im sitting in. Talking about the Syrian army regaining control over Aleppo in the next few days, Assad said that it is not about regaining control over Aleppo, but the task is to cut the road between Aleppo and Turkey. Turkey is the main conduit of supplies for the terrorists. The battle has been going on now on more than ten fronts at the same time, from north, to south, to the east, to the Far East too, and to the west in Latakia. It was going on in Homs, and now its over. So, all these stages are moving in parallel. Regardless of whether we can do that or not, this is a goal we are seeking to achieve without any hesitation. It makes no sense for us to say that we will give up any part. The timeframe is dependent on two scenarios. Suppose that the problem is purely Syrian, i.e. that Syria is isolated from its surroundings, we can put an end to this problem in less than a year by moving on two fronts: fighting terrorism and political action, Assad said. The second scenario which is the case now taking the shape of continuing supplies to terrorists through Turkey, Jordan, and partly from Iraq because Daesh exists in Iraq with Saudi, Turkish, and Qatari support naturally means that the solution will take a long time and will incur a heavy price. So, it is difficult to give a precise answer about the timeframe, the Syrian president told AFP in an exclusive interview. Regarding how many years it may take for peace to be restored in Syria, Assad said that it depends on how many years Turkey and Saudi Arabia will continue to support terrorism. The question is: how much longer will Turkey and Saudi Arabia continue to support terrorism? That is the question. And when will the West put pressure on these countries to stop supporting terrorism? the president said. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) US President Barack Obama in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of providing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria, a statement issued by the White House on Sunday reads. "President Obama spoke by phone yesterday with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss the decisions and agreements made at the February 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and to stress the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria and initiating a nationwide cessation of hostilities," the statement reads. Moreover, Obama emphasized importance of "Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria." All parties to the Syrian conflict must be make a joint decision to lay down their arms, and have to have this as an objective, Dmitry Medvedev said. "Decisions on ending combat operations depend on whether the parties involved are willing to lay down arms and how fast. In fact, when one group stops fighting, while the other begins to build on its military success, this is the most dangerous situation. All it does is escalate the conflict. It is for that reason that there should be a common decision on when to stop military action. This should be our objective." According to the Russian prime minister, Moscow came forward with this initiative on February 4, but it was met with hesitation among the US officials, who ended up reaching consensus. "Lets hope that there will be no delays from now on. This will be the starting point for Russia." Russia, US, EU Should Facilitate Launch of Transition Process in Syria Moscow, Brussels and Washington should create favorable conditions for the launch of the political transition process in Syria, the Russian prime minister said. I dont think that we should go into too much detail on these issues. Im talking about Russia, the European Union and the United States. We should focus on facilitating the launch of this process. We must make sure that everyone sits down at the negotiating table, in fact, make them talk to each other, so that maybe they close their eyes to the mutual grievances they might have and the outstanding issues, he told the Euronews television channel. When commenting on the relations between Russia and the United States, Medvedev said that the ties have been damaged, while a so-called "reset" can only be on an equal basis. "If something is to be reset, it should be done on a fundamentally different basis. What kind of basis? Equitable, fair, solid basis for relations, considering that Russia is not the only nation that needs this the European Union and the United States need it as well." The prime minister lamented that the relations with the United States have "deteriorated again, they have been damaged, and they are worse than they had been before." Anti-Russian Sanctions 'Meaningless' The Russian prime minister said that Western partners' requests to restore cooperation with Russia province that anti-Moscow sanctions are meaningless. Then after some time, someone whispers in our ear that they actually want to revive relations, so could we start cooperating on one issue or another? What does this mean? First, that the initial decision to cease cooperation in a most difficult international situation, where we all need each other, was meaningless to begin with. Second, it becomes necessary to backtrack after some time. "Plus this government has very little support of the population, approximately one percent. So if we want to realize our potential for reforms, we need a new government," Chalyi added. After the government change, Kiev needs a clear economic recovery plan, which would include elements linked to financial stabilization and economic recovery "for real sector of Ukrainian economy," the diplomat said. "I think we should focus on three or four sectors of the Ukrainian economy that will be in the future the locomotive of the Ukrainian economy, this is for example infrastructure, agriculture, and IT technology. We can find the investment for these sectors both outside and inside Ukraine," Chalyi stressed. Ukraine 'lacks progress' on privatization Moreover, Chalyi thinks that Ukraine is lacking progress on privatization of state assets due to resistance from oligarchs. "The oligarchs [who] control a great part of the Ukrainian economy resist, they want European norms, but they don't want to change the property rights. They also want to participate in the privatization of state enterprises and practically block it," Oleksandr Chalyi said. According to Chalyi, the present Ukrainian government is not focused on eradicating corruption. BBG's appetite for money is growing because the West is anxious about new media which it considers spread propaganda and lies. First of all, it concerns Russian media, as well as media in China and Iran. BBG says it needs the money to fight what it calls "Russian aggression and disinformation". Such terms are also used when the US media write about such extremist groups as Daesh (ISIL). "It is an old trick to bring Russia along with ISIL and then bring China into this [context] as well. You know, it is an old propaganda trick which was used during the Cold War and is obviously used again," political analyst and journalist Andre Vltchek told Radio Sputnik. Their demands are for the officers to be charged with murder without a grand jury even though the county attorney has already announced that he intends to use one. The protesters dont want a grand jury because its a process that is completely secret. It is a procedure by which a prosecutor works with a jury to decide whether or not to charge or indict the accused. There is no judge. Its just the prosecutor and the jury. The reason for this is to encourage witnesses to speak freely, and to protect the defendants reputation. However, a grand jury process was used in the cases involving the deaths of Mike Brown and Tamir Rice. Their killers, who were police officers as well, were not charged. We want this to be a public thing, said Jodie Carroll, one of the protesters, to ABC News on Friday. She added that she wants murder charges brought up and these police officers prosecuted by the law in a fair trial. Former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Rachel Paulose does not think the protesters will get what theyre asking for. I think it would be very unusual and perhaps problematic if in the middle of a grand jury process he [the county attorney] suspended that process, and elected to use a different means to consider charges against these officers, she said. MOSCOW/LONDON (Sputnik) Mohammed Emwazi, who gained his nickname after being featured with a British accent in Daesh videos depicting brutal beheadings of foreign hostages, was killed by a US airstrike in November. "Rabah Tahari has fled to Turkey after falling out with other jihadists over money. He has a lot of enemies," a security source said as quoted by The Telegraph. Tahari, a Birmingham native also known as Abu Musab, was said to expose his whereabouts after setting up an account with the professional business network website LinkedIn. Tonight is the night! The 27th edition of the OBrien Awards, celebrating and honouring the best in Canadian harness racing, takes place this evening, Saturday, February 13 at the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario. If you are attending, just a reminder that the cocktail reception kicks the evening off at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be at 7:00 p.m. and the award presentations will start at about 9:15 p.m. A dance will round the evening off. The OBriens will be video streamed live on standardbredcanada.ca starting at approximately 9:15 p.m. (EST), If you are a Twitter follower, you can follow the live updates from @trotinsider. Standardbred Canada's Web Director Jeff Porchak, Trot Editor Darryl Kaplan and SC Web Reporter Brittney Mayotte will provide live news and commentary on all the happenings from the Hilton Mississauga / Meadowvale Hotel throughout the night. Winners will be announced through the live twitter feed below as they happen. The whos who of the harness racing set will be on hand to receive their coveted OBrien bronzes. The awards are named in honour of the late Joe OBrien, a trainer-driver from Prince Edward Island who was highly regarded and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Eighteen O'Brien Awards will be given out for the 2015 racing season. Thirteen of these honour the premier horses over the past racing season including the most coveted trophy, Canada's Horse of the Year. The horse awards are divided by age, sex and gait. There are two finalists in all of the categories. In addition there are six awards for people, one each for Driver of the Year, Trainer of the Year, Armstrong Bros. Farm Breeder of the Year, the O'Brien Award of Horsemanship, Future Star. As previously announced, Bill Andrew will officially receive the 2015 Cam Fella Award, plus three Media Excellence Awards and an award for Outstanding Groom will be doled out. Standardbred Canada extends their congratulations to all of this evenings finalists! Er is iets heel griezeligs aan de gang in Nederland. Dat wij geleidelijk aan in een totalitaire 'democratie' wegzinken wordt steeds ... It has been far too many years since the Woke theology interlaced its canons within the fabric of the Indoctrination Realm, so it is nigh time to ask: Does this Representative Republic continue, as a functioning society of a self-governed people, by contending with the unusual, self absorbed dictates of the Woke, and their vast array of Victimhood scenarios? Yes, the Religion of Woke must continue; there are so many groups of underprivileged, underserved, a direct result of unrelenting Inequity; they deserve everything. No; the Woke fools must be toppled from their pedestal; a functioning society of a good Constitutional people cannot withstand this level of "existential" favoritism as it exists now, unending. Title: Touched Rating: Teen Word Count: 5582 Characters: Lily, Original Character (Lily/OFC femslash) Warning: Gore, Violence Summary: Hope is something Lily Baker discarded years ago. She's not supposed to find it in the dead of winter, in a small Alaskan town besieged by demon activity. AU where Lily escapes from Cold Oak, unaware that the Winchesters have beaten Azazel. Note: I wrote this back in December for the SPN Femslash Holiday Exchange, with a prompt from arodeanw The highway is a charcoal streak limned by reflective paint. Lily watches it while perched on the hood of her pickup and tries to coax another few inhales from the stubby end of a cigarette. The ACE hardware store behind her throws dull yellow light onto the pavement covered in a lacquer of ground snow and ice. Lily shifts; the metal rivets on her pants squeal against the trucks hood. She pulls out her phone and checks the time: another six minutes until ACE opens. She flicks the cigarettes remains to the pavement and they become a beacon of brilliant orange in the gloom. She remembers how, back in San Diego, the sun would be bathing the houses of her neighborhood in the same orange by this time. Not so in Cordova, Alaska. Winter means that the sun wont bother to arrive until around ten, and itll be gone again by four. The cloud cover thats been loitering over the city might mean they never see the sun at all. Lily twists around and can see Ralph unloading boxes in front of the main window. She waves; he doesnt see. Her fingers skitter over the pants pocket where she has a box of menthols, but she shovels her hand into her coat pocket instead. Marianne had hated the cigarettes, kept trying to convince Lily to quit. Sure, Lilys still puffing ten years after Mariannes been gone, but she makes efforts. Like now, instead of giving into the urge, she stares out over the highway and reviews the list Emily gave her. Another box of nails. A few packages of ammo. Something about a can of wood sealer. She cant remember what brand. Lily fumbles for her phone around the thick gloves that keep her fingers from falling off. She ought to go into the car and blast the heat, but shes been inside for too many days and her body still misses life in San Diego where a person could safely venture outside during the winter. People laughed when she first arrived, a Cali girl come to effing Alaska. It sounds like the beginning of a stand-up comedy bit. She tells people that she got tired of the big city. She doesnt explain that here, her inability to touch living things has an easier time going unnoticed. Shes already tried it the other way. For years, she took on the facsimile of a germophobe; it was the only way she could think to justify the unending latex gloves and long-sleeved shirts. She got most of her groceries delivered, communicated with her landlord through the ajar door. When she couldnt order something to her mailbox, she covered up as best she could and ventured into the wider world, waiting for the wrong moment when shed make someone else drop dead at a touch. Shed jerk awake from nightmares. A clerk brushing her wrist when her sleeve is pushed back, a hole in her gloves that catches on a woman passing by her. Sometimes the people in these dreams have Mariannes face, and then Lily wakes up screaming. But here. Here, where the temperature just reaches zero some days, no one cares that she never ventures outside, or if she does, shes covered in three layers. Theyre busy doing the same thing. Lily reached something like contentment after six months in Alaska. A job as a ghost writer for a publishing house in New York, edging closer to a normal life. Not quite there; shes still the town recluse. But Emily, the woman who owns the cabin where Lily lives, is friendly with her. She understands by now not to invite her tenant up to the main house, but she still sends Lily on errands like this one. If Lily is going to live on her familys ranch land, is Emilys thinking, she might as well be useful. Lily dials Emilys number, drums the backs of her heels against the trucks grate and watches a single set of headlights drift down the highway. Emily picks up on the third ring. Watchoo forget? Emily asks. Shes a handful of years older than Lily but she still manages to sound like a cranky old woman; Lily can form in her minds eye an image of Emily dressed in coveralls and buried under several hats and cowls. What kind of wood sealer do you want? Lily turns around again and checks Ralphs progress; hes gone from the front window. The kind I always get, Emily replies. Lily remains silent, and Emilys exhale scratches over the receiver. Olympic. Thanks. Its almost open, Lily says. Emily makes an affirmative, distracted sound and hangs up. Lily stuffs her phone back into her pocket, untroubled. Emilys great philosophy in life is that work comes first, conversation second. Its the opposite of Marianne, but Lily still finds it endearing. One minute after official opening time. Lily slips from the trucks hood and double checks that her gloves and sleeves meet over her wrists. She shuffles across the thin sheen of ice thats taken over the parking lot and tugs at the front door. Its open, and the bell gives an off-key tone somewhere above her. The cash register is empty; the shelves glare under the fluorescent lights. Lily tugs her hat lower over her face out of compulsion and makes for the far aisle that holds nails. The store hums around her; Ralph or Pete havent gotten to turning on the radio, so every sound Lily makes echoes back to her. The scuffs of her boots against linoleum become thunder. She hears the sound while scanning the selection of wood sealers. Its moist. Steady. Lily grows still, her right hand still hovering toward the cans. Her first thought is of the massive wolf-dog that Emily keeps. Its half wild, in Lilys mind, because Emily feeds it raw hunks of caribou meat. The sound the dog makes when it eats; that come to Lilys mind now. She lets her arm lower. The wet sounds stop, and its as if someone has sucked the air from her throat. She remains where she is, eyes glued to the cans of wood sealant and her legs just keeping her vertical. She remembers Cold Oak. A new sound ricochets off the walls, something thready and creaking. For a wild moment, Lily thinks it might be a laugh. The sound is like scissors snapping apart a straining thread. Her legs find their strength again and she stumbles for the front door. She drops the boxes of nails and ammo, and they firework across the floor, skittering underfoot and making her stumble. Her boots thud across the tiles, her breathing almost cant squeak down her trachea. She reaches the end of the aisle, turns left toward the front door. She snatches an impression of red when she passes the tools aisle. Her head darts over, and in a full-blown second, she sees a shape that looks like Ralph. It would be Ralph if he werent sprawled akimbo on the floor, if his head wasnt strained back so that she sees his face upside down. His expression has been twisted into something like a gargoyle. Things that are purple-red and ropy sprawl across the ground beside him. Ralph makes a sound; Lily realizes that hes alive. Then shes back to sprinting past displays of paint and copper wire and shes rounding the cash register and shes slamming into the front doors and they rattle back and forth instead of permitting her exit. She stares at the smudged glass then opens her mouth to scream and bashes her boots into the glass. A scuff behind her. Lily whirls around and almost chokes on her next inhale. Pete. Old, mustachioed Pete who tells poor jokes and has managed the store for as long as anyone can remember. Something red and gelatinous hangs from his white moustache; his arthritic hands have a second layer of viscera. Pete breathes in a regular rhythm, watching her with dark brown eyes. A pink tongue ventures out and swipes at the gelatinous thing. That, Pete says, is strange. Lilys throat has shut down. Pete clears his throat, spits something to the floor. It clinks; Lily glances down long enough to see a molar with crooked roots. I couldve sworn yall were gone, Pete says. Lily snaps her eyes back up. All cept the Winchester boy, course. But the rest of you, I heard you were already gone. Pete looks over Lily again with the same gentle bafflement shes seen when someone asks him for brands he doesnt recognize. He shakes his head in a way thats also familiar, like life is a grand mystery better left to bigger minds. Lily doesnt take time to think before she breaks to the right. She dives for a display of crowbars, grabs one, whirls around, and sees Pete strolling toward her when she slams the bar into the side of his skull. He doesnt seem to recognize the iron buried into his brain. He steps forward, one beefy hand comes up, and he grabs at a wrist. She jerks back, her sleeve tugs up, she feels the electrifying sensation of his rough, wet hands touching the skin of her wrist. She gapes, and he leans forward. I think Id like to keep an eye on you. His breath smells like sulfur, and as Lily watches, something black and thick starts to seep through his teeth. He lets go of her, and Lily stumbles back as her fingers loosen from the crowbar. She looses her balance. Pete starts to fall to his side. Something sharp and hard meets the back of her skull. *** Red and blue lights chitter over the ceiling. Lily watches them around the cotton someones stuffed in her brain. Hey. Hey. You okay? I dontno. Someone clatters to Lilys right. Im going to throw up in a minute. Lily tries to edge her eyes in one direction. They dont listen to her. That bad? Worse. Another shuffle. Put your head between your knees. Hands. Fingers seeking out a spot just beneath her jawbone. Lily convulses and screeches. Hey, hey, hon, shhh, youre okay. A face materializes above Lily, blurry with the shifting blue and red lights. EMTs wear gloves, her brain supplies like a teleprompter. No immediate threat. She just needs to pick the cotton out of her brain and slip away before something worse happens. Ralph is dead, she tells the face. It twists, looks to its right. Someone makes a gargling hum. We know, the face tells her. And you took a bash to the head. I just need to check your vitals. Is Pete dead? Lily asks. Someone barks nearby. Hes dead, a second voice says with a giggle. You nailed him. Frank. Im definitely puking. I need to go, Lily announces. If shes polite about it, maybe theyll slick the cotton from her brain for her and she can go home. The face tries to be kind; Lily can tell its just disquieted. *** Lily can be grateful once her head is screwed on better. Grateful for hospital protocol that requires nurses to wear latex gloves and the aura of the homicide woman she carries that makes people keep an extra few inches between themselves and her. All the better for both parties. Emily shows up at some point, is ushered away by the police, appears again under the glare of hospital light. Her face is flushed as a strawberry, her hair unruly where it escapes from her hat and scarves. They cant hold anything against you, she says while standing in the hospital room and dripping snowmelt from her steel-toed, manure-encrusted boots. Shes puffing up big and red with the heat of the building and the layers shes wrapped under. Lily would tell her to take off a scarf at least, but she can tell Emilys in too much of a state to listen. Self defense, Emily says in a husky, rattling voice. God, everyone can see what happened. No guessing here. They have security video, right? Thatll sort everything out. Self defense. Lily picks at the edge of her hospital gown and she thinks that Emilys fighting against everything not to stride over and do something like give a hug. Lily would appreciate it, but she knows better, so she recalibrates her body language, and Emily understands not to try it. The questioning from the police is straightforward; Emilys right. Not hard to piece together what happened. Lily is released from the hospital the next day, and Emily appears yet again to drive her home. Shes closer to her usual self, not so red, but she keeps glancing at Lily with the sort of ferocity Lily associates with the barn cat when it produces litters. When they pull into the gravel driveway, Lily realizes that another drift of snow has fallen in her absence. The little Cali girl inside her grins. The truck idles to a stop. Lily thanks Emily for the ride and says that she needs to have some time to herself. Emily cant argue with it, though Lily bets shed love to. Emily tells Lily to come up to the house if she needs anything, anything. *** The nightmares from Cold Oak run into the new ones from ACE hardware, and soon Lily spends her nights chasing Marianne through a ghost town and then down the tools aisle until she slips on Ralphs lungs. It pisses her off because shed puzzled out sleep just a year and a half ago and now shes been dumped into post-Cold Oak nonsense once again. Lily doesnt let herself think about what Pete said to her. It pings against her in a worse, sicker way than Ralphs organs. Its a sly nudge and wink from the universe that, guess what, Cold Oak wasnt a bad acid trip after all. Pete deserved a crowbar in the brain just for that. Hed deserve a second crowbar in the brain for Ralph, and then a third for an action much smaller and worse. A touch of skin against skin that has gouged something as ugly and unneeded as hope inside Lilys gut. She talks it out to herself while smoking menthols like a chimneystack and dropping the butts into a half-filled Red Bull. His hands were slicked up in blood and fluids. She cant assume too much about the nitty gritty of all this, but maybe it acted like a very thin glove. The one time she could have done with dropping someone dead, but thats her life. Or take a look at the bigger picture: Pete as something not alive and not human. What she gleaned from the other freaks in Cold Oak makes her think that Pete did not have to die from the crowbar buried in his skull. Something let Pete die. And if that were the case, it wouldnt give two shits about a heart giving out. Lily drinks the cigarette-studded Red Bull, falls into the couch, and watches TV. She wishes that Pete had survived so she could sneak into the hospital, slap her hand over his face, and satisfy herself with an answer. *** Lily wakes up to a sky soupy with clouds and a bottle fly battering itself against the window. Her hair is tangled in with pillows and a remote and her phone. She reaches out, drags it closer, squints for the time. A little after noon. She slithers to the ground and trudges to the bathroom. When she returns, the fly is still trying to crack itself open on the window. She watches it from across the room, her fingernails slipping across and catching at the sleeves of her shirt. The only sounds for several minutes are the fly and her nails roughing against fabric. Lily crosses the room in four strides. The fly is huge and unwieldy, sluggish from the cold, but it still scuttles away from her. She swipes at it a few times, but the fly flees to a far corner of the ceiling and disappears in shadows. Lily wipes a hand down her face and runs her left foot up and down her right calf. A ladder leans against the far wall. She shakes it out, examines the stains on its rungs, then looks at the corners of the cabin. Shes never been a stickler for tidiness, and sure enough, she can see a few spider webs undulating in the cabins currents. She roots out a flashlight. She finds a slender brown recluse crouched in the high corner of her bedroom. It remains motionless under the spotlight. Lilys heard of brown recluse bites that get bad. She wedges the flashlight between her cheek and shoulder, braces herself against the wall, and reaches out. The spider scrambled back; Lily changes tactics and angles for the spiders back legs. Her middle finger brushes something as thin and breakable as dust, and the spider explodes into motion. Lily watches the spider place itself as far back in the corner as it can and stare at her with reproach. Lily rubs the tips of her fingers together. She takes the flashlight from her chin and shoulder and eases her way back to the floor. She smokes half a pack and watches more TV. *** A week and a half after the morning at ACE hardware, Lauren from across town strangles her three children with an electric cord and is killed while resisting arrest. Emily makes the trip to Lilys cabin to tell her. They stand on either side of Lilys ajar door and contemplate Emilys wolf-dog snuffing at the snow and digging at hare tracks. Its strange, Emily says. She glances over as if Lily is going to provide some illumination. Lily lifts a hand and starts gnawing on her thumbnail. Theres stories, Emily continues. Bad winters. Cabin fever. Is this a bad winter? Emily sweeps her gaze over the smooth landscape of snow and distant hills stippled with pines. Ive seen worse, she says. But its not always the weather. Sometimes its just years that bring bad vapors with them. Thats the kind of thing my Nana would say. Lilys teeth catch on nerve endings; she pulls her thumb away and sees a flap of calloused skin and a bead of red. Yeah, Lily says, dropping the hand to her side. Bad vapors might be a good word for it. *** Lily usually doesnt venture to the set of barns down the lane. Too many expensive, living creatures there, and Emily has a hard enough time getting ends to meet. Today, though, the cabin has proved more grating than usual and the sun has made an appearance. Lily is weak-willed. The tabby with half an ear stalks toward her with its tail straight up when Lily enters. Three of its surviving kittens, all but adults now, are nowhere to be seen. Lily watches the tabby sniff at her boots and jeans, flick its good ear, and stalk away. She hasnt pet a cat or a dog in decades; she remembers it being therapeutic. Emily is in town on errands, so Lily seats herself on a filthy plastic tub and pulls out a pack of menthols. Shell clean up after herself; Emily doesnt need to know. The cats dart around the barn, only given away by the tip of a tail or a tawny eye. Out of sight, the horses huff at one another and stamp at the floor. Lilys eyelids hang at half-mast, lulled with the scent of hay and horse, when a scuffle and a squeak come from her left. She opens her eye and finds one of the kittens with a small brown lump beneath its paws. It lifts its head and stares at Lily. The lump squirms, the kitten looks back down, the lump breaks free. Lily is throwing herself forward before she can think. The mouse veers away from her, but Lily throws out a hand and nearly smashes it beneath her palm. Its warm, wriggling, alive in a way that thrusts something sharp up her gut and into her heart. Ten seconds, twenty seconds. A sharp sting that makes her jerk her hand back, and the mouse disappears underneath a shelf. Lily leans back on her heels and examines the beacon of red where the mouse bit her. She stands. Her knees are having trouble keeping her up. She crunches her eyes shut and something thick is starting at the bottom of her lungs and if she isnt careful its going to escape through her teeth like the thing inside Pete. She peels her eyes open; the kitten watches her with its tail curled over its paws. Lily holds out a hand and lets her legs slide into a crouch. The kittens ears swivel; it becomes curious enough to venture forward. When the cold nose touches Lilys fingers, she wants to leap back. She forces herself to remain still and watch, breathless, while the kitten smooths its head along her hand. Lily can feel the silkiness of the fur and the fine skull beneath a thin hide. She spreads her hand and the kitten bumps its head up again, this time angling for a full stroke along its back. The horses stir at the sound of someone sobbing. *** Over the next few days, Lily sneaks out to the barn every other hour to coax one of the barn cats to her. The kittens are bold about it, their mother watches from high beams and judges. She graduates to horses after three days, leaning against their warm flanks and scratching them behind the ears. One, an old gelding, starts to whinny to her in greeting when it smells her arrival. The wolf-dog takes longer, but it joins her one afternoon on her usual trek to the barn and she peels off her glove to sink her bare hand into its fur that feels like rough-spun silk. Shes seen nature documentaries of wild animals released in forests, how the ecologists open the cage and the animal stares out without comprehension of what its supposed to do. Lily feel like that, like a dumb, mangy tiger thats spent so long pacing concrete and being fed pellets that, when given freedom, shes going to wander for about a week and then die. She shuttles between the barn and her cabin and doesnt dare consider how the world has blown to its proper size around her. *** At the end of January, they get word that one of the local school kids nearly killed a classmate in a fistfight. The classmate is still in serious condition. The school kid went home after being suspended and fell down a flight of steps, snapping his neck. Emily starts dropping by more often with supplies or to tell Lily shes heading into town, does she want anything? Lily wonders if Emily is starting to worry that the reclusive woman living in her cabin might be the next one to snap. On a Thursday morning, with the snow falling in a light hiss, Lily is sitting by her front window with a mug of coffee and her laptop. Down the lane, she sees Emilys faded green truck rolling up. Lily watches her park just outside her house and make three trips to carry in her groceries. On her last trip, Emily looks to the cabin. Lily remains still, but she doesnt think Emily can see her. Emily remains motionless for several more seconds, her hair escaping from her scarf, then turns and trudges toward her house again. Lily rises from her seat and goes to dump her coffee in the sink and clean some of the dishes that have been accumulating. She starts to hum, and that startles her. The knock comes in early afternoon when the sun has already taken its leave. She can see the edge of Emilys coat through the window. Hey, Emily says when Lily opens the door. She puffs a little, tugging her jacket. Im trying to use up the last of the ground beef in the fridge and theres too much for one person. Lily crosses her arms. A mangy tiger eying the world and not trusting it for a minute. She hasnt left the cabin at all except to go to the barn. Emily takes a shuffle back. Okay, Lily says. She turns, her hair scraggling into her face. Let me find my coat and boots. They trudge through the descending dark to Emilys house. Lilys been in it once before, the first time she came to look at the cabin. Its spare and practical with a few flashes of art that look like heirlooms: two old portraits of a man and woman in clothing from a century past, a massive piece of scrimshaw etched into a walrus tusk, a thick blanket that looks homemade. Emily ushers her in, all red from the cold. She keeps being red while she pulls plates from the cabinets in her thick socks and University of Alaska sweatpants. Lily fidgets on the other corner of the room, following the muscle memory that keeps Emily at a safe distance. The beef has been made into a thick stew that warms Lily down to her core. She shovels it down; Emily looks on, pleased. They wash dishes afterwards with the radio humming in the background, and Lily continues to dance out of reach. Lily wonders if she could touch Emily even if she wanted to, or if her body would jerk her away at the last second. The radio station, a local one, announces that, police are encouraging people to report suspicious activity. Emily reaches out and flicks the radio off. Fear mongering, she announces, stroking a flyaway hair from her face and going back to the dishes with a curl to her lips. Folks get paranoid around here pretty quick. Lily doesnt speak; she places a dried mug on its hook. Emily glances up, and her ponytail swings. Dont guess that you signed up for this; buncha murders in a little town. Should have seen it coming, more like, Lily says. She pauses, aware of how that sounds. Emily keeps scrubbing at her plate. I came here cause of someone dying. She curls her toes up in her socks. Uh. My girlfriend. Emily slows. She lifts her head, and something sharp is in her eyes now. Lily keeps her expression placid. Emilys hands start moving again. Sorry to hear that. It was over a decade ago, now, Lily says. Her name was Marianne. Pretty name. I accidentally killed her. Emily straightens; the plate clinks against the sinks sides. My moms dead and my dads pretty much gone. She was the only real family I had. And then I killed her. Emilys lips purse a little. How? she asks. Lily smiles. I gave her a heart attack. Emilys expression clears. Oh, gosh, those things just happen. You cant blame yourself for heart attacks. I can for this one. Lily pats her pockets for a menthol, but she finished the last pack yesterday. She brings up her thumb to bite at the nail. Emily shakes her head and places a hand on her hips. Is that why you left California? Spending all your time in an old cabin? Cause you feel guilty for someones heart attack? Sure. Dumbass. Emily blows another strand of hair from her face. Whats that done for you? Not gotten anyone else killed, for one. Emily jabs at the radio. Theres some dangerous things going around this town, she says. Right now, last thing you want to do is hole yourself up alone where the winter can get you. Lily doesnt answer; she fixes her eyes on Emilys shoulder. Ive been thinking about this, Emily continues. And I have a spare bedroom. You could sleep there until things calm down. Lily cuts her gaze to Emilys face again. Until spring? Emily shrugs. If thats what it takes. *** Lily agrees. Its like diving off the edge of a cliff, but she agrees. Emily helps her carry essentials from the cabin to a small, dusty room with a faded comforter. And still Lilys hands know how to fly away from the bare skin on Emilys body. Shes starting to recognize the aching in the pit of her chest for what it is. *** Life takes on a new tempo made of small conversations over breakfast and sharing house duties. Emily is a large, assuring presence, and Lily realizes several days later that she hasnt bought a new pack of menthols yet. February marches on and no new attacks filter through the radio, but Lily has touched Emilys sweater sleeve and made something hot splatter against her own innards nonetheless. Then, on Valentines Day, a woman enters a crowded grocery store with an axe. Lily hears the news break over the radio while working on her laptop. She freezes, listening to the announcer list out the known deaths in a breathless voice. She yanks on her coat and boots and goes out to find Emily. She uncovers her in the barn with the old cars and passes on the news. Emily grunts, sets down the tools shed been cleaning, and they trek up to the house together. The rest of the afternoon, they sit together at the table and listen to the statistics unfold. Two dead. Five dead. No, four dead. Statistics unknown. The killer has been identified as a local named Dolores Kinman, aged 57. Emily has a red, chapped hand covering the lower half of her mouth as she listens, her eyes squinting. When they announce Dolores name, she reaches out and flicks off the radio. In the silence, they both realize it has begun to snow. Dolores works at the bank, Emily says. She helped me get a loan a year ago. She and my mom used to organize church things together. Lily watches her face, limned in light from the other room. Emilys eyes have grown extra facets; one of her big hands searches for Lilys in the darkness. Lily freezes and then something rough and hot brushes at her wrist. The world blanks out. Emily will make a weird thin gasp, shell slump, shell choke on her own tongue. Lily will need to call the ambulance; maybe they can bring her back. Dont remember winters being this bad, Emily says. Lily cracks open, and Emily starts at the sound she produces. A weird thin gasp, then a high whine that rivals the wind outside. Emilys hand curls over Lilys and shes warm, shes warm, shes warm. Lily inhales so hard her lungs burn. She cant see through the tears at all. A chair scrapes; Lilys knee is pressed against her thigh. Two hands roam over her back, her shoulders, her face, brush at her hair. Lily wants to scream because its too much. She gropes, her hands find the shell of an ear and coarse hair. Fingers with calloused tips brush over the back of Lilys neck, a pair of dry, chapped lips land on her cheek. Lily turns her head and its a kiss. Its a goddamn kiss. Shes going to die. *** Lily floats back into her body to find a dark ceiling and a blanket over her. Emily is sitting beside her, her arms wrapped around her shins. The only light comes from a small bedside lamp. Lily shifts; Emily looks down. You sort of got loopy, she reports. I havent kissed anyone in years, Lily confesses. Emily half smiles then looks to the bedrooms window, her ponytail swinging. What? Dolores never got arrested, Emily says in a low, casual voice. And the dog was barking half an hour ago until he stopped. Lilys stomach drops, but its into a space of odd calm. Cold Oak happened, and she walked away from that. She pushes herself to a sit and sees that Emilys shotgun is sitting beside her on the bed. She hooks an arm through Emilys; Emily turns a little to press a kiss to the corner of Lilys mouth. She doesnt think this is the proper way to do these things, but she doesnt see how to change it. Hang on, Lily orders. She slips from the bed and pads across the room to the window. She parts the blinds just enough to peer through. Nothing but a gentle, blue curve of snowy hills. Emily watches as Lily does the same for the other windows, then gets up from the bed and follows her when she goes into the hall. Together, they check each window. At the small window in the living room, the one that looks over the front drive, Lily pauses. Something hot and metallic is in her mouth, but when she swipes her tongue over her teeth, theres nothing. She squints out at the front drive; now her fingers tingle. She smells sulfur. Ah. There. Easy to miss her. Just a small shape among a host of shadows, but the moonlight catches at blue rinsed hair sometimes. Lily can almost see it smile at her through Dolores soft wrinkles. Lily stares back; the metallic taste and the tingling grow, but she doesnt think theyre something she ought to be frightened of. Lily turns to Emily, and she must have enough in her expression for Emilys inhale to sharpen. Lily takes her bare hand. I have some things you need to know. -end This blog is now retired. Takin (Sichuan subspecies) All of the various kinds of caprine that I have described so far in this series have looked, more or less, ei... The kitchens often a room to experiment with decor, as well as food and drink. Over the years weve seen yellow, turquoise, avocado green, greige and white take their turn as favored hues. But right now, black is back. It makes perfect sense, style-wise, says New York City designer Elaine Griffin. We began seeing the rise of black appliances as sleek and stylish non-white alternatives to pricier stainless options at the new millennium, and black as the new neutral wall color has been gaining popularity over the past decade. You can go ultramodern or traditional when bringing black into the kitchen. High-end, Euro-style lacquered cabinetry from companies like Boffi, Poliform and Bulthap is sleek and sexy. Marble countertops and geometric fixtures can create a glamorous, jewel-box kitchen, great for entertaining. Put the hue on Shaker-style cabinets, add rustic French tile, smooth quartz counters and hand-rubbed brass fittings, and youve got a sophisticated space. Or add a walnut or maple slab island and saddle leather stools for an industrial look. A few things to remember if youre going to get a black kitchen right: Contrast is key. Going overboard with black will get you a kitchen that resembles a bad mall hair salon, says Griffin. Use black on the cabinets and a paler hue on counters and floors, or vice versa. Maria Killam, a color expert and designer in Vancouver, British Columbia, agrees. Make sure your floors and countertops are very light to balance and contrast the super-dark cabinets. Working with black is a balancing act and requires some skill, she advises. Simple white tile with black grout is a great way to get some light in the space and give a nod to classic kitchens. Killam suggests including wood elements like a butcher-block island countertop. Wood lower cabinets would work with black countertops and upper shelving, for example. I would keep the wood finishes as natural as possible ... and relatively pale so the overall effect isnt too heavy, she says. Ikea offers the Sektion kitchen cabinets in black, and there is a range of coordinating black kitchen fittings there too, including drawer pulls, storage items and trash cans. (www.ikea.com) You can repaint existing cabinetry if youre budget-conscious. Consider Benjamin Moores Midsummer Night, Sherwin-Williams Black Fox, Valspars Raven Black or Behrs Black Suede. Many shades of black pick up other hues in an interesting way midnight blues, chocolates and sooty grays, for example. Choose the right finish: Save the glossy paint for trim or youll be swabbing fingerprints forever. Like a little black dress, accessories make a statement in a black kitchen, so choose your hardware and fixtures with care, advises Griffin. Polished or antiqued brass and black is a white-hot finish option right now, for both contemporary and traditional looks. Add a cool stool; Houzz has a big selection. Recent offerings include stools with chic, slim hairpin legs, as well as comfy-looking upholstered ones, and several stools in snazzy hues like red, orange and blue. (www.houzz.com) Embossed or painted concrete, sculpted limestone, pressed tin, or wallpaper would be striking complements to black cabinetry and fittings. Add an Art Deco touch to a black kitchen with Giorbellos Water Jet glass tiles. Daltiles Bamboo Forest faux wood tile would be a durable, style-savvy backsplash or floor. Italian ceramic tile maker Fap has a matte-black subway tile in its new Boston collection. (www.wayfair.com, www.italytile.com) The right lighting is important in a black kitchen. Killam likes skylights and large windows to take advantage of natural light. To avoid what Griffin calls black hole syndrome, install lights at multiple height levels: ceiling, pendant, under-cabinet and even counter top lamps. Lamps Plus has forged-iron and rubbed-bronze chandeliers and pendants. Hudson Valley Lightings Lydney polished black nickel pendant would work well in any style of kitchen. (www.lampsplus.com, www.hudsonvalleylighting.com) Those who like the idea of black but are tentative might consider introducing one or two black elements. Chicago design studio KitchenLab has used black accents like islands, lighting, kitchen ladders and window treatments. (www.kitchenlabdesign.com) Artwork and textiles incorporating black with brights, whites, or subtle neutrals like sage, putty and cream add drama. Instead of paint, consider black appliances. GEs got a slate, French-door refrigerator with a smudge-resistant finish. Ikea offers a black cooktop. Upscale brands like AGA and Le Cornue have black enameled stoves. Jenn-Airs Obsidian fridge has a black interior, ostensibly making even the humblest leftovers look magazine-worthy. Wayfair stocks a broad range of black faucets by Moen, Delta and Kohler, in matte or satin finishes. (www.wayfair.com) Its been 40 years since Barbara and Paul Huntington packed up their bags and moved to Longview from Oregon, but Barbara remembers it well. When we told his father we were moving up here out of college, hes like, Well youre just going home, she said. Pauls father, Fred Huntington, was referring to the familys deep roots in Cowlitz County, which date back to before Washington even became a territory became a territory in 1853. The familys rich historical connections offered a foundation for Barbara and Paul to build a life here, as they raised two children (Darby and Heidi), ran a travel company and participated in clubs. The Huntingtons settled in the Lower Columbia region in the late 1840s, traveling in covered wagons from Indiana. Pauls ancestor, Harry Darby Huntington, established a town called Monticello near the mouth of the Cowlitz River in 1848, according to family records published by the Cowlitz Historical Society in the book The History of Cowlitz County. Paul said Harry Darbys descendants sold the land to the Long-Bell Lumber Co., which established Longview in 1923. When Paul joined the 23 Club in the 1970s, he used to joke with other members about the club names reference to the founding of Longview. When you talk about 23 Club, we were here to sell you the land! You arent anything special, he quipped. In 1852, Harry Darby hosted the Monticello Convention near modern day Longview, where Oregon Territory settlers met to draft a petition asking the federal government to establish a separate territory north of the Columbia River. The petitioners wanted the new territory called Columbia, but when Congress established the territory in 1853, the name was changed to Washington. (Washington became a state in 1889.) Harry Darbys oldest son, Edwin, married Annoinette Baker. According to records in the The History of Cowlitz County, Annoinette was one of Mercer Maids, a group of women who were lured from the East Coast by Asa Mercer to bring education and refinement to the Washington territory in the 1860s. Mercer, the first president of the University of Washington, famously brought over female teachers to the Northwest to balance the gender ratio in a region dominated by male fishers and loggers. Annoinette later moved to the Cowlitz Valley to work as a teacher and eventually became the first female superintendent in the Washington territory, according to The History of Cowlitz County. Edwin and Annoinettes son, Fred, grew up and moved to Lane County, Oregon, to start a shingle company. Thats where Paul and Barbara were raised before they married and attended Oregon State University to study business. Although Paul didnt grow up in Longview, he had fond memories of attending family reunions here and thought it would be a nice place to start a family. Their son, Darby, was named after the late Harry Darby Huntington, but most people they met never realized the historical significance until they moved here in 1965. The first day we were up here, someone asked (my son) his name and he said he was Darby Huntington and they said, Oh thats a famous name here. and he just beamed, she recalled. Since then, the couple has lived in the same house on Kessler Boulevard overlooking Lake Sacajawea. Paul said he enjoys sitting on the porch talking with passersby and driving his collector classic cars around the lake. Our kids whole lives growing up has been in one location. And a we have very good neighbors, Paul said. Many of the homes in the Old West Side area have stayed within the same families for years, Barbara added. She was a homemaker while her kids were growing up, and Paul worked in the insurance industry. Later the two started a travel company that they ran for a decade to parallel their involvement in the Friendship Force, a nonprofit cultural exchange program. The travel businesses enabled them to visit every continent except Antarctica. Ive been fortunate enough to travel around the world, Paul said, but its always good to get home. It may have looked like just another evening outside Lower Columbia Colleges vocational building Thursday night. But inside, bright blue and orange sparks flew as dozens of high school students shaped, bent, cut and joined steel during the colleges ninth annual welding competition. The contest promotes the welding trades among young adults and exposes students to tools and techniques that may be absent from their high school classrooms. It also give area high school teachers a chance to network, swap ideas and keep up-to-date with industry standards, instructors say. Quite a camaraderie that has developed through all of this, and its been a lot fun. Weve made a lot of good relationships, said Randy Byrum, welding instructor at LCC. The competition drew 30 students from 10 high schools in Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis and Wahkiakum counties and one in Portland. Almost 20 sponsors donated prizes such grinders, toolboxes and painting supplies. During the event, students shifted among six different stations, making sample cuts and welds that were rated by two judges. This year there was only 1.5 points difference between the first and third place winners, Byrum said. The team from Kelso High School took home the first-place trophy. Portlands Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center took second place and Winlock High School took third. Weve really seen students cutting skills increase over the years, Byrum said. Teachers have really stepped it up. Kalama High School vocational teacher Neal Rodman said the competition has motivated his students. My kids didnt do real well last year and so they said, Next year well do better. Kalama senior Levi Moore said hes improved since last years competition. He hopes to attend Perry Technical Institute in Yakima and eventually use his welding skills in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) field. I just like that welding is practical. Its always going to be needed, Levi said while holding on a chunk of steel with thick blue gloves. His friend and fellow senior, 18-year old Trevor Hensley, said hes thinking about attending Perry Tech or getting additional welding training in the military. I like the idea of having the power to combine material in my hands, Trevor said, smiling under the sweat of his welding helmet. It takes a special skill to do that. LCC student Michelle Peck agreed. You need that artistic eye in welding, she said. The 31 year old from Longview is in her second quarter at the college. She recently switched her focus from becoming a medical assistant to welder. I want to apply my artistic ability, while making money and staying in my hometown, Peck said. Local industry leaders are hoping more students will follow suit. Finding qualified welders with a good work ethic, the right certifications and a drug-free lifestyle is a consistent problem locally, industry leaders say. Julie Nelson, president of American Workforce, an employment placement agency, said she has had five welding positions open for more than a month. Comparatively lower salaries in Cowlitz County make welding jobs here less attractive to people willing to commute for work. Nelson said most of her entry-level welding jobs start at $15 to $18 an hour, whereas Vancouver and Portland jobs may start at $18 to $22 an hour. People ... are driving down to Vancouver or Portland to work, and its hard for us to bring people from Vancouver or Portland, she said. Many manufacturers, suffering from global competition, dont feel like they can boost wages significantly, Nelson added. At the same time, she said manufacturing jobs have picked up in recent months. Its common for welders to travel for work to major construction projects, said Kirk Reinbold, instructor at Toutle Lake High School. Theres always a need for it. Its a platform you can use in many jobs, whether its fabrication or construction, Reinbold said. LCC student Rusty Roberts, 48, said for years he thought was a pretty good welder, until he attended LCC. I could get two pieces held together before I wasnt doing it right until I came here, Roberts said, smiling. After helping students at the competition, he joked that he was envious of the high schoolers talent. I like to see their ambition, and theyre all respectful, Robert said. I wish I could have welded like that at that age. "We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844 hidden A new smartphone application that helps Iranians dodge the Islamic Republic's "morality police" is proving popular with the young, tech-savvy population but has quickly fallen foul of the authorities. The Gershad app allows users who spot checkpoints set up by the morality police, who enforce Islamic dress and behaviour codes, to tag their location on a Google map with an icon of a bearded man, enabling others to steer clear of them. The app was blocked by the authorities soon after it was released for Android devices on Monday but many Iranians bypass Internet restrictions by using a Virtual Private Network. It is already trending on social media and has received almost 800 reviews on the Google Play app store, nearly all of them positive, although Google Play does not show how many times Gershad had been downloaded. Gershad is seen by some as setting a precedent for "digital protest" in Iran as elections loom and the country emerges from years if isolation following the lifting of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear programme. "Technology has created an amazing opportunity to forge a cooperative solution to common social problems," Gershad's secretive creators said in an email exchange with Reuters. Gershad is a contraction of the full title of the Gashte Ershad (guidance patrol), which is part of efforts to purge Western culture from the country following the Islamic revolution which overthrew a Western-backed king in 1979. "For years the morality police have been causing disturbances for Iranian women," the Gershad team said. "Avoiding them in the streets, metro stations and in shopping malls is challenging and tiresome." Iranian officials have not commented on Gershad but state broadcaster IRIB said the app had been written about on social media and "networks opposed to the (Islamic) revolution". "This is an innovative idea and I believe it will lead to many other creative apps which will address the gap between society and government in Iran," said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. Ghaemi said the app's developers were based outside Iran but had grown up in the country and experienced the problem first hand. "It's really an indigenous product... these are the kind of people who have been stopped at checkpoints," he said. Digital protest Gershad is an example of how young Iranians are turning to technology to circumvent checks on their everyday lives. "It's showing a trend in digital protest... I see it as a precedent for future apps of its kind," said Amir-Esmaeil Bozorgzadeh, a Dubai-based consultant for app makers in the Iranian market. Gershad does not describe itself as a form of protest, but its website describes it as a "social movement" and asks: "Why should we give up the most basic right of choosing what clothes to wear?" An online video advert shows patrol members, rendered as dopey-looking cartoon figures, fidgeting impatiently at a checkpoint as the app diverts the flow of pedestrians away from them. "Wander freely!" says the tagline. Smartphone messaging applications are popular in Iran, where half of the population is aged under 25. Young Iranians use apps to share news and jokes that would not be allowed in the tightly controlled traditional media. A recent poll suggested that about 20 million Iranians, around a quarter of Iran's population, use Telegram, a messaging app with a focus on privacy and security. Many young Iranians hope the lifting of the nuclear-related sanctions last month will be accompanied by an easing of cultural restrictions, particularly if an election on Feb. 26 ushers in a more moderate legislature. But hardliners in the establishment have moved to block any relaxation of the Islamic Republic's social rules, warning of the "infiltration" of Western culture. Thousands of moderate and reformist candidates have been barred from standing in the elections. Security Gershad's interactive map at times shows dozens of checkpoints in Tehran and other Iranian cities but also flags checkpoints in London and Los Angeles, showing the potential unreliability of data provided by an online community. Some Iranians have expressed concern on social media about Gershad's digital security in a country where the authorities frequently arrest social media users for sharing what they regard as "immoral" or "subversive" content. The developers said they were working to better detect false reports. They said their servers were based outside Iran and that they do not collect user information when users report checkpoint locations. Gershad's website says it uses Psiphon, a Canadian-made app designed to circumvent censorship. Psiphon co-founder Michael Hull said his company's technology allows users in Iran to open an encrypted connection to Gershad's servers outside the country, making their activity harder to block or detect. "Once they have that tunnel, the traffic that's going back and forth is just mixed in with the rest of the Psiphon network," Hull said. Reuters hidden Mechanical engineers from University of Wisconsin-Madison are developing an innovative energy harvesting and storage technology that can reduce reliance on batteries in mobile devices and charge your smartphone as you walk. Tom Krupenkin, professor of mechanical engineering, and senior scientist J Ashley Taylor described a technology that could capture the energy of human motion to power mobile electronic devices. This could enable a footwear-embedded energy harvester that captures energy produced by humans during walking and stores it for later use. The technology could prove useful for the military as soldiers carry heavy batteries to power their radios, GPS units and night-vision goggles in the field. "Human walking carries a lot of energy. Theoretical estimates show that it can produce up to 10 watts per shoe and that energy is just wasted as heat. A total of 20 watts from walking is not a small thing, especially compared to the power requirements of the majority of modern mobile devices," explained Krupenkin. Krupenkin said tapping into just a small amount of that energy is enough to power a wide range of mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptop computers and flashlights. A typical smartphone requires less than two watts of energy. "We have been developing new methods of directly converting mechanical motion into electrical energy that are appropriate for this type of application," Krupenkin noted in a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports. The researchers are using "reverse electrowetting" -- a phenomenon under which mechanical energy is directly converted into electrical energy when a conductive liquid interacts with a nanofilm-coated surface. The engineers are looking for industry to commercialise the technology through their startup company, InStep NanoPower. IANS Memories about the death of a very successful chain due to too much leverage and a sister brand that failed to keep up with the changing times. The Bennigans Brand failed and caused the eventual failure of Steak and Ale.I was just reviewing the Neighborhood Calendar (Click on calendar for a larger view) and I saw where one of my favorite groups Banks and Shane is back again at our clubhouse on February 20. They have been around for many years and I have posted about them here on BCN. Kathy Manos Penn has also commented and posted about them in her Blog located here. It reminded me of my first time seeing them at the Steak and Ale in 1970's. My best friend and I with our wives were at Steak and Ale for dinner and show when his wife went into labor with the birth of their first child. They of course left for the hospital, but being such great friends my wife and I stayed until the show was over before we went to the hospital for the birth.The restaurant and Bar business is a very unforgiving and competitive business. I have known several owners and the margin is razor thin on food and bar revenue usually is the profit driver. The money is in the franchise end of the business where you take a cut and let others run the business and take the risk. I had two friends who worked for a very successful restaurant chain and decided that they knew better how to do it. They opened a Casual Dining restaurant and were successful for about a year. By successful, I mean that they had pretty good crowds. Unfortunately, crowds do not equate to profit. Both ended up closing or selling the business to the next "Wanna Be".Add to that the changing environment of a fickle public and most non fast food chains eventually go through a 5-7 year cycle before becoming irrelevant. Each one seems to think they have a unique approach. Bennigans, Oh Charlies, TGIF, Applebee's, Hard Rock Cafe, Houlihan's, Planet Hollywood.and lastlyMost of these places with the exception of the last one have the same menu and motif but they keep popping up with a "New Experience" for each and every customer. But every now and then there is a great concept that should have survived but got caught up in the financial roulette game that is the restaurant and bar business.What has all this to do with the Steak and Ale restaurant chain? Maybe nothing, but I always thought that it had the proper mix between good food, good ambiance and pricing to make a successful go. It too went down the drain as a result of excessive debt. by the parent company. Last year I read an article (here) that said the original founder had bought the Bennigans and Steak and Ale name and assets back with intentions of re-establishing their presence in the marketplace. Good luck, I do not care about Bennigans but I do miss the Steak and Ale experience.Here is a thirty (30) second add from 1978 which might bring back some memories for you.Since I no longer partake of alcoholic beverages and cannot do justice to a big steak, I still look forward to the possible re-opening of the Old Location near Northlake Mall in Atlanta. This is a recent (2015) Google Street view of that location which has been vacant since 2008 closing. I wonder if the Salad Bar will be as good as it was then? The Roving Unofficial Fluff Reporter Bobby Tony Earlier, 2 assailants hurled rocks at cars near Jenin. Forces arrived & were fired upon by assailant. Soldiers responded & shot attackers. IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) February 14, 2016 BREAKING NEWS: 2 Arab terrorists shot dead after opening fire towards IDF jeep in northern Shomron, no injuries. pic.twitter.com/DtSJdjOrH9 Breaking Israel News (@BIsraelN) February 14, 2016 BREAKING PHOTO: M-16 rifle Arab terrorists used in the shooting attack in northern Shomron, terrorists shot dead. pic.twitter.com/7SMxc7KDY2 Breaking Israel News (@BIsraelN) February 14, 2016 FACE OF TERRORISTS: Shot dead earlier by Israeli forces after opening fire towards IDF jeep in northern of Shomron. pic.twitter.com/EekXMGXviJ Breaking Israel News (@BIsraelN) February 14, 2016 TERROR ATTACK FOILED: Palestinian terrorist attempting to stab Israelis at Mizmoria checkpoint, shot dead by IDF. pic.twitter.com/zmxBv6Nqnr Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) February 14, 2016 HEBRON - TERROR: Female Arab terrorist shot and critically wounded, moments after attempted stabbing attack. pic.twitter.com/tRavv5cGme Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) February 14, 2016 Police thwart attempted stabbing in Hebron https://t.co/RhjLzt3JdM The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) February 14, 2016 Animated video clip encourages Palestinians to carry out stabbing and car-ramming attacks. https://t.co/CCvBROdu71 Khaled Abu Toameh (@KhaledAbuToameh) February 14, 2016 BREAKING - JERUSALEM: Two Arab terrorists shot, moments after attempted shooting/stabbing attack near Damascus Gate. pic.twitter.com/5Sr33Bk5a6 Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) February 14, 2016 TERROR - JERUSALEM: 2 Arab terrorists shot after attempting to carry out terror attack near Damascus Gate. pic.twitter.com/3iLZkSsOst Israel News Flash (@ILNewsFlash) February 14, 2016 Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy About Me Sharone Stainforth This is me, aboard the Apollo in 1968/69. I am the young blonde girl in the middle singing to L. Ron Hubbard, at the time in a condition of Liability.This is a snapshot of the original photo, which can be seen on my blog.I was one of the original Commadores Messengers, and whilst that title has little meaning for me, i expect facts to be true, and there is little true in the facts of Scientology. View my complete profile Blog Archive Junkyard Laser Focus Altbier. 5.3 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. And here we have the first appearance in the Nib of a 16 ounce ... Zia Orphanage case: SC rejects Khaleda`s leave-to-appeal petition The Supreme Court (SC) on Sunday rejected the leave-to-appeal petition filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia against a High Court order on a plea for scrapping testimony of the plaintiff in the Zia Orphanage Trust case. A five-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice SK Sinha passed the order. Khaleda on September 16, 2015, filed the leave-to-appeal petition with the SC against the HC order. After the SC order, Anti-Corruption Commission's lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan said there was no more legal bar to continue the trial proceedings of Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Earlier on June 29, 2015, HC rejected the petition filed by Khaleda for scrapping the testimony of Harun-or-Rashid and recording his fresh statement in her presence at the court. The bench comprising Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan passed the order, saying there was nothing illegal in recording the statement of the IO, Harun-or-Rashid, in the graft case. Khaleda can cross-examine the IO and therefore, she can find out whether he has given wrong statement. On June 15 last year, the BNP chief filed the criminal revision petition with the HC against the rejection of her petition by the lower court. Earlier on May 25, a Dhaka court rejected the defence lawyers petition for scraping the deposition given by the plaintiff of the case on six dates in absence of accused Khaleda. On July 3, 2008, the ACC filed the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case with Ramna Police Station accusing Khaleda Zia, her eldest son Tarique Rahman, now living in the UK after securing bail, and four others for misappropriating over Tk2.10 crore which came as grants from a foreign bank for orphans. On August 5, 2010, Harunur Rashid submitted a charge-sheet to the court in the case against six people, including BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. -- Dhaka, Feb 14 (UNB) Republican contenders say no court nominee for Obama Republican presidential candidates (L-R) Ohio Governor John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz , Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ben Carson stand on stage during GOP Debate on Saturday. AP, Greenville : Republican White House hopefuls called for President Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, in a debate jolted by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination" - but added that he didn't expect Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage on Saturday night urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," businessman Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." Just six contenders took the debate stage in South Carolina, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier Republican events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge Trump and Cruz. Many Republican leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton said at a dinner in Denver that Obama has the right to nominate another justice. He "is president of the United States until January 20, 2017. That is a fact my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not." "Let's get on with it," said challenger Bernie Sanders, arguing that the Senate should vote on whoever Obama nominates. Trump and Bush tangled in some of the night's most biting exchanges, highlighting the bad blood between the real estate mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Trump accused Bush's brother - former President George W Bush - of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Trump said. Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Trump, said that while he doesn't mind the real estate mogul criticizing him - "It's blood sport for him" - he is "sick and tired of him going after my family." Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. Former President George W. Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston on Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Candidates used Scalia's sudden death to raise the stakes for the general election. Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. An uncompromising conservative, Cruz urged voters to consider who among the Republican candidates would nominate the most ideologically pure justices. Saturday's debate came one week before South Carolina's primary. Cruz and Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Ohio Gov. John Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his Republican-led Legislature. Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. Farmers disappointed in eight dists in Rangpur Divn The farmers of Rangpur Division are disappointed as the price of Aman paddy has decreased drastically in eight districts under the division due to acute transportation problem caused by prolonged blockade and shutdown. The farmers of the region became ecstatic to witness an excellent yield of aman this season but their ecstasy faded away when they found its lower price in local markets. They are incurring huge losses as they are being deprived of fair prices of their produce, sources said. According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources , Aman paddy was cultivated on some 10,46,900 hectares of land in 8 districts under the division this season and farmers got a bumper production of the paddy. But owing to its plummeting price they have become disheartened, sources also said. Many farmers said paddy price has dropped to Tk 70 to Tk 80 per maund because of continuous blockade and shutdown. If the situation continues price of paddy may fall further they apprehended. A number of farmers alleged that taking advantage of the situation a section of unscrupulous big rice traders and hoarders are purchasing it from local markets at much cheaper rate to stock. At present Aman is being sold at Tk 640 to Tk 650 per maund (40 kg) at local markets against its previous rate of Tk 710 to Tk730 per maund before blockade, sources said. Harun (45), a farmer of Baniapara village at Taraganj upazila in Rangpur told The New Nation that paddy was sold for Tk 720 to 730 per maund before but at present the price has come down to Tk 640 to Tk 650 . Despite low price they are being compelled to sell it in order to manage expenses for potato and other Robi crops cultivation, he added. Many other farmers of different areas under the region also echoed the same tone. Many rice traders said that paddy price has reduced severely as supply from Rangpur to other parts of the country including Natore, Iswardi, Jessore, pabna has remained suspended for long because of frequent blockades and shutdown. Expressing disgruntlement a good number of Small and poor farmers alleged that they had to take loan from local money lenders and NGOs for cultivating aman paddy. But due to its lower price they are in uncertainty about repaying the loan, they added. Selima Ahmad selects for Uganda election observer Economic Reporter : Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (BWCCI) President Selima Ahmad has been selected for Uganda election observer mission of Commonwealth. Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, will lead a team of Commonwealth election observers to Uganda for the country's general elections, scheduled for 18 February. Selima Ahmad is one of the team members. Here as a team member she will observe the preparations for the election, the polling, counting and the results process, and the overall electoral environment. She will also assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the strengthening of the electoral system in Uganda, which will help her to have a very significant experience. She along with the team will determine in her own judgment whether the elections have been conducted according to standards to which Uganda has committed, including domestic law and relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international standards. The observers act impartially in their own independent capacity, and will be bound by the International Declaration of Principles for Election Observation, to which the Commonwealth is a signatory. The Observer Group will comprise 13 eminent persons led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Chairperson, and Senator Amos Wako of Kenya as Vice-Chairperson. The group is supported by a staff support team from the Commonwealth Secretariat headed by Ms Nishana Jayawickrama. Danish envoy calls on Planning Minister Danish ambassador in Dhaka Hanne Fugl Eskjer yesterday paid a courtesy call on Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal at his ministry office. During the meeting, they discussed various bilateral issues including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and investment environment in the country, said a release. Kamal said Denmark is the country's genuine friend and the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Denmark is on rise. Bangladesh, he said, has achieved remarkable progress in various sectors under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The present government has taken a good number of initiatives to make the country as an investment hub, he added. He also called upon the Danish government to invest in Bangladesh as the government has taken investment-friendly policy. The Danish envoy lauded the government's ongoing development activities. Poor countries get smaller share of foreign aid Tom Murphy : The world's poorest countries are getting poorer when it comes to expanding global foreign aid spending, shows new data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Global official development assistance grew to $137.2 billion in 2014, beating out the all-time high set in 2013. But money going to the least developed countries fell by $2 billion and its overall share was at a decade-low. "What a depressing start to the new year," said Adrian Lovett, Europe executive director for The ONE Campaign, in a statement. "Last year, world leaders promised to reverse the decline in aid to the least developed countries. Instead, it has got worse - and increasing numbers of refugees in 2015 means the problem has almost certainly got even more serious." Excluding debt relief, the increase in development assistance is even more significant from 2013 to 2014. But that more readily available money, as well as already allocated sums, were in response to the growing refugee crisis affecting the countries surrounding Syria. Domestic refugee costs grew by $1.8 billion between the two years, and potentially grew by more in 2015. The ONE Campaign advocated for more money to least-developed countries earlier this year, in part a response to preliminary OECD numbers. A report by the advocacy group stressed the need to provide more assistance to poor countries given that the burden of the world's poor will shift towards them over the next 15 years. "If the point of official development assistance is to help countries develop and meet basic needs, increases in spending will be needed sooner than at the end of the [Sustainable Development Goals in 2030]," said Sara Harcourt, policy director for ONE, in an interview with Humanosphere. "The U.K. has shown with a conservative government that it is possible for countries that have the political commitment to make this reality. We need all the countries to make that a priority." In addition to simply allocating more money to poor countries, there is a movement for donor countries to commit 0.7 percent of their gross national income on foreign aid. The $137.2 billion in aid is a giant number, but represents only 0.29 percent of the $46.3 trillion in global income in 2014. Reaching the spending target may increase aid spending, technically, but it comes with its own set of problems - and the fact that aid alone is not going to end global poverty. The U.K. is one of the few countries to commit to and reach the 0.7 percent spending target. The government revealed a new aid strategy which involved moving some of the aid budget away from the Department for International Development and into other ministries. It also responds to the global refugee crisis and by placing more emphasis on fragile and conflict-affected countries. Both changes come with their challenges. The government's internal watchdog will keep track of all aid spending, but coordination across ministries is crucial to achieving larger aid and development goals set by the government. And working in countries that are the least-developed and/or experience conflict holds the potential for significant impact and failure. "These are riskier environments in which it is harder, and more expensive, to achieve results," blogged Owen Barder, head of the Center for Global Development Europe, a think tank. "The strategy missed an opportunity to warn readers of the costs and risks, as well as the benefits, of focusing more of our aid effort on those countries. Furthermore, the government should be wary of swinging the pendulum too far in response to the latest crisis, which is dealing with refugees and asylum seekers." Underlying the discussion is how aid money is spent and what actually counts as "official development assistance." New changes enacted by the OECD tweaked the criteria, but as economist David Roodman showed, the change on totals is negligible. Critics argue that loans and aid that does not have to be paid back are not quite the same thing. Money meant for aid does not always end up where it is supposed to go. The increasing pressure caused by the surge of refugees in mid-2015 forced countries to dedicate more money to the problem. With budgets already set for the year, some countries resorted to re-allocating money pledged for other areas to the crisis. The same was seen for Ebola in West Africa the year prior. (Tom Murphy is a New Hampshire-based reporter for Humanosphere. Before joining Humanosphere, Tom founded and edited the aid blog A View From the Cave). Stealing of public money openly and with no shame DIRECTORATE of Food (DoF) recently paid Tk 90 crore to a company for importing about 1 lakh tonnes of inedible wheat from France defying all objections. Negating intelligence reports and the Ministry concerned, and breaching rules and regulations, the Directorate paid the amount of Tk 100 crore to the company that irked Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Food. The Committee recommended exemplary punishment for the officials to the government but in this instance too, the corrupt officials hopefully would get respite again. The last year scams over importing inedible wheat from Brazil, France, and Romania which brought about a nationwide outcry and embarrassed the government is yet to go through a massive investigation, and the lack of punishment gave them the scope to launder public money again. The Parliamentary Committee at a meeting blamed the Directorate for large-scale corruption, directed the Food Ministry to realize the money, asked the government to blacklist the importer Impex Consultant Limited and give exemplary punishment to dishonest officials. The outstanding amount was released without testing the standard of the imported wheat properly. The Food Minister blamed the Directorate solely for the laundering citing his ignorance about the incident, but the Directorate is a part of the Ministry. The Minister could not avoid his responsibility. The Ministry and the government should have been more vigilant after the last year's wheat scams but we find that the offenders have become more audacious in gobbling up public money, thus betraying the public trust. As per news report, the issue of rotten wheat came again to the forefront as the National Security Intelligence submitted a report to the government high-ups. We see, impunity encourages crime as best exemplified in the incident after the last year scams of wheat importation from Brazil, France, and Romania. By importing substandard and inedible wheat from different countries involving huge amounts of public money, many Ministry officials have perhaps swollen their pockets. The apex court order, citizens' fury, opponent political parties' criticism..nothing compelled the government to take disciplinary action against the officials involved in last year's scam and definitely the latest incident will only lead to the destruction of public health and the laundering of public money. It is a shame for us, if not for the persons involved in stealing public money. In every sector corruption is easy. Shamsuddin`s bio-data, other info sought Move for legal action Staff Reporter :A lawyer of the Supreme Court (SC) has applied for the copies of biodata and other files of retired judge of the Appellate Division of the SC Justice AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik, as the lawyer will move for legal action. Advocate Zulfikar Ali submitted the application to the Registrar General office of the SC on Sunday Under the 'Section 4 and 8' of the Right to Information Act. The lawyer said, he seeks certified copies of Justice Shamsuddin's documents, as he is preparing to apply for taking legal action against the retired judge for concealing the information of dual citizenship during his oath as Justice. "According to the Right to Information Act, the authorities must provide us the required documents. We will move for the next step after getting the certified copies," he said. Earlier on February 10, Zulfikar Ali submitted an application to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accusing the Justice of concealing the information. In his application, he requested the ACC to investigate the matter. Zulfikar Ali said that Justice Shamsuddin was not eligible to be judge of the Supreme Court, because he is a dual citizenship holder. He has been enjoying all the facilities from the British government as a dual citizen, even when he was judge of the High Court and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court as Bangladeshi citizen. "Justice Shamsuddin became the SC judge concealing the information, as he did not mention it in the documents submitted during his oath as a judge of the High Court. It is a punitive offense according to the existing law," said the lawyer. Some other SC lawyers are also preparing for legal action against Justice Shamsuddin for his recent controversial activities.Earlier on February 10, Advocate Md Mozammel Haque, another lawyer of the Supreme Court, submitted an application to President Abdul Hamid, praying for cancellation of judgeship of the retired Justice for his controversial behaviours and activities. Mozammel Haque said that he would file a writ petition, seeking cancellation of judgeship of Justice Shamsuddin if any initiative is not taken against him.Justice Shamsuddin came to the limelight over the issue of writing verdict after retirement. He engaged in quarrel with Chief Justice SK Sinha on the issue and spoke in media. 2 boys beaten up for theft in Rajshahi Two boys, accused of stealing a mobile phone, were trussed and mercilessly beaten up at Rajshahi's Paba Upazila. The entire episode was filmed on video. The father of one of the boys filed a case of criminal assault against 13 persons, including a soldier and a policeman. Azizur Rahman, 30, has been arrested in connection with this case on Sunday, said Paba police OC Shairful Islam.This en masse thrashing of two adolescent boys in Rajshahi has triggered a furore, as it comes within three months of courts handing out judgements on the lynching of two teenagers-Rajan of Sylhet and Rakib of Khulna. Zahir Hussain, one of the two boys beaten up, is an eighth grade student of Bagsara High School. He has been admitted to the local Upazila Health Centre. OC Islam said, Emon, the other boy thrashed has been missing. Zahid's father Imran Ali of Bagsara filed the case, alleging criminal assault on his son on Saturday night. Azizur was arrested on Sunday after the case was filed. One of the accused, Nasir Uddin, is a sergeant in the Bangladesh Army and is now posted in Bogra Cantonment. Another accused in the case, Sagor, is a police constable currently posted at RAB headquarters. Sub Inspector Abu Taher, the investigating officer in the case, said both the boys had been vacationing at their home in Paba Upazila's Choubaria Village. Jahid's father Imran told bdnews24.com that their neighbour Rakib's mobile phone went missing on Friday morning and they held teenager Emon responsible for it. "After being tortured by them, Emon said it was Jahid who stole the phone." Imran said that some men, including, Nasir, Sagar, Palash, Jamal, Razzak and Tuhin whisked away his son from near the airport on Friday noon. "They tied up my son and beat him up until 10pm. They captured the incident on video and then handed my son over to me," said the victim's father. He claimed he was being threatened by the accused since filing the case with police. UK for Jt efforts to combat terrorism, illegal immigration Staff Reporter :The Minister of State for Immigration of the United Kingdom (UK) James Brokenshire arrived in Dhaka on Sunday morning on a two-day visit and discussed with ministers about shared priority issues, including tackling illegal immigration, organised crime and violent extremism.The meeting held on the day with the ministers includes, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, sources at the Foreign Ministry said. Apart from meeting with the ministers, the UK minister is scheduled to hold meetings with civil society members to discuss shared priority issues before his departure.This is his first visit to Bangladesh by a British Home Office Minister of the recently elected government."From this visit we hope to build our joint efforts to combat the global threats of terrorism and illegal migration," a British High Commission statement quoted Brokenshire as saying.The UK Minister said, they have a vibrant bilateral relationship including their strong trade ties.He said the UK is a long-standing partner and friend of Bangladesh."I am especially proud of the strong people-to-people ties that exist between the two countries through our half a million strong Bangladeshi diasporas," Brokenshire was quoted as saying.The UK Minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Monday morning.Brokenshire was appointed Minister for Immigration at the Home Office last year. Murders, tortures on spread People feel insecure Joynal Abedin Khan : At least 35 people have been killed, 10 children tortured and more than 11 rape incidents occurred across the country in recent days, police sources said. Besides, nearly 40 extortion incidents have also been reported while snatching and other crimes turned into common phenomena. An uneasy situation is now prevailing in towns and localities as the law enforcers are busy to tackle political crimes amid different types of limitations, they said. Taking advantage of the police's limitations, the professional criminals are committing crimes in the city and elsewhere in the country, they further said. In Bogra, an employee of Grameen First Distribution Company, a sister concern of Grameen Phone, was murdered by some unidentified miscreants beside the river Karotoa on Sunday morning. The victim was identified as Manik Hossain, 40, an area manager of the company. Police recovered his body from near the river Korotoa while he went missing on Saturday afternoon, said Alamgir Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Shahjahanpur Police Station, Bogra. In Brahmanbarhia, a suspected robber Ratan Mia, 35, was killed in a shootout in Sarail upazlia of the district on Sunday. Officer-in-Charge of local police station Md Ali Arshad said Ratan was killed during an exchange of fire in the wee hours of Sunday in Baddaparha area of the upazila. In Rajshahi, two children were thrashed mercilessly by a group of young men over a theft allegation at Chowbari village in Poba upazila on Saturday. The victim, Zahid Hasan, 15, a class VIII student of Bagsara High School and son of Imran Ali (13) of Bagsara, was admitted to Poba Upazila Health Complex, Shariful Islam, OC of Poba Police Station said. In Narsingdi, a man was lynched by a mob in Sreenagar area of Raipura upazilas on Friday. The victim was identified as Mohan Mia. In Dhaka, muggers ran away with Tk 13 lakh after shooting two sales representatives of bKash in the city's Kafrul area on Saturday. Meanwhile, miscreants killed an agent of the mobile banking service provider while snatching Tk 1 lakh from him in Tangail Sadar upazila on Friday night. In Narayanganj, a mob in Zinda area of Rupganj beat three alleged robbers to death early Saturday. Two of the deceased are Nasir Fakir, 40, of Gopalganj and Ezazul Islam, 23, of Narail. Another one is yet to be identified, police said. Earlier on December 10 last year, eight robbers were beaten to death in Araihazar upazila of the district. In the meantime, a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) member and four others were arrested in Sonargaon of Narayanganj on charge of extortion on Saturday. The arrestees are Constable Humayun Kabir, 30, of Rangpur RAB 13, microbus driver Mahbubul Islam, 30, Md Hasanuzzaman, 29, Shaheda, 45, and Amzad Hossain, 32. In capital, a housewife was burnt to death allegedly by her husband over family feud at Geneva Camp of Mohammadpur in the city on Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Rani, 20, wife of Saheb Ali, said Sub-Inspector of Mohammadpur police station Bulbul. Besides, a tea seller of Dhaka's Mirpur area who suffered burns after being pushed by a police source on Wednesday night died while undergoing treatments at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's burn unit the next day. Zafor Iqbal Chowdhury, Chairman of Pubali Group, has been missing for 20 days, his family claimed at a pres briefing at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on February 8. Earlier, a former president of Banladesh Chhatra League (BCL) was allegedly picked up by detectives from the Bashundhara area. They victim, sheikh Moazzem Hossain Tapu, went on missing on January 26, family members claimed a press briefing at DRU on Saturday. A minor girl was found dead inside a reserve water tank in Bhasantek area on February 9. The minor baby was identified as Sajid Khan, 5. He went missing a day ago from their house. Besides, RAB members arrested four people, including a couple, in the capital on Friday for their alleged bid to sell a newborn. They are Salma, 35, and her husband Saiful, 34, Babu, 35, and one Anwara, 46. In Moulovibazar, a gang of robbers beaten a house owner and looted valuable ornaments worth around Tk 13 lakh in Goyghor vllage of Raznagar upazila on Friday. In Hobiganj, at least four children were abducted from Sutratiki village in Bahubal upazila of the district on Friday afternoon. The missing victims are Zakaria ahmed Shuvo, 8, Tazel Mia, son of Abdul Aziz, Monir Mia, 7 , son of abdal Mia, Ismail Hossain, 10, son of abdul quader. In Kishoreganj, a man was killed and 15 other were injured in a clash over land dispute between the two rival groups of digdair village of Tarail upazila in Kishoreganj district on Saturday. In Madaripur, a school girl was raped by a man at bush in Alipur village of Kalini upazila in the district on Thursday. The victim was admitted to Faridpur Medical College and Hospital. In Barisal, a housewife was murdered by his husband for dowry at Induria village of Hizla upazila on Saturday. In Jhenaidah, three minors were burnt to death when a man set fire to their brother's house pouring petrol at Kabirpur village in Shailkupa upazila in the district a few days ago. The deceased were identified as Amin Hossain, 8, Safin Hossain, 11, sons of Delwar Hossain and Mahin, 14, son of Jasmine Khatun. In Madaripur, a man was burnt alive when a fire broke out in his house at Habiganj village in Dhurail union of Madaripur Sadar upazila on Thursday. Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque said, "All the police personnel have been asked to prevent crimes. "We are ready to give security to the people. No one will be spared if they try to act violently," the IGP said. e-theft rising alarmingly Bankers worried, raise questions over security standards of NPSB Kazi Zahidul Hasan : Leading bankers on Sunday expressed concern over the rising incidents of fraudulent transactions through ATM booths urging the central bank to upgrade the security standards of National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) to prevent such electronic theft. The central bank earlier introduced the NPSB in order to facilitate interbank electronic payments originating from different channels like ATM, Point of Sales (POS), Internet, Mobile Devices etc. "Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have become most popular channels for electronic theft, with fraudsters using fake electronic cards of various banks to channel the fraudulent transactions," Ali Reza Iftekhar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eastern Bank Limited, told The New Nation on Sunday. Eastern Bank on Friday detected 21 suspicious card transactions from ATM booths of United Commercial Bank forcing it to temporarily shut down transactions through the NPSB to safeguard the interests of clients. "The latest incident suggests that the security system of NPSB is not adequate to prevent the electronic theft. Such a security lapse exposes banks vulnerable to frauds," said Ali Reza Iftekhar. He observed that the NPSB can only process data from the magnetic stripe and not from secure chips creating an opportunity for the fraudsters to fraudulent transactions mostly through ATM booths. "We have already conveyed our concern to the central bank urging it to adopt global best practices with installation of latest version of security system in its NPSB," he added. "e-theft is rising alarmingly. But no effective steps is yet in sight to fight against the crime," a senior executive of a private commercial bank, told The New Nation on Sunday, asking not to be named. He said, the fraudsters entering the ATM booths of different banks are making fraudulent transactions by fake debit and credit cards causing financial losses for the banks. Rising fraudulent transactions are also harming reputation of the respective banks, he added. The official further said the criminals seem to be making such transaction taking advantage of security lapses of the NPSB. "The current security system of NPSB is not adequate for fraud prevention, detection and remediation. So, the central bank should take the issue seriously and go for all-out efforts to prevent such crime," he added. At present, 56 banks are operating in the country and of them, 48 are connected with the NPSB, according to Bangladesh Bank(BB). The total number of card holders (debit and credit) stands at 98 lakh who are using them in ATM and point-of-sales centres in the country to cash transcations. "It is absurdthere is no weakness in NPS's security system," AFM Asaduzzaman, General Manager and Assistant spokesperson of the BB, told The New Nation yesterday refuting the bankers' allegation. He said, the fact is that fraudsters hacked customers' information and took away their money." "BB is continuously upgrading the security system of NPS and the process will go on," he noted. Mahmoud Abbas expresses gratitude for BD's support UNB, Dhaka : Terming Bangladesh an 'unflinching proponent' of Palestinian just causes, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed deep gratitude from the people and the government of Palestine to Bangladesh for its continued support and assistance to Palestine. President Abbas made the remark during his brief stopover in Bangladesh early Sunday, while continuing his tour of three other Asian countries. The 14-member Palestinian delegation, including the President, landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 12.35 am and left here at 2.30 am, according to officials at the Palestine Embassy and Foreign Ministry here. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali received the Palestinian President and reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm commitment to the Palestinian people for their struggle for an independent homeland, especially the holy city of Jerusalem, the capital. The Foreign Minister called upon world leaders to take urgent and meaningful initiatives to resolve the Palestinian issue. State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and other officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh. The Charge d'Affaires of Palestinian Embassy in Dhaka Yousef SY Ramadan was also present. Ambassadors of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Charge de'Affaires of Oman, Egypt, Iraq and Libya and DCM of Morocco were also there to greet the Palestinian President. Palestinian President was accompanied by Foreign Minister of Palestine Dr Reyad Al Malki, President's Spokesman Nahel Abu Rodani, Diplomatic Adviser Dr Majdi Al Khaldi and Economic Adviser Mustafa Abu Al-Rub. During the meeting at the Airport lounge, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister conveyed greetings of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Palestinian President. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always vocal in the UN, OIC, NAM regarding Palestinian issues. Other international organisations are also in support of Palestinian causes, he added. Mahmoud Abbas briefed the Bangladesh Foreign Minister about the updates on Israeli aggressive strategies going over the Palestinian innocent people through killing and destruction as well as the longstanding impasse on the peace process. He also expressed sincere thanks for offering opportunities of higher studies for a good number of students as well as training of armed forces members of Palestine in Bangladesh. 4 interrogated by ACC UNB, Dhaka :The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday interrogated four people in connection with the non-funded part of the much-talked-about Sonali Bank loan scam.An ACC team, led by its director Mir Zainul Abedin Shebly, questioned them at the ACC head office in the capital, the Commission's Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya told UNB.Seven people-Shahidul Islam, director of Strong Plus Corporation Limited; Sabbir Ahmed, managing director of Strong Plus Corporation Limited; M Mahbub Haque Bhuiyan of Mash Cotton Corporation; M Lutfar Rahman and M Helal Uddin, owners of Samata Textiles and Spinning; M Selim Morshed, managing director of Samata Textiles and Spinning; and KM Mahruf Reza, proprietor of Tania Enterprise-were scheduled to be grilled on Sunday. Four of them were present during the questioning.Six more proprietors of private business firms will be interrogated on Monday.In August 2015, the ACC resumed its probe into the non-funded part of Sonali Bank loan scam since the Sonali Bank authorities in its internal probe found that some 37 commercial banks were involved in the non-funded part of the loan scam.Hall-Mark Group swindled out a total of Tk 3,547 crore from the Sonali Bank-both funded and non-funded ones. The controversial group swindled out Tk 1,568 crore from the bank's Ruposhi Bangla Hotel branch while it plundered Tk 1,709 crore from different private banks, showing Sonali Bank clearances.In the non-funded part, Hall-Mark Group plundered Tk 1,709 crore from 37 commercial banks, including 25 private banks, five foreign banks and seven government-owned banks.On October 4, 2012, the ACC filed 11 cases against 27 officials of Sonali Bank and Hall-Mark Group on charge of swindling out Tk 1,568 crore from the bank's Ruposhi Bangla branch. Bench Grass is the research blog of Erik Lund, an "independent scholar" in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. . NEWS AND VIEWS THAT IMPACT LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT "There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty." - - - - John Adams "There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bou... The Gay Courier has been established to provide news, information and info on, from and about the gay community, and other social events and happenings from around the world, from all sorts of sources, to all who are interested in this news, information and info! The postings are as is, and all copyrights and or ownerships are and remain with the original copyright-holder and or owner! So, it has almost been 4 years since I last made a post on this blog. That was a long hiatus, yeah? Trying to get that typical Aussie expression now. It has really been a huge while. I mean, this has been my biggest and major dream since then but with the scarcity of resources I've had or I've actually never had in the Philippines (I'm talking about a functional lappy and convenient internet and to add up the time I have to put on to keep this running) , I am unable to keep up unfortunately. Good thing I was able to retrieve this account back and thanks to #OTWOLBeginAgain tonight, I felt so inspired to be back on track again. This is living up the dream. This is one of the things that make me happy the most. To be able to express myself, inspire people from my point of view and to have something memorable (in case all the social media I have shut down) . And where do I start? Hmm, I guess I have to blame that recent hiatus to the chaotic juggles in my life. Like I have really been busy firstly on trying to work out my career (which is still actually a work in-progress up until now) , a self-inflicted depression of that Canada visa (which actually didn't happen and really brought my money down the drain) , a love story which I thought was going to end up in marriage (because I already had engagement and proposal plans about it but good thing I haven't vocally shared it publicly so the romantic plans are reserved now to whoever I will end up luckily with) , and then after that was also the first major heartbreak (perhaps) that really made a huge turn in my life. Do you get that feeling when you've arranged things onto its proper perspectives and they were going well for quite some time and then all of a sudden something happened and then you had to start all over again and pick the pieces back and put yourself the way it used to be before? It was definitely a huge mess (well, I'll be talking about that separately when I'm ready to compose myself because I have a lot of things to share about that experience) . Anyway, that was it! I'm in Melbourne now and to be honest, I'm treating this as my second life, my second chance to do things right, and hopefully find myself and find The One. Don't get me wrong but I'm in no hurry now. I mean, to give you some of my realisations, I didn't know that the heartbreak I have cried on for months would actually bring me here to this beautiful country (Australia) and thanks for my beautiful family most especially to my Mama who really did her utmost best for me to be here and to my sister Hanna and brother-in-law Jason who warmly welcomed me with open arms into their home here (and I'm just actually borrowing their lappy now) , and that just made me realise also that I'm not even [financially] ready to start a family yet. I WAS DEFINITELY NOT. How would I save if I'm having a hard time saving money because of my YOLO life back in Cebu? All the feelings I've accumulated from the day my visa was granted (which was actually the very day right after my birthday and it actually ended my 2015 wonderfully too) have made me feel so ecstatic and creative to come up with my hashtag #TheMelbyLife (which I know I will really be using pretty soon because I was already planning to do blogging again once I'm able to buy a lappy already and considering the fast internet connection here too, and for me to easily collate my posts and easily view them in the future.) I'm not sure how to feel but I was actually ambivalent to start with because it felt "hilas" and I know most of my Facebook friends already find my frequent postings annoying already (I know you're one of them reading this right now but yeah, you don't matter anyway *insert middle finger*.) Right-O! The very moment I stepped my feet on to Melbourne, my first line was like, "Is this how the weather is in here?" Yes, it was a chilly but sunny Saturday when I arrived here. Most of you locals might just find it funny but spending 99.9% of my existence in the tropics, I really found the weather cold (but tolerable) already. I get to experience that environment at my recent workplace only. But here, it's whenever, wherever. It wasn't an easy trip as well because I left Philippines Thursday night and had a very long layover in Singapore (which was just perfectly fine and I love Changi airport) and had to also pass by Bali for few hours to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon. The fact that I was not able to lie on a bed during those trips was the draining part. I can't even get a massage here during my arrival because it's just too expensive and I didn't arrive here rich and that's just another thing. I've had bits of memorable experiences during my travel. Arriving in Changi airport was just nostalgia for me (I've stayed in Singapore for 2 months in 2014 for job-hunting) and I never forgot to help myself with an iced Milo (which was my favorite drink during my stay) and I think that was also my first to try Subway sandwiches (yes I know that was my first time) in my entire life. The jalapenos, those were just heaven in my mouth for me! I wish I could've gone out to Bugis for some fresh pink guava juice but nah, good thing I stayed because I almost missed my flight again (some of you guys know my Bangkok mishap) . I was staying in Terminal 2 the entire layover only to find out 2 hours prior that my check-in counter is in Terminal 1. Thank God there's a connecting sky train from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 in Changi but it still seemed like an Amazing Race experience for me (all the running I have to do with big sweats and a pounding heart) . Phew! I also met wonderful people at the waiting area. I think it was an old couple by the name of Lyn and [Ronald] from Perth who were also waiting for their flight back to WA and telling me about Lyn having Filipino roots, how their holidays in the cruise went, how Melbourne is loved by young people (hmm, that made me alert right there) and how beautiful Straya is in general. It made me feel like I just can't wait to arrive anymore! And here comes the second leg of my trip from Changi to Delanpasar (Bali) airport where I was seated beside a Dannish girl named Maja. It felt awkward in general because I was now surrounded with Aussies and Anglophones. I've come to realise I'm only a good conversationalist over the phone but not in personal. And the trip started like I had to excuse myself and let the two people who were already seated before my seat stand up because I'm situated at the window area. This Dannish girl was very accommodating and she's nice to chat with. Of course! Since nobody knows me on that plane, I decided to make the first move and start the convo with her. And I didn't regret that feeling. I've learned a lot of things from her and we were able to share each other's experience from our previous travels and life. From blank faces tryna understand the Indonesian language on the plane, how our families seemed like, my life in the Philippines and her life in Denmark, her volunteer work in Bali, mine and her previous trips to other countries (including the Philippines), the comparable tax system and governance of our native countries, my plans in Straya, music festivals in Belgium to the beautiful sunset in Bali (I've never seen such orangey sunset in Boracay) and her lovelife (yeah, her boyfriend is I think in [Queensland] for studies too) . That just made my 3.5 hour travel from Changi to Delanpasar quick. I didn't mind not getting a sleep at all because I really had a good chat with her. My weakness. Girls who talk sensible things are just awesome and sexy, for real! She was really sweet because she accompanied me all throughout that trip and gave me tips on how Bali is even if I'm not going out the airport anyway. She even offered to buy me a drink while waiting for my next flight because she was also waiting for her other friend who got a separate trip and had to arrive late that time too. We were having a hard time looking for rice meals (because I didn't have any rice since Thursday night and it felt like I was empty no matter how many sandwiches I've eaten) . God! I'm a true-blooded Filipino! And we were able to find that " sambal " meal which was really pricey for me and it was really just like slices of " lechon manok " with lots of sauteed onions and garlic. Well, it still felt heaven for me and good thing it was a generous serving of rice too. (Maja, if you're reading this now, I'm glad we've met. I'd be happy to see you sometime again soon and hang out. You are such a lovely person! You actually even offered me to let you know if I'll be touring around Denmark sometime soon even if we only knew each other for less than a day. And that's why we're now friends on Facebook and Instagram. I'm pretty much looking forward to that actually. Haha!) Down to the end part of my blog tonight are the events I've had before and after my arrival in Melbourne. So I was walking this what seemed like a never-ending lane to Gate 7 for my Delanpasar to Melbourne (Tullamarine) flight (which actually made me have a Milo dinosaur this time because I was really carrying heaps of things including my winter coats even if I'm arriving on a summer season) . So yeah, heaps of Aussies still. Us Asians can easily recognise ourselves and flock together because we are these short people with brown skin and that typical Asian look. My nose was even incomparable to what the Aussies seemed to have. Anyway, so there was this Indonesian Muslim girl who approached me right at the corner and initiated the convo. She was like, "Are you Indonesian?" (and started touching my face) , and I said, "Ahm, no. I am a Filipino." and still insisted that I really looked like Indonesian. Well, I was very tired that time already so I didn't seem to bother at all anymore and I was just giving her polite responses to her convo. But it was really awkward and weird. If I were that really "gwapo" enough, I could've thought she might got her interest on me. Kidding aside, I actually hated my last leg of trip. I was really having a very painful ear pressure (which was still around an hour from official takeoff) , not enough sleep and starting to get a compromised immune system already because I've started to catch colds. The ear pressure lasted for a week and the colds which eventually was accompanied with cough for two weeks. Wow! That escalated quickly. But I am really still in awe and amazed of how beautiful Straya is. I just had a few hours of sleep from that arrival and was welcomed with a barbie party next since it was Steve's birthday (Jason's brother) and met wonderful multi-cultural people (Sri Lankans, Indians, Filipinos, Chinese, Dutch) who have stayed and lived #TheMelbyLife! And I'm excited about what's in store for me here. I know this will not be an easy journey but carry on! If you are looking for the new Immoral Minority posts, you should know that they can be found here at our new home Please stop by to get caught up on politics, join the conversations, or simply check out the new digs. Monet rahapelien ystavat ovat viime vuosina loytaneet netticasinot ja olleet ihmeissaan. Verrattuna kotimaisen Veikkauksen kivijalkarahapeleihin puhutaan aivan eri tason palautusprosenteista ja lisaksi pelaaminen on aarimmaisen helppoa ja turvallista. Netticasinoiden maara on tana paivana todella suuri ja niita loytyy jokaiseen lahtoon, suurin ongelma aloittelevalla pelaajalla onkin tehda valinta siita, minka netticasinon valitsee. Kaikkien netticasinoiden mainospuheet naet lupaavat kauniita asioita ja niiden lapinakeminen on tietysti tarkeaa. Nyrkkisaantona voidaan kuitenkin jo kattelyssa todeta, etta jos valitsemasi netticasino on lisensoitu ETA-alueella, sen kanssa ei tule olemaan ongelmia, ellei niita itse jarjesta. Kay tutustumassa parhaisiin netticasinoihin osoitteessa www.ilmaiskierroksia.info! Ensimmainen nyrkkisaanto on siis varmistaa, etta valitsemallasi netticasinolla on ETA-alueen lisenssi. Suurimmassa osassa tapauksista se on Maltan eli MGA:n lisenssi. Myos Viron, Englannin ja Gibraltarin lisensseja nakyy ja naissa valvonta on jopa Maltaa tiukempaa. Lopputulema on kuitenkin se, etta ETA-alueen lisenssi takaa suomalaisille verovapaat voitot seka sen, etta niita valvotaan kontrolloidusti. Maailmalla on iso nippu Curacaon lisenssilla toimivia netticasinoita ja niistakin suurin osa on laadukkaita. Ne eivat kuitenkaan ole suomalaisille asiakkaille verovapaita, joten emme suosittele niita. Tana paivana markkinoille on ilmaantunut paljon ETA-alueella toimiva netticasinoita ilman rekisteroitymista. Jos tarkoitus on vain pelata yksittaisia pelikertoja, on varsin helppo suositella naita. Netticasinot ilman rekisteroitymista tarjoavat palvelun tunnistautumisen verkkopankin avainlukulistan avulla ja saman palvelun kautta tapahtuvat talletukset ja mahdolliset voittojen nostot silmanrapayksessa. Normaaleihin netticasinoihin pitaa asiakkaan rekisteroitya, tehda talletukset ja tunnistautua dokumenttien avulla. Tama on lisenssiehtojen mukainen kaytanto, eika kovinkaan monimutkainen, mutta silti monet asiakkaat haluavat yksinkertaista ja nopeaa palvelua. Toki normaalit netticasinot tarjoavat usein asiakkailleen laadukkaita talletusbonuksia ja erilaisia kampanjoita, joten kannattaa tarkkaan punnita, kumman ratkaisun valitsee. Kannattaa myos muistaa, etta tunnistautuminen tehdaan vain kerran, joten mikaan jatkuva riippakivi se ei ole. Suomalaiset asiakkaat ovat netticasinoille tarkeita, joten kaikilla vahankin laadukkailla netticasinoilla on suomenkieliset sivut seka suomenkielinen asiakaspalvelu suomenkielisyys kannattaakin ottaa netticasinoa valittaessa nyrkkisaannoksi. Vaikka tana paivana englanninkielisyys on harvoille ongelma, on suomenkielisten netticasinoiden maara niin valtava, etta suosittelemme niiden kayttoa. Rahansiirrot ovat tana paivana niin hyvassa mallissa, etta niiden kanssa tuskin tulee mitaan ongelmia. Kolme tarkeinta segmenttia: Suomalaiset verkkopankit, luottokortit (Visa, Mastercard) seka nettilompakot (Skrill, Neteller) loytyvat jokaisesta laadukkaasta netticasinosta. Viime vuosien trendiksi noussut verkkokauppa on kehittanyt rahansiirrot niin laadukkaiksi ja nopeiksi, etta niiden suhteen ei ole enaa vuosiin ollut ongelmia. Luonnollisesti netticasinot kayttavat naita samoja palveluita ja hyotyvat kehityksesta. Naiden isojen linjojen jalkeen netticasinon valintaan vaikuttavat luonnollisesti tarjottavat tervetuliaisbonukset uudet asiakkaat saavat tana paivana kovan kilpailun myota merkittavia etuja netticasinoilta ja niita kannattaa luonnollisesti vertailla. Erilaiset talletusbonukset, ilmaiskierrokset seka ilmaiset pelirahat tuovat suuriakin rahanarvoisia etuja ja niiden vertailu on ehdottomasti kannattavaa. Myoskaan useampien tilien avaaminen ja tervetuliaistarjousten kayttaminen ei missaan nimessa ole huono idea. Kun edella mainitut asiat ovat mieleisia ja vaihtoehtoja on vielakin jaljella, mennaan jo nyansseihin. Toki pelivalikoima on yksi kriteeri, mutta taman paivan netticasinoissa tamakin asia on paasaantoisesti varsin samanlainen. Toki useamman samantasoisen netticasinon vertailussa kannattaa yleensa valita se, jossa on eniten peleja tarjolla. Vaikka omat suosikit loytyisivatkin useammasta, voi tulevaisuudessa mielenkiinto nousta joihinkin muihin peleihin ja silloin on tietysti mukavampaa, etta ne loytyvat valikoimista. Viimeisena voidaan nostaa esiin kaytettavyys joidenkin netticasinoiden sivut ovat vilkkuvia, valkkyvia ja epakaytannollisia. Omaan silmaan ja kaytettavyyteen sopiva sivusto on luonnollisesti aina se paras valinta. Tarjonta netticasinoissa on tana paivana valtava ja jokaiselle loytyy varmasti se oma netticasino onnea matkaan! Beneath the Wisteria, because of Coronavirus restrictions, now gathers virtually, meeting over Zoom, and so if you a keen to attend, email me at the address below and I will forward you the invite - there is no charge. Next gathering: Saturday, May 30, 2020, 11:00 am Topic: Our special guest will be the executive director of the Greens Institute, Tim Hollo. You can join the meeting through this link - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81060815318. Beneath the Wisteria is curated by Robert McLean - r.mclean7@icloud.com A group of Boy Scouts in Tennessee have been on a four-year search for the elusive bigfoot. Recently their work caught the attention of the Finding Bigfoot crew who were filming in the area, and producers of the show paid them a visit to see what evidence they had collected so far. Check it out: Deep in the woods of Robertson County, theres a group of Boy Scouts on a four-year search for a large, hairy creature thats attracted the attention of the national television program Finding Bigfoot. Producers from the Animal Planets show, who have been scouting areas around Nashville to shoot an upcoming episode, paid a visit to Boy Scout Troop 454 at their den just west of Springfield on Sunday, Jan. 24 to see firsthand what kind Bigfoot evidence the boys had collected. On Monday, Feb. 1, the network followed up and filmed scenes for a future episode of Finding Bigfoot, starring the scout troop and their Scout Master Joe Bilyeu. Bilyeu said his troop has gone out on numerous expeditions, trying to find out if a Tennessee Bigfoot really exists. Each investigative adventure has consisted of camping, horseback riding, canoeing and cave exploring as they researched each reported sighting of the Sasquatch, Bilyeu said. The troop has a collection of about a dozen unusual incidents in Robertson County theyve discovered during their Bigfoot expeditions, said Bilyeu. We started about four years ago researching the Bigfoot sightings, Bilyeu said. Most locally have been along Sulphur Fork Creek where we discovered two large footprints and cast them with plaster. The footprints collected by the scouts are about 17 inches long and appeared along the banks of the Sulphur Fork Creek in western Robertson County, Bilyeu said. The producers of the Animal Planet network have been surveying wooded areas in and around Nashville not just Robertson County to find the best reports to film, according to one of the shows producers, Colin Peeples. Weve had reported to us Middle Tennessee sightings that also include the Land of the Lakes, Cedars of Lebanon, and areas near the Tennessee-Alabama border, Peeples said. For the rest of the article, click here. Pre-purchase property inspection is a relatively new thing in the United Kingdom. Its not something that most people have heard about, but it has become increasingly popular over the last few years with the rise in property prices and increased demand for high quality homes. What are the benefits of pre-purchase building inspection? What can you expect to find out when you pay someone else to inspect your home before you buy it? And what should you look for during an inspection? Many people want to know if theyre buying a house thats been well maintained or if its had any serious problems. If youve found a place on the market that seems attractive, but then discover some issues after moving in, you may not be as excited about buying it as you thought you were. Its important to do your due diligence when looking at properties. A lot goes into making a property appealing to potential buyers, from the landscaping to the flooring to the kitchen appliances. The same applies when inspecting a property there are many things that need checking over to make sure everything is running smoothly. Here are some of the benefits of performing a pre-purchase inspection: You get to see exactly what will happen to your money When you go shopping for a new car, youll probably be shown several different models. You might even be shown one that looks like a great value, but doesnt fit around all of the extra features that you want. When it comes time to actually buy the vehicle, however, you wont have seen how your money will be spent on it once you drive it off the showroom floor. Likewise, when you shop for a new home, you dont really know what youre getting yourself into until you move in. In order to get a feel for whether the home youre considering is what you want, you normally have to spend quite a bit of time inside it. This allows you to learn more about everything that youre going to be spending your hard-earned cash on. A pre-purchase building inspection gives you much the same kind of experience without having to spend thousands of dollars. Since youre paying for the service, you can expect to see exactly what youre paying for, instead of just seeing a vague idea of what you might end up with. You find out about potential major repairs Some buildings are very expensive to maintain, which means that owners often neglect them for the sake of saving money. While youre paying for a building inspection, youre also paying for a professional who knows how to spot signs of trouble and repair work that needs doing. If you notice that a particular area of your new home needs fixing right away, you can call in an expert to take care of it quickly. If you find that theres something wrong with your boiler, you wont have to wait weeks for a plumber to come over and fix it. Instead, youll have access to a solution immediately. You can save hundreds of pounds by finding out about potential problems early on One of the biggest expenses when you first buy a home is the cost of moving in. Many people dont realize this until its too late. Buying a home involves not only paying for the actual house, but also for moving costs, furniture, and other items that have to be moved along with the home. Having a good idea ahead of time of what youre likely to encounter can help you avoid these kinds of costs. If you know youll need to replace the plumbing system, for example, youll be able to put together a budget for the expense and plan accordingly. You can protect your investment by finding out if the homes been well cared for While there are plenty of people who think that houses always look better when theyre newly built, youd be surprised at how well maintained older residences can still look nice. Sometimes, though, those homes need some additional maintenance to keep them looking their best. This could involve repairs that arent so noticeable or small improvements that you wouldnt consider otherwise. Even worse, some houses have fallen into disrepair without anyone noticing. This is why having a professional perform a building inspection prior to purchasing a home is such a big benefit. Not only will it give you insight into the state of the property, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing youre not getting taken advantage of. As long as youre aware of the potential pitfalls, youll have less reason to worry about the state of your new home. You can use information gathered during a building inspection to negotiate a lower price If youre worried about buying a home because you suspect that it may need extensive renovation work, you may already have a rough idea of how much work youll need to do to bring it up to scratch. That knowledge can come in handy if you decide to buy the home. You can use all of the details that you gather during a building inspection to present a realistic picture of what the home is worth to prospective buyers. If a potential buyer thinks that the home is worth more than what you paid for it, you can try negotiating a lower price. You can sell your home faster and for more money If you decide to list your home on the market soon after buying it, youll need to price it accurately in order to attract buyers. But if youve already done a thorough building inspection, youll know exactly what work is needed and what the current market conditions are. In other words, youll be able to make a more accurate estimate of the amount of money youve invested in the home and how much its worth. If you find that youre selling your house for close to its full market value, you can use this information to convince the potential buyer that your home is worth the asking price. Even if youre planning to stay in the home for a while before you decide to sell, the fact that you did a thorough building inspection will give you more confidence when listing it. Prospective buyers will know exactly what theyre paying for. Your home will hold its value longer As mentioned earlier, the value of a home depends heavily upon the condition of the building itself. If your home is in bad shape, potential buyers wont be interested in buying it. On the other hand, if youve performed a thorough building inspection and know what sort of repairs are necessary, you can offer your prospective buyer a compelling reason to invest in your property. When you buy a home, youre essentially agreeing to have it inspected periodically to ensure that it stays in top shape. Not only does this allow you to avoid expensive repairs down the road, but it can also increase the value of your home. You can make smart decisions about property investments Buying real estate isnt as simple as just driving a couple of minutes to pick up a house. There are lots of considerations involved, ranging from location to cost. The same is true when youre investing in property. If you find a house that meets all of your requirements, youll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of where it stands with regards to the rest of the market. If you havent spent enough time researching the area, you could inadvertently end up with a bad deal. There are lots of resources available online that can help you determine the overall level of competition in your area. They can also help you figure out if there are any properties that meet your requirements that you didnt know about. If you own rental property, you can use the information to identify tenants who might cause damage If you own rental property and youve noticed that certain tenants consistently cause damage, you can use the results of a building inspection to identify them. You can then contact them directly to let them know that youre watching them closely and that you dont appreciate the problem theyre causing. They might start taking better care of their homes, which would be good news for everyone. It could also be the case that youll find out that theyre responsible for previous damages that werent caught during a previous visit. You can make smarter decisions about hiring contractors If youve hired contractors to build or repair your home, you might want to ask them for references. However, unless you perform a thorough building inspection, you might not know exactly what to look for. For instance, maybe you only checked the roof for leaks or the walls for cracks. You might not have looked underneath the foundation for anything that could cause a future issue. By performing a building inspection, you can ensure that you hire reputable contractors who will be trustworthy with your money. You can avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition Of course, the main benefit of structural inspections perth is that it helps you avoid purchasing a home thats in poor condition. Before you make the decision to buy a home, you should do whatever you can to find out about the state of the building. You can also ask your realtor about what sorts of inspections are typically recommended. Some agents say that its standard practice to check the heating system, the roof, the electrical wiring, and the floors. Others will tell you that they recommend that you check the entire structure. Either way, if you choose to hire an inspector, youll find out exactly what needs to be fixed and how much it will cost to do so. As a result, it can be concluded that a pre-purchase building inspection is highly important for the buyers because it provides transparency regarding the current conditions of the structure. Additionally, the building owner is made aware of any upgrades or repairs that are required, which could lead to a fair deal throughout the purchasing and selling process. Please consider a donation. We are a 501c3 Nonprofit and 100% volunteers working with law enforcement and families of missing. We thank you, in advance. Welcome to the Rundell Family Blog. Our family has lived in China for three years and has now moved to Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Our adventure continues! Hope you enjoy our blog. Things We Want from the USA A HUGE Steak w/ Baked Potato Board Games Books California Pizza Kitchen Cilantro Crystal Light Deodorant DIET MOUNTAIN DEW Diet Sunkist Lawry's Seasoning Salt Makeup and hair products Memory Foam Mattress Pad Mexican Vanilla Popcorn and Popcorn Popper Slap Your Mama Sunflower Seeds Taco Seasoning Tortilla press Warm clothes and shoes X-Box games The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. MURPHYSBORO After spending his final days surrounded by and reminiscing with his family and friends, John Clealand Loyd, 61, departed from this world to join his parents and his son in his new heavenly home at 12:15 a.m. on February 11, 2016. John was born in Carbondale on June 28, 1954, and was the beloved son of Odell V. and Jewell D. Loyd of De Soto. He grew up in De Soto, graduating from both De Soto Grade School and Carbondale Community High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent the majority of his enlistment in Germany. Following his military discharge, John worked for a few years in the construction field and eventually opened his own construction business, Loyd Construction Company. In 1984, John began his career with the Murphysboro Fire Department and became a Licensed State Arson Investigator. He was also a member of Rend Lake Search and Rescue Team. He took great pride in the work he did to serve his community, and considered his fellow firefighters as brothers. John was raised in a close knit Christian family and was a member of First Baptist Church of De Soto. He was both the giver and recipient of an abundance of love throughout his life and rejoiced in being a father and truly enjoyed spending time with his children. The greatest loves of his life were his son Christopher, and his daughters Brigette and Kelsey. Along with his former wife, Lindy Loyd, he welcomed into his heart and home many foster children, including Gracy Kushner, Dale Dorch and Michael Scott. John grabbed life with both hands, fully enjoying a variety of hobbies and interests. He was a member of Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, but also enjoyed skydiving, spelunking, scuba diving, wood working, coin collecting, camping, repelling, hiking, and so much more. He loved to laugh and often had a good joke to tell. His family was always very important to him and he loved his friends with all his heart. He was always there for anyone who needed him and he recently stated, I lived it my way. John is survived by his daughters, Brigette Loyd (Daniel Richey) of Evansville, Indiana, and Kelsey Loyd of Carbondale; grandchildren, Calie Loyd and Rowdy Loyd of Murphysboro, Ryder Loyd of Carbondale, Luke Loyd of Herrin, Camden and Kendall Kushner of Killdeer; sisters, Barbara Humphrey of Royalton, and Paulette Loyd-Johnson (John) of De Soto; nephews, Kent Buckles (Marcie) of De Soto, Randy Humphrey (Julie) of Royalton, Jon Humphrey (Andrea) of Carbondale and Keith Javors of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; seven great-nephews and nieces; two aunts; one uncle; a host of cousins and friends, including his chosen brothers, Randy Dodds and Ron Clarke; and his cat, Cue. He was preceded in death by his son, Christopher; his parents; his brother-in-law, Guy Humphrey; grandparents; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, at Crawshaw Funeral Home in Murphysboro. At 7 p.m. there will be a Firefighter walk through followed by a time for sharing memories by family and friends. At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb., 16, the funeral procession will depart Crawshaw Funeral Home in route to De Soto City Cemetery. Graveside services will begin upon arrival at De Soto City Cemetery and will consist of a firefighter bell ceremony by the Murphysboro Fire Department, a brief committal service by Pastor Chris Hottensen and conclude with military rites by American Legion Paul Stout Post 127 of Murphysboro. Memorials may be made to Rend Lake Search and Rescue team or to Humane Society of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at Crawshaw Funeral Home. To send a condolence or find additional information, visit the memorial tribute at www.crawshawfuneralhome.com. HERRIN Meet this Millennial Generation couple. Katrina Dunn is a 28-year-old nursing student at John A. Logan College with a full-time hospital job. Jon Followell, 31, works in information technology on a contract position at Southern Illinois University. Asked how they met, the two exchanged a sly smile and insiders glance and Katrina laughed as she said, Our story is kind of interesting. The two have known each other nearly a decade, a friendship that began over a mutual interest in the online video game World of Warcraft. They previously dated each others best friends. They were roommates, and close friends, for nearly two years before a romance blossomed. Then, one day at Buffalo Wild Wings, Jon said Katrina was dishing about her latest dating adventures, as she often did. But Jon said a new feeling stirred in him. Normally, Id be like, Good job, he said. But I was like, no, then oh crap. He realized his feelings for her had evolved, and time was running short. Katrina was on the verge of reporting for a six-year tour of duty in the Navy. As smart, attractive and outgoing as Katrina is, Jon said he figured there was no way she would return single. So Jon revealed his feelings to Katrina. It was odd, she said, the first time they held hands in public during a trip to Walmart, but the pieces quickly fell into place. We said I love you super early, she said. It was a long time coming. When she confessed the development to a friend, the response, Katrina said, was Finally. Still, nearly 3-1/2 years later, the couple has not made any firm plans to exchange vows. And they are fine with that. Millennials taking their time In that regard, they are like a lot of Millennials who are in no rush to walk down the aisle. This generation is choosing to stay single in greater numbers and marry at later ages. Katrina is three months away from finishing her RN degree, and then she hopes to be hired as a full-time ICU nurse. Jon is employed on a contract position and hoping passage of a certification test will allow him to secure more permanent work in the IT field. They share a home in Herrin, and both said they see marriage and children in their future. But they have prioritized first settling into careers and stabilizing their financial situation. Jons grandmothers eagerness aside, both said they will take that step to the altar when they mutually feel ready. Katrina said she wants to be able to afford a nice wedding, and she doesnt anticipate her parents contributing, as they are not involved in her life. Shes also, since adulthood, had a strong desire to break away from unhealthy family patterns. Everyone has had a kid before 20 and multiple marriages, she said. I am the one who broke the mold. Divorce rates declining This is Valentines Day, and the theme of the holiday is love. But its also about the ways of love, as there are few things more telling about how society has shifted in the past 70-plus years than an examination of the changing faces of relationships and families. For better, or for worse. The statistics show it is both and that also depends on ones perspective. For all the hand-wringing about the decline of the institution of marriage, divorce rates have fallen steadily for three decades in the United States from peaks in the 1970s and 1980s, and the spike appears to have been an anomaly, according to a report published by The National Bureau of Economic Statistics. Statistics for this story also were compiled from variety of sources by Rabita Reshmeen Banee, a graduate research assistant in SIUs Master of Public Administration Program, who is working this semester as an intern at The Southern Illinoisan. Marriage and the feminist movement As women fought for a place in the boardroom, things also changed at home. The rise in divorces came alongside the second feminist movement, and a good number of marriages straddling the eras of iconic homemaker June Cleaver and feminist Betty Friedan didnt survive the transition. As society settled into the new norm two-income households where both partners work outside the home, and share duties such as chores and child-rearing -- divorce rates began a steady decline, the study suggests. The study also indicated that rising divorce rates were followed by high remarriage rates. Rachel Ensor, of Murphysboro, is among those to give marriage a second try. But she took her time getting there, and credits success of her second marriage, in part, to the time she took to discover herself after the first. When she divorced about 20 years ago, Ensor said she didnt date much, and instead poured her energy into advancing her education. She earned her doctorate in art history from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2005. That year, she accepted a teaching job at SIU and moved to Southern Illinois. Looking to meet people, she placed a dating ad on Yahoo Personals, and thats when she was struck by the face of Blaine Ensor, an archaeologist. She sent him a message, and the two agreed to meet for coffee at what was then Murphys in Carbondale (now Flame). I dont know that either one of us was looking to get married, said Ensor, an art historian who today runs the Murphysboro School of Art. Unless we found the right person, obviously, Blaine added. And we did, Rachel said, so I changed my mind about that. I had no idea I could find somebody who balanced me out so well. Shes a fireball of energy and spirit. Hes a calming presence with a steady hand. They discovered ways to compromise, including that Blaine cooks most nights because Rachel, who raised two children and four stepchildren, was tired of coming up with meals day-after-day. She took a love to two of Blaines passions: karaoke and classic country music. They got married on Nov. 3, 2007. Together, they enjoy fixing up old properties, and have restored each others faith in love and marriage. I think if people really want a successful relationship, my thinking is you really have to know who you are or it will never, ever fit, she said. Married at last At this stage, data is insufficient to tell what effect legalization of same-sex marriage will have on marriage trends and divorce rates. Early research indicates it's not likely to change either in a statistically significant way. A study published by the Williams Institute in December 2014 showed that, in a review of two states that allowed same-sex marriage at the time, divorce rates were about the same between same-sex and different-sex couples, with same-sex couples divorcing at a slightly lower rate. Tim Kee and Rick Wade, husbands who live in Marion, said it strikes them as funny when people talk about how gay marriage could ruin the sanctity of marriage. They both said they know several heterosexual people who have been divorced three or four times. Theyve been together 19 years -- both each other's first serious relationship. Tim teaches second grade at Johnston City schools; Rick is the practice manager at Southern Illinois Podiatry. The two met roughly two decades ago when Rick placed a classified ad in The Southern Illinoisan, long before the days of Internet dating. It said, Friend seeking Friend." You know, gay was not used back then," Rick said. "But it was obvious what it was for. Tim responded to the ad, and their first date was to see "Jurassic Park." They hit it off, but didnt rush into anything. They dated for nine years before moving in together about 10 years ago. In 2011, they were the second couple to arrive at the Williamson County Courthouse to officiate their relationship as a civil union. In 2014, when Illinois legalized same-sex marriage, their civil union retroactively became a marriage. The certificate hangs prominently in the dining room. Rick and Tim said that growing up years ago in conservative Southern Illinois, they never thought they would be able to have a marriage. They both said they know gay men who, in an attempt to conform, married women and had children, and most of those unions ended eventually in divorce, and caused years of misery for all parties involved. They call their relationship boring but in the good way that it is ordinary and involves a deep friendship and a shared sense of humor. Weve been together so long that we finish each others ., Tim said, allowing a long pause presumably for Rick to add the word sentences. Without missing a beat, Rick responds with food. They laugh. I know its cliche, but were best friends, Tim said. Single-parent households on rise The statistics for families are not all rosy. While shotgun weddings are on the decline, more children are being born out-of-wedlock, and raised by one parent, typically the mother. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit research organization, eight percent of children were being raised by single moms in 1960, compared to 23 percent in 2015 a figure that has leveled out in recent years. About four percent of children live with single-dads, a relatively static figure. This rise in single-parent households is troubling to Karen and Delmar Algee, of Carbondale. Delmar said he would like to find a way to reopen the former Attucks High School building, and make it a place where community leaders can come together to help troubled youth. He said many young men need intervention, including to be taught to respect their mothers and fathers. That applies even in cases where the father may be absent and also troubled, he said. Theyve got to make sense of it, he said. If they dont learn to deal with their parents, theyre going to be horrible parents when they grow up. The Algees don't just preach. They live the type of marriage they believe is the cornerstone of a solid family, and community. The two have been married, as of Jan. 31, for 48 years. Karen, raised in Metropolis, and Delmar, of Carbondale, met in the mid-1960s while both were attending SIU. The way Delmar tells it, he was driving home from campus and offered Karen a ride. This was a time when they, as did most African-American students, lived off-campus, on Carbondale's northeast side, only venturing past the railroad tracks to go to school, Delmar said. I got in there, Karen said, laughing at the story, as she didnt know Delmar at the time, and couldnt fathom why, at that age, she thought it was OK to take a ride from a stranger. I must have been really tired. My parents would have killed me. Delmar said that once Karen was out of earshot, he told his friend who was also in the car, Thats going to be my wife. It was just time, Delmar said. She looked like a nice lady, and that was going to be it. I was young and goofy and we went through a lot of changes in the northeast side at that time. Among those things, the Vietnam War was raging and young men were returning home in body bags. Delmar remembers the news traveling home about one of his classmates getting killed. That was a rude awakening for the whole class of 1964, he said. Delmar, like many young men, enrolled in college in hopes of avoiding the draft. He recalled a trip to the recruiting station in St. Louis, where a lady informed him that it would help his chances of not being sent to war if he were married. So we ran off and got married, he said. Then, he was told that was no longer enough, but a child on the way could help. This is when my first one came, to keep me from getting shot at, he said. Growing up together Love was a part of this, too, Karen added. She felt confident in the future of their relationship, but circumstances moved up the timeline of events, she said. When they married, she was 20; Delmar was 22. We really grew up together, she said. I couldnt tell any other young couple, or young woman, that thats the thing to do. It isnt always. It might not work with everybody. But it worked for them, and they credit their faith in God for that. Karen was for years a teacher of grades 4th, 5th and 6th at District 95. She left the school in 2007 and took a job at SIU teaching student teachers. She retired in 2014. Delmar, also retired, worked for years as a mortician serving clients in Carbondale, as well as Alexander and Pulaski counties. They had four children, all now ranging in age from 46 to 34. We had a good life, Delmar said, adding, Weve not done all of the things weve wanted to do and weve come through some hard times and some rough times. That only makes your relationship stronger, I believe, Karen said. The two enjoy a quiet, humble love. They do for each other, and lean on each other. That, she said, is the gift of a lasting relationship built around love of God, each other, family, church and community. We knew where to put Christ, she said. We knew where to put God, and we put him first in our lives, and also in our marriage. Delmar and Karen were not eager to participate in this story. They decided to, they said, after being asked by a fellow member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. They said they agreed to because they think the future stability of family units and communities is an important conversation to have. They hope the example of their love resonates. I know our children, and our grandchildren, they watch us very closely, she said. Talk is cheap. Its the walk that matters. The following editorial appeared in Friday's Washington Post. Adopting progressive practices from Europe and Canada is all the rage, from Sen. Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign to Michael Moore's new documentary, "Where to Invade Next," in which Moore marvels at Europe's generous social programs. And we agree: The United States can and should learn from the experience of other Western democracies, whether that implies a bigger government or, as is sometimes the case abroad, a smaller one. Take the prosaic but crucial function of air traffic control. In the United States, that is still a job for big government: specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration. Overseas, however, countries are turning away from this statist model. Canada spun off its system, Nav Canada, in 1996, to a private entity funded by user fees. Britain privatized in 2000. Australia and New Zealand are also part of the movement; ditto Germany and Switzerland, lest anyone think it's English-speaking nations only. In all of these countries, safety and innovation have stayed the same or improved, which is not surprising, as the new model separates regulation from operation. The U.S. approach, by contrast, keeps those conflicting roles within the same authority. Also, the FAA remains subject to the vagaries of congressional politics, with all the micromanaging and stopgap funding that implies. As a result, a $40 billion FAA modernization program is woefully behind schedule. Now comes House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pennsylvania, with a bill to adapt successful European and Canadian models to the United States. On Thursday, the committee moved his proposal ahead with the hope of passing legislation by March 31, when the current FAA authorization statute expires. A new corporation, funded by charges on the system's various users, would manage flights and implement the long-stalled modernization. The FAA would still ensure safety, a regulatory job it already does remarkably well and might do even better if it were free to focus on that exclusively. Major players in the industry would share governance of the new entity, working out their differences within its boardroom rather than through the costlier and more conflictual method of lobbying Congress, as they do now. These groups support Shuster's plan, including not only commercial airlines but also the air-traffic controllers union, which had objected to similar plans in the past. This is by no means a panacea: Once upon a time, Congress turned over passenger rail and mail delivery to corporations known as Amtrak and the Postal Service. Much will depend on ensuring the new air traffic entity avoids the governance flaws that left those agencies still unduly dependent on Congress. Still, the stronger demand for air travel, as opposed to train rides and first-class letters, gives reason to hope Mr. Shuster's proposed entity will at least be financially solvent. Objections, so far, come from a single commercial carrier (Delta), the business aviation lobby and certain congressional Democrats who resist transferring Congress's power to a nonprofit corporation - to the point that they're making common cause with a profit-making corporation and the private-jet set. These strange bedfellows should not have veto power over a promising reform, even if it wasn't made in the USA. It is no secret that Gov. Bruce Rauner has targeted higher education funding as the premier place to save millions. The Jan. 13 letter prepared by the governor's office and sent to state legislators used words like "waste" and "cronyism" and a series of out-of-context examples to garner support for a further 31.5 percent decrease in state funding. In response to this letter, the state's nine public university presidents fired back one of their own: "We are writing to let you know that if a state budget is not approved in the very near future, public higher education in Illinois will be damaged beyond repair..." The letter continued: "When colleges and universities reach this point of no return when bills cannot be paid and payroll cannot be met they will close." Here in Southern Illinois, SIU President Randy Dunn responded by saying, "Were about ready, as this great state system, to start walking off the edge of the cliff." At the same time, John A. Logan College Vice President for Administration Larry Peterson said that they must reduce expenses an additional $7 million through extensive layoffs and budget cuts. JALC announced last month that without a state budget they will run out of money before the start of the spring 2017 term. And in Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College President Jonah Rice announced four layoffs and said he anticipates a series of reductions, including more layoffs, throughout the spring. Rice went on to say that a continued state budget impasse will cause course offerings to dwindle and class sizes to grow. "Well be down to a skeleton staff," Rice said. We wholeheartedly agree that the situation is untenable and have challenged the governor to make higher education funding the priority he said it would be during his campaign. But state college and university leaders have to realize that when announcing financial Armageddon, they are communicating to an audience larger than legislators, community leaders, and those likely to write or call their elected representative. They are speaking to students already on their campuses: upperclassmen hoping to graduate and underclassmen trying to decide whether or not their program will even exist two years from now. They are speaking to high school juniors and seniors and their parents. And we wonder why enrollment numbers continue to decline? To the states university and community college leaders we offer this: Because challenging members of the general assembly and the governor to do their jobs doesnt seem to be working, because state funding of MAP grants doesnt seem to be happening anytime soon, because a 31.5 percent reduction in higher education now seems like a best case scenario, why not go on the offensive? Admit to yourselves that higher education in Illinois will be different, but commit yourselves to shaping that different. Because you already anticipate draconian measures being inflicted upon you, formulate a less draconian alternative. Its obvious that the governor and members of the general assembly are far from experts in the field of higher education (or much of anything else). You are. You have the ability to propose your own solution that strategically eliminates redundancy and reduces programs offered at all state universities. You have the opportunity to stop acting like pawns. Propose the best university and community college system that 68.5 percent of the 2015 state allocation can afford and get your local legislators on board, and sell it, and sell it hard. It may be the only way to take the first step back away from the cliff. SPRINGFIELD State reimbursements owed to counties for some officeholders but held up in Springfield since July prompting nearly two dozen lawsuits against the state have been disbursed to all 102 counties, a spokesman for the comptrollers office said. The statute-required payments for states attorneys, lead public defenders and assessment supervisors are expected to continue, comptroller spokesman Rich Carter said. This is an unprecedented and evolving process, Carter said. After the situation was reviewed, it was determined (the officeholders) could be paid under existing court order. As soon as our office received the necessary vouchers, Comptroller Leslie Munger directed that those payments be made. Williamson County is suing Illinois MARION Williamson County commissioners are suing two Illinois agencies for salary reimburs The payments were owed by the Illinois Department of Revenue but administered by the comptrollers office. The reimbursements were part of money owed to counties that had been held in Springfield minus a state budget that would authorize Illinois government to release the funds. In December, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed an appropriations bill that released $3.1 billion to local governments for various proceeds, including motor fuel tax and gaming receipts. That bill, however, did not include money for the salary reimbursements. Williamson County Commissioner: Budget movement racing against winter MARION Despite a near unanimous House vote to release funds to local governments and Lotte The funds present and future payments essentially avoids further legal action sought by 20 counties across the state, including several in Southern Illinois. Williamson County officials were among the first, filing a complaint in December about a month after St. Clair County prevailed in its lawsuit against the state. Williamson County was reimbursed a little more than $146,000 for payments owed from July through December, County Board Chairman Jim Marlo said. Marlo wrote to the governors office and legislators arguing for the release of all county funds months before it sued. This is what we are supposed to do as elected officials, Marlo said. We work for the people of Williamson County. That is our money and we were going to do everything we could to make sure that money comes to this county. Williamson County commissioners plea for state budget MARION Williamson County commissioners are pleading with Gov. Bruce Rauner and lawmakers t After paying more than $130,000 to Jackson County, the state has caught up with its reimbursements, John Rendleman, the countys board chairman, said. Though a fraction of their multi-million budgets, the delayed reimbursements caused a cash flow issues in Jackson County and forced Marlos board to appropriate funds for only part of the fiscal year that began in December. It makes it hard to run county government when the state government cant be relied on to do what it says it is going to do, Rendleman said. Rendleman said he expects the county lawsuit will be dismissed. Other Southern Illinois counties that filed lawsuits were Alexander, Franklin, Hamilton, Massac, Randolph, Saline, Union and White. The perfect gift this Valentines Day is the gift of heart health. Along with Valentines Day, February marks American Heart Month, a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. While Americans of all backgrounds can be at risk for heart disease, African American men, especially those who live in the southeast region of the United States, are at the highest risk for heart disease. Additionally, more than 40 percent of African Americans have high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. Thats why this February during American Heart Month, Million Hearts is encouraging African American men to take charge of their health and start one new, heart-healthy behavior that can help reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. Small changes can make a big difference African American men can make a big difference in their heart health by taking these small steps during the month of February and beyond. Schedule a visit with your doctor to talk about heart health. Its important to schedule regular check-ups even if you think you are not sick. Partner with your doctor and health care team to set goals for improving your heart health, and dont be afraid to ask questions and trust their advice. Add exercise to your daily routine. Start off the month by walking 15 minutes, 3 times each week. By mid-month, increase your time to 30 minutes, 3 times each week. Increase healthy eating. Cook heart-healthy meals at home at least 3 times each week and make your favorite recipe lower sodium. For example, swap out salt for fresh or dried herbs and spices. Take steps to quit smoking. If you currently smoke, quitting can cut your risk for heart disease and stroke. Learn more at CDCs Smoking and Tobacco Use website . Take medication as prescribed. Talk with your doctor about the importance of high blood pressure and cholesterol medications. If youre having trouble taking your medicines on time or if youre having side effects, ask your doctor for help. How to support American Heart Month Show your support for heart health by sharing messages on your social media platforms using #heartmonth and through these activities: Join Million Hearts and Mens Health Network at 3 p.m. on Feb. 17, 2016, for a Twitter chat on how to maintain a healthy heart, including tips for controlling blood pressure, eating healthy, and staying active. Use the hashtag #HeartMonthChat. Be part of our #HeartMonth Facebook Challenge. Each week, well challenge you to complete one action that can help you maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. Visit the Million Hearts Facebook page to learn more. Keep the conversation going offline by talking about the importance of heart health with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Turn your next get-together into a healthy get-together! GREENWOODA talented student in Greenwood will soon have his art on the Google homepage for hundreds of millions to see. Google announced 53 state and territory winners in its eighth annual Doodle 4 Google competition, a contest open to K-12 students across the United States to redesign the Google logo inspired by the theme What makes me...me. Khalil Lake, a 12th grader from Emerald High School in Greenwood, is one of the 53 winners with his doodle, My Google View. As a student with multiple disabilities, Google looks a little differently to me. But it allows me to see things I might otherwise be unable to, Khalil said. Khalils doodle was selected from around 100,000 received this year. This was the first year that the use of non-traditional media was strongly encouraged, and about a quarter of submissions used materials like clay, paper mache, leaves and picnic tables! To help their favorites succeed, everyone across the USA can vote for their favorite doodle from the 53 state winners. Voting will be open to Feb. 22, and the public vote will determine the five national finalists (one in each grade group). Google will announce these five national finalists and one of them as the national winner on March 21 and the winners doodle will go live on Google.com that day. The winning student and national finalists will travel to Mountain View, California, to meet and workshop with Googles team of professional doodlers and see what it takes to launch a Doodle on the Google homepage. This year, the Nation Finalist can also nominate a teacher who has inspired them to come along on the trip. The National Winner will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and his or her school will receive a $50,000 Google for Education grant towards the establishment and improvement of a computer lab or technology program. To see a full list of state winners and to vote online, visit google.com/doodle4google/vote.html Finally, the temperatures have cooled enough to see some change in color in the shrubs and trees as well as some new blooms on shrubs like ros Bamberg City Council members requested Mayor Blain Crosby set up a meeting with Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston related to several issues during their regular meeting Monday night. Chief among those issues is the fire contract between the city and the county. The contract has paid the city $50,500 per year in quarterly payments of $12,625 for the last several years. Bamberg City Clerk Bruce Watson alerted council to the fact that the county has begun making the payments at the end of each quarter, meaning the city will only receive three of the promised four payments during its current fiscal year, even though the entire amount is included in the city budget. The city has routinely received its payments in the middle of each quarter in previous years. Watson noted that not receiving the final quarterly payment until after June 2016 would put the citys budget out of balance while conversely improving the countys bottom line at least on paper for the current fiscal year. Watson said the countys position is that it is withholding payments because some of the other fire services in the county have not been timely in submitting their required paperwork. Bamberg Fire Department Engineer Steve Barton indicated the department is not late in submitting its reports. I think this totally unacceptable, Councilwoman Kathy Schwarting said. Along with requesting the meeting with Preston, city council members also agreed to refer the matter to the citys attorney. In other business: Council agreed to have a representative from Waste Management, the citys current garbage collection provider, appear at its next meeting. The current garbage collection contract is up for renewal in June. Council approved the appointment of Jeff Stembridge to the citys Board of Zoning Appeals. DENMARK The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., former pastor of President Barack Obama, will speak at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, at Massachusetts Hall at Voorhees College during the All-College Assembly. Wrights visit is part of Voorhees Black History Month Speaker Series. Wright earned bachelors and masters degrees from Howard University. He earned a second masters degree from the University of Chicago in divinity and earned a doctorate degree from the United Theological Seminary. After becoming pastor of Chicagos Trinity United Church of Christ in 1972, he developed more than 70 ministries to address the needs of the community and to enrich the lives and faith of his congregants. During his tenure, Wright grew the congregation from 87 members to more than 8,000. After a 36-year pastoral career, he retired in 2008 and is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Ashland Theological Seminary, the Lancaster Seminary, the Chicago Theological Seminary and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Megan Freeman, director of communications, at 803-780-1191 or at mfreeman@voorhees.edu. WASHINGTON Maybe its not us. Maybe its the candidates. This election cycle is thrilling, but not necessarily in a good way. Tuesdays vote in New Hampshire lent support to the theory that both Republican and Democratic base voters have gone rogue. Think about it: The winners, by huge margins, were a billionaire reality-show host who has never held elective office and an aging socialist who promises a revolution. If you imagined this a year ago, Im curious what you were smoking. It may be the case, as I have hypothesized, that both parties have lost touch with the nation they are supposed to serve. But at least part of the problem may be that voters are being asked to choose among candidates who are deeply flawed. On the Democratic side, it is hard to argue with the proposition that a war is underway for the partys soul. Bernie Sanders, who wasnt even a Democrat until he launched his campaign, won in a landslide Tuesday over the ostensible nominee-in-waiting, Hillary Clinton. He beat her pretty much across the board, but the most striking contrast is generational: Among voters under 30, according to exit polls, the 74-year-old Sanders crushed Clinton by a jaw-dropping 83 percent to 16 percent. Sanders has never been described as silver-tongued or telegenic, yet he fills arenas with fans and raises campaign cash faster than he can count it. He may be one of the unlikeliest political rock stars weve ever seen. His appeal is often attributed to his undeniable authenticity, and I dont quarrel with that analysis. But I wonder if this would be the case if Clinton did not come across as so very inauthentic. She just does. Despite her resume and record Clinton is one of the most qualified presidential candidates weve seen in a long time she always seems to be triangulating, always searching for words that do not offend. Unfortunately, neither do they inspire. And, lets face it, she has baggage all the good and bad of her husbands years as president, the continuing investigation of her emails from when she was secretary of state, the hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees she received from Goldman Sachs. Democrats have to be somewhat nervous about her prospects in a general election. But they have to be at least as nervous about how an avowed socialist would hold up under withering Republican attacks. So the Democratic race isnt just a head-versus-heart conundrum. Its a contest between two candidates who both have potentially lethal vulnerabilities. The situation in the Republican Party is even more fraught. After Iowa and New Hampshire, the undisputed leader of the pack is Donald Trump. With him as the partys standard-bearer, what could possibly go wrong? I hear the GOP establishment sobbing. Suffice it to note that there is a large segment of the voting population that would never vote for Trump under any circumstances, according to polls. And at any moment there would be the possibility that he could say or do something so outrageous that it would send the GOP to historic defeat. But running second among Republican candidates is Ted Cruz, whose doctrinaire far-right views could also drag down the partys whole ticket. And Cruz has an additional problem: He comes across as unlikable, perhaps because of his tendency to sound like a pitchman on a late-night television commercial. He is so unpopular among his Senate colleagues that they would have to swallow hard to give him energetic backing in the general election. The GOP establishments great hope was Marco Rubio, until his software-glitch performance at last weekends debate caused him to fade in New Hampshire and finish fifth. Hes got the youth, the looks, the hair and the smile, but seems so lacking in the gravitas department that he looks increasingly like a risky bet. Ben Carson? Be real. Jeb Bushs candidacy still has a pulse, to the extent that a fourth-place finish in New Hampshire, with only 11 percent of the vote, can be spun as a good thing. But the campaign has revealed his weaknesses on the stump, and he, like Clinton, must bear the heavy burden of dynasty. That leaves John Kasich, who finished second and has fewer glaring liabilities than his rivals. The question, however, is whether he is too moderate and reasonable to survive the Republican primaries and win the nomination. So many candidates, so many flaws, so few choices that inspire any degree of confidence. As is often the case, quantity does not ensure quality. A Charleston asphalt-paving company is seeking to build a limestone-drying facility in Orangeburg County. Banks Construction Co. is planning to build a drying plant on County Line Road. The facility will be a 400-ton-per-hour (TPH) drum mix asphalt plant that includes a 100 British Thermal Unit oil-fired dryer, pulse jet bag house air pollution control, and a 20,000-gallon asphalt cement tank, according to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control documents. Banks Construction Co. is relocating its drying services, where it reduces the moisture content of limestone screenings used in industrial applications, to Orangeburg County, company President and Chief Executive Officer Reid Banks said in a prepared statement. This operation was previously located in Dorchester County, and the resulting move will enable us to better serve our customers. The companys drying services are currently in Summerville. Banks did not comment on how many jobs would be added by the drying facility, the extent of the investment or when operations will begin. BCC is applying to DHEC for an air construction permit. The draft permit has not yet been approved and is open to comment from the public. Banks Construction specializes in asphalt paving and land grading. The company has two asphalt-paving plants in the state one in Summerville and the other in North Charleston. The company has been in existence for 60 years. Banks Constructions projects include commercial and industrial parking lots, residential overlay, highway widening, resurfacing and design-build projects. Interested persons may review the materials drafted and maintained by DHEC for the facility and submit written comments on the draft permit by the close of business, Feb. 18. Comments may be sent to David Meekins at State of South Carolina (SC), Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ), 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or by e-mail at meekindr@dhec.sc.gov. All comments received will be considered when making a decision to approve, disapprove, or modify the draft permit. Where there is a significant amount of public interest, DHEC may hold a public hearing to receive additional comments. If a public hearing is requested and scheduled, notice will be given 30 days in advance. Information relative to the draft permit will be made available for review through Feb. 18 at the DHEC Columbia Office and at the SC DHEC, Low Country, Orangeburg EQC Office, 1550 Carolina Avenue, Orangeburg, SC 29115. The phone number for the Orangeburg office is (803) 533-5490. Copies of a draft permit or other related documents may be requested in writing for a fee of 25 cents per page. The public notice and draft permit may be viewed at DHECs website at: http://www.scdhec.gov/PublicNotices/ Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced Saturday that he is seeking another term in office. Over the course of the past five years, it has been both a blessing and privilege to serve the citizens of the Orangeburg County, he said in a prepared statement. While not perfect, the last five years have been progressive. The progression of ensuring a safer Orangeburg County for your family and mine in which to live has and will continue to remain a top priority. The support and prayers of the citizens across the county have been invaluable, and I am asking for the continuation of both as we strive to protect the citizens of this county, he said. Ravenell has been sheriff of Orangeburg County since winning a special election in January 2011 to complete the term of Larry Williams, who died in office. Ravenell was elected to a full, four-year term in 2012. During my first full term, we have added additional manpower to our Patrol Division, Ravenell said. For the past two years, a member of the Patrol Division has been recognized as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Cadet of the Year by the 40/8 Palmetto. Last year alone, the men and women of the Patrol Division conducted more than 200,000 property checks. Weve also promoted our first African-American female to the rank of captain over that division. Ravenell said the Central Investigative Division has increased the number of closed cases in burglaries through the use of DNA and forensic evidence. In 2015, the sheriffs office recovered more than 2,000 stolen items. The year before, 2014, the CID located safely three separate missing persons through our Project Lifesaver program while investigating more than 2,000 cases, Ravenell said. He said the K9 unit has been brought back up to full strength to locate missing persons, recover evidence, detect narcotics and track suspects. The sheriffs office has also brought safety and awareness education to events throughout the county while developing community forums for citizens voices to be heard, he said. When the community wanted something done about nightclub violence, I supported you, Ravenell said. He said, While a lot has been accomplished, there is still more to be done. Accountability, transparency and a strong partnership of law enforcement with the community have been major contributing factors to the change that we have seen in the crime climate within Orangeburg County. With your support, we can continue that progress. I humbly ask for your vote. With 29 years of law enforcement experience behind him, Ravenell had not held political position before being elected to office in 2011. He is a criminal justice professor at Claflin University, with a bachelors degree in sociology/criminal justice from Claflin and a masters degree in science and criminal justice from Troy University. A native of Orangeburg, Ravenell resides in Santee with his wife, Angela, and their two sons, Xavier and Avery. Filing for state and local offices begins March 16 and ends March 30. Party primaries will be held June 14. NORWAYEight different countries were represented in the Girl Scouts Service Unit 643 of Orangeburg Countys annual World Thinking Day program on Saturday, Feb. 6. The event was held in the fellowship hall of Bushy Pond Baptist Church on Wire Road in Norway. Jamaica, Trinidad, Switzerland, Japan, China, Greece, France and the United States were represented by Girl Scout troops from throughout the county. The scouts wore traditional costumes of their countries origins and gave presentations on each country. Pretend passports were issued to the young women, who were asked to have their passports stamped at the different countries tables, taste samples of various international cuisines, such as spicy chicken, sushi and hot tea and examine cultural items at each table. Bessie Peeples, leader for Norway Troop 407 and Service Unit 643 chairperson, said, World Thinking Day prevents girls from being against other cultures. This keeps the girls out of the negative things that are going on in the world. Thats why we keep them involved in the Girl Scouts and community projects. According to literature provided at the event, Girl Scouts participate in activities and projects with global themes to honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries on World Thinking Day, which is traditionally observed on Feb. 22. Programs like this inform me more about different cultures, said Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School senior Ashaunte Jamison, a member of Troop 407. I learn more details about different cultures. Chastity Chisolm, 10, of Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary. said Troop 407 celebrated Jamaica, adding,The colors yellow, green and black represent Jamaica. They are different because America has red, white and blue. Troop members wore yellow, green and black beads and black attire while they performed traditional dances to Jamaican praise music. Chrysanthe Greene, 9, a Orangeburg Preparatory School student and member of Troop 471, which represented France in the program, said, I learned there was a famous (monument) called the Arc de Triomphe. She and her troop also danced an age-appropriate version of the can-can dressed in large red tutus and ballerina tights. Rebecca Owen, one of the older Girl Scouts in Troop 10, which represented Trinidad dressed in costumes similar to those worn during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, said Trinidad is at the bottom of the Caribbean. Their state bird is the hummingbird and their colors are white, black and red. White means the sand on the beach, black means the earth and red is the fire of the people. Troop 79 member Neysa Patrick, 11, who attends William J. Clark Middle, was excited to learn about China. They have pandas. They did kung-fu and had dragons. Their rice is different from our rice. Their clothes are made of silk, she said. Her troop performed traditional Chinese dances in silk attire with some of the younger girls dancing with Chinese fans. Troop Leader Francis Morant, who accompanied the combined Troops 480, 235 and 221, presented information out the country they chose, Switzerland. Troop members dressed in red held up white letters that spelled out the name of the country. Morant told the scouts that the red in the flag of Switzerland represented the blood of Christ and the white cross was a Christian symbol. Girl Scout Mariah Greene, 17, a student at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High, said, I learned that in Greece, all the women ruled. Troop 125 members, dressed in white toga-style costumes, did a presentation about Greek goddesses. Troop 64, which celebrated Japanese culture, served sushi. It was most of the girls first exposure to sushi, noted Michele Flaherty, Troop 71 leader. Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. To see our child's killer brought to justice and face Federal terrorism charges in a Washington DC court, two things need to happen. One: The US has to explain to Jordan the imperative of the Hashemite Kingdom complying with its legal obligations under the 1995 Jordan/US Extradition Treaty whose validity Jordan has disingenuously denied since March 2017. Two: Jordan must arrest Ahlam Tamimi who has lived free in Jordan's capital since 2011 and hand her to US law enforcement officials who will put her on a flight to the US. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Saudi Arabian military jets could arrive in Turkey in the next few days to carry out missions against Daesh, Turkeys foreign minister said Saturday. Saudi Arabian jets may come to Turkey over the coming days to fight Daesh, Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Antalya, southern Turkey. The aircraft are likely to be based at the Incirlik air base in Adana province, from where U.S. bombers have been targeted Daesh in Syria. Cavusoglu said it was not certain how many Saudi warplanes would be based in Turkey. Because this is our common struggle... Saudi Arabia also wanted to send aircraft and join the air operations, he added. Turning to the possibility of a Turkish ground operation in Syria, Cavusoglu said there was currently no decision or a strategy to conduct ground operations although Turkey has long advocated land operations in Syria. He also addressed the U.S. relationship with the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which are affiliated to the PKK. Turkey classes them as terrorist organizations while the U.S. sees them as allies in the fight against Daesh. We do not think it is right for a country such as the United States to get close to terrorist organizations in such a way, he said. We have given them the names and photos of PKK members within the PYD and YPG. The U.S. is our ally and friend. They will see the truth. Alongside Turkey, which has been the target of the PKKs 32-year insurgency, the U.S. and EU list the PKK as a terror group. /By Trend/ Iran will spare no effort to provide Syria with assistance in the air defense field, if Syrian government requests, commander of Iran's Khatam ol-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said. He underlined that Irans activities in Syria is only in the form of advisory help as the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted, Tasnim news agency reported Feb. 14. While commenting about possible deploy of Saudi Arabias ground troops to Syria, Esmaili said that any presence in Syria without coordination with the Damascus government will bring nothing but failure. Tehran has always expressed support for the Syrian government since it views the Assad regime as its main strategic ally in the region and as part of an "axis of resistance" against Israel. Western countries accuse Iran of running military operations in Syria, but Tehran denies these accusations. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that they only provide military consultations to Syrian forces. Last December Hossein Jaber Ansari, the spokesman with the Iranian foreign ministry said that no request was submitted from Syria so far for sending fighters to the country, however Tehran would consider that within the framework of its policies and principles if Damascus issues such a request. /By Trend/ Serbias President Tomislav Nikolic is expected to visit the Russian capital on March 9, the countrys ambassador to Russia, Slavenko Terzic, told TASS. "The Serbian president will visit Moscow on March 9," the ambassador said. During the visit, the Serbian leader is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the diplomat said. This year, Serbia plans to sign an agreement on trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), he said. "We expect that our economic relations will come to a higher level. An agreement on this with the EAEU countries has been already reached." The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an economic bloc which came into force in January 2015. It now consists of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The bloc envisages free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. "We plan to increase the export of Serbias agricultural goods to Russia," Terzic said. We expect a growth in investments in Serbias economy," he added. /By Azertac/ Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World Present economic challenges will be the focus of a meeting of a major trade union federation next month in Bahrain, a report said. Social security and trade union rights will also be discussed at the general assembly of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU) to be attended by representatives from international and regional trade federations. The three-day forum, scheduled for March 5 to 7 at the Crowne Plaza, Bahrain will elect GFBTUs 15-member executive committee for 2016-2020, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. To read further, please visit GDNonline. BBK, a major investment bank, is the lead sponsor of the annual GCC Financial Forum, which is returning to Bahrain for its fifth year. The event will take place on February 23-24 in the new Four Seasons Hotel. It will gather 500 C-suite delegates to analyse the changing dynamics of global and regional financial services. This year, in light of the sustained fall in oil prices, the event will be an important platform for delegates to hear from experts and policy makers. A Karim Bucheery, CE of BBK, will take to the stage along with Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board, Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, governor, Central Bank of Bahrain and. Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji, chief executive officer, Mumtalakat. We are happy to support Euromoney once again by sponsoring the GCC Financial Forum in Bahrain and further bolster the partnership we have with them, said Bucheery. At BBK we always strive to support such forums that can undoubtedly shed some light on current economic and industry related topics especially those that focus on the GCC. Today, with the fall of oil prices and the difficult times that the markets are facing, such forums give an opportunity to address these issues and provide a platform to discuss freely and hear from industry experts and policy makers. Victoria Behn, Euromoney Conferences director of Middle East and Africa, said: We are looking forward to returning to Bahrain to work with our key partners, including BBK. We have a line-up of excellent speakers from the region and further afield who will join our editorial team to discuss how organisations can navigate the challenges and identify opportunities in the current economic environment. TradeArabia News Service Arkan Building Materials Company, a leading construction and building materials company in the UAE, has registered a 26 per cent jump in its net profit for 2015 which soared to Dh101.1 million ($27.5 million) from Dh80 million ($22 million) the year before. Announcing a strong increase in both revenues and net profit, the company said this was mainly due to a solid sales growth, greater operational efficiencies, product exports and emergence of new business units. Arkan reported revenues of Dh976.9 million ($266 million), up 17 per cent from Dh751.8 million ($205 million) in 2014 as a result of its focused local market penetration and market share driven strategy, said a statement from the company. Arkan has concurrently increased its export sales, primarily to the GCC, Africa and Asian markets, it added. During the year, the company said it had supplied most of its products to all iconic infrastructure and community projects, such as the new Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, the new terminal at Abu Dhabi Airport and Emarati Housing projects in Yas Island. Commenting on the results, chairman Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, said: "Arkan has performed well in 2015 with strong advances in both revenues and profits while maintaining a lean structure. As we look ahead to the coming year, we will continue to capitalise on our position as a market leader in Abu Dhabi, and expand our markets both across the UAE and internationally." "We are confident that our sustainable strategy will allow us to continue growing despite more challenging market headwinds," he noted. Arkan chief executive Abdellatif Sfaxi said: "We have made significant operational progress in 2015 by increasing our market share and sales volumes through capitalising on our integrated products and services offering while ensuring increased operational efficiencies." "As a result, we can now further compete on the international market," he stated. Sfaxi said despite increased pricing pressure as a result of an oversupplied market, Arkan continues to develop its businesses to remain at the forefront of the industry by exploring new markets, expanding product portfolio and enhancing its value proposition. "We have made a good start to 2016 and are confident we can continue to grow over the course of the year," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Education related IT-spend in the region could reach $150 billion in the next five years, said the event organisers of the upcoming GESS Dubai, the regions premier exhibition for educational supplies and solutions, quoting experts. Leading global technology firms will showcase the latest advances in the education sector during the ninth edition of Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai running at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 1 to 3. Benq, Bosch, Brother, Casio, Edutech, Epson, Google, Hitachi, Intel Education, LEGO Education, LG, MacGraw-Hill, Microsoft, Panasonic, Pearson, Promethean, Samsung, Sharp Middle East, SMART Technologies, Sony and VEX Robotics are among those that have confirmed participation in the exhibition and conference. In gathering the worlds technology superpowers and connecting them with teachers and school decision-makers in the GCC, we hope we can contribute to the advancement of the education sector in this part of the world, and raise quality standards to a level that is at par with the best in the world, said Matt Thompson, project director, F&E Group, organisers of GESS Dubai. Our theme this year is Shaping the Future of Education, and we have a distinct opportunity to do that by helping schools adopt the technologies that will make them effective learning hubs of the future. The Gulf region is at the forefront of technology-driven education initiatives in the Middle East with such programmes as the UAEs Smart Learning Initiative, which aims to provide personal tablets to all K-12 government schools by 2017; and Qatars Supreme Education Councils e-Bag project, which provides students and teachers with tablets to enhance learning and reduce school bag weight. More than 90 per cent of GCC educational institutions use laptops and tablets, while 60 per cent have Bring Your Own Device policies for students, according to IDC. New technologies for advanced learning Googles head of Education in the EMEA Region, Liz Sproat will share the companys vision of what technology in learning could look like, and how to encourage innovation in teaching and learning practices. Microsoft will be showcasing digital notebooks for teachers and students which can substitute the presence of physical notebooks while serving as an anytime anywhere content repository of all class notes, content, homework and assignments. LGs participation at GESS will revolve on the theme of showcasing the Future Classroom along with the innovative Cloud Collaboration solutions that will enable to change the way students and teachers interact and collaborate in a classroom. Edutech Middle East, a founding sponsor of GESS, will showcase a mini D&T workshop space where participants can attend hands-on workshops and learn how to convert ideas into prototypes. Robert Speed, head of Middle East Region, Promethean said, GESS Dubai is the only event in the Middle East region which gives us the opportunity to showcase our most innovative teaching technologies whilst enabling educators to experience how Promethean solutions create a Modern Classroom environment. As part of the Promethean Modern Classroom, we are expecting the ActivPanel to attract significant attention. This interactive flat panel is already widely adopted by Middle East regional and UK schools and is proving its worth as a highly effective and collaborative front-of-class solution. Meanwhile, LEGO Education will launch their latest innovation in science and coding for primary schools LEGO Education WeDo 2.0! In addition to cutting-edge showcase of educational products and solutions, GESS Dubai has also gathered some of the worlds leading education experts on technology and digital education. The event also includes an extensive, world-class educational, CPD certified programme to help teachers, educators and academics of all levels develop their skills and gain insight from international experts. TradeArabia News Service Mobile Doctors 24-7, a Dubai-based healthcare and wellness control centre, has adopted Microsoft Azure and Office 365 to boost its operational efficiency, and reduce IT costs in order to provide improved healthcare to its patients. The decision was made to ensure optimum focus on patient healthcare and wellbeing, without the concerns of safeguarding data and maintaining an IT infrastructure, said a statement. Running a physician and wellness helpline, and providing round-the-clock medical expertise to customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa region with the help of medicine specialists and wellness consultants, Mobile Doctors 24-7 (MD 24-7) has succeeded in providing primary care to several patients, reducing the need for non-emergency hospital visits. Adoption of a complete integrated solution available in the form of Microsoft Azure and Office 365 has simplified the daily operations of MD 24-7 and provided reliable data security, it said. Cloud technology ensures doctors can have easy access to critical information as well as allowing them to create, edit and share documents with colleagues while they are on the move visiting patients. Doctors, thus benefit from the advantages of technology no matter where they are and maintain seamless communication with access to patient history at their fingertips. Raouf Khalil, founder and CEO of MD 24-7, said: The growing demand for our services resulted in an increased strain on our IT resources and addressing these infrastructure challenges on our own would have been very costly. Microsoft Azure came as an excellent recommendation from our IT consultant, as a solution for addressing primary healthcare and data security issues, to improve business agility and enhance overall business dynamics. Microsoft Azure reduces our worries as it complies with HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996), an element vital in the healthcare industry to maintain privacy of patient information. Moreover, Office 365 helps our doctors to collaborate better and communicate more effectively. Moving to the cloud has helped the company focus more on core tasks, as well as take care of its security concerns, he added. According to the American Medical Association, 70 per cent of non-life threatening medical issues can be resolved by speaking to a doctor on the phone. Built on the Microsoft Azure platform, patients can now log into the Mobile Doctors smartphone app and communicate their concerns with the doctors through voice, video or text, having quicker access to their services through this revolutionary method. Microsoft has always prided itself to be at the forefront of technological advancement, empowering people and organisations all around the world to achieve more, said Haider Salloum, SMB Segment director, Microsoft Gulf. Our collaboration with Mobile Doctors 24-7 goes hand in hand with our efforts to empower businesses to increase their business productivity and reduce their IT costs. With the help of our cloud technologies, SMEs have adopted more value added solutions to support their specific requirements, helping them solve some of the greatest societal challenges and improve human conditions to promote growth and advancement in society. - TradeArabia News Service The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has announced that its hospitals and specialty centres received more than one million patients in 2015. Dr Ahmad Bin Kalban, CEO of Hospital Services Sector at the Dubai Health Authority, said: In 2015, the four DHA run hospitals and specialty centres received over one million patients. This number includes outpatients, accident and emergency cases, walk-in visits as well as admissions. All DHA hospitals have a high occupancy rate and this reflects the quality of services and the trust that we have built with our patients. Our aim is to provide the highest quality of medical services across various specialities and sub-specialties, he added. The total number of patients that visited Dubai, Rashid, Latifa and Hatta hospital as well as specialty centres including Dubai Diabetes Centre, Thalassemia Centre, Airport Medical Centre and Dubai Gynecology Centre were 1,170,798, said a statement from DHA. From the total specified number 33 per cent of the patients visited Dubai Hospital, 30 per cent visited Rashid Hospital, 15 per cent visited Latifa Hospital and 10 per cent visited Hatta Hospital, the remaining 12 per cent of patients visited the specialty centres, it said. The total number of outpatient visits across these facilities were 647,762 number of accident and emergency cases were 441,441 and the remaining 81,595 were admissions, it added. Bin Kalban added that DHA will continue to expand its health services to keep up with population growth. The projects will enhance geographical access to healthcare. As per the DHAs Health Strategy, the authority will also continue to focus on community engagement and preventative care, it added. TradeArabia News Service Asus, the leading global technology brand, has been selected as the official PC provider for Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) as part of the PC replacement project for Dewa offices spread across Dubai, UAE. As part of this partnership, Asus will deploy Intel Core Processor Powered desktops and monitors, a statement said. The collaboration sees Dewa offices spread across Dubai, fully equipped with Asus Desktop MT Model D310 and Monitor model VX228H 250. Powered by the Intel Core Processor, Desktop MT Model D310 is perfect for business managers and surpasses strict quality tests for reliability. VX228H Full HD LED monitors are optimized for image and colour quality and were chosen due to their 1ms response time, 80,000,000:1 high contrast ratio and HDMI interfaces. Mahiuddin Khasru, sub regional head of Asus Middle East said: We are delighted to be providing PC solutions that would support Dewas world-class performance and contributions towards energising the future of Dubai. This strategic win forms part of a concerted focus in the commercial sector for Asus Middle East, where we are looking to broaden our reach and boost our growth in the region by utilizing the extensive range of products designed specifically for commercial use." Following the recent massive Ministry of Education implementation, this win demonstrates the enormous opportunity in the commercial sector, and further motivates us to broaden our scope and secure more commercial partnerships this year, added Khasru. TradeArabia News Service The population of Dubai is expected to increase to five million by 2030 and the UAE emirate faces key challenges in keeping it a sustainable city, said Hussain Nasser Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality. Lootah was speaking on the final day of the fourth World Government Summit in Dubai, in which his speech addressed the issues of the consequences of an increasing population and depleting natural resources, an increase in demand on education, energy, employment, housing and other issues, said a Wam report. Whether it be improving traffic flow, managing waste or promoting environmental awareness to communities, the current model of cities would not be sufficient to realise the future requirements of the community, Lootah said. To prepare for a brighter and a sustainable future, he reinforced the importance of developing a good foundation of partnerships and exchange of information with other countries. Key representatives from different cities and organisations gathered to sign the Dubai Charter of Sustainable Development Cities Alliance seeking to collaboratively achieve the vision of building a sustainable future for Dubai. Lootah mentioned the challenges that governments might face when planning a sustainable city that not only places peoples welfare at the forefront, but also preserves the natural resources, the report said. Manvita Bardai, director of International Capital Market Association-India, said in order for cities to remain on the correct path of prosperity and sustainability, leaders must take the right steps to achieve high standard of quality in cities, and data needs to be assembled and shared with global communities. US President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally President Bashar Al Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial centre before the conflict. There is little optimism that the deal reached in Munich will do much to end a war that has lasted five years and cost 250,000 lives. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin and Obama had spoken by telephone and agreed to intensify co-operation to implement the Munich agreement. But a Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and "other terrorist organisations", an indication that it would also target groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting Assad in close proximity to rebels deemed moderate by the West. Russia says the "cessation" does not apply to its air strikes, which have shifted the balance of power towards Assad. It says Islamic State and the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front are the main targets of its air campaign. But Western countries say Russia has in fact been mostly targeting other insurgent groups, including some they support. The White House said Obama's discussion with Putin stressed the need to rush humanitarian aid to Syria and contain air strikes. "In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," the White House said in a statement. Relief workers said efforts to deliver humanitarian aid were being threatened by the latest escalation of violence. "We must ask again, why wait a week for this urgently needed cessation of hostilities?" said Dalia al-Awqati, Mercy Corps director of programs for North Syria. The situation in Syria has been complicated by the involvement of Kurdish-backed combatants in the area north of Aleppo near the Turkish border, which has drawn a swift military response from artillery in Turkey. The Kurdish YPG militia, helped by Russian air raids, seized an ex-military air base at Menagh last week, angering Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group that waged a bloody insurgent campaign on Turkish soil over most of the past three decades. Turkey began shelling while demanding that the YPG militia withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels in the northern Aleppo region in recent days, including the Menagh air base. The bombardment killed two YPG fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party rejected Turkish demands for withdrawal, while the Syrian government said Turkish shelling of northern Syria amounted to direct support for insurgent groups. France called on Turkey to stop the shelling, but Turkey said it would continue to respond to Kurdish militia attacks in Syria. Syria also said Turkish forces were believed to be among 100 gunmen that entered Syria on Saturday with a dozen pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns in an operation to supply rebel fighters. Other fronts were also active on Sunday. Kurdish-backed forces were fighting with insurgent groups near Tel Rifaat in the northern Aleppo countryside, while farther south, government forces renewed their shelling of rebel positions to the northwest of Aleppo city. The Syria Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the YPG, gained more ground from insurgents north of Aleppo, capturing a village on the road between the two rebel-held towns of Tel Rifaat and Azaz, the Observatory reported. It also reported air strikes by jets believed to be Russian in areas east of Damascus, north of Homs, and in the southern province of Deraa. Reaction from politicians in the West to the Munich deal was sceptical. US Senator John McCain said he did not view the deal as a breakthrough. "Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week," he said at security conference in Munich. "Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime," McCain said. A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had gained the upper hand in Syria through armed force. Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, said Russia was determined to create "facts on the ground", to bolster its negotiating position. As the fighting continued, the Syrian army urged citizens in Deraa province, the Ghouta area east of Damascus, and in rural districts east of Aleppo to quickly seek "reconciliation" with the government. So-called local reconciliation agreements are often seen as a means for the government to force surrender on insurgents, and have typically followed lengthy blockades of rebel areas and the civilians living there. Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base to join the fight against Islamic State, but said any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria must await a decision by the US-led coalition combating the militants. Any ground operations in Syria will lead to "a full-fledged, long war", Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned.-Reuters Qatar Petroleum (QP) has awarded a contract to supply jet fuel from its Ras Laffan Industrial City to Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha, Qatar, a report said. The engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) contract was awarded to the joint venture of Consolidated Contractors group & Teyseer Contracting Company, reported The Peninsula. The project, when it begins operations in 2019, will meet the long-term demand of JetA1 supply to HIA beyond the year 2030, it added. The project includes a dedicated 24-inch pipeline from Ras Laffan to Doha, four Jet A1 tanks of 53,000 cu m each, booster and mainline pumps, and power and fire-fighting systems. Unveiling plans of its latest development in Dubai, leading upscale property developer Action Hotels has purchased a plot of land in Media Citys Innovation Hub from a subsidiary of Dubai Holdings Tecom Group for $10 million, said a report. Innovation Hub is a new, 1.6 million-sq-ft complex being built at Media City and will be surrounded mainly by five-star hotels and one other mid-market hotel nearby, said a report in The National. Action Hotels has acquired 5,553.5-sq-m of land and plans to develop it into three- and four-star hotels. The company is currently in talks with several hotel brands regarding operating partnerships and intends to complete the project by 2018. The new development will mark Action Hotels second venture in Dubai. Action Hotels founder and chairman Sheikh Mubarak A M Al Sabah said: I am delighted that we have agreed to acquire this prime freehold plot of land in such a desirable area. This acquisition reinforces our presence in key locations in Dubai. Media City is a thriving area of Dubai with more than 4,500 companies and we have identified strong demand for quality, affordable accommodation. This sought-after location is generating significant operator interest and as always we will be working with our partner hotels brands to secure the best terms, he added. Travel, it's the only way to go! Editor: Last year we joined with other concerned Wyoming citizens to encourage the Wyoming Legislature to approve expansion of Medicaid coverage to help meet the health-care needs of approximately 20,000 people in the State of Wyoming. There were plenty of numbers to support a responsible fiscal accounting as to the positive impact Medicaid expansion would make to the people and to the health-care institutions of Wyoming, but we chose to appeal to the heart-conscience of Wyomings legislators. Surely, we thought, our legislators have a heart and will do the right thing on behalf of the hard-working people of Wyoming who dont qualify for Medicaid and yet cant afford the costs associated with health care. Unfortunately, the appeal to the heart-conscience of Wyomings legislators failed. This year, as Wyoming faces tremendous budget challenges due to the decline in gas/oil/coal revenues, we thought now is the time to appeal to the head-conscience of Wyomings legislators. Once again, there are plenty of numbers to support a responsible fiscal accounting as to the positive impact Medicaid expansion will make to the Wyoming budget, and so we chose to appeal to the intelligence of Wyomings legislators. Surely, we thought, our legislators will know to do the right thing on behalf of the budget of Wyoming. Unfortunately, the appeal to the head-conscience of the Joint Appropriations Committee failed. Good heavens! If an appeal to the heart doesnt work, and an appeal to the head doesnt work, whats left? Is there nothing within the humanity of the men and women making up the Joint Appropriations Committee and/or the Wyoming State Legislature that can compel them to simply do the right thing? What, we ask, is wrong with doing the right thing? WASHINGTON Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalias death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. Spokeswoman Donna Sellers said Scalia had retired the previous evening and was found dead Saturday morning after he did not appear for breakfast. His death sets up a likely ideological showdown during a presidential election year as President Barack Obama weighs nominating a successor to the justice in the remainder of his White House term. Scalia was part of a 5-4 conservative majority with one of the five, Anthony Kennedy, sometimes voting with liberals on the court. Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court further to the right after his 1986 selection by President Ronald Reagan. He also advocated tirelessly in favor of originalism, the method of constitutional interpretation that looks to the meaning of words and concepts as they were understood by the Founding Fathers. Scalias impact on the court was muted by his seeming disregard for moderating his views to help build consensus, although he was held in deep affection by his ideological opposites Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. Scalia and Ginsburg shared a love of opera. He persuaded Kagan to join him on hunting trips. His 2008 opinion for the court in favor of gun rights drew heavily on the history of the Second Amendment and was his crowning moment on the bench. He could be a strong supporter of privacy in cases involving police searches and defendants rights. Indeed, Scalia often said he should be the poster child for the criminal defense bar. But he also voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, to allow a closer relationship between government and religion, to permit executions and to limit lawsuits. He was in the courts majority in the 2000 Bush v. Gore decision, which effectively decided the presidential election for Republican George W. Bush. Get over it, Scalia would famously say at speaking engagements in the ensuing years whenever the topic arose. Bush later named one of Scalias sons, Eugene, to an administration job, but the Senate refused to confirm him. Eugene Scalia served as the Labor Department solicitor temporarily in a recess appointment. A smoker of cigarettes and pipes, Scalia enjoyed baseball, poker, hunting and the piano. He was an enthusiastic singer at court Christmas parties and other musical gatherings, and once appeared on stage with Ginsburg as a Washington Opera extra. Ginsburg once said that Scalia was an absolutely charming man, and he can make even the most sober judge laugh. She said that she urged her friend to tone down his dissenting opinions because hell be more effective if he is not so polemical. Im not always successful. Quick-witted and loquacious, Scalia was among the most persistent, frequent and quotable interrogators of the lawyers who appeared before the court. During Scalias first argument session as a court member, Justice Lewis F. Powell leaned over and asked a colleague, Do you think he knows that the rest of us are here? A challenge to a Washington, D.C., gun ban gave Scalia the opportunity to display his devotion to textualism. In a 5-4 decision that split the courts conservatives and liberals, Scalia wrote that an examination of English and colonial history made it exceedingly clear that the Second Amendment protected Americans right to have guns, at the very least in their homes and for self-defense. The dissenters, also claiming fidelity to history, said the amendment was meant to ensure that states could raise militias to confront a too-powerful federal government if necessary. But Scalia rejected that view. Undoubtedly some think that the Second Amendment is outmoded in a society where our standing army is the pride of our Nation, where well-trained police forces provide personal security, and where gun violence is a serious problem. That is perhaps debatable, but what is not debatable is that it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct, Scalia wrote. His dissents in cases involving gay rights could be as biting as they were prescient. By formally declaring anyone opposed to same-sex marriage an enemy of human decency, the majority arms well every challenger to a state law restricting marriage to its traditional definition, Scalia wrote in dissent in 2013 when the court struck down part of a federal anti-gay marriage law. Six months later, a federal judge in Utah cited Scalias dissent in his opinion striking down that states constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Scalia was passionate about the death penalty. He wrote for the court when in 1989 it allowed states to use capital punishment for killers who were 16 or 17 when they committed their crimes. He was on the losing side in 2005 when the court changed course and declared it unconstitutional for states to execute killers that young. In 2002, he dissented from the courts decision to outlaw executing the mentally retarded. That same year, Scalia surprised some people with a public declaration of independence from his Roman Catholic church on the death penalty. He said judges who follow the philosophy that capital punishment is morally wrong should resign. A longtime law professor before becoming a judge, Scalia frequently spoke at law schools and to other groups. Later in his tenure, he also spoke at length in on-the-record interviews, often to promote a book. He betrayed no uncertainty about some of the most contentious legal issues of the day. The framers of the Constitution didnt think capital punishment was unconstitutional and neither did he. The only child of an Italian immigrant father who was a professor of Romance languages and a mother who taught elementary school, Scalia attended public schools in his native New Jersey, graduated first in his class at Georgetown University and won high honors at the Harvard University Law School. He worked at a large Cleveland law firm for six years before joining the faculty of the University of Virginias law school. He left that job to work in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. From 1977 to 1982, Scalia taught law at the University of Chicago. He then was appointed by Reagan to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Scalia and his wife, Maureen, had nine children. CHEYENNE On Monday, after telling lawmakers in the State of the State to expand Medicaid to 20,000 low-income Wyomingites, Gov. Matt Mead visited a local church here for a Medicaid expansion rally. He shared a stage at the rally with many social justice advocates with whom he normally doesnt align politically. The coalition includes business and health care groups but also some left-leaning organizations. Mead, a classically conservative Republican in his second term as governor, reflected recently on the political capital he is expending in the fight for Medicaid expansion. As my role as governor, I have a responsibility to every citizen of the state to do my best, he said Friday. And so some of the people that support this, as far as I know, they may disagree with me on every other point thats out there. And I may disagree with them on every other point. But on this issue well be sharing common interest with a diverse group, and Im happy to have their support on an issue that is, in fact, so impactful to the state of our health and frankly the state of our economy. Mead has argued at length why the state should adopt expansion: Extending Medicaid to 20,000 low-income Wyoming adults under Obamacare would bring $268 million in federal money to the state over the next two years, and would allow the Wyoming Health Department to cut or eliminate $33 million in programs for low-income Wyomingites. The state is facing a $477 million revenue decline over the next two years due to declines in oil, natural gas and coal. Hospitals absorb $100 million in yearly costs in caring for people without insurance who do not have the money to pay medical bills, many of whom would likely be eligible for Medicaid. The Republican-dominated Legislature has resisted expanding Medicaid for the past three sessions. Originally opposed to expansion, Mead said hes become a supporter since the Supreme Court has upheld major components of the Affordable Care Act, including one that his administration challenged. He believes Obamacare is so ingrained into the health care system, no new president will be able to overturn it. Marguerite Herman, who has observed the Legislature for 35 years first as a journalist and now as a lobbyist for the Wyoming League of Women Voters, which supports expansion said Mead has shown courage. Unlike some governors who have confrontational relationships with state legislatures, Meads relationship with lawmakers typically has been one of cooperation, she said. This is a departure of style where he is openly challenging the Legislature to expand, Herman said. He still has 2 years left in his term where he needs to maintain that relationship. So hes taking a chance that this will not harm that cooperative relationship. Hes doing what he knows is right for the people and the state, knowing people may object. On Friday, Mead said Medicaid expansion faces an uphill battle in the state Legislature. But he is hopeful it will pass. On the upside, you see the amount of support it gets from organizations from municipalities, from the hospital association, from a private insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield those are not groups that are normally on the same side on every issue, he said. I think it is a broad, diverse coalition of support. What we see in editorials and letters to the editor, I think Wyomings waking up to (the fact that) it doesnt make sense at this point to not expand. So Im hopeful everyone keeps an open mind, and even though were not where we want to be now, things can change in the next couple of weeks. Senate Vice President Drew Perkins, R-Casper, opposes expansion and believes a majority of the Legislature will, too. Hes talked to members who have indicated they will oppose expansion. He also believes Congress in Washington will eventually be able to repeal the Affordable Care Act or take away its funding, he said. I dont know that the issue is settled at the federal level yet, he said. He doesnt believe the Legislatures long-term relationship with the governor will suffer. I count Matt Mead as a friend, even though we are disagreeing on this issue significantly, he said. Perkins said he has seen data that shows expansion has been harmful in some states, including numbers that say enrollment of Medicaid expansion has been almost double initial projections. This year, the federal government is paying all of the states costs with expansion, but starting next year, the federal proportion decreases annually through 2020, when it will be 90 percent. He said states such as Kentucky and Washington have had problems with expansion. There are lots of indicators that show this thing, without cost controls and without use controls, this thing is blooming way faster than anybody ever thought it would, he said. Mead has pushed the Legislature to find workable solutions to health care if they dont like his plan. On Friday, the Senate advanced a bill that would allow a committee or task force, likely made up of lawmakers, to spend $20,000 on designing a new program for low-income people to obtain health care, move them away from public assistance and improve their earnings. Senate File 86 is sponsored by Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper, Senate President Phil Nicholas, R-Laramie, House Speaker Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, and Rep. Elaine Harvey, R-Lovell. We want to have a circumstance where people always have an incentive to take an extra raise and the extra step, and always have the benefit, Scott said. Scott said the committee would meet for two years and would incorporate any changes to the traditional Medicaid program that Scott said could come soon. The Legislature would have to vote to implement any program the group designed, he said. SF86 would prohibit Mead from submitting a request to the federal government for Medicaid expansion. Mead said hes heard of SF86 in a general way but had not studied the bill in depth. He agrees that he shouldnt unilaterally expand Medicaid in Wyoming. If he did, the Legislature would stop it the next time they met, he said. My job is not just to force this through, he said. Its to persuade them that this is the right thing to do for Wyoming citizens. CHEYENNE A bill that would close a loophole relating to teachers sexual assaults of their students was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee Friday. Any school district employee who is found to have had sexual relations with a student age 18 or older would be guilty of third-degree sexual assault, Senate File 50 reads. The bills main sponsor, Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, said teachers and other district staff already can face charges if their student is under age 18. But there appears to be a loophole for legal-adult students, even though district employees are still abusing a position of authority and trust. We dont want someone using their school district employment to engage in this sort of predatory behavior, Boner said. The bill clarifies that the offense would apply only to staff who are aware that the person is a student of the district in which they work. It also would not apply in cases where the district employee and student are less than four years apart in age. Boner acknowledged there are many what if scenarios for SF50 should it become law. What if, for example, a district maintenance employee came in to work on the school one day and met an 18-year-old student while there then later met that student again at a grocery store and struck up a conversation that eventually led to a sexual relationship? In such cases, Boner said, the burden on the state would be to show that the employee implicitly abused his or her position of authority in pursuing a relationship with the student. One young woman gave testimony on the bill, providing an example of the kind of behavior Boners bill seeks to punish. She explained that she had been abused by a track coach she trusted, ultimately becoming pregnant by him. Then she was drawn into a shotgun wedding when she was 18 and he 56. When I turned 18, the relationship became technically legal, the woman said. He said it was love and I believed him. I believed the lies for over 10 years. My moms and dads lives were torn apart. This was a man they considered a friend, who cooked Mothers Day lunch for my mom a year before I married him. The woman said the coach had kept her away from her family, declaring they didnt love her. It wasnt until she was able to get away for a family funeral that she was able to free herself from him. A betrayal of trust by a teacher is always a betrayal, she said. School is supposed to prepare students for attaining their aspirations and dreams in life, not to lose their innocence. Committee member Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, said that while laws may deter some crimes, they cannot stop them all. Even so, he said, if SF 50 wasnt able to stop such crimes from occurring, it may at least provide a means for victims like Fridays speaker to seek justice. We need to be clear what were doing here is seeking justice, Hicks said. We never want to see what happened to this young lady happen again. With that, SF 50 passed the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 5-0. CHEYENNE The Wyoming Legislature will consider a range of budget bills this week as lawmakers wrestle with how much to spend from state savings to keep government programs afloat in the face of falling energy revenues. Legislative Democrats are also likely to try to amend the main general appropriations bill this week to allow Wyoming to accept federal funds to expand the Medicaid program. An expansion could provide insurance coverage to some 20,000 low-income adults. However, Democrats appear to have little prospect of success. Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne, is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He said the Senate will start considering the general appropriations bill Monday with a final vote likely next week. The Legislature is running separate bills for several segments of state funding rather than merging them into a single bill as it has in years past. The separate bills include the issues of local government funding, how to spend roughly $165 million in federal abandoned mine lands funding and school capital construction. The Legislature is considering spending through roughly $1 billion of savings over the coming two years. The proposed budget calls for imposing a 1.5-percent budget cut on most state agencies over the next two years. The Wyoming Department of Health would be exempt from those cuts. The Joint Appropriations Committee voted to reject Gov. Matt Meads proposal to spend roughly $450 million from the states $1.8-billion rainy day fund. Mead had proposed reducing the flow of energy revenues into permanent savings and diverting that money instead into the rainy day fund to keep it intact over time. The committees proposed budget calls for a reduction in spending out of the rainy day fund to $310 million over the next two years. It also calls for spending about $675 million in reserve funds over the next few years that the state had set aside for schools. Senate President Phil Nicholas, R-Laramie, and House Speaker Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, said the state hasnt identified a future source of money to fund school capital construction. The state has spent billions in recent years on schools from federal coal lease bonus funds. But those funds are drying up, and the federal government recently announced a moratorium on new leases. Theres a lot of uncertainty about what were really into in terms of decreased revenues and decreased commodity prices. Thats an evolving thing. Its a moving target that were trying to hit on the run, Brown said Friday. In crafting the general appropriations bill, the Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee voted against Meads recommendation that Wyoming accept federal funds to expand Medicaid. Many lawmakers oppose expansion, saying they dont trust federal promises to continue funding. Mead, in his state of the state address last week, said accepting more than $30 million in federal Medicaid funds over the next two years would have an even greater benefit to the states economy by reducing demand on other health programs and cutting the amount of charity care that hospitals in the state must absorb. Brown said Medicaid expansion faces fierce opposition in the House. He said lawmakers may support a pending bill that would call on the state to develop a competing health care program for low-income people. However, participants who are able to work must be employed. Nicholas said many Wyoming lawmakers object to Medicaid expansion because they dont like the notion of offering government-sponsored health care to able-bodied people who decide not to earn much money so they can pursue other interests, such as people who work in the summers and take the winters off to go skiing. If somebody is doing all they can and they dont have the intellectual resources, or the physical capacity to earn a living, then those people need a handout. But to give a handout to somebody to support a lifestyle runs against many of our core philosophies, Nicholas said. Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said he expects to see a proposed budget amendment to expand the Medicaid program this week, but hes uncertain who would sponsor the legislation. He said the measure could specify that the expanded coverage would terminate if the federal government stopped covering 90 percent of the costs. Rothfuss said Wyomings worsening budget situation makes Medicaid expansion increasingly important. This is an opportunity to add $33 million to the general fund for the biennium, while bringing over $260 million to the state of Wyoming to support health care and at the same time, providing access to affordable health care to almost 20,000 of our most needy citizens, he said. Wyoming will always hold a special place in our hearts. We love our state and its people dearly. Our politicians have worked hard to better our lives, but these old coots know we have unfinished business if the Legislature doesnt give all of us equal access to affordable health care. Simpsons story: Around 20,000 of our friends and neighbors in the Cowboy State, the folks you see daily, do not have health insurance or health care coverage. As a cancer survivor, I find this appalling. My cancer journey was fraught with uncertainty, pain, prayer and lots of questions, but I never had to worry about whether I could pay for treatment, or cope with a bankruptcy because of it. I cannot imagine weathering cancer treatment without the security of knowing my tests and treatment were covered by my personal money, not congressional or Medicare bucks. Sullivans story: In 1999 I underwent quintuple heart bypass surgery at Wyoming Medical Center. Because of the excellent care I received, Im still in good health 17 years later. Wyoming is blessed with a health care system and health care providers that serve its people, but is burdened with about $100 million in uncompensated health care costs for treating uninsured patients. These costs affect us all. While our health system is a good one, its fragile. Taking it for granting would be a mistake. I fear that by not expanding Medicaid, our legislature will play Russian roulette with an already fragile health care system and allow ideology to rule over common sense, logic and compassion. Most importantly, by reducing access to quality health care, they will add additional uncertainty and pain on our fellow Wyomingites who are least equipped to deal with it. These old coots know the pros and cons of Medicaid expansion that have been debated for years. The legislature needs to remove politics from the discussion. Lets stop talking about what ifs and unsubstantiated claims from Liberty Group and talk about what really matters: 20,000 fellow Wyoming citizens would get the screenings and care they need, often before it turns into costly treatments paid for by taxpayers. This would produce long-term health savings, but more importantly, save lives. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, 111 people die every year we do not expand Medicaid because they do not have access to health care. Put in the proper safeguards to protect us if Washington, D.C., stops funding us, but get this done. Forget that federal boogeyman. Wyoming already takes more bucks from evil Washington than most other states in PILT funds from the Farm Bill, abandoned mine money, and funds for education and highways. We take federal money for countless programs without batting an eye. Why is this different? Members of the 64th legislature, we do not envy you. Balancing a budget dramatically impacted by falling oil, coal and gas prices will be one of your biggest challenges. Weve been there (Simpson was a state representative for 13 years before becoming a U.S. senator and Sullivan was Wyomings governor for eight years). Our challenging times mean good programs will be eliminated. If you pass Medicaid expansion, you have about $30 million for projects that would otherwise be cut. More importantly, you have the satisfaction of knowing you made a substantial difference in the quality of life for 20,000 of your friends and neighbors. Pass Medicaid expansion because it is the right thing to do for our low-income citizens as well as the fiscal health of our great state. Jeb Bush's election as our next president would be the best choice for Wyoming. He demonstrated his leadership skills as governor of Florida that included working with that state's legislature and the representatives of both parties within in it. At a time when divisiveness, extremism and polarization seem to be at an all time high, Jeb has the temperament and sensibility that translates into rational decision making resulting in outcomes that will be in the best interests of the people of Wyoming, as well as all citizens of this great country. Editor: I am writing to express my support for the conservation of wilderness lands in Wyoming. There are several types of wilderness designations, and I believe that most, if not all of the remaining wilderness lands in Wyoming should not be developed. The BLM has the opportunity to protect Lands with Wilderness Characteristics in the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan. Protecting LWCs in the Rock Springs RMP would benefit wildlife and the many people who choose to hunt, fish, and recreate in roadless areas. The BLM would be wise to remember that the threat of sage grouse listing did not disappear in September. The management set forth in the Rock Springs RMP will be important in keeping sage grouse off the Endangered Species list. The common argument against wilderness protection is that it negatively impacts Wyomings energy industry. With Wyomings ec! onomy entering another bust, many are eager to blame the bust on environmental protections. I disagree with this argument. From a business perspective, it is clear that the vast decline in fossil fuel commodity prices is caused by a surplus of energy resources on the market. I fail to see how increased energy development on Wyomings public lands in the past would have done anything other than cause the states economy to suffer sooner. It is also important to remember that tourism is Wyomings second biggest economic contributor, surpassing even agriculture. It supports jobs throughout the state, and is much more stable than our historically fluctuating energy markets. People visit Wyoming for a variety of reasons, but it is fair to assume that the majority of tourists come to Wyoming to enjoy our wildlife and remaining intact natural landscapes such as wilderness areas. While the energy industry is declining in Wyoming, the tourism sector is increasing and is no doubt benefiting from low fuel prices. Public lands are a birth right of all Americans present and future. Their management should not be subject to short sighted thinking. As the human population increases, so does the value of wilderness lands to the American public. By TIFFANY TAN Rapid City Journal CUSTER, S.D. (AP) There are promising results from 2015's battle in the two decades of warfare between Black Hills National Forest and the mountain pine beetle. The latest surveys of the national forest and surrounding land show that the beetle epidemic has slowed overall, largely as a result of cutting down and sanitizing trees, the Rapid City Journal (http://bit.ly/1SJ3zIv ) reported. Some 16,000 to 17,000 acres of forest in the area were still infested by the mountain-pine beetle last year, about the same size as in 2014, but the population of young beetles has decreased, suggesting a downward trend, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor Craig Bobzien said earlier this month. "Our thinning the forests in those at-risk areas is resulting in the thin forests remaining green and healthy," Bobzien said on the day the U.S. Forest Service released the results of high-resolution aerial photography and on-the-ground surveys conducted last August and September. But the studies also deliver bad news: The on-the-ground survey registered population increases in some areas. Places that were at high risk of beetle expansion, according to the survey, were in the west central part of the Black Hills near the South Dakota-Wyoming border, the northwest corner of the Hills and southeast of Custer. Since 1996, the mountain pine beetle has infested some 447,000 acres of forests in the Black Hills forest region, with the problem area expanding each year. The epidemic reached a peak in 2013 when 34,000 acres of forest were infested by the wood-burrowing insects. Forestry officials find that forest thinning, or cutting down trees to be processed into forest products, is the most effective way to get rid of the beetles. "You remove the beetles from the forest, they are destroyed, and the tree is dying anyway so you get a wood product out of it," said Greg Josten, a forester with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. Thinning forest areas also creates an environment that is less habitable for the beetles, since they flourish in dense forests. Another option if the infested trees cannot be brought to a sawmill, or for private owners of small plots in forest is non-commercial sanitation, better known as cutting-and-chunking. That involves cutting a tree into 2-foot lengths and leaving the chunks onsite without piling them, which results in their drying out. That will kill up to 80 percent of the beetles that have infested the tree, preventing them from breeding or moving to other trees, Josten said. But that has to be done between October 1 and March 1, the period when the treatment will be most effective in killing the beetles, he said. It's important that people work with their neighbors when cutting-and-chunking a larger forest area, said Dave Thom, coordinator of the Black Hills Regional Mountain Pine Beetle Working Group, which is made up of 14 public and private agencies. "You treat your trees but your neighbor doesn't treat their trees, it will just fly from one place to another," he said. Every year about 210,000 acres of forest are treated, including areas that have not yet been infested, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the beetle epidemic. The treatments cost $18.2 million annually from federal, state, county and private funding. Bobzien, the Black Hills National Forest supervisor, said that this 20-year pine-beetle epidemic has been one of the longest-running of its kind this century - past the period when it had been expected to end. "It's trending in a positive direction towards an end," Bobzien said, "but there's no guarantee when that end would occur." ___ Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com This is an AP Member Exchange shared by the Rapid City Journal Arizona Public Service: APS granted SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation) $50,000 to support its free STEM educational outreach programs to Southern Arizona schools in areas of poverty. Bottle Breacher: The manufacturer of beverage openers from ammunition rounds will offer a special Eagle Fund-branded Bottle Breacher and will donate all the proceeds to Eagle Fund, which supports active-duty, wounded and retired special operations members. The items are available now through bottlebreacher.com/eagle-fund-bottle-breacher-with-gift-box. Dr. Barry Blonder of Fashion Eye Center: Blonder will buy 300 to 500 boxes of cookies from local Girl Scouts. He will give a box with each purchase of prescription glasses; others he will donate to the troops. See www.FashionEyeCenter.com for details. You hear of pop stars getting multiple Grammy nominations in a single year, but rarely if ever and possibly never do you hear of a classical artist up for more than one. Until now. Minneapolis composer Stephen Paulus is up for three, including two tied to Tucson's True Concord Voices & Orchestra. Paulus, who suffered a stroke in summer 2013 and died in October 2014, has one previous Grammy nomination, for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2015. He lost, said his widow Patty Paulus. I think sometimes the one that came last year, in the back of your mind youre thinking maybe this is a sympathy thing. But this year, here we are again," Patty Paulus said. "And this piece is on a larger CD that is all his music. ... It really says who he was. I think it would just be wonderful if the CD won a Grammy. It would be really nice. Paulus is up for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for "Prayers and Remembrances," the cornerstone of True Concord's 2015 CD "Far In the Heavens: Choral Music of Stephen Paulus." The CD is nominated for Best Choral Performance and Paulus is up for a third Grammy with the Nashville Symphony for Best Classical Compendium for the 2014 CD "Stephen Paulus: Three Places of Enlightenment, Veil of Tears & Grand Concerto for Organ and Orchestra." True Concord and Tucson classical music patron Dorothy Dyer Vanek commissioned Paulus to compose "Prayers" in 2011 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The ensemble, led by founder and Music Director Eric Holtan and joined by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, premiered the work at Centennial Hall on Sept. 11, 2011, and performed it again in New York City last Sept. 11, the day they released the CD on the national classical music imprint Reference Recordings. Patty Paulus said her husband, Holtan and Vanek had envisioned the "Prayers" project in three parts: the commission, the CD and the New York concert. "And now heres the fourth part," she said last Thursday as she got ready to fly from home in Minnesota to Los Angeles for Monday's Grammy ceremonies. "That wasnt even part of it. We didnt even think there would be the fourth part, that it would be nominated for a Grammy. That is just icing on the cake. Paulus said her husband would be thrilled by all the attention his work is receiving, but she said he wouldn't be surprised by the "Prayers" nominations. "I think he knew it was a really good CD, but I think he would be so proud and so pleased and just validated in that way," she said. The classical music Grammys will be awarded at a ceremony held before Monday night's nationally televised awards show on CBS. It will not be broadcast. Stay tuned here for results as they are announced. Roads in Pima County remain in poor condition, and the organizer of a new website and Facebook page wants to make sure no one, especially elected leaders and those who want to get elected, forgets. Tucson attorney Phil Larriva is one of the people behind an effort called Fix Our Pima County Roads. It is an election-year effort to increase public awareness of candidates positions, solutions and commitments to Fix Our Pima County Roads, Larriva told Road Runner by email. The road-repair Facebook page has gotten more than 900 likes since it first started posting items around January. The posts include photos of potholes people send to the organizer and a lot stories from the Arizona Daily Star about transportation and infrastructure funding. While the Facebook page has a measure of the sniping and name-calling from commenters that such forums inevitably attract, Larriva seems genuinely earnest in moving beyond political finger-pointing. Rather, hes searching for solutions to an impending crisis in our transportation infrastructure. The scope and extent of the road problem requires less spending for other things and increasing revenue for road preservation and maintenance, he wrote to Road Runner. Increasing revenue by way of gas taxes, a Pima County half-cent sales tax and/or passing bonds for only street-specific road preservation, maintenance and reconstruction (not new roads) is probably necessary. Larriva asks an important question in all this: If there wont be an increased gas tax coming from the Legislature, what then? The roads under Pima Countys purview have deteriorated to the point where as much as 60 percent are rated poor to failing. Its standard for local governments to lay their funding woes at the Legislatures doorstep, and theres some truth in that. Local governments rely on state vehicle-licensing fees and gas taxes for nearly their entire transportation budgets. Thats how the system was set up in 1974. In an effort to minimize local taxation, state lawmakers created a statewide gas tax to be apportioned like pieces of a pie to local governments. Its called revenue-sharing, and for a time it worked. But over the years, lawmakers invited more parties to the table to share the pie. New slices were cut for things like the states general fund or to supplement the Arizona Department of Public Safety budget. At the same time, gas taxes havent changed since about 1990. Its a per-gallon tax on fuel, but revenue has diminished as modern cars used less fuel. Counties in particular have a legitimate complaint against the state when it comes to the funding formula. The money gets doled out based largely on total gas sales within the county. That naturally leads to Maricopa receiving the lions share of the funding about $104 million to Pimas $49 million. But Maricopa and Pima counties are responsible for roughly the same miles of roadway, while Pima has nearly 100,000 more residents in unincorporated areas. Even with the inequities, local governments arent blameless for the poor conditions of the roads. Other communities in the state have adopted dedicated sales taxes to fund roadway repairs and maintenance. That hasnt happened locally. County supervisors have been almost silent on a possible county-wide sales tax to fund road repairs. It would take unanimous approval, a hard sell to the two Republicans on the board. Regular annual allocation from Pima Countys general fund to pay for road maintenance also have been in short supply. The Board of Supervisors put $5 million into pavement-preservation projects a few years ago, but it was little more than a drop in the bucket. The county also continues to pay for the 1997 HURF bond, where voters approved a plan to essentially borrow against future gas-tax disbursements to fund new roadway projects. Thats maybe the biggest problem for the county too much money has been invested in needed new construction and not enough put into maintaining the existing infrastructure. Down the road The Arizona Department of Transportation plans a long-term transportation planning workshop in Tucson this week. The meeting will be at the Pima Association of Governments office at 1 E. Broadway, Suite 401, on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. This time of year, the appeal of the concept is apparent. Put a string of permanent gem-show exhibition halls along the frontage road on the east side of Interstate 10 from downtown to 22nd Street: one by the federal courthouse, one north of 18th Street, one south of 18th Street. I walked that route Friday and could imagine the long, low buildings with nice lighting, heating and cooling, big windows and, of course, permanent bathrooms. Instead, for decades weve had huge tents put up annually for the shows, dust-and-gravel parking lots, and a rail line so obsolete that mature trees are growing between the tracks. Dont expect that to change anytime soon. If it ever happens, itll be in Tucson Time. Thats not for the lack of ideas. The northernmost parcel, west of Granada Avenue and east of Interstate 10, is supposed to have an exhibition hall within a couple of years. And the southernmost, just north of 22nd Street, was scheduled to be finished around now. Its exciting because it sounds like these guys want to build more permanent spaces, said City Councilwoman Regina Romero, whose ward includes the southern part of this corridor. The annual gem shows, she added, have brought millions in sales taxes, but the city of Tucson has not seen permanent exhibition space. Down at 633 W. 18th St., the director of Sonoran Glass School told me hes been imagining improvements around him, too, though that school owns its permanent structure. All of us are thinking about permanency, said John-Peter Wilhite, the executive director. I dont have anything concrete. We own a piece of property. Where theres lots of discussion is about where we might go. We, in this case, is the school and its gem-show neighbors, and where they might go is how their properties might be transformed. The logic of their dreams is natural. The properties there are usable, but not exactly attractive. With new buildings, they could bring in events and rent throughout the year, and perhaps create a new corridor of artists, jewelers and mineral aficionados. Still, their dreams are proving hard to realize. The northernmost site should be the first where an exhibition hall actually goes up. Thats Allan Norvilles old property, the one where for years hes put up giant tents for the GJX show. The Norville family development company, Nor-Generations LLC, won the right to develop the adjacent property, known as the Arena Site, from the Rio Nuevo district board in 2014. But the companys first priority has always been to build a permanent exhibition hall. Unfortunately, thats not going to happen until 2017 at the earliest. The city of Tucson, the Rio Nuevo district and Nor-Generations are negotiating a complicated deal for redesigning the drainage of the property, attorney Pat Lopez told me. We want the agreement approved in the next month or two, Lopez said. Then that infrastructure could be constructed immediately. The problem is, construction will have to wait. It has to happen in the 11 months or so between gem shows. So that means if the company can get building permits this year, then it will begin construction after the 2017 gem show. If not ... well, lets not think about that. At the next tent to the south, just north of 18th Street and east of the frontage road, the picture is clearer. Danny Duke, who owns the JG&M expo, has no plans to build a permanent building there. When I met Duke at the show Friday, he told me he reckons Rio Nuevo may want the land, which he bought from the city. He does have dreams of a permanent building, but that would be on property he owns on North Oracle Road. So for now, were stuck with the huge metal frame he leaves up all year. The Sonoran Glass School sits between two gem-show tents, but its another geographical feature that Wilhite sees as key to the future of the area. Thats the abandoned El Paso and Southwestern rail line. The city plan is for it to become a car-free greenway. When that happens, it could spark changes in the area, he said. But for now, its up to the individual owners to push change. Duke and his gem-show neighbor to the south, Lowell Carhart, have an interesting relationship in short, theyre competitors. When the city put 6.5 acres of the old El Campo Tire property up for sale, Duke bid, but Carhart won the property. In 2014, Carhart announced plans to build a 150,000-square-foot, $12-million exhibition hall. It was to be a sort of condo cooperative, with exhibitors buying spaces in the building. It was a good idea, but it didnt work. Lots of people were interested, but when it came time to pony up, they didnt. So now hes changing the concept to a more-traditional large, two-story exhibition space. Once he gets enough vendors to sign long-term leases, he plans to get financing for construction. How soon that will happen is unclear. Hes working with neighbors like Wilhite of the glass-art school and vendors here and in Phoenix to drum up support. But it will likely take a few years if it gets done at all. Thats the reality of Tucsons low-budget economy. An exciting idea like a string of gem-show halls from 22nd Street to downtown may make sense geographically and in terms of economic development, but its a stretch to get it done. I had wonderful kids and Im glad I had them. I dont regret anything, she said. Id do it again in a heartbeat. Not that she doesnt feel the pain. Since 1988, she has nursed six of the people she held most dear her first husband, her second husband, both her parents and two of her three children as they died. Her husbands side of the family has a genetic mutation that causes early-onset familial Alzheimers, and the offspring of someone with the mutation has a 50 percent chance of inheriting it. Family members who inherit the mutation are virtually assured to develop the disease. Caring for a loved one is heart-wrenching and unrelenting work, but Mary Kay has been able to strike what experts say is a crucial balance caring for others while also taking care of herself. She does it by staying practical and tackling problems as they come. I dont look for trouble, she said. Theres no reason to freak out. If you worry, it puts the brakes on what you can do. Even when it comes to the early-onset familial Alzheimers that has ravaged her first husbands side of the family, life is what it is. You take your chances and suck it up, she said. I dont have a lot of patience with people who sit and sulk. BAD KNOCKS A Louisiana-born, Texas-raised mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mary Kay is the matriarch of an extended family that looks to her for leadership and strength. Her spacious, tidy Tucson home is often abuzz with activity her daughter Cheryl Minarik Baril and son-in-law Mark Baril spend a lot of time there, and she frequently babysits her three great-grandchildren. She thinks nothing of having 35 people from Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Tucsons east side over for dinner. Every Tuesday morning she goes to a social at church, and before it starts she is usually in the church kitchen baking sweets and sometimes cooking lunch for the 30 to 40 older church members who gather to socialize and play games like bridge and rummy cubes. She would say shes not a leader, but she certainly has the leadership role, said fellow parishioner and best friend Cheryl Wood, who has known Mary Kay for more than 30 years. If someone is in need, she is always willing to help. There is a woman in a wheelchair and Mary Kay picks her up for choir practice. She knows how important it is for people to be out and to be together, Wood said. Mary Kay hosted a fall meeting of her Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) womens circle and organizes prayer chains via email. Many in the group need prayers among them a woman whose grandson was just diagnosed with cerebral palsy and another whose son has cancer. On a break during the fall meeting, Mary Kay sought out each woman and gave her a hug. Alzheimers affects many in her extended group of friends and acquaintances. Mary Kay is considered an expert resource to all of them, someone who knows how to navigate the system and is an aggressive advocate for her loved ones. Such traits are not in her nature, she insists, but are borne of necessity. When her husband, Smith Smitty Minarik, first became ill in the late 1970s, he stopped paying the familys bills and taxes. Mary Kay had to quickly learn how to take over. I didnt have a clue about finances. I didnt know how to pay property taxes, she said. I had to learn. She hired an accountant, bought a filing cabinet and started organizing. She learned how to do the jobs that Smitty once did fix a water pump on the swamp cooler, change a pipe, trim the hedges, mow the lawn. When she needed to hire someone to do work, she made sure it was done correctly and economically. On at least one occasion she climbed her mesquite tree to show the tree trimmer exactly what she wanted done. People think Im anal about records. I am, but I had to be, she said. Mary Kay worked as a health clerk at Dunham Elementary School for years she still has breakfast each week with friends from that time. After Smitty got sick, she turned her attention to operating a strip mall the family had inherited from Smittys father, selling real estate hed left them and investing the money. The money saved our bacon as far as Smitty was concerned. It put our kids through college all things we couldnt do on teachers salaries, she said. When Smitty started displaying odd behaviors, Mary Kay tried everything she could think of to fix whatever was wrong laying on of hands, anointing with oil, consulting with medical experts. For a long time she blamed herself because she thought Smitty must be unhappy with their marriage. I was sitting on a stool crying. Was my lack of faith preventing a miracle? Then you let it go. You eat yourself up if you dont. ASK MARY KAY An oft-repeated phrase in the Minarik and Baril families is, Ask Mary Kay. Her tenacity is unequivocally her best trait, said her grandson Kyle Baril, 29. She is everything a matriarch should be demanding in the most loving way possible and completely selfless on a daily basis. Everyone trusts her. Thats who you go to if you need help. When her daughter-in-law Sheryl Stephens Minarik suspected something was wrong with her husband, Mary Kays son Steve Minarik, the first person she called was her mother-in-law. On another occasion, Steve, in the early stages of Alzheimers disease, got sick with a stomach virus during a family vacation to Rocky Point in Mexico. Sheryl packed up the family and drove directly to Mary Kays east-side home. Once there, she broke down and began to panic about the future. How was she going to do this? At the time, her husband had diarrhea but did not have the faculties to make it to the bathroom in time. She had two young sons to take care of, too, and was overwhelmed. It was so stressful, Sheryl recalled. Mary Kay looked at me and said, OK, what are your options? Thank goodness for Mary Kay, who not only had to go through it, but support me through it, Sheryl said. I love her to pieces. I am so lucky. When Steve died in July, Mary Kay planned his funeral. She was an expert at it by then she had planned the final services for Steves sister, both her husbands and both her parents. CAREGIVING BALANCE Mary Kay is the healthiest kind of caregiver, able to make sure everyone is taken care of without neglecting her own needs, said Kelly Raach, regional director of the Desert Southwest chapter of the Alzheimers Association. Raach met the family six years ago when she worked at Pacifica, the Tucson facility where Mary Kays middle child, Beth Minarik, spent several years before she died in 2014. I have never seen Mary Kay panic, Raach said. I dont know what she does behind closed doors, but she had the type of personality where she says, OK, what are we going to do? She focuses on the solution. Since there is no way to stop Alzheimers, you can continue supporting yourself and provide the best care possible to the person who has Alzheimers. Shes been able to do that. After Beth was diagnosed it was inconceivable that any of her other children would be affected, too. Ever practical, Mary Kay made plans just in case. She got long-term-care insurance for Steve and Sheryl before Steve got sick, a move that ultimately covered a significant portion of his expenses when he was living at Pacifica. She tried to help Cheryl and Mark do the same, but Cheryl was denied because of her rheumatoid arthritis. In filing cabinets in her den, she still has medical records for Beth and Smitty, beginning with diagnosis and continuing through all their medications and doctors visits. You cannot stop that woman. To have gone through all the stuff shes gone through and still have a fairly good outlook on life boy, that speaks to the human spirit, said Dr. Geoffrey L. Ahern, a neurologist at Banner-University Medical Center Tucson who has treated all three of Mary Kays children. THE MAN ON THE ROOF Mary Kay, whose father was a minister, isnt big on memorizing passages of the Bible. But she has a favorite story thats often told in church. A man is stuck on his rooftop in a flood, praying to God for help. Someone rows up and offers to help, then someone in a motorboat does the same. But the man on the rooftop sends them both away, saying he is waiting for God to save him. The man drowns. And when he gets to heaven, he asks why God did nothing to save him. I did, God tells him. I sent two boats. That perfectly sums up Mary Kays philosophy. God doesnt promise you not to have rough times, she said. The only promise is that hes there with you. People around you are Gods hands and feet. If you get so involved in self pity, you cant see anything. After an Immanuel Presbyterian service last fall, she commented that she particularly liked the Rev. John Tittles sermon about the need for good works to make faith viable. The day before, shed shown up with her tools at a site where a Habitat for Humanity house was being built, but it turned out they had more labor than they needed. So she brought some fellow parishioners back to the church and they cleaned the grounds for six hours. Her friend Cheryl Woods late husband, the Rev. Fred Wood, introduced Mary Kay to her second husband, dentist Austin Bush. They were married for 13 years before Bush died of a brain tumor in 2003. Mary Kay says she has had two wonderful marriages and is grateful for her husbands. Not everyone gets such gifts, she said. Mary Kay has a very deep faith and you never hear her complaining. It is what it is, Cheryl Wood said. Weve laughed a lot together and we have cried a lot. The two are planning a trip to Budapest and Prague in the fall. Smittys ancestors were from that part of the world, and Mary Kay wants to learn more about it. That spirit, to keep going through whatever adversity she faces, impacts those around her. She is a person people migrate to. She has her finger on everyone in the church and knows their needs. She is a role model, said Gale Griffin, an Immanuel Presbyterian parishioner who counts Mary Kay as a friend. Shes had her heartaches. But my philosophy is like hers just because these people have died does not mean we should stop living life. We need to continue spreading joy. In its upcoming production, Borderlands Theater is not staging your typical play. And theatergoers will not experience it in the usual way. Barrio Stories will be presented next month on the grounds of the Tucson Convention Center and the adjoining Sosa-Carrillo-Fremont historic house, interpreted by 41 principal actors, telling the history of the families whose homes, businesses and social centers were buried under the concrete tomb. Critically, Barrio Stories will reclaim the history and place of the once-vibrant heart and soul of Tucsons downtown Barrio Viejo, largely inhabited by Mexican-Americans but also including Chinese, African-American and indigenous families. We are reclaiming our space, reclaiming our place, said Elaine Romero, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film and Television, one of three playwrights behind Barrio Stories. The other two playwrights are Virginia Grise of New York City and Martin Zimmerman of Chicago. Barrio Stories recounts the sad history of how Tucson, in its rush to be seen as a modern, Southwestern convention destination, pushed out longtime residents and business owners over 80 acres, taking with it a rich history from Tucson. In its place the city built the TCC the concrete tomb and parking lots, and allowed the development of La Placita Village. Ironically, La Placita is now expected to be torn down for a residential development. The real outrage is embedded in this very Tucson story, said Romero, whose works have been staged in other U.S. cities and abroad. Barrio Stories is based on the award-winning UA Press book, La Calle: Spatial Conflicts and Urban Renewal in a Southwest City, by Lydia Otero, an associate professor in the University of Arizonas department of Mexican-American studies, and field research conducted last spring by students from the Trio Upward Bound Program at Pima Community Colleges Desert Vista Campus with instructor Milta Ortiz, a playwright and outreach director for Borderlands. The production of Barrio Stories is large in scale and scope. In addition to the principal actors, more than 70 extras from local schools and community organizations will participate in the play, as will four puppets, said Marc David Pinate, Borderlands producing director and director of Border Stories. The ages of the participants range from 6 to 83. The production also includes dozens of volunteers, and Borderlands is looking for more. Pinate said one of the challenges was to make the play accessible to theatergoers. The two-hour-plus production will take people on a walking tour along three main stages. Audiences will encounter fragments theatrical installations between the main-stage performances. The theatrical event culminates in an audience interactive pachanga, or party. Theatergoers will be assisted by volunteers and maps, and loudspeakers will broadcast instructions on the four days, March 3-6. There will be an audio booth where audience members can record their reactions to the play and their personal stories of growing up in the barrio. Pinate called it a promenade style staging where viewers walk through the environment, rather than sit inside a theater. Otero said, It takes a village to reframe and redirect history. It also takes money. Borderlands received $63,000 from MetLife Foundation/Theatre Communications Group, a UA Faculty Collaboration Grant from the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry, American Library Association and Arizona Humanities. One of Borderlands goals is to widen the theater-going audience. To make it affordable, there is a suggested $10 donation, but Pinate said no one will be turned away. In addition, Borderlands started an Indiegogo fundraising campaign to pay for 1,000 school students to see the play. To get more Latinos to the theater, we need to make it about them in a place they once claimed, Pinate said. Romero hopes that Barrio Stories viewers and participants will leave with an understanding of a critical piece of Tucsons urban history and are inspired to become active in reclaiming local history. The cement does not wash away our inheritance and our ownership, she said. The future looks a little brighter for the Apache attack helicopters flown by the Arizona Army National Guard at the sprawling Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana. A recent report of the National Commission on the Future of the Army has recommended against a controversial plan to remove all 192 of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the Guard and place them in active-duty Army aviation units, in exchange for UH-60 Blackhawk armed utility helicopters for the Guard. That swap part of the Armys Aviation Restructuring Initiative would curtail Guard combat operations, as well as deal an economic blow to communities that host Guard Apache operations. Congress required the Army to study the issue last year, but some cuts to Guard Apache units already have been made. In late January, the Commission on the Future of the Army came out with its report, which recommends that the Army keep four of the six Apache battalions in the Guard, albeit at a strength of just 18 aircraft per battalion instead of 24. The report found that the aviation restructuring plan would hold down costs while keeping an adequate Apache wartime fleet. But it results in a lack of strategic depth, providing for no wartime surge capability in the Army National Guard. Army officials say they will analyze the report but made no comment. The report was good news to critics of the Guard Apache swap, including Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael T. McGuire, who heads the Arizona National Guard as adjutant general. My argument all along has been that the folly of ARI is the argument that you cant count on a part-time soldier to meet these complex warfighting requirements, McGuire said in an interview last week in Marana. I would argue that warfighting and the movement of soldiers forward are no more complex than it was during World War II, and three-quarters of the force was called from the national Guard to fight and win the nations wars. He noted that the 1st Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment an Apache unit known as the Desert Hawks was deployed once en masse and three times in parts since 9/11. At one point the Arizona battalion and another Guard Apache battalion from Utah were the only attack helicopters available in Afghanistan. Beyond that, McGuire said, the nation and Arizona need the Guard to keep a ready reserve of trained troops. If the Army needs Apaches, they always need some strategic depth, and the Guard to me has been the fabric that keeps us bound as a community and society, and as states and a nation, he said. Its hard to keep an all-volunteer force engaged, but the Guard is the one thing that traditionally allowed us to have that surge capacity. Keeping Apaches in the Guard also helps retain trained aviators who might otherwise leave the military entirely when they separate from active duty, McGuire said. McGuire said the Army gets its moneys worth and then some from the Guard Apache units. He noted that the 1-285th has 20 Apaches and more than 400 trained soldiers, with only a quarter of those on base every weekday. The rest serve one weekend per month and two weeks per year. The loss of the 1-285th in an Apaches swap would be a multi-million-dollar hit to the Tucson areas economy. According to the Arizona National Guard, that operation directly contributes more than $15 million to the local economy annually, including $7.5 in pay spent locally and $7.8 million in tax revenues, support contracts and private purchases. The Southern Arizona Defense Alliance, a business-backed group, has worked with local and federal officials to save military assets, including the Apache operations in Marana. Those supporters breathed a sigh of relief when the recently proposed Pentagon budget stretched out the planned retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support jet a mainstay of Davis-Monthan and dropped the planned mothballing of half of the 14-plane fleet of EC-130 Compass Call electronic jamming planes, which are based solely at D-M. Ron Shoopman, a retired Air Force brigadier general and president of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council, said that if Apache operations were downsized, Arizona would have a good argument to keep some operations here because of the flying weather and access to live-fire ranges including the massive Barry M. Goldwater Range. I think we can make a good case, said Shoopman, former commander of the Arizona Air National Guard 162nd Wing at Tucson International Airport and a founding member of Southern Arizona Defense Alliance. Theres no place better for those helicopters to be training, especially where theyre doing the international training, he said. The 1-285th and its Apaches are just one part of operations at the Silverbell Army Heliport at Pinal Airpark. The base also hosts the Western Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, or WAATS, where Army aviators train on UH-72 Lakota helicopters and UH-60 Blackhawks. The heliport is also home to Peace Vanguard, a program to train Apache helicopter pilots and maintainers from the Republic of Singapore, which typically has eight helicopters. There are concerns that if the Apaches were taken from the Marana base, it could affect the Singapore training program, which draws expertise at times from the 1-285th. The heliport also has extensive helicopter maintenance facilities which can perform most maintenance short of depot-level major repairs and overhauls, McGuire noted. And though it doesnt affect the maintenance regimen, all of the Apaches on base and worldwide are made about 50 miles away at Boeings plant in Mesa. The production facility for the entirety of the Apache in the world is in Mesa, so this capability has got a tie to Arizona as well, McGuire said. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday at age 79 during a visit to Texas, came to Tucson more than once during his tenure to drive home his points that the Constitution and Bill of Rights must be interpreted solely on the words contained in the text. Among his visits: In 1990, Scalia lectured to University of Arizona law students and delivered a speech in Tucson titled "The Courts and the Press," in which he said judges are bound by the law in making decisions, which often are at odds with popular opinion as expressed by the news media. At the UA law school, he told students it is not the role of the U.S. Supreme Court to shape public policy, but to interpret the Constitution. In 2009, Justices Scalia and Stephen Breyer debated before a packed crowd at the Leo Rich Theatre at the Tucson Convention Center, "drawing laughs from taking a few good-natured jibes at one another, while raising thought-provoking questions about how to interpret the Constitution in an evolving society." Justices should not apply values to text because "that's a road to the end of democracy," Scalia told the crowd. He and Breyer were brought to Tucson for the event by the UA's William H. Rehnquist Center. Source: Arizona Daily Star archives A weekend at the beach will soon be only an hour away. Eight years after losing our last international flight, direct air service between Tucson and Guaymas, Sonora, will begin by summer. The governors of Arizona and Sonora, along with the mayors of Tucson and Guaymas, are set to announce the new air service later this month. A domestic airline will fly a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 jet four times a week between Tucson and Guaymas, as well as Phoenix and Guaymas. The flight will originate in Phoenix and fly to Guaymas, then from Guaymas to Tucson and back and then leave Guaymas and terminate in Phoenix. The 55-minute flights will land at the Guaymas airport, where shuttles, taxis and rental cars will be available, said Ernesto Bojorquez, finance director for the Guaymas airport. San Carlos, which last year garnered the top spot in National Geographics top 10 list of ocean views, is only 15 minutes away. In Tucson, the international airport terminal will reopen to process passengers that city officials hope will head to shopping malls and local hotels. Details about the airline will be made public by officials during the upcoming announcement, along with information about when tickets will go on sale and how to buy them. Restoring flights to Sonora has been a huge priority, said David Hatfield, spokesman for Tucson International Airport, noting that the airport has been working to restore service to Mexico since 2008. We couldnt be more ecstatic, said Bonnie Allin, president and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority. Tucson Group was key Tucson-based The Offshore Group, which operates two large manufacturing parks in Guaymas and neighboring Empalme, was instrumental in sealing the deal. Since Tucson lost the flight to Hermosillo in 2008, Offshore has flown clients from Phoenix to Hermosillo and then shuttled them to Guaymas. Offshore generates a high volume of traffic between suppliers, manufacturers and investors, said company President Luis Felipe Seldner III. When the airline saw the volume of activity and got our support to bring that business to them, it was a no-brainer. We are on board with them, he said. Offshore is backing those flights. With clients such as Paradigm Precision, Parker Aerospace and Rolls-Royce at its Sonora manufacturing parks, Offshore employs more than 14,000 people, making it the largest private employer in the state. This airline was the third one Offshore had met with to try to get air service started, Seldner said. Our role was to make the introductions, bring them all our business and now to support and promote these flights. Seldner gave a nod to the governors of Sonora and Arizona and the mayors of Guaymas and Tucson for their advocacy. This is a perfect example of how when state and city leaders come together with a shared goal, they help support the growth of the private sector, he said. As a native of Guaymas with a home and business on both sides of the border, Seldner is pleased to see the interest from Arizona tourists to visit Guaymas and San Carlos, without having to make the six-hour drive. This connectivity will help both states and cities increase the number of tourists and business activity, he said. It is a great accomplishment. Flights under $400 Work on landing the flight between Tucson and Guaymas began more than a year ago, and just last week the final permits were obtained in Mexico City. Airline officials said Tucson offers three types of travelers businesspeople, tourists and friends-and-family. Keeping the fares affordable is key to making the flights successful, said Antonio Berumen Preciado, tourism director for the state of Sonora. The round-trip flights will be under $400, there will be no charge for the first checked bag, and drinks and snacks will be free. The airline, which has received all necessary permits in both countries, is only the first that will roll out new air service between Arizona and Mexico this year, Berumen said. One airline, which has regional flights between Hermosillo, Ciudad Juarez, Cuiliacan and La Paz, plans to add a pickup in Arizona. Another airline with service to Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Mazatlan and Los Mochis also plans to fly into Arizona. It wont be long before we have multiple options to Tucson and Phoenix, Berumen said. We are confident that we will fill those flights. He said Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich extends a warm welcome to visitors from Arizona. She looks forward to greeting them, Berumen said. The addition of a new international flight to Phoenix and the first and only international flight to Tucson is an incredible testament to the positive work weve been doing to boost ties with Mexico, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said. Our renewed focus on the Arizona-Sonora relationship is already paying dividends in terms of enhancing binational trade and tourism, and the new air services from Guaymas will only magnify our efforts. Bienvenidos a Arizona, Guaymas! Open for Business Juan Cordero Gutierrez, the new director of economic development and tourism for the city of Guaymas, said his business cards were delivered to him with the image of an airplane on them to emphasize that it was his top priority to see this flight begin. Sure, we have billboards and fliers and ads letting people know about Guaymas and San Carlos, Cordero said. But now we have a plane. Now were open for business. Activities include fishing, diving, chartered cruises, kite surfing, parachuting and an upcoming hot air balloon festival. Aside from the obvious draw that the beaches of San Carlos will be for many visitors, city officials are also investing in restoring the historic sites in downtown Guaymas for tourists to see. Both cities are eager to welcome what they hope will be planes filled with visitors. The announcement of this route opens a new chapter in Tucson economic development history, said Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild. It is fitting that this first route links one of Tucsons favorite travel destinations to Sonorans favorite retail shopping destination. I cant wait to fly from Tucson to Guaymas to do business and enjoy the beautiful ocean sunsets. Guaymas Mayor Lorenzo de Cima Dworak said he is equally eager to fly to Tucson to celebrate the new air service. Both of us will enjoy more tourists, business travelers and family visits, he said. It will be very beneficial to both cities and both states. This is an important milestone. OPINION: "Its time to look beyond the party affiliation and the big-name endorsements. We want Southern Arizona voters to be engaged and educated as they tick names on their ballot so they can select candidates who will advocate for the health needs of our community," writes Judy Rich, CEO and president of TMC Health. Help India! By TCN News New York (USA): Leading Indian American advocacy organisations have condemned the recent suppression of student protests and violation of civil rights at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. Controversy erupted on account of the arrest of the Universitys student bodys president Kanhaiya Kumar in an open abuse of sedition laws. Evidence has emerged that anti-India slogans were actually raised by Hindutva affiliate student body ABVP, in a brazen attempt at framing the students. Support TwoCircles JNU Students Union President, Kanhaiya Kumar (Courtesy: youthkiawaaz.com) The Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), a broad coalition of Indian American organisations working to safeguard pluralism and democracy in India, along with prominent Dalit organizations such as the Ambedkar Association of North America (AANA) and the Dalit History Month issued a joint statement condemning the arbitrary arrests and the open violation of civil rights of the protesting students. The abuse of sedition laws is especially egregious as it represents an open affront to freedom of expression. As far back as 1962, the Supreme Court of India had added a caveat to the sedition law; that it must be accompanied by violence, or direct incitement to violence. Raising anti-India slogans to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru, even if this charge were true against Kanhaiya Kumar, does not amount to incitement of violence. The threat of violence has to be real and credible for sedition laws to be applicable Use of sedition laws belongs to the colonial era, not to a modern democracy. It makes a mockery of the freedom of speech provisions of the Constitution, said Umar Malick from Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). It clearly points to the penchant of the government to use the law, even archaic ones, as a political tool to silence student protests, he added. We unequivocally condemn the action of the government and the portrayal of student protests as seditious. All citizens that value democracy should be concerned at this development and raise their voice in demanding that government and police stay out of campus politics. This is a direct assault on democracy, read the statement. The arrests come in the wake of the recent suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad after continuous harassment and suspension at the behest of ministers in PM Modis government. The Indian Diaspora is keenly following these developments in recent months and is alarmed by the labeling of student protests and challenge to BJP allied ABVP as anti-national activity. An India without the freedom of speech is not a democracy, said Bhajan Singh, founding director of the Organisation for Minorities of India (OFMI). Students with differences of opinion are the natural byproducts of a vibrant and healthy atmosphere in education, which should be encouraged and not stifled by the ruling party in government. The role of Hindutva organisations in fomenting trouble and framing students in violation of their basic rights is unmistakable. The police are mindlessly patrolling the campus and the students are being witch-hunted and demonised. What is the proof that Kanhaiya was there among those raising anti-India slogans? Has he been spotted in any picture or video? Why are all JNU students being given anti-national certificates? We condemn the arrest, said JNUSU vice president Shehla Rashid Shora. ABVP has now started a campaign to shut down JNU, one of the leading campuses and a constant thorn for the Hindutva bandwagon. The RSS and its affiliates are creating a toxic and divisive environment in premier educational institutions, with the implicit support of the ruling party. ABVP is playing as its active carrier in university campuses. It is a travesty that protesting students are booked under sedition, while RSS members are freely celebrating the killing of Gandhiji and openly calling for the scrapping of the Constitution, said Ganganithi Sivapandian of AANA, referring to the actions and statements of Pandit Ashok Sharma, national vice president, Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha. The organisation has been consistently organising protests against the Constitution of India for the last five decades. Sharma, who was quite categorical in declaring that he didnt believe in the Constitution of India, told The Hindu: The purpose of my life and that of millions of people like me who are present in this country, is to make this country a Hindu Rashtra. Nobody can stop this country from becoming a Hindu Rashtra. The Indian-American organisations have demanded a judicial probe into the civil rights violations of the students and the role of Hindutva organisations in fomenting trouble by framing students as anti-nationals Help India! By TCN News Pune: A new initiative aimed at driving Muslim involvement in Indias start-up and technology economy was hosted in the city of Pune on February 7. Tausif Malik, Anees Kutty, and Asim Khan of Uniquee Foundation, organised the Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Networks conference. Support TwoCircles The events theme, Be an EntrepreneurBe a Value Creator, expressing the trios vision of the countrys Muslim community becoming more involved in stimulating the business sector and developing opportunities for the next generation. Tausif Malik, who is based out of Chicago and is one of the co-founder of Indian Muslim Entrepreneur Network, welcomed everyone and highlighted that Islam promotes entrepreneurship and contribution to motherland. He also said that the event is to align with the policies announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Start-up India and Stand up India Digital India, Skill India and Make in India. Malik is the founder of the Muslim Spelling Bee series in the US, combining several regional events into a national contest. Asim Khan is Professional, Social activist and founder President of Uniquee Foundation which is working for educational betterment in the community in very large scale. Kutty is the founder of Anees Classes, providing special courses to Indian soldiers and corporate professionals. The start-up Showcase opened with a brief lecture about the Government of India policies about start up India and Standup India and vision of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji and how Muslim community can be part of this new initiative to make India innovation and knowledge hub by Aleem Faizee, Founder, Publisher, CEO & Editor Ummid.com, Awaz Multimedia & Publication Malegaon Industries & Manufacturers Association (MIMA). The event also saw MQ Syed, who is credited to have executed the record breaking event Mahakumbh at Haridwar (greatest gathering of people on the planet), with the businessman of the year award. He also executed the worlds biggest live stage performance Lay Tarang, (Guinness Record) along with publishing and editing Trade Fair Times, a monthly Asia-based tabloid on Trade Fair sector. Syed has also mentored and inspired numerous Muslim youth and start-ups. Help India! They disrupted a program featuring a JNU professor, threatened TCN reporter Support TwoCircles By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net Varanasi: Earlier today Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) members tried to stop a program that featured JNU Professor Badri Narain organized by the Faculty of Arts of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Prof. Badri Narain was speaking on the topic of Subaltern society and developing India. After his talk story writer Kashinath Singh who has returned Sahitya Akademi award as part of the Award Wapsi, was giving his presidential address. At this point, carrying Indian flag and some of them sporting saffron headbands about a hundred ABVP members barged into the auditorium carrying placards- one of them called JNU an anti-national institution. They also carried photos of soliders killed in Siachen. After seeing Badri Narain on the stage, a few yelled throw shoes on him and shoot the XXXX. A few of the students also tried to get on the stage but others writers and poets pushed them back. They asked the organizers to send the JNU professor out of the auditorium and also condemn the anti-national activity of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. The organizer countered by saying that Badri Narain is a teacher in a government institution and he can be invited anywhere. They also said they condemn all anti-national activities happening anywhere in the nation. After 15 minutes of making commotion, the group of students left. Poetry session that followed the presidential address then saw all poets condemn this act by ABVP members. Various writers associations of India have condemned this act. They had said that this act is sure a proof of rising intolerance in the country that BJP and government is denying. BHU is considered a stronghold of Hindutva right wing groups. This reporter was threatened when he was trying to record the ABVP protest. In the video it can be clearly heard that one of the students tells this reporter that it will be better for him if he puts his mobile phone in his pocket. After this reporter exited the auditorium then some of the students who were part of the protest tried to snatch his phone. Bystanders intervened and this reporter along with his mobile was able to escape and tell this story. The News And Analysis Of Events You Ever Wanted To Know About And On Hyderabad And Andhra Pradesh. Also A Window On Maoists and Terror Networks. Valentines Day has been special for some of Bollywood stars but Ranveer Singh has outdone everyone else by his sweet and crazy gesture. Ranveer Singh is leaving no stone unturned to win the title of the best boyfriend ever. In his recent cute public display of affection, the Bollywood star visited the Piku actress Deepika Padukone on her XXX - The Return of Xander Cage sets in Canada on the occasion of Valentines Day. The Bajirao actor Ranveer Singh flew all the way to Toronto on 13th February 2016, a day just before Valentines to visit his lady love on the sets of her movie. XXX - The Return of Xander Cage is Indian actress Deepika Padukones first international project and her rumored better half Ranveer Singh who is more than just proud of her international debut, gave her a surprise by landing at her Canada sets. The information was shared by none other than DJ Caruso who is the director of the said movie. He shared the news of Ranveer Singh visiting the sets through a photo on the social networking site Twitter and welcomed the new visitor on sets. While the lady is busy there are also reports that Deepika might take a day off from her shoot and spend the day of love with none other than Mr. Ranveer Singh. Ranveer Singh has on many previous occasions communicated his pride for Deepikas international debut and is making sure there is no room for any insecurity whatsoever. Ranveer is proving to the dream guy every girl wants to date in real life. Just a few days back Ranveer also wished Deepika all the best for her international venture in a quirky fashion by uploading a picture with a Mumbai Taxi which had a XXX sticker on it. XXX - The Return of Xander Cage stars Vin Diesel as a National Security Agent opposite Bollywood heartthrob Deepika Padukone. The movie also stars Ruby Rose, Jet Li, Samuel L Jackson and Tony Jaa amongst others. Though this Film will release in 2017, unfortunately for her fans there will be no Bollywood movie release for Deepika Padukone in 2016. On-line journalist Chris Spivey boasts his next article has the potential to bring the British establishment crashing down and see the demise of the British Royal family. This begs the question; can an article bring down the British Royal Family? While a century ago it would have been the combined force of an invading army needed to bring down a royal dynasty, is it true that in the 21st Century the pen really is mightier than the sword, and that the words of Chris Spivey really have the potential of doing what a thousand men could do on a battlefield? Convicted of harassing Lee Rigby's family in 2015, Chris Spivey has written a number of ground-breaking articles which have exposed wrong-doing ignored by mainstream media. Take for example his expose of a convicted ANC terrorist working for the NSPCC, to alleging the Glasgow bin lorry crash was a false-flag-event, his hatred of David Cameron, parliamentary paedophiles, and to his most infamous article which got him into so much trouble, his contention that the Woolwich Lee Rigby murder was a false-flag-event and that all the witnesses involved and even Lee Rigby's family, are crisis actors working towards a secret agenda and nefarious ends. Controversial as ever, Chris Spivey said in his latest article 'Mick and the Elephants', I will prove to you all (as long as you have a functioning brain), beyond doubt that the official version surrounding Diana: Princess of Wales in a car crash is absolute bollocks. Set to bring a new dimension to the infamous Princess Diana crash, propelling the incident into the same realms of conspiracy theory as JFK's assassination, Chris Spivey is a 'love him' or 'hate him' type of character who recently got LBC radio presenter Steve Allen into trouble with Ofcom. Found in breach of Ofcom Rule 2.3 for potentially offensive material, Steve Allen is quoted to have called Spivey a vile piece of filth, a stupid pathetic waste of space, and not only immensely stupid but thick at the same time. Found not guilty of inciting the commission of crime, by encouraging listeners to thrown things at him, Steve Allen is evidently in the 'hate him' category while millions of loyal and dedicated readers can't get enough of Spivey's unique style of journalism. Banned from publishing anything to do with the Lee Rigby Woolwich incident, Chris Spivey is making the most of his creative freedom to take a critical look at the recent Paris terror attacks, which ultimately lead him onto the tangent of the Princess Diana's crash, after he came across a new piece of information that sent a fucking great shiver down his spine, (as he wrote in his 'I see dead people' article.) Whether his much anticipated article actually brings down the Windsor Royal family is yet to be seen... With all this talk of lost sovereignty, a fascist Brussels, and the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants entering the country every year, youd be forgiven for wondering why we decided to join in the first place. What so often gets overlooked is not just that we wanted to join, but that we needed to join, and it was the British public that voted for it. History of the EU The European Union was officially enacted in 1993, under the Maastricht Treaty, but had effectively been in existence since 1950, with the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The goal of forming a more united Europe was seen as a preventative measure against future rises of nationalism that had devastated the continent in the first half of the century. The UK, with its GDP having grown during World War 2, felt a closer union with Europe would weaken its economic strength and so refused to join. During this time, Britain held trade agreements primarily with its Commonwealth under the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Yet, with major political changes happening, such as our decolonisation of Africa and India winning its independence, this trade pact became increasingly insufficient. Between 1950 and 1957, when the Treaty of Rome was signed, adding the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and the European Economic Community (EEC) to the European Communities, the UK GDP difference relative to Europe would fall by 13%. Sovereignty and the need to join The argument over sovereignty we are hearing today is not a new one. From the word go there have been objectors within the UK to forming a closer union with Europe, and indeed, any other international power that devolves power from the national Government, such as the United Nations and NATO. Even Winston Churchill is famously quoted as saying We are with Europe, but not of it when speaking of a United States of Europe that Britain would partner, but not be directly involved in. Following years of a Tory government ridiculing the early European Communities, UK GDP continued to fall and the economy continued to struggle. At last, in 1961 when GDP difference between the UK and Europe was at a low of 10%, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan approached the continent about at last joining the European Community. In 1963, French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed our membership. Over the next decade, as confidence was lost in the EFTA in favour of trade with other developed nations, Britain would face further rapid economic decline. Fortunately for our rapidly declining GDP, Charles De Gaulle resigned the Presidency in 1969, at which time the UK was encouraged to file for EEC membership immediately. With UK GDP now 6% less than Europe, public opinion toward a closer union with Europe had increased substantially. Whilst the UK officially joined the EEC in 1973, the old arguments over sovereignty remained. As part of Labours 1974 election campaign, it promised a renegotiation of EEC membership, followed by a referendum by public vote over whether or not the UK would remain a part of the European Economic Community. In 1975, two-thirds of the voters voted yes. Many Brexit supporters like to call upon the 1950's as Britains golden age; before we sacrificed our sovereignty for a closer union with Europe. Yet this is a myth. The UK, with the British Empire on the verge of collapse, was at the beginning of a rapid economical descent. Europe was not only our salvation, but UK GDP has remained fairly stable ever since we finally won our membership. The EU is a necessary symptom of the globalised and free society we now demand. The mid-20th Century economic crisis was Britains wake-up call that we cant compete on our own anymore, and that unions and alliances are the best way for us to remain strong and influential. MSC debates witness significant differences on security between West, Russia Updated: 2016-02-14 03:43 (Xinhua) MUNICH -- The annual Munich Security Conference (MSC) has seen intense debates on Saturday between top diplomats from western countries and Russia, showing significant differences between the two sides on major security issues. MSC, the most important informal meeting on security policy, entered its second day on Saturday, welcoming representatives of countries that are standing in focus of the global security, including Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Speaking during a Prime Ministers' Debate, Medvedev warned of "new Cold War," saying the West often uses deterrent means and its policy against Russia is "unfriendly," which has resulted in a break-down of dialogue between the two sides. Medvedev criticized the expansion of NATO and EU influence into Eastern Europe. "European politicians thought that creating a so-called belt of friends at Europe's side, on the outskirts of the EU, could be a guarantee of security, and what's the result?" he said. "Not a belt of friends but a belt of exclusion." Speaking of Russia's role, NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said earlier in a statement that "we have seen a more assertive Russia, a Russia which is destabilizing the European security order." "NATO does not seek confrontation and we don't want a new Cold War. But at the same time our response has to be firm," Stoltenberg added. Different positions on Syria and Ukraine have undermined the relations between Russia and the West. Both sides posed sanctions against each other. Speaking of the conflict in Syria, Kerry stressed in his speech the need to negotiate a political solution to the issue, but insisted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down. Medvedev, who had visited Syria before the conflict started, told the conference that Syria was once a peaceful country, and it would have the chance to continue to enjoy the fruits of economic development if there was no external influence. "People from the US and European countries said al-Assad must go... but the country has been in a state of war for years... Who should be blamed for that?" he further said. Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. A Princess of Mars , published in 1912, was the first major success for Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was the first of his many Martian or Barsoo... The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[ ] Juha Sipila, the Prime Minister of Finland, is in India to attend the Make In India week. Edited excerpts of an interview by Rajesh Bhayani How have been the discussions with the PM and companies here? We discussed on cooperation with business leaders in India. The areas of energy from waste, wind, solar, information communication and technologies and mobile phone networks are other areas Finnish companies are looking at. Chempolis, a biomass technology company, has signed an agreement. From India, the Mahindra group is active in Finland for holiday clubs and automobiles. We discussed further possibilities with them to invest in Finland. Other Finn companies making new investments here include Fortum, in renewable energy. Just as it's true for a majority of NGOs in India, The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), too, was synonymous with its top boss. But, with Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the person at the organisation's helm for 25 years, going on leave once again, Teri with its 1,000-plus employees will need to emerge from the battered reputation. Ajay Mathur, who took over as director-general from Pachauri, is now in a position to start an urgent house-cleaning job besides rebuilding Teri as a technology and policy incubator in the energy and resources sector. A BRIEF HISTORY Established in 1974 as Tata Energy Research Institute 1981: R K Pachauri made director 2003: Entity is renamed The Energy and Resources Institute Rs 195 crore : Total annual financial inflows in 2013-14 Rs 70.49 crore :Foreign funding received in 2013-14 1200 employees; 33% women staff 54% are scientists, biotechnologists and engineers 200 ongoing projects spread over 50+ countries Research areas include biotechnology, industrial efficiency, forestry, energy, earth sciences and climate change On the day former Competition Commission of India chairman Ashok Chawla took over as chairman at Teri, displacing B V Sreekantan - a noted scientist and decades-old colleague of Pachauri - he said the organisation would set out its task and priorities over the next 10 days. The person in the driver's seat would be Mathur, who was finally handed unabridged executive powers on Friday to run the show at Teri. Mathur's first round of meeting with senior employees of Teri had clearly brought out that the organisation required an internal overhaul. "While Mathur talked of cleaning up internal processes at Teri, others said the organisation also had to act right, specifically with regard to the allegations against Pachauri," said an employee who was present at the meeting. "My one priority is to facilitate an atmosphere where every colleague enjoys working at Teri and that they are able to give their best," Mathur had said back in July after he was first hired for the job. The house-cleaning job will require Mathur to deftly engage with those who remained deeply attached to Pachauri's legacy. This was evident over the past two days in the meeting of the governing council as well as the senior employees meeting that was held on Thursday. Two senior women employees and one senior male employee Business Standard spoke to said many inside the organisation would wait and watch how Mathur deals with the specific case of the alleged sexual harassment against Pachauri. Teri will have to face two complexities on this front. The complainant had resigned from Teri alleging maltreatment following her complaint against Pachauri. The allegations are now stuck at two levels - the civil case and the criminal complaint. Teri would have to ensure it is not seen as a proxy for Pachauri as the latter mounts his defence in courts. With Pachauri having only gone on leave and not resigned - which means he continues to hold his positions in the organisation though he will not have any powers - Teri expects the media scrutiny of its actions on the sexual harassment cases to continue. Teri under Mathur is also set to re-establish its larger reputation. The organisation had had to postpone its most famous public engagement forum - the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, which usually sees attendance of experts, ministers and heads of states from several countries besides having top political and bureaucratic leadership from India in attendance. Mathur, who has worked in the private sector, international financial institutions as well as in the government, is expected to renew the organisation's relations with others in the coming months. One senior employee, not wishing to be named, said, "I guess he (Mathur) has twin sets of tasks before him. He has to salvage Teri, its work and people from the toxic legacy of the past one year. The past has to be dealt with head on. In addition, Mathur needs to give some new direction and energy to the organisation. The infamy that the allegations brought to Teri overshadowed Teri's good work." Mathur had earlier indicated he would also assess in which work areas did Teri have a strong presence and potential areas that it had not paid attention to so far. He saw water resources as an area that Teri could focus on in addition to its current portfolio of work. With Pachauri also famously leading the pack of more than 2,000 scientists on climate change as the global arena heated up towards Paris summit in 2015, some other key achievements of the organisation had been partly eclipsed. Several employees in the NGO talked of the organisation's successful project in Kuwait. Teri had innovated a technology to deal cheaply with oil sludge and had won a global tender to be part of the cleaning up of Kuwait oil wells. After Paris, when the country tries to operationalise the targets of the new global climate change agreement starting 2020, Mathur hopes to get Teri to be involved in the technological end of the task. The organisation has constantly played a part in modelling India's greenhouse gas emissions trajectories - last it did so for the government to decide India's targets under the Paris agreement. Mathur hopes Teri would also aid in technology development in achieving these targets. But, one thing TERI has not done previously and will continue to not do under Mathur is public advocacy and environmental activism. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Ricos government is trying to convince hundreds of wealthy investors to move to the U.S. territory, hoping they could help lift it out of a deepening economic crisis. Officials hosted a meeting for investors on Thursday to promote local tax incentives aimed at luring the wealthy. Speakers include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New York hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, who recently bought several upscale resorts in Puerto Rico, as the island struggles to emerge from a nine-year economic slump. Puerto Rico has already convinced a couple hundred hedge funds and traders to move to the island with measures approved in recent years that exempt people from taxes on any capital gains accrued after they move to Puerto Rico. But critics question whether the amount of jobs created and real estate bought has been enough to boost the economy. And some investors at the meeting made clear their interests dont always overlap with those of the territorys government especially efforts to win congressional approval to let it restructure part of its $72 billion public debt. It is a terrible idea. It will chase consumer confidence to zero, said Nader Tavakoli, CEO and president of Ambac, which holds millions of dollars in Puerto Rico debt and recently filed a lawsuit against the islands government over how it shifted funds to meet certain bond payments amid a cash crunch. Tavakoli, who was on stage as a speaker, said it was surreal to be talking about bankruptcy while at a meeting for investors. He also demanded to see Puerto Ricos audited financial statements, echoing demands made by Republican lawmakers as they prepare to introduce legislation to address the islands crisis by next month. Puerto Ricos governor was quick to assure investors that the government is working hard to resolve its crisis and he stressed the need for a restructuring mechanism. Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla also noted that Puerto Rico legislators are debating a bill needed to help the heavily indebted public power company finalize a separate restructuring deal with creditors. Despite whatever you may have heard about doing business in Puerto Rico, our commitment to the costs of utilities will be the last of your concerns, Garcia said. Puerto Ricos power bills are on average twice those of the U.S. mainland, and critics warn it is a deterrent to potential investors as the electric company struggles to reduce its dependence on petroleum. Hundreds of investors attended the meeting at Puerto Ricos convention center. Protesters outside accused the government of burdening the working class with new taxes while giving preferential treatment to the wealthy. CEDAR FALLS The Cedar Falls Community Foundation, the leading philanthropic organization in Cedar Falls, has approved a number of grants. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation uses the resources entrusted to its stewardship to support projects that enhance the communitys quality of life through cultural, scholarly, recreational, literary and artistic endeavors. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation encourages community philanthropy and collaboration. The Cedar Falls Womans Club has entrusted the foundation to invest its Building and Endowment Funds. Funds were granted to the Womans Club for custom-made interior doors and for operating expenses. The Bunger Family Foundation was established in 2014 to honor the memory of Kathy Bunger and granted $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the Cedar Valley. The Black Hawk-Bremer League of Women Voters established a fund to accept tax deductible donations on its behalf. Grant funds will be used by the League of Women Voters to cover the cost of printing educational materials. The North Cedar Fund granted $29,380 to the North Cedar Neighborhood Association, a nonprofit organization serving the residents of northern Cedar Falls. The grant funds will enable the North Cedar Neighborhood Association to work with the city of Cedar Falls on area wet land extension and education, to work with Cedar Falls Utilities to add lighting on Center Street and will enable the development of a North Cedar Neighborhood Association website. The Ella Rownd Trust granted $25,000 to Hartman Nature Reserve for its building expansion project and $10,000 to the Cedar Bend Humane Society for its building project. Both projects will add educational and quality-of-life amenities. CEDAR FALLS Voters in Cedar Falls Community Schools will choose between three candidates Tuesday to fill an opening on the Board of Education. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the special election, which was scheduled after former board member Jim Brown became mayor of Cedar Falls last month. The at-large seat will be elected by voters throughout the district. The district includes the city of Cedar Falls, a portion of the city of Waterloo and parts of unincorporated Black Hawk County. Polling places can be found on the elections page of the county website at www.sos.state.ia.us by selecting Find Your Precinct/Polling Place. Candidates include Meg Campbell, of 427 Winding Ridge Road; Joyce Coil, of 3723 Pheasant Drive; and Eric Giddens, of 1416 Madison St. Coil, 58, is a former seven-term board member who was defeated in the September election. This is the first time Giddens, 42, and Campbell, 47, have run for a seat on the board. Campbell said she is uniquely qualified for the position because of her volunteer efforts on behalf of children, past work as an attorney and role as a parent of current district students. For almost five years, she has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer and works part time in the organizations office serving Black Hawk and three other counties. As a CASA volunteer, I have had the opportunity to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes as a result of abuse and neglect, she said. Campbell works with families, schools, counselors, social workers and the court to achieve permanency for these children, helping them to establish foundations for successful futures throughout the juvenile court process. Her law education also will add an important perspective, she believes. As an attorney, I have been trained to research and analyze all sides of an issue in order to discover a workable solution, said Campbell. Board members need to work together with the administrators and teachers to find areas of common ground, to improve communication and to drive continuous improvement in our classrooms, curricula, facilities and student support in order to enhance the educational experience for all of our students and to benefit the entire community. Coil works as the hospice development coordinator for the Allen Hospital Foundation, for a Cedar Falls dentist and as a researcher for Amperage. She said her experience serving on this board and others across the community have provided a broad perspective on leadership that focuses on being a team player and connecting to constituents. As a board member we should ask questions, discuss issues and work toward consensus, said Coil. We must trust one another, both fellow board members and our administrators. She also stressed the importance of advocating for students through open communication with legislators along with staying focused on student achievement as top priorities. A crucial issue facing our district is the inequity within our facilities and our continued enrollment growth, added Coil. She noted that is an issue with North Cedar and Orchard Hill elementary schools and the districts substandard high school, all of which have been subjects of failed bond issue referendums. One of our top priorities is to eliminate this disparity. Giddens, a program manager at the University of Northern Iowas Tallgrass Prairie Center, said facilities issues also are important to him. That emphasis has been reinforced through meetings with district principals and the superintendent during his campaign. That is what the school board will be dealing with for the foreseeable future, he noted, even with voter approval of an upcoming April 5 bond issue referendum. Upgrades to the two elementary schools and construction of a seventh elementary are the absolute most pressing needs as the district faces capacity issues in its buildings. Giddens said his experience of past careers in education, including three years teaching at Peet Junior High, and community development would be assets for the board. Along with a teachers certification, he has earned degrees in civil engineering and community and economic development. He said, I understand education from the teachers perspective and I also understand community development, a factor in enrollment growth and building new schools. As American agriculture grinds through Februarys dull weather and even duller commodity markets, two Chinese firms have used the month to make inroads into the American farm and food colossus. First, on Feb. 3, China National Chemical Corp., known as ChemChina, announced its purchase of Syngenta, the Swiss-based chemical and seed giant, for the equivalent of $43 billion. While thats a 22 percent premium to Syngentas total share price, its 10 percent less than Monsanto Co. offered to pay for the firm just last summer. Two days later, on Feb. 5, Nebraskas unicameral legislature voted 34-14 to end the states 18-year ban on meatpackers owning livestock for more than five days prior to slaughter. The move, noted the Lincoln Journal Star, means Nebraska will now join those states in allowing meat processors like Chinese-owned Smithfield to contract with farmers to raise pigs in large, concentrated operations. Smithfield Foods, owned by China-based WH Foods since 2013, raises and slaughters millions of hogs throughout the U.S. Its record $15 billion in sales last year easily makes it the worlds largest pork producer. WH Foods and ChemChina are not independent, shareholder-owned firms like the companies they bought. Both are state-owned, both are almost entirely state-financed, and both are driven by national interests as much as by economics. As such, these companies and their acquisitions are less about geopolitics and international finance and more about owning or at least controlling the means to supply Chinas 1.4 billion eaters with safe, abundant and cheap food. In fact, noted a Feb. 3 New York Times story dissecting the Syngenta deal, China is very sensitive to its reliance on foreign food. Three years ago, 30 million Chinese were eating Western-style foods and now, according to market estimates, by 2018, 300 million Chinese [will] be consuming Western-style foods. That Western-style food, however, doesnt mean Western companies or Western farmers will be in charge. They may grow the food, but they wont own it. Indeed, Chinas recent moves to lock up key elements and Syngenta is just the latest key element of the Wests food chain is what feeding the world will look like in rural America tomorrow: China either owning or controlling the technology used to grow food with American soil, water and labor. I know, I know; you thought youd be the one feeding China. While that remains partly true, its now quite clear China is buying technology to boost domestic production. Equally clear is it hopes to make a profit selling you the technology you need to grow the food it will import. Those clever Reds; the Long March never ended. Chinas growing investment in offshore food production is not, however, manifest destiny. Its just the latest example of how globalization, the freer, legal movement of money and ideas around the world, will shape our collective and individual futures. It also is a clear signal American agricultures ironclad belief in a feed the world future is no longer the future. Oh, we may still feed part of the world, but its more likely well do it to honor a contract, not our conscience. This should not be news to anyone who has been paying attention. American farmers and ranchers played an outsized role in creating this future, a future where the World Trade Organization now has more control over American farm policy than the American Farm Bureau Federation and where 34 legislators in Nebraska can open the states front door to international hog conglomerates despite 1,100 local citizens petitioning them to keep it locked. A generation ago neither would have even been considered. Now both hardly raise a yawn. What changed? The world changed. Not long ago it bought our production; now its buying our means of production. Christopher Columbus was wrong. The world is flat and getting flatter. The philosophy behind Iowas public records and public meetings laws is simple: Government in Iowa should be open to the people of Iowa except in rare instances. It is their government. Government does not belong to government officials or to agencies. The people need ready access to government documents and meetings to monitor the actions of officials and employees elected or hired to run our state and local governments. Without that access, people wont be able to hold government and its employees accountable. Thats important background for a controversy bubbling for a couple of months over secrecy by top administrators at the University of Iowa. This controversy should concern Iowans. The University of Iowa belongs to them. Its not a private school or a private business that can operate outside the publics close scrutiny. In the past two years, the university has hired a company owned by Matt Strawn, former chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, to perform research and outreach work for the university. The Strawn Co. was chosen without seeking bids from other vendors. Since 2013, the university has paid Strawn about $320,000. Thats a lot of money, whether it comes from the taxpayers, from tuition paid by students or is donated by Iowans to help this public university. But theres a problem with all of this. The new president of the university, Bruce Harreld, does not want to let Iowans see what the university learned from its $320,000. He wants to treat the polling, focus group research and strategies the school purchased as if he were still at IBM or Boston Market. The Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a statewide organization that advocates for government transparency and accountability, wrote to Harreld in December to make the case for public release of the questions and results from the polling and focus group research. As the executive director of the council, I wrote: You may not yet appreciate fully the motivation that led lawmakers to write the states open records and open meetings laws (with strong encouragement and help from the Iowa Freedom of Information Council). They acted in the belief that openness and informed discussion are central to effective government in our state just as openness and informed discussion are hallmarks of a great university. I explained Iowas sunshine laws, When there is ambiguity in the construction or application of these laws, the Legislature made it clear that such ambiguity should be resolved in favor of openness. I told him the rationale for the universitys secrecy did not rise to the level the Legislature envisioned when it wrote the open records law. Iowans are entitled to know what the polling found. I wrote, Public accountability is precisely what the Iowa Legislature had in mind when it wrote the open records law, especially documents generated at public expense that your institution is keeping confidential. If you and the university continue to treat these documents as a secret, you will erode the public trust in the University of Iowa and in your stewardship of the institution. Carroll J. Reasoner, the universitys vice president for legal affairs, responded to my letter. She was blunt: If others want to know how the university is perceived, they can conduct their own polling. She wrote, The university competes with other businesses for talent in the employment marketplace, with other institutions of higher education for students and strives to achieve a positive impression with all stakeholders. Reasoner claimed the universitys secrecy in this case is required under a section of the open records law that pertains to reports to governmental agencies which, if released, would give advantage to competitors and serve no public purpose. But Reasoner is wrong. That section says such records shall be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered ... by the lawful custodian of the records. And the lawful custodian of these documents is the university. Its important to note past Iowa Supreme Court cases regarding this section have been brought by businesses, not government, and those businesses objected to the release of reports they were required to prepare and provide to the government. In those cases, the court upheld the public release of the documents. I think its safe to conclude Iowans views of the university are not ones the university wants to trumpet in a press release. If the research found Iowans heralding the universitys academic prowess or its cost vs. value, you would see billboards touting that. Im betting Iowans are not favorably impressed by the universitys ranking as one of the nations top party schools, by frequent news about binge drinking there, by officials response to sexual assaults of students or by the amount of scholarship aid the university provides to needy students. But the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled embarrassment by government officials is not sufficient reason for keeping government documents out of the hands of the public. And I have a hunch Iowans impressions were embarrassing to University of Iowa officials, and thats why Harreld and Reasoner are fighting to keep this secret. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 12, 2016 | 04:48 PM | PADUCAH, KY A Providence man was arrested at the McCracken County Courthouse Thursday morning on drug charges. At around 10:00 am, 31-year-old Kyle Bouland came into the courthouse and was stopped at a security checkpoint after he set off a metal detector. A deputy spoke with Bouland and thought he was acting nervously. The deputy conducted a weapons patdown on Bouland and discovered a glass meth pipe in his pocket. Bouland was arrested and booked into the McCracken County Regional Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was out on bond out from Mayfield at the time of his arrest for possession of cocaine and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Advertisement By Sen. Danny Carroll Feb. 13, 2016 | FRANKFORT, KY By Sen. Danny Carroll Feb. 13, 2016 | 09:45 AM | FRANKFORT, KY Hollywood stars, international organizations, and winter weather greeted the Kentucky General Assembly during week six of the 2016 Session. With many guests, packed committee meetings, and energetic rallies, it was another exciting week in Frankfort. The international organization Save the Children, which promotes health, nutrition, and education for children around the world, had its Action Network President Mark Shriver and actress Jennifer Garner testify in Frankfort on behalf of the organization and their work throughout Kentucky. We were pleased to welcome Mr. Shriver and Ms. Garner to Frankfort, and we thank them for all the work they do for children across the state. We also welcomed the Kentucky Right to Life Association to the Capitol this week for a Rally for Life in the Capitol Rotunda. As part of the rally, Governor Bevin held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill (SB) 4, the first piece of pro-life legislation the Kentucky General Assembly has passed in over 12 years. Another pro-life bill, SB 152, passed out of committee this week and would require women to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion. I am a cosponsor of this bill. The Senate is still working to pass additional pro-life legislation, and we hope to see those bills move forward as the session continues. Other bills that passed the Senate this week include: Senate Bill 20, which is one of our priority pieces of legislation and another bill I proudly cosponsored, creates an appeals process for Managed Care Organizations (MCO's), will allow health-care providers to appeal a decision relating to the Department of Medicaid. This bill is another step in much-needed health-care reform. Senate Bill 53, a bill I sponsored, would offer civil immunity for a person who forcibly enters a locked vehicle believing a cat or dog is in immediate danger of death if not removed from the vehicle. In order to receive immunity, a person must do due diligence to locate the animal's owner and contact the authorities before entering the vehicle. SB 78, a bill promoting colon cancer prevention measures, passed this week, and I was proud to be a cosponsor of that legislation. I am also pleased that two of our priority bills passed out of committee this week: -SB 5, which would remove the names of county clerks from marriage licenses. This bill was crafted after Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis was criminally charges for standing up for her religious beliefs. -SB 1, which is the education reform bill that would take control of our own standards and free up Kentucky teachers to teach and also allow Kentucky teachers to develop our standards. We had many teachers call and write in support of this bill, and we are proud to move forward with legislation. I would encourage all who have an interest in education to read the most current version of this piece of legislation. It can be found on the Legislative Research Commission website at www.lrc.ky.gov. Finally, I pleased to welcome many guests from the Second District this week on City and County Days. I was honored to have Miss Avril Cole of Calvert City serve as my page Thursday, and I also had the pleasure of presenting Mr. Bryan Carner, outgoing president of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, with a Senate Citation for his leadership and contributions to the Chamber and the community. If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature's work online at www.lrc.ky.gov. Senator Danny Carroll (R-Paducah) represents the 2nd District encompassing Ballard, Carlisle, Marshall and McCracken counties. Senator Carroll serves on the Senate Appropriations & Revenue; Education; Health & Welfare; and Judiciary Committees. He also serves as Chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, Finance & Public Protection and as a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education. By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2016 | 06:50 PM | FRANKFORT, KY Kentucky's Democratic attorney general wants to revive a lawsuit the state's Republican governor decided to drop. Gov. Matt Bevin's administration won't defend a state law requiring life insurance companies to verify whether policyholders have died and notify their heirs so they can receive benefits. Several insurance companies have sued, arguing the law cannot be applied retroactively. Bevin said he agrees the law cannot be applied retroactively, adding it was not a good idea to use taxpayer money to defend something he thinks is illegal. Attorney General Andy Beshear said Thursday he will ask the state Supreme Court to substitute for the governor so the case can continue, but he said it would be an uphill battle. 25. "Son, I'm Thirty/I Only Went With Your Mother 'Cause She's Dirty" 24. "I Need To Be Myself" 23. "Straight Outta Compton, Crazy Motherf*cker Named Ice Cube From The Gang, Called N*ggarz With Attitude" A great opening lyric is like making a great first impression with someone special. You say the right words and they'll love you forever. (whereas a bad opening lyric is like meeting for the first time with bad breath and your flies open). Great lyrics can be many things, they can incite and inspire, they can pull you gently in or grab you by the balls or sometimes they just sound pretty cool. Brush your teeth, check your flies and get comfy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWheI-AIG5UHappy MondaysKinky Afro (1990) The Monday's second single from their third album, Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, hit number one in the U.S. Billboard Rock Chart and number five in the UK. It will come as no surprise that with lyrics like that the Mondays Front man Shaun Ryder has previously been voted Dad of the year...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p29MG7wn4F8OasisSupersonic (1994) The Brothers Grimm (sorry, Gallagher) told the world everything they needed to know about Oasis in the first line from their first ever single. Love them or hate them, they have never changed who they are. This single only hit number 31 in the UK upon release but has since amassed sales of over 215,000 units to become their 13th biggest single in the UK.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMZi25Pq3T8N.W.A.Straight Outta Compton (1988) The lead single from N.W.A's debut album of the same name, this lyric helped give birth to a whole new sub-genre of music and the rap game has never been the same since. The lyrics contained social commentary which was unique in the new gangsta rap genre as they expressed themselves to their full capabilities (after living in correctional facilities)... and they also rapped a fair bit about drugs and crime. JOHN STILLWELL/epa/Corbis Imagine what it must be like to be King or Queen of the United Kingdom. Ok, so maybe today's royalty dont have the absolute power of their predecessors, such as Henry VIII who clearly understood such things as how to avoid messy divorces and paying maintenance, but it's still a dream. Being popular is important of course, otherwise it may lead to revolution, as in France, or an untimely death - Edward II, so it is rumored, was killed by having a red hot poker rammed up his backside. Following short term populist measures to curry public opinion is not new: Henry VIII beheaded the two leading tax collectors in the Treasury making him a sure fire hit with his subjects. Modern sovereigns may have had their powers cut and their duties ceremonial but what a life. You live in a palace, eat the best food, travel the world, stay at top hotels, get loads of presents and never have to worry about household bills. In return, you make some speeches, shake a few hands and do a lot of waving. Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest serving sovereign, so what does she do all day, how much is she worth and, more importantly, is she worth it? 10. How Much Is The Queen Worth? Danny Lawson/PA Archive The Monarchy as an institution is valued at $87 billion but the Queen herself is worth far less. Compared to most of us, the Queen is absolutely loaded but compared to today's richest people she is a mere pauper. Her wealth is less than 3% compared to the Duke of Westminster, Britain's richest person. Having said that, most informed estimates claim she is worth around $425 million in terms of her private wealth. That does not include such things as palaces or castles, a huge property portfolio, the crown jewels, or the Royal Art Collections. These are held in perpetuity for the country and administered by the Crown Estate. The Queen does own Balmoral Castle along with other properties, marine land, a fruit farm, two stud farms and a healthy investment portfolio. She also has a stamp collection, inherited from her grandfather worth millions, plus extensive collections of art and fine jewellery. The Royals famously dont carry money with them, which is a bit surprising as Coutts Bank installed a private ATM cash machine in the basement of Buckingham Palace. Talk about unnecessary luxuries. Bizarrely, all swans on the River Thames and any passing dolphins, whales or sturgeons that come within 3 miles of the British coastline become her property. This goes back to an act passed in1324 when Edward II was king. Incidentally, being the Monarch means you dont have to pay tax but the Queen has been paying tax on a voluntary basis since 1992. It's a sad fact that the majority of people have no clue how their technology works, let alone what to do if it breaks. Whether it's a blue screen of death, a broken USB port or unresponsive software, there's only one solution - call in the techies. The tech support workers can be the people that run the digital infrastructure of entire companies, keeping networks online and ensuring everywhere has sufficient power. They might be the people you call in to fix your laptop after using it as a doorstop, or your smartphone after it's had a little swim. Considering the extent to which technology runs our lives these days, tech support workers are vital to ensuring everything runs smoothly. It's just a shame that some people seem hell-bent on making techies' life a misery. This gallery takes a look at twenty-one photos that will make tech support workers recoil in horror. 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(1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) If youre looking to try out an online casino, there are several things that will help you make a decision. Heres what you should look for when choosing an online casino Are they regulated? A lot of the larger ones have licenses issued by the authorities in their respective regions, so its worth checking this first. Do they offer games from different software providers? Some casinos just use one software provider and limit your selection. This is fine if you like playing those types of games but you may want to check other casinos as well. What does their payout percentage look like? The payout rate refers to how much money you can expect to win after every bet. A high payout rate means youll be able to play more often without having to worry about losing all your money. Its also important to know the minimum and maximum bets allowed on each game. If youre going to play roulette, for example, then you probably dont want a casino with a minimum bet of less than $2.50 or even lower than that. The players used to play the game slot online in the land based casinos in the past time. But now with time after the invention of the online casinos players play the game slot online. Online platform provide the players with the convenience in playing and even better winning. Even after keeping a good percentage of the profits, they distribute good funds to players. How many games do they offer? There are lots of different types of games to choose from. Roulette, blackjack and poker are some of the most popular options, but you might find slots, video pokers, video bingo and others as well. You can usually filter these games down to only show the ones that interest you best, so make sure that your list isnt too long! Is there a bonus offer? Many online casinos offer free bonuses as part of their welcome package which includes new players being awarded 100% up to $10 instantly, for example. These offers are great but not everyone has access to them all the time (and some require you to deposit real money). If youd prefer to avoid paying a fee, some casinos offer no-deposit bonuses where you can get a certain amount of funds before you need to put any actual money into the account. These are usually offered alongside welcome bonuses, so make sure you read both parts of the terms and conditions carefully before signing up. Does it offer live dealer games? Live dealers are much preferred by many over regular virtual versions, so it pays to check this option out too. Most online casinos now offer live dealer games in addition to their regular offerings, allowing you to experience the thrill of the real thing without needing to leave home. Now that youve got an idea of what to look for when choosing an online casino, heres some tips for making the right choice It really comes down to personal preference. No two people are exactly alike, so everyone has an opinion on what they like and dislike about each casino. That said, here are some things to consider in order to narrow down your choices Popularity. Check out reviews, forums and Facebook pages to see what other people think of the casino. Also, ask around at work or friends houses who they would recommend to you. You could always take a look at the casinos website too, to see what kind of information they provide about themselves. Reputation. Find out what the general public thinks about the casino. Check out any customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, Amazon and Google Play to find out more. As far as gaming goes, you can also check out the Better Business Bureau to see whether there have been any complaints against the casino. Security. Make sure the casino uses SSL encryption to secure its transactions, meaning that your private data stays safe during transactions. Other than that, look for security seals on the site itself and verify that theyre legitimate. You can also check out the casinos privacy policy to see how they handle confidential information. Payment methods. Its good to have multiple payment options available, especially if you plan to play frequently. Its also nice to find a casino that accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. If youre worried about safety, you can always opt for a credit card or PayPal instead. With all those criteria in mind, heres our top picks Betway: Betway is a relatively new UK casino offering online gambling to residents of the United Kingdom and European Union. They offer hundreds of games across both land based and digital platforms, with plenty of top software providers like Net Entertainment, Microgaming and Yggdrasil Gaming Network. With a generous welcome offer that gives players 100% up to 100, you really cant go wrong with Betway. Coral Casino: Coral Casino is operated by the same company that runs the famous Caribbean casino, Grand Reef. Like many casinos, Coral Casino offers a wide variety of games, including plenty of video slots and table games. New players can benefit from a huge 100% match bonus up to 1000, while existing customers enjoy 25% cash back on deposits made within 48 hours of opening an account. Ladbrokes Casino: Ladbrokes Casino is owned by the same company as the famous bookmaker that started life in 1921. With more than 500 games from leading software providers such as Amaya, NetEnt and Microgaming, you wont be disappointed by the quality of the games here. New players get a 200% match bonus up to 500, while existing customers can claim 35% cashback on their first three deposits. Paddy Power Casino: Paddy Power is another Irish-owned casino that operates throughout Europe. Not only does Paddy Power Casino offer traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette and slots, but it also provides a full range of sports betting, including football, tennis, boxing and horse racing. New players can receive a massive 100% match bonus up to 200, while existing customers can claim 35% cashback on their first three deposits. William Hill Casino: William Hill Casino is one of the biggest names in the industry, operating in Europe, Asia and North America. Founded in 1984, this online casino has more than 400 games to choose from, including slots and table games, with a wide array of software providers like WagerLogic, Big Time Gaming and Rival. Bonus: 100% Match Bonus up to 100 Register Now Betway: 100% Match Bonus up to 100 Claim Now Coral Casino: 25% Cash Back on Deposits Claim Now Ladbrokes Casino: 35% Cash Back on First 3 Deposits Claim Now Paddy Power Casino: 100% Match Bonus up to 200 Claim Now William Hill Casino: 100% Match Bonus up to 200 Claim Now If youre interested in trying out an online casino but arent quite ready to commit to one, why not try out one of the many no deposit casinos weve reviewed? You can test drive various casinos completely risk-free, so you can feel confident about your choice before you make a single penny deposit. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-10-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. Canl Bahis siteleri sektoru son derece onu ack ve farkl ozelliklere sahip bir sektordur. Elbette bahis secenekleri arasnda yuksek kazanc getiren alan kuskusuz canl bahistir. Peki, canl bahis nedir? Canl Bahis Nedir? Canl bahis adndan da anlaslacag gibi devam eden musabakaya bahis yapmaktr. Bu bahis musabaka devam ederken de yaplabilir olmasdr. Basta futbol olmak uzere voleybol, tenis, hentbol, basketbol, buz hokeyi ve masa tenisi gibi spor organizasyonlarna canl bahisler yaplabilmektedir. Canl bahis siteleri bu oyunlarn hepsine yuksek oranlara bahis yapmanza imkan tanr. En fazla tercih edilen futbol canl bahisleri diger alanlara gore daha fazla on plandadr. 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Hos geldin bonusu ile baslayan ve sonrasnda para yatrdkca bonus veren cok sayda site bulunmaktadr. Canl bahis bonusu veren siteler yeni uyelere sunduklar frsatlar farkl kampanyalarla mevcut uyelerine de sunmaktadrlar. Hali hazrda siteyi kullananlarn da bonus frsatlarndan yararlanmalar icin donemsel kampanyalar olusturmaktadrlar. Boylece baska sitelere gidisler olmayacag gibi site de daha keyifli zaman gecirmek mumkun klnmaktadr. Bu tur eklentiler yapan sitelerde musteri memnuniyeti daha fazladr. Bahis siteleri ozellik ve uygulama bakmndan farkllklar bunyelerinde bulundurmaktadrlar. Verilen bonuslarn olusturulmas ve kullanclar aktarlmasnda yatrlan para miktarlar belirleyici olmaktadr. 1.000 TL yatran bir kullanc yuzde 20 bonus frsat olan bir kampanyadan 200 TL bonus kazanabilmektedir. Yatracag tutar 10.000 TL oldugunda bu bonustutar 2.000 TL olabilmektedir. Gerceklesen ve uygulanan esaslar tamamen donemsel olarak yaplan kampanyalarla alakaldr. Iyi Canl bahis siteleri bonuslar ve kampanyalar icin sitelerin vermis oldugu oranlar takip edebilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Yatrma Online Canl bahis yapacaklarn merak ettigi konulardan bir digeri de para yatrma islemleridir. Oldukca onemli olan bu konuda hata yapmamak cok onemlidir. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemi sanlann aksine son derece basittir. Oldukca basit ve uygulama esas dogru etki olusturan bu yapda sizde islemi rahatca tamamlayabilirsiniz. Para yatrma konusunda su yolu izleyebilirsiniz. Guvendiginiz ve herhangi bir sekilde aklnzda soru isareti kalmayan bahis sitesine uye olmanz gerekmektedir. Uyelik islemini sorunsuz sekilde tamamladktan sonra para yatrma islemine gecebilirsiniz. Kullanacagnz siteye uye olduktan sonra karsnza kullanc ad ve sifresini gireceginiz yer gelecektir. Buraya giris yaptktan sonra site icerisine islemlere devam edebilirsiniz. Sitede yer alan para yatrma sekmesine tklayp sonrasnda karsnza gelen sayfay inceleyebilirsiniz. Para yatrma bolumunde yer alan ksma ne kadar para yatracagnz yazp devam tusuna basmalsnz. Yatrmak istediginiz tutar girip sonrasnda da devam tusuna bastktan sonra karsnza kart bilgilerinizi gireceginiz sayfa gelecektir. Kredi kart kullanarak para gondermek isteyenlerin tercih ettigi bu sayfa tum bilgiler girilip islem onaylanmaldr. Canl bahis sitelerine para yatrma islemini gerceklestirmek icin hesaba havale secenegini de kullanabilirsiniz. Site icerisinde musteri hizmetleri ile iletisime gecerek banka hesap numaralarn ogrenebilirsiniz. Belirtilen IBAN numarasna istediginiz tutar havale edebilirsiniz. Havale ederken acklama ksmna yazlacak bilgilere dikkat etmelisiniz. Kredi kart veya banka havalesi ile gerceklesen para yatrma islemi sonucunda site hesabnzdan bakiyenize bakabilirsiniz. Bakiyenize gore dilediginiz sekilde bahislerinizi gerceklestirebilirsiniz. Canl Bahis Siteleri Para Cekme Canl bahiste dogru hamleler ve dogru tahminler sonucunda kazandgnz bedeli geri almak isteyebilirsiniz. Kazanclarnz istediginiz banka hesabnza cekebilmek icin uymanz gereken kurallar soz konusudur. Oncelikle bahis sitelerinden para cekebilmeniz icin uye olurken dogru bilgi paylasmnda bulunmanz gerektigidir. Cunku canl bahis sitelerinden para cekme islemi icin kullanc hesab ile talep edilen banka hesap bilgilerinin ortusmesi gerekir. Yani uye olurken verilen bilgi ile banka hesab kime ait ise o bilgiler ayn olmaldr. Bu uygulama sitenin hem kullancsn hem de kendisini guvene alma politikasdr. Ayrca frsatclarn onune gecerek yeni bir uye olusumunun da onune gecmek amac gutmektedir. Uye olan kisi farkl para cekilme talebi verilen hesap farkl oldugunda para cekme islemi gerceklesmeyecektir. Bahisleriniz sonucunda kazanc elde edebilir ve bu kazancnz da hakknz olarak almak isteyebilirsiniz. Burada son derece basit uygulama soz konusu olurken siteler aras farkl gorunumler soz konusu olabilir. Fakat yine de tum sitelerde uyenin site icerisinde para cekme bolumune girmesi yeterlidir. Burada cekilecek olan tutarn belirlenmesi ve hesap numarasnn girilmesi ile birlikte islem onay gerekecektir. Para cekme taleplerinde sizden gerekli bilgiler istenmekte ve havale islemi istenilen bilgiler esliginde yurutulmektedir. Dogru bilgi paylasmak sorunsuz para cekebilmeniz en onemli kuraldr. Istenilen bilgiler girildikten sonra site sorumlular gerekli kontrolleri yapp herhangi bir sorun yoksa ksa surede hesabnza gerekli paray aktaracaklardr. Canl Bahis Sitelerinden Para Cekmek Icin Istenen Belgeler Bahis sitelerine uye olduktan sonra baz kullanclar para cekme taleplerinin karslanmadg konusunda sikayetlerde bulunmuslardr. Bu sikayetlersektorde uzun zamandr bulunan guvenilir bahis siteleri de yer almaktadr. Fakat sikayetlerin dayanaklarna bakldgnda ise islerin tamamen farkl oldugu gorulmektedir. Yasanan bu durum kullanclarn hatal bilgi girmesi ve uyelik bilgileri ile banka bilgilerinin uyusmamas ile dogru orantldr. Birde canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler eksik ya da hatal olarak sunulmus olabilir. Ortaya ckan karsklar neticesinde para cekme talebinde bulunan kisi istedigini alamadg icin sikayetci olmaktadr. Oysa ki istenilen bilgiler dogru ve istenilen evraklar eksiksiz sunulsa para cekme islemi sorunsuz olacak. Sitelerin para cekme konusunda dikkatli hareket etmesi hilelerin ve illegal faaliyetlerin onune gecmek adnadr. Cunku baz kullanclar farkl bilgiler vererek ikinci hesap acabilmektedirler. Bazen de bilincsizce hatal bilgi girilebilmektedir. Hatal islemlerin cozumu konusunda islem yaptgnz sitenin musteri temsilcileri ile gorusebilirsiniz. Talepleriniz dogrultusunda para cekme islemlerinde ki sorunlar giderilecektir. Canl bahis para cekmek icin istenen belgeler listesi su sekildedir; Kullanc bilgileri ile banka bilgilerini karslastrmak icin kimlik fotokopisi Banka hesap bilgileri Ikametgah ve kisiye ait herhangi bir fatura. Kacak Iddaa Turkiyede dogrudan bahis yapmak icin resmi kanallar kullanlabilmektedir. Fakat tercih edilen ve oran olarak cok daha fazla frsatlar sunan kacar iddaasiteleri bulunmaktadr. Bu siteler kanunlara aykr sekilde yaplmakta olup, yasal bir dayanag yoktur. Elbette bu sitelerin kurulus merkezi Turkiye olmayp, ds ulkelerdedir ve faaliyetler belirlenen siteler uzerinden yaplmaktadr. Kacak Iddaa oldukca riskli olup, cok dikkatli olunmas gerekir. Kacak Bahis Kanunlar cercevesinde istediginiz gibi bahis yapamayabilirsiniz. Bahis yapabilmek icin ya kanuni olarak sorun olmayan ulke dsnda ki kumarhanelere gitmeniz veya kacak bahis sitelerinden islem yapabilirsiniz. Zira bu durum tehlikeli olsa da cok sayda site guvenli sekilde bu alanda hizmet vermektedir. Kacak bahiste oldukca fazla secenek bulunurken yuksek oranda kazanc sunuyor olmas da ragbeti arttryor. Illegal Bahis Bahisin bircok alanda yasak oldugu Turkiyede bu alanda cok sayda yabanc merkezli siteler hizmet vermektedir. Illegal bahis sektorunde faaliyet gosteren siteler guvenli hizmet anlays ile kullanclarna frsatlar sunmaktadr. Yurt ds merkezli bu siteler sorunsuz sekilde hizmetlerini surdururken bulunduklar ulkelerde kanunlara uygun sekildedir. Elbette faaliyet noktasnda bulunduklar ulkelerde sorun teskil etmese de Turkiyede faaliyet gostermeleri kanunin yasaklanmstr. Yasads Bahis Gerek olusturulan etkenler gerekse de ortaya konulan riskler yasads bahis de oldukca tehlikelidir. Kanunlarn mudahil olduklar bu alanlar da hem kullanclar hem de populer bahis yaptranlar tum riskleri goze almaktadrlar. Fakat yasaklardan uzak sekilde guvenli hizmet sunan siteler de bulunmaktadr. Takipler neticesinde kapatlan sitelerin muhakkak alternatifleri kurularak yollarna devam etmektedirler. Canl Iddaa Siteleri Nelerdir? Dunya genelinde kabul gormus cok sayda guvenli hizmet veren populer bahis siteleri bulunmaktadr. Elbette bu siteler dunyann bircok ulkesinde faaliyet gosterse de Turkiyede yasaktr. Sektorde yer alan cok sayda legal iddaa siteleri bulunmaktadr. Herhangi bir kanunsuzlugun olmadg bu sitelerden hzl ve guvenli islem yaplabilmektedir. Tabi bu sitelerde uygulanan oranlar yasal olmayan sitelere gore daha dusuktur. Illegal sitelerin tercih edilme sebeplerinin en onemli etkeni de olusturulan oranlardr. Peki, Iddaa siteleri nelerdir? Faaliyetleri ve uygulama esaslar nelerdir? Turkiyede faaliyet gosteren yasal iddaa siteleri listesi su sekildedir; Iddaa Bilyoner Tuttur Birebin Oley Nesine Misli Iddaa 2004 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslayan Iddaa Spor toto tarafndan kurulmus olup, ilk etapta bayilik seklinde calsmaya baslamstr. Elbette zamanla gelisen teknolojiye ayak uydurarak internet uzerinde de populer bahis severlerin hizmetine sunulmustur. Kuruldugu donemde devletin resmi kurumu olarak faaliyet gosterirken gelinen yeni donemde ozellestirilmistir. Bilyoner Turkiyede faaliyetine 2006 ylnda baslayan Bilyoner ilk ozel yasal bahis sitesi olma ozelligine sahiptir. Guvenilir bahis siteleri Turkiyede bunlardr. Ksa surede populer olan site halen faaliyetlerini sorunsuz sekilde surdurmektedir. Tuttur Ksa surede adndan bahsettirmeyi basaran Tuttur 2009 ylnda faaliyetlere baslamstr. Guvenilir bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almstr. Gunumuze dek bircok alanda populer bahis yapanlara frsatlar sunarken avantajlar ile de begeni toplamstr. Birebin Kullanc odakl calsmalar surdurse de 2011 ylnda sektore giren Birebindiger sitelere gore daha az ragbet gormektedir. Bahis oynamak ise bu sitede oldukca kolaydr. Elbette farkl yaklasmlara sahip olmasndan dolay ilerleyen sureclerde adndan sklkla bahsettirecek gibi gorunuyor. Oley 2009 ylnda Dogus yayn gruplarnn istiraki olarak kurulmus olup yasal olarak herhangi bir sorunu olmayan sitelerdendir. Bahis siteleri arasnda hzl cks yapms bir sitedir. Oley yapms oldugu yenilikler ile kullanclarn da dikkatini ksa surede cekmeyi basarmstr. Nesine Birbirini takip eden surecte Nesine de yine 2006 ylnda hizmet vermeye baslamstr. Yasal bahis siteleri arasnda yerini almay basaran firma ksa surede sevilen ve ragbet goren bir site olmustur. Misli 2009 ylnda sektore cok hzl giris yapan Misli cok sayda reklam filmi ile on plana ckmay basarmstr. Internet uzerinden hem yasal hem de sorunsuz hizmet veren bahis sitelerinden bir tanesi olmustur. Canl Bahis Siteleri Kayt ve Uyelik Islemleri Her zaman populerligini koruyan ve surekli gelisim gosteren canl bahis gun gectikce daha da gucleniyor. Bahis oynamak icin ise sitelere uye olunmas gerekir. Yuksek getirisi ve begeni toplayan faaliyetleri ile cok sayda site bu alanda faaliyet gostermektedir. Elbette sorunsuz sekilde uye olmanz ve faaliyetler gostermeniz de oldukca kolaydr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri dakikalar icerisinde gerceklestirilecek yapya sahiptir. Uye olacagnz siteyi belirledikten sonra siteye girmeniz gerekmektedir. Girdiginiz sitenin ana sayfasnda uye ol ya da kayt ol bolumu bulunacaktr. Siteler arasnda degiskenlik gosteren bu alanda temel unsurlar bulunmaktadr. Elbette farkllklar olsa da temelinde benzer bilgiler uye olmak isteyen kisilerden talep edilmektedir. Uye ol bolumune tkladktan sonra karsnza uyelik bilgi formu ckacaktr. Bu formda sizin kim oldugunuzu ogrenmek ve sitenin guvenligini saglamak adna islemler yaplmaktadr. Uyelik formunda yer alan ad soyad bolumunu eksiksiz ve dogru sekilde doldurmalsnz. Sizden bu formda istenen bilgilerin tamamn girmeniz istenecektir. Istenen bilgiler mutlaka dogru ve eksiksiz sekilde olmaldr. Eksik veya hatal bilgi uyelik islemlerinde sorun teskil edebilir. Yine de yanls bilgi girisine ragmen uyelik islemleri tamamlanabilir. Fakat boyle bir yol izleyenler sonrasnda buyuk skntlarla karslasabilirler. Bu skntlarn basnda da para cekme islemlerinde yasanan sorunlardr. Uyelik islemleri dikkatli ve ozenle doldurulmas gereken yapdadr. Canl bahis siteleri kayt ve uyelik islemleri gerceklestirilirken verilen bilgiler site yonetimi tarafndan muhafaza edilmektedir. Herhangi bir sekilde 3. Sahslarla paylaslmas gibi bir durum soz konusu degildir. Bu faaliyetleri surduren sitelerin guven unsurlar arasnda bu nokta onceliklidir. Bahis sitelerine uye olurken hatal bilgi paylasmnda bulunmak size faydadan cok zarar verecektir. Diyelim ki bilgileri hatal girdiniz ve uyelik onayland. Uyelik tamamlandktan sonra siteye para yatrdnz ve kazanc elde ettiniz. Kazancnz sonrasnda hesabnza almak istediginizde karsnza banka bilgileri bolumu gelecektir. Para cekme talebi gerceklestikten sonra site uyelik bilgileri ile banka hesap bilgileri ortusmez ise paranz alamazsnz. Boyle bir durumla karslasmamak adna bu hususa ayrca dikkat etmelisiniz. Feb 14, 2016 | By Andre Imagine for a second that every time you went to sleep you rolled off of your bed and onto the floor. Thats something youd quickly want to remedy Im sure. The owners of Mr. Ben, a one-legged parrot from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, were in a similar situation before seeking the help of 3D printing technology to make things right. In Mr. Bens case, he kept losing his balance and falling from his perch every night as he attempted to sleep. On top of that, as Mr. Bens owner Lorraine Hollingworth tells, eating was also quite tricky for him and we had to give him his fruit and veg really finely chopped up. The solution arrived after a local 3D print firm accepted avian specialist Steve Smiths challenge to create a new claw for Mr. Ben. This strange request was defintely a first for the company, wed never had a request like it and were really excited by the challenge, Fred Standeven the engineer behind the 3D printing noted. To make it all work, moulds of Mr. Bens legs were created and sent over to the 3D printing firm so accurate measurements could be taken before further research was done on the specific design details for Mr. Bens 3D printed replacement claw. We spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos of cockatoos to help us with our research. Once the leg was designed and 3D printed it was sent Mr. Bens way so it could be attached by the veterinarian. From there it was only a matter of time before Mr. Ben was standing up comfortably on both legs. Results were noticed right away as he was finally able to get a good nights sleep and was a lot less cranky. He even stopped biting me. Lorraine said. Unfortunately however, four days after the new 3D printed limb was attached, the team had to go back to the drawing board because Mr. Ben chewed it right off. I came down on Monday morning and Mr. Ben had his foot in his mouth and was looking really sheepish. I went closer to see what was up and he flung the new claw out of his cage at me. He had nibbled it off! But as the saying goes, if at first you dont succeed, try try again, and thats exactly what the 3D printing team is doing. After some further analysis, they hope creating a more robust replacement claw will prevent Mr. Ben from chewing off the claw on their next attempt. Lorraine remains optimistic that the second attempt will yield more permanent results. Hopefully we will get there in the end. Mr. Ben absolutely loved his new claw before he chewed it off. The 3D printed prosthetic claw, while unique in its own right, isnt the first example of 3D printing to assist animals in need. Tazo, a handicapped dog found in a New York shelter, was helped after 3D printing was used to create a prosthetic cart to roll around in. Theres also the case of Yogo, a dog that suffered from congenital atrophy in his right leg before being fitted with a 3D printed prosthetic. The ability for 3D printing to assist pets in need of replacement limbs is something that seems to be happening more and more frequently these days. The accuracy in the process thanks to mould making and in some cases 3D scanning ensures a perfect fit can be had every time. For now, Lorraine is eagerly awaiting the second 3D printed claw for Mr. Ben as the one-legged ben tends to let out piercing screams that could be heard three miles away, during these more wobbly days. Posted in 3D Printing Application Maybe you also like: chethan wrote at 2/15/2016 11:27:36 AM:So sad Fiona MacDonald in Science Alert: A researcher in Russia has made more than 48 million journal articles almost every single peer-reviewed paper every published freely available online. And she's now refusing to shut the site down, despite a court injunction and a lawsuit from Elsevier, one of the world's biggest publishers. For those of you who aren't already using it, the site in question is Sci-Hub, and it's sort of like a Pirate Bay of the science world. It was established in 2011 by neuroscientist Alexandra Elbakyan, who was frustrated that she couldn't afford to access the articles needed for her research, and it's since gone viral, with hundreds of thousands of papers being downloaded daily. But at the end of last year, the site was ordered to be taken down by a New York district court a ruling that Elbakyan has decided to fight, triggering a debate over who really owns science. Payment of $32 is just insane when you need to skim or read tens or hundreds of these papers to do research. I obtained these papers by pirating them,Elbakyan told Torrent Freak last year. Everyone should have access to knowledge regardless of their income or affiliation. And thats absolutely legal. If it sounds like a modern day Robin Hood struggle, that's because it kinda is. But in this story, it's not just the poor who don't have access to scientific papers journal subscriptions have become so expensive that leading universities such as Harvard and Cornell have admitted they can no longer afford them. Researchers have also taken a stand with 15,000 scientists vowing to boycott publisher Elsevier in part for its excessive paywall fees. More here. This February Zindagi presents two tele dramas Do Qadam Door Thayon 16th February at 9:00 pm and Na Kaho Tum Mere Nahion 17th February 6:10 pm. With unique storylines, each show highlights the different challenges in life and how one can embrace the sweetness of love and the bitterness of relationships. Premiering at 9:00 pm on Tuesday, 16th February, Do Qadam Door Thay is an unusual story about love and grief. This social drama revolves around a married couple, Nayab and Zohab, essayed by Aiza Khan and Sami Khan, respectively and their search for each other. Zohab is abducted by Nayab's cousin Raza and is blindfolded and forced to marry Nayab. The story takes new twists and turns when Nayab and Zohab start their journey of discovering their relationship. While on their search, the star-crossed lovers bump into one another time and time again and start developing feelings, not knowing that they are lawfully wedded. What does fate really have in store for Nayab and Zohab? Premiering on Wednesday,February 17th at 6:10 pm, Na Kaho Tum Mere Nahiis a romantic drama that revolves around the lives of a happy couple Mehreen (Saba Qamar) and Meerabs (Ahsan Khan) and their two children. Meerab earns a humble living and Mehreen tries her best to make do with his meagre salary to maintain a happy home. The story takes a dramatic turn when Meerab and Mehreens college friend, Maya, who is married to a multimillionaire arrives on the scene. During their college days, Maya was infatuated by Meerab, but Meerab ended up proposing to Mehreen. With Mayas return, will Mehreen and Meerabs lives get complicated? Former world number one Rafa Nadal wasted a match point as he slipped to a surprise semi-final loss to Austrian Dominic Thiem on his beloved clay at the Argentina Open on Saturday. The defending champion was one point away from victory at 5-4 in the third on Thiem`s serve but the Austrian rallied, forcing a tiebreak which he controlled from the off to take the contest 6-4 4-6 7-6(4). It was an amazing match for me, world number 19 Thiem said. It was very tight from the beginning. Its special to play against the big guys, and to beat one is a dream come true. In the third set, Nadal really stepped up but I was able to counter-attack and play incredible shots. Spaniard Nadal`s loss was another early season setback for the 14-times grand slam champion who was dumped out of the first round of the Australian Open by unseeded compatriot Fernando Verdasco, one of the biggest shocks of the tournament. Thiem will face another Spaniard in the final after Nicolas Almagro beat second seed and former champion David Ferrer 6-4 7-5. It was Almagro`s first win over the world number six at the 16th time of asking and came after Ferrer had to finish his rain-delayed quarter-final earlier on Saturday. This is the reward for many months of hard work, but there`s no time to celebrate, Almagro said. I have to focus on tomorrow`s match and hopefully I can play at the same level. Nadal will head to Brazil for next week`s Rio Open where he will attempt again to reach his 100th elite final. Please do not call my son a terrorist, says JNUSU President Kanhaiyas mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbours house in Bihars Begusarai district. We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one, his mother Meena Devi told PTI over the phone. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs. 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread- winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiyas father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad University. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics, he said. Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult Mother India, he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union polls with 1,029 votes to become its president the first from the All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiyas arrest has been politicised, Prince said, It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national. This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, its bigger than him. February 12, 2016 KASHAN, Iran Some 190 kilometers (120 miles) south of Tehran lies the city of Kashan. There, a group of Iranian university lecturers who are also pro-reform activists gather around a dinner table in a traditional cafe near the old bazaar, which is famous for its carpets. Al-Monitor asked them, How do you see the developments of the Arab Spring and its repercussions for you and your country? To Iranian Reformists, the Arab Spring is a significant matter. They see it as having had a positive impact on the Wests including the United States approach toward Iran. However, they also see it as having intensified sectarian divisions, ultimately strengthening conservatives in Iran. One of the university lecturers, using the pseudonym Agha, told Al-Monitor, We were skeptical about the outbreak of the so-called Arab Spring, its impact on the communities in which it unfolded as well as its repercussions on Irans internal scene and on our relations with neighboring and regional countries. Since the beginning of the uprisings it was clear to us that tribal structures and rural mentalities, in the sociological sense, were still prevailing in the majority of these communities. Thus any potential revolution under such situations and circumstances surely lacked the elements of success to shift the prevailing political regime from autocracy to freedom and liberation. Rather, such revolutions will lead to long and chronic civil wars and attract foreign intervention. This is in addition to exclusionary power struggles between the rebels themselves and between all those whose appetites for power have been awakened by the fall of former rulers. Agha emphasized, It was clear to us that these new conflicts caused by the Arab Spring will sooner or later take on a religious and ideological nature. This will further sow sedition among Sunnis and Shiites, which is neither in Irans best interest nor in favor of our vision of the Iranian state. Ehsan, another pro-reform university lecturer, told Al-Monitor, We believe that sliding into sectarian strife is a great threat to our country, and a greater threat to our vision of Iran. It is impossible to consider reform or propose the development of our society, state and economy under the weight of sectarian conflicts. In order for our ideology to thrive, we need an atmosphere of dialogue and openness. At the outbreak of the Arab Spring it appeared to us from the status quo in our surroundings that there were three countries qualified to be the Sunni partner or interlocutor with Shiite Iran: namely, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Ehsan said, What happened in Egypt was a shock but after its advent to power, the [Muslim] Brotherhood which for almost a century kept demanding justice and equity quickly adopted practices that have nothing to do with its [previously declared demands]. This led to the militarys return to power. In both cases, Iran lost the opportunity of having Egypt as its Sunni partner. He added, As for Saudi Arabia, the problem was and still is more difficult and complex. While Egypt failed to assume the role of Irans interlocutor, the Saudi regime deliberately posed as Irans fierce religious, sectarian and ideological enemy. The kingdom was keen on every occasion to exert as many sectarian mobilization efforts as possible against our country and our government. Riyadh's rulers perhaps think that mobilizing the Sunni world against Tehran is the best way to win the series of wars they are waging. Ultimately, this killed all chances of a possible dialogue-based Iranian rapprochement with Saudi Arabia. As for Turkey, Ehsan said, [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan's behavior was very similar to that of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He did not hesitate to adopt a sectarian discourse and mobilization-based policies against non-Sunnis. This deprived us of any chance of having a possible Sunni partner or interlocutor in our surroundings and in the region. One of the pro-reform activists, a professor of history, told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, We are caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, we face the escalation of sectarian tension in the Sunni countries against Shiites and Iranians. On the other hand, we are further confronted with the Shiite reaction inside Iran against any moderate voices calling for reform or openness. A popular Iranian historian once said that Iran is made up of an accurate and deep equation between two components: the historical state of Persia and Islam as a comprehensive lifestyle. These two components may not be separated, and one of them cannot prevail over the other. According to the same logic, Iran turning into a pure Islamic state without its Persian identity is also a threat to its stability and balance. This is the reaction we feared that the events of the Arab Spring in our surroundings would conjure. This is especially true as a result of the absence of any real Sunni partner or interlocutor in a regional dialogue that can lead Islam and our societies toward development and modernity. Agha concluded, We believe that Iran, after the nuclear deal, will start a new course. We hope the Sunnis will follow suit. When Shiite radicalism emerged in Iran, it was coupled with the emergence of Sunni radicalism. Now we are heading toward openness and moderation, and we hope they [Sunnis] will do the same; otherwise, this will be a disaster for everyone. Reformists in Iran are pondering over two key developments from the past five years: Irans openness to the West and the increased Sunni militancy aimed at Iran. This is especially true since the Arab Spring shifted from being liberal popular movements to Sunni fundamentalism in Libya, Iraq, Syria and even Egypt. Thus, Iranian Reformists find themselves standing at a crossroads; they hope that the nuclear deal will lead to the Iranian regime moving toward further openness and moderation. Meanwhile, they fear that the West will only go for the nuclear deal securing its political and economic interests and turn a blind eye to the oppression of the Reformist movement. They also fear that the Sunni fundamentalism surrounding Iran, which serves as an excuse for domestic conservatives to target Reformists, will become grounds for popular mobilization within Iran to the benefit of radicals. Nevertheless, Iranian Reformists entertain hope that the Arab Spring will return to the right track and produce, at a later stage, civil governments in Sunni states. Most of all, they agree that the Iranian state cannot continue with its current approach and that things are bound to change. February 12, 2016 UZAIR, Iraq Jews reportedly built the tomb of the Prophet Ezra in Iraq in the fifth century, and the site has undergone many changes since. The tomb is in the town of Uzair, which is the Arabic version of the name Ezra, and the shrine has taken on many Islamic aspects. The shrine contains Hebrew scriptures and Jewish symbols, and Quranic verses and Islamic inscriptions. It was turned into an Islamic landmark following the mass exodus of the Jews of Iraq to Israel in the 1950s. Iraqi journalist and author Abdulhadi Mhoder found in this area a symbolic harmony between Islam and Judaism. He told Al-Monitor that this harmony reflects religious tolerance and confessional coexistence in Iraq." He said, This harmony can also be seen in the tomb of Jewish Prophet Dhul-Kifl [Ezekiel] in Babil, which Muslims still visit. An Iraqi Jew who lives in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region stirred controversy a year ago when he told Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper that the Shiite endowments takeover of the Prophet Ezras Tomb and a Jewish shrine beside it is a Muslim persecution of Jews. Al-Monitor asked cleric Ali al-Mhamadawi, one of the supervisors of Ezras tomb, about the issue. He denied the statement of the Jewish man, who had spoken to the newspaper on condition of anonymity. Muslims are the ones who took care of the place and rebuilt it after it was deserted following the Jewish exodus from the city, Mhamadawi said. These accusations are refuted by the fact that Islam considers Ezra a holy prophet, as he was mentioned in the Quran. That is why religious rituals are held in his shrine. He added, Jews can visit the shrine; they are always welcome. Al-Monitor asked Mhamadawi about stories in the media claiming that the Muslims overseeing the place had deliberately removed all Jewish symbols and replaced them with Islamic verses. Mhamadawi did not answer the question. Instead, he pointed out Jewish symbols and Hebrew writing on the walls of the hall and on a hanging plate. He said, If we wanted to erase them completely, nobody could have stopped us. But we respect other religions. He admitted that some Jewish [symbols], including the Star of David, were removed in the 1980s unintentionally during maintenance operations that the Ministry of Awqaf [Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs] conducted during Saddam Husseins era. There was no trace of Ezras story in the shrine. Instead, Islamic books, written prayers and photos of Shiite figures filled the place. Ezra lived from about 480 to 440 B.C. Some Muslim Iraqis still have good memories about the Jews who lived in Iraq until the 1950s. The ancient conflict was replaced during that time with peace and cooperation. Ali al-Saadi, a teacher who was born in Uzair and is interested in its history, told Al-Monitor that the senior citizens of the city still remember the names of dozens of their Jewish neighbors. He confirmed that Jews and Muslims lived together in peace and that Jews freely practiced their religious rituals. Jews lived in Iraq more than 2,500 years ago in Babil, Baghdad and Mosul, among other places. But in the 1940s and 1950s, they were the victims of theft and murder, and they left the country for two reasons. First, they thought that the 1941 Iraqi coup detat happened in collusion with the Nazis. Second, Iraqi Jews faced a wave of anger in the wake of the global Jewish emigration to Palestine to build a Jewish state. Most of them were displaced between 1949 and 1950 after Israel was established. Saadi said, Jews owned houses and green fields that surrounded the shrine. These are still officially registered in their names in the real estate departments, although Jews are no longer present in Uzair. These houses have a special architecture characterized by wooden ornamented columns and oriels [bay windows]. The shrine of Ezra has withstood centuries in an area inhabited by a deeply religious Shiite majority, unlike a nearby school that was once a synagogue. "Its landmarks have been completely altered," Saadi said. "It included an underground vault that was demolished in the 1980s during maintenance operations conducted by the Ministry of Awqaf. At the shrine, there are some eroded Jewish inscriptions exposed to neglect and unfavorable weather conditions. These inscriptions are endangered unless they are given appropriate care. At the top of the main entrance is an ancient corroded silver plate inscribed with Hebrew words. Islamic symbols completely dominate the place. Umm Hassan, who was visiting, did not know about its Jewish history. But she was certain that it is linked to numerous healing miracles, and many Muslims here share this faith. Al-Monitor talked to author and researcher Ali Hasan al-Fawwaz about the shrine. He said, People visit the place because of their attachment to religious sanctities. Even if Prophet Ezra was a Jew, he is part of the collective conscience of the followers of monotheistic religions such as Islam and Judaism, which honor the savior. The place today is a religious destination that may be restored as a tourist attraction, especially for Iraqi Jews who emigrated and are nostalgic about their history. Uzair city will surely benefit from this restoration to boost its religious tourism. Wissam Jaliham, a member of the Maysan provincial council, told Al-Monitor, The people of the city welcome Jewish visitors to this shrine, although it was transformed into an Islamic landmark. He noted that a reconstruction plan carried out by the local government in Uzair in coordination with the Shiite endowment directorate is underway to salvage this shrines Jewish and Islamic features. February 12, 2016 When outgoing French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced the French initiative to convene an international peace conference on a two-state solution on Jan. 29, it was perceived both in Jerusalem and Ramallah merely as a declarative gesture in order to bolster the position of embattled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But the French take their initiative more seriously. A French Foreign Ministry official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Paris is holding discreet talks with officials on the Israeli and Palestinian sides to explore whether a common basis for such an international conference could be established. According to the official, who is himself involved in those secret talks, there was no flat rejection by either of the parties on the principle of an international conference. Yet, the initial gap between the parties on the necessary foundations and terms of reference for such a conference is very significant possibly insurmountable. The initial Israeli reaction was that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not discuss the eventuality of a peace conference unless France withdraws its ultimatum of recognizing Palestine as a state (in case the initiative is rejected). Furthermore, officials in the prime ministers office made it clear to the French that negotiations would have to be bilateral and unconditional. An international gathering without setting pre-conditions for negotiation could launch direct negotiations, as did the Madrid Conference of 1991 in which Netanyahu participated as deputy foreign minister. The Palestinian position, as expressed to the French, is that the conference has to be based on the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, referring to the 1967 lines as future borders and to East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital. Establishing the Arab initiative as the basis for a peace conference would also bring about the support of most of the Arab League member states for a Palestinian diplomatic move. A senior official in the Israeli Foreign Ministry told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Israel insists on unconditional bilateral negotiations. The official claimed that this is the unambiguous position of the prime minister, whose only interest in this context is to prevent French recognition of a Palestinian state. The Israeli Cabinet is unanimously backing Netanyahu in his rejection. Yet, the official noted that there were some dissenting voices within the Foreign Ministry and the defense establishment. He said that senior officials in the Israel Defense Forces are recommending a policy move toward a peace process in parallel to economic confidence-building measures as a way to prevent a much greater outbreak of violence. Such positions were expressed at the Foreign Ministrys Center for Political Research. Officials there have recommended a qualified, conditional acceptance of the French initiative, to prevent a diplomatic avalanche in the case that France indeed recognizes the state of Palestine. These officials recommended that Netanyahu, who is also the foreign minister, advance an Israeli terms of reference for such a conference that highlight Israels security interests. Netanyahus stance and motivations regarding the French initiative are clear: any move toward negotiations within an international framework could destabilize his right-wing coalition. He also believes that President Barack Obama is, as of now, a lame duck president and that therefore Israel will be immune to any international pressure. Abbas position is also clear: He strives to prevent an armed intifada that could also endanger his rule and is therefore looking for a diplomatic anchor that would strengthen him vis-a-vis the more radical voices in Fatah and Hamas. These two positions are not reconcilable. Netanyahu would like to have the best of all worlds: keep the settlement expansion in order to maintain his right-wing coalition and base, count on Abbas security cooperation for the prevention of an armed intifada, reject peace initiatives be they American or European and at the same time maintain good relations with Israels best friends abroad. His experience shows that he generally gets away with these contradictory policies. Indeed, he fought Obama in Congress on the Iran deal, but is now in the process of securing a comprehensive US defense package and is not being subjected to US pressure on a two-state solution. With the volatile situation inside the Palestinian Authority, Netanyahu might be forced to wake up and recognize a different reality. The aftermath of rejecting the international peace conference could bring about a violent deterioration in the situation emanating from the West Bank, as well as a diplomatic deterioration in terms of European recognition of the state of Palestine and international punitive measures on settlement expansion. In any case, the prime ministers right-wing base will remain intact, which at the end of the day is his prime interest. February 12, 2016 ALEPPO, Syria Away from the Geneva peace talks and the give and take between the stakeholders of the Syrian crisis, Aleppo, the country's commercial hub, is witnessing the most crucial turning point at the national level since the outbreak of the revolution on March 15, 2011. Feb. 1 was the zero hour chosen by the regime forces and their allies to launch a large-scale offensive against rebel-controlled areas in the northern Aleppo countryside. The entire city of Aleppo was shaken by the thunderous sound of artillery targeting the villages of the northern countryside, while Russian fighter jets filled the airspace. These battles are unlike any others. They are the fiercest and bloodiest yet, for regime forces are attacking rebels at the heart of their areas of control, spurring them into all-out defense. The northern countryside of Aleppo is a stronghold of the Free Syrian Army, having served as a starting point for the FSA to enter the city in July 2012. However, the map has become extremely intricate with four major players sharing control: the opposition made up mainly of the FSA, the regime and its allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Islamic State. Three days into the offensive, the Syrian army, with the land support of Iran-affiliated militias such as the Iraqi Hezbollah al-Nujaba movement and Lebanese Hezbollah were able to reach the predominantly Shiite villages of Nubl and al-Zahraa, from which they could seize other villages such as Duwayr al-Zaytun, Tal Jabin, Hardatnin and Muarrasat al-Khan. Shareef Halabi, a military reporter in the FSA, told Al-Monitor, "It was the fiercest battles I have ever seen in my life." Halabi went to the city of Aleppo where Al-Monitor met him after one of his comrades was wounded in the battles raging in Ratyan in the northern Aleppo countryside. Following these bloody clashes, the regime forces advanced and took control of Ratyan and Mayer on Feb. 5. Halabi described the ongoing battles: "It was raining missiles and shells everywhere. Iranian militias are trying to advance at any cost." The importance of this advance lies in the fact that rebel forces have lost a strategic passage linking the northern Aleppo countryside with the rest of their zones of control. As a result, FSA fighters in the northern countryside are now isolated and surrounded by IS in the east, the regime forces and their allies in the south and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the west. Rebel forces had long held that strategic passage between the two villages of Tal Jabin and Muarrasat al-Khan. In addition to being a military supply route, the passage allowed commercial and aid trucks to enter Aleppo through the Bab al-Salam checkpoint on the Turkish-Syrian border. The assault brings to mind the large offensive by regime forces in the northern Aleppo countryside in February 2014. Back then, the attacking forces suffered great losses, including 300 casualties and 50 prisoners. The question is: Why is the regime able to advance now when it lost before? Halabi answered, "Of course, the Russian aerial intervention, which started four months ago, played a major role in tipping the scales. Also, Iran sent all its affiliated militias to take part in this battle." He added, "The regime was only responsible for the initial artillery bombing, while Iran-affiliated militias led the land invasion with the help of Russian air forces." Today, the Syrian opposition is facing its greatest challenges to date, on both the political and the military level. The timing of the Aleppo offensive, in parallel with the Geneva III peace talks, is no coincidence, as Aleppo is the major stronghold of the moderate opposition, the one accepted in the political negotiations. Russian fighter jets never leave Aleppo's airspace, as Russia is backing the regime's land offensive in the northern Aleppo countryside. Russia is trying to get rid of the moderate opposition that represents President Bashar al-Assad regime's political opponent, or at least pressure it into offering more concessions. The opposition made a number of demands for joining the talks with the regime, such as lifting the siege on blockaded cities and stopping the use of heavy weapons and missiles, to which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded Feb. 3 by asserting that Russia will not halt its airstrikes in Syria until "armed groups" are defeated. These events led the UN's special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to announce Feb. 3 the suspension of the Geneva peace talks. His announcement came on the same day the regime forces were able to split the northern countryside from the city of Aleppo and cut the rebels' supply lines. MSDPRIN PA007 "Pretty in Pink" actors Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer in 1986. ((c)Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection) PINK IS IN (AGAIN) "Pretty in Pink," a quintessential John Hughes-penned '80s teen comedy, returns to theaters for a 30th anniversary event. The 1986 release stars Andrew McCarthy, Jon Cryer and flame-haired then "it" girl Molly Ringwald. "Pretty in Pink," 2 and 7 p.m., Cinemark Monaco (370 The Bridge Street), Valley Bend 18 (1485 Four Mile Post Road S.E.), Regal Hollywood Stadium 18 (3312 S. Memorial Pkwy.), prices vary between theaters, fathomevents.com/event/pretty-in-pink TATTOO YOU "This show is my gift to the community of Huntsville and to the professional tattoo community alike," says the Space City Tattoo Expo organizer known as Skykeim. The expo will feature 50 booths of artists and vendors, as well as a live reggae band, "four star finger food" and a "top shelf selection of alcohol and beer." And hey, you can't argue with the setting: The elegant Westin Huntsville hotel at Bridge Street. Space City Tattoo Expo, 3 p.m. - midnight Feb. 19, 12 p.m. - midnight Feb. 20 21, The Westin Huntsville, 6800 Governors West, N.W., daily $20, weekend $50, spacecitytattooexpo.com CELEBRATING DIVERSITY One of Huntsville's "oldest diverse churches" celebrates its first 60 years. Holy Cross-St. Christopher's Episcopal Church's "The Beauty of Diversity" event features Emmy-nominated actor and Huntsville native Reg E. Cathey as guest speaker. Cathey most recently starred in the 2015 "Fantastic Four" reboot movie. The J.O. Johnson High grad is also known for his roles in prestige-TV series including "House of Cards" and "The Wire." Holy Cross-St. Christopher's history winds backs to 1955. That's when eight Alabama A&M University faculty members formed a worship entity that morphed into the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The predominantly black parish eventually developed a special connection with predominantly white St. Christopher's church. The two churches joined together permanently in 1975. Now that's beautiful. 60th Anniversary Celebration "The Beauty of Diversity," 3 p.m. Feb. 14 Holy Cross-St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, free, 3740 Meridian St. N.E., facebook.com/HolyCrossStChristophersEpiscopalChurch OSCAR-NOMINATED FILMS Calling all cinephiles. A $40 donation to Free2Be Anti-Violence Project reserves you a leather reclining seat all week long at recently renovated Madison Square 12 for five Oscar-nominated movies: "Spotlight," "Brooklyn," "Room," Revenant" and "Son of Saul." Then on Oscar night, Feb. 28, supporters of Free2Be, an agency advocating for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, will host parties. Hosts provide refreshments and guests contribute a monetary donation to the organization. Call 256-469-1892 to find out more about hosting a Free2Be Oscar party in Huntsville or connect with a host. Oscar Nominee Screening/Free2Be benefit, begins 7 p.m. Feb. 19, Madison Square 12, 5905 University Drive, oscarpartyhsv.org DANCING QUEENS ABBA's immaculate Swedish-pop masterpieces ("Dancing Queen," "S.O.S.," "Take A Chance on Me," etc.) help tell the story of writer Catherine Johnson's Greek-island-set musical comedy. "Mama Mia" is one of only five current musicals to have run for more than 10 years on Broadway. "Mama Mia," 8 p.m. Feb. 19, 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 20, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, Von Braun Center Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, 700 Monroe St., $18 - $70 plus applicable fees, ticketmaster.com, 256-518-6155 DEADPOOL Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is armed and ready for battle (and his next quip). (Courtesy of 20th Century Fox) If -- by some chance of Hollywood magic -- the best parts of "Guardians of the Galaxy," "The Matrix" and the admittedly hit-or-miss line of recent parody movies begat by "Scary Movie" met in a bar, got drunk and went home for a freaky movie threesome, then the subsequent bizarre offspring would have to look a lot like "Deadpool," a comic book movie that plays it breezy, violent and with precision-guided pop culture references. Ryan Reynolds stars as the titular ex-Special Forces operative-turned-mercenary-turned-super-healing-mutant, and it's clear from the opening credits that the film is aiming to be a make-good for Reynolds's first disastrous attempt at playing Deadpool in 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." As far as apologies go, this is a pretty good one -- if nothing else, the film gets the character, his motivations and his meta/pop culture obsessed sense of humor. And the laughs. My goodness, the laughs. There are few movies -- much less superhero movies -- that are as consistently funny as "Deadpool." The jokes come hard and fast, and most of them land, keeping the film zipping along. The comedy success is attributable in part to the variety of humor in play, which ranges from at least one joke about Reynolds's failed turn as the Green Lantern to Adam McKay/Will Ferrell-style improve to sexual humor not fit for public consumption. While the attempt to play capes and tights for laughs is not unique to "Deadpool," this alone stands out as the funniest film in the Marvel canon and makes DC's upcoming "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" look all the more dour. Violence, too, plays its part in making the film. With all of the headshots, decapitations, beatings, broken bones, impalings, crotch shots and stabbings, it might seem excessive at times. But I think the gore has a point in emphasizing the idea that this is not "The Avengers" or another "X-Men" picture; indeed, it sets Deadpool apart with his own film identity, again reinforcing the idea that this is an apology of sorts and an attempt to do right by the 25-year-old character. The movie certainly doesn't get it all right. Like so many other superhero films, it is obsessed with its hero's origins at a time when the audience simply wants to see more of the hero being the hero. At least here, the writers smartly broke up a more-or-less plodding origin story by telling it in flashback spurts, and while the technique didn't alleviate all of the usual boredom, it helped to interestingly frame Deadpool's backstory. The film's main heavy, a doctor/mad scientist type played by "Game of Thrones" alum Ed Skrein, is another weak point. While he could have been a source of strength as a nemesis who's physically vulnerable but can feel no pain (an interesting inverse of Deadpool), Skrein's character is left to menace largely in boring and decidedly uncomplicated ways. Those complaints aside, this has to be the best "Deadpool" film that any fan of the character could have hoped for. Those fans who have been waiting since 2009 for Deadpool to be done right will find a work that reverently irreverent and tonally consistent with the dirtiest of the character's comic books. If you're new to Deadpool, you're in for a treat -- a filthy, hilarious, violent chimichanga of a movie meal that will leave you satisfied (assuming you can stomach it). Generalized Unique Emoticon Scientific Score: :-D, 5^, :-O Sarah Parcak's reputation as the modern-day Indiana Jones is fitting. Parcak is a professor, researcher and innovator who has devoted her life to preserving history. Three decades after the Egyptian city of Tanis was featured in Indiana Jones' first quest, she led a team that analyzed satellite imagery to uncover a map of the city, down to individual streets and homes. She says the comparison is a bit silly, but if it contributes to raising the public profile of archaeology, it's worth perpetuating. "Archaeology is a hard field, and we need to get the world more interested," she said. "If Hollywood can help, then by all means. It's the fun part of what I do. If people want to call me Indiana Jones, I say I'm more sites, less stubble." As a space archaeologist, Parcak's methods are more high-tech and far-reaching than the fictional adventurer's. She uses infrared satellite imagery to uncover ancient archaeological sites - "Think Google Earth on speed," she said - then uses computer software to process that imagery, scouring landscapes for features that are invisible to the naked eye. She has discovered 17 lost pyramids, more than 1,000 tombs and more than 3,100 ancient settlements in Egypt. Thanks to her innovative work, Parcak was awarded the 2016 TED Prize accompanied by a $1 million grant. It goes to an individual with a creative, bold vision to spark global change. Past prizes have been awarded to people dedicated to combating poverty, improving global health and advancing education around the world. Sites at risk of being 'gone within a generation' Because of political unrest in the Middle East and widespread looting of historical sites, the stakes are high. "If we don't do something now to help protect and preserve all of these archaeological sites around the world, they're going to be gone within a generation," Parcak said during a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. After the Arab Spring, archaeological sites throughout the region were ransacked, a situation exacerbated by lack of security and ongoing political instability. Those working in Egypt can continue, cautiously, where Parcak's colleagues say security has stabilized and even improved. Archaeologists in Iraq and Syria have lost access to their life's work virtually overnight. Many have risked life and limb to protect the areas where they have spent their entire careers. For some, like Khaled al-Asaad, it has been a losing battle. In August, the 82-year-old antiquities scholar was beheaded by Islamic state militants in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra. He remained there despite escalating danger, hoping to curb ISIS's practice of looting and sometimes destroying antiquities. Other items are sold to fund their activities. Family and friends warned him to leave, but he would not abandon the work he had been devoted to for 50 years, Parcak said. According to several reports, he was killed for refusing to reveal to ISIS the location of several valuable artifacts. "He died protecting the site," she said. "So many of my friends and colleagues are risking their lives in Syria, Iraq, and Egypt, too, protecting sites and protecting temples from looters. So this is very, very serious." International awards like the TED prize bring attention to the entire field's challenges. "I am but one of many doing this work, and the people who are in the field doing this every day, I call them the real culture heroes," Parcak said. "I'm just representing them, and if I can - through this prize and through my work - celebrate the great efforts that they're making, that's something that I want to do." From Bangor to Birmingham to Egypt Parcak was born and raised in Bangor, Maine. Her grandfather, a forestry professor at the University of Maine, was one of the first to use aerial photography in his field. "It's been in my family, and he's really the reason I started doing it," she said. In 2001, Parcak graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in Egyptology and Archaeological, then went on to receive a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. She took a remote sensing course and combined her newly acquired technological understanding with an enduring love of Egyptian history and culture. The work begins by purchasing satellite imagery of an area that warrants investigation. Parcak and her colleagues look at maps of the sites before processing the imagery. Then they go into the field for surveying and on-the-ground excavation. Satellites are vital to the process, but much of the work simply can't be done remotely. Just 20 years ago, satellite archaeology was a nascent field. Immense gains in recent years have led to an explosion of research across the globe. Parcak said she owes much of her success to a few predecessors, pioneers in a fledgling field. A decade ago, she proposed the establishment of a remote sensing lab during her job interview in Birmingham and later founded the UAB Laboratory for Global Observation. Parcak felt like the university was a place where great things were happening, and a series of past victories promised continued success. The support over the years from the administration, colleagues and students has been phenomenal, she said. She and her husband, fellow Egyptologist Greg Mumford, collaborate on the Surveys and Excavation Projects in Egypt. They have assisted the Department of Homeland Security in undercover investigations aimed at disrupting the multi-billion-dollar global black market for stolen artifacts. She couldn't be more excited about continuing that work from Birmingham. "This is a very, very special university in an incredibly special city," she said. "I feel so lucky that my husband and I ended up here. It's a city with an incredibly rich history, a city known for taking risks." Soon after they moved here, they were made to feel like locals. Now, when friends, family or colleagues visit, they proudly show off the city that welcomed them with open arms. "On the day that I found out about the TED prize, I went and got Saw's ribs as my celebration meal," she said. "So while I may not be a Southerner, part of me has definitely become a Southerner." After the TED announcement, UAB President Ray Watts said Parcak is a shining example of the excellence and innovation happening at the university. "Our campus will be eagerly and proudly watching you on that stage," he told Parcak. "We look forward to the world-changing things you will do with this great opportunity." Robert Palazzo, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, noted that Parcak is a recognized scholar whose achievements have gained international attention. "In the College of Arts & Sciences, we pursue the age-old questions: Who are we? Why are we here?" he said. "Archaeology plays a pivotal role in who we were, where we progressed, where we made cataclysmic mistakes, how we recovered." Though archaeology focuses on ancient history, Parcak has learned about more than towns and tombs. "The more and more I study, the more I realize we are resilient, we are creative, we are brilliant... that has not changed since we've been human," she said on The Late Show. The future of space archaeology In 2009, Parcak wrote the first textbook on satellite archaeology, opening the door for future scientists to advance the field even more. In 2011, her work was spotlighted in a BBC documentary called "Egypt's Lost Cities." In 2012, she was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and a TED fellow, and she is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Thanks to funding from several national foundations, she is working to set up programs in Egypt geared toward training the next generation of archaeologists. "These young men and women are just brilliant," she said. "They're good archaeologists, but they have absolutely no resources to protect sites." She is collaborating with Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities to enable these young scientists to use open-source tools to document and protect sites. Instead of relying on expensive, complex equipment to conduct that work, they are using practical, portable items like cellphones and discussing innovative solutions. As far as the TED Prize goes, her lips are sealed until Feb. 16. Both she and the organization have dropped hints of what she hopes to accomplish with the grant. "It's a wish about the wonders of archaeological discovery and our connection to the past," TED organizers have said. The threat of further looting and destruction has left archaeology at a tipping point, Parcak said. "I want to figure out a way to get the world engaged with discovery, to help protect ancient sites," she said. A 16-year-old boy is accused of stealing a car with a baby inside that was parked in front of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. laundromat earlier this week. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned six miles away and three hours later. The 10-month-old girl was still inside and unharmed, Sun-Sentinel reported. Fingerprints on the car led police to the juvenile suspect, according to the report. The suspect's name and charges weren't released due to his age. Witnesses at the laundromat saw a young man steal the 2015 Chevy Cruze and drive away. An Amber Alert was issued. A Hueytown woman was killed when the vehicle she was riding in was struck by a suspected drunk driver, troopers say. Dannette McKinney, 53, was killed when the 2016 Nissan Versa she was riding in was struck by a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe at the intersection of Autauga County 40 and Autauga County 21, according to Alabama state troopers. McKinney was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevy, Bob Curry, 64, of Prattville, was charged with reckless murder and felony leaving the scene of an accident. Troopers believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. The crash remains under the investigation. Barack Obama President Obama waves on the tarmac as he walks from Marine One to Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport, Friday, Feb. 11, 2016, en route to Palm Springs, Calif and the ASEAN summit. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) WASHINGTON -- Justice Antonin Scalia's death immediately sparked a heated election-year fight over whether President Barack Obama should try to fill the court vacancy. Obama said Saturday evening he planned to fulfill his constitutional responsibility and nominate a successor. However, Republicans on Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail insisted the choice should fall to the next president "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." .SenateMajLdr McConnell on passing of Justice Antonin Scalia: https://t.co/82f8yaEcQw Sen. McConnell Press (@McConnellPress) February 13, 2016 His position was echoed by a pair of senators seeking the GOP presidential nomination: Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. "The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear," Rubio said. Obama praised the late justice as a brilliant legal mind who influenced generation of lawyers and students. But in a direct rebuttal to Senate Republicans, Obama said there is plenty of time for the Senate to confirm his choice. Obama pointedly called the decision "bigger than any one party." He said it is about democracy. His decision will likely determine the tenor of much of his final year in office -- and ricochet onto the campaign trail. Obama, who already has little goodwill on the Hill, will certainly face stiff opposition from Republicans who want the chance to further tip the court to the right. Senate Democrats made it clear they expect Obama to nominate a new justice and that they would work vigorously to keep Republicans from dragging out the confirmation process. They offered early counterarguments to Republican statements that the decision should rest with the next president. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. The Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) February 13, 2016 Democrats pointed out that Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in an election year -- 1988 -- the final year of Ronald Reagan's presidency. Kennedy had been nominated in November 1987 after the Senate rejected Robert Bork and Judge Douglas Ginsburg bowed out. Democrats also argued that waiting for the next president in January 2017 would leave the court without a ninth justice for more than the remainder of Obama's term as Senate confirmation on average takes just over two months. "With so many critical issues before the Supreme Court, I am hopeful that the president can move as quickly as possible to fill this vacancy with the advice and consent of the Senate," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said, "The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons." Before Scalia's death, the court was ideologically split with many 5-4 decisions. The remaining justices are generally divided among four conservative votes and four liberal votes -- leaving the next nominee crucial to the court's direction, potentially for years to come. The current session has major cases still undecided. Cases that already have been argued by the court but not decided involve Obama's executive orders easing immigration rules for many people in the country illegally, a Texas case that could increase Hispanics' voting strength, another Texas case challenging affirmative action rules at the University of Texas, a California case challenging employee unions' practice of requiring public school teachers to pay dues for union activities and yet another Texas case challenging a law that could force many clinics offering abortion services to close. When there is a 4-4 tie, now a distinct possibility this spring, the result is basically to affirm the lower court decision before the case came to the Supreme Court. On a major issue, the high court would be likely to rehear the case once it had its full membership. There are no time restrictions on appointing a new justice. If the Senate confirms a nominee, he or she could begin sitting to hear cases for the remainder of the current term. A valet driver nearly lost his job after pulling out his legal handgun and likely saving a Michigan woman's life after she was stabbed repeatedly on Wednesday. CBS Detroit reported Stephanie Kerr, 52, was stabbed multiple times in the lobby of General Motors Tech Center where she works in Warren, Mich. Didarul "Paco" Sarder, a valet driver, witnessed what was happening and pulled out his gun and ordered the attacker to put down the knife. He then held the female assailant at gunpoint until police arrived at the scene. Sarder has a permit to carry a concealed handgun. According to report, the alleged attacker was Chavonne Taylor, the 32-year-old daughter of the victim. Taylor got into a verbal dispute with her mother and stabbed her several times in the neck, abdomen and back with a steak knife. Sarder was escorted off the property by GM security. He was initially told he could no longer work at the Tech Center because he violated company policy by carrying a gun on the property. That decision was later reversed. "That decision was over-ruled by higher ups and he now has his job back," Warren Mayor Jim Fouts told CBS. "I hope to honor and reward this good citizen for being a hero in time of need. Hero's should be rewarded not terminated." Kerr is now in stable condition. Updated at 5:26 p.m.- Two suspects are in police custody in connection to a robbery and shooting of a Clarksdale, Miss. police officer, WMC News reported. A father turned in his 19-year-old son, according to the report. -- A Mississippi police officer shot in the head while investigating a robbery on Saturday night remains in critical condition. The officer was identified as Clarksdale Cpl. Derrick Couch, who has served on the force in Clarksdale since December 2011, WMC reported. CNN reported Couch was nearby and noticed suspicious activity in the Corner Grocery at the intersection of Second Street and Sunflower in Clarksdale. The robbers took cash from the store, and the clerks ran out the back door to safety. Couch pursued the suspects and was shot about five blocks from the store, across the street from the Clarksdale Police Department, Fox 13 reported. Authorities are still searching for the shooting and robbery suspects. On Oct. 31, 2013, we shared the story of Porter Heatherly, the 1-year-old boy with a rare genetic disease called gangliosidosis type 1 or GM1. The inherited disorder, for which there is no cure, progressively destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Life expectancy is about two years. Porter passed that milestone Sept. 14, 2014, celebrating with a huge Auburn-themed birthday bash complete with Aubie. In September, Porter marked another remarkable year, celebrating his 3rd with 200 people and former AU stars Will Herring, Brandon Cox, Ben Leard and Rob Pate. Because time is so precious, Sara and Michael Heatherly, high school sweethearts from Cullman who now live in Opelika, use months to celebrate birthdays. They celebrate Porter's Sept. 14, 2012, birthday every month on the 14th. They have agreed to share updates on Porter's health on these birthdays. Today, on Valentine's Day, 2016, and Porter's 41-month birthday, Sara shared an update: Happy 41 months to our angel Porter. He has had a rough few weeks and has shown us how strong his fight really is. About two weeks ago, Porter had a significant increase in seizure activity. He went from having 15-20 seizures in 24 hours to having between 50 and 75. It has taken some time to figure out a new medication routine, but he has been improving. We are hopeful that he will continue to make improvement, but only time will tell. Porter has been maintaining his weight for the past several months; however, the increase in seizures caused him to lose a pound in less than a week. For him that is a significant weight loss and we will do all we can to try to help him gain it back, but that may not be possible. We want to thank everyone for their calls, texts, and support. We do not know where we would be without all of you. Please pray for our strength to make the right decisions when the time comes. ******************************************************************* How to Help Auburn University is pioneering research into GM1 and related diseases. You can help by sending a donation made to the Scott Richey Research Center. Please note on the check "Research for Porter." Send to: Scott Richey Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1265 H.C. Morgan Drive, Auburn, AL 36849 Also you can help with Porter's medical expenses. Make checks to The Community Foundation of East Alabama, specifying GM1 in the memo line. The Community Foundation of East Alabama, Inc. P.O. Box 165 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0165, info@tcfeastalabama.org (334)-705-5138 The race is getting tighter, the prize is a little nearer and the debates are a lot more confrontational in the Republican presidential nomination battle. The remaining six candidates faced off in Greenville, South Carolina, one week before the important primary there. Al Jazeeras Alan Fisher was there and looks at how the candidates performed. The debate came just hours after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was announced. And that brought a rare moment of unity at the start of the debate. There was a moment of silence, then all six Republicans argued that President Barack Obama should not appoint a replacement, as the U.S. constitution allows. Instead they believe the appointment should be left to the next president. And of course they all believe that the next president will be a Republican. And they all believe that Republican will be them. From there we moved on to the usual areas of foreign policy, immigration and taxation, and that is where the splits among the candidates and the growing personal animosity was on display. READ MORE: Why Id vote for Trump, but you shouldnt Jeb Bush: He has become steadily better as a debater as this process has gone on. There was one particularly bitter exchange when Trump was asked if he stood by the assertion that Jebs brother, President George W Bush, should have been impeached for taking the U.S. into the war in Iraq. Trump hammered the former president as a liar and hammered Jeb as a candidate. In that past that would have rattled the former Florida governor. Now he responded calmly and that just seemed to rile Trump even more. The difficulty for Bush is that he is not emerging as the man most likely to stop Trump. He needs a stellar week campaigning and a good result or the party will urge him to stand down to let one candidate fight Trump. Ben Carson: The softly spoken retired neurosurgeon is a very nice man. We spoke before the debate. But I genuinely cant think of one moment in any of the debates where he has really shone. His financial plan may have received high scores from influential places, but he does a terrible job of selling it. And on foreign policy he seems out of his depth. This may well have been his last hurrah. Ted Cruz: He was called a liar, not once but twice. Marco Rubio did it. And Donald Trump weighed in, saying of the Texas senator: You are the biggest single liar. This guy will say anything. Nasty guy, in response to a Cruz attack. But overall Cruz had a reasonable evening. He sits solidly in second place in the polls here in South Carolina, and he should hold on to that. John Kasich: Having watched one Bush/Trump exchange, he drew big cheers in the hall and big laughs in the media centre when he exclaimed This is nuts. This is crazy. Hes cultivating the image of candidate who wants everyone to get along. He warned the others that they could hand the election to Hillary Clinton if they keep ripping each other apart. While Trump expresses the anger of people who think the political system in the U.S. is broken, the Ohio governor gives the impression that he has a plan to fix it. Another strong finish here will make many take a second look at his campaign. Marco Rubio: He had a terrible debate a week ago in New Hampshire. But here in South Carolina he seemed to be back on track. He gave strong, convincing answers on poverty and child tax credits. And got one of the biggest cheers of the night in his full-throated defence of President George W Bush. The idea that he is over-rehearsed and robotic on answers wont disappear overnight. But he admitted to supporters that he had a bad debate in New Hampshire and It wont happen again. It didnt. Donald Trump: This was Donald Trump at his angriest, antagonistic worst. Many people I spoke with immediately after the debate thought the businessman was constantly on the verge of losing control. Conservatives will be confused. He hammered President George W Bush, reminded everyone he was in office at the time of the 9/11 attacks and defended some of the work of Planned Parenthood. Given that is a womans health organisation that gives advice on abortion, it is widely despised by Republicans. His exchanges with Cruz and Bush were harsh, his answers at times unfocused. But it wont matter. His 20-point lead in the polls here is pretty solid. His supporters know what they are getting and are unlikely to shift their votes elsewhere. And so Trump might have been the biggest loser on the night. But the chances are hes still going to win. Gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars, including a luxurious 10-day trip to Israel, have caused a storm of publicity. Each year, select Oscar nominees are offered a swag bag worth tens of thousands of dollars with gifts including items ranging from lifetime supplies of high-end cosmetics and sessions with a private trainer to luxury holiday packages. One of the items this year is a 10-day trip to Israel for two valued at $55,000. It is this trip to Israel that has caused a storm of publicity. Since the luxury trips are paid for by the destination countries, some observers wondered if the itinerary amounts to a whitewash of Israels decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territory. According to an Israeli spokesman, there is no itinerary at all. Uri Steinberg, Israels tourism commissioner in North America, told Al Jazeera the recipients would decide how and where they wanted to enjoy their holiday experience. If they want to spend the entire time sitting in Tel Aviv cafes, thats fine and up to them, he said. Steinberg said: We have no interest in politics. We think its important for people to come with their own eyes and see unfiltered and uncensored how things really are. And if the nominee requests that this uncensored 10-day trip includes, for example, a day spent following anti-occupation activists as they demonstrate while the army demolishes a Palestinian house in the West Bank, would the ministry regard that as a success? No, of course not, said Steinberg. We know that some people will try to spin this, but I believe we are doing the right thing. Citing Israels so-called mixed towns, where Jewish and Palestinian-Arab citizens live alongside one another, he said, We believe that once you see the situation with your own eyes, you see how complex it is. We are ready for this. The idea for the trip was pitched to the ministry by a 26-year-old Brooklyn-based ultra-Orthodox man named Sam Gee. Gee, who spoke on the phone in a reticent and shy manner, said it was an honour to talk with a reporter for Al Jazeera about his brainchild. He explained that he had developed software that allowed travellers to customise a boutique itinerary online, choosing from various options such as a day visiting specific museums or holy sites. Gee emphasised that his was a customisable platform which he planned to use for a variety of holiday destinations. He chose Israel as his test market, he said, because he knew it well and had good connections there. Describing himself as a proud American who had been born and raised in Brooklyn, Gee said his goal in partnering with the Israeli ministry of tourism was purely to promote his technology. I really didnt know it would be so controversial. We see this as a business opportunity. Im not a politician, Gee said. Im a businessperson and its not my job to change the image of Israel. And if they wanted to see a West Bank destination, such as Bethlehem, which would involve crossing a checkpoint? Gee hesitated and answered: The celebrities will have more pull, so well work with the ministry to make it happen. Then he expelled his breath in an audible sigh and asked, How did I do? I was nervous, talking to a journalist for the first time. Ready to get high? The homepage of Gees website features the slogan Ready to get high? Lets find you the perfect flight. The search technology is much like Airbnbs but here, instead of filtering by city and neighbourhood, the user filters by activity and destination. Gees and Steinbergs protestations aside, Explore Israel Dot Com is unquestionably a site that offers trips from a Jewish-Israeli, right-wing perspective. The wine-tasting tours are almost exclusively to wineries in the occupied Golan Heights, for example, rather than to those inside the Green Line. The search option for holy sites is indicated with a Star of David, the symbol of Judaism, and all the suggested tours are to Jewish holy sites. Searches for Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al Aqsa brought up zero results. Gee, when asked about the very Jewish and politically right-wing angle of the tours offered on the site, sounded surprised and said he had not noticed. The media liaison at the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations was not available for comment, but Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, told The Washington Post that the free trip to Israel indicated that the government was desperately trying to fight its increasing isolation through bribes and intimidation rather than ending its occupation and apartheid. It remains to be seen if any of the nominees will accept the gift of a free trip to Israel. Since the swag bags are so valuable, they are subject to income tax. And surely a Hollywood movie star can afford to pay for his or her own vacation. The family of a missing woman hopes the Pontiff addresses the alarming number of murdered women in the city. Mexico City, Mexico Mariana Yanez Reyes was supposed to be the first person in her family to go to university, so she aimed high, making Mexico Citys prestigious National Polytechnic Institute her first choice. Every year, 87,000 students take the institutes entrance exams, almost three-quarters of whom wont make the cut but Mariana got in on her first attempt. Her grades were meant to be a trampoline out of her tough, impoverished neighbourhood of Tecamac, on the fringes of Ecatepec, an industrial powerhouse of 16 million people that lies to the northeast of Mexico City, in Mexico State. The city is at the centre of a perfect storm of organised crime interests. Human trafficking corridors stretching from the Tlaxcala and Coatzacoalcos pass through here, while the territory is significant in the smuggling of opium, cocaine, and marijuana from fields in the neighbouring states of Guerrero and Michoacan. Pope Francis is due to visit Ecatepec in a stop-off loaded with uncomfortable symbolism for President Enrique Pena Nieto. Before being elected president of the Republic, he governed Mexico State, from 2005 to 2011. Since 2005, the state government figures indicate that more than 2,443 women have been murdered in the state, with a further 4,281 reported missing. More than a year after Mariana disappeared, nobody has been arrested in connection with her disappearance. Although police claimed to have found parts of her body, her parents had the forensic evidence overturned. The case remains open. Marianas disappearance is a microcosm of the Mexicos ongoing struggle to establish the rule of law and battle impunity. National government figures indicate that 94 percent of all crimes committed go unresolved, while most murder and missing persons cases in Mexico State remain inconclusive. Parallels with Ciudad Juarez The night Mariana vanished September 17, 2014 she had only one barrier to clear before starting her degree: a grant application. After chatting on Facebook with her boyfriend of two years, she told her father that she was slipping out to get her grants supporting documents photocopied. It was 9pm, but the 10-minute walk to the photocopying shop was well-lit. She was carrying about a dollar and a half (20 pesos) and no mobile phone. . She was never seen again. Anguish is the only word for what you feel when your child goes missing, Marianas mother, Guadalupe, 43, told Al Jazeera over the phone. I got back from work in Mexico City at 10:30pm. I asked my husband if she had come back. He said she hadnt. I checked to see if she was asleep in her room no sign, Guadalupe said. I was still quite calm at this point, but when I went to the photocopying place and they said she hadnt arrived there, the fear started. Mariana has been lost in a wave of violence that draws parallels with Ciudad Juarez, where 2,376 femicides murders of women because of their gender took place between 1993 and 2015. The murder of women reaching a peak of 446 in 2010, the year the border city was named murder capital of the world. For Maria de la Luz Estrada, the co-ordinator of the womens rights NGO Catholics for the Right to Decide, however, the comparison with Ciudad Juarez rings hollow. In the late 1990s she helped mothers to dig for their daughters bodies in the desert outside Ciudad Juarez, as well as going after inconsistencies in those cases that reached the state courts. She began to monitor Mexico State in 2007 the year when things got very serious here. Violence against women in Edomex [another term for Mexico State] and particularly Ecatepec saturates the community, happening on a different order of magnitude to Juarez, she said. In Juarez, bodies were found. People have been sentenced for the crimes albeit years afterwards. Mothers formed solidarity committees. But in Edomex, police dig into peoples personal lives, saying that the victims wore provocative clothes, or didnt satisfy her husband, or dealt drugs, Estrada said. I am sick of hearing these policemen accuse women of their own murders, when their approach to domestic violence is to wait 72 hours after an assault before checking in again this, during the most dangerous time to advise reconciliation: violence has already happened, and the husband is enraged at being reported on. Marianas mother, Guadalupe, described the same hallmarks of police incompetence and victim-blaming in the case of her daughter. The first questions police asked when we reported Marianas disappearance concerned her behaviour, she told Al Jazeera. A few weeks after she vanished, a policeman texted me from Veracruz to say hed heard she was pregnant and had run away because she was afraid to tell us, Guadalupe said. I know my daughter: if she had an unplanned pregnancy, she would have told me. In January 2015, police told Guadalupe and her husband that they had found the tops of two thigh-bones and a skull fragment containing teeth, which they said belonged to Mariana. The pieces were found after dredging Rio de los Remedios canal, an 11-mile stretch of water reeking with chemical pollution near Marianas home in Tecamac where the body-parts of almost 80 different women have been found. We were suspicious immediately, said Guadalupe. We know one other mother who had been given a body the police said was her daughters. DNA testing proved it wasnt hers. Later, police found a second body which they said was her daughters and it still wasnt her. In our case, the police said we werent psychologically ready even to see photographs. When we forced the issue, we saw that the teeth werent hers, Guadalupe recalled. Now were back to zero again. Mariana is a missing person. READ MORE: Mexicos Disappeared The Pope must know whats happening Guadalupe wont be attending Pope Franciss Ecatepec event. My husband and I were going to bring a protest banner, but with so much security around I didnt think wed be able to display the poster, she laughed. All we can do is hope he talks about cases like ours. He must know whats happening. Maria de la Luz Estrada goes even further. If I even had 10 seconds with the Pope, Id beg him not to cover this up. I dont want him to go easy on our state government, she said. They are complicit. To take one example, where women vanish from buses. If the local government regulates the buses, then police can find the number plates and go after the drivers. But they dont do this, Estrada said. She might have a right to be hopeful. Although Pope Francis only arrived in Mexico City late on Friday night, the pontiff has stayed true to his tendency to go off-script, ruffling a number of feathers on the first morning of his six-day state visit to the country with the worlds second-largest Catholic population. Social media commentators made much of Enrique Pena Nietos uneasy facial expression during the Popes homily at Mexico Citys Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday morning, when the pontiff compared the countrys drug trade with a devouring metastasis, as well as exhorting the Church hierarchy not to underestimate the ethical and antisocial challenge drug-trafficking represents to young people. Pena Nietos successor, incumbent Mexico State governor Eruviel Avila Villegas, may have an uncomfortable moment of his own during the Popes visit to Ecatepec. READ MORE on Pope Francis Mexico visit For the second day in a row, hundreds of Palestinians have gathered in the southern part of the besieged Gaza Strip with hope of passing through the rarely opened Rafah crossing. Sundays border opening comes a day after more than 700 people were allowed to enter Egypt a day earlier, as well as more than 700 others who were allowed to return to Gaza after being stuck in Egypt for months. Gaza has endured a tight blockade, enforced by both Israel and Egypt, since the Palestinian group Hamas took control of the territory in 2007. Egyptian authorities open the border only for brief periods every few months, according to Gisha Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement, an Israeli rights group. READ MORE: Palestinians in Gaza mass for rare Rafah border opening Egypt has severely restricted entry through Rafah since June 2013, when Abdel Fattah el-Sisi became president following the overthrow of his predecessor, Mohamed Morsi. The crossing was last opened in early December. More than 25,000 people have registered to cross Rafah because of urgent needs, including about 3,500 who need to travel for medical purposes, according to a report published at the local Maan News Agency. Gisha notes that Rafah crossing was open on 27 days only, with transit out of Gaza to Egypt barred on four of these during the first nine months of 2015. Last week, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a party meeting, said that democracy had to protect itself and defend itself. To which you kind of want to reply that, these days, democracy all over the world needs to defend itself from governments more than anything else. Israels current, hard-right coalition government seems to be a case in point, as numerous Israeli human rights groups have been cautioning for some time. And this current cautionary tale is essentially over the question of what democracies do with views they dont like. The Israeli parliament just suspended three of members of the Knesset (MKs) over what was described as support for terrorism. Such support was read in a trip taken by members of the Arab nationalist Balad party part of the Joint Arab List that is currently the third largest bloc in parliament who visited the East Jerusalem families of Palestinians who carried out deadly attacks against Israelis. The MKs say it was a humanitarian visit, in solidarity with the families, who want Israel to release the bodies of their dead which Israeli police will not release unless the families agree to certain conditions for holding funerals. In the zero-sum conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, this visit by Balad officials is already bad enough for many Jewish Israelis, but what makes matters worse, in their eyes, is the reports that the lawmakers stood in a minute of silence for the killers. There are all manner of ways in which you could mitigate the details of this trip: You could point out that prayer rituals do not judge the deeds of the dead; you could remind that Palestinians in Israel obviously have ties to and are a part of the Palestinian people and cause. You could clarify that Israels public security minister, under whose remit the issue of returning the bodies of the attackers falls and anyway, why hold onto bodies of the dead for political manoeuvre? was aware of the visit to the families by those Balad MKs, who were liaising with him over the matter. Does the parliament think it has the right to ban elected officials on the basis of 'providing support for acts of terror'? Who gets to define what that means? by You might also point out that justice minister Ayelet Shaked met with the mother of a Jewish-Israeli suspect in the arson attack that killed three Palestinians in the West Bank village, Duma, last year so its not as though non-Jewish parliamentarians have a monopoly over meeting with the relatives of murderers. And at this stage, you might want to interject that the families of killers are not themselves guilty of anything and that Israels policies of collective punishment have tended to provoke more violence, not least because of this significant detail. But strip all of this away and youre left with an old and familiar challenge for democracy: How do you respond to people whose views you dont share, and perhaps find abhorrent? In the Israeli context, this ought to carry an added layer of responsibility and sensitivity, because the people holding the views considered to be problematic are political representatives of a minority. Yet, the exact opposite happened: The response showed all the sensitivity of a bulldozer with government and opposition alike declaring that the Palestinian-Israeli MKs were breaking the law, flouting Israel, undermining democracy indeed undermining the countrys very existence. ALSO READ: Netanyahu seeks to suspend Palestinian politicians If we may borrow from the apparently misquoted wording of a US major discussing the bombing of a village during the Vietnam war, the logic seems to be that, in order to save democracy we have to curtail a fifth of the populations right to democracy. Because how else would you define the barring of MKs representing Israels 20 percent Palestinian population? And where is Israel going with this one: Does the parliament think it has the right to ban elected officials on the basis of providing support for acts of terror? Who gets to define what that means? OPINION: Israeli Labor Party adopts the apartheid mantra After the three lawmakers were given a three-month suspension, Netanyahu said he would push for a legislation that would allow parliamentarians to bar colleagues, on the basis of 90 votes (three-quarters of the house) to do so. All of this is happening in the context of what has been described as an assault on other freedoms, too. Last week, for instance, a bill requiring Israeli NGOs to detail foreign funding passed its first reading in the parliament since its mostly left-wing groups that are so funded (right-wing groups tend to get privately funded), this can only be a politically loaded move. Meanwhile, Israels justice minister is out to limit the powers of the Supreme Court the bit thats part of the checks and balances of a functioning democracy. And the coalition wants to enshrine Israel by law as a Jewish state, to the alarm of the 20-percent population of non-Jewish citizens. Against this backdrop, it really isnt important what we think about the Balad lawmakers visit to those Palestinian families. What matters is letting the commitment to uphold democracy, rather than knee-jerk sentiment, guide a parliamentary-level response to it. Rachel Shabi is a journalist and author of Not the Enemy: Israels Jews from Arab Lands. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Diplomatic pressure continues to build on Pakistan from the West and China to dismantle anti-India militant groups. If one were to pinpoint the specific juncture at which Pakistans foreign policy went awry, it would be the military decision in 1990 to ignore the recommendations of a task force that recommended that mujahidin returning from their successful war with the Soviets in Afghanistan be disarmed and prevented from transforming the Kashmir dispute into a violent jihad. Two years later, at a Chinese diplomatic reception in Islamabad, Akram Zaki, the secretary-general of Pakistans ministry of foreign affairs, half-jokingly told me: Pakistans foreign policy is in a minefield without a map. Ironically, two of the three army colonels of the 1990 task force subsequently spent a great deal of time cleaning up the mess caused by their superiors decision to ignore their advice. One was Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, whose 2007-13 double-stint as Pakistans army chief of staff was largely spent fighting the militant insurgents of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The other was Tariq Majeed, who rose to the position of chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Turning the tide Kayanis successor, General Raheel Sharif, has turned the tide against the TTP, but like his predecessors, has not acted decisively against the Kashmir-focused militant groups that are the single-largest hurdle to a cordial relationship between Pakistan and India. Privately, he has asked the global powers to allow him to disassemble Pakistans militant world one layer at a time, like a rotting onion. ALSO READ: ISILs grand plan in Asia His request for good faith, in turn, had a great deal to do with Indias decision in December to diplomatically re-engagewith Pakistan for the first time since terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba group (otherwise known as Jamaat-ud-Dawah) massacred 166 people in Mumbai in November 2008. Diplomatic pressure continues to build on Pakistan from the West and China, its closest ally, to dismantle anti-India militant groups. by That good faith was almost immediately tested by a January 2 terrorist attack on an airbase in the northwest Indian town of Pathankot, which India quickly and pointedly blamed on Jaish-e-Mohammed, another Pakistan-based terrorist group. However, Pakistans investigation has since failed to find any evidence of the involvement the group or its leader Masood Azhar, infamous for being freed from an Indian jail in December 1999, in exchange for hostages on board a hijacked Indian airliner diverted to Kandahar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Painful memories of the Mumbai massacre have also been revived by the testimony David Coleman Headley, Lashkar-e-Taiba scout turned state witness, to an Indian court this week. Against that backdrop, it is uncertain whether India will proceed with the diplomatic process kick-started in December. Foreign secretary talks with Pakistan were to have been held in January, but were postponed by India as it awaited the outcome of Pakistans investigation of Azhar, who was detained shortly after the Pathankot incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist government has not yet reacted to Pakistans inability to find evidence against the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief; it is probably awaiting the outcome of investigations into other leads. Diplomatic pressure Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure continues to build on Pakistan from the West and China, its closest ally, to dismantle anti-India militant groups. That also has a bearing on Pakistans leading role in the four-country talks being held to arrange resumed direct talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, expected by the end of February. In both cases, a successful outcome would go a long way towards securing Pakistans vulnerable borders with Afghanistan and India. That raises the question: Why hasnt Pakistani cracked down against Lashkar-i-Taiba, Jaish-i-Mohammed and other such groups? ALSO READ: Afghanistan and the Taliban need Pakistan for peace Certainly, a major consideration is Pakistans need to maintain a split between pro- and anti-state militant factions. When military ruler General Pervez Musharraf ordered the disbandment of Kashmir Jihad Council, a coalition of such factions and jailed their leaders in 2002, many of their key commanders fled and joined the ranks of al-Qaeda. Understandably, they were angry at being betrayed by Musharraf, who had used them to occupy Indian military positions high in the Karakorum Mountains, sparking the 1999 Kargil War. Azhar inferred that could happen again in an article he wrote for the Peshawar-based al-Qalam jihadist publication, published on January 26. Another rising consideration is the spread into Afghanistan and Pakistan of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group. Echoing opinions that Kashmir-focused militants have often made, the head of ISILs regional Khorasan governorate, Saeed Khan Orakzai, recently dismissed Pakistans Kashmir policy as duplicitous and said the terrorist group would target the likes of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indeed, the Pakistani authorities in December revealed that a group of Lashkar members based in the eastern city of Sialkot, had switched allegiance to ISIL and were arrested for running a training camp alarmingly close to the nearby Indian border. However, the biggest factor, by far, is plain indecision. The governments narrative changed hugely after the December 2014 massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar, but its propaganda against the TTP has been characterised as an Indian conspiracy, rather than as a soul-searching exorcism of jihadism from its body politic. Zaki would probably say thats because Pakistan still hasnt got a map for the minefield created by its rejection of the 1990 task forces recommendations. Tom Hussain is a journalist and Pakistan affairs analyst based in Islamabad. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Laying siege on Aleppo would be one among many perils civilians face in this war, but it may also bring a resolution. The residents of Aleppo knew it was coming theyd seen it before. From Madaya to Yarmouk, from Fua to Kefraya, the scenes and stories of Syrias sieges have become synonymous with the savagery of the conflict. Siege-led starvation and barrel bombs are the iconic weapons of Syrias Civil War as we approach its fifth anniversary in mid-March. Mercy Corps David Evans, whose organisation have been one of the biggest deliverers of aid to civilians in Syria, issued a statement last week saying that it feels like a siege of Aleppo is about to begin. Food, water, fuel and medicines are being stocked and rationed as opposition groups look nervously towards the land corridor some 6.5km wide that remains the only open route out of the city as Bashar al Assads regime-led forces close in. If or, seemingly, when Aleppo is fully encircled, it would leave up to 300,000 people still residing in the city cut off from humanitarian aid according to the United Nations. Aid operations outside regime-controlled areas have been bedevilled by access and security challenges over the past five years. As the need has grown larger, the practicality has become ever more impossible. Aleppo, once Syrias biggest city, would suddenly become both hostage and bargaining chip in negotiations over humanitarian access and opposition surrender or transfer. International law abandoned Syria long ago, and the country instead has been replaced by the politics and justice of unbridled violence. Meanwhile, tens of thousands are gathering at the Turkish border in what has essentially become an unsafe safe haven. Syria appears to be less and less about Syrians and instead a chessboard for a multiplicity of conflicts to play out simultaneously. The UN stopped counting the dead back in 2014, but others have persevered in chronicling the countrys tragedy, which has now accumulated to11.5 percent of the population killed or injured. Already, nearly 50 percent of the entire country has been forced from their homes and life expectancy has dropped from 70 in 2010 to 55 in 2015. by A visitor to the country before 2011 could have travelled to one of Syrias magnificent castles Krak des Chevaliers, Citadel of Salah Ed-Din or even the Citadel of Aleppo, and seen how these bastions of war and influence were always prepared for the attrition of siege warfare. Huge granaries, water tanks as big as lakes, salted meats and food stocks were designed to keep a population safe and secure and the enemies beyond the walls. Today the Citadel of Aleppo is home to snipers who peer through slits once manned by archers. In the city below, civilians have no walls, and even if they did, they couldnt do much to prevent barrel bombs or artillery smashing on to them from above. In Syrias medieval castles, we rely on historians to tell us what happened in the depths of the prisons; today, the UN has a far better picture. Indeed, an extremely grim report released this month documents prisoners who were forced to drink water from toilets, dying of starvation or frequent beatings, untreated infection leading to slow death, and those with chronic illnesses succumbing after being refused medicine. OPINION: The Syrian Civil War has become a perpetual conflict Records shown to family members didnt correspond with the official cause of death; most often presented as heart attacks, with a horrific condition of the body itself. The report surmised that everybody knows whats happening in the prisons, just as everyone knows the consequence of a siege, and thus, bear a collective responsibility for the action described by the UN in pursuance of a state policy, amount[ing] to extermination as a crime against humanity. The US-Russian cessation of hostilities offer sounds good on paper; however, the stalled or suspended Geneva peace process has held ceasefire talks before. Few came to fruition, and others seemed like tactical pauses between offensives, rather than any genuine attempt to stop the killing. OPINION: Aleppo can be a turning point in Syrias civil war Former British foreign minister David Miliband sympathised with the hell that people are facing in Aleppo, and earlier this week, the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius stepped down, saying the West didnt have a very strong commitment to the conflict. Increasingly, were facing the prospect of a Syria without Syrians. Already, nearly 50 percent of the entire country has been forced from their homes, and life expectancy has dropped from 70 in 2010 to 55 in 2015. Whereas many of Syrias sieges have been hidden under the fog of war, laying siege on Aleppo would symbolise the perils facing the civilians as it would be decisive towards any military conclusion. While hope rests on the Kerry-Lavrov plan, the citizens of Aleppo prepare for the worst. James Denselow is a writer on Middle East politics and security issues and a research associate at the Foreign Policy Centre. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. UN says children and women paying a heavy price in the war-torn country amid a surge in attacks by armed groups. The number of Afghan civilians killed and wounded passed 11,000 in 2015 the highest number recorded since the United States-led invasion more than 14 years ago. The United Nations said in its annual report released on Sunday that there were 3,545 civilian deaths and 7,457 people wounded with children paying a particularly heavy toll, as Afghan security forces faced a surge in attacks by the Taliban and other armed groups. Afghan civilians still targets The total of 11,002 civilian casualties marked a four percent rise over 2014, the previous record high, the report said. One in four casualties was a child, while one in 10 was female, it said, with Nicholas Haysom, the UNs special representative for Afghanistan, calling the figures unacceptable. We call on those inflicting this pain on the people of Afghanistan to take concrete action to protect civilians and put a stop to the killing and maiming of civilians in 2016, said Haysom. The report said anti-government elements were responsible for the most harm, causing 62 percent of all civilian casualties. Those killed and wounded by pro-government forces represented 17 percent of the record figure. Unprecedented numbers of children were needlessly killed and injured last year, said Danielle Bell, the UNs director of human rights in Afghanistan. Other children suffered the loss of parents one in 10 casualties was a women. The report said residents in northern and southern Afghanistan were particularly vulnerable as the Taliban and other armed groups intensified assaults on government installations and foreign forces. In a statement on Sunday, the Afghan Taliban criticised the UN report. We reject the one-sided UN report, the Taliban statement said. We interpret this report to be biased, and a propaganda which was demonstrated by the invaders. Violence has increased since the drawdown of US and NATO forces over the past few years, as the Afghan army and police struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters. An estimated 59,000 civilian casualties have been recorded since the UN began tracking the total in 2009. READ MORE: Afghanistan: Pity the children Fahim Kohdomani is a member of the Council of Security and Stability, an organisation created by the former mujahidin in Afghanistan who fought the Soviet Union after its 1979 invasion. We are against all forms of killings, but its important to define the term civilian, Kohdomani told Al Jazeera over the phone. There are dubious characters within the government who sometimes give misinformation to the international community. For example in Dande-Ghouri, Taliban casualties who fought in civilian clothes are registered as civilians. In Afghanistan, it is difficult to rely on statistics, which are often manipulated. Al Jazeeras Hashmat Moslih contributed to this report Residents of Palestinian refugee camp in urgent need of sustained humanitarian aid access, according to UN spokesman. Humanitarian aid has reached residents of the Yarmouk area on the outskirts of Damascus for the first time in nine months, according to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees. In a statement released on Saturday night, Chris Gunness, UNRWAs spokesman, said the agency did not enter the camp itself, but that it reached the neighbouring area of Yalda, where 900 families displaced from Yarmouk and surrounding areas were in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The Piano Man of Yarmouk, and what he left behind Although some humanitarian assistance has entered these areas since the last UNRWA distribution in June, 2015, humanitarian needs remain acute, Gunness said. Home to Palestinian refugees and Syrians, Yarmouk has been the site of intense fighting between the Syrian government and armed opposition groups, including al Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group. Once the largest of the nine Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, Yarmouk was home to nearly 200,000 people. Yet between 5,000 and 8,000 civilians remain in Yarmouk today, according to the Jafra Foundation. The UN has been unable to gain access to the camps interior since late March 2015, days before ISIL fighters invaded and took control of most of Yarmouk. Most ISIL fighters pulled out of the camps interior within days, but the group controls many surrounding areas. Al Nusra Front still maintains a heavy presence inside the camp. READ MORE: Evacuation from Syrias Yarmouk camp paused After a deal was struck between the Syrian government and opposition groups, efforts to evacuate rebels and their families from the camp collapsed in late December. Sharif Nashashibi, a London-based analyst of Arab political affairs, said Yarmouk has been symbolic throughout this conflict because its been the scene of a horrendous siege by the government, which caused untellable suffering. Yarmouk residents struggle for survival Since December 2012, the Syrian army and pro-government Palestinian armed groups have besieged the camp, erecting checkpoints at its entrances and severely restricting the entry of humanitarian goods, including food and medicine. The residents of the camp are in such a desperate state that people must just be wanting to get back to their feet, Nashashibi told Al Jazeera. Due to the government-imposed siege, hundreds of residents starved to death, while reports told of mass malnutrition and people being reduced to eating stray animals and grass in order to survive. The UN removed the camp from its list of besieged areas in July 2015, but it was classified again as a besieged area earlier this month. Nothing has been arranged in the long term for hope in the Yarmouk camp, Nashashibi said. Disease on the rise The ongoing fighting in Syria started as an unarmed uprising against President Bashar al Assad in March 2011, but has since expanded into a full-on conflict that has killed more than 260,000 people, according to UN estimates. According to the UK-based Action Group for Palestinians of Syria, at least 3,125 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. READ MORE: Palestinians in Syria desperately need Yarmouk truce Of the more than 526,000 Palestinian refugees registered in Syria, an estimated 42,000 have been doubly displaced to Lebanon, as well as another 17,000 to Jordan. Upwards of 390,000 Palestinian refugees are displaced within Syrias borders, including many who are trapped in besieged areas or regions that are rarely accessed by humanitarian groups. UNRWAs Gunness said sustained humanitarian access to Yarmouk and the surrounding areas was needed. There are clear indications that disease is on the rise, particularly among the most vulnerable such as children. There is an acute lack of medicines to treat them, he said. Additional reporting by Patrick Strickland: @P_Strickland_ Analysts say meeting in Southern California comes as US steps up efforts to counter Chinas influence in Southeast Asia. US President Barack Obama will meet leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Southern California on Monday. The two-day summit will be held at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, the same place where Obama held his famous shirt-sleeves summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping three years ago. The agenda for the ASEAN meeting, the first to be held on U.S. soil, covers a broad spectrum of issues, including security, trade and climate change. Analysts said the meeting comes as the U.S. steps up its efforts to support its Southeast Asian allies in order to counter Chinas growing influence in the region. South China Sea tensions Some ASEAN leaders are concerned about Chinas growing boldness in the South China Sea. The Philippines and Vietnam are two of the countries involved in territorial disputes with China and leaders from both countries want guarantees from the US over security. Other ASEAN member countries, however, do not want to anger Chinese leaders with bold US action. This lack of consensus over Chinese policy currently divides ASEANs member nations and could prove to be a stumbling block for any major developments in the summit. One popular idea suggested by analysts is that the U.S. could do more to support ASEAN efforts by negotiating a Code of Conduct with China in order to help ease regional tensions. Economic powerhouse The U.S.-ASEAN axis, a key part of Obamas much-heralded pivot to Asia strategy, is also seen as one of the most important economic milestones for the White House. The 10-nation axis is crucial for the growth of many American companies US firms are the largest foreign direct investors with a total investment currently totalling $226bn. The ASEAN region is already Americas fourth largest export market and contributes over half a million jobs in the U.S.. The 10-nation bloc also represents the worlds seventh largest economy, with a population of around 625 million people. Human rights concerns Yet, some critics have said that as the U.S. bids to counter Chinas influences in South Asia, it is also ignoring a worsening situation for human rights, transparency and democracy in parts of the region. Among the attendees at the summit will be Najib Razak, the Malaysian prime minister, whose presence is expected to be dominated by questions over the almost $700m in his bank account. Concerns have also been raised over the future of his political rival, Anwar Ibrahim, who has been imprisoned for more than a year on a widely questioned sodomy conviction. Razak will be joined by Hun Sen, the Cambodian prime minister, who has ruled the country since the 1980s but has long faced accusations of authoritarianism. In Vietnam, the press is under state control and critical bloggers have been jailed for abusing democratic freedoms. Concerns also remain over the legitimacy of Thailands military ruler Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has been quick to silence internal criticism and has failed to hold elections since his junta replaced an elected government in May 2014. The risk is that the Sunnylands summit will empower and embolden ASEAN leaders who have been responsible for jailing journalists, cracking down on peaceful protesters, and dismantling democratic institutions after coups, said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for Human Rights Watch. More than 100 Southeast Asian politicians have also urged Obama to address human rights issues during his meetings with Asian leaders, according to an open letter posted online on Thursday. The letter was signed predominantly by politicians from Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia, urging Obama to press [leaders] on unfulfilled human rights commitments and to directly raise specific concerns with them. The politicians said that many of the participating countries have taken dramatic steps backward in democratic principles in recent years. Faculty refuse to discharge girl to prevent her return to detention camp as nationwide #LetThemStay campaign grows. An Australian hospital has refused to discharge a year-old asylum-seeker patient in defiance of authorities seeking to return the child to a detention centre in the neighbouring island nation of Nauru. Hundreds of people continue to demonstrate in solidarity with the Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital in Brisbane since it made the decision on Friday to keep the baby girl, said Mark Gillespie, a spokesman for the Refugee Action Collective, a rights group that organised protest rallies. The worst case scenario is that the government charges in to take the child, but that is unlikely, Gillespie added. The baby, named Asha, was born in Australia to Nepalese asylum-seekers who were later sent to Nauru after a new migration act. Asha was taken to the Brisbane hospital in late January to receive treatment for burns sustained after boiling water was accidently spilled on her. She has recovered from the injuries, but a spokesman for the hospital said Asha will only be discharged once a suitable home environment is identified. Queensland states Health Minister Cameron Dick has backed the hospitals move with a statement saying he strongly supports the medical staff to make the right clinical decisions. Asha is one of dozens of other asylum-seeker infants of a total of more than 267 facing the threat of deportation from Australia after the countrys high court earlier in the month upheld the legality of imprisoning refugees offshore. The Australian government has defended the deportations of refugees and asylum seekers, saying they are necessary to deter people from embarking on deadly boat journeys to the country. #LetThemStay campaign Despite the court ruling, medical staff, teachers, church leaders, and activists have taken part in the #LetThemStay campaign calling for asylum seekers and refugees to be allowed to stay in Australia. On Sunday, campaigners from ActionAid, Amnesty International, GetUp! and Greenpeace displayed a #LetThemStay banner on an iconic harbour in Sydney. Ming Yu Hah, a spokesperson for Amnestys Australia branch, told Al Jazeera over the past two weeks the country has undergone a watershed period at which the Australian people are stepping forward to call on the government to change their policies towards refugees and asylum seekers. State governments want a shift in federal government policy, as do members of the Liberal and opposition parties, she said. There have been over 100 organisations who either advocate or work formally for refugee rights, but now we are seeing many ordinary Australians from all sectors of society calling for changes. We have had enough of the deliberate cruelty to an already traumatised people We are asking the government to allow us to welcome these people to our community. Gillespie described the unbearable conditions at the detention camps in Nauru. He said refugees have been living in decrepit tents in harsh tropical conditions over the past two years and do not know how long it will last. READ MORE: Riot at Australian detention camp after refugees death Many kids suffer from bites by insects that easily get into the tents, he said. It is breaking people The mental health of detainees is shocking. Gillespie and Hah both noted the abundance of reports of detainees trying to commit self-harm or suicide. Hah also said there had been allegations of women and children suffering sexual abuse, but none could be verified because the government rejected requests for independent investigations. The major problem is that the government has been operating its refugee policies in a lot of secrecy The government has not allowed any independent probes of the camps. Voters in Central African Republic are heading to the polls in elections seen as a crucial step towards restoring democratic rule and ending years of violence that have left the impoverished nation split along religious lines. Two former prime ministers, Faustin-Archange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele, are contesting the presidential run-off on Sunday while authorities attempt to re-run a first round of parliamentary polls which were cancelled over irregularities. Central African Republic was plunged into the worst crisis in its history in early 2013, when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Francois Bozize. READ MORE: Holy war in Central African Republic? Christian rebels responded to Seleka abuses, attacking the Muslim minority community. Thousands have died in the bloodshed, and one in five Central Africans has fled, either internally or abroad. I hope we will finish with these problems once and for all, and we will have a good laugh in the end, said Parfait Gbokou, 30, who was among the first to cast his vote after polls opened at 6am (05:00 GMT) at a primary school in the centre of the capital, Bangui. Polling stations will close at 4pm local time (15:00 GMT). Sore losers A turnout of nearly 80 percent for a first round of voting in December was largely viewed as a popular rejection of the violence, which has left the northeast under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian fighters roam the southwest. Both Dologuele, a banker, and trained mathematics professor Touadera have made the restoration of peace and security the centrepiece of their presidential campaigns. Both candidates are Christians. Touadera has portrayed himself as an anti-corruption stalwart, while Dologuele pledges to revive the economy and draw in investors hesitant until now to exploit significant gold, diamond and uranium deposits. Lieutenant General Balla Keita, commander of the UN mission known as MINUSCA, said he was confident the vote would be peaceful. At least 2,000 peacekeepers and police are on hand in Bangui, while 8,000 others are patrolling in the provinces. Right now we are comfortable with the level of security, he said. We are optimistic that everything will go well with the elections. But we know maybe there still could be issues and that with elections there could be sore losers. Voting wrapped up in closely watched presidential run-off contested by two former prime ministers. Voters in Central African Republic have cast their votes in a closely watched presidential election that many hope will usher in stability after years of bloodshed. Two ex-prime ministers Faustin-Archange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele contested Sundays presidential run-off which will determine who will be charged with the challenge of restoring peace and reuniting the impoverished nation. Central African Republic was pitched into crisis in 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Francois Bozize. READ MORE: Central African Republic votes in presidential runoff Christian militias responded to Seleka abuses by attacking the Muslim minority community. One in five Central Africans has fled, either internally or abroad, to escape the violence. Touadera portrayed himself as an anti-corruption stalwart, while Dologuele pledged to revive the economy and draw in investors hesitant until now to exploit significant gold, diamond and uranium deposits. Authorities were also trying to re-run a first round of legislative polls which were cancelled over irregularities. Voting for unity As voting stations closed around 4pm local time (15:00 GMT), poll workers at a school in central Bangui immediately emptied ballot boxes and began counting votes. Observers and elections officials praised the organisation of the vote, a marked improvement from a December 30 first round when ballot materials arrived late, or not at all in many areas. In Banguis PK5 neighbourhood, the capitals principal remaining Muslim enclave following ethnic cleansing, some voters arrived before dawn to queue at the main polling centre. Alima Zeinabou Shaibou, 32, who, like most Muslims in the southwest, has been forced to leave her home, crossed the road from the mosque where she now lives with her five children to be among the first voters. I want there to be a change. I want Christians and Muslims to live together as before, she said. READ MORE: Holy war in the Central African Republic? The voting centre in PK5 witnessed violent attacks by local militia during a December constitutional referendum. Though the situation has remained largely calm during the election period, Sundays vote was held under heavy security. Armed soldiers from MINUSCA, the countrys 11,000-strong UN mission, guarded polling stations while attack helicopters circled in the skies over Bangui. Armoured vehicles from a 900-soldier French military contingent patrolled the streets. High turnout The first-round turnout of nearly 80 percent was largely viewed as a popular rejection of the violence, which has left the northeast under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian militias roam the southwest. I wish a happy Valentines Day to everyone, Dologuele said after casting his vote. I would like Central Africans to consider [voting today] an act of love for their country. Both Dologuele, a banker, and Touadera, a mathematics professor, have made the restoration of peace and security the centrepiece of their campaigns. Both candidates are Christians. They both have close ties with deposed leader Bozize, a fact that has raised concern among some diplomats and observers who worry that the election result risks changing little. While the polls should reinstate democracy after three years of unpopular interim administrations, analysts have said the election is only the first step in the long process of stabilising the Central Africn Republic. Its cheaper to buy a grenade in Bangui than it is to buy a can of Coke. Thats how bad it is here, said Lewis Mudge, Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch. For many Egyptian activists, February 12 has been hailed as the day the anti-protest law has been killed publicly in downtown Cairo as hundreds of Egyptian doctors defied the infamous law and gathered in front of the doctors syndicate to hold an urgent general assembly session. The gathering discussed recent abuses by police officers against a number of Matariya Hospital doctors. Hundreds of protesting doctors chanted slogans calling for prosecuting the police officers who had attacked the doctors. About 60 public figures and syndicates representatives expressed solidarity with the doctors. The syndicates general assembly vowed to carry out escalating measures by holding nationwide protests on February 20 in hospitals across the nation if its demands are not met. The doctors syndicate has demanded the sacking of the Health Minister Ahmed Emad due to his failure to protect the doctors on duty. The protesting doctors have assured they wont end their strike unless the minister resigns. Activists expressing solidarity with the doctors have initiated the Hashtag #I_support_Doctors_syndicate in Arabic that was trending in Egypt on Friday with over 40,000 tweets. READ MORE: Is another revolution brewing in Egypt? Late last month, two police officers assaulted two doctors at the Matariya Hospital after the doctors refused to falsify medical reports in the officers favour. The doctors were taken from the hospital and dragged into a microbus, handcuffed and taken to the Matariya Police Station. The doctors filed a complaint against the police, which they later dropped due to intimidation from the interior ministry.The police officers have since made a counter complaint against the doctors, accusing them of assault. If it weren't for the security cameras, I wouldn't have managed to prove my case when police officers took me away. by Momen Zakariya, director of Matariya Hospital On February 1, the Matariya Hospital was closed for two days due to these reports of police intimidation and threats against the two physicians. The general assembly has affirmed it would announce an emergency closure for any hospital that comes under attack and urged the parliament to issue deterring sanctions against assailants, including interior ministry officers. The assembly has also rejected the privatisation of Egypts health sector and new health insurance system. Addressing the general assembly, chairman of the Egyptian doctors syndicate, Hussein Khairy, stressed that the protests are merely professional and not politicised. Meanwhile, the syndicates deputy head Mona Mena said the doctors had gathered on a day of dignity, adding that hospitals must be a decent, safe place for patients and doctors as well. The Egyptian society backs the doctors and does not oppose them, as the media claims, she added. The doctors union is paying the price for opposing policies that are harsh on the patients and resisting the infiltration of multinational companies. Amid loud slogans calling for a doctors strike, Mena assured that the coming escalating measures are legal and influential, but not against the citizens or the patients. The doctors demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in ER sections and hospital passages. Also, doctors demanded that no armed person other than security personnel enter any medical facility. The assembly also agreed to give the rights to doctors to strike if they or their medical workplace is being attacked. On the other hand, director of Matariya Hospital, Momen Zakariya, who was among those attacked by police officers, has called for banning police officers from arresting a doctor on duty. If it werent for the security cameras, I wouldnt have managed to prove my case when police officers took me away, Zakariya said. Zakariya has called for a ban on entry of any armed person into hospitals so I wouldnt be surprised by a knife pointed at my back or a gun at my head. Meanwhile, Egyptian doctor Hatim Talima told Al Jazeera: We miss our colleagues who are behind bars, such as Dr Taher Mokhtar, who defended the rights of millions of patients. He is held at Tora prison and faces daily oppression because he had exposed the violations committed by interior ministry officials inside detention centres, while the police officers who had attacked doctors were freed. Activist Ahmed Abu Zeid has confirmed to Al Jazeera that the revolutionary coalition of professional movements supports the doctors decisions. We hope that this strike will be a real beginning to put an end to the polices abuse against all professionals. Moshe Yaalon questions longevity of truce, predicting countrys collapse into enclaves under religious and ethnic sects. An Israeli minister has cast doubt on the longevity of a lasting ceasefire in Syria, suggesting instead that the country should be partitioned along sectarian divides. Speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference on Sunday, Moshe Yaalon, Israeli defence minister, said that he is very pessimistic about the possibility of a lasting truce. Syrian army tightens grip on Aleppo Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time, a Reuters news agency report quoted Yaalon as saying. And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelette from an egg. I dont know how to make an egg from an omelette. Yaalon predicted that Syria will turn into enclaves under the de-facto control of religious and ethnic sects, including President Bashar al-Assads Alawite sect, the Druze religious minority and the Kurdish ethnic group. They might co-operate or fight each other. The Syrian fighting started as an unarmed uprising against Assad in March 2011. It has since escalated into a full-on armed conflict between government forces and rebel groups, killing more than 260,000 people, according to estimates by the United Nations. Syrian conflict Yaalons comments on Syria come a month after he said that Israel preferred the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group over Iranian-backed armed groups in southern Syria, near the border of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. At a conference in Tel Aviv in January, he said that Israel views Iran as a larger threat than armed groups in Syria, The Times of Israel reported. READ MORE: Putin and Obama discuss Syrias war over phone In Syria, if the choice is between Iran and the Islamic State, I choose the Islamic State, he said. They dont have the capabilities that Iran has. Israel has launched air strikes in Syria several times since the conflict broke out five years ago, though it has not formally involved itself in the fighting. Most recently, the air strike that killed Hezbollah operative Samir Kantar in the Syrian capital Damascus was reportedly carried out by Israeli forces. Despite Israels rare interventions in the neighbouring country, Benedetta Berti, a security fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said Israel is unlikely to change its strategy in Syria. Speaking to Al Jazeera, she said that the Israeli security establishment still believes it is not in Israels interest to get directly involved in the internal battles between Assad and his opponents. I think there is little doubt Israel is closely monitoring the Golan. In the past, Israel has made it clear it considers the establishment of a strong Hezbollah-Iranian stronghold in the area as a direct threat, Berti said, referring to the Iran-backed Lebanese group that is fighting alongside Assad forces. READ MORE: Golan Heights New flashpoint in Syria civil war? In January, government forces and pro-Assad armed groups launched an offensive in the 30 percent of the Golan Heights still under Syrian control, taking back a number of strategic areas that had fallen to rebels in recent years. Speaking to Israels Army Radio on Sunday, Ram Ben-Barak, director-general of Israels Intelligence Ministry, also described partition as the only possible solution. I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there, he said, arguing that it is crazy that the countrys 12 percent Alawites could go back to ruling the Sunnis. Two 15-year-old boys and one 17-year-old killed by Israeli forces in two separate incidents in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces have shot dead three Palestinian teenagers in two separate incidents in the occupied West Bank. In the first incident, the Israeli army shot and killed two 15-year-old boys in Araqa, west of Jenin, after the Israeli soldiers allegedly came under attack. The Israeli army said in a statement on Sunday that one of the boys was armed with a rifle and shot at the soldiers. The perpetrators hurled rocks at passing vehicles west of Jenin. When forces arrived at the scene, an assailant opened fire at the soldiers. The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths, the statement said. The teenage victims were identified as Nihad Raed Waked and Fuad Marwan Waked, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Later on Sunday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was also shot dead after an alleged stabbing attack by the Mazmuriya checkpoint north of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teenager as Naeem Ahmad Safi from Ebideyeh, northeast of Bethlehem. Sundays incidents came a day after Israeli troops shot dead a 17-year-old Palestinian girl who allegedly attempted to stab soldiers in Hebron. The ministry said 176 Palestinians have been killed since violence erupted in the occupied territories in early October, with near-daily reports of alleged attacks that result in killings by Israeli security forces. At least 27 Israelis have been killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians since then. Russian media report the two presidents agreed on the need for a ceasefire and for aid to besieged civilians. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama talked about Syrias escalating civil war over the phone and agreed to intensify efforts to bring the fierce fighting to a halt, Russian media reported on Sunday. The Interfax news agency said that the call on Saturday was initiated by the U.S. and focused on how to unite U.S.-led and Russian military operations against armed groups fighting in the country, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Russian president again emphasised the importance of creating a united anti-terrorist front while giving up double standards, the report said. An agreement was reached to intensify co-operation between the diplomatic agencies and other structures for the purpose of implementing the statement by the International Syria Support group adopted in Munich, it said. READ MORE: Saudi fighter jets deploy to Turkeys Incirlik base Last week at a security summit in Munich, Germany, world leaders agreed to implement a cessation of hostilities in Syria in the coming days. However, the announcement has been met with scepticism in some circles as Russia continues to bombard rebel positions around the key city of Aleppo as its ally, the Syrian army, captures more territory in the countrys north. The Kremlin press service reported that the phone discussion also included moves towards a ceasefire and ways to get humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians caught in the crossfire. The nearly five-year-old civil war in Syria has killed more than 250,000 thousand people and driven millions of refugees into Europe. Turkish official confirms aircraft have arrived in Turkey to target ISIL with air strikes. Saudi Arabia has sent warplanes to NATO-member Turkeys Incirlik air base for the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, according to a Turkish official. Yasin Aktay, a Turkish MP, told Al Jazeera that Saudi warplanes will act together with the coalition forces in the fight against the ISIL. They will be acting with the coalition. It is not common for countries to act individually in these situations in terms of international legitimacy, Yasin Aktay said. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against ISIL in recent weeks and Ashton Carter, the U.S. defense secretary, on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. ANALYSIS: Will Saudi jets change balance of power in Syria? Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish foreign minister, told the Yeni Safak newspaper on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had carried out inspections at the air base in preparation for sending aircraft. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia said it was prepared to deploy ground troops to Syria to fight ISIL if U.S.-led coalition leaders agree to the offer. Russia warned last week that foreign troops sent into the nearly five-year Syrian conflict could ignite a world war. Anti-ISIL summit agrees to intensify attacks against group Deployment of kingdoms air force has important implications for the coalitions abilities in Syria. A surprise announcement this weekend accompanied the tentative truce proposals for Syria which were unveiled at the annual Munich Security Conference. Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign affairs minister, announced on Saturday that Saudi Arabia would deploy fighter aircraft to Incirlik airbase, only 70 miles from the Syrian border. On the face of it, this represents little more than Saudi Arabia attempting to demonstrate its dissatisfaction with any idea that President Bashar al Assad might be allowed to remain in power through a US-Russian negotiated peace settlement. However, since Incirlik is only 100 miles from Latakia air base where Russia has based its attack and fighter aircraft in Syria, and is the main base from which Turkish aircraft operate in their continued airspace standoff with Russian interceptors, the Saudi deployment has important implications for the way in which coalition aircraft operate over northern Syria. Inside Story Syria war: Will cessation of hostilities lead to talks? Saudi Arabia has the choice to deploy a mix of ageing British made Tornado IDS bombers, modernised American made F-15SA fighter bombers and its newest aircraft; the air superiority focused Eurofighter Typhoon. Reports suggest that several F-15SA aircraft have arrived in Incirlik, with more likely to follow. The deployment of these modern and highly capable aircraft has important implications for the capability of coalition aircraft which might cross paths with Russian aircraft and defence systems in northern Syria. The F-15SA is a twin-seat, long-range and extremely fast fighter bomber. It is a version of the American F-15E Strike Eagle, which was itself based on the hugely successful F-15C/D fighter which formed the backbone of USAF air superiority capabilities throughout the late Cold War and still plays a key role supporting the stealthy F-22 Raptor in that role today. The Royal Saudi Air Forces F-15SA models are the most advanced F-15s currently deployed by any air force and can employ a wide variety of precision guided munitions such as JDAM and Paveway-series GPS/laser guided bombs, SLAM-ER cruise missile, Harpoon anti-ship missile and AGM-88B HARM anti-radar/air defences missile. ANALYSIS: How Russia keeps piling pressure on Turkey It also has significantly greater air superiority capabilities than the F-16 multi-role fighters which make up Turkeys own large fighter fleet. The F-15SA can carry up to eight AIM-120C/7 AMRAAM missiles if required, guided by a modern and extremely potent APG-63(v)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, which can track multiple targets at once at very long range while remaining difficult to detect itself. It is also equipped with up to eight of the latest AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range, dogfighting missiles and Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems which allow the F-15SA pilot to lock on to enemy aircraft at extreme angles simply by looking at them. Coupled with the high thrust-to-weight ratio of the basic F-15 airframe, these capabilities make the F-15SA a very potent match for even the most modern Russian Su-35S air superiority fighters which were deployed to Latakia to intimidate Turkey and further complicate NATO operations in Syria at the beginning of February. Saudi Arabia could also chose to deploy its Typhoon aircraft which are at least as capable in the air superiority role, and have previously performed well in RSAF service dropping the extremely accurate British-made Paveway IV bomb against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant targets in Iraq. Of course, aircraft capable of confronting potential Russian provocations over Syria are already in the region. The USAF already has small numbers of the unrivalled F-22 Raptor, France has deployed its formidable Rafale, and the RAF has deployed six Typhoons to assist in strike operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. However, none of these nations is likely to risk any kind of incident with Russian aircraft at this stage, especially after the Turkish shooting down of a Russian Su-24 attack jet in November 2015. As a result, the deployment of Russian air superiority aircraft and at least part of the extremely powerful and long ranged S-400 surface-to-air missile system at Latakia since the November shooting down have created an area in northwestern Syria which NATO aircraft avoid where possible. READ MORE: Will Syrias war be won or lost in Aleppo? The Turkish air force, potentially an extremely powerful weapon against ISIL, would risk a highly dangerous confrontation if they enter Syrian airspace anywhere near Russian aircraft, as the Kremlin has repeatedly made clear. This is what the Saudi F-15SA deployment may well change. Firstly, the ongoing air campaign against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen has shown that Riyadh is willing to employ air power on a large scale despite uncertain prospects for success and international controversy. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are determined that there will be no peace settlement in Syria which includes President Assad remaining in power. Russia has currently created a situation in which the military balance of power in Syria favours the regime. Where U.S., British, French and Turkish warplanes will not or cannot risk striking, modern and powerful Saudi F-15SAs may well prove a potent force. Riyadh is clearly determined to change the direction of events in Syria and the Kremlin values relations with the kingdom to a certain degree. As a result, and the fact that Saudi aircraft are at least a match for its own, Russia may be forced to leave the Saudi contingent unmolested to conduct strikes against ISIL in areas of northern Syria where rebel forces are the main beneficiaries. Of course, all this is unlikely to prove conducive to a ceasefire that has any lasting effect in Syria. It is also likely to inflame tensions between Russia and Iran, who support Assad, and the international coalition which is focused on ISIL, but also eager to see the man responsible for the vast majority of civilian casualties in Syrias war removed from power as soon as possible. Justin Bronk is a Research Analyst in Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Kurdish-backed fighters in Syria say they will not withdraw from the areas they have recently captured in the countrys north, after Turkey shelled their positions in Aleppo province for a second day. Turkey has demanded that the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the armed wing of Syrias Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), give up the territories it has gained in the past few days from Turkish-backed Syrian armed groups. OPINION: The Syrian civil war has become a perpetual conflict Speaking to Al Jazeera from Afrin on Sunday, Tarek Abu Zeid, a spokesman of Jaish al-Thuwar, a YPG ally, said: We recently captured Menagh air base, and we are close to capturing Tal Rifaat. Referring to the Islamic State of the Iraq and Levant group, he said: Our aim is to reach ISIL-controlled territories. We want to fight this terrorist group. Turkey wants us to return to Afrin. This wont happen. We are advancing, we wont retreat. Stabbed in the back A Turkish government official told Al Jazeera on Sunday that the army was continuing to target positions of the YPG and its allies in northern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, also reported the artillery bombardment, saying that two fighters died on Sunday. Turkey has been warning the Kurdish fighters, which it sees as terrorists, not to expand their positions since the beginning of the conflict in 2011. The YPG is in control of almost all of Syrian-Turkish border and, in recent days, the group and its allies have expanded their territorial gains by taking advantage of a major Russia-backed government offensive in Aleppo. The advances by both the Syrian government and the YPG are putting pressure on the opposition. We are being stabbed in the back in the northern countryside by the PKK and its ally Jaish al-Thawar, said Mudar Najjar, a commander for the Free Syria Army. They took advantage of the fact that we were fighting on two fronts against the regime and ISIL. Red lines The U.S. sees the PYD as a close ally in the campaign against ISIL in Syria. But Turkey believes that the PYD is the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been locked in battle with Turkish forces for more than 30 years. The PKK is seen as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. and Europena Union, while the PYD is not. OPINION: Syrian Kurds and Turkeys Kurdish question The PYD is trying to carry out an ethnic cleansing by raiding areas where there is no or little Kurdish population and works to remove non-Kurdish ethnic elements out of these areas, Yasin Aktay, a Turkish government MP, told Al Jazeera. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr, reporting from the Turkish town of Gaziantep near the Syria border, said Turkeys latest actions send a clear message that it will stand by its red lines. Turkeys policy in Syria has been clear from the beginning, she said. It wants regime change in Syria and it wants to prevent a Kurdish state from being created along its borders. It believes a safe zone along the Syrian side of the border could serve as a buffer to protect its interests a demand so far not accepted by the international community. On Sunday, Syrias government condemned Turkeys shelling and called the UN to act, state media said. The foreign ministry strongly condemns the repeated Turkish crimes and attacks against the Syrian people and Syrias territorial integrity, state news agency SANA reported. Ankara demands the Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters withdraw from areas they captured in the northern Aleppo region. The Turkish army has shelled Kurdish-held positions in northern Syria for a second day, a Turkish government official told Al Jazeera. On Saturday, Turkey urged the fighters with the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the armed wing of the Syrias Democratic Union Party (PYD), to leave areas it captured in the northern part of the city of Aleppo. The United States sees the PYD as a close ally in the campaign against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria. Ankara believes that the PYD is the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been locked in battle with Turkish forces for more than 30 years. The PKK is seen as a terrorist organisation by the U.S. and the European Union, while the PYD is not. OPINION: Syrian Kurds and Turkeys Kurdish question An air base and other positions captured by the Kurdish fighters from opposition forces were targeted by Turkish army shelling on Saturday and Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, also reported the shelling, saying that two fighters died in Sundays incident. The PYD is trying to carry out an ethnic cleansing by raiding areas where there is no or little Kurdish population and works to remove non-Kurdish ethnic elements out of these areas, Yasin Aktay, a government MP, told Al Jazeera. Aleppo is perhaps the only place where Syrians can still breathe. There is a humanitarian corridor [from Turkey] allowing people to still keep on going with their lives in this key city, said Aktay, who is also the ruling Justice and Development Partys deputy chairman responsible for foreign affairs. If this humanitarian corridor was cut, a goal aided by the PYD activities, people cannot go on with their lives in Aleppo and people will try to take refuge in Turkey fleeing ethnic cleansing. Turkey has been warning the Kurdish fighters, which it sees as terrorists, not to expand their positions since the beginning of the conflict in 2011. The YPG is in control of almost all of the Syrian-Turkish border. OPINION: The Syrian Civil War has become a perpetual conflict Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday that the shelling had taken place under the rules of engagement against forces that represented a threat in Azaz and the surrounding area. Aktay, the Turkish MP, said that Ankara could not tolerate what had been going on just outside its borders any more. If Turkish military do not intervene in the current situation, Turkey gets attacked by the elements located there. The US should see this fact. As an ally, the Washington administration should see that it cannot be friends with the enemies of Turkey, he told Al Jazeera. With no access to vaccinations for their children, Syrians in the besieged Eastern Ghouta fear the worst. Activists in the besieged region of Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of Damascus, warned that children in Ghouta are facing a new wave of illness brought on by the lack of proper vaccination. The #LifeVaccines campaign has been launched by some activists on social media platforms to bring international attention to the dire situation. In October 2013, the first case of polio in Syria in 14 years was diagnosed in Deir Az Zor. There was little doubt that the ongoing conflict was a primary factor for its reappearance. The prevention of life-saving vaccinations and antibiotics from reaching children in need of their routine immunisations eventually led to a spread of the disease. Six months after the first reported case, 36 children across five Syrian provinces were left paralysed from polio, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Large-scale efforts by WHO to control the disease were successful. Now, however, the threat that polio and other illnesses could return to Eastern Ghouta is real and will affect the lives of the children, who constitute 40 percent of the Ghoutas overall population. The Unified Revolutionary Medical Bureau in East Ghouta (URMBEG) launched a parallel campaign titled #__ _ campaign, which means: Its my right to be vaccinated. The prevention of the vaccines from reaching the area is just another weapon of war by the regime to increase pressure on the besieged area, Mahmoud al-Sheikh, the administrative director of URMBEG, told Al Jazeera. READ MORE: Letter from Ghouta: The fear of coming home to nothing On February 3, a joint statement was issued by URMBEG and the interim governments Health Directorate of Damascus and Rural Damascus on the critical scenarios of missed childhood vaccines, shedding light on the rising plight threatening to grow into a large-scale epidemic of what were once preventable diseases. If the children remain unvaccinated, there's a real threat of an international epidemic if the diseases spread. by Mahmoud al-Sheikh, the administrative director of URMBEG The statement, in Arabic, was directed at the WHO, the United Nations, and other international bodies, calling for putting pressure on the Syrian regime to allow secure entry of routine and preventive vaccines for children. The report added that around 41,000 children are affected, nearly 15,200 of whom are under the age of two. Journalist and #LifeVaccines activist Tariq Khawam, says, the campaign seeks to give a voice to the people through its efforts, and the sole purpose is to avoid a potential humanitarian catastrophe the effects of which will not be grasped until years later. Attention must be brought to this, he adds. According to Ward Mardini, a local journalist in the besieged areas, the Syrian Ministry of Health and WHO are the only bodies authorised to receive and allocate the vaccinations. The transfer of these vaccinations into the besieged areas of the Ghouta are strictly limited to internationally-recognised bodies, which in this case would be the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), operated by the regime, Mardini told Al Jazeera. But despite this, there have been consistent restrictions and difficulties preventing these convoys from reaching the besieged area. Sheikh adds that the last convoy to gain access into the Ghouta was on July 23, 2015, where doses were received by the Directorate of Health of Damascus. WHO had overseen the entry and distribution of the vaccines into Syria, but the SARC, a neutral body, served as an intermediary for the entry of the medicines into the besieged areas. Sheikh explained that the last convoy, which included some medical supplies in addition to routine vaccinations, did not cover all the children in need. The last batch, confirms Mardini, had only succeeded in administering to some 20 percent of children under the age of two, and less than 55 percent total of children under five, implying that there are children who have gone even longer without proper immunisations. POLIO IN SYRIA: Putting children above politics There have been 6,700 births over the past seven months, Sheikh told Al Jazeera. Those infants have not received any doses of routine vaccinations administered upon birth. Polio, smallpox, measles, whooping cough, and other highly contagious diseases risk re-emergence in the Eastern Ghouta, potentially causing an epidemic. Most recently, according to Sheikh, cases of tuberculosis in the Eastern Ghouta have emerged and a total of 140 patients are being handled by URMBEG, though their medical supplies are dwindling and are barely sufficient to treat half of the cases. Infectious diseases do not recognise borders, and everyone not just children is at risk, whether in the besieged areas or in areas where the regime is present, Khawam says. If the children remain unvaccinated, theres a real threat of an international epidemic if the diseases spread. With additional reporting by Ward Mardini Journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, detained in Israel without charge or trial, is on his 82nd day of hunger strike. Mohammed al-Qeeq has been held under Israels controversial administrative detention law which allows the state to hold individuals indefinitely, for security reasons. Hes been refusing food since November 25 in protest against his detention. The journalist, who works for the TV station Al Majd, is accused of being a Hamas activist, but no charges have ever been presented. On February 4, Israels Supreme Court lifted his administrative detention order, but ruled that he may not leave hospital. He has refused to end his fast, saying he is determined to continue until he is released unconditionally. Is the practice of hunger striking an effective method of protest? What are the legal responsibilities of the authorities? And at what point is force-feeding considered a life-saving measure, and not a form of torture? Presenter: Mike Hanna Guests: Michael Barilan Professor of bioethics, Tel Aviv University. Laith Abu Zeyad Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Mazen Masri Law lecturer, City University, London. Light constitutes another welcome instalment from the back pages of NYC free jazz by the Lithuanian No Business imprint, following on from's Muntu Recordings (2009), Commitment's Complete Recordings 1980/1983 (2010) and's Centering: Unreleased Early Recordings 1976-1987 (2012) box set, among others. The label has released some of drummer's most accomplished work in recent years, such as Bliss -Earth's Orbit (2010) and Live At Vilnius Jazz Festival (2014) as well as previous documents from the archives. Now they have raided the vaults to put out a 4 CD box set which unites Hooker's first two self released discs with two never before heard live sessions.Writer Thomas Stanley puts his finger on what makes Hooker special in the accompanying booklet when highlighting that he plays drums as a lead instrument, rather than being content to be part of the rhythm section. That uncompromising stance has meant that he has often skirted the fringes rather than luxuriated at the core, even in the already rarefied free jazz arena. In the heyday of the loft era Hooker was told he couldn't work the prestigious Studio Rivbea as leader as he hadn't put in time as a sideman. Consequently he worked where he could, frequently with others on the edge. among that number were some at the start of their careers who later scaled the heights, such asandhere.The first CD comprises a welcome resighting for Hooker's 1975 double LP debut ...is eternal life, a. With no little chutzpah, he sets out his manifesto with a side of solo drums to. Merging his lilting voice with small percussion and earthy chant like drum patterns, the result is organised and controlled. It's already clear that Hooker possesses a finely honed sense of dynamics and form. So a passage of shimmering cymbals precedes a sequence of rumbling toms. Then when the two are combined it produces a choral effect which only increases the impact. It's an approach that has served him well since."Soy: Material / Seven" represents the first appearance on disc of 21-year old Murray. Already his facility in the upper registers is apparent. After a conversational start, with blues inflections, there's a synergy evident between drums and saxophone, although Mark Miller's bass seems incidental, and tellingly it's the last time the instrument appears on this compendium. On "Passages (Anthill)," David S. Ware shows that he shares Murray's prodigious imagination along with stamina and relentless power. Ware and Hooker goad each other into an incendiary dialogue in which melodic material from the head serves to reignite Ware's incantatory outpouring.Sound quality becomes more of a problem on the second CD. The first two tracks comprise the final side of Hooker's debut. "Pieces I & II," a trio with the flutes and saxophones of Les Goodson and Hasaan Dawkins, suffers greatly because of the distortion on the drums. The solo "Above and Beyond" is better and again displays Hooker's sense of organization, alternating avalanche and silence.The next three cuts make up Hooker's second LP Brighter Lights first issued in 1982. "Others (Unknowing)" and "Patterns I, II and III" showcase Alan Braufman's pastoral flute and oboe-like alto saxophone, restrained initially with dancing flute but building to multiphonics saxophone bursts by the end. "3 & 6 / Right" matches Hooker with pianist'sinspired flow. Unfortunately the imaginative interplay is marred by more distortion which mean that it's not possible to fully appreciate the drummer's attention to pitch and texture. Slightly muffled and distant sound also affects "Present Happiness," an otherwise fine meeting with's alto and Hasaan Dawkins tenor saxophone, who respond eagerly to Hooker's exhortations. Thereafter there were no releases from Hooker until the close of the decade.It all comes together on the third CD where Hooker pairs his structured solo method with a group of top notch collaborators. The February 1988 concert was captured five days before that issued as The Colour Circle (Cadence Jazz Records, 1989) with the same participants in trumpeterand tenor saxophonist, and seems to feature extended renditions of some of the same charts, although the titles differ. Not for nothing was the original disc credited to the William Hooker Orchestra. Even though only three strong, Hooker arranges his resources, whether that be the three instrumentalists or the different parts of his kit, with such acumen that they deliver a truly orchestral experience.Hooker pits mournful themes against blistering extemporization on two suite like tracks with "Anchoring / Inclusion / 3 & 6 (Right)" over 24 minutes and "Clear, Cold Light / Into Our Midst / Japanese Folk Song" clocking in at 42 minutes. Campbell blends lyricism and energy into a fluid whole, calling on melodic ideas which surfaced later in some of his own leadership dates. Williams, something of an undersung talent, works from reiterated phrases which mesh well with the drummer's style. Among the many excellent moments, the interlude for Hooker's hi-hat and Williams' rampaging tenor around the 10-minute mark on the latter stands out.The final disc presents another previously unreleased live session from a year later, featuring similar instrumentation. This time, who has gone on to become a stalwart of William Parker's bands, holds down the trumpet chair, while, also active with Parker in his Little Huey Orchestra, deploys a range of reeds in freewheeling interchange. Their fast paced give and take and empathetic phrasing echoes Hooker's roiling bombast on "Contrast (With A Feeling)" which sounds more like a blowing date than "Naturally Forward" where the leader's architectural underpinning lends order to Keene's aching falsetto and Barnes' fizzing fanfares. Rounding out the disc and bringing the collection full circle, "Continuity of Unfoldment" is another solo recital, which includes one of the few grooves in the set. It also contains a recitation by Hooker, presaging an increasing interest in expanding his breadth of expression via poetry and film.Overall it's a mixed bag not helped by the sonic fidelity at times, but one where the pluses definitely outweigh the misfires. And that makes it essential listening for those curious as to Hooker's origins and indeed the development of free jazz. February 11 marked the thirty-seventh so-called Islamic revolution's anniversary in Iran. Since then, more than 8 million Iranians have fled their homeland to escape the rule of terror and bloodshed. I am among those who voted against this stone-age regime with their feet. Although some observers had expected a degree of moderation after the so-called moderate president of the Islamic Republic (I.R.), Hassan Rouhani, reached an agreement with the world powers regarding the nuclear deal and the end of the sanctions, nothing has changed. Political executions by the I.R. have continued to mount. Indeed, during the past 12 months, hundreds of Iranians have been tortured and killed without any semblance of due process. The number of announced executions in Iran in the last six months of 2015 reached nearly 1,000, not accounting for secret executions that have been acknowledged by family members. In case after case, evidence reveal tortures, fundamentally flawed trials, and hangings, all in breach of international laws and standards. Amazingly, the I.R. has not faced any penalties for all its outrageous violations of human rights in Iran. The Campaign for Human Rights in Iran in early January reported that in recent months, many journalists have been arrested prior to the "Islamic Parliament" election in Iran. The Islamic regime's horrible human rights record and its systematic violations, support of and connections with international terrorism, and defiant ballistic missile tests (which are considered a violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929) since signing the nuclear agreement with the 5+1 world powers indicate that the Islamic regime cannot be a trusted partner in any international agreement. The invasions of the American embassy and hostage-taking, British embassy and looting, and Saudi Arabian embassy and burning are characteristic of dictators in Tehran, who do not recognize international norms. The U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee last November passed a resolution that expressed its deep concern about human rights violations by the I.R. regime. Amnesty International has also called on I.R. authorities to stop the hanging particularly of juvenile offenders, guilty of "waging a war against God and spreading corruption on Earth." It is inhuman for an execution to take place after an unfair trial, based entirely on coerced confessions, absent any attorneys on behalf of defendants. To mislead the free world, most of the executions in 2015 were orchestrated to be for drug offences. Amnesty International time and again has published reports on physical and psychological tortures in Iran, saying that the number of torture and ill treatment cases is increasing in the I.R., making it clear that these violations of human rights not only continue in Hassan Rouhani's presidency, but are noticeably becoming widespread and in most places systematic. Political murders and repression of beliefs became more widespread in the country in 2015, reported by Ahmed Shaheed, the U.N. special rapporteur whom the I.R. has defiantly refused to let enter Iran for years. In response to recent accusations by the U.S. Congress, the I.R. claims that its human rights record is perfect and accuses the U.S. and the West of using the human rights issue as a pretext to add pressure to a country already under sanctions for its nuclear activities. A recent report by Ahmad Shaheed to the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) reveals that the I.R. is holding more than 900 political prisoners including journalists, bloggers, lawyers, civic activists, and human rights campaigners. The I.R. has also incarcerated religious minorities along with gays and lesbians. Ahmed Shaheed has continuously reported about human rights violations affecting women and ethnic minorities and religious activists as well as retaliatory action against individuals the I.R. suspects of cooperating with U.N. monitors. Any criticism of the I.R.'s terrorist government is unlawful. People who dare to speak out are immediately arrested. They are at best summarily tried and executed under vague charges. Not even pregnant women or young boys and girls have been spared the wrath of the regime's revolutionary courts and firing squads. Denial of a fair trial, denial of free speech, denial of freedom of assembly and association, denial of religious preference, denial of free political participation, denial of the principles of international law and conduct, and denial of one's privacy are some of the basic tenets of the I.R. Practically all basic human rights that are recognized in the civilized world are denied by the I.R. Under the rule of the Islamic regime, nearly every provision of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been violated. While some other governments have been charged with gross violations of human rights, those governments at least try to contest the charges, meaning they acknowledge the validity of those laws. Islamic officials openly ridicule the concept of universal human rights, branding it a tool of Western imperialism. Likewise, those who question the views of Islamic clergymen are labeled enemies of Islam, with links to America and Israel. People are repeatedly warned that anybody doing so will be considered an infidel to Islam and must be killed. In the last 37 years, the Iranian nation has lived under the reign of the most backward regime. The truth is that the clergymen who rule Iran do not belong in this age and cannot deal with the realities of the modern world. At best, the Islamic revolution of 1979 was the revolution of century against century. They believe that after 37 years of mismanagement and brutality, the only way they can extend their rule is by increasingly terrorizing their critics. The Islamic regime has taken this noble Iranian nation into the Middle Ages, creating some of the most medieval laws and implementing them against its citizens in the most vicious manner. The regime's atrocities include stoning men and women, cutting off their fingers, torturing innocent people for their opinion, incarcerating religious minorities on fabricated charges, imprisoning Iranian youths for upholding their very basic human rights, and organizing vigilantes to murder political opponents. They have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, where Iranians cannot trust one another. In brief, in the name of religion, the clergymen have created a society where sadness and despair have replaced hope and optimism. The year 2015 was a year of sorrow, sadness, and hope for Iranians. There were sorrow and sadness for the loss of many of the best human beings who had dedicated their entire lives for the freedom of Iran. There was hope for a nation who has lived through years of oppression oppression under the rule of a state religion that has caused unspeakable crimes against those voicing their desires for a free, democratic, and secular society. Mansour Kashfi, Ph.D. is president of Kashex International Petroleum Consulting and is a college professor in Dallas, Texas. He is also the author of more than 100 articles and books about the petroleum industry and its market behavior worldwide. mkashfi@tx.rr.com Bernie Sanders is running for president of the United States proclaiming that under his presidency, all Americans will have the opportunity to attend public college for free. There's only one fly in the ointment of this free college proposal: today in Illinois, half of the public college and university tuition goes not toward education, but toward pensions for college professors who no longer work. So in order for Sanders to make college free, someone, other than students, has to pick up the huge cost of the retired professors' pensions. He has said nothing about eliminating this cost by forcing public university professors to save for their own retirements. Sanders is in an awkward situation. He has to gain the support of young voters by criticizing the high cost of college but can't acknowledge that his party not only depends on this money, but established this quid pro quo setup. The Illinois Policy Institute has reported that the huge pension plans, which are unfair, economically unjust, and exploitative of the middle class, are responsible for half the tuition cost of a public university education in Illinois. In 2006, just 20% of tuition went to pay pensions. Now pensions are the main driver of tuition increases. It is unfair for students to fund the luxury pension plans of professors who didn't have to save for their own. And of course, Illinois is not the only state that pays its public college and university professors one-percenter salaries. California's education system actually pays higher salaries to professors. Khalil Tadsch earns $2.3 million a year at the UCLA Medical center, and 40 others earn salaries of between one million and this $2.3 million. Medical school tuition is $95K a year and more. The watchdog website Transparent California has exposed the exploitation of the middle class through progressive/socialist Democrat policies in that state as well. It is interesting to consider what Bernie Sanders and his party gain from allowing these high professor salaries and pensions. The major public include the SEIU, AFCSME, the National Education Association, and the American Federal of Teachers. These unions are four of the six biggest national campaign donors of the past 20 years, and they give 99% of their money only to Democrats. Democrats in Washington reward these union workers in colleges and universities with financial support not just by financing them through federally guaranteed student loans, but through grants, fellowships, and other big sources of federal funding for university-level research. So while complaining that we need to clean up campaign financing, Bernie Sanders doesn't even mention the financing of higher education, which is responsible for creating student loan debt for middle-class Americans. Student loan debt currently amounts to $1.3 trillion and grows every semester. The political support that colleges and universities give to the Democratic Party cannot be underestimated. The majority of colleges support liberal federal policies on social programs, racial initiatives, education, and the subsidization of illegal immigration. All of these things benefit Bernie Sanders and his party. These institutions and the people within them are forced in this direction: if they went against liberalism, they would have great difficulty getting hired and receiving huge pensions. So by using their influence over the distribution of federal support of higher education, Democrats have purchased a monopoly on the political and campaign donation support of the public-sector unions. Studies show that the great majority of university professors support the progressive/Democrat liberal ideology. Or, in Bernie Sanders's terms, they have rigged the system. Democrats created a rigged system of higher education so they can force students to give money to their campaigns. Bernie Sanders causes high college tuition costs by being part of this rigged system. This explains why Bernie Sanders will never pull the rug out from under college tuition costs. He would never do anything to cut back on the seven-figure pensions retired college and university professors receive, largely financed by student loans. So for Bernie Sanders to declare that he will give students free college tuition means only that if he is president, he will have to shift the cost of professors' pensions, as Obama did, to a QE program, Stimulus program, or other form of national debt redistribution. Students at public colleges and universities may be relieved of paying tuition, but that doesn't mean Sanders will cut back on pensions for university professors. He has never mentioned the issue. While Bernie Sanders complained that Hillary has a quid pro quo issue with Wall Street campaign donations, her Wall Street donation setup is not institutionalized and protected by contracts, as are the pensions of public college professors. The last thing Democrats will do is stop paying for their nationwide propaganda machine channeled through public universities. They will not offend their biggest public union campaign contributors. Another benefit Democrats get from high professors' salaries and pensions is that the vast majority of college professors promote liberal thinking. This ensures that future voters will prefer to vote for Democrats like Bernie Sanders, who will then, ironically, continue to exploit the middle class to support the Democratic Party machine. Sanders hopes that young voters aren't savvy enough to realize that once again, the middle class are being destroyed not by a rigged economy, but by a rigged public sector-financed political party. At every level, public pensions are destroying the disposable income of the middle class and poor. The pensions of these retired professors are not just or equal. They far exceed the amounts people earn in Social Security and they are immune to the ups and downs of the equities market. Tuition at public colleges and universities can be thought of as a tax students are forced to pay in order to fund professors' pensions. Democrats are responsible for the high cost of public college. Students who now borrow money in Illinois to pay public tuition will have half their monthly student loan payment, for twenty years, go to nothing but the pensions of rich retired professors. This is not true of just Illinois, and it is neither fair nor representative of income equality. The only cure for this situation is to force all public college and universities instructors, guest lecturers, part-time teachers, and full tenured professors to save for their own retirement. After all, Democrats are all about equal treatment. These educators can join Social Security and Obamacare like everyone else. College student protesters need to re-paint their safe space signs and protest the "tuition exploitation for pensions" rampant on public campuses today. Michael Moore sure isn't doing it. On July 8, 2014 the Israeli air force began to deal with rocket fire coming from Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip. In the preceding three weeks, Hamas had fired 250 rockets capable of reaching Israeli population centers. Many of those rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome system, but Israel soon found that confronting it was a new and challenging menace, a labyrinth of highly sophisticated tunnels built by Hamas. For years Hamas had been using building materials and an estimated 600,000 tons of concrete to build tunnels similar to, though much more skillfully constructed than, the Viet Cong tunnels dug in South Vietnam. The U.S. forces, the so called tunnel rats had to dispose of them using simply a pistol and a flashlight. Israel, between July 17 and August 5, 2014 using more advanced methods, disposed of 33 tunnels, 14 of which crossed into Israel, and one of which was 66 feet deep and 1.5 miles long. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has long been laughable. Its absurdity reached a zenith with the 284-page report on June 22, 2015 of its Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Gaza war chaired by the American jurist, Mary McGowan Davis who had replaced the discredited William Schabas. The Commission found there was no indication the Hamas tunnels were constructed to attack Israeli civilians. It did not say the tunnels were used as playgrounds for recreational purposes or for sightseeing trips, but it did say that it could not conclusively determine the intent of Palestinian armed groups with regard to the construction and use of the tunnels. Yet the evidence to the contrary is abundant. Everyone was aware that Hamas had built tunnels in Sinai for smuggling people and communities between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. More important they had been built for both defensive and offensive purposes in connection with the State of Israel. Defensively, Hamas used the tunnels to store rockets, launchers, and explosives, and as military command centers. Offensively, they were built to attack Israeli civilians, or to kidnap Israeli soldiers and civilians. Hamas had done this in June 2006 when it kidnapped Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier, and held him in prison until October 2011. The UNHRC disregarded the Hamas violations of human rights and indeed war crimes by its construction of tunnels under civilian homes, among other violations. The Institute for Palestinian Studies recorded that Hamas between 2007 and 2012 had caused 160 Palestinian deaths in building the tunnels: by August 2014, 400 had died. The UNHRC also seemed unaware of the Hamas plot to use Rosh Hashanah, September 24, 2014, as an opportunity to initiate a mass attack on Israel. It had begun rebuilding some of its tunnels that been destroyed and planned to use a dozen of them to carry 200 heavily armed fighters into Israeli territory. Hamas never stops its war against Israel. Since the beginning of 2016 there have been five incidents when tunnels being built by Hamas in the Gaza Strip have collapsed with Palestinian operatives being killed in them. On February 9, 2016 one operative, a member of the military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassan Brigades died in the tunnel near Khan Younis. He was repairing a tunnel that had been damaged by Egyptian authorities because it was being used to smuggle arms and fighters for affiliates of ISIS in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. Egypt has long been aware of the activity of Hamas and other terrorists. In late 2014 it began destroying hundreds of tunnels being built in Sinai for smuggling weapons. Sometimes the truth seeps out, even from terrorist leaders. At the funeral service in the Great Omari Mosque in Gaza City on January 29, 2016 for seven Hamas operatives who were killed when the tunnel on which they were working collapsed because of rain and flooding, Ismael Haniyeh, the Hamas leader, spoke truth. Hamas is getting stronger and will use any measures to prepare for the next confrontation with Israel. The Hamas military brigades, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and the al-Qussan Brigades are continuing with their preparation and training. East of Gaza City, the heroes are digging though rock and building tunnels: to the west of the city they are experimenting with rockets every day. The Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot speaking at the Herzliya interdisciplinary Center on February 9, 2016 asserted that the Hamas tunnels were the main threat against his country. A major concern is their central tunnel, one of high quality, on which 1,000 terrorists are working that will lead deep into Israeli territory from which an attack can be launched. A considerable part of the resources coming into Gaza is being used for building an underground infrastructure. Israel is focusing intelligence operations and using nearly 100 engineering machines to counter the theat. Hamas leader Haniyeh has given fair warning. He told us that his organization is digging twice as many tunnels as were dug in Vietnam. The United States and France, both involved in the morass of the Indo-China war that cost the lives of 58,000 Americans along with 300,000 wounded, and more than 89,000 French lives, can understand the parallel of the two conflicts. They must pay special attention to Haniyehs announcement, now that the two countries are pressing for peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinians to start as soon as possible. The international community, if not the UNHRC or Amnesty International, is aware that representatives of Hamas, whose objective is the elimination of Israel, cannot come to the table with clean hands. Light will only come after the tunnels are ended. The lead to this article in Bloomberg says everything we need to know about the state of American leadership in the world: Europe is facing a convergence of the worst crises since World War II, and the overwhelming consensus among officials and experts here is that the U.S. no longer has the will or the ability to play an influential role in solving them. "Will" is in one man; the president of the United States. Where would the world be without the "will" of Ronald Reagan who had the courage and foresight to face down the Soviets by believing that the US could win the Cold War, not simply manage it? But now, we're stuck with a weak, vacillating, incompetent, and ultimately naive man who can't summon the will to defend American interests for the simple reason that he doesn't believe in America. At the Munich Security Conference, the prime topics are the refugee crisis, the Syrian conflict, Russian aggression and the potential dissolution of the European Union's very structure. Top European leaders repeatedly lamented that 2015 saw all of Europes problems deepen, and unanimously predicted that in 2016 they would get even worse. The question of war and peace has returned to the continent, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the audience, indirectly referring to Russian military interventions. We had thought that peace had returned to Europe for good." What was missing from the conference speeches and even the many private discussions in the hallways, compared to previous years, was the discussion of what Europe wanted or even expected the U.S. to do. Several European officials told me that there was little expectation that President Barack Obama, in his last year in office, would make any significant policy changes to address what European governments see an existential set of crises that cant wait for a new administration in Washington. Theres a shared assessment that the European security architecture is falling apart in many ways, said Camille Grand, director of the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris. There is a growing sense that this U.S. administration is focused on establishing a legacy on what has already been achieved rather than trying to achieve anything more. Yet the problems can get much worse. During the first day of the conference, the U.S. role in Europe was hardly mentioned in the public sessions. In the private sessions, many participants told me that European governments are not only resigned to a lack of American assertiveness, they also are now reluctantly accepting a Russia that is more present than ever in European affairs, and not for the better. Theres not a lot of talk about how the United States can be part of the solution. We seem to be disappearing from their calculations, said Walter Russell Mead, a historian with the Hudson Institute. From the European standpoint, Putin has become somebody that like it or not that they have to deal with. And the administration is completely oblivious to the fact that no one cares what they think. John Kerry speaks as if he is from an alternate reality: We know many Europeans right now feel overwhelmed by the latest round of challenges, he said. I want to express the confidence of President Obama and all of us in America that, just as it has so many times before, Europe is going to emerge stronger than ever, provided it stays united and builds common responses to these challenges We are going to do just fine. The mortal danger that could arise from this is that Obama may actually wake up one morning and discover that America's position in the world has been destroyed. Putin could be in Vilnius or Riga before the president bestirs himself to issue the inevitable "strongly worded letter" to Putin. Or, he may lash out, triggering WW III. The uncertain future before us is a minefield that the next president will have to navigate successfully if we are to make it through this crisis. The consequences of the loss of faith in American leadership among Europeans cannot be calculated. As in the Middle East, with nations there making their own "arrangements" with Iran, western Europe may find themselves forced to make their own deals with Vladimir Putin, appeasing the bully while slipping into defeatism and pacifism. What presidents for the last 70 years have strived to maintain - American leadership and influence in the world - has been frittered away by this president in less than 8 years. Maybe John Kasich is right when he jokes that he's running in the wrong primary. Hillary Clinton's candidacy is beached, and it's anybody's guess whether another fifty million dollars, another hundred celebrity endorsements, or hundreds of super-delegates are enough to push the big white whale back into the ocean. It looks as though even if she makes it to the convention, beating Bernie fair and square, which would the first time in her life Hillary ever faired and squared anybody, there will be a tremendous revulsion among an amazing number of Democrat women. This especially from the downy-cheeked liberal arts types hoping to see the barn-burning Sandinista from Vermont rivet a worker's paradise on our backs in order to usher in a fairer, more diverse, inclusive, sensitive, and "caring" America a nation shorn of any trace of glass ceilings, gluten, soybean oil, fossil fuels, all-white Oscars, and plastic supermarket shopping bags. Hillary can't afford to have those women sit this one out. She needs to shame or frighten every liberal woman into voting for her, just as she needs every minority vote; every government employee; every gay, lesbian, and transsexual; every radical environmentalist; and every inner-city Ohioan who cast six or seven ballots in 2012. Otherwise, she won't win the general. Because nobody really likes her, and the betting is even Steven that she'll be indicted by the Obama administration despite her increasingly pathetic campaign promises to continue his legacy. Not to mention the almost certain wager that a pair of her panties is about to be discovered under the passenger seat in one of Goldman Sachs's limousines. But the only other national name the Democrats have in addition to Michelle Obama (wouldn't that be rich?) is Joe Biden, and he isn't much of an alternative. The man certainly looks good in a suit that is, looks presidential; people do like him; and if elected, he'll mindlessly support the liberal agenda while lining the pockets of the left's crony capitalists, but problems rain down from the sky like the hail of frogs you sometimes get after a tornado whenever the poor fool opens his mouth. This is true even when he steals his speeches, as he did Neil Kinnock's all those years ago, consequently having to drop out of that race for the presidency. So unless the Democratic Party gets that great mammal floating again, they'll have to settle on someone else someone now unsuspected and, more to the point, unbaggaged, like Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. Or resign themselves to having Donald Trump waterbroad (sic) them with a real vengeance by selecting the Liberal pastiche and sometime Native American Elizabeth Warren. Richard F. Miniter is the author of The Things I Want Most, Random House, BDD. See it here. He lives and writes in the colonial-era hamlet of Stone Ridge, New York; blogs here; and can also be reached at miniterhome@gmail.com. Twitter has become a sewer where people make vile claims about others it he belief that they will remain anonymous. Thanks to James Woods and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mel Recana, that may start to change. Eriq Gardner of the Hollywood Reporter writes: James Woods has defied skeptics and gotten past an initial First Amendment hurdle in his provocative defamation lawsuit against an anonymous Twitter user who suggested he was a "cocaine addict." Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mel Recana has reviewedWoods' complaint against a "John Doe," as well as the defendant's motion to strike, and has decided to let the case proceed. As a result, despite Twitter's own resistance to discovery demands in this case, Woods will likely be given the green light to unmask the user known as "Abe List," whose social media profile identified him as a Harvard-educated partner at an L.A.-based private equity firm. Woods sued for $10 million last July with word that "AL, and anyone else using social media to propagate lies and do harm, should take note. They are not impervious to the law." If Abe is who he says he is, he may have the resources to cough up 10 mill. And unless he is in the Soros league, thats gotta hurt. That is, assuming Woods is not a cocaine addict (which is pretty safe bet, I think). Instead of resisting, Twitter should buy Woods a nice dinner. He is helping to rescue it from its decline. Instead of being a vehicle for hate, it has the opportunity to become useful. For a change. Hat tip: iOTW Report The State Department performed one of their weekend document dumps, releasing another 550 Hillary Clinton emailsmore than 1000 pages. They also reclassified another 84 emails, bringing the total number of sensitive communications that had no business being on a private server to more than 1700. Here are some highlights: CNN: The case for a Syrian no-fly zone: In one 2012 email, Tom Malinowski, then the Washington director for Human Rights Watch who later became assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, argued in favor of a no-fly zone in Syria after hearing reports from a team his organization sent into the northern part of the country. "I recognize that the cavalry is not suited up and ready to ride, and that the mission would be far from simple or cost-free, even if limited to no-fly," Malinowski wrote, understanding the administration's misgivings about the idea. "But in the meantime, even maintaining a credible threat of action would have a positive impact." Clinton's decision to support a no-fly zone in Syria on the campaign trail is a rare case where she breaks from President Barack Obama on foreign policy. High morale within Free Syrian Army: Then-U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford wrote to Clinton in the summer of 2012 to relay a conversation he'd had with NBC correspondent Richard Engel after the latter returned from Syria. Among the conclusions in the note is the assertion that "morale very high among (the Free Syrian Army) -- they sense they are winning." Ford also wrote that Engel will be joining a U.S. focus group "to get advice on how to help Syrian media sector prepare for post-Asad [sic] period" -- a period that remains elusive three and a half years later. "Bravo!" on Libya: In March 2011, author and commentator Anne-Marie Slaughter wrote to Clinton to congratulate her, presumably for swaying Obama's opinion on joining NATO operations in Libya. "Turning POTUS around on this is a major win for everything we have worked for," Slaughter wrote. Clinton's active involvement in shaping the Obama administration's foreign policy has been a key tenet of her campaign for the presidency, and these emails on Libya and Syria shed some light on her doctrines. More advice from Sidney Blumenthal: Clinton's communications with friend and unofficial adviser Blumenthal during her tenure as secretary of state have raised some eyebrows on Capitol Hill. In Saturday's batch, we once again hear from Blumenthal, who offered his take on a host of issues, related to both foreign policy and politics. Clinton continues to insist that she received no emails marked "classified" or designated with any other sensitive label. Since she asked a staffer in at least one instance to remove the "classified" label before sending it to her unsecured server, this is probably true. But what does it say about the intelligence and insight of a secretary of state who doesn't recognize the sensitivity of the information she is reading? In the end, Clinton will be indicted - if she is indicted - for her mishandling of information that any entry level staffer at the State Department should have known was too sensitive to be on an unsecured server. Drudge voters aside, Trump did NOT win the Republican debate tonight. In fact, Trump's behavior in the debate should take him out of the running. He is the perfect and ultimate illustration of a "nasty guy." His answers contained no specifics, only insults. He accuses his opponents of being liars while he serially lies himself to serve his own purposes. He rudely interrupts. While millions of us embrace his contempt for the scourge of political correctness, his contempt for Obama's abrogation of our immigration laws, and this administration's destruction of the America in which I grew up, Trump is a man without a shred of grace or class. This is not man who should be President of these United States. Obama has brought us low with purposeful weakness and incompetence. Trump would bring us down with an arrogance built on ignorance of how international politics work. Being good at real estate transactions does not a President make. This debate was another disservice to voters. CBS, always and forever dedicated to advancing the leftist agenda, especially John Dickerson who a few years ago advised Obama to "destroy the GOP," saw to it that it became a cage fight, not a substantive discussion. How starved the conservative public is for a debate moderated by Rush Limbaugh and/or Mark Levin? By Hugh Hewitt, Larry Elder and/or Dennis Prager? Each of those people are honest brokers who are infinitely more informed and incisive than John Dickerson. Dickerson may be proud of himself for engendering the spats, but he is a lightweight compared to the Limbaughs and Mark Levins who are our national treasures, the true defenders of our freedoms and our Constitution. Donald Trump is not a conservative. He is not even a nominal Republican. He is a non-ideological deal maker whose motive is always and only that he wins. Does he want to make American great again? Yes, of course he does. On that he is sincere. But he has not a clue how to make that happen. Negotiating with a megolomaniac like Putin is probably not like negotiating a multi-million dollar real estate deal. He seems to think that if he "hires the best people" it will just happen. He has yet to reveal who those people are. The untimely death of Antonin Scalia makes it all the more crucial that a conservative wins in November. Scalia was the last, best defender of the Constitution on the Court. Even John Roberts twisted himself into knots to save Obamacare. Seven years of Obama have brought the country to its knees - culturally, economically, and globally. Obama has made it clear that he loathes our Constitution. Obama has made us much less safe from terrorism by importing tens of thousands of "migrants" and "refugees." Trump is right about one thing, we are a dying country. With the loss of Scalia, the Supreme Court may well be lost to radical leftism as well. Obama appointed two judicial lightweights, Kagan and Sotomayor, dependable votes for the further destruction of American values, the further adulteration of American society. Obama will try, within the week, to place yet another ideologue on the Court. The Republicans must stand up to him this time. They absolutely must not let Obama appoint another justice to the Supreme Court. It would be the final nail in the coffin of our democratic republic, the last nudge from freedom to tyranny. Rubio won the debate tonight, hands down. Despite his mistakes with the gang of eight, he would be a good president, as would Cruz. Carson was good tonight. Even Bush was on point tonight. Kasich, not so much. But Trump proved he is not presidential material. He is a schoolyard bully who spews invective for the mere sport of it. Very few Americans have ever heard of Avigdor "Yanush" Ben Gal, who died yesterday in Israel at age 79. But Ben Gal is an important figure in 20th-century history, who directly contributed to the end of the Cold War and fall of the Soviet Union, albeit in an indirect way. Ben Gal was an officer in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Armored Corps. Like many Israelis of his generation, he got to Israel in a roundabout way. As a boy, he fled Poland as a refugee with his parents into the Soviet Union at the start of World War II. His parents died along the way, but with his sister Ben Gal made it to the Palestine Mandate. He served in the IDF in the 1956 Suez Campaign, the Six-Day War of 1967 (in which he was badly wounded), and the War of Attrition that followed. He won his place in military history a few years later, during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Then, as commander of the IDF's crack 7th Armored Brigade, he arguably saved the Jewish state from destruction, and both established and proved the tactical and operational concepts for defending the West against mass Soviet-style tank assaults. At about 2 p.m. on October 6, 1973, Syria and Egypt launched a coordinated surprise assault on Israel. IDF forces faced overwhelming odds on both fronts, but Israel had some breathing room in Sinai against Egypt. Not so on the Golan Heights, where Ben Gal deployed with his brigade. There only a few scant kilometers separated the front line from Israel proper. The Syrians threw 30,000 troops and 1,500 tanks (supported by as many artillery pieces) at the Israeli line. That line was thinly held by the under-strength 188th Barak Armored Brigade in the southern Golan and by Ben Gal's brigade to the north. Between the two units, the Israelis deployed 177 tanks, about 50 artillery pieces, and fewer than 3,000 infantrymen. In three days of bloody fighting (in which the Barak Brigade was effectively wiped out, with both its commander and deputy commander killed in action), Ben Gal held the front together with surviving elements of the 188th and his own brigade. In this action, Ben Gal's tanks savaged the Syrian assault, destroying 600-800 tanks (plus hundreds of other armored vehicles). Ultimately, the 7th Armored stopped the Syrian attack cold, though at the conclusion of the fight, fewer than a dozen IDF tanks were still runners, the rest destroyed, damaged, or broken down. A day after the defensive fight concluded, the surviving tanks of the 7th Armored, along with reserves, counter-attacked into Syria. The consequences of this battle to American armored doctrine are hard to overstate. Ben Gal's defense of the Golan became a template for NATO forces in Europe. Under General Donn A. Starry (who largely developed the American concept of air/land battle), the Yom Kippur War was (with respect to IDF successes and failures) was a prime model. When I served with the 11th ACR in Fulda, Germany (1985-89), almost every armored officer could cite chapter and verse of the Golan fight. Tom White, one of the regiment's commanders during my time there (who later became secretary of the Army), had a bookshelf lined with several volumes recounting the Yom Kippur battles. Had the Soviets attacked at Fulda or elsewhere in Germany, they would have met American tankers, who, largely using Israeli techniques and tactics, would have savaged them as completely as the IDF did the Syrians something Soviet generals well knew. When those same American units eventually went into action a few years later in Iraq, they completely trounced the Iraqis. But it is also worth noting that in 1973, Israeli troops driving World War II-era Sherman tanks also trounced the Iraqis (in brand new Soviet T-62s) at a later point in the battle. So intense and savage was the Golan fighting that when I visited the Golan battlefields in 1977 as a teenage kibbutz volunteer, the ground was still strewn with shrapnel, spent shell casings, and the burned out wrecks of fighting vehicles. Ben Gal fought one of the greatest and most significant tank battles in history, and his place there is well and truly earned. A collection of interesting articles that you may have missed, pulled out from Amusing Planets past archives. Tendrils and plumes of oil have covered the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, leaving a viscous mess in the open sea. The environmental disaster that was caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is horrible and will no doubt have a long lasting impact on the Gulf. While on assignment for GQ magazine covering the disaster, photographer Benjamin Lowy however was struck by how beautiful the congealed pockets of crude were. Floating on the sea, swirling with the seawater, they looked strangely like abstract paintings. These are close up images of the pools of oil that stagnate on the surface of the Gulf. These incredibly realistic scenes from rural life have been painstakingly created by a British artist in her own living room - sewn using just a needle and thread. Jill Draper, 62, renders pictures of rural life and shimmering seascapes in her embroidered tapestries recreating scenes with astonishing accuracy from photographs. Each picture measuring around 15 by 30 inches takes up to 120 and contains hundreds of thousands of stitches done by hand and machine. As the US Navy ramped up for World War 2, its leadership began the unprecedented task of recruiting 27,000 female sailors called WAVES, an acronym for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. Previously, it was only during the first world war that the Navy accepted females into its ranks, and mainly for clerical roles and as nurses, not as officers. After a twenty-three-year absence, women returned to general Navy service in early August 1942, when Mildred McAfee was sworn in as a Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander, the first female commissioned officer in US Navy history, and the first Director of the WAVES. Kamchatka contains probably the world's greatest diversity of salmonid fish, including all six species of anadromous Pacific salmon (chinook, chum, coho, seema, pink, and sockeye). Biologists estimate that a sixth to a quarter of all Pacific salmon originates in Kamchatka. Kuril Lake is recognized as the biggest spawning-ground for sockeye in Eurasia. Artist Lisa Lichtenfels is acclaimed for pushing the boundaries of fabric sculpture. This soft sculpture artist creates the inner frame from wire shaped by heavy felt, muscles made of wadding and the realistic skin tones are achieved by using nylon. Photographs of her sculptures are often mistaken for photos of living beings. Quite a bit has happened over the past week in the world of Android, with rumors surrounding upcoming flagship devices and leaked images of those same phones making their way to the internet. It isnt all about smartphones though, as virtual reality has been in the news fairly often lately as well, thanks in part to Google who is making a new VR headset rumored to be a competitor to Gear VR, but also a standalone VR device that requires no smartphones to operate. Whether or not that device and the previously rumored headset from before are one in the same is still unknown at this point, but Google has been rumored to launch new VR hardware sometime this year. While renders of the Galaxy S7 have already appeared a couple of weeks ago, new renders popped up this past week showing off new colors. Theres also been a rumor about the Galaxy Note 6 expected to launch this Fall, stating that it could come with 6GB of RAM, although that seems unlikely given the current crop of smartphones are still sitting at 3GB while only a handful have extended to 4GB. Speaking of Samsungs Note line, Samsung explained why they decided not to launch the Galaxy Note 5 in Europe. LGs new flagship, the LG G5, was also in the news this past week with benchmark results having popped up on Geekbench suggesting 4GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 820 processor inside, and its been revealed that the LG G5 will have an always ON display, not too unlike what LG have done with the LG V10. If youve missed any of the rest of this past weeks top stories, you can find all of them from the links down below. Advertisement Rumor: Google To Release Stand-Alone Virtual Reality Headset Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge Renders Leak, Again RUMOR: Samsung Galaxy Note 6 with 6GB of RAM, 12MP Camera Advertisement Samsung Exec Reveals Why Note 5 EU Launch Didnt Happen Google Seeking Manufacturing Talent for Self-Driving Cars Pandora May Be In Talks To Sell Itself Off Advertisement LG G5 Will Feature An Always On Display, LG Confirms LG G5 Spotted On Geekbench With 4GB RAM & Snapdragon 820 Leaked Images Show Us Android 6.0.1 Running On Galaxy Note 5 Advertisement Rumor: HTC To Show Off Flagship April 11th Under New Name Police handcuff man handcuffed in a sex game Dustin G. Taylor, 21, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, was unable to located the key that would release the handcuffs a lover had tied to his wrists during a sex game. He called for help. The police answered. They took Dustin to the station, where they released the cuffs. They soon released Dustin was a wanted man and handcuffed him. It is not known whether Mr Taylor enjoyed the polices rough treatment and dominant position, nor regrets not joining the police force, where his fetish for handcuffs could have been satisfied in the service of the common good. Spotter Anorak Posted: 14th, February 2016 | In: Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. As of today at 3 pm, anyone who wants to reach Terminal 1 by public transport can do so via metro. Until the Renfe shuttle train service is up and running, the only way to reach the new terminal --inaugurated in 2009-- without driving or taking a cab was to take a Renfe Rodalies train to Terminal 2 and then a free shuttle bus from there to the T1. The brand new L9 will partially resolve this transportation deficit, but bearing in mind the cost and the time it takes to get to the airport, the new metro will not be a real competitor for the Aerobus for anyone traveling to the El Prat airport from the center of Barcelona. It takes 32 minutes to get to the airport from the Zona Universitaria underground station, and from the city center the trip can take over an hour because a change of train is necessary. The official inauguration of the L9 will be this morning at about 10 am with a trip by Carles Puigdemont, President of the Generalitat, and all of the official delegation, from Zona Universitaria station to the T1. The event will have all of the solemnity of a major government milestone, as it has invested 2.899 billion of its own money despite the austerity policies current in place. Today, however, not only will the value of the investment become evident, but it will also be a tribute to Catalan engineering, which has achieved such a feat with this project that it is now being copied around the world. Cutting-edge technology The solutions devised for drilling through the irregular and variable underground layers of Barcelona, lHospitalet, and El Prat employed previously untried techniques. Indeed, the two main tunneling machines had to be custom made, and involved leading-edge technology for that time. "This L9 is a great success for Catalan engineering; all of the technicians and engineers that participated are now working around the world with the same system for construction of underground trains", proudly explained Jordi Jubany, former director of Geology and Subterranean Works of the Generalitat, and the only Territory department worker who was still employed by the Catalan ministry since the start of the L9 project in 1999, and who just retired on December 11, 2015. Jubany, who looks on the inauguration today with the love of one who is watching a child born, spoke with ARA about how it all began: "Back in 1999 was the first time that the Generalitat proposed a major metro project (the basic network was built before 1980), as all that they had done to that point had been short extensions. The L2 isnt a project wholly of the Generalitat either, as half of its infrastructure was done in the mid-70s, but was on hold and was recovered for the 1992 Olympic games in the city". To finish the L9, the Zona Franca branch and the central section still remain. In this final section there are only 4 kilometers remaining to excavate-- between Lesseps and Manuel Girona. According to Jubany, the remaining stretches could take one year to complete. The Spanish Minister's tantrum The Catalan authorities had not planned to invite any member of the Spanish government to todays inauguration, as all of the L9 had been paid for exclusively with money from Generalitats budget. When the Development Minister, Ana Pastor, learned on Wednesday that the Catalan government had invited Sonia Corrochano, director of the El Prat airport --which belongs to Aena and, as such, to the Spanish government-- and not her, she phoned demanding to be invited. The Catalan protocol office yesterday extended the invitation to Pastor, but in spite of this the minister said publicly, playing the victim, that the Generalitat had banned her. This resulted in the Development Ministry prohibiting TV3 (Catalonias public TV network) from broadcasting the evening news from the airport, although they lifted the ban at the last minute. In addition, late in the day Pastor declined the invitation, and will be represented today by her deputy, Julio Gomez-Pomar, the Spanish Secretary of State for Infrastructures. Le CBD, cette molecule active du cannabis a aujourdhui le vent en poupe. Et cela est en grande partie du au fait quil permet... Best Education Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Education category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. Best Computer Products and Services Would you like to submit an article in the Computer category or any of the sub-category below? Click here to submit your article. Would you like to have your product or service listed on this page? Contact us. 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(5) Sep 25 (7) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (3) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (1) Sep 19 (1) Sep 18 (2) Sep 15 (1) Sep 13 (2) Sep 11 (1) Sep 06 (2) Sep 05 (1) Sep 04 (1) Aug 31 (1) Aug 30 (2) Aug 28 (1) Aug 23 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 17 (1) Aug 16 (2) Aug 14 (1) Aug 10 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 02 (2) Jul 25 (1) Feb 14 (1) Celebrating Mass at the Marian Shrine of Guadalupe, the largest in the world, Francis mentioned the "preferential option" for the Virgin, who appears to Little Juan "not against anyone but rather in favour of everyone. He calls on people to be my ambassador by walking along the paths of your neighbourhood to build shrines. Guadalupe (AsiaNews) On the first full day of his visit to Mexico, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe in Mexico City. The shrine is the most visited Marian pilgrimage site in the world where the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico, the Americas, and the Philippines, is venerated. In his homily, he said that those who suffer do not weep in vain. These ones are a silent prayer rising to heaven, always finding a place in Marys mantle. In her and with her, God has made himself our brother and companion along the journey; he carries our crosses with us so as not to leave us overwhelmed by our sufferings. Francis is very attached to this site, and after Mass, he stopped for half an hour to pray in front of the icon of the original Madonna (pictured). After commenting on the Gospel, which commemorates Marys visit to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, the pope mentioned how Mary did not feel privileged by the encounter with the angel or compelled to break away from normal life. On the contrary, it renewed and inspired an attitude for which Mary is, and always, will be known: she is the woman who says yes, a ye of surrender to God and, at the same time, a yes of surrender to her brothers and sisters. This is the yes which prompted her to give the best of herself, going forth to meet the others. The Gospel passage has special significance in Guadalupe. Mary, the woman who gave her yes, wished also to come to the inhabitants of these American lands in the person of the Indian Saint Juan Diego. Just as she went along the paths of Judea and Galilee, in the same way she walked through Tepeyac, wearing the indigenous garb and using their language so as to serve this great nation. Just as she made herself present to little Juan, so too she continues to reveal herself to all of us, especially to those who feel, like him, worthless (cf. Nican Mopohua, 55). This specific choice, we might call it preferential, was not against anyone but rather in favour of everyone. The little Indian Juan who called himself a leather strap, a back frame, a tail, a wing, oppressed by anothers burden (Ibid.), became the ambassador, most worthy of trust. On that morning in December 1531, the first miracle occurred which would then be the living memory of all this Shrine protects. On that morning, at that meeting, God awakened the hope of his son Juan, and the hope of his People. On that morning, God roused the hope of the little ones, of the suffering, of those displaced or rejected, of all who feel they have no worthy place in these lands. On that morning, God came close and still comes close to the suffering but resilient hearts of so many mothers, fathers, grandparents who have seen their children leaving, becoming lost or even being taken by criminals. Little Juan, universal symbol of all of us, experienced in his own life what hope is, what the mercy of God is. He was chosen to oversee, care for, protect and promote the building of this Shrine. On many occasions, he said to Our Lady that he was not the right person; on the contrary, if she wished the work to progress, she should choose others, since he was not learned or literate and did not belong to the group who could make it a reality. Mary, who was persistent with that persistence born from the Fathers merciful heart said to him: he would be her ambassador. This way, she managed to awaken something he did not know how to express, a veritable banner of love and justice: no one could be left out in the building of that other shrine, the shrine of life, the shrine of our communities, our societies and our cultures. We are all necessary, especially those who normally do not count because they are not up to the task or they do not have the necessary funds to build all these things. Gods Shrine is the life of his children, of everyone in whatever condition, especially of young people without a future who are exposed to endless painful and risky situations, and the elderly who are unacknowledged, forgotten and out of sight. The Shrine of God is our families in need only of the essentials to develop and progress. The Shrine of God is the faces of the many people we encounter each day . . . Visiting this Shrine, the same things that happened to Juan Diego can also happen to us. Look at the Blessed Mother from within our own sufferings, our own fear, hopelessness, sadness, and say to her, What can I offer since I am not learned? We look to our Mother with eyes that express out thoughts: there are so many situations which leave us powerless, which make us feel that there is no room for hope, for change, for transformation. And so, some silence does us good as we pause to look upon her (at this point, the pontiff recites and has others recite a liturgical hymn dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe. And in looking at her, we will hear anew what she says to us once more, What, my most precious little one, saddens your heart? (Nican Mopohua, 107). Yet am I not here with you, who have the honour of being your mother? (Ibid., 119). Mary tells us that she has the honour of being our mother, assuring us that those who suffer do not weep in vain. These ones are a silent prayer rising to heaven, always finding a place in Marys mantle. In her and with her, God has made himself our brother and companion along the journey; he carries our crosses with us so as not to leave us overwhelmed by our sufferings. In concluding, Francis said, the one I send to build many new shrines, accompany many lives, [and] wipe away many tears. Simply be my ambassador by walking along the paths of your neighbourhood, of your community, of your parish; we can build shrines by sharing the joy of knowing that we are not alone, that Mary accompanies us. Be my ambassador, she says to us, giving food to the hungry, drink to those who thirst, a refuge to those in need, clothe the naked and visit the sick. Come to the aid of your neighbour, forgive whoever has offended you, console the grieving, be patient with others, and above all beseech and pray to God. Am I not your mother? Am I not here with you? Mary says this to us again. Go and build my shrine, help me to lift up the lives of my sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters. A 30-year-old man is in jail after causing up to $30,000 worth of damage to a former military aircraft that he thought belonged to Microsoft founding partner Paul Allen. The man was spotted inside the fence at Arlington Municipal Airport, north of Seattle, allegedly breaking pieces off the exterior of a Dornier Alpha Jet, a French/German-built trainer and light attack aircraft. But the aircraft doesnt belong to Allen. Its one of several used by Abbatare Inc. to offer type training. Allen does own an Alpha Jet. It was used as a chase plane for Scaled Composites successful suborbital space flight that won the Ansari X Prize. Allen was the financial backer on that effort. The suspect, who Arlington Police described as deranged and unpredictable in a statement to the Bellingham Herald, apparently told police later that he thought Allen was in violation of federal law by possessing a military aircraft. Someone saw a man by the aircraft just before midnight on Feb. 2 and called police. When they arrived, they managed to coax him into climbing back over the fence to lie on the ground. They found pieces of an airplane in his pockets and on the ground around the airplane. Its not clear exactly what equipment was damaged although the police said some of the shards of plastic recovered from the man covered some ejector equipment. Technicians are assessing the damage but airport officials told the Herald the bill could reach $30,000. The police havent said what, if any, charges will be laid. 14 February 2016 10:05 (UTC+04:00) The political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom have been held in London. Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov headed Azerbaijani delegation, while the UK delegation was chaired by Minister of State for European Affairs David Lidington. The parties applauded level of political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Great Britain. Khalaf Khalafov said such format created an opportunity for exchanging views over various aspects of bilateral relations. The Deputy FM stressed the importance of arranging the high-level political contacts in terms of deepening the bilateral cooperation. Mr. Khalafov highlighted the current level of cooperation in humanitarian and cultural fields. The Deputy Minister also provided an insight into the causes and consequences of Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. David Lidington spoke about to the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom said that his country attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan and stressed the existence of wide potential in terms of further expansion of dynamically developing bilateral cooperation. He said the United Kingdom would continue to strongly support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and emphasized the absence of any contact with the self-proclaimed regime. The Minister of State also applauded the contribution of Azerbaijan in fighting against the international terrorism. They also exchanged views on geopolitical processes undergoing in Southern Caucasus, Caspian and Central Asia regions. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 11:40 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has attended the Panel Discussion "Climate and Energy Security: Is the Heat Still on?" of the Munich Security Conference. First lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and her daughter Leyla Aliyeva also participated in the event. A three-day Munich Security Conference is attended by heads of states and governments from over 30 countries, about 60 ministers, as well as politicians, scientists and heads of international organizations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 14:00 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani, Russian and Turkish schools have signed a sistership agreement as part of an international multiculturalism winter school at Baku Slavic University (BSU). The agreement was signed by Rahila Abbasova (Baku, school No 189), Aleksandr Drozdov (Moscow, school No 1273), Yonca Acun (Ankara, secondary school after Heydar Aliyev), and Kamran Aliyev (Lyceum Complex under BSU). Speaking at the signing ceremony, State Advisor on International Affairs, Multiculturalism and Religion Kamal Abdullayev congratulated the Azerbaijani, Russian and Turkish schools on the signing of the agreement. The President of Azerbaijan declared 2016 the Year of Multiculturalism. By this Azerbaijan mounted a challenge to the entire world that multicultural values such as humanity, mercy and generosity have been preserved and will further be promoted in the country, he said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 14:21 (UTC+04:00) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a visit to Azerbaijan Feb. 18, Anadolu agency reported. Erdogan will participate at the meeting of Azerbaijan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Azerbaijan's Ganja. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Turkey in 2015 neared $1.48 billion of which $1.17 billion accounted for import from Turkey, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee. The trade turnover between the countries reduced by 17.5 percent compared to the previous year. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 10:38 (UTC+04:00) The 11th round of human rights talks between Iran and Japan was held in Tehran on February 13, Irans ISNA news agency reported. The Iranian delegation was headed by Mansureh Sharifi Sadr, foreign minister advisor and the director of foreign ministry department for human rights and womens affairs. The two parties discussed policy and held measures regarding the human rights as well as issues of mutual concern. The Iranian and Japanese delegations also talked about the cooperation with the United Nations regarding the issue. The experts from the two sides also exchanged views about the judicial systems of their countries. The next round of the talks is scheduled to be held in Tokyo next year. The 10th Japan- Iran human rights dialogue was held in Tokyo in 2014. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 11:44 (UTC+04:00) Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Tehran on an official visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials, Press TV reported. Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Mahama arrived in Tehran on Saturday night at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani. The Ghanaian president was welcomed at Tehran Mehrabad airport by Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati who chairs the Iranian side of Iran-Ghana joint commission. President Rouhani will officially welcome his Ghanaian counterpart on Sunday. The visit is the first by a Ghanaian president to Iran in 37 years. Mahama is set to hold talks with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, his Iranian counterpart as well as Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani. On Monday, he will also attend a trade and economic meeting of businessmen and enterprises from the two countries. Speaking to IRIB earlier on Saturday, Irans Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Iran attaches great importance to enhanced relations with African countries. He added that the two countries officials will issue a joint statement and sign documents for cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, oil and energy, legal assistance, renewable energy and cocoa procession. Mahama's trip comes in a series of visits by world leaders to Tehran after the implementation of a nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015. Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia plus Germany started to implement the JCPOA on January 16. After the JCPOA went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran, in return, has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. The nuclear agreement was signed on July 14, 2015 following two and a half years of intensive talks. 14 February 2016 12:56 (UTC+04:00) Despite the outstanding disagreements between Tehran and Ankara over gas prices, Iran and Turkey appear reluctant to spoil trade ties. As soon as the reports regarding the International Court of Arbitrations verdict on gas dispute between Tehran and Ankara appeared, a number of international and local media outlets devoted some space for the story covering various angles, but some bias and hasty. Iranian conservative media that basically is after picking faults with moderate President Hassan Rouhanis administration raised its voice criticizing Rouhani for the loss while a number of international media highlighted Turkeys win against Iran giving the sense that the ties between the two traditional partners are coming into conflict. According to a deal inked in 1996 between Tehran and Ankara, Iran is committed to provide Turkey with some 30 million cubic meters of gas per day. Back in March 2012 Ankara filed a complaint against Iran in the International Court of Arbitration requesting for a 25 percent price reduction. The controversy stirred up in early February when media sources reported that the court has ruled in favor of a 10-15 percent price discount. Although the controversy seems to many as a sore point in the ties of the neighboring countries, Iran-Turkey ties are here to continue given the considerable trade turnover over the past several years as well as $10 billion gas trade per year. The trade turnover between the countries was $13.71 billion in 2014 and $9.76 billion in 2015. Although the trade turnover dropped by 29 percent in 2015 compared to the preceding year, many observers believe that the decline came amid global economic crisis ruling out the role of the political and economic disagreements in the decline. Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Alireza Bikdeli has forecasted a profitable year for Iran and Turkey describing the ties between the neighboring countries as friendly. A profitable year [Iranian new year to start March 21] is coming. The train of ties between Iran and Turkey will keep moving on the rails of friendship, Bikdeli wrote on his Facebook page. On the other hand the Turkish presidential administration has told Trend that Tehran is Ankaras economic partner. Now with the new economic and political developments in the world including the partial removal of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic and also the sharp decline in oil prices as well as global financial crisis, preparing a new economic plan including a revision of gas prices seems as a crucial step on the path to cement economic ties between Tehran and Ankara. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 12:38 (UTC+04:00) A 60-member Iranian trade delegation is preparing to visit Germany to discuss the ways of increasing bilateral economic relations. President of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce Masould Khansari would head the Iranian delegation, IRNA reported on Feb.14. Iranian companies, businessmen and member of the Chamber of Commence would meet German industrial and agricultural companies, economic officials of Bavaria including the Union of Bavarian Economy during the 5-day visit in Berlin and Munich. Two delegations from Niedersachsen and Bavaria visited Iran in fall. According to Iran Custom Administration's statistics, Germany exported $1.43 billion to Iran and imported $248 million from this country during 10 months of current fiscal year, which started on March 21, 2015. The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Tehran in early February. German Minister of Economy Sigmar Gabriel also visited Iran in July 2015. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 14 February 2016 17:09 (UTC+04:00) Iran wants to import technology from Russia to manufacture its own T-90 tank, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force General Kiomars Heidari said. He added that Irans plan for purchasing T-90 tank is not canceled, YJC news agency reported Feb. 14. Iran wants to transfer the technology of manufacturing the Russian tank to the country alongside with its purchase, Heidari said, adding the army has been ordered not to purchase the military equipments without importing the technology. Iran previously held talks with Russia regarding the purchase of the T90 tanks, however later abandoned the idea. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian army's ground forces said Feb. 2 that purchase of T-90 tank from Russia is not on Irans agenda, adding Tehran currently plans to use its domestic capacities to meet its demand for tanks. The Russian T-90 tank is one of our favorites, Pourdastan underlined. The country's Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Feb. 10 that Iran is manufacturing its own tank - Karrar, instead of purchasing Russian T90 tanks. Karrar has all the capabilities of the T90, Dehghan said, claiming that "it is more advanced than T90." According to some experts, the T-90 is more advanced in terms of its penetration capacity, fire power, navigation technology, fire control and guidance system, maneuverability, and sophisticated electronics compared to the existing tanks in Irans arsenal. The T-90 is considered to be among the 10 best main battle tanks in the world. Currently it is the most commercially successful main battle tank on the global market. Earlier deputy director general of Russian Uralvagonzavod company Alexey Zharich said that his company proposed to license production of T-90 in Iran if the UN sanctions on the country are lifted. Under international restrictions, Iran has turned to domestic talents to improve its military power, frequently unveiling new products. Since 1992, Iran has been manufacturing its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radar, boats, submarines and fighter aircraft. Iran also unveiled its first long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 2010. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 3.0 ( - - ): editor [at] bahrainmirror.com GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. The water crisis in Flint, Michigan is raising concerns in the Tampa area. After the Midwestern city found dangerous levels of lead in its water supplies, St. Petersburg city officials want to be sure their drinking water is safe. Not just if the water going to be sent to the front door is safe, City Councilman Karl Nurse said, But is it safe coming out of taps. During a city council meeting Thursday, Water Resources director Steve Leavitt assured city leaders the water was safe to drink, but Nurse said hed like the city to do more testing to be sure. Per federal regulations, the city tests the water in homes built between 1982 and 1988. However, Nurse said 85 percent of homes built in St. Pete were built during booms of the 1920s, 40s and 70s. Nurse would like to expand the testing group to include those homes. Hopefully we can get some tests done among a spectrum of buildings, which may lead to us knowing that things are fine or that theyre some older buildings that we have to take a look at, he said. Resident Tabitha Adams said her water quality is fine, but she wouldnt mind the city being extra cautious. I dont think its a bad idea, Adams said. Theres always room for upgrade and theres kids in the neighborhood. Im not trying to hit the panic button, Nurse said. But this is important and we need to be comfortable that we havent just assumed everything is fine. To meet federal standards, the city tests its water every three years. The next test is due in 2017, but the city has the ability to test sooner. Leavitt said the department is considering a sooner test. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When Rabbi Joshua Taub walks past the sliding doors of an Israeli airport on Feb. 22, he will be setting foot where religious equality for all Jews continues to be a struggle. Taub, a Reform Jew, later this month will meet with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and other leaders to discuss the status of minorities in Israel and other human rights issues at the 127th annual convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, North America's largest rabbinic organization. Although Reform Jews - and others who practice non-Orthodox Judaism - can become Israeli citizens under the Law of Return, they are not recognized religiously by the state, ruled by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. While in Israel, Taub will spend time with other Reform rabbis and discuss the progress that has been made and the hurdles theystill need to surmount to establish religious equality for Jews. "It's the irony of ironies that the only place where Jews are not equal is Israel," Taub said. This month's event will be the first time Taub, who leads Beaumont's Temple Emanuel, attends the meeting in Israel. The annual conference takes place in different cities in the U.S. or Canada, but every seven years the rabbis meet in Jerusalem to honor the sabbatical number, Taub said. In his six and a half years leading Temple Emanuel, Taub has spent almost as much time outside working with different religious groups to try to close discrimination gaps and address misinformation. One of his initiatives, called Love Thy Neighbor, is an annual interfaith Sabbath celebration that includes prayers, reflections and meditations from different religions and is open to all. "He is very passionate about being inclusive. He wants people to know that our congregation does not discriminate based on anybody's choices," said Allison Getz, who last week became the fifth generation to lead the temple as its president. Taub, who serves on the local Emergency Food & Shelter Program Allocations Committee and is a member of the Beaumont Rotary Club, regularly speaks at interfaith events. Taub blames many current religious tensions on overly rigid ideologies and lack of knowledge, he said. "Beaumont is a much more diverse town than most people are aware," he said. "Our community strengthens when we recognize that." Temple Emanuel has about 200 members - about 110 households - most of whom are older. Taub's involvement in Southeast Texas increases the temple's relevance among younger crowds, Getz said. "It's important to have a rabbi that sees our viability," she said. "This is all about tradition and wanting to see the temple and the Jewish religion thrive." MLibardi@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/ManuellaLibardi Stephen Fry has said Bafta parties have been tamed in recent years due to "buttoned-up and puritanical" guests. The host of the awards bash said the stars tend to be on their best behaviour and stick to just one drink. Fry, 58, will be presenting the glittering ceremony for the 11th time on Sunday night. Appearing on The Jonathan Ross Showon Saturday night, he said: "It is an odd thing that... after the Baftas all the parties are pretty sober and people behave. "People have one little drink and that's about it really, but if you went back to 20 years ago, 25 years ago, it was a very different story and I don't know why that is. "Obviously I have to say it is true that I don't do much of that kind of thing any more as I used to, and so it's not as if I really regret other people stopping but I wonder why it is, just as an intellectual, or if not exactly intellectual, a curious social question as to why... now everybody is so buttoned-up and puritanical." Ross suggested that the reason for the change could be that people worry about camera phones, and Fry said: "That is a very good point, that is a lot to do with it, isn't it?" Fry spoke about his first year of marriage to husband Elliott Spencer and said "it gets better every day". He told the show: "I still am (married). I think that may be a record in show business... It's fabulous." Bashing his ring against the desk to make a noise, Fry added: "That's my ring. It's terrific, it gets better every day. I'll sound really childish if I keep doing this but it's like a miracle really, it's just such a wonderful thing. "It ought not to make that much difference, it's merely the state recognising a relationship that could exist without the state recognising it and yet it does make a difference somehow, not because the state recognises it but because you somehow just become connected to all the people in history who have been married before." The scene of a deliberate fire in the Glencairn Crescent area of Belfast on February 14, 2016 in Belfast, Northern Ireland ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye). A 55-year-old man has been released following his arrest in a suspected arson attack which left a north Belfast home completely destroyed. He was the second man to have been arrested over the weekend in connection with arson on properties. The PSNI confirmed on Sunday that he had been released on police bail pending further enquiries. A blaze discovered at the home in Glencairn Crescent around 6.30pm on Saturday night was deliberately started, according to police. A PSNI spokeswoman added: "The house, which was empty at the time, was completely gutted. "DI Nigel Snoddy is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact detectives at the offices of Reactive and Organised Crime at Musgrave Police Station by calling 101. Information can also be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111." A 33-year-old man was also arrested on Saturday by detectives investigating an arson attack in Clarehill Lane in Holywood, Co Down. A shed was deliberately set alight shortly before 6.30am. The blaze quickly spread to a nearby oil tank and to a family home. The occupants, a young couple along with their four-year-old daughter, escaped upharmed. Mairia Cahill said she was abused by an IRA member Bobby Storey, the ex-IRA boss who told Sinn Fein representatives what to say on the Mairia Cahill sex-abuse scandal, has stepped down from his party position. Mr Storey is believed to have quit his position as Sinn Fein's northern chairman last month. Sinn Fein confirmed to local media last week that Storey had been replaced by Martin 'Duckster' Lynch, Gerry Adams's former chauffeur and bodyguard and another ex-IRA member. Lynch served 10 years' imprisonment in 1992 for having a Russian-manufactured rocket launcher, warheads, a US-manufactured Armalite rifle and Colt pistol and 121 rounds of ammunition. In November 2014, Storey sent out the memo to all Sinn Fein elected representatives in the Republic on how to respond to Mairia Cahill's revelations about the cover-up over her and other victims' rape and abuse by IRA men. The Storey memo appeared to sharply contradict Sinn Fein's repeated claim that it does not receive its orders from the 'overarching' IRA army council. Not one Sinn Fein representative veered from the IRA boss Storey's directions on how they should respond to the rape and abuse issue. In the memo, Storey directed all the party's reps, from town councillors to TDs and MEPs, saying: "Party activists should refrain from making any comment on social media sites or in any other way around the issue of the sexual abuse of Mairia Cahill." He said "elements of the media" would "attempt to misuse or misinterpret any comment", describing Ms Cahill's campaign for justice as "political opposition to Sinn Fein". Cahill described Storey's diktat to Sinn Fein representatives over the cover-up of her abuse as a child by a Belfast IRA man, who was subsequently moved out of the city by the organisation, as "obscene". In one of his few public appearances, Storey briefly addressed a rally in support of Gerry Adams in May 2014 after Adams had been arrested for questioning about the murder and disappearance of widowed mother-of-10 Jean McConville in 1972. She was subsequently shot dead and buried in an unmarked grave at a secret location. Storey said: "We have a message for the British government, for the Irish Government, for the cabal that is out there: we ain't gone away, you know", echoing Adams's words at another Belfast rally after the 1996 ceasefire had been announced. But last September, after the IRA murdered Kevin McGuigan (53) in the fall-out over money in the organisation, Storey went public again in a press conference with Gerry Adams, retracting his earlier sentiments and saying the IRA was no longer in existence and "has flew away like a butterfly". Storey was subsequently arrested and questioned about the McGuigan murder but released without charge. He grew up in north Belfast and served a total of 25 years' imprisonment for IRA offences. He was named in court in October 1998 as the IRA's director of intelligence during the trial of IRA spy Rose Marie McLaughlin, who worked as a primary school teacher in Bangor, Co Down and elicited information from children in her care whose parents were police officers. Storey was arrested following the discovery of McLaughlin's spying operation but was not charged with any offence. His successor, 'Duckster' Lynch is in his mid-50s and lives in a fortified house near the MI motorway in west Belfast. He is well known in Sinn Fein circles in Belfast but largely unheard of among the southern party membership. He has appeared in public debates and other events in west Belfast but not played any significant role in the party beyond that. Sinn Fein confirmed Lynch's selection to the position of northern chairman in a statement to the Belfast office of the Sunday World, adding that Storey had "taken up another officer role". The party has had control of west Belfast since Gerry Adams was first elected as MP in the mid-1980s. The constituency continues to top the league in the UK for the worst unemployment record and social conditions. Source: Sunday Independent Taoiseach Enda Kenny has vowed to get rid of the Universal Social Charge, increase welfare and hire another 10,183 doctors, nurses, gardai, teachers and social workers if put back in power. Launching the Fine Gael manifesto, the leader ruled out a coalition with Fianna Fail despite a slip in the latest opinion polls as the election campaign passes the halfway point. In a 10 billion euro package if put back into government, Mr Kenny vowed to abolish the USC taxes over five years while penalising 100,000 euro earners, introduce a minimum wage of 10.50 euro, bring in free GP for all children by 2019 and offer working parents a second free pre-school year and a 2,000 euro childcare grant for those with children aged nine months to 36 months. On welfare Fine Gael vowed to increase the old age pension by 25 euro a week and boost payments to carers, the disabled and sick by 2 0 euro a week. The policies also include 31,000 new apprenticeships, appointing case workers to everyone who has been out of work for more than a year, automatic voter registration for 18-year-olds and Seanad reform. Mr Kenny claimed other parties would risk the economic recovery. "We learned from the mistakes of past governments and now we want to finish the job in the people's interest," he said. "Now is not the time to take risks with Ireland's economy. This stage of recovery demands stability, security, cool heads and steady hands and a long term plan focused on building the recovery." At halfway point of the campaign the latest poll, by Red C for the Sunday Business Post, showed slight drops for Fine Gael and gains for Sinn Fein despite the party facing intense scrutiny over its justice policies. Fianna Fail marked the 11th day of the contest with an allegation that Fine Gael was abusing its position in the outgoing government to get support from the business community. Billy Kelleher, the opposition's director of elections, said the party had taken a "s inister turn". "In a development which is unprecedented in modern Irish politics it has been revealed that Fine Gael has been hosting party rallies at businesses who have gained significantly from state contracts and support by state agencies," he said. Fianna Fail have written to the s ecretary general to the Government calling for an investigation into the claims. Meanwhile, striking a chord with their current coalition partners, the Labour Party unveiled their latest ad with the focus on "stability and balance". Elsewhere, Sinn Fein focused on education with the party claiming it would reverse the austerity cuts which saw reductions in the numbers of special needs assistants and increased the pupil-teacher ratio. Among their initiatives are to reduce the ratio to 20:1 and to 15:1 for Deis schools in disadvantaged areas while also introducing 1,000 apprenticeships for trainee teachers. Spokesman Jonathan O'Brien said: "Studies show that one in five secondary school parents have to get loans in order to cover the costs of school. "Yet the Government continues to subsidise private schools with millions in taxpayers' money, reinforcing a two-tier system of education." Former Tui CEO Peter Long says co-operation with the EU is vital to protect tourists from terror attacks Britain will be punished by the EU for leaving because other countries will not want to see it "succeed" alone, Philip Hammond has warned. The Foreign Secretary delivered the stark message as he insisted negotiations over membership reforms will run "right to the wire" of a crunch summit in Brussels this week. The comments, in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, came as the sides began ramping up their campaigns with just four months to go until the likely referendum date. Two senior travel industry figures have cautioned that flight prices could rise and tourist safety could be compromised by Brexit. Mr Hammond said there were still "a lot of moving parts" in the draft deal tabled by European Council president Donald Tusk, but UK had already secured an exemption from "ever-closer union" and a "major breakthrough" on restricting migrant benefits. Other EU states recognised that Britain needed a "robust deal" in order to stay in. "Until a few weeks ago people were telling us it was impossible to have any kind of period in which we treated newly arrived migrants differently from people who were already here," Mr Hammond said. "But the text that is on the table recognises that there can be a period of four years in which people are treated differently. That is a major step forward. "What we have still got to discuss is what that difference in treatment precisely is ... I don't think that is going to get resolved before Thursday." Mr Hammond said the negotiations would go "right to the wire, with some of these things only being able to be decided by the heads of state and government on Thursday when they sit down in that room together". "If we can't get the deal we will carry on talking." Challenged that the proposals on the table fell short of the Tory manifesto pledge of a four-year ban on migrants claiming in-work benefits, Mr Hammond said: "Let's look at it in the round. There may be areas where we get more than we expected to get and areas where we get slightly less than we expected to get. But it would be absurd not to look at the package in the round. "Look at all the pluses, all the minuses and weigh the balance." Asked whether a one-year ban on in-work benefits for migrants would be enough to satisfy his party, Mr Hammond said: "A one-year period would not, definitely not, but we've got four years, a recognition that there can be different treatment for four years. "Getting agreement that we can treat new arrivals differently for a period of four years is a major breakthrough in challenging, as we have done, one of the sacred cows of European ideology." Mr Hammond said he feared that if the UK left it would have to forge new relationships with a very different EU. "What I think I fear and many people in Europe fear is that without Britain Europe would lurch in very much the wrong direction," he said. "Britain has been an enormously important influence in Europe, an influence for open markets for free trade ... "I think we would be dealing with a Europe that looked very much less in our image. I think the thing we have to remember is that there is a real fear in Europe that if Britain leaves the contagion will spread. "People who say we would do a great deal if we left forget that the countries remaining in the EU will be looking over their shoulder at people in their own countries saying, 'Well, if the Brits can do it, why can't we'. "They will not have an interest in demonstrating that we can succeed outside the EU." Mr Hammond also refused to be drawn on whether he thought Justice Secretary Michael Gove or London Mayor Boris Johnson would campaign to stay. "People want to wait and see what the deal is, and clearly there are one or two people whose minds probably are made up but I hope that there are others who are genuinely open to the deal that come back and considering their position on it," he said. "You will have to ask them. I can't speak for others." Writing in the Sunday Times, easyJet chief Carolyn McCall suggested Brexit could herald a return to the days when flying was "reserved for the elite". "The EU has brought huge benefits for UK travellers and businesses. Staying in the EU will ensure that they, and all of us, continue to receive them," she wrote. "How much you pay for your holiday really does depend on how much influence Britain has in Europe." Peter Long, former boss of the Tui travel group that owns Thomson and First Choice, insisted close co-operation with other EU states was essential to "protect the security of our holidaymakers". Mr Long, who was in charge of Tui when 33 of its customers were massacred by an Islamist gunman in Tunisia last year, said the atrocity had given him "many first-hand experiences of seeing how European governments, through their foreign offices, collaborate and work together in a crisis". Five previously Eurosceptic Labour figures, including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, ex-leader Lord Kinnock, Jack Straw and Margaret Beckett, have thrown their weight behind Mr Cameron's deal. In an open letter, they said the EU was "not perfect" but leaving would be a "huge risk". All five campaigned against remaining in Europe in the 1975 referendum. But Liam Fox, the Eurosceptic former cabinet minister, hit out at "scaremongering" by the In campaign. "Those that wish to remain in the EU should make the positive case for the supranational European project rather than frightening people," he said. Vote Leave spokesman Robert Oxley said: "It's such a shame to see pro-EU voices resorting to negative campaigning tactics based on little more than fear and falsehoods. "Those who want us to stay in at all costs are re-writing history by wrongly attributing the hard-won successes of business and successive governments to our political membership of the EU. "It's also deeply regrettable to try to invoke the terrible events in Tunisia in an attempt to scare people into sticking with Brussels. The safe option is to Vote Leave. " The peer Mr Cameron tasked with taking the referendum legislation through the House of Lords has also announced that he will be voting to Leave. Lord Dobbs, creator of House Of Cards, dismissed the premier's renegotiation as "a mouse that barely squeaks, let alone roars". Graham Brady, chair of the influential Tory backbench 1922 Committee, warned Mr Cameron against trying to restrain sceptical ministers from speaking out immediately after a deal. If an agreement is reached at the summit, the PM is expected to start making the case for it at a press conference in Brussels and then in TV interviews. Mr Brady insisted there should be a Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue on Saturday or even Friday night. "I think that is absolutely essential," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme. "It is in everybody's interests to do this as quickly as possible and if it were to appear that David Cameron was seeking to have the whole weekend to himself to put one side of the argument, I think that would look bad for the Remain campaign. "People want an honest, fair debate, they want an honest, fair campaign, so I think it is in the interests of both sides to have an early cabinet meeting and to make sure that people who want to speak out, people who want to exploit the freedom of conscience that has rightly been agreed, can do so as soon as possible." Doctors have spoken of their anger after being told an event with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had been cancelled when it had actually been relocated to a new venue. Mr Hunt had been due to attend a "drinks and canapes" evening on Friday organised by Fareham Conservatives with tickets on sale for 15. But on the day of the event at the Lysses House Hotel in Fareham, a notice went up on the Fareham Conservatives' website stating that it had been cancelled. It had actually been relocated for a members-only event because of security concerns over "the very real threat of disturbance". Dr Kathryn Carey-Jones, who had bought a ticket to the event, said she felt she had been lied to. She wrote on Facebook: "Tonight just hours before I was due to meet Jeremy Hunt in Fareham I was told the event was cancelled and that I would be refunded next week .. but it wasn't cancelled, the venue was changed and went ahead without us. "I could have accepted being told I am 'not allowed' to attend given recent events but I was lied to to keep me away. "This is dishonesty at its best and would not be accepted from a doctor to a politician. If this is the way the local conservatives treat their local doctors what can we expect from the rest? Imagine if we lied to the public like this." Thomas Fyfe, chairman of Fareham Conservative Association, told the Portsmouth News: "Because of the very real threat of disturbance from groups circulating details of our planned reception with Jeremy Hunt, the advertised event was cancelled on security grounds. "A smaller private event for party members to meet Mr Hunt was held instead at another location. We regret the inconvenience caused to those who had bought tickets and were unable to attend, all of whom will be offered a full refund." David Chadwick has surrendered to Suffolk Police in Lowestoft and will be returned to prison An on-the-run paedophile has been arrested after handing himself into police. David Chadwick, 58, who was released from prison recently after being jailed three years ago for child sex offences, was being hunted by Dorset Police after breaching his licence conditions. Detectives said Chadwick surrendered to Suffolk Police in Lowestoft on Saturday evening. He will be returned to prison. He had been wanted by Dorset Police since Wednesday and had been travelling around the county by public transport and hitchhiking before leaving the area. It was thought he could have been heading to Norwich. Detective Inspector Joe Williams said on Saturday night: "Earlier this evening David Chadwick presented himself to police officers working in Lowestoft, Suffolk. He will be immediately recalled to prison. "I would like to thank members of the public, as well as the media, for their assistance in this investigation." John Leslie said police have informed him he will not be charged following claims of sexual assault Former TV host and radio presenter John Leslie has said he has been cleared by police over claims of sexual assault. The former Blue Peter, This Morning and Wheel of Fortune presenter was questioned in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a 22-year-old woman in Edinburgh last year. Mr Leslie told the Sunday Mirror police had informed him three days ago he would not face action over the claims. The presenter said he expected to receive paperwork that will formally end the investigation this week, but until that point the file would officially stay open. He spoke of his relief and his anger about the impact the allegations had on his family and career. Mr Leslie told the newspaper: "The police have informed me there will be no further action and I will not be charged. "While I am glad to be cleared, I have served a hefty punishment for a crime that never was. The damage to my parents and to me is incalculable." He added: "It's so clearly not fair. I'm an innocent man and I'm thrown to the wolves." A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Police in Edinburgh are continuing to investigate the circumstances following a report of a sexual assault of a 22-year-old woman, which took place between Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20 in Edinburgh." John Swinney is holding talks to break the deadlock over the fiscal framework accompanying the Scotland Bill Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney has said agreement can be reached this week on financial rules underpinning new devolved powers. Mr Swinney and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands will hold further talks in an effort to break the deadlock over the fiscal framework accompanying the Scotland Bill. Time is running out for a deal that would set out how Scotland's annual block grant from the Treasury should be adjusted to take into account new tax powers. The deadline for agreement has already been pushed back, with Holyrood's Devolution Committee warning that any delay past February 19 would have "very substantial impacts" on the ability of MSPs to effectively scrutinise the framework. The Scottish Government tabled new proposals on Friday which it said would address UK Government concerns over fairness to taxpayers across the rest of the UK. Any deal must meet the principles of taxpayer fairness and "no detriment'' - the idea that neither government should gain or lose financially simply as a result of the powers being devolved. The Scottish Government believes a method known as per capita indexed deduction, which would take into account the fact that Scotland's population is growing more slowly than the rest of the UK, is the best way of meeting the no detriment principle. The UK Government says a deal must be fair to all taxpayers and ''no detriment'' does not mean ''no risk''. Mr Swinney said: "The fiscal framework must remain true to the Smith Agreement which said the Barnett Formula will remain and that Scotland and the rest of the UK should be no better or worse off as a result of having new powers. "This week I will discuss our revised offer, which addresses every point the Chief Secretary has raised. It ensures that the Scottish budget will bear financial responsibility for the exercise of the proposed powers, and that taxpayers in the rest of the UK are no better or worse off as a result of the new powers being devolved. "No-one should be in any doubt that there remain very significant issues that are yet to be resolved. These issues are integral to the Smith Commission agreement and must be fulfilled. "Our proposal is with the Treasury and I hope and believe we can now agree this issue, and the remaining outstanding issues, this week." The SNP administration says Scotland stands to lose about 3 billion over 10 years under plans put forward by the Treasury. The party said that was the equivalent of the salaries of 8,000 nurses or 6,000 police officers each year. Last week F irst Minister Nicola Sturgeon dismissed an offer from the Treasury, which included 4.5 billion of compensation for the impact of population growth, spread over 10 years, as "not new or serious". In a letter to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, Mr Hands said the proposal was "fair for taxpayers in Scotland, fair for taxpayers in the rest of the UK, and built to last". A UK Government spokeswoman said: "The UK Government is absolutely committed to implementing the Smith Agreement in full and will continue to speak with the Scottish Government in the coming days. "The offer we have placed on the table is in line with the no detriment principles and would have delivered more funding for the Scottish Government than the existing Barnett Formula since devolution in 1999. "From the outset our position on the fiscal framework has been clear - we stand ready to do a deal that is fair for Scotland and fair for the rest of the UK." Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has paid tribute to "true Liberal" former MP Lord Avebury, who has died aged 87. Eric Avebury, known for campaigning for democratic and human rights, represented Orpington for eight years after winning a Commons by-election for the Liberals in 1962. He inherited the title of Baron Avebury in 1971, and was elected to remain in the Upper House when most other hereditary peers were ejected in 1999. The father-of-five, a Buddhist and supporter of the National Secular Society, had been suffering from leukaemia and died at home in London. Mr Farron said: "He was a true Liberal who will be remembered as much for his unyielding commitment to fighting for Liberal causes as his sensational by-election victory in Orpington in 1962. "He campaigned to lower the voting age, founded the Parliamentary Human Rights Group and fought for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, taking up the cases of hundreds of individuals fleeing persecution. "He was a committed internationalist, regularly promoting human rights around the world. He was a strong supporter of citizenship rights for British minorities in Hong Kong and campaigned against the persecution of religious minorities across many countries. "It was a personal honour for me to speak at the 50th anniversary of his by-election victory at the National Liberal Club. "The Liberal Democrats have lost a great campaigner, a great friend and a true champion of the Liberal cause." Akhtar Javeed, who was shot in the neck during an armed raid A woman arrested by detectives investigating the murder of businessman Akhtar Javeed has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The 19-year-old was detained by West Midlands Police late on Friday at an address in Leicester on suspicion of assisting an offender. Officers are continuing to question two men aged 18 and 26, who were arrested in Derby and Leicester, on suspicion of murdering Mr Javeed. The father-of-four, aged 56, was shot in the neck during an attempted robbery at a drinks distribution warehouse in Digbeth, Birmingham, on February 3. Detective chief inspector Martin Slevin, who is leading on the investigation, said: "I continue to appeal to people to come forward, I firmly believe that someone out there may still have information that could help our investigation and I am urging them to call me or one of my team." Mr Javeed's family, who live in east London, continue to be supported by specialist officers. Detectives have seized a silver Renault Megane as part of the inquiry, having appealed for sightings of a car seen leaving Rea Street South with its lights off shortly after the shooting. Serial killer Levi Bellfield has accused Surrey Police of giving "no thought" to Milly Dowler's family after the force said he had confessed to her killing. The 47 year old, who is serving a whole-life sentence after being convicted in 2011 of murdering the teenager, denied making the admission in a letter seen by the Sun on Sunday. And he said the public announcement by police had also shown no regard for his own family, who were "innocent parties caught in the crossfire". It comes after his solicitor Julie Cooper reportedly contacted Surrey Police to suggest that "covert" recordings were made during a prison interview and demand access to the tape and notes from the meeting. In a letter to a journalist written under the name Yusuf Rahim, Bellfield said he was "surprised and disappointed" when news of the confession emerged, adding he had not spoken to officers since "early last year". Referring to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace) - the legislation which governs police interviews - he said: "Under Pace, I have made no admission to murder. This is fact." "It is with deep regret that Surrey Police can release such appalling information so publically with no thought to the victims' families, and my family who are innocent parties caught in the crossfire." He then referred to his Muslim faith, saying "this is between me and the Almighty Allah". The letter is dated February 9, almost two weeks after Surrey Police's announcement and one day before the Dowler family spoke out over their "torment and pain" at the harrowing detail of his crimes. Milly was snatched from the street while on her way from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002. Her body was found in a wood in Yateley Heath, Hampshire - 25 miles from Walton-on-Thames. Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing her following a trial at the Old Bailey. He was already in jail for the murders of Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, when he went on trial accused of killing Milly. In 2008 he had been given a whole-life term for murdering Ms McDonnell, 19, in 2003, and murdering Ms Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Ms Sheedy, 18, in 2004. A grieving mother is to embark on a year-long coastal walk in memory of her daughter who suddenly died last year. Natalia Spencer is starting her "Walk of Love" on Valentine's Day to pay tribute to her five-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who died just before Christmas after a rare auto-immune disease sparked by a common virus caused her organs to shut down. The 41-year-old will set off from the beach at Durdle Door in Dorset at around midday on Sunday to tackle six thousand miles of Britain's coastline in a clockwise loop around mainland Britain. The spot is special to Ms Spencer, who is originally from Ukraine, as it is there that she last visited the seaside with her late daughter. She said of the challenge: "I am not nervous - I feel good about it. This is a very easy thing to do after what I have been through. "Am I brave? I don't know. I don't feel brave, I am just dealing with the situation because there is not much I could do. "She was my whole entire life - all my routine was around her. There was nothing left for me. "She will be with me every step of the way. We will do it together." The girl was put on life support but died after a 17-day fight for her life in the intensive care unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in December. Ms Spencer is hoping to raise 100,000 for the Wallace And Gromit Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity. She added she is also planning something to mark her daughter's birthday in May, but this will depend on where she has reached on her journey. Asked if she had a message for other bereaved parents, Ms Spencer said she would love for them to join her for part of the walk, which she hopes to complete in time for the anniversary of Elizabeth's death. To sponsor the walk visit: www.elizabethsfootprint.com. Stacy Martin attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Ridley Scott and Giannina Facio attend the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) British model Lily Donaldson poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. AFP / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images Lily Donaldson attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Poppy Jamie attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Annabelle Wallis attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher attend the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) US actor Matt Smith poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images Rooney Mara attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) Australian actress Cate Blanchett poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. AFP PHOTO / JUSTIN TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images British actress Gemma Chan poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. AFP / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke attends the EE British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images) The Revenant has dominated the Baftas by winning three of the biggest awards including best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio. The outdoor epic was also named best film, while Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu received the best director gong. DiCaprio, 41, hailed the influence of British actors on his career, including Tom Courtenay, Gary Oldman and his co-star Tom Hardy, as he collected his first Bafta. He also paid tribute to his mother on her birthday and after the ceremony he called Kate Winslet his "home girl". The American, who is hoping to land his first Oscar later this month, said on stage: "I'm absolutely honoured by this award tonight. I have to say as an actor I've been so influenced by so many British actors throughout the years. "I want to thank one in particular British actor and that was my partner in this process - Mr Tom Hardy. "I want to thank you for your fierce loyalty, not only as a collaborator but as a friend. I could not have done this journey without you." Paying tribute to his mother, he added: "There's one person I have to thank. I would not be standing up here if it weren't for this person. "I didn't grow up in a life of privilege. I grew up in a very rough neighbourhood in East Los Angeles. And this woman drove me three hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity. It's her birthday today - Mom, happy birthday, I love you very much." DiCaprio beat last year's winner Eddie Redmayne, who was nominated for The Danish Girl, as well as Michael Fassbender, Matt Damon and Bryan Cranston. Speaking after the ceremony, DiCaprio said he was "shocked and amazed, honoured", adding: "All of this was not expected tonight." Asked if he was looking forward to winning an Oscar, he said: "This is one thing that is absolutely beyond my control. We did the work, we put our heart and soul into this movie. I can't say we didn't put everything on the table creatively as an entire team in making this movie, so you know, it's up to the world now, and voters to decide." "But I'm really happy to be a part of a film like this, because I think that it's a genre, the epic sort of art house film is something that is basically becoming extinct in our industry. "And I think there's an urge from audiences around the world to see something that is like I said poetic and epic and existential and all of those things. "So I'm just happy that more people are going to hopefully finance films like this in future. That's my hope anyway." Asked about how he feels about all the support he has received from people wanting him to win an Oscar, including from his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet, he laughed at the idea of the actress being his "main groupie", and added: "It feels amazing, honestly. No, honestly, I have a true love for cinema. I have ever since I was a young teenager. "I grew up in this industry. Ironically I felt very detached from it even though I lived in East LA, in Hollywood. "I always felt like it was this distant thing that I couldn't touch. So to have worked in this industry ever since I was 13 years old, having done 20 some odd movies, to be here now, and have it be for a film like this that we've worked so very hard on really feels amazing." Asked about Winslet, he said: "Kate's my home girl." Mexican director Inarritu, who won the best director Oscar in 2015 for Birdman, said he was "overwhelmed" and described his Bafta win as "a true honour". Brie Larson was named best actress for her leading role in claustrophobic drama Room. The American, who was the overwhelming favourite for the award, was unable to attend the event because she was filming elsewhere. Collecting the award on her behalf, Room director Lenny Abrahamson said: "Brie, looking for a little bit of something light and nice to do after Room, is wrestling a large gorilla in Australia." He said she is "incredibly honoured" to receive the award and he described her as "one of the best actors of her generation". Winslet won the best supporting actress award for her performance in Steve Jobs, the biopic on Apple's co-founder. Collecting her third Bafta, Winslet, 40, hailed director Danny Boyle as "amazing" to work with and called the film's lead star Fassbender "an extraordinary actor". She also mentioned her husband Ned Rocknroll, saying: "Hi babe, happy Valentine's day." Fellow British star Mark Rylance was named best supporting actor for his role as a Russian spy in Bridge Of Spies. The film's director Steven Spielberg collected the award on his behalf as Rylance is performing in the off-Broadway play Nice Fish. Presenting the award, Australian actress Rebel Wilson had a dig at the Oscars diversity row. She said: ''Idris Elba you're making me nervous... I'm sociologically programmed to want chocolate on Valentine's Day.'' In a successful night for The Revenant, the film also received Baftas for cinematography and sound. Brooklyn, the Irish immigrant drama starring Saoirse Ronan, was named outstanding British film, while Amy took the documentary award. Asif Kapadia, who directed the documentary which told story of singer Amy Winehouse's life and premature death, said: "We really fell in love with her when making the film. And our aim and mission was really to try and tell the truth about her. To show the world what an amazing person she was, how intelligent, how witty, how beautiful she was, before it all kind of got out of control and went a bit crazy." Mad Max: Fury Road took the Baftas for editing and make-up and hair while the award for original music went to Ennio Morricone for The Hateful Eight. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was awarded for special visual effects. Mad Max: Fury Road won the Baftas for costume design and production design. The award for outstanding British contribution to cinema was given to a British costume supplier which has provided clothes for some of the most successful films in history including Star Wars, Titanic and Lawrence Of Arabia. Angels Costumes, founded in 1840, has worked with the film industry for more than a century. Operator took the prize for British short film while Edmond was named as best British short animation. The award for a film not in the English language went to Wild Tales. The ceremony, hosted by Stephen Fry, was staged at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, central London. Nigel Farage accepted a challenge to debate with Alex Salmond in the run up to the referendum on British membership of the EU Nigel Farage has accepted a challenge to debate with Alex Salmond in the run up to the in/out referendum on EU membership. Scotland's former first minister threw down the gauntlet to the Ukip leader during an interview on the Sky News Murnaghan programme. The SNP's foreign affairs spokesman said he would be "delighted" to take on Mr Farage "or any comer on the anti-European side". He told the programme: "I don't know if they've quite decided who they will be fielding yet. They seem to have spent a lot of time fighting with each other. "That's the sort of folk they are. But yes, of course you debate all comers in a referendum campaign. "If I may say so it has been Mr Cameron whose been tentative and sensitive about debating with people in recent history." A Ukip spokesman later said Mr Farage was "absolutely up for it" but that any debate should be broader than just a one-to-one with Mr Salmond. He said: "Mr Salmond is no longer leader of the party, no longer leader in Scotland, no longer leader in Westminster and it should be broader than just Nigel and Salmond, because neither of them represent the whole argument." Mr Salmond, who stood down as first minister and SNP leader after the No vote to Scottish independence in 2014, also told the programme that the Prime Minister would have no choice but to resign in the event of a vote for Brexit. He said: "He won't have a choice in the matter. If he loses the referendum then he'll be shown the door as indeed will the Chancellor George Osborne. "It's untenable to try and maintain a position if you lose a referendum and, what is it they used to say in the Conservative Party a long time ago, you would have to do the honourable thing." Mr Salmond has branded Mr Cameron's EU renegotiation a "sham" and accused both sides in the debate of scaremongering. He said: "If we have that sort of debate over these next few weeks then I think there's a very real chance that the anti-Europeans will win. "If we have two campaigns that are scaremongering then in that case the biggest fearmongering tends to win. "The real danger is that the pro-European case, the real case about this country's position in Europe is not being made." A major search operation has been launched for a junior doctor who has gone missing. Dr Rose Polge, 25, who works at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, Devon, has not been seen since Friday. Police and coastguard have been searching for Dr Polge after her car was discovered in a car park near Ansteys Cove. Martin Ringrose, interim director of human resources at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are aware that one of our junior doctors is missing. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very distressing time. "We will do whatever we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance and searching for her, as well as providing support to her colleagues, who are anxious for her wellbeing." A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said officers, HM Coastguard and local rescue groups were currently looking for Dr Polge. "We are searching the Torquay coastal area around Ansteys Cove trying to find her," he said. Philip Hammond told The Andrew Marr Show that Russian warnings of a new 'world war' if states such as Saudi Arabia intervened on the ground in Syria were 'gross exaggeration' (PA/BBC) Philip Hammond has accused Russia of "carpet bombing" civilians in Syria and dismissed the idea Bashar Assad's regime could regain control of the country. The Foreign Secretary said the situation in Aleppo was "extremely worrying" but denied opposition forces could be defeated by Moscow's air power. He also said Russian warnings of a new "world war" if states such as Saudi Arabia intervened on the ground were "gross exaggeration". The comments, in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, came as a fragile ceasefire deal struck in Munich last week threatened to unravel before it is even implemented. Mr Hammond said Russian President Vladimir Putin was the "one man on this planet who can end the civil war by making a phone call". He said it was "wrong" to claim the "moderate" opposition to the Syrian regime had been crushed. "Russian air attack has caused attrition against the opposition," he said. "There are about 150,000 moderate opposition fighters. I wouldn't call them all democratic but moderate opposition fighters on the ground. "The Russians have launched ferocious air attacks, rapidly increasing the intensity of them over the last few weeks and that has forced them out of some of the positions they controlled. "But the important thing is the Syrian regime does not have the forces, does not have the strength and the organisation to take control of those areas. So, it is a bit of a stalemate. "They can force the opposition to give ground but the regime has not found itself able to take and control that ground." Mr Hammond said the pummelling of the opposition stronghold of Aleppo was "extremely worrying". "The Russians are using carpet bombing tactics, indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas held by oppositionists," he said. "We demand that the Russians comply with their obligations under international law, their obligations under UN Security Council resolutions that they have signed up to." Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has suggested the conflict could snowball into a "world war" if Saudi Arabia and others sent in troops to shore up the opposition. Mr Hammond said: "I think that is a gross exaggeration by the Russians. "The fact that there are Iranian forces on the ground in Syria is a deeply destabilising factor. "If the Russians are concerned about this, what they should be doing is prevailing on their Iranian allies to withdraw their forces from Syria." More than 130,000 hospital patients have been "boarded out" from hospital wards in the past two years, according to figures from Scottish Labour. The practice of moving a patient from a specialist ward to a ward treating different conditions can r esult in them staying in hospital longer and increases the risk of infections spreading, researchers have said. Freedom of information requests from Scottish Labour found health boards have moved more than 130,000 patients between wards. The party said the number could be higher with Tayside and Grampian health boards not providing information. Dundee University researchers examined boarding last year and said a reduction in bed numbers and a rise in hospital admissions had led to it becoming more common. The Scottish Government said it is working to reduce the practice. Scottish Labour said the figures "showed the huge strain our hospitals were under" and called for more investment in social care. The party's public services spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "These figures point to huge levels of stress in our hospitals. We know that only a third of NHS staff believe they have the resources to do their jobs properly. "This information suggests that too often there isn't enough space for patients to be treated in the appropriate ward. That is hugely concerning. "We know from the SNP Government's own research treating patients in the wrong ward more likely to increase patient risk. Questions have to be asked of Shona Robison about what she is doing to deal with this. "Scottish Labour would give our NHS established in the 1940s, the tools it needs to face the challenges of the 2040s. "This starts with substantial investment in social care. Greater investment in social care would take significant pressure off of our hospitals and that starts with delivering a national care workers' guarantee on wages, terms and conditions." A spokesman for Health Secretary Shona Robison said: "Scotland was the first among the UK nations to take a proactive approach to tackling the issue of boarding. We've investigated its causes and the effect it has on patients and are working closely with experts at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh to reduce the practice. "We recognise that peaks in demand may require use of beds flexibly at times, however we are working to ensure that NHS Boards are managing their capacity and ensuring that patients are admitted to the right beds at the right time with the right staff. "Key elements of our work to reduce boarding include freeing up capacity and easing pressure across the system. For example, our investment of 100m over three years in reducing delayed discharge is already seeing real results with a 13% reduction in bed days lost to patients ready to go home. "Labour should now commit to backing the Scottish Government's budget that will invest 250 million in social care and deliver a living wage for all social care staff - helping deliver integrated health and social care and see people cared for as close to home as possible." Civilian injuries in Afghanistan's long war with the Taliban rose last year, with women and children again bearing the brunt of the violence, the United Nations (UN) has said. A total of 3,545 civilians were killed in 2015 as a result of the war, a UN report said, with another 7,457 wounded. The figures mark a four per cent drop in civilian deaths but a nine per cent rise in injuries compared to 2014. The UN's Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said 2015 had the "highest number of total civilian casualties recorded by UNAMA since 2009". It also said 10% of civilian casualties were women, up 37% from the year before. It says 25% were children, up 14%. Most were caught in crossfire, it added. The annual Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict report is based on on-site investigations where possible. It attributed 62% of all civilian casualties to anti-government elements, which includes the Taliban, who have been fighting to overthrow the Kabul government for 15 years. Another 17% were blamed on pro-government forces and two per cent on international military forces. The US-Nato combat mission ended in 2014, with troops reduced to about 13,000. While they officially have a "train, advice, assist" mandate, the US forces regularly conduct air strikes to back up Afghan forces and are empowered for "force protection," which can see them engage in self-defensive combat. The UNAMA report highlighted large-scale attacks in the capital Kabul, particularly two suicide attacks on August 7 that it said caused 355 civilian casualties, including 43 dead and 312 wounded. "This was the highest number of civilians killed and injured in one day since UNAMA began systematically recording civilian casualties in 2009," it added. The suspects were said to be carrying more than a dozen guns and over 20,000 bullets Greek authorities have arrested two heavily-armed British men near the country's border with Turkey. A senior security source said the suspects were Iraqi-born British subjects in their 20s. The two, driving a trailer, were arrested on Saturday night by coastguard officers near the port of the north-eastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis. They were carrying more than a dozen guns and well over 20,000 bullets, the security official said. They are not on any terrorist or criminal database. Police counter-terrorism officers and National Intelligence Agency staff were heading to Alexandroupolis. A coastguard spokesman confirmed the arrests but would not provide further information. US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Albania to enact a major package of judicial and legislative reforms. Mr Kerry, returning to the US from a four-day trip to Germany, made a brief stop in the capital Tirana to urge the government and opposition parties to support the package, which is now pending in parliament. He said the reforms would be a significant step forward in Albania's bid to join the European Union (EU). The changes include the creation of an anti-corruption court and prosecutor's office as well as a national investigative body similar to the American Federal Bureau of Investigation. The US has provided 20 million dollars (13.7 million) in assistance to support the reforms and another five million dollars (3.4 million) is budgeted for this year. After meeting Mr Kerry, President Bujar Nishani said he had assured him of "Albania's determination against organised 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," Mr Rama said. The pending reform package is the latest effort to clean up what was once one of Europe's most dysfunctional governments. In December, Albania's 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. Mr Kerry praised Albania for its efforts so far but reminded Mr Rama and his government that more must be done. A tired Pope Francis is helped while navigating steps at the end of Mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City (AP) Pope Francis dons a Mexican charro style sombrero that given to him by a person in the crowd, in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo (AP) Pope Francis urged Mexicans to shun the devil and resist the temptations of wealth and corruption on Sunday as he celebrated an open-air Mass for hundreds of thousands of people in a drug- and violence-riddled city on the outskirts of Mexico's capital. "Let us get it into our heads: With the devil, there is no dialogue," he said at the biggest scheduled event of his five-day visit to Mexico. Francis brought a message of encouragement on the second full day of his trip to residents of Ecatepec, a poverty-stricken Mexico City suburb of some 1.6 million people where drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women, are a fact of life. "He's coming to Ecatepec because we need him here," said Ignacia Godinez, a 56-year-old housewife. "Kidnappings, robberies and drugs have all increased, and he is bringing comfort. His message will reach those who need it so that people know we, the good people, outnumber the bad." In a clear reference to the drug lords who hold sway in the city's sprawling expanses of cinderblock slums, Francis focused his homily on the danger posed by the devil. "Only the power of the word of God can defeat him," the pope said. In a final prayer, he urged Mexicans to make their country into a land of opportunity, not a place where young people are "destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death". Some 300,000 tickets were handed out for the Mass, the Mexican bishops' conference said. The faithful lined the pope's motorcade route to the huge field where the Mass took place, tossing flower petals as he passed by and cheering with pom-poms in the yellow and white of the Vatican flag. Vendors sold T-shirts, plates with Francis' image on them, pins, bandanas and cardboard-cutout figures of the pope. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in gangland violence since President Enrique Pena Nieto's predecessor launched an offensive against drug cartels shortly after taking office in late 2006. At least 1,554 women have vanished in Mexico State since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide, and last year the government issued an alert over the killings of women in Ecatepec and other parts of the state. Nevertheless, women who came to see Francis said they felt safe, thanks in part to the huge security presence. The government assigned more than 10,000 police, soldiers and members of the presidential guard to protect the motorcade and Mass. "I'm protected by my faith and the joy of seeing the pope up close," said Graciela Elizalde, 35, who arrived at the field Saturday evening and spent the night on the street, "and the thugs know that we the good people have come out to take the streets." She added: "The pope is not going to change things, but at least he will touch the hearts of those who do harm and are trying to destroy the country. He is the 'messenger of peace' because that's exactly what Mexico needs, not just Ecatepec." Conchita Tellez, 65, from the border city of Mexicali, expressed hope that Francis can help ease the troubled soul of the country. "The pope comes to Mexico at a very ugly moment," Ms Tellez said, "and he comes to pray for us and for all those who lost hope and have submerged the country in blood and violence." Francis' gruelling schedule seemed to be taking a toll on him on Saturday, when the 79-year-old pontiff appeared to nod off at an evening Mass and also lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him. He appeared much livelier on Sunday, beaming and waving at the crowds along his route. Francis' schedule Sunday included three popemobile motorcades and a visit to a paediatric hospital. "The poor and the working people are here, and this pope prefers to talk to the humble," 62-year-old Petra Arqueta said. Republican White House hopefuls have called for US president Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, following the death of ultra-conservative judge Antonin Scalia. Only Jeb Bush said Mr Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination", but added that he did not expect Mr Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage in the debate in Greenville, South Carolina, urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to (Senate majority leader) Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," billionaire businessman Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier Republican events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge right-wingers Mr Trump and Ted Cruz. Many Republican leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton told a dinner in Denver, Colorado, that Mr Obama had the right to nominate another justice. He "is president of the United States until January 20 2017. That is a fact my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not," she said. "Let's get on with it," said left-wing challenger Bernie Sanders, arguing that the Senate should vote on whoever Mr Obama nominated. Mr Trump and Mr Bush tangled in some of the night's most biting exchanges, highlighting the bad blood between the property mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Mr Trump accused Mr Bush's brother, former president George Bush, of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Mr Trump said. Mr Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Mr Trump, said that while he did not mind him criticising him - "It's blood sport for him" - he was "sick and tired of him going after my family". Mr Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. George Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston on Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Candidates used Mr Scalia's sudden death to raise the stakes for the general election. Mr Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. An uncompromising conservative, Texas senator Mr Cruz urged voters to consider who among the Republican candidates would nominate the most ideologically pure justices. Saturday's debate comes a week before South Carolina's primary. Mr Cruz and Mr Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Ohio governor John Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his Republican-led legislature. Mr Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. Mr Bush played the aggressor again, saying that Mr Kasich's actions amounted to "expanding Obamacare" - a deeply unpopular concept among Republicans. Earlier Vermont senator Mr Sanders used unusually blunt words to express frustration with Mrs Clinton, a former US secretary of state. "I am really stunned by some of the attacks we are getting from Secretary Clinton," he said. "Clearly they have been unravelled by the results in Iowa, by our victory in New Hampshire and the progress we are making all over this country." Turkey shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day Turkey shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day on Sunday, according to opposition activists. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group said two fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces - a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters - were killed and seven others wounded in the shelling. There was no immediate confirmation by the group, which is dominated by Kurdish fighters from the people's protection units known as the YPG. The group has seized a number of villages in the northern province of Aleppo near the Turkish border in recent days and appears poised to move to the border town of Azaz, an opposition stronghold. That has alarmed Turkey, which considers the group to be an affiliate of the Kurdish PKK movement which it considers to be a terrorist organisation. Opposition groups said on Saturday that Turkish troops fired artillery shells that targeted the Mannagh air base in Aleppo province, which was captured by Kurdish fighters and their allies earlier this week. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said late on Saturday his country's military fired at Kurdish fighters in northern Syria in response to a provocation along the border. He said Turkish forces retaliated against a Kurdish faction "that presented a threat in Azaz and its environs" in line with the country's rules of engagement. He accuses YPG of carrying out "harassing actions" along the border. Turkish troops have bombarded areas under the control of Syria's main Kurdish military, or YPG, multiple times in the past. In this instance, Ankara appears to be worried that Kurdish fighters might reach Azaz, which is home to a major border crossing point that has been controlled by militants since 2012. Both the Kurds and Syrian troops have advanced toward Azaz in separate offensives in the area. In addition to sealing the Turkish border, Syrian troops are trying to encircle rebel-held parts of Aleppo, Syria's largest city. If they are able to do so, it will be the biggest defeat for insurgents since the conflict began in March 2011. Opposition activists reported heavy Russian and Syrian army airstrikes on the villages of Hayan, Anadan and Hreitan north of Aleppo. The developments come after the United States and Russia announced a plan to halt the violence within a week. When crazed knife killer Steven Brown was jailed for 30 years last week, it completed a circle of evil that began when the UVF monster was just a tot. For sadistic Brown jailed for life for the cut-throat killings of teenagers Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine was a babe-in-arms when his lying, love-rat father murdered his mum by torching their Portadown home in October 1980. Incredibly, the infant who lay sleeping in a cot in the corner of the couples bedroom, escaped unhurt as his father launched a sickening petrol bomb attack inside the bedroom, turning Browns mother Irene into a human fireball just feet away. His mum died two months later in hospital from the horrific burns injuries she suffered in the blaze. It later emerged in court that her husband Noel Leslie Brown, now 55, had been having an affair with a woman he had met in a mid-Ulster UDR club. He had met his lover while his wife was in hospital to give birth to their second son, Steven. Branded a liar and adulterer by trial judge Mr Justice Murray, Noel Brown was jailed for life for the callous murder in 1981. He has since been freed from jail, and slipped anonymously back into society. Sunday Life understands he has been living in Belfast recently. Its believed he rented a home in the leafy Cherry Valley area of east Belfast right up until his son Steven was convicted of the horrific double murder of Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine. Hes believed to have fled the address, before he could be thrust back into the limelight by his murdering sons court case. Steven Brown had kept his grim family secret hidden, growing up under the name Steven Revels in Co Armagh. It was by that name he was known when he went out with UVF pals boozing in February 2000 and fell into the company of innocent teens David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb. Revels/Brown outraged by a remark made about the murdered UVF boss Richard Jameson later lured the two friends to an isolated country lane near Tandragee where they were subjected to a savage attack. The two pals mutilated bodies were left lying in pools of their own blood. Revels/Brown was first charged with the murders in 2000 along with UVF men Noel Dillon and Mark Burcombe but the charges were suddenly dropped. It was only a Crimewatch appeal in 2005 that Burcombe came forward to detectives and started to reveal what had happened. He went on to turn supergrass and provided much of the evidence that last week saw Revels/Brown jailed for a minimum of 30 years. Jailing Revels/Brown, trial judge Mr Justice Gillen branded the murders barbaric. These crimes were so horrendous that they offered no insight into human nature or the recurring pattern of human behaviour, he said. The father of David McIlwaine, Paul, has revealed that he has requested a prison visit with his sons killer, whom he believes has escaped with a lenient sentence. Mr McIlwaine believes that another person, a police informer, was involved in the murders and has been protected. Two men have been arrested following a drugs seizure with an estimated value of 2.1m. Approximately 300 kilos of cannabis resin, 8 kilos of cannabis herb and 1 kilo of cocaine were discovered during the planned search of a premises in Donaghmede Park, Dublin 13 yesterday evening, Saturday 13th February 2016 shortly before 7.30pm. The Immigrant Council of Ireland is calling on any new Government to introduce a modern and fair immigration system as a priority. It said that changes we need a new system, which is fit for purpose and similar to ones in operation in other countries. Pre-tournament favourite Charl Schwartzel took command of the Tswhane Open on Sunday as he looked to claim an eighth European Tour title on home soil. Schwartzel held a one-shot lead heading into the final round and had moved four clear of the chasing pack by the turn thanks to three birdies and an eagle at Pretoria Country Club. The former Masters champion made the ideal start with a birdie from 18 feet on the second, only to bogey the third after a wayward drive finished behind a tree and meant the South African could only find a greenside bunker with his approach. However, the world number 43 responded with birdies on the sixth and seventh and then holed from 10 feet for an eagle on the par-five ninth for the second day in succession. That took Schwartzel to 13 under par, four clear of playing partner Zander Lombard, who had covered the front nine in 34 with three birdies and two bogeys. South Africa's Dean Burmester, who was third here last year, was a shot further back after five birdies in seven holes took him to the turn in 31. Lombard's bogey on the 10th gave Schwartzel the luxury of a five-shot lead, but the 31-year-old promptly hit a wild tee shot on the 11th to drop his second shot of the day. Another poor tee shot on the par-five 12th was fortunate to avoid serious trouble and Schwartzel took advantage with a superb chip from short of the green to set up a tap-in birdie, with Lombard doing likewise to remain four behind. Latest update: 1pm Tributes are being paid to members of a young British band who have been killed in a car crash in Sweden. 'Viola Beach' from Warrington were rising stars on the indie scene and had been due to play in England last night. Four members of the group died along with their manager. Photographer and friend Georgia Park has said she is shocked by the news: They were just an amazing band. Words just cant describe the sadness, the loss of such an amazing group. They loved their work, they were such a talented, talented group, I just cant believe that we have lost them really. The band had played in Cork venue Cyprus Avenue just ten short days ago. Latest update: 10am Five people killed on Saturday when their car plunged off the road into a canal in Sweden were British citizens, police have said. Stockholm police spokesman Martin Bergholm said the five victims were men aged between 20 and 35 but he declined to further identify them or give other details of the men, saying it was not a police matter. He said the road was slippery and it was dark when the car drove off a highway bridge falling more than 25 metres (82ft) into a canal near the Swedish capital. Their bodies were recovered by divers. Mr Bergholm said police were still investigating the cause of the accident on the E4 highway in Stockholm's Sodertalje district. Protesters have staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Royal Opera House where the Baftas ceremony is being held against what they describe as a lack of diversity in front of the camera. Members of the Creatives of Colour Network lined up beside the red carpet with actor Leon Herbert, who appeared in the films Batman and Alien 3. Competing with the screams of excited fans, the group chanted "cameras, lights, action, diversity and satisfaction" to promote their message. Members held a banner which read: "The TV and film industry are male, pale and stale. In fear of diversity, opportunity and inclusion. We want a quota system." The protesters handed out leaflets stamped with the hashtag Bafta Blackout, which they have been using on social media. Among the onlookers was Chidi Ejimofo, 48, a consultant from Bromley, Kent. He said he was supporting the protest on behalf of one of his daughters, who wants to get into the creative industries. He said: "I have a real problem with the fact that the film industry, as I see it, at present doesn't actually represent the groupings that you already have in society. "I find it astonishing that in a country that has so many talented actors and directors and people within the industry from ethnic minorities, you have such a gross under-representation when it comes to handing out awards, and I think that stems from the voting committee that they have in place. "While I can see, with this campaign, that they are asking for a quota system, personally I don't think that is the way to go. "I think quota systems can entrench other problems. However I think we should be looking for a fair playing field and that certainly isn't the case at present with the voting system that they have." Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry has said she is "supportive" of the demonstration and that the awards do not feature more black and ethnic minority nominees because the film industry "isn't diverse enough". She said the charity would be setting membership targets on diversity and indicated those who decided on nominations should be "qualified" and working in the film industry. #BAFTABLACKOUT Creatives Of Colour Network from Leon Herbert on Vimeo. ISLAMABAD: The price of sugar should be determined by market forces instead of being fixed by the government. This... PARIS: At least 92 people have been killed as Iran has cracked down on women-led protests sparked by the death of... First out of the traps last September was its FTSE 100 peer Glencore, which suspended dividends while it tackles its debt mountain. In December, Anglo American cut its dividend for next year and vowed that future payouts would be performance- linked; boss Mark Cutifani likewise blamed the cyclical nature of the industry. It's almost certain that Rio's Australian rival BHP Billiton will follow suit at the end of this month - not least because it has the perfect cover to do so. Vale, the Brazilian miner, has also indicated its dividend is for the chop. Still, the market was shocked that Rio felt the need to get in on the act. Generally regarded as having the strongest balance sheet of all the big, diversified miners, Rio could have toughed it out for longer, and further set itself apart from its rivals. Instead it has seen the light - and recognised what seems perfectly obvious to everyone else: that a progressive policy is an intolerable burden when you're under extreme pressure. Until very recently these same miners were telling London dealing rooms that progressive dividends were sacrosanct. "We are absolutely committed to the progressive dividend," Walsh said a year ago. As recently as August, the progressive dividend was up there next to sustaining capex as the company's chief goal for distributing its capital. It's easy to be wise after the event - and no one predicted the extent to which commodity prices would fall, but given that we've known all along that mining is a cyclical industry, it's a little convenient to suddenly seize upon that excuse, as if it's only just occurred to you, to tear up a long-standing policy. Clearly the miners never expected the boom in China to peter out. If they had, they might have been wary of building up the oversupply that is now pushing down prices. For years the progressive dividend made them an attractive bet, boosting their equity in the up cycle (as a miner might call it), and leading to a massive share price slump once investors noticed that the good times were over. The move towards sustainable payouts can only be a good thing, restoring sanity where it was needed. Investors may not like it in the short term, but they may grow to prefer stakes in firms on a sounder financial footing. In fairness, the big Australian miners are serving two masters, catering to investors in London who generally want them to preserve payouts and cut expenditure, and to shareholders in Sydney who prefer them to keep investing in their business. Rio is walking a middle ground, slimming down both shareholder payouts and expenditure. Despite asserting its commitment to exploration - that is, finding the next resources to dig out of the ground - capital expenditure is nonetheless significantly lower: down to $US4.5 billion in 2015, compared with $US17.6 billion in 2012. That drop in capex is a measure of the steps Rio has taken under Walsh, who was tasked with slashing costs and turning the company around after it slipped to a loss in 2013 on the back of huge writedowns in its aluminium business. At one point Rio was a takeover target for Glencore, before the latter ran into problems of its own. Rio is now in a position to be eyeing up assets that its rivals might be keen to sell (or even those they are not). One of the sellers could be Anglo American, which reports full-year results next week and which is looking to raise another $US2 billion from disposals. Meanwhile, the iron giant continues to bet that its sheer size and efficiency will enable it to weather the commodities storm. Rio will continue to increase production of iron ore and other metals in 2016, even as prices fall. Glencore, by contrast, confirmed yesterday it would be slimming down its production targets. Rio's iron-ore business still generates a lot of money. A tonne of the stuff costs it a remarkable $US13.20 to produce; the spot price is currently $US41 - though it stood at $US64 a year ago. The Sydney barrister representing the relatives of Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf says he thinks the man may still be alive and living in Iraq. "If I was a betting man I'd say he's alive," barrister Charles Waterstreet said on Sunday. "I think he's probably in Iraq and I think he's immobilised...incapacitated in some way." In June last year it was widely reported that Sharrouf and another IS fighter from Sydney, Mohammed Elomar, had been killed in an American drone strike. Wellington: There were harrowing near misses but Christchurch has emerged from a magnitude 5.7 quake with no deaths and little damage. The quake which was centred offshore some 31 kilometres deep and 15 kilometres east of Christchurch was felt around the South Island, as well as in Wellington. The quake struck shortly after 1pm on Sunday, just a day after Prime Minister John Key visited the city he grew up in to highlight its rejuvenation and eight days before the fifth anniversary of a devastating 6.3 quake that killed 185 people. Mr Key said it was good news that the quake resulted in no loss of life, partly the result of buildings in Christchurch being stronger now than they were five years ago. Wellington: Aftershocks have rattled Christchurch in the wake of a 5.7-magnitude quake that shook the city almost five years on from the devastating tremor that killed 185 people and caused widespread destruction. A host of small shakes kept residents on edge through the night after Sunday's shallow quake. A cliff collapsed into the sea near Taylors Mistake, with five young lifesavers narrowly avoiding injury, stock fell from store shelves and shoppers were forced to flee malls when the quake hit soon after 1pm, New Zealand time. No serious injuries were reported and there were only minor issues with the city's infrastructure. Churches offered sanctuary to the 267 refugees at risk of being returned to Nauru due to a failed High Court challenge and now Australia's teachers are adding their voices to the political push-back. Groups of ACT teachers this week took part in a nationwide peaceful protest by rallying and taking group photos with signs saying #LetThemStay, #standforsanctuary and #educationnotdetention. ACT school teachers take part in national #LetThemStay campaign calling for 267 refugees at risk of being returned to Nauru to remain in Australia. Credit: Jay Cronan The first group of ACT educators to take a stand were from the ANU Sociology Department posting images to Facebook and later on Wednesday afternoon a group of ACT high school teachers gathered at the foot of Mount Ainslie. Many of those protesting were unwilling to identify themselves or the school at which they work. After the months we've spent debating changes to the goods and services tax, a lot of people were surprised to learn last week that the idea's been abandoned. But not me. I've been expecting it since November 24. Why? Because everything has unfolded just as my colleague Peter Martin revealed in the column he wrote 12 weeks ago. "The big GST decision, on whether to lift it to 15 per cent, is already as good as made. The Treasurer and Prime Minister won't do it. Nor will they extend the goods and services tax to food, to health or to education, although they might yet extend it to financial services," Martin wrote. What was arguably the biggest political scoop of the year was ignored. Maybe the denizens of the House with the Flag on Top didn't believe it. What's an economics editor doing getting scoops? Why would you bury a scoop in a column? Why was he told when we weren't? Australia reached a significant milestone last week, passing the 5 gigawatts of installed solar power across the country. According to solar energy consultancy SunWiz, that represents enough solar power to light up 1.25 million Australian homes the equivalent of every household in Brisbane and Perth combined. Nationally solar now accounts for 9 per cent of total electricity generation, according to analysis of data from the Renewable Energy Certificate Registry. While much of the recent growth in solar energy generation has come from larger facilities, rooftop solar continues to play a significant role, and in Canberra, 16,000 homes now have panels on their roof. A major new industry has emerged thanks in part to the rapid advances in solar panel efficiency and the lowering of costs. There is now enough solar power generators installed in Australia to light up 1.25 million homes. Credit:Paul Rovere Yet in the same week Australia passed that impressive milestone, the head of the powerhouse behind many of the country's most promising innovations, the CSIRO, was attempting to convince staff that the loss of 350 jobs would be good for the organisation. Many of the deepest cuts are set to come from the climate modelling and monitoring areas, with chief executive Larry Marshall explaining that after 20 years of work in that area it was time to move on to other priorities. A Sunshine Coast artist's "obsession" with the ocean led him to revolutionise his artwork and become one of the world's only eco surf artists. Scott Denholm, 32, uses sustainable and earth friendly materials and processes to create breathtaking oceanic landscapes, inspired from his life as a surfer. Sunshine Coast eco-artist Scott Denholm. Credit:Scott Denholm Denholm began his artistic career at 11 and said his "purist" tutors originally introduced him to traditional materials that were quite toxic. "You would walk into their studio and you would get smacked with the smell of mineral turps, it's no good for your lungs," he said. Laverty, whose company has been licensed to run Tropfest for the past six years, admitted to an accounting error that resulted in a loss of $180,000. Tropfest founder John Polson. Credit:Belinda Rolland Photography "As you can imagine, I feel like my life has come to an end," he wrote. "Not much more I can say except I am so, so sorry. I can't possibly cover this or even think how to fund it. "Maybe if we had done better in 2015 this would all be OK but with no presenting partner ($250K+), the loss of Toyota ($150K) and half of Qantas ($65K) ... it's obvious I'm dead in the water." Sponsored acting prizes ... Nicole Kidman. Credit:Brendon Thorne - Getty Images Laverty offered to put in $30,000 as a loan saying "that's all I have" and proposed either putting the business into voluntary administration or handing over the cash in the bank and working out a plan for the festival to continue. "Now I am going away to be sick and try to pull myself together," he wrote. "I'm sorry it's all been too much. I have to switch off." Actor Susan Sarandon is another well-known face who has suffered with the condition and has encouraged anyone with symptoms to seek help. Credit:act\karen.hardy Five days later, an upset Polson cancelled the festival, scrapping plans to fly in Hollywood star Susan Sarandon to head the jury. A day after that, he told Fairfax Media that he had discovered the financial shortfall was twice as big as he had been told. It appeared to be $500,000 for an event that costs at least $1.1 million to stage. Amid a groundswell of support around the country, CGU Insurance stepped up with sponsorship to revive the festival. But with the contents of the Tropfest bank account in dispute initially $550,000 including $6600 that Nicole Kidman donated for the best actor and actress prizes and other sponsors' payments Polson is believed to have put in $300,000 of his own funds to allow the festival to proceed. Laverty has rejected attempts to terminate his company's agreement to manage the festival. After Polson unsuccessfully demanded he hand over the finalist's films as well as files, computers, passwords, loaned cameras and gifts for the judges and filmmakers, Tropfest had to rely on copies of the films already given to broadcaster SBS to screen them in the park. After an attempt at mediation failed, Polson is believed to have approached senior members of the Hillsong Church, which has Laverty as a member, to request assistance in resolving the dispute. A Hillsong spokesman said it was a private matter that had nothing to do with church. "The Hillsong church does not get involved in the private business matters of people that happen to attend," he said. It is believed another attempt at resolution failed when Laverty sought Polson's agreement to release a "draft press release" saying that "no mismanagement of festival funds was found" and apologising to Laverty and his team for his statements in the media. When Polson baulked at agreeing, it is believed Laverty forwarded another "draft press release" saying Tropfest Festival Productions would commence proceedings against him in the Supreme Court of NSW. This document quoted Laverty as saying he was shocked that, after managing Tropfest for 13 years, Polson "cancelled the festival, went public with confidential information in breach of the management agreement and blamed me for financial mismanagement after his company Tropfest has received over $2.5 million and Polson advised me he was considering selling the festival and had been approached by buyers who wished to own and manage" it. It also quoted Laverty as saying "I have kept a low profile in order to attempt to resolve things with Polson; however it now appears no resolution is in sight which leaves no alternative but to go to court". Sydney: The US winner of Tropfest, Spencer Susser, is part of the same film collective as Australian filmmaking brothers Joel and Nash Edgerton, Blue-Tongue Films. In fact, it was seeing the short film festival's infamous pineapple trophy, won by Nash Edgerton in 1997, around the production office that inspired Susser to enter the competition. Tropfest winner Spencer Susser at Centennial Park on Sunday night. Credit:Getty Images "My friend Nash Edgerton had won several years ago. So he had been talking about it forever. All I knew was Nash was part of Tropfest and there was a pineapple, because I'd always seen this trophy sitting around the office," Susser said on Sunday night. Debate has ramped up over where the Powerhouse Museum should make its home in western Sydney, with calls for one of the shortlisted sites to be scrapped. Parramatta Council, which lauded the relocation of the museum as "visionary", has launched a campaign to stop the state government from moving the museum to an old car park on the banks of the Parramatta River. A decision on the new site for the Powerhouse Museum is expected to be made in the coming months. Credit:Powerhouse Museum The site, known as the old David Jones' carpark, is one of two the government is looking at to host the relocated Powerhouse when it is moved from its long-standing base in Ultimo. Deputy NSW opposition leader Linda Burney could contest the federal seat of Barton at this year's federal election as part of a factional deal being discussed to secure preselection for Joel Fitzgibbon in Hunter. The deal could also clear the way for Labor's left faction assistant secretary, John Graham, to run in Ms Burney's state seat of Canterbury at the ensuing byelection. Linda Burney could contest the federal seat of Barton in this year's federal election. Credit:Daniel Munoz Fairfax Media understands the plan is under serious discussion within the party but factional leaders warn they are far from striking an agreement. Further complicating matters is that as Opposition leader Luke Foley is from the left, the move would give the right a claim on the deputy opposition leader's position, which would most likely go to Maroubra MP and shadow treasurer Michael Daley. A Queensland assistant police commissioner is being interviewed after killing a man in what is understood to be an accidental collision in a Cairns car park on Monday morning. Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor is believed to have been arriving at work at the Cairns police station in Sheridan Street just before 4.30am on Monday when the collision occurred. Queensland Police Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor was at the wheel of a car that ran over a man outside the Cairns police station. Credit:Queensland Police Service He reportedly ran over a man believed to be lying in the station driveway. It is believed that, in the dark, Mr Taylor was unaware he had hit the man, until he became trapped under his car. Queensland's health minister has thrown his support behind doctors at a Brisbane children's hospital who are refusing to discharge a refugee baby if she is to return to detention on Nauru. Doctors at Lady Cilento Children's Hospital are refusing to release 12-month-old Asha, the daughter of Nepalese refugees, who was flown to Brisbane for treatment for burns after scalding herself with boiling water at a detention centre on the Pacific island. In a statement released on Friday, the hospital said it would not release baby Asha unless a "suitable home environment is identified", as was the case with every child who presented at the hospital. "I am determined to get these laws through. Let me make it clear, if these laws do not pass, it is not our fault, the burden of responsibility will be on those opposite, the LNP, who will not come to the party and support these community laws. "We are determined to absolutely do something. Never before have I seen so many stakeholders from different groups in society, coming together as one, standing as one to take community action through legislation." Natural Resources and Mines minister Dr Anthony Lyneham, a maxillofacial surgeon who was catapulted into politics through his long-standing campaign for reforms to curb alcohol-fuelled violence, echoed the premier's plea, urging the LNP to put politics aside in the debate. "This week is a very important week for the people of Queensland," he said. "I just have one plea, to those opposite in the house, please, just forget about politics for one week, just forget about politics for this issue. Dylan Klebold, one of the two students who shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher before killing themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Credit:Denver Rocky Mountain News/AP She has now published A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, culled in part from that journal and the 39 that followed, chronicling the life she was forced to live after her old one was extinguished. She always knew that she would write the book. Eric Harris, left, and Dlyan Klebold, carrying a TEC-9 semi-automatic pistol, are pictured in the cafeteria at Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado, during their shooting rampage in 1999. Credit:AP "The big decision was to publish," she says. All the profits are earmarked for mental-health and suicide-prevention organisations, her new community. It is a memoir of sheer terror, heartbreak and mystery, not because Dylan was some monster, but because he was like so many teenagers - withdrawn yet loving, who apparently managed to shield suicidal thoughts and searing depression from his parents, friends and teachers. He fitted no model of the alienated, violent loner. Rescuers tend to the wounded at a triage area near Columbine High School during a shooting rampage by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Credit:The Denver Rocky Mountain News/AP The mass murders occurred three days after Dylan went to his prom. He had recently visited the University of Arizona, which he planned to attend after graduation. Or so his parents believed. His mother found new ways of coping with a situation few parents ever experience. "You build a construct in your head which allows you to accept what is impossible to accept," says Klebold, 66, sitting in a midtown Manhattan hotel room holding a large coffee cup from which she rarely sips. Sue Klebold with son Dylan in 1985. Credit:Sue Klebold via Penguin/Random House Tall, slim and graceful (her younger son was a gangly 193 centimetres tall), she is given to direct eye contact, frequent smiles and sensible shoes. She is gracious, outgoing, considerate and, in her own assessment, "a profoundly honest person - sometimes to a fault". A woman stands among 15 crosses on a hill above Columbine High School in remembrance of the 15 people who died during a school shooting on April 20, 1999. Credit:AP She needed to know the truth about her son, even though there was no way she would ever know the whole truth. Why would Klebold wish to revisit the nightmare so many years later? A cross bearing the name and likeness of Dylan Klebold and a message "How can anyone forgive you?" on a hill in Littleton, Colorado in 1999. Credit:Denver Rocky Mountain News/AP "I don't think it's anything I have any control over. If I'm in a grocery store, if I see other people's children, I always think of the victims, of these beautiful young people who were killed, of the teacher," she says calmly. "Any mention of the victims and their families is always very, very difficult for me. I have such a visceral reaction because I have so much horror and shame and anguish over what Dylan did." She never became angry at Dylan, except when seeing what she calls "the basement tapes", the hate-spewing videos the two seniors recorded primarily in Harris' bedroom. "Just know I'm going to a better place," Dylan says flatly on one tape. "I didn't like life too much." His parents had no idea. This was not the son they knew. She writes in the memoir, "In the immediate aftershock of the tragedy, we weren't mourning simply Dylan, but also his very identity - and ours." Time magazine ran a cover of Harris and Klebold, one of her favourite photos of her smiling son, with the headline "The Monsters Next Door". She thought she knew him, that they were close, but learnt that his last two years were filled with anger and depression. "One of the peculiarities of a murder-suicide is that the perpetrator is never considered to be a victim," says Klebold. "I believe Dylan was a victim of whatever was going on in his head. Her memoir re-creates the horror of the aftermath, the days so jarring and revelatory, the first half barely progresses six months. The Klebolds loved their home, a mountain sanctuary miles from Littleton. Immediately after the tragedy, they were forced to vacate for days as a SWAT team searched for evidence. When they returned, it became a sort of prison. To keep reporters and others from peering in, the oversize windows had to be covered with newsprint, blocking the mountain views. A lawyer was hired before an undertaker. He told them, "There will be a firestorm of hatred levelled against your family." It took four years to settle the 36 lawsuits they were hit with. Relatives received death threats. Small acts of generosity were suspect: Though some strangers offered comfort, sending food to Tom Klebold's office, it was declined for fear of poisoning. Dylan couldn't be buried for risk of vandalism. His body was cremated. The mystery was that Dylan grew up in a house without weapons. Klebold writes that she and her husband "were so adamantly anti-gun". They were inspired by literature. Tom, a property manager, and she, then a community college counsellor, named their children after poets: older son Byron after Lord Byron and Dylan after Dylan Thomas. Dylan was their "Sunshine Boy", for his golden hair and "because everything came easy to him". Klebold was unhappy about her son's friendship with Harris. In their junior year, the two teenagers were caught stealing electronic equipment and had to attend a probationary counselling program to avoid criminal charges. She believed that he was on the mend, receiving early dismissal from the program for good behaviour and staying out of trouble during his senior year. Until April 20. The Klebolds were not close to the Harrises, whom she liked. "I like to protect their privacy," she says. "We certainly have communicated with each other over the years." A month after the murders, Klebold wrote condolence letters to all the victims' families. It took a full month to write them all. She received two responses, from one victim's sister, who said she did not blame the family and, 11 months later, from the father of a slain boy who offered compassion and help. Years later, after the lawsuits were settled, the Klebolds met, separately, the parents of three victims. Of one encounter, she writes in the memoir, "We wept, shared photos, and talked about our children. When we parted, he said he didn't hold us responsible." However, others, did blame them. One of her many hopes for the book is that "when things like this happen, people won't automatically jump to the conclusion that a perpetrator is either evil or hasn't been raised properly". She thought about changing her last name. She thought about moving. "What I realised very quickly is you can't get away from this," and that she would lose her support group of friends. She thought about suicide. Tom once said, "I wish he'd killed us, too," a thought "we would have on many occasions". When she was diagnosed with breast cancer two years after the murders, it seemed almost like a lark. Dylan's actions have defined her life, and her mission, meeting the families of people who have committed murder or killed themselves and dealing with mental-health issues. "Most people have an incident like this in their family and they hate what this person did, they are humiliated," she says. "They just want to live their lives in privacy. Almost everyone I've talked to feels that way. My choosing to do this is the aberration." "Most people" include son Byron, now 37, and Tom, now her ex-husband. After 43 years of marriage, they divorced in 2014. "We seemed to be on different pages," she says. "There was nothing we had in common. Except the shared tragedy. But we didn't feel the same way about it, we didn't process it the same way." Tom and Byron "were not comfortable" about the book's publication, she says. "But they never tried to stop me, which is amazing to me. And I love them for it." Klebold's editor at Crown, Roger Scholl, says: "Sue was absolutely clear about the mission of the book. Anything she can do to stop anyone from doing this, helping parents in any way, then she's gotten something back from the tragedy. "It's your worst nightmare. You realise about teenagers, I don't know what they're thinking. I might not know if they're in trouble." That is the memoir's message, recognition of her denial, the search for clues and knowledge. "[At first] when you lose a loved one, you feel like a victim. This has happened to you. You feel helpless and confused," Klebold says. "You progress to feeling like a survivor and survivors reach out to each other, create support groups, band together and share their feelings. "And then, after a while, we become advocates. We just want to make a difference. We want things to be better." Klebold understands that her revelations may prove painful. "I fear I'm going to re-traumatise people by putting this book out there," she says, her long fingers curled around her undrunk cup. "I considered the alternative of doing nothing." But, no. "I would be missing the thing I was supposed to be doing in my life, which was to share what I know," she says. "Knowing my story has the potential to help those who are in distress." Now, her story is out there, sunlight on a private hell. Washington Post photos by Chris La Putt Eugene Mirman with Robyn Hitchcock and H. Jon Benjamin The 7th Annual Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival took over the Bell House and Union Hall in Brooklyn for the past few days to bring audiences an audacious, eclectic, and titillating smorgasbord of comedic events. Of all the events, I chose to attend You Never Know Who Might Drop By at the Bell House on Saturday September 20 at 10:00pm. The only guest to be announced ahead of time was H. Jon Benjamin. The rest of the line up was listed as "Special Guest." Remarkably, even with only one guest announced, the show was very sold out. The show ended up being hosted by special guest Eugene Mirman. I sort of assumed that would be the case, but you know what happens when you assume right? Ass. U. Me. Anyhow, Euge was the host and he performed his duties with his usual grace and aplomb. His hosting agilities shouldn't be surprising considering he's a non-stop performer and has hosted recurring comedy showcases Invite Them Up, Tearing The Veil of Maya, Pretty Good Friends, and probably more. Saturday evening, he kept his opening set extremely short and tight, but he did have an extremely funny riff about how you can literally write whatever you want about yourself on LinkedIn and there is zero proof required. He read off samples of his own bullshit LinkedIn profile and I gotta tell you it was pretty damn funny. Wyatt Cenac Eugene's first guest was Wyatt Cenac. Throw a dart at an open page of Time Out New York and chances are you will hit a show listing with his name on it. The dude not only has his own show called Night Train every Monday night at Littlefield, but you can see him practically every night of the week at several other venues throughout the city. The dude's a machine. A relentless performer. It has taken me a while to be drawn into Wyatt's super low energy delivery and stage demeanor, but I gotta say he was killing me on Saturday. He's definitely a super popular comic who is definitely worth checking out. Glaser as Johnny Ding-Dong After Wyatt wrapped up his set, the great and Klaus-Approved Gold Pass Favorite Jon Glaser came out (not his first time this year), reprising his role as Brooklyn's #1 Insult Comic Johnny Ding-Dong. I haven't seen this particular character of his in eight freaking years; the last time was during a Comedians of Comedy stop at Irving Plaza (video here). Johnny basically insults audience members over pretty banal and obvious characteristics of theirs; a hat, glasses, how they're sitting...then he sits down and eats a slice of pizza, very slowly. At some point during this, the sound guy 'accidentally' starts playing the theme song to the 1978 drama The Deerhunter, which also happens to be one of the saddest instrumental tunes of all time. Johhny then goes through an emotional breakthrough. Aside of being extremely funny, the whole bit intentionally goes on for waaaaay too long, testing the audience's endurance to the fullest. It is not an easy bit, but it is one of my favorites as it so absolutely alienates the audience to the extreme. Johnny Ding-Dong left the stage and was followed by a bit with Eugene Mirman and the great Robyn Hitchcock. They started out as a duo, offering up bits of very funny advice for problems submitted by audience members prior to the show. Luckily, before the bit got too long, Eugene left Robyn up there alone with an acoustic. Besides regaling the audience with great stories and personal philosophies, Robyn played three tunes, including a beautiful cover of "The Crystal Ship" by the Doors (on his new album) and a fantastic version of his tune "Dismal City" that was so much better than the full band version... it was nuts. He was a fantastic storyteller and I loved his solo tunes. Joe Wong After Hitchcock came comedian Joe Wong who I actually never heard of, but man did he slay. I cannot tell you how much I loved this guy. There was a brilliant economy to each of his jokes. They were free of flair and BS; they were delivered as perfect as you could imagine. His insights into the racism inherent in American society, though troubling, were so elegantly lampooned that the entire room was roaring. For me he was the highlight of the evening. I love seeing a comic for the first time and having him/her absolutely destroy. Sadly, his calendar is empty, but if you see the name Joe Wong on any upcoming comedy showcases you should go. Refreshing talent. I would like him to be famous immediately, thanks. Wong's set was quite brief unfortunately, and he was followed by Eugene Mirman and Ted Allen (Chopped, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy) for round two of audience advice. I missed this because I had to pee wicked bad and also needed another beer, but I heard some laughs while I was in the latrine so that was a good sign. Next up was the only billed comic of the night, H. Jon Benjamin. HJB definitely had the longest set of the evening, and it started out with a bit featuring him and Eugene, where Eugene read off all of HJB's requirements from his talent rider. This definitely felt like it went on a bit too long as even Eugene regarded the bit as "The exhausting comedy of Jon Benjamin and Eugene Mirman." Side note: Mirman and Benjamin have created Flotsam, a "Post-Structural Online Shopping Experience" where you can buy sacks of "hand-chosen items that are hand-hewn by machines in America and are shipped directly to you." Back to the Bell House, after that HJB was joined by one of my personal favorites Larry Murphy. The premise of their bit was that since we were at The Bell House we were most certainly missing episodes of the Big Bang Theory which seems to be on TV in perpetuity. So they acted out some smarmy Big Bang esque dialogue which, like the rider bit, went on a bit too long as well. Jen Kirkman Although Jon Benjamin's set was definitely hilarious and worth seeing, it went on longer than I had the strength to endure. I was at a motorcycle block party earlier in the day and had been drinking since 3 in the afternoon, so by the time headliner Jen Kirkman took the stage, I was hot, sweaty, gassy, uncomfortable, and basically seeing quadruple. I can see why she'd headline; she has a history in comedy that stretches way back to the old days in Boston with Larry Murphy and Eugene Mirman, she has a book out that sold a zillion copies, she's a favorite on Chelsea lately, she was in from LA... she's famous and successful. But combine the fact that I don't really care for her comedy and the fact that my liver was hanging out my asshole and down my pant leg, it was time to go. The early show at the Bell House was a special EMCF edition of "Pretty Good Friends" with Jessi Klein, Nick Thune and Karen Kilgariff. Pics from EMCF night 1 are here and we'll have more to come. Pics from night 3's early show, plus more from "You Never Know Who Might Drop By," below... --- Eugene Mirman Jessi Klein Nick Thune Karen Kilgariff Wyatt Cenac Robyn Hitchcock Late Show Jon Glasser as Johnny Dingdong Robyn Hitchcock Joe Wong Ted Allen H. Jon Benjamin Larry Murphy Looking for the big games to watch in Week 9? We have them right here. From the Pine Barrens and beyond, check out these haunted hikes From the barren Pinelands to the murky bays, check out these haunted hikes and strolls at the Jersey Shore this Halloween season. AirAsia continues to deny that Mittu Chandilya, managing director of its India unit, had resigned. Tony Fernandes, group chief executive officer, said appointing an MD was a decision for the board of directors, while also denying Chandilya having decided to step down. These suggest efforts are on to retain Chandilya, who has indicated he does not wish to renew his contract from later this month. Chandilya joined AirAsia India as its chief executive officer in 2013 and was elevated to MD last August. The elevation had coincided with a rejig in shareholding, with co-investor Tata Sons increasing their stake in the airline. ALSO READ: Mittu Chandilya likely to quit AirAsia India as MD, CEO The Tatas have been fantastic partners and are very committed to the airline, Fernandes said, adding hed met the formers chairman emeritus, Ratan Tata, here on Sunday. He would not comment on the airline's third stake holder, Arun Bhatia, who has alleged Fernandes is controlling AirAsia India. Fernandes said the airline had been cautious in its India expansion but would soon increase its fleet size to eight planes. I hope to get to 16-20 planes in the not too distant future, he added. AirAsia has been unable to make an impact in this country and has also been unable to break even. I am a new boy and I have the entire airline industry in India against me, Fernandes said. The airline was a target of the private airlines grouping, Federation of Indian Airlines, which moved court against grant of permit to AirAsia India. We are mosquitos, a little bit of irritating mosquito to some, Fernandes said in a public interview earlier on Sunday. He also expressed confidence with the airlines operations. Our load factor is great. This month, its in the high 80s. I am very proud of what Mittu and the team have done. We do an internal AirAsia summary on customer satisfaction. The airline with the highest rating within our group is India, he said. Bristow Group, a Houston-based company that provides helicopter services to the energy sector, is investing $4.2 million in Sky-Futures, a UK-based start-up that uses drones to conduct engineering surveys of off-shore oil and gas rigs. Sky-Futures, founded in 2009, currently works with 36 large oil and gas firms around the world, according to a Bloomberg news report. India Inc and equity investors might have to wait longer for a recovery in corporate growth and earnings. During the October-December quarter of this financial year, the combined net sales of 2,561 declined 4.4 per cent on a year-on-year basis, a higher rate than 4.3 per cent in the September quarter and 3.6 per cent in the June quarter. Operating profit rose 1.1 per cent, aided by lower costs amid a slide in global commodity and energy prices, while net profit declined 1.7 per cent. If financial and energy firms are removed from the sample, the picture improves a little. The remaining 2,100 reported net profit growth of 3.3 per cent from a year earlier, on lower tax outgo, while net sales remained stagnant, rising only 0.7 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Several public-sector banks reported losses in the quarter, and the energy suffered due to lower crude oil prices. Raw material and energy intensity declined to the lowest in four years and companies continued to make gains from record low prices of industrial commodities and energy. For the 2,100 non-financial, non-energy companies, every Rs 100 worth of net sales required Rs 36.9 worth of raw materials, power and fuel in the December quarter, compared with Rs 37.3 in the previous quarter and Rs 39.7 in the corresponding quarter the previous year. As a result, the operating profit margin (excluding other income) increased 20 basis points from a year earlier, and 60 basis points from the previous quarter, to stand at 14.3 per cent of net sales. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. The profitability would have been higher if not for employee expenses and other costs, which seemed to be eating into the gains from lower input costs. "There has been a steady rise in non-input costs as companies have scaled up their sales and marketing efforts. This might hit margins if commodity prices rise in the future or a recovery in growth is delayed further," says Dhananjay Sinha, head (institutional equity), Emkay Global Financial Services. The total employee costs of these companies grew 8.6 per cent during the quarter, compared with 8.1 per cent in the corresponding quarter the previous year. Employee expenses as a percentage of net sales were 12.34 per cent in the December quarter, up 90 basis points on a year-on-year basis, and nine basis points sequentially. The analysis excludes the figures for the June 2015 quarter, when employee expenses had shot up due to a one-time special bonus payment by Tata Consultancy Services. Sales, marketing and other costs in the December quarter rose 100 basis points from a year earlier and 20 basis points from the previous quarter. The bottom line was also aided by a sharp decline in direct tax outgo during the quarter, as companies in many sectors paid lower corporate income tax or claimed refunds due to a progressive deterioration in profitability. Combined tax outgo for the companies in the sample was down 13.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis, leading to a 330-basis-point decline in the effective tax rate from a year earlier. The companies paid 29.7 per cent of their profit before taxes as corporate income tax in the quarter, compared with 33 per cent a year earlier. On the brighter side, the numbers for the December quarter also suggest that some deleveraging is taking place, with interest expenses growing at the slowest pace in at least three years. Analysts attribute this to a combination of declining working capital borrowings and a deflationary impact on the top line. Among key sectors, power, software services, pharmaceuticals and automobile were the biggest contributors to corporate profitability and growth during the quarter. The biggest laggards were metals & mining, construction, infrastructure and capital goods players. Now, all hopes are pinned to an uptick in urban consumption, thanks to the 7th Pay Commission awards and an expected pump-priming by the government in the coming Union Budget. Nestle India is stepping up its focus on Maggi noodles after relaunching it three months ago. Company Chairman & Managing Director Suresh Narayanan responds to questions posed by Viveat Susan Pinto on whether the first phase has been satisfying or not. Edited excerpts: The perception in the marketplace is that Maggi's relaunch was low-key. Was it intentional, given that you had set a benchmark of making it memorable? There were a couple of things on our minds when we were getting into the relaunch. One was to get Maggi out in the market as quickly as possible once the due-diligence process was completed after the Bombay High Court verdict. There was a reason for this. Maggi is linked to the lives of many people; not just the organisation. There are distributors, suppliers, retailers, farmers, millers... In the interest of these people, it was important we get the product out quickly. The second reason was that we were starting our factories after a span of five months. There is a ramping up process that is involved since production had come to a grinding halt. Our focus was on this. The third reason was we were not starting uniformly across the country. There were some states that allowed production; some that didn't. We were navigating all these issues. It wasn't like a new product launch at all. Why is the rollout of Maggi variants taking time? Are you fearing a backlash from the authorities? There has never been any hesitation in my mind regarding the steps we were taking. At no stage did we disrespect, disregard or disobey the instructions we had. The relaunch was like a storm where there were multiple things we were doing. Now that we have seen the response to the first variant (masala), which was good, we have come out with the second variant (chicken), which, prior to the recall, was a popular one. Once this variant is on shop shelves, we will look at more. We are currently taking a call on whether all nine variants that existed earlier should be out or a few of them. We are also working on new variants altogether. You will see this unfold in the coming months. Market dynamics have changed since Maggi's recall and relaunch. Are you prepared for this new level of competition that exists now? For me, competition is not just coming from Patanjali, but it is also coming from Yippee (ITC), Top Ramen (Nissin Foods) and other brands. Each of us comes with a core characteristic, equity and franchise. I respect each one of my competitors. Ultimately, it is the consumer who will decide who will stay or get overthrown as the leader. Competition helps me rev up my game. It energises me to be as relevant to the consumer as possible. It expands the market because new players bring in new products. Obviously, as a player I'll have to run faster than the competition not only in noodles, but in every other category I operate in. That is the mandate I would like to work towards. You had articulated in the past you would like to bring down Nestle India's dependence on Maggi. What are the steps you are taking to achieve this? I will be spending 2016 on expanding the portfolio of the existing categories. Some of the categories that have not delivered as strongly in the past such as chocolates, confectionery and beverages, I will look at new propositions in those segments. I will add new brands there and rev the engine up. The third stage would be to look at new product categories. Legal issues pertaining to Maggi are not over yet. What is your way forward? It is not fair for me to comment on a matter which is in court. I would not like to answer whether I see this matter getting settled or not. However, I wish to humbly submit that food quality and safety is non-negotiable to us. You buy my product because you trust my quality and safety. This has been proved by numerous tests that have been conducted on the product now and earlier. The Supreme Court has raised certain questions, which I believe will be amicably resolved. Many believe that you are making a big statement with your presence at 'Make in India' given what happened to you in the past. Did the prime minister acknowledge it? Yes. He did wave out to us when he came visiting stalls on the inaugural day. I want to make it clear that I am not the victor nor should anybody think they are vanquished. I am a corporate entity in this country. I will respect the regulator for what it is. I have no question about the legal strength, competence or the position of the regulator here. The issues that we had were pertaining to the testing methodology, infrastructure and capability. Those issues have been dealt with in a certain manner by the Bombay High Court as a result of which we came back. Megha, an executive with a corporate firm, is tired after a day's work. The very thought of travelling back home in overcrowded public transport would have left her further exhausted. She also does not want to dip into her savings for a cab ride. Instead, Megha pulls out her mobile phone and taps on an image. Her ride is booked and she gets an assured seat in a minibus that will take her back home comfortably. FACT BOX Founders: Amit Singh and Deepanshu Malviya Amit Singh and Deepanshu Malviya Founding year: April 2015 April 2015 Fund raised: $3 million as seed funding in June 2015; Series-A of $20 million from Lightspeed, Sequoia India & Times Internet in December 2015 $3 million as seed funding in June 2015; Series-A of $20 million from Lightspeed, Sequoia India & Times Internet in December 2015 Operations: 500 buses in Delhi/NCR; 60-plus routes with average ridership of over 15,000 a day 500 buses in Delhi/NCR; 60-plus routes with average ridership of over 15,000 a day Revenue: Not disclosed Not disclosed Target: 100,000 rides a day by 2016-end; operational profitability on select routes in two years This drive back is being made pleasant for Megha and scores of others like her by Shuttl, a bus aggregator that offers an online seat booking service. The start-up has tied up with vehicle owners to run air-conditioned minibuses/tempos on fixed routes. The model has attracted investors, with Lightspeed, Sequoia India and Times Internet having invested $20 million in Series-A funding, in December 2015. The service is targeted at those who do not own cars but do not wish to take an auto-rickshaw or depend on overcrowded public transport. Currently, operational in the National Capital Region (NCR), the app has crossed 100,000 downloads and facilitated half-a-million rides in only six months since its launch. Back to beginning Founded by IIT-Delhi alumnus and Jabong's former director (operations) of Amit Singh, and IIT-Kanpur alumnus Deepanshu Malviya in April 2015, the start-up was born from their own experience. Getting a seat while travelling in public transport, especially during rush hours, is next to impossible, says Singh. "As engineers, we always resolve complex problems and transportation being one, needed a solution," he added. To address this, the duo created an app in a day and tried it out with two customers, using two Innova cars. To their surprise, the two customers brought five new ones with them at the end of the day. In two weeks, they were facilitating 100 rides a day. The challenge, however, was getting buses on board, attracting talent and raising money. Here, their past experience and contacts, created during the Jabong days, helped. Almost a year down the line, the start-up has nearly 500 air-conditioned minibuses and claims to have facilitated around 15,000 rides a day on 60 routes. Shuttl operates in Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and parts of Delhi. "Despite not spending much on marketing, more than two-thirds of our users are coming from the organic channel. We are growing at 30 per cent week-on-week," says Singh. The ticket size ranges from Rs 20 to Rs 100, depending on route and distance. This is slightly costlier when compared with public transport but Singh says people don't mind paying a little more for an assured and comfortable ride. During peak hours, the occupancy rate is nearly 92 per cent. Way forward Shuttl plans to use the investments for building technology products, expansion and achieving deeper penetration in existing geographies. "Solving daily travel issues in a safe, affordable and green way has great potential," says Bejul Somaia, managing director, Lightspeed India Partners Advisors, on choosing Shuttl. He adds, people are slowly but surely embracing the idea of shared urban transport, provided they get a safe, comfortable and affordable ride, and "The team at Shuttl is providing just that." By 2016-end, the company is targeting 100,000 rides a day and hopes to achieve operational profit on a few routes. In the next two years, it is aiming to facilitate 500,000 rides a day. Singh declines to share revenues and profitability. "In the next one and a half to two years, we would see profit at operational level on some of the old routes." It works on a commission model. The company says it could break even with 10 customers on many of its routes, on the back of its 'suggest a route' feature that invites customers to suggest their routes and rail to start a new one. Completion of new metro lines would add to the opportunity, as the company can act as the first and last mile connectivity for commuters. Singh says they would be focused on Delhi for at least the next six months as there are at least 20 million rides happening in the capital itself. It might look at Mumbai and Hyderabad, in the future. Challenges Every day, around 400,000 cars ply on the Delhi/NCR roads, along with four million metro rides and four million Delhi Transport Corporation bus rides. Shuttl sees a case in taking its services where public transportation is not doing well. It is also working with stakeholders to operate along with the recent plying odd-even initiative of the Delhi government. For the next one and a half years, it says it has sufficient fund to support its plans. The start-up sees the biggest challenge in developing and constantly upgrading the technology and data cracking. The market is also getting crowded, with more players coming into this space. About 150,000 buses transport some 70 million people every day in India, according to industry estimates. In comparison, 23 million people travel by train. Bengaluru-based Zipgo and Mumbai-based rBus are the biggest players in the segment. Both are spreading their wings to other cities, including Delhi. Cab aggreator Ola too has plans to invest Rs 120-150 crore to launch a bus service. Creating the right supply of buses, routes, optimising services and customer loyalty will be the other challenges for the company. Daily commuting in metro cities is a major challenge. Ride-sharing solutions, like ZipGo, are targeted at people who find public buses overcrowded, taxis too expensive and driving in traffic too stressful. We estimate the market to be 100 million passengers a day, translating into a $60-billion size. ZipGo crossed 1,000 rides a day in less than a month after launch. So, there is demand and acceptance for such solutions. The only challenge we see is our laws are a bit antiquated and do not address app-based services in the transportation sector. But, as we have seen in the case of taxi aggregators, this is expected. Regulations tend to lag innovation. We are working with state governments and the Centre to address this. Shuttl's business model is the same as ZipGo. They launched in Gurgaon with a goal to address last-mile connectivity from metro rail stations to office complexes. They have seen rapid adoption as well. ZipGo also launched a women-only service in the NCR in December. There is a demand for such services in not only Tier-I cities but also in Tier-II. Jitender Sharma is co-founder & CEO of ZipGo As it scurries to garner funds to ensure release of jailed chief Subrata Roy, embattled Sahara group has begun another mammoth exercise of taking back loads of investor documents it had given to the markets regulator Sebi in 128 trucks over three years ago. The move follows Sebi getting Rs 41 crore, from interest earned on money deposited by Sahara for investor refunds, as reimbursement of expenses incurred by the regulator in this high-profile case including towards huge storage costs of these documents that are key to verification of investors. In this long-running case, the Supreme Court had ordered Sahara in August 2012 to deposit with Sebi over Rs 24,000 crore collected from nearly three crore investors through issuance of certain bonds. Sahara was also asked to give Sebi the entire sets of investor documents for verification so that the money can be refunded to genuine investors. Consequently, Sahara had sent 128 trucks, containing more than 31,000 cartons full of documents to Sebi, which had to hire special storage facility for their safekeeping. The regulator later digitised those documents for easier access. The group said Sebi refused to take custody of another batch of documents, estimated at about 25% of total investor documents, that were sent by it to the regulator. As per the court orders, Sahara is to pay for the expenses incurred by Sebi towards the storage of documents and other expenditure involved in the investor refund process. Amid mounting costs associated with the storage of the documents, Sahara has now sought taking back the custody as Sebi has digitised the original papers. The regulator has agreed to return the original documents, provided they are kept in "safe custody under double-locking system by Sebi and Sahara", a senior official said, while adding that the Supreme Court has also given its approval for the same. When contacted, a Sahara spokesperson confirmed that the group has begun working on an arrangement for safe keeping of these documents and the costs would be "naturally" much less. "We shall prefer to transport documents ourselves," the spokesperson told PTI in reply to queries on whether Sahara would want Sebi to transport the papers back to it and reimburse them the associated costs. The spokesperson further said Sebi has refunded only Rs 50 crore to the Sahara investors in the last 40 months. "After publishing four times through 144 newspapers in the country, Sebi could get demand of only Rs 52 crore, whereas Sebi has our Rs 12,000 crore (including interest earned)" in the Sebi-Sahara account, the spokesperson added. "So, it is painful that that we have to pay Rs 41 crore," he said on reimbursement of expenses incurred by Sebi. The spokesperson further said, "Sebi has not yet received around 25% of the document, for the reason best known to Sebi. After discussing with Sebi, we shall take a decision whether this 25% documents shall be kept with rest of the documents or not." Roy and two other senior group executives have been in Tihar Jail for nearly two years, even as it claims to have refunded over 95% of the investors directly. Following a plea by Sebi, the Supreme Court earlier this month directed that a sum of Rs 41,44,76,410 be reimbursed to the regulator towards the expenditure incurred by it on various items in connection with the Sahara matter. "The reimbursement shall be out of the interest amount earned by the deposit made in SEBI Sahara Account. The adjustment shall be without prejudice to Sahara's right to seek refund if any in accordance with law," the court said. Before the court, Sahara counsel submitted that since the entire record filed by the group has been digitised, the original documents can be returned to avoid the recurring expenditure which Sebi was incurring towards rent of the storage facility hired by it. Sebi counsel said that the regulator has no objection to the return of the documents provided they are kept in safe custody under double locking system. The court said that once Sebi was satisfied with the storage facility, Sahara was free to transfer the records. Listing the matter for further hearing on March 29, the court said in its order dated February 2 that the "needful shall be done within six weeks". Sebi has generated about 20 crore scanned pages of PDF documents and has created a database out of them. The total volume of this electronic data, including the PDF files, is 70 terabytes. Terabyte, wherein the prefix tera is derived from the Greek word for monster, is a measure of computer storage capacity and one TB is approximately a trillion bytes. Late last year, Sebi had disclosed in its latest annual report that it had refunded over Rs 42 crore to the bondholders of the two Sahara firms while discrepancies were found in nearly 3,000 refund applications. Sebi had said it received 10,456 applications and made refunds with respect to 7,296 applications for an aggregate amount of Rs 42,42,36,472 including interest of Rs 18,04,58,872, as on June 3, 2015. The total amount claimed by the 10,456 bondholders stood at over Rs 50 crore, while the disputed cases involve refund claims to the tune of about Rs 7.65 crore. The total refund had stood at Rs 1.25 crore as on March 31, 2014, including interest of Rs 43.83 lakh, relating to 445 applications. The refunds are being made from the amount deposited by Saharas with the regulator as per the Supreme Court orders. The total amount deposited by Saharas as on March 31, 2015 stood at Rs 8,790.08 crore, Sebi had said. Sebi had initiated the refund process on May 28, 2012, while two series of advertisements were released in August 2014 and December 2014 and a format of application for refund was put on the regulator's website. Sebi has constituted a special enforcement cell to specifically handle work relating to the verification process of documents submitted in terms of the directions of the Supreme Court and also to handle matters connected therewith. Apart from Sharper Shape, Finland's Chempolis and Fortum, too, have big plans to invest in India, Chempolis, which has developed technologies for energy from waste and for ethanol, has signed a 50:50 joint venture with Numaligarh refinery in Assam to set up a unit that can make energy from bamboos. On Monday, ten Indian companies will submit proposals to the defence ministry for designing, developing and manufacturing a "future infantry combat vehicle" (FICV) - an armoured, tracked vehicle that will carry soldiers into battle. A ministry team will choose the two best proposals, while the public sector Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) gets a free pass, being a defence ministry entity. These three development agencies (DAs) will each develop an FICV prototype, with the defence ministry paying 80 per cent of the cost. The best will be chosen and 2,600 FICVs built to that design to replace the army's ageing BMP-II ICV fleet. The FICV is required to be amphibious, and transportable in the air force's IL-76 and C-17 aircraft. It must fire missiles that destroy enemy tanks at ranges of 4,000 metres. The ten firms that received Expressions of Interest from the defence ministry on July 16, 2015 are Larsen & Toubro (L&T); Tata Power (Strategic Engineering Division); Tata Motors; Mahindra & Mahindra; Bharat Forge; Pipavav Defence; Rolta India; Punj Lloyd; Titagarh Wagons and the OFB. Business Standard learns these companies have formed consortia between themselves, and tied up technology partnerships with foreign vendors. In selecting the DAs, the defence ministry would evaluate three parameters in their bid, namely technology levels; financial strength and indigenisation capability. The selection process is likely to take about 12 months. The major tie-ups between companies are enumerated below. The Tatas are not bidding as a group, although Tata Group headquarters wanted Tata Motors to bid in partnership with Tata Power (SED). However, after the defence ministry ruled that Tata Motors' overseas income from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) would not be countable towards the financial strength of the company, Tata Power (SED) concluded that partnering Tata Motors would hamstring its own bid. Now Tata Motors is bidding in consortium with Bharat Forge; and they have co-opted US major, General Dynamics (GD), as a technology partner. Over the years, GD has built highly successful armoured vehicles, including the US Army's M-1 Abrams tank; and Stryker ICV. Meanwhile, Tata Power (SED) is going it alone, having gained confidence from being selected as a DA in both the 'Make' projects already awarded - the Tactical Communications System, and the Battlefield Management System. In both these bids, it was in consortium with L&T. Tata Power (SED)'s strength lies in systems integration. It will also benefit from its on-going collaboration with Korean firm, Dusan, in a separate tender for building an armoured vehicle for a mobile air defence system to replace the Russian Tangushka. At the time of going to press, L&T was still in negotiations with the Mahindras, trying to hammer out a joint bid, which will incorporate technology from UK-based BAE Systems. L&T is already partnering Korean firm, Samsung Heavy Engineering, for building the K-7 Thunder, self-propelled artillery gun, which will provide it access to armoured vehicle technologies. L&T also has experience in designing the Nag missile carrier for the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The OFB, which has been granted automatic nomination as a DA, has never designed an armoured vehicle. It has built the T-90 and Arjun tanks, and the BMP-II, but only based on transferred technology and manufacturing blueprints. Industry rumours indicate that several Israeli firms have approached OFB and offered to entirely design the FICV, which the OFB can then assemble at its factory in Medak. The nine private firms are protesting this favoured treatment, despite repeated defence ministry promises of a level playing field. Private firms say the OFB's assembly line at Medak should be made available to the winning DA on a "government owned company operated" basis. Instead of incurring the expenditure of a brand new assembly line, the winning DA can pay to build the FICV at Medak. It is learnt that the OFB had earlier explored cooperation with Russia's military export agency, Rosoboronexport, but the army told OFB it "did not want a BMP-III". Each DA will spend an estimated Rs 1,000 crore in developing their prototype. Manufacturing 2,600 FICVs over about a decade would cost another Rs 50,000 crore. This 'Make' project is being processed under the Defence Procurement Policy of 2008. To be eligible, DPP-2008 mandates that a company should have been registered for at least 10 years; have capital assets in India of at least Rs 100 crore and a turnover greater than Rs 1,000 crore for each of the preceding three years, and a minimum credit rating equivalent to CRISIL/ICRA "A". The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in Delhi with a promise of cheap power to citizens and to "expose the power distribution companies". Power charges for the 0-400 units consumption bracket were halved but it has had to put brakes on the promise of free power. Close to three million in the 0-400 units bracket avail of a subsidy, whose total outgo the industry estimates at Rs 3,800 crore. To be charged, it would mean a seven per cent rise in rates across the board. Delhi's bulk power purchase rate was 60 per cent higher than the national average of Rs 3.49 a unit last year. However, what is charged from consumers is the lowest in the country at Rs 2.8 a unit, said an executive with one of the distribution companies (discoms). In a first, the government requested the Union comptroller and auditor general audit the three discoms. The three discoms are Reliance Power's BSES Yamuna Power and BSES Rajdhani Power, and Tata Power Delhi Distribution. The city government has 49 per cent stake in each of the three discoms. The high court said the discoms "function under a regulatory regimeexressly vested with the powers of audit if so required". AAP members of the legislative assembly last year demanded the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chief be summoned to the legislature, to explain the high rate regime, alleging the body favoured the discoms. "DERC is a quasi-judicial autonomous and statutory institution, set up under the Electricity Act, 2003, and is exclusively mandated to fix tariff (rates) and take up all related areas of functioning as prescribed," replied DERC. "The Delhi government has 49 per cent share holding in all the companies and its high officials are directors on the boards of these. The government is, therefore expected and assumed to be familiar with the affairs of the discoms, said a senior DERC executive. The city government had also directed DERC to have consumers compensated n their power bills for unscheduled power cuts. Compensation comes under the 'Delhi Electricity Supply Code and Performance Standards'. These standards are currently undergoing changes. Maharashtra Governor CV Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his wife Rashmi Thackeray, actors Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, ministers, parliamentarians, legislators, and other prominent personalities watching the performance were shifted to safer places. The BMC said the fire could have been caused by an electric short- circuit. Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu has been a nursery of sorts for the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India. More multinational companies have set up their manufacturing base in and around these zones in Sriperumbudur, about 40 km south of Chennai, than in any other place in the country. In a way, this town was the country's first brush with Make in India. The quarter gone by was tough on most banks, but public sector banks' (PSBs) performance was worse than their private peers, especially in terms of asset quality and top line growth, leading to a dismal show on the profit front. PSBs' provisioning for bad loans totalled Rs 43,717 crore in the December 2015 quarter (Q3 FY16) - a figure that has doubled from the year-ago levels. And, this figure is eight times the provisions made by private-sector peers, even as PSBs' share of advances (industry market share) is three times that of private peers. As a result, PSBs' profitability was severely impacted. With 11 out of 25 PSBs ending the quarter with a loss and another eight witnessing a sharp fall in profit (between 59 and 93 per cent) compared to the year-ago period, they ended up with a combined loss of Rs 10,794 crore in Q3 FY16 versus a profit of Rs 33,613 crore. (BANKING ON KEY NUMBERS) Bank of Baroda (BOB), IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of India and UCO Bank posted losses of Rs 1,400-3,350 crore, while profit for major banks such as Punjab National Bank, Union Bank, and Canara Bank shrunk 74 per cent to 93 per cent during the December 2015 quarter, while that of State Bank of India (SBI), too, collapsed by nearly 62 per cent, on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis. However, thanks to the combined net profit of Rs 11,101 crore posted by private banks, led by HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank, the entire banking pack (39 banks studied for this purpose) posted a combined net profit of Rs 307 crore in Q3 FY16. This is despite ICICI Bank's provisioning trebling in Q3 FY16 and Axis Bank witnessing 40 per cent jump in provisions made for bad loans. Among private players, only three banks saw their profits decline on a y-o-y basis, and just one ended the quarter with a loss. The overall asset quality for the industry itself weakened in the December 2015 quarter as the total gross non-performing assets (NPAs) recognised stood at Rs 4,37,860 crore, up 50 per cent y-o-y (each for public and private sector banks). PSBs accounted for Rs 3,96,386 crore or 90 per cent of the total gross NPAs in the quarter. Average gross NPA ratio for PSB stands at 7.32 per cent - about three times more than private banks (2.74 per cent). While ICICI Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank were the outliers in the private packs, gross NPA ratio of PSBs such as Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Dena Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Central Bank and United Bank of India and Punjab National Bank were much higher. Even as asset quality pressures are expected to persist, the declining net interest income (NII), particularly in the PSBs, compounds the worries. Net interest income is interest earned minus interest expended. Much in contract to a healthy 21.6 per cent y-o-y growth in NII posted by private banks, the combined figure has declined by about two per cent for PSBs. Decline was steep in case of Bank of Baroda, UCO Bank, Dena Bank, and Allahabad Bank, while SBI, too, saw a 1.2 per cent y-o-y dip in NII in Q3 FY16. Weak growth in NII points to a subdued lending business, though a part of it was also due to changes in regulation. For most private banks, NII growth was strong. Likewise, other income too grew at a fast pace, except for some smaller private banks. Thus, a majority of them reported healthy growth in net profit, even as their provisioning (like PSBs) surged on a y-o-y basis. Among PSBs, only a few saw good growth in other income. But, with most reporting weak NII growth, this along with a spike in provisions impacted their profitability. The new methodology to calculate base lending rate effective from April 2016 could further dent the NIIs, says Vaibhav Agrawal of Angel Broking, who believes most NPA additions/provisioning will be done by the June 2017 quarter and the pace of incremental slippages will moderate. Hence, going forward, with credit growth stabilising at 11 per cent despite weak corporate demand, capital infusion appears critical for PSBs to combat the provisioning pressures and see any significant improvement in credit growth. Countrys farmers can be benefitted only when the new agricultural technologies are utilized by them at the field level, says Shri Radha Mohan Singh . . Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh attends the National Seminar and Assam Krishi Unnayan Mela" 2016 at Guwahati today. . . During the occasion, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Assam and rest of the North Eastern states have abundant natural resources, congenial climatic conditions and large population of educated youth which makes the region suitable to trigger Indias second Green Revolution. He also said that comparative advantages of the region in producing fruits, vegetables and other horticulture products can be tapped by setting up small-scale processing units for the local market which will also boost rural employment. . . Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that the countrys farmers can be benefitted only when the new agricultural technologies are utilized by them at the field level. Our Prime Minister clearly told that the countrys development is not possible until our village and farmers are not developed, he added. . . The text of the Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singhs address on the occasion is as follows: . . The north-eastern region occupies eight percent of India's land area and is home to four percent of its population. Agriculture provides livelihood to 70% of the regions population. In Mizoram, around 51% of population lives in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture. The figure in Sikkim is as high as 89%. However, the pattern of agricultural growth has remained uneven across the region. The states continue to be net importers of food grains for their own consumption. However, over the last decade, the demand-supply gap of food grains in the north-eastern region had narrowed down. The region has low proportion of irrigated area and investment in building irrigation capacity has been insufficient. The Farmer brothers and sisters it is clear that Assam and rest of the North Eastern states have abundant natural resources, congenial climatic conditions, large population of educated youth makes the region suitable to trigger Indias second Green Revolution. Comparative advantages of the region in producing fruits, vegetables and other horticulture products can be tapped by setting up small-scale processing units for the local market which will also boost rural employment. As stated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Bhai Modi, the North-East should focus on a second green revolution through organic farming. . . Assam is predominantly an agricultural state and over 75% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Paddy is the most important food crop grown in the state. Cash crops like tea, jute, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, potato etc. contribute considerable acreage. Among the horticultural crops produced in the state, orange, banana, pineapple, areca nut, coconut, guava, mango, jackfruit, and citrus are the important ones. The state has an estimated 39.44 lakh hectares of gross cropped area, of which net sown area is about 27.01 lakh hectares. . . Area under pulses and Oilseeds are 1.05 and 2.26 lakh hectare respectively, rice area covered by HYV are 63% of total rice area. Consumption of chemical fertilizers and Organic Manure are 63.2 and 73 kg per hectare. Similarly, Consumption of Chemical Pesticides and Bio- Pesticides are 39 and 6 g per hectare. But it is surprising that, our Prime Minister has started the Traditional Agricultural development Scheme for the promotion of organic farming and given Rs. 5.76 crore to the Assam state. That money is also not utilized by the state government, whereas, previously no money were allotted for such a scheme. In addition, for the promotion of organic farming in the North Eastern states Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore, unfortunately the state government is not able to utilize it. . . The countrys population is increasing, but the agricultural land is not increasing. Modi Government has decided that the 14 crore farmers who is having the land should be issued a soil health card so that, they can know what disease they have in the field and accordingly how much pesticides and fertilizers can be used. For this, Assam Govt. has been allotted Rs. 1.33 crore for the management of soil health card in the state, till now that money also unspent by the state government. For the irrigation of the rainfed area, the fund has been allotted and unfortunately the state government is not able to utilize it. . . Few days back I came to Guwahati and said the in the year 1994-95, Government of India has sanctioned Rs. 1300 lakh for the Dairy Development Project in the 10 districts of Assam State. In the year, 2004-05 again Rs. 910 Lakh has been issued by the Central Government, but from that also Rs. 300 lakh has been siphoned. No report of that scam was given by the state government to the centre and what happen to that money and culprit, nobody knows. The loss is obviously to the people of Assam. There is no dairy development in the state. . . Countrys farmers can be benefitted only when the new agricultural technologies are utilized by them at the field level. Our Prime Minister clearly told that the countrys development is not possible until our village and farmers are not developed. The countrys development is possible only when our North East will develop, for that, our Prime Minister has decided to open New Delhi based I.A.R.I. at Assam. For the land of this institute, letter has already been given to the state government. . . Government has shown four places and the officials of the institute have selected one place, and for that also, the state government is demanding Rs. 1.60 lakh per bigha. It is surprising that, the institute will benefit the farmers of the region. Normally, the state government is providing the land free of cost, dont know, the state government is strengthening the farmers or own family. Modi Government is committed to bring the second green revolution in the North East. . . The headquarter (ATARI) of all the North Eastern KVKs are at Umiam, which include 25 KVKs of Assam also. The KVKs in Assam have significant achievements. The KVKs of the Assam conducted 3736 on farm trials and demonstrations under different thematic areas of crops and livestock enterprises during 2014-15 under close supervision and guidance of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-III. Apart from that, the KVKs of Assam have conducted 1020 hectare of oil seeds and 425 hectare of pulses in the year 2015-16. As many as 65174 numbers of farmers and extension personnel in the Assam state were imparted training programmes on different areas of crops, livestock enterprises, fisheries and home science. During the year 2014-15, the KVKs in Assam produced 598.69 tonnes of quality seeds, 4.04 lakh of planting materials and 2.02 lakh livestock (piglets, poultry chicks etc) and fish fingerlings. KVKs in Assam were successful in soil sample analysis and supply of 6577 Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to farmers during the current year (2015-16) and soil testing kit has been made available to 17 districts for soil testing. . . In this year, ICAR allocated Rs. 26 crore for the presently functioning 25 KVKs in Assam. KVK Karbianglong under Assam Agricultural University was conferred merits of recognition for implementating government sponsored new programme ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture)" with financial support of Rs 1 crore for sustainable self-employment and income security of the unemployed youth of the district. . . Some of the special programmes for KVKs of Assam such as; E-connectivity for the KVKs-Cachar, Kamrup, Lakhimpur and Sibsagar, Soil & Water Testing Labs for KVK Barpeta and Dibrugarh, Rain Water Harvesting for KVK Karbianglong, Minimal Processing Facilities for KVKs Karbianglong and Sonitpur , Portable Carb Hatchery for KVKs- Dubri, Hailkandi, Jorhat and Nagaon, Integrated Farming System for KVKs- Chirang, Kokrajhar and Udalguri, Technology Information Unit for KVKs- Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur Mini Seed Processing for KVKs-Cachar and Nalbari were implemented under 12th five year plan;. . . By considering the geographical scenario and benefit of the farmers of this region, we have decided to open a new ATARI at Guwahati. This ATARI will serve technology dissemination and extension needs and management for the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. This ATARI will be responsible look after the welfare and functioning of KVKs in 25 districts of Assam, 14 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and 4 districts of Sikkim, which will cover the 64% of area and 71% population of North Eastern region. Report of the Site Selection Committee for establishment of KVK in Dima Hasao district of Assam had already been submitted to ICAR and is at the final stage of its sanction. The state of Assam has contributed substantially to the food basket of the North east India and has the potential to fulfill the food grain demand of the whole region. The region has highest per capita availability of water in the country but seldom has its potential been utilized. To enhance the optimum utilization of water in the country, our government has started Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana". I am pretty sure that the second green revolution will have its root in the north eastern region in which Assam is surely going to play a major role. . . PM addresses students and teachers at the event Nayi Disha, Naya Sankalp" organized by the DAV College Managing Committee. . The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed students and teachers at the event Nayi Disha, Naya Sankalp" (New Direction, New Resolve) organized by the Dayananda Anglo Vedic College Managing Committee. . . Speaking on the occasion, he said that Swami Dayananda, continues to inspire even today. He said that the Arya Samaj, which was founded in the backdrop of the 1857 uprising for Independence, fought against superstition, and has been a force for reform. . . The Prime Minister said that the Naya Sankalp new resolve should be to raise Indias stature globally. This, he said, would be true homage to Swami Dayananda. He said that with DAVs huge strength of students and alumni, if they resolve to work on certain issues, they can together achieve significant results in a short span of time. He said the attempt should always be to create a modern and scientific India of the 21st century. . . The Prime Minister noted that the DAV College Management Committee had offered to support his Clean Ganga initiative. Welcoming this, the Prime Minister said that this was an initiative that could only succeed through peoples involvement. . . The Prime Minister also spoke of various Government initiatives for the benefit of the youth, such as Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India and Skill Development. . . The record cold gripping New York City has probably peaked along the East Coast and will start to retreat amid snow, sleet and rain on Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures rise by over 50 degrees, according to the US Weather Prediction Center. New York's Central Park got as low as minus one degree fahrenheit (minus 18 Celsius) on Sunday morning, breaking a record set in 1916, said Jay Engle, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Upton, New York. The last time Central Park posted a below-zero reading was in January 1985. By Tuesday, temperatures there could reach 53 degrees, the ... There were no correct entries to quiz No 447. The winner is based on the first correct entry received. How fast can you tweak a product and bring an upgrade into the market? How fast do you react to consumer feedback and change? How quickly can you sift through data and take a decision? Let's get this straight first: No one likes to do things or take a decision in a jiffy. You need data and information and space to roll things over in your mind, consider the pros and cons and then proceed. The great thing about the world today is that you can do all of that without delay. You have all the tools at your disposal to collect data, slice and dice them and turn them into actionable insights in no time. In other words, there are no excuses for being late. Speed is hygiene if you wish to compete and win in a hyper-competitive marketplace. Pallavi Jha, managing director (MD), Dale Carnegie Training India, puts the dilemma before leaders succinctly: "The new business reality is: do more in less time with fewer resources. Given this, the ability to allocate scarce resources is a key responsibility for a leader today." If one were to really break it down, speed is of the essence in decision-making, in reacting to consumer feedback or demand and speed in getting things off the drawing board and into the market. How do you stay in constant contact with your customers and get your products in their hands as quickly as possible - all of which can make or break a business? So how are leaders reacting to this need for speed? For Vivek Gambhir, MD, Godrej Consumer Products, "Now every aspect of life as well as business calls for higher ambidexterity." And from a leadership point of view, this starts with a clear view of the company's vision. Next comes clarity regarding decision-making - what decisions have to be made and at what level of the organisation. "If decision-making is clear then the speed of response automatically becomes fast," says Gambhir. This also has a bearing on how agile the organisation can be. "Agility, once again, is a consequence of a leader being clear about the company strategy," adds Gambhir. So if in the past, it took 18 months for Godrej to come up with a product innovation, the window now is down to six months. The organisation has achieved this level of speed by changing a lot of internal processes. For one, it has simplified the procedure of potential business acquisitions by putting together a clear merger and acquisition (M&A) playbook in place. This way the company can identify interesting transaction opportunities quickly. Linking agility to time to market, Sumit Bhattacharya, executive president, strategic businesses and marketing, HCL Infosystems, says, "Time to market (speed) is a function of multiple factors such as the structure of an organisation and the level of empowerment of people. A flat decision-making structure within the organisation with clear decision-making responsibilities accelerates time-to-market ability of an organisation." On the shortening product cycle, Abhijit Nimgaonkar, principal, ZS Associates, cites an examples from the pharma industry, a sector he has followed closely. "Earlier, pharma companies followed a 10-year cycle covering functions such as research, product formulation, market testing etc. before a product launch. Today, all these processes have to run simultaneously. The entire process now is lean, mean, faster - from testing to commercialisation." While it is important for a leader to be aware and in sync with the organisation's vision to take relevant decisions quickly, it is equally important to nurture the ability to sift through varied data sets to see what is relevant. Capturing the challenges that the deluge of data presents, Puneet Kaura, MD and CEO, Samtel Avionics, says, "In today's highly volatile and connected world, while information aggregation is not a challenge, information segregation is. One has to constantly filter out and retain valuable information from the plethora of stimuli targeted at us all the time." Kaura also cautions against glossing over networking. "If you are well-connected, information finds a way to you rather than the other way round. I and my team grab every chance that we can get to gain knowledge and to be mentored by those who have an in-depth knowledge of the business." Staying abreast of what's going on around you is unavoidable when planning the launch of a product. "This poses three challenges - generating continuous and genuine insights, empowering an organisation and balancing data-driven approaches with intuition," underlines Nitin Prasad, MD, Shell Lubricants India. He says a smart organisation will keep a finger on the pulse of the market via social media, pressing into service insight generation experts who can quickly identify a growing trend. On the empowerment front, it is a good idea to give local teams the freedom and authority to make the decisions they need to, to speed up execution. The challenge in balancing data-driven processes with intuition can daunt many leaders, says Prasad. The deluge of data has led to sophisticated data management techniques, but it can lead to what he describes as "analysis paralysis". And that is the space where experts and mentors can step in. Vivekanand Venugopal, vice-president and general manager, Hitachi Data Systems, India, suggests an easy way to break out of that paralysis: listening to one's gut feeling whenever in doubt. Venugopal says no amount of innovation or speed will work if a company fails to find relevance among customers and partners. "To accelerate the relevance and adoption of solutions, you have to behave like an entrepreneur by collaborating with different stakeholders and forming alliances to provide the best platform for customers." Hitachi Data Systems leverages its big data and social innovation labs to generate a fair idea of what the customer wants. Learnings from international markets has helped Godrej cut time and cost to develop new products. Good Knight Fast Card is a case in point. Initial research by the company revealed that India alone sees 24 million cases of malaria each year and 90 per cent of the population resides in malaria-prone areas. Also, in rural India, the penetration of household insecticides is very low. Lastly, the products available were either expensive or needed electricity. Godrej responded to the challenge and moved quickly to introduce the Good Knight Fast Card, a product that broke the price barrier, worked instantly and did not require electricity. "The idea for this product came from a similar product we had launched in Indonesia," says Gambhir. Having a wide footprint also makes the task of soft launch easy. "We test market response to new products by introducing them in a select geography. This helps us to quickly understand acceptance levels and make adjustments before a full-fledged product launch," says Sanjay Bhutani, MD, India and SAARC, Bausch + Lomb India. Remarkably, companies today are not only looking to amplify positive feedback; they are keen on discovering negative feedback as well and channelising it into positive learnings for the brand. For instance, Shell Lubricants has a senior management review on all negative feedback it receives through its "Hot Alerts". The company challenges itself on what can be done to address the cause of the comments. All "Hot Alerts" are rigorously followed up with the specific individual or company who raised them. Similarly, at Bausch & Lomb, each complaint is addressed within 24 working hours. Any product-related feedback on social media is received by brand custodians. Once the team understands the nature of the complaint, a dedicated team of experts takes appropriate action. The company also has an internal MIS wherein all feedback is recorded and shared at the national and international levels. This helps it identify areas of improvement and also serves as a quality check dashboard. Don't waste time: Kiran Koteshwar Kiran Koteshwar Take time out: Leaders need to have time and make time. Administrative tasks take a lot of mental space; hence delegation becomes important. If I see an opportunity or an area of improvement, I take an unconventional route and engage directly with the ones I feel are apt for implementation. I then inform their seniors - this is where relationship equity places a key role. Stay informed: Staying abreast of situations and having a finger on the pulse is the key to effective decision-making. We have "management by exception" work culture where exceptions are discussed face to face at all levels. We also have live reports to look at trends, weakness, opportunities. Be proactive: In any crisis, big or small, we proactively keep our consumers informed through social media updates, and as required keep adding latest updates frequently and periodically. Innovation matters: Innovations are best implemented with the ones who thought about it. Creating situational leaders helps foster talent and most importantly implementation is easier. Expert TakeCFO, SpiceJet Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL)'s December 2015 quarter results, announced on Thursday, snatched away hope of any near-term recovery, and were below estimates. For a 16th consecutive quarter, BHEL recorded a fall in revenue,at Rs 5,230 crore, a level previously seen in the June 2014 quarter. What's worrisome is the sharper decline in gross margins (revenues less raw material cost) at 36 per cent; down 300 basis points (bps) over a year, despite lower commodity prices. Depressed gross margin indicates the continued competitive pricing environment and cost pressures due to super critical orders or orders requiring joint development undertaking (JDU). Under JDU, which now accounts for 45 per cent of the total order book (about Rs 1.1 lakh crore), BHEL is required to collaborate with foreign technology providers such as Siemens and Alstom. The raw material import component is high in these orders, and margins are relatively lower. Order book in the third quarter of the current financial year is lower sequentially, if Rs 3,700 crore of orders, which are unlikely to commence, are to be excluded. Positive take-away from the quarter is the revival of five projects (constituted by private players) totalling to Rs 2,000 crore. With this, the stranded order book falls to Rs 32,600 crore in the quarter. BHEL's stock price has been hammered down by 40 per cent since January on earnings concerns. Thirty out of 47 analysts polled on Bloomberg recommend 'sell' on the stock. Though much of the negativity is priced in, environmental clearance for the Telangana project (5x800 Mw) could provide some cushion. Expressing his gratitude to Bangladesh for their continued support, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called Dhaka an 'unflinching proponent' of just causes in his nation. The Palestinian President said this during a short stopover at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his way to Japan. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Mahmood Ali welcomed him at the airport, reports The Daily Star. President Abbas briefed the Foreign Minister on the updates of the Israeli atrocities on the Palestinian people as well as the longstanding impasse on the peace process. Abbas also expressed sincere thanks for offering opportunities of higher studies for a good number of students as well as training of armed force members of Palestine in Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the Palestinian President and asked him to pay a bilateral visit to Bangladesh to witness the enormous goodwill of the people of the two countries. Jennifer Garner and her estranged husband Ben Affleck will be celebrating the Valentine's Day together with kids in Montana. An insider revealed that along with their three kids - Violet, Samuel and Seraphina Rose, the pair is also accompanied by their family friends on the trip, E! Online reports. It seems like the 43-year-old actor and the 'Alias' star will remain friends for the sake of their kids, as earlier, they took their kids to Montana to celebrate the holiday season. Source said that the two will be together as a family and will spend time with each other for the sake of their children. Garner and Affleck, who got hitched on June 29, 2005, broke up last June after 10 years of togetherness. The Congress party on Sunday questioned the patriotism of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS), saying that none of their prominent leaders gave their life for the country, fighting extremism or terrorism in the country since its independence. "Not A single Prominent Jan Sangh/RSS/BJP leader fell martyr, fighting terrorism/extremism in India since 47&yet claim monoply over patriotism?" Congress leader Manish Tewari said in a tweet. The development comes after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi yesterday accused the NDA government of "suppressing" students' voice as he visited the JNU campus to express solidarity with them, a day after the arrest of its students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case. Gandhi, who yesterday accused the Modi government of "bullying" the institution, in a scathing attack said "most anti- are people, who are suppressing the voice of students in this institution". The president of JNU students union was arrested over an event at the JNU campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, sparking massive outrage among students and criticism from non-BJP parties which dubbed it as an "Emergency-like" situation. Invoking Adolf Hitler, Gandhi said that suppressing voice by the Nazi ruler left Germany in rubbles. "We do not have problem if RSS and BJP want to express their opinion. We just want to tell them if they will listen to us, they will be convinced by us... they are simply crushing voices," Gandhi said. Congress vice president's visit was opposed by members of ABVP, who waved black flags when he spoke. Taking note of it, he said, "People who showed black flags on my face, I feel proud that in my country they have the right to show black flags. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday strongly condemned attack on its Central Committee office here and demanded a thorough probe in this regard. "The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the cowardly attack on its Central Committee office in New Delhi," the party said in a statement. "At around 3.30 p.m. this evening a few goons owing allegiance to the rightwing forces attacked the Party headquarters. Party comrades who rushed to defend the office apprehended one of the attackers and handed him over to the Delhi Police," it added. The Left Party in its statement further said that the Delhi Police must thoroughly investigate this incident and take action against the culprits and their mentors. "Those who hero worship the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi as a ' hero' have the temerity to accuse the CPI(M) of being anti- . We do not require certificates of patriotism from such elements," it added. It further alleged that the move was politically motivated and that the party would meet this challenge politically and defend themselves against such attacks. Three youths on Sunday tried to vandalise the CPI(M) headquarters here. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has admitted that it is unlikely for his side to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League following the humiliating defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Sunderland 1-2 at Stadium of Light. The Dutchman said that he had informed his players that it would be really difficult for them to finish in top four, but insisted he still remains hopeful for the same, the Guardian reported. Reflecting on his side's performance, the 64-year-old believes that United didn't manage to deliver their best, adding that they failed to cope up with Sunderland's aggression. The manager, however, refused to accept that he was feeling pressure by his side's constant dip in form and maintained that he was only focusing on doing his job. Van Gaal said although he was feeling disappointed with United's performance, he added that he was glad to see unity among his players. United are currently fifth in standings and are six points behind Manchester City, which have entered the finals of Champions League. United, which made an early exit from the Champions League, will now lock horns with Arsenal on February 28. Social networking giant Facebook has announced that its Managing Director in India, Kirthiga Reddy, will step down and return to the United States. Reddy will return to 'explore new opportunities' at the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, California. 'Would be relocating in the next 6-12 months,' Reddy confirmed in a Facebook post. "As she had planned for some time, Kirthiga Reddy is moving back to the U.S. to work with the teams in Headquarters. During her time in India, Kirthiga was not involved in our Free Basic Services efforts," a Facebook spokesperson said. The move comes days after the Telecom regulator TRAI rejected differential pricing for data services in India, a setback to Facebook's plan to roll out a pared-back free Internet service. Two people have been arrested in connection with the killing of Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha. One accused, identified as Harendra Singh, alias, Bhua Singh, was arrested on Saturday. Meanwhile, the BJP has called bandh in Shahabad region in protest against killing. Ojha was shot dead at Sonbarsa village under Shahpur police station of Bhojpur on Friday evening when he was returning from a wedding. Some unidentified assailants fired at him and fled the scene, in which Ojha's driver and a man also got injured. Ojha was the second BJP leader to have been killed in the past 12 hours. This morning another local BJP leader Kedar Singh was shot dead in Chhapra, headquarters of the Saran district. Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked Union Home Minister Rajjnath Singh to share evidence to support his allegation that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed supported the protests Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. "That Hafiz Saeed supported the JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," Omar said in a tweet. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the anti- protests in the JNU campus had the backing of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. "I also want to make it clear that the JNU incident has the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. We should also understand this reality that Hafiz Saeed has supported this incident and it is extremely unfortunate," he told the media here. Array Singh further said that his government would not pardon all those who have raised slogans against the nation's integrity. "I have given all the necessary directions to officials to punish the offenders and not to harass the innocents," he added. Array When asked to comment on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to varsity, Singh said that nobody should try and take a political mileage out of this unfortunate incident. Array "Whatever happened in the JNU is extremely unfortunate. I appeal to every organisation in the country to speak in one voice if they find any anti- activity taking place in their surroundings," he added. Array The Home Minister told the CPI (M), CPI and JD (U) members, who met him yesterday seeking the releasing of JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, that the court would decide whether further action should be taken against those students arrested. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday on sedition charges over a protest organized in the JNU campus on February 9 against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Traffic movement on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway was at a standstill since morning as hundreds of college students blocked the highway in Daudkandi upazila of Comilla protesting against the death of a fellow colleague in a road crash. Mahmuda Akhter, 17, a class XI student of Hasanpur Shahid Nazrul Government Degree College, died on the spot as she was crushed under a truck in front of the college on Saturday, said Abdul Awal, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi Highway Police Station. Around a 12-kilometre tailback has been created on both sides of the highway due to the blockade, reports The Daily Star. The protesting students were demanding the arrest and punishment of the truck driver, who fled the scene immediately after the crash. American publishing company, Time Inc on Sunday announced the winners of the inaugural TIME India awards, honouring leaders for manufacturing excellence in India, at the Make in India week here. McKinsey & Company is the knowledge partner for the awards. The awards encompassed three categories: Best in class manufacturing, manufacturing innovator of the year and young maker of the year. Tata Steel won the award for best in class for manufacturing, while Hero MotoCorp was named the manufacturing innovator of the year and Yogesh and Rajesh Agrawal of Ajanta Pharma Limited were declared winners of the TIME India Young Maker of the Year. Norman Pearlstine, the chief content officer for Time Inc. announced the winners at a ceremony here, at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour. The awards launched a weeklong series of events to mark the Indian Government's 'Make in India' initiative to boost the country's manufacturing sector. "The recipients of the first TIME India awards are world-class that are making a real impact on the rapidly growing Indian economy. We are pleased to recognise them for their efforts during 'Make in India' Week ," said Pearlstine. "In the coming years many Indian may take the big leap to become global multinationals. Winners of the future will be that not only 'Make in India' but 'Make Better and More Efficiently in India," said Rajat Dhawan, director, McKinsey & Company. The winners were selected among nine finalists, who were determined from a pool of approximately 3,000 manufacturing companies after extensive evaluation of qualitative and quantitative parameters. The finalists were announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January. A jury of leading international business figures led by Norman Pearlstine selected the winners of the TIME India Awards in each category. Judges included General Electric vice chairman John Rice, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, ICICI Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar, Renault and Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn, TIME Assistant Managing Editor Rana Foroohar, and Kevin Sneader, Chairman, Asia, at McKinsey & Co. American publishing company, Time Inc on Sunday announced the winners of the inaugural TIME India awards, honouring leaders for manufacturing excellence in India, at the Make in India week here. McKinsey & Company is the knowledge partner for the awards. The awards encompassed three categories: Best in class manufacturing, manufacturing innovator of the year and young maker of the year. Tata Steel won the award for best in class for manufacturing, while Hero MotoCorp was named the manufacturing innovator of the year and Yogesh and Rajesh Agrawal of Ajanta Pharma Limited were declared winners of the TIME India Young Maker of the Year. Norman Pearlstine, the chief content officer for Time Inc. announced the winners at a ceremony here, at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the guest of honour. The awards launched a weeklong series of events to mark the Indian Government's 'Make in India' initiative to boost the country's manufacturing sector. "The recipients of the first TIME India awards are world-class companies that are making a real impact on the rapidly growing Indian economy. We are pleased to recognise them for their efforts during 'Make in India' Week ," said Pearlstine. "In the coming years many Indian companies may take the big leap to become global multinationals. Winners of the future will be companies that not only 'Make in India' but 'Make Better and More Efficiently in India," said Rajat Dhawan, director, McKinsey & Company. The winners were selected among nine finalists, who were determined from a pool of approximately 3,000 manufacturing companies after extensive evaluation of qualitative and quantitative parameters. The finalists were announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January. A jury of leading international figures led by Norman Pearlstine selected the winners of the TIME India Awards in each category. Judges included General Electric vice chairman John Rice, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, ICICI Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chanda Kochhar, Renault and Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn, TIME Assistant Managing Editor Rana Foroohar, and Kevin Sneader, Chairman, Asia, at McKinsey & Co. At least ten insurgents have been killed and 12 others were arrested in an operation by paramilitary troops in Balochistan. The incident occurred in Sangan area of Kahlu district, some 180 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital Quetta, reports The Express Tribune. The frontier corps had launched an operation against insurgents of the Baloch Liberation Army in Sangan area since Friday and was gradually closed on Saturday evening, killing 10 insurgents and destroying three training camps. The Provincial Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said 12 insurgents were also arrested, adding that a local leader of the Baloch Liberation Army was among the dead. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed and most sparsely populated province, has been wrecked for decades by a insurgency that was revived in 2004. Followed the announcement to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, the United States has expressed concern over the security of Islamabad's strategic nuclear weapons. According to the Dawn, Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said at a press briefing that the hostility between India and Pakistan was worrying and urged the two nations to continue talks to assuage tensions. "We're concerned both about the security of those nuclear weapons, and that's been a common refrain in our discussions with Pakistan," Toner said while responding to a question about the alleged increase in Pakistan's tactical nuclear weapons. "But we're also concerned, clearly, about tensions between India and Pakistan in the region, and we want to see a dialogue between those two countries, clearly, to help alleviate some of those tensions," he added. Earlier, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry dismissed claims that Islamabad's nuclear arsenal programme was the world's fastest growing and repeated the demand for the induction into a club of nuclear trading nations. Chaudhry also said that the Nuclear Suppliers Group's "discriminatory waiver" to India and the Indo-US nuclear deal had allowed New Delhi to amplify fissile material and disturb strategic stability in South Asia. According to a recent joint study by the Carnegie and Stimson research organisations, Pakistan has the estimated capability to produce 20 nuclear warheads annually while India appears to be producing about five warheads. A new research suggests that dark matter scientists are on the brink of discovering the elusive particles. Researchers are using analysis of deep space observations together with experiments far underground to hunt for dark matter, an elusive material which, together with dark energy, is thought to account for about 95 per cent of the universe. Scientists will tell a public symposium in Washington, DC how current theories and experiment point to the existence of dark matter, but how it is little understood by scientists. Its discovery would be a fundamental development in understanding the physical universe, a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of (AAAS) will hear. Alex Murphy of the University of Edinburgh will describe ongoing global collaborations by scientists around the world to detect and define the nature of dark matter. These include astronomy studies to examine its effect on galaxies and light in space, and experiments deep underground that seek to detect it by minimising interference from other particles. The most sensitive of these experiments is Large Underground Xenon, or LUX, detector, which is located a mile underground in South Dakota, US. Recent improvements have increased the device's chances of identifying sub-atomic particles called WIMPs, weakly interacting massive particles, which are believed to be the main component of dark matter. Murphy said that technology has enabled us to ramp up our search for this fundamental material and its place in the physical realm. At least 25 students of a Sri Lankan university were injured as the bus they were travelling in collided with a container truck on Sunday, police said. The accident occurred on the Bandarawela-Haputale road in Uva province, Xinhua news agency reported. Two of the students were in critical condition. The overall Afghan civilian casualties hit a record high in 2015 as about 11,000 non-combatants were killed or injured in conflict-related violence last year, a UN mission here said on Sunday. The increased ground fighting in and around populated areas along suicide blasts and other attacks in major cities were the main causes of conflict-related civilian deaths and injuries in 2015, the report titled "2015 Annual Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict," said. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan documented 11,002 civilian casualties (3,545 deaths and 7,457 injured) in 2015, exceeding the previous record levels of civilian casualties that occurred in 2014, Xinhua news agency reported. The latest figures show an overall increase of four percent during 2015 in total civilian casualties from the previous year. UNAMA began its systematic documentation of civilian casualties in 2009," according to the report. The annual report, produced by the UNAMA in coordination with the UN Human Rights Office, has blamed anti-government elements for most of the casualties on the non-combatants. It has attributed 62 percent of the casualties to the Taliban and other insurgent groups, while 17 percent were attributed to security forces (14 percent from Afghan security forces, two percent from foreign forces, and one percent from pro-government armed groups). Some 17 percent of civilian casualties were unattributed while four percent of casualties were caused by explosive remnants of war, according to the report. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah on Sunday to discuss recent political developments and the upcoming budget session of parliament, party sources said. The meeting, held at the residence of prime minister, came amid several opposition parties uniting against the government over police action at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. The sources said that union ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj also attended the meeting but stressed it was not concerning JNU. They said the party leaders discussed forthcoming assembly polls to four major states and the budget session of parliament which begins February 23. Some students organised a meet on the JNU campus on the night of February 9 to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were allegedly raised at the gathering. Delhi Police registered a sedition case on Thursday and arrested NUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar. The Congress, CPI-M, CPI and JD-U on Saturday protested against the arrest. The issue of police action at JNU is also expected to be raised by the opposition during the budget session. Following External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj terming people of the Roma community spread across the world children of India, an international conference here concluded on Sunday with a call to recognise them as India's diaspora. "Roma people are an Indian nation, the autochthonous territory of southeastern and western Europe, but also in other parts of the world, with all attributes that make them a special national entity," Jovan Damjanovic, president of World Roma Organisation, said at the three-day International Roma Conference and Cultural Festival 2016 here. "We would like to be treated as the Indian diaspora and can make a contribution to our country of origin's growth," he said at the conference organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (ARSP)-Bharat. Inaugurating the conference on Friday, Sushma Swaraj said: "You are the children of India who migrated and lived in challenging circumstances in foreign lands for centuries. Yet you maintained your Indian identity. "A strong 20 million population of your community spread over 30 countries encompassing West Asia, Europe, America and Australia speaks of your unique ability of adapting to foreign cultures. We in India are proud of you... welcome you with an open heart." Said to be descendants of nomadic groups in northwest India like Dom, Banjara, Gujjar, Sansi, Sikligar, Dhangar and others, Romas are known as "Zigeuner" in Germany,"Tsyiganes/Manus" in France, "Tatara" in Sweden, "Gitano" in Spain, "Tshingan" in Turkey and Greece, "Tsigan" in Russia, Bulgaria and Romania and "Gypsies" in Britain. A resolution adopted at the conclusion of the conference on Sunday called for people-to-people contacts between Indians and Romani people to be encouraged. "The cultural recognition of Romani people is of utmost importance for strengthening bonds with Roma," it stated. It also said that there was a need to set up a cell in the external sffairs ministry to study and research the origin of Roma people and examine what status India can accord them. It said their language to be researched to find its roots and heritage in India and Indian students be taught the history of the Roma people and their migration. The 11-point resolution also called for the Romani language to be taught in Indian schools and universities as a recognised foreign language and the preparation of a Romani-Hindi dictionary. "An international cultural festival of Roma should be held in India every two years on the pattern of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas," it said, and also sought a Roma research centre be set up in India. For economic uplift of the Roma people, it also called for provision of micro finance facility to young Roma entrepreneurs. "Economic relations between India and Romani people should be encouraged. Romani people should be invited to contribute and be a part of India's development process in a mutually beneficial manner," it said. The resolution also called on Indian human rights organisations to take up the issues of violation of human rights of Romani people with all national and international agencies. Gina Rubik, niece of Enro Rubik, inventor of the Rubik's Cube, said: "We the Roma are of Hindustani origin." Gina speaks fluent Hindi and sang two of the Hindi songs she has written - "Yadoon ki kahani" (Story of Memories) is written in memory of the bomb blast victims in India, and the second, "Dehshatgardi ka khaatma" (The end of terror), offers a solution against hate and anger which has hindered the peace process in the subcontinent. Tianqin, China's domestic gravitational wave research project initiated by the Sun Yat-sen University in July 2015, is awaiting governmental approval. The US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) announced its ground-breaking discovery of gravitational waves on Thursday, which fulfilled the prediction of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity one century ago. The new discovery has encouraged further studies into gravitational waves around the world, with China accelerating its domestic research, Xinhua news agency quoted Li Miao, dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science of a university in China, as saying. According to Li, Tianqin has already made progress on some key technologies and will be carried out in four stages over the next 15 to 20 years, including the last step of launching three high-orbit satellites to detect gravitational waves. The university plans to build a 5,000-square-metre observatory and a new lab occupying more than 10,000 square metres on Fenghuang mountain in Zhuhai city in Guangdong province. Chen Yanbei, scientist with LIGO, said Tianqin will study the gravitational waves in the space, which is different from research made by the US ground-based observatory. "Tianqin will likely collect more information about the phenomenon, as a larger black hole may be detected in space compared with one detected on the ground," said Chen. The Sun Yat-sen University is willing to cooperate with other institutions in China as well as around the globe to carry out its project, Li added. China's Spring Festival holiday rush so far has recorded 1.38 billion railroad trips, a 3.3 percent growth from last year, the media reported on Sunday. The 40-day spring holiday rush reached its midpoint on Saturday with railroad traffic increasing 9.1 percent, compared to the same period last year, highway traffic up 2.8 percent, air traffic up 3.1 percent and maritime traffic down 3.2 percent, according to the country's transportation ministry, the Global Times reported. The ministry said its data showed that 80 percent of people travelled during the period to visit families and friends while 10 percent chose to travel for leisure. It also said 17.7 percent of the Chinese tourists chose overseas destinations. A new trend has also emerged in China during this year's Spring Festival, when more migrant workers from the country's less developed inland areas preferred to find jobs in adjacent provinces rather than to travel to megacities like Beijing and Shanghai. Experts have attributed this to the rising cost of living in the country's first-tier cities and the growing demand for labour in central and western China. Over 80 percent of the population of Nanchong, Sichuan province, moved to Chongqing on the last day of the Spring Festival holiday, while people travelling to Beijing and Shanghai accounted for less than two percent, athe ministry added. A cliff near New Zealand city of Christchurch collapsed on Sunday after a 5.7-magnitude quake struck the South Island city. The New Zealand government's GeoNet monitoring service said the moderate quake was centred 15 km east of the city at a depth of 15 km, Xinhua reported. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the temblor at 5.8 with a relatively shallow depth of 8.2 km. Emergency services said part of a cliff collapsed in Sumner district in Christchurch. A video clip posted on the social media showed a huge dust cloud following the collapse. Police cordoned off nearby access to the fallen cliff and local electricity service said at least 450 homes were left without power. Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee said he has not received reports of injuries or deaths and engineers were on the ground to assess any damage. "It's clearly not a state of civil emergency at the present time," he said. The service of cable car in Christchurch was halted after the quake, according to Shu Pei, a Chinese resident in the city. The University of Canterbury evacuated its Christchurch campus as part of normal safety precautions but there were no reports of damage, a spokesperson said. The quake struck just a week before the fifth anniversary of a deadly 6.3-magnitude quake which killed 185 people and injured as many as 2,000 others in the city in 2011. Colombia reported sharp increase in Zika virus cases in the country, with an announced total of 31,555 cases, including 5,013 pregnant women. This marks a sharp increase compared with the estimate by Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria on January 28, when he put the total number around 20,000, Xinhua reported. Now, Colombia is the second worst-hit country influenced by Zika after Brazil, where the government said as many as 1.5 million people may have been infected. The rise in Zika cases compounds fears about Zika in Colombia, especially concerning its links to the rise in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cases. GBS is a rare condition which causes the body's immune system to aggressively attack the nervous system. While the fatality rate of GBS is normally around five percent, in serious cases it can cause paralysis in survivors. On Tuesday, Colombia reported that nearly 100 cases of GBS have been reported across the country, with all these patients also suffering from Zika. Three of these patients have died because of Zika virus infection and six more suspicious deaths were under investigation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and scientists around the world are racing to prove a link between Zika and rises in microcephaly and GBS. If confirmed, it would provide a very unsettling new development for adult victims since the panic caused by Zika has mainly been due to babies born with microcephaly after their mothers became infected. In a statement published on Friday about Zika in Colombia, the WHO explained 86 cases of GBS were reported in Colombia between mid-December and early February. All of these presented "symptoms compatible with Zika" while 94.8 percent of the 58 cases studied involved patients over 18 years old. Also on Saturday, the WHO confirmed cases of GBS were also rising in Brazil, El Salvador, Suriname and Venezuela. Stating that Zika has spread to 34 countries, the WHO issued a report saying "the cause of the increase in GBS... remains unknown, especially as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus have all been circulating simultaneously in the Americas." It also referred to a Zika outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013 and 2014, during which 42 GBS patients were all confirmed to have been infected with Zika. The CPI-M on Sunday asked police to "thoroughly investigate" the attack on its main office here by some right-wingers, one of whom was caught. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said that around 3.30 p.m. "a few goons owing allegiance to right-wing forces" attacked its headquarters. "Party comrades apprehended one of the attackers and handed him over to Delhi Police. "Police must thoroughly investigate this incident and take action against the culprits and their mentors." The CPI-M said those who hero-worship the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi as a "national hero" have the temerity to accuse the CPI-M of being anti-national. "We do not require certificates of patriotism from such elements. "This is a politically motivated attack on the CPI-M headquarters. The CPI-M will meet this challenge politically and defend ourselves against such attacks." The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Sunday paid homage to noted Malayalam poet and lyricist O.N.V. Kurup, who passed away in Thiruvananthapuram. Kurup, who passed away on Saturday, was suffering from age-related ailments. He leaves behind his wife, a son and a daughter. Following Kurup's death, the party postponed for Monday the conclusion of a statewide rally of politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan which was originally scheduled for Sunday evening. CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he is deeply saddened to hear the news of the 84-year-old poet's death. "O.N.V. (as he was popularly known), was part of the progressive and Left movement in Kerala and wrote some of the most remembered poems and film lyrics. His association with the KPAC (drama troupe that had strong links with the Communist movement in the state) made some its plays memorable. His lyrics popularised the message of progressive movement in Kerala," said Yechury. "His death has left a deep void. Kerala and the progressive literary movement in the country will miss him," added Yechury. Large crowds thronged to have one last glimpse of the noted poet at the VJT Hall where his body was kept for public viewing on Sunday. The body will be cremated at the state-owned crematorium Santhikavadam which incidentally was named by Kurup with full state honours on Monday. The Kerala Assembly also decided to wind up all proceedings listed for Monday after a condolence meeting at 11.30 a.m. Leaders of the BJP-led NDA on Sunday told Governor Ram Nath Kovind that law and order was deteriorating in Bihar and referred to the three "political killings" since February 5. "We have submitted a memorandum to the governor and requested him to instruct the government to do something about the collapsing law and order situation," BJP leader Prem Kumar told reporters here. Criminals have been targeting people like never before, state BJP president Mangal Pandey said. Jailed gangsters and criminals have been threatening people from jails and demanding extortion money, the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) told the governor. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who leads the Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Chirag Paswan, working president of the Lok Janshakti Party, demanded imposition of President's Rule in Bihar. Three politicians of the NDA have been killed in Bihar over a span of nine days this month. BJP's Bihar unit vice president Visheshwar Ohja was shot dead on Friday in Bhojpur, less than 24 hours after another BJP leader, Kedar Singh, was gunned down in Saran. LJP leader Brijnathi Singh was shot dead in Patna on February 5. Former RJD leader and Lalu Prasad's brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav was booked in a case for allegedly demanding extortion money from a builder here, the police said on Thursday. The BJP on Saturday protested against Ohja's killing by forcing closure of markets in Bhojpur. The NDA called for a day-long strike on Sunday in Shahabad region, which includes Bhojpur district, against Ojha's killing. The call evoked a mixed response. A group of activists of the NDA, mainly the BJP, disrupted train traffic in Ara town in Bhojpur district. The NDA delegation that met Governor Kovind included BJP MPs C.P. Thakur and Ashwani Kumar Choubey, in addition to Prem Kumar, Pandey, Manjhi and Paswan. The Cuban government said it had returned a dummy US Hellfire missile, which was shipped to Havana by mistake from Europe in 2014. The Hellfire, a laser-guided, air-to-surface missile, arrived in Havana in July 2014 on a flight from Paris due to a mistake or mishandling in the country of origin, Xinhua cited a declaration by Cuba's Foreign Ministry as saying on Saturday. "It was worrying for Cuban authorities to see an American-made missile arrive in the country, without having been declared on the cargo manifest of the plane transporting it," it read. As the US government made an official explanation to Havana and requested the missile's return, Cuba decided to initiate talks to return it, the declaration said. The US defence experts travelled to Havana and brought the missile home on Saturday. The Wall Street Journal, which was first to report the lost missile, said the missile was meant to be in Europe for a training exercise, but ended up in Cuba due to an unknown error. Congress workers led by Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken on Sunday took out a candle-light march to observe "Chhalawa Diwas" and said the first year of the Aam Aadmi Party government in the capital was a "total failure". Shouting slogans, Congress workers -- who marched from Rajghat to ITO Chowk -- said the Arvind Kejriwal government should concentrate on proper governance instead of indulging in "blame game" and "politicising every issue". Maken said the participation of a large number of Congress workers in the candle-light march showed their anger against the AAP government. He said Kerjiwal had begun his political career with social activist Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption (IAC) but his government brought "a very weak and toothless" Jan Lokpal bill. He accused the Kejriwal government of squandering public money by issuing advertisements about its achievements. The Congress on Saturday brought out a booklet giving zero marks to the AAP government for its performance in the first year of its governance. Israeli former prime minister Ehud Olmert, convicted of corruption and obstruction of justice, will be sent to prison on Monday, the first former head of government to be jailed in the history of the country. Olmert, 70, was sentenced to 19 months in a prison on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, where other politicians have been imprisoned, including several ministers as well as former Israeli president Moshe Katsav, who was charged with sexual offences, EFE news reported. Olmert was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison last December for taking bribes over the Holyland affair, complex of luxury apartments in Jerusalem which was approved during his time as mayor between 1993 and 2003. The former premier, who led Israel from 2006 to 2009, is still involved in two other cases, including the so-called Talansky case, in which he was convicted and sentenced to eight other months in prison. Accordingly, the Supreme Court considers that Olmert stay in prison could see further extensions. Unlike other prisoners, Olmert will not have contact with many of the inmates. Olmert will be placed in the so-called Ward 10 or the "VIP wing" at the Ma'asiyahu Prison. Prison officials told Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot that Olmert will receive a special security treatment to ensure that he cannot escape, and for security reasons as well. Social media giant Facebook would be tried in France for blocking a French teacher's account after he posted an image of a nude painting, a media report said. A Paris appeals court threw out Facebook's appeal after the social media giant argued that only the US courts had jurisdiction to hear cases against it. The court also backed a March 2015 ruling which said Facebook's clause forcing all users to agree that any litigation must be based in California, where the site is based, was abusive', The Local reported on Saturday. Facebook was sued by a teacher whose account was blocked after he posted a 19th century painting by Gustave Courbet, "The Origin of the World", depicting a woman's genitalia. The teacher filed a complaint against the social media giant, saying the site could not differentiate between pornography and art. Noteworthy, Facebook closed its legal arm "Facebook France" in May 2012, meaning complaints have to be filed in the US. On the basis of this, in a hearing on January 22, Facebook's lawyer argued that the site did not fall under French jurisdiction as users have to sign a clause agreeing that only a California court can rule in disputes relating to the firm. However, the teacher's lawyer Stephane Cottineau said, "It is hugely significant because this decision creates jurisprudence not just for Facebook but for other social media networks who use their being headquartered abroad, mainly in the United States, to attempt to evade French law." "They might be multi-nationals but the court ruling means they are not outside French law. If they set up in France and contract workers here, then French law must be applied to them," Cottineau added. The French court will now decide whether or not the teacher's freedom of expression was violated when Facebook blocked his account. The Jat community in Haryana on Sunday ended its agitation to get Other Backward Classes (OBC) status following a conditional assurance by the Haryana government. "(Agriculture Minister) O.P. Dhankar has assured us that the Jat community will get the OBC benefit in Haryana if it is given to Jats in other states by the central government," Hawa Singh Sangwan, president of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti, told reporters. He said the Samiti members met the minister at Hansi town in Hisar district on Saturday and got the assurance following which they decided to call off their agitation. Jats have been squatting on the railway track at Mayar village in Hisar district, 250 km from here, since Friday. There are nine other states where Jats live in substantial numbers, Sangwan said. The picturesque tourist resort Shimla saw a sunny day after a day of intermittent snowfall with the minimum temperature recorded at 1.8 degree Celsius. The temperature remained below the freezing point at most places in Himachal Pradesh due to snow and rain, an official of the meteorological office told IANS, adding the western disturbances has withdrawn largely. Shimla's nearby tourist spots like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda experienced more spells of snowfall in the past 24 hours. "It's literally snowing Valentine's fun in the hills," an elated Aditi Rao, a corporate executive from Delhi, told IANS in Shimla. Lower areas of the state, including Dharamsala, Solan, Nahan and Mandi, received moderate rainfall, bringing the temperature down considerably. The Met office said the snowy landscape in some pockets of Shimla like the US Club and Jakhu hills will remain for one or two days. Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest in the state with a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Manali saw a low of 3.2 degree Celsius. It saw four mm rain but remained devoid of fresh snowfall. However, its nearby destinations were marooned in the snow. Kalpa, some 250 km from Shimla, saw a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius. It saw four cm of snow. A clause in the draft Hindu marriage bill, which states that a marriage will be annulled if either spouse converts to another religion, has triggered vehement contest between its opponents and supporters in Pakistan. Seeking an end to the controversy, Senator Nasreen Jalil, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, has called a meeting of the panel to discuss the matter, Dawn online reported. The draft legislation has been passed by the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Law and Justice. Senator Jalil said: "We would like to discuss the matter. If there is a consensus, the committee will forward its recommendations to the speaker of the National Assembly to get the clause deleted." At its meeting on February 8, the National Assembly Standing Committee witnessed serious opposition from Mohammad Khan Sheerani, the Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), to the clause. But Shugufta Jumani of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Ali Mohammad of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) clearly said if any of the spouses embraced Islam, the marriage should be terminated. Clause 12(iii) says a marriage would be annulled if either spouse converts to another religion. The patron-in-chief of Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, said the matter was related to the basic human rights of Hindus in Pakistan. "There are fears the clause will be misused for forced conversions of married women the same way young girls are being subjected to forced conversions," he said. He referred to the kidnapping of teenage Hindu girls who were then presented them in courts with a certificate that she had married after converting to Islam. PPP Senator Taj Haider opposed the idea in the law. "I do not understand how the marriage will be annulled if any of the partners converts to Islam," Haider said, adding the clause will also discourage cross-marriages. Civil society activist Kishan Sharma, who is also the chairman of REAT Network, an independent civil society organisation, said this clause was added by the CII and it was not a part of the original draft. "The key concern is that only one option of dissolution of marriage has been included in the law and that too where the partners might be willing to live together despite different faiths." "As societies change, attitudes of individuals also change and even now we see youths belonging to Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities deciding their fate to live together," Sharma said. "But stopping this change through laws will only add to discontent and frustration in society," he said. As the global One Billion Rising (OBR) campaign for the rights of women entered its fourth year, hundreds of people gathered here on Sunday to support the cause by singing and dancing. "Delhi has been buzzing with OBR activities like screening of films, street theatre, music, discussions, debates, peace walks, bike rally and 'gender mela' for more than a month now," said Kamla Bhasin, OBR South Asia coordinator. On Sunday, a number of college and school students sang, danced and performed stage plays in Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk) to raise awareness about the cause. More notably, children from Kalyanpuri Basti, an economically disadvantaged neighbourhood in the city, staged a street play on the theme of violence against women. "We are celebrating love, harmony. OBR is a synergy; it is a sangam (confluence) of genders, nations, organisations. We are rising also to protect Mother Nature, and all marginalised groups, she added. Launched on February 14, 2013, One Billion Rising is a global mass action to end violence against women. It began as a call to action based on the statistics that one in three women in the world is beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at seven billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls. "One Billion Rising is a space where there is multiple hues of protests and also multiple hues of solidarity; it includes youth beyond universities, said Bijayalakshmi Nanda, a lecturer at Miranda House college of the Delhi University. The armies of India and Seychelles will hold a seventh joint military training exercise from February 15 to 28, an official statement said. The exercise - LAMITYE 2016 - between Indian Army and the Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF) will be conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) in Victoria. "The SPDF will be represented by 20 personnel from Tazar (a Special Forces unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The Indian contingent will comprise of an Infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces," the statement said. India and Seychelles have been conducting joint exercises since 2001 and Lamitye', which means friendship in Creole, the local dialect, is conducted biennially with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the two countries. Indian corporate leaders on Sunday made a pitch for the Indian business model of conglomerates in a context where globalisation is increasingly calling for speed in corporate decision-making. "We have focused companies run by independent boards," Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group said at the CNN Asia Business Forum held as part of the ongoing Make India India Week here. "And then we have an activist corporate centre who guides them," said Birla, whose group is present across aluminium, cement, telecom, textiles, retail and financial services. "The government wants to be a catalyst through its Make in India initiatives. Today, several new opportunities have opened up for the private sector, which cannot be ignored," he added. Mahindra & Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra, who describes the Indian business model as a federal structure rather than a conglomerate, cited American giant Google's example to defend multi-business models. "Google is a conglomerate with its diversified business operation including health services," he said. US-based Emerson Electric Company president Edward L.Monser however plumped for focused businesses. "Globalisation has brought multiple layers of decision-making and speed has become a big issue," he said at the forum. American multinational General Electric's South Asia chief executive, Banmali Agrawala, also emphasized the need for being in "related businesses". The police have seized Indian restaurant chain Masala's 33 properties worth $34 million in what is believed to be the largest cache of property ever restrained by the law enforcement authorities in New Zealand, a media report said. The asset freeze came after allegations of tax fraud to the tune of $7.4 million dollars, newstalkzb.co.nz reported on Saturday. Revenue authorities have been investigating 17 firms involved with the Masala chain for allegedly under-reporting earnings. The restaurant chain owners, Joti Jain, Rupinder Chahil, Rajwinder Grewal and Supinder Singh have allegedly evaded paying tax by systematically stripping cash from the restaurants and not declaring cash sales in GST returns, investigator Elena Bryleva stated in an affidavit. The brand came under scrutiny last year for paying its employees as little as $2 an hour. Co-owner Jain was sentenced to 11 months home detention last October after admitting immigration and exploitation charges. According to Immigration New Zealand, one of her victims worked 66 hour weeks for months at the Takapuna restaurant and was also told to clean Jain's house - all for no more than $3 an hour. Masala founder Chahil is already facing six charges alleging he falsified immigration documents and supplied misleading information contrary to immigration laws. Properties seized include a $3 million dollar house in Auckland's Remuera area, a parcel of land in Takanini and four other properties believed to have been used as accommodation for Masala workers. Some of the restaurants have since been sold and renamed. Tehran, Feb 15 (IANS/EFE) Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Rokneddin Javadi announced on Sunday that his country has increased its oil production by 400,000 barrels per day after the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic, adding that an increase by another 200,000 barrels per day will take place. Javadi made this announcement while revealing that Iran has sent its first crude oil shipment to Europe in five years. Four million barrels were exported to a refinery in Spain as well as the Total French company and the Russian Lukoil company. According to Fars news agency, Iran is selling its oil to Europe at a discount and at a lower price than that offered by Saudi Arabia. Increasing oil exports is the main objective of the Iranian ministry of petroleum since the implementation of the nuclear agreement reached with the P5+1 countries (the US, France, China, Britain, Russia and Germany). --IANS/EFE vr/ Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the demonstration on the JNU campus to mark the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru received "support" from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. His remark sparked a political uproar with opposition leaders asking him to furnish evidence. Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury posted a series of tweets to question Rajnath Singh on his remark. "The Union Home Minister has made a very serious allegation about terrorists 'backing' JNU protests. We hope that he has concrete proof," Yechury wrote. "When we met the Home Minister yesterday (Saturday), he never mentioned Hafiz Saeed to us but only harped on the slogans being raised at the protests. "This seems to be a case of shifting goalposts with the sole design of tarnishing JNU. "Considering the gravity of the charge made by no less than the Union Home Minister, we would like him to share the evidence with the country. "We are concerned as we've seen this earlier with the Home Minister where he deleted his twitter updates about Pathankot attack terrorists," Yechury said. Rajnath Singh on Sunday told reporters here that what happened at Jawaharlal Nehru University had the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and it was very unfortunate. "What happened in JNU also got support from Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed. The nation must also accept the reality," he said. While Rajnath Singh did not give any reference for his comment, a tweet recently surfaced from the Twitter handle @HafeezSaeedJUD with the hashtag #PakStandWithJNU that asked Pakistanis to trend the hashtag #SupportJNU for "pro-Pakistani JNUites brothers". The Twitter handle, however, was not a verified one and it appeared that the tweet was later deleted. Saeed is wanted in India for the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said Rajnath Singh should share evidence about his remarks concerning Saeed. "That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all. "The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed "Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. #JNUCrackdown "This is the same BJP that Mehbooba Mufti is negotiating with. No wonder she's completely silent & hasn't said a word about the #JNUCrackdown," Abdullah wrote. Rajnath Singh, in his interaction with the media, also appealed to political parties to unite in opposing incidents where anti-national slogans are raised. "I want to appeal to all parties, whenever there is an incident where anti-national slogans are raised, we must oppose it with one voice. There should not be attempts to get political gains from such incidents," he said. On Saturday, the Congress, CPI-M, CPI and JD-U protested against the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. Rajnath Singh said anti-national activities would not be tolerated, but added that he had given instructions that the "innocent must be protected". "Whoever raises anti-national slogans and questions the unity of India will not be spared. I have given the necessary instructions, I have also instructed that those who are innocent should not be harassed," he said. On the night of February 9, some JNU students organised a meet to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were allegedly raised at the gathering. Delhi Police registered a sedition case on Thursday and arrested Kanhaiya Kumar. He was sent to three days police custody on Friday although he denied raising the slogans. The downturn in global oil industry, its deepest since the 1990s, is no cause for panic among people from Kerala living and working in the Middle East, an international migration expert said. The downturn might, however, have some impact on those who are employed in the higher echelons of the job market, S. Irudayarajan, who heads the migration department at the Centre for Development Studies here, told IANS. "I was in Qatar in December and I found that things are the same. There was nothing that I could attribute to oil prices dropping to rock bottom levels. I was told that the construction sector also did not feel the pinch," he said. The price of a barrel of oil has fallen more than 70 percent since June 2014, hitting the earnings of oil companies and forcing them to decommission their rigs, cut investment in exploration and production, and fire their workers. "Kerala's remittances mostly come from the millions of unskilled and semi-skilled expatriate workers who religiously send their hard earned money back to the state," said Irudayarajan who has been studying migration for the past quarter of a century. His latest study shows that 90 percent of Kerala's 23.63 lakh expatriate workers are in the Middle East, with the UAE accounting for 38.7 percent of them and Saudi Arabia 25.2 percent. Data bear out Irudayarajan's stand that there is no reason to expect the downturn would have a big impact on Kerala's expatriate workers and the remittances economy. The non-resident Indian (NRI) deposits in banks in Kerala surged to Rs.1,21,619 crore in September 2015 from Rs.80,809 crore in September 2013, according to the latest banking statistics. Moreover, not all money earned overseas is being sent back home, he points out. A large number of Kerala's expatriates also park their excess funds elsewhere and they are always looking to move to the US, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Irudayarajan said. There is still a need, however, for the central or state governments to do a study as to whether there would be a direct impact on the overall migration trends, he said. "A study would be the best thing to be done because then one knows where one stands and can work out medium and long term plans," added Irudayarajan. The US Secretary of State John Kerry said Syria crisis should be settled on a political track, urging parties to take advantage of current opportunity to end the conflicts. Political settlement was the only way to end conflicts in Syria, Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Agreements reached by top diplomats earlier on Friday provided an opportunity that parties could not miss, Kerry said. "If the international community and Syrians themselves miss the opportunity now before we to achieve that political resolution to the conflicts, the violence... will continue," he said. Kerry said humanitarian aid could start flow to areas where in urgent need "today or tomorrow," while a lot of work must be done in order to ensure an effective "cessation of hostilities" within the week. One of the issues needed to be clarified was which actions could be defined as against terrorists, and which could not, he said. The US claimed that Russian airstrikes targeted against oppositions in Syria instead of terrorists. The claim was rejected by the Russian side. Caracas, Feb 14 (IANS/EFE) The last three defendants in the assault and homicide of ex-Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her husband in January 2014 were sentenced to 30 years in prison, the maximum penalty under Venezuelan law, the attorney general's office said on Saturday. "Considering the convincing proof presented by the prosecution, Alejandro Maldonado Perez, 23, Franklin Cordero Alvarez, 30, and Leonar Marcano Lugo, 35, were sentenced to 30 years in prison," a note from the AG office said. Previously sentenced to between 24 and 26 years were Jose Ferreira, 20, Nelfrend Jimenez, 23, and Jean Carlos Colina, 21, while the minor at the time, Gerardo Contreras Alvarez, now 19 years old, was sentenced to four years in jail. The latter confessed on a video that aired last year on October 2, when a new edition was presented of the book "The Homicide of Monica Spear", that all of them shot guns, but that he believes it was he who shot the bullet that ended the life of the former beauty queen at the age of 29. "I didn't kill her because I wanted to, I just shot and the bullet happened to hit her...I'm not sorry" and "I know that someday I'm going to get out of here," he told the book's authors, Maria Isoliett Iglesias and Deivis Ramirez, from his cell. Those now behind bars gunned down Spear and her British husband, Thomas Henry Berry, 39, on a highway in central Venezuela where they were driving with their five-year-old daughter. The child was shot in a leg but recovered and was sent to live with her maternal grandfather, Rafael Spear, in Orlando, Florida. Contreras told the book's authors how they put rocks on the highway and waited until some vehicle had an accident so they could then assault the people inside it. "Spear remained quiet - it was a robbery. I searched her. She said nothing. The husband talked, but I didn't understand anything because he was talking another language," the convict said, then revealed that he opened fire, he and "everyone", after the prompt arrival of a tow truck that offered the victims breakdown assistance. --IANS/EFE vr/ Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, known for her successful weight loss story, says losing weight is not a big struggle as one can take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle by walking on a daily basis. Sonam, who is awaiting the release of "Neerja", shared her fitness mantra after she flagged off the last leg of the fourth edition of Max Bupa Walk for Health event here on Sunday, read a statement. "I think it's great that health and fitness are on top of mind for everyone across age groups, be it young or old. People now understand the value of maintaining a healthier lifestyle by exercising and eating right." "What a lot of people don't know is that losing weight or getting fitter doesn't necessarily require a lot of investment and struggle. You can take the first step towards health and wellness with something as simple as walking," Sonam said. It is a known fact that Sonam had to shed oodles of weight before entering the showbiz with "Saawariya" in 2007. Now, the daughter of actor-producer Anil Kapoor has made a name for herself not just as an actress, but as a fashion icon also. "Walking regularly for 30 minutes can rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. It helps you battle diseases like cancer, depression obesity and even stress. I strongly believe that walking is a great workout for children, men, women and the elderly and we need to create awareness around it," said the "Khoobsurat" star. Max Bupa, a joint venture between Max India Limited (business corporate with expertise in life insurance and health care) and Bupa (a global health and care company), hosted a 33-day walking event touching five cities - Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. The initiative was an attempt to build a healthier India and encourage citizens across the country to discover multiple benefits of walking. The 33-day intercity walk was flagged off by actors Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur in Mumbai on January 10. It is that time of the year again when love and its expression is on everyone's minds - and makes for a range of spectacles ranging from the touching to grotesquely ludicrous from both those who celebrate Valentine's Day and those who deride it. But this is a fairly recent social phenomenon, and any serious, fairly wide-ranging reader has already come across any aspect of love that can be conceived - and they don't have to be aficionados of the romantic genre. Let alone its role in real life, love, taken here at its most conventional sense of romance, is a fundamental force in literature - and can be seen in various guises and stages that would bewilder the most amorous of us. It often drives the plot (or subverts it), and accounts for quite a bit of motivations of characters and their choices, actions and decisions, even if they are not those directly involved, and can be drive a totally different genre. Not only the most famous detective in fiction, Sherlock Holmes is also the most noted bachelor, always making light of love - one who "never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer". But of the dozen stories in "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" (1892), eight have a motif or motivation of love right from the first ("A Scandal in Bohemia") to the last ("The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"), especially "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor", in which Holmes figures out a mystery which is actually a complicated love story but also displays understanding, though being unsuccessful in placating the distressed party. Holmes can also simulate love well enough when needed, once ending up engaged - to a housemaid - but with an ulterior motive. ("The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"). Love can even crop up unexpectedly, and help the protagonist achieve the outcome they were striving for. Was it apparent that a bachelor of the most regular habits and schedule, who embarks on a most singular adventure after accepting a bet at his club, would end up hitched at the end? This also enables him to find out that he has not lost his wager. Phileas Fogg finds he had succeeded in travelling "Around the World in Eighty Days" (Jules Verne, 1873), when he decides to marry Aouda, an Indian princess he has saved from being ritually immolated with her dead husband during his eventful journey, and tries to fix an appointment with a clergyman for the wedding. "The course of true love never did run smooth," says a character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and a break-up between love partners - and the eventual (but not always) reconciliation, is a common component of love stories, and is frequently melodramatic. What if it comes in a way that leaves you in splits? Say, the hero has left the supposed villain sweltering in a Turkish bath to rescue the heroine he suspects is confined against her will but she doesn't appear grateful, or the parties make up in a cupboard in which they have been sent as punishment by their former nurse, who still believes (and treats them) they are children. For this, we must dip into the hillarious corpus of P.G. Wodehouse. These stories - "A Slice of Life" and "Portrait of a Disciplinarian" respectively - figure in "Meet Mr. Mulliner" (1927), where you can also find what atypical actions love can lead you to do in "The Romance of a Bulb-Squeezer". And then who is the most successful love champion you could find in fiction? Going by sheer number of carnal exploits, it is that arch-scoundrel, cad and lecher, Sir Harry Paget Flashman, a bit player from "Tom Brown's Schooldays" who gets his own series courtesy George Macdonald Fraser. At one stage, Flashman, who gets embroiled in almost all major events of the 19th century, counts up his sexual conquests, "not counting return engagements", and reaches a total of 478 - and at the moment is a dungeon in Gwalior during the 1857 Indian revolt! Since he is is just at a little over a third of his long and eventful life, it must have been considerably augmented, and would include two Indian maharanis, queens of Ethiopia and Madagascar and an imperial concubine who would later become the empress of China. The fictional ones range from assorted noblewomen, African-American slaves and a daughter of Apache chief Mangas Colorado. You could find much more extraordinary happenings - to paraphase Shakespeare, there is more in books and stories that can be dreamt in your philosophy. So celebrate Valentine's Day as you like but include reading a book. (14.02.2016 - Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in ) Appalled at the sight of the menfolk of a primitive Jharkhand tribe lolling around in a drunken stupor while the women crafted a range of artifacts for which unfortunately there was no market, a woman bureaucrat took matters in hand and effected a social miracle of sorts, for which she is worshipped as a "Mother Goddess" in more than 25 villages of the area. Suchitra Sinha, currently Jharkhand's tourism director, is worshipped as "Devi Maa" with her photograph occupying a prominent place among the other gods and goddesses in the prayer room of tribal homes. "She is our mother. Our Devi mother. We have not seen God but for us this mother has always stood by us whenever we have needed her," Manju, a Sabar tribe woman who resides in Samanpur village of Nimdih block, some 135 km from Jharkhand capital Ranchi, told a visiting IANS correspondent through a translator. It's not just the 250 families of Samanpur village but also those of Makula, Bhangad, Bindubeda, Biridudih, Chirubeda, Bereda and other villages where Sinha is venerated. The reason for this lay in a huge hall behind the village school where large numbers of men and women were hard at work making artefacts and other items of daily use from forest produce. "It is maa (Mother) who has made sure that food is prepared in our homes, our children are fed and the male members were put on the right track of life," Manju explained. Sinha had cleared the Bihar Public Service Commission examination (Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar) in 1988 and was familiar with the underdeveloped area that was a hotbed of Maoist rebels as well from the time she as posted as Jamshedpur's deputy collector in 1990. However, her visit to Samanpur village in 1996 for attending an event was the turning point. She took up the matter with the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), who, instead of hearing her out, suggested she concentrate on her official duties. Jeeringly, he said it was naive to believe that the villagers could be pulled out of the state of intoxication they lived in for most of the time. Even Sinha's family members laughed at her intentions. However, this did not deter Sinha and she made repeat visits to Samanpur village, speaking to the men to turn a new leaf, making the women realise their exceptional talent and soon earned their trust. Gradually, people started listening to her; even the youths started to associate with Her. She suffered a setback when she was transferred to New Delhi but she was committed to ensuring that her efforts see the light of the day. Sinha took the items made by the villagers to the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts and informed him about the talent of the villagers. The commissioner encouraged her and also suggested that the villagers be trained in modern techniques. By now, word of Sinha's mission had spread and the residents of other villagers too began to enthusiastically join in. She later formed a self-help group named Amabalika and in groups of 10, the villagers were brought to New Delhi, where they were trained at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). These villagers, in turn, trained others in their own villages and the rest, as they say, is history. Her efforts translated into reality and soon the handicrafts started getting markets for themselves. In all this, Sinha is extremely self-effacing. "Please do not highlight me. Highlight the problems of the primitive tribes who need immediate help. I will be happy if corporate houses adopt the villages and develop basic infrastructure in the area. The area lacks electricity, roads and basic facilities. We are planning to develop the area and develop the craft village," Sinha told IANS. "I do not want to be worshipped as goddess; neither do I want to be in the limelight. I have just made sure that the members of the Sabar tribe, who are on the verge of extinction, get economic benefits through their skills," she said. Asked whether family responsibilities have come in her way, Sinha said she has beautifully managed to strike a balance between her roles as a wife, daughter-in-law and mother and is fully supported by her family members in her efforts. Her husband, an Indian Revenue Service officer, is posted in New Delhi and her children are settled. She lives alone in Ranchi and wants to continue her work for the betterment of the Sabar tribals. (Nityanand Shukla can be contacted at nityanand.s@ians.in) A mass grave of some 100 bodies was uncovered in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour on Sunday, a media report said. Residents of Mrat town in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour uncovered the mass grave, in which they found 100 bodies shot dead by the Islamic State (ISIS) group, Xinhua cited state news agency SANA as saying. The grave was found in a ditch some seven km from the town, said SANA, adding that some of the bodies were of children. The ISIS has committed many massacres throughout the conflict in Syria. In the town of Kshaikeh, east of Deir al-Zour, people have found another mass grave of tens of bodies. Earlier in the day, SANA said as many as 100 IS militants had been killed over the past 24 hours during battles with Syrian army in Deir al-Zour. Citing a military source, SANA said the Syrian air force carried out several airstrikes against the IS positions in the town of Hussainyeh in western countryside of Deir al-Zour, completely destroying them. The Syrian warplanes also struck IS-held areas in the eastern countryside of the oil-rich province near Iraq. The military campaign in Deir al-Zour is part of a broader offensive the Syrian army has unleashed against militant groups across the country. Syrian officials said diplomatic efforts to solve the Syrian crisis and countering terrorism are two separate tracks, meaning that nothing will stop the military offensive against terrorist groups in Syria. The long-running conflict has claimed at least 250,000 lives and driven 11 million from their homes. Five days after she was abducted and later mysteriously freed, it is still unclear who seized young executive Deepti Sarna and why. Police say someone close to her is to blame for the crime. Investigators have established that the 23-year-old was blindfolded from Raj Nagar Extension area, said Superintendent of Police Salman Taj Patil. Mystery still surrounds her dramatic return. Police are trying to ascertain under which circumstances the kidnappers allowed her to go, that too after giving her Rs.100. The courtesy extended to her during captivity seems to be puzzling police. "We will solve this mystery soon," Patil said, referring to the abduction saga. Earlier, police indicated that they were examining the role of a former as well as the present boyfriend. The woman's father said Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Yadav personally questioned his daughter on Saturday for about an hour. Police say the executive managed to flee from her captors in Haryana's Panipat town and contacted her father from a passer-by's mobile phone. After her return on Friday, she told police that she was provided food of her choice. During the 36 hours with them, they transported her on a motorcycle, a car and on foot. She was kept in a sugarcane field also for some time. On Friday, she was left on a railway platform from where she took a train going to Delhi. She then contacted her father. On Wednesday night, Sarna left the Vaishali Metro Station in Ghaziabad at 8.30 p.m. and took a 'shared' auto-rickshaw with three other passengers, including a woman. She was then kidnapped by the men in the auto-rickshaw who were posing as passengers. Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang on Sunday flayed the Manipur government for passing three "anti-tribal" bills in the assembly, and termed it "unconstitutional". At a public meeting in Ukhrul district of Manipur in connection with the Naga seed-sowing festival Lui Ngai Ni, he said: "The Congress government had done so with an eye to the votes from the valley people in the 2017 assembly elections. The bills were passed without knowing the history of the Nagas." Meanwhile, Manipur's Congress legislator N. Biren said some organisations invited the Nagaland chief minister to the function which only showed the mistrust and disunity among the people of Manipur. "In the hills in Manipur, there is no democracy since voters are arm-twisted to vote for the candidates projected by certain groups," he said. Zeliang said the four legislators of the Naga People's Front in the Manipur assembly have resigned in protest against the passing of the bills. However, the speaker has not acted yet on the resignations. Violence erupted following the Manipur government's adoption on August 31, 2015 of three landmark bills -- Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015. The bills are pending with the president. Houses, properties of ministers and legislators were burned down by a frenzied mob. Police opened fire at protesters, and eight people were killed. One youth died in a road accident during the protests. On the festival, he said it teaches people to work harder, and will also help develop tourism. "The Naga bodies should organise a festival which will encompass all Nagas spread in Manipur, Nagaland, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh," he said. He exhorted the people to support the attempts by the central government to bring about a peaceful solution to the Naga problems. Animation films in Hollywood have prominently featured voiceovers by celebrities like Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie, but this is not the case with Bollywood. Animation filmmaker Rajiv Chilaka, best known for giving life to 'desi' characters like Chhota Bheem and Mighty Raju, says there needs to be a "continuous effort" to rope in celebrities into this space. "I feel there has not been a continuous effort to feature celebrities as voiceovers for animated toons (in India)," Chilaka, who runs animation company Green Gold Animation, told IANS. While films like "Mahabharat", "Kochadaiiyaan" and "Chaar Sahibzaade" have featured voices of stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth in the past few years, apart from "Roadside Romeo" and "Delhi Safari", Chilaka believes there has not been a conscious effort to rope in celebrities regularly as animation is not essentially considered feasible by many Indian filmmakers and production banners. "Animation industry is on the rise in India. We have seen a huge growth of animated shows in television over the past few years, which proves that there is a hunger for animated programs. But for the large format (movies), there is still a huge gap in terms of content and technique," he said. "I also feel that production houses are playing safe rather than taking the risk and exploring more," added Chilaka, who last directed "Chhota Bheem-Himalayan Adventure" for the silver screen. He pointed out that while "the overall method of making the animation movie is similar to the regular one in terms of story, script and music... In animation, one requires skill-set through an animator in creating every frame with the help of software and technology". "It takes more effort and time to make an animation movie. 'Chhota Bheem - Himalayan Adventure' was made with the help of 325 animators and took 18 months," he said. But as a filmmaker, the world of animation is liberating for Chilaka. "Since ours is targeted to children, we have to follow (the rules) and ensure that our content is apt for them. The biggest advantage is that you have the freedom to create things which otherwise might not exist, and this is also the challenge for the animator." Indian mythology has been a source of inspiration for his work many a times, so are there any plans to give life to any other character? "'Chhota Bheem', 'Krishna Balram' and 'Arjun - Prince of Bali' are all characters inspired from our great epics and have been my personal favourites. "I am working on a few concepts which might have some inspirations, but it is too early to comment. Having said that, we are committed to creating and focusing on Indian content which will be packed with fun and excitement and add value to the viewers." (Sandeep Sharma can be contacted at sandeep.s@ians.in) To catapult the state to a high growth trajectory, the Odisha government on Sunday unveiled new Odisha Industrial Development Plan 2025 (Vision-2025) intending to attract an investment of Rs 2.25 lakh crore and generate 10 lakh jobs by 2025. Unveiling the plan at Odisha investors' meet as part of the ongoing Make in India week in Mumbai, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also rolled out the e-biz portal aimed at easing business hassles for investors. "The Vision-2025 lays a 10 year roadmap for development with transformational policies and strategies and presents a paradigm shift with the government acting as an 'enabler' to aid industrial growth. It aims at achieving sustainable manufacturing and employment generation and intends to attract an investment of Rs. 2.25 lakh crores in five focus sectors and to generate 10 lakh jobs," he said in his address to the business delegations here. Patnaik said during last one and half decade, Odisha has a remarkable political stability and a progressive and robust governance system which are essential to development. It has made all stupendous progress in all socio-economic indicators and is generally a quite peaceful state providing the most ideal environment for investment, he added. "Now it is emerging as a manufacturing hub on the east coast of India. The state witnessed a robust economic growth of over 8 percent in 2014-15 and is poised to grow at 12 percent by 2020. The government's efforts in expanding the industrial base and promoting value addition are triggering enhanced industrial growth," said Patnaik. Noting the state's investor-friendly new Industrial Policy-2015, he said it offers innovative features including incentives to industries with high employment potential and anchor industries. Patnaik also said the government is finalising a new "start-up' policy to boost the start-up ecosystem in the state. To provide a fillip to this, he dedicated the "Bhubaneswar Start-up Hub", a 4.5 lakh square ft ready to move facility in the state capital. The start up ecosystem will be mentored and guided by TIE Silicon Valley, with which the government has a strategic partnership, the first of its kind in the country. About the e-biz portal, Patnaik said it would minimise physical interfaces and give approvals online to the investors. Odisha would be the first state where 14 services required by the entrepreneurs can be applied for and the applications disposed of online, he added. Informing that his government has created a land bank of one lakh acres, he said it had also decided to set up an Industrial Infrastructure Development Fund with an initial corpus of Rs. 100 crore. The chief minister said that the government has also decided to tap the expertise and experience of the private sector in the implementation of industrial townships and industrial parks with self-contained facilities. The government shall also encourage 'Swiss Challenge" system in the procurement of key infrastructure initiatives which will promote innovation and efficiency and tap the inherent potential of the state. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday appealed to political parties to unitedly oppose incidents where anti-national slogans are raised. "I want to appeal to all parties, whenever there is an incident where anti-national slogans are raised, we must oppose it with one voice. There should not be attempts to get political gains from such incidents," he said. On Saturday, the Congress, CPI-M, CPI and JD-U protested against the arrest of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. "What happened in JNU also got support from Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed. The nation must also accept the reality," the home minister said. While Rajnath Singh did not give any reference for his comment, a tweet recently surfaced from the Twitter handle @HafeezSaeedJUD with the hashtag #PakStandWithJNU that asked Pakistanis to trend the hashtag #SupportJNU for "pro-Pakistani JNUites brothers". The Twitter handle, however, was not a verified one and it appeared that the tweet was later deleted. The home minister said anti-national activities would not be tolerated, but added that he has given instructions that the "innocent must be protected". "Whoever raises anti-national slogans and questions the unity of India will not be spared. I have given the necessary instructions, I have also instructed that those who are innocent should not be harassed," he said. On the night of February 9, some JNU students organised a meet to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were allegedly raised at the gathering. Delhi Police registered a sedition case on Thursday and arrested Kanhaiya Kumar. He was sent to three days' police custody on Friday although he denied raising anti-India slogans. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday appealed to political parties to unite in opposing incidents where anti-national slogans are raised. "I want to appeal to all parties, whenever there is an incident where anti-national slogans are raised, we must oppose it with one voice. There should not be attempts to get political gains from such incidents," said Rajnath Singh. On Saturday, the Congress, CPI-M, CPI and JD-U protested against the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges. "What happened in JNU also got support from Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed. The nation must also accept the reality," the home minister said. He said anti-national activities would not be tolerated, but added that he had given instructions that the "innocent must be protected". "Whoever raises anti-national slogans and questions the unity of India will not be spared. I have given the necessary instructions, I have also instructed that those who are innocent should not be harassed," he said. On Tuesday night, some JNU students organised a meet to mourn the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front co-founder Maqbool Bhat. Anti-India slogans were allegedly raised at the gathering. Delhi Police registered a sedition case on Thursday and arrested Kanhaiya Kumar. He was sent to three days police custody on Friday although he denied raising the slogans. The Haryana Police on Sunday launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a new mother in a private hospital in the state's Jhajjar district. The woman, who was admitted to the hospital in Bahadurgarh town for delivery, alleged that a man had sexually assaulted her while she thought that he was a doctor come to examine her. The incident took place early on Saturday. CCTV footage showed the man getting off a luxury car and walking into the hospital wearing a white coat like the one that doctors wear. Police, based on another CCTV footage, said the same man later entered another private hospital and tried to repeat his act. The victim, aged around 22 years, had delivered a child in the hospital through caesarean surgery barely hours before the incident, police said. "We have got CCTV footage of the accused and raids are being conducted to nab him," said Jhajjar district police chief Sumit Kumar. Police are also questioning the hospital staff and security to ascertain how the man was able to walk so easily into the ICU wing and sexually assault the woman. A case of rape has been registered. Police here are probing if a BJP legislator in Jharkhand is causing hindrance in the work of a Russian company, an official said. The Russian company working with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) at Dhanbad reportedly informed the Russian consulate that BJP legislator Dhullu Mahto has been causing obstruction in their work for the last few months, police said. The company officials on Saturday officially informed the Dhanbad police and sought security. "Necessary direction has been given to Dhanbad police chief to look into the issue. The Dhanbad superintendent of police has been asked to submit a report to the headquarter. Security will be provided and there is no need to panic," Jharkhand police spokesperson S.N. Pradhan told IANS. Mahto dismissed the allegations against him and told IANS: "The allegations are baseless. There is a section of people who want to damage me politically. Let there be a fair probe in this regard." The Congress party was quick to react. General secretary Alok Dubey told IANS: "This is the reality of the BJP government in Jharkhand and in India. Reliance Power withdrew from power project last year. Not a single MoU signed in past has so far translated into reality." Actress-comedienne Rebel Wilson says her ideal man would be the one who she "couldn't beat in a cage fight". While the 35-year-old is happy being single now, she says that she knows what she wants in a boyfriend, reports mirror.co.uk. Asked what she looks for in a man, Wilson told Flare magazine: "I always say, someone I couldn't beat in a cage fight. I like men who are traditionally masculine. "Like if a table needs to be lifted, he would do that. I mean, I like that show 'The Millionaire Matchmaker'. There's something about traditional manliness and chivalry, and 'gentlemanliness'. But then is that sexist? I don't know. "Men are traditionally stronger physically. So if you need something done at your house that's physical, they should do it." While her career is going from strength to strength, starring in strong female-led comedies, she says that she was disappointed with her experience in Sacha Baron Cohen's movie "The Brothers Grimsby". "I feel really lucky to be a woman in Hollywood doing comedy right now. Now that more writers are getting a chance to create these scripts, it's just more edgy. Girls (are often) relegated to just being the love interest in a guys' movie," she said. "The experience of filming 'How to Be Single' is so different than, say, my experience on Sacha Baron Cohen's movie 'The Brothers Grimsby'. They just want you to stand in the corner and do nothing, which is a waste," she added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the country has resolved its differences with the European Union after three-months of diplomatic tensions over the bloc's decision to label West Bank settlement exports. Netanyahu told the cabinet that he and the EU's Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini spoke on the phone during the weekend, Xinhua news agency reported "Israel and the EU have agreed to put relations between us back on track," he said. Netanyahu noted the decision was made after Mogherini assured him the EU objects boycotts on Israel and that the labelling of settlement products will not be mandatory. In a statement released on Mogherini's behalf on Friday, she reiterated the EU's commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, adding that the final borders of Israel and the future Palestinian state should "be settled in direct negotiations between the parties". On November 29, 2015, Israel suspended contacts with the EU on diplomatic relations regarding the peace process with the Palestinians, following the 28-country bloc's decision to label products from Jewish settlements in territories occupied by Israel as such. Japanese companies should relocate their manufacturing to India as the only way to strengthen the bilateral partnership, the Indian government said on Sunday. "You have to relocate your manufacturing base into India. This is the only way you can strengthen Japan's and Indian partnership for the future," Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Amitabh Kant said at a special session on Japan during the government's Make in India Week event here. "You've to capture India and you've to capture the world and the only way you can do it is if you manufacture here," said Kant, who has been named the chief executive designate of the NITI Aayog. Noting instances where Japanese countries have missed out on opportunities in India, he said that South Korean electronics majors like Samsung and LG are household names in the country at present. "The level of trust between India and Japan is very high and it is for this that Japan is the only developed country with which India has an FTA (free trade agreement)," said NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya. Describing the easy availability of capital in Japan and the cheap labour in India as being complementary to each other, he said Japanese companies present in China may also like to come to India because of the difficulties being faced by China's growth slowdown. A Saudi-led airstrike killed at least 11 people and wounded four others in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa on Sunday, officials and witnesses said. The rebel-controlled state Saba news agency reported that the airstrike at Sunday dawn hit a sewing workshop and adjacent electronics warehouse owned by citizens in downtown Sanaa, killing 11 labourers, Xinhua reported. A medical official said that two employees of the sewing workshop and other nine labourers working at the electronics warehouse store were killed in the airstrike, while four others wounded. Witnesses said the two private companies were destroyed and burned down and dozens of nearby houses were also damaged in the heavily residential quarter of Shauub near the old city. The Saudi-led coalition warplanes have been air bombing on a daily basis the Shia Houthi rebels and their allied forces' of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa and other cities since March 2015. The rebels, backed by Saleh's loyalist forces, captured Sanaa in September 2014, and forced internationally recognised President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi along with his government into exile. The mostly Arab coalition, formed at the request of oil-rich Saudi Arabia, vows to restore Hadi and his government back to Sanaa and drive out the Iranian-allied Shia rebels. More than 6,000 people have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes since then, half of them civilians. The coalition-backed Yemeni pro-government forces have advanced to within 50 km of Sanaa last week, after recapturing military posts in Nihm district and its mountains overlooking the rebel-held capital from the northeast. The advance, backed by the Saudi-led warplanes, came very slowly because of minefields planted by the rebels in roads ahead towards Sanaa. Scores from both sides were killed in the still ongoing mountainous battles near Sanaa, as hundreds of villagers were forced to flee their houses and farms to seek refuge in the capital. Saudi Arabian military jets could arrive in Turkey in the next few days to carry out missions against the Islamic State (IS) militants group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday. The aircraft are likely to be based at the Incirlik air base in Turkey's southern Adana province, from which many US bombers have been bombing the IS areas in Syria. Cavusoglu said it was not certain how many Saudi warplanes would be based in Turkey. "Because this is our common struggle... Saudi Arabia also wanted to send aircraft and join the air operations," he added. As Syrian government forces are making gains lately on the battlegrounds, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and others have voiced readiness to deepen their military intervention in the war-torn country. A Saudi military spokesperson has pledged to send in ground troops in case of the US-led coalition's agreement to launch a ground operation in Syria, while the UAE has agreed to dispatch special forces there, as claimed by US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed early this month that it had "reasonable grounds to suspect intensive training in Turkey for a military invasion" into Syria. The sedition charge levelled against JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar will cannot stand test of the law, say legal luminaries, expressing surprise over the government routinely slapping the measure against whosoever raises voice against it, saying it only shows how insecure the Narendra Modi regime is. The sedition charge under Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) prescribes a jail sentence from three years to life imprisonment for "whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India". The then British government had used the measure against leaders of the Freedom Struggle like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, who facing it in 1922 for his articles in his magazine Youth India, had described it as "prince among the political sections of IPC" designed to suppress the liberty of the citizens. Activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan said offence of sedition could be established only if there is an incitement of violence or public disorder. "Mere raising of the slogans, even against the country or against the state can not amount to sedition, though it is objectionable," he said, adding that the Supreme Court had laid down in the Kedarnath case in 1962 that offence of sedition could only be committed if there is an incitement of violence or public disorder. How can Kanhaiya Kumar be charged with sedition when neither did he organise the alleged meeting to commemorate the hanging of Afzal Guru convicted in the Parliament attack case nor did he raise any slogans, asked Bhushan, asserting that it is absurd to charge him with sedition for the slogans raised by others. He said interrogation of Delhi University teacher S.A.R. Geelani just because he participated in a media discussion and expressed some opinion on Afzal Guru clearly smacks of a "fascist onslaught" by the government. "It should ring alarm bells across the country. It is becoming an undeclared emergency," Bhushan said. Another senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal regretted that the government is taking a very easy way out by levelling sedition charges against anybody or everybody who raises voice against it. "This reminds the people of pre-independence days or that of emergency time. Only in British Raj such things could have happened. Sedition laws are outdated and should be removed from the statute book," she said, decrying the high-handed manner in which the people are booked. Describing the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar as shameful, Jaiswal says that it only goes to show "how insecure" the present government is. "It is an outdated law and all those believing in fundamental rights should press for dropping section 124-A from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) introduced by the British to haul up those engaged in the Independence movement." Former judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi, said: "I am personally of the view that ordinarily the sedition charges should not be invoked out of the hat. "Sedition is a very serious offence and material should be weighed keeping in view the right to free speech. However, if there is evidence, then seditious material should not go unpunished." (Parmod Kumar can be contacted at sanil2010@gmail.com) Several domestic and international investors from Japan, China, South Korea and Italy expressed their interest to invest in Odisha in meetings with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday at the ongoing Make in India week in Mumbai, the state government said. Patnaik addressed Odisha investors' meet as part of the ongoing Make in India week while he also held one to one meetings with investors from China, Japan, South Korea and Italy as well as domestic. He also met the ambassadors of South Korea and Japan. Japan evinced interest to collaborate with Odisha to develop Bhubaneswar as smart city, while a team led by South Korean envoy would visit the state in April to explore investment opportunities. "Japan to collaborate with Odisha in developing Bhubaneshwar as a smart city. Japan to collaborate in the areas of sanitation, Information Technology and clean energy," said a post on the Facebook page of chief minister's office. Besides, Siemens along with Tata group also proposed to develop the capital city as a smart city, it added. A Chinese delegation committed to set up industrial parks in Odisha and would visit Bhubaneswar on Monday to explore potential locations, the chief minister's office said in a tweet. Delegates of German car manufacturer Volkswagen also expressed interest to invest in Odisha and it has decided to visit the state to explore opportunities US-based global electronics manufacturing services provider Sanmina Inc. said it to explore setting up of a Rs.1,000 crore facility in the state. Celanese, a Fortune 500 company, discussed setting up of an ethanol plant at Paradip, while an Indonesian firm lans to set up a solar panel manufacturing facility at Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs.5,000 crore, said CMO. Infrastructure major GMR explored opportunities to expand operations across all verticals in the state, with the group's business chairman G.B.S. Raju saying: "Odisha is on its way to emerge as the best investment destination in the country. GMR Group will be investing additional Rs.1,800 cr in Odisha." Apart from international investors, domestic manufacturers too showed interest to invest in the state. Ruchi Soya has proposed to set up two new food processing facilities in the state at an investment of Rs.250 crore while ITC announced to set up its food processing business there. Similarly, Nestle plans food processing facility and engagement in social development in Odisha, said the CMO. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's car was on Sunday stoned by some miscreants while he was shooting for his forthcoming film "Raees" here. He was not in the car and was not hurt. According to police, a small crowd shouting "Jai Sri Ram" and "Shah Rukh, Hai Hai" stoned the car parked some distance from the location where the shooting was taking place. "Raees" is based on the life of a city-based underworld don of the 1980s, Abdul Lateef Shaikh, who was killed in a shootout with police. The film is being directed by Rahul Dholakia, who had earlier made controversial film "Parzania" based on the 2002 Gujarat riots. "Raees" has Pakistani heroine Mahira Khan along with Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh shot a couple of scenes at the historic Sarkhej Roza mosque and dargah campus during the day. Over 200 policemen guarded the Roza campus. Meanwhile, over a dozen activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were detained by police as they burnt an effigy of the actor on Ashram Road. Last week, a group of demonstrators staged a protest near the Kutch district collector's office in Bhuj demanding a ban on Shah Rukh Khan's entry into the Rann of Kutch. The VHP has called for a boycott of Shah Rukh to protest his reported statement that India was intolerant. Three people were killed and five others injured when an ambulance fell off a bridge in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam district on Sunday, police said. The ambulance, carrying a body, skidded off the bridge near Yelamanchili, about 50 km from the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. The body was being shifted to Cuttack in Odisha when the accident occurred. Two women and a child were killed. The condition of two of the injured was stated to be critical. Two women from Thailand have been arrested from a spa in northern West Bengal's Siliguri for working without permit in India, police said on Sunday. Siliguri police commissionerate personnel on Saturday evening arrested the two women from the Red Apple Spa Lounge for not having any work visa. The manager and another employee of the spa were also arrested for lacking any professional degree or certificate. Two Bodo militants -- wanted for the killing of Adivasis and abduction of Hindi-speaking people in Assam -- were on Sunday gunned down by security forces in Kokrajhar district, police said. Security forces operating in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) killed the two cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to peace talks at Auzarguri in Kokrajhar. One of them was identified as Sanjib Basumatary alias Khardes, while the second was identified as Jangswrang Basumatary alias Ladai, police said. Ladai was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for the massacre of Adivasis in December 2014 and for kidnapping Hindi-speaking people in January that year. Khardes was also wanted for many subversive acts, police said. A joint team of the Indian Army and Assam Police came face to face with a group of militants early on Sunday. The militants fired at the security personnel, who retaliated, and in the exchange of fire two militants were injured. Both the injured were rushed to a hospital in Dotma but doctors declared them dead. Two 7.65 mm pistols, some ammunition and grenades were recovered from the slain cadres. Recently, a joint team of police and army killed another NDFB cadre who was also wanted by the NIA for his involvement in the December 2014 massacre in Chirang district. US President Barack Obama said he planned to nominate a new Supreme Court justice after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a step promising to be another partisan jockeying with Republican rivals. "Today is a time to remember Justice Scalia's legacy. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time," Xinhua news agency quoted Obama as saying on Saturday. "There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a full hearing and timely vote." According to the ocal media, Scalia died in his sleep during his trip to Texas. The cause of his death was not available at the moment, but early reports suggested that he apparently died of natural causes. The first Italian-American to sit on the country's highest court, Scalia, 79, was the leading conservative voice on the court and his death was expected to set off a prolonged fight over who would succeed him. Shortly after the news of Scalia's death, Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell, who sets the Senate schedule for confirmation of the Supreme Court nominations, said Scalia should not be replaced till after the presidential election. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," said McConnell in a statement. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled till we have a new President." Calling it "unprecedented" for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat, Senate Minority Leader Democrat Harry Reid blasted McConnell's suggestion as "a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities". With the absence of Justice Scalia, a former lynchpin of a conservative majority of the Supreme Court, the eight remaining justices are evenly divided, a fact which could change the ruling on contentious issues, including Obama's Clean Power Plan and executive actions on immigration. The last time a major shift in the country's highest court's makeup occurred was in 1991 when former US President George H.W. Bush nominated conservative Justice Clarence Thomas to succeed liberal Justice Thurgood Marshall. Since then, a five-conservative majority in the the Supreme Court has held steady. Valentine's Day fever gripped Chandigarh and other places in Punjab and Haryana as youngsters celebrated the day of love with zeal. Tight security arrangements were made by the police in cities and towns across Punjab to ensure that no untoward incident took place. In Chandigarh, the major action was around the city's popular 'Geri route' in Sectors 8 to 11. "It was a bright and sunny day today (Sunday). Despite being a Sunday, V-Day enthusiasts were out in good numbers in market places, multiplexes, restaurants and parks," Gaurav Sharma, a university student said. Police personnel could be seen stationed along the 'Geri route' and other places like Panjab University campus, other educational institutions and the famed Sukhna Lake. Reports of Valentine's Day being celebrated in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda in Punjab and Ambala, Hisar, Karnal and Rohtak in Haryana were also received. Media and political brouhaha about David Coleman Headley notwithstanding, the recent admission of the Pakistan-American terrorist about his already known terror links actually mean little to India's Mumbai attack investigations -- not least in New Delhi's attempt to nail Islamabad's complicity in the meticulously planned operation. Headley has off and on been hogging the headlines since his arrest from a Chicago airport in 2009 for his terror odysseys that included surveying targets unsuspectingly in several Indian cities and meeting with senior terrorist operatives of Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. And the master plotter did that for years under the nose of intelligence and security agencies without raising the index of suspicion in the countries, including Denmark, where he scouted freely. He managed to do so without being noticed partly because of his deceptive American looks with heterochromatic eyes and partly because of his "no-guts-no-glory" attitude. When he was arrested more than six years ago, Indian authorities had hoped that the big terror catch by the Americans will help nail Pakistan and its terror lies. But that was not to be. This was revealed by none less than G.K. Pillai, the then home secretary, in an interview with IANS in 2010 when he told me that whatever Headley speaks in the United States, it won't make the Indian case against the Pakistanis any stronger. "I don't think we will get much cooperation from Pakistan. That is not really hoped. We can shout and scream (but) we will have to tackle Pakistan separately," Pillai told me when an Indian team of investigators visited the US to interrogate Headley in a Chicago prison. Pillai was unequivocal in saying that any questioning of Headley was not to nail Pakistan, which he said "is a separate issue" and needed a different strategy than getting evidences from the terror mastermind. That holds good even now despite the fact that India's Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was expecting that Headley'a stating the obvious will end all ambiguity between state and non-state actors involved in the Islamist that sprouts from Pakistan. Rijiju, in fact, himself admitted that "it is known that who all were involved" but still the government, he said, believes that "Headley's statement will lead to a logical conclusion. It will help us." The inferences from Headley's statement and the minister's reaction are even more obvious. Are we yet to understand that there are no differences between state and non-state actors when it comes to Pakistan's known support for extremism as an instrument of its foreign policy? Moreover, Headley has revealed nothing that was not already known. The names of perpetrators, including from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army have already come up in the terror dossiers -- one has lost count of them -- India has handed over to Pakistan. The dossiers include DNA samples of Mumbai attackers, photographs, voice records and detailed operational information of the carnage that was being carried out in India in 2008 and overseen in Pakistan. In fact, all these so-called "revelations" have already been recorded judicially in a US court. All these statements, including the names of the terror masterminds -- Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi -- have been recorded by the investigators who interrogated Headley in 2010. An argument is being made that India did not know all that judicially before Headley spoke to an Indian judge through videoconferencing from the US jail. Will it really help to make a case against Pakistan is a question that begs an answer. Doesn't look like that is possible. Because the Pakistani court which is hearing the Mumbai attack case against the five accused has rejected as "inadmissible" even what looked like plausible findings of two judicial commissions from that country which visited India for evidence and testimonies. Are we to believe that the Pakistani court will take into account an Indian court's findings out of Headley's testimony? Nothing will change in that country till its security, political and judicial establishments look within and realise in true sense the Frankenstein monster has outgrown everything else there. No Headley's medley of information, known and unknown, is going to change that. Least of all, the terror policy to destabilise India. If Headley's judicially valid statement should change anything, it must be India's alertness of its intelligence and swiftness of its security agencies to thwart and prevent attacks like at Mumbai, which was planned long before by Lashkar and ISI operatives who had employed the "perfect terrorist" to map the city unnoticed for two years and develop a blueprint for the mayhem that killed 166 Indians and foreigners. (14.02.2016 - Sarwar Kashani is a Senior Editor with IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in What goes up must come down - a piece of folksy wisdom that has been adequately highlighted by the persistent downturn in oil prices. When oil prices were ruling at above $100 a barrel, the market believed that the developing countries' hunger for commodities would continue to drive up prices. There was the odd forecast of a barrel of crude fetching $150 to a barrel. Today, it is a different story. Developments on the supply side, along with concern about China's growth moderation, have made sure that oil prices decline, with the main benchmarks recently breaching the level of $30 a barrel. The latest edition of the US Chambers' International IP Index has been critical of India's IPR regime, ranking the country at the 37th place among the 38 economies surveyed. However, Patrick Kilbride, executive director of international intellectual property for the Global Intellectual Property Center at the US Chamber of Commerce, tells Sudipto Dey that the impact of the proposed National IPR Policy - if implemented at the earliest - is likely to get reflected in next year's scores. Edited excerpts: Did the Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) take into consideration that India is in the process of coming out with National IPR Policy while arriving its own at the country score? The US Chamber values the International IP Index very highly because it is an objective, empirical assessment of each country's legal environment for IP measured against a consistent and transparent benchmark. The downfall, as with any similar Index, is that it represents an image of a particular moment in time. It is not always possible to capture important changes or trends in the political environment with such a metric. Over the past year, we have seen the Modi administration sending out important signals about its commitment to innovation in India, including through a re-calibration of India's IP policy. For instance, it is possible, maybe even likely, that the much-anticipated National IPR Policy will include measures that could increase India's score on the US Chamber Index considerably. However, until those policy measures are enacted, and implemented, they will not be reflected in India's scores on the Index. In the edit-page piece, "Robbing Peter to pay banks" (February 13), the writer, T N Ninan, has commented on all factors responsible for the current plight of public sector banks (PSB) in India. Everybody - the Reserve Bank of India, the managements of banks, employees and borrowers - contributed to the mess, but past political masters brought the situation to such a head that the well-intentioned current finance minister and prime minister are finding it difficult to set it right. Soon after this government over in May 2014, bank chiefs were asked to present their case before it. The government suggested a seven-pronged rescue plan, Indradhanush. But it soon realised the mess was much bigger than what the bank chiefs had let on. The United Progressive Alliance, through its first and second terms, is responsible for the mess. Of course the ground for it was prepared way back in 1969, when then prime minister Indira Gandhi nationalised 14 banks, and seven others in 1980. Bank unions welcomed the move as they knew that work culture would not be stressed upon under government ownership. So, their members would get salaries even if they did no work or were pathetic in their approach to customers. As for government interference, there are a number of examples: farm loan waivers before the 2009 general elections; directives for augmenting retail loans without a matching accountability by the Centre; selecting bank chiefs though a system that allowed only a few chosen names to filter through to an appointments panel; and bank chiefs chosen thus, who kowtowed to their political masters. Bank chiefs were handed an unwritten agenda: boost the portfolio that fetches votes for the rulers in New Delhi. Taxpayers have to take a hit to rescue PSBs. We have a big stake in getting them back to good, if not robust, financial health. That is the price we have to pay for electing politicians, who misuse their positions. K V Rao Bengaluru can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:The Editor, Business StandardNehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar MargNew Delhi 110 002Fax: (011) 23720201E-mail: letters@bsmail.in The Supreme Court has stated that mediation through an institutional mechanism is more productive than one without it. This is because a third party "steeped in the techniques of mediation" will help the contesting parties to win as much as possible and lose as little as possible. The occasion to make this recommendation was a decade-old dispute between Central Bank of India and its employees in Mumbai. The Maharashtra housing authority had given a 90-year lease of land to accommodate its middle-level staff in 1982. Later it wanted to demolish the ten buildings and raise a better complex for the managerial staff. The residents challenged the move in several tiers of courts and lost. The efforts of the Bombay high court to refer the disputes to mediation also failed, because no institutional mechanism was invoked. While dismissing the employees' final appeal, Suresh Narayan vs Central Bank, the Supreme Court stated that the employees could not interfere in the lease agreement between the housing authority and the bank as they were outside it. Further, housing was not part of the service conditions. The court, while ordering the employees to vacate the premises, prevented the bank from recovering compensation from the occupants. The case of sexual harassment against R K Pachauri at Teri has once again put the spotlight on the anti-sexual harassment law and its implementation. While this law is a step in the right direction, it still has loopholes that require plugging. This case has put the spotlight on one critical component of the law that requires immediate fixing - anti-victimisation and anti-retaliation. Increasing the number of women in the workforce will not only have a positive impact on women and companies, but it also results in economic growth. THE BLACK PRESIDENCY Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America Michael Eric Dyson Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 346 pages; $27 What happens when the nation's foremost voice on the race question is also its most confined and restrained? Michael Eric Dyson raises this question about President Barack Obama in his book, The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America. The book inspires one to raise similar questions about Mr Dyson himself. For, while hardly restrained, he appears noticeably boxed in by the limitations placed on celebrity race commentators in the Age of Obama. Christine Lagarde's second term as manager of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be no more relaxing than her first. The French national already navigated a near-implosion of the euro zone. Now her challenges are fourfold. First, low oil prices are pushing the more fragile energy-producing countries into the IMF's arms. Lagarde said on February 4 that help would be available if the likes of Nigeria and Azerbaijan needed it. At least such missions are well within the IMF's comfort zone. Second, a rout in emerging markets is spreading to developed ones. Rising borrowing costs add pressure to highly indebted countries, but the wisdom of prescribing endless rounds of austerity has been called into question since the financial crisis. New approaches may therefore be necessary. Third comes unfinished business in Europe. The IMF won't lend Greece more money until its debt pile is slashed from 171 per cent of gross domestic product in the third quarter of 2015 to far more sustainable levels. However, it is supposed to monitor progress on austerity and reforms. Lagarde has also been pressing European countries to offer significant debt relief to Greece, the first advanced country to default on the IMF. More all-night summits could be on the cards before any of this is sorted out. Then there is China. Lagarde banked credit with the world's second biggest economy after shepherding the yuan into the elite club of currencies that underpin the IMF's Special Drawing Rights. She now has to deal with the consequences. Lagarde has publicly said markets need more clarity about how China is managing its currency. Further gyrations in the yuan may force her to adopt a sterner line. Beijing can hardly be left to its own devices given its importance for the global economy. Yet since it won't need IMF financial assistance, the fund has little negotiating leverage. Lagarde, a former lawyer, has already proven her talent as a diplomatic and indefatigable negotiator during the euro zone crisis. Big emerging economies backed her re-election, which suggests she has so far struck the right balance of offering advice without hectoring. These will be useful skills for her second term. The overriding objective of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) must be adequate economic return, not financial return. The distinction is important. The Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project is expected to provide the country an excellent economic return over a period of 50 years or so. However, the financial return in the first 10 years of operations is unlikely to elicit a positive response from any private investor. But a project like this is what the country needs in its quest for nationally relevant initiatives in line with those in irrigation, river-linking, inland waterways, rural electrification, civic infrastructure, railways et al. Such investments provide great economic return to the country over a period of time, but poor financial returns to market investors. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister (CM) of Delhi, let slip in a recent interview to a Hindi newspaper how he hadn't worn a pair of shoes in the past 16 years. The symbolism was obvious. Kejriwal, 47, arguably the sharpest communicator among the current crop of the country's top politicians, was telling his working class support base that he might have completed a year as the CM of Delhi but remains as common a man as them. The first year of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been rocky. A surfeit of controversies dogged the city government, one too many for what essentially is a glorified civic body. Key subjects like law and order and land are controlled by the Union government. Yet, Kejriwal, who only wears leather slippers during even Delhi's extreme cold, has shown how to remain relevant in the political scene as a possible challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. A year of the AAP government has been somewhat divisive for Delhi. The pro-working class policies of Kejriwal's inexperienced government has upset the city's more prosperous classes. His run-ins with the bureaucracy have meant a near-breakdown of trust between Delhi's ruling party and the bureaucracy. The AAP promise of delivering alternative politics, radical change to governance through "swaraj", or decentralised governance, is far from having been achieved. Most of the promises made during the February 2015 elections are still at the drawing board stage. But, his government seems to have made a difference to the lives of enough common men and women for them to tell all recent opinion polls that Kejriwal and his government were still popular. Unexpected maturity The negatives of the past 365 days are numerous. These include the AAP government's standoff with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over transfers and postings of bureaucrats, officers striking work against the government a day before the launch of the "odd-even" vehicle scheme, non-payment of money to civic agencies leading to protests, garbage not being cleaned for days, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids on the Delhi CM's principal secretary and the Centre snatching away the Anti-Corruption Branch from the AAP government's purview. Ajay Maken, chief of the Delhi unit of the Congress, says the AAP government failed to spend its budgetary allocations for key sectors. "Their ministers and legislators are involved in corruption. They have failed to deliver on their promises. The government's been a disaster," he says, adding how the dispensation has spent Rs 500 crore on advertisements. BJP spokesperson Sanjay Kaul blames the failure of the government on the "insecurity" of Kejriwal. He also questions some of the steps, like creation of 'mohalla committees' to devolve power, as dangerous. "They are immature and have a hyper sense of their own importance. What they are doing in the name of 'decentralisation' is to create private armies. In the coming years, the big challenge for citizens of Delhi would be a class war," Kaul says. Kejriwal's detractors, particularly some of his former comrade in arms, point to the Delhi CM's individualistic leadership. In hounding out fellow travellers like Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from AAP, Kejriwal showed himself to be extremely ruthless and ambitious. According to those who know him, Kejriwal is also crony-minded, surrounded by three-four close associates. But few, if any, among the large masses of Kejriwal's support base among Delhi's middle and the working classes seem to have turned against him. The success of the 'odd-even' scheme to tackle Delhi's increasing pollution was not only evidence of Kejriwal's ability as a communicator but also the trust that people continue to have in him. It also exposed both the Congress, but particularly the BJP which had won a creditable 33 per cent vote share in last year's Delhi polls, for having failed to find a single leader who can in the years to come become a potential rival to Kejriwal. Initiatives in urban governance Kejriwal and his lieutenants like Manish Sisodia have gone about their work with a maturity that few thought they were capable of. In the run up to the February 2015 assembly polls, AAP made 70 promises to Delhi's voters. Among these was a commitment to rein in the city's private power distribution companies. The promise had a tinge of adventurism to it, but after the first few steps, Kejriwal and his associates realised that discretion was the better part of valour. A truce was reached, but only after the government delivered on its commitment of significantly ensuring reduction of power bills. Consumers in Delhi - the city has no power plant of its own - get the cheapest power in the entire country. Another promise fulfilled was supply of 20,000 litres of free water per family and no hike in water rates. According to government claims, the Delhi Jal Board, despite the so called populist measure, has seen its revenue increase by Rs 176 crore. The 'odd-even' scheme from January 1 to 15, where cars with odd and even number plates were allowed on city roads on alternate days, was watched with interest across the world. Few in the BJP and Congress had anticipated that Kejriwal's government would pull it off. A subsequent survey has given the Delhi government the confidence to re-introduce it from April 15 to 30. According to it, pollution reduced by 20 to 30 per cent during the January fortnight. There was much criticism of Kejriwal for not including two-wheelers in the scheme. People said he had spared his support base. However, Delhi government data suggest this exemption helped in keeping the ridership in the Delhi Metro Rail and bus services at an even keel. Metro ridership during the fortnight increased by 0.4 per cent while bus ridership increased seven per cent, indicating car-pooling was a success. Aware that the car-owning middle-class might have supported the exercise but could lose patience with it in the long run, the government plans to introduce 1,000 luxury buses by May and a total of 3,000 new buses by year-end. There is also a plan to build 10 elevated corridors, exclusively for buses and some for cars as well, by erecting pillars above some of the drains. The AAP government says the cost of building a km of this corridor will be Rs 160 crore against Rs 500 crore needed to build a km of metro rail. The biggest departure in urban governance has been in the social sector. The first budget of the AAP government significantly increased the allocation for both the health sector and schools. It introduced the concept of air-conditioned "mohalla health clinics" and has also started offering free diagnostics and medicines in government hospitals. The funds for free medicines, AAP claims, has come from nearly Rs 375 crore it saved in construction of three flyovers. Cost of road constructions has reduced significantly with increased use of flyash. The stress on revamping education has resulted in 54 "model schools" and drastic improvement in school infrastructure and teaching. Anecdotal evidence suggests the corruption that people face in ensuring delivery of public services has come down, although encroachment of roads in several areas. Raids on traders have also come down. There are several new initiatives, including introducing free Wi-Fi, and devolving powers to the "citizens committees" that will be keenly watched across India. Future While the AAP in Delhi has its eyes set on winning the civic body elections in 2017, Kejriwal hopes to lead his party to victory in the Punjab assembly elections that year. According to an internal Shiromani Akali Dal survey, AAP is on the cusp of a sweep in Punjab. Kejriwal has been tightlipped on whether he will continue to be Delhi CM if his party were to win Punjab. The former bureaucrat has age on his side and can dream of not only winning Punjab but also the ultimate crown in years to come. When asked at a gathering of journalists recently if he saw himself as a challenger to PM Modi in 2019, Kejriwal kept quiet and looked in the middle distance. Gunmen ambushed a packed pick-up truck in northwestern Mexico, killing nine men and four women in a region plagued by drug cartel violence, authorities said today. The attack took place yesterday in a rural community of the municipality of San Ignacio at the border of the states of Sinaloa and Durango, prosecutors said. "It was an ambush. They were waiting for them and when they were close they fired with AK-47 rifles," an official at the Sinaloa prosecutor's office told AFP. The remote mountain region straddling the states of Sinaloa and Durango is where powerful drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman hid after escaping from prison in July. Guzman, the head of the Sinaloa drug cartel, was recaptured in the Sinaloa seaside city of Los Mochis on January 8. One man who was wounded in yesterday's attack was taken to a hospital while another 36-year-old person was arrested for carrying a high-caliber firearm. San Ignacio Mayor Amado Loaiza Perez said the town is a transit point for drug gangs that hide in the mountains. More than 100,000 people have died or gone missing in a decade of drug violence in Mexico. Some 150,000 penguins died after a massive iceberg grounded near their colony in Antarctica, forcing them to make a lengthy trek to find food, scientists say in a newly-published study. The B09B iceberg, measuring some 100 square kilometres, grounded in Commonwealth Bay in East Antarctica in December 2010, the researchers from Australia and New Zealand wrote in the Antarctic Science journal. The Adelie penguin population at the bay's Cape Denison was measured to be about 160,000 in February 2011 but by December 2013 it had plunged to an estimated 10,000, they said. The iceberg's grounding meant the penguins had to walk more than 60 kilometres to find food, impeding their breeding attempts, said the researchers from the University of New South Wales' (UNSW) Climate Change Research Centre and New Zealand's West Coast Penguin Trust. "The Cape Denison population could be extirpated within 20 years unless B09B relocates or the now perennial fast ice within the bay breaks out," they wrote in the research published in February. Fast ice is sea ice which forms and stays fast along the coast. During their census in December 2013, the researchers said "hundreds of abandoned eggs were noted, and the ground was littered with the freeze-dried carcasses of previous season's chicks". "It's eerily silent now," UNSW's Chris Turney, who led the 2013 expedition, told the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday. "The ones that we saw at Cape Denison were incredibly docile, lethargic, almost unaware of your existence. "The ones that are surviving are clearly struggling. They can barely survive themselves, let alone hatch the next generation. We saw lots of dead birds on the ground... It's just heartbreaking to see." In contrast, penguins living on the eastern fringe of the bay just eight kilometres from the fast ice edge were thriving, the scientists said. The researchers said the study had "important implications" for the wider East Antarctic if the current trend of increasing sea ice continued. Sea ice around Antarctica is increasing, in contrast to the Arctic where global warming is causing ice to melt and glaciers to shrink. Scientists believe the growth in Antarctic sea ice is largely driven by changes in wind and local conditions. Stalemate over the finalisation of contractor for the construction of an Interim Government Complex (temporary Secretariat) of Andhra Pradesh in the state's new capital region Amaravati has ended today with the two competing firms agreeing to the final price offered by the government. Construction majors L&T and Shapoorji Pallonji were said to have agreed to a price of Rs 3,350 per sqft offered by the AP government for constructing the Interim Government Complex at Velagapudi village, 16-km from here, and finish the buildings by June 15. If the two firms complete the construction work by the promised date, major offices of AP government will be shifted to the Amaravati region from Hyderabad, the current common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Officially, however, there has been no confirmation yet from the Capital Region Development Authority on the finalisation of the contract. Official sources in the CRDA said the work has been divided into three packages of which two were bagged by L&T and one by Shapoorji. The temporary Secretariat will come up in a 45-acre area at Velagapudi village with three building blocks (G+1) having an aggregate built-up area of six lakh sft. Of the total 45 acres, 27 acres has been earmarked for the government buildings and the rest for public facilities. While state Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his Cabinet colleagues have been functioning from the temporary offices here, the various government departments continue to work from Hyderabad. A fresh date for laying of foundation stone for the temporary Secretariat is expected to be fixed tomorrow. A Saudi-led coalition air strike on a sewing workshop killed at least two people and wounded 15 today in the rebel-held Yemeni capital. "Two employees, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed and 15 others wounded in the overnight air raid," Faisal al-Musaabi said. A search was underway for another employee still buried under the rubble of the building in the east of Sanaa, the factory owner told AFP. The coalition has been carrying out air strikes against Iran-backed rebels across Yemen since March. The rebels, who have controlled Sanaa since September 2014, reported a higher death toll of 11 employees killed and four others wounded in the strike on the workshop, according to their sabanews.Net website. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people have been killed in Yemen's conflict since the coalition began its raids, about half of them civilians. The coalition last month announced that an independent inquiry would examine charges of possible abuses against civilians in the conflict. A panel of UN experts says the coalition has carried out 119 sorties that violated humanitarian law, and called for an international probe. Two persons were killed and eight others injured when their jeep collided with a tree on Ujjain road near here in the wee hours today, police said. The mishap took place when the jeep carrying a marriage party from Bada Gavlipura area in Aagar Malwa was returning from Indore, Aagar police station In-charge S S Nagar said. Two persons, identified as Rajkumar (35) and Premchand (25), died on the spot. Among the eight injured, three were referred to Ujjain for treatment while the others were admitted in the district hospital here, Nagar said. A case has been registered in this regard and further investigation is on. At least 30 people have been killed in fresh Boko Haram raids on two villages in northeast Nigeria, vigilantes have said, again calling into question President Muhammadu Buhari's claim that Nigeria had largely defeated the jihadist group. Gun and knife-toting assailants on bikes and in vans stormed the remote villages of Yakshari and Kachifa on Friday and yesterday, said Mustapha Karimbe yesterday, a local vigilante assisting the military in the fight against Boko Haram Islamists. "The attackers killed 30 people in two separate attacks on the two villages last night (Friday) and this morning (yesterday)," Karimbe told AFP adding that they also looted and stole cattle. The village of Yakshari was attacked at around 9:30 AM yesterday, with the assailants slaughtering 22 residents "by slitting their throats before emptying food stores and taking away all the cattle", Karimbe said, speaking from the town of Biu approximately 120 kilometres from the village. Late Friday evening, meanwhile, Boko Haram Islamists also raided nearby Kachifa village, killing eight people. "We believe the same gunmen carried out both attacks on the two villages," Karimbe said. Dozens of people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks in recent weeks near Maiduguri, capital of northeast Borno state, despite Buhari's December boast that the jihadist group had been more or less defeated. Since then the militants have killed dozens in raids and suicide attacks, including across the border in Cameroon. On January 30, at least 85 people died when insurgents stormed and torched one village, while on Thursday two female suicide bombers killed at least 58 at a camp for people made homeless by the insurgency. Rights group Amnesty International has also accused the military itself of committing war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in the course of its operations against the group. Boko Haram, which seeks a hardline Islamic state in northern Nigeria, has killed some 17,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their homes since the start of its insurgency in 2009. 'Yoga Chakra', a 90-day mega- cyclathon, to spread the message of yoga and world peace in the Indian subcontinent was flagged off from the Nepalese capital here today by the Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae. A dream project of renowned yoga exponent and founder of Artistic Yoga, Bharat Thakur, the cyclathon will travel through two countries, Nepal and India, including 11 Indian states, covering a distance of around 5,000 Kms, culminating on the southern tip of India - in Kanyakumari. "The tour will be peppered with road shows, talks, demonstrations, workshops and interactions with large gatherings, promoting the empowering possibilities that Yoga has for human being," a press release by Bharat Thakur said. Flagging off the event, Ambassador Rae said: "I am delighted to be part of this occasion as Bharat Thakur rides on a journey of yoga and peace uniting the entire Indian subcontinent. "I am a firm believer in the benefits of yoga and it is heartening to know that Bharat is taking it back to its roots in rural India and Nepal." The cyclathon will pass through the key cities of Lucknow, Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Kota, Bhopal, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mysore, Cochin, Allepy and Kanyakumari. A group of youths today tried to vandalise the CPI(M) headquarters here as the police detained one of them. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. While the CPI(M) said the attackers were RSS-BJP workers who also hurled stones, the police said the detainee claimed to be member of an outfit called the 'Aam Aadmi Sena'. "Three youths came to the office of CPI(M) where they sprayed black ink on the wall of the office building. While, two of them managed to flee, one was held by CPI(M) workers and handed over to police," DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. "The youth, identified as Sushant Khosla, told police that he is a member of the Aam Aadmi Sena. We have initiated legal action in connection with the matter and investigation has been taken up," he added. Confirming the attack, CPI(M) General Sitaram Yechury said "they tried to write slogans like Pakistan Zindabad at our office board. They were pursued by our comrades and one of them was caught and handed over to the police." "We condemn this attack. The RSS which venerates the assassins of Mahatma Gandhi, is now branding the most secular democratic force, the CPI(M), as anti-national. "We do not need certificates of patriotism from the murderers of Gandhi. We will meet this challenge politically," he told PTI. "The RSS is doing this to divert attention from the complete mess they have brought to the country in terms of economic and social conditions. They want to divert the attention of the people by whipping communal polarisation," Yechury said. CPI(M) sources said the youths threw stones and shouted slogans like 'CPI(M) Desh Chhodo' (CPI-M quit the country). CPI National Secretary D Raja strongly condemned the attack on the CPI(M) office and said "the Sangh Parivar cannot subvert our democratic political system and the constitutional arrangement of our polity." "If they have anything to argue, they can argue but they should not resort to such cowardly and uncivilised attacks," Raja said. (REOPENS DES59) Yechury later shared a picture of the board at the party headquarters which was defaced. He stressed the alleged attack was a move aimed at "scaring" the Communist party members, which he termed as "Gujarat Model". "Tweet ka jawab pathar se? Just a poser to Home Minister and #SanghiHandles deface our Central Office! #GujaratModel." "Our accessible office now has barricades. Their idea is to try and scare us off! Us today-who tomorrow #GujaratModel," he tweeted. (REOPENS DES73) Later in the evening, two other youths, identified as Ved Prakash and Rocky surrendered before police, following which they were questioned. No case has been registered so far, a senior police officer said. The Delhi government has given in-principle approval for construction of Metro Phase-IV. The decision was taken recently at a meeting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had with transport, PWD and Urban Development Departments. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has set 2021 as deadline for the phase-IV expansion, which would add 75 stations to the metro network. A total of 31.47 kilometres of new lines will be underground while 64.39 km will be elevated. "In the recently-held meeting, government has given in-principle approval for the construction of Metro Phase-IV," a senior government official said. The official said the Delhi government has written to DMRC, saying that it will go for the revenue sharing model adopted in the previous phases. "Once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and financial proposal are received from DMRC, the matter will taken to the Delhi Cabinet for final approval so that the project can be completed at the earliest," the official said. Among the projects chosen under Phase-IV are Rithala - Narela (21.73km), Janakpuri West-RK Ashram (28.92km), Mukundpur-Maujpur (12.54km), Inderlok-Indraprastha (12.58km), Tughlakabad-Aerocity (20.20 km), and Lajpat Nagar-Saket G-Block (7.96 km). Dissident AAP MLA Pankaj Pushkar today accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of "misusing the government machinery" by not inviting him to the inauguration of an upgraded dispensary in his constituency. Swaraj Abhiyan, floated by expelled AAP leaders Prashant Bhishan and Yogendra Yadav, alleged that a group of AAP workers manhandled some locals at the venue and also tried to snatch ID card of a journalist. Pushkar is now part of Swaraj Abhiyan. "It is an insult to the people that an MLA from a different constituency was invited but not their own elected local public representative. "Pushkar reached the dispensary, met the doctors and welcomed its upgradation. It came as a surprise to know that DMS had no idea whether it was a party function or government function. The medical superintendent said that he only followed what was asked of him by the health department. "Swaraj Abhiyan expresses strong objection to the flouting of democratic norms, breach of constitutional mandate and disrespect to the public representative at Timarpur. It is sad and unfortunate that the government of Delhi turned a public event into a party function," the outfit said in a statement. Apart from Pushkar, two AAP MPs -- Harinder Singh Khalsa and Dharamvir Gandhi -- support the organisation. It said the incident was not a one-off case but "symptomatic of the political culture in the Aam Aadmi Party regime." "Swaraj Abhiyan condemns the sheer brazenness of Delhi government of using public money for furthering its own petty political agenda at the cost of democratic ethics," the statement added. Without taking any name, Yadav said the Abhiyan's process of people electing prospective candidates, has rattled those in power. "We had put some posters. They were torn down. Then our volunteers were detained at Keshavpuram police station. This process of people electing candidates have rattled the ones in power," he said. Former AAP leader Anand Kumar said Kamini Jaiswal, a noted lawyer, and Pawan Gupta will be the first Lokpal of Swaraj Abhiyan. Abhiyan secretary Ajit Jha said the outfit has its presence with a minimum of 100 members in 117 districts in the country and it is expected to reach 250 soon. "We are aiming at having financial transparency, internal democracy and participatory leadership in the organisation," Jha said. The office space has been given by Veena Anand, former AAP MLA from Patel Nagar, who was denied party ticket in 2015 Assembly polls and later contested as an Independent. Former AAP leaders Yadav, Bhushan, Anand Kumar and Ajit Tyagi, formed the Swaraj Abhiyan days before their expulsion from the party after they crossed swords with its chief Arvind Kejriwal. Over the past one year, Abhiyan has undertaken Samvedna Yatra in drought-hit areas in the country, filed a petition in the Supreme Court for drought relief and formation of anti-corruption and citizen's whistle blower forum. The Aam Aadmi Party's advertisements in newspapers here highlighting "achievements" of its one-year rule in New Delhi today drew flak from opposition parties which questioned the Kejriwal government's austerity promises. "Arvind Kejriwal is a hypocrite. It has been proved once again today. Earlier, he advocated austerity by public representatives, but today, he is following the same path as everybody else. He has surpassed others with this (the advertisement)," BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said. He sought the Delhi Chief Minister's explanation for the "personal advertisements funded by the state exchequer". Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Sanjay Nirupam said the AAP was still working like a "political movement" and not as a "governance party". "The Kejriwal-led party has miserably failed on all the fronts. It has failed not only in curbing corruption, but also in controlling its own MLAs. Seven MLAs have so far landed in jail," Nirupam said. NCP Mumbai president Sachin Ahir dubbed the advertisement as a cover-up tool as he flayed the party for spending taxpayers' money. "I can't understand the point of expending huge money of taxpayers (in the advertisement) in the newspapers in Mumbai. This advertorial is a tool to cover up the party's failures of the last one year." "Where are your principles of simplicity and austerity that you promised to Delhi people? Where are your tall promises made to Delhi voters? Have you constructed so many schools and hospitals that you are spending taxpayers' money on your propaganda?" he asked. A senior AAP leader, requesting anonymity, also expressed dissatisfaction over the advertisement and termed it as an "avoidable" exercise. "I am extremely embarrassed seeing wastage of the taxpayers' money. This is not what we used to invoke during the 'India Against Corruption' movement. I never support such wastage (of money) on personal propaganda," the AAP leader said. As the row at JNU over an event against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru raged, a video allegedly showing ABVP members shouting pro-Pakistan slogans is going viral. ABVP, however, has rubbished the allegations saying the video was "morphed" to tarnish their image. The 1 minute 32 second video titled "The Conspiracy", uploaded on social media shows four students, allegedly belonging to ABVP, the student's wing of RSS, shouting "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans. Students from the Left-wing groups alleged that members of ABVP had shouted anti-national slogans prompting the crowd which was a mixed bunch of different student groups and even outsiders to follow suit. "They were the ones who shouted those slogans disrupting a meeting which was peacefully debating the issue. We do not even know who said what and they easily demonised every student as anti-national," said a student who belongs to Left-backed All India Students Association (AISA). JNU Students Union Joint Secretary, Saurabh Kumar Sharma, who is the only ABVP member among office bearers, said, "These are all tactics to tarnish our image and attack us as we have objected to their anti-national activities. The video has been morphed only to defame us and spread false information". The university authorities, however, could not comment on whether those seen in the video available with the varsity probe committee, were ABVP members or not. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. Kanhaiya's arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP political parties. (REOPENS DES65) Meanwhile, ABVP lodged a complaint with the police regarding the video clip which has been transferred to the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing. "We have received the complaint and initiated a probe," a senior police officer said, adding no FIR has been registered so far. The UN in 2015 recorded its highest number of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan, according to a new report today, with children paying a particularly heavy toll as struggling Afghan forces faced a militant surge. There were 11,002 civilian casualties in 2015, a four percent rise over 2014, the UN said in the annual report, with 3,545 of them fatalities. One in every four casualties was a child while one in ten was a woman, the report said, with the UN's special representative for Afghanistan Nicholas Haysom branding the figures "unacceptable". Afghanistan today summoned Pakistan's ambassador to the foreign ministry in Kabul to express "serious concerns" over the kidnapping of a former Afghan governor in Islamabad, the ministry said in a statement. Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, a former governor of Herat province, was snatched by unidentified men in an upscale district of the Pakistani capital on Friday, police have confirmed. Afghanistan has fraught relations with Pakistan, which it blames for sponsoring Taliban militants fighting an ongoing bloody insurgency. The foreign ministry today expressed concern to ambassador Sayed Ibrar Hussain and urged Islamabad to throw all its resources into finding Wahidi, described as one of the "big personalities" of the war-torn country. "The Afghan government calls upon the Pakistani government to use all tools and possibilities in identifying the group behind the kidnapping and immediately secure the release of Mr Wahidi," the statement said. Pakistan is in the grip of a homegrown Taliban insurgency but the tightly-guarded capital has a very low crime rate in general, and the F-7/2 sector where Wahidi was seized is a high security area that houses politicians, bureaucrats and expats. A Pakistani police official told AFP today that investigators were treating the abduction as a "high-profile case", but that no arrests have yet been made. After successful e-auction of two limestone blocks by Jharkhand, other states, including Odisha and Rajasthan, are likely to put under the hammer about 40 mines containing minerals like iron ore by March-end. Jharkhand on February 12 became the first state to auction two limestone blocks through an electronic platform after the passage of the MMDR Act by Parliament. "States were keen to know about the auction process for blocks other than coal and lignite. Now that Jharkhand has successfully auctioned two limestone blocks, we expect states to auction about 40 mineral blocks containing iron ore, bauxite, limestone etc by March," a senior Mines Ministry official told PTI. The official said a total of 43 blocks -- excluding coal and lignite -- have been identified by various states for e-auction, and barring a few, for which the response is not good, all are likely to be auctioned soon. He said eight states, including Jharkhand, Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have already lined up mines for auction. Jharkhand successfully auctioned mining leases of two limestone blocks at a premium of 12 per cent each against reserve price of 10 per cent premium. The state is endowed with rich mineral reserves and possess about 40 per cent of total mineral resources of India. Apart from Jharkhand, mineral bearing states like Odisha, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have put 16 iron ore and 23 limestone mines under the hammer for the first phase of auction. While Karnataka has put up 14 iron ore mines, Maharashtra and Odisha have offered one each, as per information. In the case of limestone, Andhra Pradesh has put up six blocks for auction followed by Gujarat (5), Chhattisgarh (4), Rajasthan (3), Odisha and Jharkhand two each and Maharashtra had placed one block under the hammer. The number of iron ore mines is expected to increase with additional blocks to be put for auction by states. As per the market estimates, total cement grade limestone reserve available is around 89,862 million tonnes. Centre expects the 12 mineral-producing states to offer a as many as 70 mines producing minerals such as Iron ore, Limestone and Bauxite in the first phase of auctions. In March 2015, Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2015, which paved the way for states to auction iron ore and non-coal mineral mines. Last year three three rounds of coal auction have generated proceeds of more than Rs 3 lakh crore, which would be realised over 30 years by states where the mines are located. Teachers of 40 Central Universities today came out in support of their counterparts and students in JNU protesting the arrest of the varsity's students union president in a sedition case. Students of pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), who were supported by JNU students in their protest against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the institute's chairman, also expressed solidarity with the agitators and accused the government of harassing and threatening those who dare to oppose its ideology. Nandita Narain, President of Federation of Central University Teachers Association (FEDCUTA), said teachers' bodies of 40 central universities, including Hyderabad University, have extended support to the agitation by the students and the teaching community of JNU. "The event could be in bad taste but was not seditious. Whatever opposition the students have is against the present government and not against the Constitution. This kind of police action against the students on the pretext of security is uncalled for," Narain said. "JNU has stood for excellence over decades, its students have always raised their voice whenever there has been any issue in varsities across the country...Be it Rohith Vemula's suicide in Hyderabad university or the FTII row. It's time we stand by them," she added. A faculty of Ambedkar University said, "Today it is JNU, tomorrow it could be any other university. Any voice of dissent being branded as anti- is dangerous for any educational institution or community at large. No university should allow such indiscriminate raids on student hostels." Harishankar Nachimuthu, the president of Students Association, FTII, in a statement said, "We express our solidarity with the JNU students and condemn the random arrest of JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy and demand his immediate release." "The current government had not learnt anything from the tragic death of Rohith Vemula and is continuing with the vilification, harassment and threat to those who dare to oppose its ideology," he added. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said the AIUDF has entered into a "tacit understanding" with the BJP to defeat Congress candidates by engineering a split in votes and ensuring victory of the saffron party. The remark comes a day after party chief Badruddin Ajmal announced that the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) would field candidates for polls only on 60 of the 126 seats in Assam Assembly. "By deciding to field candidates in at least 60 constituencies where they have no chances of winning, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal has entered into a political game plan with the BJP, like it did in the last Parliamentary elections to defeat the Congress candidates," Gogoi said. In a statement issued here, the chief minister said people would see through the "game plan" of AIUDF and BJP who have relegated their ideological differences to the backburner in order to grab the power. "If AIUDF is for uniting Muslims to consolidate minority votes, the BJP is also propagating the Hindutva agenda of RSS and uniting Hindus. "Both the parties have the same kind of strategy to polarise the electorate on religious lines. "AIUDF and BJP are two sides of the same coin," Gogoi said. He asserted that the Congress would fight the Assembly polls alone. Congress, in power for the last 15 years in Assam, had won on 68 seats in last Assembly polls, while AIUDF and BJP secured victory on 18 and 6 seats, respectively. (REOPENS DES 39) Gogoi's autobiography traces the story of how the Chief Minister's innovative and grounded style of governance helped bring about the change towards the path of development. Karan Singh said it has been an astounding achievement for Gogoi to be at the helm of affairs for three consecutive terms and for steering the State through difficult times. "For being the Chief Minister during the most difficult times with insurgency and various forces at work and for bringing about a turnaround in the situation, his place in the history is assured," he said. Terming Gogoi as a son of the Brahmaputra, Singh said the manner in which he handled a State like Assam confronted with so much difficulties and complexities similar to that of Jammu and Kashmir was quite extraordinary. Singh said due importance has to be given to the regional leaders who are becoming forces to be reckoned with in the political spectrum in the past three decades for understanding the problems and issues in proper perspectives. Gogoi said when he took over the reins of power in May 2001, Assam was passing through difficult times. "Insurgency was at its peak with militants calling the shots. Development came to a standstill. With empty coffers, Government employees were not paid salaries for months together. But things have changed since then. "The number of killings by militants has come down as several outfits were brought to the negotiating table. Economic growth accompanied the new stability. And the rest is history," he said. Gogoi said the biggest achievement of his Government has been changing the mindset of the youth. "Today the youth of Assam are shining outside the State. They are feeling confident like never before. Assam's future is bright and the State is well poised to become one of the leading States of the country. "When the history of Assam is penned, my three terms will show up both positives as well as negatives. But I will leave history to judge these years. I, as a son of the soil, am only content and grateful that I could take centre stage in the turnaround story," he said. The Chief Minister also answered to a volley of questions posed by the audience harking back to the anti-foreigners' agitation vis-a-vis persuading the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to go in for signing of the Assam Accord despite strong opposition. Amid the raging political row over police action at JNU, top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah met today. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, besides Shah met Modi at his residence to take stock of the current political situation. Party sources insisted that the meeting had no "direct correlation" with the JNU row and covered a wide spectrum of issues. They said a host of issues, including the upcoming state assembly elections and the Budget Session of Parliament were discussed. "The meeting of senior party leaders happens at regular intervals and is routine. The Budget Session is coming and so are assembly elections in five states. There are organisational issues of the party as well," a senior party leader said when asked about the deliberations. He, however, added that the JNU issue too was likely to have come up for discussion as the government has been attacked by Congress and the Left over its response to the holding of an event at the varsity against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. BJP has defended the police action against the students allegedly involved in shouting anti-India slogans and accused the opposition parties of speaking in the voice of terror group LeT founder Hafiz Sayeed. Rajnath Singh's comments today that the controversial event at the JNU had received support from the LeT has further polarised the political discourse around it. (Reopens DEL58) Sources said Modi also held pre-budget consultations with his key ministers including Jaitley, Singh, Swaraj and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Though there was no official statement about what transpired in the meeting, sources said issues related to the Union Budget were on the table. It will be the second full-fledged budget of the Modi government after it came to power in 2014. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand continued his fine form to outwit Anish Giri of Holland and move into the sole lead after the end of the second round of Zurich Chess Challenge here. After beating Levon Aronian of Armenia in a one-sided contest that lasted a mere 19 moves in the first round, Anand had to work hard against Giri, who played white, but in the end it was another checkmate on board for the Indian ace. With back-to-back victories Anand moved to four points under a special scoring system that gives two points for a victory and one for a draw in rapid games. Hikaru Nakamura of United States jumped to the sole second spot defeating Alexei Shirov of Latvia in the second round game, while the other encounter of the second round ended in a draw between Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Aronian. With just three rounds remaining in the Classical-Rapid games with forty minutes to each player, Kramnik is sole third on two points while Giri, Aronian and Shirov have a point each in their kitty. After the rapid section is over, the players will play a return blitz event, in which one point will be awarded for a win and half for a draw. The cumulative results will be added to determine the winner this year. Anand faced the Italian opening against Giri, who showed some progress initially by exerting pressure with his white pieces. However, the optical advantage did not last long when Giri tried to make some real progress. While the Dutchman gained spatial advantage, Anand was quick to spot a blow in the center that promised attacking possibilities. Once under pressure, Giri collapsed in quick time. Anand invaded the seventh rank with his rook and the queen joined hands soon to complete the formalities after 45 moves. Nakamura chose the French defense against Shirov and faced the Advance variation. Shirov felt the heat when black made use of his resources on the king wide wherein an open file helped Nakamura a great deal. Shirov lost an exchange but never got the desired compensation. Nakamura won in 38 moves. Kramnik got an opposite coloured Bishop endgame for the second time in a row in the tournament. Following a draw with Shirov in the previous round, the Russian played white this time but Aronian was spot on. Results round 2: Anish Giri (Ned, 1) lost to V Anand (Ind, 4); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 2) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm, 1); Alexei Shirov (Lat, 1) lost to Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 3). Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has urged Governor J P Rajkhowa to not allow the 21-member Congress dissident group, led by Kalikho Pul, to form government with the support of BJP and Independent lawmakers. "It has been reported that Pul is staking claim to form government in the state with the support of disqualified MLAs, BJP and two Independent MLAs. The case regarding the 14 disqualified MLAs is pending in Supreme Court," APCC President Padi Richo said in a letter to the Governor yesterday. "Tuki is having a majority in the CLP and no other person, whether any MLA or disqualified person, can claim to be the leader of CLP or approach your good office for staking claim, even with the support of any other political party. If any person approaches you with any such request, it will be against the Constitution of India, especially the 10th Schedule, and also against the CLP decision," it said. Richo said it was a fact that 21 MLAs boycotted and distanced themselves from CLP meetings, and 2 MLAs out of 21 resigned from the Assembly. Their resignations were accepted by the Speaker on September 30, 2015, and notified and gazetted on October 1, last year. He said the 14 MLAs in the Pul camp had been disqualified from the membership of CLP on December 15 last year and they could not claim to be members of Congress anymore. "Nabam Tuki is the democratically elected CLP leader since May 18, 2014, and no change has taken place in the CLP till date," it said. Gunner Sahadev Maruti More was to get married next week, having delayed the wedding to allow his bride complete her education, but fate willed otherwise and he achieved martyrdom with his best friend 'Masterji'. More and Naik Shankar Chandrabhan Shinde, who were killed in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district of north Kashmir yesterday, were best friends and died as such. "They lived like buddies, they served like buddies and (as) buddies they embraced martyrdom in the highest traditions of the organisation and nation they served and died for. "And in this sacrifice, they redefined camaraderie," an army official said. More (26), fondly called 'Maurya' by peers, came from a humble family of farmers in Bijapur, Karnataka, he said. He is survived by his old parents and was about to leave for home in a week's time, the official said, adding he had insisted on delaying the wedding so his prospective bride could complete her education. Shinde (34), from Nashik in Maharashtra, had been deployed as a UN peacekeeper in South Sudan during the turbulence in 2012 where he had discharged his duties with aplomb, he said. "His exceptional instructional capabilities and tactical acumen had earned him the nickname 'Masterji'," he said. "Though coming from two different parent units (Infantry and Artillery) with almost ten years separating them in age and service, they began their tenures in the 41 Rashtriya Rifles unit together in June 2015," he said. During this short span, the two had also carved a niche for themselves as sharp scouts and had been part of numerous operations, he said. The Army paid homage to both of them in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment here. Saluting the heroes, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua said the duo have inspired an entire generation of soldiers and soldiers to be with their sacrifice. Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today accused the Congress government in Assam of having "siphoned off" Rs 3 crore from the funds allocated by the Centre for development of dairy sector in the state. Singh said that the state government has not given any details where these funds have been utilised adding "the loss is obviously to the people of Assam. There is no dairy development in the state". "In the year 1994-95, the Centre sanctioned Rs 1,300 lakh for the dairy development project in the 10 districts of Assam. In 2004-05, again Rs 910 lakh had been issued by the Central Government, but from that Rs 300 lakh has been siphoned off," Singh was quoted as saying in an official press statement. The Minister was speaking at the Assam Krishi Unnayan Mela in the state. The Centre wants to establish research institute IARI in Assam and a letter has already been written to the state government in this regard, he said. The state government has shown four places and the officials of the institute have selected one place and for that the state government is demanding money, he added. Feeling surprised over the state government's demand for money, Singh said, "Normally, the state government provides the land free of cost, don't know, the state government is strengthening the farmers or own family." He retreated that the Modi government is committed to bring the second green revolution in the North East. Asthma in women maybe linked to a prolonged time to pregnancy and a decreased birth rate, according to a new study. Researchers studied 245 women with unexplained fertility problems aged between 23 and 45 years. They underwent asthma and allergy testing and questionnaires during their fertility treatment. As many as 96 women in the study had either an existing doctor's diagnosis of asthma or were diagnosed with asthma when they entered the study. The researchers from Bispebjerg University Hospital in Denmark monitored the women during their fertility treatment for a minimum of 12 months, until they had a successful pregnancy, stopped treatment or the observation ended. The results found that the median total time to pregnancy was 32.2 months in non-asthmatic women and 55.6 months in those with asthma. Women with asthma also had fewer successful conceptions - 39.6 per cent achieved pregnancy in the asthmatic women compared with 60.4 per cent in the women without asthma. The results also found this trend was more apparent as the women got older. "This finding in a clinical trial setting adds new weight to the epidemiological evidence suggesting a link between asthma and fertility," said lead author Elisabeth Juul Gade, from Copenhagen Fertility Centre. "We have seen here that asthma seems to have a negative influence on fertility as it increases time to pregnancy and even more so with age," said Gade. "We do not yet know the causal relationship; it may be complex with different types of asthma, psychological well-being, asthma medication and hormones all play a role," she said. "Given this new evidence, we believe that clinicians should encourage women with asthma to become pregnant at an earlier age and optimise their treatment for asthma pre-conception," said Gade. "Patient education is also of paramount importance as adherence to treatment may be enhanced if patients are informed of this link," she said. The study was published in the European Respiratory Journal. Looking at India as a "favourable" investment destination, Australia is keen to invest in LNG, financial services, education and healthcare sectors of the USD 2-trillion economy. India, which expects its economy to grow at 7.6 per cent this fiscal, has launched major initiatives to attract companies and investors from abroad amidst a subdued global economic sentiment. India presents some "great" prospects for Australian businesses on account of a huge market of 1.2 billion people, Australia's Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Robb told PTI. "We expect the opportunity for those things that we are good at. We expect the opportunity to be able to come in and compete and to offer. In a lot of cases that would involve doing Joint Ventures (JVs) as there are a lot of local issues that need to be understood and the best way to do that is to find a good and trustworthy JV partner," he added. When asked about the sectors, Robb said: "We expect to compete in the healthcare, education, financial services; and with world-class services, including resources and energy space." The Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed India's image and made it a "favourable" investment destination. On his expectations from India, Robb said: "We want the opportunity to invest in a way which is not fraught with long delays, approvals and endless red tape... (We want to) invest in an efficient way and also be able to offer, after investing, a fair opportunity to compete with other service offerings. "And in many cases, I think we will bring IP (intellectual property) that will be valuable to India and in many cases we will gain IP that will be an advantage to Australia." He further said there is a "huge interest" in Australia to participate in helping India in developing resources, but also stressed on the need for clarity in policy at the same time. "... We've got the gas, of course India's got some, but we've got huge quantities of gas... In the past there has been frustration with companies that went in, either at the state level or federal level, commercial frustrations and roadblocks. "It has discouraged some companies from participating. But, a lot of that has changed under the new government (Modi government). That's why we are doing Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), because we think now is the time where India is on the move and they are looking for whatever help different countries can give," he added. Robb said that if governments get together it can ensure that there are no developments that hold the projects unnecessarily and that right attention is given and decisions are taken. "States (in both the countries) can be brought in and commitments can be taken from them to give priority to certain projects. So, all of that creates a lot of business certainty, he added. Talks for a CECA also known as FTA between India and Australia was started in 2011 to provide fillip to both trade and investments between the two countries. "Well, certainly on the gas front, what the Minister (Power Minister Piyush Goyal) was talking about to Aussies on end-to-end projects, I think end-to-end propositions haven't been timed rightly in the past. I think there is a lot of scope for that. But in the end it will be a commercial decision," he said. Goyal was in Australia last week for the India-Australia Energy Dialogue, which seeks to increase cooperation between both the governments and business in LNG, clean coal technologies, renewable energy among others. During his meetings with the government and businesses, Goyal stressed India's requirement of cheap gas for its power plants. He, however added: "But I can say that if you do end-to- end and you have got a lot of certainty attached, both to the development of the project and also the ongoing, then the price issue could well be sorted. I think it's a graceful proposition for us to explore. It's a very worthwhile thing to explore." Success breeds success and one thing will lead to other. There are some long term prospects for both the countries, Robb said. Several Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were taken into custody today from different parts of the city as they held protests against Valentine's Day celebrations. Police has stepped up security in Hyderabad apprehending trouble by right wing groups. As many as 12 VHP activists were taken into preventive custody at Paradise Circle when they held a demonstration and raised slogans seeking to ban on Valentine's Day celebrations, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Saifabad Division) J Surender Reddy told PTI. In Abid road area, Bajrang Dal and VHP workers burnt an effigy and raised slogans. "Seventeen protesters of both the groups were taken into preventive custody," inspector K Srinivas said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders warned the youths against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying it was against the Indian culture. Earlier, they had warned the youths that they would perform marriage of couples if they are found publicly displaying affection in parks and other public places. "The boys and girls caught by the activists would be counselled and their parents will be informed about their acts," the local VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders had said. Describing Valentine's Day as against Islam and its culture, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) members also urged the Muslim men and women not to celebrate it. However, the ACP said adequate security has been deployed in the city on the Valentine's Day. "In view of Valentine's Day, security measures are in place near parks and public places. Those who want to celebrate Valentine's Day, they have right to do so and they can move freely," Reddy said. Action will be initiated against all those who try to obstruct, he warned. Meanwhile, students organisations at Osmania University under the banner of 'Indian Lovers Unity' (ILU) decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by holding an open meeting in front of Arts College on the varsity campus. Over 20 student organisations, including the All India Students Federation (AISF), Students Federation of India (SFI), Telangana Vidyavntula Vedika (TVV) have come together to organise the event. (Reopens BES7) Meanwhile, six members of ILU were taken into preventive custody when they tried to celebrate Valentine's Day on Osmania University campus. "They were trying to hold Valentine's Day event on an educational institute premises and that too without any permission. Hence, police prevented them from holding any such event," OU police station inspector Ashok Reddy said. CPI leader D Raja today defended his AISF leader-daughter, whose name figures in the list of JNU students accused of raising anti-India slogans, and hit out at political rivals for making "irrational and baseless" allegations in this regard. The CPI National Secretary also dismissed charges that opposition parties are seeking political gain out of the situation at JNU and claimed the Left Front-Congress are "extremely concerned" over the developments at the varsity and fighting to protect its interest. "I know my daughter better than anybody else. She is a leader of All India Students' Federation (AISF). And anyone who knows history of AISF, its ideology and politics, they will never make such baseless, irrational, absurd allegations," Raja said. The Rajya Sabha member countered allegations by BJP that opposition parties are seeking gains out of the situation at JNU, saying the Left Front-Congress are fighting to ensure the JNU remains as "one of the best" varsities in the country. "It is not that we are trying to take advantage. In fact, we are extremely concerned in the interest of JNU, (we want) to protect it and see it continues as one of the best universities and centres of excellence in the country," he said. Meanwhile, Raja expressed doubts if the varsity authorities were allegedly allowing Delhi Police to raid the campus "as per their will". "JNU is one of the best universities in the country. Now it has become some kind of police camp. Delhi Police has been asked to raid it at anytime at their will. I don't know if the university authorities have willingly allowed police to do such things," he said. BJP had yesterday accused Congress and other opposition parties that they were targeting the Modi Government over the JNU issue due to their "political malice" and vote bank politics. A senior Beijing official today blamed "radical separatists" for a riot that erupted in Hong Kong last week, the worst clashes the city has seen since mass pro-democracy protests. In unusually blunt remarks on a local Hong Kong matter, Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing's top representative in the semi-autonomous city, told reporters the violence that left dozens of police officers hurt also showed elements of "terror". "After the riot in Mong Kok, we are feeling very much shocked and saddened," Zhang told reporters. "We strongly condemn those radical separatists who have become increasingly violent, even (carrying out) activities that showed terror tendencies," the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said in Chinese. The clashes erupted when protesters gathered following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood of Mong Kok during Lunar New Year celebrations late Monday night. Police fired warning shots in the air, while demonstrators hurled bricks levered up from pavements, charged police lines with homemade shields and set rubbish on fire. About 100 people were injured, including police officers, journalists and protesters, and 65 were arrested in the disorder, rare in Hong Kong. Some 30 of them have been charged with rioting. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said today most of the protesters were unemployed and did not reflect mainstream views. "The majority of them are jobless. Quite many of them belong to radical political groups. Their political demands... cannot reflect the majority of society," the chief executive said. The battles have been dubbed the "fishball revolution" after a favourite Hong Kong street snack and reflect underlying tensions over the erosion of the city's traditions. Demonstrators included "localist" activists who want to restrict Beijing's influence on the city. Mong Kok, on the city's Kowloon peninsula, was the scene of some of the worst violence during the 79-day "Occupy" pro-democracy street protests in late 2014. The mass rallies seeking fully free leadership elections in the city blocked some major streets for more than two months. Hong Kong was returned by Britain to China in 1997 with its way of life protected for 50 years by a joint agreement. But there are fears that freedoms enshrined in the agreement are being eroded by Chinese influence, including the recent case of five Hong Kong publishers known for titles critical of Beijing, four of whom it is confirmed have been detained on the mainland. British Premier David Cameron's Infrastructure Envoy to India Alok Sharma is visiting India this week to discuss ways to build closer economic and financial ties between the two countries especially in capital markets and raising joint funds for infrastructure investment. The Indian-origin British MP is the key contact between the UK and Indian governments, Indian public and private sector infrastructure companies and British financial practitioners as part of his new role as the Infrastructure Envoy announced soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit last November. "I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron as his Infrastructure Envoy to India, this is an incredibly exciting role," Sharma said on the eve of his five-day visit starting tomorrow. Sharma is making his first visit to India since being appointed Cameron's Infrastructure Envoy. "Plans to launch a flagship rupee-denominated bond in London by the Indian Railway Finance Corporation was a key announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the UK and a strong endorsement of the UK's position as a leading international financial sector. The Indian government has a hugely ambitious programme of infrastructure projects and I look forward to working closely with colleagues in both governments to ensure that we develop rupee-linked debt markets and build closer ties between the UK and Indian capital markets," he said. During the Economic and Finance Dialogue between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in London last month, both countries agreed to explore ways to encourage increased investment in infrastructure with the aim of developing an India-UK partnership fund under the umbrella of India's flagship infrastructure investment initiative, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Sharma's visit will coincide with the maiden visit to India of Harriett Baldwin, Economic Secretary to the UK Treasury, also known as 'City minister' because of her responsibility for the City of London's financial centre. They will both discuss the prospects for this collaboration with key private and public sector leaders, with the expectation of signing terms of reference governing the partnership at the G20 finance ministers meeting in Beijing later this month. With the recent upsurge in rupee denominated bonds listed in London's financial markets last year, Baldwin and Sharma will hold deliberations with Indian Ministers and Reserve Bank of India Governor to encourage listing of rupee bonds in London. They will discuss how the City of London can develop as a trading hub for the rupee, and the potential for cooperation on green financing that can help to fund India's renewable energy and clean transport plans. Baldwin said, "Developing closer economic and financial ties between India and Britain is key to boosting exports and investment, and creating growth in both of our economies. That's why I am delighted to visit India to bolster our cooperation across several key areas. India is the fastest growing major economy in the world, and with a population of over a billion people, the opportunities for UK financial firms to partner with and export to India are unlimited." The two British government representatives will meet Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya, and other senior leaders from the banking and the financial services sector, via one to one meetings and roundtables. Both the leaders will discuss key areas of shared interest between the two countries including financial inclusion, regulatory reform, financial technology, and the raising of finance in the UK to fuel India's growth. Nabam Tuki, ousted Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, today accused the Centre of conspiring to install a government comprising dissident Congress MLAs and BJP by revoking President's rule in the state and said any such move will be "completely unconstitutional". It will be in violation of law as the matter is already before the Supreme Court, he contended and warned of political instability and law and order problems in Arunachal Pradesh if a "khichdi" government is formed in the state. "I have come to know that all dissident MLAs and BJP MLAs were taken to Arunachal Pradesh through a chartered plane first to Assam and then in helicopters to Itanagar. "The MLAs are lodged in two hotels in Itanagar and they are waiting to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government under the leadership of Kalikho Pul," Tuki told PTI. Tuki, the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said if the dissidents and BJP MLAs form a government it would be completely unconstitutional and against the law as the Supreme Court is still hearing a case regarding the imposition of President's rule in the state and dismissal of his government. The revolt by Congress dissidents led by Kalikho Pul led to a political crisis in the state that finally led to imposition of President's rule on January 26. All 21 dissident MLAs had been camping in New Delhi for a long time after revolting against the Tuki government. They were joined by 11 BJP MLAs and two independents. Tuki reportedly has the support of 26 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. The former Chief Minister accused Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, of conspiring with the dissident Congress MLAs. "He (Rijiju) is the person doing everything. He has sponsored the MLAs, providing security to them and destabilising my government. He had succeeded in it. "Now the central government is conspiring to form a government," he said. Tuki said if a "Khichdi (potpourri) government is formed, it will not last long as there would be law and order problems and political instability". "Such a government will not last. I have come to know that after forming the government, they would recommend mid-term poll," he said. Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh was held along with the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Congress party, which had 47 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, suffered a jolt when 21 of its lawmakers rebelled. Eleven BJP MLAs and two independents backed the rebels in the bid to upstage the government. Later, 14 rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker. The Supreme Court, which is considering pleas against imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, is hearing petitions seeking examination of constitutional schemes on the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today approved setting up of service centres for farmers in the state to provide latest technical assistance to them. At a meeting here, he said in the current scenario when returns from agriculture were diminishing with every passing day, the need of the hour was to boost production by roping in best experts of this field. Badal said dedicated staffers would be made available across the state to assist farmers in using latest technology of sowing and harvesting. These centres would be controlled by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), an official release said. The CM said these centres would also run surveillance and awareness campaigns to make the farmers aware about threats to their crops and suggest remedial action. He said the responsibility of bailing out the farmers of the state from the current agrarian crisis lies on the shoulders of PAU and the state agriculture department. Both these organisations, along with Krishi Vigyan Kendras, should channelise their all might to ensure that agriculture was made a profitable venture, he said. He asked the officers to ensure that staffers recruited in these bodies work at the grassroots level. Badal said these advisory bodies must also make farmers aware of the high returns from allied farming sector like dairy, fishery, piggery and apiary. The Chhattisgarh government today said it is providing new opportunities to MSMEs to prosper and also facilitating an "enabling eco system" for larger industries. The state government is currently focussing on sectors like agri-business, food processing, automotive, defence and IT-ITES, it said at the 'Chhattisgarh Investment Summit' organised during the 'Make In India Week' here. "Chhattisgarh is being increasingly recognised as a leading brand for attracting investments in the country," Chief Minister Raman Singh said. He announced that 'Naya Raipur' would be the flag-bearer of 'resurgent Chattisgarh'. "It (Naya Raipur) will reflect the rich heritage and natural beauty of the state while marching ahead to become India's best planned smart city," he said. The CM also unveiled the Chattisgarh State Investor Guide on the occasion. During his address, Commerce Minister Amar Agarwal said Chhattisgarh is a power surplus state which is rich in natural and mineral resources and it provides industrial land with best fiscal incentives for setting up business. "The state is now focussing on non-core sectors such as agri-business and food processing, automotive, defence, IT-ITES and others. "It is providing new opportunities to MSMEs to prosper as well as facilitating an enabling ecosystem for larger industries," he said. China's central bank chief has blamed foreign speculators in part for volatility in the yuan and said there is no basis for further depreciation, according to an interview in Caixin magazine. The Chinese economy grew 6.9 per cent in 2015 -- the slowest rate since 1990 -- and capital has been flowing out of the country due to worries over flagging growth, causing the currency to weaken. "International speculative forces have recently focused on shorting China," People's Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on the bank's website yesterday. "They are eager to manufacture public opinion to try to force an outcome as soon as possible," he said, but did not identify them. Chinese state media has taken aim at investor George Soros for saying at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos that a hard landing for the world's second largest economy is "practically unavoidable". In early January China guided the yuan -- also known as the renminbi -- down by setting its daily fix lower for eight consecutive sessions, representing a 1.4 per cent fall, before it returned to stability. The falls raised fears of a creeping devaluation, as it echoed moves in mid-August when China adjusted the yuan down nearly five per cent over a week. Zhou vowed China would use its massive foreign exchange holdings to defend the yuan. "China has the world's largest foreign exchange reserves," he said. "We will not let speculative forces guide market sentiment." The country's foreign exchange reserves dropped USD 99.5 billion to USD 3.2 trillion in January, according to official figures, as the central bank sold dollars to slow the slide in the yuan. But Zhou said: "There is no foundation for continued depreciation (of the currency)." He pledged that currency reforms would continue despite the turmoil although the government would maintain its management role. China keeps a tight grip on the yuan on worries free capital flows will bring financial risk and reduce its control. The UK is planning a cleanliness drive to spruce up at least 12 areas of the country in time for Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birth anniversary celebrations later this year. From hundreds of locations nominated by the British public, a so-called "dirty dozen" were chosen by the "Clean for the Queen" campaign, 'The Sunday Times' reported today. The areas include riverbanks, verges, suburban roads, lay-bys and beaches due to their unmanageable litter problems. A road in Tooting, south London, features alongside a canal bank in Birmingham and a swamp by the River Avon in Wiltshire. The campaign is recruiting 1 million volunteers to pick up litter in their local communities on the weekend of March 4-6, ahead of the Queen's 90th birthday on April 21 and her official birthday in June. The clean-up drive is being supported by businesses, charities, local authorities and schools. Campaign director Adrian Evans told the newspaper: "The dirty dozen share a common theme - they are local eyesores. Rubbish has been dumped by people who can't be bothered to dispose of it responsibly - bottles, cans, wrappers and bags". "We have chosen these grot spots to highlight just how bad the litter problem is and also to emphasise that everyone can make a difference to their local area by not littering," he said. Highlighting the 12 areas is intended to prompt more volunteers to sign up to join the Clean for the Queen weekend. The campaign has won the support of thousands including organisations like Keep Britain Tidy, the Women's Institute, Clean Up Britain and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Moved by the "horrific" and "terrible" sight at crematoriums and burial grounds in the national capital, the Delhi High Court has called for their proper maintenance saying "departed souls need to be respected". Advocating for better regulation and cleaning up of crematoriums and graveyards, the court also sought an awareness campaign to encourage use of electric crematoriums instead of traditional system of performing last rites by burning the body on woods. "Departed souls need to be respected. At least we should have clean and well-regulated crematoriums and graveyard. Electric crematoriums are the order of the day," a bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva said. Narrating an incident, Justice Ahmed said that once he had to visit an old crematorium near Okhla Bird Sanctuary and he was shocked to see its condition. "I was horrified. It was a terrible sight as clothes and shoes were thrown here and there. A burial of a child was taking place. This should not happen and proper maintenance of these places is needed," he said. Counsel for Delhi government advocate Rahul Mehra said that awareness needs to be created among the people and all Delhi crematoriums now allow the cremation of children. "In Hindu mythology parents of a dead child have two options either to bury or to put the body in the river. Crematoriums in Delhi now allow cremation of child also and awareness creating boards have been put at the gates," he said. The bench also expressed concern regarding burning of bodies with wood at the crematoriums saying it results in rise in emission of carbon dioxide and electric crematoriums should be put in place. The observations were made during the hearing of a suo motu PIL on air pollution. The bench also asked the Delhi government to look into the policy of replenishing the green cover in the national capital by replacing the older trees by new ones. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 10 asking the nodal officer of the forest department to file a status report on the compliance of courts direction after holding a meeting with officials of civic bodies and their horticulture department. Lawmakers in the US state of Colorado have unanimously adopted a joint resolution sponsored by an Indian-American legislator to honour Mahatma Gandhi for dedicating his whole life to fighting injustice through nonviolence and peaceful resistance. ColoradoHouse of Representatives and the Colorado Senate on Friday adopted the resolution prime sponsored by Indian American Colorado State Representative Janak Joshi, who is the first Indian-American legislator in the Colorado General Assembly. The resolution received the backing and co-prime sponsorship of State Representative Joann Ginal and most members of the Colorado House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and was unanimously passed with bipartisan support. Harish Parvathaneni Consul General of India in Houston termed the development as an important initiative and said Gandhi's message has far greater relevance today. Harish said he was deeply humbled to see the numerous ways in which the life, writings and political approaches of Gandhi fundamentally motivated and changed people around the world, including so many of the elected representatives of the State of Colorado. The Colorado Senate also separately passed a similar resolution at the sponsorship of State Senator Kent Lambert. Harish joined several members of the House of Representatives, Indo-American members of the cabinet and prominent leaders of the Indian American community in reading the resolution. The Commerce Ministry will on February 23 consider four new special economic zones proposals, including those of Infosys and Cognizant. The Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, will take up these applications at the meeting. Besides Infosys and Cognizant Technologies, the Ministry will also decide on the fresh proposals of Saltire Developers and Amin Properties. The board would also take up proposals of 12 SEZ developers and units including Mahindra World City (Jaipur) and Zydus Technologies which have sought more time to implement their projects. Infosys Ltd has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS special economic zone in Mohali at an area of 20.23 hectares. Similarly, Cognizant Technologies Services has also plans to set up the zone in Telangana. According to the agenda note of the BoA meeting, Mahindra World City (Jaipur) has sought extension of the validity period of formal approval, granted for setting up of sector SEZ for Gems and Jewellery at Jaipur, beyond February 1. "The developer has requested for further extension so as to implement the project. Investment made on land till 31st August, 2015 is Rs 4.76 crore and other investment Rs 2.36 crore," the agenda note said. Zydus Technologies Ltd, a unit in Zydus Pharma SEZ at Ahmedabad, wants extension of validity period of its letter of permission (LoP) beyond June 28, 2016. The LoP was issued on June 29, 2009 for manufacturing and export of various transdermal patches (medical patches). SEZs have emerged as a major export hubs of the country. Setting up of new zones and timely operations of existing units will help in promoting exports from the country. However, according to the industry, imposition of minimum alternate tax has impacted the growth of these zones. The Commerce Ministry has asked the Finance Minister for removal of MAT in the Budget. The Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) had said that the government should not withdraw any tax incentives from SEZs as it might hit exports and job creation. During the April-September period of current fiscal, exports from these zones stood at Rs 2.21 lakh crore as against Rs 4.63 lakh crore in 2014-15. Overall merchandise exports from India have been declining since December 2014. Congress has always been supportive to people of West Bengal in their crisis and this would be proved again in the coming days, AICC secretary Paresh Dhanani said here today. "At times of crisis in Bengal, Congress has been supportive to its people and people also extended their support to the party. And I am quite sure that in the coming days, Congress will be the solution to the problems of the people of West Bengal," said Dhanani, who was appointed Secretary by Rahul Gandhi. The Congress MLA from Gujarat held a meeting with party office-bearers, district unit chiefs, frontal organisation heads, MPs, MLAs and some other senior leaders this morning. On the possibility of alliance between Congress and the CPI(M) in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, Dhanani said the party's high command was looking into the matter and it would soon come out with a decision. "The party high command decides on its policies for elections and our committee under AK Antony will soon come out with its decision on it (probable alliance between CPI(M) and Congress)," he stated. According to him, the people of the state will deliver their "decision" about the ruling Trinamool Congress government in the Assembly elections. Meanwhile, in his meeting with leaders, Dhanani stressed on the need to bring in more youths in Congress and strengthen the organisation in West Bengal, a party leader who was present in the meeting said. "He (Dhanani) emphasised on the need to have more and more youths in the party. He said we need to get them (youths) in the party as they will emerge as the future of Congress as well as that of the country," the leader said on condition of anonymity. Congress today demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take action against ABVP activists who allegedly manhandled senior party leader Anand Sharma at JNU last night. Party spokesperson RPN Singh said Sharma has already filed an FIR and immediate action should be taken in the matter. Senior Congress leader Sharma had yesterday claimed that he was physically attacked by ABVP activists on JNU campus while he was returning with Rahul Gandhi after attending a protest meeting held by students. Condemning the attack, Singh said, "It showed Modi government in bad light as he was attacked by the goondas of ABVP when police looked the other way." He said such attack on Opposition leaders had never taken place when Congress-led UPA was in power for 10 years at the Centre. Asserting that Congress was always for "zero tolerance" towards terrorism and anti-national activities, he asked what the BJP has to say about PDP, its coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, which called Afzal Guru as a martyr. "What action the government has taken against the BJP leaders who have hailed Nathuram Godse as martyr?" Singh asked. "The mindset of BJP was also exposed on the issue of suicide of Rohith Vemula, the Dalit scholar from Hyderabad University. The way government is acting against students in JNU, is the PM going to muzzle students in every campus?" he asked. Alleging that the AAP has "failed" to fulfill its poll promises, the Delhi unit of Congress observed a 'Chhalawa Diwas' as the Arvind Kejriwal-led government completed one year in office today. As part of its protest, the Congress took out a candlelight march from Rajghat to ITO Chowk in which several party leaders including its Delhi unit president Ajay Maken, AICC in-charge of Delhi P C Chacko, AICC secretaries Kuljit Nagra, Naseeb Singh and Manish Chatrath, participated. "The Aam Aadami Party government's one-year rule was full of misery for the people, as Kejriwal did not fulfill even a single promise made to them before the Assembly elections," Maken alleged. Posters bearing 'Chhalawa Diwas' term were seen pasted on the walls in several areas of the city, which has been used by the Congress to attack AAP government's on its first anniversary. Referring to the AAP's confrontations with BJP-led NDA government, Maken said the Kejriwal dispensation "wasted" its time in blame game with others. The former Union minister also lambasted the dispensation over several issues including its "weak" Jan Lokpal Bill, hike in VAT, cases against AAP MLAs during the year, hike in salaries of legislators and expansion in government's budget allegedly for its own campaign. Former party legislator Mukesh Sharma also hit out at AAP, terming it as the "most corrupt" party. Meanwhile, AAP MLAs, functionaries and volunteers celebrated one year in office by sharing its achievements with the people in their constituencies. After striking a pre-poll pact with DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress high command is expected to take a decision on the issue of alliance with the CPI(M) in poll bound West Bengal after a meeting of the Left party's politburo this week. A senior Congress leader, who declined to be identified, said the high command would take a call after the CPI-M's top leadership deliberates on the issue. The Politburo meeting on Tuesday will be followed by another of the Central Committee on the next two days. Last week, the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state had formally agreed to discuss the issue of alliance with Congress, if it was approached. Early this month, Congress leaders from the state, during a meeting with party vice president Rahul Gandhi, had unanimously rejected the idea of any alliance with Trinamool Congress but remained divided on a tie-up with the Left. The Congress vice president had told them that party chief Sonia Gandhi will take a decision on the issue soon. His refrain was that in the emerging situation Congress is a "determining factor" in West Bengal. Before it takes a final call on alliance, Congress would weigh which party in West Bengal could help it check BJP's march in the next Lok Sabha elections. The AICC has so far remained tight-lipped about CPI(M)'s overtures to "save" the state from the ruling TMC. Former West Bengal chief minister and CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had recently urged the Congress to join hands with the party. Congress had contested the last Assembly elections in alliance with Mamata Banerjee's party which dislodged the CPI(M)-led Left Front government after 34 years. The two parties, however, parted ways in September 2012 after Trinamool Congress walked out of the UPA-II government at the Centre. Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas today alleged the BJP was doing "injustice" to farmers and labourers as thousands of tractors were seized by the Transport Department and threatened protest if the vehicles are not given back. "About seven lakh tractor owners are facing livelihood crisis as their vehicles have been seized. They are being charged Rs 200 per day as demurrage for the last three to four months," the Jaipur District Congress President said at a rally here. "If the tractors are not released, Congress will launch protest and gherao the Vidhan Sabha when the Budget session begins on February 29," Khachariyawas, a former MLA, warned. When contacted, Regional Transport Officer V P Singh said a PIL against overloading of gravelin tractor-trolleys and unauthorised use of vehicles meant for agriculture purposes was pending in the Rajasthan High Court. The HC has directed the government to stop non-agriculture use of tractor-trolleys and seize such vehicles. It also directed imposing "compounding ban" on the seized vehicles which means they cannot be released after paying a fine but through legal procedure, he said. About 200 to 250 tractors were seized by RTO in Jaipur, Tonk, Sawaimadhopur, and Karauli districts in the last one month, Singh said. "The Transport Department is waiting for the High Court's decision whether to release such vehicles or not," he added. An Egyptian court today agreed to retry a policeman on an appeal against his 15-year jail term for killing a female activist during a peaceful protest here in 2015, a slaying that shocked many Egyptians. Yassin Hatem Salah Eddin, 24, was in June convicted and jailed by the Cairo Criminal Court on manslaughter charges over the death of 32-year-old activist Shaimaa el-Sabbagh. The Egyptian court agreed to retry Eddin on his appeal against the conviction. El-Sabbagh was killed after a masked policeman fired a birdshot in her direction during a peaceful demonstration in January 2015 to commemorate the protesters died during the 2011 revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. The policeman was charged with beating el-Sabbagh, a member of the Socialist Popular Alliance Party, until death and deliberately injuring other protesters. The killing had stoked anger among many Egyptians over perceived brutality of the police. Authorities had initially denied that police had any involvement in her death. Rights activists had said the police hampered efforts to save el-Sabbagh's life by preventing an ambulance from passing through the cordon. The uproar over El-Sabbagh's death had forced Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to order an investigation. Hundreds of activists were put in jail and are tried over protesting without permit. A top court in the United Arab Emirates today sentenced four Emiratis to death after convicting them of joining the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria, local media reported. The four, who were tried in absentia, are part of a group of 11 defendants accused of "joining the terrorist Daesh group in an Arab country", the official WAM agency said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. Local newspapers said that the group had travelled to Syria. They were also charged with "promoting" IS online, helping to finance the group and insulting UAE leaders, WAM said. Three other Emiratis, a Bahraini, a Mauritanian and a Syrian were handed jail sentences of between three and 10 years, the local Gulf daily reported. Another Emirati was acquitted. Abu Dhabi's Federal Supreme Court does not allow international media access to such trials. The UAE is a member of the US-led coalition that has been bombing IS jihadists in Iraq and Syria since September 2014. UAE authorities have enacted tougher anti-terror legislation, including harsher jail terms and even introducing the death penalty for crimes linked to religious hatred and extremist groups. In July, the UAE executed an Emirati woman for the jihadist-inspired 2014 murder of an American school teacher in an Abu Dhabi shopping mall. Her husband is accused of seeking to carry out attacks on targets including Abu Dhabi's Formula 1 circuit and has reportedly claimed to be the local leader of IS. He is currently on trial. In another case, the same court jailed three Arabs for 10 years each after convicting them of ties to the Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen, WAM said today. It acquitted three others for lack of evidence against them, it added. The UAE is also playing a key role in a Saudi-led coalition that has been battling the Huthis and their allies in Yemen since March last year. A TV channel has been directed by a Delhi court to pay Rs 20 lakh damages to three sacked police officials, including former ACP S S Rathi, serving life term in the 1997 Connaught Place shootout case, for harming their reputation by showing defamatory contents. The court said under the auspices of proclaiming oneself to be an agency aimed at working towards public welfare and good faith, the channel, the show and its producer have made a "mockery of the plaintiffs' (ex-police officials) reputations indiscriminately". The court asked the media house, the show and its producer -cum-director to pay Rs 10 lakh to Rathi and Rs five lakh each to the other twp ex-policemen Anil Kumar and Ashok Singh Rana. The trio said it was shown during the programme that they had murdered innocent citizens in a cold-blooded manner simply because they (policemen) wanted a promotion and the episode had cast them as brutal and murderous persons. Regarding Rathi, Additional District Judge Kamini Lau said that not only him but his entire family has suffered due to the vicious campaign against him relating to this incident which was admittedly a case of mistaken identity. "The plaintiff has given his sweat and blood to the institution, society and country and cannot be condemned for one unfortunate mistake for which he has already been sentenced to life imprisonment. "The decorated police officer has suffered the legal consequences of this deadly mistake but condemn him and his family forever and to shake the credibility of entire police force is something which is clearly impermissible... All these tend to shake public confidence in institution of the country i.E. Police and these general observations and malicious propaganda should have been avoided," the court said. The judgment came on the suits filed by Rathi and the two others seeking damages from the media house and producer for airing the docudrama on the CP shootout by allegedly twisting and distorting facts and causing damage to their reputation. The channel and others said in their defence that they did not intend to cause any prejudice against the policemen and their sole aim was to create awareness of the actual incidents in the minds of public. Regarding the producer's defence that he was not the anchor of the programme and it was anchored by his wife who has died, the court said this argument falls flat as he was the producer, director and script writer as evident from the docudrama placed on record. The CPI(M) today demanded from the Jammu and Kashmir government immediate release of the "pending" wages of contingency paid workers (CPWs) and mid-day meal workers (MDM) in school education department in the state. The senior leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that these workers have been working on meager wages, which too are not paid to them for months. He demanded that the mid-day meal workers be provided pension and other social security benefits, besides made entitled to medical and washing allowances. "Their services be brought at par with those of Anganwari workers," he said. He said thatdespite assurances by the HRD Ministry for increasing the allocations for the MDM scheme, nothing concrete has been done to maximize its benefits for the school children and the workers. "There is need to increase the allocations as per the requirements and making it more transparent," he said. The CPWs and MDM workers are being paid less than the normal wages, which is a gross violation of Minimum Wages Act and severe injustice with them, he added. Cuba has returned a dummy US Hellfire missile that was mistakenly shipped there from Europe in 2014, American and Cuban officials have said. The Hellfire is a laser-guided, air-to-surface missile that weighs about 45 kilogrammes. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, it can be deployed from an attack helicopter like the Apache or an unmanned drone like the Predator. The weapon returned by Cuba was an inert training missile that was inadvertently sent to the island from Europe, where it was used in a NATO training exercise. It did not contain explosives, but the device's diversion raised concerns that Cuba could share technology with potential US adversaries like North Korea or Russia. It had an incomplete guidance section and no operational seeker head, warhead, fusing system or rocket motor. "The inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said yesterday. He declined to elaborate, but he credited July's re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the Cold War foes for allowing Washington to engage Havana "on issues of mutual interest." US officials had been trying to recoup the missile for several months. The shipping error was attributed to Lockheed's freight forwarders, but the US said last month it was working with the weapons manufacturer to get the missile back. In a statement, the Cuban government confirmed the return of the missile and said that customs inspectors had discovered it while conducting a routine inspection of cargo that had arrived on a flight from Paris. The government statement said the missile had come to Cuba as a result of "error or mishandling" in its country of origin. "For Cuban authorities, the arrival in the country of US-made military equipment that hadn't been declared as such on the cargo manifesto was worrying," the government said. The equipment was "duly conserved and taken care of" and once the US government officially informed Cuba that the missile had been shipped there by mistake and the US wanted to recover it, Cuba began proceedings to return the missile, the government said. A team of US experts travelled to Cuba to inspect the missile and brought it back to the US yesterday, the government said. A day to mark Indo-Pak peace and harmony was celebrated today at the International Border in R S Pura belt here. The day was celebrated this year for the ninth time by people from all walks of life at the famous Octroi Post at IB at Suchetgarh, BJP leader Darakhshan Andrabi said. This initiative was conceived by Andrabi nine years ago, by observing Indo-Pak Love & Peace Day on the Valentine's Day. Andrabi said that for making twenty first century, the century of Asia, India and Pakistan need to live with harmony, trust and co-operation in all spheres of life. "Peace is a weapon through which we can change the world," said a slogan put up there. Delhi government will spend 25 per cent of its annual budget on education sector, taking up majors steps towards quality education by focusing on training programmes and physical infrastructure. "We will spend 25 per cent of our annual budget (2016-17) on education. Perhaps in the country, this is the highest percentage of the total budget to be spent on education sector," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told PTI. Sisodia, who also holds finance and education portfolios, will present the 2016-17 Budget in the Delhi Assembly in March. In the 2015-16 Budget, the AAP government had allocated Rs 9,836 crore for the education sector out of which Rs 4,570 crore was given under the plan outlay, an increase of around 106 per cent. "In other states, only 10 per cent to 12 per cent is spent on this sector," Sisodia said, adding the Centre too was lagging behind in this regard. The Deputy Chief Minister said that in the upcoming budget, government will focus on training programmes, infrastructure and international collaborations to improve the quality of education being imparted in its schools. "A significant share of the budget is being given to boost education sector now. In view of this, our educational schemes will focus on quality education, training, infrastructure and international collaboration," Sisodia said. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a loan of Rs 551 crore to North and East municipal corporations for paying salaries to their staff. The loan amount was diverted from the education department of the government. Sisodia said that government has also planned to develop a model school village in North-East Delhi. As per the plan, about 10 schools of different streams will be built there. In a major relief to Delhiites, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a waiver of water bills pending till November last year as his government completed one year in office today. The total value of the pending bills to be waived across categories is Rs 2,854.80 crore. The government also decided to waive the payment of late fee and that will cost it another Rs 923.27 crore. Giving an account of the works undertaken over the last 12 months by the Delhi government, Kejriwal said they have not let a single penny of taxpayers' money go to "waste". "When we analysed water bills, we found these in a disarray as most water bills were prepared on an average basis without reading meters. "It will be impossible to sit to correct these bills. In view of this, pending water bills till November 30 will be waived. The exemptions will be based on property tax category areas," Kejriwal told the gathering to mark one year of the AAP government. He said that people living in A and B category areas will be given exemption of up to 25 per cent on their water bills while C category will receive 50 per cent exemption. "The D category area will be exempted 75 per cent and E,F,G and H category areas will be completely exempted from paying pending bills. Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) will be totally waived in all categories," he said. The Chief Minister said most people were facing trouble in getting correct bills and added that the recovery of water dues was almost 'zero'. He said the waiver will be only for those consumers who have a functional water meter. Kejriwal and his entire Cabinet today took questions from Delhiites in a phone-in programme at NDMC Convention Centre to mark the completion of the AAP government's one year in year. Water Minister Kapil Mishra said there are around 19.5 lakh registered water consumers and 75 per cent of them will benefit due to the scheme. "People whose water meter number is registered with Delhi Jal Board will be exempted. Consumers who have a meter, but one that is not registered with DJB, will have to do the same to avail the scheme," he said. The minister said he hopes that with this scheme, the phenomenon of "fake water bills" is checked. After coming to power, the AAP government had announced halving of power tariffs for families consuming up to 400 units a month and free-water supply of 20,000 litres (20 kilolitres) to every household. Kejriwal said that by the end of December 2017, every household will be connected to a piped water network with the government having prepared a draft plan in this regard. "With the laying of water pipes in every area by 2017, there will be no need for water tanks. Except 45-50 colonies on government land, all localities will receive water through a pipeline," he said. On February 14, 2015, Kejriwal had taken oath as the Chief Minister after AAP won 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. (REOPENS DES61) Kejriwal said his government will set aside Rs 800 crore to execute the project in the national capital. Delhi will have to become the city where people can drink water directly from a tap and DJB has been asked to prepare a plan in this regard, he said. "DJB has promised that by 2017, clean drinking water will be supplied to the people of Delhi through its pipe line. DJB will set up several laboratories in different areas where people can get their tap water tested," he said. He said that tankers will not supply to those areas where water is being reached via pipe lines. During the programme, Kejriwal also listed the works done by his government in the last one year. On education, Kejriwal said his government is constructing 8,000 new classrooms which would be ready by July this year. "At present, 80-150 students sit in a class room due to which it is impossible to impart good education to them. Our government is constructing 8,000 new classrooms and, thereafter, 45-60 students will sit in one classroom," he said, adding they are also building 45 new schools. Kejriwal said his government took the "good decision" to abolish management quota under which private schools allegedly used to take lakhs of rupees from parents for granting admission to their wards. Government will construct 1,000 mohalla clinics and 150 polyclinics by the end of this year, he said. The Revenue Department has also abolished unnecessary affidavits which caused people to face a lot of problems, he added. (REOPENS NRG11) Setting up of 300 mohalla sabhas, around 80 Aam Aadmi Canteens, rehabilitation of JJ cluster residents in multi-storeyed apartments were other announcements made by the AAP-led government here. "Delhi government is forming 3,000 mohalla sabhas across the national capital. Mapping of these mohalla sabhas will be prepared within 15-20 days. These sabhas will given powers (to take decision on development works)," Kejriwal said here. Ashish Khetan, vice-chairman of Delhi Dialogue Commission (DDC), an advisory body of the AAP government, said that by the end of this year around 80 Aam Aadmi Canteens will come up in the city. "We will soon float tenders to execute the project," he said even as Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia requested him to open such canteens in DU campus. Kejriwal said by May this year, rations will be distributed to people on biometric-based system. The Chief Minister said the government also planned to rehabilitate people living in JJ clusters and they will be shifted to multi-storied apartments, adding that government has identified five JJ Clusters to execute the project in the first phase. Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the government will launch a drive against food adulteration in the city. "Government will soon launch a drive against food adulteration, which is aimed at creating awareness among people of Delhi," Jain said here. (Reopens NRG24) Meanwhile, AAP MLAs, functionaries and volunteers today celebrated the Delhi government's one year in office by sharing its achievements with the people in their constituencies. "We have done a great job in one year as we complete one Bemisal Year of work. We hope to fulfil the commitments made by us in coming days," AAP's Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba said. On social media, party volunteers were trending #EkSaalBemisal, listing out the achievements of the party. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today attacked the previous governments, stating their "bad intentions" had left Delhi lagging behind in development whereas AAP government has fast-tracked public works with its "good intentions". Seeking to underscore "difference" between previous dispensations and his government, Kejriwal said the "same team of doctors and engineers", which "did not get a chance to work" during the earlier regimes did "good job" over the past year as there are "leaders with good intentions" above them. "All the parties which were in the government in the past, would keep saying that there is no money (for development works). But from my experience in the government during the year, I have seen there is no shortage of funds, but intentions. "Until now, their intentions were bad. Last year, you gave a thumping majority to those with good intention (AAP) and now see, all the big works are taking place," Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister made the remark during a function in Jafrabad where he inaugurated Aam Aadmi Poly Clinic. The Government launched 20 such clinics simultaneously on the day, it completed a year in office. The event was also attended by Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain and other AAP leaders. Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal listed a number of works the AAP government did during the past year including reduction in power tariff, making water available for free, supplying water to 268 colonies in the national capital and providing "hefty" compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare to farmers affected by untimely rainfall. The Chief Minister said his government has saved "hefty money" in construction of flyovers, which were completed "well in advance". "When we saved Rs 350 crore from the flyover works, I asked the Health Minister what do we do with the money? Then we decided to offer all services within government hospitals for free," he said. Kejriwal also lauded the team of doctors at government-run hospitals for doing a "good job" over the past year. BJP workers led by local corporator Satya Sharma waved black flags at the event. Taking a dig at the protesters, Jain said more the more opposition parties will protest, the more the people will come to know of the Government's initiatives. "We are opening 20 polyclinics today. Not all people would know about it. But due to the protest (by the opposition), more people are learning about our initiatives. "They are in power in other states, they can copy us, we have shown them the path," he said. He added the Government plans to launch 150 such clinics in the city. Of these, 90 are dispensaries which the Government will convert into polyclinics. "Five-six specialists will sit in polyclinics. There will be ultrasound and X-ray services in six months," Jain said. The Government has a proposed three-tier healthcare system. At the primary level there are Mohalla clinics for minor illnesses. The government intends to construct 1000 Mohalla clinics by December-end, Kejriwal said. The polyclinics will work at secondary-level, while the state-run big hospitals are at tertiary level where patients with serious illnesses will be treated. Delhi Police today initiated a probe into the now-defunct Twitter handle in name of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, on which a message was posted in support of the JNU student stir that prompted it to issue an alert. "We got to know that the Twitter handle has been deleted. We have initiated a probe into the matter, starting with tracking the handler, who can also be charged with sedition in view of the contents posted," a senior officer said. Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sundari Nanda, who monitors Delhi Police's Twitter handles, said, "When the tweet was brought to our notice, we, as a law enforcement agency, issued the alert based on its content which was found to be anti-national." "We checked the particular Twitter handle and most of its tweets and activities on the micro-blogging site were found to be anti-national. No matter who the handler was, the content was threatening, especially in the backdrop of the ongoing agitation at JNU," she said. The alert was issued by one of Delhi Police's official twitter handles on Friday, on which it said, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet posted on Wednesday by the handle -- #HafeezSaeedJUD, which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers." Twitterati criticised Delhi Police, alleging that it issued an alert without verifying the source of the pinned tweet. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the JNU stir received support from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Saeed and this needs to be understood by the nation. Pakistan today said it is "surprised and disappointed" at India's reaction over the US' decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, arguing that India is "the largest importer" of defence equipment and its arsenal stock is "much larger". Pakistan reiterated the Obama Administration's justification that the acquisition would enhance the country's precision strike capability to combat terrorism. "We are surprised and disappointed at the Indian Government's reaction. Their (India's) army and arsenal stock is much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment," the Foreign Office said in a statement in response to media queries. "As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism. US spokesperson clearly announced that the sale is to enhance precision strike capability," it added. Pakistan's reaction comes a day after India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over Obama Administration's decision to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly USD 700 million to Pakistan. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Verma to the South Block and during the 45-minute meeting told him about India's concerns over US military aid to Pakistan which New Delhi believes goes into anti-India activities. According to sources, such military aids will embolden Pakistan. India yesterday disagreed with the US rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism. "The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement. The proposal is likely to face stiff resistance in the Republican-controlled Congress. Dominican authorities say they are looking for more survivors after fishermen rescued six people when their boat sank during an attempted voyage to Puerto Rico. Pablo Planco is civil defense director for San Pedro de Macoris on the Dominican Republic's southeastern coast. He says the two women and four men were rescued yesterday and hospitalised for severe dehydration and burns. Police say the six told of leaving the Dominican Republic on Thursday night in a wooden boat with about 14 other people on an illegal attempt to immigrate to Puerto Rico. The boat began foundering just hours into the journey. Hundreds risk their lives each year traveling in fragile boats from the Dominican Republic to the US territory. Swedish telecom major Ericsson would play an important role in digital transformation of India, Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven said today. Rounding off his two-day visit to India, Lofven applauded the Indian government's "bold initiatives" to improve business environment through 'Make in India" that aims to promote manufacturing in the country. "Ericsson will have an important role to play in India's digital transformation," he said. Noting that Ericsson had about 22,000 employees at its facilities in India, he said, "I am proud that Ericsson is part of 'Make in India'", adding it was a "company of future." Lofven today visited an upcoming expansion facility at Ericsson's Chakan plant near here which, he said, would also serve as an export hub for the company's exports in South East Asia, West Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa regions. The company plans to manufacture current and future products for 2G, 3G and 4G technologies at this plant. Stating that confidence of Swedish companies in India was growing, the Prime Minister said, "Our commitment and contribution in India will continue to grow. We are here for a long term." Earlier, Lofven visited another leading Swedish venture -- Tetra Pak -- in the vicinity and said the product would ensure safe transport of food commodities such as milk to remote parts of India. Lofven was accompanied by Swedish Ambassador Herald Sandberg and Fredrika Ornbrant, the country 's Consul General for Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. The Swedish PM had yesterday attended the inauguration of 'Make in India' Week in Mumbai. Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, facing trial in a case arising out of the 2G scam probe, has been denied permission to travel abroad by a special court which said allegations in the matter were of "very serious nature" and he has nothing substantive to do in London. Special CBI judge O P Saini dismissed his plea in which he had sought the court's permission to go to London from February 7 to March 14 to spend time with his family there. Meanwhile, the court allowed a separate plea filed by Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf, a co-accused in the case, seeking permission to travel to Dubai from February 22 to March 6 for his professional obligations. While dismissing Ruia's plea, the court said, "The accused is facing trial in a case in which allegations are of a very serious nature. In such a situation, permitting the accused to travel abroad without any good reason may not be prudent, more so, when he has nothing substantive to do in London." "He (Ruia) has been permitted to travel abroad previously on several occasions but only on his making out a case necessitating such visit. As submitted by senior public prosecutor, the case is at the final stage and final arguments for the accused are being heard," the judge said. During the arguments on Ruia's plea, his counsel told the court that previously also his client was permitted to travel abroad and he had complied with all the conditions which were imposed upon him. The lawyer said the case was not listed for hearing from February 7 to March 14 and presence of Ruia was not required. However, CBI sought dismissal of Ruia's plea saying it was not supported with any valid documents and being a resourceful person, he may misuse the liberty if permitted to go abroad. It said that Ruia has nothing substantive to do in London except spending time with his family and this was not a ground for permission to travel abroad when the case is at its fag end. Describing the US' controversial sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan as "part of a legacy announcement", American Ambassador to India Richard Verma today said his country expects Islamabad to do "more" on eliminating terror safe havens on its soil. "Over the years, our equipment (sale) to Pakistan have been a mix of civilian and military equipment. (The latest decision on F-16 aircraft) is part of a legacy announcement," he said during interaction at the CNN Asia Business Forum organised as part of ongoing 'Make in India' week here. "The reality is that there are dangerous groups operating within Pakistan," Verma said. Islamabad needs to act against terror groups operating on its soil, the US envoy maintained. "More action needs to be taken by Pakistan on terror groups. Safe havens need to be eliminated." Verma's comments came a day after the Obama administration notified the US Congress of its decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth nearly USD 700 million. Lauding the Narendra Modi government, Verma said there has been "substantial progress" in India in the last two years. Among the challenges before India were those of rapid urbanisation and tackling climate change, he said. Speaking on the occasion, George Yeo of Kerry Logistics Networks expressed optimism that any future India-China conflict won't get out of control. "There may be scars of the 1962 war (with China) on Indian psyche but in China it is almost forgotten," Yeo said. To a query on the US' position on Pakistan as an "exporter of terrorism", Verma said there has been condemnation of cross-border terrorism from their side. "The US has been speaking about condemnation of cross-border terrorism which has to end. We want to see that kind of unity in our relations with India. With Pakistan, it is complex, based on cross-border terrorism. With India it is on a different plane," he said. Asked about the future of Indo-US relations under the new dispensation, he said, "In the coming years, US and India relations will continue as it is today." "Relations between India and US is on an upward trajectory and irreversible. Indians settled in the US will continue be the natural bridge between the two countries," Verma said. "We believe it is the strategic interest of the US to see a stronger India. We strongly believe in that," he said. On the economic front, he said US was the largest trading partner of India with two-way trade hovering at USD 100 billion. There were 500 US companies in India and 100 Indian companies in the US, he said. Verma was in the city to attend a seminar on regional connectivity where participants from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand were present, besides USA and India. He also said US was ready to share its best practices on dealing with border security to help countries in protecting their citizens. Sahitya Akademi's annual 'Festival of Letters' which is scheduled to begin here from January 15 will this year focus on tribal, oral and North-Eastern literature. The Akademi will be organising a Tribal Language Poetry festival which will see tribal poets from across the country reciting poems in their native languages, followed by the respective translations in either Hindi or English. The Akademi, which has its centre for tribal and oral literature in the north eastern parts of India, has recently opened a new centre in Delhi 'Purvottari,' a writers' meet for authors hailing from North and North Eastern India will also be organised. As part of the 6-day long festival, which will be inaugurated by eminent Odia writer and fellow Sahitya Akademi award recipient Manoj Das, the institute will also felicitate the winning authors for the year 2015 on February 16. The names of the selected authors writing in 23 different Indian languages were announced at a press conference held in December last year by K Sreenivasarao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi. While the Akademi's annual 'Samvatsar' lecture will be delivered by eminent jurist and Gandhi scholar, Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari, a three-day national seminar on "Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru: Continuities and Discontinuities" will be organised, where the relevance of the philosophies of these three builders of modern India will be deliberated upon. The seminar will be inaugurated by noted scholar Kapila Vatsayan. A day long symposium on "Unwritten Languages of India" and a seminar of "Translational consciousness and literary traditions in India" will run parallely to the festival. The literary event is expected to see the participation of over 170 writers and literary scholars from across the country including S L Bhyrappa, Bhalachandra Nemade, Gopi Chand Narang, K Satchidanandan, Indra Nath Chaudhuri, Krishna Kumar, Vivek Shanbag, Mahendra Kumar Mishra and Debi Prasad Pattanayak. The festival will also feature a young writers' festival called 'Yuva Sahiti,' and 'Spin-A-Tale' for children besides a host of cultural performances from different parts of the country like 'Karma Dance' from Odisha, 'Raslila and Pung Cholom' from Manipur and 'Cheraw' or Bamboo Dance from Mizoram. A qawwali performance by Nizami brothers and a Kathakali rendition of William Shakespeare's "Othello" will also be part of the festival. The festival is set to continue till February 20. France today called for Turkey to immediately halt the bombing of Kurdish forces in Syria and said it was concerned at the "worsening" situation in northern Syria. Echoing an appeal made by the United States yesterday, France called for "an immediate halt to the bombing, both that of the regime and its allies throughout the country and that of Turkey in the Kurdish zones". Today, the Turkish army struck positions held by Kurdish fighters inside Syria for a second day, with Turkish state media reporting that it was in response to incoming fire. The army hit Democratic Union Party (PYD) targets around the Syrian town of Azaz using howitzers stationed on the Turkish side of the border, Anatolia agency reported. The French foreign ministry said it was concerned at the "worsening situation" around the besieged city of Aleppo and elsewhere in northern Syria. Natural gas prices in India are likely to decline 17 per cent in April to $3.15 per unit, further straining economics of developing discoveries in deep sea. As per the new gas pricing formula approved by the NDA-government in October 2014, gas prices are to be determined on a semi-annual basis and calculated based on a volume weighted average of rates in gas surplus nations of the US, Canada and Russia, based on the twelve-month trailing average price with a lag of three months. Using benchmark prices for the period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, gas price for the period April 2016 to September 2016 is likely to be about $3.15 per million British thermal unit as against $3.82 currently, sources said. On a net-calorific value (CV) basis, the gas price is likely to be $3.50 per mmBtu as compared to $4.24 currently. Development of numerous existing discoveries in the blocks operated by state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) as well as Reliance Industries are dependent on remunerative price. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh K Sarraf last week stated that developing finds in the firm's Krishna Godavari (KG) basin block KG-DWN-98/2 or KG-D5 was economically unviable at current price. The company has asked the government to raise the rates to make developing the explorations economically viable, he had said. Goldman Sachs had in a recent report stated that "Indian domestic natural gas prices that are linked to prices in gas surplus economies remain materially below the costs to develop marginal and deep-water fields and hence do not incentivise exploration and production capex." This has resulted in Indian producers potentially losing $2 billion annually in value added assuming they can replace imports entirely, it added. "We believe the current gas price regime is not incentivising domestic capex sufficiently as we expect prices under the current formula to decline in 2016-17 while cost for new deep-water discoveries ranges between USD 6 to USD 7 per mmBtu," Goldman had said. Gas price in India, it said, is lower than $9 per mmBtu in China, $10.5 in the Philippines, USD 6.5 in Indonesia and $8 per mmBtu in Thailand and Malaysia. Sources said going by current price trends, gas price may rise marginally to $3.32 (on gross calorific value or GCV basis) in second half of 2016-17 fiscal. They may further rise to $3.36 per mmBtu and $3.42 in the first and second half of 2017-18 fiscal and would be around $3.45 in the following fiscal. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin met a Syrian mother Mona and her 11-year-old daughter Joudi following their sit-down with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The actor, 54, and his lawyer wife solemnly listened to her story as she explained why she needed to escape, reported Ace Showbiz. The husband and wife duo also met with two other Syrian families. "It was an honor to meet three Syrian families whose lives have been shattered by war and inspiring to learn that the people of Germany are helping them put their lives back together," George said. Clooney has been raising awareness of refugee crisis while in Berlin with his wife to promote his new movie "Hail Caesar". They offered their support for Angela Merkel's policy to open the door for asylum seekers amid the increasing pressure she faced for welcoming the refugees. America has made a "lot of mistakes" and Iraq invasion was one of them, Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump said today as he attacked President Barack Obama's exit strategy from the war-torn country "foolish and disgusting". "This country's made a lot of mistakes and the war in Iraq was one of them," Trump told ABC's This Week. "There were no weapons of mass destruction. There were no anything," he said. "We got into a war, we have destabilised the entire Middle East," he said, alleging that the US President, Barack Obama, got America out of the war the wrong way. "Because the way he did it, by announcing a specific date and by not leaving people in, was, frankly, disgusting and very, very foolish," he said. Trump said in 2003-2004, he was the only one on the stage who said don't go into Iraq; as this would destabilise the Middle East. "I was against the war even though I am the most militaristic person there is. I said, if you do this war, you're going to destabilise the entire Middle East. That's exactly what happened. That's why we have the migration and all of the other problems that we have right now in the Middle East," Trump said. Appearing in Sunday talk shows, Trump and Marco Rubio - the Senator from Florida - lashed out at their opponent Ted Cruz, the Senator from Texas. "In this campaign and the last few weeks, he has kind of developed a disturbing pattern of telling things that simply aren't true. Just this week alone, he had an ad pulled off the air because it lied about sanctuary cities and immigration," Rubio told Fox . "He has also lied about my position on marriage, my position on Planned Parenthood. We also saw what he did to Ben Carson," he said. "These were paid robocalls that were being made out to his activists in Iowa, telling them to inform people at the caucus site that Ben Carson dropped out. Donald Trump made an allegation last night, I don't know if it's true or not, about those sorts of robocalls happening here now," Rubio alleged. Trump charged that Cruz is a lone wolf as he has no support in the Senate. "He stands on the Senate floor; he's got no support from one senator. You look at his colleagues, he has absolutely no endorsements. He's a lone wolf and he's going to get nothing done. He's not a leader," he said. "Cruz never employed anybody, never created a job. This is the wrong guy... He is a nasty guy, no matter how you figure it," Trump alleged. "He holds up the Bible and, believe me, he might hold up the Bible but this is not a man that, in my opinion, should be President. I think he's really done a great disservice to himself and to the Republican Party," Trump said. Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa has taken strong exception to the poor performance of the state's legal team on the Chakma-Hajong refugee issue and directed that the matter be reviewed and represented once again. Rajkhowa yesterday asked the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (Home) to immediately hire the best lawyers to take up the matter in Supreme Court, Raj Bhawan said in a communique today. The governor also expressed shock as to why the previous state government had not hired a battery of eminent lawyers in the Chakma-Hajong case. The state lost the case in SC because it did not earnestly pursue it, he said, adding that the rights of the indigenous tribes of Arunachal Pradesh has to be protected as enshrined in the Constitution. Rajkhowa directed the Chief Secretary to pay personal attention to the Chakma-Hajong imbroglio, the communique added. In September last year, SC had passed an order asking the state government and the Centre to give permanent settlement to the Chakma-Hajong refugees in Arunachal Paradesh. The state goverment is opposing this order. Hinting at major banking sector reforms in the offing, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the country is not at a stage where the government can completely exit its holding in the 27 public sector banks. "There are a series of banking reforms which I am likely to announce...In the days to come, you may find something on that," said Jaitley, who will present the Union Budget on February 29. Speaking at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016 during the Make in India Week here, Jaitley said, "I don't think India has reached a state where the state can pull out of banking altogether." He further said that in order to professionalise the operations of these state-run banks, which control over 70 per cent of the industry, the government has already committed to bring down its holding to up to 51 per cent. Public-sector banks are required because they perform a major role in financial inclusion through their geographical reach, Jaitley said. The government had last year announced the 'Indradhanush' programme to revamp the state-run banks. It has already put in place steps to professionalise their management. The government is committed to zero interference, and keeping an arms-length from these banks and letting the institutions run professionally, Jaitley said, adding "we have erred in the past on this". The comments from the Finance Minister come days after the state-run lenders posted poor set of earnings for the December quarter. Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank posted the highest losses in Indian banking history, while others like Indian Overseas Bank and Dena Bank were also in the red. Those who managed to be in the black witnessed a huge spurt in bad assets and provisioning, attributed largely to an asset quality review undertaken by the RBI. On the critical question of reforms, and whether the steps taken by the government have been a "quantum shift", Jaitley said the work done by the NDA government is "more than incremental" if we look at the sum total. On the passage of the GST in the Upper House, Jaitley said he hopes to "negotiate through" in the coming days. The Finance Minister reiterated that the government is committed to provide a predictable and stable tax regime, saying demands raised in the past got us a "bad reputation". The government has started on a path to make the regime globally competitive and the move to get the corporate tax gradually to 25 per cent is a part of the same, he said. Jaitley said the economy is becoming increasingly market-oriented, but the government has been unable to carry its divestment programme due to choppy market conditions. He said the windfall from the declining oil prices is being invested in creating infrastructure, and added that there is a need to focus on investments in rural roads, electrification and irrigation which will push rural demand that has been hurt by two successive droughts. There is a good opportunity in the hospitality sector for the country, he said, adding the states need to look into the aspect of higher taxes which hurt tourism volumes. The day-long CNN forum is being held as part of the 'Make in India' Week which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. Maharashtra will create an ecosystem to encourage startups so that new ideas and innovations prosper in the country, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. "Innovation in startups should be encouraged. We have lacked in creating the ecosystem and now we need to create that. For startups we need to do the hand-holding, mentoring and financing and marketing. The Maharashtra State Innovation Council would create ideas for innovation which will require support of government. We believe if we create the ecosystem in the state it can lead in innovation explosion in the country," he said during the ongoing 'Make in India Week' here. He added that the government is proactive and will match expectations of innovators to make lives better. "In India, innovation is the way forward. The role of the government is to create the much needed ecosystem to create opportunities for the young minds to innovate. I think innovation is nothing but positive thinking for betterment of society. In a country like India we cannot anymore look at the growth trajectory the way we used to in the past," he said. Maharashtra Minister of State for planning Deepak Kesarkar said the state needs to evolve in innovation and not just replicate others. "We must strive to address the issues of the commoners and see how technology can solve them. We need to evolve and not just replicate innovation and technology of others," he said. The minister also said innovation cannot be thought in isolation but there is a need to examine its impact, adding, "Technologies should not only be always related to industries but also to initiatives and decisions of the government." Kesarkar also said the recently formed Maharashtra State Innovation Council will have to take decisions that will be linked with startups. Speaking at the event, Council's Chairman Raghunath Mhashelkar said there is a need to combine technology, talent and trust to ensure speed, scale and sustainability. "If there is no speed we can't compete with the world, if there is no scale we will not be able to make an impact and if there is no sustainability then we will vanish. We, therefore, require to create innovation led inclusive growth," he added. Greek police said today they had arrested three heavily armed Britons near the border with Turkey where they were suspected of heading to join Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State jihadists. One of the three, a 40-year-old said to be of Kurdish Iraqi origin, had four firearms and 200,000 rounds in his possession when he was picked up at the Kipi border post on the Evros River which borders the two nations. Police arrested two other men, both in their mid-30s, in the port of Alexandropolis, the main town in the Evros region and a key commercial centre in northeastern Greece. They were found in possession of 18 firearms and 40,000 22mm and 5.5 mm bullets stowed in a trailer. Counter-terrorism services are now investigating the trio afer police said they suspected all three of "terrorism and belonging to a criminal organisation," as well as arms trafficking. On January 31, two men with Swedish passports were arrested in the same region after they were found carrying "combat material" having flown to Greece from Sweden before heading towards Turkey by bus. One, Mirsad Bektasevic, a suspected jihadist of Bosnian origin, was charged with "terrorist" activities along with an accomplice believed to hail from Yemen. Bektasevic was previously arrested in 2005 in Sarajevo after a police search of his house uncovered ammunition and explosives and a video in which a masked man called for attacks on Capitol Hill and the White House. The Haryana government today said it has received investment commitments worth Rs 20,000 crore in various sectors such as renewable energy, retail and logistics. "Today, we have received Rs 20,000 crore worth of offers to do business from over 18 people," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told reporters here on the second day of the Make in India (MII) Week here. "These are in the areas of logistics, renewable energy, retail, among others and we expect to cross our target of Rs 1 lakh crore worth of investment deals ahead of the investor summit next month," he added. Khattar also mentioned that the Wanda Group of China had signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth Rs 65,000 crore. The Chief Minister expects investment from all sectors that can give employment to Haryana youth as the state looks to create 4 lakh jobs. Haryana recently unveiled a new 'Enterprise Promotion Policy', which is targeting ease of doing business and transparency to attract more investments into the state. On ease of doing business, Khattar emphasised that Haryana is working towards being among the top five states in the country. As the state is in the forefront of automobile manufacturing, several companies including Ashok Leyland, TVS as well as Maruti are looking to set up more production facilities in the state, he added. Haryana is also looking at attracting new sectors like aviation and defence. "We are keen to attract investments in segments that are not present in the state particularly aviation and defence. We have already indicated our interest in creating an aviation hub in Hisar where we have 3,500 acres of land available," Haryana finance minister Captain Abhimanyu said here. The 'Happening Haryana-Global Investors Summit 2016' is scheduled for March 7 and 8 in Gurgaon. The US-based wife of American-born Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and his business partner have "refused" to answer questions posed by NIA, citing a privacy clause. The agency had approached Shazia, Headley's wife, and Raymond Sanders, his busines partner, through the US Department of Justice, for helping it get answers to some of the questions related to the 55-year-old terrorist, undergoing a prison term of 35 years in an American jail, for his role in plotting the terror strikes in Mumbai and Denmark. Official sources said both of them "refused" to answer any questions, citing a "privacy" clause. As per the US law, since neither of them is an accused in the case, they can accept or deny requests for examination by a foreign law enforcement agency. The investigators had approached them as they feel Headley had stonewalled information about his family and that they had knowledge of his activities in India and his links with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to the 106-page dossier of the NIA, Headley had told the Indian investigators that they should not ask him any questions pertaining to his immediate family. The dossier was prepared after the detailed questioning of Headley in the US in 2010. "I got married to Shazia Gilani in Pakistan in the year 1999...I do not want to discuss the details of my in-law's family as they have nothing to do with my activities," Headley is quoted as having said in the dossier. Further stonewalling information about his immediate family, especially his first wife, Headley told the NIA team that "my request would be not to ask questions relating to my immediate family members." According to the Chicago court records, Shazia watched on TV the terror strikes unfold in Mumbai and used code words like "I am watching cartoons" to describe the 26/11 strikes. "I've been watching these cartoons (attacks) all day and I am proud of you," Shazia wrote in an email to Headley during the strikes. In her congratulatory message, she also said how proud she was at his graduation (success of attacks). This was stated by Headley on May 27, 2011, the fourth day of the trial of co-accused Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana. He told Defence Attorney Patrick W Belgan that after the Mumbai attacks began many people congratulated him, besides Shazia, who was even aware of his plans for Denmark attacks and had booked plane tickets for him from Denmark to Frankfurt to Dubai and Pakistan. Sanders, who owns First World Immigration Service in Chicago's Devon Avenue, is believed to have helped Headley in securing a multiple-entry visa to India and setting up an immigration centre in Mumbai. Headley along with Rana had submitted business sponsor letter from the Immigrant Law Center owned by Sanders, a US . However, the plan failed as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected an application by Headley seeking clearance to open a business account in June 2007. Interestingly, Sanders who had earlier assisted Headley in getting an Indian visa, also helped him in completing the formalities with regard to RBI, but the central bank rejected the application on June 1, 2007. The NIA wanted to know about his knowledge of Headley's association with LeT and whether he was aware that the name of his group was being used as a front to route terror funds to India, the sources said. Headley, whose original name was Daood Gilani, has two half-brothers -- Hamza and Daanyal Gilani -- both of them officers in the Pakistan Government. Headley had told NIA in 2010 that "Daanyal was also posted as the information officer in the then Prime Minister (Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's) office and my father worked in the Pakistan Broadcasting Department. He had gone to the US on deputation to Voice of America." Sources close to the investigation said Headley's father Sayed Salim Gilani, a Pakistani diplomat and former Director General of Radio Pakistan, traced his ancestry to the same Gilani family to which the then Prime minister belongs. Various mutt heads, mostly from Tamil Nadu, today called for a ban on cow slaughter in the country while seeking protection for cow. It was among the several resolutions passed by the religious heads at a meeting held here. A slew of resolutions were passed in the meeting including demand for an audit by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in government-run temples, with an income of over Rs one crore, to introduce a law to ban cow slaughter and thereby save the cow and ban export of cow meat, to regularise the post of temple priest and make their pay on par with that of government employees and so on. Over 150 mutt heads participated in the meeting which was presided over by VHP representatives including state president R S Narayanaswamy and general secretary Gopalji. Voters in the Central African Republic cast their ballots today in delayed legislative elections and a presidential run-off which they hope will bring peace after the country's worst sectarian violence since independence in 1960. The nation, dogged by coups, violence and misrule since winning independence from France, could take a step towards rebirth if the polls and their aftermath go smoothly. "It's crucial that people vote today," said Paterne, a voter in his 40s, as he queued at a polling station in the capital Bangui. "For the first time, we have a true opportunity to turn our backs on war." The vote apparently passed off peacefully, with security tight as UN peacekeepers and French soldiers helped to patrol areas where tensions remain high. The two men in the close presidential race are both former prime ministers who have campaigned on promises to restore security and boost the economy in the mineral-rich but dirt-poor country. Anicet Georges Dologuele, a 58-year-old former central banker known as "Mr Clean" for his efforts to bring transparency to murky public finances, won the first round on December 30, taking 23.78 per cent of the vote. He faced Faustin Archange Touadera, a former maths professor, in the run-off. Also 58, Touadera was standing as an independent and surprised everyone by coming second in the first round with 19.4 per cent. Touadera's popularity stems from a measure he introduced as prime minister -- paying government salaries directly into bank accounts, ending decades of pay arrears and unpaid wages. Dologuele wished voters a happy Valentine's Day as he cast his ballot in Bangui. "Valentine's is a celebration of love, and I'd like Central Africans to see voting today as an act of love for their country." He spoke of the "joy of being able to vote in the second round and in doing so, to participate in the transition and the start of a new era for the Central African Republic". Touadera, speaking to voters near the working-class neighbourhood of Boy Rabe, pitched himself as the people's candidate. "I am confident of the outcome of the vote," he told supporters who were already addressing him as "president". Central Africans also voted in a re-run of the last legislative election, also held on December 30, that was later annulled over numerous irregularities. A total of 1,800 candidates were competing for 105 seats in the National Assembly. Hopes for a ceasefire taking hold in Syria this week dimmed today as Turkey renewed its shelling of advancing Kurdish militants and Washington demanded Moscow end air strikes on rebels. Tensions over Syria have continued to mount despite the proposal from international powers in Munich on Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" within a week. Defying US and French calls, Turkey today carried out a second day of shelling on a Kurdish-Arab alliance advancing in northern Aleppo province, prompting condemnation from Syria's government. Turkey says it is targeting Kurdish forces it accuses of links to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Washington has been working closely with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, and the Turkish attacks highlighted tensions within the US-led coalition battling the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. Differences were also clear between Washington and Moscow, which backs international diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syria conflict but has also launched air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally. The White House said today that President Barack Obama had urged Moscow to end the strikes in a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Russia has long insisted that it targets only "terrorist" groups in Syria. The Turkish shelling in northern Syria has added to an already complicated situation in Aleppo province, where regime forces have been making significant advances with backing from Russian air strikes. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab militia alliance, has also advanced in recent days, seizing the Minnigh air base and battling to take control of Tal Rifaat, a town held by mostly Islamist opposition fighters just 20 kilometres from the Turkish border. Kurdish forces already control large parts of Syria along the border and Ankara is concerned the SDF will gain new ground. Turkey's state-run Anatolia agency said the shelling resumed for a second day today, with the Turkish army using howitzers on the border to hit Kurdish targets around the Syrian town of Azaz. It said the shelling was in response to incoming fire and targeted the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, whose People's Protection Units (YPG) is a key component of the SDF. The SDF announced the deaths of three fighters in the shelling, and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saying a female civilian was also killed in the fire. Scores of JNU students today formed a human chain and raised slogans, demanding that sedition charges against varsity's students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar be dropped. Kumar was arrested earlier this week in a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy filed over holding of an event at the varsity against Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's hanging during which anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. The students were also joined by families of staff members residing on the campus. "Neither Kanhaiya was the organiser nor he was associated with the event. He went their just to intervene when the argument between ABVP members and organsiers started heating up. He has been framed," a teacher alleged. A student, Maya John, said "whatever Kanhaiya said, his speech is for everyone to see. How can the footage with police be different from that with the university? Isn't it already fishy? Just because they needed someone to target, they picked upKanhaiya as he is the president." Several activists joined by people from different walks of life staged a protest at Jantar Mantar, expressing solidarity with the agitating students and teachers of JNU. Afzal Guru's lawyer N D Pancholi said, "Slapping sedition charges on students is condemnable and the government is using it to gag voices of criticism. He said the freedom of speech is a fundamental right and even the Supreme Court said people can discuss or debate its judgments. "Even in 1991, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had admitted that sedition law should be repealed as it was introduced by British rulers to establish their state," he said. Earlier in the day, members of ABVP had also staged a protest on the campus and said those supporting Kanhaiya were also contributing to "anti-national" activities. Two students, one of them from IIT, have launched a mobile app which uses an unique algorithm to find out alternative routes for getting seats in train. "There are some station-wise quotas for ticket booking. For example if you are booking a ticket from station A, it might show waiting list but when you book it from a previous station you might get the ticket. If you try to find out such stations manually it becomes tough but our app has automated this," the app's co-developer Runal Jaju told PTI. The 'Ticket Jugaad' app is developed by second year IIT Kharagpur student Jaju and his cousin Shubham Baldava, who studies in NIT Jamshedpur. Supported by Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT, the start-up won the first prize of Rs 1.5 lakh in IIT Kharagpur's Annual Global Business Model Competition recently. The app automatically finds available tickets starting from stations before or after the source station to provide passengers the maximum path that can be covered with a confirmed ticket. The Railways allows passengers to board the train from a station which comes after the booking station. "What we do is to provide you with all the possible permutations and combinations to cover the maximum part of your journey," the 20-year-old engineering student said. Jaju said some ticket agents are experts in manually calculating such combinations to find seats but they charge a hefty fee from passengers. The app is not only free for download but charges nothing from the passengers for providing the service. The idea came from Jaju's personal experiences of travelling in between Kharagpur in West Bengal and his hometown of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. "When I went to the website to book tickets it showed waiting list while when I boarded the train it had few empty seats. They were left unutilised despite a huge demand and so I thought of solving this problem by using technology," Jaju said. He then contacted his cousin, a computer science student in NIT, who did the coding part for the app. Currently only on the Android platform, where it has seen more than 5000 downloads in a month's time, the student- entrepreneurs are now planning to launch it on website and Apple's iOS operating system as well. 'Ticket Jugaad' has a tie up with online travel agency Cleartrip for booking tickets. "We will never have ads on our platform. To raise revenue we will try to get a license for booking the tickets from our app," he said adding that they are trying to expand their services gradually. The teenaged son of a 45-year-old cleric who was found dead in Anantnag district on February 9 has been taken into custody for allegedly committing the murder, police said today. Marital discord between the parents is suspected to be the reason behind the deed, they said. The victim, a prayer leader in a local mosque at Bragam village in Dooru area, was found dead with head injuries on February 9 in a field near his house. Police have apprehended his son, a class VII student for the murder, a police spokesman said. "During the course of investigation, it surfaced that the cleric along with his son left for the fields on February 9 at about 10:00 AM. Both worked in the field for about two-and half-hours and had lunch together. "The son finished his meal first, took an axe which was already there and hacked to death his father," the spokesman said. The cleric died on the spot, he added. The teenager then dragged the body and covered it with soil. He took the axe with him and hid it in the cowshed adjacent to his house, police said. The weapon of offence has been recovered in presence of witnesses, the spokesman added. The 7th joint military exercise of Indian Army and Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF) will begin tomorrow in Victoria. The joint exercise -- Lamitye 2016 -- will be conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria till February 28. SPDF will be represented by 20 personnel from Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The Indian contingent will comprise an infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces. India and Seychelles have been conducting joint drill since 2001 and 'Exercise Lamitye', which means friendship in Creole (local dialect), is conducted biennially with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the two countries. The concluding phase of the drill, incorporating a tactical exercise, will be witnessed by senior military officers from both the countries who will review the standards of interoperability achieved by both the contingents. Betting big on India as an investment spot, Cisco executive chairman John Chambers today suggested businesses not to 'miss the bus' as the country is in sync with the speed of innovation in the current digital age. "Eighteen months ago, I said if you want to bet on one country, it is India as the country is in sync with the speed of innovation in the current digital age," Chambers said at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016 organised as part of ongoing Make in India (MII) Week here. Noting that every company in this world would become technology-based, Chambers said 40% of non-tech running today will disappear in the next 10 years. "Anticipating the market and adapting to change in market dynamics, India is moving at a fast pace in the digital era," he said as per CII statement. Chambers noted that regardless of political divides, Indians have to come together for growth. "If you still haven't invested in India you may miss the bus," Chambers said. Yesterday, he had said, "When you think about India the opportunity is very simple to become the manufacturing hub for Asia". "The ability to do that in auto-motives in which you are making huge progress, to expand that to electronics, to expand that to hi-tech and pharmaceuticals is within our grasp". He had said that Cisco, a US-based networking company is likely to set up its first manufacturing plant in Pune. "India will become a country that will leapfrog your counterpart in global basis and India will be a country that no longer follows what others have done but leads in terms of innovation and leadership," Chambers had said. Speaking at the forum today, GE president and CEO (South Asia) Banmali Agrawala said, "India is a highly innovative place...We're pressing the pedal on getting digital". Mahindra Group chairman and managing director Anand Mahindra said that are likely to attract more funds if they are carbon neutral besides suggesting the government to put in place necessary mechanism for manufacturing players. "Make in India is not a mandate but a rallying cry. The government is trying to draw attention of investors. All I say is that you cannot mandate innovation," Mahindra said at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016. "All the government needs to do is put in regulation and institutions, and then leave the rest to business," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by CII. Speaking of the possible impact of an increase in manufacturing on the environment, Mahindra noted that "more investments are going to flow into that are carbon neutral". Carbon neutrality generally refers to achieving zero carbon emissions. A senior Iranian commander warned Saudi Arabia today against sending troops to Syria after the gulf kingdom deployed combat aircraft to Turkey, Iran's state media reported. "We definitely won't let the situation in Syria to go forward the way rebel countries want... We will take necessary actions in due time," deputy chief of staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri told Iran's Arabic-language Al-Aalam television. Jazayeri was responding to a question on whether Iran planned to send more military advisors to Syria were Saudi troops to be deployed there, risking a direct confrontation between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh said yesterday it had deployed warplanes to Turkey's Incirlik airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria. Turkey hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 people since it began in 2011. Iran, Syria's regional ally, supports President Bashar al-Assad by sending "military advisers" and volunteers to fight alongside the Syrian army. "The terrorists fighting in Syria today are forces of Saudi Arabia or the Americans or even reactionary forces in the region," Jazayeri said. From "what country, except Turkey, do the terrorists commute to Syria? Which countries, if not the reactionary Arab countries, support them?" he asked. "Today, with the victories of the Syrian army and the popular forces, they want to send troops to Syria, but it is a bluff and a psychological war," Jazayeri added. "Saudi Arabia has used everything at its disposal in the Syrian front and so far they have failed not only in Syria but also in Yemen." A Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Iran-backed rebels in Yemen since March, further straining ties between Riyadh and Tehran. Chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has denounced the Islamic State for "promoting terrorism" in the name of Islam. Farooq, during his recent stay in the national capital, met the Shahi Imam of New Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmad Bukhari, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Moulana Mahmood Ahmad Madani and other Muslims leaders and exchanged views on ISIS and Al-Qaeda, besides Kashmir. After a series of meetings, the Mirwaiz said in a statement: "Groups like ISIS, who are promoting terrorism in the name of Islam, in reality have no regard for Islamic teachings and values. These people are just maligning the great religion for their own personal benefits." He said, "Islam and terrorism are two opposite poles as the great religion of Islam is meant for the welfare of the entire humanity." The Mirwaiz's statement followed a recent interview of self-styled 'Wali', which in Arabic means custodian or protector, of Khurasan, Shaykh Haridh Said, in 'Dabiq' magazine, a mouthpiece of ISIS, in which he criticised Pakistan and terror outfit LeT. In his criticism of Pakistan and LeT, he said, "The apostate factions and agents of Pakistan, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, do not have control over any territory in the regions of Kashmir because they proceed in accordance with the orders of the Pakistani intelligence as they are the ones who direct their work, pushing them forward when they wish and pulling them back when they wish. "They also conceal their work when they wish, depending on the local and global atmosphere and based on personal material interests, without any consideration for the interests of the Muslims in Kashmir," he had said. The self-styled Wali said there are specific arrangements and the Muslims will soon hear "pleasant news" about the expansion of Caliphate to those lands. The Mirwaiz rejected suggestions that ISIS or Al-Qaeda had any role to play in Kashmir and said any such attempts were made only to malign the movement in the state. "Kashmiris want an amicable solution to the problem and that can be possible if India and Pakistan come together and take into confidence the people of the state," he said. Noting that the struggle of the Kashmiri people is peaceful and political, based on principle of truth and justice, he said "Kashmir's resistance movement has no link with Daesh (ISIS) or Al Qaeda". Hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had also rejected the claims of ISIS, saying the chances of global terror outfit expanding its operations to Kashmir were "next to zero". He had questioned the credentials of the group, saying "If it had any planning and sincerity, they would have liberated the Al Aqsa mosque in West Asia. Terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda have no relation with any religion and merely define it as per their convenience, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said today. Naqvi stressed that the role of society is more important role than that of the government to meet challenges posed by terrorism. "We should understand that terrorism and terror outfits like ISIS and al-Qaeda are enemies of humanity and prosperity of the world. Terrorist outfits have no relation with any religion and they have been defining religion according to their convenience. "Religious organisations and leaders can use their influence to make people, especially the youth, aware of evil designs of terrorist groups. We have to fight unitedly against these evil forces with a commitment to protect peace of the world and destroy their ill and nefarious designs," the MoS for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs said. He was speaking here at the International Sufi Conference on the occasion of 796th annual ceremony (Urs Mubarak) of Sarkar Shah-E-Miran Hazrat Peer Miran Saiyed Ali Vali where a resolution was passed condemning "evil forces" that have been killing human values "misusing" religion as cover. Naqvi termed terrorism and radicalism as the biggest challenge for world peace and prosperity. "If religious organisations and leaders unite against terrorism and radicalism, these terror elements will not succeed in their motives. Those evil forces, who want to disturb peace and prosperity of the nation, can be isolated and defeated only by the strength of brotherhood and social unity and harmony," he said as per a statement released today. Naqvi said that culture and traditions of Sufi saints is need of the hour for harmony and peace. Our culture, traditions and Constitution are a loud and clear message to walk on path of peace, harmony and prosperity and we have to protect this heritage, the Minister said. We should not weaken these values under influence of any political gimmick, the statement said quoting him. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naqvi said Modi has become a "strong messenger of peace, harmony and prosperity" across the world, he added. Iraqi army has arrested a group of ISIS fighters when they tried to escape from the fallen city of Ramadi after shaving their beards and dressing up as women. "The terrorists had shaved their beards and dressed as women in a bid to fool our forces and escape the liberated city of Ramadi. However, they were all arrested before escaping the city," the Iraqi security command was quoted as saying by ARA . The Iraqi army announced on Tuesday the "full liberation" of Ramadi city, capital of Anbar province, from ISIS militants. Dozens of ISIS jihadis are believed to be stranded inside Ramadi after the Iraqi troops imposed their control over the city, the report said. The Iraqi forces raided several neighbourhoods across the city looking for ISIS militants, a local source was quoted as saying. "The militants who remained in the city are now trying to escape at any cost in order to avoid falling in the hands of the government forces," the source said. "At least nine ISIS jihadis were detained on Wednesday while trying to flee the security checkpoints of the Iraqi forces in Ramadi suburb. They were all dressed as women," the source added. Backed by the US-led coalition's airstrikes, Iraqi army forces have been engaged in fierce battles with ISIS militant fighters in Ramadi and its suburbs over the last few weeks. "Our forces have pushed Daesh (ISIS) militants out of the city's outskirts. Ramadi is now under the full control of the army," Iraqi central command said. The Iraqi army had declared the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS earlier in December. However, the militant group fought back and regained several districts across the city after renewed clashes with Iraqi army troops, where dozens of fighters were reported dead on both sides. ARA is an independent press agency reporting on local developments across Rojava, Kurdistan Region, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Israel's disgraced former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is set to become the first ex-premier in the country's history to serve a jail term nearly two months after the apex court upheld his bribery conviction in a major corruption scandal. Olmert will begin his sentence tomorrow after a Jerusalem court last week added another month behind bars to his jail term after the former prime minister pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in various cases against him. The plea deal represented the first admission of wrongdoing by the former prime minister and Jerusalem mayor, who has consistently maintained his innocence throughout eight years of legal proceedings in various graft cases. Olmert admitted to trying to persuade his former secretary Shula Zaken not to testify against him in the Holyland scandal and a second affair involving cash infusions from US businessman Morris Talansky, and of trying to buy her silence, the Times of Israel reported. In December, the Supreme Court reduced the 70-year-old leader's sentence from six years to 18 months in prison, and acquitted him on one of the charges, bringing an end to what was dubbed the largest bribery scandal in Israel's history. The Holyland scandal refers to a housing project of high rise buildings over a hilltop overlooking the city. In 2010, Olmert was named the key suspect in the case and was accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of shekels for helping developers get the project past various legal and planning obstacles. Olmert, who was prime minister from 2006 to 2009, was sentenced in May, 2014 to six years in prison on two separate charges of taking bribes. He was forced to resign as premier in 2009 when the corruption allegations surfaced. He was also fined 1 million shekels (about USD 250,000) in 2014 for receiving some 500,000 shekels (USD 125,000) in bribes through his brother in the Holyland case during his tenure as Jerusalem mayor before becoming prime minister. A total of 13 government officials, developers and other businesspersons were charged in three separate graft cases. Among those convicted included former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski and Danny Dankner, former chairman of Bank Hapoalim, Israel's second-biggest bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unprecedented appearance at the Supreme Court today to defend a deal signed in December with US and Israeli developers drilling offshore gas deposits. Israel's Channel 10 TV reported Netanyahu as telling the court that if Israel were to alter its deal investors could turn away and buy gas from Israel's enemies instead. Netanyahu said he chose to speak in court because of the strategic importance of the gas deal, which he says will allow Israel to develop ties with Jordan, Egypt and Turkey and significantly boost its economy. Resource-poor Israel announced the discovery of sizeable offshore natural gas deposits about five years ago. A partnership between Noble Energy and Delek Group, which is led by billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, is the main developer at Israel's two larger gas fields, Tamar and the heftier Leviathan. After the country's antitrust commissioner determined the gas companies' ownership constituted a monopoly, a government committee reached a deal with the firms to introduce competition. Opponents later challenged the deal in court because they said it favored the developers over the Israeli public. Opposition lawmaker Shelly Yachimovich, a leading opponent of the deal, tweeted that Netanyahu's speech was full of "exaggerations, cliches and general statements without one fact behind them." Israeli courts spokeswoman Shirley Koren said Netanyahu's appearance before the Supreme Court marked the first ever for a sitting prime minister. Critics have accused Netanyahu of using high-handed tactics to bypass opponents of the deal. In January, Israel's economy minister resigned rather than overrule the antitrust commissioner who opposed the gas deal and later resigned in protest over it. About 50 people protested outside the court today. One wore a cape, a scepter and a mask of Netanyahu's face, while another held a sign that read "selling the state. Three Palestinian teenagers were shot and killed while attempting to attack Israeli security forces in two separate incidents in the West Bank today, the Israeli military and police said. In the first incident, two Palestinians were throwing rocks at passing vehicles near the West Bank city of Jenin, the military said, and when forces arrived at the scene, one of the Palestinians opened fire at them. The soldiers fired back and killed the two Palestinians, the army said, adding that no soldiers were wounded in the exchange. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two Palestinians as Nihad Waked and Fouad Waked, both 15 years old. They were from the same extended family in the West Bank village of al-Araka, near Jenin, but were not close relatives. Later, at a West Bank security checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a Palestinian gripping a knife ran at Israeli paramilitary border police officers, and an officer shot and killed him, Israeli police said. No Israeli officers were wounded. The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the Palestinian as 17-year-old Naim Safi of Abadiya village near Bethlehem. In the last five months, Palestinian stabbings, shootings and vehicular assaults have killed 27 Israelis. At least 160 Palestinians, the majority of whom Israel says were attackers, have been killed by Israeli fire. Israel says the ongoing violence is fueled by a campaign of incitement by Palestinian leaders that is compounded on social media sites that glorify attacks. Palestinians say it stems from frustration at nearly five decades of Israeli rule and dwindling hopes for gaining independence. Also today, a watchdog group said Israel began building 1,800 new settlement homes in the West Bank in 2015. Peace Now, a dovish Israeli group that tracks settlement construction, said most of the building has taken place in isolated settlements in areas of the West Bank that Israel would likely evacuate in the event of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast War and built settlements there. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but nearly 600,000 Israeli settlers remain in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Palestinians claim these areas as parts of a future state, a position that has wide global support. They view Israeli settlement construction as a major obstacle to resolving the conflict. Joining the debate on JNU row, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel today said it is not right to call someone "anti-national" just because that person believes in an ideology that is at variance with thoughts of a particular party. During a brief interaction with the media here, Patel also supported Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's stand on the JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) issue. "People having a different ideology (than that of a particular party) should not be branded as anti-national. Rahulji also went to the JNU campus and said people must be allowed to express their views and opinions. I completely agree with Rahulji," said the Political Secretary of Congress President Sonia Gandhi. In an apparent reference to BJP student wing ABVP, Patel alleged attempts are being made by a student union to take control of the JNU campus. "It is condemnable if someone is really involved in anti -national activities. It is equally condemnable if some student union, having political backing, wants to capture and dominate the campus through this issue," said Patel. Rahul yesterday visited JNU to meet the students protesting the arrest of their students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. Kanhaiya, booked for sedition, was arrested on Friday over a protest organised in the premier institute's premises in New Delhi on February 9 against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Commenting on former IB Special Director Rajendra Kumar's claims that a senior Congress leader from Gujarat had hatched a conspiracy to falsely implicate then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case, Patel said the charge was "baseless and malicious". "Why should anyone bother about Kumar's claims when he is making them to save his own skin? I don't know to whom Kumar was referring to. But, whoever he is, one must not malign image of a political leader without any proof. His allegations are totally baseless and malicious," said Patel. Jain Irrigation Systems today reported consolidated net profit of Rs 9.21 crore for the quarter ended on December 31, against a loss of Rs 39.68 crore in the year ago period. Total income increased to Rs 1,384.15 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 from Rs 1,297.46 crore for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the company informed the BSE. Jain Irrigation has signed an agreement with Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages, and Maharashtra Government for setting up of a juice manufacturing facility at Vidharbha to process oranges. The project is expected to benefit 5,000 farmers with an average landholding of two acres each. In November last year, the company had announced its plans to raise Rs 792 crore by issuing equity shares in the company and its food subsidiary JFFFL to agri-business funding firm Mandala Capital and promoters. A Jat outfit in Haryana today called off its two-day quota stir saying the state government has given a conditional assurance on providing reservation to the community under the OBC category. The agitation was called off after a delegation of Jat leaders met state Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankar late last night in Hansi. "The minister assured us that Jats of Haryana will get reservation under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category if the central government gives the benefit to the community in eight other states (as well)," said AIJASS, President Hawa Singh Sangwan said here. A faction of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti had been protesting since Friday, demanding reservation under the OBC category. They had blocked railway track near Mayyar village here which led to disruption in rail services on Hisar-Bhiwani rail track. Members of the delegation led by Sangwan today visited the protest site in the village and told the agitators that the minister had given an assurance. They then announced lifting of the blockade. Sangwan said his outfit was satisfied with the talks with Dhankar even as some protesters voiced disagreement. Meanwhile, another faction of AIJASS led by Yashpal Malik announced that it would start an agitation from February 21 to demand reservation for the community in central and state government jobs. The venue is not decided yet, said Ram Bhagat Malik, spokesman of the Sangharsh Samiti. The chief minister said the government has also offered the organisations involved in the current agitation that if they intended to hire their lawyer for pleading the case in the court, the state government is ready to pay the fee. He reiterated that the government is making best efforts with honesty to get the issue resolved. Activists of All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti (AIJASS) have been staging dharnas at various places, mostly in Rohtak, Sonepat, Jind and Hisar districts in support of their demands for last several days, with some activists even sitting on fast unto death at some places. Three months after their violent agitation left 30 people dead Jat leaders, owing allegiance to AIJASS, have been holding the dharnas at various places amid tight security by the BJP government which had drawn severe flak over its handling of the quota agitation in February. Nearly 20,000 security personnel including approximately 6,000 personnel of the Central forces are keeping a strict vigil on the Jat agitation this time to ensure no violence takes place. A special round-the-clock control room has been set up in Chandigarh to monitor the situation. The protesters are demanding quota under the OBC category, withdrawal of cases registered against community members during the previous stir in February, status of martyr for those killed and jobs for their next of kin, besides compensation to the injured. After the agitation, the state government recently brought in laws to provide reservation for Jats and five other communities under a newly carved Backward Classes (C) category. However, the high court stayed it, acting on a public interest litigation, after which some Jat groups announced the fresh stir. Seven of eight JNU students who were debarred from academic activities earlier this week in connection with a controversial event held on the campus, have been asked to appear before a high level committe of the varsity probing the matter. "Seven students have been sent notices to appear before the university's high level committee probing the matter. Eight students including Kanhaiya have been debarred from any academic activity till the inquiry is over," JNU registrar Bhupinder Zutshi said. "The debarred students have been allowed to stay in the hostels as they will be required to attend the probe committee meetings," he said. The varsity's decision was taken on the basis of an interim report of the proctorial committee set up by the university. The final report of the probe panel is likely to be ready by next week. JNU Studnets' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar is in police custody in connection with the case. Kumar was arrested earlier this week after a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy was registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The arrest has triggered widespread outrage among students and teachers and drawn severe criticism from non-BJP parties. Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement that the JNU event had received "support" from terror outfit LeT founder Hafiz Saeed was based on inputs from "different agencies", a Home Ministry spokesperson said today. "Statement of the Home Minister is based on the inputs available from different agencies," a Home Ministry spokesperson said without elaborating. Earlier in the day, the Home Minister said in Allahabad that the event on JNU campus in Delhi against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from Saeed, a statement that sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. Singh said the truth is that the Jawaharlal Nehru University event received support from Saeed, who is chief of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), needed to be understood by the nation. "The incident (Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "what has happened is very unfortunate. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today claimed that the JNU university event in Delhi in memory of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from terror outfit LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, a statement that sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. As Singh said the truth that the JNU agitation received support from Saeed, who is chief of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e- Taiba, needed to be understood by the nation, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a "very serious charge" to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. "The incident(Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh told reporters in Allahabad, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate." CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Home Minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his "serious allegation". CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Rajnath's comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet by the handle named HafeezSaeedJUD which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers." In a series of tweets, Omar, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students. "That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," he said. "Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government." Yechury said Rajnath has made a very serious allegation about terrorists 'backing' JNU protests, adding. "We hope that he has concrete proof." "Considering the gravity of the charge made by no less than the Union Home Minister, we would like him to share the evidence with the country," he added. "When we met the Home Minister yesterday, he never mentioned Hafiz Saeed to us but only harped on the slogans being raised at the protests. Later in the day, Singh tweeted, "I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty &integrity of the country. Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed." "I seek cooperation and support from all political parties &people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces," he said in a series of tweets. Singh while talking to newspersons also asked political parties not to view protests at JNU through the prism of political gains or losses. Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the JNU stir received support from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and this needs to be understood by the nation even as he asked political parties not to view such protests through the prism of political gains or losses. "The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate." "Never should have something been done which puts a question mark over the country's sovereignty and integrity. On such occasions, the entire country should be speaking in one voice. I would also appeal all political parties not to view such episodes through the prism of political gains and losses," Singh told reporters here. Asked about the investigation regarding the JNU incident, he said, "Necessary instructions have been given (to the authorities concerned). I have made one thing clear that those who are found guilty should face action but the ones who are not, should not be harassed at any cost." Responding to questions on the arrest of JNU Student's Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and allegations that he may have been falsely implicated, the Home Minister said, "We should allow the investigation to take place unhindered. The police must have acted on the basis of some evidence." His comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence. JNU teachers today rallied behind its protesting students and questioned the university's decision to allow the police crackdown on the campus even as they appealed to the public not to "brand" the institution as "anti-national." As a row over an event at the campus of the Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru raged, the teachers also come out in support of the students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who is in police custody on sedition charges, saying even if the students have done anything wrong, it is an issue of "indiscipline" and not "sedition". "It was wrong on the university's part to allow the police crackdown on campus before completion of a probe by the university's proctorial committee in connection with the event. The administration mishandled the issue," the teacher's association JNUTA president Vikramaditya told a press conference. "Neither Kanhaiya was the organiser, nor he was associated with the event. He went their just to intervene when the argument between ABVP members and organsiers started heating up. But he has been framed," he added. The teaching faculty members, who openly came out against the varsity administration for allegedly "mishandling" the issue, also claimed that the internal mechanism of the university seems to be completely "subverted" and autonomy of the institution stands "surrendered". "Isn't it unfair to brand the university as anti-national which has stood as an epitome of academics and democratic culture. Why tarnish its image by calling it a home to anti-nationals? "We have taught here for years, we know what it is to be at JNU. We appeal to the public to look beyond the present controversy and not to associate the "adjective" anti-national with JNU," said a Social Science professor, who did not wish to be identified. A professor of the Linguistics department said the "university is doing an inquiry, police is probing the case, the Delhi Government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry. (REOPENS DEL60) "JNU is known for its democratic ethos. We do not want this kind of tense atmosphere on the campus where students have to be scared as they might be called a terrorist. "If some student insults the Constitution, the varsity will penalise him but do not target students with serious charges like sedition without the varsity probing the matter," the Linguistics professor said. Ayesha Kidwai, another professor at the varsity's Centre for Linguistics, said, "University is a place of debate and dissent. Ideas should compete with ideas, force and violence cannot be used to suppress ideas. Arbitrary arrests should stop and our internal mechanism should deal with such situations." Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week and charged with sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The event was held despite the JNU administration having cancelled the permission following a complaint by ABVP members, who had termed it "anti-national". PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has termed "unfortunate" the death of two youths during firing on a crowd allegedly by security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir today. "The unfortunate incident, which could have been avoided, has claimed lives of two students, including a girl, and injured nearly six civilians," she said. She said that such incidents are "uncalled-for" and security forces must "observe restraint" while dealing with civilians in such a situation. She expressed her solidarity with the families of the victims. The two youths -- Danish and Shahista -- were killed earlier in the day in firing allegedly by security forces on a crowd that was holding a protest over an encounter in Pulwama in which an unidentified militant was gunned down. Lok Janshakti Party today slammed the Nitish Kumar government over "deteriorating" law and order situation in Bihar and demanded imposition of President's Rule in the state, hours after an NDA delegation met Governor Ram Nath Kovind on the issue. The Ram Vilas Paswan-led party also demanded a CBI probe into the killing of the BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha. "LJP demands President Rule over the deteriorating law and order in the state and demands a CBI probe into the killing of the BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha," the Union minister said. Miscreants had on Friday shot dead Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha at a place between Sonvarsha and Parsaura village in Bhojpur district. An LJP delegation, led by Paswan, will also meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The NDA has also given a call for 'Shahabad bandh' to protest against the killing of Ojha. The LJP chief will also visit the residence of slain BJP leader tomorrow, ahead of NDA's protest march scheduled in Bihar on February 16. The BJP has given a call for 'Shahabad bandh' today to protest against the killing of the party leader and allegedly deteriorating law and order situation in the state. (REOPENS CES4) Meanwhile, Paswan expressed gratitude towards President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari and his colleagues in the Union cabinet for showing concern when he was in hospital. "I express my gratitude towards President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari and my cabinet colleagues for enquiring about my health when I was admitted to hospital," Paswan told reporters before leaving for the national capital. "The PM spoke to me over phone," Paswan said. To help SMEs set up plants in the state, the Maharashtra government is providing land at half of the market price in various industrial clusters, a senior official said. "The SMEs are free to apply for two-acre land anywhere falling under MIDC areas across the state for setting up a plant. Maharashtra government is providing 50 per cent subsidy on those plots of land," state industry secretary Apurva Chandra told reporters on the sidelines of the Make in India Week. Moreover, the state government is trying to sort out problems like making the subsidy available to the SMEs and also making the plots of land available for them beyond Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) areas, by holding talks with the authorities concerned. The secretary agreed to the fact that it was getting difficult to provide land to SMEs outside clusters, he said that he will talk to the district authorities concerned to tackle the problem. "I do agree that providing any plot of land outside MIDC areas is a bit difficult. Still we are trying to sort out the difficulty in such cases by holding direct talks with the district authorities concerned," he said. However, SMEs are unable to get subsidies from the state government while purchasing land in the industrial clusters even after getting the subsidy allotted to them. The industry secretary said that the problem would be sorted out in a month's time. "We have received some complaints as per which even though subsidy is sanctioned to the entrepreneurs, it is not allotted to them in time. We are working on a plan to sort it out and hopefully we will be able to find a solution to this problem in a month's time," Chandra said. Talking about the response of various industrial clusters among SMEs, he said a lot of SMEs have evinced their interest in setting up plants in the already existing industrial clusters at places like Solapur, Jalna and Nagpur. Women are litigants in over 13 per cent of the total over 2 crore cases pending in India's lower courts and the maximum number of them are from Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, latest data has revealed. In Delhi, 2424 women have filed cases, which constitute 0.08 per cent of the 28,71,157 cases filed by them in various subordinate courts. Out of the total pending cases filed by women, 13,09,137 are civil in nature and 15,62,020 criminal, data compiled by the National Judicial Data Grid says. The figures represent data collated upto February 12. A non-criminal lawsuit usually involves private property rights such as cases involving breach of contract, probate, divorce, negligence, and copyright violations. A criminal case is commonly defined as the one which is usually brought by a government in response to a suspected violation of law and seeks a fine, a jail sentence or both. In Maharashtra, a total of 11,46,730 cases (or 39.94 per cent of the total cases filed by women across various lower courts in India) have been filed by women. Out of these, 3,68,480 are civil in nature and 7,78,250 criminal. Uttar Pradesh follows with 4,24,333 or 14.78 per cent cases. Out of these 1,87,625 are civil and 2,36,708 criminal. After UP, the maximum number of cases filed by women are from West Bengal where 1,59,481 or 5.55 per cent of the total cases are pending in subordinate courts. Closely following West Bengal is Tamil Nadu where 1,36,087 (4.74 per cent) cases are pending. Rajasthan follows Tamil Nadu with 4.16 per cent (1,19,418) of the total cases filed by women. The e-Committee of Supreme Court had launched the National Judicial Data Grid to provide data on cases pending in the district courts across the country. The data is segregated into civil and criminal cases and further broken down on the basis of the number of years the these have been pending. The data on NJDG website does not cover all courts across the country, therefore, the Department of Justice in the Law Ministry periodically collects the data on pendency of cases from the 24 High courts and the Supreme Court. The data collected by the Department of Justice is usually used by the government in Parliament. The Maharashtra government, which has already announced 14 textile parks in the state, today invited businessmen to invest in the sector. "We seek investment in textile parks in a big way. We have already announced 14 textile parks and one mega textile cluster in major cotton growing region in the state," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on the sidelines of Make in India (MII) Week here. The state also plans to set up 10 new mega textile hubs and new garment park at Solapur and Nagpur. Fadnavis assured the industry with more policy support and ease of doing business. "Global economic slowdown has given us an opportunity to increase our market share in the world market at 5 per cent as compared to over 30 per cent of China. We need to do everything in coming years," Fadnavis added. According to the CM, Maharashtra continued to remain an industrial powerhouse. "The state contributed 15 per cent to the national GDP, has the highest exports, and highest FDI inflows. With Make in India, (the) Make in Maharashtra initiative has also started," he said. The state's textile industry is the largest employer and it has the largest area of around 41.92 per cent under cultivation for cotton. Out of 18,709 industrial projects approved from August 1991 to October 2014, 10.6 per cent belongs to textile sector, only next to chemical and fertiliser sector. The state has 78 lakh bales cotton production capacity and 25 lakh bales are processed to manufacture yarn. Meanwhile, on ease of doing business, Fadnavis said Maharashtra has brought down the number of permissions required for setting up an industry drastically. To revive the textiles sector, the state government has introduced a scheme under which up to 30 per cent of capital subsidy is granted for self financing. Capital subsidy was allowed only for those projects that were financed by banks. "Allowing capital subsidy only on banks' financed projects mean we are encouraging mills to take loan from banks. For the first time we are encouraging investors with self financing. The government might resolve the stressed assets issue temporarily," said Sunil Porwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Textiles), Maharashtra. A 55-year-old man was stabbed to death allegedly by a group of unidentified men in west Delhi's Ranhola area, police said today. The deceased has been identified as Deshraj, whose son, Rahul, is an eye-witness in a murder case which took place last Holi. The incident took place around 9. 20 pm yesterday when Deshraj, a small-scale dealer of electronic goods, was returning from work, and the group allegedly attacked him near a weekly market in the area and fled. Deshraj was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead, following which a case of murder was registered, police said. He had sustained stab injuries on his chest, abdomen and thigh. The police suspects that the assailants are related to one Rakesh, who is the prime accused in the murder case in which Deshraj's son is an eye-witness. So far, the police have questioned around 10 persons regarding yesterday's incident. However, they are yet to find any major lead. During Holi last year, Rakesh and his associated had allegedly attacked Deshraj's son Rahul and his friend Mohit. While the latter died of injuries, the former survived and became and an eye-witness in the case. Rakesh was later arrested by the Crime Branch, police added. A massive fire broke out in a ready-made garment factory at Samrala Chowk here in the wee hours today, police said. Garments and other material were gutted in the fire, while two persons received minor injuries. The fire was suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, they said. The presence of acrylic material led the fire to spread rapidly through the building, police said. Over forty fire tenders were rushed to douse the flames which engulfed the entire three-storey building of Puneet Knitwear. Huge flames were seen leaping from the building, making tough for fire fighters to enter the unit. They had to break walls at three-four places to go in and extinguish the blaze, police said. Two employees, who were working on the night shift, received minor injuries when they jumped out of the factory to escape the blaze, they said. Though short circuit was believed to be the reason behind the massive fire, the exact cause would be ascertained after the probe, police said. Sluggish urban demand in deodorant has forced McNore Consumer Products, owner of leading personal care brand Wild Stone, to introduce a new brand focused on the rural segment. "As part of multi-progned strategy to buck slowdown in Rs 2,500 crore deodorant market, we are also contemplating a new brand that will be focused at rural market," McNore director N K Daga told PTI. "There is volume de-growth of about 5-6 per cent since last 5 to 6 quarters against a growth of as high as 40 per cent in the past," he said. "In the past as growth in the urban market was so robust we did not focus on the semi-urban and rural markets. But now we think even the rural market is gradually spending on personal care products, a focused brand for the market is been considered," Daga said. Besides, a separate brand of small pack sizes will also push rural sales, officials said. For Wild Stone company it will move the value chain by diversifying the personal product range, tapping modern retail, online sales and foraying into newer markets including overseas, Daga said. "Wild Stone is a male grooming brand and aims to reach a turnover of Rs 500 crore by 2017-18 from a current revenue of Rs 200 crore the brand generates out of the company's topline of Rs 300 crore," he said. The company is also focusing at exports in the Saarc countries, Africa and Middle East. The protesting junior doctors at the medical college here today applied for a mass leave and a senior doctor resigned in the wake of the death of an intern allegedly due to medical negligence. Junior doctor Sanjeet, 32, worked as an intern at the medical college and was admitted to the emergency ward of its hospital where he died late Friday night following severe stomach ache. Sanjeet was having stomach ache for the past few days following which he underwent an x-ray examination. He yesterday went to the gastronomy department of the college for consultation, one of his colleagues said. However, after one hour he was asked to go to another department where the senior doctor a took long time before examining him and left him saying it was minor pain, the colleague alleged. Later, he was taken to the emergency ward where he died after one hour. Agitated over his death, the junior doctors created a ruckus inside the college premises and reportedly exchanged blows with senior doctors following which police was called. College Principal Dr K K Gupta today said he has written to district authorities for a magisterial inquiry. He said Dr Tungveer Singh Arya, the head of the medicine department, who has been accused of "negligence", has resigned following the incident. The five militants killed in an encounter yesterday in Kupwara district of north Kashmir were all foreigners and belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, the army said today. "The weapons and other equipment we recovered from them (imply) they were from Lashkar (e-Toiba)," General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua, told reporters here. The army commander was addressing media after paying floral tributes to the two jawans who were also killed in the encounter. However, it is being ascertained whether the group of militants had infiltrated recently, the GOC said. "Whether it was a new group or not, that is being ascertained. Once the analysis of the equipment takes place, only then we will be able to tell," he said. The force is getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, the army commander said. "We are getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area and we launch the operations along with other security forces on that basis," he said. Replying to queries, he said there was hardlly any presence of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir as of now. "JeM's top leader Adil Pathan was eliminated in November last year. Since then there is no presence of JeM in the Valley. Perhaps one or two (militants) in north Kashmir. "JeM tried attacks twice last year in Tangdhar. But they were eliminated on both the occasions," he said. Five militants were killed in an encounter which began on Friday in Zonreshi Village, Chowkibal of Kupwara district. Two army soldiers also lost their lives. The encounter followed a search operation launched by the army after it received information about presence of some terrorists there. Four army personnel including a Major, who were injured in the operation, are undergoing treatment in a military hospital in Drugmulla, the army said. AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya is not quitting the airline, AirAsia Group chief Tony Fernandes said today as he announced that the 2-year old Indian carrier would "shortly" add two aircraft as part of its fleet expansion plans. "I read about Mittu calling it quits from you guys. I absolutely deny it. There is no substance to the rumours," the Malaysian airline group chief told reporters at the Make in India week here. Unconfirmed reports had a few days ago said that Chandilya has put in his papers. To questions on the loss-making airline's much-delayed fleet expansion plan, Fernandes said two more planes would be inducted "shortly and a dozen later" but did not put a time line to these deliveries. AirAsia India, which currently has six Airbus A320-200 planes, is a joint venture in which Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd holds 49%, Tata Sons Ltd 41% and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd the rest. On the issue of 5/20 rule to enable an Indian carrier fly abroad, Fernandes said "all I am looking for is the ease of doing business. I hope basically your aviation sector is made easy". The rule allows only those Indian airlines which have a 20 aircraft fleet and have operated on the domestic sector for five years to fly abroad. Besides 5/20 rule, he said "your airports are very costly and your fuel taxes are one of the highest. Please make businees easier to do." He replied in the affirmative to questions on further capital infusion in AirAsia India but did not elaborate. AirAsia India and Tata-Singapore Airlines venture Vistara are the prime opponents of the 5/20 rule, which is being supported by almost all major Indian carriers. Regarding reported disagreements between the partners of AirAsia India, Fernandes said the Tatas were "a fantastic partner" but parried questions on some objections allegedly raised by the third partner, businessman Arun Bhatia, in a board room battle which had reportedly erupted recently. On whether the Group had "underestimated" the Indian aviation market, Fernandes said "never. But we are taking time to understand it better. ... And aviation is a long-term business and we are here to for the long-term as well. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the truth that the JNU agitation received support from Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed needs to be understood by the nation and asked political parties not to view such protests through the prism of political gains or losses. "The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate." "Never should have something been done which puts a question mark over the country's sovereignty and integrity. On such occasions, the entire country should be speaking in one voice. I would also appeal all political parties not to view such episodes through the prism of political gains and losses," Singh told reporters here. Asked about the investigation regarding the JNU incident, he said, "Necessary instructions have been given (to the authorities concerned). I have made one thing clear that those who are found guilty should face action but the ones who are not, should not be harassed at any cost." Responding to questions on the arrest of JNU Student's Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and allegations that he may have been falsely implicated, the Home Minister said, "We should allow the investigation to take place unhindered. The police must have acted on the basis of some evidence." His comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence. In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet by the handle named HafeezSaeedJUD which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers.' The Home Minister was in the city on a brief visit, to meet West Bengal Governor and senior party colleague Keshri Nath Tripathi and condole the death of his wife who passed away a fortnight ago while undergoing treatment at the AIIMS, New Delhi. Singh said, "Whosoever targets the unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation or tries to cause hurt at a scale which affects the country's honour will not be forgiven at all." He later tweeted, "I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty & integrity of the country." The Home Minister said, "Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed." He also tweeted, "I seek cooperation and support from all political parties & people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces." On Tuesday, an event was held inside the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, following which a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy was registered and the JNUSU president was arrested. The police have formed teams which are looking for 13 other students for their alleged involvement in the event. On Friday, Singh had warned of "strongest possible" action against those involved in raising anti-India slogans during the event. "If anyone raises anti-India slogans, tries to raise questions on country's unity and integrity, they will not be spared. Stringent action will be taken against them," he had told reporters here. The Home Minister had said he asked Delhi Police to take "strongest possible action" against those who were allegedly involved in anti-India acts in JNU. Noted designer Ritu Beri feels government's support and recognition are essential to put Indian luxury brands on the global map. Beri's not-for-Profit global foundation - the Luxury League, established to promote, market Indian luxury brands and initiate the concept of branding India globally, will be a part of "Make in India" Week being held from February 13-18 here. The Luxury League is organising a one-day session, "The Global Design & Innovation Session" tomorrow. "We would have leaders from the world of fashion from across the globe. I feel the Indian brands needs to be on the global map as luxury brands do contribute to the economy of the country. We do need help from the government," Beri told PTI. "We expect the government to at least recognise the luxury industry and help in creating a brand that would represent India internationally. We need that help and respect," she said. Beri feels there should be joint venture (tie-ups) between international and Indian brands. "The international brands want to come to India but there are policy issues. We have talent here... We have shoe makers with brilliant designs and people doing great work in fashion and accessory market," she said. "We can create joint venture with international companies and put Indian luxury market on a global map. We need to create international presence," the added. According to Beri, the rich culture of India should be utilised in the best manner possible for creating brands in various areas. "We have a rich culture and heritage, we should make use of it in the right way. We have so many art and craft forms, we have talent we just need to package it rightly." The ace designer feels that beside government help, celebrities' support by endorsing a brand would also help in grabbing eyeballs internationally. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says staffers for US Vice President Joe Biden are arriving in Israel ahead of a possible Biden visit. At his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu cited reports Biden was considering visiting Israel soon. He said Biden's staff is landing in Israel today, but there were no dates yet for a visit. Last month, Biden met Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland shortly after the US lifted sanctions on Iran as part of a nuclear deal. The US has sought to soften Israel's concerns on the deal through discussions about a new long-term agreement on US military aid for Israel. Biden's last visit to Israel sparked a diplomatic spat with Washington in 2010, when Israel announced settlement construction plans during Biden's visit. The White House had no comment. Decks have been cleared for the controversial Hubli-Ankola railway line, cutting across the eco-sensitive Western Ghats in Karnataka, with the Green Tribunal giving its nod to Railways to approach the state government. The order assumes significance as Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) last year had disapproved the 168-km rail link project, conceived in 1998 primarily to transport iron ore from the Bellary-Hospet mines, and said that it would have "huge and irreparable" ecological impact on the forests, wildlife and biodiversity of the Western Ghats. The controversy in the present case relates to conversion of forest land to a non-forest activity (construction of broad gauge railway line) for which total land of 965 hectares falling in Dharwad, Yellapur and Karwar forest divisions in Karnataka was required. The green panel said that to apply for conversion of forest land to a non-forest activity was a right available to the project proponent and the state government which has to be dealt with in accordance with law. "Under the provision of Section 2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 the State Government has to issue an order permitting such conversion with prior approval of the Central Government that is MoEF. We do not think that CEC even intended to allow or deny such right to the Project Proponent (Railways) but has expressed its view for non grant of such permission in terms of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. "The principal apprehension was the environmental and ecological damage to the Western Ghats. In the circumstances, we dispose of this application with liberty to the project proponent to move the state government by submitting an appropriate proposal for diversion of land for this project," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. In 2006, two Karnataka-based NGOs -- Parisara Sanmrakshana Kendra and Wilderness Club -- filed a petition in Supreme Court against the diversion of forest land for this project. Later, the apex court halted the construction. The apex court on October 5 last year transferred bunch of cases involving forest clearances and the CEC's views on it to the green panel while asking it to decide them expeditiously. The Environment Ministry, represented by advocate Balendu Shekhar, had argued that challenge to the diversion of forest land for this project was premature at this stage as neither the ministry nor the state government had taken a final view on the issue. The tribunal further said that if such an application is moved the state government shall deal with it expeditiously and they would seek prior approval of the Environment Ministry in accordance with law. "They would seek prior approval of MoEF in accordance with law and then depending on the approval granted by MoEF the State Government in its own right would issue an appropriate order under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The order so passed by the State Government shall operate for period of four weeks and shall immediately be put on the website of in accordance with Rules. "We make it clear that if there is a challenge to the order granting permission for diversion of forest for non-forest activity in favour of the project proponent, the record of this file shall be tagged to that application," the bench said. The National Green Tribunal has slammed Railways over human defecation sand other waste ons tracks and also directed authorities in Delhi to expeditiously decide on rehabilitation of slum clusters located near railway tracks. Coming down heavily on Railways, it asked the PSU behemoth to impose fine of Rs 5,000 on those defecating and throwing waste on tracks and act against them effectively. "You can't keep even 15 km of railway stretch in the capital clean. If you claim the tracks to be clean, how can garbage be there?... We direct all the authorities including the corporations to fully cooperate and ensure that the railway tracks are kept clean, free from municipal solid waste and other waste and dirty water not be collected near the tracks. Let status report be submitted before the tribunal before March 30, the next date of hearing," it said. The bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the Delhi government and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to expeditiously decide rehabilitation of slum clusters located near railway tracks and directed them to submit complete action plan regarding their relocation. "The Delhi Development Authority, NCT of Delhi, Railways along with DUSIB shall hold a meeting within two weeks from today and would submit complete action plan to the tribunal in regard to shifting of jhuggis from or adjacent to the tracks by providing alternative accommodation either by way of flats which are stated to be ready or by providing piece of land where NCT of Delhi can construct flats," the bench said. It asked the Delhi government to utilise the amount of Rs 11 crore, which is lying with it since 2003, with interest for the rehabilitation of jhuggis. The tribunal directed Delhi government to expeditiously construct toilets near slums on the sites which have already been approved by the Railways. Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Railways, told the bench that it was making all possible efforts to keep railway tracks clean in the capital. She further submitted that photographs placed before the tribunal show the efforts made by the Railways and it will continue and further efforts would be made to plant trees at the end of the railway tracks and/or railway land. The counsel appearing for Delhi government submitted that in order to stop any human defecation on the railway tracks they are constructing toilets and they have finalised around 14 or 15 sites approximately out of which 7 fall on railway land. To this, the ASG said that three sites have already been issued No Objection Certificate and the matter regarding other sites was under consideration. The tribunal had in December imposed a cost of Rs 5 lakh on the Railways for failure to keep tracks and platforms in New Delhi clean after noting "definite negligence" and "intentional lack of will" on the part of all authorities. The tribunal's direction came on a petition filed by lawyers Saloni Singh and Arush Pathania, which said the railway authorities had failed to perform their statutory duties and were indirectly responsible for causing pollution at railway properties, particularly on the tracks. Cracking down on litterbugs, the tribunal had earlier announced a fine of Rs 5,000 on individuals spotted littering or throwing waste on the platforms and tracks. Government is considering a proposal to dilute its stake in a host of infrastructure financing institutions such as REC, PFC and IIFCL through the newly created National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). "It is at a very preliminary stage. Among various things, the Finance Ministry is also looking at a issue if NIIF can pick up stake in state-owned entities that are into infrastructure financing," official sources said. A sub-fund of NIIF could pick up stake in companies like Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), sources said. This will help ease pressure on the government to finance infrastructure as their holding will come down and divestment will free capital which is to be used for other purposes, sources added. The government in December had set up the Rs 40,000 crore NIIF, which is an investment vehicle for funding commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled projects. While the government will invest Rs 20,000 crore in NIIF, another similar amount will come from private investors. The government is in consultation with several sovereign funds and pension funds from Russia, Singapore, the UK and the UAE to participate in the NIIF registered as category II Alternate Investment Fund with a proposed series of funds. The government currently is in the process of appointing chief executive of India's maiden sovereign wealth fund. The Investment Management Company would be responsible for taking investment decision of NIIF corpus. The Finance Ministry in October had constituted a search- cum-selection Committee under the Chairmanship of Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das for selecting a CEO for the Investment Management Company under the NIIF. The governing council of the NIIF would have government representatives and experts in international finance, eminent economists and infrastructure professionals. It could include representatives from other non-government shareholders. South Korea today defended its decision to abruptly pull out of an inter-Korean industrial zone, claiming 70 per cent of wages for North Korean workers were for years used to fund Pyongyang's nuclear and missile development. Seoul on Wednesday announced it would withdraw from the Kaesong industrial complex -- where South Korean firms operated factories that employed North Korean workers -- to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear and missile tests staged in violation of UN resolutions. "Any foreign currency earned in North Korea is transferred to the Workers' Party, where the money is used to develop nuclear weapons or missiles, or to purchase luxury goods," unification minister Hong Yong-Pyo said in a televised interview. "About 70 per cent of the US dollars paid in wages are taken by the government, while the workers are only given tickets to buy food and other essential items, as well as some local currency," he said. The zone, which sits 10 kilometres north of the tense border, was officially shuttered Thursday after Pyongyang expelled all South Korean managers and placed the complex under military control. The shock shutdown of the complex -- a major symbol of inter-Korean cooperation since its opening in 2004 -- sharply escalated tensions and caused massive damage to the 124 Seoul firms operating there. Seoul firms over the years have paid wages worth $560 million -- including $120 million over last year alone -- to the North's state authorities supervising 53,000 workers at the complex. Seoul was aware of the problem of wages being siphoned off but had maintained the project regardless due to its status as a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, Hong said. "But the project continued to siphon off so much money (to the North's regime) and the concerns we had about the complex remained unsolved," he added. Hundreds of militants from around the world, including from Pakistan, are fighting alongside the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq, according to top military commanders of the war-torn Arab country who said they had no information of Indians being among them. "Militants from several countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and central Asia are fighting in Iraq," said Sheikh Meesam Zaidi, a senior commander of Al-Abbas Brigade, which is part of para-military force Hashd al-Shaabi or the Popular Mobilisation Forces. When asked about presence of Indians in ISIS ranks in Iraq, the commander whose forces are battling terrorists in areas like Salahuddin, Anbar, Baiji said that they have "no such information". Responding to a similar question, another top Hashd commander also that they have no knowledge of presence of Indians on Iraqi soil. "We have no information about their (Indians) presence in Iraq," Kareem al-Noree, advisor to Hashd's Badr Bridge chief Hadi al-Amri, told a group of visiting Indian journalists. According to earlier media reports, some Indians were killed in Syria fighting alongside the ISIS. However, there was no report of Indians joining the battle in Iraq. Zaidi, whose brigade has lost 50 personnel, said that it was impossible for one country to stop the ISIS and the world should unite to fight against the dreaded terrorist group. "ISIS is a brutal terrorist group and it's a threat to the world. We are not fighting (against them) just to save our country, we are fighting to save the world," Zaidi told reporters. Hashd al-Shaabi is a state-sponsored umbrella organisation composed of several armed groups formed in 2014 to fight against theISIS. Noree said ISIS has nothing to do with Islam and the outfit just wants to establish its control over the region. "They don't believe in Islam. They are opportunist who care only for their interests," he added. ISIS is an al-Qaeda splinter group which has captured a large part of Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate led by Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Smart cities may be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest mantra but a remote non-decrepit, insurgency-ravaged village in Assam along Indo- Bhutan border has earned the distinction of being northeast's first smart village. Barsimaluguri, about 11 km from the Indo-Bhutan border, in Baksa district has been turned into a model smart village with hundred per cent toilets, solar power and pure drinking water, following an initiative taken by a few individuals under the aegis of Nanda Talukdar Foundation (NTF). "There are more than 20,000 villages in Assam with numerous government schemes being implemented but none has been transformed into a smart village. We decided to concentrate on one village and turn it into a model village, independent of government schemes," NTF Secretary Mrinal Talukdar told PTI. The idea of turning a village into a smart one germinated in 2014 when "I along with a consultant friend, both spurred by the zeal to do something positive in rural Assam, dared to dream to turn a village ravaged by NDFB insurgents into a model village," he says. "We have worked along four main verticals -- alternative energy, drinking water, sanitation and skill development and also initiated several other intervention works ranging from development of educational facilities, playgrounds, health and legal camps along with the establishment of a yarn bank," he says. Talukdar and his consultant friend Aniruddh Goswami had the Detailed Project Report (DPR) ready by 2014 but the task of finding a sponsor was not easy with many organisations approached being sceptical of the project. "Some were not sure whether we could successfully implement the project while many others rued why just one village? We were, however, not disheartened and our struggle to find a sponsor continued. Finally, the India Infrastructure Finance Corporation Limited (IIFCL) stepped in to finance our dream project," he adds. The work to turn Barsimaluguri, a hamlet of 234 households of farmers, small traders and daily wage earners, into a smart village began on January 15, 2015 and the first step in this direction was to set up a model village working committee led by villagers Dinesh Bhuyan and Dipu Choudhury. The first work initiated by the committee was setting up the water purification plant and now this village is perhaps the only one in the region to have a reverse osmosis plant. The plant is maintained by the village development committee and villagers pay a nominal amount of Rs 120 per month for maintenance, Talukdar says. "Earlier, we were spending more than Rs 300 on medicines due to illness caused by water-borne diseases and so making a payment of only Rs 120 to lead a disease-free life was more than welcome," says Choudhury. Following the establishment of the water treatment plant, the next step was to set up toilets as most households practised open defecation. "The target was to set up hundred toilets within a year and the task was not easy, particularly during the monsoon but we did manage to complete it at a cost of Rs 16,000 each," Project Coordinator Surajit Dutta says. The highlight of the project was, however, providing solar power to homes as well as for street lightning, literally bringing a ray of light for the villagers, he says. Solar Home kits were provided to hundred households and the Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited helped with technical assistance is setting up these panels. The Solar Home kits consist of a battery, solar panel, transformer, three LED lights and one fan. Another key area which the project has emphasised on is skill development with several training programmes conducted for weaving, cutting and tailoring along with basic computer courses where ideas were discussed with trainees to maximise their skills and turn it into revenue streams, Dutta says. A yarn bank has also been set up in the village which will be managed by the Village Women Committee with an initial deposit of 40 kg of yarn made by NTF while subsequently the Committee will run the bank on a sustainable model. A warping drum has also been provided to the committee as the weavers had to travel earlier to distance places to get their yarn warped. Several health camps were conducted during the year with free cataract operations being also carried out along with legal and financial awareness camps. "We have completed within a year what we had dreamt of and turned Barsimaluguri into a smart village with its residents committed to bring in more improvement in the future," Talukdar adds. Veteran cardiac surgeon Sudhanshu Bhattacharya was today presented the 43rd 'Dhanvantari Award' for his outstanding contribution towards development of medical science by Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao. During his speech, Rao called for remedial steps to overcome shortcomings in the health care system and asked officials to take action against companies that are coming out with fallacious advertisements related to "wonder" drugs and medical products. Dr Bhattacharya is a professor and HoD at the Department of Cardio Thoracic Surgery, Bombay Hospital, and is widely known for his expertise in bypass surgery. He is credited with designing surgical instrument, adopting the innovative technique of total arterial revascularization and performing over 5,000 cases using the technique since 1998. The award, constituted by Padma Vibhushan B K Goyal in 1971, is considered one of the most coveted awards. The Dhanvantari Medical Foundation gives away the award. Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is the patron of the foundation, also attended the event. IRIM, as an unbiased third party, evaluated and rated each company on its unique green manufacturing barometer. This rating was achieved through a structured assessment of the manufacturing facility on 15 indicators of IRIM's Green Manufacturing framework which are building blocks behind the calculation of this index. The assessment was customized to each facility, by assigning unique weightage to each of these indicators based on organization's priorities to become more sustainable. IRIM has conducted this programme for the second time in India. Compared to the previous program, there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of participating companies. About International Research Institute for Manufacturing: The International Research Institute for Manufacturing (IRIM), is a professional body involved in supporting the manufacturing industry in various parts of the world through research, consulting and training services. IRIM is considered as the most preferred partner by renowned manufacturing organizations, when it comes to deploying the right manufacturing strategy, and it seeks to be agents of positive change. For more information, please visit: http://www.Irimglobal.Com Media Contact: Vikram Siva Vikram.Siva@irimglobal.Com +91-44-32903209 Head of Operations International Research Institute for Manufacturing Pvt Ltd Photo: http://photos.Prnewswire. Taking the first step towards gradually reverting to its original role of undertaking counter-terror operations, the NSG has pulled out over 600 commandos from its VVIP security unit and used them for the first time during the recent Pathankot attack. The plan has been in the making since the last two years and the terrorist attack on the forward IAF base in Pathankot became the first operation where these black cat commandos made their assault. According to the new blueprint being worked upon by the elite force, two teams out of the total three of the 11th Special Rangers Group (SRG), stand withdrawn from VVIP security duties and have been tasked to undertake counter-terror operations along with and in assistance of the primary strike units-- the Special Action Group (SAG). Security Guard (NSG) commando teams are raised under five primary units, two SAGs manned by officers and jawans from the Army and three SRGs comprising personnel from paramilitary forces. While each of the two SAGs (51 and 52) are tasked with counter-terror, counter-hijack and hostage rescue operations, the SRGs (11, 12 and 13) were used to render logistical support to the SAGs during such operations and have been primarily deployed for guarding high-risk VVIPs for many years now. Each SRG has three teams, with over 300 commandos each, and the estimated strength of an entire unit is about 1,000 personnel. Officials said the Pathankot operation was the first time that the unit was inducted into a full-scale anti-terror operation and select commandos were deployed to undertake door-to-door sanitisation of numerous buildings at the Indian Air Force station that was attacked in the wee hours of January 2. NSG commanders said the force, which was raised in 1984 for exclusive counter-terror operations but later entrusted with VVIP security duties, has the least number of 15 such protectees under its cover and, after its request to not burden it further in this regard, the government has not given it any additional responsibility in this domain for over two years now. While one team of the 11th SRG and two units (12 and 13) are still tasked with the security of high-risk dignitaries, commanders of the special federal contingency force foresee a time when even these units will be gradually pulled out of VVIP protection duties. "Not in the very near future but NSG is on it way to go back to its original charter of being a specialist counter-terror and an exclusive commando force. The last team of the said SRG will also be pulled out sooner than later and prepared for terrorist combat roles," they said. They said the results of the first experiment at Pathankot have been satisfactory even as these units have been subjected to rigours undertaken by the strike units comprising personnel drawn from the army, with each of its commandos undertaking precision firing, unarmed combat and special tactics course every day of the year. The plan was mooted in 2012 when NSG commanders, keeping in mind the evolving terrorist attacks scenario across the globe, visualised an event where simultaneous assaults could be launched by them at multiple centres in the country and hence a good number of combat-ready commandos will have to be rushed in different directions. While the 2008 Mumbai terror attack involved about 400 commandos over a period of three days, over 300 NSG men were deployed for the Pathankot operation that was officially called off in five days. In what has come as a help, the government has also not given any additional duty in the VVIP security domain and assigned that task to central paramilitary forces like CRPF, CISF and ITBP. The force's charter states that the primary role of NSG is "to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions and the state police and other central police forces cannot cope up with the situation. "The NSG is a force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore to be used only in exceptional situations. The force is not designed to undertake the functions of state police forces or other paramilitary forces of the Union of India," it says. The force is modelled on the pattern of foreign special forces like SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany but has now included the best practises of a few other such elite forces over the years. With the symbolic handshakes and unity photo-op, President Barack Obama's high-profile summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California this week aims to step up pressure against China's increasingly worrisome behaviour in disputed waters. Forging a common front and encouraging bolder rhetoric against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, however, will be a challenge among the diverse collection of VIP guests, who did not criticise China by name in past joint summit statements as the disputes flared on and off in recent years. Decisions by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the bloc they lead, can easily be stalled. ASEAN includes governments aligned either with Washington or Beijing. Only four of its 10 member states are locked in the disputes with China and Taiwan, leading to sometimes conflicting views on handling the long-simmering rifts. The regional bloc decides by consensus, meaning just one member can effectively shoot down any statement detrimental to China. In recent years, summit statements have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and called for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed territories, but they have rarely gone to specifics. "I think it will be hard for the US to convince the 10 ASEAN states to adopt any language on the South China Sea disputes that go beyond what ASEAN statements have said in the past," said Dr. Malcolm Cook of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. With Obama in his last year in office, certain ASEAN member states would probably not concede on any security or economic issue that might antagonize China, an economic lifeline to them, Cook said. A Southeast Asian diplomat told The Associated Press that government envoys in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, where the ASEAN secretariat is located, have been negotiating the text of a possible joint statement to be issued by Obama and his Southeast Asian counterparts at the end of the two-day summit, which opens Monday at the sprawling Sunnylands estate. There have been initial differences among the governments on the wordings of the statement, said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss details of the negotiations with reporters. Vietnam and the Philippines, whose disputes with China have intensified in recent years, prefer a more detailed reference to the territorial disputes, including mention of international arbitration as an option to resolve the conflicts. Cambodia and Laos, which have close ties with China, have asked the reference to arbitration to be deleted, the diplomat said. In 2012, Cambodia refused to mention discussions in an ASEAN foreign ministerial summit statement about a shoal disputed by China and the Philippines. An ensuing argument caused the summit to end without a joint statement for the first time since the bloc was founded in 1967. While the statement can be restrained, the diplomat said any leader can speak freely at the informal talks in Sunnylands. Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin have held frank talks on the Syrian crisis with the US President pressing his Russian counterpart to play a "constructive role" and stop Russia's air campaign against the war-torn country's moderate opposition. Amid US' concern over Turkish shelling of Kurdish targets in northern Syria days before a ceasefire deal is due to take hold, Obama called Putin to discuss the current situation in the war-torn country and the steps that the two countries can take to resolve issues. Obama emphasised the importance of Russia playing a "constructive role" by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria, the White House said. The two leaders discussed the decisions and agreements made at the February 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG). During the phone call yesterday, Obama stressed the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria and initiating a nationwide cessation of hostilities. The leaders agreed that the United States and Russia will remain in communication on the important work of the ISSG, the White House said. Both sides "gave a positive evaluation" of the results of talks in Munich last week, according to a Kremlin statement. The statement termed the discussions as "frank and business-like". Putin reiterated that a united anti-terrorist coalition was needed in Syria. Russia has led an aerial campaign to support the regime's ground operation since September. The leaders "agreed to activate cooperation via diplomatic agencies and other structures with the goal of implementing the declaration reached in Munich" on Friday, the statement said. Turkey shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day today. The bombings complicated the situation in the area where Russian-backed Syrian government forces are also on the march. Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir today said Russia's efforts to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will not succeed in keeping him in power. The US has also pressed Turkey to halt military strikes on Kurdish and Syrian regime targets in the northern province of Aleppo. Turkey is also weighing a joint ground assault with Saudi troops. According to the White House, Obama also urged combined Russian-separatist forces to fulfil their Minsk obligations, especially adhering to the ceasefire and ensuring that the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has full access to all areas of eastern Ukraine, including the international border. "The President reiterated the importance of quickly reaching agreement on the modalities for elections in eastern Ukraine that comply with OSCE standards," the White House said. The NDA, which is observing a Shahabad bandh to protest against the recent killing of BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha, today submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and sought his intervention in checking alleged spurt in the state's crime graph. "We met the governor today and apprised him of the lawlessness prevailing in the state and urged him to intervene and direct the Chief Minister and Director General of Police to take appropriate steps to ensure proper law and order situation and a terror-free atmosphere," BJP state chief Mangal Pandey told reporters. Miscreants had on Friday shot dead Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha between Sonvarsha and Parsaura village in Bhojpur district. Pandey said the delegation comprising prominent NDA leaders - Mangal Pandey, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Prem Kumar, Ashwini Choubey, and Sanjay Mayukh - requested the governor to apprise the President and the Centre of the law and order situation in the state. In its 17-point memorandum, the NDA has enumerated the major incidents of crime in recent months, including the killings of NDA leaders like BJP V-P Visheshwar Ojha, BJP leader Kedar Singh, and LJP leader Brijnathi Singh. It also raised the issue of alleged rise in incidents of kidnappings for ransom, extortion. The issue of alleged involvement of grand alliance's legislators in cases relating to rape, eve teasing, killings of engineers and traders in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna and alleged intimidation by the Patna IG to media persons were also raised. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "The IG is intimidating journalists openly. He is working as agent of grand alliance led by JD(U)." BJP has given a call for 'Shahabad bandh' today to protest against the killing of the party leader and "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. Shahabad region comprises four districts - Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, and Buxar. (Reopen Ces6) Buxar Lok Sabha MP Ashwini Kumar Choubey announced that he would observe a day long fast to protest against the killing of its party leader. "Entire Shahabad has witnessed a complete bandh today. We demand a CBI probe into killing of Visheshwar Ojha," Choubey said. Shahabad bandh was, by and large, peaceful except for few incidents of road blockades in the region and protesters also stopped Patna-Kurla express train in Ara for around 30 minutes besides goods train for around 30 minutes in Sasaram. The protesters also blocked Ara-Buxar road for few hours while such incidents of road blockade at Bhabhua, Mohania, Ramgarh have also been reported. Later police cleared the blockade. Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, weighing in on the existing gender gap behind the camera in Hollywood, says old white male filmmakers show no interest in the stories of "their mothers, wives." The 66-year-old actress was asked at the Berlin Film Festival whether women were getting more directing gigs in Hollywood. "Yes, it's moving in a very positive direction," she replied. The veteran star said Hollywood is giving female directors more opportunities to tell their own stories but the green light is coming from younger decision-makers, not grey-faced studio executives, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We need 40- to 50 year-old white males to be interested in the stories of their wives and their mothers. They (older men) don't feel invested in that journey. Younger men do, and that's good," she said. The actress added "you have to make noise" to get more women into decision-making leadership, in an echo of the current debate around more diversity in Hollywood boardrooms. Streep also talked about her long and legendary Hollywood career during her Berlin master class, as she revealed her favourite director was Mike Nichols. Each time they worked together on projects like "Silkwood", "Angels in America" and "Postcards From the Edge", Nichols would quiz her on how she felt about other directors she has worked with. "It's like being asked about the other boyfriends you've had. 'Does he do it better than me,' is what I heard from him," Streep recounted. She said her long and varied career as an actress was down to not worrying about her physical and sexual appeal as she got older. "You cannot have a long career and play as many characters as I have and maintain your magazine cover vanity," Streep said to applause. "You can't. It's anarchic. Pakistan's Senate will discuss a controversial clause in the landmark Hindu Marriage Bill that calls for annulment of a marriage if any of the spouses converts to another religion, after unanimously passing the law recently. TheNational Assembly committeeon law and justicelast week approved the draft law on Hindu marriages, paving the way for registering marriages in the minuscule religious minority of Pakistan following decades of delay and inaction. Chairperson of standing committee on law and justice Senator Nasreen Jalil has calleda meeting of the committee this week to take up the matter. The Hindu Marriage Bill clause 12(iii) says, a marriage will be annulled if any of the spouses converts to another religion. Jalil said some opposed the clause others supported it. There needs to be a consensus among the committee members. "If there is a consensus on deletion of the clause the committee will forward its recommendations to the speaker of National Assembly," Dawn Newspaper quoted her as saying. On the other hand, National Assembly standing committee has witnessed serious opposition to the deletion of the clause by Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, the JUI-F parliamentarian and chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). PPP'sShugufta Jumani and Ali Mohammad of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said if any of the spouses converted to Islam, the marriage should be terminated. PPP Senator Taj Haider said "I do not understand how the marriage will be annulled if any of the partners converts to Islam. The clause will also discourage cross-marriages". RulingPML-N member Ramesh Kumar Vankwani who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said the matter is related to the basic human rights of Pakistani Hindus. "There are fears the clause would be misused for forced conversions of married women the same way young girls are being subjected to forced conversions," he said. He also referred to the current practice by elements who kidnapped teenage girls and eventually presented them in courts along with a certificate that the girl had married after converting to Islam. REOPENS FGN 14 Civil society activist Kishan Sharma said this clause was added by the CII as it was not a part of the original draft. "The key concern is that only one option of dissolution of marriage has been included in the law and that too where the partners might be willing to live together despite different faiths," he said. He said Pakistani society is opening up with growing urbanisation and modernisation and more and more people are not living in communities nowadays, adding asthe societies change, attitudes of individuals also change and "even now we see youth belonging to Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities deciding their fates to live together". But stopping this change through laws will only add to discontent and frustration in society, he said. Five Hindu assembly members were specially invited to the deliberations of the Standing Committee on law and justice before approvals of the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015. Thecommittee adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fix the minimum age of the marrying male and female at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole country, instead of just the federal territory. Vankwani had been pushing for approving the bill but members of other parliamentary parties who claim to be more liberal persisted with their objections. Vankwani said open- mindedness was wanting in the society. "If Hindu boys and girls elsewhere can marry into other religions why cannot this be a reality here?" he asked. A female Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli policeman but was shot dead in the attempt in the West Bank city of Hebron, police said, in today's third deadly incident. They said the attacker, whose age was not immediately known, drew a knife on a border police officer at a checkpoint and the officer, who was unharmed, shot her dead. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement that the incident took place near the shared religious site known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. The site sees frequent friction between the sides. A 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead in a stabbing attempt yesterday. The latest incident, which followed bloodshed earlier today in Jenin and southeast of Jerusalem, came as US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power visited Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks with leaders from both sides aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Since the current round of bloodshed erupted at the beginning of October, 171 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. Most were carrying out attacks but others died during clashes and demonstrations. The violence has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis, as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. Two Palestinians opened fire on Israeli police just outside Jerusalem's old city walls before being shot dead by officers, according to police. "Two terrorists were shot and killed, both of whom fired at security forces," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told an AFP reporter at the scene yesterday, on the border of east and west Jerusalem. Paramount Pictures has acquired US distribution to George Clooney's black comedy "Suburbicon", starring Matt Damon, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Julianne Moore. The film is expected to begin shooting this October in Los Angeles, reported Variety. The announcement was made at the Berlin film Festival. The project came together on Feb 1 when Teddy Schwartzman of Black Bear Pictures announced he would finance. Joel and Ethan Coen have written the script for "Suburbicon", which is currently in pre-production. Joel Silver will produce under his Silver Pictures banner alongside Clooney and Grant Heslov under their Smokehouse Pictures label, and Teddy Schwarzman for Black Bear Pictures. Clooney will direct. The movie will be set in the quiet family town of "Suburbicon", where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Clooney's directing credits include "Monuments Men", "Leatherheads", "The Ides of March", "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "Good Night and Good Luck". Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) employees today called off their six-day long strike following assurance by the civic body administration to look into their demands. "The strike has ended following talks. They would join duty from tomorrow," PMC Commissioner Jai Singh told PTI. "The Corporation has agreed to meet their two major demands, which are, increasing daily wage as per PMC's financial capacity to pay, besides implementing life-long family pension after getting the state government's nod," he said. Neeraj Kumar Verma, General Secretary of PMC Employees Union said, "We will return to work from tomorrow. The Corporation has agreed to increase daily wage and the issue of life-long family pension would be put up before PMC board for approval so that it can be sent to the government." Around 3,500 employees of Patna Municipal Corporation went on a symbolic strike for three days since February 9 but when their demands were not met, they were on an indefinite stir from February 12 that caused piling of heaps of garbage on streets of the city. Earlier, Verma had said that talks with Singh was not fruitful over not agreeing to increase wage of daily workers to Rs 306 a day from the current amount of Rs 250, equivalent to the amount given to daily wagers in water board. Centuries-old Patna Collectorate buildings, parts of which are said to be original Dutch structures in the city, are facing the wrecking ball again, but heritage body INTACH has opposed the Bihar government's move to replace them with a high-rise complex. Located on the banks of Ganga and spread over nearly 12 acres in the heart of the city, the Collectorate, containing remnants of Dutch-era architecture to which the British later added on to from 1850s onwards, has been perhaps among the most neglected buildings. "The government has decided to dismantle the old Collectorate buildings and replace them with a new, state-of-the-art high-rise complex. The main new collectorate building will be five-storied. We are currently considering the design for the complex and once it is finalised, the tendering process will begin," Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Aggarwal told PTI. He said a New Delhi-based architecture consultancy firm is doing the designs. A team from the company, along with Aggarwal and Patna Division Commissioner Anand Kishor also inspected the site last week. Incidentally, the Collectorate had faced demolition threat in 2011 also, but after facing protests from some quarters, including employees of the District Board Patna who took the matter to the court, the dismantling decision was stalled. New Delhi-based Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which had opposed the dismantling last time, is up in arms again against the government's move, saying "demolishing it would amount to demolishing the modern history of the city." "The Collectorate buildings should be preserved as an important signpost of time. It has iconic high ceilings and thick walls and beautiful hanging skylights, emblematic of a part of the architectural history of the city, which must be preserved for posterity," INTACH's Patna Chapter Convener and architect J K Lall said. "The historic Patna College, founded in 1863, began its glorious journey from this very building and the Collectorate anyway is part of the collective consciousness of generations of people here, who have used its famous Collectorate Ghat, especially during Chhath. How can one even think of destroying something of such great historical and architectural value," he said. INTACH's Architectural Division head Divay Gupta, expressing surprise over the move, said, "The building has been listed in a couple of government publications as a heritage building and celebrated as an architectural icon by various historians and architects in their works. We had opposed the move in 2011 and we will write to the Bihar government again and also to the chief minister, and urge them to restore it and preserve it as Patna's heritage. District magistrate Aggarwal has claimed that the buildings are "not in good condition and maintain it is a very costly affair. Also, the Building Construction Department has declared them as condemned. We want to give people a new state-of the-art building complex. Meanwhile, we will operate from Hindi Bhawan as the main makeshift Collectorate campus and few other places in the city". Noted historian Narayani Gupta countering the argument says, "If something is old, it needs to be maintained. The place can be restored to its original glory and the office can move back in or complementary structures can be added around the old buildings. But, why always rush to dismantle." Among the oldest structures of the Collectorate include the Revenue Record Room with its Doric-column facade and the old district engineer's office, said to be remnants of the buildings built by the Dutch over 200 years ago. On its west is the iconic District Board Patna (DBP) building constructed in 1938, which is endowed with a beautiful conference room with high ceiling and flat Corinthian columns on its inside and charming ventilators. The Oscar-winning film "Gandhi" starring Ben Kingsley was short partly at the Record Room, which was dressed up as a Motihari Jail, where the characters of Gandhi and C F Andrews are seen interacting in the biopic. Devendra Kumar, an employee of the DBP, who was nine years old when the film was being shot in the 80s says, "I saw the British director (Richard Attenborough) and his team when they were shooting here. "The District Magistrate office was also used for the court and corridor scene. I don't understand this demolition move. The government should preserve these buildings and use them to attract tourists." Incidentally, the Collectorate featured as one of the heritage buildings of the city in Bihar government's Art and Culture Department publication, "Patna: A Monumental History" published a few years ago. "The government first calls it a heritage building and then instead of maintaining it, decides to dismantle it. Isn't it a joke," Lall said. INTACH's Divay says the Collectorate buildings also form part of a World Bank-funded report on the assessment of riverfront heritage in Patna, from the Collectorate to the iconic Qila House, a few years ago. "The problem is the government never bothered to notify these buildings and the heritage listing in a publication thus remain an innocuous identification of such buildings without any provision for protection," he said. Conservation Architect and faculty at NIT-Patna, Kamini Sinha said, "Why can't these buildings be restored and reused as it is being done in developed countries. We want to ape their mall culture but not the heritage preservation." Aggarwal, when asked about the design said, "Initially the plan was a modern-looking structure but now we have planned to go for heritage-design architecture, but it is yet to be finalised. A person impersonating as Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) constable was apprehended at Old Delhi station by an alert RPF Sub-Inspector. According to a Northern Railway official, a person named Deepak in RPSF uniform was found engaged in ticket checking of passengers in the main hall of Old Delhi station by RPF SI Ravit Kumar Sharma on February 12. During the questioning, the impostor claimed himself to be a constable of RPSF 12th battalion and produced an 'identity card', which on minute checking was found to be fake. The 12th Battalion was also contacted to cross check the facts. After detailed verification, the impostor was handed over to GRP and FIR was filed under various sections of Indian Penal Code against him, the official said. "Please do not call my son a terrorist," says JNUSU President Kanhaiya's mother as she breaks down while watching the flashes on TV at a neighbour's house in Bihar's Begusarai district. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one," his mother Meena Devi told PTI over the phone. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread- winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiya's father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. "My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad university. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics," he said. "Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult 'Mother India'," he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union polls with 1,029 votes to become its president - the first from the All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiya's arrest has been politicised, Prince said, "It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national. This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, it's bigger than him." Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The JNUSU president, who has been popular among students right from the day of the presidential debate held before JNUSU elections, had asserted a day before his arrest that he did not need a "certificate of patriotism from RSS". Kanhaiya studied in R K C High School in Bihar's Barauni area before joining College of Commerce in Patna in 2004. After completing his graduation from Nalanda Open University, Kumar moved to Delhi and subsequently joined JNU for his M.Phil in 2011. He is now a third year Ph.D student in the School of International Studies. As part of its efforts to make the works of B R Ambedkar, architect of the Constitution, accessible to masses, the Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment has created a web portal which will have the complete works of Ambedkar. The portal www.DrAmbedkarwritings.Gov.In., which will have collected works of Ambedkar in English and Marathi, along with the translation of his works in nine other languages including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam, Bengali, Gujarati and Odiya is likely to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The portal will be launched in March. It is a part of the programmes and activities organised by the Centre to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary year of the Dalit icon. This is a first attempt to put all the works of Dr Ambedkar online," said a senior Ministry official. "The possibility of the Prime Minister delivering the Dr Ambedkar Memorial Lecture is also being examined," he added. Government is also planning to organise events at Ambedkar's house in London where a memorial was inaugurated by Modi during his UK visit last November. The Ministry has also written to B R Ambedkar's grandson, Prakash Ambedkar and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking permission for re-publication of the writings and speeches of the Dalit icon. The Centre is commemorating Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary year as a part of which it wants to publish the Collected Works of Bhimrao Ambedkar (CWBA) so his message and ideology can be disseminated far and wide. A National Committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constituted for overseeing the birth anniversary celebrations. The government has also instructed all ministries as well as missions abroad to organise activities in order to promote the ideology of Ambedkar. Greek riot police fired tear gas today at demonstrators protesting against the development of a centre to house migrants on the tourist island of Kos, media reports said. About 2,000 people joined a rally against the so-called "hotspot" being built on the Aegean island despite the opposition of local residents and the mayor, fearful of the effect on the vital tourism industry. Local media said police fired tear gas to disperse several dozen protesters who tried to break in to the construction site about 10 kilometres from the port of Kos. The island's deputy mayor David Gerasklis said there were about 2,000 demonstrators in all, about double the number who turned out for a similar rally at the port on Wednesday. Greece has pledged to build five "hotspots" to house and process migrants on the islands of Kos as well as Chios, Leros, Lesbos and Samos. Situated just a few kilometres from the Turkish coast, the scenic tourist idylls have become the gateway to Europe for tens of thousands of people fleeing war and poverty in hope of a better life. EU member states last week gave Brussels a three-month deadline to remedy "deficiencies" in controlling the influx of migrants, or effectively face suspension from the 28-nation bloc's passport-free Schengen zone. A police officer was killed while responding to a domestic dispute in the Canadian province of Quebec by a suspected gunman who likely committed suicide, authorities have said. The incident happened in the aboriginal community of Lac Simon in the west of the largely French-speaking province. Two officers were responding to a call about a dispute at a home late Saturday, when one of them was fatally wounded by at least one shot fired in their direction, Sergeant Benoit Coutu of Quebec's provincial police told AFP. The suspected shooter was later found dead in the home, after "in all likelihood turning the gun on himself," Coutu said. Last month, a shooting in the small aboriginal community of La Loche in the western province of Saskatchewan left four people dead. The 17-year-old shooter went on a rampage at the local high school, killing two teachers. Two teenage brothers were also killed at their nearby home. Pope Francis challenged Mexico's political and ecclesial elites to provide their people with security, justice and courageous pastoral care to confront the drug-inspired violence and corruption that are wracking the country, delivering a tough-love message to Mexico's ruling classes on his first full day in the country. The raucous welcome Francis received from an estimated 1 million cheering Mexicans who lined his motorcade route seven-deep contrasted sharply with his pointed criticism of how church and state leaders here have often failed their people, especially the poorest and most marginalized. "Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development," he told government authorities at the presidential palace. In a subsequent hard-hitting speech to his own bishops, Francis challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexico's wealthy and powerful to courageously denounce the "insidious threat" posed by the drug trade and not hide behind their own privilege and careers. He told them to be true pastors, close to their people, and to develop a coherent plan to help Mexicans "finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened." The speech was met with tepid applause, with only a handful of bishops standing in ovation. Francis' entire five-day trip to Mexico is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the church's shortcomings and the government's failure to solve entrenched social ills that plague many parts of the country poverty, rampant drug-inspired gangland killings, extortion, disappearances of women, crooked cops and failed public services. Caught off guard by the Khagragarh blast and Malda violence incidents, West Bengal Intelligence Bureau is going for a complete makeover in the next few months with a separate directorate, own recruitment, new offices in districts, subject specialists and language experts. "The matter has been cleared and there will be complete overhaul and revamp of the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB). The entire process will be completed in next few months. The State IB will be headed by a official with a rank of director. Apart from deputation from state police, it will have its own recruitment,"a senior official of the state home department told PTI on the condition of anonymity. "In last few incidents such as Khagragarh explosion on October 2, 2014 and the Kaliachak vandalism on January 3, 2016, one of the main lacunae that had come up is the lack of proper intelligence gathering,"said a senior official of state Intelligence Bureau, who did not wish to be named. In a departure from the British-era system, the State IB will have its own recruitment drive to attract youths apart from deputation from the state police services. "In the central intelligence bureau apart from the deputation from the police forces, they also have their own recruitment of intelligence officers in middle and lower ranks. But we didn't have this option. We had to take people from state police on deputation, which most of the state police personnel at lower levels are not willing to do as they are more comfortable in police station postings," said the senior official of the state Home department. The official cited that in central agencies such as Intelligence Bureau and CBI, being a separate, cadre promotion and perks depend on performance and seniority. "So if you have a new cadre where we independently recruit, then the personnel recruited will work whole heartedly as they know this is the organisation where they have to stay," the official argued. The blast at Khagragarh on October 2, 2014, left two suspected militants dead. The probe led to the busting of a terror module of Bangladeshi militant group Jamaat-ul- Mujahideen Bangladesh. Violence erupted in Malda's Kaliachak last month where a rampaging crowd attacked a police station and torched several vehicles. The state IB official pointed out that there is an urgent need to expedite the human intelligence gathering mechanism in districts, especially bordering districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas. "At present, State IB personnel in districts are controlled by district police superintendent under the District Intelligence Bureau (DIB). "But after this new system comes into being, districts will have separate IBoffices under the supervision of a senior state IB officer," the home department official said. The state government is already planning to come up with a new Intelligence office in Malda near Kalichowk, the area where violence broke out on Januray 3. Under the new system, language and subject specialists will also be recruited. "We will also recruit language specialists, especially in Chinese and Urdu languages. We will also recruit Bangladesh specialists," said the official. According to senior officials of state home department, the new system of the state IB will work in close coordination with the state police and central agencies. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has submitted a Rs 9,000-crore proposal to the Centre for construction of a road tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir that will connect strategically important Gurez town along the Line of Control to the rest of the Valley throughout the year. "We have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for construction of an 18-kilometre tunnel at Razdhan pass to connect Gurez with rest of the Valley through out the year," Chief Engineer BRO Brigadier A K Das told PTI. If approved, it will be longest road tunnel in the country and almost double the size of the present record holder Chenani-Nashri tunnel (9.2 km) -- also in Jammu and Kashmir, which is expected to be completed later this year. Gurez, a picturesque valley in Bandipora district, is located along LoC and remains cut off from rest of Kashmir during winter months due to heavy snowfall. It is one of the many strategic areas of Kashmir -- in terms of defence as well as energy security -- as work is in progress on the Kishenganga Hydro Electric Project there. Gurez has also been used as an infiltration route by militants coming from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Das said a feasibility study has already been conducted for the tunnel and, if constructed, it will be of huge help not only to defence forces but also the civilian population of the area. "It will improve connectivity leading to development of the area." The BRO official said the organisation has also submitted proposal for three more strategically important tunnels to be constructed in the Valley. "These include a 6.5-kilometre tunnel at Sadhna that will improve the connectivity with the Tangdhar area (along the LoC) in Kupwara district, another at Furkian (Keran Sector) and a 3.5-km tunnel at Zamindar Gali (Macchil Sector)," he said. Brig Das said feasibility studies will be conducted on these three projects after the approval from the Union Ministry. Tangdhar, Keran and Macchil areas of Kupwara district fall along the Line of Control and also remain cut off from from rest of the state due to heavy snowfall during winter. Hit hard by mounting bad loans, many leading public sector banks, including Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and IDBI Bank, reported their highest ever quarterly losses aggregating to over Rs 12,000 crore, while others like SBI and PNB witnessed sharp erosion in profits. Bank of Baroda reported a whopping loss of Rs 3,342 crore, the highest ever quarterly loss posted by any public sector bank in the industry. IDBI Bank recorded a loss of Rs 2,184 crore, while Bank of India posted a Rs 1,505 crore loss for the quarter ended December. Besides, UCO Bank reported a net loss of Rs 1,497 crore, followed by Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 1,425 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 837 crore) and Dena Bank (Rs 663 crore). Banks which posted sub-Rs 500 crore loss were Kolkata-based Allahabad Bank (Rs 486 crore), Oriental Bank of Commerce (Rs 425 crore), Corporation Bank (Rs 383 crore) and Syndicate Bank (Rs 120 crore). These 11 public sector banks (PSBs) together posted a net loss of Rs 12,867 crore during the quarter. Led by SBI, many leading public sector banks reported sharp decline in their net profit. Country's largest lender SBI's net profit plummeted by 61.6 per cent to Rs 1,115.34 crore for the third quarter as compared to Rs 2,910.06 crore in same period a year ago. A higher provisioning for bad assets and contingencies dragged down PNB's net profit by 93 per cent to Rs 51 crore, while Canara Bank's profit eroded by 87 per cent to Rs 84.9 crore. However, few bright spot among these banks were Bank of Maharashtra and Vijaya Bank, which reported rise in net profit in the quarter. Pune-based Bank of Maharashtra witnessed a 55.6 per cent jump in net profit at Rs 89.06 crore while Vijaya Bank reported a 40.6 per cent increase to Rs 52.61 crore. In order to improve financial health of PSU banks, the government is considering more steps to empower them to recover bad loans. "The bankruptcy law is under active consideration. The government is also considering some further steps to empower banks to be in a position to recover these monies (non- performing assets). I think it's a problem which will soon come under control," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said. Observing that there is a problem of NPAs, he had said, "These are the loans which were earlier given by these banks and as a part of prudent policy, it has been considered the balancesheets should be transparent. The banks are going to take all steps possible to recover the loans from debtors." Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan also had assured that there will not be a repeat of the asset quality review (AQR) that has shaved off banks' bottomlines and consequently battered banking stocks. "We do not envisage a sequence of AQRs," Rajan had said. Using a medical jargon to impress the need for such a review, Rajan said a "deep surgery" is needed to clean up the balance sheets and the process of recognising the NPA is akin to an "anesthetic" needed for the procedure. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Barack Obama held frank talks on Syria amid US concern over Turkish shelling of Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria days before a ceasefire deal is due to take hold. Putin took the call from Obama and both sides "gave a positive evaluation" of the results of talks in Munich last week, according to a Kremlin statement, which called the exchange "frank and business-like". The Russian leader reiterated that a united anti-terrorist coalition was needed in Syria, where Moscow has led an aerial campaign to support the regime's ground operation since September. The leaders "agreed to activate cooperation via diplomatic agencies and other structures with the goal of implementing the declaration reached in Munich" on Friday, the statement said. ALSO READ: Russian PM warns of world war in Syrian conflict Moscow this week warned against any ground intervention in Syria, as Ankara mulls a ground assault with Saudi troops while shelling positions of the Syrian regime and Kurds, whom Moscow supports. In an interview to Euronews today, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is the only legitimate force in the country and his ousting would result in "chaos." "You can like that or not, but he's the president in power," he said, according to remarks dubbed into English. "If we pull him out from this structure, there will be chaos - like we've seen more than once in many Middle Eastern countries. Condemning raising of anti- national slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Union Minister Kalraj Mishra today said Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi should take a stand against them. "Centre will take stern legal action against those involved anti-national activities. Rahul Gandhi should stand against those raising anti-national slogans," Mishra told reporters. Mishra, who represents Deoria in the Lok Sabha, spoke about the work done in the constituency. He said financial help of Rs 2.6 crore was given for treatment of poor patients and to ensure LPG connection to 25 thousand families on priority. He said under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme Rs 93 crore has been sanctioned for Kushinagar and Rs 103 crore for Deoria district. "It will help in providing electricity to a majority of villages in these districts," he added. The railways today said it was in talks with Maharashtra government over land allocation for the proposed Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train terminal at Bandra Kurla Complex. The land where railways had proposed the station is the same place where the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to develop the International Financial Centre. The state government had earlier ruled out providing land in the plush commercial district of BKC for the proposed terminal and asked the railways to use its own property for the work. "Discussions are going on with the Maharashtra government and nothing has been finalised on the same. The proposed terminal will be an underground station, three levels below the ground level and the above space is available for the centre," Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal told reporters at the ongoing Make in India Week here. "We are in talks with them (Maharashtra government) and they have not completely refused (our proposal)," he said. He said having an underground train station will increase the valuation of that land and the proposed centre. Expecting green signal for the land acquisition to be completed by late next year or early 2018, the Railway Board chairman said the project will be completed in five years from date of its commencement. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to fund nearly 81 per cent of the total Rs 98,000 crore for the 508km-long Ahmedabad Mumbai high speed rail corridor. JICA has also agreed to provide the loan on long term basis for a term of 50 years and moratorium of 15 years at a rate of 0.1 per cent. "Japanese technology will be used and there will be less than 30 per cent of components from Japan if at all sourced will be manufactured in India. Today there was a first joint monitoring group meeting to discuss on the time-lines and modalities related to the project," Mittal said. The railways has undertaken the project of setting up manufacturing facilities for diesel locomotive and electric locomotives. Indian railways awarded contracts to GE and Alstom to set up diesel and electric locomotive factories in Bihar. "The total initiative cost is Rs 40,000 crore for both the projects. The Indian railways will provide an equity contribution of Rs 100 crore each for both the projects," Mittal said, adding that the railways wanted to set up more such units. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said coordination among judiciary, legislature, executive and media was needed for good governance and social security. She said this while speaking on Criminal Justice Delivery System and Role of Trial at the concluding ceremony of judges' training after inaugurating Rajasthan State Judicial Academy building. Raje suggested that the judicial academy needed to be linked with the police and administrative academies for a comprehensive training programme through exchange of ideas. "This will help in better understanding of each other's functioning and increased coordination which would result in reinforcing the hypothesis of welfare state," she said. Noting that technology can play a vital role in ensuring speedy justice, the Chief Minister said, "Video conferencing is a strong means of addressing the delay. It can save time, energy and the resources." Speaking about "Nyay Apke Dwar" initiative, Raje said like Lok Adalats, this has contributed immensely in deciding about 70,000 pending revenue cases in the state in just two months. Later, appreciating the support of the legislature, Rajasthan High Court's Acting Chief Justice Ajeet Singh, who is also the Patron in Chief of the academy said, "We have been getting support of the state government in addressing the infrastructural and routine requirements, which would help in courts functioning more efficiently. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh unleashed a political storm on Sunday with a claim that an event at Jawaharlal Nehru University to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received support from Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed. Opposition parties demanded that the home minister provide proof to back his claim. In a shot in the arm for the students demanding the release of its students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was slapped with sedition charge, teachers associations of 40 central universities extended support to the protest by the students and teachers of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) JNUs teachers association also criticised the administration for mishandling the issue, particularly for allowing police action before completion of a probe by the universitys proctorial committee in connection with the event. The teachers are backing the students. Amid the protests in JNU, Rajnath said, The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand. "What has happened is very unfortunate," Singh told reporters in Allahabad referring to an event at JNU campus to commemorate the third death anniversary of Afzal Guru. Singh's comments about Hafiz's links with the event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a very serious charge to level against students and that evidence must be shared with all. Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the home minister has to share the evidence he has with the country to back up his serious allegation. CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Singhs comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to him. Throwing its weight behind the students and teachers of JNU, President of Federation of Central University Teachers Association Nandita Narain said teachers' associations of 40 central universities including of Hyderabad University have extended support to agitation by JNU students and teaching community. Seven of eight JNU students who were debarred from academic activities earlier this week in connection with the Afzal Guru event have been asked to appear before a high level committe of the varsity probing the matter. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on social media, purportedly showing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. However ABVP rubbished the allegations, saying it was a morphed video. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Home Minister has made a serious charge and he should produce evidence. Police has formed a team to trace 13 students allegedly involved in anti-India sloganeering at the event on February 9. DCP South Delhi, Prem Nath, has also written a letter to the top brass favouring transfer of the case to Delhi Police's Special Cell. While the students have called for a strike from tomorrow till Kanhaiya is released, the teachers' association said it is yet to take a call on the issue. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. A shocked mother of Kanhaiya, who hails from Begusarai in Bihar, said "Please do not call my son a terrorist. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one." Meena Devi, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, said she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. JNU vice chancellor Jagdish Kumar appealed to the students and teachers to let the law take its course and maintain a conducive environment in the university. The JNU row yesterday turned into an ideological battle between the BJP and its Left opponents, with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi lending them support and comparing the Modi government with Hitler's regime. The arrrest of Kumar, a leader of CPI-affiliated student outfit, set the two sides on the warpath, with the government declaring that the varsity cannot be allowed to be a "hub of anti-national" activities. "The event which took place could be in bad taste but was not seditious. Whatever opposition the students have is against the present government, not against the Constitution. This kind of police action on students on pretext of security is uncalled for," Narain said. A protest was also held at Jantar Mantar where people from various spheres expressed solidarity with JNU students. At the JNU campus, families of JNU staff, also joined the teachers and students in forming a human chain. PM meets Shah Top BJP leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met on Sunday at Modis residence to take stock of the situation. Party sources insisted that the meeting had no direct correlation with the JNU row and covered a wide spectrum of issues, including upcoming state assembly elections and the Budget session of Parliament. Top Republican presidential aspirants have agreed that defeating ISIS is one of the top priority for the US even as they sharply differed on the process to combat the terror outfit. Frontrunner Donald Trump favoured America partnering with Russia to defeat ISIS, while Jeb Bush said a Sunni-led coalition along with special US forces would accomplish the job, and Ted Cruz did not rule out sending troops on the ground along with massive air power to defeat ISIS. "We are going to have to hit very, very hard to knock out ISIS," Trump said participating in the Republican presidential debate in this city in South Carolina, where Indian-American Nikki Haley is the Governor. He said he would do this with Russia. "This is the problem," Bush, the former Florida Governor said as he opposed the idea of partnering with Russia to defeat ISIS. "Russia is not taking out ISIS. They're attacking the team that we've been training and the team that we've been supporting. It is absolutely ludicrous to suggest that Russia could be a positive partner in this," he said, claiming that he has the right policy to defeat ISIS. "I would immediately create a policy of containment as it relates to Iran's ambitions, and to make it make clear that we are not going to allow for Iran to do what it's doing, which is to move towards a nuclear weapon," Bush said. "We need to create a coalition, Sunni-led coalition on the ground with our special operators to destroy ISIS, and bring about stability," said the former Florida Governor who is hoping to be the third from the Bush family to be elected as the US president this fall. Cruz said there needs to be a focussed objective and a commander-in-chief, when it comes to defeating ISIS. "We need overwhelming air power, we need to arm the Kurds who can be our boots on the ground, and if ground troops are necessary than we should employ them, but it shouldn't be politicians demonstrating political toughness. It should be military expert judgement carrying out the objectives set out by the commander-in-chief," Cruz said. Senator Marco Rubio identified the threat posed by North Korea in the Asia-Pacific region as among the top threats to national security, followed by the growing threat of ISIS. He said: "Violent extremists are operating or active in 40 countries. Some 80 countries are in different degrees of instability. And so, that's just the crises overseas." Former Ohio Governor John Kasich differed with Trump on seeking Russian help to defeat ISIS. "We have to make it clear to Russia what we expect. We don't have to declare an enemy, rattle a sword or threaten, but we need to make it clear what we expect. Number one is we will arm the folks in Ukraine who are fighting for their freedom. They deserve it. There will be no ifs, ands or buts about it," he asserted. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today requested Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for restoration of the special category status to the state and raise central assistance for it in the coming Union Budget. In a letter to Jaitley, Gogoi pleaded for restoration of the centrally-sponsored schemes and releasing of pending Central Sales Tax compensation due to the state. He also urged Jaitley to earmark appropriate budget provision to enable the state get royalty on crude oil, VAT and other taxes on the actual market price and not on the basis of heavily discounted sale price. Besides restoration of the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy 2007, Gogoi urged him to incorporate a special package for promotion and development of the MSME sector. The Chief Minister requested the Union Finance Minister for a special package for the flood victims and embankment protection works. He also sought special packages for development councils and for development of areas adjoining Assam-Nagaland border. Gogoi also requested Jaitley for special packages for protection of one-horned rhinos, for establishment of skill development centres in all the 219 development blocks and special assistance for modernisation and upgradation of state police. Amid the ongoing JNU controversy, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today rapped politicians and intellectuals for supporting "elements" propagating anti-India sentiments, saying freedom of expression is not absolute and unqualified. In a Facebook post, Rijiju said he was "deeply hurt" by the anti-India slogans raised by some students at Jawaharlal Nehru University recently at an event against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. "Freedom of Expression is not absolute and unqualified. It can't be at the expense of national interest... It is a tragedy for India that we have some politicians and intellectuals who are supporting such elements," he said. Rijiju said a "true Indian" will be proud to be at Attari Indo-Pak border or any other border post and see how the country's soldiers give their today for "our tomorrow". "The souls of our martyrs in the heaven must be crying for they gave their lives for such people," he said. The Union Minister of State for Home also advised "such people" to stay in border states like Arunachal Pradesh and learn patriotism from villagers. US Ambassador to India Richard Verma today described the controversial sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan as "part of a legacy announcement", saying America expects Islamabad to do 'much more' on eliminating terror safe havens there. "It's part of a bit of a legacy announcement that is made several years ago. There are technical processes like the Congressional ratification," Verma said during an interaction at the CNN Asia Business Forum organised as part of the ongoing 'Make in India Week' here. "Our policy in Pakistan is to support the moderate elements, to support democracy. "There is a big counter-terrorism insurgency component as well. Over the years our assistance to Pakistan has been a mix of both civilian and military equipment," he said. Verma's comments came a day after the Obama administration notified the US Congress of its decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth nearly USD 700 million. Reacting strongly India yesterday summoned Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over the Obama administration's decision to sell F-16 jets to Pakistan. "It will surprise people that two-thirds of our aid to Pakistan is civilian aid...For energy, education, infrastructure and public development," he added. "There are also dangerous groups operating in Pakistan and military tools are required. It is part and parcel of why this sale went through, to tackle...That kind of terrorism and insurgency capability", the Envoy said. The US envoy said Pakistan needs to act against terror groups on it's soil. "More action needs to be taken by Pakistan on terror groups. Safe havens need to be eliminated," he added. Meanwhile, lauding the Narendra Modi government, Verma said there has been 'substantial progress' in India in the last two years. According to him, among the challenges before India were those of rapid urbanisation and that of tackling climate change. George Yeo of Kerry Logistics Networks expressed optimism that any future India-China conflict will not go out of control. "There may be scars of the 1962 war (with China) on Indian psyche but in China it is almost forgotten," Yeo said. Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkish airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, a senior Saudi defence official has said. "The Saudi kingdom now has a presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey," brigadier general Ahmed al-Assiri was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya television late yesterday. "Saudi warplanes are present with their crews to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia," Assiri said, without providing further details. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against IS in Syria. Riyadh and Ankara are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would "amount to aggression that must be resisted". Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of US-led anti-IS coalition members, who decided step up their fight against the jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi had made its decision in coordination with the coalition and said that a ground operation was being planned. "There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the kingdom is committed to that," Assiri said. "Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalise the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country." Turkey yesterday hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 since it began in 2011. Saudi Arabia intercepted a Scud missile fired towards the kingdom by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the insurgents has said. The official Saudi SPA agency said the missile was destroyed by the kingdom's air defences at around 2145 (local time) yesterday, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) from its border with Yemen. Yemen's Shiite Huthi rebels meanwhile said in a statement on their sabanews.Net website that the missile targeted the Abha Regional Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. The missile "precisely hit its target," it said. Yesterday's incident is the third time Saudi Arabia says it has shot down a Scud fired from Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition said that a Saudi Patriot missile had downed a Scud fired from the rebel-held Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Riyadh has deployed Patriots designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, which have been fired occasionally since March when the coalition began air strikes in support of the Yemeni government after Huthi rebels seized Sanaa and advanced towards second city Aden. In April last year the Saudi defence ministry said coalition strikes had removed threats to the kingdom's security "by destroying heavy weaponry and ballistic missiles" seized by the Yemeni rebels. Vehicle-borne Scud ballistic missiles have a much longer range and more powerful warhead than the rockets and mortar bombs which have struck the kingdom's southern border regions, killing about 90 civilians and soldiers since the coalition intervention began. The United Nations says more than 6,100 people in Yemen have been killed in the conflict since March, about half of them civilians. The issue of implementation of 2012 UGC regulations by varsities for promoting equity and SC and ST grievance redressal will be in focus at a conference of Vice Chancellors called by HRD Ministry on February 18, during which recent developments in JNU campus may also figure. The VCs meeting was announced after the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad central university triggered a debate on issues related to problems faced by students of disadvantaged sections. HRD ministry has queried varsities on implementation of 2012 UGC regulations, including creating equal opportunity cells and appointing anti-discrimination officers. Sources told PTI that the conference would be held in Surajkund, Faridabad and in the run up to it ministry has asked VCs of Central Universities regarding the status of implementation of the Promotion of Equity in Higher education regulations as well as Grievance Redressal regulations, both issued in 2012. "In its letter, the ministry has sought to details like whether equal opportunity cells have been created in Universities and whether anti discrimination officers have been appointed under the promotion of equity regulations," a senior official said. In addition, the HRD ministry has also asked if these Universities have appointed an Ombudsman, sources said. The ministry has also asked Universities if they have taken any other steps for promotion of equity and strengthening of SC and ST students grievance redressal system or any other measures. It is learnt that there will be a special session on issues faced by SC, ST and OBC students by former UGC chief Professor Sukhdeo Thorat and another one on prevention of sexual harassment by NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumarmangalam. There could also be deliberations on the recent incidents in JNU, which has been rocked by protests after police acted against students following an event against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The government has drawn flak over the arrest of JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, a leader of CPI-affiliated student outfit who has been slapped with sedition charges. An official source said that while these developments are presently not part of the agenda, but since overall aspects and issues related to youth would be discussed, there could be deliberations. Congress leader Beni Prasad Verma today said the arrest of JNUSU president on sedition charges without investigation was "wrong". Verma, the former steel minister, said that raising anti-India slogans during the programme at JNU was "not right" but the manner in which the students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested was also "wrong". "Kumar was arrested on serious allegations like sedition without investigation, which was wrong," he said. Appreciating the budget presented by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, he said that special focus has been given on cane price dues, pension and development of backward areas. On a question regarding leadership in Congress, he said that the party would win 2019 Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Vice-President Rahul Gandhi. Separatist groups, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference, today called for a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow to protest the killing of two youths in firing allegedly by security forces in Pulwama. Condemning the killing of two civilians, including a girl, hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani called for a statewide shutdown tomorrow, a spokesman of the Hurriyat said. Geelani termed the killings as "cold-blooded murder and the worst kind of state terrorism of India in Jammu and Kashmir", he said. The moderate factionof Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also called for a statewide shutdown, terming the killings as "inhumane and immoral". Mirwaiz appealed to people to observe a complete strike against the killings. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik also called for a strike against the "brutal killings" and condemned the "silence" of international community, civil society and human rights organizations on the "unprovoked" killing of innocent people. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz has been put under house arrest, his Media Advisor Shahid-ul-Islam told PTI. A large contingent of police reached his residence in Nigeen here and placed him under house arrest, Islam said. Danish and Shahista were killed and three others injured allegedly in firing by security forces on protesters today after an encounter in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Shouting slogans against Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, VHP members threw stones at a parking lot of a luxury hotel here early today damaging his car in continuing protests against the shooting of his upcoming film "Raees" in Gujarat over his earlier remarks on "intolerance". The film's crew members are staying in the hotel but the 50-year-old actor was not there at the time of the incident as he arrived here only this afternoon. After an FIR for rioting and damaging property was filed in this regard in the evening, at least seven persons, claimed to be associated with the right-wing organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), were detained, police said. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) B U Jadeja, 8 to 10 persons threw stones in the open parking lot of Hyatt Regency Hotel on Ashram Road, where Shahrukh's vehicle was parked, this morning and fled from the spot. "As per the complaint lodged by the Security Officer of the hotel, 8 to 10 persons came on bikes and threw stones on cars parked in the open parking lot early this morning. Due to the stone pelting, windscreen of Shahrukh Khan's car got damaged," said Jadeja. "We have learnt that Shahrukh Khan was not there in the hotel when incident took place. Some of his crew members, who have come here for shooting, were staying in the hotel. Shahrukh landed in the city this afternoon for the shoot," he added. The shooting is taking place in Bhuj. Meanwhile, a video showing unidentified persons throwing stones inside the hotel also surfaced on social media platforms. In the video, they can be seen shouting slogans against Shahrukh and fleeing on bikes after throwing stones. Gujarat unit of VHP claimed responsibility for the incident. The outfit's State spokesperson Raju Patel said the detained persons are associated with VHP and threw stones on Shahrukh's car as part of their ongoing protests against the actor. Around 20-30 VHP activists had last week handed over a memorandum to Bhuj district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film. They protested outside the district Collector's office pressing for the same demand and shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters. In November last year, Shahrukh sparked a debate when he said during an interview that there was "extreme intolerance" in India. However, the actor retracted his statements just a few days later, claiming his comments were "misconstrued". (REOPENS DEL53) As per the complaint filed by the hotel's Security Officer Hitendrasinh Gadhvi, the group was led by one Nilesh Arya and the damaged car had registration number GJ1-TC-A-821. Upon receiving the complaint, Vadaj Police lodged an FIR for rioting and damaging property against Arya and others. According to Vadaj Police Inspector V G Rathod, seven persons have been detained so far. "A case of rioting has been registered against these persons. We are yet to find out their association with VHP or any other organisation. Till now, we have detained seven of them, including Arya. We will arrest them after preliminary questioning," said Rathod. "Nilesh Arya and others named in the FIR are associated with VHP. We have been protesting against Shahrukh's remark that India has become intolerant. Our workers wanted to give a strong message to him for his remark about India," VHP's state spokesperson Raju Patel said. The "Chak De! India" star is facing facing protests by VHP ever since he came to Gujarat early this month to shoot for his upcoming film 'Raees'. Today, "King Khan" shot some scenes at famous Sarkhej Roza, a mosque and tomb complex. Over a century-old Darul Musannefin Shibli Academy has refused to accept a grant of Rs 5 lakh from Uttar Pradesh government, terming it as an "insult" to the Islamic insitution, located in SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's constituency Azamgarh. "We had given a proposal of Rs 22 crore for the academy on being asked by the government, but only Rs 5 lakh were given. The amount is inadequate as nothing can be done in it and it's insulting too for us. "The Academy administration is astonished and upset with the buget provisions," its Director Ishtiyaq Zilli told PTI over phone from Azamgarh. "We will not accept the amount. We are surviving for past 101 years without government help and will do so in future too," he added. Stating that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru and other luminaries were associated with Academy in the past, Zilli underlined that the academy played a distinguished role in freedom movement. The Academy completed 100 years in November 2014 and marked it with three-day long events, inaugurated by Vice -President of India Hamid Ansari and attended by scholars from several countries. Mortal remains of Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed of Andhra Pradesh, who was among the 10 Army personnel killed in Siachen avalanche earlier this month, would be flown here tomorrow. The remains will reach the old airport area of Begumpet here. His mortal remains will be brought to the city at around 14.00 hrs by a Special IAF aircraft from New Delhi, a Defence release said. "Homage will be paid to the brave soldier. Senior Army and Civil Officers, and civil dignitaries will pay homage to the Late Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed by laying wreath with military honour," it said. After the wreath laying ceremony, the mortal remains will be flown to Nandayal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh by IAF Helicopter from where his mortal remains will be taken to his native place (of village Parnapalle) by road for final rites. Full Military honour will be accorded at Nandyal and at his native place before burial, it added. Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed was among those, who got buried under an avalanche that hit their high altitude military post on Siachen Glacier on February 3. With an aim to create public awareness on the activities of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and ISRO, a permanent space gallery is being established at the Indian Institure of Management (Kozhikode). "India in Space", a joint venture of VSSC and IIM-K, will be inaugurated by VSSC Director Dr K Sivan and Prof Kulbhusan Balooni, Director(In-Charge)of IIM-K on February 16, ISRO, Thiruvananthapuram said in a press release here today. VSSC has established similar galleries in institutions across thestate and also one in Chennai. Scaled down models of the launch vehicles and satellites will beon display at the pavilion spread in an area of 1,000 sq ft. The pavilion will be open to students and public throughout the year, the release said. A 69-year-old Spanish civil servant who skipped work for six years and went unnoticed has been fined 27,000 euros after his long absence came to light just when he was about to be awarded for his long service. Joaquin Garcia dodged work by taking advantage of a mix up between his bosses at a water company and was due to collect his long-service medal when he was finally caught and inquiries found the true extent of his contribution to the local authority. "We thought the water company was supervising him but that was not the case. We found out when we were about to present him with a commemorative plaque for 20 years of service," said Jorge Blas Fernandez, who had hired Garcia and was Cadiz city's deputy mayor from 1995 to 2015. A court has fined Garcia 27,000 euros (21,000 pounds), the equivalent after tax of one year of his annual salary after finding the engineer had not occupied his office for "at least six years" and had done "absolutely no work" between 2007 and 2010, the year before he retired. "He was still on the payroll. I thought, where is this man? Is he still there? Has he retired? Has he died?," Fernandez was quoted as saying by 'The Guardain'. "I asked him: what are you doing? What did you do yesterday? And the previous month? He could not answer," said Fernandez who was told by a former manager of the water board, who had office opposite Garcia's, that he had not seen his employee for several years. Garcia, however, told the court that he had turned up to the office but there was actually no work to carry out and faced bulling for his family's political leanings. When asked why he did not report the situation, Garcia said he had a family to support and feared it would be difficult to find another job. Garcia, who was not fired from the post because he had already retired, read extensively during that time and became an expert of philosophy on the works of Spinoza, the Dutch philosopher credited with laying the foundations of the Enlightenment. Veteran Bollywood writer and costume designer Shama Zaidi has claimed that Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg's science-fiction "E T the xtra-Terrestrial" was based on a script written by highly acclaimed Indian director, Satyajit Ray. Zaidi worked with Ray in the 1977 National award-winning film "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" as a costume designer. She also assisted him in research and translation of the dialogues in the film. Zaidi claimed that the "Pather Panchali" director had drawn a storyboard of a science fiction Hollywood film he wanted to make, which was ultimately used to make two movies. "ET was his (Ray's) script. He showed me the script. That and the other film where another person comes from outer space in a small town (referring to 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'). These two films were inspired by his drawings. That ET character, he showed me the drawing in the 70s but he had done it in 60s," Zaidi told PTI. Incidentally, Ray was supposed to direct a science-fiction film "The Alien" in the late 1960s which was eventually canceled. The script was loosely based on Bankubabur Bandhu, a Bengali science fiction story Ray had written in 1962. The plot revolved around a spaceship that lands in a pond in rural Bengal. The alien establishes contact with a young village boy through dreams and also plays a number of pranks on the village community in the course of its short stay on planet Earth. Zaidi said Ray's script about an affable alien befriending a human went from "studio to studio" in Hollywood but the film never got made. "It was being considered by Hollywood so the script went from studio to studio with his illustrations but they never gave it to him. But they used his ideas... If you see his drawings and some of the famous films about aliens from space, they are exactly like what he drew many years before the films released," she claimed. "ET", released in 1982, chronicled the story of Elliott (Thomas), a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed "E T", who is stranded on earth. He and his siblings help it return home while attempting to keep it hidden from their mother and the government. Spielberg's another sci-fi 1977 release "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", followed the story of a man in Indiana, whose life changes after an encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO). Zaidi, 77, said after the incident, Ray never tried to make a science fiction film again. "In India, even the small films he was making was difficult for him. Science fiction film needs a little bit more money to create all sorts of things." "Bankubabur Bandhu" was eventually adapted into a television film by Ray's son Sandip. Zaidi, who has mostly worked with award winning director like Shyam Benegal, Muzaffar Ali and MS Sathyu, feels young directors can attempt to make a compelling science-fiction movie if they let go off the tropes attached to a conventional Bollywood film. "The younger filmmakers can do it. But if you have to have a love interest, a song, then it's difficult to make a science fiction," she said. Zaidi has worked in acclaimed films like "Garam Hawa", "Umrao Jaan" and "Manthan" in various departments ranging from art direction to screenplay writing. She believes, when it comes to making off-beat cinema, many film school students, including the ones studying in FTII, are inclined to make documentaries. "There are a lot of students who are interested in making documentaries. I have lectured in FTII, and the faculty there are more towards fictional cinema... There are students who are very keen to make documentaries. Today one can make a name even as a documentary filmmaker, you don't have to have actors," she said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today claimed the state has "witnessed a steady decline in crime" and termed the alleged spurt in crime graph as a "perception created by the opposition". "Bihar has witnessed a steady decline in crime. Despite this, opposition is trying to create a perception through media and making statements that there is a spurt in crime," he said while addressing a state executive committee meeting of JD(U) here. Kumar said his government would continue to work for the people and no one will be allowed to take law in their hands. His statement assumes significance in the backdrop of the opposition's claim that there is complete lawlessness in Bihar and law and order situation needs to be improved to repose people's faith in governance. The Chief Minister announced that Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Act will be implemented from May 1 to help resolve people's complaints within a stipulated timeframe. Party workers and leaders need to take the works of the government to the people. Ban on country-made liquor, 35 per cent quota for women in government jobs, seven-point development programme etc should be highlighted, he said. Meanwhile, the NDA, which observed Shahabad bandh today to protest the killing of state BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha, submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and sought his intervention in checking 'spurt' in the state's crime graph. In the memorandum, the NDA listed major crime incidents in recent months, including killing of BJP's Visheshwar Ojha and Kedar Singh, and LJP leader Brijnathi Singh. The alleged involvement of ruling Grand Alliance legislators in cases relating to rape and eve teasing was also mentioned. Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi alleged MLAs of the ruling alliance are competing with each other in committing crime. JD(U) MLA Sarfaraz Alam "misbehaved" with a couple in a train, RJD legislator Raj Ballabh Yadav has been charged with raping a minor and a Congress MLA was accused of kidnapping a girl, he alleged. Modi demanded that the Nitish Kumar government bring these legislators to justice through speedy trial. It would not be a surprise if Patna DIG Shalin Kumar is transferred for issuing warrant against the RJD MLA as some other police officers were transferred overnight, he claimed. Sterlite Power today entered into partnership with Finland's unmanned aerial vehicles solutions provider Sharper Shape for inspection of power transmission projects. The partnership would help by eliminating manual inspections with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which offers timely information from remote places that are inaccessible through manual methods, thereby making operations more efficient, Sterlite Power said in a statement. The agreement was signed between Sterlite Power Grid Ventures Chairman Pravin Agarwal and Shaper Shape Chairman Samuel Salmenlinna in presence of Finland Prime Minister Juha Sipila at Make in India Week here. "I am happy to see Finnish technology being applied in the Indian market. This agreement is a good example of the business activity between Finland and India", Sipila said. Sterlite Grid's role would be to set up operations in India involving all customer-facing activities. The technology provider, Sharper Shape would offer software solutions, technical know-how. "India has a tremendous requirement to improve the construction-speed, and operating-efficiency of transmission systems. This partnership will play a critical role towards meeting that need," Agarwal said. Syria's government today condemned Turkey for two days of shelling targeting mainly Kurdish forces in the northern province of Aleppo and urged the United Nations to act, state media said. It also accused Turkey of allowing gunmen and weaponry to enter Syria from the Bab al-Salama crossing into Aleppo province, where government forces have recently launched a major campaign. "The foreign ministry strongly condemns the repeated Turkish crimes and attacks against the Syrian people and Syria's territorial integrity," state agency SANA reported. The ministry called on the UN Security Council to "put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime," SANA added. The ministry statement said that yesterday 12 pick-up trucks equipped with heavy machine guns and ammunition had crossed into Syria from Turkey via Bab al-Salama. They "were accompanied by around 100 gunmen, some of them Turkish forces and Turkish mercenaries," SANA quoted the ministry as saying. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor also reported the arrival of a convoy of fighters from Turkey via Bab al-Salama into Aleppo province yesterday. "Around 350 Islamist fighters from the Faylaq al-Sham faction crossed from Turkey and entered the towns of Azaz and Tal Rifaat," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. He said the convoy had originated in the town of Atmeh, in neighbouring rebel-held Idlib province, crossing from there into Turkey, before re-entering Syria through Bab al-Salama. The rebel reinforcements come as an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters push towards the rebel-held towns of Azaz and particularly Tal Rifaat, in northern Aleppo province. The alliance, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has also taken the Minnigh airbase from Islamist rebels, and is now battling them for control of Tal Rifaat. The advances have angered Turkey, which considers the Kurdish component of the SDF to be a branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. Washington, which has backed the SDF in fighting against the Islamic State group, has also urged the Kurds and their allies not to "take advantage of a confused situation by seizing new territory." The SDF advance comes in the wake of a major push by Syrian government forces backed by Russian air power in northern Aleppo province. That operation has left the rebel-held east of Aleppo city virtually encircled and prompted tens of thousands of civilians to flee northern Aleppo province. Tata Steel SEZ today said it plans to invest about Rs 2,000-2,500 crore for development of infrastructure at Gopalpur in Odisha in the near term. "We have already spent Rs 1,000 crore to set up a 55,000 TPA high carbon ferro chrome plant and development of infrastructure. Going forward we will invest Rs 2,000 -2,500 crore for the development of further infrastructure in the SEZ," Tata Steel Managing director T V Narendran told reporters on the sidelines of Make in India conference here. The SEZ, which is a 100% subsidiary of Tata Steel, has received clearance from Odisha government for setting up an industrial park. "We got nearly 3,000 acres of land and Tata Steel is already (an) investor in the said unit by setting up ferro chrome plant, which is expected to be commissioned in the near future," Narendran said. This is the first time that the Tata group is coming up with a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). UK-based Meggitt recently decided to produce defence vehicles at Gopalpur, Odisha. Defence equipment makers will also be a big focus for the SEZ, Arun Misra, Managing Director, Tata Steel Special Economic Zone, said adding that more in defence sector are expected to come following the government initiative to encourage manufacturing as part Make in India campaign. ALSO READ: Tata Steel to start production at Kalinganagar plant in FY17 The company is in discussions with investors in China and some South-East Asian countries have evinced interest in investing in the SEZ, Mishra added. According to him the industrial park will start putting up factory sheds in 3-4 months period and clearance for setting up unit will be given within 15 days period. The Gopalpur Industrial Park is being developed by Tata Steel to facilitate industrial development of the region and it will primarily attract investments in steel and allied downstream industries, engineering, chemicals and other emerging sectors, besides generating substantial employment opportunities. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has once again been questioned in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death and the special investigation team probing the high-profile case may summon him again, Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi said today. "I must say that I am sure that we are on the right track and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is doing a great job," Bassi said, adding that a number of reasons were responsible for the "slow" progress in the case. Tharoor, who is Lok Sabha member from Thiruvanathapuram, was questioned for nearly five hours by the SIT at the Anti-Auto Theft Squad office inside the premises of south Delhi's Vasant Vihar police station yesterday, a source said. He was subjected to three rounds of questioning around one year ago. On Tharoor's questioning, Bassi said, "Whatever clarifications were required to be obtained from Shashi Tharoor, those perhaps have been obtained." "If SIT thinks further clarification is required, it may summon Tharoor again," he said, adding that the police is trying to take the case to a logical conclusion as early as possible. The latest round of questioning was in light of the findings of the AIIMS Medical Board's opinion on the FBI report on Sunanda's viscera and other crucial evidence, which were sent to their laboratory in US, a police source said. He said the questions revolved around the source of drugs Alprax, which was found in Sunanda's stomach, and lodicaine, which is believed to have contributed to a poisoning leading to her death. However, Tharoor has so far maintained that there is no foul play in Sunanda's death. Meanwhile, the SIT has written a letter to the AIIMS medical board, seeking clarification on a few specific points in their findings. The board is expected to respond by Friday, the source added. Sunanda was found dead at a five-star hotel room in south Delhi on January 17, 2014, and around a year after that, a case of murder was registered with the police calling it a case of "unnatural death". In February 2015, the police sent her viscera samples and other evidence gathered from the hotel room to an FBI laboratory in US, which sent its report to Delhi Police in November last year. However, the report failed to clear the mystery surrounding Sunanda's death and it was forwarded to an AIIMS medical board for their opinion. The board was headed by Dr Sudhir Gupta, the chief of forensic science department of the institute, who claimed that the FBI report "endorsed" the report of Sunanda's autopsy which was conducted at AIIMS. Denmark today marked a year since a gunman killed a filmmaker and a Jewish security guard in twin attacks in Copenhagen, honouring the victims under tight security. Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen left flowers outside the cultural centre and the synagogue targeted on February 14, 2015 by Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane of Palestinian origin. "The Danes have shown that we insist on living our peaceful life," Rasmussen told journalists. "And that is perhaps the most important message we can send here today -- that we will never give in, we will never give up. "We're in a situation where there is still a serious terror threat against Denmark -- that is unchanged. But it is also a situation where we have acted... We have equipped our intelligence service, we have equipped our police." El-Hussein had opened fire with an automatic weapon at the cultural centre where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks -- reviled by Islamists for portraying the Prophet Mohammed as a dog in 2007 -- was attending a conference on freedom of expression. Danish filmmaker Finn Norgaard, 55, was killed and three policemen were wounded. After managing to escape, the assailant shot a 37-year-old Jewish security guard, Dan Uzan, in front of a synagogue, also wounding two police officers. El-Hussein, seemingly inspired by the attacks on French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, was killed a few hours later in a shootout with police in Copenhagen's immigrant-heavy Norrebro district. Later today, Rasmussen was set to attend an event at parliament organised by the Finn Norgaard Association, a charity for immigrant youngsters set up in the filmmaker's name. "What we want in the association is to ensure that something as insane as what took Finn away from us does not happen again," its founder Jesper Lynghus told AFP. After nightfall, the two victims will be commemorated with a chain of 1,800 candles lit on a 3.6 kilometre (2.2 mile) route between the two locations attacke, with a heavy police presence expected. Police turned out in force as cartoonist Vilks returned to Copenhagen on Saturday for another event on freedom of expression -- held inside parliament for security reasons. "It's a shame that you can't be anywhere else. We have to be in a 'fortress'," Vilks told AFP. Traditional homes made of locally sourced materials maybe more sustainable than modern houses built from industrial building materials that are often scarce and expensive, according to an Indian-origin scientist. Everyone wants a house to live in, and more and more, people around the world want the kinds of houses seen in Europe and North America, rather than those they grew up with, said Khanjan Mehta, assistant professor of engineering design, at Pennsylvania State University. "What makes a good house? Is it wood, steel, concrete or bamboo?" Mehta said. "It all depends on the context. In some places steel and concrete are perfect, while straw bales and bamboo are optimal in other places," Mehta said. "We should be evaluating what is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable at the necessary scale in a given location," he said. Mehta acknowledges that often, indigenous housing is temporary housing. Seasonally or yearly it needs to be repaired or replaced due to weather and use damage. However, switching to permanent concrete-block construction is not necessarily the answer. In many places in Africa and South East Asia, cement - the major component of concrete - is scarce and or expensive. "In Zambia, I was in a small village, and the concrete walls moved if someone leaned on them," Mehta said. He explained that if cement is expensive, workers will use the least amount of cement they can and instead add more easily accessible sand to the concrete. This mix, however, does not have the strength or longevity of properly mixed concrete. "In Western Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria, all the houses now have tin roofs. Ten years back, no one had a tin roof and now tin roofs are called by the name of the company that makes them," said Mehta. This branding reflects the fact that there is only one manufacturer of tin roofs, which creates a monopoly that could lead to price manipulation. According to Mehta, one project, a windmill farm, failed because of dependence on a single supplier of steel. The material became so expensive, the windmills could not be built. "What we need to find are materials that are economical, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable. The materials also need to be scalable," said Mehta. For example, one approach uses locally thrown pottery vessels as the layer between a subroof and the final roof. The pots are all uniform, easily manufactured and inexpensive. Their installation on the roof provides an air space as insulation so that other, more expensive, materials are not needed. "People see western stuff as better, more modern and therefore they think it is good. Traditional homes can be just as cool, and maybe more sustainable," said Mehta. A federal trial over a USD 100 million investors' lawsuit against Venezuela includes allegations of fraud, hints of an international criminal conspiracy, and references to diamonds, German junk bonds and a mysterious house fire in Switzerland. At issue in the 2004 complaint are three-decade old promissory notes issued by a now-defunct government-sponsored Venezuelan bank. Venezuela has confirmed the debts belonging to an agricultural development bank known as Bandagro are the government's obligations and must be paid, argue attorneys for Skye Ventures in Columbus, where the 2004 purchase of the notes happened. "This case is straightforward: It's about a bank's refusal to honor a debt," Charles Cooper, a Columbus attorney representing Skye Ventures, wrote in a January 27 court document summarizing investors' arguments. Lawyers for Venezuela say the notes are fakes with forged signatures and were never guaranteed by the government. "The evidence will show not only that the purported notes are fake, but also that the plaintiff seeks to capitalize on a long-running international fraud," Albert Lucas, a Columbus attorney representing Venezuela, said in a January 27 filing summarizing the Venezuelan government's case. The trial began last week before federal Judge Edmund Sargus and is expected to last four to six weeks. The legitimacy of the promissory notes is at the heart of the case, which includes more than 700 individual filings and thousands of pages of documents. Skye Ventures says it based its decision to purchase the notes on a 2003 opinion by the Venezuelan attorney general and a 2003 report by the country's Ministry of Finance that said the notes were valid and must be paid. Venezuela said that the opinion and report weren't binding and that Skye Ventures had every reason to know the notes were fraudulent. Venezuela says the fraud was perpetrated by "a notorious international criminal" who, before he died in a house fire in Switzerland, had previously been convicted of crimes related to fake Bandagro promissory notes. Lawyers for the country also deny claims by Skye Ventures that a group affiliated with that criminal purchased such bonds "in exchange for 'much more' than USD 250 million, supposedly comprised of an unspecified combination of diamonds, German junk bonds and cash." "This is a farce. It never happened," said attorneys for Venezuela. Turkey shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day today, drawing condemnation from the Syrian government, whose forces are advancing against insurgents in the same area under the cover of Russian airstrikes. Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said Turkish artillery units in the southern province of Kilis fired at Kurdish fighters in the Syrian town of Azaz in Aleppo province, saying it was in response to incoming Kurdish fire. Turkish troops have shelled areas under the control of Syria's main Kurdish faction, the People's Protection Units, known as YPG, in the past. But Ankara appears increasingly uneasy over the group's recent gains in northern Syria. "Turkey has responded in this manner in the past," said Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan. "What is different is not that Turkey has responded in such a way but the fact that there are different movements in the region. The YPG crossing west of the Euphrates is Turkey's red line." The YPG is the main fighting force of Syrian Kurds and a key ally of the U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State group. Turkey, which is also in the alliance, considers it an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against Ankara. A coalition of Kurdish-led Syrian fighters known as the Syrian Democratic Forces recently seized a number of villages near Turkey's border. Ankara appears concerned they could reach the opposition stronghold of Azaz, which is home to a major border crossing that has been controlled by militants since 2012. Akdogan says Kurdish gains in northern Syria facilitated by a Russian-backed government offensive in the same area are also putting "unacceptable" pressure on opposition-held areas in Aleppo and the nearby town of Tel Rifaat. The private Dogan agency broadcast footage of Turkish howitzers opening fire and shells raising plumes of smoke in Syria. It said the army hit targets in the Mannagh air base and two villages, all controlled by Syrian Kurdish fighters. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition group that monitors the conflict, said two fighters from the SDF a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters have been killed and seven others wounded in the shelling. There was no confirmation by the group, which is dominated by the YPG. Opposition groups said Saturday that Turkish troops fired artillery shells that targeted the Mannagh air base in Aleppo province, which was captured by Kurdish fighters and their allies earlier this week. Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, despite growing pressure on Ankara to stop the shelling. In telephone talks, Davutoglu told Merkel that Turkey "will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so," his office said in a statement. Turkish artillery struck at targets of the PYD and its People's Protection Units (YPG) militia on both days of the weekend, while insisting that it was returning fire under the rules of engagement. Davutoglu alleged to Merkel that the Syrian Kurdish forces, who Turkey accuses of being the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), had been advancing with Russian air support. Russia is the key ally of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Turkey wants to see ousted. He said the move by the Kurdish fighters was aimed at uprooting "hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians" from the border region and "creating a new humanitarian crisis" that would affect both Turkey and the European Union. "This is aimed not just at Turkey but also the European Union," he said, warning of a "new wave of hundreds of thousands of refugees". The EU and Turkey, which hosts over 2.5 million Syrian refugees, are already grappling with the crisis that saw around one million migrants cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the EU in 2015. France had earlier called for an "immediate halt" to Turkey's artillery bombardments while the US State Department had also urged Turkey to cease firing. Two Palestinian teenagers fired on Israeli soldiers before being shot dead in the northern occupied West Bank today, Israel's army said, the latest deaths in a months-long wave of unrest. An army statement said the pair attacked an Israeli patrol west of the city of Jenin with rocks before firing on soldiers with a rifle. "The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths," it said. The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked, both 15 years old. They were not thought to be closely related. Since the current round of bloodshed erupted at the beginning of October, 169 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. Most were carrying out attacks but others died during clashes and demonstrations. The violence has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis, as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. Long-term use of liraglutide - a drug used to lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients - may have a deteriorating effect on insulin-producing beta cells, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels, a new study has claimed. There is now compelling evidence that liraglutide therapy is efficacious at least in the short term, since it produces an initial reduction in blood sugar. However, many patients do not respond to the treatment and some even display adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Researchers from Karolinska Institute in Sweden and University of Miami in US conducted a study on mice implanted with human insulin-producing cells. Blood-sugar suppressors in the form of analogues of the incretin hormone GLP-1 are commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, since they stimulate the glucose response of the pancreatic beta cells to make them secrete more insulin. To study the long-term effects of incretin therapy, researchers worked with humanised mice, generated by transplanting human insulin-producing cells into the anterior chamber of the eye. The mice were given daily doses of liraglutide for more than 250 days, during which time the researchers were able to monitor how the pancreatic beta cells were affected. The results showed an initial improvement in the insulin-producing cells, followed by a gradual exhaustion, with reduced secretion of insulin as a response to glucose. This, they say, was unexpected. "Given the lack of clinical studies on the long-term effect of these drugs in diabetes patients, this is a very important discovery," said Midhat Abdulreda from University of Miami. "We also need to take these results into account before prescribing blood-sugar suppressing GLP-1 analogues when planning long-term treatment regimens for patients," said Per-Olof Berggren from Karolinska Institute. "Our study also shows in general how to carry out in vivo studies of the long-term effects of drugs on human insulin-producing cells, which should be extremely important to the drug industry," said Berggren. The findings were published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Security services in the UK are hot on the heels of a British Islamic State (ISIS) terror suspect in Turkey after he mistakenly disclosed his whereabouts by joining the Linkedin professional network. Rabah Tahari, 46, from Birmingham is believed to have recruited the so-called "Jihadi John" British Muslim terrorist as the leader of an extremist group linked to Al Qaeda. British and Turkish security services are concerned that Tahari has moved to Turkey where he gave away his location when he joined Linkedin recently. There are growing fears that Tahari, 46, who is the leader of a network of fighters, will make his way back to Europe to carry out terrorist attacks, reported 'The Sunday Telegraph'. It is estimated that up to 50 British terrorists are hiding out in Turkey, where they can plan terror attacks against the West safe from allied bombing. Tahari has taken part in key operations in Syria where he and his fighters were trained to use a range of weaponry. In November, the Turkish security services captured Aine Davis who was reported this week to be one of the so called "Beatles" who guarded foreign hostages who were later slaughtered by Mohammed Emwazi or Jihadi John. Davis is now in custody in Turkey where he is awaiting extradition to Britain. He was arrested alongside a number of other unnamed jihadists suspected of planning an attack to coincide with those that killed 129 people in Paris in November. Tahari's group, Kateeba al-Kawthar, comprises fighters from more than 20 nations all seeking to impose an Islamic state. Emwazi is thought to have followed other members of his Islamist network who left London in 2012 to join up with Tahari in Syria. He later left Tahari with a group of other extremists to join ISIS where he took part in the execution of British and American prisoners. In 2014 UK Home Office minister James Brokenshire said, "Kateeba al-Kawthar describes itself as a group of mujaheddin from more than 20 countries that seeks a just - as it perversely says - Islamic nation. It is an armed terrorist group fighting to establish an Islamic state in Syria." "Abu Musab, who is also known as Rabah Tahari, a western mujahed commander, is its leader. The group is believed to have attracted a number of western foreign fighters, and it has released YouTube footage that encourages travel to Syria and asks Muslims to support the fighters," James said. Quick-thinking by the crew of a US Air Force refueling plane has saved the life of a pilot and his expensive F-16 fighter jet over Islamic State territory, according to a media report. The F-16 had been trying to refuel in mid-air when the pilot discovered a malfunction with his fuel system, which meant he could only fly for 15 minutes - nowhere near enough to reach safety. Instead of leaving the pilot to fend for himself, the KC-135 Stratotanker tanker crew decided to diverge from its area of responsibility, and safely escorted the F-16 to its base while refueling every 15 minutes on the way to allied airspace, CNN reported. Without mid-air refuelling, the pilot faced the dangerous prospect of having to eject over Islamic State territory. US Air Force commander Lt Col Eric Hallberg said: "Over 80 per cent of his total fuel capability was trapped and unusable. "Knowing the risks to their own safety, they put the life of the F-16 pilot first and made what could've been an international tragedy a feel-good story," Hallberg said on the incident that happened last year. The jet first ran into trouble when it connected to the KC-135 but was forced to disconnect after taking on 500lbs of fuel - just a fifth of the 2,500lbs it should have had. After a second failed attempt to refuel, the pilot ran through a checklist and was able to tell the tanker crew about the fuel emergency. The Air Force did not say where the incident took place or which country the F-16 pilot was from. The tanker crew's actions may have saved the airman from a fate like that of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh, who was shown being burned alive in pictures and video by Islamic State extremists after he ejected and was captured. As of February 10, the US and its coalition partners have conducted a total of 10,242 strikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The US Senate's unanimous move to back a plan to rename a road in front of the Chinese embassy in Washington after a leading pro-democracy dissident provoked an angry reaction from a state-run Chinese newspaper today which termed it as "petty" and "rash". The US Senate had unanimously approved a bill to rename a the stretch of road in front of the Chinese embassy after Liu Xiaobo, who was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for subversion. The bill, passed on Friday, was put forward by Senator Ted Cruz, a leading contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. A similar bill was passed by the House of Representatives in June 2014. This would change the address of China's embassy in Washington from 3505 International Place to 1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza, embarrassing Beijing as every letter arriving at the beige-stoned compound would bear the name of the incarcerated Chinese dissident. Reacting to the Senate's move, Global Times, a state-run Chinese newspaper known for its nationalistic views, said, "The apparently provocative move intends to outrage and unsettle China. But this is no big deal. "In addition to anger, it will enable us to learn more about the US from another perspective: the US has big problems in abiding by the rules and keeping self-respect and its Congress acts so rashly," it said in an editorial. It noted that the US has been "at its wits' end in dealing with China as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire." "The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China. But these can help China better understand what vile characters it will meet during its rise and face whatever awkwardness comes by dealing with them," it said. The editorial attacked Liu, saying, "This latest move by Congress cannot change the fact that Liu jeopardised China's national security and was sentenced to jail. The rise of China is being confronted by external forces like the US. Whether Liu feels proud of such turbulent embraces from the West or not, he has become a tool of the West against China." "The latest Congress move to back Liu makes more explicit the logic between Liu's deeds and the rejuvenation of China," it said, adding that US senators and a few Chinese dissidents cannot throw dust in the eyes of Chinese. "They may have underestimated how discerning Chinese people can be," the editorial said while also noting that a White House spokesperson said senior advisers to US President Barack Obama would recommend that he veto the bill. Justice Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative voice on the US Supreme Court, has died at the age of 79, setting up a showdown over his succession in the run-up to the US election. His death after three decades on the Supreme Court bench, coming 11 months before a new American president takes office, could potentially tip the balance of the highest court in the land from its current 5-4 conservative majority to a liberal one. The flag outside the Supreme Court was lowered to half- staff in tribute to its longest-serving justice, who died in his sleep while on a hunting trip in Texas according to media reports. "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. "His passing is a great loss to the court and to the country he so loyally served." President Barack Obama was informed of Scalia's passing and extended his condolences to his family, the White House said. The Supreme Court's conservative majority had recently stalled key efforts by Obama's administration on climate change and immigration, and the future of the court is set to become a focus of the 2016 presidential campaign. With Scalia's death, all three branches of the US government are now in play come the November general election in which voters will pick a new president as well as new seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by a majority vote in the US Senate before they can be sworn into office. The process will be acrimonious at best, with Obama's Democratic administration facing a Republican-held Congress. The Senate Republican majority leader reacted swiftly by saying the vacancy left by Scalia's death should not be filled before the end of Obama's mandate. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," Mitch McConnell said in a statement. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." But McConnell's Democratic counterpart Harry Reid pressed for Obama to send a nominee to the Senate "right away." "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities," Reid said. Scalia was first appointed to the Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, making him the first Italian- American to serve there. Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia blames the downfall of Urdu in Bollywood to the trend of remaking South Indian movies, which began in 1980s. The "Paan Singh Tomar" director said 80s' was the era when cinema, in totality, suffered. "Usgae of Urdu has reduced in Bollywood. It actually started in 1980 when Hindi cinema actually faced the downfall," he said on the sidelines of Jashn-e-Rekhta 2016, a fest celebrating Urdu. "Theatre was dwindling, veteran musician like R D Burman had stopped composing and we were remaking South Indian films. People were going less to theatres...," the filmmaker added. Tigmanshu, who was addressing a session on "Urdu in Films Past and Presnt", said Hindi movies have completely taken a U-turn post 80s' and directors starting making films for NRI audience. "Post liberalisation, a new hero emerged -- Shah Rukh Khan. Market for Bombay-set films has increased. We started making films for NRI audience and thereby introduced more nuances of Gujarati and Punjabi. Suddenly our films have lost its culture. We started pleasing those characters, where there is no demarcation on social strata," he said. Also present for the discussion were director Imtiaz Ali and noted scriptwriter Javed Siddiqui. Ali, who chose the title of his last film "Tamasha" from one of the poems of Mirza Ghalib, said his addiction towards the language started since his childhood days. "I have grown up listening to Begum Akhtar. I used to find it boring in my younger days... And now, when I do something, I immediately go back to that phase. My work reflects the influences from Ghalib and Faiz. There are many things, which I try to hide but it automatically reflects," he said. Ali said whenever there is a need to express mushy emotions, Urdu is apt for it. "It's difficult to present sensitive feelings. I have noticed one thing, when there is a need to express soft feelings, Urdu naturally comes to a lyricist's mind. So, that's how Urdu becomes a powerful weapon to express such soft feelings." Siddiqui feels Urdu is evolving over the period of time and the language is also receptive towards the new vocabulary. "Many new words have been introduced to Urdu now and the new vocabulary has also been accepted by the language. These new words have also become an integral part. "Few days ago, I was writing a script for a film and I had to make my grandson sit next to me to know the kind of vocabulary these guys use. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said the crackdown on students at JNU and using Hafiz Saeed's name to justify it is a "new low" for the BJP-led NDA government and asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to share the evidence with people. "Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. #JNUCrackdown," Omar wrote on Twitter. He said the statement of Home Minister that Jamat-ud-Dawa founder Saeed supported the JNU protests was a very serious charge against the students and demanded that the Centre share the evidence with people. "That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," Omar said. "The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed," he said. He also took a dig at the silence of People's Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti with whom the BJP is in talks for formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir after her father and then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed passed away on January 7. "This is the same BJP that Mehbooba Mufti is negotiating with. No wonder she's completely silent & hasn't said a word about the #JNUCrackdown," Omar said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) will launch a phase-wise agitation throughout Jharkhand against the state government's alleged appeasement policy and anti-Hindu approach from tomorrow. As part of the agitation, VHP will take out a procession and burn the effigy of state government across the state on February 15, Arun Singh, President of East Singhbhum committee of VHP, said. Addressing a press conference here, Singh accused Jharkhand Government of adopting an anti-Hindu approach by "failing to protect" the interest of the Hindu community and their religious places, Hindu women continued to fall prey to love-jehad while cow-slaughtering taking place in the state. Over ten VHP activists and leaders were jailed after they were booked under false cases during the last one year while several activists of Hindu organizations were subjected to oppressive measures by the government, he alleged. Referring to the communal violence that had occurred at Mango in July last, the VHP leader said altogether eight cases were registered in connection with the violence. Of the eight cases, seven were registered against VHP and other Hindu organizations while only one case against those, who were responsible for the riots, he claimed. He alleged that even the president of VHP, Chakradharpur (West Singhbhum district), Sardar Jagjit Singh alias Jaggi and three others were falsely booked and sent to jail following communal tension in the first week of January last, he claimed. Singh expressed surprise over the arrest of Jaggi, who was not present when the brick-batting occurred between two community in Chakradharpur on January 4 last but was arrested and forwarded to jail, Singh lamented. When his attention was drawwn that Jharkhand government had already enacted a law against cow slaughtering in the state, VHP leader said the government has framed the law but did not implement it as yet, which was resulting in cow slaughtering and smuggling from the state to other places. "We have been protesting against the state government since January 1 and had even staged dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan in Ranchi on February 8 demanding immediate release of VHP leaders implicated in false cases and sent to jail as well as unconditional withdrawal of cases against them", he said. Vienna Tourist Board is expecting around 25 per cent increase in the number of visitors from India to over 50,000 this year as it undertakes various initiatives to woo travellers and position the Austrian capital as a preferred destination. Vienna had over 40,000 arrivals from India in 2015. "We are aiming for over 50,000 visitors from India to Vienna translating to around 1 lakh overnight stays in 2016," Vienna Tourist Board Media Management Team Manager Isabella Rauter told PTI. Last year, the figures of total overnight stays from India were at 89,628, she added. "India is one of the top 20 markets that we are actively focusing on," Rauter said. When asked about initiatives that the board is taking to attract Indian visitors, she said: "We are actively working with the travel trade here by organising workshops." The idea behind such workshops is to highlight the heritage, ambiance, culture, museums, culinary skills, vineyards and shopping experience to attract all segments of visitors, she added. "Our main focus is on families, young tourists, newly weds and honeymooners," Rauter said. When asked about the segment composition of the visitors from India, she added: "Leisure is the biggest segment constituting around 85 per cent of the total visitors while the around 15 per cent is business." To cater to the tourists, Vienna currently has about 64,000 hotel beds in all categories ranging from budget to five stars, Rauter said. Set up in 1955, Vienna Tourism Board is the official destination marketing agency for Vienna. A 22-year-old woman who had given birth to a child recently, was allegedly sexually assaulted in the ICU of a private hospital at Bahadurgarh in Haryana's Jhajjar district. Police has launched raids in Bahadurgarh and its neighbouring areas to nab the accused whose movements were captured on CCTV cameras installed at the hospital. The incident occurred early yesterday when the man walked inside the hospital and committed the crime, Jhajjar SP, Sumit Kumar said today. "The 22-year-old woman was assaulted by the man. The victim first thought a doctor was examining her and soon thereafter the accused walked out after committing the crime," Kumar said. He said the pictures of the accused had been captured by CCTV cameras as he is seen walking in the hospital's corridors and parking area. "According to the clues we have obtained from the footage, he had come in a Hyundai Elantra car. We are hopeful of arresting him soon," he said. The SP said that though their priority was to arrest the accused, action will be initiated against hospital staff and security as well if negligence on their part is found. "Of course, we are questioning the hospital authorities to establish how a man managed to walk inside the hospital ICU and commit the crime without anyone coming to know about it," he said. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said police had been directed to take swift action in the matter. "Stern action will be taken against the accused as per law," Vij said. Vij said the same man was stated to have visited another private hospital nearby some time after the first incident, where he had tried to repeat his action. "Police is already on the job and the accused will be nabbed soon," Vij said. Bahadurgarh DSP Ajit Singh said a case under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and other relevant provisions has been registered against the unidentified accused. "The woman thought a doctor had come to examine her. However, after realising that something was not right, she objected, after which the accused walked away," he said. Police said the accused was said to be wearing a 'white coat' resembling the attire worn by doctors. The victim had recently delivered a child through a caesarean operation and was admitted in the ICU at the private hospital in Jhajjar. Police said CCTV footage showed a man getting down from the Elantra car outside the hospital, at around 3.30 AM, and going straight to the ICU. He is also seen leaving the hospital. After the incident, the woman called a nurse to inform her husband who later lodged a complaint with police. LONDON (Reuters) - Investors are being tempted by the mineral riches of Iran, which has opened for business after the lifting of sanctions as part of a nuclear deal. The country has 68 different minerals with reserves totalling 43 billion tonnes worth an estimated $700 billion, according to Iran's state-owned mines and metal holding company IMIDRO. It has 7,000 mines, of which about 70 percent are operational, while mining sector employs more than 620,000 people. Below are details of Iran's main minerals, based on data from IMIDRO: * Iron ore - Iran produced 34 million tonnes of iron ore in 2014 and has 2.7 billion tonnes of reserves. The Gol Gohar and the Chadormalu mines account for the bulk of output. * Steel - Iran produced 14.9 million tonnes of crude steel in 2014 and aims to increase that to 52 million by 2025. * Gold - Iran has 250 tonnes (8.04 million ounces) of reserves. In 2014, Iran launched the Zarshuran plant, which it billed as the biggest gold processing operation in the Middle East. * Copper - Iran produced 194,000 tonnes of cathode copper in 2014 and aims to boost that to 800,000 tonnes by 2025. It has 2.6 billion tonnes of reserves. One of the major mines is the Sarcheshmeh complex in the southeast Kerman province. * Zinc - Iran has 11 million tonnes of reserves. The Mehdiabad project, with one of the world's biggest zinc deposits, has been under consideration since the 1990s. (Reporting by Eric Onstad; editing by David Stamp) By Tim Hepher and Siva Govindasamy SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Aerospace leaders gathering for this week's Singapore Airshow face conflicting pressures as they juggle growing concerns over jetliner demand while keeping record production plans on track. Worries about the effects of a faltering global economy and tensions in the South China Sea overshadow the two-yearly event in Singapore, which is both a major commercial travel hub and home to Southeast Asia's most potent and best-trained air force. For now, airline traffic continues to grow rapidly, spurred by continued growth in Asian household incomes, while airline profits also benefit from low oil prices. But as aerospace industry shares fall in step with tumbling global markets, analysts increasingly question the durability of an aerospace expansion cycle now in an unprecedented eighth year. After a lacklustre show in Dubai in November, the industry's expo bandwagon rolls into the crucial Southeast Asian region without the carnival atmosphere of previous years. "All the thoughts that this is no longer a cyclical industry have disappeared. We are due for a down-cycle," said aerospace consultant Jerrold Lundquist, managing director of The Lundquist Group."(But) I don't think there will be any impact in the next 18-24 months. It is when you get beyond 24 months that you might see some softening." Southeast Asia is one of the industry's major drivers and has placed record orders in recent years, leading to speculation of overcapacity. Some carriers, including Philippine Airlines, are expected to acquire new aircraft this week. But rather than counting up new orders, analysts say investors' main concern this week will be to check for signs of waning travel or jetliner demand and whether an overloaded supply chain is in danger of breaking as manufacturers work to turn a record backlog of orders into a smooth flow of deliveries. "We will be keeping a close eye on traffic this year to see if we can detect emerging signs of weakness," said Rob Morris, head of consultancy at UK-based Flightglobal Ascend. Doubts over economic conditions have not stopped Airbus and Boeing pursuing a battle of wits over new designs. Airbus, anxious to close the gap between its new 369-seat A350-1000 and the 406-seat Boeing 777X, is seeking an influential champion such as Singapore Airlines for a potential bigger version of its A350 series, industry sources said. Boeing has said it will decide soon on a potential new "mid-market" jet with about 240 seats to retrieve lost market share for relatively small jets - a project that could lead to a small twin-aisle jet with an unusual, oval-shaped cross-section. Industry experts will scour comments out of Singapore from both manufacturers for clues to what products they intend to launch ahead of July's premier aviation event at Farnborough, southwest of London, coinciding with Boeing's centenary. Defence remains at the forefront of the Singapore show, amid growing tensions over Chinese maritime and territorial claims that compete with those of several Southeast Asian nations. A number of regional states are looking into ways to beef up their fighter fleets and to boost their intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Intense competition to provide maritime surveillance equipment may also characterise the event, along with a significant presence of Western and Asian unmanned aircraft. At a pre-show gathering on Monday, airline executives will debate the economy, threats to airliner safety from drones, and efforts to cut jet emissions after the Paris climate summit. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Additional reporting by Anshuman Daga, Alwyn Scott; Editing by Eric Meijer) By Eric Onstad LONDON (Reuters) - Iran's rich deposits of zinc, copper, gold and other minerals are tempting international investors after the lifting of Western sanctions, but development of the sector will take time and problems will have to be overcome. A slump in metals prices and uncertainty about working with the Tehran government, which controls virtually all the country's mines, means that many foreign mining firms are not scrambling to sign deals. Nevertheless, some agreements have already been struck and other foreign firms have been looking at Iran's mining and metals sector in the weeks following the scrapping of sanctions as part of a nuclear deal, which went into force last month. Iran, which boasts one of the world's largest undeveloped zinc projects and myriad other mines, has been trying to lure investors since it became clear that sanctions would be lifted under last year's deal signed by Tehran and six world powers. Iran's state-owned mines and metal holding company IMIDRO told an Australian mining conference in November that its mining sector needed $20 billion of investment by 2025. "Iran absolutely has world class mining assets, which have hitherto been shrouded from investors, but we're in the depths of one of the darkest, worst downturns in mining for some time," said Neil Passmore, chief executive of Hannam & Partners boutique merchant bank in London. The slump in commodity prices has hit international mining firms, forcing them to sell assets, cut dividends and slash capital spending to preserve cash, but some deals with Iran are still being done. "During the six to 12 months that it's looked likely sanctions would be lifted, people have been starting to do some work and now that things have opened up, they're increasing the pace," Passmore added. In India, national aluminium company NALCO said last month it planned to send a team to Iran to explore setting up a smelter worth about $2 billion and state-run KIOCL is considering building an iron ore pellet complex. Other companies from Italy and China to South Korea have either signed deals or are looking into possibilities. FACTBOX-Iran's mineral wealth spans gold to zinc UNCERTAINTY But highlighting the uncertainty among potential investors, NALCO said it was also looking at Oman and Qatar as possible sites for its aluminium smelter. A spokesman for global miner Rio Tinto, which was previously involved in the Sara Gunay gold project in Iran, said there was no work being done by their exploration team regarding the country. Chief Executive Mark Bristow of Randgold Resources, which has experience of mining in risky areas of Africa, told the firm was not interested in Iran. Dealing with Iran, which is beset by political infighting between pragmatic and hardline factions, can be complex and time consuming. Foreign energy executives hoping to invest in oil and gas fields there complain Tehran has still not revealed contract terms, abruptly cancelling a conference due to be held this month when they had expected it to do so. Although minerals development may take years, Iran's bounty and low energy costs will eventually build it into a substantial player in the global metals industry, analysts say. Iran's Mehdiabad project is one of the world's largest zinc deposits, which was previously due to be developed by Australian's Union Resources, with annual output of 300,000 tonnes a year. Iran says it has 68 types of minerals, including iron ore, coal, gold and copper with total reserves of 43 billion tonnes. Besides growing as a producer, the country of 80 million people is also set to help boost global demand for metals since it is the biggest economy to rejoin the global trading system since Russia, following the breakup of the Soviet Union over two decades ago. "As they get more oil revenue, there's no reason why they shouldn't look to diversify the economy and drive metals exports," said Robin Bhar, head of metals research at Societe Generale in London. "It plays both ways, as they're welcomed back into the international fold, hopefully they'll also contribute to the demand side of the ledger, as they've got a young and rising population." (Reporting by Eric Onstad; editing by David Stamp) Thousands of people and lion mascots swarmed the weekend opening of a "Make in India" drive to attract foreign direct investment, pitched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "the biggest brand that India has ever created". The week-long event, the boldest since Modi launched the initiative to emulate China's export miracle back in 2014, got off to an inauspicious start when a huge fire engulfed the stage at a cultural event on Sunday. Nobody was hurt. Even as the hype scales new heights, some bosses questioned Modi's delivery on promises to make it easier to do business, while marketing experts cautioned against creating unrealistic expectations. "When you over-communicate and you under-deliver, the biggest risk is that you begin to lose trust," said Chandramouli Nilakantan, CEO of Blue Lotus Communications, a branding and public relations consultancy. On buzz alone, the effort got off to a great start, with the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland attending Saturday's gala opening hosted by Modi. On Sunday, delegates thronged the 10 pavilions erected for the event in Mumbai, India's financial capital. Around 2,500 foreign and 8,000 domestic companies were expected to attend, organisers said. Yet on the ground, the experience of businesses is more prosaic. Twenty months after Modi swept to power with a promise of growth and jobs for India's 1.3 billion people, executives say more needs to be done, including improving infrastructure. More pressingly, key legislation such as a goods and services tax and land acquisition bill are stuck in parliament, just as global competitors such as Vietnam step up their own reform efforts. " is a great initiative and has created a lot of positive sentiments," Vikas Agarwal, general manager of mobile phone maker OnePlus in India, told Reuters. "Now the government needs to follow up with policies. That includes providing custom duty and export incentives, tax rationalisation and removal of ambiguous land acquisition policies." MAJOR WINS has scored major wins, including a pledge by Taiwan's Foxconn to invest $5 billion in a new electronics manufacturing facility. That has helped foreign direct investment to nearly double to $59 billion last year, the seventh highest level in the world, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Yet in critical aspects, India remains far behind its goals. The proportion of manufacturing to gross domestic product has been stuck at around 17 percent for five years, below the government's goal to ramp it up to 25 percent, according to the Boston Consulting Group. India has only created 4 million manufacturing jobs since 2010, according to Boston Consulting. At the current rate, India may only create 8 million jobs by 2022, well below the government's goal of 100 million. Professor Ravi Aron, a U. S.-based expert in manufacturing, said India was ill-suited for a Chinese-style export boom, because it lacked the infrastructure and the skills for its exports to compete internationally. "It should not be called 'Make in India' but 'Make In Spite of India'," said Aron, of Johns Hopkins University, advising the Indian government to scale back its ambitions and focus on its growing domestic market. ($1 = 68.2750 rupees) By Sinead Cruise and Anjuli Davies LONDON (Reuters) - Dwindling job security, heavier workloads, regulatory upheaval and the poor public image of the banking sector are taking a toll on the mental health of Britain's bank workers. Eight years after the global financial crisis, stress in the industry has pushed up demand for insurance to protect revenues against the cost of paying staff too sick to work, insurance data show. "The problem has gone into a new stratosphere since the financial crisis ... Those who still have a job are vilified," said Jagdev Kenth, director of risk and regulatory strategy in the financial institutions group at Willis Towers Watson. "Most haven't had anything to do with the scandals. They're working longer hours, doing two to three jobs, under greater pressure. Something has to give." Once havens for prestigious, highly-paid and lifelong careers, banks have undergone rapid cultural and structural change at the behest of regulators tasked with reining them in. Tougher capital rules, hefty misconduct fines, and the closure of riskier business lines have forced banks to slash staff. Ten of Europe's largest lenders have axed 130,000 jobs since June, data shows. The impact of stress has reached all the way up to the higher echelons of the banking industry. In 2011, Lloyds Chief Executive Antonio Horta-Osorio took two months off after suffering sleep deprivation and exhaustion. Two years later senior British banker Hector Sants, at the time head of compliance at Barclays, was signed off on medical after suffering stress. Sants subsequently resigned. As risks of a global recession mount, investors want banks to slim down further. Almost three out of four bank employees admitted to workplace stress manifested by anxiety attacks, insomnia, headaches and depression, a survey conducted by trade union Unite between September and December showed. Some 85 percent of respondents, mainly working in retail and back office roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and TSB, said they worked additional unpaid hours last year. Lloyds, RBS and TSB referred requests for comments to trade body the British Bankers' Association, which represents all the banks covered by the Unite survey. Around two-thirds of respondents cited heavier workloads and around a fifth blamed pressure to perform. Seventy-two percent said they were considering quitting their jobs as a result. "Work-related stress is a very serious and increasing problem," said Dominic Hook, the union's National Officer for Finance, responsible for 130,000 members in financial services. "We are working with employers to tackle the issues that cause stress, such as long working hours and the effect of long-term staffing reductions," he said, adding that a separate survey covering staff at Barclays was under way. PREVENTION BETTER THAN CURE The British Bankers' Association said protecting staff's physical and mental wellbeing was "a top priority" for its members, who are devising more innovative ways to prevent problems occurring. These include in-house counsellors, mental health 'first aid' courses, yoga sessions for traders, and more comprehensive mental healthcare plans. HSBC said it had a number of initiatives to reduce stress-related illnesses. "These include providing a healthcare plan to all employees with a comprehensive mental health benefit for employees and their family," it said. Several UK lenders have teamed up with the Bank Workers Charity to provide training for line managers on supporting stressed staff more sensitively. "Banks are conscious that there are trends that make life stressful for their employees ... they are focusing on wellbeing in a way that they weren't 10 years ago," Paul Barrett, head of wellbeing at the Bank Workers Charity, told . "There is some way to go, but they are being more proactive." Health and Safety Executive statistics show jobs in financial services are 44 percent more likely to lead to stress-related illnesses than the average UK job, meaning employers are also taking steps to control the hit to their finances caused by staff absences. Demand for special insurance products known as Group Income Protection (GIP) policies is rising steadily among financial sector employers, according to global insurer MetLife. Tom Gaynor, Employee Benefits Director at MetLife UK, said the average employer paid the equivalent of 1 to 1.5 percent of annual payroll to insure themselves against the cost of staff sick leave. "In the UK, about 12-13 percent of companies take up GIP. In banking that figure is close to 100 percent. I don't know an investment bank that doesn't do it," he said. Data from MetLife's core U.S. market showed investment banks are up to 30 percent more likely to make claims for staff suffering mental and psychological conditions than other policyholders on its books. HUMAN COST OF CRISIS Suicide mortality rates per 100,000 of population in the City of London, home to the historic Square Mile financial district, have consistently outnumbered any other London borough since 2009, government data accurate to end-2013 shows. "Part of the problem is that we are an industry that downsizes all the time," said one banker who has been made redundant several times in a career spanning more than three decades. "London is also the first place people cut. There's a constant threat of being axed in London," he said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he is still seeking work in the sector. Those suffering from stress in the workplace were reluctant to talk on the record to given the sensitive nature of the topic. This may also mean many cases go unreported as employees fear telling their line managers or colleagues. New patient assessments at a specialist wellbeing clinic operated in the City by private mental healthcare firm The Priory are up 106 percent in the year to Jan. 31, with more than 70 new patients registering on average each month. "People are feeling overwhelmed with the vast change in this business and in their careers," said consultant adult psychiatrist Dr Paul McLaren. "Some people may thrive on that but many more struggle and this increases the chances of them developing a mental illness, particularly if they have a vulnerability." A soon-to-be published survey by Willis Towers Watson found a dislocation between what employers believe are the root causes of workplace stress and what their staff are actually stressed about. The biennial Staying@Work Survey, which covers around 1,700 companies worldwide, showed more than four-fifths of employers thought a lack of work-life balance and excessive organisational change were the biggest burdens on staff. But 69 percent of employees said their top concern was inadequate staffing, followed by 65 percent who identified poor pay. That means prospects for a major rebound in mood and morale among bank workers look remote. "It's very difficult in an industry that is downsizing and shrinking and doesn't know where it is going. It's perpetual boom and bust," the banker said. "Although right now it looks like bust, and then bust a bit more." (Editing by Andrew Roche and Janet McBride) I've always wondered what it felt like to be Iron Man. Now, not only was I able to experience his suit boot up, I also got to meet JARVIS and play around with a few of Tony Stark's toys. I wasn't dreaming. This was reality, of the virtual kind - also called VR. Yes sir, I did all this sitting on my couch, using Samsung's Gear VR headset, attached to a Galaxy Note 5. At the time of writing, the Gear VR supported only four phones from Samsung - the Galaxy S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5. My first attempt with the Gear VR presented me with blurry images, which I corrected using the focusing ring at the top of the headset. I don't wear glasses and while the manual says one should use contacts if needed, I think the eye cups are big enough to accommodate medium-sized spectacles. Navigating is fairly easy; one needs to look at a certain item to point the pointer and then tap the select switch on the touchpad. My first port of call was the videos already on offer - where I got to surf in Tahiti and visit the PGA Tour. There was some pixilation in the second video, but I blame it on the resolution of the screen; here was an instance where a 4K screen on a phone might make sense. Next, I downloaded Netflix in phone, not VR, mode. But I had to log into it in VR mode. I had a torrid time pirouetting my neck to type in my user name and password using the onscreen keyboard. Nothing matches the sheer pleasure of watching in a personal theatre, and the headphones add to the immersive experience. I decided to watch Gravity. But it was not to be; the built-in gyroscope ensured I was looking at the ceiling of the theatre after I lay down. Samsung recommends a break after every 30 minutes of usage, especially if one feels discomfort. The phone heating up ensured I couldn't continue for more than 45 minutes. And two hours of tinkering with the Gear VR depleted the Note 5's fully charged battery down to 20 per cent - as the headset is powered by the phone. The Samsung Gear VR, at Rs 8,200, takes multimedia and gaming experience to a whole new level but the phone heats up and the battery gets exhausted. It is possibly the best consumer VR headset one can buy in India at this price point, provided one has a compatible Samsung phone. The shipping ministry is looking to divert part of the funds from the Central Road Fund (CRF) kitty - meant for development and maintenance of roads and railway overbridges - to develop inland waterways. An announcement to this effect is likely in the Union Budget 2016-17, according to sources. "Talks are on at a fairly advanced stage and since this fund (CRF) has been created with a specific intention, with deployment also defined, an amendment has to be made first and then approved by the Cabinet," a shipping ministry source close to the development told Business Standard. The source, however, did not say when the amendment would be placed before the Cabinet for approval.. Read our full coverage on Union Budget 2016 The Union Budget for 2016-17 is to be presented on February 29. CRF is a non-lapsable fund created under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000 out of a cess imposed by the Union government on consumption of petrol and high-speed diesel. The funds are used to develop and maintain national highways, state roads and railway under/overbridges. The fund accumulated Rs 40,000 crore between 2012 and 2014. Transportation via inland waterways is cost-effective and more environment-friendly than rail or road transportation. However, the sector has failed to attract policymakers in the past mainly because of the constant requirement of dredging expense due to heavy silting and seasonal draught. "Currently, the issue is that the private sector is arguing they cannot see any great returns from the investment they would make towards this sector. The shipping ministry, therefore, needs that initial amount from the kitty for investment to demonstrate that things can change in this sector if funds are infused. Only then can the private sector be invited to invest in those projects," the source added. India is estimated to have about 14,500 km of navigable inland waterways according to the Inland Waterways Authority of India. According to industry officials, approval from the Cabinet regarding usage of funds for inland waterways should not be an issue as it would amount to usage of funds for national waterways rather than national highways. "Since the usage of funds would be for national waterways, the two divisions (national highways and national waterways) are at par and hence, access to funds can be approved by the Cabinet without much hassle," said S Hajara, former chairman of state-owned Shipping Corporation of India. In the year ended March 31, 2015, the Inland Waterways Authority of India received grants worth Rs 41 crore - of which it spent only Rs 8.06 crore. Between FY10 and FY14, cargo movement for national waterways 1, 2 and 3 in Goa and Mumbai region almost halved, indicating the poor state of affairs. SHARE TUESDAY Seminar offers branding basics A seminar about the basics of branding and marketing for a startup business will be from 5-7 p.m. at the Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples St., CED 118. Free. Information: www.seminarscc.com WEDNESDAY Learn government contracting tips The Del Mar College Small Business Development Center will offer a business registration for government contracting seminar from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CED 108 at the Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples St. The seminar will provide guidance to establish business credentials and enhancing business profiles on various governmental search engines. Free. Information and registration: www.seminarscc.com THURSDAY LinkedIn and Twitter for business Get familiar with LinkedIn and Twitter and how it can benefit a startup business at this free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminar will be at the Center for Economic Development, 3209 S. Staples St., CED 140 and will touch on company pages, finding an audience, and gaining potential clients. Information: www.seminarscc.com Simply Social event in Rockport planned The Small Business Administration will host Simply Social from 1:15-2:15 p.m. at the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 319 Broadway St, Rockport. The event will present information about social media for small businesses and capital, contracting and counseling from SCORE. Free. Information: 361-879-0017 ext. 301 or elizabeth.soliz@sba.gov FRIDAY Business financial aid seminar offered The Small Business Association will offer a seminar on financial assistance to start or expand a business from 9-10:30 a.m. at the SBA office, 2820 S. Padre Island Drive, Suite 108. SBA Guaranty Loan Programs can be an option to take care of financial needs, including working capital, land and building purchase, equipment, inventory and leasehold improvements. Information on government contracting and business consulting services will be provided. Information: 879-0017, ext. 301 or elizabeth.soliz@sba.gov Compiled by Natalia Contreras When is hurricane season? Here's what you need to know in South Texas Most readers probably wouldn't envy how I've been spending a lot of my time lately. They should. It's election season. That means countless visits to our editorial board by candidates ranging from Texas Supreme Court to county commissioner. We didn't make time for justice of the peace and constable candidates and the presidential candidates didn't make time for us. But I'm not complaining. It was a privilege to meet and hear the candidates who visited, and not a single one made me think that this was a half-hour of my life that I'll never get back. That's about how long the interviews last. We let the candidates tell us about themselves and then we interrupt with questions. Usually it's just a pleasant conversation. We're not quite the inquisition people fear us to be. After the candidates are interviewed and researched, our five-member board decides which ones to endorse. (Our disclosure of those endorsements starts today with the District 27 congressional race.) The endorsements are only recommendations for voters to consider. Agree or disagree, but please vote. The primary is March 1 and early voting starts Tuesday. Regardless of whom we endorse, I hope our readers appreciate as much as I do the effort by the candidates to meet with us, especially the statewide candidates. Some traveled from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex quite a hike. I'm impressed when a candidate who is or should be a shoo-in travels miles to see us. It tells me that the candidate believes that being questioned by newspaper editorial boards is an important part of the process, in the people's best interest. It's a measure of a candidate's commitment to something loftier than just getting elected. Visiting us when they don't need us to get elected is an indicator of how they might serve people. Their constituents will include people who didn't and never will vote for them, but who still should matter to them. I'll always remember that Greg Abbott, a shoo-in for re-election as attorney general in 2010, visited us that year, and that Rick Perry, a shoo-in for re-election as governor, didn't. It was big of Abbott, small of Perry. My most memorable takeaway from this cycle's candidates is that the most humble, down-to-earth people turned out to be the incumbent judges on our state's two highest courts, the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. Some of our local judges not all, and I'm not naming names could learn a thing or two. These top court judges were as nonthreatening and easygoing in person as their resumes are intimidating upon review. Being re-elected can be a tough task for them because they aren't exactly household names. Some of their opponents' names are catchier or prone to confusion. For example, Supreme Court Justice Paul Green has an opponent named Rick Green and there's a Criminal Appeals candidate named Scott Walker who is not the governor of Wisconsin. Also, most voters don't have a clue about these appellate judges' job descriptions. The short answer is that the Supreme Court is the state's highest civil court, the Court of Criminal Appeals is the criminal supreme court and some voters might pass that part of the civics test. But the longer answer is that these judges don't preside over a room of lawyers, defendants, jurors and audience members. Appellate judges do a lot of reading, studying, meeting among themselves, and writing. They work in a legal monastery, not on stage. It's kind of nerdy. And more than one candidate described it that way lovingly. Voters should understand and appreciate that those judges would want such a glamour-less job especially the Supreme Court justices. The criminal court tends to attract former prosecutors and district judges, whose salaries a matter of public record were bigger than most people's but didn't approach the kind of money that causes non-lawyers to hate lawyers. Every Supreme Court justice is a lawyer who either was making that kind of money, or could be, or both. If they're motivated by money, quitting makes a lot more sense than going on the take. Maybe someday I'll get to meet Eva Longoria. I wouldn't trade it for the privilege of having met Eva Guzman, the first Hispanic female Texas Supreme Court justice, or fellow Justice Debra Lehrmann, who wrote a strong dissent against the wrong-headed weakening of the Texas Open Beaches Act and who, it turns out, was born in Corpus Christi, or Judge Sid Harle, a Court of Criminal Appeals candidate who busted open the Michael Morton case and remedied a miscarriage of justice, or Judge Chris Oldner, a candidate for another position on that court, who presided over the grand jury that indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton. I know, it's kind of nerdy. Caller-Times file Chris Ortiz SHARE By Esther Hackleman Public radio broadcaster Chris Ortiz died after a long illness Friday. Ortiz, 59, had a passion for salsa that he shared with Corpus Christi on KEDT-FM airwaves through his shows "Latin Dance Party" and "Musica Suave." "He even walked with music in his step," KEDT President and General Manager Don Dunlap said. "It was bound to his soul." For years, Ortiz shared his encyclopedic knowledge of Latin artists and sounds of salsa as a volunteer at the radio station. "His radio shows on KEDT had a huge impact on Corpus Christi," local musician Jon Perez said. His influence spanned more than the listeners who faithfully tuned in to his Saturday night shows. His passion also sparked the foundation of two popular bands, Latin Talk and Ritmo Caribe. "He is the person that actually gathered the musicians to create Ritmo Caribe, which became a well recognized band, participating in many important jazz and salsa festivals throughout the state of Texas," said Gustavo Torres, a Ritmo Caribe co-founder. Services have not yet been scheduled. Ortiz is survived by two brothers, his sister, his son and daughter, and two grandchildren. GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES Abigail Cabrera (from left), Ella Rogers, Raquel Gonzales and Olivia Salgado, members of Girl Scout Troop 9629, volunteered at the 12th Annual Winter Beach Cleanup on North Beach on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. SHARE GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES Itzayana Silva (from left), Crystal LaRockand Alessi Pimental collected trashe beside the Lexington Museum on the Bay at the 12th Annual Winter Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, on North Beach. GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES Veronica Ontiveros (from left)), Allison Ontiveros and Ray Ontiveros brought their own supplies to the 12th Annual Winter Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, on North Beach. GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES A large group of volunteers from Camden properties in Corpus Christi helped at the 12th Annual Winter Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, on North Beach. By Esther Hackleman Raquel Gonzales scoured the North Beach sand with six other Girl Scouts from Troop 9629 as she clutched a black trash bag during the Adopt a Beach cleanup Saturday morning. "We're also looking for sand dollars Cigarette butt!" Raquel yelled as one of the Girl Scout leaders scratched a tally mark on a piece of paper marking what the volunteers collected. "They shouldn't be leaving it here," the Grant Middle School student said quietly. More than 280 volunteers gathered on North Beach, one of seven Coastal Bend beaches where volunteers could help. "We want to leave it better for our future," Texas State Aquarium Educational Assistant Rosanna Gossett said. Adopt a Beach started engaging beachgoers in 1986 to keep Gulf Coast beaches from Beaumont to Brownsville clean. In those 30 years, volunteers have collected more than 9,200 tons of trash, which is equivalent to the weight of 44 blue whales, according to a news release. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Senior clerk Alma Rose prepares voting packets before they are sent out to homes Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi. Early voting for the Texas primaries begins on Tuesday. There also is a steady flow of requests for applications to vote by mail in the county. SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Scottie Huff unloads voting machines at the Nueces County Courthouse on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Corpus Christi. The states primaries to select party candidates for the general election is March 1. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Temporary election clerks prepare voting packets before they are sent out to homes Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Nueces County Clerk Kara Sands points out early voting locations on a map Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Crates filled with voting supplies are prepared before they are send out to voting locations Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at the Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi. Related Coverage Elections: See who's on the 2016 Primary ballots By Matt Woolbright of the Caller-Times Shortly after 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nueces County candidates typically know their fates before a single live ballot is counted. That's when the results of early voting ballots some cast weeks earlier are revealed publicly. Winning the early vote handily typically means winning the race, Democrats and Republicans party leaders agree. "You can pretty much calculate how it's going to go the rest of the way, but there are exceptions to that rule," said Joseph Ramirez, the chairman of the Nueces County Democratic Party. In the 2014 Texas primaries, the top early vote-getter ended the night with the most total votes in all 19 contested Republican races and all seven contested Democratic races in major races. In the last three elections, more and more county voters opted to cast their ballots during early voting periods. That trend of voting early is changing the way campaigns are run, Ramirez said. "With the opportunities to vote early, campaigns have really focused on getting that part done to try and get an early lead that could prove insurmountable," he said. Early voting starts on Tuesday for the 2016 primaries. South Texas voters will cast primary ballots for presidential, congressional, county and judicial races heading into the fall general election. This year's primary Election Day is March 1. During the 2008 primaries, just 44 percent of Democrat votes and about 40 percent of Republican votes were case before Election Day. By 2014, those numbers had risen to nearly 57 percent and 53 percent, respectively, a Caller-Times analysis found. David Smith, a political science professor at Texas A&M Corpus Christi who is focusing on this election cycle nationally, said 2008 served as a springboard for the rise in early voting with President Barack Obama's election igniting passion among supporters and opponents alike. "You're seeing more and more people becoming involved and trying to get their candidates in office and opponents out," he said. "With politics becoming more and more polarized in a state like Texas it's natural to see and expect people to want to get involved as early as they can." But that rise in early voting isn't translating to more Nueces County residents going to the polls it just means fewer are voting on Election Day. Overall, turnout has largely remained unchanged since 2008 or slightly declined in both parties' primaries and in the general elections, a Caller-Times review of voting records shows. Smith said the shift to early voting doesn't necessarily favor either party automatically, but it can aid the candidates who persuade the most people to vote and help candidates avoid being overlooked on a crowded ballot. "If you're the campaign that gets someone to the poll, there's a higher likelihood they'll support you," Smith said. "That's why all these individual campaigns are working the early vote so much." The drive to get more voters to the polls here is also strong because Texas' voter turnout percentages are among the nation's worst. That's especially true in Nueces County, where voters turnout is lower than the state figures for the Republican primaries and general elections. Democrats here tend to cast their votes at slightly higher rates than their counterparts across the state, though that edge lessened in 2014, records show. Only about one-third (58,075) of the combined 190,026 registered voters in Nueces County, for example, cast their ballots in the 2014 general election. Still, the increase in early voting serves another purpose beyond contributing as the prelude to the drama of waiting on certain make-or-break precincts to report their results on election night it show who's voting and who isn't, Mike Bergsma, chairman of the Nueces County Republican Party said. The results are announced after the polls close, but Nueces County maintains public records of early voting turnout numbers throughout the early voting period, which this year runs through Feb. 26. Those statistics, which include how many are voting in each primary and where those votes are being cast, are available online at the end of each day of early voting, Bergsma explained. "It helps you strategically deploy resources ahead of Election Day to target areas and issues you need to focus on," he said. The Republican Party believes its voters will turnout for the primary election this year largely because of the highly competitive nature of the presidential race. The Democratic Party presidential race also remains undecided, which is expected to boost turnout. Republican teams will be posting on social media, sending emails and calling voters to remind them to go vote as soon as the early voting polls open, Bergsma said. On the Democrats' side, Ramirez said the state party is taking a similar approach by leaving early voting turnout efforts to the individual campaigns. A significant amount of the party's work leading up to the primary election has focused on encouraging older voters and college students to register to vote by mail, and those efforts appear to be paying off. Nueces County Clerk Kara Sands said her office has processed about 2,900 mail-in ballot applications for Democrats compared to just 400 for Republicans. "The (Democrats) may have more come out than Republicans this time," said Sands. Polarizing candidates in both major parties are attracting new voters U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Democrats and Donald Trump for the Republicans so party leaders and candidates don't really know what to expect from either side this year. "You're seeing Bernie bringing out more of the younger progressives ... and that's going to have an effect on the early voting and Election Day voting alike," Ramirez said. "But it's hard to say what it will be because these are parts of the electorate that other candidates haven't been as successful driving to the polls in the past." The national races will do little to change Douglas Johnson's voting habits. He'll be voting early like he has for the past decade. Johnson is owner of the Coffee Waves on South Alameda Street near the university so last-minute schedule changes are a way of life. When it comes to making sure his voice is heard, Johnson isn't willing to take any chances. "A democracy only works when everyone goes out and has a part in the process, so I always have felt it's important for everyone to get out and make an informed vote," said Johnson. "Voting early is the easiest way to make sure you can cast your ballot regardless of what life throws at you." Twitter: @reportermatt SHARE Challenger Gregg Deeb Rep. Blake Farenthold, Rep, U.S. Rep Dist 27 (incumbent) The Caller-Times Editorial Board does not take lightly an endorsement against an incumbent. Previous and consistent voter approval must be given its due. And unless there's a scandal hanging over the incumbent's head, either a challenger must clear a high bar or the incumbent has set it too low. Consider, also, that we endorsed U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, in the past two elections. But there are two key changes to our way of thinking: 1. Farenthold's opponent in the March 1 party primary, our choice, retired Marine Lt. Col. Gregg Deeb of Corpus Christi, appears much stronger than any Republican Farenthold has faced previously and stronger than any Democrat Farenthold has faced in the general election except when he unseated the previous incumbent, Solomon Ortiz. Deeb appears to be what no other challenger from either party thus far has been a genuine better alternative. 2. Farenthold hasn't shown much growth potential. What we've seen and heard for three congressional terms is pretty much all we get a poll-driven reactionary who seeks sound-byte attention to placate his base while accomplishing little for his district. Two years ago we thought his four years of seniority was worth preserving. Now we're not so sure that his six years of seniority is much of an asset. Farenthold has settled in as just another of the legion in Congress who won't work with each other to move the country forward. Why settle for that? Deeb promises among other things to fight rather than passively accept the gridlock. If he fails to deliver, we'll have what we already have, so no big loss. Deeb brings an impressive military and private-sector background, including the all-important oil and gas industry. He's highly informed on a wide range of issues economic, military, diplomatic. He's also energetic in refreshing contrast to Farenthold. Deeb gives us the impression that he'd be on top of key district matters such as the future of our military bases. Deeb spoke forcefully to us about the opportunity that the Panama Canal expansion affords Corpus Christi; about commitment to improve veterans' health care and services that help them return to civilian life; and about maintaining a strong military while using it sparingly and effectively. That's the voice of combat experience a perspective increasingly lacking in Congress. With Deeb, Corpus Christi wouldn't lose a hometown representative. That has been a loudly stage-whispered concern about Farenthold among Corpus Christi business leaders that voters in the north end would tire of settling for him and field a strong alternative. We suspect the folks in Bastrop and Caldwell will love Deeb for his dynamism. And probably so will the Corpus Christi Democrats who don't share his political philosophy. He gave us the impression that he'd work hard to represent them. One mention in Deeb's campaign literature that our rights come from God made us uneasy. He assured us that his religious beliefs are not his sole agenda for running. Hope isn't just for liberals. Republicans should choose Deeb. SHARE The Supreme Court recently halted implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, the flagship climate change program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Texas is a plaintiff in the case, so this is a big win for state officials, but it is a victory that will come at the expense of the health and welfare of every Texan. The decision took legal experts by surprise. In fact, earlier in the day one of us stood in front of several hundred people at a renewable energy conference and predicted that the court would deny the stay. To see why, you need to understand the benefits of the EPA's climate change regulations and the narrow lens through which the court judged them. We recently took a closer look at the projected impacts of the Clean Power Plan. We found that the benefits exceeded the costs by a wide margin, not only nationally but within each electricity market across the country. That includes Texas, which will benefit not only from avoided deaths and illnesses, but from increased sales of natural gas as gas replaces coal as the principal fuel for electricity generation. Why, then, did the court take the unprecedented step of staying the EPA plan so early in the case? Simply put, the standard the court applied had little to do with whether the plan is good policy. The ruling is cryptic, but the court must have concluded (a) that there was a high likelihood that the legal challenges would succeed, and (b) that the plaintiffs would be seriously harmed if the plan proceeded. On the first criterion, the plaintiffs are claiming that the plan is unconstitutional, it violates principles of administrative law, and it exceeds the agency's statutory authority. Many legal experts think that the agency has a strong basis for rebutting these claims, but the EPA must prevail on every claim. The complexity and high economic stakes of the Clean Power Plan also may be working against the agency. On the second criterion, our analysis evaluated the effects of the plan on electricity markets regionally rather than state by state. However, many factors suggest that the benefits will be positive even for coal states such as West Virginia, the lead plaintiff in the case. Most importantly, cheap natural gas has drastically reduced the market for coal, so systemic economic change is unavoidable, and any additional losses from the plan will be offset by its substantial health benefits. But the same cannot be said for the industry plaintiffs, and they may have convinced the court that they will be irreparably harmed by the steps that states are taking to prepare for implementing the plan. Indeed, the rules that Texas politicians call a "war on coal" are aimed at reducing coal combustion. And for good reason. Coal combustion kills thousands of Americans prematurely each year. And with anti-climate science folklore aside, most scientific and economic experts agree that the direct health benefits of reducing greenhouse emissions exceed the costs. This is particularly true now that we have inexpensive substitutes for coal-fired power. The average American coal-fired power plant is more than 50 years old, natural gas prices are expected to remain low for decades, and the price of renewable electricity is plummeting. It is easy to see why the EPA considers programs such as the Clean Power Plan a priority. Despite this, the Supreme Court may well believe that the EPA has stepped outside the bounds of legal authority Congress granted it with the Clean Power Plan. If so, such a judgment will not only overturn a key federal climate change program, it will undermine progress on protecting the health for all Texans. David Spence is a professor of business, government and society in the McCombs School of Business and professor of energy law in the School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin. David Adelman is the Harry Reasoner Regents Chair in Law in the School of Law at The University of Texas at Austin. SHARE Margarita Garcia Veteran touched many lives After reading the recent letters about 1st Sgt. Adan Alaniz, I too would like to add a wonderful thing he did for my son. After my husband, Staff Sgt. Oscar Garcia, was killed in Vietnam his children were entitled an allotment to attend college. One semester my son's allotment was not received, making it very difficult for him to attend college and putting a financial burden on me. I went to Sgt. Alaniz and told him about my dilemma. He found out that the delay had been due to a secretary not mailing in the correct form to ensure that my son got his money. After him giving her an "attitude adjustment" (as he said) he got the matter straightened out. I wish I had known about his death. He was a wonderful asset to all men and women in the military service. Rest in peace, Sgt. Alaniz. "It sounds very promising but I would have to wait to see who they select to do this job and what mechanisms they have to support people going to the new authority. It sounds like a step forward," she said. "It does seem that the more he became committed to the treatment, the more deluded he became about what he was trying to accomplish, and the means he was using to do this." "Building on this momentum, the introduction of Aldi to the Majura Park Shopping Centre in mid-2016 will bring another major international retailer to Majura Park, enhancing the offer and allowing us to remodel the southern area of the shopping centre to improve customer experience, external activation and vibrancy," he said. [Your Business Name] Contact Info Phone: Fax: Email: Web: CAPITOLHILLCUBANS.COM Business Overview Geographic Area Line of Business Brands We Carry Products and Services Discounts Offered Additional Information Business Hours Timezone We Accept Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Photo: Contributed More than 50 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents are very satisfied when it comes to their sex life. The information comes to light just ahead of Valentines Day courtesy of Insights West, which featured a poll in Vancouver Magazine. The poll found while most residents say things are going well in their bedrooms, there are some striking differences in behaviours they find acceptable when it comes to love and sex. A significant minority, 34 per cent, are "dissatisfied" with the aspect of love in their life. Those who are in a relationship scored significantly higher on the satisfaction question, 67 per cent, than those who are single, 36 per cent. However, 29 per cent of those who are in a relationship admit they are "dissatisfied" with their sex life. Steve Mossop, President of Insights West, said unfortunately the level of reported satisfaction drops as we age. From a high of 64 per cent among those aged 18-34, to 57 per cent among those aged 35-54 and 52 per cent for Metro Vancouverites aged 55 and over. I also found it interesting that only 24 per cent of those who are in a relationship say they are very satisfied with their sex life. Residents were also polled on specific sexual behaviours and what they considered appropriate. According to the poll, three-in-five Metro Vancouverites say sexting is acceptable including 82 per cent of those aged 18-to-34. The majority felt the same way about a one-night stand, 59 per cent, and sleeping with a co-worker. Other actions, such as engaging in group sex or having an open relationship, proved more controversial with only 49 per cent and 40 per cent respectively finding them acceptable. An honest 29 per cent would consent to paying for sex or having sex at the office. The proportion of those who find each acceptable rises to 42 per cent and 35 per cent respectively among men. When it comes to whether cheating on a steady partner is acceptable the poll found it is a definite no-no, with just one-in-twenty Metro Vancouverites saying it would be reasonable. The poll also looked at what was considered cheating, and found glaring differences between genders. Among woman, 34 per cent say that flirting at a bar, party or business trip amounts to cheating while 32 per cent of men hold the same view. Only 30 per cent of Metro Vancouverites say they would forgive somebody who cheated on them. Photo: The Canadian Press Chris Willenborg, right, and his fiancee Errin Tollefson pose in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Chris Willenborg A Saskatchewan man gave more than his heart to his ill fiancee in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day he gave one of his kidneys. Chris Willenborg met Errin Tollefson about five years ago, and Tollefson revealed she was on dialysis and on a waitlist for a kidney. Initially her dad was going to be the donor, but cancer had spread to his kidneys and he died. Willenborg later met with a doctor who said he was a near-perfect match and could be the donor. The following week Willenborg bought an engagement ring and two weeks later he proposed. Willenborg and Tollefson went into surgery earlier this month and both hope to be wed in August. "I just really wanted to help this person who I loved," Willenborg, an assistant professor in agriculture and bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan, explained to CKOM radio. Willenborg said that after Tollefson's father died, he started to think about what he could do. Then in 2014, he said Tollefson got very sick from an infection. He said that's when he decided to get tested to find out if Tollefson could accept his kidney. Willenborg was out of hospital quickly after this month's surgery and he hoped Tollefson would be out in time for Valentine's Day. Late Friday night, Tollefson was released from hospital. "My only shot at life, and to get it from my fiancee is just incredible and it's a perfect gift," Tollefson told CTV while she was still in hospital. Willenborg said he wants to use recent media attention on their story to raise awareness of organ donation. He urges people to sign their donor cards or consider getting tested to be a potential match. Photo: Contributed No one has the winning ticket for the $10-million jackpot in Saturday night's Lotto 6-49 draw. The jackpot for the next draw on Wednesday night will be approximately $14 million. The lottery's grand prize was last won Jan. 30, when someone in Ontario held a ticket worth $18.3 million. Photo: The Canadian Press The weather on Valentine's Day was cold enough to freeze even the warmest of hearts in parts of Canada. Quebec saw windchills reach -46 C, Newfoundland saw 30 centimetres of snowfall in some places and Ontario broke an astounding 17 records for low temperatures in one icy swoop. Barrie, Ont. reached -33.3 C, which broke a Valentine's Day record set in 1879 when Sir John A. MacDonald was the prime minister. A couple hundred kilometres away, Welland, Ont. plummeted to -26.9 C, beating out a the previous record from 1885, the same year that Louis Riel died. And Quebec's frigid windchills were cold enough to freeze exposed skin in as little as five minutes. It capped off a weekend of cold temperatures that affected many parts of eastern and central Canada. But the tides are expected to turn over the next week, as the forecast shows temperatures surpassing the freezing mark in some parts of the country next weekend. Reporting from Las Vegas By the time Bernie Sanders launched his challenge to Hillary Clinton in May, her campaign team had already been in Nevada for a month, knocking on doors, dialing voters and cajoling endorsements from local leaders. Nevada was supposed to be Clinton's "firewall," a state where she could stop Sanders' progress no matter what happened in Iowa or New Hampshire. But with both presidential hopefuls headed to the state this weekend to campaign before the Feb. 20 Democratic caucus, Clinton's sure bet is off. Advertisement After suffering a double-digit defeat to Sanders in New Hampshire, Clinton's campaign staffers are quietly lowering expectations here, saying they are preparing for a race that is going to be close. They acknowledge that Sanders has caught up quickly since launching his Nevada effort in November, opening nearly twice as many field offices as Clinton and outspending her on television. Although the number of convention delegates at stake is small, a loss for Clinton here would be big. Advertisement Clinton's campaign wrote off her New Hampshire defeat to circumstances that uniquely favored Sanders: The electorate was dominated by the white liberal voters who make up the core of his support; rules allowed independents to vote in the primary; Sanders hails from neighboring Vermont. In Nevada, her team has no excuses. About a third of Democratic caucus-goers are Latino or African American, two groups among which Clinton has historically done well. And her top aides have extensive experience in the state. Her national campaign manager, Robby Mook, ran Clinton's Nevada operation in 2008 and has hired several veterans of Barack Obama's campaign that year. In 2008, Clinton won the popular vote in the state's caucuses, but Obama ended with one more delegate. The race is also a test for Sanders, who must prove he can appeal to nonwhite audiences who are crucial to winning a Democratic nomination and the general election. A win here would show that he can go beyond the Ben & Jerry's constituency that has flocked to his campaign. "We're the first state in the contest that actually reflects what this country looks like and where this country is heading," said Leo Murrieta, a political consultant who specializes in outreach to the state's growing Latino population and who is backing Clinton. "Nevada is a perfect case study." The winner in Nevada will gain momentum going into the South Carolina Democratic primary Feb. 27 and the March 1 primaries, when a dozen states vote, including several in the South with large African American Democratic electorates. "Momentum is a huge deal in presidential campaigns," said Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist who is not working for either candidate, although he once worked for Bill Clinton. "Whoever captures it has got a big advantage." With little reliable public polling in Nevada, it's hard to say who has that momentum now. Advertisement "She has people who know the state and know what they're doing," Jon Ralston, a longtime political analyst in Nevada, said of Clinton. He said the Clinton campaign is paying close attention this year to rural Nevada counties that have smaller populations but can supply crucial delegates. Former President Clinton was recently dispatched to the small Mojave Desert city of Pahrump to campaign for his wife. Clinton is also making an overt pitch to Nevada Latinos, who could make up as much as 20% of this year's Democratic electorate, Ralston predicts. Many of her campaign stops in the state have been geared to Latinos, and her campaign has launched a Latina-to-Latina phone bank program as well as a Spanish-language caucus-training program called "Caucus Conmigo." "Our strategy has been to build a campaign that really looks and feels like Nevada," said Clinton campaign spokesman Tim Hogan, who said he expects Clinton to prevail after "a close race." But several aspects of the Nevada caucus process may work to Sanders' advantage. The state offers same-day registration for voters; in 2008 a quarter of voters registered on caucus day. The prospect that a hotly contested caucus will cause more voters to show up and register as Democrats is one reason the state's most powerful Democrat, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, has held out on endorsing either candidate, he said recently. "I think it will be very close," Reid said when asked about the contest during a CNN interview Thursday. Advertisement The caucuses also allow voting by 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the time of the November election. For a campaign like Sanders', powered in part by the energy of young, first-time voters, that's a good thing. The Sanders team also believes his campaign promises to tax Wall Street will connect with voters in Nevada, a state that is only now recovering from the home foreclosure crisis and the Great Recession. Sanders spokeswoman Rania Batrice, one of dozens of Sanders staffers to land in the state in recent days, said their campaign is ready to make up for lost time with enthusiasm. "Hillary got a big, big head start," Batrice said. "But as we've seen in other parts of the country, that doesn't necessarily make a difference." For more on campaign 2016, follow @KateLinthicum. ALSO Advertisement Democrats clash in first post-New Hampshire debate Deborah Modde sits inside her Gurnee home on one of the coldest days of the year and counts the birds: five mourning doves, two black-capped chickadees, three white-breasted nuthatches, four dark-eyed juncos, one northern cardinal, six American goldfinches and seven house sparrows. Modde has been recording the birds in the middle of February for the Great Backyard Bird Count for several years. Counters enter data online, and scientists use that information to track the movement and populations of certain species. Advertisement The Cornell Lab of Ornithology in New York manages the worldwide four-day snapshot, which recently expanded so people can report any of the world's 10,000 bird species during that period, said Miyoko Chu, communications director for Cornell. The count, which began 19 years ago, started Friday and continues through Monday. Advertisement "I think it's fascinating," Modde said. "It's not for the competition, but I am rather proud of the (birds) who come and feed here." All the birds Modde has counted so far are common in the winter in northern Illinois. Kim Ritschel counted a northern cardinal, a dark-eyed junco and two pine siskins for the Great Backyard Bird Count in her Lake County yard. (Kim Ritschel / Lake County News-Sun) "It shows the rise and fall of various species in the area are we seeing more? Why? Are the migratory patterns different," she asked. Modde said she participates in the count because she wants to contribute to science, and noted she can do so from the warmth of her home. "It's blooming cold out there," Modde said. "I have a clear view of the feeders from my house and I don't have to go out and do anything, just sit and watch." Citizen science The Great Backyard Bird Count "is a global citizen science effort, and people from anywhere in the world can watch birds for at least 15 minutes and tell us what they see and then we create a picture of what birds are being reported, where and how many," Chu said. The birds that have been counted are plotted on a map, which can be found at gbbc.birdcount.org. Advertisement "The count helps us keep tabs on how birds are doing," Chu said. "For example, as climate is warming, we are seeing birds in places where we didn't during colder years." Great Backyard Bird count data shows the tree swallow is being seen farther north, Chu said. That species nests in Illinois, but migrates to warmer climates, where its insect prey are available in the winter. "If you don't have a past record of where birds were or how many there were, as our planet changes, you wouldn't be able to measure what the impact of those changes have been," Chu said. For other Cornell projects, bird watchers enter data all year, but the Great Backyard Bird Count is an excellent entry point for beginning birders to get involved, Chu said. Richard Biss, an advanced bird-watcher from Lake Villa, recorded a red-bellied woodpecker for the Great Backyard Bird count. (Richard Biss / Lake County News-Sun) Irene Zaun, of Libertyville, recorded a northern flicker, which she learned is uncommon in Lake County in the winter. "He's just gorgeous. He comes every day. He was here twice yesterday. He was up on the suet feeder," Zaun said. "He's absolutely beautiful he has unique markings, the black mustache in the front, speckles on its breast." Advertisement Data accuracy To ensure accuracy of the data, advanced bird-watchers like Matthew Cvetas, of Evanston, volunteer to review the information people like Zaun and Modde enter. "Our job is to vet those records and ensure the accuracy because the data get used by scientists and land managers for conservation purposes," said Cvetas, president of the Illinois Ornithological Society. He suggests those entering data in the Great Backyard Bird Count use field guides and the Internet for identification tips. These include examples like the downy woodpecker and hairy woodpecker, which look almost identical except the hairy woodpecker is a larger bird with a noticeably larger bill, he said. Other similar birds found in Lake County includes house finches and purple finches, Cvetas said. House finches are much more common in Lake County in winter than purple finches. Cooper's hawks have become more common in backyards with feeders because they prey on birds, Cvetas said. Sharp-shinned hawks look very similar, but are much rarer. Advertisement Counters can leave notes and photos on the website to help Cvetas determine accuracy. Kim Ritschel, of North Barrington, submitted a photo on the web site of two pine siskins she documented during the backyard bird count. The photo showed the goldfinch-sized bird, with streaks and some yellow in its wings. The northerly species is a fairly common winter visitor to northern Illinois in some years, and feeds on thistle seed. Two pine siskins appeared at a feeder in Lake County during the Great Backyard Bird Count. (Kim Ritschel / Lake County News-Sun) "It's eternally fascinating to watch the goings on of birds at the feeders," said Ritschel, who has been participating in another Cornell program, Project Feeder Watch, which runs November through March. The project has helped her identify birds she didn't know came to her feeders, including the pine siskins, which now can be counted for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Ritschel has also seen American tree sparrows; house sparrows; an American robin and lots of European starlings, a non-native species that steals habitat from native birds. The rare ones One of Lake County's most experienced birders, Richard Biss, also participates in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Biss, who lives in Lake Villa next to a wetland, is outside every day when he's not working, looking to see what birds are nearby, his wife, Mary Biss, said. Advertisement With the temperature well below freezing on Saturday, Richard Biss said he decided to stay indoors to count birds. "Right now, I'm at my desk looking down at five siskins and a goldfinch at the feeder," he said. "And here's a cowbird." Recently, he has seen two brown creepers in his yard, which are uncommon in winter, a bald eagle and 75 common redpolls, which only come to northern Illinois in high numbers some winters from their boreal forest homes. But to get included on the Great Backyard Bird Count list, Biss will have to see those species sometime before the end of the day Monday. "It would be nice if they showed up," Biss said. "I always enjoy looking at birds, no matter where I am." Sheryl DeVore is a freelancer for the News-Sun Monsignor John Moriarty started out as a parish priest in the Diocese of Joliet but found his true calling as a missionary priest in Ecuador, where he spent nearly 40 years establishing Catholic parishes and working to improve the lives of the poor. He did that work as part of the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, based in Boston. The society, founded by the late Boston Cardinal Richard Cushing in 1958, is an international organization of diocesan missionary priests who volunteer a minimum of five years to work with the poor. Advertisement "He was literally a giant in the society," said the Rev. Patrick Universal, the group's assistant director. "He was the heart and soul of the society." Moriarty started a maternity hospital in Ecuador to address high rates of infant mortality, helped put together an organization called Por Cristo to bring volunteer medical personnel to Ecuador to address the medical needs of the poor and built schools and clinics, Universal said. Advertisement Moriarty, 81, died Jan. 29 of a heart attack in his home in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, according to his nephew, Abdon Pallasch. He moved to Beverly after retiring about 10 years ago. Moriarty grew up in the South Side Burnside neighborhood, one of 10 children of Irish immigrant parents. For high school, some of his brothers went, at least for a time, to a seminary, while some of his sisters went to a convent school. "John and I are the only ones who stayed," said his sister, Sister Kate Moriarty of the Religious Sisters of Mercy. "He had wanted to be a priest from at least high school." Moriarty graduated from since-closed Quigley Preparatory Seminary before continuing his preparation for the priesthood under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Chicago at Mundelein Seminary of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. Moriarty left Mundelein after a year. "I think he needed some maturing time," his sister said. During his break, he was drafted into the peacetime Army. He served for two years, including some time overseas as a clerk. After leaving the Army, he returned to the seminary, but this time in the Diocese of Joliet at what was then St. Procopius College in Lisle, now Benedictine University. He was ordained a priest in 1962. He spent time at St. Mary of Gostyn parish in Downers Grove and at Sacred Heart parish in Joliet. Then in 1967, he took a leave of absence to do mission work in Ecuador with the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle. In a 1984 story in the Joliet diocesan newspaper, Moriarty was quoted on the values of missionary work. Advertisement "It's such an opportunity to enter deeply into people's lives," he said. "You're called upon to minister in ways that would be impossible here in the States. It's the simple things that you know wouldn't happen if you weren't there, things such as the literacy program the credit union, the basic medical care." Much of his work in Ecuador was done in the towns of Duran and Ancon. Missionary work was a good fit for Moriarty, his sister said. "He was the type of person that saw a need and answered it," she said. "He believed in education and training, in helping people to help themselves to do and to attain goals." He returned to Ecuador from one visit to the United States with a number of computers and another time brought back musical instruments for the young people in one of his parishes. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > In addition to his missionary work, Moriarty served as director of the society for two terms from 1984 to 1990, a time of growth for the group, according to Universal. Advertisement "During his time, there were more members than at any other time, and we worked in more dioceses," Universal said. "That was because he was a good recruiter." Moriarty even recruited four priests to go to Cuba in 1989, but Universal said at the last minute the visas were withdrawn. "He did a monumental task of helping people," Universal said. "What a true missionary." Moriarty is also survived by sisters Mary Pallasch, Barbara and Irene; and a brother, Thomas. Services were held. Megan is a freelance reporter. Ceronda Burton repeatedly tried to slip her 5-month-old son's right foot into a brand-new red and yellow snow boot Saturday at a Margate Park homeless shelter near Uptown. Once the boot was snug, baby Charles looked up at his mother, gave her a sloppy wet smile, and kicked the boot off again. She laughed. "I have three kids, and boots were one thing I wasn't able to get this year," Burton said. "This is my first time being homeless, and before this, I really didn't know people actually did things like this. That they actually cared. It amazes me." Burton and her children were among dozens of families at the Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge to receive about 220 pairs of winter boots and thick socks from Toyota Motor North America Saturday, as part of its community outreach project alongside this year's Chicago Auto Show. Toyota additionally donated $15,000 to the Salvation Army's Chicago division to help support homeless families during times of crisis. The program is in its fifth year, and it's the third year that the winter boots and socks were donated to a Chicago homeless shelter. While several area programs offer winter coat giveaways, few provide winter footwear to low-income and homeless families, leaving people with a higher risk of catching hypothermia and frostbite, Toyota officials said. Saturday morning began with dangerous windchills of minus 15 to minus 25 degrees, and the cold was expected to persist through the afternoon with continued subzero windchills. The boots will further come in handy through the week, as a steady accumulating snow will spread over the Chicago area Sunday, diminishing overnight with 2 to 4 inches of new snow cover. "The weather's turned pretty cold this weekend," said Alva Mason, Toyota's national director for African-American business strategy and corporate communications. "My hope today is that Toyota can warm your heart, your feet and your soul." Before distributing the boots to the eager families, she told them that, as a single parent, she understood life's inevitable difficulties. She offered the families some advice: "Stay strong, stay in faith and stay positive. God will always get you through the tough times." The shelter's dining room bustled with energy once the boot distribution began. Children delivered paper plates heaped with Southern comfort food, also provided by Toyota, to their families' tables, amid squeals of "Mommy, they fit me!" and "Look, we get socks, too!" The shelter is designed to be a haven for women and men with children, along with married couples with children, who suddenly become homeless because of eviction, disasters like fire and flood or domestic violence. The shelter provides food, clothing and housing and job search assistance, as well as tutoring to children. The average stay is about 180 days, said Pam Harrell, who coordinates staff training at the shelter. "There are so many factors that contribute to a family becoming homeless," she said. "These donations are direct investments in these families, and assist them with their journeys." Krystal Williams, a mother of three, became homeless last month after a family dispute. She said she prays she'll find better housing options soon, as she's currently in a position where "she doesn't have anything." The boots, she said, help immensely. Williams said she was most shocked, though, by the event's surprise guest: rapper and beat-boxer Doug E. Fresh. "I didn't know he was going to be here," she said, grinning. "They could've warned us." Fresh entertained the group by leading them in an inspirational rap, and encouraged them to sing the words "I love myself" as he beat-boxed along. He left the families with a final request: "If you're happy to be alive, make some noise in here." The room erupted with cheers. In a 2012 visit to the University of Chicago, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who had served as a law professor at the campus from 1977 to 1982, said he tried to frame his decisions by interpreting them with the original intent of the Founding Fathers. Scalia, 79, who was known as a staunch conservative, died while on a hunting trip in Texas, according to a statement issued Saturday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. According to University of Chicago Law professor Aziz Huq, Scalia's focus on "orginalism" will be known as his legacy. He said rather than focusing on individual cases, he changed the way the court approached the law by trying to return to its past. Advertisement "His contributions, with the way the justice system thought about the law, will be enduring," Huq said. "He felt that you have to go back to the original meaning of the Constitution, what the folks in the 1700s were doing and trying to get the meaning to those words they used." He said that Scalia had spoken to his constitutional law class and he got to know him when Huq clerked for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2003 and 2004. He recalls that when Ginsburg was having a birthday, he spotted Scalia hand-delivering flowers to the liberal justice. Advertisement "I see this massive, massive bouquet of flowers that he personally delivered," Huq recalled. "He personally was very charming." Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, said that even though he was often at odds with Scalia's decisions, he respected his service to the country. "Justice Scalia served our country for three decades on its highest court. While our opinions on the law and jurisprudence were frequently at odds, he was steadfast and true to his beliefs during his tenure. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time," Durbin said in a statement. Before heading to the Supreme Court and the nation's capital, Antonin Scalia lived and worked in Chicago. Feb. 14, 2016. (CBS Chicago) (CBS Chicago) U.S. Rep. Peter J. Roskam, a Republican from Wheaton, in a statement called Scalia "one of the greatest justices" in the court's history. "Today we mourn the passing of one of the greatest justices in the history of our Supreme Court. During Scalia's three decades on the bench, he defended our Constitution and protected our freedoms with fervor and brilliance. There will be a time to discuss the policy and political implications. Now is not that time. My prayers are with Mrs. Scalia and their family," according to the statement. During Scalia's speech to the University of Chicago in 2012 he said that while his decisions weren't always on the mark, he referred to his desire to return to the original intent of the Founding Fathers as "the lesser evil." "I don't have to prove [it's] perfect. The question is whether it's better than everything else," said Scalia, who addressed about 400 people at the University of Chicago Law School at the time. Originalism was behind his reasoning in a 2008 Supreme Court case that upheld the individual's right to possess a firearm, he said. Scalia wrote the majority opinion for the case and argued that the Constitution's specific language referred to possessing a firearm as a pre-existing right. The current court's longest-serving justice, Scalia said he focused on historical details and the original meaning of the Constitution to make his decisions, which didn't always coincide with his own opinions. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. "The Constitution is a static being," Scalia said in 2012. The last time there was a Supreme Court vacancy -- in 2010, when Elena Kagan was appointed -- two judges with Chicago connections were mentioned as possible candidates for the job. Both remain prominent and could attract interest this time. They are Diane Wood, chief judge of the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Merrick Garland, who grew up in Lincolnwood and is now chief judge of the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. That 2010 Supreme Court vacancy occurred due to the retirement of another judge with local ties, Justice John Paul Stevens, who grew up in Chicago, got his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and earned his law degree from Northwestern University. In another speech to the University of Chicago Divinity School in 2002, Scalia, a devout Roman Catholic, defended his decisions that supported the constitutionality of the death penalty by saying his personal opinions on it were irrelevant. At the time he recounted a mini-history of the high court's take on the death penalty, in which justices came close to abolishing the sentence in 1972 but imposed a variety of procedural and substantive limitations on its use. He told the story with a clear air of skepticism, suggesting his derision toward those individuals who viewed the Constitution as a "living document" in need of reinterpretation in light of evolving societal views and other changes. "The Constitution I apply is not living but dead or, as I put it, `enduring,'" he said in 2002, drawing smiles and laughs. "The constitutionality of the death penalty is not a soul-wrenching question." The late Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, Scalia noted with similar doubt, opposed the death penalty and referred to his participation in "the machinery of death." Scalia contended that he himself could not "take part in such a system if I believed it to be immoral." "The choice for the judge who believes the death penalty is immoral is resignation," Scalia said. At the end of his speech in 2012, Scalia advised future law students to pursue a job that would give them time to focus on their family and community - what he called "a human existence." Given the climate in Congress, Huq does not expect that President Barack Obama will have an opportunity to appoint a replacement. "More likely than not, I believe that no one will be appointed before the next president, whoever it is going to be," Huq said. Vehicles pile up at the site of a fatal crash near Fredericksburg, Pa., on Feb. 13, 2016. (James Robinson/PennLive.com via AP) FREDERICKSBURG, Pa. Authorities on Sunday released the names of the three people killed in a pileup of scores of vehicles on a central Pennsylvania interstate during a snow squall that also sent more than 70 people to hospitals. Kenneth J. Lesko, 50, of Bethpage, New York; Francisca V. Pear, 54, of Bridgewater, New Jersey; and Alfred Dean Kinnick, 57, of Limestone, Tennessee, were all pronounced dead at the scene of Saturday morning's crash on Interstate 78, state police in Lebanon County said Sunday. Advertisement The crash shortly before 9:30 a.m. Saturday occurred in what drivers reported as whiteout conditions, with very low visibility and a lot of drifting snow, Trooper Justin Summa said. "People were saying they couldn't see past the front bumpers of their cars," Summa said Sunday. Advertisement The major crash along one stretch of I-78 in Bethel Township involved 64 vehicles, including a dozen commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers and box trucks, but there were also "numerous secondary crashes" behind that as traffic backed up, Summa said. A total of 73 people were taken by four medical helicopters and by ambulance for treatment at 11 hospitals. At least one remained in critical condition Sunday, but Penn State Hershey Medical Center said two others taken to the hospital with critical injuries had improved and most of the 13 people brought to the hospital had been discharged. The interstate reopened Sunday morning following the pileup, which left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across three traffic lanes and into the snow-covered median about 75 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Jenny Privitera and her husband, Jason, who weren't injured, told the Lebanon Daily News that they were on their way to the Outdoor Show in Harrisburg when the crash happened. "It was on and off sunny and cloudy, and all of a sudden there was just a whiteout," she said. "We couldn't see much in front of us. It lasted for 20-30 minutes. We could hear the crash behind us and everyone sliding." Police said more than 70 people were taken to a warming shelter operated by the American Red Cross at a firehouse in the area. The center closed Saturday night after stranded motorists were given an opportunity to get rental vehicles or hotels. Among those caught in the pile up was the Penn State-Lehigh Valley men's basketball team. They were heading to a game in New Kensington when their chartered bus was hit by a tractor-trailer. The school reported no serious injuries. Vehicles pile up at the site of a fatal crash near Fredericksburg, Pa., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. The pileup left tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars tangled together across several lanes of traffic and into the snow-covered median. (AP) Survivor recounts crash Advertisement A bus carrying the men's basketball team from Penn State Lehigh Valley was heading west to a game near Pittsburgh when visibility diminished and a FedEx truck in front it started to swerve, said Kenny Leger, a sophomore team member from Orlando, Fla. "I heard the bus driver yell 'hold on'" before the bus was hit in the rear by a tractor-trailer, causing many students to tumble from their seats, said Leger, who was in the back of the bus and hurt his wrist when he was thrust forward. Leger said he and two other players got out of the bus to see if they could help. A tangle of vehicles littered the road as cars were sandwiched between jack-knifed trucks. The Penn State students were able to free a driver in one car but not a passenger who was trapped in the back seat with what appeared to be a broken leg, Leger said. Hearing a cry for help, Leger came upon a man pinned under a vehicle. Futilely he tried to lift the vehicle, he said, which would have been impossible even if he hadn't injured his wrist. "I wish I could have helped," said Leger, tearing up as he recalled the encounter. "He was calling out for help but I couldn't do anything." He believes the man died at the scene. Advertisement No one on the Penn State bus was seriously injured, the university said in a news release. A counselor met with students at the hospital, said Leger, who was still visibly shaken, eight hours after the accident. Leger said the weather changed dramatically, going from whiteout to perfectly clear in five minutes. James Steffy, who lives near the interstate, told WHP-TV that the crash "sounded like two bombs went off." "We thought it was thunderclouds, and my wife ran up over the hill and saw the accident," he said. Associated Press An unmanned Army surveillance blimp that broke loose from its tether at a base in Maryland in October 2015 hovers near Millville, Pa. (Jimmy May / Bloomsburg Press Enterprise ) Reporting from WASHINGTON The blimp that broke loose from an Army facility in Maryland last fall, wreaking havoc with its milelong tether, flew uncontrolled for hours because someone neglected to put batteries in its automatic-deflation device, Pentagon investigators have found. The pilotless, radar-carrying blimp was part of the troubled JLENS missile-defense system, which has failed to perform as promised while costing taxpayers more than $2.7 billion since 1998. Advertisement The runaway blimp episode was caused by a cascade of events spanning 13 hours, according to people familiar with the investigation, an overview provided to congressional staff members and a summary released by a military spokeswoman. The six-sentence summary of the investigation said that "design, human, and procedural issues all contributed" to the mishap. Pentagon officials declined to release a copy of the investigative report. Advertisement The blimp was one of two moored at the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground. On Oct. 28, it was floating at an altitude of about 5,200 feet when its tether tore apart. Fighter jets were scrambled to track the blimp as it wafted over Maryland and Pennsylvania, and commercial air traffic had to be diverted. The blimp's tether damaged power lines, knocking out electricity to 35,000 rural Pennsylvania residents. The tattered blimp finally came to rest in high trees in rural Moreland Township, Pa. The incident made JLENS a target of widespread ridicule and provoked fresh questions about the program. JLENS short for Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System is designed to provide early warning of enemy cruise missiles, drones or other low-flying threats. The blimps, also called aerostats, can float as high as 10,000 feet. At that altitude, their powerful radar can see 340 miles in any direction, farther than land- or sea-based radar, according to the system's prime contractor, Raytheon Co. The 7,000-pound aerostats are anchored to the ground by 11/8-inch-thick Kevlar tethers, which also hold wiring for electricity. The two blimps at Aberdeen were participating in an "operational exercise" intended to test the system's ability to defend the Washington, D.C., area. The exercise was suspended after the accident. The sequence of events that caused the blimp to break away began when a pitot tube, a narrow 18-inch-long device intended to measure air pressure within the blimp, malfunctioned. Ground personnel failed to detect or address the problem, investigators found. Advertisement Ordinarily, fans within the blimp would activate in response to a change in atmospheric conditions, such as increased winds. But because the pitot tube failed, the fans did not operate and air pressure within the blimp started to drop. The blimp turned so that it was perpendicular to the prevailing wind, instead of the desired parallel position. Gusts that reached 69 mph bent its vertical tail fins out of their normal shape. This made the blimp unstable in the air, putting greater pressure on the mooring tether than it was designed to withstand, according to the investigative documents. Still, the blimp was equipped with an automated device that should have caused it to deflate promptly and return to ground within two miles. The device failed to activate, because batteries had not been installed as a backup power source, according to people familiar with the investigation. Michael Kucharek, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command, confirmed the lapse: "The lack of batteries prevented the automatic rapid deflation device from deploying." Military officials declined to say who was responsible for failing to load the batteries. The blimps were managed by Army and contractor personnel. Advertisement The breakaway was the most conspicuous of many setbacks for JLENS, detailed in a Times report published last September (available at latimes.com/missile-defense). In tests, the system has struggled to track flying objects and to distinguish friendly aircraft from threatening ones. A 2012 report by the Pentagon's Operational Test and Evaluation office faulted the system in four "critical performance areas" and rated its reliability as "poor." A year later, in its most recent assessment, the agency again cited serious deficiencies and said JLENS had "low system reliability." A spokesman for Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Carter "concurred" with a recommendation from military officials to resume the JLENS operational exercise. "A thorough and complete test will allow us to determine if this technology will contribute to the overall homeland defense architecture here in the National Capital Region," said the spokesman, Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Crosson. Now it will be up to Congress to decide whether to provide the additional funds needed to return JLENS to the skies. In the last week, military officials have privately told congressional staff that they would like an additional $27 million to restart the operational exercise as of Oct. 1. A spokesman for Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and a supporter of JLENS, said the senator "is reviewing the findings of the investigation as Congress examines next steps in funding for the program." Advertisement Army Major Beth R. Smith said that officials in charge of the operational exercise plan to "fix any issue identified'' by the investigation and will follow recommendations to add personnel to JLENS and improve training and equipment. Los Angeles Times GREENVILLE, S.C As Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., bickered over immigration policy during the Republican debate on Saturday night, Donald Trump was given the chance to weigh in - and he immediately turned to another candidate. "The weakest person on this stage by far on illegal immigration is Jeb Bush," Trump said, pointing at the former governor of Florida. "He is so weak on illegal immigration it's laughable, and everybody knows it." Advertisement Bush responded with a shrug: "This is the standard operating procedure, to disparage me. That's fine." "Spend a little more money on the commercials," Trump snipped. Advertisement "If you want to talk about weakness - you want to talk about weakness?" Bush snapped back. "It's weak to disparage women." "I don't know what you're talking about," Trump said, shaking his head as many in the audience booed. The two engaged in eight of these nasty tiffs on Saturday night, clashing in broad terms over how best to fight terrorism, the mistakes of the Iraq War, immigration, eminent domain, Ronald Reagan, super PACs, attack ads and their differing abilities to manage budgets. It was a dramatic escalation of a months-long feud between two vastly different candidates: Bush, who brings the Republican establishment and his family legacy to the race, versus Trump, the ultimate outsider candidate who has completely upended the traditional process of selecting a Republican nominee. At times, the debate felt like a verbal death match, both seemingly intent on destroying the other before the night was over. It was the stark culmination of years of tension between Trump and the Bushes - a long-running battle pitting a patrician clan of presidents, governors and financiers against a loud Queens-raised deal-maker with a penchant for conflict and showmanship. Throughout the night, Bush painted Trump as a reality-television star who is not qualified for the White House because he "gets his foreign policy from the shows" and considers attacking people a "blood sport." Trump hit Bush again and again for his heavy campaign spending and meager results, while accusing him of being "not a good governor" and allowing Florida's economy to crash. Trump also criticized Bush's brother for not preventing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and seemed to accuse President George W. Bush of lying about finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before going to war. Bush then uninvited Trump from a rally on Monday that will feature his brother, and Trump said he didn't want to go anyway. Trump repeatedly interrupted Bush, who at one point exploded: "Let me finish!" When Bush did the same thing, Trump said: "Excuse me, Jeb." And as the donor-heavy audience repeatedly booed Trump, he at one point glared in their direction and said: "I only tell the truth, lobbyists." Advertisement At another point, when Bush was praising his mother, Trump mumbled: "She should be running." Bush, once the presumed front-runner, has struggled in the polls and this debate might have been one of his last chances to truly damage Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has dominated the polls for months and is riding a wave of confidence following a decisive win in New Hampshire last week. Yet even with a clear lead, Trump won't stop attacking Bush; at his rallies, he often says that he shouldn't be attacking someone with such low poll numbers but he just can't help himself. "Obviously, Jeb Bush is getting under Donald Trump's skin," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has endorsed Bush. "Jeb Bush has just consistently stood up to him and said, 'Donald, what you're saying is not right. It hurts the party but it's just not right.' " Corey Lewandowski, Trump's campaign manager, said Bush must have chugged a Monster energy drink before the debate because he suddenly had more fight in him. He described his boss as a natural fighter who won't be pushed around. "They just put up ads that are just so disingenuous, and I think it bothers Mr. Trump because he doesn't run that kind of campaign," Lewandowski said after the debate. "You've got a guy who has a super PAC that has gone out and raised over a 100 million dollars, attacking Trump all the time. And then Jeb tries to be the happy warrior when he has his super PAC doing all of his dirty work for him. And I think it's very disingenuous." Advertisement During the fight about who is weaker, Trump called Bush out for criticizing his "bad language" on the campaign trail when Bush himself has said some questionable things. "Two days ago he said he would take his pants off and moon everybody, and that's fine. Nobody reports that," Trump said. "He gets up and says that, and then he tells me: 'Oh, my language was a little bit rough. . .' My language. Give me a break." Bush shook his head as a moderator tried to break up the fight. "Just for the record," Bush said. "Make sure my mother's listening - if she's watching the debate - I didn't say that I was going to moon somebody." Another moderator tried to jump in, with no luck. "You did say it! You did say it!" Trump said, referring to a Boston Globe article in which Bush said he could moon the crowd and the media still wouldn't cover him. Advertisement As the debate continued, so did the insults hurled between Trump and Bush over the head of Cruz, who was stationed in between them and who could pose a greater threat to Trump in South Carolina. At one point, a moderator asked Trump if he ever allows anyone to tell him that he's wrong. His wife does all the time, he joked. When pushed for a real answer, he shifted into another Bush attack - an area where he's much more comfortable. "In New Hampshire, I spent $3 million," Trump said. "Jeb Bush spent $44 million. He came in five, and I came in No. 1. That's what the country needs, folks." The Republican presidential candidates' responses to the question of whether women should have to register for the draft are telling. (Adek Berry / AFP/Getty Images) Last Saturday's GOP debate was disastrous for many reasons Ben Carson's awkward refusal to step on stage, Marco Rubio's deer-in-the-headlights moment and the free pass granted to Donald Trump by his terrified rivals count among the many lowlights but perhaps the weirdest moment came with the posing of a simple hypothetical. "Should young women be required to sign up for selective service," ABC News moderator Martha Raddatz asked, "in case of a national emergency?" Advertisement The question was hardly out of left field. In December, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that all combat positions in the U.S. military would open to women. The White House, in turn, announced its intent to reconsider the Selective Service Act, which mandates all American males ages 18 to 25 to register for a potential draft. In early February, two top military officials testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee, arguing that since women are now in combat, they should also, by extension, register for a potential draft. According to the logic of modern feminism, this all makes perfect sense. Whether it adds up under the dictates of common sense, however, is another question. So it was rather stunning to see the responses of Rubio, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie, who each answered the question in front of 13 million Americans, many with jaws likely agape by blithely equating the mandatory registry for a potential draft with an empowered woman's "right." Advertisement "I think that we should not impose any kind of political agenda on the military," Bush declared. Women, he continued, "ought to have the right" to sign up for the draft. Rubio agreed. The most mawkish of the three, Christie who has since dropped out of the GOP race was the most over-the-top, citing his own daughters: "If a young woman in this country wants to go and fight to defend her country, she would be permitted to do so. There's no reason why one young woman should be discriminated against from registering for the selective service." And they say chivalry is dead! There are multiple logical problems here, but one in particular stands out: Registering for the draft is not a "right." It is not a self-actualizing, empowering decision. It's a draft, you dingbats. It's the government forcing people to go to war. Many have pooh-poohed the women-in-the-draft question, insisting it's a political distraction, that it wouldn't differ that much from the status quo, or confidently declaring, like Bush did on Saturday, that "the draft's not going to be reinstituted." This last point would be fantastic news. Just one question: What's the point of the Selective Service, which forces people to register in case there's ever a draft, if there's never going to be a draft? If Bush is correct, can't we just call the whole thing off? In the end, the debate about drafting women isn't as important on a practical level as it is on an ideological one. This is because it highlights, in alarming relief, the wacky, contradictory and bafflingly powerful narratives of modern feminism narratives that have saturated our culture, our politics, and, yes, our military policy. One narrative let's call it "The G.I. Jane" paints women as virtually identical to men. Sure, there may be a few biological differences, but toss on some extra muscle and cardiovascular stamina, and we're all good. There's a second narrative that's arguably more pervasive. It claims to empower women, but it implies often without its most loyal acolytes even realizing it that women are fragile weaklings without an ounce of personal agency. We can call this one "The Beleaguered Freshman Dorm Counselor's Mandatory Sensitivity Training Handbook" or, alternatively, "Glenn Close in 'Fatal Attraction,' But Too Wimpy and Repressed To Actually Boil The Bunny." While "The G.I. Jane" narrative often takes center stage in popular culture, it's the "Wimpy Glenn Close" storyline that has sandbagged our college campuses. How else can one explain the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's "Think Before You Speak" campaign, which equates saying things like "man up" and "hey guys" with "gender bias" and toxic masculinity? Or how about the responses to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who, along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has emerged as one of the loudest voices against registering women for the draft? Here's how feminist Amanda Marcotte interpreted Cruz's stance in a post on Monday: "Cruz: Women should be drafted into childbirth every day, not hypothetically drafted into combat." This is the second narrative on steroids. Helpless, weak women have nothing to do with getting pregnant, you see it just happens to them, like the draft! Advertisement A Rasmussen poll released Wednesday revealed some depressing news for these acolytes of equality: 52 percent of women in this country oppose having to register for the draft. Among men, 61 percent of respondents were just fine with shipping the ladies off to war. Think about that for a while, and then ponder what the latest iterations of feminism have wrought. It's not a pretty sight. RealClearPolitics Heather Wilhelm is a writer based in Austin, Texas. WASHINGTON To low-income residents and the groups that fight for them in expensive cities, new market-rate housing often feels like part of the problem. If San Francisco and Washington are becoming rapidly unaffordable to the poor, why build more apartments for the rich? New housing, these voices fear, will only turn affordable neighborhoods into unaffordable ones, attracting yet more wealth and accelerating the displacement of the poor. And so protesters rally against new market-rate apartments in Oakland. Politicians propose halting construction in San Francisco's Mission District. Advertisement Economists typically counter with a lesson about supply and demand: Increase the sheer amount of housing, and competition for it will fall, bringing down rents along the way to the benefit of everyone. It's understandable that skeptics raise their eyebrows at this argument. It's theoretical, based on mathematics and not peoples' lives. It seems counterintuitive -- that building for people who aren't poor will help the poor. But the California Legislative Analyst's Office just released some excellent data backing up this point: Particularly in the Bay Area since 2000, the researchers found, low-income neighborhoods with a lot of new construction have witnessed about half the displacement of similar neighborhoods that haven't added much new housing. Advertisement Here's another way to look at that: Places without much new market-rate construction have more displacement. That is, no doubt, the opposite of what protesters want. Importantly, the benefits of all this building aren't about inclusionary policies, which require developers to set aside some affordable units in market-rate buildings. There's less displacement in high-construction neighborhoods whether they have inclusionary policies or not. In this research (hat tip to Daniel Hertz, CityCommentary, for noticing it), displacement is defined when census tracts have population growth over time but a simultaneous decline in low-income households. The researchers also counted census tracts where the overall population was falling -- but falling particularly rapidly among the poor. In tight markets, poor and middle-class households are forced to compete with each other for scarce homes. And so new market-rate housing eases that competition, even if the poor aren't the ones living in it. Over time, new housing also filters down to the more affordable supply, because housing becomes less desirable as it ages. That means the luxury housing we're building today will contribute to the middle-class supply 30 years from now; it means today's middle-class housing was luxury housing 30 years ago. The report concludes that boosting private construction would do more to broadly help poor households than expanding small and costly affordable housing programs that can serve only a fraction of them. Those programs also don't resolve the underlying cause of high rents -- the housing shortage itself. And that shortage actually undermines affordable programs like housing vouchers, because it's a lot harder for the poor to use vouchers in a market where they're fiercely competing with everyone else. Adding one more point: None of this dismisses the very real fact that displacement from specific homes happens when low-income housing is literally knocked down to build high-end towers. A good amount of new supply in cities, though, can rise on under-utilized land (former industrial plots, surface parking lots, abandoned properties, etc.). And the cumulative effect of all that new supply can hold down rents across neighborhoods and cities, including for the poor. Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., visits with diners while stopping for lunch at the Cracker Barrel Old Country restaurant Feb. 11, 2016, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images) It's striking that in a presidential season with two viable Latino contenders, discussion of Hispanic voters has been negligible. This will change as the primaries move to states with larger Latino populations, Nevada being first up. In those states, Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio will come under questioning for ethnic loyalty. Advertisement This scrutiny will do them no favors. While some may imagine that Cruz or Rubio would get a boost in the general election from being the first Hispanic presidential nominee, either one would only help to hand the White House to the Democrats. The reason is simple: They continue to spurn other Hispanics. Here we have two children of immigrants trying to get elected by demonizing immigrants. Indeed, Rubio and Cruz embody a reality that they and their party deny: Latinos become Americanized very quickly. Advertisement Both men are very close to their immigrant roots, one generation away. Yet both men are highly assimilated. Rubio's love of rap music and respect for Pitbull, N.W.A., Tupac and Nicki Minaj, is often cited. Cruz, raised in Texas and the son of an evangelical preacher, has a penchant for Western attire and after 9/11 switched his preference from classic rock to country music. This is not exceptional for Latino families, whether they are legally in the United States or not. Assimilation happens; it's an unstoppable force of our society. Neither man speaks with an accent; only Rubio is bilingual. Latino immigrant families shift from Spanish, becoming monolingual in English by the third generation. They follow the same pattern, the same fluid rate of language acquisition, as previous immigrant groups, be they European or Asian. In fact, some studies suggest that language shifts are now occurring faster for Latinos, due to technology. But to appeal to a GOP base that is positioned as anti-immigrant, these two have taken to casting other Latino immigrants as the outsiders, as resistant to becoming Americanized, as unworthy of opportunities to right their immigration status, whether that be by legislation or executive order. On the campaign trail this year, only one message is permissible to Republican candidates: Latinos are to be feared and deported. Build the wall! Secure the borders! End birthright citizenship! Never mind that migration from Mexico has dramatically slowed and that illegal migration peaked nearly a decade ago. Some ascribe Rubio's and Cruz' lack of sympathy to being of Cuban descent. Cubans enjoy a huge advantage over other immigrants. If they can reach U.S. soil, they have an easy path to permanent legal status within a year. It's a leftover policy from the Cold War, when many were fleeing the persecution of communist repression, although that wasn't the case with either of the senators' families. Increasingly, that connection to yesteryear is fraying. Cuban-Americans are moving away from their once steadfast ties to the GOP. Advertisement Interestingly, Rubio probably got a taste of the non-Cuban immigrant experiences. He spent a portion of his teenage years in Las Vegas, where his father found work as a bartender. The young Rubio was often assumed to be Mexican-American and counted many Mexican-American schoolmates as his closest friends. It's reasonable to assume that he knew kids who had parents or other family members who were in this country without legal status. Perhaps that experience is what led Rubio to join the Gang of Eight, a group of senators who authored the last sane proposal for immigration reform, in 2013. Now he tries to scrub that fact from his record. A record 27.3 million Latinos will be eligible to vote this election cycle. Nearly half, 44 percent, will be millennials, according to Pew Research Center. Data crunchers believe that the eventual winner of the 2016 presidential election will need to draw at least 40 percent of Hispanic votes. Immigration obviously isn't the only issue of interest to Latinos; it isn't even the most important. Jobs, the economy, education rank very high too. However, it is a kind of gut-level test about attitudes. Rubio, especially, with his shifting to attract right-wing votes, has jilted Latino voters who would like to like him. Advertisement Given their current posturing on immigration, neither Rubio nor Cruz has a chance. The backlash is coming. A group of high-profile Latino celebrities, including Benjamin Bratt, America Ferrera, George Lopez and Zoe Saldana, organized to call on the GOP presidential candidates to end their anti-immigrant fear-mongering. Guitarist Carlos Santana, in a statement, underlined the plea this way: "It's never too late to graduate from the university of fear!" Sadly, it may be if you are seeking the Republican nomination. Tribune Content Agency Mary Sanchez is an opinion-page columnist for The Kansas City Star. Nostalgia buffs, we return you to the spring of 2012: Everyone's talking about TV's "Mad Men," Mitt Romney is fending off Rick Santorum in the Republican primaries and a gallon of gasoline around Chicago costs oof! $4.68. Remember the pain of high gas prices? How long ago it seems. Another Romney challenger, Newt Gingrich, pledged that if elected he'd give Americans $2.50-a-gallon gasoline. People scoffed, but it's a funny thing: Gingrich would have made good on his pledge, and more. The average price of a gallon of gas in the Chicago area is about $1.80. It's about $1.70 nationally. Advertisement Obviously, Americans don't have President Gingrich to thank, or President Barack Obama, either. The price of oil is determined by complex global forces of supply and demand beyond the direct control of any White House occupant. But the other funny thing about Gingrich's dream is how unsatisfying it turned out to be: Now that we have cheap gas, we should feel a lot better than we do. While every visit to the pump produces a giddy feeling of savings, those extra dollars are not jolting the economy. Growth is anemic, consumers cautious, markets unsettled. Maybe you feel it: how filling the tank for $30 instead of $70 represents more a breather from managing other bills than an excuse to splurge. Economists disagree on what percentage of the savings at the pump is being spent rather than saved or used to pay bills, but no one can dispute that the big picture looks weak. Shouldn't all that gas money pump up the economy? Advertisement John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, acknowledged last month that the Fed "got it wrong" on its assessment of cheap oil's impact. He said that when the U.S. imported much of its petroleum, a big drop in oil prices acted like a fat tax cut. Instead of sending money to the Middle East, cash went into the pockets of consumers who could spend it on new refrigerators or dinners out. Then the U.S. went deeper into the energy business, fracking for oil to get the U.S. closer to energy independence. About one-quarter of the petroleum we consume is imported. Sounds great, but the 70 percent plunge in oil prices since 2014 is killing the energy sector and putting pressure on banks that lent to it. Oil and gas companies are cutting investment, laying off workers and taking a chunk of GDP growth with them. At best, cheap oil looks to be a wash: Any boost by consumer spending is offset by the energy recession. Oil prices have tumbled for a number of reasons, including weakening demand from China and Saudi determination to keep pumping out supply, low prices or not. This week Saudi Arabia and Russia said they would freeze production at January levels. But there's still such a glut on the world market that oil on Friday remained around $30 a barrel, compared with a high in 2014 above $100. The U.S. economy is being affected, in part, because it had been feasting on a jobs-producing energy production boom here that has now been tempered. But that boom helped pull us out of the Great Recession when the U.S. economy didn't have many bright spots. And we're still better off being more vulnerable to a world economic slowdown and less vulnerable to unpredictable conflict in the oil-producing Middle East. It's smart to be less dependent on foreign oil. That was Gingrich's dream, and that's what happened under the Obama administration. But in a global economy, opposing forces in trade and business can balance each other in broad, unexpected ways. As Michael Levi, an energy expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told us: "The rise in U.S. oil production didn't eliminate the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world. It changed it." And that's OK. Even if cheap gas does no more than cushion against the energy recession, consider that a positive function of the globalized economy, acting as a hedge by balancing out wins and losses. In this case, the longer gas stays cheap, the more comfortable Americans will feel spending that savings. But oil prices won't stay low forever. As they rise, U.S. energy companies will benefit, more people will go to work. Bottom line: The more ways the U.S. taps into the global economy, the more ways it produces for the world, the better. Advertisement Follow the Editorial Board on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook. An eye-catching headline? You bet. Was I intrigued? Of course. Especially when it listed Aurora at No. 3 and Elgin at No. 5. Especially when it popped into my inbox the same week the city of Aurora agreed to pay more than $2 million to a man wrongly imprisoned for more than 10 years for a murder he did not commit. Carrie Feinberg, with one of her own pets, Ruby Lynn, is the owner of Safe Haven Advocate Pet Care and Photography in Elgin and is among five finalists for 2015 Pet Sitter of the Year, a competition held by Pet Sitters International. (Courtesy of Carrie Feinberg) Two of Carrie Feinberg's favorite animal friends are sugar gliders who can sometimes be moody. "They are the cutest things to be around," she said of the sugar gliders, which are native to Australia and are small like a mouse but have the body of a flying squirrel. "They can have some pretty special behavioral needs. Sugar gliders are kind of bipolar, if you will. They can be nice one minute and biting you the next. These two have kind of bonded (to her) and kind of not." Advertisement Owner of Safe Haven Advocate Pet Care and Photography, Feinberg takes care of more than 600 animals, from the domesticated to the exotic, like a tortoise, a parrot and snakes. "Animals have been my life," Feinberg said. "It is cool to be able to do a job where you can get paid to make best friends and take care of wonderful animals." Advertisement What is making her job even better lately is news that she is among five finalists in the 2015 pet sitter of the year competition held by Pet Sitters International. The company, based in King, N.C., has held the competition annually since 1995 and this year had more than 300 applicants, said Feinberg, who is certified through the organization. The nominations are done by clients, and finalists are judged on a variety of qualifications, she said. A panel will judge the finalists, and the winner will be announced in March, Feinberg said. It is the industry's highest honor and recognizes excellence in the professional pet-sitting field, the organization's website states. The winner and the other finalists will be recognized at Pet Sitters International's 2016 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo in September in San Diego. "I was so excited because my company is newer than some of the other established ones within the top five," she said. "I was literally jumping up and down. It is really the highest honor you can get within this field. A lot of people don't think pet care or pet-sitting is a real job. So to have the honor of being nominated and being looked at as the best of the best for that year by a panel of judges involved in this industry is a huge deal." Feinberg has 200 families as clients and cares for more than 600 animals. Feinberg started her business about two years ago with 10 clients. She goes to a clients' homes to care for their pet. She finds it is easier to have the animals stay at home than be brought to someone else's house or a kennel. She has 14 years of experience working in the veterinary field. Her experience includes working with sick animals, triage, giving medications and injections, and dealing with behavioral issues. She also does hospice care for animals. The hardest part of the job is getting close to the animals and watching them get older and die, she said. "It's really hard. They really become your best friend because you see them on a daily basis or monthly basis. It's really the downside of this industry, but I am glad to have so many best friends." Advertisement "It's an amazing thing to be in the presence of a horse," she said. "It is such a peaceful feeling." Safe Haven's website has many testimonials from her clients. Judy Krupica has four little pugs named Mickey, Moe, Ty and Mack. She and her husband met Feinberg at a pet expo in September. "We met everybody, and she just stood out with her personality, her warmth and the way she presented herself," Krupica said. "No one inspired any confidence in me until we met her." Krupica and her family own several restaurants and have a hectic schedule. Feinberg's flexibility means Krupica doesn't have to worry about her pugs going outside, needing medication or needing a cuddle. One of her pugs, Mack, is a bit standoffish and doesn't give a lot of kisses, but he gave Feinberg kisses from the minute he met her, Krupica said. "He just loves her," she said. Advertisement She has been impressed by Feinberg's background in the veterinary field and her photography. The family has printed out copies of the photos of the pugs for Christmas presents. "We hit a home run with her," Krupica said. Feinberg's photography evolved from the business. She updates clients following every visit and began taking photos of the animals on her cellphone to send with the updates. Clients began complimenting her photos, so she began using a camera, she said. "It kind of just blossomed from there," she said. She had one client whose dog she would walk every day, and she would take a photo to send to its owner. The dog got sick and ended up in hospice, she said. The photos became like a journal that the owner could keep forever, she said. Feinberg does not have a studio, but she has done photo shoots at different locations. She worked with the Puddle in South Elgin, which offers canine hydrotherapy, to take animal portraits, she said. A percentage of the fee was donated to the Puddle so shelter animals could go to the facility. Advertisement Taking photos of the animals is not always easy, but Feinberg has a few tricks, she said. Weird noises work best with dogs and make them look straight at her and tilt their heads, she said. Cats are another matter, she said. "Cats are a little more sassy," she said. "When you can capture an animal's true spirit (in a photo), it becomes a magical thing," Feinberg said. Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. Bonnie Everly, left, holds hands with partner Lyn Judkins on Friday as they talk about their fight for marriage equality. (Kyle Telechan / Post-Tribune) Bonnie Everly describes herself as laid-back and a bit wild and crazy. Her partner, Lyn Judkins, says she's more uptight and conservative. Advertisement "We're like yin and yang," Judkins, 59, said with a smile. "We complement each other." As thoughts turn to love and gifts on Valentine's Day, the couple said they probably won't do anything special just for the day. Advertisement "Every day is Sweetie Day for us," Judkins said. "We act like newlyweds every day," Everly said. The two Chesterton women have been together for 15 years this month and still hold hands every chance they get, whether out for a drive or at church. Their love for each other has never waned despite myriad challenges, including a car accident in which they both sustained serious injuries, a recent health scare with Everly, 58, and a battle for equality in Indiana for same-sex partners like themselves, which they played a major role in and ultimately won. The couple were among several plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed in 2014 in United States District Court Southern District of Indiana, seeking an end to Indiana's ban on same-sex marriages. The ban was overturned by the U.S. 7th District Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. They still haven't legally married, but they did exchange wedding vows and rings at Everly's hospital bedside last February when she got a pacemaker. "A friend is a preacher and he and his partner did the ring exchange ceremony," said Judkins. "A nurse went to the hospital cafeteria and brought us back little cakes. A friend brought flowers. Bonnie was in isolation so I had to wear a hospital gown." "It was really cool how everyone at the hospital was so supportive," she said. Advertisement Now, Judkins said they do the best they can to make every day important. "We're supposed to have date night once a week, but we usually do it twice," Everly said. For them, dates mean watching the sunset at the Lake Michigan beach in Portage, looking at Christmas lights during the holidays or going to garage sales. "We like doing the same things," Judkins said. "We're having a good time living out our lives the best way we can, and may I add the cheapest way, too," Everly said with a laugh. They also are looking forward to hitting the road this summer, meeting Everly's nephew in Iowa, the halfway point between Chesterton and his home in Nevada, so she can hold his baby son for the first time. They also plan to see Judkins' mom in Ohio and visit museums, a zoo and the Wisconsin Dells. Advertisement While they each dismissed Valentine's Day as another day, both wore jewelry given to them by each other as Valentine's gifts. For Everly, a cross with the Lord's Prayer inscribed on the front was an early Valentine's Day gift from Judkins. Everly, in turn, marked last Valentine's Day by giving Judkins a heart necklace with an inscription that says, I Love Us. "I love it. It never comes off," Judkins said. Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. You are here: Home Chinese budget carrier Spring Airlines on Saturday launched direct flights between Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, and Tokyo of Japan. The service is operated by a 189-seat Boeing 737-800 owned by the Japanese subsidiary of Spring Airlines every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, said Wu Jiajie, head of the Wuhan subsidiary of Spring Airlines. The 3.5-hour trip costs less than 1,000 yuan (152 U.S. dollars), lower than half of full prices offered by other airlines. As many Chinese traveled to Japan during the Spring Festival, air fares soared to more than 5,000 yuan, according to Spring Tour (Wuhan). Spring Airlines opened Wuhan-Osaka route in July 2014. The second direct service to Japan will bring convenience to Chinese tourists to Japan, said Wu. The State Council, China's Cabinet, has released a guideline on the protection of left-behind children -- those whose parents work away from home -- delineating the various responsibilities of parents, government and society. The guideline, signed by Premier Li Keqiang, states that local governments and village committees should keep themselves well-informed about the situation of left-behind children within their jurisdiction and ensure they are properly taken care of, while parents' primary responsibilities are stressed. Education authorities and schools have an obligation to help them study and live safely. Governments can contract charities and voluntary bodies to provide professional services, and a system of reporting, intervention, assessment and help will be established. The guideline also sets out to gradually decrease the number of left-behind children. More than 60 million children are considered left-behind, and lack of proper arrangements for many has led to a number of tragedies, such as the suicide last year of four children in southwest China's Guizhou Province. Flash Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation in Syria against the Islamic State (IS) militant group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying on Saturday. "If there will be a comprehensive strategy within the scope of fight against IS, we all said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation," the minister was quoted by Turkey's Haberturk daily as saying after attending the Munich Security Conference. He also said that Riyadh will send warplanes to the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey's southern province of Adana. Currently, the U.S., Britain and France are using the base to carry out airstrikes on IS targets in Syria. "They did a reconnaissance of the base," Cavusoglu said. "The planes will arrive at Incirlik. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come." Saudi officials also said that Riyadh could send troops "if necessary time comes for a ground operation," Cavusoglu said, adding that Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been backing a ground operation in Syria "from the very beginning." As Syrian government forces are making gains lately on the battlegrounds, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and others have voiced readiness to deepen their military intervention in the war-torn country. A Saudi military spokesman has pledged to send in ground troops in case of the U.S.-led coalition's agreement to launch a groud operation in Syria, while the UAE has agreed to dispatch special forces there, as claimed by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed early this month that it had "reasonable grounds to suspect intensive training in Turkey for a military invasion of the territory of a sovereign state - the Syrian Arab Republic." Flash Egypt on Saturday reopened the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip for two days after it remained closed for 70 days, a Palestinian statement said. Palestinians wait for travel permit to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] The last time Egypt reopened the terminal was on on Dec. 3 last year for two days. In its statement, the Hamas-ruled Borders and Crossings Corporation said that Egypt reopened the crossing from its side and the first bus of passengers had already crossed. It added that the crossing will be working on Saturday and Sunday for Palestinians who want to travel in both directions, adding that priority is for humanitarian cases, students and those who hold dual citizenships. Hundreds of Palestinians gathered on Saturday morning at the Palestinian side waiting for busses to move them into Egypt. The corporation said that the Rafah terminal was opened for only 21 days in 2015, adding that the year was the worst ever for operating the crossing, the only gate for around 2 million Palestinians in Gaza to the world. Since 2007, Hamas movement has been ruling the Gaza Strip, including Rafah crossing after it violently seized control of the enclave following weeks of internal fighting with security forces of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party. You are here: Home Flash Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said his main objective is to build a "modern democratic state" through carrying out a number of national projects to improve the economy. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addresses the newly elected House of Representatives in Cairo, Egypt on Feb. 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] "No one will hinder the path of building, progress, and advancement," Sisi said while addressing the newly elected House of Representatives. He urged the lawmakers to give top priority to education, health and renewal of the religious discourse, stressing that education is a national security issue. Egypt's parliament convened its first session on Jan. 10. Egypt has been without a parliament for about three years, as the last one elected in late 2011, months after the ouster of long-time leader Hosni Mubarak, was dissolved in June 2012 by a court order. President Sisi had held the legislative power until the the new parliament was elected. The new parliament consists of 596 seats, 448 of which are for individuals, 120 for winners from party-based lists and 28 who are appointed by the president. In his speech, Sisi also renewed his call for the international community to cooperate to combat terrorism, deeming it "the danger that threats the stability of the whole region." Egypt has seen an increasing wave of terrorism since the army-led ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his rule. Hundreds of police have been killed in the anti-state attacks, mainly in the restive Sinai Peninsula. Dozens of civilians have also been killed during explosions that crept into the capital and some other cities. Meanwhile, the army in coordination with the police have launched massive anti-terror operations to uproot the hideouts of the terrorists. Flash Seven people including five militants were killed and two troopers wounded Saturday in a fierce gunfight in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. The gunfight broke out Friday at Chowkibal in frontier district of Kupwara, close to the Line of Control (LoC), 125 km northwest of Srinagar city, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "The troops today killed five militants in an overnight gunfight in Kupwara," Indian military spokesman Col. N N Joshi said. "The army also lost two of its gallant soldiers who were leading scouts and despite bearing the brunt of the initial volley of fire, stood their ground for each other and the rest of the search team thus facilitating elimination of all five militants." The two troopers, who were wounded fighting militants have been evacuated to hospital and were said to be stable. According to Joshi, the operation was jointly carried out by army and police after receiving specific intelligence inputs about presence of militants in the area. Officials said they have recovered five assault rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition from the gunfight site. The identity of slain militants and their group affiliation was not immediately known. Police officials said they were yet to start the identification process. A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. Last week, three militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, were killed. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two of which were exclusively over Kashmir. Flash Turkey responded to an artillery attack on an army base close to the Syrian border on Saturday, a Turkish military source said. The source was quoted as saying by the state-run Anatolia News Agency that the Akcabaglar base in south-central Kilis province was shelled by the forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, referring to a Syrian Kurdish group and its affiliate with the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK, which has waged war on Turkey since 1984, is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The shelling came from Azaz in Aleppo province which has been the scene of recent heavy fighting. Turkish forces reacted within rules of engagement that provide for an immediate response to any border threat, the source said. The shelling came just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday that Turkey, "if necessary," will take military actions against the Kurds in Syria. In a televised speech, Davutoglu said "we would expect our friends and allies to stand by us." The Kurds have been Ankara's worst nightmare, especially after they have made notable gains in northern Syria, something Turkey apparently cannot accept. Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border. You are here: Home Flash Aid convoys carrying medical stuff entered the rebel bastion of Douma east of the capital Damascus on Saturday, according to the state news agency SANA. The aid was delivered to Douma by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, said SANA, adding that the shipment includes milk for kids, insulin, and other medication for chronic diseases. SANA said aid enters Douma every two or three months. Meanwhile, the oppositional Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the entry of aid, saying four aid convoys entered Douma. A source familiar with the aid entry told Xinhua that trucks entered Douma and left carrying vegetables for traders who will sell them inside the capital, as Douma and other areas east of Damascus are largely agriculture lands. Sending aid to besieged areas is one of the demands of the international community, as a way to alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people, who are paying a steep price for the nearly five-year-old conflict. Throughout the crisis, warring parties in Syria have resorted to sieges to diminish one another's strength. The tactic successfully forced rebels out of several areas and drove the government into negotiations in other areas, but countless civilians fell victim to the dire consequences of the sieges. The long-running conflict has killed at least 250,000 people, and driven 11 million from their homes. Flash Saudi Arabian military jets could arrive in Turkey in the next few days to carry out missions against the Islamic State (IS) militants group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday. German Tornado jets are pictured on the ground at the air base in Incirlik, Turkey, January 21, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] The aircraft are likely to be based at the Incirlik air base in Turkey's southern Adana province, from which many U.S. bombers have been bombing the IS areas in Syria. Cavusoglu said it was not certain how many Saudi warplanes would be based in Turkey. "Because this is our common struggle ... Saudi Arabia also wanted to send aircraft and join the air operations," he added. As Syrian government forces are making gains lately on the battlegrounds, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and others have voiced readiness to deepen their military intervention in the war-torn country. A Saudi military spokesman has pledged to send in ground troops in case of the U.S.-led coalition's agreement to launch a ground operation in Syria, while the UAE has agreed to dispatch special forces there, as claimed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed early this month that it had "reasonable grounds to suspect intensive training in Turkey for a military invasion" into Syrian. Flash The annual Munich Security Conference (MSC) has seen intense debates on Saturday between top diplomats from western countries and Russia, showing significant differences between the two sides on major security issues. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, Germany, Feb. 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] MSC, the most important informal meeting on security policy, entered its second day on Saturday, welcoming representatives of countries that are standing in focus of the global security, including Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Speaking during a Prime Ministers' Debate, Medvedev warned of "new Cold War," saying the West often uses deterrent means and its policy against Russia is "unfriendly," which has resulted in a break-down of dialogue between the two sides. Medvedev criticized the expansion of NATO and EU influence into Eastern Europe. "European politicians thought that creating a so-called belt of friends at Europe's side, on the outskirts of the EU, could be a guarantee of security, and what's the result?" he said. "Not a belt of friends but a belt of exclusion." Speaking of Russia's role, NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said earlier in a statement that "we have seen a more assertive Russia, a Russia which is destabilizing the European security order." "NATO does not seek confrontation and we don't want a new Cold War. But at the same time our response has to be firm," Stoltenberg added. Different positions on Syria and Ukraine have undermined the relations between Russia and the West. Both sides posed sanctions against each other. Speaking of the conflict in Syria, Kerry stressed in his speech the need to negotiate a political solution to the issue, but insisted that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step down. Medvedev, who had visited Syria before the conflict started, told the conference that Syria was once a peaceful country, and it would have the chance to continue to enjoy the fruits of economic development if there was no external influence. "People from the U.S. and European countries said al-Assad must go... but the country has been in a state of war for years... Who should be blamed for that?" he further said. According to the prime minister, the world can not afford another Iraq or Afghanistan, adding that modern democracy is not realized in these countries. The region, instead, has seen wars and terrorism, which forced people to leave their homeland. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, in a head-to-head debate with Medvedev, pressed Russia to stop bombing civilians in Syria while commenting on Russian actions in the war-torn Middle East country which is also facing terrorist insurgency. "France respects Russia and its interests... But we know that to find the path to peace again, the Russian bombing of civilians has to stop," Valls told the conference. Russia has been accused of causing civilian casualties since it started air strikes targeting the Islamic State (IS) four months ago. Medvedev rejected on Saturday the accusations as "just not true." "There is no evidence of our bombing civilians, even though everyone is accusing us of this," he told the security conference. "Russia is not trying to achieve some secret goals in Syria. We are simply trying to protect our national interests," Medvedev said, adding that Moscow wanted to prevent militant extremists getting to Russia. He stressed that the West and Russia had common enemies in Syria, namely terrorists, and the two sides should strengthen their cooperation in the fight against terrorism. As for Ukraine, Kerry urged Russia to fully implement the Ukraine peace agreement reached in Belarus' capital Minsk last year. Otherwise, he said, Russia would continue to face damaging economic sanctions, although "sanctions are not an end in themselves." Poroshenko, who made very emotional remarks on the Ukraine conflict in a panel discussion, accused Russian troops of having "occupied" his country. Medvedev, in his earlier statement, stressed that the Minsk agreements "are the best way to solve the crisis in Ukraine" and "should be followed by all sides." At the same time, Russia believes that their implementation depends, first of all, on Kiev authorities, he said. The prime minister admitted that the West and Russia were holding different opinions, but also struck a more positive note, saying "our positions differ, but they do not differ as much as 40 years ago when a wall was standing in Europe." The Iran nuclear talks, the UN's climate change summit in Paris as well as Thursday's Munich meeting on Syria, Medvedev noted, all showed that collaboration brought positive impacts. Facing various challenges including terrorism and regional conflicts, cooperation instead of confrontation is needed, he went on to say, so that the world can maintain peace which was regained on the ruins after the WWII. You are here: Home Flash At least 10 militants were killed and 12 others arrested in an operation carried out by security forces in Pakistan's southwest Sibi district on Saturday, local media reported. Dunya TV said that the forces launched the operation after receiving an intelligence tip-off of presence of suspected militants in Sangan area of Sibi, which located in the country's southwest Balochistan province. The forces raided three camps of the militants who opened retaliatory fire, engaging the troops into a gun-battle in which 10 insurgents were killed and 12 others surrendered. The report added that the troops also recovered hundreds of bombs, rocket launchers and other explosive materials from the camps of the militants. Three among the killed militants were members of outlawed outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan who were plotting terrorist activities in the province. The arrested militants have been shifted to some unknown place for investigations. Flash At least 25 Sri Lankan university students were injured in an accident on Sunday when the bus they were travelling in collided with a container truck, the police said here. The accident occurred on the Bandarawela, Haputale main road, in the misty hills of the Uva Province. The students were all females who were on their way to a local university. The students and the drivers of the bus and truck were all rushed to nearby state hospitals. Two of the students are reported to be in critical condition. Police are conducting further investigations. Flash Israeli military said it killed two armed Palestinians amidst clashes in the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday morning. A military spokesperson said that reserve soldiers arrived in west of Jenin, where youths were hurling stones at passing cars of Israeli settlers. A Palestinian opened fire at the force, causing no injuries, the spokesperson said. The soldiers then responded with fire, shooting and killing two Palestinians, said the spokesperson. A spokesman with the Palestinian Red Crescent told the Palestinian Ma'an news agency that the agency was informed of wounded Palestinians, but soldiers prevented an ambulance from reaching the scene to provide them with medical treatment. The incident was the latest in a five-month-long wave of violence in the West Bank and Israel, which have claimed the lives of at least 165 Palestinians and 26 Israelis. On Saturday, Israeli soldiers shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian girl after she attempted to stab a soldier near a holy site in the flashpoint city of Hebron. No Israelis were injured but the youth accidently stabbed and moderately wounded a Palestinian bystander after she was pushed by a soldier who tried to protect his soldier friend. Israel has been accusing the Palestinian National Authority of "inciting" the violence while the Palestinians say it is the result of 49 years of Israeli control of their lands. Flash The Turkish artillery continued to shell Kurdish areas in northern Syria for the second straight day on Sunday, killing and wounding nine fighters of a Kurdish group, a monitor group reported. Two fighters with the Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Force, a new rebel alliance constituting of Syrian Arab and Kurdish fighters and supported by the West, were killed and seven others wounded by the Turkish shelling that targeted the positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Uk-based watchdog group said the Turkish artillery fired at the Kurdish positions in the Minnegh airbase, the town of Afrin and near Azaz in northern Aleppo near the Syrian-Turkish borders. Meanwhile, the YPG and the PYD, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, rejected the Turkish claims that the shelling came in retaliation to a fire against Turkey from YPG positions. Moreover, the Kurdish fighters made it clear that they reject the Turkish demand to withdraw from the Minnegh airbase and the vicinity of Azaz. They further warned that they will confront any military intervention from Turkey, according to Salih Muslim, the PYD leader, who was cited by Kurdish media as saying Sunday. A day earlier, the Turkish artillery started pounding the Kurdish position in northern Syria, just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on that Turkey, "if necessary," will take military actions against the Kurds in Syria. In a televised speech, Davutloglu said "we would expect our friends and allies to stand by us." The Kurds have been Ankara's worst nightmare, especially after they have made notable gains in northern Syria, something Turkey apparently cannot accept. Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border. The recent escalation also came as the talks about a ground intervention by Saudi and Turkey troops in Syria have made headlines in recent days. Such an intervention will spark extra chaos in the already war-torn country, particularly after Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said any foreign troops entering Syria without the consent of the Syrian government "will be sent home in wooden coffins." BEIJING -- Tax treaties with countries along the "Belt and Road" will save financial institutions in China 9.6 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) in taxes, according to the State Administration of Taxation. In 2015, China conducted a number of tax treaty negotiations and modifications with countries along the "Belt and Road" including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Romania and Russia. Besides the tax agreements, the administration also negotiated with India, Indonesia and Tajikistan on tax disputes and saved domestic enterprises 270 million yuan in taxes last year. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China, comprises both the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with visions to connect Asian, European and African countries more closely and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. NEW YORK -- China has enough resources to realize 6.5-percent growth and has made encouraging headway on structural adjustments, said Stephen Roach, an economist with Yale University. Roach, a senior fellow of Yale University's Jackson Institute of Global Affairs who was just back from Beijing, told Xinhua on Thursday that his impression is that there is less concern inside China than outside China. "The broad conclusion inside China is (that) there remains confidence in the leadership and confidence in the strategy to address these issues," said Roach. In his view, China's economy is doing well, much better than what the market is concluding. "The slowed growth rate is a reflection of the structure shift in the Chinese economy, away from manufacturing and construction to services. For any economy, it means a slower growth; China is not an exception." China's industry sector is obviously being hit by weak global demand and the lagged impacts of RMB appreciation. Those are the ongoing source of weakness, said Roach, who was chief economist of Morgan Stanley and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. However, the emerging growth of China's service sector can offset the blows, he said. "The growing service sector can't completely compensate the declining industry sector. The important thing is service sector can compensate a large portion of reduced employment from industry sector. It's more important than GDP." He said he believes that as long as the Chinese government commits itself to the restructuring and move aggressively to execute the reform, China can definitely achieve the growth rate of 6.5 percent. China's slowdown, he noted, will affect major commodity exporters like Australia, Canada, Russia, Brazil as China is moving away from an industry-driven model to a carbon-light services model, resulting in less demand for commodities. But the good news is that China, if successful in rebalancing its economy, will create a huge demand for consumer goods, he pointed out. "That's enormous opportunities for countries to sell things to Chinese consumers. That's a plus in the current difficult global economic environment," he said. Meanwhile, he added that capital outflow from China will not trigger a crisis like what happened in Asia in the late 1990s. "There is a lot of difference between China and East Asia economies during the crisis back then," he said. China is still running a considerable current account surplus whereas all of those economies were in deficit at the time of the crisis, said Roach, adding that China today has over 3 trillion dollars in currency reserves and those countries had run out of reserves. In addition, he noted, those economies were all vulnerable to short-term capital outflows, and they had short-term foreign liabilities quickly rushed out the country, while China has limited exposure to that kind of capital. "China learned really important lessons during the later 1990s," he said, pointing out that the large foreign currency reserve China has built up after the Asian crisis is a huge cushion to deal with the problems just like that. The main challenges to the Chinese economy, he added, have much to do with the implementation of the reforms which have already been proposed. In his view, to balance the economy, the government needs to accomplish three main objectives: more employment growth, continuous urbanization, and building a strong and secure social safety net. He commented that the Chinese government has done a good job in the first two, but still lags in the third. "The government has proposed a number of reforms in the last two years to deal with social security and health care, household registration reform, one-child policy, that are all encouraging as the safety net is getting attention." "If they don't quickly implement the safety net reforms, the economy will get stuck in a sort of incomplete structure-change rebalancing. That will be proved to be a great risk for Chinese economy," he said. As regards the upcoming annual session of China's legislature in March, Roach said he is looking for a clearly outlined framework of a new five-year plan. "Last year the Chinese government gave us some hints on what to expect in terms of the growth and some broad reform proposals," he said. He said he looks forward to a clarification of what the government is actually doing, as well as the timelines of social safety network reforms and household registration reforms. "The market wants to hear a clear and much more precise timeframe by which the government is moving to address economic challenges," he added. BEIJING -- A Ministry of Commerce (MOC) official on Sunday said that he expected the European Commission (EC) to strictly follow the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese steel exports. On Feb. 13, the EC said in a notice that it would investigate steel imports including seamless tubes and launch provisional anti-dumping measures on cold-rolled flat steel products originating from China. The MOC official said the EC should be prudent, restrained and lawful in employing trade remedy instruments. TORONTO -- Over 1,000 vehicles will be on display at the 2016 Canadian International AutoShow, including a made-in-China General Motors (GM) model set to enter the North American market. GM has confirmed that the Buick Envision, a mid-size crossover, will come to North America. According to GM representative Natalie Nankil, the Chinese-made auto will go on sale in Canada starting in the fall. The Envision made its American debut at the Detroit auto show this January. GM, among the first automakers to bring cars made in China to North America, is expected to import some 30,000 cars this year. The crossover is made in GM's plant in China's Shandong province, a joint venture with Chinese partner SAIC that until now has made vehicles for the domestic market. The Toronto auto show officially opens on Friday. Out of the 44 vehicles premiered in Canada, the spotlight is on the 2016 Honda Civic, which was named the Canadian Car of the Year. Mazda CX-3 took the title of the Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year. Among the vehicle launches are the Tesla Model X, its new SUV production vehicle, and the Toyota U2 concept vehicle. Tesla spokesman Matt Schulwitz said the sales in Canada have been leading and that it is also doing very well in Asia. "Quarter after quarter we are continuing to ramp up sales and deliveries in China," Schulwitz told Xinhua. BEIJING - The State Council, China's Cabinet, has released a guideline on the protection of left-behind children -- those whose parents work away from home -- delineating the various responsibilities of parents, government and society. The guideline, signed by Premier Li Keqiang, states that local governments and village committees should keep themselves well-informed about the situation of left-behind children within their jurisdiction and ensure they are properly taken care of, while parents' primary responsibilities are stressed. Education authorities and schools have an obligation to help them study and live safely. Governments can contract charities and voluntary bodies to provide professional services, and a system of reporting, intervention, assessment and help will be established. The guideline also sets out to gradually decrease the number of left-behind children. More than 60 million children are considered left-behind, and lack of proper arrangements for many has led to a number of tragedies, such as the suicide last year of four children in southwest China's Guizhou province. Netizens split over wealthy Shanghai girlfriend's rejection of rural family's meal The story of a young woman from a well-off Shanghai background and her boyfriend from a poor rural family created a huge online discussion about love during the Lunar New Year. But unlike in many such romantic stories, love, in this case, did not triumph. The anonymous woman, from comfortable circumstances in China's financial capital, recently agreed to follow her boyfriend to spend the Spring Festival in his hometown a small village in Jiangxi province. But after one meal at the family's home, the 28-year-old woman insisted on ending the relationship and returning to her home that same night. She said she could stand neither the humble food that the family offered, nor their lowly home. In the pictures the woman posted, the meal was offered in a dimly lit room, with six dishes and a bowl of rice placed on an old, mottled wood table, which some commenters said made the table look dingy and the food unappetizing. The woman said they took a train, transferred to a bus and then bumped along a country road on a tractor before they finally arrived at the man's home. "The bumping had already made me very sick. When I saw the dishes, I really wanted to throw up," the woman said in her online posts. The couple had dated for a year, with the woman's parents firmly in opposition because the man was a poor outsider in Shanghai who had not been able to purchase an apartment in the costly megacity. "My mother had tried to persuade me to get out of the relationship. I regretted not having followed her suggestions after I arrived there," the woman said in the posts, adding that her father arranged for a car to pick her up that night. The posts caught netizens' attention and received a large numbers of comments, sparking heated discussions on the common conflicts that arise in relationships between poor men from the countryside and stylish urban women used to the good life. Some netizens were sympathetic to the woman. A netizen called Sunshine-after-rain said: "It's normal for the woman to flee. She had no obligation to force herself to tolerate or accept the poor situation." Netizen Daring 90 said: "The dishes are OK compared with what I saw among other similar incidents. Take care." But some criticized the woman for being impolite and snobbish, with netizen MissTumbler saying the man's family "must have offered you the best" they had, and netizen FinanceQiuer saying that she "should have kept your manners and showed basic respect to the man's family". A 26-year-old female Internet user from Jiangxi province, where the man is from, posted a long letter to the fleeing Shanghai woman on Saturday, expressing her affection for the province where she was born, brought up and is now living. "I can understand your fear and anxiety of facing rural life for the first time," the woman said in the letter. "But in recent years, people in the countryside of Jiangxi are working hard to change their own fate, as well as the fate of their hometown." "As more young people come back to start their own businesses and careers, the situation of Jiangxi is becoming different from years before," the woman wrote, garnering applause from many netizens. In Anhui province, local governments are encouraging returnees to start their own companies As the origin of a national diaspora of more than 2.8 million migrant workers, Fuyang city in East China's Anhui province is hoping to woo its workers home so they can help develop the local economy. The model for this hoped for up-by-the-bootstraps rejuvenation might very well be Wang Zili, 46, owner of a workshop that employs 150 Fuyang's Linquan county. Wang started the firm in 2012 in the village he was born in. While it's called an electronics company, wicker furniture is also in its product catalog. Wang, who frequently smiles, says he's still not used to being called boss. "I prefer that people use my name instead of a titles, because I think I am still a migrant worker,"he said. In the early 1990s, Wang left his hometown and became a migrant worker. In his first decade away, he took temporary jobs mostly in painting in Beijing and Shandong and Shaanxi provinces, he said. At first, Wang just earned 5 yuan ($0.76) a day. Still, "the income was much higher than what I could earn from farming in the countryside", said Wang, who has four children. The Wangs and their children jointly owned 2,000 square meters of agricultural fields in the countryside. Wang said that made it "impossible to feed the family", adding that it was a common dilemma in Linquan, which has suffered from dire poverty for decades. The county has just 1,800 square kilometers of land to support more than 2.3 million. "Each rural resident in Linquan, China's most populated county, has only 600 square meters of farmland on average," said Duan Quanhong of the human resources department of the county government. Wang said he had no choice but to leave his hometown on his own in his early 20s. Many of the county's 700,000 migrant workers were strongly encouraged to leave by the government. "For more than 10 years starting in the 1990s, the Fuyang government encouraged local rural residents to find jobs in cities, for poverty relief purposes," said Ye Luzhong, deputy Party chief of the city. "In the past, more people meant more poverty." During that time, the government collected information on the companies that were recruiting workers and provided it to rural residents. A free bus carried those who decided to leave Fuyang city, where they could catch trains and long-distance buses. Ye says the migrant workers have played a very important role in the development not only of the places where they have worked, but also of their hometown, "since they bring back money". "Nowadays, more people means more opportunities," said Ye. In 2004, Wang walked into an electronics company in Taizhou city in Zhejiang province. The firm's main product is a small light often used in children's shoes. Wang discovered that while the lights were very easy to assemble, the company often was short of workers. He made a proposal to the boss, saying he could take bring the materials back to his hometown and return the finished products to the company. With that, Wang returned to Linquan in 2005 and hired villagers, many of whom were women, seniors and the disabled left behind by men working in the cities. Wang said he was more like a labor contractor for the Zhejiang-based company than a business owner himself until 2012, when he founded his current company. The firm he worked for now is one of his major customers. Wang said that after Spring Festival, he would move his company's operations from his own home to an industrial zone built nearby last year specifically for the businesses of returned migrant workers. The factory will be provided to Wang free of charge for the first three years. More than 10 other firms also would move there. Ye, the Party official, said people such as Wang constitute the hope for the future development of the city's far-flung rural areas. "The next five years will be very key to the city's urbanization process," Ye said. "To finish the process, we need more industries and also more people. The rural areas are very weak in such aspects as infrastructure, so it is not practical to attract businesses from outside. "We have no choice but to rely on the returned migrant workers," Ye said. The returnees "are hardworking and they will not likely leave the place again once they have their own careers in their hometown", Ye said. City officials said 160,000 to 200,000 migrant workers have returned to Fuyang every year since 2012, and most of them have found jobs. Since that year, more than 36,000 of the returned migrant workers have started their own businesses, and the number is expected to reach 200,000 in five years, according to Ye. "A lot of support will be provided to them, including tax reduction and exemption, free-of-charge factories and training on how to start a company," Ye said. BEIJING -- The triumph of directly detecting a gravitational wave has made it possible for human beings to look deeper into space when the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) successfully sensed the ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the merger of two massive black holes 1.3 billion years ago. This discovery is due to the efforts of over 1,000 scientists from universities around the United States as well as in 14 other countries. Among them was a team of five Chinese scientists from Tsinghua University who worked on gravitational wave data analysis. "It is an extremely exciting discovery, and our group dealt with data," said Prof. Cao Junwei, head of LIGO Scientific Collaboration research group at Tsinghua University. As the only member from mainland China in LIGO scientific collaboration (LSC), Cao's group focused on gravitational wave data analysis using advanced computing technologies to help "purify" the received signals. In search for real gravitational wave signals, scientists had to damp out irrelevant vibrations caused by noise sources, which is no easier than identifying a Morse code tapped on a wine glass at a grand party bustling with noise. The group applied a method of "machine learning" to the analysis, which originated in the field of artificial intelligence. It compared the signals in the gravitational wave channel with other channels, and the coupling of signals helped rule out irrelevant signals. That transformed the signal detection and identification into problems of data analysis and processing, which is a strong point of the Tsinghua group, Cao told Xinhua. "In a long period of time, LIGO was not sensitive enough to see a passing gravitational wave. What we captured and processed are all noises. But it was no waste of time. The experiences helped LIGO upgrade and improve sensitivity," Cao said. He noted that the observation of a gravitational wave fulfilled the prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity and opened a new window on exploring space. It will also drive cutting-edge development of optics, engineering, computer science and many other relevant subjects, he said. To accelerate its domestic research, Cao said, China should develop its own gravitational wave observatory, but before that, loads of work needs to be done. The country is planning to overhaul the university system to attract larger numbers of foreign applicants, reports Zhao Xinying. Students from Malaysia and China watch a performance during a Malaysian cultural festival organized by the Beijing Foreign Studies University in November. WANG ZHUANGFEI / CHINA DAILY In 2014, more than 377,000 students from 203 countries studied in China, according to the Ministry of Education. The Institute of International Education calculated the number of foreign students as 356,499, and ranked the country as the third-largest host of international students after the United States and the United Kingdom. Whatever the true number, in the eyes of Fang Jun, deputy director of the Ministry of Education's Department of International Cooperation and Exchange, the statistics don't tell the whole picture. Although the numbers proclaim China as the world's third most-popular location for students from overseas, factors such as the middling quality of the education provided and the sources and structure of the international student group need urgent review and updating, he said. Judging by the numbers alone, China has made great progress in the provision of education for international students in the past four decades. In 1978, about 1,900 international students studied in China, but by 2014 that number had risen more than 200 times. Currently, about 2,500 universities offer places to international students, while in 1990 only about 100 universities were allowed to recruit students from overseas. Fang said the sector is unbalanced because most international students study arts-based subjects, especially Chinese language, and those studying sciences, engineering and business account for a small proportion of the total. Another imbalance is the low number of students studying at degree level or higher. Only 44 percent of international students come to China to study for a degree. The others are on short-term study programs, many as exchange students who stay for a semester or two before returning to their countries to study for a degree. The situation is the reverse of those in the US and UK, where degree students account for the majority of the international group. In addition, rather than coming from a wide range of countries, most of the overseas students pursuing degrees in China are from concentrated regions, with more than 70 percent hailing from neighboring countries in Asia or from the African continent. "Efforts need to be made to diversify the sources and types of international students coming to study in China," Fang said. A scene from Lelequ's version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland that showcases the sophistication of making pop-up books. Provided to China Daily From Ming to Alice, publisher creates works of art for domestic readers A chance encounter with a captivating children's pop-up book in a Milan bookstore sent Wang Yihua on a magical journey of her own. "I was so amazed, even as an adult. I just couldn't put the books down and sat there reading until the business hour was over," Wang said. She began to wonder: "Why can't my daughter and other children at home have books like these?" A creative mission followed, and in the decade after that enthralling discovery in Italy, she built Lelequ, China's leading pop-up book publisher, from scratch. These days, Wang has been busy fulfilling her promise to publish a bilingual pop-up book about Ming, the much-loved giant panda who survived the Nazi blitzkrieg and cheered British hearts during the war some 70 years ago. She attended the installation of a statue memorializing Ming, a gift from the Chinese people to the London Zoo, during President Xi Jinping's official visit to the United Kingdom in October. The text of the story is already complete, and a paper-art designer and illustrator are working to enable Ming to pop, flap and swirl as readers turn the pages. "We're confident that the Ming book will have huge appeal," Wang, chair of the Ronshin Group publishing house, told China Daily during a book fair in Beijing in January. Wang's early years as a pop-up publisher were challenging. Pop-up books are priced significantly higher than regular books - sometimes 10 to 20 times higher - and require special skills. The new company had no marketing channels, no experience, and factories able to print their products were contracted to foreign publishers. [Photo by Huang Zhengwei/China Daily] Pictures of three-wheeled electric vehicles, Transformers' Bumblebee, a female farmer holding a shovel, Hulk, villagers mowing a grassland and the Ninja Turtles ... they look a bit strange when put together. But in Lihe village, Xin'an county in Henan province, these artworks are trendy 3-D paintings covering both sides of a road and have transformed this village into a fairytale world. This village road is designed as a tourist attraction, in order to blend rural culture and modern art. Last October, the local authority recruited a professional team of artists to paint each house along the road, according to their wall size, and so far they have finished doing 200. The road of paintings will run for more than 20 kilometers, and villagers have come to terms with their existence, and have started to appreciate them. The contrast of the paintings on the walls with the traditional Chinese countryside is attracting a lot of attention. Related: Chinese opera 'The White-haired Girl' goes 3D Printer takes chocolate into the 3rd dimension Statues of ancient Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and the princess guard the old city gate of Songpan in Sichuan province.[Photo provided to China Daily] Ernest Henry Wilson visited Songpan, an ancient city in Sichuan province, a few times beginning in 1903 to take back with him seeds to the United Kingdom. Back then, Songpan used to be an important source of biodiversity because of its location near the origin of Minjiang River, between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Sichuan Basin. During his visits, the late British botanist took many photos of the city and praised its weather, landscape, ethnic food and culture in eulogies. Multiethnic Songpan in Southwest China retains its charm today. The local government has installed a statue of Wilson to honor his contributions in making Songpan known to the world by way of photos and writings. They have also served as ready references for the authorities while rebuilding parts of the ancient structures other than the city's well-preserved wall. Songpan was a hub for trade in tea, herbs, salt and cattle between western China and Central Asia, as well as a base for imperial China's military forces since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). The city's profile rose further in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when a general from northern China built a wall with many gates and watch towers. The wall of black bricks, made from rocks of a nearby mountain, is more than 6 kilometers long and 12 meters high. HAVANA - The Cuban government confirmed Saturday that it will sign a memorandum of understanding with the United States on Feb. 16 to formally re-establish direct flights. "On Tuesday, February16, the signing ceremony will take place in the National Hotel of Cuba," said a press release by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the agreement is signed, airlines will have 15 days to submit their proposals to the US Department of Transportation for routes. At least five major American airlines, United, Delta, American, Southwest and JetBlue, have shown an interest in establishing formal links to the island. While the eventual number of flights and routes will depend on the demand, the agreement to be signed will establish a potential for over 100 daily flights to Cuba, 20 to Havana, and 10 each for nine other airports, including Santiago de Cuba, Matanzas, Camagyey, Manzanillo and Santa Clara. Furthermore, airlines from both sides will be able to sign commercial agreement, such as shared flight codes and leasing of planes. However, Thomas Engle, assistant secretary of state in Washington, said on Saturday that this agreement will now allow flights of Cuban passengers to the United States. China diplomats warn over deployment of US defense system in the ROK "The deployment of the THAAD system by the US goes far beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage would mean it will reach deep into the Asian continent," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. Senior Chinese diplomats have warned against any actions that damage China's interests by using the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue as an excuse. The warning comes as the United States is being allowed by the Republic of Korea to deploy a powerful missile system that will technically cover China and Russia. Hours after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea launched a rocket on Feb 7, the US and ROK angered China and Russia by deciding to start talks on deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to the US military base in the ROK. In an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said "safeguarding China's national security interests" was a key principle for tackling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. China "resolutely objects to any attempt by any country to infringe China's lawful rights and interests in the name of the peninsula nuclear issue", Wang said on Friday, according to a news release issued by the Foreign Ministry. "The deployment of the THAAD system by the US ... goes far beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage would mean it will reach deep into the Asian continent," Wang said. "It directly affects the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries." When meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Munich on Friday, Wang said the US must be cautious about undermining China's security interests or "adding new complications to regional peace and stability". Fu Ying, the National People's Congress' foreign affairs chief, said on Saturday at the Munich conference that China is puzzled and angered by the US actions, People Daily's website reported. Fu added that the US had told China to cooperate on the peninsula nuclear issue while Washington had been involved in discussions with its allies about deploying the THAAD system. Snapshot of love: Li Zhao takes a selfie with Zhang Jianna after they obtained their marriage certificates in Fuyang, Anhui province, on Sunday. Valentine's Day coincided with the first day back at work after Spring Festival. WANG BIAO / FOR CHINA DAILY Valentine's Day stirred passions in at least one Asian country but was given the cold shoulder in another. In Japan, women elbowing each other in the stampede to buy chocolate for the men in their lives brought stores to a standstill at the weekend. But in Pakistan, President Mamnoon Hussain urged the nation to refrain from celebrating Valentine's Day. In Japan, men do nothing to mark the Feb 14 festival, while the women do battle in heaving aisles, loading up on confectionery for their menfolk. If the women are lucky, the men will reciprocate on White Day in March, when they traditionally give white gifts, including sweets and lingerie. "My feet hurt, my arms hurt and my head hurts," said Kana Shimizu, clutching two bags of Belgian chocolate that cost more than 10,000 yen ($90) at a plush store in Tokyo's Ginza district. "This one is for my boyfriend, the other one is for me. I don't want him having all the fun," she said. Having splurged on honmei (true love) chocolate, the 27-year-old hair stylist rushed off to find somewhere less upmarket to buy treats for her male work colleagues. "They can make do with cheap chocolate," she said. "No, seriously. It's such a pain every year." In Pakistan, the president said that Valentine's Day, which is celebrated traditionally in the West by lovers, had no place in the Muslim-majority nation. Speaking to a crowd of students on Friday, he urged them to focus on their studies instead. Other officials criticized Valentine's Day. Chinas Relations With the West: Straight Line Decline There are those who believe China's ongoing Party Congress will bode well for companies that do business in or with China. I am firmly convinced that the opposite is true and that it will used as yet another opportunity by China to show that it will not be cowered by the declining relations and sanctions/counter-sanctions between the United States / EU / Australia / Japan on the one hand, and China on the other. I see China using this Congress to let the world (domestic and external) know that it fully intends to fight back and fight back hard. In other words, this Party Congress will lead to China's decoupling from much of the world accelerating, not slowing down. (Photo : Getty Images) China's President Xi Jinping (L) and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Over the years, China has been trying to bolster its relationship with Latin American countries. Advertisement Is China making its biggest ever bet on Latin America? If we do consider the huge amount of money that the Chinese government has been pouring in the region over past two years, then the answer is resoundingly 'yes'. Consider this, in 2015 Chinese banks sanctioned nearly $30 billion in loans to Latin American countries. That is more than double what Chinese banks had sanctioned in 2014. Curiously enough, it is also more than the combined money offered last year by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to Latin American region. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement China's newfound generosity towards Latin American does not stop here. The Chinese government has reportedly made available an additional $35 billion aid for constructing various infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and railways. This overture towards Latin American countries, however, has not come out of blue. In recent years, China has been consciously warming towards South American countries. Last year, China hosted all Latin American presidents in Beijing for the very first time. All About the Economy Today, any country's geopolitical actions and decisions are motivated by economic compulsions and so is China's growing bonhomie with South American countries. But the obvious question that pops up is what can 'investment-hungry Latin American countries' offer to China. Well, the answer is 'raw material.' China is hungry for crucial raw materials like iron, oil, soy and all types of food. Something that most Latin American countries have in abundance. Most South American countries are apparently more than happy to trade off raw materials in exchange for the financial goodies that China has to offer. There is another economic advantage that China will probably derive from all its huge infrastructure projects in Latin America. These projects will create thousands of jobs for overseas Chinese workers. Actually most of China's overseas projects come with a condition that a huge percentage of the jobs will be outsourced to overseas Chinese workers. While economic issues are certainly overdriving factors, China's alliance with South American countries is also propelled by its overarching thirst to increase its global influence. Most prominent Latin American countries like Brazil, Argentina and Chile prefer 'China' over 'America.' That is most probably because they see China as 'less interfering' than America in their internal politics. All said and done, it is still early days to predict the future of the friendship between China and the South American region and how this bet will pay for Beijing. Advertisement TagsLatin America, china (Photo : Getty Images) Rescue workers found the last missing person among the collapsed building in Tainan, Taiwan. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit southern Taiwan early Saturday Feb. 6, toppling several buildings, killing at least 116 people. Advertisement The remains of the final person reported missing after a building collapsed in Taiwan last week following a powerful earthquake that shook the city has been discovered, bringing the rescue mission to an end. A total of 116 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the incident. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Rescue efforts come to an end about a week after the 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan. Mayor William Lai announced on Saturday that all missing persons have been accounted for, Xinhua reported. According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, the earthquake shook Kaohsiung City at a depth of 15 km at 3:57 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6. The city of Tainan was most affected by the earthquake. In Yongkang district, a 16-storey apartment building built in 1992 completely collapsed. The U-shaped Wieguan Jinglong (Golden Dragon) building also fell eastside towards a road just seconds after the earthquake. A total of 289 people were rescued from the toppled buildings. All but two of the 116 recovered in Tainan were found among the ruins of the Weiguan Jinlong building. Of the survivors, 96 were sent to the hospital for medical treatment Throughout Tainan City, up to 507 people were reportedly hospitalized following the earthquake - 438 of whom have since been discharged from hospitals. Lai identified the last missing person to be pulled out from debris as Hsieh Chen-yu. According to Lai, Hsieh was part of the building's management committee. He speculates that Hsieh may have wanted to wait until everyone else had fled for safety. Lin Ming-hui, the developer of the Weiguan Jinlong complex, together with the two architects of the structure, have been detained on allegations of negligence. Experts say the developer and architects may have cut corners in building the complex. Tainan City officials are set to inspect several dozen other structures built by Lin. Although earthquakes often hit Taiwan, they cause little or no concern, especially after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake shook the country in 1999. Since then, more stringent building construction regulations were imposed. Advertisement TagsTaiwan, Taiwan Earthquake, Taiwan Earthquake 2015, 116 died due to earthquake in Taiwan, 116 casualties in Taiwan, Tainan City, William Lai, Weiguan Jinlong, Kaohsiung City, Golden Dragon Building (Photo : Getty Images) China hopes to strengthen bilateral ties with France with the nomination of a new French foreign minister. Advertisement With the nomination of a new foreign minister in France, China hopes to deepen ties with the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said while congratulating Jean-Marc Ayrault - the new French Foreign Minister. Hong expressed the foreign ministry's enthusiasm about working with the newly appointed French foreign minister, according to Xinhua. On top of the agenda is to push forward bilateral ties with France. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Ayrault, a former French prime minister, was nominated by French President Hollande Francois this past Thursday to replace Laurent Fabius. Ayrault has made great contributions to the growth of China-France relations, according to Hong. The spokesman also spoke highly of the outgoing French foreign minister. Laurent Fabius has played a key role in developing the relations between China and France. Fabius reportedly paid 12 visits to China during his term as foreign minister. He also made intense efforts to advance bilateral cooperation in various fields, Hong added. Hong said that efforts of Chinese and French government to improve collaboration has led to a new period of closer and enduring relationship between the two countries. The former foreign minister was forced to step down after criticizing the United States' commitment to resolve the crisis in Syria. Fabius, who has been a key supporter of the Syrian opposition, said that the U.S. ambiguous polices are contributing to the worsening situation. Hong hopes that Fabius will continue to work for the growing friendship between the two countries Advertisement TagsChina-France relations, China-France, Hong Lei, Foreing Ministry, Jean-Marc Ayrault, Francois Hollande, Laurent Fabius, bilaterial cooperation, bilateral cooperation, bilateral trade agreement (Photo : Reuters) The Peace Palace, which houses the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), is seen in the above photo taken in The Hague. The Philippines filed a case before the international tribunal three years ago in a bid to stop China's incursions and massive land reclamation activities in what Manila claims are its territorial waters. Advertisement The ruling of the international Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the case filed by the Philippines regarding China's territorial claims in the South China Sea will test Beijing's commitment to the rule of law, according to a high-ranking Washington official. The Philippines filed a case at the PCA's headquarters in the Netherlands three years ago in a bid to stop China's incursions and massive land reclamation activities in the disputed waters. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The Philippine government on Wednesday said it is confident the international tribunal will issue a ruling on the case by May. "This is going to be hugely important," US state department assistant secretary Daniel Russel told the Financial Times in anticipation of the ruling. "I think it is the acid test of whether China will be seen as a nation that abides by international law or whether China is prepared to be seen as an outsider that flouts international law." "Embraced and Upheld" The Philippine government -- which had earlier refused bilateral talks with Beijing -- has said it would only consider negotiating with China if the tribunal rules in favor of Manila. China has nevertheless refused to participate in the proceedings, and has already said it will not recognize the international tribunal's ruling. "Our position is clear," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei in November. "We will not participate in -- or accept -- the arbitration." Experts have said a ruling favorable to the Philippines could deal a significant blow against the legitimacy of the "nine-dash line" argument on which China premises its sweeping claims over the South China Sea. In January, Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said that -- although China has said it would not be bound by the ruling -- the tribunal's decision "will be embraced and upheld by all other nations with claims or interests in the region." Dr. Mohan Malik of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies meanwhile says a ruling in favor of Manila is likely lead to more US-led joint freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, further eroding Beijing's assertions over the territory. Equally Binding "China stands alone on the most contentious security issue in Asia today, the so-called nine-dash line in the SCS, and there is not a single country that publicly supports Beijing's irredentist claims," Malik says, using an acronym for the South China Sea in a report for Global Risk Insights (GRI). The PCA's ruling could likewise convince other nation-claimants to file their own cases against Beijing, analysts say. Reports from Manila indicate that the governments of Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan sent delegations to observe the proceedings of the case at the PCA in November. The Vietnamese government filed a position paper backing the Philippine's legal argument in 2014, and has said it is already considering filing its own case against China for its claims over the South China Sea. Echoing Australia's position on the issue, an unnamed Washington official told the Financial Times that the tribunal's ruling would be seen by the rest of the world as equally binding on both the Philippine and China, regardless of the outcome. "It is in all of our interests to do everything in our power to encourage China to do what they say they do -- which is to adhere to international law," the official said. Advertisement TagsChina-Philippines, US-Philippiness, Permanent Court of Arbitration (Photo : Reuters/US Navy) Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef (above) in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. US President Barrack Obama is expected to to seek a consensus on the necessity of preserving freedom of navigation in the busy waterway during the upcoming ASEAN summit. Advertisement The US-initiated meeting with Southeast Asian leaders, which kicks off Monday in California's Sunnylands resort, is likely to shine a harsh spotlight on China, experts have said. Some analysts have predicted that US President Barrack Obama is likely to seek a consensus on the necessity of preserving freedom of navigation in the South China Sea during the summit -- an implied rebuke of China's aggressive claims over the busy waterway. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement "This is a critically important principle, particularly in the South China Sea," said White House press secretary Josh Earnest recently, adding that a considerable volume of global trade flows through the territory. "Ensuring the free flow of this commerce and that freedom of navigation is critically important to the global economy." "Recalibrated Calculus" Obama has used Sunnylands -- a lush, breezy retreat in Rancho Mirage, California -- as a venue for a high-level meeting once before. He hosted China's President Xi Jinping there three years ago. Monday's summit, however, is likely to vex Beijing. In the past months, the US has re-doubled its efforts to throw a monkey wrench into the Chinese government's ambitions in the South China Sea, building alliances and flouting Beijing's claims of authority over the busy waterway with its nagging freedom of navigation operations. Japan and the Philippines -- each with its own agenda -- have indicated some interest in joining US naval operations in the disputed waters, a fact that has elicited sharp criticism from Chinese foreign ministry officials. Australia -- a staunch US ally -- and Vietnam have expressed their support for the US naval patrols, and Canberra has announced plans to conduct its own freedom of navigation operations in the territory. Experts nonetheless say that -- beyond the bristling naval hardware and pointed rhetoric -- the principle of freedom of navigation is a vital component in a very real US struggle for political and economic influence in the Asia Pacific region. Experts have predicted that Obama will be on the offensive during the summit. "The ultimate aim of US strategy towards the South China Sea is to enhance America's leadership and increase the costs to China of its maritime assertiveness, leading to a recalibration of Beijing's strategic calculus," says Asia policy expert Richard Javad Heydarian in a report for the CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI). "Commercial Olympics" Heydarian points out that -- ahead of the summit -- Washington had already signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation; increased cooperation with Vietnam; expanded multilateral engagement with a gradually liberalizing Myanmar; and appointed the first permanent mission by an outside country to ASEAN, among others. Some analysts say that Obama is also likely to push for more robust trade and investment ties in the region, particularly under the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact. China has been the ASEAN's largest trading partner since 2009, with its bilateral trade with member countries surpassing $366 billion in 2014. However, the US strategy has focused on direct investment, where it is ahead of China. "There may be a better term for it than 'cold war'," Stuart Dean, a retired executive from General Electric, who spent 24 years in Southeast Asia, told the New York Times. "It's a commercial Olympics, as it were." American companies quietly poured some $32.3 billion into Southeast Asia from 2012 to 2014, according to ASEAN data quoted by the New York Times. China plunked down some $21.3 billion in direct investments in the region during the same timeframe. "I think the strategy of the Obama administration has been a long-term one which reflects a whole vision of Asia and realizes ASEAN is a critical piece of the puzzle," says Alexander Feldman, CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. "Since Day 1 they have focused on this region and understood that it was really the battleground for the future of Asia." Advertisement TagsUS-China relations, China-ASEAN, Territorial disputes in the South China Sea (Photo : Getty Images) India has dispatched the INS Vikramaditya - its largest and most powerful warship - to Maldives. Advertisement India on Sunday dispatched its largest and most potent warship, INS Vikramaditya, to Maldives along with two other aircraft warships - INS Mysore and INS Deepak. INS Vikramaditya will reportedly be performing maritime functions in Maldives from February 15 to 18. INS Vikramaditya was recently deployed to Sri Lanka from January to January 21-22. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement India's decision to send its aircraft warship to neighboring countries reinforces its plans to increase its maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region. Simultaneously, it will also keep tab on China. Beijing has also been making moves to enhance its maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region. China is already in the process of making a huge port in Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka). A move that will certainly give the country a huge maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region. This is apparently causing some paranoia among Indian security establishments. A reason why India, along with providing maritime assistance, will also be providing other types of military assistance to Maldives. According to reports, India is already in the process of stepping up its military presence and also supplying Dornier patrol aircraft and helicopters to Maldives. Interestingly, India's latest move comes immediately after Bangladesh cancelled a port project with a Chinese company. Bangladesh reportedly stalled the project at the behest of India and America. India and the U.S were recently reported to be planning for joint naval patrol in the South China Sea. Following a Reuters report about the upcoming patrol, Beijing issued a warning to both countries. Advertisement TagsIndia, Maldives, china Justice Scalia's death should not be an opportunity for President Obama influence court, conservatives say Guest Reviewer | 14 February, 2016 by Michael Foust GREENVILLE, S.C. (Christian Examiner) The leading Republican candidates for president Saturday night staunchly opposed allowing President Obama to pick a replacement for Antonin Scalia, a towering conservative on the Supreme Court whose death earlier in the day shocked the nation's capital and ensured that the presidential race will be dominated by social issues. Scalia, 79, was nominated by President Reagan and quickly became a hero of the Right, voting in the minority once to overturn Roe v. Wade and later in the minority to uphold state constitutional marriage amendments. He voted in the majority in several cases affirming religious liberty. But it was his sharp intellect, staunch defense of an originalist interpretation of the Constitution, and blunt opinions that truly won conservative supporters. Traditionally in modern history, Supreme Court justices plan their retirements so they are replaced by a president of the same party that nominated them. Deaths, like that of Scalia's, give presidents the chance to dramatically switch the balance of the court. Scalia was part of a bloc of conservatives that numbered at least four and often five. President Obama said Saturday night that he intended to name a replacement, but participants in the Republican debate said the seat should be filled by the next president. "I do not believe the president should appoint someone," said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. "And it's not unprecedented. In fact, it has been over 80 years since a lame duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice. And it remind us of ... how important this election is. Someone on this stage will get to choose the balance of the Supreme Court, and it will begin by filling this vacancy that's there now. And we need to put people on the bench that understand that the Constitution is not a living and breathing document. It is to be interpreted as originally meant." Businessman Donald Trump urged the Senate to block any nomination by Obama. "I think it's up to (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell, and everybody else to stop it. It's called delay, delay, delay," Trump said. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz also mentioned "80 years of precedent of not confirming Supreme Court justices in an election year." "We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will strike down every restriction on abortion adopted by the states," Cruz said. "We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will reverse the Heller decision, one of Justice Scalia's seminal decisions that upheld the Second Amendment right to keep and to bear arms. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that would undermine the religious liberty of millions of Americans. ... The Senate needs to stand strong and say, 'We're not going to give up the U.S. Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee.'" No candidate on stage said the Senate should vote on Obama's nominee. Republicans hold 54 seats in the 100-member chamber, and do have the power if they remain united to block any Obama nominee. McConnell indicated Saturday night that was his intent, saying in a statement, "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." Two of the leading religious liberty organizations also spoke out. Alan Sears, president of Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement that "it is unlikely that a new justice will be installed prior to the election of our next president." Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, urged the Senate to block any Obama nominee. "With the passing of Justice Scalia, the future of the High Court and the future of America is hanging in the balance," Staver said. "The Senate must not confirm any nominee to the Supreme Court from President Obama. The Senate must hold off any confirmation until the next President is seated. "Unfortunately, the presidential debates have been more theater and less substance about the real issues surrounding the Supreme Court," Staver continued. "The election of the next President has now taken on even greater importance. The future of the Supreme Court and America now depends on the Senate blocking any nominee by President Obama and the people electing the right person to occupy the White House." UNC excavation crew in Galilee region of Israel uncover first known depictions of biblical heroines An excavation team in Israel has discovered the first known depiction of two biblical heroines from the Old Testament. World to reach 8 billion people in November, India to unseat China as most populous in 2023: UN By Nov. 15, the worlds population is projected to reach 8 billion, and by 2023, India is projected to surpass China as the worlds most populous country, according to a new report from the United Nations. Single, non-religious young adults are most unhappy Americans post-COVID-19: report Young adults under 35 who are single and non-religious report the highest levels of unhappiness since the COVID-19 pandemic began and since 1972, when the General Social Survey began measuring levels of happiness among Americans, a new analysis from the Institute of Family Studies suggests. Dealing with Christians who battle with mental illness I remember the first time I took my first visit to the psychiatrist after a few episodes of unchecked fits of rage, and her telling me, "you have an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." I felt both relief and shock that afternoon. The shock came from finding out that the battle was actually real and that a doctor was actually telling me I was obsessive-compulsive. The relief came however in finally being aware of the battle that had to be fought. So many Christians today shun the topic of mental disorders much like they treat the topic of money and sex. It's just too awkward and sensitive to talk about, but it is still something that must be addressed in the context of the Word of God. Many Christians today battle with depression, bi-polar tendencies, anxiety attacks and they're left in the dark because they feel it shouldn't be discussed. However, as believers, we are to stand both for our brothers and sisters who have mental illnesses and against the spiritual and physiological hold it has over their life. Here are some points to consider about mental illness from a Biblical point of view. Mental illness does not make you less "Christian." Why is it so hard for Christians most especially to deal with mental illness? It's not that believers have an extra dose of mental disorder, but because so many Christians put too much emphasis on it thinking that it makes you less favoured by God when you're battling a mental illness. God loves and favours everyone alike and does not bring mental illness upon those He loves any less. This is the essence of the Gospel- that God would love and sacrifice His life for everyone. Mental illness, like any illness, is a result of sin. Now before you pass me off as a judgmental pharisee, hear me out. Mental illness is a result of the sin of a person who experiences it or the sin of a generation compounded into one person. The Bible speaks of generational curses that are passed on from parent to child. Lamentations 5:7 says "Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne (been punished for) their iniquities." Since some mental illnesses are genetically passed on we can conclude that some cases of mental disorders are a form of generational curse. I'm not trying to point fingers and say that it's your fault that your mentally ill. Remembers that I was once on the same boat. I am simply pointing out the truth that mental illness is a pain of sin that can be broken only by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Mental health can be restored In Exodus 34:7, it says "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." God promises that we can be removed of our mental illnesses, and be set free from the detrimental effects it has. Isaiah 26:3 promises us that God will "...keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." The starting point for many will be to seek professional help and in the process trust in the finished work of Christ. He promises peace, joy and freedom to all because He loves those who are in pain and anguish. As Christians, it is important that we have a clear understanding of curse that is mental illness, the people who need freedom from it and the God who can bring liberty and healing. Derick and Jill Dillard say they're still in Central America, ask for prayers for their 'physical safety and spiritual protection' Derick and Jill Dillard are denying allegations that they have returned to their home in Arkansas and abandoned their Christian ministry in Central America because of fear of the raging Zika virus. The couple say they are still in Central America and were recently visited by parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar from "19 Kids and Counting." In the latest blog post shared by Derick, he writes that they have been busy providing both physical humanitarian aid and filling people's lives in Central America with "the spiritual need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for eternal salvation." "For the past month, we have come alongside the S.O.S. (Seekers of Souls) leadership of the existing church where we are serving, as well as begun the groundwork for an additional bible-centered fellowship in another village that has been plagued with violence," shares Derick. "Jill's parents surprised us recently with an impromptu visit for a few days. It was great to have them with us and get to show them the work the Lord is doing here," he adds. Derick also says that the wildlife in Central America is quite different than the one they are used to back home. "We weren't used to seeing scorpions, tarantulas and cougars back home but we've seen them all and the first two multiple times! Jill opened her makeup bag to find a tarantula on top of her toothbrush," he says. It is also normal there for snakes, wild cats, and cougars to prey on people's chickens, and the more Derick hears about animal encounters from his neighbours, the more he is alarmed. "Two of our friends have attested to seeing giant snakes in their yards and one of them described the snake in her backyard as about 25 feet long in the act of killing a chicken. She said it took six guys with machetes to kill that snake," he says. "Please keep praying for physical safety as well as spiritual protection!" 'Marvel's Agent Carter' season 2: Peggy works with an old enemy to defeat Whitney Frost in special episode A two-part special in "Marvel's Agent Carter" season 2 will air next week. The first part of the special installment is episode 6, titled "Life of the Party," where Agent Peggy Carter's (Hayley Atwell) desperation will force her to seek help from an unlikely ally in order to get more vital information about Whitney Frost (Wynn Everett) and the Zero Matter. According to spoilers for the episode, which will air on Tuesday, Feb. 16, Peggy will be left with no choice but to ask her season 1 nemesis, Russian spy Dottie Underwood (Bridget Regan), to help her squeeze information out of Whitney. But since Dottie is still behind bars, Peggy has no other choice but to help her break out of prison so she can help her deal with the Hollywood actress-turned-evil villain. However, it seems like Whitney has an idea about Peggy and Dottie's plans, which will make it more difficult for the two women to get what they want. Meanwhile, the second part of the special is titled "Monsters," which will also air on Tuesday. In the episode, Peggy seems to be embarking on a rescue mission after their initial plans to force Whitney to reveal more details about the Zero Matter fails in episode 6. It also appears that the female SSR agent will need to rescue someone, but it is not clear who the person is. In other news, fans of "Marvel's Agent Carter" are worried about the fate of the series after its lead star signed on to star in ABC's upcoming legal drama "Conviction." With the fate of the superhero series remaining uncertain because of its modest ratings, Deadline revealed that the possibility of having a third season becomes a lot dimmer in case ABC picks up "Conviction" for a full series order. Pope in Mexico: Government under pressure over drugs and corruption Francis called on Mexico's government on Saturday to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and he then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country - the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis." Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. "Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death," the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, government ministers and foreign diplomats. He said Mexico's leaders have a "particular duty" to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. The pope later celebrated mass at the vast Basilica of our Lady Of Guadalupe. Some 5,000 mostly well-heeled spectators gathered inside the church, while at least five times as many spectators gathered outside under the beating sun. Francis had said he yearned to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America, and to reflect silently in front of her image. "'Don't be afraid,' that is what she tells me," the pope said ahead of his visit. While inside a small niche behind the altar to venerate the icon, he lost his balance and fell back into a chair, causing the crowd to gasp, although it did not seem serious. After praying for about 20 minutes, the 79-year-old pope, who suffers from sciatica in one leg, stood up and walked out. 'BAD, CORRUPT, CRIMINALS' Carrying pictures of the Virgin of Guadalupe, thousands converged on the basilica, many in family groups, some clutching coveted tickets to enter inside. Guadalupe Nava, a 23-year-old lawyers, said the pope should ask the Virgin "to intercede for us, to put love in the hearts of those who are bad, the corrupt officials and the criminals." In his three years as pope, Francis has repeatedly told political leaders as well as senior figures inside his own Church to do better, and earlier this month he urged Mexicans to fight against corruption and brutal drug gang violence. Some Mexicans are looking to him to take that even further while he's here. The country is still reeling from the abduction and apparent massacre of 43 trainee teachers by a drug gang in league with police in late 2014. The pope appeared to refer to them in his homily on Saturday, speaking of "children leaving, becoming lost or even being taken by criminals." He has also taken a stand for migrants around the world, making it a central issue of his papacy, and he will end his visit to Mexico in the notorious northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, where he will meet relatives of victims of violence. Speaking in his native Spanish before bishops inside Mexico City's main cathedral earlier on Saturday, the Argentine-born pontiff urged religious leaders to do more to help migrants, "pouring balm on their injured feet" through social and charity programs. "Brothers, may your hearts be capable of following these men and women and reaching them beyond the borders," he said, calling on Mexico's Church to strengthen its ties to the U.S. episcopate. From the U.S. border to the indigenous south, Francis will visit some of Mexico's poorest and most violent corners on his five-day trip. He will say Mass with indigenous communities in Mexico's poorest state Chiapas, and speak with young people in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan state that has been plagued by violence between drug gangs and armed vigilante groups. In Juarez, he will also visit a prison. In a reminder of Mexico's corruption and violence, 49 people were killed in a fight between rival gangs in a prison just days before the pope's arrival. #PrayforDawkins: Church defends tweet after accusations of 'trolling' The Church of England has defended a tweet saying it was praying outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, who has had a stroke. The tweet read: "Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family" after the Oxford professor announced he had had a "minor stroke". However the Church's communications director, Arun Arora was forced to defend the tweet after it was accused of mockery and "trolling". Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family https://t.co/KxBBkBrECk Church of England (@c_of_e) February 12, 2016 @c_of_e: Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family https://t.co/zZjNycrGZY Sarcastic or ignorant? Nikki Sinclaire (@NikkiSinclaire7) February 12, 2016 Did the Church of England just troll @RichardDawkins ? HQ Heaven (@HQ_Heaven) February 13, 2016 "It was a genuine tweet offering prayer for a public person who was unwell," Arora wrote on a blog post. The eminent biology professor and author of 'The God Delusion' cancelled a tour of Australia and New Zealand after being rushed to hospital on February 5. Dawkins has since said he is recovering well and is "getting much better". "It's not too bad. I'm very grateful to everybody who has been sending me good wishes from all around the world," he said in a audio update on Soundcloud. The announcement of Dawkins' stroke prompted a Twitter storm over whether or not to pray for him. A number of Christians said they would but many supporters urged people not to pray for him. "The prayer tweeted on Friday evening was for Richard Dawkins. "It's hardly surprising that I don't agree with all of his views. But there is a danger of reducing him to a one trick pony. His views are more nuanced than both supporters and detractors would usually acknowledge... "I wish Professor Dawkins well. I hope he makes a swift and full recovery and wish him the best of health. I will pray for him too. It is the very least I can do." This Valentine's Day, America's 'longest married couple' bares secret to everlasting love The "longest married couple" in America have just one key word of advice to couples seeking everlasting love this Valentine's Day: Devotion. John Betar, 104, and Ann Betar, 100, from Connecticut have been married for 83 years and have never been apart since they eloped on Nov. 25, 1932 and got married soon after, USA TODAY and Reuters reported. Ann was just 17 when she decided to go with John, 21 at that time, to start a new life together to foil Ann's father's plan to marry her to a man she didn't like and who was 20 years older than her. The two left their neighbourhood in Bridgeport, Connecticut for New York City to face an uncertain future, clinging only on their love for each other for support. At that time in 1932, the Great Depression was at its height, Franklin D. Roosevelt had just been elected president, and Adolf Hitler was about to come to power in Germany. "We have watched the world change together," John Betar told Reuters. "The key [to a lasting love] is to always agree with your wife." John and Ann raised their family in Bridgeport, where John ran a grocery store before becoming a realtor. The couple teamed up with online home service marketplace, Handy, to answer questions on Twitter about how to make love last. People can tweet questions to the @Handy Twitter account with the hashtag #LongestLove through the week and on Valentine's Day. To mark the occasion, USA TODAY Network asked the Betar couple a few questions via email about their relationship and modern-day dating. Asked to comment on why people are now getting married a little older these days, Ann said, "We were just lucky, it was the times, we didn't live in an environment where you met lots of people. It was a smaller community. I do think if you wait, you have more sense in your head." John commented: "These days everything goes. People can just live together." Their advice for today's young lovers? John: "Things are just so different now. I like the old-fashioned way." In an earlier interview with ABC, John added: "Get along. Compromise. Live within your means and be content. And let your wife be the boss." Ann: "If you're going to marry somebody and think you can change them you're crazy. You can't. Don't think you can ... And try not to let your desires get in the way." USA TODAY asked them what they love most about each other. Ann: "John is a very giving man, in all ways. But ... he has a stubborn mind, so you just have to go with it. Judy [the couple's daughter] is that way too. She has a mind just like her father. They're pretty successful people though so you can't argue with it." John: "I love that woman. That's all." Ann: "That's why he's still living with me...he's still trying to figure it out." John: "I just love her. Her cooking ..." Ann: "You won't get any romance out of him. It's a devotion." The couple admitted that they also had fights, just like any other couple. But how did they resolve such fights? John: 'We just get it out. Then it's done. We forget about it right away. Usually, it's over cooking." Ann: "You can't always understand their ways...don't try too hard! But it has to be overall acceptable to you." Interviewed two years earlier by Reuters as reported by the International Business Times, John and Ann went back in time to recall the day they decided to live together. "Everyone was hopping mad, and my wife's aunt consoled my father-in-law by telling him not to worry, the marriage won't last," said John. "John was not the boy next door, but the boy across the street who I loved," said Ann. They said they first became friends when he drove her to high school in his Ford Roadster. "That's why she married me, she loved that car," John joked. John and Ann raised their family in Bridgeport, where John ran a grocery store before becoming a realtor. The couple now lives in Fairfield, Connecticut, and has five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, the Epoch Times reported. "That's what makes life what it is. We were fortunate enough to live long enough to see this ... and it's really one of the most gratifying things in the world to see your great-grandchildren, to see your grandchildren become adults," Ann told the Fairfield Citizen. So what is the secret to long life? Their daughter Renee Betar answered this question. "They have this wonderful ability to accept life as it comes," she told ABC. "They have a way of trying to look around at the things that they do havethe family and the blessings. They came from a generation where there is such respect for each other and caring." With Superintendent Terry Grier stepping down in two weeks, the Houston school board plans Wednesday to consider firing the search firm hired to replace him. According to a notice released Sunday, the board has called a special meeting to vote on whether to fire Iowa-based Ray and Associates and to contract with another firm that applied. Trustees held their first meeting with Ray and Associates on Feb. 4 and had started planning meetings to solicit community input. However, some board members expressed concern that the schedule the firm presented did not allow enough time for the process. The hiring of the firm was controversial from the outset. Newly elected trustee Jolanda Jones had asked the board in December to delay a decision until she took office the next month. Trustees ended up hiring Ray and Associates, but the vote took an unusual turn. The board first voted 7-1, with one abstention, to select the firm but then reconsidered the motion at the same meeting, shifting the decision to 5-4. Then-board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones said later that some trustees wanted to review information that had surfaced late. An Internet search shows questions were raised about the firm's work in a 2007 search in Kentucky. Grier, who has led the Houston Independent School District since 2009, announced in September that he planned to leave in early 2016. Trustees purposefully waited to kick off the search in earnest until after board elections in November. It's unclear how much the district could owe Ray and Associates if the board terminated the contract. The firm's fee was $37,000, plus an estimated $8,000 for expenses, according to the contract. The other search firms that applied were the Texas Association of School Boards, of Austin; Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, of Schaumburg, Ill; and McPherson & Jacobson, of Omaha. The board also could decide during the 7:30 a.m. meeting Wednesday to appoint an interim superintendent, according to the meeting notice. Grier's last day is Feb. 29. CYPRESS A 19-year-old man was killed Saturday afternoon when a trench he was digging collapsed and buried him. The Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department got a call at 2:20 p.m. Saturday for a trench rescue, according to the department's spokesman, Brian Shirley. "A 19-year-old male was working on a trench for sewer lines and manholes for a new subdivision out there and it collapsed on him," Shirley said. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, was about 16 feet down when the sides of the trench came down on him, burying him in the dirt. No one else was injured in the incident. The volunteer fire department dispatched three fire trucks, two rescue trucks, a ladder truck, and ambulance among other vehicles to respond to the call near Mueschke Road and Towering Cypress Drive. While originally showing up for a rescue, the department switched into recovery mode after 20 minutes. At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, after eight hours of digging, the department still had not reached the victim, according to Shirley. "The dirt is very loose, and we still haven't gotten to him," he said. In addition to the fire department, OSHA also responded, as well as the medical examiner. Shirley said the victim worked for Principal Services, LTD., a Humble-based water- and sewer-line construction company with roughly 20 employees. The Houston Police Department is investigation an officer-involved shooting that took place in northwest Harris County Saturday evening. According to preliminary information from the department, Houston police officers observed a robbery in progress at 15000 Timber Creek Place Lane, during which a robbery suspect fired upon the police officers. The officers returned fire, striking one suspect, according to HPD spokesman Keith Smith. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Elizabeth Cerri-Morgan, an English teacher at Westside High School, asked her students to read famous speeches by Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy and others and to make notes about each speaker's time in history. The veteran educator has attended days of specialized training and now has three months to prep her class for the three-hour Advanced Placement exam in May. If the students score high enough, they'll be eligible for college credit. What's more, they and their teacher will receive $100 per test as a reward. The potential payouts - an uncommon perk in public education, particularly for students - is part of a renewed effort in the Houston Independent School District to bolster success in the AP program, meant to improve college readiness. Cerri-Morgan said she didn't mention the reward to her students until well into the school year. "I didn't want that to be the focus - pass this test and get $100," she said. "I think a lot of them were in it for reasons other than money, and money this year is an added bonus. Anything extra you can get to motivate the students is always good." The district contracted this year with a Dallas nonprofit, the National Math and Science Initiative, for up to $1.76 million to provide teacher training and mentoring, Saturday study sessions for students, and the bonuses. While HISD has seen dramatic gains in AP participation and performance under outgoing Superintendent Terry Grier, most of the district's students continue to struggle. About two-thirds of the AP exams taken by HISD students last school year received scores considered too low for college credit. Typically, a score of at least 3 on a 5-point scale is deemed passing. The sheer numbers, however, show progress. HISD students took 25,127 AP tests last year, more than double the number when Grier arrived in 2009. Of those exams, the students passed 8,277, up from 4,915 six years ago. Grier pushed early in his tenure for all students in AP classes to take the related exams. The district also started spending about $1 million a year to cover the test fees. In addition, Grier said every high school would offer at least 15 AP courses. Most have fallen short. Still, there's been growth since 2009, when only 9 percent of high schools offered at least 15 AP exams while 41 percent offered five or fewer, district data show. Green motivation Last school year, 38 percent of the schools hit the high mark of course offerings, and 16 percent were on the low end. Some campuses have focused more on dual-credit courses, allowing students to earn joint high school and college credit without having to pass a national standardized exam at the end. Grier previously served as an unpaid trustee of the College Board, which administers the AP program. In a recent interview, Grier said he was unsure if the $100 bonuses for passing AP exams would boost success rates, but said he believed in the Dallas nonprofit's program. After a pilot program in HISD with the same nonprofit two years ago, the number of qualifying scores jumped 72 percent, according to the National Math and Science Initiative, which works with schools in 23 states and Washington, D.C. Gregg Fleisher, the nonprofit's chief academic officer, said research is underway to try to decipher which parts of the program - the training, the mentors, the Saturday sessions or the bonuses - are most tied to progress. HISD's contract with the nonprofit includes an estimated $314,000 for the payouts, according to Adam Stephens, the district's officer of innovative curriculum. Tyra Williams, a junior in Cerri-Morgan's AP English class, said she suspects the prospect of $100 will help motivate students. An aspiring veterinarian, who leans more toward math and science, Williams said she has learned to appreciate digging deeper into literature. In class on a recent afternoon, she analyzed then-Sen. Nixon's Sept. 23, 1952, televised address in which he defended himself against charges he abused a political expense fund. Williams hopes the practice will help on the AP exam, which likely will require her to write an essay about a historical speech. And if she gets a bonus? "I'll probably put it toward a bill," Williams said. Magnet schools Nationally, participation in AP also has increased, though not as rapidly as in HISD. Some argue the expansion has watered down the classes. More than half of the passing scores in HISD last year came from three of the district's 46 high schools: Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard and DeBakey High School for Health Professions. Eight high schools combined accounted for only a dozen passing exams, district data show. At three of those campuses - Kashmere, Worthing and a charter school, Energized for STEM-Southeast - no students passed. Grier, who steps down Feb. 29, said some of the struggle relates to students continuing to be unprepared for the advanced classes, though the district had bought a pre-AP curriculum for middle school. He attributed the disparity across campuses largely to the district's system of choice, allowing students to leave their neighborhood schools for specialty magnet programs. The top-performers include Carnegie Vanguard, a magnet school for gifted students, and DeBakey, also a magnet. On a recent practice exam at Westside, Cerri-Morgan lamented that some of her students did not finish. On the official exam, if all 30 or so students in the class score at least a 3, she'll earn $3,000. "It's a very difficult exam," she said. "We don't want them to shoot for 2s, but just because they make a 2 because of the time constraints or whatever, it's not something to be ashamed of." From terror threats to dealing with Congress, holding down the Oval Office is undoubtedly one of the most stressful jobs on earth. That wear and tear shows clearly on the faces of Americas past presidents. When Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in 2008, he looked a youthful 47 years old. With a full head of dark hair and few wrinkles he could have passed for even younger. Now, after leading American through its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, two wars, the rise of ISIS and one of the most polarized Congresses in memory, Obama looks to have aged much more than eight years. AUSTIN - After reducing the number of prison convicts in solitary confinement by nearly half in the past decade, Texas officials are now looking to cut the total even more by providing specialized treatment for offenders who have mental health issues. Under a new initiative that officials say has proven successful so far, the goal is to improve the offenders' mental health enough to return them to regular cellblocks instead of isolation cells known as "administrative segregation." The news, which comes as legislative leaders are pushing to get mentally ill prisoners out of county jails in an effort to reduce suicide risks and curb violence, signals a step forward to correct a problem that has plagued Texas prisons for decades. It also follows a study released a year ago by two justice-advocacy groups - the American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil rights Project - that blasted the Texas prison system for keeping too many mentally unstable convicts locked in small solitary cells for too long without proper treatment or care. Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that operates the state's 108 state jails and prisons, said the mental-health diversion initiative launched in June 2014, has successfully transferred 99 convicts back into the general population from administrative segregation. "It's been extremely effective," said Dr. Joseph Penn, director of mental health services for the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. UTMB provides health care to about two thirds of Texas' 150,000 imprisoned felons. Penn and Debra Guthrie, a senior mental health manager at UTMB, said most of the convicts in the special mental-health diversion program have impulse-control disorders and often act out by punching walls or hitting others. In prison, that can guarantee a trip to a solitary cell for days or weeks, or much longer, if the outbursts continue. 'Extreme circumstances' On Friday, just over 4,900 convicts were being held in administrative segregation in Texas, down from more than 9,500 in 2006. Convicts in administrative segregation are kept in their cells for 23 hours a day, allowed out only for an hour of recreation and to shower. Their only human contact generally is with guards. Critics of Texas' solitary-confinement policies said the diversion initiative sounds like a step forward. "It's got to be good that that many fewer people are on administrative segregation, and that they're putting a focus on the mental health of inmates who are there," said Terri Burke, executor of the ACLU of Texas. "But solitary ought to be used rarely and only in the most extreme circumstances. The question still is: How long before it can reduced a lot more?" Officials said more than half of the convicts in administrative segregation now are gang members, who are kept isolated because of tendencies for violence against rivals, for their own protection or their anti-social behavior. Many of those, officials have conceded in the past, have mental issues. Increasing mental issues Critics of solitary confinement policies have complained for years that keeping prisoners isolated by themselves, sometimes for decades, can cause many to develop mental issues or anti-social behaviors that make them dangerous once they are freed from prison. A year ago, a report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project criticized Texas for keeping too many convicts in solitary confinement, even after they no longer posed a threat to security. The report said the practice is dangerous because more than 1,200 prisoners were returned to the community with no treatment after spending years in isolation. "By overusing solitary confinement, (the Texas Department of Criminal Justice) increases crime, wastes taxpayer money, increases violence in prison and causes thousands of mentally ill people to further deteriorate before returning to Texas communities," the report said. Lawmakers pressed for prison officials to further reduce the population in administrative segregation, and to provide additional treatment for mentally unstable convicts who were housed there. In recent months, the issue of solitary confinement made headlines again after President Barack Obama called for a ban on keeping juveniles in solitary confinement. Prison officials have attributed the growth of the administrative-segregation population in past years to increased gang activity and more violent-crime felons who had to be kept isolated from others. Clark said his agency now has several programs in place to divert more convicts from solitary confinement, including one that gives prisoners a way to renounce their gang affiliation and another that diverts mentally ill convicts to a therapeutic program that provides education and rehabilitative program to help the transition to a regular prison or parole. 'Tired of all the talk' Penn and Guthrie said many of those in the new mental-health diversion program have failed to complete other diversion programs. "This program is individualized. It's not a cookie-cutter, cookbook approach," Penn said. "The treatment plans are designed to meet the needs of each offender." Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee Chairman John Whitmire, D-Houston, said the dropping administrative-segregation numbers are welcome, but more work needs to be done. "I support administrative segregation for people who are a danger to the corrections officers and other inmates, but you can't put people in there because you don't like the way they look or because they have a lot of gang tattoos," he said. "It should have to be convincingly proven that they are a danger to officers or other inmates." Nonetheless, he said, progress removing convicts with mental-health issues cannot come soon enough. "It goes back to the lack of services that we've had for people with mental illnesses, people with mental-health issues, and the fact that so many of them end up in our jails and prisons," he said. "I'm tired of all the talk. We need a program." A day after he was found dead in his room during a quail hunting trip in West Texas, the body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia arrived at an El Paso funeral home early Sunday. The body was driven from Marfa and arrived around 2:30 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Homes, according to Chris Lujan, a representative from the funeral home. Scalia was embalmed this morning, around 4 a.m. 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. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on February 13 represents an enormous loss to American conservatismand a challenge to those who hope to name his successor. Ordinarily, the sitting president would nominate a replacement, and President Obama has already indicated his intention to do so. But this is an election year. According to Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Its been more than 80 years since a Supreme Court justice was confirmed in an election year to a vacancy that arose that year. Indeed, under its informal Thurmond Rule the Senate can block judicial nominations in an election year. Democrats invoked the Thurmond Rule to oppose George W. Bushs nominees. This time around, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell appears ready to take the same approach. At stake is whether the Court will be reconstituted with a liberal majority intent on reversing Justice Scalias extraordinary legacy. With three decades on the bench, Scalia was the longest-service member of the current Court. Appellate judge Richard Posner, who in recent years became a harsh Scalia critic, described him in 2011 as the most influential justice of the last quarter century. When he became an associate justice in 1986, Scalias judicial philosophy lay on the outskirts of the Court and of the American legal establishment. Over time, however, his commitment to textualism and originalism gained traction, even among the Courts more liberal members. As a textualist, Scalia maintained that courts must follow the clear language of statutes and resist the temptation to import their policy preferences into the lawthe defining sin of judicial activists. He was contemptuous of efforts to interpret laws via legislative history, a grab-bag of self-serving congressional utterances from which a clever judge could usually extract some statement supporting his or her preferred outcome. As the New York Timess Adam Liptak reports, Scalias campaign against legislative history was largely successful. Advocates and other justices rely on legislative history sparingly these days. In the area of constitutional law, Scalia was the Courts leading originalist: he sought to interpret the Constitutions text as it would have been understood by those who ratified its provisions. Here again, Scalias influence is palpable. Though the Courts liberal justices differed with him in their conclusions, they increasingly couched their arguments in originalist terms. By the time Scalia wrote the majority opinion in the 2008 case of Heller v. District of Columbia, which held that the Second Amendment establishes an individual right to bear arms, the entire court was engaged in a debate over how the Founders understood the amendments somewhat enigmatic language. References by Supreme Court justices to the Living Constitution theorythat the meaning of the Constitution must change to keep pace with the timesare now vanishingly rare. Another Scalia decision, Employment Division v. Smith, held that individuals cannot use the First Amendments free exercise clause to demand exemptions from laws on religious grounds. That ruling continues to split conservatives, who generally support robust protection for religious liberties, particularly in the context of todays culture wars. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRAa favorite among conservativeswas enacted as a direct response to Smith. Smith demonstrates an important point about Scalias intellectual rigor: he regularly found himself at odds with conservatives because of his commitment to following the letter of the law. If the law leads to unwelcome consequences, Scalia insisted, its up to Congress to change it or to the people to amend it (in the case of the Constitution). Thus, in 2004s Hamdi case, he opposed the Bush administrations position that an American citizen who had allegedly taken up arms with the Taliban could be held indefinitely without charges. In other decisions, Scalia has sought to strengthen the rights of the accused, notwithstanding his strong personal preference for law and order. In Crawford v. Washington (2004), for example, he held that criminal defendants have a right to live testimony from the witnesses against them, even when other forms of testimony might be available. Much of Scalias influence came through his dissenting opinions. Well-researched and persuasively written, his dissents planted seeds that often bore fruit in later cases. In the 1988 Morrison v. Olson case, Scalia found himself in a minority of one, arguing against Congresss power to vest executive powers in bodies outside the presidents control (in that case, the independent counsel). But his views eventually carried the day in 2010s Free Enterprise Fund v. PCAOB, in which the Court held that Congress couldnt create an executive body that was effectively insulated from presidential control. Even when he wasnt successful, Scalias dissents were prescientand often biting. In Lawrence v. Texas, Scalia rightly predicted that the Courts declaration of a right to engage in consensual homosexual relations would lead to a right to same-sex marriage. In the case that established that rightObergefell v. HodgesScalia mocked the soaring rhetoric of Justice Anthony Kennedys majority opinion, declaring that those who signed on to it ought to hide [their] head in a bag. In other contexts, Scalia could work with the Courts liberals. Unlike associate justice Clarence Thomasthe Courts most intellectually consistent originalistScalia made concessions to stare decisis, the principle that prior court decisions shouldnt be disturbed unless there is a compelling reason to do so. On that basis, he generally supported the New Deal Courts expansive reading of the Commerce Clauserefusing to strike down the Controlled Substances Act in Gonzalez v. Raich (2004). He also refused to disturb the judge-made doctrine of substantive due processwhich is said to incorporate certain substantive guarantees into the due-process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Thomas disagreed on both counts, but Scalias position probably gave him more credibility with the Courts liberals. Scalias intellect and his appreciation of the political realities of the Court made him the most effective conservative jurist of his time. His death leaves a gaping hole, and it may signal the beginning of a period of drastic change on the Court. Liberal lion Ruth Bader Ginsburg (a pancreatic-cancer survivor) is 82; Kennedy, the swing vote justice, is 79. Whether the next generation of justices builds upon or reverses Scalias legacy depends entirely on the outcome of the election in November. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images Last House on Dead End Street Soundtrack Released on Vinyl It took decades of work and research for this day to come, but the soundtrack to Roger Watkins' sleazy horror magnum opus Last House on Dead End Street has finally been scheduled for an official public release February 12. Consisting solely of tracks that come from the world famous KPM Music Library, the soundtrack is a unique blend of haunting experimental terror electronics -- the pure atmospheric embodiment of the film's oppressive ominous vibe. Being that none of the pieces used in the Last House on Dead End Street were credited in any way, it took years for independent fans and researchers to compile the film's electronic soundtrack in its entirety. Dedicated music aficionados had to identify each music cue solely by ear before tracking it down in the vast KPM discography. Isolated from the film, the soundtrack is a impeccably curated collection of sinister hidden gems from the mythic underworld of British 1970s avant-garde electronic music including Delia Derbyshire, David Fanshawe, Ron Geesin, Alan Hawkshaw, Eric Peters and Lewis Stern. For this vinyl-only release, all tracks have been sourced directly from KPM's archival master tapes, exposing the full dynamics & penetrating intensity of this music. Some of KPM's masters run even longer than the versions that they originally issued on LP and are included here in their complete expanded form. All artwork was scanned from a rare surviving 35mm print to properly capture its grindhouse grime. To get your copy the of official The Last House on Dead End Street soundtrack be sure to head over to Light in the Attic's website today. The track listing for The Last House On Dead End Street OST is as follows: A1 Lewis Stern -- "Pulse of Terror" A2 Eric Peters -- "Electrofear" A3 Eric Peters -- "Occult" A4 Eric Peters -- "Space Movements" A5 Eric Peters -- "Psycho Theme" A6 Lewis Stern -- "Pulse of Fear" A8 Alan Hawkshaw -- "Beat Me Til I'm Blue" A9 Ron Geesin -- "Agonythm" B1 David Fanshawe -- "Dawn Odyssey" B2 David Fanshawe -- "Destructive Powers" B3 David Fanshawe -- "Cybernetics Fast' B4 David Fanshawe -- "Terror Noises" 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsLast House on Dead End Street, soundtrack, vinyl, Last House on Dead End Street Soundtrack Stephen Hough Tours Behind New Solo Piano Album Classical pianist and composer Stephen Hough is set to release his brand new album with the Andris Nelsons led City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Schumann and Dvorak Piano Concertos, on Hyperion Records April 8. Consisting of a rarely heard work by Antonin Dvorak alongside one of Robert Schumann's well-known piano concertos -- the juxtaposition exemplifies the characteristic idiom of both composers while revealing a new perspective on the pianistic writing of each, as well as the solo piano concerto form overall. According to a press release publicizing Hough's new album, the sales of Piano Concertos will hopefully be helped along by the Brit's accompanying U.S. tour: "This recording release coincides with U.S. performances by Mr. Hough in both works: Dvorak's Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 with the Cleveland Orchestra led by Alan Gilbert on March 3, 5 and 6 in Cleveland, and Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra led by Christian Arming on March 17, 19 and 20 at NJPAC in Newark and the State Theatre in New Brunswick." A clear fan of Stephen Hough's current work, the Sydney Morning Herald reviewed his recent performance of the Dvorak concerto with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the most glowing of terms: "Dvorak is a popular composer and the piano concerto a popular genre, yet Dvorak's Piano Concerto has always been a wallflower, passed over as high on difficulty and low on charm and brilliance. "In Stephen Hough it may have found its ideal champion. "He brought disciplined tempos that clarified and strengthened the sense of form, architectural balance and gravitas...the brilliant precision of his playing brought vividness and excitement to passages in the outer movements that otherwise can come across as somewhat formulaic note-spinning." Although Hyperion Records is not scheduled to release the album until Friday, April 8. Stephen Hough's Piano Concerts is available for pre-order through Amazon and iTunes today. STEPHEN HOUGH, PIANO Hyperion CDA68099 City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Andris Nelsons, conductor Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 [40'49] 1. Allegro agitato [20'13] 2. Andante sostenuto [ 8'49] 3. Allegro con fuoco [11'47] Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 [32'21] 4. Allegro affetuoso [15'42] 5. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso [ 5'27] 6. Allegro vivace [11'12] 2016 The Classical Art, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TagsStephen Hough, Tour, Solo Piano, Album, New, Antonin Dvorak, Robert Schumann, Piano Concertos 14DARCY-VALENTINES.jpg Bernie Sanders is doing a better job of attracting young voters than Hillary Clinton. CLEVELAND,Ohio -- Bernie Sanders is projected to win today's cupid vote. Lately life has been like a box of chocolates for Sanders. In New Hampshire voters handed him an even bigger box than was predicted. Sanders heads into South Carolina on an Iowa and New Hampshire sugar high. Campaign prognosticators suggest life on the campaign trail will never be sweeter for Sanders than they were in New Hampshire as he moves into states with more diverse populations that have historically have favored Clinton. But this is the campaign season that has defied predictions the way Bernie's hair defied a comb for years. Voters will likely only stop feeling the Bern when his pie-in-the-sky proposals fall back down to earth and hit them in the face. Note: Due to a posting error on my part, Thursday's cartoon on John Kasich's 2nd place finish in New Hampshire and Christie suspending his campaign, was posted on the home page late in the afternoon. If you missed the cartoon, which leads a gallery of Kasich cartoons, you can read and comment on it by clicking here. Brooklyn Police Car Brooklyn police are investigating a fatal crash on Interstate 480. (File photo ) BROOKLYN, Ohio -- A man driving in the wrong direction on Interstate 480 crashed into a 20-year-old woman's car, killing her, police said. The crash shut down the westbound lanes of the interstate for about four hours. The crash happened about 4:40 a.m. Sunday between the Ridge Road and Tiedeman Road exits. A 48-year man was driving eastbound in the westbound lanes when his car collided with the woman's car, according to Brooklyn police. The man was taken to Metro Health Medical Center for injuries. The woman died from the crash, police said. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner will release the woman's identity after notifying her family. Brooklyn police are still investigating the crash. Cleveland and Parma police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted Brooklyn officers following the crash. GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- The six remaining Republican candidates are debating in South Carolina. Refresh this page for updates. All times Eastern. 11:00 p.m.: The debate has ended Thanks for following along. Recap: Personal attacks prevail at GOP debate 10:25 p.m.: Bush, Trump clash on eminent domain Jeb Bush is bringing his brother, Former President George W. Bush, to campaign in South Carolina on Monday ahead of the Feb. 20 Republican presidential primary. But under attack from Donald Trump at Saturday's Republican debate, Bush is admitting that he disagrees with his brother on eminent domain. At issue: The Arlington, Texas, baseball stadium where the Texas Rangers professional baseball club plays. Before he was Texas governor and then president, George W. Bush was part of the ownership group that owned the Rangers and benefited from the park that was built by the city of Arlington, Texas. The city used eminent domain to gain control of the land and then used taxpayer money to build the stadium, effectively subsidizing George W. Bush and his fellow owners. Trump mocked the deal. Jeb Bush replied that "you should not use eminent domain" for a baseball stadium that benefits a privately owned franchise. 10:15 p.m.: Trump defends conservative credentials Donald Trump says he feels like a conservative. "I also feel I'm a common-sense conservative," Trump said in Saturday's Republican debate. That's not a good enough answer for Ted Cruz, who says Trump has been "very, very liberal" for most of his career. Cruz is warning that Trump would nominate liberal Supreme Court justices if elected president, a claim with more weight following the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Cruz says Trump is an "amazing entertainer," but adds "you shouldn't be flexible or core principles." In a heated exchange -- the first major sparring match between the two candidates -- Trump hit back, calling Cruz a "nasty guy" who will say anything. Cruz, meanwhile, tells Trump that adults should know not to interrupt each other. 10:10 p.m.: Cruz on raising people out of poverty Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz says conservative economic policies are the best way to lift millions of Americans out of poverty. The Texas senator says "big government" and "massive taxation" have driven more people into poverty, and he praises Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan for urging GOP politicians to talk more directly about poverty and ways to ease it. Cruz used his father, once a Cuban immigrant, to personalize the pitch. The senator says he thinks about "how these policies would affect my father" when he was a young man working as a dishwasher after first arriving in the United States. 10:08 p.m.: Rubio goes after Cruz for difficulty with Spanish Marco Rubio is hitting presidential rival and fellow Cuban-American Ted Cruz on his inability to speak Spanish. Cruz responded in Spanish -- although his comments were halting and heavily accented. During a heated exchange about immigration at Saturday's GOP debate, Cruz chastised Rubio for past comments on the Spanish-language network Univision. Rubio responded that Cruz couldn't have known what he said on Univision "because he doesn't speak Spanish" drawing a raucous response from the crowd. Cruz promptly offered a brief response in Spanish. His answer was off-camera and heavily accented, however, making it hard to understand -- even for bilingual listeners. Rubio speaks fluent Spanish, while Cruz has for years freely admitted that his Spanish is "lousy." 10:05 p.m.: Cruz, Rubio clash over immigration Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are once again clashing over illegal immigration, with each accusing the other of being the weak on the issue. Cruz says there's a "sharp difference" between the pair when it comes to immigration and is once again pointing to Rubio's role in the "Gang of Eight" legislation that would have provided a path to legalization. Cruz slams the bill as "the Rubio-Schumer amnesty plan," earning boos from the crowd. But Rubio brings up the fact that Cruz proposed an amendment that would have included a path to legalization. Rubio says that he's never supported amnesty "without consequence," adding that in order to make progress on illegal immigration, the country must first bring illegal immigration under control 10:00 p.m.: Trump, Cruz draw boos Two of the top Republican presidential candidates are mixing it up with the crowd more than each other at the Republican presidential debate. Donald Trump drew boos and sustained catcalls early on, when he suggested that "I get along with everybody" trying to explain his ability to make business deals. Trump responded that his campaign was self-funded, which only led to more boos. Later, Ted Cruz sparked hoots and boos when he claimed responsibility for helping defeat an immigration overhaul that Marco Rubio helped carry in the Senate. Cruz got visibly testy, saying that the "donor class" didn't like his immigration stance. He was suggesting that the crowd in Greenville, South Carolina, was packed with top donors -- a charge he's made a previous debates. The crowd, predictably, reacted by booing with more gusto. 9:55 p.m.: Kasich defensive on Medicaid John Kasich is on the defensive over his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio, a move widely rejected by Republican governors in South Carolina and other Southern states that vote March 1. Kasich says his expansion of Medicaid is a good deal because it is keeping people suffering from mental illness and drug addictions out of prisons. But Jeb Bush pounced on what he sees as a liability at Saturday's debate, accusing Kasich of participating in "Obamacare" rather than fighting it. He says expanding Medicaid is "creating further debt on the backs of our children and our grandchildren." Kasich notes that Ronald Reagan expanded Medicaid multiple times during his presidency. He says he opposes the health care overhaul law, but expanding Medicaid is a chance to "get people on their feet." 9:50 p.m.: Cruz, Rubio talk taxes Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are defending their competing tax policy proposals in the Republican presidential debate in South Carolina. Cruz defends his business flat tax proposal for a 16 percent corporate tax rate, instead of the current 35 percent, as a way to spur economic growth. Rubio defends his proposed 25 percent corporate tax rate -- which is not as much of a tax cut as many of his rivals are pitching. Rubio says his idea would leave enough revenue in the federal budget to triple the child tax credit for working families with children. The Florida senator notes that businesses get to write off investments in new equipment. So, he says, families should get bigger tax breaks to boost investments in their children. Rubio drew big applause when he framed his approach as a "a tax plan that is pro-family." 9:45 p.m.: Trump defends economic plan Donald Trump is insisting that his economic plan, including no proposed changes to current Social Security payouts, won't add billions to the deficit, as some have claimed. Trump says, "I'm the only one going to save social security, believe me." Asked how he'll pay for that, Trump points to a trio of causes. "You have tremendous waste, fraud and abuse. That we're taking care of," he says. He adds: "We're not going to hurt the people who've been paying into social security their whole life and then all of a sudden they're supposed to get less." 9:40 p.m.: Rubio, Trump talk bin Laden, George W. Bush Marco Rubio and Donald Trump are engaging in a fiery back and forth over whether former President George W. Bush kept the nation safe. Trump says the world trade center "came down during the reign of George W. Bush," drawing boos from the crowd. Trump's forceful remarks came after Rubio said he thanks God "that it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11 and not Al Gore." He immediately pushed back on Trump's comments, declaring it's Bill Clinton, not Bush, who is to blame for not killing Osama Bin Laden in the 1990s. Trump is slamming the former president, brother of candidate Jeb Bush, as the debate focuses on foreign policy and the decision to invade Iraq. He's alone among the six candidates on stage in criticizing Bush. 9:30 p.m.: Trump, Bush argue over Iraq, 9/11 Donald Trump is calling the war in Iraq "a big fat mistake," turning it into an attack against rival Jeb Bush. Trump said the war costed the United States trillions of dollars and thousands of lives. He said it destabilized the Middle East while empowering Iran in the region. Jeb Bush fired back that he was tired of Trump being up on his family. He said that while Trump was "building a TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus" to keep the nation safe. Trump invoked Sept. 11, shooting back that the "Twin Towers came down." Bush said he was proud of what his brother did as president. 9:28 p.m.: Cruz discusses IS Ted Cruz refuses to rule out using U.S. ground troops in the Middle East to fight the Islamic State group. But the Texas senator said in Saturday's Republican presidential debate that he doesn't think it's necessary. Cruz says he believes he would instead use "overwhelming air power" and provide U.S. arms to Kurdish forces. He adds that he believes "a nuclear Iran" 9:23 p.m.: Trump, Bush wrestle over Syria Donald Trump and Jeb Bush are tangling over Vladimir Putin's role in the Syrian civil war. Bush says it's "absolutely ludicrous to suggest that Russia could be a positive partner in this," as Trump has suggested. But Trump, who has praised Putin in the past, says he has no problem with Russia's intervention or the man himself. He says he has no problem with Russia helping to defeat Islamic State militants and says Jeb is "so wrong," provoking boos from the crowd. "You know who that is? That's Jeb's special interests and lobbyists talking," Trump responds. Bush derides Trump's response as "ridiculous." 9:20 p.m.: Kasich calls for civilized coalition John Kasich says the United States needs to build a "coalition of civilized people" to take out the Islamic State group and restore American leadership around the globe. Kasich says the world is "desperate" for American leadership in knocking out terrorist organizations and stopping Russian aggression. He also says if elected president he would arm Ukrainian rebels fighting against Russia and make it clear to Russia that an attack on any NATO countries is an attack on the United States. 9:15 p.m.: Candidates weigh in on national security Donald Trump says that if he is elected president, his first national security decision he would make would be on how to attack the Islamic State, because "we are going to have to hit very, very hard." Trump also called the group "animals" and decried the war in Iraq and the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran. Sen. Marco Rubio named three foreign policy priorities: dealing with North Korea and China, limiting Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and rebuilding NATO in Europe. 9:10 p.m.: Cruz, Bush on replacing Scalia Ted Cruz is using the latest Republican presidential debate in South Carolina to assure voters that he is the best candidate to pick a Supreme Court successor to Antonin Scalia, who died Saturday, hours before the debate. A former Supreme Court clerk, Cruz argues he has the "background" and "judgment" and "resolve" to "nominated and confirm principled constitutionalists." Cruz and his fellow senator, Marco Rubio, agree that the Senate should not confirm whomever President Barack Obama nominates to succeed Scalia. Cruz avoided a direct question about whether he would pledge as president not to try to fill judicial vacancies late in his term. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is deviating from some of his rivals. He says he wants "a strong executive" who is willing to make court nominations. But Bush says he doubts Obama will offer a "consensus" nominee the Senate would accept. 9:05 p.m.: Candidates weigh in on Scalia's replacement Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he fully expects President Obama to try to nominate a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. But he says it's up to Congress to "delay, delay, delay." Trump says, "If I were president now I would certainly want to try and nominate a justice." But he says it's up the senate to stop it. Rival John Kasich is also advising the president to hold off on selecting a successor because he says it would further divide the country. He says, "I really wish the president would think about not nominating somebody," he says. "I would like the president to just for once here, put the country first." Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson says, "I fully agree that we should not allow a judge to be appointed in his time." 9:00 p.m. EST The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia jolted the Republican primary hours before Saturday night's debate, with Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio arguing that Scalia's replacement must be nominated by the next president, not Barack Obama. Cruz called the conservative Scalia an "American hero" and said the Senate should "ensure that the next president names his replacement." Rubio said the "next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear." The candidates were backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Other candidates, including Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, sidestepped the question of who should nominate Scalia's replacement in statements mourning the justice. But they're sure to be pressed for their opinions during the debate in Greenville, South Carolina. Follow NJ.com's S.P. Sullivan for more updates: south carolina republican debate Republican presidential candidates, from left, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, businessman Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson take the stage before the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (John Bazemore, AP Photo) CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The six Republican presidential candidates spent Valentine's Day eve surrounded by foes, not lovers. Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, John Kasich and the rest of the gang debated Saturday night in South Carolina: a week before the primary there, and hours after news broke of the death of the conservative powerhouse Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Here's what you missed. John Kasich stays on brand Kasich remained above the fray, and positioned his presidential candidacy as a unifying force in politics. The Prince of Light radiated good will. He appeared incredulous and sad about the infighting within the Republican party. Jeb Bush snapped at Donald Trump: He told the bully billionaire to stop making fun of his Mom. Trump snarled right back, and insulted Bush's record as the governor of Florida. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, taught Trump a lesson in etiquette. "Donald, adults learn how not to interrupt each other," Cruz lectured. Kasich's take on the political warfare? The short answer: "This is just nuts. Jeez, oh man." The long answer: "This back and forth, and these attacks: Some of them are personal. I think we're fixing to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don't stop this. You know what I would suggest? Why don't we just take all the negative ads and all the negative comments down from television." Kasich on Scalia Kasich mourned the loss of Scalia, the man -- and brought up the nine children the Supreme Court justice left behind at age 79. He sighed as pundits skipped passed the grieving process, straight to the replacement process. But in the same breath, he stayed on message: unity, unity, unity. "If I were president we would not have the divisions in the country that we have today," Kasich said. Kasich defends his record Kasich said last week that he wouldn't be a marshmallow if attacked. And when Jeb Bush roasted Kasich on his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio, the Prince of Light defended his record. Kasich claimed that by increasing healthcare coverage of the mentally ill, Ohio helps keep people out of prison and saves money. He also cited the state's budget surplus, its job growth and tax cuts. Kasich emphasized his conservative values: If elected, he plans to bolster the economy with common sense regulations and lower taxes. But he also reminded everyone that he could appeal to another demographic: displaced, blue collar Democrats. "The Democratic party has left them," Kasich said. "I am a man who gives the people hope and sense that they have an opportunity to rise." Kasich spoke to South Carolina The Kasich campaign devoted few resources to Iowa, and looked ahead to New Hampshire. At a Des Moines debate leading up to the Iowa caucus in January, the Ohio governor looked deep into the camera, and spoke to New Hampshire voters. The strategy worked: he made a strong showing in New Hampshire and took second place. But Saturday in South Carolina, Kasich spoke to South Carolina. His compassionate conservative shtick isn't expected to win over South Carolina. Kasich stands a much better chance at winning in friendlier primary states on home turf: Michigan and Ohio. Those states vote later in March, and Kasich could have appealed to Midwestern sensibilities in his closing remarks. He didn't. Instead he thanked the people of South Carolina. Kasich brought God into it Very briefly, Kasich spoke about his faith in his closing remarks. The Anglican governor promised last week not to invoke his religion to win votes. But his campaign rolled out an ad this month that referenced his faith. And his short remark about the Lord seemed like a shout out to evangelical South Carolina. "The Lord made all of us special. The Lord wants us to all be connected. I believe we're part of a very big mosaic," Kasich said. Technology requires reform of state's traditional utilities, citizens panel says Vapor from cooling tower at The Davis Besse nuclear power plant billows over farmland along Rt. 2 in Oak Harbor, Ohio. (Peggy Turbett/The Plain Dealer) Emmanuel K. Glakpe is a professor at Howard University. Sixteen states restrict the construction of power plants that produce the country's largest source of pollution-free energy. This might please some people who don't care about air quality, but banning nuclear power is bad for public health. Ohio, fortunately, is not one of these states. It is among a number of states with existing nuclear plants that are keeping their options open. Ohio relies on coal-fired plants for almost two-thirds of its electricity, and that spells trouble at a time when it must comply with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations for clean air and carbon mitigation. The answer needs to be a shift to low-carbon energy sources, including additional nuclear-generating capacity. Quite simply, the 2,134 megawatts of baseload power supplied by the Perry and Davis-Besse reactors - 12.1 percent of Ohio's electricity-generating capacity - isn't enough. Nuclear power is an essential element of a low-carbon energy portfolio. It is safe, reliable, and environmentally benign. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the U.S. fleet of about 100 nuclear plants is responsible for a dramatic reduction in acid rain, pollution from toxic particulates and ozone smog - and accounts for 63 percent of the nation's zero-carbon electricity. Other so-called "clean" energy sources are not nearly as effective as nuclear power in improving air quality. Yet nearly one-third of the states restrict the construction of new nuclear plants, which is absurd. A study shows that nuclear power globally has saved nearly two million lives that would have been lost from the burning of fossil fuels - and that it will save many more lives in the years ahead. The study was co-authored by James Hansen, a leading atmospheric scientist, who was longtime director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the first scientist to warn Congress about the danger of global warming. Holding back the use of nuclear power makes no sense. Anti-nuclear groups pretend that solar and wind energy can replace the use of coal, which supplies more than 30 percent of the nation's electricity. But solar and wind combined provide only 6 percent of the nation's power, and they are of no value on days when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing. Nuclear power, on the other hand, supplies power around the clock, day after day. States that restrict the construction of nuclear plants are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. For example, Wisconsin bans the construction of a nuclear plant unless it is determined that the plant will be economically feasible for ratepayers. Wisconsin obtains most of its electricity from fossil fuels. Concerned that the state's economy would suffer if the cost of natural gas, the go-to fuel were to suddenly ramp up, the Wisconsin State Assembly recently voted to lift the ban on the construction of new nuclear plants. The Wisconsin State Senate is now considering the measure, but its future is uncertain. California, Illinois and a few other states want the nuclear waste problem resolved before any nuclear plants are built. But a blue-ribbon commission appointed by President Barack Obama has called for a consent-based approach to the selection of a suitable site for a permanent repository to hold the nation's high-level radioactive waste. This would be an alternative to the Yucca Mountain site in Nevada. Texas and New Mexico are considering proposals from private companies to host either an interim storage facility or a deep-geologic repository. Either facility would generate enormous revenue for state and local governments. Revenue from nuclear power plants would greatly help coal-mining states with stressed economies like West Virginia, Kentucky, and Montana. Banning nuclear power in these states is nonsensical. Instead they and other states like Ohio and Pennsylvania should be investing in small modular reactors, which can be built in a factory and shipped by barge, truck or railroad to a nuclear site for a small fraction of the cost of constructing a large power plant. Some 50 nuclear companies, including a number based in anti-nuclear states such as California and Oregon, are designing small modular reactors that would help improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. But protecting environmental health and the planet from global warming would be much easier if there were more nuclear power plants, not fewer. State bans against nuclear power need to be overturned. Emmanuel K. Glakpe is a professor of nuclear engineering at Howard University. Westlake police car Westlake police investigate meat theft. (File photo) Stolen meat, Detroit Road: Lakewood men, ages 28 and 40, returned meat stolen from the North Olmsted Aldi's to the Westlake Aldi's Feb. 9, according to police. The older man was arrested for receiving stolen property and possession of criminal tools -- an Aldi's shopping bag. The younger man had a hypodermic needle in his pocket and was arrested for drug abuse instruments, theft by deception, and complicity to receiving stolen property. He also has felony warrants from Westlake and Cleveland. Theft, Crocker Park: Parts worth $300 were stolen from the American Greetings job site during the three weeks prior to Feb. 2. The theft was reported on Feb. 5. Theft, King James Parkway: One handgun, two shotguns, liquor, coins, fishing tackle, cash, and ammunition were stolen from a home. They were taken between December 2015 and Feb. 5, 2016. The loss is estimated at $3,000. Drunken driving, Dover Center Road: Stealing $14 worth of beer and other items Feb. 5 led to the arrest of a 50-year-old Westlake man for operating a vehicle while impaired and petty theft. He was too drunk for the clerk of a Dover Center Road gas station to permit the sale, so the suspect stole a 12 pack, according to police. He was stopped nearby and found to be so intoxicated that he was taken to St. John Medical Center by the Westlake Fire Department. He refused a blood test. Auto theft, Kensington Drive: A 2010 Ford Fusion was stolen from the owner's home between Jan. 15 and Feb. 5. It had been parked in a common parking lot. Theft, Clemens Road: An iPad, camera, cash, computer accessories, and a passport were stolen from a job site Feb. 3. The passport belonged to a worker while the other items were the property of his Tennessee employer. The theft was reported Feb. 6. Assault, Detroit Road: A 33-year-old Westlake woman was hit by a 40-year-old North Olmsted man Feb. 7, according to police. He punched her several times and then threw her out of the car. She is also pregnant by the suspect. The city prosecutor will consider an assault charge. Disorderly conduct, Detroit Road: An Uber driver's meandering fare led to the disorderly conduct by intoxication arrest of a 51-year-old Bay Village man Feb. 8. The intoxicated passenger had gone into a Detroit Road store and not come out after an hour's joyride. The driver called Westlake Police Department. Auto theft: A 2010 Ford Fusion caught fire on I90 near Cahoon Road Feb. 8 at 4:18 a.m. The woman driver, from Illinois, was not injured and was dropped off at the Greyhound station in Cleveland; the car was towed. On Feb. 11, the owner called Westlake police reporting that it had been stolen during the Super Bowl broadcast and that he reported the theft to Cleveland Police Department Feb. 8. Secretary of State John Kerry (R) watches as Marines raise the American flag at the U.S. Embassy August 14, 2015 in Havana, Cuba. Cuba has returned a dummy United States Hellfire missile that was mistakenly shipped there from Europe in 2014, American and Cuban officials said Saturday. The Hellfire is a laser-guided, air-to-surface missile that weighs about 100 pounds. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin , it can be deployed from an attack helicopter like the Apache or an unmanned drone like the Predator. The weapon returned by Cuba was an inert training missile that was inadvertently sent to the island from Europe, where it was used in a NATO training exercise. It did not contain explosives, but the device's diversion raised concerns that Cuba could share technology with potential American adversaries like North Korea or Russia. It had an incomplete guidance section and no operational seeker head, warhead, fusing system or rocket motor. Read MoreSouth Korea severs final link with North ''The inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government,'' a State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, said. He declined to elaborate, but he credited the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba for allowing Washington to engage Havana ''on issues of mutual interest.'' American officials had been trying to recoup the missile for several months. The shipping error was attributed to Lockheed's freight forwarders, but the United States said last month that it was working with the manufacturer to get the missile back. In a statement, the Cuban government confirmed the return of the missile and said that customs inspectors had discovered it while conducting a routine inspection of cargo that had arrived on a flight from Paris. The government statement said the missile had come to Cuba as a result of ''error or mishandling'' in its country of origin. ''For Cuban authorities, the arrival in the country of U.S.-made military equipment that hadn't been declared as such on the cargo manifesto was worrying,'' the government said. The equipment was ''duly conserved and taken care of'' and once the United States government officially informed Cuba that the missile had been shipped there by mistake and the United States wanted to recover it, Cuba began proceedings to return the missile, the government said. Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson is eyeing a big opportunity in the meltdown of the high-yield credit market, and is in the final stages of readying a new fund to take advantage of the next big distressed debt play. Paulson's new private equity fund, the Paulson Strategic Partners Fund which was announced last October and looked to raise $1.5 billion is focused on investing in less liquid companies in the U.S. and Western Europe, and will be open to investing in all sectors. The fund is aiming to close its first deal by the early second quarter and has a target return of two times the amount of capital invested, sources said. Read MoreBullish on junk bonds Sources familiar with the fund tell CNBC its focus will be within a few key sectors: industrials, telecom, consumer/retail, media and energy. The billionaire is no stranger to the distressed investment world, having been involved in 12 out of the 20 largest bankruptcies in the U.S. since 2008. He played a lead role in deals for Delphi, OneWest Bank and Extended Stay Americaall of which generated impressive investor returns of 5 times, 3.2 times, and 2.5 times, respectively. The launch of the fund marks the fifth distressed investing cycle for the storied money manager. Paulson's last foray was in 2007, with his highly lucrative short on the U.S. housing market. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Terminal ready to take flight The new Columbia Regional Airport terminal is open for business. Flights will start next week. I peruse the obituaries in The Commercial Appeal every day to see if the list includes anyone I knew, or if there is anyone who was part of the passing parade of folks whose life contributions helped make Memphis a better city and if their accomplishments merited consideration for a story obituary. On Feb. 4, we published an obituary noting the death of Rev. Elizabeth Toles. She died Jan. 29 at age 95. The name rang a bell, so I checked our archives. It was indeed the same Elizabeth Toles who had gained notoriety with this newspaper as psychic. Her predictions were so on target that The National Enquirer and Ebony magazine in the early 1970s proclaimed her one of the outstanding psychic minds in the country, a fact that was unknown by most Memphians. And, by the reactions of some of my co-workers, still is. That is because Rev. Toles did not publicly promote her gift. The obituary noted she graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and LeMoyne-Owen College. She retired from Memphis City Schools "after 33 years as a dedicated teacher." She was the pastor of The Church of Good Fellowship for 30 years. Those who knew her told me she was much more, and that her psychic powers were real. "She was such as giver and when she loved you, she loved you," said Chaplain Novella Smith Arnold Cromer, who arrived in Memphis in the 1970s to work for Stax Records and became a popular radio personality. Chaplain Arnold went on to form prison and homeless ministries based at Calvary Episcopal Church Downtown. "She was a precious, giving woman. She used her gift of discernment, it was not reading palms, to help people. ... She would tell me the Lord was calling me." Given Chaplain Arnold's eventual strong advocacy on behalf of jail inmates and the homeless, Rev. Toles nailed it. Jocelyn Wurzburg, a retired lawyer who now mediates family law and workplace disputes, said, "I was a bit of a skeptic about that sort of thing (psychics) when I first met her, but she told me some things that came true." Wurzburg recounted an incident in which she had misplaced a pair of prescription eyeglasses, and Rev. Toles told her to go back to a clothing store and look in the dressing room. "I had retraced my steps with her, but did not mention that I had shopped for clothes. She told me, 'I see them in a dressing room in a clothing store.' That made me remember that I had, and I found my glasses." Wurzburg said Rev. Toles also predicted more serious events in the mediator's life. "What she did as a teacher with her power was special," Wurzburg said "She knew whom to call on because he or she had the answer, which helped their self-esteem. She could sense when students were having a bad day and not to press them about things." People I talked with about Rev. Toles could not remember how she came into their lives, but they all said they were glad she did. My first knowledge of Rev. Toles occurred when the newspaper's long-defunct Sunday Mid-South magazine featured her as its cover story on March 2, 1973. She was a 54-year-old fourth-grade teacher at Georgia Avenue Elementary School. Mid-South writer Jim G. Andrews wrote that Rev. Toles described herself as a "teacher, psychic, counselor and consultant." Her fellow educators marveled at her ability to know what a child's strengths and weaknesses were the moment she saw them. She would send the newspaper a list of her predictions at the beginning of each year. Perhaps her greatest gift was using her psychic power to advise and counsel people, something she continued to do until fairly recently, said Jean Plump, her niece and caregiver. Plump said Rev. Toles, who never married, counseled ordinary people and business people. "They wanted her information." Plump said her aunt, who was ordained in 1976, was able to get up and about, but had not been able to pastor at her church, but still attended regularly. Rev. Toles was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and a founding member of the rechartered Shelby County Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. In 2000, she was one of seven Shelby County women to receive Women of Achievement awards, recognized for her "steadfastness." In 2001, Comrades-N-Community Inc., honored her with a "Woman of Stamina" award. Perhaps not as well known is Rev. Toles' work with a cadre of black and white women who worked tirelessly to bring racial healing to Memphis after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel. In 1973, she was honored in an unanimously adopted resolution by the Memphis City Council for her 1969 donation of half a commercial building at 1277 Mississippi to use as a community center, which at the time was one of the more active centers in the city. I could go on and on about Rev. Toles, but this should give you a good picture of a very special giving and caring woman, who used a rare gift a gift from God, according to Chaplain Arnold to guide people in their spiritual and corporal lives. To those who knew her, she was a legend. Economy class seating is shown on a new United Airlines Boeing 787-9 undergoing final configuration and maintenance work at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016. SHARE By Michael Collins of The Commercial Appeal WASHINGTONIt didn't take long for U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen's crusade for larger airplane seats to hit turbulence in Congress. Taking up the cause of passengers who are tired of squeezing into narrow seats for long flights, the Memphis Democrat filed legislation last Monday that for the first time would require the federal government to establish minimum seat-size standards and a minimum distance between rows of seats on airplanes. By Thursday, the proposal had been grounded. A House subcommittee rejected the measure on a vote of 26-33 when Cohen offered it as an amendment to a broader aviation bill. "This was a vote against the safety and health of airline passengers," a disappointed Cohen said afterward. But as often happens in Washington, the proposal may have been knocked down, but it's not yet dead. Cohen said he will continue to pursue the legislation as a stand-alone bill. Consumer advocacy groups have been pushing for years for more leg room and bigger seats on planes. Narrower seats and seat pitches the distance between seats have allowed airlines to fit more seats on planes, but at the cost of passenger comfort, critics charge. The average distance between rows of seats has dropped from 35 inches before airline deregulation in the 1970s to about 31 inches today, according to Cohen's office. The average width of an airline seat has shrunk from 18 inches to about 16. A television commercial that aired during last Sunday's Super Bowl poked fun at the issue. In the ad, aliens take a tour of a museum of the Earth's history. At one point, a guide shows them what he calls "a 21st century torture device" airplane seats, with men and women crammed uncomfortably together, elbow to elbow. "Pretty gruesome," the guide concludes. Cohen, who says he too has had the frustration of being wedged into an uncomfortably narrow airplane seat, played the clip to members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation last Thursday to demonstrate the issue of small seat sizes. When airline seating is fodder for a funny TV commercial, it obviously has become a major issue in the public's mind and one on which Congress should act, Cohen said. But the airline industry sees no need for lawmakers to impose minimum seat standards. "We believe the government's role in seat sizes for all forms of transportation (car, bus, rail and air) is to determine what is safe," said Vaughn Jennings, a spokesman for Airlines for America, a group that lobbies on behalf of airlines. Government should not regulate seat sizes but should instead let market forces and competition determine what is offered, Jennings said. "Those offerings are one component of what drives competition and product differentiation among airlines," he said. "And as with any commercial product or service, customers vote every day with their wallet." But it's not just a matter of passenger comfort, Cohen said. Health and safety also are at issue. The Federal Aviation Administration requires that planes be capable of rapid evacuation in case of emergency but has not conducted emergency evacuation tests on all of today's smaller seats, Cohen said. "You're going to have a situation where you're going to have a crash or an electrical problem on a plane, and people won't be able to get off in time," he said. At the very least, Cohen said, the FAA should study seat safety and size and, if necessary, recommend minimum standards. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia addresses an audience at Rhodes College Sept. 22, 2015 in Memphis. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada Thursday blasted Scalia for uttering what he called racist ideas from the bench of the nations highest court. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal via AP) By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia made one of his final public appearances before the court's term in October at Rhodes College in Memphis, where he urged a crowd of several hundred last September to not "mess with the Constitution." Never known to hold back his conservative voice on matters of constitutional interpretation as it applies to current issues, Scalia didn't disappoint during his local speech. But, says Rhodes professor Tim Huebner, Scalia did much more during his stop than just speak. "He was very generous with his time," said Huebner, chairman of the Department of History. "He not only spent time teaching a class, but he also met with a large group and gave a lecture. And he signed every book that needed to be signed. He was wonderful, spending an entire day with us." Scalia was found dead in his bed Saturday while on a hunting trip in Texas. His grandson, who shares his grandfather's nickname of "Nino," is a sophomore at Rhodes. Huebner, who had met Scalia previously during a lecture in 2014, also tells of the education he got in the security that surrounds hosting a Supreme Court justice. "We had no idea what we were getting into when we extended the invitation," Huebner said. "I didn't know it would involve U.S. Marshals. "There had to be a walk-through of every venue he visited, every hallway. Just before his arrival, a (bomb-sniffing) dog had to walk the hallways. But it was a wonderful event for us." During his speech at Rhodes, Scalia defended his belief that the Constitution isn't a fluid document subject to interpretation. He called decisions the court had made recently on the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage the "furthest imaginable extension of the Supreme Court doing whatever it wants." Other area figures who had met Scalia also shared their thoughts Saturday on his passing. Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said in a statement that the country "lost an intellectual icon and a good man." "I had the privilege to be with Justice Scalia when he was duck hunting in the Mississippi Delta," Hosemann, a Republican, said. "Those of us who believe in the Constitution lost our strongest champion." Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, also a Republican, said Scalia was "one of the most consequential legal minds to serve our country during my lifetime." "At a time when it is often difficult to find someone to admire in Washington," Reeves said, "Justice Scalia is right up there with the guy who appointed him, President Reagan, as someone for whom I have great respect and admiration." Felipe Dana/Associated Press An Aedes aegypti mosquito is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Some scientists say that genetically altering the disease-carrying insects, which arrived in the Americas on ships from Africa, is more eco-friendly than spray insecticides. SHARE At the British biotech company Oxitec, scientists study the pupae of genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a vector for transmitting the Zika virus. Andre Penner Associated Press By Faye Flam In a handful of labs around the world, scientists have quietly invented a new and powerful biotech weapon against disease-carrying mosquitoes. Called gene drive, it goes far beyond ordinary genetic modification, bending the rules of inheritance to spread modified genes through vast populations of organisms. If it works as expected, it could be used to extinguish the population of mosquitoes rapidly spreading the Zika virus through South America. An even more consequential deployment would spread an altered gene through the world's population of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, endowing them with resistance against the parasite that now kills more than 400,000 people every year. This is heady stuff to consider for a public that has yet to come to terms with genetic modification. While some scientists allegedly want to "sic" gene drives on Zika-carrying mosquitoes, most biologists involved hope for something less dramatic the chance to gradually ramp up testing while encouraging public discussion about the issue. It remains to be seen whether the Zika threat will mushroom into a problem that would justify the risk of rushing a new technology. However, the death and suffering caused by malaria already justifies continued investment in gene drive research, and given enough testing, it might prove safer than spraying insecticides. The power of the technology comes from the way it breaks the rules of normal reproduction. In most species, animals carry two versions of each gene on two matched sets of chromosomes. Each copy passively accepts a 50/50 chance of getting shuffled into an egg or sperm, and from there, to progeny. But with gene drive, a modified gene carries instructions to attack the opposing chromosome, snip it, and insert a second copy of itself. In the face of Zika, gene drive might boost the effectiveness of genetic engineering solutions already being explored by the British company Oxitec. The company was originally looking for ways to control the spread of another mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever. It's experimenting with genetically modified male mosquitoes carrying a gene that's lethal to larvae. But their field trials have led to tabloid press accusations that they've caused the Zika problem. Beyond the PR hassles, the company faces a hurdle posed by evolution. If the introduced gene is lethal to offspring, natural selection will weed it out, favoring the healthy version of the gene. But there are tricks ways the lethal gene could kill only male offspring or only females, while being carried on through the other sex. Gene drives could accelerate the spread of such a gene so that it might cause a population to crash before evolution would weed it out. Last April, scientists demonstrated an effective gene drive in laboratory fruit flies the fast-spreading gene had the striking effect of turning most of the population yellow. They published the results in the journal Science. Last November, the same researchers, collaborating with scientists working on malaria resistance, demonstrated an anti-malaria gene drive could work in mosquitoes. But moving such a novel and powerful technology into field trials will have to wait for an unprecedented level of public trust and international cooperation. "The greatest risk is not technological or ecological it's social," said Kevin Esvelt, who developed one of the most promising versions of gene drive while at Harvard University and is now a professor at MIT's Media Lab. Not that we human beings haven't already made profound global changes in the environment we've wiped out species, allowed others to take over new islands and continents, and even changed the composition of our planet's atmosphere. But in most cases, these changes have been both unintended and harmful. Esvelt's gene drive uses so-called gene editing, or Crispr, which gives modified genes a particularly efficient tool kit for inserting themselves into their partner chromosomes. Endowing genes with special equipment to foil the rules of genetics may sound magical, but biologists have simply co-opted tools that other living things invented through evolution. Human DNA is littered with invasive genes that copied themselves into us with natural gene drives. The question here is what unintended and unanticipated consequences might arise. Mosquitoes may be hated, but they're part of ecosystems and provide food for birds, bats and some fish. Anthony James, a University of California biologist who has been working on gene drive in mosquitoes, said that in their experiments the insects live on, except that they carry antibodies that make them resistant to the malaria parasite. James said the situation is different with Aedes aegypti, the species that carries Zika. The virus was recently declared an international emergency by the World Health Organization after circumstantial evidence linked it to a spike in birth defects in Brazil. The Zika-carrying mosquitoes spread other serious diseases chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever. It makes more sense to tackle all these diseases, he said, by introducing a gene that causes the mosquito offspring to die. Since these mosquitoes came from Africa and hitchhiked to the Americas on ships, they aren't part of the normal ecosystem, he said. Wiping them out could be thought of as a bioremediation. The potential risks and benefits are profound enough that the National Academy of Sciences has begun an evaluation, expected out later this year. Even if the U.S. scientific community gives a gene drive the green light, say, to eradicate our Zika-carrying mosquitoes, the consequences can't be easily confined to one country. Flying insects don't respect international borders. "We have not faced a challenge that requires so many people in so many countries to agree to something," said MIT's Esvelt. But he suggests that we should factor in the dangers of existing technology insecticides known to harm beneficial insects and other wildlife, adding, "This is much more eco-friendly than using sprays." Faye Flam writes about science, mathematics and medicine. Felipe Dana/Associated Press In Brazil, one of 20 countries seriously hit by the Zika virus, a baby born with microcephaly screams uncontrollably for long stretches, getting red in the face and tightening his already stiff limbs. SHARE With no hope for a vaccine to prevent Zika in the near future, authorities are focusing on the most effective way to combat the virus: killing the mosquito that carries it. A municipal health worker sprays insecticide in a sports center in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Felipe Dana Associated Press By Markos Kounalakis Mobile apps are a fabulous waste of time and infinitely diverting. Except for "Plague." The object of this strategy game is to achieve biological annihilation of the world with a complex virus or bacterial infection that runs roughshod over borders seeking warm and moist host bodies. People are infected and die regardless of their religion or nationality. "Plague" is an accelerated depiction of the race between a finding a cure for disease and Armageddon. Slower-motion, real world infectious diseases are also mass-murdering terrors of the modern era ones that usually get short shrift except when actual outbreaks occur. Nearly a century ago, at the end of World War I, more people died of the Spanish Flu somewhere between 20 million and 40 million than had died in the "war to end all wars." That influenza epidemic remains the deadliest disease in recorded history. Yes, more than the 14th century's Black Death Bubonic Plague. The newly resurrected Zika virus is not anywhere near as dangerous or deadly as the Spanish Flu. Zika is like the sniffles when compared to the Black Death. As with most diseases, not everyone gets infected but everyone is affected. Biologically, the Zika virus is now "spreading explosively," according to the World Health Organization. Fertile women and future pregnancies are considered at risk; there is a link between infected mothers and babies born with abnormally small heads and brains. In parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, the next generation is threatened and governments are recommending that pregnancies be postponed. Abortion policies are being re-examined. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and, in a Texas case, sexually transmitted. Questions abound. In hot spots like Brazil, fear has arrived. Brazil is one of 20 countries seriously hit by the virus. It is also a country suffering from a dramatic and ongoing economic downturn, political scandal and unpopular leadership. The last thing it needs is a public health crisis. Economically reeling and politically wobbly Brazil looked toward the 2016 Summer Olympic Games for desperately needed extra tourism revenue and positive country branding. Instead, the Zika virus is actively disrupting travelers' plans to go to Rio this summer and giving Brazil a bad name. The Brazilian coffers will likely further suffer from an unexpected case of economic microcephaly a case of shrinking capital. State economies invariably suffer. In fact, the World Bank warned that the world is "dangerously unprepared" for the next epidemic. But it is not just individuals or nations' bottom lines that get hurt by the spread of disease, political and social disruption abounds. In 2014, it was the threat of a wider Ebola pandemic that caused fear; the virulent disease spread by direct physical contact. A low-grade panic ensued via Internet hyperbole and media hyperventilation. Ebola also found fertile political bodies for its spread, with some American lawmakers blaming the virus on President Barack Obama. During his 2016 State of the Union address, Obama declared that "we stopped the spread of Ebola in West Africa" no small feat. But even with this declaration, the virus proved to be a bit more resilient with a new Ebola death reported in Sierra Leone just a few days later. Viruses are not subject to political calendars, but often take advantage of political inaction. Whether SARS, AIDS, Ebola or now the Zika virus, diseases are hard to combat; vaccines, antiviral and antibiotic drugs take time to test, produce and distribute. Governments need to coordinate to expend resources and political capital to combat disease. The world has been relatively fast to react to many of the recent biological threats, but there are always new, more virulent strains waiting in the wings. An interconnected world is a world that spreads disease quickly. In the app "Plague," an epidemic is fought by grounding flights, population quarantine, and expensive drug development. If the disease spreads and mutates successfully, social chaos ensues, governments collapse, and everyone dies. "Play again" is an option in "Plague." In the real world, such an event literally means "game over." Markos Kounalakis is a research fellow at Central European University and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. SHARE Perhaps it's a bit harsh to say that no good deed goes unexploited. However, in too many cases it seems that when a program is designed to strengthen the social safety net whether it's providing affordable day care services or decent housing or something else to make life more bearable for the less fortunate there's an opportunist whose business model is to milk it for every dollar it can yield. The jury is still out on how comfortably Rev. Richard Hamlet of Global Ministries Foundation fits that mold, but more evidence was being gathered last week as Memphis code enforcement officials inspected another GMF-owned apartment complex as a result of appalling conditions described by tenants. The plan was for code enforcement officers to inspect each of the 396 units in Serenity Towers, a senior apartment complex near the University of Memphis where many tenants receive federal subsidies, to verify reports that the place was infested with bedbugs, that it floods when it rains and that the tap water turns yellow. The inspection should yield a verdict on how much progress LEDIC Management has made on the property, where the company began last year to work "diligently with staff and maintenance to always provide improvements and make ourselves available to listen and address the concerns of our residents," according to president Pierce Ledbetter. GMF's reputation has been tarnished by a number of factors, including the decision by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to cut off federal rent subsidies and relocate hundreds of tenants at the Warren and Tulane apartment complexes. Twice in the past year, federal inspections revealed infestations, blocked or unusable emergency and fire exits, broken glass throughout the grounds and sidewalks, missing or inoperable smoke detectors, among other things, essentially confirming an investigation by The Commercial Appeal's Maria Ines Zamudio last April that revealed bedbugs, mold, leaking plumbing and other problems that made some apartments unlivable. Zamudio also uncovered a possible indicator of GMF's level of concern for tenants in 2014 tax records that revealed $7.1 million drifting from his housing nonprofit to his religious nonprofit, although that money did not come from the Memphis properties. Public records also show that Hamlet earned $495,000 plus $40,000 in nontaxable benefits in 2014. Four other members of his family also were drawing salaries from what is ostensibly a religious nonprofit. Unquestionably, tenants themselves bear some of the responsibility for the appalling conditions, but it is hard to imagine the situation deteriorating to the extent that it has without a serious degree of neglect by GMF. Hamlet says his nonprofit has spent $300,000 to repair the properties in recent months, but a May 2015 order by HUD giving GMF 60 days to make necessary repairs did not produce the improvements needed to stave off the agency's eventual decision to give exasperated tenants a route of escape. HUD will hire a relocation specialist to help tenants find new housing. Residents will receive a "tenant protection voucher" they can use at other properties in Memphis. HUD will also help tenants pay for the cost of relocation. They will learn more about their options at meetings hosted by HUD Thursday and Friday in community rooms at Warren and Tulane. It's not clear what options are open to investors in the $11.8 million bond that was issued by the Health, Educational and Housing Facility board and used to buy the properties in 2011. Now under a negative watch outlook issued by Standard & Poor's, the bond is not guaranteed by the issuing board, according to board attorney Charles Carpenter, and poses a risk of default as rent subsidies from HUD dry up. What consequences might be in store for GMF and its president remain to be seen, but the financial and humanitarian fallout has been substantial. It should serve as a lesson to local government and the community it serves: Careful vetting must take place when an offer is made to provide an important social service, especially when millions of dollars in public funds are involved. SHARE Tom Pease Gallaway, Tenn. Otis Sanford never misses a good opportunity he can spin into racism like the report on small-business county contracts (How to slice the countys contract pie more fairly, Feb. 7 column). Yes, it showed an 88 percent skew to businesses owned by white males. And business is about numbers, so a better look here is needed. The annual amount of $63 million to small business is very small in the business world. For example, Sears Crosstown is awarding 29 percent of its construction contracts to minorities. That totals about $30 million for just one contract. Thats revenue, not profit. Sanford states the county is 19.8 percent white males and the county pie is pretty darn tasty for the 19.8 percenters. Really? That would be only $331 for each male. Hardly a feast; rather, merely a snack. Not many raking it in, as Sanford hyperbolizes. The other thing is many businesses do not want government contracts. They are low bid, low profit, time consuming and hardly awarded based upon race. If you didnt get one, you didnt miss much. SHARE Tim Helldorfer By Tim Helldorfer Every day we see more violence, more drug dealing and more crimes causing death. Just last week, gunmen robbed two pharmacies in Shelby County and stole addictive drugs. Yet, every day we are told by some that drugs should be legalized, criminals should not be kept in jail, police cannot be trusted and that there isn't enough money to increase funding to law enforcement and prosecutors. If we are not yet at war with crime, we should be. Now is the time to increase funding to law enforcement. It is alarming that a small number of lawmakers in Nashville are trying to do the opposite with anti-forfeiture legislation. The West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force consists of officers and agencies from Memphis and across West Tennessee. Our task force receives no funding from state or local governments. We exist because we are funded by the criminals, not the taxpayers. This funding comes from a decades-old law that says the criminals' money should be used to fund law enforcement through a court process called forfeiture. Criminal drug money that judges have ordered forfeited to the task force has allowed us to hire officers and buy vehicles, body cameras and bulletproof vests to keep our officers safe. Thanks to the criminals, we do this without having to beg government for a dime of taxpayer money. Remarkably, there are several legislative proposals in Nashville this term that would eliminate criminal proceeds forfeiture funding to law enforcement across the state. This anti-forfeiture legislation, if successful, would be an incredible win for criminals. It would certainly mean the end of the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and law enforcement as we know it because it would eliminate the only funding most drug task forces receive. Our officers have arrested murderers, rescued a sexually exploited child and victims of human trafficking, busted identity-theft rings, rescued children from houses used as meth labs, seized countless pounds of poisonous drugs and taken multiple firearms off our streets. In the last few months, we have seized 6 kilograms of cocaine; 243 pounds of marijuana, 33 pounds methamphetamine, and seized $1,621,378 of drug-dealer money. All of these and future West Tennessee gains will be lost if the anti-forfeiture agenda succeeds. Those who contend that current forfeiture law is unfair are mistaken. Under existing law, no forfeiture case can even start without a judge first determining grounds exist to pursue a forfeiture. This is the same safeguard the law uses to ensure there is just cause to arrest a person and put that person in jail, or to enter and search a person's home. No forfeiture can ultimately occur unless the seizing agency proves the case to a judge using the same burden of proof used in state and federal civil courts across the nation. The anti-forfeiture legislation being proposed seeks to require a criminal conviction of "the owner" before the illegal money can be forfeited. This reflects another tragically flawed concern. The flawed premise of this concern is that property has a presumption of innocence. This concept is found nowhere in the law. People have rights, property does not. And a person's right to property includes the right to abandon or give up that ownership interest. Drug dealers intentionally use others to do their dirty work to conceal their participation in crimes. When $1.5 million is found in vacuum-sealed bundles hidden in a truckload of vegetables, that money can be forfeited to law enforcement but only after the owner is given the opportunity to claim the property in court and make us prove the money should be forfeited. It is not surprising that drug dealers don't step forward to claim their drug money. It is worth repeating that the legislature provides no funding to our drug task force. So these anti-forfeiture efforts are not an attempt to save the state taxpayer money by spending less. Rather, the anti-forfeiture legislators are looking to eliminate funding that comes from the criminal, not the taxpayer. The only effect is to critically diminish, if not eliminate entirely, drug task forces like ours across the state. Tim Helldorfer is director of the West Tennessee Violent Crime and Drug Task Force. Donal Blaney is the founder and a former trustee of the Margaret Thatcher Centre. The sudden and untimely death of US Senior Associate Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday has robbed America of its greatest jurist. Warm, witty, searingly brilliant, Nino Scalia was the conservative anchor that ensured that his colleagues never forgot the importance of textualism when interpreting the US constitution, even if in later years his frustrations grew. And yet even as they grew, he remained able to develop close friendships with those with whom he disagreed sincerely, most notably his liberal colleague Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I had the privilege of hosting Justice Scalia at the Old Bailey and then over a private dinner at Grays Inn last summer. Ever modest, Scalia was humbled to be the recipient of the inaugural Margaret Thatcher Centre Rule of Law award. The Iron Lady was a great admirer of Justice Scalia and, like him, she was no fan of judges making laws that were more properly the preserve of legislators. What struck me when Scalia gave an impromptu address to the practitioners, academics and students assembled at the Old Bailey last summer was how at ease he was in his own intellect, and yet how open he remained to reasoned debate. Not from him the shrillness that too many in the public sphere exhibit as a poor substitute for evidence-based rational thought. I was also struck by his desire to engage with young people. When he agreed to a private dinner at Grays Inn, he made it plain to me that he wanted to hear from tomorrows young conservative leaders, be they lawyers or not. He loved the battle of ideas and, like Lady Thatcher, knew that battles are never won. They need to be fought over and over again by each generation anew. Matthew Richardson told him a joke when he showed him around the Old Bailey.: Why does Justice Scalia have 32 toothbrushes? Scalia looked puzzled. Because they are called toothbrushes, not teethbrushes. The textualist apparently giggled and shared the joke in his self-deprecating way to colleagues, including Justice Alito with whom we had lunch a few days later in DC. Sat alongside his redoubtable wife, Maureen, who is in our prayers after losing her husband of 55 years so unexpectedly as they planned for his retirement, Justice Scalia was wonderfully mischievous, indiscreet and robust in his views. No, he believed, we should not venerate the common law. Yes, he said, Britain was distinct in its jurisprudential philosophy from the rest of the EU and so it should remain. I asked him how it was that he had been confirmed without a vote against when Robert Bork had been blocked by the Senate. Simple, he said Ted Kennedy realised he had many thousands of Italian-Americans in his state and he wasnt about to block the appointment of the first Italian-American to the court even if he knew that that judge stood for everything that Kennedy opposed. He referred to last years term at the Supreme Court as containing the worst judgments in 30 years on what he always called my court. He despaired at the woolly thinking of many of his colleagues and undoubtedly feared the worst for the United States if another Democrat won the White House in November. Visiting London during the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta he felt saddened that we in Britain lacked the desire to protect our ancient liberties with the determination of our American cousins. He was fascinated by plans for a Margaret Thatcher Centre. He could not understand why she is not revered in Britain as much as Ronald Reagan is in the US. But the Centre must, he said, be a centre for the study of the interplay between liberty and the rule of law, and so it will be, in his honor as much as hers. He gladly endorsed our goals and said that he would return to speak to students in Britain again just as soon as he was free from the Supreme Court. Sadly future generations have been robbed of the chance to hear from Antonin Scalia first hand. But he has left behind a treasure trove of judgments, usually dissenting judgments, that act as a beacon of hope for all those who love liberty and who wish to protect us from the tyranny of the state. Indeed he explained to students from the Young Britons Foundation who met him at the Supreme Court for a private tour and briefing last July that he wrote those dissenting judgments in such colourful and robust terms precisely so as to inspire the next generation. Antonin Scalia pointed the way for us as lovers of liberty from the bench for 30 years. It now falls to us to follow his lead. Sangh Parivar Goons Attack CPI(M) Headquarters In Delhi By Countercurrents.org 14 February, 2016 Countercurrents.org Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) headquarters in Delhi was attacked allegedly by Sangh Parivar goons. The CPI(M) said the attackers were RSS-BJP workers who also hurled stones. CPI(M) General Sitaram Yechury said they tried to write slogans like Pakistan Zindabad at our office board. They were pursued by our comrades and one of them was caught and handed over to the police. The youths also threw stones and shouted slogans like CPI(M) Desh Chhodo (CPI-M quit the country). We condemn this attack. The RSS which venerates the assassins of Mahatma Gandhi, is now branding the most secular democratic force, the CPI(M), as anti-national. We do not need certificates of patriotism from the murderers of Gandhi. We will meet this challenge politically, he said. The RSS is doing this to divert attention from the complete mess they have brought to the country in terms of economic and social conditions. They want to divert the attention of the people by whipping communal polarisation, Yechury said. Sitaram Yechury also said "The murderers of Gandhi are trying to brand secularists as traitors. The CPI(M) does not want any certificate from Gandhi murderers, Democracy is being murdered in this nation. Those who are ruling us are not ready for any kind of debate. We expect more such attacks from them. Their ideology is to attack and eliminate those who disagree with them" According to DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal Three youths came to the office of CPI(M) where they sprayed black ink on the wall of the office building. While, two of them managed to flee, one was held by CPI(M) workers and handed over to police The youth, identified as Sushant Khosla, told police that he is a member of the Aam Aadmi Sena. We have initiated legal action in connection with the matter and investigation has been taken up, he added. CPI National Secretary D Raja strongly condemned the attack on the CPI(M) office and said the Sangh Parivar cannot subvert our democratic political system and the constitutional arrangement of our polity. If they have anything to argue, they can argue but they should not resort to such cowardly and uncivilised attacks, Raja said. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Kanhaiya Kumar, president of Jawaharlal Nehru University's students union (JNUSU) was arrested in a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy in relation to the event. He is remanded to three-day police custody. Students and faculty of JNU are agitating against Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, CPI(M) General Sitaram Yechury, CPI National Secretary D Raja and several others had visited the JNU campus yesterday and expressed solidarity to the agitating students. SHARE St. Mary's Senior Connection will hold a Welcome to Medicare seminar at 4 p.m. Feb. 23, at 951 S. Hebron Ave., Suite C (between Bellemeade and Washington avenues) adjacent to the Senior Connection Office. The program is designed to help you better understand the many different parts of Medicare and what your options are when you enroll. No specific plans or companies will be discussed. The seminar will be presented by Gina Downs, director of St. Mary's Senior Connection. It is free but registration is required. Call 812-473-7271 or 1-800-258-7610 for reservations and directions. Bokeh Lounge in Haynie's Corner hosts many events through the month, including Mondays Don't Suck. Provided photo. SHARE Bokeh is hosting the upcoming event "The Spilling Bee," an adult spelling bee benefiting the Vanderburgh County Jail with paperback books. Provided. Bokeh Lounge will host a viewing of the Academy Awards to benefit the Alhambra Theatre Film Festival. By Kelly Gifford of the Courier and Press After Bokeh Lounge expanded into its new space, Madi Goebel, promotions manager for the Haynie's Corner bar, began brainstorming ways to get more people into the larger space. "We still had the same great bands, and they'd bring out a good crowd," Goebel said. "But we still had so much more space left. I wanted to find a way to fill it and bring in people who may have never been here before." The bar has used its wall space to display the work of local artists at no charge, giving them a platform to showcase their work to the rest of the community. Goebel thought the same premise could work for the bar's events and programs. She then started looking into organizations and causes around town that could become partners for upcoming events that would be unique and raise awareness. Goebel's idea came to fruition in a big way. Bokeh now partners with community organizations on a monthly basis, helping host fundraisers, events and other unique opportunities. The bar's outreach also pulls in the help of other Haynie's Corner businesses to help donate goods or time to various events. Monthly, Bokeh partners with The Latino Collaboration Table through Caribbean and Latino Dance Parties. The organization's works aims to collaborate to improve and empower the Latino community in the Tri-State. The first dance party in November attracted a huge crowd, Goebel said, and sparked more organizations to reach out to the bar. A major component of Bokeh's programming is creating events that are unique and unlike anything that's come to Evansville. The Evansville Museum offers it's "Science with a Twist" monthly event at Bokeh to connect science education to adults in a fun and new environment. The bar's "Mondays Don't Suck" series brings in Tri-State entities into Bokeh to host programs of their own. "Mondays Don't Suck" has hosted programs from Evansville Power Yoga where people learned breathing technique and beginners poses, as well as Sixth Street Soapery teaching the difference between commercial and handmade soaps. Bokeh is set to host "The Spilling Bee," an adult spelling bee benefiting the Vanderburgh County Jail, on Feb. 21. Admission and entrance into the spelling bee is a paperback book to be donated to the jail. Karen Conaway, an organizer for the event, wanted to plan an event that would bring awareness to adult illiteracy in the community and a friend suggested Bokeh after attending several events there. "It's a place that is drawing in so many different kinds of people," Conaway said. "This event is also attracting people you wouldn't normally see out at a bar, so it'll be a fun mix of people coming together." Bokeh's extension into the community through its programming not only benefits the bar itself but also the other businesses in Haynie's Corner. For the bar's holiday event "Haynie's Corner Cares," Bokeh worked with several entities throughout the community to benefit organizations such as the YWCA, Albion Fellows Bacon Center and Patchwork Central. Businesses such as Kirby's Private Dining, Arts Beats and Eats Studio and Haynie's Corner Pub offered prizes for several activities throughout the night in support of Bokeh's event as well. Mary Allen, president of the Haynie's Corner Business Association and owner of Sixth Street Soapery, said the businesses come together for events like those at Bokeh, and it shows the spirit of the neighborhood to the entire community. "It's so cool to see the Corner's small businesses have such a generous spirit for the betterment of these organizations," Allen said. "It's not just helping build each business individually or even the just the Corner. It's helping our community grow and come together." Michael Palmer became part of the Hospital Staff Unit, driving patients to Shriner's hospitals for their appointments, as a way to give back. Provided Photo. SHARE Michael and Kim Palmer bonded over their time spent at separate Shriners Hospitals. Provided Photo. By Kelly Gifford of the Courier and Press Michael and Kim Palmer both faced enormous struggles early in their lives. Michael had his leg amputated just 17 days after he was born in 1962. His leg became gangrenous, and he expired three times on the table before stabilizing. His wife, at 8 months old in 1963, burned a side of her face after putting the television socket in her mouth after unplugging it from a wall. These struggles, as well as their separate journeys of recovery, are what brought them together more than four decades later. Both Michael and Kim grew up in Evansville and were treated for their medical conditions at different Shriners hospitals; Michael at the Shriners Hospital for Children and Kim at the Cincinnati Shriners Hospital. Michael said a friend encouraged him to reach out to Kim, thinking they'd be a good fit. When they finally met, Michael said they bonded over their experiences at the Shriners hospitals when they were young, and it was the first step toward them falling for each other. Michael said he couldn't believe they lived in the same town, had similar experiences and had never met one another. "We could have been at parties or picnics, and I just never realized she was there," he said. "I think sometimes that maybe I saw her but just never knew it was her." The two got married in 2003 and still live here in Evansville. Michael and Kim are both still involved with the Shriners fraternity and the Daughters of the Nile, the women's organization affiliated with the Shriners. Michael's father joined the Shriners as a way to thank them for helping Michael for so many years. Michael was a patient with them from 1963-1980, being fitting into prosthetics and learning to walk. Michael became a Shriner himself in 1999 and joined the Hospital Staff Unit, a group of men who provide transportation to Shriners Hospital in St. Louis. Kim went into nursing as a result of her time spent in the hospital at a young age and wanted to provide the same care for patients as she received. Michael's love for his wife has only grown since meeting her 16 years ago, and he said she always made him feel like he could be himself. "She has my back 100 percent in anything that I do," he said. "We are there for each other in everything." SHARE Dave and Evelyn Pearson, provided photo Neither Dave or Evelyn Pearson were looking for love. He'd become a widower just a couple years before and she was focused on an exciting career. Evelyn had even made plans to travel to Puerto Rico with her dad over Valentine's Day that year, joking she wouldn't have a date, so why not? But, as the cliche goes, love always finds you when you least expect it. And for the Pearsons, it was at church. Both were living in the Chicago area at the time. Evelyn's church was merging with another, a church pastored by a childhood pastor of Dave's. And Dave, who had an inspirational speaker ministry, was at the church for a program. After the service the pastor's wife introduced the two at the potluck. Evelyn was following the scripture and "waiting on the Lord" to find love. She hoped to be married someday but on this particular day in 2002, she certainly wasn't expecting it. The two got engaged on a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan, a place that always before had been sad for him because at age 4, his mother disappeared there and her body was never found. He decided to create a beautiful memory there and proposed to Evelyn on a cruise on the lake. "I now look at it differently," he said. "Instead of being a graveyard for my mom, it is the place where my wife and I made a commitment to each other." Very soon into their marriage nearly 11 years ago, the two began a ministry together, something they continue today. Dave had a regular radio spot, "Devotional Time with Reverend Dave," for a few years. But the radio station's owner said he'd like it if the couple would do a show together. They started in 2005 and continued for a decade, doing more than 500 programs over the years. Since their move to Evansville about a year ago, the Pearsons are trying to find an outlet to continue the show here, although other aspects of their ministry continue. Evelyn said when the two were preparing for marriage they wrote goals they wanted to do things together that they couldn't do apart. "The radio was the manifestation of that," she said. "It just wouldn't be the same with just me or Dave talking. It was the dynamic of the two of us together." Evelyn's advice for other couples is to value and invest in the relationship so it becomes something that grows and develops. The two also studied the "Love Chapter" 1 Corinthians 13 before marriage and try to live it every day. Dave said the two of them celebrate their differences well and where the other lacks, the partner fills in creating a blended approach to the relationship. "I think part of the success of our marriage is that we work things through," he said. "And we don't get stuck at a certain place." Abbey Doyle SHARE By Sarah Loesch of the Courier and Press MOUNT VERNON, Ind. An engraved trivet lit the fire under members of First United Methodist Church to start preparations for its 200th anniversary last year. Rev. David Stevens was the first member of the church to discover the significance of the trivet, which was engraved with the original creation date of the church. "It's just something that is around," he said. "You see it day in and out and you don't think about what it was." Stevens said from that point forward it became an inspiration for the group. Stevens, chair of the bicentennial committee, said he's sure the church would have realized the significance of the year whether he looked at the trivet closely or not, but it may have been later in the year. "It wasn't something that was hid away," he said. "It was out in plain, open view." The church, located on Main Street, celebrated its 200th year in 2015, making it one year older than the state. In honor of the accomplishment, the church received a concurrent resolution authored by Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville and sponsored by Rep. Wendy McNamara of Mount Vernon. The resolution explained the history of the church and stated the Indiana General Assembly would honor and congratulate the church and that copies of the resolution would be sent to the pastors. Stevens, church member Harold Morgan and current senior pastor the Rev. Christopher Milay all were invited to the statehouse to see the resolution pass. Milay laughed and said the hardest part of the day was finding a spot to park. Stevens said it gives him a sense of pride to know people outside the local area recognize the work the church does and the significance of 200 years. "That's one of the things I don't think our congregation fully realizes," he said. "The extent of our outreach. We do have an influence far beyond our four walls." Stevens said the resolution and the precedent set by earlier members does leave them a lot to live up to. "It does put some pressure on us to continually look at what we are doing and how we are involved in our community," he said. "The community is not just Mount Vernon. The community within this day and age is worldwide." Throughout the year the church had three main events for the anniversary. Members of the bicentennial committee held a kickoff meeting to introduce the history of the church to its members. Stevens said Morgan is the "unofficial historian" for First United Methodist and was a big help in making sure the history was shared. "Last year for a great portion of the year Harold gave us a tidbit of the history on Sundays," Stevens said. "He literally went back to the very beginning and found the names of historical context." Morgan is not a lifelong member of the church but he started attending church at First United Methodist 18 years ago after moving back to Indiana from Kentucky. Morgan said when he first decided to move back he looked at multiple churches, but the biggest draw was how much he enjoyed the choir and the congregation size. Church membership is currently around 500. First United Methodist started on the corner across from where it now sits and Morgan said that is his favorite part of the history. "There was a little brick building that the town built for schools and churches and that's where we had our first formal meetings, in that building," Morgan said. "That's when we first began." The only evidence of the original building are a set of old granite steps that church members believe to be about 200 years old. Morgan said when the first building was built there would not have been much in the town other than a few log cabins. The church was created by circuit riders and before there was a building, the men would preach in barns and houses. "Circuit riders were insane, dedicated missionary type men," Morgan said. "Their life was on horseback, they'd only do this for a year or two before they'd burn out." Morgan said the men would often have a circuit of 200 to 300 miles where they would preach. "Circuit riders were brave men, largely Methodist," he said. "That's what we had here. Our first two or three preachers were circuit riders." The building where services are now held was built in 1905 and in 2015 the church remodeled and refurbished the sanctuary for the first time. Stevens said the congregation was pleased to recognize itself and the church for the accomplishment of 200 years, especially through the historical facts during Sunday services. "The people really felt connected then to the fact of the 200th," Stevens said. "They could understand where we've been and where we are today. They understood what it took to get to this point." Milay became part of the 200th anniversary preparations while they were already underway. He did not join the church ministry until July of 2015. He said it was nice to see the bicentennial committee working so hard when he arrived. "I love history, so that's been a neat part to see," Milay said. "We even dug up old communion stuff and started using it again." The committee also planned a large picnic in July and Bishop Michael Coyner of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church joined to serve communion Oct. 18 as part of the celebration. SHARE Randall Henze at a family reunion in the summer of 1967, shortly before he deployed to Vietnam. Identical twin brothers Randall and Ronald Henze are photographed at their Evansville family farm around 1943. Randall Henze, left, and his identical twin brother Ronald pose for their last picture together the summer of 1967. The Henze family pose for a portrait. By Jessie Higgins of the Courier and Press Growing up, Ron Henze felt like his twin brother Randy was an extension of himself. "There's a special connection between twins," Ron said Friday. "It's just second nature. We understood each other." For 24 years, the pair were inseparable. As children in the 1950s they wore matching clothes their mother made, did all the same farm chores, and played the same instrument in band. They made money raising rabbits to sell and mowing neighboring lawns and cemeteries. "Randy always seemed to excel at whatever we did," Ron said. "Although I often was the one to suggest the venture." They later chose the same major in college psychology with a minor in religion and were planning to study ministry when their draft notices arrived in 1967. Like they did with everything, Ron and Randy went together to the induction center. "For some reason, he was selected and I was not," Ron said. And with that, Ron and Randy's life together came to a sudden halt. Later that year, Randy went alone to Vietnam. He never came home. "Randy called me the night before he left," Ron said. Ron could hear the anticipation in his twin's voice. Yet, he seemed surprisingly calm. "God is with me," Randy told his brother. "Whatever happens, I will be fine." Randall Henze refused to carry a gun in Vietnam. Like his parents, Randy was deeply religious. He didn't believe in killing, and he didn't believe in war. Instead, he volunteered to be a medic. "He helped as many Vietnamese as Americans," his older sister Mary Ellen Damm said Wednesday. "He just wanted to help. He said, these people didn't ask for this, their government did." Randy made an impression on his fellow soldiers. On the battlefield, he appeared fearless, rushing to help the wounded on either side. And in his off time he was equally devoted to helping people. "After seeing all the hurt the Viet Cong had caused these small people and seeing how much they wanted to be helped, he was glad he could do his little bit to help," Randy's mother, Mildred Henze wrote in a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in a 1969 Courier. None of the Vietnamese soldiers in his camp spoke English, so Randy asked his mother to send him books of Vietnamese-English translations. "He said they seemed so lonely because they could not communicate," Mildred wrote. In his last letter home, Randy told his mother, "I am beginning to understand the Viet soldiers and they are beginning to understand me. I hope this will lead to better understanding for all us." Randy was killed days later on Feb. 22, 1968, while on a search and destroy mission. In the battle, an American helicopter was shot down. The men on board were injured but still alive. Randy carried one man to safety. As he ran for the second wounded man, a bullet hit him in the back in his flack jacket. Randy fell, but jumped back up and kept running toward the injured soldier. He made it a few steps before the second bullet killed him. After his death, the United States awarded him the Silver Star for his gallantry in action. A short time later, South Vietnam also awarded him two of its highest medals. "He left kind of a legacy," Ron said. "We're very proud of him." Ron still finds it difficult to talk about Randy's death. After living as one of a pair, the grief is indescribable. "We had a great 24 years together," Ron said. "I'm grateful for that." SHARE By Jessie Higgins of the Courier and Press Local lawmakers weighed in on a proposed bill that could restrict public access to police body camera footage at Evansville's monthly Meet Your Legislators event Saturday. "What we want is the truth," Wayne Harris said, amid audience applause. "What we want is transparency. Just show us what happened and don't make it a burden for me to get the truth." Harris, a local pastor and father of five, was referring to provisions in House Bill 1019. The bill would require the public or media to prove in court that it is in the public's interest to release the a body cam video and that doing so would cause no harm. That person would also be responsible for the court costs to bring such a case. "It's the perception that police have something to hide is what gets me going," said Rep. Wendy McNamara, R-76. "The media wants immediate access. Do we really want to have a trial by media? Or do we want due process?" The bill would allow victims and anyone captured in the bodycam footage to view the videos without going to court, McNamara added though they would not be allowed to have a copy. "So there's your transparency," she said. Rep. Gail Riecken, D-77, agreed that lawmakers should consider that news outlets could use body camera footage to sensationalize stories, but stopped short of endorsing the bill as currently written. "The bill needs balance so there is transparency actual transparency," Riecken said. The bill should be amended so police departments must prove that a video should be kept private, rather than citizens proving it should be public, Riecken said. The police will have seen the video, where the public has not. And it could be difficult to prove a public interest without knowing what's on the video. "This is an important issue, so pay attention to it," Riecken said. After a hearing last month, the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee took no action on the bill. The committee chairman, Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, cited concerns over the public having the burden of proof. Steele created a subcommittee to create amendments that would better balance public access with privacy concerns. During the two-hour Meet Your Legislators event Saturday, lawmakers discussed issues of redistricting, environmental regulations, abortion, LGBT rights, and drunk driving. SHARE By Zach Osowski INDIANAPOLIS Inside a packed room downtown, members of the Indiana Latino Institute and Latino community got insights from Indiana legislators on what was being done to help Latinos in the Hoosier state. Indiana legislative leaders talked about concerns of Indiana's Latino community. Rep. Christina Hale, D-Indianapolis, attended the legislative breakfast. Hale is the only legislative member of Latino descent. She encouraged the audience to get involved in the election process. "I believe we're a better government if we look like the community we represent," Hale said. "Right now, we don't have that." Even if Latinos don't feel like running for office, all of the speakers encouraged the audience to get out and vote. Indiana had the worst voter turnout in the nation in 2014 and lawmakers would like to see that changed this November. They encouraged the college students in the audience especially to become more involved in the process. John Zody, Indiana Democratic Party chair, and Jeff Cardwell, chair for Indiana Republicans, encouraged people to get informed. "I don't know where you get your news, it's always changing," Zody said. "But learn as much as you can about who you are voting for." Cardwell said he and Zody disagreed on a lot of things but getting out and voting wasn't one of them. "We're sitting up here as competitors, not enemies," Cardwell said. "We want everyone to be involved in the process." Chief among the topics of discussion was treatment of undocumented citizens. Lawmakers discussed various laws involving scholarships for the children of undocumented citizens, driver's licenses and expanding voting rights. The scholarship discussion was an important issue, according to the lawmakers. Lanane said legislation to help children of undocumented workers get college scholarships had been tried with limited success. He said it was crucially important to further the education of Indiana's children. BRIDGEPORT The city endured its second coldest day ever on Sunday as the Deep Freeze of 2016 drove temperatures well below zero and howling winds made it feel much worse. Bill Jacquemin of the Connecticut Weather Center said the citys temperature dropped to 6 degrees below zero, setting a single day record and nearly tying the overall record of 7 degrees below zero set on Jan 22, 1984. In Danbury, the mercury plunged to 10 degrees below zero, beating the previous record for that day of 6 degrees below in 1979. It was 5 to 13 degrees below across Fairfield County, Jacquemin said. The wind was a huge factor and made the wind chill severe. Still, despite the bitter cold, there were few problems reported across the region and no significant power outages. Metro-North had one train malfunction in Milford early Sunday morning with 70 passengers on board, delaying the train for a short period of time, said Metro-North Spokesman Aaron Donovan. He said crews Sunday afternoon were inspecting the train to determine the problem. Otherwise, Donovan said the railroad operated smoothly despite overnight temperatures that dipped below zero. The cold will stress the equipment in different ways, Donovan said. Im happy to say that everything is running. At the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, the shelter was full and allowing homeless people to stay longer than usual. Movies were being played on televisions. An official, who didnt wish to be named, said the shelter served lunch to 77 people Sunday and expected the dinner crowd to reach 80 people. When it gets colder more people come in. Dinner is usually around 65, the official said. Jacquemin said the cold was the result of Arctic air from Canada and changes in the jet stream, two conditions which allowed the frigid air to pour into the region. In Bridgeport, spokespersons for both St. Vincents Medical Center and Bridgeport Hospital said they hadnt seen a big uptick in traffic due to weather-related problems, though Bridgeport Hospital did report one hypothermia patient who came in Saturday. Though not as cold as Sunday, Saturday had frigid temperatures that dipped to single digits in some areas of the state. Attending emergency room physician Dr. Bryan Jordan said a man was brought in Saturday who had lost consciousness near his car in seaside park and, by the time he was found, his body temperature had dipped below normal. The man is now recovering, Jordan said. Other than that, Jordan said, there have been a few slips and falls on ice, but nothing major. It seems that people stayed in, said Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello late Sunday afternoon. The cold will not last long and warmer temperatures are on the way for Monday, though there is a winter weather advisory. The National Weather Service forecast called for a high of 32 degrees, but snow is expected to develop late Monday morning and afternoon, then change over to freezing rain. By Tuesday, the bitter cold will be replaced by rain and temperatures in the 50s. Staff writer Amanda Cuda contributed to this report. Cuba and Malaysia to boost trade links Submitted by: Juana Asia Business and Economy 02 / 14 / 2016 Dato Dzulkifli, CEO of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and Ibete Fernandez, Cuban ambassador to that nation, held a meeting which reaffirmed the willingness to expand bilateral ties. Dzulkifli told the Cuban diplomat in Kuala Lumpur the decision of his institution to strengthen trade links through the promotion of business opportunities offered by Cuba. He also extended an invitation to Cuban companies to participate in major trade shows organized by Malaysia each year. In regional and multilateral spheres, the two nations share similar views and concerns on many issues. Both countries are closely working in United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the G-77 in search for peace, justice and stability. His Holiness Kirill visits Fidel Castro His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, paid a courtesy visit to the historic eader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz. on Saturday afternoon. During the meeting Fidel had words of acknowledgement towards His Holinessof Patriarch Kirill for his important contribution to the strengthening of friendship between the Russian and Cuban peoples and for the spreading of the values that unite them, and they exchanged on topics of interest related to the cause of the poor, the struggle against discrimination, the preservation of peace and human survival. Related News What's going on in and around Somerset County? Ian relief: Deadline extended for property tax payments Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order delaying the payment of property taxes across 26 Florida counties struggling from impact of Hurricane Ian. Lifestyle | Daily Life | News | The Sydney Morning Herald Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss It is not considered polite in high politics to mention Germanys domination of the European Union. One of Margaret Thatchers Cabinet Ministers, Sir Nicholas Ridley, had to resign back in 1990 after he warned that the EU was a German racket designed to take over the whole of Europe. And Germany, though by far the richest and biggest member of the Union, generally tries hard to avoid giving the impression that it is in charge. This is no bad thing. Historical memories, especially here in Britain, make it hard to accept the supremacy of Berlin, or to accept lectures from German politicians. Historical memories, especially here in Britain, make it hard to accept the supremacy of Berlin, or to accept lectures from German politicians It is not surprising that Sir Bill Cash (left) interpreted Krichbaum's words on the possibility of trade barriers being raised as a threat. Such bullying, ill-considered behaviour can only strengthen the campaign for the UK to leave the EU. So how very unwise it was of Gunther Krichbaum, a German MP and close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, to tell Britains Sir Bill Cash that this country could not survive outside the EU. It was even more unwise of him to raise the possibility of trade barriers being raised against a non-EU Britain. It is not surprising that Sir Bill interpreted this as a threat. Such bullying, ill-considered behaviour can only strengthen the campaign for the UK to leave the EU. This cannot be what Germany actually wants. Supporters of the EU, here and abroad, and most especially in Berlin, should be very careful about using threats of this kind to try to frighten the British people who do not frighten easily into voting to remain. They will backfire. No doubt the economic relations between an independent Britain and the EU would be more complicated than they are now and would involve a great deal of negotiation. Supporters of an exit have in fact given little detailed idea of exactly what sort of arrangement they seek and hope to get and are vulnerable on that very point. But it is absurd to imagine that the EU, which sells much more to us than we sell to it, would destroy its own trade just to punish us. Todays international trade rules, far stronger than they were when the EU was founded, would prevent such behaviour anyway. Supporters of both sides should restrict themselves to serious and honest argument. They will win many more votes by doing so than through crude and incredible threats and scares. Herr Krichbaum is said to be Chancellor Merkels attack dog. If she hopes for a pro-EU vote this summer in the referendum, she should ensure that he remains on the leash, and muzzled, for the rest of the campaign. The price of principle Even the most fervent opponents of cuts in the National Health Service and the rest of the public sector must recognise that the nations funds are not unlimited. More of the budget spent on one thing means less money spent on another. So it is odd that celebrities, who are far from poor, have happily accepted what most people will see as generous fees from the taxpayer for promoting good causes, including campaigns against smoking and for safety in the home. As they might say (or might even have said) under other circumstances: couldnt the money have been better spent on more doctors, nurses or teachers? At a time when the country is struggling to pay down its debts, and when taxes arent covering spending, couldnt these enthusiasts for the public sector have given their time for less, or even for nothing? Germany is the Prime Ministers destination of choice these days hes just returned from a last-ditch trip to Hamburg to seek yet more advice from Angela Merkel. She might as well join Daves Cabinet, jibes a Foreign Office Minister. I gather that before they met for a banquet in Hamburgs ornate City Hall, the German Chancellor strongly encouraged the PM to stay away from focusing too relentlessly on demands for more national sovereignty. That hobby horse annoys abrasive European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who scorns the aspiration as a foible of headstrong Brits. Never say die: the PM plunged into the topic in his Hamburg speech. David Cameron and Angela Merkel have been meeting together so frequently of late that one Foreign Office Minister joked 'she might as well join Dave's Cabinet' He was urged on by two of the most important Cabinet waverers, Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, and Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who told him to fight harder for repatriation of law-making powers. That reflects Camerons bigger headache of how to present a modest package of pledges on EU migrant welfare reform, some light airbrushing of the ever-closer union commitment and a red card on legislation contested by a British Parliament. Alas, that would require fully 15 countries to support it to be enacted. Camerons uphill task has not been made easier by the intervention this week by Marina Wheeler QC, aka Mrs Boris Johnson, who lambasted the jurisdictional muscle-flexing of the Court of Justice in Luxembourg in a Spectator article. Outspoken Ms Wheeler is being dubbed Madame Mao in the Westminster tearoom by those who think her views might hint at Boriss final referendum intentions. Daves struggles should be catnip to the Out campaigns. Yet I can reveal that the mood at Vote Leave, the main anti-EU group, remains febrile after an attempted coup against the respective campaign director and chief executive, Dominic Cummings and Matthew Elliott, left blood on the floor and sore egos. Insiders blame Labour Eurosceptic Nigel Griffiths (pictured) for stirring up trouble Insiders blame Labour Eurosceptic Nigel Griffiths for stirring up trouble. Griffiths, an independently minded, former Labour Deputy Leader of the House (I referred to him in error as Deputy Speaker last week), is not alone in his concerns. Bill Cash, the stalwart Eurosceptic MP, tells me he is annoyed that Vote Leaves website attacks Westminster and lashes out at politicians failure on Europe. He has asked the campaign to change the wording, to show less blanket hostility to MPs. So far they havent done it, he sighs. Cash adds that it is an oddity for Vote Leave to campaign to restore sovereignty to Westminster, while claiming all politicians are at fault. If were all so flawed, why fight to return sovereignty to us? Neither has hanging on to prominent female voices been a strong point for the pugnacious duo at the helm. Ruth Lea, an outspoken Eurosceptic economist and City figure, left Vote Leave this week, telling me she felt elbowed aside in the way the campaign is run. If I felt that I had been involved in the way economic arguments were made and was able to make a real contribution, I would have stayed, Lea tells me candidly. Im not quite sure what Vote Leave are delivering at the moment, she adds. And I also dont want to be involved with warring factions. Lea has transferred her loyalty to the Grassroots Out campaign, and will shortly be reunited at an event with Labours Kate Hoey, who has also quit Vote Leave. Grassroots Out is hoping that a surge in support means that it can compete with Vote Leave and the pro-Ukip Leave.EU for the Electoral Commissions designation as official opposition to the Remain campaign. This internecine contest looks increasingly feisty, before the Eurosceptics take on the foe that counts: Team Cameron and the Remainers. You would have thought Jeremy Corbyn would be flattered to have a biography out a mere six months after emerging from obscurity. Not a bit of it. He is fuming about unspecified inaccuracies in Rosa Princes Comrade Corbyn, claiming 14 on the first eight pages I read. When Rosa contacted people who knew Corbyn, she apparently did so in the wrong way, he says. Clearly it is very hard to please Comrade Corbyn. Now I gather that further upset is brewing over the future of Corbyns spokesman, Seumas Milne who, Guardian sources whisper, may be encouraged not to return to his job there. But Milne is a determined sort. Allies point out that he insisted on a very carefully worded contract when he moved to Westminster, with legal backing for his return. Crucially, Milne never resigned and took only an unspecific period of leave to work for the Labour leader. A wise precaution, given the electoral outlook. Tory shock as Liz rocks the glossy granny look Liz Truss has long ranked as the Tories favourite Hitchcock blonde always impeccably coiffed. The task of dealing with floods and pestilence at the Department for Environment has however brought out the Norfolk MPs serious side. She surprised guests at the lavish Black And White Ball Tory fundraiser a few days ago, by embracing the trend for granny hair the fashionably glossy grey look rocked by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. Liz Truss surprised guests at the lavish Black And White Ball Tory fundraiser a few days ago, by embracing the trend for granny hair In the day job, one of Trusss duties is to battle against invasive animal species threatening Britains shores. The latest, she tells me, is the arrival of the quagga mussel, which blocks pipes, fouls boat hulls and affects freshwater quality. The little pest has migrated from the Caspian Sea, via Eastern Europe and Germany, to Britains shores. A new migrant crisis for the Cabinets grey lady to sort out. QUOTES OF THE WEEK... I hope they will pay back the tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money spent on their training. Tory MP Andrew Percys challenge to junior doctors planning to head overseas after Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt imposed new contracts. I am not a tax expert. I am the least tax expert and dont sit on any of the hearings. Dame Lin Homer, aka Dame Disaster, chief executive of HM Revenue & Customs, defends Googles 130 million tax deal to MPs. Oh dear oh dear omg oh dear oh dear need to go rest in a darkened room. Labour MP Madeleine Moon tweets her verdict on unilateralist Shadow Defence Secretary Emily Thornberrys views and her claim that underwater enemy drones could detect Britains Trident submarines. Im not going to condemn old people drinking. Theres a very good reason why theyre drinking: they enjoy drinking. Baroness Joan Bakewell, during a speech on the pleasures of the bottle.. It is similar to some very dangerous moments in history... it is like the day before World War I. Donald Tusk, European Council president, on the migrant crisis, which he believes might force the UK to leave the EU. I thought, Hes a bit of a whippet, theyll never catch him so I stuck my leg out to trip him up. Lance Sergeant Matthew Lawson, who tripped up a suspected drugs dealer being chased by police. Its pretty loopsville stuff to believe the Earth is less than 10,000 years old and that the animals went in two-by-two into the Ark. A BBC Breakfast Show insider after discovering new presenter Dan Walker is a creationist believing that Earth was created by God. All those fabulous old boys flirting with me in the make-up room at 6am it made my day. Catherine Zeta-Jones says it was worth the early starts to hear the chat-up lines from her elderly co-stars on the set of the new Dads Army movie. Advertisement The personality and oratory of Kids Company leader Camila Batmanghelidjh were always as dazzling as her flamboyant robes. And she used them to the same effect: to mesmerise her victims. I can say this with some certainty since I, unfortunately, was a victim. I believed in her sufficiently to introduce her to the Conservative Party, where she mesmerised my boss, Oliver Letwin, then Shadow Home Secretary, and his boss, David Cameron. Giving her first interview since the collapse of her charity on Radio 4s Womens Hour on Friday, Camila denied doing any such thing. However, Ive seen her in action and Im sure she fooled them as completely as she dazzled me. Dont get me wrong. Camilas big idea that every disadvantaged child should be nurtured with love and cared for in the way a family would care is a good one. In fact, it is an idea already very well entrenched. It is the basis of fostering. The personality and oratory of Kids Company leader Camila Batmanghelidjh were always as dazzling as her flamboyant robes I first encountered her when Oliver and I were examining the growing phenomena of recidivism, gang culture, and the breakdown of family life. My job was to find projects and charities working with troubled youngsters. Camila and Kids Company seemed a perfect fit. I made an appointment to visit her, under the arches at the charitys base in Camberwell, and that was where she, the trained psychiatrist, mesmerised me. She begins by evoking your sympathy. First for the children, bombarding you with one horrific story of abuse after another. She got me with the case of a child who had supposedly seen her mother thrown off the balcony of a block of flats by drug dealers. She told me there had been nothing in the childs house. Not even a radiator on the wall. On Womans Hour, she did it again, detailing one case after another, and Jenni Murray let her because at that moment, she too was mesmerised. Camila then induces sympathy for herself, detailing the never-ending trials and tribulations of Kids Company, being thwarted by authorities and negatively portrayed by the media. Then out comes the stardust. Camila loves to name-drop, adding layer upon layer of credibility until you are truly dazzled and she can empty your purse. For her, everything is a drama. The first time I met her, she gave me a bowl of shepherds pie and a spoon to eat it with. We dont use knives and forks around here, she said. Theyre weapons. Fair enough, I thought, but there werent any kids there at the time. Camila told me it was a quiet day and that she would send me some statistics, which she did. They were mind-blowing. She claimed to be looking after 35,000 children across London. She told me the local Labour council was trying to close her down because her very existence highlighted the Labour governments failure to help disadvantaged children. I left a personal cheque and returned to Westminster. I consider myself sharp and streetwise after an upbringing on a council estate in Liverpool, but Camila took me in shes a very clever woman. I can say this with some certainty since I, unfortunately, was a victim. I believed in her sufficiently to introduce her to the Conservative Party, where she mesmerised my boss, Oliver Letwin, then Shadow Home Secretary, and his boss, David Cameron I wrote a report for Oliver based on her statistics and, shortly afterwards, we paid Kids Company a visit. Camila put on a good show. There were lots of children there that day but somehow all we could see was smoke and mirrors. In hindsight, no one would give a straight answer to a direct question. We then invited her to speak at the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth. I collected her from the train, installed her in the hotel room and arranged to collect her half an hour before her speech. I knocked on her door. Nothing. I searched the hotel, she was nowhere. I panicked. Running out to the front of the hotel, I scanned the horizon and there she was, half a mile away, on the beach, paddling in the water, her colourful dresses billowing around her. The conference delegates were mesmerised. Jeremy Paxman interviewed her, he was mesmerised. She appeared on Question Time and the audience was mesmerised. The whole nation seemed to be under her spell. NOW its all collapsed, the spell is broken and Kids Company has folded. Two weeks ago the powerful Commons Public Accounts Select Committee released its damning report into the charity. It was not comfortable reading for any of us whod been so badly mistaken. Over and over the report highlighted the fact that evidential statements made by Camila could not be verified. If you're facing Valentine's Day alone this year, one food company claims to have created the perfect formula for a romantic night in. But you won't find it in the grocery aisle, as the goods on offer are the chefs themselves. In their so-called 'hire a heartthrob' service, private catering service La Belle Assiette have compiled a 'hot list' of their dishiest chefs who you can request at your service - and their bios read just like Match.com dating profiles. Scroll down for video Catering company La Belle Assiette have launched a 'hot list' of their most attractive chefs for private hire. Pictured is Italian stallion Francesco Pais, who has worked for Queen Raina of Jordan and Irina Abramovich The 11 cooks who made the cut are described as 'a sizzling shortlist of the sexiest, most charming chefs on their books'. They'll prepare gourmet meals in the comfort of diners' homes while providing a side portion of eye candy, from as little as 39 a head. While the service may appeal to lovelorn singletons - or groups of single friends - bizarrely, it is aimed at diners wanting to impress their partners on the big day. A spokesperson for the company said: 'La Belle Assiette has assembled a crack team of culinary heartbreakers, guaranteed to set pulses racing before theyve even set foot in the kitchen. 'For partners planning to wow their other half with a candlelit Valentines Day dinner, nothing says self-confidence like hiring your own personal Gordon or Nigella to whip up a storm for the big day. Expect temperatures to rise, both in and out of the kitchen.' 'Our hottest most charming chefs for Valentine's Day': Bizarrely, the service from La Belle Assiette is aimed at diners wanting to 'impress' their partners on the big day with an attractive chef Chef Fynn Hughes, pictured, grew up working in London's kitchens before training at The French Culinary Institute, New York. One very happy customer claims he was a 'very pleasant addition' to their party Heartthrob Oriol Rudol, left, and Andrea Zagatti, right, all made the cut on La Belle Assiette's 'hot list' 'Once youve chosen your heartthrob for the evening, along with the set menu of your choice, your personal chef will buy fresh ingredients, prepare your meal and act as waiter for the evening.' One chef who made the cut, Italian stallion Francesco Pais, hails from Alghero, Italy. The self-taught culinary connoisseur has worked for Queen Raina of Jordan and Irina Abramovich. He specialises in seafood, calls cooking 'an art' and has even won an award for the best sea urchin dish in Sardegna. Meanwhile, Fynn Hughes grew up working in London's kitchens before training at The French Culinary Institute, New York. He claims there is 'no sincerer love than the love of food' and one happy customer claims he was a 'very pleasant addition' to their party. Masterchef finalist Luke Owen's charges 89 per head for his services, and customers gave five-star reviews Heartthrob Oriol Rudol describes himself as 'innovative, passionate and discreet', speaks three languages and has rave reviews on La Belle Assiette's website. His dishes include blowtorched edamame and black cod saikyo miso, but he says his speciality is risotto and croquetas. Fellow chef, multilinguist Gio Renzo Fioraso says his love of food began in his grandmother's kitchen as a little boy, and now he likes nothing more than cooking passed-on recipes of handmade pasta - while Cordon Bleu-educated Andrea Zagatti calls himself an 'artist' who toys with his food until it has 'created a life of its own'. If you recognise Luke Owen's face, that's because he's a 2014 Masterchef finalist. The Manchester-based cook charges a whopping 89 per head for his menu, and customers attest to his cleanliness, reporting that he left their kitchens 'spotless' and giving him a five-star rating. Gio Renzo Fioraso, who speaks four languages, says his love of food began in his grandmother's kitchen as a little boy. These days, he likes nothing more than cooking passed-on recipes of handmade pasta His bio reads: 'Andrea's food doesnt get thrown together; the flavours woo each other until their combinations are melting in your mouth. 'A bit poetic you might be thinking but this is how Andrea discovers and experiences food.' He promises to 'magically' change your vision of food after cooking for you, and smitten customers describe him as 'charming', 'polite and very clean'. The lingerie has now been chosen to be in the Oscars gift bags So Ms Doueihi started designing her own range of 'sexy' mastectomy bras She was disappointed in the lack of mastectomy bras available Tina Doueihi never expected to get breast cancer. She was young, only 37, and there was no family history of the disease. But she became a statistic: the one in every eight women who are diagnosed with breast cancer that had no genetic predisposition or family history. Luckily, with treatment, she survived. But then, after going through chemotherapy, a mastectomy and a reconstruction, Ms Doueihi found a new challenge: her lingerie. Sexy survivors: Tina Doueiki created Red Fern Lingerie after finding there weren't any sexy underwear options for women after surviving breast cancer Red carpet moment: Now, Red Fern Lingerie is being included in gift bags at the Oscars She went to get fitted for a mastectomy bra and found all the options were beige and boring. 'They looked like something my great-great-great grandmother would wear!' she said. 'One of my girly treats was always lingerie,' Ms Doueihi explained. 'It was something just for me. I knew I was wearing something great, even if nobody else did.' For Ms Doueihi, it seemed incredibly unfair that there wasn't the option to still feel sexy and feminine with lingerie after surviving breast cancer. 'We fight so hard to live,' she said. 'Cancer takes so much away that is feminine, our hair, eyelashes, some or all of your boobs. I just thought, this is so unfair, why does it have to take away lingerie as well?' 'We fight so hard to live': Ms Doueihi said she didn't think it was fair that breast cancer took away the option for women to feel sexy Sexy and comfortable: Women who have had breast cancer often need specially designed bras WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT A MASTECTOMY BRA? Many women can't wear underwire bras for a period after having a mastectomy or reconstruction Bras also have pockets to hold breast prothesis if required They are generally wider at the sides to offer more support and coverage for when breast tissue is removed Many underwire bras can be painful on scar tissue for survivors Advertisement Ms Doueihi started searching online for lingerie options for women who have had mastectomies, and couldn't find anything available. So she decided to design her own range of sexy, colourful and beautiful mastectomy bras. 'I had no experience in fashion except for shopping!' Ms Doueihi laughed. 'I just threw myself in there.When I started, I thought "How hard can it be?" What i didn't know was that a bra was the hardest garment to design.' After a lot of hard work, Red Fern Lingerie was born. And now, only 12 months after she started the company, Ms Doueihi has been asked for her designs to be part of the gift bags at the gifting suite of the Oscars. 'It's such an honor, an Aussie girl with a small company asked to be at the Oscars with the high end brands,' she said, amazed. 'When they contacted me I was absolutely floored.' 'Such an honor': Ms Doueihi said she was 'floored' when asked if Red Fern could be at the Oscars Entrepenuer: Ms Doueihi had no experience in fashion except for shopping before she started Red Fern Lingerie The journey has also been a personal one for Ms Doueihi. Part of the branding for Red Fern Lingerie is around the 'sexy survivor', which she thought of one day when driving. 'I struggled with the word survivor at first,' she said. 'But I have survived it. And what I had found was the lingerie industry no longer saw survivors as women.' She wanted Red Fern Lingerie to allow women to reclaim their femininity and their sexiness, which sometimes survivors can feel the cancer has taken away. 'Yes the disease takes everything away, but it doesnt take away our essence and doesnt take away our soul,' Ms Doueihi said passionately. 'The sexy survivor has reclaimed her body. She is empowered, she is beautiful, she has choice.' 'Crazy-in-love' couples put passion before logic when they had each other's names tattooed on their bodies after dating for less than a year. In a new film created by MAC Cosmetics, two couples signed up for free tattoos by celebrity artist Scott Campbell, who offered the opportunity to any head-over-heels-in-love individuals to permanently mark their relationship with the special inkings. In the film, Scott, who has worked with the likes of Marc Jacobs, Orlando Bloom and Courtney Love, says that getting a tattoo of a lover's name is courageous because it's so hazardous, adding: 'That's what makes it magical.' Free tattoos: MAC Cosmetics collaborated with celebrity tattoo artist Scott Campbell to offer free tattoos to couples The fine print: Scott recruited couples who had been dating for less than a year and wanted to get tattoos of their partner's names To recruit the participants, Scott posted an ad on a New York telephone pole specifying that to participate, the couples must have been together for less than a year. The ad opened: 'Free tattoos that you may potentially regret someday, but you will grow from it, and I support and endorse potentially regrettable acts with passionate motives.' And while the idea of permanently inking a partner's name anywhere on your body might strike fear into the hearts of many couples, for two loved-up duos, the opportunity to celebrate their love in such a remarkable way was too good to pass up. The first were Eddie and Lucy who met on Tinder and have been dating for six months. In the video Eddie says that the first night they hung out they talked in a Brooklyn park until sun rise. 'I was intimidated to even kiss her the first time I met her, so we didn't even make out or anything, we just stayed up talking,' Eddie tells Scott of the couple's first encounter. The film shows Lucy and Eddie speaking with Scott before he begins the tattoos, with Lucy bouncing up and down on a chair with nervous excitement, while Eddie appears to remain completely calm throughout. That could be because the romantic man has many visible tattoos on his arms, while Lucy has only a few, which are only just visible under her shirt. The couples: Two young couples - Brittany and Shayne (pictured here) and Lucy and Eddie - responded to Scott's ad The film: The sessions were documented by fashion photographer Steven Sebring in a 10-minute short film titled 'With Love' When asked who wants to go first, she immediately volunteers, however, opting to get her partner's name drawn across her right shoulder. When it comes to Eddie's turn, he chooses to have Lucy's moniker written in the crook of his right hand. Next up were Brittany and Shayne, who tell Scott that they had a son together before they started dating. 'I don't know that we necessarily believe in marriage, but we've been planning our lives together,' Shane tells Scott over the phone, before coming into the studio. 'I'm actually going home with her to meet her family in Washington.' Describing the unique nature of their relationship as 'insane', Brittany admits that they are really 'going backwards' as far as the traditional courting process is involved, having already had a child together before embarking on any kind of romance. She admits that the situation is nothing like her own strict upbringing. 'My parents are the opposite of me in the sense that they are super Republican Catholic, they were like: "You have to have to have this baby, you have to," right at the beginning when I didn't know. 'But I made the right choice for me and they were super happy about it.' Regretting it already? 'Anytime I piss him off, he's going to look at my name on his leg,' said Brittany Soulmates: The short film was made in honor of Valentine's Day Inked: The famed tattoo artist has the first name of his wife, Actress Lake Bell (pictured right with Scott), drawn on the side of his stomach Brittany opted for her partner's name on her rib, while Shayne chose a spot on his knee below a tiger tattoo. 'He's nervous,' Brittany tells Scott. 'Because anytime I piss him off, he's going to look at my name on his leg.' Scott himself has three of his ex-girlfriend's names tattooed on his body which are now covered up by other designs. Not concealed is the first name of his wife, actress Lake Bell, written prominently along the side of his stomach. 'I got my wife's name tattooed on me nine days in,' he says in the film. Though everyone in his tattoo shop thought he had lost his mind, the sentiment didn't scare off Lake, who he married in 2013. 'Getting your brother's name or your sister's name tattooed on you is easy; you are genetically obligated to have a connection with them,' Scott says. 'But getting a lover's name tattooed on you is a lot more courageous because it's a lot more hazardous and that's what makes it magical. He adds: 'I want to support the people who are fearlessly falling in love, despite the odds. We all have our pasts and none of us can go back and change them, the only difference between having it tattooed on you and not is that you see it every morning and you have to accept it.' See more news on the NHS doctors' strike at www.dailymail.co.uk/nhs A pregnant junior doctor narrowly avoided tragedy when she was rushed into hospital to save her baby, while she was demonstrating against contracts for junior doctors to provide a seven day NHS. The striking medic was rushed from the picket line to have an emergency caesarean during Wednesday's industrial action. Adele Holland, from Syston, Leicestershire, who was 36 weeks pregnant, had spent nearly four hours at a 'meet the doctors' event in Leicester explaining to the public why she and her colleagues were on strike. Junior doctor Adele Hollan, above, narrowly avoided tragedy when she was rushed into hospital to save her baby, Harry, also above, while she was demonstrating against contracts for junior doctors to provide a seven day NHS in Leicester town centre during Wednesday's industrial action Suddenly she began to feel something was wrong with her baby. Dr Holland, said she became aware her baby was making fewer movements, which were not as regular as they had been - a sign that something might be going wrong. The 28-year-old said: 'I rang the maternity assessment unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary and was told to go in straight away, and so I packed up my placards and went in.' Dr Adele Holland (above, left), from Syston, Leicestershire, who was 36 weeks pregnant, had spent nearly four hours at a 'meet the doctors' event in Leicester explaining to the public why she and her colleagues were on strike Dr Holland, picketing with fellow doctor Hannah Fosker, right, just hours before she was rushed to hospital for emergency C-section; (left)Adele celebrated the safe arrival of her 5lb 11oz baby son Harry In hospital the junior doctor was told that there was a very low level of amniotic fluid around her baby - the natural liquid which protects babies from injury and infection while in the womb. Dr Holland said: 'Within 30 minutes I had seen two consultants who said there was virtually no fluid round the baby who had to be delivered straight away.' She was given a general anaesthetic and her son was delivered. Now mum and baby, Harry Wilson, who weighed 5lb 11oz, are now doing well. Dr Holland said her experience had showed that claims that strike action by junior doctors was putting lives in jeopardy were incorrect. In hospital the junior doctor, was told her the news that there was a very low level of amniotic fluid around her baby - the natural liquid which protects babies from injury and infection while in the womb. Above, at Wednesdau's junior doctor protest at the Leicester Clock Tower with colleagues and friends Baby Harry, right, would have to be delivered straight away to ensure his safety. Dr Holland, who has a two-year-old doctor was given a general anaesthetic and Harry was delivered on February 10, weighing 5lbs 11oz Dr Holland believes her experience at the maternity assessment unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary has shown that claims taht the strike action by taken out by junior doctors was putting lives in jeopardy were incorrect She said: 'It is so frustrating when you have spent so long listening to people saying that by striking junior doctors are putting patients at risk. 'Within half an hour of getting to hospital I was seen by two consultants and within an hour my baby had been safely delivered. 'My own experience is evidence that there is no evidence that strike action has affected patient safety. Disputes over whether junior doctors should be paid a premium rate for weekend working hours caused many junior doctors like Dr Adele Holland, pictured right in her usual work attire, to leave work and strike this week. Left: Dr Holland's partner James Wilson with baby Harry Thanking staff at the maternity unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where the doctor says she received excellent treatment delivering Harry, above at two days old, Dr Holland, said: 'It is so frustrating when you have spent so long listening to people saying that by striking junior doctors are putting patients at risk' The mum, who has a daughter called Evie who will turn two today (February 14), added: 'Within half an hour of getting to hospital I was seen by two consultants and within an hour my baby had been safely delivered. My own experience is evidence that there is no evidence that strike action has affected patient safety' 'The care I have received has been unbelievable and the strike action made no difference to my emergency care. 'It is so sad and not fair to hear that the junior doctors are putting patient safety at risk.' Dr Holland, whose daughter Evie will be two on Valentine's day, was also in hospital over Christmas with sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition triggered by an infection. She said: 'This is also a time when much of the cover is provided by junior doctors. 'It is very demoralising to hear stories of them putting lives at risk. As the Baftas get underway in London tonight, some of the stars on the red carpet may be wishing they were at the Oscars instead. This isn't because the American awards offer any more kudos than our home-grown British gongs, but because the goodie bags are infinitely more generous, coming in at 130,000 ($200,000) of gifts. Meanwhile, the more humble offerings from the BAFTAs come in at a modest 1,800 each - 128,200 less than their US counterparts. The BAFTA goodie bag, worth 1,800, was given to nominees and presenters ahead of the event, when they collected their tickets Fortnum & Mason special tins of BAFTA tea will be on the tables of tonight's event as well as in the goodie bags A collection of flavoured cordials are also in the 2016 Bafta swag bag The contrast between the two is remarkable. The Oscar goodie bag includes $5,530 (3,800) worth of ultherapy, a laser skin-tightening procedure courtesy of 740 Park MD. But there the BAFTAs do offer a 200 Cross Apogee 23 carat gold-plated fountain pen and discount vouchers for timepieces from 88 Rue du Rhone. Those nominated for an Oscar in the elite and directing categories in LA in two weeks will receive lavish gifts including a year's worth of Audi rentals worth $45,000 (31,000). But those at the BAFTAS in London tonight have to settle for a package of goods that include Lancome skincare and make-up products, Tattinger Brut Reserve champagne, and a painting of the Diamond Jubilee river pageant from the Savoy. They also will get a collection of Bottle Green cordials. There is nothing so understated in the Oscars swag bag which includes five star holidays and novelty beauty treatments and loo paper worth $275 (194). The priciest item in the Oscars goodie bag is a ten-day first-class trip with Explore Israel worth $55,000 (pictured is the Israeli city of Jerusalem). Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy, also contributed a $5,000 gift to the luxurious swag bag; A 15-day walking tour of Japan (file photo, right) worth $54,000 is another of the priciest items in the Academy Awards gift bag WOULD YOU USE LOO PAPER WORTH 194? Sabrina Risch, CEO of JOSEPH'S Toiletries, thinks it's time we started giving our bums some TLC, pictured holding the mahogany dispenser Toilet paper is only usually given our undivided attention when it runs out at a crucial moment, writes Sarah Barns. But that could all change thanks to a Switzerland-based company called JOSEPH'S Toiletries that is hoping to change our bathroom habits with their luxury line of 'bottom skin care' products. Forget wafer-thin paper wrapped around a brown cardboard tube. This 'cloud-like' tissue is made with '100 per cent tender virgin new-growth cellulose fibres' and is perfect for those with 'sensitive' derrieres. To keep your tush looking tip-top it also comes in a gift-like presentation box with a 'pH-balanced and hypoallergenic' cleansing lotion and a 'special repair' balancing moisturiser. Aimed at those who are feeling flush, one of the brand's lavish personal hygiene packages - set to be featured in The Oscars' goody bags on February 28 - will set you back nearly 200. So is it the most revolutionary invention of the modern age or just a load of, er, s***? Sabrina Risch, CEO of JOSEPH'S Toiletries, believes it's the former and says it's time we started giving our bums some TLC. 'Health consciousness and the quality of skincare has evolved in every other aspect of modern life except toilet hygiene,' she told FEMAIL. 'Frankly speaking, it is surprising that we meticulously cleanse and take care of each part of our body, but still dry-rub our bottoms with paper.' Sabrina, now 32, spent eight years of her childhood in Asia where she grew accustomed to 'water-based toilet hygiene'. After moving back to Europe to work for Proctor & Gamble's consumer goods department she noticed 'something was missing' from our loo regimes. JOSEPH'S Toiletries personal hygiene system, pictured left, compared to a normal toilet roll, right One of the organisation's main concerns was to ensure the posh tissue didn't damage the skin but was also environmentally friendly. 'That was the hardest one,' she said. 'It took three years to develop the paper. We had experts from every field - dermatologists, gynaecologists, paper makers - on board.' The embossed white paper - which can be brought for 11 on it's own via the company website - is described as a 'the first single-sheet-product which really holds its promise, no matter if used in dry or moist condition'. It claims to be 'thick, strong and absorbent' with a 'specially woven, vitamin-coated outer layer' providing 'maximum security and skin protection in moist condition while a soft-fluffed inner core adds optimal absorption and plush softness'. Made in Sweden and Germany, it is also additive and chemical-free. Advertisement The Baftas giveaway does include an invitation to stay at Villa Maria Estate in New Zealand but it doesn't include the travel to get there. The Oscar guests will be given a walking tour of Japan, a chance to climb Mount Fuji or visit Universal Studios Japan for $45,000 (31,000) There's also a 10-day first class trip to Israel on offer worth $55,000 (38,000) along with a $31,200 (21,500) lifetime supply of Liz Ora skin creams Oscar nominees will also head home with a year's worth of unlimited Audi car rentals from Silvercar, worth $45,000 One of the oddest selections on the Bafta giveaway list is a $1,900 Vampire Breast Lift created by Charles Runels, MD, who also invented the Vampire Facelift. Pictured above is Kim Kardashian having a Vampire Facelift The vampire breast lift $1,900 (1,300) - a technique made famous by Kim Kardashian's vampire facial - where blood is withdrawn, whizzed around in a centrifuge and reinjected into the body, is also available for the Oscar nominees. Vapers will get a top-of-the-range Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer valued at $249.99 (170)and those with racier tastes might be pleased to see 'the arouser' sex toy worth $250 (170). However, when it comes to BAFTA A-listers might be disappointed to see more quintessentially British offerings including a tin of tea (although it is Fortnum & Masons), a box of Hotel Chocolat treats, some Charles Worthington hair products and a classic white pocket square from Hackett. A peak into the goodie bags is like taking a swift trip around the UK, with the Savoy's own recipe English Marmalade and a gift set from Noble Isle, made with natural British extracts. Smaller items like gummies, and of course the Oscar trophy, will be in the Oscar kit bag A $249.99 Haze Dual V3 Vaporizer (pictured) is in the bag, even though the Academy Awards banned the use of the inhalation devices at the ceremony And always eminently practical, the organisers have include foldable ballet pumps from Cocorose, which are worth up to 90 each. While the Oscar goodie bags are almost 70 times the value of the BAFTAs', the Oscar freebies are only given to the nominees up for the main acting and directing categories while all nominees at the Baftas get a bag to take home. Distinctive Assets, the marketing company behind the Oscar's giveaways that this year's bag is 'once again a blend of fabulous, fun and functional items meant to thrill and pamper those who may have everything money can buy but still savor the simple joy of a gift'. Even mild hearing loss seems to have an effect, leading NHS rationing of hearing aids is fuelling the epidemic of Alzheimers disease, experts fear. The warning follows research showing that the risk of dementia rockets as hearing fades. The deafest are five times as likely to develop the memory-robbing disease, and even mild hearing loss seems to have an effect, the worlds biggest science conference heard. Researcher Dr Frank Lin said doctors must stop thinking of hearing loss as being inconsequential and start treating it. The deafest are five times as likely to develop the memory-robbing disease, and even mild hearing loss, which can be improved with a hearing aid (pictured), seems to have an effect Mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia, moderate loss trebles it and severe loss makes it five times as likely, the American Association for the Advancement of Science s heard And charities said it is imperative that the NHS stops rationing hearing aids. In October, it emerged that cash-strapped health boards have stopped offering the devices to those with mild hearing loss, for the first time since the NHS was formed, and advised patients to lip read instead. Other patients have only given one hearing aid, despite needing two, and overall, just one third of the six million Britons who could benefit from hearing aids have them. Dr Lin, of Johns Hopkins University in the US, said the evidence for deafness fuelling dementia is growing. His own research shows that that age-related shrinking of the brain is accelerated in pensioners with hearing loss. An extra one cubic centimetre of grey matter is lost a year in those who struggle to hear. Dr Lin has also shown that the worse a persons hearing, the more likely they are to develop dementia over the next ten years. Mild hearing loss doubles the risk, moderate loss trebles it and severe loss makes it five times as likely, the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual conference in Washington D.C. heard. One possible reason for the link is that the brain regions key to hearing are also involved in recall and if they shrink due to lack of use, memory also deteriorates. It is also thought that the increased effort put into hearing takes up some of the brainpower that would normally be devoted to memory. Finally, the social isolation that comes with hearing loss might fuel dementia. In addition, it is also possible that lifestyle factors such as smoking increase the odds of both hearing and memory problems. Dr Lin said that treatment of hearing loss should be a priority rather than an afterthought. He said: Our research suggest that hearing loss could be another hit on the brain in many ways. If you want to address hearing loss well, you want to do it sooner rather than later. The NHS website lists some of the difficulties people suffering from dementia can experience which include: memory loss, a decline in thinking speed, mental agility, language, understanding and judgement The scientist said there was evidence that hearing loss had a direct effect on the risk of dementia, rather than both conditions being a natural part of ageing. He added that tackling hearing problems is likely to have a bigger effect on dementia than other public health measures such as encouraging people to exercise more. Writing in the journal Aging & Mental Health, he said: The prevalence of hearing impairment doubles with each age decade, such that nearly two-thirds of adults 70 years and older have a meaningful hearing loss that affects daily communication. Over the next 40 years, prevalence rates of dementia are projected to double every 20 years because of the ageing. The potential public health impact of hearing loss in the context of dementia is substantial. While definitive evidence of the effects of hearing treatment on dementia is years away, the benefits of early screening and management of hearing loss are likely significant and without risk. Hearing aids offer a lifeline to many, especially older people with hearing loss who would otherwise be sat at home unable to communicate with the outside world Paul Breckell, chief executive of charity Action on Hearing Loss Paul Breckell (CORR), chief executive of charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: Hearing aids offer a lifeline to many, especially older people with hearing loss who would otherwise be sat at home unable to communicate with the outside world. This research from the US shows that the NHS must act now to stop cuts to hearing aids which have been freely available to people who have needed them since 1948. Rationing of hearing aids will not only leave vulnerable people with a hearing loss, which can lead to social isolation, but may also increase the risk of developing dementia. Sue Archbold (CORR), chief executive of the Ear Foundation, added: This latest evidence shows how devastating unaddressed hearing loss can be, putting people at greater risk of early onset dementia. We need to ensure that the public are aware of the potentially damaging consequences of hearing loss and we must ensure that the rationing of hearing aids in some areas of NHS stops now to ensure that we dont add to the number of dementia cases leading to heartache for families and additional costs to the NHS. North Staffordshire clinical commissioning group last October became the first health board in the country to refuse hearing aids for people with mild hearing loss. Mid-Essex followed suit soon afterwards, and at least five other health boards are considering similar measures. A further six health bodies across England and Wales have recently started rationing hearing aids to one per person, in the midst of a deep funding crisis. Because of its huge purchasing power, a hearing aid costs the NHS as little as 90 each. In comparison, to have a pair of hearing aids fitted privately costs about 3,000. When North Staffordshire announced its plans, patients were sent a leaflet advising them to sit close to relatives in order to read their lips, to ask people to raise their voice and speak clearly, and to turn down background noise such as televisions. West Of Eden: An American Place Jean Stein Rating: If houses in Hollywood could talk, then their owners would have them destroyed. In 1990, the record mogul David Geffen bought the mansion that had once belonged to Jack Warner, the founder of Warner Brothers. Warner had built it in the Spanish style in the late Twenties, but his second wife, Ann, took against it. He was so cheap he would always make sure that the bills didnt stick together when he counted them,' said Ann Warner of her husband, Jack Warner (pictured outside his house) One day, Warner had returned home to find the facade bulldozed. Anything that looked remotely Spanish was gone. Without consulting her husband, Ann planned to redesign the house as a Southern mansion, adding all sorts of expensive touches from around the world. After Anns death, Geffen bought the house lock, stock and barrel, as a perfect specimen of old Hollywood grandeur. After I bought the house I took my interior designer to see it, and I showed her all the original furnishings. 'I said, See this floor? This floor was a gift from Napoleon to his sister. 'My designer said, Really? You think people give floors as presents to their family? 'We walked into the dining room, and I said, This wallpaper was from the imperial palace in China. 'She said, This is French wallpaper from 1870 or 1880. 'I pointed to another piece and said, This is a Chippendale. 'She said, Youre not going to scream at me, are you? 'I said, What do you mean, scream at you? 'She said, The original is a Chippendale and is in the Victoria and Albert Museum. This was made at Warner Brothers. Ann Warner, Lili Damita, Marlene Dietrich, Jack Warner and Errol Flynn in 1938. By marrying Jack Warner, Ann Warner had become wealthy enough to float around in a sort of dream world Small wonder that everything in Hollywood is fake: the movie business was created largely by men who had escaped from the countries of their birth and who now wanted to say goodbye to the real world. As the playwright Arthur Miller explained to the author of this book: George Cukor once told me, Our object was to escape reality. We were quite conscious of all that. This was a fairy tale, because they were immigrants who saw this country as a fairy tale. By marrying Jack, Ann Warner had become wealthy enough to float around in a sort of dream world. She would tell stories about her youth on a Southern plantation, recalls her butler. But I personally think she made them up. She acted her life like a scene from Gone With The Wind. They both took lovers. The author of this book, Jean Stein, somehow managed to track down one of Jacks former girlfriends, Jackie Park. Aged 16 a nice gentleman had taken a liking to her, but when he found out my age he got frightened, so he sent me to Hollywood with some money and a letter of introduction to the director Edmund Goulding. Goulding made her change her name from Mary Scarborough to Jacqueline Park (after Park Avenue). She stayed in a hostel for young actresses, and dated Ronald Reagan and Cary Grant. Like so many Hollywood actors, Cary Grant (real name Archibald Leach) was far removed from his screen image. The first time I ever had a date with him, he was dressed up like a woman. He had on a silk blouse, velvet pants and gold lame shoes. In 1960, she was taken up by Jack Warner, who set her up in her own apartment, and gave her an allowance of $350 a week. He was so cheap he would always make sure that the bills didnt stick together when he counted them. 'One night in August 62, the phone rang, and Jack (Warner) and I picked it up at the same time. All I heard was, This is code K, Marilyn is dead,' said Ann Warner (pictured: Marilyn Monroe in 1956) The Kennedys would phone Warner regularly. Instead of identifying themselves in case there was a columnist over theyd say, Its code K. 'One night in August 62, the phone rang, and Jack and I picked it up at the same time. All I heard was, This is code K, Marilyn is dead. 'Then Jack came in and said, Did you pick up that phone? I said, No. Three or four years later, Warner dumped her, and ordered her to leave California. A friend of his said to me, You dont want to wind up like Monroe, so youd better go. Jack never saw me again. The $5,000 he gave me didnt last long. I lived off the money from hotel to hotel, then I was homeless twice. West Of Eden is full of creepy little vignettes of monstrous moguls and their victims, a category that, more often than not, includes their children. Of course, stories about the dark underbelly of Hollywood are nothing new: 40 years ago, a former child movie star called Kenneth Anger published a brilliantly gaudy and heartless book called Hollywood Babylon, featuring full-page photographs of the corpses of starlets in smart hotel bedrooms, along with reproductions of Hollywood headlines such as Arbuckle Orgy Raper Dances While Victim Dies. Jean Stein, herself the daughter of a Hollywood music agent, may have set out to produce a more sophisticated and nuanced portrait of life among the super-rich in Los Angeles, but the end result is much the same. In their headlong pursuit of money and power, the moguls treat everyone like dirt; their bored wives spend mornings with their make-up artists and their afternoons with their psychoanalysts; their unloved children commit suicide, or die of drugs. Stein tells these stories entirely through a hotch-potch collage of a hundred-or-so interview transcripts. There is no narrative voice, and no follow-up on essential details. What happened next to Jack Warners young mistress Jackie Park, for instance? Where is she now? We are not told. A ludicrously unsatisfactory biographical note in the back simply says: Jackie Park was a close friend of Jack Warners, which we have already been told. The make-up artist employed by Jennifer Jones, star of Song Of Bernadette and widow of Hollywood producer David O Selznick, tells how he used to do her hair and make-up for four hours every day Similarly, when Gore Vidal says of Hollywood in the Fifties that it was a totally lesbian scene, it is a phrase that is left hanging in the air. In fact, the whole book has a scrappy, makeshift air about it, as though it has been resurrected from a bottom drawer, with the original plan either forgotten or abandoned. The transcripts have been marshalled into five chapters, each concerning a family, often in a particular house. These chapters are a rag-bag, with little in common other than wealth. The first focuses on Edward Doheny, who was not even in the movie business, but in oil, and was the original for the bellowing monster played by Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood. The final chapter focuses on Jules Stein, a music agent, who emerges as a relatively colourless figure, his inclusion explained only by the fact that he was the authors father. The most haunting chapter tells the story of a young woman called Jane Garland, the schizophrenic daughter of a property tycoon and a former beauty queen. In the late Fifties, various university students were employed by her mother to keep an eye on Jane, whose behaviour had become increasingly erratic. She would speak in tongues, paint lips on her forehead, stick ice-picks in her wrists and set the house on fire. The students would be paid to stay overnight but, as one of them recalls, you always slept kind of lightly there. What happened to Jane Garland? Again, we are never told, though one of the students vaguely thinks he might have seen her in a shopping mall, some 15 years later. If West Of Eden has a moral, it must be to do with the madness induced by excessive wealth. The make-up artist employed by Jennifer Jones, star of Song Of Bernadette and widow of Hollywood producer David O Selznick, tells how he used to do her hair and make-up for four hours every day. For the cost of the whole year, you could buy a house in the Valley. And I did it for her for more than 30 years, every day, sometimes morning and night. Every afternoon, Jennifer Jones spent at least two hours with her psychoanalysts, with both of whom she had affairs. Her first husband (who played the loopy Bruno in Hitchcocks Strangers On A Train) died after his analyst gave him the wrong injection. Undaunted by this mishap, Jennifer Jones sent both her sons to the very same analyst. Its half a century since Twiggy became the icon who revolutionised the fashion world, and, with her latest collection for Marks & Spencer about to launch, shes still influencing how we dress today. But therell be no miniskirts, she tells Liz Hoggard Twiggy, pictured here in 1967, was discovered aged 16 when Daily Express fashion editor Deirdre McSharry walked into a Mayfair hairdressing salon and saw her photo on the wall Twiggy is showing me a photograph of herself with Kate Moss. Its a gorgeous black and white image, shot in London in 1999 by the French photographer Brigitte Lacombe to celebrate two fashion icons who changed the world. We spent an hour and a half having our hair and make-up done, Twiggy laughs, and then Brigitte put us in front of the camera and said, OK, take your tops down. 'She wanted bare shoulders, plus hair soaked and slicked back. And she was right because its an iconic shot, really. This year Twiggy is celebrating her 50th anniversary in modelling. She was discovered aged 16 when Daily Express fashion editor Deirdre McSharry walked into a Mayfair hairdressing salon and saw her photo on the wall. I was probably the first famous working-class supermodel. During that period it was more fashionable to be working class,' said Twiggy (pictured in her 1967 heyday) Twiggy (born Lesley Hornby) was having some test shots done for her modelling portfolio and the salon had just dyed her naturally mousy brown hair blonde. McSharry immediately saw that this girl had the look. Within days Twiggy had been proclaimed The Face of 1966 by the newspaper. Her waifish figure and daring boyish crop inspired a generation. By the age of 17, she was gracing the covers of Vogue and Tatler. In retrospect, she benefited from a period of social upheaval, becoming a figurehead for a new, youthful style, which was very different from the traditional girls in pearls. I was probably the first famous working-class supermodel, she tells me today. During that period it was more fashionable to be working class. 'A lot of wannabe actors who came from posh families decided to cut their accents down. 'It amazes me today that the royals dont speak with that old-fashioned posh accent any more. Its not rough, but its not crystal clear-cut, and that started in the 60s. Twiggy wears JACKET and JEANS from her new collection for Marks & Spencer. TOP, Zeus + Dione Her own modelling trajectory was a fluke, she insists modestly, more down to her funny and kooky personality than looks. It was global, almost immediately being discovered and having that look ricocheting around the world and its still out there. 'Wherever I go in the world, I encounter what I call my little friend who sits on my shoulder. 'Theres always a shop with my face on a T-shirt or a handbag or a cushion. Its just part of the rocknroll thing that the 60s gave the world. Back then the 20-something similarly gamine Jean Shrimpton was Twiggys heroine. But she, like most middle-class models, went to a modelling school or charm academy. They modelled until they met their wealthy husbands, Twiggy laughs. So I came out of left-field. Now 66 and a grandmother (her daughter Carly, 37, had a daughter, Joni, last June, two months after her stepson Jason, 38, from her marriage to actor Leigh Lawson, had a son, Solomon), Twiggy looks effortlessly stylish in leather trousers and a funnel-neck jumper. Twiggy wears JACKET, Tara Jarmon. SHIRT and JEANS, both Twiggy at Marks & Spencer. HAT, Laura Apsit Livens. SHOES, Pretty Loafer Blonde curls frame her face (she has always felt more comfortable with longer hair). There are laughter lines around her eyes she has no truck with Botox and she has always loved her food. Dinner without wine would be sacrilege, she hoots. Most things in moderation, but I love my glass or two with dinner. Shes a girls girl. But occasionally you get a flash of steel from a woman who knows the value of her own brand and has modelled for all the greats from David Bailey to Richard Avedon. Im comfortable in front of the camera, she says. But Im particular that theyre good photographers and know about lighting, because thats what photography is all about. 'Its about trust, knowing theyre going to look after me and do a great picture. If you trust someone, youre at ease. A big surprise is that, for all those images of her in a miniskirt, shes a tomboy at heart. Im most comfortable in a tailored jacket, skinny trousers or jeans. In the 60s she had boys suits made on Savile Row, and she believes that a tuxedo is every bit as sexy as a little black dress. Left: Twiggy wears SHIRT, Amanda Wakeley. JEANS and SHOES, Twiggy at Marks & Spencer. Right: TRENCH, Twiggy at Marks & Spencer. JEANS, AG Denim. SHIRT, Amanda Wakeley. SHOES, Superga. JEWELLERY throughout, Tiny Om and Maha Lozi , from japr.co.uk Her role model is Katharine Hepburn, who brought polonecks and trousers into fashion. That is so much sexier than a low-cut dress with everything hanging out. 'Tilda Swinton doesnt flaunt loads of flesh but she looks amazing. Isabella Rossellini is beautiful, too. And my hero Barbara Hulanicki [of Biba] is the most stylish person Ive ever met. If she wears a floaty dress shell team it with a biker jacket: I call it a bit of sweet and sour. She and Carly swap clothes, and shes hoarding many original pieces for Joni (named after Joni Mitchell). Real style is finding out what works for your shape and experimenting with it, she says. Which is no doubt why M&S invited her to design a collection, now in its third year, inspired by her own wardrobe. I think the powers who run the shops are realising the grey pound is rather large, she says dryly. When we started doing this collection I said, I dont want to put an age on clothes. 'It makes me cross when magazines say, If youre 20 you wear this; if youre 30 you wear this, because all women are different, and so are their shapes. Before her modelling career took off, Twiggy intended to study fashion at art school. She learned to sew aged 13. There were no clothes aimed at teens. I was a mod and made all my clothes,' she said (pictured in 1967) For the M&S spring collection, she has reworked her signature biker jacket in a sumptuous khaki suede, and there are also ikat prints and lime trousers. But, tactfully, the dresses have sleeves and secret support and the tops cover your midriff. We spent a long time getting the jeans shapes right. Theyre high cut and really comfortable. I was so happy when hipster jeans went out of fashion. Twiggy knows her high street (Im the great bargain shopper of the world). The key is to add a few designer pieces. She loves Amanda Wakeley, Matthew Williamson and Stella McCartney (Carly is a print designer for Stella, so she gets a good deal, she jokes). Its nice to be able to mix and match. Theres so much choice today. Before her modelling career took off, Twiggy intended to study fashion at art school. She learned to sew aged 13. There were no clothes aimed at teens. I was a mod and made all my clothes. The shops either sold dresses for my mum or kids clothes. Twiggy getting her hair cut by the legendary Leonard Lewis Even now, a dream weekend for her would be spent making curtains for her Kensington flat. She and Leigh also have a Georgian house in Suffolk and thats where M&S first discovered her, at the age of 57. Arriving at the local pub in Southwold after a long windswept walk in a duffel coat and wellies, she was spotted by M&S executive Steve Sharp who saw that quality of everywoman in her. Twiggy grew up the youngest of three girls in Neasden, Northwest London. Her father was a master carpenter at the MGM studios in Borehamwood. She went to Kilburn Grammar after passing her 11-plus (I was one of those weird teenagers who loved school). She experimented with mod fashion and painted her eyes with little lines to highlight the false lashes. A friend suggested modelling. The haircut that Deirdre McSharry initially spotted, which launched her career, was created by Leonard of Mayfair; the colour was done by the young Daniel Galvin; Barry Lategan took the photo and the rest is history. She flew to New York to work with Richard Avedon and was greeted by paparazzi and fans at JFK airport. The New Yorker devoted nearly 100 pages to the Twiggy phenomenon. I was this funny, skinny little thing with eyelashes and long legs, who had grown up hating how I looked,' says Twiggy (pictured here in the late 60s) At 5ft 6in, Twiggy was technically too short for the catwalk and, in the 60s, top photographic models didnt do catwalk. As she has recalled: I was this funny, skinny little thing with eyelashes and long legs, who had grown up hating how I looked. I thought the world had gone mad. In fact she only modelled full-time for four years. By 1971 she had made the transition to acting, starring in Ken Russells movie The Boy Friend, opposite Tommy Tune. The film won her two Golden Globes. We talk about how model Agyness Deyn has also become an actress. Twiggy is a fan. Shes sweet and very down-to-earth. We went to the Met Ball together in 2009. Burberry sponsored us to go and they dressed us. I wore guess what? a mans black tuxedo. 'I said to Chris [Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey]: Look, there are going to be dresses, each bigger and better, so I want to go in a tux. I was probably the most comfortable person there that night. She applauds the hefty sums models are paid today. I think I was probably one of the first people to do merchandising back then. On the set of The Boy Friend in 1971. The film won her two Golden Globes 'We did a Twiggy doll and make-up, but we got ripped off because it was so new and we didnt know what we were doing. Somebody made lots of money, she says. But I was young and green. So its wonderful if these girls are lucky enough to get a great break and take control business-wise because, if they dont, someone else will. Not that Twiggy lacked mentors: Noel Coward took her under his wing. Fred Astaire invited her to dinner and tap-danced for her along Rodeo Drive. And she appeared on the cover of David Bowies Pin Ups album in 1973, leaning on his shoulder; the two famously wearing painted-on face masks. A huge fan, she was thrilled when, earlier that year, Bowie released the single Drive-In Saturday [from his Aladdin Sane album] with the line, Shed sigh like Twig the Wonder Kid. Later that year, they shot the Pin Ups cover. The shoot was actually for the cover of British Vogue, she recalls. The reason weve got masks is that I had a tan because Id been in LA, and he was very pale. 'We shot it in Paris and then the editor said, No we cannot have a man on the cover of Vogue. I said, Are you mad? Hes a huge star. So David said, While theyre faffing about, let me use it for my new album cover. Twiggy and David Bowie on the cover of his album Pin Ups, 1973. The reason weve got masks is that I had a tan because Id been in LA, and he was very pale,' she said Today its cited as one of the best rock album covers of all time. Twiggy says, I was so sad and shocked to hear of his passing. David was a sweet, lovely, incredibly talented man and I feel thankful that I knew him. The world will be a sadder place without him. She and Leigh the most romantic husband in the world have been happily married for 28 years. But Twiggy has known pain. Her first marriage, to American actor Michael Witney (Carlys father), was destroyed by his alcoholism. She threw herself into work. I did things then that I hadnt done before, such as starring in a big Broadway show called My One And Only. It was terrifying but exhilarating. 'When we opened, my daughter was four and I was estranged from her dad, so it was a trying time personally, but it turned out to be the most amazing experience of my professional life. Twiggy would open her dressing-room door and there would be unbelievable people on the other side, such as Laurence Olivier and Lauren Bacall, who became a friend. We spent an hour and a half having our hair and make-up done, and then Brigitte (Lacombe) put us in front of the camera and said, OK, take your tops down,' said Twiggy on this 1999 photo shoot with Kate Moss A year after they split, Michael died of a heart attack while treating Carly to a birthday lunch in McDonalds. Terrible things happen, but horrible as it was, you learn a lot from it. It makes you stronger, Twiggy has said. She returned to the UK and met Leigh at a mutual friends dinner party. She was 35, he 41. They married in New York in 1988 and Twiggy gained Jason (nicknamed Ace, from Leighs relationship with actress Hayley Mills) as a stepson. Carly and Ace are really close, she tells me. They met when they were six and eight, and now their two children will grow up together, which is lovely. Has Carly found it hard with such a famous mum? Twiggy with then husband Michael Witney and daughter Carly in 1982. A year after they split, Michael died of a heart attack while treating Carly to a birthday lunch in McDonalds I think its hard for any kid to have a famous parent. Were really close and she copes with it brilliantly. And it doesnt affect our lives because shes so used to it. 'I do often apologise for it, because it must be boring sometimes. Twiggy is besotted by her grandchildren. Lets talk about the most important thing in my life my babies! The joy is being able to hand them back at the end of the day, she laughs. You need to be young to have a baby. At my age I couldnt cope 24 hours a day its the lack of sleep. 'When you read about some woman aged 60 having a baby, you wonder how they manage. Twiggy loves her sleep. The minimum is eight hours nine if Im lucky. Twiggy with her husband Leigh Lawson last year. They married in New York in 1988 and Twiggy gained Jason (nicknamed Ace, from Leighs relationship with actress Hayley Mills) as a stepson Shes been doing pilates to keep supple, but a back injury (from years of modelling) has made her change her regime. I walk a lot and see a brilliant physio, and Ive been having reiki treatments. She abandoned high heels years ago. I cant walk in them. The only way heels work is if a girl can walk in them. 'Kate [Moss] walks in heels absolutely brilliantly. But you see these girls tottering down the street in agony. I dont see the point. Shes never loved wild parties. A self-confessed foodie, shes more likely to be found in the kitchen. Her dream dinner party guests would be Fred Astaire, David Bowie, Billy Connolly, Hillary Clinton and Charles Dickens. Would she act again? Yeah, were working on a few ideas. Its harder because Im older, so I get offered things that arent really what I want. But there are a couple of projects of my own that I would love to do. With daughter Carly and stepson Jason. I think its hard for any kid to have a famous parent. Were really close and she (Carly) copes with it brilliantly. And it doesnt affect our lives because shes so used to it,' said Twiggy She wont tell me more for fear of jinxing them. She has just designed a range of glasses for Specsavers, encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Far from worrying about looking old-ladyish, she thinks we should be more playful. You sense that the appeal of Twiggy is that shes both ordinary and extraordinary. People talk to me when Im out on the street. Theyre always nice. 'I think the general public feel comfortable with me, and thats why the tie-up with M&S seemed so obvious. 'It is a British institution, and I felt very strongly that if I did a collection I would want it to be affordable for most people. 'Were both very English, so its the perfect marriage. Twiggys new collection is available at marksandspencer.com/twiggy and in ten stores from 25 February BIG FOR TWIG READING Ive just re-read Of Human Bondage by my favourite author W Somerset Maugham, and am now reading Sashenka by Simon Sebag Montefiore, a novel set in St Petersburg in 1916 about the Bolsheviks and Communism. FILM Brooklyn its gorgeous, though you have to watch it with a box of Kleenex. Saoirse Ronan is so wonderful. TV I am obsessed with The Bridge I love Sofia Helin who plays Saga. Its quite gory, but once youve seen what the crime is, its all about her solving it. THEATRE In the Heights was magical, and I really want to see Funny Girl Im a big Sheridan Smith fan. GUILTY PLEASURE Probably a pair of black suede boots. I get obsessed if I see a pair I like. And baby clothes! ON TWIGGY JUSTIN DE VILLENEUVE: Justin [Twiggys former boyfriend and manager, credited with discovering her in the 60s] recalls, I knew from the first that Twiggy had an inner magical quality PRINCESS MARGARET: In her 20s, Twiggy was seated next to Princess Margaret at a dinner, who turned to her and asked her name. At that time I must have had one of the most famous names and faces on the planet, Twiggy recalls. Well Maam, I said, my real name is Lesley Hornby, but most people call me Twiggy. Her Royal Highness took a long drag on her cigarette and said, How unfortunate, and turned away JEAN SHRIMPTON: The 60s model said at the time: Im not jealous. [of Twiggy]. Why should I be? I am sure her success will be ephemeral. She doesnt please men. I do' LEONARD LEWIS: The owner of Leonards of Mayfair hairdressing salon said: Her hair was long, untidy and ratty when Justin [de Villeneuve] first brought her in. We had a long discussion on what to do with her. Leonard decided to cut it short, like a boy. He said, It was perfect to highlight her marvellous eyes and frame her face For women acutely aware of their biological clock, the race to have it all in place man, job, home, marriage while still on the right side of 35 has never felt more pressured For men, these days of extended adolescence and casual cohabitation, not to mention the long process of career building and saving for a mortgage, has pushed the marriage proposal further down the list of priorities Emma has been with her partner for five years, and has lived with him for three. On the surface, the couple look happy enough. Theyre at ease together, rarely argue and like one anothers friends and family. The heady intensity of the first two years (flowers every Friday, surprise weekends to Rome, constant declarations of undying love) has settled into a comfortable routine (Friday nights in, Saturday nights out, leisurely brunch on Sundays). But Emma has a niggling concern at 33, she wants commitment. I dont doubt he loves me, says Emma, but Im constantly asking myself is this it? Will we spend the next five or ten years bumbling along while our friends are getting married and starting families? 'When we first got together, we used to talk about the children we would have one day. 'Now, when I broach the subject of marriage and children which I loathe doing as it makes me feel desperate he shuts down. Ive always believed hes the one, she continues. But time is moving on and my fear is that hes quite content to carry on like this indefinitely. 'I worry that 15 years down the line, hell suddenly decide he does want marriage and children after all, but with someone still young enough to provide them. 'My mum has told me I should give him an ultimatum she says lots of men need a push. 'But Im nervous to do that. An ultimatum would certainly get an answer but even if its the right one, wouldnt we both feel Id railroaded him into it? Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was once known as Waity Katie while her partner Prince William ummed and ahhed about settling down. In 2011, she got her fairy tale wedding The ultimatum whether to give one, when and how has never been more pertinent, nor more pressing. For men, these days of extended adolescence and casual cohabitation, not to mention the long process of career building and saving for a mortgage, has pushed the proposal further down the list of priorities. For women acutely aware of their biological clock, the race to have it all in place man, job, home, marriage while still on the right side of 35 has never felt more pressured. On wedding forums and chat sites, women debate the pros and cons of pressing for a proposal. A lot of my friends are getting engaged, which is lovely, but the majority of them have been trying to twist their partners arm about it for at least a year; some have given ultimatums, which I personally wouldnt be able to bear, writes one Mumsnet user. I just think having to practically force someone to ask you to marry them would leave a lingering doubt that theyre only doing it to please you. Another woman, however, is thinking of doing exactly this. Am I being unreasonable to give my partner a proposal ultimatum? she asks (she is 30 and has been with her partner for eight and a half years). Over on the popular wedding site Hitched, a 32-year-old who has been with her partner for six years seeks similar advice. Has anyone issued the marry me or leave me ultimatum? If so, what was the outcome? In all cases, answers and opinions come thick and fast. The strategy can work, of course and you dont need to look far to find a happy ending. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was once known as Waity Katie while her partner Prince William ummed and ahhed about settling down. After four years together, her 25th birthday passed by without a proposal (photographers were camped outside her flat anticipating a big announcement). William, it emerged, felt too young and was anxious not to repeat his parents mistakes. He wanted to focus on his RAF training and wasnt averse to the odd bachelor night out either. The subsequent photographs of him dancing with a 19-year-old in a nightclub were the last straw for Kate. After three years with her stockbroker partner Nico Jackson, Pippa Middleton, 32, called time on the relationship In April 2007, she ended the relationship, making it clear she wanted marriage or nothing. Soon afterwards, they were back together with William promising a proposal would follow. From then onwards, the fairy tale ran smoothly. Sadly, Kates sister Pippa experienced the opposite outcome when she played a similar hand last October. After three years with her stockbroker partner Nico Jackson, Pippa, 32, called time on the relationship, allegedly hoping it would result in a marriage proposal to win her back. Instead, Nico swiftly agreed the relationship had run its course. It wasnt the outcome Pippa had wanted, but its a risk she took. A worse result might have been staying in the relationship with no commitment while her child-bearing years passed her by. Or forcing a proposal which wasnt truly from the heart. In a recent interview, twice-divorced actor David Hasselhoff was asked his biggest regret. Never going down on one knee to ask someone to marry me without the feeling I was cornered into it, he replied. Ive been divorced twice and both marriages began with a kind of ultimatum. So should you ever force your partners hand? Certainly not without a lot of frank discussion first, says couples therapist Simon Jacobs. A long time before you get to the ultimatum stage, you need to have had some very open conversations where youre both able to lay everything on the table, he advises. You need to explore whats behind the need for this ultimatum. What are his doubts and concerns? 'For many men, the ambivalence may not be about their partner it could be that they see their married friends having a tough time, or perhaps their parents marriage didnt go well. 'At the same time, the woman may need to think about why shes so anxious to get to this point without letting the relationship develop naturally. Is she rushing it? 'All those questions need to be considered carefully before it comes down to marry me or not. Psychotherapist Wendy Bristow agrees that some soul-searching is essential. If youre thinking of delivering an ultimatum, then you might be feeling a bit desperate and you owe it to yourself to stop and question why, she advises. The biological clock is very real and it can drive women to make bad choices. 'I think for ambitious, resourceful women who are very good at getting things done, the husband can be another box to tick off the to-do list. 'Its the way were encouraged to behave at school, at university, at work positive and goal-oriented. 'At the same time, in this world of social media, where the 30-somethings Facebook feed may be flooded with pictures of brides and babies, the whole issue can become very overheated. Sometimes, this pressure from all sides drives us to press on with the schedule, ignoring warning signs and misgivings. 'We dont give ourselves a minutes quiet to tune into our gut feelings. 'Its amazing how often clients say to me after a divorce or break-up, When I look back on it now or All my friends were saying Id suggest taking yourself for a long walk and really examining your motives and your relationship before doing anything as drastic as issuing your partner with an ultimatum. Research in the UK and US suggests the great majority of men and women still see proposing as the mans job though in a leap year, such as this one, there is a tradition of women popping the question That said, there are instances where its a perfectly valid option. Some men are quite happy to coast along, settling for an easy life for as long as they can, says Simon Jacobs. They may not commit until they realise they have to. Perhaps surprisingly, the stories shared online seem, on balance, more positive than negative. On Hitched, Dove describes how she had been living with her partner for five years when she delivered her ultimatum. He always talked about when we marry but didnt seem to go further than that; if the conversation came up he would just say all in good time, she writes. I gave him a time frame showing how I expected things to move forward; he waited until the very last day! Weve now been married for five years, have one child and another on the way. On the same thread, Queen Bee writes, I issued an ultimatum in May 2007. 'After four years together, and only the occasional well book something someday comment, I realised that if left to him, wed still be saying that in ten years time. I told him I would be getting married on 8 November 2008, and if he wanted to be the groom then hed need to get on with it. 'If he didnt want to be the groom, then I would be starting again without him. 'A couple of days later, he woke me up with a list of bookings to view possible reception venues, and the rest is history. The way in which you deliver the message is vital, says Simon Jacobs. An ultimatum can sound aggressive, controlling and manipulative, he warns. Something along the lines of, You know I want to get married. Im asking you to agree with me a time by which well have sat down and decided whether this will happen and set a date sounds reasonable. Id urge women to think in terms of setting the time limit for themselves rather than for their partners, he adds. Instead of, If you dont, try thinking, If I dont feel a reciprocal sense of commitment in X months, I owe it to myself to walk away. 'Your partner needs to understand the time frame, but its moving responsibility on to yourself rather than placing the pressure on him. Wendy Bristow suggests other ways of forcing the issue. Knowing your partner well, can you apply creativity to it? she says. A friend made a paper ring and put it in a box and told her partner it was a great big hint for what shed like for her birthday. It was a fun, lighter way of delivering the same message. There is another option: these days, women can always propose themselves. Its not part of the fantasy research in the UK and U.S. suggests the great majority of men and women still see proposing as the mans job though in a leap year, such as this one, there is a tradition of women popping the question. Generally, though, since women seek equality in the workplace and all other areas of the domestic sphere, why willingly hand men all the power when it comes to when and how a relationship should progress? A straightforward Will you marry me? will give you the same answer as an ultimatum, says Wendy Bristow. But it also means you wont have a David Hasselhoff situation years down the line with him saying, I was cornered into it. And that could make all the difference. Delivering an Ultimatum Dos and Donts By psychotherapist Wendy Bristow DO be realistic and honest with yourself. Its hard when youre in love. Is this a pattern? Is he noncommittal in other areas? Is he just not that into you? Are you rushing this because you feel insecure and if so, where does this come from? Are you trying to railroad him into something you know he doesnt want (in which case, youll both live with the consequences)? Listen to your intuition first. DONT make an ultimatum your first step. You need full and frank discussions first. Be sure your partner understands what you want and why and that you understand his ambivalence. DO think of it as a timeline for yourself, not him. Be sure of what you will do if he isnt willing to move the relationship forward. DONT deliver an ultimatum in anger. Find a neutral way of saying it. Ive thought about this and feel very clear. I love you and I want to get married and have children. Can you think about this and let me know on X day? A day after the Delhi Police slapped sedition charges on Jawaharlal Nehru University students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, the JNU campus turned into a gladiatorial political arena on Saturday. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi came calling on students agitating for Kumars release. Right-wing students body ABVP greeted him with black flags and Go Back slogans. Rahul Gandhi addresses students at JNU. The Congress vice president was shown black flags by a group of students when he arrived at the university He was accompanied by CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury, CPIs D Raja and Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi, besides Ajay Maken and Anand Sharma from the Congress. The ABVP mobbed Gandhis motorcade when he was leaving the campus and the Congress leader had to be escorted out in a different vehicle from an undisclosed gate. ABVP activists show black flags as a sign of protest against Rahul Gandhis visit Allegations flew thick on social media that Sharma was beaten up by a group of students. ABVPs JNU unit president Alok Singh, however, denied any role of his organisation in the ruckus. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal jumped in too. He ordered a magisterial inquiry into the February 9 incident when a group of students had raised anti-India slogans at a meeting called to celebrate hanged terrorists Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat. The HRD ministry has sought a status report from the university on the issue, though the varsity administration maintained that it had not received the communication so far. D. Raja has come under attack as his daughter Aparajitha Raja, also a JNU student, was seen participating in the February 9 protests in a video, which was widely shared on social media. Raja claimed that he had received calls threatening that his daughter would be shot. The Rajya Sabha member also claimed to have received calls from Australia, ostensibly from an underworld don. Raja said he has apprised Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the threats. Gandhi attacked the RSS and the BJP, coming close to comparing the Modi regime to that of Hitler. Most anti-national people are those who are suppressing the voice of students in this institution. People who suppress the voice of this institute are anti-national. They are trying to crush the voice of the youth. There was a person in Germany named Hitler who had destroyed millions and millions of people. If only that man had listened to other people, may be that country would not have gone through that much of pain, he said, amid cheers from Left-leaning teachers and students. He also referred to the suicide of Rohith Vemula at Hyderabad Central University. They do not understand that in crushing you, they are making you stronger. Don't let those bullies push you around, Gandhi said. I was in Hyderabad some days back and the same people said Rohith was an anti-national element. A youngster expresses himself and the national government says he is anti-national. Later a minister comes and says he was not even a Dalit. Sushma Swaraj-ji, nobody asked whether he was a Dalit or not. The question is why an Indian student was not allowed to say what he believed in, said Rahu. BJPs retort was sharp. "What kind of ideology is Rahul Gandhi supporting?" "The ideology that says Pakistan zindabad and Bharat ki barbadi tak, jung rahegi jung rahegi is anti-national. His remarks are an insult to the nation, our Constitution and legal system. It shows his mental bankruptcy, party national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. Congress spokespersons are on record questioning the lack of action after the event in JNU. But when legal action is taken, Rahul Gandhi and his friends are speaking the language of LeT terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Earlier in the day, Left and JD(U) leaders met Union home minister Rajnath Singh demanding Kumars release from police custody. We met the home minister and apprised him about the tense atmosphere in JNU. The Delhi Police have released a list of 20 students in connection with the event, which also includes D Raja's daughter, but we are asking are they seen in the video shouting slogans? Yechury said. They were present because they are members of students union or groups, but that does not mean they were involved in it. We have demanded that Kanhaiya be released. The home minister has assured us that no action will be taken against any innocent student. Yechury was joined by Raja and JD(U) spokesperson Tyagi. The home minister maintained his tough stand that anti-nationalism would not be tolerated, though he also assured that no innocent would be acted against. In a series of tweets, Singh said: If anyone shouts anti-India slogan and challenges nations sovereignty & integrity while living in India, they will not be tolerated or spared. After meeting Yechurys delegation, he said: No question of harassment of students. But the guilty will not be spared. AAP too did not leave any chance to attack the Modi government, though with caution. All those raising Pakistan zindabad slogans and involved in anti-India activities must be punished. But the way JNU student leaders and professors are being targeted smacks of a deep-rooted conspiracy by the Delhi Police and ABVP, Kejriwal said. AAP leader Ashutosh said at a press briefing: First FTII, then Rohith Vemula, and now the way in which JNU is being handled Modis anti-student policies are becoming clearly visible to all. Delhi police to probe whether teachers are shielding the accused By Mail Today Bureau With the Afzal Guru protest at the Jawaharlal Nehru University blowing into a major controversy, the Delhi Police is now probing the role of a few varsity teachers in the episode. Police sources said a section of varsity teachers was mounting pressure on the administration to shield the accused in and added that the teachers, who met varsity vice-chancellor Jagadesh Kumar on Friday, also wanted the media to be banned from the campus and removal of police personnel. The agitating students might be getting instructions from these teachers, sources claimed. The cops have prepared a list of 20 students, who were allegedly involved in the anti-national sloganeering on Wednesday. JNU Chancellor K Kasturirangan visited the campus and held a meeting with the administration and the students The list includes the name of CPI leader D Rajas daughter. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the cops, who are interrogating JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, may also question other office bearers of the university during the course of investigation. Sources say that the university administration was well aware of the happenings on the campus, but did not take any action to prevent it. According to the police, prima facie the case is that of sedition and criminal conspiracy. The role of external elements is also being probed now. Prima facie, the JNU administration was aware of the activities taking place on the campus, yet no preventive measures were taken. We are interrogating Kanhaiya Kumar and further arrests are likely soon. The vice-chancellor may also be called in to join the investigation, a police officer said. According to sources, policemen in plain clothes have been deployed on the university premises to keep a check on miscreants and prevent recurrence of such incidents. Heavy deployment has been made in and around the JNU campus so as to avert any possible law and order crisis. Meanwhile, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi on Saturday, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed him about the progress of investigation in the case. Divided voices at the university over row By Mail Today Bureau Teachers, who met V-C Jagdesh Kumar, demanded the removal of police personnel from the campus. The Jawaharlal Nehru University seems to have been divided down the middle over the Afzal Guru row. While Left-leaning teachers and students are waging a movement for the release of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, who has been arrested for sedition charges, the right-wing too has upped the ante for getting the culprits punished. While Left-leaning teachers have extended their support to Leftist student bodies, those from the other side of the ideological divide too jumped into fray on Saturday. A group of right-leaning teachers led a delegation to V-C M Jagdesh Kumar in solidarity with the ABVP struggle against anti-nationalism on the campus. Assistant Professor Gautam Jha, School of Languages in JNU, said: "We met the V-C and extended support to the ABVP movement on the campus. We also assured the V-C of our support as he has come under attack from some quarters within the JNU fraternity so as to shield the accused." The delegation was also joined by the Karmachari Union. Meanwhile, Chancellor of the university K Kasturirangan visited the campus and took stock of the situation even as four deans wrote to the V-C protesting against the manner in which police crackdown was allowed by the university. The chancellor held a meeting with the administration and also met representatives of the students and teachers. We briefed him about the situation on the campus during the meeting. We assured him there is no police patrolling inside the campus and there was no crackdown on students yesterday. Police came to Brahmaputra hostel and took Kanhaiya away and nobody else was attacked, said JNU registrar Bhupinder Zutshi. The Left has attacked Kumar of having let the police continue with their crackdown on the campus. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has constituted a five-member inquiry committee headed by former Army vice-chief Lt General Philip Campose to probe the January 2 attacks on the Pathankot airbase. The Ministry of Defence notified the terms of the five-member commission of inquiry on February 8. The commission comprises of three two-star officers from each of the three services and a brigadier from the armys directorate general of military operations. Lt General Philip Campose will head the five-member commission formed to probe the Pathankot attack The report into the attack by four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, which led to the deaths of seven security personnel, is to be submitted to the defence secretary G Mohan Kumar within 40 days. Sources say the commissions terms of reference are sweeping and it is Indias first comprehensive audit of security at major installations. The commission is to analyse all specific security failings that allowed the four JeM attackers to penetrate the base and kill five DSC sentries and one IAF Garud commando. The head of the NSGs bomb disposal unit Lt Colonel EK Niranjan was killed on January 4 while handling a booby-trapped body of a dead terrorist. On January 5, Parrikar admitted that there were gaps in security that led to the Pathankot attack and followed it up with his announcement on January 21 where he said that security forces would conduct a review of all security installations after the NIA probe was over. The other members of the Lt General Campose committee include Major General Vijay Singh, Rear Admiral Asthana, Air Vice-Marshal Rawat and Brigadier Savneet Singh from the MO Directorate. The inquiry commission is to visit the airbase next week to begin the probe. The second part of the inquiry is to focus on the security of defence installations across the country and come up with an optimised tri-service plan. It will review the Standard Operating Procedures at all army, navy and air force bases and come up with a plan to protect them. The inquiry will also put in a system of audit of security installations and decide the periodicity of these security reviews. The inquiry commission is to also recommend security measures, particularly technological measures to prevent such attacks. Significantly, the committee has also been asked to probe the role of the Defence Security Corps (DSC), who were deployed to guard the airbase and recommend remedial measures. Serious questions were raised about the competence of the DSC sentries in protecting high value defence assets. The DSC sentries are drawn from a pool of army soldiers, who start retiring from the age of 37 and sometimes, have an average age of 50 years. If an old sentry is challenged by highly trained and motivated fedayeen, he can come a cropper, a defence official said. The findings of the committee will be far reaching because they come after an upsurge of fedayeen or suicide attacks against security force installations over the past three years. There have been four fedayeen attacks since 2014 - first, on a cavalry unit in Samba killing ten persons including a Lt Colonel; second: An artillery unit in Janglot on March 2014 where three security forces personnel were killed; third: Terrorists struck at a police station in Gurdaspur on July 2015 and finally the fourth: the airbase at Pathankot on January 2 this year. One of the last few surviving wetlands of National Capital Region (NCR)- Surajpur in Greater Noida -is under grave threat. The 339-acre reserve forest, on the relatively undisturbed Dadri Road, is now fenced in by various real-estate projects, including a sports city. Within a week, over 100 date palm trees in the vicinity of the natural lake have been felled. Originally from Iraq, date palm trees are not known to grow naturally in Uttar Pradesh Originally from Iraq, date palm trees are not known to grow naturally in Uttar Pradesh. In fact, former chief minister Mayawati purchased each for Rs 30,000 while landscaping the nearby Surajpur Chowk. These trees are also an ideal habitat for Baya Weaver birds. Big and sturdy, they hold on to the soil exceptionally well. Experts say Surajpur is now on the path of the doomed Dadri wetland and this could very well be the beginning of its end. Vikrant Tongad of the NGO, Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE), says: For centuries, locals here have been fascinated by the naturally growing date palm trees. It is Surajpur lakes USP. They complete the look of a dense forest with fruits, shade and shelter for a multitude of fauna. They prevent soil erosion and form its natural borders. The date palm trees that were felled by Greater Noida authority We are extremely saddened by the recent events. Mercilessly, hundreds of date palm trees have been chopped off for service roads for upcoming towers. The Greater Noida Development Authority (GNDA), which has sanctioned this massacre, forgets that swathes of land holding these trees forms the lakes recharge zones. Without this, it will dry out and die, Tongad said. An oasis in the middle of fast urbanising Greater Noida, Surajpur holds unparalleled natural beauty. Hordes of nilgais can be seen wading through the lake often. There are 52 species of butterflies and dragonflies here, including the Crimson Rose and Indian Jezebel. Every winter, more than 25,000 migratory birds come to roost here. CM Akhilesh Yadav had earlier announced the governments plan of turning the lake into an eco-park and had allocated Rs 25 crore for developing 800 acres around it. A night safari was also on the anvil. Avid birder Anand Arya said: It is impossible to save this paradise, till the government execute their legal and statutory duty. Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, every state was supposed to draw up a list of its wetlands half a decade back. ISRO had prepared an inventory through satellite images. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given orders to preserve it, but not one State has done it so far. Rawbert! Is pille ko liquid oxygen me daal do. Liquid ise jeene nahi dega, aur oxygen ise marne nahi dega (Robert, put this son of a bitch in liquid oxygen. Liquid wont let him live and the oxygen wont let him die). Few years ago, when this writer visited Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys iconic Ganga Dhaba, amid news of its imminent close down, yesteryear silver-screen villain Ajeets legendary lines came floating into the mind. The dhaba appeared to be in a similar condition, wherein the liquid of global (or should we say globalised?) world pushed it to the point of decimation while the oxygen of the inherent Leftist nostalgia would just not let that happen. JNU is on boil on the issue of a group of students celebrating the martyrdom of Afzal Guru Its fate seemed precariously hanging in the balance. Today, as the sedition controversy engulfs JNU, on the issue of a group of students celebrating the martyrdom of Afzal Guru, who was convicted and hanged for his role in the 2002 Parliament attack, its all but apparent that Ganga Dhaba was merely a mirror image of the university it found refuge with. Actually, JNU itself has become antiquated. It dwells on the past which no longer exists, and refuses to acknowledge how much the world around it has changed. Its an artificial construct wherein one is made to believe that everything is alright with the Left and that a socialist order will soon see a Phoenix-like rise from the ashes of the current capitalist order, thanks to what Marx would call capitalisms inherent contradictions. JNU is archaic for one more reason. Howsoever it may try, it cant remain isolated in its fantasy world, especially in the era of social media. Gone are the days when it would organise a cultural programme at the height of the Kargil war in 1999 and invite Pakistani artists to virulently abuse India, and get away with it. More so if two army officers present there are assaulted just because they choose to protest against such anti-India outbursts, to the extent that they could escape only after one of them takes out a pistol and fires in the air. Gone are the days when some JNUites would openly celebrate the killings of 75 CRPF personnel in an ambush at Dantewada in 2010, and the rest of the nation would simply refuse to react. For, theres a beast in the shape of social media which is ideology-neutral and thus cant be fixed. So, when some students, again at a cultural show in JNU organised to celebrated the martyrdom of Afzal Guru, began their rant with Kashmirs azaadi and went on to seek Indias barbaadi, it was bound to have a nation-wide resonance, more so after Mail Today broke the story, subsequently picked by Twitter and Facebook. Once it went viral on social media, there was no option for the traditional media but to pick the story, even if there were strong temptations to play it down for the old-time, nostalgia-cum-ideology sake. So, to think what one is witnessing at JNU is something new is far from true. In fact, students - you may call them fringe, but its this fringe group that dictates the narrative on the campus - have crossed the Lakshman Rekha several times in the past, whether its the Kargil misadventure or the occasional support for Maoists or even the act of showing black flag to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. So, whats the way out? For, why should the country give subsidy of more than Rs 3,00,000 per student if these very students call for Indias disintegration? The answer doesnt lie in shutting down the institution, which many Right-wing activists are demanding today. This, in fact, shows the weakness on their part to take on the Left intellectually, and thus the call to shut the JNU down! The answer lies in opening the universitys doors for more than just one ideology to flourish. Let a thousand (ideological) flowers bloom, as a famous Maoist saying goes, on the campus. Here its worth recalling the case of Shankar Sharan, professor and columnist in Hindi newspapers, on how he was denied a doctorate degree by JNU for a decade - and which he got only after a judicial intervention - just because his thesis didnt meet the ideological requirements of the university. Sharan, to his credit, revised his thesis after his field visit to the erstwhile USSR in the late 1980s. Interestingly, Sharan was then a Marxist cardholder. And if this is the case with an insider, God help the outsider! JNU functionaries also need to think why the university has nothing worthwhile to show except, as one former Delhi University professor tells this writer, two things - it either helps students become civil servants, or make them enter politics. Most students use this place as a hostel where they get good, cheap food and a relatively peaceful milieu to crack competitive exams, or cosy up to political parties. In the entire scheme of things, the thing intellectual remains peripheral. Till this remains the case, JNU, like Ganga Dhaba, would find itself fed with liquid oxygen which wont let it live but also wont allow it to die. When I first arrived in England as a student in 1998, a young Irishman walked up to me at the university bar. In an international university, the most common icebreaker is: So, where you from? When I said India, the Irishman said: Is it true that in India people still wear robes? I decided to reply with lines from a British band, Blur. Coldplays video Hymn For The Weekend begins with Indian men in robes It was from a song called Stereotypes, and the chorus went: Stereotypes/ There must be more to life. The Irishman and I became friends for life. Robes Fifteen years later, it turns out that I was in denial. Indian men do wear robes. Holy Indian men wear saffron robes. Another British band, Coldplay, released their new video, Hymn for the Weekend and it begins with Indian men in robes. Stereotypes... thatss all there is to life! The single topped the India iTunes chart, and set of a rather cute furore on social media. Funny though how one more pretty love song, released to coincide with the capitalist machine that Valentines Day has become, managed to generate controversy about how India should be portrayed. The white Westerner has always been fascinated by colourful spiritual India. The story continues in the new Coldplay video. The colourful taxi in the video, for example, is actually an artwork curated by a Pakistani artist for an exhibition. Its real, but as much as a toy cab. At one level, we have the obviousness of reaction to a new culture. India is obviously different from western cultures. And anyone coming from there is bound to be struck by the same differences, over and over again. Sound. Colour. Beauty in poverty. The stark contrasts - the slum under the jetplanes wings, the turbaned farmer with a laptop. There are so many bits and pieces to notice and photograph in India, it does come off as easy, especially when you notice and highlight the same things over and over again. For the Indian viewer, its a case of plain visual fatigue. Watching the video, my eyes tended to glaze over. I also realised that there are so many cliched images of India that I remembered, those images that were not there in the clip. No camels. No elephants. No Rajasthan. No sitar strings. No Dharavi. Not too much incense. Actually I dont remember. Was there incense? See, one just doesnt notice. Thats the problem with tourist brochures. That its possible to use very Indian images but in new ways can be seen in the early advertisements for MTV India. MTV produced some very lively spots that used hyper Indian imagery, but managed to cut through the cliche and be all the more cool for it. There was one that featured an Indian man getting his ears cleaned by the roadside from a traditional Indian ear cleaner. The cleaner keeps digging into the offending ear, until he finally pulls out an MTV logo. Simple yet clever. The image stays with you. More recently brands like Chumbak are playing up Indian cool and have turned it into a lucrative business, putting Indian phrases like Risky Whisky on boxer shorts. Anxieties In the response to the Coldplay video on social media, what has come to the fore are the anxieties of our middle class. The debate has come to be about the self image of this westernised middle class, and how this self-image is offended by a certain portrayal of India by the West. The Indian middle class has always hankered for and craved approval from the West. When they do get it, its sometimes like a backhanded compliment, and leaves them even more exercised and bewildered. It happened with Slumdog Millionaire. The middle class was proud of the Oscar. Why? Then they grumbled: But they only showed an India of slums and poverty. White man came and played up Dharavi excreta. They forgot that the book on which the film was based, was written by an Indian who went to school in Allahabad. Festivals We, as a people, often tend to feel wronged and slighted. Yes, the video is riddled with cliche, but Hindi cinema and serials are noisy festivals of stereotyping. In our cinema, anyone who doesnt look like the fair strapping Punjabi hero, the prototype of male good looks, is up for stereotyping. For instance, Bollywoods biggest grosser of all time, 3 Idiots, features a horrible cliche of a south Indian student who speaks Hindi in a Madrasi accent. No one complained. In fact, everyone laughed heartily. Let me end with a personal story of betrayal by a firangi pop star who discovered herself in India. At the time I arrived in England, quoting lines from Blur songs, I was also a big fan of the Canadian songstress, Alanis Morrisette. Her album of spunky angsty ditties, Jagged Little Pill, had turned all of us into instant feminists. Addressing a former lover with a new girlfriend, she screams, Does she go down on you in a theatre. Alanis became a star. She became famous. She was in search of larger meaning. Guess what. She came to India and found herself. That September when I arrived in England, her new song was playing on every radio station; it went: Thank you India, thank you innocence. I felt let down as only an eighteen-year-old can. Alanis had found herself in India but lost her most loyal Indian fan. At The Mail on Sunday we take great pride in the quality of our journalism. All our journalists are required to observe the Editors Code of Practice and The Mail on Sunday is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), the new regulatory body for the Press set up in response to the Leveson Inquiry. We aim to correct any errors as promptly as possible. Last week we said the pay of James Vyvyan Robinson, managing director of Clearspring Ready Homes Ltd, which has Government contracts to house and transport asylum seekers, had risen from 200,470 in 2014 to 960,000 in 2015. In fact, his salary remained the same. The company chairman, Graham King, got 960,000, which included repayment of a loan he had made to the company. We apologise for the error. A picture caption referred to penguins in South Georgia, US. South Georgia, of course, is an island in the South Atlantic. On December 20, in two articles under the headings Bullying scandal: Another top Tory resigns and The Tatler Tory, the youth wing godfather and the bullying scandal poisoning Mrs Thatchers legacy, we said Donal Blaney had been forced to resign in disgrace as chairman of Conservative Way Forward (CWF) because of his links to the Tatler Tory scandal. We would like to make clear that Mr Blaney announced he was resigning because he needed to spend increasing time in the US to take care of his sick wife and his expanding legal business there. He says he was not forced to resign in disgrace. He has said he regrets having had any involvement with Mark Clarke which he ended some time ago. In addition, Mr Blaney points out that Lord Feldman played no role in his appointment at CWF; his auction purchase of 200,000 of Thatcher memorabilia was on behalf of a client; that he spent his own money to underwrite the Young Britons Foundation (YBF); and that the YBF conference in December was postponed, not cancelled. We are happy to make this clear and apologise to Mr Blaney for any misunderstanding. If you wish to report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@mailonsunday.co.uk. To make a formal complaint under IPSO rules please go to www.mailonsunday.co.uk/readerseditor where you will find an easy-to-use complaints form. More than half of the human race could be unemployed in 30 years time as job vacancies are filled by machines, a leading computer science has predicted. A life of leisure could be the norm for a majority of people in decades to come, according to Moshe Vardi from Rice University in Houston, Texas. 'We are approaching a time when machines will be able to outperform humans at almost any task,' Professor Vardi told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 'I believe that society needs to confront this question before it is upon us: if machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do?' Robots could increasingly replace people in workplaces, according to leading computer scientist Moshe Vardi, who told the AAAS that 50 per cent of jobs will be taken by machines by 2050 SURGE IN ROBOTS SHIPPED TO U.S. Last year, robots were ordered and shipped into North America at a record-breaking rate. While the automotive industry accounts for the bulk of growth, semiconductors and electronics also spiked in the use of robotics. Now, there are an estimated 260,000 robots working in factories across the continent but despite fears of robots stealing human jobs, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has dropped to the lowest figure in almost a decade. According to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), North American companies ordered 31,464 robots, valued at $1.8 billion in 2015. This marked a 14 percent increase in such units. The number of robots shipped to the continent grew by 10 percent, with 28,049 units worth $1.6 billion coming in. Advertisement His bleak prediction comes just a year after Stephen Hawking said artificial intelligence 'could spell the end of the human race'. Prof Vardi mused on what the average human's life will be like by 2050. 'A typical answer is that if machines will do all our work, we will be free to pursue leisure activities. 'I do not find this a promising future, as I do not find the prospect of leisure-only life appealing. I believe that work is essential to human well-being.' He warned 'humanity is about to face perhaps its greatest challenge ever' as we head to a global rate of more than 50 per cent unemployment. 'Humanity is about to face perhaps its greatest challenge ever, which is finding meaning in life after the end of "in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread". 'We need to rise to the occasion and meet this challenge.' His presentation was entitled Smart Robots And Their Impact On Society. Prof Vardi argued that the pace of progress in artificial intelligence was increasing, even as the same technology was eliminating growing numbers of middle-class 'white collar' jobs and driving up income inequality. And he said fear of self-flying drones is misplaced - the real menace is the machine that can outwit and outmaneuver a human employee. His words came as figures revealed robots were ordered and shipped into North America at a record-breaking rate last year. While the automotive industry accounts for the bulk of growth, semiconductors and electronics also spiked in the use of robotics. Now, there are an estimated 260,000 robots working in factories across the continent but despite fears of robots stealing human jobs, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has dropped to the lowest figure in almost a decade. According to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), North American companies ordered 31,464 robots, valued at $1.8 billion in 2015. This marked a 14 percent increase in such units. The number of robots shipped to the continent grew by 10 percent, with 28,049 units worth $1.6 billion coming in. Recent estimates by the World Economic Forum (WEF), assume a total loss of 7.1 million jobs, offset by a gain of 2 million new positions. For 15 countries, this means a net loss of 5.1 million jobs over the next five years. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook northwest Oklahoma and was felt in seven other states Saturday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey this is the third-strongest temblor ever recorded in the state, where the power and frequency of earthquakes has dramatically increased in recent years. The earthquake centered about 17 miles north of Fairview in Oklahoma, occurred at 11.07am and was reportedly felt across Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook northwest Oklahoma and was felt in seven other states Saturday. The area had no reports of significant damage, but some homes had cracks running through the brick (pictured) At least 15 smaller quakes ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.9 were recorded in the same area by late Saturday afternoon, according to the Earthquake Track. A magnitude 3.1 quake occurred near Crescent, about 75 miles east of Fairview. Oklahoma's stronger and more frequent earthquakes have been linked to the injection into the ground of the briny wastewater left over from oil and gas production, according to KOCO. The 15 earthquakes Saturday were in the same lightly populated area near Fairview, a town of about 2,600 that's about 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. The area has had several quakes of magnitude 4.0 since the start of the year. Oklahoma's stronger and more frequent earthquakes have been linked to the injection into the ground of the briny wastewater left over from oil and gas production The 15 earthquakes Saturday were in the same lightly populated area near Fairview (pictured), a town of about 2,600 that's about 100 miles northwest of Oklahoma City Geologists say earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3.0 are generally the smallest that are felt by humans, and damage is not likely in quakes below magnitude 4.0. Fairview police and the Major County Sheriff's Office had no reports of injury or significant damage. Sheriff's dispatcher Cheryl Landes said there had been several calls from concerned residents, but no damage more than pictures knocked off shelves and walls. The strongest earthquake on record in Oklahoma is a magnitude 5.6 temblor, which has also been linked to wastewater injection. It was centered in Prague, about 55 miles east of Oklahoma City, in November 2011 and damaged 200 buildings and shook a college football stadium in Stillwater, about 65 miles away. A quake knocked out power in parts of an Oklahoma City suburb several weeks ago, and last month about 200 unhappy residents packed a forum at the state capitol convened by critics of the state's response The second-strongest was a 5.5 magnitude earthquake in April 1952 that was centered in El Reno, on the western edge of Oklahoma City. The hundreds of recent quakes have been mostly small to medium sized, and have caused limited damage. OKLAHOMA'S STRONGEST EARTHQUAKES 5.6 Prague on November 6, 2011 5.5 El Reno on April 9, 1952 5.1 Fairview on February 13, 2016 4.9 Bennington on October 22, 1882 4.8 Prague on November 8, 2011 4.8 Prague on November 5, 2011 4.8 Fairview on January 6, 2016 4.7 Carmen on November 19, 2015 4.7 Nash on November 30, 2015 4.5 Crescent on July 27, 2015 Source: Tulsa World Advertisement But a quake did knock out power in parts of an Oklahoma City suburb several weeks ago, and last month about 200 unhappy residents packed a forum at the state capitol convened by critics of the state's response. Regulators have recommended reducing the volume or shutting down some of the disposal wells. Gov. Mary Fallin last month approved the use of nearly $1.4 million in state emergency funds for state agencies working to reduce the number of earthquakes linked to the wastewater disposal. Oil and gas operators in Oklahoma, where the industry is a major economic and political force, have resisted cutting back on their injections of wastewater. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which oversees the oil and gas industries in the state, said Saturday that it completed the major work last week on a regional plan to address earthquakes in western Oklahoma. , faculty members at the Emmitsburg university have voted overwhelmingly to ask the school's president to resign The embattled president of a Catholic university in Maryland has reinstated two faculty members he fired this week amid an uproar over his plan to identify freshmen most likely to fail and offer them refunds if they chose to leave. Mount St Mary's University President Simon Newman said in a statement on Friday afternoon that philosophy professor Thane Naberhaus and law instructor Edward Egan would be reinstated immediately. Since the reinstatement, faculty members at the Emmitsburg university have voted overwhelmingly to ask the school's president to resign by Monday morning. Law instructor Edward Egan (left) and philosophy professor Thane Naberhaus (right) have been reinstated at Mount St Mary's University just five days after being fired They announced the 87-to-3 vote on Friday evening despite Newman's afternoon announcement about the reinstatement. Egan and Naberhaus were fired on Monday and the school's provost was demoted after a Board of Trustees investigation into the student newspaper's report that Newman had likened struggling freshman to baby rabbits that should be killed. University president Simon Newman announced the decision on Friday despite other faculty members voting overwhelmingly for his resignation Egan told the Frederick News-Post that he believed he was fired in retaliation for his role as student newspaper adviser. Newman told Naberhaus in a letter that he had violated a 'duty of loyalty' to the university, the News-Post reported. The investigation occurred after The Mountain Echo student newspaper reported January 19 that Newman told a faculty member opposed to the so-called student-retention plan, 'This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you can't. You just have to drown the bunnies... put a Glock to their heads'. The proposal sparked major backlash among some faculty members who argued it could mean talented and potentially successful students were kicked out as it was impossible to tell who would be likely to make it based on just a few weeks performance. Egan told CBS news that it wasn't just the words Newman used that were outrageous, but his whole plan. 'It not just the words, but it's the plan the words described,' Egan said. 'Weeding out students because we think they might not do well in order to make the numbers look better? That's not Mount St Mary's.' Egan said he was punished for accurate but embarrassing reporting done by students at the paper, where he is an adviser. He said he did not tell the students what to write. Staff and students at the Emmitsburg university have been in uproar since plans were unveiled to weed out struggling freshmen by offering them refunds on their tuition if they dropped out 'I did not, no. Anybody on campus who knows the students knows that nobody would manipulate these students,' Egan told CBS. 'They are independent, strong, bright people.' Egan said a school sent him a letter that said he was 'not welcome to visit the university's campus' because he violated his 'duty of loyalty' to the school. Newman has apologized for his earlier comment. He said he's committed to mending his relationship with the faculty and wants to 'make a new beginning as a unified team'. A 16-year-old girl is reportedly facing charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer after a wild house party in Melbourne's south-east. Amateur footage captured the dramatic moment a police officer pinned one teen to the ground outside a McDonald's restaurant in Glen Waverley. The footage, aired by 9NEWS, shows the boy's friends swearing at police before one of them hurled a drink at an officer's back. The witness who captured the brawl on his phone said the officers grabbed a teen for saying the police had 'little man syndrome.' 'The police officer just grabbed the guy and just put him on the ground saying he was under arrest until he showed ID,' witness Mo Jaffer said. Scroll down for video Footage captured by a witness shows a police officer pinning down a teenager The teenager's friends then become abusive, hurling drinks and swearing at the police The teenager was one of several hundred at a house party nearby on Friday night. Many residents reported to the party to the police, including neighbour Mandi Greenwood. 'It just felt dangerous and weird and out of place for a quiet suburban street,' she told 9NEWS. Neighbours described seeing up to 400 teenagers on the quiet Glen Waverley street and the crowd moving to the nearby McDonald's. Police said the Facebook-organised event had a $10 cover charge and no adult supervision. A 16-year-old boy is also facing charges for being drunk in public. Neighbours say up to 400 teenagers filled a quiet street in Melbourne's south east at a house party Alcohol-fuelled teens began clashing with the police outside a McDonald's restaurant Witness Mo Jaffer told 9NEWS that the police told one teen he was under arrest The aftermath: a makeshift bong on the ground Empty boxes of alcohol scattered on the street the morning after Mandi Greenwood said the party felt 'dangerous' and 'weird' for such a quiet suburban street Advertisement These days Carnival in Rio de Janeiro involves millions of dollars worth of costumes and floats and sees up to 2million take to the streets per day in order to celebrate the height of the Brazilian summer. Officially taking place over ten days, in fact many Brazilians treat Carnival as a months-long affair stretching from the end of Christmas until Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter. While the sheer scale and decadence of the modern-day Carnival are perhaps unmatched in history, as these pictures from 1953 show, the spirit of revelry that accompanies the festivities is nothing new. Excess: While the carnival tradition in Rio de Janeiro dates back to Portuguese settlers arriving in the 1700s, it was not until the post-war years that it began to resemble the celebration that we recognize today (pictured, a woman in a cat costume parties in Rio in 1953) Revelry: The only major interruption in the Carnival's recent history came during the Second World War when parades were cancelled until 1947, meaning it exploded back into life afterwards (pictured, people celebrate in 1953) Madness: Festivities in Rio before the war took place in European fashion, with the predominant music being Polkas and Waltzes, before Samba brought a more raucous atmosphere to proceedings in the Forties and Fifties (pictured, Rio in 1953) All dressed up: Carnival's roots, which stretch back to Spring celebrations in ancient Greece, have always included drinking and costume, with servants and masters traditionally swapping outfits, as well as men and women exchanging clothes Caribbean influence: Rio's Carnival, as we know it today, grew up in the Afro-Brazilian slums in the early 20th Century, with the creation of samba music and the adoption of feathered headdresses and skimpy outfits Featuring bare-chested men in a variety of costumes and uniforms, cross-dressers, and women dressed up in cat outfits, feather headdresses and masks, the images capture a defining moment in the celebration's history. The first records of Carnival date back to 1723 when the festival was brought to Brazil by Portuguese settlers who knew it as a last-gasp celebration of excess before the fasting of Lent. The party atmosphere has gone through many revisions since then - from masters and servants swapping outfits to a giant water fight with lime-scented water - it has existed almost continuously in one form or another. The only time Carnival was not celebrated was during the Second World War, when the parades were halted, before restarting again in 1947. Evolving: The Fifites was a formative decade for the modern Carnival, with samba schools forming the backbone of celebrations, introducing the floats, costumes and themes for which the festival is best-known today Celebration: In the excessive post-war years the appeal of Carnival grew enormously as people looked to put that dark period of history behind them and began to look to the future with optimism Breaking down walls: Carnival has always represented a period of time where the rules of normal life are temporarily suspended and races, cultures and creeds mix together in ways they would be unable to do in their daily lives Breaking the rules: Today that departure from real life is marked by a ceremony in which the key to the city of Rio is handed from the mayor to a fictional character called the Fat King, who 'rules' until festivities end Party time: While Rio's Carnival in 1953 did not match the spectacle of today's event, which is the largest party to be held anywhere in the world, these images show that the party atmosphere remains unchanged The post-war years were vital to the development of the Carnival we recognize today. Until the start of the 20th Century the music of Carnival was very different, comprising mostly European styles such as polkas and waltzes. However, at the beginning of the 1900s, samba began to take over as the dominant form, having evolved in the impoverished Afro-Brazilian neighborhoods in the center of Rio. The first samba school was founded in Rio in 1928, paving the way for other schools to establish over the years which began to compete against each other to put on the most colorful and energetic display of dancing and celebration possible. Happy days: A woman standing on to of a bar throws her hands in the air in celebration during Carnival in Rio in 1953 Letting loose: Carnival evolved from Greek celebrations marking the arrival of Spring before being adopted into the Christian tradition as final days of excess before the fasting of Lent History: Portuguese Christian settlers brought the tradition of Carnival with them to Brazil where it began as a city-wide water fight with lime-scented water, to a street dance for aristocrats to the modern-day festivities Flashback: The modern-day Carnival features 200 samba schools competing to put on the best show with 2million people taking to the streets each day, making it the biggest party anywhere in the world Going wild: A man in a clown costume puts his arm around a woman dressed in fishnets and a bikini during Carnival celebrations in 1953 While the schools' influence over the Carnival took hold in the early part of the 20th Century, in the post-Second World War years it exploded into life, with themes, parade and floats being adopted through the late 40s and early 50s, forming the backbone of the Carnival as it is known today. This year more than 200 samba schools took part in the main parade in the Sambadrome, forming the centerpiece of the Carnival, with millions of dollars spent by each school on costumes, floats and organizing their routines. Meanwhile the huge event was expected to create as many as a quarter of a million jobs and provide a $600million boost to the local economy. Summer days: While Carnival is officially a ten-day period leading up to Ash Wednesday, in reality many Brazilians begin the party as early as Christmas, which marks the start of their summer months Having fun: A woman poses for the camera during Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro back in 1953 as the festivities evolved into their modern-day incarnation Ecstasy: A woman closes her eyes and smiles with joy during Carnival celebrations in Rio in 1953 The boss: Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is to be grilled by MPs over claims that Scotland Yard and the CPS were involved in a 'deliberate cover-up' of evidence of police corruption Embattled Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will be grilled by MPs next week over bombshell claims that Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service were involved in a deliberate cover-up of damning evidence of police corruption. A court was told that the Met and the CPS repeatedly concealed documents suggesting that officers investigating a billionaire Nigerian politician for fraud were paid to leak details of the inquiry that could have helped him evade justice. One detective was said to have received at least 19 unexplained cash deposits totalling thousands of pounds into his bank account, after illegally disclosing sensitive information, a judge heard. But when the corruption allegations were revealed by a whistle-blowing lawyer, the lawyer was accused of forging the evidence, and charged with perverting the course of justice. Police privately expressed fears that his devastating claims could undermine the 50million fraud trial. Last month the charges against the solicitor were dramatically dropped after the CPS was forced to produce crucial papers, which it had always insisted did not exist, that suggest serving Met officers took bribes. Although the Met insists no corruption took place, the case leaves the Met Commissioner already under fire over his refusal to apologise for the Yards disastrous historical sex abuse investigations facing difficult questions from the Home Affairs Select Committee next week, as he was personally warned about the potential miscarriage of justice three years ago. The CPSs handling of the case, criticised by former police as well as the defendants, will also increase pressure on Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders, who faced calls to quit over her failure to put Lord Janner on trial. As the full astonishing story is told for the first time, it can also be revealed that a Met Commander, Peter Spindler, who reported directly to Sir Bernard, told the BBC the corruption claims were bogus without having checked if documents were genuine. Last night the lawyer who had been accused of forgery, Bhadresh Gohil, told The Mail on Sunday: I uncovered serious corruption, but when I tried to expose this, I was victimised. Astonishingly, the CPS used the might of the state and all its resources to cover up what had happened, and brought trumped-up charges to persecute me. The truth has finally unravelled. MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, said: Members have indicated they will want to ask the Commissioner, when he next appears before the committee, to deal with the latest developments which raise a number of new questions. The extraordinary case centres on Scotland Yards prosecution of James Ibori, who once worked as a cashier at a branch of Wickes DIY store in West London before returning to his native Nigeria to enter politics and become one of Africas richest men as governor of oil-rich Delta State. Involved: James Ibori (left) is a Nigerian billionaire politician jailed for fraud in a case that is said to be tainted. Alison Saunders (right) is head of the Crown Prosecution Service, which disclosed papers it said didn't exist He was jailed for 13 years in 2012 at Southwark Crown Court after admitting fraud and money-laundering following the Met investigation into his vast wealth, with the court hearing that he siphoned off public cash to live a lavish lifestyle, enjoying a private jet, homes in Hampstead and Regents Park, armoured cars and places at top British boarding schools for his children. Gohil, who was Iboris business lawyer, was also jailed for seven years after admitting fraud, although he claims he was wrongly advised to do so by his then legal team. He was separately found guilty of money-laundering a charge he continues to deny. The investigation by the Department of Professional Standards into Mr Gohils allegations of corruption was a whitewash and was deliberately designed to find that no corruption of the type Mr Gohil had complained about existed it was designed to fail. Gohils defence counsel Stephen Kamlish QC While he was in Wandsworth Prison he was anonymously sent information suggesting police in the case had been in the pay of a British firm of private investigators, RISC Management, hired by Ibori. Documents were also sent to the Met and the police watchdog alleging that officers had received kickbacks worth thousands of pounds and Gohil told the home affairs select committee in May 2012 that the case was tainted by apparent corruption right at the heart of Scotland Yard. Gohil planned to use the evidence of police corruption to overturn his convictions. But astonishingly on the eve of his appeal in June 2014, he found himself facing another jail sentence as the CPS told him he would be charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly forging the crucial documents. His appeal bid was duly rejected. His defence team were desperate to obtain evidence to back up Gohils claim that Iboris solicitors and RISC had improper contact with the investigating officers, but the CPS repeatedly insisted there were no such documents. Then, in a shock development, prosecutors were forced to reveal the very documents they had always maintained did not exist. Just days later they dramatically dropped the entire case without explaining why, only admitting that unspecified new information had come to light. Ex-Metropolitan detective John McDonald (left) has been accused in court and in legal papers of corruption. Former Yard anti-corruption chief Peter Spindler (right) failed to check if the documents were genuine In a written submission to Southwark Crown Court last month, days before the charges were dropped, Gohils defence counsel Stephen Kamlish QC claimed the prosecution in bad faith failed to investigate who had received cash payments. In a second submission, he accused the prosecution of a deliberate cover-up. In open court last week, Kamlish said he planned to fight a renewed appeal for Gohil on the basis that prosecuting counsel misled not only this court but the Court of Appeal in saying there was no disclosable material. The result was, he said, that Gohils original appeal against his convictions for money-laundering and fraud had been decided on false facts. AID MINISTRY'S '25M RAKE-OFF' The Department for International Development (DFID) has been involved in the Ibori case since its outset. It paid for the police inquiry, though at the same time it had invested vast sums in businesses Ibori controlled, prompting claims in court of a conflict of interest. Last week, it was also claimed that DFID would be paid 25 million from Iboris assets when proceedings to seize them are complete. DFID denies this. When the investigation into the Nigerian billionaire started in 2006, DFID was funding the special Scotland Yard unit dedicated to fighting corruption abroad to the tune of 700,000 a year. This sum has since risen by a staggering 600 per cent: DFID has pledged 21 million to the unit, now part of the National Crime Agency, for the period 2015-20. This sum is defined as foreign aid, and so counts towards David Camerons pledge to donate the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of the UKs economic output to the developing world annually. But although DFID was effectively paying for the police inquiry into Ibori, at the same time its investment arm, CDC (formerly the Commonwealth Development Corporation), had invested hundreds of millions of pounds into banks and other businesses in which Ibori had huge interests. A DFID spokesman said yesterday there was no conflict of interest in the Ibori case, because although DFID did fund the police unit, it did not influence its operations. Advertisement If granted, this appeal would make legal history: normally the Appeal Court cannot hear a case it has already turned down. Kamlish also told the judge: The investigation by the Department of Professional Standards into Mr Gohils allegations of corruption was a whitewash and was deliberately designed to find that no corruption of the type Mr Gohil had complained about existed it was designed to fail. Briefing the BBC in 2012, the Yard admitted that if they had found evidence of corruption it would have wrecked the case against Ibori. The Mail on Sunday can reveal for the first time today some of the dynamite evidence grudgingly handed over by the Crown, and cited in court, that may have led it to drop the charge against Gohil of perverting the course of justice. One of the more serious corruption claims concerns an alleged meeting between DC John McDonald, who was investigating Ibori, and RISC director Clifford Knuckey, on September 10, 2007. According to an RISC document, Knuckey claimed 46.75 in expenses for a meal he enjoyed in a pub with a source that day. Two days later, it was recorded that he held a meeting with confidential source to hand over source payment for information provided 5,000. Telephone records, also newly revealed, include 120 calls from RISC to Met officers during the Ibori investigation including one to DC McDonald on the day of the pub meeting. Another document reveals DC McDonald made 19 unexplained cash deposits into his bank account, most of around 500, while he was working on the case in 2007. After the pub meeting, private investigator Knuckey provided a report to Iboris lawyers detailing secret information he had been given about the case. Their records stated: CK [Knuckey] explained that he had met with a senior officer on 10 September 2007 and that DC McDonald (DCM) has had a serious fall out with other officers on the case. A RISC list of payments reveals that between 2006 and 2007 the firm paid some 360,000 to a network of confidential sources in Iboris and other cases, delivered in cash by couriers to the firms London offices. It is not known if any were serving police officers. In his court submission, Kamlish claimed the Crown knew that there is clear and compelling, direct and circumstantial evidence of a corrupt relationship between RISC and MPS [Met] officers. DC McDonald was arrested and interviewed by Yard investigators in 2012. He admitted speaking to and meeting Knuckey. Whistleblower Bhadresh Gohil (right) with the Mail on Sunday's David Rose. Gohil said he 'uncovered serious corruption, but when I tried to expose this, I was victimised' But he insisted he never revealed sensitive information, and that he was never paid. He produced written records he had made of phone calls with Knuckey and other RISC staff, which purported to show they did not discuss his work. DC McDonald was not charged with misconduct or taking bribes and now works for the elite National Crime Agency (NCA). Knuckey admitted he had obtained 5,000 cash from RISC to pay his confidential informant on the day of the pub meeting. But he claimed that instead of paying an informant, he took the money for himself, as compensation for a Spanish holiday ruined when RISC made him fly to Paris at very short notice. I am extremely disappointed that this case continues to rumble on with no meaningful conclusion. Gary Walters, a former detective on the original Ibori investigation Other documents cast doubt on this claim. He had not been on holiday when he went to Paris, while he booked his flight a week in advance. He was charged with false accounting, but this case too has been dropped. Gary Walters, a former detective on the original Ibori investigation, insists there was no corrupt behaviour on his team but supports the calls for answers as to why the case against Gohil was dropped. I am extremely disappointed that this case continues to rumble on with no meaningful conclusion, he told The Mail on Sunday. I was amazed when it suddenly ended with no explanation and I support the calls for a full and independent inquiry. I have yet to see any evidence of corruption on the part of any of the investigators or prosecutors but the decision of the DPP makes clear that there is a need for further investigation and potential prosecutions. A CPS spokesman said: As a result of information that came to the attention of the CPS on January 13, 2016, the case was reconsidered. Following that reconsideration, the Crown offered no evidence in court. Scotland Yard said: The Metropolitan Police Service investigated an allegation, received anonymously, that illegal payments were made to police officers for information by a private investigation agency. The Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in October 2011 which agreed to supervise a DPS investigation. Five people including one then-serving officer were arrested and released with no further action. Additionally no misconduct was identified in the case of the officer. The NCA said: Generally an historic allegation against a police officer which has been investigated by the relevant police forces professional standards department supervised by the IPCC, in which no misconduct was found, would not represent a barrier to the officer joining the NCA. Knuckeys solicitors Lewis Nedas said: The strain on him has been considerable. Mr Knuckey, who had over 30 years unblemished service in the Metropolitan Police, has always maintained his innocence and that there was no corruption in this case. Senior BBC reporter Mark Easton was briefed by DCI Tim Neligan about the Ibori corruption claims How the BBC's Mark Easton was fobbed off when investigating the corruption claims Giving evidence to the Leveson Inquiry in March 2012, Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe insisted few things mattered more to him than ensuring police dealt honestly with the media. Two months later, Commander Peter Spindler, his head of professional standards, had a chance to put Sir Bernards words into practice. With Detective Chief Inspector Tim Neligan, he briefed senior BBC reporter Mark Easton about the Ibori corruption allegations. The briefing was recorded. The transcript shows to Eastons astonishment that Spindler and Neligan revealed that eight months after a whistleblower had sent them documents suggesting Met detectives had been corrupted by the RISC private investigation firm, they had done nothing to establish if the documents were genuine. They had contacted neither RISC nor their clients, the law firm Speechly Bircham, to which RISC had supplied confidential information allegedly purchased from corrupt police. Easton had done so and Speechly Bircham had told him they thought the papers were authentic. Michael Fallon is embroiled in a row with the Foreign Office after insisting on heading to the Falklands for a patriotic visit Defiant Michael Fallon is embroiled in a row with the Foreign Office after insisting on heading to the Falklands this week for a patriotic visit. Mr Fallon will become the first Defence Secretary to visit the islands for 14 years, but mandarins working for Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond fear he risks triggering a diplomatic row at a time when relations with Argentina are showing signs of thawing. The timing has also aroused the suspicion of Out campaigners in the EU referendum, who think it is designed to distract from Tory bickering over Brussels by evoking memories of Margaret Thatcher and by wrapping the Government in the Union Jack. The Defence Secretarys trip 34 years after the Task Force retook the islands following the Argentine invasion comes just two months after the end of the eight-year presidency of Cristina Kirchner, who placed the countrys claim over the islands at the heart of her foreign policy. Her successor, Mauricio Macri, has adopted a less aggressive stance, with his foreign policy adviser declaring: We have to restore this relationship that has been frozen in recent years, as a result of this conflict. A Whitehall source said: Michael has irritated the Foreign Office. They think it looks bellicose and will make it harder to do business with Buenos Aires. An MoD source said: The Defence Secretary thinks it is important to show solidarity with the 1,400 British service personnel stationed there. Mr Hammond does not have a problem with the visit. And it is nothing to do with the referendum he has to go this week while Parliament is in recess. Matthew Elliott, from the Vote Leave campaign, said: The Government cannot achieve a useful EU deal so instead it has resorted to wrapping itself in the Union Jack and just posturing. Mrs Thatcher in Falklands in 1983 Mr Fallon has been accused of manufacturing a political distraction before. During last years General Election campaign, he said Ed Milibands stabbing in the back of his brother David made him ill-equipped to be in charge of Trident. Newly uncovered documents reveal they planned to arrest him as he flew He was Scotland Yards most wanted man, holed up in Brazil after nearly a decade on the run following the 26million Great Train Robbery of 1963. And in their desperation to catch Ronnie Biggs, police hatched an audacious plan to ambush and handcuff him in mid-air as he flew out from his South American hideout, newly uncovered documents reveal. Biggs had been tracked to Rio de Janeiro in February 1974 nine years after escaping Wandsworth prison in London by Scotland Yard detective Jack Slipper, who greeted his quarry in a Copacabana hotel with the line: Long time no see, Ronnie. But farcically, Detective Chief Superintendent Slipper failed to follow the correct procedures and an application to extradite Biggs was refused by Brazilian authorities. Detective Chief Superintendant Jack Slipper (left) with Ronnie Biggs and D.I Peter Jones (rear) after Biggs' arrest in Rio 1974 Instead, Biggs was given 36 days to take up the Brazilian governments offer of a one-way plane ticket to London, or make his own way out of the country. Britain feared that if Biggs made his own arrangements, he would head for a country such as Cuba, where extradition would be virtually impossible. So two far-fetched schemes were hatched and seriously considered at the highest levels. One was for two undercover police officers to arrest Biggs mid-air on a flight out of Rio. The other involved Biggs being exchanged for prisoners in Britain who were wanted by the junta in Brazil. Foreign Secretary James Callaghan, who went on to become Prime Minister, played a key role in the bid to grab Biggs. He contacted Britains embassies and consulates in Latin America and the West Indies to alert them that the fugitive might be heading their way. Callaghans memo said: Biggs is a slippery customer with many criminal friends and would not find it difficult to obtain another false passport of some kind or another. Diplomats in Cubas capital, Havana, wrote back to say the authorities were receptive and appeared to be well aware of background. A memo to Callaghan said: Willingness to co-operate was demonstrated in their request for photographs of Biggs to facilitate rapid identification and in particular should he attempt to enter Cuba with a false (non-British) passport. Please despatch photographs by earliest [diplomatic] bag. A rough map of South America drawn by diplomats was sent to Callaghan, so he could see which countries were friendly to the UK and likely to agree extradition. In the event, the map was to prove useless A rough map of South America drawn by diplomats was sent to Callaghan, so he could see which countries were friendly to the UK and likely to agree extradition. In the event, the map was to prove useless. The diplomats then received a rap sheet written in English and Portuguese. It contained fingerprints, mug shots, a list of Biggss crimes and a description that said: Height 6ft 1in, grey eyes, dark brown curly hair. Scar on left wrist; long fingers. A telegram written by the British ambassador in Brazil in May 1974 said the operation was a go only if Slipper was not involved. It said: There would be full liaison with the Brazilian police. No publicity whatsoever would be given to this move. The officers concerned would not carry passports which would identify them as such. Supt Slipper would not be one of them. Their desperation to catch Ronnie Biggs, police hatched an audacious plan to ambush and handcuff him in mid-air as he flew out from his South American hideout, newly uncovered documents reveal The papers, released by the National Archives, also reveal that the previous British Government, under Ted Heath, had already held secret talks over exchanging Brazilian criminals in UK jails for Biggs. The attempts to nab Biggs failed after he had a child with a Brazilian woman, allowing him to remain in Brazil and out of reach of the British authorities. Biggs, who had been sentenced to 30 years in jail for his part in the raid on the London to Glasgow mail train, finally returned to Britain in 2001, suffering ill-health. There is no end in sight to the disaster unfolding in the vast refugee camps of Jordan and Turkey, among the 60,000 terrified civilians massing on the Syrian border and on Europes corpse-strewn Aegean shoreline. Far from it. Last week, Syrias Bashar al-Assad promised to wage war until he had regained every inch of the country. Few believe that plans for an American-backed peace deal can hold. Early indications suggest that the migrant crisis in Europe will be many times worse this year than last. Entire towns have been laid waste during Syrias five-year civil war. Up to half a million people on all sides have been killed. Millions are either internally displaced, or worse, languishing in desperate foreign holding centres. See more news on Turkey and its relations with Russia and Syria Syria is now the battleground for a proxy war between two regional powers, Russia or Turkey, or more particularly between their ego-fuelled presidents: Recep Erdogan (R) and Vladimir Putin (L) But all this cannot be blamed only on the murderous advance of Islamic State, Assads brutality, or the rebels who wish to depose him. Syria is now the battleground for a proxy war between two regional powers, Russia and Turkey, or more particularly between their ego-fuelled presidents: Recep Erdogan and Vladimir Putin. Or, if you like, between the Sultan and the Tsar. These two men, driven by their own imperial ambitions, have no intention of seeking peace in Syria, except on their own terms. It is already an international conflict sucking in fighters from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Chechnya and Pakistan, plus Shia from Iraq and Lebanon, and now it threatens to drag in Nato. It is no exaggeration to say the conflict has the potential to become a Third World War. So it is that the refugees have become a weapon in their own right a crisis the combatants are relentlessly fuelling in the hope of coercing Western governments into supporting one side or the other. For its part, Turkey feels it is fighting a battle of survival. It wants to prevent the Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq from joining with its own Kurdish population to create their own state which would mean the dismemberment of Turkey. But Erdogan is also keen to see the removal of Assad, with whom Turkey has major complaints about water resources. So Turkey has allowed foreign jihadis (including from Britain) to cross into Syria to fight with the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and IS. Erdogan has 10,000 troops trying to suppress a Kurdish insurgency led by the Marxist PKK (supported by Assad) in eastern Turkey, which is next to the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq. The Turks also want to protect 100,000 ethnic Turkmen in Syria who are also opposed to Assad. The refugees have become a weapon in their own right a crisis the combatants are relentlessly fuelling in the hope of coercing Western governments into supporting one side or the other It is no mere coincidence that Erdogan is a pious Sunni Muslim, while Assad belongs to the Shia Alawite sect. Russia meanwhile is determined to protect its influence in the region, including access to the Mediterranean naval base of Tartus. So, along with Iran, Putin is directing Assads war with airstrikes, which have mainly targeted the so-called moderate rebels backed by the West. The conflict is already dangerously international. The wily Major General Qassem Suleimani, leading Irans Revolutionary Guard Quds Force, has thousands of Hizbollah fighters from Lebanon under his control; as many as 20,000 Afghan Hazara refugees, paid $750 a month, with the promise of naturalization in Iran; Pakistani Shia volunteers; and last but not least Iraqi Shia militias. As for the Russians, theyve recruited 400 Cubans to man their latest tanks, including the T-90, which has explosive plates on the hull that detonate incoming anti-tank missiles. The Syrian war has become like the Spanish civil war of 1936-39 by pulling in committed fighters from abroad. Foreign jihadis are a kind of international brigade for IS and Nusra, while the large numbers of indigenous Islamist rebels are funded from the Gulf. Saudi Arabias brash new defence minister, deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, last week airily promised to send troops to fight IS, though Hizbollah would make mincemeat of them. The Saudis might try to reverse Assads advances by giving the rebels more and better weapons, but ManPad shoulder-launched missiles might then down Russian planes. Erdogan is keen to see the removal of Assad while Russia is determined to protect its influence in the region And the weaponry is frightening. On Putins 63rd birthday, 26 Russian cruise missiles flew nearly a thousand miles from corvettes in the Caspian Sea over Iran to hit Syrian targets. Russia has deployed its latest anti-aircraft missile systems (the S-400) and trialed its latest Su 35 Flanker combat fighters as well as older Bear and Blackjack strategic bombers. All of these planes use dumb bombs, including cluster munitions, causing many civilian casualties. The conflict works as a sort of live arms fair for Russia while also dividing the Wests allies. Most leaders in the region are rushing to pay court in Moscow: Irans Rouhani; the Saudis; Israels Netanyahu; Egypts el-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan included. They need arms or nuclear energy deals with Russia, or just to ensure the Russian or Syrian airforce does not encroach on their airspace, or allow terrorists to do so. Natos one member in the region, Turkey, is being diplomatically isolated, largely through Erdogans fault. Which brings us back to the refugees. Turkeys president is cynically extorting Turkgeld (like the Danegeld the Anglo-Saxons had to pay Vikings) from the EU, in return for stemming the tide of migrants. Turkeys president is cynically extorting Turkgeld (like the Danegeld the Anglo-Saxons had to pay Vikings) from the EU, in return for stemming the tide of migrants After the EU offered three billion euros, the Turks said this was just an opening instalment, and by the way, they wanted visa-free travel for all 78 million Turks as well. Prolonging the disruption in Syria, and the refugee crisis, also suits Putin as he calculates that Europe, desperate for peace, could be made to soften its sanctions. Not that continuing stalemate is the main threat here the proxy war in Syria is bringing the real risk of escalating into a disastrous, and open, conflagration. Russias prime minister Dmitry Medvedev warned of this in an interview on Friday, insouciantly forgetting that Russian forces have also been involved since September We have already had Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter. The potential for a disastrous increase in hostilities between Sultan Erdogan and Tsar Putin are obvious. Whether we like it or not Europe lies next to a war that is escalating by the day. A roadshow which gives voters a crucial chance to grill high-ranking eurocrats has visited nearly every EU country in the past two years except Britain. Last year alone, so-called Citizens Dialogue meetings, in which EU commissioners have to face public scrutiny, were held in 25 of the 28 member states. But Britain has not hosted one since February 2014. Citizens' Dialogue meetings, in which EU commissioners have to face public scrutiny, were held in 25 of the 28 member states Last night Eurosceptic Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan said: Persuading the UK to stay in the EU depends on disguising from people the Commissions plans for closer European integration. If these plans were discussed openly, the British people would vote to leave the EU in the forthcoming referendum. In 2015, there were 53 Citizens Dialogue events, including five each in France, Slovakia and Italy and four in Latvia, raising such hot topics as migration and the economy. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has praised the 800,000-a-year scheme. But the UK has been frozen out since he won the top job in November 2014, after a bruising battle against David Camerons protests The omission is surprising given Britains upcoming referendum on EU membership. A European Commission spokesman confirmed last night that there no plans for one in the UK in the coming months. The Commission added: Scheduling of Citizens Dialogues depends largely on individual commissioners travel plans and availability. The writer of Happy Valley has branded rival police show The Fall downright misogynistic in its sexual depiction of violence against women. Bafta-winner Sally Wainwright said shows such as The Fall, which stars Gillian Anderson and 50 Shades Of Grey actor Jamie Dornan, were obsessed with lingering shots of dead women. The mother of two said: Often violence against women is portrayed in a sexual way, which we certainly dont do in Happy Valley. I think The Fall was the worst culprit.' Scroll down for video Sally Wainwright, the writer of Happy Valley, said shows such as The Fall were obsessed with lingering shots of dead women. Pictured, Sarah Lancashire starring in Happy Valley She added: I think its downright misogynistic. I dont know why we had so many shots in the first series of The Fall of Gillian Anderson swimming. 'What was that about? Her comments will surprise many as Happy Valley, which began its second series last week and stars Sarah Lancashire, was criticised for how it showed violence against women. But the writer said: I think we handled it very responsibly. We dont linger on beautiful-lit shots of naked womens dead bodies like some dramas do. There shouldnt be a blanket ban on showing violence against women. 'That would be tantamount to conspiring to suggest it doesnt happen, and of course it does. The Bafta-winning writer said The Fall was 'downright misogynistic', adding: 'I dont know why we had so many shots in the first series of The Fall of Gillian Anderson swimming' (pictured) Left-wing stars who have been outspoken in their attacks on Government cuts have pocketed hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money to front public service campaigns. Comedians Bill Bailey and Shappi Khorsandi have been condemned for their hypocrisy in accepting thousands of pounds of public money to front an anti-smoking campaign despite their fierce stance against health service cuts. Actress Julie Walters was also paid a staggering 400,000 to appear in fire-safety adverts and has since gone on to warn there will be a need for civil unrest in response to Government cuts. Bill Bailey and Shappi Khorsandi (right), along with comedians Al Murray (left) and Rhod Gilbert (centre), were together paid a total of 195,000 by Public Health England for this advertisement Last night, Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: Its astounding hypocrisy from the champagne-socialist luvvies. If they were true to their principles and want to help people, they shouldnt be accepting such large sums of taxpayers money at a time of austerity. Bailey and Khorsandi, along with comedians Al Murray and Rhod Gilbert, appeared last October in the 28-day Stoptober campaign encouraging people to give up smoking. The four stars were together paid a total of 195,000 by Public Health England, a quango funded by the Department of Health. Khorsandi spoke at an End Austerity Now demo last year and appeared at a Stand Up Against Austerity comedy fundraiser night in 2014, both organised by The Peoples Assembly, which fights against Government cuts. Asked by The Mail on Sunday about her earnings, Khorsandi cited recent stories on corporate tax affairs and the junior doctors strike, adding: Are a clutch of entertainers collectively earning less than 200,000 for a non-smoking drive entitled to oppose austerity? Damn right, they are. Labour-supporting Bailey has spoken out against hospital closures and last year announced his backing for London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan, saying: He would stand up to the Tory Government when it comes to the devastating cuts and closures facing our local hospitals. In 2014, PHE paid out a separate 250,000 to comedians Murray, Paddy McGuinness, Lee Nelson and Andi Osho for their work promoting the Stoptober campaign, including a three-minute television commercial. None of the comedians responded to requests asking how much their fees were and it is not known how many hours they worked. PHE said they were paid for time in developing and creating comic content. Walters, 65, was paid 200,000 by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2008 and a further 200,000 in 2009 to front a fire safety campaign. Julie Walters (pictured) was paid 200,000 by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2008 and a further 200,000 in 2009 to front a fire safety campaign The Labour-supporting actress has criticised Government cuts to arts funding and in an interview before last years General Election said: God knows whats going to happen if the Tories get in and there are more cuts. I think therell be civil unrest... There will be a need for it. A spokeswoman for Walters declined to comment. Sheila Mitchell, PHEs marketing and public engagement director, said: We only ever pay for their work and expenses. In the past two years, over 465,000 [smokers] signed up to Stoptober and around 60 per cent managed to quit for 28 days or more. Other celebrities appear to have been paid far smaller amounts for appearing in Government advertising campaigns. Stephen Fry, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint and Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery appeared in a VisitEngland TV advert campaign in 2012 encouraging people to holiday in England, all receiving what the Government tourist body describe as nominal fees. A VisitEngland spokeswoman said she could not disclose payment details as the celebrities contracts were confidential. Representatives for Grint, Fry and Dockery all said their clients received nominal fees and were proud to promote tourism in Britain. The unlikely romance between James Middleton and Donna Air is facing its biggest hurdle yet a 6,000-mile separation. The entrepreneurial younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge is moving to Hong Kong next week to expand his personalised marshmallow business Boomf. But while he is taking his beloved cocker spaniel Ella with him for the three-month stay, Miss Air will remain in the UK to be with her 12-year-old daughter Freya. Friends say that Mr Middleton and the TV presenter, who have been together since 2013, have agreed to endure a relationship sabbatical until he returns. However, he will continue to spend much of the year visiting Hong Kong for weeks at a time as he recruits staff for his Asian office. James Middleton and Donna Air - the entrepreneurial younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridge is moving to Hong Kong next week to expand his personalised marshmallow business Boomf - here the couple are at a pop-up sale Friends say that although a long-distance relationship will inevitably be a significant strain, they remain hopeful for their future. A source close to the couple told The Mail on Sunday last night: For now they are being forced to have time apart so they are treating it as a sort of relationship sabbatical. They will stay in touch as often as possible. They are seeing if they can work it all out. But another source added: Who knows what may happen, this could be the end of the road. In September last year the couple hit back at reports suggesting their relationship was over by releasing a defiant statement to this newspaper, saying: Happily, we can report that our relationship is not over we are still very much a couple. Mr Middleton, 28, and Miss Air, 36, were last pictured together enjoying a romantic dinner at Scotts restaurant in Mayfair in December. But the following month Miss Air enjoyed a break in Mexico, while her partner travelled to the Caribbean island of St Barts with his sister Pippa and her financier boyfriend James Matthews. Miss Air, previously a prolific user of social media site Instagram, has also recently hidden her public page, prompting speculation that she wants to escape the limelight while waiting for Mr Middletons return. The friend added last night: They are trying to figure things out. She doesnt want people poring over her Instagram account looking for pictures of James. Donna Air, 36, with 12-year-old daughter Freya Air at a London fashion show last year - Donna will be staying in the UK to be with her daughter Despite his work commitments taking him a long way from his girlfriend, the businessmans trip wont see him parted from his dog Ella. He has arranged for the cocker spaniel to have a pet passport, and intends for her to travel with him on every visit to Hong Kong. As our exclusive picture shows, Ella, mother of the Duchess of Cambridges dog Lupo, was happy to hold her documents for a picture taken by Mr Middleton last week. She is also likely to sit in on meetings in Hong Kong, for she has been an integral part of the two-year-old company since her devoted owner declared her CEO of Boomfs sister firm Buntella which offers personalised bunting. On her own Twitter page she is described as Working mum/CEO at Buntella. Likes long walks [and] tummy tickles. Mr Middleton hopes to recruit at least a dozen staff in Hong Kong. An advert on his firms website reads: We want more people in South East Asia to discover the multi-sensory delight that is a Boomf marshmallow weve done well in the region, and want to step it up a gear. The site lists lots of marshmallows as one of the roles benefits. The Army has learned of claims that a captain was bullied out of his posting at Help for Heroes after raising concerns on behalf of wounded troops. There are also allegations that Britains biggest military charity left some Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans in its care feeling vulnerable and exposed when it shared confidential details about their treatment without their consent. An initial examination may result in a further investigation. Senior officers have become aware after The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Charity Commission is examining serious concerns about veterans welfare at Tedworth House, a Help for Heroes recovery centre in Wiltshire. The Army has learned of claims that a captain was bullied out of his posting at Help for Heroes after raising concerns on behalf of wounded troops In a statement, the Army initially said they would look at allegations of impropriety at the 20million centre. Captain Ian Bellamy, an Iraq War veteran who was a welfare officer at Tedworth House from 2011 to 2014, is understood to have raised concerns about patient confidentiality with Help for Heroes. But after doing so, the officer was allegedly ignored and harassed by the charitys civilian staff members, insiders claim. Captain Bellamy was later posted to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he still works. Last night Help for Heroes said they were not aware of Capt Bellamy raising any concerns about veterans. The charity strongly denies any suggestion of failing patients, or bullying staff. But a source claimed: Bullying was a big issue there [Tedworth House] and Capt Bellamy took the brunt of it. The Army kept him in to keep an eye on things. He was made aware by soldiers that sensitive information about them was being shared [with staff], which left them feeling vulnerable and exposed. He reported that to managers who then made his life very difficult. Another source claimed: Capt Bellamy was undermined and ostracised after standing up to management and questioning clients information being shared with people who did not need to know. Help for Heroes said they weren't aware of Capt Bellamy raising concerns about veterans. The charity strongly denies suggestions of failing patients, or bullying staff. Pictured is Prince Harry at the recovery centre Army investigators are expected to interview soldiers who were treated at Tedworth House. One of four centres run by the charity, it treats about 30 people every week. As a serving officer, Capt Bellamy is not permitted to talk to The Mail on Sunday directly. 'WE HAVE A DUTY TO SHARE DATA' Responding to allegations that it mishandled patients confidential details, Help for Heroes insisted last night that it has a duty to share information within the charity if a patient is felt to be a risk to themselves or others. The charity added that it follows the same guidelines on information and data sharing known as the Caldicott Data-sharing Principles as the NHS and other organisations. Chief executive Bryn Parry said: These guidelines specify that a charity has not only permission but a duty of care to share information internally if someone is felt to be a risk to themselves or others. Should an employee fail to meet required professional standards then action has to be taken. In these instances we adhere to legal advice. Mr Parry, who started the charity with his wife and former head of the Army, General the Lord Dannatt, in 2007, added that Help for Heroes had answered all the questions asked by the Charity Commission to their declared satisfaction. He also pledged to continue to work closely with the regulator. Help for Heroes was launched to support the UKs wounded, injured and sick service personnel and their families. With the support of the British public, the charity has raised enormous amounts of money, which it has spent on veterans and an infrastructure of specialist recovery centres for injured troops, such as Tedworth House. Mr Parry added: We now have a unique partnership with the MoD and The Royal British Legion. No other nation cares for its service personnel and veterans in such a co-ordinated manner. We are all rightly proud of what Help for Heroes does and we are honoured to work alongside some extraordinary volunteers and staff. Advertisement An army spokesperson said: 'The Army is asking its personnel what they knew, including Capt Bellamy. At this stage no conclusions have been reached. On Friday, the Armys head of news said in a statement: The Army is aware of allegations of impropriety at Tedworth House and is currently investigating. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to comment. But Help for Heroes insisted that neither the Army nor the Ministry of Defence could investigate the charity as this was beyond their jurisdiction. The Army then issued a separate statement saying only that they were looking into the claims and added it was yet to establish whether they warrant further investigation. Since Help for Heroes was formed in 2007 by Bryn Parry, his wife Emma and former head of the Army, General the Lord Dannatt it has raised more than 230 million and supported thousands of veterans. Last week, the MoS reported how a former head of psychological wellbeing at the charity launched legal action over its alleged practice of sharing sensitive information about traumatised veterans. Deborah Gildersleeves agreed a financial settlement last year, just days before her case for unfair dismissal was due to be heard. The undisclosed five-figure payment was subject to a gagging agreement. The MoS understands that at least seven employees who left their jobs have received pay-offs totalling 200,000. Most are believed to have signed confidentiality agreements. Help for Heroes denies any wrongdoing and insists it is not the subject of a full statutory investigation by the Charity Commission, saying it was perfectly normal for big charities to have regular updates with the regulator. Help for Heroes said in response to the new claims: We work with independent specialist organisations to ensure we have the very best policies and procedures in place for the safety and protection of beneficiaries and staff. This is yet another unfair attack on everyone involved with Help for Heroes. We have just over 350 staff and have never had a single complaint that comes close to what is being suggested. The claims are simply not true. Continued sniping from private sources is simply unfair and hugely upsetting to everyone we are here to help. This article has been amended since its original publication because the MoD has said its original statements were incorrect. It had stated that the Army would be investigating or looking into Army aspects of allegations about the treatment of soldiers at H4H's recovery centre at Tedworth House. The MoD has since said that no such investigation was actually launched. Its current statement is: "Neither the Army nor the MOD is carrying out, or has carried out, any investigation into the Army aspects of activity alleged to have taken place at H4H Tedworth House." A spokesman for H4H said no such allegations have been made to the charity. Bizarre attack on Mail on Sunday newsman by the charity - via its 400-an-hour law firm Lawyers representing Help for Heroes launched an absurd and baseless attack on The Mail on Sunday journalist working on the Help for Heroes story. The top London law firm Harbottle and Lewis, which can charge up to 400 per hour, fired off a series of letters demanding that this newspaper investigate the reporters behaviour and methods. The bizarre assault followed a telephone call from a Help for Heroes supporter to Defence Correspondent Mark Nicol, in which the volunteer fundraiser accused him of publishing lies. Harbottles letter falsely claimed that during the call Mr Nicol had accused the charity of being corrupt and that it should be ashamed of itself. The letter accused him of being aggressive and rude and said he had reduced the fundraiser to tears. Astonishingly, it was also claimed that Mr Nicol had visited a school and told teachers not to give donations to Help for Heroes. Mr Nicol has a verbatim record of the phone conversation during which he remained both courteous and professional throughout. The allegations against him are completely untrue and The Mail on Sunday has requested that Harbottle and Lewis withdraw their letter and apologise to Mr Nicol. The migrant and student visa surcharge, now known as the health surcharge, was possibly one the most ill conceived pieces of legislation enacted by the Coalition Government. It was included in the 2014 Immigration Act and is costing the British taxpayer a fortune. Every non-European migrant or student applying for a UK visa for over six months, on or after the 6th April 2015, must pay the health surcharge at the time of application. The charge is per family member and per year and is set at 200 for migrants and 150 for students. The surcharge does not apply to visitors or those with 'indefinite leave to remain'. After paying the health surcharge, the migrant or student and their dependents are fully entitled to free NHS care. To signify payment, a 'green banner' appears on their computerised NHS record, which guarantees unlimited treatment, even for pre-existing illnesses, for as long as the visa is valid. The health surcharge is undoubtedly, the cheapest travel insurance on the planet. Compare it to the cost of travel insurance that British visitors, migrants or student are actively encouraged to purchase when travelling outside the EU, which covers only emergency care and excludes pre-existing illnesses. Compare also with the mandatory 30,000 health insurance Schengen visa requirement for a non-European to enter any other EU country apart from UK and Ireland. Pre-existing conditions require additional insurance. In a Department of Health press release published on 6th December 2015, it was announced that the health surcharge had raised 100million in the first six months since it's introduction. To put this amount in context, it is 0.0008% of the total NHS budget of approximately 120billion. The goal is to raise 500million annually within three years, which amounts to 0.004% of the NHS budget. However this 100million is the gross amount of money raised and does not reflect the net benefit to the Exchequer, which is 100million MINUS the costs incurred to the NHS by those who have paid the surcharge. The health surcharge is a Godsend to health tourists who are defined as people who travel to the UK with a pre-existing illness, whose purpose is to access free NHS care. The surcharge was introduced to offset the cost of health tourism because it was known that even when health tourists were identified and charged, only 16% of invoices raised were ever paid. The introduction of the health surcharge was a disastrous error because the unintended consequence is to encourage health tourism at minimal cost. Why was this not foreseen? Unfortunately, the total cost incurred by green bannered patients will not be known for the foreseeable future, or possibly not ever, because the recording processes within hospitals and Trust are not fully in place. It is the responsibility of the Overseas Visitors Manager (OVM) to collect this information and many hospitals either have no OVM or an inadequate number to record the necessary data. J Meirion Thomas argues the health surcharge encouraged health tourism by migrants at minimal cost A reliable source in one Trust alone has recorded more than forty green-bannered patients, expeditiously accessing treatment in the same six months as the 100million was collected. The patients came from a wide spectrum of non-EU countries and for treatment of a variety of conditions including infertility, orthopaedics, gynaecology and ophthalmology. From that hospital and another known to me, the dominant presenting condition was pregnancy. Given the timeframe it is unlikely, or impossible, that these patients did not know they were pregnant when they paid the health surcharge. Let's assume that some or all of the other 153 acute Trusts in England are similarly affected and do a hypothetical calculation limited only to maternity tourism. Hospitals charge NHS clinical commissioning groups 5,000 for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery; 7,500 when a Caesarean section is required. If the new-born baby needs admission to a Special Care Baby Unit, then the costs escalate precipitously. What every OVM knows about maternity tourism is that patients tend to come to the UK for complicated deliveries, such as multiple births, in order to benefit from our excellent obstetric services and to reduce the risks to mother and baby. This template estimation may be exaggerated, or it may be true. Nobody knows. However, the Directorate of Cost Recovery at the Department of Health could find out. All they have to do is to sample 500 or so green-bannered patients who presented to the NHS for treatment, do the research and collate the data. The best example I have of abuse of the visa surcharge is a patient, in his eighties, who entered the UK on a student visa last autumn, and presented immediately to hospital with a serious longstanding illness. He will never be well enough to attend a place of learning, but was that his intention? The migrant and student health visa surcharge should be scrapped immediately. If not, and as a matter of urgency, exemptions should be introduced to exclude pre-existing conditions at the time the visa is issued. Labour's rising star Heidi Alexander shamed Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell into tearing up a pledge to join a picket line with striking junior doctors, it emerged last night. Ms Alexander, seen by some as a future Labour leader, led a Shadow Cabinet ambush against Left-wing Mr McDonnell. In a deliberate challenge to Mr McDonnell, who last month joined a doctors picket line, Labour health spokeswoman Ms Alexander raised the issue in front of party leader Jeremy Corbyn at the Shadow Cabinets private meeting on Tuesday 24 hours ahead of the latest doctors strike. Rising star: Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander (pictured) led a Shadow Cabinet ambush against Left-wing Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, after he pledged to join striking junior doctors on the picket line Support: Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (pictured) said he wanted to join the junior doctors' picket line to 'get the facts' about the dispute, but he was pressured out of it by Ms Alexander Sources said she declared: I am not going to appear on any picket line tomorrow during the strike and I would expect the rest of the Shadow Cabinet to do the same. After staying silent initially, Mr McDonnell is understood to have replied: I cant agree to that because I have already accepted an invitation to attend a picket line. Ms Alexander told him: I cannot tell other Shadow Cabinet members what to do but it will be very difficult for us if you do that. Mr McDonnell stuck to his guns, saying: But Ive told my junior doctors Im coming. He claimed he wanted to get the facts about the dispute. Blairite heavyweight Lord Falconer waded in, telling Mr McDonnell: We cant have that: people will say we are split. And he was supported by Shadow Housing Minister and ex-union official John Healey, who told Mr McDonnell: You dont have to join the picket line to do your fact-finding. Invite the doctors to your office. Witnesses say Mr McDonnell paused before finally agreeing not to go to the picket line. A junior doctor with a placard reading 'Not Hunt's Slaves' joins the demonstration in Westminster, protesting changes to NHS contracts Despite Labours broad backing for the striking medics, the Shadow Chancellors decision last month to stand shoulder to shoulder with them led to claims that Labour was behaving like Seventies socialists. A source said Ms Alexanders intervention had all the hallmarks of a carefully planned operation, adding: It takes guts to take on McDonnell like that, especially given how close he is to Corbyn. But the sight of Shadow Cabinet members parked on the picket line is a gift to the Tories. However, a source close to Mr McDonnell disputed the account of the meeting, insisting that he had not backed down because he had never a picket-line appointment. He said: John was not going to go to the picket line last week. He had a meeting planned in his constituency office. A junior doctor wearing a face mask, reading 'Patients not politics', during a strike outside University College Hospital in London A picket line outside Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Kent as thousands of junior doctors stage a 24-hour strike across England in a row over a new contract Ms Alexander was not available for comment. Sources said Mr McDonnell also sparked resentment at the meeting by effectively demanding a veto on all spending commitments. One said: Each Shadow Cabinet member was given a form to fill in, specifying what they wanted to commit cash to and how much. Doctor Nick Summerton says the junior doctors' strikes have been a 'disaster' The diagnosis is worryingly clear: the junior doctors strikes have been a disaster. Patients are suffering, the reputation of the medical profession has been damaged and now the doctors find a contract has been imposed upon them by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. In my opinion, after more than 30 years as a doctor, mostly as a GP, using patients as ammunition in an argument with any employer is simply wrong. Striking, as they did for a second time last week, is something doctors should not do. Yet when I expressed this in Pulse magazine, the periodical for doctors, my comments were met with abuse from many colleagues. I was accused of being a dinosaur, I was told I was a stooge of both Mr Hunt and the Establishment. Some claimed I was an agent of the private sector. At least two doctors tried to equate me with Katie Hopkins! Im sorry to say this hostility rather proves a point. Because while I am pleased conditions have improved for todays generation, something else, something important, has been lost. My younger colleagues seem to have a different set of values. Many have become militant, influenced by a Left-leaning BMA, the doctors union, more bothered by working hours and rates of pay than the need to gain vital experience for their work. I have no wish to return to the past. Certainly I cannot say I have fond memories of my own time as a junior doctor in the 1980s, when the hours were much worse. In fact, they were appalling. Every third weekend I would have to be in the hospital from 8am on Friday through until 6pm on Monday evening, snatching a few hours sleep when I could. Unlike the junior doctor who appeared on television last week grumbling that he had come in to join the strike on his day off, we had no time off to compensate. Weekend working was the rule. Dr Summerton says asking junior doctors to work occasional Saturdays is not unreasonable and, while Jeremy Hunts (right) response to the BMA has been ill-considered, his decision to impose the contract was probably inevitable Yet recently, when a colleague of mine, a urologist, was dangerously short of staff over Christmas, he was dismayed to find no junior doctors would make themselves available and he ended up covering the ward alone. Something to do with commitment and dedication has gone missing and its absence is a direct threat to patient care. Certainly many consultants and GPs I have spoken to in recent weeks (always in private) believe working the sort of tight shifts the junior doctors wish to defend is not the way for them to acquire broad clinical experience. I do not think asking junior doctors to work occasional Saturdays is unreasonable and, while I believe Mr Hunts response to the BMA has been ill-considered, his decision to impose the contract was probably inevitable. It is worth pointing out that most junior doctors will see their pay rise. Knowing when a child is ill cannot be learnt from a book or guidelines; it requires the sixth sense of an experienced doctor. Also, teasing out the early, often vague symptoms of cancer to improve a patients chances of survival requires a high level of clinical expertise. WORKING at the weekend the point at issue can build vital knowledge as the spectrum of patients seen at anti-social hours is different. A person arriving at hospital in the middle of the night or at a weekend is likely to have a much more serious problem than one who makes an appointment in working hours. It seems earlier generations were willing to work longer in exchange for experience. The BMA has followed in the footsteps of train drivers and air traffic controllers in seeking to frighten the public to justify industrial action, but the bigger dangers lie elsewhere. Ignorance and ineptitude are a threat, too. It was certainly tough when I trained. In my first winter as a junior doctor I developed a bad bout of flu. Feeling unable to work, one evening I phoned the on-call hospital manager for some advice. What do you expect me to do? he said. Youll just have to find someone to cover for you and he slammed the phone down. Thankfully a colleagues agreed to help out, despite having worked three consecutive nights himself. I do not believe in going back to such a harsh regime. Yet in the mid-1980s working in Bath, Oxford and subsequently Shrewsbury and Crewe I was part of a team (or firm as it was called). In all these hospitals this gave me a sense of belonging. Senior colleagues became friends I could turn to for help, advice and support I was not an anonymous worker clocking in and out. I also knew my patients often many of their relatives too and earned respect for the work I undertook and hours I put in. 'Todays junior doctors have been badly led by a BMA that is not only politically motivated but that is probably preparing the ground for a bigger battle over consultants working conditions' Todays junior doctors have been badly led by a BMA that is not only politically motivated but that is probably preparing the ground for a bigger battle over consultants working conditions. The junior doctors look like cannon fodder in a battle between two organisations whereas they clearly need the help, support and sense of belonging I enjoyed. Perhaps something about the way the modern NHS is run is also to blame. It treats junior doctors as parts in a machine rather than individuals embarking on a career caring for the sick. A patient at a nearby Yorkshire practice awaiting cataract surgery told me how disruptive the strikes had been for her family and her employer aside from the further wait she now needs to endure before her vision can be restored. Trust and commitment between patients and doctors is the glue that has held the NHS together. Mr Hunt and particularly the BMA leadership need to understand why most of us came into the profession and focus on this with a view to rebuilding a service they have badly damaged. George Osborne was under fire last night over claims he received a dividend worth 1,200 from his familys wallpaper business even though the firm had paid no UK corporation tax for seven years. Reports said the Osborne & Little Group had paid out dividends worth 335,000 to shareholders, including the Chancellor. The dividends are understood to have been paid in 2014. But the company had reportedly not paid any UK corporation tax since 2008 partly because it had rolled over losses from previous years and deferred tax payments. Mr Osbornes spokesman said last night: All of the Chancellors interests are declared properly and in accordance with the rules. But Labour said even though it was perfectly legal for loss-making companies to defer tax payments, the Chancellor had questions to answer over the payout. A Shadow Treasury spokesman said: Its truly embarrassing for George Osborne. After lots of hot air about cracking down on morally repugnant tax avoidance, the Chancellor now potentially risks further undermining public confidence in his ability to seriously address the issue. During his 2012 budget speech, Osborne made a crackdown on 'morally repugnant' tax avoidance. He called a 130m tax settlement with Google a 'major success'. The interior design group, which makes hand printed wallpaper and has its head office in London, made profits in the year to March 2015 of 772,200 on revenues of 34m. The latest accounts show that Osborne & Little Group, which has 195 employees, paid 6,000 in tax overseas - while it has also deferred a 'tax charge' of 173,000. The Queen is to carry out a short tour of the UK to celebrate her 90th birthday. In a scaled-down version of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, Her Majesty will visit cities around the country to meet as many of her subjects as possible. As The Mail on Sunday revealed last month, the Queen will also be conducting engagements on her actual birthday, April 21, including a walkabout in Windsor. The Queen is to carry out a short tour of the UK to celebrate her 90th birthday. The Palace has yet to announce full details of her forthcoming engagements, but she is said to be planning a walkabout tour of Windsor for her actual birthday, on April 21 She will then light the Principal Beacon at Windsor Castle the first of 564 birthday beacons that officially mark the beginning of the celebrations. For the first time members of the Army Cadet Force will light beacons on Ben Nevis in Scotland, Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland. The Queen will then attend a private birthday party at Windsor Castle, hosted by Prince Charles. The Palace has yet to announce full details of her forthcoming engagements, but a source said: The focus in the first half of this year is expected to be on domestic visits. The Queen didnt want to celebrate succeeding Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch she always wanted her 90th birthday to be the focus of any celebrations. The last time the Queen carried out a regional tour was in 2012. They were introduced in 2014 after a series of alcohol-related deaths The controversial 1.30am lockout laws have resulted in the closure of bars They were shouting 'Casino Mike' against the NSW Premier's lockout laws Video footage has revealed the moment an entire club breaks into a passionate chant protesting Sydney's tough liquor restrictions. Master of ceremonies 'Losty' filmed the crowd as he hosted a club event in the Metro Theatre on George Street in central Sydney on Friday night. 'So I got the whole metro to give #casinomike a shout out tonight #keepsydneyopen,' his Facebook post read. The video pans along the front row of the packed theatre as concert-goers chant 'Casino Mike' in a protest against NSW Premier Mike Baird's 1.30am lockout laws. Scroll down for video The moment a crowd passionately chants 'Casino Mike', protesting against Mike Baird's lockout laws Baird has been the target of critics who say the laws, introduced two years ago in an effort to quell alcohol-related violence, have killed Sydney's night-life. He has been especially slammed because The Star casino - a major contributor to NSW state revenue through taxes - falls just outside the inner-city zone where other venues have to lock out new customers after 1am, and stop serving drinks at 3am. The controversial laws have come under fire in recent weeks with the imminent closure of popular nightclubs and hot spots such as Bar Century in central Sydney. The bar's closure comes as Australian DJ Alison Wonderland slammed NSW Premier Mike Baird over Sydney's lock-out laws, calling Sydney an international 'laughing stock'. The tough laws were introduced across the Sydney CBD and the red-light Kings Cross district in February 2014 after a public outcry about a spate of brutal alcohol-related violence late at night in the city, including the tragic death of 18-year-old Thomas Kelly, who was punched without warning in Kings Cross. Master of ceremonies 'Losty' filmed the moment he got the Metro Theatre to chant the slogan 'Casino Mike' Late on Tuesday night the hashtag #CasinoMike began trending on Twitter in Sydney, suggesting that nearby casinos benefited from the new legislation as they were excluded from the lockout zone, such as The Star Casino. Since the lockout laws were introduced, numerous small bars and clubs in the city have closed and critics blame the new rules for reducing business and pushing customers to other areas of the city. In defending the changes this week, NSW Premier Mike Baird claimed alcohol-related assaults in the central business district had dropped by 42.2 per cent since the laws were introduced, and by more than 60 per cent in Kings Cross. The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) said the Kings Cross figure was more like 45 per cent. A BOCSAR review of the first six months of the lockout laws found that while assaults at other venues was falling, there was an average of 6.3 assaults per month at the Star - or an average of 75 assaults per year. A Facebook group called 'Keep Sydney Open' has over 31,000 followers and their petition has over 44,000 signatures. Chuka Umunna has fuelled rumours that he aims to succeed Jeremy Corbyn by refusing to rule out a fresh bid for the Labour leadership. In a warning shot to Mr Corbyn, Mr Umunna said ordinary Labour voters are more important than the band of hard-Left activists who made him leader. And Mr Umunna denied he had flounced out of the Shadow Cabinet in protest at Corbyn becoming party leader, explaining that he wanted to take a breather before returning stronger and better. The intervention by former Shadow Business Secretary Mr Umunna comes after a series of polls showing Corbyns Labour far behind the Tories. Chuka Umunna with his partner Alice Sullivan arrive for The Andrew Marr Show in London on May 10, 2015 Mr Umunna said: I still want to play a big role in the Labour Party and in terms of the leadership in the future, I would never say never to doing that again. Moderate Mr Umunna, 37, is seen by many Labour insiders as most likely successor to Corbyn if he is forced to step down before the next General Election. Mr Umunna said Mr Corbyn had to be given a chance to succeed as leader. But he took a thinly veiled swipe at Left-wing supporters of the pro-Corbyn Momentum group accused of trying to take over the Labour Party. Standing up for ordinary Labour voters should be given higher priority, he argued. It is important Labour MPs do the job that we have representing the 19 million people from whom we derive our mandate which is the voters, he said in an interview with The Voice newspaper. Although Mr Umunna did not refer to Momentum by name, he is known to be deeply concerned at its growing influence in local Labour parties, including Lambeth in his Streatham constituency in South London. He said his decision not to serve in Mr Corbyns Shadow Cabinet was a joint decision with the leader, adding: It was wrong to say I flounced out. A friend of Mr Umunna said: Chuka believes it will be a disaster for the party if Corbyns Left-wing clique take over lock stock and barrel. The millions of people who voted for us in 2015 are not interested in Momentums Marxist claptrap. Mr Umunna came under fire after he threw his hat in the ring in the 2015 Labour leadership contest, only to pull out, blaming press intrusion. In a warning shot to Mr Corbyn, Mr Umunna said ordinary Labour voters are more important than the band of hard-Left activists who made him leader It came 48 hours after he was pictured arriving at a BBC interview, walking had in hand with lawyer girlfriend Alice Sullivan, 31. Mr Umunna said there was no scandal involved, adding: I certainly have nothing to hide. The couples engagement was announced last October. Mr Umunnas impressive pedigree has won him a wide range of political admirers from Labours Peter Mandelson to Tory Michael Heseltine. His father, self-made businessman Bennett Umunna, was killed in a car crash in mysterious circumstances when he returned to his native Nigeria to run for a regional governorship. Hundreds of lives are being needlessly lost to suicide every year because of the Governments failure to get a grip on a modern epidemic of mental health problems, a landmark report has found. An official NHS review will call on David Cameron to invest 1 billion in a comprehensive shake-up of mental health provision, focused on the needs of children and young mothers. The Mental Health Taskforce, set up a year ago under the leadership of Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of mental health charity Mind, blames chronic underinvestment and poor NHS management for unacceptable and unaffordable levels of mental health problems, in terms of the human and financial cost. Hundreds of lives are being needlessly lost to suicide every year because of the Governments failure to get a grip on Britain's epidemic of mental health problems, a think-tank has revealed (file photo) It will call on the Prime Minister to meet the clear need for leadership to introduce vital reforms, and calls for all new Government policies to be assessed for their impact on depression and anxiety. Mr Cameron will attempt to defuse the reports criticisms by agreeing to back most of its demands and supporting an end to the stigma which surrounds mental health. The mental health audit of the UK concludes: Mental illness is the largest single cause of disability, accounting for 23 per cent of NHS activity but only six per cent of research spending; One in four adults suffer at least one diagnosable mental health problem every year; Suicides averaging 4,477 a year over the past decade are on the rise, and are now the leading cause of death for men aged from 15 to 49; One in ten children have a diagnosable mental health problem and half of all adult syndromes are already established by the age of 14; One in five women fall ill psychologically in the first year after giving birth, but nearly half of local NHS groups fail to provide a service for such women; By 2020, sufferers should be able to access mental health crisis care 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The Taskforce uses damning language about the organisation of the NHS, concluding that sufferers have been failed by the complex health and care landscape, where there is a lack of clear governance at national and local level. The authors highlight the finding that one quarter of suicide victims had seen a health care professional in the week before they died. And they say that at least ten per cent of suicides more than 400 lives a year could be saved by 2020 through the introduction of just 10 million of reforms to the system. Suicide is not inevitable, and we need action to ensure that suicide is never the result of the NHS not meeting someones needs, it says. Experts have grown concerned about the increasing prevalence of psychological problems among children. The number arriving at Accident and Emergency departments with psychiatric conditions has risen to nearly 20,000 a year more than double the number four years ago. Experts have grown concerned about the increasing prevalence of psychological problems among children. The number arriving at A&E departments with conditions has risen to nearly 20,000 a year (file photo) Campaigners have pointed out that more than half the councils in England cut or froze budgets for child and adolescent mental health between 2010-11 and 2014-15, and have called for all schools to have at least one teacher trained to spot the signs of distress in pupils. Many blame the rise in young people using social media: researchers found that children who spend more than three hours each school day on sites such as Facebook and Twitter are more than twice as likely to suffer poor mental health. About eight per cent of young people aged between ten and 15 spend more than three hours every day on the internet, risking retardment to their emotional and social development and exposing them to the risk of cyber bullying. The Taskforce says that by 2020 there should be 70,000 more children and young people able to access to mental health care, and calls for 150 million to be spent on tackling eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. A former New York State Senate candidate has been arrested for felony weapons charges after being pulled over on her way to Niagara Falls with her boyfriend. Gia Arnold, 26 and her 18-year-old boyfriend Halim Johnson were taken into custody Wednesday after police found an AR-15 rifle, a handgun, knife and ski mask in her car. The 2014 Tea Party candidate was pulled over by police for falling to use her turn signal. Upon searching the car, they found the deadly weapons, reported the New York Daily News. Scroll down for video Former New York State Senate candidate Gia Arnold has been arrested for weapons charges after being pulled over on her way to Niagra Falls with her boyfriend As the officers were conducting a records check, Officer Michael Tarnowski found a loaded magazine clip on her passenger seat after she was asked to step out of the car. The AR-15 was discovered between her seat and the driver's door and the handgun was in a cup holder, said the paper. Falls Police Capt. Michael Trane told Buffalo News: 'B efore she got out, she had pushed her coat over the rifle, which was wedged between her seat and the door jam, trying to hide the rifle. Tarnowski immediately placed her in handcuffs. Caldwell then had Johnson step out of the vehicle and Caldwell spotted a handgun with a red bandana around its grip in the driver's side door cup holder.' An investigation to determine who owns the guns is continuing and more charges are possible, says Buffalo News. Arnold is very vocal about her pro-gun ideologies and is known for her campaign on a pledge to repeal New Yorks assault weapons ban, known as the SAFE Act (left) Gia Arnold, 26 (left) and her 18-year-old boyfriend Halim Johnson (right) were taken into custody Wednesday after police found an AR-15 rifle, a handgun, knife and ski mask in her car Arnold, an Albion resident and Johnson, of Haeberle Avenue, remains in jail at the Niagara County Jail in Lockport with a $5,000 bail. Both are scheduled to attend Niagara Falls City Court on Tuesday. Arnold has been very vocal about her pro-gun ideologies and is known for her campaign on a pledge to repeal New Yorks assault weapons ban, known as the SAFE Act. An appeal has since been launched on Rally.org appealing to raise money for Arnold and her boyfriend, who, according to the page, were the victims of 'racial profiling'. The appeal reads: 'We are asking all patriots to Rally behind her and help her get out of this horrid mess. Think about this, you get pulled over for not using a turn signal and it turns into a felony charge because you invoked your constitutional right to remain silent.' Around $3,500 had been raised by Saturday night. Arnold made headlines in 2014 after suddenly stepped down from her campaign and admitted she'd had an extra-marital affair. The now 26-year-old mother of three had been the favorite of the Republican Party's radical right Tea Party faction but announced her decision with a letter posted on Facebook. 'I participated in an extramarital affair beginning in August of this year,' she wrote. 'It was an excuse for an escape from an already declining marriage.' But in a bizarre twist she re-entered the race a week later after receiving hundreds of messages of support from constituents. Speaking at the time she told Buffalo News: 'When I made my announcement last week, I never fathomed the hundreds of texts, calls and emails that I received, almost all of which called for me to stay in this race and fight for truth, honesty and what is right for our Senate district.' Arnold ended up losing out to Robert G. Ortt, who now holds the seat. He was also called out for lagging behind the rest of the world on the issue Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's sweet Facebook message to his wife quickly turned sour as same-sex marriage supporters flooded his post with frustrated comments. 'When I first asked Lucy to marry me she said, "Let's wait until we grow up." Well we didn't wait long and now it is almost impossible to imagine, let alone remember, what it was like not to be together, so much so that I have a much clearer sense of "Lucy and me" than I do of "me",' the Facebook post read. Mr Turnbull's post, accompanied by a photo of them in the early years of their relationship, garnered over 30,000 likes and 1100 comments. While many of the comments congratulated Mr and Mrs Turnbull on Valentine's Day, proponents of marriage equality criticised the Prime Minister for his inability to keep up with society's changing views on gay marriage. Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, married in 1980 while he was studying at Oxford University 'Well because of you and your party I will never know what it will be like to marry my parter [sic] of nearly 10 years. So happy for you both,' Tomas Allan Leaumont commented. Another Facebook user, Douglas McFarland, told Mr Turnbull to scrap his planned same-sex marriage plebiscite. 'When I first asked my partner to marry me, he said let's wait till our government lets us...and now, four years later, we have to wait until 51 per cent of the country lets us (and then the government an still reject it)...you and Lucy are beautiful together, an inspiring couple...just wish your leadership was more inspiring on Marriage. We all know you get it, we all know you want it, we all know you are spinning political bs when you support the plebiscite. Perhaps Valentine's day is the perfect day to scrap the plebiscite! Happy Valentine's day to you both, it must be a lovely reminder of your marriage. As opposed to the constant reminder that same sex couples love is less!' Further criticisms were made regarding the plebiscite and its potential to waste resources. 'Lucky you can get married. How about a free vote on marriage equality instead of wasting millions on a pointless plebiscite some of your ministers have vowed to ignore anyway?' Brad Wolfe wrote. They have two children together and have been partners in many of their businesses together However, other commentators soon came to Mr Turnbull's defence. 'What a sad state of affairs when our PM can't express his love for his wife without being vilified. Happy Valentine's Day to Malcolm and Lucy,' Lin Jessop stated. 'Respect that Malcolm is human and not just our Prime Minister. An Aussie bloke pledging his love for his wife. Simply that!!!' Tony Puntureri commented. Mr Turnbull married Lucy on 22 March 1980 at Cumnor, Oxfordshire, near Oxford by a Church of England priest while Turnbull was attending the University of Oxford. Together they have two children, Alex and Daisy, who attended local Sydney schools and have now completed University. Lucy and Malcolm have been partners not only in marriage but also in their many businesses. Lucy, a prominent businesswoman and politician herself, was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, a position she held until early 2004. Turnbull's sweet Valentine's Day message to his wife quickly turned sour as same-sex marriage supporters flooded his Facebook post with criticism The mother of Columbine High School mass murderer Dylan Klebold said she 'prayed for her son to die' after hearing what he had done, in a frank TV interview 17 years after the massacre. Sue Klebold also revealed to ABC News' Diane Sawyer that she didn't know anything was wrong with her son before the 1999 attack. Speaking on the Sawyer special edition of 20/20 that aired on Friday she said: 'I think we like to believe that our love and our understanding is protective, and that if anything were wrong with my kids, I would know. But I didn't know, and it's very hard to live with that. 'I felt that I was a good mom ... That he would, he could talk to me about anything.' Scroll down for video Sue Klebold said in the interview that when she heard the attack might still be underway, she prayed her son would die so the violence would stop In 1999, Dylan Klebold (right) and fellow senior student Eric Harris killed 12 students and one teacher at the Colorado high school before taking their own lives Pre-meditated: Dylan Klebol's (pictured) large-scale attack also involved a fire bomb used to distract fire fighters Sue Klebold said in the interview that when she heard the attack might still be under way, she prayed her son would die so the violence would stop. 'I remember thinking if this is true, if Dylan is really hurting people, somehow he has to be stopped. And then, at that moment I prayed that he would die,' she said. 'That God, stop this. Just make it stop. Don't let him hurt anybody.' At one point in the interview Sawyer asks Mrs Klebod: For all the parents who said I would have known something' She replies: Before Columbine happened, I would have been one of those parents. I had all the illusions that everything was ok. My love for him was so strong. When speaking about the victims, Mrs Klebold breaks down in tears. 'I just remember sitting there and reading about them, all these kids and the teacher,' she says. 'There's never a day that goes by where I don't think of the people that Dylan harmed... I think it's easier for me to say "harmed" than "killed."' She then continues: I would have felt exactly the same [as the victims families] if it was the other way round. Klebold has said that the Sandy Hook shootings of 2012 helped convince her to share her story and that she is donating profits from the book to mental health charities and research. In a recent interview to the Guardian, Klebold also said: 'You go back over every conversation, every gift, every moment, and what you feel is self-loathing. Klebold has said that the Sandy Hook shootings of 2012 helped convince her to share her story and that she is donating profits from the book to mental health charities and research. Pictured: Eric Harris (L) watches as Dylan Klebold practices shooting a gun at a makeshift shooting range March 6, 1999 The choice to write the book was a difficult one for Sue Klebold, but she hopes the title will enable other parents to notice signs that their children might become violent. Signs she regrettably says she she missed 'I let this happen; it was my role to keep him safe, and to keep others safe, too, and somehow this happened because of me, because I wasn't able to stop it. The guilt one feels doesn't fit in a room, it's so huge.' In 1999, Dylan Klebold and fellow senior student Eric Harris killed 12 students and one teacher at the Colorado high school before taking their own lives. Dylan Klebol's large-scale attack also involved a fire bomb used to distract firefighters. I remember thinking if this is true, if Dylan is really hurting people, somehow he has to be stopped. And then, at that moment I prayed that he would die Sue Klebold, mother of mass shooter Dylan The choice to write the book was a difficult one for Sue Klebold, but she hopes the title will enable other parents to notice signs that their children might become violent. Signs she regrettably says she missed. It is very hard to live with the fact that someone you loved and raised brutally killed people in such a horrific way, Mrs Klebold explains in her interview with Diane Sawyer. I think we like to believe that our love and our understanding is protective, and that if anything were wrong with my kids, I would know, but I didn't know, and its very hard to think of that. Klebold goes on to say that before the shooting rampage, she was convinced that she was a good mother, and that her son Dylan could talk to her about anything. But the reality was something different. Part of the shock of this was learning that what I believed and how I parented was an invention in my own mind, that it was a completely different world that he was living in,' she says. In the Klebold's new book she reveals that while she had felt she had missed the warning signs she did notice the high, tight pitch that recently emerged in Dylans voice Sometimes, Klebold told Sawyer, she goes to visit the Columbine Memorial. 'I feel kind of unwelcome there, like perhaps I'm intruding,' she said. 'Sometimes I just sit there and think and I tell them I'm sorry.' In 2014 Crown Publishers, who are publishing Silence Broken, said that the book will, 'invite readers into [Klebold's] very private struggle of the last 15 years as she and her family have tried to understand the events of that terrible day and the role they ultimately played in it. In the book she reveals that while she had felt she had missed the warning signs she did notice the high, tight pitch that recently emerged in Dylans voice. Just two days earlier, her husband Tom mentioned the odd inflection and decided to talk to him when he came home. They agreed he should talk to Dylan when the teen finished school that day - but he never returned home At the time, it was the worst school shooting in the country's history before 2007, when 23-year-old Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho went on a shooting rampage on the Blacksburg college campus, killing 32 people. Five years later, 20-year-old Adam Lanza killed 20 students and six teaching staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Susan Klebold has previously described her feelings in an essay for Oprah Winfrey's O magazine and in interviews for Andrew Solomon's book, Far from the Tree. Mrs Klebold and her husband Tom Klebold, have spoken little to the press following the Columbine tragedy, The New York Times reported in 2004, but did not move or change their names. In her lengthy essay for O Magazine in 2009, Mrs Klebold wrote: 'In the weeks and months that followed the killings, I was nearly insane with sorrow for the suffering my son had caused, and with grief for the child I had lost.' She continued: 'But while I perceived myself to be a victim of the tragedy, I didn't have the comfort of being perceived that way by most of the community. The choice to write the book was a difficult one for Klebold, but she hopes the title will enable other parents to notice signs that their children might become violent. Signs she regrettably says she she missed Eric Harris (pictured top left) and Dylan Klebold (next to him) pictured in 1999 'I was widely viewed as a perpetrator or at least an accomplice since I was the person who had raised a "monster.''' Mrs Klebold also told author Andrew Solomon: 'I can never decide whether its worse to think your child was hardwired to be like this and that you couldnt have done anything, or to think he was a good person and something set this off in him.' The killers' diaries from the time offered chilling details about their activities in the months before the attack. They had 'to do' lists, with each purchase of gasoline or a weapon marked off, and they had a hit list with at least 42 entries, all of them blacked out. On a calendar entry for April 20, 1999, the time 11.10 is at the top - an approximate reference to the time the attack began. Elsewhere in the calendar are notations including 'get nails' and 'get propane, fill my clips' and 'finish fuses'. 'Once I finally start my killing, keep this in mind, there are probably about 100 people max in the school alone who I don't want to die, the rest MUST (expletive) DIE!' Harris wrote in a journal entry from October 1998, six months before the attack. A scrawled entry in Klebold's day planner apparently sketches out April 20, 1999, down to the minute, starting with a 6am meeting, a 10.30am 'set up,' an 11.12am 'gear up' and at 11.16am, 'HAHAHA.' Saturday's Republican presidential primary debate in South Carolina was immediately overshadowed by talk of how to handle the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, with all six candidates on stage agreeing that the GOP-controlled Senate should stiffen its resolve and refuse to confirm a lame-duck President Barack Obama's nominee. Scalia passed away hours before the event began, casting a pall on the evening. But it took less than two minutes for front-runner Donald Trump to outline a short strategy. 'It's called "Delay! Delay! Delay!"' he said. Scroll down for video A YUUUGE ROADBLOCK: Donald Trump said during Saturday night's Republican debate that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his colleagues must block anyone President Barack Obama nominates to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia AND THEN THERE WERE SIX: The Republican presdiential field started with 17 people but nearly a dozen have dropped out Asked if Obama should send a nominee to the Senate, Trump said 'he's going to do it whether I'm okay with it or not. I think it's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else [in the Senate] to stop it.' 'If I were president now, I would certainly want to try and nominate a justice,' Trump conceded, 'and I'm sure that frankly I'm absolutely sure that President Obama will try and do it.' 'I hope that our Senate is going to be able, Mitch and the entire group is going to be able to do something about it' He also named two jurists who he thought would make good picks for the high court. 'You could have a Diane Sykes or you could have a Bill Pryor,' Trump said. John Kasich, the Ohio governor who had a surprise second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, said Obama should 'pick somebody who would have unanimous approval, and such widespread approval across the country, that this could happen without a lot of recrimination.' 'I don't think that's going to happen. And I would like the president to just, for once here, put the country first.' Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, too, said Obama shouldn't name anyone to the bench. 'It's been over 80 years since a lame-duck president has nominated a Supreme Court justice,' he said. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush insisted that Obama's successor should replace Scalia, and 'the next president needs to appoint someone with a proven conservative record.' LION'S ROAR: Scalia was a conservative legend and his death will leave a hole that Obama will likely try to fill with a liberal who could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court far to the left GATHERING NO MOSS: The president said he plans to nominate a new Supreme Court justice and he expects the Senate to give that person a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz warned that a Supreme Court vacancy 'underscores the stakes of this election. ... The Senate needs to stand up and say we're not going to give up the Supreme Court for a generation by letting Barack Obama make another liberal appointment.' The showdown is the ninth such meeting of Republican White House hopefuls, although the series began with 17 candidates duking it out during 'undercard' and mainstage sessions. Now there are just six would-be presidents left in the GOP. Saturday's debate comes a week before South Carolina's Republican primary, the third test after Iowa's and New Hampshire's, in a series of more than 50 that will allocate delegates to the Republcian National Convention in July. That convention will pick a nominee for the White House. 'Even those who disagreed with his opinions regarded him as a great legal scholar,' CBS News anchor John Dickerson said in his honor. Obama said just minutes before the debate started that while Scalia was a legal giant, he didn't plan to sit on his hands. 'Obviously, today is the time to remember Justice Scalias legacy,' he said. 'I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time.' Matthew Whitby just wanted to get in shape. But the weight-loss supplement he started taking to left him at death's door with liver failure. He became so sick so fast he needed an emergency liver transplant, and had to accept an new organ infected with hepatitis B. The 26-year-old West Australia man didn't expect getting healthy might nearly cost him his life. Now he is telling his story in the hope it will help others avoid the potential dangers of taking widely-available weight-loss drugs. 'I just want people to know they should always do research and talk to their doctor before taking supplements,' he told Daily Mail Australia. When his liver failed, Mr Whitby was given two weeks to live unless a replacement liver was found for him With no choice, the father of two, Bella, now 4 and Maddylin, now 1, had to accept a liver that was affected by hepatitis B, or die Scars left on Mr Whitby's stomach as a result of his operations The father-of-two had taken a protein powder with green tea extract and a supplement with garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit, in it. 'I had looked around and found a product made in Australia, because I thought it would be the safest option.' The man who is 168 cms tall weighed 76 kilograms, and wanted to get back down to his 'normal' weight, 62 kg, after being 'unhappy' with his body for three years. Despite stopping intake of the supplements after only a short time, weakness and fatigue set in, then jaundice. 'I stopped taking the shakes because I felt funny after them, I was only taking one scoop, and having one shake per day, well below the six scoops allowed on the back of the packet.' When his partner - now ex - and mother forced him to go to hospital on Christmas Day 2014, doctors told him his liver had shut down and he had had two weeks to live. He was a high priority for a transplant, but his only option was one infected with hepatitis B. The painful transplant procedure meant he couldn't lift his children for six months He decided to take the supplements after going from 62kg - 76kg and growing body-concious 'I was so confused at the time the doctors told me about the available liver, because when your liver is in failure that is what happens. 'It wasn't until after the operation I really realised what had been explained to me.' He says he would do it again because his priority was to survive to see his daughters - one who was born just six weeks before he first went to hospital - grow up. 'I have them to thank for pushing through - I mean I had gret support from my partner and my parents and cousins, and even saw friends that i had not seen for a long time, but it was the girls who got me through. 'I don't know what I would have done without them.' He says he was unable to fully bond with his youngest daughter, who was born six weeks before he was first admitted to hospital, because he had to rely on other people to 'put' her near him as he wasn't allowed to lift her Doctors at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth (pictured) said what happened to Mr Whitby did not surprise them Mr Whitby says the hardest part about being sick and having an operation like a liver transplant is with his interactions with his daughters. 'I wasn't allowed to hold my youngest daughter for months because I couldn't pick up anything over five kilograms. 'I had to sit on the couch and have someone sit her with me, which made it hard to bond.' His other daughter who was three at the time of the transplant, he couldn't play with her, let alone pick her up for months after the operation. Taxpayers will have to pay the cost of his $150,000 transplant, yet Australian products containing green tea extract usually don't come with warnings. Doctors suspect the green tea extract as being the cause, however, with so many ingredients present in the supplements, it was hard to pinpoint which was responsible. 'At first they had no idea what had made me sick, until I remembered how weird the shakes had made me feel a few weeks earlier.' He has been without a job for 14-months because he worked in a very laborious job He has had to rely on 'sick pay' from Centrelink, but is hoping to get the 'all clear' from doctors so he can return to the workforce soon One doctor said there was an element of bad luck in Mr Whitby's sickness, and that some individuals may be more susceptible than others. More than a year after his transplant, Mr Whitby has had to have further surgery after his new liver herniated. He has been out of work for 14 months as he has a very physical job, and light duties were not available to him. 'I couldn't get a disability payment because you have to be disabled for more than two years so I am on a sickness payment which is the same as Newstart.' It has changed his life forever - he can't even go down to the pub and get a beer with a mate, as drinking on transplant isn't recommended. 'I look back all the time and think, where would I be now if I didn't take the product.' He is now allowed to lift things and can go back to being a 'normal dad' for his daughters, but still has work to do on his self-confidence One of the supplements Mr Whitby took was a protein powder with green tea extract (pictured are green tea leaves Mr Whitby is now trying to educate people of the risks involved with taking supplements, such as the one containing green tea extract that he took He is now trying to educate people of the risks involved with taking supplements. Despite having researched products online and asking friends for information, he still nearly died. Both the protein powder with green tea extract and the garcinia combogia supplement were ordered from websites that were either Australian or had Australian addresses. Doctors said they were not surprised by the outcome, and believed the number of cases of liver damage from herbal remedies and extracts was on the rise. He will be left with the large T shaped scar forever, a reminder of the time he tried to get in shape so he would feel comfortable at the beach, and in his own skin He says the support of his daughters helped him get through the tough times following the transplant Supplying products with green tea extracts in Australia is legal. The man says while his physical health is almost back to his pre-supplement level his mental health still needs improvement. 'I just need to get my confidence back,' he said. The man was restricted to bed rest for months, 'I used to make an excuse to get up and walk, I was in bed 22 hours a day'. He has to take tablets for his new Hepatitis B - which came with his new liver - as well as anti-rejection tablets. 'I am just concentrating on making the most of my second chance i One of the substances consumed by Mr Whitney, HydroxyBurn Elite, is no longer available. He only consumed the products for two and a half weeks. Mr Whitby is back down to his preferred weight of 62 kilograms, and is looking forward to doctors giving him the 'all clear' on his next visit. The two Cuban-American senators on tonight's Republican debate stage clashed on immigration each suggesting the other was for amnesty while also reminding the audience they both spoke Spanish. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz blasted Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for going on Univision and telling its Spanish-speaking audience that he wouldn't get rid of President Obama's executive action on immigration on day No. 1 of a Rubio administration. 'Well, first of all, I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision since he doesn't speak Spanish,' Rubio blasted. Cruz replied by yelling Spanish words loudly into his microphone to prove that he did have some mastery of the language in one of the debate's many contentious moments between the six remaining GOP presidential candidates one week before South Carolina voters will head to the polls. Scroll down for video Ted Cruz (left) and Marco Rubio (right) got into it at tonight's debate in Greenville, South Carolina over the issue of immigration Marco Rubio (right) suggested that Ted Cruz wouldn't know what the Florida senator said on Univision because he doesn't speak Spanish prompting Cruz to speak Spanish 'That's how you want it? Right now, say it in Spanish, if you want,' Cruz said en Espanol, according to Vox. Cruz, who won the Iowa caucuses, has tried for months to make immigration an issue that could take down Rubio, who was rising after his third place finish in Iowa, right on the heels of second-place finisher Donald Trump, but sputtered in New Hampshire after a poor debate performance one week ago courtesy of the loudmouthed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie had ridiculed Rubio for using rehearsed talking points. With Christie gone, Rubio regained a bit of his footing, taking on Cruz after the Texan labeled the Senate's 2013 attempt to pass comprehensive immigration reform the 'Rubio-Schumer amnesty plan.' At the time Cruz had offered an amendment to the bill that would have stripped out a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants living in the country, but left legal status language intact. Cruz has said this was a 'poison pill' to kill the bill, of which Rubio was a sponsor, while Rubio suggests it was proof that Cruz supported giving illegal immigrants a legal status. 'When that issue was being debated, Ted Cruz had a committee hearing and very passionately said, "I want immigration reform to pass, I want people to be able to come out of the shadows" and he proposed an amendment that would have legalized the people here,' Rubio said. 'Not only that, he proposed doubling the number of green cards, he proposed a 500 percent increase on guest workers.' Yep, that was Spanish: Ted Cruz started speaking in his father's native tongue, after Marco Rubio questioned the Texan's ability to speak Spanish 'Now his position is different, now he is a passionate opponent of all of those things,' Rubio continued. 'So he either wasn't telling the truth then or he wasn't telling the truth now, but to argue that he is a purist on immigration is just not so,' the Florida senator added. Cruz stood his ground saying that Rubio supported citizenship for all 12 million people living in the United States illegally. 'Marco has a long record when it comes to amnesty, in the state of Florida, as speaker of the house he supported in-state tuition for illegal immigrants,' Cruz said. 'In addition to that, Marco went on Univision in Spanish and said he would not rescind President Obama's illegal executive amnesty on his first day in office.' And as Cruz spouted in Spanish, after Rubio suggested the Texas senator didn't have a handle on his Cuban father's native tongue, Rubio went back to another favorite attack. 'This is a disturbing pattern now because for a number of weeks now Ted Cruz has just been telling lies,' Rubio said. 'He lied about Ben Carson in Iowa ... he lied about marriage, he's lying about all sorts of things and now he makes things up.' Saturday's Republican debate saw Donald Trump renewing his attacks on Ted Cruz as 'vicious' and 'the biggest liar' as the two traded insults and the billionaire claimed the senator was trying to sabotage his campaign. Cruz claimed on stage in Greenville, South Carolina that 'for most of his life,' Trump 'has described himself as very pro-choice, and as a supporter of partial birth abortion.' 'Right now, today, as a candidate, he supports federal taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. I disagree with him on that,' the Texas senator insisted. 'You are the single biggest liar!' Trump boomed back. 'You are probably worse than Jeb Bush!' Scroll down for video PANTS ON FIRE: Donald Trump called Ted Cruz a liar during Saturday night's debate in South Carolina IT'S OKAY, HE'S CALLED ME WORSE: Cruz commiserated with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during a commercial break Trump reminded a feisty audience at the Peace Center in downtown Greenville that Cruz's campaign had spread a rumor on the day of the Iowa caucuses that Ben Carson would be ending his presidential campaign. 'This guy lied let me just tell you. This guy lied about Ben Carson when he took votes away from Ben Carson in Iowa. And he just continues,' he said. And then Trump said the dirty tricks had continued in the Palmetto State. 'Today we had robocalls saying, "Donald Trump is not going to run in South Carolina," where I'm leading by a lot. I'm not going to run!' an incredulous Trump said, claiming that the phone calls ended with: 'Vote for Ted Cruz!' 'This is the same thing he did to Ben Carson. This guy will say anything. Nasty guy.' Trump concluded. 'Now I know why he doesn't have one endorsement from any of his [Senate] colleagues.' TROLLING ON TWITTER: The Donald let Cruz have it on Saturday, hours before the South Carolina debate The outburst provided an explanation to one of the day's great mysteries, sparked by a Trump tweet in mid-afternoon. 'Nasty Ted Cruz is at it again,' he wrote on Twitter. '[S]ame dirty tricks he used w/ @RealBenCarson saying I may not be on ballot & I hold liberal positions. LIES!' Minutes later he added in a second tweet: 'Ted Cruz is a cheater! He holds the Bible high and then lies and misrepresents the facts!'' But in the debate, Cruz had a rejoinder, calling it 'remarkable to see Donald defending Ben after he called him "pathological" and compared him to a child molester, both of which were offensive and wrong.' Trump replied that he was just quoting Carson's autobiography, in which Carson described his own teenage temper as 'pathological.' The real estate developer had later compared that condition to a pedophile's in that pathological conditions aren't curable. Trump kept up his attacks on Cruz following the CBS debate, calling him out after he placed second in a poll run by Glenn Beck - a supporter of the Texas senator Cruz came back to Planned Parenthood, jabbing Trump with his historical support for government funding of the abortion provider. 'Donald has this weird pattern: When you point to his own record, he screams "liar",' he said. Trump replied that Planned Parenthood does some 'wonderful things' in support of 'women's health,' but that he 'draws the line' at terminating pregnancies. With that line of attack exhausted, Cruz told the audience that 'if Donald Trump is president, he will appoint liberals' to the Supreme Court. 'If Donald Trump is president your Second Amendment will go away,' he declared. As Trump tried to cut off his head of steam, Cruz brushed him back, saying: 'Donald, adults learn not to interrupt.' CBS News debate moderator John Dickerson intervened, telling the bickering candidates that they were 'in danger of driving this into the dirt.' Meanwhile, Carson demanded to be given 30 seconds to talk, citing debate rules. Pope Francis looked visibly tired as he wrapped up his first full day in Mexico that saw him greeting adoring crowds from his popemobile but also giving stern words of criticism to the political and religious elite. After Mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalup - his last formal appointment - he ventured out of his ambassador's residence to pray once again with the faithful who have not stopped chanting his name since he arrived. He asked if they were tired, to which he received a resounding 'No!' 'We could go until 4 a.m.?' the pope asked. 'Yesss,' the crowd answered. 'Well, but that could be a little long,' he responded. But despite his warmth to the assembled faithful, his message to the country was a somber one. As he retreated back inside his gates, Mexico was left to reflect on his stern words for its political elite and bishops after he criticized the country's corruption and disregard for the needy at an address this morning. After Mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalup (pictured) - his last formal appointment - he ventured out of his ambassador's residence to pray once again with the faithful who have not stopped chanting his name since he arrived But despite his warmth to the assembled faithful, his message to the country was a somber one As he retreated back inside his gates, Mexico was left to reflect on his stern words for its political elite and bishops after he criticized the country's corruption and disregard for the needy at an address this morning He also made particular reference to the people's devotion to the so-called Santa Muerte, or Death Saint - a female figure who carries a scythe in her bony hand and is worshiped by drug dealers as well as downtrodden residents of neighborhoods run by gangs. Francis said he was 'particularly concerned' by those who 'praise illusions and embrace their macabre symbols to commercialize death in exchange for money.' In a speech to Mexican officials and foreign ambassadors at the National Palace, the pontiff addressed his concerns about the violence and corruption that is endemic in the country and made it quite clear who he thought was to blame. In a speech to Mexican officials and foreign ambassadors at the National Palace, the pontiff addressed his concerns about the violence and corruption that is endemic in the country and made it quite clear who he thought was to blame. Pictured: This evening's Mass The basilica houses the image of a dark-skinned, or 'morenita,' Virgin Mary that Catholics believe miraculously became imprinted on a piece of fabric after she appeared before an indigenous peasant in 1531 'Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development,' he said, according to The LA Times. He added: 'This is not just a question of laws which need to be updated and improved something always necessary but rather a need for urgent formation of the personal responsibility of each individual, with full respect for others as men and women jointly responsible in promoting the advancement of the nation. On tour: Pope Francis's first day in Mexico after landing last night began with a tour, greeting the faithful thousands who lined up in the streets to see him Speeches: Both The Pope and President Nieto (pictured, right) gave speeches to the country's political elite but the pontiff was scathing about what he saw as corruption and a lack of interest in the well-being of the poor Joy and sorrow: The Pope cheerfully waves to the crowd on his way to the National Cathedral after meeting the president, but the speech he gave there was less happy, as he scolded bishops for their conduct 'It is a task which involves all Mexicans in different spheres, public or private, collective or individual.' The speech, a fixture of every papal trip, is usually the pope's most political message, and Francis did not disappoint. But Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto did not address the remarks in his own speech, instead talking about issues that face the entire world rather than specific issues affecting Mexico. The Pope's remarks come at a time when Mexico is questioning the level of violence seen on its streets. Earlier this month, the country was rocked by images of a seven-month-old baby that was slain in gang violence. Thoughtful: Pope Francis appears thoughtful as he sits at the head of the National Cathedral Audience: Bishops and priests gathered to hear the Pope speak; some even took photographs for posterity The pontiff then moved on to the Metropolitan Cathedral at Zocalo Square, where he gave a speech to bishops and other members of the clergy. This, too, was strongly critical, with Francis saying, 'I am particularly concerned about those many persons who, seduced by the empty power of the world, praise illusions and embrace their macabre symbols to commercialize death in exchange for money which, in the end, 'moth and rust consume' and 'thieves break in and steal'. I urge you not to underestimate the moral and antisocial challenge which the drug trade represents for Mexican society as a whole, as well as for the church.' He added that the church should not 'hide behind aondyne denunciations,' but actively seek to improve conditions with a 'prophetic courage' and 'qualified pastoral plan'. Scolding: The Pope's speech to clergy was stern, telling them to be less enamored of politics and power, and to instead turn their interest towards helping the poor Waiting: Countless numbers of followers waited outside the National Cathedral to catch a glimpse of the pontiff He also addressed growing tensions within the Catholic church in Mexico, which in recent times has seen Mexican clergy arguing about whether they should criticize the Mexican government. 'Be vigilant so that your vision will not be darkened by the gloomy mist of worldliness;' he told the amassed clergyman. 'Do not allow yourselves to be corrupted by trivial materialism or by the seductive illusion of underhanded agreements.' He continued, drawing on Biblical allusions of Moses leading his people away from the Egyptian pharaoh with a pillar of flame and through the parted Red Sea: 'Do not place your faith in the 'chariots and horses' of today's Pharaohs, for our strength is in 'the pillar of fire' which divides the sea in two, without much fanfare.' And emphasizing the importance of showing the Mexican faithful the respectful church they seek, he advised: 'Do not lose time or energy in secondary things, in gossip or intrigue, in conceited schemes of careerism, in empty plans for superiority, in unproductive groups that seek benefits or common interests. 'Do not allow yourselves to be dragged into gossip and slander. Introduce your priests into a right understanding of sacred ministry.' Motorcade: After his speech to the bishops, The Pope left, waving to thousands more delighted people Crowd pleaser: Even when he swapped his popemobile for a more petite Fiat, Pope Francis continued to delight the tens of thousands there to see him Despite this, Francis's day had started on a brighter note with the cheers of amassed crowds as his popemobile pulled out of the residence where he was staying that morning. The He abruptly stopped to greet elderly, sick and disabled people who had gathered outside. He handed out rosaries to the faithful in wheelchairs and embraced a young boy wearing a surgical mask. Tens of thousands more, bundled against the morning chill, lined his 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) motorcade route to the city's colonial heart as history's first Latin-American pope he was born in Argentina basked in the welcome from the largest Spanish-speaking Catholic country in the world. Along the route to his residence, people chanted in rhyming Spanish: 'You see him, you feel him, the pope is present!' and 'Francis, friend, the whole world loves you!' Enthusiasm: Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking Catholic country in the world, and Francis the first Latin-American Pope, having been born in Argentina. The enthusiasm for his visit was obvious Meeting: The Pope's morning ride was followed by a meeting with Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto, with whom he had private talks, then speeches for politicians and clergy President Enrique Pena Nieto, suffering the lowest approval ratings of a Mexican leader in a quarter century, and his wife, met Francis outside the presidential palace. After a brief welcome ceremony, the two men went into private talks. Tania Vasquez came with her six-year-old son, Carlos, and other relatives. She held a pennant with the colors of the Mexican flag and images of Francis, a dove and the Virgin of Guadalupe. 'He's coming to talk tough to us,' Vasquez said. 'In Mexico there are a lot of economic and security problems, there is a lot of egoism, and he comes with a message of peace and hope that we need.' At one point the motorcade paused when a man ran toward the popemobile, but he was detained by security officers before reaching it and the convoy moved on. As the pope passed her, Mariana Dieguez was moved to tears and had difficulty speaking. 'I feel like my heart could jump from my chest. He comes to give us peace because we are living a difficult moment,' she said, alluding to a month-old grandson who was born ill. Speech: The Pope's morning showing was part of a full day's itinerary that included a speech addressed to the country's elite and one to its bishops, both of which sternly warned against the corrupting effects of power Greeting: The Pope landed last night, and was greeted by President Nieto (pictured, center) and his wife (pictured, left). He was also greeted by a group of Mexican children in traditional dress According to tradition, the Virgin appeared before the Indian peasant Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac, a hillside near Mexico City where Aztecs worshipped a mother-goddess, and her image was miraculously imprinted on his cloak. The image helped priests inculcate Catholicism among indigenous Mexicans during Spanish colonial rule, and the church later made her patron of all the Americas. Juan Diego was canonized as the hemisphere's first Indian saint in 2002 during the papacy of John Paul II. Happiness: The Pope looks happy here, with President Nieto and his wife, but today's schedule will tackle more serious matters, including speaking to politicians and clergy about the problems facing Mexico The Mexico trip follows a brief but historic meeting in Havana on Friday, when Francis embraced Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and with an exclamation of 'finally,' took a momentous step toward closing a nearly 1,000-year schism in Christianity. The two religious leaders signed a 30-point joint declaration of religious unity that committed their churches to overcoming their differences. Francis tweeted that the meeting was a 'gift from God.' Francis and Kirill also called for political leaders to act on the single most important issue of shared concern between the Catholic and Orthodox churches today: the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria who are being killed and driven from their homes by the Islamic State group. Later aboard his plane, Francis said the declaration was not a political statement, but rather a pastoral one. It came from 'two bishops who met and discussed their pastoral concerns,' he said. Advertisement The West Texas Cibolo Creek Ranch where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away is a well known retreat for celebrities, business leaders and rock stars. The resort offers horseback riding, star gazing, guided tours, fishing and bird hunts. The bird hunts at the base of a bluff on the property include pheasant and chukar shoots, white-tailed dove and blue quail. The hotel's weapons room provides an 'array of rifles, pistols and shotguns, including fine-quality Spanish side-by-sides, and plenty of ammunition,' according to the ranch website. Scalia, 79, who was found dead on Saturday morning after he did not appear for breakfast, was reportedly at the ranch to go quail hunting with friends. Scroll down for video Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79, died of apparent natural causes at the Cibolo Creek Ranch south of Marfa, Texas, on Saturday. The resort has long been a secluded retreat for celebrities, business leaders and rock stars Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis and Tommy Lee Jones are among several stars who have visited the secluded resort in Texas Milton Faver, a trader who became one of the most prominent cattle barons of Presidio County, established the ranch in Apache and Comanche Indian country during the 1850s, and built a series of forts to retain the land as his Houston-born millionaire John Poindexter, a Vietnam veteran and self-published military historian, bought and restored the antebellum forts spread over 30,000 acres to become luxury accommodations. Since the 1990s, Poindexter has kept a private home on the ranch The luxury 33,000-acre resort has 33 rooms that start at $395 and range up to $800 per night. It also has a private airstrip about four miles from the main office. Milton Faver, a trader who became one of the most prominent cattle barons of Presidio County, established the ranch in Apache and Comanche Indian country during the 1850s, and built a series of forts to retain the land as his. Houston-born millionaire John Poindexter, a Vietnam veteran and self-published military historian, bought and restored the antebellum forts spread over 30,000 acres to become luxury accommodations. Since the 1990s, Poindexter has kept a private home on the ranch. Celebrities including Jerry Hall, rock icon Mick Jagger and actor Tommy Lee Jones have stayed at the resort over the years. Jones used the property, which is located inside the crater of an extinct volcano, to shoot scenes for The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, a 2005 film. In 2010, the ranch sued Randy Quaid, an actor best known for supporting roles in National Lampoon's Vacation films and Independence Day, for an unpaid bill totaling $24,859 after a 10-month stay, according to the Washington Post. The 30,000-acre ranch has been a secluded retreat for celebrities and business leaders located about 32 miles south of Marfa, Texas No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood were also filmed there. Other famous guests include actor Bruce Willis and actress Julia Roberts. The resort is 32 miles from Marfa, an artist mecca of about 2,000 made famous as the setting for the movie 'Giant'. Actors Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean and Rock Hudson took Marfa by storm during the summer of 1955 to make the Texas saga about cattle and oil. The luxury 33-room resort has a private airstrip about four miles from the main office and the rooms can cost more than $500 per night The resort sits in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert, 15 miles from Mexico, at the foot of the jagged Chinati Mountains and 150 miles southeast of El Paso. The nearest town is Shafter, Texas, population 11. The storied night sky is full of stars. Over the wide expanse of desert grasslands roam buffalo, wild pigs, mountain lions, Barbary sheep, elk and white-tailed deer. Front desk receptionist Elena Marquez declined to comment Saturday on whether Scalia had been a frequent visitor to the five-star resort, but said 'people who come here do so because it's pretty far from any other place.' The resort sits in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert, 15 miles from Mexico, at the foot of the jagged Chinati Mountains and 150 miles southeast of El Paso. The nearest town is Shafter, Texas, population 11 Julia Roberts and Mick Jagger are two of several celebrity guests that have stayed at the Cibolo Creek Ranch over the years A gray hearse was seen at the entrance on Saturday accompanied by an SUV. The two-car caravan pulled out onto U.S. highway 67, which runs between wide stretches of dry, ochre winter fields. A Catholic priest, Rev. Mike Alcuino, was hurriedly summoned from 30 miles away in Presidio to administer last rites over Scalia's body. It is unclear where at the resort Scalia was staying when he died. He was at the ranch for a private event. Other famous guests include Jerry Hall (left), Bruce Willis (center) and Tommy Lee Jones (right). The resort was also used by Jones to film the 2005 movie, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada While the nomination battle for Justice Antonin Scalia's vacant seat has just begun, the repercussions of his death on the Supreme Court will be immediate. The absence of Scalia, who died from natural causes at a hunting ranch in Texas on Saturday, has left the Supreme Court split with four Democratic and Republican appointees each. Now a number of pending cases on abortion, immigration and affirmative action, among others, could be left with a 4-4 tie with the loss of conservative Scalia tipping the majority. Scroll down for video Justice Antonin Scalias death will have an immediate impact on Supreme Court cases involving abortion, immigration and affirmative action, among others The absence of Scalia, who died from natural causes at a hunting ranch in Texas on Saturday, now leaves the Supreme Court (pictured) split with four Democratic and Republican appointees each The Supreme Court Justice died after spending the day quail hunting before arriving at the ranch on Friday to attend a private party with approximately 40 other people. He wasn't feeling well and went to bed early, CNN reported. When he did not show up for breakfast in the morning, a person associated with the ranch went to check on him and found his body in his room. The US Marshal Service, the Presidio County sheriff and the FBI are investigating Scalia's death but there was no evidence of foul play, a federal official told My San Antonio. A gray Cadillac hearse, coming from Alpine Memorial Funeral Home, arrived at the ranch on Saturday afternoon. An El Paso priest was also called to Marfa on Saturday, KVIA reported. Scalia leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Maureen, as well as their nine children and 28 grandchildren. The US national flag flies at half-staff at the Supreme Court, to observe the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, in Washington, DC, today Scalia leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Maureen, as well as their nine children and 28 grandchildren Hours after the conservative Justice's death was announced, Senate Republicans were already promising they would not allow Obama to fill his vacant seat. The court faces a crowded docket of politically charged cases that were certain to resonate in the presidential campaign on issues such as immigration, abortion, affirmative action, labor unions and Obama's health care law. Decisions were expected in late spring and early summer on whether the president could shield up to five million immigrants living in the United States illegally from deportation. In some cases a tie will merely leave in place decisions that have already been set by lower courts. This would be the case in Whole Women's Health v Cole, upholding a Texas law that has closed half of the state's abortion clinics in the last three years. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the state's regulations, but a tie in the Supreme Court would be a blow to anti-abortion advocates hoping for a broader ruling that could set the precedent for restrictions across the country. A 4-4 tie would also uphold the federal court's ban on Obama's 2014 executive action to protect four million undocumented immigrants from deportation. But it would not allow the Court to put broader limits on the authority of the president, a possibility they discussed in January, according to Bloomberg. Unlike with the abortion and immigration cases, Scalia's absence will make a tie impossible in an upcoming affirmative action decision. In some cases a tie will merely leave in place decision already set by lower courts, including a Texas law that has closed half of the state's abortion clinics in the last three years Justice Elena Kagan has already recused herself from Fisher v Texas, as she previously worked on it as the solicitor general. A federal appeals court upheld affirmative action in admissions at the University of Texas, meaning the decision will either be upheld or reversed depending on Justice Anthony Kennedy's swing vote. Conservatives were also hoping Scalia's vote would overturn the lower court ruling in Evenwell v Abbott, a redistricting case that counts all residents, rather than only eligible voters, when drawing legislative districts, according to Vox. Scalia's absence will also most likely maintain a lower court ruling in favor of an Obamacare accommodation for religious nonprofits who object to covering birth control. A private vote among the justices had already been cast in the affirmative action and redistricting cases, but they do not count until the opinion is released. Obama first paid tribute to the 79-year-old Justice, calling him 'larger than life' and a 'brilliant legal mind'. He added that he had 'energetic style, incisive wit and colorful opinions'. 'He influenced a generation of judges, lawyers and students and profoundly shaped the legal landscape,' he continued. 'He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court'. US Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell is pictured right and Obama is pictured left GOP presidential hopefuls Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz also paid tribute to him. 'Justice Scalia was an American hero,' Cruz tweeted after news of his death broke. 'We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement.' Justice Scalia was one of the most consequential Americans in our history and a brilliant legal mind who served with only one objective: to interpret and defend the Constitution as written,' Rubio said in a released statement. The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalias unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear. US District Judge Fred Biery, who first announced the news of Scalia's death to My San Antonio, said he believes 'nothing will happen before the next president is elected'. Justice Antonin Scalia, considered one of the nation's most brilliant, conservative jurists, died on Saturday at the age of 79. Scalia died of apparent natural causes at the Cibolo Creek Ranch south of Marfa, Texas. As news of the Justice's death spread, President Barack Obama celebrated Scalia's 'energetic style, incisive wit and colorful opinions'. 'He influenced a generation of judges, lawyers and students and profoundly shaped the legal landscape,' Obama said during a special press conference. Scroll down for video Justice Antonin Scalia, considered one of the nation's most brilliant, conservative jurists, died on Saturday at the age of 79 Scalia was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 'He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court'. Scalia, called Nino by his loved ones, was born in Trenton, New Jersey on March 11, 1936 and grew up in the Queens borough of New York City. His father, an Italian immigrant who arrived at Ellis Island at the age of 17, was a romance languages professor at Brooklyn College and his mother, a second-generation Italian-American, was an elementary school teacher. Scalia was their only child and, after graduating first in his class at Manhattan military prep school St Francis Xavier, he went on to become valedictorian at Georgetown University. In his graduation speech he told his peers, 'If we will not be leaders of a real, a true, a Catholic intellectual life, no one will,' according to The Washington Post. Scalia graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1960, the same year he married his wife Maureen, who he would go on to have nine children and 28 grandchildren with. Scalia, pictured here in his high school photo, was the only child of Italian immigrant parents and grew up in Queens, New York The couple moved to Cleveland and he worked at a private practice for six years before he became a law professor at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville. He then entered public service, including three years as assistant attorney general of the Office of Legal Consul. Scalia returned to teaching once again at the University of Chicago before he was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by President Reagan in 1981. It would be five years before Reagan nominated Scalia to the Supreme Court. He sailed through the confirmation hearing with a 98 to 0 vote, making him the first Italian-American on the court. Scalia would spend nearly 30 years on the bench, where he became a staunch opponent against abortion, same-sex marriage and gun control and a supporter of the death penalty. Although Scalia prevailed in many areas, thanks in part to the court's conservative majority during his tenure, he also was known for his colorful and angry dissents, often read with theatrical flair in the courtroom. The court term that ended in June brought him a series of defeats, most notably on gay marriage and President Barack Obama's healthcare law, which left Scalia especially outraged and believing he had had his worst term ever. When the court legalized same-sex marriage in June on a 5-4 vote, Scalia, who was in the minority, took aim at Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion and the liberals who joined him, saying he would 'hide my head in a bag' if his own name were associated with that decision. Scalia said the opinion was 'couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic' and wrote that the Supreme Court had descended 'to the mystical aphorisms of the fortune cookie'. That same month his dissent on a ruling affirming Obamacare dismissed the majority opinion as 'pure applesauce' and 'jiggery-pokery.' In 1960 Scalia married his wife Maureen (pictured here together in 2012), who he met on a blind date, and they went on to have nine children and 28 grandchildren together During oral arguments, the voluble Scalia often aimed sarcastic verbal barbs at lawyers. He once declared to a lawyer, 'Ah, come on. You can't be serious about that.' He was equally combative off the bench. His stock response when asked at public events about the controversial Bush v. Gore ruling in 2000, which effectively handed the presidency to George W. Bush, was: 'Get over it.' On the law, he took special pride in Sixth Amendment cases he helped develop that changed sentencing rules and that involved the right of defendants to be confronted by the witnesses against them. But perhaps his greatest achievement came in a 2008 case in which he authored the majority opinion when the court ruled 5-4 that the US Constitution's Second Amendment right to bear arms extended to an individual right to keep guns in the home. It marked a major victory for the gun rights movement. Scalia brought to the court a concept of jurisprudence based on the belief that judges should keep out of issues better handled by democratically accountable institutions such as Congress and state legislatures. His doctrine of 'originalism' centered on the belief that the US Constitution should be understood in the context of the 18th century era when it was written, as opposed to believe the principles evolved to meet the needs of modern society. The US Supreme Court in 1991. From L-R: Clarence Thomas, David Souter, Antonin Scalia, Sandra Day O'Connor, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, John Paul Stevens, Harry Blackmun, White and Anthony Kennedy Scalia (front, second from left) was the longest-serving justice on the current Court before his passing When interpreting statutes, Scalia insisted the justices should look at the actual words and shun congressional reports, floor speeches and other artifacts of legislative history. In one of his most passionate stands, Scalia argued the right to an abortion never appears in the US Constitution, and that the Supreme Court's historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that created a woman's constitutional right to an abortion was wrongly decided. He explained his position on abortion in a 1992 dissent: 'The Constitution says absolutely nothing about it and the long-standing American traditions of American society have permitted (abortion) to be legally proscribed.' In 1996, he vigorously dissented in the court's ruling that the all-male Virginia Military Institute must admit women or give up its state funding. 'It is precisely VMI's attachment to such old-fashioned concepts as manly honor that has made it, and the system it represents, the target of those who today succeed in abolishing public single-sex education,' Scalia wrote. A devout Catholic with one son who became a priest, Scalia was never shy about discussing his religion. He urged Christians to stand up for their religious beliefs and was in the majority when the court ruled in 2014 that privately held corporations could mount religious objections to an Obamacare provision that required employers to provide health insurance that included contraception coverage. Off the bench, Scalia was known to play the piano and sing at parties. He used to enjoy a regular game of poker with the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist and others. A tuxedo-wearing Scalia once explained to reporters at an evening get-together at the court that he was going to another party, adding, 'Esteemed jurist by day, man-about-town by night.' He had surprising friendship with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg despite the fact that they disagreed on almost every issue in court. But outside they celebrated New Years Eve together for several years, and bonded over a shared love of opera music. Two people who were shot in the head and dumped in a dam over an alleged drug dispute were alive when they were stuffed into a macabre makeshift coffin and driven to their deaths. Cory Breton, 28, and his sister-in-law Iuliana Triscaru, 31, were bound at the wrists and ankles before they were taken from their Kingston unit in Logan, south of Brisbane, and crammed into a steel tool box on January 24, the Courier Mail reported. According to police, the two-metre box was then put in a dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux and taken to a dam near Kingston Park Raceway, which gave the pair around ten minutes to lay and ponder their fate before they were shot in the head, crammed back into the box and dumped in the water. Scroll down for video Iuliana Triscaru, 31, was last seen at a Marsden address on January 24. Six people have been charged with her murder. Cory Breton, 28, went missing on January 21 from the Logan area Police had been scouring the area for two-and-a-half weeks before they found the box containing the remains of Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton just after 8am on Thursday Police had been scouring the area for two-and-a-half weeks before they found the box containing the remains of Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton just after 8am on Thursday behind a Coates Hire equipment-leasing shop on Mudgee Street. Six people have been charged with their murder, including a mother of seven. Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson, Southeast regional crime coordinator, said police are investigating links between the murders and an alleged drug dispute. Two men were arrested after police intercepted a vehicle on the Gateway Motorway, southeast of Brisbane, just before 5pm on Wednesday. Police used a crane to load the metal box, which is believed to hold the bodies of Mr Breton and Ms Triscaru, onto a truck at the crime scene Police fear the bodies of the Logan duo were stuffed inside the box after they were allegedly shot in the head Two men were arrested after police intercepted a vehicle on the Gateway Motorway, southeast of Brisbane, on Wednesday Three people were detained initially, but only two were charged with murder. Police also allegedly found a quantity of methylamphetamine when they searched the vehicle. Detectives have reportedly seized another car that they suspect was used to remove evidence. The six accused appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, where they were all charged with murder and remanded in custody. According to the Courier Mail, mother-of-seven Ngatokoona Maretti, 36, was charged on two counts of murder. Tuhirangi-Thomas Tahiata, 24, Webbstar Latu, 31, Davy Malu Junior Taiao, 21, Stou Daniels, 21, and Trent Michael Thrupp, 22, also appeared in court. Police fear the bodies of the Logan duo were stuffed inside the box after they were allegedly shot in the head Police allege that the metal box was transported by a dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux on the night of January 24 Mr Hutchinson said investigators were still looking for a motive, but suspected the murder was drug related. He said police were keen to speak to two more men, a 32-year-old from Crestmead and a 25-year-old from Kingston, who they believe have knowledge of the alleged crime. 'If those people, and they will know who they are ... we would encourage them to come and see us now,' Mr Hutchinson said. Miranda, the wife and mother of Mr Breton's daughter, told the Sunday Mail that they had planned to move away from Logan to get away from the 'scene' and have a fresh start. 'We were going to just move a bit closer into the Brisbane area somewhere so we could get away from it all, away from the Logan area.' She said family had been hit hard by the news of Mr Breton's grisly demise. Police said they found the metal box, which was about two metres long, just after 8am on Thursday Police conducted a forensic examination of the crime scene in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Thursday For the past two days police have focussed their search on a vacant block off Mudgee Street in Kingston Police divers searched a dam on the block, while officers and police dogs scoured nearby bushland 'His dad is really emotional, everyone is really upset his mum and dad are pretty much inconsolable at this stage. His sister is in the same boat,' she said. Police are also searching for two yellow ratchet straps that they believe were disposed of on Third Avenue in Marsden on January 25. 'We will allege the ratchet straps were used to secure the box to the utility,' Mr Hutchinson said. Mr Breton, a father-of-one, went missing on January 21 from the Logan area, while Ms Triscaru, a mother-of-three, was last seen at a Marsden address on January 24. Police set up two crime scenes in the Logan suburb of Kingston on Wednesday. One was centred around the house of 23-year-old Lelan Harrington, who disappeared with Ms Triscaru and Mr Breton, but was later found. A second concentrated on an area off Mudgee Street in Kingston and saw police divers search a dam on a vacant block, while officers and police dogs scoured nearby bushland. Pictured is the dark green 1999 Toyota Hilux that police believe was used in the murder Police told media on Thursday that they believed the metal box was strapped onto the Hilux The metal box was found in a dam behind a Coates Hire on Mudgee St in Logan Advertisement Families hoping to enjoy the great outdoors this half-term may have to take a sledge with them. Much of the country will be blanketed in snow today following temperatures as low as minus 14C (7F) over the weekend. And sub-zero conditions will continue in the next few days, bringing wintry storms to much of the UK. The coldest temperature for four years was recorded on Valentine's Day yesterday as the mercury plunged to minus 14.1C in the Scottish Highlands. And the cold will continue with wintry showers, widespread frost and ice expected across much of the country over the next few days. Scroll down for video Lonely: A horse stands in a white field near Rowley, County Durham, yesterday after much of the area was dusted with snow Up and down: Walkers tackle the snow-covered Pen y Fan mountain at the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales On the lookout: A Highland cow on the hills of the Carron Valley in Stirling yesterday as sub-zero temperatures sweep the UK Out and about: Dog walker Izzy Claase walks her dog Rupert at a snow-covered Millbuies country park near Elgin in Moray yesterday Blanketed: Roads near Chollerford in Northumberland were covered in snow yesterday morning as parts of the North were blanketed Up in the air: A jet skier takes part in round one of the UK Battle of the Pilots jet ski championships, at Blyth beach in Northumberland The Met Office has issued weather warnings for snow and ice across the east of the country today. Drivers were warned to take extra precautions as snow storms hit Yorkshire, the East Midlands and East Anglia overnight. Up to 2in of snow fell in North East England and Scotland while persistent rain and sleet brought the risk of icy roads. And the chilly weather is set to continue with most of the UK facing an average temperature of -4C tonight and into Tuesday, according to MeteoGroup. Icy conditions: Police were called after a supermarket delivery van ended up on its side on a road near Hexham, Northumberland Scraping: A motorist had to clear the snow from her car near Wark, Northumberland, as the winter weather took hold of Northern England Winter wonderland: Temperatures plunged across the UK, with the mercury falling to -14C in the Scottish Highlands yesterday (right) Wrapped up warm: Two cyclists enjoyed a pedal along the snowy landscapes of Kielder Park Forest, Northumberland, yesterday morning Coastal: Walkers on Blyth beach in Northumberland braved the chilly temperatures as Britain remained in the grip of a cold snap Taking care: A person walks along the Carron Valley Mountain Bike Trail in Stirling as severe weather warnings were issued Met Office forecaster Tom Crocker said: It is going to be fairly cold on Monday with a northerly wind across the South East. Cold showers will be continuing into the day and it will still feel quite wintry and raw. On Monday night, going into Tuesday, it will be very cold and we are expecting another widespread frost. If you have had one or two showers then ice will be a risk on Monday night going into Tuesday. Tuesday itself will be a much more settled day with low winds and sunny spells, but it will still feel quite cold. The wintry forecast follows a turbulent weekend of flood warnings in parts of London. The Environment Agency issued nine flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required - and 58 flood alerts across England and Wales. Yesterday the mercury fell to -14.1C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire - the lowest since 2012 when Holbeach in Lincolnshire recorded -15.6C. The Thames Barrier had to be closed on Friday for the first time this winter when the river burst its banks at Greenwich. The cold snap comes hard on the heels of Storm Imogen, which battered much of the country with strong winds. Electricity had to be restored to thousands of homes left without power by the 100mph gusts. RSPCA inspector Mike Reid, 54, has not been found after he vanished going to the aid of around 30 gannets stranded on rocks near Penzance, Cornwall. Meanwhile, bookmaker Coral has cut the odds on it being the wettest February on record from 4-6 to 1-2. The firm is also offering odds of 2-1 that the record wind speed of 173mph will be broken. Coral spokesman John Hill said: 'The gamble on this month being the wettest February we have ever seen in the UK has picked up pace over the last week and following another flurry of bets, the odds now suggest it is very likely that we will be in for a record month of rainfall.' COLDEST BRITISH TEMPERATURES RECORDED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS 2016: -14.1C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire 2015: -13.7C in Loch Glascarnoch, Scottish Highlands 2014: -7.7C in Altnaharra, Sutherland, Scottish Highlands 2013: -13.6C in Buntingford, Hertfordshire 2012: -15.6C in Holbeach, Lincolnshire The coldest temperature on record is -27.2C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, on 10 January 1982 Advertisement Braving the chilly weather: Tourist rap up against the cold as they enjoy a punt ride along the River Cam in Cambridge yesterday Determined: A pair of sheep were spotted making their way through the snow after wintry weather arrived on Dartmoor in Devon today Bleak outlook: Moorland and trees were covered in snow as Dartmoor shivered in the recent freezing temperatures Descending on Britain: The Arctic-driven cold snap (pictured from space) has tightened its grip on Britain and sent temperatures plunging Chilly: The sun rising at St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay near Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday morning This is believed to be the final photograph of the members of Viola Beach, who died when their car plunged more than 82ft from a highway bridge into a canal south of Stockholm on Saturday. Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Tarry, all aged between 20 and 33, died just hours after playing their first ever gig outside of the UK. They can be seen joking around in their dressing room at the venue in Norrkoping, Sweden, in a snap taken by a fellow musician, who today praised the up-and-coming band from Warrington, Cheshire. Scroll down for video Final laughs: John Olsson, of Stockholm punk band Psykofant, took what is believed to be the final photo of Viola Beach, in their shared dressing room in Norrkoping on Friday night Fatal: The band, from Warrington, Cheshire, and their manager died after their car drove through a safety barrier while the bridge was open to let a vessel pass underneath, and plunged 82feet into the canal below John Olsson, member of Swedish punk band Psykofant, took the last known picture of Viola Beach, after seeing them take the stage in Norrkoping. I remember standing in the audience thinking these guys really have the potential to become huge,' Mr Ohlsson, 22, told MailOnline. 'And I thought that it is going to be a cool thing to be able to say, in the future, that I was hanging with Viola Beach in a dressing room in Norrkoping before their first gig outside Great Britain. They were incredibly good live and amazingly skilled musicians, but probably even nicer people. We shared a dressing room and my band had just finished out gig, and then they stumbled in with their amazingly charming accents. They reminded me of The Beatles in Hard Days Night kind of charmingly clumsy. We were heading back home to Stockholm after their gig so I walked past the drummer and said thank you for a great show, and joked that if I was ever in the Manchester area Id give him a shout.' Tragedy: Bandmembers Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Tarry, all died when their car plunged off a bridge in Sodertalje, Sweden, on Saturday morning Last gig: Musician Mr Olsson, 22, also took a photo of the band on stage during what would be their first abroad, and their last ever Swedish police said there were no faults with the bridge's warning system when the incident took place, just after 2am on Saturday morning Mr Olsson added: 'He got so happy and said oh yeah, give me a call, you'll have a place to stay and we hugged and me and my band went home. We actually drove back the same way, just one hour earlier, over the same bridge. The family of Kristian Leonard said 'words cannot express the sadness we feel' in a statement issued by police. The family of Tomas Lowe said his life had been 'tragically cut short'. Travelling: The band had been driving from Norrkoping where they had played their first non-UK gig just hours earlier, and is believed to have been on their way to Arlanda Airport, north of Stockholm Psykofant also put a statement on their Facebook page: We have no words and are still trying to grasp that this has really happened. Viola Beach, Chris, Thomas, Jack, River and their manager Craig, have all passed away. After we had got off stage and sat back down in the dressing room we were met by a bunch of British lads who were pushed into the room by their manager, one by one. 'It was such a comical situation, and they kept joking that they played death metal, taught us how to pronounce British sayings, we taught them Swedish sayings and tried to explain what [popular Swedish TV show] On The Right Track was. 'Later on that night, they took to the same stage we had just walked off to do their first gig abroad. Something which ought to have been the start of their journey instead became the last gig the band ever plaid. We all fell in love with them straight away. This is not fair. We mourn for them, for their families, friend and loved ones back home in Britain. It was an honour to play with them and it is a memory we will carry with us for the rest of out lives. We will never forget you. Rest in Peace, Viola Beach. Tragedy: Bandmembers Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Tarry, all died in the incident The band and their manager died after their black Nissan Qashqai smashed into a road barrier at the bridge over the Sodertalje canal, south of the Swedish capital, just after 2am local time on Saturday. The bridge was closing after it had been opened to let a vessel sail through, and the group and their manager plunged 82ft in the canal below. The bridge, at the Saltskogs junction between the E4 and the E20 motorways, has a middle section that rises directly upwards without tilting, leaving a gap that the car drove into. Just hours before the deadly incident, Viola Beach had played in at the Where's The Music festival in Norrkoping - their first ever gig outside of the UK Witness Jonny Alexandersson told Aftonbladet: 'Suddenly there's a car that pushes past and drives live a maniac. It drives down the left side in towards the barrier. It was driving at least 70-80km/h (45-50mph). 'That's very fast when the rest of us are standing still. He caught the rear-view mirror on a taxi.' Swedish police have said there were no faults with the bridge's system, its warning lamps were flashing, there are several signs warning there is a bridge opening, and two barriers were blocking the road. Inspector Martin Bergholm said: 'For some reason, the car drove through the barriers and crashed down into the canal.' Drivers of other cars were waiting behind the barrier but it is not yet known whether a boat had already passed or was waiting to pass. He added: 'The witnesses just saw a car beside them and kind of disappear.' Mr Bergholm said it was not yet known whether the five men, aged 20-35, were wearing seatbelts but added: 'That would not have helped them.' Police received a call at about 2.30am and were first to arrive on the scene, a 'maximum five minutes' later. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that five British Nationals died in a car accident in Sweden on 13 February. 'We are in contact with local authorities and supporting the families at this difficult time.' Devastating loss: The family of River Reeves spoke of their heartbreak after the loss of the young musician Local lads: All members of the band were from Warrington, Cheshire, and were due to play a 'homecoming gig' Sports fan: The band's manager Craig Tarry is pictured alongside his father at a football game On Sunday, the families of the young men paid tribute to their loved ones, with River Reeves' family speaking of their devastation. 'We are all heartbroken following River's tragic death and the circumstances which have seen him lose his life alongside the band-mates and manager he adored and loved being with,' the family said in a statement. 'Viola Beach were on such an exciting journey and River could not have been happier. He would have loved to have stuck around for the party. 'All River wanted to do was perform and entertain and to think that he will never make us laugh again with his ridiculous impressions and cheeky banter is beyond comprehension for all his family. 'River had such talent and such humility, such charm and such innocence it seems so unfair that he can be taken so cruelly from us like this. 'We are so proud of him, not only for what he achieved in his short, beautiful life, but also what he was clearly destined to achieve. He will live forever in our hearts and we hope the band's wonderful music lives on.' The parents of the band's manager Craig Tarry also honoured their son in a statement on Sunday afternoon. 'Craig was a warm, loving person who had worked tirelessly to achieve success and follow his dreams within the music industry. He will be sadly missed by his family and his colleagues. 'The family are devastated by these events and are grieving the loss of their son and also for the other families involved in this tragic accident.' Just hours before the deadly incident, Viola Beach had played in at the Where's The Music festival in Norrkoping. 'It was actually the first time they played outside Great Britain. They were so stoked,' Folkert Koopmans, CEO of festival organisers FKP Scorpio told Aftonbladet. 'My thoughts are with their family and friends.' Viola Beach had been on the verge of breaking into the mainstream music scene with a recent appearance for emerging artists on BBC Introducing Tributes: Fans of the band have taken to Twitter to express their sadness after the tragic news In memoriam: Singer-songwriter James Walsh also paid tribute to the bandmembers and their manager Honouring: BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens was also among the many supporters of the band Viola Beach had been on the verge of breaking into the mainstream music scene with a recent appearance for emerging artists on BBC Introducing. The up-and-coming indie pop band were playing a gig in Sweden, but were just weeks away from playing a homecoming gig at Warrington's at the Pyramid on March 12. The group had also announced plans to play their biggest home town show at Warrington's Parr Hall on October 1. They were due to play at the Boiler Room in Guildford, in Surrey, on Saturday night with fellow band Blossoms, but the gig was subsequently cancelled. Kris, aged 19, explained last year how he formed Viola Beach with drummer Jack Dakin after bumping into him at Warrington bus station. The pair both went to Bradshaw Primary School, in Grappenhall, Cheshire, but had lost touch with each other. Kris had already met guitarist River Reeves on a music course at Priestley College and met bassist Tom at Warrington bar 'The Lounge'. The Lounge was also where the band played their warm up show before making their debut at Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club on July 15. Kris, said: 'To play in this historic venue in front of all these industry people was a wake-up call. 'We had someone there from SJM Concerts who are now promoting our shows for us.' Viola Beach have also had airplay from Huw Stephens on Radio 1, Steve Lamacq from 6 Music and Jo Good at XFM. The band's last post on Facebook was on February 2nd, when they excitedly wrote about playing a huge gig in the USA next month - as they started to break into America. A witness said a line of cars were waiting for the bridge to close when the band's black Nissan Qashqai pushed past, driving 'at least 45-50mph' Communion Records praised the band as 'a truly great team of young men' who were 'about to take on the world together'. The company has said all proceeds made from the band's second single 'Boys That Sing', which was released on January 22, will be donated to the families of the band and their manager Craig Tandy. In a statement the label said: 'Viola Beach had only recently come into the Communion family, and had everything going for them - great songs, passion, talent, drive - everything that a band should have. 'To sit down with the band was to sit down with a group of guys whose band you wanted to be in, and to be in the presence of a band who knew just what it would take to make it. 'This is why the band had been in Sweden, rather than sit back and wait for it to happen to them, Kris, River, Jack and Tom were determined to go out into the world and play every show they could until the world was singing along with them, and now that dream has been sadly taken away from all of us. 'Equally, Craig, their manager was possessed by a passion to help the band achieve everything they wanted to, and to speak with Craig about Viola Beach, and music in general was an absolute pleasure - you knew he was doing it all for the right reasons. 'Everyone here at Communion is in a state of total shock and sorrow, and our thoughts go out to the families and friends of Craig and the band.' It's believed the vehicle, pictured as it is recovered from the scene, smashed through a barrier and into the water They posted: 'Very excited to announce we've been invited by to play BBC Introducing and PRS for Music Foundation's showcase at SXSW Music Festival in Austin Texas at Latitude 30 on Wednesday 16th March!!' Viola Beach have become one of the fastest growing bands on the music scene after frontman and former cleaner Kris Leonard sent a track to BBC Introducing. The four-piece have gone on to tour with the Courteeners and work with Communion Records founder and Mumford and Sons producer Ian Grimble. Mr Grimble said: 'I first became aware of Viola Beach through their single "Swings & Waterslides" and was very taken by the energy and vibrancy that jumped out of the speakers. 'Upon meeting them for the first time, along with Craig their manager, I could soon see why, their exuberance and determination to scream out to the world was overwhelming. 'This combined with undoubted talent and an incredible work ethic for ones so young made every long hour in the studio from then on very rewarding indeed. 'It is with great sadness that we will not be able to see them grow from the spark that they are now, into the raging fire that they so desperately desired to become. 'They were a young band who wrote about what they knew, a legacy for new young bands I hope.' The accident occurred on the E4 highway bridge in Sodertalje, south of the Swedish capital of Stockholm Mark Bennett, a colleague of Craig Tarry at United Talent agency, said: 'From your first gig to your last and many in between I was so lucky to be there and I will be forever grateful for you lightning up my life with your infectious, beautiful and joyful behaviour. 'Craig Tarry could be seen at every gig, head bobbing and just simply and purely loving the music. 'I must of called him more than anyone in the last six months, even Thursday we must of spoke eight or nine times. You started as a colleague and you ended as a good mate. I will miss you dearly." Kris, a former Lymm High School pupil, in Cheshire, said at the time of the announcement: 'We're very honoured to be announcing a show at the Parr Hall as our second hometown show.' Today, tributes have been flooding in on Twitter for the four-piece band. 'Ghost of the Astoria' wrote: 'Very sad news about the guys from Viola Beach - Bright young Warrington band, looked like they were going to go big. RIP lads x.' Ryan Wilford penned: 'Such a shame about Viola Beach, such a loss for Warrington and the music world! Life is so cruel!' Aaron Flanagan said: 'Desperately sad news about Viola Beach. 'Talented musicians and their friends only spoke highly of them. Major loss for Warrington. RIP.' 'Man and The Echo' tweeted: 'Just heard horrendous news about @Viola-Beach. 'Fellow Warrington lads, they rehearsed next door to us. Our thoughts are with their families. 'Lost for words. RIP Viola Beach. Hits home. #Warrington.' John Leslie claims he has been cleared of the sexual offence alleged against him by a woman in her 20s John Leslie claims he has been cleared of the sexual offence alleged against him by a woman in her 20s who he admits spending the night with after an awards event. He says his life has been destroyed by the allegations, which were made by the the woman after the awards night for Radio Forth, where he was a presenter, in Edinburgh. Mr Leslie, whose life was all but destroyed by two similar allegations in 2003 and 2004, for which he was never convicted, is now campaigning for anonymity for those accused until they are convicted. He said: 'This has been thrown out, but it might still be difficult for me to pick up the pieces and resume my career, but my accuser will retain her anonymity. It's a tragedy for me,' reports Marcello Mega for the Sunday Mirror. Mr Leslie added: 'While I am glad to be cleared I have served a hefty punishment for a that never was. The damage to my parents and to me is incalculable.' The former This Morning presenter described his accuser as a friend and explained how it was her who asked if she could go home with him. Mr Leslie, who once dated Catherine Zeta-Jones, said he had spent his last few pounds on a bottle of champagne for them both, and she had paid for their taxi home, where they had sexual contact, he admits. In a detailed account he gave to his solicitors, he said that they fooled around, she kissed him softly, and she even remarked on how comfy his bed was after the awards night at Usher Hall on November 19. Mr Leslie, who first thought she was out of his league, says they even embraced and kissed as she left, she put her number in his phone and he said he hoped he would see her again. When he was told to go home when he arrived at work the next day, because of 'a complaint', he assumed he may have made a bad joke that offended someone at the office. He then explained how he was later dragged out of bed by police officers, put in handcuffs and taken to the police station, where he as held for ten hours. says his life has been destroyed by the allegations, which were made by the the woman after the awards night for Radio Forth, at Usher Hall (pictured) in Edinburgh Leslie, pictured here with Abi Titmuss at Sandown racecourse in 2003, was interviewed by police about the alleged incident and detectives were later seen leaving his home carrying evidence bags The former presenter said his mother had been 'in pieces' throughout the whole ordeal, and the first thing he did when he was told the charges were dropped was to drive to his parents' their home and tell them it was over. Mr Leslie says that he has been told to pick his possessions up from the police station tomorrow and that he expects to receive official paperwork later this week. His solicitor Mark Harrower had spoken to the taxi driver who took them home, he said, and he had testified to the fact that she seemed compus mentis. In 2001 he began presenting This Morning with Fern Britton. He is pictured here on the set of the popular daytime programme Another taxi diver, who picked her up in the morning, also told him that she did not seem at all distressed. But he believes he was stupid to let his guard down after being rocked by similar allegations in the 2005 that wrecked the TV career in which he once earned 350,000 a year as the presenter of This Morning. Mr Leslie, who made his name presenting Blue Peter, was 'outed' as the alleged rapist of Ulrika Jonsson in 2003, but was never charged. The next year, he was accused of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old, but walked free from Southwark Crown Court, London, after the Crown Prosecution dropped the case. But five years later he faced fresh accusations of rape. This time his accuser claimed to have been attacked in 1995 when she was in her early 20s. In the end, the case never reached court. By this time, a sex tape of him and former girlfriend Abi Titmuss having a threesome had emerged, as well as photographs of him taking cocaine. Although he was never convicted of any of the sexual offences, the allegations effectively ended his TV career, and he had had to start again on radio in Edinburgh, where he lived a more modest lifestlye. He now lives in a three-bedroom bungalow, as opposed to the sprawling 5.5million luxury home in London he once owned, and his disk jockey job didn't pull in nearly the same ratings. However, his contract was not renewed in December following the allegations, and there is now now guarantee it will be offered again. He added: 'It took me so long to get another chance, and it was going well. I wouldn't have thrown it away lightly and I'm devastated that I let my guard down on what was a really happy occasion.' Police Scotland have not formally admitted that this current probe is over, and a recent statement says they 'continue to investigate' the report. Kray wrote the ode in the mid-1990s soon before he married Roberta Jones He wrote of two lovers spending time together on an isolated beach Gangster Reggie Kray penned a romantic poem while he was locked up East End gangster Reggie Kray penned a romantic poem while he was locked up in the mid 1990s for the murder of Jack 'The Hat' McVitie. Named 'A Place Called Time', the poem is about two lovers together on a beach and has now been purchased by the owner of a crime museum. It's not clear if the ode was about or inspired by anyone in particular, despite Kray marrying for the second time in 1997 to Roberta Jones. Scroll down for video Frances Shea, pictured with Ronnie (left) and Reggie Kray (right) on her wedding day to Reggie in April 1965, was the gangster's first wife but she went on to commit suicide The Kray twins (pictured) were notorious gangsters who ran a criminal enterprise in the East End in the 1960s The poem describes a physical location, called Time, which Kray hopes to live in alone with his lover, The Sun reported. Revealing his sensitive side, the gangland killer describes the pair walking on a beach with their sand beneath their feet, holding hands and swimming in the ocean. The poem also reveals his yearning to be free from a prison - a move which materialised in 2000 when he was released from Wayland Prison. Ronnie and Reggie Kray ruled the London gangland scene in the late 50s and 'Swinging Sixties' with their notorious East End gang 'The Firm'. Of the two siblings, Ronnie was considered the more dangerous. He was imprisoned in 1957 for GBH. While locked up, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which partly explained his violent tendencies. Despite Reggie also being jailed in 1959, the Krays' 'business' activities went from strength to strength, and by the Sixties they were hobnobbing with stars such as Barbara Windsor, and eminent politicians such as Lord Boothby, with whom Ronnie is alleged to have had an affair. REGGIE'S LOVE NOTE: EAST END GANGSTER'S ROMANTIC POEM IN FULL Reggie Kray with his then girlfriend Frances Shea outside his home in Bethnal Green, east London, in 1965 If time was a place in this world, I'd like to live there with you We could live in each other's pockets and never again we'd feel blue We would walk amongst pretty seashores, under our bare feet would be sand We would walk in a straight line forever, your little fingers in my hand, We would wash in the warmest blue ocean and at night sleep under the stars, We would have no use for money, everything would be ours, We'd lie in the white sand together, your heartbeat next to mine, And forever I'd only be yours, forever you'd only be mine, We'd eat food that had never been tasted, and drink in undrunken bars, We would have lots of beautiful children with no names, We would just call them ours. Advertisement Reggie (pictured left), showed his softer side when he penned a love poem from his prison cell in the 1990s After opening a club in Mile End, they began demanding money from criminals and by the early 1960s they were making up to the equivalent of 10million every year. Reggie was given a life sentence in 1969 for the murder of Jack 'The Hat' McVitie, who he repeatedly stabbed in the face and neck for not following orders. Ronnie was also convicted of the murder of George Cornell, whom he shot between the eyes in the Blind Beggar pub in the East End of London after being called a 'fat poof'. Ronnie died of a heart attack in Broadmoor, the hospital for the criminally insane, on March 17 1995, aged 61. The worst injured survivor of the London 7/7 bombings has been told he needs to prove that he is disabled to receive benefits. Daniel Biddle, 36, suffered a number of severe injuries, including losing his legs and one eye, but has only been claiming employment benefits since 2014, when his PTSD prevented him from working long hours. Wheelchair-bound Mr Biddle, from Abergavenny, South Wales, is now being asked to answer questions about the level of his disability and may be forced to undergo a face-to-face test. Victim: Daniel Biddle, pictured in 2011, survived the 7/7 bombings in 2005, and is now being asked by the DWP to describe the level of his disability, including 'how long he can stand for' despite being in a wheelchair 'It is a betrayal,' Mr Biddle, who receives 416 a month in Employment and Support Allowance, told The Sun. 'To be asked questions like "How long can you stand for?" How insensitive is that? 'If this isn't re-affirming how bad my life is going to be because of my injuries, I don't know what is.' At the time of the attacks on July 7, 2005, Mr Biddle was travelling on the Circle Line during his morning commute when Mohammed Siddique Khan detonated a home-made bomb at Edgware Station. Siddique Khan and three other British-born Al Qaeda suicide bombers blew up three London Underground trains and a double decker bus, killing 52 people. Survivor: Mr Biddle, was the worst injured victim to survive the 7/7 attacks, after losing both legs, his left eye, his spleen, the hearing in his left ear and subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder Terrorist attack: Four British-born Al Qaeda suicide bombers blew up three London Underground trains and a double decker bus, killing 52 people, in July 2005 Mr Biddle, a former projects manager for a construction firm, lost both legs, his left eye, his spleen, the hearing in his left ear, and was not expected to survive after losing 87 pints of blood in subsequent operations, and suffering two heart attacks. Mr Biddle, who was awarded 118,000 from the criminal injuries compensation board, had to go back to work full time two months after his discharge from hospital on June 31, 2006, because he couldn't afford not to. He returned to his old job in a new role, but left after a year because he found it too upsetting to be constantly reminded of the work he once did as a fit, healthy young man. Having retrained, he set up a consultancy firm working with the NHS, retailers and hotels to make their buildings more accessible. However, his post-traumatic stress disorder eventually took its toll and in 2014 he was forced to scale down his working hours. Now, the Department of Work and Pensions has sent him a form which needs to be completed in order for him to be able to claim ESA. A DWP spokesperson said that the questionnaire is an important step in ensuring claimants receive the benefits they are entitled to. 'Its important that people claiming Employment Support Allowance receive all the support and benefits they are entitled to which is why, on occasion, we ask for questionnaires to be completed by the claimant or their next of kin.' 'Many ESA renewals of this type are completed without the need for a face to face assessment - using just the form and any supporting medical evidence. A restaurant has come under fire after a diner spotted what he believed to be an offensive artwork amid vintage wallpapers perpetuating racial stereotypes about African-Americans. Comedian Aamer Rahman posted photographs of the controversial interior displayed inside Melbourne eatery Fried and Tasty (F.A.T) on his Facebook page, including a mural of US slain rapper Biggie Smalls (B.I.G) holding a fried chicken drumstick in his hand. The Brunswick East cafe - known for its old school southern style fried chicken, buttermilk waffles, burgers and beers - also features a white family armed with guns and a vintage - American pancake syrup brand - Aunt Jemima advertisement. A restaurant has been accused of racism after a diner spotted an offensive mural of US slain rapper Biggie Smalls (B.I.G) holding a fried chicken drumstick in his hand (pictured) Comedian Aamer Rahman took to social media to post photographs of the controversial interior of the Melbourne eatery Fried and Tasty (F.A.T) 'Today in gentrification: Melbourne hipsters pay tribute to a dead black artist by opening a Biggie Smalls themed fried chicken restaurant, "The Notorious F.A.T",' Rahman wrote in the post. '...Complete with photoshopped mural of Biggie holding a fried chicken drumstick, Aunt Jemima wallpaper, and pictures of white families with guns. You cannot make this stuff up.' However, Fried and Tasty co-owner Jonathon Ionnou has defended the posters against critics, saying the artworks have 'nothing to do with racial stereotypes' in an apology on Facebook. 'When my cousin Terrence and I took the plunge and decided to open our own restaurant last year our idea was to cook comfort food, and mix it with a bright, bold and fun experience for everyone who dined with us,' Mr Ionnou said on the cafe's Facebook page. 'We brought Mum and Dad's secret fried chicken recipe with us, chose the music we grew up with, and mixed it with retro decor and a Southern American theme. 'It was that simple. We knew what we liked and wanted to share. 'At no stage did we set out to upset anyone with our decor, and for those we have offended we apologise as it was never our intention for FAT to be anything but a great place to eat.' Fried and Tasty co-owner Jonathon Ionnou has defended the posters against critics following outrage Other interior artworks include a vintage - American pancake syrup brand - Aunt Jemima advertisement The Melbourne cafe - known for its southern style fried chicken - features a white family armed with guns Mr Ionnou told The Age that the restaurant will replace some of the offensive artwork after receiving widespread criticism - but added they were a big fan of Biggie Smalls. 'We used to listen to Biggie Smalls and we liked his music so we wanted him to be part of our restaurant... and we want him to stay,' he said. 'As for the other images we will be replacing them.' Mr Rahman's post, which has attracted more than 1,100 shares, has been met with a mix of anger and support, with some describing the interior decor as 'horrendous' and 'racist nonsense'. 'Tell me this is one of your jokes. One that involves an elaborate photoshop job,' one wrote. 'Your food looks good. I honestly want to try some of your burgers but I can't patronize [sic] a place that mocks and trivializes [sic] what it means to be Black in America,' another said. And another posted: 'Wow... I'm speechless... This has got to be some sort of joke. In 2016? 1916, perhaps... But not now.' Melbourne eatery Fried and Tasty (F.A.T) has been slammed on social media for displaying 'offensive images' Fried and Tasty co-owner Jonathon Ionnou has defended the posters against critics following online outrage A diner has spotted artwork perpetuating stereotypes about African-Americans in a Melbourne cafe However, many have jumped to the restaurant's defence, with some describing the artwork as a 'fun atmosphere - bringing you down memory lane' and critics should 'get a life and not worry about decor of a chicken shop'. 'All people saying that this "Business" is racist is hiding behind a fake profile pic. Being a keyboard warrior seems fun to you. Do not jeopardize peoples hard work! The food is great and so is the service and atmosphere,' one person wrote. And another said: 'It's extremely disappointing that this has been found as racist and offensive. There are so many things out in the world that point at Australians and bag us out, yet we take it on the chin... This was never done to upset or insult anyone. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will sit down with Lord Brittan's widow this week to discuss Scotland Yard's shambolic handling of the VIP paedophile scandal Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe will sit down with Lord Brittan's widow this week to discuss Scotland Yard's shambolic handling of the VIP paedophile scandal. The Met commissioner will talk with Lady Brittan about the rape allegation made against her late husband. The former home secretary died in 2015 still unaware that he had been cleared of the accusation - despite police knowing that he was innocent for two months. Britain's most senior police officer will explain the circumstances of the investigation to Lady Brittan. He is expected to apologise for the probe - but is not thought to be willing to do the same for unfounded allegations of child abuse aimed at the peer. The conduct of police in Operation Midland - set up to look into claims of child sex by a man known only as Nick - has been much criticised, especially within the context of the majority of the allegations proving to be false. Lady Brittan was upset by police raids on her London and North Yorkshire homes just weeks after her husband's death. To that accord, she refuses to allow Hogan-Howe into her home. They will meet at a central London hotel on Tuesday. Hogan-Howe has already made it clear he will not apologise to the former army chief despite the police finding there was no truth in the claims. The Met chief is to face a further review of his contract next year amid the growing scandal over Operation Midland. Home Secretary Theresa May has offered the Metropolitan Police Commissioner a contract extension of just one year rather than the three years which were available. He has faced a backlash after unveiling an independent review of his beleaguered historical child sex abuse inquiries. Last week he refused to offer an apology Lord Bramall, who too was investigated on the word of a suspected 'serial fantasist' Nick. The Met commissioner will talk with Lady Brittan about the rape allegation made against her late husband (pictured, in 2014). The former home secretary died in 2015 still unaware that he had been cleared of the accusation - despite police knowing that he was innocent for two months The former Chief of Defence Staff, 92, was having breakfast with his dying wife when their Surrey home was subjected to an unannounced raid by 20 Scotland Yard officers last March. The detectives spent ten hours rifling through his possessions as his wife, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was 'shunted' from room to room. He spent ten months under investigation, during which time his wife died, before police admitted they had no evidence against him. Nick claimed he had been sexually assaulted by a paedophile ring that included Brittan, Bramall, the former prime minister Sir Edward Heath, the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor and past heads of MI5 and MI6. Lord Bramall, pictured last month after he was cleared of all allegations, has called for the Metropolitan Police to offer him a full apology 'Nick' also made allegations concerning former Prime Minister Edward Heath. The police have since said they were wrong to call his claims 'credible and true' Asked why he would not apologise to Lord Bramall, Hogan-Howe said: 'I have expressed regret if somebody has been hurt by this process. 'I cannot apologise for investigating serious criminal offences, that is our job. There is no arrogance or dismissiveness about apologising when necessary. But I do think when you are investigating serious crime if you are apologising on every occasion there is a difficulty. 'We do need to investigate without fear or favour. That is what was written on the warrant card that I signed.' A brave young worker has been praised as a hero after she hid other staff members in the freezer when two armed men stormed a fast food restaurant during an attempted robbery. Two masked men armed with a meat cleaver and a machete entered the KFC outlet on Banks Drive in St Clair, west of Sydney, just before 9.30pm on Saturday. Police have been told one of the men demanded money from a female employee before hitting her on the head and jumping over the counter. KFC employee Michelle Ereck, 15, has spoken out about her quick-thinking decision of how she tried to protect other young staff members by locking them in a freezer during the terrifying ordeal. Scroll down for video KFC employee Michelle Ereck (pictured) spoke out about how she tried to protect other young staff members 'I actually took all the 15-year-olds [staff members]... and I was like let's go to safety guys, let's go lock ourselves in the freezer because they won't know, it's sound proof,' Michelle told Nine News. 'It's scary. I don't know how I actually thought about taking all the other kids to safety because they were distraught and crying, shocked, everything. 'So I was like "Nope". I'm just going to take them."Let's go guys, let's go because I don't want you guys to get hurt".' Both men left the restaurant empty handed and were last seen running along St Clair Avenue. Two masked men armed with a meat cleaver and a machete entered the KFC store in St Clair, west of Sydney A crime scene was established overnight and an extensive search of the surrounding area was conducted The injured employee was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital for treatment The injured female employee was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Nepean Hospital for further treatment after suffering a minor wound to the forehead. A crime scene was established overnight and an extensive search of the surrounding area was conducted. No one was located. Inquiries into the matter are continuing and police are appealing for information as they would like to speak to the two men who may be able to assist with the investigation. Both men are described as being of being of thin to medium build, wearing dark clothing. Killer robots that can execute without human intervention will become a reality within years unless there is a global agreement to ban them, warns a leading scientist. Wendell Wallach, an ethicist at Yale University, will today call on the US government to outlaw such machines on the basis they violate international humanitarian law. Wallach also warns that technology has become so advanced that a robot capable of killing humans on its own volition will soon become a possibility - much like the rogue machines seen in Arnold Schwarzenegger's hit film, The Terminator. Scroll down for video Rogue robots: Scientists fear machines capable of killing (as depicted by Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator) will soon become a reality unless there is a global treaty agreed to ban them 'The basic idea is there is a need for concerted action to keep technology a good servant and not let it become a dangerous master.' Last year, similar sentiments were voiced by Stephen Hawking, in an open letter arguing AI development should not go on uncontrolled, otherwise mankind could be heading for a dark future. At the time, Hawking told Techworld: 'Computers will overtake humans with AI at some within the next 100 years. 'When that happens, we need to make sure the computers have goals aligned with ours.' 'Our future is a race between the growing power of technology and the wisdom with which we use it.' Elon Musk, owner of SpaceX, also signed the open letter and donated $10million to resolve such concerns, deeming artificial intelligence potentially more dangerous than nuclear weapons. Wallach believes there should be ethical committees created to closely monitor and oversee research into artificial intelligence. As reported in the Sunday Times, Wallach said: 'One of the concerns voiced by critics of military robots is the prospect that robotic weaponry will lower the psychological barriers to starting wars. 'Another major concern is that robotic fighting machines in the relatively near future could autonomously initiate lethal activity.' Dark warning: Professor Wendell Wallach is calling for ethical committees to oversee research into robots The Pentagon openly supports the development of autonomous weapons and recently requested $19billion to boost funding for this. Meanwhile, other leading scientists claim that robots will soon be able to do everything humans are capable of - resulting in a threat to tens of millions of jobs over the next 30 years. Moshe Vardi, director of the Institute for Information Technology at Rice University in Texas, said: 'We are approaching a time when machines will be able to outperform humans at almost any task. 'I believe that society needs to confront this question before it is upon us: If machines are capable of doing almost any work humans can do, what will humans do?' he asked at a panel discussion on artificial intelligence at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Vardi said there will always be some need for human work in the future, but robot replacements could drastically change the landscape, with no profession safe, and men and women equally affected. Rise of the robots: Some scientists question whether scenes like this from The Terminator could become a reality, with fighting machines used by the military autonomously starting battles 'Can the global economy adapt to greater than 50 percent unemployment?' he asked. Today there are more than 200,000 industrial robots in the USA and their number continues to rise. By Vardi's calculation, 10 percent of jobs related to driving in the United States could disappear due to the rise of driverless cars in the coming 25 years. According to Bart Selman, professor of computer science at Cornell University, 'in the next two or three years, semi-autonomous or autonomous systems will march into our society.' He listed self-driving cars and trucks, autonomous drones for surveillance and fully automatic trading systems, along with house robots and other kinds of 'intelligence assistance' which make decisions on behalf of humans. 'We will be in sort of symbiosis with those machines and we will start to trust them and work with them,' he predicted. Advertisement A moving portrait exhibit by an award-winning war photographer lays bare the cruel reality of conflict for women across the world. Nick Danziger's striking images capture the heartache and helplessness of rape victims, widows, refugees and prisoners, all female and all living during war. He captured his initial shots in 2001 as part of a study by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which focused on the needs of women in times of armed conflict. Sarah, Sierra Leone, 2001: 'I live in a centre managed by a humanitarian organisation that supports female rape victims and their children. By the time I was 15 a man had already proposed to me. I loved him. He was a diamond digger and respected my family. We were preparing for the marriage when the war started. The man I was going to marry was captured and killed. I went back to the village to get food when I heard someone shout "halt". This man had a gun and he had the power. I just wanted to spare my life. I had to do what he demanded. He raped me. He abducted me and forced me to travel with him into the bush. When I told this man I was pregnant, he said: "I am not the owner of that child. I don't want a child, how can I have a child in the bush?"' Sarah, now (pictured with family and friends): 'I've married a good man and given birth to another little girl.' The project took the British photographer as far afield as Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Colombia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Israel and Palestine, his camera recording the challenges faced by 11 inspiring women. More than a decade later, Danziger decided to track down those whose strife his lens captured at its most harrowing, seeing how their lives had changed over the ten year period. The photographs and short films he captured now form the basis of his latest exhibition, Eleven Women Facing War, currently on display at the Imperial War Museum, London. Zakiya, Gaza, 2001: 'My daughters are growing up without their father, but they're doing well at school. I check their homework. I am responsible for the household. I take care of the children, make sure they go to school. I supervise my children when they sit and read their homework. I believe I carry out the roles of the father and the mother. When they ask me to buy certain things, I tell them I don't have money for that. They say it is not their fault their father is in prison.' Zakiya, now (left): 'My husband is still in prison, and my daughters are at university. I have been the "head" of my family for 18 years.' Exploring themes of personal struggle and the lasting impact of war on womens lives, the display features 33 photographs and 11 short films, each three minutes long. They were all recorded in eight different conflict zones around the world. They show how - in many cases - everyday life is different for the women. For some of them, Danziger found their situation had barely changed. For others, their lives had been completely transformed, far from the horrors they once suffered. Mah-Bibi, Afghanistan, 2001: 'My name is Mah Bibi. People tell me that I am ten-years-old. One of my brothers is five, the other seven. I am the "head" of the family. Our parents are dead. People tell me there is war but I only think about hunger. I do not remember when my mother died - I was told my mother died in childbirth and it is four years since I lost my father. He went away. He said he was going to bring us food, but we haven't seen him since. We had two cows, ten sheep and some land but since my father went missing we were hungry so I sold all of them.' Qualam, Afghanistan, 2001: 'There was fighting in our village. We had to leave quickly, abandoning everything. I am a grandmother and I am a widow. I am living with one daughter and two sons in this tent. My other daughter was pregnant and could not leave her village. I don't know what has happened to my grandchild. We walked for two days and three nights to reach this camp. All of my village left and came here.' Amanda, Columbia, 2001: 'I miss my family. My sisters visit me every six months or once a year. I've been here for eight years. I got involved with the guerillas when I was only 11. I was not forced to. I wanted to do it. I was arrested. Someone betrayed us, handed us in. I hate being locked in. I miss my family.' Mariatu, Sierra Leone, 2001: 'Sometimes I can't sleep at all for several days. I think about what happened to me and I cry. I was 13. I didn't know anything about the war. I was coming from the farm trying to go to our house when we were attacked. I begged them for a long time not to cut my hands, I said "kill me, rather than cut my hands." I came to live in a camp with other amputees. There are 260 amputees here. There are children of two years, three years, five years, six years. There are young people and old people.' Efrat, Israel: 'My brother, a young Israeli soldier patrolling the border, was abducted along with two fellow soldiers. My brother and his two friends were patrolling the border, and suddenly they were kidnapped. They have been held hostage for seven-and-a-half months and we have no idea what has happened to them. We have had no sign of life.' Dzidza, Bosnia-Herzegovina: 'In July 2010, the three bodies were returned to me. The news came one day. My sons and my husband had died in the Srebenica massacre.' Olja, Serbia: 'My husband's body was returned to me in 2002, four years after his disappearance. At his graveside, I was able to begin the mourning process.' Nasrin, Afghanistan: 'For 12 years, I have been coming to the orthopaedic centre to have my prosthesis repaired and adjusted.' Shinaz, West Bank: 'One day, we had to flee our home. It now stands empty. I went back there with Nick Danziger. We were intimidated, even though there were Israeli soldiers present to protect us. We had to flee our home one day. It is abandoned now. But I guard the hope that one day I will live again in the house of my parents and my ancestors.' But it later emerged that from Croatia he had claimed $360,000 (250,000) in benefits Denzinger fled in 1989 as US prosecutors prepared a case against him Jakob Denzinger, a former Nazi prison guard at Auschwitz, has died in his native Croatia. He was 92. The announcement by Denzinger's family says he was buried Saturday at a local cemetery near Osijek in eastern Croatia, after having died on Thursday. Denzinger was among a group of former Nazis to have fled to the U.S. after the war and remained living there comfortably until their senior years - claiming millions in social security payments. Scroll down for video This photo shows Jakob Denzinger's portrait on the tombstone of his grave in Cepin, eastern Croatia. The suspected former Nazi prison guard at Auschwitz and other death camps, Jakob Denzinger, has died aged 92 It was only in 1989 that Denzinger fled the U.S. - but it later emerged he continued to receive social security payments which totaled $360,000 (250,000). He was born in present-day Croatia, which was part of Yugoslavia at the time. He started serving with the Nazi SS at the age of 18, in 1942, while Croatia was under a pro-Nazi puppet regime. He was posted at several camps, including the Auschwitz death camp complex in occupied Poland. Denzinger moved to the U.S. after the war, settling in Ohio where he became a successful plastics industry executive. Years later, the Justice Department uncovered his past. In 1989, as U.S. prosecutors prepared their case to strip Denzinger of his citizenship, he first fled to Germany and later moved to Croatia. Denzinger was among dozens of suspected Nazi war criminals and SS guards who collected millions of dollars in U.S. Social Security benefits after being forced out of the U.S. An Associated Press investigation into the issue resulted in a law in 2014 barring suspected Nazi war criminals from receiving U.S. government pension benefits. Croatian authorities in 2014 opened an investigation of Denzinger's Second World War service, but he was never tried. He had refused to comment on the allegations. Denzinger glares down from his apartment window in Osijek, Croatia, where he spent the final years of his life A heroine police dog who died in a high-profile Paris terrorist raid was blasted to death by officers who were meant to be on her side, it was confirmed emerged today. They not only killed Diesel, a seven-year-old Belgian Shepherd, but wounded innocent neighbours and threatened at least five other policemen with their reckless shooting. Their shields and body armour were all hit by round upon round of Brenneke bullets ones widely used by special forces during the attack on a house in the suburb of Saint-Denis in November. Diesel the police dog who died during a counter-terror raid in Paris in November (pictured) was shot dead by an officer's bullet, it has been confirmed French commandos pose with a riot control shield left riddled with bullet holes in the wake of the terror raid It led to the deaths of at least two terrorists who had taken part in the attacks on Paris that month in which 130 people were killed. But those inside the house only had one automatic pistol between them, and were in no position to fight back with any kind of effectiveness. The revelations are a huge embarrassment for the elite RAID police group, which had been widely honoured for its professionalism during the attack. Diesel was due to receive a posthumous Dickin medal Britains animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. Diesel was killed by Brennekes said Jean-Michel Fauvergue, who commanded the operation by the RAID, which stands for Research, Assistance, Intervention, and Deterrence. His force uses Brennekes slugs special forces ammunition produced by the German company Brenneke GmbH. Commander Fauvergue has admitted that saturation fire was used to kill Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the 26-year-old leader of the Paris terrorists, and fellow killer Chakib Akrouh, 25. But Abaaouds female cousin, Hasna Ait Boulahcen, also 26, was also riddled with bullets and died in the attack as she tried to give herself up. Her surviving family has since launched proceedings against the Raid for murder, while at least two neighbours hit by bullets are consulting lawyers. Diesel, who was honoured with a bravery award for his actions, was credited with saving lives after he was sent in to the building to sniff out booby traps amid attempts to target Abdelhamid Abaaoud (pictured) The Belgian Shepherd was killed as police stormed a flat in the French capital on November 18 - three days after ISIS extremists had murdered 130 people in the city. Police are pictured at the scene Both are from ethnic minority backgrounds, but had absolutely nothing to do with the terrorists. Five RAID officers also reported friendly fire penetrations to their equipment in the storm of Brenneke bullets that hit the property in the early hours of November 18. Diesel, who was due to retire after a distinguished career, was specially trained to enter dangerous areas so as to bite enemies. Now the RAID are trying to work out why she was sent into a house which they were pouring live fire into. A spokesman for the Paris prosecutor said there would be no formal inquest into Diesels death, nor any kind of autopsy on the animal. Mrs Hericourt is too scared to visit where her son's ashes were scattered She said the migrant population in the town caused an increase in crime Calais local Simone Hericourt claimed she and others live in constant fear A French mother living in Calais has claimed police are forbidden from attending a 'Muslim only' part of the migrant camp and said she lives in constant fear that she will be attacked or robbed. In an impassioned speech posted online, Simone Hericourt described how migrants had defaced a Charles de Gaulle statue, erected an ISIS flag, and attacked her son with a metal bar. This, including instances of theft and robbery, left her so terrified she was too scared to travel across town to visit the coast, where her late son's ashes had been scattered. Simone Hericourt made an impassioned speech about how the Jungle camp in Calais had left her fearing for her life and too scared to make the trip across town to the sea, where her son's ashes are scattered In a 15 minute-long speech heralded by the far-right and anti-immigration groups, she said the unchecked growth of the campsite and French police inadequacies were 'c'est insupportable'. 'What we endure is unimaginable,' she said. 'I used to love going to visit what I call my sons tomb - the sea. 'I lost my son and we dispersed his ashes into the sea, in accordance with his wishes. One evening I asked my husband to take me to my sons tomb, because I needed it. 'This is something I cant do anymore. Merely crossing the town centre of Calais during the evening means exposing yourself to danger. 'As soon as it starts getting dark, it gets dangerous. I cant go where I used to like to go anymore. Its not possible anymore. Im scared. And there are many of us like this in Calais.' Mrs Hericourt has become one of the anti-immigration movement's figureheads for her regular critiques of life inside Calais since the Jungle camp was established. She made the speech in a hall outside the city on February 7 - the same day far right groups were banned from protesting through the town. It was uploaded to YouTube by 'Riposte Laique', which translates to 'Secular Riposte' - a group opposing Islam within the country. She claimed that during the riots of January 23, asylum seekers defaced a Charles de Gaulle statue with the words 'f*** France'. Beneath it, they unfurled an ISIS flag. The migrant camp in Calais known as the Jungle is home to thousands of people hoping to claim asylum in Britain A migrant runs from tear gas thrown by police forces during a riot in the camp on January 21 Claiming to have been sympathetic to the migrant's plight when they first began arriving, Mrs Hericourt's opinion changed after seeing the effects of the camp's unchecked growth. 'Theyve downright made a city within the city,' she said. 'Theyve got a discotheque, businesses, schools, hair-dressers. 'They even have - I wouldnt allow myself to say this, but I think you understand it concerns the needs of men. 'Theyve made streets. Theyve given names to these streets. They elected a mayor. Yes! The police cannot at all enter what they call the "Muslim neighborhood". Its forbidden. 'Up to that point, we perhaps might have been able to endure this. But we cant endure the unendurable, when we see riots taking place during the night, every day, constantly.' A Calais police spokesman said claims of 'Muslim only' areas and ISIS flags in Calais were 'absolute fabrication'. 'Police have a constant presence in and around the camp, and of course in Calais itself, and these claims have no basis in reality,' the spokesman added. Up to 250 CRS riot police are currently surrounding the jungle, and they are supported by gendarmes and regular police. Police regularly patrol in the camp and generally have 'excellent relations' with the refugees, said the spokesman. 'Police and anyone else can go where they like'. Residents of Calais demonstrate in the city centre against the lack of action by the French Government He added that there were 'sporadic violent incidents', but these were as likely to be carried out by far-right locals attacking migrants, as they were by the refugees themselves. When a MailOnline reporter visited the Jungle at night last week he found it absolutely safe. Many of those sleeping in it include British aid workers. Left wing agitators, and not refugees, were pictured defacing a statue of Charles de Gaulle last month. The graffiti was cleared up within a few hours. A spokesman for Calais town council, which cleaned up the damage, said: 'There has never been an ISIS flag in Calais.' Meanwhile, police have announced up to 1,000 people living in the Jungle migrant camp must leave their makeshift dwellings. Local authorities estimate there are about 3,700 migrants currently in the camp - lower than the more than 4,000 estimated by aid groups. There were some 6,000 people at the camp just months ago, but the prefecture has made a gradual effort to reduce the numbers. It is suggested that only 2,000 migrants can remain in Calais. Tensions are mounting in the area over the migrant situation, which some say hurts business and tourism. Three Palestinian teens have been shot dead after they tried to kill Israeli soldiers and police in a new wave of West Bank violence. Two 15-year-olds fired on soldiers before being killed and another two teens were shot - one fatally - in attempted stabbings today, Israeli authorities said. In the first incident, the two boys attacked an Israeli patrol west of the city of Jenin with rocks before firing on the soldiers with a rifle. Jewish Zaka volunteers carry the away body of 17-year-old Palestinian NaimSafi on a stretcher. The teen was shot by Israeli authorities during an attempted stabbing in the West Bank A Palestinian ambulance evacutes the bodies of Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked, who were shot dead by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank village of Araqa near Jenin city An Israeli spokesperson said: 'The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths.' The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked. They were not thought to be closely related. Distraught relatives of both teens were seen mourning their deaths with loved ones of Nihad Waked crying as they carried his body to Jenin hospital. Later, a Palestinian teen tried to stab Israeli border police between Jerusalem and Bethlehem before being shot dead, Israeli authorities said. The Palestinian health ministry identified the assailant as Naim Safi, 17, who was from a village near Bethlehem. Distraught relatives of 15-year-old Palestinian Nihad Waked weep as they carry his body to Jenin hospital Left, relatives of Foad Waked cry as they mourn his death and right, a Jewish Zaka volunteer and Israeli security forces stand next to the body of Naim Safi Earlier today the grieving relatives of a 17-year-old Palestinian girl, shot dead as she tried to stab an Israeli soldier and a bystander, were seen preparing for her funeral. Officials said the body of Kalzar al-Uweiwi was taken to hospital so she could be 're-united with her family' and buried in Herbon after she was shot dead on the West Bank yesterday. Photos emerged of the relatives huddling around the body of the girl, who was shot after attacking a soldier on guard near a sensitive West Bank holy site sacred to both Jews and Muslims. The relatives of a 17-year-old girl shot dead after trying to stab a Palestinian soldier gather around her body at a hospital in Hebron on the West Bsnk Officials said the body of Kalzar al-Uweiwi was taken to hospital so she could be 're-united with her family' (pictured, huddling together) and buried in Herbon after she was shot dead on the West Bank yesterday Palestinians grieved over the body which was returned to her relatives in hospital who will bury her The knife-wielding woman was shot yesterday after attacking an Israeli soldier who was standing guard at a sensitive position on the West bank, holy for both Jews and Muslims A Palestinian bystander was also caught up in the attack before she was shot and killed by Israeli troops, the military said The bystander was stabbed in the waist as he tried to stop the teenage girl from stabbing an Israeli soldier A Palestinian male bystander was also caught up in the attack before the woman armed with the knife was shot and killed by Israeli troops, the military said. An Israeli Army statement said: 'An assailant drew a knife and attempted to stab a soldier. Responding to the attack, forces fired at the perpetrator, resulting in her death.' The incident took place as Washington's UN ambassador, Samantha Power, arrived for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. 'Arrived in Israel... to discuss US commitment to 2 states side by side in security & peace,' she wrote on her official Twitter account earlier. An Israeli policeman stands by the knife, used by the Palestinian woman in the sudden attack The Palestinian girl was identified as Kilzar al-Oweiwi, 17, from Hebron, by the Palestinian health ministry The brother (second right) and relatives of Kalzar al-Uweiwi mourn the Palestinian teenager who was killed after she tried to stab an Israeli soldier The incident occurred in Hebron, a flashpoint during the last five months of violence, in which Palestinians have carried out near-daily attacks, mainly stabbings. The soldier was lightly wounded. A Palestinian who intervened to try to stop the attacker was stabbed and more seriously wounded, and was taken to a hospital for treatment, the military said. About 850 Israeli settlers live in heavily-guarded enclaves in Hebron, surrounded by tens of thousands of Palestinians. Much of the animosity in the biblical city is over a holy site known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. Many of the Palestinian attackers over the past five months have been from Hebron. Later on Saturday, a Palestinian drove his vehicle into a group of police officers near Jerusalem injuring three of them lightly, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. Soldiers attended to the injured man as several Jewish settlers watched on at the scene yesterday The incident occurred in Hebron, a flashpoint during the last five months of violence, in which Palestinians have carried out near-daily attacks, mainly stabbings Much of the animosity in the biblical city is over a holy site known to Jews as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque The officers opened fire wounding the three Palestinians in the vehicle, she said. Officers had been in pursuit after police spotters saw Palestinians from the West Bank cross through the security barrier and get inside the car. The attacks since mid-September - stabbings, shootings and vehicular assaults - have killed 27 Israelis. At least 157 Palestinians, the majority of whom Israel says were attackers, have been killed by Israeli fire. Israel says the ongoing violence is fuelled by a campaign of incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders that is compounded on social media sites that glorify attacks. Palestinians say it stems from frustration at nearly five decades of Israeli rule and dwindling hopes for gaining independence. Late on Saturday a Palestinian allegedly rammed his car into a group of Israeli police officers near Jerusalem Many of the Palestinian attackers over the past five months have been from Hebron The attacks since mid-September - stabbings, shootings and vehicular assaults - have killed 27 Israelis Baston constantly threatened to kill her family if she Katie Lang was held at the whim of a violent thug, abducted from Australia and held as a prostitute around the world. The 27-year-old from the Gold Coast was 'psychologically enslaved' by the Jamaican pimp, Damion St Patrick Baston, and forced to work as a prostitute in Queensland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and in the United States for 12 horrific months. Ms Lang revealed in an interview with 60 Minutes how Baston used violence and threats against the women and their families to get them to do his bidding. Scroll down for videos Katie Lang (pictured above) was one of three women lured from Australian into global sex trafficking Damion Baston is serving 27 years in jail after being found guilty on 21 sex trafficking charges 'I was so fearful of him not only hurting me but also hurting my family, he always used to say "I know where your grandma lives",' she said. 'I could put up with what I was going through but not knowing my family would be hurt. 'I basically just let go of myself and just let go of my soul and let him control me. Once the violence started I couldn't see a way out, because I was so fearful of him not only hurting me but also hurting my family, she said. Damion Baston claimed to be a member of a criminal gang in the US in order to threaten Ms Lang Ms Lang was forced to act happy because she feared he would hurt her family as he constantly threatened to kill them Ms Lang recalls one chilling moment when she refused Baston and he stuck a burning hot blade against her neck. He just punched me in the stomach as hard as he could and I fell on the ground and he picked me up and he just started strangling me, then he just grabbed me by the hair and started banging my head against the window. 'He pressed the hot knife up against my throat and I felt like he was going to slit my throat so I jumped up and he just threw me back down and he kept strangling me. 'He very much enjoyed just beating me up and then having sex, Katie recalled. Katie Lang was lured from the Gold Coast and forced into prostitution by Baston - her testimony was crucial in the trial against the convicted sex trafficker Six women gave evidence against Damion Baston's international sex trafficking business at his trial in 2014 including two Australians and a New Zealand woman who'd been living on the Gold Coast Images obtained by Daily Mail Australia from US authorities show Baston is a series of bizarre poses including this black and white photo showing him wearing gold fangs Baston, 39, a former male stripper, was arrested in December 2013 by the US Department of Homeland Security. He was convicted in Florida in 2014 to 27 years in prison after being found guilty of 21 charges of sex trafficking. Ms Lang's evidence resulted in Baston being the first person to be charged under six new international trafficking laws. Florida District Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Baston toting high-powered semi-automatic weapons, lying in bed covered in Australian bank notes, posing in a fox fur with a fistful of $100 bills, and wearing a bizarre pair of gold fangs. Six young women, including Ms Lang, another Australian and a New Zealander, gave evidence into the life of prostitution and stripping for money Baston made them take part in. Katie Lang recalls the regular beatings at the hands of Baston and how he would threaten to hurt members of her family back in Australia Baston (left) seen holding wads of $100 bills while wearing a fox fur and toting a machine gun (right) Photographs obtained from the Florida District Court show him lying in bed covered in Australian bank notes US Homeland Security officers tracked Baston down in the Bronx, living with his mother and a new pregnant girlfriend in New York - he has four children to different women Katie Lang, 27, was forced into sex trade by Jamaican pimp Damion St Patrick Baston, who operated a global sex trafficking network. He prostituted girls from Australia to Dubai and through United States The 60 Minutes report paints Baston as a charismatic, imposing manipulator who showered women with expensive gifts and told them he loved them to lure them into his world. Ms Lang fell for Baston's story and they began a relationship. As his influence on her grew, she quit her university studies and work with the crisis support service Lifeline, and became increasingly isolated from her family. Baston is believed to have first set up a brothel on the Gold Coast in 2009. Ms Lang was forced to leave Australia and fly with him to Dubai amid threats that he would have 'his gang' harm her relatives if she didn't leave. She came home to Australia after a year when he US visa expired, promising Baston she would return when she could. But Baston was known to authorities and Ms Lang's US visa application prompted them to question her. Ms Lang agreed to testify against Baston, and became a critical part of the prosecution case. Baston was convicted by a jury on charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, importation of an alien for prostitution, transportation for prostitution, aggravated identity theft and money laundering. Baston's lawyer insisted he had merely been a 'tourist'. His appeal will be heard on February 27. Katie's story featured on 60 Minutes on Sunday at 8.15pm on Channel Nine Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been called racist and 'transphobic' by a student union officer ahead of a debate the pair were both invited to speak at. Fran Cowling, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) representative for the National Union of Students, has refused to appear at Canterbury Christ Church University tomorrow, unless Mr Tatchell does not attend. Ms Cowling stated in emails to event organisers that she could not share the stage with Mr Tatchell, because he signed an open letter in the Observer last year supporting free speech and against no-platforming, the practice by some universities to ban speakers because of their views. Accused: Peter Tatchell has been called racist and 'transphobic' by NUS officer Fran Cowling, who refuses to attend a planned debate if the veteran gay rights campaigner also attends According to the NUS officer, the letter supports inciting violence against transgender people. Cowling has also made an allegation against Mr Tatchell of racism or using racist language. Speaking to the Observer, the political activist, who will soon celebrate 50 years of campaigning for gay equality, called the incident another example of 'a witch-hunting, accusatory atmosphere' at university campuses today. Mr Tatchell's stance on free speech was questioned earlier this month when he surprisingly came out in support of a Christian bakery company that refused to sell a cake with a gay rights slogan. Ashers Bakery in Belfast were found to have broken anti-discrimination laws when they declined an order for a cake with the slogan support gay marriage. Mr Tatchell said: Much as I wish to defend the gay community, I also want to defend freedom of conscience, expression and religion. As a result of the court ruling against the bakery, far right agitators could force Muslim printers to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, or Jewish printers to reproduce Holocaust denial material, he added. Will gay bakers have to accept orders for cakes with homophobic slurs? he asked. The law against political discrimination was meant to protect people with differing political views, not to force others to further political views to which they conscientiously object. LGBT officer Fran Cowling refuses to appear with Peter Tatchell at a planned debate in Canterbury Australian-born Tatchell, 64, first sprang to fame as a left-wing Labour candidate, when he lost the partys once safe Bermondsey seat in 1983. During the 1990s, he campaigned for LGBT rights through the direct action group he co-founded, OutRage! The group grabbed the headlines by outing establishment figures it claimed were homophobic in public and homosexual in private. In 1999 and 2001, he attempted a citizen's arrest of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe for his anti-gay stance, the latter resulting in a vicious beating by Mugabe's thugs. Six years later in 2007, Mr Tatchell was among dozens of people assaulted by Russians shouting 'death to homosexuals' against protesters demanding the right to hold a gay pride parade in Moscow. The veteran campaigner says both these incidents have left him with lasting brain injuries. Unafraid to put across his point of view, Mr Tatchell said he would share the stage with Ms Cowling at tomorrow's event, despite their difference of opinion. He said: 'I'm prepared to share a platform with people I profoundly disagree with, precisely in order to challenge and expose them.' The NUS said Tatchell had not been 'no-platformed' by the entire union and that Ms Cowling's decision whether to appear is her own. Bread, milk, eggs and a tattoo? Supermarket shopping lists may never be quite the same again if Whole Foods' plans to open a tattoo parlor in some of its stores get the go ahead. The store is considering opening the facility at its new 365 chain, which is targeting millennial shoppers and the budget conscious by offering smaller stores with lower prices. Whole Foods claims it has been working on the idea since last year, when the millennial generation overtook Baby Boomers as America's largest age group. The company is seeking 'hip and cool' outside vendors like tattoo parlors and record shops to operate inside its new chain of stores, called 365 by Whole Foods Whole Foods Market Inc. Co-Chief Executive Officer Walter Robb, had admitted the company is seeking to appeal to younger, budget-conscious shoppers. Whole Foods has advertised that it's looking to find suppliers and vendors to set up shop in its 365 stores through a program called 'Friends of 365.' 'Friends of 365 may be any type of business from food and drinks to fashion, body care products, services, and more. (Record shop? Tattoo parlor? Maybe!),' the website says. Whole Foods spokeswoman Emily Wright said that the company hasn't announced any 'friends' partners yet, but that the options at the 365 stores would range from food venues to 'lifestyle and services.' Whole Foods has advertised that it's looking to find suppliers and vendors to set up shop in its 365 stores through a program called 'Friends of 365'. . The chain will be cheaper than its namesake brand Each 365 store will have a different mix of vendors, which will operate independently of Whole Foods Whole Foods is opening the 365 chain to better compete with the increasingly crowded market for organic food The chain's website says shoppers may see other businesses apart from the tattoo parlors including record shops. The new locations will help Whole Foods 'reach more communities than we would be able to with our mother ship,' Robb said during an interview on Bloomberg TV. 'There's a number of smaller-store competitors out there that are doing a nice job,' he said. 'We don't see any reason why we can't go participate in that part of the market as well with our 365 by Whole Foods offer -- it's going to be unique.' The chain known for its organic goods already faces steep competition from larger grocery stores such as Kroger Co. that are carrying more fresh options. Some smaller chains, such as Trader Joe's, have also distinguished themselves by offering organic products at relatively low costs. With lower prices and a smaller selection than current Whole Foods stores, the 365 stores are seen as the company's way to cater to younger shoppers who are more price-conscious than the typical Whole Foods customer but still want high-quality products. The first 365 store is slated to open in Silver Lake in Los Angeles, in May. The private bunker is up for sale for the first time in 25 years A historic World War II bunker that was converted into a boatshed after the war is on the market for $600,000. Boat Shed 1 sits on the beautiful water's edge of Portsea's front beach, overlooking Weeroona Bay, just an hour-and-a-half south of Melbourne, according to Domain. The war bunker turned house is up for sale for the first time in 25 years. Scroll down for video The historic World War II bunker (pictured) that was converted into a boatshed after the war is on the market for $600,000 Boat Shed 1 sits on the beautiful water's edge of Portsea's front beach (pictured), overlooking Weeroona Bay, just an hour-and-a-half south of Melbourne The slice of surfer's paradise has 180 degree views of the beach (pictured) It was built into a cliff and used to store a search light. The slice of surfer's paradise has 180 degree views of the beach and has an attached verandah complete with chairs positioned to take in the view. Other boatsheds on Portsea have sold for a pretty penny ranging from $440,000 to $615,000. It was built into a cliff and used to store a search light before being converted after the war The war bunker turned house is up for sale for the first time in 25 years In January, a retired southeast Melbourne couple in their 80s bought a Brighton beach box for a record breaking combined price of $285,000. Two of the 12 metre boxes were on the auction block and were expected to fetch more than $200,000 but both received bids higher than the previous 2011 record of $260,000. 'It was a fantastic day, we had strong bidding on both beach boxes and one was sold for a record price of $285,000 to a local couple who've lived in Brighton for 60 years,' auctioneer Sam Paynter told Daily Mail Australia. In January, a retired southeast Melbourne couple in their 80s bought a Brighton beach box (pictured) for a record breaking combined price of $285,000 Two of the 12 metre boxes (pictured) were on the auction block and were expected to fetch more than $200,000 but both received bids higher than the previous 2011 record of $260,000 'We had strong bidding on both beach boxes and one was sold for a record price of $285,000 to a local couple who've lived in Brighton for 60 years,' auctioneer Sam Paynter said Wal Gibson, 87, put the final bid on 76E Beach Box and told the Herald Sun that it was an investment for his six children and 16 grandchildren. According Mr Paynter, 'history shows that they have accelerated in price faster than the local housing market.' 'In 1982 a woman purchased another Brighton beach box for $1400, so you can see what kind of investment these properties are.' The Beach Boxes are often kept in families for generations and it is rare to see one up for sale. 'They are an iconic part of Melbourne and Brighton's history... they are rare and are only allowed to be sold to Bayside City Council residents and ratepayers,' Mr Paynter said. The Beach Boxes are often kept in families for generations and it is rare to see one up for sale Within hours of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death on Saturday, Sri Srinivasan's name began to circulate as a possible replacement. Srinivasan, 48, has been named as a top choice since 2013 when he was sworn in to the D.C. Circuit, which is seen as a breeding ground for future nominees. Given that Scalia's death leaves the Supreme Court split with four Democratic and Republican justices each, his replacement will serve as a tie-breaker in upcoming cases on abortion, affirmative action, and immigration. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died on Saturday of apparent natural causes. Sri Srinivasan has been named as a possible replacement Srivasan, 48, served as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General before he was nominated by Barack Obama to be a circuit judge for the D.C. Court of Appeals. Pictured above with his twin children He was born in India as Padmanabhan Srikanth Srinivasan, grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and went to Stanford, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees, in addition to an MBA. He previously served as a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and worked as Obama's deputy solicitor general. The president has called him 'a trailblazer who personifies the best of America'. If he is nominated and sworn in, Srinivasan, known as 'Sri', will break new ground as the country's first Indian-American justice. The litigator, who represented the country in the Windsor v. United States case, argued that the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional given its limitations on same-sex couples. He notably presented the case without notes, according to USA Today. While Srinivasan has a relationship with President Obama and has defended left-leaning issues, he is seen as a moderate candidate for the position. Mother Jones reported that the president of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center Doug Kendall, called Srinivasan's record 'not progressive-forward; it is as non-ideological as you can find'. Caroline Fredrickson, president of the progressive American Constitution Society, also said: 'I don't think anybody is going to suggest that he's being put forth as the next Thurgood Marshall or Justice Brennan. He does not come out of that kind of background.' Srinivasan famously defended Jeffrey Skilling before the Supreme Court in 2010. The former CEO of Enron was later found guilty of fraud. Regardless of his personal politics, both Kendall and Fredrickson acknowledged that Srinivasan was more than qualified for the job. Walter Dellinger, President Bill Clinton's former acting solicitor general, said: 'Sri is undoubtedly considered one of the best three or four Supreme Court advocates in the country'. Dellinger also shared that earlier in Srinivasan's career, the litigator would take a single, blank sheet of paper to the podium to avoid looking overconfident. Paul Watford, 48, (left), and David Barron (right) are also named as possible candidates. Barron, however, is controversial for his defense of Obama's decision to launch drone strikes on an American in Yemen Other possibilities for Scalia's spot on the Supreme Court include Paul Watford, 48, who is a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He was a law clerk to Alex Kozinski, the former chief judge of the Ninth Circuit, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court justice. David Barron's name has also been making the rounds, although some say he is a controversial choice due to his justification of Obama's decision to launch drone strikes on Anwar al-Awlaki, an American Muslim who was living in Yemen. Jacqueline Nguyen was nominated by Obama in 2011 to serve on the ninth circuit, making her the first Asian-American female federal appellate judge. Jane Kelly, a former public defender serving as a judge on the eighth circuit is another possible option. Obama commented on her nomination with Gregory Alan Phillips in 2013 by saying they had 'proven themselves to be not only first-rate legal minds but faithful public servants.' The current president is likely to make the nomination soon, despite vows from Republican politicians to block his choice and leave the decision to the next president. CURRENT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES Anthony M. Kennedy -Conservative, appointed by Ronald Reagan, serving since 1988 Clarence Thomas - Conservative, appointed by George H. W. Bush, serving since 1991 Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Liberal, appointed by Bill Clinton, serving since 1993 Stephen Breyer - Centrist, appointed by Bill Clinton, serving since 1994 John G. Roberts - Conservative, appointed by George W. Bush, serving since 2005 Samuel Alito, Jr. - Conservative, appointed by George W. Bush, serving since 2006 Sonia Sotomayor - Liberal, appointed by Barack Obama, serving since 2009 Elena Kagan - Liberal, appointed by Barack Obama, serving since 2010 Advertisement Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said: 'The American people should have a voice in the selection of the next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.' The longest nomination process took 125 days for Justice Louis Brandeis in 1916. Although Obama has just under a year left in office, the longest vacancy on the court lasted 835 days when John Tyler could not get the Senate to approve a replacement for Justice Henry Baldwin who died in 1844. Nevada Senator and the minority leader Harry Reid tweeted on Saturday: 'The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. The Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. 'It would be unprecedented in recent history for SCOTUS to go year with vacancy. And shameful abdication of our constitutional responsibility.' The Republicans may have difficulty opposing Srinivasan without accusations of obstructionism since they helped him enter the DC Court of Appeals. Scalia died of a heart attack while he was staying at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in the Big Bend region south of Marfa. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told WFAA the 79-year-old's cause of death would be listed under the technical term, myocardial infraction, and ruled out any rumors of foul play. According to Guevara, he had seen his physician last week for a shoulder problem, and had an MRI done. The Supreme Court Justice spent the day quail hunting before arriving at the ranch on Friday to attend a private party with approximately 40 other people. He wasn't feeling well and went to bed early, CNN reported. When he did not show up for breakfast in the morning, a person associated with the ranch went to check on him and found his body in his room. At his family's request, his body will be embalmed before it is flown back to the East Coast. In one of last night's most memorable debate moments, Marco Rubio suggested that Ted Cruz didn't know what the Florida senator was saying on Univision because Ted Cruz didn't speak Spanish. Cruz then yelled into his microphone in Spanish to prove to the audience he indeed could speak his Cuban father's native tongue. On Sunday morning, CNN's Dana Bash asked Rubio, also of Cuban descent, if he was calling into question whether or not Cruz was 'a real Latino.' 'No, I was calling into question whether he even knows what I'm saying,' Rubio said. Scroll down for video Marco Rubio said that he wasn't questioning whether Ted Cruz was a 'real Latino' when he suggested at last night's debate that the Texan didn't speak Spanish. Instead, Rubio said he was 'calling into question whether he even knows what I'm saying' Ted Cruz (left) and Marco Rubio (right) got into it at tonight's debate in Greenville, South Carolina over the issue of immigration The two Cuban-American senators at last night's Republican debate stage in Greenville, South Carolina had clashed on immigration each suggesting the other was for amnesty. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz blasted Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for going on Univision and telling its Spanish-speaking audience that he wouldn't get rid of President Obama's executive action on immigration on day No. 1 of a Rubio administration. 'Well, first of all, I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision since he doesn't speak Spanish,' Rubio blasted. Cruz replied by yelling Spanish words loudly into his microphone to prove that he did have some mastery of the language in one of the debate's many contentious moments between the six remaining GOP presidential candidates one week before South Carolina voters will head to the polls. 'That's how you want it? Right now, say it in Spanish, if you want,' Cruz said en Espanol, according to Vox. Cruz, who won the Iowa caucuses, has tried for months to make immigration an issue that could take down Rubio, who was rising after his third place finish in Iowa, right on the heels of second-place finisher Donald Trump, but sputtered in New Hampshire after a poor debate performance one week ago courtesy of the loudmouthed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Christie had ridiculed Rubio for using rehearsed talking points. With Christie gone, Rubio regained a bit of his footing, taking on Cruz after the Texan labeled the Senate's 2013 attempt to pass comprehensive immigration reform the 'Rubio-Schumer amnesty plan.' At the time Cruz had offered an amendment to the bill that would have stripped out a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants living in the country, but left legal status language intact. Yep, that was Spanish: Ted Cruz started speaking in his father's native tongue, after Marco Rubio questioned the Texan's ability to speak Spanish Cruz has said this was a 'poison pill' to kill the bill, of which Rubio was a sponsor, while Rubio suggests it was proof that Cruz supported giving illegal immigrants a legal status. 'When that issue was being debated, Ted Cruz had a committee hearing and very passionately said, "I want immigration reform to pass, I want people to be able to come out of the shadows" and he proposed an amendment that would have legalized the people here,' Rubio said. 'Not only that, he proposed doubling the number of green cards, he proposed a 500 percent increase on guest workers.' 'Now his position is different, now he is a passionate opponent of all of those things,' Rubio continued. 'So he either wasn't telling the truth then or he wasn't telling the truth now, but to argue that he is a purist on immigration is just not so,' the Florida senator added. Cruz stood his ground saying that Rubio supported citizenship for all 12 million people living in the United States illegally. 'Marco has a long record when it comes to amnesty, in the state of Florida, as speaker of the house he supported in-state tuition for illegal immigrants,' Cruz said. 'In addition to that, Marco went on Univision in Spanish and said he would not rescind President Obama's illegal executive amnesty on his first day in office.' Marco Rubio (right) suggested that Ted Cruz wouldn't know what the Florida senator said on Univision because he doesn't speak Spanish prompting Cruz to speak Spanish Rubio had appeared on the Spanish-speaking network in 2012, about two and a half years before Obama announced his immigration action and said, 'I respect the right of Arizona to have a law like the one it had, but I don't believe that it should be a model for the country. I do want to help those young people who are here undocumented and I'm strongly working to attain this.' 'What I do not support is the manner in which the Dream Act does it,' Rubio continued. 'I do want to create a system of legal immigration that works. If we have an immigration system that works, then we are not going to have so many,' the senator added. Back on the debate stage, as Cruz spouted in Spanish, Rubio went back to another favorite attack. 'This is a disturbing pattern now because for a number of weeks now Ted Cruz has just been telling lies,' Rubio said. 'He lied about Ben Carson in Iowa ... he lied about marriage, he's lying about all sorts of things and now he makes things up.' 'That is absolutely false,' Cruz, switching to English, yelled back. This morning, Rubio stood his ground when Bash asked if it was appropriate to call Cruz a 'liar.' 'When you say something that's not true it's called a lie,' Rubio said. 'That's the definition of it. Now, I don't know about every aspect of his life, I'm not attacking him there, I'm just saying on this campaign he is saying things that are not true.' Blacktips are the most common species in the area and are behind most shark attacks, but there hasn't been a deadly With temperatures plummeting below freezing in parts of the country, you may be temped to escape to some winter sun in Florida. But if you do hit the sunny beaches, you may want to avoid going for a swim. That's because tens of thousands of sharks are migrating in huge swarms, and it's happening just off the coast. Florida Atlantic University biological sciences professor Stephen Kajiura took video from the air of blacktip sharks invading the waters of Palm Beach, on Florida's Atlantic coast Scroll down for video This picture shows a swarm of sharks migrating a short distance from the coast in Palm Beach, Florida Florida Atlantic University biological sciences professor Stephen Kajiura took video of blacktip sharks invading the waters of Palm Beach, on Florida's Atlantic coast. A paddle boarder is seen on the bottom left of the screen near the hoard of sharks He has been monitoring their movement since January 15. But he decided to get footage from 5,000ft in the air. Kajiura told WPEC: 'There are literally tens of thousands of sharks a stone's throw away from our shoreline. 'You could throw a pebble and literally strike a shark. They are that close Blacktips are the most common species in that part of Florida and are behind the majority of shark bites. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there hasn't been a fatal attack yet. They are named by the black markings on the tips of their fins and are common in the warm Atlantic waters between South Carolina and Texas. Every winterm, during their mating season, they move to find warmer parts of the ocean. They feed on fish, stingrays and squids. Blacktips have also been known to follow fishing boats and feed on culled catches. Blacktips are the most common species in that part of Florida and are behind the majority of shark bites. One is pictured being assessed off the Plam Beach coast The days of Brits buying cheap designer furniture will end this year following a controversial EU shake-up of replica laws which makes it a criminal offence. Companies can currently sell replica goods providing 25 years has passed from the date the item originally went on sale, but a new EU ruling has extended that period to 70 years. Businesses which sell replica furniture could become liable to a potential fine of up to 50,000, and a custodial sentence of up to ten years. An EU ruling means that furniture replicas will be banned under copyright laws. Versions of the Eames chair (pictured) are currently available for less than 500, but people will soon have to pay 5,000 for an original Can you tell the difference? Cheap versions like the one on the left will be banned when the law is imposed, bringing the 1,200 Castiglioni design (right) back into copyright The ruling will appease designers who see their work recreated by high street chains at a fraction of the price, but homeowners will have to pay much more for fashionable furniture. Versions of the Eames chair are currently available for less than 500, but these copies will be banned, meaning people would have to pay 5,000 for an original. Other iconic designs which will come into copyright include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen and the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe. A 250 replica Arco Floor lamp, like one owned by David and Samantha Cameron, would be taken off the shelves and the PM would have to pay 1,200 for an authentic product. The coalition government's decision to repeal Section 52 of the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988, as part of the the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, was expected to be implemented in 2020, to give companies affected time to adapt. However, a legal challenge has forced the government to fast track it to April 28 this year. This is despite complaints the short period would cause 'disproportionate harm'. Companies will have six months to sell their stock from this date. The changes have been backed by the likes of Sir Terence Conran and Vitra, a Swiss-based company which is licensed to produce many of these classic designs. Other iconic designs which will come into copyright include the Egg chair (left) by Arne Jacobsen and the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe Tony Ash, Vitra UK managing director, said: 'We are very pleased with the change. Vitra's view is that if a law is changed for sound, logical, legal reasons, why wait another five years to enforce it? 'We merely wanted the UK to conform to EU laws as quickly as possible after the government agreed that EU IP laws had to be adhered to in the UK. 'The originals that we stand for are certainly superior to a copy. A design classic has a history and an added emotional value.' Many of those whose businesses are at risk, as well as important cultural institutions and the consumer, have no idea of what is about to hit them Ivan Macquisten, Expired Copyright Home Organisation Professor Lionel Bently, an intellectual property expert at Cambridge University, is one of a number of legal academics who are critical of the change. He said: 'The repeal of section 52 was targeted at those who produce replicas of classic furniture but lots of other interests are in fact going to be affected by it. 'Companies which publish design books may have to get numerous licences to reproduce photos because designs have come under copyright. 'Even with respect to replica furniture makers, importers and sellers, the process has been far from satisfactory. The Government has flip-flopped over the length of the proposed transitional period from five years to six month for fear of being sued. 'They are scared of being sued and that seems to be a strange way to go about determining appropriate and proportionate protection of the established property rights and legitimate expectations of third parties.' ARCO FLOOR LAMP BY ACHILLE & PIER GIACOMO CASTIGLIONI Replicas can currently be bought for between 150 and 250 An authentic lamp first produced by Flos in 1962 will now cost around 1,400. Pier Giacomo Castiglioni died in 1968 Will now be under copyright until 2038 Advertisement BARCELONA CHAIR WITH OTTOMAN BY LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROCHE Replicas can currently be bought for around 500 An authentic chair and ottoman made by Knoll, licensed in 1929, will cost around 5,700 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe died in 1969 Will now be under copyright until 2039 Advertisement EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR BY CHARLES AND RAY EAMES Replicas of the chair licensed in 1956 can be bought from around 279 An authentic chair made by Vitra will cost from 3,390 Ray Eames died in 1988 Will now be under copyright until 2058 Advertisement THE ORIGINAL 'EGG' CHAIR BY ARNE JACOBSEN Replicas of the model, first patented in 1952, can be bought from 329 An authentic chair made by Conran will cost around 5,000 Arne Jacobsen died in 1971 Will now be under copyright until 2041 Advertisement Expired Copyright Homeware Organisation, a campaign group, has called on the government to postpone the changes until 2020. Ivan Macquisten, ECHO campaign adviser, said: 'While ECHO members have been aware for some time of the threat to their livelihoods, others affected are only just waking up to the far-reaching consequences of this law change. The process has been far from satisfactory Professor Lionel Bently, intellectual property expert 'Many of those whose businesses are at risk, as well as important cultural institutions and the consumer, have no idea of what is about to hit them. 'At this late stage it is not too late to avert disaster, and we appeal to the Secretary of State, who has been extremely sympathetic to the case we have put forward, to do the sensible thing.' A spokesperson for the Intellectual Property Office said: 'Changes are being made to copyright law to bring copyright protection for works of artistic craftsmanship into line with other artistic creations like paintings and sculptures. It is important that creators are rewarded for their work. President Barack Obama has told Vladimir Putin to end airstrikes against the Syrian opposition. The U.S. and Russian counterparts spoke about the situation in the Civil War-stricken country over the phone on Sunday. The Commander-in-chief stressed the importance of getting humanitarian aid to areas devastated by the conflict and containing the aerial bombing campaign. It came hours after Putin said they would continue their aerial campaign of hitting rebel targets. In a statement, the White House said: 'In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria.' Scroll down for video President Barack Obama has told Vladimir Putin to end airstrikes against the Syrian opposition. The pair are pictured during the G20 Summit in 2012 The statement added: 'Both sides gave a positive assessment of the results of the meeting of the International Syrian Support Group in Munich on February 11-12, confirmed the principles and provisions of the UN Security Council resolution 2254 both in terms of humanitarian aspects and to develop modalities for the ceasefire, and in promoting the launch of a real political process.' Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are meanwhile helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial hub before the conflict. The situation has been complicated by the involvement of Kurdish-backed combatants in the area north of Aleppo near the Turkish border, which has drawn a swift military response from artillery in Turkey. The Kurdish YPG militia, helped by Russian air raids, seized an ex-military air base at Menagh last week, angering Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group that waged a bloody insurgent campaign on Turkish soil over most of the past three decades. Turkey began shelling while demanding that the YPG militia withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels in the northern Aleppo region in recent days, including the Menagh air base. The bombardment killed two YPG fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party rejected Turkish demands for withdrawal, while the Syrian government said Turkish shelling of northern Syria amounted to direct support for insurgent groups. Other fronts were also active on Sunday. Kurdish-backed forces were fighting with insurgent groups near Tel Rifaat in the northern Aleppo countryside, while further south, government forces renewed their shelling of rebel positions to the northwest of Aleppo city. The Observatory also reported air strikes by jets believed to be Russian in areas east of Damascus, north of Homs, and in the southern province of Deraa. Efforts to deliver humantitarian aid were being threatened by the latest escalation of violence. 'We must ask again, why wait a week for this urgently needed cessation of hostilities?' says Dalia Al-Awqati, Mercy Corps Director of Programs for North Syria. 'Each delay places innocent civilians at greater risk and impedes our efforts to support the half a million people who depend on us for food and other essential supplies.' The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama had agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the agreement on Syria struck in Munich. After a phone call between Putin and Obama, the Kremlin said both gave a 'positive valuation' to the Munich meeting. But the Kremlin statement made clear Russia would continue bombing raids against Islamic State and 'other terroristic organisations', an indication that it would also be targeting groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting President Bashar al-Assad in close proximity to rebels deemed moderate by the West. Reaction from politicians in the West to the Munich deal was less positive. The Commander-in-chief (pictured Saturday night) stressed the importance of getting humanitarian aid to areas devastated by the conflict and containing the aerial bombing campaign A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had gained the upper hand in Syria and the surrounding region through armed force. Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, was sceptical about how Russia would behave in the days and weeks ahead, despite agreeing to a cessation of hostilities. 'Russia is determined to create facts on the ground, and when they have accomplished this, then they will invite the West to fight a common enemy, this is ISIS,' Roettgen said, referring to Islamic State. Speaking at the same security conference in Munich, U.S. Senator John McCain said he did not view the deal as a breakthrough. 'Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week,' he said. 'Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime, he wants to establish Russia as a major power in the Middle East, he wants to use Syria as a live fire exercise for Russia's modernizing military,' McCain said. As the fighting continued, the Syrian army urged citizens in Deraa province, the Ghouta area east of Damascus, and in rural districts east of Aleppo to quickly seek out 'reconciliation' with the government. So-called local reconciliation agreements are often seen as a means for the government to force surrender on insurgents, and have typically followed lengthy blockades of rebel-held areas and the civilians living there. Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base to join the fight against Islamic State. But said any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria would depend on a decision by the U.S.-led coalition combating the ultra-radical militants. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday he expected Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to send special forces to Syria to help local opposition fighters in their drive to retake the city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria. But there are thought to be many more England and Wales have been told to stop allowing its police to taser children after figures revealed that the use of the 50,000-volt stun guns on minors increased by 38 per cent in one year. The United Nations plans to publicly shame the UK later this year at a hearing in Switzerland and will also tell the UK to ban police from stopping and searching toddlers. Nearly 300 children aged under five were stopped and searched between 2009-2014, with two thirds of those incidents in London. Scroll down for video The United Nations is planning to publicly shame England and Wales for allowing police to taser children after figures showed a sharp rise in the use of the 50,000-volt stun guns on minors Police can only use stop and search powers if they suspect an individual is carrying a knife or involved in a terrorism crime. The Independent on Sunday reports that officials from the UK Government will be hauled to Switzerland in May this year to account for its compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the UK signed up to in 1990. In 2008 - the last time the Government was called on to account for its compliance with the convention - ministers were told to 'put an end to the use of all harmful devices on children'. Taser guns, which disable their targets by sending two darts of 50,000 volts that contracts the muscles and overwhelms the nervous system for five seconds, were introduced in the UK in 2003. Among the 431 children who were targeted with a taser gun in 2013 was an 11-year-old. The number represented a 38 per cent rise on the previous year. Carla Garnelas, the co-director of the Children's Rights Alliance for England, called for an out-right ban on the use of tasers on children. 'The use of Taser on children is a breach of their human rights,' she told the Independent on Sunday. 'UN bodies have repeatedly called for the UK government to ban their use on children, highlighting the serious risk of physical and psychological harm they pose, yet the use of Taser on children continues. We want to see a ban on Taser use on children.' It comes as Theresa May, the Home Secretary, considers a report by Chief Constable David Shaw of West Mercia Police into the credibility of data used to record taser usage in England and Wales amid concerns that many police forces do not record taser threats accurately enough. But critics claim Mr Shaw has not consulted a wide-enough range of police forces and fear that the issue will not be resolved. David Blunkett, who was home secretary when the weapons were first authorised, warned last year that police were rushing to use Tasers rather than trying to defuse angry confrontations A spokesman for the Home Office insisted tasers provides the police with an 'important tactical option when facing potentially physically violent situations'. 'This government is committed to giving officers the necessary tools to do their job,' the spokesman added. 'All officers trained in the use of taser must consider the vulnerability of the individual, and factors such as age and stature form part of this assessment.' Last year police authorities were campaigning for tasers to be handed to every one of the 127,000 frontline police officers in England and Wales. David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary who first authorised their use, warned last year that police were rushing to use Tasers rather than trying to defuse angry confrontations and urged police to examine 'whether alternatives can be used'. 'I think it's time for a review that incorporates the use of Tasers with advice and support on how to deal with difficult situations,' he said. 'For a youngster, 11 years old, a Taser is not in my view an appropriate way of dealing with a situation which clearly must have been out of hand, but where we need to train people to use more traditional alternatives.' The figures on taser use show that an 11-year-old, a 12-year-old, four 13-year-olds and 33 14-year-olds were hit with the weapons in 2013. One of the Taser shootings took place at a Devon school for children with learning difficulties in December 2013. Police shot three pupils, all aged 14 or 15, at Chelfham Senior School in Bere Alston after being called to a violent incident. Tasers disable their targets by sending two darts of 50,000 volts that contracts the muscles and overwhelms the nervous system for five seconds The age group most likely to face being Tasered was 17-year-olds, with some 180 incidents recorded, followed by 16-year-olds with 132 incidents. The statistics included situations in which Tasers were fired, used to light up a target with a red sighting dot or merely removed from their holster. Tasers were introduced in England and Wales in 2003 in a 12-month trial for firearms officers in five police forces. Four years later police were told they could use them on under-18s, leading to 27 recorded cases in which they were employed. In 2008 Tasers were rolled out across the country, and were no longer limited to specialist officers. Supporters say the weapons offer a vital tool for police to defuse dangerous confrontations without the use of live ammunition. But critics are concerned that Tasers are being drawn in everyday situations to bully and intimidate members of the public. A San Francisco resident allegedly duped his building co-owners into renting him their unit on Airbnb through a false identity and now refuses to leave, according to a complaint filed in San Francisco Superior Court. Michelle Huang and her boyfriend Thomas Payne bought three units, including a two-bedroom, in a six-unit tenancy-in-common building in Telegraph Hill in 2012 and live in a nearby apartment. Huang alleges that Sandeep Andre Hingorani, a fellow co-owner of the property who theyve squabbled with for years, tricked them into letting him rent their two-bedroom unit for 60 days with two associates - his mother and friend - through a Airbnb user named Jim Tako. Michelle Huang and her boyfriend Thomas Payne allege that Sandeep Andre Hingorani, a fellow co-owner of their TIC property who theyve squabbled with for years tricked them into letting him rent their two-bedroom unit in the building Huang claims Hingorani (pictured) used a fake name on Airbnb to rent the apartment in the property for 60 days, and then filed to convert his stay into an ongoing month-to-month tenancy - a right San Francisco residents have after a 30-day stay The couple had been renting out two units on Airbnb, and due to regulations in San Francisco, they switched their rentals to last longer than a month because its difficult to rent out an entire home for less than 30 days. During the April and May rental, Huang and Payne never met Tako, only doing business through his two 'associates', according to the San Francisco Chronicle. When the two months were almost finished, they were shocked when an attorney told them that Hingorani was the tenant and was converting his stay into an ongoing month-to-month tenancy - a right San Francisco residents have after a 30-day stay. The rent board approved Hingoranis stay in the unit with his mother and friend, Piper Davis. The apartment was listed on Airbnb for but on the lease contract, Huang and Payne had left the rent amount blank, so the renters wrote in $3,256, and Huang didn't notice until the following day. A revised contract was sent, but never signed and Airbnb remitted the original amount for the first two months. After the two months were up, the Rental Board judge upheld the $4,382, but discounted $360 for heating and electric deficits in the unit and granted other undisclosed reductions to the rent when the month-to-month contract began. Hingorani, his mother and Davis stayed in the apartment for ten months, finally vacating on Thursday, claiming constructive eviction because the propertys electricity had been turned off. In Huang and Paynes complaint, they say the defendants tried to cause severe emotional distress. Defendants reprehensible actions were intentionally calculated to cause plaintiffs severe emotional distress, their case against Hingorani and his associates for fraud, trespassing and ejectment said. In particular, defendant Sandeep stated that he intended to drive plaintiffs from their property and to inflict maximum pain upon them,' the complaint said. The two-bedroom unit was one of six in a 1908 Edwardian building. Huang and Payne had bought three units in the tenancy-in-common building in Telegraph Hill in 2012 Hangorani started his Airbnb stay in the apartment in April, and he, his mother and friend stayed in the unit for ten months The trio vacated the unit on Thursday, claiming constructive eviction because the propertys electricity had been turned off Hingorani said that there was no malicious intent and that he needed a place to stay while his own studio unit in the building underwent major construction work. He said Davis and his elderly mother, Ursula Josefa Hingorani, also needed a place to stay. This was convenient, he told the Chronicle. You couldnt have it be more convenient. Hingorani declined to answer any questions about by he originally rented the property under the name Jim Tako, and that his Airbnb profile featured a picture of actor Don Johnson rather than a picture of himself. He did, however, testify that he paid the Airbnb rent with his credit card and the company failed to notice that the name on the card was different from the name of the Airbnb user. Unfortunate situations like this are rare and we are always working to improve, Airbnb said in a statement. We provide tools so that our hosts can review and research their guests before they accept a reservation. you can read a persons profile, look for reviews. Hingorani testified that in a lease and rental application for Payne and Huang, he provided his Social Security number and an address of a property he has in San Diego, suggesting that the landlords could have found his real identity with research. We put a lot of trust in Airbnb, Payne countered, saying he and Huang rely on Airbnb as a middleman and dont feel obligated to vet tenants. In Huang (left) and Paynes (right) complaint, they say the defendants tried to cause severe emotional distress. They claim that Hingorani tried to drive the couple from the property Hingorani said he, his mother and his friend decided to stay in the apartment after construction in his own was finished because his studio was too small to fit all three of them. He added that Payne and Huang would like to change the rent ordinance to have 60-day rentals and be able to kick people out; thats just not what the law is. He has his own allegations against Payne and Huang, including harassment and creating an unsafe living environment by doing major construction without permits. He said the couple has a vendetta against him and his trying to force him out of the property. Im being forced out of the rental unit. Im being forced to sell my own studio, he told the Chronicle. Payne and Huang said that almost immediately after they and Hingorani bought units in the building, they began to clash over finances and building repairs. Hingorani described the couple as bullies who are difficult to do business with, but said he does not hold a grudge against them. He claims the stream of Airbnb visitors that Payne and Huang harbored before Hingorani took over one of the units generated noise, used parking spots and threatened the security of the building. When Hingorani complained to the city about illegal short-term rentals, they switched to long-term rentals of 30 days or more. The court case involving Huang, Payne and Hingorani that now includes a cross complaint filed by Hingorani, is on hold due to a pending Rent Board ruling. The Archers is the longest-running broadcast drama in the world As the longest-running broadcast drama in the world, The Archers has ruled the airwaves since it first began in 1951. But it seems the inspiration behind the popular plots are older than the show's mere 60 years - centuries older in fact, according to one Oxford academic who says the drama is firmly rooted in the Middle Ages. Philippa Byrne, fellow in medieval history at Somerville College, says the main storylines reveal that age-old battle between traditional and modern, and good and evil. The view from Hanbury Church in Worcestershire, the setting for the fictional village of Ambridge in The Archers, which is the subject of discussion at a special one-day academic conference this week As Ms Byrne argues, The Archers promotes the 'medieval ideal of dignity of labour and community' and the 'forces of evil, represented by rootless modernity, which desires only profit.' She points to the character of David Archer, played by Tim Bentinck, and his constant struggleas a skilled labourer under attack from the modern world. The self-professed fan of the show will be one of a host of academics appearing at an entire conference dedicated to the long-running series. The Archers In Fact and Fiction: Academic analyses of life in rural Borsetshire, will be held at the University of Liverpool's London campus on Wednesday. Other topics up for discussion include how Tony Archer's back pain could help improve life for agricultural workers suffering the same, an analysis of dysfunctional families, Heather Pet and social care, the limited role of disabled people in Ambridge, as told through the story of Bethany and medical ethics, using the examples of Dr Locke and Carol Tregorran. Peter Matthews, a lecturer in social policy at the University of Stirling, who will look at Lynda Snell as 'archetypal class warrior', told The Sunday Telegraph that academics enjoy the realistic plots. He said: 'The storylines in The Archers are so good that a lot of academic research, particularly in the social sciences, really resonates with them. 'For example we have a paper on social care, revolving around the recent story lines of peoples older parents being put into care, or not put into care.' Academics argue that David Archer (Tim Bentinck) is a metaphor for the skilled medieval labourer Meanwhile, Samantha Walton, a lecturer in English literature at Bath Spa University, will look at Joe's love of cider drinking and a recent resurgence in cultural activities which 'celebrate local distinctiveness and revive the notion of the orchard as a community asset and site of shared local knowledge and meaning'. Originally billed as 'an everyday story of country folk', The Archers is now described as 'a contemporary drama in a rural setting'. The brainchild of Godfrey Baseley, who had produced Dick Barton for the BBC, it is the longest-running broadcast drama in the world. The Archers was in its ninth year on the BBC when Coronation Street made its debut on ITV in 1960. Topical events, such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales have featured in the programme. However, of particular resonance were issues dealing with the impact on farming and rural communities including: UK floods, foxhunting, the BSE crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Britain joining the Common Market and the closure of the Royal Show in 2009. In September 1955, 20 million listeners tuned in when Grace Archer (Ysanne Churchman) tragically died in her husband's arms after she tried to rescue a horse from a barn fire. Latest statistics reveal a weekly reach of nearly five million, which equates to one in every 11 adults in the UK listening to the programme. Famous fans include Stephen Fry, Sir Ian McKellen and HRH The Prince Of Wales. Bernie Sanders can beat Hillary Clinton and go all the way to the White House to become the oldest ever US President, his UK-based brother Larry said today. And if he wins the Democratic nomination, he will beat the Republican candidate 'easily', Larry Sanders predicted. Bernie, the 74-year-old socialist who sent shockwaves across the United States by beating Mrs Clinton in the vital New Hampshire primary last week, would 'love' to run against the 'obnoxious' Donald Trump, according to his brother. Scroll down for video Bernie Sanders, pictured in Denver, Colorado yesterday, would find it 'easy' to beat the Republican candidate, according to his brother Larry, who lives in the UK Larry Sanders, the older brother of United States presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders pictured at his home in Oxford, said he finds the prospect of his brother occupying the White House 'mind-boggling' Larry, 81, moved to the UK nearly half a century ago and works as a social worker in Oxford. Last week the Green party appointed him as their health spokesman despite failing to win his 500 deposit when he stood for the party at last May's General Election. He finished fifth behind Ukip. But in an interview today, he said his brother has what it takes to make history by becoming one of the most left-wing presidents in history, a prospect that he still finds 'mind-boggling'. And he is hoping to help his brother win the presidency by running the Democrats Abroad campaign, which encourages ex-pats living in Britain to sign up to vote in the election. 'Getting the Democratic nomination is the hardest part as he's up against all her support and money,' he told the Sunday People. Larry Sanders, left, with his younger brother Bernie pictured in the 1960s, grew up in Brooklyn, New York - the son of a Polish immigrant. Larry said he cried when his brother told him he was running for President on his birthday last year Overcoming Hilary Clinton's patronage and money is the hardest part for Bernie Sanders, his brother said, but if he manages to, beating the Republican candidate in the General Election will be 'easy', he predicted 'But he could beat Trump and the other Republicans easily.' Larry added: 'Bernard has said he would love to run against him. 'He is the most obnoxious Republican of the lot.' In the interview Larry reveals how he 'started to cry' when his brother phoned him on his birthday last year to reveal his decision to run for presidency. Giving his prediction on his brother's chances of winning, Larry added: 'He has incredible support amongst the young,' he said. 'I think it's all up in the air with a slight edge to Bernard. Then he could become the most powerful man in the world. It's mind-boggling.' The gap between Mrs Clinton and Mr Sanders has narrowed in recent weeks and the US Senator from Vermont won the last primary in New Hampshire by a massive 22 per cent margin - his 151,000 votes was the biggest number that has ever been won in the state. Nevada's caucus is next, and Mr Sanders will face his first test among non-white voters. Nevada has a 28 percent Latino population, and nearly 9 percent of the state is African-American. Another 8 percent of Nevada's voters are Asian-American. Prior to his win in New Hampshire, Mrs Clinton was ahead of Sanders by nearly 20 percentage points in Nevada. She is also in front of him in South Carolina, where 55 percent of the state's Democrats are black, and 35 percent are black women. Mrs Clinton is running to be the first woman president, but so far, Sanders has kept time with her in that demographic. She barely won women in Iowa and lost young women to the 74-year-old senator. In New Hampshire he beat her in both categories. Yesterday Mr Sanders was repeatedly pressed to endorse reparations by his own supporters at a 'Black America' community forum. 'I know youre scared to say black, I know youre scared to say reparations,' panelist Felicia Perry said, before telling him: 'Can you please talk specifically about black people and reparations?' Bernie Sanders was repeatedly pressed to endorse reparations tonight by his own supporters at a Black America forum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, yesterday Sanders replied: 'You and I may have a disagreement on this,' but 'it's not just black. This is Latinos. There are areas of America, more rural areas where its whites, OK?' As he talked about income inequality and poverty in the 'African-American community an audience member interrupted to urge him to use the term 'black.' 'I've said 'black' 50 times. That's the 51st,' Sanders declared. Sanders does not support reparations for slavery and said tonight at a Neighborhoods Organizing for Change event located in the heart of Minnesota's Native Americans population that he didn't have a magical solution to the problem. Midway through the event the Democratic presidential candidate was asked about fixing 'historical grievances' in the context of Native Americans. He said: 'Anybody who studies the history of our country knows that it has been a very rocky history, it has included the abomination of slavery, it has included horrendous attacks on the Native American community.' Iran has announced it is banning Valentine's Day celebrations in a bid to crack down on 'decadent Western culture.' On Friday Iranian news outlets reported police released a directive warning retailers against promoting 'decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals.' Police told Tehran's coffee and ice cream shops trade union to prevent any gatherings in which men and women could exchange Valentine's Day gifts or they could be found guilty of a crime. On Friday Iranian news outlets reported police had released a directive warning retailers against promoting 'decadent Western culture through Valentine's Day rituals' (pictured: Shoppers in Tehran in 2008) The annual February 14 homage to romance, named after an early Christian martyr, has become popular in Iran and other Middle East countries in recent years. But the backlash in the Islamic Republic is part of a drive against the spread of Western culture. Saudi Arabia has also sought to stamp out Valentine's Day but it is widely celebrated in nearby Dubai. Meanwhile in Indonesia officials and clerics banned young Indonesian Muslims from celebrating Valentine's Day, arguing that the observance runs against Islamic teachings. In Banda Aceh, the capital of the devout Muslim province of Aceh, thousands of high school students held rallies rejecting the celebration of Valentine's Day. Police told Tehran's coffee and ice cream shops trade union to prevent gatherings in which boys and girls exchange Valentine's Day gifts (pictured: Iranians shopping for gifts in 2008) Banda Aceh's mayor, Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal, and Shariah officials joined Saturday's rallies, held in four locations in the city's downtown area. 'The Valentine's Day celebration has become a culture,' Illiza said. She added that the rallies were aimed at making young people aware that Valentine's Day is not part of Islamic culture. The bans were imposed in many Indonesian cities. A similar rally by junior high school students was held in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city. In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, a noted Muslim youth group, Pemuda Muslimin Indonesia, called on Muslims in the province to stay away from the celebration. The influential Indonesian Council of Clerics has repeatedly declared the Feb. 14 celebration as an observance stemming from another faith, saying that celebrating it would be the same as promoting faiths other than Islam. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 265 million people are Muslims, with most practicing a moderate form of the faith. Students display a banner during a protest against Valentine's Day in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonenesia A police officer was shot in the face by two men who were robbing a gas station store in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Corporal Derrick Couch had noticed suspicious activity at the Corner Grocery on Saturday night and pursued the two suspects, according to Mayor Bill Luckett. Couch was shot about five blocks away from the store, just across the street from the Clarksdale Police Department. Corporal Derrick Couch (pictured) noticed suspicious activity at the Corner Grocery in Clarksdale, Mississipi, and was shot in the face by the armed robbers about five blocks away from the store Surveillance footage shows the two men approaching the store and entering just before 9pm on Saturday. The larger man can be seen walking with a limp The two hooded suspects, who are still on the run, were captured on a surveillance video. While their faces are unclear, one man can be seen walking with a limp, which police are hoping will help identify the two. They can be seen entering the store at 8.57pm. While the shop door is partially opened several times in the next 30 seconds, one of the men leaves after about a minute, with the second suspect trailing behind him not long after. According to Luckett, two clerks managed to escape from the back door of the Corner Grocery and suspects stole money from the shop's cash register. Couch pursued the armed robbers and caught up with them about five blocks down, where he was shot and left bleeding in the street. He was airlifted to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis at 10pm, and has emerged from surgery in stable condition on Sunday morning, according to the mayor. While Couch is recovering from the incident, this week has been particularly bloody for police around the country. Five officers in the line of duty have been shot dead in this past week alone. A California woman unhappy with her haircut returned to the San Diego salon and tried to shoot her barber, but he escaped unharmed when her gun jammed, police say. Barber Manny Montero said customer Adrian Blanchce Swain, 29, left 619 Barber Shop happy, having paid for her $20 haircut and leaving another $20 tip. But an hour later, Swain returned to complain about the haircut and tried to shoot Montero three times, but the gun didn't fire. Scroll down for video After getting her haircut at 619 Barber Shop in San Diego, California, Adrian Blanchce Swain, 29, returned with a gun and allegedly tried to shoot her barber after being unhappy with her haircut, which another barber said was supposed resemble Rihanna's Mohawk Barber Manny Montero (pictured) said Swain tried to shoot him three times, but the gun malfunctioned and no rounds came out Montero and another barber then tackled the woman, holding her on the ground until authorities arrived. Barber Joe Cooper, who wasn't at the scene when the incident occurred, said that Swain had come into the shop looking for a haircut similar to Rihanna's Mohawk cut, where the sides are short, but not shaved. 'Kind of like the Rihanna haircut,' Cooper told ABC. 'Easy haircut to do, to be honest.' 'She's probably just having a bad day. It was more mental with her. But the haircut, it's a very stylish haircut though,' Cooper added. Montero claims that Swain returned with a different haircut than the one she left with. 'She came in with you know a bald spot on the side and I'm like, "I didn't do that",' Montero told WPXI. Barber Chris Tatum said that Swain left the barber shop with a different haircut than what she came back with, and said police found razors in her car Barber Chris Tatum, who helped Montero tackle Swain, agreed with his colleague's assessment of the haircut. 'When she came back in, she did not have the same haircut that she actually left with,' Tatum told WPXI. Tatum said that police found razors inside Swain's vehicle and that she 'shaved her hair'. '619 Barber Shop has been in business for 20-plus years here in North Park, we've never had any incident like that,' Tatum later told ABC. 'When she came in she seemed to be a very pleasant young lady.' 'It's by the grace of God we're still here. It could have ended up a whole different way,' he added. San Diego Police said that Swain's gun was loaded but malfunctioned. She is now facing attempted murder charges. Riot police fired tear gas and stun grenades at crowds of protesters on Kos yesterday as tensions over a new migrant camp flared again. A nine-year-old boy was injured during the violent clashes on the Greek island, local media reported. About 2,000 locals marched from the village of Pyli to the proposed site of the facility on an abandoned army base. Scroll down for video About 2,000 people marched at a rally in Kos against a migrant centre which is being built on an abandoned army base Local media said police fired tear gas to disperse several dozen protesters who tried to break in to the construction site about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the port of Kos Greek police also fired stun grenades at the locals, who marched from the village of Pylio to the site where the hotspot is being built It is the latest instance of disorder surrounding the controversial centre. Last week armed locals blockaded roads, lit fires and hurled petrol bombs at police near the site to try to halt construction. Meanwhile, a British expat pensioner on the island, who built her villa on top of a hill overlooking the sea in 2004, has taken to carrying an old air rifle for protection. Former economics lecturer Judith Denby, 68, from Wigan, said: If it was women and children and families on their own, I wouldnt mind, but my fear is that there will be a lot of single young men roaming around, walking between the camp and the village. 'Until last week I had total freedom, but that peace of mind has gone. For the first time ever Im locking my house and my car. Riot police protect the area of Pylio during a demonstration against the creation of the identification and registration centre for refugees and migrants The Greek government is building five 'hotspots' to house and process migrants on the Aegean islands of Kos, Chios, Leros, Lesbos and Samos Protesters held banners and Greek flags during the demonstration, which degenerated after a group of local residents tried to break into the construction site The registration camp is one of five hotspots Greece is building at the request of the EU on a string of islands, designed to accommodate the tens of thousands of refugees who have been making the perilous journey from the Turkish coast, which lies a few miles away. The centres will allow Greek officials to separate genuine refugees, who will be offered resettlement in the EU, from economic migrants, who will be sent to Athens and then deported to their home countries. But angry local people are concerned migrants will put off tourists the islands main source of income. They also fear large numbers of young male refugees will be allowed to roam the area unhindered. The mayor of Kos, Giorgos Kyritsis, has warned Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras there will be uncontrollable protests unless Athens scraps the plans. Last Wednesday, a small group of Pylio residents clashed with police outside the abandoned military camp Residents oppose the hosting centre for fears it will hurt the tourism industry, the island's main source of income Protesters also fear that young male refugees will be free to roam the local area at will Yesterdays demonstration began peacefully but turned violent after marchers blocked the road leading to the site and tried to invade it to disrupt building work. Some surged through police lines, prompting officers to fire stun grenades and canisters of tear gas to regain control. Kos has 30,000 residents and the centre, around six miles from the islands port, will have capacity for 6,000 people, meaning migrants will make up a sixth of the population. Mother-of-five Anna Karagiannis Chatzisevastou, 36, said: This is not about racism, it is about the security of our homes and our children. At the moment the kids can walk to school on their own but we worry that that will all change we also worry about terrorism. Greeks are a very hospitable people but this situation has made us feel afraid. The country is already in a horrible economic crisis. It cannot cope. Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton pushed back on the idea Republicans have been floating since Justice Antonin Scalia's death was reported yesterday that the winner of the election should be the president who decides his successor. 'The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalia's seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution,' Clinton said in a statement. 'The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons.' Saturday's Republican presidential primary debate in South Carolina was immediately overshadowed by talk of how to handle the death of Scalia, with all six candidates on stage agreeing that the GOP-controlled Senate should stiffen its resolve and refuse to confirm a lame-duck President Barack Obama's nominee. Scroll down for video Hillary Clinton smacked back at Republicans' suggestion that President Barack Obama NOT name a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia This morning, Hillary Clinton sent out this tweet pointing to a statement she made last night on the matter LION'S ROAR: Scalia was a conservative legend and his death will leave a hole that Obama will likely try to fill with a liberal who could tilt the balance of the Supreme Court far to the left Republican frontrunner Donald Trump outlined the pithiest strategy. 'It's called "Delay! Delay! Delay!"' he said. Clinton, tweeting today, was not amused, pointing out that President Obama still holds his office until Jan. 20, 2017. She then tweeted out a statement she said last night on the matter. 'The longest successful confirmation process in the last four decades was Clarence Thomas, and that took roughly 100 days,' Clinton pointed out. 'There are 340 days until the next president takes office, so there is plenty of time.' She noted that some might point out that it's an election year and countered that argument by saying that Justice Kennedy was confirmed in 1988, at the tail end of Ronald Reagan's administration. 'And he was confirmed 97-0,' Clinton said. 'So, as a presidential candidate, a former law professor, a recovering lawyer and, frankly a citizen to hear comments like those of Leader Mitch McConnell this evening is very disappointing,' Clinton continued. 'It is totally out of step with our history and our constitutional principles,' she added. In a statement last night, offering condolences to Scalia's family, McConnell hinted at his political plan. A YUUUGE ROADBLOCK: Donald Trump said during Saturday night's Republican debate that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his colleagues must block anyone President Barack Obama nominates to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia AND THEN THERE WERE SIX: The Republican presidential field started with 17 people but nearly a dozen have dropped out 'The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,' McConnell wrote. 'Therefore, this vacancy should not be filed until we have a new President.' Trump deferred to McConnell when asked if Obama should send a nominee to the Senate, something the president has already vowed to do. 'He's going to do it whether I'm OK with it or not,' Trump said. 'I think it's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else [in the Senate] to stop it.' 'If I were president now, I would certainly want to try and nominate a justice,' Trump conceded, 'and I'm sure that frankly I'm absolutely sure that President Obama will try and do it.' 'I hope that our Senate is going to be able, Mitch and the entire group is going to be able to do something about it' He also named two jurists who he thought would make good picks for the high court. 'You could have a Diane Sykes or you could have a Bill Pryor,' Trump said. John Kasich, the Ohio governor who had a surprise second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, said Obama should 'pick somebody who would have unanimous approval, and such widespread approval across the country, that this could happen without a lot of recrimination.' 'I don't think that's going to happen. And I would like the president to just, for once here, put the country first.' Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, too, said Obama shouldn't name anyone to the bench. 'It's been over 80 years since a lame-duck president has nominated a Supreme Court justice,' he said. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush insisted that Obama's successor should replace Scalia, and 'the next president needs to appoint someone with a proven conservative record.' GATHERING NO MOSS: The president said he plans to nominate a new Supreme Court justice and he expects the Senate to give that person a fair hearing and an up-or-down vote And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz warned that a Supreme Court vacancy 'underscores the stakes of this election. ... The Senate needs to stand up and say we're not going to give up the Supreme Court for a generation by letting Barack Obama make another liberal appointment.' Cruz also said that 'we have 80 years of precedent of not confirming Supreme Court justices in an election year,' which called into question Clinton's timeline. Debate moderator John Dickerson, like Clinton, brought up Justice Anthony Kennedy's appointment to the Supreme Court, which happened in 1987, a year before the presidential election. Kennedy, like Clinton said, was then voted on and approved by the Senate in 1988, an election year. By Cruz's math, however, since the appointment happened a year out from the election, instead of nine month from the day voters head to the polls, it didn't count. Dickerson paid tribute to the deceased justice during the debate. 'Even those who disagreed with his opinions regarded him as a great legal scholar,' the CBS newsman said in Scalia's honor. Obama said just minutes before the debate started that while Scalia was a legal giant, he didn't plan to sit on his hands. 'Obviously, today is the time to remember Justice Scalias legacy,' he said. 'I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time.' Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been remembered by his ideological opponent Ruth Bader Ginsburg today in a touching statement, a day after he died from an apparent heart attack in Texas. The late Justice Scalia, a renowned conservative, and his liberal best friend on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg, put ideology aside to strike up one of Washington's most memorable friendships. In a statement released today Ginsburg called the late justice her 'treasured friend.' 'From our years together at the D.C. Circuit, we were best buddies,' she wrote. 'He was a jurist of captivating brilliance and wit, with a rare talent to make even the most sober judge laugh,' she noted. 'The press referred to his "energetic fervor," "astringent intellect," "peppery prose," "acumen," and "affability," all apt descriptions,' Ginsburg continued. 'He was eminently quotable, his pungent opinions so clearly stated that his words never slipped from the reader's grasp.' Scroll down for video The late Antonin Scalia (left) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg (right) were ideological opposites and also the best of friends for decades Ruth Bader Ginsburg (fourth from left) and Antonin Scalia (fifth from left) were 'supers' or extras for the Washington National Opera's production of 'Ariadne auf Naxos' in January of 1994 Also in 1994, Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg visited India and rode an elephant. Scalia poked fun at Ginsburg's feminist friends for remarking on the fact that she had to sit behind him on the elephant. She suggested 'it was a matter of distribution of weight' Their back-and-forths at public events often seemed more like comedy routines than sentiments shared by two sitting Supreme Court justices. Take that time last year when Ginsburg was caught snoozing through President Obama's State of the Union address. 'That's the first intelligent thing you've done,' Scalia suggested, as Ginsburg admitted she was a little bit drunk. The two sat side-by-side last February for a Smithsonian Associates event and talked at length about their 'odd couple' status in D.C. 'As you can see, he's a very funny fellow,' Ginsburg said at the time. The duo had been friends since serving as appeals court judges on the D.C. circuit. 'I vowed this year, just sparking water, stay way from the wine, but in the end, the dinner was so delicious that it needed wine, too,' Ginsburg said. 'So I got a call when I came home from one of my granddaughters and she said, 'bubby you were sleeping through the State of the Union."' Scalia, who had skipped the annual speech since the Reagan years, approved of his good friend Ginsburg not being '100 percent sober.' They also discussed some of their favorite times together. Ginsburg said she loved being 'supers' or extras with Scalia during performances with the Washington National Opera, as the two were both huge fans on the genre. In her statement she also recalled a particular night at the annual Opera Ball celebration in which Scalia joined two tenors at the piano for a medley of songs. 'He called it the famous Three Tenors performance,' Ginsburg wrote. 'He was, indeed, a magnificent performer.' In her tribute to Scalia, Ginsburg also quoted the opera based upon their friendship. 'Toward the end of the opera Scalia/Ginsburg tenor Scalia and soprano Ginsburg sing a duet: "We are different, we are one," different in our interpretation of written texts, one in our reverence for the Constitution and the institution we serve,' she said, suggesting that these lines hit the nail on the head. 'That's the first intelligent thing you've done,' the late Antonin Scalia said of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's decision to drink wine before last year's State of the Union, which lulled the justice to sleep The unexpected death of Antonin Scalia concludes one of Washington's most unique friendships, which Scalia once called 'the odd couple' But when Scalia spoke in 2015, he pushed those opera memories aside, saying he liked the duo's elephant story best. The two justices visited India together in 1994 and ended up riding an elephant. 'Do you have any idea how tall an elephant is?' Scalia mused. 'And some of her feminist friends gave me a hard time, or gave her a hard time, because she rode behind me on the elephant. Big deal. I'm not kidding.' Ginsburg was prepared with a reply. 'The driver explained it was a matter of distribution of weight,' Ginsburg said. Scalia also had a good laugh remembering the time that Ginsburg went parasailing. 'Ruth, honest to goodness, went up behind a motorboat in a sail ...,' Scalia recalled. 'A parasail,' Ginsburg cut in. 'She's so light you'd think she'd never come down,' Scalia added. 'I would not do that in a thousand years.' Ginsburg said she had been watching the parasailers from her window. 'So I said, why not?' she said. At another joint appearance, this time at the National Press Club in April 2014, Ginsburg told the audience about the time she was really mad at Scalia. 'The VMI case remember that?' Ginsburg said, pointing to the 1996 case that struck down Virginia Military Institute's males-only admissions policy. 'And you had a stirring dissent,' she said of Scalia. 'Yes, it was a great dissent,' Scalia replied. At a April 2014 event at the National Press Club, Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded Antonin Scalia of the one case that really got her mad at him - the 1996 Virginia Military Institute case. Scalia had ribbed Ginsburg for not knowing that the University of Virginia's main campus was in Charlottesville, Virginia 'Remember that the chief justice voted for my judgment, not your dissenting opinion?' Ginsburg rubbed in. The beef began with a footnote from Scalia. 'And one time, I had a footnote that referred to the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. You had a footnote back saying, "Well, you have to forgive this ignorant person because she doesn't know that there is no University of Virginia Charlottesville; well, there is only a University of Virginia,"' Ginsburg recalled. Scalia had corrected her for not realizing that the Charlottesville, Virginia campus of the university is its main campus. When Ginsburg was given Scalia's full dissent, it put her in a bad mood. 'I read the thing on the plane and it ruined my whole weekend,' she said. But even then, Scalia proved he was a good friend. He had dropped off the dissent with Ginsburg days before he passed it around to the rest of the justices, which gave her some bonus time to write. 'That he gave me the extra days to respond, I really appreciated that,' she said. 'If you cannot disagree with your colleagues on the law without taking it personally, you ought to get another day job,' Scalia said. In her statement today, Ginsburg paid homage to Scalia's snappy writing. 'We disagreed now and then, but when I wrote for the Court and received a Scalia dissent, the opinion ultimately released was notably better than my initial circulation,' she wrote. 'Justice Scalia nailed all the weak spots the "applesauce" and "argle bargle" and gave me just what I needed to strengthen the majority opinion. He was a jurist of captivating brilliance and wit, with a rare talent to make even the most sober judge laugh,' she said. The associate justice was found dead yesterday while visiting a luxury resort in West Texas. Authorities are calling it a heart attack. Greek authorities have arrested three British nationals near the Turkish border after they found heavy weapons and ammunition hidden in their car and trailer. Two Iraq-born Britons, both in their 20s, were detained by coastguard officers in the port city of Alexandroupolis, near Greece's border with Turkey. They were said to be carrying 18 machine guns and 39,750 bullets neatly packed in boxes and hidden crypts. A third, 40-year-old UK resident was held on the Kipoi border point on the Evros river. He was carrying four Walther air rifles, eight scopes and 200,000 bullets. Some of the weapons which were found by police hidden in car and trailer in the northeastern city of Alexandroupolis Greek authorities said they arrested two Iraqi-born British nationals near the Turkish border after uncovering the weapons The car and trailer which two British nationals of Iraqi descent used to hide their weapons Police also found 400 US dollars, 2,000 Turkish Liras and 10,000 Iraqi dinars on one of the suspects. A second suspect carried 900 euros and five cell phones. The men are suspected of being part of a 'criminal gang' and are due to be charged on Tuesday. The weapons were not combat rifles but could have been used for training, Greek police counter-terrorism officers and National Intelligence Agency staff were dispatched to Alexandroupolis, in the north east of the country. The Foreign Office said it was investigating the reports. A spokesman said: 'We are urgently looking into reports that two British nationals have been detained in Greece. Greek police say they arrested another 40-year-old British citizen, on the main border crossing to Turkey carrying four Walther air rifles, eight scopes and 200,000 bullets St Helena is a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean One of the most remote islands in the world will remain that way after its 11-year wait for a new airport has been delayed again. St Helena, a British territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, and its 4,000 people - known as 'saints' - were due to be able to fly to and from their homeland by now. The 250million airport was expected to begin operating this month, after taking more than 10 years for plans to come into fruition. Now, there is growing frustration among the locals, as the first flights are not due to take off until May, with British airline Atlantic Star and South African firm Comair battling to be the first to touch down. The island, which is 47 square miles, can only be reached by a Royal Mail ship which leaves from Cape Town, South Africa, every three weeks and takes five days to arrive. The nearest land mass is Angola and Namibia - more than 1,200 miles away. Due to high demand for an alternative way to travel, the Government announced its intention to build an airport in 2005. However, it was not until July 2010 that a final decision was made and construction began 15 months later. Work is now complete but officials say a number of 'hurdles' still need to be overcome. Janet Lawrence, Saint Helena airport's project director, told The Independent: 'Due to the unknown nature of building an airport on the island's uneven terrain, changes in design had to be made to facilitate that.' In a letter to the people of St Helena, Atlantic Star principal Richard Brown said: 'We are in contact with the air access team at St Helena Government and are confident that all the hurdles to certification will be overcome.' The island, which is 47 square miles, can only be reached by a Royal Mail ship which leaves from Cape Town, South Africa, every three weeks and takes five days to arrive Due to high demand for an alternative way to travel, the Government announced its intention to build an airport in 2005 St Helena is most famous for being the island Napoleon was sent to, to ensure that he would never return to Europe again, following his defeat at Waterloo in 1815 He added: 'We fully appreciate how frustrating this waiting period is for those of you who wish to finalise 2016 travel plans. We share that frustration and naturally we would love [tickets] to be on sale right now.' St Helena is most famous for being the island Napoleon was sent to, to ensure that he would never return to Europe again, following his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia arrived in Virginia late Sunday night after being flown from Texas where he died of 'natural causes' during a hunting trip on Saturday. Scalia's body was taken from the Sunset Funeral Homes to the airport in El Paso Sunday afternoon after his family decided a private autopsy wasn't necessary and requested his remains be flown as soon as possible. John Poindexter, who found the 79-year-old Justice dead in his room in the El Presidente suite at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas, said Scalia looked peaceful. 'We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled. He was lying very restfully,' Poindexter, the owner of the ranch, said. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died of a heart attack, according to officials. A West Texas judge said his cause of death will be listed under the technical term, myocardial infarction A hearse, accompanied by US Marshals, transported Scalia's body from the Sunset Funeral Home to the El Paso International Airport, where it departed in a private plane to Virginia around 8pm Poindexter first went to Scalia's room at 8.30am on Saturday, but the door was locked and his knocks went unanswered. He returned three hours later with a friend of Scalia's, who had come with him from Washington DC to the ranch. Poindexter said Scalia was 'stone cold' and did not have a pulse. After the owner and Scalia's friend called 911, local authorities and several US Marshals arrived at the ranch. 'The judge...was in complete repose. He was very peaceful in the bed,' Poindexter told NBC News. 'He had obviously passed away with no difficulty at all in the middle of the night.' 'Among the most commonly said things yesterday was, if this had to happen, and we're really sad that it did, but if it had to happen, it happened in the very best of circumstances. 'He seemed to enjoy himself greatly.' Scalia arrived at the ranch, which is south of Marfa, Texas, around noon on Friday. Poindexter said the judge had a 'jolly lunch' and then observed as some of the guests hunted quail. The 'El Presidente' suite at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, where Scalia's body was found Saturday morning. John Poindexter, the ranch's owner, said the judge was 'lying very restfully' when he was discovered 'The judge...was in complete repose. He was very peaceful in the bed,' Poindexter said. 'He had obviously passed away with no difficulty at all in the middle of the night' Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry paid tribute to Scalia in a Facebook post on Saturday, sharing this picture of himself with the Supreme Court justice on a duck hunt (not the hunt he was on this weekend) At dinner that night Scalia was his 'usual, personal self' but seemed tired and at about 9pm said he wanted to get some sleep after 'a long day and a long week', Poindexter told My San Antonio. Scalia's personal physician and sheriff's investigators said there were so signs of foul play and concluded he had died of natural causes. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara, who pronounced Scalia dead, said his death certificate will say the cause of death was natural and that he died of a heart attack, she told ABC News. She said Scalia's doctor in Washington DC told her the Justice had been sick last week but was at the office Wednesday and Thursday before departing for his quail hunting trip on Friday. Guevara was out of town and said she planned to drive to the ranch but was told by a US Marshal, who was with Scalia's body, that it was unnecessary to do so. She asked the US Marshals if there were any signs of foul play and they assured her 'absolutely not', according to The Washington Post. Guevara then talked to Scalia's personal physician in DC before she officially pronounced him dead and declined to order an inquest. Under Texas law it is legal for a justice of the peace to declare someone dead without seeing the body. US marshals accompanied a hearse carrying Scalia's body to the airport, where it was then transported to a private plane that departed for Virginia around 8pm. Poindexter (pictured) said Scalia had been surrounded by some of his closest friends and admirers on the night before his death There's no word on when a funeral or a service will be held. However, a makeshift memorial was set up on the steps to the Supreme Court on Sunday morning. Tourists and well-wishers laid down flowers to mark his passing. President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the high court, where Scalia served for three decades, and other federal buildings throughout the nation and US embassies and military installations throughout the world. On Saturday, Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry was one of Scalia's many admirers to release a statement on the passing of the Supreme Court justice. In a post on Facebook, in which he shared a picture of himself with Scalia on a duck hunting trip, Fortenberry wrote: 'I feel like America just lost her grandfather. Justice Scalia was a truly great man of enormous character.' Scalia was on the bench for 29 years and would have been 80 next month. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Maureen, as well as their nine children and 28 grandchildren. As politicians and legal minds around the world paid tribute to the man known for his controversial decisions and unwavering opinions, a political battle already began heating up on Capitol Hill. At issue is whether Obama, in his last year in office, should make a nomination and if the Republican-led Senate will confirm that choice in an election year. As Obama pledged he would make a nomination 'in due time', Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Scalia's vacant seat should not be filled until the next president is elected. It was a sentiment echoed by GOP presidential hopefuls Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. The Constitution gives the Senate 'advice and consent' powers over a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Flowers are seen in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia An American flag flies at half mast at the U.S. Supreme Court, 24 hours after Justice Scalia's passing Cruz told NBC's 'Meet the Press' that the GOP-controlled Senate is doing its job. 'We're advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court,' Cruz said. But the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings on a nominee, said it would be 'sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing [or] a vote.' Democratic Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy told CNN's 'State of the Union' that he believes McConnell is 'making a terrible mistake' and is 'certainly ignoring the Constitution'. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has been left split with four Democratic and Republican appointees each. Now a number of pending cases on abortion, immigration and affirmative action, among others, could be left with a 4-4 tie with the loss of conservative Scalia to tip the majority. The court faces a crowded docket of politically charged cases that were certain to resonate in the presidential campaign on issues such as immigration, abortion, affirmative action, labor unions and Obama's health care law. Decisions were expected in late spring and early summer on whether the president could shield up to five million immigrants living in the United States illegally from deportation. In some cases a tie will merely leave in place decisions that have already been set by lower courts. This would be the case in Whole Women's Health v Cole, upholding a Texas law that has closed half of the state's abortion clinics in the last three years. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the state's regulations, but a tie in the Supreme Court would be a blow to anti-abortion advocates hoping for a broader ruling that could set the precedent for restrictions across the country. A 4-4 tie would also uphold the federal court's ban on Obama's 2014 executive action to protect four million undocumented immigrants from deportation. But it would not allow the Court to put broader limits on the authority of the president, a possibility they discussed in January, according to Bloomberg. Unlike with the abortion and immigration cases, Scalia's absence will make a tie impossible in an upcoming affirmative action decision. Scalia (front, second from left) was nominated to the US Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan and is the longest-serving justice on the Court Justice Scalia was surrounded by friends and admirers at a retreat at the Cibolo Creek Ranch before he died A Florida millionaire is suing his former fiancee over claims that she stole diamonds and gold jewelry from him after he dumped her. Scott Patrick Mitchell, of Palm Harbor, claims his ex girlfriend, Mary Catherine Hunt, owes him $2.1 million in stolen goods after their break up last summer, the Tampa Bay Times reports. He has filed a lawsuit against the 29-year-old, and her parents Linda and Michael Hunt, who he claims helped her hide the high-end jewels which include 99 three-diamond necklaces, 147 gold rings and 172 loose diamonds. Scott Patrick Mitchell (left) claims his ex girlfriend, Mary Catherine Hunt, (right) owes him $2.1 million in stolen goods after their break up last summer Hunt denies all the allegations. Mitchell claims that he dumped the pretty blonde last summer after she bruised his face three times, according to claims he made in federal civil court records. After she was sent packing, surveillance footage shows Hunt and her mother mailing a package at a UPS store in Florida on August 11. They told the clerk they were trying to send a laptop and antique plate, and were hoping to insure the package for the maximum $50,000. When they were told the insurance cost, they then dropped coverage to $3,000, the paper reports. Mitchell told police he received a drunken call from her father around a week later when he said Michael Hunt told him that UPS had delivered a box of jewels to his home on Pirates Point, Virginia. Mitchell filed a lawsuit against the 29-year-old, and her parents Linda and Michael Hunt, who he claims helped her hide the high-end jewels which include 99 three-diamond necklaces, 147 gold rings and 172 loose diamonds Mitchell, CEO of salon products company Simply Organic, was in a relationship with Mary Hunt for two years up until last June when he called off their August wedding In a recording, provided by Mitchell, Hunt says: 'These are bracelets, these are diamonds, they're every thing.' At that point, the millionaire said he checked his safe room and realized his jewels and gold - which he said he had bought from struggling jewelers during the recession in 2008 - were missing. Mr Hunt later told officers that he knew nothing about a package and he had been drunk for several days when he made the call. Police searching his home later uncovered an empty UPS box addressed to M Hunt. Mitchell, CEO of salon products company Simply Organic, was in a relationship with Mary Hunt for two years up until last June when he called off their August wedding. He claimed he paid for everything, including her mortgage, credit card debt, health insurance and even let her drive his 2015 Mercedes Benz. The businessman even gave her the combination to his safe room, he claims. Hunt was charged with grand theft in October. The lawsuit is claiming costs to recover the stolen items plus damages for a total of $4million. The next hearing is set for February 24. The millionaire checked his safe room at his home (pictured) and realized his jewels and gold - which he said he had bought from struggling jewelers during the recession in 2008 - were missing after a call from Hunt's father Made in England: BBC Radio 4 documentary asserts J.D. Salinger created the iconic Holden Caulfield while in England One of American literature's most iconic coming-of-age characters was inspired by time in an English town towards the end of World War 2. Disaffected New York teen Holden Caulfield was dreamed up by J.D. Salinger while he was in Tiverton, Devon preparing for the assault on Normandy in 1944. The Catcher In The Rye wasn't published until 1951, but the young US Sergeant, then aged 25, developed his central character on down time while based in the Devonshire town for three months. This is according to a new BBC Radio 4 documentary.presented by Mark Hodkinson a Salinger devotee who edited his best-selling biography who explored Tiverton to retrace the author's steps. A reclusive author, who left behind scant clues to his inspiration for his celebrated novel, the documentary 'J.D. Salinger, Made In England' reveals the inspiration behind his formative years. 'Salinger later told friends that England changed him and his writing, Hodkinson reportedly said to The Independent. 'The slower pace of life, the matter-of-factness of the people and the green landscape brought more reflection to his work. He announced soon afterwards that he was going to be more 'sympathetic' to his characters, including Holden Caulfield, the anti-hero of, The Catcher in The Rye', on which he was already working in Devon.' Peaceful: Salinger reportedly wrote during his down time in TIverton in 1944 and the peaceful town changed his writing In an exclusive BBC interview, 96-year-old Werner Kleeman, a New Yorker who served with Salinger in Tiverton and life long friend of remained the reclusive writer said: 'I soldiered with Salinger for over a year in England, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. 'We lived together, ate together and suffered together. I was a corporal, he was a staff sergeant. He liked Devon. Every day, any free time he had was taken up by writing on his portable typewriter.' For many US soldiers, Devon was the last peaceful place before the carnage on Normandy's beaches, which Dr Sarah Graham, lecturer in American Literature at the University of Leicester, said may have contributed to J.D. Salinger's sentimentalization of the the region. US forces were deployed to Devon to prepared for D-Day in 1944 - the then 25-year-old writer was based in Tiverton for three months Classic: The US classic The Catcher in The Rye was eventually published in 1951 and sold 65 million copies US TROOPS PRACTISED FOR D-DAY ON DEVON BEACHES More than 100,000 U.S. troops were stationed in Devon in the months running up to the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. The Devon beaches were very similar to those designated to the U.S. forces in Normandy and codenamed Utah and Omaha. East Allington in the Slapton Sands area which was commandeered prior To D-Day as a training ground for American troops. Long-hidden archive footage of US troops practising for the invasion was discovered by former BBC technician Tony Koorlander in 2009. 'The beaches have the same sand quality, beach gradient and tidal range and the lessons they learnt here were vital to the success in Normandy,' Mr Koorlander said in a 2009 interview. He made the discovery while researching the wartime connections of his hometown of Bideford, in Devon, some 40 miles from Tiverton, where J.D. Salinger spent three months in 1944. The footage shot between October 1943 and June 1944 on Woolacombe beach and Braunton Burrows was originally intended to be shown to U.S. troops as a training video on amphibious landings. But some of the images of troops practising manoeuvres in Devon were later used in U.S. wartime propaganda films to portray battle scenes in Normandy. Tiverton itself hosted evacuees from the big cities and the area was bombed by the Germans, although not with the intensity of nearby Exeter. Contemporary accounts of American troops passing through Tiverton during the war, recall the integration of the British civilians and US soldiers - local dances, marriages and especially the sharing of rations. Advertisement Maruta Gardner, 69, was struck by a Toyota Corolla driven by a 23-year-old man in San Diego on Friday A beloved mother and community leader was killed while cleaning up graffiti in California when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver suspected of being under the influence, her loved ones said. Maruta Gardner, 69, was struck by a black Toyota Corolla driven by a 23-year-old man in the Mission Beach neighborhood of San Diego at about 5.45pm on Friday in what police believe was a road-rage incident. Though officials have not formally identified Gardner, friends and family members of the victim have come forward to identify her, saying she made the community a better place. Officers with the San Diego Police Department said the victim was cleaning up graffiti on Jetty Road and Mission Boulevard on Friday when the vehicle struck her. She was standing on the curb when the Corolla driver was involved in what police believe was a road rage incident with another vehicle - a white Ford Mustang. The Corolla driver sped along the shoulder to the right of the Mustang and struck the woman on the curb. 'The suspect sped to the right of the Mustang, driving along the shoulder and struck the victim,' San Diego Police Department Officer Robert Heims told Fox 5 San Diego. After stopping in a parking lot for a few minutes, the Corolla driver sped away. Police stopped the driver a short distance away and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence. Gardner, pictured here with her husband, was known for her community leadership and for cleaning up graffiti in public spaces in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach Gardner was cleaning up graffiti in the Mission Beach neighborhood when she was struck. Police believe the Corolla driver was involved in a road rage incident when he was driving on the shoulder of the road, next to a white Mustang. The Corolla driver struck Gardner, who was standing on the curb Gardner, known fondly by the community as the 'graffiti woman', was taken to the hospital but died on Saturday morning. The former educator and school principal was known for cleaning graffiti off public spaces in the neighborhood. 'She's a wonderful, dedicated person,' the victim's friend, Dr. Ed Thile, told NBC 7. 'You know, there are givers and takers. She was a giver. She was sensitive and responsive and she gave to this community.' Residents said that Gardner rode her bike around Mission Beach and Pacific Beach carrying supplies to paint over graffiti. They said that she has done this for several years. Gardner was taken to the hospital on Friday and died on Saturday morning. The driver of the Corolla was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Thile said the San Diego City Council has recognized her efforts, as well as her work in upgrading a playground in the area. The Mission Beach Women's Club wrote a tribute for Gardner on Facebook following her untimely death. 'It is with great sorrow that our beloved Maruta Gardner has died,' the post read. 'All of the members of the Mission Beach Women's Club loved Maruta as a sister, admired her strength, her leadership and valued her loyal friendship. 'Our hearts go out to Willie, Maruta's husband, during this time. RIP, dear Maruta. You will be missed.' San Diego City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf also wrote a tribute to Gardner. 'MB's beloved community leader Maruta Gardner and her family are in our thoughts and prayers,' she wrote on Twitter. The slate-grey seawater surrounding our RIB seemed to be bubbling and boiling, and it took us a while to understand why. Then, as squeals of delight spread around our boatload of eager wildlife-watchers, we realised wed been ambushed by not one or two, but a whole mega-pod of dolphins, too many to count. They seemed to be playing with us: throwing their shiny, sleek bodies out of the waves and plunging back in; zipping along like big bullets just under the water, then breaking the surface barely an arms-length away; running with the boat so we could all get a good, long look at them. You don't have to travel to far flung corners of the globe to see pods of dolphins - you can check them out in Pembrokeshire You might expect such a sight somewhere a bit more exotic the list of successful cetacean-spotting destinations includes South Africa, the Caribbean, California, Canada and the Maldives. But nobody had told them they werent meant to be hanging out off the coast of Pembrokeshire. According to Voyages of Discovery, one of the operators offering boat trips here, the area called the Celtic Deep off the coast is the perfect place to see common, bottlenose and Rissos dolphins, porpoises, minke, sei and fin whales, orcas and basking sharks. Even a blue whale and a great white have been reported. The nutrient-rich water flowing in from the Atlantic generates such a prolific ecosystem that it has even been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Voyages of Discovery, based in St Davids, Britains smallest city, claims a whopping 90 per cent success rate for seeing dolphins and 25 per cent for whales. The two-and-a-half-hour offshore islands trip, available from mid-May to the end of September, costs 60 for adults and 30 for children. The departure point is St Justinian, a couple of miles outside St Davids. Within seconds of leaving, we spotted a seal, plump and cheeky, stretched out sunbathing on the RNLI lifeboats buoy in the bay (it was still there when we came back). According to Voyages of Discovery, one of the operators offering boat trips here, the area called the Celtic Deep off the coast is the perfect place to see common, bottlenose and Rissos dolphins One creature youre pretty much guaranteed to see is a gannet a staggering 80,000 pairs live on Grassholm Island, the second largest colony in the northern hemisphere. Youre also likely to see puffins. Go out as early as you can for the best chance of seeing whales. Wrap up in waterproofs, even if its sunny and tuck into a delicious full Welsh brekkie before you set off to keep you going. Unfortunately, our prayers went unanswered and we didnt see any whales on our trip, but the dolphins almost made up for that. We stayed at Crug Glas, a country house hotel in the middle of glorious Welsh countryside, a 15-minute drive from St Davids. Its owned and run by husband and wife team Janet and Perkin Evans, with a renowned restaurant serving local delicacies. The Bishop of St Davids is said to have lived here in the past and the property remained in the hands of the Church for centuries until it was sold in the early 1900s. So you know who to ask for a little extra help with the whale-watching It had been a long time since I had the chance to visit St Lucia and I was looking forward to it. Happily I wasnt disappointed. It was my annual break the one I take following the final of Strictly Come Dancing and before the start of the Strictly tour. St Lucia is one of the Caribbeans loveliest islands. Its very lush, with much of it covered in rainforest, home to rare plants and animals including the delightfully named whistling frog and the wonderful St Lucia parrot. What attracted me to The BodyHoliday resort was that there are so many things you can do a variety of activities are offered by the hotel, with a daily programme of complimentary body treatments in the Wellness Centre and an unbelievable array of sports, all set in gorgeous scenery. Fun in the sun: Bruno poses for a holiday snap on the resorts beach in St Lucia There are also excursions you can take from the island to St Vincent, for example, or you can take a catamaran cruise to the Grenadines, which is fantastic. I did both on a previous visit and loved them. Id also enjoyed a trip to St Lucias La Soufriere volcano, all sulphurous smells and primeval jungle it felt like a scene from Jurassic Park. This time I was looking to recharge the Tonioli batteries. I like my annual break to include brief outings, lots of good things to eat, some exercise and a couple of books. For a start, the hotels location was perfect: it is in a stunning spot, near to where they filmed the movie Dr Dolittle with Rex Harrison. St Lucia has become very fashionable in recent years and The BodyHoliday resort is one of the Caribbeans leading all-inclusive spa resorts. But the big surprise is that the resort is such good value. Its unbelievable what visitors get for their money. Something for everyone: The BodyHoliday Resort on St Lucia is a beautiful escape What makes it even more attractive for me is that its largely an adults-only place: we all love children, but sometimes you need a break from them. Unusually for me on holiday, this time I kept fairly busy going to the gym regularly, enticed by the prospect of classes in zumba, aerobics, yoga, spinning and the services of a personal trainer. Fitness-wise, you name it and they have it here. And its all free of charge. One of the big events at the resort this year is Jive June. Its being held from May 29 to June 26 and will introduce guests to the Cuban cha-cha-cha and salsa, the fiery Argentine tango, the Caribbean merengue, American jive and the energetic Colombian zumba a whole month devoted to dance. The resort says it is hoping to inspire more people to take up this amazing exercise and have some fun. St Lucia has become very fashionable in recent years and The BodyHoliday resort is one of the Caribbeans leading all-inclusive spa resorts There will be 19 daytime dance and dance-fitness classes per week, including zumba, disco aerobics, street dance, foxtrot, dance step, hip hop, aqua dance, jive, salsa, Argentine tango, merengue, Latin aerobics, and cha- cha-cha. There will also be three themed dance evenings led by guest presenters Latin Night, Step By Step Dance Party, and Rock N Roll Night as well as a weekly zumba party and beach party. Among the instructors and professional dancers will be Andrew Cuerden, who was a pro on Strictly he partnered Holby City actress Jaye Jacobs in series three. But while there are lots of organised events, all free of charge, you dont have to join in. You can just relax in the sun and have lots of treatments. I had an amazing four-hand Ayurvedic massage, which was beyond belief. I also enjoyed an oxygen facial, aromatherapy, and a foot and hand massage. I spent 12 days at the resort but the time went by in a flash. Having been to the Indian Ocean a number of times recently, it was interesting to see how the Caribbean compared with a destination such as the Maldives. While I love the Maldives I adore your closeness to the sea and all the fish that you can see right from your villa (you can have them eating out of your hand) I dont think there is anything in the Maldives like BodyHoliday. It is a completely different type of vacation: relaxation mixed with the feelgood factor you get from exercise and different therapies. You could eat healthily at every meal, but you didnt have to there are five restaurants and you can choose from a very wide range of good pasta dishes if you want to. I dont have lots of carbs very often, you know, because my body is a temple! Im very toned but I dont totally exclude carbs I had a couple of pizzas there, which were lovely. But most of the time, when Im away in the heat I eat grilled fish and salads. Thats all I want. They also have the most amazing juice bar. I used to have a daily ginger, turmeric and carrot juice, but you can have any combination you want. And my holiday reading? My most-enjoyed book this time was Robert Harriss Dictator, the concluding volume of his Cicero trilogy. It covers the collapse of the Roman republic, the subsequent civil war, murder of Pompey and the assassination of Julius Caesar. Its brilliant. I also gave a Ten to the latest J. K. Rowling/Robert Galbraith thriller Career Of Evil, which was very good indeed and a Ten to the BodyHoliday resort... That month of dancing sounds brilliant fun. The two men Marco Pierre White's estranged wife Mati Conejero, 51, was charged with attacking at her 500,000 London home were her own sons, Luciano, 21, and Marco Junior, 20. I spoke to Mati last night who told me: 'There are two charges, one is one son, and one is the other. I'm not speaking to the press. When the time's right I will.' Pictured, celebrity chef Marco Pierre White with his estranged wife Mati Conejero, 51, who was charged with attacking two men at her 500,000 London home Naturally, there is an awful lot that cannot be disclosed for legal reasons but I can report that the alleged assaults happened on September 20 at her flat in Chiswick. Mati was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm after her sons made an allegation of assault. She has been summoned to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on March 7. Luciano, who has a flat adjoining his mother's, and Marco Junior are models and are often photographed on London's social scene. They could not be contacted for comment. Mati separated from Marco in spectacularly bitter fashion after seven years of marriage. She filed for divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour but proceedings were halted after they reportedly ran up legal bills of an estimated 3 million. They remain married. It has been revealed that Mati was charged with assaulting her sons, Luciano, 21, (left) and Marco Junior, 20 Relations between them began to break down in 2005 when she accused him of cheating. The chef spent 14 hours in a police cell after he and his wife rowed. The couple also have daughter Mirabelle, 13, named after the famous Mayfair restaurants Marco once owned. Last year, when asked about Mati, he said: 'We spent a long time of our lives with one another. I'll always love her. She's a special and wonderful woman.' Marco, 54 and married three times, is in a relationship with Silent Witness star Emilia Fox. They have become incredibly close on the set of Australia's Got Talent. And in a loyal moment, Kelly Osbourne has revealed she recently stood up for fellow Australia's Got talent judge Sophie Monk when men started 'grabbing' the blonde and one touched her breast. Kelly, 31, told The Daily Telegraph she slapped a man's hand when he touched Sophie's chest while they were out in Sydney's Woolloomooloo saying: 'I ended up going up to them like f*****g Kung Fu Panda,' referring to the children's movie about a panda skilled at martial arts. Scroll down for video Loyal friend: Kelly Osbourne (L) has revealed she once stood up for Sophie Monk when they were out at Sydney's Woolloomooloo when men started 'grabbing' the blonde and a drunken man touched her breast Sophie also told the publication men aren't afraid to touch her inappropriately. 'They're more afraid of her, but with me they're like 'it's Soph' and grab my boob,' Sophie said. Kelly said had to do something to defend her friend. 'That guy who grabbed your boob, I went slap across his hand,' she said. Don't cross her! Kelly said she went all 'Kung Fu Panda' on the men who approached Sophie While Sophie seemed more understanding and insisted the males were just 'drunk,' Kelly said it still isn't an excuse for the disrespectful behaviour. 'You don't show disrespect to women like that,' Kelly said. The girls - who recently enjoyed a slumber party to watch Australia's Got Talent - are currently appearing on the show alongside fellow judges Ian 'Dicko' Dickson and Eddie Perfect. The pair also hang out in their own time and regularly share pictures together with one another online. Recently, Kelly gushed to Daily Mail Australia about Sophie, explaining that they get along like a house on fire. Friendship goals: The pair recently enjoyed a slumber party to watch Australia's Got Talent together Her and I may wear pretty dresses and have all the eyelashes, but were bogans, she said. Its so nice to work with a woman who is not competitive, we just have so much fun. You have no idea.' But it hasn't always been smooth sailing for the pair, with Kelly admitting she saw Sophie around LA but didn't want to talk to her. I had seen her about in LA, but because she was so pretty I was too scared to talk to her. 'But then from the first day, it was just instant.' She revealed earlier in the month she had received a 'booty call' text message from pesky Shane Warne following a night out. Now Real Housewives Of Melbourne's Janet Roach has explained she was initially 'excited' to have contact with the 46-year-old sportsman after he tracked her down on Facebook. 'Wed been out one night at Club 23 [in Melbourne]...and he started messaging me and saying, "Hey, are you interested in catching up?"' the 55-year-old told the Daily Telegraph. Scroll down for video Meet up: RHOM's Janet Roach has explained she was first 'excited' to have contact with Shane Warne after he found her on Facebook until he sent her a booty call She added: 'I thought, "Wow, hey, hes a bit of all right! Who wouldnt want to catch up with him?" 'I was loving myself, going, "Hey, I might go out with Shane Warne." But it seems the spark between the pair was short lived with the reality television star explaining a female friend had convinced her to shun the former cricket player after he texted her for a 'booty call'. Bring it on: The 55-year-old said she was like '"Wow, hey, hes a bit of all right! Who wouldnt want to catch up with him?"' when she received a message from him asking to 'catch up' She explained her friend had told her that Shane was 'messaging the same thing to about 20 other girls. Earlier this month News Corp reported that Janet made the admission of the late night messages in the first episode of RHOM's forthcoming second season in which she commented: 'Shane Warne sent me a message and asked me to go out'. 'He asked me out and I said, No, no, I actually have an appearance that night. 'And he said, Well you could come over to my house after that. And I thought, well thats not the kind of date that Im really looking for.' Short lived: The reality TV star added a close friend later told her that Shane had been 'messaging the same thing to about 20 other girls Shane is currently holed up in the South African jungle as he films I'm A Celebrity....Get Me Out Of Here! with a bevy of blonde starlets, several of whom are single. While the amorous sportsman hasn't made any advances toward any of the eligible female celebrities, his 14-year-old daughter has identified single mother-of-one Jo Beth as being his type. Speaking to KIIS FM's Matt Tilley and Meshel Laurie, Summer confessed that, 'one of the girls is flirting already... I can't remember her name, it's the blonde one, I think she's mid-40s'. When asked if she meant Jo, she replied: 'Yes! I think so.' This time last year she was on the winner's podium at BAFTA. And despite not being nominated for the 2016 ceremony, Julianne Moore was still keen to get in the party spirit as she enjoyed the Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-BAFTA cocktail party and dinner at Annabel's on Saturday night. The 55-year-old actress stood out in a sea of A-listers in her stunning sheer lace dress. Scroll down for video Let's party: Julianne Moore was still keen to get in the party spirit as she enjoyed the Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-BAFTA cocktail party and dinner at Annabel's on Saturday night Julianne showed off her svelte figure in the elegant but daring number as she arrived on the arm of her good friend, designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. The big screen star looked incredible in her racy lace design, which flashed hints of skin but preserved the Oscar-winner's modesty with black panels. The statement number featured a feathered hem and delicate buttons running down the front, while a lace-trimmed collar finished the beautiful design off perfectly. What a look! The 55-year-old actress stood out in a sea of A-listers in her stunning sheer lace dress a she arrived with her good friend, fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford Julianne added a pair of ankle-strap black heels and carried a chic clutch bag inside. Despite the freezing and rainy London weather, the star refused to wear a coat, instead showcasing her dress as she hurried inside to party. Her distinctive red locks were swept back off her face in a braided do, while delicate earrings and a sweep of blusher and lipstick completed the glam ensemble. Wow factor: The big screen star looked incredible in her racy lace design, which flashed hints of skin but preserved the Oscar-winner modesty with black panels Stunning: The statement number featured a feathered hem and delicate buttons running down the front , while a lace-trimmed collar finished the beautiful design off perfectly Julianne is in town to promote her latest film Freeheld as well as present a gong at Sunday night's BAFTA ceremony at London's Royal Opera House. At last year's February ceremony, the North Carolina-born beauty, was honoured with the Leading Actress award for her role in Still Alice, in which she plays a doctor struggling with the onset of dementia. She beat out tough competition from Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl), Amy Adams (Big Eyes), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) and Reese Witherspoon (Wild). Dapper duo: Tom was looking sharp in a classic suit teamed with quirky shades She took to the stage and emotionally thanked the female members of her family, insisting she felt compelled to mention them during her first ever BAFTAs speech - because they hail from the UK. She said:' Thank you for including me among these beautiful performances both British Felicity, Rosamund and American Amy and Reese I'm honoured to be honoured with you tonight. 'Film is a collaborative medium, there's no way you can give a performance by yourself and the thing i value most about my job is the creative partnership with others.' Finishing touches: Her distinctive red locks were swept back off her face in a braided do, while delicate earrings and a sweep of blusher and lipstick completed the glam ensemble. Retro style: Julianne partied alongside her 2015 BAFTA fellow nominee Rosamund Pike, with the Bond beauty looking gorgeous in a semi sheer black number At Saturday night's party, Julianne partied alongside her 2015 fellow nominee Rosamund Pike, with the Bond beauty looking gorgeous in a semi sheer black number. The unusual dress featured a white collar and cuffs and a buttoned up front, with the stylish star adding a pair of classic black heels. Her blonde bob was left loose while a slick of lip colour finished off the party look. Cute: The unusual dress featured a white collar and cuffs and a buttoned up front, with the stylish star adding a pair of classic black heels Glam turnout: Rosamund posed with her pal Laura Bailey, who was looked gorgeous in a chic black dress Big weekend: This year's BAFTA nominees enjoyed the party, with Leading Actor hopeful Eddie Redmayne arriving with his pregnant wife Hannah Bagshawe Standing out: Cat Blanchett, nominated for her lead role in Carol, also party hopped across London, wowing in a black leather and lace number for her busy night in the capital This year's BAFTA nominees enjoyed the party, with Leading Actor hopeful Eddie Redmayne arriving with his pregnant wife Hannah Bagshawe. The cute couple matched in black for the bash, before heading to Kensington Palace for the Lancome Nominees party. The Brit actor is up for his role in The Danish Girl but faces stiff competition from The Revenant's Leonardo DiCaprio. Designer wardrobe: With all eyes on her, Cate modelled an all black creation by Chanel which looked divine set against her porcelain complexion Cate Blanchett, nominated for her lead role in Carol, also party hopped across London, wowing in a black leather and lace number for her busy night in the capital. With all eyes on her, Cate modelled an all black creation by Chanel which looked divine set against her porcelain complexion. A cut above the rest, Blanchett's gown featured a V-neck long sleeved leather bodice and and a checked laser cut full circle skirt. Cate joined the likes of Emilia Clarke, Dakota Johnson and Sam Claflin at the stylish party. What a dress! Game Of Throne star Emilia Clarke chose a statement floral number for the big night Chic: Dakota Johnson, nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star award, chose a vintage style tweed number Strike a pose: Star Wars star Gwendoline Christie and Giles Deacon made quite the quirky duo Date night: New parents Sam Claflin and Laura Haddock enjoyed a night out at the glam party What a turnout: Kristin Scott Thomas chose a glittering pleated dress while Clemence Poesy stood out in her statement jacket Talented pair: Star Trek star Chris Pine and dancer and actress Sofia Boutella made for a glam pair Getting in the party spirit: Mark Ruffalo cosied up with his gorgeous Sunrise Coigney Legendary: Sir Ridley Scott arrived with his glamorous partner Giannina Facio What a night: Richard E. Grant and his wife Joan Washington looked happy to be at the a-list party Acting couple: Helen McCrory and Damian Lewis coordinated in head to toe black for the party Dapper gents: Will Poulter was sharp in a classic suit while Cuba Gooding Jnr made a statement in his blue velvet blazer and scarf combo Making her entrance: Kristen added a gorgeous pale pink coat over her dress as she headed to the party Coming through: Damian didn't let the downpour dampen his party spirit as he was sheltered by an umbrella A-list crowd: Benicio del Toro stopped to sign autographs and snap selfies in the rain Hollywood star: Cuba didn't seem put off by the weather as he snapped some pics Say cheese! The Jerry Maguire star flashed a smile as he posed with the fans outside She is just as famous for her stunningly good looks as her acting skills, and now Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend can add budding fashionista to her list of accomplishments. The pretty blonde looked incredible as she arrived at a pre-BAFTA party in a classy little black dress, which showed off her svelte figure to perfection. The British beauty, 26, oozed glam in the long sleeved number as she rubbed shoulders with stars at a pre-BAFTA dinner hosted by Luis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke and Alicia Vikander at The Apartment in London on Saturday night. Scroll down for video Stunning: Cressida Bonas, 26, was the picture of sophistication in a long sleeved little black dress at a pre-BAFTA dinner hosted by Michael Burke and Alicia Vikander in London on Saturday night The leggy beauty showed off her slender physique in the frock which featured a flattering asymmetric hem that fell just above her knee. Actress, Cressida, looked chic in the simple design that covered her toned arms from the winter cold. Her dark blonde locks were teased into ringlets that tumbled down her back, with one side swept up off her face and secured with a dainty clip. Smoking: The leggy beauty showed off her slender physique in the frock which featured a flattering asymmetric hem that fell just above her knee Dazzling: Cressida brightened up her outfit with a pair of stunning strappy gold sandals as she arrived at the plush pre-BAFTA event in London Cressida brightened up her outfit with a pair of stunning strappy gold sandals as she arrived at the plush pre-BAFTA event in London, and wore drop diamond earrings. The actress, who split from Prince Harry in 2014, joined guests to celebrate on the eve of the BAFTAs at London's Royal Opera house on Sunday. She was joined by Jenna Coleman who looked edgy in a structured and ruffled cream top, with floral cut outs. Jenna toughened up her look by teaming her lace top with a black leather mini skirt with buckles at the front. Hollywood's A-list including a host of nominees are set to be in attendance during Britain's glitziest celebration of film, which falls on Valentine's Day. Monochrome: Jenna Coleman looked edgy in a structured and ruffled cream top, with floral cut-outs Mel B proved life begins at 40 as she enjoyed a particularly playful trip to the beach with her husband Stephen Belafonte during their romantic getaway to the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier in the week. The former Scary Spice appeared to be having the time of her life as she outrageously flirted with her film-producer spouse. Mel, 40, showcased her famously-fit figure in an electric bandeau bikini but she possibly showed off more than she bargained for as she larked around in the sea. Scroll down for video Not feeling blue: Mel B paraded her famously fit figure in an electric blue bikini as she enjoyed a break to the Turks and Caicos Islands earlier in the week The mother-of-three's bikini bottoms came loose, exposing her pert cheeks to the beach front, as she was lifted up by Stephen in a playful stunt. She scrambled to salvage her dignity by grabbing the skimpy swimwear with both hands while he clung to her under her arms. Stephen ensured she wasn't embarrassed by the mishap as he mimicked it by simply standing up in the clear-blue sea with some force, leaving his black swimming shorts to fall below his butt cheeks which certainly offered beach-goers an eyeful. Sun's out, bum's out: Mel, 40, suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction as she fooled around in the sea with Stephen Belafonte Rescue me: The former Scary Spice scrambled to salvage her dignity by grabbing the skimpy swimwear with both hands while he clung to her under her arms Any thing you can do..: Stephen ensured she wasn't embarrassed by the mishap as he mimicked it by simply standing up in the clear-blue sea with some force, leaving his black swimming shorts to fall below his butt cheeks which certainly offered beach-goers an eyeful Worst nightmare: The mother-of-three was covered in sand from head-to-toe, something which she seemed to relish Sand angels: Stephen showed off his portly middle as he and Mel frolicked on the beach during a break from sun bathing In their element: The married couple rolled around in the sand like pigs in mud as they deliberately covered their bodies I've got your back: The 40-year-old film producer gently rubbed sand into his spouse's tanned back Real-life sand sculpture: Mel highlighted her gym-honed figure as she knelt up after having rolled around in the sand Putting Kim Kardashian to shame: The Lip Sync Battle host showcased her peachy behind as her bikini bottoms were swallowed by her cheeks Strong looks: They both concealed their beach bodies beneath the sand while Stephen went one step further by rubbing it on his face for some bizarre reason Going under: Stephen placed his bald head between Mel's legs before lifting her up on his shoulders Look mum, no hands: Mel climbed on top of Stephen's shoulders and it wasn't long before he was showing off Making a splash: The couple - who have been married for nine years - looked to be having a whale of a time Copping a feel: The cheeky shirtless star reached for his wife's naked behind as they fooled around in the sea She's electric: Mel's swimwear was electric blue in colour and featured gold-stud details Oioi: Stephen couldn't keep his hands off Mel's pert posterior as they enjoyed a flirtatious day date Prior to their water-splashing scenes, Mel and Stephen were seen rolling around in the sand as they deliberately covered their bodies - front and back. They rose to show off their handiwork but the 40-year-old father-of-two perhaps went a step too far as he'd rubbed it into his face for some bizarre reason. The pair then headed to the clear-blue water to wash themselves with the Lip Syc Battle host's extremely pert behind turning heads with every bare-footed step she took. Her bottoms appeared to have been swallowed by her cheeks, exposing a large proportion of her peachy behind. Water baby: As well as her toned beach body, Mel also showed off her many small inkings in her two-piece Some alone time: The parents looked to be making the most of their time away from their children Wandering hands: Stephen couldn't resist groping Mel's ample backside as they emerged from the water Bae-watch: He gazed at her as she lapped up the holiday in the idyllic setting Fabulously fit at 40: Mel looked in especially great shape as her beach body boasted definition from her upper arms to her calves Mel looked in especially great shape as her beach body boasted definition from her upper arms to her calves. The couple appeared to be in a particularly flirty mood as they were seen getting hands on once they submerged themselves in the sparkling water. Stephen couldn't keep his hands of his fabulously fit wife as he was seen copping cheeky feels of her bottom but she didn't seem to mind. They emerged holding hand-in-hand and he couldn't resist going for one grope of her behind. Life begins at 40: Mel couldn't contain her happiness as she relished some rare free time from work and parenting commitments Bliss: Mel radiated happiness as she bounded out of the water with a beaming grin across her face The Leeds-born former X Factor judge and the some-time film producer have been dating since February 2007. They married four months later in a secret ceremony in Las Vegas. They renewed their vows later in a lavish ceremony in Egypt, attended by their families, in November 2008. Mel and Stephen have one child together - four-year-old daughter Madison. She has an additional two daughters, 16-year-old Phoenix and Angel, eight, who have separate fathers - Jimmy Gulzar and Eddie Murphy, respectively. He also has another child - daughter Giselle - whose mother is actress Nicole Contreras. Heart-throb actor James Nortons portrayal of the Russian Mr Darcy in War And Peace left his female fans a little frustrated after all, it lacked that iconic wet-shirt moment. But the star certainly does not disappoint in the latest series of ITV crime drama Grantchester, as our exclusive pictures show. In the opening episode, expected to hit our screens shortly, Norton, playing dishy vicar Sidney Chambers, is seen diving into the chilly waters of the River Cam in just his trunks. Phwoar: Heart-throb actor James Norton certainly does not disappoint in the latest series of ITV crime drama Grantchester, as these exclusive pictures show Taking a dip: In the opening episode Norton, playing dishy vicar Sidney Chambers, is seen diving into the chilly waters of the River Cam in just his trunks Nortons portrayal of imperious aristocrat Prince Andrei in the BBCs hit adaptation of War And Peace drew comparisons with Colin Firths arrogant Mr Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice. And screenwriter Andrew Davies, who penned both shows, said the similarities had been deliberate and he had encouraged Norton to act like Darcy on set. But viewers were disappointed that there was no equivalent of the scene in which Firths Darcy dives into a lake fully clothed and then climbs out with his wet shirt clinging to him. Nortons dive in Grantchester isnt just a treat for his legions of female fans. The star loves wild swimming in lakes and rivers in real life, and had been pleading with producers to include the scene in the series. He said: Its like a little boys dream. This time I was allowed to dive into the river. I wasnt allowed to last year, so I was really happy. I spent hours trying to persuade our producer to let me dive in when we filmed series one. I said, I spend my life jumping into rivers. I love wild swimming. I swim in the Cam in my own time anyway, but for insurance purposes I wasnt allowed to. Fresh: Norton's female fans were left disappointed that there was no 'Darcy wet-shirt moment' in War and Peace, despite comparisons with Colin Firth's character in Pride and Prejudice Stiff upper-lip: Nortons portrayal of imperious aristocrat Prince Andrei in the BBCs hit adaptation of War And Peace drew comparisons with Colin Firths arrogant Mr Darcy in the 1995 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice Norton said filming the scene, with co-star Robson Green who plays Inspector Geordie Keating, wasnt all plain sailing, adding: It did go slightly wrong when Robson threw water on me and I ended up falling backwards into the river. You could hear everyone on the bank gasp. It looked really quite serious because I went straight off the bank and went under the water. Everyone was like, Oh my God, but I came back up to the surface laughing it was all fine. Norton, who is now one of the biggest stars on British TV, said he was flattered by the sex-symbol tag, but insisted his family kept him grounded. He is the stand-out star of this year's award season after his stunning turn in epic film The Revenant, but Leonardo DiCaprio came across all coy as he arrived at a lavish pre-BAFTA dinner on Saturday night. The Hollywood heart-throb stooped down as did his best to hide beneath his on-trend grey speckled flat-caps as he arrived at Annabel's in London's Mayfair. Leonardo, 41, joined a host of A-list names at the bash including Julianne Moore and Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike at the Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-BAFTA cocktail party and dinner, ahead of Sunday night's ceremony. See Leonardo DiCaprio updates as he arrives incognito at star-studded pre-BAFTA party Sinking like the Titanic? Leonardo DiCaprio tried to go incognito as he crouched down as he arrived at the swanky Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-BAFTA cocktail party and dinner on Saturday night The statuesque star crouched down as low as he possibly could as he entered the celeb-favourite haunt on Saturday. The Academy award winner is in town for the BAFTAs on Sunday night where he is nominated for Best Actor for his incredible role in The Revenant. In the film he plays frontiersman Hugh Glass who is hell bent on revenge after being left for dead in the wilderness following the bear attack. Getting low: The statuesque star crouched down his strapping physique as low as he possibly could as he entered the celeb-favourite haunt on Saturday But at Annabel's on Saturday night Leonardo rocked a clean shaven look which was a far cry from the unkempt beard he grew while filming his award nominated epic. The Titanic star looked dapper in a crisp white shirt and black suit, which had just one button done up as he arrived at the venue. He wore a dark over-sized wintercoat with a mauve silk lining inside over his tailored suit as he stepped out in the chilly London night. Party-time: Leonardo is in town for the BAFTAs on Sunday night where he is nominated for Best Actor for his incredible role in The Revenant Wolf of Wall Street: A dapper Leonardo did his best to arrive incognito at Annabel's for a pre-BAFTA bash Leonardo joined a host of stars in town for the prestigious BAFTAs, which will be held at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday. The star is favourite to take home the Leading Actor BAFTA, but faces competition from the likes of Eddie Redmayne, last year's champ. He partied alongside movie beauties Julianne Moore and Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike at the Charles Finch and Chanel Pre-BAFTA cocktail party. Cute: Leonardo has joined a host of stars in town for the prestigious BAFTAs, including Rosamund Pike Her mum is preparing for another huge fashion show. And little Harper Beckham made quite the entrance as she arrived in New York on Friday with dad David and her older brothers in time to see mum Victoria showcase her latest collection at NY Fashion Week on Sunday. Four-year-old Harper slipped on some designer aviator shades as she held hands with her doting dad for the walk through JFK airport. Scroll down for video Mini Victoria! Harper Beckham made quite the entrance as she arrived in New York on Friday with dad David and her older brothers in time to see mum Victoria showcase her latest collection at NY Fashion Week The tot channelled her fashion designer mum's sense of style with a chic black cape teamed with chinos and leather ankle boots. Her hair was slicked back into a plait, while she kept a tight grip of her dad's hand as they made their way out of arrivals. David was well wrapped up for the freezing New York temperatures in a dapper coat with leather panels, teamed with one of his favourite beanie hats. See Victoria Beckham updates as David and her family support her show at NYFW Jet-set look: The tot channelled her fashion designer mum's sense of style with a chic black cape teamed with chinos and leather ankle boots finished off with shades Laid-back: Brooklyn, 16, and Cruz, 10, chose casual sporty looks for the flight from London to NYC Ready for the weather: David was well wrapped up for the freezing New York temperatures in a dapper coat with leather panels, teamed with one of his favourite beanie hats Following close behind were the former footballer and Victoria's three sons Brooklyn, 16, Romeo, 13, and 10-year-old Cruz. The trio were all sporting colourful baseball caps and carrying rucksacks. Victoria seems delighted to have her family by her side in the run up to her huge fashion showcase on Sunday. Just like mum: Harper looked adorable in her chic cape and designer sunnies His little girl: Doting dad David kept a tight hold of his youngest's hand as they arrived Support: The whole family be watching from the front row on Sunday as Victoria debuts her latest collection Excited: The boys looked happy to be in New York to see their mum who has been busy working in the States for the past week Not long now: David and the children are front row regulars at the talented designer's Fashion Week shows David and the children are front row regulars at the talented designer's Fashion Week shows, and despite their busy schedules, the school holidays mean her husband and all of their children could jet in for her latest runway. On Saturday Victoria told her Instagram followers that Harper was spending some time with her mum in the studio as she put the finishing touches to the show. Sharing a snap of an adorable drawing her little girl had given her, the proud mum wrote: 'Someone came to visit mummy at work X X vb.' As she gears up for another huge moment in her fashion career, the former Spice Girl was spotted rocking a surprisingly casual ensemble as she stepped out in the Big Apple on Saturday, after putting the finishing touches to her Autumn/Winter 2016 show. Good luck mum! On Saturday Victoria told her Instagram followers that Harper was spending some time with her mum in the studio, sharing a snap of an adorable drawing her little girl had given her Who's that girl? Victoria looked surprisingly casual as she stepped out in New York City on Saturday, the day before her NYFW show The 41-year-old designer was uncharacteristically dressed down, swapping her trademark high heels for a pair of flat trainers. Victoria ensured her pristine white running shoes were the focal point of the look by pairing them with smart cropped trousers. The mother-of-four wrapped up warm in a high-necked navy jumper. The former pop star covered up her chin in the snug number, which boasted silk patches on the sleeves. Menswear chic: The fashion designer swapped her polished, feminine look for a menswear inspired look Makes a difference! Victoria swapped her usual high heels for a pair of pristine white trainers Victoria wore her long brunette locks pulled back in a high ponytail, teasing the crown for added volume. According to Look magazine, the style maven is working around the clock to perfect her new collection. 'Victoria is under so much pressure running her fashion empire. The amount of work she puts in is astronomical,' a source told the magazine. Winter chic: Victoria ensured she stayed snug by pulling her cosy knit up over her chin Keeping it casual: The former Spice Girl wore her long brunette locks scraped back in a high ponytail Busy bee: The singer-turned-designer has reportedly been working non-stop to prepare for the show 'Victoria's work schedule is absolutely insane. She regularly gets up at 4am, taking calls from Los Angeles, and scrapes by on just four hours' sleep,' the source added. The fashionista also opened up about why she likes designing in wintery conditions and doesn't mind the NYC chill. She told the publication: 'I like the cold weather. You can really wrap up and throw on a pair of sunglasses, too, since its beautiful and sunny.' Making a speedy exit: Victoria hopped into her waiting car as she left her hotel Style swap: The 41-year-old star previously confessed she prefers to wear flat shoes when she's working Casual analysis would suggest it should be the most one-way of fights. But it looks like the man of steel is going to get more than he bargained for after new Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice posters showing the heroes going toe-to-toe were released this weekend. And it will surely further whet the appetite of fans eager to know which of the DC Universe heavyweights will emerge victorious from their amateur boxing match. Scroll down for video Twack: The Caped Crusader prepares to unleash a vicious left cross in the new Batman V Superman poster In the first of the images Ben Affleck's version of Batman is shown winding up a massive left cross, which he is seemingly hoping to land square on his rival's kisser. In the other, Henry Cavill's character is getting ready to throw what will surely be a literally earth-shaking right cross. However it seems there may have been a minor error on the drafting of the two images, for Batman's punch changes hands depending on what picture one looks at. Interestingly, the Caped Crusader appears to be wearing just his normal Bat-suit, which would mean his character would literally have his head ripped off if his rival manages to land a clean blow. Kapow: But the Man Of Steels seems to seize on Batman's decision to change punching hands to wind up a powerful blow of his own Poster boys: Ben Affleck's veteran version of Batman has squared up to his future friend in a previous poster Suit you sir: The Dark Knight seems to stand more of a chance after donning his power armour for this IMAX poster It has certainly been a big week for fans of the World's Finest superheroes. For gentle Ben and Jersey-born beefcake Henry both found a little time for the ladies in the final trailer for the fiilm, which was unveiled on Thursday. While the vast majority of the two-and-a-half minute clip was spent showing the World's Finest sparring with each other, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman and Amy Adam's Lois Lane do each get a brief look in. To the Wayne Manor born: Ben Affleck tries to chat up Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman in the final trailer For the first time, 30-year-old Gadot speaks, not as Wonder Woman, but as her 'alter ego' Diana Prince. She can be seen cosying up to an enraptured Bruce Wayne at a swanky party. 'I know a few women like you,' he breathes over her shoulder, before she turns and flashes him a knowing smile. 'Oh I don't think you've ever known a woman like me,' she replies. Wonder-ful chat: For the first time, 30-year-old Gadot speaks, not as Wonder Woman, but as her 'alter ego' Diana Prince, as she cosies up to an enraptured Bruce Wayne at a swanky party He knows lots of superheroes, actually: 'I know a few women like you,' he breathes over her shoulder, before she turns and flashes him a knowing smile. 'Oh I don't think you've ever known a woman like me,' she replies Not to be outdone, Cavill can also be seen climbing fully clothed on top of a not-so-fully clothed Adams as she giggles in the bath. The trailer opens with Jeremy Irons' Alfred Pennyworth piloting the Batwing, and informing his charge in a very nonchalant tone about the two dozen hostiles his thermal imaging has detected on the third floor of the building they are about to pay a visit to. 'Why don't I drop you off on the second?' he suggests, flipping the Dark Knight off the nose of the aircraft and through a window, who then bursts up through the floor and takes out all 24 armed mercenaries with some breathtaking fight choreography. An Amazonian beauty: Gal can also be seen in Wonder Woman form, as she unleashes a battle cry Making a splash: Henry Cavill climbs fully clothed on top of naked Amy Adams as she giggles in the bath 'I'm getting slow in my old age Alfred,' he says afterward. 'Even you have got to old to die young,' his butler tiredly replies, 'and not for lack of trying.' The clip shows some previously seen footage of a horrified Bruce Wayne watching Superman defeat General Zod during the events of Man Of Steel, and taking out much of Gotham City in the process. 'He has the power to wipe out the entire human race,' Affleck can be heard arguing. 'If we believe there is even a one per cent chance that he is our enemy we have to take it as an absolute certainty.' Horrified: The clip shows some previously seen footage of Bruce Wayne watching Superman defeat General Zod during the events of Man Of Steel, and taking out much of Gotham City in the process Man with the plan: 'He has the power to wipe out the entire human race,' Affleck can be heard arguing. 'If we believe there is even a one per cent chance that he is our enemy we have to take it as an absolute certainty.' So much for the World's Greatest Detective: Jesse Eisenbeg's Lex Luthor easily manipulates Batman As Batman is seen rather fruitlessly ramming Superman with the Batmobile, Jesse Eisenbeg's Lex Luthor declares the matchup 'the greatest gladiator match in the history of the world: god versus man. Day versus night.' 'You're psychotic,' Adams tells him. 'That is a three syllable word too big for any thought too big for little minds,' he rebuffs. The trailer also shows more of what fans believe is either a dream sequence or a set up for the sequel: Batman overlooking a wasteland of what was once a city, a huge Omega symbol - the motif of DC uber-baddie Darkseid - carved into the Earth. Can't we all just get along? The vast majority of the two-and-a-half minute clip was spent with the two battling Pulling the strings: Lex Luthor can be heard saying off screen the idea 'power can be innocent' is a lie Fender bender: Batman rather fruitlessly rams the Man Of Steel in his new Batmobile The subsequent flash shows what appears to be Darkseid's Parademon's attacking a military encampment - seemingly the same camp Batman was imprisoned beneath when he was unmasked by Superman in a previous teaser. 'You know the oldest lie in America?' Luthor can be heard asking off screen. 'That power can be innocent.' But the trailer saves the best image for last: the look on Son of Krypton's face when he swings a right hook at the non-superpowered Batman... and he blocks it. Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice flies into theatres on March 25. Fail: Batman's attempts to shoot Superman doesn't do much either Up next? Batman overlooks a wasteland imprinted with the logo of DC supervillain Darkseid She recently rang the new year in by announcing she will be fronting a new style show. So taking some time out of her work schedule to create lasting memories with her family, Fearne Cotton is currently enjoying a winter getaway in Rio de Janeiro. Pictured on Saturday as she took to the beach, the 34-year-old was all smiles as she splashed around in a striped bikini. Scroll Down For Video Winter getaway: Fearne Cotton rocked a striped bikini on Saturday as she took to the beach in Rio de Janeiro Creating lasting memories: Cotton was joined in the sun by her husband and their children Showcasing her extensive collection of tattoos, Cotton beamed while watching her kids from the shoreline as she chatted with her husband Jesse Wood. Wearing her blonde hair up in a clip, Fearne hid behind a pair of shades as she clutched on her loved ones' belongings. The happily married couple, who wed in 2014, were in high spirits as they chilled in the sun with their son Rex, two, and Jesse's daughter Lola. Doting mum Fearne was also seen taking care of the other members of the family, including the couple's five-month-old daughter Honey. Happily married: The couple, who wed in 2014, chatted away as they stood at shoreline Earning her stripes: The 34-year-old donned a monochrome cut-out two piece Good times: Fearne beamed as she splashed around in the water with her step-daughter Lola Loving life: Cotton looked content as she tested out the shallow water in the Brazilian sunshine Having a blast: The mother-of-two flashed her pearly whites as she clutched onto the belongings of her brood Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood showed off his physique in a pair of black swimming shorts as the family messed around in the water. The family outing comes after Fearne teams up with Gok Wan to launch a celebrity style programme. Back in work mode, Cotton is presenting a new ITVBe show alongside Wan, called Fearne & Gok: Off The Rails in which the fashionable duo scrutinise the choices of A-listers. The concept of the show sees the pair joined by two celebrity experts who give their opinion on what was worn on the red carpet week to week. Style icon: The former Radio 1 presenter showed off her extensive collections of tattoos Laid back: Cotton opted to go make-up free as she hid her eyes behind a pair of circular sunglasses Sunshine in February: Fearne is no doubt lapping up every minute of her free time before returning to the UK Much needed break: The family holiday comes six months after Cotton gave birth to daughter Honey Krissy Filming kicked off in January and the series will initially have a six episode run comprising of 60 minute long episodes. The emphasis will be placed on award season and both Gok and Fearne will give insights into how to prep for the red carpet in all aspects including clothes, hair and make-up. Former Radio 1 presenter Fearne has long been a fashion icon and designs her own edgy collection for online clothing store Very. Hands on father: Jesse, who is the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, carried his two-year-old Rex Family portrait: Fearne stroked Lola's brunette hair as Wood sat on the sand with his blond boy Doting mother: Cotton smiled widely as she clutched onto her firstborn as they moved into the shade Speaking to Glamour previously about her style moments and the best time to dress up, Cotton revealed she enjoys pre-planning ensembles. She said: 'My favourite time to dress up is when I don't, when there's kind of a non-event, it's like walking from my car to work is the perfect non-event to get dressed up for. 'Each night I quite like going home and picking a little outfit I might wear tomorrow and how it might look, and I always have little ideas of things I want to try out. 'So, it doesn't really bother me to be honest - it's not extra pressure and if I get it wrong in someone else's eyes, I don't care, it's all good!' Little action man: Rex looked adorable in a Superman T-shirt teamed with bright shorts and a fitted cap Zara Holland wasted no time in returning to the party circuit after being kicked off The Jump amid safety fears as she made an appearance at a charity ball in London on Saturday evening. The current Miss Great Britain was back to her busty best as she attended the Make A Wish Valentine's Ball at the Dorchester Hotel. Zara was a vision of confidence after being told she didn't meet the 'required standard' by the injury-prone reality show's safety experts as she posed up a storm in the grand setting. Scroll down for video Making up for lost time: Zara Holland wasted no time in returning to the party circuit after being kicked off The Jump amid safety fears as she made an appearance at a charity ball in London on Saturday evening She made the most of her award-winning figure as she picked out a particularly risque number for the Valentine's Day-themed fundraiser. The Hull-born beauty queen paraded both her petite pins and her ample assets thanks to the thigh-high hem-line and scooped neck. Zara's bodycon dress clung to all the right places and the semi-sheer-panelled fabric offered an additional sexy touch. Loving every minute in the spotlight: The current Miss Great Britain was the vision of confidence as she attended the Make A Wish Valentine's Ball at the Dorchester Hotel Busting out: Zara was back to doing what she does best - flaunting her ample assets which almost escaped from her risque LBD Ripping up the rule book: The Hull-born blonde flashed both her shapely legs and sizable cleavage in the revealing mini dress Kisses: She played up to the cameras as she pouted while bending over to offer an eyeful of her chest She didn't appear too upset after having her reality-TV stint cut short as she played up to the photographers, pouting and making hearts with her hands. Zara's outing came shortly after she was deemed not safe enough to compete in the Channel 4 series The Jump with a spokesperson for the programme confirming: 'All competitors know they must meet a required standard and sadly Zara did not meet this standard.' While she was understandably disappointed because 'the show really appealed' to her, she respected the decision. Wasn't meant to be: Zara's outing came shortly after she was deemed not safe enough to compete in the Channel 4 series The Jump with a spokesperson for the programme confirming, 'all competitors know they must meet a required standard and sadly Zara did not meet this standard' Seasonally styled: She was joined by Lizzie Cundy - who was dressed in a typically figure-hugging red lace dress - at the fundraiser Zara was pictured training with the fellow contestants on Thursday and although she seemed to be enjoying the new challenge, she fell to the floor within minutes. She was originally drafted in to replace injured Beth Tweddle who suffered a back injury two weeks into the series. The former artistic gymnast is making good progress since undergoing surgery to have two fractured vertebrae in her neck fused back together. Her parents recently released a statement which read: 'Since her surgery, Beth has managed to walk a few steps whilst being assisted by the nursing team. She is still very tired from the operation but the medical team are pleased with the progress she is making. At the moment we aren't certain of the timescale for her recovery. We are taking each day as it comes and will update you when there is further news.' Meanwhile, Zara was joined by Anthea Turner and Lizzie Cundy at the Make a Wish fundraiser with both ladies putting on suitably sassy displays. Val-hun-tine's Day: Anthea Turner was suitably sassy in a turquoise ball gown which looked to have been inspired by Disney character Elsa from Frozen Lady Gaga will be performing an eight-minute tribute to the late David Bowie at the Grammy Awards on Monday. But the 29-year-old has also found a more permanent way to commemorate her love of the iconic singer, who died last month at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. Gaga shared a series of Snapchat videos on Saturday which showed her getting a tattoo of Bowie on her left side. This is believed to be her 18th inking so far. Scroll down for video Ch-ch-changes: Lady Gaga got a David Bowie tattoo on Saturday, and shared videos to Snapchat while getting the inking The body art was done by Mark Mahoney at Shamrock Social Club in West Hollywood, and is a copy of the Aladdin Sane album cover. In the videos, the tattoo artist was seen expertly creating a stencil copy of the artwork, which shows Ziggy Stardust looking down while wearing his iconic lightning bolt make-up. Gaga waited patiently in the parlour, dressed in a printed suit and gold brogues by The Office of Angela Scott, before taking off her top and settling down to get inked. And the pop star, who has many tattoos, didn't appear to be wincing in the slightest as the artist got to work with the needle. See David Bowie news as Lady Gaga gets his face tattooed on her side 'This was the image that changed my life': The pop star showed off the handiwork 'It begins': Gaga took off her top to have Ziggy Stardust inked onto her left side in purple A permanent tribute: The tattoo comes two days before the star will be performing an eight-minute tribute to Bowie at the Grammy Awards on Monday Gaga's videos showed the outline of the design in purple ink along with some shading, but it's unclear if she will be having the entire piece of body art filled in. She captioned one of the videos: 'This was the image that changed my life.' The Applause hit-maker has always been a huge fan of Bowie's, and the Grammy Awards' executive producer Ken Ehrlich revealed last week that they instantaneously decided she was the perfect fit for his tribute, which is being directed by Nile Rogers. LA's best-known tattoo parlour: The 29-year-old went to Mark Mahoney of Shamrock Social Club in West Hollywood Iconic image: Gaga picked the cover of the Aladdin Sane album for her latest piece of body art She's a pro: The singer is believed to have 18 tattoos now, and didn't appear to wince at the pain 'We had already booked Lady Gaga on this years show, but when David passed almost in a single moment we knew we had to change direction,' he told Variety. 'We immediately spoke and agreed that she should be the one to honour David. Shes perfect for it. So I reached out to Nile and, before long, we were on our way to creating what we believe will not only make a great Grammy moment, but one fitting of David.' Before his death, Gaga had told The Hollywood Reporter: 'When I fell in love with David Bowie, when I was living on the Lower East Side, I always felt that his glamour was something he was using to express a message to people that was very healing for their souls. Delicate details: Gaga captured the artist covering the album artwork to create a stencil Making her departure: She was later seen exiting the Shamrock tattoo parlor in West Hollywood Bold move: The singer sported dramatic eyewear during the proceedings She's a pro: The star appeared to be in great and relaxed spirits during the outing Quirky as always: The Applause hit-maker was dressed in a printed suit and gold brogues by The Office of Angela Scott Keeping a low-profile: She swept her tresses away from her face with a bandana and concealed her eyes with designer sunglasses Hard to miss: Gaga happily showed off her large engagement ring 'He is a true, true artist and I don't know if I ever went, "Oh, I'm going to be that way like this," or if I arrived upon it slowly, realising it was my calling and that's what drew me to him.' Gaga now has a trumpet tattoo on her upper right arm, but previously revealed that she only planned to get inkings on the left side of her body, to honour her father's wishes. 'He asked that I remain, on one side, slightly normal,' she said during a Google Q&A. 'So I only have my tattoos on my left side. I think he sees [my right] as my Marilyn Monroe side, and he sees [my left] as my Iggy Pop side.' Devastated: Gaga paid tribute to the Starman after his death last month following a battle with cancer Her acting talents have been recognised with a first BAFTA nomination. And Dakota Johnson, 26, has been making the most of the build-up to Sunday's prestigious ceremony by mingling with fellow A listers at a number of high profile events. On Saturday night, the 50 Shades of Grey star hit London's Chiltern Firehouse after attending pre-BAFTAs parties held by Lancome, and Charles Finch and Chanel, respectively. Scroll down for video Party girl: Dakota Johnson, 26, has been making the most of the build-up to Sunday's BAFTA ceremony by mingling with fellow A listers at a number of high profile events, including a party at the Chiltern Firehouse The Rising Star nominee looked the picture of elegance for her night out in the capital, wearing a vintage cream mini-dress with a decorative hem. The designer number was certainly befitting of the occasion, with the star rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Cuba Gooding Jr, Harvey Weinstein, The Revenant's Will Poulter, Lindsay Lohan and Nancy Dell'olio. She teamed the chic tweed garment with a black over-the-shoulder bag which had a dainty metallic strap and a tasseled statement piece hanging freely. See our full BAFTAs coverage on all the winners, losers and red carpet fashion Classy! The Rising Star nominee looked the picture of elegance for her night out in the capital, wearing a vintage cream mini-dress with a decorative hem Making an entrance: The leggy star's toned pins were visible through her tights and were accentuated with a pair of silver block heels The leggy star's toned pins were visible through her tights and were accentuated with a pair of silver block heels. Dakota opted to style her brunette hair in a simple fashion with a full fringe and allowing her sleek straight tresses to fall down her front. The jewel in the crown of the British film calendar has, unsurprisingly, seen those set to attend the ceremony bring their sartorial A game in the run-up. Gooding Jr was typically dapper in a navy blazer with a blue pocket square, worn over a crisp white shirt and teamed with pale grey trousers. Ever the gent: Gooding Jr was typically dapper in a navy blazer with a blue pocket square, worn over a crisp white shirt and teamed with pale grey trousers Man about town: Mark Ruffalo was in fine form, flashing a thumbs up and a toothy grin for the cameras as he entered the venue On the cobbles: The Spotlight star put on a dapper display in a black suit and stylish winter coat Known for her glamour, Nancy did not disappoint in a full length fur coat covering an all black ensemble. Fortunately for the celebs, attendants were on hand with a large umbrella to shield them from the drizzly weather. Johnson has been nominated for the prestigious Rising Star gong alongside Star Wars: The Force Awakens lead John Boyega, Eddie the Eagle star Taron Egerton, Oscar nominee for Room Brie Larson and Bel Powley, who has starred in The Diary of a Teenage Girl and A Royal Night Out. The five young stars, all under the age of 30, have been nominated for the coveted award for their exceptional performances on both the big screen and small screen. Familiar surroundings: Chiltern Firehouse regular Lindsay Lohan gave the cameras a peace sign as she left Back in black: The actress wore black harem pants and a plain top underneath a fur-lined dark coat Rising star: Will Poulter has been hot on the promo trail for The Revenant recently and looked smart on the evening in a dark suit Italian beauty: Known for her glamour, Nancy did not disappoint in a full length fur coat covering an all black ensemble Dakota was propelled firmly into the spotlight in 2015, with her performance opposite Jamie Dornan as Fifty Shades protagonist Anastasia Steele earning her world-wide fame. Speaking about her nomination, Dakota said: 'I am thoroughly stunned, and honoured to be acknowledged with an EE Rising Star Award nomination. Thank you, I am truly grateful.' This year's nominees have been picked by a panel of judges which includes the likes of award-winning actress Olivia Coleman, broadcaster and critic Jonathan Ross and a host of revered professionals from across the film world. The awards are often a tipping point in the career of rising stars, with former recipients including James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Will Poulter and Jack OConnell. The main man: Film producer Harvey Weinstein looked unfazed by the drizzly London weather She's been snapped in an array of racy ensembles in recent times. But Rita Ora opted for a more demure look when she attended the Creators Party presented by Spotify, in Los Angeles, on Saturday. However, that's not to say the X Factor judge, 25, lost any of her impact. The quirky cut of her black and white dress ensured she still garnered plenty of attention. Scroll down for video Unique: Rita Ora, 25, opted for a more demure look than usual when she attended the Creators Party presented by Spotify, in Los Angeles, on Saturday An unusual rounded chest piece kept the singer's ample assets under wraps, while a black semi-circle covering the majority of her mid-riff gave the impression of a confused Yin and Yang. Flowing down to just above the ankle, the figure-hugging, halter-neck garment looked to be the ultimate statement piece. Rita teamed it with a pair of strappy black heels and David Yurman jewelry, while at the other end of her slender physique she styled her hair in an extravagant up do. Eye-catching: That's not to say the X Factor judge lost any of her impact. The quirky cut of her black and white dress ensured she still garnered plenty of attention Black and white: An unusual rounded chest piece kept the singer's ample assets under wraps, while a black semi-circle covering the majority of her mid-riff gave the impression of a confused Yin and Yang The songstress went heavy on the eye make-up with lashings of mascara and plenty of eyeliner. She complemented her peepers with dark, neatly defined eyebrows. She handled the red carpet like a pro, throwing smouldering looks at the cameras while subtly adjusting her poses. On Wednesday, Rita was mobbed by fans when she stepped out in the United Arab Emirates to launch her new Adidas Originals range. Glamorous: Rita teamed it with a pair of strappy black heels and David Yurman jewelry, while at the other end of her slender physique she styled her hair in an extravagant up do Smoking hot: The songstress went heavy on the eye make-up with lashings of mascara and plenty of eyeliner. She complemented her peepers with dark, neatly defined eyebrows Dressing in her usual attire, she cut a casual figure in a pair of oriental-print exercise trousers and matching bra-top from the sportswear company. Flaunting both her toned arms and taut tummy, she ensured her body art was on display for all to see at the retail event. And just days before she caused a very different stir - with claims she enjoyed a romantic encounter with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler. Rita and Scotsman Gerard, 46, reportedly enjoyed a romantic night together at a four star hotel in January, according to US Magazine. The publication claims the genetically-blessed duo enjoyed dinner in West Hollywood, where the actor paid the bill. They were expecting 'fire' and a bit of 'magic'. But Australia's Got Talent judges Sophie Monk and Kelly Osbourne got more than they bargained for when a fire acrobatics performance turned into a strip tease act on Sunday night's episode. The two female judges couldn't contain their excitement when the robed fire juggling performers, Starvos and Johnny, were joined on stage by a legion of men dressed in fireman uniforms. 'If magic was like that every time, I'd love it': Sophie Monk and Kelly Osbourne can't contain their excitement as a fire juggling performance turns into a strip tease on Australia's Got Talent Before the performance, Starvos told the judges: 'We play with fire quite excessively with a bit of magic as well.' Starvos and Johnny then started their act - swinging and blowing into their fire sticks. But shortly into their performance, a siren screamed through the venue and a group of men dressed in firefighting uniforms rushed onto the stage to put out the lit fire sticks. Red faces: The two female judges couldn't contain their excitement when the robed fire juggling performers, Starvos and Johnny, were joined on stage by a legion of man dressed in fireman uniforms Surprise! The fire fighters then quickly stripped off their suits to show off their burly arms in tank tops Seductive moves! Johnny, Starvos and the firefighters move into a strategic dance formation as the sultry song Pony by American pop artist Genuwine begins to play in the background Johnny, Starvos and the firefighters then moved into a strategic dance formation as the sultry song Pony by American pop artist Ginuwine began to play in the background. With the crowd cheering, the men started to gyrate on stage and take off their clothes. Kelly and Sophie soon joined the crowd cheering and clapping along as the men continued to seductively dance to the beat and remove more of their clothing. The toned group then take off their white singlet tops with the words 'Magic Men' emblazoned across them to reveal their muscular torsos. Take it off! As the crowd begins to scream, the men start to gyrate and take off their clothes one at a time Swinging to the beat! Kelly and Sophie cheered them on as the men continued to seductively dance to the beat and remove more of their clothing Awkward reactions: Sophie giggles and covers her face, while Kelly screams and claps along to the beat The buff performers then ripped off their pants to expose their toned derrieres in a pair of white trunks with the words 'Magic Men' also stamped onto the back. Once the performance ceased, the group were welcomed by roaring claps of applause and screams. A red faced Kelly told the performers: 'I have to say, that was the best surprise we have had so far.' Sophie continued: 'If magic was like that every time, I'd love it.' Face pulling! Kelly was left gobsmacked as the group moved their bodies seductively across the stage, while Sophie appeared happy with the performance Yes! Kelly throws her hands up in the air as the men continue to take off their clothing An unimpressed Dicko then jumped in: 'D'you know what, I speak for a lot of middle-aged men here. You guys can get stuffed, alright?' Eddie Perfect said he was pleased by the performance, saying: 'You guys are great. Obviously, that was a great reveal. It's still quite revealing. I'm just looking at... crotches.' All four judges all nodded in approval for the act to move into the next round. But the group didn't just impress the judges, viewers of the show took to their social media accounts to add to the praises. Putting it all out there: The performers all eventually stripped down to tight boxer shorts and black boots Magic men: The dancers cheekily paid tribute to the male stripper movie starring Channing Tatum One twitter user wrote: 'Great stuff guys enjoyed your act immensely. #GotTalentAU' While another wrote: 'My house is on fire - quick send someone #australiasgottalent.' Other performers to get the nod on the night included five-year-old Carter Hip Pop and comedy group Gentlemen of Deceit. Impressed: All the judges, especially Kelly were impressed by the group She is set to mark her first Valentines Day as a married woman. But Kimberley Walsh didnt seem to be in the mood to celebrate as she was pictured cutting a forlorn figure on Sunday morning. Dressed down in a checked shirt and denim jeans, the newlywed was spotted back on home turf in the UK after her idyllic Caribbean wedding with long-term partner Justin Scott. Scroll down for video Missing Barbados? Kimberley Walsh was spotted back in the UK on Sunday after her her idyllic Caribbean wedding with long-term partner Justin Scott She styled her low-key ensemble with her favourite camel coloured furry coat and plain white trainers, while toting her belongings in a small black handbag. With her ombre locks scraped into a carefree bun, Kimberley drew attention to her pretty facial features with subtle tones of makeup and with a set of gold statement earrings. The Girls Aloud singer tied the knot with Justin became on the 30th January in Barbados, where she walked down the aisle in a bespoke wedding dress by Berta Bridal. Keeping it simple: The newlywed dressed down in a checked shirt and denim jeans Wrapped up: She styled her low-key ensemble with her favourite camel coloured furry coat and plain white trainers, while toting her belongings in a small black handbag However, despite the bride looking amazing, she didn't think twice about telling off dapper Justin after he failed to turn around to watch her stunning entrance. Property developer Scott, 33, told Hello! Magazine: 'I couldn't wait to see her. Although I quickly realised I was in the doghouse even before we were husband and wife when her first words to me at the altar were, "Why didn't you turn round?"' He was forced to explain to Walsh - while standing in front of all their guests at the altar - that the minister had told him not to. Low-key: With her ombre locks scraped into a carefree bun, Kimberley drew attention to her pretty facial features with subtle tones of makeup and with a set of gold statement earrings Mr and Mrs: The Girls Aloud singer tied the knot with Justin became on the 30th January in Barbados Justin continued: 'When I did, though ... wow. She just looked incredible; more gorgeous than I've ever seen her.' The former pop star has been with her handsome beau for 14 years, and they welcomed their first child into the world in late 2014. The couple announced their engagement months after the arrival of their little boy, Bobby, in November 2014 and the grand reveal came with no words just a picture of the stunning ring. The engagement was then confirmed by Supersonic PR, the agency which represents Kimberley, with a tweet that read: 'Congratulations on the engagement @KimberleyJWalsh and Justin'. Victoria Beckham ditched her trademark heels for casual trainers as she took to the runway at the end of her incredible catwalk show on Sunday. The 41-year-old wore a low-key look after showcasing her latest fall/winter 2016 collection at 25 Cipriani Broadway at New York Fashion Week to an eager audience. She wore a thick cream jumper with a pair of navy trousers which she teamed with a pair of simple white Adidas trainers. Scroll down for video Sporty Spice: Victoria Beckham wore a low-key look after showcasing her latest fall/winter 2016 collection at 25 Cipriani Broadway at New York Fashion Week to an eager audience on Sunday Wearing her long brunette locks in a ponytail, Victoria posted an image of her look to her Instagram, writing: 'Thank u!! Off for a run! x vb #VBAW16.' She also received high praise from her loving family for her work. Son Brooklyn, 16, wrote: 'Congrats mum on another Amazing show. Love you.' Keeping things simple: She wore a thick cream jumper with a pair of navy trousers which she teamed with a pair of simple white Adidas trainers Proud: Eldest son, Brooklyn shared a snap of the catwalk and wrote: 'Congrats mum on another Amazing show. Love you' While her husband David posted a video of her catwalk show, including the caption: 'So proud of another beautiful season ... @victoriabeckham.' The former Spice Girl wore a focused look on her face as she rushed out of her Manhattan hotel and into a waiting vehicle earlier that day. Victoria sported her customary oversized shades and wore her hair neatly pulled back into a ponytail. So sweet: Her beloved family were watching from the audience as Victoria showcased her collection How lovely: (L-R) Harper, David, Cruz and Romeo all showed their support on their big day Looking good: Checked fabrics, oranges and bare shoulders appeared to be the theme du jour Low key: Outfits were teamed with flat brogues as models strutted their stuff on patterned carpet The designer's runway show was strictly invitation only and begins at 10am EST. The venue's grandiose interior will surely be the perfect backdrop for Victoria's latest collection. With its Great Hall boasting 65ft high ceilings, marble columns, inlaid floors and Italian neo-renaissance murals, the Lower Manhattan landmark oozes class. Preparing for her big moment: She wore the same look earlier in the day as she looked a little nervous ahead of her show Perparing for business: The former Spice Girl wore a focused look on her face as she rushed out of her Manhattan hotel and into a waiting vehicle Dressed down: The mother-of-four wore a beige and cream knitted jumper with a high neck for extra warmth in the cold New York chill Comfort is king: She matched the item with a pair of lightweight, ankle-length black trousers and a pair of comfy plain white kicks High-profile: The designer's runway show, which is being held at 25 Cipriani Broadway, is strictly invitation only and begins at 10am EST While it's likely to be a stressful morning for Victoria, she is sure to have the full support of her beloved family. Her brood arrived in New York yesterday, along with husband David, who will no doubt be watching the runway with pride. David and the children are front row regulars at the talented designer's Fashion Week shows, and despite their busy schedules, the school holidays mean her husband and all of their children could jet in for her latest runway. What a pair: Earlier in the day, David was pictured leaving the hotel with his daughter Harper Boys, boys, boys! Romeo (left) and Cruz, (right) cut incredibly dashing figures as they headed out There he is: The Beckham's eldest son Brooklyn looked fashion forward as he joined his family Sticking together: While it's likely to be a stressful morning for Victoria, she is sure to have the full support of her beloved family Bonding: On Saturday, Victoria told her Instagram followers that Harper was spending some time with her mum in the studio as she put the finishing touches to the show On Saturday, Victoria told her Instagram followers that Harper was spending some time with her mum in the studio as she put the finishing touches to the show. Sharing a snap of an adorable drawing her little girl had given her, the proud mum wrote: 'Someone came to visit mummy at work X X vb.' According to Look magazine, Victoria has been working around the clock to perfect her new collection. 'Victoria is under so much pressure running her fashion empire. The amount of work she puts in is astronomical,' a source told the magazine. 'Victoria's work schedule is absolutely insane. She regularly gets up at 4am, taking calls from Los Angeles, and scrapes by on just four hours' sleep,' the source added. Packed wardrobe: Victoria later headed to Balthazar restaurant wearing her tri-colour striped top and skirt as she went to celebrate her success Showing off her new outfit: She draped her blue coat over her arm as she made her way out into the street Straight-faced: Despite her success, Victoria failed to raise a smile following her meal with her family They know what they like: The restaurant is the same venue the family visited following the last New York Fashion Week Earlier this year Chris Hemsworth was selected to represent his home country as an ambassador for Tourism Australia and feature in an advertising campaign. But while he is no stranger to a lead role, this one didn't require anything more than his voice for a promotional video - and he received a whopping six figure pay check for it. The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday that Hemsworth was paid an eye-watering $450,000 of taxpayer funds for his role in the advertisement and his ambassadorial duties over the next 12 months. Scroll down for video That's a paycheck: Chris Hemsworth was paid $450,000 in taxpayer funds for his role in the latest Tourism Australia promotional video and for his ambassadorial duties throughout 2016 The newspaper reported: 'Tourism Australia Managing director John O'Sullivan told a senate estimates hearing that the $450,000 in taxpayer funds had generated $54 million in global publicity in less than two months.' After being named as an ambassador for Tourism Australia, Hemsworth appeared alongside MP Julie Bishop at the New York launch of the campaign in January, which coincided with Australia Day. But since the campaign launch, there have been no formal appearances scheduled for the star in the coming months. The Daily Telegraph went on to note that the figure he was paid 'is far less than Hemsworth's going rate.' See Chris Hemsworth updates as he was paid $450k of taxpayer funds for Ambassador role Simply beautiful: While the advert includes gorgeous shots of Australia's most iconic locations, like Whitehaven beach (pictured), Hemsworth is never seen and only narrates the video Throughout the advertising video, the 32-year-old actor is heard describing his love of his home country, although his face and his impressive body are not shown at all throughout the entirety of the clip. Hemsworth is heard telling tourists to 'feel' his native country, saying: 'It's different down here, the air just has more life in it, Australia isn't just a place you see, it's a place you feel.' As he speaks about his home country beautiful shots of iconic scenes across Australia are shown. What a view: While he doesn't appear on the screen, Hemsworth does tell viewers why they should visit Australia International publicity: The campaign was launched in New York and was timed to coincide with Australia Day. Hemsworth appeared at the event alongside MP Julie Bishop Honoured: After the release of the campaign, the Thor star spoke to the Today show's Karl and Lisa from New York and said he was proud to be named ambassador for tourism in Australia After the release of the promotional campaign, he spoke to the Today show's Karl and Lisa from New York about his new role and what it meant to him. Hemsworth said he was proud to be named ambassador for tourism in Australia and gushed about the country. He said: 'I grew up surfing and I feel like most of my childhood was in the water, so I feel like I've got enough education on the subject to invite people down.' 'Growing up in Victoria where you have the incredibly raw, rugged ocean and sea, and then you can go north with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, just the diversity of our coastline I think is unlike anywhere in the world and all of that is something I miss immensely when I'm away.' Home: The Hollywood heartthrob recently enjoyed spending time in his native Australia over the holidays with his three children and wife Elsa Pataky Well known: He has been gearing up to step back into his well known role as the Marvel superhero Thor, and in the process of bulking up his frame to play the muscular God of Thunder The Hollywood heartthrob recently enjoyed spending time in his native Australia over the holidays with his three children and wife Elsa Pataky. He has been gearing up to step back into his well known role as the Marvel superhero Thor, and in the process of bulking up his frame to play the muscular God of Thunder. Hemsworth and his wife are currently travelling through the South Indian country with TV host and adventurer Jesus Calleja as part of his show Planeta Calleja. The couple have been updating their respective social media feeds with images from their trip, including a snap where he clung onto his wife as she gripped the handle bars of a motorcycle. International travellers: Hemsworth and his wife are currently travelling through the South Indian country with TV host and adventurer Jesus Calleja as part of his show Planeta Calleja Future plans? While Chris has been named as an ambassador for Tourism Australia for 2016 there have been no formal appearances scheduled for him in the coming months Selena Gomez has confirmed that she will bring her much-anticipated tour to Australia in 2016. The Good For You songstress confirmed the news during an interview with Nova 96.9 radio host Smallzy, which will air on his Smallzy's Surgery show on Monday evening. The 23-year-old actress turned pop singer told the bubbly Australian presenter that she was excited to tour the Land Down Under. See Selena Gomez updates as she confirms she will bring her world tour to Australia Scroll down for video 'It's something I always wanted to do': Selena Gomez, 23, will tour Australia later in the year 'I know, it was crazy because it's something I always wanted to do and that was the intention and kind of getting everything reorganised in my life so it's so fun to know that that's going to be a place I get to be and enjoy and it's new in a way,' she said. Selena will tour Australia without her ex-boyfriend and pop sensation Justin Bieber. The two celebrities have enjoyed the famous sites and sounds of the country on a number of occasions. Most notably, the former couple were spotted enjoying a date night in Melbourne in 2012. No Justin! Selena will tour Australia without her ex-boyfriend and pop sensation Justin Bieber, 21 Former flames! The two celebrities have enjoyed the famous sites and sounds of the sunburnt country on a number of occasions Selena will tour the U.S. and Canada from May, then later in the year she will take her show overseas. The starlet told the Nova host that she was in the midst of confirming dates for her Australian tour. To add to announcements, Selena is among a star-studded line-up of presenters including her good pal Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Anna Kendrick who will take to the stage at The Grammys on Monday evening. She is also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Rakim Mayers for the song Good For You. Presenter: Selena is among a star-studded line-up of presenters including her good pal Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Anna Kendrick who will take to the stage at The Grammys on Monday evening The Rivival star is back from a fun trip to New York City where she enjoyed a girls' night out with model pal Gigi Hadid on Monday night. The dressed down pair met up together at La Esquina Corner Del, in New York on Monday night. They sure had plenty to chat about - their meal came came hours after the unveiling of Gigi's incredible French Vogue cover, while Selena was fresh from the set of Inside Amy Schumer. Selena had posted an Instagram of herself with the comedian labeling it 'My Office'. All eyes are on London tonight as homegrown and Hollywood stars descend on the Royal Opera House in the capital for the 2016 BAFTA Awards, hosted by Stephen Fry. The BAFTAs have a strong record of anticipating Oscars success and British talent has been especially well represented in Hollywood this year, with Eddie Redmayne once again contesting a major honour for his turn in The Danish Girl. While the competition is tight, one person who is confirmed to receive a gong is legendary actor Sir Sidney Poitier, due to receive a lifetime honor, the British Academy Fellowship. Sir Sidney was the first African-American to win a Best Actor Oscar for his showstopping turn in Lilies of the Field (1964). This live stream has now ended Advertisement The EE BAFTA Film Awards 2016 kicked off in glorious style on Sunday. Held at London's iconic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the 10th year running, expectations were high for this, the most prestigious of events in the British movie industry's calendar. Leading the way and turning on the glamour on the red carpet were BAFTA nominees Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Kate Winslet, as well as their younger counterparts Alicia Vikander and Saorise Ronan - however, while for many it was a spectacular night of fashion, plenty of famous faces got it rather wrong. Scroll down for video Eclectic: Best Actress nominees Cate Blanchett (left), Julianne Moore (centre) and Kate Winslet (right) wore a mixture of styles as they arrived at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2016 at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday Stars on the rise: BAFTA nominees Alicia Vikander (left) and Saoirse Ronan (left) gave it as good as they got in funky, eclectic dresses on the red carpet The likes of Cate and Kate and EE Rising Star nominee Dakota Johnson had their style nailed, wowing in their respective gowns. But for TV presenter Poppy Jamie, Australian actress and Hollywood funnylady Rebel Wilson, 1980s TV star Stefanie Powers and actress Laura Haddock, it was a serious case of dividing opinion. Cate, who was nominated for a Leading Actress gong for her role in lesbian romance drama Carol, wowed in a dazzling colourful gown. The 46-year-old cut a youthful figure in her beautiful red carpet attire, a figure-hugging gown with a decorative floral top half in varying jewel tones and a full black feathered skirt, adding an ostentatious vibe to proceedings. The multi award-winning Hollywood favourite finished her look with her blonde locks swept into a side-parted chignon, a dazzling pair of silver Tiffany & Co. earrings completing her enviable aesthetic. Julianne, meanwhile, looked typically fantastic in a curve-hugging cream gown with a fashion-forward black halter-style neckline. The 55-year-old - who won the Leading Actress BAFTA at last year's ceremony for her role in Still Alice - could have passed for someone 20 years younger in her timeless attire. Feathers, lace and weird lengths: The likes of (L-R) Stefanie Powers, Rebel Wilson, Poppy Jamie and Laura Haddock didn't quite hit the sartorial nail on the head Move out the way, Cate's arrived! Giving her competition a serious run for their money, the Australian superstar looked jaw-droppingly sensational in her multi-coloured glitzy gown with a full black feathered skirt Colourful: The 46-year-old looked youthful in her directional glitzy Alexander McQueen gown, which hugged her willowy figure perfectly before falling into an ostentatious black feathered skirt Hot hopeful: The multi award-winning Hollywood favourite finished her look with her blonde locks swept into a side-parted chignon, a dazzling pair of silver earrings completing her enviable aesthetic Complete with black straps on her shoulders and a long draped swathe of fabric down the back, it fell to the floor, trailing behind her down the back of the sweeping skirt. Her red locks were perfection, slicked back into a gorgeous updo, and she highlighted her russet tones with emerald earrings. Brit beauty Kate stuck to her time-honoured style, accentuating her covetable curves in a tailored black dress with an asymmetric sleeve detail and funky neckline across her chest. Wow-worthy: The 55-year-old - who won the Leading Actress BAFTA at last year's ceremony for her role in Still Alice - could have passed for someone 20 years younger in her timeless attire Perfect in every way: Julianne's red locks were styled to perfection, slicked back into a gorgeous updo, and she highlighted her russet tones with emerald earrings Scene-stealing performance: Complete with black straps on her shoulders and a long draped swathe of fabric down the back, it fell to the floor, trailing behind her down the back of the sweeping skirt Absolute beauty: The Oscar-winning actress had all eyes on her as she posed with her hand on her hip The 40-year-old Oscar-winner kept it sleek in the snug gown, which somehow left little to the imagination as it revealed every inch of her hourglass physique. Her pale blonde locks were left down in chic curls, cascading over her bare shoulders and she added a pop of colour with her bright pink lips - she also went for a style side-step with a scarlet red clutch bag. Kate won the Supporting Actress gong for her role in Steve Jobs, opposite Michael Fassbender, who is nominated in the Leading Actor category. If it ain't broke: Brit beauty Kate - who won Supporting Actress - stuck to her time-honoured style, accentuating her covetable curves in a tailored black dress with an asymmetric sleeve detail and funky neckline across her chest Working it: The 40-year-old Oscar-winner kept it sleek and easy in the snug gown, which somehow left little to the imagination as it revealed every inch of her hourglass physique Absolute dream: Kate turned on the charm as she posed for the hundreds of photographers along the red carpet Co-stars: Kate posed with her Steve Jobs co-star and fellow BAFTA nominee Michael Fassbender on the red carpet - she won the Supporting Actress gong on the night Ravishing in red: 50 Shades Of Grey actress Dakota Johnson oozed sex appeal in her scarlet gown, showing off a hint of cleavage while going braless Star turn: The 26-year-old wowed in her gown, walking the red carpet - she was nominated for the prestigious Rising Star BAFTA Dakota - who missed out on the EE Rising Star gong to John Boyega - looked an absolute treat in her pretty, crimson red gown, complete with a plunging neckline and ruffled detail over her slim waistline. While all eyes were on the leading ladies, there were a few fashion fails of note, with TV presenter Poppy donning a bizzare turquoise and cream lace figure-hugging frock with a fishtail hem, and 1980s star Stefanie rocking a confusing gothic-inspired dress with feathered shoulders. Fashion writer Simon Glazin was aghast at Powers' choice, saying: 'Whoever told Stephanie that the dead raven around her neck was a good idea should be fired. The dress is age appropriate - sheer panel and all - but the feathers just don't go.' Inbetweeners Movie star Laura, 30, went for a total black-out with every part of her outfit - bar a slick of red lipstick and a simple pair of diamond earrings - dedicated to the darkest colour. Even her toenails, visible in a pair of weather-defying black sandals were painted in a charcoal hue. In full plume: Inbetweeners Movie actress Laura - who recently welcomed a baby with her actor husband Sam Claflin - rocked up in a heavily-feathered black skirted Givenchy dress Feathered fancy: Laura looked sensational in her feathery look yet some critics were unsure of the look Step back in time: Stefanie harked back to the 1980s in her feather-shouldered blue dress, but it didn't go down so well with the fashion elite Style Rebel: Australian actress Rebel opted for an asymmetric skirt and blazer instead of a dress for her turn on the red carpet Flock mermaid? MTV star Poppy went for a nude fishtail number by Jitrois Paris... covered in an emerald green flock design And Rebel's knee length pencil skirt also wasn't a fashion hit, with the back of her dress continuing to the floor while the front cut off abruptly. The 35-year-old Australian looked more like she was ready for a day in the city then a night of untold glamour. The young up-and-comer kept the rest of her aesthetic simple, her brunette tresses worn loose over her shoulders and a dash of red lipstick to tie it all together. Shunning a typical red carpet look, 27-year-old Swedish actress Alicia flaunted her impeccable petite curves in the floor-length dress, constructed from matte black leather. Adorned in glitzy embellishments to add a bit of razzle dazzle, the talented star's gown also included a tinsel-like decoration on the skirt. Alicia - who wore her light brunette locks down in loose curls and pulled over to one shoulder so as not to distract from her directional dress - is nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in The Danish Girl, opposite fellow nominee Eddie Redmayne. Funky style: Alicia, 27, went for a super-cool vibe in her leather glitzy dress, showing off her slender curves and style prowess and a bit of leg Super-cool: The Swedish actress shunned a typical red carpet dress for her funky matte black leather number, complete with a high-neckline and tinsel-like detail on the skirt Natural beauty: She proved that she has natural beauty in buckets as she opted for a relatively pared-back make-up look with her brunette locks swept over the side Doing it her way: Saoirse revealed her unique brand of quirky style in a strapless heavily decorated black dress, covered with pink and gold glimmering flowers Cheeky flash! The stunning star showed off her leg as she walked in the split-skirted Burberry gown, also revealing her polished silver platforms She is also nominated in the Supporting Actress category for her role in British movie Ex Machina, in which she played a humanoid robot. However, somewhat tellingly she chose to walk the red carpet alone and without her boyfriend Michael Fassbender by her side. Following in her wake was fellow Best Actress nominee Saoirse Ronan, who showed off her unique brand of quirky style in a strapless heavily decorated black dress by Burberry, covered with pink and gold glimmering flowers. The 21-year-old - who appears in critically-acclaimed movie Brooklyn - added a funky oversized gleaming necklace in pinks, yellows and blues sat on her bare decolletage. There he is! Leonardo DiCaprio - who was later revealed to have won the Leading Actor prize for The Revenant - cut a strikingly handsome figure as he arrived after darkness fell at the BAFTAs Dapper lads: Leonardo joined forces with The Revenant's director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (left) as they posed on the red carpet Which one to sign first? Leonardo was inundated with items to sign, including a VHS case for his most iconic film Titanic Lone wolf: Michael - who is nominated for his role in Steve Jobs in the Leading Actor category - walked the red carpet without girlfriend Alicia Beloved star: Julie Walters - who is nominated for her role in Brooklyn in the Supporting Actress category - joked around while posing for pictures in her lovely sparkling blue dress and black coat Living legend: Dame Maggie Smith - another Leading Actress nominee, for her role in The Lady In The Van - opted for a chic burgundy dress with a matching silk jacket Star couple: BAFTA nominee Eddie Redmayne let his beautiful pregnant wife Hannah Bagshawe steal the limelight She's well red: The publicist looked ravishing in a crimson dress, clinging lightly to her figure and briefly allowing a glimpse at her growing baby bump as she went arm-in-arm with her Hollywood star husband Second time lucky: Eddie, 34, won last year's Leading Actor gong for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, and this year he was nominated once again for his turn in The Danish Girl as a transgender woman One for the photo album! Eddie gladly took selfies with chilly fans on the red carpet Her Brooklyn co-star Julie Walters, one of the United Kingdom's most beloved veteran stars, wowed in a glitzy blue gown as she turned on the charm, pulling faces for the cameras as she strode. The The 65-year-old icon was nominated for her role in the Supporting Actress category, but missed out to Kate Winslet. Also arriving on the red carpet in absolute dapper fashion was Leading Actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio, garnering huge screams from the fans along the sidelines. Ethereal: Rooney Mara wowed in her divine dress, complete with a crochet detailing across the fabric and delicate additions across her shoulders, the gown falling in a long, loose skirt in a pool around her feet Pale and interesting: The US actress, 30, kept it understated in her dress - almost matching her skin tone - while going for dramatic make-up and a slicked-back hairstyle Hollywood heroes: Matt Damon (left) arrived alongside his beautiful wife Luciana Barroso, while Bryan Cranston (right) put in a stylish showing in his velvet suit - both were nominated for Leading Actor What a line-up: Supporting Actor nominees Benicio Del Toro (left), Mark Ruffalo (centre, with wife Sunrise Coigney) and Idris Elba (right) added some more handsomeness to proceedings Stealing the show! The Martian actor's wife really stole the show from him, Luciana glowing in a royal blue satin gown Winning look! Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega beamed on the red carpet, shortly before being named the winner of the Rising Star gong The 41-year-old Revenant star cut a sharp figure in his well-cut black tuxedo, a light smattering of facial hair on his chin. He was later revealed - to rapturous applause - to be the winner of the Leading Actor prize. BAFTA nominee Eddie Redmayne, who is hoping for his second win in two years, looked as handsome as ever, but he allowed his pregnant wife Hannah Bagshawe steal the spotlight. The publicist looked ravishing in a crimson dress, clinging lightly to her figure and briefly allowing a glimpse at her growing baby bump. Date night! Sacha Baron Cohen was upstaged by his gorgeous wife Isla Fisher, who cut a stunning figure in a pure white figure-hugging gown All white on the night! Isla's dress was certainly one of the biggest hits of the entire evening Looking all-white: Isla, 40, was one of the best-dressed stars on the night, absolutely wowing in a figure-hugging white gown, cutting a stark contrast against her glossy red mane Racy display: Poldark actress Heida Reed went for a beautiful yet seriously sexy look in a plunging black dress with a sheer skirt, a delicate necklace on her bare chest Red-dy for her close-up: Game Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke was another wearer of a red dress on the night She's got some front! The 29-year-old actress showed off her raunchy side as she flashed her cleavage in the low-cut garment Purple perfection: Game Of Thrones favourite Gwendoline Christie clad her statuesque figure in a structured sleeveless dress and wore Atelier Swarovski jewellery Rubbing shoulders with the stars: Laura looked overjoyed to pose with superstar Idris Elba Laughing her way along: Laura worked the red carpet like a pro, posing, pouting and laughing as she ambled along Eddie, 34, won last year's Leading Actor gong for his role as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything, and this year he is nominated once again for his turn in The Danish Girl as a transgender woman. Supporting Actress nominee Rooney Mara was typically ethereal in a pale nude gown, almost the same shade as her perfect porcelain skin. The 30-year-old wowed in her divine dress, complete with a kind of crochet detailing across the fabric and delicate additions across her shoulders, the gown falling in a long, loose skirt in a pool around her feet. Sticking to her gothic look, her raven locks were slicked back into a severe bun and her make-up was dramatic, her brows highlighted and heavy and her lips painted in a muted deep red. Sheer bliss: Former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko made sure to make an impact in her beautiful, delicately covered sheer dress by Ralph & Russo with a white lace pattern and Atelier Swarovski jewellery as she arrived with the other stars Doing her bit! The 36-year-old happily posed for selfies with fans who had patiently waited in the cold to see the stars Red for Valentine's Day? Actress Annabelle Wallis - Chris Martin's girlfriend - went for a beautiful, romantic and heavily ruffled gown for her turn on the BAFTA runway Pure elegance: Her blonde locks were styled into a chic up do, while a slick of red lipstick was the final touch Red-y for anything: Annabelle was lovely in lace as she glided along the green carpet Storming the awards: Anabelle walked along the red carpet with Cemetery Junction actor Tom Hughes, who she presented an award with later in the evening Hosts with the most: Annabelle and Tom dished out the Make Up and Hair award to Lesley Vanderwalt and Damian Martin for Mad Max: Fury Road She, along with her Carol co-star Cate, was nominated for a BAFTA, but in the Supporting Actress category. Also making an eye-catching showing was Laura Whitmore: the 30-year-old is this year's official red carpet reporter for the BAFTAs and truly made sure to represent with her eye-catching gown. She showed off her slender curves in the well-cut dress, which also showed off a hint of her cleavage thanks to its key-hole cut down the front of the chest, the fabric held together with a high neckline. Joining her as one of the early arrivals was E! presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford who showed off her sensational figure in a beautiful black and white frock with a long train. Keeping it simple: Victoria's Secret model Lily Donaldson covered her amazing figure in a sweeping black Saint Laurent gown with a sheer peasant blouse-style top half Sweet! Spotlight actor Stanley Tucci arrived on the arm of his lovely wife Felicity Blunt, the sister of actress Emily Keeping apart: Long-term couple Jack Whitehall and Gemma Chan arrived separately on the red carpet, choosing to pose apart from each other Here come the boys! Actors Max Irons (left), Cuba Gooding Jr. (centre) and Domhnall Gleeson (right) looked suave in their respective black suits Directors unite: Best Director nominee Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw (left) put on a sweet display on the red carpet, while Tom Hooper cut a solo figur Pretty in pink: Angela Bassett poured her curves into a stunning form-fitting gown Pink sensation: Her curves were perfectly fitted into the sensational gown The former Xtra Factor star, 32, gave the Hollywood contingent a run for their money in her delectable dress, a classic strapless design that showed off her toned shoulders and arms before falling down in a long black floor-sweeping skirt. Her hair was coiffed to perfection in tight curls, and her look was completed flawlessly with a dramatic slick of deep red lipstick. Former Bond girl Olga Kurylenko made sure to make an impact in her beautiful, delicately covered sheer dress with a white lace pattern as she arrived with the other stars. Suited and booted: Domhnall Gleeson looked slick in his tuxedo as he stormed the red carpet TV totty: The Fall actor Colin Morgan (left) made the ladies weak at the knees, as did Doctor Who star Matt Smith (right) in their tuxedos On the ball! Zoe Ball looked sensational in her navy pillar dress which swept the floor Stunners: Dakota Johnson and Kate Winslet looked fantastic at the after-party as they walked the red carpet Red lady: Braless Dakota looked frilly and fantastic in the smoking room of the opera house Tuxedo twins: All the gentleman of the evening were well dressed and ready to hit the town Stunning: British-Japanese actress, model and ballerina Sonoya Mizuno glimmered her way through the night Look who's here: Brit actor and model Douglas Booth was spotted getting stuck into the bubbly British talent: Idris Elba, who presented at the ceremony, was suited and booted as he mingled at the bash Congrats! Stanley Tucci had an animated conversation with Best Actress winner Kate Winslet, who clutched her BAFTA Lady in red: Annabelle Wallis stood out in her ruffled red dress and statement jewels What a night: Kate looked on cloud nines as she was surrounded by her famous pals after the ceremony Suited and booted: Eddie flashed a big smile as he enjoyed chatting with US star Cuba All-out glamour: Designer and model Laura Bailey had perhaps the most ballgown-like dress of the night, a full-skirted midnight blue number Spot of champers: Eddie Redmayne consoled himself with bubbly alongside Cuba Gooding Jr after losing out on the Best Actor gong Beautiful in blue: TV presenter Laura Whitmore was one of the first on the red carpet at the EE BAFTA Film Awards Working girl: She was the official red carpet reporter for the prestigious event, and did her best to upstage the Hollywood stars in her stunning ensemble Owning it: The 30-year-old presenter oozed confidence in her gown as she prepared to chat to Hollywood's finest Leading the charge: E! presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford looked stunning in a black and white gown, the strapless garment clinging to her fabulous curves Effortless: The former Xtra Factor star gave the Hollywood contingent a run for their money in her delectable dress, a classic strapless design that showed off her toned shoulders and arms before falling down in a long black floor-sweeping skirt Black lace: TV presenter Angela Scanlon looked beautiful in a mid-length dress in black with a lace detail and Atelier Swarovski jewellery Mixture of styles: Blogger Tanya Burr left), model Dree Hemingway (centre) and TV actress Bel Powley (right) divided opinion with their varied dresses Setting the scene: Covent Garden's iconic Royal Opera House was primed and ready hours before the A-list descended for the biggest awards ceremony in the UK movie industry First win: Saoirse Ronan-fronted drama Brooklyn was crowned Outstanding British Film as The EE British Academy Film Awards 2016 got underway on Sunday Well done: Kate took home the coveted Supporting Actress trophy for her role in Steve Jobs - she posed in the winner's room with Eddie Hosts with the most: Idris and Kate were the first up to the stage to present an award on the night Getting his picture: After scrolling through his phone and getting his camera ready, the starstruck Londoner got his picture with the world-renowned actor Impressed: While Leonardo is fairly used to fans asking for snaps, it is rare the avid admirer is a fellow award winner Congratulations! John Boyega beat Dakota Johnson, Taron Egerton, Brie Larson and Bel Powley to the title of Rising Star, the only award voted for by the public One to watch: The Star Wars actor was overwhelmed to have won the Rising Star prize Animation winners: Blake Harrison (L) and Gemma Chan (R) posed with British Short Animation winners Nina Gantz (2R), producer Emilie Jouffroy (2L) for their work on Edmond The behind the scenes heroes: (L-R) Irish director John Crowley, New Zealand producer Finola Dwyer, British producer Amanda Posey and British author and screenwriter Nick Hornby pose with their awards for an outstanding British film for Brooklyn Success: Lesley Vanderwalt and Damian Martin (left) posed with the trophies for Mad Max: Fury Road, while director Asif Kapadia (right) proudly held the trophy on behalf of Amy, which tells the story of late singer Amy Winehouse Stunning: Cate Blanchett was at hand to present the Oustanding British Contribution to Cinema to Tim Angel, winner of the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema for Angels Costumes Happy days: Writer Tom McCarthy (left) with his award for Best Screenplay for the film Spotlight, and Magaret Sixel (right) with her award for Editing for Mad Max: Fury Road Glory! Eddie Izzard presented Pete Docter with the award for Best Animated Film for Inside Out Bag lady? BAFTA 2016 host Stephen Fry took to Twitter on Sunday night to defend himself after he was criticised for referring to Best Costume Designer winner Jenny Bevan [pictured] as a 'bag lady.' And pose! Funnywoman Rebel pulled her best poses on the red carpet as she pulled off her chic look with aplomb The brunette beauty 36-year-old French actress oozed confidence in her enviable attire while wearing her locks in a seriously elegant, glamorous side-swept style, her natural beauty glowing in front of the hundreds of movie fans lined up along the red carpet. Meanwhile, as the ceremony kicked off, Brooklyn took home the first prize of the night. The Saoirse Ronan-fronted drama took home the award for Outstanding British Film as the ceremony got underway on Sunday night at London's Royal Opera House. The second win for Make Up and Hair went to Mad Max: Fury Road, while The Revenant scored the coveted best Cinematography gong. This guy! Leonardo and Tom looked every inch the superstar duo as they palled up on the red carpet Last year's man of the hour: Eddie may not have won the Leading Actor gong this year - that glory went to his rival Leonardo - but he still made his presence known as he took to the stage to present an award Top prize: The Revenant's Alejandro G. Inarritu gladly picked up the gong for Best Director What? Star Wars co-stars Domhnall Gleeson and Carrie Fisher had a hilarious showing in the press room as they larked about for the cameras Still smiling: Although Dakota didn't win the Rising Star award, she looked happy as she posed in the press room with 2014's winner of the prize, Will Poulter Eye-candy: Actors Max Irons and Douglas Booth added some totty to the TV show His moment: Leonardo was overwhelmed to be named the winner of the Leading Actor gong for his role in The Revenant Well-deserved: The 41-year-old Hollywood legend has been nominated for four BAFTAs in his career, but this is his first win Who else? Leonardo was presented the award by a dapper Tom Cruise in Dolce & Gabbana, and the two acting gents looked to be having a whale of a time in the press room after the show In absence: Lenny Abrahamson - the director of Room - accepted the Leading Actress award on behalf of Brie Larson, posing with Sacha Baron Cohen Funny guys! Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A. Montano, Jon Taylor and Randy Thom posed with their awards as they won the Sound prize for their work on The Revenant Perfect presenter: Cate glowed as she arrived on stage to present a prize during the ceremony What a woman: Last year's Leading Actress winner Julianne took to the stage to present one of the top prizes Host for the night: Stephen Fry was on hosting duties for the evening, a popular choice with the audience Altogether now: The BAFTA winners assembled for a group shot as the show wrapped, each of them clinging to their awards Amy Winehouse biopic Amy, directed by Asif Kapadiaand James Gay-Rees, took home the best Documentary award. Asif explained: 'We really fell in love with her when making the film. And our aim and mission was really to try and tell the truth about her. 'To show the world what an amazing person she was, how intelligent, how witty, how beautiful she was, before it all kind of got out of control and went a bit crazy.' Inside: At the dining table inside the Grosvenor House Hotel, Alicia was seen chatting to Harvey Weinstein Having a catch-up: MC for the night Stephen was seen chatting away to Michael at their dinner table, the Steve Jobs actor enthralled with the conversation Britain's finest: Comic geniuses Eddie Izzard (left) and Stephen (right) looked to be having a good time, although Eddie was more transfixed with his phone Hi there: Cuba cut a handsome figure as he threw a smile the snapper's way Nice to see you! Rebel was seen having a friendly hug with Cuba among the tables Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight - which was snubbed in the major categories - was awarded Original Music for Ennio Morricone's score. The British Short Film prize was presented to Operator, while British Short Animation went to Edmond. Mad Max scooped its second win of the night for Editing, while The Revenant earned another award for Sound. Reunited: Winners Kate and Leonardo - who starred together in 1997's epic classic film Titanic - got everyone's hearts melting as they joined forces behind the scenes Party time! Saoirse, Dakota and Cate led the way as the guests moved from the Royal Opera House to The Grosvenor House Hotel for the post-show dinner and afterparty Double date night: Steven and Kate (left) were among guests at the post-show dinner, as well as Matt and his wife Luciana (right) Sticking to their style guns: The lovely ladies Julie, Lily and Carrie remained in their BAFTA ceremony attire as they moved to the post-show event Drowning his sorrows? Although Eddie didn't win the Leading Actor gong for two years in a row, he still looked ready to celebrate as he and wife Hannah went to the dinner Time to let loose: Beauties Emilia (in Victoria Beckham), Isla and Laura continued to stun in their beautiful gowns as they went to The Grosvenor House Hotel Her own style: Russian model and actress Katia Elizarova wore a rather unflattering green gown which failed to flatter her slender figure Expert posing: As a famed model, Katia certainly knew how to work her way along the red carpet The Special Visual Effects winner was announced as Star Wars: The Force Awakens - and it was a lucky night for the franchise since John Boyega was awarded the EE Rising Star prize, beating hot favourite Dakota Johnson The 23-year-old British actor also beat Taron Egerton, Brie Larson and Bel Powley to the win in the category, which celebrates young actors under the age of 30. He said: 'I want to thank God for this moment. I have some very special people in my life... I'm going to share this award with all the young dreamers who are hard-working... This is for you.' After the show it's the after party: Smitten pair Hannah and Eddie led the way as stars filtered to the myriad of post-show parties - they headed to the Universal soiree Dapper lads on the town: (L-R) Bryan, Cuba and Mark were seen arriving separately at the Warner Bros, Entertainment One and Paramount after party Beauties: Lily and Rooney were seen heading from the post-awards dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel to their next venue, the Weinstein bash In a party mood! Despite not winning an award, Idris looked in fabulous spirits as he stepped out of the Grosvenor later in the evening Ladies' night: Laura (left) and Annabelle (right) joined the contingent of post-show partygoers at the BAFTAs Universal bash in London Angels Costumes received a special shout-out thanks to the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award and the Fellowship Recipient was Sir Sidney Poitier. Spotlight's Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer were given the Original Screenplay prize, while the Film Not in the English Language prize went to Wild Tales. Mad Max's fourth gong of the night was for Production Design. The big prizes on the night went to Brie Larson for Leading Actress, although the Room star was absent from the ceremony, and Leonardo won the Leading Actor gong for his role as Hugh Glass in The Revenant. This marks Leonardo's very first BAFTA win - he has been nominated on three previous occasions but failed to receive the coveted prize. And... pose! (L-R) Ricky Wilson and Grace Zito, Heida Reed and Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman were among the lucky ones invited to the The Weinstein Company at the Rosewood Hotel Still not posing together: While Laura and Sam - wearing a Dolce & Gabbana suit - were both at Weinstein's bash, they didn't pose for a picture together Date night: Former X Factor host Dermot O'Leary and wife Dee Koppang made Sunday night's post BAFTA bash an excuse for a date night Lovely ladies: Also at the Weinstein afterparty were Holliday Grainger (left), Gemma Chan (centre) and Stacy Martin (right in a low-cut maroon dress and Atelier Swarovski jewellery) Cosying up: Bel Powley and previous BAFTA Rising Star winner Will Poulter let loose at the Weinstein soiree The Revenant centres on 1820s frontiersman Hugh Glass, who is left for dead by members of his own hunting team. He treks across the wilderness, hellbent on tracking down John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the former confidant who betrayed and abandoned him. The Revenant also won Best Film, and it also scored another gong for its director Alejandro G. Inarritu. The coveted Leading Actress prize went to breakout star Brie Larson for Room, however, the 26-year-old beauty was a no-show at the ceremony due to filming commitments in Australia. Bridge Of Spies star Mark Rylance was awarded the Supporting Actor gong - although he was also absent from the event. Following the ceremony, some stars headed across the city to the official Weinstein Company after party to let loose and sip Grey Goose cocktails while others went to the official Universal post-show bash. There was also a third party for the Hollywood favourites, the Warner Bros, Entertainment One and Paramount event. Advertisement The Revenant was the big winner at The EE British Academy Film Awards 2016 on Sunday night. The gritty revenge drama took home five of the major awards including Best Film, best Director for Alejandro G. Inarritu and Leading Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio at the star-studded ceremony, held at London's Royal Opera House. It also scooped the gongs for Cinematography and Sound, bringing its total wins to five and narrowly beating Mad Max: Fury Road, which took home four trophies. Scroll down for video Success story: The Revenant was the big winner at The EE British Academy Film Awards 2016 on Sunday night, including a Leading Actor win for Leonardo DiCaprio This marks Leonardo's very first BAFTA win; he has been nominated on three previous occasions but failed to receive the coveted prize until now, making him a frontrunner in the same category at the Academy Awards on February 28. He beat Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl), Bryan Cranston (Trumbo), Matt Damon (The Martian), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) to the Leading Actor crown. The Revenant centres on 1820s frontiersman Hugh Glass, who is left for dead by members of his own hunting team. He treks across the wilderness, hellbent on tracking down John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), the former confidant who betrayed and abandoned him. Sweeping the board: The Revenant picked up five major awards including Best Film and best Director for Alejandro G. Inarritu (centre left) Proud: The star has been nominated for a best actor BAFTA on three previous occasions - but had never before been triumphant Emotional: Leo couldn't contain his joy as he delivered a passionate speech at the glittering awards ceremony This is his moment: Leonardo could hardly believe his luck as he cradled his award proudly for his incredible performance in The Revenant All together now! All the winners at the 2016 ceremony posed with their trophies behind the scenes Joining in: Hollywood star Tom Cruise was at hand to present the prizes to Mary Parent, Alejandro, Steve Golin, Keith Redmon and Leo Main man: Mission Impossible star Tom gave the 41-year-old actor a congratulatory pat on the back as they posed in the winners' room Reason to celebrate: The Revenant beat Mad Max: Fury Road, which took home four trophies Winner: Inarritu beat the helmers of The Big Short, The Revenant, Carol, Bridge of Spies and The Martian The face of a winner: The BAFTA win is a great omen for the upcoming Oscar awards No wonder he's smiling: Leonardo certainly looked chuffed as he listened to Harvey Weinstein during the dinner and after-party at the Grosvenor House Man of the hour: Fellow superstar Tom Cruise presented Leonardo with his award So happy! Tom and Leonardo chat backstage after the former presented The Revenant with Best Film Inarritu paid tribute to his main man DiCaprio during his top Director acceptance speech, declaring, 'It is a true honour to be nominated with such amazing directors. Leo, your work your talent your commitment every day kept this film breathing.' The Cinematography award went to The Revenant's Emmanuel Lubezki, marking the film maven's his fourth BAFTA overall and third win in a row. Mad Max: Fury Road was another success story on the night - the blockbuster was presented with the trophies for Make Up and Hair, Editing, Production Design and Costume Design. The coveted Leading Actress prize went to breakout star Brie Larson for Room, however, the 26-year-old beauty was a no-show at the ceremony due to filming commitments in Australia. Back together again! Kate Winslet - who took home Best Supporting Actress for her role in Steve Jobs - reunited with her Titanic co-star Leonardo at the ceremony Next stop, the Oscars! Leo's triumph surely bodes well for the main event of awards season on February 28 Full line-up: Kate couldn't contain her glee as she posed alongside her fellow award-winners at the awards Best of friends: Eighteen years after they first graced the silver screen together, Leo and Kate are still close Moment of triumph: While this was DiCaprio's very first BAFTA, Winslet now boasts three of the trophies to her name Waiting game: Leonardo had a plum seat near the stage as he waited patiently for his category to be revealed at the climax of the awards Stunning: The blonde beauty set off her simple black dress with dazzling silver jewellery Heartfelt delivery: Kate looked massively proud to pick up her award as she gave a heartfelt and loving speech Posing up a storm: The award-winning star was thrilled with her win for the Michael Fassbender-fronted biopic Joking around: The 40-year-old star made the most of her moment in the winner's room, fooling around on the red carpet Congrats! The Danish Girl star Eddie Redmayne enthusiastically congratulated Kate on her success Best of British: Eddie escorted Kate along the red carpet as she clutched on to her Supporting Actress gong Life is but a dream: Eddie Redmayne and his pregnant wife Hannah Bagshawe looked a vision as they walked the red carpet Bridge Of Spies star Mark Rylance was awarded the Supporting Actor gong, while Kate Winslet was presented with Supporting Actress for Steve Jobs. Despite missing out on the best Director award, Steven Spielberg was thrilled Mark had emerged victorious, taking to the stage to accept the gong on his behalf since he was busy performing on Broadway. Meanwhile, Winslet - who enjoyed a friendly reunion with her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in the winners' room - delivered an emotional speech, telling the crowd, 'What an incredible year to be nominated, what an incredible year to be in this room. 'It has been an extraordinary year for women and I am so proud to stand alongside you Jennifer Julie Rooney and Alicia your performances are so extraordinary. I really am quite overwhelmed actually.' First win: Saoirse Ronan-fronted drama Brooklyn was crowned Outstanding British Film as The EE British Academy Film Awards 2016 got underway on Sunday Love story: The subtle and cinematographically stunning romance focuses on Irish immigrant Eilis, who is torn between two suitors What a line up: Brooklyn's stars including Julie Walters, Domhnall Gleeson and Saoirse celebrated their win Gleeful: Domhnall and Julie enjoyed a giggle with Kate, who was presenting the prize Posing up a storm: Domhall was joined by Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Carrie Fisher Stars on the rise: BAFTA nominees Alicia Vikander (left) and Saoirse Ronan (left) gave it as good as they got in funky, eclectic dresses on the red carpet Eclectic: Best Actress nominees Cate Blanchett (left), Julianne Moore (centre) and Kate Winslet (right) wore a mixture of styles as they arrived at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2016 at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday Move out the way, Cate's arrived! Giving her competition a serious run for their money, the Australian superstar looked jaw-droppingly sensational in her multi-coloured glitzy gown with a full black feathered skirt Brooklyn took home the first prize of the night at the BAFTAs, receiving the Outstanding British Film accolade for the big screen adaptation of the Colm Toibin novel. Director John Crowley enthused: 'One of the things this film is about is the kindness of strangers and as the film has made its way out in the world the warmth of the response has been amazing.' Quentin Tarrantino's The Hateful Eight - which was snubbed in the major categories - was awarded Original Music for Ennio Morricone's score. Asif explained: 'We really fell in love with her when making the film. And our aim and mission was really to try and tell the truth about her. 'To show the world what an amazing person she was, how intelligent, how witty, how beautiful she was, before it all kind of got out of control and went a bit crazy.' Celebrating in style: Brooklyn director John Crowley, New Zealand producer Finola Dwyer, British producer Amanda Posey and British author and screenwriter Nick Hornby posed with their trophies Hair and make-up win: Lesley Vanderwalt and Damian Martin posed with the trophies for Mad Max: Fury Road Striking a pose: Kate Winslet and Idris Elba struck a pose in the winner's room The British Short Film prize was presented to Operator, while British Short Animation went to Edmond. Star Wars: The Force Awakens emerged triumphant in the Special Visual Effects category - and it was a lucky night for the franchise since John Boyega was awarded the EE Rising Star prize, beating hot favourite Dakota Johnson The 23-year-old British actor also beat Taron Egerton, Brie Larson and Bel Powley to the win in the category, which celebrates young actors under the age of 30. He said: 'I want to thank God for this moment. I have some very special people in my life... I'm going to share this award with all the young dreamers who are hard-working... This is for you.' Well deserved: John Boyega took home the EE Rising Star prize, beating the likes of Dakota Johnson Proud moment: The Star Wars actor declares, 'I'm going to share this award with all the young dreamers who are hard-working... This is for you' Acceptance speech: The 23-year-old star held his EE Rising Star trophy aloft as he addressed the audience 'I want to thank God for this moment': The Peckham-born star delivered an emotional speech Impressed: While Leonardo is fairly used to fans asking for snaps, it is rare the avid admirer is a fellow award winner Getting his picture: After scrolling through his phone and getting his camera ready, the starstruck Londoner got his picture with the world-renowned actor So glad to be here: John chats to fellow guests before the big show commences Across the seas: The Fellowship Recipient was Sir Sidney Poitier, the highest accolade that BAFTA can bestow, in recognition of his outstanding career in film Inside Out was crowned top Animated Film, while Outstanding Debut went to Naji Abu Nowar for Theeb, and best Adapted Screenplay went to The Big Short. Spotlight's Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer were given the Original Screenplay prize, while the Film Not in the English Language prize went to Wild Tales. Angels Costumes received a special shout out thanks to the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award and the Fellowship Recipient was Sir Sidney Poitier, the highest accolade that BAFTA can bestow, in recognition of his outstanding career in film Accepting against the odds: Sir Sidney was not in attendance due to ill health, so the award was presented to him by Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, in his Los Angeles home Double trouble: Kate was also on presenting duties with Luther star Idris Arm-in-arm: Idris and Kate looked completely at ease as they marched out onto the stage Sir Sidney was not in attendance due to ill health, so the award was presented to him by Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, in his Los Angeles home. During the ceremony filmed tributes were given by Oprah Winfrey, Noel Clarke and his To Sir, With Love co-star, Lulu. The Awards were hosted for an eleventh year by Stephen Fry and held at Londons Royal Opera House . Stunning: Cate Blanchett was at hand to present the Oustanding British Contribution to Cinema Helping hand: Although she missed out on an award herself, Cate was on hand to present an award Outstanding contribution: Tim Angel accepted the award on behalf of Angels Costumes Thrilled: Tom McCarthy posed with his award for Best Screenplay for drama Spotlight Best Documentary: Director Asif Kapadia proudly held the trophy on behalf of Amy, which tells the story of late singer Amy Winehouse Celebrating in style: Magaret Sixel posed up a storm with her award for Editing for Mad Max Animation winners: Blake Harrison (L) and Gemma Chan (R) posed with British Short Animation winners Nina Gantz (2R), producer Emilie Jouffroy (2L) for their work on Edmond Host for the night: Stephen Fry was on hosting duties for the evening, a popular choice with the audience Top of the A-list: The stars were out in force, with the likes of Matt Damon and Eddie Redmayne joining proceedings Suited and booted: Superstars both young and old hit up the ceremony including Will Poulter (left) and Eddie Izzard (right) If it ain't broke: Brit beauty Kate - who won Supporting Actress - stuck to her time-honoured style, accentuating her covetable curves in a tailored black dress with an asymmetric sleeve detail and funky neckline across her chest Wow-worthy: The 55-year-old - who won the Leading Actress BAFTA at last year's ceremony for her role in Still Alice - could have passed for someone 20 years younger in her timeless attire Colourful: The 46-year-old looked youthful in her directional glitzy Alexander McQueen gown, which hugged her willowy figure perfectly before falling into an ostentatious black feathered skirt Woman in black: Antonia Thomas looked stunning in a dramatic black gown with sheer detailing and a silk skirt Feathered fancy: Laura Haddock showed off her sensational post-baby body in a chic feathered Givenchy ensemble Rubbing shoulders: Laura posed within the event with handsome star Idris Elba Time to party: Kate Winslet was in the mood to celebrate in the Kings Smoking Room at the Royal Opera House after the ceremony Spot of champers: Eddie Redmayne consoled himself with bubbly alongside Cuba Gooding Jr after losing out on the Best Actor gong Catch up: Alicia and Michael chat to Eddie's pregnant wife Hannah as they prepare to take their seats What a beauty: Dakota Johnson was the picture of elegance during the glamorous after party British talent: Idris Elba, who presented at the ceremony, was suited and booted as he mingled at the bash Dapper gents: Doctor Who's Matt Smith looked suave in his tux while The Revenant star Will Poulter toasted his film's big win Look who's here: Brit actor and model Douglas Booth was spotted getting stuck into the bubbly Congrats! Stanley Tucci had an animated conversation with Best Actress winner Kate Winslet, who clutched her BAFTA What a night: Kate looked on cloud nines as she was surrounded by her famous pals after the ceremony Lady in red: Annabelle Wallis stood out in her ruffled red dress and statement jewels Suited and booted: Eddie flashed a big smile as he enjoyed chatting with US star Cuba Talking point: Bestr Actress nominee Saoirse chatted to a friend during the dinner and after-party at Grosvenor House Holding court: Irish actor Domhnall, whose film The Revenant won big at the ceremony, interrupts his dinner to chat to fellow guests Golden girl: Gemma Chan chats to a fellow guest during the dinner Lady in blue: Julie Walters was deep in conversation with a fellow guest during the meal Fashion talks: Mark Ruffalo and his wife Sunrise Coigney chat to designer Valentino Two teen girls killed at Arizona school in murder-suicide Two teenage girls died Friday at a high school in Arizona in what police called a murder-suicide. The 15-year-olds, described as close friends and in a relationship, were found lying next to each other under a covered patio near the cafeteria at Independence High School, near Phoenix, police said in a statement. The teens each sustained a single gunshot and a weapon was found near their bodies along with a suicide note. A school in Arizona was placed on lockdown immediately after a shooting in which two teenage girls were killed Robert MacPherson (AFP/File) "Investigators working the case say evidence found at the scene leads them to believe that one female took the life of the other female before taking her own life," the statement said. "Information gathered by detectives reveal the two girls were very close friends, appearing to also be in a relationship." Police said they don't believe any students at the school witnessed the tragedy that took place shortly before 8:00 am (1500 GMT). Iraqi girl's home burned after she criticised governor A 13-year-old Iraqi girl's home burned after she criticised the governor of a central Iraq province in a televised interview, her father and police said on Saturday. Rawan Salem Hussein challenged Governor Sadiq Madlool al-Sultani to an on-air debate on his contributions to "the cultural situation in Babil", and said she would prove that he had "set Babil province back 50 years". Hussein's father Salem said the fire at the family's home in Hilla, south of Baghdad, occurred not long after the clip was broadcast on Al-Baghdadiya TV. A 13-year-old Iraqi girl's home burned after she criticised the governor of a central Iraq province in a televised interview, her father and police said Mohammed Sawaf (AFP/File) A police captain said a malfunctioning heater caused the fire, but Salem said that it had been turned off, and suggested that arson was the cause. The incident "raises a number of questions, especially the question of its timing", he said. "Why, six hours after the broadcast of the video clip in which Rawan spoke about the governor, was the house burned?" Salem said he and Rawan were at a protest in Baghdad at the time of the fire. Rap capital honors native son Lamar before Grammys Kendrick Lamar, the reflective rapper who is nominated for a near record haul of Grammys, enjoyed a hero's welcome Saturday as he returned to his hometown of Compton. The notoriously rough city in Los Angeles County, which gave birth to gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A. in the 1980s, presented Lamar a symbolic key to the city, as students from local schools put on choreographed dances to his songs. Lamar is in contention for 11 Grammys on Monday at the music industry's signature award ceremony, more than any artist in history except Michael Jackson. Rapper Kendrick Lamar attends the ceremony honoring him with the Keys of the City of Compton, on February 13, 2016 Valerie Macon (AFP) The 28-year-old has won wide acclaim for his album "To Pimp a Butterfly," an experimental rap opus whose tracks include "Alright," which has become an unofficial anthem of Black Lives Matter movement against police abuse. Lamar told the students that he was proof of Compton's resilience, saying, "I knew for a fact that I could be anything I wanted to be." "Through all the pain and hardship -- losing family members, losing homeboys -- for some reason we always still love Compton because we have faith," he said. "Before I wrote, 'We're gonna be alright,' that's what we're thinking since day one," said Lamar, who now lives elsewhere in southern California. Regis Inge, who taught Lamar in middle school, called the rapper's success "a teacher's dream come true." "You have not only pursued your dream, but you have taken on the responsibility that comes with leading people to their own destiny," he said. Satra Zurita, president of the school board, predicted that "Alright" will live on for decades as a great protest song, in a league with Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On." Lamar came "just when rap started to begin to sound like a bunch of repetitive cliches, and sometimes like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, that even I, who was born in the rap capital of the world, cannot understand," she said. Lamar "single-handedly restored the art of storytelling and social consciousness in the genre of rap, this generation's music," she said. If the praise was not enough, Mayor Aja Brown assured Lamar that the key to the city was bigger than the one just received by chart-topping rapper Drake from his hometown of Toronto. Despite leading in Grammy nominations, Lamar faces tough competition in key categories from artists including pop superstar Taylor Swift. Australian hospital refuses to return asylum baby to Nauru An Australian hospital has refused to return an asylum-seeker baby to detention in Nauru, as momentum built across the country on Sunday against offshore Pacific camps for processing refugees. Under the government's tough immigration policy, asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to detention camps in the Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be refugees. Greenpeace holds a #LetThemStay banner on Sydney's harbour calling for the asylum-seekers, who are set to be deported after being brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be allowed to stay Peter Parks (AFP) The hospital's move came as state governments, churches and activists stepped up their efforts to stop the return of some 267 refugees to Nauru following a High Court ruling. On Sunday, campaigners from ActionAid, Amnesty International, GetUp! and Greenpeace unfurled a #LetThemStay banner on Sydney's iconic harbour calling for the asylum-seekers, who are set to be deported after being brought to Australia for medical treatment, to be allowed to stay. The #LetThemStay campaign, which has been trending on Twitter, has also seen hundreds of people maintain a vigil -- now in its third day -- outside the Brisbane hospital where the baby is being cared for. The 12-month-old infant, who is called Asha and the child of Nepalese asylum-seekers, was brought to the eastern city of Brisbane for treatment in late January after being scalded with hot water at the remote Nauru facility. Following the High Court's ruling earlier this month in favour of the government's policies, Asha and 36 other babies born in Australia are among the asylum-seekers facing removal. But a spokesman for Brisbane's Lady Cilento Children's Hospital said Asha "will only be discharged once a suitable home environment is identified". - Growing political, community support - Their stance was supported by Queensland state's Health Minister Cameron Dick, who said in a statement Sunday that he "strongly support(s) doctors in our hospitals to make the right clinical decisions". "Doctors must expect to advocate for their patients," Doctors For Refugees co-founder Richard Kidd, who has joined the vigil outside the hospital, told AFP. "We have... overwhelming evidence over many years now that detention does terrible harm to babies and children, particularly their mental health but also physical health." Australian church leaders in early February vowed to defy the federal government, offering sanctuary to the asylum-seekers. Several state government premiers have said they would help settle in their communities those facing deportation if they were allowed to stay. There have also been numerous community-led protests. Thirty-seven cots -- one for each of the Australia-born babies -- were set up on Sydney's Bondi Beach, while two campaigners abseiled from a Melbourne bridge with a "Let Them Stay" banner. "I think the case of the 267 people has just really spoken to the hearts of the people across Australia," GetUp! organiser Sally Rugg told AFP. "It's people from all walks of life. We are seeing churches and hospitals and teachers and premiers, it's a whole movement." Canberra has long defended its policy, saying it has prevented the deaths of asylum-seekers at sea and secured its borders. But rights groups have criticised the measures and detention conditions, while the government-funded Human Rights Commission has found that children who lived in the Nauru centre had high levels of mental illness. "This offshore detention policy is being operated by the Australian government in secrecy and there's a severe lack of transparency and that's obviously not how people of Australia want their taxpayers' money being spent," Amnesty's Ming Yu Hah told AFP. People hold placards at a protest outside an immigration office in Sydney on February 4, 2016, as Australian church leaders say they would offer sanctuary to asylum-seekers set to be deported to Nauru to defy the government's harsh immigration policy William West (AFP/File) Tragic tales of loss in Taiwan as search for quake survivors ends As rescuers in Taiwan said they had retrieved all the missing from the ruins of a building felled by an earthquake, a tragic picture emerged of the cross-section of society killed in the disaster. The quake took the lives of 114 in the Wei-kuan apartment complex in the southern city of Tainan, from a 10-day-old baby to a 75-year-old woman. Among the dead were a security guard, a mother-to-be, and the chair of the building's management committee -- the last body to be pulled from the rubble Saturday. The 6.4-magnitude quake took the lives of 114 in the Wei-kuan apartment complex in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan, from a 10-day-old baby to a 75-year-old woman Anthony Wallace (AFP/File) But it was the young who suffered most -- a third of the victims were under 25-years-old. Among them was a pair of university students reported to have been found in each other's arms in the rubble. Tsai Meng-chia and Huang Ro-hsin had been out singing karaoke to celebrate a friend's birthday, returning to Wei-kuan just before the earthquake struck at 4:00 am local time last Saturday, local media said. Their fate was mentioned in a tribute by Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou. "It's very, very saddening that two 21-year-old lives disappeared, just like that," Ma said. Although the building housed only 256 registered residents, there were more than 380 there on the night of the quake. Many had joined their families for the start of the Lunar New Year holidays. Authorities said student tenants would also not have been on the official register. - 'I hope they departed quickly' - Relatives told how their families had been all but wiped out by the disaster. Survivor Lee Tsong-tian, 40, was the only one of eight family members to be pulled out alive after more than 50 hours -- among the last residents to be rescued. "Out of my family of eight, Tsong-tian was saved," his sister Lee Su-tsu told reporters during a memorial service held for victims Friday. "I hope they departed quickly without much pain," she said. Rescuers worked for 20 hours to free Lee, whose leg was trapped in the rubble -- it was later amputated. The mother of the 10-day-old baby who died told of her last moments with the child. Liu Yi-chen, a 38-year-old nurse, was breast-feeding in bed when the floor of the room caved in. "The baby fell nearby, I heard her cry but I couldn't reach her," Liu told AFP. "The baby cried for an hour and then there was no voice." Liu also lost her husband and two other young children. As the search operation ended Saturday, the focus now is to clear the rubble and disinfect the site, Tainan's mayor William Lai said. The building developer and two other associates are under investigation for professional negligence causing death and prosecutors have said the building had a number of flaws, including a lack of steel reinforcement bars. Public anger has grown as residents told how they had complained of defects in the building and images of the rubble showed concrete had been filled with foam and tin cans. Wei-kuan was the only high-rise to completely collapse in the 6.4-magnitude quake. A mother holds a picture of her son after a male student body was recovered from the Wei-Kuan complex which collapsed in the 6.4 magnitude earthquake, in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan on February 10, 2016 Sam Yeh (AFP/File) Beijing pins Hong Kong riot on 'radical separatists' A senior Beijing official on Sunday blamed "radical separatists" for a riot that erupted in Hong Kong last week, the worst clashes the city has seen since mass pro-democracy protests. In unusually blunt remarks on a local Hong Kong matter, Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing's top representative in the semi-autonomous city, told reporters the violence that left dozens of police officers hurt also showed elements of "terror". "After the riot in Mong Kok, we are feeling very much shocked and saddened," Zhang told reporters. A riot policewoman stands on a cordoned-off street following overnight clashes between protesters and police in the Mongkok area of Hong Kong on February 9, 2016 Dale de la Rey (AFP/File) "We strongly condemn those radical separatists who have become increasingly violent, even (carrying out) activities that showed terror tendencies," the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said in Chinese. The clashes erupted when protesters gathered following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood of Mong Kok during Lunar New Year celebrations late Monday night. Police fired warning shots in the air, while demonstrators hurled bricks levered up from pavements, charged police lines with homemade shields and set rubbish on fire. About 100 people were injured, including police officers, journalists and protesters, and 65 were arrested in the rare outbreak of violence. Some 30 have been charged with rioting. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said Sunday most of the protesters were unemployed and did not reflect mainstream views. "The majority of them are jobless. Quite many of them belong to radical political groups. Their political demands... cannot reflect the majority of society," the chief executive said. The battles have been dubbed the "fishball revolution" after a favourite Hong Kong street snack and reflect underlying tensions over the erosion of the city's traditions. Demonstrators included "localist" activists who want to restrict Beijing's influence on the city. Mong Kok, on the city's Kowloon peninsula, was the scene of some of the worst violence during the 79-day "Occupy" pro-democracy street protests in late 2014. The mass rallies seeking fully free leadership elections in the city blocked some major streets for more than two months. But the rallies failed to win concessions from the authorities. Pro-democracy activist Joseph Cheng said weighing in on the protest was a tactic by Beijing to justify its hardline approach to the pro-democracy movement. "The whole idea, of course, is to condemn the protesters in association with the pro-democracy movement in the public opinion war," the retired scholar, who has advocated direct leadership elections for Hong Kong, told AFP. "Condemning the riot has the purpose of justifying the hardline (stance) of Beijing," He added he expected the Hong Kong authorities to conduct a "neutral investigation" into the incident, despite the outspoken comments from Beijing. Hong Kong was returned by Britain to China in 1997 with its way of life protected for 50 years by a joint agreement. But there are fears that freedoms enshrined in the agreement are being eroded by Chinese influence, including the recent case of five Hong Kong publishers known for titles critical of Beijing, four of whom it is confirmed have been detained on the mainland. People walk past burnt debris scattered across the street following overnight clashes between protesters and police in the Mongkok area of Hong Kong on February 9, 2016 Dale de la Rey (AFP/File) China central bank boss says no reason for yuan to fall further China's central bank chief has blamed foreign speculators in part for volatility in the yuan and said there is no basis for further depreciation, according to an interview in Caixin magazine. The Chinese economy grew 6.9 percent in 2015 -- the slowest rate since 1990 -- and capital has been flowing out of the country due to worries over flagging growth, causing the currency to weaken. "International speculative forces have recently focused on shorting China," People's Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan said, according to a transcript of the interview posted on the bank's website Saturday. The Chinese economy grew 6.9% in 2015 and capital has been flowing out of the country due to worries over flagging growth, causing the currency to weaken "They are eager to manufacture public opinion to try to force an outcome as soon as possible," he said, but did not identify them. Chinese state media has taken aim at investor George Soros for saying at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos that a hard landing for the world's second largest economy is "practically unavoidable". In early January China guided the yuan -- also known as the renminbi -- down by setting its daily fix lower for eight consecutive sessions, representing a 1.4 percent fall, before it returned to stability. The falls raised fears of a creeping devaluation, as it echoed moves in mid-August when China adjusted the yuan down nearly five percent over a week. Zhou vowed China would use its massive foreign exchange holdings to defend the yuan. "China has the world's largest foreign exchange reserves," he said. "We will not let speculative forces guide market sentiment." The country's foreign exchange reserves dropped $99.5 billion to $3.2 trillion in January, according to official figures, as the central bank sold dollars to slow the slide in the yuan. But Zhou said: "There is no foundation for continued depreciation (of the currency)." He pledged that currency reforms would continue despite the turmoil although the government would maintain its management role. China keeps a tight grip on the yuan on worries free capital flows will bring financial risk and reduce its control. "Sometimes the market will show flaws, by being controlled by speculative forces or short-term sentiment and a herd effect," Zhou said. Saudi says it intercepted Scud missile from Yemen Saudi Arabia intercepted a Scud missile fired towards the kingdom by Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the insurgents has said. The official Saudi SPA news agency said the missile was destroyed by the kingdom's air defences at around 2145 (1845 GMT) on Saturday, around 100 kilometres (60 miles) from its border with Yemen. Yemen's Shiite Huthi rebels meanwhile said in a statement on their sabanews.net website that the missile targeted the Abha Regional Airport in southern Saudi Arabia. Armed Yemeni tribesmen from the Popular Resistance Committees, supporting forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, stand next to armoured vehicles west of Marib city Abdullah Al-Qadry (AFP/File) The missile "precisely hit its target," it said. Saturday's incident is the third time Saudi Arabia says it has shot down a Scud fired from Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition said that a Saudi Patriot missile had downed a Scud fired from the rebel-held Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Riyadh has deployed Patriots designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, which have been fired occasionally since March when the coalition began air strikes in support of the Yemeni government after Huthi rebels seized Sanaa and advanced towards second city Aden. In April last year the Saudi defence ministry said coalition strikes had removed threats to the kingdom's security "by destroying heavy weaponry and ballistic missiles" seized by the Yemeni rebels. Vehicle-borne Scud ballistic missiles have a much longer range and more powerful warhead than the rockets and mortar bombs which have struck the kingdom's southern border regions, killing about 90 civilians and soldiers since the coalition intervention began. US primary front-runners rise above 'dark money' cloud A self-proclaimed socialist, a high-powered capitalist: The distance seems huge between Democrat Bernie Sanders and Republican Donald Trump, whose sweeping primary victories have galvanized the race for the White House. But Sanders and Trump have something in common, and they are proud of it. Their campaigns have succeeded so far without the help of "Super PACs," the outside groups, or political action committees, that can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations and unions. US Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders participates in the PBS NewsHour Presidential Primary Debate with Hillary Clinton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 11, 2016 Tasos Katopodis (AFP) These groups are supporting their rivals, playing into the public's perception of massive donations making candidates beholden to the interests of big companies and the wealthy. Sanders and Trump do not want money from Super PACs, both saying so-called "dark money" hurts US politics. It is "a corrupt campaign finance system undermining American democracy, where billionaire, Wall Street, corporate America can contribute unlimited sums of money into Super PACs and into candidates," Sanders said. The Vermont senator says his $75 million campaign chest has been built largely by individual donations averaging $27 each. Sanders's rival in the race for the Democratic party's presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, has also raised millions from individuals under the legal limit of $2,700 per person. But she is still battling suspicions that she is in Wall Street's pocket, due to the Super PAC supporting her campaign, which has raised about $41 million. More than a third of it comes from the financial sector, notably billionaire investor George Soros, who gave $7 million, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. - Trump's wealth trumps - On the Republican side, Trump, the real estate mogul, also slams the financial political system which he, with a personal fortune estimated at $4.5 billion, says he can afford to ignore. "I am self-funding my campaign and therefore I will not be controlled by the donors, special interests and lobbyists who have corrupted our politics and politicians for far too long," Trump said. His Republican rivals all benefit from Super PACs, whose spending cannot be directly coordinated with a candidate's campaign. Right to Rise, the group supporting Jeb Bush, has raised $118 million to buy advertising and voter mailings. But Bush has had poor results in the first two primaries of the election season this month. "Money can't make up for a bad candidate, but it can help them to stay in the race even if they should have already dropped out," said Lawrence Noble of the Campaign Legal Center. "In that sense the Super PACs are distorting the race," added Noble, a former US Federal Election Commission official. Their influence can make or break an election. "When the race is very tight and when you need every vote, that's when the Super PAC money can make a difference," Norman Eisen, a former ethics adviser to President Barack Obama, told AFP. Businesses usually do not directly contribute to the Super PACs. "They don't want to be seen as really aggressive in the political progress out of fear that it could upset their customers and their shareholders," said Bob Biersack of the Center for Responsive Politics. - Business chiefs donate - But business leaders and those close to them dig into their own wallets. The chairman of software giant Oracle, Larry Ellison, has given $3 million to a committee supporting Republican Marco Rubio, while Texas oil magnates the Wilks brothers have pumped $15 million into a Super PAC for Ted Cruz. Some donate for purely ideological reasons but others are hoping for a return on their investment: privileged access to the potential future president of the United States. "A candidate is often very well aware of how much money was given to him by executives. They often spend time with them and all of that leads to a relationship," said Biersack. Such proximity, however, can come at a political cost. "You're undermining your credibility when you accept so much money from corporate executives," said Noble. "Your decisions, even when they're solidly fact-based, will always be regarded with suspicion." It is this cloud that overhangs Clinton. "Name anything they've influenced me on," she said in response to questions about her ties to Wall Street bankers, whose greed is blamed largely for the 2008 financial crisis and Great Recession. "I'm going to jail them if they should be jailed." "Dark money" also gathers elsewhere in the political system. Companies can directly finance nongovernmental organizations such as Americans for Prosperity and Crossroads GPS, which in turn can finance campaigns without having to identify their contributors. "The Super PACs are already bad enough, but the non-profits are even worse," Eisen said. None of these organizations responded to requests for comment. Obama enjoins Supreme Court fight in election year President Barack Obama said he would name a new Supreme Court justice to replace Antonin Scalia, slapping down Republican demands for a delay and setting up a monumental election-year fight. "I plan to fulfil my constitutional responsibilities," Obama said Saturday, rejecting a chorus of right wing demands that he leave Scalias replacement to his successor. The conservative justice, appointed to the lifetime post in 1986 by president Ronald Reagan, died unexpectedly in Texas on Saturday, 11 months before the end of Obama's term. He was 79. US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, appointed to the lifetime post in 1986 by president Ronald Reagan, died unexpectedly in Texas on Saturday, 11 months before the end of Obama's term Paul Morigi (Getty/AFP/File) Scalia was a dependable conservative vote on the bench, opposing gay marriage, abortion and expanded healthcare. Until Scalia's death the nine-member court had five conservative justices and four liberals. With Scalia gone conservatives and liberals are equally balanced. The prospect that Obama would name a liberal replacement decisively tipping the court balance has turbocharged an already divisive presidential election campaign. Obama has already appointed two liberal Supreme Court justices, and a third would make him the most consequential president for the court since Reagan. History would suggest that he will announce his choice within weeks. - Senate approval needed - The nominee would then go to the Republican-controlled Senate, where the candidate would need support from a majority of senators for confirmation. Obama could choose a political centrist in the hope of winning over four Republican senators, enough to secure confirmation assuming all 44 Democrats and two independents also back his choice. The US vice president would cast a deciding vote if needed. Alternatively, Obama could nominate a more ideological figure that rallies the Democratic base but has no chance of being confirmed. Republican leaders have made it clear they have no intention of approving Obamas choice. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," the Senate Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement. "This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." The US presidential election is set for November 8, and the next president takes office in early January. Under this scenario the Supreme Court would be one justice short for about a year. - A "do nothing" Congress? - Republicans' most likely first line of defense is the Senate Judiciary Committee, which considers the nominee before the full Senate. Committee chairman Chuck Grassley faces reelection in November, along with two other Republicans, meaning their actions will be under fierce scrutiny by Republican voters. A misstep could result in a right-wing challenger entering the race. If Republicans are determined torpedo Obama's nominee, the committee may simply offer no opinion. Previous Supreme Court nominations have withered as the committee has refused to act, leaving the process stuck. If that happens, Obama indicated his willingness to put Republicans before the court of public opinion. Obama's White House has long sought to paint the Republican-controlled legislature as a "do nothing" Congress. Months of White House hectoring about inaction over something as important as the Supreme Court could find favor with voters, many of whom already have a low opinion of lawmakers. Insisting there was plenty of time for the Senate to consider his pick, Obama urged lawmakers to take their responsibilities seriously. "Theyre bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy. They're about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life, and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our Founders envisioned," he told reporters. If hearings are held, all eyes will be on Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz, a Senate Judiciary Committee member who clerked at the Supreme Court and whose profile could be significantly boosted by raking the nominee over the coals. That could also result in the nominee withdrawing. George W. Bush nominee Harriet Miers withdrew her name following intense scrutiny and criticism. - High stakes - The Supreme Court has played a major role in US politics in recent years. The court halted a fiercely contested ballot recount in Florida in the 2000 presidential election, resulting in Republican George W. Bush taking office over Democrat Al Gore. More recently it paved the way for non-governmental groups to pour money into election campaigns. Last week the court with Scalias backing froze the implementation of a major White House effort to cut carbon emissions, after a Republican legal challenge. If the Republicans thwart all of Obama's efforts to appoint a new justice, and controversial legal cases that reach the Supreme Court end in a 4-4 decision, then lower court rulings stand. That could have deep ramifications for cases coming before the court, which include a full hearing on the emissions reductions to immigration orders. McCain slams Syria deal for empowering 'military aggression' A senior figure in the Syrian opposition movement on Sunday criticised the truce deal forged by the US and Russia, saying Moscow was continuing its onslaught on civilian areas. "We have gotten used to conferences and hope put into words but what we need is action, and the action I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians," said Riad Hijab, head of the High Negotiation Committee that represents several Syrian opposition groups. "The Syrian people continue to live in terror and utter despair after the international community has failed to prevent the gravest crimes," he told the audience at the Munich Security Conference. US Senator John McCain says the truce deal over Syria will allow Russia to continue bombing anyone it considers to be terrorists, including civilians Saul Loeb (AFP) Hijab dodged questions about whether the "moderate" rebels would accept the "cessation of hostilities" agreement reached on Friday that calls for a truce within a week. "Why is the onus on the opposition and whether it has preconditions for negotiations? I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement," said Hijab. Critics have said Friday's deal is hobbled by the fact it does not include "terrorist" groups such as the Islamic State group and the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra, leaving room for Russia to continue attacks by claiming it is targeting jihadists. It followed a major offensive by Syrian government forces, backed by heavy Russian bombing and Iranian troops, on the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. - 'Very pessimistic' - Others, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, lined up to voice their doubts about the deal. "I'm very pessimistic about a potential cessation of hostilities at the end of this week. Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability (in Syria) for a very, very long period of time," said Yaalon. He said it was very hard to imagine Syria being reunited. "We know how to make an omelette from an egg, we don't know how to make an egg from an omelette. We are going to see enclaves -- Alawi-stan, Syria-Kurdistan," said Yaalon. US Senator John McCain also slammed the deal, saying it would only empower Moscow's "military aggression". "Let's be clear about what this agreement does: It permits the assault on Aleppo to continue for another week. It requires opposition groups to stop fighting but it allows Russia to continue bombing terrorists which it insists is everyone, including civilians," said McCain, a leading member of the opposition Republicans and head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. "If Russia or the Assad regime violates this agreement, what are the consequences? I don't see any," he told the conference. McCain said it was "no accident" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had chosen this moment for a deal. Protests in India over student leader's sedition arrest Students and teachers staged a fresh protest in New Delhi on Sunday over a union leader's arrest at a top Indian university for sedition, accusing the government of cracking down on dissent. Police on Friday arrested student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University over a campus rally days earlier to mark the anniversary of a Kashmiri separatist's execution. Mohammed Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013 following his conviction over an attack on the Indian parliament in 2001 that left 10 people dead. Indian demonstrators shout slogans during a rally against the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) in New Delhi on February 12, 2016 Chandan Khanna (AFP/File) Kumar has been accused of "anti-Indian" behaviour at Tuesday's rally, during which some protesters allegedly shouted support for Guru and for India's arch-rival Pakistan. India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir but claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two of their three wars over it. Students and the opposition have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government of misusing British-era anti-sedition laws to quell dissent. "The government and police can't just shut down voices that don't agree with them. Everyone in this country has a right to his opinion and that must be respected," Delhi University student Arzoo Sahani said at a protest that drew more than 100 in the city centre, one of several since Friday. Home Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated on Sunday that "anyone who raises anti-India slogans or tries to question national unity will not be spared by this government". Kumar, who remains in police custody has denied any wrongdoing. Sedition is punishable by imprisonment. The arrest is the latest incident to fuel claims of religious and cultural intolerance under Modi. Two civilians, suspected rebel killed in Indian Kashmir Two civilians were killed and several wounded during protests in the restive Indian-administered Kashmir Sunday, after a gun fight broke out between rebels and government forces, police said. The gun battle was triggered after government troops -- suspecting the presence of armed rebels -- cordoned off the village of Kakpora, some 35 kilometres south of the main city of Srinagar. One suspected militant was killed during the fighting, while a police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that at least 20 protesters who came out of their houses in support of the rebels were hospitalised, many with gun shot wounds. Militants fighting Indian rule of the Himalayan territory enjoy wide support among residents who often come out on to the streets in their support during encounters with government forces Tauseef Mustafa (AFP/File) "One lady died in cross fire near the encounter site, and one protester reportedly died due to tear-smoke shell injury," inspector general of police, Javid Gillani told AFP. Witnesses however alleged that the woman, university student Shaista Hamid, died after soldiers fired randomly, charging towards a big group of angry protesters while she was standing by outside her home. Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan by a heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full. Militants fighting Indian rule of the Himalayan territory enjoy wide support among residents who often come out on to the streets in their support during encounters with government forces. Several rebel groups have for decades fought an estimated half a million Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding independence or a merger of the region with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands, mostly civilians, dead. Separatist leaders opposed to Indian rule of the Muslim-majority territory have called for a general strike on Monday to protest Sunday's civilian killings. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training rebels, a charge Islamabad denies, saying it only provides moral and diplomatic support for Kashmiri people's right of self-determination. Turkish president 'intent on thaw with Israel' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told US Jewish leaders he intends to improve ties with Israel and confirmed that talks on the subject were taking place in Geneva, they said Sunday. Erdogan met representatives of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations in Ankara on Tuesday, top officials from the group said. "He talked about the fact that there is currently a thaw in the relationship between Turkey and Israel, and his hope is that that thaw will continue to get warmer and the relationship will get closer," Stephen Greenberg, chairman of the Jewish group, told reporters before a conference in Jerusalem. ADEM ALTAN (AFP) Israeli officials have declined to comment, and the Turkish foreign ministry has said it would neither confirm nor deny the new talks in Geneva that were taking place last week. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Jewish group who also attended the meeting with Erdogan, said the Turkish leader spoke of the talks with them. "He certainly talked in a positive way about the negotiations, and he said some of the issues are for the negotiators in Geneva," Hoenlein said. NATO member Turkey was a key regional ally of Israel until the two countries fell out in 2010 over the deadly storming by Israeli commandos of a Gaza-bound Turkish aid ship, the Mavi Marmara. Erdogan further raised hackles in Israel with his sometimes inflammatory rhetoric towards the Jewish state. The atmosphere was transformed following the revelation in December that the two sides had met that month in secret talks to seek a rapprochement. The Geneva talks reportedly began on Wednesday and were thought to be the first since the December meeting. It is unclear if they are still ongoing. Turkey has repeatedly made clear three conditions for a normalisation of relations: the lifting of the Gaza blockade, compensation for the Mavi Marmara victims and an apology for the incident. Israel has already apologised and negotiations appear to have made progress on compensation, leaving the blockade on the Islamist Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip the main hurdle. Stoke ends losing run with 3-1 league win at Bournemouth BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) Stoke ended a run of three consecutive 3-0 defeats in the Premier League with a morale-boosting 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday. Newly-signed from Porto, French midfielder Giannelli Imbula gave Stoke the ideal start, volleying home from 25 yards (meters) in the ninth minute. Bournemouth tried to respond in the second half but came off worse from three goals scored in the space of five minutes. Ibrahim Afellay struck his first Premier League goal in the 52nd minute and Xherdan Shaqiri provided a superb cross for Joselu to make it 3-0 just a minute later. PICTURED: A selection of pictures from the past week Highlights from the weekly AP photo report, a gallery featuring a mix of front-page photography, the odd image you might have missed and lasting moments our editors think you should see. This week's gallery features a wild elephant walking through the streets of Siliguri, India; the North Side Skull & Bone Gang parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans; and a health worker fumigating the Martires 19 de Julio cemetery to stave off mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus in Lima, Peru. ___ A wild elephant walks through the streets as people follow in Siliguri, West Bengal, India, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, wandering in from the Baikunthapur forest, crossing roads and a small river. The elephant trampled parked cars and motorbikes before it was tranquilized. (AP Photo) This gallery contains photos published Feb. 6-Feb. 12, 2016. See the latest AP photo galleries: http://apne.ws/TXeCBN The Archive: Top photo highlights from previous weeks: http://apne.ws/13QUFKJ ___ Follow AP photographers on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP/lists/ap-photographers Follow AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images Visit AP Images online: http://www.apimages.com http://www.apimages.com/ ___ This gallery was produced by Patrick Sison in New York. The North Side Skull & Bone Gang parade down the streets during the wake up call for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. Their costumes are intended to represent the dead and they bring a serious message, reminding people of their mortality and the need to live a productive and good life. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) A health worker fumigates the Martires 19 de Julio cemetery to help prevent mosquitoes which can carry Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses, on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. The Aedes aegypti mosquito lives and breeds in people's homes and yards, making it tough to reach with sprays, often requiring labor-intensive door-to-door interventions. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) A Palestinian demonstrator throws back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during a demonstration a calling for the release of Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeq, outside Ofer military prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. Al-Qeq has refused food for over 70 days to protest his six-month imprisonment without trial or charges, an Israeli practice known as administrative detention. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) A camel stands in an open field as rainbow appears in a cloudy sky over the southern Israeli Beduoin village of Rahat, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) A resident watches a "Careta" parading through the streets of Triunfo, Brazil, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. The traditional festivity dates back almost a century; residents say it was created in this small town by two men who weren't allowed to take part in a folk celebration because they were drunk. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) A child navigates through rubble and barbed wire in Aleppo, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. Fighting around Syria's largest city has brought government forces closer to the Turkish border than at any point in recent years, routing rebels from key areas and creating a humanitarian disaster as tens of thousands of people flee. (Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP) A young child lies in a bucket to be weighed by nurses in Bangui, Central African Republic, Thursday Feb. 11, 2016. The U.N. World Food Program estimates that nearly half the country - 2.5 million people - are facing hunger as more than two years of violence has severely disrupted the countrys agriculture and health care sectors. Two former prime ministers, Touadera and Anicet Georges Dologuele, are running neck-and-neck in the second round of presidential elections Sunday Feb. 14 to end years of violence pitting Muslims against Christians in the Central African Republic. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) A man walks past birds perched in a tree on a foggy morning in Lahore, Pakistan, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) Puerto Rican judge nominated as 1st gay chief justice SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Rican judge Maite Oronoz Rodriguez has been nominated to head the U.S. territory's Supreme Court as the first openly gay chief justice in the United States. Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla announced the nomination on Friday afternoon calling it a "new time" for Puerto Rico's judicial branch. At 39, Oronoz Rodriguez is also the youngest member of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. "It's time to strengthen justice to face the challenges" and "to pass the administration of justice to present generations who will live the results," the governor said in making the nomination. The 39-year-old was first appointed to the high court in June 2014. She previously served as the commonwealth's deputy solicitor general and chief legal counselor for the city of San Juan. In accepting the nomination, Oronoz Rodriguez said it was time for her to "step down from the podium and receive with open arms a citizenry that demands human justice." Her nomination must be confirmed by the Senate. Oronoz Rodriguez is in a public relationship with Gina Mendez, the chief of staff for Senate President Eduardo Bhatia. Gay rights activists hailed the nomination. "With this nomination, Maite Oronoz Rodriguez makes judicial history; not just in Puerto Rico, but for the entire country," said Lambda Legal attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan. He called the nomination "a significant step towards a judiciary that reflects the growing diversity of the United States." Lambda is a nonprofit group that aims to achieve full civil rights for gay people. Civil rights leader Lewis softening dismissal of Sanders GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Civil rights leader John Lewis on Saturday softened his dismissal of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' work in the 1960s on behalf of racial equality. Lewis, a Georgia congressman who has endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race, had said about Sanders' role in the movement: "I never saw him. I never met him." Two days later, he felt compelled to clarify his remarks "in the interest of unity." Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. adjusts his tie as he walks to address the media before departing the airport for campaign events in Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) "The fact that I did not meet him in the movement does not mean I doubted that Sen. Sanders participated," Lewis said, and "neither was I attempting to disparage his activism." As the campaign swung South to South Carolina after early contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sanders' team rolled out a television ad extolling his commitment to civil rights and saying "no president will fight harder to end institutional racism." South Carolina's Democratic primary is Feb. 27, followed by others across the South in states with predominantly African-American Democratic voters. Sanders trounced Clinton in New Hampshire after a tight finish in Iowa, two states with a less diverse electorate. On his campaign website, Sanders says he has a "long history of fighting for social equality and the rights of black Americans a record that goes back to the early 1960s." While a student at the University of Chicago, Sanders was involved in the Congress on Racial Equality and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. He also was arrested while protesting segregation. Lewis, a leading figure in the Freedom Rides through the South, lunch counter sit-ins and the 1963 March on Washington, had made his remarks about Sanders at a Capitol Hill news conference Thursday where members of the Congressional Black Caucus' political action committee delivered a strong endorsement of Clinton. But in his statement Saturday, he said, "Thousands sacrificed in the 1960s whose names we will never know, and I have always given honor to their contribution." Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Sanders noted his endorsement of Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential bid as evidence of his record on supporting black candidates. "There were, very, very few white public officials at that point who were endorsing Jackson, but I thought what he was saying made sense. I had the courage to do that," Sanders said. He added that he thought his message of political reform would resonate with African-American and Latino voters. "We think we're going to do a lot better in South Carolina than people many people believe," Sanders said. In a telephone interview on Saturday, Rev. Jesse Jackson told The Associated Press that the civil rights movement took different forms across the country and that Sanders had participated in efforts aimed at equitable housing while in college. "There is some evidence that he was a part of protests at the University of Chicago," Jackson said. "The movement in the north was different than the movement in the South." Jackson, a Greenville native who has not endorsed a candidate in the Democratic primary, met with Sanders last year. Jackson also said that either candidate's history or experience pales in comparison to the importance of their current stances on issues that appeal to black voters. "We make a mistake in trying to measure what Sen. Sanders or Hillary Clinton stand for by looking in the rear-view mirror," Jackson said. "I see both Hillary and Bernie as being decent, forward-looking people." ___ Catherine Lucey reported from Reno, Nev. Reach Meg Kinnard at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP . Read more of her work at http://big story.ap.org/content/meg-kinnard Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a leader of the civil rights movement, joins the Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee in endorsing Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as prominent African-American Democrats rush to her aid ahead of the Feb. 27 Democratic primary in South Carolina, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Longtime Philadelphia journalist Acel Moore dies at 75 PHILADELPHIA (AP) A former reporter and columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, who mentored scores of aspiring journalists and helped found local and national organizations that advocate for African-American journalists, has died. Acel Moore was 75. Moore's wife, Linda Wright Moore, said he died Friday night at their home in suburban Philadelphia after battling health issues for years. Moore was awarded a Pulitzer Prize the highest recognition given for American newspaper journalism and was also a founder of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and later, the National Association of Black Journalists. He was one of the first black reporters at the Inquirer. But his wife said he was most proud of a high school minority journalism program he started that has given scores of aspiring journalists an introduction to the craft. "He was very smart and thoughtful, but at the same time, he was a regular guy," she said. "His passion was helping and supporting and encouraging young journalists." Sarah Glover, president of the NABJ, said she was "heartbroken" by the passing of a man she called a longtime mentor and friend who had had an effect on the careers of hundreds of members of the organization. "Moore left us a wonderful legacy as a humanitarian, truth seeker, fighter for equal opportunity and trailblazer who opened doors for countless journalists, especially those of color," she said. Moore is also survived by a daughter, Mariah; a son, Acel Jr.; a sister, Geraldine Fisher; and a twin brother, Michael Moore. ___ Head of BAFTA: Film industry not diverse enough LONDON (AP) The head of the British Academy Film and Television Awards says its annual ceremony does not feature more ethnic minority nominees because the film industry itself is not diverse enough. Amanda Berry says she supports a peaceful protest against the lack of diversity outside the star-studded event, being held in London on Sunday. Berry told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that not enough movies are made with diverse talent so "the pool of people to draw award winners from isn't diverse enough." She added that "people can only vote on what they've seen." Her comments follow a controversy surrounding racial diversity at the Oscars. Noise harder on children than adults, hinders how they learn WASHINGTON (AP) From the cacophony of day care to the buzz of TV and electronic toys, noise is more distracting to a child's brain than an adult's, and new research shows it can hinder how youngsters learn. In fact, one of the worst offenders when a tot's trying to listen is other voices babbling in the background, researchers said Saturday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "What a child hears in a noisy environment is not what an adult hears," said Dr. Lori Leibold of Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. In this images from video provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a toddler participates in a speech perception experiment in a laboratory at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.. The toddler was conditioned to put a block in the bucket whenever she heard the target word. From the cacophony of day care to the buzz of TV and electronic toys, noise is more distracting to a child's brain than an adult's, and new research shows it can hinder how youngsters learn. In fact, one of the worst offenders when a tot's trying to listen is other voices babbling in the background, researchers said Saturday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Emily Buss/University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via AP) That's a Catch-22 in our increasingly noisy lives because "young children learn language from hearing it," said Dr. Rochelle Newman of the University of Maryland. "They have a greater need for understanding speech around them but at the same time they're less equipped to deal with it." It's not their ability to hear. For healthy children, the auditory system is pretty well developed by a few months of age. Consider how hard it is to carry on a conversation in a noisy restaurant. Researchers simulated that background in a series of experiments by playing recordings of people reading and talking while testing how easily children detected words they knew, such as "playground," when a new voice broke through the hubbub, or how easily they learned new words. The youngest children could recognize one person's speech amid multiple talkers, but only at relatively soft noise levels, Newman said. Even the background noise during relatively quiet day care story time can be enough for tots to miss parts of what's read, she said. It's not just a concern for toddlers and preschoolers. The ability to understand and process speech against competing background noise doesn't mature until adolescence, Leibold said. Nor is the challenge just to tune out the background buzz. Brief sudden noises someone coughs, a car horn blares can drown out part of a word or sentence. An adult's experienced brain automatically substitutes a logical choice, often well enough that the person doesn't notice, Newman said. "Young children don't do this. Their brain doesn't fill in the gaps," she said. Children who were born prematurely may have an additional risk. When preemies spend a long time in an incubator, their brains get used to the constant "white noise" of the machine's fan different from a full-term baby who develops hearing mom's voice in the womb and thus is wired to pay more attention to voices, said Dr. Amir Lahav of Harvard Medical School. He had mothers of preemies record themselves singing lullabies or reading stories, and filtered them along with the sound of mom's heartbeat into the incubator three times a day when she wasn't otherwise visiting. The brain's auditory cortex became more developed in babies given that extra womb-like exposure compared with preemies with typical incubator care, Lahav found. Moreover, when those babies were big enough to leave the hospital, they paid more attention to speech, he said. "Exposure to noises and sounds very early in life will spill over to affect how our brain is going to function," Lahav said. Noise also is a special challenge for children with hearing loss, who may need technology beyond standard hearing aids to cope, Leibold said, describing special receivers that can transmit a teacher's voice directly to the ear so it's not lost in classmates' chatter. The research has implications for classroom design, too, Leibold added, as the type of flooring or ceiling height can either soften kids' natural noise or bounce it around. But learning starts at home, and University of Maryland child language specialist Nan Bernstein Ratner often has parents ask if they should stimulate a tot's environment with interactive toys and educational TV. "We tend to think bustling environments and creating background noise is stimulating for kids," she said. But, she said, "what's stimulating on the part of the parent may not be for the child." Among the tips: Don't leave the TV, radio and other electronics on in the background. It's not clear whether soft music is distracting, but lyrics might be, Ratner said. Speak clearly and make eye contact. Especially in noise, make sure tots see your face. They can pick up on mouth movements, Newman said. If the child doesn't understand, try again with simpler words. Train trestle fire near New Orleans doused, Amtrak route cut NORCO, La. (AP) Firefighters Saturday used helicopters and airboats to douse a blaze on a train trestle west of New Orleans, but some Amtrak and freight service remain disrupted. St. Charles Parish spokesman Tristin Babin said Saturday evening that the fire had been extinguished following an all-day effort. He said remaining hot spots should be out by Sunday morning. Officials responded after 8 a.m. when people working on the Canadian National Railway trestle reported the fire. Babin had earlier said workers were grinding rails, but later said he couldn't confirm the cause. CN spokesman Patrick Waldron said the cause is being investigated. Amtrak truncated the southbound run of its City of New Orleans train in Jackson, Mississippi. Christina Leeds, a spokeswoman for the rail service, said passengers were bused south from there. Passengers for Saturday evening's northbound departure toward Chicago were also bused northward from New Orleans and intervening stops to Jackson. Waldron said the trestle also carries four to eight freight trains a day. He said crews from Montreal-based CN will evaluate the damage and plan repairs. "I can't give a timeline when it will reopen," Waldron said. "You can see from the pictures there is damage that has to be repaired." Leeds said Amtrak is working on arrangements for future travel. Billowing smoke and towering flames attracted widespread attention because the rail bridge runs along Interstate 10 as it crosses the Bonnet Carre Spillway. However, Babin said the interstate wasn't shut down. In part because the spillway remains soggy after it was opened last month to divert Mississippi River floodwaters, the fire did not spread. Jennifer Lawrence donating $2 million to hometown hospital LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) Actress Jennifer Lawrence is donating $2 million to a Kentucky hospital where she visited sick youngsters during a recent holiday trip home. The Oscar winner, a Louisville native, announced by video Friday that she's giving the money to establish the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Kosair Children's Hospital in her hometown, The Courier-Journal newspaper reported. Lawrence says she and her family have met wonderful children at the hospital, and says their "strength and courage is inspiring." She is urging others to match her gift. Hospital executives unveiled a rendering of the new cardiac ICU with Lawrence's name affixed to the building. Counselors on hand at Phoenix-area school day after shooting GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Social workers offered counsel to students at a suburban Phoenix high school Saturday, a day after two 15-year-old girls died there in a murder-suicide shooting. Counselors were available throughout the morning for students, as well as their families at Independence High School in Glendale, according to a statement issued by Principal Rob Ambrose. Glendale police said the bodies of the two students were discovered Friday just before the start of classes in an area near the cafeteria, Glendale police said. Each had been shot once and declared dead at the school. Parents wait to reunite with their children, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz., after two students were shot and killed at Independence High School in the Phoenix suburb. The danger at the campus was over, police said, as worried parents crowded stores nearby to await word on their children. (AP Photo/Matt York) Investigators recovered a weapon and a suicide note, but police did not release the contents of the note. "Information gathered by detectives reveal the two girls were very close friends, appeared to also be in a relationship," police spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said. Police have not yet released the names of the students, citing their age. But Phuong Kieu, a science teacher at the school, told multiple media outlets Friday that one of the victims was her sister, May Kieu. Phuong Kieu told Phoenix TV station KNXV she was trying to find out where her sister was when a vice principal took her out of her classroom. "That's when they told me the policemen, the detectives that my sister's gone. They confirmed it and she's not coming back," Phuong Kieu said while wiping away tears. The teacher said her younger sister was nice to everyone and had a bright future. She set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses. As of Saturday afternoon, the site received more than $11,000 in donations. Police say nobody witnessed the shooting, but the incident initially caused widespread panic among parents who could not reach their children, and the school was put on lockdown. Hundreds of worried parents crowded the parking lots of nearby discount and convenience stores awaiting information about their children. The lockdown was lifted after several hours. A parent waits to reunite with her child, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz., after two students were shot and killed at Independence High School in the Phoenix suburb. The danger at the campus was over, police said, as worried parents crowded stores nearby to await word on their children.(AP Photo/Matt York) A father and son walk through a vacant lot after students were released from lockdown, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz., after two students were shot and killed at Independence High School in the Phoenix suburb. The danger at the campus was over, police said, as worried parents crowded stores nearby to meet their children. (AP Photo/Matt York) Recaptured jail inmate says he never intended to harm anyone SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) The suspected mastermind of a three-man escape from a Southern California jail says he never intended to harm anyone during his eight days on the run. In a jailhouse interview, Hossein Nayeri told the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/1VbZNER) he didn't want anyone to get hurt and asserted that he's innocent of the kidnapping and torture charges that landed him in jail two years ago. "I'm a nice guy," he said Friday. "I've done a lot of things for humanity that are opposite of what I have been accused of." FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2016 file photo, jail escapee Hossein Nayeri appears in court in Santa Ana, Calif. Nayeri, the suspected mastermind of a three-man escape from a Southern California jail, says he never intended to harm anyone during his eight days on the run. In a jailhouse interview, Nayeri told the Orange County Register that he's a nice guy who didn't want anyone to get hurt. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) He declined to elaborate. Nayeri, 37, who was recaptured Jan. 30 after traveling 400 miles to the San Francisco Bay Area, added that being a fugitive was more stressful than liberating. "I wouldn't say it was enjoyable," he said. Nayeri, 20-year-old murder suspect Jonathan Tieu and 43-year-old attempted murder suspect Bac Duong escaped from the Central Men's Jail in Santa Ana on Jan. 22 by sawing through a metal grate, climbing inside jail walls to reach the roof and rappelling down four stories using a rope made of sheets. Authorities said the trio received help from an outside contact who smuggled in a knife and gave them a ride to safety. They eluded authorities until their alliance unraveled after a dispute about whether to kill a cab driver they had taken hostage. The cab driver said Nayeri wanted to kill him and Duong did not. Nayeri declined to comment on the matter and said nothing when asked if he organized the escape. Nayeri said he closely followed news coverage of the escape and manhunt during his time on the run and insists he's not the villain portrayed by the media and prosecutors. "The media coverage was insane. I was convicted in the court of public opinion. It blows my mind." After being returned to jail, Nayeri's lawyer requested to delay his trial on charges of kidnapping and torturing a marijuana dispensary owner by burning him with a blow torch and cutting off his penis. Defense lawyer Salvatore P. Ciulla said he needed more time to address issues in the case and to find a jury following widespread publicity of the jailbreak. Nayeri said in the beginning of his time in jail, he was very emotional and cried often. "(Now), I'm numb. I can't believe I'm still here." 2 charged in robbery gone wrong where arm was severed NEW YORK (AP) Both people involved in a bizarre botched robbery over pricey sneakers have been arrested after the victim rammed the teenage robber with his SUV, severing his arm, police said Saturday. Zachary Sam, 17, had arranged online to meet Philippe Pierre to buy a pair of $190 Air Jordan sneakers on a Brooklyn street, police said. But when he hopped into Pierre's SUV, he pulled out a gun and demanded the shoes for free, according to authorities. Surveillance footage from the scene shows the teenager get out of the car, put something in his pocket, and walk away with a white plastic bag. Pierre, 39, drives away slowly, but then makes a sharp U-turn and rams Sam, pinning him under the car and a fence. The teen hopped up and staggered away, his sleeve flapping. The arm and the gun were discovered at the scene, officials said. Alex St. Fleur told the Daily News of New York that he was walking down the street when he saw the SUV jump the sidewalk and slam into the teenager. He and his son ran over and they saw the arm lying on the ground next to a shoebox. "Everyone was yelling 'Come back! Your arm! You're going to bleed out!'" St. Fleur told the newspaper. But Sam got onto a nearby bus, though the driver refused to move until he got off, and he ran to his home nearby. Sam remained hospitalized; his arm was severed below the elbow, according St. Fleur. The teen was arrested on a charge of robbery and criminal possession of a weapon and Pierre was arrested on an attempted murder charge. Pierre's family members sobbed in the courtroom during his arraignment Saturday. His attorney told the Daily News he was "astonished" that his client was charged in the case. "I don't mean to be harsh, but I think Mr. Sam in a sense was getting what he deserved," the lawyer, James Harding, told the newspaper. "My client is an absolute victim in this case." Suspect arrested in deadly stabbing of woman, 3 kids NEW YORK (AP) Police on Saturday arrested a fugitive suspected of stabbing his girlfriend and all three of her small children with a kitchen knife in a brutal attack at a hotel used as homeless housing, ending a four-day manhunt. Michael Sykes was last seen on surveillance footage Wednesday heading to the Staten Island Ferry shortly after the fatal attack, and a call to his mother to say he'd killed his girlfriend and was going to kill himself, police said. But he took the ferry back to Manhattan and had been traveling through Brooklyn and Queens. He was nabbed in Queens Saturday afternoon and brought back to a police precinct on Staten Island. He was arrested on three counts of murder, attempted murder and robbery charges. Sykes was in police custody Saturday night and couldn't be reached for comment. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations. FILE - In a Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, New York City police enter a hotel, while searching for a man suspected of suspected of stabbing his girlfriend and all three of her small children with a kitchen knife in a brutal attack at a hotel in the Staten Island borough of New York. Police on Saturday, Feb. 13 arrested fugitive Michael Sykes, suspected of the stabbings, in Queens, ending a four-day manhunt. Sykes was brought back to a police precinct on Staten Island, where he was arrested on three counts of murder, attempted murder and robbery charges. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) Rebecca Cutler, 26, her 19-month-old daughter Ziana and 4-month-old Maiyah died in the attack at a Ramada Inn on Staten Island. Two-year-old Miracle was in critical condition but was stable. Sykes was the father of Maiyah. Shortly before the attack, Sykes bought a can of Coke and a Pop-Tart from a deli near the hotel, a worker there told the Staten Island Advance this week. "He looked like he was doing something wrong," the worker, Sammy Abdul, told the newspaper. He said Sykes used Cutler's food assistance card to pay for his purchases and "his hands were shaking, he was looking to his back." Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said nobody apparently heard or saw what happened, but hotel surveillance video shows Sykes entering Cutler's hotel room just before 9 a.m. Wednesday and leaving four minutes later. Police said there was no history of domestic violence between the two, but a report had been filed a day before the stabbing after he was accused of stealing Cutler's phone, claiming she was contacting another man. A housekeeper found the injured family and called police. Cutler had been stabbed more than 40 times; the girls more than five times each. Cutler's family was not doing well. "They're taking it hard, really hard," her uncle, James Mathis, told WABC-TV. Cutler had been placed in the hotel by the Department of Homeless Services on Dec. 6, city officials said. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said after the attack the other 28 families at the hotel were being relocated and it would no longer be used, and that other hotels used for homeless services would be given access to free 24-hour security. About 2,600 homeless New Yorkers, including 637 children, stay in 41 hotels citywide for an average of about two weeks while officials determine whether they can be placed more permanently in other city facilities, officials said. It was the third stabbing death at a homeless shelter in several weeks, prompting the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to send city officials a letter demanding "immediate action" to protect residents. "This is the third incident of horrific violence in one of your facilities in less than a month," wrote executive director Sharon Devine. "We expect and demand that you take immediate action to protect shelter residents." AEK ends Olympiakos' 22-game unbeaten run in Greek league ATHENS, Greece (AP) AEK Athens ended Olympiakos' undefeated run 22 games into the Greek league season on Saturday, beating the defending champion 1-0. Ronald Vargas scored in the 78th minute, grabbing the rebound after Diego Buonanotte's penalty kick hit the post. Olympiakos was left with 9 players after Luka Milivojevic was dismissed with a second yellow card for handling the ball inside the area, a call which led to the penalty kick. Olympiakos had also lost Alberto Botia in the 47th with a direct red card for a last-man foul. AEK's Rodrigo Gallo was also dismissed, in the 86th. Second-place AEK is 16 points behind Olympiakos with eight rounds remaining. Sanders says Clinton is coming 'unraveled' by his progress RENO, Nev. (AP) Bernie Sanders is pronouncing himself startled by the ferocity of Hillary Clinton's attempts to take him down, saying she's coming "unraveled" by his progress in the Democratic presidential campaign. The Vermont senator used unusually blunt words to express frustration with his opponent when he spoke to reporters Saturday before flying to Colorado for a Democratic dinner at which both were scheduled to appear. Clinton, in the latest debate, in speeches and in her campaign's ads and those of her allies has sharpened her argument in recent days that Sanders, an avowed socialist, is pitching unrealistic domestic ideas, lacks foreign policy depth and can't match her commitment to minority voters, important constituencies in the coming contests in South Carolina and Nevada. And on Saturday, she kept up the pressure at a union rally in Henderson, Nevada, saying the Sanders health plan would "cost an enormous amount in taxes for every single American." Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. adjusts his tie as he walks to address the media before departing the airport for campaign events in Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Sanders has only fitfully gone back at Clinton when she's gone after him, but he suggested Saturday that his patience is wearing thin. "This is obviously my first national campaign," Sanders said, "but I am really stunned by some of the attacks we are getting from Secretary Clinton. Clearly they have been unraveled by the results in Iowa, by our victory in New Hampshire and the progress we are making all over this country." And on foreign policy, he said, "I do get a little bit tired of being lectured by the Clinton people." He raised again her Senate vote in favor of invading Iraq and said that on the most important foreign policy issue in modern times, "I voted the right way, she voted the wrong way." At her Henderson rally, Clinton pitched herself as the Democrat who will "take on every barrier to progress," not just economic ones. Her implication was clear: Sanders is a one-issue candidate, driven solely by income inequality and what he sees as a rigged financial system. "Not everything is about an economic theory, right?" she asked. "If we broke up the big banks tomorrow and I will, if they deserve it, if they pose a systemic risk would that end racism? Would that end sexism? Would that end discrimination against the LGBT community? Would that make people feel more welcoming to immigrants overnight?" Clinton and Sanders were in Nevada to campaign for the state's Democratic caucuses in a week. ___ Rindels reported from Henderson. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with supporters during a rally Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher) Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks during a canvass kick-off event at the Reno Sparks Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Puerto Rico arrests leader of gang in killing of prosecutor SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Authorities in Puerto Rico say they have arrested the alleged head of an auto theft gang whose other members have been arrested in last month's killing of a prosecutor. Corrections Secretary Einar Ramos Lopez says 33-year-old James O. "Pilin" Santana Gonzalez was arrested Friday night in a San Juan neighborhood after authorities received a confidential tip. The suspect had escaped from custody last year and was subsequently sentenced to 165 years imprisonment for murder. It was not immediately clear if he would be charged in the prosecutor's killing. Oregon man expected to survive wood chipper accident LEABURG, Ore. (AP) An Oregon man is expected to survive being pulled head-first into a wood chipper thanks to his helmet and his foot catching a safety bar. The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/1oe7AYx) the man is in his 20s and was taken to a hospital Friday afternoon with trauma to the back of his head and a broken leg. Officials say the man was wearing a harness rope that became entangled in the wood going into the chipper. He was pulled into the chipper, with his foot catching the safety bar that turns off the machine just as his head came up against the chipper blades. Firefighter Matt Brooks says the man's helmet likely assisted in his survival. ___ Police: Teen arrested for stealing car with a baby inside FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after police say he stole a car with a baby inside. The Sun Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1TYKl0A) that fingerprints led investigators to the teenage boy from Pompano Beach, who was arrested Friday. The 10-month-old girl was found safe inside the abandoned car after an Amber Alert was issued on Monday. Police say the car was stolen Monday outside a Fort Lauderdale laundromat where the child's mother Yareli Velasco was doing laundry. Police found the baby in the abandoned car about three hours later. Authorities did not release details of the arrest and the suspect is not being identified because he is a juvenile. ___ Jacksonville man shot by off-duty federal officer dies JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) A man who was shot by an off-duty federal law enforcement officer during an attempted robbery has died from his injuries. Media outlets report that 47-year-old Talmadge King died Friday. According to a release from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, King had helped move a washing machine into the home of Department of Homeland Security Special Agent Donald Wells on Jan. 17. Wells paid King after the washer was moved, but King returned later and said he lost his cellphone there. Wells looked but didn't find the phone. The release says that when Wells returned to the door, King pulled a knife and attempted to rob Wells. Wells grabbed his gun and shot King. Recordings reveal the lies former LA sheriff told prosecutor LOS ANGELES (AP) Former Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca told three lies to federal authorities who were investigating corruption at the jails he ran, according to a newspaper report. The Los Angeles Times reported (http://lat.ms/1R1Dj8z ) Saturday that recorded interviews reveal Baca denied knowing about efforts to stifle the probe into abuse at the jails by hiding an inmate who was working as an FBI informant, or that two of his deputies intimidated an FBI agent at her home. "I wasn't aware of any of the ... particulars," he said. FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2014, file photo, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca announces his retirement at a news conference at Sheriffs Headquarters Bureau in Monterey Park, Calif. The Los Angeles Times has obtained a recorded interview revealing the lies Baca told federal authorities who were investigating corruption at the jails he ran. Baca denied knowing about efforts to stifle the probe into abuse at the jails by hiding an inmate who was working as an FBI informant. The former sheriff pleaded guilty to lying to investigators during a federal corruption probe that tainted his career Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) Baca, who headed the nation's largest sheriff's departments for more than 15 years, had largely been out of sight since leaving office in January 2014. He consistently dodged questions about any connection to the corruption even as former underlings pleaded guilty or were convicted. During his four-hour interview with a federal prosecutor, Baca portrayed himself as a hands-off manager who knew nothing about attempts to keep the informant away from FBI agents. He also denied knowing that deputies had interrupted and ended a jailhouse interview between FBI agents and the informant, or knowing that deputies went to the lead FBI agent's house and threatened to arrest her. On Wednesday, he plead guilty to lying to federal authorities. According to the plea agreement, Baca ordered that the informant be isolated and instructed deputies to approach the FBI agent and "do everything but put handcuffs on her." Court papers show a lieutenant working in the jails had apologized to Baca for allowing the FBI agents to speak with the informant. In the interview, Baca said a threat by one of the deputies to arrest the FBI agent was inappropriate and an "impulsive reaction." When asked whether the deputy actually intend to arrest her, or was bluffing, Baca replied: "I don't believe anyone should lie under any circumstances." He faces up to six months behind bars when he is sentenced on May 16. Reaction to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death Influential conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died in West Texas, the U.S. Marshals Service said on Saturday. He was 79. Reaction to his death follows: ___ SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS: FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 file photo, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia joins the members of the Supreme Court for photos during a group portrait session, at the Supreme Court Building in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family." ___ FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Laura and I mourn the death of a brilliant jurist and important American, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He was a towering figure and important judge on our Nation's highest court. He brought intellect, good judgment, and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country." ___ SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL: "Today our country lost an unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans. Justice Scalia's fidelity to the Constitution was rivaled only by the love of his family: his wife Maureen, his nine children, and his many grandchildren. Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning? of the Constitution. Elaine and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Scalia family. "The American people? should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." ___ SENATE MINORITY LEADER HARRY REID: "There is no doubt Justice Antonin Scalia was a brilliant man. We had our differences and I disagreed with many of his opinions, but he was a dedicated jurist and public servant. I offer my condolences to his family. "The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities." ___ DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Justice Scalia as they mourn his sudden passing. I did not hold Justice Scalia's views, but he was a dedicated public servant who brought energy and passion to the bench. "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalia's seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." ___ DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: "While I differed with Justice Scalia's views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing." ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND BUSINESSMAN DONALD TRUMP: "Justice Scalia was a remarkable person and a brilliant Supreme Court Justice, one of the best of all time. His career was defined by his reverence for the Constitution and his legacy of protecting Americans' most cherished freedoms. He was a Justice who did not believe in legislating from the bench and he is a person whom I held in the highest regard and will always greatly respect his intelligence and conviction to uphold the Constitution of our country. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time." ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SENATOR TED CRUZ: "Today our Nation mourns the loss of one of the greatest Justices in history - Justice Antonin Scalia. A champion of our liberties and a stalwart defender of the Constitution, he will go down as one of the few Justices who single-handedly changed the course of legal history. ...And he authored some of the most important decisions ever, including District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized our fundamental right under the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms. He was an unrelenting defender of religious liberty, free speech, federalism, the constitutional separation of powers, and private property rights. All liberty-loving Americans should be in mourning. ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SENATOR MARCO RUBIO: "Justice Scalia was one of the most consequential Americans in our history and a brilliant legal mind who served with only one objective: to interpret and defend the Constitution as written. One of the greatest honors in my life was to attend oral arguments during Town of Greece v. Galloway and see Justice Scalia eloquently defend religious freedom. I will hold that memory forever. The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear." ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR JEB BUSH: "Justice Scalia was a brilliant defender of the rule of law--his logic and wit were unparalleled, and his decisions were models of clarity and good sense. I often said he was my favorite justice, because he took the Constitution, and the responsibility of judges to interpret it correctly, with the utmost seriousness. Now it is up to all of us to fight for the principles Justice Scalia espoused and carry forth his legacy." ___ TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT: Debate: Republican contenders say no court nominee for Obama GREENVILLE, South Carolina (AP) Republican White House hopefuls called for President Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, in a debate jolted by Saturday's death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination" but added that he didn't expect Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage Saturday urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson listens at left as Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during a Faith and Family Presidential Forum at Bob Jones University, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) "It's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." Just six contenders took the debate stage in South Carolina, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier Republican events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge Trump and Cruz. Many Republican leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton told a Democratic dinner in Denver that Obama has the right to nominate another justice. He "is president of the United States until Jan 20, 2017. That is a fact my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not." "Let's get on with it," said Democrat Bernie Sanders, arguing that the Senate should vote on whoever Obama nominates. Trump and Bush tangled in some of the night's most biting exchanges, highlighting the bad blood between the real estate mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Trump accused Bush's brother former President George W. Bush of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Trump said. Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Trump, said that while he doesn't mind the real estate mogul criticizing him "It's blood sport for him" he is "sick and tired of him going after my family." Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. Former President George W. Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston on Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Candidates used Scalia's sudden death to raise the stakes for the general election. Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. An uncompromising conservative, Cruz urged voters to consider who among the Republican candidates would nominate the most ideologically pure justices. Saturday's debate came one week before South Carolina's primary. Cruz and Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Ohio Gov. John Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his Republican-led Legislature. Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. Bush played the aggressor again, saying that Kasich's actions amounted to "expanding Obamacare" a deeply unpopular concept among Republicans. Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, spoke to reporters Saturday before flying to Colorado for a Democratic dinner at which both he and Clinton appeared. He used unusually blunt words to express frustration with his opponent. "I am really stunned by some of the attacks we are getting from Secretary Clinton," he said. "Clearly they have been unraveled by the results in Iowa, by our victory in New Hampshire and the progress we are making all over this country." CORRECTS TO WILSON AT CENTER - Republican presidential candidate, Dr. Ben Carson, accompanied by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, center, and Dr. Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council, speaks during a Faith and Family Presidential Forum at Bob Jones University, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) In this Feb. 11, 2016, photo, Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich meets with attendees during a campaign stop in Pawleys Island, S.C. An energized Kasich heads into South Carolinas Republican presidential primary hoping to build on a strong showing in New Hampshire, but hes refusing to tailor or shift his message to fit the states more conservative electorate.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Democratic presidential candidates, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and Hillary Clinton shake hands after a Democratic presidential primary debate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump acknowledges photographers after speaking at a campaign rally in Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton poses for a picture with a supporter after a Democratic presidential primary debate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, left, speaks as Hillary Clinton listens during a Democratic presidential primary debate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Latest: Sanders criticizes GOP position on court nominee WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia (all times EST): ___ 11:40 p.m. FILE - In this Oct., 15, 2006 file photo, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the ACLU Membership Conference in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg, File) Bernie Sanders is slamming Senate Republicans for refusing to confirm a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia until a new president is elected. Sanders is a Vermont senator running for the Democratic presidential nomination. He quips at a party dinner in Denver that GOP senators apparently believe the Constitution does not allow a Democratic president to nominate someone to replace Scalia. Sanders spoke just after Hillary Clinton criticized Republicans on Scalia's replacement during her speech at the dinner. The Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, says the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next justice and that the current vacancy should not be filled until there is a new president. Most of the Republicans at a candidate debate Saturday night in South Carolina also say Obama should let the next president make the choice. ___ 11:35 p.m. The White House says President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to a son of Justice Antonin Scalia. White House spokesman Eric Schultz says Obama spoke with the younger Scalia on Saturday evening to offer sympathies on behalf of the Obama family and the country. Scalia while on a weekend trip to Texas. He was 79. ___ 10:30 p.m. A Catholic priest administered last rites over the body of Justice Antonin Scalia after he died on a West Texas ranch. Elizabeth O'Hara is a spokeswoman for the El Paso Catholic Diocese. She says Rev. Mike Alcuino was summoned from 30 miles away in Presidio to perform the traditional rites on Saturday afternoon. Scalia was a staunch Catholic and a defender of religious freedom on the nation's high court. The Cibolo Creek Ranch where he died has long been a secluded retreat for celebrities from business leaders to rock stars and famous beauties. The resort sits in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert, 15 miles from Mexico, at the foot of the jagged Chinati Mountains and 150 miles southeast of El Paso. The nearest town is Shafter, Texas, population 11. ___ 10:15 p.m. Hillary Clinton is offering vigorous support for President Barack Obama's plans to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Speaking at a Democratic dinner in Denver, Clinton says it's outrageous that Republicans in the Senate and running for president have already pledged to block any nominee by Obama. Clinton says elections have consequences and that the president has a responsibility to nominate a justice and the Senate has a responsibility to vote. The Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, says the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next justice and the current vacancy should not be filled until there is a new president. Most of the Republicans at a candidate debate Saturday night in South Carolina also say Obama should let the next president make the choice. ___ 9:45 p.m.: The death of Justice Antonin Scalia was the first topic of the Republican debate in South Carolina. After a moment of silence in tribute to Scalia, the Republican candidates argued over whether President Barack Obama should nominate a successor or leave that to the next president. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he fully expects Obama to try to nominate a replacement for Scalia but says that it's up to Congress to "delay, delay, delay." Trump says if he were president, he would want to try to nominate a justice, too, but that it's up to the Senate to stop Obama. John Kasich is also advising the president to hold off on selecting a successor because he says it would further divide the country Ted Cruz is assuring voters that he is the best candidate to pick a successor to Scalia. Jeb Bush is deviating from some of his rivals, saying that he wants "a strong executive" who is willing to make court nominations. But Bush says he doubts Obama will offer a "consensus" nominee the Senate would accept. ___ 8:55 p.m.: President Barack Obama says he plans to fulfill his constitutional responsibility and nominate a successor to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. In a direct rebuttal to Senate Republicans, Obama says there is plenty of time for the Senate to confirm his choice. Some Republicans, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, say the decision should rest with the next president in January 2017. Obama pointedly calls the decision "bigger than any one party." He says it is about democracy. Obama is praising the late justice as a brilliant legal mind who influenced generation of lawyers and students. ___ 8:15 p.m.: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is praising Justice Antonin Scalia as a "dedicated public servant," even as she notes she does not share his conservative views. Scalia was found dead Saturday at a private home in Texas. Clinton says Republicans calling for the seat to remain vacant until the next president enters office "dishonor our Constitution." She says that the Senate has a responsibility to confirm a new justice and cannot abdicate that responsibility for partisan political reasons. Clinton is in the midst of a weekend campaign swing through Nevada. ___ 7 p.m.: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death has quickly sparked a heated debate over whether President Barack Obama should nominate a replacement. The leader of the Senate, Republican Mitch McConnell, says the nomination should fall to the next president. The Republican-led Senate would confirm any nominee by Obama. Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also say Obama should hold off on a nomination. Democrats immediately raised objections. The Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid, says it would be "unprecedented in recent history" for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacancy and urged Obama to send the Senate a nominee right away. Leaders in both parties are likely to use the vacancy to implore voters to nominate presidential candidates with the best chance of winning in November's general election. ___ 6:55 p.m.: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Supreme Court vacancy created by the unexpected death of Justice Antonin Scalia should not be filled until a new president takes office. In a statement Saturday, McConnell mourned Scalia, calling him an "unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans" the Constitution. He offered condolences to the Scalia family. The leader of the Republican-controlled Senate sent a clear message to President Barack Obama that if he nominates a successor to Scalia, that individual is unlikely to win Senate confirmation. McConnell says the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next justice, and the vacancy should not be filled until after a new president takes office in January 2017. ___ 6:50 p.m. Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia's death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. The service's spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, says Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning when he did not appear for breakfast. FILE - In this Wednesday, April 7, 2004 file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks to Presbyterian Christian High School students in Hattiesburg, Miss. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (Gavin Averill/The Hattiesburg American via AP) FILE - In this June 7, 2006 file photo, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia listens to President Bush speak during a swearing-in ceremony on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File) FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005 file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks during a news conference in New York. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Chad Rachman) FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 31, 2005 file photo, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia joins the members of the Supreme Court for photos during a group portrait session, at the Supreme Court Building in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) FILE - In this Oct., 15, 2006 file photo, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the ACLU Membership Conference in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg, File) FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1986 file photo, Supreme Court Justice nominee Anthony Scalia attends a Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearings in Washington. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Lana Harris) FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 file photo, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia smiles during his introduction at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, as part of a Cleveland Clinic speakers series. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan) FILE - In this April 15, 1988 file photo, members of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for a formal portrait in Washington. From left, front row are: Associate Justices Thurgood Marshall; William Brennan, Jr.; Chief Justice William Rehnquist; Byron White; and Harry Blackmun. Back row from left are: Antonin Scalia; John Paul Stevens; Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, the Supreme Court justices pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington. Seated, from left are, Justice Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Standing, from left are, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito Jr., and Elena Kagan. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 26, 1986 file photo, retiring Chief Justice Warren Burger, right, administers an oath to Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, as Scalia's wife, Maureen, holds the bible during ceremonies in the East Room of White House, Washington. Scalia was the 103rd person to sit on the court. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi) FILE - In this June 17, 1986 file photo, President Ronald Reagan speaks at a news briefing at the White House in Washington, where he announced the nomination of Antonin Scalia, left, to the Supreme Court as a result of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger's resignation. William Rehnquist is at right. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Justice Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) Obama to nominate Scalia successor 'in due time' WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama declared Saturday night he would seek to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, charging into a heated and likely prolonged election-year fight with Republicans. Obama said a nomination was "bigger than any one party." With a half-dozen or more major cases and the ideological tilt of the court in the balance, Obama said he pIanned "to fulfill my constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time." The president said the decision was about democracy and "the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life, and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our founders envisioned." President Barack Obama speaks to reporters about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia at Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Scalia, 79, was found dead Saturday morning at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Obama's remarks answered Republicans who wasted little time Saturday night, as news of Scalia's unexpected death spread, arguing that Obama should leave the lifetime appointment to his successor. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." His position was echoed by several Republicans seeking the GOP presidential nomination. Sen. Ted Cruz said conservatives could not risk losing influence on the court "for a generation." Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to "delay, delay, delay." Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton told a Democratic dinner in Denver that Obama "is president of the United States until Jan 20, 2017. That is a fact my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not." "Let's get on with it," said Democrat Bernie Sanders, arguing that the Senate should vote on whoever Obama nominates. The court has already heard but not decided big cases involving immigration, abortion, affirmative action and public employee unions. With many cases recently decided by 5-4 margins, with Scalia leading the conservative majority, the vacancy could have major repercussions, both legally and in the presidential race. The nomination fight in the Senate could determine the tenor of much of Obama's final year in office and ricochet through the campaign to replace him. Obama, who already has little goodwill on the Hill, faces stiff opposition from Republicans hungry for the chance to further tip the court to the right. A confirmation process often takes more than two months, but could be drawn out longer by the Republican-led Senate. Obama said the Senate should have enough time for a fair hearing and timely vote. Senate Democrats made clear that they would work vigorously to keep Republicans from trying to run out the clock. They quickly offered counterarguments to Republican statements that the decision should rest with the next president. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." Democrats pointed out that Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in an election year 1988 the final year of Ronald Reagan's presidency. Kennedy had been nominated in November 1987 after the Senate rejected Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg bowed out. Democrats also argued that waiting for the next president in January 2017 would leave the court without a ninth justice for more than the remainder of Obama's term as Senate confirmation would not be immediate. The court faces a crowded docket of politically charged cases that are certain to resonate in the presidential campaign on issues such as immigration, abortion, affirmative action, climate change, labor unions and Obama's health care law. Decisions were expected in late spring and early summer on whether the president could shield up to 5 million immigrants living in the United States illegally from deportation. The immediate impact of Scalia death means that the justices will now be divided 4-4 in many of those cases. If there is a tie vote, then the lower court opinion remains in place. A Senate looking at a limited legislative agenda in an election year now faces one of the most consequential decisions for the venerable body. Not only will voters choose the next president, majority control of the Senate is at stake in November, with Republicans clinging to control and concerned about the fate of some half dozen GOP senators running for re-election in states that Obama won. Scalia's replacement would be Obama's third Supreme Court appointment joining Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. A short list of possible replacements includes two judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Sri Srinivasan and Patricia Ann Millet. Srinivasan was confirmed by the Senate 97-0 in 2013. He has served under Democratic and Republican administrations and was a law clerk to former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Millet has argued dozens cases before the Supreme Court. Another potential nominee is Paul J. Watford, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Watford, an African-American, served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from 1995 to 1996. Not all the Republicans said Obama should skip a nomination fight. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is positioning himself as a moderate, said Obama has the power to nominate and should use it. Ohio Gov. John Kasich lamented, "I just wish we hadn't run so fast at the politics." FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, the Supreme Court justices pose for a group photo at the Supreme Court in Washington. Seated, from left are, Justice Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Standing, from left are, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito Jr., and Elena Kagan. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) Television news crews set up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. On Saturday, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) Last of 116 dead in Taiwan quake is pulled from rubble TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Rescuers in Taiwan pulled out the remains of the final victims of last week's earthquake and with a minute of silence ended the search with the death toll of 116, most of them in a collapsed high-rise apartment building. All but two of the dead came from the 17-story Weiguan Golden Dragon residential complex, which toppled when the magnitude-6.4 quake struck the city on Feb. 6. Tainan city Mayor Mayor Lai Ching-te on Saturday bowed deeply and thanked the rescuers for their work, and ordered a minute of silence for the victims. Relatives, religious leaders and government officials attend a memorial for the victims of the collapsed building complex caused by an earthquake in Tainan, Taiwan, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. The 16-story Weiguan Golden Dragon complex was the only building to collapse during Saturday's magnitude-6.4 earthquake, which otherwise caused limited damage in the southern city of Tainan. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai) A total of 270 people in the building survived, including 95 who were evacuated and 175 who were pulled out from the rubble, according to the latest figures from Tainan's city authorities. Authorities believe one last person unaccounted for was homeless and not in the residential compound at the time of the quake. Police have reclassified the person's status as missing, Taiwan's Interior Ministry said. The building's developer, Lin Ming-hui, and two architects have been detained on suspicion of negligent homicide following accusations that Lin's company cut corners in the construction. Pope condemns drug trade's 'dealers of death' in Mexico ECATEPEC, Mexico (AP) Pope Francis condemned the drug trade's "dealers of death" and urged Mexicans to shun the devil's lust for money as he led a huge open-air Mass for more than 300,000 people Sunday in this violence-riddled city. "Let us get it into our heads: With the devil, there is no dialogue," the pope said at the biggest scheduled event of his five-day visit to Mexico. Francis brought a message of encouragement on the second full day of his trip to residents of Ecatepec, a poverty-stricken Mexico City suburb of some 1.6 million people where drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women, are a fact of life. Pilgrims wave flags as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis in Ecatepec, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Pope Francis will give a Mass at an outdoor field in the capital's suburb of Ecatepec to an estimated crowd of 400,000 pilgrims. It is to be his biggest event during his trip to Mexico. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) "He's coming to Ecatepec because we need him here," said Ignacia Godinez, a 56-year-old homemaker. "Kidnappings, robberies and drugs have all increased, and he is bringing comfort. His message will reach those who need it so that people know we, the good people, outnumber the bad." In a clear reference to the drug lords who hold sway in the city's sprawling expanses of cinderblock slums, Francis focused his homily on the danger posed by the devil. "Only the power of the word of God can defeat him," the pope said. In a final prayer, he urged Mexicans to make their country into a land of opportunity "where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work, no need to make the despair and poverty of many the opportunism of a few, a land that will not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death." The faithful lined the pope's motorcade route to the huge field where the Mass took place, tossing flower petals as he passed by and cheering with pom-poms in the yellow and white of the Vatican flag. Vendors sold T-shirts, plates with Francis' image on them, pins, bandanas and cardboard-cutout figures of the pope. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in gangland violence since President Enrique Pena Nieto's predecessor launched an offensive against drug cartels shortly after taking office in late 2006. At least 1,554 women have vanished in Mexico State since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide, and last year the government issued an alert over the killings of women in Ecatepec and other parts of the state. Nevertheless, women who came to see Francis said they felt safe, thanks in part to the huge security presence. The government assigned more than 10,000 police, soldiers and members of the presidential guard to protect the motorcade and Mass. "I'm protected by my faith and the joy of seeing the pope up close," said Graciela Elizalde, 35, who arrived at the field Saturday evening and spent the night on the street, "and the thugs know that we the good people have come out to take the streets." She added: "The pope is not going to change things, but at least he will touch the hearts of those who do harm and are trying to destroy the country. He is the 'messenger of peace' because that's exactly what Mexico needs, not just Ecatepec." However, Maria de la Luz Estrada, coordinator of the National Observatory on Femicide, said she was disappointed that Francis didn't directly condemn violence against women or offer support to families of victims, saying that at the very least he could have made reference to discrimination against women. "I still feel that he owes us these words," she said. Conchita Tellez, 65, from the border city of Mexicali, held out hope that Francis can help ease the troubled soul of the country. "The pope comes to Mexico at a very ugly moment," Tellez said, "and he comes to pray for us and for all those who lost hope and have submerged the country in blood and violence." Francis' grueling schedule seemed to be taking a toll on him on Saturday, when the 79-year-old pontiff appeared to nod off at an evening Mass and also lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him. He appeared much livelier Sunday, beaming and waving at the crowds along his route. As Francis drove down a main boulevard before adoring faithful in central Mexico City, dozens of emotional nuns rushed the metal barricades to salute the popemobile and a group of lay missionaries, mostly teenagers, sang the traditional Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo." At his last stop, a pediatric hospital, one girl performed a heartfelt rendition of "Ave Maria" for the pope. Another presented Francis with a handmade Valentine's Day card with a big heart on the front. "You made this?" Francis asked as he accepted it. "Gracias." The pope bent down and kissed dozens of sick kids, playfully mussing the hair of the older ones. Some posed for selfies with the pope. Several rose from their wheelchairs to embrace him. Francis also played doctor to one little boy, administering medicine from a dropper. The pope makes a point of stopping at children's hospitals during his foreign trips, both to visit with the kids and to thank the staff for caring for them. While parts of the encounters are televised, Francis also visits bedridden patients in private for more personal encounters. ___ Associated Press writers Maria Verza, Mark Stevenson and Peter Orsi contributed to this report. ___ Nicole Winfield on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nwinfield People listen to Pope Francis as her gives Mass in Ecatepec, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered Sunday as Pope Francis began what was expected to be the biggest event of his five-day trip to Mexico. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) In this photo taken on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, Pope Francis waves to people as he arrives to the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Francis will celebrate Mass at the Basilica, considered the largest and most important Marian shrine in the world. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP) Pope Francis rides on a popemobile as he makes his way through pilgrims waiting for Mass in Ecatepec, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Pope Francis will give a Mass at an outdoor field in the capital's suburb of Ecatepec to an estimated crowd of 400,000 pilgrims. It is to be his biggest event during his trip to Mexico. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) Pope Francis arrives aboard the popemobile to celebrate a Mass in Ecatepec, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Pope Francis will give a Mass at an outdoor field in the capital's suburb of Ecatepec to a crowd of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims. It is to be his biggest event during his trip to Mexico. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Police escort Pope Francis as he makes his way through one of Mexico City's main avenues on the popemobile, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, 2016. Pope Francis will give a Mass at an outdoor field in the capital's suburb of Ecatepec to an estimated crowd of 400,000 pilgrims. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez) Pope Francis, seen on the other side of the framed glass that usually holds the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, holds a flower bouquet as he prays to her inside a private room at the Basilica built in her honor, during Mass in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. The image in the frame was removed and placed inside the private room. The pontiff's five-day visit included a prayer before the Virgin of Guadalupe shrine, the largest and most important Marian shrine in the world and one that is particularly important to the first Latin American pope. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) India disappointed by US sale of F-16 fighters to Pakistan NEW DELHI (AP) India said that it is disappointed with the United States' decision to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan and that it does not believe such an arms transfer will help combat terrorism. The U.S. government said Friday that it had approved the sale of the F-16 fighter aircraft, radar and electronic warfare equipment to Pakistan in a deal worth nearly $700 million. The U.S. ambassador to India, Richard Verma, was summoned Saturday to the External Affairs Ministry, where Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar conveyed India's displeasure with the deal. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that India was disappointed with the decision of the Obama administration to sell the fighter jets to Pakistan and its justification that it will help efforts to fight terrorism. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help combat terrorism," the statement said. "The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself." India is worried that arming Pakistan with advanced fighters jets will tilt the military balance in the region. Washington believes Pakistan's strategic location next to Afghanistan makes it a useful ally in the war against global terrorism despite Pakistan allowing many militant groups to operate out of its territory. During the Cold War, relations between India and the United States were strained as America tilted toward Pakistan and India had to turn to the Soviet Union for support. Relations have thawed since then. India and the United States have forged closer economic and defense ties in the past decade, although New Delhi has often protested continuing U.S. military sales to Pakistan. Pakistan's close ties with China have always been a source of worry for India. China has been one of Pakistan's biggest suppliers of weapons, and Islamabad has built its arsenal of nuclear weapons with Beijing's help. India now has another reason to worry. Russia, India's main arms supplier, has been warming up to Pakistan in the past few years. In 2014, Russia lifted its embargo on arms exports to Pakistan and followed that up last year with an agreement to supply four Mi-35 attack helicopters to Islamabad. The decision on U.S. fighter sales to Pakistan also comes at a time when India is pushing its rival to crack down on Islamic militant groups operating out of its territory. Schumer slams Obama budget cuts to anti-terror funds NEW YORK (AP) Sen. Charles Schumer is slamming a White House proposal that would reduce funding for counterterrorism programs across the country by nearly $300 million. The New York Democrat is pushing President Barack Obama to reconsider the cuts. Schumer notes that the cuts to the Urban Area Security Initiative were included in the proposed 2017 budget released last week by the White House. The initiative helps fund programs in cities across the U.S. to prevent extremist attacks, or respond to and recover from them. The proposed budget would cut the funding from $600 million to $330 million. "These proposed cuts are ill-advised and ill-timed and they must be reversed. End of story," Schumer said in a statement to The Associated Press. "In light of recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, and the vow by our extremist enemies to launch more attacks on our shores, it makes no sense to propose cuts to vital terror-prevention programs like UASI." Schumer, who decried the cuts at a news conference on Sunday, said the program is necessary to adequately fund counterterrorism programs in high-density urban areas like New York City. "New York City remains terror target number one and the NYPD relies on these programs to keep us safe," he said. In New York, a portion of the funds are used for the fire department's response training and the NYPD's counterterrorism training programs and the active shooter training course. The money also helps pay for teams that patrol at local airports, transit hubs and waterways. Elsewhere in the New York area, the funds cover the cost of other training exercises, including multi-jurisdictional response drills. The White House released a statement saying the proposed budget provides "robust funding to support a sustainable and effective approach for combating terrorism." "In addition, the budget provides $100 million for a new Regional Preparedness Grants Competition and $39M for grants to help States prepare for and respond to complex coordinated terrorist attacks, both of which offer New York City additional opportunities to secure funding for counterterrorism efforts," the White House said. ___ Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Rancho Mirage, California contributed to this report. ___ Netanyahu: US Vice President Biden may visit Israel JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says staffers for U.S. Vice President Joe Biden are arriving in Israel ahead of a possible Biden visit. At his weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu cited reports Biden was considering visiting Israel soon. He said Biden's staff is landing in Israel Sunday, but there were no dates yet for a visit. Last month, Biden met Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland shortly after the U.S. lifted sanctions on Iran as part of a nuclear deal. The U.S. has sought to soften Israel's concerns on the deal through discussions about a new long-term agreement on U.S. military aid for Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listens during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty, Pool) Biden's last visit to Israel sparked a diplomatic spat with Washington in 2010, when Israel announced settlement construction plans during Biden's visit. The White House had no comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty, Pool) Indonesian officials, clerics ban Valentine's Day observance JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Officials and clerics in the world's most populous Muslim nation have banned young Indonesian Muslims from celebrating Valentine's Day, arguing that the observance runs against Islamic teachings. In Banda Aceh, the capital of the devout Muslim province of Aceh, thousands of high school students held rallies rejecting the celebration of Valentine's Day. Banda Aceh's mayor, Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal, and Shariah officials joined Saturday's rallies, held in four locations in the city's downtown area. A Muslim student dressed as Cupid takes part in a protest against Valentine's Day in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Dozens of students staged the protest calling on Muslims to avoid the celebration of the western holiday, saying that it's against Islamic teachings and could lead to forbidden sexual relations. (AP Photo/Trisnadi) "The Valentine's Day celebration has become a culture," Illiza said. She added that the rallies were aimed at making young people aware that Valentine's Day is not part of Islamic culture. The bans were imposed in many Indonesian cities. A similar rally by junior high school students was held in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city. In Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, a noted Muslim youth group, Pemuda Muslimin Indonesia, called on Muslims in the province to stay away from the celebration. The influential Indonesian Council of Clerics has repeatedly declared the Feb. 14 celebration as an observance stemming from another faith, saying that celebrating it would be the same as promoting faiths other than Islam. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 265 million people are Muslims, with most practicing a moderate form of the faith. Students display a banner during a protest against Valentine's Day in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonenesia Muslim students display posters during a protest against Valentine's Day in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Dozens of students staged the protest calling on Muslims to avoid the celebration of the western holiday, saying that it's against Islamic teachings and could lead to forbidden sexual relations. (AP Photo/Heri Juanda) A Muslim girl displays posters " Muslims forbidden to celebrate Valentine's Day" during a protest against Valentine's Day in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Dozens of activists staged the protest calling on Muslims to avoid the celebration of the western holiday, saying that it's against Islamic teachings and could lead to forbidden sexual relations. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Obama faces challenge in forging front vs. China sea actions MANILA, Philippines (AP) With the symbolic handshakes and unity photo-op, President Barack Obama's high-profile summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California this week aims to step up pressure against China's increasingly worrisome behavior in disputed waters. Forging a common front and encouraging bolder rhetoric against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, however, will be a challenge among the diverse collection of VIP guests, who did not criticize China by name in past joint summit statements as the disputes flared on and off in recent years. Decisions by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the bloc they lead, can easily be stalled. ASEAN includes governments aligned either with Washington or Beijing. Only four of its 10 member states are locked in the disputes with China and Taiwan, leading to sometimes conflicting views on handling the long-simmering rifts. FILE - In this Nov. 22, 2015 file photo, U.S. President Barack Obama, left, shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, second left, while Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second right, and Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong look on during the 10th East Asia Summit at the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With the symbolic handshakes and unity photo-op, Obama's high-profile summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California this week aims to step up pressure against China's increasingly worrisome behavior in disputed waters. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian, File) The regional bloc decides by consensus, meaning just one member can effectively shoot down any statement detrimental to China. In recent years, summit statements have expressed concern over the escalating conflicts and called for freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed territories, but they have rarely gone to specifics. "I think it will be hard for the U.S. to convince the 10 ASEAN states to adopt any language on the South China Sea disputes that go beyond what ASEAN statements have said in the past," said Dr. Malcolm Cook of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. With Obama in his last year in office, certain ASEAN member states would probably not concede on any security or economic issue that might antagonize China, an economic lifeline to them, Cook said. A Southeast Asian diplomat told The Associated Press that government envoys in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, where the ASEAN secretariat is located, have been negotiating the text of a possible joint statement to be issued by Obama and his Southeast Asian counterparts at the end of the two-day summit, which opens Monday at the sprawling Sunnylands estate. There have been initial differences among the governments on the wording of the statement, said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss details of the negotiations with reporters. Vietnam and the Philippines, whose disputes with China have intensified in recent years, prefer a more detailed reference to the territorial disputes. The Philippines specifically wants to mention international arbitration as an option to resolve the conflicts. Cambodia and Laos, which have close ties with China, have asked the reference to arbitration to be deleted, the diplomat said. In 2012, Cambodia refused to mention discussions in an ASEAN foreign ministerial summit statement about a shoal disputed by China and the Philippines. An ensuing argument caused the summit to end without a joint statement for the first time since the bloc was founded in 1967. While the statement can be restrained, the diplomat said any leader can speak freely at the informal talks in Sunnylands. The Philippines brought its territorial conflicts with China to international arbitration in early 2013 after Beijing refused to withdraw its ships from a disputed shoal under a U.S.-brokered deal. China has refused to participate, but an arbitration tribunal based in The Hague has proceeded to hear the case and plans to hand down a decision this year. The U.S. summit will showcase Obama's yearslong effort to reassert American leadership in Asia, where China has risen as a security and economic powerhouse. Although it's not a claimant state, the U.S. has declared that it has a national interest in the peaceful resolution of the disputes and maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, a major passageway for global trade. Obama will emphasize U.S. resolve to promote the rule of law and give assurances that America is a stabilizing presence in the region, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters last week. "The U.S. will be underscoring the importance of resolving any territorial disputes consistent with international norms and international law ... and not through bigger nations bullying smaller ones," Rhodes said in a veiled reference to China and smaller neighboring countries along the South China Sea rim. Tensions have escalated in recent years after China transformed seven disputed reefs into islands, some with runways, that could be used to project China's military might into the heartland of the disputed region. China has claimed it has the right to undertake the massive construction in what it calls its territory, but the U.S. Navy deployed a guided-missile destroyer near one of the islands last year in defiance of China's territorial claims. China has been accused of delaying the start of negotiations for a legally binding code of conduct that can deter aggressive actions such as its island construction work. U.S. and ASEAN leaders have sought the early conclusion of such a pact for several years, and those calls are likely to be repeated in this week's summit. Multiple crises challenge European Union before summit LONDON (AP) If the European Union were a patient, its survival would be seen as threatened by multiple organ failure. That's the view of many experts as EU leaders prepare for a Brussels summit that starts Thursday. Analysts believe the combined strain of challenges including a refugee crisis, threats facing the euro currency and Britain's plan to hold a referendum on whether to leave the EU may be unbearable for the 28-nation bloc. Just 20 years ago, the EU seemed to be growing in stature as it proudly offered freedom and democracy along with lucrative subsidies, military alliances and billions in foreign investment to newly freed former Soviet satellites. FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, British Prime Minister David Cameron, right, walks back to his seat on the stage after speaking, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel gets up for her turn to speak during a press conference near the end of the 'Supporting Syria and the Region' conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London. Britain is demanding concessions from Europe ahead of a planned public referendum on the so called Brexit, or Britain Exit, deciding whether Britain will abandon the 28-nation European Union. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) Now, NATO warships are steaming toward the Aegean Sea in an escalated bid to impose order on the chaotic arrival of more than 1 million migrants, which has not abated despite the wintry weather in southern Europe. Informal mini-blocs have formed within the European Union, with some countries banding together to challenge, or just ignore, the EU's announced refugee resettlement program. Temporary border controls have been introduced in key countries including Germany and France, threatening the cherished notion of freedom of movement across European borders. Britain, a nuclear power with a seat at the U.N. Security Council, is demanding concessions before a referendum on whether the U.K. should simply abandon the EU, a prospect known as "Brexit." And a slow-burning, extremely divisive budget crunch threatens the future of the euro single currency that has been a hallmark of European integration. Ian Kearns, director of the European Leadership Network research group in London, said the EU is "undergoing an existential crisis" as a once shared sense of mission fades. Countries are pursuing their perceived national interests instead of seeking collective solutions, he said, and the notion of European solidarity is fading. "It's anybody's guess now whether it will survive long term," he said of the European Union. "I think it's that serious. It's not just the migration crisis, or Brexit. The challenge is the lack of faith in the mainstream political class in Europe that is evident across the continent, manifested in the rise of populist movements. The migration crisis has simply highlighted it." The summit is one of a series of meetings that have tried, but mostly failed, to find an effective collective response to the chaotic arrival of so many people. Leaders will consider fairly minor changes to Britain's status aimed at placating restive British voters ahead of a referendum, and assess how well or poorly earlier edicts on migration have been implemented. The union has a knack for solving difficult situations by building consensus, and papering over cracks with layers of bureaucracy, but some warn the migrant situation is a more serious threat to continental unity. Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe group at King's College London, says the European Union simply doesn't have a practical method of tackling its myriad mounting problems. The structures set up when the union was formed by six countries as the European Economic Community in 1958, and diluted with the addition of so many countries with differing perspectives, are simply too weak, he said, so nations either make unilateral decisions or forge small alliances with other countries in the bloc that share their concerns. "The European project is probably in trouble," he said. "The EU is where it's been for the last few years: Very big crises without the tools to address them. It's a halfway house of integration. You have a little bit of authority in these areas the migrants, Greece but the big decisions are made by the member states. It's fragmented because the member states have completely different views." Europe needs to have one cogent immigration policy to cope with the influx of people from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere but won't be able to forge one because countries don't view the problem the same way. "The countries in the south like Greece and Italy are facing the brunt of it," Menon said. "A few countries in the north Germany and the Scandinavians were generous at first and are now regretting it. The Brits are pretending it's not happening. And the Visegrad countries (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) say they are not interested in helping for reasons of culture and history. They say they have no history of taking in migrants." Officials had expected the flow of desperate people fleeing war and poverty would slow during the winter months, but The International Organization for Migration said this week that 76,000 people nearly 2,000 per day have reached Europe by sea since Jan. 1, a nearly tenfold increase over the same period the year before. More than 400 have died, most of them drowning in frigid waters. In this diffuse environment, it is difficult to see the EU managing to respond effectively to such an unpredictable situation. It was much easier 20 years ago, before Islamic extremism had showed its face inside Europe. The opening of the continent's internal and external borders was seen then as a welcome part of a peace dividend, not an Achilles' heel that left residents more vulnerable to suicide bombings and marauding gunmen. The relative stability in the Middle East meant the flow of migrants was manageable, not seen as a threat. At the time, French President Francois Mitterrand and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl articulated forceful arguments in favor of more integration, and they were used to imposing their vision on the rest of the bloc, which was smaller and easier to manage. When the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985 it heralded a new era of passport-free travel in much of Europe, speeding trade, facilitating the easy movement of workers and students, and giving concrete, facts-on-the-ground reality to the idea of a continent turning its back on the wars of the past in favor of a more hopeful vision. This inclusive approach guided the expansion of the European Union as the bloc was renamed in 1993 when Eastern European countries lined up to join. Stefan Lehne, visiting scholar with Carnegie Europe in Brussels, said the unsolved refugee calamity may put the EU integration process into reverse by rendering the Schengen agreement unworkable pointing out that border controls have already been temporarily reintroduced in some countries, as allowed by Schengen rules and threatening other integration goals. He said the rule of law, and the EU's authority, has already been undermined by the bloc's failure to implement an agreed upon quota system calling for the resettlement of refugees in a number of countries. Stark divisions have been exposed, he said, by the way the Visegrad countries in Eastern Europe reap the economic benefits of EU membership but while refusing to help the refugees. All these factors, he said, have put the brakes on integration and may shortly lead to its opposite. "This is really the first time we might lose a very real achievement of the integration project, Schengen, with important economic costs," he said. "It's also very symbolically important. My sense is that unless we get a grip on refugees, the integration process will be reversed." FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, the Turkish border crossing with Syria, is closed near to the town of Kilis, in southeastern Turkey, as some thousands of Syrian migrants are known to be moving toward the border, fleeing from fierce fighting inside Syria. Despite the wintry weather in southern Europe, the flow of migrants has not abated and European countries are trying to impose order on its external border, while keeping the cherished notion of freedom of movement across European internal borders. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) The Latest: France calls on Syria to halt airstrikes BEIRUT (AP) The Latest on the civil war in Syria (all times local): 6 p.m. France has called for an immediate end to airstrikes by Syria's government and its allies and a halt to the Turkish shelling of Kurdish areas. FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, the Turkish border crossing with Syria, is closed near to the town of Kilis, in southeastern Turkey, as some thousands of Syrian migrants are known to be moving toward the border, fleeing from fierce fighting inside Syria. Despite the wintry weather in southern Europe, the flow of migrants has not abated and European countries are trying to impose order on its external border, while keeping the cherished notion of freedom of movement across European internal borders. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) The statement Sunday expressed concern about the "deteriorating situation in Aleppo and northern Syria." France has carried out repeated airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria, sharply increasing the number of missions since the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris by a group of French-speaking extremists who had fought for the group. France's military said its own fighter jets struck Iraq 26 times last week and Syria once. 3:00 p.m. The Syrian government has condemned Turkey's shelling of Syrian territory, describing it as an attempt to raise the morale of "terrorist" groups. In two messages sent Sunday to the U.N. secretary general and the president of the U.N. Security Council, Damascus also denounced recent statements made by the Turkish prime minister justifying shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria. The government strongly urged the U.N. Security Council to put an end to the "crimes of the Turkish regime." Turkey is one of the leading backers of the rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Syrian government refers to all rebel groups as "terrorists." Turkish forces shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day Sunday. 2:30 p.m. Iran's air defense chief says his country is ready to help defend Syria's airspace. The semi-official Tasnim news agency on Sunday quoted Gen. Farzad Esmaili as saying "We will help Syria in a full-fledged manner if the Syrian government requests help." He said any such aid would be provided in an "advisory" capacity. Iran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has sent weapons, money and military advisers to Syria to help bolster his forces. Tehran denies it has sent combat troops, but several Iranian soldiers, including senior officers, have been killed on Syrian battlefields. This is the first time Iran has offered to assist with Syrian air defenses. Esmaili's remarks came after Turkey and Saudi Arabia -- leading supporters of the rebels battling to topple Assad -- said they were open to sending ground troops into Syria to battle the Islamic State group. ___ 11:45 a.m. Opposition activists say Turkey has shelled positions held by the main Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights activist group says two fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces a coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters have been killed and seven others wounded in the shelling. There was no immediate confirmation by the group, which is dominated by Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units known as the YPG. Dutch minister to EU members: Don't shut borders to migrants SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders has urged EU member states not to close their borders to migrants, suggesting that "effective border control is more important." Koenders, whose country holds the rotating 6-month EU presidency, told reporters in the Macedonian capital Skopje that the Netherlands will continue to talk with Austria, Macedonia and Greece to find an effective solution on migrants and avoid unilateral measures. He said he thinks it is still possible to avoid a "domino effect and an uncontrollable situation." Koenders also pointed out the need for EU countries to take special care for vulnerable groups of migrants, such as women and children. 2 civilians, rebel killed in Indian Kashmir violence SRINAGAR, India (AP) A teenage boy and a young woman were killed during an anti-India protest that followed the killing of a local rebel in a gunbattle with government forces in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Sunday, officials and eyewitnesses said. The protests erupted after soldiers and police cordoned off southern Kakpora village to nab a hiding militant, who was later killed in a gunbattle, said police officer Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani. As the gunbattle raged, hundreds of angry protesters threw rocks at the government forces, who responded by firing tear gas shells and pellet guns to quell the protests, Gillani said. Relatives of Shaista Hamid mourn during her funeral in Lilhar south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. A teenage boy and a young woman were killed during an anti-India protest that followed the killing of a local rebel in a gunbattle with government forces in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Sunday, officials and eyewitnesses said. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where rebel groups have fought since 1989 for either independence or a merger with neighboring Pakistan. India and Pakistan each administer a portion of Kashmir, but both claim the region in its entirety. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) However, eyewitnesses said the forces fired live ammunition and tear gas at the protesters, who were chanting slogans against Indian rule. Local resident Shabir Ahmed said that the dead boy was hit by a bullet in the head and that the woman was killed after a stray bullet struck her inside her home compound. He said at least 15 other people sustained injuries by both bullets and tear gas shells. Gillani said that the boy was hit by a tear gas shell during the protest and that others sustained injuries in crossfire during the gunbattle with the militant. He said at least 10 policemen and two army soldiers were injured in the clashes with the protesters. Separatists called for a shutdown on Monday against the killings. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where rebel groups have fought since 1989 for either independence or a merger with neighboring Pakistan. India and Pakistan each administer a portion of Kashmir, but both claim the region in its entirety. Since 1989, an armed uprising and an ensuing Indian crackdown in the region have killed an estimated 68,000 people. Kashmiri villages attend the funeral of Shaista Hamid in Lilhar south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. A teenage boy and a young woman were killed during an anti-India protest that followed the killing of a local rebel in a gunbattle with government forces in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir on Sunday, officials and eyewitnesses said. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where rebel groups have fought since 1989 for either independence or a merger with neighboring Pakistan. India and Pakistan each administer a portion of Kashmir, but both claim the region in its entirety. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) Latest: Airport says plane with Scalia's body has left Texas WASHINGTON (AP) The Latest on the death of U.S. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia: 10:30 p.m. An El Paso International Airport official says a private plane carrying the body of late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has left the West Texas airport. Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks during the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Terry Sharpe, the airport's assistant director for operations, says the plane departed around 8 p.m. Eastern time Sunday. Sharpe says U.S. marshals accompanied Scalia's body to the airport. He said he didn't know where the plane was headed. A manager for the funeral home in El Paso where Scalia's body was taken said earlier Sunday that the justice's remains would be flown to Virginia, but he didn't know exactly where. The U.S. Marshals Service referred questions about the flight to Supreme Court officials, who did not immediately respond to inquiries. ___ 9:30 p.m. The owner of a West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia died says the U.S. Supreme Court justice seemed his usual self at dinner the night before he was found "in complete repose" in his room. John Poindexter, the owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa, told reporters Scalia was part of a group of about 35 weekend guests. He arrived Friday around noon. Poindexter says the group had dinner Friday night and Scalia was his "usual personable self." Poindexter says Scalia retired around 9 p.m., saying he wanted a long night's sleep. Poindexter said when Scalia's body was discovered Saturday morning, it was obvious he had "passed away without any difficulty" in the night and seemed "peaceful." ___ 7:50 p.m. The manager of a West Texas funeral home says the body of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been taken to an El Paso airport and will be flown to Virginia. Chris Lujan (loo-HAHN') a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes says Scalia's body was taken from the facility late Sunday afternoon. Lujan says it was to be taken to Virginia, but he didn't know exactly where. Lujan says an autopsy was not performed. He says Scalia's family didn't think a private autopsy was necessary and requested his remains be flown home as soon as possible. The county official who declared Scalia dead Saturday did not order an autopsy after finding he had died of natural causes. She said investigators told her there were no signs of foul play. ___ 7 p.m. The top elected official in the Texas county where Antonin Scalia was found dead says the U.S. Supreme Court justice died of natural causes. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told The Associated Press on Sunday she consulted with Scalia's personal physician and sheriff's investigators, who said there were no signs of foul play, before concluding the 79-year-old had died of natural causes. He was found dead in his room at a West Texas resort ranch Saturday morning. Guevara says the declaration was made around 1:52 p.m. Saturday. Scalia's body was taken to a Texas funeral home Sunday as officials awaited word on whether they would need to perform an autopsy. Tentative plans call for his body to be flown on Tuesday back home to his family in a northern Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C. ___ 1:30 p.m. The White House says President Barack Obama will nominate a successor to the late Justice Antonin Scalia "in due time," once the Senate returns from a weeklong recess. At that point, spokesman Eric Schultz says the White House expects the Senate to consider the nominee in keeping with its constitutional responsibilities. Leading Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates have insisted that Obama leave the job of naming Scalia's successor to the next president. Obama said he intends to fulfill his constitutional duty to nominate another justice to fill the open seat on the nation's highest court. The president took about a month to nominate Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor to fill earlier vacancies on the court. The Senate is taking the week off for the Presidents Day holiday. ___ 11:20 a.m. Jeb Bush says it doesn't matter to him whether Senate Republicans vote on a Supreme Court nominee President Barack Obama may send to Capitol Hill to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Bush tells CNN's "State of the Union" that the decision is up to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who's said there will be no such vote until Obama leaves office in January. The Republican presidential candidate says it's "really not important to me" whether there's a vote before then. That sentiment isn't shared by Bush's Republican presidential rivals. Soon after Scalia's death, they were demanding that a prospective Obama nominee not get a vote. Bush says Obama has "every right" to submit a nominee to the Senate. But the former Florida governor says he doesn't think Obama would nominate someone who's "in the mainstream." He said that if Obama sends a nominee who's out of what Bush considers "the mainstream," Senate leaders should block or reject the nomination. ___ 10 a.m. The body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been taken to a funeral home in El Paso, Texas, where officials are waiting to hear whether an autopsy will be performed. Chris Lujan (loo-HAHN') a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes says a procession that included about 20 law enforcement officers arrived early Sunday at the funeral home. The procession traveled more than three hours from the West Texas resort ranch where Scalia was found dead in his room on Saturday morning. Lujan says if an autopsy is ordered by Scalia's family or a justice of the peace, then it likely will be performed at the funeral home by an El Paso County medical examiner. Lujan says tentative plans call for Scalia's body to be flown back home Tuesday to his family in Virginia. ___ 9:45 a.m. A proclamation from President Barack Obama orders flags to be flown at half-staff "as a mark of respect" for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The order applies to the White House, Supreme Court and other public buildings and grounds in the nation's capital and elsewhere in the country. The order is in effect until sunset on the day of Scalia's interment. ___ This story corrects Jeb Bush's quote to "really not important to me," not "it's not important to me." This photo shows the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, as the sun rises Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) GOP governor stays popular in Democratic Massachusetts BOSTON (AP) While partisan battles rage in Washington and state capitals, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker thrives in one of the nation's bluest states. He trades compliments, not jabs, with Democratic legislative leaders and has forged close relationships with other key Democrats, including Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Democrats, in fact, occupy several key posts in his cabinet and inner circle. "As the administration ends its first year in office, some have lamented how boring we are," Baker said in his recent state of the state address. "I'll admit: That makes me smile. No fights. No yelling. No partisan scrums." FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2016, file photo, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker delivers his State of the State address at the Statehouse in Boston. During the address, Baker said being called boring makes him smile. The Republican governor thrives in one of the nation's bluest states, trading compliments, not jabs, with Democratic legislative leaders. Socially liberal but fiscally conservative, Bakers favorability ratings have soared. One national poll in the fall declared him the most popular governor in America.(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) For the most part, Baker has sought compromise over confrontation since narrowly defeating Democrat Martha Coakley in the 2014 gubernatorial election. Four years earlier, in a losing campaign against then-Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, Baker came off as angry and partisan, even he acknowledges. A pet term Baker now uses to describe budgets and other major bills is "combo platters." It's his way of suggesting that laws can be crafted to satisfy a range of political and policy tastes. "A lot of Republicans look at government as the enemy," said Will Keyser, a top strategist in Baker's 2014 campaign. "Gov. Baker looks at government as a really important function, a limited function in very special areas, but a very important function." So far, the bipartisan approach has clicked in a state with a highly partisan reputation. Socially liberal but fiscally conservative, Baker has seen his favorability ratings soar. One national poll last fall declared him the most popular governor in America. Another survey of 500 registered voters conducted in November by the MassINC Polling Group found that 51 percent of rank-and-file Massachusetts Democrats held a favorable opinion of the Republican, with only 13 percent unfavorable. Baker's appeal is even stronger with independents. Seventy percent of registered voters not enrolled in either major party viewed Baker favorably, a mere 9 percent unfavorably. Still, few expect the harmony to last forever. Many liberal legislators have shown signs of chafing at Baker's rigid no-new-taxes mantra, saying the state needs additional revenue to address crumbling infrastructure and other longstanding problems. Local educators are disappointed with Baker for pushing expansion of independent charter schools while proposing only marginal increases in state funding for traditional public schools. Democrats recently chided Baker for his eleventh-hour endorsement of Chris Christie in the neighboring New Hampshire presidential primary. Christie finished sixth and abandoned the race. The state Democratic Party said Baker's "tepid, last minute support" not only failed to lift Christie but may have contributed to Donald Trump's success in New Hampshire. Baker has blasted Trump for lacking "the temperament or seriousness of purpose" to be president. In backing Christie, Baker noted the New Jersey governor was also a Republican in a heavily Democratic state, working with people he didn't always agree with. The Harvard-educated Baker learned the do's and don'ts of Massachusetts politics in the 1990s while serving in the cabinets of Republican governors William Weld and the late Paul Cellucci. Both scored policy wins in part by assimilating with, rather than bitterly contesting, Democrats who held veto-proof majorities in both legislative branches. Republican governors also benefit from a skittishness many voters have about big government spending. Residents recall how the state was derisively called "Taxachusetts" for having once been among the highest-taxed and least business-friendly of states. They also recall how cost overruns and mismanagement turned Big Dig the complex and costly project to bury Boston highways into a poster child for bloated public works projects. "That is where Charlie Baker fits into the mainstream of Massachusetts political thought," said Michael Goldman, a longtime Democratic political consultant. "You can be a fiscal conservative and get elected." On social issues, however, Baker remains firmly within the Massachusetts mainstream in his support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage. Embracing his reputation as a "fix-it" governor, Baker has eagerly charted corrective courses for problem areas in government, including the state's overburdened child welfare agency and, most notably, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Boston-area's aging and deficit-ridden transit system that was crippled by record winter storms a year ago. Baker's political fortunes could turn all too quickly, said Goldman, if the economy sours or services now under his watch, like the MBTA, fail again. "You can go 364 days and everything works well and then one day the whole thing crashes and burns," said Goldman. Keyser, now a private consultant, agrees Baker's initial successes provide no long-term guarantees in Massachusetts. "This is a blue state," said Keyser. "At some point there may be some tough sledding." The Latest: Indianapolis interstate shuts down after pileup NEW YORK (AP) The Latest on winter weather affecting much of the eastern half of the United States (all times local): 5 p.m. A multi-car collision after a sudden winter squall has shut down a stretch of highway north of Indianapolis. Street photographers brave the cold to photograph guests arriving to the Alexander Wang Fall 2016 show during Fashion Week, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in New York. Bitter temperatures and biting winds had much of the northeastern United States bundling up for the some of the worst cold of the winter a snap so bad it forced an ice festival in Central Park to cancel and caused an Interstate pileup that killed three. "These temperatures can be life threatening especially for seniors, infants and people with medical conditions," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Stay indoors and take care of each other, he counseled. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) The state Department of Transportation reported a crash involving multiple cars shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 65 in Lebanon. The highway's northbound lanes are closed while emergency crews respond. Boone County Corporal Art Naekel says that poor visibility on the highway led to a 5-vehicle crash that slowed traffic to a standstill, followed by another collision involving dozens of other vehicles. At least 10 people were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries. Other stranded drivers and their passengers were taken to an emergency Red Cross shelter in Lebanon. ___ 3:30 p.m. The nation's capital and northern Virginia are bracing for a winter storm. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser says she fully deployed the DC snow team Sunday ahead of a storm expected to deliver a sloppy mix of snow, sleet and rain. One to several inches is forecast on Monday. Bowser said more than 200 plows are at the ready. They'll target bridges and overpasses, freeways and major routes. Outside DC, the Virginia Department of Transportation says it will begin staging nearly 2,500 trucks to treat and clear roads in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. In anticipation of the storm, VDOT crews have been treating ramps, bridges and overpasses. VDOT is urging residents to avoid the roads on Monday and to be mindful of snow-fighting equipment if you must travel. ___ 12:50 p.m. Bitter cold temperatures have caused natural gas outages affecting about 400 residents in Connecticut. Connecticut Natural Gas says customers in Berlin started reporting outages around 4 a.m. Sunday. Officials tell WFSB-TV (http://bit.ly/1XrLbCQ) the outage was caused by a frozen regulator. Crews are hoping to have service restored by the evening. The Berlin Police Department says town officials have opened a warming shelter at a middle school to help affected residents. ___ 12:35 p.m. Forecasters say a winter storm is bringing several inches of snow to parts of Tennessee. The National Weather Service says portions of eastern Tennessee were under a winter storm warning Sunday with up to 6 inches of snow expected before turning to rain. Higher elevations could see greater snowfall amounts. The weather service says some areas could see freezing rain as the precipitation transitions from snow to rain, and heavy rain is possible Monday night. Hazardous driving conditions could develop where snow and ice occur, especially on bridges and highway overpasses. In the Nashville area, about an inch of snow was predicted along Interstate 40 with 2 to 3 inches possible north of I-40. ___ 11:15 a.m. Much of the northeastern United States woke up to record cold on Valentine's Day. The National Weather Service says the temperature in New York City's Central Park on Sunday was minus-1, a record low for the date. The last time it got below zero in Central Park was in January 1994. Boston reached minus-9, breaking the record set in 1934 by 6 degrees. It reached minus-16 in Worcester, Massachusetts, breaking the 1979 record of 11 below zero. Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut, also tallied record lows. In Montpelier, Vermont, the overnight temperature hit minus-19, tying a record set in 2003. Temperatures were expected to climb before a winter storm already bringing snow to the Midwest moves into the region for the start of the work week. People shield themselve from the wind as a woman leaves after the Christian Siriano Fall 2016 show during Fashion Week, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in New York. Bitter temperatures and biting winds had much of the northeastern United States bundling up for the some of the worst cold of the winter, a snap so bad it forced an ice festival in Central Park to cancel and caused an Interstate pileup that killed three. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki) Ji Young, of South Korea, wears a fur coat outside the Alexander Wang Fall 2016 show during Fashion Week, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in New York. Bitter temperatures and biting winds had much of the northeastern United States bundling up for the some of the worst cold of the winter a snap so bad it forced an ice festival in Central Park to cancel and caused an Interstate pileup that killed three. "These temperatures can be life threatening especially for seniors, infants and people with medical conditions," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Stay indoors and take care of each other, he counseled. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) Benedikt Vom Orde and Julia Felte, tourists from Essen, Germany, walk along Park Avenue in New York during a bitter cold spell, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. Bitter temperatures and biting winds had much of the northeastern United States bundling up for the some of the worst cold of the winter a snap so bad it forced an ice festival in Central Park to cancel and caused an Interstate pileup that killed three. "These temperatures can be life threatening especially for seniors, infants and people with medical conditions," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said. Stay indoors and take care of each other, he counseled. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) Women are bundled up as they walk in cold weather, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in the Queens borough of New York. Bitter temperatures and biting winds had much of the northeastern United States bundling up this weekend. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Love in the time of militias: Valentine's Day in Iraq BAGHDAD (AP) Baghdad is plastered with Valentine hearts and roses, and newly engaged Nour and Ahmed are out and about, enjoying a rare lull in violence in the Iraqi capital but wondering how long it will last. Despite recent setbacks, the Islamic State group is still dug in some 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Baghdad. And powerful Shiite militias now control security in many parts of the city, providing increased protection but raising concerns as the well-armed fighters often operate outside the government's control. It's an improvement from over a year ago, when the two met while working at the same magazine. After chatting on Facebook, they started meeting with friends in the evening and on weekends. In this Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 photo, an Iraqi man takes a photo with his child ahead of Valentine's Day at Zawra Park in Baghdad, Iraq. Baghdad is plastered with Valentine hearts and roses, and Iraqis are enjoying a rare lull in violence but wondering how long it will last. Despite recent setbacks, the Islamic State group is still dug in west of Baghdad, and increasingly powerful Shiite militias patrol the streets. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) "Of course during the times of bad security I would never have invited her to meet me at a restaurant," Ahmed said. "I would be too worried about her," he added with a smile, taking her hand. The two asked that their full names not be published, fearing for their security. Neither is very religious, but Nour comes from a Shiite family and Ahmed from a Sunni one. Such relationships were common before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but have grown rarer since then, particularly after the fierce sectarian fighting that convulsed the country in 2006 and 2007. They say they haven't encountered any problems yet on account of their unlikely romance, but they worry about the increasing power of religious figures in Iraqi life, including the Shiite militias, many of which trace their roots back to the days of sectarian unrest. The militias, many of which are trained and armed by Iran, were reconstituted in the summer of 2014 after the army crumbled in the face of the IS group's lightening advance across northern and western Iraq. They have played a key role in securing the capital and prying back land from the extremists, but rights groups say they have also carried out revenge attacks on Sunnis. In Baghdad, the groups have been accused of kidnapping for ransom and carrying out religiously motivated attacks on nightclubs and liquor stores. Nour and Ahmed say they worry most about the sheer number of armed groups in Iraq, and how little control the government appears to have over many of them. "The future? It's just black, black, black," Nour said. "There is no future in Iraq." Nour covers her hair in public with a headscarf, but also wears stylish Western-style clothing and enjoys going out to movies and restaurants, all things she fears she would have to give up as religious leaders and militias grow more powerful. Muhanad al-Akabi, a spokesman for the Popular Mobilization Forces, an officially sanctioned umbrella group that includes most of the militias, said Iraqi civilians have no reason to fear them. "We are a formal institution, we belong to the government," he said. He acknowledges that his fighters have "made mistakes" in the past, but attributes them to the growing pains of any new fighting force, saying "it happens everywhere, with every military." He said civilians will have less to worry about as the force gains experience. He and other Iraqi officials are more worried about IS, which is still able to smuggle bombs into Baghdad and may again resort to stepped up attacks on civilians to compensate for its battlefield losses. Earlier this month, security officials said work had begun on a "wall" around Baghdad that they hoped would reduce militant attacks and allow them to take down checkpoints within the city that snarl traffic. Brig. Gen. Saad Maan, the spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the wall would be a combination of tightened checkpoints, trenches and blast walls along a 280-kilometer (175-mile) perimeter around the city. Ahmed fears that while a wall might keep out some religious extremists, it will lock in others. "Already, compared to our parents, we have so little freedom," he said, referring to the freewheeling 1970s in Iraq, before the decades of war and sanctions. "If these religious men stay in control, I think our freedom will just be less and less." ___ Associated Press writer Ali Hameed, in Baghdad contributed to this report. In this Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 photo, a street vendor sells flowers ahead of Valentine's Day at Zawra Park in Baghdad, Iraq. Baghdad is plastered with Valentine hearts and roses, and Iraqis are enjoying a rare lull in violence but wondering how long it will last. Despite recent setbacks, the Islamic State group is still dug in west of Baghdad, and increasingly powerful Shiite militias patrol the streets. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) Iraqis celebrate Valentine's Day at al-Zawra Park in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Baghdad is plastered with Valentine hearts and roses, and Iraqis are enjoying a rare lull in violence but wondering how long it will last. Despite recent setbacks, the Islamic State group is still dug in west of Baghdad, and increasingly powerful Shiite militias patrol the streets. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) In this Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 photo, Iraqis hold Valentine's Day gifts ahead of Valentine's Day at Zawra Park in Baghdad, Iraq. Baghdad is plastered with Valentine hearts and roses, and Iraqis are enjoying a rare lull in violence but wondering how long it will last. Despite recent setbacks, the Islamic State group is still dug in west of Baghdad, and increasingly powerful Shiite militias patrol the streets. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) Rolf Harris faces seven more indecent assault charges Entertainer Rolf Harris has been charged with seven more counts of indecent assault against girls as young as 12. Harris, 85, is currently serving a six-year sentence for sex offences at Stafford Prison. The alleged offences date from 1971 to 2004 and relate to seven complainants who were aged between 12 and 27 at the time, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Rolf Harris is to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault A CPS spokesman said: "We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to Rolf Harris. "Having completed our review in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault." The Australian-born artist and musician has enjoyed a long and varied career, which has seen him perform for the Queen as well as paint her portrait. He shot to fame in the 1960s with comedic song Jake The Peg, going on to become a major television personality in the UK in more recent decades with his catchphrase ''Can you tell what it is yet?''. Harris will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on March 17. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the seven charges are: :: Indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years between July 10 and 11 1971. :: Indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years between January 1 1977 and December 31 1977. :: Indecent assault on a woman aged 16 years or over on September 17 1977. :: Indecent assault on a woman aged 16 years or over between June 1 1978 and July 31 1978. :: Indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 years on December 31 1983. :: Indecent assault on a woman aged 16 years or over between January 1 2002 and December 31 2002. Praise for homeless woman and dog who challenged beauty shop thief A homeless woman and her dog who "courageously" confronted a thief were able to return goods worth over 1,000 stolen from a beauty store. Staff at the Oxford branch of Lush said they felt invaded "on a personal level" after they discovered a laptop and large box of cosmetic s had disappeared when they opened the store on Wednesday. Twenty-four hours later, Lottie - who is homeless and has been sleeping outside the store on and off for around five years - marched in with the stolen products, having successfully challenged the man who took them. Lottie and her dog Marley confronted a thief The store has since set up an online campaign to raise money for Lottie to express their thanks, raising more than 400 so far. Store manager James Atherton said staff were "completely surprised" to be reunited with the stolen items. The 26-year-old said: "We were amazed and just so joyful. It was fantastic. We weren't expecting to get them back at all. "She confronted him as he walked out. She said: 'I know you are not from Lush', and took the stuff back. This was around 4am." On their Facebook page staff, describing themselves as a "family", wrote: "We have known Lottie for years, and have always felt safer with her outside of our shop. "Lottie knows us, knows our delivery staff, knows Lush. "She knew that the man walking out of our shop was not us, and she did the extraordinarily brave thing of challenging him. "We want to share what Lottie did with all of you, because we are greatly moved by her selfless actions in protecting us, and want to thank her from the bottom of our hearts." Mr Atherton said he believes Lottie's dream is to own a caravan, but that she would decide how the money was spent, and any extra would go to charities helping homeless people in Oxford. Lush has a proud history of campaigning for issues involving human rights, animal cruelty and the environment, Mr Atherton added, and the Cornmarket Street branch has been active in opposing cuts to services in Oxford. Earlier this week, David Cameron's mother and aunt signed a petition opposing Oxfordshire County Council cuts that would result in 44 children's centres being closed. The Prime Minister has previously expressed "disappointment" against cuts in his capacity as MP for Witney. Mr Atherton said: "It's awful - almost hypocritical that he puts forward these cuts for the country and opposes those in his constituency - it's such a shame. "Oxford is quite a divided city - such extreme wealth and also a lot of vulnerable people. More cuts will really affect people like Lottie. "We are really hoping to support Lottie to repay her for her amazing kindness. We have given her a hamper of food and Lush products but it doesn't seem enough. "There is a lot of stigma attached to homeless people, and this proves those feelings wrong. Kindness is kindness." Mother to start coastal walk around Britain to honour memory of late daughter, 5 A grieving mother is to embark on a year-long coastal walk in memory of her daughter who suddenly died last year. Natalia Spencer is starting her "Walk of Love" on Valentine's Day to pay tribute to her five-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, who died just before Christmas after a rare auto-immune disease sparked by a common virus caused her organs to shut down. The 41-year-old plans to set off from the beach at Durdle Door in Dorset at around midday to tackle six thousand miles of Britain's coastline in a clockwise loop around mainland Britain. Undated handout photo issued by Natalia Spencer of Elizabeth Spencer who died just before Christmas after a rare auto-immune disease sparked by a common virus caused her organs to shut down, Her mother Natalia is to embark on a year-long coastal walk in her memory. The spot is special to Ms Spencer, who is originally from Ukraine, as it is there that she last visited the seaside with her late daughter. She said of the challenge: "I am not nervous - I feel good about it. This is a very easy thing to do after what I have been through. "Am I brave? I don't know. I don't feel brave, I am just dealing with the situation because there is not much I could do. "She was my whole entire life - all my routine was around her. There was nothing left for me. "She will be with me every step of the way. We will do it together." The girl was put on life support but died after a 17-day fight for her life in the intensive care unit at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in December. Ms Spencer is hoping to raise 100,000 for the Wallace And Gromit Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity. She added she is also planning something to mark her daughter's birthday in May, but this will depend on where she has reached on her journey. Asked if she had a message for other bereaved parents, Ms Spencer said she would love for them to join her for part of the walk, which she hopes to complete in time for the anniversary of Elizabeth's death. Foreign Secretary warns that EU will punish Britain for leaving Britain will be punished by the EU for leaving because other countries will not want to see it "succeed" alone, Philip Hammond has warned. The Foreign Secretary delivered the stark message as he insisted negotiations over membership reforms will run "right to the wire" of a crunch summit in Brussels this week. The comments, in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, came as the sides began ramping up their campaigns with just four months to go until the likely referendum date. Philip Hammond said the UK secured an exemption from 'ever-closer union' with the EU and a 'major breakthrough' on limiting migrant benefits Two senior travel industry figures have cautioned that flight prices could rise and tourist safety could be compromised by Brexit. Mr Hammond said there were still "a lot of moving parts" in the draft deal tabled by European Council president Donald Tusk, but UK had already secured an exemption from "ever-closer union" and a "major breakthrough" on restricting migrant benefits. Other EU states recognised that Britain needed a "robust deal" in order to stay in. "Until a few weeks ago people were telling us it was impossible to have any kind of period in which we treated newly arrived migrants differently from people who were already here," Mr Hammond said. "But the text that is on the table recognises that there can be a period of four years in which people are treated differently. That is a major step forward. "What we have still got to discuss is what that difference in treatment precisely is ... I don't think that is going to get resolved before Thursday." Mr Hammond said the negotiations would go "right to the wire, with some of these things only being able to be decided by the heads of state and government on Thursday when they sit down in that room together". "If we can't get the deal we will carry on talking." Challenged that the proposals on the table fell short of the Tory manifesto pledge of a four-year ban on migrants claiming in-work benefits, Mr Hammond said: "Let's look at it in the round. There may be areas where we get more than we expected to get and areas where we get slightly less than we expected to get. But it would be absurd not to look at the package in the round. "Look at all the pluses, all the minuses and weigh the balance." Asked whether a one-year ban on in-work benefits for migrants would be enough to satisfy his party, Mr Hammond said: "A one-year period would not, definitely not, but we've got four years, a recognition that there can be different treatment for four years. "Getting agreement that we can treat new arrivals differently for a period of four years is a major breakthrough in challenging, as we have done, one of the sacred cows of European ideology." Mr Hammond said he feared that if the UK left it would have to forge new relationships with a very different EU. "What I think I fear and many people in Europe fear is that without Britain Europe would lurch in very much the wrong direction," he said. "Britain has been an enormously important influence in Europe, an influence for open markets for free trade ... "I think we would be dealing with a Europe that looked very much less in our image. I think the thing we have to remember is that there is a real fear in Europe that if Britain leaves the contagion will spread. "People who say we would do a great deal if we left forget that the countries remaining in the EU will be looking over their shoulder at people in their own countries saying, 'Well, if the Brits can do it, why can't we'. "They will not have an interest in demonstrating that we can succeed outside the EU." Mr Hammond also refused to be drawn on whether he thought Justice Secretary Michael Gove or London Mayor Boris Johnson would campaign to stay. "People want to wait and see what the deal is, and clearly there are one or two people whose minds probably are made up but I hope that there are others who are genuinely open to the deal that come back and considering their position on it," he said. "You will have to ask them. I can't speak for others." Writing in the Sunday Times, easyJet chief Carolyn McCall suggested Brexit could herald a return to the days when flying was "reserved for the elite". "The EU has brought huge benefits for UK travellers and businesses. Staying in the EU will ensure that they, and all of us, continue to receive them," she wrote. "How much you pay for your holiday really does depend on how much influence Britain has in Europe." Peter Long, former boss of the Tui travel group that owns Thomson and First Choice, insisted close co-operation with other EU states was essential to "protect the security of our holidaymakers". Mr Long, who was in charge of Tui when 33 of its customers were massacred by an Islamist gunman in Tunisia last year, said the atrocity had given him "many first-hand experiences of seeing how European governments, through their foreign offices, collaborate and work together in a crisis". Five previously Eurosceptic Labour figures, including shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, ex-leader Lord Kinnock, Jack Straw and Margaret Beckett, have thrown their weight behind Mr Cameron's deal. In an open letter, they said the EU was "not perfect" but leaving would be a "huge risk". All five campaigned against remaining in Europe in the 1975 referendum. But Liam Fox, the Eurosceptic former cabinet minister, hit out at "scaremongering" by the In campaign. "Those that wish to remain in the EU should make the positive case for the supranational European project rather than frightening people," he said. Vote Leave spokesman Robert Oxley said: "It's such a shame to see pro-EU voices resorting to negative campaigning tactics based on little more than fear and falsehoods. "Those who want us to stay in at all costs are re-writing history by wrongly attributing the hard-won successes of business and successive governments to our political membership of the EU. "It's also deeply regrettable to try to invoke the terrible events in Tunisia in an attempt to scare people into sticking with Brussels. The safe option is to Vote Leave. " The peer Mr Cameron tasked with taking the referendum legislation through the House of Lords has also announced that he will be voting to Leave. Lord Dobbs, creator of House Of Cards, dismissed the premier's renegotiation as "a mouse that barely squeaks, let alone roars". Graham Brady, chair of the influential Tory backbench 1922 Committee, warned Mr Cameron against trying to restrain sceptical ministers from speaking out immediately after a deal. If an agreement is reached at the summit, the PM is expected to start making the case for it at a press conference in Brussels and then in TV interviews. Mr Brady insisted there should be a Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue on Saturday or even Friday night. "I think that is absolutely essential," he told Sky News' Murnaghan programme. "It is in everybody's interests to do this as quickly as possible and if it were to appear that David Cameron was seeking to have the whole weekend to himself to put one side of the argument, I think that would look bad for the Remain campaign. Russia 'carpet bombing' civilians in Syria, Philip Hammond claims Philip Hammond has accused Russia of "carpet bombing" civilians in Syria and dismissed the idea Bashar Assad's regime could regain control of the country. The Foreign Secretary said the situation in Aleppo was "extremely worrying" but denied opposition forces could be defeated by Moscow's air power. He also said Russian warnings of a new "world war" if states such as Saudi Arabia intervened on the ground were "gross exaggeration". Philip Hammond told The Andrew Marr Show that Russian warnings of a new 'world war' if states such as Saudi Arabia intervened on the ground in Syria were 'gross exaggeration' (PA/BBC) The comments, in an interview on the BBC's Andrew Marr show, came as a fragile ceasefire deal struck in Munich last week threatened to unravel before it is even implemented. Mr Hammond said Russian President Vladimir Putin was the "one man on this planet who can end the civil war by making a phone call". He said it was "wrong" to claim the "moderate" opposition to the Syrian regime had been crushed. "Russian air attack has caused attrition against the opposition," he said. "There are about 150,000 moderate opposition fighters. I wouldn't call them all democratic but moderate opposition fighters on the ground. "The Russians have launched ferocious air attacks, rapidly increasing the intensity of them over the last few weeks and that has forced them out of some of the positions they controlled. "But the important thing is the Syrian regime does not have the forces, does not have the strength and the organisation to take control of those areas. So, it is a bit of a stalemate. "They can force the opposition to give ground but the regime has not found itself able to take and control that ground." Mr Hammond said the pummelling of the opposition stronghold of Aleppo was "extremely worrying". "The Russians are using carpet bombing tactics, indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas held by oppositionists," he said. "We demand that the Russians comply with their obligations under international law, their obligations under UN Security Council resolutions that they have signed up to." Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has suggested the conflict could snowball into a "world war" if Saudi Arabia and others sent in troops to shore up the opposition. Mr Hammond said: "I think that is a gross exaggeration by the Russians. "The fact that there are Iranian forces on the ground in Syria is a deeply destabilising factor. French PM rejects permanent quota system for refugees By Andreas Rinke and Tatiana Jancarikova MUNICH/BRATISLAVA, Feb 13 (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Manuel Valls rejected on Saturday the idea of a permanent quota system for distributing refugees across Europe, putting Paris at odds with Germany ahead of a summit to discuss the EU crisis over migration. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 refugees European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but would not accept additional numbers. "We won't take any more," Valls said. He expressed admiration for Germany's readiness to take on more refugees, but added: "France never said 'come to France'." German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to push European partners to accept so-called "contingents" of refugees at a meeting on Thursday in Brussels, shortly before European Union leaders come together for their summit. Cobbling together a coalition of countries ready to accept more asylum seekers over time is crucial to Merkel's efforts to convince Turkey to stem the tide of refugees fleeing countries in the Middle East, notably Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will attend the pre-summit meeting. "France rejects this," Valls said of the permanent quota mechanism. He said France had received 80,000 asylum applications last year and was struggling with youth radicalisation and high unemployment. BALKAN BORDERS In another sign of Europe's deep divisions over the influx of migrants and refugees, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said Germany had protested against plans by eastern European leaders to help Macedonia and Bulgaria seal their border with Greece, the entry point into the EU for many migrants. Leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, known as the Visegrad Group, meet on Monday in Prague with their Macedonian and Bulgarian counterparts and could offer them manpower and other aid, diplomats said on Friday. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier - prominent social democrats in the government led by the conservative Merkel - have sent a letter to European Socialist leaders calling for a common approach, a message simultaneously sent to the central European governments. "Such measures must be agreed together and may not be unilaterally directed against one member state," the letter said. Closure of Greece's northern borders could strand migrants in Greece, which has been struggling to protect its sea borders as the huge influx of migrants and refugees arrive via Turkey. "We want an agreement among the Visegrad Four countries that if Greece is not working, and it's not working, it makes more sense to invest money into the protection of borders between Greece and Macedonia, Bulgaria and other countries," Fico said. "We received a demarche (saying) how do we dare as V4, Bulgaria and Macedonia to discuss protection of external borders. Germany has filed a protest with our deputy foreign affairs minister because of this summit, saying we need to seek another way," he said. The Czech government tried to defuse the tension, saying the Visegrad group supported cooperation with Turkey, NATO's engagement in the Aegean Sea and was also ready to increase aid for Greece as well Macedonia and Bulgaria. "We therefore consider help for Macedonia to be a natural part of a European solution of the migration crisis," State Secretary for European affairs Tomas Prouza said. As the European Union gave notice to Athens on Friday that its failure to control hundreds of thousands of refugees landing via Turkey over the past year will see a long-term suspension of some passport-free travel in Europe, EU officials said they expected more border tightening by Greece's Balkan neighbours. Mexico accuses prison officials of homicide after brutal riot MEXICO CITY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The director of a prison in northeast Mexico where 49 people died in a riot this week was accused of murder and detained, along with two others, a state prosecutor said on Saturday. The riot, likely the deadliest in Mexico's history, happened in the old and crowded Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon, just days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis to another jail in Mexico's far north. The prison warden, Gregoria Salazar, and the deputy superintendent, Jesus Fernando Dominguez, were accused of homicide and abuse of authority and placed in preventive custody, said Roberto Flores, Nuevo Leon's prosecutor. A prison guard, Jose Reyes Hernandez, was also detained but accused of homicide, Flores told a news conference. The riot started when fighting broke out in two areas of the Topo Chico prison between supporters of a gang leader known as "Zeta 27" and another group. The prison has long housed members of the feared Zetas drug cartel, who many believed controlled it. "Who is directly responsible? ... The director of the penitentiary," Flores told reporters. For much of the last decade, the Zetas spread terror across Mexico before being debilitated by arrests and the deaths of their founding members. Australia tighten grip on first test By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Brendon McCullum's dismissal in the final over of the day put Australia firmly in control of the first test in Wellington on Sunday as New Zealand were reduced to 178-4, still 201 runs behind the tourists' mammoth first innings of 562. Trapped lbw by Mitchell Marsh for 10, the captain's wicket all but ended New Zealand's hopes of saving the test at the end of the third day's play. Debutant Henry Nicholls was on 31 and will be joined by Corey Anderson when play resumes. McCullum scored 302 and batted for almost 13 hours to save his team against India on the same ground two years ago, but was unable to mount any sort of a rescue against the Australians. The 34-year-old appeared anxious and was almost caught behind the wicket twice before all-rounder Marsh removed him with three balls left before stumps. Adam Voges earlier scored his second test double-century to drive Australia to a 379-run first innings lead. The late-blooming Voges, who was 35 when he made his debut in the Caribbean last June, has scored 1,267 runs in a bountiful test career to date, boasting an average of 97.46. "I'm giving myself every chance to get in each time I bat and when I do get in I'm hungry to score big runs," Voges told reporters. "It has been a great day to get to 200 and to get us into a great position is a very satisfying feeling." New Zealand's second innings had begun promisingly enough with Tom Latham and Martin Guptill putting on 81 for the first wicket. Guptill's fall for 45, however, appeared a wasted chance as he had looked well set before slogging off-spinner Nathan Lyon to Marsh at extra cover. Kane Williamson and Latham took their side through to tea but Williamson fell shortly afterwards for 22 when he feathered a Josh Hazlewood delivery through to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. Latham also wasted a golden opportunity to push on when he fell to a poor shot off Lyon for 63 after notching his seventh half-century. "There are a couple of guys who would be disappointed with their dismissal, but they batted well," New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said. "We want the guys to show intent and be aggressive but sometimes that can go wrong. Sometimes those dismissals look worse than others but for me as long as the guys show the positive intent we will be better off for it." Global slowdown fears overshadow Singapore aviation show By Tim Hepher and Siva Govindasamy SINGAPORE, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Aerospace leaders gathering for this week's Singapore Airshow face conflicting pressures as they juggle growing concerns over jetliner demand while keeping record production plans on track. Worries about the effects of a faltering global economy and tensions in the South China Sea overshadow the two-yearly event in Singapore, which is both a major commercial travel hub and home to Southeast Asia's most potent and best-trained air force. For now, airline traffic continues to grow rapidly, spurred by continued growth in Asian household incomes, while airline profits also benefit from low oil prices. But as aerospace industry shares fall in step with tumbling global markets, analysts increasingly question the durability of an aerospace expansion cycle now in an unprecedented eighth year. After a lacklustre show in Dubai in November, the industry's expo bandwagon rolls into the crucial Southeast Asian region without the carnival atmosphere of previous years. "All the thoughts that this is no longer a cyclical industry have disappeared. We are due for a down-cycle," said aerospace consultant Jerrold Lundquist, managing director of The Lundquist Group. "(But) I don't think there will be any impact in the next 18-24 months. It is when you get beyond 24 months that you might see some softening." Southeast Asia is one of the industry's major drivers and has placed record orders in recent years, leading to speculation of overcapacity. Some carriers, including Philippine Airlines, are expected to acquire new aircraft this week. But rather than counting up new orders, analysts say investors' main concern this week will be to check for signs of waning travel or jetliner demand and whether an overloaded supply chain is in danger of breaking as manufacturers work to turn a record backlog of orders into a smooth flow of deliveries. "We will be keeping a close eye on traffic this year to see if we can detect emerging signs of weakness," said Rob Morris, head of consultancy at UK-based Flightglobal Ascend. Doubts over economic conditions have not stopped Airbus and Boeing pursuing a battle of wits over new designs. Airbus, anxious to close the gap between its new 369-seat A350-1000 and the 406-seat Boeing 777X, is seeking an influential champion such as Singapore Airlines for a potential bigger version of its A350 series, industry sources said. Boeing has said it will decide soon on a potential new "mid-market" jet with about 240 seats to retrieve lost market share for relatively small jets - a project that could lead to a small twin-aisle jet with an unusual, oval-shaped cross-section. Industry experts will scour comments out of Singapore from both manufacturers for clues to what products they intend to launch ahead of July's premier aviation event at Farnborough, southwest of London, coinciding with Boeing's centenary. Defence remains at the forefront of the Singapore show, amid growing tensions over Chinese maritime and territorial claims that compete with those of several Southeast Asian nations. A number of regional states are looking into ways to beef up their fighter fleets and to boost their intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. Intense competition to provide maritime surveillance equipment may also characterise the event, along with a significant presence of Western and Asian unmanned aircraft. Central Africans cast their ballots for peace By Joe Bavier BANGUI, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Central Africans wrapped up voting to elect new democratic leadership on Sunday, determined to turn the page on years of bloodshed that has killed thousands and split the impoverished nation along religious and ethnic lines. One of the world's most chronically unstable countries, Central African Republic was pitched into the worst crisis in its history in early 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Francois Bozize. Christian militias responded to Seleka abuses by attacking the Muslim minority community. One in five Central Africans has fled, either internally or abroad, to escape the violence. Two ex-prime ministers, Faustin-Archange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele, were contesting a presidential run-off that will determine who will be charged with the enormous challenge of restoring peace and reuniting the nation. Touadera has portrayed himself as an anti-corruption stalwart, while Dologuele pledges to revive the economy and draw in investors hesitant until now to exploit significant gold, diamond and uranium deposits. Authorities were also trying to re-run a first round of legislative polls which were cancelled over irregularities. In Bangui's PK5 neighbourhood, the capital's principal remaining Muslim enclave following ethnic cleansing, some voters arrived before dawn to queue at the main polling centre. Alima Zeinabou Shaibou, 32, who like most Muslims in the southwest has been forced to leave her home, crossed the road from the mosque where she now lives with her five children to be among the first voters. "I want there to be a change. I want Christians and Muslims to live together as before," she said. The voting centre in PK5 witnessed violent attacks by local militia during a December constitutional referendum. And though the situation has remained largely calm during the election period, Sunday's vote was held under heavy security. Armed soldiers from MINUSCA, the country's 11,000-strong U.N. mission, guarded polling stations while attack helicopters circled in the skies over Bangui. Armoured vehicles from a 900-soldier French military contingent patrolled the streets. "AN ACT OF LOVE" As voting stations closed around 4 p.m. (1500 GMT), poll workers at a school in central Bangui immediately emptied ballot boxes and began counting votes. Observers and elections officials praised the organisation of the vote, a marked improvement from a Dec. 30 first round when ballot materials arrived late or not at all in many areas. First round turnout of nearly 80 percent was largely viewed as a popular rejection of the violence, which has left the northeast under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian militias roam the southwest. "I wish a happy Valentine's Day to everyone," Dologuele said after casting his vote. "I would like Central Africans to consider (voting today) an act of love for their country." Both Dologuele, a banker, and trained mathematics professor Touadera have made the restoration of peace and security the centrepiece of their campaigns. Both candidates are Christians. They also both have close ties with deposed leader Bozize, a fact that has raised concern among some diplomats and observers who worry that the election result risks changing little. While the polls should reinstate democracy after three years of unpopular interim administrations, analysts warn the election is only the first step in the long process of pulling Central African Republic back from the abyss. "It's cheaper to buy a grenade in Bangui than it is to buy a can of Coke. That's how bad it is here," said Lewis Mudge, Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan hit record high - U.N. By Josh Smith KABUL, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Civilian casualties of the war in Afghanistan rose to record levels for the seventh year in row in 2015, as violence spread across the country in the wake of the withdrawal of most international troops, the United Nations reported on Sunday. At least 3,545 noncombatants died and another 7,457 were injured by fighting last year in a 4-percent increase over 2014, the international organization said in its annual report on civilian casualties. "The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable," Nicholas Haysom, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement. Increasingly desperate fighting between Western-backed government forces and insurgent groups meant more noncombatants are being caught in the crossfire, investigators wrote. Ground engagements were the leading cause of civilian casualties at 37 percent, followed by roadside bombs at 21 percent and suicide attacks at 17 percent. Women and children were especially hard hit, as casualties among women spiked 37 percent while deaths and injuries increased 14 percent among children. Casualties attributed to pro-government security forces jumped 28 percent compared to 2014, for 15 percent of the total. A 9-percent rise in civilian casualties caused by international military forces was attributed largely to a U.S. air strike in October on a Doctors Without Borders hospital that killed 42 staff, patients, family members and injured another 43. Overall 103 civilians were killed and 67 wounded by foreign forces last year, the report found. As in past years, insurgent groups like the Taliban were blamed for the majority of civilian deaths and injuries, at 62 percent. Investigators accused insurgents of increasingly using tactics that "deliberately or indiscriminately" caused harm to civilians. Residents in the north and south were particularly hard hit as Afghan security forces struggled to hold off resurgent Taliban offensives in Kunduz and Helmand provinces, among other areas. "The report references commitments made by all parties to the conflict to protect civilians, however, the figures documented in 2015 reflect a disconnect between commitments made and the harsh reality on the ground," said Danielle Bell, director of the U.N. human rights programme in Afghanistan. "The expectation of continued fighting in the coming months combined with the current levels of civilian casualties, demonstrate the critical need for immediate steps to be taken by all parties to the conflict to prevent harm to civilians," she said. U.S.'s Kerry in Albania to encourage anti-corruption reforms By Warren Strobel TIRANA, Albania, Feb 14(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Albania on Sunday to encourage the country's leaders to complete anti-corruption reforms that could improve the country's chances of joining the European Union. Kerry was to meet with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as well as opposition leaders. The Balkan country is a close NATO ally, but has struggled to halt the intertwining of political and criminal power a generation after the end of Communism. The parliament in Tirana is weighing a major package of reforms, backed by the West, that includes a new anti-corruption unit, modeled after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Kerry will give it a nudge," said a senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. secretary of state plans to "reinforce the message that this particular package of legislation is part of cleaning up Albania, not only so that it can make its case to the EU, but also to improve the climate for investment," the official said. In December, Albania's parliament voted to kick anyone with a criminal record out of politics and the state administration. Albania has received sustained U.S. economic assistance, including $20 million thus far to reform its judiciary and law enforcement. Tirana, in return, has frequently helped Washington with its foreign policy goals. For example, Albania has given 15,000 tons of excess, Soviet-era ammunition to Kurdish fighters and Iraqi Security Forces battling Islamic State, the State Department official said. Kerry and Rama also plan to discuss the problem of people leaving the Balkans to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Albania, U.S. officials said, has cracked down on the flow, reporting 140 citizens who left to fight in the Middle East in 2013-2014, compared with none in recent months. Israel pessimistic on Syria ceasefire, eyes sectarian partition By Dan Williams JERUSALEM, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Israel voiced doubt on Sunday that an international ceasefire plan for Syria would work, with one senior official suggesting a sectarian partition of the country might be preferable. While formally neutral on the five-year civil war wracking its neighbour, Israel has some sway among the world powers that have mounted armed interventions and which on Friday agreed on a "cessation of hostilities" to begin within a week. The deal, clinched at a Munich security conference, is already beset by recriminations between Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad militarily and wants to see his rule restored, and Western powers that have called for change in Damascus involving some opposition groups. "The situation in Syria is very complex, and it is hard to see how the war and mass killing there are stopped," Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, in Munich to meet European counterparts and Jordan's King Abdullah, said in statement. "Syria as we have known it will not be united anew in the foreseeable future, and at some point I reckon that we will see enclaves, whether organised or not, formed by the various sectors that live and are fighting there." Ram Ben-Barak, director general of Israel's Intelligence Ministry, described partition as "the only possible solution". "I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there - the Alawites where they are, the Sunnis where they are," Ben-Barak told Israel's Army Radio, referring to Assad's minority sect and the majority Muslim denomination, respectively. "I can't see how a situation can be reached where those same 12 percent Alawites go back to ruling the Sunnis, of whom they killed half a million people there. Listen, that's crazy." Helped by Russian firepower, Syrian government forces and their allies have been encircling rebel-held areas of Aleppo. That would give Assad effective control of western Syria, Ben-Barak said, although much of the east is dominated by Islamic State insurgents. An Assad victory in Aleppo, Ben-Barak said, "will not solve the problem, because the battles will continue. You have ISIS there and the rebels will not lay down their weapons." While sharing foreign worries about Islamic State advances, Israel worries that the common threat from the insurgents has created a de-facto axis between world powers and its arch-foe Iran, which also has troops helping Assad. "As long as Iran is in Syria, the country will not return to what it was, and it will certainly find it difficult to become stable as a country that is divided into enclaves, because the Sunni forces there will not allow this," Yaalon said. Experts warn it could make Zika harder to fight and possibly lengthen the time frame within which the disease can be transmitted The Zika virus is adept at entrenching itself in parts of the body that are shielded from the immune system, experts fear. The virus's apparent ability to 'hide', could make it harder to fight and possibly lengthen the time frame within which it can be transmitted. Researchers reported that Zika virus can be detected in semen for 62 days after a person is infected, adding to evidence of the virus's presence in fetal brain tissue, placenta and amniotic fluid. Their work is part of an international race to understand the risks associated with Zika, a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne virus thought to be linked to thousands of cases of birth defects in Brazil. The Zika virus could entrench itself in organs in the body, such as the eyes, testes, placenta and brain, where it can shield itself from the immune system, Dr Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health warned Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said: 'Right now, we know it's in the blood for a very limited period of time, measured in a week to at most 10 days. 'We know now, as we accumulate experience, it can be seen in the seminal fluid. We're not exactly sure after the infection clears, where else it would be. 'These are all things that need to be carefully examined in natural history and case-control studies,' he said. Dr Fauci said that Zika's persistence in the body recalled findings during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, the worst on record. In individual patients, the highly deadly virus remained in semen and eye fluid for months. Zika causes only mild symptoms, and in most cases may not result in illness at all. Its suspected link to the birth defect microcephaly and to neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome has generated alarm among public health officials, though an association has not been proven. The World Health Organization declared Zika a global health emergency on February 1. Several organs in the body, including the testes, the eyes, the placenta and the brain, are 'immune privileged' - protected from attacks launched by the immune system to neutralize foreign invaders. The Zika outbreak sweeping through the Americas was declared an international emergency over 'strong links' between the virus and the birth defect microcephaly, where babies are born with smaller than usual heads and often severe brain damage These sites are safeguarded from antibodies to prevent the immune system from attacking vital tissues. But if a virus enters these protected sites, it is much harder to fight them off. 'The virus can continue to persist and or multiply,' said Dr William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. 'The virus is in a bubble of sorts.' Dr Fauci said it is not entirely surprising that Zika persists in semen. There have already been at least two reports in which the virus was likely transmitted sexually. What has not been clear is for how long. British researchers offered some clues on Friday. In a letter to the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, scientists reported the case of a 68-year-old man who was infected with Zika in 2014. They detected Zika virus 62 days after the initial infection, but they were not able to confirm whether it could still infect another person. Last week, researchers in Slovenia published a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine describing a severely brain damaged fetus from a mother who was infected with Zika in Brazil and later terminated the pregnancy. In an autopsy, the authors found high levels of Zika in the brain and some evidence that the virus had been replicating. They suggested that Zika may persist in the fetal brain because it is an immunologically privileged site. That is true of many other viruses, such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus or herpes, which can also cross the placenta and cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size and underdeveloped brains. The typical route of Zika transmission is after being bitten by an Aedes mosquito, pictured, which carry the virus. However, during the current outbreak there has been on report of the virus being transmitted sexually Doctors commonly screen pregnant women for these infections, said Dr Ian Lipkin of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University in New York. Dr Lipkin said the key concern about Zika harboring in immune protected sites is that it could be transmitted sexually through semen. So far, there is little to suggest sexual transmission is common, said Dr Eric Rubin, an infectious disease expert at the Harvard School of Public Health, 'but it will bear looking at so that we can counsel individuals about the risk that they pose to others'. U.S. health officials advise that men who come to the country from Zika outbreak areas should consider using condoms even with non-pregnant sex partners because the virus may persist in semen even after it clears the bloodstream. 'They don't say for how long,' Dr Schaffner said. 'That's because they don't know. As it was with Ebola, we're learning as we go.' Obama urges Russia to stop bombing "moderate" Syria rebels By Tom Perry and Jeff Mason BEIRUT/RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif., Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial centre before the conflict. There is little optimism that the deal reached in Munich will do much to end a war that has lasted five years and cost 250,000 lives. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin and Obama had spoken by telephone and agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the Munich agreement. But a Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and "other terrorist organisations", an indication that it would also target groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting Assad in close proximity to rebels deemed moderate by the West. Russia says the "cessation" does not apply to its air strikes, which have shifted the balance of power towards Assad. It says Islamic State and the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front are the main targets of its air campaign. But Western countries say Russia has in fact been mostly targeting other insurgent groups, including some they support. The White House said Obama's discussion with Putin stressed the need to rush humanitarian aid to Syria and contain air strikes. "In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," the White House said in a statement. AID THREATENED Relief workers said efforts to deliver humanitarian aid were being threatened by the latest escalation of violence. "We must ask again, why wait a week for this urgently needed cessation of hostilities?" said Dalia al-Awqati, Mercy Corps director of programs for North Syria. The situation in Syria has been complicated by the involvement of Kurdish-backed combatants in the area north of Aleppo near the Turkish border, which has drawn a swift military response from artillery in Turkey. The Kurdish YPG militia, helped by Russian air raids, seized an ex-military air base at Menagh last week, angering Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group that waged a bloody insurgent campaign on Turkish soil over most of the past three decades. Turkey began shelling while demanding that the YPG militia withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels in the northern Aleppo region in recent days, including the Menagh air base. The bombardment killed two YPG fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party rejected Turkish demands for withdrawal, while the Syrian government said Turkish shelling of northern Syria amounted to direct support for insurgent groups. France called on Turkey to stop the shelling, but Turkey said it would continue to respond to Kurdish militia attacks in Syria. Syria also said Turkish forces were believed to be among 100 gunmen that entered Syria on Saturday with a dozen pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns in an operation to supply rebel fighters. Other fronts were also active on Sunday. Kurdish-backed forces were fighting with insurgent groups near Tel Rifaat in the northern Aleppo countryside, while farther south, government forces renewed their shelling of rebel positions to the northwest of Aleppo city. The Syria Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the YPG, gained more ground from insurgents north of Aleppo, capturing a village on the road between the two rebel-held towns of Tel Rifaat and Azaz, the Observatory reported. It also reported air strikes by jets believed to be Russian in areas east of Damascus, north of Homs, and in the southern province of Deraa. Reaction from politicians in the West to the Munich deal was sceptical. U.S. Senator John McCain said he did not view the deal as a breakthrough. "Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week," he said at security conference in Munich. "Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime," McCain said. A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had gained the upper hand in Syria through armed force. Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, said Russia was determined to create "facts on the ground", to bolster its negotiating position. 'RECONCILIATION' As the fighting continued, the Syrian army urged citizens in Deraa province, the Ghouta area east of Damascus, and in rural districts east of Aleppo to quickly seek "reconciliation" with the government. So-called local reconciliation agreements are often seen as a means for the government to force surrender on insurgents, and have typically followed lengthy blockades of rebel areas and the civilians living there. Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base to join the fight against Islamic State, but said any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria must await a decision by the U.S.-led coalition combating the militants. Any ground operations in Syria will lead to "a full-fledged, long war", Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned. Australian PM in second revamp of ministry ahead of elections By Morag MacKinnon PERTH, Australia, Feb. 13 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Saturday announced more than a dozen changes to his ministry, the second major reshuffle in the five months he has been leader and ahead of national elections expected later this year. Turnbull was forced into the major cabinet reshuffle by the resignation of one minister, the retirement of two long-standing senior ministers and the sacking of two others over their involvement in political scandals. The new cabinet lineup represents "a dynamic team which combines youth, new talent, experience, continuity, and a real sense of innovation and enterprise", Turnbull told a news conference in Sydney. "Change offers opportunity...there comes a time when you need to transition from older leadership to newer leadership. Turnover, change, is good...is is a revitalised government and it is revitalised because of new blood coming in," he said. Turnbull's Liberal-National coalition is the frontrunner to win elections expected in October - his first poll as Liberal party leader and prime minister. A victory would secure Turnbull a popular mandate and secure his position as party leader. Turnbull ousted former Liberal leader Tony Abbott in a leadership coup last September and is under pressure to unite his divided government. The retirement of Australia's deputy prime minister on Thursday saw Turnbull inherit a National party political rival, hard-right, climate change sceptic as his deputy, an appointment that could block any revamp of an emissions trading scheme and give farmers a greater say in government policy. Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce became deputy prime minister when he was voted to lead the coalition's minor partner, the Nationals. Turnbull appointed eight new ministers and boosted the number of women in his cabinet from five to six on Saturday. The major change sees Australia's trade minister Andrew Robb, who led negotiations for landmark free trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea and the multinational Trans-Pacific Partnership, become a special trade envoy. He will be replaced as trade minister by Steven Ciobo. Australia is in the midst of several trade negotiations, including free trade deals with India and Singapore. The coalition government won a landslide election in 2013 but Abbott saw his popularity plummet in the wake of a hugely unpopular 2014 austerity budget. Plummeting commodity prices have depleted the government's coffers, a major financial stumbling block for Turnbull, whose rise was sparked partly by his image as a prudent financial manager based on his background in the private sector. Sarkozy party rivals challenge re-election bid, snub speech By Ingrid Melander PARIS, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faced growing opposition on Sunday in his own party to his bid to return to power next year, with three leading rivals snubbing a major speech and a fourth joining the race. Before officials of his Republicans party, Sarkozy - who has not yet declared his candidacy - outlined a programme of curbing immigration and cutting taxes that he wants as the conservative party's platform for the 2017 presidential election. But the main declared hopefuls - former prime ministers Alain Juppe and Francois Fillon and ex-agriculture minister Bruno Le Maire - were conspicuously absent. They have already said they would not be bound by Sarkozy's policy proposals. Another rival, former party leader Jean-Francois Cope, chose Sunday to announce that he would also run in the party's primary election in November to choose its candidate for president. In a further sign of dissatisfaction in the ranks, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former prime minister and party heavyweight, announced that he was backing Juppe. Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012 when he lost his reelection bid to Socialist Francois Hollande, urged his party to unite in the face of a strong challenge from far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen. "It would be unacceptable for us to be divided at a time when the National Front is so strong," said Sarkozy, who began his political comeback in 2014 by winning election as leader of the UMP party, which he renamed The Republicans. But Raffarin suggested Sarkozy was ignoring his own advice. "I have told Nicolas Sarkozy his strategy was too divisive," he told BFM TV. "I prefer someone who tries to unite." Some 48 percent of conservative voters think Juppe - who has also been foreign and defence minister in various governments - would be the party's best candidate in 2017 versus only 20 percent for Sarkozy, a BVA poll published on Saturday showed. Sarkozy's policy proposals were staunchly conservative, including an overhaul of labour laws, construction of more jails and tightened border controls. He also spoke of France's Christian roots, a code phrase for a strict line against any concessions to demands from its large Muslim minority. The former president plans to put the proposals to a vote of all party members in April. Sarkozy has not officially announced his candidacy for 2017 but Raffarin said he should not be ruled out: "We should not under-estimate Nicolas Sarkozy's potential, neither his intelligence nor his capacity to rebound." U.S. senators urge Poland to respect democracy, rule of law WARSAW, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Poland should recommit to the respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law, three U.S. senators said in a letter sent to the prime minister, referring to new laws on media and the constitutional court. Poland's ruling party, the conservative and eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS), has packed the constitutional court with its appointees and changed the court's voting system, curbing its ability to censure legislation. It has also passed a law giving the government direct control over the appointment of public media chiefs. This has already raised concern in the European Commission, which began an unprecedented inquiry into whether Poland's new government, which won an outright majority in October, has breached the EU's democratic standards. U.S. three senators -- Ben Cardin, John McCain and Richard J. Durbin -- said in their letter to Beata Szydlo dated on Feb. 10 that they were concerned about the actions taken. The letter, posted on Cardin's website, described them as having close ties to Polish-American communities in the United States. They said Poland's action "threaten the independence of state media and the country's highest court and undermine Poland's role as a democratic model for other countries in the region still going through difficult transitions". "We urge your government to recommit to the core principles of the OSCE and the EU, including the respect for democracy, human rights, and rule of law," the letter said. Szydlo replied on Sunday, also in a letter, that was made available for some local media. Szydlo blamed the former government for the situation in the constitutional court and said the new media law did not breach any European standards. Congo opposition leader briefly detained ahead of general strike KINSHASA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo briefly detained a prominent opposition leader on Sunday, the government said, two days before a general strike to pressure President Joseph Kabila to step down from office. Kabila is required by the constitution to stand aside in December after 15 years in power. Critics accuse him of trying to delay a presidential vote due in November in order to stay in office. Dozens died in protests over this issue last year. Martin Fayulu, president of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development (ECIDE) party and one of the organisers of Tuesday's strike, was held briefly for "incitation to public disorder", government spokesman Lambert Mende told Reuters, declining to elaborate further. Mende said Fayulu was released after a few hours because of his immunity as a national deputy. Investigators will transfer his dossier to parliament, which could authorise judicial proceedings against him, he added. Mende declined to say who had detained Fayulu. The director of the U.N.'s Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in Congo, Jose Maria Aranaz, confirmed Fayulu's release on Sunday evening, adding he had been detained by Congo's military intelligence service. Opposition leaders have called for all Congolese people to stay at home on Tuesday. It is not clear how well observed the strike is likely to be. "It's the same pattern of intimidation contrary to freedom of peaceful assembly enshrined in the constitution," said Aranaz. As Indonesia hunts down Islamic State, homegrown jihadis regroup By Randy Fabi and Kanupriya Kapoor JAKARTA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - As Indonesian counter-terrorism forces hunt down supporters of Islamic State following last month's gun and suicide bomb attack in Jakarta, a quiet resurgence is unfolding of a homegrown radical network with a far deadlier track record here. That group is Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), whose network was until recently thought to have been severely degraded by a crackdown that put hundreds of its leaders and followers behind bars after a series of attacks on Western interests in the 2000s. But Reuters interviews with two active and one former member of Jemaah Islamiyah have revealed that it is active again, enlisting new supporters, raising funds and sending men to train in war-torn Syria. "JI is currently in preparation level. They have not done any operations but they are recruiting people, strengthening their knowledge, education, network and finances," said Nasir Abas, a former member. "I would not underestimate them." Jakarta-based security analyst Sidney Jones believes Jemaah Islamiyah's membership is back to around 2,000, where it was before its most notorious attack, a bombing on the resort island of Bali that killed over 200 people, most of them Australians. JI suspects arrested recently were found with caches of arms. Experts say there is no evidence that the emergence of the ultra-violent group Islamic State from the crucible of conflict in the Middle East has prompted the revival of Jemaah Islamiyah in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. Jemaah Islamiyah had links in the past to al-Qaeda, which Islamic State sees as a rival, but its resurgence is not being read as intra-jihadi competition playing out in Southeast Asia. ORGANISED AND WELL FUNDED Islamic State stamped its presence in the region for the first time last month when local supporters of the group launched a broad-daylight assault at a busy intersection in central Jakarta with explosives and guns. Eight people were killed, four of them the attackers themselves. Police are on alert for further strikes by Islamic State followers, but say these are likely to be far from the scale of the attack on Paris last November because the group lacks organisational strength in Indonesia. They believe Jemaah Islamiyah's sophisticated training, organisation, and funding could pose a bigger security threat. Former Jemaah Islamiyah member Nasir Abas said its ranks still include older men who trained in Afghanistan in the 1980s and returned with combat experience and bomb-making skills. Then there is the more ample funding: Experts estimate that the weapons used in last month's attack on the Indonesian capital cost no more than $70, a shoestring budget compared to the $50,000 spent to launch the Bali bombings back in 2002. Jemaah Islamiyah once had cells across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, with a goal of establishing an Islamic state across the region. Current members say it is no longer transnational and is focused on Indonesia, where its strategy is to win public backing for its ideology and ambition. "We must be peaceful up to a certain point, otherwise how will we win public support?" Abu Rusydan, whom many believe to be its current leader, told Reuters by telephone. "If the Indonesian government can understand our message through words then we don't need to carry out (attacks like) the Bali bombing. When asked why Jemaah Islamiyah was sending men to Syria, Abu Rusydan said it was "to provide humanitarian services". "IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL" Changes to Indonesia's anti-terrorism law, which would give police more power to detain suspects pre-emptively and prohibit Indonesians from joining overseas militant organisations, are under consideration following last month's attack. A Jakarta court last week jailed seven men accused of having links to Islamic State. Among several suspected militants rounded up by police since December were four Jemaah Islamiyah-linked men who were found with bomb-making materials, guns and books on waging jihad. But senior security sources say monitoring the activities of Jemaah Islamiyah members is difficult because much of the group went underground after key figures were arrested. One source said that, like Islamic State supporters, Jemaah Islamiyah members use social media such as the messaging app Telegram but tracking them is harder. And, legally, little can be done to stop the recruitment and education campaign underway in parts of Indonesia's most populous island Java. Abu Rusydan, who spent 3-1/2 years in prison for his role in the Bali bombings, lives openly in Central Java where he leads prayers and sermons at his neighbourhood mosque. Taufik Andrie, who works with a deradicalisation non-governmental organisation in Jakarta, says Jemaah Islamiyah is in for the long haul, recruiting very smart and patient people. "They are very careful about not pushing their members to get involved in small violent actions," he said. Analyst Jones believes they are unlikely to mount a major attack any time soon as it could lose them community support. "They believe deeply they have to be ready ... once the political situation becomes more amenable to make a push for an Islamic state," she said. Libya's presidential council announces revised unity government SKHIRAT, Morocco, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Libya's Presidential Council named a revised lineup late on Sunday for a unity government under a United Nations-backed plan aimed at ending the conflict in the North African state. One of the council's members, Fathi al-Majbari, said in a televised statement that the list of 13 ministers and five ministers of state had been sent to Libya's eastern parliament for approval. But in a sign of continuing divisions over how to bring together Libya's warring factions, two of the council's nine members refused for a second time to put their signatures to the proposed government, according to a document posted on the Presidential Council's Facebook page. The U.N. plan under which the unity government has been named was designed to help Libya stabilise and tackle a growing threat from Islamic State militants. It was signed in Morocco in December, but has been opposed by hard-liners on both sides from the start and suffered repeated delays. "We call on Libyans suffering from the fighting ... and the members of parliament to support the Government of National Accord, which will provide the framework to fight terrorism," Majbari said. Libya slid into conflict soon after the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi five years ago. Since 2014, it has had two competing governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east, both of which are backed by loose alliances of armed brigades and former rebels. Islamic State has taken advantage of a security vacuum to establish a foothold in Libya, taking control of the city of Sirte and threatening to expand from there. Western governments have urged Libyan factions to back the unity government so that it can start taking on the threat and call in international support where needed. Last month the eastern parliament, which has been recognised internationally, rejected an initial proposal for a unity government amid complaints that, at 32, the number of ministers nominated was too high. There have also been divisions over the distribution of posts and the future control of Libya's armed forces. Prime Minister-designate Fayez Seraj, who also heads the Presidential Council, told reporters on Sunday that the latest appointments took into account "experience, competence, geographical distribution, the political spectrum and the components of Libyan society". Many of the names on Sunday's list were different from last month's proposal, though the nominee for the key post of defence minister, Mahdi al-Barghathi, was unchanged. Muslims in India have long been complaining about pervasive discrimination against their community, and sometimes even being treated as second class citizens by the Indian state. But, is it only the state that is responsible for the terrible condition of Muslims in the country or can the community also be held responsible for it? The largest minority group in India - Muslims - who form more than 14 per cent of the population is notably lagging behind all other religious communities in the country. The Muslims are not only trailing in comparison to the majority community of the country (Hindus) but also in comparison to other, much smaller, minority communities like Sikhs, Jains et al. They are lacking in terms of social status, political activism, financial condition, educational qualification and in almost every other factor that defines prosperity of a community. This condition was acknowledged in 2006 in the Sachar Committee report. The committee was tasked with filing a report on social, economic and educational status of Muslims in the country. Apart from the undeniable fact that successive governments have discriminated against the Muslims at various levels, the community itself, to an extent, is also responsible for its appalling condition in the country today. The Muslims lag behind in four major areas which, in my opinion, always play a pivotal role in assuming power, or, at least in having a reasonable say in matters concerning each and every citizen. Firstly, Muslims in India are divided on political lines and have little or no national leadership. Secondly, they are hardly found in country's civil services and public administration. Thirdly, the community is also grossly under-represented in the field of journalism. Moreover, Muslims in India have dismal entrepreneurial ambitions. It is an unfortunate fact that despite having sizeable numbers, Indian Muslims stand nowhere in the political arena of the country. There is not even a single political party which genuinely represents the Muslims. However, there are a number of parties with many Muslim leaders who work at loggerheads with each other to exploit the community for votes during elections but do not really work for the long-term welfare of the community. Once elected, they forget about the community and work on advancing merely their political careers. Political representation of the Muslims stands disproportionately low at six-to-eight per cent while their population in India is over 14 per cent. The two major political parties in the country, the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), nevertheless, boast of many Muslim leaders who try to woo the community whenever required. But the BJP's association with the extremist right-wing organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) puts it at odds with the Muslim community at the outset. The Congress is also hardly different from the BJP, albeit largely considered a secular political party. The difference between the two parties is best described by one of India's most renowned authors, Arundhati Roy: "Congress has done covertly, stealthily, hypocritically, shame-facedly, what the BJP does with pride." In spite of this, Muslim leaders do not refrain from being used by these political parties and keep supporting them for their individual short-term political gains. For instance, Uttar Pradesh, which has the largest number of Muslims and holds a significant importance in the electoral process of the country also has a good number of influential Muslim political leaders. But ironically, those leaders can hardly be said to be making collective efforts to combat the problems plaguing the Muslims today. Most of them are seen vying against each other for political dominance. And religious organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadees Hind, Sunni Dawat-e-Islami, and others, which have the potential of leading the much-needed reform from within the community are apparently shackled with centuries-old faith issues. Perhaps the only matter that concerns them is the way Islam should be practised by the community. The second major area where there must be a balanced representation from every community is public administration, and here, too, Muslims perform miserably. The top bureaucratic positions in the country namely the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) are alarmingly under-represented by Muslims. The approximate figure of Muslims in these services stands shockingly low at two-three per cent. It should be noted that the majority of Muslims are not even eligible for these posts as very few of them are university graduates. Surveys suggest that roughly five per cent of Muslims in the country have successfully completed university education. In the field of journalism as well, Muslims are hardly anywhere to be seen. There are very few Muslim journalists of national prominence, let alone the existence of an influential media outlet owned by them. Even if there are some TV channels and newspapers run by Muslims in the country, their reach is not beyond the Muslim community for two specific reasons. First, because they mainly cover issues of the Muslim community only and largely ignore matters concerning other communities. And second, because the majority of these outlets are in Urdu which is not a very common language in present-day India. According to some data, hardly five per cent of the Indian population can read and write in this language. Consequently, these media groups lack readership/viewership and thus a very important source for Muslims to reach the wider society is limited. Their voices remain unheard by the public in general, and they become a soft target for stereotyping by right-wing media houses. Finally, the Muslim community unfortunately also largely remains the job-seeker rather than also producing some job-givers. Except businessmen like Azim Premji of Wipro, Yusuf Hamied of Cipla, Shahid Balwa of DB Reality and a few others, there are few prominent Muslim names in the corporate world. According to a report, among the top 500 companies which are listed either on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) or the National Stock Exchange (NSE), not even one per cent are owned by Muslims. It is worth reiterating that Muslims constitute over 14 per cent of the Indian population and counts about 133,295,077 people, if not more. The road ahead In this situation, great responsibilities lie with the institutions associated with the community, religious leaders and its well-off members. Universities like Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia, which are some of the top priorities for Muslim students in the country, must be able to produce some of the finest professionals in different fields who would not only care for their individual well-being but would also show concern for the community at large. These universities must hold themselves to high academic and social standards. Besides craving for excellence in education and learning, they must also promote democratic, liberal and secular values, and inculcate understanding of moral responsibilities among the students. The Muslim community desperately needs politicians with these values and these universities can greatly contribute to this cause. The religious leaders must heed the need of the hour to reform the various education, social, and cultural institutions they run. The importance and need of education, not just religious, but also modern and secular, must be stressed. It should be noted that such reforms can only come from within the community and outside intervention, whether state or non-state, is not only unjustifiable but is also bound to fail. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the well-educated and influential members of the community to push for these reforms. These people should also make collective efforts to ensure a fall in dropout rates at all academic levels. The well-off members of the community should institute scholarships and other aides to ensure that deserving and talented young students do not drop out from school or university owing to financial problems. The state in Pakistan has allowed Islamist clergy and non-state actors to define what it means to be a Pakistani, says Pak minister. (Photo" AFP) New Delhi: Pakistan has suffered immensely from supporting extremist jihadis and time has come for it to end 'good jihadi, bad jihadi' distinctions and recognise that those who attack Pathankot can also attack Peshawar, says Pakistani politician and policy analyst Farahnaz Ispahani. Noting that 60,000 Pakistanis have died at the hands of terrorists, she says, "Pathankot is a reminder of jihadi influence in Pakistan and a warning that we need to fight all jihadi groups, including those that attack across our borders." "It is time for Pakistan to end good Jihadi, bad jihadi distinctions and recognise that those who attack Pathankot can also attack Peshawar, Ispahani told PTI in an interview. The former Member of Pakistan Parliament and wife of the countrys ex-ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani has recently come out with a book titled, Purifying The Land of The Pure: Pakistans Religious Minorities, published by HarperCollins India. She says the book is a labour of love, the result of years of watching the transformation of the country she was born in and she loves. "After spending years working as a journalist, a human rights activist, and a legislator, I wanted to narrate how Pakistan changed over the years and what is the situation of religious minorities in my country of birth," the former media advisor to the president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2012 says. The book, she says, is a must read for every Pakistani and anyone who wants to understand Pakistan, adding it is about how over the decades in Pakistan there has been a gradual purification of its minorities, both Muslim and non-Muslim. On the state of religious minorities in Pakistan, Ispahani says minorities both Muslim and non-Muslim face discrimination, threat and violence on a regular basis. Pakistan was created as a Muslim homeland and in 1947, non-Muslim minorities comprised 23 per cent of its population, today that number is 3 per cent. As I point out in my book starting with the Objectives Resolution there has been a gradual Islamisation of the Pakistani state and society. An educational curriculum that preaches hatred against minorities, a legal system that discriminates against them and a national identity that emphasises that you are Pakistani only if you are Sunni Muslim has created an environment that has both tolerated and boosted extremism, she says. Asked how Hindus are viewed in Pakistan, she says, In the case of Pakistan, starting with the Objectives Resolution, religion has defined Pakistani identity. The state in Pakistan has allowed Islamist clergy and non-state actors to define what it means to be a Pakistani and the educational curriculum and media have only perpetuated this narrative. Communal majoritarianism is posing a threat to minorities everywhere in the world. India is no exception. India has the advantage of having a secular constitution which Pakistan did not develop. According to Ispahani, Pakistan has faced attacks against its minorities dating back to the days of Partition. The anti-Ahmadi riots of 1953 and 1974, the anti-Hindu riots in the early 1960s and during 1970-71, the attacks against Christians, Ahmadis and Shias starting from the 1980s onwards demonstrate the creation of an environment where not just intolerance but violence against minorities has grown, she says. The rise of Islamism has created havoc with the lives of ordinary Pakistanis: mothers don't know if their children will return home safe from school and Christians and Ahmadis especially fear being falsely accused of blasphemy, she says. She, however, adds that the silver lining is that the rise in extremism has emboldened Pakistani society and awakened its civilian leaders to the dangers of extremism. More Pakistanis are staking their lives to change Pakistan and to protect their neighbours and friends, who are threatened. Pakistan's political leaders are celebrating non-Muslim festivals and trying to change the educational curriculum in a few provinces like Punjab and Sindh, she says. Pakistanis, both leaders and the public, need to work together to recreate Jinnah's vision of a Pakistan where all, irrespective of their religious affiliation, could live together in one country, she suggests. She feels the time of General Zia ul Haq was the worst for Pakistanis, especially the minorities. Zia's ordinances and laws, his use of non-state jihadi actors for both domestic and foreign policy all contributed to worsening the situation. Ispahani started researching for her book in 2012 when I was provided an excellent opportunity to bring my skills of journalism, politics and activism to work as a policy analyst at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC. My time there provided me with the opportunity to conduct extensive research on my book on Pakistan's religious minorities, a subject that is close to my heart. I spent two years researching my book conducting interviews and looking up archival material and wrote the book in 2015, she says. On the title of her book, she says, I was born in a cosmopolitan Karachi and grew up in a Pakistan where I went to school with Hindu, Parsi and Christian friends in addition to Muslims. There was a Jewish synagogue in the heart of the city. Over the years I have watched a slow purification of Pakistan and the attempt to create an Islamic state and society. V. Balachandran, the former senior RAW official and member of the two-member committee, which investigated the police performance during the 26/11 attacks, told this newspaper that after convicted terrorist David Coleman Headleys deposition in Indian court, we should use the judicial route to put International pressure on Pakistan through the United Nations and by political lobbying. Amid wide debate that Headley should have been brought back and convicted for his crimes here, Mr. Balachandran said that we had to choose the lesser evil from two evils. Mr. Balachandran said, We need to prepare a report on all the terror activities carried out by Pakistan on Indian soil for over 26 years now. The report should include the attack in Kashmir Assembly, Parliament attack, Akshardham temple attack, the 26/11 attacks and all other attacks carried out by Pakistan. LeT is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Also, Headleys deposition shows they were planning more attacks. Terrorism is going on as usual in Pakistan. We need to submit this report to the United Nations and put International pressure on Pakistan. There are UN conventions on terrorism signed by Pakistan also. They have breached them. We also need to do strategic political lobbying with US, British, Canada, and Australia. It involves a lot of hard work, but we need to start, he added. Mr. Balachandran said that Pakistan is least bothered about the Indian diplomacy and dialogues. The crime branch, Mumbai succeeded in bringing 55-year-old Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley evidence on record in Indian court in which he has spilled beans about role of Pakistans Intelligence agency ISI and Lashkar-e-Toiba in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks case. Though Headley did not speak anything about Sayed Zabiuddin who is facing the trial, he has told a lot about role of the ISI and other terror organisations. Headley's deposition before the special court in Mumbai is expected to help India in proving that Pakistan is housing terror organisations including but not limited to LeT and, Al-Qaeda and that all these organisations have ISIs support. He sang and how Last week, Pakistani-American LeT operative David Headley deposed before a Mumbai court via video link and made a plethora of revelations. Why is his deposition significant? The deposition of Headley assumes significance as it may unravel the conspiracy behind the brazen terror strike, which left 166 people dead. In which case is he appearing? The court is currently trying key plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is facing trial for his alleged role in the terror attacks, which held the city to ransom for three days. From Dawood to Headley Headley, who is currently serving 35 years sentence in the US for his role in terror attacks, said he changed his name from Daood Gilani to Headley in 2006 so that he could enter India and set up business. LeT and Al-Qaeda were convinced that 26/11 attack masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman would face only superficial action from the Pakistani authorities and within months plans were afoot for another terror strike in India, he said. Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI provides financial, military and moral support to terror outfits LeT, JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen, he said. Most probably, one of the biggest revelations by him was on Ishrat Jahan. Headley said that young Ishrat was an operative of LeT. No end to mayhem Headley said that the Al-Qaeda was in touch with him to attack Delhis National Defence College and unravelled the plot by LeT and ISI to target Mumbai airport, Barc and the Naval air station in Mumbai. What message did The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri) send to its own employees and to workplaces all over India when it promoted R.K. Pachauri to the post of executive vice-chairman? Facing mounting criticism, Mr Pachauri has now been sent on indefinite leave. But much damage has been done. Mr Pachauri was found guilty of sexual harassment by an internal complaints committee (ICC) in 2015. He is facing a criminal complaint of sexual harassment from one former employee, and another former employee has come forward recently to make a complaint. By promoting him, Teri was telling its women employees that sexual harassment persistent unwanted sexual advances by a boss at the workplace is something they must put up with in silence. A powerful boss, they were saying, is entitled to demand sexual favours from younger women employees and that it is no big deal. And by remaining silent on the promotion by Teri, which receives government funding, the government of India was giving Indias women this same message. The woman who came forward to complain recently, has said that she was laughed at when she had sought to complain. The 29-year-old research assistant who complained a year ago, was forced to quit her job because Teri made it clear that it would protect the interests of the accused, Mr Pachauri, and not the young woman employee. Teris governing council took no cognisance of the findings of the ICC. When they replaced Mr Pachauri with a new director-general, they made no mention of the sexual harassment charges that necessitated the change; rather they claimed the change had been made in the normal course of things. And they then proceeded to bring Mr Pachauri back, creating an even more powerful post in order to rehabilitate him. After Mr Pachauri went on leave, Teri appointed former finance secretary Ashok Chawla as the new chairperson. The conduct of the Delhi Police, too, in the matter is notable. Under the Criminal Law Amendment Act (2013), the amended Section 309 of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that in rape trials the proceedings shall be continued day-to-day and as far as possible be completed within a period of two months from the date of filing of the chargesheet. The complaint against Mr Pachauri was filed with the police in February 2015. Yet, till date, the chargesheet has not been prepared. And while the second complainant had repeatedly offered to make a statement in support of the first complainant, the police has failed to record her statement. What conclusion can one draw from this, except that the Delhi Police did not wish to strengthen the case against the powerful Mr Pachauri, and is only willing to act in cases where weaker men of lesser consequence are accused. The Delhi Police may well be trying to wear down the complainant with delays and deliberate failure in its duty. Proving the hollowness of its Beti Bachao slogan, the Central government continues to fund an institution that has brazenly violated the law against sexual harassment by punishing the complainant and rewarding the accused. The Pachauri episode is by no means an isolated aberration. Instead, it can be said to be the norm in most workplaces. Complaints committees against sexual harassment, even if they exist on paper, are often passive and stacked with friends of the management. So women employees are not encouraged to file complaints at all, to make sure the institution can boast of a clean record on sexual harassment. A woman student who accused a teacher at St. Stephens College of sexual harassment has jeopardised her research, her peace of mind, her career, while the accused is supported by the college principal and management. A PA to the acting principal at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College in Delhi University accused her boss of sexual harassment only to find that she continues to be denied work appropriate to her position, even under a new principal. Her harassment, in other words, continues. Institutions like the Jawaharlal Nehru University, with strong and fair complaints committees that inspire trust in women to come forward to complain safely and expect justice, are castigated in the media for the highest number of sexual haras-sment complaints. Meanwhile, institutions that have been able to deter complainants, and where awareness of the existence of complaints committees is suppressed, are able to boast of low complaints or even no complaints. Widespread contractualisation and casualisation of work in India, together with a systematic undermining of labour laws and of unions by governments has made workplaces even more unsafe for women. Women workers fear that they will lose their jobs if they protest sexual harassment. If Teri, with the media eye on it, can push out complainants and promote the accused, you can imagine the situation in factories, municipalities and other workplaces ignored by the media. When Mulayam Singh Yadav says boys will be boys, and they need not face punishment for rape, the English-speaking elite class feels outrage followed by a sense of superiority. But isnt Teri also saying boys will be boys? Arent Tarun Tejpals friends also saying boys will be boys? Arent they saying that it is wrong to criminalise what, according to them, is normal behaviour for a red-blooded male? When the same section of people tell each other that men are now forced to be afraid because women can complain about every little thing, are they not saying that men are entitled to force themselves sexually on women? Sexual harassment turns workplaces into hell for women. But again and again it seems that employers will tell women that complaining will only intensify the heat in hell and bring neither relief nor justice. As part of Obama's so-called pivot in US foreign policy toward the Asia-Pacific, he has made a point of traveling to the region each fall to meet with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. (Photo: AP) Washington: President Barack Obama hosts Southeast Asian leaders at an unprecedented summit in California starting Monday as he looks to deepen ties with the region's fast-growing economies. But a nation not invited - neighboring power China - will be the proverbial elephant in the room as the leaders grapple with sensitive territorial disputes. As part of Obama's so-called pivot in US foreign policy toward the Asia-Pacific, he has made a point of traveling to the region each fall to meet with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Now, Obama is inviting ASEAN leaders to the US, and to the same venue where he hosted China's President Xi Jinping in 2013. US officials say the two-day summit at the Sunnylands estate is not directed against China, a strategic rival of the US. But the military might and economic clout of the rising Asian power is likely to loom over their discussions. Things to know about the summit: Top Issue: South China Sea The top security issue on the agenda. China says it has a historical right to virtually all of the South China Sea and has built seven artificial islands, including airstrips, to assert its sovereignty. Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim land features in these potentially resource-rich waters, an important thoroughfare for world trade. Although not a claimant, the US has spoken out against China's conduct and the Navy has sailed close to some of the artificial islands, angering Beijing but getting some quiet encouragement from most ASEAN members. The US is looking for ASEAN to take a unified stance by calling for the territorial disputes to be resolved according to international law. Trade and TPP America has longstanding economic interests in Southeast Asia. US companies have invested $226 billion in the region, and two-way trade was $254 billion last year. On Day One at Sunnylands, the leaders will discuss how to expand trade and investment with the help of US entrepreneurship and innovation. Also likely on the agenda: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, Obama's signal achievement on trade, which the administration often characterizes as an opportunity for the US, rather than China, to shape the rules of world trade. The four ASEAN members in TPP - Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam - will want to know if it Congress will ratify the pact, which remains in doubt. Other ASEAN members, like Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, have expressed interest in joining TPP at a later date. Threat from ISIS The US wants to deepen counter-terrorism and intelligence cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. Despite the region's relative success in combating al-Qaida-linked militancy since 9/11, ISIS, appears to be gaining a foothold. Indonesian authorities said that ISIS funded a suicide attack that hit a Starbucks in Jakarta last month, the first major terrorist attack in the capital city in six years. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, the world's most populace Muslim nation, have all reported citizens traveling to fight in Iraq and Syria, and several small militant groups in the Philippines have pledged allegiance to ISIS. Awkward Questions about Human Rights The 10 members of ASEAN run the gamut of political systems, from open democracy to one-party rule. Obama will emphasize the importance of the rule of law and civil society but likely avoid open criticism of a particular nation. Human rights activists have faulted the U.S. for inviting unelected leaders, like Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who seized power in a May 2014 military coup. Also attending is Cambodia's Hun Sen, who has used violence and intimidation against political opponents and is making his first official U.S. visit during a 31-year tenure as prime minister. Who Isn't Coming Like Obama, several of the ASEAN leaders are lame ducks with little time left in office. They include Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, whose six-year term ends in June, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, who was sidelined at a recent Communist Party congress. Both men are due to come to Sunnylands, but the outgoing leader from Myanmar is sending a deputy in his place. Myanmar's President Thein Sein has overseen democratic reforms in the former pariah state but his pro-military party was trounced in November elections and he'll stand down by April. The new government led by the party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has yet to take office. An Iraqi policeman in charge of the security in Ramadi stands on a roof on Saturday, after security forces retook the eastern outskirts of the city from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists. (Photo:AFP) Washington: The United States and its allies conducted 20 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria on Friday, the Combined Joint Task Force leading the operations said in a statement on Saturday. In Iraq, there were 17 strikes near eight cities, with five strikes near Mosul and four near Ramadi hitting Islamic State tactical units, equipment and fighting positions, the statement said. In Syria, a vehicle, a road and a crane used by the militant group were destroyed in three strikes. A riot policewoman stands on a cordoned-off street following overnight clashes between protesters and police in the Mongkok area of Hong Kong. (Photo: AFP) Hong Kong: A senior Beijing official on Sunday blamed "radical separatists" for a riot that erupted in Hong Kong last week, the worst clashes the city has seen since mass pro-democracy protests. In unusually blunt remarks on a local Hong Kong matter, Zhang Xiaoming, Beijing's top representative in the semi-autonomous city, told reporters the violence that left dozens of police officers hurt also showed elements of "terror". "After the riot in Mong Kok, we are feeling very much shocked and saddened," Zhang told reporters. "We strongly condemn those radical separatists who have become increasingly violent, even (carrying out) activities that showed terror tendencies," the director of China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong said in Chinese. The clashes erupted when protesters gathered following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood of Mong Kok during Lunar New Year celebrations late Monday night. Police fired warning shots in the air, while demonstrators hurled bricks levered up from pavements, charged police lines with homemade shields and set rubbish on fire. About 100 people were injured, including police officers, journalists and protesters, and 65 were arrested in the disorder, rare in Hong Kong. Some 30 of them have been charged with rioting. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said today most of the protesters were unemployed and did not reflect mainstream views. "The majority of them are jobless. Quite many of them belong to radical political groups. Their political demands cannot reflect the majority of society," the chief executive said. The battles have been dubbed the "fishball revolution" after a favourite Hong Kong street snack and reflect underlying tensions over the erosion of the city's traditions. Demonstrators included "localist" activists who want to restrict Beijing's influence on the city. Mong Kok, on the city's Kowloon peninsula, was the scene of some of the worst violence during the 79-day "Occupy" pro-democracy street protests in late 2014. The mass rallies seeking fully free leadership elections in the city blocked some major streets for more than two months. Hong Kong was returned by Britain to China in 1997 with its way of life protected for 50 years by a joint agreement. But there are fears that freedoms enshrined in the agreement are being eroded by Chinese influence, including the recent case of five Hong Kong publishers known for titles critical of Beijing, four of whom it is confirmed have been detained on the mainland. Inland Revenue is investigating 17 firms which are involved with this chain for allegedly under-reporting earnings, newstalkzb.co.nz reported yesterday. Melbourne: An Indian restaurant chain in New Zealand has had its assets worth a whopping 34 million dollars seized over tax fraud allegations, in what is said to be the country's largest cache of property ever restrained. Masala, an Indian restaurant chain, had its 33 properties seized as part of a 34 million dollars asset freeze after allegations of tax fraud to the tune of 7.4 million dollars emerged. Inland Revenue is investigating 17 firms which are involved with this chain for allegedly under-reporting earnings, newstalkzb.co.nz reported yesterday. The owners of the restaurant chain - Joti Jain, Rupinder Chahil, Rajwinder Grewal and Supinder Singh - evaded paying tax by systematically stripping cash from the restaurants and not declaring cash sales in GST returns, Investigator Elena Bryleva said in an affidavit. In October last year, Masala chain's co-controller Jain was sentenced to 11 months home detention after admitting immigration and exploitation for paying as little as just over 2 dollars an hour to employees who worked for upto 11 hours a day. She is also banned from managing a business for that term, the report said. According to Immigration New Zealand one of her victims worked 66 hour weeks for months at the Takapuna restaurant and was also told to clean her house - all for no more than 3 dollars an hour. Masala founder Chahil is already fighting six charges including that he falsified immigration documents and supplied misleading information contrary to immigration laws. Properties seized by the police include a 3 million dollar house in Auckland's upmarket Remuera, a two hectare block of land in Takanini and four properties believed to have been used as accommodation for Masala workers. Some of the restaurants have since been sold and renamed. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 refugees European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but would not accept additional numbers. (Photo: AP) Munich: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls rejected on Saturday the idea of a permanent quota system for distributing refugees across Europe, putting Paris at odds with Germany ahead of a summit to discuss the EU crisis over migration. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 refugees European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but would not accept additional numbers. "We won't take any more," Valls said. He expressed admiration for Germany's readiness to take on more refugees, but added: "France never said 'come to France'." Merkel is expected to push European partners to accept so-called "contingents" of refugees at a meeting on Thursday in Brussels, shortly before European Union leaders come together for their summit. Cobbling together a coalition of countries that is ready to accept more asylum seekers over time is crucial to Merkel's efforts to convince Turkey to stem the tide of refugees fleeing countries in the Middle East, notably Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will attend the pre-summit meeting. "France rejects this," Valls said of the permanent quota mechanism. He said France had already received 80,000 asylum applications last year and was struggling with youth radicalisation and high unemployment. In another sign of Europe's deep divisions over the influx of migrants and refugees, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said Germany had protested against plans by eastern European leaders to help Macedonia and Bulgaria seal their border with Greece, the entry point into the EU for many migrants. Leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, known as the Visegrad Group, meet on Monday in Prague with their Macedonian and Bulgarian counterparts and could offer them manpower and other aid, diplomats said on Friday. Closure of Greece's northern borders could strand migrants in Greece, which has been struggling to protect its sea borders as the huge influx of migrants and refugees arrive via Turkey. "We want an agreement among the Visegrad Four countries that if Greece is not working, and it's not working, it makes more sense to invest money into the protection of borders between Greece and Macedonia, Bulgaria and other countries," Fico said. Berlin, however, has said the countries should seek a different solution. "We received a demarche (saying) how do we dare as V4, Bulgaria and Macedonia to discuss protection of external borders. Germany has filed a protest with our deputy foreign affairs minister because of this summit, saying we need to seek another way," he said. As the European Union gave notice to Athens on Friday that its failure to control hundreds of thousands of refugees landing via Turkey over the past year will see a long-term suspension of some passport-free travel in Europe, EU officials said they expected more border tightening by Greece's Balkan neighbors. Concern at a "domino effect" of border closures rippling down the Balkan peninsula to Greece and leaving large numbers of Syrians, Iraqis and others stranded in some of Europe's poorest countries, has prompted the EU to offer aid and cooperation to those states, all of them candidates to join the bloc. We definitely won't let the situation in Syria to go forward the way rebel countries want, says Iran deputy chief of staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri. (Photo: AP) Tehran: A senior Iranian commander warned Saudi Arabia on Sunday against sending troops to Syria after the gulf kingdom deployed combat aircraft to Turkey, Iran's state media reported. "We definitely won't let the situation in Syria to go forward the way rebel countries want. We will take necessary actions in due time," deputy chief of staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri told Iran's Arabic-language Al-Aalam television. Jazayeri was responding to a question on whether Iran planned to send more military advisors to Syria were Saudi troops to be deployed there, risking a direct confrontation between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. Riyadh said on Saturday it had deployed warplanes to Turkey's Incirlik airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria. Turkey hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 people since it began in 2011. Iran, Syria's regional ally, supports President Bashar al-Assad by sending "military advisers" and volunteers to fight alongside the Syrian army. "The terrorists fighting in Syria today are forces of Saudi Arabia or the Americans or even reactionary forces in the region," Jazayeri said. From "what country, except Turkey, do the terrorists commute to Syria? Which countries, if not the reactionary Arab countries, support them?" he asked. "Today, with the victories of the Syrian army and the popular forces, they want to send troops to Syria, but it is a bluff and a psychological war," Jazayeri added. "Saudi Arabia has used everything at its disposal in the Syrian front and so far they have failed not only in Syria but also in Yemen," says Jazayeri. A Saudi-led coalition has been bombing Iran-backed rebels in Yemen since March, further straining ties between Riyadh and Tehran. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik. (Photo: AFP) Dubai: Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkish airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, a senior Saudi defence official has said. "The Saudi kingdom now has a presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey," brigadier general Ahmed al-Assiri was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya television late on Saturday. "Saudi warplanes are present with their crews to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia," Assiri said, without providing further details. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against IS in Syria. Riyadh and Ankara are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would "amount to aggression that must be resisted". Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of US-led anti-IS coalition members, who decided step up their fight against the jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi had made its decision in coordination with the coalition and said that a ground operation was being planned. "There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the kingdom is committed to that," Assiri said. "Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalise the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country," Assiri added. Turkey on Saturday hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 since it began in 2011. "As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism. US spokesperson clearly announced that the sale is to enhance precision strike capability," it added. (Photo: AP) Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday said it is "surprised and disappointed" at India's reaction over the US' decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, arguing that India is "the largest importer" of defence equipment and its arsenal stock is "much larger". Pakistan reiterated the Obama Administration's justification that the acquisition would enhance the country's precision strike capability to combat terrorism. "We are surprised and disappointed at the Indian Government's reaction. Their (India's) army and arsenal stock is much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment," the Foreign Office said in a statement in response to media queries. "As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism. US spokesperson clearly announced that the sale is to enhance precision strike capability," it added. Pakistan's reaction comes a day after India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over Obama Administration's decision to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly USD 700 million to Pakistan. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Verma to the South Block and during the 45-minute meeting told him about India's concerns over US military aid to Pakistan which New Delhi believes goes into anti-India activities. According to sources, such military aids will embolden Pakistan. India yesterday disagreed with the US rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism. "The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement. The proposal is likely to face stiff resistance in the Republican-controlled Congress. A 45-year-old man has been arrested for killing his live-in partner who was found dead in central Delhi last week. The womans body was found in a sack on a footpath at Daryaganj, the police said on Saturday. Dhan Kumar Gurung, who hails from West Bengal, suspected 33-year-old Monita Tamang of having an affair. During post-mortem, a SIM card was found hidden inside the womans undergarment, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya. The police managed to identify Dhan on the basis of details retrieved with the help of the SIM card. His location was traced to Gurgaon. A police team was immediately sent there and Dhan was nabbed from Jyoti Nagar in Gurgaon. The investigation had also revealed that the sack used was traded in the area of Mithai Pul in Lahori Gate. A police team went to shops at Mithai Pul and information provided by shopkeepers also led to a person with north-eastern features. Police then searched guest houses, dharmshalas and dhabas of near-by areas and scrutinised records of people who had stayed there. Dhan had stayed at a dharamshala in Lahori Gate, Parmaditya added.During interrogation, Dhan broke down and confessed to have killed Monita on February 4. He was married but separated from his wife. He got close to Monita who lived at a neighbouring village in West Bengal. Monita was also married, but deserted by her husband and had two children. Dhan and Monita shifted to Delhi around four months back and worked as labourers.Dhan suspected Monita of having illicit relations with other men. The suspicion grew when he noticed Monitas multiple mobile phones and SIM cards, Parmaditya said. Dhan usually checked Monitas mobile phone and found that she used to call with one SIM card and soon changed it after that. Later, Monita insisted on going back to her village in West Bengal alone. But Dhan suspected that she would be going with some other man. Dhan refused to let Monita go alone. This led to an argument and scuffle between the couple, according to the police. In a fit of rage, Dhan strangled Monita with her dupatta. After killing her, he bought a sack from nearby Mithai Pul and vegetables from the local market, they added. Dhan stuffed the body in the sack along with vegetables. He hired a rickshaw for Daryaganj and left the sack at Parda Bagh footpath. As many as five protests by municipal employees have taken place in the last year underscoring the Aam Aadmi Party governments inability to strike a balance between peoples needs and its own ideological differences with the BJP-ruled municipalities. Recently, civic workers called off their 15-day-long agitation at a time when Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was preparing to give a report card on his governments performance to the public. The stink raised by the tussle between the Delhi government and the three municipal corporations also exposed the knee-jerk response the AAP regime came up with each time it found itself on a sticky wicket. During the last strike, the Delhi government waited for a week before offering additional funds to cash-starved North and East Corporations while the city was held to ransom by protesting municipal sanitation workers and other employees. Demonstrators paralysed the city by dumping garbage on the streets and turning areas under the East and North corporations into huge dumpyards. This, in turn, led to frequent traffic snarls with commuters having a harrowing time in reaching their destinations. The city government kept indulging in a blame game by asking Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to get the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) clear its over Rs 1,500 crore dues. If the DDA pays over Rs 1,500 to the MCDs, then the strike will get over as they will have money to give salaries to their protesting employees, AAP ministers kept saying. A couple of days later, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung gave a loan of Rs 300 crore from Delhi Development Agency to both the municipalities. While the municipal corporations accused the AAP regime of not implementing the recommendations of the Delhi Fourth Finance Commission, which increases their share in governments taxes, the Delhi government reiterated its stand that the Centre should first abide by the Commissions report. The Delhi Fourth Finance Commission report is a package. You cant have some parts of it implemented according to your convenience, said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from Bengaluru in a video conference with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. If the Centre hands over the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to the AAP government, we will give two per cent of the Delhi governments taxes within two hours, he had said, while announcing a bailout package of Rs 693 crore. Of this, Rs 551 core was given in the form of loan to the two funds-deprived municipalities. East Corporation Mayor Harsh Deep Malhotra takes a swipe at Aam Aadmi Party governments rider on the implementation of the Fourth Finance Commission report. Next they would want Rashpati Bhavan under their control, then Delhi Police, so on and so forth. What does it mean? How can they get control over the DDA? They lack the knowledge of governance. They are trying to run the Delhi government as their private limited business. All their demands need amendments and some of their objections might require constitutional amendments, he says. Clearing the air over the Delhi Fourth Finance Commission report, he says it has only given suggestions to the Union government. Its suggestions arent binding on the Centre. The Delhi Fourth Finance Commission, however, doesnt even have a legitimate right to give suggestions to the Centre. Its like an SHO directing a DCP. Can an SHO direct a DCP? That is what they are doing, Malhotra says.The mayor says the previous Congress government knew how the system works. Former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit knew that it was the city governments responsibility. So she never picked up a fight with the municipal corporations. She gave the funds as loan but not as grants. The corporations were not in a position to bargain so they accepted the amount as a loan to distribute salaries to theiremployees, he adds. Salary scam allegedThe Delhi government alleged that the depleting financial condition of the three municipalities was the result of a salary scam by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Its not the mayors who have committed this fraud. Their senior party leaders are the real culprits. Why arent the BJP asking DDA to clear its dues which run into several hundred crores. The government has given all the money to the corporations to pay salaries to their employees. The government doesnt owe any money to these municipalities, said Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. Mayors of the three corporations say they are ready for a CBI inquiry as demanded by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal if only a CBI probe will be conducted against the corrupt Delhi government departments and its MLAs. Even Kapil Mishras statements invited the wrath of sanitation employees who littered the area outside his house in Yamuna Vihar and his nameplate was smeared with black ink. The municipal corporations are also up in arms over the sanctions imposed by the city government on the municipal corporations in lieu of funds. The Delhi government has anti-Dalit agenda as it has given funds to the two cash-strapped municipalities on the condition that they will not recruit anybody particularly under Group-IV category which comprises safai karamcharis and beldars, says North Corporation Mayor Ravinder Gupta. The mayor, standing committee chairman Mohan Bhardwaj and Leader of House Yogender Chandolia slammed Kejriwal for imposing anti-Dalit conditions in lieu of funds. They said the corporations will not abide by such discriminatory conditions. On the contrary, they will treat the Rs 551 crore as grants under the Third Finance Commission and not as loan. The Kejriwal government is providing conditional funds. It is not alms but a constitutional right of the corporations. It is a political gimmick of the government to trap the corporations into a debt as the CM is eyeing the 2017 municipal elections, the three mayors had said. Cash-strapped North and East corporations employees including sanitation workers, teachers and engineers, went on strike on January 27 demanding timely payment of salaries and clearance of arrears. On January 30, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff joined the agitation. Even sanitation workers of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation struck work showing solidarity with their co-workers. Last Monday, a majority of safai karamcharis and engineers suspended their agitation over unpaid wages and the employees unions called off the agitation two days after that. Sector watchdog Trai will set inter-connection charges for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls once the Department of Telecom (DoT) amends the relevant clause of the Unified Licence framework. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended amending the licence provision for inter-connection at the IP level, which would facilitate Internet-based calls, alternatively known as VoIP calls. A telecom company is required to pay inter-connection charges when its subscriber makes a call to one on another network. The charge gets added up in the final price, which the subscriber has to pay. Currently, there are inter-connection charges for VoIP calls as the licence did not have a clause for inter-connection at IP level. "How can we determine charges till the time licence is not amended? When this licence condition is accepted... we will determine the inter-connection charges for the IP-based network," a senior Trai official told PTI. He added that Trai has only recommended to amend, and not regulate, the licence provision. "It's Trai's domain to determine charges. However, till the time DoT accepts the proposition, we can't determine the charges," the official explained. Proposing to amend the licence, Trai has said there is no explicit clause relating to inter-connection at the IP level in the existing licence, which necessitates insertion of such a clause. Since IP-based networks, Trai said, continue to proliferate and traditional circuit switch networks are gradually being phased out, there exists the need to facilitate inter-connection. Once the Department of Telecom (DoT) amends the licence, it will benefit telecom operators as they can terminate Internet calls on each other's network. The new IP-based network as well as its co-existence with legacy network is expected to give rise to operational, inter-connection and service quality issues, which need to be addressed for successful migration to IP-based networks, Trai had said earlier in a consultation paper. Networks of all telecom companies are inter-connected, which is vital for completion of calls or sharing of messages through mobile or landline phones. The clause 27.3 of the Unified Licence specifically deals in inter-connection between networks of different licensees for carrying circuit-switched traffic. It also provides for inter-connection between a circuit-switched network and an IP-based one through a media gateway switch. But there is no explicit mention of an inter-connection at the IP level between two licensees. DoT, in its letter dated November 10, 2015 to Trai, had flagged industry concerns on removal of inter-connection restrictions at the IP level to ensure seamless connectivity and requested Trai to indicate an expected timeline for the same. The army today said infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) into Kashmir was down to a "trickle" when compared to earlier years, as the Valley is seeing a decrease in the number of militants with less than 100 ultras in terrorist launch pads. "There has been no increase in the presence of terrorists. Their numbers are decreasing," General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua, told reporters here. The army commander was addressing the media after paying floral tributes to two jawans who were killed in an encounter with militants in Kupwara. The GOC said the terrain on the LoC is such that infiltration does take place but the army has been able to limit the numbers. "I will not deny that (infiltration is taking place). In 2015, there were more than 600 inputs of infiltration. However, because of the counter-infiltration grid and our alertness on the LoC, we have been able to limit their numbers You all know, 10-15 years ago, the kind of infiltration that used to take place. Today, that is down to a trickle," he said Dua said the number of militants waiting in the launch pads across the LoC has also come down. "The numbers that are waiting across in the launch pads used to be higher during summers. Presently, the numbers have come down. They are little under 100," he said. Dua said there are higher number of inputs about infiltration attempts in Kupwara but the success of the counter-infiltration grid is that militant groups are not allowed to move into the hinterland. "Since about the last three months, we had many intelligence inputs about infiltration taking place and several operations were conducted in the area of Kupwara. "The militant groups have not been able to move to the hinterland because of a very effective and robust counter-infiltration grid. That is the reason that you are seeing that these kills are taking place in the area of Kupwara," he said. Due to the treacherous terrain in that area, the terrorists who manage to cross over are trapped in the reception areas just behind the LoC, he said. Dua said the Pathankot incident did not necessitate any changes for the army in the Valley as they constantly keep improving their measures. "Our measures on the LoC and in the depth of it were already very strong and have been like that for years. We constantly keep improving them. Pathankot incident did not have to bring about or necessitate any changes for us. We are constantly improving it and we have a robust grid on the LoC," he said. Public sector banks may be bleeding due to rising non-performing assets, but the government has no plans to sell them off, according to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. In fact, the government is looking at announcing more reforms in the sector. Jaitley on Sunday said the country is not at a stage where the government can completely exit its holding in the 27 public sector banks. I dont think India has reached a stage where the state can pull out of banking altogether. State sector banks have performed an important role as far as geographical reach is concerned, and they have an important role to play going forward as well, Jaitley said, while speaking at the CNN Asia Business Forum 2016 at the ongoing Make In India Week in Mumbai. We will be announcing a series of banking reforms in the days to come, Jaitley added. Minimal interference According to Jaitley, government interference in running PSU banks should be minimal and their boards have to be professionalised. The government does have to play at an arms length distance from the functioning of banks. Bank boards have to be professionalised, Jaitley said. In order to professionalise the operations of these state-run banks which control over 70 per cent of the industry the government has already committed to bring down its holding to up to 51 per cent. The government had last year announced the Indradhanush programme to revamp state-run banks. It has already put in place steps to professionalise their management. As far as stake sale in some of the PSU companies are concerned, Jaitley said that they have been delayed due to the market conditions. Strategic sales are part of the government agenda, but we cannot do stake sales when the market is in turmoil. Some of them are part of the government agenda going forward, Jaitley said. Extending an open invitation to Japanese companies, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Amitabh Kant said that the companies there should look at making India the hub for exports. Japanese companies must relocate their manufacturing base to India like the way Suzuki did. The companies have to penetrate Indian markets, and we will work as your facilitator and catalyst to make India your hub for exports, Kant said. Growth momentum According to Kant, it is important for Japanese companies to manufacture in India so that the country can continue its growth momentum. Japan is too expensive to manufacture. It is unfair from the world to expect you to grow at the same pace if you manufacture there. You have to capture India and the world, and for that you have to Make in India, Kant said. The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and Chennai-Bengaluru corridor are some of the opportunities for Japanese companies to invest in India, Kant added. Echoing the views of Kant, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya said that both the countries should look at working together. Japan can come in, Indias labour can join in and the two can make in India, Panagariya said. Hope that Japanese companies who are in China come to India for manufacturing, Panagariya added. Yap Island, a tiny island in the Western Pacific best known for using huge stone discs as currency, was facing a medical mystery. In 2007, doctors saw an alarming increase in the number of patients with rashes, inflamed eyes and joint pain. Initial tests provided no answers to what was making them sick. We didnt have any idea what it might be, said Lt Col Mark Duffy, a US Air Force public health officer assigned to work on the unknown ailment for the Centres for Disease Control and Preventions epidemic intelligence service. There was some thought it might be a dengue outbreak. Dengue is a potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease that affects as many as 100 million people around the world each year. Chikungunya, another virus spread by mosquitoes, was also considered. But patients blood samples tested by a CDC lab in Fort Collins, Colorado, confirmed that the doctors were seeing something novel: It was the worlds first significant Zika outbreak. For most of its known existence, Zika was little more than a scientific curiosity. After its discovery in 1947, in a forest in Uganda that gave the virus its name, it spread slowly across Africa and Asia. Blood tests have found Zika antibodies in people in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia evidence that they had been exposed to the virus. Even so, few cases of the illness had been reported. For more than half a century there were no confirmed outbreaks of Zika, and only 14 confirmed human cases. Then, in 2007, Zika appeared on Yap and nearby islands in Micronesia, 800 miles east of the Philippines, where nearly 50 people had been infected. Six years later, it showed up in French Polynesia, 5,000 miles to the southeast of Yap, where thousands contracted the virus. Zika has now infected an estimated 1.5 million people in Brazil and is rapidly spreading through many parts of the Americas. The newest outbreak has researchers examining its trail across Asia and the Pacific, trying to learn more about the first outbreaks of the disease and why it appears to have gotten so much worse. Something very, very different is going on there, said Duncan Smith, an infectious diseases researcher at Mahidol University in Thailand. We dont know what it is at the moment. For much of its history, Zika was subject to little research. Just 1 in 5 people who were infected developed symptoms, and they were usually mild and often mistaken for other illnesses. There were these odd cases popping up from time to time, Smith said. There is so much dengue in this area, and the symptoms of dengue and Zika are quite similar rash, fever, muscle aches and pains. I wonder if cases of Zika have been occurring but misclassified in the region. Why the disease appears to have been milder in Asia is unclear. Smith said that aggressive campaigns to vaccinate for Japanese encephalitis, a virus found in Asia and the Western Pacific, may have had an effect on Zika, but that premise had yet to be investigated. Maybe it has become much more aggressive, with a more severe presentation and transmission as a result of it going across the Pacific, he said. We wont know until a lot more work has been done. Doctors in Yap soon knew they were facing something different. No deaths or hospitalisations had been reported but 49 confirmed cases and 59 probable cases were identified, far more than ever before. Exactly how the virus got to the remote archipelago is still unclear, though an infected mosquito or person is the most likely culprit. Duffy noted in a paper for The New England Journal of Medicine in 2009 that a medical volunteer on Yap returned to the United States in July 2007 and tested positive for Zika antibodies, indicating a likely infection. Air travel and the abundance of mosquitoes in the Pacific region raise concern for the spread of Zika virus to other islands in Oceania and even to the Americas, the paper said. As an epidemiologist, when you start making predictions about how some of these things are going to behave, theyre going to make you look silly every time, Duffy said. But simply raising concern that there is a potential for it to occur eventually, we felt that was a solid statement that we could stand behind. Explosive outbreak When Zika appeared in French Polynesia in 2013, the outbreak on Yap had helped health officials prepare. Labs in the far-flung area had developed methods to test for Zika to help out other Pacific nations, said Van-Mai Cao-Lormeau, an infectious diseases researcher at Institut Louis Malarde on Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia. This is a small country, Cao-Lormeau said. Everyone who worked in the lab had relatives or friends who had seen something that looked like dengue. We had more and more cases. The outbreak in French Polynesia was explosive: An estimated 28,000 people, more than 10 percent of the territorys population, sought treatment. And the potential side effects were more severe than any that had been seen before. The incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease that causes the immune system to attack the nervous system, sometimes causing paralysis, was 20 times higher than what would be normally expected, Cao-Lormeau and colleagues wrote in a 2014 edition of the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection. After cases of microcephaly, infants born with abnormally small heads, appeared in Brazil, researchers in French Polynesia did a retrospective investigation of women who were pregnant during the outbreak. They found 17 cases of children with neurological conditions, including microcephaly, Cao-Lormeau said. Links between the Zika virus and microcephaly and Guillain-Barre have not been confirmed and are still being studied. Small outbreaks in New Caledonia, the Cook Islands and Easter Island were reported after the French Polynesia outbreak, and Zika has probably spread even more widely in the Pacific without being detected, Cao-Lormeau and colleagues wrote. Researchers are not certain why the virus seems to be more aggressive in the Americas than in Yap or French Polynesia. One potential factor is the islands comparatively small populations, Cao-Lormeau said. We are just 270,000 people, she said. Because we are small, maybe we wont see as much adverse effects. The other possibility researchers are considering: The virus has mutated and gotten worse. The public interest litigation before the Supreme Court challenging prohibition of entry of women of menstrual age from the Sabarimala temple raises intriguing questions on religious freedom and gender justice. There is a controversial and very pertinent question to begin with. Why afford religious belief the special protection? My belief in liberalism governing my moral, political, intellectual life could be as important to me as much your religious belief is to you. Why is religious freedom elevated into a higher level that the other, arguably important aspects of daily life are not? For instance, my right to travel or right to choose my university is merrily contained in my liberty and personal rights whereas the right to worship is granted a distinct status. Concerns of this nature were reflected in the Constituent Assembly while drafting the provisions on religious freedom: The absurdity of this position is now manifest in articles 19 to 22 of the Draft Constitution Fundamental rights are inalienable and once they are admitted, it will create bad blood. Let us say nothing about rights relating to religion. Religion will take care of itself (Loknath Mishra, Constituent Assembly Debates, December 6, 1948). This argument was ultimately rejected leading to recognition of religious freedom as a fundamental right. The Indian Constitution has elaborate provisions in this regard. Articles 25 to 28 are uniquely crafted, strikingly different from how religious freedom is conceived in Europe or the United States. It reflects the Indian receptive approach of equal respect secularism as opposed to no concern secularism wherein religion is substantially divulged from the state. There might be historical and cultural reasons favouring such an approach since as a social institution, the influence of religion over Indian private and community life is exceptional. Our Constitution operates in peculiar pluralities. In this context, it is debatable whether a no special right to religion argument by scholars like Brian Leiter can succeed in the Indian socio-political and cultural (and not only in the legal) environment. The constitutional protection to religious freedom rests on the essentiality doctrine enunciated by the Supreme Court in Shirur Mutt (1954). A right to religious freedom claim must primarily and invariably show that the practice or belief forms the essential part of the particular religion. It is true that the jurisprudence on essentiality has been inconsistent or often contradictory. Acknowledging this problem, Ramaswamy Dikshutulu & Ors v Govt of Andhra Pradesh & Ors (2004) referred the matter for consideration by a larger bench. The larger bench decision has not come so far. Therefore, absence of a uniform understanding on religion and religious denomination by the judiciary will pose a major difficulty for the Supreme Court while deciding the present issue. Even if the answer to the question of essentiality is in the affirmative, the court will analyse if the right can be exercised subject to the restrictions of public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of Part III of the Constitution. Not every activity can be argued to be within the ambit of religious freedom. Balancing the rights In Church of God (Full Gospel) (2000), the Court said, In our view, in a civilised society in the name of religion, activities which disturb infirm persons, students or children cannot be permitted. Balancing of religious right with other rights has been of serious concern to the court, particularly in view of the restrictive nature of Article 25 compared to other fundamental rights. In Narasu Appa Mali (1951), the Court held, Now a sharp distinction must be drawn between religious faith and practices. What the State protects is religious faith and belief. If religious practices run counter to public order, morality or health or a policy of social welfare upon which the State has embarked, then the religious practices must give way before the good of the people of the State. It is argued that the there are dangers of judicial excessiveness in matters like the current one. This approach wrongly presupposes that the judiciary undertakes active social reform akin to that of, for example, Parliament. This is not true. Courts are more or less interested in constitutional interpretation of rights and their espousal. The Court need not assume unwarranted theological authority for interpretation of religious texts and dogma. Even if such an exercise is undertaken, the scope for determination of basic gender rights is never narrowed. We are not unfamiliar with the conflict between religious freedom and gender equality. The denial of entry for women to the temple obviously presents serious equality concerns. It is a classic case of systematic arbitrary discrimination against women for biological reasons. Non-intervention in a discriminatory practice merely because it is clothed in religious freedom will be antithetical to broader principles of equality and liberty. If religion and human rights seem absolutely incompatible, we need to arguably abandon one of them. Probably, the time has come for Indian women to demand freedom from religion. (Thulasi K Raj is a student of Masters in Law at University College, London) In his week-long deposition before a Mumbai court, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley has not mentioned anything about Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, who is facing trial in the 26/11 carnage case. During Headleys testimony before Additional Sessions Judge G A Sanap, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who conducted the examination-in-chief, has not asked any questions on Abu Jundal. Headley, too, has not said anything. However, it is now to be seen whether Ansaris lawyer Wahab Khan can extract anything during the cross-examination. It is noteworthy to mention here that Ajmal Kasab, the sole Pakistani terrorist caught during the 26/11 attacks, in his voluntary confession before the then Additional Sessions Judge M L Tahaliyani during July 20-22, 2009, has named Abu Jundal among his trainers who taught the group Hindi. But on January 22, 2010, Kasab had retracted his statement. It was also alleged that he was among those who was present at the control room in Karachi, which was in touch with the 10 fidayeens during the November 26-29, 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. When nearly 30 minutes of audio clip which contained the conversation of those in control room with the foot-soldiers was played on Saturday, Headley identified three voices: of his handler Sajid Mir and two trainers Abu Khafa and Abu al Kama, but said he could hear three or four voices. But the name of Abu Jundal does not figure. In fact, when Headley deposed via a video-link from an undisclosed location in US, on the other end, Abu Jundal also watched the proceedings through a video-link from the Arthur Road jail. Jundal, a Beed resident, has been charged with involvement in several cases like 26/11 and the Pune German Bakery blast. He has also been named the prime accused in the Aurangabad arms haul case. Murky past *In May 2006, the ATS had made a big seizure in Aurangabad. The total cache includes 43 kg of RDX, 16 AK-47 assault rifles, which might have come from Afghanistan, 50 Chinese-made grenades and over 3,200 rounds. .*The RDX had come as a surprise, but part of it remained not seized. A few days later, Jundal allegedly escaped to Bangladesh and then went to Pakistan on a fake passport and became close to LeT bosses. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday suspended controversial legislator Rajballabh Yadav, who has been charged with raping a minor girl last week, from the party. Besides the party action, Nawada MLA Rajballabh faces an imminent arrest after DIG, Central Range, Shalin asked the police to book the RJD legislator under Sections 376 (rape), 420 (cheating) and other sections related to protection of children from sexual offences act. The police action follows after Shalin found the charges levelled against the legislator true. The 15-year-old victim had lodged an FIR against the MLA on February 9 charging him with repeatedly sexually exploiting her after an elderly woman sold her for Rs 30,000 to the legislator, said a senior police official. The DIG has ordered that the accused be arrested without any delay. Two people, including a young woman, were killed and more than a dozen injured in alleged security forces firing in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Friday after clashes erupted during an encounter between militants and the Army in the area. Reports said clashes broke out following an encounter between militants and security forces at Khanday Mohalla, Kakapora, 28 kms from here, in which a local militant, identified as Adil Ahmad Wagay was killed. While the police claim that 19-year-old Danish Farooq was killed during protests and the woman, who has been identified as 22-year-old Shaista Hameed, was killed in the cross firing between holed up militant and security forces, eyewitnesses belie the claims. The locals alleged that security forces started firing indiscriminately after protests in the area and deliberately targeted the civilians. Bilal Ahmad, an eyewitness told Deccan Herald that they (forces) didnt even spare women. Both Shaista and Danish were killed in forces firing. The youth were protesting near the encounter site when security forces resorted to indiscriminate firing toward the protesters. Danish had received bullets in his head and chest, he said. Ahmad said Shaista was sitting on the veranda of her home when a bullet hit her. She was shifted to the district hospital Pulwama where doctors declared her brought dead. An official at sub district hospital Pampore told Deccan Herald that 14 injured were brought to the hospital. Danish was brought dead while two other injured had bullet injuries in abdomen and they were referred to SMHS. Others have pellet injuries, out of which few were referred to Srinagar hospitals and rest of them were discharged after treatment, block medical officer (BMO) Pampore, Dr Showkat Ahmad told reporters. A 30-year-old Ugandan woman was beaten up and stabbed by a Nigerian in Banjara Layout near Hennur after she refused to buy him alcohol, the police said. The incident, which took place at Horamavu Agara in the early hours of February 10, came to light on Saturday night after the Ugandan woman Shakira lodged a complaint with the Hennur police. Shakira, who is into clothes business and is overstaying, had initially cooked up a story that she was injured in a road accident. The police are on the lookout for Onsas, the Nigerian, who is also suspected to be overstaying. In her police complaint, Shakira said that around 11 pm on February 9, she went to African Kitchen, a food joint at Banjara Layout, for dinner. An hour later, her friend Gilftein joined her. Both had a drink and were having their dinner. Around midnight, after Gilftein had left the place. Onsas came there and asked African Kitchen owner Joy to serve him alcohol. Strangers demandAfter consuming liquor, Onsas asked Shakira to buy him a drink, which she refused citing that he was a stranger. This led to a heated argument and Onsas began hitting her. Shakira, sensing more trouble, went out to take her bike. Onsas came there and started thrashing her. Shakira ran some distance but fell down. Onsas chased and caught Shakira and stabbed her on the forehead with a knife. She managed to run back to the food joint and narrated the incident to Joy. Joy noticed blood stains on her clothes, offered her a set of clothes and took her to a hospital near Ring Road where she was given first aid. Meanwhile, Shakiras friends Gilftein and Tony came to the hospital. One of them contacted Onsas on his mobile and told him to compromise with Shakira before the matter goes to the police. Onsas agreed to bear Shakiras medical expenses, a senior police officer said. As the injuries were serious, Shakira was taken to MS Ramaiah hospital by her friends in a cab, where she was admitted under the history of Road Traffic Accident. Residents of Koramangala celebrated Valentines Day in a unique way by organising an awareness rally against the use of plastic on Sunday. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, flagging off the rally, said the government had already taken a decision to ban plastic and had placed it in the public domain for objections. The department of environment has put forth the subject before the cabinet. However, a decision with regard to banning plastic from being manufactured, distributed and used by the public will be taken after the elections. Before that, there is a need to create awareness among the public about the same, he added. The residents have initiated plastic ban through BBMP, issuing notices to traders against the use of plastic in the area from February 12 to 27. BBMP actionThe BBMP officials, after this, will seize plastic bags that are stocked, besides penalising those violating the ban on plastic. Also, the licence will be revoked, if they repeatedly fail to conform to the rules. The residents, along with the minister, visited various shops in Koramangala to create awareness against the use of plastic. Sowmya Reddy, a resident, said that the move would be welcomed by the traders as it would save them money and help keep the environment clean. Shakira, 30, the Ugandan woman who was reportedly stabbed by a Nigerian national during a drunken brawl in Horamavu Agara in eastern Bengaluru on Wednesday, had come to the City last year on a business visa, police said. Usually a business visa is valid for 180 days. She herself told the police that she has been staying in Bengaluru for almost a year. Though she appears to be overstaying, police are yet to verify her passport and visa. She claimed she was on a business visit to India and was into garment business. A senior police officer told Deccan Herald that Shakiras friends, who were witness to the attack, were unavailable for questioning. Police suspect they do not have valid documents and are overstaying, too. Thats why, they may be avoiding the police, the officer suggested. On the other hand, police said they didnt have much information about Onsas, the Nigerian national who is accused of attacking Shakira. Police suspect he too is overstaying as his visa has expired. They are also investigating whether Shakira and Onsas knew to each other. She had claimed that he was a stranger. Meanwhile, Mohan Suresh, Honorary Consul of Rwanda in Bengaluru, met senior police officers on Sunday. He was briefed about the incident and given a report. Another senior police officer said, The incident took a serious turn after the police learnt that a local newspaper in Uganda had reported that local residents had assaulted a Ugandan national in Bengaluru. We have made it clear to Mohan Suresh that no local people were involved the incident. It was a clash among the Africans themselves. The mortal remains of soldier Sahadev More, who was martyred in Kupwara region of Jammu and Kashmir, were brought here from Belagavi in a special helicopter at 5 pm on Sunday. A ceremonial guard reversed arms as a mark of respect to the soldier and a two-minute silence was observed by all those present. Hundreds of students of the Sainik School, Vijayapura, joined the cortege of the martyr from the helipad to the memorial. A large number of people also joined in amid a patriotic atmosphere. Ministers M B Patil and S R Patil and MP Ramesh Jigajinagi paid homage to the departed soldier. Deputy Commissioner D Randeep paid floral tributes to the martyr. Col M S Mokha, Deputy Commandant of the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC), Belagavi, and Col Tamojeet Biswas, principal, Sainik School, paid their last respects to the soldier by laying wreaths on his coffin. The body was shifted to the BLDE Associations MBA college, from where it would be taken to Savalasang village on Monday morning for the final rites. Earlier in the day, Vijayapura district incharge minister M B Patil visited the family of the martyred soldier in Savalasang and consoled the soldiers family members. On behalf of the State government, he announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh, four acres of land, a site in Indi or Vijayapura town for the next of kin and a government job for one of the members. The body arrived at the Sambra airport in Belagavi by a special flight from New Delhi at 3.55 pm. Small Industries and Belagavi district incharge Minister Satish Jarkiholi paid floral tributes to the martyr. To prevent crimes and assist the police, Whitefield residents will launch their 'Neighbourhood Watch' (NW) programme soon. Under the 'Whitefield Rising' (WR) banner, citizens will carry out a host of activities like reporting suspicious activities to police, discuss crime prevention information shared by police during community events, respond to national concerns like terrorism and calamities, create awareness about crime investigation process and other duties. This initiative is about getting citizens to work with police to prevent crime. Improved communication among neighbours, sharing of community best practices, or just being more aware of happenings and reporting to police, can help reduce crime, said volunteer from WR, Anupama Kilaru. The proposal was jointly mooted by police and WR. Under the Neighbourhood Watch programme, regular crime watch meetings with representatives of various resident welfare associations and police representatives would be held. We are currently making a list of interested communities from Whitefield who want to be a part of the Neighbourhood Watch programme. Whitefield inspector Narasimha Murthy will prepare an action plan for its implementation, said another volunteer from WR, Anjali Saini. As an introduction into the Neighbourhood Watch campaign, a meeting was held on Saturday wherein police officials, citizens and WR members took part. Around 50 residents, representing more than 30 housing complexes in the jurisdiction of Whitefield Police Station were given contact numbers of police officials from the station limits for their benefit. Members from WR, a citizens movement, said the number of WR members volunteering as traffic wardens is set to rise to 34 from the present 24. WR will also consider launching the Whitefield chapter of CrimeStoppers, which will provide a platform for people to speak up and report crime in anonymity. Sleuths from the Customs Department, on Sunday, arrested a passenger at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on the charge of smuggling gold biscuits. The suspect was identified as Kunduru Thulasamma, 52, who hails from Andhra Pradesh. The sleuths recovered 38 gold biscuits each of 10 tola, totally weighing 4.4 kg, worth Rs 1.27 crore. According to the Customs officials, the suspect travelled from Dubai in an Emirates flight and landed at KIA around 3 am. As per the initial plan, she had to travel to Hyderabad directly from Dubai, but the plan was changed at the eleventh hour and she boarded a flight to Bengaluru. She was sitting in a wheelchair to divert the attention of the Customs Department staff. She was to meet a person outside the KIA and hand over the gold biscuits, said the officials. She had concealed the biscuits in a cotton bag which was tied around her stomach, which was detected during screening at the airport. She did not produce valid documents, including the duty-paid receipt pertaining to the gold biscuits.The woman neither gave a satisfactory reason for transporting the gold. Hence, she was arrested immediately, added the officials. Thulasamma claimed that she did not know anything about the racket, but said that she was promised Rs 4.5 lakh as commission for delivering the gold biscuits to a person who would meet her outside the KIA. She was produced before a court and her bail plea was rejected. She has been remanded in judicial custody till February 29, added the officials. Two seized trucks that were parked in front of the Yelahanka police station in northern Bengaluru were set afire by miscreants in the early hours of Sunday. Police had seized the heavy vehicles as they were involved in two accidents on Kogilu main road near Yelahanka. Two people had died on the spot in the accidents. Among them was Syed Yunus, 18, a resident of RT Nagar. He was killed when a truck collided with his motorcycle near Srinivasapura in Yelahanka. The accident took place around 3 pm when he was going to meet his father at a factory at Thanisandra where the latter is employed. Yunus was studying PUC at a private college in Yelahanka. The other victim is T Sriram, 25, who works in a garment factory. He was killed when a truck ran him over at Prakruthi Layout. The accident took place at 8.30 pm when the victim was riding on a motorcycle on his way for shopping. The Yelahanka police suspect that relatives of the victims had set the trucks on fire. Fire fighters were rushed to the spot and the flames were doused. by Tad Lindley About 2,000 years ago there was a shaman named Simon. He lived in a city called Samaria, which was in the northern part of Israel. According to the Bible, he had used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is great with the power of God. And for him they had regard, because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. (Acts 8:9-11 KJ21) Simon loses his grip Then one day, a missionary showed up in town, and he had something better to offer than what the medicine man had. His name was Philip. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did, For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8) The call of Jesus upon the hearts of the men and women of Samaria was greater than the wiles of the witch doctor, and the city turned to Jesus. Turned from sorcery to salvation When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs that were done. (Acts 8:12-14) Not only did the people turn from sorcery to the salvation message, but the sorcerer himself repented of his witchcraft and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus! Reinforcements from Jerusalem arrive The explosion of the Kingdom of God was so great in Samaria, that the apostles sent reinforcements down. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet, He had fallen upon none of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17 KJ21) Simon breaks out his billfold Keep in mind that Simon had seen many wonderful things happen in the name of Jesus. As we have already read, he saw healings, deliverances, great joy, and demonic spirits being cast out. Not only that, but he himself had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of his sins. But when he saw people receiving the Holy Ghost, it was something different than all of these other miracles. It could not have been that people cried, or that they felt goose bumps, because those are commonplace. No whatever it was that Simon saw was some sort of outward show that caused him to break out his billfold and tell the apostles, Wow, Ill pay you to teach me how to do that to people! Peter: Be buried with your billfold And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power so that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. (Acts 8:18-20) If you have read the rest of the book of Acts, then you already know that what Simon saw was people immersed in the presence of God to the point that they began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (see Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-48, 19:1-6). And when Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer, he made it clear that the gift of the Holy Ghost is the gift of God. It is exactly that, a gift. It is not for sale, but it is given by God. A free gift Simon could not have paid Peter enough money to have the power of God. It was not Peters to sell. And likewise none of us can buy the gift of God from the Lord himself. It is not for sale. No amount of hard work on our part could earn it, it is a gift. To top it off, God wants to give it to us. He wont, however, sneak up behind you as you walk home from the steam bath on a dark night and force it upon you. No, he will wait patiently for you to come to repentance, and to seek him. After all, he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) The Bible even promises us that if we follow his salvation message, then we too will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-29) Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized in Jesus name? Have you received the gift of God in the same way the apostles did? Reverend Tad Lindley is a minister at the United Pentecostal Church in Bethel, Alaska. Share this: Tweet Email Yesterday (June 13, 2022), a 20-year-old was sentenced to 99 years for the murder of a 10-year-old girl in the village of Quinhagak in 2020. Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Michael MacDonald sentenced Jordan Mark to 99 years to serve for one count of murder in the first degree. No trial took place. Court proceedings occurred in Bethel. Mark previously pleaded to murder in the first degree and signed an admission of facts admitting to kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and murdering 10-year-old Ida Girlie Aguchak on March 15, 2020. In handing down the sentence, Judge MacDonald found that Mr. Mark was a worst offender. These actions demonstrate a depravity of heart and derangement of mind that makes Jordan Mark too dangerous to live in a civil society, said Judge MacDonald. It is impossible to imagine a more depraved, brutal, cold-hearted kidnapping, rape, and murder. It is hard to imagine greater cruelty. This was deliberate cruelty. It is hard to imagine a more vulnerable victim. During the sentencing, members of Idas family spoke to the court and asked for the 99-year-sentence. Idas father, Luther Aguchak, told the court that Ida wanted to grow up to be a nurse and help people. Mr. Aguchak turned to the defendant and said he took a whole portion of my life away from me. Idas sister, Meta Williams, noted that Ida, the baby of the family, was her biggest wish in life and that she was looking forward to seeing her sister grow up and wanted to be there for her through lifes trials and tribulations. Ms. Williams said to Mr. Mark, I will work on forgiving you and forgiving myself for feeling this way. This is the first and last time I will be seeing you. Betty Williams, Idas mother, told the court that what happened to Ida broke our family and our community as well as his own family. She was taken too soon. We are still broken from this. Mr. Mark asked the court to sentence him to 45 years to serve for the offense. In his allocution statement to the court, Mr. Mark stated I apologize for the pain I caused and the hearts I broke. He went on to say There is no excuse for what Ive done. I hope you see past that and see who I actually am. Im a human being. I made a terrible mistake. Members of Mr. Marks family submitted letters to the court and spoke on his behalf. They expressed sorrow and remorse for the victims family and asked for mercy on behalf of Mr. Mark. The State asked the court to impose a 99-year sentence. Prosecutor Bailey Woolfstead argued that Mr. Mark made a series of deliberate choices throughout the night of March 15, 2020, as well as during the week following that showed he was not amenable to rehabilitation. She noted that Mr. Mark lured Ida onto his four wheeler by deception by offering her a ride home, that he continued the kidnapping after Ida tried to run away from him, and that Mr. Mark sexually assaulted and intentionally murdered her. The State also emphasized that Mr. Mark lied to local law enforcement when he claimed to have searched the area where he knew Idas body was during search efforts, and that he pointed the State Troopers to an innocent person as a suspect in order to draw suspicion away from him. The State argued that Mr. Mark deserved the highest sentence because he continuously chose violence and showed a shocking disregard for the consent, safety, and the life of Ida Aguchak in every decision he made on March 15, 2020, as well as during his attempts to cover up his crimes. Assistant Attorney General Bailey Woolfstead, with the Office of Special Prosecutions, prosecuted the case and Assistant District Attorney Joshua Bither of the Bethel District Attorneys Office. Share this: Tweet Email For the fifth year in a row, multiple entities and tribes are coming together to assist Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta region villages with the removal of hazardous electronic waste. The goal of this effort is to safely dispose of electronics and other materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Beginning August 1 through August 18, the barge owned and operated by the Native Village of Napaimute will visit 17 communities along the Kuskokwim River to safely collect e-waste materials, such as discarded computers, television sets, old batteries and more. Thirteen other communities, including McGrath and Nikolai, will have materials flown to Bethel by Grant Aviation, Ryan Air and Alaska Air Transit. Tribal staff in each of the communities have agreed to assist with coordination to ensure e-waste materials are safely packaged and brought to the barge for collection. These items will then be taken to Bethel for storage, repackaging and shipment to Anchorage for safe disposal. After careful consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic and consultation with each participating community, safety measures have been updated to include social distancing, face masks and increased sanitization practices to protect all who are involved in the program. Delta Backhaul Company, a solid waste consulting company, has worked closely with the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) and Donlin Gold over the past four years to assist with logistics and transportation planning for the Kuskokwim Regional Household Hazardous Waste Backhaul program. Sixty thousand pounds of e-waste was collected and shipped to Seattle and Anchorage for recycling or disposal from the two events in 2020. Over the last five years, along with our partners, we have collected and removed nearly 300,000 pounds of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, in waterways or in areas harmful to families and children. We are thrilled to be a good neighbor and a partner with a variety of organizations in the Y-K region for the past twenty-five years, said Kristina Woolston, External Affairs Manager for Donlin Gold. In addition to a separate collection event taking place in Bethel on August 18, the 2021 Donlin Gold Backhaul Project: In it for the Long Haul will be visiting the communities of Sleetmute, Crooked Creek, Napaimute, Chuathbaluk, Aniak, Kalskag, Lower Kalskag, Tuluksak, Akiak, Akiachak, Kwethluk, Oscarville, Napaskiak, Napakiak, Atmautluak, Nunapitchuk and Kasigluk. Dates for each community will be dependent on weather. The Donlin Gold Backhaul Project would like to thank our 2021 partners: Alaska Air Transit Alaska Commercial Company Alaska Marine Lines Association of Village Council Presidents City of Bethel Delta Backhaul Company Donlin Gold Grant Aviation Napaimute Enterprises, LLC Northern Air Cargo NovaGold Share this: Tweet Email At its March 10, 2017 meeting, the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council (AVAC), voted unanimously to recognize six Alaskans for their work enhancing the lives of veterans and their families. Included in the honors was Bethels Irene Washington. The AVAC wanted to recognize those in their regions that quietly do great things for veterans every day, said James Hastings, AVAC Chair. These Alaskans work tirelessly behind the scenes and it is important to acknowledge their work. This is the first time the AVAC has provided these recognitions. The intent is for the members of the 13-person Council to bring forth names each year that demonstrate significant service, concern, compassion and commitment to Alaskas veterans. This year, joining Washington, the following were selected for recognition: Cameron Carlson (Fairbanks), Earl Valentine (Anchorage), Golden Corral (Anchorage), Margaret Guinn (Bethel), Virginia Walker (Anchorage) and Tim Benintendi (Anchorage). It is important to honor those that serve others. The people chosen by the AVAC exemplify service before self, said Verdie Bowen, Sr., Director of the State Office of Veterans Affairs. The AVAC is appointed by the Governor and advises the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on matters concerning the states veterans, dependents, and their survivors. The current members are: James Hastings (Wasilla, Chair), Ron Huffman (Nome, Vice Chair), Suellyn Wright Novak (Eagle River), Terrance Pardee (Haines), William Sorrells (Eagle River), Pamela Beale (Anchorage), Gerald Butch Diotte (Palmer), Phillip Hokenson (Fairbanks), Robert Ski Marcinkowski (Fairbanks), Ron Siebels (Anchorage), Steve Williams (Juneau), and Stephen Hovenden (Fairbanks). The Council is managed by the State Office of Veterans Affairs. For questions or assistance, contact the State Office of Veterans Affairs, at (907) 334-0874 or toll free (888) 248-3682. Share this: Tweet Email by the Yukon Kuskokwim Canine Health Association This would be a project in partnership with the tribes to protect from Covid-19 and enhance the overall health of the communities by increasing veterinary care and improving sanitation. The plan is to provide veterinary care, spay/neuter services to reduce populations, deworming, vaccinations, humane euthanasia, disease testing that will include Covid-19 according to criteria, and help create a tribally-run animal control program and streamline existing strays into rescue. Added $1500 to budget for future freight of animals by tribally-run control. This program will focus on sanitation to prevent Covid-19 in our communities. There is no evidence that dogs carry or spread the disease. However, reducing the number of strays and roaming dogs with spay/neuter services will result in cleaner conditions. Many communities have dozens of loose and roaming dogs that create sanitation issues by spreading feces/urine throughout the village. In some cases, dogs get into trash bins and there are often decaying dog carcasses in the landfills. The purpose of this program is to prevent and mitigate Covid-19 by surveillance, testing, providing quality veterinary services, reducing populations with spays/neuters, and improving sanitation. The cost is estimated at $18,000 per village visit including funds for transport of future strays by tribal animal control, with an average of three separate visits per year which is needed ot make a significant improvement. In most cases the situation can be maintained with yearly veterinary visits thereafter. This fee includes salary for veterinary team, travel, freight, veterinary medical supplies, pet supplies, doghouse materials, chains and/or cables to restrain loose dogs, crates, and rescue supplies. Communities are welcome to have as few or as many visits as they wish. The tribes may also want to create a couple of additional animal control positions independent of this project. This project will assist in setting up the tribal animal control procedures at no additional cost. This program will help prevent and mitigate Covid-19 by providing ongoing veterinary surveillance, disease prevention and testing, population control and assistance with shipping puppies or strays out to rescue all of which will substantially help with sanitation. At this time, we DO NOT believe that Alaskan dogs carry Covid-19 be we would like to improve sanitation and do the research to rule it out. Although we feel that running water and good sanitation for people are the priority, we also strive for the ONE Health aspect for our villages, which includes environmental, human, and animal health. As it is all inter-related. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or would like more information, 907-765-2061. Mike Williams Sr., Chairman, Yukon Kuskokwim Canine Health Association; Dr. Arleigh Reynolds, Director, Center for One Health, UAF; Dr. Timothy Hunt, Medical Director, Alaska Native Rural Veterinary, Inc. Share this: Tweet Email Jody Sleppy, 53, of Bethel, AK, passed away suddenly on November 10, 2016, with his family by his side, in Anchorage, AK. Jody Greg Sleppy was born on August 12, 1963, in Denver Colorado to John and JoAnn Sleppy. His parents were missionaries and moved the family to Alaska in 1969. He attended and graduated from Bethel Regional High School in 1981. Jody majored in Music at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, California. He graduated from PCBBC in 1985. It was at bible college that Jody met the love of his life, Sheri Johnston. They were married on August 15, 1987, in Oregon. Jody held many titles, including pastor, son, brother, husband, father, and friend. The things that interested him most were reading, traveling, spending time with his family, singing, and helping those in need. Jody is preceded in death by his dad, John Sleppy and grandparents, Jerome and Ruby Sleppy, and John and Anna Strausz. Jody is survived by his wife, Sheri; children, Karissa, Lauren, Michael, and Caleb; sisters, Joni Tingue, Jonda Sleppy and Joyce Sleppy; and mother, JoAnn. Memorial service for Jody was on Saturday November 26, 2016 at Gladys Jung Elementary School. The family of Jody wishes to extend their sincere thanks to all of those who have given of their heartfelt time, words, and gifts. Share this: Tweet Email 12 February 2016 (UN) With the number of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe showing no signs of easing in 2016, the United Nations refugee agency today reiterated its concern over increasing restrictive measures on the part of European Member States, stressing that greater support mechanisms must be urgently implemented to protect the fundamental human rights of the more than 2,000 people who continue risking their lives every day to reach Europe. Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva earlier today, Melissa Fleming, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), underscored that despite rougher seas, harsh winter weather and numerous hardships endured upon arrival, more than 80,000 refugees and migrants arrived in Europe by boat during the first six weeks of 2016, with more than 400 dying in their attempt. Comparably, large numbers began arriving in Europe only by July 2015. In the month of January alone, nearly 58 per cent of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe were women and children, and one in three people arriving to Greece were children, as compared with one in 10 in September 2015. More than 91 per cent of those arriving in Greece came from the worlds top 10 refugee-producing countries, including Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, UNHCR said. In response to the situation, Ms. Fleming expressed hope that European Union Member States will implement at a faster pace all EU-wide measures agreed upon in 2015, including the implementation of hotspots and the relocation process for 160,000 people already in Greece and Italy. She also expressed regret that despite repeated calls by UNHCR to expand legal pathways to allow refugees to access asylum, many European Member States are in fact reducing the available legal avenues, suggesting that some countries are prioritizing keeping refugees and migrants out over finding realistic solutions. Ms. Fleming noted that in Denmark, restrictive measures on family reunification were imposed in January, with refugees now only able to apply for their family to join them after three years, instead of one. Other countries are contemplating similar or even more restrictive legislation, she said, stressing that the issue cannot simply be shifted from one country to another. Recognizing that some European countries are facing challenges due to significant arrivals of asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants, as well as the fact that States have a sovereign right to manage their borders, the spokesperson reiterated that such actions must be done in accordance with national, European Union and international law, she concluded. Quick and thorough support mechanisms will be crucial for integrating people in countries receiving the highest number of refugees, including Germany and Sweden, to help dispel the fear and xenophobia and reinstate the common European principles of dignity, solidarity and human rights that the European Union was founded upon. [more] You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site. by Kathleen Gilbert BEIJING, September 7, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) Escaped Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng is leading international opponents of forced abortion in calling upon the worlds largest company to end compliance with the Chinas one-child policy. Family planning police have targeted employees (569) Sign up below to have the hottest Catholic news delivered to your email daily! Close Sign up below to have the hottest Catholic news delivered to your email daily! Church Militant, we need to band together to protect our religious liberties and win the culture war! Columbus-area business profits surged in COVID bounce back Some Franklin County suburbs did particularly well as the economy recovered from COVID disruptions, according to income-tax receipts. Joe Carothers, Jr. of Dothan passed away Friday, February 12, 2016. He was 77. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan with Dr. Jim Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Dothan City Cemetery with Ward Wilson Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan from 5 to 8 P.M. Monday, February 15, 2016. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Wiregrass Area Food Bank. Mr. Carothers was a member of the First United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of Dothan Houston County Chamber of Commerce. He is preceded in death by his parents Josiah Showell Robins Carothers, Sr. and Katherine Harris Carothers, wife Barbara Burns Carothers and a brother William (Bill) Carothers. Survivors include sons Robins Carothers and his wife Jerri of Dothan; Merritt Carothers and his wife Paula of Dothan; sister-in-law Rose Carothers of Winfield, AL; grandchildren Robins Carothers IV of Lubbock, TX; Zachary and Kathrine Carothers of Dothan; nephews Jackie Reeves and Bill Carothers. Pall bearers will be Robins Carothers IV, Zachary Carothers, Jackson Reeves, Eric Crowder, Richie Crowder, and Iverson Garrett. Honorary pall bearers will be the Legislative Class from 1974 2006, National Peanut Festival Board, Past and Present, and The Creek Crowd. Ward Wilson Memory Hill Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematory 334-792-4194, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.wardwilson.com. Sign the guest book at www.dothaneagle.com. dpa ElectionsData With dpa ElectionsData you get access to a unique collection of data. Via a programming interface (Rest-API), your developers can access detailed information, candidate profiles and live results for all national elections in the European Union and important international elections, like the US Midterm elections etc. The data pool also includes all heads of state and government as well as about 20,000 elected members of parliament throughout the EU. In addition to their data (name, party, constituency or list position), we collect social media profiles and official websites of individuals and parties. Home Four wheelers Tata Motors Sub-2-Litre Diesel Engine In Development oi-Ajinkya Recently, the Supreme Court banned the sale of diesel engines over 2.0-litre in Delhi. The pollution levels in the country are extremely high and diesel engines were blamed for it. Several automobile manufacturers have been significantly affected by the ban on the sale of diesel models. Tata Motors has six models on sales that use diesel engines over 2.0-litres. All six products cannot be sold in the state owing to the Supreme Court ban, which has taken a toll on their overall sales. Now, the Indian-based automobile manufacturer is planning on modifying its existing diesel engine. Engine displacement will be lowered so that Tata Motors can resume sales of diesel vehicles in Delhi. No official announcement by Tata Motors has been made so far. Previously, Mahindra lowered the displacement of its diesel engine to resume sales in Delhi. The new 1.99-litre diesel engine by Mahindra was launched in Delhi during January 2016. Mahindra will be utilising the newly developed diesel engine in their Scorpio and XUV5OO models. Tata Motors could also make use of the new diesel engine as an alternative in other cities of India as well. The indian-based automobile manufacturer can commence sales of their products in the Delhi-NCR region. "We must be ready to dare all for our country. For history does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." - President Eisenhower, First Inaugural Address Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Political Suicide by DonkeyHotey Gov. Snyder releases over a gigabyte of new emails, still none from 2013 and before Gov. Syder released 1.02 GB of emails in pdf form from various departments in his administration. However, none of them are pre-2014, a time period when many of the decisions regarding Flints move to the Flint River as its temporary source of drinking water were being made. Still, there is a LOT of new information in these emails and much of todays news round-up comes from analysis of them by various news outlets. If you have a burning desire to plow through the gigabyte and change of files, here are the links to all of them: Emergency Manager & Treasurer Andy Dillon gave the okay to switch to the Flint River despite warning from DEQ In late March 2013, a full year before Flint switched to the Flint River as the source for its drinking water under the order of its Emergency Manager and with sign-off by their boss State Treasurer Andy Dillon, DEQ officials warned them about the potential for problems. In an email sent on March 26th, Stephen Busch, a staffer in the drinking water division of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) informed his superiors about problems they could anticipate making the switch. That email was then forwarded up the food chain to Treasurer Dillon. Heres are some of the warning flags he raised: Continuous use of the Flint River at such demand rates would: a. Pose an increased microbial risk to public health (Flint River vs. Lake Huron source water) b. Pose an increased risk of disinfection by-product (carcinogen) exposure to public health (Flint River vs. Lake Huron source water) c. Trigger additional regulatory requirements under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act Busch turned out to be 100% correct and all of these came to pass shortly after the switch was made. Flints water treatment plant wasnt prepared to handle the Flint River water but they rushed it into service anyway Mike Glasgow, Flints laboratory and water quality supervisor at the time of the switch to the Flint River made it very clear in an email to DEQ officials that the citys water treatment plant was not going to be ready to treat river water in time for the conversion from water obtained from the Detroit Water and Sewerage (DWSD). However, his superiors were blowing him off: I have people above me making plans to distribute water ASAP, Laboratory & Water Quality Supervisor Mike Glasgow said in an email to the state Department of Environmental Quality on April 17, 2014. [] I was reluctant before, but after looking at the monitoring schedule and our current staffing, I do not anticipate giving the OK to begin sending water out anytime soon, Glasgows email says. If water is distributed from this plant in the next couple weeks, it will be against my direction. I need time to adequately train additional staff and to update our monitoring plans before I will feel we are ready. I will reiterate this to management above me, but they seem to have their own agenda. Once Darnell Earley had made the decision to move to the river as the citys source for drinking water, the wheels were put in motion and there was no turning back. So, instead of doing it right, they rushed it through anyway because, frankly, Earleys actions gave local staff literally no alternatives. Once Gov. Snyder acknowledged the poisoning of Flints drinking water with lead, it took a month before corrosion controls were installed On September 30th, Gov. Snyder finally acknowledged what nearly everyone else already knew: Flint had a problem with poisoned water and his administration had made mistakes, including not properly treating the water to prevent corrosion. However, it took until November 4th for his administration to finally authorize the installation of the corrosion control equipment: Between Gov. Snyders admission and the approval of the corrosion control equipment, DEQ director Dan Wyant, a man with no background in water treatment or water regulations, assured the public that corrosion control had been in place the whole time. By the time he got around to approving the equipment, Flint had already switched back to DWSD water (that is already treated with phosphate for corrosion control.) All of this happened, by the way, months after the EPA had been pushing them to begin phosphate treatment back in August: Snyder administration officials & staffers blew off whistleblowers to cover their asses There are heroes in the story of Flint and there are villains. The heroes are people like pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna-Attish, Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards, and EPA staffer Miguel Del Toral. Even Gov. Snyder calls them heroes. But, back last summer when Gov. Snyders spokesperson was telling people in Flint to relax, they were cast as villains by Snyder administration officials, the true villains in this story: Michigan regulators who failed to ensure proper corrosion control chemicals were added to Flints drinking water spent six months dismissing evidence of their error and considered ways to muzzle the federal expert who first sounded alarms about it. [] The constant second-guessing of how we interpret and implement our rules is getting tiresome, Pat Cook, a treatment specialist at the state Department of Environmental Quality, told colleagues in a previously unreported April, 27, 2015, email after Miguel Del Toral of the federal Environmental Protection Agencys Region 5 openly questioned their compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. [] If he continues to persist, we may need Liane or Director Wyant to make a call to EPA to help address his over-reaches, Stephen Busch, state DEQs Lansing regional director overseeing the Flint system, told Cook and another colleague in an April 27 email. Gov. Snyder to testify before Congress after all, pitches it as if it was his idea After countless calls for Gov. Snyder to testify before the House Oversight & Government Reform Committeee from Congressional Democrats, state legislatures, and nearly every group in any way interested in the catastrophe in Flint, he has finally agreed to do so. But he wants everyone to know it was HIS idea: BREAKING: I have asked Rep. @jasoninthehouse for the opportunity to testify in Washington D.C. about the #FlintWater Crisis #FlintFWD Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) February 12, 2016 Thats the sort of spin that hiring not one but TWO public relations firms buys you, I suppose. State officials told the EPA theyd inform the public about the outbreak of Legionnaires Disease nearly a year ago and then didnt This is why nobody trusts the Snyder administration: At least six Environmental Protection Agency officials discussed in late March Genesee Countys Legionnaires disease outbreak and a suspected link to Flints change in water sources and were told the state would alert the public. No pronouncements about the outbreak were made then. [] Thomas Poy, the ground and drinking water branch chief of EPA Region 5, told those on the March phone call that the state is currently figuring out a communication-with-the-public plan, according to notes from Jennifer Crooks, the EPAs Michigan drinking water program manager. EPA officials also offered to send resources and staff to Michigan to help deal with the deadly outbreak they hadnt told the residents of Flint about. They were never taken up on their offer and nobody from the EPA or the Snyder administration or from Genesee County or from the city of Flint every bothered to mention it until Gov. Snyder held a press conference in January of this year. CNIL, Frances data protection authority, on Monday formally gave Facebook three months notice to comply with the French Data Protection Act. A working group comprised of regulators from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and the German province of Hamburg recommended the action. On-site and online inspections, along with a documentary audit, disclosed that Facebook had failed to meet the requirements of the French Data Protection Act, CNIL said. What Facebook Must Do The notice gave Facebook a laundry list of things to do within the next 90 days, including the following: Stop compiling the data of French account holders for advertising purposes without a legal basis; Stop processing data thats irrelevant, excessive or inadequate with respect to the purposes pursued, and stop asking account holders to prove their identity by providing medical records; Obtain the explicit consent of account holders, based on specific information, for the collection and processing of their sensitive data including religious and political views and sexual orientation; Inform account holders on the sign-up form and profile pages about the processing of their personal data, why data is transferred outside the EU and to whom, and the level of protection offered by third countries; Fairly collect and process data of non-account holders with regard to data collected using the datr cookie and the like button; and Inform Internet users and obtain their prior consent for placing cookies on their terminal. The Europeans take a tough stance, and it makes sense, commented Laura DiDio, a research director at Strategy Analytics. Today, in a world where everythings interconnected, the question about who owns the data becomes very muddy, she told TechNewsWorld. Facebook is using illegal means of collecting data and a data transfer mechanism which was invalidated by the European Court of Justice last fall, DiDio pointed out. I think its pretty nervy that they collect the browsing activity of anybody who surfs the Web, even if they dont have a Facebook account and I laugh at their response, which is always, We are willing to work with the European authorities.' Facebook did not respond to our request to provide further details. Facebooks Options Facebook will likely try some sort of delaying tactic, whether legal or procedural remains to be seen, surmised Mike Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. However, Facebook has to be able to target advertising to continue being a going concern, and this order would pretty much shut down French operations, Jude told TechNewsWorld. The procedural fixes will require rearchitecting its service for the French market. Faced last year with a similar order from Belgium, Facebook responded by banning nonmembers in the country from accessing any pages on its website. That resulted in complaints of blackmail, so its unlikely Facebook will try that tactic again. Forget about going to court, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. France has a very fast legal system, he told TechNewsWorld. Penalties could be assessed and reach nosebleed levels very quickly, and appeals are very limited. The Napoleonic legal system doesnt embrace the concept of fairness, Enderle said. Further, the French are likely to make an example of the company if it doesnt comply, he suggested. This could include criminal indictments for Zuckerberg and his senior staff, and theres an extradition treaty between France and the U.S. The French take this stuff really seriously. Fallout From Frances Actions More investigations are being conducted into Facebook by the various EU regulatory authorities, and India just last week banned the companys Free Basics service. The Internet is being Balkanized by competing regulatory regimes, Frosts Jude said. As countries move to impose their own regulations on the Web, the overall freedom people enjoy there will ultimately disappear. Expect repercussions against Google, Amazon, Twitter, YouTube, and every other company doing business online that uses consumer data to tailor services, Jude cautioned. This is definitely a slippery slope. 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The World Council of Churches says it is celebrating the historic meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Geneva-based WCC said the Feb. 12 meeting of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox church leaders was a great step forward in healing the schism between Western and Eastern Christianity Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), said, "The meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill today in Cuba is an historic ecumenical event, and very timely in the context of the conflicts and crises currently causing so much suffering in the world." The two leaders met in Havana, Cuba. "Our fraternal meeting has taken place in Cuba, at the crossroads of North and South, East and West," the Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church said in a joint statement Feb. 12. "It is from this island, the symbol of the hopes of the "New World" and the dramatic events of the history of the twentieth century, that we address our words to all the peoples of Latin America and of the other continents." The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest member church in the WCC, which for the past 50 years has cooperated with the Roman Catholic Church through their Joint Working Group. The WCC represents more than 500 million Christians worldwide, but the 1.2 million strong Roman Catholic Church is not a member of the Geneva-based grouping, although it serves on its commissions. Eastern and western Christianity split over matters of doctrine in the Great Schism of 1054 and formally separated from one another in 1438. This is the first meeting of heads of the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches. The WCC, to which many of the eastern Orthodox churches belong, has worked Christian unity for many decades. "The Council therefore celebrates this important meeting of the two church leaders as a great step forward in healing the schism between Western and Eastern Christianity," said the WCC. "The Pope's openness to dialogue with the Orthodox Church leaders - earlier with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and now with the spiritual leader of the Russian Orthodox Church - shows a growing commitment to unity among Christians, which in turn is a sign of hope for peace in our world." The WCC noted that the meeting came at a "time of grave challenges to the vision of peace, due to unresolved conflicts in Syria, in Ukraine and elsewhere." It said these are causing intolerable suffering and displacement. "Churches and Christians everywhere are called to be instruments of peace in the midst of conflict, and of compassion in response to the suffering of fellow human beings." The WCC said it hopes and prays that the meeting of Pope Francis d Patriarch Kirill will help inspire renewed commitment and action by churches, societies, governments and the international community. These should " welcome the stranger in need, to resolve conflicts, to bring peace and to pursue justice [and human dignity and rights] for all." The WCC like the Roman Catholic Church has congregations and churches in Syria and it noted the meeting of the Pope and the Patriarch took place directly after an announcement of agreement by world powers to seek a nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria. Mexico City, Feb 14 (EFE).- Nearly 1 million Mexicans took to the streets of Mexico City to welcome Pope Francis as he made his way to the Basilica of Guadalupe, where he celebrated Mass, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said. Francis "is very happy with the welcome" he received on Saturday, Lombardi said in a press conference. Saturday was a long day for the 79-year-old pontiff, but "he is in very good health" and is fine even though he lost his balance in the dressing room, Lombardi said. Pope Francis's biggest wish for his Mexico trip came true on Saturday, when he was able to pray before the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas, the Vatican spokesman said. Nearly 35,000 people attended the Mass celebrated by Francis at the basilica, with 5,000 of the faithful inside the church and the rest watching on giant television screens set up in the plaza outside. The pope spent 20 minutes praying alone at the basilica and later placed yellow roses and other offerings before the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his family were among those who attended the Mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe, receiving communion from the pope. Francis said in his homily that he wanted to remember "the excluded" and "the discarded" in society, as well as those who have lost a family member to violent crime. On Sunday, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in Ecatepec, a populous city outside Mexico City that has been plagued by crime for years. The Mass is expected to draw up to 300,000 people, officials said. Francis arrived in Mexico on Friday for a visit that will take him to five states through Feb. 17. On Monday, the pope will travel to the southern state of Chiapas, the next day he will visit the western state of Michoacan and he will wrap up his visit on Wednesday in the northern state of Chihuahua. Havana, Feb 14 (EFE).- Cuba on the weekend returned to the United States a missile received "by mistake" on the island in 2014, with a Cuban team of experts returning it to U.S. territory, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Cuba acted with seriousness and transparency and cooperated in order to find a satisfactory solution to this situation," says the text, adding that the inert air-to-surface missile - a "laser-guided AGM 114 Hellfire rocket" - arrived in the communist nation in June 2014 on a flight from Paris "by mistake or mishandling in the country of shipment." The statement says that once the U.S. government officially communicated to Havana its interest in recovering the missile, "the procedures between the two parties (for doing so) were begun," and the transfer was carried out on Saturday. Havana insisted that the Lockheed Martin missile "was properly held and taken care of" until the arrival of "a team of experts from the U.S. government and the above-mentioned company who traveled to Cuba to examine (its) condition." On Jan. 7, the U.S. press reported that a missile lacking a warhead, initially sent to Spain in 2014 and used in NATO military training exercises, mistakenly wound up in Cuba, instead of returning to its country of origin. The missile was shipped from Florida to Spain's Rota naval base and was used in NATO exercises, according to The Wall Street Journal. The daily said that Washington has been asking Havana for more than a year to return the high-tech weapon. Hellfire missiles are fired from combat aircraft, including helicopters, and were also designed as antitank weapons, but they have been modernized and fired from drones to attack terrorist targets in Yemen and Pakistan. Relacionados ONG dice que Paraguay compro un software para vigilar las charlas en internet Re: Register to vote in UK elections, before 20 April 2015 The eligibility to vote in a referendum differs to a general election: British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years. Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election. Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal...United_Kingdom Register to vote here, . The UK might hold a referendum on remaining in the EU this year. Are you a registered postal voter?The eligibility to vote in a referendum differs to a general election: British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals who have lived overseas for less than 15 years. Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election.Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote.Register to vote here, http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/ Last edited by Sbrinz; 16.02.2016 at 12:19 . When it comes to the Duggars, it looks like they just can't win with their critics. Critics are blasting the reality television family for being "hypocrites" once again after a report indicated that Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are promoting an app aimed to help make men better dads and people. Jessa Duggar Baby Boy News: Reality Star's Life Was At Risk During Home Birth? Many critics are pointing out that the Duggars are doing too little too late, considering their own son Josh Duggar is in rehab for his sex and porn addictions. The scandalized star admitted to sexually abusing his four sisters and cheating on his wife Anna last summer. According to The Hollywood Gossip, Jim Bob and Michelle are encouraging Christian men to "win" at life, by explaining that society's future rests on the shoulders of young males. Josh Duggar News: Wife Anna Duggar's Extreme Weight Loss Due To Stress? In the clip (which is no longer available), the couple can be heard saying, "When men win: wives, kids, and society wins. When men win, we don't have to build as many shelters for abandoned families. When men win, we don't pay the psychological and emotional toll for fatherless kids, or care for so many abused and neglected wives." They also say that the app should help men "stay connected to your kids" and "be the dad that you should be." The Duggars lost their reality show, 19 Kids & Counting, last summer when TLC booted them off the air. Washington, DC, February 14, 2016 -- African education leader Thierry Zomahoun called on global scientific community to pick up chalk and help him uncover a new Einstein in Africa. President and CEO of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Zomahoun delivered a speech to a packed room at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual conference in Washington, D.C. He called on participants to join the cause for policies that support the education of African youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) instead of traditional development aid. "At AIMS, we believe that the next Einstein will be African and that he or she will develop solutions that cross borders and change lives," Zomahoun says. "We need to enable Africa's youth to shape their future by training a new generation of scientific leaders." In his speech, Zomahoun argued that despite the fact that Africa has been experiencing strong economic growth since 2000, it is facing tremendous challenges in educating the STEM graduates who can take the continent to the next level. African research still accounts for less than 1 per cent of the world's output. Of that only 29 per cent of this research is in STEM fields. He argues that encouraging collaboration and celebration of science in Africa will reap tremendous benefits for Africa and the world. "At AIMS we are reinventing the university for the 21st century," says Zomahoun. "Our curriculum is linking education and development in ways never seen before." AIMS recruits some of Africa's most talented university graduates to provide them with a Master's level cutting-edge training in mathematical sciences. The aim is to develop a generation of leaders trained in STEM to problem solve for better communities. The success of the program lies in recruiting world-class teachers, researchers and tutors to enhance students' academic experience. Zomahoun made a plea to AAAS attendees join the cause. Founded in 2003 with its first centre in Cape Town, South Africa, AIMS is Africa's first network of centres of excellence in Mathematical Sciences. AIMS has gone on to establish centres in Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon and Tanzania. It will open its latest centre in Rwanda in 2016. A total of 15 AIMS centres across Africa are planned by 2023 through the AIMS-Next Einstein Initiative "Our model works with 70 per cent of our graduates remaining on the continent," says Zomahoun. "Many take up positions in academic institutions across Africa and through our Industry Initiative, bridging into important private sector work in ICT, finance and health sectors to name a few." He adds that two thirds of AIMS graduates are pursing PhDs in Africa and about 131 graduates are teaching at universities in 26 African nations. Zomahoun also called attention to The Next Einstein Forum (NEF) in Dakar, Senegal, from the 8th to the 11th of March. Co-hosted by AIMS, the NEF is the first global forum for science in Africa. AIMS believes that it is Africa's time to lead on the global scientific stage. The NEF is a biennial gathering with stakeholders from science, policy, industry and society come together to leverage science for development. AIMS-NEI is an important component of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (GOAL 4), specifically for inclusive and quality education in Africa. AIMS's programs for tertiary education in Mathematical Sciences, training to improve math and science school teacher education and gender equity of scientist training are central to Africa's success in meeting these targets by 2030. Of our 960+ graduates, 31 per cent are women and the goal is to achieve half in the future. He closed his speech with a broad call for attending scientists to come to Africa and join their fellow scientists to teach, collaborate and participate. He also told them to get their academic and research masters to become excited about the new possibilities emerging in the continent that gave birth to mathematics. ### About AIMS and the Next Einstein Initiative: The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for post graduate education, research and outreach in mathematical sciences. Its mission is to enable Africa's brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa's future scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency. AIMS was founded in 2003 and has produced more than 960 graduates, one third of whom are women. The goal of the Next Einstein Initiative is to build 15 centres of excellence across Africa by 2023. Follow us on Twitter @AIMS_Next and Facebook. For more information: Contact: Steven Williams In Washington: 1-202-234-0700 (OMNI Shoreham Hotel #238) until Feb. 15, 2016 In Toronto, Canada: 416-218-5564 Email: swilliams@nexteinstein.org Twitter: @stevenwilliams1 WASHINGTON, D.C. - While many people are marking today scrutinizing the virtues of their Valentines, Michigan State University revealed a first-of-its-kind study on the virtues and values of scientists. The study, presented at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C., surveyed nearly 500 astronomers, biologists, chemists, physicists and earth scientists to identify the core traits of exemplary scientists. The subjects selected were scientists who had been honored by their respective national organization or society, and the results show that above all, these researchers hold honesty and curiosity in the highest regard, said Robert Pennock, a professor in MSU's Lyman Briggs College and leader of the study. "If you're not curious, you're probably not a real scientist," he said. "The goal that you have is to find out something true about the world, regardless of what your preferred hypothesis might be. Your real drive is to find what is revealed by the data. This is absolutely essential in being a scientist." If someone is dishonest and going to the extreme of faking data, that person is not really a scientist in the true sense, Pennock added. Those surveyed, using a scale from zero to ten, were asked to rate attentiveness, collaborative, courage, curiosity, honesty, humility to evidence, meticulousness, objectivity, perseverance and skepticism with regard to their importance for scientific research. Once they scored each trait, the scientists were asked how each characteristic is or isn't expressed in science. The subjects also were asked to identify the three most-important virtues. The study revealed a tacit moral code in scientific culture - one that most researchers hope to be able to pass on to their students, Pennock said. "The results will have some implications for teaching science," said Pennock, who conducted the study with Jon Miller of the University of Michigan. "Our teaching shouldn't stop with the content or science processes. Cultivating the values - like honesty and curiosity - that underlie science should be a part of science education." Underscoring the importance of instilling desirable traits in the next generation of scientists, the study tackled how exemplary scientists preserve and transmit these values to their students. A whopping 94 percent of scientists believe scientific values and virtues can be learned. The number dropped a bit, though, when asked if these traits are actually being transmitted to current graduate students. "It's encouraging that 4 out of 5 scientists believe that their values are being embraced by the next generation of students," Pennock said. "However, it's somewhat troubling that 22 percent of the scientists surveyed see these valued traits eroding a bit." With stories of falsified results making headlines, it's known that some scientists not only fail to achieve these ideals but directly violate them. Science is a truth-seeking enterprise. Based on this study, researchers violating this unwritten code of conduct may not be scientists in the truest sense, Pennock said. "Researchers who commit such misconduct are not merely violating some regulatory requirements, but they also are violating - in a deep way - what it means to be a scientist," he said. ### This research was funded by the John Templeton Foundation and the National Science Foundation. Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. For MSU news on the Web, go to MSUToday. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews. A Northwestern University research team has taken CSI to a whole new level: employing sophisticated scientific tools to investigate details of the materials and methods used by Roman-Egyptian artists to paint lifelike mummy portraits more than 2,000 years ago. These visages of the dead are considered to be antecedents of Western portraiture. Marc Walton and his interdisciplinary team have uncovered telling clues about the paintings' underlying surface shapes and colors. The new details, when coupled together, provide the researchers with very strong evidence as to how many of the 15 mummy portraits and panel paintings were made. Walton, a senior scientist at the Northwestern University-Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts (NU-ACCESS), will share details of the nearly two-year investigation in both a presentation and press briefing Sunday, Feb. 14, at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The researchers identified the pigments used by the artists and the order the paints were applied and to which regions, as well as sources of materials and the style of brushstrokes used. Details of the pigments and their distribution led the researchers to conclude that three of the paintings likely came from the same workshop and may have been painted by the same hand. This knowledge will help scientists, art conservators and art historians better understand how painting techniques evolved in the Byzantine Empire and beyond. "Our materials analysis provides a fresh and rich archaeological context for the Tebtunis portraits, reflecting the international perspective of these ancient Egyptians," Walton said. "For example, we found that the iron-earth pigments most likely came from Keos in Greece, the red lead from Spain and the wood substrate on which the portraits are painted came from central Europe. We also know the painters used Egyptian blue in an unusual way to broaden their spectrum of hues." Walton's AAAS presentation, "Romano-Egyptian Mummy Portraits from Tebtunis, Egypt," is part of the symposium "Faked or Changed? Using Science to Reconstruct Object Biography" to be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. EST Feb. 14, 2016 in the Marshall Ballroom North, Marriott Wardman Park. Later in the day, he also will discuss the research at a 1 p.m. press briefing, titled "Science Provides New Insights into Old Paintings, including van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles." The briefing will be in the same location as Walton's presentation, the Marshall Ballroom North. The well-preserved mummy portraits are extremely lifelike paintings of specific deceased individuals. Each portrait would have been incorporated into the mummy wrappings and placed directly over the person's face. They were excavated more than 100 years ago at the site of Tebtunis (now Umm el-Breigat) in the Fayum region of Egypt. The set is now housed at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. Working with the museum's art conservators, Walton and his collaborators used non-destructive and non-invasive techniques to extract information about the paintings' underlying surface shapes and color. Optics expert Oliver Cossairt and signal processing analyst Aggelos Katssagelos, professors in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and members of Walton's team, developed two of the key analytical tools. "Our goal is to use objects themselves as evidence for their production," Walton said. "In our interrogation, we have used a number of cutting-edge analytical tools developed here at Northwestern to uncover new and intriguing clues about how to identify the hand of an individual artist." Cossairt's computational cameras captured a series of images of the portraits under different angles of illumination to examine the surface shape of the objects. Using an imaging algorithm called photometric stereo, the researchers were able to recover quantitative measurements of brush and tool marks. The method also was used to determine how the artist layered the paint and to establish the order of the various pigments used in the paintings. For measurements of color, visible hyperspectral imaging data was collected between the ultraviolet through the near-infrared range. Regions on the paintings were compared to dictionaries of reflectance spectra of pigments used in the Roman period and mined using Katasaggelos' machine-learning algorithms. Using these data as a guide, micro-samples of paint also were removed from discrete areas of the paintings for a "ground truth" determination of the pigments. More invasive analytical techniques of Raman microspectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy provided characteristic fingerprints for the pigments. There are only a handful of other researchers in the world using hyperspectral imaging in combination with other non-destructive and micro-destructive techniques to understand how a work of art is made, Walton said. ### Research on these mummy paintings, which is ongoing, will contribute to the international collaborative study project Ancient Panel Paintings: Examination, Analysis and Research (APPEAR), initiated by the J. Paul Getty Museum. APPEAR aims to create an international digital database to compile historic, technical and scientific information on Roman-Egyptian portraits. NU-ACCESS is based at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and is supported by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The center's mission is to provide scientific support for the investigation of art collections, as well as to develop new technology for the study and analysis of art. Video and image are available at https://northwestern.box.com/s/pealsenti0ibtquiny9th7hdyyspgdui. Source contact: Marc Walton 310-210-3530 marc.walton@northwestern.edu "The answer to that question is usually 'no,' but there are exceptions," said Stanford Professor Rob Jackson, a professor of Earth system science at Stanford University, and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and at the Precourt Institute for Energy. An expert on the health impacts of fossil fuels, Jackson has studied groundwater quality at oil and gas fields throughout the United States. He will present his findings on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 10:00 a.m. ET, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, D.C. Jackson will speak at a symposium entitled, "Does Hydraulic Fracturing Allow Gas to Reach Drinking Water," at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marshall Ballroom South. "We have found a number of homes near active wells with very high levels of natural gas in the tap water," Jackson said. "Where the chemistry suggests contamination, the problem usually lies with the integrity of the well, either the cementing used to isolate it from the surrounding rock and water or the steel casing that allows gas and oil to flow upwards." Most documented cases of groundwater contamination were caused by poorly constructed wells, he said, pointing to a widely publicized case in Parker County, Texas. "At that site, the company cemented very near the surface and deep underground, but they put no cement for 4,000 feet in between," he explained. "The gap allowed gases to move up and down freely like a chimney and contaminate the drinking-water supply." Besides structural issues, Jackson and his colleagues have identified problems associated with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. This technology uses pressurized sand, water and chemicals to crack open rocks and release trapped reservoirs of oil and gas. Fracking wells are often installed a mile or more below the surface, far from underground sources of drinking water. But in a recent study, Jackson found that at least 2,600 wells in U.S. have been fracked at depths shallower than 3,000 feet, some just hundreds of feet below the surface. "We found a surprising number of places where companies are fracking directly into shallow freshwater aquifers," he said. "In no other industry would you be allowed to inject chemicals into a source of drinking-quality water." Jackson cited a high-profile case in Pavillion, Wyo., where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that shallow fracking operations had released natural gas and other toxic compounds into freshwater aquifers. "At Pavillion, they were fracking less than 1,000 feet deep, while people were getting drinking water at 750 feet," Jackson said. "Contamination is more likely to occur when there isn't enough separation between the hydraulic fracturing activity and the drinking-water sources." In California, Jackson has identified hundreds of fracking wells drilled into aquifers located less than 2,000 feet below the surface. In the U.S., hydraulic fracturing is typically regulated by individual states. "Some states, like Texas and Pennsylvania, generally have pretty strong environmental regulations," Jackson said. "Others, like West Virginia and Arkansas, don't. Only Texas and Colorado have restrictions or additional safeguards in place for shallow hydraulic fracturing." The 2010 documentary, Gasland, sparked controversy with footage of a kitchen tap catching fire at a home located near a natural gas well. "That doesn't happen often, but we have seen it," Jackson said. "We've also documented people' s water change from clean to contaminated over the course of a year." Natural gas consists primarily of methane, a greenhouse gas that's more than 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Concerns about global warming and the potential impacts if natural gas on drinking water have led several European countries to take a much more cautious approach to hydraulic fracturing, Jackson said. "In Germany, France, and many other countries, officials are under pressure to invest in solar, wind and other renewables instead of a technology that produces greenhouse gases," he said. ### Other invited speakers at the Feb. 14 AAAS symposium are Nathan Wiser of the EPA and Mitchell Small of Carnegie Mellon University. David Marker, associate director of the research firm Westat, will moderate the event. University of Exeter research into the impact of climate change will be featured at a prestigious science event in the USA, held this week University of Exeter research into the impact of climate change will be featured at a prestigious science event in the USA, held this week. Professor Tim Lenton, Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science, and Dr Stephan Harrison, Associate Professor of Quaternary Science - both from Exeter's Geography department, will present their world-leading research at the high-profile international event. Thousands of leading scientists, engineers and policymakers will hear about two ongoing studies at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting at Washington DC. The annual meeting is held to discuss recent developments in science and technology. Professor Lenton will speak about the social and policy implications of climate change "tipping points". These critical thresholds have the potential to dramatically alter the climate and tip the climate system past a point of no return. During his seminar, titled The Social and Policy Implications of Climate Tipping Points, Professor Lenton will explain which tipping points have been observed, and which are anticipated in the future. It is thought measuring tipping points can help show early warning signals and he will say they should lead to more decisive global action being taken to tackle the causes of climate change. Professor Lenton said: "At the meeting I will explore the prospects for gaining early warning of approaching climate tipping points. I will show examples of early warning signals prior to past abrupt climate changes, and in models being gradually forced past climate tipping points. "I will show an example from observational climate data - a pronounced slowing down of North Pacific sea surface temperature fluctuations over the last century. This has important implications for well-known marine ecosystem 'regime shifts' in the North Pacific. As surface ocean temperature variability slowed down, marine ecosystems became prone to greater variability, and became more likely to cross tipping points." Dr Stephan Harrison will outline his research into glacial lake outburst floods during his presentation, called Worldwide Occurrences and Attribution of Moraine-Dammed Glacier Lake Outburst Floods. Most mountain glaciers have been receding during the last century and this trend has accelerated largely as a consequence of global warming. One consequence of this is the development of glacial lake outburst floods, which have severe impacts on downstream communities and infrastructure. Dr Harrison will describe how Exeter academics have produced a global database of the dam failures which lead to glacial lake outburst floods. Dr Harrison said: "The data show an abrupt increase in the frequency of these floods from around 1930, a peak in their frequency in most mountain regions in the 1960s to 1980s and a reduction in frequency since then. This is attributed to a possible delayed response to the climate becoming warmer, but our research does not support a link between human-caused climate change and recent floods." ### Invesco has become the latest big asset manager to move into robo-advisory. In January it bought Jemstep, a US fintech firm that provides a digital platform for investment advisers, helping them onboard clients and providing automated portfolio advice, management and services. Peter Nesvold, Silver Lane Advisors The acquisition follows several other recent deals in the UK and the US. Aberdeen Asset Management bought Parmenion Capital Partners last September. A month before that, BlackRock bought FutureAdvisor, while Fidelity has acquired eMoney Advisor and Schroders bought a stake in Nutmeg in 2014. The robo-advisers, while not all offering the same services, do have one thing in common they all bring the asset managers closer to automated investment retail distribution. There are about 100 such firms worldwide, and consultants predict their assets could grow to more than $2 trillion by 2020. While they have shown an impressive ability to gain credibility in a short time, the robo-advisers revenues have yet to pack a punch. Many instead measure their progress primarily on account growth, which Peter Nesvold, managing director at M&A investment bank Silver Lane Advisors, finds analogous to internet-only banks that sprang up in the 1990s. Proposition He points out, however, that internet banks grew much faster back then than robo-advisers are doing today. Why? Early internet banks offered deposit rates two or three times the national average, a more compelling proposition than robo-advisers discounting financial advice to investors that may not currently use an adviser at all. He predicts that while automated financial advice is here to stay, most independent robo-advisers will lose ground to larger, more-established firms. Thats because companies such as Schwab and Vanguard can leverage billion-dollar brands to play catch up in a hurry. If thats the case, it makes perfect sense for an independent robo to sell now while acquirers are keen to buy the technology before they develop it internally, he says. The recent volatility in the stock markets may accelerate this trend, as distress in the public markets also causes dislocation in the private financing markets. Given these robo-advisers are still consuming cash and have financing needs, were likely to see a wave of consolidation, says Nesvold. Those who have sold themselves already are smart to have done so before the sales become forced. Indeed, Personal Capitals reported dual-track process of considering both a Series E capital raise and/or a sale of the entire business suggests that the sense of urgency among robos is heightening. Asset managers can provide a much bigger springboard for independent robo-advisers than going it alone. Research from Silver Lane estimates that it took Wealthfront about three and a half years and Betterment a little more than four years to generate as many accounts as Schwab did in just 90 days when it launched robo-advisory platform Intelligent Portfolios. The sale of the robo-advisers marks a shift in strategy, however. Originally developed as B2C businesses, the asset management acquirers are essentially turning them into B2B offerings. That is the case for FutureAdvisor. Speaking about the acquisition, Robert Fairbairn, global head of BlackRocks retail and iShares business, says: Our goal with FutureAdvisor is to be the B2B digital advice partner of choice in the US, giving partners high-quality, technology-enabled advice capabilities to improve their clients investment experience. Nesvold says that robo-advisers give asset managers a fuller suite of product solutions and deepen their relationship with the wealth management industry. For Aberdeen, the Parmenion acquisition is a pure B2B play. Parmenion provides portfolios to UK financial advisers. Aberdeens group head of brand, Piers Currie, says the purchase is also about future-proofing. With some of the UK regulations taking place, the risk is being pushed now from pension funds to end-investors or employees, he says. Its early days in that cycle, but we have to understand the innovation and technology that will enable us to serve in that new environment where investors are doing more themselves. Regulatory change, social change and competitive fear are driving the appetite for acquisition, he says. But while some asset managers claim the acquisitions are B2B plays, Nesvold says that they may also be keeping their options open should they decide they need their own digital distributor for their own products, chiefly exchange-traded funds. Invesco, BlackRock, Schroders and Aberdeen are large ETF houses. Compliments The growing ETF market could be perfectly complemented by the robo-advisory model. Is it a coincidence that Deutsche Bank, a large ETF provider, launched maxblue, an in-house robo-adviser in December? Both JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, which are also committing to building ETF platforms, have backed Motif, an online digital platform that provides baskets of stocks based on themes. Its feasible in five years time that ETFs are the default investment option for younger investors, says Nesvold. That audience is likely to want digital distribution directly. So who is next? Wells Fargo says it is looking for a partner. Nesvold says State Street is a premier ETF manufacturer that has yet to make a big move. By this point, it could soon be a buyers market. Hi All, I would like to know few details regarding business visa. I am from India and working with telecom sector since last 10 years . Presently I am working in Myanmar. I am planning to move UK with my family Could you please provide few details regarding telecom scope in UK? Can we survive in UK with business visa? Is there any risk if we move to UK with business visa ? Can I do the work or job in my sector with business visa? Which visa is good option for working professional from business visa options(Tier 1, 2 , EU Agreement) It would be really appreciate if someone can share derails regarding my queries. Thanks &Regards Ajay Rana THERE was never any question as to whether Rachel Williams would end up working with livestock after watching her parents work with their cattle until she was old enough to help. "We will film their performances during the practical sessions and put on a show at the student dinner, which is a part of the course, and they will be able to see their progression for themselves." Pitts: Mailer for Fayetteville council change misleading, say opponents A former councilwoman who is Black, supports Vote Yes is wrongly depicted as a Democrat. Organizers say it was a mistake; opponents think otherwise. Matthias Schoenaerts is one of the most in demand and busiest actors at the moment and is set to return to the big screen in Disorder. Disorder Disorder is set to be the second feature film for writer and director Alice Winocour as she returns for the first time since she made her debut with Augustine back in 2012. She is one of the female directors to really keep an eye on over the next couple of years - it is great to see her back. Schoenaerts is set to take on the central role of Vincent Loreau, an ex-soldier who is suffering from PTSD. Diane Kruger is also on the cast list. The pair feature in a set of great new images from the film, and we have them for you to take a look at: Following a tour of duty, Special Services soldier Vincent (Schoenaerts) takes a job in security for a wealthy Lebanese businessman and his family. During a lavish party at the family's luxurious 'Maryland' villa in the South of France, Vincent senses that something is amiss. When his employer is urgently called away on business Vincent is left to ensure the safety of his wife Jessie (Kruger) and their child. Suffering from post-traumatic stress, Vincent battles his own paranoia whilst clinging to the certainty that Jessie and her family are in real and immediate danger, unleashing a hell-bent determination to protect them at all costs. We have already seen Schoenaerts in The Danish Girl and A Bigger Splash this year - continuing on from his very busy 2015. Disorder is released 25th March. by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on 2016 seems to be a bad time for a lot of couples. Many lovebirds who had been going strong ended up splitting, shocking not their family members but the whole country. These couples had once been listed under the ideal couples of Bollywood but sadly today they are no longer together and this is causing such a heart ache to us. What has happened to the people in our country? Why is there no longer a long lasting marriage? Hrithik-Kangana While Hrithik maintained he was single, Kangana clearly let out that there was something between the two and now it has come to an end. Farhan-Akhtar This couple announced their split officially citing that the two grw apart in these past 15 years of marriage. Vira-Anushka While neither of the couple have accepted the break up rumours, their distance from each other and silence on the matter clearly indicates they have broken up. Ranbir-Katrina Don't know if Ranbir and Katrina's split up was a marketing gimmick for Fitoor movie, but if not, then this is another couple that is rumoured to have split up. Richa Chadha-Franck Gastambide Richa Chadha too has apparently broken it off with firang boyfriend, Franck. What the hell is wrong with her? Why break up with such a handsome dude? Pulkit Samrat-Shweta Pulkit and Shweta too announced that they are divorcing each other owing to Pulkit's family. Rumours are rife that Yami Gautam is also a major reason. Malaika Arora-Arbaaz Khan It is rumoured that Malaika is dating a British guy and has decided to end her marriage with Arbaaz Khan. Sohail Khan-Seema Apparently even Sohail and Seema's marriage is on the rocks owing to his alleged link up with Huma Qureshi. On this Valentine's Day when a number of people are celebrating their day of love, we are just left wondering if this love is forever or is it short-lived. Oscar Wilde once said, "The heart was made to be broken", was it? This makes us wonder if love really exists? But thankfully there are a few couples in the industry who give us assurance time and again with their PDA moments and long-lasting marriage that all is well. If a number of couples broke up in 2016, a number of people found love as well. While Shahid Kapoor will be spending his first Valentine's Day with his wife Mira Rajput, let us take a look at those couple who will not be spending this day of love with anybody. CLICK ON THE IMAGE SLIDES TO KNOW ABOUT THE 8 BOLLYWOOD COUPLES WHO HAVE SPLIT UP IN 2016! But one couple who are going super strong this Valentine's Day is Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. The actor flew to Canada to spend time with his lady love as she was busy shooting for XXX3 in Toronto. Ranveer is spending the Valentine's Day with Deepika Padukone, post which he'll return to India and start shooting for Befikre with YRF. ALSO READ: Aww! Ranveer Singh Spotted On The Sets Of XXX3 With Deepika Padukone The intolerance issue is taking a serious turn as Shahrukh Khan's car was pelted with stones by unidentified miscreants, during the early hours of Sunday morning. Shahrukh Khan, was not present in the car when the attack took place. The entire incident was caught on CCTV camera, but the men hurling stones have their faces covered and not revealed their identity. Shahrukh Khan, was in Ahmedabad for the shoot of his upcoming film Raees, and a bunch of unidentified men, came in bikes and threw stones at the actor's car around 5 AM in the morning. It is reported that the men who threw stones at Shahrukh Khan's car, chanted slogans like 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Shahrukh Khan Hai Haii". Just a few days back, Vishwa Hindu Parishad had protested against the ongoing film shooting of Shahrukh Khan's Raees, in Bhuj, Gujarat. Also during the release of Dilwale, protests erupted in Rajasthan and Gujarat calling for the boycott of the movie. Shahrukh Khan, is being targeted by extremists for his comments on 'intolerance' in the country. LONELY VALENTINE! 12 Hot Actresses Who Are Above 33 And Still Single GENEVA, Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fragrance Du Bois is a unique, luxury fragrance house that takes its inspiration from the beauty and purity of nature itself. At the heart of all Fragrance Du Bois' creations is the 100% pure Oud oil, which is sustainably produced on the brand's own plantations, managed by Asia Plantation Capital. Fragrance Du Bois has signed a one-year partnership agreement with Dukascopy Bank SA, the organisers of the Geneva Forex Events at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Switzerland. Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160212/8521600904-a The Geneva Forex Event is a series of monthly meetings that brings together financiers and other key players in Geneva's financial sector. The events offer the perfect opportunity to combine glamour, luxury and business in an informal and yet convivial setting. The concept is to facilitate regular get-togethers that allow participants to keep up with and/or stay ahead of business trends, and establish privileged professional relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. Asia Plantation Capital (APC) was delighted to be able to support the perfume brand at its Geneva launch, and help promote its sustainable plantations that produce such a wide and fascinating variety of end products. The launch event was held on Thursday, the 4th of February, and was attended by Mr Gary Crates - CEO Europe, the APC Group SA. "We are delighted to have the opportunity to make new contacts, and at the same time support our partner company," said Crates."Fragrance Du Bois will be making its European debut with a launch at the Jovoy boutique in Paris later this month, and this will be followed up by other openings in Europe in the near future. The entire range of Fragrance Du Bois perfumes contains the 100% pure and sustainable Oud oil that we produce," he concluded, "so we are very pleased to be a part of such an auspicious event." Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160212/8521600904-b 100% pure Oud, 100% pure luxury Fragrance Du Bois creates fragrances from 100% pure and natural Oud oil, produced from Asia Plantation Capital's sustainable plantations around the world. The entire process, 'from soil to oil' is strictly controlled by APC, guaranteeing not only exceptional quality, but also the known provenance for a highly valuable product. Established in 2011, and inspired by the artistry of traditional French perfumeries, Fragrance Du Bois now offers a range of sophisticated fragrances comprised of seven 'shades' and three private collections. Each of the ten expressions will be presented at consecutive Geneva Forex Events, and two gift boxes with a 100ml bottle of fragrance in each (valued at more than EUR1,300) will be awarded as prizes for the 'Eurodollar Price Prediction' contest. On this particular evening, red set the tone, with Patrick Castagna -- Channel Manager for APC Group SA, Geneva -- presenting the winner with the delectable 'Oud Rouge Intense'. Photo- http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20160212/8521600904-c Both partners, Fragrance Du Bois and Dukascopy Bank SA, look forward to working together on the Geneva Forex Event, to create a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship. Notes to Editors: For further information, please contact: Charlotte Medigue Marketing and Administrative Officer Email: charlotte.medigue@fragrancedubois.com Tel: +41-22-707-7330 Patrick Castagna Channel Manager Email: patrick.castagna@asiaplantationcapital.com Tel: +44-79-763-01-39 About Fragrance Du Bois The brand was created in 2011, and currently has three boutiques (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok) all of which opened its doors in 2014. Fragrance Du Bois is a niche, luxury perfume house born from the richest essences of nature, and crafted by fifth generation perfumers from the 17th Century French tradition of Grasse. FDB's exquisite fragrances will transport you to yesteryear, invoking long lost memories, fleeting feelings, and bursts of joy. Its beguiling creations will strike a chord with your deepest, most intimate and unique selves, with inspiration emanating from the beauty and purity of nature itself. At the heart of all Fragrances Du Bois' creations is the signature Oud that exudes the ultimate in luxury, being both distinctive and unique. All the Oud used by Fragrance Du Bois is produced by Asia Plantation Capital, and is guaranteed to be ethically and sustainably sourced. About Asia Plantation Capital Officially established in 2008, although operating privately since 2002, the Plantation Capital Group has more than 2,000 members of staff worldwide, in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, North America and Europe. With 126 plantations across the globe, the company has also opened the largest agarwood processing factory in Southeast Asia, to meet the growing demands of sustainable agarwood and Oud Oil production. About Dukascopy Bank SA Dukascopy Bank is an innovative, Swiss online bank providing internet-based and mobile trading services (with a focus on foreign exchange, bullion, CFDs and binaries), as well as banking and other financial services through innovative proprietary technology solutions. The company was founded on the 2nd of November 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland, where it has its headquarters. Dukascopy Bank is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) both as a bank and as a securities dealer. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to address the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in northern Syria, emphasizing the imperative for de-escalation in the area. The Vice President expressed support for Turkey's fight against PKK terrorism and the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of defeating ISIL and to work towards a cessation of hostilities, as agreed in Munich. The Vice President noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border, and urged Turkey to show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area. The two leaders pledged to work together, emphasizing the need to protect displaced and vulnerable populations in northwest Syria and ensure routes for humanitarian assistance to Aleppo remain open. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United Nations reported Sunday that Afghan hostilities in 2015 left more than 3,500 civilians dead, including an unprecedented number of children - one in four casualties over the past year was a child - and nearly 7,500 others wounded, making this the highest number of civilian casualties recorded. 'This report records yet another rise in the number of civilians hurt or killed. The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable,' said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the UN Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA). The annual report, produced by the UNAMA in coordination with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office (OHCHR), shows that increased ground fighting in and around populated areas, along with suicide and other attacks in major cities, were the main causes of conflict-related civilian deaths and injuries in 2015. UNAMA documented 11,002 civilian casualties (3,545 deaths and 7,457 injured) in 2015, exceeding the previous record levels of civilian casualties that occurred in 2014. The latest figures show an overall increase of four per cent during 2015 in total civilian casualties from the previous year. UNAMA began its systematic documentation of civilian casualties in 2009. Some of the report's other key findings highlight that anti-Government elements continued to cause the most harm - 62 per cent of all civilian casualties - despite a 10 per cent reduction from 2014 in the total civilian casualties resulting from their attacks. Notwithstanding the overall decrease, the report documents anti-Government elements increasing use of some tactics that deliberately or indiscriminately cause civilian harm, including targeted killings of civilians, complex and suicide attacks, as well as indiscriminate and illegal pressure-plate IEDs. Civilian deaths and injuries caused by pro-Government forces caused 17 per cent of civilian casualties - 14 per cent from Afghan security forces, two per cent from international military forces, and one per cent from pro-Government armed groups. The report documents increased civilian casualties caused by pro-Government forces, including during ground engagements, aerial operations, and the activities of pro-Government armed groups. In 2015, UNAMA documented a 37 per cent increase in women casualties and a 14 per cent increase in child casualties. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de The Oscars might be buzzing around your ears, but things have already moved on to the next level. The recently concluded Sundance film festival revealed a ton of great films for this year; below are ten of the most interesting. Swiss Army Man Dir: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert The most polarizing film of the festival, Swiss Army Man has a unique plot. A man (Paul Dano) gets stranded on a deserted island. After days of being alone, depressed and hungry he decides to hang himself. Just before he does the deed, the body of another man (Daniel Radcliffe) washes ashore. After being given CPR by the suicidal man the corpse begins farting uncontrollably. People at the screenings staged walkouts, other cheered at the irreverence of the plot. The film ended up winning a trophy at the fest and was sold to A24 as a flatulent drama. Dark Knight Dir: Tim Sutton In 2012 the opening of The Dark Knight Rises was marred by a grim tragedy. Gunmen burst into a movie theater in Colorado and opened fire at audiences watching the movie. Twelve people were killed in the incident. Memphis director Tim Suttons new film takes an impressionist approach to exploring the tragedy, with close ups of the faces of people in a movie theater. The film doesnt really have any answers for why this has been happening in America lately but as per the reviews its impossible to look away from. Manchester By The Sea Dir: Kenneth Lonergan For anyone who has dealt with a personal loss in life, Manchester by the Sea supposedly plays out like a catharsis. The film chronicles the story of a man (Casey Affleck) trying to deal with a variety of losses the death of a brother, the passing of a father and the estrangement with a wife. Going by the buzz Affleck has delivered a performance that makes him a candidate for next years Oscars. The Birth Of A Nation Dir: Nate Parker Character actor Nate Parker, who has appeared in bit parts in films, took a break from acting seven years ago to develop this film, and he ended up directing, writing and starring in the lead role. When it premiered at Sundance the film received giant applause and the very next day Fox Searchlight bought the film for $17.5 million, beating the previous Sundance record Little Miss Sunshine by $8 million. Sing Street Dir: John Carney Writer director John Carney has had a amazing run with 2007s Once and 2013s Begin Again, and with his new film Sing Street hes now scored three out of three critical darlings. Much like his previous films, Sing Street chronicles a story woven around people finding a new direction in life with the power of music. This time, Carney goes back to his Irish roots in which a teenager in 1980s Dublin leaves his troubled life at home to start a band. Under The Shadow Dir: Babak Anvari Under the Shadow, an Iranian film from debutant director Babak Anvari is purported to be an atmospheric horror movie set within a haunted Tehran house during the terrifying final days of the Iran-Iraq war. It definitely seems to be a good follow up to last years Iranian horror A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. Right out of Sundances gate, the film was snapped up by Netflix, which means it would be available online globally sometime soon this year. Indignation Dir: James Schamus An adaptation of Philip Roths novel of the same name, Indigantion has garnered critical praise for Logan Lerman, who plays a kid who decides to go to college to avoid enlisting in the Korean War in the 50s. An atheist, the conflict he faces is that he is forced to attend mass 10 times a year to graduate. Things become more complicated when he gets infatuated with a girl with a troubled past. The Eyes Of My Mother Dir: Nicolas Pesce Borderline Films, the outfit run by hot in demand indie filmmakers Sean Durkin and Anthony Campos had not one but two films at this years Sundance. The first of which is the debutant filmmaker Nicolas Pesces supposedly beautifully photographed black and white horror film on the origins of a murderer. Christine Dir: Anthony Campos The other Borderline film at Sundance, this one directed by Campos chronicles the disturbing undercurrent of sensationalizing news in America. The film, a period drama focuses on the very moment a small-town TV reporter (Rebecca Hall) who caved under pressure to render her report in a sensationalist fashion. Reviews have been favourable, and if Campos previous movie Simon Killer indicated the arrival of a big talent, this one seems to establish him as someone every film buff should look out for. Operation Avalanche Dir: Matt Johnson In 2013 director Johnson delivered a stunning comedy drama called The Dirties, which showcased a man who cant differentiate between reel and real life. Johnson takes things one step further in his new film Operation Avalanche which resurrects a popular conspiracy theory - that the Apollo 11 moon landing was faked, and that the live-broadcast of event was manufactured by the CIA. As per the reviews Johnson even managed to trick NASA into the film without realizing theyre being made fun of. (All images are Youtube screengrabs from Trailers) It is a curious but logical second innings. Ratan Tatas second coming as a venture capitalist after retiring from the high table at India Inc has been an unusually public transition for the industrialist. The pace of his investments has also been hectic. Six investments were announced in the first six weeks of 2016 alone; this is besides the raft of announcements the previous year. And now comes the declaration from the investments office of the University of California system to jointly fund start ups and enterprises with Tata over the next 10 years. Pottering around the Willingdon in retirement, is apparently not for this former chairman of the House of Tatas. This is a man in a hurry, working at a pace that says retirement is for wimps. There was hardly a precedent for this sort of transition. Until some years back, Tatas had neither a retirement policy nor a succession policy worth the name. Tata satraps, including the boss - and that includes Ratan Tatas two predecessors in the role - continued till they felt like. So JRD Tata had retired at 87 in 1991, and passed on two years later. JRD sort of continued till he faded out; consequently there was neither need nor time for a second innings. JRDs predecessor, Sir Nowroji Saklatwala had died suddenly in office in 1938. Again, no precedent for what Sir Nowroji would have done in retirement. Ratan Tatas second innings has been occasioned by his own policy that everyone including himself would call it a day at 75. A policy that was scrupulously followed to the day; his last day as chairman fell on his 75th birthday. At that time, there was no hint of the second innings in his conversations with the media on his post retirement plans. There were just the predictable comments people make about retirement. He mentioned pursuing hobbies or interests; presumably a busy life lived continuously at its peak had not left the time for any of that. Tata has not stepped aside totally from the house; in fact, quite far from it. He remains the chairman of the Tata trusts; so little question of a fade out here. Being chairman of the trusts that itself own most of Tata Sons the holding company, should allow for a say in corporate policy and strategy. But there has been no hint of wielding power from that position. Allowing the incumbent chairman of Tata Sons, Cyrus Mistry, to run the show while Tata retains control of the trusts, and presumably their voting power, is an unusual arrangement; Ratan Tata as chairman of Tata Sons had also controlled the trusts that own two thirds of Tata Sons. It means Mistry does not enjoy the same leeway Tata himself did when he was chairman, the blending of both management and control. Perhaps that will change going forward. Tata: A name with weight This brings us to Ratan Tata, VC. Being a venture capitalist is not that much of a change from his main role when he headed Tata Sons. Allocating capital must have been a big part of his responsibilities at Tata Sons, and that is what venture capitalists do anyways. So a good fit there. A delicate question is whether the funds are his personal capital, or from other sources. News reports indicate that it is the former which makes sense; at this stage in his life there is less need for the hassles of dealing with a limited partner, or some other source of funds. Recall however that almost all the money that the venture capital/private equity industry in India plays around with, comes from abroad. Indians it appears, have a sense of realism when it comes to funding their own venture capital industry. So if the money is Tatas, it represents a welcome change. Local risk capital - and a famous source at that - is stepping up to the plate to fund the India growth story. The real advantage is to the company the weighty Tata name gets attached to. Eager young entrepreneurs are more than happy to have the gloss of the Tata name rub off onto them. Some of them cant seem to believe their own luck. Signaling effects appear to be profound. Everybodys suitably respectful and reverential. Theres less pressure in dealing with exits of any sort, or with going public. Besides his personal experience and mentoring, there is the possibility of an extensive network of management talent Tata can recommend to the companies he invests in. The rest of the venture capital business is also happy to play along; the hope is that Old Moneybags has got it right this time. Earlier round investors benefit the most from the bandwagoning effect of his name; naturally many early round investors must be looking to recommend their companies/investments to him, which in turn leaves Tata with a steady pipeline of deals to look at. These will be deals on which others the earlier round investors have already done the basic homework and due diligence, so less grunt work for him. Nice. One would expect that Tata would extract his pound of flesh for the benefits of using his name, by asking budding entrepreneurs to hand over their precious equity to him at cheaper valuations. But that is not the case. Apparently his investments are at the price the previous round of venture capitalists paid when they bought into the firm. This eliminates the need for Tata to haggle over price, always the biggest road block to doing the deal, and accounts for the hectic pace of his deal making. However, that also means he always pays top dollar and is always late to the party. But the advantage of the halo effects associating with the Tata name for all concerned, far outweigh the disadvantage to Ratan Tata of being a later stage investor. His association moves the valuation of the equity to a new equilibrium. Also if things go wrong, then the valuation was done by the previous venture capitalist, not Tata. Nice again. Scattershot Recall also that the venture capital industry works on the shot gun model, which is a scatter shot approach. In its highly stylized form, 19 out of 20 investments will be dabbas, but that doesnt matter as the 20th investment is in a still private Google, or its equivalent. At least thats the fond hope. Except that in India finding the next Google or Microsoft in the eco-system is something of an issue. Hence the Tata role. Having someone like him on your side helps improve the odds. Or does it? For cues to that, one needs to take a look at Tatas portfolio. The portfolio is a mixed bag. It includes the usual red hot areas in the industry heat matrix e-commerce and cab aggregators. Theres also the occasional punt on stuff that gels with his personal interests Dogspot.in, an online portal for pets, is one recent investment. All close, but no cigar. Nevertheless, so far its working. Publicly reported information shows an upswing in valuations after he took a stake in the companies. But as always, causality is difficult to pinpoint. Did the companies head higher because he bought into them, or did he buy into them because they were headed higher ? A more intriguing question - with little attempt at an answer so far - is whether there are synergies between what the Tata trusts do, and Ratan Tatas attempt at finding the next big thing to invest in. The trusts have a feel for grass roots level development; theyve been doing it for close to a hundred years. And theres a hugh amount of management jargon about the fortune at the bottom of the pyramid, a reference to low value but high volume transactions that transform the lives of people at the bottom of the financial pyramid ; fighting poverty with profitability as Bill Gates has put it. So are there synergies that much abused term in the lexicon? Only time - and Tata - can tell. Adil Rustomjee is an investment adviser in Mumbai. Mumbai: At 8.30 pm Sunday night, I felt strong winds billowing in from the Arabian sea as Pooja Sawant and almost 50 dancers were on stage dancing to a blockbuster 'Lavani' folk number at the Make In India cultural extravaganza on Girgaum Chowpatty beach. I was standing further back with the media huddle watching both the stage and the giant screens when orange flames burst out from under the stage. We could see it but the dancers could not. Within moments the blaze gobbled up our view of the stage in black fumes, fanned by high winds, licking the sides of a scaffolding rig and lighting up the night sky. Those in the front rows waved frantically for the dancers to leave but the music was so loud and the dancers so involved in the moment that their escape was just in the nick of time. Many of the dancers thought the smoke was part of special effects to pump up the gig. WATCH: Moment when fire erupted on stage at #MakeInIndia event in Mumbai.https://t.co/zJ9IaLnvVC ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 Luckily, no casualties but what an embarrassment considering the theme Make In India, and the audience: Mumbai's top industrialists, practically half of Bollywood and Marathi filmdom and top officials of Maharashtra government. Add to this some dark humor of the Marathi lyrics blaring from the boom boxes and it made the image bashing complete. Pooja Sawant and gang were dancing to this number from the movie Natarang: "..hila jau dyana ghari ata vajale ki bara..mala jau dyana ghari ata vajale ki bara.." As the audience scrambled to safety, we heard strains of soundbites like these: "Maharashtra ki barah baj gayi" which, loosely translated, means the State's image has taken a good beating. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Make in India' week in India's financial capital Mumbai on Saturday. The week-long event, the boldest since Modi launched the initiative to emulate China's export miracle back in 2014, seeks to "spark a renewed sense of pride in India's manufacturing says the marketing blurb. Maharashtra welcomes you read half burnt posters and banners at the venue as cranes pick up the remains of the night and smoke continues to billow many hours after the fire. "Disarray is the word. I can imagine the headlines tomorrow in Beijing and Islamabad. There is no tape to cordon off people, anyone is just walking in and picking up scraps...," I'm very disappointed at these optics...what kind of message does this send out to the world about India's financial capital?" a witness at the scene around midnight told Firstpost. Bollywood stars flee Make in India event, reports BBC. The week-long string of events is meant to showcase India's "manufacturing prowess" and attract billions of dollars in investments from domestic and global majors. Over 2,500 international and 8,000 domestic companies will be participating in the week-long multi-sectoral industrial event, which will be attended by foreign government delegations from 68 countries and business teams from 72 nations. Clearly, high stakes here. Though the official line is that a short circuit could have done it, the "sabotage?" angle is raging on social. Although the Mumbai fire chief says investigation is on and the cause of the fire will be known, here's the thing: Many hours after the fire, smoke was still swirling at the venue, people still walking around fiddling with burnt remains, examining debris lying around, police had not blocked off entry, how would any official be able to stop folks who may want to tamper with evidence? Chowpatty is a banned area for such events and Bombay High Court had refused permission for the event. Yet, the Maharashtra government pushed ahead and went to the Supreme Court seeking permission for the event which it got barely two weeks ago. Did the government lose time in legalities and do a rush job on safety considerations is another question everyone's asking. DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant tweeted soon after the fire : "Kudos 2 d people of Mumbai,fire & police 4 handling d fire crisis in such s professional manner.Speedy, prompt action led by @Dev_Fadnavis". The massive blaze on Sunday evening engulfed the 200 ft by 120 feet plaster of paris stage in minutes. Luckily there were no casualties. Four teams of the fire brigade which were already at the spot rushed in and reinforcements were swift. Mumbai Police and the fire brigade did a tremendous job in evacuation and rescue, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stayed on to personally monitor the unfolding situation and left the spot only after ensuring everyone was safe and there was some closure to the evening. BMC Disaster Control brought the fire under control within an hour by which time there wasn't much left of the stage which hosted Amitabh Bachchan and Vivek Oberoi and chief minister Fadnavis barely an hour before the blaze. At least 14 fire tenders and 10 water tankers were rushed to the site. Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his wife Rashmi Thackeray, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Katrina Kaif, Vivek Oberoi, Isha Koppikar and Shreyas Talpade, ministers, parliamentarians and legislators witnessing the performance were shifted to safer places. For those of us who were at the venue, the first visual of the fire was an angry orange spark just below where Puja Sawant was dancing and it seemed to have caught the top of a decorative foliage and erupted out control in seconds. BMC said the fire could have been caused by an electric short-circuit. Fadnavis termed the incident sad and said a comprehensive probe will be ordered and those responsible for it would face action. Fadnavis confirmed that there were no injuries or casualties and all artistes and guests were evacuated safely. T 2145 - Production was wanting me to stay & go back on to meet the CM .. had I gone back would have been caught in fire .. providential Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 14, 2016 T 2145 - But its God's grace that immediate action was taken and the fire brought under control .. and no casualties !! But frightening !! Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 14, 2016 CM @Dev_Fadnavis at the Disaster Management ControlRoom in Mumbai,monitoring the fire incident and overall situation pic.twitter.com/P7sxHnYUME CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) February 14, 2016 Mumbai can count on its Fire Brigade -- always ready to serve & protect. GoI & GoM's #MakeInIndia event managers have a lot to answer for Milind Deora (@milinddeora) February 14, 2016 Fire at Maharashtra Rajani has been completely doused. Don't believe in any further rumours about the incident #AlertMumbaiSafeMumbai Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) February 14, 2016 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was once a powerful student leader of Gorakhpur University in the seventies. Though this eastern district of Uttar Pradesh was the hotbed of mafias and criminals whose overweening influence on student politics in the campus was vice-like, Singh stood out as an iconic figure for challenging the stranglehold. This political background of the Home Minister bears significance in the context of his unqualified fulmination against students of the JNU who facilitated the India-bashing event in the prestigious institute. Short of declaring a war on such student leaders who organised the event, Singh made it clear that he would see to it that those involved in anti-national activities were brought to book. Singh virtually goaded Police Commissioner BS Bassi to initiate action against student union leaders who participated or endorsed the glorification of Afzal Guru, a convict of the Parliament attack hanged by the UPA regime. Rajnath Singh had earlier led the BJPs youth wing known as Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and promoted student leadership within the Sangh Parivars fold across the country. Though his area influence was particularly confined to eastern UP that housed one of the most prestigious Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Singh was quite cognisant of sinister facets of underground influence on student politics. In the eighties and nineties, a dreaded warlord of Bhabua-Rohtas districts of Bihar Mohan Bind used to get safe sanctuary in BHU. In Gorakhpur, gangs owing allegiance to warlords like Harishankar Tiwari and Birendra Sahi ran students unions. So vitiated was the academic atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh that students resorted to mass-scale copying in examinations of high school and intermediate to succeed. In 1991, when the BJP came to power in UP with Kalyan Singh as the chief minister, Singh became education minister. The first thing on his agenda was to issue an ordinance that made copying in examination as non-bailable offence. Despite much hue and cry by leaders from the Congress, socialist and Marxist stream which described the ordinance as draconian and anti-democratic, Singh stuck to his gun. The result was obvious. The success rate of students who took the exam in 1992 dropped significantly. Thousands of students, including girls, were booked on criminal charges for cheating in the examinations. Those who think Rajnath Singh overreacted to a minor student affair in JNU are certainly oblivious to the fact that Singh is one of the rarest leaders of the BJP who has profound understanding of the Sangh Parivars ideological moorings. Therein lies the difference between him and a newcomer like union HRD minister Smriti Irani. For instance in Rohith Vemulas suiucide, Iranis utterances were frowned upon and regarded as immature expressions not aligned to the Sanghs ideological line. On the other hand, Singhs unambiguous warning to the anti-national in JNU and the police action was appreciated in the entire Sangh Parivar. There is little doubt that if one goes by the precedents, the police action in the JNU campus would prima-facie appear to be a case of overreaction. The JNU has the history of hosting events and thoughts which fall under the category of sedition. For instance, the celebration of death of CRPF personnel in Dantewada or glorification of Afzal Guru could not be described as an academic contestation of ideas. In the past, such events were ignored with the belief that they are mere aberration of a group of attention-seeking students. Given the fact that there exist several secessionist, seditious streams not only in Jammu and Kashmir or North East but also in the mainland of the country in the form of Naxalism, an event of an insignificant scale was regarded as worth of the states attention. Herein a section of the JNU leadership owing allegiance to the left and radical left calculated horribly wrong. They ignored the fact that the present leadership of BJP is largely drawn from the student movement. Modi, though not a product from campus politics, was closely associated with students during the JP movement. Simiarly, M Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley and Ananth Kumar owed their political grounding to students movement. Most of these leaders still maintain their symbiotic relationship with campus politics. Like Rajnath Singh, they not only carry their conviction on sleeves but also nurse a pathological aversion to the Left and ultra-left stream which has been consistently challenging the Sangh Parivars ideological position in many campuses. Now, the chickens have come home to roost. For once, it would be naive to regard Rajnath Singh's warning of sternest action against JNU students union as rhetoric. The fierce encounter that lasted for more than 12 hours in Zonreshi village of Chowkibal in the Valley's Kupwara district is an indication of the continuation of attempts by militants to infiltrate the Line of Control into Jammu and Kashmir. On Saturday, five militants were killed by a joint team of Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group after a nightlong encounter. Security officials believe that the group of five had crossed into the frontier district of Kupwara in Kashmir recently. The forces chanced upon the militants on Friday during search operations in Zonreshi village of Kupwara district, some 115 km from Srinagar. Officials said the joint search party was fired upon by the militants, resulting in a fierce encounter that lasted through the night. Five militants were killed in the operation which also resulted in the death of two soldiers. This is a significant blow to militant organisations as security forces have suppressed their activities in the area, which is prone to infiltration attempts from across the LoC. As the army started searching a suspect house, a heavy volume of fire and grenades was used by militants who were hiding inside the building. As the soldiers engaged them, additional reinforcement effectively cordoned off the village to prevent their escape. The operation, which continued through the night, resulted in killing of five terrorists, Colonel NN Joshi, a defence spokesperson based in Srinagar, said. The Line of Control (LoC) along Kupwara district has witnessed some of the major gun battles between security forces and militants in the last few years. Although the security agencies say there are hardly any local militants in the area, many spots along the porous de-facto border between India and Pakistan along Kupwara in Kashmir Valley are prone to infiltration. Almost all operations in the recent past have taken place in Kupwara, but militant groups have not been able to move to the hinterland because of a very effective and robust counter infiltration grid, General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General Satish Kumar Dua, said after the wreath laying ceremony of two soldiers killed in the encounter on Sunday. The terrain in this area is such that the infiltration takes place. In 2015 there were more than 600 inputs of infiltration. However, we have been able to limit the numbers." This was a fresh group that had, in all likelihood, infiltrated into this side of Kashmir after the recent snowfall. After we got inputs about their presence, we managed to kill all of them following an overnight encounter," DIG north Kashmir, Gareeb Das told Firstpost. Two soldiers were killed in the operation. Security officials said there have been frequent attempts made by militants to cross over at different launching pads in Pakistan administered Kashmir but they have failed to cross over. The situation is calm but as far as terrorists are concerned, they continue to remain there. The numbers vary from 200-300 depending on winters and summers. Snowfall has caused closure of some launchpads against the [Kashmir] Valley side, while as on the Jammu side, there has been an increase in them, Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General DS Hooda, said in a press conference in Jammu. However, the possibility of militants' failure to sneak into the Indian side is also attributed to the counter-infiltration grid, which has become more robust over the years. According to Multi Agency Centre (MAC) figures, the infiltration figures of 2015 are 35. These 35 militants, mostly belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), managed to cross over into the valley in 2015, mainly through Kupwara sector of LoC during summers. As per the MAC figures, 65 militants infiltrated into Kashmir in 2014, 97 infiltrated in 2013, 121 in 2012, 52 in 2011, 82 in 2010, 99 in 2009 and 27 in 2008. We were students, too. Nothing extraordinary or magical about it. These JNU kids are not some new, improved product. We also were anti-establishment and happily loathed the system. We also protested and had rallies and sang songs from Joan Baez and Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan and had huge posters of Che Guevera on the walls of our rooms and batted for Fidel Castro. We knew what it was to be blowin in the wind and we believed fervently a change would come. We read Eldridge Cleavers Soul on Ice, it was our almanac, and from Berkeley to Woodstock to the fight against corruption in Bihar, we also swayed in solidarity. We thought the government was the pits and was there only to ruin our happiness and be the boot on the neck. But never the country. There was a difference, always a difference. We marched against Enoch Powell and his anti-coloureds rant in Britain. We screamed ourselves hoarse over apartheid in South Africa. At the height of our adolescent rage we backed the Naxalites in West Bengal and found it also romantic to have candle light vigils. We had our share of sit ins and walk outs and waving of banners. And we came back home with Jimi Hendrix in our hearts. It was the age of protest and the flower children. We cried with the world, were less insular, more global, heard the voices in the night Bobby. We heard them but we never slagged off the country. The authorities, the police, the bureaucrats, the venal and the evil politician, but never equated them with the country. We did not become pro-China in 1962 after it won the war against us. We did not have pro-Pakistani rallies in 1965 and 1971, that would have been unthinkable. We had great issues. The feminine mystique. The Vietnam war. Racism. Corruption on the home front. We also were not open to any discussion because we were 18 and our parents were ignorant and teachers tools of the system, which itself was insufferable, and the cops were fuzz and we were victims of this conspiracy called governance and we would fight it. We were invincible. But we were never anti-India and we did not give comfort and succour to those who did not wish us well. So lets not include such conduct as we see in the JNU case as a reflection of the students we are forever and a day exuberance. That is a cop out for rank bad behaviour. Either they are carrying on this anti-national activity of their own volition or they are being used as pawns by leftist groups. Whatever, they have to lie on the bed they have made. Also, let's not downplay the seriousness of their intent. Slogans like destruction of India are raised and it is wished that India is carved up into sixteen pieces (solah tukde), they dont become less serious because they are raised within JNU or that those raising them are students. It was not just a bunch of students in experiment and those who are now saying, kids will be kids, should wake up to the reality and Mommy and Daddy should have more than just a little chat with them. Thats the difference. Dont touch my country and if you dont like being Indian the door is wide open, bug off. Just as reluctant autumn yielded to winter, on a particularly cold evening in Budapest, late 2013, I was up reading for my class the next day. My house and fellow university-mate ensconced herself on the other end of the sofa, sliding her fingers across the screen of her newly bought smartphone. She persevered with that action for the next half hour with no rest. Curious, but mostly tickled and (desperately) seeking distraction from my 80 pages of academic readings, I inquired as to what she was doing. Usually, an excitable person, she grabbed my phone and downloaded this application onto my phone from the play store Tinder. A tiny icon with an orange flame popped up in my application gallery; she did the rest with incredible ease under 3 minutes flat, she signed me up and told me how it worked. Then, strait-laced about dating, love etcetera, I found it rather unpalatable the idea that I could swipe left and right on faces that popped up on my screen from my neighbourhood (or the perimeter I could set on this ingenious application). I swiped once. I swiped twice. I swiped thrice. And since that (un) fortunate night, I have lost many hours to swiping with gusto (and then mostly, lackadaisically) in the pursuit of what I imagined to be something, but can perhaps only be described as, Netflix and chill. I will talk about the tiny yet significant percentage of population that is armed with cellphones, tablets and desktops zooming out, according to Internet World Stats, about thirty percent of the world i.e. of 7 billion people are online. Zooming in, Asia accounts for the largest population of users and in that last 15 years, has seen a growth of 1,319 percent users. According to We Are Social, India has about 350 million active internet users. Around 289 million active users are from the urban areas and a significant portion of those users access the internet on their mobile devices. As far as the dating game is concerned, close to 6 million singles in India have joined dating sites, according to Dating Site Reviews, its a market worth $130 million (and growing). In 2009, the popular Date.com was offered as a free service in India. CEO, Meir Strahlberg said in a statement, that the new generation, which is wired and technologically advanced, is embracing online dating as opposed to working with matchmakers. Vivienne Diane Neal, in Making Dollars and Cents Out of Online Dating uses data from Juniper Research saying that India and Japan are one of the biggest markets in online dating. According to a Tinder spokesperson, 14 million swipes happen each day in India an increase from 7.5 million in September 2015 and as youre reading this, a man with brown hair wearing a flannel shirt, khaki pants and a thick beard is probably logging on to a dating application. So is this other man who just got back home from his long tiring day...Oh! And this woman who loves dogs is perhaps typing in her likes and dislikes on an online dating website. The urban Indian demographic has taken to the tools of finding love (or at least finding consensual, casual sex) online. This, however is not a unique metropolitan experience it is not just men, women, girls and boys from Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru or Chennai who are plugged in to look for their significant others , but also a significantly young demographic (18-21 years) who are flirting with the concept of meeting someone online for the explicit purpose of dating. Sachin Bhatia, CEO of Truly Madly calls his app a janta or mass market product a significant portion of the users (45 percent) on Truly Madly are from non-metropolitan cities. It is not your typical iOS South Bombay crowd, though we have some of those too, he says. The grammar and syntax of dating is changing. Online dating has lost a lot of the (perceived) stigma that it used to have. Varun and Alisha met on Tinder and got married. We got onto the app because we were very curious, all our friends were on it and they kept talking about it, says Alisha, while her husband dutifully agrees. No one really cares about where you met your significant others, at least not in the big cities, and people from smaller cities seem to be following suit. Bhatia of Truly Madly, confirms that many of the applications early adopters were girls from smaller towns who moved to bigger cities to work or study, since their social circles were limited to their campus or office. Picture this a Friday evening, the pub is getting cozier, men and women are trickling in. Most heads are looking down into a screen, every once in awhile, they look up, smile and converse with their friends before they go back to tapping pixels on their phones. In one part of the pub, that is now getting louder with painfully popular Justin Bieber songs, a group of men are discussing their latest sexcapades how many women they met and how many women they eventually undressed. In another group that includes both men and women, a woman laments about the futility of it all getting dressed, going on dates, sometimes having sex and then getting disappointed all that effort is going nowhere. Avinash Shah* (29) is a film studies professor, he has matched with a number of women on Tinder but says that he is only in it for the hook ups. Sex with no strings attached, is what I prefer. It has become so easy now. Women do not judge me, I do not judge them. We have a good time and then move on. Some remain as friends, he says. Tinder is like a cold lead, both the parties should be interested in it for it to get converted into a sale, says Nitesh Rao (29). Nitesh and Avinash, both claim their original intention is to find love, not get laid. So, what is it thats holding them back? Apparently, a lack of authenticity and uniqueness a feeling shared by almost all the 20 men I spoke to for this article. Varun and Alisha, the successful Tinder couple also expressed that their social circles were limited and that they were looking for something unique. One of Alishas pictures was taken in an off-beat track in Himachal Pradesh, Varun had been there on a trek and that became his way into Alicias life. I was very intrigued that she had gone to this strange place that not many have been to, I realised that perhaps she is adventurous like me, I thought it was something special, says Varun. Nitesh met with seven girls out of the ten he matched with this month and slept with four of them. Anil Rathore* (25) works for a film production company in Mumbai, he says he has gone from wanting the one to not wanting any kind of serious commitment. Relationships can be stressful, I want something non-committal. Strangely, I also want variety. I'd like to meet different girls. It's nice to meet new people, all kinds of people, that you may not meet otherwise. That's what I like about it. Sometimes you get romantically involved, sexually involved, sometimes you become friends, sometimes you don't even meet. Nancy Jo Sales in her article (that almost broke the Internet) titled, Tinder and the Dawn of the Dating Apocalype writes quite elaborately as to how, perhaps, the unlimited pool of interest out there is killing love, softly, one swipe at a time a point that Aziz Ansari also raises in his extensively researched, yet extremely humourous Modern Romance; he writes: Now, look at my generation. Were in a hallway with millions of doors. Thats a lot of doors. Its nice to have all those options. Buta hallway with millions of doors? Is that better? Is it terrifying? I think we are all hyperlinked. When we are looking for love, we have multiple tabs open. It is almost as if we dont know what were chasing, but we like to believe that we know exactly what we want. This is all possible while were with someone. Honestly, when I am with a girl on a date, I am thinking what else is out there for me. Its problematic, I agree, but its addictive, shares Siddhanth Sharma* (22), an aspiring filmmaker. Rathore also says that online dating fulfills the need for intimacy, romance, sex, fun and excitement. Its fulfilling in some way. Whether its long term, for a few months, a few weeks, a night, a dance. What I want varies from time to time. Rathore has tried OkCupid, Hinge and Truly Madly. Shruti N.* (21) just graduated and started work at an advertising agency. She has taken on to Truly Madly and Tinder quite seriously. By the end of our brief chat at a busy cafe in Mumbai, Shruti told me she had just finalised a date for the evening. I am enjoying my body and my freedom. I work very hard and I love that I can meet guys my age. Sometimes, even if it's just for a hook-up. I like that I can make my own rules, she says. Sanjana Mitra* (31), content writer puts it out straight, I like wining and dining and if it is followed by sex that I want, great. If not, I move on to the next unique thing that is out there. I want to find love, yes. In the meantime, this is great, she says. Ashraya Yadav* (26) in the last week went on four dates, slept with two and is now deciding if she wants to take anything forward. This seems to accurately describe Ansaris point about the experience of being a young, unencumbered, single woman. Emerging adulthood: Swipe right, swipe left. Repeat Online dating portals and applications are now commonly used by most urban (also semi-urban) men and women yes, the kind with first world problems. Sahil Thaker writes in Dating and Marriage Diaries in Urban India that owing to sharp changes in family dynamics (decrease in the number of joint families), a large number of women become independent at an early age, move out of their homes to bigger cities, jobs which bring in changes in their lifestyle. Going by the numbers, Truly Madly has about 2 million downloads with 1,00,000 active users, who on average spend 42 minutes per day on the app in about eight to ten sessions. Users range between 18-21 and 22-26 comprise 40 percent. Most of these users work in technology, media and law. Sociologists (and social anthropologists) have observed that there exists an age after school and before settling down that they now call emerging adulthood; Jeffery Jensen Arnett says that it is an age for exploring ones identity what do we truly want from our lives? And emerging adults decide on what to do, whom to be with before being constrained by marriage or a long-track career. I argue that the urban emerging adult (loosely between 18-32) is in this emerging adulthood stage, looking for love (or the idea of it), but is getting sex or the prospect of it and therefore the immediately available gratification is taking centre-stage. Going by Anthony Giddens, British sociologist particularly known for his overview of modern societies and modernity, says that modernity confronts the individual with a complex diversity of choices...at the same time offers little help as to which options should be selected. (Modernity and Self Identity) Able Joseph, founder, Aisle, espouses the idea that somewhere down the line there might be a large number of people who will perhaps remain single, because there simply is too much (through too many applications) to choose from choosing one might not be an option. India Inc. and what lies ahead India Inc. is obviously not blind or deaf to these statistics; in the last few years, a new crop of dating websites with or without desi tweaks have emerged. Homegrown ones include Aisle (desktop and app) niche, because the people at Aisle need to approve your application before they allow you into their exclusive circle. You answer a series of questions, phone number, email and must link to a social media account (Facebook/LinkedIn), after which they take a few days to decide if youre worthy. The focus on most Indian dating apps is also on authenticity/safety by way of verification, users get to complete their profiles and increase trustworthiness by submitting offline ids such as passports etc. Safety seems to be the greatest limitation that these apps are perhaps trying to overcome. Roundhop.com, an online speed dating website is the latest to tap into this emerging market; currently in its pre-launch, the website already has about 400 hundred registered users. Founder, Roundhop, Dhatraditya Jonnavittula says anonymity lets people behave at their absolute worst. Jonnavittula sees video-chatting as the future for online dating where verified profiles can use video-calling services to find love or whatever it is that they are seeking. Aisle has tackled the safety aspect by including a stringent background check and making the entry restrictive. While there is not much specific quantitative data available on the dating game numbers, it is clear that men and women want to take control of their own lives, it seems like the next step in their bid to create their own identities this cuts through the small town integuement where most online dating would mean a marriage arranged through online matrimonial websites. And in these very boxed but slightly customisable dating applications, men and women are writing/creating their own subjectivities. *Names changed upon request Ahmedabad: Shouting slogans against Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, VHP members threw stones at a parking lot of a luxury hotel in Ahmedabad early Sunday damaging his car in continuing protests against the shooting of his upcoming film Raees in Gujarat over his earlier remarks on "intolerance". The film's crew members are staying in the hotel but the 50-year-old actor was not there at the time of the incident as he arrived here only on Sunday afternoon. After an FIR for rioting and damaging property was filed in this regard in the evening, at least seven persons, claimed to be associated with the right-wing organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), were detained, police said. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) B U Jadeja, 8 to 10 persons threw stones in the open parking lot of Hyatt Regency Hotel on Ashram Road, where Shah Rukh's vehicle was parked, this morning and fled from the spot. "As per the complaint lodged by the Security Officer of the hotel, 8 to 10 persons came on bikes and threw stones on cars parked in the open parking lot early this morning. Due to the stone pelting, windscreen of Shah Rukh Khan's car got damaged," said Jadeja. "We have learnt that Shah Rukh Khan was not there in the hotel when incident took place. Some of his crew members, who have come here for shooting, were staying in the hotel. Shah Rukh landed in the city this afternoon for the shoot," he added. The shooting is taking place in Bhuj. Meanwhile, a video showing unidentified persons throwing stones inside the hotel also surfaced on social media platforms. In the video, they can be seen shouting slogans against Shahrukh and fleeing on bikes after throwing stones. Gujarat unit of VHP claimed responsibility for the incident. The outfit's State spokesperson Raju Patel said the detained persons are associated with VHP and threw stones on Shahrukh's car as part of their ongoing protests against the actor. Around 20-30 VHP activists had last week handed over a memorandum to Bhuj district officers and demanded withdrawal of the permission given for the shooting of the film. They protested outside the district Collectors office pressing for the same demand and shouted slogans against the actor and also burnt and tore his posters. In November last year, Shah Rukh sparked a debate when he said during an interview that there was "extreme intolerance" in India. However, the actor retracted his statements just a few days later, claiming his comments were "misconstrued". As per the complaint filed by the hotel's Security Officer Hitendrasinh Gadhvi, the group was led by one Nilesh Arya and the damaged car had registration number GJ1-TC-A-821. Upon receiving the complaint, Vadaj Police lodged an FIR for rioting and damaging property against Arya and others. According to Vadaj Police Inspector V G Rathod, seven persons have been detained so far. "A case of rioting has been registered against these persons. We are yet to find out their association with VHP or any other organisation. Till now, we have detained seven of them, including Arya. We will arrest them after preliminary questioning," said Rathod. "Nilesh Arya and others named in the FIR are associated with VHP. We have been protesting against Shahrukh's remark that India has become intolerant. Our workers wanted to give a strong message to him for his remark about India," VHP's state spokesperson Raju Patel said. The Chak De! India star is facing facing protests by VHP ever since he came to Gujarat early this month to shoot for his upcoming film Raees. Today, "King Khan" shot some scenes at famous Sarkhej Roza, a mosque and tomb complex. PTI "The Ancient Minstrel" By Jim Harrison Grove Press "The Ancient Minstrel" is Jim Harrison's eighth foray into the novella form, midway in length and scope between the short story and the novel. He has also published poetry, nonfiction and novels in his long and varied career. The three novellas in the collection are linked thematically, each one pitting an aging protagonist against the sense that his or her life ultimately hasnt amounted to much. Each character seeks to remain true to his or her nature while tracing a narrow path between alienating family, friends and associates and giving in to conventionality. The title novella revolves around a writer whose lifes work is mostly behind him. Echoing Norman Macleans "A River Runs Through It," this novella is clearly autobiographical. Like Harrison himself, the protagonist is a familiar presence around Livingston. The fictional writers most popular and successful work is titled "Legends of the Fall," after a Harrison novella, the source of a 1994 Hollywood movie of the same name. The situation seems a bit too familiar the hard-living Montana author coping with flagging physical and creative energies. An Authors Note says that The Ancient Minstrel was begun as a memoir. There isnt much of a plot here, as if the work never completely makes the transition between genres. The characters sudden decision to raise pigs is believable enough in real life, but lacks the sense of inevitability that marks a well-constructed fictional plot. The final, shorter work, The Case of the Howling Buddhas, ends the collection with a raunchy, implausible detective story set in Michigan, Harrisons original home state. Like the writer in The Ancient Minstrel, Sunderson, the rather despicable main character, battles long-established personal demons he can neither ignore nor overcome. Readers may recognize private investigator Sunderson as a veteran Harrison character, with previous appearances in "The Great Leader" and "The Big Seven." Catherine, the protagonist in Eggs, the second and most convincing of the three novellas, is the collections master accomplishment. From her first introduction to poultry at her grandparents farm, chickens become something of a lifelong obsession, as does the generative force in nature itself. This latter focus culminates in Catherines decision to have her own child, with or without an active father figure. In a brief 104 pages, the novella takes Catherine from Montana to New York City, the Florida Keys (despite her fascination with poultry, she somehow fails to notice Key Wests famous roaming chickens), and even World War II England. She emerges as independent, eccentric, and complex, a complete, compelling individual. Eggs is far and away the high point in the collection. Harrisons writing at times seems slack, and it is not always clear how much of this looseness is an element of the writers distinctive voice and how much is simple carelessness or hurry. That being said, Harrison remains an engaging, competent and at times profound storyteller. Overall, "The Ancient Minstrel," though not completely satisfying, offers a welcome return to an often-neglected genre and an addition to the oeuvre of one of Montanas most distinguished contemporary authors. In the din of shrill accusations and nationalistic homilies on television, the political currents that have swirled beneath the dramatic events at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) last week have gone largely unnoticed. In a nutshell, this is the story at a purely political level: the ruling party tried to divide the Left by having the JNU Students Union President arrested over anti-India slogans raised by more radical students who were probably not of his party. In the bargain, it tried to paint Left student organizations in general as anti-national. However, rather than divide the Left, the arrest has brought about broad opposition unity not just among that Universitys student bodies, but at a national level. On Saturday evening, top Left leaders, including Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, shared the mike with Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi at a huge public meeting at JNU. That is not all. Even though some of the academics and others who spoke at that public meeting pointed a finger at the UPA governments record, the Left leaders did not. There appeared to be very positive vibes between the three parties leaders. The currents of opposition unity did not stop with that. The Left leaders reported in their speeches that they had asked Delhis state government to institute a magisterial inquiry into the authenticity of the evidence produced against the arrested JNU student leaders. It was announced a little later during the meeting that such an inquiry has been instituted. Thus, the issue had brought another current, that of the Aam Aadmi Party, into the unity swirl. That is bad news for the ruling party, on the eve of the budget session particularly when economic indicators call for urgent revival. Nor does it augur well for the series of important elections that are coming up over the next year-and-a-half. At a political level, that public meeting was significant for one more reason. Rahul Gandhi spoke so well that he won over an audience that was no more than marginally pro-Congress. I for one have never been an admirer, but I was impressed. He struck a chord by saying at the outset that we welcome even those who are shouting slogans in the corner. They have a right to speak their minds. He spoke of the inclusive spirit of India, in which every voice has space especially that of the poor and deprived. What frightens `them, he said to thunderous applause, is that more and more Indians are getting a voice. 'Bol raha hai,' a student next to me exclaimed, slightly wide-eyed. ('Hes speaking quite well, seemed to be the import.) Another student said a couple of minutes later: 'Improve ho gaya hai, yaar slightly incredulous. While the Left leaders had been at the mike, some students had speculated on whether Gandhi would speak at all, or just sit there and leave. In some senses, it was the toughest audience Indira Gandhis grandson could have hoped to impress. More significant, it was an audience from which some of the movers and shapers of tomorrows India will emerge. Currently, it is an audience with mobile phones that will reach various corners of the country. Apart from a score of protestors who waved black ribbons and incessantly chanted slogans against Gandhi, the thousands of others there seemed to have open minds. They were there to listen, willing to be persuaded, but also wanting to know, even question. Walking around the campus later that evening, one passed many students discussing the pros and cons of what had happened. One fact was absolutely clear: they cared deeply about their University, its ethos and traditions. The chant of `J, N, U was strident during that public meeting. I had got to the University just as that public meeting outside the Vice-chancellors office was getting going. I did not know there was to be a public meeting. I had hoped to find out more about what had happened earlier in the week. When I waded into the throng and asked what was happening, I was told Rahul Gandhi had just arrived. There were thousands of students there. `They are only twenty, one student standing near me remarked to another soon after I arrived. I realized she was talking of the group waving black ribbons and yelling slogans lustily in one corner. They were indeed no more than a score, but their purpose was clearly to disrupt through the ceaseless noise of sloganeering. They were assured of disproportionate projection, for a lot of media cameras crowded behind and before them. As soon as Rahul Gandhi had finished speaking, those who had been shouting slogans against him went to his cavalcade of vehicles. The media cameras scampered after them, eager to capture the fracas that might ensue when he got into his car. Apparently, he left another way. The Congress has never had a strong presence in this Universitys student politics. The Left has been strong, but divided. The student wings of the CPI(M), the CPI, the CPI(ML) and other groups have contested each other. However, traditional Marxism has become less salient, even as Dalit politics has gained prominence in recent years, in universities across the country. So, student leaders of Left parties have felt challenged to give political space to Dalit and extreme Left groups, including Maoists. They have also responded to demands for self-determination raised by some students from places like Kashmir who now study at universities across the country in larger numbers than before. In giving space to mark the anniversary of Afzal Guroos hanging, the student leaders opened themselves to conservative wrath. The government took the opportunity to attack the Left-oriented politics of the JNU community in general by arresting JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar on Friday, although he had just the previous day clearly dissociated himself from the objectionable slogans, and declared the students commitment to the unity and integrity of India. Right or wrong, it was a political decision. The calculations must have been complex. On the one hand, they did not want to target Kashmiris at a time of great political suspense over forming a state government in Kashmir. On the other, they were eager to present the broad range of student groups whom they categorize as `Leftist as anti-national and illegitimate. Political calculations would have been influenced by the extremely negative optics for the ruling party of Rohith Vemulas suicide in Hyderabad. The BJP urgently needed to rebrand student dissidence as anti-national, seditious and anti-Hindu rather than as protesting the oppression of Dalits and the poor. The most important political advantage of this sort of rebranding would be to make mainstream Left parties, mainly the CPI and the CPI(M), wary of getting involved with movements of more radical Left groups which could, in elections, enhance their vote share in alliance. JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar belongs to the CPI-affiliated AISF. By having him arrested and charged with sedition, the ruling party might have hoped to put the relatively centrist CPI on the back-foot, and get it (and the CPIM) to keep away from more radical groups. Instead, it has brought these Left parties closer to the Congress on the one hand, and the AAP on the other. The arrests have certainly earned the government great popularity among its core Hindutva nationalist supporters. But in the minefield of political alignments, the ruling party may have shot itself in the foot. BUDAPEST Thousands of Hungarians protested on Saturday against education reforms implemented by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which critics see as another attempt by the right-wing leader to boost his control over state institutions. Teachers, whose demands include a sharp reduction in teaching hours and a free choice of textbooks, were joined in the rain outside parliament by other unionized workers including miners and civil servants. Protesters say the reforms form part of a centralisation drive by Orban over the past six years that has brought state media and other public institutions under his government's control. Singing the national anthem, some protesters shouted "We won't let this happen." Others held banners saying "Don't chase our youth away." "This is our last chance to ensure that our children live in a normal country getting good quality education instead of the destruction that is going on," said Katalin Egressy, 46, who has four children. Marta, a former English teacher and mother-of-three, said she came to protest because her children's future was at stake. "The situation is worsening day-by-day, the raising of mandatory hours is overburdening teachers and I don't like the mandatory textbooks either," she said, accompanied by her three-year-old son. Orban's government took control of schools from local authorities three years ago and a central body now regulates the system. It has increased teachers' workload and implemented a new curriculum using textbooks critics say contain errors. Teachers at a school in the northeastern town of Miskolc ignited the protests when they drew up a petition demanding the government restore schools' autonomy. The first big protest was held in Miskolc last week. The government responded by replacing its education state secretary and has started negotiations with teachers. Orban's ruling Fidesz party leads opinion polls after his tough stance on Europe's migrant crisis bolstered his support. His chief of staff Janos Lazar said on Thursday that there were issues to be tackled but pointed a finger at "some who want to stir political trouble." (Reporting by Krisztina Than) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON Republican lawmakers and presidential candidates hardened their positions on Sunday on blocking a move by President Barack Obama to replace the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, a lifetime appointment that would help decide some of the most divisive issues facing Americans. The next justice would tilt the balance of the nation's highest court, which now consists of four conservatives and four liberals. The vacancy left by the death of Scalia, 79, quickly became an issue in the 2016 presidential race. "We ought to make the 2016 election a referendum on the Supreme Court," U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said on NBC's "Meet the Press." The nine-justice court is set to decide its first major abortion case in nearly 10 years, as well as cases on voting rights, affirmative action and immigration. Cruz said the vacancy makes November's election even more critical, warning that a justice chosen by Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders would mean the Second Amendment right to bear arms would be "written out" of the Constitution and abortion on demand would become the law of the land. He lumped Donald Trump in with the Democrats, saying that the Republican front-runner's views were indistinguishable from theirs. Democrat Obama said on Saturday that he would nominate someone to fill the now-empty seat, setting up a battle with the Republican-controlled Senate, which must approve any nominee. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said hours after Scalia's death was announced that the high court vacancy should not be filled until Obama's successor takes office next January so that voters can have a say in the selection. His Democratic counterpart, Harry Reid, said failure by the Senate to act would be a "shameful abdication" of the chamber's constitutional responsibilities. While Reid said it would be unprecedented to have a vacancy on the highest court for a year, Republicans said no appointment should be made in the so-called lame-duck year of a presidency. "The president can decide whatever he wants, but I'm just telling you the Senate is not moving forward on it until we have a new president, and I agree with that," Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican presidential candidate, said on CBS's "Face the Nation." Asked what litmus test he would apply to any nominee, Rubio's criteria echoed Scalia's "originalist" ideology that looks at the U.S. Constitution through the lens of its framers' 18th century intentions. "Does the person that we are nominating have a consistent and proven record of interpreting the Constitution as initially meant? What do those words mean to that society at the time in which those words were written in the Constitution? That's what I want out of a judge, out of a justice," Rubio said. Trump, appearing on NBC, was more direct when asked what he would want in a nominee: "Someone just like Justice Scalia." (Additional reporting by Joan Biskupic; Editing by Tim Ahmann, Larry King) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Shreerupa Mitra-Jha Hollywood blockbusters thrive on such tropes: a mysterious, incurable pandemic that sweeps through continents and produces deformed babies in its wake. The Zika virus has found late glory, at last, through its possible association with the debilitating conditions of microcephaly and GuillainBarre syndrome (GBS). Discovered in 1947 in the forests of Uganda, the Zika has, historically, been a traveling virus crossing Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas with relatively mild symptoms to indicate its incidence. All this changed in 2015. The virus, which, till recently, was little more than a scientific curiosity, has now assumed a scary semblance. For half a century since its detection, there were a little more than a dozen confirmed cases of Zika. Today, Brazil alone has an estimated 1.5 million infected people. Despite the fact that more than 75 percent of Zika infected-patients are asymptomatic and it has a very low mortality rate, the viruss stature has hopped, skipped and jumped from a regional outbreak to a global health emergency in a matter of eight months. Its only threat seems to be a possible disastrous impact of the virus on pregnant women who give birth to infants with shrunken brains and also, in some cases, triggering a rare auto-immune disease causing paralysis called Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. Both microcephaly and GuillainBarre outbreaks, however, seem to be concentrated in north-east Brazil. Some cases of GBS, although, have been recently detected in Columbia. In December last year, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)a regional office of the WHOwarned of a strong possible association of GBS with the Zika virus. This has triggered panicked queries as to why a virus deemed more or less innocuous, as far as impacts of viruses go, has suddenly been associated with such dangerous conditions. Could it be a mutant variety? Alarm bells rung louder when researchers in Brazil discovered the virus in the amniotic fluid of mothers pregnant with fetuses with microcephaly and also detected the live virus in the urine and saliva of patients. The US also confirmed this month the case of a man who had returned from Venezuela sexually transmitting the virus in Texas. Fresh from the trauma of Ebola this has been enough to set health officials scrambling for a more coordinated response to the virus outbreak. Brazil has declared a state of emergency and has deployed the army to assist in stamping out the vector-- the aggressive Aedes aegypti mosquito which also causes dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and West Nile virus. While many Latin American and Carribean countries have urged women not to get pregnant till 2018 other countries have advised pregnant women not to travel to countries with active Zika outbreaks. However, it is very, very unlikely that WHO would issue trade or travel alerts, even in the case of a mega event like the Olympics in 2016, or advise women to delay conception. The level of alarm is extremely high, said the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, in a special briefing to the member-states on the sidelines of the 138th Executive Board meeting of the WHO on 28 January. The UN health agency chief added that she is deeply concerned about this rapidly evolving situation. The virus will infect between three to four million people in the Americas over this year. Chans concern also stems from the huge potential of international spread of the virus owing to the large geographical spread of the Aedes mosquitoa band of more than 22 countries, including India, who are highly susceptible to Zika transmission. The virus that, on its own can travel about 200 metres, loves to take a lift in anything from a plane to a boat to bamboos has spread rapidly in an extremely globalized world with criss-crossing trade and travel. The current Zika outbreak, that started in May last year, has now expanded to more than 30 countries with the most recent case being detected in China on February 12. At present Zika reports from other countries are all imported. Human beings are the main carriers of the virus and local transmission is only possible if the vector is present in the area, WHOs chief for Vector Ecology and Management told FirstPost. The concern is also related to lack of immunity of the population that are unexposed to the Zika virus. However, a relationship of causality is far from being established between Zika virus and microcephaly and Zika and GBS. We dont have an answer to what is going on in terms of the microcephaly, said Dr. Bruce Aylward, WHOs Executive Director for outbreaks and health emergencies, and added that it is very important to distinguish between association and causation. Though the WHO is conducting control studies, cohort studies and ecologic studies, part of the problem in establishing such a causal relation, or even a relation of association, is the lack of diagnostic tools, the fact that most Zika patients are asymptomatic and do not need a run for the clinic, that antibodies generated in the blood may be due to other infections, and also, the difficulties in confirming microcephaly cases. Health experts say that, in retrospect, French Polynesia in 2013 may have seen a small outbreak of GuillainBarre syndrome --42 patients were confirmed to have GuillainBarre syndrome out of about 9,000 suspected cases--after a Zika outbreak though it is difficult to positively confirm such an association. Brazils Ministry of Health said last week that there were 4,180 cases of Zika-related microcephaly since October. However, it now turns out, after scrutiny by experts, that only 270 of these were microcephaly cases are related to Zika or other infectious diseases. Microcephaly has also been associated with exposure of pregnant women to alcohol, drugs and other infections. There have been some murmurs in the health sector of the introduction of Tdap vaccines in late 2014 into the regime of vaccination for pregnant women, the safety of which on pregnant women, some heath experts have argued, has not been proven yet, and its possible association with these microcephaly cases. The WHO, however, dismissed such a possibility saying that the Brazilian government has globally one of the most stringent health regulatory authorities. India has not yet had a Zika virus outbreak, though, peculiarly, the virus had been detected in India in the early 1950s by the National Institute of Virology in Pune, even before the first virus was confirmed in Nigeria. Blood tests have shown Zika antibodies in India, Pakistan, Thailand, among other countries in Asia, indicating prior exposure to the virus. However, given the possibility that the virus may be traveling in a mutant form, this renders the 1.3 billion Indian population naive to the virus. We have seen the virus spread further; we dont know whether or not some of the potential associations have spread further as well, Dr. Aylward said. There seems to be an evolution clearly, Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, WHOs Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation, said on February 12, adding that this is what seems to be making the virus spread more quickly. There seems to be a change in the genome, a mutation in the NS1 gene, that is generating a virus that is fitter and multiplying to a higher titus, she added. The threat to the Indian sub-continent is real. We must use the dengue dynamics as our reference point--where you add the dengue outbreak during the previous years [and where] the mosquito Aedes aegypti is still present you have a risk of Zika transmission, said Dr. Marcos Espinal, Director of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis at PAHO, the health organization at the centre for combatting the Brazilian Zika crisis. During a special session on Zika he explained to governments with a help of a map that stated: Risk of Dengue Virus Transmission=Risk of Zika Virus Transmission. In both places [French Polynesia 2013 outbreak and the current outbreak in Brazil] there have been sequential outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya and then Zika. So the question is: is there a direct mechanism or is there an indirect mechanism associated with the antibodies generated as a result of one infection. So the mechanism is not at all clear, Aylward stated. Globally, there are currently four categories of countries vis-a-vis the Zika virus: one, countries that have the vector, the virus as well as birth malformations, like Brazil. Second, countries with the vector and the virus but no possible neurological associations or birth deformities. Third, countries that have the vector but not the virus, like India and fourth countries that dont have the vector or the virus, like Chile and Canada. What any country that has got the Aedes and within the dengue belt should be concerned about is the possibility of the Zika virus arriving and that is what surveillance should be for, that is, the Zika virus arriving, Aylward warned governments of the dengue regions. If there is Zika then they should be putting in place the capacity to detect any change in the neurological conditions that have been temporally or geographically associated with it in other areas, he added. For the time being, we dont know if Zika will be closer to dengue or chikungunya, Kieney told Firstpost. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescents Societies (IFRC) has already started a drive called clear up, clean up and keep it up in the dengue belts and has launched an appeal for $2.3 million earlier this week. Its not just a one off clean-up or clear-up but you have to keep this up for a long, long time and become a daily routine to reduce the amount of mosquitoes around, said Julie Lynn Hall, IFRCs Director of Health. Vector control is the best and most important option right now and personal protection, she added. However, controlling the vector is a tough job evident from the fact that more than 100 million people globally are infected by dengue every year. The eggs of the Aedes mosquitoes can survive for long and under rather unfriendly conditions in the smallest pool of standing water. So even traces of eggs have to be scrubbed off thoroughly in the fight against the Aedes mosquito. A coordinated international response is needed to improve surveillance, the detection of infections, congenital malformations, and neurological complications, to intensify the control of mosquito populations, and to expedite the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines to protect people at risk, especially during pregnancy, Dr. Velayudhan told Firstpost. Additionally, there are no vaccines, specific treatments, and rapid diagnostic tests, available to combat the virus. The landscape is evolving very rapidly and numbers change daily. About 15 companies/groups have been identified so far, most have only just started work, Kieney said on 12 February on Zika vaccines. Currently, two vaccine companies seem to be more advanced: a DNA vaccine from the US National Institutes for Health, and an inactivated product from Bharat Biotech, in India, who are also licensed to produce vaccines for Rotavirus. 10 biotech companies have been identified so far that can provide nucleic acid or serological tests. Vaccines are at least 18 months away from large-scale trials, the senior health official added. Studies are, also, being carried out on medicines and other therapies that could prevent infection in vulnerable groups, especially pregnant women, as is done for malaria. For vector control, innovative methods seem promising options biological approaches for example, such as the controlled release of bacteria to prevent viral replication in mosquitoes; or genetic approaches, such as the release of genetically modified mosquitoes to reduce the mosquito population, she added indicating measures that governments could take in their combat against the aggressive mosquito. The association between Zika and microcephaly and Zika and GSB, however, is starting to reveal faint outlines. It seems, although it is not proven yet, but it seems, indeed, that the link with Zika is becoming more and more probable, Kieney said. The same for GuillainBarre syndrome. In places where there has been an increase in Zika, there has also been seen an increase in GuillainBarre. The direct causality is still to be demonstrated but the association in time, in location seems to be clear, she said. If causality, or even an association of Zika virus with GuillainBarre or microcephaly is established, and if it is, indeed, a mutant variety, then India could be potentially sitting on a time bomb. What needs to be analysed and really ascertained [are] evidence of what changes in the virus is making potentially this virus able, now, to create outbreaks and also, create more diseases than was before, Kieney told this reporter. The fight with the mosquitoes, in that case, has just begun. The author is a journalist at the United Nations Office at Geneva and World Trade Organisation. A 529 savings plan can be a great way to save for your child or other loved one's college education, but it's not like other investment accounts. There are some key facts about 529 plans you need to be aware of before signing up, such as the rules governing how the money can be used, where to look for the best plan, and what you can invest in. Here are the details about each of these, courtesy of our contributors. Matt Frankel: One thing you need to remember about your 529 savings plan is that the money absolutely needs to be used for higher education expenses, even if the beneficiary doesn't go to college, or doesn't need the entire amount in the account. Withdrawing money from a 529 for an unqualified purpose can result in a 10% penalty from the IRS. Fortunately, 529 savings plans are easily transferable. If the designated beneficiary doesn't need the money, it can be transferred to a sibling, cousin, grandchild, or other relative -- even to yourself. This can actually be a good strategy to take full advantage of the tax-free compounding of a 529 plan. Let's say that you have three children, and your oldest child has a 529 savings plan with $100,000 in it -- the result of 18 years of contributions and tax-free compounding. If that child receives scholarships and only needs to use, say, $30,000 to pay for their college, the remaining $70,000 can be transferred to one of the younger children and enjoy several more years of tax-free compounding. If there is still money left over after your youngest child goes to college, you could change the beneficiary to a grandchild, and let the compounding continue. The point is that although the need to use the money exclusively for higher education expenses may seem like a big restriction, it actually encourages you to take advantage of the 529's most powerful feature -- compound growth -- for your other loved ones as well. Selena Maranjian: One thing about 529 plans that surprises many people is that, although each state has its own plan -- or several -- you're usually not limited to using a plan based in your state. Indeed, depending on where you live, it's possible you should not use one of your state's plans, if you can do better elsewhere. The Internet makes things easier by helping you compare features of the scores of plans out there. The SavingforCollege.org website is a great place to research plans, and at the College Savings Plans Network's website, for example, you can select specific plans from different states and then compare their features, such as whether there are state matching grants available, whether there is a state tax credit or deduction available, the fees charged, minimum initial contributions, investment options for each plan, and much more. It's important to review these factors and to consider them together. One plan in a different state might have lower fees than your state's plans, or it might offer better investment options, but keep in mind that your state might offer in-state folks an extra benefit or two, such as matching contributions (free money!) for those at certain income levels, reduced fees, or state income tax deductions or credits. You'll need to determine whether the in-state perks make your state's 529 plan the best choice. Some highly regarded plans are based in states such as Maryland, Alaska, Nevada, and Utah. Jason Hall: 529 plans are different from other kinds of personal investing accounts, such as taxable brokerage accounts and traditional and Roth IRAs, where you can pretty much invest in anything that your broker offers. With a 529 plan, you'll be limited to the investments available in that particular plan, much as the 401(k) plan your employer offers probably has a specific selection of investment choices, typically a group of mutual funds that invest in stocks, bonds, or a mix of both. You may also have to pay maintenance and management fees, and may have to pay an out-of-state fee if you choose a 529 that's not based in your state of residence. So before you just pick the 529 that's available in your state, or the one your online broker recommends, shop around and do some research to find the one that gives you the very best blend of low fees and superior investment choices. Two personal favorites are the College Savings Iowa 529, and the Vanguard 529 sponsored by Nevada. Both have some of the lowest costs, and offer a range of inexpensive Vanguard index funds to choose from. If you're looking for a simple, low-cost 529 plan, these two are at the top of my list. If you want more investment choices, you may want to look around to find a 529 plan that lets you invest in the funds you want. If you paid into Social Security while working for at least 10 years and have accumulated the necessary 40 quarters of work time throughout your career, then you will most likely qualify to receive Social Security benefits. There are three phases for claiming Social Security benefits: early retirement, full retirement, and delayed retirement. Early retirement Age 62 is the earliest possible time at which you would be able to claim Social Security benefits. But doing so comes at a cost because early retirement benefits are permanently reduced. This reduction will generally mean a 25% reduction in lifetime benefits, which often makes early retirement one of the least desirable claiming options. Full retirement The full retirement age set by the government varies and will depend on the year you were born. The younger you are, the higher your full retirement age will be: Eligible age to receive full Social Security benefits Birth year Full Retirement Age 1943-1954 66 1955 66 and 2 months 1956 66 and 4 months 1957 66 and 6 months 1958 66 and 8 months 1959 66 and 10 months 1960 and later 67 The good thing about claiming at full retirement age is that your benefits won't be reduced, as in the case of early retirement. But that isn't to say you can't increase your individual benefits from there. Delaying collection of benefits once your reach full retirement age will result in an automatic increase in benefits each year until you reach age 70. For those born in 1943 or later, this benefit increase can come out to 8% per year. Delayed retirement If you were to delay your benefits claim beyond your full retirement age, you would have secured a significant increase in guaranteed monthly income for the rest of your life. The downside is that you would have to go without claiming benefits for eight years. Note that in some cases, delaying retirement can affect your Medicare coverage with delayed services and increased costs. That's why it is important to enroll in Medicare when you reach 65 if you decide to delay your retirement for whatever reason. Decision to retire You can use the Social Security Administration's Retirement Estimator as an online tool to help you determine the best plan of action. This would involve inputting information on your earnings and years you worked throughout your career. Every individual will have to make a decision based on one's unique life circumstances, including what you expect your life expectancy to be. As a financial planner, I believe that when all else is equal, you should strive to maximize your Social Security benefits. The prevailing thought among financial-planning and retirement professionals is that to have a comfortable retirement, you would need roughly 70%-80% of your pre-retirement income. This is a very important decision that will affect you and your family for the rest of your life, so choose wisely. Application process When applying for Social Security benefits you can do so in person, by telephone, or online. If you live outside the U.S., you can contact the U.S. Embassy in your local area or one of the Social Security Administration's foreign offices for guidance on submitting an application. To apply for retirement benefits you must be at least 61 years and 9 months of age. You should also apply for benefits at least four months before the date you wish to start collecting. Things you should have handy when applying include any kind of identification (i.e., birth certificate, driver's license, passport), proof of U.S. citizenship or resident status if you are foreign born, any service papers if you served in the military, and a copy of your latest employment tax return (i.e., a W-2 form). If you wish to apply over the phone, simply call (800) 722-1213. For in-person applications, you can find a local office near you by using the SSA Office Locator and schedule an appointment. For online applications, you can visit the SSA's online application center to begin filling out an application. While the online application will usually take no more than 30 minutes, you don't have to fill out your application all in one sitting and can save it for later. Ready or not, legal marijuana could be coming to a state or city near you in the not-too-distant future. Since 1996, we've witnessed an incredibly quick rate of expansion for marijuana at the state level. Beginning with California legalizing medical marijuana, 22 additional states, along with Washington, D.C., now allow for medical cannabis to be prescribed by physicians for specific ailments that vary by state. This expansion has happened despite the federal government hardly budging on its stance toward marijuana. The Obama administration has lifted some of the hoops that researchers would need to jump through prior to commencing a clinical study into the benefits or risks of the drug, but as a whole, the marijuana plant is still just as illegal today as it was in 1996 at the federal level. It's not just medical marijuana that's expanding at a rapid pace. Recreational marijuana has been approved by voters in four states since 2012 -- Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska -- and it's forecast to expand in a big way during the November 2016 elections. Nevada already has collected enough signatures to get a recreational initiative on its ballot, and it's likely that California, Ohio, and perhaps more than a half-dozen additional states may look to legalize marijuana completely this November. Legal marijuana sales could soar to new heights Just how quickly could legal marijuana sales actually grow? That's a question cannabis research firm ArcView Market Research, in combination with New Frontier Data, sought to answer in their latest report. According to ArcView, legal marijuana sales grew by roughly 17% in 2015, to $5.4 billion from $4.6 billion in 2014. This $5.4 billion figure includes more than $1 billion in medical marijuana sales in California, the nearly $1 billion that Colorado sold in legal marijuana in 2015, and the more than $500 million in legal cannabis sales in Washington state. In the current year, ArcView is projecting legal sales growth of 25%, to $6.7 billion. But this is just the tip of the iceberg based on ArcView's estimates. Growth between 2016 and 2020, primarily a result of continued state-level legalization efforts, is projected to grow at an average rate of 30% per year, culminating in an estimated $22 billion in legal sales by 2020. That would be quadruple the amount of legal marijuana sales in 2015. This expectation for expansive growth comes on the heels of improved polling numbers from the public. National pollster Gallup showed in October that 58% of Americans now back the legal use of marijuana. For added context, a decade, ago just 36% were in favor of legalizing the drug, and favorability stood at just 25% as of the mid-1990s. You'll see similar responses among the public in other national polls, such as Pew Research and General Social Survey. When examining medical marijuana legalization, public support grows even more strongly. A CBS News poll from April 2015 showed that legal medical marijuana support stood at 84%, an all-time high. Federal inaction is bad news for investors Based on these growth estimates and the poll numbers, you might be considering an investment in marijuana stocks. That, however, could wind up being a big mistake. Even though legal marijuana sales are growing, investors' avenues to profit from growth in legal marijuana sales are being stifled by the inaction of the federal government. As it stands now, marijuana is a schedule 1 substance, meaning it's illicit and has no recognized medically beneficial properties. Because it's illegal at the federal level, banks have kept themselves at a distance from marijuana-based businesses. It's not that state-level regulators haven't put workarounds in for banks to deal with marijuana businesses so much as banks simply don't want to go through the hassle of jumping through those hoops and potentially risk federal prosecution for money laundering many years down the road. The result is that there's minimal access to checking accounts and lines of credit for marijuana businesses, which forces them to deal mostly in cash. This is a security risk and a reason why expansion could be stymied. On top of minimal banking access and security concerns, marijuana businesses are also drawing the short straw when it comes to taxes. Although illegal at the federal level, marijuana businesses must still pay federal taxes on their profits. Furthermore, because their principal product is illegal, marijuana businesses are unable to take standard business deductions, such as rent, on their taxes. In sum, marijuana businesses are being overtaxed, they're getting little to no help from our nation's financial institutions, and Congress is in no rush to change its opinion on the drug. Right now, we're heading into an election year, which is critical for both political parties. Even though the polls suggest that marijuana legalization is viewed favorably by more people than not, neither side wants to be the one to make a rash decision and lose the chance at the oval office. Even President Obama has noted that marijuana reform is not on his agenda during his final year as president. What does all of this mean? Personally, I view it as a sign that marijuana's expansion should be viewed objectively from the sidelines rather than as an investor. If things change at the federal level, then it very well could make sense to consider investing in marijuana stocks. Once those inherent disadvantages are gone, these companies could become growth stocks to die for. However, until that happens -- if it ever happens -- marijuana stocks remain a very dangerous investment, at best. Things can change fast in American politics. When the sun rose this morning, most any conservation about Supreme Court vacancies would have centered around President Obama replacing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg the eldest of the courts nine justices and a two-time cancer survivor who will turn 83 next month. And then on Saturday afternoon came the news that Justice Antonin Scalia had passed away while on a Texas hunting trip. With his death, the nations highest court went from potential sleeper issue in the president election to front and center, kicking and screaming. This is the first time since 1968 that an opening on the Supreme Court coincides with the final year of a Democratic presidency. Its a story worth retelling, as we could be headed down the same road. In 1968 the drama began when then-Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his retirement. Warren didnt want a potential Nixon White House choosing his successor, so he asked LBJ to make a lame-duck appointment. LBJ's choice: Abe Fortas, a Supreme Court associate justice and confidante of the president. And to fill Fortas seat: an appeals court judge named Homer Thornberry. Why Thornberry? He was a fellow Texan and longtime buddy of Johnson's. LBJ, ever the great congressional chess master, figured the move would calm down the Senates conservative southern Democrats. However, Johnsons scheme soon fell apart. Fortas was roughed up by the Senate Judiciary Committee the first sitting justice compelled to testify at his own confirmation hearing. Fortas failed to ease concerns that he was too close to the White House. Then came the news that Fortas had made money on the side teaching a summer college course. LBJ had to withdraw the nomination; Thornberrys nomination also died on the vine, without the courtesy of without a Senate vote. The point of this anecdote: its easy for a nomination to go off the Senate rails. And in todays dysfunctional Washington, its a distinct possibility. Here's why: Cruzing For A Bruising. As he seeks the nations highest office, what has been noticeably absent from Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs core message reflected in his best sound bites, put forth in his paid advertising is in-depth talk about the Supreme Court. Thats something of a surprise given that Cruz is the strictest of constitutionalists. Besides, constitutional law aint exactly Donald Trumps thing. That now changes. And Cruz, as a sitting member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, gets this gift: should confirmation hearings proceed, a chance to browbeat whomever Obama puts forward. Like Joe Biden lording over the likes of Clarence Thomas and the late Robert Bork, its Cruzs chance to dominate nationally televised proceedings (talk about free advertising). Cruz is no stranger to threatening Senate shutdowns. Would this be the mother of all election-year filibusters? Balance of Power. But thats assuming a presidential pick could even make it out of the Senate Judiciary committee, which is no given. One of the more uncomfortable give-and-takes within Senate GOP circles has to do with the treatment of Obama judicial picks. The more conservative element, including Cruz, wants a no-fly zone. The committees chairman, Texas Sen. John Cornyn, has left a window cracked open. Heres an early indication, put forth on Saturday, of just how bitter of a divide it is this comment by a spokesman for Utah Sen. Mike Lee, like Cruz a Judiciary member: What is less than zero? The chances of Obama successfully appointing a Supreme Court Justice to replace Scalia. What we have is a test of just how dysfunctional Washington truly is. Traditionally, a president dealing with a Congress run by the loyal opposition will float a few names; senators will huddle behind closed doors to hash out their differences. But not in this day and age. You can thank the Bork/Thomas hearings for that. Also, Obama doesnt have the strongest of working relationships with lawmakers theres not much of a reservoir of good will in the way of friendships and past favors on which to draw. Getting a nominee a hearing would entail serious Senate horse-trading. But in a bitterly divided Washington where politicians are already moving on to the next administration, that may be closer to beating a dead horse. The thing to look for now is a redefinition of the term nuclear option the chance that Obama might make Scalia's replacement a recess appointment. Obamas Legacy. George W. Bush had two Supreme Court picks (John Roberts and Samuel Alito). So too did Bill Clinton (Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer) and Bush 41 (Thomas and David Souter). Add Scalias replacement to Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan and that gives Obama three picks, the most since Ronald Reagan. But then toss in the possibility of Ginsburg and maybe Breyer (he turns 78 in August) retiring before Obama's term end and that puts us at FIVE picks for this president the most since Eisenhower (although, by the way, FDR had eight Supreme Court picks). Before Scalias passing, the Supreme Court had four reliably conservative votes and four reliably liberal votes, with Justice Anthony Kennedy the crucial swing vote. Were Obama to choose Scalias successor, the court becomes 5-3 in favor of the progressive justices. However, Kennedy turns 81 during the first year of the next president's term which means Novembers winner will likely get to choose his successor. A 6-3 liberal court moving forward? That might prompt the Republican Senate, which may not even be Republican a year from now, to put on brakes. Hillarys Fortunes. Someone else whos watching this drama unfold: the Democrats likely nominee. As a candidate Hillary Clinton has struggled to find a message thats compelling and authentic. And she has struggled to connect with the youngest portion of the Democratic electorate. In theory, a Senate Judiciary hearing gives Clinton a chance to connect with the youth vote on a series on issues likely to be put forward by conservative senators: abortion, privacy, executive authority, immigration, climate change, and so forth. It also gives her an opening to refocus the conversation from her progressive credentials to the importance of winning in November electability one of the few areas where shes scored well with the progressive grassroots. The area of immediate impact: the 2016 Senate battleground. Republican incumbents who are struggling to hold on in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania now have a new means of rallying the conservative grassroots. Likewise, Democratic activists will make a hard sell to their base. It's just what America needed: one more issue to raise temperatures inside the Beltway and nationwide. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz claimed Florida Sen Marco Rubio has betrayed his constituents and Donald Trump has hidden his record. Cruz responded to criticism from rival GOP presidential candidates in remarks to reporters in South Carolina. Rubio has argued that Cruz is a calculating politician, something Cruz described as preposterous. "When Marco went to Washington, he broke his word and promptly joined with Barack Obama and Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer to lead the fight to pass amnesty," Cruz told reporters. "You want to talk about calculated? That is the essence of calculated: Looking at the people who elected you, making a promise, and then breaking a promise. Why? Because the big money donors in Washington, because the Washington establishment supports amnesty. That was a calculated move and that was not a move that gives any comfort to the American people that they can trust a candidate to do what he says and the difference is I honored the commitment. It is not calculated for someone to do what he said he would do, to actually fight against amnesty and successfully defeat amnesty, which is exactly what we did." Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com !--StartFragment--> The Republican nomination fight has landed in South Carolina, and brought with it a flurry of activity from a collection of flush super PACs backing the top presidential candidates. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is backed by Right to Rise USA, a super PAC he raised money for prior to becoming a presidential candidate. Right to Rise USA, run independently by long time Bush confidant Mike Murphy, began the 2016 race with more than $100 million in the bank, and has spent tens of millions on Bush and against his opponents. In South Carolina, the group is spending $1.7 million during the period between Tuesday's New Hampshire primary and next Saturday's Palmetto State contest. The two television ads the group is primarily airing there include one attacking Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as too inexperienced for the presidency and another that features former President George W. Bush vouching for his brother as the best choice to be commander in chief. Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com The sudden and unexpected death Saturday of Justice Antonin Scalia gives President Obama an unprecedented opening to shift the balance of the Supreme Court setting up a potentially seismic battle with Congress in the waning days of his presidency. Conservatives, as they mourned the 79-year-old jurists passing Saturday, already were warning the president against trying to pull the court to the left with a controversial appointment in the heat of a presidential election. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement. Obama signaled Saturday night he would not heed such warnings, saying he plans to nominate a successor. The vacancy on the high court marks a historic opportunity for the sitting president a conservative seat he now has the power to fill, potentially tilting the balance in a court that for years has broken 5-4 on key decisions. The presidents past two appointments Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were, by contrast, to fill seats vacated by similarly liberal-leaning justices. Scalia was no such justice. An outspoken lion of the conservative movement as revered on the right as he was castigated by the left Scalia was a reliable vote for the conservative cause, on gun rights, on property rights, on religious freedom and more. A champion of our liberties and a stalwart defender of the Constitution, he will go down as one of the few Justices who single-handedly changed the course of legal history, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a leading Republican presidential candidate, said in a statement. His death comes as the high court is weighing an array of weighty issues, from Obamas immigration policies to affirmative action to public union dues to state abortion restrictions. With so much on the line, Obama already is being urged by Democratic lawmakers to seize this moment. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement: The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities. It is only February, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said. The President and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court. But the Republican-led Congress would be sure to fight any nominee seen as a balance-changer on the bench. Though the Senate changed its own rules for handling certain nominations back in 2013, it still takes 60 votes to confirm a Supreme Court nominee a high bar for Obama, whose party holds 46 seats in the Senate (counting two independents). Republicans could try to run out the clock on any Obama nominee, in hopes of having a potential Republican president nominate someone more aligned with their views next year. At the same time, such a nomination battle would instantly raise the stakes for the 2016 presidential election itself. Considering the health and advanced age of several Supreme Court justices, the topic of judicial appointments already was an issue on the campaign trail but an open seat would hand the next president the power to single-handedly, with consent of the Senate, preserve or shift the balance. And it also potentially sets up the oddest of possibilities Obama himself being a contender for the court appointment should a Democrat win the White House. Carrie Severino, with the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, sided with McConnell in urging the president to wait for his successor to make the choice. This president, who has shown such contempt for the Constitution and the laws, is the last person who should be appointing [Scalias] successor, she said in a statement The peoples voice should be heard in November to determine who will appoint the next Supreme Court Justice. Hillary Clinton told an audience of union workers in Henderson that she's more than a single-issue candidate and can build on President Barack Obama's progress rather that diverting the country toward untested ideas. The Democratic presidential hopeful's comments at a union hall on Saturday morning were a jab at her primary opponent Bernie Sanders, who favors a single-payer health care system over Obamacare and is riding a wave of momentum after strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. My opponent wants to start all over again, throw us into a contentious national debate about a theory of coverage that would cost an enormous amount in taxes for every single American," Clinton told the crowd. "I want to make progress right now. I happen to think a progressive is someone who makes progress." The rally served as a kick-off for a door-to-door canvassing effort one week before Nevada Democrats are headed to caucuses. Clinton has the endorsements of major labor groups but is trying to shore up support in Nevada as Sanders surges. She painted herself as a candidate concerned about a range of issues, not just campaign finance and Wall Street -- Sanders' primary focus. "Not everything is about an economic theory, right?" Clinton said. "If we broke up the big banks tomorrow -- and I will, if they deserve it, if they pose a systemic risk -- would that end racism? Would that end sexism? Would that end discrimination against the LGBT community?" Backers at the rally said they've known Clinton to be a longtime friend of unions and want to return the favor. "What sets her apart is her history," said 50-year-old Henderson resident Lydia DelRio, a member of the AFSCME union. "She's always been supportive of the unions so I know her name and I know her record." Others said they thought Clinton was more likely to succeed in the White House. "Personally, I like Bernie. I like his ideas. I don't think they're realistic," said Las Vegas resident Chris Lloyd, 53, a member of the painter's union. "I think Hillary is more in tune with what it takes to get things done." Sanders was also campaigning in Nevada on Saturday. He met with laid-off rooftop solar workers in northern Nevada and spoke at a progressive summit at the University of Nevada, Reno. Sparks flew at the toughest and liveliest GOP primary debate yet Saturday night, as Donald Trump and Jeb Bush clashed over the Middle East and George W. Bushs legacy, trading insults at a rapid clip and the two Cuban-American senators in the race accused each other of lying on immigration and even questioned each others Spanish-speaking skills. And just when it seemed Trump and Ted Cruz might steer clear of each other, the two leading Republican candidates entered the ring toward the end of the debate when the Texas senator questioned the billionaire businessmans pro-life credentials. You are the single biggest liar. Youre probably worse than Jeb Bush, Trump said. Cruz stood his ground, charging that Trump would appoint liberals to the Supreme Court if elected. The issue of judicial appointments was front and center at the CBS News-hosted debate in Greenville, S.C., in the wake of Justice Antonin Scalias death, with candidates like Cruz saying it underscores the high stakes in this election. Several candidates called for a delay in any high court appointment or confirmation. But the barbed and often personal exchanges Saturday marked a new phase of the race, as the candidates charge into next weeks critical South Carolina primary. The clashes left Ohio Gov. John Kasich the affable, second-place finisher in the New Hampshire primary making an appeal for peace in the GOP field, albeit one unlikely to be heeded. I think were fixing to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we dont stop this, Kasich said. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, too, warned about the coming general election and said, We cannot be tearing each other down. The appeals came shortly after Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio accused each other of being soft on illegal immigration. Its an argument theyve had before Cruz faults Rubio for backing a comprehensive immigration reform bill that included a path to legal status, and Rubio says Cruz was on board with that effort but this time, it became more heated. And after Cruz accused Rubio of saying on Univision he wouldnt rescind President Obamas immigration executive orders on day one, Rubio quipped: I dont know how he knows what I said on Univision because he doesnt speak Spanish, Rubio said. Cruz, then, immediately began debating Rubio in Spanish. Rubio continued, saying Cruz lies about all sorts of things and indeed supports legalizing illegal immigrants. Simply false, Cruz said. As the Rubio-Cruz battle heated up, so did the long-simmering feud between Trump and Bush. This is a man who insults his way to the nomination, Bush said of Trump. With Bush attempting a comeback in the race after a fourth-place finish in New Hampshire, Trump faced a feistier debate rival on stage Saturday night than he has before boosted in part by what seemed to be a sympathetic audience. The audience often booed Trump when he took on Bush, though Trump once again accused them of representing Bushs special interests and lobbyists. Their most personal dispute came when Trump accused Bush of promoting a policy that would get the U.S. mired more deeply in the Middle East and blamed the former Florida governors brother for the problems there. Trump initially took issue with Jeb Bushs call to confront ISIS while also taking on Syrias Bashar Assad and sidelining Russia. Jeb is so wrong, Trump said. You have to knock out ISIS. .... You decide what you have to do after. You cant fight two wars at one time. Bush, though, said Russia is not a U.S. ally, and Assads hold on power prevents a resolution in the war. Trump then went on to repeatedly slam the decision under the George W. Bush administration to enter Iraq in the first place, calling it a big fat mistake that destabilized the Middle East. They lied about WMDs, he said. I am sick and tired of him going after my family, Jeb Bush countered, saying hes proud of his brothers efforts to keep the country safe. Trump then invoked 9/11: The World Trade Center came down Thats not keeping us safe. Rubio, who has often been at odds with Bush, leapt to his brothers defense, saying the Bush administration kept us safe. Jeb Bush joked that he was rescinding Trumps invitation to an upcoming rally with George W. Bush on the campaign trail. The fireworks flew after the debate started on a somber note, discussing the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Scalia and the impact his death Saturday will have. Several candidates urged President Obama to refrain from nominating anybody to fill the vacancy, and wait for the next president to make that decision. Trump, though, said he doesnt expect Obama to wait, and called on Senate Republicans to hold up any nomination. Its called delay, delay, delay, Trump said. Trump called Scalias death a tremendous blow to conservatism. Kasich urged Obama to put the country first and not move forward with a nomination, a plea echoed by Rubio. Obama, though, said minutes before the start of the debate that he indeed plans to nominate a successor. The GOP candidates, meanwhile, used opening remarks to honor Scalias legacy. Cruz called him a legal giant who changed the arc of American legal history. He said Scalias death also underscores the stakes of this election. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will strike down every restriction on abortion by states, threaten gun rights and undermine religious liberty, Cruz said. He said he would appoint a strict constitutionalist if elected. Scalias death thrusts the issue of judicial appointments into the 2016 race, raising the possibility that the next president immediately will have to fill a high court vacancy. While Obama vowed Saturday to nominate a successor, its unclear whether he can get any appointee confirmed in the Republican-led Senate. While the prospect of a Supreme Court vacancy now looms over the race, the South Carolina primary already was heating up on several fronts in recent days, with the candidates trading accusations on immigration and other issues. The debate Saturday reflects that tougher tone, in a state notorious for bare-knuckle primary battles. Trump at one point accused Cruz of trying to spread rumors in the state that hes not running in South Carolina likening that to his campaigns actions in Iowa, where representatives spread false rumors that Carson was dropping out. Nasty guy, now I know why he doesnt have one endorsement from any of his colleagues, Trump said. Even Kasich struggled to avoid the fray, as Bush criticized him for expanding Medicaid under ObamaCare and said that would create more debt. He knows that Im not for ObamaCare, Kasich said, before vowing to stay positive. The GOP field is now down to six candidates -- after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Hewlett Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina dropped out following low finishes Tuesday in the New Hampshire primary. A big question Saturday night, and going forward, was whether Rubio could regain his momentum following last weekends lackluster performance. A withering attack by Christie on Rubio, which had the Florida senator repeating himself, appeared to hurt him in the New Hampshire primary. Rubio himself blamed his debate performance in part for his fifth-place finish in the state. He finished behind Trump, Kasich, Cruz and Bush. Christie, though, is no longer on stage or in the race. Most polling in South Carolina still shows Rubio third, with Trump and Cruz in the top two positions, respectively. Hillary Clinton is calling on famous friends to raise money for her presidential campaign. The Clinton campaign is throwing a fundraising concert on March 2 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall that will feature pop stars Katy Perry, Elton John and Andra Day. Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and daughter, Chelsea Clinton, will attend the event. Tickets start at $125 and proceeds will go toward the Hillary Victory Fund. Perry endorsed Clinton in October in an email to the candidate's supporters. Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com President Obama on Saturday praised the contributions of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and mourned his death over the weekend but said he intends to fulfil his constitutional responsibility to appoint a replacement. Scalias death, made public late Saturday, leaves the high court with four Democratic and four Republican appointees. Obama, in roughly the final nine months of his presidency, said he would submit his appointment to the Senate in due time, suggesting that he would not try to force a so-called recess appointment while Congress is out of session through next week. "I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time," Obama said while in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The presidents deference seems, at least for now, to defuse a fast-gathering storm about a potential recess appointment. Before Obama spoke, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called on the president to leave the nomination open for the next president. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," he said. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, suggested he opposes keeping open Scalias seat until January 2017. Scalia, 79, died while on a hunting trip in south Texas. He influenced a generation of judges, lawyers and students, Obama said. "He profoundly changed the legal landscape. Judge Scalia dedicated his life to the cornerstone of democracy -- the rule of law. A quick-thinking refueling plane crew saved a fighter pilot who faced having to eject over Islamic State territory. The F-16 had been trying to refuel in mid-air when the pilot discovered a malfunction with his fuel system, which meant he could only fly for 15 minutes - nowhere near enough to reach safety. Instead of leaving the pilot to cope with the emergency himself, the US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crew managed to escort him back to its base while refueling every 15 minutes to keep the jet in the air. US Air Force commander Lt Col Eric Hallberg said: "Over 80% of his total fuel capability was trapped and unusable. "Knowing the risks to their own safety, they put the life of the F-16 pilot first and made what could've been an international tragedy a feel-good news story. The jet first ran into trouble when it connected to the KC-135 but was forced to disconnect after taking on 500lbs of fuel - just a fifth of the 2,500lbs it should have had. After a second failed attempt to refuel, the pilot ran through a checklist and was able to tell the tanker crew about the fuel emergency. The Air Force did not reveal where the incident took place or which country the F-16 pilot was from. The tanker crew's actions may have saved the airman from a fate like that of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh, who was shown being burned alive in pictures and video by IS extremists after he ejected and was captured. Click for more from Sky News. The unexpected death of Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia is sparking a political battle in Washington and on presidential campaign trails across the country -- as Democrats and Republicans argue about replacing Scalia while the high court decides on such politically-charged issues as ObamaCare, immigration and abortion. At issue is whether President Obama, in his final months of office, will attempt to appoint a replacement for Scalia, with the court now split between four Democratic and four Republican appointees. The president said just hours after Scalias death was made public Saturday that he would fulfill his constitutional obligation by submitting an appointment in due time. His announcement seemed to tamp down the passionate election-year debate about replacing Scalia and whether Obama would try to make an appointment while Congress is in recess. But the calm lasted for only a matter of minutes as the GOP presidential candidates at a debate in South Carolina appeared to argue the next president should make the appointment. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that would undermine the religious liberty of millions of Americans, said Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz. The Senate needs to stand strong and say, We're not going to give up the U.S. Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee. On Sunday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested on Fox News that Judge Diane Sykes, in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, in Milwaukee, would be a very good alternative. Trump also is urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to not allow the appointment process to proceed until the country has a new president. He said during the debate that it's up to Congress to "delay, delay, delay." McConnell, R-Ky., says the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next justice and that the appointment should not be filled until there is a new president. Scalia died while on a retreat vacation at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, in Texas, in the middle of the Chihuahua Desert. He was 79. Democratic presidential candidates also made their case, with a new president taking the White House in January. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, acknowledged on Fox News Sunday that he had very different points of view with the conservative Scalia. But I respect people willing to serve their country, he said. Still, Sanders on Saturday slammed Senate Republicans for refusing to confirm a replacement until a new president is elected. He quipped at a party dinner in Denver that GOP senators apparently believe that the Constitution does not allow a Democratic president to nominate someone to replace Scalia. In addition to cases on ObamaCare, immigration and abortion, the high court is also hearing politically-charged cases related to affirmative action and public labor unions. The court is scheduled next month to hear a case -- Zubik v. Burwell -- in which a religious nonprofit is challenging the ObamaCare contraceptive mandate. Justices are also expected to decide soon on whether Texas regulations on abortion centers create an undue legal burden on women trying to terminate a pregnancy. The court is also reconsidering the constitutionality of college admissions based or race. The court first heard the affirmative action case, which came out of the University of Texas, Austin, two years ago. Justices are also trying to decide whether Obama exceed his executive authority in 2014 when he tried to protect roughly 4 million illegal immigrants from being deported. And they are hearing a case on whether labor unions can collect dues from non-member public employees. Sanders spoke just after fellow Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton criticized Republicans on Scalia's replacement during her speech at the dinner. She said Republicans calling for the seat to remain vacant until the next president enters office is a "dishonor (to) our Constitution." Obama honored Scalias work and said his duty to submit an appointment to replace Scalia is about democracy and is "bigger than any one party." Senate Democrats this weekend also made clear that they would work vigorously to keep Republicans from trying to run out the clock on the appointment process. They quickly offered counterarguments to Republican statements that the decision should rest with the next president. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada. "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." They pointed out that Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in an election year -- 1988 -- the final year of Ronald Reagan's presidency. Kennedy had been nominated in November 1987 after the Senate rejected Robert Bork and Judge Douglas Ginsburg bowed out. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An Army blimp that broke loose in Maryland in October stayed airborne for hours because someone failed to put batteries in its automatic-deflation device, The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. The blimp escaped from Aberdeen Proving Ground and its dangling tether caused power outages in Pennsylvania. The mishap led to widespread ridicule of the Pentagons blimp surveillance program, known as JLENS for Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System, which has cost taxpayers $2.7 billion since 1998. The blimp was equipped with an automated device that should have caused it to deflate promptly and return to the ground within 2 miles, The Times reported Sunday. But the device failed to activate because batteries had not been installed as a backup power source, the paper reported, citing as its source people familiar with the Pentagon investigation into the incident. The paper said it confirmed the lapse with Michael Kucharek, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command. He admitted that the lack of batteries prevented the automatic rapid deflation device from deploying. Military officials declined to tell the Times who was at fault for not installing the batteries. Investigators have determined that the blimp floated away after a chain of events that began when a pipe used to measure air pressure malfunctioned, the paper reported. Cops finally brought down the wayward blimp in the Pennsylvania countryside with 100 shotgun blasts. Click here for more from the Los Angeles Times. Rank-and-file House Republicans found consensus during a Friday meeting about passing a budget. They all agreed that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., delivered a great presentation. Among the plaudits were: He gave a really good presentation. It was a good presentation. ... Paul always makes really good presentations. ... It was a fabulous presentation. So everything on the budget is settled, right? Sure. Republicans are struggling to forge an agreement between fractured wings of their party to set a fiscal blueprint this year. It was to be a new day under the guidance of Ryan a former chairman of the House Budget Committee and author of several Ryan Budgets. Republicans would stick to the exalted regular order. They would adopt a budget that establishes the overall spending figure for fiscal 2017 and then advance through the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the government. An informal poll of almost all of lawmakers who attended the Friday confab asserted that Ryans presentation went well. And yet there was little agreement on how to move ahead. If only somehow lawmakers could convert Ryans five-star presentations into legislative text. Then they could adopt a budget. Something must get lost in translation between the presentation and charts and congressional legislative counsel that writes the text of bills and resolutions. The problem appears to be that before House Speaker John Boehner left Congress last autumn, the Ohio Republican declared he would clean the barn for his successor. Boehner and Obama agreed to a package that prevented a government shutdown, suspended the debt ceiling and set benchmarks for federal spending for the next two years. Congress had $1.067 trillion available last year for discretionary spending and $1.070 trillion for fiscal 2017. But conservatives balked at the spending figure. Many dont feel bound by an agreement arranged by the former speaker and a president whom they abhor even though both houses of Congress approved the pact. Moreover, defense hawks are concerned about cutting too much at the Pentagon. Attrition from both ends of the GOP spectrum could leave the House short of the votes to adopt a budget and then start work on appropriations measures. A failure to accomplish either would represent a diversion from regular order -- the clarion call from Republicans and the touchstone of their derision for Boehner. On Friday, Ryan presented Republicans three options. First, stick with the Obama-Boehner deal and move through the spending bills. Ryan noted that the second and third options -- either slashing money from the Obama-Boehner agreement or dumping in extra money for the military -- prompts problems. Ryan earned a promise from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, a few months ago. He agreed to not block appropriations bills from debate. But any change in the Obama-Boehner spending framework could torch that arrangement. I think (the House leadership) knows what that would do over here, one senior Senate Democratic source told Fox. Ryan told his members that stalling the appropriations process means the House is headed directly to where it went the past few years with Boehner at the helm: broad, interim spending bills to avoid a government shutdown and/or an omnibus spending package to punt all decisions on spending until October 1, 2017. Thus, Congress could abdicate its most-powerful responsibility: the ability to affect policy through controlling purse strings. The problem is that we deviate from that (Obama-Boehner) number, its doubtful that the Senate wont agree. And that probably means we get an omnibus, predicted House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky. He says hes working off the $1.070 trillion figure agreed upon by the president and former speaker. Thats what Ill use until Im told otherwise, Rogers said. Im anxious to get going. But notably, Ryan isnt ordering members to take a specific course. Hes simply making a presentation to lawmakers about their choices and the consequences of those decisions. This is what parents sometimes do with kids. Get your homework done early and you can stay up late and watch TV. Screw around all day Saturday and youre going to cram Sunday night to finish your science project due Monday morning. Im the not the micromanager of the House. I'm the speaker of the House, Ryan said. A source familiar with Ryans presentation indicated that the Wisconsin Republican told lawmakers that believe it or not, the GOP might not have to do a budget. It would be a shame, but the sky wont fall, Ryan told lawmakers behind closed doors. What? After years of excoriating Senate Democrats for not completing a budget? And here is Mr. Budget Guy who rises to speaker, then defers on doing the budget if the House cant find accord? Those are just the political realities Ryan faces. He insists he wont foist a decision down the throats of reluctant members. I do see leadership attempting to find a path, said Rep. Raul Labrador, an Idaho Republican and one of the leaders of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, after Ryans presentation. But he wants to scrap the Boehner/Obama spending number. Were all against it, said Labrador of his Freedom Caucus colleagues. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, is a Freedom Caucus member who told Fox News that she was trying to get to yes on the budget. At Fridays meeting, Lummis handed out a paper outlining a series of proposals to save more than $30 billion in spending. Among her ideas: a cap on federal funding for Medicaid, raising the qualifying threshold for those for food stamp eligibility, the revocation of a rebate for drug manufacturers who make medicine under Medicare Part D and a plan to bar the federal government from hiring more than one worker for every three retirees. This is mini-sequestration for mandatory programs, Lummis boasted. Mandatory programs are the spending which Congress long ago set on auto-pilot. They include entitlements like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. In 2011, Congress imposed sequestration or substantial cuts on discretionary spending. Thats where Congress elects to spend money. But Congress has never deeply chopped into the mandatory side of the ledger even though cuts there would make the biggest difference. Still, lawmakers are loathe to slash popular entitlement programs. Political pressures helped designate entitlements as the third rail of politics. In other words, like a subway line, touch the third rail and you get electrocuted. But Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican and member of the Budget panel, says lawmakers could pursue third-rail politics more often if they really wanted to put a dent in spending. Woodall noted the Ryan budgets included a variety of entitlement changes over the years. Weve normalized touching the third rail, he said. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R.S.C., says lawmakers should stop postponing problematic budget cuts deep into the future in order to approve budgets and spending measures now. He says lawmakers should swallow hard now on big reductions. If you can move the mystical savings from years eight, nine, ten to now then yes (the Freedom Caucus would vote for it), Mulvaney said. Theres concern the House may simply violate regular order and simply say a budget is approved to get on with the appropriations process. Mulvaney had a proposal to avoid that onerous scenario. Lock the Budget Committee in the Budget Committee room over the weekend and theyll come up with a budget, he proffered. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., finds himself in a unique vantage point on the budget and appropriations fight. Hes a senior member of both the Budget and Appropriations committees. I dont think overthrowing the overall number is very helpful, he said. A deal is a deal. But then Cole uttered perhaps the most-prescient thing yet amid the budget imbroglio. Were arguing over something that doesnt really matter, he said. Huh? Congressional observers could interpret Coles remark a number of ways. First of all, the tussle is over a pretty small piece of spending. And if the GOP blows up the process at the beginning (doing their homework early) they dont get to make policy decisions later via appropriations bills (staying up late and watching TV). Secondly, budgets arent binding. They arent signed into law. If the Republican brain trust wants to just start the spending bills and are at an impasse over the budget, they could simply deem that they have approved a budget and begin. But heres the real problem. Even if the House adopts a budget and begins the appropriations process, its a challenge that the lawmakers will get all 12 of those measures debated and approved. Thats to say nothing of aligning with the Senate and getting bills that Obama can sign into law. Otherwise, the budget and appropriations exercise wont be that much different than those in past years. The end result is that lawmakers and the President must agree on a major, catch-all spending bill right before the presidential election. Is there a way we (Congressional Republicans) can avoid being the story this fall? asked one exasperated GOP lawmaker. I feel very strongly about budgeting, Ryan said. I feel very strongly about getting a real working appropriations process so that we can reclaim the power of the purse. My views are very well known on this. We're having the kind of family conversation. But Cole noted that Ryan was already backing down in the Friday conclave. I think he is lowering expectations for all concerns, Cole said. Great expectations. The House may yet pass a budget and roll through the annual spending bills. But they may not. House members certainly harbored great expectations to get major things done. But if the political and legislative will isnt there, they wont accomplish much. And Ryan wont insert himself into this jousting. But unlike when Boehner ran the show, House Republicans found common ground on one thing: The speaker sure delivers a great presentation. San Diego officials have walked back a warning to city workers ahead of President's Day not to drop any F-bombs -- as in the phrase "Founding Fathers." The traditional reference to America's patriotic patriarchs was an example of "gender biased" language in a city manual, and the admonition not to use it was reinforced this week with verbal orders, according to legal watchdog group, Pacific Justice Institute. "We cannot allow this type of censorship and PC insanity to destroy our free speech. Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute At a time set aside to honor American icons to whom we owe our constitutional freedoms, it is offensive and indefensible that the City of San Diego is directing employees not to even mention the Founding Fathers, Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, said in a statement provided to FoxNews.com. The warning against referring to Washington, Jefferson, Adams and company as "Founding Fathers" first appeared in a section of a city-issued manual titled, Bias-Free Language. Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in a tweet Wednesday that he put a stop to the matter as soon as he heard about it, ordering the passage removed and the manual scrubbed for any remaining similar examples. "Suggesting that our Founding Fathers should be referred to as "Founders" is political correctness run amok," Faulconer tweeted. "We are proud of our nation's history and there is nothing wrong with referring to the Founding Fathers." Dacus said any city employee who is disciplined for uttering the phrase can rely on his organization for help. The folly of the prohibition is so self-evident that we will offer to represent, at no charge, any city employee who is disciplined or admonished for invoking our Founding Fathers," he said. It won't happen, according to city spokeswoman Katie Keach. "No employee has ever been disciplined for referencing our founding fathers, and no one ever will, she said. The remains of a New York-area escort whose body was found in 2011 near a mass grave of prostitutes were buried Thursday, four days after a renowned coroner told Fox News she may have been murdered -- a development that could be a break in the hunt for a Long Island serial killer. Shannan Gilbert, 23, of Jersey City, N.J., disappeared May 1, 2010, after visiting a client in the gated community of Oak Beach on a barrier island off Long Island's south shore. A months-long search for her first led to the bodies of four other prostitutes, each strangled and stuffed in burlap bags along Ocean Parkway, a 15-mile road that spans Jones Beach, roughly a mile from where they would later find Gilbert's body, in December 2011. "It's extremely rare for a young woman to die of drowning yards away from where four young women have clearly been murdered. The statistics don't go along with that." Dr. Michael Baden, former New York City chief medical examiner After the discovery of Gilbert's remains, the medical examiner ruled her cause of death "undetermined," and police theorized she drowned while running through a marsh in a drug-induced state -- calling her death unrelated to the four victims of a suspected serial killer. That finding was called into question Monday, when Dr. Michael Baden, former chief medical examiner of New York City, and a Fox News contributor, examined Gilbert's skeletonized remains inside a Nassau County funeral home at the request of her family. Baden observed the hyoid bone -- a small horseshoe-shaped bone in the neck -- had a "rough edge" on one side, suggesting a fracture. He is conducting further testing on the bone and is seeking original crime scene and medical examiner photos and X-rays for analysis. A fracture to the hyoid bone is a hallmark sign of a strangulation. "The hyoid shows some breakage," Baden told FoxNews.com. "If it is a fracture, that would be strong evidence Ms. Gilbert was strangled to death by neck compression." The 80-year-old coroner, who served as New York City's chief medical examiner in the 1970's, reported other oddities and omissions from the original autopsy reports. No drugs were found in Gilbert's body, according to toxicology reports cited in the 2011 autopsy -- a finding at odds with the police theory that she ran off into the night in a drug-fueled frenzy. Gilbert's thyroid cartilage was missing from the remains Baden examined, but the original examination does not report it as missing, Baden said. And a small, circular hole was found in the center of the hyoid bone, a marking Baden called unusual and warranting further analysis. Baden is also ordering a "diatom test," which may determine whether Gilbert drowned. The test was never done on Gilbert, who was found face up and about a half a mile from her torn jeans, cellphone and pocketbook. "The body is almost always face down -- not face up -- in drowning situations," Baden said. "There's enough evidence here to warrant a second look." "It's extremely rare for a young woman to die of drowning yards away from where four young women have clearly been murdered," he noted. "The statistics don't go along with that." The suggestion that Gilbert might have been murdered is significant because she is linked to three known individuals in the hours before and after her disappearance: Her driver, Michael Pak; her client, Oak Beach resident Joseph Brewer; and another Oak Beach resident, Dr. Charles Peter Hackett, who called Gilbert's mother two days after she vanished, according to phone records. Shortly after midnight on May 1, 2010, Gilbert responded to an online inquiry from Brewer, who lived in the isolated, gated community of Oak Beach. Pak transported Gilbert to Brewer's home and waited outside. For reasons that remain unknown, Gilbert fled on foot from Brewer's home and made a 23-minute 911 call in which she said, "They're trying to kill me," according to law enforcement sources. Almost five years later, a complete transcript of the tape has yet to be released to the media. Hackett and Brewer were ruled out by the Suffolk County Police Department, which did not begin searching for Gilbert until six months after she disappeared in December 2010 -- even though Gilbert was reported missing within two days of her disappearance. "I feel the police department dropped the ball in such a way that it gives rise to the question of why?" said attorney John Ray, who represents the Gilbert family and who has spent four years gathering evidence and interviewing more than 20 people in the case. "They did a very inadequate job," Ray said of the Suffolk County Police -- the highest paid police force in the nation. "Not once has anyone with the police department reached out to me to say, 'Hey what do you have? Is there anything you have that could help us?' I've managed to obtain substantial records in this case which I am certain the police never tried to obtain." Ray has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hackett, alleging the former Oak Beach resident gave Shannan a drug the night she disappeared that resulted in her death. Hackett, meanwhile, has maintained his innocence, telling investigators he never encountered the woman. According to Gilbert's mother, Mari, Hackett called her home in upstate New York on May 3 -- two days after Shannan disappeared. Hackett, who once worked as head of emergency services for Suffolk County, allegedly told her he was running a home for "wayward girls" and that he had tried to treat Gilbert. "Hackett told Mari that Shannan was in this home he was running," Ray claims. "He said Shannan left with her driver and promised to return. When she didn't, he said he got concerned and that's why he was calling." The cellphone call was not made from Oak Beach but from New Jersey, near where Gilbert lived, according to cellphone records obtained by Ray. A second call was also made by Hackett to Gilbert's mother that Thursday, according to Ray. Hackett initially denied making any calls, but when confronted by another news network with phone records, he remembered making the second call. He claims he had forgotten about it and was merely calling the family to express his concern, according to Ray. Gilbert's boyfriend had scoured the area for her the day after she disappeared and had knocked on Hackett's door. Hackett's attorney, James O'Rourke, said his client has nothing to do with Gilbert's death. "The allegations are categorically false," O'Rourke said. "The tragedy of this young woman's death is only compounded by the prosecution in this civil litigation. There is not an iota of evidence in any of this litigation." He said Hackett called Mari Gilbert "out of a misguided notion that he was trying to help." Mari Gilbert told FoxNews.com she's "absolutely certain" her daughter's death is related to the others. The Suffolk County Police Department said the investigation of the four prostitutes' killings is ongoing, but cast doubt on any connection between them and Gilbert. "The only thing we can give you is that as we previously said, investigators still believe Shannan Gilbert was not the victim of a serial killer," a spokesperson told FoxNews.com. Baden worked for the New York City Medical Examiner from 1961 to 1986, serving as chief medical examiner from 1978 to 1979. He has investigated more than 3,000 homicides, suicides and drug deaths, as well as the deaths of President John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Gilbert's remains were buried Thursday at a cemetery in Amityville, N.Y., where members of her family remembered her lovingly. "We'll never forget Shannan and the beautiful person that she was," Gilbert's sister, Sherre, said. "We loved her so much." Baden said he intends to keep investigating her death until he gets answers for the family, and possibly justice for the four other prostitutes. "We have a lot more work to be done," said Baden. "What is it with you newspaper guys and information requests?" he asked. He sat there in a tweed jacket more befitting a librarian than something out of "Men In Black." He had come to discuss a different topic, but the topic of knocking information out of the feds somehow came up. "What is it with you government types never saying anything? Maybe we'd quit asking if you'd start talking more," I replied. Of course, there was an edge of seriousness to my playful in-kind retort. The former CIA agent pursed his lips, paused and said, "You know most of the stuff we deal with is so boring you'd be bored to death by it." "Come on and give us the chance," I said. "Like what?" With that, we quickly moved on, both of us knowing the predictable and tired route this was going to lead conversations about responsibility, security, private and public interest, and accountability. A conversation ultimately without resolution. I've gotten that same question so many times from the public. Every time we file an information request or write about a closed meeting, some people wonder: What it is with that (insert the epithet) paper? It's like something out of a Scooby-Doo cartoon: Awww, all those journalists and their meddling requests. So, in the abstract, public documents requests and open meetings fights look like nothing more than niggling about policy the same kind of thing that drives most citizens batty. What is it with us? It's hard to explain that we can't nor shouldn't just take government officials at their word. It's not very satisfying to tell you that we make dozens of requests for documents and that many of them are pedestrian, mundane and perfectly fine. In one recent huge batch of public officials' emails, about the only thing really interesting I learned was that one public official wrote his mother email every day to which she called him, "her good boy." Sometimes, that's the extent of public information. Secret Butte deal Other times, it's a bit easier to explain why routinely requesting information or fighting for documents or to get into meetings is so darn important. At a recent meeting in Butte, residents talking about Environmental Protection Agency Superfund Cleanup plans expressed concern even outrage that the plans for cleaning up the toxic mess literally in their own backyard had never been made public. The negotiations about the clean-up are still a secret between Atlantic Richfield and the EPA. Worse yet, the whatever is going on is sealed essentially sanctified by the federal courts. Sen. Jon Tester, who was in Butte to attend the forum on the cleanup, expressed an equal amount of shock that the information about the cleanup and its costs has never been made public. The court order sealing the negotiations was signed 13 years ago. "Is that legal?" Tester asked. That's a good question, but it speaks to an even more important issue. It's easy to tune out, even become frustrated, by these technical squabbles journalists and other citizens become entangled in with the government. It's easy to say that it must be because journalists are bored or have nothing better to cover. But, it's not so insignificant when it means no transparency about the cleanup of a Superfund site in the heart of one of Montana's largest cities. It's not some paranoid concern when even a sitting U.S. senator cannot get answers. And, that fight may be in Butte and we may be here in Billings, but who's to say the same thing couldn't happen, right here in Yellowstone County, which is home to plenty of heavy industries, including three oil refineries? Answers for Montana I wish I would have known about Butte's consent decree when I was talking to that former CIA agent. I could have answered that we're merely interested in drinking clean water, or having a safe environment for our children or making sure that those who polluted the land will be held responsible for cleaning it. Those things are hard, if not impossible, to do when the court has become complicit in keeping citizens in the dark about their own community. It's also a good reminder that there are organizations and individuals who spend much time and part of their life's work fighting these issues, representing citizens and the public. The Montana Freedom of Information Hotline is one of those organizations. Mike Meloy and Martha Sheehy have spent significant chunks of their legal careers litigating these important cases. I hope Tester gets answers not just for Butte, but for Montana. Moreover, he is in a position to help rewrite laws to make it harder for these kinds of far-ranging agreements to be made behind closed door and put under a judicial seal. I hope the answers Tester gets are better than the ones I've gotten whenever I've asked questions of the federal government. The Latest on the standoff at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon (all times local): 3 p.m. The four armed occupiers who were the last to leave a national wildlife refuge in Oregon have pleaded not guilty to a federal felony charge. David Fry of Ohio, Jeff Banta of Nevada, and married couple Sean and Sandy Anderson of Idaho appeared Friday in federal court in Portland. They surrendered Thursday, ending the standoff over federal land policy that began Jan. 2 at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. They entered their pleas to a charge of conspiracy to impede employees at the refuge from performing their duties. A judge set an April 19 trial date. A Nevada lawmaker who helped convince the holdouts to turn themselves in was in the courtroom. Assemblywoman Michele Fiore waved to the four. ___ 12:55 p.m. The FBI says it hasn't found any rigged explosives or booby traps at the national wildlife refuge in Oregon that had been seized by an armed group. Authorities allowed a group of reporters to get closer to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Friday, a day after the last four occupiers surrendered. The tour stopped short of the refuge itself. The occupiers had blockaded the road near the property with a government-owned heavy front-end loader and two pickup trucks. A group of tents and pickup trucks was clustered far beyond the barrier. Larry Karl, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI's Portland division, says the holdouts spent most of their time near the tents. He says investigators hoped to finish the safety sweep of the buildings and begin processing evidence Friday. Nuns who faced possible eviction from San Francisco's gritty Tenderloin district because of a rent increase have won a reprieve. Lawyers for the nuns and landlord, with help from motivational speaker Tony Robbins, reached a deal Friday allowing the nuns to stay for a year at their current rent, The San Francisco Chronicle (http://sfg.ly/1Lm5E4T) reported. The deal gives the sisters time to find a new home for their soup kitchen. Robbins who was poor as a child and homeless as a teenager and likes to tell the story of how profoundly it touched him when a stranger once gave his hungry family a basket of food promised to donate $50,000 to help. The Fraternite Notre Dame has run the kitchen for eight years. But in January the nuns were told their rent would jump about 50 percent to $5,500 a month. The nuns said they couldn't afford it and refused to pay. Michael Heath, a lawyer for landlord Nick Patel, said he's glad there's a tentative resolution. Since 2008, the modest kitchen has sat on a derelict street in the Tenderloin neighborhood, long associated with homelessness and drug use. But it's also within walking distance of a revitalizing middle Market Street area, led by the relocation of Twitter in 2012. Brad Lagomarsino, an executive vice president with commercial real estate company Colliers International, said that since 2010 there's been a "dramatic increase" in residential and retail rents in the middle Market area, leading to spillover increases in the Tenderloin. Sister Mary Benedicte and Sister Mary of the Angels sleep in the back of the storefront and in the evenings, they bake pastries French tarts and cookies to sell at a local farmer's market to supplement their income. The two sisters feed lunch to about 300 people three times a week. They offer dinner twice a week, using donated food and cash to dish up warm meals. ___ Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com The Latest on the hotel stabbing that left a 26-year-old woman and her two small children dead. (all times local): ___ 5:15 p.m. New York City police have in custody a fugitive suspected of stabbing his girlfriend and all three of her children in a brutal attack at a hotel used as a homeless housing. Michael Sykes had been on the lam since the Wednesday attack. He was found Saturday afternoon in Queens by a fugitive task force and was being questioned. Charges were pending. Sykes is suspected in the attack that left Rebecca Cutler and her 19-month-old and 4-month-old daughters dead. A 2-year-old remains critical. Police say hotel surveillance shows Sykes entering Cutler's hotel room and leaving four minutes later. Police said he called his mother to say he had killed his girlfriend and was going to kill himself. Sykes was seen on surveillance video taking a bus to the Staten Island Ferry. ___ 1:15 p.m. New York City officials are still hunting for a man suspected of stabbing his girlfriend and all three of her children in a brutal attack at a hotel used as a homeless housing. Michael Sykes was still on the lam Saturday. Detectives have been tracking his possible whereabouts since the Wednesday attack that left Rebecca Cutler and her 19-month-old and 4-month-old daughters dead. A 2-year-old remains critical. Police say nobody apparently saw or heard what happened, but hotel surveillance shows Sykes entering Cutler's hotel room and leaving four minutes later. Police said he called his mother to say he had killed his girlfriend and was going to kill himself. Sykes was seen on surveillance video taking a bus to the Staten Island Ferry. Authorities believe he is still alive. Problems with police cruisers in New Haven, Connecticut, have city officials considering a plan to replace all police vehicles over the next few years. The troubles range from holes in floorboards to malfunctioning gauges. Once, a detective heading to a call took a turn and the steering wheel came off. No one was injured. The police union filed a complaint with the state last September, saying the poor condition of the fleet of 44 cruisers was creating unsafe working conditions. The matter is in mediation. A Board of Alders committee is expected to consider a proposal this month to increase police vehicle purchases to 24 a year. New Haven appears to be an extreme example of police departments nationwide that are dealing with deteriorating vehicles and budget cuts. A man arrested in the stabbings of his girlfriend and her three small children was arraigned Sunday on murder and attempted murder charges in a New York City court. Michael Sykes, 23, appeared before a judge in Staten Island criminal court and pleaded not guilty, the Associated Press reported. He was ordered held without bail and due back in court Tuesday. He was arrested Saturday following a four-day manhunt after the brutal kitchen-knife stabbing at a New York hotel used as homeless housing. Sykes was last seen on surveillance footage Wednesday heading to the Staten Island ferry shortly after the attack, and a call to his mother to say hed killed his girlfriend and was going to kill himself, police said. But he took the ferry back to Manhattan and had been traveling through Brooklyn and Queens. Sykes is accused of killing Rebecca Cutler, 26, her 19-month old daughter Ziana and 4-month-old Maiyah in the attack at a Ramada Inn on Staten Island. Two-year-old Miracle was in critical condition, but was stable. Sykes was the father of Maiyah. He was caught in Queens Saturday afternoon and brought back to a police precinct on Staten Island. He was arrested on three counts of murder, attempted murder and robbery charges. According to the New York Post, tips led U.S. Marshals to the Astoria neighborhood where Sykes was believed to be hiding. Sykes was placed in police custody Saturday night. Prior to the attack, Sykes was seen buying a can of Coke and a Pop-Tart from a deli near the hotel, a worker told the Staten Island Advance earlier this week. "He looked like he was doing something wrong," the worker, Sammy Abdul, told the newspaper. He said Sykes used Cutler's food assistance card to pay for his purchases and "his hands were shaking, he was looking to his back." Hotel surveillance video shows Sykes entering Cutlers hotel room before 9 a.m. Wednesday and leaving four minutes later. Police said there was no history of domestic violence between the pair, but there was a report filed a day before the stabbing after he was accused of stealing Cutlers phone, claiming she was contacting another man. Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said no one heard or saw what allegedly happened. A housekeeper found the injured family and called police. Cutler had been stabbed more than 40 times; the girls more than five times each. Cutler's family was not doing well. "They're taking it hard, really hard," her uncle, James Mathis, told WABC-TV. Mathis said the lone child who survived the attack was doing pretty good, according to the New York Post. The Administration for Childrens Services is still determining who will retain custody of the child. Cutler had been placed in the hotel by the Department of Homeless Services on Dec. 6, city officials said. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said after the attack the other 28 families at the hotel were being relocated and it would no longer be used, and that other hotels used for homeless services would be given access to free 24-hour security. About 2,600 homeless New Yorkers, including 637 children, stay in 41 hotels citywide for an average of about two weeks while officials determine whether they can be placed more permanently in other city facilities, officials said. It was the third stabbing death at a homeless shelter in several weeks, prompting the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to send city officials a letter demanding "immediate action" to protect residents. "This is the third incident of horrific violence in one of your facilities in less than a month," wrote executive director Sharon Devine. "We expect and demand that you take immediate action to protect shelter residents." The Associated Press contributed to this report. A fire on Saturday gutted a Kentucky general store that had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and investigators ruled out arson as a possible cause. The store in the community of Rabbit Hash was built in 1831, Fox 19 reports. A GoFundMe page set up after the fire had raised nearly $20,000 on Sunday. "I've heard the word devastating all my life," Don Clare of the Rabbit Hash Historical Society told Fox 19. "But I've never really realized what devastating was until I saw this." Crews reportedly salvaged the store's front facade. There were no reports of anybody hurt. "It's a museum in many ways," resident Jeff Hansel told WCPO, saying it held some items from the community dating back to the 1800s. The flames broke out on the roof and were visible across the Ohio River in Indiana, investigators said. Click for more from Fox 19. A Florida businessman has sued his ex-fiancee alleging that she and her parents conspired to steal $2.1 million in gold, diamonds and other jewelry after their breakup last summer. Scott Patrick Mitchell of Palm Harbor says his ex took 99 three-diamond necklaces, 147 gold rings and 172 loose diamonds from his vault, according to The Tampa Bay Times. The ex-fiancee Mary Catherine Hunt is also facing criminal charges of grand theft in Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court for the alleged heist. Her attorneys have denied the allegations and say more facts will come to light. Mitchell, CEO of salon products company Simply Organic, told investigators that he and investors bought the jewels from struggling jewelers during the recession in 2008. They paid $900,000, but now estimate the worth at $2.1 million. He says only he and Hunt knew the combination needed to access the vault. Mitchell told investigators that when he broke off his engagement to Hunt in June and called off their August wedding, the jewelry disappeared. He turned over surveillance video to investigators. Hunt has since sold her home in Hillsborough County and moved back to Virginia. However, before leaving Florida surveillance video shows Hunt and her mother at a UPS Store. The pair told the clerk they were mailing a laptop and an antique plate, but tried to insure the package for $50,000, the maximum allowed. Sheriff's reports also show that on Aug. 19 Hunt's father, Michael Hunt, called Mitchell from Virginia to say UPS had delivered a box of gold, diamonds and silver. Mitchell recorded the call and gave it to investigators. Mitchell's lawsuit seeks $6.1 million for the value of the stolen jewelry and damages, his attorney Todd Foster told the newspaper. Police in Louisiana say a man suspected of shooting two police officers in Baton Rouge has died. Baton Rouge police issued a statement Sunday saying that Calvin Smith, 22, of Baton Rouge died late Saturday at an area hospital. Two police officers were being treated at the same hospital for gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening. On Saturday, the officers responded to an early morning report of a domestic disturbance reported by a woman who knew Smith. When police arrived, Smith took off in a vehicle. The officers chased him for less than 2 miles. Police say Smith then jumped out of the car with a rifle and shot the officers. They returned fire and struck Smith. Details about Smith's injuries and cause of death were not immediately available. A man believed to have shot a northwest Mississippi police officer point-blank in the face was brought to the police station by his father Sunday, and police were questioning him, Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett said. Luckett says police with a search warrant found "telling evidence" at the family's home. The officer, Cpl. Derrick Couch, was in critical condition at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, nursing supervisor Vivian Crawford said Sunday. Couch is on a ventilator, has lost one eye, and the bullet remains lodged in his brain, Luckett said. He said the shooting occurred about four blocks from a convenience store that two men in masks had just robbed Saturday night. The store and City Hall are at opposite ends of the same block, facing different directions, Luckett said. He said video from a nearby law office shows Crouch getting out of his car, apparently to question the man. "I've seen the video. It's harrowing," he said. "As soon as the officer approached him, he just swung around and, bam!" Before the shooting itself, the mayor said, the video shows Couch's patrol car approaching two men, one of whom runs. "I'm not sure if Officer Crouch saw him run or not," Luckett said. "Then you see the officer's lights turn and illuminate the second guy, who's walking. He walks with a noticeable limp, which is telling" because a video of a robbery at the same store, the Corner Grocery, shows a man with a limp. The second man is not in custody, Luckett said. He said Couch is in his mid-30s and had been a narcotics officer until recently. "This is not a homicide yet. It would be our first this year if it turns into one," he said. "I can't remember an officer in Clarksdale shot by a suspect." Nearly 17 years after Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris murdered 13 people in a slaughter at Colorados Columbine High School, Klebolds mother offered insight into her sons behavior leading up to the attack. In an exclusive interview with ABC News Diane Sawyer that aired Friday, Sue Klebold said she was like many parents who believe they would know if something were wrong with their child. Before Columbine happened, I would have been one of those parents, Klebold told Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview. I think we like to believe that our love and our understanding is protective, and that if anything were wrong with my kids, I would know, but I didnt know, and I wasnt able to stop him from hurting other people. I wasnt able to stop his hurting himself and its very hard to live with that. On April 20, 1999, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., and began a murderous rampage that left 12 students and 1 teacher dead. The two, who were part of what they called the Trench Coat Mafia, carried weapons and homemade bombs in addition to their guns, which they used to kill themselves after the slaughter. I want people to be aware that things can seem awfully right when things are terribly, terribly wrong, she said. I want people to be aware that things can seem awfully right when things are terribly, terribly wrong. Sue Klebold Sue Klebold said she was at her office job working to help disabled college students on that fateful day, when her husband called to deliver terrible news. His voice sounded horrible, jagged and breathless something terrible is going on at the school, Klebold recalled him saying. Some of Dylans friends reportedly told him that Dylan was involved. Later, she learned that was true, and her son and his friend Eric were also dead. "You always think somebody's making a mistake," Klebold said. My first thought was Dylan may be in danger, you know, who are these people that are hurting people? she told Sawyer. The one thing, of course, that I want to say is I am so sorry for what my son did, yet I know that just saying Im sorry is such an inadequate response to all this suffering, Klebold said. There is never a day that goes by where I dont think of the people that Dylan harmed. Click to read the complete interview at ABC News. A few days before the end of Montana and tribal bison hunts, about 360 had been taken. About 600 bison remained scattered throughout the Gardiner Basin, many of them outside the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. As the bison hunting seasons end in a year of average snowfall, the Stephens Creek capture operation is expected to start this week in the dry foothills near Gardiner. With a management target of removing 700 to 900 bison from the park this winter (including the hunters total), the National Park Services capture and ship-to-slaughter operation will be busy. That target range was agreed to by the several federal and Montana agencies that try to manage the bison numbers according to tolerance for them outside the park, to keep them separated from cattle and to avoid any risk of brucellosis infection in livestock. The National Park Service has proposed another alternative: Quarantining some captured bison that test negative for brucellosis and transferring them to the Fort Peck Tribes. This preferred alternative in the NPS Environmental Assessment is out for public comment through Monday. Fort Peck pastures The tribes are prepared to care for up to 300 bison, said Robert Magnan, head of the Fish & Game Division on the northeastern Montana reservation. The tribes have been tending Yellowstone bison since 2012, having received animals that had been held at Ted Turners ranch from a previous government quarantine operation. The 258 Yellowstone bison (Magnan calls them buffalo) graze 13,000 acres on the reservation. They are wild, but not free roaming, he said. Start calling them wide-ranging, he said. Fencing is designed specially to keep buffalo in, but allows antelope to crawl under and deer to leap over. The tribes havent had any buffalo escape. Mangan says the buffalo tend to stay put when they have food, water and minerals. The tribal managers see that the animals have what they need. Within that 13,000-acre tract, the tribes have constructed a 320-acre quarantine facility that can hold up to 600 buffalo. Magnan says its already been used to receive and temporarily hold the buffalo that arrived in 2014. The tribes agreed with the state to keep testing those buffalo for five years. So far, all tests have been negative. The NPS assessment calls for quarantining bison for 12 to 18 months, depending on their gender and age, and specifies how often they must be tested. It also sets standards for quarantine facilities, standards that Magnan says Fort Peck has met. Buffalo economy Once buffalo graduate from quarantine, he said, the Fort Peck tribes want to keep 30 percent of the animals, and distribute the rest to other Native American tribes, to parks or other organizations prepared to preserve the species and properly care for the animals. We want to help other organizations and parks, Magnan said. Magnan talks about restoring the tribes buffalo economy. Buffalo provided everything we needed, he said. It should be part of our economy again. The meat is healthy food for everyone, especially elders, diabetics and children, he said. Fort Peck has proven to be a good partner, Yellowstone Superintendent Daniel Wenk said from his office in the heart of the bison migration at Mammoth, Wyo. Fort Peck has continued to invest in their facility. If a quarantine process is approved, we would probably start slow in the number of bison, Wenk said. Maybe 150 per year. Wenk said it is possible, but less than probable that bison transfers to quarantine will happen yet this season. The NPS is in the process of listening to public comment, answering questions and looking for ways to mitigate concerns. Wenk said a decision will be made this spring. Win for conservation The quarantine proposal has been in development for several years, including repeated consultations with Native American tribes associated with the park and in the region. The Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck notified the secretary of Interior two years ago that they wanted to receive more buffalo and establish a quarantine facility and surveillance pastures on the reservation. According to the Environmental Assessment, other tribes expressed interest in receiving Yellowstone buffalo, but only the Fort Peck Tribes have indicated that they are ready now. The quarantine plan is a win for conservation, for animal health and economic development. The plan would help restore disease-free buffalo to part of their native Montana range. It would help establish herds of genetically pure Yellowstone buffalo in various locations outside the park, thus ensuring that these bloodlines would be preserved as part of Americas heritage. It would create jobs on the Fort Peck Reservation, and contribute to community health and culture. Bison hunts would still continue outside the park with the quarantine program in effect. The new program would provide another tool for striking a delicate policy balance between protecting this iconic species and allaying concerns about bison roaming into Montana. A quarantine alternative would mean that Yellowstone no longer has to ship so many disease-free bison from the park to slaughter plants. Instead, the new plan would relocate and preserve bison. Preservation is the parks 1872 founding mandate, along with providing enjoyment for the public. Theres no joy in trucking hundreds of wild bison to slaughter. We call on the National Park Service to move as quickly as possible to add quarantine to the options for bison management. Let them roam in Montana protected by the Fort Peck fences. A sex worker who vanished in 2010 and whose remains were later found at a remote beach highway in New York -- revealed to be the dumping ground of a suspected serial killer -- may have died from strangulation, according to a new autopsy released Friday. Shannan Gilbert, 23, of Jersey City, N.J., disappeared May 1, 2010, after visiting a client in the gated community of Oak Beach on a barrier island off Long Island's south shore. A months-long search for her first led to the bodies of four other prostitutes, each strangled and stuffed in burlap bags along Ocean Parkway, a 15-mile road that spans Jones Beach, roughly a mile from where detectives would later find Gilbert's body, in December 2011. A total of 11 sets of human remains -- including those of a toddler -- were found at the scene. After the discovery of Gilbert's remains, the Suffolk County medical examiner ruled her cause of death "undetermined," and police theorized she drowned while running through a marsh in a drug-induced state -- calling her death unrelated to the four victims of a suspected serial killer. John Ray, an attorney for the Gilbert family, said Friday that an independent autopsy conducted by noted forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden suggests that Shannan Gilbert may have been strangled. There is no evidence whatsoever that Shannan Gilbert died a natural death, Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, wrote in the report, WPIX 11 reported. There is no evidence whatsoever that Shannan Gilbert died from a drug overdose, and there is no evidence whatsoever that Shannan Gilbert died from drowning. "There is no evidence whatsoever that Shannan Gilbert died a natural death. Dr. Michael Baden Baden said the evidence was consistent with homicidal strangulation, but it was insufficient to release an official cause of death. Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said in a statement Friday that detectives are waiting to review Baden's findings. Sini announced in December that the department has brought in FBI investigators to assist local detectives with the probe. In March 2015, Baden told FoxNews.com in an exclusive interview that Gilbert's hyoid bone -- a small horseshoe-shaped bone in the neck -- had a "rough edge" on one side, suggesting a fracture. He conducted further testing on the bone and was preparing to pore over medical examiner photos and X-rays for analysis. A fracture to the hyoid bone is a hallmark sign of a strangulation. "The hyoid shows some breakage," Baden said at the time, after examining Gilbert's skeletonized remains inside a Nassau County funeral home at the request of her family. "If it is a fracture, that would be strong evidence Ms. Gilbert was strangled to death by neck compression." No drugs were found in Gilbert's body, according to toxicology reports cited in the 2011 autopsy -- a finding at odds with the police theory that Gilbert ran off into the night in a drug-fueled frenzy. Gilbert's thyroid cartilage was missing from the remains Baden examined, but the original examination does not report it as missing, Baden said. And a small, circular hole was found in the center of the hyoid bone, a marking Baden called unusual and warranting further analysis. Baden also planned to order a "diatom test," which would determine whether Gilbert drowned. The test was never done on Gilbert, who was found face up and about a half a mile from her torn jeans, cellphone and pocketbook. "The body is almost always face down -- not face up -- in drowning situations," Baden said. "There's enough evidence here to warrant a second look," he told FoxNews.com during the 2015 interview. "It's extremely rare for a young woman to die of drowning yards away from where four young women have clearly been murdered," he noted. "The statistics don't go along with that." Ray said at a press conference Friday with Gilbert's mother and sisters that he has requested the Suffolk County homicide squad re-activate the investigation into the woman's death. A K-9 officer and his cadaver dog were on a training mission searching for Gilbert in December 2010 when they happened upon what would become by spring of the following year 10 sets of human remains -- eight women, a man and a toddler. The remains were found strewn along several miles of thicket adjacent to Ocean Parkway, just east of Jones Beach. FoxNews.com's Cristina Corbin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Searchers braved record low temperatures Sunday to scour the banks of a Delaware canal for an Air Force airman last seen a week ago. More than 40 volunteers searched the same area in the bitter cold Saturday for 21-year-old Keifer Huhman of the 436th Communications Squadron at Dover Air Force Base. He disappeared after leaving his home last Sunday around 6:30 p.m. His pickup was found a few hours later on the Route 1 bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Wilmington News Journal reports. The Dover Police Department is investigating the disappearance with the assistance of the Air Force Office of Special Investigation. Its a mothers worst nightmare, Huhmans mother, Darlene Norman, of North Carolina, told the paper Saturday. Not knowing whether hes alive or whether hes dead. The paper reported that after a pause Norman said, I cant believe Im even saying that word. Sundays search began at 8:30 a.m. with temperatures hovering around 15 degrees. Saturdays search included Huhmans family, friends, members of his squadron and strangers. His father, also a member of the military, flew in from Okinawa, Japan, where he is stationed to join the search, the News Journal reported. It means a lot to see this many people willing to come out in the cold, said Ciarra Huhman, Huhmans sister. Dover Police said they conducted an aerial search of the canal and surrounding areas as part of their missing person investigation. Somalias Islamic extremist terror group, Al Shabaab, said Saturday they carried out the bombing of a commercial passenger jet earlier this month that blew a hole in the fuselage, sucking out the suspected bomber and forcing the plane to make an emergency landing. Western and Turkish intelligence agents aboard the Daallo Airlines flight to Djibouti on Feb. 2 were the targets of the bombing, the terror group said in a statement. The Al Qaeda-affiliated group said it had planned to destroy the Airbus 321 plane but failed. Experts told Fox News earlier this month that Al Shabaab was the main suspect in the terror incident. The bomb detonated shortly after takeoff from Mogadishu airport, when the plane was at 11,000 feet and ascending. Experts said if the plane had been at its intended cruising altitude of 30,000 feet, the explosion couldve brought the plane down. Authorities in the Balcad region, about 19 miles north of Mogadishu, later said they found the body of a man believed to have been sucked out of the plane, Reuters reported. "The dead body of the passenger is being transported to Mogadishu," a police officer at the Mogadishu airport said. "He dropped when the explosion occurred in the plane. Security at the Mogadishu airport is normally extremely tight as the terror group controls territory within sight of the airport and under the flight path for departing aircraft, sources in the area told Fox News. However, security video footage taken at Mogadishu airport shows two men handing what looks like a laptop computer to the suspected suicide bomber after he passed through the security checkpoint. Somali authorities said at least one of the men delivering the laptop was an airport employee. Authorities believe the laptop-like device was the bomb that caused the explosion. At least 20 people including the airport employee have been arrested in connection to the attack. Abdullahi Abdisalam Borleh, the suspected suicide bomber, was a passenger and was blown out of the plane. Al Shabaab -- whose name means The Youth in Arabic -- was forged in the years of anarchy that engulfed Somalia after warlords ousted dictator Siad Barre in 1991. Inspired by a Saudi-style Wahabi, or ultra-orthadox version of Islam, Al Shabaab now numbers an estimated 7,000-9,000 fighters. It controlled Mogadishu, and briefly aligned Al Qaeda in 2012 in a bid to impose Shariah law on Somalia's urban centers, but infighting over tactics doomed the deadly union. Now based in Kenya and Somalia's rural areas, Al Shabaab is on the run, but still deadly. In June 2014, Al Shabaab fighters stormed the Kenyan village of Mpeketoni, about 60 miles from the Somali border and murdered 48 people for not being Muslim. The following month, they attacked the palace of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, and entered the heavily fortified compound before government forces killed the militants. The deadly terror sect also was responsible in September 2013 for the infamous attack at the Westgate Shopping Center in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, where 67 people were killed and more than 175 wounded. The group has publicly vowed to carry out terror attacks in Kenya in response to that countrys military actions in Somalia, and appears to be making another move into the Somali capital. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Danes have honored the two victims of attacks by a gunman at a cultural center and synagogue a year ago in the capital, Copenhagen, with flowers, speeches and a torchlight parade. Before addressing a special parliamentary session on Sunday, Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen laid flowers in memory of filmmaker Finn Noergaard, who was killed at a free speech event, and Dan Uzan, a synagogue security guard. The gunman, Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane with a history of violence and gang connections, wounded five policemen before being killed in a shootout with a SWAT team. Lokke told reporters that despite threats from extremists, Danes should "insist on continuing their lives." Later, a torchlight parade was held through the streets of Copenhagen. A Spanish government employee took a six-year break from work and still got paid before his bosses finally discovered the ruse, local media reported. A Spanish court in January approved his fine which amounted to more than $30,000, according to El Mundo. Still, that's less than his $42,000 salary he earned each year under the reported scheme. Joaquin Garcia, 69, supervised the construction of a waste water treatment plant in Cadiz, southwest of Seville, the BBC reports. The head of the water company said in court Garcia's office was near his, but for years he never saw the man. The water company reportedly thought government officials were Garcia's bosses, and vice versa. Officials said Garcia started skipping work in 2004. Deputy mayor Jorge Blas Fernandez finally caught him in 2010 after Garcia became eligible for a special plaque honoring his "20 years' service," the BBC adds. "I called him up and asked him, 'What did you do yesterday? The month before, the month before that?' He didnt know what to say,'" the deputy mayor told reporters. Garcia says officials got it all wrong. He claims he'd been bullied in an earlier job, so he switched assignments, headed to the treatment plant, and discovered there was nothing for him to do. He apparently decided to keep his bosses in the dark because he feared he would not be able to find another job at his age, El Mundo reports. The $30,000 fine was the most the company could reclaim under Spanish law, according to the BBC. Garcia reportedly has retired. In fact, his attorney says the man has gone into hiding because of the media "lynching." Sweden police are investigating a murder at an asylum center after a fight broke out among refugees on Saturday. Police said the fight occurred in the town of Ljusne, about 149 miles north of Stockholm. It is the second death that has occurred at a refugee center in the last two months. A 22-year-old asylum center employee was stabbed to death by refugees in January. Reuters, citing Swedish media, reported that four people had been involved in the fight and at least one sharp object was used. The fight appeared to have occurred among the refugees housed at the center and that no staff was injured in the incident. Police have not released further details about the incident, according to the report. Sweden saw an influx of migrants cross into the country last year. More than 160,000 asylum seekers took refuge in Sweden, prompting the country to reverse its open-door policy late last year. The country is expecting 140,000 more refugees in 2016, but the government has previously said it will not allow anywhere near the expected total. Click for more from Reuters. The U.S. government called Saturday on Turkey to stop shelling American-backed Kurdish fighters in northern Syria as the militants sought to seize new ground before a possible cease-fire, creating dangerous fissures between tenuous allies in the war against Islamic State extremists. The U.S. State Department and the Pentagon both pressed Turkey to immediately stop shelling and urged Americas Kurdish allies in Syria not to expand their areas of control as world leaders struggle to cement the details of a cease-fire meant to take hold within days. The surge in violence threatens to drive a new wedge between the U.S. and Turkey, wary allies in the war against Islamic State. And it is a reflection of the fractured Syrian battlefield that makes it difficult for world leaders to work out a durable cease-fire in the five-year-old war. American officials stepped in to try to quickly bring an end to violence that erupted after Turkey followed through on its vow to attack the Kurdish rebels in northern Syria that it views as a threat. In identical statements, the Pentagon and the State Department called on Turkey and Kurdish militants to take steps to prevent the violence from getting worse. We are concerned about the situation north of Aleppo and are working to de-escalate tensions on all sides, the State Department and the Pentagon said in their statements. The U.S. appeal came after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded Kurdish fighters withdraw from a one-time Syrian military base near the town of Azaz, a move that had brought the Kurds closer to Turkeys border. The U.S. military is working closely with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, where they have delivered some of the most decisive and lasting blows to Islamic State extremists. But Turkey considers the most effective Syrian Kurdish force, known as the YPG, to be terrorists just like the PKK, the Kurdish insurgent separatists classified as a terrorist group by the U.S., Turkey and the European Union. As U.S. cooperation with the YPG has deepened in Syria, the PKK has embarked on a new fight with Turkish security forces in southeastern Turkey towns and cities close to the Syrian border. Turkey has provided the U.S. with evidence it says shows that the YPG has smuggled large amounts of firepower, including weapons made in America, to PKK fighters in Turkey, according to officials from both countries. U.S. officials said they have looked into each case and found no evidence that any arms or ammunition it has given directly to Syrian Kurdish forces to fight Islamic State have been smuggled into Turkey to be used against Turkish security forces. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. UP Sweet harvest. A bumper crop of more than 32 tons of sugar beets per acre is expected to keep the Western Sugar Cooperative plant running in Billings weeks past its average mid-February closing. Producers in the Sidney area also are enjoying a bumper crop at a time when the world sugar supply is tightening. UP Tax-free Internet access. Voting 75-20, the U.S. Senate approved a bill permanently barring state and local governments from tax access to the Internet. That provision is part of a bill dealing with protection of U.S. interests in international trade. If President Obama signs the bill, as expected, the seven states with Internet access taxes (North Dakota, South Dakota, Hawaii, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin) will have until summer 2020 to phase out those taxes. Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester voted for the legislation. UP Hearts for service. Crowley Fleck, a Montana statewide law firm, and RuthAnn Hutchinson, of Glasgow, were among the ServeMontana Award recipients honored for outstanding community service. Lisa Bullock also presented First Lady Breakfast Champion Awards to five school districts for excellence in supporting breakfast for students: Billings Senior High, Miles City Public Schools, Browning Public Schools, Fairfield School District and Roosevelt Elementary in Great Falls. DOWN Part-time port. The Port of Raymond, north of Plentywood in Montanas northeast corner, is one of only two 24-hour ports along the states 600-mile border with Canada. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is again considering making Raymond a part-time port, a cutback that would leave only the Port of Sweet Grass north of Shelby as a 24-hour border crossing in our state. UP Fewer flu cases. So far, the influenza season of 2015-2016 has hospitalized only about half as many Montanans as the previous season. Yellowstone County has confirmed 11 cases, compared with 450 last season. But we arent yet in the clear; flu season can peak in March. So keep taking precautions with careful hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. UP Brewing business. The Montana Tavern Association, Montana Restaurant Association and Montana Brewers Association have teamed up to promote made-in-Montana craft beers. Buy local beer here signs will appear soon at establishments statewide. Montana has 71 licensed breweries, twice as many as 10 years ago. WASHINGTONAntonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia's death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas. The service's spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, says Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning when he did not appear for breakfast. Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia's death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of West Texas. Spokeswoman Donna Sellers said Scalia had retired the previous evening and was found dead Saturday morning after he did not appear for breakfast. His death sets up a likely ideological showdown during a presidential election year as President Barack Obama weighs nominating a successor to the justice in the remainder of his White House term. Scalia was part of a 5-4 conservative majority with one of the five, Anthony Kennedy, sometimes voting with liberals on the court. Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court farther to the right after his 1986 selection by President Ronald Reagan. He also advocated tirelessly in favor of originalism, the method of constitutional interpretation that looks to the meaning of words and concepts as they were understood by the Founding Fathers. Scalia's impact on the court was muted by his seeming disregard for moderating his views to help build consensus, although he was held in deep affection by his ideological opposites Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. Scalia and Ginsburg shared a love of opera. He persuaded Kagan to join him on hunting trips. His 2008 opinion for the court in favor of gun rights drew heavily on the history of the Second Amendment and was his crowning moment on the bench. He could be a strong supporter of privacy in cases involving police searches and defendants' rights. Indeed, Scalia often said he should be the "poster child" for the criminal defense bar. But he also voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, to allow a closer relationship between government and religion, to permit executions and to limit lawsuits. He was in the court's majority in the 2000 Bush v. Gore decision, which effectively decided the presidential election for Republican George W. Bush. "Get over it," Scalia would famously say at speaking engagements in the ensuing years whenever the topic arose. Bush later named one of Scalia's sons, Eugene, to an administration job, but the Senate refused to confirm him. Eugene Scalia served as the Labor Department solicitor temporarily in a recess appointment. A smoker of cigarettes and pipes, Scalia enjoyed baseball, poker, hunting and the piano. He was an enthusiastic singer at court Christmas parties and other musical gatherings, and once appeared on stage with Ginsburg as a Washington Opera extra. Ginsburg once said that Scalia was "an absolutely charming man, and he can make even the most sober judge laugh." She said that she urged her friend to tone down his dissenting opinions "because he'll be more effective if he is not so polemical. I'm not always successful." He could be unsparing even with his allies. In 2007, Scalia sided with Chief Justice John Roberts in a decision that gave corporations and labor unions wide latitude to air political ads close to elections. Yet Scalia was upset that the new chief justice's opinion did not explicitly overturn an earlier decision. "This faux judicial restraint is judicial obfuscation," Scalia said. Quick-witted and loquacious, Scalia was among the most persistent, frequent and quotable interrogators of the lawyers who appeared before the court. During Scalia's first argument session as a court member, Justice Lewis F. Powell leaned over and asked a colleague, "Do you think he knows that the rest of us are here?" Scalia's writing seemed irrepressible and entertaining much of the time. But it also could be confrontational. It was a mocking Scalia who in 1993 criticized a decades-old test used by the court to decide whether laws or government policies violated the constitutionally required separation of church and state. "Like some ghoul in a late-night horror movie that repeatedly sits up in its grave and shuffles abroad, after being repeatedly killed and buried, (the test) stalks our ... jurisprudence once again, frightening the little children and school attorneys," he wrote. Scalia showed a deep commitment to originalism, which he later began calling textualism. Judges had a duty to give the same meaning to the Constitution and laws as they had when they were written. Otherwise, he said disparagingly, judges could decide that "the Constitution means exactly what I think it ought to mean." A challenge to a Washington, D.C., gun ban gave Scalia the opportunity to display his devotion to textualism. In a 5-4 decision that split the court's conservatives and liberals, Scalia wrote that an examination of English and colonial history made it exceedingly clear that the Second Amendment protected Americans' right to have guns, at the very least in their homes and for self-defense. The dissenters, also claiming fidelity to history, said the amendment was meant to ensure that states could raise militias to confront a too-powerful federal government if necessary. But Scalia rejected that view. "Undoubtedly some think that the Second Amendment is outmoded in a society where our standing army is the pride of our Nation, where well-trained police forces provide personal security, and where gun violence is a serious problem. That is perhaps debatable, but what is not debatable is that it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct," Scalia wrote. His dissents in cases involving gay rights could be as biting as they were prescient. "By formally declaring anyone opposed to same-sex marriage an enemy of human decency, the majority arms well every challenger to a state law restricting marriage to its traditional definition," Scalia wrote in dissent in 2013 when the court struck down part of a federal anti-gay marriage law. Six months later, a federal judge in Utah cited Scalia's dissent in his opinion striking down that state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Scalia was passionate about the death penalty. He wrote for the court when in 1989 it allowed states to use capital punishment for killers who were 16 or 17 when they committed their crimes. He was on the losing side in 2005 when the court changed course and declared it unconstitutional for states to execute killers that young. "The Court thus proclaims itself sole arbiter of our Nation's moral standards and in the course of discharging that awesome responsibility purports to take guidance from the views of foreign courts and legislatures," Scalia wrote in a scathing dissent. In 2002, he dissented from the court's decision to outlaw executing the mentally retarded. That same year, Scalia surprised some people with a public declaration of independence from his Roman Catholic church on the death penalty. He said judges who follow the philosophy that capital punishment is morally wrong should resign. Scalia also supported free speech rights, but complained too. "I do not like scruffy people who burn the American flag," he said in 2002, but "regrettably, the First Amendment gives them the right to do that." A longtime law professor before becoming a judge, Scalia frequently spoke at law schools and to other groups. Later in his tenure, he also spoke at length in on-the-record interviews, often to promote a book. He betrayed no uncertainty about some of the most contentious legal issues of the day. The framers of the Constitution didn't think capital punishment was unconstitutional and neither did he. "The death penalty? Give me a break. It's easy. Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state," Scalia said during a talk that preceded a book signing at the American Enterprise Institute in 2012. The only child of an Italian immigrant father who was a professor of Romance languages and a mother who taught elementary school, Scalia attended public schools in his native New Jersey, graduated first in his class at Georgetown University and won high honors at the Harvard University Law School. He worked at a large Cleveland law firm for six years before joining the faculty of the University of Virginia's law school. He left that job to work in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. From 1977 to 1982, Scalia taught law at the University of Chicago. He then was appointed by Reagan to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Scalia and his wife, Maureen, had nine children. The commandant of the Marines and the Army chief of staff testified recently before a congressional committee that they would like to see women register for the draft. That follows the December order from the secretary of defense, Ashton Carter, that all front-line combat units must be open to women. What with most of the Republican presidential candidates saying they want to make the armed forces strongerand two expressing support for female registration (former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio)it probably wont be too long before women will be on the list for conscription into uniform should the draft ever be reinstated. In the early years of this country, our third president, Thomas Jefferson, was a relentless advocate for universal military service. He wanted every male in the country of the appropriate age to devote a year of his life to the military. He was adamantly opposed to a standing volunteer army, believing it much more desirable to meet the need for soldiers with men from all walks of life rather than depend upon an army made up primarily by a class of men whom he called pauper hirelings. Jeffersons reasoning still holds. While a re-activated draft undoubtedly would cause a great deal of hardship and put the lives of women at greater risk, the draft would provide the country with important benefits. With the lives of both women and men in the military equally at risk, we will be much more likely to avoid wars; families would devote more attention to issues of war or peace than is the case with an all-volunteer military. The draft would also bring into the military better-educated recruits, for whom it would take less time to become familiar with military culture and the intricacies of contemporary technology. And there could be a very different benefit to the country: Inner-city gangs would be broken up as the draft raided them. Although the military today usually keeps out men who have dropped out of high school or have criminal records, a non-restrictive draft would take a lot of troublemakers off the streets. The military then would instill discipline and values, and teach useful skills to a segment of American society that desperately needs such education. Bringing new, pre-basic training remedial education into military life would be a great help to those headed for a life of crime. They would become good soldiers and, later, good citizens. Pre-basic training remedial education would get draftees up to speed in the school subjects they previously scorned. Since high school diplomas are often given despite meager accomplishment, passing GED tests in reading, writing, math, science and social studies are the better marker of educational accomplishment. Draftees off the street would be transformed into soldiers who would testify, as many have in the past, that their time in the military turned their lives around. Draftees could provide the nation with men and women not only for military service but also for community service. Draftees would be given a choice between the twoexcept for those who had not finished high school or had a criminal record; they would be excluded from community service. The Corporation for National and Community Service, which already exists, for the most part consists of two components: the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which focuses on disaster relief, and AmeriCorps, which focuses on community development. Recruits to FEMA Corps are involved in helping individuals and communities recover from floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and the like. AmeriCorps provides help for schools and parks, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, infrastructure improvements, environmental stewardship, energy conservation, and urban and rural redevelopment. Most female draftees probably would choose community service over the military, and, in a timeout from their civilian lives, find such work very enlightening and very satisfying. They would break through the barriers of social class, and become better informed about the behind-the-scenes work that needs to be done within America. Paul Marx, who lives in Towson, Md., is a professor emeritus of English at the University of New Haven. Aussie Author Creates Project To Release Working Dingo Dogs To Save Wildlife Kerrie Guppy's book about personal 30 year journey to detox her life. One of the chapters within the book shares how the "Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife" (WDSW) program came into existence as the first of its kind in the world. -- (CORRESPONDENT NEWS) Author Kerrie Guppy has announced the upcoming 2016 release of her new book in Australia. The book chronicles her ongoing 30-year journey towards detoxing her life. Her journey began when she was 17 years old, soon after her mother, in her early 40s, was diagnosed with breast cancer. One of the chapters within the book shares the story of how the "Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife" (WDSW) program came into existence as an alternative to the use of 1080 poison in conservation work. 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is a bait poison used to control rats, possums, and other pests and the stoats which eat the poisoned rats. 1080 is biodegradable, dilutes quickly in water and does not build up in the food chain. Since the late 1950s, 1080 has been exported in raw form from the United States primarily to control the Common Brushtail Possum. Using 80% of the worlds supply, New Zealand is the largest user of biodegradable 1080 poison. In 2011, 1080 has been declared "effective and safe" by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Conservationists like Guppy Disagree. They are concerned about areas where 1080 is applied and the security of potable water supplies and 1080's possible connection to Australia's extinction crisis. The WDSW project is the first of its kind in the world. The reintroduction of Canis Dingo, Australia's terrestrial apex predator into the grassy woodland ecosystem at Eynesbury will boost ecosystem diversity, naturally suppressing feral rabbits, cats & foxes and increase native wildlife & vegetation regeneration. Zoologist Employees from Eynesbury asked conservation and land management services company, Aus Eco Solutions, owned by Guppy and her husband, Kristian, if they could come up with an alternative solution to the use of 1080. "My book will provide ideas for others to pursue in detoxing their life," said Guppy, "and the chapter on the Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife project highlights how a dedicated group of people can make real changes to the biodiversity of our planet through pursuing their ideals!" Guppy says there over 80,000 chemicals in our industrialised world and 1080 is just one of the poisons that could be eliminated with toxin-free alternative projects such as "Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife" Guppy is a wife, mother of four children and entrepreneur in conservation and land management. Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife (WDSW) is a not for profit conservation program which is managed by Aus Eco Solutions and the Australian Dingo Foundation. Donations to our "Working Dingoes Saving Wildlife" program can be made at http://www.dingodiscovery.net/donation.php (enter code WDSW) About Aus Eco Solutions Aus Eco Solutions provides a range of conservation and land management services to restore native ecosystems. Their vision is to be the leading preserver of flora and fauna in Australia. Aus Eco Solutions Kerrie Guppy sales@ausecosolutions.com.au PO Box 473 Ballan VIC 3342, +61 3 5368 2006 http//www.ausecosolutions.com.au Links: http://www.ausecosolutions.com.au http://www.dingodiscovery.net/donation.php https://www.facebook.com/wdswp/ For more information about us, please visit http://www.ausecosolutions.com.au Contact Info: Name: Maurice W Evans Email: igrowyourbiz@gmail.com Organization: iGROWyourBiz, Inc Address: 1314 N Oliver Ave Unit 8709, Wichita, KS 67208 Phone: (800) 691-2WIN Source: http://www.CorrespondentNews.com Release ID: 103856 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Free Health & Wellness Magazine Announces Launch Of Membership Program Providing Personal Connection With Experts Global Healing Exchange and Holistic Living Magazine will be launching a membership program allowing readers to enroll and get to know featured experts better. -- (CORRESPONDENT NEWS) Global Healing Exchange and Holistic Living Magazine announces it will launch a membership program connecting readers with dozens of health and wellness experts. The magazine is a free quarterly health and wellness magazine and a one stop shop for discovering holistic health care needs. Sharon White, the magazine's publisher, has been a health and wellness expert for 20 years. Together with other wellness experts, she is building a wellness library. White says the magazine is the first of its kind where the same experts are featured in each magazine with the optional membership allowing readers to get to know them better. Rather than making pharmaceutical drugs their first stop, readers will have the ability to connect with and get to know the experts better. This will allow them to better seek out and trust therapists with possible alternative answers to their needs. The magazines usually have a topical them (i.e. Diabetes) and are written by 30 health and well-being experts from around the world. The annual publishing schedule for the magazine is the 15th of March, June, September and December. The upcoming membership program will enhance the experience of magazine readers by allowing them to listen to podcasts, webinars and get other information from the featured experts. "We take our readers on a journey to health," says White. "(Our magazine will help you) find holistic health information from experts you trust. Learn how to empower yourself with knowledge and take your health care into your own hands." The magazine is available to read online at http://www.globalhealingexchange.com About Global Healing Exchange Global Healing Exchange is a place to find holistic health experts and learn about therapies. A growing library of health topics is being built on the website and free quarterly Holistic Living magazine. Global Healing Exchange aims to empower readers with up to date knowledge. Links: http://globalhealingexchange.com/ http://www.globalhealingexchange.com/holistic-living-magazine-library/ Global Healing Exchange Sharon White 0404 181265 sharon@globalhealingexchange.com For more information about us, please visit http://www.globalhealingexchange.com Contact Info: Name: Maurice W Evans Email: igrowyourbiz@gmail.com Organization: iGROWyourBiz, Inc Address: 1314 N Oliver Ave Unit 8709, Wichita, KS 67208 Phone: (800) 691-2WIN Source: http://www.CorrespondentNews.com Release ID: 103861 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) CouncilofEliteAdvisors.com Announces Top Performers for the week of February 15, 2016 CouncilofEliteAdvisors.com a website that accepts nominees from the top business and personal advisors worldwide, is pleased to announce the selected top performers for the week of February 15, 2016. -- COEA recognizes Laurie MacDonald as a top professional in Health Insurance and Benefits- St. Petersburg, FL. With 30 years in the business, Laurie has helped hundreds of business owners establish and maintain cutting edge benefit programs - the right products/services at the right price. MacDonald Consultants is growing quickly assisting confused employers buried under the burden of employment law. For more information or contact Laurie at www.macdonaldconsultants.com COEA recognizes Daniel Fisher as a top professional in Financial Advisory & Planning Services - Northbrook, IL. With over 30 years in business Daniel Fisher has helped hundreds of people plan for their retirement. Daniel has taught employees and retirees of American Airlines, AT&T, Grainger, Motorola, United Airlines and several local school districts how to preserve and make their retirement nest egg grow. For more information or contact Daniel at www.fisherfinancialgroupllc.com COEA recognizes Cameron Davies as a top professional in the Financial Services/Benefits Industry - The Woodlands, TX. Cameron has helped small business owners get set for Retirement by setting up Executive Carve Out Plans, which allow them tremendous Tax Benefits that most small business owners want and need, while providing market upside, without downside loss. For more information or contact Cameron at www.arsretirement.com COEA recognizes Alan M. Smith as a top professional in Finance - St. Louis, MO. Alan Smith, CFP, CWPP(TM), a multi-year FIVE STAR Professional Wealth Manager Award winner, has been helping people retire successfully and on time for almost 30 years through individual financial planning, and through maximizing the effectiveness of company retirement plans for owners and employees. For more information or to contact Alan at www.asaadvisors.com COEA recognizes Gurdayal Singh as a top professional in Financial Advising/Planning - Chino, CA. Your economic situation is a matter of choice, not a matter of chance. Misguided and self-inflicted, it is lack of knowledge Driven by fear, cautious of change and paralyzed by perceptions, financial decisions are made by default, without knowledge, unaware of unintended consequences. Let's talk. For more information or to contact Gurdayal at www.wealthandwisdomonline.com COEA recognizes Marsha Pfeffer as a top professional in Employee Benefits - St. Petersburg, FL . Marsha Pfeffer, Sr. Employee Benefits Advisor from Corporate Benefits Network, Inc. commented on the success of their Private Healthcare Exchange this last year. Employers love our competitive pricing and Human Resource Information System (HRIS) that is included in most of our programs. For more information or to contact Marsha at http://corporatebenefitsnetwork.com/ COEA recognizes Mel Aguilar as a top professional in the Insurance Industry - Petaluma, CA. Mel Aguilar specializes in Annuity IRA Strategies that protect assets, grow earnings safely, and provide a lifetime income paycheck that you cannot outlive. If you are 2 - 7 years from retirement, connect now to get your FREE Ultimate Annuities Buyers Guide. For more information or contact Mel at https://www.maximizeretirementassets.com COEA recognizes Harley Hunter as a top professional in Financial Planning - Evergreen, CO. Harley Hunter, Global Strategies Group has been endorsed from his client: "Harley Hunter has helped me identify and implement strategies to diversify and grow my net worth in ways that reduce risk, minimize tax implications, and increase protection against global uncertainty." For more information or contact Harley at http://www.globalstrategiesgroupltd.com/ COEA recognizes Bob Kahler as a top professional in the Insurance Industry - Northbrook, IL. With over 40 years in the business, Bob has helped hundreds of small business owners and individuals using thorough insurance needs analysis. Because of the extensive carrier markets available to Bob through strategic relationships he is able to provide the Best there is in coverage and rates. For more information or contact Bob at www.hgroupbenefits.com COEA recognizes Troy L Kuhn as a top professional in Wealth Management - Overland Park, KS. Troy L Kuhn, CFP, MBA, member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIAA) has joined partner & co-founder of Harvest Advisors, Mark Wassmer, in announcing the formation of a Think Tank, "Conscientious Capitalism", inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical entitled Laudato Si'. For more information or contact Troy at www.HarvestAdvisors.pro For more information about us, please visit http://www.councilofeliteadvisors.com Contact Info: Name: Jeremiah Desmarais Organization: Council of Elite Advisors Source: http://councilofeliteadvisors.com/liftmedia Release ID: 103881 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) With a month left to qualify for the Montana ballot, only three presidential candidates have made the cut. Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders and Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz have gathered enough Montana signatures to be part of states June 7 primary election. The rest of the crowded presidential field has slightly more than four weeks to get at least 500 people to endorse their bids. Trump and Sanders qualified just in the last few days, Cruz a little earlier. The last time I checked was two days ago, and Sanders had 1,300 signatures. The other two were in the 600s, Blair Fjeseth, of the Montana Secretary of States office, said late last week. Andy Boyd, a Bernie Sanders supporter in Bozeman, said Sanders easily qualified for the Montana ballot. Supporters have evolved from a loose-knit group interested in Sanders to an organized campaign that will be forming phone banks and calling voters to get out the vote. There is still no official office in Montana for the Sanders campaign, though supporters communicate through Facebook and meet regularly. Trump supporters are also without an official campaign headquarters in Montana, but coordinate events through Facebook. A map of Facebook likes, posted Thursday by New York Times statistician Nate Silvers 538 Blog, showed that Montana is Ben Carson country when it comes to Facebook likes, with 29 percent of the likes by Montanans liking candidate pages on the social media site. Sanders was second with 24 percent. Trump was third with 21 percent. Cruz was fifth at 13 percent. Carson has not qualified for the Montana ballot, but has received the most financial support from Montanans, according to campaign reports filed Jan. 31. Hillary Clinton was sixth in Facebook likes by Montanans at 4 percent. But Clinton also is close to qualifying for the Montana ballot, said Carol Williams of Missoula, a former legislator who is currently spearheading Clintons Montana campaign. We literally were waiting for Hillary to sign the initial affidavit for signatures to be gathered, Williams said. I think maybe it wasnt until mid-January. As in 2008, the Democratic primary is turning into a horse race. Williams said she expects Clinton will visit Montana at some point. There's a chance Clinton will send surrogates to the state in March. Update: Jeb Bush qualified for the Montana ballot after this article was first posted online. Karla C. Miller Receives "3 Years 10 Best" Award from American Institute of Family Law Attorneys(TM) Karla C. Miller, founder of the Nashville law firm Karla C. Miller & Associates, PLLC was recently honored with a "3 Years 10 Best" award for her work as a family law attorney. This is Karla Miller's third consecutive year winning the "10 Best" award. -- Karla C. Miller, founder of the Nashville law firm Karla C. Miller & Associates, PLLC was recently honored with a "3 Years 10 Best" award for her work as a family law attorney from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys. This is Karla Miller's third consecutive year winning the "10 Best" award from the institution. "It makes me feel proud to receive the '3 Years 10 Best' award,'" said firm founder Karla Miller. "This award simply validates the hard work that we have put in over the years for our clients. When you place a high priority on providing the highest levels of client service, our clients feel confident that they have the best representation available. I am honored that our focus on client satisfaction is being recognized with this prestigious award for the third year in a row." Karla C. Miller & Associates, PLLC is a small firm in Nashville that focuses on providing family law services. Attorney Miller and her colleagues at the firm have won numerous awards in the last 20 years for their dedication to serving their clients. Selection for the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys Founded in 2014, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) recognizes attorneys who have excelled in the area of family law, and who have attained the highest client satisfaction ratings in the industry. They recognize these firms in an effort to make it easier for prospective new clients to make informed decisions when selecting an attorney to hire for a family law matter. Candidates for the "10 Best" awards are subject to the following criteria: o 10/10 in client satisfaction o Top rated attorneys o Must be an industry leader o No unresolved complaints o Awards o Associations o Publications o Speaking engagements o Education and continued education In 2016, Attorney Miller received the honor of having won the AIOFLA 10 Best award for three years in a row, which is a significant accomplishment in the legal community. The law office of Karla C. Miller & Associates, PLLC is based in Nashville, Tennessee and serves clients throughout Middle Tennessee. The firm focuses exclusively on family law and divorce. For more information about us, please visit http://www.karlahewittlaw.com Contact Info: Name: Karla C. Miller Organization: Karla C. Miller & Associates, PLLC Address: 631 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206 Phone: (615) 391-4200 Source: http://marketersmedia.com/karla-c-miller-receives-3-years-10-best-award-from-american-institute-of-family-law-attorneys/103512 Release ID: 103512 For more information visit r Recent Press Releases By The Same User Agarwood Essential Oil Market Expected to Grow at CAGR 4.2% During 2016 to 2022"> (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Cyber Weapon Market by Type, Product, Application, Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Landscaping and Gardening Expert Trevor McClintock Launches New Locally Optimized Website (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Sleep apnea devices Market is Evolving At A CAGR of 7.5% by 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Agriculture Technology Market 2017 Global Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) Global VR Helmet Market by Manufacturers, Technology, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 (Fri 2nd Jun 17) CHEYENNE On Monday, after telling lawmakers in the State of the State to expand Medicaid to 20,000 low-income Wyomingites, Gov. Matt Mead visited a local church here for a Medicaid expansion rally. He shared a stage at the rally with many social justice advocates with whom he normally doesnt align politically. The coalition includes business and health care groups but also some left-leaning organizations. Mead, a classically conservative Republican in his second term as governor, reflected recently on the political capital he is expending in the fight for Medicaid expansion. As my role as governor, I have a responsibility to every citizen of the state to do my best, he said Friday. And so some of the people that support this, as far as I know, they may disagree with me on every other point thats out there. And I may disagree with them on every other point. But on this issue well be sharing common interest with a diverse group, and Im happy to have their support on an issue that is, in fact, so impactful to the state of our health and frankly the state of our economy. Mead has argued at length why the state should adopt expansion: Extending Medicaid to 20,000 low-income Wyoming adults under Obamacare would bring $268 million in federal money to the state over the next two years, and would allow the Wyoming Health Department to cut or eliminate $33 million in programs for low-income Wyomingites. The state is facing a $477 million revenue decline over the next two years due to declines in oil, natural gas and coal. Hospitals absorb $100 million in yearly costs in caring for people without insurance who do not have the money to pay medical bills, many of whom would likely be eligible for Medicaid. The Republican-dominated Legislature has resisted expanding Medicaid for the past three sessions. Originally opposed to expansion, Mead said hes become a supporter since the Supreme Court has upheld major components of the Affordable Care Act, including one that his administration challenged. He believes Obamacare is so ingrained into the health care system, no new president will be able to overturn it. Marguerite Herman, who has observed the Legislature for 35 years first as a journalist and now as a lobbyist for the Wyoming League of Women Voters, which supports expansion said Mead has shown courage. Unlike some governors who have confrontational relationships with state legislatures, Meads relationship with lawmakers typically has been one of cooperation, she said. This is a departure of style where he is openly challenging the Legislature to expand, Herman said. He still has 2 years left in his term where he needs to maintain that relationship. So hes taking a chance that this will not harm that cooperative relationship. Hes doing what he knows is right for the people and the state, knowing people may object. On Friday, Mead said Medicaid expansion faces an uphill battle in the state Legislature. But he is hopeful it will pass. On the upside, you see the amount of support it gets from organizations from municipalities, from the hospital association, from a private insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield those are not groups that are normally on the same side on every issue, he said. I think it is a broad, diverse coalition of support. What we see in editorials and letters to the editor, I think Wyomings waking up to (the fact that) it doesnt make sense at this point to not expand. So Im hopeful everyone keeps an open mind, and even though were not where we want to be now, things can change in the next couple of weeks. Senate Vice President Drew Perkins, R-Casper, opposes expansion and believes a majority of the Legislature will, too. Hes talked to members who have indicated they will oppose expansion. He also believes Congress in Washington will eventually be able to repeal the Affordable Care Act or take away its funding, he said. I dont know that the issue is settled at the federal level yet, he said. He doesnt believe the Legislatures long-term relationship with the governor will suffer. I count Matt Mead as a friend, even though we are disagreeing on this issue significantly, he said. Perkins said he has seen data that shows expansion has been harmful in some states, including numbers that say enrollment of Medicaid expansion has been almost double initial projections. This year, the federal government is paying all of the states costs with expansion, but starting next year, the federal proportion decreases annually through 2020, when it will be 90 percent. He said states such as Kentucky and Washington have had problems with expansion. There are lots of indicators that show this thing, without cost controls and without use controls, this thing is blooming way faster than anybody ever thought it would, he said. Mead has pushed the Legislature to find workable solutions to health care if they dont like his plan. On Friday, the Senate advanced a bill that would allow a committee or task force, likely made up of lawmakers, to spend $20,000 on designing a new program for low-income people to obtain health care, move them away from public assistance and improve their earnings. Senate File 86 is sponsored by Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper, Senate President Phil Nicholas, R-Laramie, House Speaker Kermit Brown, R-Laramie, and Rep. Elaine Harvey, R-Lovell. We want to have a circumstance where people always have an incentive to take an extra raise and the extra step, and always have the benefit, Scott said. Scott said the committee would meet for two years and would incorporate any changes to the traditional Medicaid program that Scott said could come soon. The Legislature would have to vote to implement any program the group designed, he said. SF86 would prohibit Mead from submitting a request to the federal government for Medicaid expansion. Mead said hes heard of SF86 in a general way but had not studied the bill in depth. He agrees that he shouldnt unilaterally expand Medicaid in Wyoming. If he did, the Legislature would stop it the next time they met, he said. My job is not just to force this through, he said. Its to persuade them that this is the right thing to do for Wyoming citizens. European anti-GM activity is holding back access to bigger crop yields in the UK and hurting poorer nations where there is a much greater need for productivity, claims a report. The development and adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops both across Europe and in developing countries has been stifled by campaigns led by groups such as Greenpeace, says the report by US-based science and technology think tank. The report by The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) claimed that preventing innovation in biotechnology crops could cost the worlds poorest nations, especially those in sub-Saharan African, up to $1.5trn (1trn) by 2050. See also: GM opponents condemn billions to hunger, claims Paterson But anti-GM groups have rejected the claims, insisting it is unsafe and more widely accepted biotechnologies such as marker-assisted breeding should be adopted to tackle food security. The study criticises the United Nations environment programme (Unep), European member states and campaign groups for pressing successfully for restrictions or bans on the growth or import of crops and foods improved through biotechnology. European bans Last October, 19 European countries announced bans on growing GM crops, despite strong opposition from the scientific community. The UK government has stated it would be in favour of allowing farmers to cultivate GM crops, provided they can be proven to be scientifically safe. However, devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all stated their opposition to allowing GM crops to be grown on their territory. The report added the restrictions imposed on GMs lower farmers productivity and raise food prices not just in the countries where the campaigns originate, such as the UK, but in nations that avoid GM crops so they can export to countries with policies either banning or limiting biotech crops. Low-income nations It said allowing more farmers in low-income nations to grow biotech crops would allow them to grow more food and increase rural incomes. The report claims opponents of GM, who argued that the technology would only benefit industrialised nations and would price farmers from developing nations out of the market, were wrong. GM seeds are even more important for farmers in developing countries than in developed nations, because the former could often ill afford other innovations that boost productivity, such as modern tractors, but they can afford improved seeds. This is why farmers in developing nations plant more biotech-improved seeds than farmers in industrial nations, despite massive European and advocacy group efforts to discourage them. Criticism However, the tone of the report was strongly criticised by the UKs Food Ethics Council (FEC), which said the headlines and report summary were deeply unhelpful and would only inflame the debate between supporters and opponents of GM technology. Dan Crossley, executive director of the FEC, said: We should be asking who is this technology empowering and how will it promote fair and sustainable farming. Claiming anti-GM campaigners are responsible for exacerbating poverty in the global south is unhelpful, polarises the debate and could be legitimately challenged. Anti-GM campaigners claim that biotech crops increase herbicide use, can contaminate non-GM crops forever and lead to large multinational companies having huge powers over seeds provided to developing countries. Blame Dr Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK chief scientist, said: After two decades of plugging away at GMs, the biotech industry has yet to come up with crop varieties that are significantly better than non-GM ones in terms of improved yields or other useful traits. Yet environmental groups regularly get the blame for the industrys own failures. Meanwhile, safer and more widely accepted biotechnologies such as marker-assisted breeding have got much closer to delivering the solutions the GM lobby has been promising for years. The fact that were still discussing the pros and cons of GMs whilst ignoring more promising breakthroughs is a sign of the distorting influence a well-funded biotech lobby still has on this debate. The Soil Association declined to comment on the report. gamershell.com expired on 08/21/2022 and is pending renewal or deletion. Backorder Domain Oregon State University President Ed Ray gave a speech in Portland on Friday in which he unveiled OSUs new Student Success Initiative, which includes improving the universitys graduation and retention rates over the next four years. I think we can agree those are worthy goals (if you disagree, you probably can stop reading this now). But as you read about the speech in Saturdays Gazette-Times, you might have had the same questions I did: How exactly does OSU plan to go about meeting those goals? I had the chance to ask Ray that question on Friday in a quick phone interview as his car crept back to Corvallis through Portland traffic. As you might imagine, he does have some specific plans that already are in motion and some specific thoughts that might surprise you as to why he thinks this is vital work for the university and the country. Ray pointed to work that OSU is doing as part of an 11-institution University Innovation Alliance. Among the alliances charges: figuring out what retention strategies work and which ones dont to keep students on track for graduation. For example, he said, OSU now can access a decades worth of undergraduate data and can analyze that to determine what traits led to academic success and which ones led to failure. Put that information in the hands of academic advisers, Ray said, and they can deal with students in a preventive way: Just keep doing what youre doing, and youre going to flunk out. Similar work at Georgia State University resulted in a significant boost in the six-year graduation rate there, Ray said. Such an effort at OSU will require adding some muscle to the universitys advising efforts, and that will take money. But OSU is committed to properly funding the Student Success Initiative, Ray said, and noted the universitys success at raising money for other goals. Rays speech in Portland also took note of the financial burdens of getting a college degree. Although he told me that 37 percent of OSU undergraduates leave school without amassing any debt, I wish it was 60 percent. And, in fact, as Ray noted in his speech, each Oregon resident attending OSU has an average unmet annual financial need of $7,256; for those students who are eligible for Pell grants, the number is $9,601. To help fill that gap, he pledged continued support for scholarship programs such as the Bridge to Success, which allows some in-state students to attend OSU without paying tuition or fees. But he also noted something else: One way to cut college costs by a third would be to graduate in four years instead of six. To that end, he said work is underway at OSU to identify templates for graduation in four years for every undergraduate major. (Again, note the increased importance of advisers and details such as making sure required classes are available when students need to take them.) Why is this important to Ray? As he noted in his Portland speech, 40 years ago, the chance of getting a college degree for people in the nations top economic quartile was 44 percent; today, its 82 percent. If youre in the bottom quartile, though, your chances of getting that degree have only grown from 6 to 9 percent over those 40 years. In other words, the education gap between the haves and the have-nots has just about doubled in four decades. We finally seem to have arrived at a teachable moment, Ray told me. Weve got this incredible gap in terms of who can achieve a college degree, he said. It prepares the country for terrible things going forward. We run the risk of creating a permanent underclass. For a democracy, thats just terrible. Hired, promoted Jeff Weiler and Kelvin Hullet have joined the Bank of North Dakota and Annette Curl has been promoted there. Weiler is the director of risk management. Most recently the executive vice president of Starion, he earned a bachelors degree in business finance from Northern State University. Hullet is the economic development and government program market manager. Previously president of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce, Hullet earned a bachelors degree in history and pre-law from Kansas State University and a masters degree in community and regional planning from the University of Nebraska. Curl was promoted to loan process manager, a new position in business development. Curl began her career at BND as an application processor for SLND in 1987. Two join NDCF Christi Stonecipher and Sarah Guss have joined the staff of the North Dakota Community Foundation in Bismarck. Stonecipher is the director of communications. She graduated from the University of North Dakota in marketing and management and has worked as a consultant for 15 years. Guss is the accountant/administrator. She graduated from Minot State University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and has several years of experience providing accounting services. Willey honored Don Willey, a Bismarck-area field agent with Knights of Columbus Insurance, was recently honored as the disability insurance leader 2015 in the Dolan Agency in North Dakota. An agent since 2006, Willey will be recognized at the state KC convention April 29-May 1 in Grand Forks. Domke joins Sally Domke has joined Dardis Realty in Jamestown. In addition to real estate, she has a background in retail sales, customer service and volunteering. Two with firm Kyle Palczewski and Chontay Mastel have joined Widmer Roel, Bismarck, as staff accountants. Palczewski, who has a bachelors degree from the University of North Dakota, works in the tax department. Mastel is in the audit department. She has a bachelors degree from North Dakota State University. Nursing awards Five nurses at CHI St. Alexius Health have received its 2015 Excellence in Nursing Award. Christine Lofberg, an infusion nurse who has worked at St. Alexius since 1996, received the Excellence in Practice Award. Lisa Goetz, received the Excellence in Precepting Award. She is a nurse in Home Health and Hospice. Judy Bicknese received the Excellence in Community Service Award. Bicknese has more than 24 years of experience as a Home Health and Hospice nurse. Missy Wetsch received the Excellence in Evidence Based Practice Award. She started her career at St. Alexius in 1998. Peggy Thurlby received the Nightingale Nursing Award that honors a nurse who has made outstanding contributions throughout an active nursing practice of 40 or more years. Thurlby, an admission coordinator, began working at St. Alexius in 1971. She has worked on the medical, telemetry, women and children, labor and delivery and psychiatry units. Johnson leads Tim Johnson, of Bismarck, was the top producer of annuity insurance sales for Farmers Union Insurance during December. With law firm KrisAnn Norby-Jahner has joined Vogel Law Firm in Bismarck. Her practice focuses on labor and employment law, ERISA litigation and general civil litigation, She previously practiced in the Twin Cities. She obtained a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, Ph.D./ABD from Kent State University, master of arts degree from North Dakota State University, bachelor of arts degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and associate of arts degree from Minot State University-Bottineau. Hamm featured Adam Hamm, North Dakota insurance commissioner, has been included in Insurance Business America magazines Hot 100 list. The annual report features 100 power players selected from a pool of nominations from the insurance community. New at clinic Jane Christianson, a family nurse practitioner, has joined Mid Dakota Clinic, where she specializes in family medicine. Christianson received a bachelors degree in health science at the University of St. Francis and an associates degree in nursing from North Dakota State University. She earned her nurse practitioner certificate at the University of North Dakota and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Seiler promoted Adam Seiler has been promoted to assistant vice president at Gate City Bank, where he has worked since 2011. He is the personal banking supervisor at the Bismarck Country West office. A native of McIntosh, S.D., Seiler earned a degree in business administration at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Microsoft's new app can identify your dog's breed News oi -GizBot Bureau US-based technology giant Microsoft has launched a new image recognition app that looks at photos of dogs to identify its breed or at least tell the percentage of the closest match in case it cannot make an exact match. Fetch -- an iPhone app -- is the latest in a series of fun projects that are meant to highlight machine learning's potential. The app uses a machine learning technique called deep neural networks, the technology website Tech Crunch reported. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Premium Smartphones with Dual SIM support to Buy in India [Jan 2016] " there is very advanced work underway at Microsoft in this area, which are able to take apart subtle differences, even when breeds look similar or through the many different colors within breeds," Mitch Goldberg, development director at Microsoft Research in Cambridge, Britain-based team which built the app, was quoted as saying. "Every time we add more, that's the beauty of the deep neural network in understanding new, unique breeds. This is a really complex problem," Goldberg added. To use the app, you simply show it a picture of a dog and it returns with the name of the breed. SEE ALSO: 5 biggest Smartphone myths busted If there is no dog in the photo, the app says: "No dogs found!" Last year, Microsoft launched a website that would guess people's ages from their photos. However, the results were a hit or miss because the results depended on the many factors of the picture such as framing and lightening in the picture. Similarly, the company released MyMoustache app to recognise and rate facial hair. Source IANS Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Taiwan expels 4 trespassing Chinese fishing boats ROC Central News Agency 2016/02/12 18:25:44 Taipei, Feb. 12 (CNA) Taiwan's coast guard recently expelled four Chinese fishing boats caught trespassing and poaching in the country's territorial waters, near Wuqiu in outlying Kimen County, the Maritime Patrol Directorate General (MPDG) of the Coast Guard Administration said Friday. The MPDG launched a major crackdown against trespassing Chinese fishing boats after being informed of a certain number of Chinese fishing boats trespassing and poaching in waters off Wuqiu by local residents on Feb. 10, it said. The Chinese fishing vessels were apparently taking advantage of the Chinese New Year holiday Feb. 6-14, when they believed Taiwan's law enforcement agencies would be relatively more lax during the Lunar New Year celebrations, to operate illegally in the country's territorial waters, MPDG officers pointed out. In order to protect the interests and fishing rights of Taiwan's fishermen, the MPDG will continue to carry out expanded operations to crack down Chinese fishing vessels poaching in the country's territorial waters, and to impose severe fines against them, they said. In addition, through the mechanism of bilateral communications established between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese authorities will ask their Chinese counterparts to take actions to prevent their fishing boats from trespassing into Taiwan's territorial waters, they added. Wuqiu is a group of islands comprised of two major islands, namely Greater Qiu Islet and Smaller Qiu Islet, in the Taiwan Strait. Administratively, Wuqiu Township is part of Kinmen County. (By Sunrise Huang and Romulo Huang) Enditem/ke NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Farragut Concludes Mobile Port Visit Navy News Service Story Number: NNS160212-25 Release Date: 2/12/2016 10:26:00 PM By Ensign George Hinerman, USS Farragut Public Affairs MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) completed a scheduled port visit in Mobile, Feb. 10. The ship visited Mobile, the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States, as part of the Navy's Community Outreach Program. Upon arrival, the ship received a warm welcome from various community leaders including U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama's 1st Congressional District, as well as Gina Gregory, president of the Mobile City Council representing District 7. While in port, the crew conducted a community relations (COMREL) project at the Harmon Recreational Center and participated in numerous Mardi Gras parades and balls. Farragut also hosted a ship tour for the Davidson High School Navy Junior ROTC and Sea Cadets, as well as a breakfast for several distinguished guests including the city of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and retired Rear Adm. Rich Landolt. 'The Navy's ties to the city of Mobile continue to grow stronger,' said Cmdr. Cory Applebee, Farragut's commanding officer. 'With its rich history that includes Adm. Farragut himself and extends up to the production of the Navy's newest warships, it was a pleasure to meet some of the community's most influential leaders that truly appreciate our nation's brave men and women.' More than 15 Farragut Sailors volunteered their time to help paint designs on the walls of the Harmon Recreation Center as part of the COMREL project. 'The Harmon Recreation Center COMREL was a great success,' said Chief Electrician's Mate Francisco Eraula. 'Everybody had fun and enjoyed volunteering for the benefit of the kids of Mobile. We are standing by to help more communities in the future.' Farragut Sailors also had the opportunity to experience many of the Mardi Gras events, a first for many of them, while others took the opportunity to visit other local attractions including USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. 'Mobile has a rich, vibrant, and welcoming culture that was appreciated by the Farragut crew,' said Lt. j.g. Richard Schroyer. 'I would love to visit the area again with my family.' Several Sailors who are natives of Mobile also had an opportunity to visit with family members. 'I was able to visit many family members, attend and actually march in a Mardi Gras parade,' said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Johnathan Austin. 'Hearing all of the applause from the crowd showed how much support the Navy has.' David Glasgow Farragut, the ship's namesake, was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. He is remembered for his order at the Battle of Mobile Bay, in which he was victorious, 'Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.' NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Coalition Continues Counter-ISIL Strikes in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, February 13, 2016 U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, 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 and remotely piloted aircraft conducted three strikes in Syria: -- Near Abu Kamal, a strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike cratered road ISIL uses. -- Near Raqqah, a strike destroyed an ISIL crane. Strikes in Iraq Attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 17 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government: -- Near Baghdadi, a strike destroyed four ISIL rocket rails. -- Near Albu Hayat, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit. -- Near Fallujah, a strike denied ISIL access to terrain. -- Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL front-end loader. -- Near Makhmur, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL fighting positions. -- Near Mosul, five strikes struck three ISIL tactical units and destroyed 11 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL excavator and an ISIL vehicle. -- Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, destroying four ISIL staging areas and an ISIL bed down location and suppressing an ISIL fighting position. -- Near Sinjar, two strikes destroyed eight ISIL fighting positions. 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. 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, the region, 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 Iraq include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban admits losing 13 in US drone hits in SE Afghanistan Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:16PM Two US assassination drone attacks in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktika Province has reportedly killed more than a dozen people with Taliban militants confirming the loss of 13 elements. In a Saturday press release issued by the spokesperson of the local insurgent group, Taliban stated that the militants were targeted by American drones while engaged in a battle with elements linked to their rival Takfiri Daesh terrorists in Warmama area of the Barmal District, local press outlets reported. According to the Taliban statement, five of their forces were killed in the first strike and eight more perished in the second one. The statement, however, did not mention the exact date of the drone attacks. No official confirmation of the US drone attacks has been reported so far, though local authorities and residents of Gomal District of Pakitika province have verified major skirmishes between Taliban and Daesh-linked terrorists in the area. Local residents further reported severe clashes between the two rival terror groups in Khand and Dinarkhil areas of the province last week, leading to dozens of casualties. The out-going commander of the US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, General John Campbell, vowed on Saturday that US and other foreign forces in the country would remain in Afghanistan and plan "long-term commitment" of their military presence in the war-ravaged country. The CIA spy agency regularly uses assassination drones for airstrikes and surveillance missions in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt near the Afghan border. Washington has also been conducting targeted killings using the remotely-piloted armed drones in other Muslim countries such as Somalia and Yemen. The US claims that the drone strikes only target members of al-Qaeda and affiliated militants, but according to local authorities and witnesses, civilians have been the main victims of such attacks in most cases. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pro-government Burundians protest Rwanda's meddling Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 5:20PM Thousands of pro-government demonstrators have protested in Burundi against Rwanda's meddling in the internal affairs of their country. The protesters demonstrated Saturday in the capital, Bujumbura, and two other cities, following a government call to protest against Rwanda's "acts of aggression" toward Burundi. "We condemn (Rwandan President Paul) Kagame and his plan to destabilize Burundi," read a placard waved by one of the protesters. Ties between Burundi and its northern neighbor deteriorated after Burundi plunged into political crisis ten months ago over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term in office. Burundi has accused Rwanda of supporting rebels aiming to overthrow President Nkurunziza, who returned to power in the July 2015 elections, despite weeks of protests that were violently repressed, and calls from world leaders for Nkurunziza to step aside. The Saturday demonstration in Bujumbura came to a halt outside the Rwandan embassy, where Kagame was booed. "We are on the battlefield. Encourage our soldiers! Kagame is an enemy, we are going to wash him away," the crowd sang. Smaller anti-Rwanda demonstrations were also held in Burundi's second city of Gitega as well as in Ngozi. Last week, experts at the United Nations Security Council reported that the Rwandan government had recruited and trained refugees from Burundi, including children, in an effort to topple Nkurunziza. Rwanda denied the allegations and this week Kigali announced Rwanda's plans to relocate an estimated 75,000 Burundian refugees in Rwanda to third countries, saying the "long-term presence of refugees so close to their country of origin carries considerable risks." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 6 Afghan security personnel killed in Taliban attacks Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 2:9PM At least six Afghan security personnel were killed on Saturday in two separate attacks carried out by Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. According to officials, the double attacks targeted a checkpoint outside a station of Afghan security forces in the southern province of Helmand. Four policemen were killed and seven others were injured. General Abdul Rahman Sarjang, the provincial police chief in Helmand, said security forces shot dead five militants equipped with explosives. An army spokesman in Helmand said one soldier lost his life in the attack. Another bomb attack in Uruzgan Province, also in the south, killed a policeman and wounded four others as their vehicle hit a roadside bomb, local officials said. The Taliban militants claimed the attacks in the two provinces. The militants have stepped up assaults on Afghan security forces over the past year. Power cuts hit Kabul In a separate development on Saturday, the Afghan power company said some power supply cables, which were damaged during clashes between Afghan security forces and militants, have been repaired. However, due to ongoing gunfights in some areas, the engineers cannot repair all the damaged cables and as a result, the capital, Kabul, is still suffering from power cuts. The Taliban has denied responsibility for the destruction of the power lines, which has hit businesses and industry. Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity over 14 years after the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The 2001 invasion removed the Taliban from power, but many areas across the country still face violence and insecurity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 4 fighters, 2 Indian soldiers killed in latest Kashmir clashes Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:34AM Indian army troops and police forces have killed four suspected pro-independence fighters, and suffered two fatalities themselves in the latest clashes between the two sides in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. A fierce gun battle erupted on Saturday as Indian soldiers and police officers cordoned off a village in northern Kupwara region following a tip-off that armed fighters were hiding in the area. The area where the fighting took place is close to the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between neighboring India and Pakistan. According to reports, the shootout initially broke out on Friday evening and sporadic gunfire persisted throughout the night and into early Saturday morning, when the intense gun battle resumed and resulted in the death of two soldiers and the wounding of two others. More than a dozen pro-independence groups have reportedly been fighting with Indian forces in the predominantly Muslim-populated Kashmir since an armed uprising in the region erupted in 1989. The latest spate of violence takes place as cross-border frictions have recently flared up between Indian and Pakistani forces along the disputed de facto border in Kashmir. The two sides have accused each other of provocations. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947. Both neighbors claim full authority over the region, though each possesses partial control over it. More than 68,000 people have been killed in battles between armed groups and army soldiers. The two countries have fought two wars over the control of Kashmir since they won independence from Britain in 1947. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces recapture hilltops in Ta'izz Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:56AM Yemeni forces have managed to establish control over a mountainous area in Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz following heavy clashes with Saudi-backed militants. Yemeni forces on Saturday seized control of Jabal al-Shabakeh area in the Dhubab district, leaving an unspecified number of Saudi mercenaries dead or injured, Yemen's al-Masirah television reported. The report said two military vehicles belonging to the militants were also destroyed during the fierce clashes. Yemeni soldiers and fighters from Popular Committees also retook the Rayhana base overlooking al-Hazm district in the northern province of Jawf. Separately, Yemeni troopers and their allies targeted an armored vehicle in al-Shorfeh military base of Saudi Arabia's southwestern border city of Najran, killing all those on board. A military truck carrying Saudi soldiers also hit an improvised explosive device south of al-Moannaq area in the southern border region of Jizan, killing all the occupants. Yemeni forces and Popular Committees fighters also fired a barrage of artillery rounds and rockets at a number of Saudi military bases, namely Jahfan, Sharqan, Jabouh, in the border region of Jizan. Also on Saturday, Saudi warplanes bombarded an area on the outskirts of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Mokha, leaving a civilian dead. More than a dozen civilians also lost their lives or sustained injuries when Saudi jets carried out an airstrike against an outdoor market in the Nihm district of Sana'a Province. A mosque, a residential building and a pedestrian overpass were also demolished in the attack. On Friday, Saudi warplanes hit three military bases in Hamdan and al-Nahdin districts of the same Yemeni province. Scores of people were injured as Saudi warplanes bombarded the Bagim district of the northwestern Yemeni province of Sa'ada. Yemen has been under military attacks by Saudi Arabia since late March last year. The Saudi military strikes were launched to bring the fugitive former president, Abd Rabbu Mansur Hadi, back to power. At least 8,278 people, among them 2,236 children, have been killed and 16,015 others injured since March 2015. The strikes have also taken a heavy toll on the impoverished country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Free tuition Williston State Colleges new Regional County Scholarship will provide two years of paid tuition and fees to the regions high school classes of 2016. The Williston State College Foundation will extend scholarships to include the 2016 high school graduating classes in Burke, Divide, McKenzie and Mountrail counties. Students must maintain the following minimum requirements to keep the scholarship: full-time status for four consecutive semesters (excluding summers); a 2.0 term grade-point average; and enrollment in at least one on-campus course per semester. To apply, students must complete the Regional County Scholarship Application by April 1 and Application for Admission by May 1. Both applications will be available on the WSC website. Two performing The Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony will perform the second concert of its 96th season at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Aberdeen Civic Theatre in Aberdeen, S.D. The program is titled Bon Voyage, and will be the orchestras home concert before it begins its first major tour in many years. The orchestra will also travel for performances in Minneapolis and Chicago. Area personnel includes: Violin I Everaldo Martinez, Bismarck; and Flute and Piccolo Kylie Rusch, Bismarck. Aughtman listed LaQuae Aughtman, Dickinson, earned dean's list recognition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., in the fall of 2015. Students must earn a 3.5 grade-point average or above on 12 or more hours of graded work to earn a spot on the dean's list. On dean's list The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has announced the 2015 fall semester dean's list. To qualify, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade-point average. Area students are: Bismarck Sadie Betting, College of Liberal Arts; Katelyn Castle, College of Liberal Arts; Alexis Dauenhauer, College of Liberal Arts; Noah Germolus, College of Science and Engineering; Joanna Jensen, College of Liberal Arts; Sa Kong, College of Liberal Arts; Xiaoping Ni, School of Nursing; Madeline Peterson, College of Biological Sciences; Madison Seifert, College of Biological Sciences; Erin Smerage, College of Liberal Arts; Jonathan Tharaldsen, College of Education/Human Development; Dickinson Lucas Ensign, College of Science and Engineering; Jeffrey Olin, Carlson School of Management; Mandan Braden Hausauer, College of Science and Engineering; Alexis Tausend, College of Liberal Arts; and Williston Justin Bovy Rehak, College of Science and Engineering; Danielle Hodenfield, College of Education/Human Development; Megan Perius, Carlson School of Management. Longtin debates Four debaters from the University of North Dakota Forensics (speech and debate) team traveled to a national parliamentary debate tournament held Feb. 5-6 in Washington, D.C. Area debater was Logan Longtin, of Williston. American Enterprise Institutes Values & Capitalism project and Colorado Christian University hosted the 2016 Values & Capitalism NPDA Invitational Tournament. Morrell achieves Anthony Morrell, Bismarck, has been named to the honor roll at Montana State University Billings for the 2015 fall session. The honor roll is a list of all undergraduate students who earn 12 or more credits which are not of a pass/no pass nature and who earn a grade-point average of 3.50 or better. Highest honors The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,580 undergraduate students for attaining high grade-point averages during the fall semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with GPAs from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with GPAs from 3.50 to 3.74. Allison Walker, Velva, earned highest honors. She will receive a personalized certificate of scholastic achievement. Dean's list Nearly 400 South Dakota School of Mines & Technology students were named to the deans list for the 2015 fall semester. In order to merit a spot on the deans list, students must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for the semester. Full-time students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours that term, while part-time students must have earned between three and 11 credit hours that term. Local students named to the list are: Bismarck Nicholas Reynolds, electrical engineering, and Carl Dickhut, chemical engineering; and Mandan Brent Stoltz, chemical engineering. Millikin list Area students were named to the dean's list at Millikin University, Decatur, Ill., for fall 2015. Students who attempt 12 graded credits during a fall or spring semester and earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher earn dean's list honors. Students earning a perfect 4.00 GPA on 12 graded credits attempted earn high dean's list honors. Area students are: Bismarck Jacob Ehrmantraut, musical theater, College of Fine Arts, dean's list; and Ashton McGregor, musical theater, College of Fine Arts, dean's list. Reinke included Concordia University Wisconsin officials have released the fall honors list for the 2015-16 academic year. To be eligible for the honor, students must achieve a minimum 3.50 grade-point average. Among the area students named to the list was Mary Reinke, Williston. Theater award Bismarck State College Theatre Arts garnered a merit award and performed a showcased scene at the Region V competition of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Fourteen BSC Drama Club members attended the festival Jan. 17-23 at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn., with program director Danny Devlin and technical theater director Dean Bellin. Students performed a scene chosen by ACTF judges after they saw BSCs fall production of Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead. BSC was among only 10 four-year universities and a two-year college chosen for this recognition from a seven-state area. Performing in the Invited Scenes Showcase were Robert Day and Shaina Hovrud, of Mandan. Carly Willoughby, of Bismarck, received a certificate of merit for stage management in the Dog Sees God production. Judges also selected Day and Hovrud for the Irene Ryan National Audition contest, a theater scholarship program for actors. Their performances were assisted by scene partners Aeryn Mehlhoff, Bismarck, and Alexis Larson, Carrington. Other Irene Ryan nominations went to Taylor Jung, Bismarck, and Alicia Billock, Mott, for their roles in Eurydice, BSCs winter play. Scene partners were Larson and Adam Michal, Mandan. BSCs four-member Ramrod team missed the top award but competed strongly in the Stage Crew Showdown competition. Technical theater team members were Carly Willoughby and Jonah Eslinger, Bismarck, Elley Cannard, Mandan, and PJ Rackov, Dickinson. Other students attending the festival were Rick Hentz, Bismarck, Joshua Tatum, New Salem, and Tanner Hostetter, Huff. Students participated in panels and workshops led by academic and professional leaders in the theater field. The group also had behind-the-scenes tours of theater buildings and attended a preview production of the Guthrie Theaters Pericles. The national American College Theater Festival consists of eight regional festivals that offer theater craft training and present the best plays and talent in each region. The program, run by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., also recognizes excellence with awards and scholarships. Colleges in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa constitute Region V. Peoehls graduates Dylan Poehls, Mott, graduated with a bachelor of science in management from the University of Minnesota Crookston. Students completed their degree requirements during fall 2015. BSC roll Bismarck State College announced its president's 4.0 honor roll for the fall 2015 semester. Area students who have maintained a 4.0 grade-point average while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of classes include: Belfield John McDaniel, Kyle Michels; Beulah Connor Candrian, Cole Solem, Jennifer Zastawniak; Bismarck Jordan Arndt, Meagan Benedict, Ivy Bergstrom, Anthony Bitz, Sara Bolme, Alexander Braun-Szarkowski, Magdalyn Brendel, Bailee Bulman, Hannah Chumley, Natasha Churchill, James Dodd, Britta Durkee, Alexis Eberle, Brandon Enders, Lee Feist, Ashley Fix, Kayla Fleck, Adam Frohlich, Jacob Gathman, Ryan Gesellchen, Faith Gross, Tascha Hager, Kaytlyn Heick, Brea Helm, Nicolas Hinze, Alexis Hoffman, Matthew Hollatz, Cassidy Horner, Caroline Jacobson, Heather Kaiser, Abby Kaseman, Nicole Kilen, Michael Knutson, Sarah Kuch, Eamon Kuklok, Kari Leet, McKenzie Lewis, Jasmyn Loven, Brian Markhouse, Megan Mauch, Lucas Maxwell, Alyssa Mehlhoff, Jonathan Melvard, Alana Miller, Jennifer Murphy, Keisha Moser-Engelhardt, Brandy Myers, Daniel Neff, Jade Neumann, Kobe Newton, Jacob Oien, Neil Olson, Stacy Opp, Tanner Pennington, Taylor Pennington, Luke Peterson, Anna Pettit, John Patrick Sagsveen, Dalton Sanders, Allan Sayler, Randy Schonberger, Tonya Siirtola, Laura Steffan, Devin Stelter, Billy Stockert, Caleb Strickland, Ashley Thorpe, Jamie Thrasher, Tiffany Towne, Lisa Tschosik, Blake Volk, Kiefer Ward, Kaslynn Westerman, Brett Williamson, James Yesel; Carrington Alexis Larson; Denhoff Daisy Tripp; Garrison Laura Zacharias; Golden Valley Jordon Mann; Hague Faith Haak; Hazelton Taite Grossman; Hazen Nikole Bitterman, Erin Delger, Daniel Folk, Gregory McCarthy, James Miller; Hettinger Marc Seamands, Nicole Weaver; Kief Garrett Uhlich; Kintyre Chantel Fettig; Lincoln Joseph McGrory; Linton McKenna Flyberg, Trevor Martin, Michael Oien; Mandan Jesse Bauer, Orrin Burch, Paige Fisher, Chad Gartner, Carter Hanson, Amanda Haugen, Kayla Helbling, Skyler Huber, Luke Kadrmas, Kathryn Kruckenberg, Adam Mittelsteadt, Bram Olson, Breanna Olson, John Rummel, Zach Wiese, Renae Zachmeier, Ryan Zachmeier, Derek Zimmerle, Dustin Zins; Menoken Robyn Duttenhefner, Cori Flanagan, Madeline Guenther, Cori Flanagan; New England Christopher Dvorak; New Salem Karly Doll, Justine Schaff, Karly Doll; Ray Alexis Hauge; Regent Allison Gion; Stanton Taylor Cahoon; Strasburg Anthony Roth; Washburn Kristopher Bellamy, Devan Schell; Watford City Colter Maki; Wilton Logan Backman, Jocelyn Bergquist; Wishek Colbie Fandrich; and Zeeland Seth Aberle. Facing Russia, NATO Seeks Balance Of Deterrence, Dialogue February 13, 2016 by Steve Gutterman MUNICH -- NATO must mix robust deterrence and 'hard-headed engagement' with Russia to address the potential threats posed by Moscow's aggressive activity, senior officials of the alliance and member states said on February 13. The remarks in a panel discussion at the annual Munich Security Conference reflected the search for a way to guarantee the security of NATO nations, particularly in Eastern Europe, in the wake of Russia's interference in Ukraine. They came on a tense day during which Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused NATO of fomenting a new Cold War with Moscow, and the alliance's chief, Jens Stoltenberg, said that Russia is 'destabilizing Europe.' NATO has moved in the past year to strengthen its capabilities near Russia's borders, and Stoltenberg said he expects further measures to be decided at a summit in Warsaw in July. He called for 'more defense' as well as 'more dialogue' with Russia. Panelists and senior officials in the audience elaborated on that theme. Petr Pavel, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said that he has heard calls for the 'containment' of Russia but believes that approach would only increase the risk a military confrontation. Pavel said containment suggests 'sealing off the problem,' which he said 'should not be our aim' because it would leave NATO in the dark about Russia's intentions. Instead, he called for a combination of deterrence and engagement. 'To understand their intentions, we need dialogue,' Pavel said. British Defense Minister Michael Fallon said that NATO 'must become fitter -- able to react not just in weeks or days but in hours' as it faces 'a new urgency' due to what he called Russia's refusal to accept the territorial integrity of other nations. He also called for 'hard-headed engagement with Russia,' which means 'being clear.' Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski also said NATO must be firm with Russia, warning that 'our hesitation and ambiguity may encourage Russia to further adventures' of an unpredictable nature. NATO's new measures include rotating forces into nations on its eastern flank and conducting exercises in the area. It has stopped short of permanent deployments in the area, which Russia claims would violate the 1997 NATO-Russia Founding Act. In that document, NATO declared that 'in the current and foreseeable security environment,' it would refrain from the 'additional permanent stationing of substantial combat forces' as it accepted new members in the east. Waszczykowski, whose country has called for permanent NATO troop deployments on its territory, argued that the alliance has no obligation to adhere to the 1997 promise because it faces 'a completely different situation' and 'a completely different Russia.' 'We cannot accept the idea that the deployment of troops on the territory of the eastern flank, and the creation of defense facilities, would be some kind of confrontational push with Russia,' Waszczykowski said. 'Just the opposite, I think that lack of deployment, lack of troops, lack of defense installations means weakness -- and weakness leads to confrontation, and to incidents and provocations,' he said. The animus that was palpable in remarks earlier in the day returned when Aleksandr Grushko, Russia's ambassador to NATO, emerged from the audience and said that deterrence and engagement are mutually exclusive. Grushko, who appeared agitated, said that 'any attempts to create isolated islands of security are doomed' and that the current challenges faced by Europe, such as terrorism and migration, 'demand' that NATO cooperate with Russia. 'When will NATO stop fueling this perception that...Russia will attack the Baltic states, Poland....You understand there are no real threats; this is not a real security agenda,' he said. 'Russia is not interested in any confrontation with NATO' but will 'take all necessary steps to ensure our security.' Waszczykowski said that NATO must be ready. 'After 2008, your war with Georgia, after 2014, your war against Ukraine, and after 2015, the engagement of Russia in Syria, we have to be wise before the event,' he said. 'This time, we cannot be wise after the event.' NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, said he was pleased to hear Grushko say Russia will not attack the Baltic states. But Vershbow said that 'we have to prepare for the worst-case scenario' and ensure that any incursion is met by 'real combat resistance.' Grushko repeated a Russian mantra that no nation should seek to enhance its own security at the expense of another nation's security. Vershbow said Russia had clearly violated that principle by forcefully annexing Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014. Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/nato-seeks-balance-of- deterrence-dialogue-russia-ukraine-munich/27550598.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ahead of polls, Ban calls on all Central Africans, including candidates, to ensure credible elections 13 February 2016 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all Central Africans, including the candidates, to ensure that the presidential run-off and the new round of legislative elections, set to take place Sunday are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner. In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, Mr. Ban commended Transitional Authorities of the Central African Republic (CAR) for their efforts to complete the transition process by 31 March 2016. "Sunday's polls will bring the country closer to the end of the transition and a return to constitutional order. These are important steps towards political stability and long-term economic recovery," said the statement. Recalling the significant support provided by the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the country (MINUSCA) to the electoral process the UN chief reiterated the Mission's determination to take all necessary measures to prevent any disruption of Sunday's polls. "The Secretary-General calls on all stakeholders to maintain an environment conducive to peaceful and credible elections, in keeping with the spirit of the Code of Conduct signed by the candidates and political parties," said Mr. Ban in the statement, urging all parties to resolve any dispute that may arise from the elections through established legal channels. "Those who instigate or perpetrate acts of violence will be held accountable," the statement emphasized. Mr. Ban went on to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the United Nations, working closely with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the African Union (AU) and other members of the international community, to help the people of the CAR advance towards a future of peace, stability and reconciliation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan Rebel Leader to Return to Juba by Marthe van der Wolf February 13, 2016 South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has said he will return to the country's capital, Juba, once his troops are in place to provide security. Machar held a news conference in Addis Ababa a day after South Sudan's president reappointed him as vice president. Rebel leader Riek Machar told reporters he will soon return to Juba, now that he has been re-appointed vice president of South Sudan. "In this preparation we have difficulties. The government has not committed to transfer our troops,' he said. 'The international community has committed to a small portion of 400. We are still asking others to help transport these troops in the shortest possible time, so that I can be in Juba. If they transport within three days, I will be in Juba in the next day." South Sudan's warring parties signed a peace deal in August that called for a transitional government of national unity, and a division of powers between the government and the opposition. Implementation stalled and looked impossible after President Salva Kiir changed the political landscape by establishing 28 states, although the peace agreement is based on an understanding of 10 states. Machar said the issue of the number of states will be dealt with swiftly: "Once the government is formed, even if it were formed tomorrow, the 28 states will be suspended. And within one month, we should negotiate and come up with a number of states that are agreed. If we fail, we revert to the 10 in the peace agreement," he said. Machar was previously vice president of South Sudan from independence in 2011 until July 2013, when President Kiir fired him and the rest of the Cabinet. The political rift erupted into violence that December and has never entirely stopped despite multiple ceasefires. The conflict has displaced more than 2 million in an already poor and underdeveloped country. Both sides are accused of having committed grave human rights violations during the conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A First: Uganda's Museveni Takes Part in Presidential Debate by Jill Craig February 13, 2016 Six Ugandan presidential candidates waited for several minutes after being introduced at Saturday evening's debate before President Yoweri Museveni appeared belatedly on stage. Because Museveni has never participated in such a debate during his 30 years in office, the moment was historic. The president offered an explanation as to why he missed a previous debate in January. 'Thank you very much for organizing this debate," he said. "The other time I did not come because I was far away.' The eight candidates the last one appeared later in the event focused on foreign policy and national security issues, while touching on other topics. Health care and education dominated the first debate. This time around, candidates gave their positions on topics such as whether Uganda should continue sending troops to conflict zones like Somalia and South Sudan; how the country can best fight terrorism threats; if it should withdraw from the International Criminal Court; and how best to improve the economy. Museveni with the ruling NRM party was joined on stage by Kizza Besigye, the longtime leader of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change, and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister to the president who is running as an independent, as well as five other candidates. Besigye has run against Museveni three times before, losing each time amid accusations that the president's supporters rigged the vote and intimidated his opponents. In the debate, the 71-year-old Museveni briefly addressed one of the biggest concerns about his presidency. 'Finally, about democracy, democracy means that people support you," he said. "If they don't support you, you don't win. That's all.' Businessman Edward Luwemba, who attended the debate, said Ugandans benefit from hearing the views of all the candidates. 'Look, they want to make informed decisions, on reason and logic. Not just a matter of 'I love so and so,' but they want to know what someone is going to offer them,' he said. Ugandans head to the polls Thursday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cuba Returns Missing US Hellfire Missile Sputnik News 00:12 14.02.2016(updated 00:34 14.02.2016) US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Cuban government has returned a wrongly shipped missing air-to-surface Hellfire missile to the United States, national media reported Saturday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) 'We can say, without speaking to specifics, that the inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government,' The Wall Street Journal quoted Toner as saying in a written statement. Toner attributed the reestablishment of US-Cuban diplomatic relations and the reopening of the US embassy in Havana to allowing Washington 'engage with the Cuban government on issues of mutual interest.' The inert missile was sent by manufacturer Lockheed Martin from Orlando International Airport to Spain for joint NATO exercises in early 2014. It was delivered to Germany after the NATO drills, expected to be loaded on a return flight to Florida. Officials later discovered that the missile was placed on an Air France flight to Paris, then Havana, for unclear reasons. Cuban officials were said to remove the missile and hold it with no public explanation. The newspaper cited officials as saying a plane carrying the 5-foot 100-pound missile, which did not contain explosives, landed at the Orlando airport early Saturday. It is later expected to be returned to a warehouse that holds a large stock of Hellfires. An investigation is underway to determine whether the redirection was a criminal act. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Somali Plane Bomb by VOA News February 13, 2016 Somali militant group Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast aimed at bringing down a Somali airliner earlier this month. The group said in a statement Saturday that it carried out the attack as "retribution for the crimes committed by the coalition of Western crusaders and their intelligence agencies against Muslims of Somalia." Al-Shabab said the explosion targeted Western and Turkish intelligence officials aboard Daallo Airlines Flight A321 to Djibouti on February 2. The mid-air blast blew a meter-wide hole in the aircraft, carrying 74 passengers, and forced the pilot to make an emergency landing 15 minutes after take-off from Mogadishu airport. The suspected suicide bomber, Abdullahi Abdisalam Borleh, was a passenger and was blown out of the plane. Security video footage taken at Mogadishu airport showed two men handing what looked like a laptop computer to Borleh after he passed through a security checkpoint. Authorities believe the laptop-like device was the bomb that caused the explosion. At least 15 people have been arrested in connection to the attack. VOA's Somali Service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China opposes possible U.S. THAAD deployment in S. Korea People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:29, February 13, 2016 MUNICH, Feb. 13 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday spoke out against the possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defence system in South Korea, stressing that it would complicate the regional stability situation. Meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Wang made clear China's opposition to the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in South Korea. The United States and South Korea have begun negotiations on the deployment of THAAD. The Pentagon made the announcement hours after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) carried out on Sunday what it said was a satellite launch but others believed was a missile test. Under UN Security Council resolutions, the DPRK is banned from test-firing any rockets based on ballistic missile technology. As one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, THAAD can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight. Despite claims by Washington and Seoul that the missile shield would be focused solely on the DPRK, it is widely believed that the deployment would pose considerable threat to neighboring countries. In an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich meeting, Wang said that he was concerned by the possible deployment of the sophisticated anti-missile system in South Korea. 'The deployment of the THAAD system by the United States ... goes far beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage would mean it will reach deep into the Asian continent,' Wang said. 'It directly affects the strategic security interests of China and other Asian countries,' he added. The Chinese foreign minister urged the U.S. side to act cautiously, not to undermine China's security interests or add new complications to regional peace and stability. Regarding the DPRK's recent nuclear test and rocket launch, Wang said both moves violated UN resolutions and pose seriously challenge to the global non-proliferation regime. China and the United States have agreed to speed up the consultation process at the UN Security Council to reach a new resolution and take strong and effective measures to deter further development of nuclear and missile programs by the DPRK, Wang noted in his meeting with Kerry. Reiterating China's stance on sanctions against the DPRK, he said 'it remains to be our common goal to work together and find a way to bring the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue back to the right track of dialogue and negotiations, which is fully in line with the interests of all parties, including China and the United States.' In the interview with Reuters, Wang said China insists that there should be no nuclear weapons on the peninsula, no matter whether they were possessed by the north or the south side, and no matter whether they were developed locally or introduced from the outside. China, a neighboring country of the Korean Peninsula and a major stakeholder in regional stability, also maintains that the Korean Peninsula denuclearization should be achieved via dialogue, not war, and that China's national security interests should be guaranteed, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US deploys new Patriot missiles to South Korea Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 3:2AM The United States has temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea in response to North Korea's nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch. The US military command in South Korea made the announcement Saturday, adding that an air missile system from Fort Bliss, Texas, has been conducting ballistic missile training using the Patriot system at Osan Air Base near the South Korean capital Seoul, according to the Associated Press. 'Exercises like this ensure we are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea,' Lieutenant General Thomas Vandal, commander of the US Eighth Army, said in a statement. 'North Korea's continued development of ballistic missiles against the expressed will of the international community requires the alliance to maintain effective and ready ballistic missile defenses,' he added. The move comes amid long media speculations that the two countries are working on a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployment in South Korea, but they had kept the talks secret until after the recent launch by Pyongyang. The possibility of THAAD deployment to the Korean peninsula has drawn criticism from Russia and China with critics saying the system is intended to help US radar spot missiles in other countries. North Korea has also warned against the move, threatening of a nuclear war in the region and bolstering its armed forces if the THAAD deployment occurs. US Secretary of State John Kerry was slated to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts in Munich, to discuss the response to North Korea's actions. Seoul and Washington will discuss where and exactly when the deployment can be made, a South Korean defense official said, adding that both parties want an early date. The official said the move is meant to protect South Korea from North Korean threats and China and others have nothing to worry about. The current standoff between the two Koreas flared after North Korea carried out a nuclear test last month, its fourth, followed by a long-range rocket launch on Sunday. Seoul, in response, shut down an inter-Korean factory park that had been the rival Koreas' last major symbol of cooperation, arguing it had been used by Pyongyang to fund its nuclear and missile programs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Deploys Additional Defensive Patriot Missile System in South Korea by William Gallo February 13, 2016 The United States has temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea. The move was done in response to North Korea's nuclear test and long-range missile launch. Commander of the U.S. Eighth Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal said 'exercises like this ensure we are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea.' The temporary deployment came ahead of talks the U.S. and South Korea are set to hold in the coming week on deploying a more advanced missile defense system, a Seoul defense official confirmed. THAAD missile system Washington and Seoul formally announced last week they intend to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense missile system, known as THAAD, in South Korea at the earliest possible date. Exactly when and where the system will be deployed will be the subject of formal discussions to take place 'as early as next week,' according to a South Korean defense ministry official, who spoke anonymously Friday. The official also stressed the THAAD deployment is only meant to protect South Korea from the north's growing nuclear and missile capabilities, and will not target other countries in the region. U.S. officials have not commented on when the talks will take place. China, Russia complaining China and Russia have both complained about the possible deployment. In a statement Friday, Beijing's Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed 'serious concern,' saying the system would 'significantly undermine the strategic interest of China.' The U.S. and South Korea have long been reported to be considering the THAAD deployment. But the plan appears to have accelerated after North Korea launched a long-range rocket Sunday and placed what it described as an 'Earth observation satellite' into orbit, just weeks after carrying out its fourth nuclear test. In recent years, North Korea has repeatedly threatened to carry out nuclear attacks on the U.S., Seoul and Japan. With its latest tests, Pyongyang appears to be closing in on the capability to do so. The U.S. and its allies have responded with calls to ramp up international sanctions against the north. US, South Korea coordination On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, Germany. 'The two ministers agreed to continue our close coordination towards a robust and united international response to the DPRK's violations of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions that threaten international peace and security,' said a U.S. statement. Kerry 'reaffirmed the U.S. ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan and noted the vital importance of continued communication and cooperation among the three countries,' the statement added. Kerry met separately with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang. During the meeting, he 'urged China to use their influence in Pyongyang to help the international community increase pressure' on North Korea, the State Department said. The North's rocket launch and nuclear test also set off a new round of tensions between North and South Korea, which have remained in a technical state of war since their 1950s conflict. Kaesong closing This week, North Korea ordered all South Koreans to leave the jointly run Kaesong industrial complex that lies along the border and is one of the only areas of cooperation between the two countries. Pyongyang said employees could only take personal belongings with them and ordered a 'complete freeze' on the assets left behind. It said the expulsions were a reaction to Seoul's decision a day earlier to shut down its operations at the park. South Korea on Friday warned the North that it acted 'illegally' in freezing the South Korean assets and in forcing out the personnel. Meanwhile, the North said South Korea's actions amounted to 'a declaration of war.' The North also declared the area a military zone, and said it was cutting off all military communications with Seoul, including the hotline at the border truce village of Panmunjom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Antarctic air squadron to be set up People's Daily Online By ZHAO LEI (China Daily) 10:05, February 13, 2016 China will set up an Antarctic air squadron this year to support its scientific expeditions to the polar region, according to the State Oceanic Administration. It did not disclose details about the squadron, but said it is aimed at supporting polar exploration and will serve as an air observation platform. China will continue to develop technologies and equipment to improve research on remote sensing and oceanography, the administration said in a statement on Friday. The research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong, which is being used for China's 32nd Antarctic expedition, left Shanghai on Nov 7 for a 159-day round trip of 55,500 kilometers. A 277-strong team from more than 80 domestic institutions are conducting research and experiments in Antarctica. During the mission, researchers are making a final survey for China's fifth Antarctic station site at Victoria Land on the Ross Sea, mapping the site and assessing the ecological and environmental impacts. They will also perform scientific experiments at China's Changcheng, Zhongshan, Taishan and Kunlun stations, as well as at Prydz Bay, on the Ross Sea, on the Amundsen Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula. For the first time, members of the expedition used a fixed wing aircraft during their stay in the Antarctic. The plane, which was bought from the United States and is now maintained by a Canadian company, carried out airborne remote sensing and telemetry tasks before leaving for Canada last week. Previously, China had used only helicopters for its polar expeditions. Sun Bo, deputy head of the Polar Research Institute of China, said the country is training pilots, ground support staff members and scientific instrument operators for fixed-wing polar aircraft so they can operate and manage China's polar aircraft fleet. Meanwhile, the State Oceanic Administration said it will launch several deep-sea projects this year involving seabed mining experiments, biological diversity research and deep-water exploration. A deep-sea exploration station is also included in the administration's equipment development plan. The country will send its seventh research mission to the Arctic this year and is planning the first Sino-Russian Arctic mission, it said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In 1922, the Tabert family, of Munich, N.D., received word that Martin, their 22-year old son, had died of malaria fever while working as a prison inmate at the Putnam Lumber Co. in Florida. Tabert had been found guilty of hitching a ride on a freight train and, when he could not immediately pay the $25 fine, was given a 90-day sentence. Despite the fact that the Taberts wired more than enough money to the sheriff for the fine, Martin Tabert was not released. Though saddened by the loss of Tabert, the family believed Putnam's notification as to the cause of his death was honest. That changed in July, when the Taberts received a letter written by Glen Thompson, the man who had a bunk next to Martin Tabert at Putnam. Thompson sent the letter to the Munich postmaster asking, "Please find out whether the parents or kinfolk of Martin Tabert know or care to know the particulars of Martin's death. I was an eye witness of the boy's death, and I am doubting whether any particulars were sent to the folks." A flurry of correspondence soon took place between the Taberts and Thompson, and Martin's family learned the grisly details about the beatings inflicted upon their son before he died. Through Thompson, they also learned the names and addresses of other former Florida inmates, prison guards and a "whipping boss" at the Putnam Lumber Company, who corroborated what Thompson had written. Armed with a satchel full of correspondence describing how Tabert had been savagely lashed by David Higginbotham, Putnam's chief whipping boss, they went to the office of Gudmundur Grimson, the attorney for Cavalier County. Martin's father, Ben Tabert, asked Grimson, "Will you help us?" Grimson agreed to help and went to Florida in January 1923 to investigate. After interviewing other eyewitnesses as to what had occurred, Grimson confronted Sheriff J. R. Jones, the man who sent Tabert to Putnam. The law official abruptly stormed away, refusing to answer any questions. Grimson then went to the office of Gov. Cary A. Hardee, the hard-line-on-crime chief executive who had signed electrocution into law as "the legal form of execution in Florida." The governor promised the establishment of a grand jury, which met but took no action. Feeling he was being stonewalled, Grimson returned to North Dakota and, with the assistance of Bert E. Groom, a prominent educator from Langdon, laid out the case before the North Dakota legislature. The law makers immediately passed a resolution calling on Florida to conduct an investigation. When the Florida newspapers learned of the demands from North Dakota, they stirred up their readers by writing that these impertinent farmers should "go back home and slop their hogs." However, Gov.Hardee feared that this bad press could hurt tourism and ordered the arrest of Higginbotham. Now that some recognition was coming regarding the beating of a young man from North Dakota, Grimson enlisted the aid of the New York World to help finance and investigate the wrongdoing of Florida officials. This later paid off for the newspaper since it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1924 for its reporting on the Tabert case. The World assigned Samuel "Duff" McCoy as the reporter on the case, and he tagged along with Grimsom throughout the lawyer's investigation. McCoy's daily stories were carried by many other papers throughout the nation, and soon, other dailies assigned their own reporters. On April 10, a Florida grand jury began to hear testimony against Higginbotham. The whipping boss testified that he gave Tabert a light whipping of 10 licks for shirking his duties. However, this was contradicted by other prisoners and prison guards, who all declared that the North Dakotan received scores of heavy lashes. One fellow inmate said that during the whipping, Tabert pleaded, "O Lord! Have mercy on me!" to which Higginbotham replied, "Don't call on the Lord, call on me; I'm doin' this whippin'." On April 23, Higginbotham was indicted by the grand jury for first-degree murder. This hearing and the publicity of it, reported daily by the nation's newspapers, caused the Florida legislature to take action. A special committee recommended that Martin's sentencing judge, Ben Willis, and Sheriff Jones be removed from office and that the medical board strip the license from Dr. T. Caper Jones, who was the Putnam physician who failed to tend to Tabert's needs. The legislature also passed a law abolishing the prison lease system and corporal punishment of prisoners. The action taken by Florida in regards to the lease system and the punishment of inmates was appreciated by Grimson and the Taberts, but, to them, justice was not fully served. At Higginbotham's trial in July, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. His conviction was then appealed before the Florida Supreme Court, "which, on a technicality, reversed his conviction and granted a new trial" in Dixie County. The new trial never occurred because the Putnam Lumber Company owned 70 percent of the land and was the largest employer in Dixie County. Consequently, Higginbotham remained a free man. (Next week we will take a closer look at Gudmundur Grimson, the country lawyer who became a nationally celebrated attorney.) Congress passes tougher sanctions on North Korea Iran Press TV Fri Feb 12, 2016 8:42PM The US House of Representatives has passed legislation which would impose tougher sanctions on North Korea for conducting nuclear tests and launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic. In a 408-to-2 vote on Friday, the House adopted the bipartisan measure which would target any individual or entity that imports goods or technology or training pertaining to weapons of mass destruction into North Korea or anyone who deliberately engages in human rights abuses. On Wednesday, the US Senate adopted the legislation, following a similar step by the House earlier this month and the Friday's vote was on a compromise version. In a 96-0 vote on Wednesday, the US senators unanimously backed North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, arguing the UN Security Council was too slow in stifling the Asian state's threat. The bill now goes to the White House which said Friday President Barack Obama will not oppose the legislation. 'Like many members of Congress, the administration is deeply concerned about North Korea's recent actions and the serious setback that this test represents,' White House spokesman Eric Schultz said. 'We're philosophically and intellectually in the same place as the Congress on this,' Schultz added. The new measure would also cut down on money laundering and narcotics trafficking, which are thought to be funneling millions of dollars into the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's inner circle. In addition, certain penalties would be considered for the sanctionable activities which would include the seizure of assets, visa bans and denial of government contracts. According to Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker, the bill, for the first time, establishes a framework for sanctions in the face of North Korean cyber threats. However, Corker said that it would not be easy to target Chinese firms linked to Pyongyang. 'This is about North Korea, it's not about punishing China,' he told AFP. 'But if there are, we know there are, entities that are helping facilitate (prohibited activities), those entities would be punished.' On February 7, North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket, saying that it carried a satellite into space. However, the West and some regional countries say such launches by North Korea are in fact ballistic missile tests. The country declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and carried out several nuclear weapon tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. It also conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, triggering condemnation from the international community. Pyongyang says it is boosting defense capabilities in the face of enemy threats. The country is irked by joint military maneuvers by South Korea and the US and views them as direct threats against its security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq deploys forces in preparation for Mosul liberation Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 7:7AM Hundreds of Iraqi forces have arrived at a base southeast of the northern city of Mosul in preparation for a major operation aimed at retaking the city from Daesh terrorists. Iraqi officers announced the deployment at the town of Makhmour, located around 70 kilometers (45 miles) from Mosul, on Friday. The Iraqi army's 15 Division has contributed the troops to the mission. They said the military seeks to reinforce the number to 4,500. Additional forces are to include Sunni tribal fighters. "Once we complete all the preparations, we will officially announce the date for the start of Mosul operations," military spokesman Brigadier-General Yahya Rasool said. Mosul was the first city to be captured by Daesh in Iraq and has proven the Takfiri group's biggest conquest since June 2014, when it started ravaging the country. The liberation operation would be part of ongoing efforts to flush the terrorists out of the entire Nineveh Province, of which Mosul is the capital. Iraqi forces are buoyed by their recapture of Ramadi, the capital of the sprawling Anbar Province, in December. However, the sheer size of the Mosul region, where the government believes around a million people still live, and other possible complications mean the Iraqi forces would have a much harder task to accomplish. The Iraqi military has reportedly set up a radio station at the base in Makhmour to keep residents informed of military developments in the area. 'This station is a way of communicating with the people of Nineveh and broadcasting the army's voice,' said Sergeant Salem Mahmud, who is in charge of operating it. 'It is intended to reassure the people, to tell them that they will be liberated from Daesh,' he said. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (seen above) also told a security conference in Berlin that his government was determined to bring an end to the existence of Takfiri Daesh terrorists in the country this year. Commander of the US-led force in the region Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland has said he didn't think Iraqi forces would be able to recapture Mosul until the end of 2016 or early 2017 at the earliest. Several Iraqi officials have criticized US bombings of Takfiri positions, saying they always fell short of dealing a serious impact. The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group is also active in neighboring Syria. It is committing heinous crimes against the civilian population in both Arab countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MiG-23 fighter jet shot down over Libya's Benghazi Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 1:47AM A MiG-23 fighter jet of Libya's internationally recognized government has been shot down while carrying out airstrikes against militant positions in the coastal city of Benghazi. Nasser el-Hassi, the spokesman for the government's forces, told AFP on Friday that the aircraft was 'shot down in Qaryunes, northwest Benghazi, as it bombed positions of the Shura Council' of Mujahideen in Derna, a coalition of militants close to al-Qaeda. However, the SITE Intelligence Group, a US-based organization that tracks terrorists' online activities, said that the Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the downing of the plane. The pilot ejected and landed safely, but his whereabouts were not immediately clear, a source said. It was the second military plane crash in Libya this week. On Monday, another MiG-23 belonging to forces loyal to Libya's recognized government crashed near the northeastern city of Derna after bombarding Daesh positions. The Libyan News Agency, which is close to the Tobruk-based government, blamed 'technical problems' for the incident. Another MiG-23 came down in Libya's second largest city of Benghazi in early January. Libya has been grappling with violence and political uncertainty since the oil-rich country's former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was deposed in a 2011 uprising. Armed groups and regional factions have been fighting for power over the past years. Since August 2014, when militias seized the capital Tripoli, the country has had two parliaments and two governments with one, the General National Congress (GNC) run by the rebels in the capital, and the internationally-recognized administration in the northeastern city of Tobruk. A coastal city located near the border with Egypt, Derna has often been described as the bastion of Daesh supporters in Libya since the terror group's elements entered the city in early 2015. Daesh, which has been engaged in heinous crimes in different parts of Iraq and Syria, emerged in Libya in February last year, after releasing a video that showed the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. The terrorist group also launched a parade on the streets of the coastal city of Sirte later that month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US approves sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan, angering India Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 7:41AM The United States has approved selling up to eight Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, along with training, radar and other equipment, provoking anger from neighboring rival India. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which coordinates US arms sales to other countries, said Friday that it had informed Congress of the plans on Thursday. 'This proposed sale contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia,' it said in a statement, according to AFP. The F-16 aircraft would also allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all kinds of weather environments as well as enhance the country's ability to carry out "counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.' The proposed sale, worth a total of $699 million, is aimed at improving "Pakistan's capability to meet current and future security threats." Members of Congress have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare because arms deals are vetted thoroughly before any formal notification is made. India expressed dismay with the US decision. 'We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan,' Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said on Twitter. 'We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism,' he added. Swarup said India planned to summon the US ambassador 'to convey our displeasure' with the proposed sale. The Pentagon, meanwhile, stressed that selling advanced military hardware to Pakistan "will not alter the basic military balance in the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kerry urges Russia to change targets in Syria Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 2:18PM US Secretary of State John Kerry calls on Russia to change its military targets in Syria and reiterates sanctions threat over Ukraine. 'To date, the vast majority of Russia's attacks have been against legitimate opposition groups,' Kerry said of Moscow's airstrikes in support of Syrian forces. 'To adhere to the agreement it made, we think it is critical that Russia's targeting change,' he added during a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. The comments come a day after Kerry stated that the United States and Russia had agreed to implement nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria, noting that all members of the International Syria Support Group agree that peace talks in Geneva should resume "as soon as possible." 'There's a lot of work to do before an effective cessation can commence,' said Kerry, whose country together with Russia co-chairs a UN task force meant to find ways toward a durable cessation of violence. 'There is no way to adequately deal with the cessation of hostilities unless we do sit down and work together on every aspect of this, from the political to the humanitarian to the military also. And we are doing that now.' Kerry cautioned that 'we are not approaching this with some sense of pie-in-the-sky hope'. In talks with Russia, he said, 'we will work through where this targeting should take place, where it shouldn't, how we work together in order to be effective so we don't drive people away from the table." The senior US official warned that if the international community and Syria miss the opportunity to end the mayhem in the Arab country, terrorist activities will increase around the world. Kerry said that Washington welcomes efforts by countries that have resolved to defeat Daesh (ISIL) in the Middle East. Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since 2011, which has claimed the lives of more than 260,000 people so far, according to the United Nations. Russia Sanctions Also on Saturday, the top US diplomat made reference to sanctions on Russia over what Washington calls Moscow's involvement in east Ukraine violence. Kerry said sanctions against Russia will continue as long as Moscow does not implement all aspects of a Ukraine peace agreement reached in Minsk, Belarus, last year. He further urged the European governments to sustain the sanctions for as long as they are needed. More than 9,000 people have been killed in Ukraine's Russian-speaking provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk since the conflict between pro-Russians and Kiev started in April 2014. The United States and its European allies have imposed a number of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia figures. Moscow has retaliated with sanctions of its own. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO policies triggered new Cold War: Russia premier Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 11:39AM Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has slammed NATO's "unfriendly" policies on Moscow, saying strained ties between the two sides have deteriorated into a "new Cold War" era. Speaking during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Medvedev described NATO's anti-Moscow policies as "unfriendly and not transparent." "We can say it even more clearly: We have slid into a new period of Cold War," he said. The Russian premier further criticized the NATO military buildup as well as EU attempts to increase its influence deep into formerly Soviet Union states in East Europe since the end of the Cold War. "European politicians thought that creating a so-called belt of friends at Europe's side, on the outskirts of the EU, could be a guarantee of security, and what's the result?' he asked, replying, "Not a belt of friends but a belt of exclusion." Earlier this week, NATO defense ministers agreed to a plan to beef up the Western military alliance's presence in East Europe, citing perceived threats from Russia. The initiative envisions a multinational force stationed in Eastern European member states of NATO on a rotational basis. Russia has on many occasions slammed NATO's military expansion near its borders, saying such a move poses a threat to both regional and international peace. Elsewhere in his remarks, Medvedev said Moscow is repeatedly facing accusations of making threats either against NATO, against Europe or against the US or other countries. "Scary movies have been filmed where Russians begin a nuclear war. Sometimes I think: are we in 2016 or in 1962?" he asked. Relations between Russia and NATO soured after the Crimean Peninsula separated from Ukraine and rejoined the Russian Federation following a referendum in March 2014. The military alliance ended all practical cooperation with Russia over the ensuing crisis in Ukraine in April 2014. The US and its European allies accuse Moscow of destabilizing Ukraine and have imposed a number of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia figures. Moscow, however, rejects having a hand in the Ukrainian crisis. 'Russia not targeting Syria civilians' The Russian premier reiterated that his country is not pursuing any secret goals in Syria, dismissing accusations that Moscow's air force is pounding civilian positions in its anti-terror campaign in Syria. "There is no evidence of our bombing civilians, even though everyone is accusing us of this," he said. The remarks came hours after French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called on Moscow to stop what he called bombing of civilians in Syria. Russia launched the campaign against the Takfiri Daesh terrorists and other militant groups in Syria last September upon a request from the Damascus government. The air raids have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Under Pressure At Top Security Conference February 13, 2016 by Steve Gutterman MUNICH -- Russia came under pressure at a prominent security conference on February 13, facing rebukes from Western leaders over its interference in Ukraine, its bombing campaign in Syria, and what the head of NATO denounced as dangerous 'posturing' about its nuclear might. In a combative response, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused the West of pursuing the 'containment' of Russia and said NATO is fomenting a new Cold War. Standing in for President Vladimir Putin, Medvedev said the planet could face domination by an Islamic caliphate or be plunged into a third world war if the United States and Europe cannot cooperate more closely with Moscow. The sometimes emotional exchanges came on the main day of the Munich Security Conference, where senior officials discussed what the chairman called a 'bleak' security environment in a world beset by crises such as the war in Syria, a huge wave of refugees, and Russia's efforts to redraw national borders. Sharing the stage with Medvedev, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that Russia must stop bombing civilians in Syria, where it launched a campaign of air strikes in September, to pave the way for negotiations and make peace a possibility after five years of war. Valls said that France respects Russia and its interests, but that in Syria 'we do need to have peace, we need to have negotiations -- and for that we need to stop bombing civilians.' Regional and global powers in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) agreed in Munich on February 12 to push for a cessation of hostilities in Syria, to start in week. The plan does not include Islamic State (IS) militants and the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. Russia says those groups are its main targets, but Western governments say the majority of Russia's air strikes have targeted other opponents of the Syrian government, including Western-backed rebels. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the truce plan will not work if that doesn't change. 'To date, the vast majority of Russia's attacks have been against legitimate opposition groups,' Kerry said in a speech in which he predicted that Syria's fate for the long term will be decided in the coming weeks. 'To adhere to the agreement it made, we think it is critical that Russia's targeting change.' 'If people who are ready to be part of a political process are being bombed, we are not going to have much of a conversation,' he added. Syria's Fate Western officials fear that the aim of Moscow's bombing campaign is to enable President Bashar al-Assad's government to defeat his opponents on the battlefield or, at the very least, ensure that a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Syria suits the Kremlin's interests. Several Western and Middle East leaders have expressed concern that continued Russian bombing could scuttle the chances of progress toward a resolution of the five-year war in Syria. Assad added to concerns by saying he aimed to regain control of the entire country. Speaking on a panel with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also said the success of the cease-fire deal depends on whether Russia believes it has attained its goals or opts to keep pounding Assad's opponents. Kerry suggested that Moscow has agreed to at least consider changing its targeting, saying that the entire ISSG -- 'including Russia' -- had agreed to work on these issues. But Lavrov made no mention of that in his remarks at the conference, insisting that Russia is targeting IS and Al-Nusra. He said it is the Syrian rebels and the West that will be to blame if the deal fails, saying it won't work unless the United States agrees to far closer military coordination with Russia in Syria. He accused Washington of seeking to force Russia to stop bombing while continuing its own air strikes against IS. Pressed to say how confident he is that a 'cessation of hostilities' will be implemented within a week, on a scale of 1 to 100, Lavrov replied: '49.' Hammond said Lavrov's remarks made the chances sound more like 'somewhere close to zero.' German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also had harsh words for Russia at the conference, which opened in the German city on February 12. Steinmeier said that 'the question of war and peace has returned to the European continent' following Moscow's seizure of Crimea and its backing for separatists in eastern Ukraine whose war against Kyiv's forces has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. Steinmeier said that after the end of the Cold War and the violent 20th century, 'we had thought that peace had returned to Europe for good' and that 'borders would not be put into question.' Kerry also blasted Russia for its 'aggression' against Ukraine and said sanctions will stay in place until the Minsk II deal to resolve the conflict is implemented in full. 'Russia has a simple choice: fully implement Minsk or continue to face economically damaging sanctions,' Kerry said. 'Put plainly, Russia can prove by its actions that it will respect Ukraine's sovereignty, just as it insists on respect for its own,' he said. Kerry added that implementation includes the withdrawal of Russian forces -- which Western governments say are in Ukraine despite Moscow's denials -- and restoration of Kyiv's control over its entire border with Russia. Kerry spoke of joint and 'unwavering support for a democratic Ukraine' by the United States and the European Union, and called for Ukraine to do more to fight corruption. 'This Is Your Aggression' Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed to do so but stressed that his country needs unflagging support from the West, saying that the security of Europe and the world are at stake in Ukraine. At a presidential panel at the Munich conference, he addressed angry remarks to an absent Putin. 'Mr. Putin, this is not a civil war in Ukraine, this is your aggression...this is your soldiers who have entered my country,' Poroshenko said in English. Fighting in eastern Ukraine has decreased dramatically since September 2015, but central aspects of the Minsk II deal have gone unfulfilled amid mutual recriminations. Poroshenko said that it is 'not only Ukraine, not only Ukrainian security' that is at stake: 'This is European and global security.' He warned that Putin is threatening Europe and its values, saying there is an illiberal 'alternative Europe' and its 'name is Vladimir Putin.' Putin, who set the tone for deepened tension with the West in an angry speech at the Munich conference in 2007, has not attended since. Medvedev delivered the Kremlin's sharply worded message this year -- and acknowledged that he had discussed his speech with Putin before making the trip. He mixed calls for closer cooperation between Moscow and the West with accusations blaming the United States and Europe for the security problems plaguing the world. Medvedev denied that Russian bombs are hitting civilians in Syria. Accusing the United States and Europe of seeking to contain Russia -- using a Cold War term that Putin has frequently uttered -- he warned that problems such as the war in Syria and the threat from Islamist militants could get worse unless there is more cooperation between Moscow and the West. 'The danger of this approach is that in 10 to 20 years' the world may still be discussing the same issues it is facing today, he said. 'That is, if there is anything to discuss. In a global caliphate, discussion is not welcome.' Medvedev said relations between Russia and NATO had 'slid into a new period of Cold War.' 'Almost every day we are accused of making new horrible threats either against NATO as a whole, against Europe, or against the United States, or other countries,' he said. 'They make scary movies where Russia starts a nuclear war. I sometimes wonder -- are we in 2016 or 1962?' Medvedev added. In a remark clearly meant to prompt listeners to imagine World War III, he asked: 'Do we really need...a third world shake-up to make us understand that what we need now is cooperation and not confrontation?' Cold War, Hot War NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the Western alliance wants neither 'confrontation' nor a 'new Cold War,' but that Russia's actions are forcing a 'firm' response. An 'assertive Russia is destabilizing Europe,' Stoltenberg said, adding that Moscow's 'rhetoric and posturing' about its nuclear might is 'aimed at intimidating its neighbors' and undermining trust. He said that NATO's moves to strengthen defenses on its eastern flank are designed 'not to wage war but to prevent war.' He said he expects further moves to strengthen those defenses at a NATO summit in Warsaw in July. He called for 'more defense' as well as 'more dialogue' with Russia. Stoltenberg voiced concern about an increase in Russian references to the country's nuclear might. He said 'nobody should think that' nuclear weapons can be used in a conventional war. Reacting to Medvedev's comment about a new Cold War, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite told the conference that the problem is far more serious. 'We are probably facing a hot war,' Grybauskaite said. 'Russia is demonstrating open military aggression in Ukraine, open military aggression in Syria. There is nothing cold about this; it is very hot.' With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, AP, and RIA Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/france-valls-russia- syria-stop-bombing-civilians/27549988.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia Stations Warplanes at Turkish Airbase Defense Ministry Sputnik News 23:59 13.02.2016(updated 00:08 14.02.2016) Saudi Arabia has deployed its combat aircraft at Turkey's Incirlik airbase near the Syrian border, an adviser to the country's defense ministry confirmed Saturday. DUBAI (Sputnik) Last week, Riyadh said it stood ready to deploy ground troops to Syria to fight the Islamic State (Daesh) jihadist group. 'Saudi warplanes were stationed at the Incirlik airbase in Turkey to take part in the international coalition against Islamic State's air campaign,' Brig. Ahmed Asiri said as quoted by the Al Arabiya network. He said the number of fighter jets used in the mission would depend on 'objectives outlined by the coalition.' Asiri pointed out that the Kingdom's force does not include ground troops. 'Saudi aircraft in Turkey are not part of any bilateral agreement, but are within the framework of anti-terrorist actions of the international coalition,' he stressed. The US-led coalition has carried out airstrikes against the group in Syria since mid-2014 without approval from Damascus or the United Nations. The Incirlik base is 5 miles north of the Turkish city of Adana near the Syrian border. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia to Send Jets to Turkish Base for Air Missions in Syria Sputnik News 13:35 13.02.2016(updated 14:22 13.02.2016) Saudi Arabia is deploying warplanes to the Turkish Incirlik base to fight Daesh, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. 'They (Saudi officials) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come,' Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Yeni Safak and Haberturk newspapers after taking part in the Munich Security Conference. The deployment is part of the US-led effort to defeat Daesh terrorist group, he added. Incirlik is a key hub for US-led coalition operations againstDaesh (ISIL/ISIS/IS). The Foreign Minister also said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against terrorists in Syria. 'If there is a strategy (against Daesh) then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation,' Cavusoglu said. 'They (Saudi Arabia) said 'If necessary we can also send troops'. Saudi Arabia is showing great determination in the fight against terror in Syria,' he added. Earlier it was reported that Saudi Arabia was ready to send its special forces as part of US-led coalition. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant organizations, including Daesh terrorist group, which is banned in a number of countries, including Russia and the United States. The US-led coalition of some 60 nations, including Saudi Arabia among others, has been launching airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq since 2014. However, the operation in Syria is conducted without the approval of the UN Security Council or Syrian authorities. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zarif: Syrians themselves must take decision of Assad's presidency IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Munich, Feb 13, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday that taking any decision on the future of President Bashar Assad lies with the Syrian nation themselves. Zarif made the remarks before leaving Munich for Tehran in reaction to the statements of US Secretary State John Kerry and Saudi officials about Bashar Assad presidency. He noted that political settlement of the humanitarian crisis in Syria is possible with President Bashar al-Assad. Nobody can give opinion in this respect. 'Any decision on Syria's future should be made by the Syrian nation. They are entitled to say their views and the decision should be made only by the Syrians themselves,' Zarif said. Zarif attended International Syria Support Group in Munich which led to an agreement for ending the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The foreign minister delivered a lecture on significance of Persian Gulf region and its security. The 52nd Munich Security Meeting attended by heads of state from 23 countries and tens of ministers from various countries is due to work until February 14. 8072**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address It was a lot of fun watching Chris Christie pants Sen. Marco Rubio and steal his lunch money, causing the Marcobot to break down a murder-suicide, it seems to be. And what fan of Lincolnesque elocution didnt enjoy Donald Trump calling Ted Cruz a girlie man, while belittling Jeb Bush for needing his mommy. Great stuff from the Granite State. But at some point, the show becomes a governing reality for this gasping democracy of ours, a reality that touches every country in the world. To that end, the most likely Republican nominees have left a precise guide of what they would do on Day One in office. From violating the Geneva Convention on war crimes and torture, to becoming a renegade nation on climate change and trade, to kicking millions of people off health care, its a hefty list of first-day promises. The front-runner, Trump, is a big Day One man. His election itself will usher in so much winning, as he said, that you will get bored with it. But there will also be so much torturing. Trump has vowed to inflict cruelties on our enemies that are a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding. Endless possibilities there, though hed have to contend with the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which was ratified by the United States. Dignity, class, humility and the truth would all be immediate Day One casualties of a Trump presidency. He lies without flinching, and makes up his own facts with the dexterity of a sociopath, dating to his insinuation that President Barack Obama was not born in this country. He would govern the same way. Its well known that Trump does not recognize climate change. But less publicized are his truther statements about basic economic facts. Dont believe those phony numbers when you hear 4.9 or 5 percent unemployment, Trump said on Tuesday. The number is probably 28, 29 as high as 35. In fact, I even heard recently 42 percent. Consider that: A much higher unemployment rate than during the Great Depression, and somehow it eluded every economic metric. But thats what Trump heard, and if you factor in retired people, college students and little kids, it might even be true in some alternative universe. Before he leads his Slovenian-born first lady onto the dance floor in a swirl of orangutan orange, Trump says he would unleash federal authorities against 11 million undocumented immigrants. Day One, if I win, day one of my presidency theyre getting out, he said. Were getting them out. Were getting them out fast. Imagine the cutaways between Trump taking the oath, and federal agents going door-to-door separating parents from children, breaking up job sites, stalking food trucks. Same day, another Trumpian edict. I will get rid of gun-free zones on schools, he vowed. It gets signed my first day. Bang, bang, shoot, shoot. Then its on to alienating the rest of the world. He promises to start a trade war with our biggest economic partners, raising tariffs, building walls, hurling personal threats. Itll be fun, for about an hour. And then, Trumps policies will usher in a global economic meltdown. On the same day, hell bring on fresh brinkmanship with Iran. Sanctions were lifted last month after Iran followed through on promises to dismantle large sections of its nuclear program. Trump would throw out the pact, freeing Iran to pursue a nuke without all that pesky global monitoring. As for climate change, as mentioned, Trump is not buying the science its all a hoax created by the Chinese. It follows, then, the worlds second-largest polluter, the United States, will withdraw from the pact signed by nearly 200 nations last year in Paris. While choking on the pollutants newly liberated by President Trump, good luck if you are one of the millions of people who acquired health care under President Obama. Its gone, to be replaced by something terrific. He hasnt said what that something would be or why it would be terrific, only that people arent going to die on the streets. It would also be a busy Day One for President Ted Cruz. Get used to that smarmy smile and a surfeit of oleaginous speeches. After the Most Hated Man in Washington speaks to an empty National Mall, hed follow through on a promise to unleash federal police powers against his top enemy Planned Parenthood. Then, as with Trump, hed anger the rest of the world by making the United States a rogue nation. Were not sure what Hillary Clinton would do on her first day in office; shes been short on the Day One promises. Same with Bernie Sanders. But Clintons opponents know what they would do: impeach her. On Day One. Thats the vow of Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, and he has a lot of support in his party. Too bad Chris Christie wont get his chance at Day One governance. He made this promise to Obama: We are going to kick your rear end out of the White House. Obama, of course, is term-limited. So, it seems, is any trace of civility in Christies party. (Timothy Egan, based in the Pacific Northwest, writes a column for the New York Times.) Syrian army plans advance into militant-held Raqqah Province: Source Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 6:49PM The Syrian army intends to advance into the militant-held northern province of Raqqah, after having liberated several positions at the provincial border of the militants' stronghold. According to a Syrian military source, the army has captured positions at the provincial border between Hama and Raqqah in the last two days and now seeks to advance further. "It is an indication of the direction of coming operations toward Raqqah. In general, the Raqqah front is open ... starting in the direction of the Tabqa area," the source said on Saturday. Tabqa is the location of an air base which was captured by Daesh in 2014. The source said the army had moved to within 35 kilometers (20 miles) of the base. A move into Raqqah Province is believed to complicate any attempt by Saudi Arabia to send ground forces to the area to allegedly fight the Daesh Takfiri militants. Apart from the Saudi regime, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have expressed willingness to send troops to Syria to join the US-led campaign against the terrorist group. On Saturday, the Syrian army managed to liberate the village of al-Tamoura in the northern province of Aleppo. The village is located on high ground above the towns of Anadan, Hayan and Haritan, which are held by Takfiri militants. Syrian forces, backed by Russian air cover, have been advancing in the area to cut the supply line of Takfiri militants with Turkey and get back full control of Aleppo, which is Syria's largest city and served as a commercial hub before the conflict began in the Arab country in March 2011. Elsewhere in Syria, army units also clashed with Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the province of Hama, killing 10 militants. Government forces also targeted hideouts belonging to Daesh elements in the northeastern countryside of Suwayda Province, located in southern Syria, attacking terrorists in the village of Rajam al-Dawla. On Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the government forces will retake the whole country from terrorists. Assad warned that the involvement of regional countries in the conflict meant that the process to liberate Syria would take a long time. He said it would be possible to end the war "in less than a year" if militant supply routes from neighboring countries were cut. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey bombards Kurdish-held areas of Syria's Aleppo Province Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 5:28PM Turkey's artillery on Saturday shelled areas controlled by Kurdish fighters in Syria's northern province of Aleppo. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Turkish bombs hit areas of Aleppo, including Minnigh, which was recently recaptured by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) forces from Daesh Takfiri terrorists. Ankara accuses Syrian Kurdish group Democratic Union Party, also known as the PYD, and its military wing the YPG of having links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group that has been fighting for an autonomous Kurdish region inside Turkey since the 1980s. According to YPG sources, the shelling struck the strategic Minnigh military airport. The development came after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in a televised speech Saturday threatened military action against Syrian Kurdish fighters, saying, "We can, if necessary, take the same measures in Syria as we took in Iraq and Qandil." The Turkish army launched airstrikes against the PKK positions in northern Iraq on their Qandil mountain stronghold and Turkey as well as purported Daesh targets in Syria in 2015. Elsewhere in his comments the Turkish premier stated, "The leadership cadre and ideology of the PKK and PYD is the same." In an apparent reference to the US policies and recent comments by US State Department spokesman John Kirby that Washington does not consider the PYD as a terror group and would continue to support its operations in Syria, Davutoglu said, "Those who say that they are not terror groups either do not know the region or have bad intentions." Kurdish groups like the PYD and its military wing, the YPG, have been making advances in the campaign against the Daesh terrorists inside Syria. The Turkish prime minister, meanwhile, said Ankara would soon send documentation to the US "to show that the PYD is a branch of the PKK." The US and the European Union recognize the PKK as a terror group. Also on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation in Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia sends new cruise missile ship Zeleny Dol to Syria: Report Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 4:48PM The Russian Navy has dispatched a new warship equipped with cruise missiles to the Mediterranean, with reports saying that it is bound for Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry's head of Black Sea Fleet's information department said on Saturday that the Zeleny Dol Buyan-M class corvette, armed with Kalibr anti-ship missiles, departed for the Mediterranean to join the country's permanent naval task force there, Russia's Sputnik news agency reported. "Today, the Zeleny Dol missile corvette and the Kovrovets minesweeper of the Black Sea Fleet left [the Crimean port of] Sevastopol to begin carrying out tasks as part of Russia's permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean," Vyacheslav Trukhachev said. The Russian official added that the patrol ship will conduct tasks in the Mediterranean for the first time. The Russian news agency further quoted a security source in Crimea - where the Black Sea fleet is based - as saying that the corvette will join the Russian warships operating off the coast of Syria in the coming days. "The goals of the ship are not public but considering that it is carrying long-range cruise missiles, its participation in the military operation should not be excluded," the source said. The report comes as on Saturday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned against any ground intervention in Syria by countries in the US-led coalition allegedly fighting Daesh Takfiri group, saying it would unleash another war. "Don't threaten anyone with a ground operation," he said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, stressing that Moscow is doing its utmost to pave the way for a lasting peace in the conflict-stricken country. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have recently expressed willingness to send troops to Syria to join the US-led campaign. "It is important to save a united Syrian state, preventing it from falling apart into religion-based [fragments]. The world can't afford another Libya, Yemen or Afghanistan. The outcomes of such a scenario would be disastrous for the entire Middle East," Medvedev said. Russia launched its own aerial campaign against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists and other militant groups in Syria on September 30, 2015, upon a request from the Damascus government. The air raids have expedited the advances of Syrian forces against militants. The Russian strikes have drawn criticism from Western governments and their allies in the Middle East, which have been supporting the militants operating in the region The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which began in March 2011, has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria troops capture another village near Aleppo Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 3:40PM Syrian government forces managed to gain more grounds against foreign-backed militants on Saturday in the northern province of Aleppo, liberating another village there. Army units, in cooperation with allied fighters, liberated the village of al-Tamoura in the northern countryside of the province, the official Syrian news agency, SANA, reported. The village is located on high ground above the towns of Anadan, Hayan and Haritan, which are held by Takfiri militants. Syrian forces have started an operation to clear the village from explosive devices and mines left behind by the terrorists. Syrian forces, backed by Russian air cover, have been advancing in the area so as to cut the supply line of Takfiri militants with Turkey and get back full control of Aleppo, which is Syria's largest city and served as a commercial hub before the conflict began in the Arab country in March 2011. Elsewhere in Syria, army units clashed with Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the province of Hama, killing 10 militants. Government forces also targeted hideouts belonging to Daesh elements in the northeastern countryside of Sweida Province, located in southern Syria, attacking terrorists in the village of Rajam al-Dawla. The Syrian army, meanwhile, inflicted heavy losses on Daesh terrorists in the province of Deir al-Zour, hitting their positions in intensive strikes. The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people and left 1.9 million injured, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. 'Whole of Syria' will be liberated On Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed that the government forces will retake the entire Arab country from foreign-backed terrorists. The Syrian president said it would be possible to "put an end to this problem in less than a year" if all terrorists' supply routes from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq were cut. Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said on February 10 that the government forces would soon take full control of the militant-held areas of Aleppo but predicted a tough battle for Aleppo City. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ankara: Turkey, Saudi could launch ground operation in Syria Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 10:1AM Ankara says Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation in Syria, adding the kingdom is also sending jets to a Turkish base. 'If there is a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation,' Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted Saturday as saying by the Yeni Safak and Haberturk newspapers. Cavusoglu signaled Ankara had initiated the plan for what he characterized as "the fight against Daesh." "It is Turkey that is making the most concrete proposals,' he said. In December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Riyadh for talks with Saudi King Salman as well as crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef and deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman who is seen as the real ruler. Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia is also sending planes to the Turkish base of Incirlik which is already being used by the US, France and Britain for air raids inside Syria. 'They (Saudi officials) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come,' Cavusoglu said. 'They said 'If necessary we can also send troops'. Saudi Arabia is showing great determination in the fight against terror in Syria,' said the Turkish minister. Saudi Arabia and Turkey both support militants fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On Friday, militants said they have received new supplies of Grad missiles from their foreign supporters in the face of recent losses against the Syrian army. Asked if Saudi Arabia could send troops to the Turkish border to enter Syria, Cavusoglu said: 'This is something that could be desired but there is no plan.' "Saudi Arabia is sending planes and they said 'If the necessary time comes for a ground operation then we could send soldiers',' he added. His comments came after President Assad told AFP in an exclusive interview published on Friday that he would recapture the whole of Syria and keep 'fighting terrorism." Last Saturday, Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Syria would resist any ground incursion into its territory and send the aggressors home 'in coffins.' 'Any ground intervention onto Syrian land without the agreement of the Syrian government is an act of aggression...and we regret that those (who do so) will return to their countries in coffins,' he said. Iran and Russia have also warned against the deployment of foreign ground forces into Syria, calling it dangerous which could lead to permanent war. "All sides must be compelled to sit at the negotiating table instead of unleashing a new world war," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey may act to reverse Syrian army gain near border Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:0AM Ankara is likely to take action to counter the Syrian military and allied groups on choking up a supply link on which militants relied to get weapons and logistics. Syrian troops and Lebanon's Hezbollah fighters have retaken the town of Azaz, located to the northwest of Aleppo, prompting Saudi Arabia and Turkey to hint at deployment of ground forces to the region. Asked if Ankara might act to reverse the gains, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (seen below) said on Friday, "Wait for the next few days and you will have the answer," Turkish paper Hurriyet reported. Analysts say major militant groups are on the verge of total collapse in Syria's strategic Aleppo province in the face of army advances. Most of Aleppo's eastern neighborhoods are now controlled by government forces and allied fighters. Takfiri groups, including Ahrar al-Sham and al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, along with smaller militant outfits, are mainly active in the western parts of the city. Aleppo's liberation would deal one of the most serious blows to militant groups that have been fighting there over the past five years. Fabrice Balanche, a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute think tank, said militants could no longer cling to their ambition "to make Aleppo and the (neighboring) Idlib province the base of a 'free Syria.'" "That's over," he told the AFP news agency recently. Militants have relied on the Azaz corridor to supply Aleppo with munitions and other fighting materiel which itself is covertly supplied from Turkey. The loss of this route means that militants within the Aleppo urban area will have to source their supplies from much further afield, hampering their ability to rapidly re-arm. Following the recent losses, there have been reports that Turkey is planning to intervene directly in the Syria conflict. Such reports are driven by repeated assertions by Turkish government officials that they plan to establish a safe zone in northern Syria for civilians and likely favored militant groups. Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had seen evidence of "a growing number of signs of hidden preparation of the Turkish armed forces for active action in Syria." It published a number of satellite images which Russia claims showed a build-up of Turkish armed forces along certain areas of the Syrian border. While these images are far from conclusive, when combined with earlier evidence of Turkey clearing mines along the Syrian border, they show at the very least that Ankara is keeping its options open with respect to military intervention. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria militants get new missiles from foreign backers: Sources Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 6:24AM Takfiri militants in Syria have reportedly received new supplies of Grad missiles from their foreign supporters in the face of their recent losses against the Syrian army. Two militant commanders have told Reuters that their forces in Syria have been provided in "excellent quantities" with the ground-to-ground missiles that have a range of 20 kilometers (12 miles). "It is excellent additional fire power for us," one of the sources was quoted as saying. The other militant commander said the missiles were being used to target Syrian army positions beyond the front line. "They give the factions longer reach," he said. The rise in foreign support for the terror groups come as Syrian armed forces, backed by the Russian air force, are advancing against militants on several fronts, particularly in the northwestern province of Aleppo near the Turkish border. Syrian soldiers have managed to cut major militant supply routes from Turkey, which has long severed as the main gateway for transit of new militant recruits and weapons in to the Arab country. Sources on the ground say the Takfiri terrorists operating in Aleppo are on the brink of total collapse in the face of army advances. The Saudi-backed Syrian opposition has also asked for supplies of anti-aircraft missiles. "If we had these, this would solve the problem of Syria," opposition spokesman Salim al-Muslat said of the weapons. He said surface-to-air missiles would help them confront Russian aircraft. "We really guarantee that they do not go anywhere - that they will be in the hands of the moderates under the eye of our friends, whether European or American," Muslat said. The United States, along with its allies, has long been supporting what it calls "moderate" militants fighting to topple the Assad government. Some of such militant groups have also received military training overseen by the CIA in Syria's neighboring countries. The Pentagon has on several occasions airdropped weapons for militants. Some of the weapons have ended up in the hands of Daesh terrorists. Damascus has denounced US classification of 'terrorists' to moderate and extremist, saying whoever takes up arms against the Syrian nation is a terrorist. On Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to retake the entire Arab state from foreign-backed terrorists. The Syrian leader said it would be possible to "put an end to this problem in less than a year" if all terrorists' supply routes from Turkey, Jordan and Iraq were cut. The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people and left 1.9 million injured, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Keeps Bombing Despite Syrian Truce Agreement February 13, 2016 by RFE/RL Russia pressed on with its bombing campaign in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on February 12 despite agreeing to a pause in combat in Munich negotiations. Russian bombs killed 16 civilians in Syria hours after world powers agreed to cease hostilities within a week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told world leaders gathered in Munich. He joined a chorus of western leaders and NATO allies calling on Russia to stop. 'What is important now is embracing this opportunity, stopping the air strikes, ceasing targeting civilians, and providing humanitarian access,' Cavusoglu said later on Twitter. Western leaders have said there is no hope for progress in Syrian peace talks without a halt to the Russian bombing, which in recent weeks has helped turned the ground war in favor of Assad. 'Through its military action on the side of Assad's regime, Russia had recently seriously compromised the political process. Now there is a chance to save this process,' German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Christiane Wirzt said. But Russia and Syria have continued to insist that the opponents they are fighting in Aleppo, including those backed by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, are 'terrorists' and thus their campaign can proceed under the truce agreement, which exempts fighting against recognized terrorist groups. In an interview with AFP released on February 12, Assad asserted that all opposition groups that have taken up arms against the government are 'terrorists,' and thus his forces can continue to fight them during peace negotiations. Even if Russia and Syria agreed to stop fighting in Aleppo in a week's time, by some estimates the additional week of fighting would give them enough time to encircle what was Syria's biggest city before the war, and possibly even capture it. Moreover, they are also close to sealing theTurkish border north of Aleppo, where deliveries of supplies have provided a lifeline for rebels, and they might be able to accomplish that task before honoring the truce. While western powers agreed to exempt air raids on Islamic State (IS) and Al Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's Syrian affliate, from the truce, they have insisted that other rebel groups fighting Assad -- many of them participating in the peace negotiations -- are covered. White House spokesman Eric Schultz said on February 12 that Russian air raids have been targeting areas where there is no IS presence, although the Nusra group is active in Aleppo and has ties to other rebel groups there. 'It is time for [Russia] to stop using the cover of going after ISIL,' Schultz said. The United States raised the threat of escalation in the ground war, apparently in a bid to force Russia and Syria to comply with the truce. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Munich, warned that if the truce fails, more foreign troops could enter the conflict. 'If the Assad regime does not live up to its responsibilities and if the Iranians and the Russians do not hold Assad to the promises that they have made...then the international community obviously is not going to sit there like fools and watch this. There will be an increase of activity to put greater pressure on them,' Kerry told Dubai-based Orient TV. 'There is a possibility there will be additional ground troops,' Kerry said. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have both offered to deploy ground forces in Syria. Despite agreeing to the truce, the Saudis on February 12 said they remain prepared to send fighters and are just as determined as ever to end Assad's rule by whatever means necessary. 'There will be no Bashar al-Assad in the future,' despite Russia's backing, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told the German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-keeps-bombing- despite-syrian-truce-agreement/27549792.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Shells Kurdish Targets In Syria As U.S. Urges Calm February 13, 2016 by RFE/RL Turkish forces struck Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria on February 13, and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded that the group withdraw from the area it recently captured. Davutoglu said in comments shown live by state broadcaster TRT Haber that Turkey 'will retaliate against every step' by the YPG militia, the armed wing the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). 'The YPG will immediately withdraw from Azaz and the surrounding area and will not go close to it again,' Davutoglu said, referring to the city in the Aleppo province where nearby Turkish bombardments were reported earlier in the day. Davutoglu did not provide precise details about the strikes. But he was quoted by the state-run Anatolia news agency as saying that they were retaliatory in nature. 'Under the framework of the rules of engagement, we responded to forces in Azaz and around that were posing a threat,' Anatolia quoted him as saying during his a visit to the eastern city of Erzincan. The news agency also quoted a Turkish military source as saying that the strikes were in line with the rules of engagement. It added that the army also responded to fire from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces on a Turkish military guard post in the southern Hatay region of Turkey. In the aftermath of the shelling, the United States urged both Ankara and the Syrian Kurds halt the violence and focus instead on tackling the 'common threat' of Islamic State (IS) militants who control large parts of Syria. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement that Washington had 'seen reports of artillery fire from the Turkish side of the border and urged Turkey to cease such fires.' He added that the Americans have also 'urged Syrian Kurdish and other forces affiliated with the YPG not to take advantage of a confused situation by seizing new territory.' 'We are concerned about the situation north of Aleppo and are working to de-escalate tensions on all sides,' Kirby said. Turkey considers the PYD and its YPG militia to be branches of the PKK, which for decades has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state. Turkish forces have shelled YPG-controlled areas multiple times in the past. Turkey, a member of NATO, is one of the most strident critics of Assad, whose forces have been backed by a Russian aerial campaign since September. Ankara has been a supporter of opposition forces seeking to oust Assad. Reuters and AFP cited unidentified Kurdish sources earlier in the day as saying that Turkish forces struck the Menagh air base, near Aleppo, which was recently captured by Kurdish fighters. Reuters cited an unidentified Turkish government source as saying that its military shelled Kurdish militia targets near Azaz, which is close to the Menagh air base. 'The Turkish Armed Forces fired shells at PYD positions in the Azaz area,' Reuters quoted the source as saying. Amer Hassan, an opposition activist based in the northern Syrian town of Azaz, confirmed to The Associated Press on February 13 that Turkish troops have shelled the based air base. Davutoglu demanded that the Menagh base be evacuated, and he said he had spoken to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to stress that the PYD was an extension of the PKK and a direct threat to Turkey. His comments reflected Turkey's mounting frustration with United States backing for the PYD, which controls most of the Syrian side of the border with Turkey. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/turkey-shells- syrian-air-base-captured-by-kurds/27550581.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish Forces Begin Shelling of Airbase Held by Kurds in Syria's Aleppo Sputnik News 19:04 13.02.2016(updated 19:39 13.02.2016) Turkish forces started shelling Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG] postions on the territory of the Minnigh airbase in Syria's northern Aleppo region, according to local media. ALEPPO (Sputnik) Turkish forces have started shelling an airbase and a village, recently captured by Kurds, in Syria's northern Aleppo region, Al Mayadeen television reported Saturday. 'Turkish forces started shelling People's Protection Units [YPG] postions on the territory of the Minnigh airbase,' an YPG spokesperson told the channel. The airbase was captured by the Nusra Front militants in 2013. Earlier this week, a militia source told RIA Novosti that the airbase had been captured and the extremists have retreated. Syrian Kurds have been fighting against terrorists in Syria for years and have already liberated vast Syrian territories from their control. Ankara claims that Syrian Kurds have links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a militant group fighting for Kurdish independence from Turkey. A ceasefire between Turkey and PKK collapsed in July 2015, prompting Turkish authorities to launch a military operation in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern regions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Any doubts about the dangers North Dakota law enforcement officers face should have vanished in the last few weeks. In Bismarck an officer shot a suspect who allegedly tried to back a stolen car into him. The suspect was later arrested in Emmons County. A week later, another suspect was wounded when he refused to obey police orders to stop and instead got into a vehicle and appeared to reach for a weapon. This past week a Fargo officer was killed during a Wednesday night standoff. Fargo officer Jason Moszer, 33, leaves a wife and two children. Moszer and officer Matthew Sliders were honored in 2012 with the departments Silver Star Medal after they rescued two children from a November 2011 fire. The last Fargo officer killed in the line of duty was in 1882. Sgt. Steve Kenner was the first Bismarck police officer killed on duty when he was shot while responding to a domestic call in July 2011. Anytime an officer is wounded or killed its unacceptable and it reminds us theres no routine day on the beat. Officers responding to a call dont know if they will find someone angry, on drugs, ill or a combination. They dont know if they will be confronted by someone with a weapon. At the same time they are responding to help, not harm. so they have to be careful for those on the scene and themselves. They have to be cautious, but they cant overreact. Its a tough situation for anyone, even those with training. Bismarck Police Chief Dan Donlin called the two shootings very concerning" to his staff, his officers and their families and to the community. Bismarck officers follow a department policy on the use of deadly force that gets reviewed annually as part of the departments national accreditation process. Since 2013 there have been four officer-involved shootings, one in 2014, one in February 2015 and the two this year, according to Donlin. The two recent Bismarck shootings may have some wondering if the officers fired too quickly. Theres no indications they did and the Tribune believes the reviews by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation will find they acted properly. The shootings also may lead some to believe that crime is getting out of control. Its not. Bismarck and the state remain safe places to live. However, we can no longer leave our homes and vehicles unlocked. Our population has grown so the odds of bad apples in our midst has increased. We all need to follow practical safety steps in our lives. The Fargo shooting reflects the life-and-death decisions officers must make. It comes with the job and the public tends to forget how dangerous it can become. Theres no way to eliminate the risk, but we can provide support and urge officers to be careful. The public reaction to Moszers death and the many donations to the Moszer family reflect a caring state and support for law enforcement. Medvedev Warns Against Discussing Possible Ground Operation in Syria Sputnik News 15:02 13.02.2016(updated 16:34 13.02.2016) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev awared of putting at a disposal a possiblity of waging a ground operation in Syria, stating that this would be a wrong turn in negotiations. MUNICH (Sputnik) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned Saturday against discussing a possible ground operation in Syria, stating that this would be a wrong turn in negotiations. 'Despite all these agreements, people are starting to talk about carrying out a ground operation if something isn't done,' Medvedev said at a meeting with Slovenian President Borut Pahor. No evidence has so far been presented to prove the alleged bombing of civilian targets in Syria by Russia's Aerospace Forces. 'No one has presented any evidence on the bombing of civilian population so far, even though we have been accused of it all the time,' Medvedev said, speaking at the Munich Security Conference. Russia has been launching airstrikes in Syria against targets of the Islamic State and Nusra Front jihadist groups, banned in Russia, at the request of President Bashar Assad since late September 2015. Moscow has continuously refuted the allegations of targeting so-called moderate opposition factions and civilians in Syria. On Thursday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said that Russian military had created a multilevel system of reconnaissance in Syria together with its partners to decrease possible risks to civilians. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kerry: Syrian Crisis at a Turning Point by Pamela Dockins February 13, 2016 The crisis in Syria has reached a turning point, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday, and decisions made in the near future could either end the war or "define a very difficult set of choices for the future." "We hope this week can be a week of change," Kerry told the Munich Security Conference in Germany. 'This moment is a hinge point,' Kerry said, using a seldom-heard phrase in English that means a turning point at which significant change occurs. 'Decisions made in the coming days, weeks and months can end the war in Syria,' Kerry continued. 'Or, if the wrong choices are made, they can open the door to even wider conflict.' Support for European allies Kerry stressed two main themes in his address to the global forum about security policy: He emphasized the United States' strong support for its allies in Europe as they confront multiple crises, including the tide of refugees from the Syrian civil war and the uneasy situation in Ukraine between the Kiev government and Russian-supported separatists. The top U.S. diplomat also spoke at length about the international effort to bring about a cease-fire in Syria, and the focus on ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach besieged civilian areas. 'Defining challenge of our generation' 'Perhaps most urgently,' Kerry added, 'the United States and Europe are at the forefront of facing what has become a defining challenge of our generation: the fight against violent extremism.' He singled out the Islamic State terror group, declaring 'we're going after their fighters' and 'destroying their economic lifeline.' Using his customary term Daesh a scornful Arabic acronym to refer to the Islamic State group, Kerry said: 'We're going to defeat Daesh and... our progress is measurable and growing on a steady basis.' Summing up two days of talks among members of the International Syria Support group, Kerry said all sides agreed to work for a quick end to the violence in Syria as an essential first step toward a political solution to the five-year civil war. Despite the U.N. Security Council's demand that 'all parties immediately cease any attacks against civilians,' he said the Damascus regime's offensive aimed at civilian areas has only increased. Russia has continued its airstrikes in northern Syria since the plan for a partial truce was announced early Friday, Moscow's spokesmen have insisted repeatedly that their forces are not targeting civilians. Kerry refuted those claims in his speech Saturday, although he deleted from his text remarks criticizing Russia directly. 'Free-fall bombs are being used, which are not precise,' Kerry said. 'We all know civilians are being killed.' More talks by Kerry, Lavrov Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kerry met for hastily arranged private talks late Saturday in Munich. Lavrov had said earlier that Russian and military leaders should work together to help arrange a cease-fire in Syria. The ISSG, which includes Russia, has declared a 'cessation of hostilities' should begin in Syria by Friday, but the terms of that partial cease-fire are being widely questioned. Lavrov said that everyday military cooperation between Washington and Moscow in particular is "the key tool" to ensure delivery of humanitarian supplies and an end to hostilities. Until now, Lavrov said, U.S.-Russian military contacts about Syria have not gone beyond an agreement to avoid incidents among military aircraft. Russia, Ukraine urged to resolve differences Kerry also addressed the ongoing unrest in Ukraine during his speech, which took place shortly before he sat down for talks with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Their talks took place as a multi-national effort is underway to resolve instability in eastern Ukraine and fully implement the Minsk agreement, which calls for a cease-fire between the government and Russian-backed separatists. Kerry said Russia had a "simple choice" fully implement the Minsk agreement or continue to face "economically damaging" sanctions imposed by the U.S. and European Union. "The path to sanctions relief is clear," said Kerry. "Withdraw weapons and troops from Donbas; ensure that all Ukrainian hostages are returned; allow full humanitarian access to occupied territories." He added that Ukraine had responsibilities to respect the Minsk agreement as well. Officials from both Russia and Ukraine referenced the ongoing tensions during their speeches to the security conference. "Mr. Putin [Russian President Vladimir Putin], this is not a civil war in Ukraine. This is your aggression," said President Poroshenko. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the group, 'Without doubt, all sides have to abide to the Minsk agreement, but primarily the implementation depends on the authorities in Kiev." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Urges Restraint from Turkey, Kurdish Militia Near Aleppo by VOA News February 13, 2016 The U.S. State Department voiced fresh concern Saturday over reports of Turkish military strikes on Kurdish militia in northern Syria, urging both Turkey and Syrian Kurds to exercise restraint as tensions approach the breaking point in the troubled region. Spokesman John Kirby, in a statement, urged both sides to step back, saying they should instead focus on defeating Islamic State extremists who occupy large swaths of northern Syria. Earlier, Turkey's military shelled Kurdish militia targets north of the embattled city of Aleppo. That bombardment came just hours after Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu warned that Ankara would act if it faced a threat from across the border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors Syria's war, said the shelling had targeted the air base and a village captured from insurgents by the YPG militia. Turkey considers the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its YPG militia to be branches of the Kurdistan Workers Party, (PKK) which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the country. A Kurdish official confirmed shelling had taken place at the Menagh air base, which he said had been captured by the Kurdish-allied Jaysh al-Thuwwar group rather than the YPG. Both are part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance. The shelling took place amid growing anger in Ankara with U.S. backing for the PYD in its fight against Islamic State militants. The PYD is in control of most of the Syrian side of Turkey's border, and nearby bases in Iraq's Qandil Mountains have been bombed repeatedly by the Turkish military. Speaking Saturday in Erzincan, in eastern Turkey, Davutoglu said, 'When there is any threat to Turkey, we will take in Syria the measures that we took in Iraq and in Qandil and will not hesitate to implement the necessary measures.' Rising refugee numbers Turkey has been concerned by the tens of thousands of people fleeing to the Turkish border after attacks by Russian-backed Syrian government forces, increasing refugee numbers in the area to 100,000. Turkey, which already hosts 2.6 million Syrian refugees, has kept the latest arrivals on the Syrian side of the border, in part to pressure Russia to stop its air support for Syrian government forces near Aleppo. Davutoglu condemned the attacks in Aleppo as 'barbarity, tyranny, a war strategy conducted with a medieval mentality,' and said hundreds of thousands of people in the region faced starvation if a humanitarian corridor was not opened. 'We will help our brothers in Aleppo with all means at our disposal. We will take those in need, but we will never allow Aleppo to be emptied through an ethnic massacre,' he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, quoted in Turkish newspapers, said Riyadh and Ankara were coordinating plans to intervene in Syria, where Russia has been backing a successful regime offensive against rebels. 'If there is a strategy [against the Islamic State jihadist group], then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation,' he said. Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia was also sending planes to the Turkish base of Incirlik, a key hub for U.S.-led coalition operations against IS already used by Britain, France and the United States for cross-border air raids. World powers on Friday announced an ambitious plan to stop fighting in Syria within a week, but doubts have emerged about its viability, especially because it did not include the Islamic State militant group or al-Qaida's local branch, which is fighting alongside other rebel groups in several areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, France Dispute Moscow's Actions in Syria by Luis Ramirez, Pamela Dockins February 12, 2016 Russia's prime minister says accusations his country is bombing civilians in Syria are 'just not true.' Speaking Saturday at a security conference in Munich, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said 'there is no evidence' of such bombings. He made the comment moments after French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called on Russia to stop bombing civilians in Syria, saying it was crucial in order to reach any peaceful solution. The Russian and French prime ministers are among delegates from Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere meeting again Saturday in attempts to end nearly five years of violence in Syria. On Friday, just hours after world leaders announced a deal at the conference to push for a cessation of hostilities in Syria within a week, the agreement was put to the test. In an interview published Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told the French News Agency that his forces planned to "retake the whole country," fueling doubts about the parties' commitment to end the nearly five-year-old conflict. Assad said recapturing all of the territory could take "a long time." The Syrian president said he supported peace efforts, but he cautioned that the negotiations did "not mean that we stop fighting terrorism." Holes in the deal Observers who acknowledged disconnects in the deal agreed Thursday that those discrepancies could allow Assad's forces, with Russia's help, to keep up their assault on rebel areas. For one, the agreement does not provide for any truce in the Syrian government's fight against terrorists, including Islamic State militants and the al-Nusra Front. The Assad government considers all opposition fighters both moderates and extremists terrorists. Russia has continued to bomb what it says are terrorist targets, enabling Assad's forces to make considerable gains recently around Aleppo, Syria's largest city. Syrian rebels continue to accuse Russia's warplanes of indiscriminately striking civilians and the moderate opposition. Measured expectations In announcing the deal to push for a pause in hostilities, U.S. officials were cautious in their expectations. Secretary of State John Kerry said the agreement was "on paper" only, emphasizing that "the real test" would be whether all parties honored their commitments. U.S. officials laid out the mechanics of the multinational plan designed to provide Syrians with relief from military strikes. Crafted by the International Syria Support Group, it calls for a "cessation of hostilities." The Syrian opposition requested that the pause in military action be labeled a "cessation" as opposed to a cease-fire, Kerry said. Later in a Friday briefing, a senior State Department official elaborated on the distinction, saying the Syrian opposition thought a cease-fire indicated a formal end to the fighting in which the "political objectives that underlie the conflict have either been abandoned or resolved," a situation that has not occurred in Syria. "The bottom-line objective is to stop the violence," said the official. Another objective is to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in rebel-held areas. This was one key condition that representatives of the Syrian opposition said had to be met before they would rejoin indirect peace talks that broke off last week in Geneva. U.S. and U.N. officials are working to resume the dialogue later this month. As part of the plan, the U.S. and Russia will head a task force that will work to delineate the territory held by terrorist groups and resolve any noncompliance with the cessation. "In terms of how this is going to play out, I think you can expect that it will not be smooth and it will not be clean," the senior State Department official said. "There will be problems to work through, perceived violations most likely on both sides." The Syrian opposition stopped short of welcoming the agreement, but saw it as an incremental step forward. Salem Meslet, speaking for the main opposition group, the High Negotiations Committee, said, "We must see action on the ground in Syria." There were questions about whether the agreement by world leaders to seek a cessation of hostilities in Syria marked the beginning of a lasting deal for peace, or whether it was simply a stopgap measure by world politicians to make it appear as though they were addressing a situation that is out of control. Following through on humanitarian aid International human rights advocates on Friday urged world leaders to follow through with commitments they say could alleviate the suffering of millions of Syrians. "It is essential that strenuous diplomatic efforts continue beyond today's headlines to ensure that the human rights and humanitarian-related provisions agreed are adhered to by all parties," said Philip Luther, director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program, in a statement to VOA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkish PM Says N.Syria Airbase Shelling 'Retaliation' to Kurdish Forces Sputnik News 00:57 14.02.2016(updated 01:07 14.02.2016) Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkish forces shelled Kurdish People's Protection Units positions in northern Syria as a retaliatory measure. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Turkish forces shelled Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) positions in northern Syria as a retaliatory measure within rules of engagement, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Saturday. 'The retaliation against forces posing a threat in and around Azez was made within the framework of the rules of engagement,' Davutoglu said as quoted by Turkey's TRT Haber broadcaster. YPG said earlier Turkish forces shelled the recently captured Minnigh airbase and village in Aleppo province. 'The YPG will immediately withdraw from Azez and the surrounding area and will not go close to it again,' Davutoglu added, stressing that Ankara would 'retaliate against every step' made by the group. Ankara claims that Syrian Kurds have links to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a militant group fighting for Kurdish independence from Turkey. Turkish media cited military sources saying earlier that the response attack was made to alleged shelling of Turkey's Akcabaglar base in Kilis by 'PYD/PKK' affiliates, referring to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party. The United States urged both sides to de-escalate tensions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Wants Britain to Renew Its Nuclear Missile System Ashton Carter Sputnik News 22:31 13.02.2016(updated 22:47 13.02.2016) US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter Wants the UK to renew its Trident nuclear missile system so that Britain can continue its "outsized" hegemonic role in the world. The United Kingdom should renew its Trident nuclear missile system because it's an important part of the "structure of NATO" and helps the country play an "outsized role" on the global stage, said US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. He added that the US is "very supportive" of the program because it helps to promote America's interests as well. The UK Parliament is expected to vote on the $167 billion controversial missile system after the referendum on Britain's EU membership later this year. "We want to have the program for our own purposes," said Carter while speaking with the BBC. Interestingly, Carter also explained that the US has the ability to use the weapons whenever it would like. "We have independent authorities to fire," he said. The UK has four Trident submarines, which carry nuclear weapons. One is armed and roaming the seas. One is under maintenance, and the other two are in port or being used in training. While it currently looks as though the missile program is going to get the go-ahead from the UK government, leader of the opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, has called for a review into his party's support for it. Those who oppose the program argue that renewing it could violate the UK's obligations to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and that it plays into the hands of the military industrial complex, which will make billions from the deal. Further, the UK is currently cashed-strapped, and funding a program that is estimated to cost over $150 billion could push the country over the edge. Supporters of the program maintain that the missiles are important for security. The Arms Control Association estimates that the US has over 7,000 nuclear warheads at its disposal while the UK has 225. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia sanctions to remain until Minsk deal fully implemented: US Iran Press TV Sat Feb 13, 2016 9:26PM US Secretary of State John Kerry says economic sanctions against Russia will continue as long as Moscow does not implement all aspects of the Ukraine peace agreement reached a year ago in Minsk, Belarus. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday, Kerry said, 'Russia has a simple choice: fully implement Minsk or continue to face economically damaging sanctions.' 'Sanctions are never an end in and of themselves,' the top US diplomat admitted. 'But we shouldn't forget why they were imposed in the first place: to stand up for Ukraine's fundamental rights -- its sovereignty and territorial integrity." 'Put plainly, Russia can prove by its actions that it will respect Ukraine's sovereignty, just as it insists on respect for its own,' he added. Ukraine's warring sides reached a deal, dubbed Minsk II, at a summit attended by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany in the Belarusian capital Minsk in February 2015. The agreement introduced measures such as a ceasefire, a pullout of heavy weapons and constitutional reforms in Ukraine by the end of the year. Russia says the government in Kiev and its Western allies have twisted the peace deal. Russia has been targeted by a series of sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union for allegations that Moscow is arming and supporting pro-Russian forces fighting in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, calls the accusation 'groundless". Kerry said that for the sanctions to be lifted, Russia must support free and international-monitored elections in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine. 'The path to sanctions relief is clear: withdraw weapons and troops from Donbass, ensure that all Ukrainian hostages are returned, allow full humanitarian access to occupied territories, support free, fair, and internationally-monitored elections in Donbass under Ukrainian law, and restore Ukraine's control of its side of the international border,' he said. The United States and its allies have accused Russia of deploying troops and military equipment to the Donbass region since the beginning of the conflict about two years ago. Kerry urged the European governments to maintain sanctions against Moscow for as long as they are needed, and praised them for 'showing resolve and common purpose in the face of Russia's repeated aggression." 'I am confident that Europe and the United States will continue to stand united -- both in sustaining sanctions for as long as they are necessary and providing needed assistance to Ukraine,' he stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministers Discuss Eastern Ukraine Conflict, Minsk Deal February 13, 2016 by RFE/RL MUNICH, Germany -- Senior diplomats from Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France met in Munich on February 13 to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and implementation of the Minsk II agreement on steps to end the conflict there. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Germany, and Russia took part, along with a senior French diplomat. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted some progress in negotiations, including on the thorny question of how to conduct elections in areas of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists. But he said that all sides were still 'a long way off from resolving the conflict.' He also delivered a rebuke to Russia, saying that 'the question of war and peace has returned to the European continent' following Moscow's seizure of Crimea and backing for separatists in eastern Ukraine. He did not identify Russia by name. But he said that after the end of the Cold War and the violent 20th century 'we had thought that peace had returned to Europe for good' and that 'borders would not be put into question.' The 'turbulence' on Europe's eastern edge is one of several major challenges the European Union is facing, Steinmeier said. The war between Kyiv's forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. Fighting has diminished substantially since September 2015, but many aspects of the Minsk deal have not been implemented. The deal calls for elections under Ukrainian law in separatist-held areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, withdrawal of foreign forces, and the return of Ukrainian control over the border with Russia, among other things. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said before the meeting that Russia is not adhering to its obligations. He said he hoped to focus on security, prisoner exchanges, and discussions of how to hold 'free and fair elections.' Russia denies it has sent weapons and troops into eastern Ukraine despite what Kyiv and NATO say is overwhelming evidence. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said foreign ministers planned to come together again in early March in Paris for a full-fledged meeting. With reporting by Unian and RIA Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-conflict- minsk-deal-munich-conference/27550002.html Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79. He reportedly died in his sleep during a visit to Texas. Here are five facts you should know about one of the leading conservative voices on the nations highest court: 1. Antonin Scalia (nicknamed Nino) was born on March 11, 1936, in Trenton, N.J. He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, a military school run by the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church, and studied History at Georgetown University. After graduating as valedictorian from Georgetown in 1957, he attended Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review and graduated magna cum laude. After graduating from Harvard Scalia worked for a law firm in Cleveland, Ohio (196167), before moving to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he taught at the University of Virginia Law School (196774). While in Virginia, he served the federal government as general counsel to the Office of Telecommunications Policy (197172) and as chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States (197274). In 1974 Scalia left academia when President Ford nominated him to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel, an office in the Department of Justice that assists the Attorney General in his function as legal adviser to the President and all executive branch agencies. 2. In 1977 Scalia resumed his academic career at Georgetown University and the University of Chicago Law School (197782). For part of the latter period he served as editor of Regulation, a review published by the conservative American Enterprise Institute. In 1982 President Reagan nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In 1986, Chief Justice Warren Burger informed the White House of his intent to retire, allowing Reagan to nominate Associate Justice William Rehnquist to become Chief Justice and nominating Scalia to fill Rehnquists seat as associate justice. He became the first Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court 3. Scalia subscribed to a judicial philosophy known as originalism. This view holds that the Constitution should be interpreted in terms of what it meant to those who ratified the Constitution in 1788, and is often contrasted with the Constitution as a living document that allows courts to take into account the views of contemporary society. Scalia argued that originalism and trying to figure out the Constitutions original meaning is the only valid option for judicial interpretation, otherwise youre just telling judges to govern. The Constitution is not a living organism, he said. Its a legal document, and it says what it says and doesnt say what it doesnt say. 4. Scalia was an adamant and vocal opponent of judicial activism, particularly when it was used to circumvent the democratic process on social issues. Scalia once said that that judges were crossing the line when it came to deciding matters of abortion and gay rights. Lawyers, in particular, are at fault, he added. [Lawyers] are not trained to be moral philosophers, which is what it takes to determine whether there should be, and hence is, a right to abortion, or homosexual sodomy, assisted suicide, et cetera And history is a rock-hard science compared to moral philosophy. Among his decisions in cases involving social issues, Scalia opposed federal legalization of abortion; said same-sex marriage was incoherent; and opposed banning homosexual sodomy laws. 5. Scalia was a devout traditionalist Roman Catholic (one of his sons is a Catholic priest). In an interview in 2013, New York magazine asked him, Isnt it terribly frightening to believe in the Devil? Scalia replied, Youre looking at me as though Im weird. My God! Are you so out of touch with most of America, most of which believes in the Devil? I mean, Jesus Christ believed in the Devil! Its in the Gospels! You travel in circles that are so, so removed from mainstream America that you are appalled that anybody would believe in the Devil! Most of mankind has believed in the Devil, for all of history. Many more intelligent people than you or me have believed in the Devil. His critics frequently claimed that as a Catholic justice he was letting his faith influence his rulings. He responded by saying that, There is no such thing as a Catholic judge, just as there is no such thing as a Catholic way to cook a hamburger. He later admitted there were only two teachings of his faith that affect his judicial work: Be thou perfect as thy heavenly Father is perfect, and Thou shalt not lie. President Barack Obama's proposed 2017 budget, which called for a new $10-per-barrel tax on U.S. crude oil, and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to delay implementation of the Clean Power Plan were big news last week. But the decline of crude oil prices below $30 had oil producers' attention. Obama's tax was said to be "dead on arrival" by most Republicans and even some Democrats. The Supreme Court's decision had everyone puzzled because it was the first time the nation's highest court had delayed implementation of a regulation before the Court of Appeals had issued its opinion. However, the 27 states that filed the lawsuit were delighted the Clean Power Plan has been delayed. Meanwhile, back in the oil patch, posted crude oil prices in most regions of Texas averaged about $24 per barrel, and trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange for 30-day delivery was $27.45 on Feb. 11. Huge crude oil inventories worldwide and in the U.S. were the primary forces driving prices even lower. Inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, rose 523,000 barrels to a record high just shy of 65 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. Nationwide crude oil stockpiles were 502 million barrels. The world is so awash with crude oil that BP CEO Bob Dudley said people will be filling their swimming pools with it by the end of the year. Traders see the huge supply as a potentially profitable opportunity by turning supertankers into temporary floating storage facilities. Traders exploit a price structure called "super-contango" to profit from storing oil at sea. During the last price collapse in 2008 and 2009, trading houses made billions of dollars by stockpiling crude at sea. At the peak of the floating storage spree, sheltered anchorages in the North Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Singapore Strait and off South Africa each hosted dozens of supertankers. Floating storage is profitable when the market reaches super-contango. In a contango market, prices of oil for delivery today are lower than those in future months. Buyers with access to storage can fill up their tanks with cheap crude and sell higher-priced futures contracts to lock in a profit. This has been happening throughout the oil slump using onshore tanks, which are now starting to fill up. As onshore storage rises toward full capacity, the market is slowly moving into super-contango territory, when one-year forward prices trade at a premium of $10 per barrel or more. The price difference between WTI futures for March delivery and one year later was $11.49 Feb. 10, the highest in almost a year. The gap was as wide as $24 in 2009. Bill Thomas, chief executive at EOG Resources, the largest oil producer in Texas, told attendees at an industry conference in Houston that his company won't start boosting output the first time oil hits $60 per barrel. "We're going to make sure the market is in good shape, it's balanced, and we've got a future," Thomas said. "We don't want to ramp it up and drive the price of oil down again." When prices do rise again, the memory of the crash will still be fresh, which will make everyone from bankers to former roughnecks wary about getting involved with the oil industry again. "It's not really like just turning on the light switch," Thomas said. "The industry kind of tried that last year and it didn't work. We're not going to do that again." Alex Mills is president of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. Patrick Dove/Standard-Times Horse trainer and trick rider Bobby Kerr fires off a few rounds from a shotgun during Friday nights rodeo performance at Foster Communications Coliseum. Bobby Kerr Mustang Acts makes a fourth appearance in the Sunday matinee Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeo performance in the Foster Communications Coliseum, which starts at 3 p.m. Billed as "a wild sideshow at the rodeo," Bobby Kerr captured three wild mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management and trained them to do tricks and wow the crowds as he travels to different events. He has been in horse training for more than 40 years and is noted for training and showing reining, roping, working cow horses and cutting horses. Kerr and his horse Trigger demonstrate a rope trick in a picture on his website. Trigger is lying flat on the ground while Kerr stands on top and does rope tricks. He said the trick was achieved through many hours of practice and a trusted bond between horse and trainer in preparation for the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. He said it took about four months to train Trigger, a wild horse from Wyoming. The pair have been touring rodeos across the country to raise awareness about the wild horses. "In my 30-year involvement with the Cow Palace and the Grand National, we have had specialty acts from all over the world," said Seth Doulton, Grand National manger. "None of the acts we have ever had was received with such overwhelming applause" as Bobby Kerr and his mustangs." Kerr was voted Fan Favorite in the 2011 Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover, placing fourth on Poncho and fifth on Lefty. He was the champion in the Legends division of the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover in 2012. In 2015 Kerr was nominated in the top five for PRCA Specialty Act of the Year. Kerr is the founder of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame now located in the Stockyards in Fort Worth. He is also a talented craftsman. For more than 20 years he owned and operated Cowboy Art, creating many custom metal signs and fixtures that were purchased and collected by people all over the world. From home decor, Kerr moved on to custom motorcycles, which he designed and built with his son, Cody. Cody was the mechanic, they both did the fabrication, and Bobby did all the painting. Elsewhere on the fairgrounds Sunday, the crossbreeds of the Certified Texas Bred Registry Texas Star Gilt show will be underway starting at 8 a.m. in the Sheep, Goat and Swine Barn. Also, the Junior Breeding Gilt Show will be in an adjoining show arena. The open Boer Goat Show will start at 8 a.m. in the South Livestock Barn. Across the midway at the Housley Communications Cattle Barn, the Junior Breeding Heifer Show starts at 8 a.m. Featured breeds include Hereford, Maine-Anjou, Limousin, Chianina, Brangus, Beefmaster and Santa Gertrudis. The Wells Fargo Pavilion Commercial Exhibits, Creative Arts Building and midway food vendors open at 11 a.m. The carnival opens at noon. Jerry Lackey is agriculture editor emeritus. Contact him at jlackey@wcc.net or 325-949-2291. On Monday, singer Bettye LaVette, who has been performing professionally for more than 50 years will find out if her latest album Worthy is worthy of Best Blues Album by Grammy voters. SHARE By Sasha Frere-Jones Los Angeles Times (Tns) LOS ANGELES It feels odd to congratulate an awards ceremony that is already an exercise in self-congratulation. It's a bit like saying, "Thank you for cashing the check I sent you!" But the 58th Grammy Awards deserve applause, no matter which musicians take home Grammys on Monday night. The Grammys stand out by comparison with their cinematic sibling, the Oscars. The (hashtag)OscarsSoWhite controversy revealed an academy so out of touch it was practically crying out for an intervention. The Grammys are in touch, mostly. The major nominees this year are popular, respected and involved in the work of writing, and updating, the language of popular music. Kendrick Lamar has been nominated 11 times for "To Pimp a Butterfly," one shy of the record for one album set by Michael Jackson for "Thriller" in 1984. That makes sense. I grew up watching light rock acts like Christopher Cross beat Aerosmith and waiting for the Recording Academy to realize rap not only existed but also was important. Now the worst thing that could happen Monday night is that the Weeknd wins album of the year. Would that be bad because I don't love the album? No, all five nominees for album of the year, as in most categories, are good and relevant, and that's the point. The Grammys would have to do something really odd to screw this one up. Since 2012, artists have been winning Grammys while they are having an influence. That year, an overhaul streamlined the categories with consumer tastes in mind. No longer do we have Herbie Hancock winning album of the year for a set of Joni Mitchell covers. "River: The Joni Letters" from 2008 is an intermittently inspired album, especially when Hancock's piano is channeling Mitchell's melodies, but it was not the album of 2008 in any popular, critical or spiritual way. More to the point, it suffered the age-old Oscars problem, in musical terms. Instead of winning for something as uncanny and unprecedented as 1976's "Taxi Driver," Martin Scorsese had to wait 30 years to win the best picture Oscar in 2006 for "The Departed," a capable genre movie. In 1961, a 21-year-old Hancock appeared on Donald Byrd's taut "Free Form," which did not win album of the year or any other Grammy. That year, Bob Newhart's "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart" won album of the year. (It's on Spotify, if you're curious.) Neither Mitchell's "Hejira" and "Blue" won album of the year when they were eligible, nor did Hancock's classic '60s albums "Maiden Voyage" or "Speak Like a Child" win any Grammys. The 2008 awards Hancock also won for contemporary jazz album felt like an apology to Mitchell and Hancock and baffling to the rest of us. One has to assume that the win by "River" was a ballot bottleneck, with votes being split among too many overly specific categories, sort of a Ralph Nader moment for the Grammys. The categories are now easier to understand, but the music business has never been trickier to understand: Blame the new, tortured path from a listen to a royalty. Popularity, though, is now easier to measure: Thank the easily tracked Web click. These may be major keys to understanding why the Grammys have figured out how to host an awards show. The Los Angeles Times has reported on the alarming demographics of the Oscars voting bloc more than 90 percent white with a median age over 60, and able to vote unto death before rule changes just announced. We know less about the Grammy voters. It is a much larger cohort; with 20,000 people eligible to vote, compared with about 6,300 for the film academy. According to Recording Academy rules, those Grammy voters must be pros with credits on at least six commercially released tracks. Maybe to vote on the Oscars you can be some random suit, or a guy who walked across the screen once in "Point Break." But not the Grammys. The voters are people in the act of making records, consistently. A 300-person screening committee then goes through the 20,000 ballots, under the supervision of the Deloitte accounting firm. What comes out the other end? The nominations. Aside from being an awards ceremony, the Grammys are an old-fashioned spectacle, where set pieces and musical numbers can fill in the blanks missed by nominations. Because every awards fandango has a chronological eligibility bracket, there is always the slightly old material that feels out of place and the obvious absence of something popular say, Adele's "25" that was released right after the cutoff. This is where performances come in. Rihanna's "Anti" was just released but is playing pretty much everywhere. Whether it is the best "Anti" it could be it's close it is deeply relevant. So Rihanna will be performing. The old Recording Academy might have been too confused by the nature of sales nowadays to figure out what to do with Rihanna. One cannot be blamed here is how "Anti" came out. On Jan. 27, Samsung sponsored a limited giveaway of "Anti," which I happened to learn about because I saw a tweet and was awake. (Thank you, Pacific Standard Time.) For reasons I did not entirely understand, I was allowed to download a FLAC version (a high-quality digital format) of "Anti" for no money, as did 1.27 million other people. The free downloads stopped the next day. On Jan. 29, "Anti" starting being sold through digital retailers, and on Feb. 5, the physical version became available. Back up, though on Feb. 1, The New York Times questioned "Anti" with this headline: "Rihanna's 'Anti' Sells Fewer Than 1,000 Copies in U.S., but Some Call It a Hit." The next day, Rihanna's Instagram account announced "#ANTI is now officially PLATINUM!!!" So there's the problem that the music industry and the Grammys are always up against. Is there any way to accurately count music sales anymore? The New York Times reported that those 1 million Samsung downloads had led the Recording Academy to award Rihanna a platinum plaque. This was true. But Nielsen Music did not count those Samsung-sponsored downloads as sales. Billboard, yet a third organization, now has "Anti" at No. 1 on the album charts, based on what it calls "multi-metric consumption." This means that Billboard takes into account a combination of digital sales, physical sales and streaming numbers. The result is fairly accurate, in terms of what people are doing with their listening time; that No. 1 on the Billboard 200 makes more sense than Bob Newhart's 1961 album of the year. But the math is dizzy across the board. According to Nielsen Music, "Anti" has been credited with 180,000 "total consumption" units. This includes 124,000 album sales, 456,000 individual track sales and 15.6 million on-demand streams (500 streams are equivalent to one album sale, as Nielsen counts it). In the old days, 180,000 wasn't halfway to gold status. But maybe the Recording Academy has realized the Old World is old. What will happen on Monday? Lamar, Taylor Swift and Chris Stapleton will likely divide most of the awards, with Lamar taking home the lion's share. The rock categories and new artist category look dodgy, and there could be an unfortunate appearance by Seth MacFarlane, "traditional pop vocalist." The ghost of Bob Newhart, "recording artist," haunts the building. But Rihanna can put the ghosts to bed, at least for a year. Plaque being placed in honor of Uziyah Garcia at San Angelo Kid's Kingdom A plaque will be placed in the San Angelo Kid's Kingdom in honor of Uziyah Garcia, a San Angeloan who was killed in the mass shooting in Uvalde. photos by Andrew Mitchell/Standard-Times Volunteers Evelyn Hyman (left) and Mary Hankins (right) prepare plates of chili cheese hot dogs and potato chips for people who have come to the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen located at Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church in San Angelo on April 2. Top: Plates hold cookies for The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, which offers free daily meals for everyone who needs a meal. SHARE Andrew Mitchell/Standard-Times The Daily Bread Soup Kitchen offers free daily meals from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and everyone is welcome to eat as often as they would like. Shot/Archived: 4.02.2014 A man at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen adds relish and other toppings to his chili-cheese hot dog April 2. The soup kitchen does not have requirements who can and cannot eat and offers free food daily from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Daily Bread soup kitchen feeding more than 100 people 6 days a week By Becca Nelson Sankey Special To The Standard-Times Wesley Trinity Daily Bread Program, a ministry of Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church, is a nonprofit charity. Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to The Daily Bread, 301 W. 18th St., San Angelo, TX 76903. In 1984, Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Wesley United Methodist Church teamed up to offer a ministry for the hungry. Through 30 years of changes ? including in leadership, names and the services the soup kitchen provides ? what is now known as Wesley Trinity Daily Bread Program continues to feed more than 100 people six days a week, often providing its patrons their only meal of the day. The soup kitchen, now a ministry primarily of Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church, is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 301 W. 18th St. "Not much has changed, but we've improved a lot of things," said Pamela Burke, the soup kitchen's director since February 2013, after Mary Hankins retired. "We've improved the setup of the dining room and the aesthetics of the dining room. We open our clothes closet more frequently than in the past; we have a larger selection, and we've done some administrative changes with the volunteers in the kitchen: We do a monthly calendar where everyone indicates what they want to cook for the day. There's also more outreach to area businesses for donations, such as good clothing." A nonprofit, 501(c) organization, the soup kitchen's food is donated by individuals and churches, said Ola McCorkle, volunteer coordinator. H-E-B donates all the kitchen's bread and some food is purchased from the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. In addition to lunch, the soup kitchen offers clothing, has a nurse and a counselor from West Texas Counseling & Guidance who visits with patrons in need of their services. "There are many different people who come here who have many different types of issues" that affect their mental health, Burke said. "It allows people the time to sit down and talk to someone and hash through those issues. If they didn't have this, they'd have very little counseling support because these people can't afford to go to a counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist." If a serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is suspected, WTCG might then refer the individual for further help and treatment, McCorkle said. While counseling was added to the program in April 2012, a nurse has been available at least 10 years, McCorkle said. "We have quite a few people who have health issues with diabetes, some with mental problems and (those professionals) are better able to deal with some of the things that we see on a daily basis," she said. The soup kitchen is operated solely by volunteers, Burke said. Ten to 15 assist each day, she said. "There's the military, churches and organizations that supply our volunteers, and they're a different group every day," Burke said. On average, 165 people eat at the soup kitchen per day, Burke said. That number spikes to 230 or 245 toward the middle and end of the month, when individuals' paychecks dwindle. Some patrons don't have jobs, McCorkle added, and the majority is homeless. "Here lately we've been seeing new faces we haven't seen before," she said. "We still have our regulars who come, but we're seeing some new people here lately. I've gone out and talked to some of the people there and you ask them, ?Why do you come (to San Angelo)?' And they're looking for jobs." The soup kitchen's meals are something they deeply appreciate, Burke said. "You're always getting a thank-you," she said. "As people walk out the door they'll tell you, ?Great meal, appreciate it.'" Burke began volunteering at the soup kitchen upon retiring in San Angelo and steadily began taking on more responsibilities before becoming its director. She said she quickly grew to love its familiar faces and the camaraderie it offered. "I enjoy the people," she said. "In a very short period of time, you get to know a lot of people and you learn all kinds of things about them. It's almost like having a lot of friends at once because you know their family background in some situations; you know what brought them here. There's nothing like walking into a facility and hearing everybody say, ?Hey Pam! How are you today?' Or even walking into a Walmart (and hearing that), because I see people all over town. "You're providing something they need, and they really need to be fed. There are some people for whom this will be their main meal for the day, and we're providing it to them." Laura Skelding/Austin American-Statesman/TNS Lawyers Barbara Hines (right), founder of immigration law clinic at University of Texas, and Denise Gilman (left) who directs the clinic, work on immigrants cases for free. SHARE The fearful cross into the U.S. for help By Jazmine Ulloa AUSTIN More than 120 women with children loaded into government vehicles and shuffled from city to city arrived last month at the immigrant family detention center in Dilley, adding to the caseloads of lawyers working out of a large mobile home on the grounds. On an overcast Tuesday, days after deportation raids rattled the Atlanta area, the rooms buzzed. Toddlers played in the visitation area. Babies cried. Center staffers kept watch. Amid the bustle were Barbara Hines and Denise Gilman. Anyone who has practiced immigration law in Texas or the country has heard of Hines, founder of the immigration law clinic at the University of Texas, renowned for bringing international attention to the grim conditions at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center in Taylor in 2006. Working at her side for the past eight years has been Gilman, 47, an attorney and law professor who has directed the clinic since Hines, 68, retired more than a year ago. Hines and Gilman are among the chief architects of a network of lawyers, legal assistants, students and volunteers who work on immigrants' cases for free at the two family detention centers that opened in the summer of 2014 in South Texas. With scarce resources and the threat of deportations, the women get help from the lawyers to make their best case for asylum. As federal agencies have struggled with a peak of nearly 60,000 children and teens crossing into the United States without their parents, mostly from Central America, the Obama administration has sped up the deportation proceedings of another nearly 60,000 mothers and children who crossed together. Federal officials say the expedited deportations are necessary to deter other immigrant families from making the journey north and to reduce the number of people already here. A second influx of 10,500 Central Americans crossing the southern border prompted the immigration raids in early January. Under international and domestic laws, refugees must first step foot within U.S. borders to seek asylum in the United States, and escaping violence is not enough to receive the legal protection. Rather, people must show a fear of persecution based on religion, race or political opinion or show they are endangered members of a "particular social group," a gray area that has helped U.S. immigration lawyers, like Hines and Gilman, argue that their clients are members, for instance, of a family targeted by gangs or drug cartels. Children and their mothers face expedited removal, often in a matter of days, unless they can demonstrate in an initial screening that they have "credible fear" of persecution or torture if deported to their home country. At no point in the process are immigrant women and minors entitled to a lawyer if they cannot afford one, leaving the majority of mothers to navigate a complex and foreign system without guidance. "These are life-and-death stakes, and it is so important to have dedicated counsel helping families through the process," said Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrant Rights' Clinic at Columbia Law School. The Obama administration says the system is still fair, even while it works faster than before. "Each of these individuals is considered on a case-by-case basis for any sort of humanitarian or asylum claims they may have to make. And their legal remedies are exhausted before they are deported," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said last month after the immigration raids. "We are committed to working through due process on a case-by-case basis." Hines never dreamed the United States would return to a family detention policy, not under President Barack Obama, not after what she saw at the Hutto center in Taylor. First, Hines turned to the media. But she had no coalition. When reporters were not interested, she said, she decided the clinic needed to represent the women and called the American Civil Liberties Union. "She talked about it everywhere to anyone she could, and she mobilized the ACLU to move faster than we ever had in terms of putting together a lawsuit," said Lisa Graybill, who at the time served as the legal director for the ACLU of Texas. "When they put Hutto in Texas, they didn't count on the fact of there being a Barbara Hines." The Hutto facility now houses only adult women after the ACLU and the UT law clinic reached a settlement with the government in 2007. The litigation improved conditions at the center and shortened the length of time families could be held. It also led to broader reform within the immigration detention system, such as the re-evaluation of medical care for detainees, said Alonzo Pena, retired Immigration and Customs Enforcement deputy director. The attention "was something that I say was sorely needed, and it has had a positive impact," he said. Gilman arrived at UT days after the Hutto settlement. Together, she and Hines were at the forefront of lawyers and activists who continued to bring attention to the facility until Obama ended the detention of families there in 2009. Now they are once more at the front lines. But this time, there are nonprofits, church groups, law student clinics and dozens of immigration lawyers working alongside them. Hines and Gilman were among the first lawyers to mobilize efforts to represent women at the 830-bed Karnes County Residential Center, about 50 miles southeast of San Antonio, reaching out to attorneys, former students and large law firms across the country. Hines also gained access at the 2,400-bed South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley for Mukherjee and her immigration clinic. Molly Hennessy-Fiske/Los Angeles Times/TNS The Central American immigrant mothers and children are dropped off by federal immigration staff at the Greyhound bus station every night in downtown San Antonio, released from detention centers with bus tickets and little else. And every night, a team of volunteers from across the state and region greet them, offering food, toiletries, temporary housing at a local shelter and help as they pursue their immigration cases. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske/Los Angeles Times/TNS) SHARE Advocates keep track of recipients By Molly Hennessy-Fiske HOUSTON A federal government contractor is issuing smartphones to immigrant families released from two massive Texas detention centers as a way to ensure that they are able to contact case managers and reach their U.S. destinations. Officials described the phones as part of a less-restrictive alternative to detention programs designed to make sure low-risk immigrant families with pending cases show up for court. The phones, they said, are not used to track or monitor immigrants but rather as a safety net. But immigrant advocates were skeptical of the new phones, and the program. "It is concerning whether the women are being tracked through their phones and whether their communications with counsel are confidential," said Jonathan Ryan, executive director of Raices, a San Antonio-based immigrant legal advocacy group. The number of immigrant families crossing the border illegally has skyrocketed this year: 24,616 family members were caught at the southern border from October through January, almost triple the number during the same period a year earlier. Yaneth Guevara Leyva, who has a pending asylum case, said she received a Galaxy 4 smartphone complete with voice and Internet service after she was released from one of the Texas detention centers two weeks ago. She said she was told she was being placed in a family case management program along with her children, ages 7 and 2. "They told me I was selected because I have small children and for my case, because I was a victim of domestic violence," Guevara said. "I was surprised because I thought I would get ankle monitors." Guevara, 29, worked selling food from her home in northern El Salvador, but fled what she described as abuse at the hands of her husband in October. She left without a cellphone, attempting to reunite with her two older brothers in Southern California. After she was released from the detention center, she used the new phone to catch a direct bus with her children to Los Angeles on Jan. 31. Guevara said she wasn't worried her conversations would be monitored, noting that she never signed forms consenting to that. She said she returned the phone, as she expected she would, at her first appointment with a case manager from GEO Care, the contractor running the program. "They tell us not to be afraid; they say they're here to help us. I feel good about it," she said. Advocates have been sharing cellphones for years with immigrant families dropped off by detention center staff at a San Antonio bus station, allowing them to call and send photos to family members they plan to meet. "One of the first things they always wanted to get was cellphones before undertaking the long journey," Ryan said, but those who buy phones often cannot afford the bills that follow. The new smartphones are free, yet immigrant advocates worry they may be used to secretly monitor the users. "Considering the number of entities monitoring cellphones in general, it's hard to believe they're not being tracked at all," Ryan said. He said advocates were especially suspicious because GEO Care is part of GEO Group, the Boca Raton, Fla.-based prison company that issues ankle monitors to immigrant families and runs eight immigrant detention centers, including the Texas family detention center where Guevara was held. Participants must be considered low risk, meaning they would not otherwise be held in detention as their cases progress or issued ankle monitors, officials said. John Gill/Special to the Standard-Times The receding lake level from the shoreline means fishermen struggle to find structure to cast to at O.H. Ivie Reservoir. SHARE Still, it's fairing better than others By John Gill Special To The Standard-Times O.H. Ivie Reservoir was crowned the best big bass producer among Texas lakes in this year's ShareLunker program, but the diminishing water level resulting from the drought have some people worried about its future as a hot spot for fishing. Ivie anglers sent seven bass to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, just ahead of Falcon Lake near Zapata, which had six lunkers. According to Bobby Farquhar, regional fishery director of the Parks and Wildlife Department in San Angelo, three black bass weighing more than 13 pounds have been taken from Ivie since the program ended last month. "Ivie is low, really low, but it keeps cranking out the big bass," he said. But will it continue to? Farquhar has some doubts because the lake is at less than 20 percent of the 19,149 surface acres it covers when it's full. "I'm sure that Ivie had a spawn this year, but I question how many of the young fish will survive. There is not much cover in the water. Grass, trees and other timber is high and dry since the level has dropped so much," he said. Larry Hodge, spokesman for the Parks and Wildlife Department, also is fretting the falling water level at Ivie, and at other West Texas lakes as well. "This season's ShareLunker program has been different. Off and on cold weather has delayed spawning from Lake Texoma in far North Texas to Falcon in deep South Texas," he said recently. "Going forward, our biologists are concerned that some West Texas lakes have been so low during the typical spawning months of February through April that hatches were slim." He added, "Over the years, it seems like West Texas lakes constantly go through boom or bust periods. Rain patterns and drought has our team of fishery people here at the fishery division concerned. It's our job to maintain the best fishery conditions possible for our Texas anglers. Weather patterns and effects of global warming may cause our fishery division to take a close look at how we do business in the future," Hodge said. And right now that future isn't especially bright. "There will be events of heavy rain across various areas of the state, but trending to the north and east. We believe it's due to global warming effects," Hodge said. "Our state fisheries group may be called upon to produce more hatchery-raised fish if spawning conditions are not seasonally good in our many Texas lakes. Natural reproduction always outweighs hatchery methods, but we're going to be ready to do what it takes to provide good fishing," he said. Farquhar agrees. "It may take a restocking of Ivie with Florida bass to bring it back if levels continue to drop. If rains raise lake levels this year, I feel we have enough big bass in Ivie to make a comeback." Low water levels have forced the closing of some launching ramps on Ivie, and park officials are constantly scrambling to extend others to meet lake levels. Rains during the last two weeks of April filled most lakes in North Texas, but for those reservoirs south and west of Dallas it was a different picture. "South and West Texas lakes are still suffering from a lack of precipitation," Hodge said. Amistad Reservoir near Del Rio is near conservation level, thanks to good rainfall in the mountains of Northern Mexico. Flooding in Louisiana was expected to fill Toledo Bend Reservoir. Local lakes, except Lake Nasworthy, remain extremely low. "O.C. Fisher is lost," Farquhar said. "When water conditions improve, the lake, without question, will need to be restocked. Twin Buttes is so low that it's almost impossible to launch a boat there. It's approaching the critical level too. "We'll probably do a fish sampling of Twin Buttes this fall in order to check populations of game fish," he said. SHARE SAN ANGELO Tom Green County gets new 4-H agent Sherri "Jaye" Chasteen is the new 4-H youth development agent for Tom Green County. She fills the position previously held by Courtney Redman, who recently transferred to the county's family and consumer sciences post. Chasteen previously worked as the Tom Green County 4-H program assistant. She also worked as a veterinary assistant in San Angelo and in Burnet County, and as a lab technician in San Angelo and kennel technician in Florence. Chasteen earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Angelo State University in animal science. ABILENE Wildlife Expo coming Feb. 23-24 The 2016 Texas Farm, Ranch & Wildlife Expo will be Feb. 23-24 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. The Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Annual Meeting will be Feb. 23. The day's program will include the Big Country Range Management Seminar, Town and Country Women's Fair, Bird Dog Training, Cotton Production Seminar and Craig Cameron Working Horse Clinic. The Feb. 24 program will include the annual chamber of commerce luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with keynote speaker J. Lynn Lawhon, DVM. The farm family of the year presentation will also be made. BIG SPRING Cotton conference scheduled March 1 The multicounty Permian Basin Cotton Conference will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 1 at the G.C. Broughton Jr. Ag Complex in Big Spring. The complex is at 2411 Echols Drive on the Howard College campus. Conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the conference and its accompanying trade show include the counties of Howard, Martin, Midland, Glasscock, Upton and Reagan. For more information, call any of these county AgriLife offices: Howard, 432-264-2236; Martin, 432-756-3316; Upton, 432-693-2313; Glasscock, 432-354-2381; and Reagan, 325-884-2335. COLLEGE STATION Oil, gas leasing topic of workshop A free half-day oil and gas workshop will assist landowners in negotiating leases as well as learning more about surface agreements and other important topics, according to organizers. The workshop will be 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 22 at the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM '56 Equine Complex at Texas A&M University in College Station. The workshop is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Oklahoma State University department of agricultural economics, with grant funding from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Southern Risk Management Education Center. For more information, call 806-677-5668. Compiled by Jerry Lackey SHARE Ballot will include local, national races By Staff Reports Voters in Tom Green County and across Texas can cast ballots over the next two weeks for their choice of a party nominee for several public offices, with early voting beginning Tuesday and primary election voting day March 1. The nominees for each party will run in the Nov. 8 general election. The ballot has choices ranging from national to local. Voters can pick their choices for presidential nominees, commissioners for the Railroad Commission of Texas and several state court judges, along with local offices such as district attorney and district court judge. Texas is an open primary state, which means voters can sign in as either Democrats or Republicans but can vote for the candidates in only one of the two parties, not both. Registering for either party does not involve a commitment to vote a specific way in the November general election but it does show up as a party affiliation on the county voters list in the primary election record. At the presidential level, the primary is far more complex than most people would assume. Both parties use a complex delegate system of proportional commitments to the nominating conventions which can have unexpected results in years when there are a large number of viable candidates, as in the Republican race, or a two-candidate race that is very close, as with the Democrats. The Republican nominating convention takes place July 18-21 in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Democrats hold theirs July 25-28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Texas, with 155 Republican delegates and more than 250 Democrat delegates, is the largest of the states going to the polls March 1, also called Super Tuesday because 13 other states and two territories hold their primaries the same day. By the time the Texas primary comes around, seven states will have voted. Primaries continue through June 14, when the last one is held by Democrats in the District of Columbia. Early voting Early voting for the March 1 Primary election will begin Tuesday and continue through Feb. 26, according to a news release from the election office. All early voting will be conducted in the Tom Green County Election Office located on the first floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building, 113 W. Beauregard Ave. Hours for early voting will be: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday 12:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 22-26 County offices will be closed Monday because of the Presidents Day holiday but voice mail is available for messages. Voters are also reminded that if they wish to vote in the March 1 primary, they must mark a party choice on the application. Voters may vote with paper ballots or electronically. Paper ballots will be offered only during early voting. Ballot by Mail applications must be received by the election office by Feb. 19. Ballot by mail applications, voting schedules, polling place locations as well as sample ballots may be found on the election website: www.votetomgreencounty.org. For more information, call 325-659-6541 or email elections@co.tom-green.tx.us. SHARE Ballinger NASA items coming to Carnegie Library The Carnegie Library will host an exhibit of items from NASA in Houston from March 9-23. Items include an astronaut jumpsuit, an Apollo helmet, six moon rock replicas, real space food examples, a NASA food poster display, a special glove for spacewalks, a 5-foot space shuttle on a 747 model and a 5-foot space shuttle with booster rockets on a launchpad. The library also will have various science activities, space reading, space writing projects, space art projects and some space surprises throughout March. Tours are available for students. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The library will be open during spring break. For more information, call 325-365-3616. Fort Stockton Bids sought to construct theater The Fort Stockton Community Theatre is seeking bids from general building contractors for a new theater facility at 100 S. Nelson St.. The new building will be 5,100 square feet and make use of the existing 3,002-square-foot theater building at 102 S. Nelson. Schematic drawings are available to aid the bidding process. Contractors should contact Tracy Alexander at 432-336-9300, ext. 221, or fsct@directbytes.net for more information. The FSCT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and construction will be funded through grants and donations. Bids should be submitted by 5 p.m. March 31. Miles Graves named Principal of Year Miles Junior High and High School principal Robin Graves was named the 2015-16 Region XV Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Graves has been at Miles ISD for 11 years as a math teacher and secondary principal. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University and holds a Master of Education in School Administration degree from Angelo State University. She serves on the TASSP board of directors and is active in the Miles Lions Club, the Miles Cub Scouts and the Miles United Methodist Church. Graves previously taught in Mesquite, San Angelo and Cotton Center. Rowena Youth group plans aluminum can drive The SPJST Lodge 49 youth group is sponsoring an aluminum can drive to support its activities. Cans can be dropped off in the trailer by the lodge hall on Concho Street. For more information, call 325-656-0029. Winters Travel Market construction set Construction will begin soon on The Crossing Travel Market at U.S. 83 and State Highway 183. The 7-acre site will include a convenience store and travel market with quick-service food options, indoor seating for 40 patrons, covered outdoor seating, a 10-position passenger vehicle fueling island and a truck/fleet island with five fueling lanes. Truck parking, showers, a washer and dryer and a relaxation lounge also will be available. An opening date is scheduled for late fall. Staff reports SHARE Goodwin By Rashda Khan Local attorney Brad Goodwin's decision to seek the 391st District Court judgeship has a lot to do with his father, the late Ronnie Goodwin. "My dad was very involved in the community. He taught us to not just sit back, but get involved," said Goodwin, a Republican. "I grew up in San Angelo, I know how important this job is to the community." Goodwin, who earned his law degree from the University of Tulsa and has a business degree from Baylor, said he has 23 years of experience and the skill sets needed for the job. "It boils down to personal experience." The 391st hears criminal cases (adult and juvenile), civil cases and family law cases. Goodwin's career highlights include working as lead felony prosecutor for the El Paso District Attorney's Office, serving as the chief of the Gang and Juvenile Prosecution Unit for the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney's Office and having a civil litigation practice in Dallas. "A lot of attorneys have an 'either-or' experience they either have civil experience or criminal experience," he said. "I'm very fortunate in the fact I have both and at the highest levels. I have prosecuted murderers on the criminal side and defended multimillion-dollar lawsuits on the civil side." Goodwin added he has tried cases as far east as Marshall, as far west as El Paso, as far north as Lubbock and as far south as Houston. He returned to San Angelo in 2004 to practice law with his father. When his father retired, he formed his current firm, Goodwin & Scott, LLP. He thinks the "cases that really have impact are criminal cases." Goodwin explained the 391st is the only district court that hears juvenile criminal cases and "this includes multiple juvenile hearings presented to Judge Gossett, many days a week." Goodwin said one of the challenges facing the 391st District Court is to keep things moving. He wants to build on the processes put into place by Judge Tom Gossett, who is retiring, and add lessons he's learned from other places. "I just want to continue on with the good work, emphasize the positive and add in new things." When he was a prosecutor in El Paso, his docket was called the "Rocket Docket," he said. "My judge was very quick. I had to get ready for 10 trials every week, and if one out of five pleaded, I had to be ready to go on to No. 6," Goodwin said. "You really learned to be efficient. It was hard work, but it was great training." Goodwin is a graduate of Leadership San Angelo and has been involved with boards for the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He is a former president of Tom Green County Bar Association and an active member of First United Methodist Church. SHARE Ruiz ran for the commissioners seat against Ralph Hoelscher in 2012. By Michelle Gaitan of the San Angelo Standard-Times Primary voters are getting a second option when it comes to who they want to represent Precinct 1 on the Tom Green County Commissioners Court. Willie Ruiz is vying for the spot against incumbent Ralph Hoelscher in the Republican primary March 1. Early voting takes place Feb. 16-26. "I want to be the next county commissioner of Precinct 1 to be able to use my experience in the finance and accounting field in refining our county budget, resulting in lowering of the county tax rate," Ruiz wrote in an email. "I also look forward to taking part in helping the county with the upcoming construction projects, including the new county jail and courthouse renovation." Ruiz ran for the commissioner's seat against Hoelscher in 2012. He is counting on his background to catch voters' eyes when they head to the polls. "I bring a new perspective, over 25 years' experience in the finance and accounting fields, (and) I have experience in seeking the best resolution to problems in regard to budgets, financial planning and analysis," he said. "I also bring experience in working on roads and pad building, gained from working in the oil fields." "Property valuations have increased over the last 12 years, by 50 (percent) or more in many cases, resulting in increased revenues without having to increase the property tax rate. This has caused a tax burden on the property owner," he said. "I'm in favor of lowering the tax rate 10 (percent) over the next four years to alleviate the tax burden on the property owner. Lowering the tax rate will foster businesses and people to move here and will result in an increase in the tax base." Besides his stance on taxation, and much like his competitor, Ruiz said he is in favor of protecting county parks, creating a new library for the city's north side and constructing a new county jail. "The current county government has been doing a good job; I would like (to) make contributions using my talents and work experience to see it improve into the next level," Ruiz said, noting that the county government could do more to reach out to Spanish speakers. "An area that could be improved is approachability," he said. "There are many Hispanics in our community that have told me they have issues to bring to the county court but don't because of a language barrier. I'm fluent in Spanish and I could be an essential part of the county government in encouraging those holding back to present their issues." Ruiz is a graduate of Angelo State University, a rancher and farmer in Tom Green County and has been married for 33 years to his wife, Letty. Marlon Sorto/Austin American-Statesman/TNS Yanira Lopez (left) an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, talks during a public hearing in December. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is expected to announce soon whether it will license Texas facilities that house undocumented mothers and children. SHARE State faces difficult decision: licensing or turning people loose By Andrea Ball AUSTIN The speakers trekked to the podium one after another, simultaneously lambasting and pleading with a panel of child protection officials weighing the fate of thousands of immigrant mothers and children in detention centers. Why on earth, they demanded to know, would state officials even think about licensing these places as child care facilities? "They are prisons, plain and simple," said Antonio Diaz, an anti-detention center advocate with the Texas Indigenous Council. "They are prisons for profit." And so it went for four hours at the December public hearing on whether the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services should license and regulate two Texas facilities that house undocumented mothers and children. But that debate is coming to an end. The agency is expected to announce its decision in the coming weeks. At stake is whether the Texas detention centers, built after the 2014 influx of Central American families and children into the state, will remain open for business. Until recently, state officials have insisted they have to license the detention centers for the sake of the children because they are "in imminent peril." But in late January state officials publicly said for the first time that the licensing move which would reverse a decade-old stance is about immigration control. They say they feel compelled to act because of a July decision by a federal court judge that banned federal authorities from housing children in facilities not licensed by state child welfare agencies. "The (judge's) decision left Texas and the federal government with an option to regulate the facility, or have these illegal immigrants released into Texas communities without regard for the federal government's immigration disposition process," Department of Family and Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins told the Austin American-Statesman. "The federal government therefore requested licensure to prevent this, and Texas agreed." Immigration advocates say the statement confirms what they've been saying all along. "This is not about the welfare of children," said Bob Libal with Grassroots Leadership, a nonprofit that opposes the private prison industry. "This is a desperate attempt for the state to bail out the federal government's immigrant detention regime." It's not surprising that Latino mothers and children in Texas have taken center stage in the national brawl over immigration. For nearly two years the federal government has been struggling to stem the tide of tens of thousands of Central and South America immigrants crossing the U.S. border. What is unexpected, however, is the way the battle lines have been drawn. Texas officials have spent years suing the administration of President Barack Obama over immigration. Now they've sided with the administration. In a November letter to immigration advocates the governor's constituent communication division deputy director said Gov. Greg Abbott supports licensing. "While we appreciate you sharing your perspective, Governor Abbott's commitment to protecting the health and safety of these children will not be deterred," Dede Keith wrote. Immigrant rights advocates, whose child protection bent might suggest they'd want more oversight, oppose state licensing. They say regulating "baby jails" would help keep them open and are pushing for the families to be released into Texas communities. Immigration opponents agree that the centers should be closed, but so the detainees can be deported, not released. Family detention centers are locked facilities that can house as many as 3,300 immigrant women and children who have been deemed nonviolent and noncriminal. Most families in these centers are asylum seekers from Central or South American countries such as Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala fleeing drug and gang violence. Families generally stay at the centers for three weeks before they are released with ankle monitors to await their immigration proceedings, though advocates say some have remained there several months. Advocates say sending families back to their home countries is tantamount to a death sentence. "These are women and children fleeing some of the most violent circumstances in the world," said Denise Gilman, director of the UT Law School Immigration Clinic. "They need help." SHARE WASHINGTON South Carolina, the nation turns its troubled heart to you. And we expect you will rip it apart. In Texas, they say, politics is a contact sport. In South Carolina, it is a savage, gladiatorial spectacle. Case in point: the George W. Bush forces who ran the John McCain Straight Talk Express off the road in South Carolina and then pulverized it. McCain didn't know what hit him. And when a not-insignificant number of New Hampshire voters say they are torn between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, that is a confused electorate. Historians undoubtedly will say that one reason for the wild 2016 electoral ride was that Americans had lost faith in their institutions and didn't believe government worked for them. A pox on all their houses. Another factor has been the strange pull of celebrity on our psyche. Wealthy celebrities such as the Kardashians and Justin Bieber do outrageous things, but we're still fascinated by them. Trump says ridiculous, profane, stupid, insulting things, and he keeps winning. Possibly the strongest reason for our chaotic political system, in the short term, is that we are more polarized than we have been since the Civil War. Democrats are moving way to the left; Republicans are moving way to the right. The center does not hold. Iowa spoke. New Hampshire nodded. And now, after a brief interlude in Nevada, the South will yell. Are Sanders and Trump the inevitable nominees? Nope. The reason is that we don't elect our government by popular vote; we have an Electoral College. Percentages of the popular vote elect delegates who elect nominees both for the primaries and the general election. Super delegates (establishment types) will help Hillary Clinton. Independents will hurt Trump. Does that mean Sanders and Trump are finished? Nope. Trump has one-third of Republicans in his pocket, and his supporters are having a great time listening to him spout nonsense. He says so many outrageous things that we forget from week to week his latest assault on civility. Remember when he was saying he could stand on Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose a vote? Remember when he bragged he's got a great gene pool because his uncle taught at MIT? Remember when well, it's too disheartening. Sanders also is having a great time, reminding us inadvertently of how irritatingly insufferable Clinton can be. And what's up with her friends telling us we're going to hell if we don't vote for her and, really, young women voting for Sanders are just interested in stud muffins flocking to the campaign. Really? Sanders? At this stage, it is still a horse race. Oh, no. Chris Christie is faltering. Oops, he's out. Here comes Marco Rubio, riding hard on the inside stretch. Oh no. He stumbled. And there is John Kasich, the long shot, getting everyone's blood pumping. Oh my goodness. Jeb Bush is still flogging his horse, Also Ran, refusing to give up. And what about what's her name, Carly Fiorina, who can't even persuade the boys to let her on the debate stage. Oops, she's gone too. Does anybody know what happened to Ben Carson? After the Nevada Democratic caucuses and the South Carolina GOP primary Feb. 20, the Nevada GOP caucuses Feb. 23, and the South Carolina Democratic primary Feb. 27, we've got Alabama, the Alaskan GOP caucuses, the American Samoa Democratic caucuses, Arkansas, Colorado caucuses, Democrats abroad, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota caucuses, North Dakota GOP caucuses, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming GOP caucuses. all in one day. Mark March 1 on your calendars for another long night of TV. But the pundits (those self-important, despised, always-wrong political prognosticators) say we might not know who the nominees will be until well into May. We can only hope, what with "The Good Wife" going off the air. Oh yes, friends, we have miles to go before the nominating conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia in July. Miles and miles and miles and miles. Isn't this fun! Be gentle, South Carolina. Ann McFeatters is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Contact her at amcfeatters@nationalpress.com. Even if Anthony had a year to analyze and dissect each piece...(he couldn't tell if it would)... stand the harsh light of public exposure. WUWT insider Willis Eschenbach tells you all you need to know about Anthony Watts and his blog, WattsUpWithThat (WUWT). As part of his scathing commentary , Wondering Willis accuses Anthony Watts of being clueless about the blog articles he posts. To paraphrase: Click here to read more. Attackers can remain anonymous forever Cyberattacks are asymmetric: a single hacker is capable of successfully destroying an entire company Its cheap and easy for hackers to regroup almost anywhere, anytime, even if their systems are physically destroyed Organized crime has enthusiastically embraced cybercrime (i.e., dont expect them to play nice) All around the world, companies, governments and individuals are becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of effective solutions to our growing criminal problems in cyberspace. For many, the bad guys are not just winning, they are currently crushing the good guys with few negative consequences.When it comes to cybercrime, online attacks against critical systems, destructive malware and other forms of cyberattacks, more experts are coming to the conclusion that "just playing defense" is a losing online strategy in the long run.What can be done? One popular answer is taking the battle to the bad guys. People call it many different things, from offensive cybercapabilities to electronic countermeasures to strikeback to hacking back or hack back.While there are many different definitions and stories about hacking back , the term basically involves turning the tables on a cyberhacking assailant: thwarting or stopping the crime, or perhaps even trying to steal back what was taken.According to a growing number of security experts, there are steps that could be taken to allow for progress in this area.In a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing held in September last year , Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., noted that the nation's intelligence chiefs have lamented the lack of a clear national cyberdeterrence strategy Several other experts also testified on what cyber-counter-attack steps might make sense.But those discussions involved government actions. What about the private sector?Earlier in 2015, Juan Zarate, the former deputy national security adviser for counterterrorism during President George W. Bushs administration, told a forum at the Hudson Institute that The U.S. government should deputize private companies to strike back against cyberattackers as a way to discourage widespread threats against the nations businesses, a former government official says.Several panelists at the Hudson event contributed to a new report Furthermore, TheGuardian (UK) highlighted the perspectives of Dennis Blair, former director of national intelligence in the Obama administration, who has come out in favor of electronic countermeasures. Heres an excerpt:Beyond the fact that it is illegal to hack back, there are currently a long list of concerns with going on the cyberoffense. Several of these are listed in this Kaspersky blog . Here are four:Along the same lines as item No. 1, researchers point out the difficult problem of attributionthat is knowing who really attacked you in cyberspace.Jason Hong, associate professor at Central Michigan State University, said Companies should absolutely not hack back against cyberthieves. One major concern is attribution, namely knowing that you have identified the right parties. Intruders typically use other peoples computers and servers, so odds are high that a company would simply be attacking an innocent party. ...Questions abound regarding how this world work if everyone was attacking everyone else, which could lead to even more chaos. What is the threshold test for the level of certainty required to enforce rights?This Security Week article contains quotes from many different industry experts regarding their views on hacking back. I find several of the quotes to be interesting, such as Chris Pogue from Nuix:In a Financial Times article last summer , John Strand described a set of 20 tricks and traps to thwart cybercriminals.I believe that it is important to reiterate the three options laid out by theannoyance, attribution and hacking back.Clarity is important, and there is a big difference between leading a hacker to a fake server (using honeypots or other tricks) or trace their sources of attack and taking revenge or deleting data from other systems. No doubt, the lines can get fuzzy at times, but the reality is pretty clear for most people.Despite the many challenges to hacking back that exist today, the concept of self-defense in cyberspace is bound to lead to new laws and new clarity in regard to hacking back.It seems to me that the biggest difference between a gun self-defense policy and cyber self-defense policy is the absolute certainty that a person has when someone is running at you with a knife or a gun in your home. There is almost no doubt who you are fighting and what needs to be done in the physical world, and cyberspace brings a host of unknowns. Bottom line, attribution is very hard.Nevertheless, I believe that new approaches will emerge over the coming decade, which may change the playing field in cyberspace. Im not exactly sure how we will solve the difficulties, but I have a strong feeling that this hacking back topic is just beginning to heat up. WASHINGTON Antonin Scalia's body lay in a Texas funeral home Sunday and officials awaited word about whether they would need to perform an autopsy before the late Supreme Court justice could return home to Virginia. In the nation's capital, where flags flew at half-staff at the White House and Supreme Court, the political sniping soared, raising the prospect of a court short-handed for some time. The Senate's Republican leader, backed largely by his party's White House candidates, essentially told a Democratic president in his final year in office not to bother asking lawmakers to confirm a nominee for the lifetime seat. Scalia's colleagues, meanwhile, praised his brilliance and grieved his death. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she and Scalia "were best buddies" for more than 30 years. Justice Clarence Thomas said, "It is hard to imagine the court without my friend." A procession of about 20 law enforcement officers arrived in the early hours Sunday at an El Paso, Texas, funeral home, according to Chris Lujan, a manager for Sunset Funeral Homes. He said they had traveled more than three hours from the West Texas resort ranch where the 79-year-old Scalia was found dead in his room Saturday morning, Lujan said if an autopsy is requested by Scalia's family or ordered by a justice of the peace, then an El Paso County medical examiner would likely perform it at the funeral home. Tentative plans call for Scalia's body to be flown on Tuesday back home to his family in a northern Virginia suburb. President Barack Obama ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the high court, where Scalia served for three decades, and other federal buildings throughout the nation and U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the world. As the flags fly lower, the campaign-year political heat has risen over the vacancy on the nine-member court. At issue is whether Obama, in his last year in office, should make a nomination and the Republican-led Senate should confirm that choice in an election year. Obama pledges a nomination "in due time." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., thinks it should wait for the next president. The Republican resistance to an election-year confirmation got a thorough public airing on the GOP debate stage just hours after Scalia's companions found him dead in his room at the Cibolo Creek Ranch near Marfa. Republicans argued that Obama, as a lame duck, should not fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death, but leave it to the next president which they hope will be one of them. The Constitution gives the Senate "advice and consent" powers over a presidential nomination to the Supreme Court. Ted Cruz, one of the two GOP senators running for president, told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the GOP-controlled Senate is doing its job. "We're advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court," Cruz said. But the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would hold hearings on a nominee, said it would be "sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing, not to have a vote." Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy told CNN's "State of the Union" that he believes McConnell is "making a terrible mistake. And he's certainly ignoring the Constitution." Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said the Senate should vote on whomever Obama nominates. "Let's get on with it." Republicans insisted that refraining from Supreme Court confirmations in election years is a longtime precedent. In fact, Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 3, 1988, in the final year of Ronald Reagan's presidency, by a 97-0 vote. That was a presidential election year. Kennedy was nominated in 1987 and confirmed the next year. Of course, Kennedy, who is still on the court, was Reagan's third choice, and far less reliably conservative than the first two picks. The Senate rejected the nomination of Robert Bork and Douglas Ginsburg withdrew over reports that he used marijuana while a Harvard law professor. Mystified Outer Banks tourists witnessed a bizarre act of nature Friday, Oct. 14, as fish began flinging themselves onto the beach at Ocracoke Island. Multiple videos shared on social media show the ocean appeared to boil with fish as they tumbled over each other in the surf. The so-called bluefish blitz concluded with thousands of dying fish piled on the sand, flopping up and down as ... This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Hillary Clinton is on the list. So are Republicans not named Donald Trump, Wall Street, the billionaire class and the political establishment. But there was a glaring omission in the snap analysis of who the big losers were in last weeks presidential primaries in New Hampshire. Its a movement synonymous with Connecticut: gun control. Runaway victories by Trump and Bernie Sanders, the populist U.S. senator from Vermont, have unsettled groups such as Connecticut Against Gun Violence and the Newtown Action Alliance, the latter formed in response to the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Neither candidate stands up to their litmus test like Clinton, the gun-control groups say, citing Sanders voting record and Trumps macho rhetoric. It was just last month that Trump remarked that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody without losing votes. Clintons stumble could create an opening for another favorite gun-control crusader, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is weighing a third-party bid for president. Of course, Bloomberg has been very helpful on our issue, and we would see (his possible candidacy) as a good thing, said Ron Pinciaro, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence. A Bloomberg spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Clintons top messengers in Connecticut, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a Yale Law School classmate of Clinton, downplayed the scenario of Bloomberg wresting away the issue of gun control. I have deep admiration for Michael Bloombergs eloquent advocacy on this issue, but I think Hillary Clinton has demonstrated over many years her equal passion and fervor, Blumenthal said. My hope is that no candidate owns this issue and that they are all on the right side with the same passion and commitment, and that it becomes a defining issue between the Democrat and Republican candidates, not among the candidates on our side. Clinton vs. Sanders Blumenthal said its premature to discuss a third-party candidacy by Bloomberg, who has invested more than $50 million into the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety. There is a lot of speculation in political circles about a potential Bloomberg candidacy if the Clinton campaign runs into real trouble, Blumenthal said. Everyone seems to accept that his decision wont be made until there are additional primaries. The Newtown Action Alliance, which endorsed Clinton before the New Hampshire primary, accused the National Rifle Association on Twitter last week of aiding Sanders in the Democratic nominating contest. We clearly want Hillary to move forward because shes the strongest, said Po Murray, the Action Alliance chairwoman. Shell go toe-to-toe with the NRA. Were not confident that Bernie Sanders will do the same. Clintons gun-control allies, who include Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, have criticized Sanders for his vote against Brady Bill when he was a member of the House. Named for the late James Brady, the Reagan White House aide who was nearly killed during a 1981 assassination attempt on the president, the legislation established a federal background check program and mandatory five-day waiting period for gun purchases. Another strike against Sanders, they say, was his support of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields firearms companies from liability claims when one of their guns is used in a crime. There is some concern that as to how supportive (Sanders) would be to our causes, Pinciaro said. Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment, but his supporters took great exception to the criticism that the self-described Democratic socialist is soft on gun violence. He has an F rating with the NRA, said Sal Liccione, a Sanders volunteer and Democratic Town Committee member from Westport. Tapping into voter anger toward the political establishment, Wall Street, wage disparity and the high cost of health care and college tuition, Sanders defeated Clinton by 22.4 percentage points in New Hampshires first-in-the-nation primary. Gun control factored much more prominently in Clintons pitch to voters in the Granite State. Its one of those very few areas that Hillary can get to the left of Bernie Sanders, said David Yalof, political science department head at the University of Connecticut. It definitely helps her to harp on it. Blumenthal said Sanders gun-control record is improving, but isnt on the same plane as Clintons. There is a contrast. The facts speak for themselves, Blumenthal said. (But) as the primary author of the proposed law that will end the legal shield that gun manufacturers and dealers have, I am delighted that Sen. Sanders seems to be moving in that direction. Scott Wilson, president of the 21,000-member Connecticut Citizens Defense League, said Sanders isnt much of an upgrade from Clinton for gun owners. I dont really see Sanders as a protector of the Second Amendment, Wilson said. I believe, being from Vermont, hes tolerated the fact that people own guns there. But Joe Visconti, a Trump organizer who ran for governor in 2014 on a Second Amendment platform, said Sanders has a following among gun owners. Long beards ... theyre old hippies and they like their guns and to hunt, Visconti said. Trump turnarounds During Trumps victory speech in New Hampshire, the GOP frontrunner termed the Second Amendment as sacred. Theres not going to be any more chipping away at our Second Amendment, Trump said. Paris has the toughest gun laws in the world. If there were bullets going in the other direction, believe me, it wouldve been a whole different story, folks. But Trump previously declared his support for an assault weapons ban in his 2000 book, The America We Deserve. Its so hard to say with Trump, because his positions are so different from his positions at other times, Pinciaro said. You wonder if some of his positions are geared toward the electoral constituency, (as opposed) to what he really believes. A president who favors furthering gun control would face a major hurdle in the Republican-controlled Congress, which blocked President Barack Obama from expanding federal background checks after 20 first-graders and six educators were killed in Newtown. As long as the House in controlled by the Republicans, its clear that gun control is not going to be high on the presidents agenda, Yalof said. New presidents dont like to come in and lose. Thatll keep it muted, and thatll keep it from being the great litmus test for Bernie Sanders. neil.vigdor@scni.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy Well, it's that time of the year again and MWC 2016 is almost upon us. In the wake the mobile world's biggest and most important event, we decided it would be fun to take a look back in time to MWC 2006 (called 3GSM world congress back then). Partially to reminisce about the history of mobile tech, but also to try and get a better perspective on just how far we have come in 10 years. It might not be regarded as that long in historical terms but a decade, especially the last one, seems like a millennium in tech innovation. Despite the rapid pace of change, the MWC conference was already around for a few years in 2006 and it was just as important as it is today, perhaps even more so. Originally called the GSM World Congress, back then it was referred to as 3GSM World Congress, which became the Mobile World Congress, now simply called MWC. 2006 was the first year the show took place in Barcelona, which has been its home since. Prior to that, Cannes was the preferred location, so the 2006 show was definitely marked by some transition turbulence. Still, the spirit of innovation was just as strong and announcements were plentiful. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the highlights of the show in no particular order. Sony Ericsson Sony Ericsson was a big player back in 2006 with many dedicated fans and some of the hottest tech around. The K610 was definitely a star attraction. At the time it was actually one of the smallest 3G phones on the market and getting the significantly faster network connection was a top upgrade priority for both manufacturers and users at the time. In a lot of ways, the K610 took inspiration from the 2004 Sony Ericsson K700 - one of the company's signature devices. Sony Ericsson K610 Upgrades were introduced all around, besides the aforementioned 3G, the display got bigger at 1.9", had a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels and was a lot more colorful with 256K color support. The camera was significantly better - a 2MP shooter, rather than a VGA one and there was even a secondary VGA camera for video calls, which were becoming trendy at that point. Another important aspect is storage, the K610 supports Sony's proprietary M2 micro cards for up to 2GB extra - a whopping amount at that point. Sony Ericsson W950 Sony Ericsson W810 The 2006 show saw the introduction of a couple of Walkman phones too - the W810 and the W950, the latter being a true flagship offer. It had everything going for it - a huge 2.6" 256K display with a resolution of 240x320 pixels, 3G, a powerful 208 MHz processor, 4GB of storage and last, but not least, it was a true smartphone, thanks to Symbian OS 9.1. Sony Ericsson P990 But speaking of a huge display and productivity, few could match Sony Ericsson's "P" series. You might remember these models by their chubby and really extravagant appearance with a touch screen and a hinged overlay keyboard. The design was bold and innovative and in a lot of ways really emphasized how much more diversified phones were back in the day, as opposed to today's "slate" design. But there were other far more extravagant offers out there, which we will get to later. The P990, which was the last and very best to use this form factor, was all about productivity with a 2.7" resistive touchscreen, 64MB of RAM and a 208MHz processor, among other things. Samsung Speaking of alternative design, Samsung, like many other OEMs was constantly experimenting with radical new concepts to slip in between the large number of bar and flip phones. Few are more radical than the Samsung Serene, featured at the 2006 MWC show. It was a collaboration between Samsung Electronics and Bang & Olufsen and technically came out in 2005, although very few people have actually seen it in person. It is an eccentric piece of tech, with a ludicrous price tag of about 1000 at launch, but the very fact that it exists, proves our point about the freedom for design experimentation. Samsung Serene While we are on to topic of alternative concepts, there are the Samsung P900 and P910. Their standout feature was built-in T-DMB or DVB-H tuner for TV watching on the go and a rotating screen to go with it for a better viewing experience. Samsung P900 Samsung P910 Nokia We can't help but get a bit emotional every time we reminisce about the glory days of the Finnish giant. Back in 2006, the company was hitting strong with both excellent offers in the featurephone segment with its legendary S40 platform, as well as the high-end and productivity smartphone devices from the "E" and "N" lines. Back then, Symbian was the king of the bunch when it came to advanced capabilities and cutting edge software. Nokia 6131 If Sony Ericsson's 256K display offers were impressive back in the day, then you might be blown away by the Nokia 6131, which was experimenting with a 16 million color screen. It also offers a slew of other goodies, like hot-swappable microSD cards, FM radio, IrDA and Bluetooth. However, its cousin, the Nokia 6136 was really a stage for experimentation, equipped with Unlicensed Mobile Access allowing access to both GSM and WLAN networks, as well as DARP for increased radio performance. Nokia 6136 With a huge emphasis on productivity and a superior typing experience, the Nokia E family was a go to choice for a lot of business users. The Nokia E61 is a truly memorable device from the show, due to its full QWERTY keyboard and spacious 2.9", 320 x 240 pixel, 16M colors display - one of the best available at the time. Nokia E61 Last, but definitely not least, the coveted N series. If true power on the go was what you were after, then a powerhouse, such as the N80 was a clear-cut choice. A 352 x 416 pixel 2.1 inch display, microSD support, Wi-Fi, a Dual ARM 9 220 Mhz processor and 64 MB of RAM, for its time, it was one of the ultimate machines to run Symbian. Plus, it laid the groundwork for the legendary Nokia N95, which came shortly after. Nokia N80 We also can't fail to mention the Nokia N91. It really aimed to change the rules in terms of mobile storage with huge 4GB and 8GB storage options available, actually achieved by the way of a small mechanical drive inside the phone. Understandably, the idea was later scrapped and spacious mobile storage was left to wait on better flash storage options. Nokia N91 LG The LG booth at MWC 2006 also had a few interesting devices to showcase. The LG KG920/KV5500 for one is a odd little hybrid, more camera than phone. With a 5MP shooter, using a CCD matrix and a full on strobe flash (yes, we weren't necessarily stuck with LEDs back when a bulky phone wasn't frowned upon), it was the stuff of photographic dreams. It was also capable of shooting VGA videos at 30 frames per second and had 128MB of onboard storage, plus a microSD card slot for adding extra space. LG KV5500 Keeping up with Samsung, LG also showcased its own new take on a T-DBM phone - the V9000, which also featured a rotating display. LG V9000 NEC But it wasn't all about features or performance - a small stylish package also had its place in the market back then when phones were often 2cm thick. NEC for one, managed to deliver with extremely thin models, like the 13.6mm thick NEC N500iS, as well as the NEC N412i and e949. NEC N500iS NEC N412i and NEC e949 Finally a real gem - the 2006 MWC show was where we saw an early demonstration of full VGA resolution displays for mobile devices, courtesy of Sharp and Toshiba. QVGA was pretty much the standard and few people saw the need to push beyond 240 x 320 pixels. Back then many were worried that we don't need the resolutions to go any higher as it will just compromise battery life and noone will see the difference. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? We sincerely hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane as much as we did. We also hope you'll join us for the coverage of MWC 2016, which will hopefully be one of the best editions of the industry's biggest event. MWC 2016 is now merely days away and excitement is in the air. However, with the constant influx of rumors, leaks and speculations, it is somewhat hard to keep track of everything. To address this situation, here is our take on a concise rundown of what each manufacturer allegedly has in store. Samsung We kick things off with the big guns. The Korean giant is due for an upgrade to its flagship line and it will come in the form of the Galaxy S7 family. As of writing this article, we have solid evidence that at least a basic Galaxy S7 and a curved Galaxy S7 edge will be announced. The former is said to come with a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display, while the latter will probably be slightly bigger at 5.5 inches. We have also heard rumors of a bigger still 6-inch model that will be offered in both a flat and edge variant as well - a sort of successor the the Galaxy S6 edge+, but it might come at a later point in time. The rest of the Galaxy S7 specs include Samsung's own Exynos 8890 chipset or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, depending on which version you go for and performance differences are expected. RAM is set at 4GB with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. As for the camera, the main shooter will probably use the new Samsung BRITECELL sensor with a resolution of 12MP and a large 1/2" size. The camera module is also expected to protrude just 0.8 mm from the back of the phone. To wrap things up, industry sources have suggested waterproofing on the Galaxy S7, bigger 3,000 mAh and 3,600 mAh batteries for the S7 and S7 edge, respectively, as well as an Always On display. Finishing up with Samsung, there is the distinct possibility that a new Galaxy Tab S3 line will be unveiled at MWC. It should consist of a smaller 8-inch and a 9.7-inch members. As for specs, both should run on a new Snapdragon 652 SoC, with four Cortex-A72 and four Cortex-A53 cores, with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The resolution will be 2,048 x 1,536 pixels and 150 Mbps LTE will be an option. LG LG is also expected to update its flagship offer at MWC 2016, which, introducing the G5. Unlike with previous generations, this time around, the OEM is likely to mix things up quite a bit with a brand new design. If rumors are to be believed, this entails removing the power button and volume rockers from the back of the phone in order to shave some girth and placing them on the sides. Another interesting concept that has been tossed around is a removable bottom segment on the phone that reveals a sliding out user-removable battery. As for specs, a leaked Geekbench test hints at a Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage with a microSD card slot. The phone is said to be equipped with a 5.6-inch QHD display with an Always On feature. A small secondary display, like the one on the LG V10 is also a possibility. As for the camera, we are currently expecting a dual sensor setup on the back (16MP + 8MP) along with two LED's. Xiaomi The Chinese OEM doesn't have a history of announcing devices at MWC, so we don't expect anything different this time around either. However, the Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to debut on February 24 and rumors suggest that the device will still be present at the venue, despite the lack of a formal event. This hopefully means that we will get a chance for a first hands-on experience as there is actually quite a bit to be excited about. The Xiaomi Mi5 is still shrouded in a lot of mystery, mainly concerning all its alleged variants. Some sources claim that a 1080p version with 2.5D glass will exist alongside a flat QHD variant, also with some differences in memory - 3GB RAM + 32GB storage and 4GB RAM + 64GB. As for display size, most agree on 5.2 inches. Under the hood, we expect a Snapdragon 820 SoC and a 3,600 mAh battery pack. The main camera is said to be a 16MP one and a 13MP shooter on the front. Another extra is the fingerprint reader in the home button on the front. Sony Last year, Sony decided to skip on a formal event at MWC, but this year, the Japanese giant has scheduled something for February 22. Sadly, not much is known about what devices might be present there. An Xperia Z5 Tablet seems possible and we will likely see the Xperia C6 Ultra. A flagship smartphone is still a few months away, it seems. HTC As of writing this article, HTC is yet to announce any official event at MWC 2016, so it is safe to assume that it will skip on the formalities. This seems to be further backed up by the fact that the HTC One M10 flagship - a frequent visitor in the rumor mill lately, won't be present at the event. Initially, it was said to arrive sometime in March, which was later pushed back to April 11, with US sales expected to kick off in May. Overall, we are at a loss as far as timing goes, gut we might just have a good idea of what to expect from the handset once it does arrive. Visually, the One M10 is said to be a hybrid between the One M9 and the One A9, possibly with a 5.1-inch QHD, AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. A new camera setup has also been suggested, featuring a 12MP shooter on the back and a new "UltraPixel" 5MP one on the front. However, we won't dwell on the One M10 too much, as it is still probably a few months away. Huawei Huawei hit hard with the Mate 8 at this year's CES and it is definitely too early for a refresh within that family. However, the Chinese OEM has already announced its intentions to hold a formal event on February 21, so at least one announcement should be imminent. The Huawei P9 smartphone flagship is the likely star of the show, coming to support the Mate 8 in the battle for establishing Huawei as a capable premium device maker. Not much is currently known about the handset, but a few rumors have surfaced. Suggested specs include a Kirin 950 SoC and a 5.2-inch display, also a whopping 6GB of RAM. True or not, this might not actually be the full story, as a later leak suggested that a total of four variants of the handset will be made available. Aside from the standard P9, the other three variants will be the more budget-friendly P9lite, a P9max and an unnamed higher-specced P9. the unnamed fourth variant will have a slightly larger display as well as more RAM and internal memory compared to the standard P9. It might also come with a dual-camera setup, as per another leak. Alcatel From the looks of things, Alcatel will remain true to its habit of pumping out a whole bunch of new handset announcement across the mid-range to low-end segments. The Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4 and 4S, were recently leaked along with their full specs sheets on the manufacturer's website. The Idol 4S promises an octa-core Snapdragon 652 SoC, 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The rest of the specs sheet includes a 16MP main shooter, 8MP selfie one and LTE plus VoLTE support. The OneTouch Idol 4 has a Snapdragon 617 SoC with a 5.2-inch FullHD IPS display, 2GB and 3GB RAM options and 16GB of expandable storage. It has a 2,610 mAh battery and its camera setup includes a 13MP main shooter and 8MP front one. Besides the Idol line, Alcatel will likely out a new OneTouch Pop 4 series as well. These include the Pop 4S, Pop 4 Plus, and Pop 4. The 4S is the flagship smartphone of the Pop 4 series with a 5.5 1080p IPS display, Helio X10 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16/32GB of storage, 13MP main shooter, LTE and 2960 mAh battery. Gionee MWC 2015 saw the launch of the Gionee Elife S7 an this year, we expect to see the Elife S8 at the event, already set for February 22. Thanks to a recent Geekbench leak, followed by a GFXBench one, we now have a pretty good idea of what to expect form the handset. It should sport a 4.6-inch Full HD display and be powered by a MediaTek MT6755, also known as the Helio P10. It is supported by 4GB of RAM and internal memory should be 64GB. The camera combo consists of a 16MP rear unit and an 8MP front shooter. Oppo During a launch event for the Oppo F1 in Mumbai a few days ago, Oppo hinted that a new upgraded F1 Plus model is on the way. Later, it released a teaser for its MWC event, so logic leads us to believe that it will be unveiled in Barcelona. The teaser did also mention that Oppo is planning to showcase a couple of big things. There was mention of a "groundbreaking power solution" and "an unprecedented smartphone camera innovation", so it could be quite interesting. Haiti - FLASH : Installation of the Provisional President Jocelerme Privert Sunday afternoon at the National Palace took place the installation ceremony of the Provisional President of Haiti, Jocelerme Privert, who was elected and sworn in early this morning following a meeting in National Assembly that lasted more than 12 hours https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16595-haiti-flash-jocelerme-privert-provisional-president-of-haiti.html ; in the presence of Prime Minister Paul Evans, members of the Government, Ministers, Secretary of State, Members of Parliament senators and deputies, members of various political parties, Mildred Aristide, Aristide's wife, accompanied by the Coordinator Fanmi Lavalas of Dr. Maryse Narcisse, Simon Dieuseul Desras, of Me Newton Saint Juste, Mathias Pierre, a member of the G8, Ambassador Edmond Bocchit, permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization of American States (OAS) , members of the business sector, chamber of commerce representatives, representatives of the popular sectors of the civil society, personalities of the diplomatic corps (France, USA, Europe, Dominican Republic...), the press local and foreign etc... was installed in office as the 57th President of Haiti and the 6th interim president since the fall of Duvalier. To begin was read the decree proclaiming the citizen Jocelerme Privert elected provisional President of the Republic. Then there was a blessing. All guests standing in a semicircle in front of the podium, listened he speech of President Jocelerme Privert who declard : "[...] I would first like to extend my sincere thanks to the parliamentarians colleagues who have testified to me their confidence by raising me to the dignity of provisional President of the Republic in this critical time in our history of free people engaged in combat daily and tireless for the sovereignty, dignity and progress. I would also like on this occasion to salute the vital forces of the nation, all sectors in one way or another that have contributed positively to the step of crisis exit [...] Our citizen behavior of these last weeks [...] have convinced us that we can and must astonish the world by our determination, our lucidity and especially our sense of human dignity. Us, we must thank the former President Joseph Michel Martelly, Prime Minister Paul Evans, members of government, parliamentarians who have tackled to the patriotic task of consensus research and find a solution to this crisis that threatened even the foundations of our young democracy, we have shown that we can transcend our differences, our quarrels in favor of the public interest. Thank you alos to policy makers, civil society, human rights organizations, the international community, who accompanied the responsible of public authorities in search of the solution to the benefit of our country, through a fruitful and constructive dialogue which opened the way for the resolution of this crisis. The successful experience will serve us as a model and stimuli to grow and institutionalize this value of the constant exchange, constant and continuous, systemic and renewed every day. Haitian people, We should welcome the peaceful and inclusive nature of this new step in resolving the crisis. Our patience has been severely tested this past few days but our tolerance output reinforced. We will continue to strive to uphold the Constitution and laws of the Republic, protect and consolidate the republican institutions, to ensure the continued protection of the general interest, to better protect freedom, equality and fraternity, cornerstone of the overhaul of citizenship, social ties of our rule of law. Haitian people, My presidency should be part of the logic of the need to return to Constitutional normality [...]" Listen the full speech : Then President Jocelerme Privert was invited down to the end of the driveway to hear the presidential anthem for the first time in its status of Provisional President of the Republic. SL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2016/02/14 | Source North Korea on Thursday expelled all South Korean staff from the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex and seized South Korean equipment and other assets. Advertisement The move came a day after Seoul decided to shut down the complex in retaliation against Pyongyang's nuclear test and missile launch. South Korean staff were caught off-guard when the North announced the decision and desperately tried to haul as much equipment as possible back to the South. A long caravan of vehicles packed full of cargo heading to the border was reminiscent of a refugee tragedy. "The South Korean enemy forces will experience for themselves the harsh and painful price they must pay for halting the Kaesong industrial complex", the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. "We decided to freeze all assets belonging to South Korean enterprises and related organizations, including their machinery, raw materials and products. Those who are deported can take nothing but their personal possessions". All 280 South Korean staff then at the complex returned to South Korea by 10 p.m. Published on 2016/02/14 | Source Seoul has decided to shut down the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex in retaliation for North Korea's rocket launch Sunday and its recent nuclear test. Advertisement The closure of the industrial park just north of the border will cost the regime millions of dollars that it siphons off workers' salaries. "We've been trying to ensure that the Kaesong Industrial Complex meets international standards, but North Korea instead exploited our efforts", Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo told reporters Wednesday. "We've decided to completely suspend operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex to prevent our investment there from being used to develop nuclear warheads and missiles and we want to make sure our enterprises will not be victimized by Pyongyang". Hong said Seoul notified Pyongyang of the decision and asked for cooperation in pulling out South Korean staff. The government plans to set up a taskforce to provide support to some 120 South Korean businesses that run factories there. The government pledged to tap into a cross-border economic cooperation fund to help the businesses being forced to pull out and look for alternative plots of land for them to use. The government worries that the North could try to hold South Korean management and equipment hostage. Some 184 South Koreans are based inside the complex. Any further South Koreans will be prohibited from entering it as of Thursday. "We will complete the withdrawal of the South Korean workforce as soon as possible", a Unification Ministry official said. Hong said Seoul must take a "leading role" in international sanctions against the North. He added North Korea has earned a total of W616 billion in cash from the complex so far, and the suspicion is that the money went into the development of nuclear arms and missiles (US$1=W1,198). Image source Published on 2016/02/14 | Source South Korean companies with factories in the Kaesong Industrial Complex have urged the government to reconsider a plan to shut the business park. Some of the 120 companies say they will go bankrupt if their operations are shut down. Advertisement The complex employs 54,763 North Koreans and some 3,000 South Koreans who are either based there or commute. Businesses produce US$515.5 million worth of products annually. When operations were suspended in 2013, South Korean businesses suffered around W700 billion in losses, according to Unification Ministry estimates (US$1=W1,198). Industry watchers say the amount of damage this time could reach W1 trillion if businesses are unable to retrieve their equipment, raw materials and finished products. Chung Ki-sup, who heads a committee of South Korean companies at the complex, on Wednesday called on the government to reconsider its decision. After a meeting with Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, Chung said the government's "sudden notification" of its decision to shut down the complex is "difficult" for the businesses to accept. He called on the government to first find ways of minimizing losses and accused it of putting the burden on private businesses for the sake of politics. "When the two Koreas agreed to restart the complex in 2013, they told us operations would continue 'unaffected by any political circumstance'," Hong said. "We can't understand this sudden measure". If HR wants to speak to the employees doctor, they must ensure they seek permission from the staff member (unless they are merely confirming that a medical certificate is authentic) and all sensitive medical information should be kept strictly confidential and not disclosed to other employees. However, HR can go further and require employees to provide medical reports and attend a medical examination where reasonable to confirm fitness for work, such as in labor-intensive industries. When faced with the employee who calls in sick on a regular basis, HR can insist on appropriate evidence to confirm the employees eligibility to take that sick leave. If the leave is regular, it may be a good idea to seek more information to exclude the possibility that the illness is work related and to see if there is anything the employer can do to facilitate a return to work, Marshall says. Although managing extensive sick leave can be headache for HR, Marshall cautions that firing sick employees is fraught with risk. It may be possible to terminate the employment if the employer has a proper basis to say the employee is not actually sick and is abusing sick leave, he says. This is very difficult to do in practice (see Anderson v Crown Melbourne Pty Ltd [2008] FMCA 152 for a successful example). Generally, an employer can terminate on incapacity grounds if the employee has exhausted all of their sick leave; and been away sick for an aggregate period of more than three months in any continuous 12 month period, Marshall says. However, employers must consider the specific circumstances, including whether further absences are likely and whether the employer can accommodate any ongoing disability, before terminating for incapacity. And if your worker refuses to provide a medical certificate for a chucking a suspected sickie HR needs to consider the circumstances and legal implications before considering punitive measures. Whether you can fire them will turn on their reasons for not providing the medical certificate, such as whether they provided other evidence and their specific contractual obligations, Marshall says. It may not have been possible or practicable to comply in the circumstances or there may be other reasons that would make termination harsh, unjust or unreasonable, he says. Marshall says there are various legal pitfalls employers should be mindful of when requesting evidence of illness and medical certificates. If employers do not regularly require employees to provide evidence to access sick leave then the reasons for changing this practice may be questioned, he says. Adverse action of this kind must not be taken for an unlawful reason. Failure to accept the evidence may also constitute unlawful adverse action. Notable court cases include Australian and International Pilots Association v Qantas Airways Ltd [2014] FCA 32, Qantas successfully resisted claims that requirements to provide more medical information were unlawful adverse action. In Cf. Marshall v Commonwealth of Australia (represented by the Bureau of Meteorology) (2012) 64 AILR an employee who was fired after he appeared on the Beauty and the Geek television show while he had a valid medical certificate showing he was unfit for work won his case for unlawful adverse action. Common mistakes employers often make surrounding sick leave policies include: Often employers specify that medical certificates will not be required for absences of up to one day (or sometimes more). This may limit their ability to challenge ongoing sick leave abuse where the employee is compliant with the policy. An employee only needs to provide evidence where their employer requires it. Another common mistake is allowing staff to take sick leave without speaking to their manager directly. The manager will need to manage the absence and assess the validity of the sick leave claim and this is difficult to do without direct feedback. The manager can often assess whether evidence of illness is required. Policies and contracts can assist employers to manage the type of evidence provided so that the expectation of a medical certificate is clear. Related stories: The ironic problem with HR's health issues Should overweight staff be allowed to start work late? What happens when medical opinions collide? Officer Peter Liang after he was charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment (Getty Images) When NYPD Officer Peter Liang entered court this week to stand trial for killing 28-year-old Akai Gurley in November 2014, there was a noticeable absence in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The usual throng of supporters from the Patrolmens Benevolent Association, and its boisterous head Pat Lynch (who rarely misses an opportunity to grandstand) were nowhere to be seen. Instead, just two older PBA members loitered around the courthouse and kept to themselves. This was a stark difference from previous police misconduct trials, where the PBA has put itself directly in the spotlight to broadcast its steadfast faith in the near total infallibility of police officers. The PBA is obviously absent, a former NYPD officer who has been in attendance at the Liang trial told Gothamist. The two guys who showed up were wearing windbreakers, not even suits. They looked like gangsters, and heres a cop in Brooklyn Supreme Court, fighting for his life, and pretty much no one is there. The PBAs lack of support has created a perception among Liangs supporters that the citys largest police union would not be treating a white police officer accused of the same crimes in this manner. After a grand jury declined to indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo for fatally choking Staten Island resident Eric Garner, Pat Lynch called Pantaleo "the model of what we want a police officer to be." Asians make up 6% of the NYPD, while they make up 13% of New York City's population. Almost 85% of NYPD leadership are white. Exasperated, Liangs mother, Ho Fong, reached out to Eddie Chiu, the president of the Lin Sing Association, which advocates on behalf of the Chinese community in New York City, to help her son pay for better legal support. His mother kept trying to get through to his PBA attorneys, but they wouldnt answer her calls, Chiu told us on Wednesday afternoon in the Chinatown offices of the 116-year-old organization. Liang, a rookie cop with less than two years on the job, was indicted last year for shooting Gurley while patrolling a dark stairwell in East New York's Pink Houses. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton called Gurley a "total innocent." After Liang's indictment, and the PBA's unresponsiveness, Chiu says Fong asked him whether they could trust Robert Brown, an attorney and former NYPD officer who had worked with Chiu previously on a number of cases involving the Asian community, and he said yes. In November, Liang dismissed his PBA-appointed lawyers. Listen, the PBA lawyers have a lot of cases. A private attorney will see you today and tomorrow, and so far weve raised around $40,000 for officer Liangs defense, Chiu told Gothamist Big and small donations, mostly averaging around $300. Chiu leafed through envelopes containing checks sent in by supporters of Liang, ranging from $50 to $3,000 dollars. He also produced a Christmas letter sent to him by officer Liang thanking him for all that you have done for us during this dark time in my life. A lot of people are asking me why a Chinese officer is getting put on trial when all the other police killings never went to trial, Chiu said. Why everybody else is innocent and only the Chinese man goes to court? People are very upset about that. Eddie Chiu displays a letter of support for Officer Peter Liang (Gothamist) Chiu isnt sure why the PBA hasnt turned out for the trial. The former NYPD officer who spoke to Gothamist believes that some of the reason might lie in bitterness on both sides over the decision by the PBA attorneys to not to have Liang testify in front of a grand jury. His partner, who is white, was granted immunity by testifying. I believe that had officer Liang testified, there would not have been an indictment handed down, said Karlin Chan, the Executive Director of the Chinese Action Network, an organization that has also helped garner support for Liang. But support for Liang in the Asian-American community is not uniform. CAAAV, which formed in 1986 as the Committee Against Asian-American Violence, was one of the first groups to come to the support of the Gurley family, and has acted as the main liaison between them and the media. In 1995, CAAAV supported the family of Yong Xin Huang, a 16-year-old who was shot in the back by the NYPD when he was playing with a BB gun in Brooklyn, CAAAV Executive Director Cathy Dang told Gothamist. It led to massive disobedience all over the city, with the community demanding the DA convict the officers. For the thirty years that weve been around, even in instances that dont involve the Asian community, weve always stood in solidarity with the black and Latino community, who are also dealing with police violence. We see this as a systemic issue, not that of an individual, and that the larger problem is the NYPD and state violence. Sitting in CAAAVs Chinatown office following the second day of the trial on Tuesday, Dang explained how CAAAV members went out to East New York for one of the earliest vigils that were put together for Gurley at the Pink Houses. All of our members agree that what officer Liang did was wrong. He took a life and he needs to be held accountable. From older Asian immigrants, to youth, to staff, theyre all in agreement, Dang said. But theres been pushback in some parts of the Chinese community, and weve gotten calls, emails, and even one person coming here to speak to me. Initially, they were saying CAAAV was on the wrong side, and he was being used as a scapegoat. Our response is very clear, we believe those demands are misguided and hurtful to the family. Everyone should come together and hold the entire system accountable. Yes, we know white officers werent indicted, but this just means we need to keep pushing to hold white officers accountable as well. Chiu, the president of the Lin Sing Association, said he doesnt feel any ill will towards those who support the Gurley family. Several of the letters he showed Gothamist contained mentions of sadness and heartbreak for the family of the slain man. We cant tell everybody to stand behind him. This is America, Chiu said. A lot of Chinese-Americans support the deceaseds family. Theres nothing wrong with that. We just hope the court gives him a fair trial, because thats all we we really want. The PBA did not respond to repeated attempts from Gothamist for comment. Liangs trial resumes today. Hagerstown man found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in 2021 shooting Hagerstown resident Gage J. Coles was convicted Thursday in the October 2021 shooting death of John A. Leonard IV and the shooting of Jaseye Stephens. This weekend might be the last warm one we have in awhile local Each morning they are picked up from their home in red-beaconed police vehicles for school where they are introduced to alphabets by teachers dressed in khaki uniforms. The first-of-its-kind school, opened on the premises of Hanumanganj police station just 10 days back, is an initiative of the city police to keep away children in the age group of 4-12 years from anti-social activities in slum areas prone to crime. A brainchild of Bhopal senior superintendent of police, Raman Singh Sikarwar, the Bal Sanjeevani Paramarsh Kendra is funded by the citys police department. Under this initiative, police are trying to save the future generation from the world of crime by educating them. The aim is to make them realise the good side of their life, where they can realise their dreams, Sikarwar said. The SSP also hopes these children will help police against criminal activities in their surrounding areas once they grow up. The positives of the initiative have already started bearing fruit. Two women constables teaching kids at Hanumanganj police station in Bhopal. (Praveen Bajpai/HT Photo) Six-year-old Salman, until now fearful of the police, now cant stop praising his teacher. Our police teacher is very good and she teaches me alphabets. I am not scared of the police anymore, he said. Sub-inspector Kanchan Singh, who teaches at the school, told HT: Some students are really bright, but they dont get a good environment at home. After dealing with criminals for so long, it is a rejuvenation process for me to teach students. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who was at the centre of a controversy over his comments on intolerance, attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday night . Besides Aamir, actress Kangana Ranaut was also invited at the private dinner held in Turf Club where top politicians, diplomats from several countries and industry leaders were in attendance. Read: Wife suggested leaving India: Aamir joins intolerance debate Read: Aamir Khan is the only Bollywood Khan sans endorsement The high-profile event, which was a strict no-media affair, was organised after Modi launched the mega Make in India (MII) week earlier yesterday. Wading into the intolerance debate, Khan had kicked up a controversy last year by saying he has been alarmed by a number of incidents and his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should probably leave India. His comments evoked sharp criticism from ruling BJP and also the NDA government. Later, the 50-year-old actors contract as brand ambassador for the governments Incredible India campaign was not renewed by the Tourism Ministry. Read: Heres why Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh retracted statements on intolerance Read: Aamir Khan, India has made you what you are: Anupam Kher slams actor Kangana, 28, had recently said freedom of speech in the country does not mean one can insult anybody and stated that actors should be more careful with what they say. The Make in India event is aimed at attracting investments into the manufacturing sector and showcasing success stories at a specially-created venue at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. Follow @htshowbiz for more. The government could likely bring in big-ticket reforms in banking soon, and may announce specific measures to address the problems faced by the industry, which has been reeling under bad loans. In fact, higher provisioning for bad loans led to banks reporting over Rs 12,000 crore in losses during the October-December quarter. There are a series of banking reforms that I am going to announce soon. You may find some of the things in the coming days, finance minister Arun Jaitley said during a media interaction at the Make in India event on Sunday. Jaitley is expected to announce these measures during his budget presentation on February 29. Jaitley was responding to questions on how public sector banks have fallen short on performance and that HDFC Bank, the countrys second-largest private lender, now has a market capitalisation equal to that of all public sector banks put together. If you ask me what should the governments role be with regard to banks, I would say at arms length. Whether the government should interfere in the running of a bank, I would say no. But India has not yet reached a stage where the government can pull out completely from banks. We will do all we can to lower the governments shareholding in banks and bring it to 51-52%, Jaitley said. The Centre currently holds more than 75% in most banks. State-owned banks have seen a sharp fall in profits, with State Bank of Indias (SBIs) net declining 62% and Punjab National Banks profit plunging 90% during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 mainly due to a steep rise in non-performing assets (NPAs) loans that do not yield returns . The Reserve Bank of India has already laid down strong measures that call for recognising a loan as bad even before a default is declared, to avoid subsequent impact and to make higher provisions. RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has also asked banks to be prepared for strong measures. A Religare report recently said that Indian banks would need to go for a haircut of about Rs 100,000 crore, of which Rs 93,000 crore is from state-owned banks alone. On Saturday, Bank of Baroda, the countrys second-largest lender by assets, reported a loss of Rs 3,342 crore during October-December, highest ever in any quarter, due to an almost five-time jump in provisions. The bank had reported a net profit of Rs 332 crore a year ago. The jury is out as to what extent was chief minister Arvind Kejriwal able to deliver on his promises as the Aam Aadmi Party government completes one year in power in Delhi. Experts are unanimous at least on one point: for a party that had minuscule experience in governance, the AAP is carrying the burden of unprecedented public expectations that it had raised itself. Here are some hits as well as misses of the Kejriwal-led AAP government: # Hits Peoples voice Swaraj budget, open cabinet after 100 days in power, the same to be repeated on first anniversary, poll for the return of odd-even Public dealing simplified No affidavits required to avail of 200 services such as birth, age and caste certificates Free water, power at cheaper rates Key pre-poll promises Kejriwal fulfilled just after coming to power Compensation Assistance for farmers at the rate of `20,000 per acre for crop loss, Rs 1 crore to every cop who died in the line of duty Cutting red tape Citizen Charter Bill passed to deliver services in a time-bound manner; department heads made responsible for delay, penalties announced Curbing pollution High pollution levels forced govt to implemented road rationing in January. 81% people now want it again. To reduce car usage, govt started car-free day every 22nd of the month School fee Regulation Assembly passes bill to regulate fees, panel headed by HC judge to examine school accounts. Violation could lead to jail term # Misses CAG audit of discoms Legal hurdles in CAG audit of discoms, exercise initiated but high court struck it down Ministers in trouble Law minister Jitender Singh Tomar arrested over fake degree. Environment minister Asim Khan sacked over bribery allegations Principal Secy raided Office of senior IAS officer Rajendra Kumar raided by the CBI in connection with a corruption case Farmer death Storm over death of a farmer at an AAP rally. AAP blamed police, paid Rs10 lakh to farmers family. Was it a suicide or an accident? The jury is still out Education reforms hit legal hurdle HC turned down move to scrap management quota and fix upper age limit at four years for nursery admissions MCD strikes City became a garbage dump after the three corporations went on strike this month. This was the fourth strike in a year over non-payment of salaries, arrears Govt versus L-G and police Tug-of-war over jurisdiction, transfers, posting took toll on governance. Matter is before court. AAP alleged witch-hunt after arrest of six MLAs Bureaucracy- Govt tussle Senior officers went on mass leave for a day after govt suspended two spl secys on charges of insubordination, MHA revoked govt decision A 50-year-old man was stabbed to death in the middle of a busy market in West Delhis Ranhola area on Saturday night. The victim, Desh Raj, was cornered by three men at 8.30pm and stabbed six to seven times below his belt. The men fled the spot as Raj collapsed on the ground and bled to death. An eyewitness later made a PCR call after which a police team arrived at the spot and rushed Raj to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Investigation in the case has revealed that Desh Rajs son is a witness to a murder case reported last year and had deposed in a court against the killers. He had reportedly been getting threat calls from unknown people asking him to turn hostile in the court or face consequences. The police suspects that the same gang may be behind the murder. No one was however arrested till late Sunday. Desh Rajs relatives said that they had asked his son to withdraw the complaint after he started receiving threat calls but he refused. The police however said that he never approached them alleging the same. The police said that none of the eyewitnesses are willing to give a statement on record in the incident. We have registered a case in the matter and have begun the investigation. We will arrests the suspects soon, a police officer said. A 40-year-old Scot freelancing as a health consultant has been arrested for allegedly raping a Delhi resident on the pretext of marriage, police said on Sunday. Edward Christin Lamont, who was arrested on Saturday, met the 30-year-old businesswoman on Facebook five months ago when she showed interest in being part of a prominent fitness and spa chain that he was then the chief executive officer of, police said. The two exchanged numbers and often spoke to each other. During one of the conversations, Lamont, who has been living in India for six years, asked the woman to visit him at the Defence Colony gym, where his office was. They saw each other regularly after she joined the gym where he also helped her train. They fell in love and Lamont invited the woman for dinner at his Defence Colony home, police said. He tried to force himself on her but she resisted. He then told her that he loved her and would marry her. The two were in a relationship for over five months. The woman alleged that Edward got physically intimate and raped her on several occasions, promising to marry her, a police officer said on condition of anonymity. Lamont started avoiding her and stopped taking her calls when she told him of her plans to inform her parents about their relationship, she told police. She even went to his house a few times, but he refused to meet her. He told her that he cannot marry her as he has to go back to Scotland soon She says she feels exploited and is deeply hurt, the officer said. The woman was taken for a medical examination that confirmed rape following which a case was a registered and the arrest made. It is well known that journalists (and citizen journalists) in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka face huge safety challenges. India may not be as dangerous as its neighbours for journalists, but we are not lagging too far behind. In fact, lets expand this a bit: The country is becoming increasingly unsafe for those who dare to speak out against the majority view, which, at times, is a manufactured one. The State action against students in Jawaharlal Nehru University for their pro-Afzal Guru sloganeering and the sedition charges against a student leader is a case in point. The indications of this churn have been evident from some time in social media. Journalists or, for that matter, any citizen who says something unpopular is pilloried mercilessly; some journalists have even got death threats from nationalists. In the last few months, there have been several instances where journalists have been intimidated by the State or those with links to it. Late last week, the bureau chief of a Hindi daily was shot in Uttar Pradeshs Sultanpur district by unknown assailants. This comes a few days after two TV journalists were heckled and abused for questioning a local politician on his role in the death of a young boy. In Chhattisgarh, journalist Malini Subramaniams home was attacked recently after she wrote on the state of development in the Maoist-hit Bastar region. In the same state, two tribal journalists Somaru Nag and Santosh Yadav have been in jail since last year. While Mr Nag has been charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act, Mr Yadav has been charged under the IPC, the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Chhattisgarh Public Security Act. Journalists have demanded that the state government should produce evidence against their two colleagues, or release them. If this is the state of affairs in mainland India, can we expect any better in the insurgency-hit North-East? In October, five editors in Nagaland were asked by the Assam Rifles to desist from covering the NSCN-K, a terror organisation. On November 26, three newspapers carried blank editorials to protest the order. According to Reporters Without Borders, nine reporters lost their lives in 2015 in India. While the deaths are shameful, they dont reveal the extent of daily pressures that reporters face, especially if they are at non-metro locations. By attacking the messengers, the State is only doing a disservice to itself: Remember Hans Christian Andersens The Emperors New Clothes? Imagine this: You are caught in an enclosed space and unknown people are on your tail. Would you stand still and give up, or try to exit the scene as quickly as possible? Most of us would opt for the latter. The same survival instinct pushes wild animals to behave in the same way when they are cornered. But humans dont seem to realise or appreciate that and more often than not end up terrifying wild animals that stray into human habitats like what happened when a leopard entered a school in Bengaluru last week. Instead of allowing specialists to tranquilise it safely, several hundred people gathered around the school to watch the tamasha; their irresponsible action not only frightened the animal but also made it difficult for the forest officials to trap it quickly. In fact, three forest officials were injured during the day-long operation. On their part, forest department officials should have asked the local police to clear the area because wildlife protocols state that wild carnivores may attack in self-defence and, therefore, it is advisable to avoid provoking them and that the area should be cordoned off with barricades and all attempts should be made to keep the crowd and local people from approaching the animal. There has been an alarming rise in such man-animal conflicts in the last few years and fatalities often involve elephants, leopards, bears, boars and tigers. Only a day after the Bengaluru incident, an elephant went on the rampage in a town in West Bengal. The main reason for such conflicts is the politics that thrives on the build-build-build development motto. So we build rail tracks, roads, housing colonies and industries cutting through natural habitats or wildlife corridors, with little thought about the animals that live or use these forested areas. A little attention can make life easier for animals and also for people who live in areas that are hotbeds of man-animal conflicts. Forest officials in Upper Assams Holongapar Reserve Forest have built a bridge across a railway track passing through the forest for hillock gibbons to pass from one side of the forest to the other. No matter how many laws we pass to save wild animals, it will finally be our resolve which can make a difference. As of now, the will to save the countrys natural heritage seems to be woefully weak. He suffers from dementia, a memory disorder that makes people withdrawn, disoriented and forgetful. We found him on the pavement, seven years ago. His left hand was injured and infested by maggots. We got him here to get treated, says Dr GP Bhagat, founder of Delhi-based Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram, an old-age home to 100 people at any given time. Many of them have dementia and dont remember where their homes are. According to the Alzheimers and Related Disorders Society of India, 41 lakh seniors above 60 suffer from dementia in the country. One among every 16 households grapple with taking care of a dementia patient. We are a country in transition. While on one hand we are losing traditional family support, on the other we lack organised places that care for the elderly and vulnerable, says Dr Nimesh Desai, senior psychiatrist at Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS). As most people cant afford to hire caretakers, they end up abandoning seniors with disorders such as Alzheimers. Read: 4.1m Indians live with dementia; UK report predicts more The first sign of dementia, particularly Alzheimers is memory problems, but these are often dismissed as signs of old age, says Dr Sundeep Jadhav, neuro psychiatrist and director of Manav Neuro Psychiatric Hospital at Kalyan, Mumbai. If a person forgets instances from the recent past and details which could cause difficulties in everyday living then he or she must get checked for dementia. Doctors also say that in a family setting, dementia patients should not be locked up. In fact, they should be encouraged to move around the house and in the neighbourhood, where people recognise them, says Desai. Regular exposure to natural light is also a must. Read: Dont worry, be happy: Stress, anxiety could lead to dementia Identification bracelets or wristbands help too, adds Dr Sameer Malhotra, director for mental and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare. Wristbands with their name and contact number or a kada (bangle) or bracelet with this information should be on the person at all times. Clothes embroidered with the information is another option, says Dr Malhotra. Another recommendation is to keep patients engaged in mentally stimulating games and activities. This disease cannot be reversed but its progression can be certainly reined in by keeping the brain busy. Games such as Sudoku, reverse counting, skip counting, subtracting or adding serially and playing cards help people stay alert, Malhotra adds. Withering away Inder Dutt, 69, Delhi Missing since October 15 Dutt left home without his wallet and cellphone on October 15, and hasnt returned yet. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimers, but had started showing symptoms almost a decade ago, after retirement. He would compulsively set up the washing machine every morning or cook even if he did not want to eat, says Dutts son Vaibhav. Next, he became withdrawn, which was unlike him. The family took him to three different physicians, who dismissed the symptoms as old-age problems. He was finally taken to a neurologist, who realised that Dutt was suffering from Alzheimers. Inder Dutts family awaits his return. (Virendra Singh Gosain/ HT Photo ) Dutts wife Manju looked after him along with his two sons. The brothers ensured that the parents were never alone at home. Yet, Dutt walked away. I dont know how he could have just forgotten everything, says a baffled Vaibhav. Over the past four months, the family has looked for him everywhere night shelters, temples, hospitals and morgues. A missing complaint with the police has been filed too. Read: If detected during early stages, dementia can be managed, say doctors Meera Chandawarkar, 79, Mumbai Unable to feed herself Search engine Google helped Mumbai-based landscape artist Shilpa Chandawarkar figure out that her mother-in-law Meera has dementia. She was unable to read the time or understand currency and would misspell words, says Chandawarkar, 45. Then one day, four years ago, Meera had left her watch in the refrigerator. We went to a neurologist who told us that such memory problems were to be expected at her age, says Chandawarkar. As the problem persisted, a few months later they took her to another doctor who repeated the same thing. Finally, the third doctor suggested an MRI scan and realised that her brain cells were shrinking and prescribed medicines. No one sat us down and told us about the enormity of the disease. After contacting NGO Silver Innings Foundation, they realised that it was a lifelong condition. Shilpa then quit her job to take care of Meera full time. But last year, when Meeras cognitive functions deteriorated to the extent that she couldnt feed herself, the family admitted her to Snehanjali, an assisted living centre for elders in Nallasopara. Police must not interfere or take criminal action against adult sex workers participating with consent, recommends a Supreme Court panel looking for measures to ensure better work conditions for prostitutes and protect their rights. The panel, set up in 2011, will submit its report in March. Prostitution per se is legal in India but it is caught in a web of laws that makes sex workers vulnerable to police action in red-light districts, where they ply their trade on streets or in dingy brothels. Whenever there is a raid on a brothel, since voluntary sex work is not illegal and only running the brothel is unlawful, the sex workers should not be arrested or penalised or harassed or victimised, the panel says. It recommends deleting the offence of soliciting under section 8 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA), 1956, saying the law is highly misused by enforcement agencies. Soliciting or seducing for the purpose of prostitution is punishable with six months in jail and a fine of Rs 500. Police are often accused of crossing the limit in their efforts to enforce anti-trafficking laws, clamping down on prostitutes and clients having a liaison conducted in private with consent between the two. The committee, headed by senior advocate Pradip Ghosh, also has the mandate to suggest measures for rehabilitation of sex workers who wish to leave prostitution so that they can live with dignity. The majority of Indias estimated 1.2 million prostitutes are forced into the trade by crushing poverty. The panel proposes an elaborate mechanism, including rehabilitation and providing alternative livelihood to prevent re-trafficking of former prostitutes. Observing that police view sex workers differently from others, it says these women are lawfully entitled to equal protection. When a sex worker makes a complaint of criminal/ sexual/ any other type of offence, police must take it seriously and act in accordance with law, it recommends. The panel suggests amendment to the law that says any person above 18 living on the earnings of prostitution faces imprisonment of up to 10 years. No action should be taken against a prostitutes parent, partner or children living on her earnings, unless it is proved that they forced her into the trade, the committee says. To stop victimisation of trafficked woman, the panel recommends sending sex workers caught plying their trade near a public place to a correctional home, instead of putting them in jail. The duration of the stay should be reduced from five years to one. Prostitution in a public place is illegal. As political parties engage in a debate over the arrest of JNU Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar for sedition, legal experts warn the Delhi Police are likely to have a tough time to prove the charges. Merely raising anti-establishment slogans would not be seditious unless the spoken words or actions are aimed to incite a mob or crowd to resort to violence, they explain. Kumar has been accused of organising a public meet at the university campus on February 9. Police case states the meeting was about hanging of Afzal Guru, convicted in the Parliament Attack case, and during the course some persons including Kumar raised incendiary slogans. Read: JNU row snowballs into political free-for-all; BJP, Oppn trade charges Under the colonial era law anybody who by words either spoken or written - brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government can be sent to jail for life. In 1962 the Supreme Court had, however, read down the provision even as it upheld the constitutional validity of section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) despite it restricting the right to free speech and expression. words and speech can be criminalised and punished only in situations where it is being used to incite mobs or crowds to violent action. Mere words and phrases by themselves, no matter how distasteful, do not amount to a criminal offence unless this condition is met, the top court had ruled, holding the restrictions are within the ambit of permissible legislative interference and in public interest. Read: JNU row: Rahul speaking in Hafiz Sayeeds language, says BJP Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran says the case against Kumar has to be within the parameters SC has laid down on the issue. The police has to prove that Kumar made an attempt to incite a mob against the government. If it doesnt stand the test then the case has to be quashed at the threshold, he felt. Ramachandran recalls how a trial court had ended a sedition case against noted author Arundhati Roy who faced the charges after she spoke of the need for plebiscite in Kashmir at a seminar. There must be an element of incitement of violence, he says. According to senior criminal advocate Sushil Kumar there has hardly been any conviction in such cases. He feels its more of a political gimmick and the law is misused to stifle free speech. There is nothing seditious about a group of students protesting over an incident, which they sincerely feel is wrong. But, if the speaker motivated the crowd to pick up arms and attack then one could have understood, he says. Read: JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar victim of Hindutva politics say parents In this case the intent to commit violence is lacking. Sedition is made out when you give a call to perform an action that is likely to obstruct or defy the government. Also, its not illegal to debate over a judgement. One can criticize a view but not call it sedition, senior advocate Vikas Singh opines. Justice Ajit Kumar Sinha, former judge of the Jharkhand High Court, explains act sedition is such that could lead to disintegration of the country or destabilize an elected government. If its a simple protest then he has been wrongly arrested. But, if the protest was with a view to break the country, it would definitely be a crime, he says. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihars Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday suspended its Nawada MLA and former minister Raj Ballabh Yadav who has been charged with raping a minor in his home on February 6. Yadav is reportedly on the run as the police launched a manhunt for him after an FIR was lodged with the Mahila police station of Biharsharif on February 9. Medical reports confirmed the rape on a class ten student. State RJD chief Ram Chandra Purve said the party has suspended Yadav after verification of reports pouring in from various sources, including media. He attributed the absence of knowledge about the incident to the delay in taking drastic action against the MLA. Soon after the news regarding the rape broke out on Saturday, deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had said that the law enforcing machinery was acting in an impartial way and the guilty would not be spared. Deputy inspector general (DIG) of Patna police range Shalin said intensive raids were being conducted to nab the fugitive legislator after the victim identified him as the perpetrator of crime. The district police is hoping for issuance of an arrest warrant on Monday. The victim, who was residing in a rented house with her family at Garhpar area of Biharsharif, was allegedly taken to the legislators place at Pathra English locality of Bakhtiyapur in Patna district on February 6 with the excuse of attending a birth anniversary by a woman named Sulekha Devi. Reports said Devi was paid Rs 30,000 for offering the girl to the legislator. The victim was later dropped back her house a day later with a warning to keep the incident to herself. Sulekha and one of her accomplices have been arrested by the police. The MLA was also accused of raping of a student in a hotel nearly two decades ago. He was, however, not convicted. The JD(U), which is ruling the state in an alliance with RJD and the Congresss, had recently suspended Jokihat MLA Sarfaraz Alam after a women travelling with him in Rajdhani Express filed a case, charging him with harassment and physical assault last month. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bureaucrats who go on study leave for a doctoral degree but fail to get the degree cannot be forced to refund the salary paid to them during the duration of the research, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ruled. It is well known that in case of a PhD programme, the student is not required to pass any examination, the tribunal remarked as it struck down as illegal an order of the ministry of statistics and programme implementation seeking refund of salary paid to a senior bureaucrat who could not secure a PhD degree. In the instant case, the applicant admittedly has not secured PhD degree but at the same time, he definitely completed the course as certified by his research guide. No examination was required to pass in a PhD programme, the principal bench of CAT at Delhi noted. The verdict came on the plea of a 56-year-old senior administrative group (SAG) officer, Tushar Ranjan Mohanty, who had, in December 2000, applied for study leave to pursue a PhD programme in economics from a university in Bhubaneswar. The ministry sanctioned him study leave of 24 months as per the terms of the Central Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, after the officer signed a bond under which he was obliged to pay to the government a sum of `6 lakh in case he failed to complete the course of study. After availing the study leave, the officer returned to service but failed to secure a PhD degree. Meanwhile, after a gap of over 10 years, the ministry in September 2014 ordered him to refund the actual amount of leave salary, study allowances, cost of fees, travelling and other expenses, if any, incurred by the government. The ministry defended its decision at the tribunal, saying the officer was granted study leave for pursuing a PhD programme in which he has miserably failed. The tribunal, however, noted that the research guide, while writing the annual confidential report (ACR) of the officer for the study period, has not commented adversely upon the work. The research guide, on the contrary, has certified that the applicant has duly completed the study course, it said. He has also not contravened the terms of the bond executed by him in connection with the study leave, it added. Interestingly, the tribunal upheld a decision of the ministry refusing the officers second bid to earn a PhD degree from another university. It said the ministry was well within their rights in rejecting the request given the officers dismal track record. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 22-year-old woman who had given birth to a child was allegedly sexually assaulted in the ICU of a private hospital hours after delivery, at Bahadurgarh in Haryanas Jhajjar district. Police has launched raids in Bahadurgarh and its neighbouring areas to nab the accused whose movement was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the hospital. The incident occurred early on Saturday when the man walked inside the hospital and sexually assualted the woman, Jhajjar SP, Sumit Kumar said on Sunday. The 22-year-old woman was assaulted by the man. The victim first thought a doctor was examining her and soon thereafter the accused walked out after committing the crime, Kumar said. He said the pictures of the accused had been captured by CCTV cameras as he is seen walking in the hospitals corridors and parking area. According to the clues we have obtained from the footage, he had come in a Hyundai Elantra car. We are hopeful of arresting him soon, he said. The SP said that though their priority was to arrest the accused, action will be initiated against hospital staff and security as well if negligence on their part is found. Of course, we are questioning the hospital authorities to establish how a man managed to walk inside the hospital ICU and commit the crime without anyone coming to know about it, he said. Haryana health minister Anil Vij said police had been directed to take swift action in the matter. Stern action will be taken against the accused as per the law, Vij said. Vij said the same man was stated to have visited another private hospital nearby some time after the first incident, where he had tried to repeat his action. Police is already on the job and the accused will be nabbed soon, Vij said. Bahadurgarh DSP Ajit Singh said a case under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and other relevant provisions have been registered against the unidentified accused. The woman thought a doctor had come to examine her. However, after realising that something was not right, she objected, after which the accused walked away, he said. Police said the accused was said to be wearing a white coat resembling the attire worn by doctors. The victim had recently delivered a child through a caesarean operation and was admitted in the ICU at the private hospital in Jhajjar. Police said CCTV footage showed a man getting down from the Elantra car outside the hospital, at around 3.30am, and going straight to the ICU. He is also seen leaving the hospital. After the incident, the woman called a nurse to inform her husband who later lodged a complaint with police. The wife of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist David Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and a business partner, have refused to answer questions posed by NIA, citing a privacy clause. The agency had approached Shazia, the US-based wife of the American-born Headley, and Raymond Sanders, his business partner, through the US Department of Justice, for helping it get answers to some of the questions related to Headley. The 55-year-old terrorist is undergoing a prison term of 35 years in an American jail for his role in plotting the terror strikes in Mumbai and Denmark. Official sources said both of them refused to answer any questions, citing a privacy clause. As per the US law, since neither of them is an accused in the case, they can accept or deny requests for examination by a foreign law enforcement agency. The investigators had approached them as they feel Headley had stonewalled information about his family and that they had knowledge of his activities in India and his links with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to the 106-page dossier of the NIA, Headley had told the Indian investigators that they should not ask him any questions pertaining to his immediate family. The dossier was prepared after the detailed questioning of Headley in the US in 2010. I got married to Shazia Gilani in Pakistan in the year 1999... I do not want to discuss the details of my in-laws family as they have nothing to do with my activities..., Headley is quoted as having said in the dossier. Further stonewalling information about his immediate family, especially his first wife, Headley told the NIA team that my request would be not to ask questions relating to my immediate family members. According to the Chicago court records, Shazia watched on TV the terror strikes unfold in Mumbai and used code words like I am watching cartoons to describe the 26/11 strikes. Ive been watching these cartoons (attacks) all day and I am proud of you, Shazia wrote in an email to Headley during the strikes. In her congratulatory message, she also said how proud she was at his graduation (success of attacks). This was stated by Headley on May 27, 2011, the fourth day of the trial of co-accused Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana. He told defence attorney Patrick W Belgan that after the Mumbai attacks began many people congratulated him, besides Shazia, who was even aware of his plans for Denmark attacks and had booked plane tickets for him from Denmark to Frankfurt to Dubai and Pakistan. Sanders, who owns First World Immigration Service in Chicagos Devon Avenue, is believed to have helped Headley in securing a multiple-entry visa to India and setting up an immigration centre in Mumbai. Headley along with Rana had submitted business sponsor letter from the Immigrant Law Center owned by Sanders, a US national. However, the plan failed as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected an application by Headley seeking clearance to open a business account in June 2007. Interestingly, Sanders who had earlier assisted Headley in getting an Indian visa, also helped him in completing the formalities with regard to RBI, but the central bank rejected the application on June 1, 2007. The NIA wanted to know about his knowledge of Headleys association with LeT and whether he was aware that the name of his group was being used as a front to route terror funds to India, the sources said. Headley, whose original name was Daood Gilani, has two half-brothers -- Hamza and Daanyal Gilani -- both of them officers in the Pakistan Government. Headley had told NIA in 2010 that Daanyal was also posted as the information officer in the then Prime Minister (Syed Yousuf Raza Gilanis) office and my father worked in the Pakistan Broadcasting Department. He had gone to the US on deputation to Voice of America. Sources close to the investigation said Headleys father Sayed Salim Gilani, a Pakistani diplomat and former Director General of Radio Pakistan, traced his ancestry to the same Gilani family to which the then Prime minister belongs. Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University was embroiled in controversy yet again after the students union leader was arrested on charges of sedition for shouting allegedly anti-national slogans and organising a protest on the death anniversary of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Home minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh had on Saturday promised strict action against those responsible for organising the demonstration while HRD minister Smriti Irani said India couldnt tolerate any insult to Mother India. The students, however, continued protests against the court allowing JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumars custodial interrogation. Opposition parties too joined in, with Left parties condemning the arrest while Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said: The most anti-national people are the ones who are suppressing the voice of this institution, he said, addressing a gathering of around 2,000 students at the university campus on Saturday. Heres how the controversy unfolded: JNU teachers and non teaching staff gather outside the vice-chancellors office at the university campus. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) The Indian National Lok Dal student wing protests in front of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against the role of JNUSU in alleged sedition charges, in New Delhi. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) Amid the controversy, several faculty members supported the students and called for a solidarity march on Sunday demanding Kanhaiya Kumars release and removal of police patrol on the campus. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi joins the ongoing protest of students against the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, the student union president, at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) General-secretary of CPI(M) Sitaram Yechury addresses students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi (L) looks on, in New Delhi. Yechury and Gandhi went to the campus to meet the students protesting for the release of student union president Kanhaiya Kumar. (PTI Photo) Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday, ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged anti-India protest which led to the arrest of students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. ABVP activists protest against the JNU demonstration supporting Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) Activists protest against anti-India slogans shouted during a demonstration at the Jawaharlal Nehru University where students allegedly called the Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru a martyr. (PTI Photo) Around 80 to 90 students participated in the event organised reportedly against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, police said. A sculpture of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru at the JNU campus, in New Delhi. The universitys teachers have have asked the public not to brand JNU as anti-national due to the raging controversy. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) India is the only economy which has not been affected by the global economic crisis that has affected the world, primarily due to the policies being implemented by the government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Everyone is saying this... the World Bank, the IMF. The world is going through an economic crisis, but it is India alone that is progressing at a rapid pace. This is a unique situation when the whole world is slipping and India is growing, Modi said at a function in New Delhi, organised to mark the 140th birth anniversary of social reformer Dayanand Saraswati. People across the world are saying that the steps taken by the government (have led to) India becoming the fastest growing economy among the larger economies of the world, he said. One thing can free us from our problems, from poverty, from lack of education and that is development, Modi said, while referring to his governments socio-economic programmes like Mudra and Skill Development. Noting that 60% of Indias population was below 35 years of age, he said India was the youngest nation in the world. The governments focus is on how to convert the power of the youth which can used for development of the nation. Therefore, we not only launched a skill development programme for the youth but also created a new ministry, with its own budget and a set of officers to take the programme forward, the Prime Minister said. By 2030, when the population of many countries will grow old and when they require work force, India can power these nations with skilled and technically qualified manpower, he said. The Prime Minister called upon the youth to take a pledge to enhance Indias prestige in the world fora through their skills and knowledge. Barely two months before Ishrat Jahan, 19, was killed with three others in an alleged fake encounter in June 2004, she was hired as an accounting assistant by one of the deceased, Javed Shaikh. According to CBI probe findings, Shaikh thrice requested Jahan to accompany him in his blue Indica car on inter-city travels in May-June 2004, and the latter accompanied him first to Lucknow for up to six days and then to Pune for five days, sources said. On the night of June 10, 2004, five days before the encounter, Shaikh requested Jahan to accompany him to Nashik and the duo left at around 6 am the next day with a pair of clothes in a plastic bag and a handbag, but never returned, the source said. My daughter is really innocent. I do not know why she was brutally killed by Gujarat police, Jahans mother Shamima Raza said in her statement to the CBI in April 2012. Javed never visited our house at any point of time. Ishrat had no other relation with Javed other than the employer-employee relation. Javeds phone calls used to come only when there was a requirement for Ishrat to go out of station with Javed. Otherwise, he used to not make any phone calls, she said. Five days later, a day after the encounter on June 15, 2004, local reporters who visited her Mumbra residence informed Raza that her daughter was killed in a police encounter, she said in her statement. Jahan used to live there with her mother, four sisters and two brothers. Shaikh had hired Jahan on a monthly salary of `3,000 and paid her `4,500 during her stint working with him. Families of both Shaikh and Jahan maintain that they were innocent victims. David Coleman Headleys claim on Thursday that Jahan was a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative was also contrary to the findings of a CBI probe into the deaths. The CBI probe found that Ishrat, along with three others, including two suspected Pakistani men, was killed in a staged encounter in cold blood but didnt find any evidence of her having criminal or terror antecedents, said a senior agency officer who was then associated with the probe. Calling Headleys claims as unreliable and not fact-based, a source said, CBIs probe was exhaustive and factual. Apart from Jahan and Shaikh, two suspected Pakistani men Jishan Johar and Amjad Ali, were also killed in the fake encounter, the CBI found. However, the CBI didnt mention anything about the antecedents of the three other deceased in its two charge-sheets submitted in July 2013 and February 2014. The reason was that the probes mandate as determined by the Gujarat high court was to only establish if the encounter was genuine, said another case investigator. The 2013 CBI charge-sheet had, however, stated that the Pakistani deceased, Ali, had allegedly revealed that he had come to Ahmedabad with a plan to commit a terrorist act at some crowded location. The probe CBI revealed that that a counter-terror operation run with the help of two informants identified as C1 and C2 in the charge-sheets was allegedly botched and ended in the fake encounter. When Ishrat used to go out of town and call me over phone, I used to get worried about her and Ishrat told me not to worry as Javed was a good person, Raza told the CBI. After Ishrat returned from Lucknow, I enquired from her as to what work she did. She informed that there was not much work to do and she had to only stay at a place, while Javed went outside and did all the work. She only maintained accounts. I had checked her bags and had found a book containing accounts, but I am an illiterate, I could not read, she said in her statement. The CBI charge-sheets gave a basic profile of Jahan: A second-year BSc student at Mumbais Khalsa College and the sole breadwinner of her family, which belonged to the lower-income group. She gave tuitions to schoolchildren to support her family ever since her father, a civil contractor, died in 2002.It did not cite a motive behind the killings. However, eyewitness accounts and corroborative evidence, along with forensic findings showed that none of the deceased had fired a single shot, as first reported by HT in January 2012. But the Gujarat police maintained that the deceased were LeT operatives plotting to kill high-profile political targets. The CBI said it sent a judicial request (letters rogatory) to Pakistan, seeking further information on Johar and Ali. The CBI took over the case in December 2011 from the Gujarat high court-appointed Special Investigation Team, which too had found the encounter fake. Earlier, the then Ahmedabad metropolitan magistrate SP Tamang had in September 2009 concluded in his report that the four persons were killed in a staged encounter. The Gujarat High Court had stayed the magistrates report but said Jahans mother had the liberty to produce the same before the three-member committee constituted by it to investigate the encounter. The CBI named seven police officials of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, including the then additional commissioner of police, DG Vanzara, as accused in its July 2013 main charge-sheet. However, the 2014 supplementary charge-sheet, which named former Intelligence Bureau special director Rajinder Kumar and three junior officers for their alleged role in the cases wider conspiracy, was not accepted by court. The Union home ministry too denied the sanctions in 2015. The charge-sheet said Johar and Ali were picked up in Ahmedabad in the last week of April and on May 26, 2004, respectively. Shaikh and Jahan were picked up from a Vasad tollbooth in Anand district of Gujarat on June 12, 2004, after they arrived there in a blue Indica car from Maharashtra. Three separate farmhouses were used to detain the four. Despite Headleys claims on Jahan, the CBI seems in no mood to give a fresh look into her role. The case is sub judice and therefore, the CBI will not like to comment on it, an agency spokesperson told HT. Whats the integrity of the claims made by an LeT terrorist like David Headley? said the spokesperson. Uniting across party lines and keeping aside their political differences, students and teachers at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Sunday held each others hands in solidarity and formed a human chain almost 4-km long. As the students and teachers stood holding hands from the main gate of the campus to the Chandrabhaga hostel only one slogan resonated in the air Free our president Kanhaiya Kumar. Kumar was arrested by the Delhi Police on Friday on grounds that he was a part of the event, held on the campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru on February 9, where certain students had raised anti-India slogan. Police had detained few more students on Saturday, who were later released. To press for Kumars release, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) has called for a strike in JNU on Monday. Teachers from other universities had also gathered to express solidarity with the students. They shouted slogans against the government and the police for arresting Kumar. JNU teachers and students march inside the campus on Sunday to protest the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar . (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) The arrest of JNUSU president is just an attempt by the government to destroy the student movement of JNU. The government which killed Rohith Vemula should not teach us nationalism, said Ishan Anand, a student and member of the Democratic Students Federation (DSF). Most protesters said the crackdown on JNU was only an attempt by the government to divert peoples attention from Rohith Vemulas case. The students said they will intensify the movement till Kumar is released and police withdrawn from the campus. On Sunday, however, there was no police presence on the campus. Our university stands for debate and discussion, we will not let a fascist government trample this autonomy of ours, said Pratik, a student of the university. There were hardly any students from the opposition camp. The handful of those present, stood by the side and watched silently. Meanwhile, ABVP filed a police complaint over the video that purportedly shows students from the organisation raise pro-Pakistan slogan. No FIR has been registered. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Delhi Police have launched a search operation to arrest at least 10 students, including the daughter of CPI leader D Raja, Aparajita, in connection with the sedition case that was registered on Thursday for allegedly raising anti-India slogans. The event was organised by a group of JNU students, including students union president Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, former Democratic Students Union (DSU) member and the main organiser of the event. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday and is being grilled on sedition charges by the Vasant Kunj north police. Around 80 to 90 students including 15-20 women led by Kanhaiya had participated in the event organised reportedly against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, police said. Students from outside JNU reportedly were also present. Read: Anti-India slogans not always seditious: Legal experts on JNU row The investigating officer has also issued a letter to JNUs vice-chancellor Jagdeesh Kumar, asking him to produce six students of the campus before him to join the investigation. The list includes Rama Naga, Umar Khalid, Ashutosh Kumar, Anirban Bhattacharya and Anita Prakash besides Kanhaiya who is already in police custody. The letter also sought details about these students including their permanent address, telephone numbers, details/particulars (Admission form) for investigation purpose. Read: JNU row snowballs into political free-for-all; BJP, Oppn trade charges Five teams of the south Delhi Police have been constituted to nab the JNU students wanted in the case. The teams have been conducting raids at different parts in Delhi-NCR and other states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra to nab them. Alerts were also issued at international airports in the country as the police feared that a few of suspects might attempt to flee the country, sources in police said. The sedition FIR (number 110), a copy of which is with HT, was filed on Thursday around 2pm by Virender Singh, SHO of the Vasant Kunj North police station. Investigation was handed over to inspector Prabhu Dayal. According to the FIR, the SHO took suo moto cognisance against the February 9 event after seeing its video footage on a news channel on February 10. National Confernece leader Omar Abdullah and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja on Sunday questioned home minister Rajnath Singhs claim that the JNU event about Afzal Guru had the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. Earlier in the day, Rajnath had said a programme that allegedly praised Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University had the support of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. The incident(Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand, Singh told reporters in Allahabad, adding, What has happened is very unfortunate. His comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Read: Rajnath claims Hafiz Saeed backed JNUs Afzal Guru incident Reacting to the Singhs claim, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the home minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his serious allegation. When we met the Home Minister yesterday, he never mentioned Hafiz Saeed to us but only harped on the slogans being raised at the protests. Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 14, 2016 Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that This is a very serious charge levied against students of well reputed university. This is for the first time that the Union government, within months period, is dubbing the University students as anti-nationals. In a series of tweets, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a very serious charge to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the home minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all. Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. JNU campus has been tense since Friday, when Kanhaiya Kumar, the students union president, was arrested for alleged sedition. The police action snowballed into a political free-for-all on Saturday with Opposition parties likening the situation to the Emergency and the ruling BJP accusing them of speaking the language of Pakistani terrorists. Pakistans Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people dead. He is an internationally designated terrorist but moves around in Pakistan, openly calling for jihad against India. Guru, a Kashmiri, was hanged in Delhis Tihar jain in 2013 for his role in the 2001 attack on Parliament by members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar militant groups. The arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition has attracted both criticism and support in equal measure, with Saturday seeing the controversy surrounding the institute snowballing into a political free-for-all. Twitter also reacted sharply to the ongoing controversy, with some denouncing the application of sedition on a perceived slight against the nation, while others condemned Kumar and his fellow students as hailing from a breeding ground of anti-nationalism. Yogendra Yadav, an alumnus of JNU and one of the leaders of the Swaraj Abhiyan, described the unity shown by the student body in protesting Kumars arrest as moving. Where'd you find students& teachers, ex&present from diff parties&ideologies unite to defend idea of a Univ? Saw this at #JNU today. Moving! Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) February 13, 2016 Others condemned the Union government for invoking the archaic law of sedition. Govts of grown-ups don't get knee-jerked into invoking sedition for stupid slogans, raiding campuses to arrest unarmed students #JNU Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 12, 2016 #ShutDownJNU & Kanhaiya Kumar arrest is wildly disproportionate. His video does not show him threatening India at all! Facts before arrests? Shoma Chaudhury (@ShomaChaudhury) February 13, 2016 The Opposition likened the charges as being akin to the Emergency period, while the ruling BJP accused them of speaking the language of Pakistani terrorists. Dear Sangh parivaar, targetting the 'leftist' JNU by playing the Afzal Guru card is all set to backfire against the govt. #JNUCrackdown Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) February 13, 2016 We live in a time where the RSS whose member assasinated Mahatma Gandhi will now give us lessons in patriotism. #JNUCrackdown Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) February 13, 2016 But there were equally damning comments from those who supported the governments decision to arrest the JNUSU president, as well as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis decision to stand in solidarity with the student body on Saturday. #JNUCrackdown RG' choices: hide rather than stand with Nirbhaya rape student protestors but run to incite anti-national sentiments. Shalini Singh (@shaliniscribe) February 14, 2016 Every #JNU student getting 3 lakh Subsidy. Dear @PMOIndia Why we are breeding traitors on tax payers' money ? Ashok Shrivastav (@ashokshrivasta6) February 11, 2016 Dont #ShutDownJNU. JNU a quality institute, produces lots of good people & research. Find a way2 shut down Sharia-Bolshevik mafia in #JNU Abhinav Prakash (@Abhina_Prakash) February 10, 2016 Kumar has been accused of organising a public meet at the university campus on February 9. Police case states the meeting was about hanging of Afzal Guru, convicted in the Parliament Attack case, and during the course some persons including Kumar raised incendiary slogans. Under the colonial era law anybody who by words either spoken or written - brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government can be sent to jail for life. Read: JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar victim of Hindutva politics say parents The Jhajjar police have traced the man accused of allegedly molesting a woman inside a private hospital in Bahadurgarh town of the district early on Saturday morning. The accused will be arrested soon; the police have approached his family members, said Sunita, station house officer of Jhajjar womens police station. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, allegedly molested a woman patient in the intensive care unit where she was admitted after delivering a child around 3.30 am. According to the complaint, the accused tried to rape the victim despite her being in deep pain due to surgery. According to the CCTV footage, the accused spent 20 minutes inside the room. The victim, who was under the influence of anesthesia, could not object, the SHO said. The incident came to light when she informed the attendant in the morning, police added. The accused then travelled to Delhi and tried to rape a patient at a private hospital there but she raised an alarm, alerting the hospital staff, said the police, adding that though the accused managed to flee, they have CCTV footage as proof. The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. The police have also initiated investigation against the hospital in Bahadurgarh as there were no security guards inside and outside the facility. Close to a thousand soldiers have died guarding Siachen since the army took control of the inhospitable glacier in April 1984, almost twice the number of lives lost in the Kargil war. In 1999, Pakistani aggressors occupied strategic peaks in the Kargil, Dras and Batalik sectors in Kashmir, and the operation to push them back cost India 527 lives. Figures accessed by Hindustan Times reveal almost a fifth of the casualties were linked to enemy fire before the November 2003 ceasefire between India and Pakistan kicked in. The remaining deaths were because of natures fury, accidents and medical reasons. The death of 10 soldiers in the February 3 avalanche on the glacier turned the spotlight on what troops have to endure at punishing heights of more than 21,000 feet. Nowhere in the world is any army deployed at such altitudes. Read: Soldiers bodies brought to base camp 10 days after Siachen avalanche Figures show 997 soldiers, including the 10 men from Madras Regiment, have died on the glacier over the past 32 years. The military casualties include 220 men killed in firing from the Pakistani side. Previous official figures pegged the Siachen deaths at 869. Guns have been silent on the glacier for the past 12 years but weather and terrain have continued to claim lives. On the glacier, soldiers deal with altitude sickness, high winds, frostbite and temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius. The longest continuing military mission, codenamed Operation Meghdoot, caused nearly 700 non-fatal casualties. The figure includes 295 men who were wounded in enemy fire. A group of social activist pay their homage to Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad in Gurgaon. (PTI) Pakistan is paying a high price, too. Its army lost 213 soldiers in Siachen during 2003-10. Also, 140 Pakistani soldiers were killed when an avalanche swept away a military camp in April 2012, making it the biggest loss of military men in a single incident in Siachen. India recorded a very high percentage of fatal and non-fatal casualties in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Army officials said these had been brought down significantly in the past 10-15 years. Advancements made in high-altitude medicine, better gear, best possible training, in-house innovations and following proper drills have helped us keep casualty rates low, says Lieutenant General (retired) Om Prakash, who commanded the Siachen brigade during 2005-06. It was during Prakashs tenure that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the glacier in June 2005 and later talked about converting it into a mountain of peace. The army launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984 to evict Pakistani soldiers who had occupied strategic heights in Siachen, a 76-km river of slow-moving ice. Several rounds of talks between India and Pakistan on demilitarising the Siachen glacier, an old sore in bilateral ties, have failed as Islamabad refuse to authenticate troop positions on the ground. Read: Dont pull out troops from Siachen, says 1987 hero Bana Singh While the rail blockade at Mayyar village of Hisar district was called off on Sunday, thousands of Jats blocked the Delhi-Rohtak highway at Sampla, around 45 km from the national capital, demanding reservation under the other backward class (OBC) category. One of the protesting leaders, Pappu Dalal, said there are plans to block the Bahadurgarh-Beri road and Jhajjhar-Beri road as well. Chiefs of prominent khaps had gathered for the Jat Swabhiman Rally at Chhotu Ram Memorial to discuss their further course of action, when amid anti-government slogans, several Jat leaders suggested that blockade was the only way to press their demand. However, the khap committee heads announced to wait for the governments action till March 31, following which angry crowd rushed to the stage and announced their plans to defy the khap decision and block the roads and railway tracks. Even though the rally was led by Jai Singh Ahlawat of Ahlawat Khap, whoever came onto the stage and raised anti-government slogans was able to sway the crowd. Protesters soon dispersed from the venue to block the National Highway-10. The move, however, did not lead to any snarl-up as the police had already diverted the traffic via link roads. The protesters raised slogans against the government and slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, for trying to divide the Jat community. Birender Bullar Pehelwan, one of the protesting leaders, said: We should have blocked the roads long ago when the BJP government came into power and snatched away our reservation. But our khap leaders did nothing at that time. We cannot listen to them once again and let our Jat brothers die without land and job. Today we will do whatever it takes to win our rights back. Police reached the spot and tried to pacify the leaders, but the protesters said they had arranged for their bedding and food for the night and would not leave the road until a minister reached the spot and assured them of raising their demand with the government. Sampla police station in-charge Rajbir Singh said: Talks are going on to persuade the protesters. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar is scheduled to visit Rohtak on Monday for the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected sarpanches in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said a programme that allegedly praised Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University had the support of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. Police is investigating all facts and looking at evidence. But I would like to make clear that whatever happened in JNU had the support of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, and this fact should be understood by all countrymen. Lashkar-e-Taiba has expressed its support for the incident, Singh said in Allahabad. Singh rejected allegations that the government was harassing JNU students. I have given requisite instructions to officials of security agencies and made it clear that no innocent should be harassed or booked, he said. Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed, Singh said separately in a tweet. No one should measure such incidents on the scales of political gains and loss, he said when journalists asked him about Congress leader Rahul Gandhis visit to JNU on Saturday. The home ministers comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the Twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Delhi Police had also issued an alert through its official Twitter handle on Friday. JNU campus has been tense since Friday, when Kanhaiya Kumar, the students union president, was arrested for alleged sedition and Delhi Police launched a search for 10 students, including the daughter of Communist Party of India leader D Raja. The police action snowballed into a political free-for-all on Saturday with Opposition parties likening the situation to the Emergency and the ruling BJP accusing them of speaking the language of Pakistani terrorists. Pakistans Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that left 166 people dead. He is an internationally designated terrorist but moves around in Pakistan, openly calling for jihad against India. Guru, a Kashmiri, was hanged in Delhis Tihar jain in 2013 for his role in the 2001 attack on Parliament by members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar militant groups. Read more JNU row: Cops search for 10 students including D Rajas daughter JNU row snowballs into political free-for-all; BJP, Oppn trade charges Home minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday a programme this month at Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University commemorating 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had drawn support from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, who India alleges was the brains behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His remarks added to a swirling political controversy fuelled by the event and the subsequent arrest of the universitys student union leader, Kanhaiya Kumar, under sedition charges, as the Congress and Left parties asked the minister to back his claim with evidence. The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand, Singh told reporters in Allahabad. What has happened is very unfortunate. His comments came days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the JNU protests. Authorities are trying to ascertain whether the Twitter handle actually belongs to the LeT founder. The CPI(M)s top leader, Sitaram Yechury, accused the government of scaring us off and crushing dissent, after protesters attacked his partys headquarters in Delhi. On Friday, police charged Kumar with criminal conspiracy and sedition for organising a protest on the anniversary of Gurus hanging three years ago. This has become a hotly contested political issue, days before Parliament convenes for the budget session. Students who participated in the event allegedly shouted slogans in support of Kashmiri separatism and Guru, who was hanged on February 9, 2013. Protesters were purportedly heard saying, Kashmir ki azadi tak jung chalegi, Bharat ki barbadi tak jung chalegi (the fight will continue until Kashmir is free and India is destroyed). The incident at JNU is the latest in a string of pitched political battles between left- and right-wing student groups on campuses. In January, the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula at the University of Hyderabad, allegedly after a fight with right-wing activists, sparked countrywide protests. Left student bodies have accused the Modi government of emboldening right-wing student groups such as the ABVP. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Left leaders Yechury and D Raja had visited the JNU campus to meet students protesting against Kanhaiya Kumar being accused of sedition. Read | Opposition questions Rajnaths Hafiz Saeed claim, demands proof In a series of tweets on Sunday, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the home minister must go public with the evidence that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all, he said. Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crackdown is a new low, even for this NDA government. Dozens of students at the institute formed a human chain on Sunday and families of staff members living on the campus also joined the demonstration. While the university teachers association, academics and opposition parties have united to condemn the police action inside the heavily politicised JNU campus, the government has said it would not tolerate any anti-national activities. JNU stands for inclusion and is a secular institution that stands against communalism, said Ajay Patnaik, president of the JNU teachers association (JNUTA) at a press conference. Whoever does not believe in this ideology is bound to make such a statement. Does the minister have any evidence to support this claim? BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi defended the home ministers remarks, saying sources and decisions of the government isnt (sic) a subject of public debate. However, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the minister had made a serious claim and asked him to substantiate it. CPI leader Raja too said Singh should make the evidence public. A statement from the home ministry said Singhs comments were based on input from different agencies. A clutch of pesticides that could be carcinogenic and banned in many countries will continue their run in India, though a government panel has recently decided to ban 18 insect killers hazardous to human health and prohibited abroad. This is the first time a decision to ban such a big number of pesticides was taken. There are 261 pesticides registered in India but only 28 had been banned so far. It followed an agriculture ministry expert committees findings that 19 of 66 pesticides, most of which are used in India for the past four decades but banned in foreign nations, are likely/probable carcinogenic in nature. The results were based on studies conducted worldwide. The panel constituted in 2015 said in its report to the government last December that chemicals used in these pesticides are highly toxic. Environmental activists called the measure too little, late too. For 40 years we had been eating these chemicals. Its a failure of the regulatory mechanism. We first allow such chemicals to enter our food chain and then conduct tests on them, said Sridhar Radhakrishnan, the programme director of Thanal, a non-profit working on pesticide-affected communities in Kerala. Hazardous pesticides include Butachlor, Mancozeb, Carbaryl, Benomyl, Alachlor, Diuron, and Trichlorfon popularly used in controlling pests in wheat, paddy, maize, groundnut, grapes, banana, tomato and brinjal and insecticides like DDT and Fenthion, used for household-pest control and public health programmes. Several other pesticides on the list cause depression, birth defects and damage to kidneys, liver and the nervous system. These are toxic to honey bees, fish and birds too, says the report. There are no instances to directly link health hazards to the use of these pesticides in the field but they might be causing long-term health impacts, said Anupam Verma, adjunct professor at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute, who headed the committee. We recommended continuing pesticides which are extremely crucial for good production of crops. Where enough data is not available, we recommended further studies and review. The committee recommended immediate ban on production and import of 13 pesticides, prohibit their use by 2018 and phase out additional six pesticides by 2020. It recommended continuation of the remaining 47 pesticides, asking for a review of 28 in 2018. Most of the recommendations have been accepted by the registration committee of the agriculture ministry, which decides on the use of the pesticides in the country. But the suggestion to completely ban DDT was deferred. It asked the health ministry for its comments as DDTs use is restricted to public health programmes. A senior agriculture ministry official said a final call on implementing the decision was pending. The recommendations were not based entirely on health and environment impacts. Consider this. While the committee recommended a ban on eight likely/probable carcinogenic pesticides, it has left 11 such chemicals to be continued for now. These include Chlorothalonil, Iprodione, Propineb, Thiodicarb, Thiophanate Methyle, Oxyfluorfen, Mancozeb, Malathion, Diuron, 2, 4-D and Butachlor, used in various cereal, vegetable and fruit crops. Agriculture ministry data say the 18 banned pesticides constitute 11% of the total pesticide consumption in the country in the past five years. But the ones allowed to continue make for 34%. It is a fact that the turnover volume of a pesticide is one of the criteria in considering the ban. There are also other conditions, said JS Sandhu, deputy director general, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who is also the chairman of the registration committee. The ban would hit the Indian pesticide sector, industry captains felt. The expert committee members were stuck with old reports and old information gathered from one or two countries as well as from NGO websites. Most of the data submitted by various companies have not been studied. We have appealed to the agriculture ministry to give us an opportunity to discuss our case product by product, said Pradip Dave, the president of the Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two civilians were killed on Sunday when security forces in South Kashmirs Pulwama cracked down on locals protesting their gunfight with alleged militants in the area, plunging the region into discord. Eyewitnesses said government forces fired bullets and tear gas shells at locals who were pelting stones at the forces in Khar Mohallah area of Kakapora town when an encounter was underway close by. A police statement said one of the victims, a woman, was killed while being evacuated from the site of the gunfight. Pulwama deputy commissioner Niraj Kumar said he ordered a magisterial inquiry into why forces opened fire on civilians. Danish Farooq Mir (20), a resident of Ratnipora village and Shaista Hameed (22) of Lelhara village, succumbed to injuries on the way to a hospital. More than a dozen were injured. Army spokesman NN Joshi said a militant, identified as Adil Ahmad Wagay by the locals, was killed in the encounter. IANS reported that tensions ran high in the district and senior police and administrative officials had rushed to the town. People move an injured person on a stretcher for treatment at a local hospital in Srinagar on Sunday, 14 February 2016. A youth and a woman died in clashes with the security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. (Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo) Hardline as well as moderate separatist leaders called for a complete shutdown on Monday against what they termed were cold-blooded murders. We received a youth Danish Farooq Mir who had a bullet injury in his head. He was brought dead to the hospital, said Block Medical Officer of Pampore Hospital, Dr Showkat Ahmad. He said that 12 more people were admitted in the hospital with pellet injuries. One youth had a bullet injury in his abdomen and he was referred to Srinagar hospital, he said. A police official said six army men and 15 police officials were injured in the stone pelting by the mob that had gathered in violation of prohibitory orders being in force. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah was quick to express his sadness, tweeting RIP(rest in peace) for the souls of killed civilians. Its not return of power projects & more money but these situations that will challenge Mehbooba. Whatll she do?, Omar wrote on the Twitter. How many languages did you speak today? Chances are there was a lot of English at work and at home, but at least a sprinkling of Hindi (or Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil or Kannada) when you were chatting, gossiping or joking with friends and family. You toggle so effortlessly that you probably dont notice it, except when the option is no longer available when arguing with a non-English-speaking cabbie while on vacation, for instance, or trying to write a heartfelt message to a faraway friend on Facebook. And thats the key reason for the host of regional Indian-language social media platforms that have been popping up over the past four yearsShabdanagari and Mooshak in Hindi, in 2015; ejibON for Bengali, in 2014; Prasangik for Assamese, in 2013; Muganool in Tamil, in 2012; with an early start made by Vismayanagari (Kannada; 2008). Muganool, a social network in Tamil. I set up Muganool.com out of love for the language and culture, and of course because it is so much easier to express oneself in ones mother tongue, says Sathish Kumar, 31, a software solutions company owner. On Muganool, the feed is much better, you get relevant news and peoples views making them a delight to read. On Facebook, theres just too much of timepass. Read: Facebook and WhatsApp top social networking apps in India, says report Most of these platforms are modelled on Facebook. You can post updates, links and videos on a newsfeed, share and repost links, form groups and live chat. Some are even named after their inspiration Muganool, for instance, comes from the Tamil Mugam for Face and Nool for Book. Many go a step further. Shabdanagari has discussion forums, Prasanagik has a crowd-sourced encyclopedia section and ejibON has a crowd-funding tab. For users, the differentiator has been this sense of community. 39-year-old Umashankara BS is a Bengaluru-based marketing professional and Vismayanagari user. Its too much of a crowd on Facebook, says Umashankara BS , 39, a Bengaluru-based marketing professional and Vismayanagari user. Here, I feel like I know who Im talking to, and they know me. We share opinions about politics and literature, and once a month 15 of us meet at a Bengaluru cafe. Thats not something I would dream of doing via Facebook. Property consultant Siddharth Bora, 35, who left Assam for Delhi a decade ago, describes Prasangik as his home away from home. Read: Logged in generation next requires digital de-addiction It takes me back more than an STD call can, he says. Prasangik feels intimate, almost private. While on Facebook it is considered rude to post content in the vernacular or go on about elements of your culture, here that is exactly what a lot of us do. From other homesick migrants to my mother in Assam, a 67-year-old retired lecturer. It seems strange to hear the word intimacy when talking about interaction on social media, but its a concept that keeps coming up among users of the regional-language sites. Users take pains to give feedback and comment on post, unlike Facebook, where most content is lost in the crowd and clamour, says Pankaj Trivedi, 53, a college staffer from Gujarat and a Shabdanagari user. Also, since it is a language the users are confident in, conversations tend to sound more courteous. People are polite to one another. I know that there is a certain kind of audience that enjoys reading my posts and that makes me more comfortable posting on Shabdanagari. On ejibON (meaning e-life), a community has been formed across borders, with 10,000 users in India and Bangladesh bonding over their love of the language and the idea of an undivided Bengal. Language can be such a great unifier, says Bangladesh-based Maruf Sunny, 28, web developer and founder of ejibON. The aim of this website is to build a sense of community across borders and religions to celebrate the Bengali community online. Thinking vs Feeling These days, we think in one language and feel in another, says, Sunil Abraham, executive director of The Centre for Internet and Society. Whether it is music, literature or even relationships it feels truer and more authentic in our mother tongue. So, despite a lot of English content and services online, we still yearn for our own languages in the online world. This is precisely why Wikipedia in regional languages has become so popular. For greater representation of Indian languages online, Gaurs website actively encourages people to embrace and personalise their Hindi as they do their English. I want users to coin and combine words, use hashtags, he says. Eventually, I want more Indians to voice their opinions online so that the English-speaking elite are not counted as the voice of the nation. Today, whatever trends on Twitter is taken as the opinion of the majority. Thats just inaccurate. With thrice as many people offline in India as online, and most of them non-English-speakers, the potential of such websites is immense, Abraham points out. The stumbling block, of course, will be the resources internet access and electricity. Meanwhile, the money is already flowing in. Last month, Shabdanagari.com raised $200,000 (about Rs 1.35 crore) from Indian investors. The way forward lies in governmental support, says Abraham. Indic language technologies are not sufficiently developed because of insufficient investment by the government, he adds. Existing work needs to be promoted and technology infrastructure developed to protect and promote Indias linguistic heritage. A huge fire broke out on stage during a cultural programme at the Make in India event in Mumbai on Sunday evening. However, no casualties were reported as the venue, at the Girgaum Chowpatty area, was emptied within minutes. Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray were a few meters from where the fire broke out gutted the stage. The fire broke out of sparklers during a Lavani performance on the state at around 8.15pm. More than 15,000 people were present when the blaze began, police said. Watch | Moment fire broke out at Mumbais Make in India event Calling the incident unfortunate CM Fadnavis said that the fire had been brought under control and gave information about the relief operations in a series of tweets. Very unfortunate occurrence of fire in cultural program organised by GoM at Mumbai. No casualties reported, no one is injured. Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 14, 2016 He also said that the venue was evacuated immediately and traffic management allowed early dispersal without any trouble. 14 Fire engines,10 Water Tankers, and all Sr. Fire Officers are on site. Fire now totally under control. Program called off. Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 14, 2016 Fadnavis said a comprehensive inquiry into the incidence of fire will be conducted to ascertain the reasons. According to disaster management officials, the fire was a Grade 2 event that calls for eight fire engines. Officials, however, rushed 14 fire tenders and 10 water tankers to the spot. We were shocked and confused when someone shouted fire!. We found that the fire wasnt that bad initially, said Anjana Sukhani, one of the dancers who was on the stage. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Make in India week in the city exhorting global business giants to set bases in the country. The local police on Sunday claimed to have solved a number of cases of burglary and looting of vehicles with the arrest of four youths. The accused have been identified as Joginder Singh, 23, a resident of Bhiwani; Rajinder, 19, a resident of Hisar; Deepak Kumar, 23, a resident of Bhiwani and Shubham, 19, a resident of Hisar. After the preliminary interrogation, a Maruti Swift car worth Rs 6 lakh and a luxury motorcycle worth `2.3 lakh have been recovered from them, besides, a country-made pistol, said Panchkula deputy commissioner of police Anil Dhawan. According to the police, on February 12, the gang had snatched a motorcycle from Kalka. On December 27, 2015, they broke into a electronics showroom in Barwala and took away a number of LCDs. On December 30, 2015, the gang had burgled a garment store in Naraingarh (Ambala). On January 14, 2015, Deepak, Joginder, along with one Sunil Kumar, looted a Maruti Swift car at gunpoint from Gurgaon. They had also looted a Volkswagen Polo car on November 22, 2015, at gunpoint from Sirsa. As per the police record, Joginder has been facing seven cases registered between 2012 to 2015, which included those of robbery, Arms Act, trespass, rioting in Bhiwani and Ambala. Deepak has a case registered in 2014 that of voluntarily causing hurt and Arms Act pending against him in Bhiwani. How they were caught Crime Investigation Agencys inspector Narendar Kadiyan said they were on patrolling on Saturday night when a person complained to them that a group of youths tried to rob him of his car at the Sectors 23/24 crossing. The police formed two teams to nab the accused. Interestingly, the accused tried to dispossess one of the two police teams of a private vehicle they were travelling in, leading to their arrest. The grand-old Congress is learning to fight elections the volunteers way. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is replicating in Punjab a model that helped it post a stunning victory in the Delhi assembly polls, the Congress will use poll strategist Prashant Kishors plan that worked for Nitish in Bihar. Arvind Kejriwals party, however, has taken the lead in enrolling volunteers for its door-to-door campaign, Parivar Jodo, to take its policies and agenda to the people. The Congress intends to follow the AAP, village to village, door to door, by creating its own army of volunteers, starting next week. Amarinder is monitoring the enrolment programme personally and the volunteer wing office is within his Sector 10 residence in Chandigarh, where a core team will be trained to bring in more volunteers. We have to reach out to people in villages and towns. For this, we need a dedicated team of volunteers. Gobind Khatra and Brinder Dhillon of partys student wing NSUI (National Students Union of India) will manage the enrolment programme, Amarinder told HT on Saturday. While he tries to woo young voters in colleges and universities through his interactions, on ground and via Skype, the volunteer wing will use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp to reach out to the youth and ask them to join. On it are youngsters such as Pushpdeep Sekhon, who have quit their high-profile corporate jobs to work with Amarinder. We will enrol the volunteers who will take Amarinders message door to door, to those not inclined towards any particular party yet. It is a chain process of engaging volunteers to make more volunteers, said Sekhon. On the lines of the four-page pamphlet the AAP is distributing among families to make them aware of Kejriwals views on Punjabs shattered economy, drug menace, and farmers suicides, the Congress is ready to distribute its own variant with Amarinders message on it. Along with the pamphlet, the AAP volunteers carry a colourful sticker holding the slogan Punjab nu bachaun layi main ate mera parivar Arvind Kejriwal ate Aam Aadmi Party naal (To save Punjab, my family and I are with Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP), which they paste outside the homes of those ready to support them. The party has also developed a mobile-phone application to collect the data on all families, something the Congress also intends to do, to outwit the AAP in the numbers game. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a well-planned robbery of `9 lakh that lasted less than four minutes, four masked men barged into a Central Bank of India automated teller machine (ATM) kiosk at Babhat village in Zirakpur after midnight on Sunday, uprooted the machine using iron chains tied to Mahindra Thar SUV, bundled it into the same vehicle and fled towards SAS Nagar. A few hours later, a team from the Sohana police station recovered the damaged ATM at a deserted spot in Kambala village with no trace of Rs 9 lakh that had been loaded into the machine just three days ago on February 11. The ATM is located at the entrance of the village on the link road and is near the sales tax barrier as one enters Zirakpur from Chandigarh. GUARD LET THEM IN Around 1.30 am on Saturday, a man knocked at the shutter of the kiosk. I asked him to come at 5am as we have instructions to allow visitors only after that time. The man claimed he needed money due to an emergency. I opened the gate at his persistent requests, only to be confronted by four men with covered faces who overpowered me. I was locked inside the service room at the kiosk, the guard at the ATM, Prabhu Dayal, a native of Uttar Pradesh, and a resident of Shivalik Vihar, Zirakpur, told the police. Dayal said he had called the police after he managed to come out of the kiosk through the roof. Based on Dayals statement, the police have booked four unidentified accused at the Zirakpur police station under Sections 457 (trespass), 380 (theft) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police claim that the robbers entered the kiosk at 1.38 am and by 1.42 am, they had decamped with the machine. The guard told the police that the robbers had masked their faces and were wearing gloves, probably to ensure that they left no fingerprints or traces. The accused drove to Kambala village in Sohana, where they broke open the ATM and made away with `9 lakh loaded into it, said Derabassi DSP Arshdeep Gill. Central bank of India branch manager Shivani Kumari said `11 lakh had been loaded in the machine on February 11. Coming down on the Delhi Police for invoking sedition charges against Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students and Delhi University (DU) professor SAR Geelani SAR Geelani for organising events against the hanging of Afzal Guru, the Dal Khalsa said the police establishment had not shown any respect for the high court and the Supreme Court verdicts vis-a-vis applying sedition charges against political dissidence. Party spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh and human rights activist Harpal Singh Cheema in a joint statement issued here on Sunday, said the Delhi Police acted on the unconstitutional and unjust orders of the Union Home Ministry and unleashed crackdown on JNU students and booked Geelani under sedition laws for raising their voices against the hanging of Afzal Guru three years ago. Referring to the verdicts of the apex court and high courts of other states as to what makes the offence under sedition; the Dal Khalsa leaders said the police and investigating agencies hardly took into consideration such judicial verdicts while invoking sedition provisions against political dissidence. They said there had been considerable rise in incidents of police excesses and intolerance. They said the act of JNU students and seminar at Press Club of India (Delhi) was in no way seditious nor did it evoke violence thereafter. However, the police going overboard and conniving with ABVP- the students wing of ruling BJP, had gone against the spirit of law and democracy by charging organisers of both the events under provisions of sedition, they added. Urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice, the radical Sikh leaders demanded intervention of the Chief Justice of India and sought cancellation of the FIRs against JNU students and Geelani. They sought release of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar and demanded that the witch-hunting of the university students be stopped. Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday urged the universities across the state to act as agents of change for complete transformation of rural economy by evolving techniques through which the income of the farmers could be supplemented. Interacting with the chancellors and vice-chancellors of the universities at a review meeting of integrated village development programme here, Badal said though due focus has been given to the general development of villages, the rural areas still lag behind when it comes to economic development. He said the need of the hour was to boost economic development of every rural household. The chief minister said under the integrated village development program, the state government aims to make the universities a partner in the Punjabs rural growth. As farmers of Punjab are reeling under acute crisis, the universities should make concerted efforts to evolve techniques through which the income of the farmers could be supplemented, he added. He also said purposeful and quality education along with guidance to unemployed youth in villages for gainful employment must also be the areas of concern. The health department of Ludhiana on Sunday said it has received four more swine flu positive cases taking the total number to 34. Most of the patients admitted in different hospitals of the city belong to other districts. On Saturday evening four positive samples including that of three of males and one female were received by the health authorities. All the four patients are admitted to hospitals including Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), SPS Hospital, Fortis and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. The men are of ages 52, 60 and 63 while the woman is 43 years old. The four patients belong to Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Barnala and Uttar Pradesh. Dr Ramesh Bhagat, district epidemiologist said the total number of deaths in Ludhiana hospitals so far has reached 12. Out of this two belong to Ludhiana district while rest belonged to other districts. At least 130 samples of swine flu suspected have been so far sent to the state laboratory at Chandigarh out of which 34 have been declared as positive so far. As Jalandhar City police have miserably failed to make any headway in eight ATM robberies reported here in the last ten months, the helmet gang has successfully targeted ATMs and managed to sneak out from under the nose of the cops. A quick look at the modus operandi of the gang reveals that it struck at ATMs on holidays and on Saturdays and Sundays when extra cash had been loaded in the machines by the banks. Out of eight such heists, four were executed by the helmet gang, in which a man wearing a helmet entered the ATM kiosk and looted all the cash in the machine after forcing it open with gas cutters. Notably, CCTV footage could be retrieved for only these four cases of the helmet gang. In the rest, the robbers either removed the CCTV camera right after entering the kiosk or cut the electrical supply before entering the ATM kiosk. On February 13, a man covered his face with a helmet and entered the kiosk of Allahabad Bank at Shaheed Capt Roopendra Singh Garcha commercial complex in Urban Estate Phase-II at 8.06am and decamped with cash amounting to `8.25 lakh. The heist at ATM of Union Bank of India branch at Basti Bawa Khel locality on the busy Kapurthala road on January 16 was also done by a man wearing a helmet. The ATM was emptied on the occasion of birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh when extra cash had been loaded in the machine. Similarly, a helmet-wearing man looted `12.1 lakh from an ATM of UCO Bank womens branch at Guru Gobind Singh Avenue on November 14, which was the second Saturday of the month when the bank was closed and extra cash had been loaded. The robber entered the kiosk and opened the machine with gas cutters. On March 22, 2015, a Sunday, a State Bank of India ATM at the Maqsudan vegetable market here was opened with gas cutters and `24 lakh were looted. This robbery by the gang happened only a few metres away from a police station. A senior police officer said police were suspecting the role of employees working in private security companies, who are responsible for loading cash in ATM kiosks as per the contract with the banks. He said details had been sought from the banks and companies about the staff deployed for this job. We have circulated the photographs of members of the helmet gang, as captured by CCTV cameras in ATMs but no major breakthrough has been made in the loot cases, he said. They have become perfectionists in their work as they do not carry mobile phones and leave no fingerprints or any other clues at the crime scene, said the official, adding that the local police was also facing the wrath of the higher-ups in Chandigarh. It is certainly a failure on our part that we have failed to solve any loot case, he added. While four robberies have been executed by the helmet gang using gas cutters, ATMs were uprooted and taken away in three other cases and in one case, the robbers broke open the machine with metal tools to loot the cash. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON He is no ordinary zoo keeper at Chhatbir. Motiram is a humble descendant from a sheep herding family of nearby Chhat village and is classified as a Class 4 employee. But, whenever a zoo keeper of a particular species is indisposed, and the species is not an easy one to manage such as tigers, lions, etc, Motiram fills the breach with aplomb. Or, when animals are to be transported to distant zoos under an exchange programme, it is Motiram who travels with the traumatised animals in the back of the truck and sizes up their situation accurately to administer water, food and rest at the correct time. Even some officers address Motiram with the honorific, Ji, as his counsel is always credible and pragmatic, reveals zoo director Manish Kumar. Motirams understanding of animal behaviour amazes me. If there is a crisis at the zoo, it is Motiram who assesses the ground situation correctly and provides feedback on the basis of which we frame a management response. He spends his duty time observing and re-observing his wards, caring for their needs and not wiling away his time in tea and gossip. His role is crucial in the deer safari where we have more than 110 animals and any contagious disease could wipe them out. But Motiram knows virtually each specimen and will pick the most subtle signs of illness. We rely on him when medicine is to be administered as a dose packed in a jaggery ball. He diligently pursues the sick deer and ensures the medicine is delivered to the patient, explains Kumar. In the 2014-15 winter, sambar stags inflicted wanton injuries on the herd. The zoo was at a loss to understand this spurt in violence. The fact was that the zoo had doubled the jaggery given to deer to keep them warm. But dominant stags cornered a lions share of the increased jaggery and that fomented over-aggression. Motiram identified the malady and on his advice, jaggery was reduced. The stags calmed down. MAMAS HIDING PLACE A chinkara fawn, just a few days old, waits for mother in the hiding place at Chhatbir zoo. (PHOTO: SHIVJOT S BHULLAR) The flourishing population of dainty, prancing Chinkaras (Indian gazelle) at Chhatbir zoo owes much to Motiram, who separated warring males at right moments, imprisoned rogue males, and allowed peaceful breeding of select males with willing females. The zoo had got nine Chinkaras from the Pillani zoo in Rajasthan. Chinkaras were not easy to breed in captivity and some zoos had failed in this endeavour. We tasked Motiram with their breeding management and the result was that Chinkaras grew to 17. We now barter them with other zoos, said Chhatbir block officer Harpal Singh. Very recently, the Chinkara parivaar at Chhatbir was blessed with two more fawns. Motiram knows where each female deer or antelope has hidden her fawn. Once the fawn is born, either within the herd or in the dense parts of the deer safari or enclosure, the mother takes the fawn to a secluded spot. Only Blackbucks dont hide their fawns, the rest of the species at the zoo do so. This is the wild instinct to shield the fawn from a carnivore. It is not that the mother fears the herds in the safari will trample upon her fawn as deer/antelope are very sensible and will not harm another ones offspring. The mother steals away to the spot, where she keeps the fawn in hiding for at least a week. The fawn dutifully sticks to the hiding spot. Sometimes, when a zoo keeper chances upon the hiding fawn, it tends to shrivel up and play lifeless to escape detection, explained Motiram. LAMMERGEIER IN A LOO The Shaheen falcon first-day cover on display at PUNPEX 2016. (PHOTO: VIKRAM JIT SINGH) Raptors or birds of prey have held apex position in human cultural history, being emblematic of nobility and winged power. These powerful birds, which encompass hawks, eagles, owls, falcons etc, do not find such resonance in contemporary India even though raptors as a group of specialised birds face decline and doom. Last weeks Punjab State-Level Philatelic Exhibition (PUNPEX 2016) at the DAV College (Chandigarh) reflected this relegation to a dusty, forgotten shelf. Among the 266 glass-framed displays were a rich representation of raptor postal stamps. Stamps from across the globe depicted the Lammergeier, Long-eared owl, Peregrine falcon, Osprey, White-tailed eagle, Kestrel etc, with an aesthetic touch. An exhibit was devoted to the Northern goshawk (Punjabs state bird). The goshawk stamps, for example, were educative, informing the viewers that this bird is found across many nations. There was a rare first-day cover of the Shaheen falcon stamp issued by Pakistan post office on January 20, 1986, to highlight conservation concerns over the endangered bird. The Shaheen finds numerous references in the poetry of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and a class of Pakistani nuclear missiles is named after this premier hunting bird. But sadly, these raptor exhibits were relegated to dimly-lit rows at the auditoriums back-end, which was suffused with draughts from odorous loos. vjswild1@gmail.com Walk of Hope: 7,500 km, 500 days, 11 states, 86 districts, 10 million people so reads the banner, and its enough to impress those who understand the power of padyatras or journeys on foot, in India. Whats perhaps more interesting, even for those who dont, is the person who is leading this unique walk from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Some know him as the only social reformer in India who is both Muslim and Hindu; others know him as the author of the best-selling book, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogis Autobiography. Some address him by the name on his passport, Mumtaz Ali Khan, but most and this includes a follower base of millions in the south of India know him simply as Sri M. The 67-year-old social reformer originally from Kerala but now based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, has been on a unique mission since January 2015. He and 70-odd followers from his Satsang Foundation have been on a Manav Ekta (Unity of Humanity) mission, walking from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to spread the message of harmony especially in places that have seen communal violence in the past. At various stops there have been discussions on harmony and cultural or fusion performances. Read: Muslim family shelters 600 cows for communal harmony The Walk of Hope has traversed the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, and entered Delhi-NCR yesterday. Amid growing talk of intolerance and the cyclical communal polarisation fuelled by politicians, Sri M has the rare distinction of having had his apolitical padyatra flagged off by chief ministers across states, regardless of the parties they belong to. These have included Kerala CM Oommen Chandy and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah of the Congress, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the padyatra being a great initiative for peace and brotherhood, Aam Aadmi Party chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be joining the walk on Thursday in Delhi, from where it moves on to Haryana, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, to end its trail at Srinagar in April. Ask him about having managed the unique feat of finding support from the leaders of warring political parties and Sri M laughs. What I am doing is for interfaith harmony. It is not about any religion. I am not about any religion, he says. Why wont the leaders understand the basic thing about manav ekta or harmony among humans irrespective of caste, religion or beliefs? I am glad they have, and have all been so supportive. After a brief pause, he adds, In fact, please do mention the fact that my yatra is not even funded or sponsored by any corporate body. It is purely a group of volunteers who decided to make a point about the desperate need for communal harmony by walking across the country. When we started out from Kanyakumari with around 70 people, we were worried about how we will manage their stay, their meals, and other things needed. Like a miracle, all these things got sorted by the local people, wherever we went. Watch | Dadri victims son appeals for communal harmony In Mandya, Karnataka, for instance, a coconut vendor refused to charge after providing fresh coconut water to the entire group. He called it his small contribution, says Sri M. Although we have a few cooks travelling with us, rarely have they ever had to cook. Local leaders from various religions make arrangements for us to stay at community centres, guest houses or school buildings. Everywhere we have gone, we have been offered more food than we could consume. And at all these places, locals have joined in the walk. Although 70 people have been with me from the beginning, there are about 270 walking with us on any given day. The volunteers The original group of 70 is as interesting as the man leading it. They range from an 80-year-old retired Navy commodore to the high-flying CEO of an ad agency, a former director general of police (who suffered a heart attack mid-way, was operated upon and rejoined the walk), a doctor from California and a Lithuanian lawyer. I might be 80 but everyone calls me the youngest walker in the group, says (Retd) Commodore V Raveendranath, laughing. Leading the walk with the tricolour in hand, he jokingly calls himself the bumper of the Walk of Hope vehicle. In service, people arent distinguished upon based on caste, creed, religion or anything. We just look for efficiency in work. Thats about it. Its only when I came out of service that I realised there is a lot of conflict based on caste and religion. By being a part of this walk I want to do my bit to eliminate these differences, he says. In spite of having a heart attack, retired IPS officer Ajai Kumar Singh joined the walk believing in its intrinsic worth. (Manoj Verma/HT) Adds retired IPS officer Ajai Kumar Singh, former DGP of Karnataka and an active volunteer with the group: Im walking because I have no doubt of the intrinsic worth of the intent. Thats the reason that in spite of having a heart attack nine months in, I returned to the walk after three-and-a-half months of rest, against the advice of most of my doctors and all my relatives. I attended a discourse by Sri M in San Francisco in 2014, in which he spoke about his plan to walk through India to spread the message of peace. I knew at that instant that I wanted to be a part of it: Dr Christine Joseph, emergency medicine specialist from California, US. (Manoj Verma/HT) Also walking for peace is Dr Christine Joseph, an emergency medicine specialist from California, and her husband Matthew, who have been walking with Sri M and the Walk of Hope from its beginning on January 12 in Kanyakumari last year. I attended a discourse by Sri M in San Francisco in 2014, in which he spoke about his plan to walk through India to spread the message of peace. I knew at that instant that I wanted to be a part of it, says Joseph. Many people from India and my own family and friends have asked me how I have managed. I cant say that it has been easy. Actually its probably the most difficult thing I have done in my life. When the walk finishes this year I will have made five trips back to the US and walked about 12 of the 16 months. The youngest of the walkers is Sijo George, 20, a videographer who was initially hired to record the padyatra as it made its way across Kerala. After hearing Sri M talk, I decided to stay on till we reach Kashmir, he says. I feel it was an opportunity for me to do something for my country. I was 19 when I started! Read: Strict action against people disrupting communal harmony, says Rajnath Sri M is gratified to be getting support from such diverse quarters. When I see people, whether they are 18 or 80, leave their work, their livelihoods, their homes, to walk for the cause of brotherhood, I realise how deeply people care for communal harmony in the country, he says. When we stopped at Godhra in Gujarat, we had religious leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities telling us how they support our effort. At the end of the day, everyone wants peace. WHO IS SRI M? Mumtaz Ali Khan aka Sri M is 67 years old and describes himself as a social reformer who is both Muslim and Hindu. Originally from Kerala, he is now based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, where he heads the Satsang Foundation. He has millions of followers in the south of the country, and is known to others as the author of the best-selling book, Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master: A Yogis Autobiography. His mission, he says, is to promote harmony among the human community. (To view a detailed itinerary, go to walkofhope.in) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Radical separatists showing elements of terror triggered the riot in Hong Kong last week, Chinas top official in the city said on Sunday, referring to the worst street protests in the financial hub since the 2014 pro-democracy protests. Zhang Xiaoming, Chinas top official in the city, which is formally a semi-autonomous part of the mainland, said: We strongly condemn those radical separatists whose behaviors got more and more violent and even showed terror tendencies. Violence termed as fishball revolution erupted in the city on the night of February 9 when officials attempted to remove illegal hawkers during the Chinese new year holidays. About 300 rioters participated in the riot in early hours on February 9 at Mong Kok, one of Hong Kongs busiest shopping areas following official attempts to remove illegal hawkers from the busy commercial neighbourhood during Lunar New Year celebrations, the official version of the event said. Police, according to local reports, fired in the air to disperse the crowd as protesters hurled bricks at them; rubbish heaps were set on fire. According to an AFP report, at least 100 people including protesters and police personnel were injured. The sequence of events might point to a spontaneous reaction but according Zhang, the violence was premeditated. Zhang, tellingly, made the remarks at a function to convey greetings to HK residents for the new Chinese Lunar Year. We strongly condemn those remarks and sophistries that agitate for violence and confuse right and wrong, and even attempt to shift the blame onto other people, Zhang added. Zhang said he believed Hong Kong residents hope for peace, stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, and that all share a consensus that Hong Kong should not be overrun by violence, and therefore the Hong Kong residents would not tolerate a tiny minority radicals to destroy Hong Kongs most valuable environment of rule of law, the report added. US President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing moderate rebels in Syria in support of its ally Bashar al-Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are meanwhile helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the countrys largest city and commercial hub before the conflict. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin and Obama had agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the agreement on Syria, struck in Munich. After a phone call between Putin and Obama, the Kremlin said both gave a positive valuation to the Munich meeting. The Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and other terroristic organisations, an indication that it would also be targeting groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting Assad in close proximity to rebels deemed moderate by the West. Russia says the cessation does not apply to its air strikes, which have shifted the balance of power towards Assad. It says Islamic State and the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front are the main targets of its air campaign. But Western countries say Russia has in fact been mostly targeting other insurgent groups, including some they support. The White House said Obamas discussion with Putin stressed the need to rush humanitarian aid to Syria and contain air strikes. In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria, the White House said in a statement. Relief workers said efforts to deliver humanitarian aid were being threatened by the latest escalation of violence. We must ask again, why wait a week for this urgently needed cessation of hostilities? said Dalia al-Awqati, Mercy Corps Director of Programs for North Syria. The situation in Syria has been complicated by the involvement of Kurdish-backed combatants in the area north of Aleppo near the Turkish border, which has drawn a swift military response from artillery in Turkey. The Kurdish YPG militia, helped by Russian air raids, seized an ex-military air base at Menagh last week, angering Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group that waged a bloody insurgent campaign on Turkish soil over most of the past three decades. Turkey began shelling while demanding that the YPG militia withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels in the northern Aleppo region in recent days, including the Menagh air base. The bombardment killed two YPG fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party rejected Turkish demands for withdrawal, while the Syrian government said Turkish shelling of northern Syria amounted to direct support for insurgent groups. Other fronts were also active on Sunday. Kurdish-backed forces were fighting with insurgent groups near Tel Rifaat in the northern Aleppo countryside, while further south, government forces renewed their shelling of rebel positions to the northwest of Aleppo city. The Observatory also reported air strikes by jets believed to be Russian in areas east of Damascus, north of Homs, and in the southern province of Deraa. Saudi Arabia confirmed late on Saturday night that it sent aircraft to NATO-member Turkeys Incirlik air base to contribute to the fight against Islamic State militants. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri, adviser in the office of Saudi Arabias minister of defence, told pan-Arab Al Arabiya television that the kingdom was committed to stepping up the fighting against Islamic State and that the move was part of those efforts. He also said that the current presence in the air base was limited to aircraft and no ground troops had been sent. What is present now is aircraft that are part of the Saudi Arabian forces, Assiri said in response to a question on whether ground troops were included. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and US Defence Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper on Saturday that Saudi Arabia had carried out inspections at the air base in preparation to sending aircraft. Ancient palm leaf folios in Telugu held in the British Library since 1942 have been transcribed after a three-year effort, providing new insight into the life and work of the twelfth century theologian and philosopher, Acharya Ramanuja. The folios were transcribed by London-based writer and academic Ragasudha Vinjamuri, whose work is scheduled to be released in the print form at an event in the British parliament in May to mark the beginning of Ramanuja Sahasrabdi (1000th birthday) celebrations. Born in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, Acharya Ramanuja was the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaita, one of the sub-schools of the Vendanta school of philosphy. The sub-school has a large number of followers in parts of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka. Vinjamuri told Hindustan Times: As the first two folios and some bits and pieces were damaged, initially the author was unknown. After researching and inquiring from different archival collections in India in Chennai, Tanjavur and Hyderabad, and after consulting scholars and historians, we could trace the author and his composition to be around 300 years old belonging to the Tirupathi area. The folios, which were acquired by the British Library from one Mack Cobban, were found to be written by Illindala Paravastu Ramanujacharya (17th-18th century). The text is in the form of Shataka (100 verses) in praise of Acharya Ramanuja and his life. (HT Photo) Vinjamuri said: The journey was not so easy. Some folios were very light and reading the content was difficult even under a powerful magnifying lens. Some sections were damaged. It took several months to ascertain the author of this work. She added: The Telugu script and the verse used in the work was slightly different to the one that I am used to reading and writing. I had a baby when I began transcribing; after nearly three years now, I feel I have delivered a second baby. Delighted at gaining a better understanding of Acharya Ramanujas life and work, Vinjamuri highlighted Verse 13 that praises him as one who received the attention of Yamunacharya and narrates the episode of his childhood Guru Yadava Prakasha in Kanchipuram. Ramanuja fearlessly points out the errors in his Gurus interpretation of the Advaita vedanta. The verse also mentions the desire of Alavandar to see Ramanuja, Vinjamuri said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Within hours of the passing of Antonin Scalia, a leading conservative judge of the US Supreme Court, Saturday Indian American Sri Srinivasan emerged as a likely successor. Keep your eye on DC Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan as #scalia successor on #SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the US), Jeffrey Toobin, a legal analyst and CNN commentator, said in a tweet. Ian Millhiser, a legal expert associated with a DC think-tank, said, also in a tweet: If I had to put money on it, President Obama will probably nominate Sri Srinivasan to replace Scalia. Old profiles and write-ups about the 48-year-old judge began popping up in tweets and on Facebook pages, including one that called him Obamas Supreme Court nominee in waiting. Obama named Srinivasan to the US Court of Appeals (roughly like Indias high courts) for the DC Circuit, generally considered a stepping stone to the Supreme Court, in 2013. Read | US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79 The president described Srinivasan a trailblazer while sending his nomination to the senate and once again after he was confirmed, adding this time he personifies the best of America. He was confirmed unanimously, in a 97-0 vote, becoming the first Indian-American judge of a court of appeals. Srinivasan was born in Chandigarh, where his family lived and met and became friends with Manmohan Singh, who would become the prime minister of India one day. Both his parents were teachers -- his father was a mathematics professor at the University of Kansas, and his mother taught at the Kansas City Art Institute. Sri, as he is known to everyone, graduated from Stanford University and did a joint law and business masters from Stanford Law School and Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is very hardworking and very humble, Saroja Srinivasan, a distinctly proud mother, told Hindustan Times at his confirmation hearing in April, 2013.. Srinivasan worked for the law firm of OMelveny & Myers, where he made a reputation representing corporate clients including Enron boss Jeffrey Skilling. The first time he appeared before the Supreme Court, Srinivasan brought along just a single sheet of paper, ostensibly notes, so as to not appear overconfident. But the paper was blank. Singhs family attended Srinivasans swearing-in as circuit judge. And now he could well be headed for another swearing in, as the first Indian American US Supreme Court judge. There will be others in contention too, for sure. But the Republicans, who control the senate, which must consider and then confirm or reject the presidents nominee, want the successor to be named by the next president. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president, he said in a statement. Republicans running for president weighed in too, agreeing We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement, said Ted Cruz in a tweet. Obama has 342 days left, and some Democrats said it would be unprecedented to leave the Supreme Court short by one judge there are nine in all including the chief for nearly a year. Obama said in remarks on Scalias passing late Saturday that he intends to nominate someone as successor. If its Srinivasan and he is confirmed, he will make history again: this time as the first Indian American judge of the Supreme Court. Quick-thinking by the crew of a US Air Force refueling plane has saved the life of a pilot and his expensive F-16 fighter jet over Islamic State territory, according to a media report. The F-16 had been trying to refuel in mid-air when the pilot discovered a malfunction with his fuel system, which meant he could only fly for 15 minutes - nowhere near enough to reach safety. Instead of leaving the pilot to fend for himself, the KC-135 Stratotanker tanker crew decided to diverge from its area of responsibility, and safely escorted the F-16 to its base while refueling every 15 minutes on the way to allied airspace, CNN reported. Without mid-air refuelling, the pilot faced the dangerous prospect of having to eject over Islamic State territory. US Air Force commander Lt Col Eric Hallberg said: Over 80 per cent of his total fuel capability was trapped and unusable. Knowing the risks to their own safety, they put the life of the F-16 pilot first and made what couldve been an international tragedy a feel-good news story, Hallberg said on the incident that happened last year. The jet first ran into trouble when it connected to the KC-135 but was forced to disconnect after taking on 500lbs of fuel - just a fifth of the 2,500lbs it should have had. After a second failed attempt to refuel, the pilot ran through a checklist and was able to tell the tanker crew about the fuel emergency. The Air Force did not say where the incident took place or which country the F-16 pilot was from. The tanker crews actions may have saved the airman from a fate like that of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kassasbeh, who was shown being burned alive in pictures and video by Islamic State extremists after he ejected and was captured. As of February 10, the US and its coalition partners have conducted a total of 10,242 strikes against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use. This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it. After being at the receiving end of intense criticisms about its military strategy in the Middle East, Russia has once more asserted that it is doing nothing wrong. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev reiterated on Saturday that the country is not bombing civilians in Syria and that its operations have specifically targeted militants instead, according to CNN. "There is no evidence of our bombarding civilians even though everyone is accusing us," Medvedev said. Russia has been under fire lately, with accusations that though its operations are targeting extremist groups, a lot of civilians are being killed in the process. Among the country's most intense critics is U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who has accused Russia of dropping "dumb bombs," or bombs with no specific target, in Syria, reported Reuters. With the current state of the crisis in Syria, however, major world powers have agreed to a general cessation of hostilities in the Middle Eastern country in order to provide aid for those who have been directly affected by the conflict. Russia's critics, however, believe that for the ceasefire to succeed, Russia must change its strategy against the militants in the area. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that for the ceasefire to be successful, the nations acting against the extremist groups in the country must be able to look far beyond what is happening on the surface, reported KSWO News. "The U.N. must recognize that everyone on the ground is doing something which is wrong from the point of view of humanitarian law. (One) shouldn't demonize anyone except terrorism in Syria," Lavrov said. For more World News, click here. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In what is one of the biggest international gaffes ever, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a very happy birthday. All is indeed well, as the Indian Prime Minister is very active on social media platforms such as Twitter. However, there was a slight problem, as the Afghan President's birthday is more than three months away, according to BBC News. Happy birthday @ashrafghani. Praying for your long life & exceptional health and a joyful journey ahead. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2016 While the greetings were quite off the mark, the Afghan President handled the gaffe in a really gentlemanly manner, responding to the post and candidly pointing out that his birthday was actually on May 19, reported ZNews India. @narendramodi Greetings from Munich Mr. PM. Although, my Birthday is on 19th May, but I'd still like to thank you for your gracious words :) Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) February 12, 2016 One of the probable reasons for the Indian Prime Minister's mistake was the fact that the Afghan's President's Google profile lists his birthdate as Feb. 12 instead of May 19. Thus, Modi, or his social media manager, Hiren Joshi, probably based the erroneous greeting from a Google notification, reported APB Live News. Of course, with a mistake involving politicians as powerful as the Indian PM and the Afghan President, Twitter users had a field day, with one humorously stating that the mistake was arguably "the biggest international joke from someone occupying the biggest chair in the world's biggest democracy." Check out more World News here. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. It seems like a Middle Eastern superpower is gearing up to join the fight against the Islamic State, as Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed Saturday that Saudi Arabia has begun amassing a massive number of troops and warplanes in Turkey's Incirlik military base, according to The Independent. Saudi Arabia announced two days ago its intentions to join the fight in Syria, stating that its decision to send its military forces to the beleaguered Middle Eastern nation was irreversible. With the number of troops the country is amassing, however, it is almost clear that it intends to initiate a full-scale invasion of Syria. Cavusoglu further stated that Turkey and Saudi Arabia are now seeing eye-to-eye in lieu of military efforts against the extremists, reported The Daily Caller. "At every coalition meeting, we have always emphasized the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group. If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation from the land," Cavusoglu said. The Turkish foreign minister, however, did not specify the exact number of troops that are being amassed in the military base. He also did not give any indication of the intended date of deployment for the troops, reported Fox News. With Saudi Arabia entering the fray, the Islamic State might find soon find itself in its tightest spot yet. For more World News, click here. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79 of apparent natural causes, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement on Saturday. Scalia, 79, had reportedly been invited to Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa, according to the San Antonio News-Express, which was the first to report his death. He arrived there on Friday to attend a party with about 40 other guests. However, after failing to come down for breakfast, a person affiliated with the ranch went to check his room and found his body. While the statement failed to indicate Scalia's cause of death, an official speaking on the condition of anonymity said Antonin appeared to die from natural causes and there is no evidence of foul play. As he released his statement, Abbott referred to Scalia as a man of God and an "unwavering defender of the written Constitution." "He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution," Abbott said. "We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers." Nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, Scalia was one of the staunchest conservative members of the court throughout his tenure, reported CBS News. In fact, he was one of the most prominent proponents of "originalism" - a conservative legal philosophy that believes the US Constitution has a fixed meaning and does not change with the times. Evidence of this was seen in his role during major decisions such as the Voting Rights Act and the death penalty, as well as his continued opposition to abortion and gay rights. With his death, the U.S Supreme Court faces a potential shift in power since President Barack Obama can now add a fifth liberal justice to the high court. He has made two succesful appointments; the first was Judge Sonia Sotomayor who was confirmed by the Senate on Aug. 6, 2009, and the second was Solicitor General Elena Kagan who was confirmed by the Senate on August 5, 2010. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pope Francis launched his six-day tour of Mexico Saturday by calling on the duty of the country's political and ecclesiastical elites to protect their citizens and provide them with security, justice and basic social services in the face of the country's grave problems caused by drug violence, migration, corruption and poverty. The pope's first speech on Saturday addressed Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and other political leaders inside the National Palace, with tens of thousands of people watching on grand screens set up in the Zocalo plaza outside. "Each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few, to the detriment of the good of all, the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption," Pope Francis said, as The Washington Post reported. "Drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death." He stated that it is the duty of Mexico's political class to provide "an adequate home, dignified work, food, real justice, effective security, and a peaceful and sane environment" for its people. Around 46 percent of Mexicans live in poverty, including 10 percent in extreme poverty, The New York Times reported. The country's homicide rate increased significantly between 2006 and 2011, declining somewhat before rising again in 2015. The pope also spoke to Mexico's bishops at the Cathedral of the Assumption in the capital city, challenging the Catholic Church in the country to do more than simply denounce drug trafficking, which makes them sound like little more than "babbling orphans beside a tomb." The pope's itinerary over the next few days includes visiting Mexico City's Ecatepec suburb, which has seen a sharp increase in femicides. Since 2005, at least 1,554 women have disappeared in Mexico state, in which Ecatepec is located, according to statistics from the National Observatory on Femicide. He will also travel to the country's poorest state of Chiapas, as well as offer a Mass in Ciudad Juarez on the U.S. border to honor the migrants who have died trying to reach the U.S. Francis' Mexican tour comes after a short but historic meeting between the pope and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana, Cuba on Friday, during which both religious leaders called for Christian unity between the two churches. It was the first time that a pope and a Russian Church head came together since the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity separated in the 11th Century, BBC News reported. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two officers were wounded and a suspect was killed Saturday night in a shootout in a Baton Rouge, La. neighborhood, according to ABC affiliate WBRZ. The shooting occurred at around 6 a.m. after police chased the suspect in a two-mile car chase and has been deemed "totally justified" by a local prosecutor. Police were originally called to respond to a property complaint after the suspect, 22-year-old Calvin Smith, arrived at his girlfriend's house and got into a confrontation with her mother's partner. Smith began destroying a car parked in the driveway of the property but left in a separate vehicle when police appeared on the scene. A chase ensued for two miles before Smith pulled up at the home of Gina Chambers, who is his mother's godmother and had reportedly been hosting Smith at her home in Baton Rouge since December, the Associated Press reported. Smith then left the vehicle with a rifle and began shooting at officers, who then returned fire. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore told reporters that one officer was grazed by a bullet while another was shot in the stomach while wearing a bulletproof vest and that they "are fortunate to be alive," according to CBS News. Moore added that he believed the shooting to be "totally justified" after watching dashboard camera footage of the chase. Smith was critically injured from gunfire during the incident and later died in the hospital Saturday night, WBRZ noted. He was reported to have suffered from longstanding mental health issues and had attempted suicide last year. Both officers involved in the shooting will be placed on paid leave in line with police policy in the area. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U.S. and Cuba continue to rebuild broken ties, as a dummy Hellfire missile mistakenly sent to Cuba from Europe has been returned to the U.S., CNBC reported. The missile, which was sent to Cuba in 2014, is a 100-pound missile that is guided by a laser. It is an air-to-surface missile that was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and was built with the intention of being deployed from a helicopter or drone in an attack. "We can say, without speaking to specifics, that the inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said, according to Reuters. The missile ended up in Cuba after a NATO training exercise in 2014 and was later discovered on a commercial flight from Paris by customs. "Once the U.S. government officially informed the Cuban government that a training missile belonging to the company Lockheed Martin was mistakenly sent to our country and expressed its interest in recovering it, Cuba communicated the decision to hand it over and started arrangements for its return," Cuban officials said in a statement. The recovery of the missile took more than a year to finalize. "The reestablishment of diplomatic relations and the re-opening of our embassy in Havana allow us to engage with the Cuban government on issues of mutual interest," Toner said, according to CNN. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Iran is taking its first step in the global market since the nuclear deal was reached, as the country has reported its first shipment of crude oil sent to Europe since sanctions were lifted, ABC News reported. This was Iran's first shipment of crude oil in five years. Iran has been working to rebuild its oil production industry since the sanctions were lifted in January, according to Bloomberg. The country hopes to increase its output of crude oil by 1 million barrels per day. Four million barrels of oil will be shipped to Europe. Two million barrels will be transported by France's Total SA company, while the remaining 2 million barrels will be transported by other companies, heading to Spain and Russia. The lifted sanctions are a good thing for oil business in Iran, even though crude oil prices continue to plummet, The International Business Times reported. However, other sanctions on the country remain in place, including those on human rights and terrorism. These sanctions do affect the crude oil business, too, as they prohibit dollar-based transactions with companies in Iran. This means that costs will be raised for those looking to buy Iranian oil. There is also a reluctance to buy Iranian oil because of fear in regards to American regulations. @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. PrestigeProperty.co.uk With the loonie collapsing by 30 per cent against the U.S. dollar over the past few years, Canadian housing should look a lot cheaper when compared to the rest of the world. And yes, it is cheaper. But guess what? Even with the precipitous drop in the loonie, homes in Canadas priciest cities are still more expensive than in many if not most developed countries. Advertisement The simple proof? If you sold your single-family home in Toronto today, you could buy a castle with the money in any one of a dozen or so European countries. The average price of a single-family home in the city of Toronto was $1.06 million, according to the most recent report from the citys real estate board. That translates to around US$760,000, or 674,000 euro. Here are some castles, currently for sale, that you could buy at that price point or less. Valence, France: US$589,000 (C$759,000) Advertisement About an hour's drive from the ski resorts of the French Alps is this 15th-century castle. The castle keep, or tower, is for sale and is evidently large enough to house four bedrooms, two baths an office, and the place comes with 2,000 square metres of surrounding land. Listing. The French Pyrenees: EUR530,000 (C$826,000) An hour-and-a-half by car from Toulouse, this seven-bedroom castle's age is listed simply as "from medieval times." The property features a courtyard with a heated pool, somewhat unlike any you've ever seen. It has 5,400 square feet of living space. Listing. Radikov, Czech Republic: 270,000 EURO (C$420,000) Advertisement Kunzov Castle, about a three-hour drive from Prague or Vienna, isn't as old as it looks. It was built in 1907 by an industrialist who died a few years later. But it's still important enough to warrant its listing as a heritage site, and its own Wikipedia page, which notes academics' criticism that the place was built "as an expression of the capitalist's desire to emulate the medieval aristocrat." It's been in a state of disrepair for about a quarter century. 1-BR Apt., Tuscany, Italy: 590,000 EURO (C$919,000) This 19th-century castle near Livorno, on the Ligurian sea in northern Italy, has been divided into apartments, and the asking price gets you a 1,500-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment. The apartment has a sea view and the building has an electric gate, so you know you neighbours will probably be a little upscale. Listing. Advertisement Tesino Valley, Italy: 700,000 EURO (C$1.09 million) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family didn't let the cold stop them from having some fun with Bonhomme. Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau took the kids to Quebec City's Winter Carnival despite temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees C. Advertisement A little cold wont stop us! Great time with the kids today at Carnival in Quebec City. pic.twitter.com/pnguLXu10P Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 13, 2016 Trudeau tweeted a few family shots from their outing, adding "A little cold won't stop us." The family layered up in Hadrien's case, in a Stegosaurus toque and headed out to visit the Ice Palace, meet the seven-foot tall festival mascot Bonhomme Carnaval, and partake in the outdoor activities. Carnaval de Quebec is an annual weeks-long festival to celebrate the beginning of Lent, filled with everything from winter games and snow sculptures to fresh maple taffy. Today will be the last day of the celebration and Bonhomme will have to step down from his place of "undisputed master of the kingdom" and return the keys to the city to Mayor Regis Labeaume. Advertisement Take a look at the rest of the photos from the Trudeau's family outing here: Richard Dawkins Don Arnold via Getty Images The Church of England has denied "trolling" Richard Dawkins by offering prayers to him after he suffered a stroke. The renowned atheist and scientist had to cancel speaking engagements while he recovers from the attack, prompting the Anglican church to tweet: Advertisement Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family https://t.co/KxBBkBrECk Church of England (@c_of_e) February 12, 2016 The church has pleaded its message was a "a genuine tweet offering prayer for a public person who was unwell", after a "Twitterstorm" accuses them of mocking the staunch critic of organised religion. @c_of_e: Prayers for Prof Dawkins and his family https://t.co/zZjNycrGZY Sarcastic or ignorant? Nikki Sinclaire (@NikkiSinclaire7) February 12, 2016 Advertisement In a Tumblr post, the Archbishop Council's director of communications Rev Arun Arora wrote: "Others attacked the church for trolling Dawkins suggesting the prayer was intended as an attack or sarcastic comment. "One author and comedian suggested we were 'taking the p**s'. One news site even suggested that by offering to pray for Dawkins of all people the bishops controlling the account had clearly 'been at the sherry'. "What is clear in some of the responses is a misunderstanding of what prayer is, who does it and who it is for." Rev Arora said Dawkins' views were more nuanced than commentators on both side suggested, adding there was a "danger in reducing him to a one trick pony". His views are more nuanced that both supporters and detractors would usually acknowledge. At the end of last year Prof Dawkins publicly voiced his support for the Church of England when our Lords Prayer advert was banned by cinemas in the UK. Advertisement "At the end of last year Prof Dawkins publicly voiced his support for the Church of England when our Lords Prayer advert was banned by cinemas in the UK," he added. "I wish Professor Dawkins well. I hope he makes swift and full recovery and wish him the best of health. I will pray for him too. It is the very least I can do." Dawkins had published a recording in which he describes the stroke and how he begun recovering. In it, he says his doctors urged him to avoid "controversy" as it would add to his stress. "The doctors asked me whether I had been suffering from stress, and I had to say, 'Yes, I had'," he said. "They keep advising me not to get involved in controversy, and I'm afraid I had to tell them that not getting involved in controversy was one of those things I was not particularly talented at." Advertisement Five heavyweight Labour politicians, who previously opposed Britain remaining in Europe, have backed David Cameron on the issue, saying the benefits of EU membership outweigh the costs. Less than a week before the crucial Brussels summit on his renegotiation package, Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn is among those backing the prime minister's fight to keep us in the EU. Alongside Benn, former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, ex-home secretary David Blunkett, former foreign secretary Jack Straw and MP Margaret Beckett also backed Cameron in the open letter, printed in the Sunday Mirror. Advertisement All five campaigned against remaining in Europe in the 1975 referendum. Cameron's deal will 'hopefully strength' Britain's relationship with Europe, the Labour heavyweights said But they said: "Our concern then was that membership would mean a one-way loss of sovereignty and investment. This has proved unfounded. "The conclusion of the renegotiation will hopefully strengthen this relationship as we make the progressive case for Britain in Europe. Advertisement "Leaving would be a huge risk to prosperity, security and the opportunities of future generations. The EU is not perfect and improvement is always worth making, but the benefits outweigh the costs." Hilary Benn (above), Neil Kinnock (below left) and Margaret Beckett (below right) were among the open letter's signatories Meanwhil,e top travel figures have warned that leaving the EU could risk tourists' safety and push up flight prices. Advertisement EasyJet chief Carolyn McCall suggested a Brexit could herald a return to the days when flying was "reserved for the elite", The Press Association reports. Peter Long, former boss of the Tui travel group that owns Thomson and First Choice, insisted close co-operation with other EU states was essential to "protect the security of our holidaymakers". Writing in The Sunday Times, Ms McCall said: "The EU has brought huge benefits for UK travellers and businesses. Staying in the EU will ensure that they, and all of us, continue to receive them. "How much you pay for your holiday really does depend on how much influence Britain has in Europe." Ms McCall argued that before the EU overhauled aviation in the 1990s, flying was "reserved for the elite" who travelled on "government-owned airlines between state-controlled airports". "As a result of Britain's membership, the costs of flights have plummeted, while the range of destinations has soared. That's why easyJet believes the benefits far outweigh the frustrations - and why the UK is better off as part of the EU," she said. Advertisement Mr Long, who was in charge of Tui when 33 of its customers were massacred by an Islamist gunman in Tunisia last year, insisted that close co-operation with other EU countries was essential. He said witnessing the "human tragedy" after the massacre gave him "many first-hand experiences of seeing how European governments, through their foreign offices, collaborate and work together in a crisis". "It would not be like that if we weren't in a situation where we were as Europe working together," he wrote in the newspaper. Mr Long, now chairman of Royal Mail, also cautioned that that Brexit would cause the value of the pound to slump. Advertisement "For our customers, that means higher holiday prices and less spending money," he added. Liam Fox, the Eurosceptic former cabinet minister, accused Downing Street of "scaremongering". "Those that wish to remain in the EU should make the positive case for the supranational European project rather than frightening people," he said. The peer Cameron tasked with taking the referendum legislation through the House of Lords has also announced that would be voting to Leave. Lord Dobbs, who wrote the House Of Cards books, dismissed the premier's renegotiation as "a mouse that barely squeaks, let alone roars". As the sides in the campaign begin to gear up for an attritional four-month run-in to the likely referendum date of June 23, US secretary of state John Kerry has voiced support for Britain staying in the EU. British Labour Party Leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn (C) poses for pictures with supporters after addressing a rally at the Rock Tower in north London on September 10, 2015. Voting closed in the leadership contest for Britain's main opposition Labour party on Thursday after a campaign dominated by the shock popularity of radical left candidate Jeremy Corbyn, who looks set to win. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) BEN STANSALL via Getty Images An opinion poll has showed Jeremy Corbyn is as unpopular with the public as Tory minister Michael Gove. A ComRes survey for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror found the Labour leaders personal rating stands at -29, while David Camerons has fallen sharply to -17, perhaps linked to low expectations in securing a good deal in Britains EU membership renegotiations. Advertisement But it also revealed Corbyns rating is the same as Goves - despite the Justice Secretary being a bogeyman in the eyes of some voters thanks to his controversial education reforms when Education Secretary. Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Gove have a poll rating of -29 The ComRes poll in full The poll also has Labour trailing the Conservatives by 14% in latest poll - a deficit Labour MP and Corbyn critic John Woodcock says is hideous. Labours support matches its lowest levels since before 2010. Advertisement Hideous. And if your response is to channel Stalin/Mao/every single failing cult ever and blame "the enemy within".. https://t.co/XnWYW6gUDq John Woodcock (@JWoodcockMP) February 14, 2016 ..Then get a grip. We're heading for disaster for those we're supposed to help, no amount of railing against MSM/Red Tories will change that John Woodcock (@JWoodcockMP) February 14, 2016 "Better to fail with principles" Sums up the madness Labour must shake off or condemn people to 20 years of Tories https://t.co/krUDyNoa6x John Woodcock (@JWoodcockMP) February 14, 2016 BBC The European Union would fall apart if Britain voted to leave, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has signalled ahead of D-Day over the UK re-negotiating a new deal with Brussels. Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, the Cabinet minister warned Europe would lurch very much in the wrong direction and risked a contagion among other EU member states agitating to leave if there was a Brexit. Advertisement His comments come ahead of Thursdays crucial summit of European Union leaders where David Cameron hopes to agree a new deal with the bloc to claw back powers from Brussels. He offered an almost apocalyptic view of what would happen to the EU if Britain voted to leave, a riposte to critics on the continent rubbishing the idea the UK could be as prosperous outside the union. He said: What I fear and what other people fear is that without Britain, Europe would lurch very much in the wrong direction. Britain is been an enormously important influence on Europe. An influence for open markets, free trade, a less dirigiste approach to running the economy. Advertisement We would be dealing with a Europe that looked very much less like our image. Theres a real fear in Europe that is Britain leaves, the contagion will spread. People who say we could do a great deal with Europe if we left forget the countries remaining in the EU will be looking over their shoulder at people in their own country saying well, if the Brits do it, why cant we. They will not have an interest in demonstrating we can succeed outside the EU. The deal will form the basis of the UKs referendum this year on whether to quit the EU, with Mr Cameron clear a successful repatriation of powers would mean he thinks the UK should vote to stay in. Mr Hammond said the shape of the deal was already forming, but there are a lot of moving parts. The centrepiece of the deal is a four-year restriction on newly-arrived migrants claiming benefits. Mr Hammond talks would run right to the wire. Welcome to the BlueFlyer blog...here Hugh and the crew will endeavor to keep you up-to-date as BlueFlyer sails around the world for a second time! This time Melbourne to South Africa, then Brazil, through the Panama Canal, through the Pacific Islands and back to Melbourne. The recent Care Quality Commission findings, revealing that 40 per cent of UK hospitals are failing to meet the expected standards for end-of-life care, highlight just how important it is that all hospitals commit to and ensure that any person faced with the inevitability of death is treated with the utmost dignity and respect. It comes as no surprise to me that Alder Hey, Great Ormond Street, and Sheffield, all children's hospitals, have been deemed as 'outstanding'. These hospitals have incredible dedicated teams of doctors and nurses that are specialists in paediatric palliative care, and this is reflected in their rating. Of course, this is due to their clinicians being well trained, skilled and dedicated but it is also due to their service being recognised as needed and therefore commissioned. Teamwork is extremely important in these hospitals, as one single person cannot be there all the time to provide a child with round the clock care. Having good links with palliative care teams based in hospitals and hospices, for both children and adults, is essential for quality coordinated care. The Liverpool Care Pathway, as Julia Neuberger, author of the 2013 report points out, was misused. One could argue this is because it gave staff the excuse not to listen to what people wanted, and did not prioritise communication. You can be the most skilled physician, surgeon, or nurse in the world, but if you can't communicate compassionately and thoughtfully you should question whether you should be doing the job. More worryingly, in this position you can actively cause harm - not just to patients but to their relatives too. Advertisement People die all the time, much as babies are born all the time. What lies at the centre of good palliative care is the ability to listen and shape treatment and care around the individual, thinking about their needs, not just their symptoms. Are they thirsty, in pain, sweaty, scared? Much is not rocket science, it's compassion, but boy do you want someone who does know the science of pharmacology and physiology when your symptoms are hard to manage. People want to die where they feel safe. For some this is in hospital, for some this is home. Home does not necessarily mean that it will cost less, and a hospital death is not a failure - it is only a failure if it's not managed well or if someone doesn't want to be there. That said, it is no good making this an indicator of quality, as asking people where they want to die months in advance doesn't tend to give them a mechanism for them to change their minds. Leadership, as Neuberger suggests, is essential, and the board of an organisation needs to influence the culture and be assured about the quality of care. They need to make decisions that facilitate good end-of-life care and they need to hold people to account. There is a parallel with child protection - it is everybody's responsibility and it needs a profile at every level of an organisation. Knowing when someone is dying is key. Neuberger points out that a junior doctor may not have experienced this before, and I argue that we should change this. If a patient suffers a rare or particularly interesting disease, medical students will be asked to see and observe the patient to learn. So why aren't we also asking them to respectfully and considerately see people at the end of their lives? Advertisement So much of medicine is about what more we can do in terms of tests and interventions. But sometimes it's not just about recognising the advancement of death but knowing when to stop fighting it. Ebola no longer makes the headlines, driven out by news of Zika virus and the crisis in Syria. But the terrible legacy of Ebola persists in West Africa, for the survivors who suffer stigma and fear long-term complications, and for all of those who are vulnerable and in need of healthcare at a time when the health system has been brought to its knees. While Ebola is hopefully now contained, the legacy continues for pregnant women and their newborns. Sierra Leone's initial Ebola-free declaration last November was a moment of sombre remembrance as well as sober celebration; everyone knew the fight wasn't over and last month, hours after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak in West Africa over, Sierra Leone officials reported another Ebola death. I was there with WaterAid and saw how Ebola's toll -- on Sierra Leone's doctors, nurses, health clinics and the families who depend upon them -- continues to grow. Advertisement The legacy in Kenema WaterAid/Monique Jaques The Kenema Government Hospital was a major centre for Ebola treatment at the height of the crisis and continues to receive complicated medical referrals, usually by motorbike. Kenema Government Hospital, more than four hours' drive southeast of Freetown, is a major regional centre which already had expertise in handling Lassa fever, another haemorrhagic fever, when Ebola surfaced in the region in summer 2014. However it too was overwhelmed by Ebola, and lost 37 of its own medical workers to the deadly virus. The fight was made all the more difficult because the hospital did not have reliable, regular access to clean water and good sanitation, without which it's nearly impossible to control infection. Advertisement WaterAid/Monique Jaques A memorial outside the hospital for the health workers that died during the Ebola epidemic, at Kenema Government Hospital in Kenema, Sierra Leone. Just five doctors are now left at the hospital to treat a population of more than 500,000. A small white memorial, decorated with flowers, sits outside to mark the loss of their colleagues. During the week I spent in Kenema hospital, I saw midwives doing their utmost to save young women in labour as well as their tiny newborns despite basic facilities, intermittent access to running water and few functioning toilets. But infection control is a constant struggle and photographer Monique Jaques and I saw many women who lost their babies to largely preventable causes. A woman giving birth in the UK faces a one in 7,518 likelihood of losing a baby to sepsis or other infection in her lifetime; in Sierra Leone, it's one in 21. And unless the Sierra Leone government and foreign donors urgently address the dearth of water and sanitation in the country's healthcare facilities, the risk is likely to grow. Ebola's other deadly legacy During the epidemic, many women in labour shunned the hospitals, terrified that they would catch Ebola. The consequences were stark. Advertisement A recent WaterAid-VSO study found a 30% increase in maternal deaths and a 24% increase in newborn deaths in Sierra Leone between May 2014 and April 2015, in part because women were so afraid to go to hospital that they tried to deliver their babies at home, without skilled care and in unhygienic conditions. WaterAid/Monique Jaques Christiana Dassama, 17 (back to camera), waits to give birth at Kenema Government Hospital as another woman who has just given birth rests. The maternity ward has no running water and no functioning toilets; women bring their own birth supplies including bed sheets. "At the height of the Ebola outbreak, hospitals were seen as a place for the dead," Dr Amadu Sesay, the medical superintendent at Kingharman Road Government hospital in Freetown, had told me earlier in the week. "Going forward we have to rebuild confidence in the healthcare system in Sierra Leone, especially with regards to maternal health. "Having access to clean water, good sanitation and hygiene practices is pivotal in bringing mothers back [to our hospitals]. You cannot have infection prevention where you lack water supply. Ebola taught us that, and the government must recognise that too." Advertisement WaterAid/Monique Jaques Midwives, nurses and doctors deliver the baby of Christiana Dassana at Kenema Government Hospital. Medical staff continue to take careful precautions for fear Ebola has been undetected. The road ahead As donor countries and national governments work to rebuild healthcare systems in West Africa, water, sanitation and hygiene training will be a crucial part of this effort. The impact of a lack of water and sanitation is not limited to Sierra Leone's hospitals. Some 87% of homes in the country do not have toilets and 37% do not have access to clean water. As much as 50% of malnutrition and stunting can be attributed to chronic infection linked to dirty water and poor sanitation, and women who had their physical development stunted as children are more likely to experience obstructed labour, making such difficult deliveries tragically common. Advertisement The results are devastating, and I saw this first-hand, as young women arrived on motorbikes in agonising pain from obstructed labour. Many came to hospital too late. Some hadn't had any prenatal care. Under these conditions, the midwives did the best they could but the odds were stacked against them. Afraid of hospital Kenema Government Hospital's lead midwife Sando Kamara said they are struggling to draw pregnant women back to medical clinics, and they are contracting infection from poor hygiene practices at home. "The problem we find with young mothers is that they're afraid to access prenatal care," she said. None of us here in the UK could even imagine attending a hospital with no running water coming from the taps. Safe, clean water must be at the heart of healthcare - it's true in the UK and everywhere in the world. WaterAid is working in Sierra Leone and in other countries around the world to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities. This winter's Deliver Life appeal is to bring safe water and good hygiene to 130,000 women and their families. Advertisement As Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea rebuild their health systems, water, sanitation and hygiene will be critical if they are to cope with the next pandemic. WaterAid/Monique Jaques Kema James, 18, rests after delivering her baby at Kenema Government Hospital. Kema arrived at the hospital on a motorbike after a 30-minute journey over bumpy roads while in labour, after midwives at the provincial health centre became concerned at her labour's lack of progress. Midwives said her baby contracted an infection in utero. WaterAid/Monique Jaques Kema James watches over her baby son at Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone. Tragically, the baby boy succumbs to sepsis when he is just five days old. Advertisement WaterAid/Monique Jaques Hawa Kallon, 35, waits outside before being given a bed at the Kenema Government Hospital. Pregnant, she arrived at hospital with a fever and waited in quarantine until both Ebola and Lassa fever could be ruled out. WaterAid/Monique Jaques A maternity ward worker takes a breather after an 18-year-old died in childbirth, one of many to die in a crisis in maternal health in the country. Advertisement WaterAid/Monique Jaques Jeneba Sandy, 22, sleeps next to her healthy newborn at Kenema Government Hospital, Sierra Leone. Medical workers are struggling to convince pregnant women to return to clinics for prenatal care after the Ebola crisis. WaterAid/Monique Jaques If there's one thing true of the EU debate, it's that it's been pretty uninspiring so far, to say the least. Even the most hard-core of politicos can't get themselves particularly worked up about it. That doesn't mean it's been without its controversies and battles. But in-fighting doesn't generally equal exciting and stimulating debate. The leave side seems to be in turmoil, with people dropping like flies from the two main campaigns, Vote Leave and Leave.EU. Labour Leave has just broken away from the former, and a new 'Grassroots Out' campaign aims to hit the doorsteps where it sees the other two campaigns have failed. Headed by Farage, it already risks being seen as a UKIP front. In contrast, the 'remain' camp has been relatively stoic - less EastEnders, more BBC Parliament. The arguments hurled around seemed to have been, predictably, more of a wrestle between statisticians than positive visions of the EU: "We'll lose x jobs if we leave the EU," "our GDP will fall by y" or "big businesses will be less likely to come to the UK". All potentially true, but hardly rabble-rousing stuff. Advertisement The gist among some already-weary progressives seems to be that Britain Stronger in Europe - the apparently monolithic representative of Europhiles - follows Cameron's renegotiations with either approval or complacence, while free movement, welfare and workers' rights are traded away. With Corbyn staying out of the EU debate (he's leaving it to the Big Beasts of Brown and co.), and with Labour Leave headed by Kate Hoey, seen as on the right of the party, it all begs one thought: Where is the left? It's with that question in mind that I headed to the launch of the first major attempt to give the left a voice in the EU debate: 'Another Europe is Possible'. While the name is a bit of a mouthful, it's fairly obvious what they want - a progressive EU. This 'critical in' vote is something that resonates with basically everyone I know who's vexated by Eurozone austerity, TTIP, deregulation and the 'neoliberal' politics of Juncker et al...but who also have an instinctive attachment to the European project, expressed through things like environmental protection, a maximum working week, holiday pay and all that other nice stuff. Advertisement Needless to say, the critique of the EU as it stands was unrelenting. 'EU institutions have been implicated in broken economics', founder Luke Cooper told the two hundred-odd who packed out a former brewery in Brick Lane, Shoreditch - a venue just opposite where BSE held their own launch recently. 'But we have to ask - what would Britain look like after Brexit?' The answer was fairly clear to most of the young crowd: not a socialist Britain, that's for sure. It turns out it's a theme. 'There are huge problems with the EU. But is leaving the EU a better bet?' asked Asad Rehman, a Senior Campaigner for Friends of the Earth. 'The arguments on the pro-side are too much about fear rather than a positive vision'. Vision was talked about a lot. We certainly need one. The left leave camp have of course slammed the EU's rightward turn. In the same way though, they've slammed every European government's rightward turn - free market dogmatism isn't exclusive to the European Union. 'Can you name an institution not dominated by neoliberalism?' asked Marina Prentoulis. 'National governments are pushing a neoliberal agenda too.' The elephant in the room was that Prentoulis represents Syriza, a party that has done the same - with a Commission-shaped gun to its head. But what of the new Portuguese socialist government, and movements in Spain, Italy and elsewhere that are threatened by EU institutions? Will forced capitulation become a trend? The question made for a less enthusiastic atmosphere than would have been the case say 10 years ago, when progressive legislation was being passed all the time. But there weren't many champagne corks popped for the 'bosses club', as the NUS' Sahaya James put it, in the room on Wednesday. There was more of an overwhelming and understandable fear that out of Europe, the right of the Tories would be given free rein to dismantle what's left of the welfare state. Advertisement Above the fear however there was something else. A willingness to try and shift the debate - and to build not a network of politicians but of grassroots activists across the UK: activists with few illusions about the EU, other than a genuine belief that there is some hope in the left-wing movements emerging across Europe. That there could be a truly 'social' Europe if we fight for it - across borders. The challenge now is to not just talk about a vision, but to actually come up with one. In the midst of a campaign seen by many socialists as dominated by stat-throwing and cosying up to business, such a positive and values-based vision for a reformed EU - albeit one 'two million miles from Cameron's', as Caroline Lucas MP put it - could be a game-changer. The European boss of Google, Matt Brittin, was hauled up in front of the Public Accounts Committee of the UK parliament earlier this week. Brittin was savaged by the MPs over the tax deal Google recently agreed in the UK. Under the terms of the deal Google agreed to pay a 130m tax settlement, which is the most they have ever paid in the UK. Given that the UK is responsible for 10% of Google's global sales critics have argued that they should be paying far more- this figure equates to a tax rate of about 3%. But Google hasn't broken any rules and in fact the company executives have suggested to politicians that they do not just want to follow the rules on tax, they want to be seen following the rules and paying an appropriate amount. Advertisement The real problem is that the politicians want to be seen savaging companies like Google, Starbucks, and Amazon because it plays well to be seen as a critic of "tax dodging" companies, yet the same politicians are happy to compete internationally by setting corporation tax as low as possible. It's no surprise that Google does not pay much UK tax because their European operations are based out of Ireland. The basic level of corporation tax in Ireland is 12.5%, if you are investing in R&D then you can get it as low as 6.25%. In the UK the same tax is 20% so it's no surprise that they account for most of their European activity in Ireland. But corporation tax is difficult to enforce anyway. It's a tax on profit, not revenue or turnover. Imagine a UK company takes 100m in revenue in one year, but has to pay various internal fees (licensing the brand for example) to a partner company in Ireland - let's say the fees are 90m. That leaves just 10m that can be taxed in the UK - the tax on the majority of the cash will be paid in the lower cost environment. In many cases companies will operate at a loss on their balance sheet allowing them to pay no corporation tax at all in expensive locations. None of this is illegal or dodgy accounting, yet the MPs slamming Google and similar companies behave as if they can't understand the difference between taxing the profit of a company and revenue - and how easy it is for a company to deliberately reduce their profit by introducing various expenses or fees. Advertisement What Google are being asked to do is to pay tax they don't really need to pay. Imagine if you looked at your monthly salary slip and your company decided to tax you at twice the normal rate, just because it looks better for you to pay more tax. How would that feel? You might be justified in suggesting that you are happy to pay what the government asks for - and that is the situation all these companies find themselves in. We live in an age where an artisan jeweller in Yorkshire can import raw materials from China and sell their product to a customer in Brazil using a financial payment system in California. Multinational companies can be small too - it's not just Google and Amazon that can transact across borders. The real problem here is that the tax system has not caught up with the way that companies work in a global inter-connected society. Of course any sane executive operating across several countries will push the taxable revenue of the company to the country with the lowest tax rate. If he or she did not do that then the stakeholders in that business would be asking what they are doing. A few years ago I was working with the UN in Bangladesh on developing the hi-tech economy there. Thousands of independent contractors found they could sell their IT skills online and work remotely for clients anywhere in the world. They were paid using PayPal and it was suspected that most people were not declaring this income. The answer, according to the government, was to ban PayPal. The most obvious solution to the Google problem is to charge a corporate tax based on revenue. My company in Brazil has to pay 10% of everything that the company earns to the government, regardless of my business expenses. However while this might work for a company selling cups of coffee, a high-volume low-margin business like Amazon's retail offer might struggle to pass on the tax to customers. Advertisement Twitter Protesters against the High Court decision to uphold the Government's offshore detention program have made a powerful statement on Sydney Harbour. Activists from Greenpeace held aloft a #LetThemStay banner on the water in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday. Advertisement #LetThemStay protests were held around the country this week after the High Court's ruling on effectively paved the way for 267 refugees to be returned to detention on Nauru. Thousands turned out in public spaces such as Sydney's Hyde Park, while two protesters in Melbourne suspended themselves from the Yarra Bend Bridge on Thursday to unfurl a #LetThemStay banner. Advertisement Protesters are urging Malcolm Turnbull to allow the 267 asylum seekers, including 37 babies, to remain in Australia. State and Territory leaders have also united behind the cause, writing to Turnbull with offers to house refugees in their areas. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews firat wrote to Turnbull during the week and was swiftly supported by NSW leader Mike Baird, Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk, the ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Jay Weatherill from South Australia. I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister today. #LetThemStaypic.twitter.com/AtekuC1GYh Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) February 6, 2016 Advertisement Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the ABC's Insiders program on February 7 that the government was providing incentives for people on Nauru to settle in other countries. "We are dealing with these very delicate, anguished issues with compassion and we are dealing with them on a case by case basis," he said. "But what I am not going to do is give one skerick of encouragement to those criminals, those people smugglers, who are preying on vulnerable people and seeking to take their money, put them on the high seas in boats where they will like-as-not drown. "There are no policy options available in terms of border protection which are not tough, which cannot be described as harsh." Law concept: partial birth abortion There was plenty with which to disagree. Conservative believers in limited government and judicial restraint should be the most upset. First, he supported the unpredictable use of federal power to override state power. Example: Bush v. Gore highlighted Scalia's eagerness to flip-flop on his long-professed commitment to federalism and to, from the bench in DC, override a state supreme court ruling on a matter of state law (so specified by the U.S. Constitution Art II, Sec 1, Cl 2). Remember? 585 law professors signed a full-page denunciation of Bush v. Gore in the New York Times. Advertisement Next, he was a liberal interpreter of the Constitution. In a 2008 Second Amendment case his rationale for disregarding text of the Constitution prevailed. He was not a strict constructionist. Well, few USSC justices ever have been, really: the power of the Supreme Court to tell elected representatives when they are out-of-bounds is based on the Court's own decision in Marbury v. Madison. Yes, the power to interpret the Constitution is based on an interpretation of the Constitution. "Strict constructionist Supreme Court justice" is a therefore a bit of an oxymoron. They all interpret. Scalia interpreted a lot. Finally, as explained in this journal article, Scalia did not favor devolving power from big federal government bureaucracy to citizens. Congress passed environmental protection laws specifically allowing citizens to sue - not to collect damages, but to fight for their health and security by upholding the law. Scalia's open and visceral anti-environmental emotions drove him to write an article imagining - and when in power, to implement - a creative new vision of standing requirements. This created roadblocks to citizens enforcing environmental laws that are a matter of life-and-death. The irony? Citizen enforcement is cheaper to the taxpayer, more democratic, and allows for LESS pervasive and permanent federal bureaucracy to monitor, regulate, and enforce environmental, health, and safety rules. To sum-up: do you want to breathe? Drink water? Pay lower taxes and have more power as a citizen to fight for your health, safety, and security, within a predictable system, consistent with the U.S. Constitution? Then Scalia's legacy is not one to embrace. Advertisement What will come next? Among other things, a major decision - an unprecedented attempted interference by the Court - involving obsolete 18th Century technology and mass death, suffering, disease, and national security. Now is the time for traditional American pragmatism, not ideology, from whomever is nominated and confirmed as a replacement. The new SCOTUS justice will help decide the safety of the air we breathe, among other weighty cases affecting generations to come. It's a time for real conservatism in a Supreme Court nominee: conserving democratic functioning, conserving Constitutional structures, conserving constructive federalism, and, in the spirit of (old school) Republican Teddy Roosevelt, conserving environmental life-and-spiritual support systems. Disrupting these traditions is not pro-life, pro-Constitution, nor pro-business. It's also a time for conserving decorum and dignity. It used to be uncontroversial to suggest that a justice on the highest court have a consensus-building and calming disposition and cool predictability in their application of the law to disputes. In two decades of working with businesspeople and entrepreneurs, I've never met one (of any party) who would dispute that these are virtues they value from someone adjudicating a dispute of any kind. Judge "Sri" Srinivasan, having worked in both the Bush and Obama administrations, approved by the Senate 97-0 to the DC Court of Appeals in 2013, and reknowned for being a calming, professional pragmatist rather than an idealogue, is an example of the kind of person needed for this time and place. To sum-up, and with all due respect: an unrestrained, divisive, liberal interpreter of our laws who clearly delighted in antagonizing others has passed. This is a chance for pragmatism and cool-headedness to prevail in upcoming decisions. If you're fairly traditional in that you are pro-prosperity, favor predictability, and believe in conserving natural systems that support life - and, most importantly, a pragmatist - we should look with optimism to what comes next. U.S. passport with an Iranian passport on a white background For nearly three decades, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program allowed citizens of 38 countries to travel to the United States - and stay for up to 90 days - without obtaining a visa. This program made it remarkably simple for citizens of these countries - 30 of which are European - to engage in frequent travel to the United States, and was particularly convenient for those whose jobs required sudden business trips to the country. At the end of last year, in the wake of a political climate bursting with ethnically and religiously-motivated hysteria - specifically, hateful and dangerous assumptions about Muslims residing in or traveling to the United States - Congress passed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. Advertisement This legislation altered the Visa Waiver Program to exclude any foreigner who is a citizen of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan, as well as any foreigner who has visited any of those countries since 2011. The single exception is if the foreign national was in one of those countries to perform military or official government service for a country included in the Visa Waiver Program. Not only is this law discriminatory and unreasonable as a method of safeguarding national security, but the inclusion of Iran on the list of prohibited ethnicities to have and countries to have visited begs the question, why was it included? While the US government has designated Iran a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984, there has been no terrorist threat posed by the hundreds of thousands of citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who also have Iranian citizenship. Similarly, there has been no terrorist threat posed by the thousands of tourists from the Visa Waiver Program countries who travel to Iran each year. It is difficult to come up with a rational argument for the inclusion of Iran; it is far more reasonable to conclude that it was added for no other reason than to undermine the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which has ushered in an era of re-engagement between the United States and Iran. Regardless of the motives behind including Iran, it is easy to imagine countless scenarios in which these new exclusions would play out in absurd and irrational ways to affect the large Iranian diaspora in the countries included in the Visa Waiver Program. Advertisement Here are just a few: A British citizen born in London to British parents - and never having set foot in Iran - can still travel to the United States visa-free. But if the Briton was born in London to an Iranian father - despite never having set foot in Iran - the exclusion would apply, since Iranian nationality is inherited by birth. Or, let's say a British citizen travelled to Iran since 2011, but only to provide medical assistance or humanitarian aid; the exclusion would also apply here. Many Iranian-European dual nationals who routinely travel between Europe and the United States have already suffered the humiliation of being treated differently by the United States than their Europeans counterparts fortunate enough to have the right birthplace or bloodline. Dr. Amin Shokrollahi - a German mathematician, computer scientist, and professor at Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne - was scheduled to travel to the United States to deliver an address on low-energy-consumption technology at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in California. But because he also has Iranian citizenship, the US government revoked his authorization to travel visa-free through the Visa Waiver Program. Due to the length of time it would take to process Dr. Shokrollahi's visa application under the new restrictions, he was unable to attend the conference. Rana Rahimpour - a British journalist working for the BBC in Britain - was also prevented from travelling to the United States after her request for authorization to travel visa-free was denied because she also has Iranian citizenship. Ms. Rahimpour had planned to surprise her brother and his family in New Jersey for her nephew's birthday. By implementing legislation that creates barriers of entry to the United States based on national origin, the US government has put its own citizens at risk of similar discriminatory treatment overseas. Reciprocity was built into the Visa Waiver Program; that is to say, because the United States allowed German citizens to travel to the United States visa-free, Germany allowed American citizens to travel to Germany visa-free. Advertisement However, now that the US government has amended the Visa Waiver Program to create a category of second-class German citizens, Germany could respond in kind. In fact, just before Congress passed the new visa restrictions, the US-based ambassadors of the 28 European Union member States, 23 of which participate in the Visa Waiver Program, published an open letter warning that the "indiscriminate action against the more than 13 million European citizens who travel to the U.S. each year . . . could trigger legally-mandated reciprocal measures." The Iranian-American community, as the largest dual national population in the United States affected by the changes to the Visa Waiver Program, has much cause for alarm. Many proud, accomplished Americans have already expressed their fear of discriminatory treatment on the basis of their Iranian heritage if Europe were to impose reciprocal visa restrictions. And bipartisan House members have introduced a bill to remove the discriminatory "dual national" restrictions from the Visa Waiver Program with the express purpose of protecting Americans. According to Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), one of the bill's sponsors, "the recently enacted visa law could harm countless Americans - even United States-born citizens - who have limited or indirect connections to countries of concern. It's not okay to subject Americans to different standards for travel on the basis of ancestry." If there is one thing that we should all be able to agree on, it is that the US government has an obligation to protect its citizens. That obligation includes exercising sound judgment and foresight, and should unquestionably preclude imposing discriminatory and harmful restrictions on a multi-national program predicated on the principle of reciprocity. All Americans should be deeply disturbed by the prospect that our government would make a decision that could have such detrimental consequences for US citizens. The US government must act swiftly to repeal the discriminatory travel restrictions against foreign nationals, before our own citizens are subjected to the same second-class treatment overseas. Caitlin Steinke is an American human rights attorney who grew up in the Middle East. She works at the Law Firm of Tina Foster, which represents individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations affected by post-9/11 national security policies and discrimination. The sudden death of Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has added unique importance to the voter turn out among African-American voters in the Democratic presidential primaries. In an earlier tweet about a week ago, I said there were three key words that African-American primary voters should keep in mind when they are considering for whom to vote. This was my way of reminding potential voters of how important it is for them to ACTUALLY vote in their respective primary voting States. Before the unexpected death of Justice Scalia. I wanted to remind the readers of my blog and tweets that say that whoever the next president is, he will likely have the opportunity to appoint at least one Associate Justice to the Supreme Court. Such an appointment could have a generational impact on political, economic, cultural, criminal justice and health care opportunities, and opportunities for cost effective education for our children. Because of the chronological scheduling of the next primaries, the African-American and Latino vote in Nevada and South Carolina in the Democratic Party could be decisive in determining who will the Democratic Party's the nominee for President. Advertisement Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign understands the importance of the Black primary voter as a potential "firewall" against a Sanders primary victory, or even a close second place finish. Their strategy appears to be to defeat Senator Sanders decisively in South Carolina and defeat him in Nevada, among that State's large number of Latino voters. The Clinton campaign seeks to portray Sanders as an "outsider," someone "who has not been with or supported the agendas of African-American communities in the past". Thus we have the very calculated and premeditated effort on the part of the Clinton campaign to portray Sanders as a person who has not been vocal and/or visible in the recent past about important issues affecting the lives of African-Americans. One recent news clip showed Sanders speaking to an audience of several African-Americans, being challenged by an African-American person for not using or speaking the word "black" or "blacks" often enough, during the course of his remarks when he used the words "African-Americans" instead. Attention to things like this trivializes and obscures the magnitude of major issues affecting the lives of African-Americans, 24/7: Continued disproportionate incarceration of black men for committing the same crime committed by white men, whose sentences are significantly less. Black children having four times the rate of suspension at schools than white kids for the same infractions, creating the basis for subsequent criminal law violations leading to early incarceration of black men, but no incarceration of white men for the violation of the same criminal law. Advertisement As I have written in a previous blog, there is a texture and sound of "paternalism" in the repetitive theme from the Clinton campaign which says: "We know you better than that white man from Vermont;" "We have been with you in the past;" You know us;" so, "We deserve your vote," and "expect you to stand with us now because of all that we have done for or on your behalf in the past." The most challenging question is whether everything the Clinton campaign says it has done or proposes to do on behalf of African-Americans in 2016 can be really be done effectively based on the same institutional structures and political programs of the past. In a word: No. No matter how sincere the Clinton campaign is in describing what they SAY they will do if elected, can they in fact do it within and based on the same paradigms of the use of political power to address the URGENT problems confronting African-American communities TODAY... not during years of the past Civil Rights Movement? Finally, if Sanders' entitlement or eligibility for the support of black primary voters depends upon whether he agrees with a program of "Reparations" for today's African-Americans, as a form of redress for the institution of slavery's consequences upon subsequent generations of the current descendants of slaves, this is setting a "high bar" of qualification for today's Black primary voter. Reparations is an APPROPRIATE question to ask of Sanders AND Clinton, if when asked, the questioner has a specific "reparations proposal" they would like for the candidates to respond to. Otherwise, it is only primary election "grandstanding." FILE - This March 14, 2014 file photo shows Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaking in Atlanta. Supreme Court opinions are rarely susceptible to the kind of fact-checking that reporters usually employ on politics. But Scaliaas hearty dissent in an environmental case on Tuesday contained such a glaring error of fact _ misreporting an earlier case in which Scalia himself wrote the majority opinion _ that the justice changed the opinion and the court quietly posted the corrected version on its website without notifying anyone of what had happened. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File) It is fair to say that no other single justice has had as great an impact on constitutional interpretation as Antonin Scalia. I was head of the office of legal counsel at the time Antonin Scalia was named by Pres. Reagan. When Warren Burger resigned in 1986, we Reagan lawyers thought we were very clever by having the president nominate the sitting Justice William Rehnquist to the Chief Justice position and then filling Rehnquist's vacancy with Scalia. It was a twofer. What we hadn't fully realized was that it was far more than that, because of the intellectual strengths and tenacity of Scalia's belief that the Constitution should be interpreted in accordance with its original understanding. At the time of his appointment, Scalia was seen as being the first Italian-American and by virtue of that his nomination was virtually unopposed. It is fair to say, had there been a re-confirmation vote after his judicial personality and intellect were revealed, that the Senate would have had a different view. While I didn't always agree with Justice Scalia, it would've been greatly unfortunate had we never had his service on the highest bench. Until the theory of original understanding, Supreme Court interpretation was more politics than law and one could see judges undertaking functions for which they had no special gift for resolving. Because not originalist outcomes were often good from the standpoint of policy or popularity, they seldom were challenged. What Scalia recognized was that the end does not justify the means, and constitutional interpretation must have a basis for legitimacy in order to be persuasive and long-lasting. Advertisement In terms of specific areas, justice Scalia will be remembered as a man of faith who -- sometimes quite controversially -- seemed to allow that faith to determine where he put the thumb on the scale. Scholars will recognize, however, that this is not entirely true because it was Antonin Scalia, who articulated the view that the free exercise of religion was necessarily subject to general laws that were neutrally drawn and that no person could use religion to become a law unto himself. It will be this interpretation by Justice Scalia that will in all likelihood, prevent local laws from being used to selectively disadvantage same-sex couples. A particular religion may claim that same-sex marriage is immoral, but because of Scalia's reasoning that a moral claim is not automatically entitled to a legislative exemption from the general requirement that equality apply to all. So, too, given the extent to which religion sometimes is used to hide subversion -- as is sometimes true with the violent fundamentalist conception of Islam -- laws of general applicability requiring public order will prove to be essential to the safety of our domestic order. Justice Scalia was the head of the office of legal counsel, the chief presidential lawyer, in the Ford administration. It would be my honor to succeed him several times removed in the second term of the Reagan administration. Having studied his opinions closely both as presidential lawyer, appellate judge and on the Supreme Court, Scalia was an unwavering defender of the separation of powers as a way of reducing the likelihood of tyranny or abuse of authority. It was Scalia, who recognized the potential abuse of the independent counsel statute, long before it was misused to bring impeachment action based on personal failings against Pres. Clinton. It was Antonin Scalia's lone dissent in the case that upheld the constitutionality of independent counsel's that came to be recognized as the better outcome. A better outcome that ultimately was evidenced by Congress, allowing the law that had been so abused to expire. Advertisement It was my pleasure on several occasions as the Dean of a law school to host Antonin Scalia for lectures and other conversations. In these circumstances, one was never disappointed in the give-and-take, or the wit, or the spontaneity for which justice Scalia is thought and will long be remembered. He could be a moody man insisting that the clicks of the camera stopped before he spoke, but he was always a fair man, and one who recognized that the best way for the law to be fair was for it to be applied in an honest and open and accountable fashion. While his temper as he aged might be said to have grown short, his contribution to the jurisprudence of the court was ample and no litigant or court watcher was ever shortchanged. Those who were his acolytes, and there are many, and those who were his counterpoints, will miss him with equal intensity. Anyone who knew him, as I did, will miss the essence of a man who was brave enough to speak his mind with clarity, if not in every case, charity. It was not that Antonin Scalia was not a charitable man. I am certain in his abundant family and with friends, he most certainly was. But being charitable on the bench? "No," Scalia would likely say, "not his job." His role was to give fair reading to the laws enacted by "we the people" whether we were charitable or not. In this, Scalia never enfeebled democracy, he vindicated it. Now what? The first thing that is true is that President Obama will not wait for a new president to be elected, Why should he? Some point to Republican edge in the Senate, but they are forgetting that if needed, Obama pursuant to recent precedent can recess appoint. The fact that the vacancy arose before the recess does not matter. Ironically, this was the view of Antonin Scalia who supported the judgment of the more liberal Justice Breyer over the dissenters (Roberts, Thomas and Alito) with whom Justice Scalia was rather consistently aligned. Who might be on the short list? Here, the president has a shrewd choice to make. Obviously, he will want to influence the long-time direction of the court, and with this third appointment to the high bench, Obama has that capacity. Replacing Scalia with even a slightly more liberal jurist is huuuge, as Bernie might say, since the Court with Scalia had a 5-4 conservative edge. Obama gets to flip that and in so doing can take a good deal of anxiety away from primarily Democratic voters -- e.g., less likely the Court will substantially cut back on abortion or health care or legislation designed to meet economic inequality. On the surface this looks like a democratic advantage, but wait -- could it make the choice of Clinton or Sanders less consequential? Not really, but there is now a risk of a touch of complacency if a progressive is appointed. Advertisement The Republican side is different. Losing the slim Court majority requires really thinking through whether conservatives can afford to put prospective vacancies of the also aging Breyer and Ginsburg into the hands of Donald Trump. While Ted Cruz as a one-time court advocate would clearly run circles around the Donald on the implications of Supreme Court opinion on free market/climate change regulation (recently enjoined by the Court) and religious freedom to mention two topics. Kasich and Rubio lose out on making the Court issue a difference for them, but it can be a bit of a minefield if they shoot from the hip. Obama as selfie? Mrs. Clinton had mildly suggested that a President Hillary Clinton would think highly of a Justice Obama. The mere thought runs cooties up the spine of the right, but could Obama make a self-nomination? Aside from the vainglory of it all, there is nothing in the Constitutional text to preclude it. It is said President William H. Taft had appointed the sickly Edward White to the Chief's spot anticipating that it would then be available to him, and that's pretty much what led to Chief Justice Taft. But if a self-nominated Obama is too much to bear or would cause voters to rethink party allegiance because it might reinforce the in-grown nature of the more traditional of the Democratic contenders and that specifically some see holding Mrs. Clinton's candidacy back. The President and Mrs. Clinton have not always seen eye to eye, but she is his principal defender in the campaign, and the President is not about to undercut his own legacy. Justice Biden? Joe Biden is another question. Having decided against running against Mrs. Clinton and Bernie Sanders, the vice president carried the Democratic cause for many years in the Judiciary Committee; he has good friends from those years and the VP might have enough friends to secure the seat without rancorous debate over the vacancy takes the campaign down unpredictable paths. Justice Biden could well be sitting pretty on the bench -- a fact that will calm the fears of either Sanders or Clinton supporters who worry that a divisive, but ultimately, indecisive primary contest would replicate nationally the too close to call victory of Mrs. Clinton in Iowa. Safely enrobing Joe on the high bench keeps his lurking possibility as a party savior under wraps. Michael Shannon & Jaeden Lieberher in Midnight Special, photographed by Ben Rothstein 2016 Well, it's Valentine's Day, so I just had to talk about love. Also, I have a feeling which film will end up winning the Golden Bear this year at Berlinale, but that's a whole other conversation, left for another day... Lets say this film also deals with love and it's a completely different genre from all the other entries in the Competition. There, I've said too much already. Berlin, so far, has been cathartic for me. I've watched a movie, The Dreamed Ones by Ruth Beckermann, that reinvents the idea of romance and takes it to a cerebral level, thus suggesting the concept that in order to love, we don't have to be next to a person, it's enough to feel them to carry them in our heart. Laurence Rupp and Anja Plaschg in The Dreamed Ones, photo Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion Another film I enjoyed way too much for my own good is Midnight Special, which deals with belief, and how far a parent will go to save their child. The love part for me comes from having had the chance to interview the film's stars Michael Shannon, Kirsten Dunst, young Jaeden Lieberher and filmmaker Jeff Nichols, an afternoon that left me feeling emotional, wonderfully inspired and perfectly enchanted. Just as their film had, earlier in the day. And Michael Shannon turned out to be everything I thought he would be, complex, deep, dark, with a hint of mischievous and an elusive smile that could melt the North Pole. Advertisement Then there was Hedi, a Tunisian film written and directed by Mohamed Ben Attia. Hedi explores the courage that passion gives us and how temporary and blinding, but also ultimately eye-opening it can be. And Ben Attia's film also deals with family dynamics, the idea that a parent's love can be limiting, even with its best intentions. Hidden within all these themes lies a perfect commentary on Tunisia, before and after the Revolution. William S. Burroughs & Howard Brookner in Uncle Howard, photo Howard Brookner Archive In Berlin, I also reconnected with my love for the #SupportArabCinema campaign, at a party for Abu Dhabi production company Image Nation held at Berlin's Soho House; and longed for the NYC I grew up in, while watching the film Uncle Howard by Aaron Brookner. While Brookner admitted to me that he didn't start out wanting to make a film about anything too political, his documentary about Howard Brookner, the filmmaker who made the cult classic Burroughs The Movie and then died way too young carefully weaves social issues and emotional ties, with a look inside a Hollywood we seldom see. But the film that for me created the strongest love connection ended up being Gianfranco Rosi's Fuocoammare (literally translated as "Fire at Sea" -- the name of a Sicilian folk song), a splendidly shot document of our humanity. Rosi becomes a prophet with his latest film, showing Lampedusa, which has unwittingly turned into the Italian epicenter of the migrant crisis, as the welcoming yet isolated island it is, complete with real characters who put to shame most movie stars on the red carpets of Berlinale. Samuele, the Doctor and the countless, faceless volunteers who deal with the endless boatloads of refugees caught in what have become the fatal waters of the Mediterranean, become the Italian movie stars of today, but they are stars because they make us proud of being their fellow countrymen, and fellow humans. Advertisement Meeting with Rosi I felt emotional, I teared up a couple of times and couldn't allow myself to cry, how would it have looked?! But I found it difficult to ask him everything I had in mind because his love of humanity is palpable, a moving testament to what we can do, just one of us, little by little to heal the world. In 2010, a mine collapse in Copiapo, Chile, trapped 33 miners over 2,000 ft. below the Earth's surface. For 69 long days, the world watched as those above tried to save those underground. 'The 33' tells that story, and while most viewers going into this movie will probably already know the outcome, that doesn't necessarily make it any less entertaining or engaging to watch. Antonio Banderas stars here as Mario Sepulveda, who becomes the reluctant leader of the miners during their ordeal. Also cast is Lou Diamond Phillips in honestly his best role in years as Don Lucho, the mine foreman, who is seen (of course!) before the collapse complaining to the mine's management about the questionable safety of the mine, only to discover after being trapped, that things are even worse than he thought (one example: ladders that were supposed to reach the surface were never completed). Both Banderas and Phillips are great here, and prove to be a big reason why 'The 33' never dives too far into melodrama (despite Banderas being given the rather corny line, "That's no rock...that's the heart of the mountain!). No doubt to appease the studio and hope for the biggest theatrical success (although, sadly, 'The 33' didn't get much love at the box office), the choice was made to have everyone in this movie including the Chilean miners speak English instead of Spanish. This includes even when things are written as when the miners are able to get a note to the surface and when one of them writes on the mine's wall during the conclusion of the movie. While the filmmakers have hired Banderas, Phillips, and a number of other Latinos in major roles, they've also provided some head-scratching casting here as well. French actress Juliette Binoche plays a sister of one of the trapped miners, native Californian Bob Gunton plays the Chilean President, and in my pick for the most bizarre bit of casting Irishman Gabriel Byrne plays the Chilean engineer who played a major role in the rescue operation. Watching Byrne try to master a South American accent might be the most (unintentionally) laughable part of an otherwise solid movie. James Brolin also has a small role here but at least he's playing an American. With 33 miners trapped, it would be virtually impossible to relay all their personal stories within a movie that runs a little over two hours. So instead, the film focuses on a half dozen or so of the miners, including the Banderas and Phillips characters. In fact, Director Patricia Riggen even fudges on the actual number of men she shows beneath the surface, as I don't think 33 actors ever appear on screen at the same time. There's even a scene at the midway point of the movie where all the miners have gathered around a table to eat the last of the available food. A wide shot reveals that the director has only placed 20 actors in the shot. Where are the other 13? At the craft services table, I guess. But despite all these odd choices, 'The 33' knows exactly what it is as a movie and propels forward in an engaging way. I particularly appreciated the fact that, despite a couple of scenes where the mine owners are criticized for the poor safety conditions, this didn't turn into a movie with a moustache-twirling manager not caring about the fate of his employees. This movie doesn't need a villain, and we don't get one here the focus is on survival and that proves to be engaging enough for the audience. There's some early friction and trust issues between the families and those called in by the Chilean government to oversee the rescue (Rodrigo Santoro plays the government's point man, and he's quite good here), but they soon realize they're all working together for the same outcome getting the miners out alive. Yes, 'The 33' is predictable and hits all the marks one would expect in telling a real-life disaster tale such as this one. I'm not an expert on these particular events, but like all such films, I'm sure some things were changed or manipulated for the purposes of better storytelling. But the purpose of this movie is to honor these men (both those below and above ground) and to entertain viewers in the process. 'The 33' succeeds on both counts. This one gets a solid recommendation from me. The Blu-Ray: Vital Disc Stats 'The 33' digs its way onto Blu-ray in an eco-friendly Elite keepcase, which houses the 50GB disc along with an insert containing a code for an UltraViolet digital copy of the movie. The Blu-ray is front-loaded with a trailer for In the Heart of the Sea, a Warner Bros. on HD promo spot, plus trailers for Creed, Point Break, and Our Brand is Crisis. The main menu has the standard Warners' design, with a still of the box cover image and menu selections horizontally across the bottom of the screen. The Blu-ray is region-free. The danger of being ruled by fear is one that is all too present in the modern age. In recent months and years, several countries around the world have been subjected to brutal attacks by terrorist organizations claiming to be acting in the name of Islam. These hideous attacks left pain and loss in their wake but, just as importantly, created fear in peoples' minds and hearts that they too could become victims of terrorism. Many have allowed their fear of terrorism to so dominate and cloud their thinking that they regard all Muslims as potential terrorists. Sadly, fear, combined with ignorance and prejudice are making many people turn their backs on innocent Muslim refugees seeking a safe haven in Western countries. Since the Syrian Civil War began, 320,000 people have been killed, 12,000 of whom were children. One and a half million people have been wounded or permanently disabled, and the war is only growing even more deadly. Advertisement Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the chairman of the United Nations panel investigating human rights abuses in Syria had this to say on the situation: "With each passing day there are fewer safe places in Syria, everyday decisions - whether to visit a neighbor, to go out to buy bread - have become, potentially, decisions about life and death." Americans who take pride in their country's history of welcoming refugees have to put aside this fear to help those who are in desperate need of assistance. Canada's Prime Minister has welcomed Syrian refugees into his country in person. The Pope has asked every parish to accept some refugees. In America, some states such as California have taken in refugees. Here in Massachusetts, we have not. Alarmingly, we hear the strident voices of those who wish to bar all Muslims from entering the US - essentially holding the entire Muslim world responsible for the actions of a small minority of evil terrorists who have no legitimacy in the Islamic world. The attitude of rejection stems from fear and a desire to exploit fear, which is something all decent-minded citizens cannot allow. We must show compassion for those who need our help, and not act out of fear, ignorance and a misplaced sense of self-preservation. Advertisement It is understandable to want to protect one's home and family from the conflict, but we must rally together as humans, understanding that we have a responsibility to help the world's most vulnerable to survive and rebuild their lives. There are hundreds of thousands of refugees who want nothing more than a safe place for themselves and their families. They travel under incredibly dangerous circumstances to avoid having to live in places ravaged by war and terror. Their suffering is something that we should all understand. The countries neighboring Syria such as Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq have already taken in millions of people and can take no more. President Obama's hosting of the leaders of the 10 members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shows that Obama regards that region as the hinge of what has turned out to be a sluggish "pivot to Asia" in American strategy. This pivot from the U.S. emphasis on Europe and the Middle East during the Cold War and after is regarded as important because the nations of East Asia have had tremendous economic growth and are now experiencing security issues with the seeming juggernaut of a rising China. Obama's pivot to Asia has been distracted by continuing conflicts in the Middle East and Russia's annexation of Crimea and destabilization of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, China continues territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and some of the ASEAN members in the South China Sea. So far, the pivot has entailed allocating more U.S. military resources to East Asia -- for example, sending Marines to Australia and more naval assets to the U.S.-controlled island of Guam -- and beefing up formal and informal Cold War alliances in the region and improving relations with former enemy Vietnam, which has a historic rivalry with China. Also, the United States and China are competing for "economic power" in the region with the U.S. Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, which deliberately excludes China, and China's creation of a development bank for the region that rivals similar U.S.-dominated financial organizations. As for ASEAN -- the third largest economic entity in East Asia after China and Japan -- it has more trade with China than with the United States, but the United States has greater investment in the nations of the group than does China. Advertisement Despite their extensive economic ties with China, however, these nations of growing wealth want U.S. protection against a China that wants more influence the East Asian region. To provide this protection by containing China (the U.S. government refuses to call it that) the United States uses military forces already stationed or recently reinserted into countries of the "first island chain" that block China's access to the open Pacific Ocean - -Japan and the Philippines. The United States also has an informal alliance with Taiwan, which could act as an unsinkable aircraft carrier in any war with China by hosting U.S. aircraft flown in from other places. In addition, the United States stations forces in South Korea, Australia, and on the militarized island of Guam (in the second island chain impeding China's access to the Pacific) and regularly has its warships call in other Southeast Asian countries -- for example, Singapore and even Vietnam. However, this forward-based containment strategy, reminiscent of the Cold War, is out of date and unsustainable. With China's rapid economic growth and concomitant improvement of its military, as well as the increased vulnerability of U.S. aircraft carriers and forward bases to Chinese weaponry, a time will come when the proximity of China to East Asia will allow it to have local ascendancy over a faraway American superpower saddled with almost $19 trillion in national debt. Vis-a-vis the United States, China has an asymmetric and defensive area denial/anti-access strategy to keep U.S. power projection forces -- read: U.S. aircraft carriers with accompanying surface warships -- out of waters near China. China has mines, diesel and nuclear-powered submarines, anti-satellite weapons, sophisticated land-based aircraft, and ballistic and cruise missiles that can put at risk vulnerable surface ships, especially large aircraft carriers. Furthermore, China's missiles can make large unhardened U.S. military bases in the region vulnerable to destruction. Advertisement Overall, China is by no means militarily superior to the United States and will not be for a long time. However, the United States has invested in vulnerable aircraft carrier battle groups for global power projection, which waste many naval resources defending themselves from possible attacks from the air, sea, and undersea at the expense of projecting offensive power. So it is increasingly possible that China, with continued economic growth and military enhancement, could make life very difficult for U.S. forces half a world away in East Asia. For American hawks, this reality means that the United States should spend more on defense than the $600 billion a year currently being misallocated and which is already equivalent to the combined expenditure of the next seven highest nations in security spending. But even with such higher spending that the debt-ridden U.S. Empire cannot afford, China eventually could very well best the U.S. military locally in East Asia. This Valentine's Day, you don't need to pay sky-high prices and fight the crowds to enjoy an upscale steakhouse-caliber meal. From Grilled Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin Filets to Potatoes Au Gratin to Molten Chocolate Cakes, these decadent recipes will rival those served at your favorite steakhouse -- and you'll enjoy them so much more by candlelight at home. Perfect for a special date night dinner, these beef tenderloin filets are rubbed with spices, then grilled and paired with a zesty Argentinian Chimichurri sauce. GET THE RECIPE Advertisement The Caesar salad you love at your favorite steakhouse is easy to make at home. The key is getting the dressing right. This rich and creamy version is the one my whole family loves. It's not too garlicky and not too fishy -- it's just right. GET THE RECIPE This popular steakhouse side involves layering thinly sliced potatoes with heavy cream (a lot of it!) and grated cheese, and then baking until the cream reduces and blankets the potatoes in a rich, creamy sauce. I'd say the dish is worthy of a special occasion -- it is -- but the truth is that eating it is a special occasion in and of itself. GET THE RECIPE Adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson, this is an elegant and remarkably easy dish. Most of the ingredients are right out of the pantry, and you can have it on the table in 20 minutes. Serve with steamed broccoli and Jasmine Rice and your romantic dinner is done. GET THE RECIPE The tender flat iron steak is one of my favorite beef cuts for home cooking. It's similar to flank or skirt steak, only much more tender -- in fact, after the tenderloin, it's the second most tender cut. Here, I've broiled it and topped it with a rich Asian-style brown sauce. With buttered rice and a steamed vegetable, it's an easy and elegant dinner that you can have on the table in no time. GET THE RECIPE Advertisement This warm, creamy spinach and artichoke dip is the perfect way to start to your Valentine's Day dinner. Instead of the typical sour cream and mayonnaise, it's thickened with a Mornay sauce, which is a Bechamel sauce enriched with grated cheese. GET THE RECIPE Crab cakes are steakhouse staple, yet they're often pricey and loaded with filler. These Maryland-style crab cakes are made with lump crab meat and just enough filler to bind the cakes together. Serve them with green beans and cornbread and you'll be transported to a laid-back crab shack on the Eastern Shore. GET THE RECIPE Who said Valentine's Day dinner had to be fancy? These burgers are tender, juicy and full of flavor -- just like the ones served at your favorite steakhouse. GET THE RECIPE Roasted Brussels sprouts are good -- but with smoky bacon, toasted pecans and maple syrup, they're even better. In fact, it's hard to resist eating the entire pan right out of the oven. GET THE RECIPE You'll find these chocolate lava cakes with oozing molten centers on every steakhouse dessert menu. The original recipe was created by master chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten fortuitously, when he pulled a chocolate cake out of the oven before it was done and discovered the center to be wonderfully warm and pudding-like. Surprisingly, they're easy enough for even the novice baker to make at home. GET THE RECIPE Advertisement Justice Scalia & Bryan Garner Book Talk and Signing Antonin Scalia was one of the most influential and consequential justices in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, he was the intellectual anchor for today's conservative movement. His sudden death was a shock to all Americans, especially Republicans, who immediately assumed their battle positions. The U.S. Constitution specifies (Article II, Section 2) that the president, "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law." Certainly a strict constitutional originalist like Scalia would have agreed that a president with eleven months left in office has the right to nominate someone for the Supreme Court. Advertisement Shortly after word of Scalia's death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who decides what the Senate takes up, said in a statement that President Barack Obama should not nominate a replacement. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," he said. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." This unprecedented message was followed by similar warnings from Republican presidential candidates. Texas Senator Ted Cruz took to Twitter, saying, "Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement." Florida Senator Marco Rubio also said Obama should not nominate a replacement. "The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear," he said in a statement. Justice Scalia's death dominated the early portion of Saturday's Republican debate in South Carolina. Minutes before the debate, which aired on CBS, President Obama expressed his condolences to Scalia's family while praising the jurist's "remarkable" life. Then the president said, "I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in -- due time." He continued, "There will be plenty of time for me to do so, and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote." The president's comments were fuel for an over-heated and feisty debate atmosphere. Donald Trump warned Senate Republicans to "delay, delay, delay." Cruz said that, "the Senate needs to stand strong and say we're not going to give up the Supreme Court for a generation." Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush called for a "consensus pick," which would be almost impossible to find with a deeply divided Congress. Advertisement Republicans feel they own the Scalia court position. Their comments and actions are consistent with the partisan war they have been waging in Washington from the day President Obama was first sworn in to office. For nearly eight years now the first instinct for Republicans in Congress has been to obstruct, block and divide. This, no doubt, plays well with certain segments of the Republican Party. But such tactics have demoralized much of the electorate and have probably led to the rise of Donald Trump. Why didn't McConnell simply say that should the president offer a nomination, as is his right under the Constitution, the Senate would take it up? After all, the same American people who McConnell says should have a voice twice overwhelmingly re-elected President Obama to office. Furthermore, the Constitution does not say the president shall appoint unless he has less than a year left in office. Republicans would be far wiser to agree to let the process take its course and then focus their attention on defeating the president's nominee in the Senate. This is what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the rules. U-14, German World War I submarine The Emergence of Anti-Submarine Warfare World War I marked the emergence of submarine warfare, and its counter response, anti-submarine warfare, as a critical element of naval operations. Submarines were not a particularly new idea. The concept of an undersea boat had first been suggested by the Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci. After the defeat of the Venetian fleet at the Battle of Zonchio in August 1499, he proposed to the Doge of Venice an undersea craft that could approach the Turkish galleys and drill holes in their hulls in order to sink them. He even designed the first primitive wet suit and a system of using air filled bladders to refloat the sunken warships. Da Vinci asked for half of whatever ransom was obtained by Venice for the return of any captured Ottoman officers and seamen. By 1515, he had designed a prototype submersible, although it does not appear it was ever actually built. In 1578, the British mathematician William Bourne also designed plans for a submersible craft. It was not until 1620, however, that the first submarine was actually built. Cornelius van Drebbel, a Dutch inventor, built the first submersible by tightly wrapping a wooden rowboat in greased, waterproofed leather. The underwater ship had air tubes with floats to the surface to provide oxygen. It was powered by 12 oarsmen. The oars then went through leather gaskets in the hull. In its first trip in the Thames River, this first primitive submarine remained submerged for three hours. Advertisement The American inventor David Bushnell built the first submarine actually deployed militarily in 1776. Dubbed the Turtle, it was a one-man, wooden submarine powered by hand-turned propellers. During the American War of Independence it was deployed against British warships at anchor. The Turtle would approach the ships and attach explosives to their hulls. The explosives, however, failed to go off underwater and little came of the effort. Robert Fulton, an American inventor living in France, designed and built a second submarine, the Nautilus, between 1793 and 1800. Jules Verne adopted the name for the submarine in his novel "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." The submarine was roughly 21 feet long and six feet in the beam. It was built out of copper sheets affixed to a wooden frame. The craft looked remarkably modern, not unlike contemporary small research submarines. The Nautilus carried a naval mine called a "carcass." The device consisted of a variously sized copper cylinder containing anywhere from 10 pounds to 200 pounds of gunpowder. The submarine would approach a ship, drive a spiked eye into its hull, and then speed away while simultaneously releasing the cable that passed through the eye and attached to the "carcass." When the mine came into contact with the ship's hull, a detonator, a gunlock mechanism, would set off an explosion. The submarine could stay underwater for up to eight hours and proved to be remarkably effective, notwithstanding a tendency to leak. Fulton proposed to the French government that it build a fleet of submarines to counteract British naval power. Napoleon lost interest in the project, however, and nothing came of it. The British Admiralty was sufficiently alarmed by Fulton's proposal that they hired him to come to England and design submarines for the Royal Navy. After the British victory at Trafalgar, however, the project was abandoned. Advertisement Over the balance of the 19th century a number of countries experimented with primitive submarine designs. Both the Union and Confederate navies deployed submarines during the American Civil War. The Chilean Navy built a submarine during the Chincha Islands War. Other countries that developed submarines during this period included Peru, Ecuador, Great Britain, France, and Prussia. During this period the first torpedo design also began to emerge. None of these early submarines, however, proved to be particularly useful. Most sank while still being tested. The modern era of submarine design began in the 1890s, when two rival American inventors, Simon Lake and John P. Holland, developed competing designs for the first true submarines. The U.S. Navy purchased Holland's design, while Russia and Japan opted for Lake's version. Their submarines used gasoline driven steam engines for surface cruising and electric motors for traveling submerged. Both inventors also invented the electric motor driven torpedo, ushering in the era of submarine warfare. Anti-submarine net at the approach to Halifax harbor, 1915 The first German submarine was designed by the Bavarian inventor and engineer Wilhelm Bauer, and was built by Schweffel and Howaldt in Kiel in 1850. It was intended to end the Danish naval blockade during the First Schleswig War (1848-1852). The submarine carried a three man crew and was designed to approach enemy ships while they were at anchor and attach explosives to their hulls. Named the Brandtaucher, "Fire-diver," it sank on its first test dive in Kiel harbor. It was rediscovered in 1887, raised in 1903, and placed in a museum. The modern era of German submarine construction began with the "Nordenfelt" design of submarines. These steam powered submarines were the result of a collaboration between a Swedish engineer, Thorsten Nordenfelt, and a British reverend, George Gannet. A number of submarines were built but they proved unstable. These were followed in 1906, by the Karp class, a double hulled, kerosene engine driven, single torpedo tube submarine. The SM class, the next evolution on German submarine design, was deployed in 1908, starting with the U-2. These boats were 50 percent bigger and had two torpedo tubes. Diesel engines were installed beginning with U-19. At the beginning of the war in August 1914, the Imperial German Navy had a total of 48 submarines across 13 different "classes," or designs, either built or under construction. Advertisement The German word for submarine is Unterseeboot, which was shortened to U-boat, and remains the German designation for submarines from World War I to the present day. The first ship sunk by a self-propelled torpedo fired from a U-boat was the HMS Pathfinder. It was sunk by SM U-21 on September 5, 1914. Initially, the British Admiralty had dismissed the use of submarines as a threat to surface warships. The steady success of German submariners against Royal Navy ships, and the realization that German submarines could sink British battleships, caused a re-evaluation of the threat that they presented. The danger posed by U-boats was underscored when SM U-9 sank three British armored cruisers on the afternoon of September 22 1914. At first, British anti-submarine countermeasures were largely ineffective. At the time there was no means of identifying submerged submarines much less attacking them. Most submarines that were destroyed had been on the surface and were attacked either by ramming or by surface fire. In a throwback to ancient naval tactics, a number of British warships designated for anti-submarine warfare were even outfitted with specially designed rams on their bow to sink German submarines. A primitive form of depth charge had been developed in 1913, by taking a standard Mark II mine and fitting it with a hydrostatic pistol pre-set to detonate at 45 feet below the surface. Called a "dropping mine," it could be effective to 100 feet below the surface, well within the effective depth that WWI era submarines could reach. The device carried a charge of 1,150 pounds of explosive and the resulting explosion could pose a danger to the ship dropping it. The first effective depth charges did not become available until January 1916, with the introduction of the Type D depth charge. These were the familiar barrel shaped design and carried a charge of either 300 pounds or 120 pounds of TNT. Slower ships used the smaller charge to ensure that the resulting explosion wouldn't damage them. For most of the war, however, demand for the depth charges exceeded the supply and most ships rarely carried more than two depth charges. Advertisement Depth charges aboard the HMS Fanning The first successful depth charge attack was against U-68 off Kerry, Ireland on March 22, 1916. Over the course of the war a total of 74,441 depth charges were issued by the Royal Navy, 16,451 of which were fired, resulting in 38 outright "kills," and aiding in the subsequent destruction of 140 more U-boats. There were a variety of tactics employed in defending against U-boat attacks. The most effective tactic was turning toward the U-boat and attempting to ram it. If the boat submerged, the merchant ship's superior speed over a submerged U-boat would allow it to escape. Over half of all attacks against merchant ships by U-boats were defeated in this way. World War I era torpedoes had a range of between 1,640 and 3,380 yards. The range eventually increased to 9,190 yards. Ranges were based on an average speed of 27 knots. At the top speed of 35 knots, the range, even on later models, would drop by 60 percent--to between 2,400 to 3,800 yards. German U-boats had a submerged speed of about seven to eight knots versus those of merchant vessels on the surface of between 11 and 13 knots. That meant that within 15 to 30 minutes a merchantman could open up a distance between itself and an attacking submarine to place it beyond torpedo range. A second option was either arming merchant ships for self-defense, or arming and manning decoy ships with concealed deck guns. These were the so-called Q ships. If a U-boat surfaced, Q ships could engage and sink it. There were never enough Q ships to make a real difference, however, and U-boats rarely surfaced. The Germans argued that such tactics put merchant ships outside the protection of the Cruiser Rules. Since the Germans weren't abiding by those rules anyway, the point was largely academic. In total, sixteen U-boats were destroyed over the course of 1915, by these various tactics. In return the U-boats sank a total of 370 ships totaling 750,000 Gross Registeedr Tons (GRT). In 1916, the Germans returned to a strategy of using U-boats to reduce the British Grand Fleet's numerical superiority. The plan was to stage a series of operations that would lure the British Fleet into an ambush, a killing zone, where prepositioned U-boats could open fire without warning as the fleet approached. Advertisement Since the U-boats could not keep up with the faster battleships, they would have to be prepositioned in patrol lines while the German Fleet acted as bait to draw the British Fleet into the trap. A number of these operations were staged in March and April of 1916 with no success. They were repeated in August and October, again with no success. It is likely that the British Admiralty's knowledge of German Naval codes gave it ample warning of the proposed ambushes. Torpedoes being loaded on a German WW I era submarine Ironically, no U-boats were present at the one fleet action that did take place--the Battle of Jutland. Since the fleet engagement had occurred largely by chance, there was not enough time to preposition U-boats in the area, nor were there any U-boats in the vicinity when the battle occurred. There are things we should not do. And, unfortunately in American politics, we fail to heed those cautions. There are many temptations in the modern political communication culture. Among the most prominent is the temptation toward wit, or base humor, or the need to define one's space in the context of political events. The passing of Justice Antonin Scalia will serve as a test of our civility. And, sadly, we are failing. We are failing in our institutions and we are failing in our character. Why? The passing of Justice Scalia tests our civility because it is the most notable death of a major public figure in the era of the new media. We have never had a justice or president pass away in the ten years of the era of Facebook, Twitter, and the other new communication tools that now pace our communications. Justice Scalia passed in his sleep, the San Antonio News-Express broke the story, and the interwebs went indiscriminantly crazy. Tactless lefties rejoiced in the passing a strict constructionist icon who served 28 years on the high court, the last of Reagan's legacy. On the right, indignation over the response from the left quickly blended with the quick affirmation that absolutely no effort would be made to confirm any nominee who might be advanced by President Barack Obama. We political scientists discussed the nuanced nature of recess appointments and the cryptic qualities of Article II, section 3 to determine if the president could make and end run to make a recess appointment. Advertisement Our institutions are failing us. The Senate leadership has dismissed, out of hand, any presidential nominee as unacceptable. This, despite a closely divided court which is suffering from low evaluations from the public, and a Congress perceived as being incapable of governing in the general interest. On the left, the tasteless, shrill howls of glee over Scalia's demise only deadens moderate ears to the legitimate complaint that conservative lawmakers have abandoned their larger mission of governing. And, Scalia's passing at 79 becomes, immediately, a defining debate point for the presidential campaign. Unfortunately, this campaign is lacking anyone of sufficient statesmanlike quality to articulate with any legitimacy either the importance of Scalia as a jurist, or the need for the constitutional order to act accordingly to fill his seat consistent with the needs of these times. We are failing because there is no desire to place governing ahead of tactical politics. America functions, barely, without a legislature capable of governing. It defies the reconstitution of a court which will be shaped by the combined legitimacy of a Senate of one party, chosen by the people, and a president who has twice commanded the majority of the electorate and who retains relatively strong approval ratings for a seventh year in office. It is no small wonder that a frustrated electorate looks to the unrealistic and disturbing alternatives of an authoritarian populist who does not understand the Framer's Constitution, or a theocrat who possessed of immense personal ambition, or a socialist who sells easy dreams that cannot be made law. They are offered no evidence of gravitas or governing with dignity in Washington. Advertisement Facade of US Supreme court in Washington DC on sunny day Gathered from select Twitter, Wikipedia, SCOTUSblog, and Google searches, here is a Supreme Court FAQ of what happens next following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. Most of the information below was culled from this incredibly helpful report by the Congressional Research Service. Q. How does Justice Scalia's death affect cases the court is in the middle of hearing? A. They proceed as if nothing happened, unless the Chief Justice instructs differently. Advertisement Q. Since there are only 8 judges for a time, what happens to cases where the judges tie, 4-4? A.The decision of the lower court stands, but does not hold weight as if it were precedent laid down by the Supreme Court. The risk of 4-4 ties is not unusual (though is obviously higher now), because Justice Elena Kagan has recused herself from a number of cases that she worked on while serving as Solicitor General prior to her confirmation. Some scholars are also suggesting they can hold the case until a nominee is confirmed. But this has to happen before the end of the session in which the case was heard. Q. What's the longest it's taken to confirm a Supreme Court justice? A. It depends on how you look at it. From nomination to confirmation, the longest time taken to confirm was the 125 days before Justice Louis Brandeis took the bench in 1916. But the longest vacancy on the court (meaning time elapsed between a judge stepping down and their replacement being named) happened during John Tyler's administration (1844-46). It took him two years to replace Justice Henry Baldwin, who died in office. President Obama has 342 days left in office. Q. How long will it take President Obama to nominate a replacement? A. No one knows, obviously, but his record on the two judges he has nominated (Justice Kagan and Justice Sonia Sotomayor) offers a glimpse. Obama took about a month to nominate Justice Kagan after Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement. He took 26 days to nominate Justice Sotomayor after Justice David Souter's retirement plans leaked to the media. Advertisement The problem, of course, is that both Justice Stevens and Justice Souter announced they would retire at the end of the Court's term, so a vacancy wasn't technically created, unlike in this case, where Justice Scalia's death happens mid-term. That, combined with the approaching election, could expedite Obama's nomination. Q. How can the GOP-controlled Senate block an Obama nomination? A. Obama submits his nominee to the Senate Judiciary committee. Of the 114 nominations submitted to the committee since its creation, only 8 times have they not submitted the nominee to the full Senate for hearings + a vote. The committee can also delay the time between the receipt and the start of confirmation hearings. But the longest they have EVER delayed since public confirmation hearings began in 1916 is 82 days (remember, Obama has 342 days left in office). Between 1967 and 2005, it's taken an average of 50 days between receipt of nomination and final vote. Most likely scenario? Delay of the magnitude necessary to carry the process into 2017 would be historically unprecedented. More likely than delay is that the confirmation hearings are a sham, and the GOP-controlled Senate rejects the nominee, which would bring a new nominee. Still, it would be unprecedented to reject nominees for just under a year (See John Tyler, who had 5 rejected and took 15 months to fill a vacancy). Q. What's the history of a nominee being blocked/confirmed in an election year? A. A Democrat controlled Senate confirmed Justice Kennedy in 1988, the final year of President Reagan's administration. Will Pres. Obama get the same respect from the GOP? The history before that is long, and goes both ways. "The fact of the matter is that it's been standard practice over the last 80 years to not confirm Supreme Court nominees during a presidential election year," Senator Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said. Advertisement Except for when Senator Grassley voted for the confirmation of Justice Kennedy in the 1988 election year just mentioned. Q. Who does Obama nominate? A. The most likely nominee seems to be Judge Sri Srinivasan, who has served two and a half years on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Srinivasan was confirmed in a unanimous 97-0 vote in the Senate. But fun fact -- it took over a year between his nomination and confirmation, which is time President Obama doesn't have -- and the Senate was controlled by Democrats. To anyone who thinks a nominee block is likely and/or will happen, consider the following question, posed by Nick Confessore of the New York Times on Twitter: It was remarkable to read the front-page headlines of Emirati newspapers during the World Government Summit (WGS) in Dubai to discuss the future of governance, and compare them with the headlines of other Arab newspapers like Al-Hayat, focusing on the plight of hundreds of thousands of Syrians in Aleppo as they are trapped there or fleeing to Turkey with heartbreaking images of afflicted children. In the city that has been reborn and renewed many times in the past few decades, practical plans were being envisage for the future and its breathtaking advancements, many of which have arrived early in Dubai. Meanwhile, in the ancient city that was the cradle of Arab culture for many centuries, people were barely able to breathe as the Syrian government and its allies cut off the only remaining road between rebel-held Aleppo and the outside world, trapping nearly 300,000 people inside. International NGOs, meanwhile, have warned that more than a million Syrians are now living under siege as the five-year-old conflict rages on, causing a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale by the decision of the Syrian government. This is while the world powers continue to regurgitate the same-old diplomatic initiatives seen over the past five years, from the Geneva Commuique to the Vienna Process, as the veteran duo Lavrov and Kerry of Russia and the US furrow their brows and smile alternatively, to suggest they have differences at times, and at others that they have found a new formula to overcome the difficulties facing the political process to resolve the Syrian war deliberately kept away from US and Russian cities. This week's sedative meeting took place in Munich on the sidelines of a security conference there. The talks focused on confidence-building measures towards a conditional partial ceasefire. Advertisement On the other side of the world, in the Arab region, the ruler of Dubai and vice president, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed, announced to his 10 million followers on Twitter that his government will create two new ministries, the Ministry of Happiness and Tolerance, and the Ministry of Youth. The latter was assigned to a 22-year-old young woman, while five other women were given the portfolios of social development, tolerance and happiness, international cooperation, and the national federal council. The WGS and the launching of new ministries were a remarkable development in a restive regional climate haunted by the scourge of terrorism. Some critics considered this to be a bubble, and an insistence on burying one's head in the sand away from a reality marred by war, immigration, and displacement by focusing on the promises of the future and its technological challenges. Realists, however, said that the fixation with destruction and terrorism without any plan for confronting reality except militarily serves the goals of those who want the Arab region to remain forever in a cycle of decline and devastation. In a poll conducted by Ruya TV on the sidelines of the summit, participants said adopting innovative ideas to fight misguided ideas can defeat extremism, and that immunizing young people culturally, morally, and socially, using innovative non-traditional methods can rein in radical ideologies. The respondents also said governments must spare no effort to secure jobs and decent livelihoods for families away from unemployment and poverty, because the latter are a loophole through which obscurantists can infiltrate to lure youths to their ideas. One can only feel sad for the generations living under authoritarian regimes and obscure destructive terrorist ideas. These youths are denied the right to dream, as they run for cover, and risk their and their children's lives as they flee from a bloody and deadly reality. But one could only feel joyed for those who were given an opportunity to realize dreams, as the rights to happiness, social development, and tolerance are institutionalized. Fortunate are the youths whose governments tell them they have the right to participate in decision making, and whose governments empower them, invest in their skills, and encourage them to innovate. It is almost as though the headlines like "vision" and "citizenships to leadership: you are happiness" come from another world, not from the Arab region, where citizens usually curse leaders who oftentimes oppress them in the name of religion, and others in the name of national security. The headlines of Lebanon's newspapers wander between presidential vacuum, garbage crises, corruption, and the gymnastics of Lebanese politicians and leaders. In this country, which has had a reputation of being a pioneer of creativity, free thinking, and intellect, it is the governments and leaders, political parties, and their triviality that are holding it back. People are wondering: Will we have a president? Will the Syrian war be brought to us under an international decision? Lebanese youths are asking: Shall I get married or the economic deterioration will continue preventing me from raising a family? Advertisement The headlines of Emirati newspapers speak of how the UAE is the world leader in attracting talent, in renewable and sustainable energy, and in plans for local and regional integration, innovation, and development. Emirati youths are proud that they will be able to keep pace with the future comfortably. In truth, the performance of governments is not just a slogan. It really determines whether countries are built or destroyed. This is today's reality and it is the reality of the future. Governments will be crucial now and will be crucial in the era of the domination of robots on labor markets beginning with the end of this decade. Indeed, governments will have to decide what to offer to human workers in light of the coming automation revolution, and there is no choice but to explore pathways for economic development as influenced by government policies. According to the latest report by the A.T. Kearney's Global Business Policy Council, published in conjunction with the WGS, the Middle East and North Africa region is poised to achieve high economic growth rates by 2020. However, this growth will be directly affected by government policies in the next five years. The summit sought to alert governments to the coming huge responsibilities they must shoulder. Klaus Schwab, founder and CEO of the World Economic Forum, raised the question of whether the fourth industrial revolution has begun. He explained how a technological and innovation revolution is coming to the world like a tsunami, pointing out that the Arab region must prepare itself to join in boldly. Advertisement Jim al-Khalili, Iraqi-British Professor of Theoretical Physics and Chair in the Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey, took 3,000 participants in the summit on a tour of the Arab Golden Age, titled When the World Spoke Arabic: The Forgotten Legacy of Arabic Science. He reminded us that in the past, we excelled, and we can do it again. The summit's agenda alerted people to the coming changes that will alter life as we know it, challenging their imaginations. For example, Professor Sugata Mitra explained how the next generation of schools will be "cloud schools." Doctor Peter Diamandis, co-founder of Singularity University, explained what form future universities will take in a rapidly developing world. The day will soon come when a child will teach himself and himself chooses his specialty. Children will soon ask what do the words "I know" mean. Indeed, knowledge and information will become so instantaneous, that the quest will not be for knowledge as much as it will be centered around curiosity and asking the right questions. In other sessions, questions were raised such as what the world will look like more than twenty years from now. Will robots take over the world? Are robots the solution? Wil we be printing human organs? Will the new retirement age be 100? What will governments do to adapt to this? Another speaker asked, what if we will soon celebrate our 200th birthday? What would happen to marriages usually meant to last 30 to 50 years? Will couples be able to live together for a hundred years? What about jobs? Will longevity cause boredom and people would start thinking about changing careers several times in a lifetime? A fascinating world is coming in the 21st century, and Arab youths can be part of it like their peers around the world, if governments govern and understand the future well. It was disheartening to listen to Egyptian Prime Minister Sharif Ismail. He said only 15 percent of Egyptian villages are covered by the sewage network project, which is expected to cover 50 percent of Egyptian villages in the next three years. It was also painful to hear the Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah at the summit say Yemen will be happy once more, because it had the flavor of fantasy. Advertisement The news was a surprise. The longest-serving justice on today's Supreme Court had died in his sleep. For the political class, shock and sorrow was quickly replaced with schemes and ploys. President Obama is desperate to appoint his replacement. Republicans, especially the six men left standing in the GOP primary process, are just as desperate to keep that from happening. We can hear the knives being sharpened for battle, but history is on the side of the president. Advertisement In his final full year in office, 1796, President Washington appointed a Chief Justice, Oliver Ellsworth, and an Associate Justice, Samuel Chase. Both were confirmed by the Senate. The second president, John Adams, appointed John Marshall to the seat of Chief Justice after Adams failed to win re-election in November 1800. Marshall went on to serve the Court until 1835 and stands today as one of the great Chief Justices in the Court's history. Andrew Jackson appointed John Catron to the court on March 3, 1837, Jackson's final full day in office. The Senate confirmed the appointment five days later, after Jackson had been replaced by Martin Van Burn. After losing re-election in 1840 and one week before his term ended in 1841, President Van Buren appointed Peter Daniel to the Court. He was confirmed within the week. Advertisement Four years later, during his final months in office, President John Tyler in 1845 appointed Samuel Nelson to the court. In 1880, his last full year in office, Rutherford B. Hayes appointed William Woods as Associate Justice. President Grover Cleveland appointed Melville W. Fuller as Chief Justice in July 1888, four months before Cleveland lost re-election to Benjamin Harrison. In February 1893, after losing re-election in 1892 and one month before his presidency ended, Benjamin Harrison appointed Howell Jackson to the Court. Justice Mahlon Pitney was appointed an Associate Justice 1912 -- an election year that saw incumbent William Howard Taft defeated and replaced by Woodrow Wilson. Advertisement In March 1932, another presidential election year, this one in the depths of the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover appointed Benjamin Cardozo to the Court. And in November 1987, with just fourteen months left in his presidency, Ronald Reagan appointed Anthony Kennedy as an Associate Justice on the Court. Kennedy was unanimously confirmed in February 1988. The Constitution (Article II, Section 2) confers on the president the right to appoint Supreme Court justices. It also confers on the U.S. Senate the right to give "advice and consent" regarding those appointments. It does not forbid appointments in the final year, or even in the final months, of a presidency -- not even during an election year. We fight wars and depressions and terrorists during election years -- and we appoint men and women to the federal bench. If the Republican-dominated Senate, therefore, wishes to vote down one Obama appointment after another throughout all of 2016, it may do so. It may not, however, constitutionally, deny a vote to the man or woman appointed by President Obama to replace the late Justice Scalia. At first I thought it ironic that Saturday's Republican debate happened in the "Peace Center" in Greenville, South Carolina. [video and transcript] But perhaps that had a positive effect. People say that Trump is loud. But I don't think he's been loud enough. Last night, he screamed an anti-war stance to the boos of Bush's and Rubio's and Kasich's one percent donors. It's only half of what needed to be said, but it was a measure of reality that's desperately needed. Advertisement Trump: "You fight ISIS first. Right now you have Russia, you have Iran, you have them with Assad and you have them with Syria. You have to knock out ISIS. ... You can't fight two wars at one time." But of course, to some of the U.S. establishment, two wars is slacking, they want more than two wars. Trump continued: "We shoulda never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none. And they knew there were none. ... The World Trade Center came down (BOOING) during the reign. He [G. W. Bush] kept us safe?" And, if anyone noticed, even as the auditorium packed of monied interests booed Trump, the tracker at the bottom of the screen went up for him. Trump's truth telling was met with more ridiculousness and lies. Jeb Bush described Trumps attacks as "blood sport" which, given the subject matter at hand -- his brother's appetite for illegal war and failure in his responsibility to protect the U.S. public was, to put it mildly, ironic. And then Bush appealed to the values of his family, which, evidence would show, includes hands quite drenched in blood. John Kasich's reaction on Iraq WMDs was to appeal to Colin Powell's credibility, which has been a late night TV joke for over a decade. He also claimed the U.S. got into a civil war, which is wrong -- the U.S. government helped foster the sectarian violence. And no, Kasich, the borders of the Mideast were not "drawn after World War I by Westerners that didn't understand what was happening there" -- they were drawn by Westerners who wanted to divide and rule -- as is the actual goal of Western interventions to this day. Advertisement Marco Rubio was perhaps the most priceless -- "Saddam Hussein was in violation of UN resolutions, in open violation, and the world wouldn't do anything about it." That's a total lie. Iraq had disarmed and the U.S. did everything it could not not have the UN verify that disarmament so that the draconian sanctions would continue on Iraq indefinitely and they could have their regime change war, see my time line: accuracy.org/iraq. The worthies at the Weekly Standard now write: "Interviewers should press Trump on this: What evidence does Trump have that George W. Bush and his top advisers knowingly lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? How many other government officials does Trump believe were in on the deception? What does Trump believe would have been the point of such a lie, since the truth would soon come out?" In fact, it's quite provable that the Bush administration lied about Iraqi WMDs before the invasion. I know, I helped document such lies at the Institute for Public Accuracy, where I work, before the 2003 invasion: In October, 2002, John R. MacArthur, author of Second Front: Censorship and Propaganda in the 1991 Gulf War, noted: "Recently, Bush cited an IAEA report that Iraq was 'six months away from developing a weapon. I don't know what more evidence we need.' The IAEA responded that not only was there no new report, 'there's never been a report' asserting that Iraq was six months away from constructing a nuclear weapon." That's just the tip of the iceberg of what was knowable at the time. See other such news releases from before the invasion: "White House Claims: A Pattern of Deceit" and "Bush's War Case: Fiction vs. Facts at Accuracy.org/bush" and "U.S. Credibility Problems" and "Tough Questions for Bush on Iraq Tonight." The problem in 2002 and early 2003 was that Bush didn't get those tough questions. Just like there are no real tough questions about U.S. policy in Libya, Syria, etc now. Advertisement What we're getting is Trump raising these issues years later when it seems people some of the public is finally/still willing to hear them. And that's splendid. The establishment has tried to just keep rolling along with their wars and deceits after the Iraq invasion. No accountability, no nothing. They make Wall Street look like self-critical introverts. To answer the Weekly Standard's question -- the truth still hasn't come out in full force; Bush and the other pro-war deceivers have managed to get away with it all. The only problem with what Trump is saying is that he's not saying it loud and strong enough. He didn't back up the case for impeachment against G. W. Bush for the Iraq invasion, which was the point of one of the questions to him, though several legal scholars have done so, including Francis Boyle, Jonathan Turley, and Bruce Fein and Elizabeth Holtzman. Reps. Dennis Kucinich, Cynthia McKinney and John Conyers, in different ways and at different times, pursued the possibility. Some are deriding Trump for apparently exaggerating his objections to the Iraq war in 2003 and 2004. Maybe so, but the fact of the matter is that most who spoke out meaningfully against Iraq war early were de facto drummed out of establishment media and politics. Trump is being Buchanan 2.0 -- that there's some real bad that comes with that and there's some real good that comes with that. And quite arguably in a post 9/11 world, the good is more important than it was in 1992. As I've written elsewhere, I have no idea what Trump would actually do in office and what his current motivations are. He's been contradictory, but the thrust of his comments is quasi isolationist. His campaign should certainly be a huge opening to groups wanting to reach out to millions of working class whites on issues of foreign policy, trade, as well as some core economic issues. Advertisement The point is that what Trump is appealing to is an electorate that is sick of deceit and perpetual wars and there's a lot of good that comes with that. It should be an opportunity for anyone claiming to care about peace -- and not a cause to mock the people supporting him as I've seen many "progressives" do. But, for the Democrats, the import now is this: What's it going to look like if Trump is the Republican nominee? If Clinton is the Democratic nominee, Trump -- with very good reason -- will tie the stench of perpetual wars and the lies that accompany them around her neck. She will make the 2004 John "I-was-for-the-war-before-I-was-against-it" Kerry look like a stirring exemplar of gracefully articulated principles. If any Democrat cares a bit about electability, Clinton -- the candidate not only of Wall Street, but of endless war and of the war machine -- should have been dumped yesterday. Sam Husseini is communications director for the Institute for Public Accuracy and founder of votepact.org Genres : Documentary Starring : Vincent D'Onofrio Director : Wayne Derrick Plot Synopsis An inspiring and gripping documentary, Heroes Behind The Badge follows three stories of law enforcement officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty. From San Diego, CA, comes the high profile case of Officer Jeremy Henwood who was randomly shot and killed as he sat and ate lunch just minutes after generously buying lunch for a young boy whom he had never met before. From Miami, FL, Officer Roger Castillo and Officer Amanda Haworth are both shot and killed while serving a homicide warrant. And from Springfield, OH, comes the story of Deputy Suzanne Hopper who was shot and killed while investigating a 'shots fired' call to police. The film also follows three high-profile cases of near death and survival, including the story of Mike Neal, a wildlife officer form West Memphis, AR, who faced heavy gunfire head on as he attempted to stop AK-47 wielding criminals who had just shot and killed two officers on the side of the Interstate. From Fond du Lac, Wisconsin comes the story of K9 officer Ryan Williams who was shot twice along with his police dog Grendel, while responding to a standoff with a gunman. Both the officer and his K9 partner survived to tell their story. And finally comes the story of off-duty Federal Officer, Inspector Anton Sampson, who saved a young girl from armed assailants after exchanging gunfire and chasing one of the armed assailants into nearby woods to be later apprehended. Educational, insightful, emotional and powerful, these compelling true crime accounts shed light on a subject that has long been overlooked. These stories culminate with coverage of police week 2012, where the 164 American officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2011 are recognized at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, DC. Directed by British Academy Award winning filmmaker, Wayne Derrick, this film will serve as a tribute in honoring the lives of those brave men and women behind the badge who risked it all. Justice Scalia & Bryan Garner Book Talk and Signing Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's unexpected death has triggered a furious debate whether President Obama should appoint a successor. The idea that a president with more than 10 months left in his term shouldn't do so is curious, but let's not pretend this is a serious tussle over constitutional intent. Advertisement This is about Republicans, who have a majority in the U.S. Senate, flexing their political muscles to prevent a Democratic president from reshaping the High Court, as his right. And yes, Republicans have the right not to confirm a nominee. But it is breathtaking that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sent out a statement shortly after Scalia's death decreeing that "the vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." He's not arguing Obama's nominee is unqualified -- there is no nominee yet, of course. McConnell has declared that the Senate shouldn't confirm anyone, presumably even if Ronald Reagan came back to life armed with a law degree. McConnell's stance is particularly questionable when you consider a 2007 piece in the National Review, the conservative journal of record. After the Democrats won control of the U.S. Senate in '06, there was great Republican consternation that then-President George W. Bush couldn't get a SCOTUS nominee confirmed. National Review judicial columnist Edward Whelan argued thusly: Briefly put: Under long-established Senate practice, every Supreme Court nominee is afforded an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. A departure from that practice would threaten to impose severe political costs on Senate Democrats. In a competently run confirmation campaign, a strong proponent of judicial restraint will win majority approval in the Senate, with votes to spare. In 1988, the Senate followed the Whelan rule and voted confirm Reagan's Supreme Court nominee, Anthony Kennedy, on a 97-0 vote. This was during Reagan's last year in office, and yes, McConnell was one of the 97 votes. But things change. Now a Democrat is president with a Republican Senate. And so has Whelan's argument. Not long after Scalia's death, he posted this: Senate Republicans would be grossly irresponsible to allow President Obama, in the last months of his presidency, to cement a liberal majority that will wreak havoc on the Constitution. Let the people decide in November who will select the next justice. Whelan seems vaguely aware that this might contradict his previous position, so he throws this in here: There has never been an election-year confirmation that would so dramatically alter the ideological composition of the Court. Gotcha. Keep moving those goalposts, sir. By David Wemer 2015 was a year of crises in Europe: Greece, the refugee influx, and potential Brexit to name only a few. The end of the year saw a further challenge emerge, as Poland's new government, led by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, implemented an anti-democratic program of court-packing and media control, which for many echoed the political tactics of the Soviet era. PiS's actions led the European Union to launch a "preliminary assessment" on January 13th 2016 into Poland's adherence to the "rule of law" requirement for EU membership. This assessment, which has already seen Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo field questions from the European Parliament, could in theory result in a member state vote on the suspension of Poland's EU voting rights. The European Union's response is unprecedented. Anti-democratic developments in member states, such as the electoral win of the xenophobic Austrian Freedom Party in 2000 or the media control laws of the current government of Viktor Orban in Hungary, never received the level of scrutiny Poland now faces. The symbolic importance of Poland as one of the most successful cases of post-Cold War democratic transition, as well as Poland's political importance as a "bridge" between the core EU states and more skeptical members such as the United Kingdom, has led many to call for the European Union or even the United States to crack down. Officials in Brussels worry that without a strong show of force against the actions of PiS, Poland and other eastern EU members risk reversing the many gains democracy has made in the region in the last twenty-five years. Advertisement In this atmosphere of crisis, however, EU officials would be better served by showing restraint, rather than initiating a potentially damaging conflict with Poland. Make no mistake: the actions of PiS are concerning, especially those that seek to control independent media. These actions, however, must be taken in the larger context of Poland's ongoing democratic transition. PiS politicians have argued (with some justification) that their actions are not dissimilar to what the previous party, Civic Platform, did in their eight years of power. Indeed, the attempt by Civic Platform to appoint five new judges in the waning hours of its government can be viewed just as cynically as PiS's attempts to pack the courts with its own judges. Poland's democracy only recently turned a quarter-century old. The West's belief that the transition from communism would be seamlessly achieved through political and economic integration has proven naive at best. EU membership has not turned Poland or any of the new member states into perfectly consolidated democracies, and political corruption, censorship, and minority rights will continue to be issues for years to come. There are positive signs, however, as PiS's approval ratings have dipped and opposition protests have taken place without retaliation from government authorities. In fact, the Constitutional Court has recently put forth a potential compromise solution, which would allow for the new PiS appointed judges to take their seats once the terms of three existing judges expire in the next 18 months. The European Union should allow Poland the breathing room needed to put democracy back on track on its own. Indeed, the European Union has already done its part, demonstrating that Poland's European neighbors would not hesitate to criticize what they see as serious democratic backsliding. The mild-tempered debate in the European Parliament with Prime Minister Szydlo was appropriately civil and should serve as a model going forward. Advertisement What should be avoided is an effort to "send a message" to PiS and other Euroskeptic or populist parties in Europe who may approve of PiS's actions. The last thing the European Union should do is give more ammunition to the growing voices across the Continent who see Brussels as exerting too much control and violating member state sovereignty. The image of foreign MEPs interrogating Prime Minister Szydlo should have sent shivers down the spine of David Cameron and others who could see a punishment of Poland as the first step in the European Union's takeover of domestic policies. To push too hard here would not only ostracize Poland, but also embolden those hoping to reverse the last sixty years of integration in Europe. Perhaps Ronald Reagan's favorite Cold War proverb "trust but verify" is the best prescription. The path for compromise in Warsaw is open, and European officials must trust that Polish democracy will self-correct, while at the same time keeping a close eye on the situation to make sure democratic backsliding does not continue. The European Union has already demonstrated that it will not ignore threats to democracy within its member states, but in its reaction it must be careful not to add further fuel to the Euroskeptic fire already spreading throughout the Continent. Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) AISA`s candidates Shehla Rashid Shora, Vice President, Rama Naga, General Secretary and AISFs Kanhaiya Kumar elected as President, pose during a photo call, at Jawaharlal Nehru University, on September 13, 2015 in New Delhi, India. RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won a seat in Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) polls after 14 years. ABVP outshone its opponents by huge margins and swept the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections this year despite predictions of a tough four-corner fight. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) It is almost certain that Kanhaiya Kumar wont get convicted for sedition. The president of the students union at Delhis left-leaning Jawaharlal Nehru University has been arrested on charges of sedition and criminal conspiracy. As long ago as 1962, the Supreme Court had added a caveat to the sedition law--it must be accompanied by violence, or direct incitement to violence. Raising anti-India slogans to protest the hanging of Afzal Guru, even if this charge is true against Kanhaiya Kumar, does not amount to incitement of violence. The threat of violence has to be real and credible. Advertisement Even though the sedition law now lacks teeth, governments love it as a political tool because it is a non-bailable and cognizable offence. In other words, spending a few nights a jail is certain. The maximum punishment, if convicted, is life imprisonment but the colonial era law rarely results in conviction. It is now merely a convenient tool for state governments to silence critics and dissidents. Kanahaiya Kumar finds himself in exalted company of Indians who have been jailed for sedition, including Mahatma Gandhi and Lokmanya Tilak. The British regularly used sedition against Indian freedom fighters. The logic of the situation is nothing but the need to suppress political dissent, silence voices we dont want heard. Gandhi once told a British judge that sedition was the highest moral duty of a citizen. Since the law is about disaffection against the state, Gandhi pointed out that affection cannot be manufactured or regulated by law. Advertisement India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, said this of the sedition law in 1951: Take again Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code. Now so far as I am concerned, that particular Section is highly objectionable and obnoxious and it should have no place both for practical and historical reasons, if you like, in any body of laws that we might pass. The sooner we get rid of it the better. We might deal with that matter in other ways, in more limited ways, as every other country does but that particular thing, as it is, should have no place, because all of us have had enough experience of it in a variety of ways and apart from the logic of the situation, our urges are against it. The logic of the situation is nothing but the need to suppress political dissent, silence voices we dont want heard. In 2012, cartoonist Aseem Trivedi was charged with sedition for drawing cartoons that commented on corruption scandals of the Manmohan Singh government. Writer Arundhati Roy, when charged with sedition for advocating right to self-determination in Kashmir, quoted Nehru as having advocated the same. As early as 1953, the Bihar government used the sedition law against tribals demanding a separate state. That state exists today, called Jharkhand. Even though the sedition law now lacks teeth, governments love it as a political tool because it is a non-bailable and cognizable offence. Advertisement Granting bail to Dr Binayak Sen, who is being tried under the sedition law, the Supreme Court said in 2011, We are a democratic country. He may be a (Maoist) sympathiser. That does not make him guilty of sedition." The court said that the Chhattisgarh government had failed to make out a case for sedition. That is, it had failed to prove there was incitement to or involvement in violence. Merely possessing Maoist literature, the court said, did not make him a member of the banned CPI (Maoist). The court asked if keeping Gandhis autobiography at home made one a Gandhian. The British gave India the sedition law in 1860, to be able to detain those who spoke against the colonial government. In 2010, the British parliament repealed the sedition law. It is time for India to rethink sedition law, too. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also See On HuffPost: Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) AISA`s candidates Shehla Rashid Shora, Vice President, Rama Naga, General Secretary and AISFs Kanhaiya Kumar elected as President, pose during a photo call, at Jawaharlal Nehru University, on September 13, 2015 in New Delhi, India. RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) won a seat in Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) polls after 14 years. ABVP outshone its opponents by huge margins and swept the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections this year despite predictions of a tough four-corner fight. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- Condemning JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar's arrest, Left parties today attacked the Centre saying it is reducing India to an "Emergency state" after the police conducted "indiscriminate" raids at hostels in the varsity campus allegedly targeting members of Left-backed students bodies. JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar sent to 3-day police custody pic.twitter.com/yy0SWxipkG ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2016 Launching a scathing attack on NDA government, Left parties demanded immediate release of Kumar and other leaders of Left-backed outfits and a stop to "illegal and uncalled for action by Delhi Police", reported PTI. The parties said they will take up the issue with Union Home Ministry and also during budget session of Parliament. "The question is do you know who raised the slogans? Take action according to law against them. When you don't know, then how are you arresting all the student leaders? ...Male police are going and raiding girls' hostels. Only during the Emergency we saw this happen. That is the sort of Emergency state they are reducing our country to again. This time it is the BJP," CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said in Kolkata. Advertisement Yechury claimed the FIR against Kumar and others does not contain any name and sought to know on what basis the alleged raid was conducted "in the name of anti-national activities". The Indian National Congress also lambasted the BJP over handling of the JNU controversy, accusing it of "curbing" students' voice but asserted that debates on campuses cannot be hijacked by anti-India sentiments. Claiming a pattern in the government's role in the issues concerning FTII, IIT Madras, Hyderabad Central University (HCU), it asked BJP to stop branding JNU as anti-national and raised questions over the NDA dispensation's "capacity to tolerate a different point of view". Congress communication department chief Randeep Surjewala tweeted: Debate & discussion is essence of our democracy but it can't be hijacked by anti-India sentiments,whether on University campus or outside1/2 Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 12, 2016 2/3Take action against those guilty but isn't BJP using Delhi Police for it's anti JNU tirade. Proud of JNU,Stop branding it anti-National. Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 12, 2016 FTII, IIT Madras, Hyderabad University proves BJP curbing students voice. Is police action in JNU a desparate attempt to perpetuate it? Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 12, 2016 Former Law Minister Kapil Sibal demanded similar action against the BJP MPs, who give such anti-national statements. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government saying that "bullying" an institution like JNU was "completely condemnable", but at the same time asserted that anti-India sentiment is "unquestionably unacceptable". While Anti-India sentiment is unquestionably unacceptable, the right to dissent & debate is an essential ingredient of democracy (1/2) Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 12, 2016 Modi Govt & ABVP bullying an institution like JNU simply because it won't toe their line is completely condemnable (2/2) Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 12, 2016 Another party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi, a noted lawyer, alleged that not only workers but MLAs, MPs and Ministers of BJP have made "similar shocking divisive anti-national statements". He, however, caveated his response saying if anybody has committed any crime under the Indian Penal Code, action has to be taken against him. "Congress is in the front row wherever there is an issue of implementing law. We cannot support any anti-national act. If any particular person has done something like this, action will be taken but you cannot brand an entire institution anti- national and try to demolish all other student bodies on the complaint of ABVP," he told PTI. Asserting that a context would be seen if it happens immediately after HCU, Singhvi said the issue is about the "capacity to tolerate a different point of view". "What has been done is an attempt to paint the entire University anti-national," he said. A group of students on Tuesday held an event on the JNU campus and allegedly shouted slogans against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in 2013. Advertisement JNU students union president Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the prestigious institute against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. (With inputs from agencies) Contact HuffPost India Also On HuffPost: "Woh Savarkar ke chele hain (They are Veer Sawarkar's disciples)," JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar's words are met with loud cheers. The applause reaches a deafening crescendo with his next sentence, "He (Savarkar) who went beg for pardon from the British." Before he was arrested on charges of sedition, Kanhaiya Kumar delivered a fiery speech in Jawaharlal Nehru University campus. The speech was unabashedly critical of the Narendra Modi government and the BJP and the right wing political ideology. But we hear him repeatedly swearing faith in the constitution. "We don't need a certificate of patriotism from RSS. We don't want a certificate of being a nationalist from the RSS. We are from this country. We love its soil. The 80 poor in our population, we fight for them. For us, that is patriotism," he says. Advertisement "Humein poora bharosa hai, Babasaheb ke upar. Humein poora bharosa hai iss desh ke sangvidhan ke upar (We have complete faith in Babasaheb Ambedkar. We have complete faith in the country's constitution)," he says. He goes on to add, "If anyone raises a finger at our constitution, be it the Sanghis, be it anyone else, we won't tolerate it. But the constitution taught in Nagpur, we have no faith in it." Nagpur is the RSS' headquarters. "Subramanian Swamy says jihadis live in JNU. They say that JNU students want to spread violence. On behalf of JNU, I want to challenge the RSS to debate the issue of violence with us. We have several questions to raise." The twenty-minute speech can be watched in the video above. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: V Arun Kumar/Facebook The arrest and charges of sedition against the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student's Union president, Kanhiya Kumar, saw an outpouring of solidarity from several students on Saturday. There are several protests planned across the city today as well. They were joined by politicians too. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) member Sitaram Yechury, CPI member D Raja, and Ajay Maken of the Congress were some of the leaders who attended the protest. Advertisement The numbers swelled up--roughly 1,500 people showed up. Watch the video here: Panorama shot from JNU this evening, as requested. Posted by Akhil Kumar on Saturday, 13 February 2016 In a note, a JNU student, Swati Moitra, shared a few notes of the 'public meet' in a Facebook post: "If theres one thing to be said for JNU, its this: when the university community is under threat, we band together. And so its unsurprising that a sea of people greeted the speakers at the ad block today, speaking in once voice as they called for the release of the JNUSU president, Kanhaiya Kumar, the removal of all charges against the students, and the expulsion of the Delhi Police from the campus," she wrote. Moitra listed out the things that happened at the JNU protest on Saturday. Advertisement Even as the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today ordered a magisterial probe into the JNU incident, there are several protests that have been planned for the day across Delhi. JNU has planned to organise a human chain the University campus. Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) will hold a press event at 4 pm at the JNU campus followed by a human chain formation to express solidarity. Calling all JNU students and teachers to participate in large numbers. Calling JNU alumni and all well wishers, please spread the word. Posted by Ayesha Kidwai on Saturday, 13 February 2016 A couple of activists have organised an event at Jantar Mantar to condemn "the high-handedness of the state apparataus". The event will take place at 4.00pm. More about it here. Advertisement The Delhi Police arrested Kumar after reports that students had chanted divisive slogans at an event on Tuesday organised to discuss the execution of Parliament attack-accused Afzal Guru, and the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir. The police also raided a number of hostels at the JNU campus to find the students who were seen chanting seditious slogans in footage of Tuesdays event. Seven more students were detained on Saturday in connection with the case. Advertisement ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE a In this Saturday, March 8, 2014 file photo, leader of Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Manas Party, Arvind Kejriwal attends an election rally in Ahmadabad, India. Kejriwal was on the front page of nearly every Indian newspaper on Wednesday, Feb. 11, celebrating election results that again make him New Delhias chief minister. Kejriwal and the party he created had routed the countryas best-funded and best-organized political machine and dealt an embarassing blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki, File) NEW DELHI -- Expressing happiness over completion of one year in the office, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the bonding between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the national capital is deep and everlasting. Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep n everlasting. Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 Chief Minister Kejriwal said in a tweet. Today, at 11 am, Delhi govt will make some announcements, which will benefit lakhs of people in Delhi Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 Do u hv any Q from Del govt? I, alongwith my cabinet, will directly answer ur Qs. Call at 011-41501367, 41501383, 23346658 betn 11AM to 1 pm Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 14, 2016 A year back on February 14, Arvind Kejriwal had taken oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi for the second time - his earlier stint as the Delhi Chief Minister had lasted only for 49 days. Amid a raging debate over whether the year gone by was a success or a failure, the Kejriwal government will be marking the occasion in a unique way - instead of throwing parties to be attended by political leaders, the common man's party will be interacting with people. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Hindustan Times via Getty Images NEW DELHI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 12: JNU teachers and students protest march inside JNU Campus against arrest of JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar on February 12, 2016 in New Delhi, India. JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the prestigious institute against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in 2013. A group of students on Tuesday held an event on the JNU campus and allegedly shouted slogans against India. (Photo by Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) NEW DELHI -- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged shouting of anti-India slogans by a group of students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here, leading to the arrest of students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The move comes after a delegation comprising CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja, JD(U) MP K C Tyagi and other leaders met Kejriwal, demanding a magisterial probe to establish the "authenticity" of evidence produced against Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charge in connection with an event organised on the campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru. Advertisement Kumar, JNUSU President, was arrested yesterday, a move that invited criticism from the opposition parties. There are claims that JNU student leaders shouted anti-India slogans and counter claims that ABVP activists did it(1/2) Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 13, 2016 To find truth, Del govt is directing DM to conduct an enquiry(2/2) Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 13, 2016 the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was using the Delhi Police to "terrorise" everyone. Advertisement "Modi ji wants to terrorise everyone by using police," Kejriwal said. In a tweet, he said, No anti-national activity shud be tolerated under any circumstances. Those who did it must be identified and punished Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 13, 2016 The AAP also alleged that RSS's student wing ABVP was involved in the "conspiracy". "AAP condemns the way Delhi Police is using dictatorial measures to harass students and professors of the JNU. During the entire episode some facts have come to the light that ABVP is behind this conspiracy," the party said. Following the arrest of Kumar, a delegation comprising Yechury, Raja and Tyagi termed the on-going developments at the JNU as a "political conspiracy" by Centre to "terrorise" the students, "reminding of days of Emergency". "The evidence based on which this conspiracy has been hatched is wrong. There is need to have an independent probe to check authenticity of the evidences. "We came here to meet Kejriwal seeking independent magisterial enquiry. He has assured us to look into the matter positively," Yechury said here after the meeting, which took place after the delegation first met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Advertisement Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that New Delhi District Magistrate has been asked to probe the JNU incident and submit his report within 15 days. Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: ASSOCIATED PRESS Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the inaugural ceremony of 'Make in India' week in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb 13, 2016. aMake in Indiaa is an initiative launched by the Modi last year to encourage international companies to manufacture their goods in India. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade) MUMBAI--Calling Make in India as the biggest brand ever created in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised investors a predictable and transparent taxation regime and simplified licensing and clearance processes. "We will not resort to retrospective taxation; we are making our tax regime transparent, stable and predictable," he said. Advertisement "We are also simplifying processes like licences, security and environmental clearances," said Modi, while addressing heads of state, a battery of business leaders and foreign delegates at the launch of 'Make In India Week'. ALSO READ: Meet The Man Who Designed The Make In India Logo "This (Make In India) brand has captured imagination of institutions, industry, individuals and media....It reflects our collective desire and is forcing us to make corrections and increase efficiency. "India is one of the most open countries for FDI," Modi said, adding that FDI inflows have gone up by 48 per cent since this government came to power in May 2014. "We want to make India a global manufacturing hub," he said, adding there is an all-round emphasis on 'ease of doing business' now. Advertisement "India is blessed with 3 'Ds', Democracy, Demography and Demand, to this we have added another D, Deregulation," the PM said. Changes are taking place at state level too and there is healthy competition among states in ease of doing business and boosting infrastructural linkages, he said. "In 2014-15, India contributed 12.5 per cent to global growth. Its contribution to global growth is 68 per cent higher than its share of world economy," he said. "India has consistently been ranked as the most attractive investment destination by several global agencies and institutions. Our young entrepreneurs are showing us newer and faster ways for enterprise and delivery and my government is committed to support them. "My friendly advice to industrialists : Don't wait. Don't relax. There are immense opportunities in India," he said. Advertisement The Make in India Week is aimed at attracting investments into the manufacturing sector and showcasing success stories at a specially-created venue at the BKC business district in Central Mumbai. Mail Today via Getty Images ALIGARH, INDIA i AUGUST 16: BJP leader Rajnath Singh meets the farmers during a demonstration demanding higher compensation for their land acquired for development of Yamuna Expressway on Monday, August 16, 2010. At Least three farmers were killed in police firing while an officer of the PAC was beaten to death by an angry mob in clashes.(Photo by K Asif/India Today Group/Getty Images) Amid a massive faceoff over the Jawaharlal Nehru University controversy, home minister Rajnath Singh today said the event in the memory of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had the backing of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). "The nation must accept the reality that the incident that took place in JNU had the backing of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. This is unfortunate," Singh told reporters. Advertisement "We should also understand this reality that Hafiz Saeed has supported this incident and it is extremely unfortunate," he told reporters during a press briefing. Singh said that his government will not pardon all those who have raised slogans against the nation's integrity. The Home Minister's remarks come two days after the Delhi Police posted a screenshot of a tweet by a handle purportedly belonging to Hafiz Saeed, calling for people outside India to support JNU. While there is no independent verification of that handle belonging to the Pakistani terrorist, many on Twitter have said that it was a fake account. Advertisement A fake Twitter handle of Hafiz Saeed being cited and then used by home minister? Banana republic or what?? Some rationality please. Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 14, 2016 1) fake handle of Hafiz Saeed Tweets. 2) @gauravcsawant Tweets. 3) DelhiPolice Tweets. 4) Rajnath Singh certifies. pic.twitter.com/RpcX4cUB5h Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) February 14, 2016 The account seems to be suspended now. However, this is not the first time the BJP government has linked the JNU row with the LeT. Earlier, hitting out at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, the BJP alleged that they were speaking in the voice of the terror outfit, which was an "insult to the martyrs" and would "boost the morale of anti-national forces". "Rahul Gandhi and his friends are speaking in the voice LeT terrorist Hafiz Sayeed who had tweeted in support of anti-India event in JNU," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said. When asked to comment on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to varsity, the Home Minister said that nobody should try and take a political mileage out of this unfortunate incident. Advertisement "Whatever happened in the JNU is extremely unfortunate. I appeal to every organisation in the country to speak in one voice if they find any anti-national activity taking place in their surroundings," he added. The Home Minister told the CPI (M), CPI and JD (U) members, who met him yesterday seeking the releasing of JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, that the court would decide whether further action should be taken against those students arrested. On Friday, the Delhi Police arrested JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charges over the pro-Afzal Guru event. The controversy took a BJP-versus-opposition colour with politicians, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, making a beeline for the campus on Saturday to show solidarity with the "Save JNU" campaign launched by the students' union and teachers' association. Even as the demand for releasing Kanhaiya gained ground, the university's own inquiry found eight students, including Kanhaiya, to have been prima facie involved in "objectionable sloganeering" on February 9 and barred them from classes. Advertisement Meanwhile, the university's teachers have appealed to the public not to "brand" the university as "anti-national". The faculty members claimed that the internal mechanism of the university seems to be completely "subverted" and autonomy of the institution stands "surrendered". "Isn't it unfair to brand the university as anti-national which has stood as an epitome of academics and democratic culture? Why tarnish its image by calling it a home to anti-nationals?" they asked in a statement. Omar Abdullah Wants Proof National Conference leader Omar Abdullah asked Union Home Minister Rajjnath Singh to share evidence to support his allegation that Saeed supported the protests at JNU. "That Hafiz Saeed supported the JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," Omar said in a tweet. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all. Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. #JNUCrackdown Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 Anupam Kher Weighs In Actor Anupam Kher also had an opinion on the JNU incident. He said that the freedom of speech does not mean people have the right to create disunity in the country. "How can people raise slogans to decimate India in a big university JNU in the nation's capital? What kind of freedom of speech is this, which poses threat to the nation's unity?" Kher told PTI last night. "You can raise slogans against anyone if you are angry with any government. But you don't have the right to play with the unity of the country. No question arises of pardoning them," the 60-year-old actor said. Advertisement He also expressed annoyance over politics being played on the JNU issue. "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is stating that he will get the matter investigated from a district magistrate. Has he (Kejriwal) not seen the video related to the incident?" he asked. Kher said the country is currently passing through a phase which will expose many faces and it will help the country in the longer run. Advertisement Contact HuffPost India Also See On HuffPost: There's nothing quite like a really well-produced nature documentary. When one comes around the bend, you expect to see beautiful and colorful photography featuring plants, creatures, and locations that seem to have sprung out of a fantasy novel. It would almost be impossible to believe that such places or animals existed if you didn't already know that what you were seeing was real. On the other hand, nature documentaries often have an underlying subtext of fragility, how the Earth's ecosystem is delicate and in danger due to any number of factors - including and most prominently humans. Discovery Channel's 'Racing Extinction' goes in depth into man's impact on the environment and the dire negative consequences of unchecked encroachment. This 95-minute nature documentary follows Director Louie Psihoyos (Director of 'The Cove') as he traverses the globe speaking with environmentalists, technology leaders like Elon Musk, and animal experts like Jane Goodall. While the photography is absolutely stunning and opens the viewers eyes to a new world, the focus of 'Racing Extinction' is not to celebrate the beauty of nature but show what humans are doing to destroy it advertently as well as inadvertently. From restaurants in the United States serving illegal whale meat to patrons willing to shell out over $600 for a portion of the growing shark-hunting industry to harvest the animal's fins, this is a series that is not intended to make you aspire to do better with your environmental conscientious behaviors but to wake you up to the reality of what is happening in the world around you every single day. Since 'Racing Extinction' was directed by 'The Cove,' it should come as little surprise to anyone that 'Racing Extinction' is just as dire if not just as utterly depressing to experience. That isn't meant as a slight against this film or 'The Cove,' both are important works of filmmaking in that they serve the expository purpose of showcasing cruel treatment of animals for the benefit of industry. However, I would argue that films of this type preach to a choir rather than engage in a dialogue with an uninformed or dissenting viewpoint about the impact of humans on the planet. As someone who does what they can in an albeit limited capacity for the environment (i.e. recycling, donating to the Sierra Club), I felt more than a little placated to watching 'Racing Extinction.' While I may be informed about a number of environmental issues that face the planet, I'll admit that I don't know everything there is to know so I'm always open to new information. That said, when the material is presented in such a way that makes you want to believe that over 50% of the species on the planet could be extinct in 100 years, I tend to shut down and shut out. This isn't a measure of disbelief or unwillingness to accept circumstances, it comes from the basis that a movie like 'Racing Extinction' doesn't offer a variety of solutions to a problem beyond "stop everything you're doing right now" or "vote for green candidates." I know shark fin soup is a delicacy that results in the death of thousands of sharks every day. I don't eat shark fin, I don't know of any restaurants that serve it, and if I did I wouldn't spend my money there. With that in mind, I didn't need to see a shark struggling to survive in open waters with its fins cut off. But, that's the kind of material 'Racing Extinction' revels in for 95-minutes. Only at the very end does it make any mention of measures that can be taken by individuals. For parents looking to show their children a nature program that showcases the fragility of the planet, I wouldn't recommend 'Racing Extinction.' Rather than showing animals in their natural beautify and habitat, it instead shows you the pieces of the animal's remains. If you want to educate yourself about the delicate situation the environment is in while also learning about what can be done to solve the problem and not feel depressed, I highly recommend the PBS series 'Earth a New Wild.' Not only does it show how man can damage the environment, but it goes so far as to showcase how man can make a difference and the actions that are being taken today. Just because something is a serious topic and should be presented straight-forward doesn't mean it should leave an audience feeling powerless. 'Racing Extinction' does manage to offer some solutions to the problems at hand, but it does so in such a way that one would act out of guilt rather than genuine inspiration to do good. The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats 'Racing Extinction' arrives on Blu-ray thanks to the Lionsgate Home Video. Pressed onto a BD50 disc and housed in an eco-friendly Blu-ray case with identical slipcover, the disc opens to trailers for other Lionsgate releases before arriving at the main menu with standard navigation options. Also included with this set is a Digital HD voucher. Hindustan Times via Getty Images NOIDA, INDIA - JANUARY 29: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan speaks during the formal announcement regarding edutainment theme park KidZania in Delhi/NCR at the Entertainment City on January 29, 2016 in Noida, India. KidZania is an edutainment theme park with 21 operational centers across 18 countries. Its Delhi NCR park will be open to public in May 2016. (Photo by Burhaan Kinu/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khans car was attacked early morning, on Sunday while he was shooting for his upcoming movie Raees in Ahmedabad. The attackers allegedly chanted slogans like 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Shah Rukh Khan Hai Hai' while attacking the car. Advertisement ANI reported that unidentified people pelted the car with stones. However, the actor was not present in the car at that time. Unknown persons pelted stones at Shahrukh Khan's car in Ahmedabad in early morning hrs. Actor wasn't present in his car at time of incident. ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 Earlier this month, Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested against the shooting of Raees in Bhuj, Gujarat. Khan was also targeted in December when right wing activists staged protests against him in Rajasthan and Gujarat and called for a boycott of his movie 'Dilwale'. The actor had received a lot of flak from right wing outfits for joining the raging intolerance row with his comment, religious intolerance and not being secular is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot. Advertisement Raees is being shot partly in Mumbai and partly in Gujarat. Contact HuffPost India Also see on HuffPost: Ex-officer was a churchgoer, family man. Police say he may be a serial rapist. The Allen family lived on the northwest side of Hutchinson, less than two miles from Rice Park, where several women said they were accosted. It's no secret that "resisting arrest" is the go-to excuse for violence committed against suspects by corrupt cops it's practically a running gag. But if NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton gets his way, resisting arrest will offer near-perfect impunity to his force's most violent and sleazy officers, who will be able to threaten anyone who complains about gratuitous violence during arrests with long prison sentences and felony records. The Commission has suggested that he will be able to curb abuses of the new powers by having the police investigate fellow officers who lay higher-than-average resisting arrest charges in the course of their duties. In theory, a resisting arrest charge allows the state to further punish suspects who endanger the safety of police officers as they're being apprehended; in practice, it gives tautological justification to cops who enjoy roughing people up. Why did you use force against that suspect, officer? Because she was resisting arrest. How do I know you're telling the truth? Because I charged her with it, sir. Consider a few recent would-be felons: * Chaumtoli Huq, former general counsel to NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, who was charged with resisting arrest for waiting for her family outside the Times Square Ruby Tuesday's. *Jahmil-El Cuffee, who was charged with resisting arrest after he found himself on the receiving end of a head-stomp from a barbarous cop because he was allegedly rolling a joint. ("Stop resisting!" cops screamed at him as he lay helpless, pinned under a pile of officers.) *Denise Stewart, who was charged with resisting arrest after a gang of New York's Finest threw her half-naked from her own apartment into the lobby of her building. (They had the wrong apartment, it turned out.) *Santiago Hernandez, who was charged with resisting arrest after a group of cops beat the shit out of him following a stop-and-frisk. "One kicks me, he steps back. Another one comes to punch me and he steps backThey were taking turns on me like a gang," Hernandez told reporters. *Eric Garner, who no doubt would have been charged with resisting had the chokehold from Daniel Pantaleo not ended his life first. NYPD Has a Plan to Magically Turn Anyone It Wants Into a Felon [Andy Cush/Gawker] (Image: An incident at 133rd Street and Seventh Avenue during the Harlem riot of 1964 , Dick DeMarsico, New York World Telegraph & Sun, Public Domain) (via Making Light) India vs Pakistan Weather Forecast, T20 World Cup 2022: 68 to 90 Percent Chances of Rain During Match Time 'Kam se Kam Hamaare Chairman ko Phone Karte': Wasim Akram Adds to BCCI-PCB Tussle Over Asia Cup 2023 T20 World Cup 2022, Tale of the Captains: Temba Bavuma and Shakib Al Hasan The Fighter and the Talisman 'Need to Take Clearance From Govt': BCCI President on Whether India Will Travel to Pakistan For Asia Cup An honest essay has numerous characteristics: original thinking, a good structure, balanced arguments, and plenty more. But one aspect often overlooked is that an honest essay should be interesting. It should spark the readers curiosity, keep them absorbed, make them want to stay reading and learn more. An uneventful article risks losing the readers attention; whether or not the points you create are excellent, a flat style, or poor handling of a dry subject material can undermine the positive aspects of the essay. The matter is that a lot of students think that essays should be like this: they believe that a flat, dry style is suited to the needs of educational writing and dont even consider that the teacher reading their essay wants to search out the essay interesting. You might want to have online essay editor service to boost your confidence in writing with an error-free output. Academic writing doesnt need to be and shouldnt be bland. The excellent news is that there is much stuff you can do to create your essay more attractive, while youll be able only to do such a lot while remaining within the formal confines of educational writing. Lets study what theyre. Have an interest in what youre writing about Dont go overboard, but youll be able to let your passion for your subject show. If theres one thing bound to inject interest into your writing, its being fascinated by what youre writing about. Passion for a subject matter comes across naturally in your essay, typically making it more lively and fascinating and infusing an infectious enthusiasm into your words within the same way that its easy to talk knowledgeably to someone about something you discover fascinating. Include fascinating details Another factor that may make an essay boring maybe a dry material. Some topic areas are naturally dry, and it falls to you to form the article more interesting through your written style and by trying to seek out fascinating snippets of knowledge to incorporate, which will liven it up a small amount and make the data easier to relate to. A way of doing this with a dry subject is to create what youre talking about that seems relevant to the critical world, as this is often easier for the reader to relate to. Emulate the fashion of writers you discover interesting When you read lots, you subconsciously start emulating the fashion of the writers you have read. Reading benefits you a lot, as this exposes you to a spread of designs, and youll start to require the characteristics of these you discover interesting to read. Borrow some creative writing techniques Theres a limit to the quantity of actual story-telling youll do when youre writing an essay; in the end, essays should be objective, factual and balanced, which doesnt, initially glance, feel considerably like story-telling. However, youll apply a number of the principles of story-telling to create your writing more interesting. consider your own opinion Take the time to figure out what its that you think instead of regurgitating the opinions of others. Cut the waffle Rambling on and on is dull and almost bound to lose the interest of your reader. Youre in danger of waffling if youre not completely clear about what you wish to mention or havent thought carefully about how youre visiting structure your argument. Doing all your research correctly and writing an essay plan before you begin will help prevent this problem. Editing is a vital part of the essay-writing process, so edit the waffle once youve done a primary draft. Read through your essay objectively and eliminate the bits that arent relevant to the argument or labor the purpose. employing a thesaurus isnt always a decent thing Avoid using unfamiliar words in an essay; theres too great a likelihood that youre misusing them. You may think that employing a thesaurus to seek out more complicated words will make your writing more exciting or sound more academic, but using overly high-brow language can have the incorrect effect. Avoid repetitive phrasing Please avoid using the identical phrase structure again and again: its a recipe for dullness! Instead, use a variety of syntax that demonstrates your writing capabilities and makes your writing more interesting. Mix simple, compound, and complicated sentences to avoid your paper becoming predictable. Use some figurative language Using analogies with nature can often make concepts more accessible for readers to know. As weve already seen, its easy to finish up rambling when youre explaining complex concepts mainly after you dont know it yourself. One way of forcing yourself to think about a couple of pictures, present it more simply and engagingly is to form figurative language. This implies explaining something by comparing it with something else, as in an analogy. Employ rhetorical questions Anticipate the questions your reader might ask. One of the ways ancient orators held the eye of their audiences and increased the dramatic effect of their speeches was by using the statement. A decent place to use a statement is at the top of a paragraph, to steer into the following one, or at the start of a replacement section to introduce a brand new area for exploration. Proofread Finally, you may write the top interesting essay an instructor has ever read. Still, youll undermine your good work if its plagued by errors, which distract the reader from the particular content and can probably annoy them. 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County Sheriff Lee Baca Agrees to Plead Guilty to Lying to Federal Authorities during Investigation into His Department Los Angeles, California - Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge of making a false statement to federal authorities who were conducting a wide-ranging corruption and civil rights investigation into the Sheriffs Department. In a plea agreement filed Wednesday morning in United States District Court, Baca admitted that he lied to the FBI and the United States Attorneys Office when he falsely stated that he did not know that LASD officials were going to approach the FBIs lead agent on the investigation in 2011. In fact, Baca was aware that his deputies were going to contact the agent, and he directed that they should do everything but put handcuffs on her, according to his plea agreement. During an April 12, 2013 meeting with FBI agents and Assistant United States Attorneys, Baca falsely stated that he was not made aware of his deputies contacting the FBI case agent until he received a phone call from the FBIs then-Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office, who told Baca that deputies had threatened to arrest the agent. In the plea agreement, Baca admitted that he knew his statement was untrue and that it was illegal to lie to federal investigators. Todays charge and plea agreement demonstrate that illegal behavior within the Sheriffs Department went to the very top of the organization, said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. More importantly, this case illustrates that leaders who foster and then try to hide a corrupt culture will be held accountable. The threat to arrest the FBI case agent was part of an extensive scheme to obstruct justice which previously has resulted in eight LASD deputies with ranks as high as captain being convicted of federal charges. The ninth person to be charged in relation to conspiracy to obstruct justice former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka is currently scheduled to go on trial on March 22. During the course of the investigation that was being conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Attorneys Office and a federal grand jury, a sheriffs deputy assigned to the Mens Central Jail accepted a bribe to smuggle a cell phone into the facility. The phone was delivered to an inmate who was working as an FBI informant. Jail officials later discovered the phone, linked it to the FBI and determined that the inmate was an informant. This led to a month-long scheme to obstruct the investigation, which included members of the conspiracy concealing the informant from the FBI, the United States Marshals Service and the grand jury. Members of the conspiracy also engaged in witness tampering and harassing the FBI agent. Baca participated in a September 25, 2011 meeting in which senior members of the department discussed approaching the FBI case agent. The next day, two LASD sergeants approached the agent and threatened her with arrest. During the 2013 meeting with the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys, Baca denied knowing about the plan to approach the case agent, and he also denied participating in conversations about keeping the FBI and Inmate AB away from each other, according to the statement of facts in the plea agreement. One of the measures of an organizational culture is how it handles its allegations of misconduct, said David Bowdich, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. Mr. Baca set the wrong command climate and allowed that culture to fester, instead of fostering an environment of accountability. In short, he did not lead when he had the opportunity to do so. In the plea agreement, the parties agree that the federal sentencing guidelines call for a sentence of up to six months in federal prison, and they have agreed that Baca should not receive a sentence above the guideline range. Once he pleads guilty, the actual sentence will be determined by the federal judge presiding over the case. But if the court decides to impose a sentence greater than six months, Baca would be allowed to withdraw from the plea agreement and face a possible indictment. Baca made his initial appearance this morning in federal court, and he is expected to formally enter his guilty plea this afternoon at 2:30. The case against Baca is the result of an investigation by the FBI, and is one in a series of cases resulting from an investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at county jail facilities in downtown Los Angeles. As a result of the investigation, 17 current or former members of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department have now been convicted of federal charges. If a federal judge accepts the plea agreement this afternoon, Baca would become the 18th person to be convicted. California Man Sentenced for Fraud in Auto Engine Scam Sacramento, California - John Steven Keplinger, 56, of Stockton, was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller to two years and three months in prison and a $100,000 fine for mail fraud in connection with an auto engine scam, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. On September 23, 2015, Keplinger pleaded guilty. The total estimated loss from the fraud is up to $470,000. A hearing for the final determination of restitution for the fraud victims is scheduled for March 30, 2016. According to court documents, from 2010 to 2014, Keplinger carried out a fraud scheme by purporting to sell used auto engines from Japan, but failing to provide customers what he promised. Over 300 paying customers across 44 states and the District of Columbia were defrauded. Keplinger used three companies and websites to carry out the fraud scheme: Rising Sun Engines Inc. (www.risingsunengines.com), Shop 4 Engines LP (shop4engines.com), and Your Parts Manager (yourpartsmanager.com). Most of the time, Keplingers customers paid by check sent via UPS. After Keplinger accepted payment, he either sent no engine at all or sent the customer a defective engine obtained in the United States, often from a junkyard. United States Customs and Border Protection records indicate that Keplinger had stopped importing engines in 2007. In August 2013, Keplinger faced legal action from the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office and he was ordered to stop conducting an auto parts sales business of any kind and to cease using any website to conduct such a business. Instead, Keplinger continued the fraud scheme well into 2014. John Keplinger defrauded hundreds of financially challenged individuals who struggled to afford engines to keep their cars running. He leveraged the Internet to victimize people across the United States, said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Manuel Alvarez of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Sacramento field office. We thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their partnership in this investigation and both the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office and California Bureau of Automotive Repair for their assistance with the investigation. San Francisco Division Inspector in Charge Rafael Nunez of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated: Postal Inspectors work closely with the U.S. Attorneys Office and our partners in law enforcement to arrest and prosecute those individuals responsible for fraud schemes committed against the public. This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with substantial assistance from the San Joaquin County District Attorneys Office and the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher S. Hales prosecuted the case. Veterans Affairs Official Sentenced for Accepting Gifts in Relation to His Job Duties Sacramento, California - Anthony Castaneda, 45, of Oakdale in Stanislaus County, was sentenced Thursday by Judge Morrison C. England Jr. to serve five months of house arrest and two years of probation for receipt of a gratuity by a public official, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. According to court documents, while working as a contracting official at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Castaneda was in a position to influence the award of construction contracts at VA facilities, including the VA hospital at the former Mather Field in Sacramento. In 2010, Castaneda received from a construction contractor a prepaid vacation package at a theme park worth approximately $2,250. Castaneda and his family traveled to the theme park for five days in October 2010. At the time that he accepted that gift, Castaneda was in a position to influence the award of construction contracts by making recommendations about which contractors should be given VA business. Court records also show that Castaneda received a second vacation package from the same contractor, worth approximately $1,440, in 2008. In addition to his period of house arrest, Castaneda was ordered to forfeit the value of the 2010 vacation package and to pay a $2,000 fine. The contractor in question has been charged separately in federal court in San Jose: United States v. Herrera, case number 5:14-cr-219. He pleaded guilty and on December 16, 2015, was sentenced to three years probation. This case was the product of an investigation by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew G. Morris prosecuted the case. Man Arrested, Charged for Adult Adoption Scheme to Defraud Undocumented Immigrants Sacramento, California - Helaman Hansen, 63, of Elk Grove, was arrested today after a federal grand jury returned a 13-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, 11 counts of mail fraud, and one count of wire fraud for operating a fraudulent adult-adoption program that targeted undocumented aliens, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. According to court documents, between October 2012 and January 2016, Hansen and others used various entities such as Americans Helping America (AHA) to sell members of immigrant communities memberships in what he called a Migration Program. A central feature of the program was the fraudulent claim that immigrant adults could achieve U.S. citizenship by being legally adopted by an American citizen and completing a list of additional tasks. At first, memberships were sold for annual fees of $150, but that fee gradually grew and eventually was as high as $10,000. According to the indictment, although some victims completed the adoption stage of the Migration Program, not one person obtained citizenship. As early as October 2012, Hansen had been informed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that aliens adopted after their sixteenth birthdays could not obtain citizenship in the manner Hansen was promoting. Despite that notification, Hansen and his co-conspirators induced approximately 500 victims to pay more than $500,000 to join the fraudulent program. The indictment returned today alleges a particularly predatory and manipulative type of fraud that takes advantage of the hopes and dreams of undocumented immigrants to extract fees based on false promises, stated U.S. Attorney Wagner. The adoption of adult aliens is not a legitimate path to U.S. citizenship. While the charges against this defendant are only allegations at this point, no one should pay fees to anyone making false promises of citizenship through adult adoption. This alleged crime victimized vulnerable, would-be immigrants seeking a legitimate pathway to U.S. citizenship. The victims trusted an individual who misrepresented the success of adult adoption in such matters, said Special Agent in Charge Monica M. Miller of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Sacramento field office. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is committed to work with its law enforcement partners to investigate and disrupt fraudulent schemes that exploit vulnerable people for financial gain. It is very unfortunate that some in our communities would choose to misrepresent the American immigration system to deceive and hurt those who are trying only to make a better life for themselves and their families, said Ryan L. Spradlin, special agent in charge for HSI San Francisco. It is our entrusted duty to hold these criminals accountable for their actions and so we shall. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Andre M. Espinosa is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Hansen faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Victims are encouraged to call the FBI at 916-977-2479. ICE removes former Orange County woman convicted of terrorism charge San Francisco, California - A Turkish woman, who resided in Orange County and was convicted of providing material support to terrorists to harm U.S. interests overseas, was turned over to authorities in Istanbul Friday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Oytun Ayse Mihalik, 43, formerly of La Palma, was repatriated on board commercial flights escorted by San Francisco-based ERO officers. After arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, ERO officers transferred Mihalik to the custody of Turkish law enforcement. Mihalik who pleaded guilty to one count of providing material support to terrorists, was sentenced to five years in federal prison in March 2013. In her guilty plea, Mihalik admitted she provided money to an individual in Pakistan with the intention the money would be used to prepare for and carry out attacks against U.S. military personnel and other persons overseas. Using the alias Cindy Palmer, Mihalik sent $2,050 in three wire transfers to an individual in Pakistan in late 2010 and early 2011. As part of her plea, Mihalik agreed to forfeit her lawful permanent resident status and be removed to Turkey after serving her prison sentence. Becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States is a privilege, said Adrian Macias, acting field office director for ERO San Francisco. ICE will move aggressively against those engaged in actions that seek to harm those responsible for safeguarding the very freedoms that privilege affords. The charge against Mihalik was the result of an investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the FBI, ICEs Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Orange County Sheriffs Department. Department of Homeland Security databases show Mihalik arrived in the U.S. in July 2006 on a work visa and became a lawful permanent resident in January 2011. In April 2013, she was ordered removed to Turkey by a federal magistrate judge as part of a judicial order based on her involvement in providing material support to terrorist activity. In July 2013, San Francisco ERO officers encountered Mihalik at the Federal Corrections Institution in Dublin, California, and lodged an immigration detainer. On Jan. 5, ERO officers took Mihalik into custody following her release from prison and began making final arrangements for her removal. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces the Selection of Key Trade Officials Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is pleased to announce the selection of the Deborah Augustin as the Executive Director of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Business Office and Alice Kipel as the Executive Director of Regulations and Rulings within the Office of International Trade. The vast experience and expertise that Ms. Augustin and Ms. Kipel bring will greatly benefit CBP and our stakeholders, said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. Their thoughtful leadership will advance efforts to promote U.S. economic prosperity through predictable and transparent processes for facilitating lawful trade. The selection of Ms. Augustin and Ms. Kipel for these key positions will support CBPs commitment to delivering ACE and support CBPs integral role in providing key guidance to the trade community through the issuance of regulations and rulings. Since 2014, Ms. Augustin has served as the Acting Executive Director, ACE Business Office, overseeing the delivery of ACE as the modernized system for processing international trade. Her leadership has brought CBP, PGAs, and the trade community together toward the completion of core ACE capabilities as the Single Window, in support of the President's Executive Order for Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses. Ms. Kipel was with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where she served as a member of the International Department and Intellectual Property group. She has expertise in the areas of intellectual property rights, antidumping and countervailing duties and trade remedy proceedings. World Customs Organization Secretary General Visits U.S., Addresses U.S. Interagency Committee On Trade Facilitation Washington, DC - On Wednesday, the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya outlined his vision and priorities for the WCO, during a meeting of the Interagency Committee on World Customs Organization Matters, held at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) headquarters and chaired by CBP Acting Assistant Commissioner for International Affairs Mark Koumans. The quarterly Interagency Committee meeting brought together representatives from U.S. government agencies and departments with a stake in customs matters. The committee discussed the activities of the WCO and coordinated related U.S. policies and activities. Leaders from 17 U.S. agencies and departments participated in the meeting. In this year focused on Digital Customs, we explore if Customs is keeping pace with the digital world, said Secretary General Mikuriya, who went on to outline four main WCO priorities: facilitation and security of the global supply chain, revenue collection, protection of society, and capacity building. Secretary General Mikuriya explained that supporting the implementation of the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement remains a key area of focus for the WCO. In addition, he noted the December 2015 Punta Cana Resolution, which emphasizes the key role that Customs Administrations play in the fight against terrorism. Through the WCO Security Programme, the WCO is strengthening the capacity of Customs administrations to address security threats nationally and internationally through the use of its international standards and technical assistance programs. After his remarks, Secretary General Mikuriya and the participants shared their thoughts on a number of issues including Single Window development, trade enforcement, collaboration with other international organizations and law enforcement authorities, information exchange, the protection of society, and the importance of inter-agency cooperation. Anniversary of the House Arrests of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi and Zahra Rahnavard Washington, DC - Five years ago today, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran placed former senior Iranian officials and 2009 presidential election candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, as well as Mousavis wife, womens rights advocate Zahra Rahnavard, under house arrest without formally charging them with any crimes. We join the international community in condemning their continued detention and the harassment of their family members, and in calling for their immediate release. The United States will continue to urge the Iranian Government to respect its international obligations, including minimum fair trial guarantees and not subjecting its citizens to arbitrary arrest or detention. We repeat our appeal for the immediate release of these individuals and of all prisoners who are being held for their religious or political beliefs. Vice President Joe Bidens Call with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey Washington, DC - Yesterday, the Vice President spoke with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to address the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in northern Syria, emphasizing the imperative for de-escalation in the area. The Vice President noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border, and urged Turkey to show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area. The two leaders pledged to work together, emphasizing the need to protect displaced and vulnerable populations in northwest Syria and ensure routes for humanitarian assistance to Aleppo remain open. The Vice President expressed support for Turkeys fight against PKK terrorism and the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of defeating ISIL and to work towards a cessation of hostilities, as agreed in Munich. Watch: This Frog Taking a Free Ride on a Koi Fish is the Best Thing on Internet Today Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Was The Catcher in the Rye made in Tiverton? Its author, J D Salinger, might appear the quintessential New York writer. But it has emerged that his most celebrated work was inspired by the sights and sounds of Devon, where Salinger spent three months during the Second World War. The reclusive writer, who created a blueprint for disaffected American youth in Catchers protagonist Holden Caulfield, left a slim body of work upon his death in 2010, and few clues as to his literary motivations. Now Salinger archivists have uncovered the significant impact upon the author of a little-known period during his formative years the three months he spent living in the Mid Devon town of Tiverton, while stationed there with the US Army. Recommended Read more Nicholas Hoult to play The Catcher in the Rye author JD Salinger Then aged 25, Sergeant Salinger was a fledgling writer and one of the thousands of US servicemen waiting for D-Day in the spring of 1944. It was during this period that Salinger drafted prototypes for the character of Caulfield and began to embed the trauma of his wartime experiences in the form of Catchers coming-of-age tale, said Mark Hodkinson, who edited a best-selling biography of Salinger. Hodkinson has retraced the servicemans Tiverton steps for a Radio 4 documentary, J D Salinger, Made In England, talking to townsfolk who fraternised with the GIs and one of the authors last surviving comrades-in-arms. The writer in 1951 (AP) Salinger later told friends that England changed him and his writing, Hodkinson said. The slower pace of life, the matter-of-factness of the people and the green landscape brought more reflection to his work. He announced soon afterwards that he was going to be more sympathetic to his characters, including Holden Caulfield, the anti-hero of The Catcher in the Rye, on which he was already working in Devon. Hodkinson tracked down Werner Kleeman, now 96 and living in Flushing, New York, who met Salinger in March 1944 while they were stationed in Devon with the 12th infantry regiment of the 4th infantry division. The veteran, who remained friends with the writer, said: I soldiered with Salinger for over a year in England, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. We lived together, ate together and suffered together. I was a corporal, he was a staff sergeant. He liked Devon. Every day, any free time he had was taken up by writing on his portable typewriter. There was plenty of time for the novelist to hone his literary style. We had no choice but to sit there and wait for D-Day, Kleeman said. Dr Sarah Graham, lecturer in American Literature at the University of Leicester, who wrote a 2007 readers guide to The Catcher in the Rye, said Salinger may even have sentimentalised Devon: It is the last peaceful place he was in before going to war, you might feel a deep sense of attachment. He had a real fondness for England. It is a hugely changing experience for Salinger. His writing became less sarcastic and his characters more sympathetic as a consequence. Salinger with his friend and editor Emily Maxwell (AP) The Catcher in the Rye, eventually published in 1951 after elements had appeared in various short stories submitted to The New Yorker, went on to sell 65 million copies. Hailed as one of the greats of American post-war literature, Salinger shunned publicity and declined to elaborate on his story, which added kudos to the emerging cult of the rebellious teenager. Hodkinson concludes: Whilst his protagonist is American and his themes are universal, it was very much made in England. J D Salinger, Made In England is broadcast on Radio 4 this Thursday at 11.30am Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Patrick Flanerys topical, multi-layered novel probes the ubiquitous culture of surveillance today and its potential ramifications for a democratic society. Jeremy O Keefe, an American professor of modern history and politics, knows all about the dangers of monitoring others lives, having specialised in East Germany and the Stasi. However, he does not expect to become a government target himself . As the novel opens, Jeremy has returned to his native New York, having secured a professorship in the universitys History Department. It is not long before he realises that something is amiss. When Rachel, one of his students, doesnt turn up for a tutorial, Jeremy is alarmed to discover that he has no memory of emailing her to reschedule their meeting, nor of receiving her confirmation. But the emails are in his mailbox. Worried, he consults his daughter, Meredith, and her media titan husband, who recommend a memory specialist. Mysterious packages arrive with printouts of Jeremys emails and telephone calls dating back years. Someone appears to be watching his apartment and he keeps bumping into an elusive young man. He revisits his past to try to understand why he has become a marked man. Ten years previously, after the breakdown of his marriage, Jeremy had accepted a job at one of Oxfords older colleges, which does not attract the brightest students or have the largest endowment. While here, we learn, he made some injudicious choices. Flanery really gets under the skin of his main character; his bewilderment and increasing paranoia. Initially, Jeremy, is not particularly likeable his ponderous, pedantic tone, his academic snobbery, irritability and gauche attitude to women and relationships all jar. But we can sympathise with his plight: do some poor moral decisions make him a criminal? Can the authorities build a case drawing conclusions on the basis of association and little else? It gradually dawns on him what this loss of privacy means ... what seems like paranoid delusion might be anything but, that suspecting that you are being followed and monitored and manipulated is, in fact, the height of sanity. A masterful plot, a terrifying subject, and a gripping read. Flanery keeps us guessing. The layers of Jeremys own subterfuge are peeled back, and the truth is only revealed in the novels closing pages. It is clear where Flanerys sympathies lie in the words of one character: A country without privacy is a country without freedom. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} As many prepare for the battle between Team Captain America and Team Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War, out in May, for now we're taking a detour in the Marvel universe as were introduced to one of its most complex characters, Deadpool. Led by Ryan Reynolds as the character, the new movie adaptation of the comic book, in theaters February 12, is the first look at a Marvel character from an R-rated perspective. Filled with graphic violence and a lot of bad language, 20th Century Fox's effort brings a harder-edged feel to the superhero genre than what we're familiar with from the Disney releases (The Avengers, Iron Man, etc.). But theres more to why Deadpool is one of the most unique superhero movies ever made. Weve come up with five big reasons you should see it: 1. Ryan Reynolds making fun of himself To really portray the character correctly, it had to be brutal. The Deadpool character is a former Special Forces operative who, after an experiment, possesses accelerated healing powers. True, that doesnt sound much different from any other superhero origin story, but its the psychotic persona of Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) that sets him apart. To harness that on the big screen, Hollywood has called on Mr. Sarcasm himself, Ryan Reynolds. But Deadpool goes a step further than having Reynolds throw a fun line or two. To really portray the character correctly, it had to be brutal. And Reynolds obliged. He plays on his box-office bomb as Green Lantern in 2011, once being Peoples Sexiest Man Alive, even taking jabs at his own acting talents. Its fun to see Reynolds can take a joke (or five). 2. Lots of pop-culture references One of the biggest threads through the movie is Deadpools love for the band Wham!, specifically the group's hit Careless Whisper. Dont fret if youre not up on your Deadpool comics knowledge. The movie is made for both the super-fan and the novice. One of the pleasures is taking in the references to pop culture that are filled throughout. From a Salt-N-Pepa song to Deadpool throwing out lines about Negasonic Teenage Warhead looking like Sinead OConnor (and then theres the scene after the end credits; dont worry, we wont give it away), its a fun ride for the '80s-and-'90s-nostalgic audience. One of the biggest threads through the movie is Deadpools love for the band Wham!, specifically the group's hit Careless Whisper. 3. Breaking the fourth wall Deadpool is fully aware theres an audience looking at him, and he cant help but chat it up. Most superhero movies are focused entirely on the action, but Deadpool is fully aware theres an audience looking at him, and he cant help but chat it up. This leads to some enormously entertaining moments, like explaining how he met his roommate, Blind Al, or giving us his backstory while being pummeled by Colossus. And as anyone familiar with Ryan Reynolds' style of comedy knows, he is very comfortable doing that. 4. Adult language (lots of it) Some of the fun of Deadpool is that it goes against the behavior and morals that weve come to know from a superhero. Most of us are used to watching Marvel movies with zero foul language, so watching one in which the F-word is blurted out in the first three minutes is a clear indication that this isnt a Disney Marvel movie. Some of the fun of Deadpool is that it goes against the behavior and morals that weve come to know from a superhero. Even most villains won't cross a line. But Deadpools lack of conscious makes for a rawer story, and yes, colorful language. 5. Amazing opening credits They completely disband from anything conventional or traditional in the movie business. The credits that open Deadpool are the most original Ive ever seen. They completely disband from anything conventional or traditional in the movie business. Instead of listing the names of the stars, producers, and director, the sequence puts up sarcastic one-liners like produced by ahats and directed by an overpaid tool. You have to give points to Fox for going along with it. Read more: 'PROJECT PANIC': Pro-EU campaigners' secret weapon for preventing Brexit KYLE BASS: There's a 'ticking time bomb' in China Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have hit record highs Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2015. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} There's a real sense of girl power this year," beamed Kate Winslet, as she clutched her Golden Globe last month in Los Angeles. But is there? It is now 12 months since Patricia Arquette used her Oscars acceptance speech as a platform to demand "wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women", a rallying cry that got Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez whooping out of their seats. It ignited a so-called "genderquake" in Hollywood. Jennifer Lawrence spoke out repeatedly about pay inequality; Salma Hayek used her platform at Cannes to blast Hollywood's sexism; and Emma Thompson, recently cast as a 77-year-old prostitute (Thompson is 56) in The Legend of Barney Thomson, bemoaned its ever-worsening ageism. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Show all 15 1 /15 The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Angela Merkel - German Chancellor German Chancellor Angela Merkel has retained her number one ranking for topping this years Forbes list for the fifth consecutive year and ten times in total. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Hillary Clinton - Presidential candidate, United States Clinton, who could become the worlds most powerful leader in 2016, has been featured on the list every year since it launched in 2014. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Melinda Gates - Cochair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Melinda Gates has cemented her dominance in philanthropy and global development to the tune of $3.9 billion in giving in 2014 and more than $33 billion in grant payments since she founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with her husband in 2000. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Janet Yellen - Chair, Federal Reserve, Washington, United States Janet Yellen made history in 2014 when she became the first female head of the Federal Reserve. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Marry Barra - CEO of General Motors Mary Barra made history by becoming the first female CEO of General Motors. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Christina Lagarde - Managing director, International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde is entering the last year of her first term heading the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the organisation which serves as economic advisor and backstop for 188 countries. Under Lagarde the IMF has supported efforts to increase female labor force participation as way to reduce poverty and inequality. The UK, Germany, China, France and Korea have endorsed Christine Lagarde for another term as the head of the IMF. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Dilma Rousseff - President, Brazil Dilma Rousseff, who has been elected in 2010, is Brazil's first female president. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Sheryl Sandberg - COO of Facebook Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and author of bestseller Lean In, joined the company in 2008 and became the first woman on its board four years later. Sandberg helped the social network go public and expand digital revenue. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Susan Wojcicki - CEO of Youtube Susan Wojcicki is CEO of YouTube, the worlds most popular digital video platform used by over a billion people across the globe. She oversees YouTube's content and business operations, engineering, and product development. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Michelle Obama - First lady, United States Michelle Obama, the 44th first lady of the United States has focused her attention on issues such as the support of military families, helping working women balance career and family and encouraging national service. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Park Geun-hye - President, South Korea Park Geun-hye is the first female leader of a country that has the highest level of gender inequality in the developed world. In her inauguration speech, she promised to prioritise both national security and economic revitalisation. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Oprah Winfrey - Actress, Director/Producer, Entrepreneur, Personality, Philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, a former queen of daytime TV has proven she can thrive without a talkshow. Her 'The Life You Want' tour sold out stadiums from Newark to Seattle in 2014. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Ginni Rometty - CEO of IBM Ginni Rometty joined IBM in 1981 and later became the first woman to lead the company. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Meg Whitman - CEO of Hewlett-Packard Meg Whitman is the only woman to have headed two large U.S. public companies: eBay and Hewlett-Packard.Until Marissa Mayer's arrival at Yahoo, she was the only female head of a leading Internet-based company. The world's 15 most powerful women in 2015 Indra Nooyi - CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo. Mrs. Nooyi leads one of the worlds largest convenient food and beverage companies, with 2008 annual revenues of more than $43 billion. But what, if anything, is actually changing for women in the movies? And are things any better in Britain? Out of the 100 highest-grossing UK films of 2015, just 16 per cent of all directors, writers, producers, editors, and cinematographers were female. And only 7 per cent were directed by women. We asked some of the most influential and respected women in the UK film industry how much power the girls really have Clare Binns Director of programming and acquisitions, Picturehouse Cinemas Around 750 films were released last year. I did a rough tally of those I thought were really important for women, that had strong women's roles, talked to a female audience or were directed by women. There were fewer than 60. The difference today is that a lot of these films are now "big", such as Spy or Mad Max: Fury Road. A tipping point was Mamma Mia!. For years I was the only woman doing my job. I still often am the only woman in the room. I think all the blokes saw Mamma Mia! as a 10m movie. I could see it was going to be phenomenal. It was a fantastic success, sustained over a long period, which is characteristic of a slightly older female audience. Suddenly male exhibitors realised that these films could take blockbuster money. And so films such as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Trainwreck, Sisters and Brooklyn are now mainstream, not some smaller-screen sideline. We have marginally more women coming to our 23 cinemas than men. They feel comfortable there. We were the company that first started the Big Scream [for those with babies under the age of one] and now we have Toddler Time. Women's brains don't pack up when they have children. They still want to see films like everyone else. Amma Asante Bafta-winning writer-director of 'Belle' and 'A Way of Life'. Her latest film, 'A United Kingdom', is due out later this year Asante: 'As a female director, you are in this absolutely tiny minority' (Getty) (Getty Images) People just don't trust women to direct films. It's how people used to feel back in the day about female pilots or women on the front line. It's sexism, simple as that. In all my time as a child actor on Grange Hill, we only had one woman director. If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have known while growing up that it was possible for women to direct. And given there was only one of her, even that felt unlikely. No one has ever categorically said to me, "Your story is not commercial because it's got a female protagonist or a lead character of colour." It's invisible prejudice, and that's the difficulty. But it's clear in the statistics: the figures don't lie. As a female director, you are in this absolutely tiny minority. I consider that every opportunity I get is a gift that could grow, and I made a commitment to always offer something to another female, to show them how I work and pass on my experience. That's how I try to improve the situation. I contribute most by trying to get on and doing the job, making the movie. Getting people to give you the opportunity that's the problem. Nina Gold Casting agent whose credits in 2015 included 'Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens', 'The Danish Girl', 'The Martian' and 'Wolf Hall' Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Gold: 'I suppose it's not 'ladylike' to shout about inequality in the industry. But we need to not only shout about it, but work on it' (Getty) (Getty Images) It really is true that when actresses hit their late thirties, the ratio of good, interesting roles to brilliant, fantastic actresses is very poor. I've had lots of instances where producers suggest some fabulous 25-year-old to be the wife of a 50-year-old and I just tell them, "I'm sorry, but that makes me sick." They don't like it, but I have to say it! I suppose it's not "ladylike" to shout about inequality in the industry. But we need to not only shout about it, but work on it. When it came to Star Wars, that is like a universe of its own, in that there aren't, theoretically, any social rules you have to obey. So it seemed like a great opportunity to cast lots of women, and people of various races, in strong, interesting roles. For example, we cast Gwendoline Christie as a Stormtrooper commander. Not because she's a woman, but because she's brilliant. Casting is an area that's something like 80 per cent female. Maybe it's the nurturing, faintly maternal aspect to it? It's also counter-ego: it's not about oneself. Possibly women are better at that. Amanda Posey Multi-Oscar-nominated co-producer of films including 'Brooklyn', 'An Education' and 'Fever Pitch' Posey: 'A big change in the past few years is that female-led stories are now seen as a strong commercial choice. But it's still very challenging' (Getty) (Getty Images) When we did An Education [2009], we were told that a female-led, near-period story was one of the hardest things to get financing for. Without any doubt it was easier to get finance for Brooklyn using An Education's success as a reference. Brooklyn is, similarly, a period story about a young woman finding her place in the world, starring a young teenage actress who hadn't yet proven herself in an adult role. We said that Brooklyn would be transformative for Saoirse Ronan in the same way that An Education was for Carey Mulligan. For a long time women's stories were ignored, or weren't able to get made because we hadn't had actresses in a strong enough position. They weren't seen as financially viable. A big change in the past few years is that female-led stories are now seen as a strong commercial choice. But it's still very challenging. British independent film really only grew with the start of Film4 in the 1980s. There has always been a lot of female producers. The difference is that they now have 20 or 30 years of track record behind them, so they are able to really push for the projects they want to make. Dame Harriet Walter Award-winning actress with recent roles in films including 'Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens' and 'Man Up', with 'The Sense of an Ending' out later this year Walter: 'People are amazingly uninventive about portraying older women' (Rex) (Rex Features) Nobody went from drama school to Hollywood in my day. At least no girls I knew. Hollywood just didn't have the same love of the Brits back then. But today, if you're ravishingly beautiful and don't knock over the furniture, there's the possibility that you might just become the next Daisy Ridley. Then the pressure's on you, because even by 30 you are considered past that moment. I'd love to do more films. But people are amazingly uninventive about portraying older women. You're so often either "cuddly granny" or "wicked stepmother". The primary female roles, whatever your age, are still conventionally attached to a man. Your purpose in the story is being somebody's wife, daughter or mother. Even a lot of the great films I've watched recently, Spotlight or Bridge of Spies, really have only one woman who's got anything to say. There's now a huge band of Baby Boomer female actors in the theatre and Hollywood who are not just going to go quietly into wheelchairs. We're still very active, we still have sex, still get adventurous, we still have ambitions, and to tell those stories is really important. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Angela Allen became a script supervisor after starting out in continuity in 1947. Her 55-year career took in films including The Third Man, The African Queen, The Dirty Dozen, The Man Who Would Be King and Ronin. Deborah Moggach is the author and screenwriter of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Pride & Prejudice (the 2005 version) and Tulip Fever (which is out later this year). Larushka Ivan-Zadeh is a film critic. LI-Z: Angela, you began your career in the 1940s. Was the film industry considered "a job for women" back then? AA: Unless you were in hair or make-up, it was very much, "You're the secretary." A lot of producers thought of continuity as glorified typists. It wasn't until the 1980s that women started training as things like cameramen or camerawomen. We were known as "script girls". I did 14 films with John Huston and I was always told, "Of course, you were John's mistress." Of course I wasn't. None of John's mistresses lasted more than a year! It took me 10 years of working for him before I asked for a promotion. He said, "What do you want that for? You're unique." I said, "Yes, but I'm not paid that way." I certainly didn't get anything extra for all the jobs I did. #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Show all 19 1 /19 #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Jada Pinkett-Smith Today is Martin Luther Kings birthday, and I cant help but ask the question: Is it time that people of color recognize how much power and influence we have amassed that we no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere? I ask the question: Have we come to a new time and place where we recognize that we can no longer beg for the love, acknowledge, or respect of any group? - Posted on her Facebook page. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Will Smith "The beauty of Hollywood combined with American ideals is the ultimate dream for humanity: the basis of the American concept of anything is possible, with hard work and dedication, no matter your race or religion, creed, none of that matters in America. I think that diversity is the American superpower. That's why we are great. So many different people from so many different places adding their ideas and their inspiration and their influences to this beautiful American gumbo and for me, at its best, Hollywood represents and then creates the imagery for that beauty. But for my part, I think I have to fight for and protect the ideals that make our country and make our Hollywood community great. So when I look at the series of nominations of the Academy, it's not reflecting that beauty." - Quote from ABC News appearance. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Reese Witherspoon "I really appreciated this article in TIME on the lack of racial and gender diversity in this year's Oscar nominations. So disappointed that some of 2015's best films, filmmakers and performances were not recognized... Nothing can diminish the quality of their work, but these filmmakers deserve recognition. As an Academy member, I would love to see a more diverse voting membership." - Posted on her Facebook page. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Spike Lee "This whole Academy thing is a misdirection play. We're chasing a guy down the field, he doesn't even have the ball. The other guy's high-stepping in the end zone. It goes further than the Academy Awards. It has to go back to the gatekeepers. We're not in the room. The executives, when they have these greenlight meetings quarterly, they look at the scripts and see who's in it and decide what we're making and what we're not making." - Quote from ABC appearance. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say George Clooney "If you think back 10 years ago, the Academy was doing a better job. Think about how many more African Americans were nominated. I would also make the argument, I dont think its a problem of who youre picking as much as it is: How many options are available to minorities in film, particularly in quality films? There should be 20 or 30 or 40 films of the quality that people would consider for the Oscars. By the way, were talking about African Americans. For Hispanics, its even worse. We need to get better at this. We used to be better at it." - Interview with Variety. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Snoop Dogg Somebody was actually like am I gonna watch the motherf***ing Oscars. F*** no. What the f*** am I going to watch that bulls*** for? They aint got no n***** nominated. All these great movies and all this great s*** yall keep stealing from us. F*** you! F*** you! - Posted on his Instagram page. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Don Cheadle "Yo, Chris. Come check me out at #TheOscars this year. They got me parking cars on G level." - Posted on his Twitter page, directed at host Chris Rock. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Mark Ruffalo I woke up in the morning thinking, what is the right way to do this? Because if you look at Martin Luther Kings legacy, what he was saying was that the good people who dont act are much worse than the wrongdoers who are purposefully not acting and dont know the right way. - Quote from interview with BBC News. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Lupita Nyong'o "I am disappointed by the lack of inclusion in this year's Academy Awards nominations. It has me thinking about unconscious prejudice and what merits prestige in our culture. The awards should not dictate the terms of art in our modern society, but rather be a diverse reflection of the best of what our art has to offer today. I stand with my peers who are calling for change in expanding the stories that are told and recognition of the people who tell them." - Posted on her Instagram page. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Tyrese Gibson "This is not us saying we're against the Oscars because we're gonna combat racism. We're just saying, 'Yo, this is not cool.' You can't be doing this in 2016 and act as if no one is gonna notice." - Quote from interview with People. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say David Oyelowo The reason why the Oscars are so important is because it is the zenith, it is the epitome, it is the height of celebration of artistic endeavor within the filmmaking community. We grow up aspiring, dreaming, longing to be accepted into that august establishment because it is the height of excellence. I would like to walk away and say it doesnt matter, but it does, because that acknowledgement changes the trajectory of your life, your career, and the culture of the world we live in. This institution doesnt reflect its president and it doesnt reflect this room. I am an Academy member and it doesnt reflect me, and it doesnt reflect this nation." - Speech at gala honoring Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Brie Larson "Thank you @hollywoodreporter for covering this very unique moment in my life! It was wonderful spending time with all of you. Personally, I'm interested in reading their article on #OscarsSoWhite. This is a conversation that deserves attention." - Posted on her Instagram page. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say How many black films are being produced every year? How are they being distributed? The films that are being made, are the big-time producers thinking outside of the box in terms of how to cast the role? Can you cast a black woman in that role? Can you cast a black man in that role? You can change the Academy, but if there are no black films being produced, what is there to vote for? - Quote from interview with Entertainment Weekly. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Charlotte Rampling "It is racist to whites. One can never really know, but perhaps the black actors did not deserve to make the final list. Why classify people? These days everyone is more or less accepted... People will always say: Him, hes less handsome; Him, hes too black; He is too white... someone will always be saying You are too [this or that]... But do we have to take from this that there should be lots of minorities everywhere?" - Quote from interview on Europe 1. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Michael Caine Theres loads of black actors. In the end you can't vote for an actor because he's black. You can't say 'I'm going to vote for him, he's not very good, but he's black, I'll vote for him'. You have to give a good performance and I'm sure people have. I saw Idris Elba (in Beasts Of No Nation).I thought he was wonderful. Be patient. Of course it will come. It took years to get an Oscar, years. - Quote from interview with Radio 4 Today programme. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Steve McQueen "This is exactly like MTV was in the 1980s. Could you imagine now if MTV only showed music videos by a majority of white people, then after 11 oclock it showed a majority of black people? Could you imagine that happening now? Its the same situation happening in the movies. Hopefully, when people look back at this in 20 years, itll be like seeing that David Bowie clip in 1983 [of artist critiquing channel for not featuring black artists]. I dont even want to wait 20 years. Forgive me; Im hoping in 12 months or so we can look back and say this was a watershed moment, and thank God we put that right." Quote from interview with The Guardian. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Julie Delpy "Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media. It's funny - women can't talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don't bash them afterwards. It's the hardest to be a woman. Feminism is something people hate above all. Nothing worse than being a woman in this business. I really believe that." Delpy has since clarified these remarks, saying, "I'm very sorry for how I expressed myself. It was never meant to diminish the injustice done to African American artists or to any other people that struggle for equal opportunities and rights; on the contrary. All I was trying to do is to address the issues of inequality of opportunity in the industry for women as well (as I am a woman)." Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Clint Eastwood "I don't know anything about it. All I know is there's thousands of people in the Academy, and the majority of them haven't won Oscars. A lot of people are crying, I guess." - Quoted by TMZ. Getty #OscarsSoWhite: What Hollywood has to say Ellen Page Its awful, and I think what just happened in regards to the nominations two years in a row is a reflection of the industry itself, and the lack of diversity in all positions. Its so upsetting that were still having this conversation. I dont know what to say other than its so disheartening, and I feel like we all have to be doing what we can to make a change, because were supposed to be telling stories that reflect human experience, and we cant just be showing one group of people." Quote from interview with The Wrap. Getty LI-Z: What sort of jobs? AA: Everything! On The African Queen I did some second-unit directing; I was only 22. On Freud, I held up cheat boards for Monty Clift because he was in such a state he couldn't remember his lines. On Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, I had to get in a swimsuit to body-double for Ava Gardner one night because Frank [Sinatra] was in town and she didn't want to get in the water. I was the youngest woman around who could swim, so I was pushed to do it. Ava was sort of engaged to Frank at the time, but we all knew she was having a romance with this mad bullfighter in the film, so when Frank was coming over, I had to get him out of the way. DM: Angela, I envy your job because it really is the lynchpin of everything. It's continuity and hair and make-up who get all the confidences. As a writer on set, you are the only person without a job. I always feel like I'm in the way. Though Judi Dench came up to me on the set of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and said, "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your lovely book you have to remember that." LI-Z: Have you encountered much sexism as a writer? DM: A well-known actress once came up to me at a party and said, "Are you still scribbling away?" She wouldn't say that if I were Julian Barnes! Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen (1951), which Angela Allen worked on as a 22-year-old (Rex) (Rex Features) LI-Z: As a female film critic you can feel you're the odd one out, particularly when it comes to your take on a movie. Criticism used to be far more of an old boys' club when I started, 15 years ago. The first press screening I ever went to, a much older, male critic asked, "What are you doing here?" before flirting with me. I'd say 75 per cent of any press screening I go to is still male. Angela, I imagine you were often the sole woman on set apart from the female stars. Did you bond? AA: I stayed very friendly with Ava Gardner. But Marilyn [Monroe] was very bitchy to me on The Misfits. I said to John [Huston], "Oh God, what have I done?" He said that Marilyn had decided that I was having an affair with Arthur Miller. He was the screenwriter, you see. And I often had to re-type the whole script (not that that was my job either!), so I'd be going up and down to Arthur's room with it. Of course, she had an affair with a Frenchman on her previous picture, but she would never be "guilty", so she had to blame him for something. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up LI-Z: What about the directors you worked for. There were some titans: Huston, Sidney Lumet, Franco Zeffirelli. Were you ever bullied? AA: No, I mean Huston never lost his temper. If he wanted something, he would just sit and read a book until it came to him. John Frankenheimer would go raving mad at the crew, but he never screamed at me. Don Johnson was horrendously rude to me once on Dead Bang and Frankenheimer told him off in no uncertain terms. LI-Z: Debby, how often are you called on to fight your corner? Perhaps when protecting your script? Judi Dench in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), written by Deborah Moggach (Twentieth Century Fox) DM: You can't be too sensitive or protective of your stuff. I consider that the script is just a wonderful blueprint you give to the film-makers. It's quite different from writing a novel, where you've got a private world to do with what you like. You have to be incredibly bouncy and resilient and adaptable to work in film. Actually working with production teams that are largely women is interesting. Say a woman's daughter is ill and off school; there's generally an understanding and a shifting of schedules. LI-Z: Do long hours put women off the film industry? Is that a reason why there are still so few female crew members, particularly so few female directors? AA: I don't think so. I don't have children, but most people I worked with did. You might be away a lot, I suppose. But no, I don't think it prevents anybody. DM: I disagree. I think it's really tough for people with children to work on a set men or women. You can't do the two. You go away for months on end and so many crew I've talked to seem to be divorced; it's just a ghastly career for marriage. LI-Z: It's not until you have babies that you realise how un-family-friendly much of working life is! Most press screenings, for example, start at 6.30pm exactly at bedtime. What do we think could be done to make the film industry more child-friendly? AA: When I started, it was 8.30am till 5.30pm and you'd have to ask the unions if you wanted to push on until 6pm. Now it's 12 hours-plus a day on sets, which actually means more like 14 or more working hours, six days a week, which is actually illegal. England breaks the working hours more than any other country. When I worked with John Huston, I knew he would finish at 6pm because he always liked to make dinner engagements. It was civilized. LI-Z: And, if we could wave a feminist wand, what would we like to change about the industry? The Deborah Moggach-scripted film version of Pride & Prejudice AA: I do think that the feminist lobby is not actually doing itself any favours. Because there are certain things women can't do in life, physically. I don't care if it's a man or a woman doing a job, it should be on the basis that they are good at the particular thing. LI-Z: I'd love more huge, female-led genre franchises, directed by women. DM: I watched Thelma & Louise the other day. A great feminist film, but it's about women and men, and how women treat men. I'd like more films where the women are the story. It needn't be a groundbreaking feminist statement. It needn't be remarked upon. Like in Notting Hill, where one of the characters is in a wheelchair, but it's barely remarked upon. Like in [the Danish TV crime series] Borgen, which everyone adores, we take it for granted that the two leads are women, and it is never pushed. I think film is lumbering behind television here. That said, for every Borgen, there are about five TV series that open with a mutilated woman's body in the wood, with the rain pouring down, and she's a prostitute. It's really terrible that this is still happening. I want more films where the actors happen to be women, of all ethnicities and ages. Ronin on which Angela Allen worked (Rex) (Rex Features) AA: I'm sure that when The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was first proposed, particularly men in the industry would have said, "Oh my god, how can we have old people on screen? Ew young people don't want to go to the cinema to see that!" LI-Z: And it became one of the highest-grossing films of the year! DM: I think the big success of that film was partly to do with the fact it showed that people of a certain age are the same as everyone else. It wasn't about them all having incipient dementia or gasping and clawing at the duvet as they die. It showed that old people fall in love, they work, they get jealous, behave badly. They are just what we all are and they happen to have a few wrinkles. It gave hope to people that they could go to the cinema and see just normal old people. The same with cross-racial casting or women doing jobs they're just women doing jobs. Recommended Read more Jennifer Lawrence speaks out against media attitude towards women AA: I feel lucky that at my age I can still drive and get about and work. You don't have to be dead because you've passed 25. I joke that, in England, once women pass 30 we should go to interviews with a veil on so they can't see the wrinkles! LI-Z: Talking of jokes, Angela, am I right that you were often teased on set? AA: Oh, I was the butt of a lot of jokes. On The African Queen, my first film, I was only 22, still a virgin, and they told me, "John [Huston]'s got to have a woman," you know what I mean? "And you're the youngest." It was a set-up but I was so straight, I was protesting, "No, no, I can't. He's just got married and [his wife's] having a baby" Angelica was born during the shoot. After 10 years or so, I realised the teasing was a sign of affection. But sometimes it would go on for days. Still, I have survived. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Lets be straight, I love love. Im charmed by chocolates that come in heart-shaped boxes. I adore a message from a mystery admirer - even when, like last year, it comes in the form of a card that reads A very happy Valentines Day from everyone at your local Waitrose. And I have been addicted to love stories, in all their forms, ever since I was eight and desperate for Belle to make a go of things with her hairy crush in Beauty and the Beast even though the object of her desire was decidedly less hot in human form. However, the collective obsession with the boy-meets-girl fairy-tale narrative that takes hold every February isnt just horribly heteronormative. It means that our focus is narrowed, and we lose out on the opportunity to celebrate so many other wonderful relationships. If youre unhappily single, or even unhappily coupled, you might hate Valentines Day because of its focus on romance: today Im just a girl, sitting in front of her Netflix account, asking it to come up with some suitable recommended viewing that isnt The Notebook .... So, rather than dismiss the day altogether, why not revel in the love you have for your friends, your family or even yourself? Here are some of my favourite celebrations of love in its less-championed snog-free forms. Family love: The Pursuit of Love A scene from the 2001 mini-series of Nancy Mitfords Love in a Cold Climate (Rex) Mitfords 1945 novel is, at first glance, so very much about romantic love that it might as well be tossing a scented, embroidered hanky at you from the bookshelf: Fanny tells the story of her beautiful, brilliant cousin, Linda Radlett, who is so in love with love that she cant stop marrying people. However, family is at the very heart of the story the terrifying Uncle Matthew heads up a home that his daughter Linda can keep returning to whenever one of her relationships hits the rocks. Even Fannys wayward bolter mother is welcomed back into the fold, with her Spanish lover a relationship that caused scandal in the xenophobic pre-war period. Lindas family makes it clear that they dont approve of her behaviour, yet they will always support her through it. It helps that her siblings are equally glamorous and wayward: Jassy runs off to Hollywood to marry a movie star, while Matt disappears to fight in the Spanish civil war. The pursuit in the title could allude to the times that kind siblings, aunts and uncles are sent half way across the world to fetch runaway children. Its a perfect depiction of family love, in all its tender, long-suffering, exasperated glory. The Radletts remind me of my other favourite fictional family the Simpsons. Both inhabit a universe in which chaos reigns, but love allows everyone to forge a path through it. Community love: Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation (NBC) Few can claim to be quite as attached to their local area as Leslie Knope, the fictional deputy of the Parks department of Pawnee, Indiana. In the dearly departed US sitcom, we see Leslie as a woman who lives to serve her community, as proud and protective as a lioness. Leslies love is obsessive, and anyone who has ever composed and deleted a thousand casual texts to a potential paramour will appreciate her comparable toil as they watch her produce a 472-page brochure before a town meeting, work 16-hour days and then write a book about Pawnee in her spare time. Indeed, Leslie loves Pawnee so much that she puts her personal life aside for it, breaking up with boyfriend Dave (Louis CK) because she cant bear to leave her hometown when hes offered a job in San Diego, and then ending a relationship with her boss Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) because workplace romances are banned. (Spoiler alert they manage to make it work in the end.) She cares about her community so passionately that she volunteers as a refuse collector, stays up all night with the local doomsday cult, becomes city counsellor and continues to adore the people of Pawnee even when they campaign to have her recalled. The strength of her feelings reminds us all that the biggest loves are the selfless ones. Love is an almighty force, and if you can channel it outward, in the way that Leslie does, its potential for good is limitless. Platonic love: Jeeves and Bertie Wooster Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in Jeeves and Wooster (Rex) A key element of all love, romantic or otherwise, is esteem to respect, admire and hold in high regard. And no pair personifies esteem better than P G Wodehouses Bertram Wooster and his valet Jeeves, the gentlemans personal gentleman. Wooster is constantly in the throes of some scrape usually involving an angry aunt, and Jeeves is always called upon to go above and beyond his job description although you could argue that hes such a committed valet that for him, there is no above and beyond. Wooster is keen to propagate the idea that he is very much his own man, yet usually defers to Jeeves in matters of dress, manners and romantic love. Jeeves depends on his client in a slightly different way. As an incredibly learned man, familiar with every aspect of art, culture and the aristocracy, hed be wasted on any other employer. However, Woosters predilection for comic disaster allows him to use every single one of his problem solving talents on his client, and Woosters equally troubled friends; real life double act Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie then brought the pair to the small screen and injected their performance with perfect levels of platonic chemistry. In this odd couple, we see how the most successful expressions of platonic love are built on near psychic levels of understanding, limitless patience, and a very well stocked drinks trolley. Self-love: Frances Ha Admittedly there is great potential for sniggering here, and I was tempted to suggest The Undertones Teenage Kicks, or perhaps that song by The Divinyls. But while Id argue that all successful self-love includes an element of self-abuse, lets keep things more cerebral. For a long time, my self-love heroine was Bridget Jones. She might seem like an unlikely choice, at least in her big-screen incarnation, spending much screen time in pursuit of Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver as she does. But the Bridget of the books has a much more interesting interior life. She explores her singleton status with curiosity and courage, and as she looks for love, she learns to love herself at the same time. I believe Bridgets fictional heiress is the eponymous heroine of Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwigs 2014 film. At first glance, its a film about friendship, and Frances relationship with her best friend Sophie. But I think its really about a break up, and Francess struggle for independence when Sophie moves out and moves on. Francess expensive, pointless two day trip to Paris is a celebration of the most terrifying, exhilarating elements of being on ones own, and the joy that comes with knowing its often nicer to waste your own time than to be on someone elses clock. There is no greater cinematic love letter to independent women than the shots of Gerwig as Frances at City Hall park fountain, dancing on her own. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} At 23, Will Poulter looks at once a little older and a little younger than that. His once-boyish face with the quizzical, perma-raised eyebrows on which a character actor's career could be built is settling into striking shape. Yet as he lopes into the frou-frou dining room of Claridge's, clad in practically unskinny jeans and a baggy white T-shirt bearing no trendy insignia, he doesn't seem a whole decade removed from the keen 12-year-old we met in Son of Rambow. Nothing seems managed about his look, his manner or even his enthusiastic handshake. His meat-and-two-veg lunch order is unfashionably ravenous. And simply being an eager good sport has earnt Poulter quite a career so far. "I'm just lucky that I was kind of ugly enough, and kind of obnoxious enough, to play the bully," he says, referring to his scrappy debut in Rambow. He says it with a matter-of-fact shrug, as if he doesn't expect anyone to spring to his defence. Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Show all 14 1 /14 Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Bill Murray With only one Oscar nomination to his name (2003's Lost in Translation), Bill Murray is one oversight that - in many people's eyes - could easily throw the Academy Awards into disrepute. AFP/Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Samuel L. Jackson Considering he's one of the most bankable film stars in the world, it's a surprise that - with over 160 credits to his name - Samuel L. Jackson has only received a mere one nomination (Pulp Fiction in 1994). 2016 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Joaquin Phoenix With three previous nominations under his belt - for films including Gladiator and The Master - it was his performance as Johnny Cash in 2005 biopic Walk the Line that was expected to see him win an Oscar (he lost to the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's for Capote). 2015 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Brad Pitt The ever-present fixture he remains in Hollywood today, you'd think Brad Pitt would have won an Oscar by now; while serving as producer of 2014 Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave, he currently has zero acting wins to his name despite three nominations (Twelve Monkeys, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Moneyball). 2015 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Tom Cruise Still one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, Tom Cruise seemed like a sure awards bet back in the Nineties with films Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire and Magnolia all earning him nominations - and yet, he never once emerged victorious. 2015 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Richard Gere Would you believe us if we told you Richard Gere has never even been nominated? Well, it's true - and, quite honestly, shocks us quite a bit. Poor guy. Juan Naharro Gimenez Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Gary Oldman One of the film industry's finest character actors, Gary Oldman has been nominated just the once for playing George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. 2014 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Johnny Depp Despite his recent dip in quality, Johnny Depp has delivered several Oscar-worthy performances in the past. With a total of three nominations to his name - all for post-2000 releases including Pirates of the Caribbean and Finding Neverland - it's more a wonder he didn't receive more recognition for standout films such as Ed Wood and Donnie Brasco in the Nineties. 2015 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Harrison Ford Harrison Ford may now be the world's highest-grossing actor (sorry, Samuel) but still doesn't have the Academy Award to back up such a feat. In fact, he's now into his third decade of not receiving recognition from the Academy with his sole nomination arriving back in 1985 for Witness. Getty Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Edward Norton Edward Norton is just the kind of actor you'd assume would've scooped a statuette at some stage or another, but no - Norton just has three nominations to speak of; his first in 1996 (Primal Fear), his second in 1999 (American History X) and his third just last year (Best Picture winner, Birdman). AFP/Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't John Malkovich American actor John Malkovich was nominated once in 1984 (Places in the Heart) and again in 1993 (In the Line of Fire) but hasn't posed much of a threat since. 2013 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Annette Bening Poor Annette Bening, who has come close to victory four times (The Grifters, American Beauty, Being Julia and The Kids Are All Right) but is yet to clinch one. 2015 Getty Images Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Glenn Close ...well, it could be worse; she could be Glenn Close who has been on the shortlist six times for films including Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons and, most recently, Albert Nobbs. Actors you think have won Oscars but haven't Helena Bonham Carter Helena Bonham Carter may have received a Best Actress nomination for Wings of a Dove (1997), but it was her Best Supporting Actress nomination for 2012's Best Picture winner The King's Speech that seemed a sure bet; Melissa Leo's role in The Fighter won that round. 2015 Getty Images Obnoxious ugliness is in the eye of the beholder, after all. Whatever made the Son of Rambow casting directors pluck him out of a west London day school has thus far brought him a host of benefits: hefty young-adult cred from the Narnia and Maze Runner films, a snogging session with Jennifer Aniston in We're the Millers, even a Rising Star Bafta award two years ago. He's Bafta-bound again this weekend not as a nominee this time, but as a co-star sharing in the considerable glory of eight nominations for The Revenant. Alejandro Inarritu's muscular, wilderness-set revenge parable has already carried Poulter down more A-list red carpets than he's ever trodden in his career before. He was a wide-eyed guest at last month's Golden Globes, where the film took three prizes, including Best Film; he's hoping to make it to the Academy Awards, where it's up for a whopping 12 gongs. Poulter as fur trapper Jim Bridger in The Revenant (Rex) (Rex Features) Poulter is at once thrilled and bemused by the glitter trail of awards season. "I've never been part of a film that's had this type of attention, and it's not as if we made it with this world in mind," he says. "The Globes were amazing, because that in itself is a massive production: I didn't feel like I belonged there at all, so it was strange being a sort of fly on the wall. But I'm glad of any opportunity for a bit of fun after what was a shoot with, well, not too many opportunities for fun." He flashes a sly half-grin to acknowledge the extent of his understatement. The arduous nature of The Revenant's seven-month shoot, across several frostily remote rural territories of Canada and Argentina, has been so well publicised it's become part of the awards campaign; Leonardo DiCaprio's valiant guzzling of a raw bison liver is now the subject of various online memes. Poulter says: 'I had nothing else going for me at school. I lived for my one lesson of drama a week' (Immo Klink) "I haven't spoken to anyone in the cast or crew who isn't in agreement that it's the hardest thing they've done," Poulter says, though he's glad he escaped the offal challenge. He instead focused on channelling the emotional turmoil of his character, Jim Bridger, a young fur trapper made reluctantly complicit in the attempted murder of DiCaprio's protagonist by a villainous dissident played with deranged conviction by Tom Hardy. As the film's fractured moral conscience opposite Hardy, Poulter in many ways shoulders the film's most complex part; while his senior co-stars each got Oscar nods, his might be its richest performance. Poulter resists such praise, instead describing the project as a kind of apprenticeship. "I thought I knew at least a little bit about the basics of film-making, but all of that went out the window for the sake of adapting to Alejandro's style." That entailed adjusting to the unforgiving shooting pace Inarritu developed with ace cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki: filming in long, unbroken takes under the restrictions of natural light gave the actors little scope for trial and error. "You had to welcome the camera into your world so much, and then, for the sake of being present in the scene, you had to banish it from your mind. That created a real conflict for me," he explains. "I remember coming to Alejandro in a bit of a fluster and saying, 'All these things are going on and it's killing me. I don't know how to play it.' And he replied, 'Just play that confusion. Why are we even having this conversation?' Not assessing it so technically is something actors like Leo and Tom have mastered. I'm still very much trying to learn." Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Poulter in 2014s The Maze Runner (Twentieth Century Fox) Did tempers ever flare under such conditions? He elegantly overturns the question. "When you're working so hard together for that long, you become a surrogate family. You can't help but come out the other side with very strong feelings about one another, whether it's love or hate." He pauses in mock-suspense. "It turned out to be love, of course, which was great." If The Revenant represents the most gruelling work Poulter has undertaken, he's swift to acknowledge that he has it pretty good. His family is in the healthcare business: his father's a cardiology professor, his mum and sister both nurses. "They all do far more important jobs than me, and get a lot less attention and reward for it," he says. "Not that I could follow in their footsteps even if I wanted to I didn't exactly have a host of amazing science grades. I had nothing else going for me at school. I lived for my one lesson of drama a week." 'It's important to declare the fact that talent and privilege in the arts, there's no correlation between the two of them' (Immo Klink) Poulter didn't have tertiary drama education either, preferring to learn on the job. On the currently heated question of whether the British acting business is slanted in favour of wealthier classes those who can afford expensive education and little-paid neophyte work he professes optimistic uncertainty. "I hope not," he says. "It's important to declare the fact that talent and privilege in the arts, there's no correlation between the two of them. I don't [correlate them] because I didn't go to a drama school. I'd like to think that there's equal opportunity for everybody. [Though] I'm sure that's not the case." American casting directors, on the other hand, tend to presume with some measure of awe that he and his fellow British acting exports all boast Rada-style training. While the misconception amuses Poulter, it's working out for him: he recently wrapped shooting in Abu Dhabi on War Machine, an Afghanistan war satire from Animal Kingdom director David Michod, in which he plays opposite Brad Pitt. And last year, internet horror fansites were sent into a tizzy following the announcement that Poulter would play the shape-shifting Pennywise in a remake of Stephen King's It; he describes his involvement as "not confirmed", however, following the departure of director Cary Fukunaga from the project. Even as such big-name opportunities come knocking, however, Poulter is determined to keep a foot planted in the British independent film industry that made him: also on his 2016 slate is Kids in Love, a small-scale study of young London bohemia. "I'm not giving audiences anything if I'm not giving them variety," he says, aspiring to the restless style-hopping of his favourite actors Christian Bale, Dustin Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix among them. Apart from anything else, he's reluctant to relocate from his native Chiswick, where he's currently seeking his own digs not far from the family nest. Not, he admits, that he'll ever be there for too long a stretch at a time. "I hate sitting on the sofa," he says as he clears his plate. "It's what I'm worst at." 'The Revenant' (15) is in cinemas now Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} To many peoples amusement, this years Oscars gift bag contained the like of a Vampire Breast Lift, a sex toy and a trip to Israel, the total value of which was in excess of $200,000 (138,000). Many of those attending the prestigious ceremony in Hollywood will also be at the BAFTAs, Britains very own celebration of film which will take place in London at the Royal Opera House. Reflecting our austerity driven political stance, the bag set to be given to the actors is slightly less spectacular, the overall value totalling a modest 1,500, according to The Telegraph. Inside, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett can expect to find hairspray, Savoy marmalade, specially made BAFTA tea, Evian facial spray and - of course - chocolates. Stephen Fry is hosting this year's ceremony. Stephen Fry on the BAFTAs There will also be some more lavish gifts inside, including a 130 fountain pen, a 120 Swarovski crystal chaton, as well as an invitation to tour the Villa Maria winery in New Zealand (flights not included). However, the most expensive item isnt inside the bag, but the bag itself; a 1,045 leather and brass Globe-Trotter trolley which will hold this years wonders. Compared to the Oscars, it is a little less than grand, the academy giving nominees unlimited Audi car rentals ($45,000), a 15-day walking tour of Japan ($45,000), a laser skin-tightening procedure ($5,300), a lifetime supply of skin creams from Lizora ($1,300) and a Haze Dual V3 Vaporiser ($249.99). In case you were wondering what the aforementioned Vampire Breast Lift is, it is a procedure that uses blood-derived growth factors to revive rounder cleavage without implants. Apparently it is the must have new thing in Hollywood. The BAFTAs will take place at the Royal Opera House, with nominees including Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Brie Larson and Kate Winslet. Read everything you need to know, here. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Films by Terence Davies tend not to come along very often. He is indisputably one of the great British directors of his era, but he is not one of the most prolific. It is therefore all the more heartening to encounter A Quiet Passion only a few months after his last feature, Sunset Song, was in cinemas. A Quiet Passion is a biopic of the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson. It is an exceptional film with a searing central performance from Cynthia Nixon in a role a long way removed from her Miranda Hobbes in Sex And The City. As any student who has encountered Dickinson knows, the poets life was not outwardly eventful. After a stint at seminary school, she lived at home with her family in Amherst, Massachusetts. She never married. Only a handful of the huge number of poems she wrote were published in her lifetime. Outwardly, she may have seemed prim and self-effacing, but as Davies and Nixon brilliantly show, she was in fact a fiery, passionate figure who questioned every aspect of the patriarchal society in which she lived. The mood of A Quiet Passion switches dramatically. In its first half, the film has a jaunty, comic air. We see Emily (played as a young woman by Emma Bell) exasperating her teachers by refusing to accept their strictures on religion. Back home, she strikes up a firm friendship with Miss Buffum (Catherine Bailey), a wonderfully cynical and witty neighbour with an acerbic tongue. With its sweeping camera work and shots of the defiant womenfolk twirling their parasols and snapping their fans, the film resembles one of those old Hollywood musicals that Davies so admires. There are dance sequences and much more colour than you might expect. Much of the film is set indoors. This is a very faithful recreation of Dickinsons world but it never feels stolid. The fluid cinematography those wonderful gliding shots that are found in many of Daviess films and the sheer liveliness of the writing and the performances add energy to the storytelling. From time to time, we hear passages of Dickinsons verse, read beautifully by Nixon, on the soundtrack. The key events in Dickinsons life we are presented with include her obsession with Wadsworth (Eric Loren), the married, Heathcliff-like clergyman who recognises her genius; and her encounter with the bumbling publisher who cuts out the punctuation from her poems, little realising the importance Emily attaches to her dots and dashes. In its second half, the tone of A Quiet Passion darkens. Dickinson is confronted with illness, death and extreme disappointment. At times, she herself can behave very viciously (for example, when she encounters sexual betrayal). In its depiction of physical pain, the film rekindles memories both of Bergmans Cries And Whispers and of the death scene in Daviess own Distant Voices, Still Lives. The film, though, ends with grace and lyricism and a very moving rendition of what is probably Dickinsons best-known poem: Because I could not stop for Death He kindly stopped for me... Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Having devoted so much of his career to making shows about spooks, it makes sense that Stephen Garrett should be working with the greatest spy writer of all. It was John le Carres work that first convinced the co-founder of television company Kudos that an MI5-based series could be a bit like a cop show only bigger, and Spooks, one of the most successful TV drama and film franchises of the 21st century was the result. When Garrett surprised the TV industry by walking out of Kudos two years ago, he was promptly approached by The Ink Factory, a company set up by Le Carres sons Stephen and Simon Cornwell and advised by the great author himself. The result of that collaboration is The Night Manager, a major BBC drama starring Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston, based on Le Carres 1993 novel. It is the first TV series to be shot in super-high definition 4K. That was the most wonderful conversation to have, Garrett says. It was genuinely Le Carre who gave me the idea for Spooks and I have always been faintly obsessed with spy stories. There is something quintessentially British about espionage, he says. Because of Bond and because of Le Carres work, the world associates Brits with spying; we are perceived as having a genuine talent for duplicity, deception and telling lies. Its something we should be incredibly proud of! Working with David Cornwell, to give Le Carre his real name, has been inspiring. He is 85 and he has not just been the godfather of the project but actively involved at key stages. Le Carre attended the day-long read-through of all six scripts in the series, then went to the two-hour notes session that followed. He even came to a cast and crew dinner afterwards and throughout it all was the sharpest, smartest person in the room, giving immensely classy notes about story structure, character and spycraft. From left: Keeley Hawes, Matthew Macfadyen, Jenny Agutter, Peter Firth, David Oyelowo and Lisa Faulkner starred in Spooks (Joss Barratt / BBC) Le Carre was willing to accept a radical reinterpretation of his work, including even a change of sex of a central character. The intelligence operative Leonard Burr, a gruff Yorkshireman in the book, is played in the series by a heavily pregnant Olivia Colman, best known for the ITV series Broadchurch. The brave casting by the Danish director, Susanne Bier, presented a huge challenge in getting insurance to take Colman for filming in Morocco and Majorca in the late stages of pregnancy, Garrett says. But it struck us as a really inspired notion that a woman vulnerable in this dangerous male preserve [of spying] should be additionally vulnerable by virtue of being pregnant. Le Carre himself was thrilled by the change, Garrett says. He said to Olivia that if he were writing the novel again he would write it with Burr as a woman. Garrett has founded his own production company, Character 7, and has other projects in development that also feed his spying fixation. The Rook, which he is developing with the Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer and her company Fickle Fish Films, is based on a fantasy novel by the Australian author Daniel OMalley about an intelligence agency that combats supernatural threats. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Lawrie star in The Night Manager (BBC) Garrett is pitching another Character 7 project, Shadow Play, as Mad Men meets Casablanca. Its another spy series of course and set in Beirut in the 1950s, when that city was both one of the playgrounds of the Mediterranean and a hotbed of espionage. We are, says Garrett, living in a great time for television drama. There is now an extraordinary opportunity for organically international dramas that are sweeping in scale and not parochial, he says. Because of the new world order, with the Amazons and Netflix and Hulus who have seemingly unlimited resources and not fixed [schedule] slots, theres no shortage of opportunities. Spooks, which began in 2002, was based on self-contained episodes in an era before viewers enjoyed bingeing on entire series, when tablets werent yet invented. Culture news in pictures Show all 33 1 /33 Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures 30 September 2016 An employee hangs works of art with "Grand Teatro" by Marino Marini (R) and bronze sculpture "Sfera N.3" by Arnaldo Pomodoro seen ahead of a Contemporary Art auction on 7 October, at Sotheby's in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 29 September 2016 Street art by Portuguese artist Odeith is seen in Dresden, during an exhibition "Magic City - art of the streets" AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 Dancers attend a photocall for the new "THE ONE Grand Show" at Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin, Germany REUTERS Culture news in pictures 28 September 2016 With an array of thrift store china, humorous souvenirs and handmade tile adorning its walls and floors, the Mosaic Tile House in Venice stands as a monument to two decades of artistic collaboration between Cheri Pann and husband Gonzalo Duran REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A gallery assistant poses amongst work by Anthea Hamilton from her nominated show "Lichen! Libido!(London!) Chastity!" at a preview of the Turner Prize in London REUTERS Culture news in pictures 27 September 2016 A technician wearing virtual reality glasses checks his installation in three British public telephone booths, set up outside the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, Netherlands. The installation allows visitors a 3-D look into the museum which has twenty-two paintings belonging to the British Royal Collection, on loan for an exhibit from 29 September 2016 till 8 January 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 An Indian artist dressed as Hindu god Shiva performs on a chariot as he participates in a religious procession 'Ravan ki Barat' held to mark the forthcoming Dussehra festival in Allahabad AFP/Getty Images Culture news in pictures 26 September 2016 Jean-Michel Basquiat's 'Air Power', 1984, is displayed at the Bowie/Collector media preview at Sotheby's in New York AFP/Getty Culture news in pictures 25 September 2016 A woman looks at an untitled painting by Albert Oehlen during the opening of an exhibition of works by German artists Georg Baselitz and Albert Oehlen in Reutlingen, Germany. The exhibition runs at the Kunstverein (art society) Reutlingen until 15 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 24 September 2016 Fan BingBing (C) attends the closing ceremony of the 64th San Sebastian Film Festival at Kursaal in San Sebastian, Spain Getty Images Culture news in pictures 23 September 2016 A view of the artwork 'You Are Metamorphosing' (1964) as part of the exhibition 'Retrospektive' of Japanese artist Tetsumi Kudo at Fridericianum in Kassel, Germany. The exhibition runs from 25 September 2016 to 1 January 2017 EPA Culture news in pictures 22 September 2016 Jo Applin from the Courtauld Institute of Art looks at Green Tilework in Live Flesh by Adriana Vareja, which features in a new exhibition, Flesh, at York Art Gallery. The new exhibition features works by Degas, Chardin, Francis Bacon and Sarah Lucas, showing how flesh has been portrayed by artists over the last 600 years PA Culture news in pictures 21 September 2016 Performers Sean Atkins and Sally Miller standing in for the characters played by Asa Butterfield and Ella Purnell during a photocall for Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children" at Potters Field Park in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A detail from the blanket 'Alpine Cattle Drive' from 1926 by artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is displayed at the 'Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Arts' in Berlin. The exhibition named 'Ernst Ludwig Kirchner - Hieroglyphen' showing the complete collection of Berlin's Nationalgallerie works of the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and will run from 23 September 2016 until 26 February 2017 AP Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A man looks at portrait photos by US photographer Bruce Gilden in the exhibition 'Masters of Photography' at the photokina in Cologne, Germany. The trade fair on photography, photokina, schowcases some 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries and runs from 20 to 25 September. The event also features various photo exhibitions EPA Culture news in pictures 20 September 2016 A woman looks at 'Blue Poles', 1952 by Jackson Pollock during a photocall at the Royal Academy of Arts, London PA Culture news in pictures 19 September 2016 Art installation The Refusal of Time, a collaboration with Philip Miller, Catherine Meyburgh and Peter Galison, which features as part of the William Kentridge exhibition Thick Time, showing from 21 September to 15 January at the Whitechapel Gallery in London PA Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Artists creating one off designs at the Mm6 Maison Margiela presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections 2017 in London Getty Images Culture news in pictures 18 September 2016 Bethenny Frankel attends the special screening of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Edition release on Blu-Ray and DVD in New York City Getty Images for Walt Disney Stu Culture news in pictures 17 September 2016 Visitors attend the 2016 Oktoberfest beer festival at Theresienwiese in Munich, Germany Getty Images Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Visitors looks at British artist Damien Hirst work of art 'The Incomplete Truth', during the 13th Yalta Annual Meeting entitled 'The World, Europe and Ukraine: storms of changes', organised by the Yalta European Strategy (YES) in partnership with the Victor Pinchuk Foundation at the Mystetsky Arsenal Art Center in Kiev AP Culture news in pictures 16 September 2016 Tracey Emin's "My Bed" is exhibited at the Tate Liverpool as part of the exhibition Tracey Emin And William Blake In Focus, which highlights surprising links between the two artists Getty Images Culture news in pictures 15 September 2016 Musician Dave Grohl (L) joins musician Tom Morello of Prophets of Rage onstage at the Forum in Inglewood, California Getty Images Culture news in pictures 14 September 2016 Model feebee poses as part of art installation "Narcissism : Dazzle room" made by artist Shigeki Matsuyama at rooms33 fashion and design exhibition in Tokyo. Matsuyama's installation features a strong contrast of black and white, which he learned from dazzle camouflage used mainly in World War I AP Culture news in pictures 13 September 2016 Visitors look at artworks by Chinese painter Cui Ruzhuo during the exhibition 'Glossiness of Uncarved Jade' held at the exhibition hall 'Manezh' in St. Petersburg, Russia. More than 200 paintings by the Chinese artist are presented until 25 September EPA Culture news in pictures 12 September 2016 A visitor looks at Raphael's painting 'Extase de Sainte Cecile', 1515, from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence during the opening of a Raphael exhibition at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow, Russia. The first Russian exhibition of the works of the Italian Renaissance artist Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino includes eight paintings and three drawings which come from Italy. Th exhibit opens to the public from 13 September to 11 December EPA Culture news in pictures 11 September 2016 Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd perform during Otis Redding 75th Birthday Celebration - Rehearsals at the Macon City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia Getty Images for Otis Redding 75 Culture news in pictures 10 September 2016 Sakari Oramo conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Singers at the Last Night of the Proms 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall in London PA Culture news in pictures 9 September 2016 A visitor walks past a piece entitled "Fruitcake" by Joana Vasconcelo, during the Beyond Limits selling exhibition at Chatsworth House near Bakewell REUTERS Culture news in pictures 8 September 2016 A sculpture of a crescent standing on the 2,140 meters high mountain 'Freiheit' (German for 'freedom'), in the Alpstein region of the Appenzell alps, eastern Switzerland. The sculpture is lighted during the nights by means of solar panels. The 38-year-old Swiss artist and atheist Christian Meier set the crescent on the peak to start a debate on the meaning of religious symbols - as summit crosses - on mountains. 'Because so many peaks have crosses on them, it struck me as a great idea to put up an equally absurd contrast'. 'Naturally I wanted to provoke in a fun way. But it goes beyond that. The actions of an artist should be food for thought, both visually and in content' EPA Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures Culture news in pictures Such formats now barely exist and no one is really looking for them, says Garrett. However, he adds that technology isnt always helpful to a TV producer. It has made the creation of suspense so much harder. Theres no doubt that new technology in general, and computer screens in particular, make a certain kind of storytelling very difficult, he says. Cybercrime has become the greatest manifestation of modern villainy yet no one has yet found a way to make that interesting on film. Similarly DNA was a great breakthrough for mankind but a setback for spy and crime writers, and would make a classic tale such as Dial M for Murder unworkable, he claims. Technology has messed with storytelling in quite a big way. The ubiquity of mobile phones in real life has made it hard for a suspense writer to create any sense of a character being alone. Jeopardy and that sense of genuine isolation has become much harder to create in the modern world. That classic scene of the girl in the nightdress alone in house ... you end up establishing in some very clunky way: that her phone has run out of juice or shes in a mobile black hole, he says. Pre-1985 is a good time to tell stories where you want genuine tension, because you can get rid of these hideous devices. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Organic farming long held to be irrelevant in tackling world hunger could be key to feeding the world as global warming takes hold, one of the biggest studies ever to be carried out into the contentious practice has concluded. The research, which has reviewed hundreds of studies stretching back over four decades, not only overturns conventional wisdom but contradicts Britains official Food Standards Agency, which has repeatedly attacked chemical-free agriculture. It adds to emerging evidence that it may be more productive and profitable than conventional farming in the long term, especially in developing countries, and says it can provide an ideal blueprint in addressing climate change. Published this month in the leading journal Nature Plants, the study admits that organic agriculture has a history of being contentious and is still considered by its many critics as an inefficient approach to food security and a farming system that will be become less relevant in the future. It adds that the practice is regarded as ideologically driven, with many shortcomings, not least because it relies on more land to produce the same amount of food as conventional agriculture, And it quotes a 1970s US Agriculture Secretary, Earl Butz: Before we go back to organic agriculture in this country, somebody must decide which 50 million Americans we are going to let starve or go hungry. Organic techniques are even more effective in developing countries, where most farmers cannot afford to buy much artificial fertiliser or pesticide (AFP/Getty) Yet, the study led by Professor John Reganold of Washington State University goes on, organic food and beverages are now a rapidly growing market segment in the global food industry. Worldwide sales increased fivefold to US $72bn (50bn) between 1999 and 2013, and are expected to double again by 2018. The practice is certified in 170 countries and the current US Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, describes it as one of the fastest growing segments of American agriculture driven by growing consumer demand. The research also acknowledges it produces lower yields than chemically driven agriculture, but at 8 25 per cent, the reductions are less than often supposed. Another mammoth study at the University of California 14 months ago found that the deficit could be more than halved by rotating crops and avoiding monocultures: for leguminous produce such as beans, peas and lentils there was no difference at all and overall it could be a very competitive alternative to industrial agriculture. But it is climate change that may give organic farming the edge. As the new research underlines, organically managed farms have frequently been shown to produce higher yields than their conventional counterparts during droughts, because the manures they use retain moisture in the soil. And severely dry conditions are expected to increase with climate change in many areas. Organic farming myths Show all 6 1 /6 Organic farming myths Organic farming myths Organically reared cows burp twice as much methane as conventionally reared cattle Getty Images Organic farming myths Organic farmers uses 'organic' pesticides that they have been 'grandfathered' with current regulations and do not have to pass stringent modern safety tests Alamy Organic farming myths Claims by proponents of organic food, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, that there is a 'cocktail effect' of pesticides are unproven AP Organic farming myths The high level of infection among organic chickens could cross-contaminate non-organic chickens Alamy Organic farming myths A study has found that higher flavonoid levels in organic tomatoes revealed them to be the result of stress from lack of nitrogen Alamy Organic farming myths Less than 1 per cent of the food sold in Britain is organic Getty Images As other studies have shown, organic fertilisers also increase the amount of carbon in the soil, while intensive agriculture denudes it, increasing erosion and reducing its fertility. Wheat, for example, has traditionally produced much higher yields in conventional than in chemical-free farming, but these have now stagnated for some 20 years after almost tripling during the previous 50 years. Losses of organic matter from British soil now cost the country 82m a year and the Government admits that this is not sustainable in the long term. But it has done little about it: there is not even any countrywide monitoring of soil health. Organic techniques, moreover, are even more effective in developing countries, where most farmers cannot afford to buy much artificial fertiliser or pesticide. One UN report which looked at 114 projects, involving nearly two million African farms found that they more than doubled yields. Another, led by the University of Essex which examined projects in 57 countries, covering three per cent of the Third Worlds cultivated area revealed an average 79 per cent increase. Chemical-free farming is also more profitable in both developed and developing countries, the new report adds: four decades of studies covering 55 crops grown on five continents found they yielded a 22-35 per cent better return than conventional produce. This was, of course, due to the premium organic producers can charge, but even slashing the price differential several times over would still leave them better off. And they employ more people. More predictably, the report finds that organic farming is better for nature and wildlife and reduces exposure to toxic pesticides both on the farm and in food. And it adds that 80 per cent of major studies into its nutritional value have suggested that it is better for consumers, contradicting the position of the Food Standards Agency. It stresses that no one farming system alone will safely feed the planet, but calls for the untapped potential role of chemical-free agriculture to be realised by blending it with the best practices of its conventional counterpart. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britains trees could be under threat as a deadly plant disease known as phony peach sweeps across the US and southern Europe. The UK has been put on high alert amid fears that a new strain of Xylella fastidiosa, which has badly damaged olive plantations in Italy and peach trees in the US, could make its way to Britain. Recommended Read more British woodland at risk as planting scheme in chaos The disease, which experts warn could be far more serious than the ash dieback decimating Britains ash tree population, had not originally been thought a threat to this country because the climate is too cold. But a new subspecies has been discovered in Corsica and France which can cope with the cooler weather.The disease causes wilting, browns leaves, stunts growth and death and is known to have infected oak and maple trees. Experts said it was difficult to predict exactly how the disease would damage the UK tree population, but one told The Observer it would make ash dieback look like a walk in the park. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A revolutionary 10-minute test for cancer which yields "near perfect" results could be available in the UK by the end of the decade. Scientists are now able to diagnose the deadly disease using just a single drop of saliva, known as a liquid biopsy. Costing around 15 the cheap technique picks up on fragments of tumour DNA, and is hoped to be a breakthrough in early diagnosis, boosting survival rates. Recommended Read more Scientists develop early blood test for men with prostate cancer Estimated to be available in the UK within four years, the cheap test is so simple it could be done in doctors office, pharmacies and even peoples homes. Currently only blood tests are available to detect cancer, and results usually take around two weeks. Unveiling the pioneering new research, Professor David Wong, from the University of California at Los Angeles, said it was due to enter full clinical trials later this year. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty Speaking at the the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Washington, Prof Wong added he expected approval from the American Food and Drug Administration with two years. He told the conference: If there is circulating signature of a tumour in a person blood or saliva, this test will find it. We need less than one drop of saliva and we can turn the test around in 10 minutes. It can be done in a doctors office while you wait. Early detection is crucial. Any time you gain in finding out that someone has a life-threatening cancer, the sooner the better. So far the saliva test has had near perfect accuracy on lung cancer patients. The non-invasive test could also hold the key to early detection in some cancers, such as pancreatic, which currently has no effective early screening capabilities. Statistics from charity Cancer Research UK shows just under half of deaths in the UK were due to lung, bowel, breast or prostate cancers in 2012. Prof Wong was hopeful the test could be used to diagnose different forms of cancers in the future, and added: Down the road it might be possible to test for multiple cancers at the same time. Prototypes are currently being developed which will be rolled out in China and Europe, and the test would need regulatory approval before being available in the UK. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} [This article was originally published in 2016] A human can go for more than three weeks without food (Mahatma Gandhi survived 21 days of starvation), but water is a different story. At least 60 per cent of the adult body is made of it, and every living cell in the body needs it to keep functioning. Water acts as a lubricant for our joints, regulates our body temperature through sweating and respiration, and helps to flush waste. Unlike food, the maximum time an individual can go without water seems to be a week. That estimate would certainly be shorter in difficult conditions, like broiling heat. The week limit is based on observations of people at the end of their lives, when food and water intake has been stopped, Randall K. Packer, a professor of biology at George Washington University told Maggie Fox in a 2013 interview with NBC News. However, one week is a generous estimate. Three to four days would be more typical. You can go 100 hours without drinking at an average temperature outdoors, Claude Piantadosi of Duke University told Fox. If its cooler, you can go a little longer. If you are exposed to direct sunlight, its less. The Danger Of Dehydration Our bodies are constantly losing water, which is why drinking a glass of H20 once a day is not enough to keep the body replenished. We lose water when we sweat, go to the bathroom, and even when we exhale. In pictures: Flint water crisis Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Flint water crisis In pictures: Flint water crisis Anthony Fordham picks up bottled water from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to deliver to a school after elevated lead levels were found in the city's water in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Michigan National Guard Staff Sergeant William Phillips (L) assists a Flint resident with bottled water at a fire station in Flint Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents Arthur Woodson, left, and Tony Palladino Jr. protest the arrival of Flint native and filmmaker Michael Moore as Moore accuses Gov.Rick Snyder of poisoning Flint water during a rally outside of city hall in Flint AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Flint residents pick up bottled water and water filters at a fire station in Flint. Michigan National Guard members were set to arrive in Flint to join door-to-door efforts to distribute bottled water and other supplies to residents coping with the city's crisis over lead-contaminated drinking water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard Flint prepare to give Flint residents bottled water at a fire station in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis Justin Roberson (L), age 6, of Flint, Michigan and Mychal Adams, age 1, of Flint wait on a stack of bottled water at a rally where the Rev. Jesse Jackson was speaking about about the water crises at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis A man sits next to a stack of bottled water at the Heavenly Host Baptist Church in Flint 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Flint water crisis The top of a water tower is seen at the Flint Water Plant. President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in Michigan and ordered federal aid to be used to help state and local response efforts to an area affected by contaminated water Reuters In pictures: Flint water crisis Rosie Wright, center, rallies with the crowd over Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP In pictures: Flint water crisis Rick Catherman participates in a rally around Flint's water crisis in Ann Arbor, Michigan AP Under extreme conditions an adult can lose 1 to 1.5 liters of sweat per hour, Packer wrote in a 2002 article for Scientific American. If that lost water is not replaced, the total volume of body fluid can fall quickly and, most dangerously, blood volume may drop. When you have too little blood circulating in your body, blood pressure falls to levels that can be fatal. Body temperatures also rise when we stop sweating. Dehydration that causes a loss of more than 10 per cent of your body weight is a medical emergency, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center, and if not reversed can lead to death. Water Sources We get some water from food, but drinking water is your main, and best source, of water, according to a website maintained by the National Institutes of Health. Other beverages like juice or milk also help keep the body hydrated. The only fluid you would want to stay away from is alcohol because it actually causes the body to lose more water than normal through excessive urination. Read more: 'PROJECT PANIC': Pro-EU campaigners' secret weapon for preventing Brexit KYLE BASS: There's a 'ticking time bomb' in China Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have hit record highs Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2015. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In early April 2013, David Carson awoke with a sore throat. Nothing to write home about, he decided, and went off to work. Carson, then 61, was a trainer and mentoring consultant originally from Scotland, now living in Northamptonshire. By the weekend, he says, I began to feel as if I was getting the flu. My wife, a nurse, said we should perhaps call the doctor, but I told her Id be fine. He wasnt fine. A few days later, he agreed to call a doctor, to whom he attempted to convey his symptoms as best as a man that doesnt like to cause a fuss can. The doctor told him to take some paracetamol and go to bed, and that they would reconvene in the morning. There wasnt any paracetamol in the house, so his wife went out to get some. And by the time she got back, I was in a bad way, he says. Within six hours of that initial phone call to his doctor, Carson was on a life-support machine. While I was in the coma, the consultant said to my wife that I was the sickest person in the hospital, with the least chance of survival. His wife and their two grown-up sons were distraught as the hospital staff attempted to prepare them for the worst. Although he didnt know it yet, David Carson was suffering from sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises when the body responds abnormally to infection. If not treated quickly, the end result is multiple organ failure. Fifty percent of cases, in both adults and children, develop after a bout of pneumonia, but it can also follow a urinary tract infection, a burst bowel or even an insect bite. The TV presenter Gloria Hunniford contracted sepsis after cutting herself with a kitchen knife. If spotted early enough, the disease is easily treatable with antibiotics but spotting it early enough is the problem. It isnt always easy to, in part because so many of us are still ignorant of the condition. It nevertheless affects a great many: more than 150,000 people a year in the UK alone, killing some 44,000. This figure is higher than those for prostate, bowel and breast cancer combined. If someone believes they might be suffering from sepsis, then the clock is ticking, says Dr Ron Daniels, a full-time NHS consultant in critical care and also the chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust. They have to act fast. If we took 100 people who all had the condition, about 85 to 90 per cent of them would, with early intervention, probably avoid having to go into intensive care altogether, and could be treated on a general ward quickly and effectively. But 10 to 15 per cent of that number, especially those that have a genetic susceptibility to it, would continue to develop multiple organ failure. And, sadly, a proportion of those would die even with the very best care in the world, says Dr Daniels. We cannot pretend that we can save everyone from sepsis, but we do conservatively estimate that we can aim to save between 12,00 and 14,000 people in the UK every year simply by getting the basics right. To better combat it, sepsis needs a broader profile. This is now happening. Last month, the illness made headlines when an NHS England report concluded that both GPs and the countrys NHS out-of-hours helpline 111 failed to identify sepsis in a 12-month-old baby boy from Wales, who had died in 2014. The UK Sepsis Trust is now actively lobbying both the Government and the nations hospitals to raise awareness further still. It is a condition that can affect anyone anywhere, but children under the age of five and the over-65s are at more risk. Signs to watch out for include flu-like symptoms, lethargy, persistent rashes and, in babies, a dry nappy for more than 12 hours. Health news in pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Health news in pictures Health news in pictures Coronavirus outbreak The coronavirus Covid-19 has hit the UK leading to the deaths of two people so far and prompting warnings from the Department of Health AFP via Getty Health news in pictures Thousands of emergency patients told to take taxi to hospital Thousands of 999 patients in England are being told to get a taxi to hospital, figures have showed. The number of patients outside London who were refused an ambulance rose by 83 per cent in the past year as demand for services grows Getty Health news in pictures Vape related deaths spike A vaping-related lung disease has claimed the lives of 11 people in the US in recent weeks. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has more than 100 officials investigating the cause of the mystery illness, and has warned citizens against smoking e-cigarette products until more is known, particularly if modified or bought off the street Getty Health news in pictures Baldness cure looks to be a step closer Researchers in the US claim to have overcome one of the major hurdles to cultivating human follicles from stem cells. The new system allows cells to grow in a structured tuft and emerge from the skin Sanford Burnham Preybs Health news in pictures Two hours a week spent in nature can improve health A study in the journal Scientific Reports suggests that a dose of nature of just two hours a week is associated with better health and psychological wellbeing Shutterstock Health news in pictures Air pollution linked to fertility issues in women Exposure to air from traffic-clogged streets could leave women with fewer years to have children, a study has found. Italian researchers found women living in the most polluted areas were three times more likely to show signs they were running low on eggs than those who lived in cleaner surroundings, potentially triggering an earlier menopause Getty/iStock Health news in pictures Junk food ads could be banned before watershed Junk food adverts on TV and online could be banned before 9pm as part of Government plans to fight the "epidemic" of childhood obesity. Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said PA Health news in pictures Breeding with neanderthals helped humans fight diseases On migrating from Africa around 70,000 years ago, humans bumped into the neanderthals of Eurasia. While humans were weak to the diseases of the new lands, breeding with the resident neanderthals made for a better equipped immune system PA Health news in pictures Cancer breath test to be trialled in Britain The breath biopsy device is designed to detect cancer hallmarks in molecules exhaled by patients Getty Health news in pictures Average 10 year old has consumed the recommended amount of sugar for an adult By their 10th birthdy, children have on average already eaten more sugar than the recommended amount for an 18 year old. The average 10 year old consumes the equivalent to 13 sugar cubes a day, 8 more than is recommended PA Health news in pictures Child health experts advise switching off screens an hour before bed While there is not enough evidence of harm to recommend UK-wide limits on screen use, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have advised that children should avoid screens for an hour before bed time to avoid disrupting their sleep Getty Health news in pictures Daily aspirin is unnecessary for older people in good health, study finds A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that many elderly people are taking daily aspirin to little or no avail Getty Health news in pictures Vaping could lead to cancer, US study finds A study by the University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Centre has found that the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein, and methylglyoxal are present in the saliva of E-cigarette users Reuters Health news in pictures More children are obese and diabetic There has been a 41% increase in children with type 2 diabetes since 2014, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit has found. Obesity is a leading cause Reuters Health news in pictures Most child antidepressants are ineffective and can lead to suicidal thoughts The majority of antidepressants are ineffective and may be unsafe, for children and teenager with major depression, experts have warned. In what is the most comprehensive comparison of 14 commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs to date, researchers found that only one brand was more effective at relieving symptoms of depression than a placebo. Another popular drug, venlafaxine, was shown increase the risk users engaging in suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide Getty Health news in pictures Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults at higher risk of heart disease, study claims Researchers at the Baptist Health South Florida Clinic in Miami focused on seven areas of controllable heart health and found these minority groups were particularly likely to be smokers and to have poorly controlled blood sugar iStock Health news in pictures Breakfast cereals targeted at children contain 'steadily high' sugar levels since 1992 despite producer claims A major pressure group has issued a fresh warning about perilously high amounts of sugar in breakfast cereals, specifically those designed for children, and has said that levels have barely been cut at all in the last two and a half decades Getty Health news in pictures Potholes are making us fat, NHS watchdog warns New guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the body which determines what treatment the NHS should fund, said lax road repairs and car-dominated streets were contributing to the obesity epidemic by preventing members of the public from keeping active PA Health news in pictures New menopause drugs offer women relief from 'debilitating' hot flushes A new class of treatments for women going through the menopause is able to reduce numbers of debilitating hot flushes by as much as three quarters in a matter of days, a trial has found. The drug used in the trial belongs to a group known as NKB antagonists (blockers), which were developed as a treatment for schizophrenia but have been sitting on a shelf unused, according to Professor Waljit Dhillo, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism REX Health news in pictures Doctors should prescribe more antidepressants for people with mental health problems, study finds Research from Oxford University found that more than one million extra people suffering from mental health problems would benefit from being prescribed drugs and criticised ideological reasons doctors use to avoid doing so. Getty Health news in pictures Student dies of flu after NHS advice to stay at home and avoid A&E The family of a teenager who died from flu has urged people not to delay going to A&E if they are worried about their symptoms. Melissa Whiteley, an 18-year-old engineering student from Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent, fell ill at Christmas and died in hospital a month later. Just Giving Health news in pictures Government to review thousands of harmful vaginal mesh implants The Government has pledged to review tens of thousands of cases where women have been given harmful vaginal mesh implants. Getty Health news in pictures Jeremy Hunt announces 'zero suicides ambition' for the NHS The NHS will be asked to go further to prevent the deaths of patients in its care as part of a zero suicide ambition being launched today Getty Health news in pictures Human trials start with cancer treatment that primes immune system to kill off tumours Human trials have begun with a new cancer therapy that can prime the immune system to eradicate tumours. The treatment, that works similarly to a vaccine, is a combination of two existing drugs, of which tiny amounts are injected into the solid bulk of a tumour. Nephron Health news in pictures Babies' health suffers from being born near fracking sites, finds major study Mothers living within a kilometre of a fracking site were 25 per cent more likely to have a child born at low birth weight, which increase their chances of asthma, ADHD and other issues Getty Health news in pictures NHS reviewing thousands of cervical cancer smear tests after women wrongly given all-clear Thousands of cervical cancer screening results are under review after failings at a laboratory meant some women were incorrectly given the all-clear. A number of women have already been told to contact their doctors following the identification of procedural issues in the service provided by Pathology First Laboratory. Rex Health news in pictures Potential key to halting breast cancer's spread discovered by scientists Most breast cancer patients do not die from their initial tumour, but from secondary malignant growths (metastases), where cancer cells are able to enter the blood and survive to invade new sites. Asparagine, a molecule named after asparagus where it was first identified in high quantities, has now been shown to be an essential ingredient for tumour cells to gain these migratory properties. Getty Health news in pictures NHS nursing vacancies at record high with more than 34,000 roles advertised A record number of nursing and midwifery positions are currently being advertised by the NHS, with more than 34,000 positions currently vacant, according to the latest data. Demand for nurses was 19 per cent higher between July and September 2017 than the same period two years ago. REX Health news in pictures Cannabis extract could provide new class of treatment for psychosis CBD has a broadly opposite effect to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active component in cannabis and the substance that causes paranoia and anxiety. Getty Health news in pictures Over 75,000 sign petition calling for Richard Branson's Virgin Care to hand settlement money back to NHS Mr Bransons company sued the NHS last year after it lost out on an 82m contract to provide childrens health services across Surrey, citing concerns over serious flaws in the way the contract was awarded PA Health news in pictures More than 700 fewer nurses training in England in first year after NHS bursary scrapped The numbers of people accepted to study nursing in England fell 3 per cent in 2017, while the numbers accepted in Wales and Scotland, where the bursaries were kept, increased 8.4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively Getty Health news in pictures Landmark study links Tory austerity to 120,000 deaths The paper found that there were 45,000 more deaths in the first four years of Tory-led efficiencies than would have been expected if funding had stayed at pre-election levels. On this trajectory that could rise to nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020, even with the extra funding that has been earmarked for public sector services this year. Reuters Health news in pictures Long commutes carry health risks Hours of commuting may be mind-numbingly dull, but new research shows that it might also be having an adverse effect on both your health and performance at work. Longer commutes also appear to have a significant impact on mental wellbeing, with those commuting longer 33 per cent more likely to suffer from depression Shutterstock Health news in pictures You cannot be fit and fat It is not possible to be overweight and healthy, a major new study has concluded. The study of 3.5 million Britons found that even metabolically healthy obese people are still at a higher risk of heart disease or a stroke than those with a normal weight range Getty Health news in pictures Sleep deprivation When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself Shutterstock Health news in pictures Exercise classes offering 45 minute naps launch David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the napercise class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part Getty Health news in pictures 'Fundamental right to health' to be axed after Brexit, lawyers warn Tobacco and alcohol companies could win more easily in court cases such as the recent battle over plain cigarette packaging if the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is abandoned, a barrister and public health professor have said Getty Health news in pictures 'Thousands dying' due to fear over non-existent statin side-effects A major new study into the side effects of the cholesterol-lowering medicine suggests common symptoms such as muscle pain and weakness are not caused by the drugs themselves Getty Health news in pictures Babies born to fathers aged under 25 have higher risk of autism New research has found that babies born to fathers under the age of 25 or over 51 are at higher risk of developing autism and other social disorders. The study, conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, found that these children are actually more advanced than their peers as infants, but then fall behind by the time they hit their teenage years Getty Health news in pictures Cycling to work could halve risk of cancer and heart disease Commuters who swap their car or bus pass for a bike could cut their risk of developing heart disease and cancer by almost half, new research suggests but campaigners have warned there is still an urgent need to improve road conditions for cyclists. Cycling to work is linked to a lower risk of developing cancer by 45 per cent and cardiovascular disease by 46 per cent, according to a study of a quarter of a million people. Walking to work also brought health benefits, the University of Glasgow researchers found, but not to the same degree as cycling. Getty Last autumn, the illness received some unexpected exposure during the Baftas, when Jason Watkins collected his award for Leading Actor. During his speech, he paid moving tribute to his two-year-old daughter, Maud, who had lost her life in 2011. Watkins didnt make it explicitly clear how she died, but Google did, and in subsequent weeks Watkins was discussing his familys tragedy on national television. He now campaigns for greater awareness through the UK Sepsis Trust. We set up this trust after I watched a 37-year-old man succumb to it, leaving me to tell his wife and children that he wouldnt be coming home, says Dr Daniels. It hit me that something had to be done about this, because there had been opportunities to rescue him that were missed. We need an internal education programme, and also to talk to people externally. We need to make everyone aware because the earlier we catch it, the faster the recovery. David Carson eventually came out of his sepsis-induced coma after three long weeks. When I woke up, I could barely move, he says. I felt like I was stuck to the bed. I could see that my legs were black. I couldnt lift my hands up, but I noticed that my left hand was swollen enormously. The fingers were also black. The consultant explained that multiple organ failure had restricted blood flow, with dreadful results: he would have to have both legs amputated from below the knee. He was told that it was likely his fingers would self-amputate, but they didnt, and he suffered with them for another year before the tops of three fingers from each hand were surgically removed. In the space of just a few weeks, his life had changed irrevocably. He now had poor feeling in his fingers, and everyday routines such as tying shoelaces became problematic. Worse was to come. After being discharged from hospital, he failed a medical, which meant he was unable to return to work, and because their house was not sufficiently wheelchair-friendly, they had to sell their family house and move. The psychological effects were considerable. I had to have about a years worth of counselling, he says, his voice breaking, but it helped me a lot to talk about things. What happened has rocked me, and knocked my confidence. Its simple things such as looking in the mirror when you get dressed in the morning and being reminded again that your body image has changed so much. Its quite a shock, still. Over the past year, Carson has been working with the trust in a voluntary capacity, speaking about his experiences. He has talked to police officers about overcoming adversity, and also visited schools. I didnt think 13-year-old kids would be very interested, but they really engaged, he says. I never really pushed myself to go and talk to people, but they asked me to do it. They said I was an inspiration because I was up and about, doing things. But I didnt really have a choice, did I? In his previous life, he had also been a drummer in his local church group. He had had to stop after his illness, but a friend has recently helped to modify his kit, and he is back playing again. Its good for me, he says. I always liked playing the drums. Im glad I still can. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} If youd asked someone to be your Valentine before the 14th century, theyd probably have looked at you as if you were mad. And checked you werent holding an axe. There were two saints by the name of Valentine who were venerated on February 14 during the Middle Ages. Both Valentines were supposedly Christian priests who fell foul of Roman officials keen on decapitation. But theres little in the early legends of either saint to suggest a highly successful posthumous career as assistant Cupid. So I wouldnt go to them for tips. It was probably Geoffrey Chaucer who got the Valentines ball rolling. In his Parliament of Fowls, Chaucer imagined the goddess Nature pairing off all the birds for the year to come on Seint Valentynes day. First up is the queenly eagle. Shes wooed at great length by noble birds-of-prey, much to the annoyance of the ducks and cuckoos and other low-ranking birds (eager to get on with getting it on): Amid impatient squawks rivalling our very own Prime Ministers Questions (Kek kek! kokkow! quek quek!), the she-eagle cant decide which suitor most deserves her love. So she resolves to keep em keen till the following year. But why on earth did Chaucer pick a date in February for his avian assembly? Englands birds arent exactly in full voice at this time of year, even with global warming. Perhaps he was thinking of an obscure St Valentine celebrated in Genoa in the month of May. But the Valentines feted on February 14 were better-known, and that was the date that stuck. Of course, when it comes to matters of the heart, we can hardly expect reason to triumph. Fiction to fact Murky origins didnt matter for too long, however. By the turn of the 15th century, fictional lovebirds werent the only ones singing their hearts out on Valentines day. According to its founding charter, a society known as the Court of Love was set up in France in 1400 as a distraction from a particularly nasty bout of plague. This curious document stipulates that every February 14: when the little birds resume their sweet song (sure about that, guys?), members should meet in Paris for a splendid supper. Male guests were to bring a love song of their own composition, to be judged by an all-female panel. More effort than Tinder demands, then. But if you want to make an effort Theres no evidence that the Court of Love convened as often as planned (its charter provided for monthly meetings in addition to February 14 festivities). But nor does it seem to have been pure poetic fiction. Eventually totalling 950 or so, participants represented quite a cross-section of society, from the king of France to the petite bourgeoisie. Valentines day romance was no longer just for the eagles. Todays February 14 love-fest, then, is perhaps the result of a group of medieval men and women making life imitate art. If so, their mimicry wasnt necessarily naive. By staging the most poetic of avian courtship rituals, Chaucers Parliament of Fowls prompts its audiences to ponder the differences between their artistic courtship and the birds natural one. Texts like this one helped medieval audiences understand their identities as the product of cultural artefacts. And in this regard they can still help us today. Four medieval tips On a more practical note, medieval literature can be of assistance if youre yet to find a gift for a special someone this Valentines day. Forget about flashy jewellery; here are some love tokens suitable for every budget: Looking to reignite that spark in your relationship? In his 12th-century Art of Courtly Love Andreas Capellanus suggests buying your partner a washbasin. Who needs expensive perfume when a good wash may do the trick? How about personalising some of your beloveds clothes? Add fasteners only you know how to undo and youve got yourself an instant chastity belt. (See the 12th-century tales by Marie de France for examples of suitable garments.) Alternatively, upcycle one of your lovers old shirts by sewing strands of your hair into it. To judge by Alexanders reaction in the 12th-century romance of Cliges by Chretien de Troyes, theyll never want to wear anything else. (Hand-wash only.) And if the above just dont seem heartfelt enough, you could always take a leaf out of Le Chastelain de Coucis book, who (according to his 13th-century biography) literally gave his heart to his lover. (Beware unwanted side effects.) Top tip: provide a little literary and historical context with the above gifts and theres even a chance your Valentine wont look at you as if youre holding an axe. Huw Grange, Junior Research Fellow in French, University of Oxford This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Sign up for a full digest of all the best opinions of the week in our Voices Dispatches email Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Voices Dispatches email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} For more than 450 years, Birminghams King Edward VI Foundation has worked to fulfil its pledge to educate all of the citys children. But now the Birmingham model could spread across the country, after the charitys successful takeover of a comprehensive school. Previously, it ran seven selective schools two public and five grammar all considered highly successful. Then, six years ago, the foundation took over Sheldon Heath Community Arts College, renamed King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy, or Kesh, as it soon became known. It was a culture clash that might have gone badly wrong, but the turnaround was dramatic. In 2008, government inspectors said Sheldon Heath was inadequate and required significant improvements. Yet, today, 70 per cent of Keshs sixth form go on to university and others are able to take up high-level apprenticeships with companies operating locally such as Jaguar and Deutsche Bank. A number have successfully applied to Russell Group universities; Oxford and Cambridge are being targeted, too. 70 per cent of Keshs sixth form go on to university and others are able to take up high-level apprenticeships (Andrew Fox) The foundation is now considering turning itself into a multi- academy trust (MAT), which would allow it to take over more comprehensives in Birmingham and beyond. It is understood that the Government is keen to see it take over more non-selective schools especially at a time when at least two of the countrys biggest academy chains, AET and E-ACT, are under criticism from Ofsted over the standards in some of their schools. Judging by the foundations first foray into comprehensive education, this would be no bad thing despite initial misgivings at Sheldon Heath. John Morris, the schools sixth-form head, said: Some people knew of its connection with independent and grammar schools and thought that this is not for the likes of us. 10 best primaries and secondary schools Show all 20 1 /20 10 best primaries and secondary schools 10 best primaries and secondary schools Bousfield Primary, London SW5 (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Fox Primary, London W8 (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools West London Free School Primary, London W6 (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools William Tyndale Primary School, London (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools St Peters Catholic Primary School, Hampshire (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools St Stephen's Church of England Primary School, Bath (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Trinity Church of England, Gloucestershire (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Meadowside Primary School, North Yorkshire (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary School, Lincolnshire (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools South Morningside Primary School, Edinburgh (Primary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools The Grey Coat Hospital, London SW1 (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Highbury Grove, London N5 (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Holland Park School, London (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Dame Alice Owens, Hertfordshire (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Cherwell School, Oxford 10 best primaries and secondary schools Cranbrook School, Kent 10 best primaries and secondary schools Kings School, Hampshire (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Bishop Wordsworth's School, Wiltshire (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools Sexeys School, Somerset (Secondary school) 10 best primaries and secondary schools James Gillespies High School, Edinburgh (Secondary school) Part of Keshs success, however, came from a simple change in mindset. It is a cultural shift. It challenges pupils to succeed and is more aspirational even the kids who dont want to achieve, we somehow sort of make them achieve, Mr Morris said. As another teacher put it: Its a bit more cool. At GCSE level, the school now has 50 per cent of its pupils getting five A*to C grades including maths and English and is recognised in exam league tables as improving upon the expectations of its pupils. In fact, it is ninth in a list of 55 schools throughout the country, in similar circumstances, which are expected to achieve similar results. It has also had success in increasing the percentage of pupils obtaining the English Baccalaureate given to those who achieve top grade GCSE passes in English, maths, the sciences, a foreign language and history or geography to 39 per cent, which is above the national average. I wouldnt have thought of studying a language before, said 15-year-old Nathanial. It is a different type of learning and I enjoy it. John Allen, King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy head (Andrew Fox) The consultation over whether to become a multi-academy trust is due to end next month. Its consultation document says: There are no current proposals for other schools to join the KEVI [King Edward VI] MAT, but the foundation has an open door for discussions with other schools. A MAT is the best way of welcoming other schools, provided their addition is in the best interests of the KEVI MAT as a whole. Some schools have already beat a path to Keshs door to ask how they have achieved what they have. The head, John Allen, said: The foundation is quite light-touch, but theyre educationalists. I think, most of all, they [wanted], in the 21st century, to fulfil their founders pledge about educating all the kids in Birmingham and sponsoring the academy seemed like a good idea. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Lord Avebury, the former Liberal Democrat MP and esteemed human rights campaigner, has died age 87. After suffering from a form of blood cancer called myelofibrosis for over a year, Avebury passed away at his London home. Renowned for campaigning for democratic and human rights, he was the longest-serving Lib Dem member of the House of Lords. Avebury has publicly defended the procedure of assisted dying, saying that he wished it would be legalised before his own death. Before the issue was presented to parliament last year, he penned an article about the issue for the campaign for dignity in dying. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2022 A salmon leaps up the weir at Hexham in Northumberland, despite the drought warnings and low water levels, the River Tyne is still flowing well allowing the salmon and sea trout to head up river to spawn. Every year tens of thousands of salmon make the once-in-a-lifetime journey along the Tyne to spawn, having been out a sea PA I obviously have a personal stake in the bill and the future of the assisted dying campaign. Currently I am not in the latter stages of my illness and I am very hopeful that this year will not be my last. I know that having the right to control my death if it gets unbearable will be a great comfort to me, especially in the final weeks of my life. "I am confident that, when this time comes for me, assisted dying for terminally ill people will be a legal right in the UK, and I will be able to plan the death that I want. The father-of-five represented Orpington for eight years after winning a Commons by-election for the Liberals in 1962. Paying homage to Avebury, the Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, said he would be greatly missed. He was a true Liberal who will be remembered as much for his unyielding commitment to fighting for Liberal causes as his sensational byelection victory in Orpington in 1962. He campaigned to lower the voting age, founded the parliamentary human rights group and fought for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, taking up the cases of hundreds of individuals fleeing persecution. He was a committed internationalist, regularly promoting human rights around the world. He was a strong supporter of citizenship rights for British minorities in Hong Kong and campaigned against the persecution of religious minorities across many countries. It was a personal honour for me to speak at the 50th anniversary of his by-election victory at the National Liberal Club. The Liberal Democrats have lost a great campaigner, a great friend and a true champion of the Liberal cause. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A schoolboy has been questioned by anti-terrorism police because he wore a "Free Palestine" badge to school. Rahmaan Mohammadi's teachers at Challney High School for Boys in Luton referred him to police under Prevent - the controversial government anti-radicalisation programme, which critics have claimed is heavy-handed, discriminatory and ineffective. As well as wearing pro-Palestine badges and wristbands, Mohammadi was in possession of a leaflet advocating Palestinian rights by pressure group Friends of al-Aqsa. He had also asked for permission to fundraise for children affected by the Israeli occupation. Friends of al-Aqsa is a non-profit NGO which defends the human rights of Palestinians under the Israeli occupation. The group's supporters are currently boycotting the Co-op, after the company's banking arm shut down the Friends of al-Aqsa account "without explanation". State of Palestine: Dozens protest killing of naked, mentally ill man by Egyptian forces Bedfordshire police visited Mohammadi's home with a folder of information about the schoolboy, and spoke with him and his parents. They concluded that he was not at risk and no further action was taken. Mohammadi described his experiences at a meeting of campaign group Students Not Suspects at Goldsmiths University in London. He alleged that police warned him not to talk about Palestine in school, and further claimed that staff members had approached his 14-year-old brother and pressured him to to tell Rahmaan to "stop being radical". Last year, hundreds of academics signed an open letter in the Independent criticising the "chilling effect" of the Prevent strategy on free speech and political dissent in the UK. The 40m programme has been plagued with problems since its inception 12 years ago. Critics say it has fostered an atmosphere of Islamophobic paranoia which is more likely to fuel radicalisation than prevent it. Internal police statistics obtained via a Freedom of Information request suggest only 20% of people referred to Prevent are assessed as at risk of radicalisation. Prevent also came under fire last year for exending its legal obligation of surveillance into nursery schools, since which time children as young as three have been referred under the programme. Bedfordshire Police told the Sunday Times: "The officers spoke to the boy and were satisfied that he was not at risk and he was given advice and support." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Local councils, public bodies and even some university student unions are to be banned by law from boycotting unethical companies, as part of a controversial crackdown being announced by the Government. Under the plan all publicly funded institutions will lose the freedom to refuse to buy goods and services from companies involved in the arms trade, fossil fuels, tobacco products or Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Any public bodies that continue to pursue boycotts will face severe penalties, ministers said. Senior government sources said they were cracking down on town-hall boycotts because they undermined good community relations, poisoned and polarised debate and fuelled anti-Semitism. But critics said the move amounted to a gross attack on democratic freedoms. A spokesman for the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: The Governments decision to ban councils and other public bodies from divesting from trade or investments they regard as unethical is an attack on local democracy. People have the right to elect local representatives able to make decisions free of central government political control. That includes withdrawal of investments or procurement on ethical and human rights grounds. The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child This Governments ban would have outlawed council action against apartheid South Africa. Ministers talk about devolution, but in practice theyre imposing Conservative Party policies on elected local councils across the board. Significantly, and underlining the main target of the ban, the formal announcement will be made by the Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock when he visits Israel this week. Israeli companies, along with other firms which have investments in the occupied West Bank, have been among those targeted by unofficial boycotts in the past. In 2014 Leicester City Council passed a policy to boycott goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank while the Scottish Government published a procurement notice to Scottish councils which strongly discourages trade and investment from illegal settlements. Under the new rules all contracting authorities including local councils, quangos and universities which receive the majority of their funding from the Government will lose the freedom to take ethical decisions about whom they purchase goods and services from. The only exemption will be UK-wide sanctions decided by the Government in Westminster. Government sources said the ban could also apply to student union boycotts but added this was a grey area. A spokeswoman for the National Union of Students said they were concerned by any external pressure that could prevent student unions taking decisions on any issue that affects the students they represent. Mr Hancock said the current position where local authorities had autonomy to make ethical purchasing decisions was undermining Britains national security. We need to challenge and prevent these divisive town-hall boycotts, he said. The new guidance on procurement combined with changes we are making to how pension pots can be invested will help prevent damaging and counter-productive local foreign policies undermining our national security. Sarkozy: Boycotting Israel is unacceptable But Amnesty Internationals UK economic relations programme director Peter Frankental condemned the move, warning it could encourage human rights violations. The Conservatives have been accused of turning a blind eye to Israeli human rights abuses in the past. All public bodies should assess the social and environment impacts of any company with whom they choose to enter into business relationships, he said. Wheres the incentive for companies to ensure there are no human rights violations such as slavery in their supply chains, when public bodies cannot hold them to account by refusing to award them contracts? Not only would it be a bad reflection on public bodies to contract with rogue companies, but it would also be bad for responsible businesses that are at risk of being undercut by those that have poor practices. Hugh Lanning, chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, condemned this move as a gross attack on our democratic freedoms and the independence of public bodies from Government interference. As if it is not enough that the UK Government has failed to act when the Israeli government has bombed and killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and stolen their homes and land, the Government is now trying to impose its inaction on all other public bodies, he said. This makes it clear where this Government stands on international law and human rights. Despite the Government admitting that Israels occupation and denial of Palestinian rights is plain wrong and illegal, when it comes to it they will insulate Israel from the consequences of its own actions. It seems that for this UK Government, whatever crimes against international law Israel commits, having a military ally trumps the rights of their own citizens and institutions in this country to support human rights. Boycott background: Unofficial sanctions Last April the French-owned multinational water, energy and waste management company Veolia which collects rubbish for a wide range of British local authorities announced that it was closing down its operations in Israel. The decision followed a concerted campaign to persuade it to halt its work in West Bank settlements, during which the Labour-controlled Birmingham council became at least the third to warn Veolia that it might not renew its 35m-a-year waste disposal contract when it ran out in 2019, if the company continued to operate in the occupied West Bank. In November 2014, Leicester City Council passed a policy to boycott goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Jewish groups have recently launched a judicial review of the councils decision, claiming that it amounts to a get-of-out-town order to Leicester Jews. In August 2014, the Scottish Government published a procurement notice to Scottish councils which strongly discourages trade and investment from illegal settlements, though conceding that decisions needed to be taken on a case by case basis. Four Scottish councils have resolved to boycott Israeli goods: Clackmannanshire, Midlothian, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire. Last December two Welsh councils performed a U-turn on their decision to boycott Israeli goods after court proceedings were issued by Jewish Human Rights Watch. Gwynedd County Council and Swansea City Council said the motions had been non-binding and had now otherwise been superseded. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Peter Tatchell, one of Britains leading human rights campaigners, has accused a student leader of smearing him with false accusations of racism and transphobia as part of a McCarthy-style witch-hunt. Mr Tatchell will lead a discussion, called Re-Radicalising Queers? Should we toe the line or cause a stir? at Canterbury Christ Church University on 15 February. However he now finds himself at the centre of the latest in a string of no platforming attempts by students, which critics contend are an attack on free speech. Recommended Read more Political campaigner Peter Tatchell argues that Jesus could have been An elected LGBT+ officer at the National Union of Students (NUS), Fran Cowling, was invited to speak at the event, but emailed organisers saying she would only attend if Mr Tatchell was dropped from the panel. Her reasons were shocking: a man who has spent most of his life campaigning against homophobia and racism and speaking up for transgender people and human rights in general had actually supported transphobia and made racist remarks himself, she claimed. Mr Tatchell, who denied the allegations, tried to raise the matter directly with Ms Cowling, but said she did not reply and his emails were then blocked. She also did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent. Fran Cowling, apparently acting in the name of the National Union of Students, has denounced me as a racist and a transphobe, he said. She has a right to refuse to speak alongside me, but not to make witch-hunting, McCarthy-style, untrue allegations. Mr Tatchells activist career has seen him arrested about 300 times. His windows have been smashed dozens of times and he was beaten by guards after famously attempting a citizens arrest of Zimbabwes President, Robert Mugabe. He also said he had been subjected to harassment and misrepresentation for years by a small but very vocal student faction. Its always the same scenario. They make outrageous allegations against me and when asked to provide the evidence they refuse to do so, Mr Tatchell said, saying they included claims of misogyny, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. On not a single instance has any accuser been able to provide a shred of evidence, he stressed. Mr Tatchell said he planned to raise Ms Cowlings claims with the president of the NUS, but did not intend to take legal action. In the email she sent to the organiser of the talk, Ms Cowling wrote that Mr Tatchell had signed an open letter published in the The Observer which she claimed supported a number of TERFs [trans exclusionary radical feminists] in their right to be openly transphobic and incite violence against trans people. The letter argued that the feminist academic Germaine Greer and others should be allowed to take part in public debates, despite believing that transgender women were not women. Mr Tatchell said he totally disagreed with Ms Greer and other anti-trans feminists, but said it was better to debate them than try to silence them. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Cameron is being urged to renege on his pledge to stand down before the next general election amid claims from senior Tories that the candidates currently seeking to replace him are hopelessly ill-equipped to become the next Prime Minister. A senior Tory MP told The Independent on Sunday that he would raise the issue with Mr Cameron during private talks in Downing Street because of the great resentment the leadership speculation is causing the party. In an apparently off-the-cuff remark in the run-up to the last election, Mr Cameron revealed that he would not seek a third term in No 10. He said if he were re-elected he would serve the full five years and then step down. No 10 has insisted that Mr Cameron intends to stick by the pledge and is determined to stay for the vast majority of the Parliament. But there has also been speculation that the Prime Minister could quit soon after the EU referendum perhaps as early as 2017. The two frontrunners to succeed Mr Cameron the Home Secretary, Theresa May, and the Chancellor, George Osborne have been joined by a host of lesser-known ministers. The Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, last year announced that she was considering standing, while the Business Secretary, Sajid Javid, has been heavily tipped as a standard bearer of the Thatcherite right. Liam Fox, the former defence secretary, has emerged as a contender (Getty) Ministers outside the Cabinet, including Priti Patel, Penny Mordaunt and Andrea Leadsom, have also been tipped. And Robert Buckland, the Solicitor General, last month said he could stand if no one from the One Nation wing of the party emerged. Meanwhile, Liam Fox, the former defence secretary who now sits on the back benches, has emerged as a contender after becoming the leading figure in the campaign for Britain to leave the EU. The jockeying for position has sparked anger among Tory MPs, with a senior Tory saying Mr Cameron needed to order ministers to get back in their box or resign as it was beginning to dominate everything.He said: Boris is out of control. Hes only got two or three supporters. Theresas got a maximum of 10. George is the Crown Prince and is getting on with it, but most of us are none of the above, thank you. Employment minister Priti Patel has also been tipped (Getty) Speaking to The IoS, Sir Alan Duncan, a former minister, said Mr Camerons off-the-cuff remark during the election campaign had sparked an unhelpful focus on the Tory leadership. He said: A casual comment in an interview should not be taken as permission for everyone to start playing leadership games. There is no enthusiasm for any sort of leadership antics at the moment. Anyone who is playing that game needs to realise that it is causing great resentment and it will backfire immediately. Most of those who are trying to put their name in the frame are hopelessly ill-equipped to step into the Prime Ministers shoes and should just shut up and back off. Sir Alans intervention comes after the former chancellor, Ken Clarke, admitted that he couldnt see any giants in the race to replace Mr Cameron. He also claimed that the next Tory leader could emerge from nowhere just a few weeks before Mr Cameron steps down. Mr Clarke said Mr Johnson was undoubtedly the biggest personality on the block, but he needed to develop a following not entirely [based] on his personality. He added: The public loves Boris, but he has to answer the question, What would you do if you were Prime Minister? When Mr Cameron announced that he would stand down before 2020, he claimed that reducing the deficit and fixing the economy was half done and he wanted to finish the job of education and welfare reform. But he said: There definitely comes a time where a fresh pair of eyes and fresh leadership would be good, adding: Ive said Ill stand for a full second term, but I think after that it will be time for new leadership. Terms are like Shredded Wheat two are wonderful but three might just be too many. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Eurosceptic Tory ministers must be free to speak out against Britains continued EU membership within hours of any successful renegotiation in Brussels next week, David Cameron has been warned. In a rare intervention, the head of the Conservative Partys powerful backbench 1922 Committee said it was essential for Mr Cameron to hold a key Cabinet meeting to fire the starting gun on the referendum as soon as he returns from the summit on 19 February. Graham Brady added that it would be unacceptable for Mr Cameron to delay the meeting until the following week and so have the whole weekend to himself to put one side of the argument. Recommended Read more Public faith in Cameron drops amid anger over EU negotiations People want an honest, fair debate; they want an honest, fair campaign, he said. Its in the interests of both sides to have an early Cabinet meeting to make sure that people who want to speak out, people who want to exploit their freedom of conscience that has rightly been agreed, can do so as soon as possible. Asked whether that meant he wanted a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, he said: If it can take place on Friday, it would be even better. Mr Bradys comments came as the Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, warned that Britain would be punished by other EU members if it voted to leave. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hammond said that negotiations would run right to the wire but urged voters to think very carefully before rejecting the package on offer. People who say we would do a great deal if we left forget that the countries remaining in the EU will be looking over their shoulder at people in their own countries saying, Well, if the Brits can do it, why cant we?, he said. They will not have an interest in demonstrating that we can succeed outside the EU. Mr Hammond said there were still a lot of moving parts in the draft deal tabled by European Council president Donald Tusk but the UK had already secured an exemption from ever-closer union and a major breakthrough on restricting migrant benefits. Until a few weeks ago people were telling us it was impossible to have any kind of period in which we treated newly arrived migrants differently from people who were already here, he said. But the text that is on the table recognises that there can be a period of four years in which people are treated differently. That is a major step forward. What we have still got to discuss is what that difference in treatment precisely is ... I dont think that is going to get resolved before Thursday. Challenged that the proposals on the table fell short of the Tory manifesto pledge of a four-year ban on migrants claiming in-work benefits, Mr Hammond said: Lets look at it in the round. There may be areas where we get more than we expected to get and areas where we get slightly less than we expected to get. But it would be absurd not to look at the package in the round. Look at all the pluses, all the minuses and weigh the balance. Meanwhile, two senior travel-industry figures cautioned that flight prices could rise and tourist safety could be compromised by Brexit. Writing in The Sunday Times, Easyjet chief Carolyn McCall suggested Brexit could herald a return to the days when flying was reserved for the elite. The EU has brought huge benefits for UK travellers and businesses. Staying in the EU will ensure that they, and all of us, continue to receive them, she wrote. How much you pay for your holiday really does depend on how much influence Britain has in Europe. Peter Long, former boss of the Tui travel group that owns Thomson and First Choice, said close co-operation with other EU states was essential to protect the security of our holidaymakers. Tui was one of the travel firms whose holidaymakers were killed in Isis-inspired attacks in Tunisia. But former cabinet minister Liam Fox, a Eurosceptic, hit out at scaremongering by the In campaign. Those that wish to remain in the EU should make the positive case for the supranational European project rather than frightening people, he said. Vote Leave spokesman Robert Oxley said: It is such a shame to see pro-EU voices resorting to negative campaigning tactics based on little more than fear and falsehoods. Those who want us to stay in at all costs are re-writing history by wrongly attributing the hard-won successes of business and successive governments to our political membership of the EU. Its also deeply regrettable to try to invoke the terrible events in Tunisia in an attempt to scare people into sticking with Brussels. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to attack David Camerons demand for an emergency brake on EU migration, claiming that the plan is discriminatory and unfair. In a move that will alarm some pro-Europeans in his party, Mr Corbyn is planning to make an alternative argument . He will suggest that Mr Cameron has been playing at the edges in his renegotiation and will suggest a crackdown on the undercutting of wages by unscrupulous agencies that pay Eastern European workers in the UK below the minimum wage. Recommended Read more Public faith in Cameron drops amid anger over EU negotiations However his perceived lack of enthusiasm for any deal that Mr Cameron comes up with will alarm those in Labour who believe Mr Corbyn is still at heart a Eurosceptic, and will make little effort to drum up support for the In campaign. It will also anger those on the right of the party who fear it could give the Tories and Ukip ammunition in vulnerable seats, as they would seek to portray Labour as out of touch on immigration. A source suggested Mr Corbyns response to any deal Mr Cameron reaches in Brussels was likely to focus on companies using migrant labour to force down wages which he will say Mr Camerons renegotiation has failed to address. Some shadow cabinet members would prefer Mr Corbyn to endorse whatever deal Mr Cameron comes back with. On 14 February an open letter signed by Lord Kinnock, Hilary Benn, David Blunkett and Jack Straw said they were backing Mr Cameron. The conclusion of the current renegotiation will hopefully strengthen this relationship as we make the progressive case for Britain in Europe, they wrote. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt held a drinks and canapes evening despite doctors who had planned to attend being told it was cancelled. Those hoping to attend the event on Friday at a hotel in Fareham, Hampshire, were told the event had been cancelled. Some junior doctors and their supporters had said it may be worthwhile to buy tickets to engage Mr Hunt in a debate about his controversial new employment contract. Doctors who had paid 15 for the event later found out it had quietly been moved to another location, with those in attendance being checked to ensure they hadn't brought any medics with them. Dr Kathryn Carey-Jones wrote on Facebook: I could have accepted being told I am not allowed to attend given recent events, but I was lied to, to keep me away ... "This is dishonesty at its best and would not be accepted from a doctor to a politician. If this is the way the local Conservatives treat their local doctors, what can we expect from the rest? Imagine if we lied to the public like this ... GP Emma Nash told Portsmouth News a friend she was going with, a Conservative party member, was refused access to the venue until she convinced the organisers there were no doctors with her. In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 20,000 Junior Doctors marched through central London in protest at the new contract changes the government is trying to impose which they say will be unfair and unsafe In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors protest in London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK 4 year old Cassius takes part in a demonstration in Westminster, in support of junior doctors over changes to NHS contracts, London In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Protest over proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts, Leeds In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors and NHS staff protesting against the health service cuts and the proposed contract changes offered by the government outside Parliament In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Over 5000 junior doctors rallied in Waterloo place, before marching through Whitehall and onto Parliament Square, in opposition to Jeremy Hunt's new working conditions for doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Demonstrators listen to speeches in Waterloo Place during the 'Let's Save the NHS' rally and protest march by junior doctors In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK Junior doctors marched in London to highlight their plight In pictures: Junior doctors protests in UK A protester at a demonstration in support of junior doctors in London I feel really disappointed. There is a lack of respect for me, as a professional, to be told as a medic Im not allowed to go somewhere where my own secretary of state is going to be, Ms Nash said. If they had said no doctors, then fine. But to tell us it was cancelled and go and have it at Fareham college is deceitful. How are we supposed to have any kind of faith in somebody who deliberately manipulates their way out of seeing us? Junior Doctors Contract It is currently unclear how many doctors had purchased 15 tickets for the gathering. Thomas Fyfe, the chariman of Fareham Conservative Association, told Portsmouth News: Because of the very real threat of disturbance from groups circulating details of our planned reception with Jeremy Hunt, the advertised event was cancelled on security grounds. A small party event for party members to meet Mr Hunt was held instead at another location. We regret the inconvenience caused to those who had bought tickets and were unable to attend, all of whom will be offered a full refund. On Thursday, Mr Hunt announced he would unilaterally impose a new employment contract on NHS junior doctors without their consent. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Michael Fallon is to become the first Defence Secretary to visit the Falkland Islands in more than a decade. He will head for the islands, where some 1,400 British service personnel are stationed, while the House of Commons is in recess this week. But the trip is understood to have caused concern in the Foreign Office, with diplomats worried that it will inflame tensions with the new Argentine government and undermine attempts to improve relations. Argentinas previous president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, stoked the war of words between London and Buenos Aires over the Falklands as part of an attempt to increase her popularity at home. However her successor, Mauricio Macri, who took power last December, has adopted a less aggressive stance to the dispute over the islands future. He said recently he wanted to restore relations with the UK that had been frozen in recent years, as a result of this conflict. A Whitehall source told the Mail on Sunday: Michael has irritated the Foreign Office. They think it looks bellicose and will make it harder to do business with Buenos Aires. However a Ministry of Defence source added: The Defence Secretary thinks it is important to show solidarity with the 1,400 British service personnel stationed there. Mr Hammond [the Foreign Secretary] does not have a problem with the visit. Last month, David Cameron warned Argentinas new president that Britain will not negotiate over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. The Prime Minister told MPs a change of status would never happen as long as I am in Downing Street, unless it was backed by the local population, who in a 2013 referendum voted almost unanimously to remain British. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Nato and US officials have begun raising concerns about Jeremy Corbyns leadership of the Labour Party with MPs and ministers during official visits, The Independent on Sunday can reveal. A senior government source said foreign diplomats had voiced fears about the state of the Labour Party after becoming alarmed at reports they had received from their embassies in the UK. Speaking to The IoS, the former head of Nato, Lord Robertson, confirmed that there was a great deal of nervousness among Britains traditional allies whose defence relies on the Nato nuclear deterrent supplied by Britain and the United States. Recommended Read more Jeremy Corbyn considers adopting Nato defence spending guarantee Lord Robertsons intervention comes after the Labour MP Madeleine Moon, a member of the influential House of Commons defence select committee, warned a private meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that she had been approached by Nato delegates during a trip to Washington who were very, very anxious about Mr Corbyns lack of commitment to Nato, his support for Russia and opposition to Trident. A government source said there was now growing concern in Whitehall about the Labour Partys stance. These are people who dealt with Labour for years during the Blair and Brown years. They cant believe the reports they are getting back. It is definitely starting to trickle through we now get questions about it every time we travel abroad. It might be good for the Tories in the short term, but its bad for the country, theres no doubt about that. Lord Robertson, who was Nato Secretary-General from 1999 to 2003 and Defence Secretary under Tony Blair, said countries in the Nato alliance were getting very nervous. The Labour leader is fiercely opposed to the renewal of Trident (PA) The UK is one of the major powers in Nato its deterrent is part and parcel of the Nato deterrent. The questioning thats going on about renewing the submarines theres a great deal of nervousness around and its perfectly understandable. Its coming from the Americans, but other countries too. People forget that the British deterrent, as well as the American deterrent, is committed to Nato. Thats the nuclear umbrella under which other members of Nato shelter. Countries which might themselves have thought they needed the deterrent dont go in that direction because the collective defence of Nato makes sure the umbrella is there. Were not talking about a purely domestic deterrent. Ms Moon, the MP for Bridgend, said she had been approached in the US and asked what was going on. We have taken peace for granted, but people are now waking up to the reality. We are seeing a much more assertive, aggressive and belligerent Russia and were just pretending that it is not there, she said. I was in Washington for a Nato conference. So many delegates wanted to speak to me about the Labour Party and the stance we are taking on Nato and Trident. They were very, very anxious. The conversations we are having here are about UK weapons, but we fight in an alliance so they are also alliance weapons. They are watching what we are doing and are very fearful. For countries in eastern Europe the deterrent we have is very, very real and they are nervous about what they are hearing. The US Defence Secretary, Ash Carter, has urged Britain to renew its nuclear deterrent. The Government is expected to delay a vote on spending 40bn to replace the four submarines in the Trident programme until after the summer. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Three heavily armed Britons carrying more than 200,000 bullets have been arrested in Greece. Two suspects are Iraqi-born British in their twenties, a high-ranking security official told the Associated Press. The trio was arrested on Saturday night in two different operations and more than 200,000 bullets and 22 firearms were found, security officials said. Two men were arrested by coastguards near the port of Alexandroupolis in the north-east of Greece, 40 kilometres from the Turkish border. The third suspect was arrested near the Kipoi border point on the Evros river. The suspects are not believed to be on any terrorist or criminal database. A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with local authorities in Greece following the arrests of three British nationals, and are providing consular assistance. We dont have any evidence to connect them with Isis we have informed Europol and Interpol, a police official said on Sunday. The weapons were not combat rifles but could have been used for training, Reuters told the BBC. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Republican presidential debate on Saturday was the most heated and controversial to date. Donald Trump once more took centre stage, as a South Carolina audience watched the billionaire tycoon trade insults and vitriol with his rivals. Despite appeals for calm from the hosts, the debate was littered with provocative statements, most (but not all) from the mouth of party front-runner Trump. These nine quotes sum up the action: 1) "Not using profanity is very easy" - Donald Trump Lately, Trump has been promising to conduct himself in a more presidential manner. He opened the debate by repeating a promise he made in a speech earlier this week, vowing not to use swearwords any more as it gave the media too much ammo to attack him. He has previously said he would "bomb the sh*t" out of ISIS, told American companies who outsource labour overseas to "go f*ck themselves" and called rival candidate Ted Cruz a "p*ssy". 2) "Two questions already, this is great" - Ben Carson Carson's campaign has faded into anonymity, and it is only a matter of time before he drops out of the race all together. But he has displayed good humour about his failure to win the attention of voters or the media, sarcastically thanking debate moderator John Dickerson for including him in proceedings. 3) "Two days ago, he said he would take his pants off and moon everybody" - Donald Trump to Jeb Bush Trump's apparent non-sequitur refers to an interview Bush gave to the Boston Globe. Bush's lacklustre campaign has attracted scanty media attention, and Bush told the Globe that even if he dropped his pants and "moon[ed] the whole crowd" the "press guys" would still ignore him. As ever, Trump's comment bore only a passing relationship to the truth. Nonetheless, Bush was forced to issue a disclaimer: "for the record, I didn't say that I was going to moon somebody." 4) "[Your mother] should be running" - Donald Trump to Jeb Bush Prior to the debate, Trump had criticised 63-year-old Bush for running campaign ads starring his 90-year-old mother Barbara Bush. "[M]om can't help you with ISIS, the Chinese or with Putin," he wrote on Twitter. The beleagured Bush addressed these attacks during the debate on Saturday, adding: "My mom is the strongest woman I know." "She should be running," Trump quickly responded. 5) "He doesn't speak Spanish" - Marco Rubio to Ted Cruz 6) "Vato si quieres dicelo ahora mismo, dicelo ahora en espanol, si quieres" - Ted Cruz to Marco Rubio If elected, either Cruz or Rubio would be the first Hispanic or Latino President of the US. Both are vying for a share of the 27 million votes available from the traditionally liberal Latino population, and while Rubio speaks fluent Spanish, Cruz freely admits his own Spanish is "lousy". This attack was thus an attempt to tarnish Cruz's Latino credentials. Cruz's response was halting and difficult for even native Spanish-speakers to comprehend, but it roughly translates as: "Dude, if you want to tell them now, tell them now in Spanish, if you want." 7) "How did [George Bush] keep us safe when the World Trade Center went down?" - Donald Trump to Jeb Bush Trump was booed by the crowd after blaming the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Jeb Bush's older brother and former president George Bush. "I lost hundreds of friends, he continued amid the catcalls. The World Trade Center went down during the reign of George Bush. He kept us safe? That is not safe." He went on to describe the invasion of Iraq in 2003 as a "big, fat mistake," saying: "They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. And there were none." 8) "You are the single biggest liar. You probably are worse than Jeb Bush. This guy lied. He's a nasty guy" - Donald Trump to Ted Cruz Trump's remarks are typical of the mudslinging which characterised large stretches of the debate. Cruz had accused Trump of wanting to provide federal support to Planned Parenthood, the non-profit reproductive health organisation which is despised by many socially conservative voters for its provision of abortion services. In the confrontation that followed, Trump repeatedly called Cruz a liar, before accusing Cruz of harrassing voters with automated "robo-calls". Trump also described Planned Parenthood's provision of "women's health" services as "wonderful", but said he "drew the line" at abortion. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY 9) "People are, frankly, sick of the negative campaigning" - John Kasich Both Ohio Governor Kasich and the former neurosurgeon Carson made appeals for calm and decorum during the debate. Kasich won cheers from the audience when noting that "people want to see unity," and again when arguing that Hillary Clinton would find it easy to defeat a presidential candidate emerging from the wreckage of such a fractious campaign. As these quotes show, his call for civility was totally ignored. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} In Nueva Italia, a small agricultural town torn apart by a decade of fighting between drug cartels, vigilantes and the Mexican army, the local parish priest has been left feeling increasingly isolated as he tries to point locals towards an alternative to a life of crime. People will turn to whatever they can to get by. Many people here, crippled by debt, end up with a rifle in their hands, taking orders from a boss, Father Patricio Madrigal Diaz said. Even the children imitate narcos and pretend to shoot each other. They use the same language as the criminals and recreate the violence that occurs here. The arrival of Pope Francis in the troubled western state of Michoacan, which encompasses Nueva Italia, on 16 February brings the faintest hope of a brighter future. I think his visit can intensify the humble attempts by local parishes to prioritise peace and provide support for victims and children, Father Madrigal said. Theres no one else for us to turn to. We cant associate ourselves with the criminals or the government. People think theyre one and the same. Pope Francis began his five-day visit in earnest on 13 February, speaking to Mexicos bishops at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Mexico City, and before that meeting with Mexican officials and foreign ambassadors at the National Palace. In a speech to the assembled diplomats, he was expected to touch on some of the grave problems facing Mexico stemming from drug violence and poverty. Pope Francis, on his arrival at Mexico City, on Friday, with the President of Mexico and his wife (AP) To that end, having personally decided to visit Ciudad Juarez, once the worlds most murderous city, and Morelia, the Michoacan state capital, during his five-day tour of Mexico, Pope Francis clearly aims to galvanise church support for the locals who struggle daily against the cartels. Speaking ahead of his visit, the Pope explicitly exhorted the Mexican people to fight every day against corruption, against drug trafficking, against war, against division, against organised crime and against human trafficking. Michoacan has been at the centre of Mexicos drug war since cartel gunmen rolled seven severed heads across the dance floor at a bar in the city of Uruapan in September 2006. Upon taking office that December, then president Felipe Calderon, a Michoacan native, began an ill-fated crusade against the cartels by sending the army into the state. Almost 10 years on, more than 100,000 Mexicans have been killed. Michoacan, home to the pseudo-religious La Familia and Knights Templar cartels, remains disputed by warring gangs. The only real reason [for the Pope] to visit Morelia is because of the narco violence. Its been the epicentre of the drug war and its where you have certain parish priests on the front line, said Dr Andrew Chesnut, a leading expert on religion in Latin America. I think it will inspire those on the front line but I dont think well see any direct reduction in violence because of this visit. Realistically, I dont think hes going to be converting any narco hearts. Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Live and let live.' GETTY IMAGES Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Proceed calmly" in life' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Be giving of yourself to others' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Even though many parents work long hours, they must set aside time to play with their children' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Sunday is for family' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Respect and take care of nature' OSSERVATORE ROMANO/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Stop being negative' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: Respect others' beliefs' AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness Pope Francis: 'Peace sometimes gives the impression of being quiet, but it is never quiet, peace is always proactive' FP/Getty Images Pope Francis gives life advice: in pictures Pope Francis' guide to happiness AFP/Getty Images According to the Catholic Multimedia Centre, 40 priests have been murdered in Mexico in the last decade, with Michoacan among the worst-hit states. The centre, which links the killings to the priests defence of migrants and their opposition to drug trafficking, also reports a 100 per cent rise in the kidnapping and torture of clergymen in the past three years. The Catholic church in Mexico could do more to protect its priests and has sometimes turned a blind eye to donations from known drug traffickers, Dr Chesnut said. Yet Pope Francis has begun to address these issues, he noted, by elevating Alberto Suarez Inda, the Archbishop of Morelia, to cardinal last year, primarily because of his outspokenness against the cartel violence. By 2013, the situation in Michoacan was so desperate that vigilante groups started springing up in an attempt to expel the cartels from their communities. The vigilantes liberated many towns across this lawless, mountainous region, including Nueva Italia, but their successes were undermined by accusations that they had been infiltrated by rival gangs. The Mexican government eventually intervened by imprisoning the movements most prominent leader and converting many of the vigilantes into members of a rural police force. Father Madrigal said the governments actions only made things worse: They perverted the movement and left us in chaos. The situation is no better than it was before. There are threats and constant killings, kidnappings, robberies and highway blockades. With little faith that the authorities are capable of restoring order in Michoacan, Father Madrigals only hope is that the papal visit will encourage parishes across the region to provide victims with refuge and legal support, and give young people the guidance and training they need to escape poverty and find respectable work. We must not give in or let our guard down, he said, It must be an effective but non-violent struggle. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The island of Saint Helena in the middle of the south Atlantic is one of the remotest places on the planet. It gained its main claim to fame as home to the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte for that very reason. But the historic isolation of the 4,000 inhabitants, or saints, who live on this tiny British territory of just 47 square miles was supposed finally to come to an end this year with the opening of a new 250m airport after a decade-long wait. Due to start operating this month, the first flights have already been put off until at least May. And frustration on the island is growing, with tickets not yet on sale and talk of hurdles still to be overcome. Announced in 2005, the final decision on the airport was repeatedly delayed until it was agreed by the Coalition in July 2010, with construction work getting under way in November 2011. It is one of the Governments most expensive investments, on a per capita basis, at a cost of more than 60,000 for each person. Jamestown, capital of St Helena, an island in the mid-Atlantic (Alamy) The island, more than 1,200 miles from the nearest land mass, is currently only accessible by a Royal Mail ship, which sets sail on a five-day journey from Cape Town once every three weeks. In an open letter to islanders, Richard Brown, principal of the British airline Atlantic Star which is competing with the South African firm Comair to be the first to touch down on the island tried to sound hopeful, although he admitted there had been some delays. We are in contact with the air access team at St Helena Government and are confident that all the hurdles to certification will be overcome, he wrote. However, he added that it would be premature to give a date for the airport to be certified for flights, given the complexity of the process and the work still to be done on the airport. Therefore we are not yet able to announce the date that ticket sales will start, Mr Brown said, adding: We fully appreciate how frustrating this waiting period is for those of you who wish to finalise 2016 travel plans. We share that frustration and naturally we would love [tickets] to be on sale right now. The latest edition of The Sentinel, the islands newspaper, cast doubt on Atlantic Stars optimism, saying: The company has been interested in St Helena for a long time, and this latest announcement is another in a long line ... But they have so far failed to deliver on their promises to the island. And a pilot on the PPRuNe (Professional Pilots Rumour Network) aviation forum said: Over a month has now passed since the second round of calibration flights. Still no word if the problems with the navigational aids have been corrected and operations would be safe. Janet Lawrence, Saint Helena airports project director, said the construction of the airport had hit a snag because of the lie of the land. Due to the unknown nature of building an airport on the islands uneven terrain, changes in design had to be made to facilitate that, she said. St Helena has been under British possession since the East India Company was given permission to govern by Oliver Cromwell in 1657. After his defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon, who had escaped from the island of Elba in the Mediterranean, was sent to St Helena to ensure he would never again return to Europe. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Hellfire missile has been returned to the US after an embarrassing mix-up in which it was accidentally sent to Cuba. The air-to-ground missile, weighing around 100lbs, mistakenly ended up in the Communist country after travelling in the cargo hold of a commercial Air France flight. The inert laser-guided missile was being used as part of a NATO training exercise, and did not contain explosives. But a logistical mix-up, on behalf of manufacturers Lockheed Martin, saw the military equipment flown from Paris to the USs old rival. Cuba confirmed they discovered the Hellfire during a routine customs inspection of the cargo. Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex Show all 3 1 /3 Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex 535885.bin AP Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex 535886.bin AP Ike was right all along: The danger of the military-industrial complex 535887.bin AP A statement issued by the government said: For Cuban authorities, the arrival in the country of US-made military equipment that hadnt been declared as such on the cargo manifesto was worrying. Despite the dummy missile being incomplete, it raised fears sensitive military technology could be passed on to Russian or North Korean governments. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement: We can say, without speaking to specifics that the inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government. A recent thaw in relations between the US and Cuba allowed the missile to be returned safely. Mr Toner added re-establishing diplomatic ties has paved the way for the US to engage with the Cuban government on issues of mutual interest. But it is thought the US government has been working for some time to secure the return of the missile, after it arrived on the island in 2014. Without revealing when the US officially requested for its return, Cuba released a statement which said: Once the US government officially informed the Cuban government that a training missile belonging to the company Lockheed Martin was mistakenly sent to our country and expressed its interest in recovering it, Cuba communicated the decision to hand it over and started arrangements for its return. A team from the US government and Lockheed Martin escorted the projectile back to American soil earlier this month. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The French government has told over 800 refugees currently living in the so-called Calais Jungle that they will be expelled from the camp in the next few days. The planned clearance of the southern section of the camp will also involve the demolition of three mosques, one church, three schools, a women and children's centre, youth centre and legal lentre. Also going is the vaccination centre credited with containing an outbreak of measles in the camp, the Jungle Books Library, a theatre and three hot food distribution points that currently serve 2,000 meals each day. In a statement, the French government estimates 800 to 1,000 refugees will be affected by the clearance, which they state will take place "within a week". If clear signs of movement are observed within the camp, a stay may be granted until the affected refugees have managed to salvage their shelters. However, aid organisations such as Help Refugees suggest the actual figure is likely to be twice as high, as around 2000 people currently live in the area earmarked for clearance. The demolition of 7 hectares of homes will also approximately half the area of the camp. And following reports of repeated violent assaults on refugees in the Calais area, there is added pressure to complete the move before riot police move in to clear out any remaining refugees. Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Show all 8 1 /8 Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Heavy rainfall has turned the camp into a 'swamp' The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Heavy rainfall has turned the camp into a 'swamp' The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Heavy rainfall has turned the camp into a 'swamp' The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' People gather outside the Eritrean church at the camp The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Heavy rainfall has turned the camp into a 'swamp' The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' Heavy rainfall has turned the camp into a 'swamp' The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' A fire at the camp destroyed shelters for 180 people The Hummingbird Project Calais refugee camp is at 'crisis point' A fire at the camp destroyed shelters for 180 people The Hummingbird Project Help Refugees, one of the grassroots aid organisations operating in the Jungle, described the communal spaces being demolished as providing "much-needed respite and comfort for those living in the incredibly difficult conditions in the camp". The southern area of the Jungle is the district where the majority of familes with young children live. The women and children's centre within the demolition area provides shelter to some of the most vulnerable individuals living in the Jungle, while the youth centre is seen as an essential point of aid for the camp's many unaccompanied young boys. A Help Refugees statement added: "The move will once more uproot those who have already had to abandon their homes fleeing war and persecution. The eviction also threatens vital community facilities, built and maintained by many organisations including Help Refugees, residents of the camp and volunteers." The announcement follows the demolition of shelters housing around 2,000 refugees earlier in January. On that occasion, refugees and volunteers were told by the local government that they had five days to move the shelters before bulldozers moved in, prompting panic in the camp as workers scrambled to clear the affected area and ensure no one was left homeless as temperatures dropped below freezing. And on 1 February, French authorities gave just one hour's notice before demolishing an area of the camp containing a major church and mosque, contradicting original promises that these structures would remain untouched. France: Shakespeare's Hamlet played out at Calais 'Jungle' refugee camp These demolitions and clearances are understood to be part of a move by French authorities to push all of the Jungle's inhabitants into new, basic housing built out of old shipping containers, and clear out the rest of the camp altogether. However, there is only enough space in the 125 refabricated shipping containers provided by the government to house around 1,500 people, far fewer than the estimated 6,000 people who currently reside in the Jungle. Moreover, critics say the new accommodation lacks such basic amenities as kitchens and communal spaces. Many refugees are also suspicious of the government-sponsored camp and its biometric security system, which they feel could easily be used to curtail their movement as they continue to seek asylum. They also fear that taking up residence in the new camp will reduce their chances of being granted asylum in the UK by tying them to a specific location in France, albeit one that offers no prospects for employment or genuine security. As they work to help people move their possessions and shelters into areas of the camp which are not under immediate threat of demolition, aid agencies continue their urgent search for donations, volunteers and support. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A long-lost musical composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been discovered in a museum. The collaborative effort, a libretto, between Antonio Salieri and Mozart was found tucked away in the reserve collection of the Czech national museum, according to The Local. "It's a joint composition by Mozart and Salieri, a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte put to music," Sarka Dockalova, the museum's spokeswoman, told AFP. Salieri, a key figure in the development of late 18th-century opera, was described by Mozart in various letters as a "favourite" Italian composer of the Emperor of the time, Joseph II, and his rival in musical terms. "It's a really valuable work [...] long thought to have been lost," said Ms Dockalova. According to letters sent to his father, Mozart said "the only one who counts in [the Emperor's] eyes is Salieri." Rupert Everett as Salieri, back, and Joshua McGuire as Mozart in Jonathan Churchs production of Amadeus (Manuel Harlan) Rumours circulated after Mozart's early death in 1791 that Salieri had poisoned the Austrian composer, which were further compounded by a 1984 film of his life, "Amadeus". The discovery of a co-authored composition would appear to support the long-since dismissed theory that Salieri might have played a role in Mozart's death. Alexander Pushkin's 19th century poetic drama "Mozart and Salieri" had also sought to dramatise the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mozart's death at the age of 35. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Two Spanish students are facing a year behind bars after they were reportedly caught cheating on an exam. The young men are facing 12 months each in prison after one was accused of impersonating the other on a test. The pair, from Almeria, southern Spain, attempted to hoodwink invigilators for an entrance exam for vocational studies, reported The Local. But prosecutors in the country are accusing the duo of falsifying public documents, a crime in Spain, as the imposter sat the test under the others name using their ID card. Officials are pushing for 12 months in prison plus 6 per day behind bars which equates to 1,699. One of the students defence attorneys labelled the sentence as barbaric and entirely out of proportion with the incident. Attorney Jose Carlos Segura argued the exam should not be considered an official document. He said: They have not harmed anyone and even though this conduct was reproachable, it does not create social alarm enough to have them sent to prison," according to Europa press. That this case is going to trial is already disproportionate and I believe it could be solved with an administrative fine or sanction of academic consequences. "This kind of punishment threatens them with a loss of liberty and records them permanently as criminals." Perhaps the most widespread and brazen example of cheating occurred in India last year when the Supreme Court had to launch a federal inquiry after it emerged students were being smuggled answers. Indians climb the wall of a building to help students appearing in an examination in Hajipur, in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, on 18 March (AP) The scandal hit the medical school admissions test in the Bihar region, with remarkable photos surfacing allegedly showing answers being passed through windows. Hundreds, including parents, were arrested trying to help their children. In the wake of the images the government recently announced fines and jail terms for those cheating and anyone found to be helping them. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} How history will remember Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "depends on who will write the history", according to the President himself. President Assad has recently vowed to retake the whole of Syria by force, which he said will "take a long time and will incur a heavy price". In an interview with the Agence France-Presse news agency, President Assad was asked: "How do you think you will figure in history: as a man who saved Syria or a man who destroyed it?" "This depends on who will write the history," he said. "If it is the West, it will give me all the bad attributes. "What's important is how I think. Certainly, and self-evidently, I will seek, and that is what I am doing now, to protect Syria, not to protect the chair I'm sitting on." President Assad pays surprise visit to Russia When asked how many years he would need to restore peace to Syria, President Assad lashed out at Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the West. "The question is: for how many years will Turkey and Saudi Arabia continue to support terrorism? That is the question. And when will the West put pressure on these countries to stop supporting terrorism?" President Assad has repeatedly styled his opponents as "terrorists", although Syrian forces have mainly been fighting anti-government rebels including the Free Syrian Army, who were initially supported and trained by the US. Syrian regime forces are backed by Russian air support, Iranian advisers and Lebanese Hezbollah militia. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis The West considers President Assad's resignation as one of the key ways to stop the Syrian war. David Cameron repeatedly said the Syrian President has no place in the country's future and has called for a peaceful transition to a new government, in line with Barack Obama, Francois Hollande and other leaders in the US-led international coalition. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister said President Assad "will either leave by a political process or he will be removed by force". More than 250,000 people have been killed and around 11 million displaced in almost five years of fighting in Syria, which partly sparked the European refugee crisis and empowered Isis militants. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russian President Vladimir Putin is the "one man on this planet" who can end the Syrian civil war, according to the Foreign Secretary. Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, Philip Hammond said: "Whether or not Assad goes or stays ultimately will depend on whether the Russians are prepared to use their influence to remove him. He added: "There's one man on this planet who can end the civil war in Syria by making a phone call, and that's Mr Putin." He went on to say there were around 150,000 moderate opposition forces in Syria, which are now suffering attrition from Russian air strikes. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis "The Russians have launched ferocious air attacks, rapidly increasing the intensity of them over the last few weeks, and that has forced them [Syrian opposition forces] out of some of the positions they control. "But the important thing is the Syrian regime does not have the forces, does not have the strength and the organisation, to take control of those areas. So it's a bit of a stalemate." The Foreign Secretary also called on the Russians to stop air strikes in Syria, which he said consisted of "carpet bombing tactics" and "indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas". "We demand that the Russians comply with their obligations under international law and their obligations under UN Security Council resolutions that they have signed up to." Syria agreement: Cessation of hostilities within week Talks in the German city of Munich on Friday saw world powers agree to a temporary "cessation of hostilites" within a week, but there seemed to be little hope of a long-term truce after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed to regain control of the entire country by force. In a statement released in response to the ceasefire plan, Mr Hammond said: "This will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria. But it will only succeed if there is a major change of behaviour by the Syrian regime and its supporters. "Russia, in particular, claims to be attacking terrorist groups and yet consistently bombs non-extremist groups including civilians. "If this agreement is to work, this bombing will have to stop: no cessation of hostilities will last if moderate opposition groups continue to be targeted." Over 250,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war, which has caused a refugee crisis and empowered Isis militants. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} At an early stage of the war in Syria, an Iraqi official went to see a Nato commander. Whats the difference between what is happening in Syria and Libya [where Muammar Gaddafi had just been overthrown]? he asked. The reply of the Nato general was simple and crisp. Russia is back, he said. The rebirth of Russia as a great power was evident early on 12 February in Munich when the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, and the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, announced a plan for the delivery of aid to besieged cities in Syria and a cessation of hostilities, to be followed by a more formal ceasefire. Russia and the US have the power to make things happen or stop happening in Syria that is not absolute but is greater than anybody else. Recommended Read more Saudi intervention in Syria would risk Russian wrath The announcement was greeted with scepticism by the media and diplomats, who swiftly pointed to the many holes in the agreement and the many things that could go wrong. But the doubts may be exaggerated because military and diplomatic developments in Syria are reinforcing each other. Russian military intervention means that President Bashar al-Assad is not going to lose the war and it is difficult to see what Syrian opposition forces alone can do to stop the Russian-backed Syrian army in coalition with a Shia axis led by Iran. President Bashar al-Assad says he wants victory but it is unlikely that that the US and its regional allies will accept total defeat. The greater Russian and Iranian involvement in the war is unsurprising. It was clear from about 2012 that Russia and the Shia axis were not going to let President Bashar al-Assad be overthrown, and would counter any escalation by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Sunni powers. This happened last year when an offensive by Syrian non-Islamic State (Isis) rebels led by the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham won a series of military victories in Idlib province in northern Syria. Their success provoked Russian military intervention on 30 September which shifted the balance of power in the war in favour of Assad to a degree that could only be reversed by the direct intervention of the Turkish army. The Kurds in Iraq and Syria are politically and militarily more powerful than ever, but fear being marginalised once Isis is defeated (AFP) It is getting a bit late even for this. On 2 February, the Syrian army, assisted by heavy Russian airstrikes, cut the road between Aleppo and Turkey. The Russian and Syrian governments are getting close to sealing off northern Syria from Turkey in a tacit alliance with the Syrian Kurds who have been advancing from the east. These are crucial moments of the war as Turkey and Saudi Arabia debate military intervention. A striking feature of the Russian-Syrian-Iranian offensive is the mute response so far of the US and allies. Saudi Arabia and Turkey no longer have the arm lock over Western policy in the war that they once had, when it was assumed that their Syrian allies and proxies would win and Assad would go. Not only did this not happen, but the rise of Isis in 2014 and its sweeping victories in Iraq and Syria showed that the Syrian war could not be allowed to fester. The hope by Western powers that the crisis could be contained was destroyed last year by two events: the flood of migrants from Syria and Iraq making their way to western Europe and the massacre of 130 people by Isis gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on 13 November. The agreement in Munich is bad news for Isis. The Western claim that the Russians were not fighting Isis but focused on eliminating a mysterious moderate opposition, which was said to pose a great threat to Assad, was always something of a propaganda slogan. In reality, the Russian aircraft attacked all armed opposition groups threatening Assad. These were primarily al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham in the north-east, Jaish al-Islam close to Damascus and IS further east. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis It was a convenient myth for the Syrian opposition and its outside backers to claim that neither the Syrian army nor the Russians were fighting Isis. The Russians say they want to destroy Daesh [Isis] but they are not bombing Daesh: they are bombing the moderate opposition, said the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, who retains a touching belief in the existence of a powerful moderate faction. In reality, the Syrian army, now backed by the Russian air force, has long been confronting Isis in central Syria though generally without much success. Isis posted revolting videos showing Syrian soldiers being shot or decapitated. Isis itself is a better source than Mr Hammond on who it believes it is fighting in defence of its self-declared caliphate, as is shown by its figures for martyrdom operations or suicide bombings it carried out in January. In an Instagram, it claims 85 such attacks over the month, of which 47 were in the form of Vehicle Borne Explosive Devices (VBEDs) and 38 were by individuals wearing explosive belts. The biggest number of these attacks were directed against the Iraqi army, which was the target in 54 of them of which 28 were VBEDs and 26 explosive belts. But the second largest number of attacks has been the Syrian army, which was the target of 18 VBEDs and 11 explosive belts. Isis is now beginning to crumble at the edges, though it is a long way from defeat. It is more vulnerable in Syria than Iraq because it was born out of the Iraq war after the invasion in 2003 and its leaders are mostly Iraqi. In Iraq, it dominates the Sunni armed opposition to the government and the Kurds, while in Syria it is only one of several opposition movements, though it is much the most powerful. The high point of its success was in 2014 when it captured Mosul, and it has generally struck at the weakest target. But today it can win no more cheap victories. It faces four enemies the Iraqi army, the Syrian army, the Iraqi Kurds and the Syrian Kurds all of whom are receiving strong air support from either the US or Russia which vastly multiplies their fire power. Isis attacks on oil refineries in Iraq have caused fuel shortages (Getty) The war is far from over, but the likely winners and losers are becoming clearer. There is going to be no radical regime change in Damascus. The Sunni Arab opposition has failed to win power in Syria and is on the defensive in Iraq. The Kurds in both countries are politically and militarily more powerful than ever because they are effective opponents of Isis, but, once it is defeated, the Kurds fear being marginalised. Isis is penned into an increasingly isolated and heavily bombarded caliphate, but may well show that it is still a power to be feared by carrying out spectacular atrocities abroad like the blowing up of a Russian aircraft with a bomb or the slaughter in Paris last year. Regional powers such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar failed to overthrow Assad, and have achieved none of their war aims. Iran and the Shia coalition it leads have been much more successful. Though President Obamas cautious policy is often criticised, he has suffered no real defeats. When Russia entered the Syrian war four months ago, pundits predicted that it would regret it, but instead it has become central to deciding how the war will end. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has claimed that the chances of a ceasefire in Syria being successful are under 50 per cent, as Western nations rounded on Moscow over the apparent use of air strikes on civilians. International divisions over the crisis in Syria surfaced at a Munich conference aimed at ending the civil war, just a day after world powers agreed on the cessation of hostilities due to begin in a weeks time. Russian officials angrily rejected charges from France and the US that it was bombing and killing civilians during its air raids in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. France respects Russia and its interests But we know that to find the path to peace again, the Russian bombing of civilians has to stop, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said. In response, Russias Prime Minister, Dmitri Medvedev, said: There is no evidence of our bombing civilians, even though everyone is accusing us of this. We are simply trying to protect our national interests. He added that Moscow wanted to prevent Islamist extremists getting to Russia. Russia began its bombing campaign in Syria at the end of September, at the request of Mr Assad, but said it would be aimed at driving Islamic State (Isis) from the territory they have taken in Syria although they later expanded that to all groups that Russia deems terrorists. Western nations have intimated that this means moderate groups that oppose Mr Assad. On 13 February, US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated that position by saying that Russia was hitting legitimate opposition groups and civilians with its bombs, and said Moscow must change its targets to respect the ceasefire deal. A protester outside the Munich talks (AP) The complex, multi-sided civil war in Syria, raging since 2011 and which has killed more than 250,000 people, has drawn in most regional and global powers and caused one of the worlds worst humanitarian emergencies. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, when asked yesterday to assess the chances of the cessation of hostilities deal succeeding, replied: 49 per cent. Mr Medvedev went further, describing East-West relations as having fallen into a new cold war although that has as much to do with the Western reaction to Russias role in the conflict in Ukraine as it does with Syria. Another complication was that Turkey said that Saudi Arabia will send aircraft to Turkeys Incirlik airbase for the fight against Isis in Syria. In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Show all 19 1 /19 In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrian boys cry following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian defense ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov speaks to the media in Moscow, Russia. Konashenkov strongly warned the United States against striking Syrian government forces and issued a thinly-veiled threat to use Russian air defense assets to protect them AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Syrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Alepp Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov speaks at a briefing in the Defense Ministry in Moscow, Russia. Antonov said the Russian air strikes in Syria have killed about 35,000 militants, including about 2,700 residents of Russia AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Jameel Mustafa Habboush, receives oxygen from civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, as they rescue him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of the northern embattled Syrian city of Aleppo Getty In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civil defence members rest amidst rubble in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A girl carrying a baby inspects damage in a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Douma, eastern Ghouta in Damascus, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members look for survivors at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Civilians and civil defence members carry an injured woman on a stretcher at a site damaged after Russian air strikes on the Syrian rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria Reuters In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Volunteers from Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, help civilians after Russia carried out its first airstrikes in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria The aftermath of Russian airstrike in Talbiseh, Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Smoke billows from buildings in Talbiseh, in Homs province, western Syria, after airstrikes by Russian warplanes AP In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russian Air Forces carry out an air strike in the ISIS controlled Al-Raqqah Governorate. Russia's KAB-500s bombs completely destroy the Liwa al-Haqq command unit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia claimed it hit eight Isis targets, including a "terrorist HQ and co-ordination centre" that was completely destroyed In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A video grab taken from the footage made available on the Russian Defence Ministry's official website, purporting to show an airstrike in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria A release from the Russian defence ministry purportedly showing targets in Syria being hit In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Russia launched air strikes in war-torn Syria, its first military engagement outside the former Soviet Union since the occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Russian warplanes carried out strikes in three Syrian provinces along with regime aircraft as Putin seeks to steal US President Barack Obama's thunder by pushing a rival plan to defeat Isis militants in Syria In pictures: Russian air strikes in Syria Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy firing Kalibr cruise missiles against remote Isis targets in Syria, a thousand kilometres away. The targets include ammunition factories, ammunition and fuel depots, command centres, and training camps A TASS/ITAR-TASS Photo/Corbis Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper that Saudi Arabia and Turkey could provide ground troops for a US-led coalition against Isis. We said that, if there is such a strategy, Turkey and Saudi Arabia can join a ground operation, he said. Asked if Saudi troops could enter Syria from Turkey, Mr Cavusoglu replied: This is a wish, not a planned thing. Saudi Arabia is sending planes and says, I can send soldiers for a ground operation when it is necessary. Seemingly in response to such remarks, Mr Medvedev said there was no need to scare anyone with a ground operation in Syria. In another sign of escalation, Turkeys military shelled Kurdish militia near the northern Syrian town of Azaz. A Kurdish official said the shelling targeted the Menagh airbase in the northern Aleppo countryside, which, he said, had been captured by the Kurdish group. Elsewhere, the Syrian army also looked poised to advance into the Isis-held province of Raqqa for the first time since 2014, apparently to pre-empt any move by Saudi Arabia to send ground forces into Syria to fight the jihadist insurgents. A Syrian military source told Associated Press that the army had captured positions at the provincial border between Hama and Raqqa in the past two days and intended to advance. It is an indication of the direction of coming operations towards Raqqa. In general, the Raqqa front is open ... starting in the direction of the Tabqa area, the source said. If its forces retake Aleppo and seal the Turkish border north of the city, Damascus would deal a crushing blow to the insurgents who were on the march until Russia intervened, shoring up Assads rule and paving the way to the current reversal of rebel fortunes. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Red Cross has announced that it was able to enter the war-torn Yemeni city of Taiz for the first time since August, delivering three tonnes of medical supplies to four hospitals treating the wounded. Taiz has been one of the hardest fought fronts in a war in which local militias and forces loyal to the Saudi-backed government, which was ousted by Houthi rebels last March, are seeking to fight their way back to the capital, Sanaa. Many residents of the city of 200,000 people claim the Houthis have blocked aid from entering and bombed civilian targets. This is a breakthrough and we hope todays operation will be followed by many more to come, said Antoine Grand, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Yemen. He added that the ICRC team delivered surgical items, intravenous fluids and anaesthetic supplies to help treat hundreds of wounded. Essential medicines and supplies for pregnant women were also provided. All of these items are in high demand by the hospitals in Taiz that continue to receive a daily influx of wounded people, Mr Grand said. Living conditions for civilians in the city have continued to worsen, with residents facing daily insecurity and a constant struggle for medical care, food and water, the ICRC said. Yemen is now at the centre of one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises, with the UN saying that famine looms over half the population, or 14.4 million people. The al-Thawra hospital in Taiz has had all its windows blown out by bombs landing nearby, and several direct hits have reduced one ward nearly to dust. Francis Markus, An ICRC spokesman, confirmed that al-Thawra was one of the four that received medical supplies, along with al-Taawon, al-Hikma and al-Jumhoury hospitals. What is needed is regular, unimpeded access, he said. After the government fled into exile, a Saudi-led alliance of Arab states joined the war to restore it to power, recapturing the port of Aden, where President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is now based. The Saudis claim the Houthis are puppets of its arch rival, Shia Iran. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Valentine's Day is a Western construct that clashes with Muslim culture, Pakistan's President has said as the country's religious groups try to ban celebrations. Mamnoon Hussain, of the Pakistan Muslim League party, told students the day for red roses and love cards has no links to Pakistani culture and should not be celebrated. Valentines Day has no connection with our culture, he said at an event on Friday in which he urged young people to always maintain their religious and national identity, according to the Wall Street Journal. Although Valentines's Day remains popular among many Pakistani, with street vendors selling flowers and ballons and restaurants offering special deals for two, religious groups have long denounced the day for romance as decadent. Across the country, conservative religious groups such as the Jamaat-e-Islami, one of Pakistans largest Islamist parties, have called on people to celebrate "Modest Day". Conservative religious groups tried to ban shop keepers from selling flowers and cards for Valentine's Day (PA) In the northern Kohat district shop keepers have been banned from selling any Valentines flowers and cards. The area is run by a religious political party and borders Pakistan's conservative tribal areas. Furth north, Peshawar authorities decried the day as "useless" and voted to ban any Valentine's Day celebrations to stop young people from being misled by non-Muslims values. But officials later told BBC Urdu the bans had been ignored by most of the local population. "Valentine's Day has no legal grounds, and secondly it is against our religion, therefore it was banned," Kohat district administrator Maulana Niaz Muhammad told the BBC Urdu. Conservative religious groups fear Valentine's Day could encourage obscene behaviour and see it as a festival of immorality, detriment to the tradition of the marriage and an assault on Muslim values. Exchanging gifts and flowers is not perceived as a negative thing in Pakistan but they believe this should not be reserved to one day in the year. Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Show all 11 1 /11 Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Une Rose fragrance, 145, fredericmalle.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Lipstick 38, Tom Ford, johnlewis.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Le Pliage tote 89, Longchamp, selfridges.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Rosaviola candle 44, Olympia Le Tan x Diptyque, diptyqueparis.co.uk Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want 3 pack of knickers 95 (for 3), Charlotte Olympia x Agent Provocateur, agentprovocateur.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Teddy sleepsuit 45, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for Autograph, marksandspencer.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Red roses bath oil, 40, jomalone.co.uk Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Mood ring, 200, eddieborgo.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Pyjamas 95, desmondanddempsey.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Knickers 17 cosstores.com Valentine's Day 2016: What women really want Bra 25, cosstores.com In the past, these groups have often campaigned against the celebration of Christian saint's days for being anti-Islam. Earlier this week, there were unconfirmed media reports that Valentine's Day gifts had been banned in the capital Islamabad but this was later denied by Pakistan's government. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} So why did you choose that arts degree at university? Was it because you were fascinated by philosophy? Did you have a passion for studying the history of art? Maybe you felt it would be intellectually fulfilling to spend three years reading English literature. Or maybe it was none of those things. Perhaps you were actually trying to signal your virtue to demonstrate your social superiority by picking a fancy-sounding, but useless, degree. Thats one of the arguments put forward recently by free market think-tank the Adam Smith Institute, drawing on the theories of Ryan Murphy of the Southern Methodist University in Texas about the new aristocrats. A modern aspirant elitist would be better off getting an arts degree than buying a gas-guzzling four-by-four, argues the ASI, while suggesting that public subsidies for such luxury activities ought to be slashed. I write as a history graduate so perhaps Im not neutral here, but that comes across as a pretty cynical view of the motivations of arts undergraduates and not, more importantly, one that seems to be backed up by any evidence from the ASI. And Mr Murphys paper itself is an unfocused ramble, shading into paranoia, about environmentalists, hipsters and indeed anyone who might not share the political philosophy of American conservatives. And yet theres a germ of an important economic argument buried in what the ASI says about arts degrees. Such qualifications may well provide a signalling effect. But its less virtue that is being telegraphed than employability. Consider a typical job interview. There is an information asymmetry in this situation: the applicant knows a great deal about themselves and their aptitude for hard work, but the employer doesnt. The candidate could turn out to be a lead-swinging duffer or a high-productivity diamond. Of course good candidates will probably stress in the interview how dynamic they are and what a fabulous team player they will be. But the problem is that the bad ones, the ones who secretly have no intention of making an effort, will often do the same. Talk is cheap. So what evidence can the employer draw on in making their selection? The ASI may be right that, from the point of view of the vast majority of employers, arts degrees have no direct utility. But the very fact a candidate has managed to complete a degree even an arts degree tells a story. It signals that the person in front of the interviewer has enough discipline to get through a three or four-year academic course without flunking out. Functionally useless as they might be, arts degrees do tend to require a certain level of hard work, particularly if the university has a good reputation. And that the student has often paid for the degree themselves by acquiring a student loan anticipating the benefit it will reap them in the jobs market suggests they genuinely want a job at the end of it. The truly lazy and uncommitted probably wouldnt make that investment. As the economist Michael Spence hypothesised in the 1970s, an arts degree can be a rough and ready signalling device, which lubricates the labour market in a way that assists efficiency. Largely thanks to Mr Spence, signalling is now widely recognised as an economic phenomenon. We see it most prominently in adverts on television. Often these dont impart very much useful information about a product. Think of those John Lewis Christmas adverts man on the moon? How does that tell us if John Lewiss clobber is better value than House of Frasers? But if a company has invested in advertising, it sends a signal to the consumer that this is a reputable firm that intends to stick around for the long term, rather than a fly-by-night operation that might be gone when you take your goods back because they are faulty. Recommended Read more The business model that would give football clubs back to their fans Signalling is why banks used to spend money on marble-floored headquarters to send a subliminal message to depositors their money was safe (even when it often wasnt). A more interesting line of inquiry than the ASIs hypothesis about the virtue signalling of arts degrees would be to examine when such screening tips over from being a useful rule of thumb, or heuristic, to being economically harmful. Research by Alan Milburns Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission shows just how homogeneous the backgrounds are of many members of the senior professions, with 75 per cent of senior judges attending Oxford and Cambridge, 50 per cent of diplomats and 33 per cent of BBC executives compared with less than 1 per cent of the population. Similar outsize proportions of the professions come from private schools. That is often put down to cronyism, or the inadequacies of state education. But perhaps its also signalling. Perhaps managers are selecting people with similar educational backgrounds to their own, not out of prejudice but out of fear of making a hiring mistake. If similar signalling, based on an applicants schooling, is in action at entry interviews for elite universities, its not hard to see how a cycle of unmerited privilege could set in. There is also powerful evidence of some distinctly malign signalling in the jobs market, based on something, unlike education, that the candidate cannot even influence. As David Cameron recently pointed out, research suggests job applicants with an ethnic sounding name are half as likely to be selected for a face-to-face interview as those with a regular white sounding name, even when candidates have identical educational qualifications. Leave aside the noxious discrimination, one doesnt need to be an economist to appreciate the waste of talent such figures imply. This, then, is a conundrum. Managers probably do rely on heuristics like education screening to navigate the treacherous employment market, where information asymmetry is rife. Yet such rules of thumb can also be economically damaging. There have been some interesting developments in this area of late. Last year, after chivvying from Downing Street, big employers including HSBC, KPMG and Virgin Money committed themselves to name blind admissions procedures. The accountancy firm Deloitte is going further and adopting university blind job interviews. It may not work. Managers may fall back on other, even more unreliable signals such as a candidates accent or clothes to make their choice about potential. But its certainly worth trying. Perhaps the ASI would dismiss this as mere virtue signalling by the companies that have signed up to these new methods. But for the rest of us its a timely and important experiment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is looking haggard and miserable. Sure, he has money and status, but the job hangs around his neck, causing fresh wounds every time he makes a move. Last week he was Humphried on the BBCs Today programme, scolded by high Tories and slammed by unswerving, livid feminists. They ganged up on him, but for different and opposing reasons. Unexpectedly, I a feminist felt for the commissioner, cold though he seems and out of sync with modern London. The sorry tale goes back to November 2014, when the force embarked on a high-risk investigation of historic rape allegations made against some of the most powerful men in the land, including D-Day veteran Lord Bramall and the late Leon Brittan. The key witness was a man known as Nick, who made claims of organised rapes and even murders around Westminster. Operation Midland was set up to examine these allegations. Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald was one of those leading the operation. He decided that Nicks story was credible and true. He was reflecting the national mood and playing by new rules. Her Majestys Inspection of Constabulary had forcefully advised that a victim should always be believed. After many months of investigations, police found no evidence of sexual abuse by Bramall and Brittan was cleared of rape alleged by a woman. Inevitably perhaps, establishment figures are unimpressed by the lack of deference. They say the police are being duped by deluded or devious complainants and chasing after gentleman suspects with too much vigour. As we know, those who suffer rape and sexual violence often do not come forward because they fear that their testimonies will be doubted, their characters besmirched. These fears are not fantasies. Though more men and women do now report crimes, many do not. In England and Wales, it is estimated that nine out of 10 rapes go unreported, and only 5.7 per cent of rape cases end in a conviction; 30 per cent of victims are teenagers. Child abuse in families is the dirtiest, most buried secret in our country. But we are making some progress: the subject is no longer taboo and, with better awareness and procedures, skilled policing and zero tolerance, we are in a better place than we were 10 years ago. After Jimmy Saviles grotesque sexual crimes, police forces and other institutions had to stop shielding the famous and start protecting alleged victims. The culture of disbelief and secrecy changed. Stuart Hall, Rolf Harris and Max Clifford would not have been arrested, tried and convicted without these profound shifts. Now there appears to be a noisy revolt against the guidelines. Hogan-Howe had to respond to the objectors. He accepted that McDonalds words vindicated claims before due process and then said something eminently sensible: a good investigator should have an impartial mindset and test the accuracy of the allegations and evidence with an open mind. Alleged rape victims should be treated with empathy and encouraged to talk, but still have to be tested in court before they are believed. I do not understand why this position is creating a feminist uprising. Vera Baird, a politician, feminist and lawyer, is now the police and crime commissioner for Northumbria. She fears that thousands of victims of sexual abuse have been denied justice through the attitude [Hogan-Howe] now advocates. Hogan-Howe has also repeatedly been accused of blaming victims. How so? These reactions are as ill-considered as those by the establishment. They remind me of a disquieting hour I spent with the feminist Andrea Dworkin a few years back. She wanted to talk to me about Muslim masculinity, expecting, perhaps, that I could deliver to her a neat sermon that would fit into her world view. She was quirky, sharp, never the harridan she was made out to be but, when it came to rape, she could not break out of a windowless room filled with red mist: all sons were rapists or exploiters, and all females innocents. When a girl or woman cries rape, she said, it is always true. But people cant deal with that, she added. That seemed to me both disingenuous and convenient: it fitted neatly into the framework of theoretical feminism. The criminal justice system cant simply fall in line with gender demands. It has to get through chaos and conflicting narratives to get to the truth. Recommended Read more Ethnic minorities are being sold poisionous lies on benefits of Brexit Nina Burrowes, an expert in the psychology of sexual assault, trains police, lawyers and judges. She believes things have changed and victims are much more likely to get a sympathetic ear. But there isnt a direct line between compassion and justice. Victims go to survivor organisations for therapeutic support. When they come to the police, they want justice, which means they want a good investigation. Justice isnt served by pre-empting judgment or believing a witness without testing the evidence. Hogan-Howe must feel beleaguered; his contract has been extended for only another year. On Tuesday, he will have to apologise to Lady Brittan for not informing her husband before he died about one false claim. He needs to know that some of us think hes right to continue with the VIP investigations; and right, too, when he says that rape victims must be seen and heard by sympathetic officers, but that courts must test the veracity of the claims. It will be another bad week for him. I dont like the man, but this mortification and humbling is unfair. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Last year this newspaper celebrated its 25th birthday, and next month its print edition will cease to exist, along with that of its brother publication, The Independent. Since the news was announced on 13 February, there has been much comment about the end of an era, which it is. The Independent on Sunday was born at the end of one era, just months before the fall of Margaret Thatcher. It was created to extend the vision of a principled, non-partisan view of the world of the founders of the daily Independent. We hope we have remained true to that vision. We have been beholden to no party, and committed to the causes of a sustainable environment, a common European destiny and social justice. We have defended liberty, even when that means speaking up for unpopular minorities, be they immigrants or New Labour donors. We have campaigned against dumb wars while arguing that, in some cases, military force is needed in defence of human rights. We led the opposition in Britain to the Iraq War and, only two months ago, we argued that the case for extending the British bombing of IS into Syria had not been made. We have exposed Britains ignoble role in mistreatment and torture in the name of the war on terror. We are proud of the positions we have adopted, which have sometimes marked us out from our colleagues and rivals. In our reporting of al-Qaeda and IS, for example, we have sought to avoid using images that might do the murderers work for them. Here is the news, not the propaganda, we declared on our front page in October 2014, when Alan Henning, the British aid worker, was murdered in Syria. And it should not be forgotten that, before last years general election, this newspaper alone refused to advocate a vote for any of the parties. Instead, we featured appeals by all three main party leaders on the front page, and invited you to make up your own mind. We have always tried to offer the distilled best of journalism, and for the past decade and more we sought to make a virtue of the rising cost of print journalism as readers moved online by offering you the best-edited compact paper edition. Much as we wanted to give you something concise and authoritative that looks both back at the week that has gone and forward to events yet to happen, the cultural landscape and the way many people consume news have changed for ever. Now, we and our sibling titles are trying to get ahead of the next wave of change. So, after Sunday 20 March, you will no longer be able to hold in your hands the distinctive product you currently get. This is sad for those of us who grew up with the tradition of a Sunday newspaper. As this era comes to an end, however, a new one starts. The Independent, combined with The Independent on Sunday, will become Britains first digital-only national newspaper (if that is not an oxymoron). The owners will invest in the website to maintain the high-quality journalism that is so important. Our reporting on politics, economics, business, sport and foreign affairs, especially the Middle East, will continue to be the watchword for serious, impartial and fearless journalism. We hope that you will enjoy navigating the same news and comment that you get from The Independent on Sunday, and more, in the all-digital format. As ever, please let us know what you like and dislike about the website. Since 1990, the Independent titles have faced challenging times and survived them. Although this is a seismic shift, the Independent voice continues. And, until the last deadline on the last day, we will strive to deliver you the very best of British quality journalism in the print edition of the finest Sunday newspaper. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} If anyone wants to understand the shame of Afghanistan - the yearly cull of civilians, the beheadings, the execution by single shots, the kidnapping of women - they have only to read the shocking UN report just published in Kabul. It is laced with fearful eyewitness descriptions of brutality. Isis features in its 87 pages with its usual depravity (in Afghanistan, of course, not in Iraq or Syria) and the reports statistics show clearly that, last year, there were more civilians killed or wounded in the country than in any year since 2009. In 2015 alone, 3,545 civilians were killed and 7,457 injured. Since 2009, the total civilian dead not soldiers, militiamen or Taliban comes to 21,323 dead. And this, remember, is the graveyard of empires into which we blithely trod after 9/11 on the basis that we would not forget Afghanistan again. We would see it through to the end. The Taliban, in the words of a Canadian commander, were scumbags. Our soldiers would not die in vain. And it has come to this. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is a very professional institution. It has rigourously examined eyewitness testament and its just-published report contains harrowing quotations from victims of the countrys war. In total, 62 per cent of civilian deaths and injuries were caused by anti-government elements and 17 per cent by pro-government forces 14 per cent of these by the US-trained Afghan national security forces. But for reality, take this quotation from the father of a man killed by Afghan army shelling in Wardak province: It was around 8am, and we had finished breakfast at home when I heard an explosion. When I looked out of the window, I saw a man running towards the mosque. My young son called to me and said that my other son had been close to the mosque earlier... When I arrived, I saw one injured person and many bodies. Then I found my son. He was in the final moments of his lifeI could not even touch his body or move him. The explosion killed eight people,,, Can you imagine how difficult it is when your son is lying in his own blood and you are crying for him? Or this from the witness of an Afghan national army attack in Badghis province: We were having lunch in our tent near the pistachio forest. We heard a helicopter overhead so I went outside to watch it. Suddenly, the helicopter started firing rockets... and one hit my familys tent. I ran over to the tent and saw that the rocket killed my wife and injured my two brothers and my sister. Or this from the witness to a Taliban execution of an engineer who was working for the government: Two Taliban tightened the bindings on the engineers hands. The Taliban commander ordered the execution of the engineer. Without any hesitation, the two Taliban beheaded the engineer in front of me. The commander instructed a Taliban member to record that he had imposed the punishment for supporting the government. He wrote it down and [the] Taliban posted the paper on the engineers body. Or this infinitely sad brother of a civilian killed in crossfire in Kunduz: He called my mobile and said Hey brother...I was shot in my stomach... I dont know who shot me... My injuries are serious... I can see pieces of my own intestines on my motorcycle, After that the line went dead. The next day I saw his dead body and his motorcycle on TV. His body remained in the streets for three days until my relatives could recover it and bury him And here is a woman wounded in a suicide attack in Kabul city: After I had fed my baby and put him back to sleep, I took a sip of water and returned to bed. There was a huge explosion and our roof began to collapse. I saw the roof falling on me and I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes, I saw that my hands, legs and back were bleeding... After 20 minutes, I heard my husband shouting over and over again, Where are the others? My father, my father. The blast seriously injured him and my son. My brother-in-law lost both of his eyes. We are a poor family and have lost everything. UNAMA confirmed that Isil fighters forced the closure of 25 educational institutions in Deh Bala district, depriving 14,102 students including 4,900 girls of education and 341 teachers of work. Here, then, is Isis at work, just as it operates in Iraq and Syria. UNAMA also noted an increase in the number of deliberate targeting of hospitals, clinics and health personnel the report deals at length with the US-Afghan attack on the MSF hospital in Kunduz that killed 42 people in October 2015 and 63 incidents targeting hopitals and medical personnel by anti-government elements. Isis stole all the medicine and equipment from two health clinics in Nagarhar province. There are accounts of Taliban fighting Isis and government militias fighting each other. Needless to say, UNAMA plead with all groups in the war to respect human rights and civilian lives. But I have long nursed the suspicion that many of these groups, including some Taliban units and even Isis let alone the government militias are not fighting about religion or government at all, more about mafia power. Afghanistan, I fear is Mafiastan, fuelled by the billions we ploughed into this poor country after we arrived in 2001. An Afghan told me only a couple of days ago how government army students were watching an American military trainer teach them how to shoot an automatic rifle. The problem was that the students knew much more about shooting than the American. They grew up with automatic weapons in their hands. The only reason they joined was to get knapsacks and free uniforms. The same old story. Incompetence, money, grief and pain. UNAMAs report is first rate. And it brings individual tragedy into a brief, bright and disturbing light. But yes, this is the country we were going to save a decade and a half ago. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The present parliament has established a curious dynamic: the Government performs one pratfall after another but suffers negligible damage because the Opposition has forgotten how to oppose. It has happened with the Osborne U-turn on tax credits, the derisory tax deal with Google, and most recently Jeremy Hunts brutal imposition of a hugely unpopular settlement on junior doctors. David Cameron gets away with it because there is nobody on his tail at least no one who can be taken seriously. George Osborne delivers an autumn Spending Review of breathtaking hypocrisy; the shadow Chancellor John McDonnell responds by waving Maos Little Red Book, drawing derisive publicity and removing the heat from the man opposite. Its a pattern which must bring many Labour loyalists out in hives. And now it is set to be repeated on the most important issue the country is likely to face for many years to come: whether we choose to stay in, or to leave, the European Union. The issue has been fatally divisive for the Conservative Party for more than 30 years, and played a clinching role in the downfalls of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major. By holding an in/out referendum on the question, Mr Cameron hopes to settle it once and for all, purging the party of this debilitating ailment. His odds on success look long, however, given the deep-rooted convictions on both sides, and the hour of reckoning is fast approaching. Up to 20 ministers are reported to be backing the Out campaign, including Iain Duncan Smith and Chris Grayling. The PM has kept them quiet by imposing cabinet discipline while talks are under way but several are preparing to rip off their gags after the conclusion of next Fridays Brussels summit, whether Mr Cameron approves or not. If that happens, it will mean war at the highest reaches of the Government. John Majors problem with his bastards was never this bad. This is the moment at which Labour should be able to recoup some of the ground it has lost through disunity and whimsicality since Jeremy Corbyns election. And it may yet do so. For while there are still Labour MPs making a strong case for Brexit notably Gisela Stuart, whose hostility to the EU was cemented by her involvement in writing its constitution the party has attained a large degree of unity on the issue: an open letter by leading Labour right-wingers including Hilary Benn, Margaret Beckett and Neil Kinnock released at the weekend argues forcefully for Britain to remain in the EU, and concludes: Forty years ago Labour was split on Europe We changed policies and are now the most united major party on this issue. It is not an empty boast. Europe could provide the best opportunity since the general election for the Opposition to land painful punches on the Government. But this hope may again be blasted by friendly fire: it is reported that Mr Corbyns attack on Mr Camerons negotiations, expected in a speech in Brussels towards the end of the week, will lambast the Prime Ministers emergency brake on benefits for new immigrants, and argue that discrimination against workers from Eastern Europe is unfair and will not reduce immigration. This is a principled position, and Mr Corbyn will doubtless carry the support of many of those who voted him into his current job. Sadly and characteristically, however, he has alighted on the one issue in the Brexit debate which resonates painfully with many disenchanted Labour voters, convinced that reducing immigration is essential. Mr Cameron will again beam at him across the benches, celebrating yet another miraculous escape. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Independent has been a vital part of the everyday lives of independent-minded citizens in Britain for some decades, and its passing as a printed newspaper is a cause of great regret to its many thousands of loyal readers. It has been unique in holding a priceless space for a multiplicity of voices left, right and centre in a genuinely pluralistic journalistic offering that no other UK newspaper has remotely matched. As a regular reader, I hope that i continues to thrive and to keep this fine tradition, and that you can continue with your highest of journalistic standards in the online version of The Independent. Thank you all for your vital contribution to our democratic life. We will miss you. Dr Richard House Stroud, Gloucestershire I have been an avid reader of The Independent for almost 15 years. It has been passionate, radical, inspirational and benevolent about its news reporting. We live in the digital age. Digitisation is shaping the way we live, work, play, study, write and love. In such a climate, The Independent is to be commended for being forward-looking and bold in tackling the challenges that lie ahead. Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob London NW2 A sad day for UK democracy and journalism with the cessation of the print editions of The Independent. With The Independent flying the flag for a balanced independent voice on social, political and commercial issues, those of us of a centre/centre left persuasion had some hope of a more equitable society eventually emerging. I hope the online edition prospers but fear the potential loss of excellent journalists and contributors that have made the print edition so readable. Whatever happens, thank you for your erudition and perspectives and helping to challenge the right-wing dominance of the UK press over the years Laurie Price Horsham, West Sussex We spend 12.20 each seven-day week on The Independent. We buy it at our newsagent and some of our money goes to keeping Mr and Mrs Dass shop functioning as a parish pump where neighbours gossip and start the day. Theres a clue about what newspapers are like in the name. You dont have to use electricity to read them. You can spread them out and view more than one bit at a time. And afterwards they can line a sock drawer. Name an iPad that can do that. Well miss that. Well miss your astringent alternative. And well see if the withdrawal symptoms force us into the methadone maintenance of a screen subscription. Mary Pimm Nik Wood London E9 While, like tens of thousands of readers, I will be very sorry no longer to be able to open up its pages, I wish to thank all at the The Independent for, over so many years, delivering on its original promise: to bring its readership fine writing. I wish you all well in what is clearly a difficult time. Cole Davis London NW2 For nearly 30 years, since I bought the very first edition of The Independent, I have read it every day while eating my breakfast. It has not been much of a problem when I dropped dollops of marmalade or spilled coffee on the newspaper, as they can be scooped or mopped up and the print is still readable. However, with the demise of The Independent in print format, I am now faced with the very real possibility of damaging my computer if I attempt to continue reading the Indy online while nibbling and slurping my breakfast. Perhaps, before you cease printing The Independent, your columnists or your younger readers could provide suggestions on not only how best to combine the equal joys of eating breakfast and continuing to read The Independent but also on how we print readers can quickly learn to navigate the geography of the online format. Kate Caddy Diptford, Devon As someone who has been one of your loyal readers since the first edition of The Independent in 1986 (I still have a copy tucked away in a drawer somewhere) and a regular correspondent to your letters page, I shall mourn the passing of the print edition. In particular, I shall miss seeing in print the dramatic photographs that have been one of best features of the paper. I recognise, however, the sad economic reality that has driven the decision. David Lamming Boxford, Suffolk Matthew Norman has been proven right at least twice in the past week. The US Defense Department has, in effect, agreed with him in equating Trident with the UKs strontium cod-piece (10 February). More sadly, his warning piece on the oncoming reality of a one-party state (3 February) has, if anything, been brought on by the loss of a printed edition of a non-Tory-supporting newspaper. A healthy democracy requires a contrarian voice. I wish to thank and wish all the best for the future to all those who helped to bring your paper to the news-stand. Angelo Micciche St Erth, Cornwall So how am I to lay a fire, or unite two colonies of bees, with a mobile app? John Davies Haygrove Honey Farm Twyford, Dorset Hunt presses the nuclear button Jeremy Hunt has deployed what he has called his nuclear option, the imposition of a contract on the junior doctors. I thought the idea behind a nuclear deterrent was that it is never used by either side because of the MAD principle mutually assured destruction. Now that Hunt has gone ahead and pressed the nuclear button, and imposed a contract that will stretch out an already overstretched and overworked workforce even thinner, I presume he had in mind the potential mutual destruction of patients lives and his career, as well as the longer-term political fallout. Dr Vic Harris Rossendale, Lancashire I have a strong suspicion that Jeremy Hunts behaviour is part of a darker strategy which is to mess up the NHS so much that the Tories will feel able to say to us that the only way to rescue it is to privatise it openly instead of doing it by stealth. Why is it that other countries, some considerably less wealthy than we are, can afford to spend a much greater proportion of their GDP on healthcare, a proportion that the Tories would declare unsustainable for us. I suggest that the Tories care far more about keeping taxes down for the wealthy than they care about the wellbeing of those who cannot afford to pay huge premiums for medical insurance. Dudley Dean Maresfield, East Sussex The vision of the Government is of a health service provided by private contracting businesses where profits go to directors and shareholders and are taken from us taxpayers. Every government action on the NHS must be viewed with this in mind. Outsourcing of services usually increases costs and reduces quality. Dr Chris Burns-Cox Wotton-under-Edge Gloucestershire Camerons EU child benefit farce The EU referendum farce continues unabated. David Cameron sets out to stop paying child benefits to the overseas dependants of workers from EU countries, but instead settles for an arrangement whereby we continue to pay it but at the domestic rates of 28 different countries, some even higher than the current payments. And since we will also have the considerable costs of modifying and running payment systems to handle this, and of continuously monitoring all other countries for changes in their domestic payments, its possible that this change will actually cost us more. And heres the rub our only option to say we dont want this change is to vote to leave the EU completely. Has there ever been a more inept PM than this blunderer? Gerard Bell Ascot There will be no migrant camps in Kent following a Brexit. The Jungle camp exists in Calais because its inhabitants refuse to claim asylum in France, preferring to do so in the UK. On arrival in Dover, they would immediately claim asylum and expect to be housed. Dr John Doherty Vienna Taxes squandered on luxuries It beggars belief how profligate public servants such as John Bercow can be with our tax money. Im not sure which are more despicable, those bankers who gamble with our money and lose it, or those politicians like Mr Bercow who squander our money on luxuries, which he, no doubt, fails to recognise as luxuries (Bercows expenses include 2,000 dinner, 13 February). How alienated they are from us all, the so-called general public. Rob Baur Llanarmon D C, Wrexham Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} God alone knows to what depths their spirits sank after it, but Republicans were in mourning even before the latest doolallyfest kicked off in South Carolina, to the benefit of no one but Hillary Clinton. And man, did it ever kick off. Shortly before the debate began, news broke that Antonin Scalia, the Genghis Khan of the Supreme Court, had died. The nine justices sacred role as guardians and interpreters of the Constitution makes them more influential US political figures than anyone other than the President (and thats a close call). These supremes are more famous than Diana Ross, and to the hang em, flog em, eletrocute em, and just for luck lynch em persuasion, Scalia was an archangel. To progressives and minorities whose interests seldom concerned him, Scalias sensationally archaic (originalist) rulings he supported a states right to criminialise what he elegantly knew as sodomy made him Satan. Some liberals reacted to his death like Munchkins upon the Wicked Witch of the Wests demise. Others were more restrained. Funny, tweeted one Anthony Jeselnik. I actually support Scalia on this one. When the debate began, all six surviving candidates expressed the hope that the Senate, under a Republican majority, will delay confirming Obamas nomination for the new justice so that the choice falls to the next President. Small wonder. Until now, the Supreme Court had a 5-4 conservative bias. An Obama pick would switch the advantage to the liberals, and the implications for the future of gun control, abortion and political funding cannot be overstated. Its even possible that his replacement may alter the future of the planet as Scalia did himself. Before we come to that, a little reflection on what took place on a debate stage bookended by John Kasich and Ben Carson, the no-hopers and more mannerly of the GOP candidates. Dead centre, flanked by the establishment twins from Florida, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, stood the self-styled renegades, human emetic Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. The Donald had jettisoned his traditional tangerine facial hue for a crimson so deep that he fell victim to the laws of optics, and vanished into the red background. What followed the Scalia panegyrics cannot glibly be dismissed as a car crash. This was a massive motorway pile of the ghoulishly mesmerising type. For two hours, not one of them gave a detailed, substantive answer on anything. Instead, they devoted themselves to calling each other liars. When Cruz called Trump a liar, Trump responded that Cruz is a bigger liar even than Jeb. Rubio, recovering from his fiasco of a week earlier, ploughed virgin territory by accusing Cruz of spreading lies about his (Rubios) flip-flopping on immigration reform. During a brief respite from this Socratic dialogue, Jeb berated Trump for savaging big brother George W. Its a weird old night when Trump comes the closest to talking sense in this case, by blaming W for both 9/11 (he blew the chance to assassinate Bin Laden) and the subsequent adventure in Iraq. As the father of children, replied Rubio, he often thanks God that it was Bush in the White House on 9/11, and not Al Gore. That set me thinking about how different the world might look today had Gore become President in January 2001. Apart from pursuing a marginally more aggressive climate change policy, Gore would not never have started the Iraq war that led to the destabilisation of the region, the civil war in Syria, the rise of Isis and the migrant crisis that threatens the EU. That result, and all the horrors that stemmed from it, turned on the Supreme Court decision split 5-4 on purely partisan grounds to halt the Florida recount and entrust the Oval Office to Dubya. On that basis, Scalia has a claim to have changed the course of human history. If Obama can replace him with a liberal justice to shift the 5-4 advantage to the progressives, all well and good. Even if not, this incalculably infantile debate suggests more strongly than ever that it will be Hillary who picks the next justice. In which case, she might invite a jug-eared constitutional lawyer from Chicago to become the first former President on the Supreme Court since William Howard Taft in 1921. Imagine Justice Obama using his swing vote to effect the gun control that so painfully eluded him in the White House. Scalia was admired for his mordant wit, I read. From the afterlife in which this devout Catholic ostentatiously believed, heres hoping he gets the chance to relish the irony of that. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Good news from South Sudan, the worlds youngest state: the two big players in its civil war are back in harness, at least in theory. The conflict exploded two years ago when President Salva Kiir accused his deputy, Riek Machar, of launching a coup detat. Since then 2.8 million people have been made homeless and tens of thousands face starvation. Recommended Read more Tentative truce brings some hope to South Sudan Now that Mr Kiir has reappointed Mr Machar as Deputy President, does this mean South Sudan can resume its halting progress towards successful nationhood? We wish it every success, but the omens are not great. Formed after more than 20 years of civil war with the Muslim-dominated north, South Sudan was born rich, thanks to oil. But the blessing rapidly became a curse as the newly empowered southerners set about looting the nations oil revenue. What was sold to the West as a plucky little nation struggling to make its way and Britain alone has contributed more than 300m morphed into a kleptocrats paradise. As The Independent reports today, the stolen funds could amount to as much as $10bn (6.9bn). This failed state tearing itself apart, in James Cusicks words, is in desperate need of new ideas if it is to survive. There is reason to hope that UN sanctions and close surveillance by the IMF may curtail any further plunder, but South Sudan will be on life support and suicide watch for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, let the West reflect that, while it was of vital importance to bring the north-south civil war to an end, liberation movements, the sympathy of well-intentioned outsiders and large quantities of aid money are not sufficient ingredients to make a nation. South Sudan has yet to prove that, left to its own devices, it is more than a scrum of rapacious tribes. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Liam Fox? Where did he come from? The surprise of last week was the emergence of the former defence secretary at the top of a poll of Conservative Party members as next prime minister. It was a bit like polls in the early stages of the US Republican primaries, with lots of candidates and none of them emerging from the melee. Fox came top of the Conservative Home poll with 20.9 per cent, just ahead of Theresa May on 20.6 per cent. Then came Boris Johnson on 19 per cent, George Osborne on 15 per cent and Sajid Javid on 14 per cent. Naturally, Foxs top place was over-interpreted as a boost for the vote Leave cause. He had advertised his anti-EU credentials before the poll was taken, but as the only avowed Outer on the list you might have expected him to get more than just a fifth of the vote. This poll was taken before David Camerons draft EU deal was published, and perhaps when it is repeated Fox will do even better. Or, and this was the speculation of last week, perhaps Johnson will have joined him in the Better Off Out camp, which would shake things up again. That speculation was stoked by Marina Wheeler, Johnsons wife, who is a QC, setting out the reasons she thought the terms offered to Britain by Donald Tusk, the EU president, were not legally binding. Was she preparing the ground for her husband to lead the Leave campaign? Or was she setting out the Johnson familys demands for this weeks summit? No one who knows is saying and the rest of the bubble joined in the guessing game. Ed Balls, the former shadow chancellor, pitched in from Harvard, one of his academic posts. Say what you like about George Osborne, at least hes putting the countrys interests before his own on this issue, in contrast to some of his rivals, he told Huffington Post. When Balls praises Osborne, you know something is up. What is up is the complex interaction of a 28-sided international negotiation meeting a five-sided Tory leadership contest. This was triggered by the Prime Ministers unintended announcement, in his Oxfordshire kitchen at the start of last years election campaign, that he would stand down before the next election. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA UK news in pictures 13 September 2022 Crowds cheer as King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arrive for a visit to Hillsborough Castle Getty UK news in pictures 12 September 2022 Crowds line the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, as King Charles III joins a procession from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral following the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS UK news in pictures 11 September 2022 Members of the Public pay their respects as the hearse carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland, is driven through Ballater AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 10 September 2022 Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wave at well-wishers on the Long walk at Windsor Castle AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 9 September 2022 King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort wave after viewing floral tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Buckingham Palace Getty UK news in pictures 8 September 2022 A screen commemorating Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in Piccadilly Circus, London Britain EPA UK news in pictures 7 September 2022 Police officers stand guard after Animal Rebellion activists threw paint on the walls and road outside the Houses of Parliament in protest, in London, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 6 September 2022 Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss during an audience at Balmoral, Scotland, where she invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 5 September 2022 Visitors at the PoliNations garden in Victoria Square, Birmingham, which is made up of five 40ft high tree installations and over 6,000 plants. The PoliNations programme aims to explore how migration and cross-pollination have shaped the UKs gardens and culture PA UK news in pictures 4 September 2022 Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews take part in the traditional Pier Walk along the harbour walls of St Andrews before the start of the new academic year PA UK news in pictures 3 September 2022 The Massed Pipes and Drums parade during the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park PA UK news in pictures 2 September 2022 Number 12 Company Irish Guards at Wellington Barracks, central London, before commencing their first Guard Mount at Buckingham Palace PA UK news in pictures 1 September 2022 A salmon leaps up the weir at Hexham in Northumberland, despite the drought warnings and low water levels, the River Tyne is still flowing well allowing the salmon and sea trout to head up river to spawn. Every year tens of thousands of salmon make the once-in-a-lifetime journey along the Tyne to spawn, having been out a sea PA I had assumed that Camerons lame-duck moment was deliberate, when he said: Terms are like shredded wheat two are wonderful but three might just be too many. I thought he wanted to appear modest, not wanting to go on and on and on, as Margaret Thatcher had done, and wanted to emphasise the strength of the Tory team. But I now understand that he hadnt intended to say it, and that Lynton Crosby, the campaign manager, and Craig Oliver, his director of communications, were furious about it because it was a distraction from their core messages. All the same, I am told that he doesnt regret it. It may well be that, if he hadnt made his self-limiting announcement, the speculation about his future would have been more disruptive during the election campaign. But by now everyone would be expecting Cameron to fight a third election. Indeed, as we report, many Tory MPs want him to change his mind. However, I am told that he is not going to do so. Now, though, we are seeing the consequences of his spontaneous decision to say what he thought. As Tony Blair found, the moment you fight the election you have said will be your last, the speculation about the succession becomes insistent. That means, as Balls noticed, and he made the comparison with the Blair-Brown era, that the referendum campaign has become entangled in the calculations of the contenders for the Tory succession. It didnt do the Labour government any good that Gordon Brown was positioning himself to take over, and it is not doing the debate about Europe much good that it has become so closely entwined in internal Tory politics. Nor is it doing the Tory party much good that its leadership election will follow the referendum on Europe. Cameron has put off the choose-and-fight moment for longer than anyone thought possible, but now the split is coming. The weakness of the Labour opposition only makes this a more dangerous moment for the party. I still think that Boris Johnson will declare, reluctantly, for staying in the EU. I think that a majority of Tory MPs will do so too, and that the British people will vote the same way. But I am not sure about any of those predictions. The one thing I am sure about is that the referendum will not be the end of Camerons problems, even if he gets the vote he wants. I am told that he is determined to stay on at No 10 for the vast majority of the parliament. But the Tory split over Europe could be deep, and the pressure of the contest to succeed him will only grow and make governing ever harder. Twitter: @JohnRentoul Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Birmingham University was one of the losers in the last global ranking of the worlds finest higher education institutions, falling an unfortunate 12 places below the likes of Lund in Sweden and Hollands Delft Institute of Technology. Perhaps more painfully, it ended up behind 14 other British universities, including local rivals Nottingham and Warwick. Yet its vice-chancellor the seventh best paid in the country saw his salary rise. Sir David Eastwood, who has run the university for seven years, collects 416,000 a year, as well as enjoying the standard perks that go with such a job. No doubt it is challenging running a major centre of learning with 28,664 students from nearly 150 different nations. Yet is it really so much harder than running the country, given his pay packet is almost three times higher than the Prime Ministers 142,500 salary? And is it right that this publicly-funded academic is deemed so precious he is worth the joint salary of 20 fellow Brummies, based on average earnings? I do not mean to pick on Sir David, who has a long record of public service. At Kings College London, the new top man earns 42,000 more than Sir David, and 134,000 more than his predecessor. Salford spent more than half a million on vice chancellors pay. These hefty figures emerged in a study by the University and College Union, which found 23 university chiefs enjoying pay rises of 10 per cent or more last year. Their salaries increased almost three times faster than other university staff over the past five years and many enjoy rent-free homes chucked in on top. Clearly university chiefs are ignoring requests to curb greed. Two years ago Coalition ministers David Willetts and Vince Cable united to criticise them over pay, issuing a joint plea for restraint amid stretched public finances. We are very concerned about the substantial upward drift of salaries of some top management, they said. Yet these academics are far from alone. For they symbolise a wider problem: how the curse of excessive pay has infected the public sector. Listen to their defences and you hear echoes of the pathetic excuses used in the private sector: the need to attract best candidates, the unique complexities of jobs, the supposed international comparisons. Never mind that fellow academics have cast doubt on modern myths of leadership and found excessive pay corrodes morale; others demonstrated how benchmarking against mean pay of peers leads to an automatic upwards earnings spiral. But they should note the justified public fury over executives enriching themselves so obscenely at the expense of others. This is bad enough in the private sector, where chief executives of Britains biggest companies trouser 183 times the salaries of the average worker, a gap that has risen almost fourfold since 1998. Their earnings now average an astonishing 1,260 an hour; no wonder everyone from Boris Johnson to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development have voiced concerns. Yet such dodgy behaviour is even more grotesque when the fat cats are public servants who are partly reliant on taxes. We can see it with council chiefs, earning massive amounts while slashing services for disabled people and pensioners. There are more than 150 people in town halls apparently more valuable than the Prime Minister, which is worth remembering when your local library closes. One boss took home 411,000 in a year. Or look at the poor old health service, creaking under unprecedented pressures. Yet one in five hospital trust directors were paid more than David Cameron, while an investigation by The Daily Mail and Taxpayers Alliance found the head of South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a seven-figure package. The same shabby phenomenon can be seen in the upper echelons of some police forces, for all those complaints of crime-fighting being threatened by cuts. Scottish taxpayers were found to be shelling out 1.37m to just two deputy chief constables, even as the force shed 800 jobs. And in schools, where one by-product of the academy programme driving up standards has been the hiring of head teachers on increasingly over-inflated packages. Latest figures revealed 1,230 on six-figure pay, almost twice the number from two years earlier; the highest earner was collecting an extraordinary 360,000 a year. Education ministers have implored head teachers not to be too greedy; they are already among the highest earning school heads in Europe. But the Government will have to do more than mouth platitudes and plead about over-paying in the public sector. Just as all those pin-striped chaps helping themselves to ever-larger slices of corporate profits is corrosive to the cause of capitalism, so the self-enrichment of some university chiefs, head teachers and hospital bosses damages promotion of greater freedom within the public sector. The same antics are apparent in the charity sector too, where even in the poverty industry some think it fine to beg for funds from the public while pocketing huge salaries. But there is no doubt seeing this in schools, hospitals, police forces and universities is especially damaging for those of us who believe state services benefit from market reforms and private sector efficiencies. Already, public faith in too many institutions meant to bind the nation together has been sorely tested. Sleazy self-enrichment at taxpayer expense, especially at a time of austerity, can only further undermine any sense of communal spirit. Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the market turmoil was 'a reminder that the recovery is fragile' The planned flotation of AIB may have to be delayed until at least next year if market turbulence continues, Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has admitted. Bruton told the Sunday Independent that the outgoing Government would "wait and see" about the timing of the flotation, adding that it would seek to maximise the value of the State's near-100pc holding in the bank. "I think we'll wait and see. Obviously, the Government will want to maximise the return on its investment and Michael Noonan will take advice at the appropriate time. "But I think what's encouraging is we are seeing a return to normality in our banking world and small businesses...are seeing again credit emerging from the banks. We need to build on that." Bruton said the market turmoil was "a reminder that the recovery is fragile". Previously, Michael Noonan had signalled his intent to sell a quarter of the bank this year, potentially as early as the spring, if the Government was returned to office. In a recent interview, AIB boss Bernard Byrne said he estimated that the sale could generate as much as 3bn for the State. Any delay in selling the AIB shares would mean that a return of the 21.8bn that was pumped into the bank by taxpayers would have to wait. Just over 1.6bn of that was paid back prior to Christmas due to a partial redemption by the bank of the Government's preference shares and the payment of dividends accrued on them. Michael Noonan said a full repayment could take another decade but a delay in the initial IPO could push that out even further. Turbulent market conditions would probably mean the bank would be unable to fetch as high a price as might otherwise be the case. In correspondence with Noonan, Byrne's predecessor David Duffy boasted of returning the bank to sustainability. Sinn Fein has already called for the State to hold on to AIB for at least five years, subject to an application to Europe for recapitalisation. The Irish and worldwide banking sectors have had a turbulent beginning to 2016. Bank of Ireland has had about 2bn of its shareholder value vaporised in the year to the close of trading on Friday, while Permanent TSB has lost 1bn. Outside Ireland, the eyes of the world are on Deutsche Bank, which has lost 8.5bn so far this year amid fears that it may run out of capital. Investors have been spooked by fears over the state of China, the world's second-largest economy, and the near-untrammelled slide in oil prices. Gold hit a one-year high on Thursday as investors sought safe haven. However, markets rallied on Friday, with banks faring well. Closer to home, sterling has weakened versus the euro, making Irish goods more expensive in Britain, a major trading partner. "I have confidence about our future," Bruton said. "We now have a resilient enterprise base and I think we can weather these storms, but we have to be cautious and we have to be prudent in the way we plan." EIR; Ownership: Assorted banks and shareholders; Irish boss: Richard Moat; Quadplay: Yes; Strengths: Biggest national network; Weaknesses: Uncertain future ownership Market prognosis; Eir is generally regarded to have turned a corner on its crippled infrastructure days, with sizeable investments in new fibre roll-out and rebooted DSL broadband on the majority of its existing landline network. This has happened as it has cut its costs and returned to profitability. Its mobile arm, Meteor, is holding its own while its nascent TV service now has 45,000 customers. It cannot shake questions over future ownership, however, with many analysts expecting it to seek an IPO whenever it thinks the market will allow it to. Because it is the incumbent copper line network, its universal service obligations land it in choppy regulatory water more often than other telecoms firms. Rivals are currently muttering about legal action over a failure to enforce fault repairs and other issues. Otherwise, the biggest challenges for the company include the gradual emergence of a new, well-funded fibre network rival in the shape of Siro - a joint venture between deep-pocketed Vodafone and the ESB. It also arguably has most to lose if it does not win the government's state-subsidised National Broadband Plan tender, which could be worth up to 500m. A rival operator taking ownership of thousands of kilometres of state-funded fibre networks is not something that would bode well for Eir's long-term competitive advantage. VODAFONE Ownership; Vodafone (UK) Irish boss; Anne O'Leary Quadplay; Yes Strengths; 4G speed, biggest mobile base Weaknesses; Limited fixed-line network Market prognosis; Vodafone has benefited from over a decade of incumbency as the country's largest, most profitable mobile operator. This has led to a highly lucrative mobile customer base, although competition has resulted in its margins being eroding significantly in recent years. Still flush with billions in cash from the sale of Verizon in the US, the company has been on an investment drive in Ireland, green-lighting hundreds of millions into network upgrades and ploughing 225m into a new fixed-line fibre network in conjunction with the ESB. The new network, called Siro, is currently being built in large regional Irish towns and is scheduled to reach 500,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2018. The new network will address the gap in Vodafone's aspiration for long-term strength in the Irish market: building its own fixed-line network. Although it is currently the third largest landline broadband provider in Ireland, it uses Eir's network for this service, leaving itself vulnerable on service issues and profit margins. Last month, it launched a TV service with 83 channels to complete its 'quad play' offering here. It is very likely to tender for the government's state-subsidised National Broadband Plan using Siro as a model. VIRGIN Ownership; Liberty Global (US) Irish boss; Tony Hanway Quadplay; Yes Strengths; Fixed-line broadband speed Weaknesses; Declining TV subscriptions, limited network reach Market prognosis; Having stood atop Ireland's broadband speed heap for years, Virgin now faces serious competition in the space from new fibre providers. Its response this year will be to marginally increase the footprint of its 800,000-premises cable network and to focus on its new 'quad play' status, which came about last year when it launched a new Irish mobile phone service. Virgin has struggled to maintain its television subscription levels in Ireland. While once almost level with Sky, it has fallen to around half its satellite rival's customer numbers (of over 700,000), largely because of more competition from Saorview and new players such as Eir. However, it is likely to increase its broadband speeds in the near future (from a current top speed of 360Mbs) in an effort to re-establish itself as the broadband king of urban Ireland. Virgin appears to have ruled out bidding for the state-subsidised National Broadband Plan this year, with chief executive Tony Hanway recently telling this newspaper that it wouldn't make commercial sense for the operator. However, the company may soon get a lot closer to Vodafone: the two companies' corporate parents have been talking on and off for months now about a possible merger or asset-swap. THREE Ownership; Hutchison Whampoa Irish boss; Robert Finnegan Quadplay; No Strengths; Mobile data allowances Weaknesses; No fixed network Market prognosis; Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa has had a rough decade in Ireland with its mobile operator Three. Its management here has frequently pointed to the 1.1bn profitless investment it lost since starting up here and before its O2 acquisition. While its large 3G and 4G data allowances have helped shape the market, it has given the company scant return. Its acquisition of O2 Ireland from Telefonica last year for 780m instantly moved it into second place with 1.5 million extra customers, many of whom are higher margin subscribers than its home-grown customers. However, the previous owners of O2, Telefonica, froze investment in the network for some time before it was sold and Three is now bearing the brunt of this, with significant challenges still facing its integration of the two networks. Despite these technical challenges, the network has some advantages over rivals in the spectrum it acquired with its O2 purchase. This could yet prove to be very lucrative for the operator as data usage continues to soar. The company has said that it has little interest in a quadplay offering with landline broadband, phone and TV, despite 25,000 landline customers inherited from O2. But Three may have had a different attitude had it succeeded in its 2bn bid to buy Eir (then Eircom) out of examinership. SKY Ownership; British Sky Broadcasting Irish boss; JD Buckley Quadplay; No Strengths; TV subscriptions and content Weaknesses; No mobile, lack of own fixed network Market prognosis; Sky is approaching a watershed moment in its Irish business model. Does it continue to hold steady as a premium TV company with broadband as an add-on service over Eir's landlines? Or does it venture into 'quadplay' territory and try to launch a mobile service here? In the UK, it is the latter strategy that Sky is adopting, with a new virtual mobile service to be unveiled later this year. Sky's Irish operation usually follows the UK business model (as it has done for broadband), but is often a year or more behind in its roll-out schedule. It's not hard to see why Sky continues to focus primarily on telly. It now has a stranglehold over premium TV subscriptions in Ireland with no apparent weakening of its 700,000-plus audience. This is an impressive feat in an era where new services such as Saorview (300,000-plus users), Netflix (200,000-plus subscribers) Eir (45,000 TV subscribers) and now Vodafone are encroaching into Ireland's traditional television customer base. The satellite broadcaster has also raced into a 10pc broadband market share from launch two years ago. Some analysts say that it is vulnerable in the long term if its broadband offering stays in the low-margin territory of reseller for Eir's wholesale network. But Sky continues to bet that its massive investment in premium television content, particularly sport and movies, is its trump card. It says that this will not only keep customers from leaving but will persuade them to add broadband on to the bill, even if not quite as fast as some rival offerings. John McCartney of Savills linked social inequality to mortgage caps, but its more than just that The Central Bank's mortgage lending caps have taken a barrage of criticism from the property industry for quite some time. When the new caps were announced, but not even introduced, critics said they would not really curb house price growth. A year ago, John McCartney, economist with Savills estate agents, said "the new measures will do nothing to soften house price growth by curtailing demand". He wasn't the only one suggesting that the rules would fail to hold back house prices. Other critics said the new rules would drag house prices down and prices would begin to fall again, which reminded people of the nightmare they faced in 2008 and 2009. Those who didn't like the caps still don't like them. They have just come up with different objections. In 2014, the year before the rules were introduced, house prices grew by more than 16pc. Last year, the growth was around 6.6pc. In Dublin, where the biggest problems were arising, house prices were growing at a rate of more than 16pc a year in 2014, but in 2015 they grew by around 2.6pc on average. Some estate agents are predicting that house price growth in Dublin will average around 0.3pc this year. The Central Bank couldn't have got it more right, in terms of what it wanted to achieve. The mortgage lending caps have not solved the housing problem in Ireland. They were never meant to. They were simply designed to take some of the heat and risk, relatively early on, out of house price growth in Dublin, which was driving the market. The problem is that critics, especially from within the property industry, are blaming the caps for everything that is wrong with the housing market. During the week, McCartney was concerned about social inequality, which he linked to the mortgage caps. He said the rules have "led to increased inequality as first-time buyers with access to family wealth have been handed a distinct advantage". He may be right about the advantage of wealth, but that isn't caused by the Central Bank. It is due to a whole load of factors on which economists have speculated for centuries. Savills even linked the rules with a return to a commuter culture, as prices rise in counties around the capital. There was always going to be a spike in house prices in Kildare, Wicklow and parts of Meath once the economy got back on its feet. There aren't enough houses in the Dublin area, yet that is where an increasing percentage of the jobs are going. That has not been caused by the mortgage caps. How come asking prices for houses in Cork city - not exactly a strong commuter belt for Dublin - are up 20pc? In Galway they are up 19.7pc. It is simply because those cities are seeing more job creation and more people wanting to go there to live and there aren't enough houses. Investors who drove up house price growth in Dublin are looking elsewhere. If the mortgage caps were driving up house prices in Leinster commuter counties, how come estate agents expect house prices to grow this year in many non-commuter places such as Monaghan (10pc), Roscommon (10pc), Donegal (10pc) and Leitrim (11pc)? Two things are happening. The economy is recovering and there aren't enough houses in key cities, but mainly Dublin. This is driving up rents. That is not the Central Bank's problem to fix. But there is a worrying head of steam building up in political circles about mortgage lending caps. New Central Bank governor Philip Lane has decided to review them in July, but felt the need to announce the review seven months in advance. Many interest groups, including political parties, have the caps in their sights. They simply need to get more houses built as quickly as possible in the Dublin area. It will probably mean taking on property interests instead of bending over to them. The rental controls were too little too late, but at least are something to curtail rip-offs. Solving a housing shortage should not involve introducing a raft of new taxpayer subsidies for first-time buyers. That fuels more money into the system for everybody, but increases risk in the long term. The Government should squeeze those sitting on land banks to use it or lose it. The mortgage caps are the new normal and, in fact, kind of resemble the old normal before the madness came along. Bank stock rout will be a pain for next government This is only February, but 2016 doesn't look like a particularly good year to re-float AIB on the stock market. International investor turmoil has spread from Asia to Wall Street and on to Europe and banking shares. European bank stock fell by 6.3pc on Thursday alone, which brought their falls so far this year to 28pc. AIB may have a good story to tell investors about the size of the bank in the fastest-growing economy in Europe, but if investors are bailing out of bank stocks they won't be listening. The rough start to 2016 on the stock market has already hit the State's coffers, with sizeable falls in the value of its shareholdings in Permanent TSB and Bank of Ireland. The state's 75pc shareholding in PTSB has shed around 620m in value since the start of the year, while its 14pc of Bank of Ireland is worth 620m less than it was in 2014. The actual erosion in the valuation of AIB is harder to judge, given that its shares are only nominally traded on the stock market. However, if Bank of Ireland's shares are down 23pc since New Year's Day, then a similar fall for AIB would see the value of the bank fall by around 2.6bn. Put together, that is a fall of around 3.5bn in the value of the State's shareholding in the three banks. The pain goes on. Tullow Oil's Aidan Heavey faces another tough year Aidan Heavey is into Tullow Oil's second big annus horribilis, having reported losses of $1bn for last year. Heavey was quick to cut costs, re-negotiate banking arrangements and re-calibrate the business for a lower oil price once it started to tank in 2014. The problem was oil prices had hit $50 a barrel. Now they are under $30. This year will be crucial for the future direction of the company. Heavey hinted during the week that Tullow could sell some of its prize assets in the future to generate a return for shareholders. Yet at the same time he emphasised how smaller international oil players such as Tullow would be in a very strong position when the upturn in price comes. They are slightly contradictory things. If he sells assets, he will have less on the balance sheet when oil does recover. Should he sell something in the short term at a terrible price, but which would relieve some pressure, or hang on to as much as possible for the upturn? Ultimately, that depends on when oil turns upward. Heavey suggested it could reach over $60 a barrel by the end of this year. It might - but it might not. Tullow Oil shares have fallen by around 90pc since their peak three years ago, which has seen Heavey's own shareholding fall in value from 480m in 2012 to around 48m. If he is right about the oil price doubling by year end, Tullow won't sell off much. But equally, that would still make it an attractive takeover target. This will be a big year for Tullow. William and Kate Chase of Chase Distillery are going up against the giants of the drinks industry 'It's been bloody tough," says William Chase, the serial entrepreneur behind upmarket crisp company Tyrrells. "When you've had an easy sell like Tyrrells and then you go into the drinks business, it's a sobering thing. Really tough." Chase, who built up and sold the Tyrrells brand for almost 40m (51.6m) in 2008, has spent the past seven years building up Chase Distillery, a gin and vodka business. "You know, 99.9pc of shoppers will buy a packet of crisps at the supermarket," he says. "But when you're selling a bottle of vodka for 35, you're selling to 0.01pc of the shoppers who come through the door. This is a grown-up, serious market with lots of competition." Chase Distillery makes its spirits from scratch, using potatoes grown on the farm. Everything is done by hand, from the filling to the packing of the bottles. Chase calls it his "single estate campaign" and attacks rival brands who market themselves as authentic gin or vodka makers. "We have no competition - we're the only one making it from scratch," he says. "All these others buy in neutral grain spirit and compound it. It's all b******s." Chase Distillery is up against the giants of the drinks industry, companies such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi. This proved challenging in the early days. "They have brands worth billions and they buy their way in," claims Chase. "You'll find a cool little bar in Hong Kong and they'll support you and then one of the big brands will come in. As a little brand taking them on, you're stuffed." He claims that many consumers are hoodwinked by the marketing of certain drinks brands, which seem like they are produced by small, independent outfits rather than global giants. "The big guys all want to look small. There are lots of fake brands out there making up stories. You're not up against quality, you're up against brainwashing, the propaganda machine." Chase Distillery fought back by creating Rock the Farm, an annual festival at its Herefordshire farm that is open to bartenders from all around the world. This year, Chase is hoping that his new book, One Potato, Two, which comes out on Wednesday, will help drum up more awareness about the brand. The story of Tyrrells is one of several lucky breaks: after being kicked out of a meeting by a Waitrose buyer, he gave some crisps to a PA in the car park, who recommended them to her - much more senior - boss, securing a nationwide listing. But at Chase Distillery, there are mainly setbacks. "When I started, I was the first distillery to make vodka and gin in the UK for 200 years," says Chase. "The law back in 2007 was that you needed a 2,000-litre still, which is a massive thing. If I'd waited just a year, I could have been like all these other distilleries and put in a small one." It cost Chase 2m (2.6m) to build his distillery, with "a boiler as big as a lorry". "Then the government in its wisdom changed its mind, so that anyone could put a little still in their kitchen," he adds. Between 2010 and 2014, 73 spirit distilleries opened in the UK off the back of the legislative change. "Never be the pioneer," Chase says. "Look what happened to the American pioneers - they were shot by the Indians." A few canny decisions have helped the business thrive. Chase Distillery produced a marmalade vodka five years ago, and while it sells only 20,000 bottles a year, it has been invaluable for grabbing the attention of buyers internationally, says Chase. When celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal designed a cocktail using the distillery's rhubarb vodka, the brand was propelled into the mainstream. It will turn over 9m this year, selling into 40 export markets. The gin is the best seller, representing 60pc of revenues. UK Trade & Investment (the UK equivalent of Enterprise Ireland) has helped Chase forge new sales channels into Kuala Lumpur and South Korea. "We want to double in size next year and take the percentage of export sales from 50pc of turnover to 80pc," he says. The US is a key territory. "Americans love Downton Abbey, and what's more British than gin?" The company sells 10,000 bottles a week, which makes it an industry minnow. "We have the capacity to grow four times, but we want to stay authentic," says Chase. The 50-year-old potato farmer has come a long way from his late 20s. "I had receivers trying to throw me out of the house," he says. "I knocked slates off the roof when the estate agents brought people round to show it off. I wanted to scare them away. Then the next day I had the bank round because I wanted to re-buy it, so I mowed the grass and put the slates back up." He has even been asked to star on Dragons' Den. "I turned it down," he says. "They sit there with piles of money. No one does it on their own. I don't want to pretend I have." Telegraph The watchdog first accused GSK of anti-competitive behaviour over Seroxat in April 2013, but it has only now handed out fines. Britain's competition watchdog has fined pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 37.6m (48.4m) for market abuse in striking deals to delay the launch of cheap generic copies of its former blockbuster antidepressant Seroxat. Generic drug companies involved, including Germany's Merck, were also fined smaller amounts, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said, bringing the total penalties to 45m. GSK said it disagreed with the decision and was considering grounds for appeal. The CMA move is the latest example of regulators trying to curb "pay-for-delay" deals by drug companies and follows previous actions by US and European antitrust authorities. The watchdog first accused GSK of anti-competitive behaviour over Seroxat in April 2013, but it has only now handed out fines. "Today's decision sends out a strong message that we will tackle illegal behaviour that is designed to stifle competition at the expense of customers," CMA enforcement head Michael Grenfell said in a statement. The case relates to agreements struck more than a decade ago. Since then the patents protecting paroxetine, the active ingredient in Seroxat, have expired and the arrangements under investigation have been terminated. Between 2001 and 2004, the CMA said GSK paid generic drug companies over 50m with the intention of delaying the potential entry of independent competitors, thereby depriving the National Health Service of cheaper supplies. When independent generic copies eventually arrived at the end of 2003, average paroxetine prices dropped by more than 70pc in two years. GSK said it struck the deals in order to settle costly, complex and uncertain patent disputes and its action had actually brought down the cost of medicine for the state-run health service by allowing some generic competition. "The agreements allowed the generics companies to enter the market early with a paroxetine product and ultimately enabled a saving of over 15m to the NHS," the company said. Among the firms involved in the case, the CMA said it had fined Merck 5.8m, as the former parent of Generics UK (GUK), while a 1.5m penalty was imposed for infringements by Alpharma. Merck, which sold GUK to Mylan in 2007, said it had not been directly involved, adding that it had made adequate provision for the fine, which would have no material impact on its financial results. Reuters A LUKOIL employee looks out over a huge oil refinery in Russias frozen north. The massive resources firm is already Russias second-largest oil producer and its biggest private oil firm and stands to benefit hugely from the new round of state privatisations Oil major LUKOIL has told the Russian government it wants to buy smaller rival Bashneft as the state prepares to sell either a controlling or minority stake in the firm to plug a budget deficit. The government of president Vladimir Putin has ordered a privatisation drive to cover a yawning hole in its budget, which has been hit by tumbling crude prices and western sanctions over Moscow's role in the Ukraine conflict. The state owns 75pc of Bashneft, which it nationalised only two years ago. It is considering whether to sell a stake of more than 50pc or to limit the sale to 25pc through a stock market offering, several government and industry sources said. "There are many parties showing interest, including LUKOIL," a government source said. LUKOIL and Bashneft declined to comment, while no spokesperson at the Russian economy ministry was available. LUKOIL is Russia's second-biggest oil producer and its biggest private oil firm. A Bashneft sale to a private buyer would represent a significant turnaround for the world's biggest energy industry, coming after more than 15 years of consolidation and nationalisation which allowed the Kremlin to regain control after a chaotic privatisation in the 1990s. It is a measure of the plight facing the budget, which could face an additional shortfall of up to 2.5 trillion roubles (28bn) this year if crude prices stay at around $30 (26.6) per barrel. State-owned Rosneft, led by Putin's closest ally in the energy sector, Igor Sechin, had long been considered a front-runner to snap up Bashneft as his company has swept up a string of energy assets over the past decade-and-a-half. However, a steep decline in oil prices combined with Rosneft's heavy debt has made the company much less acquisitive in the past two years. The government is also considering selling stakes in Rosneft itself, which is Russia's top oil major, shipping firm Sovkomflot and diamond miner Alrosa as part of its privatisation drive. Bashneft is Russia's sixth-biggest oil firm with an output of 400,000 barrels a day. Its market capitalisation stands at $4.5bn (4bn), meaning a buyer could secure control in the producer and large refiner for less than $2.5bn (2.2bn). It used to be valued at as much as $13bn (11.6bn) before oil prices began to nosedive in mid-2014 and the rouble's value also plunged. The government has yet to decide whether to sell control in Bashneft as the economy ministry is arguing that a placement in the stock market could generate more money, according to sources. Bashneft has a history of moving in and out of state control over the past 20 years and has been a target for some of the country's richest and most influential businessmen. It was first privatised in the 1990s, then nationalised in the last decade before being sold to telecoms billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov. The oligarch later fell out with the Kremlin and was put under house arrest, leading to another nationalisation of Bashneft. Before its second nationalisation in 2014, Bashneft had been preparing for a secondary listing in London and even hired Morgan Stanley to advise on the potential secondary share placement, but the plan had to been abruptly scrapped LUKOIL, which was created soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union, already produces as much oil as OPEC nations Angola or Nigeria. It has been relatively quiet on the acquisition front in recent years as Rosneft has grown. The publicly-listed company is co-owned by senior management, including billionaire CEO Vagit Alekperov and VP Leonid Fedun. Its business model has been traditionally aimed at acquiring control of firms, rather than holding minority stakes. As a result of the sanctions over Ukraine, Russian companies have struggled to raise debt from western markets while plans for many stock placements have been ditched. LUKOIL has been one of a small number of companies that have been able to raise money abroad in the past two years. Rosneft is among the companies being considered in the privatisation drive, though Sechin said this week it would make sense to wait until oil prices recover to $100 (89) per barrel again before selling a stake in the firm. But the government can barely afford to postpone all privatisation projects as it presides over an economy that shrank by 3.7pc last year and is expected to contract by an additional 1pc this year. Its new privatisation plan is expected to fetch between 500 and 800 billion roubles (between 5.7bn and 9bn at current rates), potentially allowing the government to avoid additional painful budget cuts ahead of parliamentary elections set for September. Reuters Unmasking the original colours of two Van Gogh paintings have shown how the changing state of the artist's tortured mind influenced his work. Both are of the same subject, Vincent van Gogh's bedroom at 2, Place Lamartine, Arles, Bouches-du-Rhone in France. Today the two versions of Bedroom At Arles, painted a year apart, look much the same. But peel away the surface using a technique called x-ray fluorescence spectrometry and striking differences emerge. Expand Close The Vincent van Gogh painting The Allee Of Alyscamps sold for nearly 46 million (Sotheby's/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Vincent van Gogh painting The Allee Of Alyscamps sold for nearly 46 million (Sotheby's/AP) In the first painting, completed in 1888, the room was originally composed in cheerful, luminous colours - pale violet, yellow, scarlet, lilac and light green. The second version, painted after Van Gogh had fallen out with fellow artist Paul Gauguin and cut off a piece of his own ear, was darker and more sombre, so that the shade of violet chosen was almost blue. It is housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, where a major new exhibition is bringing together both paintings together with a smaller third copy also completed by the artist. Dr Francesca Casadio, an art conservation scientist at the Institute, whose team conducted the analysis, said: "Van Gogh had a room ready for Paul Gauguin and he had been working non-stop for weeks painting all the paintings for the walls, and when he was finished he slept for two days. Expand Close Van Gogh / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Van Gogh "So the original painting shows he was satisfied. With the original painting he wanted it to look more like a Japanese print, but with the Chicago version he was in a more sombre mood. He was in a different place by then and the new visualisation reveals that .. by that stage the colours were much more subdued. "He had been in hospital, he had cut off a piece of his ear and had fought with Paul Gauguin. They were painted a year apart between 1888 and 1889 when everything had changed. And it is reflected in the work." Over time natural chemical processes meant that the colours in the paintings altered in subtle ways, causing them to appear much more alike. Dr Casadio outlined the findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), taking place in Washington DC. Expand Close Vincent van Gogh's Still Life, Vase With Daisies and Poppies, painted weeks before his death, fetched nearly 62 million dollars at auction (Sotheby's/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Vincent van Gogh's Still Life, Vase With Daisies and Poppies, painted weeks before his death, fetched nearly 62 million dollars at auction (Sotheby's/AP) Video of the Day Describing the first painting in a letter to his brother, Van Gogh said: "I have painted the walls pale violet. The ground with checked material. The wooden bed and the chairs, yellow like fresh butter; the sheet and the pillows, lemon light green. The bedspread, scarlet coloured. The window, green. The washbasin, orangey; the tank, blue. The doors, lilac. And, that is all." The researchers were able to show conclusively which painting came first. Dr Casadio said: "We knew that the original was water damaged while Van Gogh's letters tell us that with the second painting he had some difficult with getting the layers of paint to adhere together. So we were able to use the x-ray technology to search for evidence of damage and we saw the water damage in the first painting and saw that there was evidence of adhesion problems in the second. "So we have used scientific evidence coupled with his letters to solve this problem." Some 10,000 people in Cork have been issued a 'boil water notice'. Customers of the Whitegate Regional Water Supply Scheme in Cork have been issued a 'boil water notice' by their provider on the advice of the HSE. They have been advised to boil all water intended for consumption, food preparation, teeth brushing and even to be used in making ice. Washing and toilet flushing activities can be continued as normal. Irish Water told RTE that the notice "has been imposed as a precautionary measure pending further investigation in the interest of public health". Below are the areas affected by the notice. Other areas and other water schemes in county Cork are not affected at this point. For a map of the affected area, see water.ie Affected Areas: Midleton South East, Ballynacorra, Cloyne, Aghada, Whitegate, Ballycotton, Churchstown, Trabolgan and surrounding rural areas. A US immigration lawyer hired by socialite turned property developer Gayle Killilea to help her secure an investment visa is set to serve up to nine years in jail after pleading guilty in a New York court to stealing more than $2m (1.78m) from three clients. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr said in a statement that Philip Teplen would spend three to nine years in a state prison following his admission before New York State Supreme Court to grand larceny in the first and second degrees. "For years Philip Teplen lied to his clients and stole their money for personal gain. He even had the audacity to continue this pattern of theft while his resignation [as an attorney] was pending," Mr Vance said, announcing the sentencing. In the case of Ms Killilea, Mr Teplen had already consented to what is termed a judgment by confession in April 2012, in which he acknowledged that he owed her a certain amount of money, but was incapable of paying the full amount immediately. The judgment for $83,333.34 (74,000) was entered against Mr Teplen and his law firm following an 18-month legal spat with Ms Killilea. She had sought the return of $500,000 (444,000), which she had transferred from her bank account on November 17, 2010 to the escrow account of Mr Teplen's firm as part of the process of applying for an investment visa from US immigration authorities. According to the details of last Wednesday's statement from the Manhattan District Attorney's office, Mr Teplen will serve time for stealing money from three clients. The first case involved a client who obtained a $3.5m (3.1m) loan in April 2011. Having been given power of attorney for the purposes of finalising the loan, Mr Teplen was able to direct its disbursement. Instead of using the money as directed, he stole more than $2m, which he used to pay for personal expenses, make investments and reimburse other clients he had previously stolen from. In March 2012, Mr Teplen agreed to deposit a cheque payable to another client, a Christian missionary in South Africa, for $135,000 (120,000) and to disburse the funds to her when the cheque had cleared. However, instead of providing the funds to the client, he spent more than $100,000 (89,000). In May 2014, Mr Teplen acted as attorney for the seller of a co-op apartment in Harlem, New York. Under the terms of the contract, he was obliged to hold the buyers' deposit of $69,500 (61,750) in an escrow account until the contract was completed or cancelled. Instead, he deposited the money into his business account and spent it. When the intending buyers of the apartment cancelled the contract, he was unable to return the deposit money. January is the new Lent but its unlikely theyd feel the need to give up again in February The number of people who officially pledged to go "on the dry" for Lent has hit a five-year low. Only 40 people have signed up for the Pioneer Lenten Challenge, a short-term pledge by the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association to refrain from alcohol from now until Easter, according to project co-ordinator Raymond O'Connor. The number of people taking the online pledge this year pales in comparison to 134 who signed up in 2013. While there may be more people taking the pledge locally through their local Pioneer chapters, Mr O'Connor can't explain why the uptake has seemingly been so slow. "There could be many reasons why but I'm not able to explain it," he told the Sunday Independent. The association was founded in Dublin in 1898 by Wexford priest Fr James Cullen to "address the enormous damage that he saw excess alcohol was doing in the Ireland of his times". While many people would argue that history has now repeated itself, it seems the commitment to abstinence from alcohol during Lent or throughout the year is no longer in vogue and is a far cry from the 1950s when up to one in three Irish adults were confirmed teetotal. While there is no way to gauge how many people are actively abstaining from alcohol, cigarettes, and chocolate - indulgences which many people typically forego during Lent - it doesn't appear that the Christian observance has been relegated to the dustbin quite yet, according to Brenda Drumm, a spokeswoman for the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. "There's a lot of anecdotal evidence that it's still being observed," she said. While fasting and abstinence are still observed by many Catholics during Lent, there is a new trend for people to take something up -like volunteering to feed the homeless - or giving up Facebook or other social media, she said. But Evelyn Jones, owner of The Vintry off-licence in Rathgar, south Dublin, said it was business as usual for her on Ash Wednesday, and she hasn't noticed any decline in sales during Lent. "That whole thing of Lent and sin and guilt has gone by the boards. It's only your older church-goer who would observe Lent now," she said. But what she has noticed is a new trend among mostly young people to abstain from alcohol during January for health and financial reasons. "January is the new Lent," she said. "But it's unlikely they'd feel the need to give it (alcohol) up again in February." But for the faithful who still observe Lent, the fact that Valentine's Day falls during Lent, could seemingly pose some challenges for people who want to exercise self-restraint but not forego a nice meal, a bottle of wine or champagne and chocolates to celebrate the day that's in it. The good news, according to Michael Kelly, editor of The Irish Catholic, is that because Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year, which isn't included in the 40 days of Lent, there is effectively a "get-out-of-jail-free card". "Luckily, it falls on a Sunday, so you're not obliged to keep the fast," he said. "Eat drink and be merry and get on the wagon the next day." The same goes for St Patrick's Day, which also falls during Lent. But because it's a feast day, it too is exempt, he said. Early Church leaders relaxed the rules on fasting when Lent was first observed in the fourth century due to the over-zealousness of some penitents. "So the early Church decided it was forbidden to do penance on the major feast days," he said. Question of consent: Student Union Graduate Officer Hazel Beattie at the UCD Students' Union launch last November of the year-long 'Not Asking For It' campaign to promote the conversation about sexual consent. Photo: Fergal Phillips It's one of Europe's most prestigious campuses with more than 30,000 students from throughout Ireland and beyond. Strolling through Belfield after dark, however, neuroscience student Rachel O'Neill confessed that she doesn't feel safe. Less than a year after it emerged that some male students had been ranking their female classmates by looks online, UCD was back in the spotlight this week amid reports of an alleged revenge-porn ring on campus. "With what happened last year and with this, there's definitely an uneasiness on campus," the third-year student from Kildare says. "I would feel uneasy on campus on my own. I don't like being there on my own at night." Last Wednesday, The College Tribune published an explosive article on how up to 200 male students at the Dublin university could be embroiled in a private Facebook group "in which members share and rate stories and pictures of girls they have slept with". Responding to accusations of a "toxic lad culture" at the 162-year-old college, bosses vowed to investigate the supposed Facebook group as "a matter of urgency" and appealed to students with any information to "come forward in confidence". The statement continued: "Breaches of the student code may result in sanctions up to and including expulsion from the university." As the #UCD200 went viral in recent days however, young women at the college revealed they weren't reassured. "I wasn't exactly surprised by the story," says Fiona Caverly from Blanchardstown, who's in her final year studying statistics. "It's the kind of thing I've come to expect. "What surprised me was the size of the group - the fact that around 200 lads supposedly knew that this was going on and didn't see anything wrong with it. "I don't feel like much is being done to tackle this at all really," she continued. "There's a consent campaign being run, but the people who engage in it don't seem to be the people who need it." Last month, Trinity College Dublin Students' Union controversially called for sexual consent classes to become mandatory for all first-year students from September. In the wake of this scandal at its School of Agriculture and Food Science, now UCD Students' Union (UCDSU) - which is already hosting a year-long #NotAskingForIt campaign including voluntary consent classes - has vowed to follow suit. Blasting the sharing of explicit photos online as "sexual violence", it promised: "We're not going to pass the buck. We will change 'lad' culture in UCD as promised following our election to office." Elsewhere at NUI Galway this week, two separate male and female 'Smart Consent' workshops, which took place as part of SHAG [Sexual Health And Guidance] Week 2016, were reportedly packed to capacity, but didn't expressly address revenge porn. "I attended the male workshop myself when they were piloted last year," explains Phelim Kelly, who's president of the Galway university's students' union. "[Initially] there were mixed workshops, but then a lot of people felt that it would be better to segregate both genders out. "Basically it explores the whole concept of consent and gets you to think of scenarios where you ask, 'Do you want to go further?' It really just gives the black and white [definition of consent], as in, 'Yes' is you're good to go, but the absence of a 'No' doesn't necessarily mean you're good to go. "While the workshop I attended did not specifically relate to sexting or revenge porn, by the very nature of the workshop itself, it is implied that these kind of things are not OK," he continues. "Although I can safely say that [what allegedly happened at UCD] hasn't happened here, I would be lying to say that there isn't a lad culture. "But I think it's more of a societal thing. Lad culture is everywhere - not just on campus." Back at UCD, a separate Facebook group entitled 'Girls I'd shift if I was tipsy' - which counted current UCDSU president Marcus O'Halloran among its members - previously came to light last March. Open to the public, the "lads only group", which urged users to "talk freely" about the young women on campus and has since been either deleted or made private, was also made up of agricultural science students. Over a week after the article first sent shockwaves throughout the canteen, Rachel - who commutes to college from Straffan - says female students and their male friends, oft tarred with the same brush, are still fuming. "When I first saw it I was quite angry because this kind of thing has happened before," says the 21-year-old. "People are really, really unhappy with what's happened, especially the girls on campus. "There's a general consensus that the SU hasn't done enough, or learned their lessons from last year. It's always hidden behind the words 'it's just a bit of banter' and I think people are just fed up of it at this stage. "We don't want to assume guilt before innocence, obviously, but we feel like maybe there must be something substantial behind this - I don't think the paper would have printed it otherwise." Speaking to Review, College Tribune political editor Jack Power, who wrote the article, described how his source - a female student who wished to remain anonymous - had shown him screen grabs of men confessing to being in the group on messaging app Yik Yak, but added that he had been unable to gain access to the original Facebook thread. "Essentially how it came out was with a few people chatting on Yik Yak," he says. "My source had a few screenshots of one or two of the lads claiming to be in the group. Then other people were coming forward saying they'd heard of it as well. My understanding is it's not a closed page, it's a Messenger chat group, so you can't search for it on Facebook - one of your Facebook friends has to add you in to the chat. "Obviously I had my own concerns that I didn't have access to this," adds the third-year student of history and politics. "I couldn't say, 'Here are the people involved, here's what they're doing'. "I certainly felt I had enough to bring what I had forward and say, 'There's a lot of serious allegations that this chat may very well be in existence', and that definitely has to be looked into really seriously. So that's the line we went with, anyway." Banned in the UK since last April, there have been repeated calls for the criminalisation of revenge porn in Ireland too. Currently, only existing harassment or privacy laws can be invoked in a bid to have the offending material taken down. However, a spokesperson for the Garda Press Office confirmed it had not received any official complaints in relation to the UCD case. Warning against "equating consent campaigns with lad culture", Union of Students in Ireland (USI) President Kevin O'Donoghue maintained the new classes are "not just for men", and argued for the inclusion of cybercrime issues such as revenge porn. "We don't know necessarily what happened in UCD," he says, "but we haven't seen anything like that anywhere else - not on that scale. "If it's true, obviously you'd be concerned about that kind of behaviour. When we do things like consent classes, I think that kind of stuff needs to be factored into it as well. "It's absolutely, under no circumstances, acceptable to share explicit images of anybody without their consent - and how we've managed to enter into a situation where people feel they can do that only highlights the need for consent classes." After being groped in a well-known Dublin nightclub on an official college night out, third-year neuroscience student Emma Murphy recalled how she withdrew from campus life: "For me, escaping the toxic lad culture essentially meant isolating myself from most of the people in my course because I didn't want to go to a nightclub to be physically or verbally harassed. "It's not something that's only in UCD, lad culture is prevalent throughout society - groups of men thinking it's 'a bit of banter' to degrade and sexualise women. But it's never just banter for the victims who are left feeling humiliated. "The only way to set a better example for the future is to publicly name and shame the members of this group, and expel each and every one of them, instead of excusing their behaviour." First in line for voluntary consent classes at UCD, Rachel O'Neill believes they should become mixed and mandatory for all third-level students: "Some of the guys in college have been posting stuff about how they feel like it's moronic that they might have to attend these mandatory classes. There's such a gender divide on the reaction to it. "Consent issues happen to everybody. I think you need to have classes with men and women so you can get both perspectives. If you make them single sex, it defeats the whole purpose." Responding to the backlash, the USI's Kevin O'Donoghue concluded: "People get themselves into hysterics. At the end of the day, I would rather take the risk of offending you by suggesting you should learn something, putting you in a situation where you need to know what consent is - than don't." When the canvassers come to my door, there's only one thing I want to know from them. What are they going to do for people with disabilities? Obviously, they can't answer that. It's too big. You'd nearly feel a bit sorry for them but the sound of footsteps on the stairs puts paid to that. Canvassers tend to call at children's bedtime. Children tend to want to know who is at the door. So they come down and my question to the canvasser moves from the abstract to the very, very real. What are you going to do for this small person with a disability? What are you going to do for Mary, my five-year-old with Down syndrome, who stands before you now in her pyjamas, as cute as hell and with barely a support from the State to speak of? And, for that matter, what are you going to do for her eight-year-old sister, Anna, standing beside her equally cute as hell in her pyjamas, who at this stage is Mary's only hope of real care when I'm gone? Not that I can go anywhere: get sick, get old, die. I just can't. Because I don't trust that anyone in power really gives a damn about disability. Or, to get personal, gives a damn about my child. Mary is five. She is in junior infants in the same mainstream primary school as her sister. In her obligatory pre-school psychological assessment, Mary was diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability. This meant that she was let go from the services - the state services that provide speech and occupational therapy, physiotherapy and general support - because she wasn't considered in need of them any more. She's not even eligible to attend the service's friendship clubs. Anything she wants or needs, we do it and we pay for it. She can't speak like a typical five-year-old, so she needs speech therapy. She has relatively good muscle tone, but she needs physiotherapy. That's to make sure she's walking okay and that her feet aren't too flat and that she's not building up problems for when she is an adult. She needs OT to help with writing and other skills that will help to make her a relatively independent adult who could hold down a job and not cost you so much when I'm gone. We source and pay for all of this. This is not support that Mary is given by anyone but us. Outside of school, no one is overseeing Mary. She has no key worker or a point of contact. She has us. And school, who are terrific. But their goodwill is a lucky fluke. If you run into a school with a principal who really doesn't want the hassle of "children like these" - as one said during a PFO to a kid with DS - then you're screwed. It's all down to goodwill. Because government policy is just cutback after cutback, with no real sense that people's lives are being damaged and even destroyed. The Disability Federation of Ireland is encouraging the 600,000 people affected by disability to tell their stories publicly, tell them at the door to canvassers, to make disability an election issue. Until last year, Mary's mild assessment meant that she would not have qualified for any resource teaching hours in school either. Kids with DS and a moderate or severe assessment, or DS and a hearing or sight issue, were entitled to hours. But not the mild kids. Thankfully, a long-fought campaign by parents to change this bore fruit last year and now, Mary and kids with DS and a mild assessment get two and-a-half resource hours per week. Still less than kids who are moderate, but better than nothing. I know three more 'mild' kids starting school in September. Three more cut adrift. People can't believe that when you tell them. I know two other kids with moderate assessments. Their parents have been warned that due to cutbacks there won't be much by way of outreach visits to schools or therapist appointments. Mothers of new babies with DS have started contacting me lately out of sheer desperation. Due to cutbacks, the services are no longer able to provide parents' mornings, where they could meet those in the same boat and banish the awful sense of isolation. They can't provide the key workers who made sanity-saving home visits in the first year either, because of cutbacks. I fear for some of these mothers. I would have sunk without trace if we had had no support in Mary's early years. I know you're glazing over. I know you're thinking "Here they go again." But here we go again because it's getting worse. And no one seems to have any plan to make it better. And you could live in that world. It doesn't just happen to other people. You can fall off a ladder. You can get sick. Life can just take a turn on you and suddenly you're in our ranks. And they are our ranks. I don't have a disability. But I live with disability. And there are times when I think about politicians or people who could make change but don't make change. I hope it stays fine for you. But is that what it takes? Do you have to know it, to live it, to give a damn? On Thursday night, during the TV3 leaders' debate, Enda Kenny admitted that mistakes had been made by the Fine Gael-led government in relation to health. He called the removal of discretionary medical cards from adults and children with disabilities "one we could have done without". It was a mis-step because it showed up their 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude to people with disabilities. And those people became visible, told their stories. One family went so far as to display on The Saturday Night Show their child's monthly needs in a pile of equipment and medicines. No one should have to do that in order to get what is right for their child: that is, being regarded as someone who deserves to be recognised and supported. But, you know, we have to. And that's why my five-year-old will be facing down every canvasser who comes to my door. OUT AND ABOUT: Taoiseach Enda Kenny (centre) and Minister Simon Coveney visit David Richardsons cow, sheep and tillage farm in Tullow, Co Carlow, yesterday. Photo: Barry Cronin Enda Kenny isn't home much these days. At most, the Taoiseach visits Castlebar, Co Mayo, for two half days and possibly one full day a week. Kenny's handlers tell him his time is better spent roaming the country repeating campaign slogans ad nauseam at stage-managed events rather than engaging in the hand-to-hand combat of local canvassing. Last Wednesday, this involved launching a policy in an old folks' centre in Sligo, looking at people make beer in Leitrim and rallying the troops in Maura Hopkins's constituency office in Roscommon. The Taoiseach ended the day on home turf in Ballyhaunis, where outside PJ McGarry's women's clothes shop in the town centre he delivered a speech to a group of die-hard Fine Gaelers, including his wife Fionnuala. Then it was home to Castlebar for the evening, where the Taoiseach was briefed within an inch of his life by strategists ahead of Thursday's leaders' debate on TV3. But, while Kenny is being shuttled around the country by overprotective advisers, a loyal group of hard-working supporters is pounding the pavements of Mayo in the hope of making history by returning a Fine Gael Taoiseach to office for a second term. They would like to see more of the 'boss' in his hometown, where he could defend accusations from locals that he's done nothing for Castlebar as Taoiseach. Some blame the advisers in their "Dublin bubble" who won't let the Taoiseach near "real people" but they also realise that Enda no longer belongs just to Castlebar. Fionnuala and the children, Aoibhinn, Ferdia and Naoise, take up the slack most evenings and can be regularly found knocking on doors in their hometown. "It might say something about my social life, but I really like canvassing and going out and meeting people," Mrs Kenny said as she waited for her husband to arrive in Ballyhaunis last week. Later that evening and in the absence of the Kenny clan, his election team assemble at 6pm sharp in an office that serves as campaign headquarters on the corner of Tucker St and New Antrim St in the town centre. Around 20 supporters in 'Enda Kenny'-branded high-vis jackets are told to wrap up and given their canvassing packs, which include campaign leaflets and forms on which to take complaints from constituents. Many of those in the small, makeshift office supported the Kenny brand since his father Henry was the TD, but there are also fresh faces who have been taken in by the Islandeady man's success. There is Kevin O'Malley, who is the longest serving member of 'Team Kenny', and for his troubles was given the honour of signing the Taoiseach's election's nomination papers the following morning in Castlebar. Kathleen Coady, who is the widow of the Taoiseach's close friend and former driver Liam Coady, came out of retirement from canvassing to help Kenny get a second term. But there is also Joyce O'Boyle, a young woman in her late 20s, who arrived for her first night of canvassing for Fine Gael, despite a strong tradition of Fianna Fail support in her family. Asked why she got involved in the campaign, the qualified engineer simply replies: "because of Enda". Before leaving, the crew gathers around Fine Gael's local director of elections, Brendan O'Dowd, who gives the troops their marching orders before sending them into the trenches. Brendan wants every door in each of the 130-plus housing estates in Castlebar "knocked and canvassed" by this coming Tuesday. Ger Deere, who runs the Taoiseach's constituency office, and Noreen Heston, a former councillor, bundle into Padraic Corcoran's car and head for the affluent Maryland estate on the Station Road. Ger and Noreen are both former Castlebar mayors and seasoned canvassers, while Padraic is a lifelong friend of the Kenny family. Ger knows everyone. Before he even knocks on a door people are shouting hello. Most people who answer the doors know Ger from sorting out hospital beds, garda clearance, passports or any other task that's asked of him. Ger knows the lines and delivers them well, but you get the feeling that if he has to tell many more people to 'keep the recovery' going he might crack. Noreen is equally well-liked by the locals, and her commitment to the campaign includes acting as a urinal for local dogs. "I was canvassing one house that brought me in for a cup of tea and they had a dog and then I went a few doors down and they had a massive dog, who smelled the other one, and next thing you know, he's peeing on me" she laughs. The canvass gets off to a shaky start when an older woman is asked if she'll vote Kenny number one. "I'm not very happy with him. I voted for him last time but I don't know if I will be this time," she says. She says it's "horrible" how older people and those with special needs have been stripped of supports. "A lot of that has been restored with the economy improving," Ger ventures. "I know, but why tackle the most vulnerable who can't help themselves," she asks. "Well, he inherited a broken country," Ger responds. "Oh I know he did and he has done a good job overall. I'm not against him personally," the woman says. Before leaving, Noreen asks if there is anything she would like relayed to the Taoiseach. "You can tell him he has done a lot for the country but he hasn't done a lot for Castlebar, you hear that all the time," the woman says bringing an end to the conversation. On balance, they get a good response on most doors. Teresa Waldron complains she is "sick of getting into rows" with people who say the Taoiseach hasn't delivered for Castlbar like "Michael Ring has for Westport". And Mary Kyne insists Castlebar is seeing the fruits of the recovery. "Initially, it was quite sluggish but it has taken off and the confidence is there," she says. Ger is irked that the good news doesn't filter out and is quick to tell anyone who will listen about the new IDA park. Near the end of the canvass, Noreen asks an older women if there's anything they can do for her. "I asked you to do something before and you didn't do it, but I'll let that rest in peace," the woman says. Noreen stays behind to have a quiet word with the woman, while out of ear shot Ger says "that's over abortion". "We still get a bit of that and it's an awful sensitive issue" he says. Just before 8pm, with the cold setting in, Ger says it time to wrap things up as parents are putting kids to bed. But there's one last house and he can't resist. He gives the bell a ring, waits a couple of seconds and gives it another go. A gentleman with an Australian accent barks: "Bad time guys, I've kids here," and closes the door. "What did I tell you," Ger says as Padraic pulls up in the car to bring them back to HQ. Taoiseach Enda Kenny recalled the brutal murder of journalist Veronica Guerin as he looked back at a shocking 10 days that has seen two gangland killings and threats to the lives of two reporters. Mr Kenny said he hoped there was no further bloodshed following the murders of David Byrne and Eddie Hutch and added that gardai "know what to do" to crackdown on gang crime. The last week has also seen death threats to two Independent News & Media journalists. This June marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of Ms Guerin, whose courageous reporting exposed the sinister workings of Ireland's criminal underworld. She was gunned down in her car on the outskirts of Dublin by the drug-trafficking gang led by John Gilligan. Now two of her colleagues at this media organisation have been told their lives are under threat for their reporting of today's gangland crime. Asked if he was confident of the gardai's abilities to protect the public, as well as journalists going about their jobs, Mr Kenny said: "We all recall the tragedy of the loss of Veronica Guerin," adding that the government of the day established the Criminal Assets Bureau in response to that outrage. On the current gang war, Mr Kenny said: "I believe the Garda Commissioner and her senior police officers know what to do. They've got the resources and capacity to deal with this." He added he was satisfied the Government has been "absolutely 100pc behind the Garda Commissioner". Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter said: "The sinister threats made against INM journalists and the murderous atrocities in Dublin in recent days starkly illustrate the vital importance of the role played by the Special Criminal Court. "It is crucial those engaged in such activities can be brought to justice without fear of jury intimidation. Sinn Fein's call to abolish the court should be firmly rejected. "Not only Sinn Fein but other Dail deputies, including Finian McGrath and Shane Ross have on a number of occassions in the last Dail voted against the use of the court for trials of members of criminal gangs where the DPP fears jury intimidation. Their views on this vitally important issue should be firmly rejected on polling day," he said. INM editor-in-chief Stephen Rae said the disturbing development was "an outrageous threat to the freedom of the press". He vowed that INM's reporters "will not be deterred from serving the public interest and highlighting the threat to society at large, posed by such criminals." Meanwhile, almsot 600 seasoned gardai including sergeants, inspectors and superintendents have retired in the past two years, the Sunday Independent has learned. Department of Justice figures show 572 experienced officers stepped down between 2014 and 2015. It means the Government pledge to bring in 600 recruits this year will merely replace officers already lost. Retirements include 348 gardai, 166 sergeants, 28 inspectors, 20 superintendents, eight chief superintendents, one assistant commissioner and one commissioner. With hundreds of gardai lined up for promotions and transfers to special units this year, plus a raft of further retirements, numbers on the streets are set to nosedive. John Jacob, deputy general-secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), said the force is stretched beyond its limits saying "we're stretched to breaking." Murderer Graham Dwyer has reportedly lodged five complaints to the Press Ombudsman in relation to media publications stating his height and age incorrectly. Dwyer's complaints, believed to be against five different news media publications, are based on 'damage to reputation' by incorrect reporting of his age. He is also unhappy about articles in which he's reported as being just five foot four. The Sunday World reports that the West Cork architect is 'obsessed' with coverage of him in the media and "keeps a file of articles in his cell". They report that a source said Dwyer is "very vain... obsessed with the papers getting his height wrong". Dwyer was convicted of murdering Ms O'Hara on August 22nd, 2012. Her remains were found on September 13th, 2013 and Dwyer was handed down a life sentence on March 23rd, 2015, after being found guilty by a jury. It was recently revealed that Dwyer planned to challenge his murder conviction on "twelve key grounds". He exchanged letters with a Anglo-Spanish student au pair from prison in which he claimed "I am still going and I will not rest until I am freed and my name is cleared". Read More It was reported that he has become a vegetarian and 'fitness fanatic' behind bars and wears his now-long hair in a ponytail. A senior bishop yesterday issued a stark warning about the refugee crisis, saying that displaced people given sanctuary in Ireland must respect our values, laws and traditions. The intervention by Bishop of Cork & Ross Dr John Buckley represents the first time a Catholic Church leader has highlighted what the church sees as key issues facing the electorate on February 26. Dr Buckley highlighted social exclusion, homelessness and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment, and stressed that the election and the formation of the 32nd Dail represented a pivotal moment in Irish history. He warned that the refugee crisis was now threatening to shake the very fundamentals of the European Union. "The vast majority of refugees who have experienced great hardship, violence and suffering are good and law-abiding people," he said. "The refugee crisis is one which is threatening to destabilise governments across Europe." But, in a clear reference to integration and the acceptance of western values and morals, Dr Buckley stressed there was an onus on those given support and shelter. "Refugees must respect the values, laws and traditions of the host countries," he declared. "Ireland and Europe must address this question as a matter of urgency while respecting the need to follow proper procedures and security checks." His comments came amid mounting pressure on Ireland to accept significant numbers of Syrian refugees this year as more than one million people are expected to stream into Europe from the war-torn country over the coming months. Dr Buckley stressed that Ireland has endured one of the most challenging periods in its history. "The last few years have been difficult for all sectors of Irish society," he said. "However, it is well known that the vulnerable have felt that austerity more. "There is now a clear choice emerging as to whether we want a reduction in taxes or an increase in funding for vital services, healthcare and security being just two of the topical examples." He said that issues like homelessness and lack of access to affordable housing represented a scandal for Irish society. "There is no moral justification for a lack of housing. It is an issue that demands investment. "The regional co-ordinator of the Society of St Vincent de Paul told me recently that they are dealing with a cohort of new poor, many of whom were contributors to the charity in the past." Dr Buckley also issued a stark warning about any attempt to repeal the Eighth Amendment - and he urged voters to raise the issue with canvassing politicians. "In the debate, there will be frequent references to 'fatal foetal abnormalities'. Indeed, the word 'fatal' is misleading since there is no medical evidence, none whatsoever, where a doctor can predict, with certainty, the lifespan of babies before they are born." Dr Buckley warned that some of the language surrounding the debate was very hurtful - and he said phrases like 'incompatible with life' could imply that a baby's life was worthless. "Candidates in the election should be questioned, politely but firmly, not just on their future intentions but on their past record," he said. "The Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act 2013 directly targeted the life of the unborn child and did so in the full knowledge that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings. "In the context of abortion, the church teaches that it is wrong to confuse the necessary medical treatment to save the life of a mother and which does not intend to harm the baby with abortion which deliberately takes the life of a child." Drugs kingpins at the centre of the vicious gangland feud that has caused mayhem in the capital are expected to fly in for the funeral of their murdered associate tomorrow, triggering the biggest armed security operation in Dublin since Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland. Daniel Kinahan is expected to fly in for the funeral of David Byrne, in a show of defiance that is expected to further inflame the escalating tensions between the gangs. Byrne was assassinated by gunmen disguised as gardai in the Regency Hotel last weekend. Kinahan, the son of Costa del Sol-based drugs kingpin Christy Kinahan, was the suspected target. Read More Streets leading to Byrne's family home in Raleigh Square, Crumlin, are locked down this weekend as his remains are waked by his family in advance of his funeral tomorrow. Eyewitnesses reported the extraordinary sight of children as young as 10 and 11 holding walkie talkies on the streets in the inner city. They were apparently "on lookout duty", monitoring passing cars and talking into their walkie talkies, a sign of the heightened tensions in the community amid fears of reprisals. Read More A security cordon will effectively shut down the Liberties in the south inner city tomorrow when a funeral service for Byrne, a father of two, takes place at the church of St Nicholas of Myra on Francis Street. Gardai, meanwhile, are preparing for more reprisal killings as tensions escalate between the warring gangs. In a sinister development, chilling death threats were made to journalists working for Independent News & Media. The feud between the Kinahan cartel and the Hutch gang in the north inner city has so far claimed three lives and brought armed patrols on to the streets on both sides of the Liffey. Expand Close Gardai at the shattered front door of murder victim Eddie Hutch, in the North Strand area of Dublin, Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gardai at the shattered front door of murder victim Eddie Hutch, in the North Strand area of Dublin, Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. It led to the Regency Hotel attack last Friday week. Eddie Hutch, a taxi driver who was not involved in crime, was gunned down in revenge last Monday. The armed garda presence surrounding the Byrne funeral is the biggest since the British monarch visited Ireland in May 2011 and is likely to deter any immediate trouble. However, experienced gardai in the city expect the violence to continue. Up to 12 men are now suspected of being involved in organising the gun attack on the Regency. Gardai last week said six men carried out the attack on the hotel. However, up to six other known associates of the Hutch gang have been caught on security footage either in the hotel or in the vicinity at the time of the attack. Gardai are investigating whether they were acting as scouts for the gunmen. Expand Close The body of Eddie Hutch Snr is removed from a property in Poplar Row, Dublin, this week. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The body of Eddie Hutch Snr is removed from a property in Poplar Row, Dublin, this week. Photo: PA In a further sinister development, external hackers are suspected of making two separate attempts to stop the record function in the CCTV system at the Regency the day before the attack. Read More Management said the CCTV system was interfered with on the Monday before, but security experts were brought in to repair it. On Thursday the system again stopped working when the record function was shut down. The apparent malfunction was picked up by hotel management who again called in security experts who suspected an attempt had been made to hack into the system. Gardai are investigating whether the suspected hacking attempt was a deliberate ploy by the gang to shut down security cameras in advance of the audacious gun attack carried out in broad daylight in a hotel packed with 300 people. Detectives are now satisfied that three gunmen armed with AK-47s were disguised as gardai and there is speculation that a fourth man who sat in a waiting getaway van outside the hotel was also armed and kitted out in garda riot gear. Expand Close Flowers left outside the Regency Hotel in Dublin after one man died and two others were injured following a shooting incident at the hotel where a weigh-in for a boxing match was taking place / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flowers left outside the Regency Hotel in Dublin after one man died and two others were injured following a shooting incident at the hotel where a weigh-in for a boxing match was taking place Detectives also believe that all three men in the hit squad spoke with Dublin accents, ruling out speculation that they were hired assassins flown in from abroad. A gunman dressed in drag and a man in a peaked cap who were first into the Regency have been identified as an associate of the Hutch gang from the north inner city and a Northern Irish man known to police. Expand Close Eddie Hutchs murder was in response to the attack at the Regency Hotel. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eddie Hutchs murder was in response to the attack at the Regency Hotel. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire Read More Gardai are investigating whether former republican terrorists provided logistical support or weapons. Crucial forensic evidence has been obtained from the getaway car used by four gunmen who shot Eddie Hutch dead. The gang were forced to abandon the car because of armed garda patrols, leaving behind a balaclava and fingerprints. Tensions have reached panic levels in communities north and south of the city, according to garda sources, with innocent relatives of gangland figures believing they are now in line for assassination. The murder of Eddie Hutch - who was targeted only because he was related to members of the warring Hutch gang - has "an awful lot of innocent people scared". Gardai in Dublin were yesterday painting a bleak picture of the prospects for any quick solution to the crisis. One source said: "There are lots and lots of innocent people here who are very scared. Eddie Hutch had nothing to do with any of the gangs and people know that, he was killed purely because of his name. Read More "People know it is open season on families, fathers, mothers, children. "There is a fear, you can nearly feel it on the streets, people looking over their shoulders, looking at strangers they would never have looked at before. They're really spooked and these are people who are not involved. They were never targets before, but the belief is that anyone who is related to anyone in the gangs is a target." Last night, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald vowed a major crackdown on gangland criminals which will see gardai "follow the money trail" of Irish gangs hiding out in Spain and elsewhere around the world. She said she wanted to see more resources going into the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), including additional specialists and forensic accountants as part of a renewed effort to tackle organised gangs. "The money has to be tracked down and this is about following the money," the minister told the Sunday Independent. A view of Amsterdam Noord from across the River IJ. Done the Dutch capital's Old City? Try Amsterdam Noord, says award-winning travel writer Yvonne Gordon. Set the mood Amsterdam is famous for its pretty canals, bicycles and its spring tulips. On this visit, however, I've crossed the River IJ (pronounced Eye) by free ferry to explore the city's hottest area, Amsterdam Noord. The regenerated district, which was once home to three large shipyards, now boasts a film institute, art and music studios, quirky architecture that uses the area's industrial past, and funky restaurants and hostels - all giving it a vibrant, creative atmosphere. My first port of call is the EYE Film Museum (eyefilm.nl, pictured above) on the waterfront, where you can see films and exhibitions and then enjoy coffee or cocktails on the terrace while admiring the river views. Guilty Pleasure Expand Close Restaurant Stork, Amsterdam Noord / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Restaurant Stork, Amsterdam Noord Hotel de Goudfazant (hoteldegoudfazant.nl) is a hip restaurant set in a refurbished warehouse on the River IJ. This is dining in an industrial space, so don't be surprised if there are old cars parked near your table, chandeliers hanging from rusty beams or a row of 1970s-style office chairs nestling against the crisp white tablecloth. Don't expect to rest your head after dinner either - despite the name, there are no guest rooms. The cuisine is mainly French with lots of seafood and a three-course meal comes in at 31.50. In another nearby warehouse (the former Stork factory), Cafe-Restaurant Stork (restaurantstork.nl, above) specialises in seafood with mains from around 18. Cheap kick One of the prettiest areas of Amsterdam Noord to explore by bike is Nieuwendammerdijk, a long crooked street with old wooden houses built on a dam and dating back to the 18th century. Over at the old shipyard, check out the NDSM warehouse now converted into 'Art City' with art, design and media studios for 250 artists. Nearby at the Noorderlicht - Northern Lights - cafe, (noorderlichtcafe.nl), in a transparent greenhouse-like construction, you'll find DJs and outdoor festivals during the summer months. Top tip One of Noord's landmarks, Shell's old Overhoeks tower, will open as A'DAM tower (Amsterdam Dance And Music, adamtoren.nl) this spring, with a design hotel, nightclub, offices, a 22nd-floor observation deck and revolving restaurant. Insider Intel Expand Close Clink Noord, Amsterdam / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clink Noord, Amsterdam Noord's funkiest new space is the hostel Clink Noord (clinkhostels.com, beds from 20pp). Part of a chain founded by Dublin sisters Anne and Shelly Dolan, it's a creative hub with a bar, cafe, club and events space. Dorms are en-suite, bunks have lockers and power points and there's free Wi-Fi. There are programmes for visiting musicians, artists and writers too. As an alternative, the quirky Faralda Crane Hotel (faralda.com, from 435) has three private suites set in a crane! Glitches Amsterdam Noord is regenerating. Many parts are still quite run down and the shipyard areas are not residential and are partly derelict. Take care of personal security and belongings, and avoid walking alone at night. Get me there Free ferries (gvb.nl) run day and night from behind Amsterdam Centraal station. Take the Buiksloterweg ferry for the Eye Film Institute, Clink Noord and A'DAM tower. The crossing takes around five minutes. For the NDSM shipyard, plus restaurants Pllek, IJKantine or Noorderlicht cafe, take the NDSM ferry (around 15 mins). For Hotel de Goudfazant and Stork, take the IJPlein ferry. Bike hire from Mac Bike (macbike.nl) starts from 7.50. For more, see iamsterdam.com. Premium Brendan OConnor Opinion The jig is up as Feis fixing has former winners like me reeling As the holder of the Marie Cranny Perpetual cup for Extempore and Public Speaking (Under 15s) in Feis Maitiu in, of all years, 1984, I would like to use this platform to say this feis-fixing scandal has sullied my legacy, and that of all other holders of the cup down the years (you had to give it back at the end of the year). Premium Colm McCarthy Opinion Free money is not the way to head off a crisis Managing the macro economy involves three perspectives. These are the short-term the next six months or a year; the medium-term the next four or five years; and the long-term the issues that demand to be addressed decades in advance. From the perspective of Irish governments in recent times, only the short-term merits attention, with the medium-term left to the civil service and the long-term to sporadic commissions and academic worrywarts. Premium Dan O'Brien Opinion While we catastrophise about Covid, we ignore risk of running out of cash We Irish view the world in an increasingly strange and unhealthy way. We catastrophise about Covid in a way other European countries do not. We focus on how bad the effects of the virus could get, on how many more restrictions might be imposed by Government and how helpless we are in the face of the virus. Premium Eoghan Harris Opinion Misery media fails to give due credit to the Taoiseach Taoiseach Micheal Martin must drive his advisers mad. Unlike Leo Varadkar or Donald Trump, he never bigs up success stories such as the effect of Level 3 Plus on Covid or his visionary Shared Island project. Last Friday, Tony Holohan and RTE cheerleaders seemed to imply Level 5 was responsible for the improved Covid situation. Not so. Not for nothing was Barbara Bush known as 'The Enforcer' Barbara Bush, tougher than her husband and known to her family as 'The Enforcer', is probably the most popular of all ex-US first ladies of recent times. Jackie Kennedy is remembered across the globe for elegance and tragedy, but she was not loved. Rosalynn Carter worked hard and was a noted campaigner on issues of mental health, but she has suffered in retrospect because of her bitterness at his defeat by Ronald Reagan, who is widely perceived to have been as great a success as Carter was a failure. The brittle Nancy Reagan was an essential support to her husband, but was thought to care little for anyone else. Hillary Clinton was loathed by those who thought her a careerist. The likeable Laura Bush did a lot of useful work but lacked her mother-in-law's commanding personality. And although Michelle Obama had rock-star status, that has diminished as she and her husband embrace luxury and celebrity. Betty Ford is probably the closest rival, having been far more effective and formidable than her husband Gerald, the 38th president, and still having a posthumous reputation for her prowess as a campaigner on addiction, not least because so many of the famous troop to the Betty Ford Clinic. Gangland crime, organised crime and feuding in Ireland is concentrated in two cities, Dublin and Limerick. A history lesson on the origins and escalation of this phenomenon is pointless. In both cities there are some of the most volatile and dangerous criminals in the world. They are involved in a power struggle to wipe out all opposition to maximise profits. The planning and preparation of the ruthless murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel is no surprise to me. The murder of Eddie Ryan in the Moose bar on November 12, 2000, in Limerick by the Keane/Collopy gang was a very similar crime. Two innocent women were also shot and seriously injured in that attack. The home of 'Fat' John McCarthy was riddled with an AK-47 in August 2002, an attack in which dozens of men, women and children had a narrow escape. Ross Cantillon and Roy Woodland were convicted of that crime. The firearm was supplied by the IRA. At least two other AK-47 rifles were recovered by the gardai that had been used in the feud. The Continuity IRA aligned themselves to the Ryan/McCarthy gang and the Real IRA to the Keane/Collopys. In 2001, there were three murders in a 24-hour period in Limerick city - the most infamous being that of Eric Leamy. There existed a symbiotic relationship between the godfathers of crime in Dublin and Limerick. Dougie Moran, Eamon Dunne, Brian Rattigans etc. The supply of hit men, cars, firearms and other logistical support was par for the course; threats intimidation of gardai, prison officers, state prosecutor jurors, were part and parcel of every day life in Limerick. I was appointed as the first Detective Superintendent in Limerick in March 2007. At that stage it was all-out war. As in Dublin at present, the protection of life was critical. Multiple armed units were deployed to these locations. Gardai were caught in crossfire on numerous occasions. Within a short period of time the focus on intelligence-led operations paid off with the recovery of numerous automatic firearms, resulting in the arrest and charging of gang members. This could not have been achieved without assistance from the national units. In that year, there were 103 discharges of firearms in Limerick city, compared to 127 in Dublin. On the positive side, battle- hardened detectives working to the highest ethical and professional standards, recorded conviction after conviction for murders, feuding and firearms offences. The deployment of the Regional Support Unit to Limerick in October 2008 turned the tide in favour of the gardai. The strong influence of intelligence-led operations put many of the players out of action. By December 2008, the discharge of firearms was reduced to 43 with a continuous downward trend to seven by 2012. The murders of both Shane Geoghegan and Roy Collins shocked the country, but only served to reinforce the commitment, resolve and determination of the investigation teams to bring the perpetrators to justice. The interaction with second-tier gang members, the targeting of assets, social welfare, profiling of gang members, the use of the Road Traffic Act led to key gang members receiving short-term jail sentences, which broke their momentum and cohesiveness. Overt and covert policing was used extensively. There were multiple searches practically every day leading to the constant recovery of firearms, drugs and ammunition. Rapid response to discharge -of-firearms incidents in addition to short-term-targeted operations in response to intelligence, led to multiple arrests and convictions. The seizure of houses, cars, cash and other assets by CAB began to impact on organised crime. The 2009 Criminal Justice Act enhanced gardai operations. The extra period of detention to allow the gathering and analysing of forensic evidence led to numerous convictions. The use of Section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2009, allowed the judge or jury to assess statements made by witnesses which had been changed through intimidation at a later date. The objection to bail was also one of the cornerstones of success in the battle against organised crime. There were 13 gangland convictions in the Special Criminal Court for diverse crimes, including, murder, threats to kill, demanding money with menaces, aggravated burglary and assault. The rapid arrest and charging of those involved in gangland murders, which was the hallmark of many successes in Limerick, is very difficult to achieve because of meticulous planning and preparation by the perpetrators. I see no difference in the conduct of the investigations of the murders of David Byrne, Veronica Guerin, Detective Garda McCabe and Shane Geoghegan as there was no immediate arrest in any of those cases. A prosecution file cannot be prepared by simply pressing a button; it may make take years of meticulous attention to detail. Similar tactics are used by those involved in such murders to flee the country and gradually test the water over a period of time by then returning one by one. These investigations require a resolve to never give up hope in endeavouring to turn second-tier members against the evil thugs who control them. Shane Geoghegan was murdered on the November 9, 2008. John Dundon was convicted of that murder in August 2013. His brother Wayne Dundon and Nathan Killeen were convicted of the murder of Roy Collins on July 15, 2014. Roy was murdered on April 4, 2009. The reality is that there are no fully trained and equipped operational armed units working on a 24/7 basis throughout the country to deal with organised crime, feuding factions and rural crime. In recent years, the threat of Isil requires the State to be prepared to deal with such threats. Political parties must ensure that whatever government is elected, that they continue to recruit more gardai as a matter of urgency. The creation of diverse units, from traffic corps to community policing and numerous other units, has left the core units devoid of personnel to ensure that a quality service is delivered to the public. I can say with hand on heart that all the ministers for justice from various parties visited Limerick and were most supportive of the Gardai in Limerick. Government should learn from lessons of the past that the Garda Siochana in Limerick was the Thin Blue Line that ensured normal society was rescued from the jaws of anarchy. The IRA posed such a threat in the not-too-distant past. Jim Browne served as a garda in Limerick city for over 40 years and smashed two of the most dangerous crime gangs in Europe: the McCarthy/Dundons and the Keane/Collopys. Det supt Browne retired last year. Rooney opted to continue with the interview and said that memories of his mother made him emotional Comedian Joe Rooney has opened up about his interview with Ryan Tubridy, in which he became very emotional while recalling his late mother. The comedian visited Tubridy in the RTE 2fm studios in January, where he broke down on air while delving into his struggle with mental health, including crippling panic attacks. Speaking to The Sunday Mirror Joe said: I think Im just in a weird place in my life. I have been for the last few weeks. It all just came to a head and it coincided with me being on the Ryan Tubridy Show. "I was interviews by one of his researchers a couple of times and I realised after putting the phone down... well. i didn't realise, I just sat down and cried. "So I knew going into that interview that all of that stuff was near the surface. I felt nervous. I though, 'This could happen'. It did anyway. "It feels a bit surreal. I won't listen to it back," he said. The comedian revealed that he was inundated with kind messages from the public in the aftermath of the interview. I got a lot of letters and tweets and messages from people who I think found it positive that I was open about it or open about the reasons behind why I get panic attacks, he said. During the interview with Tubridy, the Killinaskully actor opened up about his difficult relationship with his mum. She became terminally ill when he was a child, and he agreed with Tubridy that in Ireland in the 1970s things like illness were simply not discussed. Video of the Day He admitted that he said things to her which he now regrets such as: "I just can't face having a sick mother." When probed as to how he knew she was aware of his feelings, he recalled his mother's words: "You'll be glad when I'm in the grave." Rooney said his display of emotion on the airwaves today was a good thing, and commented: "I could never have cried about this in my 20s." Jay Duffy, Lisa Duffy, Keith Duffy and Mia Duffy pictured at the Keith Duffy Foundation Charity Ball at Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry to raise funds for Irish Autism Action and Finn's First Steps Charities..Picture: Brian McEvoy Keith Duffy has revealed that hed love to have more children with his wife Lisa as he fears hell be lonesome when his daughter Mia (16) leaves for university. The actor and former Boyzone star (41) said he is struggling to cope with his children growing up and flying the nest and fancies a second bout of babies. I feel I was very young the first time around, he told The Irish Mail on Sunday. I think I would enjoy fatherhood now. Every Saturday morning I would probably regret it but I like the idea of it. I am only 41 and a lot of people are only starting families at my age these days, he said. The actor has two children with his wife Lisa, Mia (16) and Jay (20). Expand Close Keith Duffy,Lisa Duffy with kids Mia Duffy and Jay Duffy pictured at Keith Duffy's Masquerade Ball in aid of Irish Autism Action and Saplings School Rathfarnham / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Keith Duffy,Lisa Duffy with kids Mia Duffy and Jay Duffy pictured at Keith Duffy's Masquerade Ball in aid of Irish Autism Action and Saplings School Rathfarnham "I have an amazing relationship with my son Jay. He is more like my best friend and Mia is flying it. Mia is very adamant about what she wants to do. She wants to go to DCU. Her nan and granddad live near there so I am thinking the day is going to come when its just me and Lisa in the house. I will miss them terribly. The actor recently opened up about his daughter Mia, who was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, and said he was immeasurably proud of her. "I never thought she'd be in mainstream school, I never thought she'd sit State exams, I never thought any of this would happen for her," he said. "Mia was non-verbal until she was seven. At the time, she was very isolated in her own world. She wasn't responding, she didn't have much eye contact, she wasn't interested in spending time with anyone," he said. Video of the Day "She spent a lot of time in her bedroom under her bed with a blanket over her head. We were quite a young family, it was so scary; we didn't know what to do." Duffy maintained that he and his wife Lisa were "lucky" as, through the help of other parents at the time of her diagnosis - which in itself was a difficult process - Mia received "the right intervention". "Most of the country at this stage knows that my little girl has autism. [But] back when she was 1 or 2 things were very, very difficult. "There weren't many services in the country. Everybody told me that early intervention was essential although I couldn't avail of any. Expand Close HAPPY DAY: Boyzone's Keith Duffy with daughter Mia in 2008 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp HAPPY DAY: Boyzone's Keith Duffy with daughter Mia in 2008 "Early diagnosis is obviously essential so you could put in place early intervention - none of this was available." Laura Whitmore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London British presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London Irish tv presenter Laura Whitmore is the first star to arrive on the BAFTAs red carpet. The Bray native (30) opted for an eye-catching blue jersey gown with a keyhole neckline ahead of her hosting duties for the BBC's You Tube channel tonight. Work clearly comes first for the presenter, who jetted in from New York yesterday after spending four days in the Big Apple for Fashion Week. She is the first famous Irish face to hit the red carpet as a record number of Irish talent are up for gongs at tonight's award ceremony, including Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Lenny Abrahamson who directed Room and Emma O'Donoghue, who wrote the screenplay. RTE star Angela Scanlon has also nabbed a prestigious presenting role for the British Academy, hosting their red carpet special on BBC Three. Expand Close Laura Whitmore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Laura Whitmore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London Stars from around the world will be descending on Covent Garden for Sunday night's ceremony, the last major film awards before the Oscars on February 28. Pope Francis kicked off his first day in Mexico yesterday with a popemobile ride past adoring crowds, launching into a day that started with tough-love speeches to the country's political and church elite and ended with a silent prayer before the Virgin of Guadalupe at the largest Marian shrine in the world. The five-day Mexico trip follows a brief but historic meeting in Havana, Cuba on Friday, when Francis embraced Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and with an exclamation of "finally," took a momentous step toward closing a nearly 1,000-year schism in Christianity. The two religious leaders signed a 30-point joint declaration of religious unity that committed their churches to overcoming their differences. Francis tweeted that the meeting was a "gift from God". Francis and Kirill also called for political leaders to act on the single most important issue of shared concern between the Catholic and Orthodox churches today: the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria, killed and driven from their homes by Isil. The suspect is believed to have attacked the women Police are hunting for a man who is believed to have sexually assaulted three women in separate attacks in Manchester city centre. The suspect, described as an Asian man aged around 30, is believed to have attacked the women, aged 19, 21 and 22, in the early hours. Police released CCTV images on Sunday of the suspect carrying a "rare" umbrella with a logo for clothing company Blacks in an appeal to identify him. The assaults took place between 1.50am and 4am in Oxford Road on January 30, in Kent Road West on February 6 and in Minshull Street on February 14. Detective Constable Steve Lowton, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "We have specially-trained officers supporting the women at this difficult time. "People will be understandably concerned about what happened and I want to assure you that we are doing all we can to find the man responsible. "We do believe the same man is responsible for the three incidents. In the first incident the man was carrying an umbrella that is about nine years old and quite rare. "If you know someone who has the umbrella in the photos and you recognise the description of the man, please get in touch with police." Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3221 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A man and a woman have been charged with slavery offences after a 28-year-old woman was found being held in domestic servitude, police said. Greater Manchester Police said officers attended an address in Bamford, Rochdale, on Thursday and arrested a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of slavery, servitude and forced labour offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Minu Chopra and Sanjeev Chopra, both 47, and of Cranbourne Road, Rochdale, have been charged with holding a person in slavery or servitude between July 31 2015 and February 11 2016, intentionally arranging or facilitating entry into the UK of a person with a view to their exploitation, and knowingly holding another person in slavery or servitude between January 1 2011 and July 31 2015. The alleged victim was removed from the address and is being cared for by partner agencies, police added. Minu Chopra appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody. Her next appearance will be at Manchester Minshull St Crown Court on March 11. Sanjeev Chopra was arrested on Saturday and has been remanded into custody to appear before Bury and Rochdale Magistrates' Court on Monday. Russia's prime minister yesterday accused the West of rekindling the Cold War, telling a meeting of top defence officials, diplomats and national leaders that sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea and new moves by the Nato alliance "only aggravate" tensions. Dmitry Medvedev said Russian President Vladimir Putin told the same Munich Security Conference in 2007 that the West's building of a missile defense system risked restarting the Cold War, and that now "the picture is more grim; the developments since 2007 have been worse than anticipated". "Nato's policies related to Russia remain unfriendly and opaque - one could go so far as to say we have slid back to a new Cold War," he said. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg threw the blame back at Moscow. "Russia's rhetoric, posture and exercises of its nuclear forces are aimed at intimidating its neighbours, undermining trust and stability in Europe," he said. President Dalia Grybauskaite of Russia's neighbour Lithuania said Moscow "is demonstrating open military aggression in Ukraine, open military aggression in Syria." "It's nothing about cold," she said. "It is already very hot." This does seem to be the case. Lamberto Zannier, who heads the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which monitors the situation in eastern Ukraine, said the situation had "become difficult again". "We see a multiplication of incidents, violations of the ceasefire," he told journalists at the Munich Security Conference. "We've seen cases of redeployment of heavy armaments closer to the contact line. . . and multiple rocket launchers, artillery being used," he said, referring to the heavy weaponry that is meant to be removed under the Minsk deal. Medvedev, also speaking in Munich, accused Kiev of trying to shift the blame onto Moscow for the continued shelling in the industrial regions of eastern Ukraine now under rebel control. "The Minsk agreements have to be observed by everyone. But we believe that it's first and foremost up to the Kiev authorities to do that," he said. The West says it has satellite images, videos and other evidence to show Russia is providing weapons to the rebels and that Moscow has troops engaged in the conflict that erupted following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014. Nato's Supreme Allied Commander General Philip Breedlove said Russia had the power to "dial up and down" the conflict as it wished to put pressure on the government in Kiev. Russia denies such accusations. Extended at the end of last year, the Minsk peace deal signed by Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany aims to give Ukraine back control of its border with Russia, see all heavy weapons withdrawn, return hostages and allow an internationally monitored local election in the east. Zannier said the vote could not happen until there was a ceasefire and even then it would be difficult to do by mid-year because international observers need to be in place. Medvedev said Ukraine, not Russia, was in breach of the Minsk deal because Kiev was yet to change Ukraine's constitution to grant special status to eastern Ukraine. Russia wants an amnesty for mainly Russian-speaking people in the east who seized government buildings during the upheaval of early 2014, when pro-European protesters toppled Russia-backed President Viktor Yanukovich. "Without this amnesty, these people won't be able to participate in the elections," Medvedev said. Kiev's Western backers acknowledge the government of President Petro Poroshenko must speed up reforms, especially those tied to its US$10bn International Monetary Fund bailout, but say Russia must respect Ukraine's sovereignty. "Neither the people of Ukraine nor their partners in the international community believe they have done enough," US Secretary of State John Kerry said. The Munich Security Conference - an annual meeting - is one known for frank talk among top officials, and participants this year include the aforementioned John Kerry, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond, and many others. Speaking after Medvedev, Kerry fired back that Europe and the United States would continue to "stand up to Russia's repeated aggression" and noted that in addition to a joint focus on Ukraine, Washington had quadrupled spending to help European security. That will allow the US to maintain a division's worth of equipment in Europe and an additional combat brigade in central and eastern Europe. "Those who claim our trans-Atlantic partnership is unravelling - or those who hope it might unravel - could not be more wrong," Kerry said. Medvedev's comments came shortly after Stoltenberg told the group that in response to a "more assertive Russia. . . which is destabilising the European security order," the alliance does "not want a new Cold War but at the same time our response has to be firm." Stoltenberg stressed the need for dialogue, but also defended Nato's move to strengthen defenses, including moving more troops and equipment to countries bordering Russia, and said at an upcoming summer summit in Warsaw he expected member countries "to decide to further strengthen the alliance's defense and deterrence." He underlined that Nato's deterrent also included nuclear weapons, saying "no one should think that nuclear weapons can be used as part of a conventional conflict - it would change the nature of any conflict fundamentally." Medvedev scoffed at what he said was a suggestion that Russia may use nuclear weapons in a first strike. "Sometimes I wonder if it's 2016 or if we live in 1962," he said, referring to the year of the Cuban missile crisis. He called for sanctions on Russia imposed after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 to be lifted, saying they were "a road that leads nowhere." Earlier in the day, Medvedev suggested the West would harm itself if it did not lift the sanctions soon. "The longer the sanctions continue, chances for the Europeans to keep their position at the Russian market as investors and suppliers are fading," said the Russian. "That's why one has to act quickly." Kerry said if Russia wants an end to sanctions, it has the "simple choice" to fully implement the Minsk peace accord agreed upon last year. "Russia can prove by its actions that it will respect Ukraine's sovereignty, just as it insists on respect for its own," he said. Russia and the US also clashed over how to carry out a day-old cease-fire plan for Syria, underscoring the tenuous level of trust between the two powers as Kerry said peace efforts are at a pivotal stage. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that the US is reneging on the agreement and put the chances of success at less than 50pc. John Kerry, addressing the meeting separately, demanded an end to Russian bombing of groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "This is a hinge point in the conflict," Kerry told the conference. "We hope that this week can become a week of change. It is critical for all of us to take advantage of this moment to make this cessation of hostilities work. "The Syrians who have rejected Assad have endured four years of shelling, barrel bombs, gas, Scud missiles, chemical attacks, torture," Kerry added. "They may be pushed back here or there, but they are not going to surrender." All major outside powers in Syria's five-year-old war - the US, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran - on Friday backed a truce that's set to start on February 19, with airdrops of humanitarian aid to begin as soon as this weekend. Lavrov said that their agreement would fail unless there's constant military coordination between Russia and the US in Syria. "If we have a practical goal of a cease-fire, then without cooperation between our militaries, it won't lead to anything," he said. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko blasted Russia's actions in both Ukraine and Syria, saying they are "a demonstration that we live in a completely different universe with Russia." He said that the main danger to Europeans now is an "alternative Europe with alternative values" such as isolation, intolerance and disrespect of human rights. Poroshenko added: "This alternative Europe has its own leader. His name is Mr Putin." A tired Pope Francis is helped while navigating steps at the end of Mass at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City (AP) Pope Francis dons a Mexican charro style sombrero that given to him by a person in the crowd, in Mexico City's main square, the Zocalo (AP) Pope Francis waves to people lining the route as he heads for the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City (AP) Pope Francis urged Mexicans to shun the devil and resist the temptations of wealth and corruption on Sunday as he celebrated an open-air Mass for hundreds of thousands of people in a drug- and violence-riddled city on the outskirts of Mexico's capital. "Let us get it into our heads: With the devil, there is no dialogue," he said at the biggest scheduled event of his five-day visit to Mexico. Francis brought a message of encouragement on the second full day of his trip to residents of Ecatepec, a poverty-stricken Mexico City suburb of some 1.6 million people where drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women, are a fact of life. "He's coming to Ecatepec because we need him here," said Ignacia Godinez, a 56-year-old housewife. "Kidnappings, robberies and drugs have all increased, and he is bringing comfort. His message will reach those who need it so that people know we, the good people, outnumber the bad." In a clear reference to the drug lords who hold sway in the city's sprawling expanses of cinderblock slums, Francis focused his homily on the danger posed by the devil. "Only the power of the word of God can defeat him," the pope said. In a final prayer, he urged Mexicans to make their country into a land of opportunity, not a place where young people are "destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death". Some 300,000 tickets were handed out for the Mass, the Mexican bishops' conference said. The faithful lined the pope's motorcade route to the huge field where the Mass took place, tossing flower petals as he passed by and cheering with pom-poms in the yellow and white of the Vatican flag. Vendors sold T-shirts, plates with Francis' image on them, pins, bandanas and cardboard-cutout figures of the pope. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in gangland violence since President Enrique Pena Nieto's predecessor launched an offensive against drug cartels shortly after taking office in late 2006. At least 1,554 women have vanished in Mexico State since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide, and last year the government issued an alert over the killings of women in Ecatepec and other parts of the state. Nevertheless, women who came to see Francis said they felt safe, thanks in part to the huge security presence. The government assigned more than 10,000 police, soldiers and members of the presidential guard to protect the motorcade and Mass. "I'm protected by my faith and the joy of seeing the pope up close," said Graciela Elizalde, 35, who arrived at the field Saturday evening and spent the night on the street, "and the thugs know that we the good people have come out to take the streets." She added: "The pope is not going to change things, but at least he will touch the hearts of those who do harm and are trying to destroy the country. He is the 'messenger of peace' because that's exactly what Mexico needs, not just Ecatepec." Conchita Tellez, 65, from the border city of Mexicali, expressed hope that Francis can help ease the troubled soul of the country. "The pope comes to Mexico at a very ugly moment," Ms Tellez said, "and he comes to pray for us and for all those who lost hope and have submerged the country in blood and violence." Francis' gruelling schedule seemed to be taking a toll on him on Saturday, when the 79-year-old pontiff appeared to nod off at an evening Mass and also lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him. He appeared much livelier on Sunday, beaming and waving at the crowds along his route. Francis' schedule Sunday included three popemobile motorcades and a visit to a paediatric hospital. "The poor and the working people are here, and this pope prefers to talk to the humble," 62-year-old Petra Arqueta said. Republican White House hopefuls have called for US president Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice Republican White House hopefuls have called for US president Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, following the death of ultra-conservative judge Antonin Scalia. Only Jeb Bush said Mr Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination", but added that he did not expect Mr Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage in the debate in Greenville, South Carolina, urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to (Senate majority leader) Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," billionaire businessman Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier Republican events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge right-wingers Mr Trump and Ted Cruz. Many Republican leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton told a dinner in Denver, Colorado, that Mr Obama had the right to nominate another justice. He "is president of the United States until January 20 2017. That is a fact my friends, whether the Republicans like it or not," she said. "Let's get on with it," said left-wing challenger Bernie Sanders, arguing that the Senate should vote on whoever Mr Obama nominated. Mr Trump and Mr Bush tangled in some of the night's most biting exchanges, highlighting the bad blood between the property mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Mr Trump accused Mr Bush's brother, former president George Bush, of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Mr Trump said. Mr Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Mr Trump, said that while he did not mind him criticising him - "It's blood sport for him" - he was "sick and tired of him going after my family". Mr Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. George Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston on Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Candidates used Mr Scalia's sudden death to raise the stakes for the general election. Mr Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. An uncompromising conservative, Texas senator Mr Cruz urged voters to consider who among the Republican candidates would nominate the most ideologically pure justices. Saturday's debate comes a week before South Carolina's primary. Mr Cruz and Mr Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Ohio governor John Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his Republican-led legislature. Mr Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. Mr Bush played the aggressor again, saying that Mr Kasich's actions amounted to "expanding Obamacare" - a deeply unpopular concept among Republicans. Earlier Vermont senator Mr Sanders used unusually blunt words to express frustration with Mrs Clinton, a former US secretary of state. "I am really stunned by some of the attacks we are getting from Secretary Clinton," he said. "Clearly they have been unravelled by the results in Iowa, by our victory in New Hampshire and the progress we are making all over this country." SHARE By Mike Ellis of the Independent Mail There are four people in South Carolina whose samples are being tested for the Zika virus. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in the state and 11 samples have already come back negative, said Robert Yanity, a spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects, is not a threat in South Carolina, according to the latest information from infectious disease experts in the state and with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those tested in the state for the virus have come from various regions, Yanity said. Authorities are monitoring for symptoms and suspicious infections but the disease remains a danger almost exclusively for pregnant women who have traveled to one of the 30 countries, clustered in South America from Mexico to Brazil, where the disease has spread, said Dr. Joseph Halliday, an infectious disease specialist for AnMed Health. "It is primary affecting pregnant women who traveled in the affected areas." The virus is spread principally by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected person and then bitten another person. There is evidence that the disease can be sexually transmitted from a man carrying the virus but infection from mosquito remains the primary way it is spread, according to the CDC. It's unlikely to spread in South Carolina at the moment because no one in the state is known to have the disease, Halliday said. Until that changes, there are few people who are at risk for the disease, he said. The symptoms are generally mild and only one in five people infected with the virus becomes ill. Their symptoms will show up as fever, rashes, joint pain, red eyes, headaches or muscle pain. Many of the symptoms of Zika mirror those of other illnesses, including flu as well as dengue and Chikungunya, two diseases that are spread by the same type of mosquito that carries Zika. Halliday said he would not recommend testing for Zika unless someone has traveled to one of the affected countries or has had intimate contact with someone who has been to one of the affected countries. People whose health care providers find reason for concern can be given a test that was not commonly available until recently. South Carolina health officials began testing their own samples, rather than sending them to a national lab, late last week, Yanity said."There is no immediate public health concern for people who have not traveled to the transmission areas," Halliday said. "On the whole, most people don't have to worry, it is mostly a travel-related disease." Follow Mike Ellis on Twitter @MikeEllis_AIM SHARE SEFTON IPOCK/INDEPENDENT MAIL Mary Ann Bryan and her husband, Jim, laugh at a dinner theater production of Love Letters at Tuckers Restaurant in Anderson. The Valentines Day event was put on by the Electric City Playhouse. SEFTON IPOCK/INDEPENDENT MAIL People gather for a dinner theater production of Love Letters. By Nikie Mayo of the Independent Mail Dozens of couples filled Tucker's restaurant Saturday night before a special, almost-Valentine's Day performance of the play "Love Letters." Some of them shared their love stories, offering details that could have filled love letters of their own. Mary Ann and Jim Bryan, who retired in Anderson, met in the 1950s. They were juniors at Mendota High School, about 80 miles west of Chicago. He worked in a grocery store then, and she did a lot of the shopping for her family because her mother was sick. "I started going in there almost every day so that I could flirt with him," Mary Ann Bryan said, laughing. "I would ask him for advice, and we became friends." Her husband smiled at her. "We became best friends, and we still are," he said in the Anderson restaurant. "She is a great friend, a great wife and a great mother." Mary Ann patted him on the shoulder. "I still love everything about him," she said. "It's wonderful if you start with friendship first." The Bryans have been married for 55 years and have two children and six grandchildren. They still make each other laugh. At a table nearby, Billy and Darlene Morgan confessed that they didn't exactly experience love at first sight. They met at the mall in Anderson more than a quarter-century ago. "It was the place to hang out back then," she said. She didn't notice her future husband at first. "She was more interested in talking to my friend," Billy said. She nodded sheepishly, laughing about it now. "I soon found out that his friend was just flirty," Darlene said. "He seemed more stable. We had more to talk about, and we had really good conversation. That was it for me." The Morgans still live in Anderson. They have been married for 25 years and have three children. Near the front of the banquet room, Jeanine and Doug Douglas said they were excited to see "Love Letters" performed by local actors Jane Gray Sullivan and Stuart Adamo of Electric City Playhouse. "We love those two," Jeanine said. "It's so wonderful to have theater in Anderson." The Douglases first met at work in Ohio in 1981. They went their separate ways for a while, but always stayed in touch. Doug admitted he needed a nudge to ask her to marry him. "We were on safari in South Africa in the 1990s," he said. "This elephant started chasing our vehicle, and we were all frightened. We all said some choice words at the time, but we made it out fine. I realized that I could have lost her." He proposed in South Africa, and they have been married since 1997. "I needed some help from an elephant," Doug Douglas said. "And it worked out great." Follow Nikie Mayo on Twitter @NikieMayo Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh attends the National Seminar and Assam Krishi Unnayan Mela 2016 at Guwahati today. During the occasion, Radha Mohan Singh said that Assam and rest of the North Eastern states have abundant natural resources, congenial climatic conditions and large population of educated youth which makes the region suitable to trigger Indias second Green Revolution. He also said that comparative advantages of the region in producing fruits, vegetables and other horticulture products can be tapped by setting up small-scale processing units for the local market which will also boost rural employment. Radha Mohan Singh said that the countrys farmers can be benefitted only when the new agricultural technologies are utilized by them at the field level. Our Prime Minister clearly told that the countrys development is not possible until our village and farmers are not developed, he added. The text of the Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singhs address on the occasion is as follows: The north-eastern region occupies eight percent of India's land area and is home to four percent of its population. Agriculture provides livelihood to 70% of the regions population. In Mizoram, around 51% of population lives in rural areas and is dependent on agriculture. The figure in Sikkim is as high as 89%. However, the pattern of agricultural growth has remained uneven across the region. The states continue to be net importers of food grains for their own consumption. However, over the last decade, the demand-supply gap of food grains in the north-eastern region had narrowed down. The region has low proportion of irrigated area and investment in building irrigation capacity has been insufficient. The Farmer brothers and sisters it is clear that Assam and rest of the North Eastern states have abundant natural resources, congenial climatic conditions, large population of educated youth makes the region suitable to trigger Indias second Green Revolution. Comparative advantages of the region in producing fruits, vegetables and other horticulture products can be tapped by setting up small-scale processing units for the local market which will also boost rural employment. As stated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Bhai Modi, the North-East should focus on a second green revolution through organic farming. Assam is predominantly an agricultural state and over 75% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Paddy is the most important food crop grown in the state. Cash crops like tea, jute, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, potato etc. contribute considerable acreage. Among the horticultural crops produced in the state, orange, banana, pineapple, areca nut, coconut, guava, mango, jackfruit, and citrus are the important ones. The state has an estimated 39.44 lakh hectares of gross cropped area, of which net sown area is about 27.01 lakh hectares. Area under pulses and Oilseeds are 1.05 and 2.26 lakh hectare respectively, rice area covered by HYV are 63% of total rice area. Consumption of chemical fertilizers and Organic Manure are 63.2 and 73 kg per hectare. Similarly, Consumption of Chemical Pesticides and Bio- Pesticides are 39 and 6 g per hectare. But it is surprising that, our Prime Minister has started the Traditional Agricultural development Scheme for the promotion of organic farming and given Rs. 5.76 crore to the Assam state. That money is also not utilized by the state government, whereas, previously no money were allotted for such a scheme. In addition, for the promotion of organic farming in the North Eastern states Central Government has sanctioned Rs. 100 crore, unfortunately the state government is not able to utilize it. The countrys population is increasing, but the agricultural land is not increasing. Modi Government has decided that the 14 crore farmers who is having the land should be issued a soil health card so that, they can know what disease they have in the field and accordingly how much pesticides and fertilizers can be used. For this, Assam Govt. has been allotted Rs. 1.33 crore for the management of soil health card in the state, till now that money also unspent by the state government. For the irrigation of the rainfed area, the fund has been allotted and unfortunately the state government is not able to utilize it. Few days back I came to Guwahati and said the in the year 1994-95, Government of India has sanctioned Rs. 1300 lakh for the Dairy Development Project in the 10 districts of Assam State. In the year, 2004-05 again Rs. 910 Lakh has been issued by the Central Government, but from that also Rs. 300 lakh has been siphoned. No report of that scam was given by the state government to the centre and what happen to that money and culprit, nobody knows. The loss is obviously to the people of Assam. There is no dairy development in the state. Countrys farmers can be benefitted only when the new agricultural technologies are utilized by them at the field level. Our Prime Minister clearly told that the countrys development is not possible until our village and farmers are not developed. The countrys development is possible only when our North East will develop, for that, our Prime Minister has decided to open New Delhi based I.A.R.I. at Assam. For the land of this institute, letter has already been given to the state government. Government has shown four places and the officials of the institute have selected one place, and for that also, the state government is demanding Rs. 1.60 lakh per bigha. It is surprising that, the institute will benefit the farmers of the region. Normally, the state government is providing the land free of cost, dont know, the state government is strengthening the farmers or own family. Modi Government is committed to bring the second green revolution in the North East. The headquarter (ATARI) of all the North Eastern KVKs are at Umiam, which include 25 KVKs of Assam also. The KVKs in Assam have significant achievements. The KVKs of the Assam conducted 3736 on farm trials and demonstrations under different thematic areas of crops and livestock enterprises during 2014-15 under close supervision and guidance of ICAR-ATARI, Zone-III. Apart from that, the KVKs of Assam have conducted 1020 hectare of oil seeds and 425 hectare of pulses in the year 2015-16. As many as 65174 numbers of farmers and extension personnel in the Assam state were imparted training programmes on different areas of crops, livestock enterprises, fisheries and home science. During the year 2014-15, the KVKs in Assam produced 598.69 tonnes of quality seeds, 4.04 lakh of planting materials and 2.02 lakh livestock (piglets, poultry chicks etc) and fish fingerlings. KVKs in Assam were successful in soil sample analysis and supply of 6577 Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to farmers during the current year (2015-16) and soil testing kit has been made available to 17 districts for soil testing. In this year, ICAR allocated Rs. 26 crore for the presently functioning 25 KVKs in Assam. KVK Karbianglong under Assam Agricultural University was conferred merits of recognition for implementating government sponsored new programme ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture) with financial support of Rs 1 crore for sustainable self-employment and income security of the unemployed youth of the district. Some of the special programmes for KVKs of Assam such as; E-connectivity for the KVKs-Cachar, Kamrup, Lakhimpur and Sibsagar, Soil & Water Testing Labs for KVK Barpeta and Dibrugarh, Rain Water Harvesting for KVK Karbianglong, Minimal Processing Facilities for KVKs Karbianglong and Sonitpur , Portable Carb Hatchery for KVKs- Dubri, Hailkandi, Jorhat and Nagaon, Integrated Farming System for KVKs- Chirang, Kokrajhar and Udalguri, Technology Information Unit for KVKs- Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur Mini Seed Processing for KVKs-Cachar and Nalbari were implemented under 12th five year plan;. As Delhi's Jawarlal Nehru University (JNU) continues to be on the boil following the controversy over anti-national slogans and protest, it seems like Delhi police is cracking down on people who are not in any way related to the university. Indian Express Police on Saturday detained seven students for allegedly trying to enter a cultural programme venue. While police claimed that four of them were planning a protest outside the venue, the three others had nothing to do with the protest. They also said one of them, a DU student, was carrying a flag of SFI, the students wing of CPIM. Zee News The four students who were alleged of planning a protest however said they were part of theatre group called Sangwari and that they were detained because they looked like JNU students who were carrying jholas and sporting long beards. Facebook They said police picked them up while they were on-route for a performance in CP. The students were taken to the Parliament Police Station, where they were questioned and later let off in batches. One comment about intolerance and India and Bollywood's Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan was caught in a series of controversies. He received a lot of backlashes and it was after SRK gave his piece of mind on intolerance that many started calling them both anti-nationals! Even when Shah Rukh Khan cleared his stand that he never called India intolerant, it could not control the damage. People didnt spare either of the two Khans and both are still paying the price of exercising the freedom of speech and expression. A few days ago, shooting of SRKs Raees was disrupted in Bhuj. Today morning, some unknown miscreants attacked SRKs car in Ahmedabad. Sources claim that SRK wasnt present in the car at the moment and no arrests have been made as yet. Reuters In a series of tweets by Asian News International, here is what happened: Unknown persons pelted stones at Shahrukh Khan's car in Ahmedabad in early morning hrs. Actor wasn't present in his car at time of incident. ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 Actor Shahrukh Khan is shooting for his upcoming film 'Raees' in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 (Story to be updated) Ok, we all know Russia is a bit different. They do what they want to do, they say what they want to say and they takeover whatever they feel like taking over. But this one's absurd even by Russian standards. Photograph: TASS / Barcroft Media The Guardian has reported that Russian prosecutors are considering the 'positive' media coverage of the friendship between a goal and a tiger at an East Russian zoo as part of gay propaganda. Alexei Krestyanov, a lawyer from Novosibirsk, complained to Russia's prosecutor general last month that information about the animals living together could harm children by provoking interest in non-traditional sexual relations. I think the positive coverage of this topic is nothing less than interference in the personal lives of minors, which is what hidden propaganda is, and public, active imposition of homosexuality, " he had written. Worse, the procecutor's office has begun it's investigations into the complaints. The tiger (named Amur) and goat (named Timur) became international news when Timur took over Amur's enclosure. Timur was initially sent into the enclosure as live feed but soon became friends with the Siberian predator. Timur was only harmed once when he arrogantly tried to headbutt Amur and was injured by his pal but not fatally. Among a plethora of innovation marvels at the Make in India Week, commencing this evening at the Bandra Kurla Complex, is a six-seater aircraft entirely assembled in a three-BHK flat in Charkop, Kandivali in the suburb of Mumbai. Mumbai Mirror That the product is no fly-by-night enterprise is certified by none other than the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has given the plane the display space alongside some of its own flying machines at Narendra Modi's pet event that is hoping to earn investment to the tune of Rs 4.6 lakh crore. The plane's maker is Amol Yadav, a 40-year-old deputy chief pilot with Jet Airways, whose obsession with aircraft began in school, found wings during a year-long flying training course in the US, and materialised piece-bypiece over a period of six years in his home in Sukant Society, which he shares with 19 of his family members. Mumbai Mirror "The terrace attached to our flat is spread over 1,600 sq ft, and has been my workshop. I have been living on the terrace for the last six years," he said. Yadav, an alumni of Patkar College in Goregaon, was inspired to try his hand at assembling planes after he saw flying enthusiasts in the US purchasing phased-out planes and turning them into customised six or 12-seater flying machines. A Suresh Kumar "I went to the US for training in 1995, and saw a lot of people in the US, middleclass families, assembling used planes to create customised flying machines. I was inspired to do the same in India, and the more I struggled, the more I got obsessed with singlehandedly assembling a plane right here in my home," he said. Egged on by a supportive family, Yadav has created a plane that can soar up to 13,000 ft at 1,500 ft per minute, and cover a distance of 2,000 km at the top speed of 185 nautical miles per hour. Twitter He didn't want to reveal the exact amount spent on building the plane, but conceded that it cost him a "few crores". "I started building this plane in 2009, and finished work only a few months ago. The plane can accommodate five passengers, and weighs 1,450 kg," Yadav said. Like all aircraft, Yadav's plane is made of aluminium. It measures 10-fteight-inches in height, and was put together under the guidance of Air Marshal Murali Sundaram, and an advisory panel of the IIT-B professors, under the banner of Thrust Aircraft Company, a firm launched by Yadav. He has applied to the aviation regulator DGCA for permissions to test the aircraft - named TAC 003 - but is yet to hear from them. Apart from the lack of space and paucity of funds, Yadav had to learn to ignore doubters: the so-called wellwishers and friends who ridiculed him for attempting to build a plane in a congested house. "A few of them thought I had lost my mind. I would only talk about planes. They thought I was crazy to be attempting to build one at home," he said. The struggle could have easily turned bitter. His first effort, in 1998, and the subsequent one in 2001, didn't yield the desired results. "I'm working to build a plane for the last 17 years, considering I started assembling my first plane in 1998. Searching for equipment, arranging the money, and the sheer toil... I have lost count of the sleepless nights," he said. The biggest challenge was the procurement of the basics: the engine and the navigation system. The family raised money by selling off ancestral jewellery to import the customised piston engine from the US. It is a 350-horse power engine manufactured by Proformance Unlimited, and Yadav's plane falls in the category of the single-engine land air plane (which means it cannot fly over water). Twitter He also had to import the navigational suite which is an advanced touch-screen navigation technology - from America. "I dream of playing a part in setting up the Indian domestic air connectivity on the lines of America and Europe. After nearly seven decades of Independence, why are we still not able to build aircraft?" Yadav asked. He is betting big on Make in India Week, hoping to attract investors. "I'm confident of creating custom-made aircraft. With some backing, I could revolutionise the Indian aviation history," he said. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is not known for his funny side. But some people out there felt that he was funny! The Guardian So they made an entire "Kimunji" series featuring Kim, his father, grandfather, as well as missiles and atomic blasts. kimunji US-based web designer Ben Gillin, who designed Kimunji said it was to mock the "terrible" Kimoji, featuring Kim Kardashian. The content is pretty crass, I dont even want to mention some of the images that are on there, said the American designer of the Kimunji set, Ben Gillin, 32, referring to Kimoji. Lots of kids look up to the Kardashians. As far as I gather, most of the people using these are under the age of 20, he said. Kimoji which has more than 500 icons of her was released last year was pretty popular and is in second place in the United States paid app chart on iTunes. iTunes The BBC quoting Gillin said he hoped it got people talking about North Korea. "Kim Jong-un is obviously a terrible person, but in some respects what the Kimoji app is doing to society is also terrible," he said. "The icons are based on the 'news or fears that we have' about North Korea", he added. You can try the Kimunji here. Follow us on katrina speaks up on her late night drive with salman khan New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's love life has always been a centre of attraction for everyone. The actor has been linked with several actresses so far be it Aishwarya Rai or Katrina Kaif. While the Bajrangi Bhaijaan' actor currently claims to be single, he still holds a soft corner for all the exes and present ladies in his life. Probably, this is the reason that his growing proximity with his ex-flame is bagging a lot of attention these days. We are talking about Katrina Kaif. Ever since the actress has called it quits with beau Ranbir, she is more often spotted with Salman. Not just Katrina visited Salman soon after breaking up with Ranbir; she even went on to promote her movie on Bigg Boss' after a gap of five years. On the other hand, the Kick' actor too is seen going gaga over Kat's charm and also promoted Fitoor' for her. And as per the recent buzz, Salman and Katrina even went on for a late night drive as well. Sounds romantic! While, this increasing closeness is raising many eyebrows, the Phantom' actress has decided to clear the air about this. As per the media reports, Katrina's spokesperson has vehemently rubbished the rumours of the late night drive. The reports that have been floating are baseless and untrue. Wish the media would stop fabricating these stories, Katrina's spokesperson was reported saying. Currently, Salman Khan is busy shooting for his forthcoming movie Sultan', opposite Anushka Sharma, which is expected to hit the screens on Eid this year. Latest Bollywood News Follow us on gujarat ats arrests man wanted for waging war against country Gujarat: Gujarat ATS on Saturday arrested a man from Rajasthan, wanted for allegedly providing shelter to a person, accused of killing a policeman in 2002, and also helping him obtain fake passport for travel to Pakistan, where the latter acquired terrorist training. The arrested person was identified as Mohammad Salim, who had been absconding since 2002. He was accused of waging war against the country. "Mohammad Salim was arrested from Rajasthan's Tonk town by our team in the 2002 case of waging war against the country," an ATS statement said. Salim had given shelter to one Samirkhan Pathan in Rajasthan, after the latter murdered a police constable in Gujarat to avenge the 2002 riots, the statement added. "Salim had helped Pathan in preparing false documents, on the basis of which a fake passport was prepared by Pathan to travel to Pakistan. Pathan had obtained terror training in Pakistan and returned to India," it added. It said that police had earlier arrested 13 people in the case and Salim was arrested from Tonk on the basis of information. Salim will be handed over to Ahmedabad city crime branch, which is investigating the case. Latest India News Follow us on david headley s wife associate refuse to answer nia questions New Delhi: The US-based wife of American-born Lashkar-e-Taibaterrorist David Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and his business partner have "refused" to answer questions posed by NIA, citing a privacy clause. The agency had approached Shazia, Headley's wife, and Raymond Sanders, his busines partner, through the US Department of Justice, for helping it get answers to some of the questions related to the 55-year-old terrorist, undergoing a prison term of 35 years in an American jail, for his role in plotting the terror strikes in Mumbai and Denmark. Official sources said both of them "refused" to answer any questions, citing a "privacy" clause. As per the US law, since neither of them is an accused in the case, they can accept or deny requests for examination by a foreign law enforcement agency. The investigators had approached them as they feel Headley had stonewalled information about his family and that they had knowledge of his activities in India and his links with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. According to the 106-page dossier of the NIA, Headley had told the Indian investigators that they should not ask him any questions pertaining to his immediate family. The dossier was prepared after the detailed questioning of Headley in the US in 2010. "I got married to Shazia Gilani in Pakistan in the year 1999...I do not want to discuss the details of my in-law's family as they have nothing to do with my activities," Headley is quoted as having said in the dossier. Further stonewalling information about his immediate family, especially his first wife, Headley told the NIA team that "my request would be not to ask questions relating to my immediate family members." According to the Chicago court records, Shazia watched on TV the terror strikes unfold in Mumbai and used code words like "I am watching cartoons" to describe the 26/11 strikes. "I've been watching these cartoons (attacks) all day and I am proud of you," Shazia wrote in an email to Headley during the strikes. In her congratulatory message, she also said how proud she was at his graduation (success of attacks). This was stated by Headley on May 27, 2011, the fourth day of the trial of co-accused Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Rana. He told Defence Attorney Patrick W Belgan that after the Mumbai attacks began many people congratulated him, besides Shazia, who was even aware of his plans for Denmark attacks and had booked plane tickets for him from Denmark to Frankfurt to Dubai and Pakistan. Sanders, who owns First World Immigration Service in Chicago's Devon Avenue, is believed to have helped Headley in securing a multiple-entry visa to India and setting up an immigration centre in Mumbai. Headley along with Rana had submitted business sponsor letter from the Immigrant Law Center owned by Sanders, a US national. However, the plan failed as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected an application by Headley seeking clearance to open a business account in June 2007. Interestingly, Sanders who had earlier assisted Headley in getting an Indian visa, also helped him in completing the formalities with regard to RBI, but the central bank rejected the application on June 1, 2007. The NIA wanted to know about his knowledge of Headley's association with LeT and whether he was aware that the name of his group was being used as a front to route terror funds to India, the sources said. Headley, whose original name was Daood Gilani, has two half-brothers Hamza and Daanyal Gilani both of them officers in the Pakistan Government. Headley had told NIA in 2010 that "Daanyal was also posted as the information officer in the then Prime Minister (Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's) office and my father worked in the Pakistan Broadcasting Department. He had gone to the US on deputation to Voice of America." Sources close to the investigation said Headley's father Sayed Salim Gilani, a Pakistani diplomat and former Director General of Radio Pakistan, traced his ancestry to the same Gilani family to which the then Prime minister belongs. Latest India News Follow us on how much lower can juvenile trial age go down to actress nandita das New Delhi: Actress and social activist Nandita Das says there is need to re-examine the lowering of age for juveniles accused of heinous crimes to be tried under laws for adults. "I fully support your very valid concern. Because how much lower in age can you go? You have to define it. One aberration should not make the law," she said responding to a question posed to her on the second day at the Gymkhana Literature Festival here, that began on February 12. The Juvenile Justice Act, which allows children above 16years of age to be tried as adults if they are accused of heinous crimes like gangrape, murder and acid attack, came into force recently. The December 16, 2012, gangrape had provided the immediate impetus for the legislation. The actor was in conversation with lawyer Vandana Shah and feminist-publisher Urvashi Butalia, discussing changes in society with regard to women. Shah, who had worked on the amendment to the Juvenile Justice Bill, said, "16 years to 18 years may be a crucialage. There is a psychological board in the Juvenile Justice Board which assesses the psychological profile of a person and then decides whether he can be tried as an adult or not. "The Juvenile Justice Act...is not changing the narrative in a major way but it is giving support to people," she said. The lawyer, who has created a support group for divorcees said to be the biggest in the country, referred to the matter of allegations of sexual misconduct against RK Pachauri of The Energy and Resources Institute and said it is an indication of changed times. "I fairly believe that women are speaking up. If something like a Pachuri case would have come up a few years ago, the women would have been told to keep quiet because such things happen," Shah said Latest India News Follow us on jnu afzal guru row kejriwal orders magisterial probe New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday ordered a magisterial probe into the ongoing row over Afzal Guru event where anti-India slogans were allegedly shouted by a group of students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University here, an incident that lead to the arrest of students' union leader Kanhaiya Kumar. The move comes after a delegation comprising CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D Raja, JD(U) MP K C Tyagi and other leaders met Kejriwal, demanding a magisterial probe to establish the "authenticity" of evidence produced against Kumar, who was arrested on sedition charge in connection with an event organised on the campus against the hanging of Afzal Guru. Kumar, JNUSU President, was arrested yesterday, a move that invited criticism from the opposition parties. "There are claims that JNU student leaders shouted anti-India slogans and counter claims that ABVP activists did it. To find truth, Delhi govt is directing DM to conduct an enquiry (sic)," the Delhi Chief Minister tweeted. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was using the Delhi Police to "terrorise" everyone. "Modi ji wants to terrorise everyone by using police," Kejriwal said. In a tweet, he said, "No anti-national activity should be tolerated under any circumstances. Those who did it must be identified and punished" (sic). The AAP also alleged that RSS's student wing ABVP was involved in the "conspiracy". "AAP condemns the way Delhi Police is using dictatorial measures to harass students and professors of the JNU. During the entire episode some facts have come to the light that ABVP is behind this conspiracy," the party said. Following the arrest of Kumar, a delegation comprising Yechury, Raja and Tyagi termed the on-going developments at the JNU as a "political conspiracy" by Centre to "terrorise" the students, "reminding of days of Emergency". (with PTI inputs) Latest India News Follow us on david headley revelations did rahul bhatt save mumbai from another 26/11 like attack Mumbai: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and al-Qaida were convinced that 26/11 attack masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhavi would face only "superficial" action from the Pakistani authorities and within months plans were afoot for another terror strike in India, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley said on Saturday. Headley, who is serving a 35-year jail term in the US in connection with the 26/11 case, said this before a special court in Mumbai via video link from the US during his deposition which concluded on Saturday. The 55-year-old Lashkar-e-Taiba operative told Special Judge G A Sanap that after the attacks in Mumbai he was concerned about the safety of Saeed and Lakhvi and hence was in constant touch with LeT operative Sajid Mir, who was his handler, and Al-Qaeda member Abdul Rehman Pasha (former LeT cadre). "FIA (Federal Investigating Agency of Pakistan) was conducting investigations, interrogating people and pursuing people from LeT. Hence I asked Mir about 'old uncle' (Saeed) and 'young uncle' (Lakhvi). Mir, in his reply, said that young uncle is fine and flying high. I think by this Mir meant that Lakhvi's morale was high even though he was in prison at that time," Headley said. Mir also said that "old uncle is fit and healthy like anything. Don't put ears to rumours, he is moving back and forth like a tornado for his business and he (Mir) gave solace," Headley said. Responding to one of his mails, Pasha had written, "don't worry everything here is normal. By this Pasha meant that I need not worry (about Saeed and Lakhvi) as the action against them and other LeT members are superficial," said Headley while informing the court that all the emails had coded language. Giving further details about anti-India activities, Headley said eight months after the Mumbai strike, Mir had sent an e-mail to him saying that another location needs to be scouted in India for future attacks. "Mir in his mail has said an 'investment plan' needs to be made (meaning another location for attack). I told Mir that this time the attack should not be in 'Rahul (Bhatt's) City'. I referred to Mumbai as Rahul City," he said. Rahul Bhatt, a fitness trainer and son of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, was among the people who were befriended by Headley during his visits to Mumbai prior to the attacks.Headley, who had scouted the November 2008 targets in Mumbai, said he had visited Pushkar, Goa and Pune in March 2009 and recced the cities as sought by Ilyas Kashmiri of al-Qaida. He also visited the Indian Army's Southern Command headquarters at Pune in 2009 on the instructions of ISI's Major Iqbal, who wanted him to recruit some military personnel to get "classified" information, Headley revealed. After the deposition which began on Monday, the court adjourned the case for cross-examination by accused and key 26/11 plotter Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal's lawyer for a future date. Latest India News Follow us on militants killed in kupwara were foreigners belonged to let Srinagar: The five militants killed in an encounter yesterday in Kupwara district of north Kashmir were all foreigners and belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, the army said today. "The weapons and other equipment we recovered from them (imply) they were from Lashkar (e-Toiba)," General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua, told reporters here. The army commander was addressing media after paying floral tributes to the two jawans who were also killed in the encounter. However, it is being ascertained whether the group of militants had infiltrated recently, the GOC said. "Whether it was a new group or not, that is being ascertained. Once the analysis of the equipment takes place, only then we will be able to tell," he said. The force is getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, the army commander said. "We are getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area and we launch the operations along with other security forces on that basis," he said. Replying to queries, he said there was hardlly any presence of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir as of now. "JeM's top leader Adil Pathan was eliminated in November last year. Since then there is no presence of JeM in the Valley. Perhaps one or two (militants) in north Kashmir. "JeM tried attacks twice last year in Tangdhar. But they were eliminated on both the occasions," he said. Five militants were killed in an encounter which began on Friday in Zonreshi Village, Chowkibal of Kupwara district. Two army soldiers also lost their lives. The encounter followed a search operation launched by the army after it received information about presence of some terrorists there. Four army personnel including a Major, who were injured in the operation, are undergoing treatment in a military hospital in Drugmulla, the army said. Latest India News Follow us on a 32 year old woman from madhya pradesh s sidhi district cut off her brother in law s penis while he was attem Bhopal: A 32 year old woman from Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district cut off her brother-in-law's penis while he was attempting to rape her and took it to a police station as evidence. Accompanied by her three children, the woman went to a police station in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh in central India, claiming it was the only way she could protect herself from rape., the Times of India reported. By the time Police attempted to send medical support to the man,he had committed suicide. His body was reportedly found hanging from a mango tree near their house. He allegedly committed suicide because of humiliation, town inspector Churhat Arti Chourate told the Hindustan Times. Now a new twist has emerged in the story, initial probe suggests she had an intimate relationship with her brother-in-law for a couple of months. FSL team also recovered hair from the spot. "Five months ago, she disappeared from her home and returned only after a missing persons complaint was lodged by her husband. Her brother-in-law too had attempted suicide by consuming poison a couple of days ago. Both cases are on record, said police. Police officers are trying to connect the dots to find motive behind this incident. "There was an iron rod in the room which she could have used to attack the man instead of picking up the sickle. So one thing is clear she had a plot to chop his genitals," Station house officer (SHO) of Churhat police station Aarti Charate told Times of India Latest India News Follow us on jaitley hits back at manmohan asks him to be non partisan New Delhi: Tearing into former prime minister Manmohan Singh's criticism of NDA government, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the transition from UPA to NDA government has been from 'policy-paralysis' to a global 'bright-spot'. Slamming the Congress for stalling the crucial GST Bill in Parliament, he said the party's stand on the reform has been motivated by 'real politics'. In a Facebook post titled 'What Dr. Manmohan Singh should advise his Party', Jaitley said unlike in the UPA regime when policies were framed from Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, in the NDA government Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the last word. "Former Presidents and Prime Ministers rarely speak, but when they do, the nation should listen to them with rapt attention. They represent the wisdom of the nation. They are expected to be non-partisan, render constructive advice and at times send a powerful message even to their own political party to act in broader national interest," he said. Stating that he had consistently held Singh in high respect, he expected the same from him. Referring to Singh's interview to a periodical over Modi not reaching out to the opposition and government not doing enough to move up the country's economy, he said, "I am sure if Dr Singh would dispassionately analyse the present government, he would really realize India has a government where the Prime Minister has the last word, where natural resources are allocated without corruption through transparent process..." "... where industrialists no longer visit North Block to push files/decisions, where environmental clearances are dealt with in routine and not stalled on sadistic or corrupt considerations," he said. Posing a question if there was any change in the work culture, the Finance Minister said the public sector banks were hardly run by their own Boards or even by North Block during the UPA government. "They were run from 24, Akbar Road. In power and infrastructure areas, sectoral challenges were not addressed during the UPA. It is the present government which is clearing up these accumulated challenges," he said. Jaitley said many stalled infrastructure projects have now started moving. "India's journey is from 'policy-paralysis' to a global 'bright-spot', as the fastest growing economy moves on notwithstanding major challenges." On consultations with the opposition, he said almost all political parties except the Congress, support the GST. "The Congress has done a volte face. Both the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and myself have discussed the GST with every senior Congress leader in Parliament," he said. He asked if the Congress' position on "Constitutional cap" on GST rates not "motivated by real politics?" "The economist in Dr Singh should advice his party that tariffs are not provided for in the Constitution. This is what nation expects from the senior leaders and statesmen like former Prime Ministers," he added. With PTI Inputs Follow us on india summons us envoy richard verma over f 16 sale to pakistan Washington/New Delhi: The US has decided to sell eight F-16 combat jets to Pakistan to "support (its) counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations", prompting India to summon American ambassador Richard Verma to lodge its strong protest against the move. Verma was summoned after India reacted strongly to the US decision taken on Friday. "We are disappointed at the decision of the (Barack) Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan," the external affairs ministry said in a statement in New Delhi. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism. The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," it added. The Obama administration on Friday approved the sale of eight F-16 Block-52 aircraft to Pakistan worth $699 million in the face of US lawmakers' opposition to the deal over Islamabad's alleged support for terrorist groups The US State Department has approved the sale, the Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said as it notified US Congress of the possible sale. "We support the proposed sale of eight F-16s to Pakistan, which we view as the right platform in support of Pakistan's counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations," a US government officialcited by DefenseNews said. "These operations reduce the ability of militants to use Pakistani territory as a safe haven for terrorism and a base of support for the insurgency in Afghanistan, which is in the national interests of both Pakistan and the USt, and in the interest of the region more broadly." The official, DefenseNews said, confirmed that there had been Congressional objections to the sale, but said that contrary to recent "erroneous reports", "concerns were raised in regard to financing the sale, not the transfer itself." According to the DSCA's statement, the proposed sale will "facilitate operations in all-weather, non-daylight environments, provide a self-defence/area suppression capability, and enhance Pakistan's ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations." According to the DSCA, Pakistan is not expected to have difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its air force. The sale is also meant to increase the number of aircraft available to the Pakistan Air Force to sustain operations, meet monthly training requirements and support transition training for pilots new to the Block-52. The pending sale to Pakistan includes: eight F-16 Block-52 aircraft - two C and six D and models with the F100-PW-229 increased performance engine; 14 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems; eight AN/APG-68(V)9 radars; and eight ALQ-211(V)9 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suit. The approval of the sale came days after Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker wrote a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry objecting to subsidised sale of up to eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. Citing Islamabad's relationship with the Haqqani network, an extremist group that has a history of destabilising Afghanistan, Corker in a February 9 letter to Kerry notified the Obama administration of his intention to block the F-16 deal. "After years of pressuring the Pakistanis on this point, the Haqqani terrorists still enjoy freedom of movement, and possibly even support from the Pakistani government," he wrote. "This is highly problematic given the Haqqanis' clear involvement in killing the very Afghan army and police we have worked for years to train," Corker added Follow us on anti nationals suppressing voice of students rahul gandhi at jnu New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today visited the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus today to extend his support to agitations against the arrest of student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition. Rahul was shown black flags upon his arrival by ABVP members. Slogans of 'Rahul, go back' could also be heard at the venue of the programme in the JNU campus. Speaking amid protests, Rahul targetted the government saying terming those who were suppressing the voice of JNU students as anti-national. "What is anti-national? Most anti-national people are those suppressing the voice of students in JNU. A youngster expressed himself and the government says he is an anti-national," he said. Rahul also invoked the suicide of Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad. "I was in Hyderabad a few days back and these same people or their leaders said that Rohith Vemula was an anti-national," said Rahul. Extending support to the students protesting against the arrest of Kanhaiya, Rahul asked the students not to allow the government to bully them. "They do not understand that by crushing you they are making you stronger," he said. Rahul also took note of the protests against him upon his arrival at the varsity's campus. "People who showed black flags on my face, I feel proud that in my country they have the right to show a black flag in front of my face," Rahul said. A row erupted over the commemoration of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's death anniversary in the JNU campus. Anti-national slogans were also shouted in the varsity's campus. The JNU administration ordered a "disciplinary" enquiry into the matter saying any talk about country's disintegration cannot be "national". The University also said that the event was organised despite cancellation of permission. The uproar following the event and the subsequent arrest of the student leader has turned JNU into a platform for political mudslinging. Rahul is present in the campus along with senior party leaders like Anand Sharma and Ajay Maken. Senior Left leader Sitaram Yechury is also present at the campus. Leaders from Left parties and JDU earlier met Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the arrest of the student leader. Rajnath has told the leaders that no innocent would be arrested. However, the government has also made it clear that those involved in anti-national sloganeering in the varsity campus will not be spared. The matter has also turned into a major war of words between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also told the government today that the arrest of student leader Kanhaiya would lead to disastrous consequences. Follow us on jnu event row anand sharma attacked in jnu by abvp goons says cong New Delhi: Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma was today allegedly attacked by unknown assailants while participating in a protest meet held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) against the police crackdown in the campus on Friday. According to eyewitnesses, Sharma was struck repeatedly on his ear by an assailant, leading to profuse bleeding. Congress sources said that he was attacked with a blade-like object which injured his ears, following which he was rushed home where a doctor provided him first aid. The Congress was quick to attack the BJP for the incident. "Today is a black day for India's democracy where Anand Sharma was publicly attacked by government protected ABVP goons in JNU campus," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said. How can Deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha be attacked by ABVP goons without protection of Delhi police on JNU campus? How can he (Anand Sharma) be attacked by a razor sharp weapon causing him injury?" he asked. The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) soon issued a statement condemning the attack, and alleged that it was an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist who assaulted the former union minister. The senior Congress leader had gone to the JNU campus to meet the protesting students who have been agitating against the arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case for allegedly raising "anti-India" slogans during an event on the campus. JNUSU denies allegations that any of its members raised any such slogans. Prior to the incident, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi addressed the students criticising the police crackdown. In a dig at the ruling BJP, Rahul said that those who were stifling the voices of students were anti-nationals, and not a student who was only trying to express his anguish. Apart from Gandhi, party's Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who is himself a former JNUSU leader, Communist Party of India national secretary D. Raja, Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist leader Kavita Krishnan and other senior leaders also visited JNU on Saturday and joined the protest. Around 2,000 people including students, teachers and others gathered in front of administration block of the campus protesting against the arrest of JNUSU president. ABVP, the student wing of the RSS, also staged a counter-protest, shouting slogans including "Rahul Gandhi go back." Meanwhile JNU student union declared strike in university from Monday. (With IANS inputs) Follow us on pm modi inaugurates bombay art society pitches for promotion of art Mumbai: Noting that art transcends time, race and religious barriers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for bringing art closer to the common man and using it to spread social messages on issues like 'Swachch India' as it has more appeal than spoken words. He said art should not remain restricted to the walls of rich people but become the strength of the society. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new building of the Bombay Art Society in suburban Bandra, he said empty space at railway platforms can be used to allow budding artists to display their skills. This, he said can also be used to spread social messages. "Art", Modi said, "has better appeal than speeches". He said any art on the issue of sanitation and cleanliness will have more appeal than speeches made by people. He also called for developing 'digital version' of creative works so that future generations can understand the process by which a piece of art is created. "When we say art, A stands for ageless, R stands for Race, Region and religionless and T stands for Timeless... Art is ageless, religionless and timeless", Modi said. He said art should not be dependent on the State for support and funding, but on the other hand it should be honoured by the State. "Last time I spoke in my Mann ki Baat programme thatartists are giving their time and through their artworks, are changing the whole ambience of railway stations in thecountry. "This is not a government scheme and neither any budget allocated for that. But, artists have taken it upon themselves and it is having such a good effect. More than giving speech on 'Swacch Bharat' it better to create art works that would inspire people keep India clean," Modi said. He said to suit the coming generations, artworks should be developed using the digital hybrid world. "For example, when an work was created, how did the thought first come to artist's mind? How did it then materialise on paper or canvas over a period of time. A 3-4 minute digital version of the whole process. When any person sees the artwork, he should also see a digital version of the process with musical effects," he said. Modi said today a person with the knowledge of arts needs to be present to make the viewer understand it. "To change this, digital world can be used. I want people associated with software and IT world to take interest in this and give a new power to artists," Modi said. Emphasising on the need to cultivate the taste for art at a young age, he said the excursions planned by schools should include visit to art galleries. "I suggest to schools that when they make annual tourprogrammes, at least once a year they should make a programme of viewing an art gallery. Similarly, I have also told the Railway department, to make an art gallery on railway platforms. That way, artists from the area will also get a place to showcase their works," Modi said. Underlining the importance of art, Modi said temples are an example of this. "There, you see gods and art together," he said. Urging parents to allow their children express freely through art, he said often mothers ask their children to recite a rhyme to guests. "But there are a very few mothers who ask their children to show the drawing they have made...," he said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar were also present on the occasion Follow us on rahul gandhi is insulting our nation by supporting anti nationals bjp New Delhi: Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi for addressing a student's meet organised to protest against the police crackdown on the JNU campus and the arrest of the students' union president in a sedition case, the BJP today accused the Congress vice president of supporting "anti-national" forces. "A handful of people gather and raise slogans like 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Bharat ki barbadi tak, jang rahegi jang rahegi'. This is not any ideology. It is anti-national and Rahul Gandhi had gone to support them," BJP national secretary Srikant Sharma told IANS. "This is an insult to our nation and our martyrs. He insulted our Constitution and the judicial system," he added. Describing Gandhi's visit to the Jawaharlal Nehru University as unfortunate, the BJP leader asked him not to make educational institutions a hub of politics. "This shows the bankruptcy of the Congress, that they went to support anti-national activities of a handful of people. The BJP condemns it," Sharma said. "When anti-India slogans were raised, these people (Congress) were demanding action and when the government took action, they are staging protests. This is unfortunate," he added. Follow us on with eye on punjab varanasi set for another modi kejriwal rendezvous New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are set to share the same stage in the former's Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi. Prime Minister Modi and the Delhi Chief Minister will both be in Varanasi on February 22 on the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti. Confirming the Prime Minister's visit, Union Minister Vijay Sampla said Modi has been invited to attend the celebrations, which he will after his visit to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on the occasion of its 100th Foundation Day. According to Sampla, the Prime Minister will also be addressing Ravidasiyas near Ravidas temple in Seer Govardhanpur area. On the other hand, PM Modi's bete noire Kejriwal is also set to attend the same celebration. The confirmation on Kejriwal's visit came from Aam Adami Party's (AAP) east Uttar Pradesh convener Sanjiv Singh. Singh, however, said that though he is yet to receive a detailed programme from the party on Kejriwal's visit, the Delhi CM will be present in the city on February 22. "Arvind Kejriwal is visiting Varanasi on Ravidas Jayanti to offer prayer at Ravidas temple. But a detailed programme of his entire schedule is yet to be received," he said. Kejriwal's visit, his first after the general elections, is significant because more than 1 lakh Ravidasiya Sikhs from Punjab will flock to the city to offer prayers at the Ravidas temple. The AAP is focusing on Punjab ahead of the assembly polls in the state. The Kejriwal-led party also plans to contest the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls and is vying for the support of Dalit voters much like its political adversaries. The celebrations of the birth anniversary of Dalit saint Ravidas is expected to see the attendance of more than 5 lakh followers, which make for a significant share of votes. In many ways, the clash of the visits of both leaders for the same celebrations is being pegged as a rerun of the Lok Sabha polls which saw a bitter battle between the two. The two leaders had contested the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 from Varanasi with Narendra Modi emerging victorious. It has been 40 years since the assassination of General Muritala Mohammed. It is in remembering him that INFORMATION NIGERIA has put together these 12 things you should know about him. 1. Muhammed was born Murtala Rufai Muhammed but he changed his name from Rufai to Ramat when he became Head of State 2. He was born on a Tuesday, the 8th of November, 1938 in the Kurawa Quarters of Kano State to Risqua Muhammed and Uwani Ramatu, he had 7 siblings (one girl and seven boys) and he was the second child. 3. He was a student of the late Odumegwu Ojukwu in 1959 at the Regular Officers Special Training School , ROSTS (Teshie, Ghana), now Ghana Military Academy where he was taught as a 2nd Lieutenant infantry tactics and military laws 4. Both Murtala later faced his teacher Ojukwu in a bloody duel in the Nigerian Civil War. 5. His Yoruba wife (with partly Fulani roots), Mrs. Hafsat Ajoke Muhammed said they met in 1961 while she was studying at the School of Dental Hygiene in Lagos. He proposed to her and they got married in Kaduna in 1963 after her studies with the union producing 6 children. 6. He was a mastermind of the 1966 coup and he wanted the post of the supreme commander of the Nigerian armed force for himself even when Gowon was his senior in the Military. 7. Murtalas challenges during the war happened shortly after, as he attempted to cross the River Niger to Biafra. Despite the recommendation of his superiors at Army Headquarters in Lagos that he waits for the bridge, which had been blown up by the retreating Biafran forces, to be rebuilt, he insisted on a riverine crossing. Twice he was beaten back, but he steadfastly kept resolve and finally made it through on his third attempt. Shortly after this, Muhammed fed up with reprimands from Army headquarter, decided to quit his command and left for an extended holiday in the United Kingdom, but not before threatening to resign his commission. His historic military feats during the war won him National acclaim and respect even from his adversaries. 8. Few days before he was killed, on the 3rd of February 1976, he made an announcement that the Federal Capital would be moved to a federal territory of about 8,000 square kilometers in the central part of the country Abuja. 9. He introduced the phrases Fellow Nigerians and with immediate effect to the national lexicon. 10. He set up a panel headed by Justice Ayo Irikefe on the creation of seven more states (Niger, Bauchi, Gongola, Benue, Ogun, Imo and Bendel) to the 12 existing ones on 22nd December, 1975. 11. While planning a coup against his own Commander-in-Chief, Gowon, Murtala, then a brigadier, went to Muhammed D Yusufu, who was Gowons Chief Security Officer (CSO) and told him pointblank that there was a plan for a coup and he could go and reveal it to anyone he liked. That was not Murtalas first time of announcing a coup in such a blunt manner. He did the same in July 1966 before Aguiyi-Ironsis government collapsed. 12. Murtala Muhammed was killed, aged 37, along with his Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Lieutenant Akintunde Akinsehinwa in his black Mercedes Benz saloon car on, February 13, 1976 in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt. Col Buka Suka Dimka, when his car was ambushed while en route his office at Dodan Baracks Lagos. The only visible sign of protection was a pistol carried by his orderly, therefore making his assassination an easy task. Governor Ayodele Fayose who has been on a rampage attack President Muhammadu Buharis administration since its inception recently said that his administration has no clue about how to run the countrys economy. Fayose had said that the All Progressives Congress- led federal government was still acting as if it is still in the opposition. The Governor made this known while speaking on The Osasu Show posted on YouTube on Friday. INFORMATION NIGERIA has reviewed the video and has brought you the interesting things Fayose noted about Buharis government Buharis administration makes too much noise about corruption and what its done to the country. Fayose said his first counsel to the Federal Government is that they should stop the noise about corruption. The Federal Government should face the nations economy and build it. The government needs to be sincere about the economy than playing to the gallery. He said Buhari wants to diversify and hes taking more than N150 billion to explore oil in the North; that shows a leader that is sectional. Fayose said when we want to diversify we diversify the countrys economy and not an economy that is sectional. Buharis war against terrorism is selective. Fayose however said, every war against corruption is welcome by me but in the situation whereby it is selective, political, it will be counterproductive. Cases like Halliburton is in the public domain, we cannot shy away from it. Fayose pointed out that President Buhari is a dictator, adding that Buhari and the APC are operating as if they are still in opposition because they dont have a clue on what to do to the economy. Buhari according to Fayoses prediction is still in an analogue stage. He does not have a clue about the economy of Nigeria. The President does not understand economy. He can do everything simultaneously without rocking the boat of the whole country. Fayose said Buhari goes out of the country and tells the world and investors that the country is corrupt. He destroys his own people; who will come and do business with them? the governor asked. Do you agree??? President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the virtues of Hajiya Fati Koko, popularly called Maitalla Tara, who passed away at 95. The president, who mourned the late Hajiya Koko, described her as a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions, and gave sacrificially. The deceased came to national reckoning when she waited nine hours in Kebbi early last year to donate N1 million to Mr. Buhari, who was then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She had offered virtually her lifes savings to the then presidential candidate saying she admired his honesty, discipline, and stand for truth. Receiving the news of her passage, President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commended Hayiya Kokos conviction and sacrificial giving. He also urged Nigerians to learn vital lessons from her life. She gave practically all she had towards our campaign. Though well advanced in age, she still believed a new Nigeria was possible, and followed her conviction with action. What generosity of spirit and what tenacious faith in her motherland. Nigerians, old and young, have a lot to learn from her, the president said. He condoled with the family and relations of the departed, urging them to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to a ripe old age, and she saw the beginning of the change she had long yearned for. The onus is now on all of us to ensure that the change gets entrenched and solidified for even generations yet unborn to benefit from, he said. President Buhari also sympathized with the governor and people of Kebbi State, whom he said will all miss the sterling qualities of Hajiya Koko, but added that the life of the departed will serve as a standard to emulate in the service of God, humanity and country. May Allah grant her soul repose in Al-jannah, the President prayed. Jonathan Cheban, whose claim to fame so far has been his close association with the Kardashians, is starting a new venture a school that educates rich kids on the nuances of leading a wealthy lifestyle. At the International School of New York, where Cheban will serve as the Dean of Pop Culture, students will be groomed in subjects that arent covered in regular schools right from identifying different types of caviar, to choosing leather seats for private jets. So basically, the kind of stuff that will help them become bigger, better snobs. Cheban believes this is essential learning that needs to be imparted to every child that comes from a wealthy household. This is the social stuff you need to know to survive in a city like this with a lot of money, he said, speaking to New You. If you are buying a diamond you need to know the clarity and if you are buying a private jet you need to know the different leathers and seats. I am developing the entire pop culture program for this school here in the Trump Tower. Other lessons will include private aviation, social media management, economic lessons and other fundamental undergrad and grad classes. The curriculum will be designed by Cheban himself, based on his knowledge of an upper-class lifestyle. The school is actually quite similar to his other venture, The Dishh, a lifestyle company that he started because people were constantly looking to me for advice on where to go, what to eat. via Oddity Central. Tears flowed freely inside the Ekiti State Judiciary premises on Friday as a Chief Magistrates Court remanded 16 students of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti in prison custody for their roles in the mayhem that rocked the institution last Sunday. They are being prosecuted for attempted robbery, arson and burglary allegedly committed during the riot that occurred on the campus of the private university. They were accused of attempting to rob a branch of Wema Bank located inside the campus, setting houses of ABUAD security staff members ablaze and burglary of a boutique belonging to the wife of the universitys founder, Mrs. Modupe Babalola. Parents of the remanded students broke down and wept profusely as their children were being marched into a Toyota pick-up van belonging to the state command of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) heading for the Federal Prisons, Ado Ekiti. The affected students are to remain in prison custody pending an advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The mother of the only female student among the accused persons amid sobs asserted the innocence of her daughter who was said to be in her final year at the university. A distraught mother of one of the embattled students lamented saying: I have been fasting and praying, why is my child implicated in this case? I have struggled to give him the best education, I didnt know this is where it would take him. My child is innocent oh! Reprieve, however came the way of six of the accused persons as Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye, dropped charges against them for the same offences consequent upon an application by the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu. The six were among those earlier granted N300,000 bail on a six-count charge of rioting, possession of firearms and malicious damage. Chief Magistrate Adegboye adjourned the case to Tuesday next week for further hearing calling on the Ministry of Justice to speed up legal advice in order to dispose of the matter as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the alumni association of the university has condemned the riot that rocked the institution leading to destruction of property worth millions of naira. The association warned against misinformation on the social media denying that no student was shot, raped or died during the protest. The body praised the universitys founder, Aare Afe Babalola, for resisting the temptation to close down the university as a result of the crisis. Addressing a briefing on the campus on Thursday, President of ABUAD Alumni Association, Tope Sobajo, called on all stakeholders to join hands with the authorities to get to the root of the crisis. She urged parents, students and members of the public to desist from making spurious, inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims urging anybody needing any clarifications to contact the authorities and the police. Source: Ekiti Online Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, has expressed optimism that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will soon prosecute persons who looted the states treasury. Lalong, who fielded questions from journalists in Abuja at the weekend, said the ongoing corruption investigations had led to the arrest of some suspects. The governor, who was asked to speak on the state of the anti-corruption war in his state, added that the Plateau Government had sent several cases to the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He added that the states Accountant-General was invited by the EFCC last Thursday to give evidence on some of the ongoing investigations. We formed a transition committee which came out and told the Plateau people about their findings. We have submitted some of our reports to the EFCC and also commissioned a reputable accounting firm, KPMG to help in auditing the state. At the appropriate time, when the results are out, you will see the outcome. Recently, we recovered about 2.7 billion in the state, money that was regarded as lost. We traced and recovered the money which was meant for teachers. Teachers, civil servants, the judiciary have gone on several months of strike, some nine, some 11 but now, since I came on board, we having been doing our best. We now have arrears of salaries of only two months. For teachers, we paid all, they are back to work. The judiciary is also back to work. So, in Plateau, we are moving well. But in the area of corruption, we are putting pressure on the EFCC to hasten their investigations so that they can begin prosecution and we can also gain recovery of looted funds, Lalong said. The governor, who was at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last Thursday to follow-up on the remaining funds, promised to settle the outstanding two months salary of state workers, having settled local government workers. Gov. Lalong said the state requested for N10billion each for salaries and infrastructure. On benefits of the Treasury Single Account, TSA, he advised states yet to implement the policy to do so because the system had traced some unknown accounts, especially in some of the ministries. He further said his government would rather employ additional workforce instead of engaging in downsizing. Downsizing in this present administration will be very difficult. The president has advised state governments and even corporate organisations not to downsize, Lalong stated. Less than two weeks after he wrote the Federal Government warning against the plan to secure a $3.5 billion loan, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has threatened to commence legal proceedings against the government. Mr. Falana had, in a letter dated February 5, urged the Finance Ministry to forego its plan to approach the World Bank and the African Development Bank for a loan of $3.5 billion. In a statement on Sunday, the Lagos lawyer said he had not received any response from the ministry. Since you have not deemed it fit to react to the serious issues raised in the letter, kindly be informed that we shall commence legal proceedings not later than February 29, 2015, with a view to compelling the Federal Government to recover the said loans, royalties, levies, and other recoverable revenues of not less than $66.5 billion, Mr. Falana said. In a letter to the Finance Ministry, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria had said instead of taking the loan, the government should direct the anti-graft agencies to recover all loans and revenues accruable to it. From the information at our disposal, the federal government is owed not less than $66.5 billion (about N13.3 trillion) which ought to be recovered without any further delay, Mr. Falana stated in the letter dated February 5. According to him, the five cycles of independent audit reports compiled by the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, showed potential recoverable revenues of not less than $20.2 billion. The potential recoverable revenues are said to have arisen from underpayment/under-assessment of taxes, royalties, levies and rents. If you require more information in respect of this matter you may wish to contact your colleague, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning. In her capacity as the immediate past Executive Secretary of NEITI she had called on the federal government to recover the said sum of $20.2 billion. Mr. Falana said the Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2006, apportioned $7 billion out of the nations external reserves to 14 Nigerian banks to manage. In addition, following the crisis of global capitalism, which occurred in 2008, the Central Bank of Nigeria gave a bailout of $4 billion (N600 billion) to the commercial banks in the country. The CBN has not deemed it fit to ask for the refund of the total sum of $11 billion injected into the banking system in the space of two years. Mr. Falana also said the Presidency, in September last year, announced the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations commencement of recovering of $9.6 billion in over-deducted tax benefits from joint venture partners on major capital projects and oil swap contracts. Weeks ago, he continued, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation, disclosed that the federal government had concluded arrangements to recover an additional $750 million from the Abacha loot. In the ongoing Senate Probe into the affairs of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), it has been revealed that the corporation had accumulated over $25 billion (about N5 trillion) debts as against its Act which put the debt ceiling at N800 billion, said Mr. Falana. According to Mr. Ahmed Kuru, the Managing Director of AMCON, most of the debtors of AMCON are big men who fly in private jets, live in big mansions and they have taken money and they are not paying back. From the foregoing, you will agree with us that the hapless Nigerian people should not be made to pay for the gross mismanagement of the national economy by the federal government and the profligacy of the pampered members of the ruling class. While acknowledging the concerted efforts to recover the looted wealth of the nation through the anti-graft agencies and the Arms Procurement Panel, the Buhari administration should embark on the immediate recovery of the aforesaid loans and accrued revenues with a view to financing the 2016 budget and the infrastructural development of the nation. The youth wing of the pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), to rethink its threat to resort to armed self-defence following the latest killing of its members by security agents. The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), which made the appeal in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, described the unwarranted attacks on pro-Biafra agitators by security agents as a ploy by the enemies of Ndigbo to provoke them to reprisal. The National President of OYC, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who made the appeal in an interview with The AUTHORITY on Sunday, alleged that some elements in the security circles had been looking for excuses to turn the South East zone into another theatre of war as currently witnessed in the North East, but pleaded with IPOB and other agitators to resist the temptation. IPOB and all Biafran agitators should know that some persons in the corridors of power are looking for the slightest opportunity to unleash horror on our people. The continued mindless killing of unarmed Biafran agitators is nothing but a ploy by the architects of Igbo problems to lure the agitators into violence, and tag them as terrorists to justify any military action, Isiguzoro said. The OYC leader, who strongly condemned the spate of killings of Biafran activists on peaceful protests, also cautioned against the grave implications of suppressing peoples freedom of expression in a democracy. He also renewed OYCs appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to proffer a political solution to the primary cause of the wave of protests in South Eastern states by releasing the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Mr. Kanu has been in detention since last October and is presently being prosecuted by the Department of State Services on treason charges. Buhari should release Nnamdi Kanu to Igbo leaders and that will put an end to the tension in the country over his continued detention, Isiguzoro said. He argued that, the continued detention of Biafran activists at a time when hundreds of sus-pected Boko Haram fighters are being routinely released by the same security agencies raises a lot of questions. It boggles the mind to reflect that just on Friday, the army freed about 275 suspected Boko Haram members while on the other hand, Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafran agitators who have never taken up arms against the state are still languishing in jail even when a court has ordered their release. The OYC leader further pleaded with the Federal Government to immediately address the causes of the renewed agitation for Biafran secession such as systematic marginalisation of Ndigbo in the power equation of Nigeria and infrastructural decay in the South East. He also said that OYC will partner Igbo leaders in a bid to intensify efforts towards releasing Kanu and other detained Biafran agitators. Pope Francis called on Mexicos government on Saturday to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and he then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The pope also exhorted Mexicos bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said devours like a metastasis. Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privilege or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, the drug trade, the exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, the pope said in a speech to Pena Nieto, government ministers and foreign diplomats. He said Mexicos leaders have a particular duty to move past corruption and violence and work for the collective good. The pope later celebrated mass at the vast Basilica of our Lady Of Guadalupe. Some 5,000 mostly well-heeled spectators gathered inside the church, while at least five times as many spectators gathered outside under the beating sun. Francis had said he yearned to visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, which attracts millions of pilgrims from all over Latin America, and to reflect silently in front of her image. Dont be afraid, that is what she tells me, the pope said ahead of his visit. While inside a small niche behind the altar to venerate the icon, he lost his balance and fell back into a chair, causing the crowd to gasp, although it did not seem serious. After praying for about 20 minutes, the 79-year-old pope, who suffers from sciatica in one leg, stood up and walked out. Reuters. Following condemnations of a trip by northern governors to Saudi Arabia to ask for loans, Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, yesterday said he did not lead the delegation of the governors to Saudi Arabia as alleged. The delegation, according to reports, negotiated for a multi-billion dollar loan with the Islamic Development Bank of Jedda this month without seeking the approval of the federal government in line with the constitution. Speaking through his spokesman, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, Gov. el-Rufai, in response to Vanguards inquiry on the matter said: Your best contact on this matter is the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shetima. He is the Chairman of Northern States Governors Forum who also led the delegation. Senator representing Kaduna central Shehu Sani had recently condemned the governors action, saying it was unconstitutional. The action of the governors runs contrary to the relevant provisions of the act that clearly and unambiguously rest the exclusive right to borrow externally on the federal government, Sani said. The Debt management office act 2003, section 21 and external borrowing guidelines, 2008-2012, paragraph 2.1 clearly states that any government or its agencies can only obtain external loan through the federal government and such loans must be supported by federal government guarantee. The act is explicitly clear that no state, local government or federal agency shall on its own borrow externally. Governors of the northern states cannot just jet out to Saudi Arabia to solicit or collect loans without following the due process of law. The law further states that state governments and their agencies wishing to obtain external loans shall obtain federal government approval in principle from the federal Ministry 11of Finance. This is the provisions of paragraph 2:2 (II) of the external borrowing guidelines In addition to the above, paragraph 2.2 (v) of the same guideline succinctly declares that all external borrowing proposals of the governments and their agencies for the next fiscal year must be submitted not later than 90 days preceding the year to the minister of finance for incorporation into the public sector external borrowing program for the coming year. Paragraph 2:2 (vii) demands that borrowing proposal must be submitted to the federal ministry of finance and the Debt Management office for consideration, Sani pointed out. Pakistans president has denounced St Valentines Day, saying the festival has no connection with Pakistani culture and should be avoided. President Mamnoon Hussain told students that it was a Western tradition and conflicted with Muslim culture. His remarks came after a district in north-western Pakistan banned Valentines Day celebrations. Valentines Day is popular in many cities in Pakistan, but religious groups have denounced it as decadent. Earlier this week, the local government in Kohat, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told police officers to stop shops from selling Valentines Day cards and items. Kohat district is run by a religious political party and borders Pakistans conservative tribal areas. Meanwhile, the Peshawar local council also passed a resolution to ban celebrations of what it called a useless day. Kohat district administrator Maulana Niaz Muhammad told the BBC Urdu: Valentines Day has no legal grounds, and secondly it is against our religion, therefore it was banned. While giving cards and flowers was not in itself a bad thing, linking this to a specific day was not appropriate, Mr Muhammad said. He added that he felt such practices could encourage obscene behaviour. However, officials in both places later said the bans had been discarded or ignored for being unpopular. Earlier this week, there were unconfirmed media reports that Valentines Day gifts had been banned in the capital Islamabad although this was subsequently denied by the government. The issue of St Valentines Day is a polarising one in Pakistan, a country where it has only become widely marked in recent years, writes the BBC World Services South Asia editor Charles Haviland. In the run-up to this years festival, one conservative newspaper described it as a festival of obscenity, asking if Pakistanis would next start celebrating the Hindu Diwali or the Christian Christmas. World leaders have admitted the likely success of a plan to cease hostilities in Syria within a week is roughly 50-50, as Syrian government forces continued to make important advances to tighten their grip around Aleppo. Government forces, backed by Russian air strikes and fighters loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, on Saturday regained control of al-Tamoura town and several surrounding hills located in Aleppos northern suburbs, according to Syrian activists and the state news agency. The offensive means that government forces are now closer to cutting off one of the main supply routes for Syrian rebels, who still control much of Aleppo city. Syrian state news agency, SANA, said: Army units, in cooperation with supporting forces, restored security and stability to al-Tamoura village at the northern countryside of Aleppo Sami Kekhia, a Syrian activist on the Turkey-Syria border confirmed to Al Jazeera that al-Tamoura was captured, but said that rebels were fighting back in ongoing clashes. The Syrian government launched a major offensive from the north of Aleppo and captured several strategically important towns earlier this month. The offensive has led to the displacement of more than 50,000 civilians from Aleppo, tens of thousands of whom have amassed in camps at the Turkish border. Abu Thaer al-Halabi, who heads the media office at the rebel-controlled Aleppo local council, told Al Jazeera that most of Aleppos northern suburbs have been evacuated. The humanitarian situation in Aleppo is horrible. We are running out of supplies and resources are very limited. People are fleeing their homes and heading north towards Turkey or west towards Idlib suburbs, he said. Aljazeera. On this day in 2013, Nigerian singer and songwriter, Goldie Harvey died.. Goldie had won several African music awards including the Top Naija Award. She appeared on Big Brother Africa in 2012 which was her first TV appearance. Allegedly, she and rapper Prezzo another BBA housemate had a close relationship. After returning home to Nigeria from the 2013 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, she complained of a headache and was rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Sadly on this day in 2014, 121 Christian villagers were killed by Boko Haram militants in Konduga, Borno State. An attack that has been dubbed the Borno massacre. Also on this day in 2008, Angola extradited Henry Okah, the alleged leader of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to Nigeria. A woman bled to death after a spelling mistake meant blood intended for her during an operation was sent back. Irmgard Cooper, 85, died at Northwick Park hospital in Harrow, north-west London, after blood supplies were severely delayed. An inquest on Friday at North London coroners court heard that her name had been spelt as Irngard instead of Irmgard, resulting in the delay. The surgeon had also not been told that no blood supplies were available during the operation until he was carrying out the procedure on 7 May last year. By the time replacement supplies arrived Cooper, from Hayling Island, Hampshire, had died, the Brent and Kilburn Times reported. Cooper had the operation to repair a large bulge in the main artery to her heart. The coroner, Andrew Walker, found gross failings in the effort to provide blood at a critical time, when it was already known that supplies would be required. A serious incident investigation report by the hospital found that Cooper died from serious blood-clotting difficulties, cardiovascular collapse and haemorrhage, and that the delay in getting blood caused her death. German-born Cooper, who had two children and three grandchildren, had been married to her husband, Raymond, for 62 years. He daughter, Lorraine Booker, told the newspaper: My father has suffered from nightmares over my mothers death ever since. We just feel very let down and betrayed by the hospital for a death that should never have occurred. Booker recalled being taken to intensive care to see her mother, and said she was lying in a pool of blood. UK Guardian. 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. Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time. Yet, as Buffett is willing to admit, even the best investors make mistakes. Buffett's legendary annual letters to his Berkshire Hathaway shareholders tell the tales of his biggest investing mistakes. There is much to be learned from Buffett's decades of investing experience. Here is an analysis of three of Warren Buffett's biggest mistakes. Key Takeaways Warren Buffett is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors of all time, but even the best investors make mistakes. Buying at the wrong price, confusing revenue growth with a successful business, and investing in a company without a sustainable advantage are all mistakes the Buffett has shared with his shareholders in his legendary annual letters to them. Among the companies that Buffett names as his biggest investing mistakes, he includes ConocoPhillips, U.S. Air, and Dexter Shoes. Alison Czinkota / Investopedia ConocoPhillips Buying at the Wrong Price In 2008, Buffett bought a large stake in the stock of ConocoPhillips as a play on future energy prices. I think many might agree that an increase in oil prices is likely over the long term and that ConocoPhillips will likely benefit. However, this turned out to be a bad investment, because Buffett bought in at too high of a price, resulting in a multibillion-dollar loss to Berkshire Hathaway. The difference between a great company and a great investment is the price at which you buy stock; this time around Buffett was even more wrong. Since crude oil prices were well over $100 a barrel at the time, oil company stocks were way up. Lesson Learned It's easy to get swept up in the excitement of big rallies and buy-in at prices that you should not have (in retrospect). Investors who control their emotions can perform a more objective analysis. A more detached investor might have recognized that the price of crude oil has always exhibited tremendous volatility and that oil companies have long been subject to boom and bust cycles. Buffett says: "When investing, pessimism is your friend, euphoria the enemy." U.S. Air Confusing Revenue Growth With a Successful Business Buffett bought preferred stock in U.S. Air in 1989no doubt attracted by the high revenue growth it had achieved up until that point. The investment quickly turned sour on Buffett, as the U.S. Air did not achieve enough revenues to pay the dividends due on his stock. With luck on his side, Buffett was later able to unload his shares at a profit. Despite this good fortune, Buffett realizes that this investment return was guided by lady luck and the burst of optimism for the industry. Lesson Learned As Buffett pointed out in his 2007 letter to Berkshire shareholders, sometimes businesses look good in terms of revenue growth, but they require large capital investments all along the way to enable this growth. This is the case with airlines, which generally require additional aircraft to significantly expand revenues. The trouble with these capital intensive business models is that by the time they achieve a large base of earnings, they are heavily laden with debt. This can leave little left for shareholders and makes the company highly vulnerable to bankruptcy if business declines. Buffett says: "Investors have poured money into a bottomless pit, attracted by growth when they should have been repelled by it." Dexter Shoes Investing in a Company Without a Sustainable Competitive Advantage In 1993, Buffett bought a shoe company called Dexter Shoes. Buffett's investment in Dexter Shoes turned into a disaster because he saw a durable competitive advantage in Dexter that quickly disappeared. According to Buffett, "What I had assessed as a durable competitive advantage vanished within a few years." Buffett claims that this investment was the worst he has ever made, resulting in a loss to shareholders of $3.5 billion. Lesson Learned Companies can only earn high profits when they have some sort of a sustainable competitive advantage over other firms in their business area. Wal-Mart has incredibly low prices. Honda has high-quality vehicles. As long as these companies can deliver on these things better than anyone else, they can maintain high profit margins. If not, the high profits attract many competitors that will slowly eat away at the business and take all the profits for themselves. Buffett says: "A truly great business must have an enduring 'moat' that protects excellent returns on invested capital." The Bottom Line While making mistakes with money is always painful, paying a few "school fees" now and then doesn't have to be a total loss. If you analyze your mistakes and learn from them, you might very well make the money back next time. All investors, even Warren Buffett, must acknowledge that mistakes will be made along the way. Corvex Management is a New York-based hedge fund that was launched with much fanfare in 2011 by noted investor Keith Arlyn Meister. By 2013, the fund's assets had more than doubled. However, after reaching a peak in mid-2015, assets under management steadily declined, as the company's value-based investing approach delivered mixed results over the years. Specifically, Corvex uses an opportunistic methodology to make its stock picks: special situations, event-driven strategies, and value investing. Keith Meister: Trained and Funded by Activists Even in the hedge fund community, few investors received the kind of training and financial backing that Corvex founder Keith Meister received. Prior to the fund's launch in 2011, Meister was widely known as Carl Icahn's right-hand man. Meister took Icahn's philosophy of being aggressive, contrarian, and confrontational, and bolstered it with $250 million in seed capital from George Soros. Key Takeaways Corvex was launched in 2011 with seed capital from a platform backed by George Soros. Corvex's head manager, CIO, and managing partner Keith Meister was once known as Carl Icahn's right-hand man. While assets under management increased in the four years after the hedge fund's launch, the amount has dropped substantiallyfrom more than $9 billion to $2.2 billionsince a peak in 2015. Yum! Brands, Energen, and MGM Resorts are among the companies where Corvex has applied its activist approach. The hedge funds performance has been strong at times, though assets have been leaving the firm. Reuters reports that the fund was up 20% for 2019 (through mid-December). However, since 2011, assets (the amount held in equities) have wavered from a peak of $9.1 billion in 2015 down to $2.1 billion at the end of 2019, according to the website Gurufocus. Meister's style of investing at Corvex is controversial. Many fund managers are reserved, quiet, and straight-faced; by contrast, Meister is outspoken and ornery, even more so than his famous former boss. In Oct. 2014, The Wall Street Journal published an article that opened with the line, "Keith Meister takes things personally." It went on to describe the activist as "competitive" and "very emotional." Meister has been sued multiple times for his professional and interpersonal actions, including a relatively high-profile showdown with the ADT Corporation's board of directors, on which Meister once served. In its lawsuit, ADT alleged that Corvex's leader "aggressively pressured and intimidated his co-board members" to participate in a repurchase of Corvex shares. Though his style has earned him a legion of detractors and critics in the financial media and across corporate boards, Meister is respected by power players in the fund community because he drives results. "He's intense in the best sense of the word," said Aurora Investment Management executive Justin Sheperd, one of Meister's investor clients. Yum! Brands and Corvex Yum! Brands has been one of Corvexs most noteworthy activist endeavors. In 2015, Corvex Management acquired an activist stake in Yum! Brands at about the same time Third Point Management, Daniel Loeb's hedge fund, took a much smaller position. Meister's group bought more than 15 million shares to become the largest shareholder; Loeb only grabbed 3.5 million shares for a distant second place. As a consequence, Corvex became the lead activist, although it is likely the two hedge funds worked with each other to promote shareholder value. Corvex entered the Yum! Brands arena looking for a seat at the board of directors and a number of operational changes, including the sale of KFC Eleven and Super Chix as well as a spinoff of Yum!'s Chinese division. Meister and Loeb's activist activities were strategically timed around a switch at Yum! Brands for CEO, when Greg Creed replaced longtime executive David Novak. Creed, who had been chief executive at Taco Bell from 2011 to 2014, unwittingly walked into a firestorm. Yum! and Creed initially balked at Corvex's requests, particularly the spinoff idea for the Chinese division. Creed received support from Novak, who became executive chair of the board after leaving the CEO slot, although public dialogue between Corvex and Yum! was amicable. Yet, one by one, the demands from Meister and Loeb fell into place. By April 2015, KFC Eleven was closed. By August, Super Chix was sold to an investment group headed by founder Nick Ouimet. At about that same time, China was hit with its worst stock market collapse in years, leading to global concerns about a recession in 2016 and the bursting of an asset bubble in the Far East. Chinese prospects were much bleaker, and the Yum! China brand was, thus, less valuable. On Oct. 15, 2015, the fast-food operator announced it would add Keith Meister to its board of directors. Meister bragged about the company's "multiple avenues for unlocking significant long-term value" and said he would work expeditiously to "deliver that value to shareholders." It was a much-needed win for Meister, whose firm had suffered through a 24% drop in the Yum! Brands stock price since making its position. The company remained openly committed to keeping its China division intact, though that did not last. By Oct. 20, 2015, Yum! announced a plan to split Yum! China and Yum! Brands, arguing the move would increase shareholder value and allow more room for KFC and Pizza Hut to grow. Meister's fingerprints were all over the rushed decision; the Chinese division could now grow debt-free, something Meister argued was imperative. Creed said the speed of the decision was based on "a lot of common ground" between the two individual proposals. Energen and Beyond In 2017, Corvex took an activist position in Energen along with Elliott Management Corporation. The two firms urged for a sale of the business. Corvex held a 5.5% stake and lobbied that the firm was heavily undervalued and that significant profits would result from a sale of the business. As an energy company, Corvex also argued that the firms land deals involving research, development, and exploration were available at a high value to others looking to potentially acquire and consolidate. The firms actions were met with opposition and did not go far. Energen hired investment banks to review the business and found that they would remain on track with their current framework and strategic plans. Nevertheless, Diamondback Energy (FANG) made a bid for and acquired Energen in May 2018 at $84.95 a share (By comparison, Corvex started building a stake in Energen in May 2017 at roughly $57.50 per share). $9.2 Billion The amount Diamondback Energy paid for Energen in 2018 with Carl Icahn and Corvex together owning 9% of shares outstanding. Heading into 2020, Corvex is no longer heavily invested in Yum! Brands and Diamondback Energy has replaced the position in Energen. The hedge fund's biggest position is MGM Resorts International (MGM) and represents nearly one-third of the portfolio. Meister joined MGM's board of directors in July 2019, with his fund owning nearly 3% of the company's outstanding shares. Other names in the portfolio include Adobe (ADBE), Madison Square Garden (MSG), and Forescout Technologies (FSCT). A museum dedicated to Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins will open in Clonakilty, Co Cork, on Easter Saturday, March 26. A Georgian-built house in the towns Emmet Square, where Collins once lived, has been refurbished by the county council to house the museum, which will commemorate the revolutionary leader's life. The museum will also honor Tadgh Astna ODonovan, who led the Battle of Shannonvale against the British in 1798, and Irish Fenian leader Jeremiah ODonovan Rossa, a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who was born at nearby Reenascreena, Rosscarbery. Council official Justin England, who has headed the team responsible for renovating and equipping the building, told the Irish Examiner that the local authority was set to appoint a manager to oversee the museums day-to-day operation. Michael Collins family have donated to us several of his notes and papers, he said. We have also teamed up with Foxford Woollen Mills to sell replicas of the original blanket he was wrapped in when taken to hospital after the shooting at Beal na Blath. England said the famous Michael Collins bust sculpture by Seamus Murphy is on loan from the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. We have also acquired other memorabilia ourselves through auctions which will be displayed in the new centre, he said. Clocks and furniture associated with Michael Collins have also been donated by members of the public which we are very grateful for. Relatives of ODonovan Rossa have also contributed some nice artifacts to add to the collection, said England. Councilor Christopher OSullivan, who is on the board of management, said: I was very lucky to get a glimpse and its going to be very impressive. It will be a focal point for the[revolutionary] history of the West Cork region and a major attraction for tourists. A tourist office will also be located inside the corner building and will provide visitors with information on the regions part in Irish risings from 1798 up to the Civil War. I met Justice Antonin Scalia last summer under unusual circumstances. A friend and I attended the celebration hosted by Moet Hennesey of Lafayettes arrival in America to aid the American revolutionary cause. It took place at Mount Vernon, Washingtons home, and the great and good of America and France were there. Richard Hennessy, an Irishman had helped Washington and Lafayette become friends and allies and the night was also a celebration of that. I found myself standing beside Scalia as we gazed on the replica of the LHermione afloat on the wide Potomac. Scalia was standing beside fellow Justice Stephen Breyer and my friend and we introduced ourselves. When he heard the Irish accent Scalia immediately became animated.My wife is Maureen McCarthy you know, He said jovially. Ive probably been to more Irish dance recitals than you. It was all news to me, I always thought of Scalia as the embodiment of everything Italian including achieving the incredible feat of being the first Italian American to be named to the court. He took time to ask me what I did for a living and a lively discussion on the future of the publishing world followed. Irrespective of his politics he came across as a deeply charming and humorous man who wore the badge of his office lightly. The Irish step dancing reminded him of growing up in Queens, New York, his Irish neighbors and his high school marched every year in the St.Patrick's Parade he remembered proudly. Another accomplished Irish dancer is Chief Justice Roberts whose wife Jane Sullivan, also has deep Irish roots, loves to attend ceili dancing nights and it is said Scalia sometimes came along with wife Maureen. Scalia was known to frequent Irish bars for nightcab. Once in Moscow according to floridapolitics.com Scalia set out to find the only Irish bar in Moscow. One night, (Scalia) decides he wants to go to an Irish bar, said lawyer and former head of American Bar Association Sandy DAlemberte, who lives in Tallahassee. One had just opened up, but it was on the other side of Moscow and there were no cabs running that night. Well, he had heard if you hold up a pack of Marlboros, someone driving by might stop and give you a ride, he said. Hopefully, you were able to communicate just enough to explain where you wanted to go. So we brought cartons of Marlboros, DAlemberte added. It worked. We got a ride there and back. DAlemberte remembered Scalia as, well, being a blast as a drinking buddy: He wasnt at all stuck up that he was a Supreme Court justice. Scalia was also a devout Roman Catholic, (one of six on the Supreme Court) and his son, Paul, is a Catholic priest. He was father of nine, grandfather of 28. Uncomfortable with the changes brought about following Vatican II, Scalia drove long distances to parishes that he felt were more in accord with his beliefs, such as the Tridentine Latin Mass in both Chicago and Washington and also the Latin version of the Mass of Paul VI at St. Catherine of Siena in Great Falls, Virginia. In a 2013 interview with Jennifer Senior for New York magazine, Scalia was asked if his beliefs extended to the Devil, Scalia stated, "Of course! Yeah, he's a real person. Hey, c'mon, that's standard Catholic doctrine! Every Catholic believes that". When asked if he had seen recent evidence of the Devil, Scalia replied, "You know, it is curious. In the Gospels, the Devil is doing all sorts of things. He's making pigs run off cliffs, he's possessing people and whatnot ... What he's doing now is getting people not to believe in him or in God. He's much more successful that way". In another 2013 interview, Scalia stated that "In order for capitalism to work, in order for it to produce a good and stable society, traditional Christian virtues are essential. May he rest in peace. Valentine Greatrakes, also known as "Greatorex" or "The Stroker," was an Irish faith healer born in 1629 who claimed his hands could heal. On February 14 the world, or at least a large part of it, celebrates love and the martyred early Christian saints named Valentinus, or Valentine, but did you know that Ireland has its very own Valentine who was blessed with the gift of healing? In fact, the magic of this man from Waterford was so great, he was summoned by King Charles II to court. Born on February 14, 1629, in Affane, County Waterford, Valentine Greatrakes was an Irish faith healer who claimed to be able to cure diseases and pain by stroking the victim. This gifted man was born to Protestant settlers, William Greatrakes and his wife Mary (nee Harris). He was sent to Dublin to attend university, however, the Irish Rebellion of 1641 changed their plans, and Valentine and his mother fled to England to stay with his great-uncle Edmund Harris. He also spent time with German Minister John Daniel Getsius, in Devon, where he studied Humanity and Divinity. Read more Love songs and poems of the great Irish writers for Valentines Day After years away, Valentine returned to Ireland and found the country in chaos where he spent a year in Castle of Cappoquin, in Waterford. He enlisted in the English Parliamentary Army in 1649 and served as a lieutenant in the regiment of Lord Broghill, campaigning in Munster against the Irish Royalists. After the Parliamentary victory he was named Justice of the Peace and Clerk of the Peace for County Cork but he lost this position with the Restoration of the monarchy, in 1660. According to Valentine, the same year he went on tour to England, he began to feel a strange impulse to lay his hands on sick people and heal them. This started in 1662, around the same time he married his first wife, Ruth Godolphin. In his pamphlet, published in 1666, Valentine said he experimented on several willing subjects, including his wife, with positive results. He claimed the ability to cure Kings Evil (scrofula, similar to TB), wounds, ulcers, among other afflictions. On April 6, 1665, Robert Phayre, a former Commonwealth Governor of County Cork, was living at Cahermore, was visited by Valentine. They had served together in 1649. Valentine cured Phayre in just a few minutes of an acute ague (similar to malaria). In August of the same year John Flamsteed, the famous astronomer, (then aged 19) traveled to Ireland to be touched by Valentine in an effort to cure his weakness of constitution, but sadly this did not work. News of his skills soon spread all over Ireland. In 1665 he was summoned to Bishops Court, in Lismore, where he was ordered to desist healing as he did not have a license. Valentine was invited to England by his former commander Lord Broghill, to help his wife who had been suffering migraines. In 1666, he defied the Bishops ordered and traveled to England, and although he was unable to help Broghills wife he decided to tour England offering to cure. As he traveled through towns and villages the sick were brought out to be cured by this faith healer from Waterford. By the time he arrived in London word had spread and he was summoned to Whitehall to present himself at the court of King Charles II. He was brought in front of the King and attempted to heal those sick people in attending. Despite the fact that he failed the King determined that he was not being deceptive and allowed him to continue practicing. Valentine remained in London for some time. In late 1666 he sent a letter to the philosopher, Robert Boyle, also a native of County Waterford, who was at the time President of the Royal Society of London. Boyle traveled to meet Valentine and observed him over several days recording the healing he saw in action, in his diary. Sadly by the end of the year, 1666, Valentines healing talents had abandoned him. He returned to Ireland and lived a quiet life as a farmer. Although he no longer healed he was never branded as a fake. He married a second time to Alice Tilson and had three children. Valentine died on November 28, 1682, and is believed to have been buried in Lismore Church or the Affane Church, next to his father. Although not many people remember this Irish Valentine, his antics in Ireland and England caused quite a public commotion at the time and gave rise to novels, plays, and discussions on his character. However when he lived, according to The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle of 1779, no one ever attempted to blacken his name. Despite all the religious leaders, royalty, scientists, and people in high society he came into contact with, they never accused him of being a fake. Perhaps he was simply an honest Irish faith healer. H/T: Hallamor.org. * Originally published in 2014, last updated in 2022. IrishCentral History Love Irish history? Share your favorite stories with other history buffs in the IrishCentral History Facebook group. Aer Lingus set up a Kissing Booth at Dublin airport and caught a few cute couples making their way aboard a plane for a cheeky getaway. Check out what these loved up couples had to say for themselves. He was responding after groups representing the victims of paedophile priests reacted angrily to a Catholic Church edict to newly appointed bishops that they are not necessarily responsible for reporting allegations of child abuse to the police. The instruction, in a new Vatican training manual advising senior clergy on how to respond to allegations of abuse, states that only victims or their families should decide whether to report to authorities, but bishops should be aware of local legal requirements. According to the state of civil laws of each country where reporting is obligatory, it is not necessarily the duty of the bishop to report suspects to authorities, the police, or state prosecutors in the moment when they are made aware of crimes or sinful deeds, states the training document. Archbishop Martin said: The norms in Ireland are very clear all allegations must and are reported to the gardai. Gardai have the ability and the expertise to investigate matters that diocesan personnel would not. Over the years, we have established very good working relationships with the gardai, which has been helpful to both sides. The training guideline was written by French monsignor Tony Anatrella, a consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family, and released by the Vatican. John Allen, associate editor of Catholic news site Cruxnow.com, described the approach as a legalistic take on a critical issue and criticised the guidelines for not putting more emphasis on prevention of sex abuse within the Church. The One in Four organisation expressed outrage at the document. Executive director Maeve Lewis said she was shocked the report stated that bishops were being afforded discretion on whether to alert gardai to clerical abuse cases. Pope Francis has called for zero tolerance of child sexual abuse within the Church, saying everything possible must be done to rid the church of the scourge of the sexual abuse. Support groups for survivors of clerical sex abuse say the guidelines would not protect children from sexual abuse. Nicky Davis, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAP said members of religious institutions should become mandatory reporters, making them legally obliged to inform authorities about suspected abuse. Their systems function to protect the interests of the institution, she said. They dont put the protection of children first. Dr Wayne Chamley, of Broken Rites which advocates for victims of clerical sexual abuse described the guidelines as unfathomable. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. A McDonald's store on Fergusson Drive in Silverstream, Upper Hutt, in New Zealand caught fire on its roof on Friday (12 Feb.) The fire was reported on Friday afternoon and thick smoke clouds could be seen on the roof of the McDonald's joint. The fire at McDonald's in Silverstream, in Upper Hutt, has been extinguished. A fire communications spokeswoman said the fire across Hutt Valley had been put out around 9 p.m. on Friday. Fire services were called to building just after 2 p.m. on Friday. By about 3 p.m, a dozen fire engines were at the site, with a number of onlookers watching. According to a report by The Dominion Post, assistant area commander Esitone Pauga claimed that there was a fire in the roof when the crews reached the scene. He also said the restaurant was smoke-logged. As the fire blazed on, evening rush-hour traffic was packed full along the State Highway 2 near the Silverstream exit. Trains were also halted and the road outside the restaurant was closed. A statement was issued by McDonald's that acknowledged the fire, saying that it had been reported at the Silverstream, Upper Hutt outlet on Friday afternoon. It further explained that the restaurant had been evacuated and no customers or staff had been injured. According to Christine Hast, a worker at St Patrick's College which is opposite McDonald's, when the fire was at its peak, smoke was billowing out of the building. She also said that workers from the McDonald's outlet had come over to the school to warn the students not to go there. Apparently, the students had been McDonald's biggest customers at that time of day. Students from St Patrick's had reportedly been gathered near the school fence across the road watching the fire. An onlooker said that the fire had almost smoldered away but then picked up again as it started roaring away, The Dominion Post reported. Sixty years ago Tuesday, a lean and broad-shouldered dreamboat of a man with bedroom eyes and a swirling nest of greasy hair stepped onto the stage of the Carolina Theater in downtown Winston-Salem. Bedlam ensued, but not just any kind. This was straight-arrow pubescent girls losing their minds, caterwauling, convulsing and uncorking enough pent-up sexual energy to singe the lace on every pair of bobby socks in the city. With the detached view of an older man, Journal columnist Roy Thompson surveyed the scene and called it an orgy of hand-clapping, foot-stamping and tonsil-straining screaming. Janice Love, who was in the thick of the mania, describes the frenzy in less poetic language. It was, she said, like a bunch of wild animals. In the first months of 1956, Elvis Presley was blazing a trail through the Southeast, playing a new brand of rollicking music at small but packed gyms and theaters in such places as Burlington, High Point and Wilson. Having just turned 21, Elvis was still a regional act, a soft-spoken, deferential country kid with a cornball sense of humor and an undeveloped swagger. And his appearance, though striking, lacked polish, with unruly hair, not the carefully sculpted pompadour that he would soon sport. But stardom was tantalizingly close. Rocketing to No. 1 Within weeks of his three-show gig on Feb. 16 at the Carolina Theater, his new song, Heartbreak Hotel, shot to the top of the Billboard charts, Hollywood called him in for a screen test, and Milton Berle offered him a coveted spot on his popular TV show, all of which catapulted Elvis to a stratospheric and suffocating level of fame, the heights of which few have reached. In Winston-Salem and other cities on the North Carolina leg of his tour, a starry-eyed teenager could still approach Elvis at a lunch counter, get an autograph or a photo, or beg for a kiss. He complied so many times that writer Jim Poling, who was traveling with Elvis at the time, joked that Elvis lips were becoming calloused. Only a few weeks ago in Washington, D.C., a girl left his embrace saying, I dont know whats happened, but he was kissing a lot better in Winston-Salem, Poling wrote in an article for Pageant magazine that was published in July 1956. Though Elvis had played a few dates in North Carolina in 1955, the stop in Winston-Salem was his first. According to a column that Thompson wrote after Elvis death in 1977, the date at the Carolina Theater what is now known as the Stevens Center was probably the result of a friendship between U.K. Rice, a showbiz veteran who had managed the Carolina Theater since 1929, and Col. Tom Parker, Elvis manager. Elvis was the headliner on a bill with country and western acts the Louvin Brothers, the Carter Sisters and Justin Tubb for shows at 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets were 85 cents for adults and 50 cents for kids. The media and most adults appeared to pay little mind to Elvis, and when they did speak of him and the fledgling style of music known as rock n roll, it was with derision. But the kids in the area? Most were craving something new and exciting, bored by what they heard on the radio. The music was pretty bland, pretty syrupy sweet, said Martha Eller, who was a sophomore at Reynolds High School at the time. We werent hearing a lot of black musicians. Elvis introduced us to this whole genre and we liked it. It changed music forever At the time, the most-played songs blasting on the airwaves were Memories are Made of This by Dean Martin, Rock and Roll Waltz by Kay Starr and 16 Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford, hardly the stuff that reflects teenage passion and angst. Lawrence Davis, a 1956 graduate of Reynolds High School, said Elvis sound was distinct. It was good music to dance to, good music to listen to. It had a lot of energy, Davis said. He had a haunting a voice, different from other singers on the radio. You could pick it out. It was obvious it was Elvis. Holly George-Warren, an acclaimed music writer, said the radio airwaves were mostly segregated in 1956. There was a huge divide between radio play on white and black stations, and Elvis broke down that barrier, said George-Warren, an Asheboro native. This was a brand-new thing. There was this raw quality, with just bass, drums and guitar. The songs werent drenched in strings, so it was a huge difference, and it changed music forever. The turnout for the matinee show was tepid, infuriating Rice, the theaters manager. His old friend, Parker, had sent him a dud. But after that show, word spread throughout town that Elvis was tearing down the roof at the Carolina Theater. Soon, a swarm of girls amassed outside the stage door. When the crowd got big enough, one of Col. Parkers men forgot and left the door open, Thompson wrote. The girls rushed in to grab a seat, setting the stage for bedlam. It was absolutely packed, said Eller, who was at one of the evening shows. It was one of the high points of my life. Saw something special Backed by the Blue Moon Boys Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass and D.J. Fontana on drums Elvis took his spot, front and center, oozing sexuality, gyrating and writhing in ways that many had never seen before. His songs included Tutti Frutti, Blue Suede Shoes, and Heartbreak Hotel, according to local historian Fam Brownlee, who wrote about the show on a blog for the Forsyth County Library. Thompson was impressed, writing in the next days edition of the Journal: Mr. Presley must be seen if he is to be believed and even then he seems somewhat unbelievable. He slouches; he scratches; he mugs; he bumps and grinds. Many of the acts on the bill with Elvis watched from the side of the stage, with one the notoriously irascible Ira Louvin enraged at the thunder-stealing upstart. At some point backstage, he blasted Elvis for playing black music and tried to strangle him, according to Elvis Presley: A Southern Life by Joel Williamson. Their relationship never recovered. After the show, Merry Gordon Jones sister, Laidley, hunted down Elvis for an autograph. Being the older sister, I said, I want one. Go get me one, recalled Jones, a Reynolds student at the time. Laidley returned backstage and was told by a handler to sit on Elvis lap for a photo. She declined, saying, Im not sitting on that greaseballs lap, Jones said with a laugh. The next day, after breakfast at a diner on Marshall and Fourth streets, Elvis flew to New York City for an appearance on CBS Stage Show. A week later, Elvis collapsed from exhaustion in Jacksonville, Fla. Elvis checked himself out of the hospital early and performed the next night. The juggernaut would not be stopped. Time has smudged many of the memories of that midwinter day in 1956, but there is a general sense among the people who were at the Carolina Theater that they had witnessed something special. Many remained fans, buying Elvis records, singing along to his songs and visiting Graceland, his home in Memphis, Tenn. Love, who was a student at Walkertown High School at the time and now lives in Kernersville, followed Elvis all over the Southeast, even traveling to Memphis to pay her final respects when he died in 1977. He was just the best-looking thing I had ever seen in my life, Love said. We just loved him. The democratic-socialist senator from Vermont wasnt supposed to have a chance at winning the Democratic nomination for president. But Bernie Sanders kept hammering, surviving as the rest of his opponents, save for the most formidable one, fell away. And there the snowy-haired curmudgeon was, alone with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a Wisconsin debate stage, fresh off his thumping of her in the New Hampshire primary. He was holding his own even as the Democratic Partys establishment must have been holding its nose at his words of a political revolution, cowering at his dismal chances in Novembers general election. On a Thursday night when the PBS debate stage in Milwaukee was hot from start to finish, the winter outside kept raging. Its going to be a long one for Clinton, whose tag of presumptive nominee was tattered by her razor-thin victory in the Iowa caucuses and torn by New Hampshire winds of young people and women gone for Sanders. Secretary Clinton, youre not in the White House yet, Sanders reminded Clinton Thursday night. Like one of the old warhorse coaches of college basketball over on one of the sports channels, Sanders kept charging on Thursday night, waving his hands and trying to advance his ground. For her part, Clinton tried to stay calm, but she watched Sanders with a condescending and tense look, maybe wondering how the year that was supposed to be hers came to this. She landed some blows, including by poking holes in the math of Sanders health-care plan and free college for all. The numbers dont add up, she said. She also won on foreign policy, pointing out Sanders contradictions and naivete as she displayed her own intricate knowledge of Middle Eastern and Russian affairs. I know journalists have asked you who you do listen to on foreign policy, and we have yet to know who that is, she told Sanders. The debate closed in fire, with Clinton lashing out at Sanders for his criticism of President Obama, with whom she had aligned all night. Sanders fired right back: Madam Secretary, that is a low blow. I have worked with President Obama for the last seven years. Last I heard, we live in a democratic society where criticism of the president is allowed, he said. He alluded to the fact that Clinton lost to Obama in the 2008 primary. Wisconsin as the site of the debate was ironic in that, though the state is a key swing one, its primary is not until April 5. A few months ago, only the most fervent of Sanders supporters would have dared dream that he would still be in the running come spring. Now that fervent few must be dreaming that Clinton wont make it until the dogwoods bloom. Keep dreaming. Clintons dont give up, despite the long winter looming. Hillary Clinton seeks the warmth of the South Carolina sun and the desert beyond. A judge has ruled that the City of Milwaukee is responsible for utility relocation costs associated with the downtown streetcar project. SHARE By of the The city would be left to pick up the $10 million to $25 million tab for utility relocation costs linked to the Milwaukee streetcar project under a judge's decision. The decision, issued Thursday by Milwaukee County Circuit Judge William Sosnay, said it was unreasonable to require utility companies to pay any part of the costs for relocating or modifying their lines to accommodate the streetcar. The ruling agreed with an earlier decision by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin in the utility dispute, which said the city not utilities and their ratepayers should pay for moving underground utility lines along the streetcar route. "We applaud the Circuit Court in upholding the PSC's decision and stand by the fact that Wisconsin's utilities should not be required to bear the cost of relocating or modifying their infrastructure for the streetcar project," said Elise Nelson, a spokeswoman for the commission. The city had filed a lawsuit challenging the PSC decision. A spokeswoman for Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said the ruling was expected. "The decision is not a surprise. We have been working collaboratively with We Energies to decrease the cost as much as possible," Jodie Tabak said. "The project is on budget, and this decision will not have any impact on property taxes." Construction of the initial downtown streetcar route is expected to start this spring, and the city has signed a contract with a streetcar manufacturer. Brett Healy, president of the conservative John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, applauded the decision and insisted it wasn't too late to stop the streetcar. It was Healy who first filed a petition with the PSC seeking a declaration that ratepayers wouldn't be responsible for the utility relocation costs. The "decision looks to be a victory for common sense and utility ratepayers across southeast Wisconsin. I've said from the beginning, if Mayor Barrett wants to spend money on a parochial project with such a limited usefulness like the streetcar, he should ask his constituents, the residents of the city of Milwaukee, to pay for it," Healy said. "Utility customers outside the city of Milwaukee should not pay for his pet trolley project." He urged Milwaukee residents to voice opposition to the project. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty represented Healy and a group of other utility customers in the dispute. "If the streetcar is a good idea, then the city should be willing to pay for it," said Rick Esenberg, president and general counsel of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty. The streetcar project was approved by the Common Council a year ago. In November, the city chose a company to build the first four vehicles for its streetcar project. Brookville Equipment Corp., a nearly 100-year-old Pennsylvania-based company that manufactures streetcars as well as locomotives and mining equipment, was picked for the $18.6 million contract, which calls for the company to initially build four cars. The company could be tapped to make a fifth vehicle for the streetcar's Lakefront Line in the near future, and may eventually manufacture as many as 24 vehicles for Milwaukee. A downtown improvement group also has launched a new campaign to promote Milwaukee's streetcar project. Milwaukee Downtown created an online guide featuring available business spaces along the streetcar's route. The goal is to spur economic development and market available business, parking and investment opportunities near the streetcar, said Matt Dorner, the group's economic development director. Streetcar service on the initial 2.5-mile downtown loop is expected to start in 2018. Plans for a lakefront loop also are underway. Denice and Jim Stingl met by chance at UWM when her guitar class and his banjo class were combined to play together. Credit: Family photo Jim Stingl In My Opinion SHARE Denice Stingl danced and danced at her daughter Laura's wedding. HW Photographic Jim Stingl and his wife, Denice, were married by family friend Father Vic Capriolo in 1981 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Milwaukee. Family photo I once met a man who missed his wife so much that for more than a year after her death, he couldn't take down the Christmas tree she loved. When a butterfly fluttered into his house one winter day, he imagined it was a visit or sign from her, so he caught the creature and drove it to a supermarket floral department to live happily. I'm starting to understand how he felt. Denice Stingl, my wife the past 34 years and mother of our three grown children, died of breast cancer on Jan. 25. She was 58 and wished to live twice that long. Our Christmas tree was long down when she passed our living room had become a hospice bedroom and I can't claim any otherworldly contact from her, though I wouldn't mind some. But what I'm connecting with is that man's tender longing for his wife and his wish to hold on to her essence. Many of you readers have lost a spouse and know how deeply it hurts. You may have encountered Denice in my column over the years, including the story of how she gave CPR to a stranger who dropped to the floor at our Sentry store, how she got rear-ended in our brand-new minivan with only 182 miles on it, how we took a week off and decluttered our entire house and garage, and how she kept moving the kitchen clock ahead until it was 20 minutes fast in an attempt to make our family more punctual. In June 2001 a column began: "My wife has breast cancer. We just found out on Monday." A lump was removed then, some chemotherapy and radiation followed, and Denice was sent on her way. Five years passed. Ten years passed. I believed we were in the clear. Denice never felt sure of that. In the summer of 2012 she developed mysterious pains in her hips and back. Her mammograms had all been fine, but we were heartbroken to learn the same cancer was back, though not in her breasts. It had migrated, or metastasized as they say, to her liver I still remember the word the doctor used, innumerable, to describe the buckshot tumors there and to her bones, which would ache the rest of her life. Eventually it also found its way into her lungs, another organ commonly affected when breast cancer spreads. With me at her side trying to keep up with her urgency for life, Denice took her chemo pills and just kept on going the best she could. In 2014 she danced like crazy at our daughter Laura's wedding, which the two of them had planned and planned. Early last year, she and I took a dream vacation to Hawaii, and in fall she ran our daughter Carly's baby shower and sewed beanbags in the shape of googly-eyed sperm for the toss game we played. Our first grandchild, Nicolas, was born Dec. 21, the very day Denice's liver finally failed. Toxins in her blood clouded her brain, and in the few weeks that followed took her strength and then her life. Our son, Jesse, joined me and the girls as we stood before 400 people at Denice's memorial service to talk about this woman we loved. The pastor said Denice had asked for a kick-ass service, a word you don't often hear in church. And she got it. Denice worked many years as a respiratory therapist and later in organizational development at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. She and I met by chance at UWM when her guitar class and my banjo class were combined to play together. That was the luckiest day of my life. My kids described a mother anyone would be lucky to have sweet, upbeat, engaged in their lives and cheering their successes. Her passion was contagious. She encouraged reading and learning and becoming your own strong person. And if a child slammed a bedroom door in anger one too many times, she just might take it off the hinges for a while. Denice was easy to know and easy to love. She loved boating and bargains and her book clubs. She learned pottery and knitting and the dulcimer. She was an amazing cook. She was a hugger. She made everything brighter. At the Komen walk in September, Denice rode her electric scooter and led a team in pink numbering 50 or more. My beautiful wife left us way too soon. It turns out she was right to worry about me. I've been a mess without her. Tearful. Shaky. Nauseous. Unable to sleep. Lost. I think about a quote I read from a woman who lost her husband to melanoma: She had plenty of people to do things with, but nobody to do nothing with. At the memorial service, rather than focus on our loss and what Denice didn't get to experience, I said I wanted to remember that she was the soul of a loving family, was around to see our kids grow up and marry, cradled one grandchild, traveled the world, and reached the pinnacle of her career. "And I would suggest one last thing," I told the gathering. "For the past three years, when we all knew we were going to lose Denice, she experienced an outpouring of love and appreciation from so many of you right up to the peaceful end. Not everyone gets that. "We knew we just had to love her faster and with added urgency and tenderness. I can assure you that Denice died knowing without a doubt that she made a difference, that life is precious, and it's the people we love who matter most." Memorials appreciated in Denice's name to ABCD After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, which was founded by the late Melodie Wilson to pair breast cancer patients with trained volunteer mentors. ABCD is at 5775 N. Glen Park Road, Suite 201, Glendale, WI 53209, or by phone at (414) 977-1780. Call Jim Stingl at (414) 224-2017 or email at jstingl@jrn.com Whitefish Bay prosecution attorney Julia Campbell (left) writes a note to her colleagues Joseph Brousseau and Elisabeth Froiland during a mock trial regional tournament Saturday at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee. Credit: Michael McLoone By , Rows of spectators sit silently as a young woman's inflection rises and voice bellows in an emotional monologue. Her costume is a black blazer and horn-rimmed glasses. Her stage is an ornate courtroom, and her co-stars are her professionally clad classmates. Her message: Police are accountable to protect and serve their community. Students representing six high schools in the Milwaukee area debated a case involving excessive force by a police officer in this year's regional mock trial competition held Saturday at the federal courthouse. It was one of several competition sites in the state for the Mock Trial Tournament sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin. "We try to choose hot-button issues that are of interest to the students," said Emily Lonergan, co-chair of the mock trial program. "There have been a number of excessive force cases dealing with police officers in the news over the past year." The personal injury case created for the competition involved a young man, perceived to be homeless, being approached by a police officer on a park bench, drawing similarities to the Dontre Hamilton case in Milwaukee. "This case relates to events going on in society," said Pilar Sharp, a sophomore at Pius XI High School who aspires to become a lawyer. Dave Turek, an attorney and coordinator of the mock trial event, said the case was designed "to give ammunition to both sides" to produce lively debate and not a clear winner. Each student team, consisting of three "lawyers" and three "witnesses," had to develop arguments for each side of the case. Throughout the day in different rounds, teams represented both the plaintiff and defendant positions. Lonergan said that the mock trial program pushes students to analyze an issue from different perspectives. "I've learned to take both sides into account," said Bruno Pruhs, a freshman at Whitefish Bay High School. "It can be seen both ways." Sharp agreed. She said it was a challenge at first to embrace the role she had received on her team as the attorney defending the police department. "At first, I wanted to be an attorney for the plaintiff, but this way, I got to understand the defense's point of view," she said. Weeks of preparation Students began meeting in the fall to strategize for the competition. Many of the teams practiced multiple times a week after school. They received a formal complaint and affidavits for each of the witnesses in the case to use as material to craft their arguments. "It was cool to learn the terminology and procedures of the courtroom," said Cory Ehlenbach, a junior at Pius XI. Turek said the mock trial replicates a real case and trial, giving students an idea of how the court system works. "It's a pretty accurate glimpse, pretty close to the real deal," Turek said. Teams from Whitefish Bay, Salem, Pius XI, St. Joan Antida, Milwaukee Academy of Science and Shorewood high schools prepared their statements and examinations, practicing their delivery to impress the judges. Each of the four rounds offered another chance for the teams to make their arguments even stronger. "In mock trial, you get put on the spot," Ehlenbach said. "There's a lot of improvisation." The trials were judged by federal and state judges in Milwaukee County and were scored by lawyers who volunteered their time. "It is amazing to see high school kids engage in a trial like they are real lawyers," Turek said, explaining why judges and organizers continue to work with the program year after year. "They think on their feet, making objections and arguing with the judges on the spot." In the midst of heated debate, students improve critical thinking, confidence in public speaking and problem-solving. Shorewood teams finished first and second. The winning team advances to the state level competition on March 12. Four years ago, Racine County pulled all of its juvenile offenders from the Lincoln Hills School for Boys because of the facilitys mishandling of the beating and rape of a teen there. Credit: Mark Hoffman Department of Corrections Secretary Ed Walls took the fall Friday for the mess at the state's upstate correctional facility for youths. And that's appropriate: the top guy should resign when things have gone as sour as they have at Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls. In my opinion, he should have resigned earlier. Also appropriate: the Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe, an indication that authorities could be investigating violations of federal law at the prison. The probe so far has focused on allegations of prisoner abuse, excessive use of force, child neglect and sexual assault, as well as retaliation against accusers. But Wall's resignation is only the first step. State officials need to determine not only what crimes may have been committed but what went wrong and who was responsible. And let's not try to hang this just on front-line workers or a few scapegoats. At the same time, Republicans in the Legislature should take up a Democratic package of bills that aim to improve worker training, limit the use of forced overtime, increase workplace safety, strengthen reporting requirements and ensure appropriate staffing levels for first responders. That, or Republican legislators need to come up with a package of their own. Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the County Board led by Chairman Theodore Lipscomb Sr. are moving to remove about 160 Milwaukee youths at the facility and find them places closer to Milwaukee. A great move: Granted, these kids are in Lincoln Hills for a reason, but no one deserves the kind of "inhumane" treatment that County Circuit Chief Judge Maxine White described after a recent visit. And it will get the kids closer to their families, something that could help with their rehabilitation. But it won't happen right away. There simply is no place at the moment to put them, county officials told me last week. It will take time and money to provide the necessary slots, something that both Abele and Lipscomb are urgently working on, officials said. Furthermore, Milwaukee officials such as Police Chief Edward Flynn and Tom Barrett have raised some issues of concern that need to be addressed. Lipscomb told me last week that he understands the city's concerns and is willing to work with city officials to resolve the issue. Good; the sooner these issues can be resolved, the quicker these youths will find the safer facility they need. A Milwaukee County sheriffs deputy responds to an accident just north of 7 Mile Road on I-94 in March of 2015. Credit: Mike De Sisti SHARE By The Republican-controlled state Senate is about to do something that is unthinkable in politics. Casting aside decades of tradition and the common perception of self-preservation, they are saying "No" to the state's highway building lobby. That's right, instead of following the well-trodden bipartisan path of authorizing spending on new highways to curry favor from the powerful (and well-funded) highway lobby, they are putting the interests of the taxpayer first. They are risking their careers to put road spending in check. It's a progressive idea that is positively LaFollette-like in its approach. More to the point, this isn't some political stunt. It's a reasoned approach to overseeing one of the largest sources of spending in the state budget. And it could lead to resolving one of the most contentious issues that has hampered the state for years. What the Senate GOP has recognized is that we don't have enough money to build all of the roads that have been authorized or are on their way to approval, and to also fund the local roads that are so important to businesses and residents across the state. Since there is no appetite for new taxes to fund new roads either, something has to give. In December, Republicans and Democrats both embraced a proposed audit of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation by the Legislative Audit Bureau. They want to know why the state transportation agency is continuing to recommend the construction of new, wider highways when historic driving trends have shifted and people are driving less. They also are questioning the forecasts of more traffic when state population growth is slowing. Why are local roads getting less funding for maintenance than at any point in recent Wisconsin history? Why are some other states including fast growing states such as California saying "No" to new highway expansion while Wisconsin, with much slower growth, is proposing new highway construction? Are there more efficient, less costly ways of addressing congestion and freight movement than simply widening roads? Still, while that audit had very strong bipartisan support, it was the Senate Republicans who staked their support for new taxes on the outcome of the audit on the state's highway agency. That audit won't be concluded until the end of the year. Over in the Assembly, both Republicans and Democrats are eager to raise your taxes to build bigger highways. While they have cleverly disguised their tax increase as a local option to fund local roads, it will have the effect of freeing up more money at the state level to needlessly expand new highways. Something of a showdown already has occurred between the Assembly and the Senate. In December, the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee voted to increase borrowing by $350 million to build new highways. Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills, would have none of it. They voted as a bloc against the borrowing, saying that they wanted to see the results of a state audit on how the Wisconsin Department of Transportation justifies the construction of new highway projects. They lost the vote to Assembly Republicans and all Democrats, but the line was drawn. Assembly Republicans are now poised to give the approval to a bill that would "solve" the transportation problem in a very traditional way: Throw money at it. Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) has authored legislation giving counties and cities the OK to raise taxes on themselves to fund the costs of fixing local roads. This ignores the fact that we are already paying gas taxes that are supposed to be covering the costs of local road maintenance. The shortfall in funding local road repairs is due entirely to the fact that legislators have been reallocating money intended for local roads to highway expansion projects favored by the Wisconsin highway building lobby. Rather than cut new spending, this legislation will mean that residents will be paying gas taxes to build new highways and local sales and property taxes to fix local roads. Enough! Senate Republicans are right to reject this measure and wait for the audit that will give us a better picture of what is really needed to put the state's transportation budget in balance. It would be smart for Senate Democrats to also reject this spending measure. Steve Hiniker is executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. Mandela Barnes is a state representative for the 11th Assembly District. Credit: Rick Wood SHARE You would need to be blind to confuse State Rep. Mandela Barnes with his legislative aide Fred Ludwig. Yeah, they are relatively young. Barnes is 29 and Ludwig is 30. They both are lovers of hip hop music and culture. Right now you can probably catch either of them listening to the latest J Dilla in their cars after a long day at the office. Aside from those similarities, the two shouldn't ever be confused. Barnes is black and Ludwig is white and they don't have a problem with that. But when it comes to how their roles are perceived by outsiders there seems to be some confusion. Barnes, who was elected in 2012, said when some lobbyists visit his Madison office from places such as Menasha or Green Bay, the "black guy" is looked at as the underling more times than one would think. Maybe it's just naturally siding with someone who you feel comfortable with. Maybe it's the way some of us are conditioned. One thing is for sure, Barnes said, when the guests to the office figure it out, there usually are a lot of embarrassed faces in the room. Barnes said he doesn't think it's done maliciously, but that doesn't change the fact that these seemingly small incidents prove that we still have a ways to go in this state and country when it comes to how we view those in power. When I asked Barnes and Ludwig to give me examples the phenomenon, both men had more than enough stories to share. For the most part, the stories follow a similar pattern of the "white guy" being considered the person in charge and the black guy although well-dressed and well-spoken as the help. Such as the time when an optometrist association came to Barnes' office to lobby, but instead of stopping to talk with Barnes the group made a beeline to Ludwig. Weeks later, a group representing virtual schools did the same thing. Barnes sees it from blacks as well. There was the time when a colleague was referred to as Barnes' "boss" at the Hyatt in Madison by an African-American who worked at the hotel. This mistake wouldn't be so egregious if it were not for the fact that Barnes has frequented the hotel on several occasions. Barnes simply said it's "pretty rough when you're at the Hyatt and your own people assume the not-black guy you're talking to is your boss." He said it comes down to assumptions and not being exposed to people of color. People in some parts of the state may have had little contact with African-Americans, so they may not suspect that the African-American in the room would be the "boss," power, and some blacks depending on what part of the city they're from may not have met a black state politician. That's really unsettling and speaks to the disproportionate lack of representation of minorities. Ludwig said he was raised not to make such general assumptions. And he can't believe that in 2016, some people still assume that the person in charge is always going to be an older white male, especially when it comes to politics. But the numbers show that when it comes to state politics, things are majority white and male. Out of the 132 legislators in the Assembly and Senate, six are black and two are Hispanic. I've been in similar situations myself. When I was invited to a co-worker's wedding reception last summer, the bride made the assumption that my date and I were at the wrong party. She told us that the "other wedding" was being held on another floor. When the groom corrected her, she was terribly embarrassed. We were the only blacks at the reception, and we were housekeeping their dog while they were on their honeymoon. Carol M. Swain of Vanderbilt University Law School, warned me not to be too quick to assume that people are racists when they make these errors. Sometimes people just make mistakes, said Swain, a black Christian conservative. Although she didn't know Barnes, she said in similar situations mistakes are made based on a person's age, the style of dress or any other number of factors. She even cited teachers who dress "too casual" for work and are often confused with students. I personally know Barnes and he is one of the best-dressed politicians I know, so I'm sure it's not a case of being underdressed. And besides, how many white guys do you know named "Mandela"? Barnes said he hopes what has happened to him sparks people to think before they assume. I'm sure this just doesn't happen in cases of black and white. I'm sure women in power, who have men working under them experience similar situations. Word to the wise, nothing will land you in problem faster than a false assumption. James E. Causey is a Journal Sentinel columnist and blogger. Email james.causey@jrn.com. Facebook: fb.me/jamescausey.12 Twitter: jecausey SHARE By By now, most of the world has heard of Malala, the Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban and survived. She has since been raising her voice from the halls of the United Nations to the sets of late night talk shows on behalf of the 63 million girls who are out of school worldwide and the vast majority of school girls in the developing world who will not get to finish secondary school. Hers is a moral fight, a fight for every girl in the world to get what she deserves, the chance to go to school. But in policy-makers' hard-nosed discussions on tight budgets and competing priorities, the fight for girls' education must appeal to both the heart and the head. A recent book, "What Works in Girls' Education: Evidence for the World's Best Investment," details the top 10 reasons why girls' education is such a high-returning investment and what solutions work best to fix the problem. Rarely will policy-makers get such bang for their buck. Girls' education saves lives both of mothers and their children, it improves women's wages and families' nutrition, it reduces the incidence of child marriage as well as HIV/AIDs and malaria, it empowers women and contributes to economic growth, and can even help address climate change. Despite such a wide range of benefits, the world has not taken up education as a serious investment proposition. For example, from the recent climate change summit in Paris, financing to developing countries for climate change has been promised with a publicized target of at least $100 billion per year. Foreign aid to education projects is about $13 billion annually, much less than the $39 billion needed to get all girls and boys through secondary school. We propose a solution that has so far been overlooked by the international community. The potential for girls' education to help address climate change is perhaps the reason to invest in girls' education that has gotten the least attention. But if policy-makers can link the two, it has tremendous potential to benefit both issues. The argument goes something like this: One of the most effective strategies for curbing global carbon emissions is to slow population growth. For example, in the United States, the carbon emissions of a single person is about 20 times the reductions that each of us might be expected to achieve by being more conscious of our carbon footprint, switching to electric cars and using LED light bulbs. Slowing population growth is also far cheaper than other strategies to address climate change, such as low-carbon energy investment whether it be to solar or nuclear or biofuels. One of the best ways to slow population growth is to educate girls through secondary school. The difference between a woman with no years of schooling and with 12 years of schooling is almost four to five children per woman. And it is precisely in those areas of the world where girls are having the hardest time getting educated that population growth is the fastest. The U.N. projects that the world's population will grow from 7.3 billion today to 9.7 billion by 2050, largely in developing countries, including regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. But recent research shows that if girls' education continues to expand, that number would be 2 billion less by 2045. So what needs to be done? It is high time for policy-makers to make the link between education and climate change, not just in theory but in their financing and programming decisions. The former are scrambling for funds; the latter for proven interventions. Primary and secondary schooling for girls would put the two together. If one-eighth of climate aid could be devoted to more education, it would double foreign aid for education and could potentially lead to far more rapid scaling up of girls' education and ultimately help save the planet at the same time. A win-win proposition that undoubtedly Malala would approve of. Rebecca Winthrop is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. Homi Kharas is a senior fellow and deputy director of Brookings' Global Economy and Development program. He is former chief economist for the East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank. FIRESIDE FORUM Topic: Inequality and Education With Rebecca Winthrop, senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution Local Respondent: Demond Means, commissioner, Opportunity Schools Partnership Program and superintendent, Mequon-Thiensville School District Details: 7 p.m., Tuesday, UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Fireside Lounge. The series is free; sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Institute of World Affairs and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More information: www.iwa.uwm.edu In most presidential elections, Supreme Court nominations are a major issue for elites and a substantial concern for significant parts of the conservative movement. Other voters usually see the future makeup of the court as a side matter, or not essential to their decisions at all. Justice Antonin Scalia's death on Saturday will change this. The issue of conservative judicial activism had already begun to take hold among liberals because of a series of fiercely ideological and precedent-shattering 5-to-4 decisions. You read that right: After decades during which conservatives complained about 'liberal judicial activism,' it is now conservatives who are unabashed in undermining progressive legislation enacted by the nation's elected branches. Scalia will be remembered fondly on the right as the brilliant exponent of the theory of 'originalism' that provided a rationale or, in many cases, a rationalization for decisions that usually fit conservative ideological preferences. In 2010, Citizens United rewrote decades of precedent on Congress' power to regulate how campaigns are financed, facilitating a flood of money into elections from a small number of very wealthy Americans. Three years later, Shelby County v. Holder ripped the heart out of the federal government's enforcement power in the Voting Rights Act. Last week, conservatives on the court halted the implementation of President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan, his central initiative on climate change. The court's conservatives have also regularly undercut the power of unions and the ability of citizens to wage legal battles against corporations. Such decisions already had the potential of broadening the range of progressive constituencies invested in making the court a major election issue. But Scalia's death means that Obama or his successor if that successor is a Democrat could overturn the current conservative majority. And Republicans did themselves no favors in the coming argument by moving in a hard political direction even before most of the tributes to Scalia had been published and even before the president had actually picked someone: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proclaimed that no Obama nominee would be considered, period. 'The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice,' McConnell said. 'Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.' During Saturday night's debate in South Carolina, Marco Rubio said that 'it has been over 80 years since a lame-duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice.' Well. A Senate controlled by Democrats confirmed President Reagan's nomination of Anthony Kennedy on a 97-0 vote in February 1988, which happened to be an election year. By what definition was Reagan not a lame duck when he put Kennedy forward on Nov. 11, 1987? Obama rejected the rejectionists. He said Saturday he would name a new justice and that there would be 'plenty of time...for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote.' My hunch is that Obama will try to put the Republicans' obstructionism in sharp relief by offering a nominee who has won support and praise from GOP senators in the past. Three potential candidates who fit these criteria and won immediate and widespread mention were Merrick Garland and Sri Srinivasan, both judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Jane Kelly, a judge on the Eighth Circuit. (I should note that Garland is a dear friend of long standing.) An extended court fight would allow progressives, once and for all, to make clear it is their conservative foes now using judicial power most aggressively. The partisan outcome of this year's election just became far more important. E.J. Dionne is a columnist for The Washington Post. Email ejdionne@washpost.com. Twitter: @EJDionne This is an opportunity for me to clear my mind of clutter. To observe. To comment. And to write stuff. By Madison Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who is locked in a tough re-election contest in Wisconsin, does not want President Barack Obama to nominate a replacement for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Whether Obama or the next president should nominate a replacement for Scalia, who was found dead Saturday, is suddenly an issue in Johnson's and other Senate races, as well as the campaign for president. Many Republicans are saying the decision should wait for the president elected in November, while Democrats say there is no reason for Obama not to fulfill his Constitutional duty to name a successor for the current Senate to confirm. "I strongly agree that the American people should decide the future direction of the Supreme Court by their votes for president and the majority party in the U.S. Senate," Johnson said in a statement released Sunday. "America needs Supreme Court justices who share Justice Scalia's commitment to applying the Constitution as written and to the freedom it secures." Johnson is being challenged by Democrat Russ Feingold, who served 18 years in the Senate before losing to Johnson in 2010. It is one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country, as Democrats see it as a potential seat to pick up as they try to regain the majority. Feingold aligned himself with other Democrats, including presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who want Obama to move forward with a nominee to replace Scalia. "The Supreme Court plays a unique role applying the Constitution to important questions of American life and business, and I expect the president to nominate a new justice, as the Constitution requires," Feingold said in a statement. "The Senate must then do its job by working in a bipartisan way to vote on the nominee." Scalia was found dead Saturday morning at a private resort in the Big Bend area of West Texas. Obama said Saturday that he would nominate a successor "in due time," angering Republicans who said the decision should not be his. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." Scalia led the conservative majority on the court, which often decides cases 5-4, filling the naming of his replacement in an election year with repercussions for those running for both president and Senate. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the dedication of Eckstein Hall, Marquette's new law-school building, in Sept. 2010. Credit: Associated Press By of the Marquette University Law School Dean Joseph Kearney will never forget the first time he met Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. It was August 1994, and Kearney was interviewing for a spot as one of Scalia's law clerks. "He seemed as interested in my undergraduate studies of the classics, Latin and Greek, as in anything I had done in practice," Kearney said. Kearney said Scalia, who died Saturday, possessed a combination of "remarkable intelligence" and "extraordinary" rhetorical skills. He said Scalia was "the most impressive person" he had ever met. "On a personal level, he was gifted with a great sense of humor," said Kearney, who clerked for Scalia from 1995 to 1996. Scalia made two appearances at Marquette University Law School, delivering the Hallows Lecture in 2001 and the keynote address for the dedication of Eckstein Hall in 2010. State Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who got to know Scalia over the years, recalled that he "had a good way of disarming people and facing up to the realities of judging and getting (other justices) to agree with him." In 2007, Abrahamson and Scalia officiated at a wedding together in the state Supreme Court's hearing room in the state Capitol. Scalia borrowed judicial robes from then-state Justice Louis Butler. Scalia and Abrahamson disagreed on many points of the law but shared similar beliefs about the 4th Amendment right protecting people from unreasonable search and seizure. "He was tough in his view, sometimes quite acrimonious," Abrahamson said. "I think he should be remembered at this time as a respected jurist." Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley (left), Circuit Court Judge Joe Donald (center) and Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg will square off Tuesday in the state Supreme Court primary. The top two finishers will advance to the April 5 general election. Credit: Journal Sentinel files SHARE By of the Madison Heading into Tuesday's primary, the candidates for state Supreme Court are touting their credentials and taking swipes at each other over Gov. Scott Walker, an ad from a conservative group and how two of them interacted in the past. The primary will narrow the field from three candidates to two for the April 5 general election. The winner will get a 10-year term on the high court. The GOP governor appointed Rebecca Bradley to the Supreme Court in October to finish the term of Justice N. Patrick Crooks, who died in September. It was the third time Walker had appointed Bradley to a judgeship in as many years; he put her on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court bench in 2012 and the District 1 Court of Appeals in May 2015. Running against her are Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joe Donald and District 4 Appeals Court Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg. Kloppenburg in recent weeks launched an ad blasting Bradley for her ties to Walker and Donald for his past support of Bradley. "The fact is Rebecca Bradley brings a very partisan background with her onto the court," Kloppenburg said. Donald similarly criticized Bradley for the appointments she received from Walker. "She clearly represents an ideology and was promoted for representing that ideology," Donald said. "It had nothing to do with experience because there really wasn't any experience there." Bradley said she was pleased Walker had appointed her to judgeships but said she wouldn't comment on whether she thought he had done a good job because she doesn't take a public position on what other branches of government are doing. "I think it's disappointing, especially to the voters, that my opponents continue to introduce partisanship into what is a nonpartisan race and a nonpartisan position," Bradley said. "I've been running a very positive campaign that is focused on the credentials and experience that I'm bringing to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, along with my judicial philosophy." Kloppenburg and Donald contend it is Bradley who is the partisan because she is getting help from the state Republican Party. Donald is running an ad saying he wants to keep politics off the court. It doesn't mention his opponents, but it shows a brief image of Bradley with Walker. Bradley isn't running an ad, but a new conservative group called the Wisconsin Alliance for Reform has spent $1 million on one promoting her. It uses footage that Bradley's campaign shot and posted online. Donald called the ad "highly suspect" and said the group paying for it would want something in return. "Someone's spending a ton of money on her to make sure she retains the seat," he said. Kloppenburg said the ad appears to be a sign Bradley is coordinating with an outside group, which Bradley denied. "She says she wouldn't coordinate," Kloppenburg said. "It looks like coordination. It calls into question her integrity." Bradley said she didn't work with the group and hadn't heard of the Wisconsin Alliance for Reform until she learned of the ad. Her opponents argued the only reason to post B-roll footage online would be so someone could use it for a supportive ad, but Bradley said it was typical to post "all kinds of video and photos" online as part of a political campaign. Past backing Donald endorsed Bradley when she ran for a full term on the Milwaukee County court, swore her in after she won that election and agreed to be a reference on her application for the appeals court appointment. But Donald wrote a letter of support for another judge for the appeals court position and said he had ranked Bradley as fourth among four judges seeking the job. "The fact that Joe Donald supported Rebecca Bradley twice ... shows the voters that he is not the clear and strong voice who can articulate the differences between Governor's Walker's choice for the court, Rebecca Bradley, and the people's choice," Kloppenburg said. Donald said he supported Bradley earlier because he thought she would be good at that level. "I believed that she had potential to be a good trial court judge, and I still believe that she has that potential and it's my goal to make sure that she is given every opportunity to actualize that potential as a trial court judge, but I don't think she's qualified to be on our state Supreme Court," Donald said. Bradley said Donald had offered her his unsolicited support for her circuit court race and she considered them friends. She said she was surprised when Donald told WisPolitics.com recently that he believed he had been "bamboozled" by supporting her. "When I hear those types of comments, it doesn't sound like the Joe Donald I thought I knew," Bradley said. In 2011, Donald was listed as endorsing conservative Justice David Prosser on Prosser's campaign website. That year, Prosser narrowly won re-election over Kloppenburg. Donald said despite the listing, he had not endorsed Prosser and had voted for Kloppenburg. In other recent Supreme Court elections, Donald endorsed conservatives such as Patience Roggensack and Annette Ziegler and liberals such as Shirley Abrahamson and Ann Walsh Bradley. Ann Walsh Bradley, who won re-election in 2015, is not related to Rebecca Bradley. Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush (from left), Ted Cruz and Donald Trump participate in a debate Saturday at the Peace Center in Greenville, S.C., sponsored by CBS News. The faceoff came a week before the South Carolina primary. Credit: Getty Images By , Greenville, S.C. Republican White House hopefuls called for President Barack Obama to step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, as they opened a debate jolted by Saturday's death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. He said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination" but added that he didn't expect that Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage Saturday urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," Donald Trump said, referring to the Senate majority leader. "It's called delay, delay, delay." Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a former Supreme Court clerk, said he was the best candidate to pick a successor to Scalia because of his background and "resolve." But he avoided a direct question about whether he would pledge as president not to try to fill judicial vacancies late in his term. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson said, "I fully agree that we should not allow a judge to be appointed in his time." Trump and Bush tangled in some of the night's most biting exchanges, highlighting the bad blood between the real estate mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Trump accused Bush's brother, former President George W. Bush, of having lied to the public about the Iraq War. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Trump said. Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in South Carolina, a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. Jeb Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Trump, said that while he doesn't mind the billionaire criticizing him "It's blood sport for him" he is "sick and tired of him going after my family." Saturday's debate came a week before South Carolina's primary. Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier GOP events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain. Cruz and Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Many GOP leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. Terrorism and national security were a big topic. Cruz refused to rule out using U.S. ground troops in the Middle East to fight the Islamic State group but he said he doesn't think it is necessary. He said he would instead use "overwhelming air power" and provide U.S. arms to Kurdish forces. Trump said his first national security decision would be on how to attack the Islamic State, which he called "animals," because "we are going to have to hit very, very hard." Ohio Gov. John Kasich said the United States needs to build a "coalition of civilized people" to take out the Islamic State as the world is "desperate" for American leadership in knocking out terrorist organizations and stopping Russian aggression. Florida Sen. Rubio named three foreign policy priorities: dealing with North Korea and China, limiting Iran's growing influence in the Middle East and rebuilding NATO in Europe. Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his GOP-led Legislature. "We want everyone to rise, and we will make them personally responsible for the help they get," said Kasich, whose fledgling campaign gained new life after a second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. Bush said Kasich's actions amounted to "expanding Obamacare," a deeply unpopular concept among Republicans. SHARE In its application for Lake Michigan water, the City of Waukesha has proposed returning water to the lake by discharging treated wastewater to the Root River at S. 60th St. in Franklin. Representatives of eight Great Lakes states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec will be in Waukesha Wednesday and Thursday to get a firsthand look at the citys request. Don Behm By of the Representatives of eight Great Lakes states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec will be in Waukesha on Wednesday and Thursday to get a firsthand look at the city asking for a Lake Michigan water supply. This request is unprecedented: Waukesha is the first community in the United States located entirely outside the Great Lakes basin to ask for a diversion of water under a 2008 federal law known as the Great Lakes protection compact. The city is about 1.5 miles west of the subcontinental divide marking the basin boundary. The compact prohibits Great Lakes water from being pumped beyond counties straddling its drainage basin. The City of Waukesha is in a straddling county, so it can ask for lake water to solve public health or environmental problems. But other nearby communities East Troy or Whitewater in Walworth County, Fort Atkinson or Jefferson in Jefferson County could not ask to tap into the lake, under both the federal law and Wisconsin's compact implementation law. The same goes for Madison and beyond. This request has been intensely scrutinized: Fully 13 years of studies, including more than five years of analysis and revisions by Wisconsin environmental regulators, was prelude to this final review by the other Great Lakes states and provinces. Waukesha Water Utility General Manager Dan Duchniak delivered the original application to Madison in June 2010, only after regional planners and city consultants independently recommended a switch to the lake. Following requests for additional information, the state Department of Natural Resources a year later announced the application was "sufficiently complete" for it to examine. A lake water supply would replace 10 wells, including seven deep wells drawing radium-contaminated water from a depleted sandstone aquifer, Duchniak said. Those deep wells provided 83% of the water distributed throughout the city in 2014. Waukesha is under a court-ordered deadline of June 2018 to fully comply with federal drinking water standards for radium. Bus tour In December, the DNR forwarded the city's request to the other seven Great Lakes states and the provinces for review along with its finding that the application meets requirements of the compact and could be approved. All of Waukesha's water supply alternatives outside the Great Lakes basin "are likely to have greater adverse environmental impacts than the proposed diversion" and the city "is without a reasonable water supply alternative" other than the lake, the department concluded in its technical review. Those are among the issues the other states must decide for themselves. So a Wednesday morning bus tour across Waukesha and Milwaukee counties will highlight the city's well supply, its sewage treatment plant, and major elements of the proposal to take water from the lake and send a return flow back to it. As an indicator of the controversy surrounding this request for lake water, Duchniak and other Waukesha officials will not be allowed on the bus to prevent them from lobbying the regional representatives. The public can meet the representatives at a Thursday afternoon information meeting to be followed by a hearing where citizens are invited to comment on the request. Both the meeting and hearing will be held in the Shattuck Music Center on the Carroll University campus. Environmental groups in the region have criticized Waukesha's lake supply plan as unnecessary, and they assert the city could drill additional shallow wells to reduce dependency on the deep sandstone wells. But drawing more shallow water would cut groundwater flows to surface streams and wetlands and damage those resources, Duchniak testified Tuesday at a hearing before the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in Lansing. "The DNR's own modeling found more than 900 to 1,000 acres of wetlands would be harmed if a combination of deep and shallow wells was used," he said. And shallow wells in urban areas are susceptible to contamination from pollutants on the surface, according to Duchniak. Waukesha halted use of two of its three shallow wells Feb. 1-4 after they were tainted by chloride from street salting activities, he said. Governors to decide The Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers has set a timetable for the states and provinces to review Waukesha's request through April 21. Then governors of the eight states will meet in late May or early June in Chicago to decide on the application. The Great Lakes compact requires unanimous approval, so one state could block the plan. Waukesha is asking the states to approve a plan for diverting up to an average of 10.1 million gallons of lake water a day by midcentury, and returning the same volume of water to the lake as treated wastewater. In 2014, the city pumped an average of 6.6 million gallons of water a day from wells. If the lake supply is approved, the city likely would start out at an average of less than 7 million gallons a day and gradually build to the maximum average of 10.1 million gallons a day. The Wisconsin DNR would continue to monitor the city's water use and adjust diversion volumes every 20 years as a condition of approval, department officials said. 'Borrowing' lake water Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly described the diversion and return plan as "borrowing" lake water, in testimony last week at the Michigan hearing. The Great Lakes Compact requires the return flow so there is no negative effect on lake levels, he said. "The decision on Waukesha's application is not a choice between protecting the Great Lakes and providing safe drinking water for Waukesha," Reilly said. With the mandatory return flow, both goals can be met, he said. Reilly responded to critics of the plan who say there would be a cumulative effect on the lakes if more and more straws are allowed to suck water out of the basin. "For the very few straws that may ever go into the basin to meet local needs, just as many straws must go back" to the lakes, under the compact, he said. Waukesha has proposed building a $207 million network of pipes and pumps to divert lake water to Waukesha and return treated wastewater to the lake. Waukesha would buy lake water from Oak Creek, as part of the city's proposal. Oak Creek would deliver the water through a 30-inch, 19.4-mile-long pipe to the Hillcrest reservoir in Waukesha. Waukesha would pump fully treated wastewater through a pipe extending 20.2 miles from its sewage plant on the Fox River at Sentry Drive to the Root River at S. 60th St. in Franklin. The river is a tributary of Lake Michigan. Waukesha water request events Wednesday, 1 p.m. Informational briefing by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Waukesha Water Utility, Room 214, Campus Center, 101 N. East Ave., Waukesha. Open to public. Thursday, 2 p.m. Public informational meeting, Room 122, Shattuck Music Center, 218 N. East Ave., Waukesha. Thursday, 3 p.m. Public hearing, Room 122, Shattuck Music Center. Reddit Email 0 Shares By IMEMC | The European Parliament (EPs) Delegation for relations with Palestine, expressed alarm at the deteriorating situation on the ground, calling for an immediate stop to Israeli expansion of settlements, and demolitions, said a press statement by EP delegation. Israeli occupation policies are a direct threat to the two-state solution. The expansion of settlements, demolitions, forcible transfers and evictions must stop immediately, Delegation Chair Martina Anderson said. Palestinians need hope, freedom and human rights. The way to these is by ending the occupation. h/t Wikipedia Following the EU guidelines on the indication of origin of goods originating from the territories occupied since 1967 by Israel, the EP delegation, following a four-day official visit, assessed what further action the EU should take regarding settlements in order to comply fully with international law and EU legislation. The EP delegation asserted, according to WAFA: The EU must be a player, not only a payer, stating that, We are incensed by Israels increasing number of demolitions of humanitarian structures funded by EU taxpayers. People are losing their homes in the cold and the rain. Israeli policies violate international law and show disrespect for the EU, Israels biggest trade partner, Chair Anderson said. International organizations gave witness to the substantial deliberate targeting of EU-funded humanitarian aid structures by Israeli authorities, recently stepped-up apparently in retaliation for the EU guidelines on indication of origin of products from Israeli settlements. These demolitions are hitting hard particularly the rural Bedouin community, said the statement. Members of the European Parliament further expressed concern at Israels use of administrative detention without formal charges. They cited the particularly alarming case of Mohammad Al-Qeeq, a journalist on hunger strike for 79 days. To be noted, over 500 other Palestinians, including minors, are currently detained without charge or trial. Regarding the Palestinian internal reconciliation, the EP delegation affirmed that, Palestinian reconciliation is more urgent than ever. Elections must be held as soon as possible. A united Palestinian leadership is essential for the two-state solution and for the future of Palestinian youth, Anderson said. Anderson slammed the Israeli authorities refusal to allow envoy into Gaza as unacceptable. The European Parliament has not been allowed in since 2011. The cross-party Delegation for Relations with Palestine was in the West Bank from Monday 8 to Friday 12 February. The group reportedly met with high-level Palestinian officials and civil society in East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Susya, Abu Nwar, Jabal al Baba and the Jordan Valley, as well as with UN partners. On February 6th, The European Union called on Israel to halt the demolition of Palestinian housing, some of which was EU-funded, and reiterated its opposition to expanding Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In the past weeks there have been a number of developments in Area C of the West Bank, which risk undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and driving the parties yet further apart, the EU diplomatic service said in a statement. On 18 January Foreign Ministers in the Council conclusions confirmed the EUs firm opposition to Israels settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscation, evictions, forced transfers or restrictions of movement and access. Via IMEMC Reddit Email 0 Shares By John Kiriakou | (Otherwords.org) | GOP presidential candidates are endorsing torture, again. For anyone who cares deeply about being informed, watching Republican presidential debates can feel like a form of torture. But the program becomes more terrifying altogether when their ignorance is hitched to an endorsement of actual torture. At the latest GOP debate in New Hampshire, Donald Trump heartily endorsed waterboarding and other forms of torture, which he promised to reinstitute in national security interrogations if he wins the election. I would bring back waterboarding, and I would bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding, Trump vowed. Trumps position was condemned immediately by Republican Senator John McCain, who knows a thing or two about torture. McCain, who was brutally beaten as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, accused his fellow Republicans of sacrificing our respect for human dignity with their loose talk about instituting human rights abuses. McCain reminded Trump and Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Carly Fiorina, who also seem to be enamored of torture that the torture techniques employed by the Bush administration after 9/11 were unreliable. They produced no actionable intelligence, disrupted no terrorist attacks, and saved no American lives. These conclusions were documented by investigators for the Senate Intelligence Committee, who examined raw CIA documents. In other words, they came directly from the horses mouth. But torture isnt just bad policy. Its against the law. First, the federal Torture Act stipulates that if an American soldier, CIA officer, or anybody else acting on behalf of the government waterboards a prisoner, he risks up to 20 years imprisonment. The McCain-Feinstein Amendment Congress passed last year reiterated the ban on torture, including waterboarding. Second, our country is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Waterboarding a prisoner is against international law and could subject the torturer or the person ordering or approving the torture to international sanctions, including prosecution in international courts. In the early part of the last decade, torture fans in the George W. Bush Justice Department most infamously in a legal opinion by attorneys John Yoo and Jay Bybee twisted the law itself into contortions to argue that certain forms of torture were permissible. Al-Qaeda, they said, was a non-state actor, not a country. As such, its members should receive none of the protections of international law. That argument was specious on its face. Absolutely nothing in U.S. law says that there are two sets of rules one for countries and one for terrorist groups. The law is the law, whether we like it or not including international conventions adopted by the United States. What Trump and his cronies are advocating is illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional. In fact, its an impeachable offense. No president can order anybody to commit torture. Anyone who does should be hauled before a judge. Personally, I have trouble taking any candidate who knows so little about the law and the Constitution seriously. But deep down, I almost want one of them to win, just so Congress, the Supreme Court, and the American people can make an example of him or her. Maybe thats what it will take to finally put this torture issue to rest. Reddit Email 0 Shares Column By the Book with Joseph Preville by JOSEPH RICHARD PREVILLE and JULIE POUCHER HARBIN | ISLAMiCommentary | Are Muslims embraced as part of the mosaic of Europe? Or, are they considered and treated as outsiders, foreigners, and invaders? Political Scientist Peter OBrien deconstructs this issue in his new book, The Muslim Question in Europe: Political Controversies and Public Philosophies (Temple University Press, 2016). There exists, he writes, no great, let alone unbridgeable, gulf in outlook or lifestyle forever separating Islamic from Western civilization. He argues that there is not a clash of civilizations, but clashes within Western civilization. OBrien dissects the hotly-debated and contentious topics of headscarves, terrorism, and secularism (mosque-state relations) within the broad historical and political contexts of intra-European tensions. He argues that European Muslims should not be viewed as a distinct group of political actors. Rather, he states that European Muslims and non-Muslims both inhabit a normative landscape in Europe dominated by the vying public philosophies of liberalism, nationalism, and postmodernism. OBrien is Professor of Political Science at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He was educated at Kalamazoo College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has served as a Social Science Research Council Fellow at the Free University in Berlin and as a Fulbright Professor at Bogazici University in Istanbul and the Humboldt University in Berlin. OBrien is the author of Beyond the Swastika (Routledge, 1996) and European Perceptions of Islam and America from Saladin to George W. Bush (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008). Peter OBrien discusses his new book in this interview. The Pew Research Center projects that Muslims will make up 8% of Europes population by 2030. How are Muslims changing the social and political fabric of Europe, especially considering the declining birthrate in Europe, which is much lower than other regions throughout the world? Many reliable studies have found that Europeans of Muslim heritage think and live very much like their non-Muslim counterparts. However, a conspicuous minority of Islamist Europeans do resist and challenge in word and deed so-called common European norms and values. A minority (Islamists) of a small minority (Muslims) in terms of the entire population of Europe should not be able to affect much change in the social and political fabric of Europe. However, a growing number of Islamophobic politicians, parties and movements that exaggerate the influence of Islamists could, if empowered by voters, transform Europe into a considerably less welcoming place for Muslims than it has been thus far in the postwar era. What are the major political controversies surrounding European Muslims? My book devotes a chapter to each of the major controversies: the requirements for citizenship (or long-term residency); the headscarf debate; mosque-state relations (the level of state subsidies and support for Islam/Muslims); and countering the alleged threat of Islamist terrorism. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the wearing of the headscarf is akin to proselytization, if Im not mistaken. And France seems to have the toughest restrictions on the hijab. Do you see French laws and interpretation of laicite seemingly at odds with freedom of religious expression changing at all? Yes. The central thesis of my book is that because there exists no firm ethical consensus on such matters as the headscarf controversy, ultimately political contestation (in the courts, parliaments, streets) will decide the matter. Contestation means that current decisions will be challenged and likely (someday) altered. Keep in mind that before the ban was legislated in 2004, the Conseil dEtat regularly nullified individual school bans on grounds that they constituted an infringement of religious freedom. Or consider Germany. In 2003 the Constitutional Court allowed a ban for teachers in public schools but reversed its decision in 2015. It would not surprise me if the hijab were highly in vogue in Europe among Muslim and non-Muslim women by 2025. I mean that somewhat facetiously, but the situation is that fluid. How did your life and work in Germany and Turkey shape the perspective of your research? Living in Turkey for the academic year 1995-1996 helped me to reject the neo-Orientalist stereotypes with which I was educated. Repeatedly residing in Germany for long durations over the last 35 years has prompted greater appreciation for the complexity of immigration as well as increased skepticism toward and even irritation with simplistic explanations and interpretations (some of which were my own). Have you been to Germany and Turkey since the Syrian refugee crisis? What have you observed? I resided in Germany for five months in 2015. I witnessed much admirable generosity and goodwill on the part of Germans and non-Germans toward arriving refugees. Unfortunately, many politicians have been more interested in fomenting anger and resentment toward the newcomers. German PM Angela Merkel is under increasing political pressure at home especially since the attacks in Cologne to revisit the countrys open door policy toward refugees. To many German citizens the danger to their society is very real. Do they have reason to be worried or are their fears overblown? Is it possible to put the crisis in perspective based on what you know of history and of Germany? Based on separate figures compiled by Peter Katzenstein and Doug Saunders, I write in my book that a resident of Europe is 33 times likelier to die from meningitis, 822 times likelier to be murdered for nonpolitical reasons, and 1,833 times likelier to perish in a car accident than to fall victim to terrorist attacks, of which only one percent are committed by persons invoking Islam. An estimated 13 percent of women in Germany experience physical assault at some time in their life. The problem of violence against women neither originated on New Years Eve 2015 in Cologne nor is perpetrated by (Muslim) refugees only. Needless to say, this sobering fact in no way minimizes or justifies the crimes against women committed in Cologne on that occasion. Germany took in as many as 14 million refugees after WWII under conditions far less favorable than today. In 1990 the Federal Republic of Germany annexed a country of 16 million East Germans that had been extensively ruined by two generations of communist rule. With regard to the current wave of refugees, the Chancellor couldnt be more correct when she insists We can do this (Wir schaffen das). It seems that the clash of civilizations thesis originated by Samuel Huntington (1996) is back in vogue? Should we be wary of this? Yes. Because it is reductionist it is highly misleading. It fosters the erroneous and politically dangerous view that all Muslims think and act alike and, moreover, in ways that clash with the purportedly central values of Western societies, such as rationality, civil liberty, democracy and the rule of law. How can an understanding of the political philosophies of liberalism, nationalism, and postmodernism help us to look at the Muslim question and immigration in Europe? My book shows that the most politically consequential ideological clashes in Europe are those between the public philosophies of liberalism (all should enjoy equal rights and freedoms), nationalism (the rights and needs of natives should have priority over non-natives) and postmodernism (what passes for right and wrong is always the result of political contestation). Two advantages stem from applying this conceptual lens. First, we can understand how these vying public philosophies contribute to highly contradictory, even self-defeating policies regarding immigration across Europe. Second, we see that the three ideologies divide Muslim as much as non-Muslim Europeans. The two groups do not represent differing monolithic blocs locked in a clash with one another. British journalist Mehdi Hasan has written that in some respects, Muslims are the new Jews of Europe. (Huffington Post UK, May 29, 2014). Are there strong historical parallels between what European Jews experienced in the 20th century to current conditions for European Muslims? This commonly drawn parallel is more misleading than illuminating. Nowhere in Europe are virtually all Muslims asylum-seekers, resident aliens and citizens being disenfranchised, dispossessed and sequestered the way Jews were in Nazi Germany. More importantly, the systematic extermination of the European Muslim community is not taking place. Although there are some credible parallels between the everyday discrimination in many walks of life against Jews before the Nuremberg Laws of 1935 and against European Muslims today, the latter have far superior recourse to national and international courts to challenge violations of human rights. Joseph Richard Preville is Assistant Professor of English at Alfaisal University/Prince Sultan College for Business in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, San Francisco Chronicle, Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Tikkun, The Jerusalem Post, Muscat Daily, Saudi Gazette, and World Religion News. He is also a regular contributor to ISLAMiCommentary. Julie Poucher Harbin is Editor of ISLAMiCommentary. Via ISLAMICommentary Related video added by Juan Cole: Euronews from last week: Pegida fails to ignite as Europe-wide anti-Muslim protests fizzle Reddit Email 0 Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | Justice Antonin Scalia died in Texas on Saturday. IC sends condolences to his family. Scalia is widely recognized as having been a brilliant legal thinker and a fine and passionate prose stylist. He was the first Italian-American to serve on the Supreme Court. It is worth remembering at this time when immigrants are being dumped on that his father was a poor immigrant from Sicily who rose to become a professor of Romance Languages. I dont imagine Justice Scalia and I would have agreed about very much. But perhaps his passing is an opportunity to point to a few things on which we, as Americans, did agree, because of our commitment to the Constitution, however different our interpretation of it might be in general. 1. Scalia took important stands to preserve the Fourth Amendment, which forbids unreasonable, warrantless searches by government of our personal effects and papers. Scalia wrote the majority opinion in the US v. Jones (2012), finding that if law enforcement sneaks under your car while it is parked in your driveway and attaches a GPS to it, that is a search under the Fourth Amendment. The court reversed the conviction of a drug dealer who had been so tracked without a warrant. Many in the police and FBI had argued that you are in public when you are driving around so it is not a violation of your privacy to track you as you go about your daily routine. In this case, the routine involved drug dealing. But civil libertarians replied that no one expects to be tracked 24/7 and that being subjected to such an intensive scrutiny for months at a time is in fact a form of search, for which a warrant should be obtained. Scalia here pushed back Big Brother. 2. In Kyllo v. United States in 2001, Scalia wrote the majority opinion that the government cant use infrared imaging to look inside your home from the street without a warrant. 3. Scalia concurred in a crucial ruling by the court that the Environmental Protection Agency has the right to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. SCOTUS found in the EPAs favor 7-2. President Obama is using this ruling to essentially close down most old, polluting coal plants. As these are replaced by cleaner natural gas or in many cases by wind and solar, half a billion tons a year of CO2 emissions could be avoided this way. That is a pretty powerful environmental legacy, to which Scalia contributed. 4. In EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Scalia last summer wrote the majority decision. The court found that the stores had to offer Muslim-American Samantha Elauf a faith accommodation even if she did not ask for one. A&F had declined to hire her when she interviewed for a sales job wearing her Muslim headcovering or hijab because the firm said it had a policy against employees wearing hats. Everyone recognizes that if she had explicitly stated that she wore hijab for religious reasons the company could not have discriminated against her. But she didnt say anything about her faith. Scalia and 7 colleagues found that the store was in error; they had to honor her conscience whether she asked them to or not. While some critics saw this ruling as a dangerous exaltation of religion over other kinds of rights, I would argue that accommodating the conscience of citizens is a progressive principle. It is the same notion that underlies allowing conscientious objectors to opt out of war-fighting, which I believe is also progressive. For the most part, putting personal values that do not harm others above property rights and other regimenting structures is progressive. 5. Scalia also joined the rest of the court in deciding that a jailed Salafi Muslim had a right to grow a beard. Prison officials argued that a beard might make it difficult to identify the prisoner, and that he might be able to hide contraband in it. In fact, he offered only to grow a short beard. Scalia, a conservative Catholic, actually castigated him. Religious commands are categorical, he said. The Salafi had to grow a big bushy beard if that is what he thought God commanded. (Most Muslims dont agree with the Salafi interpretation and the vast majority of Muslim men dont wear beards). I was amused by Scalia scolding the Salafi for being willing to compromise. The reason a progressive can approve of this ruling is that a beard does not affect anyone else, and victimless practices should be allowed in a liberal society. The Justices found that the prison officials could surely find other ways to make sure the Salafi prisoner could be recognized and to prevent him from carrying around a hacksaw in his beard. The conservatives on the court admittedly cited the Hobby Lobby decision here, but Sotomayor and Ginsburg dissented from that reference, the latter precisely because growing a beard only affects the individual, not anyone else. In general, increasing prisoners rights with regard to their own persons is progressive. Related video: Supreme Court rules Abercrombie and Fitch discriminated against Muslim woman in hijab TomoNews Magic Chocolate Shell | Photograph by Maria Zizka Chocolate has been around for millennia, but the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth bars we know and love today didn't exist until the late 19th century. The first people to cultivate the small, tropical, evergreen cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) were the Olmecs of the southern Gulf coast of Mexico. As early as 600 BCE, the Olmecs introduced cacao to the Maya, who later traded it to the Aztecs. The Aztecs collected the large seedpods that the tree bears, roasted and ground them, and made them into a chocolate drink reserved for religious ceremonies. Around 1500, European explorers witnessed the Maya and Aztecs flavoring chocolate drinks with chile pepper, vanilla, edible flowers, and other aromatic ingredients. Crew members aboard Columbus's fourth voyage brought cacao back with them to Spain, and over the course of the following century, chocolate found its way to England, France, and Italy. In England, cafes began serving hot chocolate, sweetened with sugar and made creamy by the addition of steamed milk. Chocolate remained almost exclusively a beverage throughout Europe until one Dutchman and two Swiss developed a few key innovations. The first breakthrough occurred in 1828 when Conrad Johannes van Houten, together with his father, built a hydraulic press to remove cocoa butter from roasted cocoa beans, isolating cocoa powder. They treated the powder with an alkaline substance to raise the chocolate's pH. This process, which is now called "Dutching," allowed the cocoa powder to dissolve more readily in water, caused the color to darken, and mellowed the astringent and bitter flavors. Confectioners discovered that the cocoa butter, which was at first thought to be a mere by-product, could be added to freshly ground cocoa beans to make a smoother, richer, more easily moldable chocolate. About 50 years after van Houten's discovery, a Swiss confectioner named Daniel Peter used milk powder to create the first solid bar of milk chocolate. Then, his fellow countryman, Rudolph Lindt, invented the conche, a machine that slowly grinds cocoa beans together with sugar and milk powder to produce the very fine, smooth-textured chocolate we are all familiar with today. Magic Chocolate Shell Valentine's Day calls for equal measures of romance and fun. This recipe hits both marks. Makes about 1 cup cup coconut oil, warmed until liquid cup unsweetened cocoa powder cup agave or honey or maple syrup In a bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, cocoa powder, and agave until completely smooth. Drizzle over ice cream -- in less than a minute, the chocolate will freeze and form a magic shell. Divers and rescue service personnel search for the victims of the deadly car crash in the canal under the E4 highway bridge in Sodertalje, Sweden, late Saturday, Feb.13, 2016. Swedish police say five people have been killed when their car plunged more than 25 meters (82 feet) from a highway bridge into a canal in the capital of Stockholm. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP) SWEDEN OUT SHARE By Kitsap Sun Staff BREMERTON Kitsap Transit commissioners will meet Tuesday to determine if and how to proceed with a cross-Sound passenger-only ferry program that would ultimately be decided by local voters. By the end of the three-hour discussion, the agency hopes to receive direction on: * A finalized business plan; * Whether the legal structure would be Kitsap Transit's public transportation benefit area or a separate ferry district, either of which would be funded by a three-tenths of 1 percent increase in local sales taxes; * A date for a ballot measure. Resolutions would be presented at the board's April 5 meeting. After Washington State Ferries in 2005 dropped research on a low-wake ferry that could sail between Bremerton and Seattle in 30 minutes without harming beaches, Kitsap Transit picked it up. The $13 million, federally funded project resulted in the design, construction and testing of 118-passenger Rich Passage 1. As a final element, a business plan was drawn up. The latest version features routes between Bremerton, Kingston, Southworth and downtown Seattle, operated for Kitsap Transit by King County Marine Division. Each route would offer six round trips per day during commute times in the slow half of the year. Midday, nighttime and Saturday trips would be added during peak season. The cost would be $2 more each way than the Bremerton, Bainbridge Island and Kingston car ferries. SHARE By Andrew Binion of the Kitsap Sun PORT ORCHARD A Kitsap County Sheriff's sergeant suspected of driving while impaired, and who retired before facing discipline, could have stayed employed with the office. Sheriff Gary Simpson said the sanctions Jim Porter faced after an internal investigation were so severe, however, it essentially ended Porter's 23-year career with the office. "This situation brought Jim to a point where he had to leave," Simpson said. Porter, who retired Jan. 31 in advance of the discipline, would have been demoted to the rank of deputy, which Simpson said would have amounted to a $13,000 annual pay reduction. The 30-day suspension without pay would have amounted to a loss of about $14,000 in his salary. "So if people say he was just getting off, just getting away with it, not at all," Simpson said. Simpson's first public statements on Porter's incident followed the completion of an internal review and discipline process on Feb. 1. Simpson said it was important to finish the process, despite Porter's retirement, to ensure consistency with past and future misconduct incidents. The Kitsap Sun obtained the disciplinary documents through a public records request. Simpson said Porter was a valued member of the office, and he was shocked and saddened by his conduct. However, Simpson agreed with the discipline. He said he could not tolerate a supervisor who had apparently drove while impaired on Oct. 16 and had to be physically prevented from walking away from Poulsbo Police Officer Jennifer Corn, who found Porter parked in his Jeep at his unincorporated North Kitsap residence, covered in his own vomit. Simpson said the discipline was consistent with past discipline for similar conduct. "How can you respect a supervisor who has done something like this and allow them to continue to be a supervisor?" Simpson said. "I can't, I can't do that." When given the opportunity, Porter declined to provide mitigating information to investigators. He did, however, tell investigators he was ashamed of his conduct and later submitted a letter of apology to the office. "Although far from perfect, I believe that I have a proven record for having a distinguishable work ethic founded on integrity, duty to the department and community and a deep feeling of personal responsibility for the safety of those I worked with," Porter wrote in the Jan. 14 letter. Simpson said police officers ought to be held to a higher standard than members of the public, and he said the proposed discipline showed that, noting that a local mayor and a deputy prosecutor accused of impaired driving had not lost their jobs. He also said Porter was not given preferential treatment at the scene, noting that Corn let her body camera film most of the incident and reported it to a sheriff's office supervisor, triggering an internal affairs investigation. Patrol Chief Steve Duckworth, who decided the discipline, wrote in a Dec. 28 letter to Porter that he doubted Porter's explanation for his behavior the night of Oct. 16: That he had been having an adverse reaction to a new blood pressure medication. Porter said he drank less than three airplane bottles of liquor in a Silverdale park earlier that evening after feeling inexplicably agitated, something he attributed to the medication. Porter said he rarely, if ever, drinks alcohol. Duckworth wrote that as a trained and experienced law enforcement officer, he recognized several signs of intoxication. "Based on my experience, I cannot attribute your behavior on the night in question solely to low blood pressure or the associated symptoms," Duckworth wrote. When Porter was found, he told Corn he was drunk and had driven, according to her body camera footage. Officers determined they did not have probable cause to arrest Porter, a decision with which prosecutors and Duckworth later disagreed. The Washington State Patrol was not called to conduct an independent investigation. Capt. Monica Alexander, a spokeswoman for the State Patrol, said troopers are called in as independent investigators, but authorization must come directly from the State Patrol chief. That authorization can be granted fairly quickly, as staffing allows, she said, regardless of the time of day. Although Poulsbo officers have the authority to make arrests outside the city limits, Corn and Poulsbo Police Chief Al Townsend turned the incident over to Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Dickson, who did not question Porter. In the newly released documents, Dickson told a Sheriff's Office investigator, "We looked at it as any other citizen." He said he gathered his information from Corn, with Townsend present, and that it was agreed there were no witnesses who saw Porter actually driving. Simpson said following the incident, the office will consult with the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office to clarify thresholds for conducting drunken driving investigations, along with initiating discussions about calling outside agencies to avoid the appearance of conflict. He noted that Townsend could have been considered an independent investigator, but he said he agreed with the decisions made at the scene. Simpson said it is generally understood among Kitsap law enforcement that to make a case for DUI or physical control, there must be a witness who saw a suspect driving or a driver's key must be in the ignition. Porter's key was out of the ignition, and no witness was located to say they saw Porter driving. Officers as a matter of practice do not make arrests under those circumstances, Simpson said, believing prosecutors would not file charges. Townsend, in defending decisions made by Corn and himself, said the same thing. "I believe he did it," Simpson said of Porter driving while impaired. "I don't have enough to believe that he's driving under the influence to where I can arrest and (prosecutors) will charge." Police officers are trained at the academy to handle drunken driving cases, but the rules are complex and have become increasingly so, Simpson said. In general, prosecutors do not file charges unless they believe they can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. That standard of proof is extremely high as well as somewhat subjective, Simpson said. Duckworth wrote to Porter that his behavior, including "at one point struggling" with Corn, was "completely unacceptable." He wrote that Porter violated the office's policies and procedures, the deputy guild's collective bargaining agreement, the code of professional conduct for Kitsap County peace officers and the civil service rules for the office. Duckworth also wrote that after reviewing the file, he disagreed with the decision by officers on the scene who did not find probable cause to arrest Porter. Duckworth included in the letter to Porter the decline to prosecute memo by Kitsap County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Kevin Kelly, which county civil attorneys declined to release to the Kitsap Sun. "In the end there was not enough evidence to prove this case to a jury (beyond a reasonable doubt)," Kelly wrote. "This is partly because the officers on scene believed they did not have probable cause for the crime of DUI, a conclusion I don't agree with." Prosecutor Tina Robinson said she has had recent conversations with local police agencies about prosecuting drunken driving cases, and she said each drunken driving case would be different from the next. However, Robinson said, because Porter appeared to be impaired during two contacts with Poulsbo police officers about an hour-and-a-half apart and had nobody else in the car with him, there was circumstantial evidence that Porter had driven, and officers had probable cause to continue investigating. In Washington courts, juries are instructed that circumstantial evidence is given the same weight as direct evidence. "We believe there was circumstantial evidence of driving, therefore DUI should have been investigated further," Robinson said, but she added that she understood the line of legal reasoning of officers on the scene. Charles Finny facebooked: Most interesting was an attempt by Labour MP and Trade Spokesperson David Clark to make the case that it was the Governments fault that bi-partisanship on trade policy had broken down. His argument was that it was convention that Government would be familiar with Opposition policy and ensure that it would stay within the bounds of this policy when determining negotiating positions for FTA negotiations. He stated that Labour had a long standing policy of wanting the right to ban property speculators from abroad and that Labour had campaigned on this policy at the last election. He suggested that MFAT and Ministers must have known about the policy and were remiss not negotiating an outcome that accommodated it. Now let me explain a little about how TPP was negotiated on services and investment. Essentially TPP has frozen the status quo, and in some cases some liberalisation of the status quo was negotiated. Some countries had policy that allows bans on foreign investment in urban real estate. New Zealand has not had such policy. Those TPP members did not actively advocate for this policy. The policy was already there and became bound as part of the outcome. Binding means that policy cannot become more restrictive than in the past. Policy can change but it can only do so in the liberalisation direction. (In days of old this was also known as standstill and rollback.) Now while existing NZ policy was bound what is unusual is that New Zealand quite late in the negotiation (post Andrew Littles announcement of his conditions I believe) negotiated the right to adopt discriminatory taxation policies. This was done to allow a future Government to restrict sales to foreigners through a stamp duty or other tax measure (I believe that a very high tax of this type can have the same impact as a ban for most investors but accept that it might not deter a super rich person the exception but not the rule). Now lets get back to Labour Party policy and what Labour campaigned on at the last election. The policy states Labour will not support provisions in trade agreements that limit the governments right to provide, fund, or regulate public services, such as health or education. Trade agreements should not prohibit the government from RESTRICTING sale of land and infrastructure or regulating the sale of state assets. TPP is fully consistent with this policy. TPP allows a future Government to restrict land sales to foreigners and also fits with the other elements of this policy. And if you search for transcripts for what Andrew little said in the middle of the year about his pre-conditions for Labour support for TPP, he also uses the term restrict. This concept of ban is more recent, and I dont think you should expect negotiators to know the policy was really about allowing a ban when all official comment was referring to restrict. My SA reports: Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said. Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa. According to a report, Scalia arrived at the ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people. When he did not appear for breakfast, a person associated with the ranch went to his room and found a body. I heard Scalia speak in Wellington a few years ago. A razor sharp mind and someone whose impact on legal thinking has been profound. As sad as the death is for his family and friends personally, the focus will of course be on the politics of a replacement. An Obama nominee would give the liberal wing a 5-4 majority on the court. For this reason I suspect the Republican majority in the Senate will either not put his nominee to the vote (if they are qualified) or vote them down. This means that the vacancy will be filled by the next President. If it is Clinton she will get the first liberal majority court in a generation. This makes the election ever higher stakes than normal. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr From left, Rusha Sams, Barbara James, Erven Williams, and Catherine Moirai gathered in a small group to discuss Ernest Gaines' book "A Lesson Before Dying" at Lawson McGhee Library on Monday, February 8, 2016. The discussion is part a National Endowment of the Arts program called Big Read. The program encourages communities to read and discuss a single book within their community. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE THE BIG READ "Say it Loud!" is a documentary featuring rare historic footage of African American life during Knoxville's civil rights era. It will be screened at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at UT's John C. Hodges Library auditorium, 1015 Volunteer Blvd. The screening is free and open to the public and will be introduced by Louisa Trott, film editor and co-founder of Tennessee Archive of Moving Image and Sound. A panel of community leaders will explore the themes of social justice, racial inequality, human dignity and personal redemption with an eye toward current realities in Knoxville. Panelists include: Deputy Chief Nate Allen, Knoxville Police Department; Pastor Daryl Arnold, Overcoming Believers Church; Andre Canty, Highlander Center; Ralph Hutchison, MLK Commission; Reggie Jenkins, UUNIK Academy; Kwabena Miller, Community Outreach; Avice Reid, Sr. Director of Community Relations, City of Knoxville; and Mark Stephens, KCPD Community Law Office The discussion will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Knox County Public Defender's Community Law Office, 1101 Liberty St. It is free and open to the public. Both programs are part of the library's Big Read, a community-wide effort to share Ernest Gaines' "A Lesson Before Dying." COOL IT Knox County Public Library will host Renee Hoyos, executive director of Tennessee Clean Water Network, for a discussion of "Cool It! The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming" by Bjrn Lomborg at noon Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the East Tennessee History Center auditorium, 601 S. Gay Street. The discussion is one of the Friends of the Library's Books Sandwiched In lunchtime programs. . In "Cool It!", Lomborg takes a conservative approach to the issue of climate change, arguing that many of the elaborate and expensive actions being considered to meet the challenges of global warming ultimately will have little impact on the world's temperature. He suggests we should be looking for more cost-effective approaches that will allow us to deal not only with climate change but also with other pressing global concerns, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. He also considers the demonization of dissenters. Hoyos has overseen the growth of the Clean Water Network during her tenure as executive director and has directed and created programs from litigation to environmental health. BASKET DISPLAY Pellissippi State Community College will hold a "Painted Paper Baskets" exhibit Feb. 16-March 4 in the lobby of the Bagwell Center for Media and Art, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Admission is free; hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m., weekdays. The exhibit will showcase baskets crafted from painted paper that were created by students in a noncredit basket-making course. For more information, visit www.pstcc.edu or call 865-694-6400. SHARE DiPietro plans state of university speech University of Tennessee President Joe DiPietro will give the first State of the University address at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Nashville. The one-hour event will be webcast and can be watched by visiting www.tennessee.edu. DiPietro will speak about UT's achievements, challenges and positions on various issues, according to a news release. There will also be the inaugural President's Awards given to three employees of the system. UT, Croatian school pair for election film A UT professor and a team of Croatian scholars are producing a documentary about the U.S. presidential primary election in Tennessee on March 1. Sam Swan, professor of journalism and electronic media at UT, was awarded more than $6,000 from the U.S. Department of State to create a two-week workshop for four students and a faculty member from the University of Zagreb in Croatia. The team will arrive on campus this month. This is the second group from the Croatian university to visit UT, and UT students have also visited the Croatian campus. Law, engineering launch joint effort UT will launch a graduate certificate in contractual and legal affairs in engineering and construction in fall 2016. The certificate is a joint program between the colleges of law and engineering and gives lawyers a background in construction and engineering and gives engineers a background in law. Participants must be current law students or engineering graduate students. Others wanting to pursue the certificate must first be accepted to the UT graduate school. Engineering faculty member honored Yilu Liu, the governor's chair for power grids, was named a new member of the National Academy of Engineering. The governor's chair position is a joint appointment at UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She is a professor of electrical engineering and computer science. Liu was selected "for her innovations in electric power grid monitoring, situational awareness, and dynamic modeling," according to a news release. She is the fifth faculty member from UT's College of Engineering honored in the academy. UT's supply chain program ranks No. 3 SCM World's University 100 ranked the supply chain program at the University of Tennessee as the third best program in the world for the supply chain field. The program, within the Haslam College of Business, climbed eight spots from 11th in 2015. The SCM World University 100 surveyed more than 2,000 supply chain professionals to rank programs around the world. SHARE State Rep. Jason Zachary By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel NASHVILLE Freshman Rep. Jason Zachary says the first bill he brought before the House Local Government Subcommittee would have saved Knox County $30,000 if it had been in effect when he won a special election last year. The Knoxville Republican's bill HB1475 would eliminate early voting in special elections when there is only one candidate on the ballot the situation that occurred in 2015 when Zachary was the only candidate on the special general election to replace former Rep. Ryan Haynes, who vacated the 14th House District seat to become state Republican Party chairman. Zachary defeated fellow Republican Karen Carson in the August 2014 special primary election. No Democrat sought nomination to the seat and no one filed the paperwork necessary under state law to qualify as a write-in candidate. The Knox County Commission proceeded to appoint Zachary to take the seat early, but as required under existing state law the county election commission proceeded with holding early voting prior to the special general election in September. Zachary told the subcommittee last week that the early voting cost taxpayers about $30,000 and "this is a bill to protect the taxpayers" in the future based on his personal past experience. He said about 5,000 people voted in the contested primary while only about 200 in the uncontested general election. The panel approved the bill on voice vote and with no discussion on its merits, but not without a bit of the banter that freshman legislators typically endure on their initial appearance as sponsor of a bill. Local Government Committee Chairman Tim Wirgau, R-Buchannan, told Zachary it was traditional for a freshman appearing before the panel to sing "the Tennessee General Assembly fight song" prior to a vote. "If you will teach it to me, I will sing it," Zachary replied. Rep. Larry Miller, D-Memphis, asked Zachary if he voted for himself in the special general election. Zachary acknowledged doing so and Miller then declared support of the bill, noting that without it the possibility would exist for a candidate being elected based only on his own vote as would have been the case if "those 199 other people didn't vote." The General Assembly, while it does have its own official flag, does not have an official fight song at least not yet though it has enacted multiple official state songs. Supporter Anna Thomsen shows a sign for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Knoxville campaign headquarters on Wednesday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) SHARE Supporters gather at Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanderss Knoxville campaign headquarters on Wednesday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) April Langan and daughter Emma pose for a photograph with a cardboard cutout of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at his Knoxville campaign headquarters on Wednesday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) Ariana Boyd, left, and Emily Nield create posters in support of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at his Knoxville campaign headquarters on Wednesday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) Lakenya Middlebrook puts out campaign material for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the Knoxville campaign headquarters on Wednesday. (SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL) By Michael Collins of the Knoxville News Sentinel WASHINGTON When Keller Barnette started campaigning for Bernie Sanders about five months ago, the question he often got was, "Who is Bernie Sanders?" Barnette never got discouraged. He made campaign fliers. He worked the phones. He went to organizing meetings. He talked to anyone who'd listen about the wild-haired Vermont senator's background, what he stands for politically and how they could get involved in the political revolution he's leading. Nobody asks him who Sanders is anymore. People are taking the "democratic socialist" senator and his campaign for president seriously now, especially after he crushed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in last week's New Hampshire Democratic primaries and came within a nose of beating her in the Iowa caucuses a week earlier. "People know this is going to be a revolutionary campaign," said Barnette, 34, a self-employed accountant from Knoxville. "The question is, do you want to be a part of the political revolution? And I think a lot of people are saying yes." Across Tennessee, Sanders' devoted army of organizers and grass-roots volunteers "Bernie Bros" and "Bernie-bots," as they're sometimes mocked in the blogosphere sense the political winds are shifting in Sanders' direction since his 22-point rout of Clinton in New Hampshire. For Sanders, the timing could not be better. Early voting started in Tennessee on Wednesday and runs through Feb. 23. The state's presidential primary is March 1. The day after Sanders' victory in New Hampshire, Matt Kuhn's cellphone rang and rang and rang all day long. "It's getting to the point where it's tough to return my phone calls, which is a good thing," said Kuhn, a Memphis political consultant who is state director of Sanders' campaign in Tennessee. Kuhn said the sudden surge of interest in Sanders is coming not just from young people who like his message of social and economic equality, but also from people who have been involved in Democratic politics for a long time. Many of them are women, he said. "A lot of the establishment in Tennessee is really starting to take notice," Kuhn said. Just in time to capitalize on the wave of enthusiasm, the campaign formally opened offices last week in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville and will open two more next week in Chattanooga and Johnson City. Each office will have three or four paid staffers and will allow the campaign to "connect the dots with the Bernie supporters that are out there," Kuhn said. Having offices in strategic locations across the state also will make it easier for volunteers to conduct phone banks and canvass on Sanders' behalf, he said. Sanders has a lot of work to do in Tennessee, said Kent Syler, a political scientist at Middle Tennessee State University. The most recent statewide poll on the race gave Clinton a sizable advantage 47 percent of Democratic voters in Tennessee backed her, while just 15 percent supported Sanders. But nearly 26 percent remained undecided, which could provide an opening for Sanders. What's more, the poll was completed three weeks ago before the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries, which have reshaped the race. Regardless, "Hillary Clinton had the advantage before the New Hampshire primary I think she still has the advantage here," Syler said. "And it will take a lot of work on Sen. Sanders' part and some significant shifts in Democratic voting blocs in Tennessee for him to be able to win the state." Deke Pope is doing his part to move those voting blocs in Sanders' direction. Pope, 73, a retired furniture industry representative from Memphis, puts on his "Feel the Bern" pin every day and goes out and tries to convince other black voters they should get on board the Sanders campaign. A child of the '60s, Pope participated in the civil rights marches and demonstrations of the era. He hears in Sanders' platform the same kind of language he heard from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. "Economic parity, equal pay for women, get big money out of politics all of the talking points that Bernie had, I aligned myself with," Pope said. "So I said to myself, this is somebody I can support without question and get my friends and colleagues into as well." Not all of his friends and colleagues share his enthusiasm for Sanders. A professor friend got upset with him when he suggested black voters had "surrendered their vote to Hillary Clinton without question, without even listening to what she had to offer as a presidential candidate, and therefore are not even giving Bernie Sanders an ear." Still, Pope feels like there's movement in Sanders' direction in Tennessee. "I'm getting a lot more positive responses than I did 30 days ago," he said. Catherine Beth Harrison, who works in chiropractic therapy in Knoxville, said she was drawn to Sanders by his support for civil rights, especially for blacks, Hispanics, women and gays and lesbians, and because of his message of economic equality. Harrison, 27, started volunteering for Sanders' campaign back in the fall. "I show up and say, 'What do you need?' " she said. That might mean vacuuming the floor, cleaning an office table or going out to Knoxville's Market Square and talking to people who want to know more about the campaign. "Anybody who has a Facebook page can tell you lots of people have opinions about politics in our country. It's great to have an opinion and to want change. But to actually go out and do something about it and take the next step is what gets the ball rolling and what sets change in motion." Harrison considers herself a feminist, and she's glad to see Clinton in the race. But she was a little disheartened by the recent comments of feminist icons Madeleine Albright and Gloria Steinem, who suggested women who don't support Clinton are somehow betraying their sex. "I don't think you have to be a woman or have a certain set of genitalia to be a champion for women's rights," Harrison said. "I would urge anyone who takes a stand for women's rights to look at the issues and make a decision not based on sex. Because that kind of shakes up the whole foundation of feminism as it is." If Sanders loses the nomination, would Harrison vote for Clinton in November? "I have such optimism that Bernie can do this, that question is not even on my radar," she said. SHARE By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel NASHVILLE A bill to allow Tennesseans to keep skunks as pets has won initial approval in committees of both the House and Senate with the sponsors contending it will provide a moneymaking opportunity for breeders of domesticated and de-scented animals. The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee approved the bill SB1821 in less than two minutes on a 7-1 vote without discussion beyond a brief explanation by Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, the Senate sponsor, who said 17 other states already allow skunks to be kept as domestic pets and sold, including the border states of Kentucky, Alabama and Georgia. The bill is scheduled for a Senate floor vote this week. The discussion was somewhat more lively in the House Agriculture Subcommittee, where the companion bill was approved on voice vote with Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Boliver, asking to be recorded as voting no after questioning sponsor Rep. Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, at some length. Faison said the bill was requested by constituents and, when initially approached, "I thought it was a joke." But on looking into the matter, Faison said that skunks can be sold as pets for up to $1,000 each and there could be "tons of revenue" for those eager to engage in skunk marketing. There is an American Domestic Skunk Association, which says on its website that the organization is dedicated to finding homes "for adult skunks in need and also has baby skunks for sale in the spring of each year." The baby skunks must be picked up at the association's home office in Florida, says the website, which does not list prices. The bill repeals a current state law that prohibits private possession of skunks and instead puts them in a category of animals that can be owned through a permitting process regulated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The upshot is that "domesticated" skunks from other states but not any native Tennessee skunks captured in the wild can be possessed and sold subject to TWRA oversight, Faison and Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ron Loller, R-Bartlett, told Shaw in response to his questions. Faison said that domesticated skunks always have their scent glands removed at an early age. Shaw said that deprived the animals of their natural means of defense and asked, "Doesn't that get into animal abuse?" That would especially be true, he suggested, if domesticated skunks escaped or were released back into the wild by their owners. Faison said a separate state law already prohibits release of domesticated animals into the wild, so that is not a valid concern. In an interview with Nashville's WSMV-TV before the vote, Faison indicated he expected joking criticism of a "stinky bill." That did not materialize in the initial committee appearances, though Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, accused Faison of reneging on a promise to bring a skunk to the subcommittee session. Holt's remark brought a quick response from subcommittee Chairman Loller on Faison's previous skunk appearance commitment: "That was before the chairman found out about it (the promise) and had a fit," Loller said. Republican Rep. James "Micah" Van Huss, right, listens to Rep. Matthew Hill on Monday, March 18, 2013 during a House floor session in Nashville, Tenn. Van Huss, a former active duty Marine, is sponsoring a bill that would limit the use of unmanned drones by law enforcement agencies. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) SHARE By Tom Humphrey of the Knoxville News Sentinel NASHVILLE Tennessee soon will apparently have an official state rifle with the door open for an official state pistol or shotgun as well at some point in the future. A resolution designating the Barrett Model M82/M107 as Tennessee's official state rifle was approved in the House last year 74-9 with a smattering of vocal bipartisan opposition under sponsorship of Rep. Micah Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, a Marine veteran who carried the weapon during a tour of duty in Iraq. It was unanimously approved in the Senate State and Local Government Committee last week with Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, hailing the gun as one that has saved lives of both American soldiers and innocent civilians even though it's widely known as a "sniper rifle." The resolution is now on today's Senate "consent calendar" a list of noncontroversial measures approved without discussion. Barring a senator's objection, it is thus assured of approval. Van Huss initially last year proposed that the Barrett .50 caliber rifle be designated as Tennessee official "state firearm." But he dropped that notion and instead came up with having it designated as the official rifle. One objection raised in the House was that the proposal HJR231 amounts to a state-sanctioned endorsement of one manufacturer's product over others. In particular, it was noted that Beretta Inc. recently invested millions of dollars in a gun manufacturing plant at Clarksville. Sen. Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, said Beretta is a "fine company" making fine firearms, but is better known for its pistols and shotguns. She suggested a future resolution could designate a Berretta-manufactured handgun as Tennessee's official state pistol. The Barrett rifle designation, she said, "honors Tennessee's ingenuity in manufacturing." The weapon was developed by Ronnie Barrett, founder and owner of Murfreesboro-based Barret Firearms, whose wife, Donna, is a former state representative. Briggs, who served as an Army physician in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he had received emails objecting that the state would pay homage to a "sniper rifle" primarily used to kill people. But the senator said he personally witnessed situations in which the Barrett M82 was used to "detonate ordinance" and thus avoid casualties. "It can be used to disable vehicles without killing the occupants of that vehicle. It not only saves American lives, it may even save innocent civilian lives," Briggs said. School Vouchers As a prelude to last week's anticipated House floor vote on school vouchers, a pro-voucher group aired radio advertisements suggesting that Rep. Dale Carr, R-Sevierville, was being influenced "by the same national labor union that endorsed Hillary Clinton" an apparent reference to the National Education Association, known as the teachers' union. Carr said the ads did not influence him in his opposition to vouchers, even on the proposed "pilot project" limited basis that would not impact Sevier County. Carr said he believes vouchers would drain money from public education, already underfunded, and a limited voucher program would be a matter of "letting the camel's nose under the tent" toward a future expansion that would impact all areas of the state. As it turned out, the voucher bill never came to a vote on the House floor. Sponsor Rep. Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville, told the Times-Free Press that there were 48 hard votes for the measure, but he could see no way of getting the 50 needed for passage. He said "lies" spread by opponents including the Tennessee Education Association, an affiliate of NEA were a factor. The ads targeting Carr were sponsored by American Federation for Children. The group's Tennessee state director, Tony Niknejad, did not return a call Friday seeking comment. But in a news release, he declared the voucher advocacy group "remains confident" that the bill will be approved by the House this year despite last week's setback. Officially, it is being "held on the desk" of the House and Dunn could bring it back for another try though the lawmaker says the prospects appear doubtful. ASSOCIATED PRESS photos Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum speaks to the media after members of an armed group took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Jan. 9 near Burns, Oregon. Police shot and killed Finicum during a Jan. 26 traffic stop after they say he reached for a gun. SHARE Ben Matthews, of Port Huron, Mich., awaits the funeral service for Arizona rancher Robert "LaVoy" Finicum outside a church in Kanab, Utah, on Feb. 5, 2016. Matthews says he met Finicum during a takeover of federal land in Oregon. Hundreds of people packed a Mormon church in rural Utah for the viewing ceremony for the fallen spokesman of the Oregon armed standoff. Police shot and killed Finicum during a Jan. 26 traffic stop after they say he reached for a gun. His supporters called it an ambush.(AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca) A makeshift roadside memorial for rancher LaVoy Finicum stands on a highway north of Burns, Oregon, on Jan. 31. Finicum was known for sitting outside covered by his blue tarp. A riderless horse is used to honor LaVoy Finicum as his hears drives by during the funeral in Kanab, Utah, Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Finicum was shot to death by law enforcement while he and other anti-government activists flocked to rural Harney County in Oregon. (Jeffrey D. Allred/The Deseret News via AP) Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, spokesman for the occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon, made good on his promise to die rather than submit to the federal government. But if "the tree of liberty is watered by the blood of patriots" the militia movement's favorite Thomas Jefferson quote then Finicum's death is exactly the sort of martyrdom that law enforcement hoped to avoid and didn't. Now is a good time to ask: What exactly did he die for? To "patriots" like Finicum and the arrested leaders of the occupation, brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, the movement to reclaim public lands from the federal government is a variation on America's cowboys and Indians story, but in their version they're the cowboys and the Indians. On the one hand, they position themselves as the descendants of the men and women who first won the West, the settlers who originally built this country. On the other, they see themselves as the victims of a huge land grab, locals who have been forcefully dispossessed. That makes them both an oppressed minority and the conquering heroes of manifest destiny. To understand this precarious and contradictory position which sits at the radical edge of a larger, well-funded land-transfer, anti-environmental movement that seeks to privatize public property we have to go back to this nation's original sin. When the United States took the West from its first inhabitants by treaty, deception and force of arms the government put forward a consistent legal, moral and political principle to justify the seizure. It is much the same doctrine that Finicum preached around the West to ranchers' groups; he called it "productive beneficial use." Put simply: the land belongs to those who use it productively, those whose ranching, farming and stewardship benefit the land. "I have created a right when I'm the first one in line," Finicum told an audience of cattlemen at a property rights workshop in Piute County, Utah, in November. "As long as I use this for continuous beneficial use, I have it." (According to the Salt Lake Tribune, eight ranchers who were at the November workshop signed letters withdrawing their "consent" to be governed by the BLM and the Forest Service in late January.) Finicum's claims are a crude version of something the Scottish philosopher John Locke argued in his second political treatise (one of the formative components of Jefferson's own philosophy). For Locke, property was a function of human labor. God "gave the world in common to all mankind," as Locke put it, but God also commanded individual people "to labour," and "to subdue the earth." If a portion of "the world in common" were improved by an individual "for the benefit of life," Locke reasoned, that individual had made it his personal property, "which another had no title to, nor could without injury take from him." From this perspective, God-given land was only "common" until someone did something productive and beneficial with it; from then on, it was his or hers alone. Put more crudely: Use it or lose it. When the United States pushed American Indians off the land, the justification was that they didn't use the land productively or beneficially. This required a very narrow and self-interested definition of "productive" and "beneficial," of course: White farmers and ranchers believed they improved the land with their labor, regarding Indians as animals, having no more right to the land than a bear or a bird. In 1812, the General Land Office began overseeing the disposal of the lands the United States government was busily acquiring in the West. The Preemption Act of 1841 and the Homestead Act of 1862 supplied guidelines for the disposal; the former gave land to those who were already farming it and the latter to those who applied to settle it. But the underlying principle was the same: having taken the lands from the native peoples, the federal government was to be only a temporary steward of the land until it was given to a "productive beneficial" user. Over the course of the 20th century, the federal government changed its position in response to environmental degradation, overcrowding, the need for multiple users to co-exist and a general demand that the public have access to public land. The General Land Office became the Bureau of Land Management, and after a piecemeal succession of laws and amendments, Congress convened a commission to reformulate the nation's public land law, from the top down. The commission's 1970 report "One Third of the Nation's Land" argued that "most public lands would not serve the maximum public interest in private ownership" and urged the "reversal of the policy that the United States should dispose of public domain lands." In 1976, Congress passed the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, repealing most of the old disposal laws and dictating that public lands would be "retained in Federal ownership in perpetuity," except for special cases. Though the Bureau of Land Management leases the land for development and a variety of commercial uses, its official mandate is to keep the land open and accessible to all users, preserving it for the future. The agrarian past is gone. The United States economy has not depended on farmers and ranchers for a very long time. Even Finicum couldn't make ends meet as a rancher in the 21st century; his primary source of income, according to Oregon Public Radio, was the payment his family received for fostering children. In the end, Finicum didn't die for the sake of liberty or the Constitution, but for an outdated, narrow and self-interested notion of how the West was won. FILE - This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo, shows WhatsApp and Facebook app icons on a smartphone in New York. WhatsApp, the Internet messaging service owned by Facebook, announced in February 2016 that it now has 1 billion users worldwide. Thats both a milestone and a potential turning point: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said he thinks Internet services are ready to become money-making businesses when they hit that mark. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File) It looks as though Facebook has officially become uncool. For the past few years, studies have shown a continuing trend among young people that they are ditching Facebook and heading elsewhere for their social media fix. More than 11 million young people have left Facebook since 2011, according to Time Magazine, and are migrating toward other social media platforms instead. So if they're not socializing on Facebook, then where are they socializing? Past studies have mentioned Instagram and other social media platforms, but today's data show they are switching to "narrowcast tools" such as Messenger and Snapchat. This allows them the ability to share their photos and updates with only their closest friends instead of posting updates for everyone in their friends list to see. One of Snapchat's great advantages is that messages are immediately deleted, whereas Facebook photos and messages stick around awhile. Other apps such as Kik, Whatsapp or iMessage have also been shown to be most popular among 18- to 29-year-olds, according to a study from the Pew Research Center last August. A much smaller percentage of social media users in that age group reported interest in LinkedIn and Twitter. The change presents a disturbing situation for parents who feel they have mastered parenting in the age of social media. Many parents have felt assured they can monitor a good amount of their children's behavior online, but with the way social media is evolving, that might prove to be more difficult. Plus, if I were a teen in today's digital age, I would probably have multiple accounts one for my parents to monitor and then another to run wild with. The difficulty of monitoring children's social media accounts has especially come to light with the recent death of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell in Blacksburg, Virginia, who was using the Kik messaging app to communicate with her alleged killer, David Eisenhauer. Although it's not possible to stop anyone who is underage from signing up for Kik, services such as TeenSafe enable parents to monitor third-party apps. According to its website, more than 40 percent of American teens use the free instant messaging app, which is similar to Snapchat in that there is no record of any conversation and it does not allow for messages to be filtered or tracked. It is frighteningly simple for users to create fake profiles to remain completely anonymous while using the app, which is almost like an open invitation for predators. Kids may often be more tech savvy than their parents, but they just don't have the wisdom to navigate the dark alleys that exist in the cyber world. So if Facebook is your extent of social media knowledge, it's time to get caught up because it's a brave new world out there. ASSOCIATED PRESS A handful of protesters gather outside the chamber as Gov. Rick Snyder presents the budget to the combined House and Senate Appropriations committees at the Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday. The budget contains special funding for Flints water problems. SHARE Department of Justice officials have said the FBI and other federal criminal investigators would look into whether the water poisoning crisis in Flint, Michigan, was the result of criminal wrongdoing. Although Flint's lead-contaminated water supply made national news in October, local officials and activists say the crisis's roots reach back years or even decades and are a result of steady economic decline along with state and federal government neglect. If Flint were a prosperous city, would the water supply have been cleaned up sooner? Or is this just another case of incompetent government? Ben Boychuk and Joel Mathis, the RedBlueAmerica columnists, weigh in. JOEL MATHIS Was Flint neglected because it's poor? Of course it was. Put it this way: You'll never see brown water coming out of the pipes in Beverly Hills. Or in a Manhattan penthouse. Or in any other place you might call "rich." And if somehow you do see brown water in those locations, rest assured that government officials would fall all over themselves to fix the problem as soon as possible. Rich people always get the best government money can buy. If you're in Flint? It turns out you and your children are disposable, barely worth a thought. "Would more have been done, and at a much faster pace, if nearly 40 percent of Flint residents were not living below the poverty line? The answer is unequivocally yes," the NAACP said in a statement quoted on CNN. My conservative friends sometimes like to tell me how awesome it is to be poor in America these days. After all, poor people have refrigerators! They can even wear pretty nice shoes! Well sure. But they're often undernourished. And live in struggling school districts. And they're much more likely to have brown water coming out of their pipes. Here is what is especially tragic about this situation. A growing number of studies show there's a correlation between lead ingestion and crime: A 2013 story in the liberal magazine Mother Jones showed how that's true at the national and neighborhood level. Lead, it seems, causes "physical damage to the developing brain that persists into adulthood." "Even moderately high levels of lead exposure are associated with aggressivity, impulsivity, ADHD, and lower IQ," the magazine observed. "And right there, you've practically defined the profile of a violent young offender." It seems likely then that the poor, troubled children of Flint will grow up to be poor, troubled adults. My conservative friends will probably tut-tut about the pathologies of poverty. And maybe they'll be right. The people of Flint brought it on themselves, after all, by never getting rich enough to ensure their government protected them. BEN BOYCHUK If what happened in Flint isn't a crime, it ought to be. The criminals are government officials at the local, state and federal levels. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, so far has received the brunt of the criticism about the state's response to the crisis. The state was slow to act. But Scott did declare a state of emergency and order the National Guard to truck in bottled water. Scott also asked the Legislature for $28 million in emergency funds to address the crisis. But the governor is not the state's chief water manager. Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality is the state agency responsible for ensuring Flint's water supply conforms to state and federal requirements. Nobody there seems to know what's going on. The agency's new director, Keith Creagh, told the U.S. House Oversight Committee that the Environmental Protection Agency kept his agency waiting for months for a legal opinion. Turns out, the Obama administration knew of Flint's problem for at least a year and barely lifted a finger. Flint is not a great city. It's poor, broke and crime-ridden. And, by the way, Democrats have run the place for decades. Flint's Democrats did what Democrats often do: obliterated the tax base and spent the city into oblivion. About 10 years ago, Flint went into state receivership and has had a series of emergency managers ever since. As it happened, Scott appointed the emergency manager another Democrat who along with the city's Democratic mayor and Democratic city council made the fateful decision to switch Flint's water supply from Detroit to Lake Huron as a cost-cutting measure. The city tapped into the Flint River as a stopgap, after the Democrats in Detroit cut off Flint's water before a new pipeline from Huron was finished. (It's scheduled for completion this year.) Government exists to perform a few basic functions. Ensuring people have a clean, drinkable water supply is one of them. The party of big government failed in Flint, just as it has failed in Detroit and other cities with one-party rule. It will keep failing. The apparent failure of school voucher legislation in the House last week shows, again, the differences in political thinking of Republican supermajority members in the lower chamber with those in the upper chamber. And maybe that relates to the way House and Senate districts were drawn following the 2010 census by the supermajority asserting itself in 2012. In the Senate, any voucher bill is a good bill and assured of passage by a solid GOP majority nowadays. Three or four years ago, the big Senate squabble was between the lords and ladies of Legislatorland's supermajority who thought most every student should have an "opportunity scholarship" and those who thought the state ought to go with a limited "pilot project" version the notion embraced by compromising Gov. Bill Haslam. When the current compromising version came up in the Senate last year, it got a quick 23-8-1 rubber stamp with very little discussion. By then, the clear majority of Senate Republicans had realized that there was no clear majority of House Republicans who embrace vouchers generally. In the Senate vote, four East Tennessee Republicans Sens. Doug Overbey of Maryville, Becky Massey of Knoxville, Frank Niceley of Strawberry Plains and Ken Yager of Kingston were the only members of their party to vote no. Otherwise, all Republicans were aboard the voucher train. One Democrat, Sen. Reginald Tate of Memphis, voted yes. And Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, abstained. Over in the House, the compromise voucher bill went through long-winded and repetitious debate before getting scuttled in committee last year. It suffered more of the same this year, debate-wise, before advancing to a floor vote after clever maneuvering with the support of House Speaker Beth Harwell, who had previously been prone to diplomatically dodging confrontation while voicing generic support for some sort of compromise. Rather like Haslam, who she would like to succeed as governor. The bill was officially shelved last week because, well, it didn't have enough votes for House passage even after floating of further compromising amendments most notably, perhaps, that vouchers would be available only in Shelby County. That was aimed at anti-voucher Republicans, some concerned that vouchers would make money available to Muslim schools and thus open them up to attack in a GOP primary as supportive of Islamic indoctrination. But far more, it appears legislators were simply concerned about ramifications for their district and public schools in general. An example is Rep. Dale Carr, R-Sevierville. The Tennessee affiliate of the American Federation for Children, which has spent millions promoting vouchers with money from anonymous donors, aired radio ads in Sevier County rivaled only by Middle Tennessee's Williamson County as the most Republican geographic enclave within the state depicting Carr as an ally of Hillary Clinton because he opposed vouchers. Carr says the ads didn't change his position. Even with his home county unaffected by the compromise versions, he said, it's still taking money out of public schools that don't have enough money as it is and inserting "the camel's nose under the tent" for future expansion. Note that one of the few GOP Senate no votes came from Overbey, who also represents Sevier County. That leads to the suspicion that the two gentlemen were following constituent wishes, which in this odd situation aligned with the generic Democrat stance. Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Jeff Yarbro of Nashville raised the notion of having an independent commission draw redistricting lines in Tennessee, as now is done in a few states. His proposal was, of course, quickly killed by supermajority senators in committee, Overbey among them, without anybody paying attention. Republicans, as with Democrats before them in bygone days, prefer to have the election deck stacked in their favor. In the House, the demographic dynamics make for a few competitive districts more so than in the Senate, at least. And that also figures into making the House a more debatable proposition for vouchers, generically embraced by Republicans and generically opposed by Democrats. That just might be a healthy disagreement. Read more from Tom Humphrey on "Humphrey on the Hill:" SHARE The state of Tennessee once again has rolled out a flawed computer operating system that should further embarrass officials in Nashville. This time the system in question is for TNReady, the much ballyhooed online assessment for Tennessee students' math and English skills in grades 3-11. The network crashed last Monday its first day in use and education officials decided to shut it down. Students will take the exam the old-fashioned way, with paper and pencil. Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said officials could not be certain the online system could perform with the consistency needed to move forward. Now teachers will have to switch gears to prepare students for a manual exam at best a distraction from learning. In Knox County, some students were able to complete the first part of the two-part test. Students who finished Part 1 of the test on Monday will not have to take it again on paper. With parents and teachers across the state already frustrated with the amount of class time devoted to standardized testing, the breakdown could not have come at a worse time. The Department of Education will delay and extend the Part 1 testing as a result. Schools had a window through March 4 to complete the first phase of the test. A state task force survey conducted last year of nearly 37,000 teachers showed that six out of 10 say they spend too much time helping students prepare for statewide exams, and 70 percent believe their students spend too much time taking exams, The Associated Press reported. The state contracted with Measurement Inc., a North Carolina-based company, to develop the assessment, which replaces the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, or TCAP. TNReady was developed to test the skills required under the more rigorous academic standards adopted by the state in 2010. McQueen said the state has paid Measurement Inc. $1.6 million for the tests' development and there will be no additional costs for printing and distributing the paper tests. The state will also review its $108 million five-year contract with the company over the next several weeks, she said. The incident is the latest in a long list of computer system failures that have plagued state agencies and cost taxpayers close to a quarter-billion dollars in recent years. The Department of Revenue spent $40 million over 10 years to develop a system to track car titles before giving up on the project in 2013. The TennCare Bureau ditched a $37.5 million computer system that failed to allow pregnant women and people with disabilities to enroll. A court-ordered overhaul of the system the Department of Children's Services uses to track child welfare and abuse cases cost taxpayers $38 million. Three years ago the Department of Human Services canned its $20 million software system that was designed to handle the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid cases. In one of the most egregious examples, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development paid out at least $96 million in bogus claims and overcharges during the six years ending in 2015, according to an audit released last year by the Comptroller's Office. Prisoners, employed citizens and even the dead received checks. The TNReady debacle drew a quick response from legislators. The Senate education and government operations committees will hold a joint meeting next week to look into the matter, and House Democrats have called for a three-year pause in the implementation of online testing. Despite the setback, McQueen is confident the test itself will accurately assess student skill levels. Students, who are more resilient than many adults believe, should do as well on paper as they would have done online. The state of Tennessee, however, has failed the taxpayers once again. SHARE Our presidential candidates are usually vilified when it is revealed that they changed their minds on a policy. I can understand how situations change, affecting how a candidate views his or her prior thinking. I always thought term limits were harmful because of the talent and experience we would lose. Now, when witnessing the chaos, inaction and partisanship in our current Congress, I join the majority of Americans in dissatisfaction with current leadership and feel very strongly that the answer is that it is time for term limits. Our senators and representatives make their next election a priority over actions that benefit the people they supposedly work for. They pander to various groups in an effort to win their votes. There is no justification for a member of Congress to make it a lifetime career. For example, Charles Rangel, censured for tax evasion, is 85 years old and has served as a representative since 1971. Harry Reid is 76 and is serving his fifth six-year term in the Senate. Nancy Pelosi is 75 and is now in her 13th term. And there are many others, on both sides of the aisle, who should have gone long ago. Paul J. Mattina, Knoxville SHARE I've read the latest installment of the ongoing Houston brothers saga, and am again disturbed not just by their actions but by those of law enforcement. I'm a huge fan of law enforcement (you couldn't pay me enough to take on what they deal with every day), but sometimes they're wrong. I'm not a huge fan of the Houston brothers and I don't think I'd particularly want them as neighbors, but I do think a lot of what has happened is because of the actions of the Roane County Sheriff's Department. They've gone to extremes to lock up the brothers, they've involved state and federal agencies in their efforts, and each time at each level it's resulted in the courts redefining the constitutional rights of citizens. This time it's at the most basic level of constitutional law. Law enforcement admitted that its evidence couldn't have been obtained by officers observing from the public road, but then argued that it could have been obtained by observation from the public road. Two of three judges ignored the conflicting testimony from law enforcement and ignored the requirement for a warrant. At least eight weeks into the surveillance, law enforcement realized the surveillance footage would be inadmissible, got a warrant and the third judge signed off on it. At trial, footage from both before and after the warrant was issued was allowed. The court essentially ruled that the requirement for a warrant is irrelevant. If I had to pick defendants I'd use to argue the extremes and abuses of law enforcement, they wouldn't be the Houston brothers. But each ruling builds case law and legal precedent that will affect all of us going forward. Each action that minimizes the rights of the defendant involved should cause all of us concern. Linda Parrott, Strawberry Plains By Lee Hyo-sik Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun Hyundai Group's second attempt to dispose of its brokerage unit appears to be going smoothly because several financial groups, seeking to reinforce their securities businesses, say they plan to bid. KB Financial Group and Korea Investment Holdings have already submitted letters of intent to EY Han Young, an accounting firm that manages the sale of Hyundai Securities on behalf of Korea's 21st largest family-controlled conglomerate. The two, outperformed by Mirae Asset Group in last year's bidding race for KDB Daewoo Securities, are looking to enlarge their equity trading and investment banking operations through mergers and acquisitions. According to industry analysts, Kiwoom Securities and other mid-size brokerages are also considering throwing their hats in the ring, while Pinestreet and other private equity firms here are reportedly weighing their options. Last year, Hyundai Group signed a sales contract with Japanese financial firm Orix to sell a 22.56 percent stake in Hyundai Securities for 647.5 billion won ($540 million). But the deal fell through at the last minute. The group had then sought to keep its profitable securities unit, but was forced to unload the company as part of its self-rescue plan, announced early February, to revive its holding company Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM). HMM is struggling under 7 trillion won debt amid a worldwide shipping industry slump. "We are serious about disposing of Hyundai Securities to raise cash," a Hyundai Group official said. "KB Financial and Korea Financial have already submitted a letter of intent. We are hoping to sell the brokerage unit at its fair value this time." EY Han Young will accept letters through Feb. 29 with due diligence to take place next month. Hyundai Group and EY plan to complete the sale process and sign a formal contract by March. The 22.56 percent stake is valued at around 300 billion won. HMM has 22.43 percent and the rest is held by group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun and her family. Group officials say the sale price will easily exceed 300 billion won. In 2015, Hyundai Securities earned 4.2 trillion won in sales, up 61 percent from the previous year. Operating profit jumped 648 percent to 297 billion won and its net profit 646.3 percent to 279 billion won. Besides the sale of the securities unit, Hyundai Group, which is widely known for its now-defunct North Korea tourism project, is seeking to dispose of other assets to raise cash to bolster HMM's deteriorating bottom line. The shipping company recently decided to sell its majority stake in the Busan New Port to Port of Singapore Authority International for 500 billion won. HMM also sold its bulk carrier business to Hahn & Company, a private equity fund, for 540 billion won. Chairwoman Hyun decided to borrow 30 billion won from banks by putting up her stakes in Hyundai Elevator and other group units as collateral. She will use the money to pay back some of HMM's debts. In return for its self-rescue measures, Hyundai Group is asking the state-run Korea Development Bank and other creditors to extend HMM's maturing loans and inject fresh capital into Korea's largest shipping company. By Park Jin-hai Joo Yang-ye BMW Korea promoted Joo Yang-ye, 43, previously the company director, to be managing director, the firm announced Sunday. The promotion will become effective on April 1 and will make Joo the company's first woman to hold an executive position. Replacing her predecessor Han Sang-yun, who left the job in January to be CEO of BMW Malaysia. The company said that Joo has been the main driving force for MINI brand's rise in the local auto industry. BMW's sub brand has been writing its own sales record each year, gradually expanding consumer base by means of unique marketing. Its sales in 2015 posted 7,501, from 6,572 in 2014 and 6,301 in 2013. Joo graduated from Seoul Natioanl University in 1995, with a major in anthropology, and earned an MBA at the University of Helsinki in Finland in 2003. She joined BMW Korea in 2007, in order to work in public relations for both BMW and MINI brands. Since 2013, Joo has been marketing and sales director for MINI Korea. "With her promotion, we have highlighted the fact that MINI has created its own culture in Korea, which is not just about sales numbers," said Kim Hyo-joon, BMW Korea CEO, in a statement. "It is meaningful that we have a new woman sales chief. In the future, we will create values by carefully bringing customers' needs into the market." Students, participating in Hyundai Motor hosted "Art Dream Movie Production" program, speak during the Q&A session at a CGV theater in southern Seoul, Saturday. Hyundai put up seven movies themed on "growth" on screen that 50 young students participated in production on screen as part of its social contribution activities. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor By Park Jin-hai Hyundai Motor and its smaller sibling Kia Motors were the top sellers of vehicles in Vietnam last year, according to industry data Sunday. The two sold a combined 62,189 automobiles with a market share of 29.8 percent, beating global leader Toyota Motor in one of the fastest growing Southeast Asian auto markets last year. This is the first time for Hyundai and Kia to top the market where Japanese carmakers had retained a dominant position. Toyota posted sales of 50,285 vehicles, with its market share standing at 24.1 percent. Hyundai and Kia's achievement largely stems from the latter's outstanding performance in the country. Thanks to the rising popularity of its small K3000 Bongo truck, Kia's Vietnam sales jumped 71.7 percent in 2015 from the previous year. Its growth outperformed the overall 55.3 percent gain for the Vietnamese automotive market. The K3000 truck was the second best-selling vehicle, with sales nearly doubling last year to 14,201, from 8,563 in 2014. With the help of K3000, Kia sold a total of 38,484 cars and vans, while Hyundai sold a total of 23,705. Hyundai's auto sales, thanks to its best-selling Grand i10 compact hatchback, have also tripled in two years, from 7,585 cars in 2013. The Grand i10, launched in 2013, saw 15,873 in sales last year, making it the top-selling model there. "Hyundai and Kia's best-ever sales performance is more meaningful, in that we achieved it as late comers to the market where Japanese rivals predominated," said a Hyundai official. Vietnam is one of the fastest growing auto markets among Southeast Asian countries. Sales have seen a 55.3 percent rise in 2015, following a 43.4 percent jump a year earlier. The auto industry there is enjoying high growth potential, due to government policies to boost the industry. Vehicle ownership rate remains at 4 vehicles for 1,000 people as of 2013, just 1 percent of that of Korea. Hyundai and Kia Motors say they will make greater efforts to tap deeper into the growing market. "When the global auto industry shows slower growth, Vietnam's growth carries more meaning. With the technology development and strategic model launches, we will concentrate to make it a springboard to other ASEAN nations," said the Hyundai official. By Yoon Ja-young Banks, insurers and credit card companies are increasing dividend payouts to shareholders. Analysts explain the move aims at pulling up share prices but the companies are under fire for reducing jobs while paying out the dividends. Shinhan Financial Group plans to pay a 631 billion won this year, its biggest since 2001 when the holding company was launched. Shareholders will be paid 1,200 won per share. The payout lifts Shinhan's dividend payout ratio, or the ratio of dividend to net income, to 24 percent from 11.5 percent in 2011. KB Financial Group is also paying a record 378.6 billion won this year, or 980 won per share. Its payout ratio is expected to jump to 23.2 percent, doubling from 11.7 percent of 2011. Other banks are also expected to increase their payouts. Woori Bank, which is seeking buyers for privatization, wants to make itself look attractive to shareholders. The state-controlled Industrial Bank of Korea is also expected to lift its payout ratio from the previous year's 29.9 percent as part of a government plan to raise the payout ratio of government-invested entities to 40 percent. Insurance companies and credit card companies are also increasing their dividends. Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance plans to give 221.4 billion won to shareholders, the biggest yet. Samsung Card paid a total dividend of 173.1 billion won, up from 115.4 billion won, at 1,500 won per share, compared with 1,000 won last year. Meritz Fire and Marine Insurance also increased its dividend to 60.1 billion won from 39.9 billion won. Analysts said the increased dividends would help lift share prices. "When considering that banks' interest income will increase and that shareholders will earn more thanks to the rising dividend payout ratio, the current share prices mean bank stocks have been oversold," said Eugene Investment and Securities analyst Kim In. Share prices of the country's leading financial groups nosedived during the past few years. On Friday Hana Financial closed at 20,550 won, a far cry from January 2011, when its share price hovered above 44,000 won. KB Financial also dipped to around 30,000 won from above 57,000 won, and Shinhan Finance is being traded at around 37,000 won as against nearly 50,000 won five years ago. Banks fear that their share prices could fall further because foreigners might desert Seoul stocks after any U.S. key rate hike. Foreigners hold more than a 65 percent stake in major banks. While banks expect to attract shareholders by paying higher dividends, they have come under fire for sacrificing workers. Last year about 4,000 employees left under an early retirement program, and the banks are continuing closing branches to boost profitability. Rep. Kim Gi-juhn of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea points out that the banks' dividend payout ratios had been rising steeply while they were cutting jobs. "While economic recession and household debt are weighing on the people, banks are paying their highest-ever dividends," he said. "It is time to increase jobs and reduce household debt, instead of increasing dividends." Chinese 100 Yuan or Reminbi (RMB) notes pictured in Beijing, China. The People's Bank of China set the daily mid-point yuan trading price at a record 2.8 percent weaker relative to the U.S. dollar over the past five weeks. / Korea Times file Companies need to climb higher in high-tech ladder By Kim Jae-kyoung SINGAPORE Korea should brace for a "new China" as the world's second-largest economy is entering a crucial stage in its transition into a new growth model, according to analysts. The neighboring country is undergoing an "economic rebalancing" triggered by four major forces deleveraging, restructuring, urbanization and a rising middle class, signaling that it is moving toward a consumption-driven, services-oriented economy. China is going through a structural adjustment in its economy by shifting priorities, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Korean firms. Slowing GDP figures and weaker equity and currency markets in China are unnerving many, but they need to take the developments as a natural event that should occur to keep the economy vibrant and relevant, not a harbinger of an economic meltdown, analysts say. "The year 2016 will be a crucial one for China's transformation into a consumption, service-based economy. These tectonic shifts from an old to a new China will not only create shockwaves there but also in the rest of Asia," Natixis Asia Pacific chief economist Alicia Garcia Herrero said. China will see major shifts in such areas as population, growth models and consumption pattern, she added. According to the Hong Kong-based economist, China will see a rise in aging and urban population, while it will shift the focus of policies to innovation from industrial catch-up. With the rising middle class, more Chinese will buy luxury items as well as essential goods. Economic data show that such economic rebalancing is already in the making. The Chinese economy grew 6.9 percent in 2015, the slowest growth in 25 years due to rising debt and overcapacity in housing and factories. In the downturn, the Chinese economy moved onto two tracks. Sluggish exports continued to put a drag on industrial activities, while consumption emerged as a new growth engine, supporting the services sector. China's services sector growth rose to 8.3 percent in 2015 from the previous year's 7.8 percent, while manufacturing expansion slowed to 6 percent from 7.3 percent during the same period. Services industries offset job losses from manufacturing last year. "The biggest development (in China) would be increased consumption, which would mean lower savings, and thus less of a need to export those savings," Mauro Guillen, director of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, said. "A gradual shift towards that would be very good for the global economy. The problem is if it happens too suddenly." The rising consuming class coincides with the urbanization of emerging cities in China. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the business and economic research arm of McKinsey & Company, a total of 332 million households in China are expected to join the consumer class by 2030 with 265 million people moving to urban areas. Deleveraging, restructuring underway The shift in economic structure has been accompanied by a retooling of financial markets caused by deleveraging and restructuring with both households and companies. "Deleveraging and corporate restructuring are two major events that will reshape China and affect the global economy," Moritz Schularick, professor of Economics at the University of Bonn in Germany, told The Korea Times. "China is in a similar situation that Korea was in 1998. The country needs to deleverage without losing too much growth momentum," he added. Schularick coined the term "Chimerica" together with Harvard University professor Niall Ferguson. In a recent report, Moody's Investors Service said that banks in China will face a higher degree of uncertainty and therefore risk amid increased volatility in interest and exchange rates, stock prices and fund flows. "We anticipate further increases in loan delinquencies, more defaults on corporate debt and some losses in wealth-management products, as more borrowers struggle to meet payments against the backdrop of high financial leverage and a downturn in their respective sectors," said Moody's Senior Vice President Christine Kuo. Experts say that Korean companies should understand the implication of the ongoing change to seize opportunities and stay ahead of Chinese players. "If China consumes more, it should benefit Korea in the sense that Chinese consumers could purchase Korean-made goods or services," Guillen of the Wharton School said. "Korea needs to continue positioning itself as a higher-value added designer and maker of goods. It needs to stay ahead of China's efforts to move up the technology ladder," he added. Herrero of Natixis said that the net effect from China's transition could be positive. "Korea will be affected negatively in terms of tougher competition from Chinese exports as they move up the ladder. However, Korea can benefit as an exporter of higher-end consumer goods and tourist services," she said. "As for growth, Korea needs to boost its population as a key measure to enhance potential growth. Immigration is the key for low-end jobs as well as increasing the birthrate." Master carpenter Lee Gwang-bok will demonstrate woodworking skills for hanok at the Seoul Hanok Expo. By Baek Byung-yeul Most Koreans these days prefer to live in high-rise apartment buildings. The size of their apartment has become a measure of their success; while the buildings have been convenient and safe "nests" for them. In the meantime, "hanok," or the traditional Korean house, has lost its footing due to ruthless waves of redevelopment, leaving only a few in villages and areas designated as tourists' spots. As a result, even modern Koreans are unfamiliar with the structure of hanok, which are built around a courtyard and feature tiled-roofs called "giwa," wooden columns and the traditional floor heating system called "ondol." With the government's effort to boost cultural identity and promote tourism, the numbers of hanok have been on the rise over the past five years, and the Seoul Metropolitan City Government is holding an expo this weekend in a bid to popularize them. Participants to the Seoul Hanok Expo will have a hands-on experience on building "hanok," traditional Korean house at the Seoul Hanok Expo, which will take place at SETEC in southern Seoul for four days from Thursday to Sunday. The 2016 Seoul Hanok Expo provides an opportunity to learn more about hanok featuring works of master carpenters, hands-on programs, consulting booths for those who seek to live in hanok, and features over 380 companies in the industry. It will take place at the Seoul Trade Exhibition and Convention Center (SETEC) in southern Seoul for four days from Thursday to Sunday. The organizing committee said the expo is not only to introduce the beauty of traditional Korean houses but also to connect people interested in building a new traditional style house with firms that can help them. "Living in a hanok has become fashionable and Seoul City has been trying hard to promote Bukchon and Seochon, hanok-concentrated areas with historical neighborhoods in heart of Seoul," the organizing committee said. "The 2016 Seoul Hanok Expo is based on the city's Hanok Asset Declaration announced last July. The city has a vision to increase the number of hanok areas from 34 to 100 by 2020 not only to promote environmental friendly and healthy living for citizens but to promote and preserve the traditional housing." The committee said that some 80,000 visitors including 10,000 foreigners either from abroad or living in Korea are expected to attend the event. Participants to the Seoul Hanok Expo will also have a hands-on experience of interior designing in traditional Korean housing. Exhibition To provide an opportunity to glimpse the uniqueness of hanok, the expo is composed of three themes a display of the construction process, introduction to the country's hanok related industry and an exhibition of interior components mainly featured in hanok. Ranging from traditional house designs to construction methods, visitors can enjoy learning about hanok with explanations from master craftsmen. Young architects will bring their works showcasing modern hanok designs. Also, potential future owners of hanok can find relevant information on policy including financial assistance for construction and have a chance to consult with companies related to hanok design. Visitors can glimpse what it is like to live in hanok as well. The exhibition showcases traditional Korean-themed interior components such as "hanji" or traditional Korean paper, wood craft, "hanbok" or traditional clothing, furniture and painting. Hands-on programs With a variety of hands-on programs, participants will have a chance to watch master carpenters demonstrate the making of building materials such as roof tiles and timberwork. Blacksmiths from Jincheon and Boeun, North Chungcheong Province will showcase their traditional way of heating, forging, and finishing iron bars into farming tools or other living utensils. At Korean tea tasting booths, visitors can learn the practice of Korean tea culture and try on traditional clothing and take photos at a booth. In order to encourage the younger's participation, the expo has a contest where participants are invited to draw future style hanok and furniture. For those who want to join the contest, visit the website at hanexpo.co.kr. On Friday, there will be a conference discussing the future of hanok and promoting strategies for the related industry. The expo takes place from Feb. 18 to 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The venue is located near exit 1 of Hangnyeoul Station, subway Line 3. Admission costs 5,000 won. Free admission is also available for those who register at hanexpo.co.kr. For more information call (02) 742-3576. By Chung Hyun-chae For those who spent Valentine's Day lamenting lost love, a forthcoming exhibition will offer a chance to let go of painful memories by donating mementos from past relationships. The "Museum of Broken Relationships" will provide a display of exhibits on Jeju Island along with the Arario Museum from May 5 to Sept. 25. The exhibition tours the world, with the permanent museum in Zagreb, Croatia. Artists Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic, who broke up after a four-year relationship, set up the museum in 2006. The exhibition consists of items from broken relationships. People donate objects to the museum, where more than 1,000 are on display. The collection has traveled to 35 cities in 18 countries including Argentina, Germany, the Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. The museum received the European Museum Forum's Kenneth Hudson Award for being Europe's most innovative museum in 2011. The Arario Museum began receiving donations on Sunday, Valentine's Day, with acceptances closing on March 14, White Day, another day for people seeking relationships. For the Korea exhibition, anyone can apply to donate to the museum's collection by writing their stories about their former loves and state what the items meant to them on the Museum of Broken Relationships' website (https://brokenships.com/en/join/korea_donations). The items will be exhibited anonymously at the museum, with captions about the love stories. For more information, email info@arariomuseum.org, call (02) 760-1740 or (064) 720-8205 or visit the Arario Museum's website (http://www.arariomuseum.org). Participants in a holographic rally, organized by Amnesty International Korea, walk across a stage during a filming session in Seoul, Saturday. / Korea Times photo by Kim Se-jeong By Kim Se-jeong More than 100 people flocked into a small studio in Seoul, Friday and Saturday. They chanted slogans, held posters and placards, sang songs, and marched, just like protesters do in usual street rallies. But they did it all on a stage with green screens they were having their protests filmed to make a holographic rally. Spearheaded by Amnesty International Korea, the virtual rally will be screened at Gwanghwamun Square on Feb. 24, the eve of the third anniversary of President Park Geun-hye's inauguration. The group came up with the idea of a virtual protest after police denied its request to hold a street rally near Cheong Wa Dae in December. Divided into four groups, the participants walked across the green stage. They sang songs and chanted slogans that emphasized the importance of truth and individual freedom. They also wore masks before the camera, the same masks seen in last year's street protests in Seoul. The Park administration threatened to punish those wearing masks during rallies, saying such people hide their identity to commit illegal acts. Participants in the virtual rally were from all walks of life, ranging from an elementary school student to a housewife, a self-employed woman, a school teacher and a university student. They all said one thing: "People are fed up with a government that prevents freedom of assembly and speech." Lee Hyo-lib from Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, said she was motivated by the feeling of oppression. The independent theater director has worked on projects about the Sewol disaster, the worst maritime disaster in 2014, and said she experienced oppression from authorities while preparing for projects. Lee Ko-eun from Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, who came with her two sons and husband, said she hoped her children, 12 and 15, would learn to speak up when necessary. "The government makes us stay quiet. I want my children to be able to protest and speak up their minds freely,"she said. The organizer was surprised by the interest and participation. Initially, the rally needed 20 citizens, but ended up inviting almost 100 after receiving about 180 emails showing interest. "We contacted all personally and invited those available," said Ahn Se-young from Amnesty International Korea. "This was totally unexpected and we are so excited to see them here." The 10-minute holographic image will be screened for 30 minutes at 7:30 p.m. Police had claimed that a rally near Cheong Wa Dae obstruct traffic and create noise for residents. Civic groups claimed freedom of speech and assembly in Korea had seriously regressed. Maina Kiai, the United Nations special rapporteur on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, was among many who assessed that Korea's freedom of speech and assembly was dwindling. During his visit to Korea in January, Kiai expressed particular concern that authorities used water cannon against protesters despite possible adverse effects on health, and urged the Korean government to protect citizens' constitutional rights. A KN-08 road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile is paraded in Pyongyang, North Korea during the 70th anniversary celebrations of its ruling party's creation in this Oct. 10, 2015 file photo. / AP-Yonhap By Jun Ji-hye North Korea is preparing to deploy road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) believed to have a range of at least 10,000 kilometers, military officials said Sunday. "The North is believed to be taking steps toward the operational deployment of the ICBMs," said a military official on condition of anonymity. The remark came after some media reported, quoting unidentified sources, that the Kim Jong-un regime has formed a new brigade to deploy its KN-08 ICBMs. The reports said the KN-08 Brigade is a subordinate unit of the Strategic Forces, which oversees all missile units in the North. The official neither confirmed nor denied the report, but he said it is hard to say that the North has formally deployed the ICBMs because it has never conducted a test launch _ an essential step before the operational deployment. The official indicated that the North seems to have inched closer to fielding the road-mobile ICBMs, but refused to disclose the military's analysis regarding the timing, citing confidentiality. A similar analysis was produced last week in the United States. U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Pyongyang "has already taken initial steps toward fielding this (KN-08) system, although the system has not been flight-tested." Clapper also stated in his report to the Senate that Pyongyang was committed to developing "a long-range, nuclear-armed missile that is capable of posing a direct threat" to the U.S. The Taegeukgi, right, the national flag of South Korea, flies at Daeseong-dong, the only civilian residential area within the southern part of the Demilitarized Zone, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday, with a North Korean flag flying at the North Korean border village of Kijong-dong. Inter-Korean relations have reached their lowest point after Seoul shut down the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, Wednesday, in response to the North's Feb. 7 launch of a long-range rocket. The North, in turn, expelled all South Korean nationals the following day and froze factory assets of South Korean firms operating there. / Yonhap Dispute arises over operation of complex despite knowledge of funds diversion By Jun Ji-hye The government said Sunday that 70 percent of the wages paid to North Korean workers at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) were used for the development of weapons and to buy luxury goods for leader Kim Jong-un. Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo said the government had received reports from "multiple channels" backing up his claim, but did not provide evidence, citing confidentiality. He did not disclose when the South detected the diversion of funds, either. This is the first time a high-ranking government official has disclosed an exact figure confirming allegations that the money was diverted to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Since the GIC's opening in 2004, about $560 million has been provided to North Korean workers there, including $120 million last year, according to the Ministry of Unification. Appearing on a TV talk show, Hong said, "Workers at the GIC were paid in cash in U.S. dollars, but the money didn't go to the workers directly, it went to the North Korean government, instead." He said the money transferred to the ruling Workers' Party was believed to be used in the same way as any foreign currency is used by the regime. "About 70 percent of the money is believed to have been used to develop nuclear weapons or missiles, to carry out projects to commemorate the regime's achievements, or to purchase luxury goods," he said. On Wednesday, the government shut down the GIC in the North Korean border city in response to Pyongyang's Feb. 7 long-range rocket launch, which is regarded as a cover for testing intercontinental ballistic missile technology. The Rundale Palace in Latvia / Courtesy of the Lativian Embassy Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars By Rachel Lee The establishment of a diplomatic mission in Seoul has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations with Korea, says the first resident Latvian ambassador to Korea. "We share similar values and attitudes about working hard and reaching out and so it is quite natural for Latvia to be taking steps to actively promote closer relations with strong, like-minded partners such as Korea," Peteris Vaivars said. Vaivars, 53, who arrived here in January, served as a non-resident Latvian ambassador to Korea from 2007 to 2013. Along with the Seoul posting, he works as non-resident ambassador to Malaysia and Singapore. The embassy opened last September. "Korea is a very dynamic country, a genuine Asian tiger when we talk about economic growth. Latvia together with its two neighbours Estonia and Lithuania are referred to as the Baltic tiger," he said. Since diplomatic relations were established in 1991, the ambassador believes the two nations have achieved a good level of political cooperation and exchange, particularly in culture and education. "The EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement has been signed, the agreements between Latvia and Korea on double taxation and protection of investments are in force, and visa-free travel is in effect," he said. "So, my top priority will be to enhance our economic relations by promoting trade, business contacts, mutual understanding and cooperation." Vaivars said research and development is one of the promising sectors in Latvia due to its good location, and he is planning to introduce investment opportunities to Korean companies in the coming years. "Latvia is ideally located to serve as a hub of creating and testing new products produced by Korean companies at a short distance from the main sales markets in the EU and its eastern neighbourhood," he said. The ambassador also plans promote other fields including tourism in both directions and logistics that provide solutions to serve shipments of Korean-made goods to be delivered to Europe. "We have plans to organize outdoor events for bicycle lovers in order to introduce Latvian made bicycles and receive a famous Latvian choir in summer and organize some other cultural and public diplomacy events," the ambassador said. He would also like to organize an exchange of visits by both presidents. "Till now, information about Latvia in Korea has been sparse and our new embassy will help close this gap. We are not well-known for Koreans yet, but I will do my best to increase awareness of Latvia in Korea." Latvia is a country with 2 million people in North Eastern Europe on the Baltic Sea. The territory is about 64,000 square kilometres, which is approximately two thirds of the Korean territory. Latvia is a member state of the European Union and NATO, and has its own language. The capital Riga was founded in 1201, but Latvia was proclaimed as an independent state on Nov. 18, 1918. Sri Lankan Ambassador to Korea Manisha Gunasekera hosts a reception to mark the country's 68th independence anniversary at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on Feb. 3. / Courtesy of the Sri Lankan Embass By Rachel Lee Sri Lankan Ambassador to Korea Manisha Gunasekera hosted a reception to celebrate her country's 68th anniversary of independence, at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on Feb. 3. Hundreds of local and foreign envoys including Korea's Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shin Dong-ik and Sri Lanka's Honorary Consul in Busan Shin Jung-Teak attended. "Today, Sri Lanka stands proud among the community of nations as a state that has successfully defeated the forces of conflict and established lasting peace," the ambassador said. "Our nation is engaged in a transparent process to bring durable peace, reconciliation and non-recurrence to all our people, of all ethnicities and religions." She said Sri Lanka and Korea enjoyed historical bonds of friendship based on Buddhism and cultural links spanning centuries. "These links are poised to be further elevated in the run-up to the two countries celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations in 2017," she said. She said labor was an important part of relations with Korea, with about 30,000 Sri Lankans working in Korea under the Employment Permit System. "Sri Lanka is deeply appreciative of the opportunities granted to Sri Lankan workers by the Korean Government," she said. "Their remittances make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka's economy." The Sri Lankan embassy organized a food promotion at the hotel from Jan. 29 to Feb. 7. Two chefs from the Hilton Colombo introduced Sri Lankan dishes including yellow rice, string hopper pillaw, crab curry, cashew curry, devilled beef and prawns, and desserts. By Rachel Lee The ASEAN-Korea Centre held a Cambodia-Korea Investment Forum at the Raffles Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Feb. 2. The forum, held in collaboration with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) as part of the "Investment and Market Research Mission Dispatch program," was designed to provide information on the investment environment and to explore opportunities in Cambodia. ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Young-sun, CDC Secretary General Sok Chenda Sophea and Korean Ambassador to Cambodia Kim Won-jin gave welcoming speeches. Sophea said he expected Cambodia to become an investment destination with the liberalization of regional logistics, more liberal movement of resources and labor between Cambodia and Korea along with the launch of the ASEAN Community. The Cambodian government has being trying to attract foreign investment from the private sector since 1997. Kim Won-jin said that more than 70 percent of Cambodians depended on agriculture for their livelihood, and the Cambodian government needed higher value-added industry, which required Korea's experience. He said Cambodia had a variety of advantages to attract investment, such as excellent weather, abundant water resources, a competitive workforce, and a lot of lands. Delegates visited the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone and MH Bio-Energy, which produces bio-ethanol made from tapioca, and Golden Rice Cambodia, which produces Jasmin Rice, and the CP Cambodia pig farm. Azerbaijan Ambassador to Korea Ramzi Teymurov, left, poses with Lee Kyeong-ho, president and CEO of the Korea Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KPMA) at the KPMA's office in Seoul on Jan. 26. According to the Azerbaijan Embassy in Seoul, the two discussed possible cooperation in health and pharmaceuticals. / Courtesy of the Azerbaijan Embassy By Kim Hyo-jin The ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers are pouring out their hawkish rhetoric against North Korea amid growing tensions between on the Korean Peninsula. While some raised voice for Seoul's nuclear armament as a response to the Pyongyang's latest military provocations, others argued that the government should directly target its leader Kim Jong-un. On Jan. 6, the repressive state conducted its fourth nuclear test, followed by a long-range rocket launch that many regard as a cover for a ballistic missile test. Observers view that a series of remarks are part of their campaign strategy to win more votes in the upcoming general election scheduled for April 13, with security issue sweeping the nation at this point. Rep. Roh Chul-rae, vice policymaker of the Saenuri Party claimed that the country should pursue nuclear armament, saying Seoul need better strategy against the North. "We need to have strong means to stop the North and guarantee our security," he said during a party meeting. Rep. Won Yoo-chul, party's floor leader agreed, saying "It is time for us to hold a gun." Ha Tae-keung, another Saenuri lawmaker, went further, saying Friday that the government should announce that it will get rid of Kim during the remaining term of President Park Geun-hye. Likening Kim to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein or the Islamic State, Ha urged the international community to act together in taking the young leader down. "It could be easier than economic sanctions," he said in a radio interview. Critics say the lawmakers are presenting populist policies amid rising uneasiness about security on the peninsula. "Nuclear armament is not a realistic view," Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University said. "When South Korea is under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, its attempt to develop its own clear equals its move to break the bilateral ties." By Stephen Costello Following the Feb. 7 DPRK missile launch, alarmist voices from top officials have now reached a crescendo. Robert Carlin, perhaps the best North Korea watcher in the US, notes that Kim Jung Un's behavior is very similar to his two predecessors, and then makes this point: "This in some sense the essential interests North Koreans believe they must defend is what we have to deal with, difficult though it might be, and scaring ourselves with dancing shadows on the walls of a cave of our own making will, in the end, lead us nowhere good." Theodore Postol, MIT professor of science, technology and national security, calls overreaction to the latest missile launch "hysterical." And that's actually a problem. We've come to expect exaggerations, hyperbole, and pretense from political candidates, but not so much from sitting presidents and their secretaries. Language now being used by those we expect to have level heads has led many specialists to worry that violent conflict is likely. And they're right to worry. Terms that are fundamentally religious, ideological or moral aren't very useful in diplomacy and analysis. Is conflict really what officials were elected to accomplish? This question what would it take to force a change in the ROK and/or U.S. tactics toward North Korea is probably a good one. It's good precisely because it is "NOT" the one asked by countless scholarly, journalistic or Korea-specialist voices over the past few weeks. Sure, the usual suspects have occasionally asked what it will take for the U.S. to go back to the Banco Delta Asia "enhanced sanctions." Some in Seoul have taken a different approach, arguing again that maybe now the ROK should develop its own nuclear weapons. But no one is asking: What would it take to free the U.S. or ROK from their paralyzing and expensive fear of diplomacy, of talking to the DPRK? There are precedents for talks that lead to limits on weapons. The answer seems to be, for now, nothing. This missile launch will not change our tactics. That is to say, neither administration has done the planning for, or has considered the pros and cons of, returning to serious discussions with North Korea about nuclear weapons "AND" development "AND" security: The kind of talks that might lead to success. Apparently, such talks would require more courage and self-confidence, and more understanding of strategy, than we have now. It's been 15 years since the last effort by the U.S. administration, and nine years since the last effort by the ROK administration. Yes, there was the so-called "Leap Day" agreement of 29 February 2012, in which the U.S. team under President Obama sought to trade humanitarian assistance and an end to overt confrontation for a freeze and monitoring of much of the DPRK nuclear infrastructure. But Obama had already embraced the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld requirement for a punishment/reward or surrender/victory narrative, as well as the unworkable Six Party Talks Framework, both of which made fundamental agreements unlikely, if not impossible. Not surprisingly, the North saw the deal differently from the U.S. The preference for talking about tactics instead of strategy has been exposed in endless debates over the role of China. U.S. State Secretary John Kerry directly lectured his Chinese counterpart, suggesting as does much of the US policy community that he knows Chinese interests better than they do, and that the U.S. is blameless in creating such an explosive environment in the region. South Korean President Park Geun-hye similarly criticized the Chinese, apparently shocked that her tactical-but-not-strategic diplomatic embrace of President Xi Jinping had not encouraged him to abandon Chinese strategic interests in favor of ROK and U.S. political interests. Meanwhile, the Chinese have become more direct about the way they see this game, finally saying clearly that the U.S. is refusing to do what it could to disarm the DPRK. Last month, several Korea specialists gathered for a drink in memory of the late Ambassador to South Korea Stephen Bosworth. Their backgrounds spanned government, journalism and scholarship. Again and again, the tactical, political and non-strategic nature of U.S. policy came up. A change of approach was not expected, even after the presidential election nine m0nths away. The dispatch of a B-52 bomber on 9 January over Korea was seen as projecting weakness and rigidity, not strength or imagination. That gesture will probably help the DPRK leadership justify its nuclear programs, it was observed. Much of the current debate over this latest North Korean missile test has a similar feel. As Donald Rumsfeld famously said, "You need to know what you don't know."The difference between the approach of China and North Korea on one hand, and the U.S., Japan and South Korea on the other, has rarely been so stark. While the former pursue deadly serious strategic interests, the latter engage in loud-but-pointless posturing, largely aimed at voters back home, and innocent of recent diplomatic history. The tragic and unnecessary mistake over the past four presidential terms in how to handle Korea has exposed the hollow core of the U.S. "pivot to Asia." In one sense it's sad for the democracies. Why couldn't they produce leaders with a bit more experience and ambition at this critical moment? But it's primarily sad for the North Koreans. They're the ones who would benefit from enhanced security, development and disarmament. Why aren't their leaders more confident, worldly, and capable? For now, they'll have to wait. Stephen Costello is a producer of AsiaEast, a Web and broadcast-based policy roundtable focused on security, development and politics in Northeast Asia. He writes from Washington, D.C. He can be reached at scost55@gmail.com. By Jacco Zwetsloot The Korea Times carried a story titled "Seoul city to restore palace walkway" in its Jan. 26 edition. The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to open to the public a 170-meter section of Deoksu Palace wall, involving pedestrian access through British Embassy property. A number of interesting issues present themselves: historical accuracy, "authenticity" of heritage, and journalistic practice. The article states that the proposed walkway is "interrupted by the British Embassy and has been since 1884 when the mission purchased land near the palace." I have seen this theme repeatedly over the years, but it is misleading. Deoksu Palace was not a fully-fledged "beop-gung" (a palace where a monarch resides) before King Gojong issued orders from the Russian Legation in 1896 to construct his new palace 12 years after the British Legation opened. Deoksu Palace had merely been a detached palace, or royal villa, for centuries. Furthermore, the U.S., French, Russian and German legations stood in Jeong-dong before Gojong's residency. Therefore, in no sense did the arrival of Western powers in the late Joseon Kingdom encroach upon the palace. Indeed, King Gojong very likely moved his beop-gung to Jeongdong precisely because, after the Sino-Japanese War and the assassination of Queen Min, he hoped that the legations would prevent predation by the Japanese and Chinese empires. Secondly, the article used the words "restoration" and "recovery" to talk about the proposed new walkway. It is a universal theme of historical sites to claim authenticity and genuineness, but these are fraught and deeply contested ideas. A look at the map beside the Deoksu Palace ticket window shows that the original complex looked very different from today, due to demolition by both the Japanese and Korean governments. In fact, the current palace is about one-third its 1897 size, and most people will be surprised to learn that much of the present wall was built no earlier than the late 1960s. Therefore, the idea of "restoring" the palace wall to its former glory and putting a walkway all the way around it is a difficult one, since so much former palace land has been lost, and the wall was built in its current location and form long after King Gojong's death. The erstwhile existence of gates connecting Deoksu Palace to the U.S., British and Russian legations further shows that there never was a pathway for citizens to circumambulate the wall. The authentic historic experience that the city wants to re-create is in fact a wholly new creation a very modern invention, connected to ideas of heritage tourism and universal ownership of national history. Finally, it was surprising that the article contained quotations from both Seoul's plan and a city council member, but no word from the British Embassy. Missions have staff that handle public affairs, and given that the proposed walkway would enter and exit embassy gates and traverse embassy property, one would imagine that the British government would be keen to have a voice in discussing the plan, especially given concerns about diplomatic security, safety and privacy, but there was no mention of it in the article. Normally, one would at least expect to see a sentence like, "The embassy was not available for comment," or, "We reached out to the embassy, but did not receive a response by deadline," or even, "The embassy declined to comment on this story." Such an absence could leave a newspaper open to criticism that not enough was done to get all sides of the story. I think this is a regrettable editorial decision. Jacco Zwetsloot, who has spent 15 years in Korea, has a Master's degree in Korean studies from Leiden University, and occasionally leads guided walking tours of historical areas. Write to jacco.zwetsloot@gmail.com. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se urged China to play a "responsible" role in the push for a "terminating" U.N. resolution against North Korea. In a 40-minute talk with his Chinese counterpart that Wang Yi held on the sidelines of a security meeting in Munich Thursday (local time), Yun briefed him on Seoul's decision to halt the operation of the inter-Korean industrial complex in Kaesong, a North Korean border city, according to the Foreign Ministry. It was a "difficult decision made to show South Korea's resolute will and cooperate with the U.N. Security Council and the international community," Yun was quoted as telling Wang. The Chinese minister agreed on the need for accelerating consultations on a new resolution against Pyongyang for its latest nuclear and long-range rocket tests. He cited the "joint goal" of achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and peace and stability in the region. Wang also agreed that the North's back-to-back provocations have worsened and complicated the security conditions on the peninsula. But he emphasized the importance of a "prudent response" in consideration of interests and concern of neighboring nations, said the ministry. Beijing is unnerved by Seoul's announcement that it would begin formal talks with Washington on the deployment of the THAAD advanced missile defense system on its soil. Chinese officials view it as aimed not only at countering North Korea's threats but also at curbing Beijing's military influence. When addressing the German Atlantic Association, Yun called for "zero tolerance" to the North's misconduct. "I believe that it is time for the international community to show zero tolerance for North Korea's unbridled provocations," he said. "Now is the time to put unbearable pain on Pyongyang so it will make the right strategic choice, as Iran has already done." Introducing the outcome of his meetings with U.N. envoys in New York earlier this week, Yun said the U.N. council must take tough and effective sanctions on Pyongyang. "This should be the 'terminating resolution' to ensure that North Korea does not venture to conduct its fifth and sixth nuclear tests," he said, describing the North as an "unprecedented serial offender." He stressed that the Park Geun-hye administration is committed to improving ties with Europe, including closer partnerships with NATO on regional and global security affairs. (Yonhap) Marines from South Korea, the United States and Thailand jointly carried out large-scale landing drills on the Thai beach of Hat Yao as part of the Cobra Gold military exercise, the Marine Corps here said Friday. South Korea mobilized the 4,900-ton Cheon Wang Bong-class amphibious landing ship along with eight amphibious assault vehicles and one tank for the trilateral drills. About 440 marine and navy forces joined as well. Another 400 forces joined from the U.S and Thailand, along with three warships, 16 landing vehicles and 14 combat airplanes, according to the Marine Corps. The drills were designed to boost multinational forces' capacities to carry out peacekeeping operations and it conducted a scenario in which the combined forces infiltrated the enemy's shore to help land large-scale amphibious forces, the Marine Corps said. First launched in 1981, the U.S.-Thailand exercise has engaged an increasing number of regional participants to build regional war readiness through drills, including staff exercises and humanitarian and civil action projects. In this year's gathering, some 7,900 forces will also take part from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. (Yonhap) This is the fourth in a series of articles analyzing the effects on the local telecom market of SK Telecom's proposed takeover of CJ HelloVision ED By Yoon Sung-won The global association of telecom operators and handset makers urged governments Sunday to remove regulations on mergers and acquisitions, arguing that they slow down the procedures and hinder their businesses. "Communications carriers are generally subject to more extensive and burdensome merger review procedures than other digital ecosystem companies," the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) said in a report. The report was published for the European Committee's (EC) review of the Hong Kong-based telecom company Hutchison Whampoa trying to take over British mobile carrier O2. In Korea, the nation's largest mobile carrier SK Telecom has proposed a takeover of CJ HelloVision to the government. As CJ HelloVision is Korea's top cable television operator and the leading budget mobile service provider, the two other local mobile carriers KT and LG Uplus have voiced their opposition, arguing that it breaches antitrust regulations. "Mergers and acquisitions are an essential way for digital ecosystem providers to adapt to constant, dynamic change," the association said in the report. "They allow companies to combine complementary technologies, capture economies of scale and scope and bring together intellectual and other resources needed to speed up innovation." The GSMA said telecom businesses in the United States are obliged to receive M&A reviews both from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) whereas those between other digital industries are screened by only a single agency either the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the DOJ. The association also said mergers between telecom carriers need to meet higher standards. "While the DOJ and the FTC have the burden of proof in their reviews under antitrust laws to show that the effect of a merger will substantially lessen competition, carriers must demonstrate to the FCC that their mergers generate positive public interest benefits," it said. Citing data from the EC, the association said the commission has spent 59 days on average to evaluate mergers and acquisitions related to telecom businesses in Europe during the last 25 years, which is much longer than the 42 days for other information technology sectors. The GSMA pointed out that while the longest reviews of digital mergers took about 190 days on average, those for telecom companies took up to 436 days. The higher risk of a lengthy review can freeze the strategic activity of the merging companies for a year or more, the association said. "There is a substantial literature on the delay and added cost effects of duplicative merger reviews, many of which are associated with rent-seeking behavior by competitors who want to prevent the merging companies from becoming more effective competitors," the GSMA said. It noted that any new regulatory framework should have more sophisticated analytical tools to understand the dynamic natural of digital ecosystem markets. "Traditional measures of market concentration are no longer effective in predicting the effects of mergers," it said. "The efficiency benefits of digital ecosystem mergers are greater than in traditional industries." The association also called for a fairer application of standards and review processes. "Whatever standards and processes are applied should be non-discriminatory, both in substance and procedurally," it said. "Communications providers should not be subjected to more onerous standards or more burdensome processes than other digital ecosystem companies." The Samsung Electronics' 55-inch outdoor sign is seen at the Integrated Systems Europe 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Yoon Sung-won Samsung Electronics said Sunday its digital signs have has won a major prize at Europe's largest commercial display fair. The company said its outdoor digital signs had won the AV Display Innovation of the Year award at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, last week. European audio and display magazine AVNews awards the prize, the company said. "Samsung's innovative products of the smart signage series have been recognized globally," Samsung Electronics' video display division head Kim Seok-ki said in a statement. "We will work to continue to release the best products and solutions for our business-to-business clients." Launched in 2015, Samsung Electronics' outdoor signs is designed to operate even in extreme temperatures from -30 degrees Celsius to 50C. There is a 46-inch model and a 55-inch model. The outdoor signs also meet the International Protection 56 waterproof and dustproof standard, set by the International Electromechanical Commission, and can thus operate in poor environmental conditions. "The outdoor signs are excellent products that can produce high-quality images with 3,000-nit super-high brightness and a 5,000:1 contrast range even under natural sun," said AVNews Chief Executive Officer Edward Cook. Time magazine named the Samsung signs as one of the top 25 inventions in 2015. Three nights before the Columbine massacre, Dylan Klebold went to the senior prom. He pulled back his long hair, wore a tux and a bow tie. His mother, Sue Klebold, got out of bed when he came in the next morning to check in with him. Hed had a great night, she writes, and thanked me for buying his ticket. She continues: Hed danced! Not for the first time in his life, I had reflected on how our youngest son always seemed to do things right. Ive done a good job with this kid, Id thought as I returned to my room that night. A mere 72 hours later, that feeling of warm satisfaction [was] supplanted by utter confusion, growing horror, and sorrow. Integrating the two realities seemed impossible. Advertisement Sue Klebold hadnt had an inkling, she insists, that Dylan was in trouble. Tom Klebold, to whom she was married at the time, also didnt guess. Neither parent knew that their boy was dangerously depressed suicidal, homicidal; even after Dylan and his friend, Eric Harris, slaughtered 13 people (and wounded 24) and then killed themselves, the Klebolds were certain hed been brainwashed or duped. I believe Sue Klebold. In A Mothers Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy part manifesto, part memoir, written in a tone that is measured and controlled Klebold writes, [t]he ordinariness of our lives before Columbine will perhaps be the hardest thing for people to understand about my story. For me, she adds, it is also the most important. And she has a related point to make: Its not just that the Klebolds didnt know. Its that we, too, ordinary as we are or suppose ourselves to be, might also not have known. Moreover, good people are capable of monstrous acts. But murder? Good people plan and execute mass murder? Klebold doesnt actually go that far she doesnt try to convince us that Dylan was good, though he was, she tells us, her sunshine boy. It wasnt just that halo of hair or that he was intellectually gifted, a lover of puzzles, an origami wizard. Tom and Sue called Dylan our little trouper. In addition to being an easy child, Dylan was a happy one, she writes. As he got older, he became shy, self-conscious and occasionally over-sensitive. But she didnt recognize the severity of Dylans alienation and depression nor does she claim his brain illness as excuse or justification; Klebold acknowledges that [m]ost people living with mood disorders are not dangerous to others at all. So was Dylan evil then? She wonders in the penultimate chapter. She concludes that he was not. If suicide seems like the only way out of an existence so painful it has become intolerable, she writes, is that really an exercise of free will? She goes on to say that what [Dylan] did was profoundly wrong. But we cannot dedicate ourselves to preventing violence if we do not take into account the role depression and brain dysfunction can play in the decision to commit it. Throughout, Sue Klebold is articulate, thorough and thoughtful. Her agenda? At least in part to redeem herself, if not Dylan, in our eyes, though the line gets necessarily fuzzy. Early on, for example, she emphasizes the difference between homicidal and suicidal urges and to that end, she quotes Dr. Dwayne Fusilier, a clinical psychologist involved in the Columbine investigation, who said, I believe Eric went to the school to kill people and didnt care if he died, while Dylan wanted to die and didnt care if others died as well. A subtle distinction, but it comforts Klebold, as does her work with the suicide-prevention community, which, she says, felt like a bona fide calling, a path out of the darkness, a way forward for a life that had careened off the rails. However, she discovered this calling 15 years ago. Before and since, many books have been written about the tragedy at Columbine High School; in all this time Klebold apparently wasnt ready to write one herself. Why now? Diane Sawyer asked in the interview that aired on ABC on Friday. Klebolds answer: I just feel the world is ready to hear a story like this now. A story like what? What is it she thinks were ready to hear? After all, Dave Cullens Columbine is a definitive record. Indeed, Klebold credits him, along with other writers and experts. However, all that research aside, and notwithstanding her determination to be discreet, A Mothers Reckoning is a personal account if incomplete as such. (One cant help but wonder, for instance, which came first, her book or her divorce?) But then Klebold is not only evidently generous and hardworking, shes a paragon of decency, besides. Proceeds from her sales will go to mental-health-related charities. Ever since childhood, I have found comfort in being helpful, she writes, and theres no reason to doubt her. Elsewhere, she explains, Im a teacher by constitution.. Everything I knew and cared about and valued, I poured into my kids. A trip to the grocery store wasnt merely a stopover to restock the fridge, but a way to show my boys how to select the freshest apple, an invitation to think about the hardworking farmers who had grown it, and to talk about the ways fruits and vegetables make a growing body healthy and strong. It was a chance for me to introduce the vocabulary words carmine and vermilion. I showed Dylan how to be gentle putting the fruit into the basket; we let an elderly lady with one or two items slip ahead of us in line; we made eye contact and said a polite thank you to the cashier. Good God vermilion and carmine. Every moment a teaching moment: impressive oppressive, too, perhaps, if its true, and Im betting it is. As noted, I believe Sue Klebold. I believe she is that conscientious, that attentive. Meanwhile, its as though shes filling out an application for forgiveness: She didnt know. She was an excellent mother. Dylan wanted to die more than he wanted to kill. She is genuinely and profoundly sorry. Check, check, check, check. I am convinced. But Klebold writes as if to convince herself. And how to fault her? How not to wonder instead how she has managed to survive: first, the death of her son, for whom she couldnt properly grieve; then, a bout with breast cancer, which she actually credits with restoring her will to live; finally, the dissolution of her marriage. Loss after loss after loss. I feel so sorry for her I really do. Did you watch 20/20? Her pain is so raw, her vulnerability so extreme. I want to reassure her: One way or another this book will change lives. What it wont do is bring Dylan back. And what it also wont do, is my guess, never mind what I believe, is allow Sue Klebold to forgive herself. I wish I had listened more instead of lecturing, she writes. (How not to recognize ourselves in that wish? Who couldnt and shouldnt listen better and more?) I wish I had sat in silence with him instead of filling the void with my own words and thoughts; I wish I had acknowledged his feelings instead of trying to talk him out of them, and that Id never accepted his excuses to avoid conversation ... when something felt off. I wish Id sat in the dark with him, and repeated my concerns when he dismissed them. I wish Id dropped everything else to focus on him, probed and prodded more, and that I had been present enough to see what I did not. Sue Klebold, I wish I could offer redemption. I cant it isnt mine to give (and even if it were I know it wouldnt help). What can I say? Just this: I believe you, I believe you, I believe you. Lenney is the author of The Object Parade and Bigger Than Life: A Murder, a Memoir and a senior editor at the Los Angeles Review of Books. :: A Mothers Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy Sue Klebold Crown: 336 pp., $28 The anti-union lawsuit known as Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn. is widely viewed as one of the leading casualties of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalias death. Whats less well-known is how the anti-union plaintiffs connived to fast-track the case through the federal judiciary in order to get it before the court while it still harbored a conservative majority. Their method was to encourage the lower courts to rule against them, so they could file a quick appeal. But Scalias passing is likely to leave a 4-4 deadlock over the case, so the last ruling, in which the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the teachers union, remains in force. Everything that is collectively bargained with the government is within the political sphere, almost by definition. The late Justice Antonin Scalia in January, firing a broadside at union agency fees Advertisement This wasnt how the anti-union group behind the lawsuit, the Center for Individual Rights, expected things to work out. As we write, the groups website still features a photograph of nominal plaintiff Rebecca Friedrichs and the centers lawyers standing in front of the Supreme Court on Jan. 10, looking plenty chuffed about that mornings oral arguments, which plainly went their way. The poet Robert Burns had a line for the subsequent developments: The best-laid schemes o mice an men gang aft agley."* Heres the background, drawn in part from our previous coverage here and here. The target of the Friedrichs lawsuit, and several others just like it, is the agency or fair share fee. Under the law and according to a 1977 Supreme Court decision known as the Abood case, unionized public employees can be assessed nonmember fees to cover solely the cost of negotiations and contract enforcement, without being compelled to join the union and support its political activities by paying full union dues. Thats the arrangement in California. For decades, union opponents have been trying to get Abood overruled. Friedrichs, like the other cases, paints the challenges as blows on behalf of free speech; the argument is that the public employees compelled to pay agency fees are being forced to support political positions taken by their unions with which they disagree, and therefore their freedom of speech is being infringed. In truth, however, these lawsuits arent about free speech or improving education for children. Theyre about silencing the political voice of teacher unions by cutting off their revenues. Abood as a precedent has withstood previous attacks, but the conservative Supreme Court majority had begun to signal that it was primed to overturn Abood, notably in cases in 2012 and 2014. Friedrichs was the stiffest test yet. Plainly aware that Abood was hanging by a thread, the Center for Individual Rights strived to speed the Friedrichs case through the lower court after it was filed in 2013. It did so by conceding in both federal court in Santa Ana and at the 9th Circuit that both would be bound by the Abood precedent; therefore, it asked both courts to simply rule in the teacher unions favor so it could promptly carry the appeal to the Supreme Court. Both lower courts did so. This doesnt mean that the the lower courts were seriously expected to rule against the union on their own. The 9th Circuit Appeals Court, for one thing, is a generally liberal court that was likely to reject the anti-union challenge in any event. But the strategy greased the way for the ultimate appeal by avoiding the time-consuming briefings and arguments usually employed to build a factual record to bring to Washington. The center formally petitioned the court to accept the case in January 2015, and the Court agreed in June. At oral arguments last month, the strategy appeared to have borne fruit. Observers almost unanimously concluded from the questions posed by the justices that Abood was on the verge of being scrapped, by a 5-4 vote. Scalia, as it happens, had been a question mark on Abood, in part because of a concurring opinion he had written in 1991 that upheld agency fees. Where the state imposes upon the union a duty to deliver services, he wrote then, it may permit the union to demand reimbursement for them; or, looked at from the other end, where the state creates in the nonmembers a legal entitlement from the union, it may compel them to pay the cost. On the other hand, Scalia had concurred in the most direct attack on Abood yet, a 2014 opinion by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. that called the precedent questionable, troubling and unsupported. (Alitos ruling ultimately relied on grounds other than the Abood rule, so the precedent stood for the moment.) At the oral arguments in Friedrich, Scalia seemed to lean against Abood and the union, implying at one point that it might be hard to distinguish permissible nonpolitical fee charges from impermissible political charges because everything that is collectively bargained with the government is within the political sphere, almost by definition. By general reckoning, he was ready to kill Abood. Now that reckoning, of course, is moot. The implications of Scalias death for Friedrichs are a bit uncertain. Some experts say the appellate ruling in favor of the union would be effectively affirmed by an evenly divided court. Others believe the court will ask for re-argument of the same case next term, presumably after it gets back up to full nine-member strength by the appointment and confirmation of successor to Scalia. If the Senate sticks to what it says is its determination to not even consider approving a new justice until after a new president is sworn in next January, the delay could keep the Abood challenge at bay at least until late 2017. For now, at least, the unions have won. But only for now. * go oft awry. ------------ FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this column said the U.S. 9th Circuit Appeals Court is in Santa Ana. The court is in San Francisco. ------------ Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see our Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. MORE FROM MICHAEL HILTZIK: Do customers still want landlines? Telecom industry doesnt want anyone to hear the answer A cowed IRS gives a green light to more secret money in politics In other business news, Carly Fiorina is now available for speaking engagements Air travelers may be more upset about airline service than we know. More than 56 million people flew on U.S. commercial flights in November and only 1,300 filed complaints with the federal government. Thats a rate of one complaint for every 43,000 passengers. That rate may be hard to believe, given the shrinking of airline seats and the expansion of passenger fees over the last few years. Advertisement Rep. Janice Hahn (D-Los Angeles) believes that the number of complaints are relatively low because airlines have made it too hard to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Under 2012 federal law, all airlines must post on their website information to help unhappy passengers file a complaint with the federal agency. A complaint can be made through a hotline (202-366-2220) or using an online complaint form. But finding such information on an airline website isnt so easy. When Hahns staff sought the information on the website for Spirit Airlines, they found it buried on page 48 of a 51-page legal document called the Contract of Carriage. On American Airlines website, the complaint information is at the bottom of a page titled Consumer Service Plan. At Delta Air Lines website, the complaint information is near the bottom of a page titled Travelers With Disabilities. I searched for the hotline number myself on different airline websites and couldnt find it anywhere, Hahn said. If I cant find it, I am assuming many other fliers cant find it either, and the data demonstrates that. To address the problem, the lawmaker filed an amendment last week to a funding bill for the Federal Aviation Administration, requiring that the airlines post the complaint information on a prominent place on their websites. In response to the amendment, American Airlines said: We comply with all current regulations and will continue to do so. To read more about travel, tourism and the airline industry, follow me on Twitter at @hugomartin. An Oscar nomination can boost a fledgling career or save a flagging one. Halfway around the world in Pakistan, there are indications that it may also potentially help save thousands of lives. Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoys Oscar-nominated documentary short, A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, tells the story of Saba Qaiser, a young woman who survived her father and uncles attempt to murder her in what is known in Pakistan as an honor killing. Advertisement SIGN UP for the free Gold Standard newsletter >> Qaiser, now 19, had married a man against her familys wishes. Shortly after the wedding, Qaisers father and uncle found her, took her to a riverbank, shot her in the head, stuffed her in a bag and threw her into the water. Qaiser survived, found help and eventually recovered. But her story was far from finished. Once police apprehended the father and uncle, Qaiser was pressured to set them free per Pakistans forgiveness law, a legal loophole that allows families to forgive the murderers involved in honor killings. In Pakistan and other Muslim countries, an honor killing can encompass any act that a family member, usually male, considers shameful. In Qaisers case, it was eloping with a young man she loved. Pakistans government believes there are about 1,000 honor killings in the country each year, though other estimates are higher, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000. Obaid-Chinoys film has put new pressure on Pakistan to recognize the urgency of the problem. Oscars 2016: Full Coverage | Complete list | Snubs, surprises and reactions | Top nominee photos Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may meet with Obaid-Chinoy soon, promising to rid Pakistan of this evil by bringing in appropriate legislation. He believes the filmmakers insights could prove helpful. Obaid-Chinoy won an Oscar in 2012 for her documentary Saving Face, which followed a plastic surgeon helping Pakistani women disfigured in acid attacks. A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness is playing along with the 14 other Oscar-nominated short movies in select theaters. HBO will begin airing it on March 7. We will update this story as it develops. glenn.whipp@latimes.com @glennwhipp MORE: Review: Oscar-nominated doc shorts tackle mortality, reconciliation Oscar-nominated shorts are long on fear, joy and imagination Oscars 2016: Academy adjusts rules on producing credits, VFX, short films Hello! Im Mark Olsen, and welcome to your weekly field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. This week is the final episode of the television program hosted by my colleague Rebecca Keegan and me on Ovation TV. Weve got an impressive group of directors who were really engaged with each other, out of a mixture of respect, curiosity and looking for how someone else would solve a problem. Once Ridley Scott, Quentin Tarantino, Danny Boyle, Todd Haynes, Tom Hooper and Tom McCarthy got going, it was kind of a runaway train. This past week we had a terrific Q&A with Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky to talk about his Winter on Fire to wrap up the season of Envelope Independent screenings. Well be firing up the Indie Focus screening series again later this month. Check back at events.latimes.com. Advertisement Nonstop movies. Movies nonstop. John Sayles tribute We normally put retrospective and tribute events at the end of the batting order here, but the Cinefamilys upcoming series on John Sayles is genuinely too exciting not to go first. The concept of American independent filmmaking, both as a financial model but also a mode of storytelling and style of filmmaking, would simply not be the same if not for his contributions. The series opens with Sayles debut feature Return of the Secaucus Seven and also features Brother From Another Planet, Piranha (which Sayles wrote), City of Hope, Lianna and Baby, Its You. Sayles will be making appearances throughout the program. If Sayles has faded slightly from the public consciousness it is in part because he has been so consistent over the years, a model of work and unassuming integrity. As Louis Black recently wrote, Consistently political and outspokenly humanist, Sayles body of work stands alone in the breadth of its commitment to working-class and minority communities and the often ignored historical constructs that helped shape the present. As Kevin Thomas put it in his original November 1980 review, Even if were of the decade older than the Secaucus Seven or, for that matter, the decade younger surely just about any American of any age can identify with these people. We know them, for they are ourselves. (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times) A War Nominated for an Academy Award for foreign-language film, Tobias Lindholms A War landed in local theaters this week, and its story of a Danish soldier fighting to hold his life together abroad and at home is powerful and provocative. As Kenneth Turan said in his review, More than physical authenticity, A War captures the psychological veracity of men in combat, the agony that results from having to decide whats allowable to save a life in a combat zone, and how individuals and society react when understandable impulses lead to unacceptable results. In the Village Voice, Alan Scherstuhl added, Always compelling, A War demands that viewers engage with the questions your 13 Hours or American Sniper fears to take on, weighting the moral costs of our lives versus theirs, asking what toll the choices that soldiers face exact upon them, and taking a hard look at the impossibility of justice in many cases of civilian casualties. Lindholm manages all this without denying the pleasures of suspenseful storytelling, and without denying any character his or her due empathy. I spoke to Lindholm and his star, Pilou Asbaek, about their ongoing collaboration. There is no right or wrong in that, its really just a bad situation, said Lindholm. What do you do in a situation when youre expected to only do whats right, when youre only in wrong situations? The Club Though it wasnt nominated, Pablo Larrains The Club was Chiles submission for the foreign-language Oscar, and is another exciting work from the filmmaker known to many for his election drama No. His latest film is something of an interesting adjunct to Spotlight, as it presents the story of a group of priests who are sent off to live in a remote cabin following various transgressions, forming a strange dynamic of their own. In his review in The Times, Robert Abele said The Club captivates as a biting, offbeat trip inside a uniquely desolate spiritual prison. In the Guardian, Ryan Gilbey noted, It is hard not to feel pity and disgust, and to absorb the lesson that people are awful, perhaps never more so than when they believe themselves. In a program note, Larrain said, To me, it seemed narratively interesting to tell the story of a group of priests whom we know have committed crimes or sins, yet we dont know what they did, whether theyre dangerous or not, and what it is that they want. This is a film about redemption, purging and victims. Jennifer Jason Leigh series Currently nominated for an Oscar for her performance in The Hateful Eight, Jennifer Jason Leigh is also someone who is so consistently good that it has become easy to take her for granted. The American Cinematheque is presenting a series at the Aero Theatre of some key titles through the years, with a double feature of Georgia and Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle on Feb. 15 and then Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Single White Female on Feb. 22. (And while not showing in the series, allow me to encourage anyone who hasnt seen them to check out Miami Blues and The Hudsucker Proxy, which feature two personal favorite performances by Leigh.) Email me if you have questions, comments or suggestions, and follow me on Twitter @IndieFocus. The City of Light touched down in the City of Angels on Wednesday night in the form of the Saint Laurent Los Angeles show, a runway presentation of the French luxury labels fall 2016 menswear collection and Part 1 of its womens ready-to-wear collection. It marked the first time the Kering-owned brand has mounted a full-scale fashion show in the L.A. area, where artistic director Hedi Slimane has lived since 2008 and the labels atelier has been located since 2012. While the event was a look at what will be hitting retail six to nine months from now, the shows timing just days before the Grammy Awards unspool here Monday and the choice of the storied Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard as the venue, gave the whole affair a retro rock n roll concert vibe long before the first looks hit the runway. The notoriously press-averse designer declined, through his representatives, to talk about why he chose to stage the over-the-top sartorial spectacle in L.A. especially on the evening before New York Fashion Week was set to kick off 3,000 miles and a red-eye flight away but the city has long been a source of inspiration for him. Advertisement Slimane has cast many a model off the streets and beaches of Southern California, including celebrity offspring such as Jack Kilmer (son of Val), Dylan Brosnan (son of Pierce) and Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lees teenage son Dylan, who was featured in a black-and-white video clip released before the show. Hamish Bowles, Justin Bieber, Demi Moore, Lenny Kravitz and daughter Zoe Kravitz, Sam Smith, Jane Fonda and Sylvester Stallone were in attendance, as were Joan Jett, Lee Daniels, Zac Efron and Liz Goldwyn, who mingled with Linda Ramone and Anderson. Ellen DeGeneres arrived with wife Portia de Rossi. And fresh from her lauded Super Bowl appearance, Lady Gaga, almost unrecognizable in a blond wig, sunglasses and a gold sequin jacket, crossed the floor to chat with Courtney Love, causing a pop of flash bulbs. Demi Moore with her daughters at the Saint Laurent fashion show. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Oh, did we mention there were clothes? Given the lineup of musical talent that played the after-party Beck and Jett to name just two it would be easy to frame the Saint Laurent event as a music festival with a stylish opening act. And it was a tribute concert of sorts, one that paid homage to both the 50th anniversary of Saint Laurents Rive Gauche ready-to-wear collection and the Los Angeles music scene. But the French luxury brand is in the business of selling clothes, and judging by the parade of nostalgia-inducing velvet, brocade and sequined pieces that strutted across the Palladiums runway in the round, business is about to be very good indeed. The collection was just as rock n roll as the location, with bandleader coats, jackets with guitar head silhouette details at the cuffs and a dress with an all-over musical note print plucked directly from the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche design archives. Yves Saint Laurent Will Presented its Fall Collection in Los Angeles at the Palladium, before Fashion Week. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Slimane described the collection of some 93 pieces as mostly unisex in the show notes, and many of the menswear pieces mined the androgynous look he pioneered during his first stint at Yves Saint Laurent in the late 90s. The greatest-hits tour continued with hints of strong-shouldered glam (from his fall 2005 Dior Homme collection), a liberal sprinkling of his Psych Rock collection (circa 2013), and a grab-bag of Slimane signatures and silhouettes including tapestry jackets, silk bows and metallic boots. A distinct glam-western vibe manifested itself in hand-embroidered tapestry jackets trimmed with gold metallic fringe, mens silk cowboy shirts with contrast piping and leopard print or metal stud yoke detailing, and wide leather belts with saucer-sized buckles for women. Despite the myriad references to past collections or maybe because of them the resulting rock-god-meets-bohemian collection was Slimanes most grown-up and sophisticated for the house to date. A silver sequin dress is set off by a wide leather belt with a saucer-sized buckle and velvet cape. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) The entire collection was grounded in a color palette of black, red and gold, accompanied by a zoo full of animal prints, leathers and furs and the occasional swirl of psychedelia. And there were capes lots and lots of capes. (Can capes be a thing? Please?) The womens silhouettes were heavy on the midi dresses, culottes and caftans accessorized with silk pussy bows, wide leather belts and glammed-out boots in metallic leathers and animal prints. Menswear offerings skewed toward the super-skinny silhouette, with super-sharp three-piece suits reminiscent of David Bowies Thin White Duke days, a range of western-inspired shirts and jackets, a fringe festival of drapey scarves, and lots of riffs on the iconic leather motorcycle jacket. Many of the looks were finished off with wide, flat-brimmed fedoras. Just five days before the Grammy Awards, the show was a tribute to the music scene in designer Hedi Slimanes adopted city. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Standout womens looks included a leopard-print midi dress worn under a red velvet cape with a gold embroidered closure, a black dress with silver lightning bolt embroidery, a black leather dress with a mink draped over the shoulders and a silver sequin dress with allover floral embroidery in bright orange, pink and blue with feather detailing at the wrists that looked like Funfetti-colored pompoms. Noteworthy for men was a black, peak-lapel tuxedo jacket embellished with a galaxy of stars and solar systems worth of swirling planets (the show notes called it Hedis couture cosmic tux), a red-and-gold brocade varsity jacket, black tuxedo trousers with a red side stripe and, what may be the ne plus ultra of rock-godhood, a gold mink coat with a generously cut collar that shimmered under the lights with each step. After the models had taken their final runway turn, the audience responded with a long and sustained standing ovation that only subsided after Slimane popped out from backstage for a quick semi-bow and a wave. Was it necessary for Slimane, who moved the labels creative offices here from Paris in 2012 the same year he lobbied to drop the Yves from the Yves Saint Laurent label to upend convention by staging runway shows in his adopted hometown? No, in the end, the Saint Laurent Palladium collection could have come down the catwalk in Paris, Milan or New York City. But somehow it felt right. If the bohemian rock-god has a natural habitat, where else would it be but Los Angeles? adam.tschorn@latimes.com A well-known San Diego community activist was painting over graffiti Friday evening when she was struck by a driver involved in a road-rage incident and suspected of intoxication, officials said. Maruta Gardner, 69, suffered massive head injuries and died Saturday after being taken off life support. Her death stunned friends and supporters. The San Diego City Council had recently honored Gardner by declaring Nov. 3 Maruta Gardner Day. Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Councilwoman Lorie Zapf were among many posting condolences on social media. Advertisement She was a great friend and neighbor, and worked hard in the community to make it better, Karen Mitchell, who had known her since Gardner moved into their Mission Beach neighborhood 30 years ago, told the San Diego Union-Tribune. At 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Gardner was at the entrance to the jetty on San Diego Place and Mission Boulevard. At that moment, a black Toyota Corolla passed a white Ford Mustang on the right, went onto the shoulder and struck Gardner. The drivers were engaged in a road-rage altercation, San Diego police said. The Toyota driver then pulled into a nearby parking lot and sped out a few minutes later. Officers stopped the Toyota a short distance away and arrested Jonathan Domingo Garcia, 23. He is booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, DUI and hit and run, with bail set at $550,300. Police did not know the Mustang drivers identity. Kristina Davis, Pauline Repard and David Hernandez write for the San Diego Union-Tribune. ALSO Lopez: Disgrace isnt strong enough word to describe Coastal Commission meeting Im a nice guy: O.C. jail escapee asserts innocence in interview Plaschke: His job is a hunt-and-peck type of thing at Dodger Stadium The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia could deal a major blow to a California lawsuit that had been widely expected to weaken the financial muscle of teachers unions across the country. In Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn., many court watchers had expected Scalia to deliver the deciding vote against unions, limiting their ability to collect membership dues and other fees. Without Scalia, a 4-4 split is considered likely. That would maintain the status quo a huge win for unions, at least for now. Though union opponents could mount a new case, that would probably take at least another year, said Jeffrey H. Keefe, a research associate at the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute. Advertisement So the conflict shifts to President Obamas ability to appoint a replacement or who will win the presidential election, Keefe said. The case was brought by Rebecca Friedrichs, an elementary school teacher in Orange County. She and nine other plaintiffs opted not to join their local teachers unions but were required to pay the union so-called fair-share fees because they benefited from representation in contract negotiations that determined salaries and benefits. These fees cannot be used to support the unions political activities. Friedrichs challenged the constitutionality of those fees, arguing that being forced to support an organization whose views they disagreed with violated their free-speech rights. The plaintiffs also complained about a law that requires teachers to opt out of union membership every year. If they dont, they become members by default, with dues automatically deducted from their pay. Instead, the plaintiffs want the law changed so that teachers who wish to be union members would have to opt in every year. A similar change in Wisconsin contributed to a more than 50% decline in membership over the last five years in the Wisconsin Education Assn. Council, that states largest union for grade school educators. In the past, Scalia had considered employees like Friedrichs to be free-riders. If these free riders didnt have to pay the union for its work representing them at the bargaining table, no one would have an incentive to join. That reasoning was enshrined in a unanimous 1977 Supreme Court case called Abood vs. Detroit Board of Education. Since Abood, the legal and political landscape has shifted and polarized, said Trevor Burrus, a research fellow at the libertarian Cato Institute. Academics have built up a scholarly case against [fair-share] agency fees for public-sector unions. On the other side, those on the left believe that unions are a necessary foundation for a prosperous society, and, if anything, they should be expanded. There is no middle ground between these positions. Gloria Romero, a Friedrichs supporter and founder of California Center for Parent Empowerment, said that the case is fundamentally about limiting the flow of money to unions and properly so. Union leadership does not reflect the views of many teachers, and unions block reforms that would benefit students, she said. Dues and fees are the main source of union funds, she added: Its an autopilot infusion of cash. Until the money stream is stopped, there is no fair playing ground. When the case was argued before the Supreme Court in January, Scalia was dubious about both the need to charge non-members a fee and the consequences [to unions] if the court were to strike down the fees, wrote attorney Amy Howe, editor of the influential SCOTUSblog, after reviewing comments and questions from the justices. Join the conversation on Facebook >> And if the unions work was so important, it should be able to persuade teachers to sign up, Scalia indicated. To Howe it looked as though the four more-liberal justices had given up trying to preserve the fees on the merits of the unions case. They suggested instead that it was poor practice and potentially risky to overturn long-established procedures without sufficient cause. That logic apparently made little headway. Instead, Scalia appeared to agree with Friedrichs that when unions represent public employees, their activities are inherently political, and that forcing a teacher to pay union fees infringed on her right to freedom of expression. The problem is that everything that is collectively bargained with the government is within the political sphere, almost by definition, Scalia said, according to a transcript of the Jan. 11 oral argument. Should the government pay higher wages or lesser wages? Should it promote teachers on the basis of seniority all of those questions are necessarily political questions. At the time, pro-union columnist Harold Meyerson was discouraged. Whatever faint hopes the labor movement had entertained that it might retain the support of Antonin Scalia, whod upheld the judgment of Abood in previous opinions, were made fainter still by Scalias comments, Meyerson wrote in the American Prospect. Scalias death at 79 has upended expectations. But this new ground is only as solid as the health of the four liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 82, has seemed especially frail and, of course, the politics of the president who appoints the next justices, experts said. Union membership in the U.S. has diminished precipitously over the last few decades. Fifty years ago, about 28% of U.S. workers were union members, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2015, that figure had dropped to 11%, the bureau reported. Unions representing government workers, including those for teachers, remain the strongest, although their power varies from state to state. Here, the California Teachers Assn. is one of the states most influential interests, and United Teachers Los Angeles long has been a major political player in local affairs. The unions total revenue, however, has been shrinking as enrollment in the L.A. Unified School District has declined and the number of union teachers has declined in tandem. Until recently, UTLA collected $685 per teacher in annual membership dues and charged $550 in fair-share fees to nonmembers. Just last week, union members overwhelmingly agreed to increase their annual dues to nearly $1,000. Union leaders argued that the money was needed to limit the rapid growth of nonunion charter schools, among other issues. Labor leaders say they are trying to hold their ground against deep-pocketed anti-union interests that have targeted unions and their members on multiple fronts. One example is a lawsuit brought on behalf of student Beatriz Vergara and others who challenged Californias tenure rules and other teacher job protections. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge threw out those laws in 2014, ruling that they harmed students by keeping incompetent teachers in classrooms. The California Teachers Assn., the California Federation of Teachers, Gov. Jerry Brown and others are appealing the verdict. Scalias death, though unfortunate in human terms, represents a tactical gain for unions, said Joshua Pechthalt, president of the California Federation of Teachers. But even if Friedrichs fails, there will be other attacks against teachers unions. Weve got to do the internal work of engaging our members and weve got to make our case to the public that the kind of change we want is the kind of change they want, Pechthalt said. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Editors note: The Times receives funding for its Education Matters digital initiative from one or more groups alluded to in this article. The California Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles administer grants from the Baxter Family Foundation, the Broad Foundation, the California Endowment and the Wasserman Foundation to support this effort. Under terms of the grants, The Times retains complete control over editorial content. ALSO Supreme Court Justice Scalia dies at 79 What happens with a divided Supreme Court? A look at the key cases Obama vows to fill vacancy on Supreme Court, setting up clash with Republicans The blimp that broke loose from an Army facility in Maryland last fall, wreaking havoc with its milelong tether, flew uncontrolled for hours because someone neglected to put batteries in its automatic-deflation device, Pentagon investigators have found. The pilotless, radar-carrying blimp was part of the troubled JLENS missile-defense system, which has failed to perform as promised while costing taxpayers more than $2.7 billion since 1998. The runaway blimp episode was caused by a cascade of events spanning 13 hours, according to people familiar with the investigation, an overview provided to congressional staff members and a summary released by a military spokeswoman. Advertisement The six-sentence summary of the investigation said that design, human, and procedural issues all contributed to the mishap. Pentagon officials declined to release a copy of the investigative report. The blimp was one of two moored at the Armys Aberdeen Proving Ground. On Oct. 28, it was floating at an altitude of about 5,200 feet when its tether tore apart. Fighter jets were scrambled to track the blimp as it wafted over Maryland and Pennsylvania, and commercial air traffic had to be diverted. The blimps tether damaged power lines, knocking out electricity to 35,000 rural Pennsylvania residents. The tattered blimp finally came to rest in high trees in rural Moreland Township, Pa. The incident made JLENS a target of widespread ridicule and provoked fresh questions about the program. JLENS short for Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System is designed to provide early warning of enemy cruise missiles, drones or other low-flying threats. The blimps, also called aerostats, can float as high as 10,000 feet. At that altitude, their powerful radar can see 340 miles in any direction, farther than land- or sea-based radar, according to the systems prime contractor, Raytheon Co. The 7,000-pound aerostats are anchored to the ground by 11/8-inch-thick Kevlar tethers, which also hold wiring for electricity. The two blimps at Aberdeen were participating in an operational exercise intended to test the systems ability to defend the Washington, D.C., area. The exercise was suspended after the accident. The sequence of events that caused the blimp to break away began when a pitot tube, a narrow 18-inch-long device intended to measure air pressure within the blimp, malfunctioned. Ground personnel failed to detect or address the problem, investigators found. Ordinarily, fans within the blimp would activate in response to a change in atmospheric conditions, such as increased winds. But because the pitot tube failed, the fans did not operate and air pressure within the blimp started to drop. The blimp turned so that it was perpendicular to the prevailing wind, instead of the desired parallel position. Gusts that reached 69 mph bent its vertical tail fins out of their normal shape. This made the blimp unstable in the air, putting greater pressure on the mooring tether than it was designed to withstand, according to the investigative documents. Still, the blimp was equipped with an automated device that should have caused it to deflate promptly and return to ground within two miles. The device failed to activate, because batteries had not been installed as a backup power source, according to people familiar with the investigation. Michael Kucharek, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command, confirmed the lapse: The lack of batteries prevented the automatic rapid deflation device from deploying. Military officials declined to say who was responsible for failing to load the batteries. The blimps were managed by Army and contractor personnel. The breakaway was the most conspicuous of many setbacks for JLENS, detailed in a Times report published last September. In tests, the system has struggled to track flying objects and to distinguish friendly aircraft from threatening ones. A 2012 report by the Pentagons Operational Test and Evaluation office faulted the system in four critical performance areas and rated its reliability as poor. A year later, in its most recent assessment, the agency again cited serious deficiencies and said JLENS had low system reliability. A spokesman for Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said Carter concurred with a recommendation from military officials to resume the JLENS operational exercise. A thorough and complete test will allow us to determine if this technology will contribute to the overall homeland defense architecture here in the National Capital Region, said the spokesman, Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Crosson. Now it will be up to Congress to decide whether to provide the additional funds needed to return JLENS to the skies. In the last week, military officials have privately told congressional staff that they would like an additional $27 million to restart the operational exercise as of Oct. 1. A spokesman for Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee and a supporter of JLENS, said the senator is reviewing the findings of the investigation as Congress examines next steps in funding for the program. Army Major Beth R. Smith said that officials in charge of the operational exercise plan to fix any issue identified by the investigation and will follow recommendations to add personnel to JLENS and improve training and equipment. Click here to read previous articles by David Willman about problems in the nations missile-defense programs. david.willman@latimes.com Twitter: @DWillmanNews ALSO President Obama: Its not like Ive changed since entering politics Justice Antonin Scalias death shifts balance of high court, creates major election issue Unlike other migrants, Cubans pouring into Texas get a helping hand and full benefits Justice Antonin Scalias death has turned a second-tier topic into a central facet of the 2016 presidential campaign: Among the new presidents first acts likely will be nominating a justice who will determine the balance of power on the Supreme Court. Potential court openings havent dominated debates thus far in the campaign, and voters have not often raised it, aside from a suggestion to Hillary Clinton that, if elected, shed appoint President Obama. But Scalias death changes all that, vaulting into prominence a choice that will determine the countrys course on voting rights, abortion, immigration, campaign finance, the environment and other contentious issues. The battle lines were drawn within minutes of the death announcement, with Obama saying he would nominate a successor and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who controls the schedule, saying that the Senate should not take up an appointment in the 11 months remaining in the presidents term. Republican presidential candidates immediately backed McConnell. Democrats objected, arguing that selecting a justice is Obamas job and deciding in prompt fashion is the Senates. Advertisement Sign up for our free political newsletter >> The political ramifications are many: Democrats and Republicans will have an issue around which to rally voters who might have considered the court a secondary issue, if that. Obama will have a chance to appoint a nominee who could influence political races up and down the ticket by appealing to a specific demographic group, even if the nominee is not ultimately confirmed. Candidates in hot Senate races will be pressed to say how they would vote on Obamas pick, since those elections will determine who controls the nomination process next year. And voters will witness a contemporaneous example of the Washington gridlock that already has inflamed anger on both sides in this presidential campaign. Maybe a Supreme Court vacancy will remind people that presidential elections are not circuses they really are important, said Charlie Cook, a nonpartisan political analyst. The stakes just went up, and now everyone knows it. More often than not in presidential campaigns, hypothetical court appointments have had limited effect on voters decisions. In 1984, Democrats tried to turn the court into a campaign issue, hoping to block President Reagan from reelection. Voters ignored them, and two years after the Reagan landslide, he picked Scalia for the court. But voters now are far more partisan than they were 30 years ago, and the issue is no longer abstract. Maybe a Supreme Court vacancy will remind people that presidential elections are not circuses -- they really are important. The stakes just went up, and now everyone knows it. Charlie Cook, nonpartisan political analyst McConnells delay tactic represents a huge bet that a Republican will win the White House. But if the issue maintains its prominence through election day, Democrats probably would benefit, as they almost always do when high-profile issues lead to increased turnout. If nothing else, the winning Democratic candidate will now have an issue around which to unify the party no small thing given the current vitriol between supporters of Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Democratic candidates trying to take back the Senate majority also would benefit from higher turnout, and the ability to hammer Republican incumbents over the Senates inaction. Those Republicans will be caught in the middle between their leadership and voters with a fresh reason to be irritated with Washington. Republican seats hang in the balance in several key states, including New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Democrats stand to benefit because so much of what the court does directly affects Democratic voter groups that are growing in size: Its judgment on gay marriage opened opportunities for gay Americans; its verdicts on abortion rights are a central issue for Democratic women; and many of the partys other constituencies, including African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans, have mobilized around voting-rights issues that the court has ruled on in recent years. Republican positions on many of those issues have reflected the views of the partys base among conservative white Americans, who are a smaller percentage of the electorate every four years. Obamas announcement that he would put forth a nomination in due time, and that he expected the Senate to do its job by taking it up promptly, will put a public face on the impasse and frame Republicans as the cause. For the presidential campaigns of both parties, the open question is whether the Supreme Court vacancy will mean a reopening of the debate over which candidate is the most electable. Among Democrats, Hillary Clinton has argued that she is most ready and most electable. But voters entranced by Sanders have paid little heed. On the Republican side, two senators who would be voting on the nomination were it to occur this year Texas Ted Cruz and Floridas Marco Rubio will now have greater standing to argue that their Senate experience is valuable. During Saturday nights presidential debate, Cruz said that Scalias death underscores the stakes of this election. We are one justice away, he said, from reversals of conservative victories on abortion restrictions, the 2nd Amendment and the religious liberty of millions of Americans. But the same argument about electability surfaced after the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, and the result has been a muddle on the Democratic side and the continued dominance among Republicans of a nonpolitician, Donald Trump. Despite the absence of much discussion of the court in the campaign so far, several of the candidates have given a sense of what they would look for in a nominee. Cruz, for example, who prides himself on his record of arguing cases before the high court, has criticized Chief Justice John G. Roberts for being insufficiently conservative and has questioned the high courts decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Clinton was asked at a Democratic town hall in Derry, N.H., last week what litmus tests she would impose on nominees. Im looking for people who understand how the real world works, who dont have a knee-jerk reaction to support business, to support the idea that, you know, money is speech, that gutted the Voting Rights Act, she said. And then she turned to the issues that, Democrats now hope, may end up building their vote in November: We have to preserve marriage equality. We have to go further to end discrimination against the LGBT community. Weve got to make sure to preserve Roe v. Wade, not let it be nibbled away or repealed. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Both Clinton and Sanders have said that one litmus test for them would be overturning the courts decisions on campaign finance that have opened the doors further to big-money dominance of campaigns. Republicans, for their part, have fought against Obamas executive actions, including his plan to prevent the deportation of 5 million people living in the country without proper papers. An appeal on that case is headed to the court a court now in flux but at the center stage of American politics perhaps as never before. Twitter: @cathleendecker ALSO Antonin Scalia: In his own unforgettable words BFFs Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia agree to disagree What happens with a divided Supreme Court? A look at the key cases The sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia will have an immediate impact on numerous cases now pending before the Supreme Court, including several that were expected to split along ideological or political lines with 5-4 votes. Instead, some of those votes now could deadlock, 4 to 4, meaning a lower courts last ruling on the issue will stand. Here are some of the key cases this term and what might happen. Advertisement UNION FEES Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Assn. The court was set to decide whether to overrule a 1977 decision and prohibit unions from charging mandatory fees to nonmembers, including school teachers. If the court splits 4 to 4, the deadlock will keep in place laws in California and 22 other states that permit these mandatory fees to cover the cost of collective bargaining. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Fisher vs. University of Texas The court was set to rule on whether a university can give an edge in admissions to black and Latino students. Because Justice Elena Kagan was already recused from the case, the courts conservatives could still have an edge, with a 4-3 vote to cut back on college affirmative action. ABORTION Whole Womans Health vs. Hellerstedt The court in early March is set to hear a case testing whether conservative states such as Texas can adopt stringent medical regulations that would force many abortion clinics to close down. A U.S. appeals court upheld the states regulations, but then the justices blocked them from taking effect by a 5-4 vote, with Justice Anthony M. Kennedy in the majority and Scalia in dissent. If Kennedy joins with the four liberals, the court could strike down the Texas regulations by a 5-3 vote. But if he joins with the conservatives to rule for Texas, the court would be split 4 to 4 and unable to issue a ruling. SIGN UP for the free Essential Politics newsletter >> RELIGIOUS LIBERTY Zubik vs. Burwell The court has agreed to decide whether Catholic charities and other religiously affiliated groups may opt out of providing employees certain contraceptives, including what they believe are abortion-inducing drugs. This was seen as major test of religious liberty. But without Scalia, the court may be split 4 to 4 and unable to rule. Most courts across the nation have ruled for the Obama administration and upheld the contraceptive mandate on the grounds that the religious entities are not required to pay for the disputed drugs. ELECTION DISTRICTS Evenwel vs. Abbott The court is considering a case that could shift how voting districts are drawn. Conservative challengers said the current system that relies on counting all people discriminates in favor of areas that have a large percentage of immigrants, children, prisoners and others who are not citizens or not eligible to vote. Without Scalia on the court, the conservative lawyers who brought the case are unlikely to prevail. IMMIGRATION United States vs. Texas The court in April planned to hear the Obama administrations appeal of a Texas judges order that blocked the presidents executive action authorizing deportation relief and work permits for more than 4 million immigrants who are living here illegally. If Kennedy were to join with the courts four liberals, they could set aside the judges order and allow President Obamas plan to take effect in his final months in office. However, if Kennedy votes with the three remaining conservatives to say Obamas order was illegal, the court would be deadlocked, thereby keeping the judges order in place and blocking Obamas program from taking effect. Follow @DavidGSavage on Twitter MORE Live updates: Obama says he will nominate a successor to Scalia Scalias death changes balance of high court, alters presidential campaign Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dies at 79; fiery conservative fought liberalisms tide When Texas millionaire John Poindexter invited Justice Antonin Scalia to his remote ranch near the Mexican border, it was for a private party with about 35 other guests, a weekend of hunting and sightseeing on his painstakingly restored and cultivated 30,000-acre spread. But when Scalia, 79, failed to appear for a morning excursion at 8 a.m. Saturday, Poindexter became concerned and went to his room, which has its own outdoor fire pit and a wall of windows overlooking the 22-room adobe ranch hotel, a lake and surrounding peaks of the Chinati Mountains. I had not seen him, and everyone else was up. I knocked loudly, Poindexter said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. But Scalia was in a large room, the El Presidente suite, and the owner figured that perhaps the justice couldnt hear him. Advertisement Poindexter had just met Scalia, and although he found him congenial and they got on well at dinner the night before, his first thought was: Hes a Supreme Court justice, and if he doesnt want to be bothered. Eventually, Poindexter entered the silent room, apprehensive. I was worried I was going to find something very tragic, he said. He spotted Scalia, still in his pajamas. He was in perfect repose in his bed as if he was taking a nap. His face wasnt contorted or anything, Poindexter said. I went over and felt his hand and it was very cold, no pulse. You could see he was not alive. It was Scalias first visit to the storied ranch, and his death is already becoming part of the lore at Cibolo Creek, a site steeped in Southwest history and frequented by what Poindexters consultant George Van Etten called a lot of Hollywood people and captains of industry. FULL COVERAGE: Supreme Court Justice Scalia dies at 79>> George Van Etten, a property manager at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas, shows reporters around the resort. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times) The ranch, established in 1857, sits in the middle of remote desert, 15 miles north of the border and 150 miles southeast of El Paso, the last several miles on a dirt road. On-site bird hunts include pheasant, chukar, white-winged dove and blue quail. The area is home to more than 500 species of birds, as well as 18 species of bats. Tread lightly and youre likely to see more than a few species of wildlife, including the American buffalo, Carmen mountains white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, aoudad, coyotes, black bears, javelinas, mountain lions and bobcats/ringtail cats, along with domestic livestock grazing in our pastures, the ranch web site says. Cibolo is a Native American word for buffalo. Several iconic films were shot here: No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood and, 60 years ago in nearby Marfa, the Texas epic Giant. Guests have included Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts and Tommy Lee Jones. Poindexter recalled how, after Scalia a Trenton, N.J., native who spent his career on the East Coast arrived at about noon on Friday, he joined the other guests on a successful quail hunt. He did not hunt. He was out on the property, looking at it, Poindexter said. Its a reasonably attractive place. He seemed to enjoy himself. He got off the truck once and seemed to enjoy himself. Antonin Scalia was found dead at Cibolo Creek Ranch. See the most-read stories this hour >> Most of the other guests had been to the ranch before and were friends or longtime acquaintances of Poindexter, who has a home on the ranch and has been hosting winter weekend gatherings for 20 years. Poindexter said he had met Scalia once before, briefly in Washington, when he was there with a sports group and the justice agreed to meet them. He said he invited Scalia to the ranch on the suggestion of a mutual friend, a lawyer, who came with Scalia. He declined to identify the lawyer or any of the other guests, except to say that they were very substantial business people, but not big names in politics. There is no political angle here, he said. It was strictly a group of friends sympathetic to the justices views. Scalia engendered criticism in the past over his choice of partners on hunting trips. In 2001, he went on a pheasant hunting trip with the dean of a Kansas law school who was the lead attorney in two cases that were about to come before the Supreme Court. And in 2004, he went duck hunting with then-Vice President Dick Cheney flying with him on a plane that served as Air Force 2 while the high court was considering a case that challenged the secrecy of an energy task force led by Cheney. At the ranch, Poindexter said, Scalia was very congenial. He spoke to anyone who would address him. He sat next to Scalia at a dinner of typical ranch fare. He didnt recall what the justice ate, except that it wasnt steak. I spent quite a bit of time talking to him about nothing official, just pleasantries: Texas scenery, outdoors, what life is like in Washington, Poindexter said. He didnt come to have a long conversation about jurisprudence. By dinners end at about 9 p.m., Poindexter said, he seemed in good spirits. He stood up and said he was tired, he had had a long week and he would see us in the morning, he said. I went over and felt his hand and it was very cold, no pulse. You could see he was not alive. John Poindexter, owner of the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas After Scalias body was discovered, the ranch alerted the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for protecting the justices when they travel outside Washington, although Van Etten had not noticed them around Scalia at the ranch. He was very unassuming. He didnt want his entourage of marshals to stay here with him, Van Etten said. He said they also later alerted a Catholic priest, Father Mike Alcuino from nearby Presidio, who arrived Saturday afternoon to administer last rites to the justice, a devout Catholic. The other guests, who had decided to stay but canceled their scheduled blue quail and box bird hunt, kept their distance. It was a sober mood, of course, Van Etten said as he headed to the presidential suite during a tour of the ranch Sunday. We stayed away, directed the father over there. We lost a great jurist and a great American. Poindexter had originally invited Scalia to bring his son, and when he couldnt come at the last minute, the justice brought the attorney friend instead, who alerted the family to his death, Van Etten said. A gray hearse arrived Saturday a decoy, Van Etten said, to distract the news media. It wasnt until about midnight that a van arrived to spirit the body away. Scalias body was taken by a caravan of 20 law enforcement officers three hours west to Sunset Funeral Home in El Paso, where, after the family opted against having an autopsy, it was being prepared to be flown back to Virginia, according to Chris Lujan, a funeral director manager. He passed away in his sleep of natural causes, Lujan said, adding that he was told an official went to the ranch to pronounce Scalia dead before the body could be removed. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara told WFAA Dallas that she pronounced Scalia dead due to a heart attack, but Lujan said he had not seen a death certificate reflecting that. Guevara did not immediately return calls Sunday. Authorities were still investigating Sunday, but they released the scene and Van Etten allowed reporters to tour the ranch. Although not allowed into the suite where Scalia stayed, reporters were allowed to peer inside through glass doors. The bed still appeared slept in. No personal items were visible on the carved wooden tables. A map appeared to be set under a bottle of water. When I went to straighten his room up after he was removed this morning, I noticed he had a map of the property next to his bed, Poindexter said. He had obviously been looking at it before he went to bed. Poindexter is founder of Houston-based J.B. Poindexter & Co. Inc, a privately held, diversified manufacturing company that makes machine parts and auto and truck bodies, among other things. He is a third-generation Texan, an Army veteran honored, along with the troops he commanded, by President Obama at the White House in 2009. The group received the Presidential Unit Citation for their service rescuing trapped soldiers in Vietnam. The El Presidente suite, where Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died, is shown the day after his death. (Matthew Busch / Getty Images) He appears to be a modest political donor, with contributions to the Democratic Party, a Democratic political action committee and several Texas Democratic candidates for Senate and Congress, according to Federal Election Commission records. In the interview, he called himself a committed independent. Van Etten described Poindexter as a stickler for details, especially when it comes to Cibolo Creek. When he bought the ranch in 1988, he set about restoring it to its original rustic splendor, ensuring the brown adobe was mixed from surrounding soil and the crumbled remains of the original forts, and filling the property with artifacts inside and out Native American statues and indigenous masks, Mexican pottery, vintage shotguns and maps of Texas. Reflecting on Scalias passing, now inextricably linked with the frontier outpost he preserved, Poindexter said he was distraught, but also grateful. It was an honor to have had him, he said. He was surrounded by 35-odd admirers. He was at a beautiful location, which he remarked upon several times as being very much to his taste. He was doing what he liked to do, which was being outdoors. He had no apparent pain or distress in his death. While an absolute tragedy, it could have happened at worse places and worse circumstances than it happened here. Twitter: @mollyhf See more of our top stories on Facebook >> MORE Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dies at 79; fiery conservative fought liberalisms tide From the archives: Scalia takes oath and Rehnquist sworn in as Chief Justice From the archives: BFFs Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia agree to disagree From the archives: Obama unlikely to alter Supreme Court ideology with Republican Senate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died at the age of 79. Here is the story that ran in The Times when he was first sworn into the court in 1986. William H. Rehnquist was sworn in Friday as the 16th chief justice of the United States and heard a presidential plea to follow a course of judicial restraint that is neither conservative nor liberal. In his first act in his new position, Rehnquist formally swore in Antonin Scalia as an associate justice. Advertisement Bruising Struggle For Rehnquist, the ceremonies at the White House and the Supreme Court brought a dignified end to what had been a bruising three-month struggle to move to the center seat on the high court. Civil rights groups had accused him of being hostile to blacks, women and other minorities, but the Senate confirmed him last week on a 65-33 vote. Without referring to the controversy, President Reagan Friday restated his reasons for nominating Rehnquist, calling him one of Americas most brilliant jurists. During his court service since 1972, he has distinguished himself through the brilliance of his reason and the clarity and craftsmanship of his opinions, Reagan said. I nominated William Rehnquist because I believe he will be a chief justice of historic stature. Founding Fathers Cited Reagan added that he had nominated Rehnquist and Scalia with the principle of judicial restraint very much in mind. The founding fathers were clear on this issue. For them, the question w1634934894or conservative courts? he said. The question was and is: Will we have government by the people? Since the 1960s, political conservatives such as Reagan have criticized the Supreme Court for striking down federal or state laws as violations of the Constitution. For example, in 1972, the justices struck down death penalty laws in 41 states, concluding that they were arbitrarily administered. The next year, the court struck down all state laws prohibiting abortion, saying they violated an implicit right to privacy provided by the Constitution. Rehnquist, as an associate justice, dissented from both rulings, saying that the court should defer to elected legislatures on such thorny issues. In the 1930s, political liberals advocated judicial restraint because a conservative court had struck down a series of liberal measures enacted to further President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal. SIGN UP for the free Essential Politics newsletter >> Quotes Frankfurter Progressive as well as conservative judges have insisted on the importance of judicial restraint, Reagan said, quoting Justice Felix Frankfurter as saying that the highest exercise of judicial duty is to subordinate ones personal pull and ones private views to the law. 1 / 13 Antonin Scalia, left, with wife Maureen, takes his Supreme Court oath from retiring Chief Justice Warren E. Burger in September 1986. (Charles Tasnadi / Associated Press) 2 / 13 President Reagan announced the Supreme Court nomination of Antonin Scalia, left, in June 1986, after Chief Justice Warren E. Burger decided to retire. At right is Justice William Rehnquist, who became chief justice later that year. (Ron Edmonds / Associated Press) 3 / 13 In this Aug. 6, 1986 file photo, Supreme Court Justice nominee Antonin Scalia attends a Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearings in Washington. (Lana Harris / AP) 4 / 13 U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia addresses a Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) breakfast December 13, 2006 in McLean, Virginia. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) 5 / 13 Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer (L) and fellow Associate Justice Antonin Scalia testifiy before the House Judiciary Committees Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee on Capitol Hill May 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. Breyer and Scalia testified to the subcommittee about the Administrative Conference of the United States. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) 6 / 13 Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer (R) and Antonin Scalia (3rd L), escorted by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (L), and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) (2nd L), arrive at a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee October 5, 2011 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The justices testified on Considering the Role of Judges Under the Constitution of the United States. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) 7 / 13 Surrounded by security, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia walks October 10, 2005 in the annual Columbus Day Parade in New York City. This is the 61st Columbus Parade which celebrates both the explorer and Italian cultural influence on America. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) 8 / 13 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia waits during an introduction before speaking at the University of Minnesota as part of the law schools Stein Lecture series, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (Jim Mone / AP) 9 / 13 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia during a speech on Feb. 10, 2004, at Amherst College in Amherst, Mass. (DENNIS VANDAL / AP) 10 / 13 US Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia in the courts official photo session on Oct. 8, 2010. (TIM SLOAN / AFP/Getty Images) 11 / 13 Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the Economics Club of New York in February 2016. (PETER FOLEY / EPA) 12 / 13 U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, playing the role of Chief Justice Melville Weston Fuller, talks to California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer, representing part of the counsel for the state of New York, during a re-enactment of the 100-year-old case of Lochner vs New York on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, at Chapman University in Orange. (SANG H. PARK / AP) 13 / 13 Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia after addressing an assembly in front of LSUs Paul M. Hebert Law Center in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 24, 2003. (BILL HABER / AP) Rehnquist spoke only briefly at the White House ceremony Friday--in which retiring Chief Justice Warren E. Burger administered to both men the oath taken by all presidential appointees--telling Reagan that he was grateful beyond measure to you for affording me the opportunity to serve the court and to serve my country as chief justice of the United States. I pray that God will grant me the patience, the wisdom and the fortitude to worthily follow in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessors in discharging the responsibilities of this high office, said Rehnquist, who turns 62 on Wednesday. Scalia, who was confirmed last week on a 98-0 vote, also thanked Reagan for nominating him. In addition, Scalia, the father of nine children, praised his wife, Maureen, whos an extraordinary woman, and without whom I wouldnt be here. Or, if I were here, it wouldnt have been as much fun along the way. Pose With Burger Before the afternoon ceremony, Rehnquist and Scalia posed for photographers on the marble steps of the Supreme Court building with Burger. Inside, before a packed courtroom, the two justices took a second, official oath, with Burger swearing in Rehnquist and the new chief justice swearing in Scalia. Both promised to administer justice without respect to persons and do equal right to the poor and to the rich. Neither made any comments after the swearing-in at the court. The first term of the Rehnquist court opens on Oct. 6. MORE Live updates: Reactions to Antonin Scalias death Scalias death changes balance of high court, alters presidential campaign From the archives: BFFs Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia agree to disagree From the archives: Obama unlikely to alter Supreme Court ideology with Republican Senate The unexpected death of Antonin Scalia ends the long and consequential career of a powerful, intellectually gifted, caustic, conservative thinker who influenced not only the Supreme Court but also the nation -- occasionally for good, more often for ill. In his rulings and writings, the former law professor and Justice Department official did much to rehabilitate the approach to constitutional interpretation he called originalism -- the debatable notion that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the meaning attached to its provisions at the time they were adopted. He had scorn for the idea of a living Constitution, which he saw as promoting rigidity, not flexibility, in the law. My constitution is a very flexible one, Scalia said in a speech at Princeton University in 2012. Theres nothing in it about abortion and since there isnt, its up to the citizens. Things change by democratic choice. The Supreme Court doesnt have to abolish the death penalty. If the feelings of society come against it, it will be abolished by the states. Advertisement That approach sometimes led him to decisions that bolstered individual rights, including freedom of speech, the privacy of the home and the right of criminal defendants to confront witnesses against them. Its sometimes forgotten, for instance, that he joined liberal justices in protecting the right to burn the American flag as a political protest. But he was unwilling to recognize fully that some of the Constitutions guarantees are couched in broad terms -- such as liberty, due process of law and equal protection -- that must be adapted by the courts to changing times. Thus Scalia opposed Roe vs. Wade, the decision upholding a womans right to choose abortion, and he rejected, often in offensive language, the notion that equal justice under law also applies to gays and lesbians. Thankfully, he was unable to persuade a majority of the court to agree with him on those two issues. Republicans are already arguing that the choice of Scalias successor should be left to the president who will be elected in November. That is an irresponsible position. When he dissented last year from the courts landmark decision recognizing a right to marriage for same sex couples, Scalia insisted that the substance of the courts ruling is not of immense personal importance to me - a disclaimer that was hard to take seriously. In that case, as in others, Scalias political and social conservatism seemed to shape his legal arguments. Indeed, especially in his later years, his increasingly sarcastic comments in writing and from the bench seemed to echo the rhetoric of radio talk show hosts. The list of subjects on which we disagreed with him is enormous. He will no doubt be remembered for his intellectual gifts and his irrepressible personality, but he was also part of a 5-4 conservative majority that gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act, established an individual right to bear arms under the 2nd Amendment and ruled in the Citizens United case that corporations had a right to spend unlimited amounts to influence elections. He opposed affirmative action, supported the death penalty, defended putting crosses on public land and vehemently dissented in the case that ruled Obamacares individual mandate constitutional. These were wrongheaded positions that in many ways damaged the country, especially in recent years when Scalia was part of a clear conservative majority. His death puts that majority in jeopardy, which is why replacing him is certain to be a politically contentious process. All the more so in a wild and unpredictable presidential election year, when both Republicans and Democrats are sure use the vacancy on the court to inflame the passions of their political supporters. Republicans are already arguing that the choice of Scalias successor should be left to the president who will be elected in November. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement. That is an irresponsible position. Leaving a Supreme Court seat vacant for a significant part of two court terms just because the president is in his last year of office is cynical and transparently partisan, founded on the hope that the election will deliver a Republican president wholl pick a more conservative jurist than President Obama would. For his part, Obama said Saturday that he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to offer a qualified nominee to fill this vacancy in due time. And the Republican-controlled Senate has an equal obligation to give that nominee full, fair and expeditious consideration - and an up-or-down vote. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The Senate has about as much chance of voting on a new Supreme Court nominee this year as the sun does of rising in the West. But that doesnt mean said nominee wont eventually take the seat formerly occupied by Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. Yes, its technically possible that a vote could happen this year. President Obama said Saturday that he would submit a nomination to replace Scalia, who died unexpectedly that morning, because its his constitutional responsibility. There will be plenty of time for me to do so, and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote, Obama said. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. Nevertheless, the nomination will go straight to legislative jail without passing Go or collecting $200. Thats because the Scalias death puts the courts conservative majority at risk, giving President Obama another opportunity to build on his legacy by shifting the balance back toward the courts liberal wing. And its a lock that Obama will nominate someone who will bring about that shift. Advertisement In other words, Scalias death presents a problem for Republicans that only a Republican president can solve. Thats the main reason Republicans swiftly called for Scalias seat to remain vacant until after the November elections, when the GOP has a chance to elect someone wholl nominate a jurist with views like Scalias. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) minced no words. In a statement released on Twitter shortly after Scalias death was announced, McConnell said, The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. The only questions now are what approach Obama will take when picking a nominee, and whether his choice will effectively bind his would-be successors, Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Neither side can avoid the whiff of political gamesmanship. But by picking someone with especially compelling credentials, Obama can change the debate from Why should a lame-duck president fill this seat to Why shouldnt this person be on the court? The pressure on Congress to act will only be amplified if Obamas choice is in some way unprecedented or historic -- someone who would be, say, the first Asian American on the court. Scalias death presents a problem for Republicans that only a Republican president can solve. Not that the pressure would ever be strong enough to lead Congress to confirm Obamas nominee, or even vote on that person. Theres no upside for Republicans in officially rejecting the nominee, rather than simply ignoring him or her; conservatives already are counting on them not to confirm whoever Obama names, and a rancorous debate could alienate swing voters. So the safe assumption is that Obamas nominee wont even get a formal hearing, let alone a vote. Which brings us to the second question: When Obama pounds on the Senate to fulfill its responsibility, as he put it Saturday, will Sanders and Clinton be obligated to throw their support behind Obamas choice? Its hard to see how they couldnt. Just by making a nomination, Obama puts that person at the top of the list of campaign issues for November. You can hear the debate moderator now, asking the candidates from both sides who theyll pick to replace Scalia. And if Democrats are flailing Senate Republicans for not voting on Obamas nominee, how could Sanders or Clinton not pledge to keep fighting for that person if he or she became president? So, even though it might be hugely disappointing for Sanders or Clinton not to pick their own person to end the conservatives lengthy dominance of the Supreme Court, they may find themselves stuck backing the one chosen by their predecessor. And if either one wins in November, there will be no reason for Republicans to put off a vote on Obamas nominee any longer. Email Jon Healey Follow Healeys intermittent Twitter feed: @jcahealey Should the United States require women to register for the draft? The chief of staff of the U.S. Army and the commandant of the Marine Corps think so. As a result, presidential candidates are weighing in on this suddenly pressing issue. Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, and Marco Rubio are all for it. Ted Cruz derides the very idea as nuts and immoral. Hillary Clinton is not so sure. As for Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, an anxious nation awaits their judgment. A tempest in a canteen cup, to be sure. Yet it provides a classic illustration of how presidential campaigns trivialize American politics, with manufactured controversies distracting attention from genuinely substantive issues. When last attempted, during the Vietnam War, conscription backfired. It spurred antiwar sentiment and benefited no oneapart perhaps from Canada, favored destination of many thousands of draft evaders. In 1973, the federal government conceded the point and abolished the draft altogether. Advertisement True, in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, a 1980 executive order restored a nominal requirement for 18-year old males to notify the Selective Service System of their availability. Ever since, most young men have duly complied, albeit less out of a sense of patriotism than to ensure their eligibility for obtaining a drivers license. As a practical matter, however, the likelihood of federal authorities actually drafting anyone, regardless of gender, is essentially zero. Civilian officials and military leaders alike have embraced the so-called All-Volunteer Force. So too have members of the public, happily accepting a revised definition of citizenship shorn of any obligation to contribute to the countrys defense. The All-Volunteer Force is now the Let-Someone-Else-Serve Force, a perfect fit for a Do-Your-Own-Thing Age. This approach to filling the ranks continues to find superficial favor in both Washington and the hinterlands. Yet as with other policies imposing mandatory minimum prison sentences on drug offenders, for example popularity and expedience are not to be confused with fairness and effectiveness. The All-Volunteer Force is now the Let-Someone-Else-Serve Force... The upwardly-mobile offspring of the American elite are largely absent from the ranks. Judged relative to several obvious criteria, our existing military system leaves much to be desired. Consider the following questions: Shouldnt the composition of U.S. forces reflect the character of American society? If so, thats certainly not the case today. The armed services do not look like America. With blue-collar jobs offering decent pay and benefits increasingly scarce, the military attracts the sons and daughters of the working class. Its the kid who graduates from an inner-city or rural high school and doesnt see opportunities close to home who signs up. But the upwardly-mobile offspring of the American elite are largely absent from the ranks. Put simply, those most likely to reap the benefits of all that this nation has to offer are those least likely to serve. For proof, look no further than the (non-existent) military records of those today vying for the presidency. When the nation goes to war, shouldnt it field soldiers in sufficient numbers to accomplish the mission? In that regard, the All-Volunteer Force has been found wanting. Once the Global War on Terrorism encountered unanticipated difficulties simultaneous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan requiring more troops than those readily available the Pentagon was unable to come up with the needed reinforcements. Volunteering for Fallujah or Kandahar turned out to have limited appeal. A nation of more than 300 million could not put even 1% in uniform. The upshot? Troops subjected to the abuse of repeated combat tours, with private contractors picking up the slack. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, contractors a.k.a., mercenaries eventually outnumbered U.S. troops, a truly astonishing fact. Yet if privatizing war, with contractors performing tasks traditionally handled by soldiers, seemed like a clever idea, it yielded indifferent results at exorbitant taxpayer expense. Given the sheer size of the Pentagon budget, shouldnt U.S. forces win? The U.S. military possesses a considerable aptitude for toppling regimes and sowing chaos, as our several post-9/11 interventions attest. What its not so good at is putting countries back together again a prerequisite for victory. Although other factors no doubt contribute to this disappointing record, the defects of the existing American military recruitment system must number among them. Whether or not to support registering women is a sound bite question. How well our military system is performing is one worthy of sustained and serious discussion. That the candidates competing to become the next commander-in-chief will neither be asked nor answer such a question is itself a sad judgment on American politics. Andrew J. Bacevich is professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University. His new book Americas War for the Greater Middle East: A Military History is due out in April. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool, physicist Richard Feynman famously told the young scientists graduating from CalTech in 1974. Fully cognizant of this truth, the scientific establishment has developed many rules and procedures to weed out false findings from experiments, key among them replication. Replication means that an experiment can be repeated over and over, by the original researcher or any other competent scientist in the field, and it will produce the same or similar result. Now, science is in the midst of a replication failure crisis at least according to scores of articles in the scientific and mainstream media. Although replication failure has been a subject of discussion among scientists for some time, it burst into the public arena last summer, when an article showing poor replicability levels of psychology experiments appeared in the journal Science. The authors had reproduced 100 peer-reviewed studies, but got unambiguously similar outcomes to the original research only 39% of the time. The concern spread quickly beyond psychology, setting off a wave of headlines such as, How Science Goes Wrong (The Economist), How Science Is Broken (Vox), Getting the Bogus Studies out of Science (The Wall Street Journal), and Why We Keep Getting Fooled by Bad Science (New York Post). Advertisement Is science truly in trouble? Rife with fraud? Losing reliability? Absolutely not. Science is doing what it always has done failing at a reasonable rate and being corrected. Replication should never be 100%. Science works beyond the edge of what is known, using new, complex and untested techniques. It should surprise no one that things occasionally come out wrong, even though everything looks correct at first. The mistake is to think that any published paper or journal article is the end of the story and a statement of incontrovertible truth. It is a progress report. Replication failures should not be conflated with scientific fraud, which is rightly condemnable. The failure to replicate a part or even the whole of an experiment is not sufficient for indictment of the initial inquiry or its researchers. Failure is part of science. Without failures there would be no great discoveries. How then should we respond to replication failures? They should be published without prejudice. In science, revision is a victory not a devious cover-up or intellectual flip-flop. Yes, a complete inability to reproduce results could indicate an overlooked fatal flaw in the study. But it more often stems from subtle inconsistencies between one experiment and the next. Pinpointing that inconsistency is how we discover what we didnt even know that we didnt know. For example, in the early 20th century controversy raged over how nerves made muscles and glands respond. Was it bio-electricity or chemicals? In 1921 an Austrian biologist, Otto Loewi, dreamed, literally, of a simple experiment that would settle the issue and took to his lab in the middle of the night to test it. He removed the hearts from two live frogs and placed the still-beating hearts in a saline bath. The first heart was dissected carefully to retain the vagus nerve, which speeds or slows the heart rate. The second heart had that nerve removed. Loewi electrically stimulated the vagus nerve of the first heart and watched its beat slow down, as he expected. Then, Loewi let the solution surrounding first heart flow into the second hearts liquid bath. Shortly, the second, nerveless heart also began to slow. Loewis concluded that the stimulated vagus nerve released a chemical that caused the first heart muscle to slow its contractions and then that chemical seeped into the saline and had the same effect on the second heart. In short, Loewi had proven that neurotransmission was inherently chemical, not electrical. Except this simple and brilliant experiment couldnt be replicated, even by Loewi, for nearly six years. Why? Loewi had done his first experiment in the cold night, and the other replications were all done during warmer days or in heated buildings. And that mattered. First, frogs physiology changes seasonally: their heart rate is less susceptible to modulation in the spring and summer. Second, the chemical transmitter (now known to be acetylcholine) gets broken down by an enzyme that is more active when it is warm. What science learned from this replication failure was that physiology can be seasonal and that enzymes are modulated by temperature and eventually how synapses fire. In 1936 Loewi shared a Nobel prize for this discovery. Replication failure is more common in newer areas of science than in the mature fields. It is now less common in astronomy, physics and many branches of chemistry, while it seems to plague organismic or systems biology, psychology and social psychology in particular. The younger the field the less we know about the variables that can fool us when we dont control for them. In the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists struggled even to determine the exact temperature at which water boils. It took many failures to learn that factors such as the material of the vessel or the presence of dust were crucial. Understanding that altitude was a critical variable (the higher the altitude the lower the boiling point) revealed the all-important relationship between temperature and pressure one of the underpinnings of thermodynamics. But initially it just led to more than 100 years of puzzling replication failures. Science would be in a crisis if it werent failing most of the time. Science is full of wrong turns, unconsidered outcomes, omissions and, of course, occasional facts. Replication is part of that process, as open to failure as any other step. The mistake is to think that any published paper or journal article is the end of the story and a statement of incontrovertible truth. It is a progress report. Dont be fooled. Stuart Firestein is the former chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University and the author of Failure: Why Science is so Successful. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook In the 21st century, the Syrian city of Aleppo has entered its dark ages. Vulnerable to sudden attack by Islamic State militants, bombed routinely by Russian warplanes and lately encircled by government forces, most inhabitants have fled. Google Earth shows no lights at night. Until the second year of the Syrian civil war in 2012, however, Aleppo was a world city, challenging categories and generalizations a symbol of the broadminded diversity that now seems so impossible in the region where Arabs and Turks, Armenians and French, Muslims, Christians and Jews mixed quite peacefully. Situated on a crossroads between the Arabian Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, the mountains of Anatolia and the banks of the Euphrates, Aleppo often changed masters. Successively Assyrian, Persian and Greek, Aleppo became Roman in 64 BC. It looked west rather than east. After AD 636, conquered by Arab armies, it looked south to Mecca and Damascus. Advertisement This year is the 500th anniversary of its conquest by the Ottoman Empire, ancestor of modern Turkey, after nine centuries of Arab rule. At a junction of trade routes from Istanbul, Isfahan and Mecca, Aleppo grew into a great merchant city, with the largest marketplace in the Middle East. Ottoman Sultans practiced a policy of toleration. According to one popular story, when he was staying in Aleppo and was asked to expel Jews, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) gestured to a bunch of flowers and inquired whether each of them in their color did not set out the other the better. The more sorts of nations I have in my dominions under me the greater authority they bring to my kingdoms and make them more famous. English merchants also came to Aleppo, trading in cloth, silk and horses. Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth: her husbands to Aleppo gone, master o the Tiger. Stallions bought by these English merchants are ancestors of most of todays thoroughbred racehorses. Even Aleppo proverbs reflected the citys merchant spirit: Excess is obnoxious, even in religious worship. Or: If you do business with a dog, please call him sir. Unlike Damascus and Jerusalem to the south, Aleppo contained few religious shrines. Deals were more important than ideals. Conflict was unusual. John Barker, who served as British consul in Aleppo from 1803 to 1825, claimed that most of the time men of different creeds live in perfect peace and not infrequently in relations of the closest friendly intercourse. Aleppo is a warning. If politics or economics go wrong, if the state weakens or turns hostile, even a city as tolerant as Aleppo can implode almost overnight. An Arabic-speaking city with a Muslim majority, under the Ottoman Empire Aleppo also became a center of Catholic missions to local Christians. Through its Catholic inhabitants and schools, Aleppo adopted French as a second language long before French troops occupied the city in 1920, at the start of the 25-year French mandate. In the 20th century Aleppo became famous not only as the cradle of Arab music, with the finest performers and most critical audiences in the Arab world, but also for its food. There are at least 26 versions of Aleppo kebab, including kebab cooked with cherries, with pine nuts or with desert truffles. Aleppo was also known as the city of 1001 kibbe (meat mixed with wheat and herbs), flavored with coriander, apricots or quince. Poems were written to kibbe as to a beloved. The food and music of Aleppo now survive outside the city among the many expatriates settled throughout the world, in Sao Paolo, Los Angeles or Paris rather than in Aleppo itself. After Syrian independence in 1946, the city remained diverse. Although most Jews left after the first Arab-Israeli war and the first anti-Jewish riots both in 1948 the proportion of Christians in Aleppo actually rose in the 20th century. At one time, filled with refugees from genocide in Anatolia, it was 25% Armenian. When Hafez Assad, father of the current president Bashar Assad, seized power in 1970, Aleppo declined somewhat in commercial prominence, especially relative to Damascus. (Assad relied on the latter citys business interests for support.) Meanwhile religious tensions increased. Many Sunni Muslims did not consider Assad, a member of the Alawite sect, a true Muslim. A massacre of Alawite military cadets in Aleppo in 1979 was followed by weeks when the city was cleared of Islamists, the markets shut and part of the old city razed to the ground. Still the city maintained its status as a cultural hub. In 1993 the Syrian and German governments signed the Project for the Restoration of the Old City of Aleppo. Merchant houses with paneled rooms were turned into hotels for the growing numbers of tourists. Bashar Assad, who succeeded his father as president in 2000, visited and favored Aleppo more than his father. In 2006, the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization named Aleppo the capital of Islamic culture. Now its a capital of nothing but strife. Aleppo has been drawn into the wars between Sunni and Shiite, secularists and clericalists, dictators and liberals, armies and civilians, which are destroying the Muslim world from Mali to Malaysia. Aleppos fate confirms that cities depend on force. As Voltaire wrote, God is always on the side of the big battalions. Commerce and conviviality are no protection against armies, militias or, as in Aleppo, barrel bombs from the air. Political and religious hatreds have triumphed over business spirit, neighborhood solidarity and self-interest. Aleppo is a warning. If politics or economics go wrong, if the state weakens or turns hostile, even a city as tolerant as Aleppo can implode almost overnight. Cities are vulnerable. Aleppo today. Dubai, Marseille or other cities tomorrow. Philip Mansel is the author of Aleppo: the Rise and Fall of Syrias Great Merchant City, to be published in the U.S. in June. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Republican malcontents and front-runners Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have their differences but each is a bona fide culture warrior, eager to fight them in the name of us. Cruz, who refers to his campaign as an awakening in the body of Christ, blasts same-sex marriage as an unrelenting assault on biblical matrimony. Rubio opposes abortion, and he wont go on the record for exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Trump allays the fears and anxieties of many by promising to wall off the nation from Mexicans and Muslims. You may think such hostility is a modern phenomenon, unveiled in Pat Buchanans 1992 Republican National Convention speech declaring a cultural war for the soul of America. My friends, this election is about much more than who gets what, Buchanan said. It is about who we are. Two surprising conclusions emerge when Americas culture wars [are] weighed together. Conservatives typically start the battles, and liberals almost always win them. Advertisement But we misunderstand our culture wars if we see them as current events. Americans have been denouncing one another as blasphemers and traitors, false patriots and civic menaces, from the beginning of the republic. Elections have long been bloody battlefields. No matter how far this years campaign sinks into culture-war vitriol, the election of 1800, which pitted Federalist John Adams against Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson, is likely to retain the U.S. record for viciousness. It served up family values and religious indignation with all the nastiness of the Crusades and all the urgency of the Apocalypse. Adams surrogate Alexander Hamilton spoke of saving America from the fangs of Jefferson while Jeffersons followers spoke of saving it from the talons of Monarchists. Adams was attacked as a hideous hermaphroditical character; Jefferson was sullied with rumors of sexual infidelity. But this culture war homed in on Jeffersons theological transgressions. Hamilton called him an atheist. As if anticipating current whisperings about President Obama, the Connecticut Courant suggested Jefferson might be a secret Jew or Muslim. A Federalist minister, convinced that Jeffersons heresies disqualified him for the presidency, wrote that a vote for this manifest enemy to the religion of Christ would cause God to call down his wrath upon the nation. After an electoral college tie and much drama in the House of Representatives, Jefferson was finally elected. In his inaugural address, he famously tried to unite his not-so-indivisible nation. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists, he said. But culture wars persisted. In the 19th century, the targets were Catholics and Mormons, with arguments that echoed one another. According to Protestant traditionalists, both of these groups practiced fake Christianity. Each harbored sexual deviants, who were driven by celibacy (Catholics) or polygamy (Mormons) to the grossest forms of immorality. And each presented a grave challenge to American democracy, by forcing adherents to vote in lockstep with the pope or their husbands. In the 1920s and 1930s the battle over Prohibition and repeal was never confined merely to drys and wets. This conflict, too, involved Protestants aghast about Catholics this time Irish saloonkeepers and German brewers from Pabst to Schlitz to Miller. More broadly, Prohibition pitted a largely monocultural right anxious about the blooming, buzzing confusion of modern life against a multicultural left committed to liberty in religion, dancing, dress and drinking. Two surprising conclusions emerge when Americas culture wars from Jeffersons heresies to same-sex marriage are stacked up and weighed together. Conservatives typically start the battles, and liberals almost always win them. Conservatism is often said to be rooted in a commitment to states rights, free markets and limited government. But American conservatives have been for and against all these things at various times. The more consistent idea behind American conservatism is cultural: a form of life is passing away and it is worth fighting to revive and restore it. Driven by this narrative of loss and restoration, culture warriors struggle to resurrect the patriarchal family or Christian America or the homogeneous hometown. Winning a battle doesnt make a culture warrior righteous; losing does. Conservatives typically lose these battles because the causes they select are lost from the start. For example, culture warriors took on Catholics when the Catholic population was mainstreaming and gaining power. They took on same-sex marriage when many gays and lesbians were already out of the closet and accepted by their heterosexual relatives, co-workers and neighbors. Southern historian Charles Reagan Wilson wrote about the Religion of the Lost Cause embraced by Southerners after the Civil War. According to this gospel, the Confederate dead were martyrs in a righteous cause, not losers in the war against slavery. Even now, winning a battle doesnt make a culture warrior righteous; losing does. Each defeat proves that America is in fact going to hell and is desperately in need of a defender. This is one reason why Republicans often win elections today even as they campaign on lost causes. There is no way Mexicans are going to pay to build a border wall with T-R-U-M-P emblazoned upon it. And banning Muslims from the country is obviously a lost cause. But victory on these questions is not exactly the point of our current culture wars. The point is to win power electorally by losing culturally. Investigating Americas many culture wars can be depressing. The United States is supposed to be a nation of immigrants with competing religious beliefs and political ideas. It is supposed to be a symphony of civilization, as the cultural pluralist Horace Kallen wrote in 1915. But all too often that symphony is shrill and off-key. At least individual cultural battles do come to an end. Usually the conflict produces some consensus. And the consensus produces a more inclusive nation. You dont need New York values these days to welcome Catholics or Mormons into the American family. American values will do the trick. It is not altogether naive to hope that todays tumult over who we are will soon die down, leaving Muslims and Latinos as American as can be. Stephen Prothero is a religion professor at Boston University and the author of Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections). Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: The U.S. Supreme Courts injunction suspending President Obamas power plan was not opaque it was necessary and in congruence with the law. (The U.S. cant allow Supreme Court clean power roadblock to slow its fight against climate change, editorial, Feb. 11) This is not just my opinion, however, but one supported by 29 states, state agencies and other stakeholders that petitioned the court to protect their constituencies. Had the plan not been stayed while litigation is pending, states across the country would have wasted precious resources on a plan that is at its base illegal. As your editorial rightly points out, the court recently ruled that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency failed to consider costs with regard to Michigan vs. EPA and remanded the regulation back to the lower court. This action, however, came much too late to undo economic damage wrought on states, businesses and consumers. Advertisement The founders separated power among the executive, legislative and judicial branches with the explicit intent of preventing one from dominating another. In this case, the Obama administration circumvented Congress by establishing the power plan without its consent, forcing the Supreme Court to take unprecedented action. Fortunately, the Supreme Court did exactly that to protect the best interests of the states. Mike Duncan, Washington The writer is president and chief executive of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. He was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2007-09. .. To the editor: My political science professor said that the government rises to the expectations of the people. So it is. We just want to keep having fun, to keep consuming no matter the consequences. Its all about the money, and it brings out the worst in people. But in case anyone is paying attention, humanitys carbon-dioxide emissions are causing a melting of Arctic ice, which in turn has produced large amplification oscillations and slower movement of the jet stream, locking in high pressure and drought in the West and extreme cold, rain and snow in the Midwest and East. And its not isolated to the United States. In 2010 Russia experienced the worst heat wave and drought ever recorded, which killed 55,000 people, while Pakistan flooded. Its difficult to comprehend our government putting business interests ahead of individual and climate health and our credibility. Roger Newell, San Diego .. To the editor: Obama is trying to enable the U.S. to meet the agreements on greenhouse gas emission reductions reached with 195 world leaders in Paris. The agreed upon reductions, while not enough, are a necessary first step in mitigating the global heating and destructive climate change caused by greenhouse gases released when fossil fuels are burned. Now, the Supreme Court appears to be placing the interests of U.S. coal companies ahead of the well-being of planet Earth and all who live on it and ahead of the reputation of the U.S. as a country that honors its international agreements. Al Barrett, Santa Monica Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook When Southern Baptists named Russell Moore to a top leadership post, conservative evangelicals winced. Moore supports immigration reform, advocates improved race relations and counseled tolerance after the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. To some, he is the Pope Francis of the evangelical South, and they dont mean it as a compliment. Advertisement To others, he is a long overdue voice nudging conservative Christians away from the us-versus-them rhetoric of the past, and reshaping evangelicals long-standing alliance with the Republican Party. 1 / 7 The lapel of a congregant at Community Bible Church of Beaufort, S.C., where Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz made an appearance on Sunday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 7 Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the congregation at Community Bible Church in Beaufort, S.C. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 7 The bulletin for a service at Community Bible Church in Beaufort, S.C., where Sen. Ted Cruz made an appearance on Sunday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 7 Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., right, presents Donald Trump with a sports jersey after the Republican presidential candidate spoke at the Lynchburg, Va., university on Jan. 18. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) 5 / 7 Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio greets voters during a campaign event in Rock Hill, S.C., on Monday. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) 6 / 7 Congregants pray during a service officiated by Pastor Bill Monroe at the Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, S.C. The pastors sermon addressed government and the presidential race. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 7 At the Florence Baptist Temple in Florence, S.C., on Sunday, Pastor Bill Monroe delivers a sermon on the Bible, government and the current presidential candidates. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Much like the GOP itself, the evangelical movement is going through an identity crisis. Its a fissure that has been widened by the 2016 presidential campaign, particularly as the race moves to South Carolina, a gateway to the Bible Belt and the next battleground primary state. As older, predominantly white churchgoers age and a younger generation thinks differently about faith, evangelicals are fracturing as a voting bloc and the power of pastors to all but endorse candidates from the pulpit is fading. Many churchgoers are frustrated with what they see as a long list of broken promises from GOP leaders, and by their own religious hierarchy, which helped deliver those politicians to office. Much in the way the GOP is torn between forces seeking a more inclusive party and those pushing politics further to the right, church leaders are struggling with how best to keep evangelicals united. Thats the debate the Republican Partys having and, in many ways, thats the debate American evangelicalism is having, Moore said, who encourages evangelicals to be more inclusive and less insular as part of their faith. Preaching to the choir has become an industry in American life, and thats not how one brings change, he said. We want to be speaking to persuade, not just to vent our outrage. Division among evangelicals was starkly revealed in the Iowa caucus. Turnout was robust 64% of GOP voters identified as evangelical but they splintered: Ted Cruz won 37% of the evangelical vote, Donald Trump drew 22% and Marco Rubio got 21%. Prominent evangelical leaders are similarly divided. Despite a private meeting in the summer of 2014, called specifically to unify around one presidential candidate, evangelical leaders are going their separate ways. The most high-profile break came when Jerry Falwell Jr. praised Donald Trump on stage at the nations largest evangelical campus, Liberty University, even though many conservative Christians view the billionaires coarse language, divorces, bankruptcies and casino-generated wealth as anathema to their faith. Other prominent leaders Bob Vander Plaats, Tony Perkins and James Dobson coalesced around Ted Cruz, the born-again Texas senator, who has meticulously cultivated Southern pastors one church at a time. He continued that effort Sunday with a stop with his wife and kids at Community Bible Church in Beaufort, S.C. Come out and vote your values, Cruz told the packed congregation. Turning the country around is simple if Christians rise up as one. Rubio, meanwhile, is quietly consulting with a less overtly political generation of pastors, including Rick Warren in California, who has provided the Florida senator with counsel but has declined to endorse any politician. The endorsement wars have turned sharp at times. Moore, as president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission, is not endorsing a candidate. But he launched into a tweet-storm over Falwells embrace of Trump as a philanthropist and family man. This would be hilarious if it werent so counter to the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Moore tweeted last month as the speech unfolded on the campus founded by Falwells late father. Winning at politics while losing the gospel is not a win. Evangelicals first emerged as a potent electoral force with the rise of the elder Falwells Moral Majority in 1979, credited with helping to elect Ronald Reagan. Leaders barnstormed the country calling for a return to Christian values as an alternative to the nations growing secularization. The organization disbanded at the end of the Reagan era, confident it had accomplished its mission. Today evangelicals account for about 25% of the national population, according to Pew Research Center. They continue to vote overwhelmingly for Republicans, opposing most Democratic candidates views on abortion, gay marriage and other topics. But the fraying political cohesion among evangelicals is threatening to diminish their influence. Vander Plaats, who convened the private 2014 meeting aimed at bringing church leaders together, predicted evangelicals will remain a strong force in the election. People of faith are going to have a voice in this process, he said. But Vander Plaats, who has been pressing his fellow pastors to support Cruz, acknowledged the divisions. Were going to see if we can have a unified voice, he said. As the primary battle heads toward the Southern states, Moore sees evangelical voters sliding into three distinct blocs. Trump backers include those who are willing to look past the celebrity candidates lifestyle because they are so fed up with Washington politics and ready for the big change he promises. Religion may not be their top issue, just as womens issues dont lead all females to support Hillary Clinton and Latinos dont always rank immigration as their first priority. So-called prosperity gospel enthusiasts are also attracted to Trumps financial success, and are willing to overlook his stumble on the correct way to say 2 Corinthians, which drew snickers during his Liberty speech. On Sunday, Ray Pridgen, a father of three, turned out to hear Cruz speak at the Beaufort church and was impressed by the senator. But he was still tempted by Trumps business sense. As a Christian, you are called to follow your faith, said the food services general manger. Thats the hard toss up between the secular and the religious aspects of it. The older, more traditional wing of the evangelical movement sees Cruz as their best chance to lead the political class to policy solutions more in line with their Christian values. He opposes drafting women into the Army and called the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage lawless. Though Cruz has distinguished himself as an outsider on Capitol Hill and butted heads with what he terms the Washington cartel, hes seen as the establishment favorite of old-school evangelicals. Everything in his background would indicate to me he is one of us, said Pastor Bill Monroe, who has led Florence Baptist Temple in South Carolina for more than 40 years. This group is alarmed by the growing secularization in America. In 2014, the share of the U.S. adults that identified as Protestant Christians slipped below 50% for the first time, according to Pew, while those unaffiliated with any religion rose to more than 1 in 5. Monroe said he hoped Cruz could at least slow that trend. Maybe just holding it back a little longer is the best hope. Rubio appeals to the children of the Moral Majority, who arent necessarily more liberal or secular than their lineage, but prefer the come-as-you-are inclusivity of todays cargo-shorts-and-guitar-rock churches. Join the conversation on Facebook >> These younger, more ethnically diverse Christians are just as theologically focused, Moore said, but they are skeptical of politicians who use the gospel as mascot. They are seeking more authentic expressions of both politics and faith beyond the bubbles of self-selective groups who get their news largely from Fox News. For many of them, Rubios attempt to tackle immigration reform and his comment that he would attend a friends same-sex marriage better reflects their brand of Christian values, Moore said. Moreover, this group includes many of the nonwhite evangelicals who are now one of the fastest growing segments, and whom Republicans most need to reach. These evangelicals are not going to be easy for politicians to get in line, Moore said. These evangelicals are the future of where evangelicalism is at. Twitter: @lisamascaro ALSO Obama unlikely to alter Supreme Court ideology with Republican Senate Hillary Clintons two-part strategy for derailing Bernie Sanders campaign Donald Trump attacks Jeb Bush in personal terms, as death of Scalia hangs over GOP debate President Obama said he would make his third nomination to the Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and called for a timely vote in a Senate led by Republicans who have said the choice should be left for the next president. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, Obama told reporters from a hotel in Rancho Mirage, where he is set to host a summit of Asian leaders this week. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone, he continued. They are bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy, and theyre about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life, and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our founders envisioned. Advertisement Scalias unexpected passing set up a major confrontation between Obama and the Republican-led Senate over the presidents prerogative to make nominations to executive and judicial posts, a major flashpoint of his second term. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement earlier Saturday that the American people should have a voice in the process, and the vacancy should be filled by the winner of the November election. After Obamas reelection in 2012, Republicans used tactics available to the Senate minority to delay or block consideration of several of the presidents Cabinet, sub-Cabinet and judicial appointments. The then-Democratic majority ultimately invoked the so-called nuclear option to change Senate rules by simple majority vote to essentially end the filibuster power. That change applied to all nominations except for those to the Supreme Court. Republicans now could simply refuse to even give the presidents nominee a hearing, let alone a vote. Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which would consider any pick, said in a statement that it has been standard practice for nearly 80 years that presidents not name Supreme Court choices in a presidential election year. SIGN UP for the free Essential Politics newsletter >> Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice, he said. The president has made two successful Supreme Court nominations: Sonia Sotomayor to replace David Souter in 2009, and Elena Kagan to replace John Paul Stevens in 2010. Both came when the Senate had a sizable Democratic majority. In his brief statement, Obama spoke warmly of the conservative justice, who died Saturday at age 79, as a larger-than-life presence on the bench, and one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court. He noted that he had invited Scalia as a guest to a state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron in 2012. Follow @mikememoli for more White House coverage. MORE Live updates: Reactions to Antonin Scalias death What happens with a divided Supreme Court? A look at the key cases Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dies at 79; fiery conservative fought liberalisms tide Two members of the California Coastal Commission met with Gov. Jerry Browns top advisor nearly two weeks before the panel voted to fire its executive director and were told the governor did not plan to intervene, the chairman of the commission said Saturday. Coastal Commission Chairman Steve Kinsey said by email that he and Vice Chairwoman Dayna Bochco who ultimately voted against firing the agencys top administrator were told by the governors executive secretary, Nancy McFadden, that Brown had no plans to influence the upcoming decision. All four of Browns appointees to the 12-member panel later voted to dismiss Executive Director Charles Lester from the powerful land-use agency. Advertisement Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> In the 40-minute meeting with McFadden on Jan. 28, Kinsey and Bochco asked if Brown would try to sway commissioners before their votes Wednesday resulted in the first ouster of an executive director in the commissions four-decade history. McFadden explicitly stated that the governor had not engaged in the matter up to the time we were meeting, and he had no plans to involve himself in what he considered to be the commissions decision, Kinsey said. He said McFadden also noted that the governor always retains his ability to express his views, if he wishes to do so. Through a spokeswoman, McFadden said Kinsey had characterized the meeting accurately and it was the only time she had met with the commission leaders on the matter. Echoing previous comments, Brown spokeswoman Deborah Hoffman said Saturday that this was a personnel matter involving an independent commission that was initiated and decided without any involvement from our office. Hoffman did not answer questions about whether the governors office had had contact with other members of the commission on the subject of Lesters future. More than 200 people spoke in support of Lester an at all-day hearing before the 7-5 vote Wednesday, joining elected officials from coastal cities and counties as well as federal and state officeholders who had written the commission urging it not to go through with the firing. The agency, overseen by a panel of political appointees charged with upholding the 1976 Coastal Act, has broad authority over development, public beach access and natural resources along Californias 1,100-mile shoreline. The commission and its staff have long clashed with developers, local governments and property owners over the constraints it places on some of the most valuable real estate in the nation. Governor appointees Erik Howell, Martha McClure, Wendy Mitchell and Effie Turnbull-Sanders joined Commissioners Olga Diaz, Roberto Uranga and Mark Vargas in voting to fire Lester. Voting no were Bochco, Kinsey, Carole Groom, Mary Luevano and Mary Shallenberger. Unlike the eight other voting members on the panel, who are appointed to fixed terms by legislative leaders, governor appointees serve at will and can be dismissed at any time. Kinsey, a Marin County supervisor who has served on the commission since 2011, said he requested the meeting with the governors office in mid-January after Lester chose to exercise his right to a public hearing on his possible removal. Kinsey said his purpose was to prepare for the decision and to hear from the source whether the governor intended to actively influence the commissions upcoming consideration of Dr. Lesters dismissal. Critics of Lesters ouster contend it was a power grab by development-friendly commissioners. They say it sends a powerful signal to agency staff to be more accommodating to project applicants. Some commissioners have vigorously denied that Lesters removal reflects a desire for more coastal development and have criticized such reports as baseless and damaging to the reputation of the agency. Were not trying to pave over the coast, Brown appointee Turnbull-Sanders said at a public hearing Wednesday before she voted to dismiss Lester. Although members of the panel have not offered specifics, they have alluded to management, trust and communication problems with Lester and his staff that had built up over years. Several commissioners have complained of problems getting information from agency staff and being left in the dark about how staff members had come to their recommendations on projects. Some commissioners have criticized what they say is insufficient diversity on the staff and a planning and approval process that is too long and burdensome for developers. Environmentalists, coastal residents and others opposed to Lesters firing have greeted commissioners explanations with skepticism and have continued to demand answers about why commissioners voted the way they did. In an interview the day after his dismissal, Lester echoed his supporters concerns, saying there had been a shift on the commission to be more receptive to the concerns of developers and exert greater control over agency staff. Lester said he suspected he was fired for being too independent and worried that his removal might mark a fundamental shift in direction for the coastal watchdog agency. tony.barboza@latimes.com Twitter: @tonybarboza Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report. ALSO Im a nice guy: O.C. jail escapee asserts innocence in jailhouse interview Effort to seal the formerly leaking well near Porter Ranch makes progress Can Inglewoods NFL-fueled turnaround be a success if its schools are failing? The effort to permanently seal the leaking gas well that fouled the air above Porter Ranch for 31/2 months reached a prosaic stage Saturday. Were waiting for the cement to dry, said Don Drysdale, a spokesman for the state Conservation Department, one of the agencies overseeing the operation. Crews finally stopped the plumes of methane from escaping the Southern California Gas Co. well Thursday by injecting heavy fluids and mud into the well. That temporary plug is being replaced with layers of cement, which is being pumped through a relief well into the damaged one. Advertisement The seal should be in place within a couple of days, company spokesman Javier Mendoza said. Next, the company and state regulators will conduct a series of tests to ensure that minute amounts of methane are not seeping through the cement bond. In the meantime, ongoing monitoring for methane and other compounds in the air will continue, said Teresa Schilling, a Conservation Department spokeswoman. The tests are being conducted by the state Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Schilling said. First reported by the gas company Oct. 23, the leak at the Aliso Canyon well prompted thousands of people in Porter Ranch and surrounding communities to leave their homes. Odorants added to the methane left many people with headaches, dizziness and nausea. Join the conversation on Facebook >> On Friday, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said an independent air study should be conducted before residents return to their homes. A separate study was needed, she said, because of lingering distrust of the gas company and the Conservation Departments Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, which regulates wells. Such a study could be performed by a private group or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boxer said. But Schilling said residents should have confidence in the tests underway. There are multiple regulators witnessing and conducting these tests to be absolutely sure that the leak is sealed, she said. Results will be posted on the departments website. The gas company faces investigations and lawsuits because of the leak. Among the allegations is that the well was poorly designed and constructed and that the utility had failed to properly inspect and oversee it. On Saturday, the company said in a statement that it was committed to cooperating with investigations and working with policy makers at all levels of government to ensure gas storage is safe and reliable. paul.pringle@latimes.com Twitter: @PringleLATimes ALSO Im a nice guy: O.C. jail escapee asserts innocence in jailhouse interview Police find body in home after blood-soaked man greets them at door Recorded interview reveals former Sheriff Lee Baca lying to a federal prosecutor When Yousef, 32, arrived at a central roundabout in Jalalabad one morning last spring, he was shocked by what he saw: A suicide bombing outside the local Kabul Bank branch had turned one of the citys busiest areas into a site of unparalleled carnage. I myself transported at least 16 dead bodies within the first hour, he said. At least 33 people were killed and at least 100 others injured in the April bombing in northeastern Afghanistan, one of many that contributed to the worst year on record for civilian casualties in the country. Advertisement The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported Sunday that 2015 was the deadliest year for noncombatants since the agency first began tracking civilian casualties in 2009. The report documented 3,545 civilian deaths, a 4% increase from 2014, and 7,457 injuries, a 9% rise. Once again, the fighting took the heaviest toll on what the U.N. agency called the most vulnerable, namely women and children, as casualty rates among both groups increased by double digits. The report documented 333 deaths and 913 injuries among women, a 37% overall increase on the year prior. Child casualties rose by 14% to 733 deaths and 2,096 injuries. As in the past, ground engagements between Afghan National Security Forces and the armed opposition were the leading cause of civilian casualties. Targeted killings and suicide bombings were the other leading causes. Anti-government elements were blamed for the majority of the casualties. The April bombing in Jalalabad, which was claimed by a new group that says it has ties to Islamic State, represents the changing tactics of the armed opposition. The past year has seen the opposition, led by the Taliban, stage more audacious attacks with increased targeting of the countrys major cities, many of which were once considered to be relatively safe. The Taliban issued a statement Sunday denouncing the U.N. report, calling it propaganda ... compiled at the behest of the occupying forces. It said the blame for civilian casualties falls squarely on the shoulders of the Americans ... and the stooge Kabul administration. Yousef, who only has one name, had moved to Jalalabad from smaller Sorkh Rod because of increasing violence there. But the violence followed him, erupting in one of the busiest places in the city. He said he was on his way to run some errands that morning when he received a phone call alerting him to the bombing. As soon as I heard theres been a bombing outside Kabul Bank I rushed over, he said. Everything is near that roundabouttaxis to Kabul, the bank, shops. Its one of those places where there is always crowds of people walking around. The U.N. mission documented a 16% increase in civilian casualties attributed to anti-government elements from suicide bombings and so-called complex attacks, which involve multiple attackers and weapons. Latifi is a special correspondent A deportee fashioned the rough-hewn altar for Pope Francis cross-border Mass on Wednesday, a stonemason born here but raised in Texas who hopes to one day rejoin his three children and other family in the U.S. On Saturday, as Pedro Campos prepared to transport the massive granite slabs he had chiseled from his workshop, across from the Jardines Eternos cemetery, to the old fairgrounds, he was thinking about his future, but also his past. It wasnt right what they did to me, said the burly stonecutter with a shaved head and goatee after helping load the granite onto a truck. I lost everything. Advertisement Campos, 48, met his wife here, then left with her in 1992 to settle and have children in Amarillo, Texas, and eventually Phoenix. FULL COVERAGE: Pope Francis in Mexico >> The stonemason who worked on the altar for #ElPapaEnMx in #juarez used to live in Phoenix pic.twitter.com/ImavOswkgi Molly Hennessy-Fiske (@mollyhf) February 13, 2016 Back then, it was pretty easy to cross, he recalled they just walked over. In Arizona, he learned his trade and found work making kitchen counters for wealthy families. Then, in 2002, he was picked up for unpaid traffic tickets. Officials discovered he had a felony record for a burglary conviction when he was 18, and he was ordered deported. His wife left him. His tools vanished during his years in lockup. Campos fought the order, but after five years in detention, he ended up back in Ciudad Juarez. It was 2007, and the local drug cartel war was heating up. Most of his family had left town. I was scared, Campos recalled. Id walk around, and I could hear somebody getting shot. At night, I couldnt go out. At first, he worked at making kitchen counters. But with thousands dying each year nearly 11,000 between 2007 and 2013 he soon found more work making headstones for a local funeral home. With the drug wars in Juarez, Perches Funeral Homes had to hire additional staff, including grief counselors and security guards. Wakes that once stretched to 24 hours were shortened, death announcements eliminated. Once a funeral home was shot up, and although no one was injured, the building was scarred with bullet holes. Many of those being buried died violently, their corpses mutilated. It was tough mentally on our employees, recalled the owner, Salvador Perches, 46. Two fellow funeral directors were killed for refusing to pay extortion fees, he said. In recent years, however, they have seen fewer violent deaths, and Perches said our people are feeling safer. Workers prep the altar - still a lot of construction going on here in #juarez for #ElPapaEnMx pic.twitter.com/x1FzD9kL5I Molly Hennessy-Fiske (@mollyhf) February 13, 2016 Campos and eight fellow workers loaded the two altar slabs onto a truck and drove it gingerly to the fairgrounds bumps can trigger cracks in granite. Once there, they used a metal brace to lift the slabs up the cement steps to the platform and set them atop three boulders from the Samalayuca region of surrounding Chihuahua state. Campos checked the surface with a level: Perfect. Then he pointed across the fairgrounds to another cement platform that workers were completing at the foot of a massive new cross near the Rio Grande, facing El Paso. Before the Mass here Wednesday, the pope is expected to ascend the platform to bless immigrants on the other side of the border fence. In two years, Campos will have spent a decade in Mexico. His daughter, now 22, plans to sponsor him to return to the U.S. legally. Campos hopes the popes message of empathy will be heard by immigration officials, and that they will give him a second chance. Maybe that will open their hearts, he said. But despite the cross tattooed on his hand, he doesnt have much faith. The years go by, and it gets harder. Twiiter: @mollyhf MORE ON THE POPE IN MEXICO 5 major themes of Pope Francis trip to Mexico This place is terrifying: Pope visits one of Mexicoss most troubled cities Los Angeles man traveling with Pope Francis will offer a simple gift - a shoeshine box Pope in Mexico live updates: Francis gets his wish for a moment alone with iconic image of Virgin of Guadalupe The devoted and the curious gathered 10 deep at times to watch as the motorcade headed down the Calzada de Guadalupe, the avenue leading to Mexicos pre-eminent religious shrine, the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Some waited for hours. The early arrivals won the spots offering the best views, closest to the broad thoroughfare as it slices through a working class district in the northern fringes of this vibrant mega-city, crossing the Avenue of the Mysteries just before the basilica complex at the foot of the scrubby hills of Tepeyac. The only thing we want is the sacred blessing of the pope so that it will enlighten the lives of all of our family, said Patricia Velazquez, a native of Guatemala who now lives in Compton and arrived on a plane at 7 a.m. from Los Angeles with seven relatives. They all huddled along the avenue, hoping for a glimpse of the great man. Advertisement Young boys wait to catch a glimpse Pope Francis during his visit in Mexico City, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2016. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) We are going to bring a little of the popes blessing back to all of our people in Los Angeles, declared an emotional Velazquez, whose husband, a native of Mexico, remained at home to work. Her daughter, Jaquelin, 9, was dressed for the occasion in an outfit that reflected her parents varied origins, donning a multi-hued Guatemalan indigenous skirt, blouse-and-scarf ensemble, while her hair dazzled with ribbons of green, white and red the three colors of the Mexican flag. The visit of Pope Francis to Mexico galvanized this hectic and often frenzied capital, drawing multitudes of the faithful and the inquisitive from far and wide to the streets in the hope of seeing the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Despite long waits and sometimes crushing crowds, most people seemed remarkably well-behaved, and patient. Mexico City can be a tough town, its people not easily impressed. But the Argentine-born pope was clearly a hit, his Latin American origins winning affection even if Argentines, with a bit of a reputation for arrogance, arent always the most popular folks in these parts. Francisco, hermano, ya eres mexicano! came the chant Francis, brother, now youre a Mexican! The pontiffs first full day of his six-day visit here included a pair of highly symbolic public appearances in the Zocalo, the central plaza downtown, site of the colonial-era cathedral and once the hub of the Aztec empire; and at the famed basilica, where, according to Catholic belief, the Virgin Mary appeared in the year 1531 before Juan Diego, a Mexican indigenous peasant, in the nearby hills A piece of fabric said to bear the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe has become perhaps the most revered artifact in the Western Hemisphere, a potent and ubiquitous symbol in Mexico and beyond. The virgin is considered the patroness of Latin America, offering protection and solace. The pope was granted his wish of time alone with the image, which he said has long been a source of inspiration. He spent 24 minutes with it. How many times I have been fearful of a problem or that something bad has happened and I dont know how to react, and I pray to her, said the pope in September, according to quotes distributed by Catholic News Service. On Saturday, the pope celebrated mass at the basilica with a white cassock emblazoned with the virgins image. Some 35,000 lucky people had tickets to be present on the basilica grounds; others watched on giant screens placed outside. Pope Francis waves as his motorcade approaches the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe during his visit in Mexico City, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2016. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) There was no immediate official estimate as to how many people lined the streets as the popes motorcade made its way to the basilica grounds, below the hill of Tepeyac, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Juan Diego. But the streets were packed. I came here on my bicycle because there was no public transport, said Juan Carlos Flores, 58, who said he biked almost 12 miles to arrive at the main avenue where the popes motorcade would pass. Earlier, the pope had made several pointed speeches at the National Palace and the Cathedral, excoriating corrupt politicians and unresponsive church officials alike and urging support for the poor. The tone seemed to go down well here. I am in agreement with the pope, because a lot of people are straying from the church precisely because there is not sufficient interest in the plight of the less fortunate, said Ana Magalia, 46, who was among those gathered on the street. The excitement on the streets rose as word spread that the motorcade was approaching. A buzz coursed through the crowd. People pushed toward the barricades. Some had ladders to improve their chances of seeing the pope. Everyone seemed to raise a mobile phone to catch a photo of the moment, which lasted a few seconds. Afterward, there were tears and smiles. People compared notes. Many seemed stunned that they had actually seen the now-familiar figure. Im full of emotions, said Gloria Guerrero Marquez, 65, who was in tears after seeing the pope. I saw him and he gave us his blessing. It was a fleeting instant, its true. But it was one of the best moments of my life. Join the conversation on Facebook >> patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Sanchez is a special correspondent. Special correspondent Liliana Nieto del Rio contributed to this report. Follow @mcdneville on Twitter MORE ON POPE FRANCIS 5 major themes of Pope Francis trip to Mexico Finally, brother, Pope Francis says in historic meeting with Russian Orthodox patriarch Los Angeles man traveling with Pope Francis will offer a simple gift - a shoeshine box How the Virgin of Guadalupe embodied Mexican identity and inspired millions, including Pope Francis Pope Francis on Sunday went to one of Mexicos poorest and most dangerous cities and urged hundreds of thousands of faithful to make Mexico a land of opportunity, where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream. Reconstructing Mexico as a country where it would be safe to stay and prosper over the threat of drug violence and other scourges, the pope said, should be the mission of a people often undermined by corrupt rulers. In Sundays comments, the pope, on a six-day tour of Mexico, is continuing with his determination to take government, business and religious leaders to task for their failure to work for the disadvantaged. Advertisement Help make this blessed land of Mexico a land of opportunities, where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work, the pope said as he wrapped up a Mass here in the gritty Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec. 1 / 36 Pope Francis rides through the crowd at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 36 People stand quietly on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico near Ciudad Juarez on Wednesday as Pope Francis says a prayer during the final day of his trip to Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 36 Pope Francis rides through the crowd Wednesday as El Paso, Texas, looms in the background at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 36 People react as Pope Francis prays Wednesday in support of migrants from a cross-shaped altar looking over the Rio Grande toward El Paso, Texas, at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 36 Pope Francis rides through a crowd of pilgrims at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 36 A woman wipes perspiration from her check Wednesday while waiting for Pope Francis to arrive to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 36 Pope Francis stands near the U.S. border on a platform on the banks of the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 36 Pilgrims wait in the harsh sunlight for Pope Francis to arrive Wednesday to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 36 A woman prays before Pope Francis arrives Wednesday to celebrate Mass at El Punto fairgrounds in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 36 Msgr. James Brownfield gives communion at the levee in El Paso, Texas, near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday during a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on the Mexican side of the border. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 36 People pray quietly on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico on Wednesday as Pope Francis says a prayer during the final day of his trip to Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 36 Bert Dunn of El Paso, Texas, prays on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Wednesday as Pope Francis celebrates Mass. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 36 Bishops look across the Rio Grande toward the altar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where Pope Francis celebrated a Mass on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 36 Maria de Lourdes Molina Garcia reunites Tuesday with her children, Iris, right, and Luis Hipolito at the Abraham Gonzalez International Airport in Ciudad Juarez during Pope Francis visit to Mexico. Luis and Iris live in Los Angeles, separated from their mother, who lives in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 36 Prayers are offered as Pope Francis meets with young people in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 36 Pope Francis watches young people perform in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 36 People carry crosses as Pope Francis meets with young people in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 36 Pope Francis greets two young people with Down syndrome in Morelia in Mexicos Michoacan state on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 36 Traditional dancers perform for Pope Francis as he meets with young people in Morelia, Mexico, on Tuesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 36 A women prays along the Popes route near the cathedral in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 36 People stake out spots at dawn near the cathedral to see the Pope arrive in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 36 A woman finds a quiet spot to sit in the early morning hours near the cathedral to see the Pope arrive in Morelia. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 36 Indigenous pilgrims wave to Pope Francis who flies overhead as he arrives by helicopter to conduct a Mass in San Cristobal de las Casas, in Mexicos southern Chiapas state. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 36 Nuns in the square at the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 36 After a Mass that included several Mayan languages, Pope Francis is driven through San Cristobal de las Casas in southern Mexico. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 36 Selfies are taken in front of the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 36 Young men are camped out across the street from the Morelia Cathedral as preparations continue for Pope Francis arrival in Morelia, Michoacan. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 36 Pilgrims listen to Pope Francis give the eulogy at a Mass for the indigenous at the Municipal Sports Center in San Cristobal de las Casas in southern Mexico. The Mass included several Mayan languages. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 36 Pope Francis kisses a baby while riding through a crowd of pilgrims, many from indigenous communities surrounding San Cristobal de las Casas. The Mass included several Mayan languages. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 36 Indigenous pilgrims from villages surrounding the southern Mexican town of San Cristobal de las Casas walk to the Municipal Sports Center, where Pope Francis will conduct Mass. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 36 People lining Pope Francis route wave as he and his motorcade arrive in Ecatepec, a suburb northeast of Mexico City. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 36 In Ecatepec, people arrive for a Mass with Pope Francis. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 36 Pope Francis in a room behind the altar to pray before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe while celebrating Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. (ALESSANDRO DI MEO / EPA) 34 / 36 Pope Francis motorcade arrives at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe during his visit in Mexico City. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 36 Pope Francis, center, arrives to celebrate a Holy Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. (GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP/Getty Images) 36 / 36 Pope Francis arrives at Mexico Citys main square, the Zocalo. (Christian Palma / Associated Press) A land, he added, that will not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death. The choice of Ecatepec, with the countrys highest incidence of murdered women, for the popes second full day in Mexico represented his impulse to go to the margins, to where the most downtrodden live and survive, barely. From here, the most poor, he went to a childrens hospital in Mexico City where guests included some of Mexicos most rich, among them the son of communications tycoon Carlos Slim, one of the wealthiest people on the planet and a patron of the hospital. At the medical center, with President Enrique Pena Nietos wife, Angelica Rivera, as host, the pope embraced sick and wheelchair-bound children, some who gave him drawings or cried. Mexico has one of the greatest divides between rich and poor among Western countries. It is a country that is home to Slim, on the one hand, and on the other, roughly half the nation, or 60 million Mexicans, who live in abject poverty The pope is aware of that divide, denouncing since his arrival in Mexico a society that benefits the few at the expense of the many. In Ecatepec, more than a million people were believed to have attended the popes Mass, inside the venue and outdoors. They braved cold temperatures in the morning to fan out over many blocks, down street after street, to receive the first pope from the Americas. Juan Jose Rubio Cruz, a farmer who traveled from a pueblo northwest of the Mexican capital to Ecatepec, described the awe he felt at the popes presence. He speaks to simple people, like me, he said. To sick people. Francisco Lozada says Pope Francis open-mindedness makes him proud to be his tocayo his name twin. He keeps a quote often attributed to the pope saved on his phone. It is, in fact, a conflation and expansion of comments made by the pontiff. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> In the open-air Mass in Ecatepec, the pope paid recognition to Christians slain for their faith, martyrs, from centuries ago and from today an allusion to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Africa, one of Francis great preoccupations. You cannot dialogue with the devil, the pope also warned, departing, as he often does, from his prepared text. He will always win. Instead, the pope said, people should embrace a spirit of fraternity to avoid forces that try to separate us, making a divided and fractious family, a divided and fractious society. A society of the few for the few. The pope has not minced his words since arriving in Mexico, criticizing both the political elite and that of his own church for being seduced by the trappings of wealth and power to the detriment of the poor and marginalized. The Mass Sunday gave a nod to the Easter season that has commenced for Roman Catholics, after Ash Wednesday last week ushering in Lent, the 40-day period of sacrifice. Bishops and cardinals were dressed in the purple of Lent. Throughout the day, people staked out spots on ladders, roofs, and for some, their fathers shoulders, to catch a glimpse of the spiritual leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. Se ve, se siente. El Papa esta presente! they chanted. You can see it, you can feel it. The pope is present! Francisco Valdez, 24, who traveled 12 hours from Monterrey, slept outside Saturday night, hoping for the best spot to catch a glimpse of the pope. He claimed a space near the front of the crowd, waiting with his cellphone hoisted. As the pontiff neared, a woman broke into sobs, and Valdez hit the record button on his phone. With a whir, Pope Francis had passed. He went so fast! Valdez shouted. Still, wow. Francisco Lozada said the popes open-mindedness makes him proud to be his tocayo his namesake. Lozada, 44, a lawyer from Ecatepec, keeps a quote often attributed to the pope saved on his phone a reminder, he said, that inclusion is always the answer. A person can be spiritual but not religious, it reads. For many, nature can be a church. Francis has opened up the Catholic Church, Lozada said, and made it more down to earth. The pope says, Im from the pueblo [people] and for the pueblo, Lozada said. And I can see that he means it. The popes visit to his city, Lozada said, no doubt has to do with its down-and-out reputation. The truth is, Ecatepec is a zone in conflict, Lozada said. People are disillusioned here we needed this. While still in Mexico City, en route to the waiting helicopter, the pope stopped his motorcade and stepped from his car to greet a bevy of nuns who were jostling for space in the crowd on the sidewalk. The nuns chatted excitedly to him as he offered a few words of thanks for their work in the church and blessed them. Before leaving for Ecatepec, the pope drove past sparse but enthusiastic crowds lining barricaded streets in Mexico City. We saw him yesterday and fell in love, now were here again, said Amanda Ordunez, who traveled from Colombia with several friends to see the pope. At the Angel of Independence Monument, people expressed positive reactions to the strong language Francis used Saturday in urging the government and the Catholic Church to take tougher stances against corruption and drug traffickers. As an ecclesiastical authority, it was the best thing he could do, said Luis Alfredo de la Cruz, 48, an engineer from the northern state of Coahuila, which has been hard hit by drug violence. De la Cruz said such a public recognition of the countrys problems was sorely needed. The only way to improve things is to recognize these issues. Thats why I think he spoke so strongly. Maria Rodriguez, visiting from San Diego with her granddaughter, said she hoped it served as a wake-up call for government and church leaders. Its time somebody shook them up. Gerber reported from Ecatepec and Wilkinson reported from Washington. Times staff writer Richard Marosi in Mexico City contributed to this report. Follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter. Follow @marisagerber on Twitter. MORE ON THE POPE IN MEXICO Meet the deportee who fashioned the altar for Pope Francis cross-border Mass Mexico City welcomes the pope: Francis, brother, now youre a Mexican! This place is terrifying: Pope visits one of Mexicoss most troubled cities When an Egyptian security officer shot an activist to death during a peaceful march in central Cairo last year, photos and video of the incident stirred international outrage. On Sunday, a court in Cairo annulled the 15-year sentence that had been handed down to a police officer charged in the case, ordering a new trial in a different judicial jurisdiction. Activist Shaimaa Sabbagh was fatally shot on Jan. 25, 2015, as she carried a flower to a memorial for protesters who died in the 2011 uprising that ended the rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Advertisement In June, police Lt. Yassin Hatem Salahedeen was indicted for firing birdshot pellets at peaceful protesters from a close range and was found guilty of actions that led to the death of Sabbagh. Sabbagh was a few yards from the officer when she was shot, video and photos showed. She died instantly. A member of the Popular Socialist Alliance Party, which organized the march, Sabbagh, 32, was among scores of protesters who dared to march on the revolts four-year anniversary. A 2013 law issued by the military-backed government criminalized demonstrating without acquiring approval by the authorities an unlikely prospect. Scores of protesters who defied the law have been detained and handed jail sentences for their actions since then. On Sunday, a lawyer for the 25-year-old officer told the court that the killing was not intentional, saying the original protest was unauthorized and caused police to panic. The officer is only 25 years old and doesnt have enough experience in dealing with protests, said the attorney, Farid Deeb, who is known for defending Mubarak and his aides in cases involving charges of killing protesters and embezzlement. The courts decision to overturn the officers conviction recalled other recent cases in which police officers convicted of killing civilians were handed hefty jail terms to appease public anger, then were later acquitted or had their sentences reduced. Previous experiences have shown that retrials of police officers always result in their acquittal, like what happened with Mubarak and his aides and in other cases of torturing prisoners, political researcher Mohamed Seif wrote on his Facebook page after Sundays hearing. In March 2014, four officers were found guilty of negligence in the deaths of 37 political prisoners who were being transferred to prison in a police van the year before. They were sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison before the verdicts were annulled, and a retrial ended with suspended one-year terms for three of them. Mubarak had received a life sentence for the deaths of more than 800 protesters during the revolt that toppled him; his verdict was later overturned. It was not clear whether Salahedeen would be released pending a retrial, said Sabbaghs lawyer, Mohamed Abdel Aziz. Hassan is a special correspondent. ALSO Scalias last moments on a Texas ranch -- quail hunting to being found in perfect repose Pope in Mexico, live updates: A prayer for a country where there is no need to emigrate in order to dream Book review: The mother of a boy who killed his classmates at Columbine wishes she had listened more This week in social media was altogether pretty terrible for the two most significant networks: Facebook and Twitter. Facebook got kicked out of India and Twitter's growth has flatlined, sparking worries it might actually die. But with a potential big partnership with an influential old media company, Snapchat, meanwhile, is doing fine. It's time for Social Media Sunday! Facebook Free Basics Kicked Out of India The debate over Facebook's "Free Basics" (formerly Internet.org) Internet service raged in India for nearly a year. Facebook and its advocates argued that free Internet was a tool to help millions in developing countries to get online and begin participating in the globally connected Internet economy faster. They believed the program would lead to more access to information, and thus innovation, a rise in living standards, and all the other benefits portended by introducing information technology to the people and places that lack it. Critics in India and elsewhere pointed to the fact that Facebook's underlying profit motive in expanding Facebook-centered services to potentially billions of new users in the country was obvious, and that Facebook's gatekeeper status in deciding which "free basic" services were included conflicted with the open foundational principles of the Internet itself. And in what amounts to terrible PR for Facebook this week, the word "colonialism" came up in those conversations over and over again. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India obviated any further debate this week when it ruled against differential price points for zero-rated (or "free") platforms, according to Tech Times, leading Facebook to pull the plug on Free Basics in India on Thursday. A day later, The Guardian reported that Facebook India's managing director Kirthiga Reddy announced she would be stepping down from her post. Instagram Doubles Down on Video In less defeating news this week for Facebook, Instagram announced that more people on the network were gravitating towards its relatively new video content. According to Fast Company, the time Instagrammers have spent watching videos has jumped by more than 40 percent. And now the company will boost its challenge to YouTube with an update that provides view counts for Instagram videos. Twitter Big Trouble After Growth Flatlines If Facebook had a bad week after getting kicked out of India, the company can at least take comfort in the fact that it's still growing and perceived by most investors in a relatively positive light. Facebook's terrible India debacle has nothing on Twitter. This week Twitter moved into life-or-death territory after its latest quarterly earnings report showed its user base was flatlining. As Latin Post previously reported, while Twitter's revenue growth and other financials were middling, but not the worst ever, its earnings report disclosed that the platform's monthly active user (MAU) count has completely stagnated. This quarter, Twitter had 320 million MAUs, the same as it reported in the previous quarter. And if you strip down that user base to only active Twitter users who have the technological capability to be advertised to (i.e., excluding feature-phone users who access Twitter via SMS texting), it gets even worse. The smartphone-carrying MAU count actually declined by 2 million in the last quarter, from 307 million to 305 million. Now talk of Twitter's death spiral is hitting a fever pitch, with some suggesting CEO Jack Dorsey reposition the company as a Wikimedia-style nonprofit model, and others urging a complete refresh and redesign, down to the core features it can't seem to attract more users to enjoy. Whichever path Dorsey decides on, it's clear he will have to act quickly and decisively. Snapchat Partnering with Viacom Facebook and Twitter both had down weeks, but in the meantime, Snapchat reportedly made a new powerful partner this week: old-media giant Viacom. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Snapchat and Viacom signed a multi-year advertising agreement, giving the cable media giant exclusive third-party rights to directly sell advertising on behalf of the unicorn startup's content, for example "Live Stories." Viacom would also further invest in making programming that meshes with Snapchat's ephemeral messaging service -- along with adding two new channels to Snapchat "Discover," where Viacom's Comedy Central and MTV, along with other Snapchat media partners like CNN, already have content channels. The deal is being seen as a gateway for further legitimacy for Snapchat in advertising and media partnerships, and could help catalyze more lucrative parnerships with big advertisers looking to reach the social network's uniquely millennial-heavy user base. Donald Trump is admonishing Republican rival Ted Cruz to "clean up his act" or run the risk of facing a suit from him charging that he is "not a natural born citizen." According to CNN, Trump, the GOP front-runner for the party's 2016 presidential nomination, lodged his threat on Friday in a rant on Twitter. If @TedCruz doesnt clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2016 In promoting his own candidacy, Trump has previously argued that if Cruz won the Republican nomination, Democrats would launch a campaign aimed at proving the Canada-born Texas senator was ineligible for the presidency. More recently, the outspoken real estate mogul has openly questioned the sincerity of Cruz's faith, accusing his opponent of being "so dishonest." In yet another recent Tweet, he again called Cruz's overall level of honesty into question. Lying Cruz put out a statement, Trump & Rubio are w/Obama on gay marriage." Cruz is the worst liar, crazy or very dishonest. Perhaps all 3? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2016 Cruz, who won the Iowa caucus and in most national polls is running second overall to Trump, responded by calling Trump's own character into question. "There is more than a little irony in Donald accusing anyone of being nasty given the amazing torrent of insults and obscenities and vulgarities that come out of his mouth," CNN reports he pointed out during a stop in South Carolina. "Being attacked by Donald, it is always colorful. I will give him this: he's not boring." Cruz communication director Rick Tyler referred to Trump's onslaught as a "Trumpertantrum," a line the Texas senator has used in recent weeks. "He needs to go to the time-out chair and think about his choices," added Tyler. That's what you would do with any 3-year old having a Trumpertantrum." With less than a week remaining before the South Carolina primary, Cruz and Trump are locked in a back and forth battle in the Bible Belt state that could come down to the Evangelical vote. A recent NBC/WSJ/Marist poll found Trump leading Cruz among that voting bloc 33 to 25 percent. Overall, Trump lead in the state 36 to 20 percent, with Marco Rubio placing third at 14 percent. Recently, Trump again went on the attack against his chief rival, addressing reports that Cruz had tied him to favoring government-run, universal health care by branding him a total liar. "I am so against Obamacare," he raged. "I've been saying it for two years in my speeches, I'm going to repeal and replace Obamacare. I don't even know where he gets this." Toyota confirms production of CH-R subcompact crossover Feb 13, 2016, 4:59pm ET It will be branded as a Toyota, but the final name is unknown. Toyota has confirmed its plans to build the CH-R crossover, and that a production example would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1. It had been long rumored that the CH-R was destined for production, as Toyota has lacked a contender in the red-hot subcompact crossover segment. In addition, there have been sightings of a thinly camouflaged prototype undergoing testing in rainy weather. The CH-R that the final name is not known yet will go on sale in Europe first, then come to the US. European market versions will be built in Turkey, with production starting towards the end of 2016. The US market version was intended as a Scion when a concept version was introduced at the LA Auto Show last November. However, it was announced last week that Toyota is shuttering the brand, and that the CH-R will debut as a Toyota instead. Without a player in the funkily-designed subcompact crossover segment, Toyota has ceded market share to the Nissan Juke. The CH-R, to be built on Toyota's TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, seeks to make a grab for sales in the class. Toyota did not disclose powertrain details, except to say that a hybrid version would be available at the start of sales. It will go on sale in the US in 2017. Live photos by Brian Williams. A 21-year-old man was arrested following a more than two-hour standoff with Bethlehem police after barricading himself in an apartment with a knife, police said. Bethlehem police were involved Saturday afternoon in a standoff with a man threatening to kill his mother and himself with a knife, police say. Ryan Semonich, 21, of the 3600 block of Linden Street, argued with his mother at 1:11 p.m. Saturday at the Linden Street apartment complex, police said. Semonich then picked up a knife and threatened to kill his mother, according to Police Chief Mark DiLuzio. The mother fled the apartment and called police. Bethlehem police brought in a SWAT team and crisis negotiators when Semonich wouldn't come downstairs and kept the knife in his possession. Police cordoned off the area of Linden Street between East Macada Road and Johnston Drive, near Elias Market. Nearby tenants were asked to evacuate as a safety precaution, DiLuzio said. There were no reported injuries. For more than two hours, negotiators tried to get Semonich to come downstairs. At one point, he told police he would take his own life, DiLuzio said. "He said, 'This isn't going to end well' to police," DiLuzio said. Shortly before 4 p.m., Semonich finally surrendered and put the knife down, DiLuzio said. Semonich was evaluated at an area hospital and then arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment, making terroristic threats and reckless endangerment. He was taken to Northampton County Prison. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A suspect has been arrested following a standoff in Bethlehem involving an armed man barricaded inside an apartment, a report says. (file photo) A SWAT team, armored vehicles, emergency response workers and several city police officers Saturday afternoon were stationed around an apartment complex on Linden Street, between East Macada Road and Johnston Drive, according to WFMZ-69 News. The report stated a suspect has been arrested. Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio did not immediately return a voicemail for information Sunday morning. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Court orders new air-pollution limits in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, 11 other states Exhaust rises from smokestacks in front of piles of coal in Thompsons, Texas. The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a stay on the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan until the courts can hear an appeal brought by utilities, industries and 27 Republican governors. (AP file photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) The U.S. Supreme Court called a "time out" last week on the Clean Power Plan, saying the court must decide whether the Clean Air Act allows a federal approach to reducing greenhouse gases -- or whether the Obama administration usurped congressional authority by creating law out of regulation. Make no mistake, this a setback for the cause of the U.S. converting the scientific evidence of climate change into action. As a practical matter, most utilities have started to comply with the plan, because it will take a lot of time, money and economic adjustment to reach whatever carbon-reduction program ultimately survives. The Clean Power Plan requires states to file their own plans and sets a goal of reducing carbon emissions 26 percent by 2025, as the U.S. pledged in recent talks in Paris. The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision raises suspicions of political interference. It is unusual for the high court to take jurisdiction before lower courts have ruled on a question. In this case, it is the challenge by 27 states (New Jersey is a litigant, Pennsylvania is not) and utilities and industries that argue the Obama administration lacks the authority to extend the Clean Air Act into limits on carbon dioxide and methane. But at least the court is placing this on the constitutional table. A defensible regulation or law is needed to deal with greenhouse gas production, whether it comes from the Environmental Protection Agency or a carbon tax by Congress to give utilities an incentive to phase out dirty plants and develop nonpolluting sources of energy. While some states are hoping for a reversal, many are proceeding with their own clean-power programs, as they should. New Jersey -- even though Gov. Chris Christie signed on to the 27-state challenge -- previously enacted a law setting a target of decreasing greenhouse emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Pennsylvania, which isn't a party to the suit but is home to coal mines and many coal-fired power plants, plans to move ahead with its targets under the federal program. Last month state officials released a plan to reduce methane emissions by 40 percent, mostly from oil and gas drilling. The Obama administration is moving on other initiatives, such as limiting methane releases, and pursuing an average 54.5 mpg fuel standard for cars and small trucks by 2025. If the Supreme Court should void the Clean Power Plan, it will return the need for federal direction to Congress -- where a good number of legislators, most Republican, continue to think that political science and direction from industry-backed PACs negate the evidence of climate change. Denial, in other words. The U.S. needs a unified approach to CO2 and methane, and not just to demonstrate to other countries that it's taking a leadership role. It's needed to counter the injustice of states dependent on producing and burning fossil fuels using political clout to send unhealthy air to other states, including those on coastlines dealing with the effects of rising ocean levels. It's not often that Pennsylvania can be considered a bellwether of reform. Right now the Keystone State is both a leading producer of fossil fuels and a leader in the effort to reduce pollution caused by it. That's not a contradiction, it's a way forward. Sinn Fein election candidate Martin Kenny has again raised the issue of ambulance cover in the region and claims the ambulance control centre in Ballyshannon is now ceasing to call in backup staff, as a policy, due to budget restraints. Cllr Kenny stated that the Carrick-on-Shannon ambulance was sent to Letterkenny on Wednesday night last 3 February, in order to cover that area because the north Donegal ambulance was on a run to Dublin. However when the Carrick ambulance got near Letterkenny it was sent back again and returned to Leitrim, only to be called on to go back to Letterkenny again; it spent from before midnight until five on Thursday morning driving up and down through Donegal leaving no emergency service in Leitrim. Cllr Kenny said, The ambulance covering south Leitrim based in Carrick-on-Shannon was sent on a wild goose chase to Letterkenny and back twice last Wednesday night after the the Taoiseach announced the election. The shortage of ambulance staff to cover the area is an ongoing crisis and the method of covering it up is through dynamic deployment, which is a very misleading term, because really it means that the ambulance covering an area could be 100 miles away waiting for the call from anywhere. This type of situation arises mainly because of shortage of staff and vehicles and a new departure of not calling in backup staff to cover when the ambulance is out of the area. This is a serious development and regardless of the election it needs to be reversed for the safety of people across the region. On Wednesday night and Thursday morning there was no ambulance covering the south Leitrim area and very sparse cover across the whole of the North West due to this new policy and it is not calling in staff in order to save money. This is in contrast to the promises flowing from the Government election candidates in the past week, concluded Cllr Kenny. It has seemed from Eric Aveburys blog recently that he has been nearing the end of his life. His openness over the past few years in speaking about his terminal Leukaemia in the years since it was first diagnosed has been so helpful to many. His family announced earlier that Eric died this morning. The sympathy of everyone at LDV goes to his wife Lindsay and his family. Until December, he had attended the House of Lords every day that it had sat, bar a few days in June last year: With the exception of a few days missed in June last year, due to ill health, Eric attended the House of Lords on every day that it sat. However, he last attended in December, before his illness overcame him. He died of acute myeloid leukaemia on Sunday February 14, at his home in London. Thats pretty impressive for an 87 year old. Eric was a lovely, kind man who went out of his way to fight for those who were oppressed across the world. He fought for LGBT rights, against caste discrimination and for human rights and social justice. He wrote often for LDV and was always unfailingly kind and wise. You can read all his posts here. Tim Farron: a true champion of the liberal cause Tim Farron paid warm tribute to him: Eric Avebury will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues. He was a true Liberal who will be remembered as much for his unyielding commitment to fighting for Liberal causes as his sensational by-election victory in Orpington in 1962. He campaigned to lower the voting age, founded the Parliamentary Human Rights Group and fought for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, taking up the cases of hundreds of individuals fleeing persecution. He was a committed internationalist, regularly promoting human rights around the world. He was a strong supporter of citizenship rights for British minorities in Hong Kong and campaigned against the persecution of religious minorities across many countries. It was a personal honour for me to speak at the 50th anniversary of his by-election victory at the National Liberal Club. The Liberal Democrats have lost a great campaigner, a great friend and a true champion of the Liberal cause. We will update this post with other tributes to him and in the next few days will re-publish what he wrote for us. Tributes from the Lords His Lords colleagues have been paying tribute to him: RIP Eric Avebury much loved and admired helped him use Connect for gen elec never stopped fighting/campaigning for others Olly Grender (@OllyGrender) February 14, 2016 So sad to hear my dear friend & colleague Lord Eric Avebury has died.He was a man who showed true humanity to others & cared about injustice Floella Benjamin (@FloellaBenjamin) February 14, 2016 Eric Avebury was a noble brave great fighter for justice Great tribute to our friend & giant towering figure: Liberal Democrat peer Lord Avebury dies aged 87 https://t.co/ebcI83Tth1 Baroness Hussein-Ece (@meralhece) February 14, 2016 Anthony Lester (@Odysseus_Trust) February 14, 2016 And other party figures also mourn him. Sad news of the death of Eric Avebury, a true friend and supporter to Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats. Jane Dodds (@DoddsJane) February 14, 2016 National Secular Society honours human rights champion Eric worked very closely with the National Secular Society for many years. They have put a lovely obituary on their site, with their Executive Director Keith Porteous Wood, a long time friend of Erics saying: He was so charming and knowledgeable, working with him as we did for well over ten years was such a pleasure. He certainly helped the NSS hugely and I got the impression he thought that our assisting him over that period had enriched the end of his career. And what a distinguished one it was. I have been moved by the number of politicians who have approached me as it has become clear that he was dying, to say that they thought he was one of the most effective peers of his time. He was always disarmingly frank and pragmatic about his death and he told me once how long a consultant said he had to live. He took the prediction very literally and precisely; I even joked with him he seemed to be treating it like an appointment and we both laughed. Similarly he joked with me how many of his ancestors had met their ends by being executed. Was it ten? I forget. He certainly comes from a great lineage. The first baron Avebury was a polymath, and close friend of Charles Darwin. He was a successful banker and the most successful lawmaker of his time. He was responsible for introducing Bank Holidays, creating the cheque clearing system, the Shop Hours Act, Open Spaces Act, Public Libraries Act, the Ancient Monuments Act, which paved the way for the creation of English Heritage. He bought the stone age circle in Avebury, Wiltshire to save it for the nation from jobbing builders who were about to destroy it. I have lost a very close friend, The nation has lost a Human Rights champion. Our condolences to Lindsay his wife, and all his family. Please add your own memories in the comments. * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our xxxth weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (-, 2015), together with a hand-picked quintet, you might otherwise have missed. Dont forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox just click here ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging. As ever, lets start with the most popular post, and work our way down: 1. Stonkingly good Liberal Democrat hold in Eastleigh and a town council gain in Jeremy Hunts seat by Mark Pack on Mark Pack. A look at the election results. 2. Is using your preferred definition of liberalism a means to suppress reasoned dissent? by Mark Valladares on Liberal Bureaucracy. Maybe we should be a bit more courteous and respectful in dealing with those who dont share our view. 3. Could this man be the next leader of the Conservative Party (and thus the next PM?) by Nick Tyrone on Nick Tyrone.com. Not one of the usual suspects. 4. By-election report 11 February 2016 by ALDC on ALDC. ALDCs by-election round up. 5. Jim gave the land to the landlords by Gareth Epps on Liberators Blog. Gareth takes exception to a Lib Dem committee vote on land reform. 6. UKIP in disarray as their only councillor in Wales quits by Peter Black on Peter Black. Theres trouble in the UKIP camp in Wales 7. From the archives: Roy Jenkins speaking in favour of SDP/Liberal Merger by Mark Pack on Mark Pack. A gem from the collection of Gwynoro Jones . And now to the five blog-posts that come highly recommended, regardless of the number of Aggregator click-throughs they attracted. To nominate a Lib Dem blog article published in the past seven days your own, or someone elses, all you have to do is drop a line to [email protected] You can also contact us via Twitter, where were @libdemvoice 8. Desperately seeking Bradley by Daisy Benson on England is the home of lost ideas. It should not be down to the marginalised to sing for their own supper and fight for their own equality. 9. What candidates should be chosen on merit really means by Rhys Taylor on Rhys Taylor. Are the 92.4% of white professors in UK Higher Education there based on merit? Are the 70% of male MPs that make up the House of Commons there because of merit? Are we really saying that black people are only qualified enough to make up 6% of MPs? 10. Improving party diversity: the time to act is now by Joshua Dixon on Liberal Insight. If we act now, we have a fighting chance of changing the face of our party. If we fail, we are back to square one with no plan to tackle the deep, deep problems that we face as a party on diversity. 11. A seven day NHS some suggestions from seven day manufacturing by William Hobhouse on Thoughts on modern liberalism. It can be done, but its expensive and needs the right resources behind it. 12. My entry for the Speccies National Anthem competition by Jennie Rigg on Excuse me, thats my KNEE youre straddling (2nd title change for the blog in a fortnight, see, we keep up. Jennie reckoned the Spectator wouldnt publish it but we are happy to. And a bumper crop of bonuses, just because I feel like it. Heres Louise Ankers talking about one of the most insidious forms of sexism towards female politicians. Lib Dem Councillor Andy Boddington has found himself in hot water told to take down a post by Shropshire Council: It seems that this committee, which I had never heard of, is a secret affair. I hadnt understood that. The papers were not marked confidential. There is nothing in them that needs to considered confidential. But officers say the meeting is a secret meeting so I cannot write about it. So I cant tell you that the meeting was intending to recommend [censored by Shropshire Council]. It seems I have made a mistake by erring on the side of telling people what is going on, rather hiding matters from the public. And the wonderful Elizabeth Evans, candidate for Ceredigion in the Welsh Assembly elections on what she and her Lib Dem colleagues have done to argue for the higher education sector in Wales. And thats it for another week. Happy blogging n reading n nominating. Featured? Add this to your blog post! Featured on Liberal Democrat Voice * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings February is LGBT History Month so I thought it might be a good idea to talk about our LGBT heroes. Let us know in the comments who you admire and why. Here are three of mine to start us off. First of all, Dr Meg John Barker, who is an academic specialising in gender identity, sexuality and relationships. From their Open University profile: Meg John is a senior lecturer in psychology at the Open University and has published many academic books and papers on topics including non-monogamous relationships, sadomasochism, counselling, and mindfulness, as well as co-editing the journal Psychology & Sexuality. They were the lead author of The Bisexuality Report which has informed UK policy and practice around bisexuality. They are involved in running many public events on sexuality and relationships, including Sense about Sex, Critical Sexology, and Gender & Sexuality Talks. Meg John is also a UKCP accredited therapist working with gender and sexually diverse clients. Meg Johns 2013 book Rewriting the Rules is a friendly guide love, sex and relationships I find their blog, Rewriting the Rules, a really useful learning resource, written in an engaging and interesting way. You dont have to be called Barker to be one of my many LGBT heroes, but you might think so, as my next one is our own Liz Barker. Her patient persistence in the face of opposition in the Lords on the most, to put it mildly, spurious grounds, over equal marriage, her raising of healthcare issues for lesbian, bisexual and transgender women in particular are wise and helpful. During that debate she said: I have four specific points to put to the Minister. The first is to ask when Public Health England will put forward a strategy for promoting the health and well-being of lesbian and bisexual women. There is one for gay men; there is not for lesbians and bisexual women. Secondly, will NHS England develop a data standard on sexual- orientation monitoring? At the moment there is no monitoring of the way in which we interact with the NHS. Thirdly, the biggest problem is that GPs simply do not know how to talk to us. Can the Minister work with the Royal College of General Practitioners to develop some standards for questions to be asked of patients in a non-pejorative way? Lastly, in our work with GPs, could the health outcomes of lesbians and bisexual and transsexual women be part of the overall monitoring of GP practice? We are citizens of this country. We are taxpayers. We support the National Health Service. It is only fair that we should expect it to recognise that we exist and should be able to access those services with dignity like everybody else. My third hero is Sarah Brown, who was until 2014 a Councillor in Cambridge. She did more than anyone else to highlight the unfairness of the spousal veto in the same sex marriage legislation. She was also brilliant in speaking out against the requirement that party members should go through police accreditation to get to Conference when we were in Government. She summated the transgender and intersex rights debate at Conference last year when we passed a comprehensive policy to improve health and equalities laws. She said: We have heard that trans people are treated poorly by equalities law. That its legal to fire us, that its legal to sack us from certain jobs, that its difficult to gain legal recognition, and even that process is subject to spousal veto. Intersex people have no legal recognition at all. At the LGBT+ Lib Dems fringe yesterday, prior to this debate, we heard that intersex people are as common as redheads. The shocking way society treats them represents collective guilty secret shared by us all. The way the medical community treats both trans and intersex people betrays a medical community that has not learned from the decades it spent trying to normalise lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Just as an aside, if you look closely, youll see several uses of phrases like ham-fisted and pig-headed. That debate took place the day the infamous story about David Cameron and the pig came out. The Conference bar the night before was a sight to behold as you could see the news spreading from group to group with huge amounts of mirth. So who are your LGBT heroes? * Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings THE general manager of Uber in Ireland has denied claims that local taxi drivers will be out of work if the firm brings ride-sharing to the city. Jude Williams of Xpert-Treaty Cabs based in Davis Street was speaking on RTEs Today with Sean ORourke, and said if Uber was allowed to operate a ride-sharing service in Limerick allowing regular drivers to pick up passengers for a fee, it could see 20,000 drivers out of work. But Kieran Harte, rejected this claim, saying: There are no numbers I have seen that taxi numbers, as the gentleman said, are falling down in matters of weeks. We have been in Los Angeles for five years now, and the ground transportation market has grown by 500% there. Taxis have only felt an impact of less than 10% there. It is hardly controversial, he added. It is used if someone who owns a car, and wishes to drive their fellow citizen from point A to point B. Uber is well on the way to creating 300 new jobs in Limerick, with the setting up of its centre of excellence in Thomas Street, servicing Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. But Mr Williams said: If they do come up with the jobs, its great news. But they could be putting 20,000 taxis out of work. If they work the way they work in the United States, they will wipe out the taxi industry within weeks, rather than months. Uber currently does not operate a ride-sharing service in Ireland only partnering with some taxi drivers in Dublin. But Mr Harte says it is something he would love to see here, confirming the firm is in debate with both government, and local authorities. He also disclosed workers at Ubers new centre of excellence in Limerick can earn from 30,000 upwards. WORK is underway to ensure Limerick gets through the second round of judging and wins the bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2020, councillors have been told. And money will need to be spent to achieve this. We are fortunate in having got through the first round, Mike Fitzpatrick, director of the 2020 bid said at a recent meeting of Limerick City and County Council. But work had now to be done in preparation for the second round of judging which will take place in July, he said. The revised bid must be submitted by June 17, Mr Fitzpatrick said, and it will pick up on the positive critique issued by the judges. This called for a development of the cultural programme and an expansion of the European dimension. We will be paying particular attention to the panels request for a greater international focus with more co-curation and co-production evident in the projects making up the bid, Mr Fitzpatrick stated. Once the revised bid is submitted, two to four members of the 10-person judging panel will visit Limerick for a day in July to obtain further background information, he told the councillors. The final selection will take place in Dublin on July 14 and 115 where Limerick will be in contention for the title with Galway and with the Three Sisters (Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford). This will involve a presentation and a question and answer session. The Limerick 2020 team is currently engaged in all that is required for the second round process, Mr Fitzpatrick said. This involves bringing new members on board to address the advice of the jury report. Resources would be needed to carry out this work and Mr Fitzpatrick asked for permission to draw down funding up to 300,000, money which had been set aside in the councils 2016 budget for this purpose. This money would help to build capacity in the cultural sector and to develop more long-term projects in a European context, he said. It would also be used to prepare for the jury visit. We need to connect with European partners, he continued. There was also a need to build on festival capacity, he said, but he told councillors that food would be taken into account as an element in that. Meanwhile, Limerick 2020 last week advertised for a deputy director to staff the bid, on a year contract, pending the outcome in July. A LIMERICK city man was fined and disqualified from driving for four years after he was convicted of so called drug driving while travelling to a fast food restaurant. During a contested hearing on Tuesday, Limerick District Court was told Kieran Collopy, aged 40, who has an address at St Itas Street, St Marys Park was arrested following an incident on September 20, 2014. Garda Enda Clifford said he was on routine patrol with a colleague when he observed a white 11L-registered Audi car being driven the wrong way on Sexton Street near the city centre. The vehicle was stopped a short time later and the driver Mr Collopy told Garda Clifford he was on the way to pick up some food from a takeaway and didnt realise Sexton Street was a one way street. Garda Clifford said while speaking with the defendant, he noticed that his eyes were glossy and that his speech was quite slurred. He said he arrested him at 8.10pm on suspicion of drunk driving and brought him to Henry Street garda station for processing in the usual way. Following their arrival at the garda station at 8.25pm, a designated doctor was contacted and at 8.47pm Mr Collopy provided a sample of his blood in compliance with a legal requirement made of him. Garda Clifford said the blood sample was subsequently sent for analysis at the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. While the sample proved negative for alcohol, Benzodiazepine class drugs were detected resulting in Mr Collopy being charged and brought before the courts. In his evidence, the defendant, who is currently in custody relating to other matters, insisted he was unaware he had driven the wrong way on Sexton Street until he was stopped by gardai. I wasnt aware of the mistake I was after making, he said, adding that he was taking three different prescribed medications at the time. He said the drugs were the same as the ones which were detected in his blood. However, being cross-examined by Sergeant Donal Cronin he accepted he was not qualified to make such an assertion., While a doctors prescription was submitted to the court in support of Mr Collopys claims, Sgt Cronin put it to the witness there was no evidence that he had taken the (prescribed) drugs on the date of the offence. Convicting the defendant of the single charge before the court, Judge Aeneas McCarthy said it did not matter if the drugs were prescribed or not. Noting the evidence of Garda Clifford, he said he was satisfied Mr Collopy had driven the wrong way on Sexton Street and that he was incapable of driving an MPV on the night. He fined him 300 and disqualified him from driving for four years. A number of other road traffic charges relating to the same incident, were withdrawn by the State. RENEWED friendships and fond memories of old secondary school days were shared at the official launch of the Ardscoil Ris Past Pupils Union this week an initiative that had been in the pipeline for the past two years. Formed to reconnect those who have attended the school over the past 50 years, the project was officially launched by Ardscoil Ris graduate and Dell chief Aongus Hegarty, and was followed by a wine and food reception at the school foyer. Other eminent figures who attended the school are rugby star Paul OConnell, former European Parliament president Pat Cox, and Rory McInerney, vice-president of Intel Corporation. Greeting more than 30 past pupils, members of the current student council and staff, Mr Hegarty president of Dell Europe, Middle East and Africa said that it is a fantastic initiative. When I travel all around the world, particularly around Europe with my job, I am amazed at how many people from the school that are scattered across Europe and the UK. And its great to maintain that network. I think with the Past Pupils Union now being formed, it will be a more structured way to be able to do that. He told the Leader his days at the North Circular Road school had a huge influence in how it shaped my career. It comes down to the overall ethos of the school, which is very much about academic, social, sport, learning, and a nice breadth of competencies and experiences. I was also influenced by individual teachers. I was always interested in business. Joe Harris was my teacher and he was a huge influence, and I then went on to do business studies in UL, and then went on to have a career in business over the last 25 years. Principal Brid de Brun said that one of the objectives, as part of the schools 50-year celebrations was to set up a network of the past pupils for the development of friendships. There have been so many past pupils who have achieved so much over the years, and one of the aspects of the school here is that all of the boys who leave maintain really close friendships and links with each other. So, we thought we could keep the line of communication open with our past pupils. President of the union, Gene Leonard, who left in 1979, said that the project was established in response to high demand from past pupils. The graduates of the school have been very successful, and they have kept coming back to the principal, and they have said that it would be great to have a past pupils union. There was a lot of talk about it and nothing happening. But then the principal called six of us to see if we would set it up. The main function of the union will be to provide a network and a contacts base for the past pupils and pupils that emerge to join. Your secondary school years, for most people, are the most memorable times, where you make the greatest friends. And over the years, you lose contacts with those friends. So its a place to make sure that people maintain contact, he explained. Teacher and secretary of the union, Niall Moran welcomed the launch and said that the new organisation will help create legacy for the new pupils who join the union. Ardscoil Ris has played a great role in developing everyone. From a sporting point-of-view and an academic point-of-view, the school has always prided itself in how the students have turned out. Past pupils can connect via the newly-launched website at www.ardscoilppu.com, where they can register their details. See page 18 city edition for pictures Just days after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling clouded the future of a new United Nations climate pact, the passing of one of its justices has boosted the pact's chances of succeeding. Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia died at a resort in Texas on Saturday. Scalia, 79, was the court's conservative leader and his death means it is now more likely that key EPA rules that aim to curb climate pollution from the power industry will be upheld. Here's how the sudden shakeup of the court could affect global efforts to combat climate change. What Does the Supreme Court Have to do with the U.N.? Following decades of failed efforts to meaningfully regulate greenhouse gas pollution through the U.N., a new approach to tackling climate change was agreed to by international negotiators during Decembers landmark meetings in Paris. The cornerstone of the Obama administration's pledge in Paris was the Clean Power Plan, designed to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. Importantly, the sweeping set of rules that the EPA finalized last year bypassed Congress, which is opposed to passing laws regulating greenhouse gas pollution. But coal companies and some two dozen states have sued, arguing that the plan violates federal law. Their legal challenge is expected to eventually reach the Supreme Court. The outcome of the lawsuit could affect the entire planet. The U.S. (along with China) is one of the two biggest greenhouse gas polluters, and American and Chinese commitments in Paris to reduce climate pollution in the years ahead largely by reducing the use of heavily polluting coal were critical to convincing other nations to do likewise. The Paris agreement was struck during the hottest year on record. Rising levels of climate pollution have pushed temperatures up by about 1 degree C (nearly 2 degrees F) on average and raised sea levels 8 inches since the 1800s. How Could a Judges Death Affect Clean Power Plan Ruling? Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia was a dependable vote against environmental regulations. He was expected to rule against the new EPA rules. But Scalia couldn't do that singlehandedly he was just one of nine justices. Last week, Scalia and four other justices ruled to "stay" the Clean Power Plan while litigation moves forward. The 5-4 ruling effectively put a freeze on the new EPA rules while the lawsuit is heard by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. That appeals court is a liberal one, and it's expected (but not guaranteed) to uphold the new EPA rules, before routine appeals send the case to the Supreme Court. Last week's ruling suggested to many onlookers that the Supreme Court might make a similar ruling on the Clean Power Plan case, striking down the rules. If that happens, the U.S. would be left without a credible plan for fulfilling its pledge to reduce its climate pollution by a little more than a quarter in 2025 compared with 2005 levels. Related: Gambia environment minister Pa Ousman Jarju told ClimateWire that last week's ruling was "a big setback" for the Paris agreement. Navroz Dubash, a senior fellow at the Center for Policy Research in India, told the New York Timesthat a Supreme Court ruling against the Clean Power Plan "could be the proverbial string which causes Paris to unravel." The Paris Agreement is based heavily on trust. It relies on voluntary measures by governments working together to strive to reforest lands, reduce agricultural pollution and, most importantly, to replace energy from fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives. Because of that cooperative new approach to climate action, the effects of last week's ruling were felt around the world. Because of its direct effects on America's polluting electricity sector, and its indirect effects on other nations, the Clean Power Plan case could possibly shape the future of the planet, its weather and its shorelines. The court is now down to eight justices. If the rulings from those justices on the legality of the Clean Power Plan match their rulings from last week, the outcome would be a 4-4 verdict. Such a scenario would uphold the looming ruling from the federal appeals court. Might a New Justice Rule Against Clean Power Plan? Technically, yes. Realistically, that's very unlikely. It's the president's job to nominate Supreme Court justices for any vacancies, and it's the Senate's job to vet and approve them. High-stakes wrangling over the appointment of the next justice will be a major focus of Obama's final year as president. Whatever the outcome, it's unlikely that Obama would nominate a justice who would oppose his landmark climate rules. In the environmental realm, as in many others, a number of key Supreme Court decisions over the past decade or more have been 5-4 decisions, said Robert Stavins, an expert on international climate diplomacy at Harvard University. Unless approval of a new justice and a Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Power Plan are both delayed until a Republican becomes president, it seems unlikely that the nation's new climate rules will be struck down. If the late Justice Scalia is replaced by an Obama appointee this year, or a Clinton or Sanders appointee after January 20th, the implications will be profound, Stavins said. An obvious example is the litigation regarding the Clean Power Plan. It won't be clear for many years yet what effect the Paris Agreement will have on global warming. But Scalia's passing means the pact seems safer now than was the case just several days ago. You May Also Like: Mild Winter Keeps Great Lakes Ice Cover Low CO2 Emissions Are Causing Earth to 'Hyperventilate' Study: Downpours Over Land Have Slowed Sea Level Rise Welcome to SwanseaOnline - your home for the best news, sports and what's on coverage of the city. Never miss a Swansea story with our daily newsletter Sign up to comment on our stories here Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Swansea City news | Ospreys news | InYourArea If the well-known celebrity enemy of the Porfiriato, Francisco Ruiz Sandoval, designed an outright dumb plan to invade Mexico, at least history was gracious enough to identify the owner of the property where Sandoval and his small following camped before crossing the river to the Mexican side. History also was generous enough to highlight the fact that Sandoval knew little about the farming and ranching land that fronted the Rio Grande, a relative short distance down river from the towns central business district (primer cuadro, San Agustin Plaza). A segment of the narrative suggests that Sandoval and his eight to 10 partisans had scouted the grounds to pinpoint low water crossings. (NOTE: History identified the upriver site as Paso del Indio and in some instances as Paso de Jacinto, in the vicinity of frontage acreage on the grounds of Fort McIntosh, now the grounds holding the Laredo Community College campus. The scene was described in a U.S. consulate report out of Nuevo Laredo to the assistant secretary of state in Washington on Feb. 6, 1891, as reported in the Laredo Daily Times.) Accounts of Ruiz Sandovals unsuccessful attempts to light revolts against the government of Porfirio Diaz have been read in archived video tapes of the Laredo Daily Times of that era. Segments of these archived stories appeared in leading newspapers in the U.S. and Mexico. Nuevo Leon historian, the late Ernesto Zertuche of Lampazos, told this writer that some of these narratives were translated to Spanish, and Diaz government agents arranged for their publication in newspapers in Mexicos population centers. The material included communications from leaders of the rebellion on the border. Armed with that information, the Diaz government urged the U.S. government to extradite Ignacio Martinez, Francisco Ruiz Sandoval and Paulino Martinez to Mexico. Reports in newspapers on both sides of the border confirmed the sounds of an alarm (June, 21, 1890) in Nuevo Laredo, warning that a Garzistas rebel force was ready to invade Mexico at a border crossing between Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. On June 25, 1890, the Laredo Daily Times reported that a force of some 50 men, led by Ruiz Sandoval, was expected to cross the river near Laredo, wrote Elliott Young in his 2004 book, Catarino Garzas Revolution on the Texas-Mexico Border. The invaders were surprised by Mexican soldiers. Those who were not arrested on the Mexican side managed to escape and return to the U.S. side. Some were naked, having removed their clothes before they jumped in the river to get to the U.S. side. Some were in underwear. One of the calzones among the eight who made it back was Ruiz Sandoval. Arrested and charged for violating the Neutrality Act, they were removed to Bexar County where, after being investigated, the U.S. government chose to bring Ruiz Sandoval to trial. Some of the others cut deals with the U.S. prosecutors and became witnesses for the prosecution. Awaiting trial in a Bexar County detention cell, Ruiz Sandoval managed to reach important friends and acquaintances in Laredo who signed to support his appearance bail bonds. History tells us that Don Francisco had backing from money people on the South Texas border as well as in key places in Mexico. Among the signers of Ruiz Sandovals bail bonds, as listed in Elliott Youngs book, were the likes of Crescencio Rodriguez, Tomas Villastrigo, Antonio Salinas, Dr. Lino Villarreal, Romulo Zardenetta, Honore Ligarde and Raymond Martin. The Ruiz Sandoval trial is another story in which, judging from portions of the transcript quoted by Elliott Young, the judge had to warn jurors, court officers and visitors about any demonstrations resulting from defense attorney questions and answers from some of the witnesses. (Odie Arambula is at oarambula@stx.rr.com) Detailing all of the pop-up restaurants, pop-up bars, pop-up shops, pop-up galleries, and pop-up gigs in London, complete with maps. Please send any tips to dan.calladine@londonpopups.com or via twitter - I'm @LondonPopups Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases Still from an Islamic State video featuring Abu Sayyaf Group leader Isnilon Hapilon (center) pledging allegiance to Baghdadi The Islamic State has officially recognized pledges of allegiance from several jihadist groups based in the Philippines. The Islamic State has not yet made an official wilayat, or province, for the Philippines or the wider Southeast Asian region. At least one portion of the groups included are led by Isnilon Hapilon, a US-designated terrorist, who heads the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). The pledges, or bayat, were accepted in a video that was recently released by the Islamic States Al Furat Media a largely Russian-language media outlet. The video shows that the Islamic State is officially recognizing that several groups have pledged allegiance to it and its leader. Additionally, other groups in the region, such as Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid and the Mujahidin Indonesian Timor, have also pledged. It is possible that the jihadist group will announce such a province in the future, especially after conducting a suicide assault in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The recognition of the pledges could pave the way for such an announcement. The video features Hapilon and two other group leaders recording their pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State. The other leaders include a figure named Abu Anas al Muhajir, who was identified as the emir (leader) of Katibat Ansar al Sharia, and Abu Harith al Filipini, a delegate sent by the leader of Katibat Marakah al Ansar. Additionally, brief combat footage was included in the video in which Abu Anas al Muhajir was shown to have been killed fighting. The Katibat Ansar al Sharia, Katibat Marakah al Ansar, and at least a portion of ASG are not the only groups in the Philippines which have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Another group, identified as Ansar al Khilafah in the Philippines has also pledged allegiance to Baghdadi. Last August, the group first emerged by explicitly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State in a video released on YouTube. In April, the group released another video to threaten the Filipino government and American soldiers in the Philippines. According to the SITE Intelligence Group, a spokesman for Ansar al Khilafah threatened to deploy suicide bombers in the country and that the group would make the Philippines a graveyard for American soldiers. In December 2015, fighters alleging to be part of the Soldiers of the Caliphate in the Philippines released a short video showing a training camp somewhere in the Philippines. It is unclear which group was shown in the video, but it was likely a combined group of fighters from the aforementioned groups above. [See LWJ report, Islamic State supporters show training camp in the Philippines.] According to the Southeast Asian news site Benar News, Ansar Khilafah in the Philippines is led by one Abu Sharifah and is based in South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces. Additionally, the news site reports that the leader of Katibat Marakah al Ansar is led by one Abu Ammar, who was not present in the video. It also reported that Abu Anas al Muhajir and several fighters shown in the video were from Malaysia, historical operating grounds for Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which is considered al Qaedas branch in the region. Jeemah Islamiyah also operates in the Philippines, but has suffered defections to the Islamic State. Shortly after Baghdadis announcement of the caliphate in 2014, Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader and co-founder of JI as well as the emir of its offshoot Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid, pledged allegiance to Baghdadi. However, Bashirs two sons and several other leaders left and formed their own group, Jemaah Ansharusy Syariah. According to the Jakarta Post, more than 50 percent of Bashirs followers abandoned him and joined Jemaah Ansharusy Syariah. According to its leader, it is directly part of al Qaedas global network now. [See LWJ report, Islamic State launches suicide assault in Indonesias capital.] Traditionally, ASG has had ties to al Qaeda. In June 2014, a master ASG bomb maker, who was thought to have been killed in a drone strike in North Waziristan, Pakistan, turned up in the Philippines before being killed last year. The operative, Abdul Basit Usman, was wanted by the US for his involvement in multiple bombings in the Philippines and also had ties to JI. ASG was funded and financed by Mohammed Jamal Khalifa, one of Osama bin Ladens brother-in-laws, according to Khaddafy Janjalani, the leader of Abu Sayyaf, before he was killed in 2006. Khalifa, an al Qaeda financier and facilitator, was killed by US special operations forces in Madagascar in 2006. It is unclear how many fighters from ASG followed Hapilon in pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. In hostage videos released last year by ASG, the group made no indication it was holding the hostages on behalf of the Islamic State nor were the videos distributed by official Islamic State channels or media outlets. Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here. Eddy Cue, Apples Senior VP of Internet Software and Services, and Craig Federighi, Senior VP of Software Engineering, dropped by The Talk Show with John Gruber on Friday for an hour-long conversation that focused on the quality of Apples software and services, among other topics. Its worth a listen, but if youre just after the highlights, these are the parts we found the most interesting. On teasing iOS 9.3 before the public beta Last year, Apple rolled out a public beta program for iOS 9, in addition to the existing public beta of OS XFederighi says over a million people are participating altogether. Currently, iOS 9.3 is in public beta, but when it was still only available to developers, Apple made the surprising move of teasing it with a marketing page on Apple.com, introducing features like Night Shift and new tools for educators to manage a classroom full of iPads. Gruber asked if this was a new direction, talking directly to customers about whats coming down the pipeline, instead of the usual pattern of introducing major iOS releases in the summer at WWDC and releasing them in the fall. Expect big advancements to the platforms to be announced around WWDC, with smaller features coming between. Federighi broke it down like this: WWDC is for advancing a platform for developers, and when Apple makes big changes aimed at developers in, say, iOS 9.0 or iOS 8.0, it makes sense to advance the platform all at once, hold a conference, release an SDK, and let developers update their apps to be ready for the big rollout. But looking at 9.3, Federighi continued, these are things we wanted to get right out right away to everyone, because we think everyone can enjoy them, and they arent the kind of things that really impact moving the platform forward for developers. Some features just arent ready to go for the initial launch, and Apple does use customer feedback to find out whats missing. For example, iOS 9.3 will let iPad Pro users tap the down arrow on the Smart Keyboard to select items from a Spotlight search. If that seems like an oversight that should have been there all along, well, Federighi and Cue didnt say that it wasnt. We missed more than one, let me say, so weve been responding to all the great feedback weve gotten on the iPad Pro, Federighi said. On eating their own dog food Understandably, Federighi and Cue both admitted being obsessed with running the latest Apple software. Federighi said, I have four Macs, four iPads, and two phones, and I upgrade them all to the newest build pretty much every day. Cue sets up all his new hardware himself too, even though Gruber pointed out hes busy enough to delegate that task. Cue relayed an anecdote of recently buying a new iMac from the Apple Online Store, so he could see what the experience is like for customers. Both men said they like running the early versions of the software so they can try the new features their teams are working on, and give lots of feedback. When Cue ran into a problem installing a new build of OS X on that iMac, in fact, he could tell as a veteran software tester that the bug might be hard to reproduce, plus he was scheduled to take a trip the very next day. I called Craig up, said have your guys look at it, I think it would be hard to re-create. He said sure, so I put the iMac in my car and drove it over, as in, to Federighis house. Cue went on his business trip, Federighis team fixed the problem, and Cue got his iMac back when he returnedkind of like a Genius Bar for the C-suite. Not even Eddy has a seamless Family Sharing experience Gruber asked about the last bug they found, and Cue mentioned an odd error on his new Apple TV. Ive got a family plan, Apple Music, the whole thing with everybody, and he decided to purchase a new movie. So the message comes up on screen, Someone in your family has already purchased this. Would you like to buy it again? Uhpretty dumb message! In the iOS 9 preview at WWDC 2015, Federighi showed how Siri can help you find just the embarrassing coworker photo youre looking for. After talking to his team, Cue learned this error was a holdover from before Family Sharing, when the iTunes Store would warn a user who was about to re-purchase something, but still allow them to re-purchase it if they really wanted to. Before there was a family plan, it would ask you that question, because its a single user, he explained. But once you have a family plan, it should just download it. It shouldnt even bother to ask you. (Id argue that this error makes no sense if youre single or part of a family, since the Apple TV hasnt stored your purchases locally for years. Any purchase youve ever made should simply stream, and you should never be offered the option to re-purchase, but hopefully thats how they fixed it.) Siri is extra challenging on the Apple TV The men also discussed the upcoming tvOS 9.2 release, which will bring Siri search to the App Store, Siri dictation for entering text, conference room display mode (so you dont start every meeting with a view of the top-grossing movies), app folders, and iCloud Photo Library support. Siri will also supporting two additional languages in tvOS 9.2, French and Spanish, but that still lags far behind the 35 languages Siri supports on iOS. Cue explained why: Apple TV presents an interesting problem compared to Siri itself, in that a lot of things you search for are not in the native language youre speaking. In other words, a French speaker will very often search for movies and shows with English titles, even if he or she plans to watch them overdubbed or subtitled in French. Siri has to realize that not every word in a Spanish or French speakers query will be in Spanish or French. Federighi explained, Now when youre speaking Spanish, we have to know not just that youre speaking Spanish but when youre talking about They Might Be Giants but pronouncing those words with a Spanish accent. Siri needs to recognize that, correctly parsing English titles next to Spanish nouns and verbs. Federighi praised Apples machine learning teams for tackling this, saying Siri has improved dramatically thanks to receiving more than a billion requests every week, across all platforms. More tvOS improvements and a new Remote app Bluetooth keyboard support is coming back in tvOS 9.2, and the execs seemed to understand why its absence felt like an oversight to some, since the older Apple TV hardware had it. But the analytics showed almost no one used it regularly, so when Apple couldnt get it finished in time, the feature was bumped. Federighi joked that Apples data showed usage dropped to almost nothing during WWDC, so pretty much everyone using it was a developer or an Apple employee. Cue also mentioned a next-gen Remote app, which weve wanted for months, and which will do everything the current Remote app ( supported by tvOS 9.1) does now: namely, let you navigate the Apple TVs menus by swiping and tapping your iPhones screen, and enter text with the software keyboard. The new apps big improvements will be to let you use Siri on your phone to communicate with your Apple TV, plus letting your phone act as a second game controller when playing games that use the Siri Remote. Its really a full replacement, Federighi said. (Dear Apple, please let us browse and purchase new tvOS apps through that same app on our iPhones toohaving the Apple TV app store fully confined to the Apple TV itself is a drag.) Is Apples software declining? Apple doesnt think so Gruber mentioned Walt Mossbergs recent column lamenting the state of Apple softwarehe says of iTunes, for example, I dread opening the thing. Federighi and Cue responded by saying they take this seriously, while also attempting to minimize the problem as one of scale and amplification: Its not that there are more bugs, just that we hear about them more. I know our core software quality has improved over the last five years, and improved significantly, Federighi said, but the bar just keeps going up. Usage stats prove that people spend more time interfacing with their Macs, iPhones, and iPads every year. Year after year, as our team builds a new phone and thinks, How big a battery should we put in this phone? we have to go back to them and say, Guys, actually, youre going to have to up that a good bit because people are using their phones more than ever this year. Eddy Cue helping introduce Mavericks in 2013. OK, thats a hardware thing, but the more devices are in use 1 billion iOS devices around the worldthe more people there are to complain about bugs. Federighi: If you have a billion people running a phone in every corner of their lives, and all these third-party apps and all these countries and all these languages, there are going to be issues. There were always issues, but now these issues areyou have plenty of people who can encounter one here or there. It gets amplified. Cue backed up Federighis point about scale with some more stats: Apple has 782 million iCloud users, Apple Music has racked up 11 million subscribers, the iTunes Store and App Store process 750 million transactions a week, and users send 200,000 iMessages a second at the peak. Were frustrated of course to hear it overall characterized as this, quality is dropping overall Federighi continued, because we know thats not true. But at the same time theres certainly a reality: If people are having these experiences, then theres something we can improve. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2015 > Kalpana Dutt From N.C.s Writings The following lines were written by N.C. twentyone years ago and published in this journals February 18, 1995 issue. It is being reproduced on the occasion of the distinguished revolutionary Kalpana Dutts twentyfirst death anniversary which fell on February 8 this year. It came and went with hardly anyone remembering her on that day. Kalpanas birth centenary on July 27, 2013 also went virtually unnoticed. But we in Mainstream have decided to offer our homage to her memory by reproducing the following piece. Incidentally N.C. had also translated Kalpanas reminiscences from Bengali to English under the guidance of P.C. Joshi, Kalpanas husband and the legendary General Secretary of the CPI (1943-48). Kalpana Dutt On February 8 passed away in a Calcutta hospital a frail figure who sixty years ago became a legend in the classical mould. Kalpana Dutt, born in 1913 in a middle-class Bengali home in East Bengal, was a student in Calcuttas Bethune College in 1930 when she came in contact with the group of Chittagong revolu-tionaries whose leader was the great Surya Sen, fondly called Masterda by all his disciples. See Full Text at: http://mainstreamweekly.net/article5453.html Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2015 > Crisis in the Social Sector A crisis situation has emerged in the social sector in several parts of the country due to lack of availability of adequate financial resources. The social sector includes women and child development, nutrition, health, education, panchayat raj, special provisions for weaker sections (Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities etc.), some aspects of agriculture and water (such as special schemes for livelihood protection, drinking water and sanitation for weaker sections etc.), special poverty alleviation and employment programmes. The social sector may not be rigorously defined but its meaning and implications are well understood and appreciated. Lack of adequate resources for the social sector is widely equated with increasing distress of people, particularly the poorest people. It is widely agreed that most components of the social sector, particularly health, education and nutrition, are substantially under-funded in India, compared to the actual needs. The most often cited case is that of health which just gets 1.2 per cent of the GDP at time when there is (quite literally) a crying need for an allocation closer to at least five per cent. At one stage the Union Governments commitments for higher allocations were actually being made (by the previous UPA Government) but the UPA Government itself didnt keep these promises and now the new NDA Government seems even less inclined to do so. At one time the 12th Plan (2012-17) was supposed to be the period for the long-overdue rise in the health budget, but firstly this was not visible in the 12th Plan draft and secondly one doesnt even know where the 12th Plan is (as the Planning Commission is already dead). So the shortage of adequate resources existed even before the present crisis emerged about one year earlier in three parts. I. The Budget Estimates (BEs) for the financial year 2014-15 for the social sector were cut midway in the financial year, as is evident from the Revised Estimates (REs) for this financial year. II. In the Union Budget 2015-16, allocations for the social sector were cut drastically on the plea that these will be made up in the State budgets as, so it was stated, the State governments are being provided additional resources for this as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. III. As per the available information so far, this optimism of the Finance Ministry was not justified as the cuts made in the Union Budget were not made up by adequate hikes in the State budgets. The situation differs from State to State, but overall there is a reduction in the resources available for the social sector at the national level. The effect of this is visible at the field level. In recent visits to villages I found several women and children deprived of ICDS nutrition, several students deprived of stipends and several old persons deprived of pensions as also a deterioration in healthcare delivery, shortages of medicines in government hospitals, cutbacks in mid-day meals at several places. In addition the employment works to reduce the distress of drought-and-scarcity affected people were very less or even negligible. When questioned about this, the local officials at the ICDS office said: Panjiri peeche se nahi aa rahi hai. (We were not getting adequate supplies of nutritious food so how can we give it to people). Corruption made things much worse, but that is another story. The immense distress caused to people could have been avoided by a more careful and sensitive fiscal policy. Overall there is a need for higher allocations as well as other improvements in the social sector. Now lets examine the three stages mentioned earlier in greater detail. I. Downward Revision in 2014-15 Budget Despite the fact that the Union Budget (final) was presented quite late by the new NDA Government, still there were drastic cuts in the REs (Revised Estimates) for 2014-15 compared to the BEs of 2014-15. This means that billions of rupees were taken away from priority social sectors in a few months or perhaps a few weeks. In this case there is no fig-leaf of making up in State budgets to conceal the removal of billions from priority and welfare programmes. In the analysis below, the tables have been adapted from the more detailed tables given in the analysis of the Union Budget 2015-16 by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA). Ia. Cuts in Important Schemes of Ministry of Women and Child Development These huge cuts can be seen in Table 1. Ib. Cuts in schemes for the Department of Disability Affairs Very significant cuts were made, denying relief to lakhs of disabled or differently abled people. This can be seen in Table 2. Ic. Cuts in Health Sector The reduction in the REs of 2014-15 compared to BEs for this year were huge. (See Tables 3, 4, 5) Id. Cuts in Education Sector Very significant downward revisions were also made in the education sector. For example, allocations were cut down to almost half on the original allocations (REs compared to BEs) in the case of mid-day meals. (See Table 6) Ie. Cuts in Urban Priority Schemes Allocations for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MOHUPA) and Ministry of Urban Development (MOUD) were also revised downwards. (See Table 7) If. Decline in Allocations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes and Minorities The Budget Estimate for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) was Rs 43,208 cr. but this was reduced to Rs 33,638 cr. in 2014-15. The Budget Estimate for Tribal Sub-Plan in the 2014-15 Budget was Rs 26,715 cr. but this was reduced to Rs 20,536 cr. in Revised Estimates. There were cuts in the case of most priority schemes (while there were small increases in a few), as seen in Table 9. Fund allocation under the Ministry of Minority Affairs was reduced from the BE of Rs 3734 cr. to RE of Rs 3165 cr. in the financial year 2014-15. II. Cuts in Union Budget 2015-16 The downward tends in social sector spending continued in the 2015-16 Union Budget as is evident from the information given below. IIa. Cuts in Key Schemes in the Ministry of Women and Child Development Big cuts, including complete wipe-outs, were made in important schemes as is evident from Table 10 IIb. Cuts in Some Schemes for Disability The overall budget of the Department of Disability Affairs remained more or less stagnant implying a decline in real terms. The allocation for National Institutions was reduced from Rs 147 cr. to Rs 118 cr. IIc. Reductions in Health Sector There were significant reductions in the health sector as is evident from Table 12 and 13. IId. Reductions in Education Overall significant reductions in the education sector are shown in Table -14. IIe. Reductions in Rural Poverty Reduction Programmes These allocations were either reduced or remained almost stagnant (implying in the case of MGNREGA as a lot of pending wages had remained unpaid from the previous year) IIf. Reductions in Priority Agriculture Schemes Compared to the RE for 2014-15, the BE for the 2015-16 allocations for some priority agricultural schemes were reducedfor Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) from Rs 8444 cr. to Rs 4500 cr., for National Food Security Mission from Rs 1830 cr. to Rs 1300 cr., for National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture from Rs 1330 cr. to Rs 835 cr. IIg. Reductions in Allocations for SCs and STs Allocation for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan decreased from BE of Rs 43,208 cr. in 2014-15 to of Rs 30,851 cr. in 2015-16, while the allocation for the Tribal Sub-Plan decreased from BE of Rs 26,715 cr. in 2014-15 to Rs 19,980 cr. in 2015-16. III. To what extent were the Union Budget Cuts made up in various State Budgets The Union Government took the stand that the much criticised cuts in the social sector in the Union Budget for 2015-16 were not real cuts as these would be made up in various State budgets. It was said that as per the recommen-dation of the 14th Finance Commission more resources are being transferred to the States for this purpose. This, the Union Government argued, will actually improve the social sector spending as funds will be available in a more decentralised way keeping in view local needs. This issue raises three questions: (a) Were adequate additional funds really transferred to the State governments to make up for the Union Budgets cuts? (b) Did the various State governments utilise the extra funds available with them for priority social sector spending? (c ) What is the overall impact in terms of the adequate availability of funds to the social sector? iii a. Firstly, some observers have pointed out that the much publicised transfers to States may not be adequate to make up for the Union Governments cuts. The Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) says in its analysis of the Union Budget 2015-16: It appears that the transfer of social sector responsibilities to the State governments is not going to be matched by an adequate increase in their spending capacity. Explaining this in greater detail the CBGA says: Quite contrary to what has been the common preception about implications of the 14th Finnace Commission recommendations, the net increase in the spending capacity of the State governments (resulting from the changes being introduced in Centre-State sharing of resources) in 2015-16 would be very modest. It needs to be recognised that while the share of States in Central Taxes would go up from Rs 3.82 lakh crores in 2014-15 Budget Estimates (BE) to Rs 5.23 lakh crores in 2015-16 BE and Non-Plan Grants and Loans to States would increase from Rs 69,095 crores in 2014-15 BE to Rs 1.07 lakh cr. in 2015-16 BE, the overall magnitude of the Central Assistance to States for Plan Spending is going to decline sharply from Rs 3.3 lakh crores in 2014-15 to Rs 1.96 lakh crores in 2015-16 BE. This is because the Centre is not only going to stop incurring Revenue Expenditure on Plan schemes in a number of sectors expecting the States (combined for all States) in 2015-16 (as compared to the 2014-15 BE) is projected to be only Rs 46,192 crores, which would be a small 0.33 per cent of GDP for the year. iii b. Agreed that what the State governments have got is modest, have they made the best possible use of this? Suvrat Das, Director of CBGA, says: It would be wrong to blame the Central Government for everything. In some cases the State governments have also been less than careful about using the available resources carefully to maintain and improve important social sector spending. iii c. A complete and updated picture of social sector allocations covering the entire country following the cuts made in the Union Budget in 2015-16 is not available yet. Generally the official data is released quite late and by then a lot of damage has already been done. What we know at present is that some of the social sector Ministries have been in turmoil, with senior officials and even Ministers themselves remaining very uncertain and anxious about how the cuts in social sector spending will be made up and when. Giving voice to these feelings the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Ms Maneka Gandhi, said in October that the main programme for child nutrition has been badly affected by budget cuts that make it difficult to pay the wages of health and nutrition workers. Here it may be recalled that when in this years Union Budget the fund allocations for health, nutrition, child and women welfare were reduced drastically, Ms Gandhi, in her capacity as Minister for Women and Child Development, had criticised this cruel cut even then. She had said at that time that she will be approaching the Finance Minister to restore the budget. Evidently her request was not met satisfactorily as on October 19, she again stated very clearly: We still have problems because our cut has not been restored. Literally, its a month-to-month suspense on whether we can meet wages. This has hit the plans to fight malnutrition, she added. My own observation at the time of visits to remote villages revealed growing distress of people and reduced access to welfare programmes. Well-informed persons have informed me about the near collapse of Sabla (an important programme for adolescent girls) till it was rescued partially by providing some emergency funds, non-availability of medicines for HIV-AIDS and other diseases, delays in recruitment of health and nutrition personnel as well as delays in payments to them, denial of stipends and scholarships to school students and pensions to old persons. Keeping in view the increasing concern on this issue the Union Government should bring out a detailed and consolidated report on social sector spending in the country based on the latest available data. This should be done as early as possible. While such a detailed official appraisal is awaited, sporadic analysis of some State budgets for 2015-16 is already available. Here we present reports from two StatesRajasthan and Karnataka. A report on Rajasthan by the Budget Analysis Rajasthan Centre (BARC) has compared the Budget Estimates for 2014-15 and 2015-16 budgets of Rajasthan with respect to allocations for important Centrally-sponsored schemes to reveal that while for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan the State Government could compe-nsate for the Central Government reduction, for several other important schemes the overall allocation was reduced. Coming now to Karnataka, the Chief Minister said in the Budget Speech for year 2015-16: The Central Government gave the impression to one and all that the States would be getting a huge financial largesse because of the increase in the divisible pool. However, our happiness was short-lived. ... The net effect is that what has been given by the Central Government on the one hand has been taken away by the other hand. A study titled Impact of the Fourteenth Finance CommissionKarnataka Budget 2015-16 by Pranay Kotasthane and Varun K. Ramachandra says: The increase in tax devolution is accompanied by sharp reduction in Plan and non-Plan grants, coinciding with the restruc-turing of the grants by the Union Government. The Budget estimate of Plan and non-Plan grants has shown a decline of about 50 per cent in 2015-16 as compared to the revised estimate of 2014-15. Overall, transfers are estimated to decrease by 3 per cent over the Revised Estimate for the previous year, according to the Budget Estimate for 201516. Further these writers say: There is a clear reduction in the revenue expenditure on elementary education and health. The revenue expenditures for water supply, irrigation, energy and social security schemes have increased. In terms of capital expenditure, secondary education outlay has nearly doubled and irrigation and flood control outlay has increased by 37 per cent; otherwise massive cuts are seen under every other head. Water supply and sanitation has seen a decline of 65 per cent, social security and welfare expenditures have been projected at 46 per cent less than the previous year. When seen in concurrence with the revenue expenditure trends of these heads, it is clear that the overall increase is due to outlays on the revenue side, and not related to long-term asset creation. Perhaps, the biggest surprise comes in the capital outlay for rural development and power. Rural development has seen a 79 per cent cut. Conclusion This entire crisis in social sector budgets must be understood in the context of the base-reality that the social sector was already substantially under-funded before the additional cuts discussed in this paper were made. It is therefore all the more important to be on guard to prevent any further cuts in social sector budgets and in funding for high social priority programmes. [Note: The various tables have been taken or adapted from the analysis of 2015-16 Union Budget by the CBGA and the analysis of Rajasthan Budget by BARCwhich in turn are based on government Budget data in various documents.] Bharat Dogra is a free-lance journalist who has been involved with several social initiatives and movements. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2015 > Sangh-BJP Atacks and Police Brutality Cannot Stop the Battle for Justice (...) The following is the editorial in ML Update (a CPI-ML weekly newsmagazine) of February 2-8, 2016. It is being reproduced, with due acknowledgement, for the benefit of our readers. The institutional murder of young Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad has shocked the entire country and students everywhere have erupted in protests. Given the crucial involvement of the BJPs Central Minis-ters, Bandaru Dattatreya and Smriti Irani, in the entire episode, the resignation of these two Ministers has emerged as a key demand of protesting students across the country. Far from listening to the voices of anguish and outrage, the Modi Government and the Sangh-BJP establishment have virtually declared a war on the ongoing student agitation. They would like to prove that Rohith was not Dalit, his views and activities were anti-national and of course they would like to crush dissent by all means. We have seen dissenting students being victimised in other university campuses after Hyderabad, and now the brutality inflicted on student activists, including girl students, in front of the RSS HQ in Delhi signals a new level of fascist offensive where police constables and goons in civilian clothes were seen beating up students in tandem. The supreme sacrifice of Rohith against the deep-rooted and institutionalised injustice that Dalits and other oppressed communities routinely have to suffer even in todays twenty-first century India and the intensified assault on the crucial democratic right to dissent in Modis saffron regime has touched several chords and opened up new possibilities in the growing struggles against the repressive and regressive Modi raj. Students, who have been actively resisting the saffron assault on education and democracy in the campuses and beyondwhether against the dissolution of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle in IIT, Madras or the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the chairman of the FTII in Pune, against the suspension of fellowship or sell-out of higher education under WTO, against saffronisation of education or attacks on rationality and dissenthave naturally responded angrily to the saffron witch-hunt of a bright and sensitive young scholar. Through his sacrifice Rohith has also given voice to the pain and anger felt so deeply by the Dalits and other oppressed communities and identities in India. The Indian state would like us to believe that caste discrimination and atrocities on Dalits belonged to some previous era. Decades of reservation and legislation against atrocities on Dalits have changed the situation quite sufficiently. Then there are the market fundamentalists who tell us that what the state and society could not do is now being done by the market which is the ultimate annihilator of castes and promoter of social mobility. A party like the BJP which is now in power at the Centre and in several of Indias States is now desperate to appropriate Ambedkar and woo Dalits by celebrating Ravidas Jayanti even as it brazenly upholds Manuvad as an integral part of its vision of Hindu Rashtra and relentlessly attacks the values and principles of the Constitution drafted under the chairmanship of Dr Ambedkar. What makes the predicament more painful is the opportunist silence of many Dalit leaders who routinely invoke the name of Ambedkar but have none of his spirit of questioning and challenging the existing order of injustice and oppression. From Ramvilas Paswan and Ramdas Athawale to Udit Raj and Jitan Ram Manjhithe list of Dalit leaders who have no difficulty in allying with or even joining the BJP is quite significant. Then there is Mayawatis BSP which habitually keeps silent over most economic, political and socio-cultural questions of the day. Rohith had rejected this politics of silence and opportunism, instead choosing to speak out on everything that mattered to him. And these are indeed questions that would haunt everybody who would like to see a just, democratic and egalitarian society. It is this spirit of Rohith, the spirit of the young India of Rohiths friends and fellow fighters, which the BJP is mortally afraid of. And hence the desperation in the Sangh-BJP camp to prove that Rohith was not a Dalit, the desperation to beat up and silence whoever is insisting on justice for Rohith. Rohith and his friends felt for the Muslim youth being persecuted as terrorists. They felt for the riot victims of Muzaffarnagar. RSS ideologues and propagandists accuse him of speaking on everything under the sun except on Dalit issues! So his crime was that he did not conform to the familiar and convenient pattern of Dalit politics, that he transgressed the secluded slot of Dalit issues to build bridges with other oppressed and persecuted commu-nities and identities and stand up for democracy and justice for all. He obviously liked the communist principle to each according to his need (from each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her need is a well-known basic principle of the communist vision) and even questioned Indian Communists as to how far they have been alive to the needs and aspirations of Dalits and oppressed identities. Rohith thus represented a very urgent need and possibility of critical dialogue, cooperation and unity among Dalits and religious minorities, among Ambedkarites and Communists. While fighting for bringing the guilty of Rohiths institutional murder to book, we must also do all we can to nurture and develop the possibility that Rohith represented and free India from the clutches of the Sangh-BJP establishment. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2015 > One Death: Several Questions POLITICAL NOTEBOOK After battling against death for eight days, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Kopad breathed his last at the Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi this morning. The poignancy of his death becomes more acute when it is borne in mind that he has left behind his young wife and a two-year-old daughter. The very fact that he could keep himself alive for five long days after an avalanche buried him and several others under 35 feet of snow at an altitude of 19,600 feet atop the Siachen Glacier till he was rescued, is a marvel. The others who were with him died the very day. Death ultimately triumphed but the battle for survival that Hanumanthappa fought was glorious indeed. His tragic death once again raises the question of the rationality of Indias holding on to the Siachen Glacier since 1984 when our Army occupied it by Operation Meghdoot. The temperature in Siachen goes down to minus 60oC in winter something that cannot even be imagined by people living in the plains. The desolation, the feeling of absolute isolation, the extremes to which the body has to accustom itself and the total dependence of survival on regular air-dropping is enough to turn a person mad. But this is not all. The Army personnel who are defending Siachen have also to face snowstorms and avalanches like the one that hit Hanumanthappas camp on February 3. Deaths and mental derangements take place regularly but individual cases are seldom reported in the media. This writer has never been to Siachen but he has a first-hand experience of visiting an Army observation post (one of many) near the Chinese border in Arunachal Pradesh at an altitude of 16,000 feet way back in 1969. It was a concrete bunker with three slits on three sides through which our jawans kept a continuous round-the-clock watch on the three routes by which the Chinese could approach. Only five jawans manned the bunker. Except for them there was no soul for miles around. This writer learnt that many soldiers became mental patients after living in such hostile conditions for a long period of time. So, the duration of stay of the soldiers at such posts has been considerably reduced. They also depend for their survival on air dropping. At Siachen, the Indian Army is at a strategically advantageous position, occupying the top of the glacier. The Pakistanis are down below. According to the Indian Army, our presence at the top prevents the Pakistani troops from climbing up and occupying it. For India the strategic importance of Siachen is that it lies above Khardung La. If Pakistan is able to capture Khardung La, it will be able to dominate Leh by bringing in artillery and rockets in Nubra valley and linking up with the Chinese at Aksai Chin. But the cost of maintaining Indian presence on the Siachen Glacier is enormous both in terms of money and human life. The terrain and the climate are so inhospitable that except for George Fernandes no other Defence Minister visited Siachen on a regular basis. The only way out for India and Pakistan is to agree to leave Siachen alone and remove their respective troops. But the possibility of India and Pakistan ever agreeing to withdraw their troops is practically nil. So the costly exercise of holding on to a glacier in the high Himalayas where there is no human habitation and nothing grows will continue, even if it means tragedies like the death of Hanumanthappa. February 11 B.D.G. Valentines Day came early for Woodys Supermarket. On Thursday, store owner Billy Wheeler paired up with Darla Main-Schneider, owner of Rising Sun Breads, and Colleen Butker, owner of Uptown Sweets. The two Martinsville bakeries will start selling some of their baked goods at the independent grocery store in Ridgeway, according to Wheeler. Call it a match made in heaven. Two matches, actually. Wheeler met with Main-Schneider and Butker during a business matchmaking event at the New College Institute. Sponsored by the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp.s (EDC) small business division, the event was designed to foster partnerships among local businesses through networking. Valerie Harper, the divisions director, said that when she has talked with business operators and mentioned other businesses, often she has found that the operators were not aware that the other businesses exist. There is no reason why we shouldnt try to get to know each other, Harper told about 40 business people who attended the event. Residents are encouraged to shop local to boost the areas economy. Businesses should be encouraged to shop local, too, Harper reasoned. RaesWear, a Collinsville-based maker of sportswear, has had much success forming local partnerships, owner Leigh Cockram told the crowd. For instance, she noted, her firm buys fabric from Solid Stone Fabrics; its products are made by Mollies Originals, a cut-and-sew operation; and Mallard & Mallard handles the firms accounting. Knowing the people with whom you do business is helpful, according to Cockram. She mentioned this hypothetical example: If an error is made, it can be easier to reach the other parties than if they were out of town. Even if they do not return your phone calls or emails, chances are you will see them at the store and be able to confront them there, she said. The matchmaking event was similar to speed-dating. Participants sat on both sides of tables, talking to each other for 2 minutes. When a buzzer sounded, participants on one side of the tables got up and sat down in the seats next to them, meeting someone new and telling the person about his or her firms products or services. Like when on a romantic date, you shouldnt just talk about yourself, Harper told the participants. Thats highly insensitive, she said. Wheeler said he thought the matchmaking event was worthwhile because it brought local businesses together to learn about each other. Some of these people (and their businesses) are so close in proximity, but they dont have the time to get out (of their businesses) and talk to each other, Butker said. Mollies Originals owner Sharon Sleeper said she enjoyed learning about all of the businesses. She mentioned that her firm aims to hire some new employees, and everyone with whom she talked knows someone with sewing skills. Representatives of many firms said they made some new customers or believe some of the people with whom they talked will become customers. Kerry Fountain, owner of Wet-Down LLC, a power-washing business, said he talked to some people who could be considered competitors in his business. Yet from those encounters, he sees opportunities rather than problems. We can form relationships and work together on projects, Fountain said. Not all of the participants were business owners or managers. Martinsville City Councilwoman Sharon Brooks Hodge said she participated to learn about local businesses and their needs as well as how city officials can help meet their needs. She said that when officials know that a business needs something and another business can supply what it needs, they can help the firms get in touch. Hodge also said she learned about businesses that can provide services to the city. For example, she mentioned that local bakeries can provide snacks for officials to munch on during long strategic planning retreats. A few years ago, the EDC held a similar event for contractors. However, this was the first time that the idea was used to help small businesses become acquainted. Harper indicated that another matchmaking event probably will be held in the future. There were a few minor problems at Thursdays event that must be worked out, such as people getting confused about how to rotate at the tables or lingering too long at a station after the buzzer sounds, Harper said. Overall, though, she believed the event went well and everybody was able to get to know everyone else, she said. SUNDAY'S WORDS are litmus test ( litmus test). Usage examples: (1.) The party is using attitudes about gun control as a litmus test for political candidates; (2.) Gummic acid reddens litmus, its reaction being about equal to carbonic acid. FRIDAYS WORD was naive (niev). Definition: of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; (of a person) natural and unaffected; innocent, guileless, gullible. Usage examples: (1.) Oh, so you are still naive enough to hope hell stick around; (2.) Youre inexperienced, innocent even naive, but youre not immature. Henry County schools were scheduled to attend school on Monday as a weather related make-up day. Dont bet on it, according to the weather forecast. Great nieces and nephews of the Stroller that live in Patrick County were assuming on Friday that they would not have to go to school on Monday, Tuesday or maybe longer next week. Invasive species from other parts of the world are spreading throughout Virginia in alarming numbers. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will soon begin working with a coalition of more than a dozen partners to help contain these vines, trees and other plants that are destroying habitat and adversely affecting fragile ecosystems throughout the Blue Ridge, according to a release.. The Shenandoah National Park Trust (SNPT) partnership project covers 10 counties. (Note from Stroller: The project does not include Henry or Patrick County that has areas that have been swallowed up by kudzu.) The 10 counties in the project are: Albemarle, Augusta, Clarke, Greene, Madison, Nelson, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham and Warren. NRCS is providing $894,000 in funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for Virginias first Cooperative Weed Management Area known as Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). After-prom fundraisers are being held in all area high schools to raise funds for their schools after-prom party. Its a fact that some families cant afford the cost of prom clothing and accessories. To ensure that all students that want to attend prom can get the proper clothing, Henry County Public Schools has already started its #projectprom2016, a free event for young women (students) in the community to participate in their prom with a free dress and/or accessories. Monica Hatchett, coordinator for Family and Community Engagement for Henry County Public Schools, said last year the project provided approximately 100 girls with items for prom. If you have a prom dress or accessories such as shoes or even jewelry to donate to the project, contact #projectprom2016 or call Hatchett at the school office at 634-4766. Heres a thoughtful Valentines Day gift. Jim asked his friend, Tony, whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentines Day. Yes, came the answer from Tony, who was a bit of a chauvinist. Ive bought her a belt and a bag. That was very kind of you, Jim added. I hope she appreciated the thought. Tony smiled as he replied, So do I, and hopefully the vacuum cleaner will work better now. By RICHARD K. SULLIVAN JR. Special to The Republican Sometimes I think, as residents of Western Massachusetts we are hardest on ourselves and have trouble seeing the very positive things that are happening in our economy, when those from outside the region see a very different, and bright, picture. A perfect example of this is our quickly growing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. The Western Massachusetts Ecosystem is led by and coordinated through the Valley Venture Mentors, an affiliate of the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC). Last year alone there were 256 start-up events held, almost one every weekday during 2015. Attendance at these events topped 10,000. There were over 400 start-up businesses represented, and they happened in every part of Western Massachusetts. The engagement has been significant, the energy level high and the result significant and encouraging. The ecosystem is anchored on one end by the inspirational and educational leaders in our region, the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Western New England University, Bay Path University and SPARK, to name just a few. At the recent "State of the Entrepreneurship" summit, held at Tech Spring and hosted by Steve Davis and the EDC Entrepreneurship Committee, Paul Silva, co-founder and executive director of Valley Venture Mentors, referenced a few eye-opening facts that reflect the strength of the Western Massachusetts Startup Ecosystem. He stated, "Pound for pound our ecosystem is as strong as those found in Boston and Chattanooga, Tennessee," just not as well known or as large as those currently found in those other cities. But, we are growing quickly, and the future looks bright. Did you know that the Grinspoon Initiative has coordinated and created the largest coalition of colleges and universities, including all the Western Massachusetts colleges and universities, in the country? Each year it gathers some 600 students, representing 15 colleges and universities, at the MassMutual Center for the largest collegiate entrepreneurial gathering in the country. Did you also know that the Isenberg School of Management's Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship has been named one of the top three and fastest growing entrepreneurship programs in the country? As Paul Silva said, "the sleeping giant has awoken." The anchor on the other end of the ecosystem is Venture Capital and organizations like Long River Ventures in Amherst, River Valley Investors in Springfield and the Springfield Venture Fund which was capitalized by a lead investment of $5 million from MassMutual. These investors are committed to growing the companies they fund but also having, and in some cases requiring, them to grow in Western Massachusetts. Equally important is the fact that the ecosystem is underpinned with a strong support system provided by such organizations as DevelopSpringfield, Tech Foundry, Tech Spring, SPARK and the Business Growth Center. These organizations, and others, provide needed resources that nourish and grow the young start-up companies. The results have been significant. Last year, the ecosystem provided over $1.5 million in seed funding to the 400-plus start-ups. The start-ups took that capital and turned it into more than $10 million in revenue and additional investment from sources outside Western Massachusetts. These start-up companies created more than 125 jobs locally. These jobs stay local and close to their support system and, in turn, use other local businesses as partners and suppliers. The names of the companies may not yet be household names, Olive Natural Beauty and Wonder Crew, both in Northampton, Tech Foundry in Springfield, Machine Meterics, also in Northampton, and EDENIS in Springfield, but neither were Friendly's, Yankee Candle, Stanley Home Products or even Smith & Wesson back at the time their founders had a new great idea, courage of conviction, some start-up capital and a dedicated work ethic. While most of the start-ups will go on to greatness, they all contribute to an atmosphere of excitement, growth and potential. A potential that has been on display all year and was highlighted at the capacity filled MassMutual Center in May when Valley Venture Mentors awarded $316,500 in prize money during the inaugural accelerator awards. The event was supported by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, MassMutual, the Mass Tech Collaborative and Mass Development and drew a state and nationwide audience, who left impressed with the opportunities in Western Massachusetts. Entrepreneurship is alive in all sectors of the Western Massachusetts economy. It can be found in food and agricultural, in manufacturing, IT, cybersecurity, big data, everyday items or educational resources. It is alive in Western Mass because innovation is part of our DNA, we are the city and region of firsts. It is supported financially by committed, civic-minded business people, foundations and organizations, and it is nourished by a world-class collection of colleges and universities. The outside world recognizes this exciting opportunity in our economy, and we should celebrate and market our unique position. The easiest way to see our region's entrepreneurship ecosystem at work is to either walk into a Valley Venture Mentors meeting (held three-times a month, details are online at valleyventurementors.org), or, if you are an accredited investor, contact the River Valley Investors (rivervalleyinvestors.com). Richard K. Sullivan Jr. is president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts; you can learn more about the council's work on line at westernmassedc.com. SPRINGFIELD Fontaine Brothers has been building its business since 1933, constructing schools, commercial and municipal buildings and green buildings and working on historic projects. It is listed 74th on the 2015 Engineering News-Record's Top 100 Green Contractors list - up from 78th the previous year. "We deliver a dependable, high-quality experience," says David P. Fontaine Jr., vice president. "Projects are completed on time and kept within budget. And, most importantly, we foster good relations with the owners." The company has 10 active projects across the Bay State; earlier this month, it was announced as the contractor for the new $55 million Pope Francis High School to be built on Surrey Road in Springfield.. "Every project is unique," he said recently. "We are responsive and customer-service oriented in an industry where people don't always feel it's always a prerequisite." Begun by brothers Eudore and George Fontaine, it is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated construction company. As the baby boomer generation went to school, the need for schools increased, and school building became a specialty for the company. In 1959 alone, it was awarded contracts for Longmeadow Junior High School, Shea's Elementary School in Agawam, East Street School in Ludlow and Blunt Park School in Springfield. In 1970 Fontaine Brothers was awarded the contract to build the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. In the 1980s school building slowed, and Fontaine Brothers adapted to the surge in home construction. It built 10,000 apartment and residence units during that decade. In 2003 Fontaine Brothers won the $48 million contract for the renovation of the Springfield Civic Center and the construction of the new MassMutual Center downtown. A leader in green building, in 2005, the company finished work on Ashland High School, the first school completed under the green building criteria established by the Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools. Fontaine foresees green building as a "consistent part of the industry going forward," noting that more than 90 percent of the company's work is green building. "People think about the effect on the environment of what they are building and the life-cycle costs of the building," he said. "They want to be sure they are building with efficient systems." In addition, "the social climate has favored institutions that are cognizant of their carbon footprint and environmental impact," he said. In 2007 the company completed construction of the $75 million Chicopee Comprehensive High School, at the time the largest project in company history. That honor now goes to West Springfield High School at about $85 million. Its other projects include the 241,000-square-foot Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, East Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School, a 60,000-square foot residential hall for 158 students at the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, the University of Massachusetts recreation center in Amherst, the renovated and expanded Holyoke Public Library and the John Olver Transit Center in Greenfield that was constructed as a zero net energy building. Adapting to society's building needs requires "keeping an eye on the market and maintaining a relationship with clients, owners and architects," Fontaine said. Skilled tradespeople, project managers and construction professionals who are versatile and can work in a variety of arenas are essential in the building business, he said. Fontaine Brothers employs about 150 full-time workers, and one of its current main markets is the education market. For more information, go to fontainebros.com. SPRINGFIELD With one gaming facility already open in Massachusetts and the MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett facilities moving through the construction process, 2016 will be another significant year for casinos in the Bay State. Here in the Pioneer Valley, there are just two years until MGM Springfield is expected to open its $950 million gaming facility to patrons, and the company is moving quickly through demolition in the South End. In early January, JDC Demolitioin Co., Inc. of Boston demolished the former Zanetti School, and cleared part of the block between Howard and Bliss streets. And although the school is no more, a large brownstone sign engraved with the words "The Howard Street School 1905" was removed and preserved. City councilors, who recently approved a casino overlay district allowing MGM to move forward with demolition and some construction work, must still approve proposed changes to the project's design, including plans to replace a 25-story hotel tower with a six-story structure and an overall reduction in square footage. MGM also plans to begin constructing the foundation of the project's parking garage in early 2016. Under MGM's updated design proposal, the structure will include 3,375 garage and 86 surface spaces. MGM Springfield officials recently showed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission renderings of a proposed sign across from I-91 and some street-level drawings, including this artist rendering. While a date has yet to be announced, MGM Springfield is expected to open a new office located at 1182 Main St. in the new year, to make members of its team available to the public and give them a presence in the area the company will dominate after the 2018 opening. Meanwhile in Connecticut, MGM Resorts International remains locked in a court battle disputing the validity of that state's new casino law allowing for a third, joint-tribal owned casino to compete with MGM. MGM's lawsuit alleges that the state's gaming act, signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy in June, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Connecticut has state stuck to its argument that because its new gaming act requires another legislative vote to authorize construction of a casino, the special attention given to the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot Tribes -- which included authorizing those tribes to form a joint company to explore casino development -- did not give MGM standing to sue. The case is still pending with a decision and selection of a site and business partner for a third Connecticut casino, expected sometime in 2016. The MGM project has been promised to create a minimum of 2,000 construction jobs and once open, hire at least 3,000 workers, of which at least 2,200 will be employed on a full-time equivalent basis with benefits. This artist's rendering released Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by Wynn Resorts shows a proposed resort casino on the banks of the Mystic River in Everett, Mass. Las Vegas casino operator Steve Wynn is proposing the complex on 37 acres of land at the site of a former chemical plant. (AP Photo/Wynn Resorts) In the eastern part of the state, Wynn Resorts has chosen Suffolk Construction Company as its general contractor for the planned $1.7 billion resort casino in Everett. The project, spanning 3 million square feet, is expected to generate 4,000 jobs and 10 million total work hours, according to the company. The casino is also slated to open in 2018, the same year MGM Springfield, and feature 600 hotel rooms and views of the Boston skyline and the Mystic River. The Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Ma. opened in June 2015 with a ribbon cutting ceremony, as the first casino to open in the state. (Don Treeger / The Republican) Plainridge Park Casino, the Penn National Gaming slots parlor that opened in June 2015, has seen decreasing revenue since 10,000 people walked through its doors on opening night. The slots parlor pulled in $11.3 million in revenue in December, down from $11.9 million in November, and $12.87 million in October. The slots parlor is expected to bring in $200 million in its first full year, leading to $98 million in revenue for the state- a 49 percent collection, according to the Mass. Gaming Commission. So far, state coffers have received more than $43 million in taxes and other fees from Plainridge. "This would be one of the biggest economic events to hit the state in three decades." Centerpiece of Obamas effort to fight climate change in limbo as Supreme Court temporarily halts Clean Power Plan The power plant and mine at Colstrip are 530 miles from the Flathead Valley. And while many in Northwest Montana rarely give second thought to the coal-fired plant in the other corner of the state, its closure could have widespread impacts across Big Sky Country. That was the message Patrick Barkey, director of the University of Montanas Bureau of Business and Economic Research, presented at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerces monthly luncheon during a presentation about the possible impacts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Power Plan. "This would be one of the biggest economic events to hit the state in three decades," Barkey said at the Kalispell luncheon on Feb. 11. By Justin Franz Full Story: http://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/02/14/economist-clean-power-plan-could-have-major-impacts-on-state-economy/ *** Did the Supreme Court Doom the Paris Climate Change Deal? The high court has never before issued a stay on a set of regulations before their initial review by a federal appeals court. http://www.matr.net/article-70229.html Aucun joueur na trouve la combinaison gagnante pour ce 788e tirage. Le roll-over sappliquant, le prochain jackpot du mercredi 16 fevrier 2022 passe donc a approximativement Rs 10 millions. Les numeros gagnants de ce tirage du 12 fevrier 2022 sont : 06-12-13-15-16-28 Le tirage numero 788 a fait 35,256 gagnants qui se partagent la somme de Rs 4,725,950 6 Bons numeros : Aucun gagnant 5 Bons numeros : 58 gagnants qui remportent la somme de Rs 8,175 chacun 4 Bons numeros : 2440 gagnants qui remportent la somme de Rs 400 chacun 3 Bons numeros : 32758 gagnants qui remportent la somme de Rs 100 chacun Totale de vente realisee a la fermeture du jeu du 788e tirage sous la supervision de la GRA: Rs 18,936,340 Montant roll over pour le 788e tirage sous la supervision de la GRA: Rs 6,294,857.48 Montant collecte par Lottotech pour le compte du Consolidated Fund of Mauritius sous la supervision de la GRA pour le 788e tirage: Rs 4,599,144.64 Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires On February 4, 2016, Saudi Gen. Ahmed Al-'Asiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab Coalition and advisor to the Saudi defense minister, announced that his country was willing to participate in any ground operation against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, as part of the U.S.-led international counterterrorism coalition. The following day, CNN cited "two Saudi sources intimately familiar with the military training programs drawn up by Saudi Arabia as part of its preparation to combat ISIS in Syria" as saying that some 150,000 soldiers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, and Jordan are currently being trained in Saudi Arabia to carry out this mission.[1] These statements and reports come on the heels of recent successes by the Syrian regime and its allies in capturing widespread territory in the northern Aleppo region, in Al-Latakia, and in Deraa from the rebels, as well as its march on the Turkish border in order to complete its siege of Aleppo. This is in addition to the collapse of the Geneva peace talks between the regime and the opposition. The Syrian regime's reaction to the Saudi announcement and to these reports consisted primarily of threats and mockery. Syrian regime officials did not dismiss the statements, and warned the Saudis that any ground incursion without the regime's consent would be seen as aggression and be met with a harsh response from the regime and its allies, who would send the foreign fighters home in coffins. On the other hand, some called the reports a joke, arguing that the Saudis were too cowardly to launch a ground assault; they added that such talk was aimed primarily at boosting the morale of the rebels and obscuring the successes of the regime's military. Regime spokesmen and its media mouthpieces stressed that the U.S. had the final say in a Turkish-Saudi decision to go ahead with a ground operation in Syria, and that it would be held responsible for such a move. Officials and the pro-government media were, however, divided on whether the U.S. would actually greenlight such an operation. This report will review the various reactions by Syrian regime officials, headed by President Assad, as well as by pro-regime Syrian writers, to the Saudi announcement of its willingness to dispatch ground troops to Syria. Saudi Gen. Ahmed Al-'Asiri (Image: English.aawsat.com) President Assad: Saudi Ground Operation In Syria Will Not Be A Cakewalk And Will Encounter Resistance Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said that he did not rule out the possibility of a Saudi ground operation in Syria, but warned that any such action would trigger a Syrian response. Interviewed by AFP, he said: "Logically, intervention is not possible, but sometimes reality is at odds with logic, particularly when there are irrational people leading a certain state. That's why I don't rule [the possibility] out... The same applies to Saudi Arabia. The collapse of the terrorists in Syria is a collapse of their [the Saudis'] policies. I tell you that this process is surely not going to be easy for them, and we will certainly confront it."[2] Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad (Image: Syrianews.cc) Foreign Minister: U.S. Behind Idea Of Ground Intervention In Syria; We Will Oppose Any Such Intervention And Send Aggressors Home In Coffins Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Mu'allem took the reports of the Saudi announcement seriously, and said that it was the U.S. that was behind the idea of a Saudi-Turkish ground intervention in Syria. At a February 6, 2016 press conference, he called the idea illogical, threatened that any intervention without the consent of the Syrian government would be considered aggression, and added that anyone taking part in such aggression would return in a coffin. He said: "These [Saudi] statements have a basis. Over a month ago, American think tanks [spoke of this], and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter called for establishing a ground force, under the slogan of fighting ISIS - because the U.S. does not want to cooperate with the Syrian army, which is fighting the terrorist organization. It is natural for Saudi Arabia to answer this call... But what has Saudi Arabia done in Yemen? Was it successful? It destroyed it, bombing every target two or three times, and leaving nothing standing. Did the Yemenis surrender? This decision [announcing an imminent ground incursion] undoubtedly indicates that Saudi Arabia is fulfilling the American desire... "The visits to Riyadh by [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, and later by his prime minister [Ahmet Davutoglu] and his army chief of staff, indicate that something is brewing with U.S. sponsorship... Any ground intervention on Syrian soil without the consent of the Syrian government constitutes aggression - and aggression must be resisted; resistance is mandatory for all Syrian citizens... Any aggressor will return to his country in a wooden box... We are full of eagerness [to uphold] Syrian sovereignty, the integrity of [Syrian] lands, and its independence, and to purge it of the stain of terrorism. We will send back anyone who attacks Syria in wooden boxes, whether [he is] Turkish, Saudi, or otherwise. We are a sovereign country, and we will resist any attempt to damage our sovereignty..."[3] Walid Al-Mu'allem (Image: SANA News Agency, Syria, February 6, 2016) Syrian Information Minister 'Omran Al-Zoubi told Reuters: "Even thinking about this is a big adventure and gamble, the results of which I don't believe Saudi [Arabia] can bear, neither for its army or its internal situation."[4] Advisor To President Assad: Syria And Its Allies Have Options For Responding; This Is A Failed Attempt At "Boosting The Morale Of The Terrorists" Some Syrian officials threatened that Syria would respond harshly, while at the same time arguing that the Saudi statements were empty. President Assad's political and media advisor Bouthaina Sha'aban told Iran's Al-'Alam TV on February 9, 2016, "We do not fear the dispatch of Arab forces to Syria," and added that "[all] options are open to Damascus and its allies to resist this intervention." She also claimed that "the talk of dispatching Saudi forces to Syria was aimed [solely] at boosting the morale of the terrorists and to fool people into thinking that it is they [i.e. the Saudis] who have the power..." She continued: "The dissemination of these intimidating statements, whether by Saudi Arabia or by Turkey, is meant to partially obscure the victories of the Syrian army, following the abject defeats suffered by the terrorists on the ground and following the failure at Geneva."[5] Bouthaina Sha'aban (Image: Alalam.ir, February 9, 2016) Similar statements were made by Bashar Al-Ja'afari, Syrian representative to the UN and head of the Syrian delegation to the Geneva talks. In a February 9 interview with Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV, he warned that the Syrian response to any incursion would be harsh, but downplayed the Saudi statements, stating that at this time the U.S. had not approved such an operation and that therefore they were "empty words." Ja'afari said: "The [recent] statements by the Saudis were preceded some time ago by a statement by their representative to the [UN] Security Council, who threatened that Saudi Arabia sought to do in Syria what it had done in Yemen. At that time, we replied that these were the statements of a political amateur, and of people who do not understand the meaning of their words... Let them first defeat the resistance against the Saudi occupier in Yemen; then they can turn to dealing with Syria, and we will deal with them as they deserve... "They [are acting] as if they are afflicted with idiocy, or with early-stage Alzheimer's; they think that entering or confronting Syria is a walk in the park. Someone needs to remind them that we have waged lengthy wars with Israel, and that our army, leadership, government, and people are strong... "The Saudi and Qatari madness is well known, and the madness of Erdogan may be even worse than that of the Saudis. But when they are united and placed in the service of the main puppeteer - the American master - this kind of tripartite insanity cannot set forth on adventures in the region against Syria without a green light from the U.S., and there is currently no [such green light]. Therefore, the Saudi statements are empty words and fantasies that will sooner or later boomerang on them. Syria is not a walk in the park, not for the Saudis nor for anyone else."[6] Bashar Al-Ja'afari (Image: SANA News Agency, Syria, February 10, 2016) Writers In Regime Dailies: Saudi Statement On Dispatching Ground Forces To Syria Is A Joke Basma Hamed, a columnist for the daily Al-Watan, which is close to the regime, wrote that the Syrian regime and its allies consider the Saudi announcement of its willingness to send ground troops to be a joke. She warned that even if Saudi Arabia did end up doing so, it would be unable to change the situation on the ground in favor of the rebels, and would be met with a direct response of the Syrian regime and its allies, chiefly Russia, who would consider it a violation of international law. She wrote: "The Saudi threats of a ground incursion into Syria, which comes at the same time as a Turkish military buildup on the border... is not taken seriously by the Moscow axis, and is treated as a pure political joke... "In truth, the Saudis' next move is hard to anticipate, but the possibility that the Saudis and Turks would dare make a stupid new move must not be dismissed, in light of news leaked by CNN regarding the training of a 150,000-strong multinational force by the Saudi regime for the purpose of a ground incursion into Syria. "However, these two allies' chance of bringing about a change that will be in their favor is practically nil, because of the swift advances of the Syrian army and its allies, and their imminent liberation of Aleppo... The entry of any ground force [into Syria] without the consent of the Syrian side will be seen by Moscow as a violation of international law and of state sovereignty, and would necessarily encounter a direct response by Damascus' allies..."[7] Similarly, 'Izzat Shitawi, a columnist for the daily Al-Thawra, also close to the regime, wrote: "[The possibility] that Saudi Arabia will invade Syria under the banner of the fight against terrorism is a joke... Iran has said [this], and we, as Syrians, have said even more: Today, our steadfast position and battles have changed the outlook of the occupants of the White House. Washington threatened to deliver a military blow [to Syria] and ran away;[8] how, then, can this Saudi Bedouin [King Salman], who is caught between his quagmire in Yemen and his involvement in supporting the caliph [ISIS leader Al-Baghdadi] and the Emir of Jabhat Al-Nusra, [dare] to loudly proclaim a ground invasion of Syria, when he has sunk so low that his current political bankruptcy crises and his future economic bankruptcy [threaten] to dethrone him [?]..."[9] 'Al-Thawra' Columnist: The Saudis Are Cowards Who Will Never Send Ground Troops To Syria Muhriz Al-'Ali, also an Al-Thawra columnist, questioned the "cowardly" Saudis' determination to make good on their threats: "The Saudis have failed to actualize their illusions and to topple the Syrian regime by means of spreading terrorism and aiding the takfiri organizations, supplying all the means of killing and destruction that they require. As a result, they are now hysterical and hesitant regarding their policy and responses. While they have stated that they are willing to intervene militarily in Syria to compensate for their losses on the ground, this pushes them to the edge of the abyss; this aggressive trend will be enough to toss their political future into the dustbin of history. This is because they have neither brains nor wisdom, and because their judgment vis-a-vis developments in the region is faulty... "The Saudis are too cowardly to make good on their empty threats, and if they [eventually do] carry out such a foolish [act], they will be pounding yet another nail in the coffin of their crumbling kingdom, thus ridding the world of their evil and terrorism."[10] 'Al-Watan' Daily: Saudi Offer Will Not Receive The West's Blessing And Will Encounter Many Obstacles An article in the daily Al-Watan, also close to the regime, doubted that the Saudi offer to dispatch ground troops to Syria would be welcomed by the West. It stated: "It does not appear that the plan to dispatch ground forces from countries in the 'Islamic military antiterrorism coalition' - the plan that Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Emir Muhammad bin Salman intends to present to the international coalition to combat ISIS in the coming days - will receive the support of all Saudi Arabia's allies. It will likely encounter many obstacles, the main one being the deep crisis of confidence in the Turkish-Saudi-U.S. triangle." The article added that this crisis of confidence is rooted in the fact that the U.S. uses the forces of Turkey's rivals, the Kurds, to fight ISIS, and also in reservations within the Gulf Cooperation Council about a Turkish role.[11] Columnists: The U.S. Holds All The Keys Foreign Minister Mu'allem's argument that the U.S. was behind the Saudi announcement was also expressed in articles in the pro-regime official press. Al-Watan columnist Firas 'Aziz Dib stated that the Saudis had made the announcement about sending ground troops to Syria only after it consulted with the U.S., and that only the U.S. had the power to stop it. This initiative would not be welcome in the West, he wrote, but added that if it did indeed come to pass, the Syrian regime's response would be harsh indeed: "...Those who think that Saudi Arabia's call was impulsive or done without consulting the U.S. are mistaken. What we can say for now is that this move... was certainly not made with the knowledge of the other NATO countries... In principle, we agree that if such forces are dispatched, it would certainly be without consulting or coordinating with the Syrian government. Therefore, any such intervention, if it happens, will be illegitimate, and the Syrian leadership will then be entitled to take all steps to respond to such aggression... "Al-Mu'allem spoke yesterday on 'resisting aggression.' Some speak of 'the means of Syrian response' to such aggression, especially since the strategic weapon in which the Syrians take pride - missiles - have not been harmed like other aerial defense means. Will the Saudis or the Turks be capable of withstanding the repercussions of such events and responses? ... "We must recognize that the U.S. currently holds all the keys. It will either stop this madness or declare its support for it and its participation in events. Then it can either march towards all-out world war - or it may be [a mere] formality, connected to agreements with the Russians, and limited to fighting ISIS..."[12] Al-Thawra columnist Nasser Mundhir explained that if Saudi Arabia and Turkey did dispatch ground troops to Syria, they would do so in accordance with American and Western guidelines: "The withdrawal of terrorist organizations - which are considered bargaining chips for negotiations by the aggressive camp - on several fronts, especially in northern Syria, cause this alignment to lean towards escalation, and to consider new military gambles that have already caused losses for the leaders of the aggression when they attempted similar gambles in the past. "However, the terrorist urges of Erdogan and his colleagues in the Saudi regime and the Qatari emirate could motivate this criminal trio to carry out additional foolish [acts] to protect their terrorism on the ground, while obeying American and Western orders - such as the current talk of Turkish preparation for military intervention in Syria, and the Saudi talk of their willingness to also participate in a ground operation on the pretext of fighting ISIS..."[13] Endnotes: In recent days, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russian media outlets warned that, if Turkey and/or Arab states send ground troops into Syria, the conflict may escalate into a regional war or even a new world war. In a February 11, 2016 interview with the German paper Handelsblatt, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that if Arab countries sent ground forces into Syria, this could spark a new world war.[1] According to an English report about the interview published on February 12, he said that OCall ground operations, as a rule, lead to permanent wars," and added: "The Americans must consider - both the U.S. president and our Arab partners - whether or not they want a permanent war... We must make everyone sit down at the negotiating tableOC rather than start yet another world war.OC[2] Image: Government.ru, February 11, 2016 The Russian RBC news agency reported that, at the February 13, 2016 Munich Security Conference, Medvedev stated that the world has slid into a new cold war, when it actually needs cooperation, not confrontation and a "third world shake-up." [3] The Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda quoted military expert Mikhail Timoshenko as saying that, if Turkey and Saudi Arabia invaded Syria, "it would not be an easy situation for the Russian aviation group." He explained: "It's one thing to bomb terrorist groups, [but] Moscow could hardly target American or British troops, or the Turkish or Saudi armies. That would effectively mean a third world war." Timoshenko expressed hope that "the U.S. will prevent Turkey from invading, because [U.S.] President Obama hardly wants to be remembered as the leader who started World War III."[4] In an article on the Russian online paper Gazeta.ru, journalist Igor Kryuchkov quoted Dmitry Danilov, head of the European Security Department at the Europe Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as saying: "If, under the pressure of [Syrian] government troops, Syrian rebels move from the Aleppo area towards the Turkish border, this will require quick decisions from Turkey. First, what to do about the rebels. Support them with [Turkish] army forces? [Second,] if an invasion [is in order, should it be] carried out with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states?..." Kryuchkov concluded that "Turkey has to find the answers to these questions very soon. The situation in the Aleppo area can provoke Turkey to nervous action that can turn the Syrian crisis from a local conflict into a regional war."[5] Endnotes: [1] Handelsblatt.com, February 11, 2016. The Ann Arbor News reports that the restrictions include indoor and outdoor use. It also applies to all students, faculty, staff, guests and visitors. The ban was announced in an email to staff. It does not apply to labs or designated research areas. The school is in the process of building a netted, outdoor facility for drone research and educational uses. Officials wrote in the email that "drones can interfere with the air-medical transport helicopters that regularly land" at the university's medical center. School spokesman Rick Fitzgerald confirmed to the newspaper that an unauthorized drone landed last year near the health system helipad. "If water is distributed from this plant in the next couple weeks, it will be against my direction," Mike Glasgow wrote to officials with the state Department of Environmental Quality on April 17, 2014, when he was the plant's laboratory and water quality supervisor. He is now the city utilities administrator. "I need time to adequately train additional staff and to update our monitoring plans before I will feel we are ready," he wrote. "I will reiterate this to management above me, but they seem to have their own agenda." The city made the switch to the Flint River eight days later, marking the occasion with a ceremony April 25. Flint had long relied on treated Lake Huron water from Detroit's system, but turned to the river as a temporary measure to save money when the city was under emergency financial management. Officials planned eventually to get Lake Huron water from a new pipeline. Flint did not use an anti-corrosion chemical treatment as Detroit had done, which officials acknowledge was a drastic failure that enabled the corrosive river water to scrape lead from aging pipes and taint water that reached some homes. Even before the lead problem was discovered, residents complained repeatedly that their water had become smelly, bad-tasting and discolored. Gov. Rick Snyder's office, accused by critics of mishandling and downplaying the crisis for months, released about 20,000 related emails and records Friday in response to open-records requests. The emails came from several state departments, including Environmental Quality; Technology, Management and Budget; Health and Human Services; Agriculture and Rural Development; and Treasury. Among them were two messages to DEQ officials from Glasgow saying he was under pressure to get the Flint River flow going. He did not return messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. On April 16, 2014, Glasgow asked Adam Rosenthal of DEQ's Office of Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance about changes in water quality monitoring and testing procedures that might be required because of the switchover. "Any information would be greatly appreciated, because it looks as if we will be starting the plant up tomorrow and are being pushed to start distributing water as soon as possible," Glasgow wrote. Rosenthal responded by sending an updated schedule for the city. The next day, Glasgow wrote that in view of the monitoring requirements and his available staffing, "I do not anticipate giving the OK to begin sending water out anytime soon." Rosenthal and DEQ official Mike Prysby, who also received Glasgow's emails, did not return messages seeking comment. Glasgow wasn't the only person with complaints about the fast pace as Flint's switchover approached. In an email sent March 18, 2014, Michigan Treasury Department official Eric Cline recommended approval of a $676,000 contract for an upgrade to Flint's water plant. There was no other bid, he said, which ordinarily would raise concerns. But he noted the city had "a very aggressive timeline in order to meet an April completion date before losing service" from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. In a March 13 memo prepared by water plant supervisor Brent Wright, the city asked that its request be expedited to meet the "aggressive timeline." The request was made by an assistant to then-emergency manager Darnell Earley and then-Mayor Dayne Walling. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is scheduled to fly to Havana on Tuesday to cement the deal. Barring other major announcements, it would be the most significant development in U.S.-Cuba trade since Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced in late 2014 that they would begin normalizing ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition. The Obama administration is eager to make rapid progress on building trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba before the president leaves office. The coming weeks are seen as particularly crucial to building momentum ahead of a trip he hopes to make to Havana by the end of March. "This (agreement) provides for a very important, sizeable increase in travel between the two countries, and that reinforces the president's objective" of building ties, said Thomas Engle, deputy assistant secretary of state for transportation affairs. Under the deal U.S. airlines can start bidding on routes for as many as 110 U.S.-Cuba flights a day more than five times the current number. All flights operating today are charters. Officials hope to parcel the routes out among carriers by this summer, allowing flights to begin by the time Obama leaves office. The agreement allows 20 regular daily U.S. flights to Havana, in addition to the current 10-15 charter flights a day. The rest would be to other Cuban airports, most of which have far less demand than the capital. Nearly 160,000 U.S. leisure travelers flew to Cuba last year, along with hundreds of thousands of Cuban-Americans visiting family, mostly on expensive, frequently chaotic charter flights out of Florida. Commercial flights could bring hundreds of thousands more U.S. travelers a year and make the travel process far easier, with features like online booking and 24-hour customer service that are largely absent in the charter industry. U.S. visitors to Cuba will still have to qualify under one of the travel categories legally authorized by the U.S. government. Tourism is still barred by law, but the number of legal reasons to go to Cuba from organizing professional meetings to distributing information to Cubans has grown so large and loosely enforced that the distinction from tourism has blurred significantly. Commercial travel will give travelers the ability to simply check an online box on a long list of authorized categories. The deal does not contemplate flights by Cuba's national airline to the United States, where lawyers for families and businesses that have sued Havana over decades-old property confiscations are eager to freeze any of its assets that they can get their hands on. Tuesday's announcement will open a 15-day window for U.S. airlines to request rights to the new Cuba routes. U.S. carriers would then have to strike deals with Cuban aviation officials, a process the U.S. hopes will be complete by the fall. "They have already had numerous trips and conversations to grease the skids for when this becomes a possibility," said Brandon Belford, the Transportation Department's deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs. A number of U.S. carriers said they would bid on Cuba flights, in many cases without revealing the specific routes they are after. American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the company plans to bid on routes from Miami and other unspecified "American hubs." The carrier has been operating U.S.-Cuba charter flights since April 1991, the longest of any U.S. airline, and currently offers 22 weekly flights out of Miami to Havana, Camaguey, Cienfuegos, Holguin and Santa Clara. American also flies from Tampa to Havana and Holguin, and between Los Angeles and Havana. United Airlines is also looking to serve Havana from some of its hubs, spokesman Luke Punzenberger said. The carrier's major hubs include Chicago, Houston, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. It currently does not fly charters to Cuba. JetBlue Airways said it was eager to offer service between "multiple" cities in the United States and the island, with spokesman Doug McGraw saying that "interest in Cuba has reached levels not seen for a generation." The carrier currently flies charters to various Cuban destinations out of New York, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Discount carrier Spirit Airlines spokesman Paul Berry said it, too, plans to submit a proposal. Spirit's largest operation is out of Fort Lauderdale, accounting for 15 percent of its flights. Southwest Airlines also expressed interest in serving Cuba. Delta Air Lines spokesman Anthony Black said the carrier plans to at least apply for flights from its Atlanta hub to Havana. Air Force Gets Its Own Combat Dive Badge After Using the Navy's for Years Air Force officials said there is a notable distinction between Navy divers and their divers, which was a key reason for... Share Pin Email Reddit WhatsApp 16 Shares The globally celebrated annual idea conference TED2016 comes to Vancouver (February 14-19) with a call to worlds innovators to DREAM. Wines of Chile will be onsite to spark discourse about Chiles own dream for sustainability and diversity in the wine industry, and I am honoured to be their social media ambassador in attendance. Wines of Chile will invite TED2016 attendees to consider how sustainability, if practiced on a global scale, could positively impact planet Earth. Wines of Chile at TED2016 in Vancouver A series of interactive workshops and dedicated wine events will be hosted by Wines of Chile throughout the conference to share the best practices in winemaking, including behind the scenes details on the sustainable certification process and hands-on learning. Ten Chilean wineries will present wines, soil and barrel samples, and varieties for a tasting and education station led by wine experts from Chile. An Education Station will be presented by Wines of Chile with three parts: Framework exploring the rigorous processes each winery must go through in order to become certified sustainable in Chile; Groundwork discovering first- hand the tapestry of soils that give Chile its winemaking diversity; and Craftsmanship learning the art of the blend by becoming winemakers and blending barrel samples to taste and compare against top winemakers blends. The Education Station invites attendees to learn why worldwide sustainable winemaking would truly be a dream and how the code used in Chile could be used as a model for other regions. The hands-on experience will share with attendees the new heights which Chilean winemakers are going to in order to perfect their wines, and will immerse participants in terroir, dream soils which nurture different grape varieties, and the alchemy of winemaking experience firsthand the taste, aroma and texture that different grapes yield when well blended. Creativity and innovation are revolutionizing Chiles wines, and propelled Wines of Chile to join TED2016. TED, a leader in revolutionary ideas, mirrors our vision of how to evolve, says Wines of Chile Managing Director Claudio Cilveti. Chile shares TEDs vision of leading with impactful ideas and will bring the culture of wine as a point of discussion to the TED conference. Everything happens very quickly in our world today and one cannot just wait and follow others lead. The future is upon us, and Wines of Chile is excited to engage the TED conference in a dialogue about the future of wine. How to Follow Along I will be providing updates on the Wines of Chile accounts, heres how you can follow: On Twitter: @drinkChile with the tags #WinesWorthSharing and #ThinkTedDrinkChile On Facebook: Wines of Chile On Instagram: @DrinkChile with the tags #WinesWorthSharing and #ThinkTedDrinkChile The official tag for following TED Talks in Vancouver is #TED2016. Fighting income inequality. Getting big money out of politics. Reforming Wall Street. Making college affordable. Health care for all. Those are some of the many reasons Ann Arbor area Democrats said on Saturday they're supporting Bernie Sanders for president. About 60 people were on hand for the opening of an Ann Arbor area office for the Sanders campaign at 4072 Packard Road. Campaign staffers and volunteers plan to mobilize and work the phones over the next month to get out the vote for Sanders in the March 8 primary in Michigan. Pittsfield Township resident Chris Russo handed out "Feel the Bern" and "Bern Baby Bern" bracelets to those who came through the doors on Saturday. She's been making the beaded bracelets since last summer and estimates she's given out more than 1,000 of them by now. "They serve as a wonderful introduction," she said, adding she and her husband have been using them to recruit support for Sanders. "It's probably the most important thing I remember doing in my lifetime," she said of her work for the Sanders campaign. "At pushing 68, I've never gotten involved. I've worked as an election official for 25 years, but I've never gotten actively involved in a candidate until Bernie, and he just makes sense. He's talking about caring for our fellow man. And you can call it socialism, I call it common sense." Sanders is scheduled to speak at a campaign rally at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center in Ypsilanti on Monday afternoon. Here's how you can see Bernie Sanders speak in Michigan on Monday Sanders is competing against Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley and Rocky De La Fuente in the March 8 Democratic primary here. Four speakers announced their personal endorsements of Sanders during Saturday's office opening celebration. That included Mike Henry, Ann Arbor Democratic Party chairman; Ian Robinson, Huron Valley Central Labor Council president; Ann Arbor school board member Simone Lightfoot; and Monica Ross-Williams, an Ypsilanti Township parks commissioner. They were offering individual endorsements and not endorsements on behalf of their organizations, though Henry noted the Ann Arbor Democratic Party conducted a poll in October and 77 percent of the party's members who were present supported Sanders, while 11 percent supported Clinton. Henry encouraged Sanders supporters not to attack Clinton, saying she's worthy of their respect, but he also told them not to let attacks on Sanders for being a socialist go unchallenged. Henry noted Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are all socialist programs in the U.S. He said Sanders is just speaking truth about what the country needs and what kind of safety net citizens need. "Also, when people say, 'Oh, well, I don't know if Bernie can win, I don't know if he has experience' -- I mean, he's got decades of experience in politics. Decades," Henry said. "And the fact is that his favorability ratings are higher than Secretary Clinton. All of the polls show, against every Republican out there, he does better than Secretary Clinton, so make sure people know that." Robinson, a University of Michigan faculty member and labor activist, said he's strongly supporting Sanders for a number of reasons, including his focus on the growing inequality and poverty in the United States, and the shrinking of the middle class. He said Sanders is getting at the root of the problem. "I think Bernie is really nailing the underlying causes," he said. "And if you're going to address the problem, you really need to know the underlying causes. And the more he's in this campaign, the longer the campaign goes on, the more Americans are going to hear. That's very valuable, whether he wins or loses, frankly." Robinson said a lot of people seem to be convinced it's impossible to win a presidential race without a huge amount of money from big business or rich individual donors. He hopes Sanders can prove that theory wrong. "Bernie is going to put that to the test, and that's hugely important," he said, expressing hopes that Sanders' campaign can help build a movement. Ross-Williams said she got up to speak on Saturday because she wanted to dispel some myths. "No firewall exists between Bernie Sanders and the African American community and the African American vote," she said, drawing applause. "When Bernie talks about things like NAFTA -- it devastated my community, which is Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township," she said. "We do not have the jobs that are needed for our children that can give them the $15 to $20 an hour they need in order to be able to take care of themselves and their families coming up. Those jobs used to exist in our community. We need them back." Clinton and Sanders will come to Flint for a debate March 6 as the city remains in the midst of an ongoing water crisis. Ryan Stanton covers the city beat for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com. The Bay City Public Safety Department could switch its fleet from the Chevrolet Tahoe (top) to the new Ford Explorer police vehicle. BAY CITY, MI -- Expect a battle about brand loyalty at Bay City Hall Monday night. Pointing to a nearly 33-year-old resolution that says the Bay City Commission must purchase General Motors vehicles, city staff is reluctantly recommending the commission approve the purchase of four new Chevrolet Tahoes for the Public Safety Department, even though the patrol vehicles cost nearly $37,000 more than previously recommended Ford Explorers. Bay City Manager Rick Finn said he learned of the May 1983 resolution earlier this month that he interprets as saying the city must purchase GM products for all vehicles under 6,000 pounds. Last month, he recommended the City Commission purchase four Ford Explorers to replace the department's aging Chevrolet Tahoes, all of which have more than 100,000 miles and are more than 5 years old. Finn's now hoping the City Commission will amend or rescind the resolution and opt for the cost savings by purchasing the Ford Explorers. "The city is not in the best fiscal condition right now," he said. "People support both brands, GM and Ford, but this is a significant amount of money we're talking about. If it was a few thousands dollars, I'd say let's stick with the Chevys, but $37,000 is a lot of money. The Ford is the wiser decision." A vote takes place at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at City Hall, 301 N. Washington Ave. Not all commissioners are in agreement with Finn. Commissioner Ed Clements, 8th Ward, said by purchasing Fords, the city would be "turning its back on its largest taxpayer," referring to GM, which has operated a plant in Bay City for nearly 100 years. "I'm a firm believer that if we want to have a strong city, we need to invest in ourself," said Clements, who owns two Chevrolet vehicles. "If we don't support our local manufacturers, then we set a bad example. "$37,000 sounds like a lot of money when you talk about this whole thing of being fiscally responsible, but is $37,000 worth it over the course of time? This community needs to support its largest taxpayer." While both vehicles are "Pursuit Certified," the recommendation isn't entirely an apples to apples purchase, although city and police officials have said both vehicles are suitable for officers. The city is recommending to purchase two, two-wheel drive Tahoes and two, four-wheel drive Tahoes. If the commission opts for Ford, they would purchase four, four-wheel drive units. The Tahoes have a 5.3-liter Ecotec V-8 engine, while the Explorers carry a 3.7-liter Flex Fuel V-6. The city was quoted the following breakdown for the vehicles: * 2 Chevrolet Tahoes 2WD: $35,762 each; Total: $71,524 * 2 Chevrolet Tahoes 4WD: $38,522 each; Total: $77,044 * Total price for Tahoes: $148,468 * 4 Ford Explorers 4WD: $27,546 each * Total price for Explorers: $110,184 It would cost an additional $53,576 to equip the Tahoes with police equipment, such as sirens, lighting and an interior cage, according to a bid from Brighton-based Cruisers Inc. The equipment cost for the Explorer is slightly higher at $55,396. Funds for the purchase are appropriated in the city's Motor Equipment Revolving Fund. The equipment costs are paid for using city drug forfeiture funds. Commission President Andrew Niedzinski, 3rd Ward, says commissioners should only be representing the taxpayers -- not a car brand. "The cheaper option is what we should be doing," he said. "These are both American-made cars, but the Ford is saving us money." Commissioners Lynn Stamiris, 1st Ward, and Brentt Brunner, 4th Ward, is also in favor of going with Ford. "We are a GM town, and brand loyalty and fiscal responsibility are two very strong points," Brunner said. "At times, though, they can be very conflicting points as well. It's a hard decision, but we need to be fiscally responsible." Commissioners Jim Irving, 5th Ward, and John Davidson, 6th Ward, say they're undecided at this point. "I would prefer GM since it's in our hometown, but I want to know more, still," Irving said. "My initial thought is to go with GM if it's possible," Davidson said. "In the future, I'd like to see how we can get the cost down on future purchases of GM products." Commissioner David Terrasi, 2nd Ward, has said he's in favor of saving the city money by going with Ford, but is conflicted about his vote. His father, he said, is retired from the Ford Motor Co. and his family continues to receive profit sharing checks from the automaker. He also has received discounts on the Ford vehicles he has purchased. "I need to figure out if my vote would be considered a conflict of interest," he said. Commissioner Kerice Basmadjian, 7th Ward, was unable to be reached for comment. Commissioner Larry Elliott, 9th Ward, is also undecided on which vehicle to purchase, but said the 1983 resolution needs to be changed or rescinded. "That resolution doesn't factor in the budget," he said. "I can't see buying a GM product and spending all of this money without considering the budget because a resolution says so. "How much more do we spend on a GM product just because it's a GM product?" WARREN, MI - A U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal employee has been charged with child pornography offenses since his boss looked through his desk and found CDs containing photographs of girls in various sexual poses, the FBI reports. Peter Blazejczyk was arrested on Friday, Feb. 12, and appeared the same day in U.S. District Court in Detroit, according to a statement from the FBI Detroit Field Office. The engineering chief at the U.S. Department of Defense facility in Warren discovered four CDs in the desk drawers a month after Blazejczyk was placed on administrative leave for misusing his government laptop, according to an affidavit signed by Special Agent Danielle Christenson. He reviewed the contents of one disc, labeled "unclassified family pics 11/20/13" and observed pictures of girls aged 4 to 10. Some of the girls were clothed. Some were nude, according to the document. In one picture, a 6- to 8-year-old girl is shown blowing a kiss at the camera. A folder contained about 118 images that "depicted the lascivious exhibition of the genitals of minor females... engaged in sex acts," the affidavit states. In some photos, Blazejcyzk's face is visible. At least four to six videos show a man masturbating to printed pornographic images, the affidavit states. To law enforcement, Blazejczyk admitted to sending and receiving child pornography and becoming sexually aroused, according to Christenson, assigned to the Detroit division, Macomb County Resident Agency in Clinton Township. An effort to contact Blazejczyk by phone Saturday was not successful. Blazejczyk first got into trouble in January when he alerted his boss about issues with his work laptop. His supervisor clicked on the "browse function" and found thumbnail pictures of Blazejczyk, including close-up images of his genitalia, according to the affidavit. Blazejczyk apologized for using his computer to store such photographs and conceded he sent them to other people using his work email, the affidavit states. He was placed on leave the same day. His boss contacted the FBI Wednesday, two days after he discovered the CDs. On Thursday, authorities conducted surveillance on Blazejczyk's address in Lapeer and obtained a federal search warrant for the home and the work computer and CDs. An investigation by the FBI Detroit Division and the Macomb County and Flint resident agencies is ongoing. The Detroit Arsenal is the only active military installation in the state. It employs mostly civilians and hosts the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, which is concerned with soldier and ground systems, and the Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center. WAYNE COUNTY, MI - Michigan State Police troopers on Saturday, Feb. 13, found almost 2,700 pills in two vehicles while making traffic stops on southbound I-75 in Wayne County. One vehicle contained a shopping bag with 2,131 pills of oxycodone, an opioid pain medication, and 317 other pill or medication varieties, including alprazolam, used to treat anxiety disorders, and hydrocodone, also an opioid painkiller, the state police reported. Another vehicle contained 251 oxycodone pills and about 6 grams of marijuana. Such pills are said to be directly related to a deadly heroin epidemic, and the stops are part of an ongoing effort to interdict prescription pills as they are transported between Michigan and other states. "It is an ongoing problem that we've seen for a while now," 1st Lt. Michael Shaw said. Heroin addicts commonly report their drug use began with prescription pills, which are more expensive and difficult to attain than heroin, and communities across the state have reported significant increases in heroin deaths. While it is not common to find so many pills in one vehicle, the team has been "very successful" in its work targeting these drugs, Shaw said. Both drivers were stopped by troopers specially assigned to a Hometown Security Team, which monitors criminal activity on highways in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties. They were pulled over for minor traffic infractions, improper lane use or failing to signal. Troopers found the shopping bag in a trunk after a police dog, Otto, gave a "positive indication" on the vehicle, the state police reported in a public information log. The driver with the smaller amount of pills admitted he was taking them to Columbus, Ohio, to sell them, according to the state police Both drivers and a passenger were arrested; the prosecutor's office will review the cases for potential charges. FLINT, MI -- A local organization held a community action gathering Saturday asking for a call to action in Flint's water crisis. The group called Flint Rising held the community action gathering on Saturday, Feb. 13 at St. Michael's Catholic Church near downtown Flint. Flint resident and community activist Desiree Duell was one of the speakers during Saturday's meeting. Duell said Flint Rising is a coalition of several other community groups. "We're here to build power and action among the people and get people involved in this movement because what broke this story was people using their power, their voice, but we need strength in numbers," Duell said. "That's what we really have and we're trying to get people to join the movement and really use their voice to move this along." Flint's water crisis is a long-term problem, Duell said, and she is hoping the meeting would spark others to want to get involved. "This is a long-term problem," Duell said. "This is not just water bottles. We need long-term solutions. This is the beginning of a movement to ensure that these things happen and we're not forgotten." Duell spoke to a room full of about 60 people about the demands the organization is making. The three demands are: Fix what you broke: Fully repay residents for what they've spent on water bills during the past two years, and immediately end charging for poisonous water. Start digging now: Immediately replace 100 percent of underground lead pipes with non-toxic pipes, up to and including pipes running into homes and businesses. Save lives: Provide systematic, door-to-door free health screenings (blood tests, physical exams) to every Flint resident immediately, and set up mobile health clinics to treat the effects of lead exposure. Duell said while there have been moves made to help residents, seeing those things come to fruition is frustrating. "It's extremely frustrating and that's why we continue to protest," Duell said. "We're not satisfied. There's a lot of good stories coming out about good things that are happening, but we're yet to see those things actually happen. Then we have water bottles coming in from all over, but those water bottles are not going to help us long-term." Environmental Protection Agency Community Involvement Coordinator Diane Russell also talked to the crowd about lead testing the federal agency is doing in the city. Russell said the EPA gave the organization printed materials for canvassers to hand out while going door-to-door. She said getting the word out on how to keep residents safe is important. "It's important to get through to folks the steps that they can do to protect themselves because we have unsafe water," Russell said. "So making sure they have all the information that they need that's clear so they can protect themselves knowing that they should clean out their aerator faucets weekly, knowing how to change a filter and how the filter operates, mainly making sure they're changing the cartridge frequently. Making sure that young babies are using only bottled water and that the safest choice for pregnant or breast feeding mothers and kids under 6-years of age is bottled water. So we want to make sure people are hearing that. I know there's a lot of information out there and when you don't have information for some period of time the gaps get filled in with misinformation." Following the meeting groups of canvassers went door-to-door around the city to hand out packets of information regarding health warnings, upcoming community action meetings, and EPA informational materials. FLINT, MI - A federal waiver has been sought by Gov. Rick Snyder to address lead exposure in Flint, including the allowance of Medicaid and health insurance for children up to 21 years old and pregnant women. Snyder sent the letter serving as a formal request on Saturday, Feb. 13 to Victoria Wachino, director of the Center for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, Services, as a request for the waiver. "We appreciate the assistance both you and your colleagues at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have already provided, and look forward to working together to achieve our mutual goal of improving the health and well-being of Michigan's citizens," he said in the letter. The expanded Medicaid and CHIP eligibility would include about 15,000 residents up to 21 who are served by the city's water system or were served by the system "between April 2014 and and the date on which the Flint water system is deemed safe by the appropriate authorities," reads the waiver request. "We announced our intentions previously, and have been working with stakeholders and authorities to determine what would be most helpful to the people of Flint," said Dave Murray, press secretary for Snyder, on Sunday. The waiver also requests coordination of comprehensive benefits and resources through the provision of Targeted Case Management services to all children and pregnant women served by the city's water system and eligible for Medicaid. Enhancement and expansion of the lead abatement program is also being sought by Snyder, including the permanent enclosure and encapsulation of lead-based paint, replacement of surfaces and fixtures, and removal or covering of soil lead hazards. If approved, the steps would allow for expanded access to health care, case management, and supportive services, which the letter states "is necessary to minimize and further prevent any long-term adverse health effects associated with lead exposure." Vivek Murthy U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy speaks in the East Room at the White House in Washington. Take a walk: That's the U.S. surgeon general's prescription for sedentary Americans -- but communities will have to step up, too, and make neighborhoods easier and safer for foot traffic. Only half of adults and just over a quarter of high school students get the amount of physical activity recommended for good health, Murthy said in a "call to action" being issued Sept. 9. (AP/Andrew Harnik) FLINT, MI - The nation's doctor is set to visit Flint this week to learn about the impact of the city's ongoing water crisis on residents. U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy is scheduled to appear at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the sanctuary at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 1619 W. Pierson Road, along with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. Rick Carter, executive director of Michigan Faith in Action, said the presentation will include a discussion on how residents are dealing with the ongoing water crisis, effects of lead on the body, and some time for questions from the audience. "He's here to hear the pulse of the community, which is a good thing, so he can get a sense of how the federal government is responding to these issues especially from his department's perspective," Carter said. Several organizations are part of a "local table" that helped pull the event together, Carter said, including the Flint Democracy Defense League, WOW Outreach, and People Improving Community through Organizing, or PICO. Michigan United, the state affiliate of National People's Action, and Michigan Voice, the state affiliate for State Voices, have also been involved in bringing community events to Flint to discuss the water issue. Hanna-Attisha, director of Hurley's pediatric residency program and an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics & Human Development at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine, is the doctor who first reported elevated blood lead levels in Flint children. Murthy is also expected to canvas Flint neighborhoods to talk with residents about their health care concerns, Carter said, and how they are coping with the current situation taking place in the city. Tuesday's event is free and open to the public. Anyone with questions may contact Mount Carmel Baptist Church at 810-785-4421. MONTCALM COUNTY, MI -- A man is dead after an ORV he was driving across a lake plunged through a hole in the ice that had been cut earlier Saturday for a polar water jump fundraiser at a Michigan winter festival, police said. Lee Avery, 52, of Crystal, died after the 8 p.m. accident that also left a 25-year-old woman in critical condition from being submerged in the freezing Crystal Lake water. Avery was driving the vehicle across the frozen lake's surface when he lost control and it went into an uncontrolled slide, breaking through a fenced off portion that served as a barrier to the polar jump area, Michigan State Police said. Two other passengers in the back seat of the vehicle were able to get out of the water but Avery and the front-seat passenger were trapped, police said. Bystanders used a pickup truck and tow strap to partially pull the ORV from the water and rescue personnel were able to treat the victims before transporting them to the Carson City Hospital. Avery was pronounced dead at the medical facility and the 25-year-old, who was not identified, was transferred to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. The accident came after the fireworks for the 7th annual Crystal Lake Winter Festival, an all-day event that included an ice fishing contest, a chili cook-off, and various other community gatherings on and around the lake. The festival is sponsored by the Crystal Township Downtown Development Authority. Crystal, a small community of 3,000, is about 55 miles northeast of Grand Rapids. EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- It couldn't get much colder. Brave participants in the Polar Plunge 2016 were stuck with one of the coldest days of the winter season to take an already unbearable dip into Reeds Lake. Temperatures hovered in the mid-teens on Saturday, Feb. 13 as people took turns jumping into the frigid waters. The annual event, with 28 similar plunges around the state, raises money for Special Olympics. E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison KALAMAZOO TOWNSHIP, MI -- Police are looking for a 21-year-old man who went missing Wednesday and is without his medication or phone. Christian Phillip Rey did not show up at his workplace the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 10. Relatives told police they last saw him Tuesday evening, about 10 p.m. He is a diabetic and did not have his pills with him or a phone. Family members believe he may have taken a handgun and two rounds of ammunition he bought Feb. 9 without relative's knowledge. Police have no indication he poses a risk to the public. Authorities, including the state police aviation unit, searched extensively for him around his family's home without success. Rey is 5-foot, 11-inches, 160 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. He wears black-framed glasses and was likely wearing a tan-colored Columbia winter jacket. Anyone with information about Rey is asked to call the Kalamazoo Township police at 269-343-0551. E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/johntunison Flowers, candy, red hearts and romance! Thats what Valentines day is all about, right? Well, maybe not. The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isnt romantic at all at least not in the traditional sense even though there are several versions to it. Yes, there is no other celebration that is surrounded by so much controversy like Valentines Day! St. Valentines Day is the worlds holiday of love and this Year Valentines Day is just a few hours away. There has been so much talks, discussions, jokes and even hilarious memes and video clips surrounding the celebration. What struck me in all of this was when one of my Muslim friends told me she does not celebrate Valentine! I was a bit taken abackthough I didnt express my shock. I only asked myself if Christians should! Since the Bible states that God is love in I John 4:8, 16, perhaps he really wants His people partaking of the customs associated with this day. Let me state from the onset that I am not in any way opposed to celebrating Love, I only want to share the truth behind Valentines Day itself, the history behind it, and what it representsthen you decide if you want to celebrate it or not! So please read this article with an open mind and receptive heart. I will simply lay out the facts about Valentines Day and then you will conclude for yourself whether or not you should celebrate it. Like many of the worlds major celebration, St. Valentines Day is an annual observance with its roots entrenched firmly in pagan beliefs and customs. Valentine of Rome is said to be a Christian martyr, killed on February 14, 496 under the direction of Emperor Claudius II of Rome. One story is that during general persecution of Christians, Valentine of Rome was interviewed personally by Emperor Claudius II for sentencing. Evidently Claudius II was impressed by Valentine and offered that if Valentine converted to paganism his life could be spared. Rather than convert, Valentine is said to have attempted to convert Claudius to Christianity, thus earning himself the death penalty. Prior to his execution, Valentine is thought to have performed a healing miracle for the jailers blind daughter, Julia. In some renditions, Valentine wrote a letter to Julia prior to his execution, signed Your Valentine. Another tradition suggests that Valentine performed weddings for soldiers who had been prohibited from marrying by rule of Emperor Claudius II based on the belief that single men make better soldiers. Valentine was jailed and supposedly those whom he had married passed him notes and flowers in jail. Also while in jail he fell in love with the jailers daughter. Prior to his execution he is said to have written her a love letter signed, Your Valentine. There is also a tradition that Valentine gave hearts made of parchment to soldiers and persecuted Christians reminding them of their vows as well as Gods love. Others have suggested that Valentines Day has pagan roots and is associated with Lupercalia, a February pagan holiday centered on fertility and love. Yet others say that the connection between Valentines Day and romance did not come about until the 14th Century with the English poet Chaucers writings. VALENTINE SYMBOLS Cupid was the son of Venus, Roman goddess of beauty and love. Also known as Eros in ancient Greece, he was the son of Aphrodite. According to myth, he was responsible for impregnating numerous goddesses and mortals. Cupid was a child-like archer just as Nimrod was a skilled archer. Mythology describes Cupid as having both a cruel and happy personality. He would use his invisible arrows, tipped with gold, to strike unsuspecting men and women, causing them to fall madly in love. He did not do this for their benefit, but to drive them crazy with intense passion, to make their lives miserable, and to laugh at the results. Red roses were the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red is also a color that signifies strong feelings. The Heart It is unclear the origin of the familiar heart shape used for Valentines celebration. One possibility involves the now-extinct North African plant silphium. The city-state of Cyrene had a lucrative trade in the plant, which looks just like the heart shape used in modern times. To the Romans, February was also sacred to Juno Februata, the goddess of febris (fever) of love, and of women and marriage. On February 14, billets (small pieces of paper, each of which had the name of a teen-aged girl written on it) were put into a container. Teenage boys would then choose one billet at random. The boy and the girl whose name was drawn would become a couple, joining in erotic games at feasts and parties celebrated throughout Rome. This was the act of Sexual Lottery. After the festival, they would remain sexual partners for the rest of the year. In modern times, Valentines Day is simply a celebration of love. While love may be the message portrayed through Valentines Day, its history as seen above reveals ties to paganism. But if we dress-up pagan practice with scripture and all the love in the world, is its still paganism? If we must take a cue from a practicing Jew or Muslim who do not celebrate anything that is contrary to what their faith teaches, should Christians celebrate any and everything they can find a way to Christianize? Again I reasoned, why should we limit our love to a specific day, in this case, Valentines Day? Do Spouses need a Day of Saint Valentinus to demonstrate the command to love one another? It would certainly be great to demonstrate our love every single day! Married couples or those who are in a relationship should please show their love and concern every day instead of waiting for Valentines Day to appreciate their spouses. It is sad that is only on Vals day some spouses exchange gifts, go for dinner or even put up each others pix on their DPsreally sad! These are things that need to be done on a regular basis to spice up the marriage and not only one day of the year! Moreover if you choose to celebrate your love on only Valentines Day, it really feels awkward because this day celebrates lust and not true love as seen from its history. Suffice to say I deeply love my husbandhe is such a bundle of blessingand I know he loves me too but not in the Saint Valentinus way. He loves me in the Jesus way: Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). Then, the notion of this celebration serving as a reminder and impetus for Christian love, hhhmmm 2 Peter 1:7 says that we ought strive continually for godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. Do we need Valentines Day to fulfill this exhortation? In fact, if we used the holiday as a day to demonstrate Christian love, it would only make things murky and awkward. Christian men dont wish other Christian men a Happy Valentines Day. That would really be out of place! Therefore attempting to demonstrate Christian love through the celebration of Valentines Day does not exactly cut it! Romantic love is a feeling; Christian love is a committed practice and ongoing, daily discipline. Romantic love is exciting but quite fleeting; Christian love is lasting and demanding and requires much more of us than most of us are willing to give. Romantic love practically demands an equal response; Christian loves gives itself away selflessly, freely and fully; not expecting anything in return! The most disturbing for me really is the unhealthy peer pressure for our youths. A lot of young people that would get Valentines gifts and treats tomorrow would also get laid! It has been said that a lot of young girls lose their virginity on Vals day. Christians are told to actively flee sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:18). Valentines Day was a Chrisitanized version of a February pagan holiday celebrating eroticism (sexual lust) and fertilitya universally accepted facteven though we do not know which of the St. Valentine we are exactly attempting to commemorate! Then there is this unwarranted pressure unmarried, single Christians, the booless and baeless ones feel on Valentines Dayespecially if there are activities that they cannot participate in. They probably feel incomplete, incompetent and intolerable. You can only imagine their plight! There is no doubt that Valentines Day with its problematic origins is a pagan holiday turned Christian. It is a celebration consecrated and ordained by man, NOT God. In fact, God considers pagan celebrations as abominable, detestable, futile, vain, and useless. Valentines Day is largely a celebration for the profit of greeting card companies, chocolate factories, gifts and flower shops. Some couples treat Valentines Day as a particularly important day to express their love for one another, whereas for others it is just another day. For some single persons wishing to be married, Valentines Day is viewed as a hurtful reminder of their undesired single and searching status. For others, both single and married, Valentines is simply a day to express love to all manner of friends and family. We may conclude that Valentines Day is harmless and say that we dont practice the original pagan traditions. But what does God think of it? Does He take things like this lightly? It does make a difference to Him? How about you? Is Christ or Valentinus your standard for showing love? Prayerfully consider these points, do your own research and then decide if valentine is for you or not! Enjoy your weekend! Cairo's Tahrir Square was the epicentre of that uprising and the scene of violent confrontations between police and protesters. By Mohamed El-Shahed (AFP/File) 14.02.2016 LISTEN Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's top court on Sunday annulled a 15-year jail sentence for a policeman accused of the fatal shooting of a female protester and ordered his retrial, a court official said. Shaima al-Sabbagh was struck by birdshot in January 2015 as police dispersed a small march on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. A lower court sentenced Lieutenant Yassin Mohamed Hatem, 23, to 15 years in prison after convicting him of "battery that led to death". Hatem's trial was a rare legal proceeding against policemen charged over protestor deaths since the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013. On Sunday, the Court of Cassation annulled the lower court's order after accepting an appeal filed by Hatem and ordered a retrial, a court official said. His lawyer Gamil Sayid confirmed Sunday's decision. "It just proves that my client was innocent from the start," Sayid told AFP, adding that Hatem, who is currently in jail, would soon be freed. The Court of Cassation did not immediately give its reason for annulling the previous judgement and a new trial date has yet to be fixed. Sabbagh's death triggered outrage in Egypt and abroad. Part of the incident that led to her death was captured on film, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to publicly demand that the perpetrator be brought to justice. Sabbagh was hit on January 24, 2015 on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the anti-Mubarak uprising when police dispersed a peaceful protest that had been organised by her Socialist Popular Alliance, a small leftist party. Marchers had been carrying a wreath to a monument in Cairo's Tahrir Square to commemorate the deaths of protesters during the 2011 revolt. Tahrir Square was the epicentre of that uprising and the scene of violent confrontations between police and protesters. Dozens of policemen were tried for protester deaths after the revolt against Mubarak, which had been partly fuelled by police abuses. But most were acquitted. Rights groups have accused the police of killing hundreds of mostly Islamist protesters after Morsi's ouster, including around 700 in one day in August 2013 during clashes when they dispersed a pro-Morsi Cairo sit-in. A crackdown launched by authorities on Morsi supporters has also seen thousands jailed and hundreds sentenced to death in mass trials. Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - At least 30 people have been killed in fresh Boko Haram raids on two villages in northeast Nigeria, vigilantes told AFP Saturday, again calling into question President Muhammadu Buhari's claim that Nigeria had largely defeated the jihadist group. Gun and knife-toting assailants on bikes and in vans stormed the remote villages of Yakshari and Kachifa on Friday and Saturday, said Mustapha Karimbe, a local vigilante assisting the military in the fight against Boko Haram Islamists. "The attackers killed 30 people in two separate attacks on the two villages last night (Friday) and this morning (Saturday)," Karimbe told AFP adding that they also looted and stole cattle. The village of Yakshari was attacked at around 9:30 am on Saturday, with the assailants slaughtering 22 residents "by slitting their throats before emptying food stores and taking away all the cattle", Karimbe said, speaking from the town of Biu approximately 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the village. Late Friday evening, meanwhile, Boko Haram Islamists also raided nearby Kachifa village, killing eight people. "We believe the same gunmen carried out both attacks on the two villages," Karimbe said. Dozens of people have been killed in Boko Haram attacks in recent weeks near Maiduguri, capital of northeast Borno state, despite Buhari's December boast that the jihadist group had been more or less defeated. Since then the militants have killed dozens in raids and suicide attacks, including across the border in Cameroon. On January 30, at least 85 people died when insurgents stormed and torched one village, while on Thursday two female suicide bombers killed at least 58 at a camp for people made homeless by the insurgency. Rights group Amnesty International has also accused the military itself of committing war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in the course of its operations against the group. Boko Haram, which seeks a hardline Islamic state in northern Nigeria, has killed some 17,000 people and forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their homes since the start of its insurgency in 2009. Head of Transfusion Medicine at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is encouraging Ghanaians to voluntarily donate blood to restock banks for emergencies. Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori says blood cannot be substituted for patients who are in critical need. Speaking at a blood donation campaign organized by the MTN Foundation in Kumasi, she dismissed claims only a particular gender or group of persons is certified to donate blood. Dr. Owusu-Ofori revealed any healthy body aged between 16 and 60 certified through screening can donate blood. Once you are within the age of 16 to 60 years and feel on the day of donation, you can walk up to us. Males can give and females can give better. So it is not for particular gender or sex or anything of a sort. Anybody can give once you feel healthy on the day of donation. Dr. Phyllis Shirley Owusu-Ofori explained. She is encouraging Ghanaians to support efforts of the Transfusion Services to donate blood to restock the countrys blood banks. If a patient in any condition requires blood, he requires blood and nothing else. No infusion or no drug can replace blood. And blood is gotten only for human needs so it requires the commitment of citizenry to donate and donate regularly. We need to stock our blood banks such that in the case of any emergency, the blood is available for critical condition Seven hundred pints of blood were collected on Friday and Saturday in three separate exercises in Kumasi, Tamale and Bolgatanga. Similar campaigns were held in Takoradi, and Cape Coast as part of the 5th edition of the annual Valentines Day Blood Donation Campaign. This years national target is 1,200 pints, though last year the programme mobilized 1,137 units of blood. Meanwhile, Head of Technical at MTN Northern Sector, Charles Osei Akoto says the campaign is to show love to family and friends on Valentines Day. MTN always want to create endless opportunities for people. We look at this period being the month of love to organize this to collect blood who may need it. If we want to show love to your families and friends; then the best thing to donate is blood because it is going to give life to your brother. So that is the key motivation behind this exercise President John Dramani Mahama is currently in Iran at the invitation of Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani. His visit is set to strengthen the relationship between Ghana and Iran. The two countries have a long-standing relationship as members of the Non-Aligned Movement. In 2014, during a visit to Ghana by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the two countries established a Permanent Joint Commission. With seven Iranian companies investing over $8.6 million in the Ghanaian economy, President Mahama is expected to attend a Business Forum in Tehran to push for more Ghana- Iran Business Collaboration, with Ghanaian entities exploring export markets in Iran. He will also hold bilateral discussions with President Hassan Rouhani and address a joint press conference later on Sunday February 14. The two leaders are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and attend an Official Luncheon in honour of President Mahama. President Mahama will also meet the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and hold discussions with the Speaker of Majlis (Parliament), Dr. Ali Larijani. President Mahama will also visit a power plant and meet with Ghanaians in Iran before returning home. 14.02.2016 LISTEN Koforidua, Feb. 14, GNA - Mr Richard Okrah, the Managing Director of Intravenous Infusions Limited, has appealed to government to help remove the trade barrier placed on Ghanaian products by the Nigerian Government. He said as a result of various trade restrictions, his company could not export some of its products which are in high demand in Nigeria to that country. Mr Okrah made the appeal when Dr Ekow Spio-Gabrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry, paid a visit to the factory at Koforidua as part of his three days working visit to the Eastern Region. He said as goods produced in Nigerian are allowed, with less restrictions, into Ghana, in the same manner Ghanaian goods should be allowed to enter the Nigerian market. Mr Okrah said, Intravenous which is the largest private employer in the New Juaben Municipality, provides direct employment to 120 people and employs a lot of casual workers during peak periods. He said the company has listed on the stock exchange to enable it raise funding to finance the proposed expansion of the company. Dr Ekow Spio-Gabrah said the issue of trade barriers go beyond his Ministry but promised to take up the matter with the relevant ministries and the Ghana Embassy in Nigeria. He called on Ghanaian entrepreneurs to consider establishing export substitution companies to produce some products which are high in demand by the pharmaceutical companies in the country. He said products like sodium chloride, corn and cassava starch used by the pharmaceutical companies in the country could easily be produced in the country. GNA Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Madam Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, has said free and fair elections are important in affirming democracy in Africa and improve living conditions of the people. However, with more than 15 African countries planning to hold presidential elections this year, Madam Greenfield projected 2016 would be a 'crucial year' for the continent. 'We know that strong democratic institutions generate greater prosperity and stability, 2016 will be a crucial year for democracy in Africa,' she said. 'We have a lot to talk aboutincluding the recent African Union summit, upcoming elections in Africa, regional security issues, challenges facing the region due to El NiAo, and the economy,' Greenfield told journalists via video conference. The Assistant Secretary used the platform to discuss outcomes of the African Union summit, which took place in Ethiopia in late January, as well as US diplomacy and development efforts across the African continent. She explained that the meetings with African leaders at the summit gave them the opportunity to plan for 2016 and beyond to strengthen relationships for democracy, peace and prosperity. 'We support free, fair, and transparent elections, our African partners also face a number of security and economic challenges, no single nation or organization can tackle these complex challenges alone,' she stated. America is already standing with her partners, she said, and providing solutions in the areas of security, health, and capacity building. 'TheUnited States has a unique contribution to make Africa a continent of ambitious and enthusiastic youth.' 'So another urgent task is helping to create opportunity for Africa's next generation. We look forward to helping tackle all of these challenges.' Journalists from US embassies and consulates in Djibouti, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lome, Luanda, and Monrovia joined their counterparts in Accra for the session through the audiovisual conference. GNA Cape Coast, Feb. 14, GNA - Dr Sam Esson Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has called on graduates to be bold to shun corruption in the civil service and other government institutions to save the country from destruction. Dr Jonah, who was speaking at the fifth session of the 48th congregation of the School of Graduate Studies of the University, said they would fail the nation if as elites, they did not take bold initiatives to eliminate that canker from the society. He said it was imperative for them to be led by the truth, hard work, selflessness and dedication as they prepared to join the country's workforce, to be able to overcome the imminent challenges confronting the country. This year, a total of 1,915 graduands received higher degrees in various disciplines including 31 Ph.D.'s, 246 Master of Philosophy/ Master of Commence and 1,378 Masters Degrees by course work as well as 260 Post-graduate diplomas and certificates. Dr Jonah admonished the graduates to make the spirit of entrepreneurship a viable option for sustenance in this era where the unemployed graduate phenomenon had become inevitable in the social fabric. Professor Domwini Dabire Kuupole, the Vice Chancellor of UCC, said eleven new graduate programmes were introduced last year in an effort to improve and attract more graduate students for nation building. The new programmes, he said, included Master of Philosophy/PhD in Drug Discovery and Toxicology, African Studies, International Relations, Home Economics and Infection and Immunity. He said UCC has significantly transformed its curricula and the mode of delivery over the past years and would continue to chart innovative paths to respond to the national needs through effective teaching, research and community engagement. Professor Kuupole said the University has established an Endowment /Graduate Development Fund to support the research work of graduate students. Awards were given to graduands who exhibited outstanding research work from each of the colleges of the University. GNA 14.02.2016 LISTEN Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations has said it is important for countries to discuss issues of family planning on a regular basis. He said at every point in time there must be an opportunity to speak to issues of family planning so that the youthful population would make choices about their family sizes, for the demographic dividend it be achieved. The demographic dividend would not happen without putting in place aggressive family planning measures to change the structure of the population, reduce considerably and ensure that people make choices about their family sizes. Dr Osotimehin said this when he paid a courtesy call on Professor Fred Sai as part of activities lined up for his three-day working visit to Ghana. He said sustainability only comes from sustainable development and this cannot be achieved without assuring that all women and men, boys and girls, enjoy the dignity and human rights to expand their capabilities. He said his visit would not have been complete if he did not meet Prof Sai to express his appreciation for the hard work, commitment and continuous support he had made towards the development of Ghana and Africa. 'The UNFPA fully recognizes your efforts and would continue to appreciate you at every opportunity given to discuss issues of demographic dividend.' Professor Fred Sai thanked him for the recognition, saying 'your visit means a lot to us locally'. He said education of women and women emancipation has been a major challenge and is something that can be revitalized for the people of the continent. Professor Sai pledged his support to provide the needed support and ideas to make the continent a better place, adding that it is also important to recognize and appreciate examples that others have made. GNA 14.02.2016 LISTEN Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama has said he is committed to ensure that the country achieves the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to improve the lives of the people. He said government would be working with civil society organisations and other stakeholders to make the dream a reality. Launching the SGDs for Ghana to close the three-day seventh Africa Conference on Sexual and Health Rights (ACSHR) in Accra, the President called on stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme. The ACSHR was put together by the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA) in collaboration with Curious Minds-Ghana, an organisation of young advocates and youth in broadcasting. The event was on the theme: 'Realising Demographic Dividend in Africa: the Critical Importance of Adolescents and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights'. It was attended by First Ladies from Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali and Cote D'Ivoire., Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso and Chad with others First Ladies expected from Sudan, Madagascar and Mozambique. Also in attendance were the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, the President of the International Women's Health Coalition and over 15 Ministers from the Health, Justice, Gender and Youth Ministries across Africa. Over 500 participants, comprising various stakeholder and constituency groups across the African continent are attending the conference and these include policy makers, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, social activists, media and the youth. To ensure the implementation of the SDGs in Ghana, President has constituted a high level committee under his supervision to ensure the implementation of the 17 goals. The United Nations on September 25, 2015, adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of new SDGs. Each of the 17 goals has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years through the collaboration of governments, the private sector and individuals. President Mahama, in January this year, was also appointed by the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon to co-chair with Ms Erna Solberg, the Norwegian Prime Minister, an aspect of the SDG advocacy. The two have been tasked to promote the universal SDGs, raise awareness of the integrated nature of the SDGs and foster the engagement of stakeholders for their implementation. Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, said the SDGs were being incorporated into the national development framework for implementation and they would help transform Ghana's economy. He said the Commission was making the effort to align five out of the 17 goals of the SDGs into Ghana's long-term development plan. Ms Christine Evans-Klock, the UN Resident Coordinator, commended President Mahama for the exemplary role he has played in ensuring the success of the SDGs and described his appointment as a reflection of Ghana's leading role in Africa towards achieving the SDGs. She said the UN was working with NDPC and other organisations to develop an action plan consistent with the objectives of the SDGs. Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, the Majority Leader in Parliament, and Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minority Leader also pledged the support of Parliament to ensure the successful implementation of the SDGs. GNA 14.02.2016 LISTEN Akyem Tafo (E/R), Feb. 14, GNA - Mr Antwi Bosiako Sekyire, the Eastern Regional Minister, has called on the Chief of Akyem Tafo, Osabarima Adusei Peasah to express his condolences on the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah -Adu. The Minister was accompanied by the East Akyem Municipal Chief Executive and Eastern Regional Executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Speaking at the meeting, Mr Bosiako described the late MP's death as a shock to the entire country and the Region. He commended the late MP for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the development of the country and to the people of Tafo. The Minister said the security agents have initiated moves to arrest those behind the killing of the MP to bring them to justice adding that the government would ensure that the security services put in place the necessary steps to guarantee the safety and security of everyone in the country. The Chief of Tafo said when he first heard the news, he did not believed it, so he quickly rushed to the residence of the MP in Accra only to find out that it was true. He thanked the Minister and his entourage for their concern for the families of the late JB Danquah and the people of Tafo and assured them that, when the funeral is decided by the family, the Regional Coordinating Council would be informed. When the Minister and the entourage got to Tafo, usual activities in the town were halted as hundreds of relatives, sympathizers and party supporters were gathered in the late MP's family house mourning. GNA Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Valentine's Day came early for the pupils and teachers of Obeng Yaw Basic School in Adeiso, and Tupaa MA Basic School in Ga South Municipality. Staff of Tigo paid a visit to the schools to donate learning materials, refreshments and volunteered to teach the pupils and interact with teachers of the community. The materials donated included exercise books, school bags, slates, pens, pencils, crayons, and math sets, among others. Mr Albert Amable, the headmaster of Obeng Yaw Basic Primary School in Adeiso, expressed his profound gratitude saying: 'We are so thankful to Tigo for this kind gesture. Whenever our pupils hear any news regarding Tigo, they are very excited because they've come to associate Tigo with quality education and sharing, and look up to the staff of sources of inspiration.' The staff interaction forms part of Tigo's Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to improve the lives of underprivileged children through education and digitization. Commenting on the activity, the Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Mrs. Gifty Bingley said: 'We are dedicated to contributing our quota to improving education in Ghana and during this month of love, we wanted to continuing showing our love to pupils in communities where we first began our star CSR project Shelter 4 Education.' 'With each visit, we hope to constantly remind the pupils that through education, they have everything it takes to live a better life, and ultimately their dreams', she added. Mr Osman Kweku Eshoun, the Headmaster of Tupaa MA Basic School, said: 'We are particularly happy about receiving the school bags because the cover page of our students' exercise books easily get torn, and in most cases completely come apart, because they have no bag to carry it in. Tigo, we are so grateful to you for this act of love.' Tigo's 'Shelter 4 Education' CSR project was launched in 2015 to relieve the harsh conditions under which children in deprived rural communities are educated. In this light, four schools were built, and 2 renovated at select communities across the country. Each school building consists of a 6 unit classroom block, headmaster's office, staff common room and public place of convenience. The beneficiary schools include: Obeng Yaw Basic school in Adeiso in the Eastern Region, Tupaa Basic School in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, St Joseph Basic School in Obuasi of the Ashanti Region, Ehiawoanwu Basic School in Ejura of the Ashanti Region, The African Faith Primary School in Banda Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region, and Dimabi L/A Basic School in the Northern Region. GNA The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has donated cocoa products worth six hundred Ghana Cedis to the mental challenged unit of the Wa School for the Deaf. The items which included chocolate, Chocolim and Milo drinks were donated to the school on behalf of the ministry by the upper west regional director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Henry Yelduor. Henry said the donation is to support the children to celebrate this years Valentine's Day which has been rechristened national chocolate day. This years national chocolate day is celebrated on theme chocolate: the gift of love. We want to show love to the children who are abandoned and neglected. People forget about them on occasions like this but we want to remember them," Mr Yelduor said. "In showing your love, lets us move away from the usual talks of sex and other things and rather eat chocolate to show your love to your friends and loved ones, he added. The headmaster of the Wa School for the Deaf, Samuel Babiina Babiinuo thanked the ministry of tourism and creative arts for the kind gesture and called on other benevolent organizations to come to their aid. He said as a deprived institution, they only rely on feeding grants which are inadequate. The school has a pupil population of 45 drawn from all 11 municipalities and districts in the region. Unfortunately, some of them have been neglected and abandoned by their parents after they enrolled in the school. The heavy burden of taking care of them now rests solely on the shoulders of their instructors. Head of the mental unit of the Wa School for the Deaf, Sylvester Bayor called on the public to disregard the perception that children who are intellectually deficient are dangerous. There are normal kids, and very lovely. It is a mental condition they are going through and which could be improved if their families and the public support them, he added. Pretoria (AFP) - Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel stormed to a sensational eight-shot triumph at the Tshwane Open on Sunday to claim his 11th career title and second of 2016. The 31-year-old South African shot a seven-under-par 63 to finish on 16 under and clinch his eighth European Tour win on home soil. Denmark's Jeff Winther finished second on eight under, with South Africa's Anthony Michael another two shots further back in third. "In the first three rounds I gave myself so many chances. If I had the stroke I had today, it probably would have been my best tournament ever," said Schwartzel, who was delighted with his putting in the final round at the Pretoria Country Club. "It's just frustrating when you don't putt very well and you don't convert, and to make the putts when it counts, that's even more satisfying. "Everything is sort of falling into place. I've worked really hard leading up to this and it's just been feeling good, so everything has got some really good signs, so I'm excited," he told www.europeantour.com. Schwartzel started the final round with just a one-shot lead but soon moved to 10 under par when he rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the second. Although he dropped a shot at the third, he was still four strokes ahead of nearest challenger Zander Lombard after birdies at the sixth and seventh. An eagle at the ninth helped him reach the turn in 31. Schwartzel then suffered a second bogey of the day at the 11th, which took him back to 12 under. But his experience told as another birdie followed at the 12th before a monster 40-foot putt at the 14th took him to 14 under. Schwartzel saved par at the 15th before another birdie at the 16th to reach 15 under. A par at the 17th followed before he finished in style with a short birdie putt at the last. Lombard eventually fell away and hit a final round 74 to finish 12 shots off the pace. The Ashanti Regional Security Council has set up a committee to assess the extent of damage caused to property during the Old Tafo clashes for possible compensation. While we are trying to reconcile all sections in respect of the confusion, there is also the need to visit those arrears. A committee has been set to look at the extent of damage that was caused so that we will know how best to at least pay some sort of pacification to those people affected, Ashanti Regional Minster Peter Anarfi Mensah stated. One person died after some Muslim Youth clashed with Traditional Authorities at Old Tafo in the Ashanti Region last week over a parcel of land. The 30-year-old man was shot by a security man and was rushed to Tafo government hospital. He was later transferred to KATH where he died. The clashes saw the burning down of a Mosque, smashing of windscreens of vehicles and the destruction of items at the Church of Pentecost in the area. A 6:00pm-6:00am curfew which was announced shortly after the incident was reviewed on Friday to 8:00pm-4:00am . Some 40 youth were arrested by the police to assist with investigations have been released. A combined team of police and military personnel were deployed to maintain law and order in the area. Total calm returned to the area after members of the National Peace Council, the national Chief Imam engaged the factions in peace talks. The leadership of Pentecost church have promised not to exact revenge for the damage caused their structure when the Ashanti Regional Minister, Peter Anarfi Mensah and some dignitaries visited the church, Sunday. Head pastor of the Church, Rev. Robert Sowah Nii Annan assured there will be no hostility. We pray that those who came here to destroy our property will have a change of heart and give their lives to God, he said. Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, Paramount Chief and President of the Osu Traditional Council, has presented assorted educational materials to the Osu Presbyterian Girls' School. The materials were donation made to the Council by the Osu Citizens Social Club of North America to support the Osu Mantse Educational Fund launched last year during the Homowo Festival. In a speech during the presentation, Nii Kinka Dowuona said the Fund was aimed at assisting Osu children in their education. He said the Council would ensure that Teacher's Committees are set up to monitor the movement of children of school-going age within the area and anyone found loitering during school hours or after 2000 hrs would be arrested and the parents sanctioned. Nii Kinka Dowuona gave the assurance that school children who would excel in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) would be offered scholarships by the Fund to further their education. The Osu Mantse urged the teachers to ensure that the educational materials are used for the benefit of the students to enable them pass their examination with distinction. He appealed to individuals and corporate bodies to support the Educational Fund to enhance teaching and learning in the area. Reverend Isaac Brown, Head of Osu Salem Presby Junior High School and Chairman of the Headteachers Association, said the only way students could pass their examination credibly is by developing a serious interest in reading. He advised them also to attach seriousness to their homework and use the internet profitably to enhance their learning. Reverend Brown called on the parents to ensure that they supervise their children's homework saying they should not allow the children to stay long watching television. Madam Doris Owusu, Osu Circuit Education Supervisor, who received the items on behalf of the school appealed for more of educational materials from organizations and individuals to support the children in their teaching and learning. GNA Accra, Feb. 14, GNA - The absence of clear lines of authority between frontline health workers in public health facilities has been described as a major source of power struggle impacting negatively on health care delivery. The power struggle has also resulted in conflicts among these frontline workers and led to frustrations, dis-empowerment and de-motivation of health workers. Ms Matilda Aberese Ako, Research Officer of the Navrongo Health Research Centre of the Ghana Health Service, said there were no clear lines of authority between frontline health workers, especially doctors and nurse-anaesthetists. This, she said, has contributed to power struggles between collaborating professionals. Ms Ako, who researched on 'Health Workers Motivation and Attitudes in the Provision of Maternal and Neonatal care in Ghana', made these findings known at a dissemination workshop in Accra. Her ethnographic study involved participant observation, in-depth interviews and conversations, also revealed that conflicts contributed to poor collaboration between health professionals in the provision of health care. The workshop, organised by the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, formed part of Wotro-Accelerate project, aimed at promoting reduction in maternal and infant mortality by developing and evaluating multi-level approaches for accelerated attainment of MDG 4&5. The meeting was, therefore, to disseminate final research findings to inform policy makers, partners and stakeholders on evidence regarding what has been achieved through scientific research and its implications for the MDGs and the newly-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana. Ms Ako said the motivation of the frontline health worker was vital to quality maternal and neonatal health care provision and there was the need to change policy and organizational design to address their motivation issues. She said the study which lasted for over 20 months, revealed that national health policies and legislation did not give hospital managers adequate power to make decisions on human and other resources relevant to quality care provision. 'As a result, conflicts among doctors and nurse-anaesthetists' motivation in the provision of maternal and neonatal health care in a specialist hospital remained unresolved and continued to fester as such staff could not be disciplined. Such attitudes resulted in among others delayed and postponement in client care, failure in the provision of care to clients and compromised client wellbeing. The study suggested that to improve health care delivery in health facilities in Ghana, health managers and supervisors need to identify conflicts as an important phenomenon that should be addressed whenever they occur. It called for effective mechanisms including training managers and health workers on conflict management to be put in place whilst promotion of communication and interaction among health workers could foster team spirit. One of the reports showed that pregnant women used various strategies to protect the confidentiality of the medical and reproductive information they exchanged during the history taking process with health officials. Ms Linda Lucy Yevoo, a Research Officer of the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana (UG), whose 19 month study was on: 'Health Worker Attitudes; Its Influence on Pregnant Women's Decisions and Implications on Quality of Maternal Care in the Greater Accra Region,' said pregnant women primarily misinformed health workers about their reproductive information to avoid healthcare providers' reprimands and humiliations. She said that was possible because, during history taking, healthcare providers often showed anger and insulted women or made sarcastic comments when information provided by the pregnant women on their reproductive status did not meet the healthcare provider's standards and expectations. 'This was also to prevent them from being humiliated and prevent pregnant women from receiving reprimands from healthcare providers; because of reporting late for antenatal care. Ms Yevoo called for the urgent need for healthcare workers to improve their attitudes and interactions with clients and refrain from making undesirable comments about them. She said it was essential for them to improve the level of privacy in their various health facilities since that will instill confidence in the women, to provide the right reproductive and medical information to their healthcare providers. This, she said, could be achieved by reducing co-consultation practices at the facility level and also introduce a shift system at the antenatal care unit as a way to reduce the number of clients seen by a midwife in a day. The other researchers also made presentations on various related topics that affected quality health delivery in the hospitals and how they affected women's health. They included: Mr Gbenya A. Kayode from the Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, who made a presentation on: 'Individual and Population-Based Interventions to Improve Neonatal Survival in Ghana'; another on 'Complete Adherence to First Antenatal Care Guidelines Reduces Neonatal and Delivery Complications' by Dr Mary Amankoh-Coleman from the School of Public Health of the University of Ghana. Other topics were: 'Maternal Health Policy Decision-Making in Ghana: The Pivotal Role of Policy Actors and Context' by Ms Augustina Koduah and 'Realist Approaches to District Manager Decision-Making for Maternal and Newborn Health in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana' by Ms Aku Kwamie. GNA Jasikan (V/R), Feb. 14, GNA - Mr Duncan Reymond Amoah, the 2014 National Best Rice Farmer, has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide the needed protection to rice farmers at Jasikan and Afadzato South Districts. He said if the Ministry do not take urgent measures of making water available for rice farmers in the area, 80 per cent of them would be out of business. Mr Amoah made the plea in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Jasikan in the Volta Region. He said a first phase of a Rice Sector Support Project funded by Alliance Developmment de Francais of France was started in the region in 2009 to enhance rice farming. He said the second phase began last year and instead of the project developing water valleys for rice farming, it has rather cleared the fertile soil and created huge canals that could not supply water to the farms. 'The situation has worsened our plight as we have to carry water to spray our farms and it is gradually pushing us out of business, hence our plea to the Ministry for an urgent intervention,' Mr Amoah said. GNA We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. IVA Struggling with debt? Compare your debt options and write off up to 80% of your unsecured debts from 80 per month Get Started for free What is an IVA? With an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) you can make affordable monthly payments towards a percentage of your debt for 5 years. At the end of the 5 year plan, your remaining debt will be completely written off. Benefits of an IVA Here is a list of the cost common advantages of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): Affordability You will only be asked to pay back what you can afford, with allowances taken into account for food, bills, entertainment, travel, childcare and others. You may be sacrificing certain essential costs at the moment. With an IVA they are budgeted for so they will no longer be neglected No upfront costs When you set up an IVA, there are no upfront costs whatsoever. This means that you can put a debt solution in place today without spending a penny You have a finishing line Do you feel like there will be no end to your debt problems? With high interest costs and charges, the balances of your credit accounts may not reduce as you need them to. With an IVA you will become totally debt free at the completion of the IVA (usually 5 years). You can use this as an opportunity to change your financial life, for good Confidential Your IVA is not advertised in the London Gazette or local newspaper. It is your decision whether you would like to disclose it to other people or not No more contact from creditors When you are in an IVA, your creditors will no longer have the right to contact you or refer the debt on to debt collectors/bailiffs. This is a great benefit for most people as it will take away the stress caused by constant calls/texts/emails and home visits Stay in your house Unlike some debt solutions, an IVA will allow you to stay in your current home. This is even the case if the property has a mortgage or is owned outright Your pension An IVA does not have an impact on your pension. You will not have to surrender your pension or withdraw money from it to pay into your IVA Risks of an IVA Here is a list of the cost common disadvantages of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA): Equity Release If you own your property and it has value, you may be asked to release the equity in the property Credit Rating If you have a perfect credit rating, this will be damaged and you will not be allowed to take out more debt whilst in an arrangement You must keep up with repayments If you do not keep up with your monthly repayments, there is a risk you will be made bankrupt Who qualifies for an IVA? There is no office guidelines to who qualifies for an IVA. It is a legally binding, Government legislation designed to help all people. Generally speaking, insolvency practitioners (IP) will look at your situation if they think the IVA proposal they submit is beneficial to both yourself (the debtor) and your creditors. This often restricts people to a certain criteria which you will have to meet: Over 5000 worth of unsecured debt You must have 2 or more creditors of 2 or more lines of credit Must live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland Must be insolvent Must be willing to pay at least 70 per month into their IVA Must have some type or types of regular income What debts can I include in an IVA? You can include a wide range of unsecured debts within your IVA. These include: Credit card debt/credit cards Loans/loan debt Payday loans Council tax arrears HMRC debt Overpaid benefits Catalogues Gas and electricity arrears Overdrafts/overdraft debt Water arrears Income tax arrears Debts to friends and family Other unsecured debts Note: If you are a resident of Scotland, you will need to apply for a Scottish Trust Deed (legally binding). Speak to our advisors for Scottish Debt Advice. What debts cant be included in an IVA? Secured loans Your mortgage (if you still live in the house) Car finance (if you still have the car) Rent arrears for your current property Court fines/Police fines Hire purchase arrears (if you still have the product) Log book loans (if you still have the vehicle that the debts are secured on) Student loans Other secured debts What does I.V.A stand for? IVA stands for Individual Voluntary Arrangement. It is a formal way to consolidate your debts into one affordable monthly repayment, resulting in the debtor becoming debt free at the end of their payments. Can I apply for an IVA online? Use the IVA Calculator to check your eligibility Prepare your IVA proposal and apply for your IVA. When your IVA is accepted, your creditors can no longer contact you. Pay 60 low monthly payments. After 5 years, you are out of your IVA and completely debt free. Will an IVA affect my employment? In most occupations, your credit rating or credit scoring is not a factor and it may never have been checked in the past, it may also be likely that it is not checked in the future either. There is no law to tell you that you must advise your employer that you have entered an IVA or that you owe money. They will not be notified by your insolvency practitioner. If you wanted to keep it a private matter, in most cases this would be absolutely fine. With some roles such as financial advisors, solicitors or bank workers it may make up part of your contract to advise them of changes like this. In these situations we would advise to inform your employers of your intentions before you enter into any arrangements. This way there will be no nasty surprises for you later down the line. More often than not, we find that your employer would not be concerned by your IVA and that it would not affect your employment status. An IVA is a formal solution and could affect some employments, such as if you were a solicitor or accountant for example. We would always recommend that you receive approval from your employers that your job isnt affected before you sign up for anything. Will an IVA impact my partner? There are certain situations where you may not want to involve your partner at all in your IVA proposal due to personal reasons. Insolvency Practitioners are very aware of these circumstances and can operate solely via telephone and email and at your convenience, so rest assured that your matters can be kept completely private. If the debts which you are looking to place into your IVA are in joint names, then this would be different. Your IP would look to place all of your debts into an IVA, including joint debts therefore you would have to inform your partner of your plans. If your debts are solely yours, then there would be no negative impact on your partner, their credit score would remain unaffected and they would not be entered onto any registers or be tainted in any way. Will an IVA affect my credit score/credit file? Whilst you are in your arrangement, you will not be able to get any credit. An IVA will stay on your credit file for 6 years, so 12 months after a typical IVA. When this time has passed and your monthly payments have ended, you will be able to rebuild your credit rating. What proof will I need to apply for an IVA? Proof of ID Passport/driving license/birth certificate/utility bills/national insurance identification/credit agreement Bank statements 3 months bank statements with all transactions displayed Proof of income 3 months payslips/P60/proof of benefits How long does it take to set up an IVA? Your initial call will only last around 5-10 minutes. The IVA process will be explained to you and you will be told what further information you will need to provide to proceed with your IVA proposal. Once you have returned the required information, an IVA will usually take between 7-14 days to get into place. You will be protected from creditors within this time, your advisor will provide you with documentation via email. How long does an IVA last? Most IVAs will last for a length of five years. The i v a will remain on your credit file for a period of six years and is placed on the Insolvency Register for that period. You can work out what date it will be removed from your credit file, it will be six years from the start date of the IVA term. So if the IVA started on 1 January 2000, it should be removed from your credit file six years from that date, which would be 1 January 2006. When you apply for an individual voluntary arrangement your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) will tell you if you qualify for an IVA, how long it lasts, how much it costs and provide you with any other debt advice which you may need. How much will debt advice cost for an Individual Voluntary Arrangement? The advice cost for individual voluntary arrangements is free of charge. Your I.V.A company will tell you if you qualify for an IVA. They will talk to you about your different debts, provide you with free debt advice and check if your creditors are likely to approve your proposal for your IVA for debt. How does an IVA affect your life? By taking out an IVA you may affect your overall financial position. You will not be allowed to take out credit for 6 years. You will struggle to get a mortgage or remortgage your existing property. It also may affect any future increase in earnings or windfalls you may receive, as these will need to be paid to your insolvency practitioner. Your insolvency practitioner will take control of your debts for this period, they will deal with all of your creditors and this is legally binding. That means you will not be allowed to take out any more debts whilst in the IVA. Once the plan is completed, any debts which you accrue will be managed by yourself. Your ability to take out further debts in the future will not be impacted once the IVA has completed. What is the IVA protocol? The I.V.A protocol is a voluntary set of guidelines which your Insolvency Practitioner (IP) can sign up for which improves the efficiency of Individual Voluntary Arrangements. When you apply for debt advice, it is important that you understand the steps of the debt solution, so you can decide whether or not the solution is the best one for your circumstances. How do I know if creditors will accept my IVA? Generally speaking, most creditors will approve voluntary arrangements for unsecured debt. But some debts can not be included within one formal debt solution. Your Insolvency Practitioner will tell you how likely it is that your creditors will be willing to accept your proposal, based on the voting creditors. Can I pay in one lump sum? There are occasions when you may be eligible for a debt solution which is payable in a one off lump sum as a final settlement to your creditors. This is usually when the money is being gifted from some one else, or you have received inheritance or a windfall for example. With a one-off lump sum payment, the advice is usually the same as when you normally apply for an IVA. You wouldnt have to make regular payments into the solution, your IP can provide you with more advice on one off lump sum solutions for your debts. Your IP will provide you with more advice on the debt IVA and explain what is IVA to you. Who regulates the debt industry? At present the debt industry is not regulated. Some Insolvency Practitioners offices choose to sign up to the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA) or register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can contact the IPA using the contact details or email address on their website. Your creditors do not regulate the debt industry and your creditors will not be able to impact any decisions which the IPA or FCA make. In our experience, the regulators will take assertive action on any advisers or businesses which do not comply with their strict codes of practice. To check if a person is regulated by the FCA, enter their name into the search box in the FCA website. Should I use a debt charity? There are thousands of companies which provide debt help in the UK. You may be looking for an alternative to a private company. You should know that charities usually pass their fee charging products to sister companies which charge fees and disbursements, just like private companies. So what you initially thought was a good option, on further analysis could be different to what you originally thought. Charities do have their part to play though. They can help you if you have a problem with your bank accounts, maintenance arrears, living costs, credit reference agencies, child support arrears, bankruptcy, assets, accountancy issues, mortgages, creditor issues, insurance providers, mobiles, your bank account, rates arrears, PAYE contributions or if you want to work out your expenditure. They can make sure that you speak to an adviser or supervisor and look at proposals to offer your lender. A petition has started with the possibility of a debate in parliament about how charities represent themselves and their services. Which charities help with debt? You can contact Money Advice Service, National Debtline, Step Change, Shelter or a combination of the three. Charities are particular useful for a low debt level under 1,000. If the debt is high (such as a debt value of 10,000 or more) you would usually seek an assessment from a professional adviser. If you do decide to use a charity to guide you, make sure you check their charity number and the registration number on their website to make sure you are content that their team can answer your questions in the right ways. A lot of clients of charities have a minimum debt level which does not meet the basis for an IVA, so you could always chat to a charity that is happy to act on your behalf for low debt levels. Although an I.V.A could be the answer to your debt problem, its important to understand the monthly payment so call us on our free phone number. Anyone customers can receive expert feedback on their rights from debt charities, if they cant help they will usually point you in the director of firms which help with IVAs. We are homeowners, will lenders see my proposal differently? In some cases yes. In the majority of cases, if you are a homeowner you will not need to remortgage or take out any additional finances that will effect your property. You will need to sign a additional restrictions which remove your ability to take out additional credit tied to your property, which is something that is restricted once you are in an i.v.a. There are exceptions to this, such as when you have a lot of equity in your property/properties. If you own half of a property and another party owns the other half, only your equity will be affected. If you are landlord and you are in a position of equity, your IP may review your trading position or business to make sure the figures in question are in order. This is usually the case if you have two or more properties, as sometimes the equity can be used to form a repayment to your creditors. But this usually depends on the amount of value built up in your properties. Banks and building societies will not change the terms of your mortgage as long as a contribution is still being made for the duration of your arrangement. Your mortgage payments will be added to your expenses and accounted for within your budget, as long as you can provide evidence that you can afford to continue to make payments into your mortgage for duration of the plan. LOOKING FOR HELP? 100% Confidential. Thousands Helped. No upfront fees Why IndusInd bank is set for further re-rating | Ideas For Profit you are here: February 14, 2016 "Race To Raqqa" Discussion Thread To provide additional comment space for further discussion of the "Race to Raqqa" in Syria. The earliest mention of this race came from Andrew Korybko in October 2015: At that time the U.S. formed the Syrian Democratic Forces out of the Syrian-Kurdish YPG in eastern Syria and an assortment of Arab groups. The idea was to send that force against the Islamic State in Raqqa but the Kurds declined. We see a similar scenario as discussed then but now with Turkish and Saudi troops aiming for Raqqa. Our pieces on the race: Today Elijah J Magnier provided additional information about the race from his sources within the Syrian-Russian-Iranian-Hizb command in Damascus: Please at least skim through the above pieces before jumping into the discussion. Posted by b on February 14, 2016 at 14:42 UTC | Permalink Comments next page The Grammys are tomorrow and there has been hours of ink spilled and keystrokes tapped about who may win and who should win. Today we predict the big four categories, including Song Of The Year, not to be confused with Record Of The Year. Song of the Year focuses on songwriting, which is why it has had winners like Luthar Vandross, Jesse Harris and Santana, instead of typical pop, chart-topping anthems. This year's batch of nominees is a mixed bag of pop hits and well-written songs as usual, but it will be close between Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and the others from Ed Sheeran, Wiz Khalifa and Little Big Town. Nominees: Kendrick Lamar - Alright Taylor Swift - Blank Space Little Big Town - Girl Crush Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth - See You Again Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud Who Should Win: Kendrick Lamar - Alright This comes down to Taylor and Kendrick. Little Big Town would be a shocker. Ed Sheeran's x is just old at this point and "See You Again" is a good song, but not a great song in terms of writing. 1989 is a great pop album. Taylor Swift became a bonafide global pop star with the album and "Blank Space" helped propel her to those heights. The harsh, introspective love song probably will win this year, given her lobbying of the voters and it is hard to argue against this great pop song from a great album, written by some of the best right now, Max Martin and Shellback. However when it comes to songwriting, Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" stands above the competition here. It dives into the issues facing poor, urban communities and in the end offers a hopeful message "We gon' be alright." It became much more than just a song, used for protest and became an anthem for the disenfranchised, which did eventually attract some commercial appeal. Who Will Win: Taylor Swift - Blank Space "See You Again" without the draw of Furious 7 would struggle as a stand-alone song compared to these other four. It helps, but does not get it over the hump. If the voters want to shock everyone they will go with Little Big Town, but it doesn't seem likely. Ed Sheeran just seems dated and boring at this point. Let's hope the voters feel the same way as well. It comes down to Kendrick and Taylor. 1989 dominated the charts almost all year and the Max Martin & Shellback written "Blank Space" has led that charge. She knows how to work the system and has the right song to do so in "Blank Space," the masterfully written pop record about heartbreak by Martin, Shellback and Swift. Kendrick is nominated for Song and Album of the Year not Record Of The Year, which is an important distinction. He could take home all of the rap awards, but his writing on "Alright" seems to have been recognized by the voters as excellent, so he could upset Taylor for Song of The Year in a category that doesn't always go exactly as predicted. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Album of the Year is far and away the most elusive Grammy category. The thing about Album of the Year at the Grammys is, well, it can be a bit of a wildcard. Remember when Morning Phase beat Beyonce or when The Suburbs beat Teenage Dream? These things happen all the time. Trying to make a prediction almost seems... useless. Yet, here we are. The big question of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards is... can anyone beat Taylor Swift? While she seems almost a lock for one of the big four awards, something like Album of the Year for 1989 may not be guaranteed. Can she beat the innovative rap of her "Bad Blood" collaborator Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly? Or, while alt-rock rule supreme once again, taking this award for Alabama Shakes? Nominees: Sound & Color, Alabama Shakes To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar Traveller, Chris Stapleton 1989, Taylor Swift Beauty Behind the Madness, The Weeknd WHO SHOULD WIN: To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar The accomplishments of To Pimp a Butterfly are undeniable. The album topped endless year-end best-of lists (including our own), did the seemingly impossible by fusing together rap, jazz and classical music all while spreading a social justice message and managed to be as commercially successful as it was critically. Name one other album that did that this year... Oh, you can't. Though the sum of TPAB's parts may sound off-putting or odd, Kendrick Lamar was perfectly capable of including some bangers, all while tackling topics of self worth, what it means to be black in America. Genius yet important lyrics aside, listen to "King Kunta" or "Alright" and try not to bob your head along. WHO WILL WIN: Alabama Shakes, Sound & Color Despite the merits of To Pimp a Butterfly, is the notoriously out of touch Grammy voter ready to give a non-pop leaning rap album such a high award? We can't be too sure... Right now, everything seems set up for Taylor Swift to win her second Album of the Year with 1989. She has been catering to Grammy voters for months, and her pop breakthrough album helped to redefine levels of superstardom in music. With crisp production and insatiable hits like "Blank Space" and "Wildest Dreams," how can you deny Swift her Grammy? By appealing to the alt-leaning Album of the Year voters. That's how. In recent years, Beck, Mumford & Sons, Arcade Fire, and Robert Plant & Allison Krauss have all won Album of the Year, for albums that were quite less famous than some of their fellow nominees. Precedent seems to indicate that Alabama Shakes may just pull a double sweep - taking this award from Lamar and Swift. That's not to say there aren't merits to Sound & Color too. The swift bluesy sounds and Brittany Howard's 100 percent GO FOR IT vocal performances make the record just the level of engaging, yet outside, that Album of the Year seems to go for. Meanwhile, Chris Stapleton may be ruling the world of country, but he has yet to receive the name recognition that will help cross him over to such a big category. And, while The Weeknd's Beauty Behind the Madness has some of the best singles of the year ("Can't Feel My Face," "The Hills") on it, the album as a whole is incredibly uneven and undeserving of this award. 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. We have independently selected these offers and products because we love them and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may earn a commission if you buy something through our links. Items are Sarkodie should have been bigger than ... Not one day goes by that Jim Jacobs doesnt talk about his daughter. She is my hero, he said of Master Sgt. Tara Jacobs-Brown, 33, who was killed in Afghanistan on April 27, 2011. On Saturday, families of fallen troops gathered at VFW Post 2093 on Edgewater Drive to write and then send special messages up in the air. Operation Love Letters allowed military family members who are grieving the loss of their loved one express their feelings. By sharing stories and remembering their fallen troops, these families say it helps tremendously with the healing process. Everyday there is a memory. Some days are better than others. Some days such as these, the memories are flooding back, said Jo Ann Maitland, the president for the American Gold Star Mothers, Department of Florida. Some days you can feel their presence and honor them and thank them for being around us in one way or another. Gwendolyn Hannah with Survivor Outreach Services helped organized the event. We let them know on Valentine's Day weekend or Valentines Day how much we love them and how much we will remember their service member, Hannah said. And we honor their service member by doing a balloon release, and last year, we added a butterfly release. Jacobs has started a scholarship foundation in honor of his daughter. I just have a place in my heart for her forever. It doesnt matter if shes not here on Earth with me or not right now, Jacobs said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Spring Break is just a few weeks away. The University of Houston, Texas A&M, the University of Texas and Texas State all begin their free week March 12. Many of those schools' student will head south to South Padre Island, which recently earned kudos from two national publications. U.S. News and World Report said South Padre was second only to Miami Beach as the best spring break destination. The news site also gave it the first runner-up spot on its list of "cheap" spring break destinations. Travel and Leisure also included South Padre among its recommendations for "most affordable" spring break experiences. We continue to strive to be the best possible Spring Break and year round family destination in Texas and the Southwest. These types of articles are great affirmations of our destinations success in doing so. South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Keith Arnold said in a release. Special events planned for spring breakers headed to South Padre include the electronic music festival, UME (March 16-19), the Beach Bash Music Fest (Wednesday in March) and the Ultimate Daily Beach Party (daily on the beach). Find more information about Spring Break on South Padre here. Browse the slideshow above to see scenes from Spring Break on South Padre Island. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia is never shy about voicing his strong, and strongly conservative, opinions about the role of religion in American society, and he has done it again with what he called a "sermon" in which he said the U.S. Constitution can favor religion over "nonreligion." Scalia told a gathering at a Catholic high school near New Orleans this month, "one of the reasons God has been good to us is that we have done him honor." "Unlike the other countries of the world that do not even invoke his name, we do him honor. In presidential addresses, in Thanksgiving proclamations and in many other ways," he said in a brief talk at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metarie, according to various news reports. "There is nothing wrong with that, and do not let anybody tell you that there is anything wrong with that," added Scalia, a Catholic. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond introduced Scalia to the crowd of about 600 at an annual celebration of religious freedom. Scalia said that the principle of religious neutrality has been twisted by jurists since the 1970s to mean that traces of religion must be banished in favor of a purely secular public square. He called that idea "absurd." "To tell you the truth, there is no place for that in our constitutional tradition. Where did that come from?" he said. "To be sure, you can't favor one denomination over another. But we can't favor religion over nonreligion?" Scalia said justices should follow the customs and common experiences of the American people on matters of faith more than "abstract principles." He said that if the American people at some point decide they want to "impose" secularism on the U.S., "I don't have a problem with that as long as it is done democratically." But, he added, "Don't cram it down the throats of an American people that has always honored God on the pretext that the Constitution requires it." Scalia, 79, was appointed in 1986 by President Reagan and is the high court's longest-serving justice. He frequently makes headlines with comments in speeches as well as from the bench; in oral arguments last month on a crucial affirmative-action case before the high court, he came under fire for questioning whether some black students would benefit from going to "slower-track" schools. J. Scott Applewhite/STF After Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia made comments about black college students earlier this week that many saw as blatantly racist, black alumni of the University of Texas and current students there took to Twitter to share their successes and humorously voice frustration with the lengthy legal battle over race-conscious admissions at the school. Scalia, a well-known critic of affirmative action policies at stake in the case, suggested that black scholars come from "less-advanced" schools during a Supreme Court hearing Wednesday as UT was defending its admissions policies. Abigail Fisher, a white woman from Sugar Land, says she was discriminated against when UT rejected her in 2008. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, who federal officials say died of apparent natural causes Saturday in West Texas, was a favorite of St. Mary's University School of Law's summer program in Austria. Scalia has served as a distinguished visiting jurist with the local law school four times since 1992 at the University of Innsbruck in Austria, said Vincent R. Johnson, a St. Mary's law professor who worked with Scalia on several occasions and first met the associate justice while Johnson was working for then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist in 1989. Related: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead at West Texas ranch "He was respected and idealized by the students. He was very popular," Johnson said, describing Scalia's incredible quick wit and sharp mind. He recalled in particular how much Scalia's wife, Maureen, loved to visit Innsbruck, which Johnson believes factored into the justice's decision to teach with the program multiple times. Scalia also came to the St. Mary's campus in San Antonio and taught a class with Professor Michael Ariens, who described Scalia as a demanding teacher but "very interested in teaching his students the intricacies of the constitution." Related: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead "He was as he appeared to most people, sometimes gruff, but underneath very friendly with a wonderful sense of humor," Ariens said. "His greatest legacy will be in getting almost all of the members of the court to consider the original meaning of the constitution when interpreting." Johnson said Scalia will go down "as one of the great justices of his era." "He in many respects was larger than life," Johnson said. "He had ideas, he had opinions, he was eager to convey those and to debate them." Gerald S. Reamey, also a St. Mary's law professor, called Scalia's death "shocking," and described the late justice as "charming in a private setting," a family man and religious man, who remained a passionate figure on the bench and a careful student of the U.S. Constitution. "Lawyers before the court often felt his probing and intelligent questions," Reamey said. "And every lawyer appearing before the court, I think, was better prepared because of the presence of Justice Scalia on the bench." Although Scalia was very firm in his beliefs, a trait some found off-putting, Reamey said, he was "very much open to a good argument" and wanted to know what other people had to say. He noted Scalia's well-known friendship with Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, his polar opposite politically. "I think it says a great deal about both of them as people and as intelligent beings that they enjoy, not only enjoy the social conversations they had, but also enjoyed the back and forth between two colleagues that have respect for each other," Reamey said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate When John B. Poindexter came home from Vietnam in 1970, he did what his girlfriend told him to do. He took off his uniform and packed it away along with a chestful of medals and a headful of memories. Then he set his sights on the future. He finished his master's degree and his Ph.D. He made a pile of money on Wall Street. And he started a company in Houston, his hometown. It would take 33 years and a book called Into Cambodia before the retired captain realized he had unfinished business in the dense jungles of Vietnam. RELATED: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead at West Texas ranch Poindexter was reading the book, which included an account of a daring rescue and ferocious battle that he had led, when he realized that few of his men had received the medals he had requested for them and they had earned. I was devastated, says Poindexter, whose tour of duty ended shortly after the bloody battle. I was leveled. I was on the floor. The year was 2003, and Poindexter immediately filed new paperwork for the men of Troop A, 11th Armored Cavalry. But even then, only 14 new medals were approved. All told, about 20 of 150 members of the deserving crew were recognized. Dissatisfied, Poindexter began collecting documentation for a Presidential Unit Citation, the nation's highest group award for military valor. It's the equivalent of a Distinguished Service Cross for the entire troop, explains Army spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Moose. It's more prestigious than a Silver Star. And just below the military's highest award, the Medal of Honor. The unit citation was what Poindexter wanted for his men, but it was going to take all of his organizational and management skills to prove they earned it. He already was busy juggling his diversified manufacturing company here and a luxury resort in West Texas when he took on what amounted to a third full-time job. He tracked down as many men from Troop A as he could and recorded their remembrances of that unnamed battle. He sought verification from other soldiers and from supervising officers. Also, he dug out an old manuscript an account he'd written of that long day then tore it apart, put it back together and published it himself in book form. Poindexter submitted the application for the presidential citation in 2004. It was 6 inches thick and weighed as much as a supersize dictionary. Then he waited. We had audacity' Poindexter is 64 years old, 6 feet 3 inches tall and lanky. If he looks like he might be comfortable sitting atop a horse in a cowboy hat, he is. If he looks like central casting's idea of a Texas sheriff, he is. But he was born here, a middle-class kid, a product of the Houston Independent School District. When his family packed up and moved to Arkansas, he moved, too. Back then, he zipped through the University of Arkansas, graduated early, with honors, and headed for New York City. He was 21, a junior executive for AT&T and attending graduate school at New York University at night when he decided it was time to volunteer for the Army. That was 1966, just as the war in Vietnam was losing support at home. Public opinion affected Poindexter not at all. He comes from a family with a long tradition of military service, and he thought it was his turn to go. Also, he viewed the wartime duty as a personal challenge. What was he made of? How would he function in a life-or-death situation? The military, he thought, was the place to find out. Poindexter entered officer candidate school, was commissioned an armor officer, completed Airborne and Ranger training, and finally extended his tour of duty so he could go to Vietnam. I got lucky, he says. I was assigned to the 11th Cavalry Regiment. The group was known for professionalism and top performance under challenging conditions. Poindexter, sent to War Zone C, led two different commands. Each time, the instructions were simple: find the enemy, fighters for the highly disciplined North Vietnamese Army, and attempt to obliterate them. The conditions were miserable, Poindexter says. We were camping along the Cambodian border in very thick jungle. It was hot all the time, 95 to 100 degrees or worse, and it rained every day. The men wore combat boots, trousers and armored jackets. They didn't bother with shirts. It was just too hot. And they subsisted on C-rations, which meant unending canned food. Mighty untasty, Poindexter recalls.I weigh 170 now, and I'm thin. I was about 155 then. He thinks his men should be recognized for their valor during a risky rescue mission and gunbattle that occurred March 26, 1970. The day began uneventfully, though the crew was still exhausted from a seemingly random accident with an exploding mortar tube the night before. Three men died and a dozen were wounded in the explosion. The next morning, Poindexter assigned his troops relatively light duties. Then, about 11:30, he called them in. Via radio, they'd been following a battle going on about four kilometers to the north and right on the border. Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, had done what it was supposed to do search and destroy. But its troops soon found themselves not only outnumbered but surrounded in a vast enemy encampment. The men of A Troop understood the situation. Without help, 100 infantrymen from Company C were going to be captured or killed. They were on the ground, in the mud, ready to fight to the death. But it didn't come to that because in the late afternoon Troop A arrived with 25 tanks and supplies. One option that Poindexter briefly considered was to drive onto the battlefield, rescue the comrades and retreat. We didn't do that, Poindexter says. That's not what the 11th Cavalry does. Instead, they moved between Company C and the North Vietnamese and fought the enemy until it was too dark to see. We were outnumbered 2- to 3-to-1, Poindexter says. I knew if we got trapped at night, we'd only have more deaths. Finally, the armored tanks left just as they had come, with the Americans fully expecting a North Vietnamese ambush on the way back to camp. That didn't happen. The day's events had been momentous for both sides, Poindexter says. I think the North Vietnamese were as shocked as we were. The Americans were stunned by the magnitude of the bunker complex. And, Poindexter says, the North Vietnamese must have been surprised by the rescue effort. They had dozens of American soldiers within their grasp, only to have them snatched away during a surprise attack. We had audacity, Poindexter says with some satisfaction. Audacity and willpower. Hopeful signs The staffs of two presidents, George W. Bush, then Barack Obama, worked together to process the unit citation. It was dated April 15, 2009, and it was sent to Troop A, 11th Armored Cavalry, based in Fort Irwin, Calif. That's the way a unit award is handled, Poindexter says. Even if it is given for courage and bravery exhibited years ago, the certificate goes to the current members. That's as it should be, he says. Of course, Poindexter didn't get to be the sole owner and CEO of a multimillion-dollar company bearing his name by thinking modestly. Nor did he launch a luxury resort, Cibolo Creek Ranch, in the wilds of West Texas by thinking small. Nor did he offer to buy a chunk of Big Bend Ranch State Park four years ago because he was afraid to say what he wanted. No. Poindexter hopes President Obama will present the award at a White House ceremony this fall. He can just picture his old crew sitting in the audience and watching. He promises that if his men, scattered around the country, can't afford the airfare to Washington, he will pick up the tab. RELATED: Magnolia House featured on HGTV's 'Fixer Upper' now available for booking in Central Texas Thus far, there are no promises coming from the White House, but Poindexter says there are hopeful signs. He's keeping his schedule loose in October and November. Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. The thing is, Poindexter says, the award is not just for Troop A but for all Vietnam vets. Their war was an unpopular war. Their war was a losing war. But those facts have no bearing on the courage of those who served, he says. I don't recall a political conversation the whole time I was in Vietnam, Poindexter says. It was about duty to country. claudia.feldman@chron.com SAN ANTONIO -- A 36-year-old man was killed Saturday morning when gunshots were fired outside a residence on the East Side. San Antonio Police say the shooting happened about 10:45 a.m. in the 500 block of Corliss Street. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The remote West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead Saturday is a 5-star resort that once was a group of forts used by 19th Century cattle barons to fend off attacks by Apaches and thieves. RELATED: San Antonio professors: Scalia 'respected and idealized' by St. Mary's law students Cibolo Creek Ranch was bought by Houston billionaire John Poindexter in 1990 and renovated into a luxury 33-room resort with a private airstrip. Its located about 30 miles south of Marfa, or about 440 miles west of San Antonio. Celebrity guests over the years have included Mick Jagger, Tommy Lee Jones and Julia Roberts, according to the Austin American-Statesman. RELATED: Owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch campaigned for soldiers' recognition The ranch sits on 30,000 acres and offers rooms from $400 to $700 a night. We live in an era where change is constant and hyper. In my youth referring to a person or thing as hyper had both a negative and sometimes, maybe, a positive connotation. Today, and most certainly tomorrow, hyper is seen as good and essential for all activities. This is no more evident than in city planning especially the drive towards the development of the urban core. In 2009 the total number of people living in cities exceeded those living in rural areas for the first time. San Antonio has stepped into the forefront of this drive with the Decade of Downtown and it has done so with alacrity its method, hyper development. With the addition of multi-family housing, hotel keys, completion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center expansion, Museum Reach river project, and Tobin Center the downtown is seeing a cultural and economic renaissance. This will have a net positive result on the livability of the downtown and is a laudable cause. However, in a city the size of San Antonio with over 1.2 million inhabitants, the focus on the downtown should be tempered with an understanding that the suburban, and the extra-urban (areas surrounding San Antonio within the metropolitan area) are equally if not more so important to its future. By the numbers, one can see that San Antonio is not a city built nor will it ever sustain a downtown area like New York or even Portland. It will grow and develop and become rich and varied. However, San Antonios downtown currently has fewer than 10,000 residents. In a city of such size that percentage is not only very small, approximately .006 percent, but is telling of a reality that is unquestionable. The majority of the expenditures both fiscally by the local, state, federal government, and private business and commercial/residential development are outside the urban core. An argument often used against the suburban and the extra-urban is it is not sustainable or efficient. Although that may be true, to a great extent today, that may not be true in a few years. As technology advances and electricity through renewable means becomes the backbone of our energy infrastructure both driving and utilities will become less environmentally and conscientiously toxic. They will in-as-much be certainly less expensive. That argument will eventually recede as electric vehicles, solar power and advances in energy storage change how we fuel our societal activities. There is unquestionably a net benefit to urbanization that results from density: access to community and livability that is fostered by dwelling closely together. But with access comes the harsh reality of increased costs for living and ultimately the pricing out of a majority of people wanting to live an urban lifestyle if they want it to be permanent. Most of the urban residential multi-family housing consists of rentals. Whereas in the suburban an extra-urban areas the preponderance of residences are owned. Simply put, urban development in a city like San Antonio, as it is in just about all cities, cannot build wealth the way that suburban and extra-urban development does. This is especially true for individuals in our City with median incomes making $42,613/year compared to the national average of $53,657/ year. Lets not forget thats why the 1950s post-war push to build bedroom communities took off, resulting in the creation of the largest middle class as a percentage of the population in American history. Given these realities it is crucial that as San Antonians we begin to think more broadly about where and how to invest in areas outside the urban core on community activities that everyone can share such as the purchase of Toyota Field in an effort to bring an MLS team to the city. We also need to consider deeply the crucial role home ownership plays within the matrix of our community. We need to respond to the continuously changing demographic and understand how best to serve our population by rethinking the suburban and the extra-urban to function more like distributed cores nodes of activities that might functions similarly to urban areas. Working together across all sectors to put together comprehensive planning would aid this effort tremendously, if that resulted in specific goals and incentives for types of development that accomplished livability with mixed use and walkable communities. We are reaching a tipping point where our growth will cause greater problems. Sustaining our ideal livable community by solely reacting to hyper development will not work. Its not simply a question of zoning control, additional schools and larger streets. Its providing access to all the essential amenities within smaller radii. This is where the greatest changes can be made in our city. Examples exist everywhere at various scales but they are more the exception and not the rule. In a nutshell, like the urban core, suburban an extra-urban development needs to undergo a revolution in how it is conceived and implemented. No longer should the city push solely towards urbanization, densification, with multifamily housing that is for rent or is substantially too expensive to be considered affordable by the general population. It is time to focus on suburban and extra-urban development that allows for smaller more centralized community based activities distributed across the citys metropolitan area. It can be achieved by rethinking how streets, shops and housing is laid out. Bedroom communities that are often maligned as outdated can serve as a starting point. Envisioning a new type of suburban development with aggregated commercial, cultural and institutional centers will reduce driving and our dependence on highways*. Those outlying cores will have highway access not as a necessity for the quotidian, but to interweave our diverse tapestry to accommodate the citys future needs. We all want to see the city thrive but intelligently through wealth building as-well-as with an increase in livability. Our community needs be more so intent on guiding that process before hyper growth takes away our ability to make those decisions. * few know that San Antonians drive an average of over 25,000,00 miles daily Kevin McClellan is a San Antonio architect. Every person expects their employer to provide a safe work environment. No one should have to fear being injured while doing their job. Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys fight to protect the rights of workplace accident victims. If you have been injured by a defective product or piece of equipment while on the job or if your employer has not put the safety of its employees first, choose Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys. The goal of our offices is to not only protect your rights, but to send a message to your employer so the same tragedy does not happen again. If you have been injured on the job and do not know what to do, follow the guidelines listed: On Thursday February 4th, I was pleased to attend the 63rd National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. This event highlighted the importance of praying for our nation and our leaders. The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event in Washington DC, which brings together thousands of people from over 140 countries. It attracts a number of high level dignitaries including an address by the President of the United States. Among the many dignitaries, I was honoured to meet Dr. Ben Carson, a current presidential nomination candidate. Some of the notable speakers at the event included an address by President Barack Obama and Mark Burnett and Roma Downey acting as key note speakers. Mark is best known as the creator of reality shows such as The Apprentice, Survivor, Shark Tank and The Voice. While Rona is known for her role in the 1990s series, Touched by an Angel. With the number of high profile speakers, I was especially moved by the story of Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe. Sister Rosemary is a Catholic nun who has dedicated her life to helping girls formerly held captive by warlord Joseph Kony of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda. For 25 years, under the leadership of Joseph Kony, the LRA abducted children for the purposes of recruiting child soldiers and sex trade workers. Both boys and girls were abducted, some forced to commit horrific crimes while many girls were made into sex slaves. During the 25 year long war, Sister Rosemary and other nuns worked together to help and shelter innocent people from the ravages of war. Facing personal danger and a number of other serious challenges, Sister Rosemarys vision became a reality when she successfully developed vocational schools to educate girls victimized by the LRA. The schools have now become self-sustaining and have given students an opportunity to sew uniforms for local schools, cater for important events, and create purses from pop-tabs and yarn which they sell internationally. Sister Rosemarys work has drawn the attention of Bill and Chelsea Clinton, Forest Whitaker and other high-profile supporters. Doki Doki Crate 3.8 overall rating 12 Ratings | 1 Reviews Doki Doki is a new subscription box from Japan Crate for all things kawaii! This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.) The Subscription Box: Doki Doki by Japan Crate The Cost: $30.00/month ACTIVE DEAL: Save $3 off your first box CODE: MSADD3 The Products: Everything kawaii Ships to: Internationally with a few exceptions - you can find those here. Check out all of our Doki Doki and Japan Crate reviews! As soon as I saw this bubble gum pink box, I knew I was in for some fun! Doki Doki includes a high quality, glossy paged brochure with a comic strip, and all of the information regarding the individual items sent each month. They also include information about the other boxes that this company curates and sends out each month. Spirited Away No-Face Plushie - $12.00? I'm guessing on the value here since I can't find this exact plushie for sale. I definitely prefer this one over the ones I did find - it's a little cuter! Doki Doki said that this is what they like to think No-Face looks like under his mask. The mask is attached to the top of the plushie's head, like he's holding it up to show his face. Cardcaptor Sakura Kero Plushie - $16.99 This is a cute little guy! The short description of this from Doki Doki is "We found this guy eating his way through our Japan Crate candy warehouse. He's a companion to Sakura, and he's excited to be your new companion. Hang him on your bag to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't eat all your snacks!" He's very soft, and seems well made - he seems like he would last a while, even on a bag or keychain. Cute Friend's Pen - $5.00? I can't find this exact pen online, but it's very clever. So clever, than I never would have realized it was a pen without it being mentioned in the brochure! The head of the cat comes off, and reveals a pen. It's pretty small, so it would be difficult to write with, but would be handy when you need a pen! Cute Friend's Bookmark - $5.00? This is adorable. It's a cute little frog bookmark, with a metal holder to keep your page. I'm guessing on value again, because I couldn't find the exact one online! Animal Friend Page Markers - $3.00? These are really cute. They're all pandas, and each one has a different design. They stick pretty well but they're not so sticky that they'll leave residue or take pieces of your marked page with them when they fall off. Cute Friends Whistle - $3.00? This is an adorable little whistle, but I can't figure out what kind of animal it is. Maybe a little bear? Doki Doki suggests keeping him on your keychain to remind you to take a few minutes to read during the day! Gudetama Keychain - $4.16 This is a lazy egg. I never would have guessed that this was an egg, but it makes sense now that I know! It is a very thick, solid plastic, so I imagine it would hold up to daily abuse on your keychain! They come in one of 4 poses, so this item will vary. Kiki's Delivery Service Coin Purse - $10.00? This is a decent sized zippered coin purse. It is plush on the outside, and lined in white fabric on the inside. I like the white lining, because that makes it easier to find things in! If you have no use for coin purses, like me, this would be an adorable purse for a little girl to carry around! Cardcaptor Sakura Blind Box - $9.00 I think I received Sakura with her companion Kero, but I'm not 100% sure. What I do know, is that this is adorable! I love the idea of blind boxes, and I think they're probably a lot of fun (as well as a source of frustration when you get duplicates lol) for people who collect these. It was a little hard for me to put together, but I eventually figured it out. Chi's Sweet Home Blind Box - $9.00? This is a cute keychain type thing, but I think mine is broken. I think if you pull the cord on the head, the eyes are supposed to do something - and they don't. The tail also looks like it does something! Verdict: My calculated value for this box was quite high: $77.15. Since I guessed on some of the values, please don't put too much stock in this estimate. I think you need to look at the items and see if they're something you would enjoy receiving! I've read some posts about the items in the January box being bootleg items, and possibly some of the items in this box as well. Since I'm not an expert in the world of Kawaii and Anime, I wouldn't have picked up on this. I am NOT claiming that these items aren't authentic versions, but I wanted to mention it in case it is important to someone. All-in-all, I think this box is like every other box - you have to look at it and determine if it is worth the cost to you! What did you think of February's Doki Doki box? Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died earlier today in Texas, may have managed by the accident the timing of his demise, to have done a favor to his opponents. As readers know all too well, Scalia was noteworthy for his consistent right wing position and his lack of inhibition about making creative arguments to support it. Some pending cases before the Supreme Court had been expected to split on ideological lines, meaning a 5-4 favoring conservatives. With Scalia dead, that moves the anticipated vote to 4-4. A deadlock reaffirms the lower court decision. One important case up for 2016 is Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, in which the plaintiffs were seeking to reverse an appellate court decision allowing unions to impose fees on non-members for collective bargaining. As Time put it, If the court issues a ruling this year, it is unlikely to break with the settled constitutional interpretation that unions can do so. Other cases scheduled for this year that are likely now to deadlock if they are heard as planned include, per ThinkProgress: Immigration United States v. Texas concerns the legality of Obama administration immigration policies that, if allowed to take effect, will temporarily enable close to five million undocumented immigrants to remain in the county. It is also the case that presents the most opportunity for chaos if the Court evenly divides on the outcome. In a highly unusual order, a federal district judge issued a nationwide halt to the policy and refused to stay that decision. A conservative panel of the conservative United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld those decisions by the district judge. Thus, if the Court splits 4-4 in the Texas case, the Fifth Circuits order will stand. Where things get complicated is if the Justice Department successfully obtains an order from a different circuit upholding the program, or if an immigrant who hopes to benefit from the program obtains a similar order. The Fifth Circuit is among the most conservative courts in the country, and it is unlikely that every circuit will follow its lead. In that case, there will be competing court orders holding the policies both legal and illegal, and no possibility of Supreme Court review. It is not immediately clear what happens in such a case. Abortion Another case out of Texas, Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt, also could lead to confusion if the Court evenly divides. Whole Womans Health is the greatest threat to Roe v. Wade to reach the Supreme Court in a generation. If five justices back the Texas law in this case, it is unclear that there will be any meaningful limits on states ability to pass anti-abortion laws. Without Scalias vote, however, the chances that the Supreme Court will uphold the Texas law outright is vanishingly small. Should they split 4-4, however, the Fifth Circuits decision upholding the Texas law will stand and states within the Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi) will most likely gain broad discretion to restrict abortion while Scalias seat remains open. Meanwhile, the fate of the right to choose would rest upon which federal appellate circuit a woman happened to reside in. Women in fairly liberal circuits would likely continue to enjoy the same rights they enjoy under existing precedents, while women in conservative circuits could see their right shrink to virtual nothingness. Birth Control Geography could also play a significant role in deciding womens ability to access birth control. To date, every federal appeals court to consider the question but one, the Eighth Circuit, has upheld Obama administration rules enabling women to obtain health plans that cover birth control even if their employer objects to contraception on religious ground. There is a good chance that Justice Anthony Kennedy, a conservative who occasionally votes with the Courts liberal bloc in politically charged cases, could vote to uphold these rules as well, producing a 5-3 vote. If Kennedy votes with the conservatives, however, womens access to birth control will vary from circuit to circuit. Though it is likely that most circuits will follow the majority rule and uphold the rules, women in the Eighth Circuit (Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) will not be as lucky Redistricting Similarly, the plaintiffs in Evenwel v. Abbott, a case that could have effectively forced many states to redraw their congressional maps in ways that would give more power to white voters and less to communities with large numbers of immigrants, almost certainly will not have five votes. Because the court below ruled against these plaintiffs, states will not have to redraw their maps, for now. Obama has said he intends to nominate a new Supreme Court justice. Republicans are arguing that the decision should be left to the next President and Congress. Aside from sheer the knee-jerk obstructionism, its hard to see the justification for this position, given that is is almost a full year before a new President would be sworn in. But this makes Scalias death a gift to the left which means both progressives and their Vichy Left hangers-on. Democratic party turnout has been terrible in recent years, and for good reason. The fact that the economy is unlikely to be doing much better by election time (indeed, many economists are using the r word) would normally be fatal to Democratic party prospects unless Sanders manages to wrench the reins from the hand of the apparatchiks (as in he is so clearly hostile to the policies that caused this mess that he can credibly present himself as part of the solution rather than part of the problem). Having a protracted fight over the Supreme Court can only be a plus for Democratic party turnout (and Democrats are less consistent about voting than Republicans) and if Clinton prevails, might be one of the few things that might get some Sanders supporters to hold their noses and vote for her if she were to become the nominee. SHARE Local WCR chapter to meet The Naples-on-the-Gulf chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors will hold its February Business Resource meeting and breakfast on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Club at Olde Cypress, 7165 Treeline Drive, Naples. Networking begins at 8:30 with breakfast/meeting from 9 to 10 a.m. The topic is Speed Dating with New Construction. The reservation deadline is Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. Visit WCRNaples.com. Real estate show Jim York, a local Realtor, hosts a real estate update show each week on current issues or trends. Join York every Thursday afternoon from 1:30 to 3 p.m. through the end of the year. There will be a different guest who specializes in a currently relevant topic each week. Any questions about upcoming topics or to be an audience guest, contact U.S.A. Marketing LLC by email: usamrktggroup@cs.com. All shows can also been seen at NaplesYorkRealEstate.com or their Real Estate News Blog: YorkRealEstateGroupSWFL.com. Real estate seminar Naples' top real estate professionals will hold a public seminar to help homebuyers and sellers avoid making common but harmful mistakes. According to local Realtor Jim York, who will be one of the professionals at the seminar, there are five errors that buyers and sellers frequently make. Step-by-step instructions will be given on how to avoid them. In addition to York, speakers include Donald Ross Jr., a real estate attorney; Chris Mitchell, an insurance expert; and Kevin Klimek, a mortgage professional. The seminar will be held on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon in the clubhouse at Talis Park, 16475 Talis Park Drive. The seminar is specifically for buyers and sellers. Realtors are not invited to attend. To register, go to NaplesYorkRealEstate.com. Local CCIM district to meet The Southwest Florida CCIM District will hold this month's marketing meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Featured speakers are Howard Kunik, city manager for the city of Punta Gorda; Lucienne Pears, director of economic development with Charlotte County; and Ruth A. Buchanan, economic development program manager, city manager's office with the city of North Port. The panel will discuss a review of their 2015 success and a look at the plans and business in their communities. The meeting will be at The Edison Restaurant, 3583 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. Admission: 10 for district members; $20 for nonmembers. Online at rstruthers@ccim.net. Making Southwest Florida Your Home seminar Six industry experts will host a complimentary two-part seminar on "What You Need to Know about Making Southwest Florida Your Home." Lorna J. Scharlacken, attorney with Cohen & Grigsby, Cherry Smith, EVP with The Naples Trust Co. and Patty Margarit, CPA and Partner with Boulay PLLP, are featured guest speakers on Monday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. The second seminar features these guest speakers on Monday, Feb. 29 at 10 a.m.: Andrea Pelletier, client adviser with Gulfshore Insurance, Nicole L. Goetz, attorney with Nicole L. Goetz, and Sharon Kaltenborn, sales associate with Premier Sotheby's International Realty. Both seminars are moderated by Lynne Groth, president of Groth Marketing Group and will be held at the clubhouse at Talis Park, 16665 Toscana Circle, Naples. R.S.V.P. by Friday, Feb. 19 to 239-774-4000 or Samira@naplestrustcompany.com. Additional office Engel & Volkers has announced the grand opening of Engel & Volkers Bonita Estero, 26381 U.S. 41 S., No. 108, across from Bonita Bay and Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs. Engel & Volkers Olde Naples opened its first location in Southwest Florida in January 2010 on Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. In July 2015, the company acquired Florida Platinum Realty, which was renamed Engel & Volkers BonitaEstero, which is now a part of Engel & Volkers Naples BonitaEstero (EVNBE). The Bonita Springs office has since been renovated and redecorated. The Bonita Springs office will be Engel & Volkers 23 location in Florida. Division formed Luxury custom homebuilder Diamond Custom Homes has launched a new estate management division. The service is offered to current and previous clients, as well as all other luxury homeowners in the greater Naples area. Diamond's estate management division monitors the condition of every home, directing maintenance and upkeep for as long as necessary and overseeing any renovations as requested. This entails a wide variety of offerings, including: thorough multipoint inspections (water intrusion, mechanical systems, condition of exterior, landscaping and pool systems), professional Diamond Custom Homes maintenance for all large and small projects, and Diamond preferred and trusted vendors. Online at DiamondCustomHomesFL.com. Design company chosen Horizons at Bonita Bay selected the Hospitality Division of Clive Daniel Home to provide renovations to the common areas and lobby of the luxury Gulf-front condominium. According to Nancy Woodhouse, IDS, VP Design of Business Development & Hospitality Division for Clive Daniel Home, the design scope includes the installation of custom applied wood features enhancing the property's architectural backgrounds. Design refinements to the main lobby include front-entrance and interior columns to blend with custom wood details. The porte cochere ceiling is also being updated with applied cypress planks, adding character to this building. Online at clivedaniel.com. New website Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations in Fort Myers has launched a new website to better serve clients and prospective clients. The new website at www.spiroandassociates.com has undergone a complete face-lift resulting in a clean and bright look and feel, easy navigation, a comprehensive library of the company's creative work, and is responsive to today's mobile device users. The website features a new video that demonstrates how the agency focuses on creating brands from scratch from initial drawings and concepts to finished pieces using the latest technology. The case studies section breaks down the challenges, solutions and results of a number of marketing campaigns that Spiro has accomplished over the years. Additionally, visitors will discover a robust services page, a new Brand Architects page featuring Team Spiro, new photography, customer testimonials, and links to the agency's social media sites. Transactions Investment Properties Corp. (IPC) brokered this transaction: Sunil Malkani, M.D., P.A., d/b/a Malkani Retina Center leased 2,616 square feet from 1855 Veterans LLC at 1855 Veterans Park Drive, Suite 302, Naples. Clint L. Sherwood of IPC and Robert Morgan of Hovland Inc. negotiated this transaction. Transactions reported by CRE Consultants: Rosa and Ramon Almazan purchased a 30,939-square-foot auto repair facility at 2649 Fowler Street and 2660 Evans Ave. in Fort Myers from Sam Galloway Ford Inc. for $1.115 million. Enn Luthringer of CRE Consultants represented the seller and Debra Wakeley of Market America Realty & Investments represented the buyer. North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District purchased 8.55 acres on Immokalee Road, east of Collier Boulevard in Naples from Royal Watch Inc. for $849,000. Fred Kermani of CRE Consultants represented the seller and Kevin Paratela of Berkshire Hathaway Florida Realty represented the buyer. Industrial Service Solutions leased 4,974 square feet in Alico Center, 10070 Daniels Interstate Court, Unit 140, Fort Myers from Alico Inc. Enn Luthringer of CRE Consultants represented the lessor. Theresa Mitchell of iCore Global|Boback Commercial Group represented the lessee. RTI Insurance Services leased 3,000 square feet in Gladiolus Commons, 9681 Gladiolus Drive, Suite 111, Fort Myers from Gladiolus Commercial Properties LLC. Randal Mercer, Brandon Stoneburner and Nicole Gray of CRE Consultants represented the lessor. John Albion of Cushman & Wakefield represented the lessee. O.R. Colan Associates LLC leased 685 square feet in Taylor Executive Center, 6719 Winkler Road, Suite 218, Fort Myers from Taylor Executive Court Assoc. LLC. Enn Luthringer of CRE Consultants represented the lessor. Colleen Frye of Re/Max Commercial represented the lessee. A snowy egret, left, and a blue heron, land Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 at the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam in Alva, Fla. The mayors of Lee Countys six municipalities convened at a joint emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss action items regarding freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee watershed. (Corey Perrine/Staff) Looking back, what a difference a year makes. Imagine it is February 2015 and record rainfall has covered South Florida to the point that brown water discharges from Lake Okeechobee are fouling the beaches and estuaries on the east and west coasts of Florida. Such discharges are almost routine in the rainy season but this one, at the height of the supposedly dry tourist season, is especially alarming. Lawmakers are getting ready to convene their annual session as environmentalists and others try to whip up support for a massive land purchase that would alleviate the need to divert water from Lake O and its unreliable dike toward the coasts. Could the outcry from hoteliers and others dependent on tourism, combined with the momentum that already existed for the purchase, have been enough to sway a Legislature that ultimately decided not to exercise the soon-to-expire option to buy the land? We'll never know, but money talks in Tallahassee and an outcry from suffering tourist operators might have been the only voice powerful enough to overcome the sugar industry's efforts to keep its land out of government hands. Looking ahead, what difference will a year make? Probably not much. The February water dumps into the Caloosahatchee River and St. Lucie Canal have stirred lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott to action. But what passes for action in government would be called bureaucracy and Band-Aids in other sectors. For instance, in response to the unseasonable discharges, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson last week filed legislation intended to expedite a project that will move more water to the south of Lake O, rather than to the east or west. The bill would "authorize" the Central Everglades Planning Project, a series of public works that would move water south through land already in public ownership. CEPP, as it is known, hadn't been given a green light by the Army Corps of Engineers in time to be included in the 2014 Water Resources Development Act passed by Congress. But Nelson's bill if it passes only "authorizes" the project. It doesn't devote any money toward actually doing it. That comes during the annual appropriations process. There's no guarantee that once a project is authorized it will receive immediate funding. For insight into how difficult appropriations can be, look no further than a key element in CEPP's predecessor, CERP. The Central Everglades Restoration Project was first approved in Congress in 2000. The plan called for the state and federal government to split the costs 50-50. One component of CERP, the C-43 Reservoir, is a 9-square-mile tract of former orange groves in Hendry County to be converted into a 10,500-acre reservoir surrounded by a 35-foot berm capable of storing 55 billion gallons of water. Although part of a plan approved in 2000, the C-43 Reservoir wasn't "authorized" until 2014. Even today, no federal money has been appropriated. Late last year, Gov. Scott decided to move ahead with the project anyway, with the expectation that the federal government eventually will make good on its commitment to the more than $400 million project. So work has finally started at the site, according to Phil Flood, intergovernmental representative with the South Florida Water Management District, the state agency partnering with the Corps of Engineers on Everglades restoration. An outline on the C-43 project on the district's website says construction should be complete by 2011. The date is now 2020, Flood said. "That page needs to be updated," he observed. And when it's finished the C-43 Reservoir will only handle a fraction of the outflow that comes from Lake Okeechobee in peak periods. It will be able to hold 170,000 acre-feet of water. Flood said 400,000 acre-feet are needed. A few smaller projects on the books will add to the capacity, but it still won't be enough. "We have a deficit of storage in the Caloosahatchee watershed. There are still more projects that need to be identified," he said. The CEPP project, if funded and finished on schedule in 2029, would reduce Caloosahatchee discharges by 14 percent, according to Nelson's office. A staunch tea party conservative, U.S. Rep. Curt Clawson isn't the first name that comes to mind when the topic turns to environmental legislation and spending. But he advocated for the state purchase of the 48,000 acres of agricultural land south of the lake last year and now he's looking for other ways to keep excess lake water out of the Caloosahatchee. He said a similar episode a few years ago is what prompted him to run for Congress in 2014. His parents, residents of Bonita Springs, were disturbed by the frequent bouts with discolored water. They urged him to get involved but he was hesitant. "I'm an auto parts executive, not a marine biologist," he told them. One day he was walking on the beach with his parents in knee deep water. "My dad said, 'Curt, you can't see your feet, can you?' That's why I got into this." He's reluctant to criticize the state Legislature for not buying the sugar land. It was their call and they looked at the numbers more closely than did he. But, he said, "If we're going to walk away from that option, let's find something else. We've got to come up with a plan B." "Everyone I talk to says we need to move water south. Having a flow way where we bought land is the final piece of the puzzle we don't have right now. That's the elephant in the room," Clawson said. Today's crisis notwithstanding, it's unlikely that elephant will have gone far a year from now. - - - (Connect with Brent Batten at brent.batten@naplesnews.com, on Twitter@NDN_BrentBatten and at facebook.com/ndnbrentbatten) St. Andrews State Park in Pensacola Beach, Fla., one of the highlight beaches of the Florida panhandle. (Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/TNS) SHARE Navarre Beach on the Florida panhandle, where the sand is pure white quartz. (Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/TNS) One advantage to the Florida panhandle is that you can see both the sunset (pictured) and sunrise from its south-facing beaches. This is on Navarre Beach. (Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/TNS) The upscale Hilton Sandestin resort in Sandestin on the Florida panhandle has a wide, white sand beach. (Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/TNS) St. Andrews State Park in Pensacola Beach, Fla., one of the highlight beaches of the Florida panhandle. (Ellen Creager/Detroit Free Press/TNS) By Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press (TNS) NAVARRE BEACH, Fla. Dolphins leaping in the sea. Shells glistening on the shore. Perfect miles of white sand beaches that make you happy to be alive. The treasures of the Florida Panhandle belong to all of us and none of us. And whether you respond to this place with parties or solitude, it's up to you. The Florida Panhandle, if you look on a map, is actually south of Alabama. It has a southern feel in its pace, attitude and food. Known for huge spring break crowds in March, it also attracts snowbirds in winter and family vacationers in summer. The Panhandle is anchored by Pensacola on the west and Panama City on the east. Drive it, and you will definitely see some manmade mischief here. There are too many looming, out-of-scale condo towers, too many sprawling shopping centers and way too many chain restaurants, plus the usual assortment of junky gift shops and tattoo parlors. But in my mind, those things cannot ruin nature's fine handiwork or the Panhandle's charm. The trick is to pick not only the right time but the right spot for what you want to do. Serious fishing? Base yourself in Destin. A family wanting a beach vacation? I like Pensacola Beach. Privacy? Try Navarre Beach or a planned community like Seaside. Resort your style? Try the Hilton Sandestin. Wild parties and spring break? Panama City Beach, no question. A word about spring break. This year, it collides with Easter. College spring breaks begin the week of Feb. 27 (University of Michigan), then March 5 (Michigan State, Western Michigan, Central Michigan) and continue through the week of March 17. Easter immediately follows on March 27, with most public school holidays beginning March 25. Panama City Beach is the top destination in the country for spring break, with an estimated 300,000 students descending on the city. Besides the beaches, its draw is the country's largest nightclub, Club La Vela, and the fact that Florida is a whole lot easier to reach and cheaper than Cancun, Punta Cana or Nassau. (One company, Student City, offers a typical 7-day packages for $499 per person, with 6 people in each one-bedroom condo.) The drinking age is 21 in Florida. Panama City Beach is basically 15 miles of bars, jet skis, Ripley's Believe it or Not and condo towers. But don't think that the Panhandle is one big crazed party. It's not. In fact, Florida has done a great job of ensuring that much of nature is protected on this part of the Gulf Coast so that everyone can enjoy the views, the sand and the sweep of gorgeous beauty Florida is blessed to have. My favorite spots for that? Opal Beach on the glistening Gulf Islands National Seashore, west of Navarre Beach. Pensacola Beach and its scenic pier. St. Andrews State Park, just east of Panama City Beach. Henderson State Park near Destin. Many state parks here have camping for those who want to be closer to nature than a night club This region is also home to intriguing sights, chiefly the National Naval Aviation Museum, home to the acrobatic flying team the Blue Angels. The nicely cared for Pensacola historic district has architecture dating back to 1805. Families with young children should try the small Gulf Breeze zoo. Mostly, though, the Panhandle is all about the beach. It has been given two nicknames, the Redneck Riviera and The Emerald Coast. I guess both are true. I winced when I saw a Confederate flag for sale in an Alvin's Island gift shop. You can get fried green tomatoes in the restaurants. Cheese grits are a big thing. A bar straddling the state line with Alabama has a mullet-throwing contest. Emerald Coast? The water here really is clear and crystalline with a natural emerald color not caused by algae or man but by a miracle of nature. In the Panhandle, like the Florida Keys, the southern-facing beaches mean you get to see the sunrise and the sunset. Not bad. Even in January when the average high is just 60, it feels like summer here. IF YOU GO: Getting here: It's 977 miles, about a 16-hour drive from Detroit to Navarre Beach and the Panhandle. You also can fly from Detroit to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport or Pensacola airport for about $350 round trip, stopping in Atlanta en-route. Lodging: Most lodging here is vacation rentals. Low season here is October-February. High season is Memorial Day to mid-August. The rest is shoulder season, except for the deluge of visitors for spring break. Book through VRBO.com or a local company, like Blue Moon Rentals. If you prefer a resort hotel, try the Hilton Sandestin Resort (www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com). There are also nice resort hotels in Pensacola Beach. Dining: Look for local restaurants, not chains you could find at home. Three fun spots: The Five Sisters Blues Cafe in Pensacola serves Southern food, fried green tomatoes, cornbread stuffing, crabcakes, shrimp. (www.fivesistersbluescafe.com). Try the local chain Shrimp Basket in Navarre for poboys and oysters; Mike's Cafe and Oyster Bar in Panama City Beach for soup and seafood. Attractions: National Naval Aviation Museum (www.navalaviationmuseum.org). Downtown Pensacola historic sights, (www.visit-pensacola.com) and the Gulf Breeze Zoo (www.gulfbreezezoo.org.) Beaches: Opal Beach and other sights on the Gulf Islands National Seashore (www.nps.gov/guis), and Henderson State Park: St. Andrews State Park and Grayton Beach State Park (www.floridastateparks.org), Navarre County Park Beach. For more: www.visitflorida.com, I also like the new guidebook "Moon Spotlight Pensacola" (Moon, $8.99.) FILE -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia participates in a Q&A session at the 94th annual Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society National Convention at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, in Naples. (David Albers/Staff) By Maria Perez of the Naples Daily News News about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death shocked the nation Saturday afternoon, including in Southwest Florida, where he had close ties. Scalia, who had deep Catholic beliefs, advised the leadership of the Ave Maria School of Law, especially in the institution's first years. Ave Maria School of Law professor Richard Meyers said in a statement Saturday that Scalia was instrumental. The justice participated in meetings and curriculum planning, invited by the school's first dean, Bernard Dobranski, Meyers said. In 2005, when the school was still based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he introduced Scalia as an Ave Maria lecturer, Meyers said. Scalia, he said, was a proponent of interpreting the Constitution in a way faithful to its text. "His influence is likely to endure for years to come," Meyers said. Thomas S. Monaghan, chairman and founder of Ave Maria School of Law, said Scalia was a man of great intellect, principle, courage and faith. "He most certainly has left a legacy that will not fully be comprehended for some years to come," he said in a statement on Saturday. "We at Ave Maria School of Law are grateful for the time he spent with us particularly in our formative yearshelping to advise us on issues of curriculum and coming to inspire our faculty and students with his presence." Jim Towey, president of Ave Maria University, which isn't affiliated with the law school, said he was also saddened to learn about Scalia's death. He described the justice as a no-nonsense, brilliant man. He said Scalia lived six houses apart from his wife's family home in McLean, Virginia, and that the justice even came to their wedding. Towey saw him periodically, he said, when he was working at the White House between 2002 and 2006. "He loved to laugh and he was in many ways larger than life," Towey said. He said both he and his wife are very close to Scalia's son John. "They are all just devastated," he said of Scalia's family. U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, also said in a statement that he was saddened about Scalia's death. "In almost 30 years of serving on the high court, he leaves behind a legacy of being a defender of the Constitution and the liberties it so dearly enshrines," he said. Scalia came to Naples in January 2015 to receive the Benjamin Nathan Cardozo Memorial Award, from the Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society. Related: National reaction to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death At the event, Scalia showed his dry humor and spoke about issues ranging from constitutional law to Justice Clarence Thomas' gigantic recreational vehicle. Scalia talked about how he interprets the law following a more strict interpretation of a law's original intent. Scalia lamented how often judges move away from the legal intent of the nation's laws. "I am still amazed that so much of our constitutional law nowadays has simply been made up I mean, literally made up by the Supreme Court," Scalia said. He also touched on the possibility of televising U.S. Supreme Court arguments, a practice that never has been permitted and generally has been opposed by the court. "I'm against televising court proceedings, but not because I wouldn't come off well," Scalia said to laughs. "It will not change willingly. I don't think there's anywhere near a majority on the court willing to have our proceedings televised." David H. Marion, a Philadelphia-based lawyer and national chancellor of Tau Epsilon Rho Law Society, said on Saturday that the public who attended the event was at the beginning hostile to Scalia and some of his philosophies about jurisprudence. But, he said, by the time the justice answered their questions, always with good humor, attendants were captivated by him. There was applause from the audience. "He is a very charming man," he said. Scalia, Marion said, explained in the event that because the U.S. Supreme Court is not elected by the American people and doesn't represent them, the court should only apply the law, not make it. Marion said that even when people didn't agree with Scalia, they liked him and they respected his views. "It's hard to believe he is gone," he said. By Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas of the Naples Daily News For couples getting married these days, there's a 50 percent chance it will end in divorce. Not surprised? That's exactly the point: There was a time when that statistic shocked Americans. Now it is common knowledge and widely accepted. A 2012 Bowling Green State University study says the divorce rate has doubled in the past two decades for those 50 and older. But it isn't just a generational thing. At any age, it seems harder than ever to make love last. However, if you're looking for something real to aspire to as you reflect on love and romance this Valentine's Day, take a page from the book of these four couples. They aren't celebrities, their stories aren't exceptional and their lives certainly haven't been fairy tales. But they've made it work because, as one man put it: "It never occurred to me that marriage would be something to try and fail at you just make it work." The Daily News asked four couples in local retirement communities a series of questions about love, their relationship and Valentine's Day. The list included questions about how they met, how big their wedding was, if anyone gave them marital advice, how often they argue and what they like most about their spouse. For most questions, the answers were as varied as one would expect. But if you're really hoping to emulate the traits of these success stories, there was one question that got nearly identical answers from all of the couples. We asked: What does Valentine's Day mean to you? All eight responders told us some variation of: "Valentine's Day should be every day." The couples have been married a combined 214 years, or about 78,100 days. It turns out the secret to longevity may be spreading romance out over those days instead of focusing all your romantic energy onto Feb. 14. The sheet music is all set up for "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You," but when asked to play something on his top-of-the-line organ, Don Vasil opts for a country-western number. Teresa, his wife of 68 years, would've picked a church song if it were her sitting at the keys, but she sways along to the selection her husband made, just the same. They don't pretend to know the secret to a lifetime of love and happiness, despite having achieved it. Maybe it's something like sharing a hobby they are each accomplished at playing the organ but each retains their individual taste in musical genres. (No one claimed the partially-obscured sheet music for "Beer Barrel Polka," but perhaps that represents a compromise, too.) All they purport to know about love is that their faith is central to it. "God gives us the strength to keep going. We do a lot of praying together," said Don, 88. Their love story began 1,400 miles north of Naples, nearly seven decades ago. "I was waiting for Teresa to graduate. After going together for three years, we knew we'd get married when she finished high school," Don said Wednesday from the couple's independent living apartment at Lely Palms Retirement Community. She graduated in June and they were married Nov. 6, 1948. It was still seven weeks before Christmas, but Teresa didn't care her two bridesmaids wore green and red gowns for a Christmas theme. They celebrated their union at the Canteen Restaurant in Kensington, Connecticut. About 75 people were there. He was 20, she was 18. They met when she was just 15, shortly after "her people," as Don calls her relatives, bought a bakery in New Britain where he already worked, cleaning equipment and making deliveries. "They didn't lay me off," Don said. "Then her aunt said I had to meet Teresa." Click here to see Valentine's Day dining specials in Naples He started working when he was 8 years old, delivering newspapers. He held two or more jobs for many years, including working as a movie theater attendant which Teresa loved because he got into shows free, "and then he only had to pay for my ticket." Teresa's family told them not to rush toward independence. The newlyweds lived with her family for six years while Don learned a trade, eventually working as a tool and dye foreman for 30 years. They saved up enough money that their "starter home" was a three-family house they rented out two units and lived in the third. Teresa said Don was a wonderful provider; he complimented her on raising their four sons and she returned the sentiment by saying how great it was that Don imparted a love of boating and fishing to the boys. They'll tell you life isn't about avoiding arguments, but it's important to watch what you say. Or, as Teresa joked: "I try to keep my mouth shut." "If you don't have disagreements then you're a liar," Don said. "You can't live 70 years with someone and not have disagreements." "And the makeups are better," Teresa chimed in. The couple said they have paid more attention to their anniversary each year than Valentine's Day. For their 50th, they went to Amish Country, Don said. The important thing has always been being together and working together. "Valentine's Day is everyday; we don't have to prove anything for Valentine's Day," Don said. "But I tell you, I couldn't do any better than what I got here with Teresa." Cindy Debruyn had stopped expecting to find romantic love in her life. It wasn't in the cards for her or so she thought having made it well past her 50th birthday with nary a romance. But that was before John. Ten years ago, he wasn't all that optimistic, either. Allen "John" Debruyn, 65, had been married and he'd loved with conviction, but it hadn't ended well. The twice-wounded Vietnam veteran suffered a stroke at age 28 and had two brain surgeries in subsequent years. To hear him tell it, his first wife didn't seem interested in visiting him at Heritage Healthcare on Seventh Avenue, where he's now lived for the past 21 years. "The year before he asked me (to marry him), I was thinking, he shouldn't be left alone," said Cindy, 66, referring to John's lack of visitors. "He was too nice to be left alone." John was doing some thinking, too. "I never thought I'd get lucky enough to find what I had with my first wife again and surprisingly enough I found Cindy." Even though she may not have believed she'd find love in an assisted living facility, ironically, it was her smile and the fact that she always says "good morning" to the other residents her optimism that eventually caught John's interest. "There's so many people here who figure life is over because you're in here," John said. "It's not, you've just got to have a positive attitude. Her positive outlook, that drew me to her." He's from Michigan originally, her from Ohio. They both moved to Florida because, well, it's warm. They each like action movies, their room is filled with DVDs and VHS tapes. He'll tell you Sylvester Stallone is the ultimate hero. "No, Harrison Ford," she interrupts. Cindy, or Lucinda as John sometimes calls her, had one of her legs amputated in November, just before Thanksgiving. Her other leg likely will be amputated soon, her husband says. The couple's friend, Katie Geshay, a volunteer with the care ministry of First Presbyterian Church, stops by with a vase full of roses and a special Valentine-themed lunch. She calls it puppy love the sweetest kind there is. "They're just priceless. When John says, 'I love you,' she gets all like a teenager," Geshay said. "When she came back from the hospital from having her leg amputated, one of the things that bothered her the most was that she couldn't hold hands with him at night anymore because her bed was a different height." When asked about the power of love and what it means, Cindy starts to talk about patience; then she begins to cry. John said he understands her tears, has empathy for her. When he awoke from a coma after brain surgery, he said, sometimes the tears just flowed. And that's OK. Sometimes she struggles with the caretakers at Heritage and sometimes with John, Cindy says. It can be trying, but attitude goes a long way toward making the days brighter. "It's hard. It's hard when you have to depend on people and they're tired. You're tired, they're tired, but it's important you have a smile on your face," she said. John nods. "It's also important to have someone who puts a smile on your face. Like Lucinda puts one on mine," he said. The day she attended her niece's baptism in July of 1945, Helen Toman's life would change forever. Helen's sister and brother-in-law lived next door to Clarence Glas' mother. Clarence had just returned from England where, as a corporal in the Eighth Air Force, he worked on B-24 bombers in World War II. Neither of them knew it, but in a month's time he would be transferred to a base in New Mexico. But first, he asked a pretty young girl on a date to the drive-in theater in North Chicago. Clarence had gasoline vouchers but no car, so when he saw Helen's brother-in-law, Charles Kupcek, sitting on a back porch, he asked if he could borrow Kupcek's car. Clarence didn't mention where he was going, or who he was going with. At the end of the night, Clarence would return the car with a broken passenger-side window because of a mishap with the emergency break and a drive-in theater speaker, but that's another story. That was three bouts of cancer ago. That was three kids, eight grandkids and 12 great-grandchildren ago. It was 70 years ago; their lifetime ago. They were married that November, about four months after their first date. "I saw her and I fell in love at first sight," said Clarence. "Charles well, a few months later I became his brother-in-law." What's more remarkable, Helen says, is the couple didn't live in the same state for most of the ensuing months. Clarence, now 98, was transferred about three weeks after their first date, but he knew he would marry Helen even before he shipped out. "We were meant for each other," he said. She was a 20-year-old bookkeeper when they were married in a small church ceremony. He was 25. "This was the height of the war, we couldn't get much, everything was rationed," Helen said. It didn't bother her. She said nowadays people are too materialistic and more focused on weddings than having a successful marriage. Her mother sewed her dress. She passed it on to her youngest daughter, Peggy, who wore it at her own wedding and later, passed it on to the next generation: Peggy used the material to make a baby blanket for her grandson. The couple owned a thriving neighborhood hardware store in Chicago before moving to Fort Myers about 40 years ago. They've lived at Terracina Grand for the past three years. Last August, Clarence was declared legally blind. "The key to my success of 70 years is: 'Yes, dear,'" he said, before getting more serious. "Just make everyday count. I can't see Helen, but I can reach over every morning and that's her, she's there." Helen opened up about some of the struggles life has brought them. When their son was just 19 he was drafted and sent off to Vietnam. It was the hardest time of their lives, she said, and noted he returned home safe. The older you get, Helen said, the easier it is to get annoyed with one another and the harder it becomes not to say anything. But the key is to put yourself in the other person's shoes and think of how you would want to be treated. "It's not all roses and bon bons," she said. "You get angry, but blow it off." Love, she said, is liking one another. If you don't like each other, there's no love. After traveling the world and raising three kids, they are grateful for each day they have one another. "At 98, I'm not doing bad," Clarence said. "I have a speech impairment, no eyes, no ears. Otherwise, we've got each other, right honey?" It's a good thing Dick Hamlin didn't find Miss Nebraska all that charming. It has been almost 70 years since he and his college roommate travelled from George Williams College in Chicago to the Hamlin home in Valley, Nebraska, in part to go on a double date with two women. Dick was initially set up with the reigning state beauty queen and roommate Bob Taylor was meant to be fixed up with Joan Dahl. On Thursday in their Vi at Bentley Village home, Dick chuckled while thinking of the pageant girl. He is as well-spoken and sharp as they come and takes every opportunity to get in a good joke or light-hearted zinger. "She turned out to be a ding-a-ling," he said. "So the next day we switched dates and the rest, as they say, is history." Dick and Joan (pronounced Joann) were engaged the next Christmas. Dick, 90, jokes that he got out of a Christmas gift by buying her a diamond engagement ring. The couple was married in her family's Lutheran Church, by his father a Presbyterian minister. The August wedding in 1949 was attended by 500 guests (Dick jokes Joann's family knew everyone in the state of Nebraska); she was 21, he was 24. Her mother made her wedding dress, the four bridesmaids used a pattern for their dresses and each wore a matching hat. No one really offered marital advice to the young couple, but through the years Dick started to pinpoint some characteristics of their success. If he had to give advice to young singles out there, he'd emphasize the importance of finding someone with a similar background who was raised much the same way. "I can't tell you how much in our older years how much we sit and talk about our youth, how it was growing up," Dick said. "It gets you off on the same foot when you have that commonality." At the heart of things, they are best friends with similar interests. She played instruments and sang acapella, he was in chorus and played in band. They each held leadership roles at their church. They love to travel and spent the years immediately post retirement traveling land and sea they took 19 cruises. Along the way, a friend shared something with the couple that would become their motto through the years. "Each for the other and both for God," Dick said. The couple said when they've encountered difficulties in life, they try to let things go and come back at it later. Respect is paramount, as is not just enjoying one another, but choosing one another, Joan said. "The best thing is to have each other for this long. And to have all those years of being able to count on that love and caring and nourishing support with you at all times. That's pretty neat," Dick said. SHARE Will the real Collier County Commission please stand up? First, rewind to a June 23 meeting during which commissioners unanimously approved a four-point plan to address a need for more affordable homes in the county. Then contrast that with a vote last week to excuse a developer from a prior commitment to build affordable housing in a development that was first approved in 2006. The 4-1 vote last week creates a less-dense neighborhood, so the developer now can build fewer homes on a larger spread at the northeast corner of Collier Boulevard and Sabal Palm Road. Translation: More-expensive housing. Here's some of what was said at the two meetings: June 23: Then-Chairman Tim Nance recapped staff's recommendations that received effusive praise that day from commissioners, who agreed they would "retain the affordable/workforce housing units in PUDs (planned developments)." June 23: Commissioner Donna Fiala: "We never tackle gap housing...We need to attract higher income businesses...They have no place to house their people." June 23: Fiala again: "We're kind of moving up the ladder a little bit and we need more types of housing than what we've got." Fast forward. Contrast those statements with ones made by commissioners Tuesday when they scrapped the agreement that had called for more-affordable housing in the East Naples project in question. Commissioner Georgia Hiller stated that, based on staff information, there is "no current shortage of affordable housing for single-family homes" and a shortage of just 700 multifamily units in Collier. Now-Chairwoman Fiala: "We have quite a bit of skilled worker housing there in that area...It's not like we're without." Fiala: "I think this will be a good change and will be more compatible with the surrounding neighborhood." That prompted Commissioner Penny Taylor to ask the developer's attorney, Rich Yovanovich, what the price range would be for the homes now proposed. "Market rate," he replied, eliciting chuckles. Yet it's no laughing matter to first responders commuting from the east coast because they can't afford a place here, Collier teachers living in Lee, or those represented in data given to commissioners folks including seniors struggling to make ends meet because housing costs exhaust 50 percent of their income. No choice Prior to their vote, commissioners said they were caught between two tough choices: creating less housing density on land in the name of conservation; or sticking by the developer's prior agreement to build dozens of more-affordable homes. Tuesday's dissenting vote came from Commissioner Tom Henning, who got it right when he said "affordable housing is of higher weight in the community." Commissioners said staff and an advisory board recommended scrapping the affordable housing agreement, so they had no choice but to approve the request. Planning and development staff supported the request. However, commissioners also received a recommendation from the county's Community and Human Services staff that referred back to the commission's own June 23 directive. Human Services staff recommended "denying the request to terminate the affordable housing density bonus agreement" for the project. Records show commissioners received a recommendation from its advisory Planning Commission. Yet there's no recommendation from commissioners' Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Why not? The panel has extensively researched this housing topic in preparation for a March 1 commission discussion. Back to back We praised commissioners last year for standing up on workforce housing. Then came Tuesday's decision, on the heels of another. At their prior meeting, they chose a condominium-hotel-office complex with 18, 11 and 10 stories instead of apartment buildings on public land in a neighborhood that working people and families can readily afford. So we come full circle back to our question: Will the real Collier County Commission please stand up? SHARE Eddie Parsons, North Naples Old Naples The clouds and brisk winds have dissipated long enough over the Gulf so that a bright, clear weekend is a delightful way to explore the tree-lined avenues which surround the sedate elegance of Old Naples. Whether cruising in the family car, biking along shaded pathways, or just strolling under banyan boughs, snowbirds or year-rounders fill their senses with exotic flora, simple clapboard bungalows, manicured residences, and fluttering sails on a distant pier. As the economy (read construction) begins to flex its steel and concrete girth in Southwest Florida again, opposing forces are again on the march as politicos trumpet their mien to the citizenship for election, notably for mayor and council members. Leading the developmental entrepreneurs is Phil McCabe's impressive "facelift" of his flagship Inn on Fifth and razing of several other longtime Fifth Avenue South occupants. Other commercial real estate players have followed suit in downtown areas, and have periodically contributed to the coffers of both mayoralty and council candidates. Candidate acceptance of such donations gives prominent developers a debatable indication that "a politico is in their pocket." A brave candidate, with interest in providing a more pedestrian-friendly city, is a lonely candidate, indeed. While the core of Old Naples hasn't fallen victim to wholesale excavation of traditional neighborhoods, one has to look to North Naples where along a formerly tree-lined Vanderbilt Drive (at Wiggins Pass) is being reduced to a swath of sand dunes, stratospheric building cranes, and unsightly temporary foliage. The Kalea high-rise complex will increase the local community by 1,000 families. Aqua is finally beginning to complete its third high-rise, within window height view of its Kalea neighborhood. This is what awaits Old Naples ... if the developers pave us over. SHARE Victor N. Rios By Victor Rios I have been asked by many why I recommended no salary increase for Roger Hernstadt, the city manager of Marco Island. As I stated at the City Council meeting on Feb. 1, there were a number of performance-related items that I felt did not justify any salary increase. For example: The Smokehouse (now Savage) Bridge fiasco Mr. Hernstadt was hired in January 2014. He was hired because he had 30-plus years of experience in city management and, as some councilors put it at the time, he was "real professional." Expectations were high and the largest planned contract for the city was the replacement of the Smokehouse Bridge for more than $8 million and scheduled for completion in July 2015. Mr. Hernstadt approved the contract for the bridge and managed the project without assuring that there was a valid survey and recorded easements. This, despite the fact that he was warned many times during the construction that no valid survey or easement ever existed. He also had no interface or relationship with the adjacent property owners-residents that would be impacted for several months during the construction. As a result of Mr. Hernstadt's failures, the city, without any permission or communications, trespassed and encroached on the Esplanade property, destroying sections of the landscaping, the irrigation systems and building a huge seawall right on top of their existing sea wall and taking away their legal rights of an unobstructed water view and an ability to enter the waterways. In addition, they constructed the bridge side wall on concrete pads right on top of the Esplanade property. This arrogant behavior by Mr. Hernstadt forced the Esplanade residents to consider legal actions to protect their property rights. Accordingly, the city was prevented from completing the pedestrian access walkways that would enable pedestrians to walk under the new bridge and under Collier Boulevard and to connect with the Boulevard and the Esplanade promenade a very desirable feature for the bridge project. The end result will probably be a cost to taxpayers of some $150,000 to get what the city could have gotten for almost nothing had Mr. Hernstadt communicated with the residents and developed respectful relationships instead of displaying absolute arrogance. In addition, the project, originally scheduled for completion in July 2015, wasn't open for traffic until November. Mr. Hernstadt has repeatedly blamed others for these problems. He has written to the Esplanade blaming previous administrations for failure to verify proper design. He has blamed city councils of 12 years ago for their failure to assure that legal easements existed. I would have expected a manager with 30-plus years of experience to follow President Truman's motto: "The buck stops here." The person at the top has responsibility and, in private industry, this performance would not be rewarded with a raise, but probably would result with termination. The Veteran's Park Fiasco Mr. Hernstadt embarrassed the city and damaged our credibility with our state legislators when he used our veterans as a "hook" (his words) to try to get several million dollars in state funds for building a large building on the Veterans Park property, including facilities for city staff. He neither consulted with the veterans nor with the community. He knew that, even if he received the requested state funding, the city would have to find another $5 million to finish the building funding that was not budgeted by the city. The whole venture was a "ruse" by the city manager to eventually have a building in Veterans Park with massive city government facilities. How can we reward a manager who misled Florida legislators, insulted our cherished veterans and misled all of the Marco Island taxpayers? "Bucket System" fiasco One of the initiatives that Mr. Hernstadt has been credited with is his so-called "bucket system." That scheme relied on increased property taxes to build up a "bucket" fund to pay down debt. Although he has followed this up by increasing property taxes to build up this fund, he was pushing to increase existing debt by at least $5 million to build his Veterans Park facility including additional government facilities. To me, this has proved that the "bucket system" plan was a ruse all along to justify increased taxes. Compensation running amok The City Council last week approved a 5 percent salary increase for Mr. Hernstadt. That resulted in him receiving some 13.5 percent in salary increases since hired. In 2015 alone, it is estimated that Mr. Hernstadt received some $320,000 in total compensation. At that council meeting, I expressed concern that our residents, relying on Social Security benefits, would receive no increase in 2016. I was concerned that Mr. Hernstadt had recommended only a 3 percent increase for his entire staff. Police officers are not getting a raise, but a 2 percent lump sum one-time payment that does not get added to their base pay. In addition, these increases would only occur if their job performance was acceptable. I expressed my concerns about Mr. Hernstadt's poor performance and recommended that he not receive any salary increases before City Council. I was overruled (5-2 vote) and council granted him a 5 percent raise. The majority of council was clearly enamored by Mr. Hernstadt's efforts to attend social gatherings and fully accepted his excuses for failed performance. Larson on Wallace incident: 'It is what it is' Kyle Larson responds to his wreck with Bubba Wallace and Wallace's retaliation at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In a keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference, NATO Secretary General focused on the security challenges stemming from the East. He made clear that the Alliance does not seek confrontation and does not want a new Cold War, but will respond firmly. He made clear that the response lies with "both more defence and more dialogue." He stressed that dialogue is important to address transparency and risk reduction, as well as issues on which NATO and Russia have deep divisions, such as Russia's actions in Ukraine. Mr Stoltenberg said that he had agreed with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov "to explore the possibility for convening a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council." But he stressed that political engagement had never been suspended and that it does not mean "a return to business as usual." On the margins of the Munich Security Conference, the Secretary General met President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine. He stressed NATO's continued commitment to supporting Ukraine politically and practically, the need for continued reforms, and commended the country on the recent signature of its Annual National Programme with NATO. The Secretary General also thanked Prime Minister Manuel Valls for France's contributions to NATO. They discussed the security challenges from the south, and NATO's contribution to dealing with the refugee and migrant crisis. Mr Stoltenberg also held separate meetings with German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and defence minister Ursula von der Leyen. They reviewed current security challenges and stressed the need for close cooperation between NATO and the EU in tackling the greatest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the end of World War Two. Potent carcinogen released into river Company whitewashes; state demands answers (NaturalNews) On February 6, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that a nuclear power plant about 40 miles from Manhattan had leaked one of the most potent radioactive carcinogens into the groundwater. The groundwater in that area flows to the Hudson River just 25 miles north of New York City."Yesterday I learned that radioactive tritium-contaminated water leaked," the governor said in an official statement. "The company reported alarming levels of radioactivity at three monitoring wells, with one well's radioactivity increasing nearly 65,000 percent."Alarmingly, the leak is not the first for this plant in recent years. In fact, such leaks are relatively common among U.S. nuclear power plants.The leak took place at the Indian Point nuclear power plant, which supplies about 30 percent of New York City's electricity. Jerry Nappi, spokesperson for plant operator Entergy, said the leak probably came from a "spillage of water as a result of a mechanical issue during pumping of water" during January.Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) , said that an out-of-service sump pump caused water to build up and overflow from a containment drain. This then produced a leak from the building, and eventually the radioactive water made its way into the ground. There was no word on why the leak went undetected for so long.Samples taken at the testing wells around the plant showed the highest radioactivity levels ever detected at Indian Point, in some cases exceeded 8 million picocuries per liter. The radioactive component that escaped appears to be tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen . Alarmingly, tritium is most carcinogenic when it contaminates drinking water. It can also cause birth defects."Our first concern is for the health and safety of the residents close to the facility and ensuring the groundwater leak does not pose a threat," Cuomo said.Even ignoring the millions living in New York City, 317,000 people live just within the 10-mile evacuation zone around the power plant.Predictably, Entergy and the NRC both tried to downplay the seriousness of the tritium leak. They both noted that the groundwater beneath Indian Point is not upstream of any drinking water supplies. And while the water flows directly in the Hudson River, which then flows through New York City and Jersey City, Entergy claimed that "there is no health or safety consequence to the public."The NRC parroted this line, claiming that the river would dilute the tritium into insignificance and noting that the amount released was far below federal limits."The more immediate concern is how did this happen?" Sheehan said.The NRC and the state of New York have both launched investigations into the events surrounding the leak."I am deeply concerned," Cuomo wrote to officials at the state's departments of Health and Environmental Conservation. "Indian Point has experienced significant failure in its operation and maintenance. ... The levels of radioactivity reported this week are significantly higher than in past incidents. ... I am directing you to fully investigate this incident... to determine the extent of the release, its likely duration, its causes, its potential impacts to the environment and public health, and how the release can be contained."This is not Indian Point's first instance of groundwater contamination in recent years. In 2014, two monitoring wells registered higher-than-normal levels of tritium, probably due to an accidental release during a maintenance shutdown of the plant. And in 2009, a federal investigation was launched following the release of 100,000 gallons of tritium-contaminated water into the groundwater... and from there into the Hudson River.In fact, such leaks are shockingly common among U.S. nuclear power plants . According to a 2009 investigation by The Associated Press, about 75 percent of the 65 nuclear power plants in the country have leaked tritium at least once.Of course, that only counts the times they've been caught. Loss and healing were both themes of a ceremony Saturday to honor the lives of fallen veterans. The U.S. Army Reserve Family Programs' Survivor Outreach Services hosted the second annual Operation Love Letters at Moffett Field in San Jose. The event was a chance for the parents and relatives of soldiers who lost their lives in combat to share stories and support, and write letters celebrating their loved ones. "Every piece of support and love from our communities, our friends, our families means the most to us," Dianne Layfield said. "We probably couldn't make it through our tragic devastation without them." Layfield is a member of the American Gold Star Mothers Inc., an organization of mothers who "have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country," according to its website. Her son Travis enlisted in the Marines right out of high school, but did not make it home. "I'm very proud of my son," she said. The Fremont resident has now made it her mission to go to every veteran's funeral she can to connect with other members of a community that she said no one ever wants to be a part of. "Our grief is different than anyone else's," said Layfield, who brought brownies, her child's favorite snack, to Sunday's gathering. Beverly Balsley agreed. "The pain is every day even though it's been nine years," she said. Being with other people who have experienced the same loss as her has not only helped Balsley cope but also given her the "wonderful" opportunity to stand with them as they rebuild their lives, she said. "It helps that our children aren't forgotten -- that they'll be remembered and that means a lot to me," she said. Operation Love Letters began in Orlando, Florida four years ago and has since expanded to other locations throughout the country. "We are not mourning," Major General Daniel Helix told the half-filled room. "We are celebrating and we are so grateful." Helix, who prefers to think about PTSD as an "injury" as opposed to a "disorder," recalled talking to the Vacaville mother of a veteran who leaped off the Golden Gate Bridge and plummeted to his death. The man had been deployed five times as part of the United States Army Special Forces, but combat had compromised his mental health. The soldier's leaders refused to redeploy him, but he committed suicide the day his unit left the United States without him, Helix said. "[His mother] says, 'Do you still think my son is a veteran?'" he said. "And I said, "Oh my goodness. We think of your son as [Killed in Action] because the wound, the mortal wound that took your son, happened before the actual act occurred." Helix readily agreed that the loss experienced by parents whose children were killed in combat is "terrible and life-changing." But their sacrifices led to the "freedom of precious human beings," he said. He also urged Operation Love Letters' attendees to connect with others and make efforts to try and move on. Most importantly, he reminded them to prioritize their "self-care." "You're demonstrating to the one that you lost, demonstrating to yourself that life will go on and the memories will be preserved and cherished and the legacies will be honored," Helix said. "Those of us who remain in service, we see you as heroes." After the sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Illinois lawmakers sent out heartfelt statements and took to social media to offer condolences. Scalia, 79, was the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court. The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia's death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas. The service's spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, said Scalia had retired for the evening Sunday and was found dead Saturday morning when he did not appear for breakfast. Senator Dick Durbin released a statement that read Justice Scalia served our country for three decades on its highest court. While our opinions on the law and jurisprudence were frequently at odds, he was steadfast and true to his beliefs during his tenure. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time. Senator Mark Kirk posted a message on Twitter calling Scalia One of the greatest constitutional scholars to ever serve #US on the bench. #RIP Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the greatest constitutional scholars to ever serve #US on the bench. Thoughts are with his family. Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) February 13, 2016 There will be a time to discuss the policy and political implications. Now is not that time. My prayers are with Mrs. Scalia and his family. Peter Roskam (@PeterRoskam) February 13, 2016 [[368735771,C]] Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court farther to the right and to get it to embrace his "originalist" view of judging after his 1986 appointment by President Ronald Reagan. His 2008 opinion for the court in favor of gun rights was his crowning moment in more than 30 years on the bench. He was a strong advocate for privacy in favoring restrictions on police searches and protections for defendants' rights. But he also voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, to allow a closer relationship between government and religion, to permit executions and to limit lawsuits. Scalia's impact on the court was muted by his seeming disregard for moderating his views to help build consensus. In December, Scalia came under fire from civil rights attorneys and black lawmakers after suggesting African-American students might fare better in a "slower-track school" while hearing a case about race-based admissions, NBC News reported. "Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. "We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law." An elementary school teacher was struck and killed by a dislodged, 200-pound manhole cover while driving on I-93 south in Boston on Friday morning. Caitlin Clavette, an art teacher in Milton, was on her way to school when the tragic accident happened. Clavette was currently working at three elementary schools in town, including Glover School, Collicot School and Cunningham Elementary School. She was a triathlete and was beloved by her students. "She always had a smile and lots of encouragement for others," said Anne Traer of the Wheelworks Multisport Triathlon Team. The accident occurred around 7:50 a.m. near the O'Neill Tunnel in Boston. According to Massachusetts State Police, a manhole cover that normally rests in the left lane of I-93 became dislodged and hit the windshield of the car. After impact, the vehicle continued southbound in the left lane of I-93 before hitting the wall on the left shoulder in the area of East Berkeley Street and coming to a stop. #Troopers inspecting manhole cover at I-93 accident. Airborne cover killed driver. Not sure this is the one. #NECN pic.twitter.com/aKj4qbMTkI John Moroney NBC10 Boston (@JohnNBCBoston) February 12, 2016 "This is a terrible loss for our community," the school district said in a statement. "Caitlin's death is a tragic loss, not only for our faculty and staff, but also for the students and families whose lives she has touched over the past four years." Parents and guardians are invited to attend a meeting Saturday at the Glover School on how to help children deal with Clavette's death. It will take place between 11 a.m. and noon, and parents are asked not to bring their children. Our sympathy goes out to the family of the victim involved in this horrific incident this morning," a statement from the MassDOT read today. "This tragedy is leading us to take several steps immediately out of an abundance of caution. MassDOT crews, including welders, joined Massachusetts State Police Friday and Saturday to examine all travel lane highway infrastructure on the metropolitan highway system in Boston to make sure the hardware is seated properly. This hardware includes manhole covers, grates, and covers for electrical panels. The equipment was last inspected on June 12, 2014. State police are also investigating. Police in Dallas are searching for a man suspected of assaulting two women Friday night in Lake Highlands. According to police, a woman was walking from her car to her home at the Hilton Head Apartments at about 10:50 p.m. when a man grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth and nose. The woman screamed, fought back, and was able to trip the man, sending them both falling to the ground, police said. The man ran away toward Jupiter Road after a neighbor heard the woman screaming and came to help. About 15 minutes later, another woman was walking to her home at the Villas at La Risa apartments in the 1200 block of Jupiter Road when a man came up from behind and grabbed her, according to police. The man pulled her behind a dumpster and pushed her to the ground while choking her. She screamed and kicked until the man ran away on Jupiter Road. A neighbor heard the assault and ran after the man until he lost sight of him, police said. Police described the man as being in his early 30's, about 5-foot-8 with black hair. Investigators said the man was wearing gloves and was wearing all black. Police ask anyone with information on the incidents to contact the Dallas Police Assaults Unit at 214-671-3593. The 2016 presidential candidates Saturday reacted with surprise and sadness to the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, but that soon gave way to a debate over his succession. Even before President Barack Obama vowed Saturday evening to nominate a successor "in due time," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ben Carson had called for the next U.S. president to make that decision. Cruz took to Twitter to call Scalia "an American hero." "We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement," Cruz said. Cruz said at a Republican debate in South Carolina later that the "Senate needs to stand strong" against confirming Obama's pick. Cruz, a former clerk to then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist from 1996 to 1997, made the case that conservatives were at risk of losing the Supreme Court for a generation. [NATL] Life and Accomplishments of Justice Antonin Scalia Donald Trump, who tweeted that Scalia's death was "a massive setback for the conservative movement and our country," also called for a fight over Scalia's successor. "Delay, delay delay," he said during Saturday's debate. On Facebook, Ben Carson said that Scalia's "towering intellect and trenchant wit has characterized the deliberations and decisions of the high court." "Given the dire condition our democracy currently finds itself under Obama's lack of leadership, I call on the Senate to stop any attempts to fill this crucial seat until We The People elect a strong Constitutionalist this November," Carson wrote. I am saddened to hear the news about Justice Antonin Scalia. We have lost a great man and a great Supreme Court Justice.... Posted by Dr. Ben Carson on Saturday, February 13, 2016 (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Florida Sen. Marco Rubio argued that holding off on a nomination would not be unprecedented. In fact it's been over 80 years since a lame duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice, he said. Jeanette & I mourn the loss of Justice Scalia, and our thoughts & prayers are with his wife Maureen & his family. pic.twitter.com/e03KRZRM6q Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2016 Ohio Gov. John Kasich also argued against a pick before the general election. He said he hoped Obama would nominate someone with "unanimous approval" but he didn't think that would happen. Gov. Kasich's statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. pic.twitter.com/MAypwTGQR2 John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 13, 2016 Jeb Bush conceded during the debate that the president "has every right" to nominate who he wanted, but he doubted that person would be a consensus pick. Bush earlier called Scalia "a brilliant defender of the rule of law." At Mass, Columba & I prayed for Justice Scalia, who was devout in faith and has been brought home to God in heaven. https://t.co/Bumxa6Ikrs Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 14, 2016 The Democratic candidates also weighed in before the Republican debate. Senator Bernie Sanders sent along his thoughts to Scalia's family and colleagues, "who mourn his passing." My thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalia's family and colleagues, who mourn his passing. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 13, 2016 Hillary Clinton, the last major candidate to release a statement online, sent her thoughts and prayers to Scalia's family, but also castigated Republicans for urging Obama to leave the seat open. "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalia's seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution," she said. "The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." Statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: pic.twitter.com/xazj9dDd5c Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 14, 2016 --Daniel Macht contributed to this article A San Diego dental surgeon who employed an assistant accused of sexually assaulting a teenage patient says hes baffled that something like this allegedly happened at his practice. It shocks me, Dr. Steven Podstreleny told NBC 7 on Thursday, referring to the case against dental assistant Luis Ramos, 36. The disappointing thing for me is that trust was violated, not only with the patient of course, but with me, with the other employees. Ramos, a resident of El Cajon who worked at Podstrelenys Park Boulevard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office in University Heights, faces charges of sexual battery on an unconscious person and oral copulation by anesthetic. Ramos was arrested on Feb. 3, two weeks after a 17-year-old girl told police she was inappropriately touched by the dental assistant during a procedure at the practice, while she was sedated. Podstreleny said the accusations and arrest of Ramos came out of the blue. In the three years that Ramos has worked at the practice, Podstreleny said he has never heard any patient complaints like this against the dental assistant or any inclination of wrongdoing at the practice. He was just a stellar employee, he explained. Its baffling. This is a person I looked at as a work brother. [He] was someone that, honestly, I looked forward to working with, Podstreleny added. He was one of the best assistants Ive ever worked with; 17 years in the business and Ive probably had the pleasure of working with 150 maybe up to 200 assistants, and Id rank him among the top five. Since Ramos arrest, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) investigators have been combing through more than 500 hours of surveillance video recorded inside the recovery room at the dental office where the alleged sexual assault took place. This includes a seven-minute clip that captured the alleged Jan. 21 assault of the teenage patient. Podstreleny said hes had cameras installed throughout his dental office since he opened in 2009 to provide an extra layer of protection for patients and staffers and as an effort at transparency. Its my duty to make patients feel comfortable and feel dignified, said Postreleny of the cameras. He said Ramos was fully aware he was being videotaped while working, which made the accusations even more surprising. I fully expected that this would be a misunderstanding. After looking at the tape though, we decided it was best to turn over this information to the authorities, said Podstreleny. According to the teenager, as her anesthesia wore off and she awaked from the procedure, she realized Ramos was touching her inappropriately. Ramos appeared in court on Feb. 9 for a bail review hearing after being held on $2 million bail. His defense attorney argued against an increase in bail, saying Ramos has no criminal record and served in the U.S. military. His bail was reduced to $100,000. According to prosecutor Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle, police have received 15 calls from women concerned by Ramos case. Investigators have identified at least one of those women as a possible additional victim. Ramos is no longer employed at the Park Boulevard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Office. Hes currently being held on nine counts at the George Bailey Detention Facility and is scheduled to appear in court on March 1. Mission Beach residents are angry after a beloved woman considered by many to be the heart and soul of the community was killed in what police believe was a road rage-fueled, hit-and-run crash involving a suspected drunken driver. Shes been part of the heart and soul of this community, Mike Hornung told NBC 7, referring to friend and neighbor, Maruta Gardner, 69. Shes a go-to person. She really is. Shes given a lot to the community. Shes been a pillar of the community for a long, long, long time, another neighbor added. Gardner suffered critical head injuries Friday after she was hit by a 23-year-old DUI suspect at around 5:45 p.m. at the entrance to the Jetty at 800 San Diego Place. Officers with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said the victim was in the process of cleaning up some graffiti on Jetty Road and Mission Boulevard when she was struck by a black Toyota Corolla. Gardner was standing on a curb when the driver of the Corolla was involved in what investigators believe was a road rage incident with an unknown driver behind the wheel of a white Ford Mustang. The driver in the Toyota Corolla sped to the right of the Mustang, drove onto the shoulder and hit Gardner. He then fled the scene of the crash, turning into a nearby parking lot before speeding away. Moments later, officers stopped the hit-and-run suspect a short distance away from the hit-and-run crash scene. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, police confirmed. His name was not immediately released. Friends told NBC 7 that at the time of the crash, Gardner was volunteering doing something she often did: painting over graffiti in the Mission Beach community. For the past 20 years, Gardner riding her signature three-wheeled bicycle was a neighborhood fixture. On her bike, she hauled supplies and paint as she rode around to different spots to paint over graffiti in an effort to improve her beloved community. Friends said her efforts to eradicate the graffiti problem in the community had been recognized by the San Diego City Council. Gardner had also been actively trying to secure improvements to the playground at Bonita Cove. Maruta is a wonderful person, said neighbor Karen Mitchell, who had known Gardner for 30 years. Shes been active in the community. Shes out on her three-wheeler every day. Friends said Gardner is irreplaceable. Without her, Hornung said a huge hole will be left behind in the Mission Beach community. You dont replace someone like Maruta. Theres nobody that can step up, he lamented. Beneath the pain and sadness left behind by Gardners sudden death, her friends are also outraged by how she was killed something that could have been prevented. This is somebody the community needs. She did not deserve to be hit by a drunk driver in a road rage accident, Hornung said. We need her down here. We love her when shes here. Shes done so much. Its just a needless accident. Were all very sad. Were upset that something like this happened on a small street thats not very busy, Mitchell added. It makes you angry. You hate to be angry, but you are. Were devastated absolutely devastated, added friend Stevie Wheeler. Mitchell said she will forever fondly remember Gardner and her smile. She smiles all the time. She laughs all the time. Shes just a real nice person, she said. Shes always got a smile on her face. If a neighbor needs a hug, shes there for a hug. If a neighbor needs help with something, shell organize, Hornung added. Its a terrible, destructive loss for our community, added friend Michiel Kuhlken. She was a superstar. There was no job too big or too small for her. Whatever she touched turned to gold. Everyone, I think, is in shock, Kuhlken added. Its just so hard to understand what happened. The investigation is ongoing. Ensign Michael Hodosky has been away from his wife and two girls stationed in Washington State, and wasn't supposed to see his family until June. When the USO San Diego found out his daughters had a Father/Daughter dance Saturday, they bought him a ticket home just to surprise his family, in time for Valentine's Day. My children are staying down here so that way they can complete school, Hodosky said. Thanks to our friends at the USO they provided a plane ticket. Its exciting. It's exciting that we have people who care enough about the military family to be willing to reach out and do this especially within our own community. Corsage in hand, Hodosky surprised his daughters at their Girl Scout Troops dance all the way from Naval Base Kitsap in Washington. My daughters got upset, Hodosky said of the dance. They didn't want to attend because I wasn't going to be here. Hodosky said hes been through five deployments in his first ten years, but this time felt different because the girls didnt know he was going to be there. When you're building up returning from deployment, it's anticipated. You know the date that you're coming in and coming back but today they're not expecting me at all," he said. "The next time they're expecting to see me is in June. Youve seen how happy a reunion this is, so I call this one a success, Arne Nelson CEO of USO San Diego told NBC 7. Little Melodee, dressed in a sparkly pink dress, agreed the dance was a success because my dad came. I couldn't believe he was here I didn't think he was going to make it at all, Hodoskys oldest daughter Caraleena said while wearing her dads corsage proudly on her wrist. Its just so exciting. This is probably the best moment in my whole entire life. When they move up to Washington in June, the girls will be able to spend much more time with their dad, but for now theyll settle for several spins around the room. Officials at University of California campuses, including UC San Diego, have been monitoring all campus computer activity since last summer. The decision to install monitoring software on all UC computers came after a huge data breach last year at UCLA Medical Center. Unfortunately the UC president Janet Napalitano forgot to inform students. I find it a little troubling that I had no idea that it happened at all, psychology student Maddie Ebel told NBC 7. Without telling anyone the schools installed software operated by a third party last August to monitor what it calls digital traffic. A group of professors at Berkeley said the software raises privacy concerns especially since its not clear exactly what data is being collected. Napalitanos office released a statement in response saying, "Unfortunately, many have been left with the impression that a secret initiative to snoop on faculty activities is underway. Nothing could be further from the truth." Her office said the intent is to prevent, detect and respond to any future cyber-attacks. UC San Diego Junior Matthew Zamudio, who writes on the school newspaper, agreed that its a privacy issue. An email sent to a professor is going to be entered into this spyware system, where it can be read by the office of the president, Zamudio explained. So, it just creates a general sense of uncomfortableness on campus and doesn't make people feel very welcome. The ACLU weighed in on the issue saying, "Surveillance should not be used without first consulting with the community and ensuring that transparency and safeguards are in place." They have to accept the fact that all of the things that are being exchanged aren't going to be private, Zamudio said. They're going to be read by possibly a third party. The UC President said there is no intention of putting a stop to the monitoring, but moving forward, faculty will be deeply involved. A driver struck a man in his 40s in the Canoga Park area Saturday, leaving the man in very critical condition, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The man was not in a crosswalk as he tried to cross the street, police said. The driver attempted to swerve out of the way, but ended up hitting the man at Saticoy Street and Eton Avenue at 7 p.m. The driver took off down Saticoy Street. The force of the crash knocked the victim's shoes off. Detectives were investigating at 10 p.m. and the eastbound lanes of Saticoy were closed. Investigators said the driver stopped, got out of his car, and looked at the victim before getting back in the car and driving away, LAPD said. "The law states that the pedestrian should be crossing at the street corner," Bill Bustos of the LAPD said. "But unfortunately, the pedestrian chose to cross in the middle of the street." Bustos said however, that leaving the scene after hitting someone, and not staying to render aid, is a felony. Police described the suspect's vehicle as a 1995-1998 dark colored Toyota Camry. There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the hit-and-run, and anyone with information should call (818) 644-8000. The city of Compton presented Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar with the key to the city on Saturday. The 28-year-old entertainer who grew up in the city was honored in a ceremony in front of the Martin Luther King Monument at City Hall. "Kendrick Lamar is a phenomenal artist whose work has served as a catalyst to raise a new level of consciousness for this generation,'' said Compton Mayor Aja Brown. "His message challenges the status quo and motivates listeners to rethink our society's institutions.'' In May, Lamar received the California State Senate's "Generational Icon Award" from State Senator Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) who represents California's 35th district. From the senate floor, Lamar told the legislature, "Being from the City of Compton and knowing the parks that I played at and the neighborhoods, I always thought how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community off of what I do in music." Lamar was born in Compton and was a straight-A student at the city's Centennial High School, according to a Compton city statement. Last year, he was grand marshal of the Compton Christmas Parade. Lamar, 28, received a total of seven nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. A year later, at the 2015 Grammy Awards, he won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his song "I". West Adams is a part of Los Angeles that is slowly being rediscovered, with streets that speak to an era of grace, charm and beauty. Joe Williams is one of the many who knows the neighborhood that became known as "West Adams," and recalls the history of the suburb. "It went from an all white neighborhood to an all black neighborhood. Now you have a diversity that is really healthy," Williams said. West Adams is Los Angeles' first suburb dating back to the 1880s, with craftsman and Victorian designed homes, and mansions. The informal borders of the neighborhood run just south of downtown Los Angeles, from Jefferson north toward Pico Boulevard, and Figueroa west toward Crenshaw Boulevard. West Adams became home to some of the city's elite, among them was oil tycoon Edward Doheny, with his mansion and grounds now part of the campus of Mount St. Mary's University. Billie Green fell in love with the neighborhood and made West Adams the home where she raised her family. "I always wanted to own one of the big homes in this area," Green said. "On La Salle and Washington, there used to be a train stop and that is where all the rich people would take the train and go downtown to the city to work," she said. Green, 67, has lived in West Adam for 41 years. "My house is a craftsman, probably about 2900 square feet. I raised three kids there," Green said. The streets of West Adams, as depicted in the E-Book "Untold LA" contain some of the most extensive examples of classic American architecture. Some of those examples were the work of Paul Williams, the famed African-American designer and architect who made West Adams his home. Williams' legacy is heralded in a memorial outside of the building that housed the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company at Adams and Western Avenues a firm dedicated to providing home loans to African-American families in search of the American dream. For decades, that was not easy to achieve in West Adams. "There were covenants. This area was developed saying white landlords only," said John Patterson of West Adams Heritage Association. "Hattie McDaniel had bought a house there. Louise Beavers had a home there and they were both sued by their white neighbors for breaking the covenant," Patterson said. That lawsuit, coupled with several others from the neighborhood, made its way to the U. S. Supreme Court. "The final judgment came down 'If these men can give their life and blood for our country, they can live anywhere they deserve to live," Patterson said. In time, West Adams became the home to black actors and musicians. Transplants from New York dubbed one incline of fashionable residences "Sugar Hill" after a section of Harlem of the same name. "Johnny Otis' house is around the corner from me," Green said. "Sugar Ray Robinson, he used to get his paper down the street on Adams and Western every morning." Butterfly McQueen, the Mills Brothers, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and attorney Johnny Cochran all had homes in West Adams. "I live across the street from a gentleman by the name of Cortland Mitchell, who was one of the first African-Americans to run for City Council in 1953." Cortland did not win, but a course was set. "They laid the groundwork for Tom Bradley," Green said. Over time, new developments started to lure the wealthy to more exclusive neighborhoods such as Baldwin Hills. There was a period of decline and neglect. Then came the construction of a major east-west corridor: Santa Monica Freeway. "Some of the finest and largest homes and properties were taken out. They could go after one landlord and get a big chunk of property instead of a lot of smaller homes, and that is one of the reasons the 10 Freeway ended up going through that area," Patterson said. Now, decades later and despite the multilane freeway through its center, West Adams is returning to its previous glory. Homes are being refurbished and services have been returned. "I tour people through the area all the time and they are surprised when they see beautiful homes, because it's not the perception of the neighborhood," said Rep. Karen Bass, (D-Los Angeles). Residents say they appreciate the diversity they now see in the neighborhood. "I love living here because it's one of the most diverse areas in the city of Los Angeles," Green said. It's all a part of a jewel slowly being reborn. "It's a wonderful, wonderful neighborhood to live in," Patterson said. Justice Antonin Scalia's death deprives conservatives of a key vote that could change the outcome in some major Supreme Court cases, including one in which labor unions appeared headed for a big defeat. Next month's Supreme Court arguments in a clash over contraceptives, religious liberty and President Barack Obama's health care law also now seem more likely to favor the Obama administration. Those are the most immediate effects on the court of the loss of its conservative icon and longest-serving justice. It's a firm Supreme Court rule that decisions are not final until they are handed down. So nothing Scalia did or said in pending cases matters to the outcome. "The vote of a deceased justice does not count," veteran Supreme Court lawyer Roy Englert said Sunday, a day after Scalia was found dead in his room at a west Texas ranch. Subtracting Scalia's vote from cases in which he was in the majority in a 5-4 split leaves the result tied, four a side. The remaining eight justices have two options in that situation: They can vote to hear the case a second time when a new colleague joins them or they can hand down a one-sentence opinion that upholds the result reached in the lower court without setting a nationwide rule. A second round of arguments seems less likely at the moment because a new justice may not be confirmed until the next president is in office. A tie vote, by contrast, resolves the case at hand and allows the legal issue to return to the court at a later date when there is a ninth justice. Public sector labor unions had been bracing for a stinging defeat in a lawsuit over whether they can collect fees from government workers who choose not to join the union. The case affects more than 5 million workers in 23 states and Washington, D.C., and seeks to overturn a nearly 40-year-old Supreme Court decision. Now, what seemed like a certain 5-4 split, with the conservatives in the majority and the liberals in dissent, instead looks like a tie that would be resolved in favor of the unions, because they won in the lower courts. "That's a big loss. It was all teed up and it looks like it's not going to go anywhere now," said Brian Fitzpatrick, a Vanderbilt University law professor who once served as a law clerk to Scalia. Another case in which there now seems little chance of finding a court majority to upset long-standing practice involves a conservative challenge to the way governments have drawn electoral districts for 50 years. The court heard arguments in December in a case from Texas on the meaning of the principle of "one person, one vote," which the court has said requires that political districts be roughly equal in population. But it has left open the question of whether states must count all residents, including noncitizens and children, or only eligible voters in drawing district lines. The court's upcoming look at the health care overhaul will be its fourth case involving the 2010 law. This time, the focus is on the arrangement the Obama administration worked out to spare faith-based hospitals, colleges and charities from paying for contraceptives for women covered under their health plans, while still ensuring that those women can obtain birth control at no extra cost as the law requires. The faith-based groups argue that the accommodation still makes them complicit in providing contraception to which they have religious objections. A tie vote here would sow rather than alleviate confusion because the appellate courts that have looked at the issue have not all come out the same way. That prospect suggests that Justice Anthony Kennedy will join the court's four liberal justices to uphold the arrangement, Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein said. Other big cases before the justices this term include affirmative action, abortion and immigration. With Justice Elena Kagan out of the affirmative action case, the court still is more likely to rule, 4-3, in favor of a challenge to the consideration of race in admissions to the University of Texas. On abortion and immigration, a 4-4 tie would sustain lower court rulings in favor of Texas' regulation of abortion clinics and a Republican-led challenge to an Obama administration plan to allow millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally to avoid deportation and acquire work permits. Saturday's Republican presidential debate was the perfect spot for GOP candidates to try and project legal gravitas after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. That was a fairly civil discussion. Then came the brawls: First, Donald Trump and Jeb Bush went after each other. Then Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio got into their own shouting match, which even devolved into barbs about who can speak Spanish. Then it was back to Trump v. Bush for Round Two. Next up: Trump v. Cruz. John Kasich tried to stand above the fray. It was the smallest GOP field on the debate stage yet, after the departures of Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina. But the six surviving candidates filled the void and then some. COURT POLITICS No surprise here: Most of the Republicans on the stage said it should be up to the next president (i.e. one of them, they hope) to fill the vacancy created by Scalia's death. Bush, the son and brother of a president, was the outlier here. "The president, by the way, has every right to nominate Supreme Court justices," Bush said. He added that President Barack Obama should take a "consensus orientation" toward that nomination, but added: "There's no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will not have a consensus pick when he submits that person to the Senate." The two lawyers and the only senators in the group Rubio and Cruz both said Obama should leave the selection to the new president. It was a perfect forum for Cruz, who has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court, to show off his legal credentials. He made it a point to mention he'd known Scalia for 20 years. TRUMP v. BUSH Trump was back in attack mode toward Bush, repeatedly saying "Jeb is so wrong" on national security and more, and laying into former President George W. Bush for failing to keep the nation safe from the 9/11 terror attacks. Bush, revived by a stronger-than-expected showing in New Hampshire, showed more spark than he had in past debates. He said he could care less about Trump's endless insults but declared himself "sick and tired of him going after my family." "While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe," Bush said. He also faulted the billionaire for having "the gall to go after my mother." Trump shot back: "She should be running." The audience got into the mix, too, with plenty of heckles and boos for Trump. Trump dismissed that as nothing but "Jeb's special interests and lobbyists talking." CRUZ v. RUBIO In a lull from the Trump theatrics, Cruz and Rubio got into their own fistfight. The two senators each found reason to find weakness in the other's record on illegal immigration. Cruz was the initial aggressor, saying Rubio had backed a "massive amnesty plan" in the Senate for those living in the country illegally. Rubio, trying to recover after a disastrous debate performance in New Hampshire, countered that Cruz had shown his own moments of weakness on illegal immigration, adding, "he either wasn't the telling the truth then or he wasn't telling the truth now." The heated exchange between two Cuban-American candidates quickly devolved in a spat over their Spanish language skills. When Rubio observed that Cruz "doesn't speak Spanish," Cruz offered up a few words in the language. But his answer was heavily accented, making it hard to understand even for bilingual listeners. TRUMP v. CRUZ The two candidates with victories so far Trump in New Hampshire and Cruz in Iowa have been engaged in an increasingly bitter duel in recent days and they took it to a new level Saturday. Cruz began the round by questioning Trump's conservative credentials, saying "For most of his life, his policies have been very, very liberal." That set Trump off: "You are the single biggest liar," he said, "you probably are worse than Jeb Bush." "This guy will say anything," Trump continued. "He's a nasty guy." There was much shouting over one another, and boos from the audience, prompting one of the debate moderators to observed, "Gentlemen, we are in danger of driving this into the dirt." KASICH THE OPTIMIST The Ohio governor, hoping to build on his surprise second-place finish in New Hampshire, tried to present himself as the voice of reason and positivity. At one lull in the slugfest, he declared: "This is just crazy. This is just nuts. Geez, oh man." "I think we're fixing to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don't stop this," he said. CARSON CHIMES IN Ben Carson, who's been lagging in the polls and struggling to get into the conversation, was happy just to have a more prominent turn at the mic. When he got a second question 20 minutes into the debate, it was cause for celebration. "Two questions already, this is great!" he said. A Mississippi police officer shot in the head responding to an armed robbery call was in critical condition Sunday, authorities said, NBC News reported. Two suspects stole money out of the a convenience store's register before opening fire on Clarksdale Officer Derrick Couch Saturday night, according to Clarksdale police. Clarksdale Mayor Bill Luckett said Couch was found on the street with a gunshot wound to the head, according to NBC affiliate WMC. "Surveillance footage released by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations shows one of the suspects had a distinctive walk, and authorities are asking the public for assistance with their identification," police said in a statement. Republican White House hopefuls insisted that President Barack Obama step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, in a raucous Saturday night debate that also featured harshly personal jousting over immigration and foreign policy. The debate was shaken by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia hours before the candidates took the stage. Among the contenders, only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be "consensus orientation on that nomination" but added that he didn't expect Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." A debate that began with a somber moment of silence for Scalia devolved quickly into fighting between Trump and Bush. The exchanges highlighted the bad blood between the real estate mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Trump accused Bush's brother former President George W. Bush of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. "Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake," Trump said. Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Trump, said that while he doesn't mind the real estate mogul criticizing him "It's blood sport for him" he is "sick and tired of him going after my family." Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in Greenville, South Carolina, a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. George W. Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also revived their fight over immigration, with the Texas senator haranguing his Florida counterpart for sponsoring failed legislation that would have created a pathway to citizenship for many of those in the United States illegally. Cruz also accused Rubio of taking a more moderate approach when speaking to Spanish-language media in an attempt to appeal to Hispanics. "I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision he doesn't speak Spanish," Rubio shot back. Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier GOP events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge Trump and Cruz. Many GOP leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. Ohio Gov. John Kasich sought to inject the election's high stakes into the discussion in the midst of the fiery exchanges between his competitors. "I think we're fixing to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don't stop this," Kasich said. Scalia's sudden death could serve as a reminder of the consequences of elections. Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. An uncompromising conservative, Cruz urged voters to consider who among the GOP candidates would nominate the most ideologically pure justices. "One of the most important judgments for the men and women of South Carolina to make is who on this stage has the background, the principle, the character, the judgment and the strength of resolve to nominate and confirm principled constitutionalists to the court," Cruz said. Saturday's debate came one week before South Carolina's primary. Cruz and Trump emerged from the first two voting contests with a victory apiece and appear positioned to compete for a win in the first Southern primary. Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his GOP-led Legislature. Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. "We want everyone to rise and we will make them personally responsible for the help they get," said Kasich, whose fledgling campaign gained new life after a second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. Bush played the aggressor again, saying that Kasich's actions amounted to "expanding Obamacare" a deeply unpopular concept among Republicans. The search continues for a Bucks County man with cerebral palsy who has been missing for nearly two months. Craig Fant, 48, of Bristol, Pennsylvania was last seen on Dec. 23, 2015. Fants brother told NBC10 he went to Lower Bucks Hospital for a therapy session that afternoon and never came back. Fant was spotted on surveillance video at three separate locations that day. He was first seen outside the Lower Bucks Hospital boarding a SEPTA bus that was headed to the Oxford Valley Mall. He was then seen at an ATM on the 2300 block of E. Lincoln Avenue in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Finally, he was seen getting off a SEPTA bus at Old Orchard Lane and Fayette Drive in Bristol. SEPTA Fants brother told NBC10 he didnt notice anything strange the last time he saw Craig. Everything seemed perfect to me, he said. I saw him in the surveillance video at the hospital when he was leaving therapy. Everything looked normal. He looked just like Craig. Fants brother also told NBC10 a family friend saw him a few minutes after he got off the bus in Bristol. She saw him about 100 to 150 feet from Fayette Drive and Orchard Lane walking towards Winder Drive, the brother said. Thats the last time anyone saw Craig. The family reported him missing that night when he never returned to his sisters home. Fant has cerebral palsy, walks with a distinctive limp and is paralyzed in his right arm. He is also prone to seizures and requires medical attention. Craig has never lived on his own, and requires supportive care, a family member said. Hes probably scared and maybe disoriented and confused. His physical disabilities, slurred speech and drooling symptoms can be misinterpreted as having mental disabilities. So he is likely to shy away from people. Fants brother said Craigs medical condition may have also played a role in his disappearance. Sometimes he gets confused, he said. My theory is maybe he got on the wrong bus. The last place I saw him was at that spot and that was it. Thats where it ends. Mark Hopkins, the chief of Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue (GPSAR), has assisted the family in the search for Fant. Hopkins told NBC10 that the fact no one has found him despite the amount of data collected regarding where he went the day of his disappearance is particularly alarming. What makes it more disturbing or urgent to me is that he was a creature of habit and something plucked him from that and I dont know if it was medical or environmental or what, Hopkins said. Hopkins is also urging residents who live near the area where Fant was last seen in Bristol to check around their homes. One of the big limitations is the amount of private property, Hopkins said. If people could check their properties it would be very helpful. Fant is described as an African American man standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 200 pounds with brown eyes and short hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with gray sweatpants. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call 911, Greater Philadelphia Search and Rescue at 877-598-5618 or Bucks County Police Radio at 215-945-3100. A GoFundMe page was also created to raise money for the search effort. CLICK HERE if you would like to donate. Family, police and community members gathered on Saturday to memorialize a young Philadelphia Police officer killed in the line of duty seven years ago. Police Officer John Pawlowski, 25, was gunned down at Broad Street and Olney Avenue Feb. 13, 2009. Pawlowski, a five-year veteran, was responding to a dispute between a man and a cabdriver when he was shot to death. Officer Pawlowski Through the Years Dozens gathered at the intersection where the officer was killed on Saturday to remember Pawlowski, whose wife was pregnant with his son when he was killed. Pawlowski's killer, Rasheed Scruggs, already a convicted felon at the time of Pawlowski's killing, was convicted in 2010 of murder and is serving life without parole. Freezing rain continued to fall in the north and west suburbs while Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware saw mostly rain overnight. It's all part of a winter storm that created a mess on roads throughout the region Monday into Tuesday. Snow moved into the area Monday morning -- leaving more than 4 inches in parts of Delaware -- before slowly changing into freezing rain, creating slippery conditions on untreated roads, sidewalks and side streets. Snow turned into freezing rain which left a mess on roads across the area Monday night. NBC10s Randy Gyllenhaal has the details. As snow that reduced visibility in most parts of the region by midday fell, some evening schools not off for Presidents Day began calling off classes and motorists slowed down on area roads as speed restrictions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other roadways went into effect. Hundreds of schools then opened late Tuesday as road crews worked to clear up slippery spots. The weather also caused nearly 90-minute delays to arriving flights at Philadelphia International Airport. The snow changed to freezing rain, which changed to rain as temperatures rose late Monday night. The freezing rain changed to rain in Philadelphia as temperatures hit 33 degrees. However, the freezing rain continued overnight in areas north and west of Philadelphia due to temperatures in the mid-20s leading to a Freezing Rain Warning for points north and west until 5 a.m. That will change into rain by the Tuesday morning rush but some slick spots could remain. [[368924011, C]] The rain will continue, heavy at times, into Tuesday afternoon -- bringing a possibility of flooding in some spots -- before the wet weather finally clears by the evening commute. Tuesday's high will be around 60 degrees. By late Monday, more than 4 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Delaware and 1 inch or more had fallen in Philly, the suburbs and South Jersey. Snow amounts were limited before the change to rain outside of points to the south where snow fell while temps remained lower. In Delaware, DelDOT dispatched as many as 500 workers in an attempt to get ahead of the storm. PennDOT dispatched crews ahead of snow falling in Pennsylvania in hopes of getting ahead of the potential icy conditions. PennDOT also reduced speeds on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and some other major area roads including the Vine Street Expressway and Route 309. SPEED RESTRICTIONS: Interstates 76, 95, 476, 676 U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202, 422 State Routes 63, 100 Spur, 309 Stay with NBC10.com throughout the week for the latest weather updates. Samantha Mejia was excited when she discovered she was pregnant during her familys Honduras visit over the Christmas holiday. However, she suffered a miscarriage and wonders if the Zika virus is to blame. Mejia said she didnt know about the virus because it wasnt as publicized as it is now. She came back to her home in Romeoville right after New Years and had a fever and a rash. We had no knowledge of it. It wasn't until we arrived that a lot of his friends and family were talking about that there was a Zika and a Chikungunya outbreak, Mejia said. When she had tests performed, she said she tested positive for Zika had a miscarriage not long after, though it is impossible to tell if Zika was directly linked to the tragedy. Miscarriages, one thing that we really have learned is that it's so common, Mejia said. It could be just coincidental timing. We did find out from the CDC, they did do some fetal testing and they did show the virus. Her husband Omars sister in Honduras is five months pregnant now and has contracted Zika. The family is concerned about the babys safety. The virus has been spreading across much of Latin America and the Caribbean and more cases are expected, health experts told NBC News. Evidence is increasingly showing the virus is responsible for severe birth defects that can cause miscarriages, stillbirths or a lifetime of disability for babies that survive. Samantha, who currently shows no symptoms and has been well for weeks, has written her congressman, Bill Foster, as well as both Illinois senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin in support of Zika funds both here and abroad. She also wants to tell pregnant mothers not to go to Honduras if possible, and take extreme caution if they have to travel there. If you can at all avoid it I would at this time just because you don't know, Mejia said. That one mosquito bite could impact it. In Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate Democratic primary, where there are few differences over issues, jousting over natural gas drilling is providing an opening. It flared in recent days over the question of campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, while two of the three candidates declared their support for a halt to hydraulic fracturing on both public and private lands. Fracking, the drilling technology that has helped make Pennsylvania the nation's No. 2 natural gas producer, has divided the Democratic Party over its geopolitical and economic value when weighed against its real or potential harm to health and the environment. Two years ago, all four Democrats running for Pennsylvania governor opposed a broad moratorium on fracking. Rather, the four including Gov. Tom Wolf and current Senate hopeful Katie McGinty supported a moratorium limited to drilling in state parks and forests and in the Delaware River Basin. That is flipped in the Democratic field seeking the party's nod in the April 26 primary election to challenge Republican incumbent Pat Toomey. Media darling and small-town mayor John Fetterman and former Navy vice admiral and ex-Congressman Joe Sestak both support a halt to fracking, at least until there is stronger regulation. McGinty, a former top-level environmental adviser in Washington and Harrisburg, also supports stronger regulation, but not a broad moratorium. The divide over fracking is reflective of the differences between Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, who has come out for a complete ban on fracking, and Hillary Clinton, who has not. David Masur, executive director of the Philadelphia-based environmental advocacy group PennEnvironment, said a fracking ban is an important wedge issue for Democratic primary voters in a race where there aren't many policy differences. "They're going to be the Bernie Sanders people; they're going to be the most excited people in the Democratic primary, the people who are the most frustrated in the institution of politics," Masur said. PennEnvironment, with some 150,000 members and volunteers, opposes fracking because the industry hasn't shown that it is able and willing to do it without endangering health and the environment, Masur said. Still, President Barack Obama never called for a ban. Neither has Wolf or Pennsylvania's Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who sponsored legislation to allow the federal government to regulate fracking. Relatively unspoken is the devastating economic blow the industry says a moratorium would level on Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation. While the industry insists its practices are safe and state regulations are strong, it remains toxic enough to some liberal voters that Fetterman is trying to tie it to McGinty. In a Feb. 3 blast email, Fetterman's campaign promoted a 53-second online video accusing McGinty of taking "at least $198,600 from the oil and gas industry." The $198,600 came from third-party tallies that nevertheless include no contribution from an exploration company or an industry group. Perhaps the closest drilling-industry donors were exploration firm executives and employees who gave about $18,000 to McGinty's failed gubernatorial campaign in 2013 and 2014. Otherwise, many of the contributions cited by Fetterman came from professionals or executives in fields such as the law, lobbying, utilities or the downstream petroleum industry. Some of the contributions on the list are head scratchers. It includes $1,500 from McGinty's campaign chairman, former Gov. Ed Rendell. Asked about it, Rendell said his only tie to fracking is that he believes it can be "enormously beneficial if properly regulated," but he gave money to McGinty's campaign, he said, because she would make a great senator. One listed giver of $1,000 is Pittsburgh lawyer Bill Caroselli, who successfully sued an exploration company over its landowner royalty practices. "I am absolutely anti-fracking," Caroselli said. McGinty's campaign, meanwhile, responded that Fetterman's broad definition of fracking interests would include contributions to both his campaign and Sestak's. A ban on fracking is not necessarily gospel in the environmental advocacy corps McGinty was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and G. Terry Madonna, a pollster at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, said it's not clear that the stance will help Fetterman or Sestak. But, he said, it is likely to be part of their campaign to highlight where McGinty may not be as liberal and help Sestak and Fetterman even the playing field with a candidate who has considerable support from the party establishment. "You're going to see more of them," Madonna said. "This is just the beginning." The family of one of the sheriffs deputies killed in Harford County, Maryland, released a letter about the man the community calls a hero, but the man they call dad. Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon were shot and killed by David Evans, who was fatally shot by other deputies, on Feb. 10. Dailey worked in the Harford County Sheriffs Office for 30 years, while Logsdon worked for the department for 16 years. Dailey had two sons, Bryan, 20, and Tyler, 17. On Saturday, they released an open letter to the community, thanking everyone for the support and remembering their father. Dear Community of Family and Friends, We wanted to take a moment to say how much we appreciate all the kind words and support the community has shown our family this week. There is not a single word that describes how we feel, but please know that our spirits are lifted with the knowledge that this community loved our Dad. He loved each member of Harford County, right back. Please know that we are ok. Our family is strong and we will get through this together. He is being called a hero for the job he did and the lives he saved. To us, we have called him hero for a long time just for being our Dad. People continue to remind us how much our father loved us. Believe us when we say, we know. His love for us was apparent and we consider ourselves fortunate to have been loved by a such a hero. When a law enforcement officer dies, it is often said, gone but never forgotten. We know that is true, because he will live in our hearts and the lifetime of memories he has created with each of you. Our Dad died doing a job he loved, serving the community that he called home. In closing, we ask for privacy, and understanding that we will not be accepting any interviews right now. Next week will be a difficult chapter in our lives, probably the hardest we will ever encounter. We want the opportunity to be alone with him, one last time. We ask that you give us the space to grieve, honor, and remember our hero our Dad. Respectfully, Bryan and Tyler Dailey Services for Dailey are scheduled for Feb. 17. Logsdons funeral is set for Feb. 20. Pope Francis condemned the drug trade's "dealers of death" and urged Mexicans to shun the devil's lust for money as he led a huge open-air Mass for more than 300,000 people Sunday in this violence-riddled city. "Let us get it into our heads: With the devil, there is no dialogue," the pope said at the biggest scheduled event of his five-day visit to Mexico. Francis brought a message of encouragement on the second full day of his trip to residents of Ecatepec, a poverty-stricken Mexico City suburb of some 1.6 million people where drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women, are a fact of life. "He's coming to Ecatepec because we need him here," said Ignacia Godinez, a 56-year-old homemaker. "Kidnappings, robberies and drugs have all increased, and he is bringing comfort. His message will reach those who need it so that people know we, the good people, outnumber the bad." In a clear reference to the drug lords who hold sway in the city's sprawling expanses of cinderblock slums, Francis focused his homily on the danger posed by the devil. "Only the power of the word of God can defeat him," the pope said. In a final prayer, he urged Mexicans to make their country into a land of opportunity "where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work, no need to make the despair and poverty of many the opportunism of a few, a land that will not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death." The faithful lined the pope's motorcade route to the huge field where the Mass took place, tossing flower petals as he passed by and cheering with pom-poms in the yellow and white of the Vatican flag. Vendors sold T-shirts, plates with Francis' image on them, pins, bandanas and cardboard-cutout figures of the pope. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in gangland violence since President Enrique Pena Nieto's predecessor launched an offensive against drug cartels shortly after taking office in late 2006. At least 1,554 women have vanished in Mexico State since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide, and last year the government issued an alert over the killings of women in Ecatepec and other parts of the state. Nevertheless, women who came to see Francis said they felt safe, thanks in part to the huge security presence. The government assigned more than 10,000 police, soldiers and members of the presidential guard to protect the motorcade and Mass. "I'm protected by my faith and the joy of seeing the pope up close," said Graciela Elizalde, 35, who arrived at the field Saturday evening and spent the night on the street, "and the thugs know that we the good people have come out to take the streets." She added: "The pope is not going to change things, but at least he will touch the hearts of those who do harm and are trying to destroy the country. He is the 'messenger of peace' because that's exactly what Mexico needs, not just Ecatepec." However, Maria de la Luz Estrada, coordinator of the National Observatory on Femicide, said she was disappointed that Francis didn't directly condemn violence against women or offer support to families of victims, saying that at the very least he could have made reference to discrimination against women. "I still feel that he owes us these words," she said. Conchita Tellez, 65, from the border city of Mexicali, held out hope that Francis can help ease the troubled soul of the country. "The pope comes to Mexico at a very ugly moment," Tellez said, "and he comes to pray for us and for all those who lost hope and have submerged the country in blood and violence." Francis' grueling schedule seemed to be taking a toll on him on Saturday, when the 79-year-old pontiff appeared to nod off at an evening Mass and also lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him. He appeared much livelier Sunday, beaming and waving at the crowds along his route. As Francis drove down a main boulevard before adoring faithful in central Mexico City, dozens of emotional nuns rushed the metal barricades to salute the popemobile and a group of lay missionaries, mostly teenagers, sang the traditional Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo." At his last stop, a pediatric hospital, one girl performed a heartfelt rendition of "Ave Maria" for the pope. Another presented Francis with a handmade Valentine's Day card with a big heart on the front. "You made this?" Francis asked as he accepted it. "Gracias." The pope bent down and kissed dozens of sick kids, playfully mussing the hair of the older ones. Some posed for selfies with the pope. Several rose from their wheelchairs to embrace him. Francis also played doctor to one little boy, administering medicine from a dropper. The pope makes a point of stopping at children's hospitals during his foreign trips, both to visit with the kids and to thank the staff for caring for them. While parts of the encounters are televised, Francis also visits bedridden patients in private for more personal encounters. Associated Press writers Maria Verza, Mark Stevenson and Peter Orsi contributed to this report. Imagine visiting Boston, and by chance, you get the coldest weekend of the year. That's what happened to many people necn spoke with on Boylston Street Saturday night. The air in New England will be frigid Saturday night into Sunday morning. One brother and sister from Australia had to go shopping to buy warm clothes. "Thermals and extra pairs of gloves and anything else that was going to cover every surface that would have been exposed to the cold," listed Jessie Chen of Sydney. Some other people were visiting their son who goes to school here. "It's freezing, and we just came from San Francisco, where it's nice and warm," said his mother. "I can't even feel it," Richard Delafuente of San Diego said of his nose. In these low temperatures, it only takes about 10 minutes for frostbite to set in - so that's why it's so important to cover up or stay inside. Sixteen people were displaced Saturday in a 3-alarm fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Crews from Lawrence and surrounding communities braved the cold to battle the fire at 115 Butler St. Hours after the blaze broke out, firefighters continued searching for hot spots as icicles formed on the burnt-out home. "The cold is extremely difficult for us," said Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty. "We have slip and sliding conditions, our ladders are freezing - we're trying to take the ladders down and they're locking and not coming down." Four families lived in the home, including nine adults and seven children. Thankfully, none were home at the time. The American Red Cross of Massachusetts helped those displaced. Police say they arrested a heroin dealer in Carver, Massachusetts, after a three-month investigation. Joshua Clements, no age provided, of Carver, was arrested after police searched his Myles Standish Drive home Friday. There, investigators said they found seized heroin, packaging/distribution materials and $2,436 in cash. Police surveillance conducted during the investigation also lead to another search warrant and arrest in Taunton Friday. Details of that arrest were not immediately available. Police are looking for a Massachusetts man who went missing over the weekend during a visit to Boston. Twenty-two-year-old Zachary Marr of Harvard was last seen early Saturday morning outside the Bell in Hand bar on Union Street. Marr is about 5'8 and about 175 pounds. He has blue eyes, short, brown hair and a beard. When Marr was last seen, shortly after 1:30 a.m., he was wearing dark jeans, black sneakers and a blue sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to call Boston Police at (617) 343-4571 or Harvard Police at (978) 456-1212. Connecticut State Police have arrested a man they say is responsible for two bank robberies at the same bank in a two-week span. Kevin Baker, 45, of West Hartford was arrested on Sunday and charged with two counts each of first-degree robbery and second-degree larceny. Police said Baker robbed the First National Bank of Suffield on Turkey Hill Road in East Granby on Jan. 27 and Feb. 8. ***State Police Detectives Make Arrest in East Granby Bank Robberies***Connecticut citizens were a big help by being... Posted by Connecticut State Police on Sunday, February 14, 2016 (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); During the second robbery, Baker is said to have had knife and jumped over the teller counter to grab money from the cash drawers. Baker was transported to Troop and was held on a $700,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear at Enfield Superior Court on Feb. 16. Throughout his tenure as a Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia was a lightning rod, frequently making controversial statements on issues like affirmative action, gay rights and abortion. And while many of New England's lawmakers may not always have agreed with him, they expressed tremendous respect after his passing on Saturday. "While I differed with Justice Scalia's views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court," Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing." Kevin Martin, who served as a clerk for the late Supreme Court justice, says even those who battled Antonin Scalia politically got along well with him and respected him as a person. Sanders wasn't the only local lawmaker who, despite sharp differences of opinions, shared thoughtful condolences for the late justice. "Justice Scalia was a remarkable jurist who dedicated his life to the law and the Constitution," wrote Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. "The son of an immigrant, dedicated public servant, acerbic wit, and gifted writer and orator, Justice Scalia lived a uniquely-American life," echoed Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. My thoughts and prayers are with Justice Scalia's family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing. pic.twitter.com/Y51xUMMEId Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 13, 2016 Regional Republicans also made their respect for Scalia known. Maine Gov. Paul LePage called him "a great man who served this nation well." "The Supreme Court has lost an incredible public servant, one with integrity and a brilliant mind," he continued. "Rest in Peace Justice Scalia, your wisdom and presence on the Supreme Court will be missed." "I am deeply saddened by Justice Scalia's sudden passing," wrote Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. "Our country has lost a staunch defender of our Constitution and a brilliant jurist." President Obama, who announced his plans to nominate Scalia's replacement, referred to the justice as "one of the towering legal figures of our time," explaining that he dedicated his life "to the cornerstone of our democracy, the rule of law." Gov. Malloy's statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Posted by Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy on Saturday, February 13, 2016 I am saddened by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The son of an immigrant, dedicated public servant, acerbic wit,... Posted by Senator Richard Blumenthal on Saturday, February 13, 2016 Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement on the passing on Antonin Scalia:Justice Scalia served our... Posted by Governor Maggie Hassan on Saturday, February 13, 2016 Prayers go out to Justice Scalia's friends and loved ones. A great man who served this nation well. The Supreme Court... Posted by Paul LePage, Maine's Governor on Saturday, February 13, 2016 U.S. Senator Susan Collins released a statement on the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: "Justice Scalia... Posted by U.S. Senator Susan Collins on Saturday, February 13, 2016 (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); AT&T announced today it will begin field trials of faster 5G wireless technology this summer in Austin, Texas. The 3GPP industry standard for 5G, also known as Fifth Generation wireless, is not expected to be completed until 2020, with the earliest phase completed in 2018. Wireless speeds with 5G could be 10 to 100 times faster than with 4G LTE, which generally averages in the 10 Mbps to 20 Mbps range for users downloading data. Both AT&T and Verizon have ambitious 5G rollout plans, prompted by the recent explosion of wireless video and Internet of Things connectivity. AT&T estimates that its wireless network grew 150,000% from 2007 to 2015, largely because of video traffic; more than 60% of its wireless traffic in 2015 was video. Self-driving cars, robots, smart cities and other technologies are expected to test networks like never before, and "5G will will help make them a reality," said John Donovan, chief strategy officer at AT&T Technology and Operations. AT&T said it is working with Ericsson and Intel on laboratory tests of 5G in the second quarter, with the outdoor tests and trials starting in the summer. By the end of the year, AT&T expects to make 5G connections to fixed locations, such as buildings and homes, while wireless connections to moving objects, like cars and devices used by passengers aboard trains, are harder to achieve. + ALSO: 5G is coming and it is the future of mobile + AT&T's trials are intended to precede full 5G standard adoption so that the carrier can "pivot to compliant commercial deployments once 5G technology standards are set," AT&T said in a statement. The advent of 5G will be more efficient and cost-effective for carriers. AT&T plans to build its version of 5G on a software-centric architecture that adapts quickly to new demands, Donovan said. That means AT&T will deliver 5G in connection with software defined networks (SDN), big data, new security tools and open source software, he added. SDN is expected to allow AT&T to virtualize 75% of its network by 2020. In 2015, about 6% was virtualized, a number that should reach 30% in 2016. About 14 million wireless customers use the virtualized network already. SDN that uses open source software will save costs, as well. WIth a virtualized network, AT&T can turn routers, firewalls and other network equipment into virtual functions that run on commodity hardware, primarily servers. This story, "AT&T to run field trials of 5G wireless in Austin this year" was originally published by Computerworld . We are breeding the cow and they are milking it - German Klimenko, Vladimir Putins new Internet czar on Google, Microsoft, and Apple doing business in Russia When it comes to high tech, American companies dominate the Russian market and, perhaps not surprisingly, that doesnt site well with the Russian government which would prefer to see homegrown offerings such as Yandex and Mail.ru get more market traction. The consequence, according to Bloomberg, is a plan by the Russian government to increase the taxes the American tech giants by 18 percent. But wait! Theres more! Yep, the Kremlins Internet czar,German Klimenko, whos had his job for just over six weeks, has made it clear that Microsoft and its nasty, capitalist Windows operating system will be out and some 22,000 municipal governments will be switching to Linux forthwith. Why? There are many reasons for such a move the least of which is that it ties Russia to a product that is made by what amounts to the enemy. But that reason is as nothing nothing compared to the fact that Microsoft is doing its utmost to encourage (force?) users to upgrade to Windows 10, an operating system that has been well documented to obsessively and remarkably frequently phone home even when you disable everything that might cause the OS to connect to external resources. Not surprisingly, Microsoft has yet to explain whats going or even acknowledge that it needs to do so. An excellent Ars Technica article summarized what WIndows 10 is up to: Some of the traffic looks harmless but feels like it shouldn't be happening. For example, even with no Live tiles pinned to Start (and hence no obvious need to poll for new tile data), Windows 10 seems to download new tile info from MSN's network from time to time, using unencrypted HTTP to do so. While again the requests contain no identifying information, it's not clear why they're occurring at all, given that they have no corresponding tile. Other traffic looks a little more troublesome. Windows 10 will periodically send data to a Microsoft server named ssw.live.com. This server seems to be used for OneDrive and some other Microsoft services. Windows 10 seems to transmit information to the server even when OneDrive is disabled and logins are using a local account that isn't connected to a Microsoft Account. The exact nature of the information being sent isn't clearit appears to be referencing telemetry settingsand again, it's not clear why any data is being sent at all. We disabled telemetry on our test machine using group policies. And finally, some traffic seems quite impenetrable. We configured our test virtual machine to use an HTTP and HTTPS proxy (both as a user-level proxy and a system-wide proxy) so that we could more easily monitor its traffic, but Windows 10 seems to make requests to a content delivery network that bypass the proxy. Is it any surprise that Russia would be uncomfortable with software that behaves so stealthily and opaquely? For goodness sake, Im not comfortable with such behavior on my network and, I suspect, many of you wont be either. Eschewing further agricultural smilies in favor of an ethical parallel, Klimenko said of Windows "It's like a wife seeing her husband with another woman he can swear an oath afterward, but the trust is lost. Microsoft may have gone too far this time and Windows 10 could turn out to be the straw that breaks its markets back. This is a certainty in Russia and could be the same in the US. Its no surprise that Russia is saying Do svidaniya! to Windows and Privyet! to Linux. Are you finally ready to say "Howdy!" to Linux? Thoughts? Suggestions? Send me feedback via email or comment below then follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Parish council's concerns at increase in number of machines over common A SHAKE-UP of Silchester Common by-laws is in the pipeline to tackle the increasing use of drones after parish councillors raised safety concerns. The topic of the use of drones on the common was debated at length at a recent Silchester Parish Council meeting, chaired by vice-chairman, Simon Mahaffrey. Mr Mahaffrey said the village by-laws relating to Silchester Common were clearly out of date with regard to the use of drones on the common, as they had been written prior to the existence of drones, essentially unmanned aircraft. He said: When the [Silchester] by-laws were written they applied to petrol-driven aircraft to distinguish them from gliders. Parish councillor John Harrison said the parish council should be concerned with the safety of individuals out walking on the common: If they [drones] got out of control they could kill someone, said Mr Harrison. Mr Mahaffrey pointed out current regulations relating to drones stipulate they should not be flown within 150m of a congested area, or within 50m of a person, vessel or structure not under control of the pilot. The drone must also remain in sight and not be flown above 400m in altitude or 500m horizontally. Anyone flying a drone for commercial purposes would need prior permission from the Civil Aviation Authority. Mr Mahaffrey said there was no clause in the councils insurance to cover drones, while Mr Harrison added that anyone flying a drone and challenged was likely to say they did not have third party insurance to do so. It was agreed that Mr Mahaffrey should re-draft the parish councils by-laws to encompass the use of drones prior to its February meeting. Drones can be obtained from high street shops for less than 100 and more than 300 public bodies currently have permission to fly a drone in the UK. In November last year a Worcester toddler suffered serious eye injuries in an accident in which a neighbour lost control of a drone, which clipped a tree and crashed in the familys property. In the interim, until the May local elections, Mr Mahaffrey has stepped into the shoes of former parish council chairman, Steve Spillane, who stood down from the role last month and for personal reasons, while remaining a parish councillor. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Submit Versatile chip also offers multiple applications in various electronic devices Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a small smart chip that can be paired with neural implants for efficient wireless transmission of brain signals. Neural implants when embedded in the brain can alleviate the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease or give paraplegic people the ability to move their prosthetic limbs. However, they need to be connected by wires to an external device outside the body. For a prosthetic patient, the neural implant is connected to a computer that decodes the brain signals so the artificial limb can move. These external wires are not only cumbersome but the permanent openings which allow the wires into the brain increases the risk of infections. The new chip by NTU scientists can allow the transmission of brain data wirelessly and with high accuracy. Assistant Professor Arindam Basu from NTU's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering said the research team have tested the chip on data recorded from animal models, which showed that it could decode the brain's signal to the hand and fingers with 95 per cent accuracy. "What we have developed is a very versatile smart chip that can process data, analyse patterns and spot the difference," explained Prof Basu. "It is about a hundred times more efficient than current processing chips on the market. It will lead to more compact medical wearable devices, such as portable ECG monitoring devices and neural implants, since we no longer need large batteries to power them." Different from other wireless implants To achieve high accuracy in decoding brain signals, implants require thousands of channels of raw data. To wirelessly transmit this large amount of data, more power is also needed which means either bigger batteries or more frequent recharging. This is not feasible as there is limited space in the brain for implants while frequent recharging means the implants cannot be used for long-term recording of signals. Current wireless implant prototypes thus suffer from a lack of accuracy as they lack the bandwidth to send out thousands of channels of raw data. Instead of enlarging the power source to support the transmission of raw data, Asst Prof Basu tried to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. Designed to be extremely power-efficient, NTU's patented smart chip will analyse and decode the thousands of signals from the neural implants in the brain, before compressing the results and sending it wirelessly to a small external receiver. This invention and its findings were published last month in the prestigious journal, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits & Systems, by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the world's largest professional association for the advancement of technology. Its underlying science was also featured in three international engineering conferences (two in Atlanta, USA and one in China) over the last three months. Versatile smart chip with multiple uses This new smart chip is designed to analyse data patterns and spot any abnormal or unusual patterns. For example, in a remote video camera, the chip can be programmed to send a video back to the servers only when a specific type of car or something out of the ordinary is detected, such as an intruder. This would be extremely beneficial for the Internet of Things (IOT), where every electrical and electronic device is connected to the Internet through a smart chip. With a report by marketing research firm Gartner Inc predicting that 6.4 billion smart devices and appliances will be connected to the Internet by 2016, and will rise to 20.8 billion devices by 2020, reducing network traffic will be a priority for most companies. Using NTU's new chip, the devices can process and analyse the data on site, before sending back important details in a compressed package, instead of sending the whole data stream. This will reduce data usage by over a thousand times. Asst Prof Basu is now in talks with Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited to adapt his smart chip that can significantly reduce power consumption and the amount of data transmitted by battery-operated remote sensors, such as video cameras. The team is also looking to expand the applications of the chip into commercial products, such as to customise it for smart home sensor networks, in collaboration with a local electronics company. The chip, measuring 5mm by 5mm can now be licensed by companies from NTU's commercialisation arm, NTUitive. Developed over the past two years by a team of four at NTU's VIRTUS IC Design Centre of Excellence, the project has since received over S$850,000 in research funding. Source: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/ Heres a riddle: What stretch of road in the Lynchburg area is 1.4 miles long, has eight traffic lights and about 30,000 vehicles each day? The answer is not the Wards Road shopping corridor, long known for its traffic congestion. It is Timberlake Road, between Waterlick and Laxton roads in Campbell County a segment that has seen as much as a 17 percent increase in traffic over the past 10 years. The whole road has had at least five traffic fatalities in the past five years and its share of fender-benders and other traffic-induced accidents. Former Campbell County supervisor Steven Shockley, who has lived in the Timberlake area for about 19 years, said the corridor has taken on a Wards Road situation with its combination of traffic lights and multiplying development. The growing congestion has attracted the attention of both the Virginia Department of Transportation and Campbell County leaders. Timberlake hasnt been studied for years. Timberlake not only has high accident frequency, we want to take a look at the entire corridor, said Rick Youngblood, a VDOT planner and a board member of the Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization, which has proposed $3.23 million in traffic improvements at the Waterlick Road/Timberlake Road intersection. The Campbell County Planning Commission, meanwhile, identified the Timberlake/Waterlick intersection in August as one of two areas with high levels of traffic and congestion concerns. The other is the Airport Road/Wards Road area. Longtime residents of the Timberlake community remember a road with just a few traffic lights and far fewer cars. Homes along the roadway gave way to restaurants, businesses and fast-food establishments through the years; the pace of development has quickened over the past decade or so as hundreds of new apartment units have come to the area. Shockley moved into the Timberlake community in the 1990s, drawn by the quality of the schools and nice homes. Karen Tanner, a lifelong resident of the Wildwood subdivision, remembered a childhood without the U.S. 460 bypass, which was constructed in the 1980s, and a Timberlake Road where fast-food chains like McDonalds were few and far between. Now, Tanner has a teenage daughter who soon will drive on the heavily trafficked road. It bothers me as a mother of a teenage driver you learn times to avoid and times to not fuss over it, she said. Her daughter attends Brookville High School and often cannot avoid Timberlake Road. Tanner herself will sometimes take U.S. 460 to avoid traffic in the busy corridor. Shockley traces the uptick in traffic to Braxton Park, a 193-unit townhouse complex that got underway about a half-mile west of Waterlick Road in 2006 and brought another traffic light to the corridor. It added a large number of vehicles to the road. Over the course of time, restaurants move in, more housing complexes not necessarily on Timberlake but also Waterlick [Road], he said. Other apartment complexes followed: Willowbrook apartments behind Timbrook Square brought 172 units after 2007. Another complex, 37 West located near StarTek off Waterlick Road just down of Timberlake Road will have about 312 units once phase II is completed. Just off Greenview Drive, meanwhile, the first of hundreds of residents moved into the Cornerstone neighborhood in 2008. That mixed-use development has turned 113 acres of undeveloped land into more than 900 dwelling units and growing. It also brought more traffic to Timberlake Road, about a half mile up on Greenview Drive. VDOT traffic data from 2014 show the section of Timberlake Road between Greenview Drive and Laxton Road has the second-highest concentration of vehicles along the length of Timberlake Road, from Campbell County through Lynchburg, at 30,000 vehicles of average daily traffic. The most traveled segment is at the Lynchburg Expressway interchange near Heritage High School, at 32,000 vehicles on average each day. During the past 10 years, average daily traffic in the section of Timberlake Road between Greenview Drive and Waterlick Road increased by about 17 percent, from 27,000 in 2014 versus 23,000 in 2004, according to VDOT data. Since 2010, at least five fatal crashes have occurred on Timberlake Road. The one in 2010 occurred on the eastbound ramp for U.S. 460. A motorcyclist was struck and died near Powtan Drive in September 2012. In the same year, a 9-year-old boy was hit crossing Timberlake Road just west of Laxton Road. A second motorcycle crash killed a 20-year-old man near Enterprise Drive in May 2012 and two 26-year-old men died when they were hit by a drunk driver while turning into the Legacy at Linden Park apartments at Misty Mountain Road, east of Old Graves Mill Road, in April 2012. High levels of traffic and congestion prompted the Campbell County Planning Commission last summer to identify the Timberlake/Waterlick area as one of two areas of concern. Paul Harvey, Campbell County community development director, said the Timberlake area is the most densely populated area of Campbell County. One thing VDOT is careful to manage is access to their roadways and highways keep everyone safe but provide access to businesses, he said. A proposed project for Waterlick Road, submitted by the Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization, was marked as a statewide high priority on a new state scoring system to help Virginia set priorities for funding transportation projects. The agency identifies transportation planning projects for Lynchburg and parts of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties. The $3.23 million project would include construction of a right-turn lane for northbound traffic on Waterlick Road as a first component. It also proposes a four-foot-wide concrete median on both sides of Waterlick Road as traffic enters the intersection with Timberlake. Additionally, left-turn lanes would be added to each side of Waterlick Road at the Timberlake intersection. Waterlick Road would be widened to accommodate the median and new turning lanes. For southbound cars turning right onto Waterlick from Timberlake, the receiving lane would be widened. The last two components would involve moving signal poles from the median to corners and convert business entrances to right-in and right-out. In the MPO's long-range transportation plan 2040 update, the Timberlake and Waterlick intersection scored high in cost-benefit analysis. In December, Campbell County supervisors denied a rezoning that would have allowed a 200-unit apartment complex on Timberlake Road, citing traffic. A potential neighbor of the development said there was a fear of U-turns at a nearby intersection in front of the Big Lots department store. Its a continuing theme, development after development, all the projects represent a significant safety issue, said Timberlake Supervisor Michael Rousseau at the public hearing for the rezoning. Last thing Timberlake needs is another traffic light. Shockley also voted against the complex when he was on the board because it would be madness adding 300 car trips to the highway by Brookville high and middle schools and Tomahawk Elementary School. Of Timberlake Road, he said: Its a gradual increase and density; one of those things that, wow, maybe things got out of hand. Adventist pastor: Carnival is madness What happens at Carnival, the lewdness and immorality, can not be Gods will. I declare that Carnival is madness. There can be no justification for people dressing and acting like that, declared pastor Leslie Moses, president of the South Caribbean Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist. Moses told Sunday Newsday that members from about 160 churches throughout the country converged in Arima for the event. This march is to affirm heterosexual marriage and the family. We are also marching against any activity that is not in keeping with the Word of God, intemperate living including murder, crime, adultery, drug abuse and child abuse, he said. Moses said globally, the church had always promoted healthy living and family life. However, yesterday, the aim was to sensitise the national community to the need for affirming the traditional views espoused by the Bible as they believe the Bibles teachings was best for the human race. He explained the theme of heterosexual marriage was chosen because of the global issues involved in moving away from the biblical standard, especially in the United States, which legalised gay marriage in June 2015. We know that the United States is a significant country in relation to the values of the world. However, even though the US Supreme Court voted in favour of gay marriage, that does not change Gods mind, nor would it change our mind, he said. He believed people could do as they wish in private but laws should not be changed to accommodate that minority group. Moses noted that because the church was against intemperate living, its members distanced itself from Carnival completely. He said, if persons danced in the streets half-naked on any other day, onlookers would say they were crazy. They say its culture but it has to be that the Will and the Word of God should be there above the culture, to guide it, he concluded. At the rally at Larry Gomes Stadium, the marchers were met by many more church members waiting for the programme to begin. In the special address, Pastor Steve Riley emphasised the churchs position of heterosexual marriage and the need to remain sexually pure. There was also an interview with a young married couple who shared with the audience, benefits of abstaining from sex until marriage. IRO president: I feel ashamed for women Saying Tim Kees comments were meant to admonish women against dangers of lewd and suggestive behaviour especially at Carnival, Maharaj told the Sunday Newsday yesterday he stands in agreement with the Port-of-Spain mayor. Last Wednesday, in commenting on the discovery of the body of Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya under a tree at Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, before an autopsy revealed she had been murdered, Tim Kee had said women scantily dressed at Carnival events was a form of enticement and they should take care to avoid being abused. His remarks evoked placard protests and the call for him to resign. Yesterday, Tim Kee said he would step down as mayor. Speaking before Tim Kees resignation announcement, Maharaj, while condemning the murder, said he understood Tim Kees point about when women behave in a vulgar manner. I think if I am to understand what the mayor was speaking about, from what I have read, even the Commissioner of Police was cautioning people during the Carnival season as well. We know that if peoples minds are very, very weak, its easy to be tempted. We have to emphasise this, especially females; we know the way they dress. And when people are under the influence of alcohol, which of course weakens your mind and temptation grows; this is where we could never tell what could happen. What Im saying, is that there is the probability of more negative things happening, than, more than the good things. The IRO president said that the organisation would meet tomorrow for its monthly meeting and on the agenda for discussion would be the comments made by Tim Kee. Maharaj continued, I dont know his exact words, but when you look at the way, especially again, the way that the women dress and gyrate and things like that, it is not good moral and spiritual values. Its just a total moral breakdown, where people no longer have respect for even themselves. You know, we always consider our bodies to be the temple of God, and when you see what is being done, its a total disgrace. I am not saying that even if you do that, you are to be murdered. I am totally, totally against anything like that. But Im saying that we need to have a greater degree of respect. Maharaj said Carnival is no longer the greatest show on earth, but it has degenerated into what he described as strings and feathers. Pastor Winston Mansingh, president of Faith Based Network of Trinidad and Tobago and head of the Celebrating Life HIV/AIDS Awareness Group, told Sunday Newsday that while Tim Kees comments were unfortunate, he agreed with the mayors position that scantily dressed women gyrating is immodest behaviour and makes them vulnerable to sexual attacks. I think to a certain extent, it creates an arousing in some of the male beings, and not everyone as we have seen around us, is able to control their desire, and their behaviour. However, it would not justify murder. There Were Rules on Handling Asbestos. They Were Ignored (Newser) Planning a round trip from New York to London in the not-too-distant future? The good news: Getting to Heathrow may be quicker than ever at about five hours. The bad news: The flight back to the Big Apple could drag on for more than seven hours, making the overall trip longer. That's what researchers with the University of Reading predict in a new study that examines the effect of climate change on the jet stream, Phys.org reports. The high-altitude wind that blows west to east across the Atlantic Ocean is closely related to atmospheric temperatures, study lead Paul Williams says in a video. "Therefore, the winds are changing in response to the temperature changes." More specifically, the jet stream will become 15% faster, according to the study published this month in Environmental Research Letters. It all adds up for aircraft making the trip across the pond and backsome 600 flights daily. The BBC says the average time difference will be only "a few minutes each way," but it's the cumulative effect that researchers are worried aboutit amounts to an extra 2,000 hours a year in the air, adding about $22 million to fuel costs and increasing CO2 emissions by 70 million kilograms. In 2013, Williams led a study predicting that transatlantic flights would become bumpier thanks to climate change, making for uncomfortable flights or longer flights as pilots burn fuel trying to avoid turbulence. This new study looks only at transatlantic flights, meaning it's "possible that flights elsewhere in the world will also suffer from a similar jet stream effect," says Williams. (You could soon fly from the East Coast to Europe for $69.) (Newser) Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead Saturday at a resort outside of Marfa, Texas, KVIA reports. According to the San Antonio Express- News, the 79-year-old appears to have died from natural causes. Scalia was the longest-serving justice currently on the Supreme Court, having been nominated by Ronald Reagan in 1986. In a statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called Scalia a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law." We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law," CBS DFW quotes Abbott's statement as saying. Scalia spent Friday hunting quail at the Cibolo Creek Ranch and told friends before going to bed that he wasn't feeling well, reports CNN. His body was found in his room after he didn't show up for breakfast Saturday. In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts called Scalia an "extraordinary individual" who was "admired and treasured by his colleagues." The Chicago Tribune notes that the conservative judge's "sharply worded dissents and caustic attacks on liberal notions were quoted widely, and they had an influence on a generation of young conservatives," the paper states. Scalia's death gives President Obama the chance to get his third nominee onto the Supreme Court, CBS News reports, though that might be tough in an election year. (Read more Antonin Scalia stories.) (Newser) Six Republican candidates for president took to the stage in South Carolina on Saturday and immediately observed a moment of silence for Antonin Scalia. The first questions for each man were about filling the departed Supreme Court justice's seat. They largely sang the same tune: that President Obama shouldn't nominate someone, but probably will, and that the Senate should make sure that the decision ultimately falls to the next president. John Kasich, Ben Carson, and Ted Cruz called on Obama to pass on making a nomination. Donald Trump: "I think [Obama's] going to do it [nominate a justice] whether I'm comfortable with it or not. It's called delay, delay, delay." "I think [Obama's] going to do it [nominate a justice] whether I'm comfortable with it or not. It's called delay, delay, delay." Kasich: "I would like the president for once here to put the country first ... I believe that the president should not go forward." Carson: "We should be thinking about how can we create some healing in this land. We're not going to get healing with President Obama." "We should be thinking about how can we create some healing in this land. We're not going to get healing with President Obama." Marco Rubio: "I do not believe the president should nominate someone. It's been 80 years since a lame duck president has chosen a justice." "I do not believe the president should nominate someone. It's been 80 years since a lame duck president has chosen a justice." Jeb Bush: "Of course the president has every right to nominate Supreme Court justices. There's no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will not have a consensus pick." "Of course the president has every right to nominate Supreme Court justices. There's no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will not have a consensus pick." Cruz: "We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will reverse" decisions on abortion and the Second Amendment. In FiveThirtyEight's liveblog of the debate, Nate Silver observes that Scalia's death "poses more risks for Trump because it could turn Republican voters focus to 'values' issues: social and Constitutional questions on which Trump does not have a reliably conservative record." (Read more GOP Debate stories.) (Newser) Ah, friendly San Franciscowhere two tourists were apparently just attacked by darts fired from a blow gun. The pedestrians were crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on Friday when they were struck by the metal darts, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Seems one victim flagged down a California Highway Patrol officer at 2:45pm complaining that a 5-inch-long dart had hit his thigh and sunk in about two inches. An ambulance came, and when emergency personnel were talking to the man, a woman approached saying an identical dart had struck her in the knee. "I've never heard of something like this," CHP spokesman Andrew Barclay tells the LA Times. "It seems very random, and it doesn't appear that either of the victims was targeted for any reason specifically .... Neither of them had had any arguments." Authorities say the darts were likely fired from a passing car, judging by where the victims were hit. The dartswhich were sharpened on one end and had a white plastic cap on the otherwill be tested for poison and other chemicals. Paramedics examined the two victims and let them go. "It was definitely one of those situations where you ... wonder why would somebody do this," Barclay says. (Read more assault stories.) (Newser) This Valentine's Day, there's a good chance your flowers came from Kenya. "I know the flowers are for giving on Valentine's Day," Phanice Cherop, a worker at a flower farm in Kenya, tells the AP. "We do not really do this here in Kenya. No man has ever given me." On a crisp February morning, Cherop squeezed through a row of shoulder-high white roses, cut a flower, and placed it in the bunch she carried. The Kenyan-grown flower was likely headed for a vase in Australia, England, Japan, or the United States. Kenya's cool climate and high altitude make it perfect for growing large, long-lasting roses. Such conditions have helped make Kenya become the world's fourth-biggest supplier after the Netherlands, Ecuador, and Colombia. The Kenya Flower Council said exports rose from 86,480 tons in 2006 to 136,601 tons in 2014. Flowers are intricately tied to the global economy. When it collapsed in 2008, the cut-flower trade lost $1.5 billion the following year. In 2013, global exports of cut flowers, cut foliage, living plants, and flower bulbs amounted to $20.6 billion, more than twice the amount in 2001. International events, including Russia's war in Ukraine and plummeting oil prices, have shaped flower fortunes for numerous Kenyan farms. Sales to oil-producing nations, such as Norway and those in the Middle East, have dropped due to their reduced spending power. Kenya is the sixth-largest flower exporter to the US, per the US Customs and Border Protection; Kenya supplies the European Union with 38% of its cut-flower imports. And the drop in Russian demand isn't translating into a drop of the price of a bouquet this Valentine's Day. "There is always a big volume at this time of year and people will always be buying roses, so the price goes up," says a director at Kenya's Horticultural Council. (Read more Valentine's Day stories.) (Newser) Much of the northeastern United States found itself in the not-so-warm embrace of teeth-chattering, record-shattering cold on Valentine's Day. Cities throughout the northeast saw record low temperatures on Sunday including New York; Boston; Providence, RI; and Hartford, Conn. The National Weather Service said the temperature in New York City's Central Park fell to minus-1, a record low for the date. The last time it got below zero in Central Park was in January 1994. "I'm dumb enough to do this," exclaimed John Male before starting a 12-mile park run Sunday morning. "I just always come out and I just decided not to do anything differently"except to wear a furry tiger hat over his winter hat, in addition to four layers of clothing. Boston reached minus-9, breaking the record set in 1934 by 6 degrees. It reached minus-16 in Worcester, Mass., breaking the 1979 record of 11 below zero. Providence hit minus-9 and Hartford minus-12, also breaking records from 1979. In Montpelier, Vermont, the overnight temperature hit minus-19, tying a 2003 record. Temps were expected to climb before a winter storm moves into the region, bringing at least a couple inches of snow in some areas, plus possible icy conditions to the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Monday. Weather service meteorologist Jay Engel said New York City will emerge from the record-breaking cold by Sunday afternoon. But whoever ventured out between Saturday evening and Sunday morning was hit by wind gusts that reached 40mph, bringing the wind chill to at least minus-20. (Read more severe weather stories.) (Newser) Conspiracy theorists, take a deep breath: A Texas judge has officially deemed Antonin Scalia's death a natural one, WFAA reports. Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara says the Supreme Court justice died of a heart attack. Guevara says she heard about Scalia's death from a sheriff, and was planning to travel to the luxury ranch where Scalia died, when a US Marshal called her. "It's not necessary for you to come, judge. If youre asking for an autopsy, thats what we need to clarify," the marshal told her, per Guevara. She goes on: "As part of my investigation, one of the things I did ask the sheriff and the US Marshal: 'Were there any signs of foul play?' And they said, Absolutely not. At that time, I still wanted to be careful, and asked them if [Scalias] physician would call me." Scalia's doctor did call her Saturday night, saying Scalia had a shoulder injury and several chronic health issues. Guevara decided the death was natural and no autopsy would be needed, ABC News reports. Meanwhile, Scalia's body was transported overnight by vanwith a procession of US Marshals Service vehicles and Texas Dept. of Public Safety troopersto Sunset Funeral Home in El Paso. The funeral home manager says Scalia's remains were embalmed, a legal requirement before moving a body out of the state. The leading conspiracy theory was that President Obama himself had Scalia murdered, a notion the New Republic puts down to "some paranoid people on Twitter." (Read more US Supreme Court stories.) Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 29F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. Snowfall around one inch.. Tonight Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 29F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 70%. Snowfall around one inch. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh BJP has taken an exception to a promotional poster about a play to be staged tomorrow on the occasion of UP Toursim Day. The poster for the play Radha Kanhaiyya Ka Qissa has been published in newspapers and also put up at few public spaces like the Samta Mulak crossing. UP BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak has alleged that the poster depicting Krishna and Radha hurts sentiments of the people. Pathak said the state Tourism Department is a partner in the event, and that the government should avoid showing pictures that hurt sentiments of the people. We demand that persons behind it should issue an unconditional apology and a case be registered against them, he said. Meanwhile, the Tourism Department when contacted said, it has nothing to do with the poster, claiming, it had been put up by some private party. We will see to it and if it is found to be hurting sentiments of people, then the needful would be done, a Tourism Department spokesman said. Some right-wing activists today also staged a protest at the Samta Mulak crossing over the display of posters. The play, directed by noted filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, was written by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Oudh. It will be staged at the historic Chattar Manzil. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma tonight alleged that he was attacked physically by ABVP activists in JNU campus when he was returning with Rahul Gandhi after attending a protest meeting held by students there. Sharma, Deputy Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha, told PTI that the SPG had to take Gandhi out by an alternate vehicle as the alleged attackers had surrounded the vehicle of the Congress Vice President as well. The attack took place some distance away from the place where the meeting was held at the varsity campus with the ABVP activists using cover of the darkness, he claimed. There was a bleeding from my left ear following the attack and I also suffered some cuts, Sharma said, adding his personal security officer too was pushed from behind by the attackers. The former Union Minister said he was a few steps behind Gandhi. He said his PSO has lodged a complaint with police. Differ with us, but you have no right to attack us, he said, while slamming his attackers. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Raipur: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed allegedly by Naxals in Chhattisgarhs insurgency-hit Kanker district, police said. The incident took place in Sangam village under the limits of Panchanjur police station when the deceased 30-year-old Harikesh attached to the 122nd battalion of BSF was outside his camp, senior police officials from Kanker district told Bhasha/PTI over phone. At this time, some ultras fired upon Harikesh and fled away from the spot. He was initially admitted to a local hospital and later shifted to Raipur, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment, they said. According to police, a manhunt has been initiated to trace down the Naxals who were allegedly involved in the killing. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After striking a pre-poll pact with DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Congress high command is expected to take a decision on the issue of alliance with the CPI(M) in poll bound West Bengal after a meeting of the Left partys politburo this week. A senior Congress leader, who declined to be identified, said the high command would take a call after the CPI-Ms top leadership deliberates on the issue. The Politburo meeting on Tuesday will be followed by another of the Central Committee on the next two days. Last week, the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state had formally agreed to discuss the issue of alliance with Congress, if it was approached. Early this month, Congress leaders from the state, during a meeting with party vice president Rahul Gandhi, had unanimously rejected the idea of any alliance with Trinamool Congress but remained divided on a tie-up with the Left. The Congress vice president had told them that party chief Sonia Gandhi will take a decision on the issue soon. His refrain was that in the emerging situation Congress is a determining factor in West Bengal. Before it takes a final call on alliance, Congress would weigh which party in West Bengal could help it check BJPs march in the next Lok Sabha elections. The AICC has so far remained tight-lipped about CPI(M)s overtures to save the state from the ruling TMC. Former West Bengal chief minister and CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had recently urged the Congress to join hands with the party. Congress had contested the last Assembly elections in alliance with Mamata Banerjees party which dislodged the CPI(M)-led Left Front government after 34 years. The two parties, however, parted ways in September 2012 after Trinamool Congress walked out of the UPA-II government at the Centre. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Tech giant Apple is all set to unveil their brand new products iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 on March 18 this year. Interestingly, the company has rolled back to its 4-inch display with the new device which physically resembles to iPhone 5s. The device is likely to have powerful internals at par with iPhone 6. Meanwhile, the iPad 3 is likely to support iPad Pro accessories like the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. iPhone is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The first generation iPhone was released on June 29, 2007. The most recent iPhone models are the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, which were unveiled at a special event on September 9, 2015. Los Angeles: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin met a Syrian mother Mona and her 11-year-old daughter Joudi following their sit-down with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The actor, 54, and his lawyer wife solemnly listened to her story as she explained why she needed to escape, reported Ace Showbiz. The husband and wife duo also met with two other Syrian families. It was an honor to meet three Syrian families whose lives have been shattered by war and inspiring to learn that the people of Germany are helping them put their lives back together, George said. Clooney has been raising awareness of refugee crisis while in Berlin with his wife to promote his new movie Hail Caesar. They offered their support for Angela Merkels policy to open the door for asylum seekers amid the increasing pressure she faced for welcoming the refugees. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Zealand: An Indian restaurant chain in New Zealand has had its assets worth a whopping 34 million dollars seized over tax fraud allegations, in what is said to be the countrys largest cache of property ever restrained. Masala, an Indian restaurant chain, had its 33 properties seized as part of a 34 million dollars asset freeze after allegations of tax fraud to the tune of 7.4 million dollars emerged. Inland Revenue is investigating 17 firms which are involved with this chain for allegedly under-reporting earnings, newstalkzb.co.nz reported yesterday. The owners of the restaurant chain - Joti Jain, Rupinder Chahil, Rajwinder Grewal and Supinder Singh - evaded paying tax by systematically stripping cash from the restaurants and not declaring cash sales in GST returns, Investigator Elena Bryleva said in an affidavit. In October last year, Masala chains co-controller Jain was sentenced to 11 months home detention after admitting immigration and exploitation for paying as little as just over 2 dollars an hour to employees who worked for upto 11 hours a day. She is also banned from managing a business for that term, the report said. According to Immigration New Zealand one of her victims worked 66 hour weeks for months at the Takapuna restaurant and was also told to clean her house - all for no more than 3 dollars an hour. Masala founder Chahil is already fighting six charges including that he falsified immigration documents and supplied misleading information contrary to immigration laws. Properties seized by the police include a 3 million dollar house in Aucklands upmarket Remuera, a two hectare block of land in Takanini and four properties believed to have been used as accommodation for Masala workers. Some of the restaurants have since been sold and renamed. For all the Latest Lifestyle News, Food News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bengaluru: In a first-of-its-kind effort in the country, premier mental health institute NIMHANS here has taken steps to host the genetic and cellular repository of patients with mental health problems. The repository is being built under prestigious and aspirational mission of the Prime Minister under the programme Accelerating the application of Stem cell technology in Human Disease, Health Minister J P Nadda said here today. The giant collaborative effort involves premier Indian institutions including NIMHANS, NCBS, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, among others, Nadda said in his speech at the 20th convocation at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. This futuristic vision heralds the utilisation of existing and emerging cutting edge technologies. It will go a long way in understanding the biology of mental disorders, he said. Noting that NIMHANS was successfully blending the traditional and modern systems of healthcare, he said over the past years, NIMHANS, AYUSH centre had thoughtfully and diligently developed an evidence base for integrating yoga therapies for mental and neurological problems. It is the right time to look for its expansion and mainstream these approaches in healthcare. I am sure yoga has much to offer in helping us manage these conditions, he said. He asked NIMHANS to suggest methods and mechanisms that would further facilitate this integration. Observing that India was at an exciting phase of development, he said on the global platform, it was recognised to be charting a growth which was envy of many other nations. Being true to the philosophy of development for all, health is being embedded into the growth story. With the changing nature of diseases and demographic transition, the burden of non-communicable diseases and injuries are on the rise, he said, citing latest data that indicate that ischemic heart disease, lung diseases and stroke are the top three leading causes of death among Indians. Depressive disorders rank second in causing disability while road injuries and suicides continue to be amongst the top three causes of deaths amongst the males who are in their most productive period (15 to 49 years). In this context, he said there had been a renewed emphasis on the ongoing NCD programme. We are not only expanding but are also improving the quality of care, he added. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Patna: Please do not call my son a terrorist, says JNUSU President Kanhaiyas mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbours house in Bihars Begusarai district. We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one, his mother Meena Devi told PTI over the phone. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiyas father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad university. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics, he said. Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult Mother India, he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union polls with 1,029 votes to become its president the first from the All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiyas arrest has been politicised, Prince said, It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national. This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, its bigger than him. Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The JNUSU president, who has been popular among students right from the day of the presidential debate held before JNUSU elections, had asserted a day before his arrest that he did not need a certificate of patriotism from RSS. Kanhaiya studied in R K C High School in Bihars Barauni area before joining College of Commerce in Patna in 2004. After completing his graduation from Nalanda Open University, Kumar moved to Delhi and subsequently joined JNU for his M.Phil in 2011. He is now a third year Ph.D student in the School of International Studies. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kabul: Afghanistan today summoned Pakistans ambassador to the foreign ministry in Kabul to express serious concerns over the kidnapping of a former Afghan governor in Islamabad, the ministry said in a statement. Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, a former governor of Herat province, was snatched by unidentified men in an upscale district of the Pakistani capital on Friday, police have confirmed. Afghanistan has fraught relations with Pakistan, which it blames for sponsoring Taliban militants fighting an ongoing bloody insurgency. The foreign ministry today expressed concern to ambassador Sayed Ibrar Hussain and urged Islamabad to throw all its resources into finding Wahidi, described as one of the big personalities of the war-torn country. The Afghan government calls upon the Pakistani government to use all tools and possibilities in identifying the group behind the kidnapping and immediately secure the release of Mr Wahidi, the statement said. Pakistan is in the grip of a homegrown Taliban insurgency but the tightly-guarded capital has a very low crime rate in general, and the F-7/2 sector where Wahidi was seized is a high security area that houses politicians, bureaucrats and expats. A Pakistani police official told AFP today that investigators were treating the abduction as a high-profile case, but that no arrests have yet been made. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Turkey: Iraqi army has arrested a group of ISIS fighters when they tried to escape from the fallen city of Ramadi after shaving their beards and dressing up as women. The terrorists had shaved their beards and dressed as women in a bid to fool our forces and escape the liberated city of Ramadi. However, they were all arrested before escaping the city, the Iraqi security command was quoted as saying by ARA News. The Iraqi army announced on Tuesday the full liberation of Ramadi city, capital of Anbar province, from ISIS militants. Dozens of ISIS jihadis are believed to be stranded inside Ramadi after the Iraqi troops imposed their control over the city, the report said. The Iraqi forces raided several neighbourhoods across the city looking for ISIS militants, a local source was quoted as saying. The militants who remained in the city are now trying to escape at any cost in order to avoid falling in the hands of the government forces, the source said. At least nine ISIS jihadis were detained on Wednesday while trying to flee the security checkpoints of the Iraqi forces in Ramadi suburb. They were all dressed as women, the source added. Backed by the US-led coalitions airstrikes, Iraqi army forces have been engaged in fierce battles with ISIS militant fighters in Ramadi and its suburbs over the last few weeks. Our forces have pushed Daesh (ISIS) militants out of the citys outskirts. Ramadi is now under the full control of the army, Iraqi central command said. The Iraqi army had declared the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS earlier in December. However, the militant group fought back and regained several districts across the city after renewed clashes with Iraqi army troops, where dozens of fighters were reported dead on both sides. ARA News is an independent press agency reporting on local developments across Rojava, Kurdistan Region, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya is not quitting the airline, AirAsia Group chief Tony Fernandes said today as he announced that the 2-year old Indian carrier would shortly add two aircraft as part of its fleet expansion plans. I read about Mittu calling it quits from you guys. I absolutely deny it. There is no substance to the rumours, the Malaysian airline group chief told reporters at the Make in India week here. Unconfirmed reports had a few days ago said that Chandilya has put in his papers. To questions on the loss-making airlines much-delayed fleet expansion plan, Fernandes said two more planes would be inducted shortly and a dozen later but did not put a time line to these deliveries. AirAsia India, which currently has six Airbus A320-200 planes, is a joint venture in which Malaysias AirAsia Bhd holds 49 per cent, Tata Sons Ltd 41 per cent and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd the rest. On the issue of 5/20 rule to enable an Indian carrier fly abroad, Fernandes said all I am looking for is the ease of doing business. I hope basically your aviation sector is made easy. The rule allows only those Indian airlines which have a 20 aircraft fleet and have operated on the domestic sector for five years to fly abroad. Besides 5/20 rule, he said your airports are very costly and your fuel taxes are one of the highest. Please make businees easier to do. He replied in the affirmative to questions on further capital infusion in AirAsia India but did not elaborate. AirAsia India and Tata-Singapore Airlines venture Vistara are the prime opponents of the 5/20 rule, which is being supported by almost all major Indian carriers. Regarding reported disagreements between the partners of AirAsia India, Fernandes said the Tatas were a fantastic partner but parried questions on some objections allegedly raised by the third partner, businessman Arun Bhatia, in a board room battle which had reportedly erupted recently. On whether the Group had underestimated the Indian aviation market, Fernandes said never. But we are taking time to understand it better. ... And aviation is a long-term business and we are here to for the long-term as well. New Delhi : Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who was at the centre of a controversy over his comments on intolerance, attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here last night. Besides Aamir, actress Kangana Ranaut was also invited at the private dinner held in Turf Club where top politicians, diplomats from several countries and industry leaders were in attendance. The high-profile event, which was a strict no-media affair, was organised after Modi launched the mega Make in India (MII) week here earlier yesterday. Wading into the intolerance debate, the Ghajini star had kicked up a controversy last year by saying he has been alarmed by a number of incidents and his wife Kiran Rao even suggested that they should probably leave India. His comments evoked sharp criticism from ruling BJP and also the NDA government. Later, the 50-year-old actors contract as brand ambassador for the governments Incredible India campaign was not renewed by the Tourism Ministry. Kangana, 28, had recently said freedom of speech in the country does not mean one can insult anybody and stated that actors should be more careful with what they say. The Make in India event is aimed at attracting investments into the manufacturing sector and showcasing success stories at a specially-created venue at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Lahore: Pakistans Senate will discuss a controversial clause in the landmark Hindu Marriage Bill that calls for annulment of a marriage if any of the spouses converts to another religion, after unanimously passing the law recently. The National Assembly committee on law and justice last week approved the draft law on Hindu marriages, paving the way for registering marriages in the minuscule religious minority of Pakistan following decades of delay and inaction. Chairperson of standing committee on law and justice Senator Nasreen Jalil has called a meeting of the committee this week to take up the matter. The Hindu Marriage Bill clause 12(iii) says, a marriage will be annulled if any of the spouses converts to another religion. Jalil said some opposed the clause others supported it. There needs to be a consensus among the committee members. If there is a consensus on deletion of the clause the committee will forward its recommendations to the speaker of National Assembly, Dawn Newspaper quoted her as saying. On the other hand, National Assembly standing committee has witnessed serious opposition to the deletion of the clause by Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, the JUI-F parliamentarian and chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). PPPs Shugufta Jumani and Ali Mohammad of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said if any of the spouses converted to Islam, the marriage should be terminated. PPP Senator Taj Haider said I do not understand how the marriage will be annulled if any of the partners converts to Islam. The clause will also discourage cross-marriages. Ruling PML-N member Ramesh Kumar Vankwani who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said the matter is related to the basic human rights of Pakistani Hindus. There are fears the clause would be misused for forced conversions of married women the same way young girls are being subjected to forced conversions, he said. He also referred to the current practice by elements who kidnapped teenage girls and eventually presented them in courts along with a certificate that the girl had married after converting to Islam. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Which was the most romantic line you read last? You must have seen the most roantic hero proposing or wishing his love on Valentines day, the way could be cheesy, dipped into deep love and the way too could be worth praising. We have SRK as the definition of our romantic hero, we have Brad Pitt a doting husband but here is another one, probably you didnt expect, guess who? Its Mr President Obama himself, wishing his wife Michelle Obama in the most lovely way he could ever. Both Obama and Michelle read their hearts out for each other to wish each other on Valentines Day. Imagine how would it feel- the most powerful man is wishing his wife with all care and thought, chosen words for his wife to make her feel special. President Obama recently made an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Shunning all the political debates, POTUS chose to tell FLOTUS how lucky he is to have made the right choice of having Michelle as life partner.He said, "After about 15 years, I finally figured out that she's always right. The best part about this show was a surprise video appearance by Michelle Obama who went on to recite a beautiful poem for Obama. It was cuteness overloaded. Watch it here. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chennai: Smitha Pansare, daughter of CPI leader Govind Pansare who was shot dead a year ago, today said the ideologies of her late father, a prominent anti-toll activist and a rationalist, will never be defeated. The death of Govind Pansare has created 5,000 Pansares in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, every town and every taluk has seen it. It is not only in that state but it is everywhere. The slogan right now is We are Pansare, Smitha said. 82-year-old Pansare and his wife were shot at by two youths on February 16, 2015 near their home in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. While his wife recovered, Pansare succumbed to the injuries after five days. There was demonstration against the killing of Pansare in various towns (in Maharastra). Actually, Pansare became alive in several towns after his death, Smitha, who was here to participate in a conference on Intolerance organised by All India Progressive Front and Doctors Association for Social Equality, said. She said the fight was not against those who killed her father but for the progress of society. It is not just the murder of Pansare as a person or (rationalist leader) Narendra Dabholkar as a person. Our fight is not against the death of these people. Our fight is for a social cause. Our fight is for the voice of progressive people of our society, she said. Earlier at the conference, she said religious bigots were spreading an atmosphere of fear by creating fear of religion, fear of dominance, so that these forces want to create a situation that will favour them. In this experiment of unscientific behaviour they are using religious blind faith and feelings of unscientific thinking. They are using these tools to spread their political ideas, Smitha said. Noting that while Mahatma Gandhi was appreciated in Maharashtra at the official level, she said, in the same state Godse is eulogised. There is a proposal to construct a temple for him (Godse). The people who never participated in the freedom struggle are trying to teach us lessons of nationalism. These forces are now telling us what we should eat and whom should we love and who should not be loved, she said. Referring to the suicide of Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad, she said it was time people joined hands for unity and responsibility. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The 7th joint military exercise of Indian Army and Seychelles Peoples Defence Forces (SPDF) will begin today in Victoria. The joint exerciseLamitye 2016 -- will be conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria till February 28. SPDF will be represented by 20 personnel from Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The Indian contingent will comprise an infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces. India and Seychelles have been conducting joint drill since 2001 and Exercise Lamitye, which means friendship in Creole (local dialect), is conducted biennially with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the two countries. The concluding phase of the drill, incorporating a tactical exercise, will be witnessed by senior military officers from both the countries who will review the standards of interoperability achieved by both the contingents. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, widely viewed as the leader of the courts dominant conservative bloc, told law students at Santa Clara University on Wednesday that hes actually a dissident on a liberal court, one whose prevailing view threatens the destruction of our democratic system. After dissenting from two of the most important rulings in the 2014-15 term one legalizing same-sex marriage, the other upholding federal insurance subsidies under the national health care law Scalia said Wednesday the court has long had a majority of justices who disregard the Constitutions text and original meaning if it conflicts with their views. The whole time I have been on my court, it has been a liberal court, said the 79-year-old justice, appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and part of a majority of Republican appointees throughout his tenure. Scalia said the courts promotion of what he derisively called the living Constitution began in the 1920s, when justices interpreted the guarantee of due process of law to protect fundamental rights not mentioned in the constitutional text. The rulings started with relatively non-controversial rights, like the right to educate ones children, but soon headed down a slippery slope, Scalia said. At the bottom of that slope, I cant imagine how you can go any further, is the right to same-sex marriage. Do you think the American people would ever have ratified the Constitution if they had been told the meaning of this document shall be whatever a majority of the Supreme Court says it is? Scalia asked. Referring to the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion and the 1992 decision that barred states from placing an: undue burden on abortion rights, he said, They vote on the basis of what they feel. Its the destruction of our democratic system, Scalia said. I cannot imagine the system can continue with more and more of the basic rules made by the Supreme Court. On other topics, Scalia said: Painful executions, like recent lethal injections in which inmates appeared to be gasping and wheezing in agony, do not violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment because they cause less pain than the hangings that were legal when the Constitution was ratified. Bush vs. Gore, the ruling that decided the 2000 presidential election and put George W. Bush in the White House, was not a close case or an example of judicial overreaching. We didnt inject ourselves into that election, Scalia said. It was Al Gore who wanted judges to decide that the official tally by Floridas Republican election officials was invalid. He would support television coverage of the courts hearings if I thought the American people or even a substantial number would watch our proceedings gavel to gavel. But most people, Scalia said, would watch brief, oversimplified takeouts on the nightly news. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Back in May of this year former U.S. House Speaker and Texas native Jim Wright died at the age of 92. Wright was a longtime Texas Democrat who became the first House speaker in the nation's history to be driven out of office in midterm. Although three House speakers had resigned before Wright stepped down in 1989, they all served during the 19th century and none had been under fire for breaking House ethics rules. Everyone from President Barack Obama, former President George H.W. Bush., U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn offered up words of condolence in the wake of his death earlier this year. RELATED: Things to know about former House Speaker Jim Wright Among all of his honors and accolades, it is sometimes forgotten that Wright played a small part in one of the most devastating chapters in modern American history. As a prominent Texas Democrat, Wright joined officials in welcoming President John F. Kennedy to Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, riding in the presidential motorcade as it passed through Dealey Plaza. Kennedy's assassination that day cast a shadow on the city and the state for a generation. "To describe the depth of sadness that engulfed us that day defies vocabulary," Wright once said, recalling how the friendly mood of the Dallas crowds turned to "sheer terror and horror." Wright was one of the last survivors of the Kennedy motorcade. Now nearly 52 years since the assassination, that group of men and women continues to dwindle. He was a passenger in the second congressmans car, which was a white Ford Mercury Comet Caliente, provided by a local Dallas dealership. RELATED: Report: CIA withheld damning Cuba evidence in JFK assassination investigation There were a total of three cars full of congressmen. Also in the car that day were fellow Texas dignitaries Congressman Albert Thomas from Houston, Jack Brooks of Beaumont, Lindey Beckworth, and Olin E. Teague. Wright was the last living dignitary from his car, with Brooks dying in 2012. The two men were the youngest politicians in that car. Other people that were in the Kennedy motorcade that live on today include Secret Service agents Clint Hill and Winston Lawson. Journalists Robert MacNeil, Richard Beebe Dudman, and Sid Davis all tell their stories each November. John Connallys press secretary Julian Read and photographer Harry Cabluck are also part of living history. RELATED: Iconic Houston surgeon Dr. 'Red' Duke dies He wasnt directly related to the motorcade that day in Dallas, but renowned Houston physician Dr. James "Red" Duke Jr. was a trauma surgeon who attended to Gov. Connally that day at Parkland Hospital when he and a fatally-wounded Kennedy arrived. Duke died in August at the age of 86 after spending decades saving lives in Houston. Reporter Bob Clark was in the national press pool car with Malcolm Kilduff, Kennedys press secretary. He is the last surviving soul from that vehicle. Stephen Fagin, the associate curator at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, says that there a handful of Dallas media members in the motorcade who are still around too. RELATED: Noted Houston photographer got closer than he wanted to JFK's funeral Joe Carter, then a United Press International reporter at the Dallas bureau, covered the aftermath at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Dallas Love Field. According to Fagin, Carter later became a speechwriter for President Johnson. David Wiegman, Jr. was the official White House photographer for NBC News. He was just six cars behind the presidential limo. He shot footage inside the motorcade that has been widely seen. James Darnell was a cameraman for local outlet WBAP-TV, just eight cars behind the presidential limousine. Helen Holmes was a public relations director at the Sam Bloom Agency in Dallas. Bob Jackson, photographer with the Dallas Times Herald, was in camera car and according to Fagin, he had spotted a rifle in the sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository building. Jackson would later grab that iconic shot of Jack Ruby shooting accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in News Photography. The high court ended its 2014-15 term with major rulings on health care, same-sex marriage, free speech and other issues. Justices whose images are grayed voted with dissenting opinions. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Associate Justice Antonin Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes Saturday on a luxury resort in West Texas, federal officials said. Scalia, 79, was a guest at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa. Scalia arrived at the 30,000-acre ranch on Friday and attended a private party with about 40 people that night, according to a federal official. He left the party and retired to bed earlier than others, according to Donna Sellers, a spokeswoman with the U.S. Marshals Service. When he failed to appear at breakfast, a person involved with the ranch went to his room, where he discovered his body. A priest was called to administer last rites. A federal official, who asked not to be named, said there was no evidence of foul play and it appeared that Scalia died of natural causes. RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia, of the Western Judicial District of Texas, was notified about the death from the U.S. Marshals Service. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery said he was among those notified about Scalia's death. "I was told it was this morning," Biery said of Scalia's death. "It happened on a ranch out near Marfa. As far as the details, I think it's pretty vague right now as to how," he said. "My reaction is it's very unfortunate. It's unfortunate with any death, and politically in the presidential cycle we're in, my educated guess is nothing will happen before the next president is elected." RELATED: Ted Cruz, Donald Trump among those to react to Scalia's death on social media The U.S. Marshal Service, the Presidio County sheriff and the FBI were involved in the investigation. Officials with the law enforcement agencies declined to comment. A gray Cadillac hearse pulled into the ranch Saturday afternoon and left about 5 p.m. The hearse came from Alpine Memorial Funeral Home. Scalia's body was taken to El Paso, where it will be escorted back the nation's capital by U.S. marshals and U.S. Supreme Court Police. RELATED: Scalia 'respected and idealized' by St. Mary's law students Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement Saturday afternoon, calling Scalia a man of God, a patriot and an "unwavering defender of the written Constitution." "He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution," Abbott said. "We mourn his passing, and we pray that his successor on the Supreme Court will take his place as a champion for the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. Cecilia and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers." Scalia's death has far-reaching implications for the Supreme Court and a round of major cases the justices are set to decide this summer, including Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which challenges the university's affirmative action policy, plus a case that contests Obama's immigration policy and another that reexamines the meaning of "one person, one vote," said former U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez. RELATED: Key opinions by Justice Antonin Scalia President Barack Obama is unlikely to successfully name a new justice to replace Scalia before his second presidential term ends, Gonzalez said, because Congress will block any appointment he tries to make. "I don't see that the Republican-led Senate would confirm anybody chosen by President Obama," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez only met Scalia once, when he spotted the justice walking in the U.S. Capital to view a Supreme Court exhibit. Gonzalez asked him how Scalia was doing; Scalia said, "Fine." "I prevailed in my only exchange with the Supreme Court," Gonzalez said. The death immediately became an issue in the presidential race as during a GOP debate Saturday night, five of the six candidates taking part urged Republicans to block any attempt by the president to get his third nominee on the court. Only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. President Obama, in remarks to the nation, praised Scalia as a brilliant legal mind who influenced a generation of lawyers and students. The President also announced his intentions to nominate a successor, saying he plans to fulfill his constitutional responsibility to fill the vacancy. Scalia was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. Staff writers Vianna Davila, Tyler White, Richard A. Marini and John MacCormack and the Associated Press contributed to this report. The founders of America gave us our wonderful Constitution and Bill of Rights. Representatives from Connecticut were very instrumental in this. We used to be called The Constitution State. Our founders wisely believed in the right to keep and bear arms for self defense and protection of our nation. Today our beloved state is controlled by leftists (so-called liberals). We are far from the ideals envisioned by our founders. [February 14, 2016] Solar Farm Company Discusses Investment Possibilities with Oil & Gas Developers ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative Solar Systems, LLC (ISS) Company's CEO John E. Green announced today that the company is raising capital as it expands its operations to all US states, and that large Oil and Gas Developers have approached ISS on the possibilities of joint venture type partnerships. Mr. Green of ISS has stated that he has serious reservations about partnerships with oil and gas entrepreneurs, as clean and dirty energies do not seem to be a good fit, in his opinion. ISS is currently negotiating with private investors as well as foreign private office capital to determine the best partnerships. ISS is currently a leader in the development of Utility Scale Solar Farm projects in the US, with 5GW of projects planed for development over the next 12-24 months, and is experiencing an all-time high in profits. Project costs continue to rapidly decline, driving profit margins upwards on large-scale projects. With the extension of the Federal Investment Tax Credits through 2022, the number of projects to be developed will increase, and so will company profits, states ISS's CEO. Innovative Solar Systems, LLC is still searching for the perfect investor partner and the company continues to expand while hiring new Executive Level Positions within the company. As of today, Innovative Solar Systems, LLC is developing its large scale solar farm projects in a total of seventeen (17) states and the company hopes to expand into all fifty states by 2017. Some of the Utility Scale Solar Farm projects that ISS has in planning stages are located in the Mid-West and will be among the largest projects built in the United States. ISS already has three largest projects approved and under construction in the Eastern United States and aims to set new records in all the new states the company is developing projects, states Mr. Green. ISS is currently seeking private capital investors and Executives with long-term experience is solar farm development to join the company. For Investor Relations or to submit a resume to the company please contact [email protected] or call (828)-215-9064. *THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE CONSTRUED AS AN OFFER FOR SALE OF AN INVESTMENT OR SECURITIES, NOR IS ANY LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE BEING OFFERED. * Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160214/333021 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140917/146702 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solar-farm-company-discusses-investment-possibilities-with-oil--gas-developers-300219905.html SOURCE Innovative Solar Systems, LLC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 14, 2016] VTech Helps Babies Reach Developmental Milestones with Expanded, Expert-Supported, Dedicated Baby Line NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today VTech announces the expansion of its successful Baby line, featuring a collection of new products, taking the total offering to more than 30 toys that deliver developmentally appropriate benefits for little ones. To ensure that the wide-ranging Baby line of rattles and teethers, on-the-go toys, baby plush, soothers and playmats helps babies meet essential development milestones, they have been designed in collaboration with Dr. Lise Eliot, early brain development expert and member of VTech's Expert Panel. Understanding that expectant mothers and new parents are faced with many options, VTech has also continued to grow its online Milestones resource. This trusted guide helps parents choose the right toys for their children to give them the best start, based on the child's individual needs. New introductions to the Baby line are on display at the 2016 North American International Toy Fair. VTech has worked closely with Dr. Eliot to ensure that all Baby products deliver against at least one, if not all, of the following categories that are essential for the development of young children: language and cognitive development, social and emotional development, and physical and motor development. VTech's rattles and teethers are important for physical and motor development; on-the-go toys help language and cognitive development; baby plush and soothers lend themselves to social and emotional development; and playmats promote all of these developmental skills. "Learning begins at birth, and babies absorb much more than we realize from their moment-to-moment interactions with the world around them," said Dr. Eliot. "As parents strive to do what's best for their child, they can introduce activities that help him or her learn through play. Babies are strongly motivated to reach developmental milestones all by themselves, and toys in VTech's Baby line can encourage them, make learning fun and grow with your little one over those important early years." "As an industry leader of early childhood learning products, we know how important it is to help babies from their very first moments," said William To, President of VTech Electronics North America. "We engage experts to ensure we are delivering toys appropriate for each milestone and parents can rest assured that, with our Baby products, they are giving their children the best possible start in life." New highlights from the Baby line, available later tis year, include: Crinkle & Roar Lion : Shake, explore and sing with the Crinkle & Roar Lion. Press the colorful shape buttons on the lion's side to learn shapes, colors and letters. Shake the adorable lion to activate the motion sensor and hear him roar and play other cheerful sounds. Little ones will love the crinkly feet, ribbon tags and textured ring. The lion also includes a baby-safe mirror to build self-awareness. It's the perfect take-along toy and can be attached to carriers, strollers and more. Ages birth +. On-the-Moove Activity Bar : The On-the-Moove Activity Bar is a cute farm-themed toy bar for babies on the go. Press the button on the cow, and be rewarded with cheerful phrases and playful songs and melodies. Swing the cow back and forth to activate the motion sensor and hear interesting sounds. The bird holds a textured ring that's easy to grab, and the ladybug has a baby-safe mirror for peek-a-boo fun. This interactive bar easily attaches to most infant carriers using easy-to-attach adjustable elastic straps. Ages birth +. Sleepy Lullabies Bear Projector : Soothe little ones to sleep with the Sleepy Lullabies Bear Projector. This adorable bear projects a colorful image onto the ceiling to calm babies. Choose between three sound modes that play music, nature sounds or white noise to help block out everyday noises so babies can fall asleep faster. The bear also features voice activation that plays calming music and a timer switch that turns the bear off after ten or thirty minutes. Lull baby to sleep with lights and lullabies! Ages birth +. Babble & Rattle Microphone : Sing along with the Babble & Rattle Microphone! Just like a real microphone, this interactive microphone amplifies children's voices, and the puppy button encourages them to sing along with the songs. Turn the ring to introduce twelve different animals and their sounds or hear playful melodies. Press the instrument buttons to play twelve melodies in either classical or rock 'n' roll style and to learn about instruments. When little ones shake the toy microphone, it will play fun sounds and phrases. Ages 3 months +. Sort & Discover Activity Cube : The Sort & Discover Activity Cube is five sides of fun! Little ones will love exploring seven fun activities and two electronic panels that introduce colors, numbers, animals and more. Turn the book page, twist the spinner and slide the animals to develop fine motor skills. The activity cube also develops hand-eye coordination with the shape sorter and colorful shape pieces. Ages 9-36 months. For more information, visit www.vtechkids.com. About VTech VTech is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children's development and make learning fun. With a rich, almost 35 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with multiple award-winning products. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant and preschool products available in 24 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. VTech was awarded a prestigious 2015 Toy of The Year (TOTY) Award for its Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset. In order to further strengthen VTech's position as a learning authority, the company's Expert Panel, with esteemed experts in reading, language arts, science, math, and child development, consult on new product introductions. VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. VTech Electronics Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution globally. For more information on VTech's additional product lines, visit www.VTechKids.com, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vtech-helps-babies-reach-developmental-milestones-with-expanded-expert-supported-dedicated-baby-line-300219351.html SOURCE VTech [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] About 1,500 Niger Delta militants on Sunday expressed their desire to embrace amnesty and surrender arms to the Federal Government. Their... About 1,500 Niger Delta militants on Sunday expressed their desire to embrace amnesty and surrender arms to the Federal Government.Their decision followed the intervention of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.They, however, warned that their willingness to surrender arms should not be seen as an act of cowardice but an act of patriotism.The militants' resolution was contained in a statement in Abuja by their leaders, O.C. Babaeere and America Tekeiminikpoba, on behalf of other Commanders from Arepo, Ikorodu, Abule, Fatorla, Ibafo, Magboro, Epe, Itokin, Ilepete, Okenekene, Agric, Gbokoda camps, Camp 5 and environs.The militants expressed their desire to surrender arms and embrace the amnesty programme so long as the government remained sincere.While premising their action on the peaceful approach of Kachikwu, the militants declared that all NNPC facilities and their subsidiaries must work for the betterment of Nigeria and the economic efficiency in the face of dwindling oil prices."We also agree that all NNPC facilities and its subsidiaries must work for the betterment of Nigeria and the economic efficiency in the face of dwindling oil pricesa," the statement said."However, our willingness to surrender should not be seen as an act of cowardice, rather, as an act of patriotism." National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, says the party is not jittery over the Supreme Courts ruli... National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, says the party is not jittery over the Supreme Courts ruling which favoured the Peoples Democratic Partys governorship candidates in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.The Supreme Court had recently ruled in favour of governors Nyesom Wike and Udom Emmanual who were the PDP candidates in the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states respectively.Odigie-Oyegun, who was responding to inquiries from journalists shortly after his arrival at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, said the party was not worried.The APC chairman was in the Cross River State capital to receive defectors from the PDP and Labour Party to the APC.According to him, contrary to insinuations that the party is finding it difficult to accept the apex court ruling, the party only desired to know what informed the judgement.He, however, noted that the outcry over the ruling so far has been that of its individual members and not the party.He said: The APC is not finding it difficult to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court, all we are after is to know why the ruling in the first place. No one can question the decision of the Apex Court.Speaking on the defectors which included a former senate leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Bassey Otu, a former PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Goddy Jedy-Agba, Mr. Paul Adah, Chief Fidelis Ugbo, Ambassador Sunny Abang, among others, Odigie-Oyegun described the new entrants as high caliber personalities.He noted that their presence would usher in the desired change in the politics of Cross River State. The youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Youth Network for Democracy in Rivers State (YOWDIRIV) has cond... The youth wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Youth Network for Democracy in Rivers State (YOWDIRIV) has condemned the renewed destruction of the party campaign materials by some alleged hired political thugs in the state.They also called for swift intervention from the federal government to avert the impending violence that may lace the rerun elections in the state.The leader of the group, Comrade Goodnews Amadi, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, said the act of destroying the campaign materials belonging to the APC may lead to violence in the legislative rerun elections if not curbed.Amadi advised youths not to be allowing themselves to be used by dubious politicians to incite trouble in the state, adding that it was wrong for a set of persons to go destroying properties that belong to other parties in the state.The youth leader recalled that the violence that took in the state in 2015 where over 100 lives were wasted also started with destruction of campaign billboards.He called on the federal government and Rivers State Police Command to intervene and fish out the masterminds of the act and punish them accordingly to avoid further breakdown of law. The Bayelsa State House of Assembly is at present enmeshed in a row over the vacant seat of the Speaker, Kombowei Benson. The develop... The Bayelsa State House of Assembly is at present enmeshed in a row over the vacant seat of the Speaker, Kombowei Benson.The development followed the second ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, affirming the annulment of Bensons election victory and the re-run election for his Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 fixed for March 5.The appellate court had on December 9 annulled the Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 seat poll that returned Benson as winner of the House of Assembly election in April 2015.Since the judgment, there has been claim and counter-claim as to the authentic ruling of the court.The candidate for the All Progressives Congress, Ebifaghe Orunimighe, who dragged Benson to the appellate court, said the Speakers victory had been nullified but the Speaker insisted that the Orunimighes suit was dismissed.The Speaker was said said to have gone back to the court for stay of action but the appellate court in a ruling recently affirmed its first judgment that the election stood nullified and ordered a rerun for March 5.It was learnt that the raging controversy in the Assembly was sparked off last week, following the outcome of a meeting between the Assembly members on the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party and the State Governor over the possible replacement for the Speaker.It was learnt that though some members were identified as leading contenders to replace the sacked Speaker, the decision reached at the meeting with Governor that the status quo should be maintained was said to have thrown the House in a disarray.It was further gathered that the implication of the decision at the meeting meant that the Speaker was allowed to sign the allocation for the Assembly even while preparing for a re-run election in the Constituency 4.Some members of the State Assembly have described such arrangement as odd, saying that in the absence of a substantive speaker, a new Speaker expected to be elected should sign the necessary financial documents of the House.They argued that if the 2016 Appropriation Bill was passed into law under the existing arrangement, the document might become null and void if challenged in a competent court of law.Inside sources claimed that the decision of the Governor was seen as a reward to Benson for his loyalty and style of leadership in the House.The decision was said to have created anger among members of the All Progressive Congress in the state.It was gathered that while the APC Assembly candidate in the rescheduled election in the Constituency 4 election, Ebifaghe Orunimighe, was plotting to stop the Speaker from participating in the election.Orunimighe said he had perfected steps to file contempt charges and perpetual injunction against the alleged refusal of Benson to honour Court of Appeal order.Members of the APC in the state were said to be mounting pressure on the member of the House from Brass Constituency 2, Sunny Igoli, to write the Economic and Financial Crime Commission on the alleged criminal activities being perpetrated by the PDP and the Speaker.An APC leader from Sagbama, Benah Orufagha, noted that the refusal of the House members to elect a substantive Speaker after it has been proved that Benson was sacked was wrong and unconstitutional.These PDP members should be recalled by their constituents. They have deliberately handed their independence to the executive and become its puppets. The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the 12 Federal Universities established by the Jonathan administration now have new v... The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the 12 Federal Universities established by the Jonathan administration now have new vice chancellors following the unexpected removal of the incumbents by President Muhammadu Buhari.The president also approved the reconstitution of the universities governing councils.No reason was given for the action which drew the instant ire of some civil society organisations (CSOs).The CSOs claimed that the Governing Council of NOUN of which Professor Vincent Tenebe was a member is the only body empowered to remove him.Replacing Tenebe is Professor Abdallah Uba Adamu, who until now was of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.Professor Auwal Yadudu, who served as Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the late military head of state, General Sani Abacha is the new Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.He was until now of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano.A former head of the Department of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Kayode Soremekun is the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, while Prof. Fatima Batoul Muktar of the Department of Biology, North West University, Kano is the VC of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.The rest are: Prof. Haruna Abdu Kaita, Federal University, Dutsin Ma, Katsina State; Prof. Andrew Haruna, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State; Prof. Magaji Garba, Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State; Prof. Alhassan Mohammed Gani, Federal University, Kashere , Gombe State; Prof. Muhammad Sanusi Liman, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Angela Freeman Miri, Federal University, Lokoja; Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Federal University, Ndifu-Alike, Ebonyi State; Prof. Seth Accra Jaja, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State.Education Minister Adamu Adamu merely said in a statement yesterday that : The President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Visitor to all federal universities, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the appointment of new vice chancellors for the 12 under-listed Federal Universities and the National open University of Nigeria with effect from Friday, February 12, 2016.The Ministry in a separate notice said the president had approved the reconstitution of the governing councils of the new 12 Federal Universities with immediate effect.The chairmen of the new councils are scheduled to meet with the minister tomorrow in Abuja.However, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups protested the VCs sack in a letter to President Buhari.The group said the action contravened the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act No.11 of 1993 (as amended) by decree No.25, 1996 and further amended in 2003 and 2012 respectively and other agreements as contained in the 2009 FGN staff union agreement.The petitioners claimed that four out of the 12 new VCs are from Bayero University, Kano alone, which in their view violates the federal character principle.They said: while this does not come as a surprise owing to the influence of one of the Special Advisers to the Minister of Education in orchestrating the appointments of his friends and cronies without following due process, we are, however, concerned about the constitutional breach and the resultant litigation battle this action may cause, which in turn may generate unnecessary distractions to your focused administration.While we are not unmindful of the fact that you would have acted on the recommendation of the Minister of Education in approving their removal, it is pertinent to know that in the pursuit of ambition driven by unguided passion and greed, impunity becomes inevitable as the end irrespective of the means is all that matters and in this case, the removal of these Vice Chancellors is the outcome of an unguided passion and greed by the Minister of Education and his Special Adviser.The constitution is quite clear on the procedures to be followed in the appointment and disengagement of Vice Chancellors and none of these procedures were followed in the above case.The appointment of Vice Chancellors is a tenured appointment, which presupposes that every appointee is expected to serve the prescribed number of years as stipulated by the Acts governing the institutions.The coalition said none of the Vice Chancellors was allowed to complete his tenure and all were removed without following due process of the law.The CCSG argued that if a Vice Chancellor must be removed from office before the expiration of his tenure, it is only the Board of the Governing Council that is empowered to recommend or effect such removal.The group said: In the above case, the Minister already dissolved the Board of the Governing Council with the statutory powers to recommend or effect the removal of a Vice Chancellor from office thereby making the removal of these Vice Chancellors illegal, null and void.In appointing new Vice Chancellors or any public officer for that matter, it is an offence and a breach of the Federal Character principle for one third of the total appointees to come from a particular state.The action of the Minister is greeted with sadness as it is considered a breach of the provisions of the University Amendment Act or legislation and to a large extent a gross violation of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees universities autonomy in Nigeria.The letter was signed by the coalitions chairman, Etuk Bassey Williams and Secretary-General, Ibrahim Abubakar.However, Prof. Michael Faborode, the Secretary-General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors (CVC), has said the tenure of vice-chancellors of nine Federal Universities will expire on Feb. 15.He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, that it would not be fair to say that the vice-chancellors were sacked.According to him, The tenure of the vice-chancellors of nine of these universities expires on Feb. 15. It will be unfair to say that they were sacked; they have exhausted their tenure; when your tenure is not renewed; it does not mean you are sacked. I do not know the reasons why the vice-chancellors of the other three universities were affected. If there was one man that had a profound effect on our history, perhaps more than any other, it was Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed. Sadly ... If there was one man that had a profound effect on our history, perhaps more than any other, it was Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed. Sadly he was assassinated 40 years ago, on February 13th 1976. In a clime and a nation in which there are few true heroes, he was certainly one of them. I could write a whole book on this man. It is a pity that the younger generation of Nigerians dont know much about him or about what he did and achieved for our nation both before and after he became Head of State in 1975. Forty years after his murder, his name still brings joy and admiration to his associates, friends and loved ones and terror and trepidation to his detractors and foes. Of all the former Heads of State and leaders in our country I admire him the most. His courage, focus, brazenness, righteous anger, strength of character, bellicose nature, passion and ability to take the bull by the horns and do what needed to be done, no matter whose ox was gored and no matter what the consequences were, was exemplary and outstanding. In these days of cowardice, guile, deceit, doublespeak, subterfuge and political correctness, Mohammed would not have found much pleasure or joy and neither would he have been fully appreciated. He was blunt, fearless and irrepressible and, as they say, he was as tough as nails. He was all that a real warrior ought to be. Most important of all he was inspirational: he scorned death and he had no fear of it. What a man this was: truly the first among equals. He was a living example of the veracity of the adage that says who dares wins. His life was a manifestation of the fact that truly fortune favours the bold. Our domestic policy under his watch brought positive and monumental changes to the fortunes of our country and the character of our people. Our foreign policy under him, throughout the six months that he was Head of State, was a sight to be seen. It was Nigeria at her proudest and her best. Without General Murtala Mohammed the eventual liberation of Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa would not have been achieved when it was. Though he did not live to see these, he set the ball rolling and threw down the gauntlet to the western powers and all those that supported racial tyranny and apartheid in the nations of southern Africa In those days we were rich, loud and boisterous. We could boast of having Africas strongest army and her most outstanding and best-educated middle class. We were big, strong and powerful, and when Nigeria spoke the world listened. When we sneezed Africa literally caught cold. When we roared, the world shook. We wielded this great power and influence on the world stage with immense dazzle and razzmatazz. Yet we were also cautious, restrained and deemed as being highly responsible. That is when Nigeria was regarded as the Giant of Africa and rightly so. Without General Murtala Mohammed the eventual liberation of Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa would not have been achieved when it was. Though he did not live to see these, he set the ball rolling and threw down the gauntlet to the western powers and all those that supported racial tyranny and apartheid in the nations of southern Africa. Some historians have even argued that that was precisely why he was eventually murdered. Yet if that was the motivation for organising his assassination it did not stop anything because the cat was already out of the bag and his legacy had already been established and taken root. This is confirmed by the fact that his extraordinary and dynamic foreign policy vis a vis the total liberation of our brother African nations and his unrelenting opposition and resistance to white minority rule in South Africa and Rhodesia (as it then was) continued under the able leadership of his second in command, General Olusegun Obasanjo, after he took over as Head of State on Feb. 14th 1976. The rest is history. Permit me to end this contribution with an aside. I am mindful of the fact that many people do not share my views on Mohammed and some regard him as a complete villain. The truth of the matter is that he was not perfect and neither am I attempting to confer sainthood on him in this piece. He was no angel and neither was any other person that has ever ruled this country or indeed any other country. How anyone can describe him as a tribalist when he married a yoruba woman as his first and only wife amazes me. How anyone can call him a hater of southerners when the greatest beneficiary of his tenure in office was a southerner by the name of Chief MKO Abiola? It was when Murtala Mohammed was Head of State that Abiola managed to secure the numerous ITT communication contracts in Nigeria that made him one of the richest men in the world. His detractors often cite his leadership of and role in the northern revenge coup of July 29th 1966, during which hundreds of Igbo army officers were killed, as his greatest sin, whilst others cite his brutality during the course of the civil war. The irony is that those who share that view often eulogise people like Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the leaders of the January 15th 1966 coup, for killing innocent and unarmed civilians in their homes (and in some cases with their family members) in the middle of the night whilst they denigrate Major Murtala Mohammed (as he then was), Major T.Y. Danjuma (as he then was), Major Martins Adamu and others for their reaction to such barbarity. I do not seek to justify the events of July 29th or to endorse the murder of those that were killed but we must put and see these things in their proper context. In any case, my take is that you cannot judge a man by one or even two events in his life. You have to look at the whole gamut of activities throughout his soujorn on earth and weigh the good against the bad. In the case of Murtala Mohammed, it is my view, and that view is unapologetically subjective, that the good certainly outweighs the bad. Finally, it is pertinent to note that many have attributed to him a tendency and trait that he certainly did not harbour. The first is that he was a tribalist and a religious bigot. This are false. As a matter of fact, nothing could be further from the truth. If he was either of the two, I would be the first to say so and I would not only expose him but would also vent my spleen on him and his legacy. Many can testify to the fact that if there is anything or anyone that I despise more than anything else, it is those individuals that suffer from the delusion of tribal and racial superiority and religious bigotry. Thankfully, Mohammed was not afflicted with those particular malaise. How anyone can describe him as a tribalist when he married a yoruba woman as his first and only wife amazes me. How anyone can call him a hater of southerners when the greatest beneficiary of his tenure in office was a southerner by the name of Chief MKO Abiola? It was when Murtala Mohammed was Head of State that Abiola managed to secure the numerous ITT communication contracts in Nigeria that made him one of the richest men in the world. If Mohammed had been a tribalist, he would have found a fellow northerner and Hausa-Fulani to give the contracts to, and not to a Yoruba man. His numerous friends in the south, which included people like my late fathers law partner, the late and brilliant Chief Sobo Sowemimo (SAN), together with many others put a lie to the suggestion that Mohammed was a northern supremacist. He was far from that. It is true that Murtala Mohammed was the Commander of the Second Division in the Mid-West but he was not in Asaba when the massacre took place. He was not involved in the killings and neither did he order for them to be carried out. Whilst the killings were taking place, he was at the Divisional Headquarters of his Command in Umunede, which was nowhere near Asaba. Again in 1975 he appointed Lt. Col. Ndubuisi Kanu as a member of the Supreme Military Council and Military Governor of Imo state in 1976. This was a progressive step and welcome development because from July 29, 1966 up until July 29, 1975 no Igbo had been appointed into the SMC or as a governor of any of the states. Yet, Mohammed did not stop there. He also appointed Dan Ibekwe and William Osisiogu as Federal Ministers. Under Gowon only one Igbo, Dr. J.O.J Okezie, had been appointed as a Minister but Mohammed changed all that. This was hardly the work and achievement of someone who hated southerners or who had anything against the Igbo. The second allegation which is often made against him is that he was responsible for the infamous Asaba massacre which took place in 1968 during the Nigerian civil war and in which over 1000 innocent elderly Igbo men and young boys were slaughtered. I have written about the Asaba massacre probably more than anyone else over the years, and the sheer horror of that event is mind-boggling and chilling. It has always been my view that all those that were involved in it ought to be made to face justice. This is because, apart from the starving to death of over one million Igbo children, the Asaba massacre was probably the greatest war crime and crime against humanity that took place during our civil war. It is true that Murtala Mohammed was the Commander of the Second Division in the Mid-West but he was not in Asaba when the massacre took place. He was not involved in the killings and neither did he order for them to be carried out. Whilst the killings were taking place, he was at the Divisional Headquarters of his Command in Umunede, which was nowhere near Asaba. Some notable historians such as the British author John De St. Jorre in his book The Nigerian Civil War have asserted that the Asaba killings were ordered and personally executed by an individual whom he described as a young igbo-hating Major from Benin who was outraged at the fact that many of his soldiers were killed during the course of the siege. He claims that Mohammed knew nothing about the massacre until well after the evil act was concluded. I accept this narrative because De St. Jorres book is probably the most profound and objective historical account of the Nigerian civil war. He was a highly respected historian of international repute. The second reason that I accept his account is because Murtala Mohammed himself often told those who cared to listen that he knew nothing about the murders in Asaba and that once he found out about them, he went to great lengths to discipline and sanction the officers that were involved. He went further by urging the then Head of State, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, to apologise for the the killings on behalf of the Nigerian Army and this was done. One thing is clear: if Mohammed had indeed ordered the Asaba killings he was the type of man that would have said so openly and he would not hide behind a lie. That is the type of leader and officer that he was: always prepared to take responsibility for his actions, whether good or bad. Given this, I think that it is historically inaccurate and most unfair to blame him for the atrocities that were committed in Asaba even though he was indeed the Commanding Officer of the Second Division in the Mid-Western Region. There were many sides to the enigma called General Murtala Ramat Mohammed: some good and others bad. That was what made him human. That was what made him special and unique To me, regardless of conflicting views which are more often than not held and voiced passionately, he remains a hero even though he was cut short in his prime. The truth is that in military conflicts all sorts of terrible things happen and we must never forget what those who suffered, who were starved to death and who were butchered in their millions were subjected to during our civil war. By the same token, we must not forget the hundreds of thousands of officers, soldiers and innocent civilians who sacrificed their lives and put everything on the line to keep Nigeria one. There were angels and demons on both sides of the conflict and our prayer must be that Nigeria never experiences such a civil war again. We must also acknowledge the fact that it would be a great sin for us to judge any man solely on what we perceive to be his negatives whilst at the same time attempting to disregard or play down his positives. There were many sides to the enigma called General Murtala Ramat Mohammed: some good and others bad. That was what made him human. That was what made him special and unique. I have done the research and I have weighed the man. To me, regardless of conflicting views which are more often than not held and voiced passionately, he remains a hero even though he was cut short in his prime. Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has accused the media of working to promote the interest of kidnappers in the state. Dickson,... Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has accused the media of working to promote the interest of kidnappers in the state.Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, on Friday said kidnappers were collaborating with the media to secure ransom from their victims families.The governors 26-year-old younger sister, Nancy Dickson, who is a student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, has spent over seven weeks in kidnappers den.However, Dickson has warned Bayelsans against succumbing to the pressure and blackmail of paying ransom to kidnappers.He said, Whether they are living in Yenagoa or Abuja; whether they are traditional rulers or APC or PDP, we will go after them at the right time. And I want to use this opportunity to call on media outfits not to allow themselves to be used to propagate crime and criminality.We are witnessing a trend in Bayelsa where people kidnap and the media will now be used to put pressure for ransom to be paid. There will be no ransom payment in this state.Dickson said plans were underway to amend the existing state criminal code to address the wave of crimes in the state.On the rate of kidnappings, Dickson stated that security was undermined following the electoral violence that trailed the last governorship election, adding that the government has already started unveiling its comprehensive strategy of returning Bayelsa to its days of peace.The governor said the recent ban on the use of 200 horsepower engine boats was one of the measures put in place by his government to check kidnapping, sea piracy and other criminal acts on the states waterways.Dickson assured the people of his administrations commitment to tackle kidnapping and pipeline vandalism in the state.He warned youths to desist from perpetrating crimes, noting that anyone caught breaching the peace would be brought to justice.Dickson said, For now, security personnel will only use such boats because those are the boats used by kidnappers. Kidnapping is on the rise, which is a fall out of the deliberate compromise of our security.Let me assure Bayelsans that by the time we invigorate our security programme and make more investments, all the criminals will leave Bayelsa again for their own good. Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has threatened to apply no-work-no-pay rule for workers who embark on strike in the state without f... Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has threatened to apply no-work-no-pay rule for workers who embark on strike in the state without following due process and labour laws.He also refuted the allegation that he awarded contracts for the proposed ultra modern Oja Oba market, the Fly over in Fajuyi and the proposed Airstrip to his relatives, business associates and those who financed his election.The governor clarified that none of his family members, particularly his children, were contractors, saying that even if they are contractors, I would not have been foolish to the extent of asking them to come to Ekiti to take up contracts. So, all the All Progressives Congress was doing is to discredit me for criticising President Muhammadu Buhari.The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday while featuring on the monthly programme Mr Governor Explain.Fayose, who said he holds the state workers in high esteem, added that his government would no longer tolerate acts of indolence and unnecessary strikes that could further worsen the states financial position.He further urged for understanding from primary school teachers, who just returned to work after a two-day warning strike because of the outstanding September 2014 salary and 2015 leave bonuses.The governor threatened to divert the salary of any group of workers who embark on strike to those ready to show concern and understanding about the dwindling economic resources of the state.He said, Since I came back, Ekiti is financially challenged. I have not hidden the financial position of the state from workers, particularly the teachers, because they are the set of people I have shown so much love for. I celebrate them on annual basis. Even during my first term, people called me Teachers Governor due to my love for them.But the strike they embarked on recently could have been resolved without any crisis if we had dialogued. Repect, they say, begets respect. Every worker in the State knows how much Ekiti takes after FACC in Abuja, because I always lay it bare on the table.We should also know that the people who are not salary earners must be taken care of. We cant be paying salary and neglecting other people from having access to facilities like good roads, good water supply including the market I just inaugurated, he said.Meanwhile, Fayose has said President Muhammadu Buhari has no clue about how to run the countrys economy.He also advised the President to stop making a noise about his fight against corruption.The governor also accused Buhari of practising what he called sectional economy by spending billions of naira to exploit oil in the North.Speaking on The Osasu Show posted on YouTube on Friday, Fayose said the All Progressives Congress-led government was acting as if it is still in the opposition.My first counsel to the Federal Government is that they should stop the noise about corruption. The Federal Government should face the nations economy and build it. The government needs to be sincere about the economy than playing to the gallery.You want to diversify and you are taking more than N150 billion to explore oil in the North; that shows a leader that is sectional. When we want to diversify we diversify the countrys economy and not an economy that is sectional.He said, Every war against corruption is welcome by me but in the situation whereby it is selective, political, it will be counterproductive. Cases like Halliburton is in the public domain, we cannot shy away from it.People believe that if the President (Muhammadu Buhari) wants to fight corruption he must be total. With due respect, President Buhari is a dictator. They are operating as if they are still in opposition because they dont have a clue to this economy.In my prediction I said that Buhari is still in an analogue stage. He does not have a clue about the economy of Nigeria. The President does not understand economy. He can do everything simultaneously without rocking the boat of the whole country.Everywhere there is tension. He goes out of the country and tells the world and investors that the country is corrupt. He destroys his own people; who will come and do business with them? the governor said. The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has warned policemen against treating human lives with levity, vowing to prosecute any o... The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has warned policemen against treating human lives with levity, vowing to prosecute any officer who kills innocent citizens.Mr. Arase gave the warning in separate meetings with stakeholders and policemen in Ekiti and Ondo States on Friday.I want to say this that life is sacrosanct and any police taking innocent life will be charged to court for prosecution, he said.Speaking on the perennial conflict between farmers and cattle rearers, Mr. Arase stated that most of the herdsmen were not Nigerians who gained entrance into the country due to border porosity.He urged the farmers to be careful and take caution in dealing with them.He also said efforts were being made to reduce cases of kidnapping to the barest minimum.We are making several strategic approaches to reducing kidnapping in the country and I urge the public to divulge information on any suspicious person because the kidnappers live within us, he said.According to him, he was making improved welfare of the policemen a cardinal objective, as only a well motivated police force would protect the citizenry.I believe that if we want to change police for the better, we need to cater for men of rank and file because they are the ones at major difficult terrains, he said.Within the eight months under my leadership, I have given scholarship to 325 children of these personnel.Also, about 36,000 of inspectors and of rank and file have been promoted under my watch.Mr. Arase also said 400 units of two bedroom flats built for rank and file would be commissioned in March.He added that the expected police recruitment was delayed because of financial constraints, saying training, welfare and salaries required a lot of money.He also called on men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that due respect was accorded security stakeholders for effective policing.The IGP stated that the number of police personnel in the state could not cater for security demands of citizens without the support of all concerned security stakeholders. I do advise our officers and men to respect the traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport workers and other groups to enable them do their job professionally, he said.They should communicate with them well so that they can get useful information to curb crimes in the society.He admonished members of public to give timely and useful information to the police to beat crimes to the barest minimum in the state and Nigeria at large. President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reflected on the death of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, in a coup attempt 40 year... President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reflected on the death of former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, in a coup attempt 40 years ago, and said his demise in that incident made Nigeria lose momentum in its march to greatness.Muhammed was assassinated when the late Colonel Buka Suka Dimka and his gang ambushed him at Ikoyi, Lagos, and shot him dead in a traffic jam.Buhari, who had served under the late head of state as military governor of the old Borno State, said at the Murtala Muhammed 40th Memorial Lecture in Abuja, that the deceased was a loyal Nigerian.He challenged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of loyalty, honesty and determination like Muhammed rather than mourn his death.Imbibing these virtues, he said it will make Nigeria better.He said that Nigerians mourned the death of Murtala because he was on his way to putting the country back on the path of order and discipline, after years of drift, corruption and near despair.According to him, Murtalas motto was to get the job done as quickly as possible, stressing that no one could doubt his inspirational qualities or call into question his love and dedication in the service of Nigeria.He said: His love for Nigeria and Nigerians, from wherever they came; his intense professionalism; his impatience with incompetence and lack of patriotism; his loyalty to friends and colleagues; his life, short though it proved to be, was marked by an extraordinary passion, energy and determination to do better, and to make Nigeria better.These are values that young and old alike should all remember and celebrate. On assuming the role of Head of State in 1975, Murtala set out with a single-minded determination seldom seen in Nigerian leadership. Decisions were on fast-track.Buhari said Nigerians would continue to remember Muhammeds legacies such as the naming of Abuja as Nigerias new capital and the creation of seven new states.On a personal note, he said Muhammed developed a great liking and respect for him on account of his professional excellence, competence, straight forwardness and genuine interest and concern for up-and coming officers like him.But he said: Of course, no one is without flaws. He was a man in a hurry, and sometimes this could make him appear abrupt or even moody.What he could not tolerate was incompetence and idleness. By the time Murtala was given Command during the Civil War, the Federal side was on the defensive.The rebels had over-run the then Mid-West, and reached as far as Ore, just 100 miles from Lagos.By dint of sheer bravery, improvisation and resourcefulness, he mustered a rag-tag group of soldiers, integrated them into an entirely new division, knocked them into fighting shape, recovered Mid-West and ventured across the Niger.The Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.), expressed joy for being associated with the late Murtala Muhammed early in life.Danjuma served as Chief of Army Staff under Muhammed and told the audience yesterday that Dimka and his group had slated him for elimination during the coup.He said: That I live today is by the special grace of God. From that moment, 40 years till date, have been moments of emotion for me. In fact, I have considered them as divine.He recalled that Dimka originally listed him (Danjuma) as number three on the list of those to be killed, and that when the list was shown to the then Minister of Defence and one of the coupists, the late Major General Ilya Bissala, he brought his name forward to number two, and he (Danjuma) would have been killed after Murtala.Danjuma commended the Foundation for its efforts and advised it to embark on aggressive media campaign for the purpose of educating members of the public on its activities and achievements so far.The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moons representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who represented former President of Namibia, Mr. Lucas Pohamba, said that the death of Murtala Muhammed, left an indelible mark in African history.He extolled the virtues of the former Nigerian Head of State, describing him as a natural leader.The guest speaker at the event, Mr. David Richards, who spoke on the topic, Regional Security and State Building: Portents and prospects, said that inter-state and intra-states rivalries had continued to make the world unstable for mankind.Richards, who is a former Chief of Staff and professional head of the British Armed Forces, therefore challenged leaders to find lasting solutions to socio-political crises across the world.The Chief Executive officer of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, saluted President Buhari for embarking on the crusade against corruption in the country.Muhammed-Oyebode also commended the efforts of the Buhari-led administration towards the fight against Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.She was hopeful that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls would soon be rescued in view of the successes being recorded by the Nigeria Army and other security agencies in the country. Local rice farmers in Nigeria will commence export of the commodity in the next three years. The Country Manager, Afex Commodities Exc... Local rice farmers in Nigeria will commence export of the commodity in the next three years.The Country Manager, Afex Commodities Exchange Nigeria, Ayodeji Balogun, stated this yesterday in Abuja. This, he explained, is because his organisation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has initiated a system that will link rural farmers directly to local and international markets.He said about 45, 000 farmers have been provided with secured storage facilities and an Electronic Warehouse Receipt System to provide sufficient grains for local consumption and enhance export opportunities.According to Balogun: We have 15 warehouses across the country and farmers in 30 kilometres radius can access these facilities.The farmers are broken into smaller units in terms of cooperatives and as they easily access the market.They are motivated to produce more while the marketnaturally adjusts itself. So, Nigeria in the next three years should be exporting rice.In a Public Private Partnership (PPP) agreement signed with the federal government in 2014, AFEX Nigeria is expected to effectively organise the agriculture market and create value for farmers to raise national income.He disclosed plans by the firm to commence export of other agricultural produce in partnership with rural farmers.He added: Our focus in the last one year is staple crops. This year, we are starting with export crops. The Nigerian Air Force has denied reports that its operatives had located the missing girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibo... The Nigerian Air Force has denied reports that its operatives had located the missing girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.The Director, Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Group. Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa, said in an electronic mail on Saturday that the claim misrepresented an interview he granted Channels Television on February 12, 2016.According to him, what was said was that the NAF had the capacity to identify possible areas where the girls might be held.Famuyiwa said that while the NAF had not identified the specific location of the missing secondary school girls who were abducted in April 20, 2014, the service had been working hard with surveillance aircraft covering a wide area in the search for the girls.He said that the NAF would continue to contribute to the mission to degrade the capacity of the insurgents and to work towards finding the girls and other Nigerians held captive by the insurgents.The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to a statement to the effect that the NAF has located the position of the Chibok girls. Please, let it be known that this statement is a misrepresentation of the interview that the NAFs Director of Public Relations granted the Channels Television that was aired on Friday 12 February 2016.The NAF is hereby making it categorically clear that in the said interview the director made mention of the NAFs ability to identify possible location that the girls might be in.Hence, the NAF wishes to categorically state that it has at no time identified the specific location of the Chibok girls. However, it is working round the clock with surveillance aircraft covering the over 157,000 km2 area of the North East in order to identify the position of not only the Chibok girls but other Nigerians that might have been held captives.Towards the realization of this goal, the NAF has from January 2016 till date using aircraft, ISR platforms such as ATR-42, B-350 and CH-3 UAV, flown surveillance missions totaling over 346 hours consuming about 85,887 litres of Jet A-1 and 3,830 litres of Mogas costing N15,337,862:50 and $19,150:00 respectively.Therefore, whilst the specific position of the Chibok girls is not yet ascertained by the NAF, we have not folded our arms on the surveillance flights and will continue to use these flights to degrade the capacity of the terrorists and as soon as possible locate the position of the Chibok girls and other Nigerians that are under captivity. The statement read. Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 10 members of the Boko Haram sect in northern Borno. The Acting Director, Army Public Relation... Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 10 members of the Boko Haram sect in northern Borno.The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in an electronic mail on Saturday that the troops also released 45 captives of the insurgents comprising 17 women and 28 children.He said that the troops of the 121 Task Force Battalion had also advanced to some communities close the nations border with Cameroun and cleared several camps of the insurgents up to Ngoshe village where they met their Cameroonian counterparts for a joint operation.He said, Consequently, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion also advanced to Mararraba, Angwan Fada, Dale, Wizha, Bokko Timit, Bokko Nasanu, Bokko Hide, up to Ngoshe village where they linked up with the Cameroonians.During the operations, all Boko Haram terrorists enclaves within the area were cleared. In the process, the troops killed 10 Boko Haram terrorists and also rescued 45 persons which included 17 women and 28 children.Usman also said that that the troops of the 25 and 26 Task Force Brigades carried out a joint operation operation with their Camerouian counterparts and destroyed several camps of the insurgents in the process.He said that while the Nigerians troops blocked the insurgents from escaping, the Cameroonian cleared them from the area.Similarly, to further buttress the collective resolve in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists between Nigeria and our neighbouring countries, troops of 25 and 26 Task Force Brigades in conjunction with Cameroonian forces carried out a clearance operation against the Boko Haram terrorists around Ngoshe village, he said. My dream is to see a day that Buhari will win the (presidential) election and be sworn into office. That day, I will slaughter a cow, coo... My dream is to see a day that Buhari will win the (presidential) election and be sworn into office. That day, I will slaughter a cow, cook plenty food and throw a big party. I have told them that I will declare free food at my shop for everybody including those in the town and villages to come and celebrate. That was a statement of the now late Fatima Koko, who donated N1 million to Muhammadu Buhari presidential campaign organisation in January 2015.She lived long enough to see her dream fulfilled. Her age was put at 95. Kokos death was announced on Saturday by the Kebbi State government.Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed his sadness over the death of the campaign benefactor, popularly called Maitalle Tara, who in 2015 donated N1 million, reportedly her life savings, to his campaign as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.She reportedly waited nine hours in Kebbi early last year to donate the money to Buhari.In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described the deceased as a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions, and gave sacrificially.Buhari commended Kokos conviction and sacrificial giving, urging Nigerians to learn from her good example.She gave practically all she had towards our campaign. Though well advanced in age, she still believed a new Nigeria was possible, and followed her conviction with action. What generosity of spirit and what tenacious faith in her motherland. Nigerians, old and young, have a lot to learn from her, the President said.Buhari condoled with the family and relations of the deceased and urged them to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to a ripe old age.While noting with delight that Koko saw the beginning of the change she had long yearned for, the President said the onus was now on all Nigerians to ensure that the change gets entrenched and solidified for generations yet unborn to benefit from.The President also sympathised with the governor and people of Kebbi State, whom he said would all miss the sterling qualities of Koko.He added that the life of the departed will serve as a standard to imitate in the service of God, humanity and country. The Oodua Youth Movement (OYM) has pronounced All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju B... The Oodua Youth Movement (OYM) has pronounced All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as leader of the Yoruba race due to his various contributions to democracy in Nigeria.The group said the pronouncement became imperative as since the demise of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Abraham Adesanya, nobody has been able to provide purposeful leadership and unite the Yoruba race.Speaking at a press conference held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the National President of the group, Comrade Olalekan Owolabi, said since the death of these famous Yoruba leaders, Yoruba people, especially the youths, have been living like a herd of sheep without a shepherd.Owolabi said, considering how Tinubu has been discovering the best among the younger generation of the Yoruba people and presenting them for leadership, he is qualified to fill the leadership vacuum in Yoruba land.The group said it is also impressed with the way the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is pursuing peace and unity among the traditional rulers.OYM, however, urged all Yoruba leaders to close ranks in the interest of the race.Considering this, it is our view that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is qualified to fill the leadership vacuum left behind. harrahs.jpg Two men have been arrested in the violent robbery of an elderly man at Harrah's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City Saturday. (File photo) ATLANTIC CITY - Two men have been arrested in connection with a violent robbery of a New York man at his casino hotel room Saturday morning. Chester Rose, 56, of Charles City, Va., and Chart Chavalaporan, 53, of Philadelphia have each been charged with aggravated assault, robbery and conspiracy, Atlantic City police said in a statement. The pair attacked the 76-year-old man as he attempted to enter his room at Harrah's Hotel and Casino around 5 a.m., according to police. Clad in ski masks, they allegedly pushed him inside and beat him before taking off with casino chips, cash and a cell phone. Police arrived to find the victim suffering from a broken back, and medical personnel rushed him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Parts of the assault were captured on hotel surveillance cameras, according to police, which led to Rose and Chavalaporan's capture at a local resort later Saturday. Both men have been taken to the Atlantic County Jail, where they are being held on separate $100,000 bonds. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at (609) 347-5766. Information can be also be shared via text message by sending to TIP411 (847411). Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find LINDENWOLD -- As she sat around a conference room table in Camden County's Department of Public Works building in early January, Camden County Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo got a dose of what was to come. It was just days after Angulo, a former Cherry Hill Township councilwoman, was sworn into office, and Public Works Director Sam Martello gave the department's new liaison a rundown on how they plow more than 1,000 miles of county lanes, handle equipment breakdowns and stay sane through it all. "I've been up for days [during snowstorms,]" said Martello, adding where she was sitting would be ground-zero whenever winter decided to make an appearance in South Jersey. Angulo -- who made history in 2009 as the first Korean-American woman ever elected to public office in N.J. and again broke barriers as the first Asian-American on the county's freeholder board -- wasn't dissuaded by a challenge, and knows how to put it to use. "Getting this information is critical for me, I see the residents more than [Martello] will," said Angulo before stepping outside to check out the new A21 wheel loader and salt spreader that the county will deploy come go-time. Heavy tasks and taking charge aren't new for Angulo. She's the daughter of a North Korean immigrant who fled the country's communist regime, leaving behind his entire family and fulfilling the American Dream by arriving in Philadelphia in 1974 and building a small businesses from scratch. "It's ingrained in me to never accept no for an answer," said Angulo, who grew up working in her family's dry cleaning business before pursuing a degree in biology from Wilkes University. She kept going, earning a post-grad degree in cytogenetics from Thomas Jefferson University and establishing a successful career in genetic research, pharmaceutical sales and marketing as well as commercial real estate management and development. It wasn't until she married, moved to the South Jersey suburbs and settled down that the next challenge emerged. It hit her one day, out of the blue, when the trash truck came. Her two daughters were just 5 and 3 years old, and the Pennsylvania transplant realized she had no idea what to do if one day, it just didn't come. "I thought, 'What happens then?' I don't know anyone," said Angulo over a late breakfast at the Starview Diner in Somerdale, a quick stop before moving onto her next meeting of the day with Somerdale mayor Gary Passnante, head of the county's mayor's association she'll also be liaison to. "I needed to know this." It's Angulo's drive to gather information and relay it to people who, like her, rely on it to go about their daily lives, that is at the crux of what it means for her to be in public service. "It's all about getting information, getting to know people, and figuring out how to get people from Point A to Point B," she said. With her husband already active in local politics, she started small by volunteering for the Cherry Hill township's Democratic party, working to get out the vote and taking on whatever other tasks were put in front offer. She soon wound up volunteering to serve on the township's zoning board, and before she knew it, Angulo was going to door-to-door as she ran for township council. She found out during that fall of 2008 election that if enough votes were cast in her favor, she'd become the first Korean-American woman to be elected to any public office in the entire state. "I couldn't believe it," said Angulo, although she can hypothesize why. "I think it's a very insular community," she said, adding the immigrant mindset is often so focused on establishing financial security that the pursuit of politics, which doesn't offer the stability or salaries the medical, technical or scientific fields can, isn't heralded. She's also faced more than her fair share of comments from usually well-meaning constituents who have a hard time seeing past stereotypes of Asian woman when she comes to ask for their vote. "They'll say, 'Oh you speak very well,'" said Angulo. After years building her career as a minority woman in science, real estate and now politics, however, she knows she won't change minds through sheer confrontation -- especially in local politics. "You can't. You smile, you say thank you, and move on," she said. "You just don't know what their life story is." It wasn't long after Angulo was prepped on the county's snow plans that she saw them in action Just a few weeks later, one of the largest snowstorms to hit the region in recent memory dumped more than a foot of snow on the county, and Angulo found herself being picked up at her front door by a plow truck driver and back at the public works building, giving interviews to television stations and seeing the operation in full force. "It's been baptism by fire," Angulo said with a laugh before correcting herself. "Or baptism by snow." Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. BRIDGETON -- The family of a man killed in a school bus collision is looking for his watch and is offering a $100 reward to find it. A photo submitted by Waller's family shows a zoomed-in view of Waller wearing the missing watch. (Submitted photo) Larry W. Waller Jr., 43, of Hopewell Township, was killed on Feb. 4 when a Toyota Rav4 he was driving struck a school bus on East Commerce Street in Fairfield Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ever since the accident, his family has gotten his belongings back except for a Citizen Eco Drive wristwatch that belonged to Waller. "My one son would love to have the watch," said Larry Waller Sr., his father. "It's not the money value it's the sentiment it means to him." The accident occurred in front of Tipp's Trailer Park in Fairfield Township when Waller was driving westbound on East Commerce Street. He crossed the centerline and went into the eastbound lane, where a Kerry Bus Services school bus was transporting four special needs students from Bridgeton to Pineland Learning Center in Vineland. The students, bus driver and bus aide were taken to local hospitals. The students and bus driver were released that day from Inspira Medical Center Vineland. Waller was returning from working an overnight shift at the time, his family said. The bus driver attempted to evade the Rav4 but Waller struck its left side. The bus went off the road and flipped onto its side. The Rav4 was spun around from the impact of the crash -- which totaled the vehicle. According to Larry Waller Sr., he spoke to people who were at the scene and said they saw the watch lying on the ground near the Rav4. When Waller's personal effects were returned to his family, they received his wallet, phone, keys, pocketknife and personal pager -- but no watch. The family is offering a $100 reward for the watch's return. "If someone has it and returns it there are no questions asked," Larry Waller Sr. said. If anyone knows the watch's whereabouts, they can reach the family by emailing trainman110@aol.com. Services for Waller were held Thursday. Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. "Heartificial Intelligence: Embracing Our Humanity to Maximize Machines" By John C. Havens (TarcherPerigree, 267pp, $17) As a holdout who still reads books, newspapers and magazines on paper, I need to explain I'm no Luddite. Rather, I genuinely love the heft of a book, tearing out an article from a newspaper and the glossy feel of magazines. Like most, though, I'm far too dependent on my iPhone. Emails from co-workers frame my day while I'm still on the train, texts from my family let me know where everyone is and I'm online constantly. Admittedly, though, I accept computers as helpful tools and rarely think about them beyond that. Perhaps I should put some thought into Artificial Intelligence and our relationship to machines, which is why John C. Havens' book beckoned. Naturally there are people who read science fiction and follow the computer industry. Much of what the Maplewood writer takes on may be familiar to them, but his perspective makes this worthwhile. Havens, who was also an actor on TV, in movies and had a Broadway stint in "Steel Pier" is an entertaining writer with a sense of humor. That's evident from the first page with "a quick note regarding this book's format." He thanks readers for their time and writes, "if you're like me, artificial intelligence does one of three things to you: * Terrifies you because you think your toaster is gong to kill you. * Concerns you because your boss just gave your bonus to an algorithm. * Mystifies you because your humanity is managed more by machines every day. Don't wait until the Singularity comes and artificial intelligence takes over the world to believe me on this. Toasters are mean little buggers." Among Havens' gifts is that he is excellent at distilling complex topics and introducing concepts that seem like the stuff of sci-fi fantasy films. When Havens allows himself to just write, the book is fine. When he keeps explaining what the book is, it gets tiresome. There's the quick note regarding the book's format, the author's note then the final author's note which has the line: "I'm a huge fan of Monty Python, so this author's note serves no purpose except to be silly." At that moment, I fell in love with the book. That waned when I came upon a 21-page introduction explaining the book. Yes, in some classes writing teachers browbeat students into telling readers what you are going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you just told them. Those are probably the same sort of writing teachers who pronounce sentences can never start or end with certain words. This is generally bad advice. Havens begins each chapter with a fictional vignette, though all are at least plausible if you let your imagination fly a bit. "If you want your daughter to live, this is the only solution." With those dramatic words, he introduces the book. His daughter, 9, needs a computer chip implanted in her brain to control Parkinson's. As any parent would, he weighs the terrifying possibilities. Other vignettes imagine Havens as an older man where his son sends over his robotic doppelganger to visit him. Havens conjures up terrifying possibilities when unemployment is rampant because machines have taken over. Through it, Havens is a smart, agile writer and even better, exhibits a deep understanding of what irks people about our relationship to machines. "It seems counterintuitive to think we need morals to guide the creation of an algorithm. After all, it's just seemingly harmless code. But rather than fearing the moment when machines take over with AI, we should focus on codifying the human values we don't want to lose. Here are some starting points from this chapter: "Advertising-driven algorithms lead to nonsense. ... If humanity is to be eradicated by machines, let's not have it be a market-driven massacre." "Ethical standards should come before existential risk. ... Programmers and scientists have to be held to moral standards along with the financial incentives throughout the AI industry, today." And what struck me as particularly sagacious: "Values are key to vision. Counterintuitive or not, human values need to be baked into the core levels of AI systems to control their potential for harm. There are no easy workarounds. Asimov's fictional laws of robotics or well-intentioned myths like Google's outdated mission statement need to be replaced by pragmatic, scalable solutions." When Havens gets out of his own way of referring to his previous magazine articles and telling us what he is going to tell us, the book gives much to think about. JERSEY CITY -- A three-alarm fire that injured at least three firefighters sent black smoke billowing through a small neighborhood this morning, a neighbor says. Just before 9:30 a.m., a fire broke out on the first floor of 28 Marion Pl., spreading to the second floor of the two-story home and later to the home next door, Jersey City Fire Chief Darren Rivers said. Across the street, Jessica Delgado said she was just waking up and preparing breakfast for her and her 6-year-old son when she heard the sirens. "I was just in the front in case I had to evacuate for whatever reason," Delgado said. "I was going back and forth, my son's inside, and I just got him dressed so we were ready to go in case so I could just walk away." Delgado said she saw flames going "all up and down" in between the two homes. "This was all black at one point," Delgado said pointing down the street. When firefighters arrived, she said they began tearing down the bars on windows and rushing inside the smoke-filled home. "It was incredible, you could see the water just quickly froze," Delgado said. "They just did an incredible job." Mukesh Wadhwa, a resident at 30 Marion Pl., said he had left his second floor home just after 9 a.m. to attended services. At about 11 a.m., he received a phone call telling him about the fire. He said he has lived in the building for about three years with his wife, 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. "He's still in shock," said Mahendra Singh, Wadhwa's friend. "We'll have to move on and have to figure it out, but luckily he has insurance that will hopefully cover most of the damages, but he needs to find a place. We're his friends, and we're going to help him out, it will be okay." Rivers and councilman at large Danny Rivera applauded the firefighters for their work in the bitter cold. "Not that any fire is good, but this is a very tough time for a fire of this magnitude, three alarms, but its always Jersey City fire department that always comes through," Rivera said. At about 11:30 a.m., three firefighters were transported to Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health, spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said. One of the men was being treated for an injured foot, and the other two suffered injuries to their head and neck after something fell on them, she said. This afternoon, volunteers from the American Red Cross were on scene looking to assist displaced residents. It was not immediately known how many people were forced out of their homes. Rivers said no civilians were injured. , . Reagan nominee as well known for his acerbic wit as his Savile Row suits WASHINGTON (AP) The House Jan. 6 committee plans to unveil "surprising" details at its next public hearing about the 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol. The session Thursday afternoon is likely to be the last public hearing before midterm elections next month. The panel is expected to include new evidence from the U.S. Secret Service about its actions with Donald Trump that day. Ahead of a report later this year, the panel is summing up its findings. The committee says Trump, after he lost the 2020 presidential election, launched an unprecedented attempt to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory. They say the result was the deadly mob siege of the Capitol. Greater Sudbury Fire Services were still on the scene Saturday evening of a major fire at Gardewine, a transportation business located on Duhamel Road in Lively. Greater Sudbury Fire Services were still on the scene Saturday evening of a major fire at Gardewine, a transportation business located on Duhamel Road in Lively. Platoon Chief George Lalonde said about 12 vehicles from five or six stations were battling the fire, which broke out late Saturday afternoon. As far as they know, there are no injuries, but Lalonde said it's too soon to know for certain. We'll be here for awhile, Lalonde said, adding the cause of the fire was still unknown. No idea at this point, he said. Our priority right now is to contain it. The investigation into the cause will begin once the fire is out, Lalonde said. This story will be update when more information comes available. I had intended to write a lighthearted entry about Valentine's Day, perhaps focusing on options for animal-free meals or how to shop for vegan chocolates. But shortly before I began writing, I noticed a news story that just broke my heart and made me mad at the same time. The story was about a 600-pound hog that had escaped Tuesday from a New Hampshire farm while being boarded, for slaughter I assume. The bewildered animal ended up at a nearby polling place as voters were filing in to cast ballots in the presidential primary. The reporter turned the event into a big joke. I wondered to myself, and to those around me in the office, just how differently this story would have been handled by the reporter, police and the public had this animal been an abused dog or cat on its way to be killed. The person responsible for the dog or cat's poor condition would have likely been arrested and there would have been a huge public outcry to save the animal and a long line of people wishing to adopt. And there is no way the reporter would write about the situation in such a lighthearted and joking manner. You see this in the response to stories from elsewhere in the world where dogs are rounded up for food and mistreated. Why do we treat some animals with such care and respect, while giving no regard whatsoever to others? The answer is complex and likely has to do with misconceptions about the animals, social conditioning and an unwillingness to look at what's really going on. The pig in this story was recaptured by the farmer, which I am guessing did not bode well for the animal. But the outcome was much better in another, more widely circulated story from last month involving a cow, who escaped a New York City slaughterhouse and ended up running for its life down busy urban streets. The cow, which was ultimately rescued by the Skylands Animal Sanctuary & Rescue, was renamed after the late rock musician Freddie Mercury and will now have the rare opportunity (for a cow in this country) of living out a full life. What does all this have to do with Valentine's Day? Probably nothing, other than these types of concerns touch my heart enough that I can't look the other way no matter what the day. The opinions expressed here are solely that of the author. Please feel free to contact me at bob.kasarda@nwi.com, (219) 548-4345 or find me at the Vegan Heart group on Facebook. Kevin Kelly took up the post of 2016 Chairman of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) on Feb. 8 at its annual meeting. Kelly is president and CEO of Walsh & Kelly, based in Griffith and South Bend, Ind. As NAPA chairman, Kelly will be responsible for guiding NAPAs efforts to support the asphalt pavement industry. The Indiana General Assembly adopted a resolution saluting the services of ophthalmologist Richard Houck, M.D. The ophthalmologist served 46 years on the Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City medical staff. He is a co-founder of the Northern Indiana Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. Jim Burns, President of Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, in Crown Point and Hobart, was recently recognized by the Indiana Funeral Directors Association and the Hobart Chamber of Commerce for 40 years of service to his communities as a funeral director. SPINE journal has named Dr. Nitin Khanna to its Associate Editorial Board. SPINE is an international, peer-reviewed, bi-weekly periodical. It is the leading subspecialty journal for the treatment of spinal disorders. Barry R. Rooth, partner and co-founder of the Merrillville law offices of Theodoros & Rooth, has earned the distinction of being selected one of the Top 50 Super Lawyers in the State of Indiana. This marks the 10th consecutive year that Rooth has been named. Rev. Wendell Thacker is the new pastor at St. John's UCC in Crown Point. He was installed as pastor on Sunday, Feb. 7. On my kitchen sink is a small ceramic bowl, the size of a cupped palm. The outside is rough, the color of gray dirt, with an uneven rim. The inside is glazed cobalt blue, slick as a pearl. I use it daily to put my rings in when I do dishes. The dish itself, a gift from my daughter, doesnt appear all that remarkable, but its story is. The little bowl journeyed to my home from Costa Rica in my daughters suitcase. She had gone to Costa Rica on a college trip with some biology students. There, she met a potter, who made and sold her wares in a rural area with no paved roads, homes with dirt floors, and no Internet. She was so happy, my daughter told me and showed me a photo of the woman grinning widely, a smile like piano keys. My daughter was touched by the humbleness and joy of this womans life, and I was touched that she was touched. And so I value the handmade bowl. As I look around most homes today, mine included, I sense a need for more of the human touch. When the cell phones draw pulls you from the loved ones youre with, when your computer is on the blink and the Internet is down and the dishwasher breaks and the battery in the garage-door remote has died and the big screens on the fritz and you cant work the Blue Ray, so you play chess on your laptop, or go out to eat where the waiter hands you an iPad instead of a menu, our souls beg for something with a human touch. Something made by hand. I thought about all this when I learned about Handcrafted America, a new original series that debuts 8 pm Eastern, Tuesday, March 1, on INSP. Hosted by Jill Wagner (Wipeout, Teen Wolf), the series taps into the unsung part of America not caught up in the rat race. The part that goes slow, and takes time to make things like they used to. Meeting the artists was the best part of doing the show, said Wagner, who traveled cross country getting to know artisans who handcraft guitars, silverware, clocks, bicycles, glass art, fireplace tools, and more. They were so talented and humble. If I could have my one last dinner party, these are the people I would invite. In each episode, Wagner introduces her audience to three craftspeople, and takes viewers behindthescenes to look at how the artists create their products, while sharing a bit of culture and heritage. When I called Wagner to talk about the show, I caught her in Newfoundland making a film, and buying every handcraft in sight. Everything here is handmade, she said. Im going broke. She had already bought hand-knit socks, hand-sewn wool gloves for every member of her family, a watercolor painting, and carvings of a dog and a seal from a woodcarver on the street. I buy handmade things because of what travels with them. When I look at the item, I recall the person who made it, the place its from, and the time in my life when I bought it. Though she admits, Im not crafty whatsoever, shes the first to appreciate talent in others. It is one of my passions to support someone elses passion. When I asked how the show had changed her, she didnt search long for an answer: I feel a lot less talented. Thats for sure, she said. Im overdue for some art classes. Whether you tune into Handcrafted America this season or not, at least tune into handcrafted items around you. Then consider these five reasons to bring them into your home: 1. Because theyre not about technology. Our high-tech homes need more high-touch items to ground us, and remind us of our humanity. 2. Because theyre imperfect. Items made by machine ooze perfection. But items made by hand may be uneven and imprecision, which reminds you of the warm hands that made them. The beauty is in their flaws, said Wagner. 3. Because youre supporting the arts. Yes, handmade items may be a little more expensive than their manufactured counterparts, but its worth paying extra to know Im helping to support an artist who spent two weeks in his basement to make it, said Wagner. You want to buy from these people, because you know the money is not going to a huge corporation. 4. Because they remind us to slow down. Seeing others make choices to slow down and enjoy the process of creating is inspiring. All the artisans I met could have had bigger jobs, she said. But they gave up that opportunity to do what they loved. Their passion for what they do is so strong; the money isnt what matters. 5. Because theyre a conversation starter. Each handcrafted item by nature is one of a kind, and carries a story not only of why and where you got it, but also the story of the artisan who made it. Like my ring bowl, which connects me to a happy, simple life, far away. HAMMOND The mother and father of a 16-year-old shot to death on her front porch last June joined with other family and friends in going door to door Saturday to try to bring justice for their daughter. The shooting of Lauren Calvillo remains unsolved and her parents continue to seek closure. "Lauren deserves justice and so does this neighborhood," said her mother, Ollie Hubbard, Saturday morning. "She's never going to be forgotten." Police and family members said Calvillo was an innocent bystander when shots rang out along her street in the 5500 block of Beall Avenue last summer. Calvillo's aunt, Rosie Hubbard, said her niece was a hero who ushered five other children on the porch into the house after shots rang out that day only to be killed before she could make it to safety. Ollie Hubbard said her daughter, a cancer survivor, was a fighter who "took her last breath saving the lives of five innocent children." About two dozen family and friends traveled down several streets in the area around Beall Avenue for the Have a Heart for Hammond's Sweetheart Walk. They passed out fliers seeking information along with pink bracelets stating: Have a Heart for Hammond's Sweetheart Lauren Calvillo. Anyone with information can contact Detective Adam Clark at (219) 852-2908. Callers can remain anonymous. Even Saturday's freezing weather didn't prevent people like Branden Groat, who works with Ollie Hubbard, from showing their support by joining the effort. He said if someone knows something regarding the shooting they need to come forward. "People like this need to be caught and they need to face justice," Groat said. Ollie Hubbard knocked on doors as the group walked down the streets, making a personal plea for assistance from residents. One of the residents, Guadalupe Gonzalez, said she thought the walk Saturday was a good idea and could motivate someone to come forward. She said it probably will also help the family's souls to know "that they are doing something to solve the case of their daughter." Ollie Hubbard also has spoken at rallies, benefits, high schools and community events about her daughter's death and against violence. "I will always continue to fight for her," she said. "If it takes me 15 years, 20 years, or three days, I'm going to fight forever for my girl." In addition to seeking information about her daughter's case, Ollie Hubbard said she also is working to combat violence in Hammond. "We need to come together as a community and be strong and stand together and take back our streets, and fight for our children, and raise our children right. And give them morals and values in life and not just let the gangs take over," she said. VALPARAISO A year after the shooting death of three Muslim students at the University of North Carolina, Muslim students and faculty at Valparaiso University examined the rise of Islamaphobia. Fatina Abdrabboh, executive director of the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee based in Detroit, said despite the fact that the Muslim community in the Western Hemisphere is growing in importance, hatred toward Muslims is on the rise. Reports of discrimination are increasing, said Abdrabboh last week at the VU Muslim Law Students Association annual dinner. The numbers are up and the types of discrimination are up. Islamaphobia, said Abdrabboh, is an exaggerated fear, hatred and hostility toward Islam and Muslims that is perpetuated by negative stereotypes and results in discrimination. When it comes to Islam and Muslims in the west, your fellow Americans, everything you read, take it with a grain of salt, said Abdrabboh. Nothing is what it seems. There is a concerted effort to oversimplify and devalue Muslims. As an example, Abdrabboh cited presidential candidate Donald Trumps proposal to shut down Muslims entrance into the United States. Abdrabboh said after Trumps proposal, the Detroit Free Press published an editorial against his anti-immigrant stance. They said, in effect, we are a country of immigrants, said Abdrabboh. It was very powerful ... and encouraging for all Muslims. After her keynote, Abdrabboh was part of a panel that included VU undergraduate student Yamen Atassi and VU law professor Faisal Kutty. Kutty said Islamaphobia is rampant because most people dont know any Muslims. Muslims must live and interact with people and demonstrate this is what Islam is not what those wackos like ISIL do. ISIL is a tiny fraction they are crazy. Atassi encouraged the group to be courageous and discuss the issue with others without emotion. We have a tendency sometimes to hide, said Atassi. We need to stand up for ourselves and assert our dignity and not hide in the shadows and allow other people to fight our own battles. Atassi said he enjoys open and frank discussions about Islam with his fellow students on campus. People are generally very open, said Atassi. I enjoy the bluntness and I dont mind criticisms. By that genuine engagement, we learn more about each other. Porter County government spent just more than $9 million last year on contractual and consultant services from a budget of nearly $74.5 million. The total is nearly 4 percent more than the year prior, according to figures obtained from the Porter County auditor's office. "I haven't seen any misuses of it," Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, said of the spending. "I think we're doing a good job keeping costs in line." About a third of the contractual and consultant spending last year was composed of the county's $3.5 million annual dues to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Another $1.3 million was paid to Correct Care Solutions for the improved inmate medical care services at the county jail, according to county records. The improved service provides 24-hour health care and mental heath treatment for the first time to inmates. Porter Regional Hospital was paid $965,000 for ambulance services to the unincorporated areas of the county, according to county records. Another $426,483 was paid last year to Twin Creeks Conservancy District as part of the ongoing, countywide storm water improvement project. Blaney said the county partnered with the conservancy district to address flooding issues in the South Haven area. "Those are just fixes that had to happen," she said. Porter County Auditor Vicki Urbanik said she dropped two consultant contracts from her office when taking over at the start of last year and had a staff member take over one of the jobs, which involves cracking down on improper use of homestead deductions. Among the gains of relying on a staff member is that they can also carry out other tasks in the office. "I have direct supervision over an employee," she said. "So it has been quite beneficial." There are valid reasons to hire consultants, Urbanik said, including when a job needs to be done quickly and if a level of expertise is needed that cannot be fulfilled in-house. An example is the need for the county to hire someone to design and build its new animal shelter, which is in the works. Others have pointed out the benefit of hiring a temporary consultant for a job, rather than placing someone on the payroll for the long-term and paying salary and benefits. Porter County government employed 608 full-time and 127 part-time employees last year, Urbanik said. While county commissioners sign contracts for county services, Blaney said discretion is left to the various department heads presenting the proposals. "We can't micromanage other elected officials," she said. "We have to rely on them for an accurate accounting for what they need." The county also paid out $150,000 last year to Empower Porter County to combat illegal drug and alcohol use. The payment was the last of a three-year agreement at that level, Blaney said. The group is slated to receive $50,000 this year. Other sizable payments this year include $136,505 paid to the Purdue Extension office to fund educators for 4-H, the agricultural community and other local groups, said Extension Director Annetta Jones, who also serves as health and human services educator. Another $109,000 was paid for the county highway department to Debco Metal Culverts, and $85,000 to the Porter County PACT alternative-sentencing program. Great Lakes Labs was paid $74,063 last year for the testing of drugs for the county drug unit, said Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel. GARY Thousands of cases of bottled water were being loaded Saturday outside the offices of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana as Region residents joined others around the nation to help residents of Flint, Michigan. Flint's drinking water became contaminated after its source was switched from the nearby Detroit water system to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure in 2014. The water was not properly treated and lead from old pipes leached into it. Vanessa Allen, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, said organizations, businesses and individuals from around the Region, and even outside the state, responded to the call put out by her and others for water. The result was thousands of cases of water being loaded Saturday for delivery to the housing authority in Flint. People arrived at the office building to speed delivery of the cases of water that filled the organization's office building on Broadway. "We decided to do this because we know that our families and our neighbors and our citizens in Flint, Michigan, were in need," Allen said. "And we sent out a call out to everyone and we got a whole lot of organizations that contributed." Some of the organizations that responded included the American Red Cross and Project Outreach and Prevention on Teen Violence. Also helping out were local high school students, noted Allen. "It was really a regional effort," said Allen, who said donations came from Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. Nickey Walker volunteered his services as a truck driver to transport the 53-foot semitrailer to Flint. "I like helping people and the people out there need help so I'm volunteering my time to help them because we may need help one day and they can help us," the 49-year-old Gary resident said. Crown Point First United Methodist Church and the Crown Point Fire and Rescue Department also are helping Flint the residents. Their goal is to collect enough bottled water, pitcher water filters with cartridges and faucet filters to fill a semitrailer. Monetary donations also are welcome. The water and other items will be delivered to Lincoln Park United Methodist Church in Flint to be distributed from that site. Items are being collected from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Crown Point Fire Station, 126 N. East Street and at First United Methodist of Crown Point, 352 S. Main St. For more information call (219) 663-1515 or go to the Events page on www.FUMCPP.org. The last day for collection is Friday. LAKE STATION There isn't a for sale sign outside of the city's water department, but Lake Station is starting to examine whether it makes sense to sell it. Mayor Christopher Anderson said there are private utilities interested in buying the department, but the city has taken no action to sell it. He said gathering information about the matter and determining the value of the department are the only efforts underway at this time. If it makes sense to pursue the sale of the department after the information is collected, the city will have public meetings to give residents the opportunity to share their opinions before any final decisions would be made. City leaders have been open about Lake Station's ongoing financial struggles. Anderson has said $2 million has to be cut from the general fund. One possibility that could solve those financial issues is if we have some equity in our water department, Anderson said. Councilmen told Anderson on Thursday they support action to investigate the value of the department. I know where we're at financially, and I think it's a good idea to move forward with it, Councilman Carlos Luna said. Another factor that led to city officials examining the matter is many complaints residents have made about the water department, including the cost of water bills. Although supportive of researching the potential to sell the department, Councilman Rick Long said the city could miss out on the opportunity to generate revenue through the water department if it's sold. Anderson said municipal water departments aren't intended to generate profits for communities. Fees that are charged through water departments should only cover the cost of operating those departments and maintaining them. There are other local municipalities that operate without their own water departments. Anderson said a common concern residents could have about selling the department would be the potential for water rates to increase. He said it's unknown at this time if that would happen. He also indicated a private utility likely would have more regulation than a municipal operation because any rate increase requests from a private company would need to go before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. SCHERERVILLE Its half-time in the 2016 session of the Indiana General Assembly, and two area Republican lawmakers delivered information about bills pending in both the House and Senate and fielded questions during a Town Hall meeting Saturday. Several dozen residents from Munster and the Tri-Town area as well as elected and municipal officials joined in the conversation hosted by state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, and state Sen. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell, at the St. John Township Center. At the halfway point in a legislative session, bills that have been passed by the Indiana House of Representatives move to the Senate for further consideration while those that made it out of the Senate are considered by the House, Slager and Niemeyer explained. Changes made to the legislation need to be approved by both houses before the bills become law and are sent to the governor. For example, both lawmakers are currently working to enact a plan that could eliminate the Lake County Solid Waste Management District. The original 1991 legislation mandated that counties form Solid Waste Management Districts. The legislation Slager and Niemeyer endorse changes that from shall form to may form and gives control back to local government, they said. One stipulation is that if a county council or county commissioners want to eliminate a Solid Waste Management District, public meetings must be held, Niemeyer said. If another piece of legislation passes both houses, Lake County would have $27.5 million of the money returned from the 1.5 percent county income tax currently held by the state, both men said. When the county income tax was imposed, the legislation required the state to hold back 50 percent of that money in case of an economic downturn, Slager explained. However, the house bill lowers that amount to 15 percent. The Senate has the same kind of bill with the money being divided into the cities and towns. Its a win-win, he said, adding that both lawmakers believe the legislation will pass and take effect July 1, 2016. Senate Bill 67 would provide $430 million to local governments for improvements to local roads and bridges, funded by a 4 cent per gallon tax on gasoline and a $1 tax on cigarettes, Slager said. The gas tax is expected to cost each Hoosier driver $25 per year, compared to an estimated $366 in vehicle maintenance costs because of potholes, he said. The cigarette tax is kind of a shell game. Not all the fuel tax will go to road maintenance, Slager said. In the House plan, the amount of money local governments for road and bridge improvements is more than $270 million, which is about double it is now, he said. We have to meet in the middle. We cant wait another budget cycle. Influential conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died in West Texas, the U.S. Marshals Service said on Saturday. He was 79. Reaction to his death follows: ___ SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS: "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family." ___ FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Laura and I mourn the death of a brilliant jurist and important American, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. He was a towering figure and important judge on our Nation's highest court. He brought intellect, good judgment, and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country." ___ SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL: "Today our country lost an unwavering champion of a timeless document that unites each of us as Americans. Justice Scalia's fidelity to the Constitution was rivaled only by the love of his family: his wife Maureen, his nine children, and his many grandchildren. Through the sheer force of his intellect and his legendary wit, this giant of American jurisprudence almost singlehandedly revived an approach to constitutional interpretation that prioritized the text and original meaning? of the Constitution. Elaine and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Scalia family. "The American people? should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." ___ SENATE MINORITY LEADER HARRY REID: "There is no doubt Justice Antonin Scalia was a brilliant man. We had our differences and I disagreed with many of his opinions, but he was a dedicated jurist and public servant. I offer my condolences to his family. "The President can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities." ___ DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: "While I differed with Justice Scalia's views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his colleagues on the court who mourn his passing." ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND BUSINESSMAN DONALD TRUMP: "Justice Scalia was a remarkable person and a brilliant Supreme Court Justice, one of the best of all time. His career was defined by his reverence for the Constitution and his legacy of protecting Americans' most cherished freedoms. He was a Justice who did not believe in legislating from the bench and he is a person whom I held in the highest regard and will always greatly respect his intelligence and conviction to uphold the Constitution of our country. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time." ___ REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND SENATOR TED CRUZ: "Today our Nation mourns the loss of one of the greatest Justices in history - Justice Antonin Scalia. A champion of our liberties and a stalwart defender of the Constitution, he will go down as one of the few Justices who single-handedly changed the course of legal history. ...And he authored some of the most important decisions ever, including District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized our fundamental right under the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms. He was an unrelenting defender of religious liberty, free speech, federalism, the constitutional separation of powers, and private property rights. All liberty-loving Americans should be in mourning. ___ TEXAS GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT: "Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans." INDIANAPOLIS One of the most unusual political transitions took place this week when Gov. Mike Pence pivoted from Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, who is set to resign, to former Republican chairman Eric Holcomb. While all the principals in this saga did their best to dispel speculation that this was a rift between Pence and Ellspermann over LGBT civil rights, those rumblings continue. And for the second time in the past two election cycles, Pences political maneuvering will impact an adjacent race, this time the Republican U.S. Senate primary. In that race, the campaign of U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman was based on a three-legged stool, with the belief that Holcomb would cleave off some Daniels wing support that might have gone to U.S. Rep. Todd Young. Holcombs exit makes this a mano-a-mano showdown, presuming Young survives an expected ballot signature showdown that Democrats, with the tacit support of Stutzman, will wage in the next few weeks. It had echoes of the 2014 Republican convention when the Pence political apparatus undermined the state treasurer candidacy of Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold in favor of Kelly Mitchell, with the goal an all-female ticket that would counter the so-called war on women Democrats had framed. Holcombs elevation to lieutenant governor pairs up two campaign trail happy warriors the new Hanover Heavyweights with both Pence and Holcomb creating the friendly countenance that make them both eminently likable, even by those who disagree with their policies. Pence is facing a tough reelection rematch against Democrat John Gregg, and not only did he need an all-in running mate, but his selection of Holcomb tends to confirm speculation of a serious fissure within the Indiana Republican Party, divided by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the subsequent fix, and Pences decision to duck the civil rights expansion that died in the Indiana Senate last week. Holcomb spent the last 10 months traveling the state for his Senate bid and worked GOP circles for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats. While Holcomb is expected to help bind the GOP wounds for Pence, it is not without some controversy. Ellspermann became suspect to the Pence political wing when she advocated a civil rights expansion last September. Holcomb, while not as overtly, was signaling his own line of tolerance. In kicking off his campaign just hours before Pences last supper signing of RFRA, he said, This campaign will seek to attract people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and experiences. We will welcome and engage them. It was careful coding before a conspicuous assembly of Daniels administration stalwarts. Daniels 2004 campaign manager Bill Oesterle, who appeared to be ready to bankroll late Holcomb Senate campaign advertising with his Super PAC and has been pushing the civil rights expansion, seemed to be stunned that Holcomb was joining the Pence administration. Oesterle tweeted, My friend Eric Holcomb has let ambition distract him from his principles. Sad day for me. A few minutes later, he added, Eric said Pence set the right tone on LGBT issues. To me, he has been blisteringly critical of Pences handling. There are two ways to look at the new Pence/Holcomb team. First, it is a political marriage based on realities on the ground. Lieutenant governors and vice presidents are often chosen for their political impacts. The second is that it might give Holcomb an inside seat to advocate for the tolerance missing in the Pence administration, despite the governors repeated declarations that Hoosiers dont discriminate. Across a wide spectrum of the business and millennial wings of the GOP, many believe Pence couches a latent brand of intolerance within the guise of religious freedom. Many believe Pence has not intellectually come to grips with these contradictions. It may take an election to establish this point. In the meantime, it is wreaking havoc within the Republican Party at a time when Pence desperately needs a united front. There has been much speculation about a rift between Pence and Ellspermann. After her September statement backing a civil rights expansion, there were rumors of a falling out. At the October GOP state dinner, the governor didnt mention a Pence/Ellspermann reelection bid, setting off a wave of rumors. In December, when a credible source told me Pence was lobbying Ivy Tech board members to make Ellspermann president, it took three days for the Pence team to confirm. That same morning when approached, Ellspermanns staff was unaware and stunned by the news. Last week, she confirmed she has applied to head Ivy Tech, with Pences blessing, saying it would be a better seat on the bus for her. Even though she has the skill set for it, the job is not guaranteed. There is a national search underway and tough competition from people like former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. My sources believe there is another reason: Ellspermann had no appetite for the slugfest awaiting Pence and Gregg. She signed a clean campaign pledge in 2010 in her race against House Majority Leader Russ Stilwell and won. She and Pence did the same in 2012 and almost lost. The Pence-Gregg rematch will be a brawl. Pence needed a warrior, and Eric Holcomb fit the bill. Local governments in Indiana have struggled for years to maintain their aging roads, bridges and sidewalks. Available funds have not kept pace with the growing need. This is partly due to the fact that as cars have become more fuel-efficient (a good thing), the revenues from gas taxes to fix our roads has not grown (a bad thing). Also, cities have very few other tools at their disposal to raise new funds. The deterioration of our infrastructure is unfair to the next generation. Deferred maintenance on our roads and bridges is just as much a burden on our children as excessive debt and taxes. Failure to properly invest in our public infrastructure is shortsighted and foolish. Poor roads cause more accidents, increase car repair costs, and make our cities and towns less desirable for investment. We may think that we are saving money when we choose not to invest in our infrastructure, and we refuse to raise fees or taxes to do so. However, this is shortsighted. We will pay, one way or another. Neglected roads cost us more in the long run in accidents, car repairs and loss of private investment due to blighted conditions. Any homeowner or business owner knows that failure to make timely repairs and improvements reduces the value of their home or business. In contrast, responsible stewardship pays big dividends in the long run. We are in an election year, and the rhetoric abounds. It seems the outliers from both parties have the megaphone. No new taxes, period! comes from one camp, and Government must solve every problem from another. The middle way, however, is the right way. Government is vital to our lives, and it must have the resources to keep our infrastructure strong. But government must operate efficiently, and partner with the private sector for sustained growth and a high quality of life. Having served as mayor of Valparaiso for more than 12 years, I have seen how vision, planning and investment in infrastructure can revitalize a city, make its citizens proud, and encourage significant private investment. If the private sector sees vision and investment by a local government, it will follow that lead. And when private sector investment is growing, so is the tax base. More taxpayers investing in local government means the cost of government is spread over more people, and the tax rate remains fair. Investing in our roads, bridges and sidewalks is a wise move, and yields tremendous benefits. We have fallen behind, and we cannot pass that burden of deferred maintenance on to our children and grandchildren. Local governments need more tools to make this happen. I support state Rep. Ed Solidays plan, HB 1101, which is a sensible and sustainable plan for local government to improve infrastructure. Hopefully, this vital bill will receive the attention it deserves, become law, and thereby improve the future of the region. More investment in our roads will help the state that works to work even better. Jon Costas is the mayor of Valparaiso. The New Hampshire primary election, coming right after the Iowa caucuses, has provided some clarification to the 2016 presidential contest. On the Republican side, Donald Trump has fresh momentum, after coming in second in Iowa. For Democrats, Senator Bernie Sanders is confirmed as a strong challenger to Hillary Clinton. The tight battle for second place among the Republicans means no principal challenger as main opponent to Trump has emerged. Jeb Bush remains a contender for now, thanks to the voters of New Hampshire. Carly Fiorina and Gov. Chris Christie have withdrawn from the Republican presidential race. Instant analysis by the pervasive electronic media seized the theme that second-place Republican John Kasich lacks substantial local organization in the upcoming primary states. Regard that pronouncement with skepticism. Trump has become a front-runner with little in the way of disciplined in-depth local organization. Rather, he confirms just how powerful the media have become in propelling a candidate. More important, dedicated support for Trump demonstrates just how broad and deep is public alienation from and hostility to Washington. Remember also that the presidential race is still in early stages of actual voting. In 2008, Senator Hillary Clinton won New Hampshire, only to lose the nomination to Sen. Barack Obama In 2000, Sen. John McCain decisively defeated George W. Bush in New Hampshire by 48.5 percent to 30 percent. Bush recovered to win the South Carolina primary in an ugly campaign, and went on the take the Republican nomination. In 1992, Bill Clinton was able to capitalize on a second-place finish in New Hampshire to become the Comeback Kid, win in the primary sweepstakes which followed, capture the Democratic nomination and defeat incumbent President George H.W. Bush. In a similar manner, the state was extremely important in boosting the candidacies of relative unknowns George McGovern and Jimmy Carter in 1972 and 1976. Since 1920, New Hampshire has held the first primary in each presidential election cycle. In historical context, the states vote at times has been profoundly important. In 1952, the first year in which candidates names were listed on the ballot, General Dwight Eisenhower received an enormous boost for the Republican nomination by winning the primary. Republican political and business leaders who strongly supported his candidacy were concentrated in the Northeast. Ohio Sen. Robert Taft Mr. Republican had a far greater claim on the nomination, through party service and leadership. Eisenhowers victory established crucial momentum. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnsons relatively poor showing against insurgent Democratic Sen. Eugene McCarthy in the New Hampshire primary was followed by his decision to withdraw from seeking renomination. Johnson actually won the primary, but McCarthys relatively strong showing, combined with the certainty of losing the upcoming Wisconsin primary, led to LBJs decision. While Senators McCarthy and Robert Kennedy went on to fight for Democratic convention delegates in the relatively few primaries, Vice President Hubert Humphrey collected enough support to secure the nomination while avoiding directly contesting these elections. Following Kennedys assassination and the violent Democratic convention in Chicago, pressures greatly escalated to expand the number of primaries. New Hampshire this year has confirmed two insurgent candidates. Donald Trump is not fading. Bernie Sanders remains a challenger to the still durable Clinton political dynasty. If you want to get something done, go to an innovator. But even I pushed the envelope when asking to meet with Thor Thordarson, president and CEO of IU Health LaPorte Hospital. After all, he is in the midst of an acquisition by a subsidiary of Community Health Systems Inc. But this busy executive took time to visit with me about a pioneering concept called a Rapid Improvement Event. Its a project run through the Office of Transformation at the hospital. It has played a big role in helping IU Health being named a 2016 co-recipient of the Chanute Prize for Team Innovation. My thanks to Maggi Spartz of Unity Foundation for this nomination. Thor told me that this concept rocketized a change launched earlier at the hospital to create a fair and just culture. This encourages employees to report problems without fear of retribution. Basically, it provided a framework to find solutions to the errors and near misses that employees reported. Not only does the hospital find solutions using LEAN Six Sigma methods. But using these methods, it involves a team approach to solve problems through the Rapid Improvement Event. And in its team approach, it involves not only people familiar with the problems, but physicians and even surgeons. Add this concept has resulted in reducing the cost of care to patients! To understand this paradigm shift, it is perhaps helpful to recall a national report in the late 1990s on the importance of building a safer health system. The report came from the Institutes of Health and was entitled To Err is Human. It emphasized the need to minimize errors causing complications in patient care, including death. Many hospitals launched initiatives to encourage employees to report errors and near misses, including IU Health. But as these problems came to light, the hospital was challenged on how to address them. Enter the Rapid Improvement Event! Simply, Rapid Improvement Events incorporate skilled teams drawn from the ranks of 1,450 employees, as well as physicians, who spend a full week focusing on a single opportunity for improvement. Solutions are tested and implemented within 30 days, Nearly one quarter of the workforce in the past two years has participated in these events. The hospital has seen patient satisfaction scores rise, costs to the patient and health system come down, and utilization decrease while quality of care increased. Also, IU Health has doubled net revenue over the past six years, allowing it to focus on its mission to improve the health of patients and communities. The Rapid Improvement Event has been used in manufacturing like Subaru and perhaps other industries. Its wonderful to see it evolve and serve health care as well. Well done, IU Health! The East Chicago City Council must end the Robert Battle charade now before it takes another turn for the embarrassing and ridiculous. Each day Battle remains a "sitting" city councilman though he's actually sitting in a Porter County Jail cell on federal homicide and drug charges sinks the city's reputation further into sludge thicker than what can be found at the municipal sanitary district. We've repeatedly implored the City Council to use a clause in state law allowing them to remove Battle from office by a 2/3 vote because he's unable to perform his duties. So far, city officials and at least one county leader seem more interested in kicking the can down the road to Indianapolis. The East Chicago City Council voted Monday to seek a legal opinion from the Indiana Attorney General and from the State Board of Accounts regarding what they can do and how they can do it. Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, publicly disgusted with the matter, is asking state legislators to come up with a law for expelling Battle. But the fact remains East Chicago already has the tools to deal with the Battle embarrassment the removal clause by 2/3 vote. The council owes it to the city, its reputation and its taxpayers to use the clause so a councilman, who arguably can't perform his duties, doesn't continue collecting a $42,000 annual salary. Information surfaced this week that the City Council's attorney has contacted the Porter County Jail, inquiring about the possibility of Battle attending meetings from the jail via online video chat. As ridiculous as that may sound, technically Battle could use a jail visitor's policy to video chat during council meetings but for no more than 20 minutes. Council meetings generally take longer than that, but there's another fatal hitch in that scenario. By state law, Battle would not be allowed to vote on any issues when joining a meeting by video, the council's attorney Stephen Bower told us Wednesday. It's not like Battle would be abstaining on votes before the council, as all council members are allowed to do. State law would forbid Battle from voting on issues via video chat, according to Bower. That means he clearly would not be able to perform his duties, even if the city made the outrageous decision to put itself on Battle's jail visitation list and pay the $9.77 fee for each video chat during council meetings. The East Chicago City Council should end this charade at the soonest possible date. Battle needs to go, and the council needs to act decisively. For Tom Conway Jr., union support and environmental stewardship were always a way of life. The Kouts native spent his childhood camping and as a member of the Boy Scouts with the help and support of his father, Tom Conway Sr., who is international vice president for United Steelworkers. "It's a false statement that we have to choose between economic growth and environmental protection," Conway said. "Its a matter of taking action like inventing the catalytic converter and creating tons of manufacturing jobs in the U.S." The younger Conway, himself a USW member, has made a career of blending his blue-collar side and his green side. Conway is president of the Save the Dunes board of directors. When BlueGreen Alliance was founded in 2006, Conway was eager to join. The alliance, founded in 2006 as a partnership between Sierra Club and USW, brings together the nations largest labor unions and environmental organizations in an effort to identify ways environmental concerns can create and maintain jobs while enhancing the economy. Conway said the issue is critical in the Region. "Industries that line the lake are fantastic in driving the economy but how we find balance between economic priorities and economic stewardship is key," Conway said. Conway said the connection between labor and the environment began with steelworkers in 1948. The incident was known as the Denora Death Fog of 1948, when emissions from a U.S. Steel American Steel and Wire plant in Denora, Pennsylvania, killed 20 and sickened 7,000. "Everyone wanted to sweep it under the rug," Conway said. "It was the USW who funded an investigation into the event and kicked off a movement. That helped form the regulations that eventually became the Clean Air Act." Conway said the late Tony Mazzocchi former leader of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union and founder of the Labor Party was instrumental in the blue-green movement as well. Mazzocchi is credited with the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Mazzochi was a labor leader with concerns about the impact of chemicals on worker's health and pushed unions to support environmental efforts in the 1960s in the name of worker safety. "During a very intense round of bargaining, similar to what we went through with BP, he went to the environmental movement and said the ability of the workers to speak up is the first line of defense for the environment," Conway said. "They're much more likely to speak up about what they see there on the front lines if they don't have to worry about their job being on the line for doing so." There is some debate surrounding moving to cleaner technologies and whether jobs lost as a result will be recaptured with green industry positions. "Training alone is not going to do this," Conway said. "You can train a lot of people for a lot of jobs, but you have to create the market for those jobs. A lot of industries struggling with globalization have an aging workforce. Any plan, state or federal, has to have a plan in place for a fair transition for the workplace." Partnerships between labor and environmental groups in Northwest Indiana have improved relations, the economy and the environment, he said. "I think Northwest Indiana is doing a pretty good job," he said. "The culture of the environmental movement has shifted to partnerships." Conway said balancing occupational and community health and safety and environmental concerns with worker rights is a delicate political maneuver. "Up here, we have a very strong labor movement," Conway said. "Obviously, it is not like that everywhere in the state. You can look at the most recent case of the issues at BP and the prolonged strike that went on there. It was in many regards about having a safe place to work and that one of the largest refineries in America on the lake is operating safely." The other four eruptions were reserved for the entrances of the plays four leading performers: Ms. Chastain as the socially crippled, financially endowed Catherine Sloper; David Strathairn as Dr. Austin Sloper, her tyrannical, unloving father; Dan Stevens (of Downton Abbey, if you please) as Morris Townsend, the dashing fortune hunter who comes between them; and Ms. Ivey as Catherines foolish aunt, Lavinia Penniman, who becomes the lovers confidante and liaison. Of course, those ovations were probably not only for the stars but also for the lavish period costumes by Albert Wolsky, which they wear most elegantly. It doesnt hurt that the book that inspired this play has always been a crowd pleaser, much to the distaste of the man who wrote it. Washington Square (1880) is Henry James for people who usually cant abide Henry James. It is written in a straightforward, cozy style that has little to do with the labyrinthine interior explorations of later James. Short and perfectly constructed, it builds to a quietly harrowing climax that anticipates the genteel, ironic-twist revenge tales of W. Somerset Maugham. Later, Mr. Obama spoke, recognizing Justice Scalia as a towering figure in American law. He will be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers on the Supreme Court, he said. Mr. Obama said he would nominate a successor and called on the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. Image Antonin Scalia Credit... Alex Wong/Getty Images North America Justice Scalia, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 to fill an associate justice seat when William Rehnquist was elevated to chief justice, was more than any other conservative justice responsible for bringing ideology to the foreground in the courts deliberations and, sometimes, its decisions. The conservative justices who preceded him, including Justice Rehnquist, and who followed him, like Anthony Kennedy, were not ideological animals in the same sense as Justice Scalia. The originalist, fundamentalist constitutional ideas that have driven many of the courts decisions were more the product of Mr. Scalias intellect and politics than of the other conservative justices, including Justice Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts. Justice Scalia wrote few of the divided courts 5-to-4 decisions, perhaps because the chief justices were aware that Justice Scalias lack of self-control in his judgments made him unreliable in those cases. One prominent exception was his majority decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, in which the court ruled for the first time that the Second Amendment granted an individual right to bear arms. But Justice Scalia did say that that right was not absolute, and that certain weapons like assault rifles could be banned, but the case still set the courts fundamentalist approach to gun rights. From abortion rights to marriage equality and desegregation, Justice Scalia opposed much of the social and political progress of the late 20th century and this one. He wanted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on womens rights to privacy, he dissented on the decision that said anti-sodomy laws were unconstitutional, and he dissented on decisions that it was unconstitutional to execute mentally disabled or teenage prisoners. He disapproved of the Miranda decision that requires police to read prisoners their rights. Darsi Adele Monaco, the daughter of Richard Monaco of New York and the late Adele M. Leone, is to be married Feb. 14 to Jacob Lehr Mueser, a son of Rachel G. Lehr of Warner, N.H., and Kim T. Mueser of Boston. Monroe Robertson, a friend of the couple who became a Universal Life minister for the occasion, will officiate at the Manhattan Penthouse, an events space in New York. The bride, 32, will keep her name. She is the vice president for trusts and estates at Gurr Johns, an art advisory and valuation firm in New York, where she advises clients on large art collections. She graduated from Bard College and received a law degree from the City University of New York. The brides father is a writer whose works include the novels Parsival, or a Knights Tale and The Final Quest. He has also written nonfiction books, including The Logic of Poetry. Her mother was a literary agent in New York. The groom, 33, is a men's wear designer and the owner of two men's wear stores in New York, J. Mueser and Against Nature NYC. Lauren Sara Boxer and Ari Jack Ackerman are to be married Feb. 14 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York. Rabbi Haskel Lookstein is to lead the ceremony. Until last year, the bride, who is 35, ran Fashion Finery, a designer clothing and accessory consignment business on eBay. She graduated from Syracuse, and received a masters degree in social work from Adelphi. She is the daughter of Susan R. Hirschberg of Paramus, N.J., and Steven E. Boxer of New York. The brides father is an owner and the chief operating officer of the restaurant Philippe Chow in New York. He is on the boards of the Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders, New York City; and the American Committee for Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Ramat Gan, Israel. Until 2013, her mother was a tutor in Bergen County, N.J. The bride is a paternal granddaughter of the late Leonard Boxer, a founder of Liz Claiborne, the New York fashion company. If Mr. Obama nominated a moderate and the Republicans who control the Senate refused to confirm the nominee, would the country find itself in the throes of a constitutional crisis? I did a quick poll of five constitutional law professors on Saturday night, and the consensus was no. The world wont crumble, as Bruce Ackerman, a Yale law professor, put it. The government will still function in the interim, even if it is a long interim. The court can still decide cases. If it splits 4 to 4 (as it does every once in a while when one justice or another sits out a case), then the lower court ruling is upheld. That is likely to happen in one major case this term. The court recently heard arguments in a significant challenge to the labor movement over the collection of dues by public-sector unions, and it looked as if the plaintiffs would prevail; a tie, without Justice Scalia, would keep the current system intact. Even a run of 4-to-4 rulings would not create chaos. The outcomes would be more likely to preserve the status quo, especially because the court could wait to take cases until it can resolve them with a clear majority. But even if a Republican refusal to confirm a nominee by Mr. Obama would not bring the government to a stop, it would still be a major political struggle a stress test for our system of separation of powers, said Richard Hasen, a University of California, Irvine, law professor and author of the new book Plutocrats United. In 2004, Mark Tushnet, a Georgetown University law professor, wrote an article about constitutional hardball, which he defines as legal and political moves that are within the bounds of existing constitutional doctrine and practice but that are nonetheless in some tension with existing pre-constitutional understandings. How Times reporters cover politics. We rely on our journalists to be independent observers. So while Times staff members may vote, they are not allowed to endorse or campaign for candidates or political causes. This includes participating in marches or rallies in support of a movement or giving money to, or raising money for, any political candidate or election cause. Learn more about our process. In other words, as Matthew Yglesias of Vox put it, moves that do not violate the letter of the law, but do trample on our conventional understanding of how it is supposed to work. The rise of the filibuster, especially to obstruct the routine working of government, is a particularly good example: It is not unconstitutional or otherwise illegal, but it has become a sharpened partisan weapon. It also strains the traditional system of separation of powers, transforming the Senate from a cooling saucer into a freezer. I asked Professor Tushnet if Mr. McConnells apparent plan to block an Obama nominee qualifies as constitutional hardball. He said probably yes, explaining in an email: The argument for calling it hardball is that there might be a reasonably settled understanding that its undesirable for the Supreme Court to operate too long without a full complement of judges, and, as a result of that understanding, that the Senate will consider nominations sent to it reasonably far in advance of a presidential election. RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. The death of Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday set off an immediate partisan battle over a vacancy that could reshape the Supreme Court for years to come, as President Obama vowed to nominate a successor and Senate Republicans called on him to let the next president fill the seat. Within hours of Justice Scalias death, both sides began laying the groundwork for what could be a titanic confirmation struggle fueled by ideological interest groups. The surprise opening also jolted the presidential campaign hours before a Republican debate in South Carolina, shifting the conversation toward the priorities each candidate would have in making such a selection. Speaking to reporters from Rancho Mirage, where he is golfing this weekend with friends, Mr. Obama paid tribute to Justice Scalia, who died earlier in the day in Texas. He described him as one of the towering legal figures of our time, a jurist who dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy: the rule of law. But Mr. Obama also said, I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. After letting Simon and Garfunkel speak for him in one ad, Senator Bernie Sanders has turned over his latest to his supporters, several of whom created a 60-second spot titled Together. Only Mr. Sanderss voice is heard, delivering a clarion call to unite Americans across every conceivable demographic line. But on the screen, portraits of scores of different faces appear and disappear in a blink. Many are ripped in half, as if to illustrate the danger of divisive politics. Old snapshots of families of every possible background flash by. Finally, the two halves of unrelated peoples portraits are merged, to signal the strength that comes from uniting people despite their differences. Adding to its power is the ads back story: It was submitted by supporters of Mr. Sanders and chosen by curators of such content in an effort overseen by his wife, Jane. In a sense, then, others are already taking up the banner of the revolution Mr. Sanders is trying to foment. The Message That revolution is possible only with the broadest popular support. Our job is not to divide, Mr. Sanders shouts. Our job is to bring people together. It does not hurt that this message of unity is well timed, as Mr. Sanders seeks to expand his appeal among blacks in South Carolina, Latinos in Nevada and other constituencies as his primary battle with Hillary Clinton expands nationally. LEXINGTON, Va. A gymnasium full of college students here on Saturday did what a former Republican Party chairman, a former vice president and a former speaker of the House who addressed their mock convention would not: predict the Republican nominee for president. And they did so with bravado, perhaps characteristic of their nominee, predicting that Donald J. Trump, the business tycoon who has never held elected office, would win the Republican nomination with more than twice as many delegates as the runner-up, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. For a political culture awash with polls and punditry, the mock convention at Washington and Lee University offers one of the most meticulous and intriguing predictions of its kind, having successfully forecast the nominee of the party not in the White House in 19 of 25 attempts, including all but two since 1948. Despite the conventions decisive outcome, its political analysts said they had not been immune to the difficulty posed by the breakdown in traditional Republican voting patterns seen in the campaign so far. It was Mrs. Clintons newest stab at untangling the contradiction that has unexpectedly stifled her candidacy: how to make pragmatism and practicality sound as exciting as the political revolution grandly, if vaguely, promised by Mr. Sanders. In their debates and on the campaign trail, Mrs. Clinton has sought to dismiss Mr. Sanders as unrealistic and his proposals as shallow, sometimes at the risk of making even her most far-reaching proposals sound timid by comparison. But with their next two contests in South Carolina and Nevada, states that are far more racially and ethnically diverse than Iowa and New Hampshire, Mrs. Clinton has shifted to a different critique: that despite his calls for wholesale change, it was Mr. Sanders, with his constant attacks on Wall Street billionaires and the countrys campaign finance system, whose vision was too narrow. If we broke up the big banks tomorrow, Mrs. Clinton asked the audience of black, white and Hispanic union members, would that end racism? Would that end sexism? Would that end discrimination against the L.G.B.T. community?, she said, using an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Would that make people feel more welcoming to immigrants overnight? At each question, the crowd called back with a resounding no. Mr. Sanders, appearing across the state in Reno, dismissed Mrs. Clintons sally with a sarcasm that he has seemed increasingly disinclined to mask. Stopping to speak with reporters before boarding a chartered plane to Colorado, Mr. Sanders pronounced himself really stunned by some of the attacks that we are getting from Secretary Clinton, calling her team unraveled by his 22-percentage-point victory in New Hampshire last week. His remarks drew a slashing attack from Jeb Bush, who is well aware that many South Carolina Republicans hold high opinions of President Bush as well as of their parents. Im sick and tired of him going after my family, Mr. Bush said. My dad is the greatest man alive, in my mind, he added. My mom is the strongest woman I know. She should be running, Mr. Trump said tartly. Attacking the honor and record of the Bush family amounted to one of the biggest risks that Mr. Trump had taken during the presidential race, given that Mr. Bush and his super PAC are spending heavily to win the South Carolina primary and that Bush advisers believe Mr. Trump is vulnerable here. Mr. Trumps florid reputation, past support for abortion rights and harsh language including a vulgarity he used last week about Mr. Cruz could alienate social conservatives and establishment Republicans in the state, according to Bush advisers. While Mr. Bush has assailed Mr. Trump in the past and described him as all but unqualified for the presidency, the Saturday debate was his most forceful performance of the race. The debate was also critical for Senator Marco Rubio of Florida after his disastrous turn in a face-off last weekend in New Hampshire, where Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey savaged him as scripted and callow after Mr. Rubio kept repeating the same stock attack on President Obama. Mr. Rubios political momentum slowed after that, and he finished fifth in the primary there. In his concession speech, he promised supporters that he would not make the same mistakes in the debate on Saturday night. If he did not embarrass himself, he did not appreciably improve. As before, he spoke very quickly, in long sentences, rattling off national security challenges in Asia, the Middle East and Russia without pausing, a furious rush akin to spitting out words. Mr. Rubio also briefly pounced on Mr. Trump during the exchange over President George W. Bush, not only on the subject of Iraq, but also on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Mr. Trump disputed Mr. Rubios assertion that President Bush had shown leadership before the attacks. The wall of opposition from the Republican contenders to Mr. Obama going forward with a nomination was the latest indication of just how much the anti-establishment candidates in the field have set the pace in the contest. Jeb Bush, Senator Marco Rubio and Gov. John R. Kasich of Ohio, each grappling with how to compete with Mr. Trump and Mr. Cruz, have been pressed to decide between positions that could haunt them in the general election or consign themselves to irrelevance in the nominating fight. Mr. Kasich, who fought his way to a distant second place against Mr. Trump in New Hampshire thanks largely to winning the support of self-described moderates, lamented Saturday how quickly the conversation about Justice Scalia had turned to politics, observing that the country is so divided right now. But he quickly pivoted to say that Mr. Obama should forfeit his right to appoint a replacement for Justice Scalia and let the next president decide. That even the lone candidate running as a pragmatist would take such a step illustrates the deep mistrust of Mr. Obama on the right and the peril Republicans face with the partys base if they are seen acquiescing to the president. If theres any move within the Senate to consider a confirmation this year, I think you would see outright rebellion from all across America and particularly these candidates, said Jim DeMint, the head of the conservative Heritage Foundation and a former South Carolina senator. Heres how we covered the Republican debate. GREENVILLE, S.C. The remaining six Republicans met here Saturday evening for another primary debate. The men on the stage represented a newly winnowed Republican field ahead of South Carolinas primary on Feb. 20. Here are the highlights: The first question was about Justice Antonin Scalia, who died hours before the debate. Donald J. Trump was unequivocal: He expects President Obama to nominate a new justice, he said, and its up to Mitch and the entire group (that would be Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader) to delay, delay, delay. Gov. John R. Kasich of Ohio struck a more moderate tone, but similarly said that the president should not move forward. Jeb Bush struck a different tone on Justice Scalias death, explicitly saying he believed that Mr. Obama has the right to appoint a justice Im an Article II guy, he said, citing the executive branch section of the Constitution but that in return, the president should choose a consensus candidate. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was asked to point to where he had been tested in a crisis an area that is perceived as a key weakness. But Mr. Rubio steered his response toward a key strength: foreign policy. He cited his decision not to authorize the presidents request to use force in Syria, saying Mr. Obamas plan would have made the situation worse. Mr. Bush and Mr. Trump had a heated exchange during a discussion of foreign policy. But the tenor was more personal than policy. When Mr. Bush questioned Mr. Trumps foreign policy judgment, the real estate billionaire responded, Jeb is absolutely so wrong. As the crowd booed, Mr. Trump retorted, Thats Jebs special interests and lobbyists talking. Moments later, Mr. Bush mocked Mr. Trump as getting his foreign policy from the shows and he countered by pointing to the money Mr. Bush poured into New Hampshire, to finish fourth. The Republican primary debate on Saturday night was perhaps the most contentious face-off of the 2016 campaign, as the candidates shouted at, accused and insulted each other, while enduring frequent booing from the audience. Critics and commentators thought the night was won by Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, who delivered a strong performance just a week before the South Carolina primary, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who bounced back from his flop at last weeks debate. As for the losers, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas was seen as flat at times under the heat of ad hominem attacks, while Donald J. Trumps tirades appeared to be wearing thin. Here is a sampling of comments from the chattering class. Jeb Bush had his best, most relaxed debate. He managed to get under Donald Trumps skin, reducing Trump to blaming George W. Bush for 9/11. Jennifer Rubin, writer for the Washington Posts Right Turn blog After last weeks stumbles, Marco Rubio probably needed the debate of his life this week. He got it. Stephen Hayes, senior writer for The Weekly Standard Jeb Bush is holding his own tonight. He may show up tomorrow wearing a leather jacket. Marc Lamont Hill, Morehouse College professor KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo Rebels in a northeastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo killed six civilians and kidnapped 14 others, a local activist group said on Saturday, the latest attack in a region the United Nations says is facing deteriorating security. The group, the Center of Study for the Promotion of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, based in the eastern city of Goma, said the attack occurred Friday evening in a village four miles east of the town of Eringeti. A statement from the group blamed the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group with origins in neighboring Uganda. The Allied Democratic Forces have killed at least 500 people since ramping up attacks in the region in October 2014, according to the United Nations. The highly secretive rebel force is made up mostly of Islamist extremists who want to establish Shariah law in Uganda, according to Congos United Nations mission. Congos army and the United Nations have launched an operation against the rebels, but the United Nations envoy for Congo told the Security Council last month that there had nonetheless been a significant deterioration in the security situation in eastern Congo, where multiple rebel groups are operating. WASHINGTON Cuba has returned a dummy United States Hellfire missile that was mistakenly shipped there from Europe in 2014, American and Cuban officials said Saturday. The Hellfire is a laser-guided, air-to-surface missile that weighs about 100 pounds. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, it can be deployed from an attack helicopter like the Apache or an unmanned drone like the Predator. The weapon returned by Cuba was an inert training missile that was inadvertently sent to the island from Europe, where it was used in a NATO training exercise. It did not contain explosives, but the devices diversion raised concerns that Cuba could share technology with potential American adversaries like North Korea or Russia. It had an incomplete guidance section and no operational seeker head, warhead, fusing system or rocket motor. NEW DELHI The police have arrested the president of a student union here on a complaint of sedition, a news agency reported, the latest controversy to hit one of the countrys highly politicized universities. A group of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi organized a protest on Tuesday on the third anniversary of the execution of Muhammad Afzal, also known as Afzal Guru, who was found guilty of involvement in an attack on Parliament in 2001 which left nine dead. His hanging ignited protests across the country over the use of capital punishment in such cases, particularly in Kashmir, his home state. Tuesdays protest was also in support of the rights of Kashmiri people. Police on Friday arrested Kanhaiya Kumar, the student union president, and a Delhi court remanded him to police custody for three days, The Press Trust of India reported. The complaint against Mr. Kumar was for criminal conspiracy and sedition, which can carry a sentence of three years to as much as life imprisonment. Rajan Bhagat, a police spokesman, confirmed that a complaint had been filed on Thursday, but gave no further details. . On Tuesday, some people at the protest shouted slogans in favor of Muhammad Afzal and Pakistan, according to The Press Trust. Mr. Kumar told the court on Friday that he did not know the identity of all those shouting the slogans, and dissociated himself from their views. Peter Martins isnt one of those choreographers who loves love. He doesnt get carried away by sentimentality. So its no surprise, but kind of refreshing, that he brought back his staging of La Sylphide a ballet about a sylph who lures a young Scotsman away from his fiancee and, in the final heartbreaking moments, loses her wings, goes blind, keels over and dies to New York City Ballet just in time for Valentines Day weekend. I hate cheap red hearts, too. The splendid program, performed Friday at the David H. Koch Theater, wraps up with George Balanchines Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No . 2, a luscious ballet that recalls the essence of Imperial Russia. La Sylphide is a different kind of jewel. The production, with choreography by August Bournonville who created his version for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1836 was the first ballet Mr. Martins ever watched. As a student at the Royal Danish Ballet School, Mr. Martins performed in La Sylphide and later danced the lead role of James, the flawed, impetuous hero who loses the sylph, along with his fiancee, Effie. Its dark, sad stuff. As the sylph, a delicate Sterling Hyltin instilled the role with equal parts speed and softness, which lent her springy jumps the diaphanous feel of mist seeping through a forest. Andrew Veyettes James was appropriately impulsive, but wavered in crispness: His power was more an effect of push than finesse. Effie, performed by Brittany Pollack, leaned toward overly simplistic, while Daniel Ulbricht as Gurn, the man she eventually weds, seemed trapped in a continual state of overreaction. In recent weeks, John Micklethwait, the editor in chief of Bloomberg, has sometimes felt, as he put it, like a character in a Graham Greene novel. Theres an element of theres no perfect answer to it. As part of a wide-ranging interview about his first year at Bloomberg, Mr. Micklethwait was discussing the latest in a line of complex balancing acts he has performed since he began running one of the worlds largest news organizations in this case, how Bloomberg should cover its founder, Michael R. Bloomberg, as Mr. Bloomberg considers a presidential run. At his previous job, as the top editor of The Economist, where he oversaw a staff of about 150, Mr. Micklethwait did not have to concern himself with such things. But his arrival at Bloomberg coincided with, among other changes, a broad refocusing within the organizations newsroom. Late last month, after it was reported that Mr. Bloomberg was seriously considering a bid for the White House, Bloomberg journalists received notice that they were to refrain from covering the news in depth. One memo, obtained by The New York Times, said that Mr. Micklethwait had directed all of us across news to stick for now with our policy of not doing our own reporting on Mike. If there is a big news development, we can cite other media. We should not opine whatsoever on this topic. If we need to refer to it, because in the context of our other news coverage it would be absurd not to mention it, we can do so by citing other media reports on the subject. Likewise, Mr. Heastie has repeatedly said that the Assembly passed other ethics laws in years past but is actively contemplating new ones. He said the members would present their ideas at some point, though he added to reporters that he was hesitant to put a time frame on such announcements, because if we dont meet it, you guys say Im delaying things. Were looking at it, he said on Tuesday. Were going to come out with something. Individual members of the Legislature say that the slow approach to new ethics rules can be frustrating for them as well, but that ironing out details in proposals takes time. In the Assembly, for instance, where Democrats are dominant, members say that there are disagreements about capping outside income, and if so, at what level. The governor wants lawmakers to adopt a cap of $11,925 a year, or 15 percent of their base salary; some feel that is too low, while others support a total ban. There is also disagreement over a plan to strip pensions from convicted lawmakers, which would require a change of the State Constitution; the proposal stalled in the Assembly last year after labor unions raised their worries that lower-level public employees could lose their benefits if found guilty of a crime. We always want to be mindful of how this affects everyone, Mr. Heastie said when asked about the idea. In the Senate, John J. Flanagan, the Republican majority leader, says he does not believe in any ban on outside income, adding that the governors proposals are filled with a lot of a very important significant details that need to be properly vetted before being considered. If you say, Are you in favor of ethics reform?, I think you have to be a fool to suggest no, Mr. Flanagan, who is from Long Island, said this month. But he added: The devils in the details, like anything else. So were working through that. There are examples of major laws being passed early in the year in previous sessions. In January 2013, for example, the governor pushed through the Safe Act, a controversial gun control bill, in the wake of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. This year, however, the bills publicized by both houses have primarily been of the sort that are more than likely doomed to wither, including a Senate-passed proposal to add term limits to leaders positions in both houses. The man accused of stabbing his girlfriend and two of her daughters to death at a Staten Island motel being used to house homeless people was arraigned on Sunday on three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The man, Michael Sykes, 25, pleaded not guilty before Judge Catherine DiDomenico in Staten Island Criminal Court, said Douglas Auer, a spokesman for the Staten Island district attorneys office. He was ordered held at the Rikers Island jail complex. The heinous and violent nature of this tragic crime make it a top priority for my office, Michael E. McMahon, the Staten Island district attorney, said in a statement. The public should be assured that my staff intends to vigorously prosecute the case against this murderer. A lawyer for Mr. Sykes, Philip Ohene, did not respond to a phone message seeking comment. The killing, at a Ramada motel on Wednesday morning, drew scrutiny to the lengthy motel stays of families the citys Department of Homeless Services could not fit into its shelters, and to the uneven security at those alternate housing locations. It set off a three-day citywide manhunt that ended on Saturday afternoon, when the police arrested Mr. Sykes at a public-housing project in Queens. To the Editor: Re Justice Antonin Scalia Is Dead at 79 (front page, Feb. 14): While I did not agree with almost all of Justice Antonin Scalias positions, I pray for his family. His death throws the Republicans into a conundrum. If they do not act on an Obama nominee, they face public scorn and the possibility of a Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders presidency in which one of those candidates might nominate a real liberal. Justice Scalias passing also makes the presidential race the most important in my lifetime. The next president will shape the Supreme Court for a generation or more, and the freedoms of all Americans hang in the balance. HENRY A. LOWENSTEIN New York To the Editor: It feels unseemly to dive so soon into the political ramifications of Justice Antonin Scalias unexpected passing, and though it may evince a bygone decorum, I am dismayed by those on both sides of the aisle who have done so. I, for one, celebrate the life and success of any fellow citizen who reaches the pinnacle of his profession by dint of intellect, humor and force of personality. My fond hope is that our national ideological gulf has not obscured our ability to celebrate a quintessentially American story, especially when that story belongs to a man whose ideas challenged us to our core. BERLIN A former German chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, recently called Angela Merkels decision to open the door to an unlimited number of refugees a mistake and offered this verdict: Merkel had a heart, but no plan. This view of the German leader, who is beloved but now begrudged, is gaining ground as refugees from a ravaged Syria and elsewhere pour in. Local authorities are strained to the limit. Billions of euros have been spent with no end in sight. Many people came in whose identities are unknown; they have to register if they want handouts, but some have not and there are security concerns. Cologne has become a byword for concern over how a large influx of Muslim men will affect the place and security of women in German society. Three important state elections loom next month. It seems inevitable the far-right Alternative for Germany Party will surge. Merkel will be blamed. Her support has already tumbled. One poll this month showed 46 percent of Germans support her, compared with 75 percent in April last year and thats with a strong economy. She could be vulnerable if her Christian Democratic Party turns on her. Europe without Merkel will sink. So why did this customarily prudent chancellor do it? Because she is a German, and to be German is to carry a special responsibility for those terrorized in their homeland and forced into flight. Because she once lived in a country, East Germany, that shot people who tried to cross its border. Because a united Europe ushered Germany from its darkest hour to prosperity, and she is not about to let the European Union pitch into mayhem on her watch as it would with more than a million ragged refugees adrift. And, yes, because she has a heart. GREENVILLE, S.C. The Republican candidates debated on Saturday night as if it were one last chance to break through and take down their opponents and for a few of them, it probably was. The most important exchange of the evening came early in the night, when Donald J. Trump and Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, collided in an extended, personal clash over the Iraq war and President George W. Bushs record on national security. But for all of the candidates, the debate helped illustrate the broader state of the race, and each mans approach to the final seven days before the crucial South Carolina primary on Saturday. Bush Is Finally Going for It After stalling and sputtering in his past confrontations with Mr. Trump, Mr. Bush came into Greenville eager for a fight. He went at Mr. Trump repeatedly, assailing him as insensitive to women and minorities, and criticizing his support for using eminent domain to annex private property. In South Carolina, a state with a large military population that backed Senator John McCain in its 2008 primary, Mr. Bush denounced Mr. Trump for having mocked Mr. McCains war service. Up until now, Right to Rise, the super PAC supporting Jeb Bush, had focused most of its negative advertising on Senator Marco Rubio and Gov. John Kasich. On Friday, the group altered course, running two negative ads against its candidates favorite debate foil: Donald J. Trump. On Screen A smirking Senator Ted Cruz embraces Mr. Trump and a windup toy robot with a photograph of Mr. Rubios face on it waddles away from a picture of Mr. Trump as the narrator says, Some candidates suck up to Trump or run away from him in fear. Mr. Bush takes the screen, from the last ABC News debate, pointing and saying, That is downright wrong, as Mr. Trump casts the candidate a sideways glance from two lecterns away. The narrator proclaims, Jeb Bush isnt afraid. The narrator airs the greatest hits of Mr. Bushs critiques of Mr. Trump: that he stands up to Trump for liberal democratic positions, showing a picture of Mr. Trump smiling with Bill and Hillary Clinton; for insulting women, showing a picture of Megyn Kelly of Fox News; for attacking the disabled, with video of Mr. Trumps mocking imitation of a New York Times reporter who has a disability; and for trashing a decorated war hero, as Mr. Trump is quoted saying he likes people that werent captured, referring to Senator John McCain. HOUSTON When Justice Antonin Scalia did not respond to a knock at the door of his suite at the Cibolo Creek Ranch at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, John B. Poindexter, the propertys owner, was not alarmed. Perhaps the 79-year-old justice was attending to Supreme Court business, Mr. Poindexter thought, or simply did not wish to be disturbed on his first morning at the remote ranch in West Texas. It was less than three hours later, when Mr. Poindexter tried again, that he found Justice Scalias body. Justice Scalia had no pulse and was clearly dead, Mr. Poindexter recalled in an interview on Sunday. His hands were sort of almost folded on top of the sheets, said Mr. Poindexter, a manufacturing executive from Houston. PARIS Most mornings since September, the former president of the African nation of Chad was woken at dawn in his specially refurbished prison quarters for a trip he loathed. Armed guards hauled Hissene Habre, the former ruler, to the main courthouse in Dakar, Senegal, where he was on trial, and confined him to the defendants chair. From then on, he seemed to go into a trance for hours on end, barely stirring in his crisp white robes, his turban wrapped across much of his face, the way desert nomads hide from sandstorms. After the first day, when he yelled insults at the three judges, Mr. Habre never opened his mouth until he was taken out of court. That daily ritual came to an end last week, when lawyers made closing arguments and the prosecutor asked for the confiscation of all his property along with a life sentence for Mr. Habre, 73. KABUL, Afghanistan Taliban suicide attacks and a fierce battle for the northern city of Kunduz made 2015 the worst year for Afghan civilian casualties since the United Nations began tracking the data, officials said on Sunday, in a sobering reminder of the cost of the conflict at a time when the prospect of peace seems as distant as ever. The United Nations documented 3,545 civilians killed and 7,457 injured last year, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the United Nations Human Rights Office said in a report presented at a news conference in Kabul, the Afghan capital. The total casualty figure, 11,002, was 4 percent above the 2014 level. The number of civilian injuries rose 9 percent, though there were 4 percent fewer deaths. The statistics do not reflect the real horror of the phenomenon we are talking about, Nicholas Haysom, the United Nations secretary generals special representative for Afghanistan, told journalists. The real cost we are talking about in these figures, he said, is measured in the maimed bodies of children, the communities who have to live with loss, the grief of colleagues and relatives, the families who make do without a breadwinner, the parents who grieve for lost children, the children who grieve for lost parents. MUNICH The failure of world powers to quell the five-year conflict in Syria, the Russian military intervention there and the spread of Islamic terrorism overshadowed an annual security conference here, which came as Europe falters ahead of a new effort to cope with its refugee crisis. The somber tone of the meeting was reflected in comments Sunday by a senior German official close to Chancellor Angela Merkel who said that Russia was unlikely to respect a new accord on ceasing hostilities in Syria given the aggressive hand it has played there and the advantage it has gained by using armed force. Adding to the gloom, France indicated during the meeting it would not join a German plan to redistribute more refugees in Europe. Days before a new European summit meeting, the rebuff highlighted Europes failure to unite around a response to more than one million migrants, even as Russian actions and speech unsettles Europe, particularly Germany. In addition to a drumbeat from Russian news media that Europes way of life is threatened because of the migrants, Prime Minister Dmitri A. Medvedev on Saturday warned the conference about a looming slide into a new Cold War. CAIRO An appeals court on Sunday overturned the manslaughter conviction of a police officer in the death of a poet and activist whose shooting during a protest march became a national scandal. The officers conviction and 15-year prison sentence had been hailed by human rights groups as a rare instance of public accountability in a case of excessive violence. In overturning that verdict, the court ordered a new trial for the officer, Yaseen Mohamed Hatem. The ruling came amid an international outcry over allegations that Egyptian security forces also played a role in the disappearance and death of Giulio Regeni, an Italian graduate student whose body, showing signs of torture, was found by the side of a desert highway this month. Mr. Regenis disappearance and the shooting of the poet Shaimaa el-Sabbagh both took place around anniversaries of the pro-democracy rallies that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. A prison reform act approved last year that changes the way Alabama classifies certain crimes will shift the burden of housing many prisoners from the state to counties, and it could lead to increased crime because of lighter sentences, local law enforcement officials warn. Alabama's prisons are overcrowded, and to avoid federal intervention and lawsuits that could cost taxpayers huge legal bills to defend, the state is looking at lighter sentences, reform programs and depending on local-level jails to help. Legislators trying to combat the prison population crisis passed an act targeting prison reform during the 2015 legislative session. Parole and sentencing officials championed a facet of the act: the addition of a new class of felony drug and property crimes, called "Class D" felonies, that carry lighter sentences. But law enforcement officials across the state are concerned about the impact those newly defined felonies will have on county jails and community safety. The Prison Reform Act of 2015 addresses the state's prison overcrowding woes "with policies intended to reduce recidivism rates and increase public safety by essentially redefining Alabamas community supervision practices," according to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles FY 2015 annual report. Alabamas packed prisons We want the bad guys behind bars. But at the same time, we cant afford to put everybody behind bars, said Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. What were trying to do is be smart on crime. We obviously want to punish people. About half of the states General Fund budget is dedicated to funding Medicaid and corrections, something Hubbard said is not sustainable. Alabama has one of the most crowded prison systems in the U.S., Auburn Police Division Chief Paul Register explained. As a matter of fact, it has at times been more crowded than the state of California. So crowded, in fact, that the federal government has threatened to intervene. The Class D felony laws passed last session took effect on Jan 30, just a few days before Gov. Robert Bentley announced in this years State of the State Address a plan to rebuild Alabamas prisons. Now, offenders convicted of unlawful possession of marijuana first for personal use, unlawful possession of controlled substance, theft third, theft of services third, theft of lost property third, receiving stolen property third, criminal possession of forged instrument third, forgery third or illegal possession/fraudulent use of credit or debit card are charged with a lesser felony. That comes with a shift in focus from state prison time to shorter sentences spent in local jails and probation and parole programs. Changes in sentencing guidelines become effective Oct. 1, and until then offenders can be sentenced to a statutory penalty rather than what is specified in the guidelines. There are no violent offenses; there are no sex offenses. Its the lowest-level felonies in the state of Alabama, explained Bennet Wright, executive director of the Alabama Sentencing Commission, who was appointed by Bentley to serve on the Prison Reform Task Force. One of the things, when this piece of legislation was passed, was the expectation in five or six years, the prison population would drop by 2,000 to 3,000, Wright continued, adding the reduction will be consistent and moderate. This is not going to result in a mass release of prisoners. Potential for violence Though local law enforcement officials applaud legislators efforts to ease prison overcrowding without the federal government stepping in, they say there is statewide concern over the impact a new felony classification with looser sentences will have on their communities. Thats a delicate balance, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said of the states attempt to address the number of inmates in the Alabama prison system with an eye toward not jeopardizing safety. Jones, along with other local law enforcement officials, is concerned about the way the new classification affects burglaries, one of the most common crimes law enforcement officers handle. Prior to Jan. 30, third-degree burglary was considered a Class C felony, regardless of the occupancy of the dwelling. Under the new definition for sentencing, if burglary occurs and home or dwelling is unoccupied, the burglary is considered nonviolent. If the dwelling is occupied, its upped to a violent crime. Its going to add an interesting aspect to the sentencing, categorizing it as a nonviolent crime when it has the potential to be a violent crime, Jones said. It may reduce their time in prison or eliminate it entirely. Unfortunately, they are involved in what we are investigating as a higher percentage crime, theft and burglary. Burglaries are a concern for every agency in the state, Register echoed, and something his team takes very seriously. Going into someones home, we take exception to that. We lose sleep over that, he said, adding an offender has to have three Class D convictions before theyre sent to state prison, and are not subject to the Habitual Offender Act. I hate to think were increasing the threshold of what is required for certain crimes to be considered serious. The Auburn police chief cited last months home invasion that left a Cusseta man dead. What would have been considered a nonviolent crime under the new class of felonies had the home not been occupied resulted in three young men facing charges of capital murder. As you see, it wound up unfortunately being a homicide, Register said. Offenders dont know if a home is occupied or not. When a criminal forces their way into someones home, theres always a potential for violence. It is a problem that we do have such a large population of those incarcerated. I think the Legislature is absolutely trying to do something about it and make it easier for law enforcement and jail staff. However, lessening the seriousness of some offenses, like burglary, is concerning. Opelika Police Chief John McEachern questioned the effectiveness of reducing penalties for less-serious criminal offenses. When you have the simple theft and the drug offenses, a lot of those cause us our burglaries and I see a big increase in recidivism, he said. If you go too lightly on them, what lesson are they learning? With lighter sentences, youre going to see some increase in crime numbers, without a doubt. Probation and parole Legislators partially funded the reform package last session, somewhere between $14 million and $15 million. This session, Hubbard said, they will have to come up with another $10 million that will go toward hiring 100 new parole officers and other components of prison reform. Everybody was a part of this whole task force. A lot of planning and a lot of research went into it, he said. Its one of those deals where you have to spend money now to save money later. The act employs a data-driven, risk-based model to guide supervision practices for probation and parole, according to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The more intensive supervision and risk assessment process requires additional probation and parole officers, who at current staffing see an average caseload of 202-to-1, and training. Our officers there are going to be intensively supervising those people who are sentenced to a Class D felony, said Meridith Barnes, chief legal counsel for the board. The act that passed, it requires that our agency look at high-risk offenders and cap all of our high-risk caseloads at 20. Alabama is at the tail end of what has been a national movement she continued. The Legislature has really taken steps to make sure that the supervision is meaningful, and theyre funding it. Its a great step in the right direction to try to curb the recidivism rate, she said. Rather than shifting felony offenders away from state facilities and into local jails, Wright said the reform acts goal is to divert as many offenders as possible to probation and areas with community correction centers. More intensive risk assessment aims to help match offenders with available resources, like drug and mental health treatment, and employment and education programs. Wright said such programs are much more successful in a community setting than a prison one. The goal is to evaluate, assess people convicted of these offenses to receive some positive treatment, educational opportunities, Wright said. Every single person needs to be assessed and evaluated to find out what their needs are. He likened the probation and parole aspect of classification to a patient seeing a doctor for chest pain. Patients expect their doctors to examine and assess their problems, then consider options for treatment. We really dont want the doctor to just cut open our chest, Wright said, adding that all offenders do not need to be supervised the same way, which allows the state to target its resources. This is obviously going to entail a more thoroughly involved process. Alabama is going to start to do a better job of seeing who needs less supervision, who needs about the same amount of supervision, or more supervision. That assessment and that evaluation is absolutely crucial. If the extra time in assessing and matching offenders with programs helps the likelihood of reoffending to go down, he continued, then thats a pretty good investment for the state to make. And though the Legislature approved enough funds to hire 100 additional pardon and parole officers last session, Wright said the hiring wouldnt happen overnight. Screening, hiring and training probation and parole officers, who are law enforcement, is a process. A big component of this change in the law for all community supervision, was that the state realized they need more probation and parole officers for supervision, he said. The piece of legislation was very large, but it also included a number of very detailed, very nuanced changes. Shifting the burden? The reform bill aims to fill scarce prison beds with the most violent or high-risk offenders in the state. Under the previous classification system, felony offenders were the financial responsibility of the state. Class D felonies offer lighter sentences that can be served in county jail facilities, along with a focus on probation and parole that allows for dips, short periods of reincarceration in county facilities, and dunks, longer periods of reincarceration. The first thing I learned at Auburn University in economics class, theres no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody somewhere is paying for it, McEachern said. I think this is going to be a tremendous burden on Alabamas sheriffs and police chiefs. We can only hope and pray that its not the beginning of a revolving door. Theres no way that this is not going to affect county facilities. Though law enforcement officials are not yet sure exactly how the new felony classification will affect their facilities, they are bracing for an increase in cost at the local level. Already full county jails would increase in population, thus increasing the financial burden of county taxpayers. Is that going to result in us having crowding in jails on a local basis? Jones asked. But legislators say the goal of the reform bill was not to move the cost of housing felons away from the state and to counties and municipalities. That certainly wasnt the goal, to shift the burden to the locals, Hubbard said. Though local law enforcement officials say their counterparts across Alabama are concerned about the effects of new felony classification and sentencing, they already are working on Goat Hill to amend last years reform bill and are confident in state legislators. Law enforcement and legislators all are continually reassessing crimes and penalties, Register said. Im sure well be able to relay the concerns that we have. Just like everything, there are some parts that are probably good and some that probably arent. In 1972, voters passed Proposition 20, which established the California Coastal Commission, for, in the words of the ballot summary, the preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement of environment and ecology of the coastal zone. Unfortunately, in the past four decades the CCC has extended its simple mission from the voters into a dictatorial authority to deeply interfere with property rights along the entire coast. Thats why we cant lament the commissions decision, by a 7-5 vote Wednesday, to fire Executive Director Charles Lester, who held that position since 2011. Mr. Lester certainly was no particular friend of property rights, nor is the commission itself, Damien Schiff told us; hes a lawyer with the Pacific Legal Foundation, which defends property rights. I cant describe any of the current commissioners as backing property rights. Some environmentalists have accused the commissioners of dumping Mr. Lester out of favortism toward developers. The Register reported, Before going behind closed doors to discuss Lesters employment, the commissioners denied rumors that they were in the pockets of developers seeking to build on Californias coast and accusations that the effort to fire Lester was part of an ideological coup to take over the Coastal Commission. Of course, developers are in the business of building things. Among other restrictions on building, its the Coastal Commissions phobia about housing that has helped drive prices into the stratosphere along much of the coast, including Orange County. Scarcity of housing also has helped propel rents beyond the reach of many. The commissions anti-building zealotry isnt limited to new construction. PLF is suing the commission on behalf of Encinitas homeowners Barbara Lynch and Thomas Frick. Their homes, according PLF, are endangered because severe storms and erosion caused disastrous bluff collapses in 2010, destroying their seawall and the lower portion of their long-existing stairway to the beach. The city OKd rebuilding the seawall and stairway, but the Coastal Commission balked even though there would be no new structures, just repairs. The case is before the California Supreme Court. According to the Register, Two projects in Orange County will go before the commission this year: the desalination plant proposed by Poseidon Resources in Huntington Beach and the Banning Ranch development in Newport Beach. We encourage the Coastal Commission to appoint a new executive director who is more attentive to property rights and the need to mitigate the states crushing housing costs. WASHINGTON Bernie Sanders, greedy for power to punish people he considers greedy, has occasioned 2016s best joke (reported in Bloomberg Businessweek): In the Bernie Sanders drinking game, every time he mentions a free government program, you drink someone elses beer. But neither Sanders nor Hillary Clintons hostility to the First Amendment is amusing. Both have voted to do something never done before make the Bill of Rights less protective. They favor amending the First Amendment to permit government regulation of political campaign speech. Hence they embrace progressivisms logic, as it has been explained separately, and disapprovingly, by two eminent economists, Ronald Coase and Aaron Director: There is no reason the regulatory, redistributive state should distinguish between various markets. So, government that is competent and duty-bound to regulate markets for goods and services to promote social justice is competent and duty-bound to regulate the marketplace of ideas for the same purpose. Sanders and Clinton detest the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United decision, which they say their court nominees will promise to reverse. It held that unions and corporations especially incorporated advocacy groups, from the National Rifle Association to the Sierra Club can engage in unregulated spending on political advocacy that is not coordinated with candidates or campaigns. The decision simply recognized that Americans do not forfeit their First Amendment rights when they come together in incorporated entities to magnify their voices by speaking collectively. Opposition to Citizens United is frequently distilled into the slogan that corporations are not people, to which Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., adds this example of progressive insight: People have hearts. They have kids. They get jobs. They get sick. They cry. They dance. They live. They love. And they die. And a few teach at Harvard Law School, as Warren was able to do only because Harvard did not die: It is descended from the first corporation chartered in Colonial America. William Blackstone, the English jurist who richly influenced Americas founders, said corporations are artificial persons created to encourage socially useful cooperation among individuals and are accorded certain rights so that they can hold property and have lives, identities and missions that span multiple generations. Early in Americas history, many for-profit corporations were less important than the nonprofit educational and religious corporations that still produce Americas robust civil society of freely cooperating citizens. If corporations had no rights of personhood, they would have no constitutional protections against, for example, the arbitrary search and seizure by government of their property without just compensation. And there would be no principled reason for denying the right of free speech to for-profit (e.g., the New York Times) or nonprofit (e.g., the NAACP) corporations. In his attack on the Bill of Rights, Sanders voted to exempt for-profit media corporations from regulation of corporate speech. Why? Because such corporations, alone among for-profit and nonprofit corporations, are uniquely altruistic and disinterested? Please. In 2007, in a Cato Institute lecture, federal appellate Judge Janice Rogers Brown warned us: People who are eager to weaken protection of private property in order to enable government to redistribute wealth will also want to weaken constitutional protections of free speech in order to empower government to redistribute ideas. Since then, college campuses have been responsive to people eager to regulate what others say, hear and see. Now, in the name of campaign finance reform, progressives like Sanders and Clinton want to expand governments regulatory reach to political speech. Both are ardent for equality and, as Brown foresaw, the argument for economic equality easily becomes an argument for equalizing political influence. The argument is: Government regulates or seizes property in the name of equity, so why not also, for the same reason, regulate the quantity, content and timing of speech intended to influence elections? Progressives, with their collectivist itch, are ever eager to break private institutions to the saddle of the state, and to fill private spaces with regulations. Do they consider government uniquely altruistic and disinterested? Please. NEWPORT BEACH Mark Franklin noticed he was losing the ability to communicate. He couldnt think of everyday words, such as dog or pen. While working as a flight attendant, Cindy Godshall had a seizure in the middle of a Beijing hotel lobby. Both were diagnosed with glioblastoma, a fast-growing cancer of certain cells that support neurons in the brain. They underwent surgery and radiation therapy at the Hoag Neurosciences Institute in Newport Beach. Godshall and Franklin joined the hospitals brain cancer support group. There, in a small conference room, they listened as group members shared fears, successes and setbacks and even showed off new hairpieces. After a year of monthly support meetings, Godshall asked Franklin out for a glass of wine. Then, just over a year ago, they started dating. Seated last week on a couch in the office of their neurosurgeon, Christopher Duma, the couple recalled their separate struggles and how they came to heal. The first objects he was able to identify, such as Dumas wristwatch, after waking up from surgery; the Bob Seger songs she requested to calm her nerves heading into a scan. Godshall, 65, laughed when Franklin described her as a Sofia Loren look-alike and himself as her butler. Franklin, a 58-year-old former software company owner, said Godshall is good at filling in any blanks and sometimes finishing his sentences. He wouldnt say what he has planned for today its a Valentines Day surprise, he said. The pair like to rib each other over whose tumor was larger. His tumor is on the left and mines on the right, so we joke that if we stand together we have a brain between us, Godshall said. Godshall, of Mission Viejo, underwent surgery in December 2012. Franklin, of Irvine, had his operation six months later. After a few weeks of healing, both underwent a treatment that predicts where any leftover tumor cells might migrate and targets radiation treatment to those areas. Getting a diagnosis like glioblastoma and going through treatment was overwhelming, said Godshall, who found herself withdrawing from life. For that first year, my calls and emails were going unanswered. I wasnt reaching out, she said. I was just in my own little cocoon for a while. You kind of put your life on hold, because you dont know whats going to happen tomorrow. Thinking about going through the motions of dating felt especially daunting. But Franklin just kind of melted in to her life, she said. She would call to check on him, and talk him through some of his low points. Now the couple schedule their medical appointments for the same times. Theyve beaten the odds by staying in remission for three years, Duma said. And they have a special bond. We dont have to explain anything, Franklin said. We both know exactly what weve gone through. Theres no pretending. Contact the writer: 714-796-7990 or mnicolai@ocregister.com ANAHEIM A man and woman have been arrested on charges of human trafficking in Anaheim and three victims, a minor and two 19-year-olds, were rescued, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force said Sunday. Ariel Guizar, 35 and Araceli Mendoza, 23, both of San Jose, were charged with human trafficking of a minor and weapon violations. Guizar is being held on $1,000,000 bail and Mendoza on $250,000 bail. The Task Force and several law enforcement agencies conducted a three-day search after the family of a 15-year-old from Los Angeles County reported the girl had run away and was being trafficked in Anaheim, Police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said in a news release. The 15-year-old girl was located in Bellflower on Thursday afternoon. According to the release, she identified at least two other victims who were trafficked throughout Southern California and threatened with threats and a handgun. Police located the suspects car late Thursday evening and after a surveillance capured and arrested them. According to the police report, investigators found a handgun and two 19-year-old female victims during a search of Guizars motel room Friday. Salvation Army victim advocates were on hand to assist the victims. Near the end of the Vietnam War, Lynn Seiser lined up with other fresh-faced Army recruits to await a dreaded, often bloody ritual. Along with millions of other members of the military, Seiser, then 21, received his service vaccines not by way of disposable syringes but with needleless jet guns that blasted drugs into each arm using puffs of high pressure. The U.S. military at the time touted the medical device for its ability to immunize veterans en masse, cheaply and safely. However, the guns often werent sterilized between uses and if you flinched, it ripped you open, said Seiser, a former longtime Orange County resident and clinical psychology professor. If anyone in the line had something, everyone would be exposed. Decades later, a growing chorus of Vietnam War veterans like Seiser and medical experts including some doctors within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs argue that the inoculators, since removed from use, were a likely vehicle for the hepatitis C virus. The VA and the devices manufacturer dispute that. But the Vietnam Veterans of America, a Maryland-based nonprofit, in recent months adopted the jet gun issue as one of its causes, due to mounting evidence and member concerns. Theres a growing body of doctors out there who believe that hepatitis C was caused by air gun injectors, said Dr. Thomas J. Berger, executive director of the groups Veterans Health Council. The delayed reaction is explained by the nature of the disease, which can sit symptomless for decades or initially present minor symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches. If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to liver failure and death. The illness has been deemed an epidemic in the veteran population since the early 2000s, if not earlier. Its widely reported that up to 1 in 10 Vietnam veterans have hepatitis C roughly five times higher than the rate of the overall population. The agency has identified about 175,000 hepatitis C patients within its health care system and roughly 45,000 additional vets who dont even know they have it, VA numbers show. Of course, the total number of vets infected may be far higher, as the majority of veterans do not use the VA system. Vietnam War service members are considered a high-risk group. VA officials in Washington, D.C., did not address the Registers questions about total jet gun claims filed and how many were granted or denied. However, the Board of Veterans Appeals an informal court thats part of the VA does publish the results of claim appeals. More than 100 appeals mentioning jet guns have been granted since 1992 and half mention the devices as the sole probable cause, said Shaun Brown, the son of a deceased Vietnam vet who analyzes the anonymized documents for his blog, jetinfectors.wordpress.com. More than 500 cases were remanded to the appropriate VA regional office for another medical opinion, he added. BIOLOGICALLY PLAUSIBLE Top VA leaders have said the transmission of the hepatitis C virus via immunization jet guns is biologically plausible, but the agency does not consider the device one of the known modes of transmission of the disease, a 2004 public record shows. That means veterans who suspect the injectors were to blame for their infections and are seeking disability benefits and treatment from the VA face an uphill battle. A granted VA claim brings with it monthly compensation and the latest hepatitis C treatments at no cost to the veteran. VA officials require claimants to rule out any other risk factors including injection drug use, tattoos given by reused needles and unscreened blood transfusions before 1992 before they will consider the idea that jet guns could have been the root of infection. An example of one of the jet guns that some Vietnam veterans and medical experts say caused them to contract hepatitis C. For some, proving their case has been as easy as filing a piece of paperwork, sometimes at the urging of a VA physician. For others, it can be a yearslong battle through a head-scratching, often unsympathetic appeals process. Seiser, now semi-retired on the Florida Gulf Coast, is among the few veterans whove been successful at navigating what some call an inconsistent process. Browns father, Larry, a Vietnam vet, died in 2009 of complications from hepatitis C. Shaun and his mother, Anna, filed a VA disability claim arguing jet guns were the likely source, absent of what the VA considers traditional risk factors. After a five-year battle, the claim was granted, with a 100 percent service connection rating. That means the veteran has at least one disability that significantly interferes with normal life functions, according to the VA. As a result, Anna now receives the maximum spousal compensation every month, the option of fully paid health care and other benefits. The money means nothing to me, she said. Id rather the VA acknowledge it has infected a lot of people. I want people to be treated. 1,000 INJECTIONS AN HOUR The U.S. military used jet injectors to immunize millions of new recruits and troops heading overseas from the 1950s through the late 1990s. The now defunct Vernitron Corp. and the Walter Reed Army Hospital developed and patented the inoculator, which was branded as the Ped-O-Jet, government documents show. During the Vietnam conflict alone, at least 4.7 million service members were administered vaccinations in this manner, based on one government report that said 235,000 recruits were injected by jet gun each year over a span of three decades. An FDA hearing cites much higher figures: It said the Department of Defense jet gun vaccinated 20 million to 40 million military personnel from 1965 to 1980. Jet gun manufacturers alleged that one injector could deliver up to 1,000 injections an hour because syringes didnt have to get changed out and vials were reused, which saved money. Such devices also were used on the general public. Theyve been credited for delivering hundreds of millions of vaccine doses in programs to fight diseases such as measles, smallpox and polio worldwide. By 1997, the DOD stopped using the device because of liability risk and the Ped-O-Jet makers decision to discontinue production, on the heels of research that revealed concerns of contamination. That research included: A Centers for Disease Control report citing a hepatitis B outbreak at a California weight-loss clinic that used jet injectors on patients. This potential risk for disease transmission would exist if the jet injector nozzle became contaminated with blood during an injection and was not properly cleaned and disinfected before subsequent injections, the 1994 report states. Two years later, a report from a meeting of researchers with the CDC and World Health Organization said once a jet injector was contaminated, it does indeed have the potential to transmit disease. Around that time, the WHOs global vaccine program banned the use of jet injectors, citing risks of disease transmission. NEVER WIPED THE TIP OF THE GUN Military officials at the time maintained they had not come across any reported cases of cross-contamination but imposed the jet gun ban out of an abundance of caution, records show. Dan Hughes, a Northern California native who now lives in Indiana, administered jet gun vaccinations to troops as an Army medic during the Vietnam War. If recruits tensed up, he said, the high-pressure blast would create a cut and produce bloody blowback. We never wiped the tip of the gun off, said Hughes, who has the infection but likely from a tainted blood transfusion. At the time, the industry felt the infection concerns were overly cautious and unrealistic, according to the paper from the 1996 CDC-WHO meeting. The major jet gun manufacturers are no longer in business. Robert Harrington, then-president and chief executive of Vernitron Corp., which produced the Ped-O-Jet, said in a 1999 FDA hearing that the theory that jet injectors were unsafe and easily contaminated has not been proven. Life is not without risk, testified Harrington, who was head of Vernitron from 1988 to the early 1990s. I flew in Asia as a military pilot and a variety of people were killed; that was an acceptable risk again. And more dangerous than all of that, I drove on the Beltway this morning to get here and theres an acceptable risk of driving on the Beltway. Seventeen years later, Harrington, now retired in Philadelphia, still stands by the Ped-O-Jet. He said the device played a key part in helping eradicate pandemics globally. CLAIMS NONSENSE Claims that his device was the source of hepatitis C infections among vets are nonsense, Harrington said. He said the product used at the weight-loss clinic was not a Ped-O-Jet but a competitors device. Public records show it was a Med-E-Jet. Harrington said his product had a valve that wouldnt pull in fluids, which made it beyond safe. Discussion of the jet gun issue leads to the bigger issue of hepatitis C infections among vets. Concerted attempts by federal agencies and lawmakers to identify and treat those affected have been choppy. Recognizing a public health crisis, the VA in 1999 launched a massive program to screen and treat veterans passing through its facilities. Two of the highest risk groups are intravenous drug users and recipients of unscreened blood transfusions and organ transplants, which were not tested before 1992. There is no definitive number of how many Vietnam vets used injectable drugs, but studies have reported a vast range, from 8 percent to 48 percent. VA officials in 2004 said the large majority of hepatitis C infections are a result of these two categories. The agency did not address questions from the Register regarding the issue of jet guns. The 1999 effort, which cost $340 million, was fraught with persistent reports of inconsistent outreach, perfunctory screening and limited access to testing and treatment, according to a congressional hearing in 2001. Around that time, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., reported the issue was approaching epidemic proportions in his region. WEBSITE CREDITED Frelinghuysen, now in his 11th term, attempted to pass two bills in the early 2000s to get all veterans tested and treated on a mass scale. Both measures lacked traction and died. More than a decade has passed, and the VA is still trying to get a handle on a worsening problem. The VA hospital in Long Beach last summer sent letters encouraging patients with signs of advanced liver disease the sickest of the sick to come in for a consult. Only half responded, which was a disappointment, said Macy Ho, the facilitys clinical pharmacy program manager of the infectious diseases and hepatitis C program. Such a meager response rate has made it harder for the VA to proactively treat hepatitis C patients. Regional VA systems like the one in Long Beach are also struggling to pay for pricey, yet effective treatments. Last summer, the House Veterans Affairs Committee discovered a multibillion dollar VA shortfall. The need to pay for increasingly expensive hepatitis C treatments for vets was a significant driver of the problem. Congress authorized the VA to access a nearly $3.35 billion fund to avoid a VA health care shutdown. Among those benefiting from the latest treatments are the veterans with successful jet gun claims, many of whom credit HCVets.com an educational and support forum for vets with hepatitis C for their victories. Tricia Lupole, who heads the group, wants the VA to recognize the jet gun as an official risk factor of hepatitis C and encourage all vets who were inoculated this way to get tested. Lupole said her group has reached out to legislators but no one has yet signed on to take up the issue. The bottom line is, what was the (bigger) risk factor? Standing in line time and time again getting injections with reused vials or getting a tattoo after you got out of the service? Lupole said. Contact the writer: lleung@ocregister.com or 714-796-4976. Twitter @LilyShumLeung. Spot government waste or a business scam? Email watchdog@ocregister.com. Several times in the last year, Assemblyman Eric Linder, R-Corona, pushed the green yes button on his desk when most of his Republican colleagues pressed no. He broke from his party to vote for labor-backed bills requiring more disclosure of health care rates, new layoff protections for civil servants and a system for workers to collect unpaid wages from employers. Those votes, along with his efforts to mediate a labor dispute at a hospital in his Riverside County district, helped Linder earn an unusual distinction last month: Hes the first Republican in more than 20 years to get the endorsement of the Service Employees International Union. Californias largest public employee union supports tax increases and government spending, so it usually finds more in common with Democrats. Its endorsement of Linder the son of a Mexican immigrant who first won election pledging not to raise taxes has left some politicos scratching their heads, and others wondering if it signals an emerging trend of labor making nice with the GOP. He is the kind of guy who is going to start changing the Republican Party, said SEIUs political director, Alma Hernandez. Were willing to spend money and help good Republicans get elected. The endorsement comes as power dynamics are shifting in the state Capitol, where the political middle appears to be growing. In the past, business interests lined up behind Republicans, while labor unions largely supported Democrats. But now, business-backed Democrats wield significant power and Republicans are pleased that one of their own is endorsed by labor. We have to reach out to all Californians, said Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R-Yucca Valley. Even though weve got groups that dont agree with us 100 percent of the time, if we can agree some of the time, thats great. Linder, 37, represents a blurring of political lines, having received support from the liberal SEIU and, in earlier campaigns, the conservative Koch brothers. Ive been told by so many people that this is good for us, its good for me, and I think its good for the SEIU, too, Linder said of the endorsement. Republicans hold a 5-point advantage in his district, but voters in 2012 went for Barack Obama. The unions decision is a blow to Linders Democratic challenger, Sabrina Cervantes, whos been endorsed by the Legislatures Latino caucus and some local unions, but trails Linder in fundraising. Asked about SEIUs choice, Cervantes emphasized her support from labor. Weve done very well in receiving a number of labor endorsements thus far, she said. Because SEIU is so big it has 700,000 members in California its endorsement of Linder could have a spillover effect and lead other unions to back him as well. Linders is one of three legislative races where the United Food and Commercial Workers is considering endorsing a Republican, said executive director James Araby. Were not going to endorse a Republican just to endorse a Republican, Araby said. They are going to have to want a relationship with us and think about how they can best represent our members. Unions have backed Republicans in the past, but not in large numbers. The California Labor Federation endorsed one Republican in legislative contests during each of the last two general elections. Linder became a father at age 16, was a punk-rock drummer in his 20s, and landed in the Legislature at age 34 never having held elective office. He didnt go to college, instead following his father into the title insurance business directly after high school. During a recent memorial speech to his father on the Assembly floor, Linder reminisced about their shared love of music and talking politics over beers at his dads retirement home in Mexico. Linder grew up speaking English at home in Riverside County, but speaks Spanish well enough to talk about Republican transportation policy proposals on Spanish-language TV. His Latino heritage has helped Linder develop broad-based support beyond the traditional Republican base, said Riverside County Republican Party Chairman Scott Mann. Linders career in politics grew out of his years as a Republican activist, said Jon Fleischman, a former director of the state GOP who helped Linder launch his first run for office in 2012. Linder signed Grover Norquists Taxpayer Protection Pledge in Fleischmans office during his first campaign. Eric is a consistent conservative Republican whose political goals are the opposite of the SEIUs. So its odd to me, Fleischman said of the endorsement. It doesnt make sense. Linder didnt seek SEIUs support during his first two elections. In 2012 and 2014, he received donations from conservative stalwarts: the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which opposes new taxes; and Koch Industries, the Kansas-based company owned by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch. To earn SEIUs endorsement this year, Linder attended a forum with union members and completed its candidate questionnaire. The union would not make the questionnaire public, but said its a pared-down version of what it used in 2014. That one asks candidates to pledge support for workers who are organizing a union, commit to working with SEIU to develop legislation, and state their revenue-generating ideas for funding public services. There may have been one question on Prop. 13 and I said, Im a Republican because I believe in holding the line on taxes. I was very honest about that and upfront, Linder said. He attributed the endorsement to his effort to help resolve a labor dispute at the Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside, where workers voted to join SEIU and hospital executives questioned the validity of the unions election. I intervened and I said, hey, if I can help bring all parties to the table as a neutral third person who can put pressure on both sides to sit down and work things out, I was glad to do it, Linder said. I dont think they had ever had that kind of approach, maybe, with a Republican before. CALmatters is a nonprofit journalism venture dedicated to exploring state policies and politics. Contact the writer: laurel@calmatters.org, @LaurelRosenhall MANAMA, Bahrain Hundreds of Bahraini youths shouting anti-government slogans took to the streets in Bahrain despite a heavy police presence Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of an uprising calling for political change in the tiny island kingdom. The 2011 protests in Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, were the largest of the Arab Spring wave of demonstrations to rock the Gulf Arab states. They were driven by the countrys Shiite majority and demanded greater political rights from the Sunni-led monarchy. Authorities crushed the initial protests after allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates sent reinforcements. Many government opponents and rights activists remain behind bars, and the site that was the focal point for the protests is still sealed off by security forces. The government committed to putting in place a number of reforms in the wake of the unrest, but low-level unrest continues, particularly in Shiite communities outside the capital, Manama. Small groups of activists frequently clash with riot police and bombs occasionally target security forces. Amnesty International said last week that hopes for progress on human rights and holding authorities to account for alleged abuses have faded over the past five years. It released a scathing report last year saying government reforms had failed to end serious violations of human rights findings the government said had significant shortcomings and glossed over new institutional and legal measures put in place since the uprising. On Sunday, demonstrators in the largely Shiite community of Sitra, south of the capital, attempted to march onto a nearby highway but were turned back by police firing tear gas, according to an Associated Press journalist at the scene. Protesters carried posters of Manamas Pearl Square, the epicenter of the 2011 protests, while others held aloft portraits of jailed opposition figures. Some of the demonstrators hurled petrol bombs and paint bombs at police, and blocked roads to their communities with iron rods and trash to keep security forces out. Witnesses reported clashes with police in other areas too. The Interior Ministry said in a statement emailed Sunday that several minors who were manipulated into participating in riots and acts of vandalism were arrested the previous day. Under questioning, those detained said they were involved in disrupting security, attacking police vehicles, committing arson and blocking roads, according to the statement. Their parents have been summoned and ordered to bring their children before juvenile prosecutors. The protest anniversary coincides with celebrations marking the 2001 referendum on the countrys National Action Charter, which promised earlier reforms. In a statement Sunday, the government said it remains fully committed to delivering sustainable progress, through stable and meaningful democratic development. But it warned that progress cannot be impeded by groupings seeking to reject all attempts at political advance in favor of narrow, short-term interests. The California High-Speed Rail project rumbled through the news cycle again last week. Farmers objecting to their land being taken for the trains path appeared in court Thursday before Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny, resuming a case begun in 2011. According to the Associated Press, attorneys for the farmers argued for halting construction because existing state plans for a $68 billion high-speed rail system would not get passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in the time voters were promised when they approved the project with Proposition 1A in 2008, which provided $9.95 billion in bonds. The judge has up to 90 days to issue a decision, AP reported. Prop. 1A earned 53 percent of the vote. The official ballot summary said the measure, [e]stablishes a clean, efficient 220 mph transportation system. Yet a study by the Los Angeles-based Reason Foundation found, Based upon a review of the international experience and [rail authority] plans, it appears likely that Californias high-speed trains will operate at slower speeds than promised, and travel times will be longer than promised. Moreover, Prop. 1As ballot summary declared that private and public matching funds [would be] required, including, but not limited to, federal funds. But there have been no private funds. The only federal funds were $3.5 billion from President Obamas 2009 economic recovery package. Congress is unlikely to send any more money, even if Democrats retake control. So nothing has changed from a 2012 report by the nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst that found funding sources for the project were highly speculative. The only other potential funding comes from the $500 million in cap-and-trade money included in Gov. Jerry Browns budget proposal for fiscal 2016-17, which begins July 1. The Register also reported, Though officials have been working for years to acquire the thousands of parcels of land required for the project, they have just 63 percent of the parcels needed for the first 29 miles in the Central Valley. Taking land from farmers and other owners requires the use of eminent domain, in which private property owners are paid for their land, with the amount of compensation ultimately determined by the government, although owners can appeal. We continue to believe this project is a boondoggle that already has deviated far from what voters were promised in 2008. If the courts dont cancel it, the Legislature should. I first met Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California, and I was 15. The scene was the Reagans Sacramento home, where he was hosting a barbeque for members of the state Capitol press corps and their families. Lounging in the pool was Reagans attractive, but diffident, daughter. After she proved oblivious to our charms, my brother and I chatted up the governor. He was surprisingly approachable, willing to field questions from the sons of a reporter. Did he still root for the Cubs, I asked, or was he a Dodgers fan? Had he really saved 77 lives as a summer lifeguard in Dixon, Ill.? As an ardent Giants fan who was taking a lifeguarding class, both questions were relevant to me. Hed come to like the Dodgers while living in Los Angeles, Reagan conceded, but was torn when they played the Cubs. As for his heroics pulling flailing Midwestern farm boys out of the lake in Dixon, Reagan deflected the adulation by regaling us with a story about a 300-pound guy who was panicking in the water when Reagan reached him. Adding to the swimmers distress was his blindness. In his telling, Reagan suddenly remembered that hed been taught that putting a firm but not rough grip on a blind person in danger of drowning could ease the troubled swimmer. But this guy was too big, and he had our young lifeguard in a bear hug and they both began sinking. So Reagan put a firm grip on a part of the swimmers anatomy that is delicate for any man, in or out of the water. The big man relaxed instantly, Reagan recalled, and he was able to get both of them to the surface and the safety of shore. I have no idea whether this anecdote, which Reagan related with a twinkle in his eye, was true. I do know that the current crop of presidential contenders could use some of Reagans good humor, not to mention his grace under pressure. Among the major 2016 candidates, the big losers in last weeks New Hampshire primary were Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio. Jeb Bush is barely treading water. Chris Christie didnt make it out of the pool. There are reasons for their shortcomings just not necessarily the reasons the candidates think. This seems mostly strikingly true among the Democrats. Clinton and Bernie Sanders do not express Reagan nostalgia on the campaign trail. The voters they are pursing have moved too far left for that. But its instructive that the last two Democrats who actually won the presidency Hillarys husband and the current White House incumbent did just that when they ran. In a 1991 interview with Washington Post editors and reporters, Bill Clinton volunteered that President Reagan deserved credit for his rhetoric in defense of freedom and for advancing the idea that communism could be rolled back in part with a big U.S. military buildup that forced the Soviets to reevaluate their system. Instead of criticizing Reagan for this, Democrats should praise him for helping end the Cold War, Clinton added. He punctuated this point by making his first trip as president-elect to Reagans office in Century City. In 2008, Obama compared Reagan with John F. Kennedy, saying that both men had been transformational presidents. This rankled the Clintons, probably because of the way Obama phrased it: I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that, you know, Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. Instead of shrugging off this comment, the Clintons lobbed stink bombs at Obama. Notwithstanding Bill Clintons own earlier deference to Reagan, they implied that Obama had undermined his own liberal bona fides. Such tin-eared attacks left liberals shaking their heads. If Obama is a Reaganite, E.J. Dionne put it simply, then I am a salamander. It didnt work eight years ago, but the Clintons are at it again. Bernie Sanders is being subjected to a barrage of insults, cuts and character assassination. His supporters are sexist and profane, says Bill Clinton. I am the victim of a very artful smear, Mrs. Clinton declares, even as she and her minions artfully smear Sanders: Bernie is a tool of the gun lobby, they say. Hes been disloyal to Obama. And so forth. As Thursday nights Democratic debate was taking place in Milwaukee, Clintons attack machine was spitting out anti-Sanders press releases machine-gun-style. Sanders twists the truth, Sanders flip-flops on Syria. Hes a hypocrite on Wall Street banks, anti-immigration extremists love the guy . Clintons prominent surrogates have been even less restrained. Referring to the millennials of both genders flocking to the Sanders bandwagon, the former secretary of state Madeleine Albright snarled that there is a special place in hell for young women who do not support other women. Feminist writer Kate Harding wrote unabashedly that she intended to vote with my vagina. That line has the virtue of being a nakedly transparent explication of identity politics. The big question unfolding in the 2016 primaries is whether such tactics work. Can it be a winning strategy to say that the burgeoning majority of liberal women attracted to Sanders message are really self-hating twits and that pro-Bernie Democrats are closet sexist pigs? History doesnt provide a pat answer. In 2008, Obama ran an aspirational campaign reminiscent of Bill Clintons two campaigns and Ronald Reagans. In 2012, however, Obama ran a nasty campaign. Its main focus was the character assassination of Mitt Romney. Both strategies paid off for Obama, though it should be noted that his vote total declined significantly in 2012. For their part, Republican candidates still invoke Reagan constantly. They just dont campaign like him. You can still win a bar bet at a New Hampshire watering hole by asking assembled political activists how many negative ads the Reagan campaign aired after losing the 1980 Iowa caucuses to George H.W. Bush. (The answer is zero.) Thats a test that the current crop of GOPers would all flunk. Then again, there are times to get tough. In New Hampshire, the role of the drowning 300-pound Illinois swimmer was played by Chris Christie. When he grabbed Marco Rubio, playing the part of the GOPs charismatic young lifeguard, Floridas freshman senator reacted like an overly programmed automaton who couldnt improvise. He could have ignored Christie, and let him sink. Or he could have emulated Reagan and improvised by squeezing a sensitive part of Christies resume. He did neither and, instead, let Christie carry them both to the bottom of the lake. If Rubio pops to the surface in South Carolina, he may be a better candidate for it. If not, Republicans may end ruing the day they merely stood on the shore as calamity unfolded. Staff opinion columnist Carl M. Cannon also is Washington editor of RealClearPolitics.com. The religious right, once a major power in American politics, is entering an uncomfortable dotage. Although numerous and well-organized enough to push Ted Cruz over the top in Iowa, the social conservative base, two-thirds of them born-again Christians, was of little use in New Hampshire, one of the most secular states in the Union. In the Granite State, Cruz did best among evangelicals but still slightly trailed Donald Trump among this one-quarter of New Hampshire Republicans. More importantly, Cruzs religious strategy might not be enough to allow the Texan to vault past his main rivals, even in the Bible Belt states like South Carolina, where Real Clear Politics polls last week showed Donald Trump more than 16 points ahead. This, along with the total collapse of Ben Carsons religiously based campaign, reflects, in part, slowing growth on the religious right. Evangelicals, who are the cutting edge of the movement, are gaining market share among Christians only because of sharper declines among mainstream Protestants and Catholics. Overall, notes Pew, 68 percent of Americans now believe religion is losing influence in society. In contrast, momentum is shifting to the religiously unaffiliated, whose numbers are rising rapidly, from 37.6 million in 2007 to 57 million in 2014. This process is particularly marked among millennials, a large portion of whom appear to have little interest in organized religion. Even if people remain spiritually inclined and most Americans still are the lack of church attendance makes mobilization of the faithful ever more difficult. Most importantly, some 34percent of millennials profess to having no religion, compared with 23 percent of the overall population. Trump paradox Perhaps nothing reveals the weakening of the religious right than the rise of Donald Trump. On the surface, Trump a thrice-married exemplar of ostentation seems more like Nero than Saint Peter. Hes a mainstream Presbyterian with little apparent knowledge of the Bible. Republican voters see him as the least-religious of the major candidates, notes Pew, yet he ranks first overall in their preferences, matching Ben Carson and surpassing Cruz among evangelical voters. Of course, Cruz did perform better in the Iowa caucuses among evangelicals, who are particularly well-organized. Despite lacking the ground game needed to win the caucuses, the New York self-promotor won 22 percent of the religious vote. Trump also appears to be doing better in the Southeast Bible Belt, notably in South Carolina, where his lead going into this weekend may already be insurmountable. In his critical Southern campaigns, Trump no doubt will brandish endorsements from the likes of Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.. He will continue to make some attempt to show his religiosity, an aspect of his persona not seen much in the past. Everybody read The Art of the Deal, he told an audience at Liberty University. Who has read The Art of the Deal in this room? Everybody. I always say, a deep deep second to the Bible. The Bible blows it away, he observed. Theres nothing like the Bible. The fact that Trumps lack of religious bona fides are not deterring many religious leaders from supporting him suggests the waning of traditional spiritual zealotry. In the Reagan and Bush eras, piety was amply celebrated, and candidates who wanted to win the religious vote had to show, at least to some degree, that they walked the walk. But Trump appeals to white evangelicals on other issues nationalism, immigration, economic uncertainty that appear to be more compelling than cultural conservatism. That shift reflects changes in our class structure. The old ideal of working-class communities, bound closely by family and faith, is increasingly out of date, at least among Caucasians. Many white working-class voters attracted to Trumps message are also increasingly detached from organized religion, more so than similarly situated minorities. Many working-class whites, instead of holding to traditional values, now exhibit high degrees of out-of-wedlock births, drug abuse and marginal employment. Earlier generations, living in an economy with ample opportunities, did not exhibit these characteristics to such a degree. In New Hampshire, Trump trounced his opponents among voters making less than $50,000 a year, winning almost 40 percent, and also took the lions share of the 93 percent of GOP voters who said they are worried about the direction of the economy. More secularization a good thing? Many in Americas secular-dominated media, political and business worlds may find the decline of the religious right a fortuitous development. To them, any expressions of faith not only Cruzs evangelicalism but the more conventional Catholicism of Marco Rubio reflect what one writer at Salon labels faith-derangement syndrome. Hostility, or simply bewilderment, toward why anyone would embrace religion besides environmentalist neodruidism remains a fairly uniform among journalists. Some researchers, such as Claremonts Phil Zuckerman, suggest the decline of religion reflects our greater sophistication as a society and our gradual shift to the dominant secular values of Europe. In 1970, 40 percent of Western Europeans went to church weekly; two decades later, that share was cut to 16.6 percent. While there is something to celebrate in the decline of what many saw as an intolerant religious right, the shift toward a totally secularized society may prove far less of a blessing. For one thing, weak religious institutions necessitate an ever larger welfare state, as government needs to usurp duties once performed by faith-based schools, hospitals and youth groups. Perhaps the biggest impact may be on demographics. There is, as demographer Wendell Cox has demonstrated with regard to the United States, a direct connection between religiosity and birth rates. The two global regions with the least religious engagement, Europe and East Asia, already suffer very low birth rates and hyperpaced societal aging. In contrast, virtually all religions, whether Hindu, monotheistic or Confucianism-based, are familialistic much of the rituals of religious life center on kinship. Secularism, however, turns many of these values upside-down. It simply cannot, as author Eric Kauffman puts it, inspire the commitment to generations past and sacrifices for those yet to come. This increasingly leaves the heavy lifting of childraising with religious populations. Orthodox Jews, for example, have far more children on average than merely observant Jews, and far more still than secular Jews, with Orthodox women producing an average number of children (3.3) well above that of the overall population (1.9). Today, 40 percent of Jews in New York City identify as Orthodox, a 33 percent increase since 2002. Similarly, Salt Lake City and Utahs entire Wasatch Front, world center of the Mormon faith, has both the nations highest traditional religion affiliation rate and the highest number of children per family. This suggests that, over time, religious people and values, as Kaufmann suggests, could inherit the Earth but probably not in time to elect Ben Carson or, perhaps, even Ted Cruz. Changing role What we may be witnessing is not so much the end of religious influence, but an impending change in how faith interacts with society. No longer can traditionalist-oriented religious leaders hope to win the fight against secular values from the pulpit, particularly as government-sanctioned science has supplanted the role of faith. Religious leadership instead will need to redefine its role in ways that are, in a sense, more defensive and nurturing than aggressive and hostile. Religions future opportunity will lie with focusing on those very things such as the raising of children, the maintenance of marriage and confronting aging and death for which secular society has few adequate answers. A secularist culture tends to regard individuals as autonomous; besides sentiment or residual guilt, it fails to provide a rationale for sacrifice for future generations or personal service for the disabled and the aged. This is a major failing in an economically strapped society faced with growing populations of the physically and mentally infirm. The religious mission, in fact, may be more critical in a society where more people, particularly the stressed working class, lack the resources of community and family to cope with the challenges posed by globalization, technology and a debased social culture. Ecclesiastical institutions, and people of faith, can increase their relevance by providing a more humane alternative to the state for addressing these needs. It is by example, not by hectoring and chastisement, that faith can restore its place, if not at the ballot box, then in the society as a whole. Joel Kotkin is a R.C. Hobbs Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures at Chapman University and executive director of the Center for Opportunity Urbanism in Houston. His next book, The Human City: Urbanism for the Rest of Us, will be published in April by Agate. BEIRUT Syrian government forces on Saturday captured another village near Aleppo, tightening the noose around rebel-held parts of the northern city, Syrian state TV and an opposition activist group said. The ground attack in Aleppo province sparked artillery shelling by Turkish troops at Kurdish positions as Ankara appears to be worried that Syrian Kurdish fighters and Syrian government forces might reach the northern town of Azaz that is home to a major border crossing point that has been controlled by militants since 2012. Syrian state TV reported late Saturday night that Turkish troops fired five shells at the mountains of the coastal province of Latakia that recently witnessed intense clashes between government forces and Turkish-backed gunmen. State TV and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said troops captured Tamoura on Saturday around noon, amid intense shelling and air raids by Russian warplanes. Syrian troops have been advancing under cover of Russian airstrikes with the aim of besieging rebel-held parts of Aleppo, Syrias largest city. If they are able to do so, it will be the biggest defeat for insurgents since the conflict began in March 2011. After capturing Tamoura, the troops still have to take several more villages and towns, including Hayan, Anadan, Hreitan and Kfar Hamra, in order to completely encircle the Aleppo rebels. Hezbollah-run Al-Manar TV said troops are now overlooking the town of Hayan and parts of Anadan. The Lebanese militant group is fighting alongside forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad. Al-Manar later aired live footage from an area overlooking Anadan in which Syrian troops were heavily pounding the area with artillery shells and white smoke could be seen billowing from several spots on the open area. Al-Manar has a reporter embedded with Syrian troops in Aleppo province. To the north, warplanes carried out more than 20 air raids on the town of Tel Rifaat, a stronghold of the powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group, according to the Observatory and activist Amer Hassan who is currently in the nearby town of Azaz. Tel Rifaat is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Turkey. Today is one of the worst days since the revolution began, said Hassan via Skype, adding that activists counted 46 air raids on Tel Rifaat alone Saturday. We have not seen such intense air raids before. He added that Tel Rifaat is one of the biggest strongholds for militants in Aleppo province adding that if Tel Rifaat falls it means that all northern parts of Aleppo will follow. Saturdays fighting came a day after the United States and Russia announced a plan to halt the violence within a week, but its unclear whether fighters on the ground will adhere to it. In another development, Turkish troops fired artillery shells at areas in northern Syria that are held by Syrian Kurdish fighters. The Observatory said the artillery strikes targeted the village of Malkiyeh and the Mannagh air base, which was captured by Kurdish fighters and their allies earlier this week. Hassan, the activist in Azaz, confirmed that Turkish troops have shelled the air base. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed that his countrys military forces fired at Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. He said Turkish forces retaliated against a Kurdish faction that presented a threat in Azaz and its environs in line with the countrys rules of engagement. Turkish troops have bombarded areas under the control of Syrias main Kurdish military, the Peoples Protection Units or YPG, multiple times in the past. Turkey says the YPG is affiliated with the Kurdish PKK movement, which has waged a long and bloody insurgency in southeast Turkey. The YPG must immediately leave (the Syrian town of) Azaz and must not come any where near Azaz, the state-run Anadolu Agency quotes Davutoglu as saying. Also Saturday, an official with the rebel Army of Islam group that controls areas near the capital Damascus said that they killed scores of soldiers on Feb. 7, when they ambushed an army force that was trying to infiltrate into Tel Soran near the Damascus suburb of Douma. The Observatory said last Sundays attack killed 76 government troops adding that 45 were killed in the ambush and another 31 died after entering a mine field. Syrias five-year war has killed 250,000 people, wounded more than a million and displaced half the countrys population. Also on Saturday, the U.N. refugees agency, UNRWA, said it was able to deliver urgently needed humanitarian supplies to civilian residents in the besieged Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk in Damascus for the first time in nine months. UNRWA Spokesperson Chris Gunness said that although the U.N. agency members did not enter the camp itself, they were able to reach the nearby area of Yalda, where 900 families from Yarmouk, Yalda and the neighboring areas of Babila and Beit Sahem were provided with 35-kilogram (77 pounds) food parcels. Gunness said despite the fact that some humanitarian assistance has entered these areas since the last UNRWA distribution in June humanitarian needs remain acute. There are clear indications that disease is on the rise, particularly among the most vulnerable such as children. There is an acute lack of medicines to treat them, Gunness said in a statement. The camp was captured by the extremist Islamic State group in April last year. In the suburbs of Damascus, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent transported four trucks of aid into an area on the edge of Douma. Operations Director at the SARC Hazem Baqleh said the supplies included baby formula and medicine for people suffering from chronic diseases. WASHINGTON President Barack Obama spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin to call for an end to airstrikes against moderate opposition forces in Syria as a security conference in Munich discussed efforts to implement a truce in that countrys five-year civil war. Obama, in Saturdays phone call, stressed the need for quick humanitarian access to besieged areas and a nationwide cessation of hostilities, the White House said in a statement released Sunday. Obama emphasized the importance of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces, according to the statement. The Kremlin said earlier in an emailed statement that Putin emphasized the importance of a united anti-terrorism front and close contacts between Russian and U.S. defense forces. The leaders agreed to strengthen diplomatic cooperation, according to the email. The call was made after both countries top diplomats cast doubt over their plan for a Syrian truce less than a day after it was agreed upon. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave the deal less than a 50 percent chance of success. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. and Russian militaries still needed to work out coordination that would allow strikes on Syrian terrorist groups without targeting the legitimate opposition. Outside powers in Syrias five-year-old conflict, including the U.S., Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran, last week backed a truce set to start on Feb. 19. Peace efforts have intensified after nearly six months of Russian bombing in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Syrian regime, supported by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters, is threatening to drive rebels from Aleppo, once the countrys biggest city and now an opposition stronghold. Earlier at the three-day Munich Security Conference, Kerry warned Russia to stop bombing opponents of Assad that arent jihadists. To date, the vast majority in our opinion of Russias attacks have been against legitimate opposition groups, Kerry said in a speech. We think its critical that the Russians targeting changes. U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Sunday at the conference that Arab, Turkish and U.S. troops should join up to take the Syrian city of Raqqa from Islamic State fighters. A coalition composed of a number of the Sunni Arab countries, including Turkey, along with American participation of some few thousand, would be sufficient to capture the Islamic State base in eastern Syria, McCain said. McCain also said he favors establishing a no-fly zone over Syria. Riad Hijab, a Syrian opposition leader who heads the High Negotiation Committee, said at the conference that Obama has failed to follow through on his statement in 2011 that Assad had lost legitimacy and must go. Russia has come and seized the situation, Hijab said. Our people have been abandoned by the international community and have not had leadership, specifically by the United States of America. ORANGE Tom Tackett nearly broke down when he saw Milan Franklin struggle to get out of his Jeep and hobble over on prosthetic legs. The 27-year-old Marine sergeant had driven up from Naval Medical Center in San Diego to interview with Tackett for a service dog. Franklin, who became a double amputee after he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan in 2011, wanted to jump start his life. Hed heard of Tacketts reputation at the Balboa facility, and the two had talked on the phone. Now it was time to get started. When he called me about getting a dog, I asked him how he was getting around, said Tackett, adding that would be significant in training and working with a dog. He told me, I can get around alright. But what Tackett saw that day in 2012 shocked him. He watched Franklin push himself beyond what most people could do. I almost cried, I was so amazed at his attitude, Tackett, 62, of Orange, said in a recent interview. Franklin is among eight military veterans whove gotten trained and certified service dogs at little or no cost through the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation. Tackett a longtime protection and obedience dog trainer founded the group in 2012. Its mission: provide dogs to those in need, including wounded service men and women of the United States military forces. Franklin was one of the first Marines to go through the program. Franklin chose Tackett because he wanted to be active in training from the get-go. He wanted a strong bond with his dog and he didnt want someone else to do it for him. Franklin found Eagle Nest Labs in Tehachapi. With Tacketts assistance, the breeder sent down four yellow Labrador puppies to test for temperament. Tackett picked Brodey, a high-energy girl whose tail doesnt stop wagging. He and Tackett began training Brodey together. While Franklin looked to Tackett for help, Tackett was inspired by Franklin. He was unbelievably dedicated, Tackett said. He drove up from San Diego two to three times a week. When he was medically discharged, he got a job programming at Sony in Los Angeles and hed come up on the weekends. It gave him a goal that shed be with him soon. Loyalty, dedication, love of dogs The foundation is a way Tackett combines his lifelong love for animals and his talent of dog training with his passion to serve others. Tackett moved to Riverside from Oklahoma with his parents when he was 9-years-old. A neighbor there became his Boy Scout leader and his lifelong mentor. Art Brennan, a retired Marine, taught Tackett humility, respect and loyalty. He also taught him how to work with dogs. After graduation from Norta Vista High School in La Sierra in 1969, Tackett was drafted and joined the Air Force. He was sent to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan., to guard the Minuteman missiles. Later, he did base security in Thailand. When he got out of the service, he moved to Orange County. He rebuilt boats in Newport Beach and bartended at the Blarney Stone in Fountain Valley. Then one day on TV he saw dog trainer Matthew Margoles, better known now as Uncle Matty. He was so impressed with what he saw Margoles do, he called to set up a meeting. Shortly, thereafter, he became his apprentice. In 1977, Tackett started Tacketts Professional Dog Training. He kept the bar job at night and trained obedience and protection dogs during the day. When he got enough clients, he dropped the bar job and trained full-time. In those years Rottweilers were the breed of choice. He began training them for high-profile clients such as casino magnate Gary Primm. In 1985, Tackett won the first all Rottweiler National Schutzhund III Trial in Florida with a perfect score. It was the first time he entered. Tackett became a recognized authority in obedience and protection training, He has appeared as an expert witness in court cases and on TV programs. In four decades, Tackett has trained more than 40,000 dogs. I grew up loving animals and was never without a dog, Tackett said. Animals are very fulfilling. They dont have an agenda. The inspiration But it would be his daughter Erinns battle with thyroid cancer that would finally take him toward a path of giving and service. In 2004, the 23-year-old was diagnosed. Tackett went with her to doctors visits. Hed watch her stress and anxiety. One day, Erinn asked him if she could take the family dog, Indy, with her to appointments. I saw how it relaxed her, he said. Youd see the same people in the room each time. When we brought Indy, the whole room would change. There were smiles on peoples faces and they be happy Indy was there. When I saw that, I wanted to train service dogs. So, he started Tackett Service Dogs in 2006. The plan was to take highly trained dogs and specialize them to help people with mobility issues, emotional needs and other disabilities. Chloe Healy, now a 16-year-old girl from Orange, was the first person Tackett helped for free. Then an 11-year-old, she was wheelchair-bound following multiple cancer surgeries as an infant and toddler. Tackett heard about Chloe from one of his trainers and was immediately there to help. He spent a lot of time helping Chloe train Champ, Kristal Healy, Chloes sister, said. He told her it would build trust and make her relationship with Champ strong. The relationship is so strong that shes able to go on rides at Disneyland with him and he stays focused on her. He held her accountable and kept her on track. Chloe continues to partner with Tackett on training ventures including taking Champ to meet with others who are disabled. I can tell on my sisters face, it gives her so much joy to help others through Champ, Healy said. For Tackett, though he got no money, it was the obvious path to take. That sweet girl didnt deserve what was happening to her, he said. If you have ability, time and resources, why wouldnt you help? And so Tackett began helping more people for free. He leases space at the old Ridgeline Country Club. But acquiring, training and kenneling the dogs is expensive. A trained and certified service dog costs $20,000. He used proceeds from his obedience training service to supplement the cost. Patriotic Service Dog Foundation is funded by private and corporate donations and is recognized by Wounded Marine Semper Fi Fund, Wounded Warrior Battalion and Wounded Warrior Project. Friends kept telling me, you cant keep doing this for free, he said. But I wasnt about to turn them away. Thats when we decided to form the non-profit. A new life When Franklin got Brodey, his life changed and he found a new purpose. He wanted to give back to Tackett and volunteered on weekends to help train other veterans and their dogs. He understood what it took. She calms down my frustrations, Franklin said. Im a grown man and a Marine. When I drop a fork, I cant pick it up. I joke around a lot, but Id be lying if Id say Im not affected by it. Having her around makes it impossible to stay upset. Any time I come home, shes just so excited to see me even if Im gone for five minutes. Tackett was amazed at Franklins skill. The Marine had never owned a dog before Brodey. But he seemed to have just the right touch and timing with dogs. Soon weekend volunteering turned into daily volunteering. He quit his job at Sony. Why am I dealing with corporate America, Franklin said. I deal with people who try hard not to work. I wanted to do something that matters. I want to help others like myself. He also thought about moving back to Washington where he grew up. Soon, he and Tackett were talking about starting up a branch of Tackett Service Dogs in the Northwest. And that wasnt all. All those months volunteering had another perk. Franklin got to know Delaree Hart, one of Tacketts trainer. He recognized the two of them had a lot in common. They both loved heavy metal. Both had done art but let it go. They decided to get back into it together. She came over and was working on a drawing on her guitar case. I was drawing a portrait of Brodey. But I only got to making an eye. She only drew a few lines on her case. The entire rest of the time, we were just talking. The next thing we knew it was midnight and there had never been a lull in our conversation. We were like the same person. I never met anyone like that before. I fell in love with her from the start. Now Hart and Franklin live together, train for Tackett and plan to move to Washington in about a year. If I ever get upset about my situation, I look at what Im doing now, Franklin said. I have Del, I know Tom, and I have my child, Brodey. Its the best thing that ever happened to me. If I had that day again, Id be stomping on that ground hard looking for that IED. I owe Tom the world. Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@ocregister.com or Twitter:@lagunaini KABUL, Afghanistan In an attack using a tactic long feared by Afghan officials, Taliban suicide bombers riding in two stolen Afghan army Humvees clashed with security forces on Saturday in southern Helmand province, killing six security personnel at a checkpoint, Afghan officials said. While the Afghan government has publicly played down the threat, in private, officials have warned that insurgents, who have in the past largely relied on motorcycles and basic weapons, could gain new advantages by turning seized or abandoned military equipment against Afghan security forces. As insurgents grabbed territory last year that was once controlled by Afghan forces, they also seized weapons and Humvees provided by the U.S. military from bases and checkpoints abandoned by Afghan forces, which are stretched thin fighting on their own without the combat assistance of NATO forces. The exact number of Humvees taken by the Taliban is unclear, but accounts from multiple officials and Taliban commanders from across the country suggest that it could be more than 150. A spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Radmanish, however, said the number of captured Humvees was much lower than those reports. Yes, some of the Humvees, both from the police and army, were taken by the enemy in Kunduz and other places, Radmanish said, referring to the northern city that briefly fell to the Taliban in the fall. But the number is very low. We tried to either destroy them or take them back from the enemy. The clash Saturday unfolded in Sangin district, which has been on the verge of falling to the Taliban, prompting a major operation to push them back. Gen. John F. Campbell, departing commander of NATO and U.S. forces, said in Kabul on Saturday that the Afghan air force was heavily engaged in the fighting in Sangin, deploying Mi-35 helicopters recently received from India. Gen. Abdul Rahman Sarjang, the Helmand provincial police chief, said six Taliban suicide bombers riding in Humvees had been trying to carry out a complex attack on a nearby Afghan police and army base when they approached a checkpoint outside the base. A firefight erupted and two of the bombers managed to detonate their explosives, killing four policemen and two soldiers and wounding eight others. All of the insurgents were killed. Taliban are now using confiscated Humvees against us, and this is a matter of worry for us, Sarjang said. Taliban suicide bombers have often disguised themselves in Afghan security uniforms to carry out attacks, including some in Kabul, the capital. The insurgents use of stolen vehicles is an even greater security threat, and recent reports from districts in southern and northeastern Afghanistan have said that Humvees have already been deployed in attacks. Local Afghan officials in recent months have been pleading with the central government and U.S. officials for airstrikes to destroy the captured equipment. But Afghanistans own nascent air force lacks enough planes, and new rules of engagement limit U.S. warplanes to counterterrorism missions. Col. Michael T. Lawhorn, a spokesman for the U.S. forces, said U.S. aircraft could respond to direct threats to the U.S.-led NATO coalition forces in Afghanistan, but he would not comment beyond that on specific rules of engagement. The seriousness of the threat from the Talibans use of captured or abandoned equipment first came to the fore when the insurgents briefly seized control of Kunduz in the fall. Videos surfaced of Taliban fighters driving Humvees, and some tanks, out of Afghan army and police bases in the city. More than 40 heavy-duty vehicles were taken by the Taliban, according to Hamdullah Danishi, who until recently was the acting governor of Kunduz. Danishi, who like many Afghan officials used the word tank to describe Humvees and other heavy-duty vehicles, has repeatedly warned that the seized vehicles still pose a major threat to the province. If the Taliban managed to take the city with motorcycles once already, now that they have such tanks they can easily take Kunduz again if they decide to, Danishi said. The planes have not yet hit a single one of the tanks that are with the Taliban. (STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.) In northeastern Badakhshan province, where the Taliban have launched major offensives in the past year, Taliban commanders and Afghan officials said 13 Humvees were seized by the insurgents in the past six months. Five of the Humvees have been destroyed in airstrikes and one has broken down, but the rest are functioning, two Taliban commanders said, adding that they keep the Humvees in covered garages and have welded additional armor onto some of them. The Humvees played a major role in the Talibans seizure of Yamgan district. At first, we were not used to driving them, and a couple of them tipped over in Jurm and Warduj, wounding and martyring our fighters, said Malawi Amanuddin, the Talibans shadow governor of Badakhshan. Now all my fighters know how to drive them. In Helmand, the stolen Humvees, 50 to 100 according to various accounts, have added to the woes of an already struggling and exhausted Afghan security force. The Humvees have been used in attacks in Babaji, a suburb of the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, and in an assault that penetrated an army camp in Nawzad district. Three Humvees were also used in an attack against a team working to locate and deactivate mines in Greshk district last month, a local official said. The official said he hoped that the recent deployment of U.S. forces to Helmand to advise and assist the Afghan troops would also mean better coverage by surveillance planes that could detect where the Taliban hide the stolen Humvees. Barack Obamas last budget is nothing if not is a grandiose visionary document. No one least of all, Congress paid much attention to it, because no one cares where this most lame-duck of president wants the country to go fiscally. After $8 trillion of new debt added, hes done enough trouble to our nations finances already. But the $4.1 trillion Obama manifesto deserves some inspection if only because it is crammed with so many awful ideas. Americans should be very clear about what the progressive Left wants to do next if they retain the White House, and Obama has proudly shown his hand. I should say at the outset that Republicans have been no fiscal bargain themselves. In two years, the GOP has worked with Obama to ram through budget caps by some $150 billion above levels promised in earlier budget agreements. The maddening spending spree, alas, has been bipartisan. But Obama and the Left see this spree as just the beginning. This 2017 budget would spend $4 trillion for the first time ever, and outlays hit $5 trillion four years after that. And then we head to $6 trillion in the following four years. Mercifully, they dont publish the numbers after that, but one half expects Buzz Lightyear to appear and shout: to infinity and beyond. The trillions of bigger government would be pipelined to such critical investments as green energy solar and wind programs, education, job training, climate change research, mass transit, high-speed rail, self-driving cars, Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico, Obamacare funding and other goodies that would be gobbled up by the greens, the unions, the welfare industry and the Washington spending lobby. Almost laughably, Obama touts this smorgasbord feast as fiscally responsible. It all sounds like an instant replay of the failed 2009 stimulus program with its hollow promise of shovel-ready jobs. What is more amazing is the catalog of new taxes Obama wants to beat down the economy with to pay for the fiscal jail break. The budget calls for $2.8 trillion of new taxes and fees over a decade. These taxes are almost all aimed at rich people, businesses, banks, investors, oil companies, and other such sinister groups that actually produce things in America. Start with the oil tax of $10 per barrel. This equates to about 20-25 cents more per gallon consumers will pay at the pump. Amazing, Obama was just bragging about $2 a gallon gasoline in his State of the Union message. This also comes at a time when the oil and gas industry is pretty much flat on its back. Twelve major oil companies are expecting losses in 2016, with Chesapeak near bankruptcy. Now Obama wants to put a new tax on them? Insane. Then there is the capital-gains tax. When Obama came into office, the tax was 15 percent. He raised it to 20 percent, then to 23.8 percent (as part of Obamacare) and now he wants 28 percent. Thats a more than 90 percent increase in the tax from the Bush years. This dunderheaded idea will only lower business investment at a time when the fourth-quarter GDP report showed business investment flat and for some industries, negative. How are we going to get more jobs if businesses dont build more plants or purchase more equipment? Try getting a trucking job if the company doesnt have a truck. There is also a $110 billion bank tax for financial institutions that get too large and profitable. So Washington bails out the banks if they are failing but then taxes them if they get too successful. If Obama wants to stop bank consolidation, he should work to repeal the Dodd-Frank bill, which has encouraged record bank mergers. Then he wants new taxes on 401(k) retirement plans and Roth IRA disbursements. I have always said that putting after-tax dollars into IRA retirement plans was a suckers bet, because the politicians would simply tax the money again when you start taking it out. And thats what is starting to happen. The White House would also raise the estate tax and nearly triple the number of middle-class estates that must pay the tax. Obama wants to raise the death tax to 45 percent from 40 percent and provide only a $1 million exemption. So those who want to leave their life savings already taxed when it was earned to their kids and grandkids would have the government take half of it first. There are more extractions, but the point is that it used to be that liberals, like Michael Dukakis, said that they would only raise taxes, as a last resort. Now it is the first resort and their politics of envy has morphed them into tax-and-spend cartoon characters. Raising tax rates as high as possible is now a badge of honor, and Hillary is in a political life-and-death struggle to keep up with Bernie Sanders. The rich will pay for it all, Sanders pledged to his adoring fans on victory night in New Hampshire. All that was missing was the Howard Dean primal scream of 2004. What a sad, even pitiful, party the Democrats have become. They are on a crusade to tear down the productive and innovative classes in America in pursuit of economic justice. Instead of a growth agenda that strives to make all of America look like Beverly Hills, they wont stop with the class warfare until all of America looks like Detroit. Stephen Moore is a Fox News contributor and an economics consultant with Freedom Works. GREENVILLE, S.C. The Republican candidates debated Saturday night as if it were one last chance to break through and take down their opponents and for a few of them, it probably was. The most important exchange of the evening came early in the night, when Donald Trump and Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, collided in an extended, personal clash over the Iraq war and President George W. Bushs record on national security. But for all of the candidates, the debate helped illustrate the broader state of the race, and each mans approach to the final seven days before the crucial South Carolina primary Saturday. Bush Is Finally Going for It After stalling and sputtering in his past confrontations with Trump, Jeb Bush came into Greenville eager for a fight. He went at Trump repeatedly, assailing him as insensitive to women and minorities, and criticizing his support for using eminent domain to annex private property. In South Carolina, a state with a large military population that backed Sen. John McCain in its 2008 primary, Bush denounced Trump for having mocked McCains war service. Bush expressed, more clearly than ever, his horror at Trumps position in the race. He derided Trump as a man whose principal achievement was building a reality show, and reminded viewers in a tone of impatience, Were living in a dangerous world. It was the first confrontation in which Bush appeared, at moments, to have bested Trump. But it was also their last encounter before the South Carolina primary, and it may be difficult for Bush to make up for months of missed opportunities in just one night. Trump Passes a Point of No Return At times in the 2016 race, the Republican establishment has seemed, tentatively, to warm up to Trump, as perhaps a palatable alternative to Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The Greenville debate may have shattered any prospect of future accommodation: Trump declared forcefully, to a national audience, that President George W. Bush had deliberately lied to the country in order to start a war. Red-faced and shouting, Trump said Bush was to blame for not averting the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He also ridiculed Lindsey Graham, South Carolinas senior senator, and described Planned Parenthood as a group that provides important health services to women. (He said he disapproved of its role performing abortions.) These are extraordinarily provocative statements to make in a Republican primary here, and they would probably doom any other candidate. Trumps supporters may not mind, but it would be difficult to overstate the extent to which traditional Republican leaders recoiled from his Saturday night rampage. Rubio Didnt Get Tackled Again After a floundering debate performance in New Hampshire sent Rubio tumbling to fifth place in the state, there was no room for him to make major errors Saturday night. And Rubio indeed avoided any big stumbles. On the question that tripped him up badly last time around, about his readiness to serve as president, the senator cited his decision to oppose an Obama administration plan for intervention in Syria as proof of his judgment in an emergency. And with Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey out of the race, no other candidate challenged Rubios governing credentials with comparable vigor. But a steady night is different from a standout night, and Rubio did not appear to have the latter. If he is to make up ground in the polls here, he will have to do it on the stump and with paid advertising, rather than with an electrifying moment on national television. The Cruz-Rubio Feud Is Escalating, but Does it Matter? Cruz and Rubio have long been perceived as on a collision course: a pair of junior senators who are both potential history-making nominees, each approaching his Senate service in a starkly different way. Their deepest differences have been over immigration. After sparring occasionally in previous debates, the two men battered each other in earnest in a series of caustic exchanges Saturday night. Rubio repeatedly called Cruz a serial liar. Cruz repeatedly called Rubio a sleeper agent for a liberal immigration policy. The problem for both men is that instead of dueling for first place, they are competing for second, at best, in a race still defined by Trump, and it is unclear whether either senator helped himself more than he hurt his rival. Kasich Will Be Kasich After coming in second in New Hampshire, the big question about Gov. John R. Kasichs campaign was whether he could appeal to Republicans outside the moderate, independent-minded constituency he wooed persistently in New Hampshire. On Saturday, he indicated pretty strongly that he will not change his message for a larger and more conservative audience. Kasich continued to call for a lower-key and more genial race, defended his decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and said that government has a compassionate role to play in peoples lives, arguing, Economic growth is not an end unto itself. Carson Acts as a Human Shield Ben Carsons campaign has disintegrated and he has collapsed in the polls but he has picked up some new friends in the process. Trump and Rubio voiced indignation that supporters of Cruz had inaccurately told Iowa voters that Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, had suspended his campaign. Cruz lamented that Trump had once compared Carson to a child molester. But if the other candidates wielded Carson as a sympathetic symbol in their skirmishes with each other, the doctor himself did nothing to stand out on the stage. A Smaller Field, but Still Unruly With a smaller group on the stage this time, the moderators handled the remaining candidates gently, and occasionally lingered on an individual contender to press for more specific answers. A moment of tension flared early when John Dickerson of CBS corrected an inaccurate statement by Cruz, who misstated the year Justice Anthony M. Kennedy was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Yet, as he has done in every debate so far, Trump steamrollered over the moderators, seemingly at will, and constantly interrupted and talked over his opponents. As in each previous debate, there was no concerted effort to make him behave. The former head of Haitis Senate and National Assembly was elected the countrys interim president Sunday after a vote that went to a second round and took nearly 12 hours. Jocelerme Privert, 62, defeated two other candidates both were also former Senate presidents to lead a 120-day provisional government charged with organizing Haitis twice-postponed presidential and legislative runoffs. His election was part of an agreement that hopes to address the constitutional and institutional crises created by former President Michel Martellys departure from office. Martelly left office a week earlier without an elected successor because of the disputed Oct. 25 presidential first-round election. Opposition parties and local watchdog groups have insistent that the vote was marred by fraud in favor of Martellys chosen successor, Jovenel Moise, who has denied the allegations. The allegations have triggered violent street protests, calls for a vote verification and a boycott by opposition presidential candidate Jude Celestin . Celestin qualified for the runoff against Moise but said he will not participate in a second round until, among other things, the recommendations of an electoral commission charged with evaluating the vote are applied. Although Privert has more than 30 years in the public service he once headed the Haitian equivalent of the Internal Revenue Service he faces a daunting task. As president, one of his first priorities will be to select a consensus prime minister in the coming days. Priverts presidential win came after 12 hours of debate, improvisation and discussions in the Parliament over how to proceed with the historic vote. Some publicly opposed his candidacy because as Senate president, he had led the negotiations with Martelly that produced the last-minute deal outlining the steps for the installation of a provisional government. Parliament, critics argued, cannot be judge and party. The debate continued in the Parliament where some asked Privert to not vote even though he had the right as a sitting senator. He ignored the requests and twice voted for himself . EAST PORTERVILLE Living day-to-day in a community without running water finally wore the Serrato family down. Their shallow well went dry more than a year ago, along with the wells of nearly a thousand nearby homes. The family of five turned to a government-provided emergency tank, conserving its contents like misers. A bucket of water for bathing replaced showers. A cup of water sufficed for brushing teeth. Nightly trips to the toilet required a walk outdoors to fetch a bucket for flushing. It was like the end of the world, Yolanda Serrato said. Out of desperation, her husband switched on the well in late January following a light rain. It belched brownish water. When that cleared, the Serratos all took showers, ignoring experts warnings that increased levels of nitrate contamination from leaking septic tanks and farm fertilizer runoff made the little remaining groundwater unsafe. With the nations gaze riveted on a different disaster in Flint, Michigan, where lead-contaminated water has caused a health emergency that threatens an entire city, East Portervilles crisis has been overshadowed. Seven months after The Washington Post first reported on the regions bone-dry conditions, a return visit found only deeper despair. Despite rains along part of the southern coast and encouraging mountain snowfalls to the north, the Central Valley is arguably in worse shape. The problems from the grueling drought impact thousands of people here, not just in this parched enclave of mostly Latino farmworkers but in the wider county of Tulare the states hardest-hit area. And those problems are far from being solved. The worst suffering is in East Porterville, an unincorporated community that has more than half of the countys 2,000 failed wells. It sits against the sloping foothills of the Sierra Nevada, where the ground is harder. Digging deeper wells is almost impossible closer to the mountains, and the $10,000 and $20,000 that it would cost to drill farther from them is out of the question for people who scrape by on farm wages. Thanks to drought-shriveled fields, hundreds of them have lost jobs picking, processing and packaging vegetables and fruits. With emergency cash from the state, county officials sought to help by distributing bottled water and supplying hulking, black water tanks that hold up to 3,000 gallons. The igloo-shaped containers dominate browning front yards, about as tall as many of the tiny ranch-style houses they serve. But truck crews struggle to refill them on schedule once a week, and activists say families are often left dry over weekends and holidays. Its breaking some of the people down, said Fred Beltran Jr., who delivered 300-gallon tanks of water to residents when wells started failing as early as July 2013. Their struggle is affecting the relationships between spouses and kids, he explained. Its a stress and a burden on them. The kids are dirty. Feces stays in toilets. You can sense the tension. You can feel it and see it in their eyes. Beltrans mother, Elva, who directs the Porterville Area Coordinating Council, is frustrated with the countys response and the pace of progress. Residents regularly visit the councils headquarters at an old packing warehouse to ask for water. They also ask for money to help pay bills because their jobs wont be returning any time soon. As she drove East Portervilles dusty streets on a recent afternoon, Beltrans eyes hardened. She said she has only seen public officials discussing the situation at meetings or events. The real work knocking on doors, asking questions directly, she said gets left to the activists. Why isnt the county doing more for these people? Beltran asked. Where is the state? Bureaucratic red tape partly explains the slow response, according to Timothy Lutz, director of fiscal operations for the local Health and Human Services Agency. Tulare County, population 450,000, was not prepared for catastrophe on such a wide scale and lacked the money to deal with it, he said. So officials turned to the state for guidance and funding. The difficulty with something like this is that there are so many players, Lutz said. Money flowed from Californias capital into multiple agencies led by different directors and guided by different regulations. For example, county officials seized on the idea of drilling a deep well in Porterville, a more middle-class city next door where water remains more plentiful. The intent was to hook 150 East Porterville homes to a water main that bypasses them on its way to four schools. The well would increase the flow so that the schools wouldnt be affected. At least 15 plodding steps were needed to accomplish that. The county had to work with the city to find a site, then it had to design the well, request $1.2 million to build the pump, get a federal grant to help drill it and finally test the water that was produced. Then in October, Porterville officials pulled back, saying the project threatened to deplete too much of its own water supply during the duration of the drought. At that point, the entire process broke down, Lutz said. The shiny new orange and gray well still sits dormant on a concrete block on Olive Drive. The county is looking at alternative ways to operate it and at other options to assist residents. There are other hurdles, too. Many of the migrant farmworkers here share a deep distrust of authority. Those who are in the country illegally shrink from public officials. At the Iglesia Emmanuel Assembly of God in Porterville, the Rev. Roman Hernandez sat at a card table, adding names to a register of people receiving free bottled water and food. Across the church parking lot were two county-issued trailers equipped with more than a dozen showers. A few were occupied, and a few had been recently used, their doors flung open as children and women exited. I dont think anythings changed, Hernandez said. If anything, I think we have more families affected. . . . Most are unemployed due to the drought. The unemployment only adds to the water situation. Still, when the housing authority started offering vouchers so renters without water could move to locations with it, only five people signed up. Theres this notion that the little rain we got will take care of this problem, said Miguel Perez, whos coordinating the voucher program. Maybe in the spring and summer, when reality sets in, well sign more people up. Not far from the church, as a 1,500-gallon tank casts a shadow on their small house, Serrato family members continue using water from their well during the day despite the warnings about dangerous contamination. At night, they switch to water from the container. Were alternating, said Yolanda Serrato, a mother of three. I turn on the well in the morning, and then at 4 or 5 oclock I turn it off. . . . We have showers now. The toilet flushes now. Were able to do everything. County officials know that other families who have managed to draw well water are taking the same risk. At this point, were not advising anyone to be drinking that water at all, Lutz said. Its not safe to drink by any means. While the danger will probably dry up soon, other threats will replace it. When summertime hits and rain conditions dont improve, he said, well be back in the same boat. This years Chicago Auto Show offered plenty of cool announcements for the off-road crowd. With fuel prices down and vehicle sales increasing, it looks like the truck and SUV market is only growing - and thats good news for those of us who rely on these vehicles to explore the great outdoors. Heres a recap of all of the exciting news pertaining to the off-road nation from Chicago. Toyota Announces 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Call us impatient, but as excited as we were to see the all-new 2016 Tacoma, we were so excited about 2015s TRD Pro version of the truck and couldnt help but wonder when a new one might be released. When asked, Toyota wouldnt confirm or deny when, or if, wed see a new Tacoma TRD Pro, but the company confirmed at its press conference in Chicago that wed see TRD Pro version of the new truck later this year as a 2017 model. The truck is based on the TRD Off-Road package but boasts a few notable upgrades, such as unique blacked-out styling cues such as headlamp and taillights, badges and unique TRD wheels, but it also touts performance upgrades such TRD-tuned springs, an additional inch of lift, and 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks. The Tacoma TRD Pro will only be available in a 4x4 Double Cab option in limited quantities, and it will be offered in three unique colors that include Cement, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Super White. Get the Flash Player to see this player. There are plenty of other unique and cool features on the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro, so for more check out the full story here. Loading... OilVoice will be with you shortly... SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Puerto Ricos government is trying to persuade hundreds of wealthy investors to move to the U.S. territory, hoping they could help lift it out of a deepening economic crisis. Officials hosted a meeting for investors last week to promote local tax incentives aimed at luring the wealthy. Speakers included former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New York hedge fund billionaire John Paulson, who recently bought some of Puerto Ricos most upscale resorts as the island struggles to emerge from a nine-year economic slump. Paulson said solving the islands fiscal situation is essential to encouraging investment. It has created some halo around Puerto Rico, he said, adding that he has no immediate plans to move to the island. I find the lifestyle very, very attractive. Its something I would consider in the future, but right now Im in New York. Paulson said he doesnt own any of the islands staggering $72 billion public debt. Puerto Rico has persuaded other wealthy people to move to the island with measures approved in recent years that exempt people from taxes on any capital gains accrued after they move to the island. But critics question whether the number of jobs created and amount of real estate bought has been enough to boost the economy. And some investors at the meeting made clear their interests dont always overlap with those of the territorys government especially efforts to win congressional approval to let it restructure part of its $72 billion public debt. Bankruptcy and default would be a catastrophic mistake for Puerto Rico. ... It will chase consumer confidence to zero, said Nader Tavakoli, CEO and president of Ambac, which holds millions of dollars in Puerto Rico debt and recently filed a lawsuit against the islands government over how it shifted funds to meet certain bond payments amid a cash crunch. When links between donations to the University of Nebraska and university contracts came up almost 30 years ago, the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office said it was not ethical to connect the two. Then-Attorney General Robert Spire issued an opinion in 1987 after State Sen. Ernie Chambers asked about a university bid request that included a solicitation for donations. Chambers raised questions about the construction of an indoor practice field at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after the university told bidders that in choosing a contractor, it would take contributions into consideration. Ethics require UNL to separate efforts to gain contractor contributions from the bidding process, Spire wrote. In weighing the matter, Spire said two opposite conclusions could be reached about UNLs process. On one side, Spire wrote, the process could be considered legal because the university is trying to construct the building at the lowest cost, and all bidders can make use of the contribution allowance. On the other side, it could be considered illegal because the contributions are separate and unrelated to the actual construction of the building. In reality, he wrote, bidders are not treated uniformly because the contributions favor larger, more established, higher tax-bracket bidders. Spire concluded that the ethics of the situation clearly dictated separating contributions from the bidding process. UNLs bid request was rewritten to remove all contribution elements, according to a World-Herald article. On UNOs Pacific Campus, several dorm projects have gone to the Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation without a competitive bidding process for the lead contracts. NU officials have pointed to the foundations generosity in the projects, including a $6.4 million donation toward one dorm, as evidence they were good deals. When The World-Herald asked NU President Hank Bounds about the attorney general opinion in relation to construction of the dorms, Bounds said in an email that it applies to a particular instance involving competitive bidding, not a ground lease. NU used ground leases on the dorms instead of bidding. The attorney general opinion, Bounds said, does not apply here. * * * Read also: GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) Donald Trump, shouting, accusing and interrupting, dominated Saturdays Republican presidential debate as the ringmaster of a free-for-all that careened between battles over immigration, the Iraq war and who was the true conservative. In the final debate before South Carolina voters go to the polls next Saturday, Trump fought, often bitterly, with former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, both of whom hit back with gusto. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida joined the fray, accusing Cruz of lying. But it was Trump, with his asides and insults, that often dominated the dialogue. Trump, the leader in South Carolina polls, separated himself from the field with his relentless outrage and outspokenness. He dominated the first part of the debate with his tirades at George W. Bush over the Iraq war, and for being in office during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Bush stepped up his game, hitting back at Trump repeatedly and drawing the support form a friendly audience. And Gov. John Kasich of Ohio again offered a different approach, delivering an upbeat message and challenging all his rivals to stop negative campaigning to focus on their proposed solutions to the nations problems. Former President Bush is due in South Carolina this week to campaign for his brother, and Trump took him on with a vengeance. His target was the Iraq war. They lied, Trump said of the Bush administrations rationale for invading Iraq in 2003. They said there were weapons of mass destruction and they knew there were none. Jeb Bush recoiled. Im sick and tired of Barack Obama blaming my brother for all the problems that hes had, Bush said,. Bush praised his family. My dad is the greatest man alive in my mind. While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe. Rubio jumped in. I thank God all the time that it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11, not Al Gore, he said. Trump would not relent. The World Trade Center came down. That is not safe, Marco, he said. The World Trade Center came down because Bill Clinton didnt kill Osama bin Laden when he had a chance to kill him, Rubio fired back. Rubio was striving to come back from a stumbling debate performance a week ago that hurt him deeply in the New Hampshire primary. He needed a strong debate - he vigorously outlined his tax plan and showed some foreign policy acumen but he was often lost in the Trump-Bush brawl. Rubios most tense moment came as Cruz blasted Rubio for what he called the Rubio-Schumer immigration plan, tying him to liberal Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Rubio, Cruz argued, supported citizenship for all undocumented immigrants, which is not so. Cruz cited comments Rubio made on Univision. How could he know what I said, Rubio said, because he doesnt speak Spanish Bush criticized Trumps suggestion that the U.S. partner with Russia to defeat Islamic State rebels. The very basic fact is Vladimir Putin is not going to be an ally of the United States, Bush said. The world knows this. Bush also accused Trump of getting his foreign policy from the shows, a reference to the time Trump said he took foreign policy advice from Sunday TV talk shows. This is a man who insults his way to the nomination. When the audience booed Trump for his remarks, Trump dismissed the reaction as catcalls from Bush-supporting lobbyists. Is Bernie Sanders a closet foreign policy realist? Reading his few pronouncements on foreign policy, you sense that he embraces the realists deep skepticism about American military intervention. But he has said so little about foreign policy that its hard to be sure. Foreign policy is the hole in Sanders political doughnut. We know what he doesnt like: the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which he mentions in nearly every debate, describing it as one of the worst foreign policy blunders in the modern history of the United States. But theres far less clarity about what he does favor. I fully concede that Secretary (Hillary) Clinton, who was secretary of state for four years, has more experience. That is not arguable. But experience is not the only point; judgment is, Sanders said in a Feb. 4 debate. Now that Sanders has nearly tied Clinton in Iowa and won New Hampshire, theres a real possibility that he may emerge as the Democratic nominee. The question: How scared should mainstream Democrats be about Sanders as a foreign policy president? Its hard to know. Sanders is running a populist campaign based on economic justice. Foreign policy is an afterthought. If I had to guess, Id say that Sanders would continue and reinforce President Obamas wary approach to using force, whereas Clinton would be more hawkish. But thats just a guess. Perhaps Sanders would be far more dovish. Clearly, if he wants to be taken seriously as his partys potential nominee, he needs to explain how he would behave as commander in chief. The nation is at war against a terrorist adversary. Sanders statements on Syria suggest that he would take a position embraced by many self-described realists. His first priority, he says, would be a broad coalition, including Russia to defeat the Islamic State. Our second priority must be getting rid of (President Bashar) Assad, through some political settlement, working with Iran, working with Russia. Some critics would argue that its immoral to make replacing a leader who used chemical weapons a secondary concern. But Sanders defenders could argue that foreign policy is about making clear choices, especially when they arent easy. Foreign policy just hasnt been on Sanders radar: His campaign website lists 22 important issues. Income and wealth inequality is at the top, and 19 are about domestic policy. Just three involve foreign concerns, and one of these is climate change, which Sanders has described as the biggest threat to national security. Unease about Sanders partly reflects the fact that he seems to have no real foreign policy mentors. The Sanders campaign made comical missteps the past few weeks when it tried to name his key foreign policy advisers. Several of them said they had just briefed the candidate once or twice; one was a full-time White House staffer. In speeches and the last five televised debates, Sanders foreign policy views have been vague but not all that different from those of a Democratic electorate that is skeptical about U.S. military power and insistent that other countries do more fighting. His views do, however, mark a sharp break with the centrist foreign policy view that the U.S. needs to be more assertive in projecting power after the Obama years. Pressed about his foreign policy views, Sanders often cites a November speech he gave at Georgetown. That speech laid out a policy to destroy the brutal and barbaric (Islamic State) regime. ... But we cannot and should not do it alone. He cited a standard liberal list of failed U.S. military interventions, in Iran in 1953, Guatemala in 1954 and Chile in 1973. Sanders needs to answer a range of foreign policy questions: Would he enforce navigation in the South China Sea, even if it meant confrontation with China? How would he combat Russian aggression in Ukraine? In that Georgetown speech, Sanders evoked President Franklin Roosevelts argument that, in Sanders words, real freedom must include economic security. Which raises the question: What does Sanders think of the FDR who, as commander during World War II, astonished his aides by insisting that unconditional surrender of Germany and Japan was the requirement for victory? One can imagine a President Hillary Clinton making such a harsh demand. But what about a President Bernie Sanders? Contact the writer: davidignatius@washpost.com The writer is publisher of the Scottsbluff Star-Herald. If there is a single person in Nebraska who believes our property tax is set at the appropriate level, please raise your hand. Seeing none, I conclude: We have a problem. If there is a single person in Nebraska who thinks this hasnt been a problem for the past 30 years, raise your hand. Seeing none, I conclude: We have a problem with the state Legislature. I am disappointed with the actions of Gov. Pete Ricketts, who ran for office promising to bring sound business practices to state government. He also has repeated almost daily the No. 1 concern of citizens of our great state is high property taxes. I will acknowledge that Ricketts has brought some accountability measures to state agencies, and I believe he will continue to expand on those principles. Most folks believe we need more accountability of the way the state spends our money. But his solutions to the property tax issue are mere Band-Aids on a 30-year open wound. Back in 1987, Nebraska, realizing it had inequities in our tax policy, commissioned an exhaustive study, referred to as the Syracuse Study. In 2013, another committee was formed to look at much the same thing. In fact, this new study said of the 1987 study, The main focus of the Syracuse study was Nebraskas higher than average use of property tax in its tax system. Syracuse authors recommended reducing the role of property taxes in financing government services. The main policy option they identified was an increase in state aid to local governments. Even the 1987 Syracuse study recommended that an increase in aid and state sales or income tax revenue sharing be implemented. Now, 29 years after that 1987 Syracuse conclusion, we find ourselves struggling with the same problem. Why? Is it a lack of will? I dont think so; most state senators want to address the problem. Is it a lack of courage? Yes, it is. Most senators do not want to go through the lengthy and painful process of updating our 1960s tax code in Nebraska. Over the last 50 years, we have done what governments do; we have succumbed to special interests and over time have written so many exemptions into our tax code that to try and untangle the mess we made would have hundreds of businesses, groups and individuals screaming, Dont gore my ox! Tax everyone but me! So what are we about to do? Exactly what we shouldnt do; Ricketts and the senators are going to put another Band-Aid on the wound, tell us to take two aspirin and say, come back and see me in 20 years. Listen folks, you and I know, the governor and the Legislature know we are going to have to open up Nebraskas tax codes, at least the three major taxes property, sales and income and equalize this tax base the right way. In 2013, then-Gov. Dave Heineman tried to do exactly that. In a bold move, he suggested we do away with most of the sales tax exemptions and eliminate the Nebraska income tax. I supported that concept, not in its entirety, but I applauded Heineman for being courageous enough to float such an idea. He said at the time, It has been nearly five decades since Nebraska had a serious debate about its overall tax system. He was right. But just 30 days later, after being pummeled by dozens and dozens of special interest groups, Heineman came out and said, Big business with their highly paid lobbyists are trying to protect their special interest exemptions. I understand that. In the end, the lobbyists won, and we were back to Band-Aid tax policy. Only one good thing came out of Heinemans bold move, and that was the 2013 Nebraska-funded Tax Modernization Committee. They too did an exhaustive study. Want to know what they found out? You already know that answer, basically the same thing the 1987 Syracuse study found out. Nebraskas reliance on property tax to fund the majority of local governments like cities, counties and independent school districts is too high and should be offset with additional aid from the state coffers. Everyone knows this, but our current leaders are reluctant to fix it. Two things must happen to get us on the right path. Fifty years of special tax exemptions must be scrutinized one-by-one and most of them eliminated, and the state must step up and share the additional revenues with the local governmental bodies, like cities, counties and schools, relieving most of their dependence on property taxes once and for all. And two, the Legislature must have the willpower to not fold under the pressure of the special interest groups and start to screw it up all over again. Gov. Ricketts, lead this effort to reform Nebraskas tax code and not merely put another Band-Aid on the wound. Be bold and come out with meaningful and long-lasting solutions to a decades-old problem and give the citizens of Nebraska the property tax relief you campaigned on. Its time. One neednt be an astrophysicist to appreciate the genius of a one-time Swiss patent clerk. Scientists seeking to fully understand gravity reported last week that they had observed the warping of space-time from the collision of black holes more than a billion light-years from Earth. Professor Karsten Danzmann, a European leader in the collaboration, told the BBC that the detection of gravitational waves agrees exactly with what (Albert) Einstein predicted almost exactly 100 years ago. That Einstein could correctly theorize this is astounding; that scientists would so doggedly seek the evidence and expand our knowledge of the universe is inspiring. TS EAMCET 2022 Seat Allotment Result 2022 for round 2 on Oct 16: How to check and more Bajrang Dal, VHP men held for protesting V-Day celebrations India oi-PTI Hyderabad, Feb 14: Several Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were taken into custody today from different parts of the city as they held protests against Valentine's Day celebrations. Police has stepped up security in Hyderabad apprehending trouble by right wing groups. As many as 12 VHP activists were taken into preventive custody at Paradise Circle when they held a demonstration and raised slogans seeking to ban on Valentine's Day celebrations, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Saifabad Division) J Surender Reddy told PTI. In Abid road area, Bajrang Dal and VHP workers burnt an effigy and raised slogans. "Seventeen protesters of both the groups were taken into preventive custody," inspector K Srinivas said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal leaders warned the youths against celebrating Valentine's Day, saying it was against the Indian culture. Earlier, they had warned the youths that they would perform marriage of couples if they are found publicly displaying affection in parks and other public places. "The boys and girls caught by the activists would be counselled and their parents will be informed about their acts," the local VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders had said. Describing Valentine's Day as against Islam and its culture, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) members also urged the Muslim men and women not to celebrate it. However, the ACP said adequate security has been deployed in the city on the Valentine's Day. "In view of Valentine's Day, security measures are in place near parks and public places. Those who want to celebrate Valentine's Day, they have right to do so and they can move freely," Reddy said. Action will be initiated against all those who try to obstruct, he warned. Meanwhile, students organisations at Osmania University under the banner of 'Indian Lovers Unity' (ILU) decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by holding an open meeting in front of Arts College on the varsity campus. Over 20 student organisations, including the All India Students Federation (AISF), Students Federation of India (SFI), Telangana Vidyavntula Vedika (TVV) have come together to organise the event. PTI Commerce Ministry to take up 4 new SEZ proposals on Feb 23 India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 14: The Commerce Ministry will on February 23 consider four new special economic zones proposals, including those of Infosys and Cognizant. The Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, will take up these applications at the meeting. Besides Infosys and Cognizant Technologies, the Ministry will also decide on the fresh proposals of Saltire Developers and Amin Properties. The board would also take up proposals of 12 SEZ developers and units including Mahindra World City (Jaipur) and Zydus Technologies which have sought more time to implement their projects. Infosys Ltd has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS special economic zone in Mohali at an area of 20.23 hectares. Similarly, Cognizant Technologies Services has also plans to set up the zone in Telangana. According to the agenda note of the BoA meeting, Mahindra World City (Jaipur) has sought extension of the validity period of formal approval, granted for setting up of sector SEZ for Gems and Jewellery at Jaipur, beyond February 1. "The developer has requested for further extension so as to implement the project. Investment made on land till 31st August, 2015 is Rs 4.76 crore and other investment Rs 2.36 crore," the agenda note said. Zydus Technologies Ltd, a unit in Zydus Pharma SEZ at Ahmedabad, wants extension of validity period of its letter of permission (LoP) beyond June 28, 2016. The LoP was issued on June 29, 2009 for manufacturing and export of various transdermal patches (medical patches). SEZs have emerged as a major export hubs of the country. Setting up of new zones and timely operations of existing units will help in promoting exports from the country. However, according to the industry, imposition of minimum alternate tax has impacted the growth of these zones. The Commerce Ministry has asked the Finance Minister for removal of MAT in the Budget. The Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) had said that the government should not withdraw any tax incentives from SEZs as it might hit exports and job creation. During the April-September period of current fiscal, exports from these zones stood at Rs 2.21 lakh crore as against Rs 4.63 lakh crore in 2014-15. Overall merchandise exports from India have been declining since December 2014. PTI Court frees man caught with live bullet at IGI airport India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 14: A Delhi court has spared a man the jail term for carrying a live cartridge in the form of a key ring in his luggage at the domestic wing of Indira Gandhi International Airport here, saying he did not intend to use it for any unlawful purpose. The court, while acquitting the man, also said that no firearm was recovered from his possession and culpability of the accused has not been proved. "The court, after careful scrutiny of the evidence, does not see any evidence showing culpability of accused... it can be said that accused never intended to use the cartridge for any illegal purpose but kept the same for using it as a key ring. Accordingly the accused is acquitted for the offence charged for," Metropolitan Magistrate Pankaj Sharma said. The magistrate also said that the prosecution could not show if he meant to use it illegally. "Further, nowhere in the examination of witnesses it has come that the accused intended to use that cartridge for any illegal purpose. Also no arm has been recovered from him of which the cartridge can be used. A person cannot use cartridge without any arm. No recovery of any arm or revolver has been effected from the accused," the court said. The accused was arrested by the airport authorities in 2013 after a security officer of Indigo airlines at the IGI airport here lodged a complaint against him. The accused man, a Punjab native, was charged of offences under section 25 of Arms Act. According to the prosecution, on October 6, 2013 at Terminal 1D of the domestic airport, one live cartridge of 50AE was found from the baggage of the accused without any licence in contravention of Section 3 of Arms Act, 1959 and therefore he was charged for the above-mentioned offence. In his testimony, the security officer of the airlines said he was informed by DIAL securities that a suspicious object was detected from the baggage of the accused. He reached the boarding gate and stopped the passenger. When his check-in baggage was inspected by DIAL security, the bullet was recovered from him, after which the officer made a complaint to police. The accused had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. PTI Fact Check: Snake coiling itself around Army sniper is from Indonesia, not India Martyred soldiers redefined camaraderie, says Indian Army India oi-Oneindia By OneIndia Defence Bureau Srinagar, Feb 14: The Indian Army on Sunday paid rich tributes to two brave jawans who were martyred in Kupwara during an encounter on Saturday. At a solemn ceremony, the Army paid homage to Naik Shinde Shankar Chandrabhan, Gunner Sahadev Maruti More at the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar. Chandrabhan was a resident of Nasik in Maharashtra and Maruti hailed from Bijapur in Karnataka. Both were the leading scouts of the team of Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, which had launched a combined search operation in Zonreshi village of Chowkibal in Kupwara District. Saluting the heroes, Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chinar Corps Commander said in their sacrifice, the duo has inspired an entire generation of soldiers and future warriors. According to Army officials, both fallen heroes lived buddies, served buddies and as buddies they embraced martyrdom. Best buddies together in their last journey "Being the scouts Naik Shinde Shankar and Gnr Sahadev Maruti bore the brunt but true to their reputation for selfless bravado and grit, they, despite being grievously wounded, immediately retaliated with fire and prevented the terrorists from firing with impunity. Despite being mortally wounded, they continued fighting the terrorists leading eventually to their elimination," says Col N N Joshi, PRO (Defence), Srinagar. He said with almost 10 years separating them in age and service, they began their tenures in the 41 Rashtriya Rifles unit together in June last year. "And in this short span of time, this potent mix of experience and youthful vigor had not only become inseparable buddies but had also carved a niche for themselves as sharp scouts and had been part of numerous operations. The two embodied the true spirit of the buddy system' in the Army that encourages true comradeship between soldiers. They lived by this spirit and they breathed their last lending more to that spirit," adds Col Joshi. Gunner Maruti was all set to get married Naik Shinde (34) joined 11 Maratha Light Infantry Battalion in September 2000 and was known for his determination and resilience right from initial days. He is survived by wife Suvarna, six-year-old daughter Vaishnavina, one-and-a-half-year-old son Om and aged parents. Gnr Maruti (26) comes from a humble family of farmers in Bijapur, Karnataka. His passion for adventure saw him getting enrolled in the Army at Belgaum in 2011 and joined 158 Medium Regiment. The martyr is survived by his old parents and was about to turn a new leaf in life in a week's time when he was to proceed on leave for his marriage to a girl he had seen last year. "He was progressive man and insisted on delaying the marriage so that his prospective bride could complete her education," says Col Joshi. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, February 14, 2016, 14:34 [IST] NGT clears decks for Hubli-Ankola railway line in Karnataka India oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 14: Decks have been cleared for the controversial Hubli-Ankola railway line, cutting across the eco-sensitive Western Ghats in Karnataka, with the National Green Tribunal giving its nod to Railways to approach the state government. The order assumes significance as Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) last year had disapproved the 168-km rail link project, conceived in 1998 primarily to transport iron ore from the Bellary-Hospet mines, and said that it would have "huge and irreparable" ecological impact on the forests, wildlife and biodiversity of the Western Ghats. The controversy in the present case relates to conversion of forest land to a non-forest activity (construction of broad gauge railway line) for which total land of 965 hectares falling in Dharwad, Yellapur and Karwar forest divisions in Karnataka was required. The green panel said that to apply for conversion of forest land to a non-forest activity was a right available to the project proponent and the state government which has to be dealt with in accordance with law. "Under the provision of Section 2 of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 the State Government has to issue an order permitting such conversion with prior approval of the Central Government that is MoEF. We do not think that CEC even intended to allow or deny such right to the Project Proponent (Railways) but has expressed its view for non grant of such permission in terms of Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. "The principal apprehension was the environmental and ecological damage to the Western Ghats. In the circumstances, we dispose of this application with liberty to the project proponent to move the state government by submitting an appropriate proposal for diversion of land for this project," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said. In 2006, two Karnataka-based NGOs -- Parisara Sanmrakshana Kendra and Wilderness Club -- filed a petition in Supreme Court against the diversion of forest land for this project. Later, the apex court halted the construction. The apex court on October 5 last year transferred bunch of cases involving forest clearances and the CEC's views on it to the green panel while asking it to decide them expeditiously. The Environment Ministry, represented by advocate Balendu Shekhar, had argued that challenge to the diversion of forest land for this project was premature at this stage as neither the ministry nor the state government had taken a final view on the issue. The tribunal further said that if such an application is moved the state government shall deal with it expeditiously and they would seek prior approval of the Environment Ministry in accordance with law. "They would seek prior approval of MoEF in accordance with law and then depending on the approval granted by MoEF the State Government in its own right would issue an appropriate order under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The order so passed by the State Government shall operate for period of four weeks and shall immediately be put on the website of in accordance with Rules. "We make it clear that if there is a challenge to the order granting permission for diversion of forest for non-forest activity in favour of the project proponent, the record of this file shall be tagged to that application," the bench said. PTI Bihar: When asked to take off hijab to check for bluetooth device, Muslim student leaves exam centre Please do not call my son a 'terrorist': Kanhaiya's mother India oi-PTI Patna, Feb 14: "Please do not call my son a terrorist," says JNUSU President Kanhaiya's mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbour's house in Bihar's Begusarai district. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one," his mother Meena Devi said over phone from Bihar. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread- winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiya's father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. "My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad university. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics," he said. "Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult 'Mother India'," he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union polls with 1,029 votes to become its president the first from the All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiya's arrest has been politicised, Prince said, "It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national.This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, it's bigger than him." Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The JNUSU president, who has been popular among students right from the day of the presidential debate held before JNUSU elections, had asserted a day before his arrest that he did not need a "certificate of patriotism from RSS". Kanhaiya studied in R K C High School in Bihar's Barauni area before joining College of Commerce in Patna in 2004. After completing his graduation from Nalanda Open University, Kumar moved to Delhi and subsequently joined JNU for his M.Phil in 2011. He is now a third year Ph.D student in the School of International Studies. PTI Power cut in Chennai on October 19: These areas will be affected EPS, his supporters detained for trying to hold hunger strike in TN assembly Tamil Nadu: Light to moderate rain in the next few days Striking govt workers union asks Jayalalithaa to implement promises India oi-PTI Pudukottai (TN), Feb 14: Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA) on Saturday said more organisations will join the ongoing indefinite strike by the employees if the government continued to be indifferent to their demands, including restoration of old pension scheme. The Secretariat staff, the elementary school teachers, had expressed support for the strike. The All-India Government Employees Sammelan also had assured to hold a demonstration in support of the striking employees, TNGEA Secretary R Panneerselvam said here. If the government continued to be indifferent, more associations would join the strike, launched by various associations on February 10 pressing 20-point charter of demands, including old pension scheme and filling vacancies. Panneerselvam, who was here to attend a meeting organised by various associations of the government employees, urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to recall "promises" made by her during the last elections and implement them. He said the Chief Minister should not allow the agitation to intensify and instead accept the demands. PTI From hijab to Kashmir, Zawahiri was Al-Qaeda's voice for everything anti-India For the dark rule in Afghanistan, blame is on the US Afghanistan chides Pakistan ambassador over governor's kidnapping International oi-PTI Kabul, Feb 14: Afghanistan today summoned Pakistan's ambassador to the foreign ministry in Kabul to express "serious concerns" over the kidnapping of a former Afghan governor in Islamabad, the ministry said in a statement. Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, a former governor of Herat province, was snatched by unidentified men in an upscale district of the Pakistani capital on Friday, police have confirmed. Afghanistan has fraught relations with Pakistan, which it blames for sponsoring Taliban militants fighting an ongoing bloody insurgency. The foreign ministry today expressed concern to ambassador Sayed Ibrar Hussain and urged Islamabad to throw all its resources into finding Wahidi, described as one of the "big personalities" of the war-torn country. "The Afghan government calls upon the Pakistani government to use all tools and possibilities in identifying the group behind the kidnapping and immediately secure the release of Mr Wahidi," the statement said. Pakistan is in the grip of a homegrown Taliban insurgency but the tightly-guarded capital has a very low crime rate in general, and the F-7/2 sector where Wahidi was seized is a high security area that houses politicians, bureaucrats and expats. A Pakistani police official told AFP today that investigators were treating the abduction as a "high-profile case", but that no arrests have yet been made. PTI Watch: Bengal Tiger roaming freely in Texas suburb; Houston police say man arrested, animal is on the loose Colorado state honors life of Gandhi International oi-PTI Houston, Feb 14: Lawmakers in the US state of Colorado have unanimously adopted a joint resolution sponsored by an Indian-American legislator to honour Mahatma Gandhi for dedicating his whole life to fighting injustice through nonviolence and peaceful resistance. Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate on Friday adopted the resolution prime sponsored by Indian American Colorado State Representative Janak Joshi, who is the first Indian-American legislator in the Colorado General Assembly. The resolution received the backing and co-prime sponsorship of State Representative Joann Ginal and most members of the Colorado House of Representatives, including the Speaker of the House Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and was unanimously passed with bipartisan support. Harish Parvathaneni Consul General of India in Houston termed the development as an important initiative and said Gandhi's message has far greater relevance today. Harish said he was deeply humbled to see the numerous ways in which the life, writings and political approaches of Gandhi fundamentally motivated and changed people around the world, including so many of the elected representatives of the State of Colorado. The Colorado Senate also separately passed a similar resolution at the sponsorship of State Senator Kent Lambert. Harish joined several members of the House of Representatives, Indo-American members of the cabinet and prominent leaders of the Indian American community in reading the resolution. PTI Saudi deploys jets in Turkey for anti-IS fight International oi-PTI Dubai, Feb 14: Saudi Arabia has deployed warplanes to a Turkish airbase in order to "intensify" its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria, a senior Saudi defence official has said. "The Saudi kingdom now has a presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey," brigadier general Ahmed al-Assiri was quoted as saying by Al-Arabiya television late yesterday. "Saudi warplanes are present with their crews to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia," Assiri said, without providing further details. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said yesterday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against IS in Syria. Riyadh and Ankara are both opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose foreign minister last week warned that any ground intervention would "amount to aggression that must be resisted". Assiri said the decision to deploy an unspecified number of jets to Turkey followed a meeting in Brussels of US-led anti-IS coalition members, who decided step up their fight against the jihadists in Syria and Iraq. He stressed that Saudi had made its decision in coordination with the coalition and said that a ground operation was being planned. "There is a consensus among coalition forces on the need for ground operations and the kingdom is committed to that," Assiri said. "Military experts will meet in the coming days to finalise the details, the task force and the role to be played by each country." Turkey yesterday hit Kurdish and Syrian regime positions in northern Syria, further complicating efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 260,000 since it began in 2011. IANS 'This may give sleepless nights to some': Eknath Shinde on sharing dais with Sharad Pawar Not just future of Sena but democracy at stake, says Uddhav Massive fire breaks out at 'Make in India' event in Mumbai, no casualties Mumbai oi-Shubham Mumbai, Feb 14: A massive fire broke out at the Make In India' programme at the Girgaum Chowpatty here on Sunday night. The fire broke out at the stage when a cultural programme was underway. No casualties were reported. There were over 2,000 people present on the occasion when the incident occurred. Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, actor-MP Hema Malini, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and other dignitaries, also from abroad, were present at the event when the fire broke out. They were evacuated at once after the fire was first spotted under the stage where a cultural programme was on around 8.30 pm. The media people and security officials present on the occasion raised an alarm after watching the fire and the dance crew was safely moved out. The reason behind the fire was yet to be ascertained. Some said short-circuit could have been caused the fire. The stage was completely gutted. The Make in India Centre was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on Saturday The organisers said around five fire engines were pressed in to action to evacuate the participants and spectators and the VIPs. They said the fire safety measures were in place at the event, However, there were other voices felt otherwise. The fire was brought under control after around an hour. Actor Viveik Oberoi, who was present there, thanked the city police, organisers and fire officials for ensuring that there was no casualty. Oneindia News Community Its now easier than ever to connect and chat with others in your local area. You can connect with your community by asking general questions, give area updates and recommendations and even let your community know about local events that are taking place. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Play Romantic Slots for Valentine's Day Published February 14, 2016 by Mike P Sunday brings another Valentines Day that will be ideal for trying out the igaming worlds most romantic slot games. Here are three to check out. Valentines Day will begin again this Sunday, reigniting passions among couples from all over the world. And why should online casino players be any different? Especially when there are so many romantic slots out there to experience one day. For starters, here are three of the top romantic slots to play this Valentines Day. Sweet Harvest Sweet Harvest is a farm where lifes more beautiful people go to work. And the male-female partnership running the farm has all manner of equipment to help them growth their vegetables. Microgaming has filled this five-reel slot game with 20 paylines packed with colourful symbols. Players can go find the Sweet Harvest slot over at Royal Vegas Casino, where it will be possible to trigger free spins and a bonus round. For the bonus round, players need to land three scatter symbols at the same time. Jour de l'Amour Next up in this romantic feature is a slot game called Jour de lAmour, which loosely translates as day of love. This French-themed slot from software provider GameOS is a much sweeter and cuter affair than Sweet Harvest. The symbols on the 25 paylines are made up of a litter of kittens that are complemented by various presents and trinkets. 888 Casino currently plays host to Jour de lAmour, which also features bonus games for an added treat. Love on the Nile Aristocrat Gaming has contributed the most exotic of these handpicked Valentine slots by setting this tale in Ancient Egypt. Cleopatra makes another glamorous appearance in an online slot game, and she is even supported by a hunky partner on this occasion. Love on the Nile is the second of the loved-up slots on this list to be designed with 25 paylines, giving players numerous ways to win. Another useful feature to bear in mind is that three scatter symbols will unlock the bonus round. It can be played at Fruity Casa Casino. In this week's "Scheer Intelligence" -- the Truthdig editor-in-chief's podcast on KCRW -- author, journalist and former investment banker Nomi Prins explains the culture of Wall Street and its influence on government. Prins worked as a managing director at Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs for several years before leaving the financial sector around the time of the Enron crisis to become one of its sharpest critics. She has written several books about the relationship between Washington and Wall Street, including "All the Presidents' Bankers: The Hidden Alliances that Drive American Power" and "Other Peoples' Money: The Corporate Mugging of America." Scheer and Prins discuss that relationship and the players who have kept it going in spite of devastating effects on many Americans. In addition, Prins talks about the lack of an "accountability gene" within many in the finance industry. Lastly, we hear about how Wall Street has influenced and may continue to influence the presidential candidates and outcome of this year's election. Read the transcript below. --Adapted from KCRW by Alexander Reed Kelly. RS: Hello. I'm Robert Scheer, and welcome to Scheer Intelligence, my podcast in collaboration with KCRW in which I talk to people I consider to be American originals. My guest today is Nomi Prins, definitely an American original. She started out working on Wall Street, worked for Goldman Sachs at one point, and then has emerged as one of the major critics of the big banks and what they did to bring about the Great Recession. She is currently a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Public Policy Think Tank DEMOS; she is also the author of several books, including "It Takes a Pillage" and, most recently, "All the President's Bankers." And, full disclosure, she served on Senator Bernie Sanders' Federal Reserve Advisory Council. I'm going to ask you what that's all about. But I want to get an objective appraisal of this democratic election, because we're being frightened with some image of the greater evil of the Republican Party, and there's a lot of evil there to talk about. But once again, we're being urged to think uncritically about the Democrats. And I want -- you know, your, "It Takes a Pillage" is, after all, a play on Hillary Clinton's "It Takes a Village"; it's a terrific book, I use it in teaching in my job at USC, and I've had you in my class, and I have great respect for your analysis. So why don't we begin there? You were working at Goldman Sachs, and what has brought you to this place, and what is your evaluation of the choices we face? Click Here to Read Whole Article NP: First of all, thanks a lot for having me, Bob. I did work in Goldman Sachs, and did leave to become a journalist and an author. And mostly that was because of what was my own moral obligation percolating within me to leave a very corrupt environment and seek the reasons for it, and also to share the analysis of what I could bring from my experience to the rest of the world. And at the time I left, it was in the wake of the Enron crisis, which at this point's an old crisis; but a lot of the reasons for that crisis had to do with banks, had to do with how financing works in this country, and it has only gotten much worse and, as we know, more -- because of the banking system and the political system that allows it to have become what it is--than ever before, with the financial crisis of 2008 and now what we see as what will be a prolonged global crisis. RS: Let me jump in there, since you brought up Enron, which a lot of people forget about. But the collapse of Enron destroyed the life savings of all sorts of people, quite a few who worked for Enron and one of its subsidiaries, but also, and their investors who thought, my goodness, this big company -- which was extremely well-connected in Washington, and not only to the Bush administration, but before that to the Clinton administration. And in fact, it should have come up recently in the news, because in the debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and -- it came up when Hillary accused Bernie Sanders of having voted for this terrible piece of financial deregulation, which is known as the Commodity Futures Modernization Act. And it's true Sanders voted for it, as did everybody else except four members of the House, libertarian Ron Paul; but they did so because it was tucked into an omnibus bill, and it was written by Bill Clinton's administration, it was signed by Bill Clinton; it was Bill Clinton's legislation. The reason I'm bringing it up now is there is something called the "Enron loophole" in the Commodity Futures Modernization Act that Clinton signed as a lame duck president. And that loophole allowed Enron to go absolutely berserk in marketing energy derivatives and so forth. And so maybe you could begin there, because it's all part of a whole; it's manipulating the financial system to benefit Wall Street and screw Main Street, is of course, not only the slogan, but it's an accurate description, and it's been done by Republicans and Democrats. And so why don't we begin with the Democrats and the financial deregulation that happened under Bill Clinton? NP: Sure, I will unpack that. And also, the "Enron loophole" and how it was created was not just by Enron; it was by bankers at the time. In fact, during the period of the Clinton administration in the late nineties, when energy deregulation had just occurred in 1996 -- which effectively allowed energy companies to become bigger than they were and take on little energy companies and control more of the energy environment than they had before, of which Enron was a major recipient -- the financial element of that, where they got to also trade in energy futures and derivatives and all sorts of complex financial securities that had nothing to do with extracting and distributing oil or creating an energy flow for a population; it had everything to do with trading and simply making money off of speculative transactions. Goldman Sachs, which is the company I worked for, had been a part of fighting for that "Enron loophole" during the Clinton administration years, as well as had Enron. So here you had a company that was run by Republicans, who had a big bank that was, at the time, run by a Republican, Hank Paulson; but you also had people on both sides of the aisle, Democrats and Republicans, pushing for this idea of ensuring that derivatives that were associated with energy would not have to be transparent to anyone else who was examining the markets. So effectively they were deregulated; they were taken out of the purview and control of regulators. And what this meant was, not just Enron but its banking partners like Goldman Sachs, like Merrill Lynch at the time, which became later part of Bank of America during the last financial crisis, were able to basically be copartners in creating a very opaque trading environment around energy. RS: Well, so opaque, as anyone who has seen the movie "Smartest Guys in the Room," Alex Gibney's movie on the Enron collapse -- I mean, they were actually phony companies, and people went to jail over it, and so forth. But it's interesting, you mention that Hank Paulson at that moment was the head of Goldman Sachs, and then he of course became Treasury Secretary under George W. Bush. But let's not forget Bill Clinton picked as his Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who had been one of the top guys at Goldman Sachs, and certainly had been there during a lot of the mischief of that company. Now, you know, some people have written very persuasively about Goldman Sachs, and you know, yet I don't think we really quite understand, what is it, the cynicism of these folks. That's the only way I can explain it. And to take it full circle, here's Hillary Clinton who now says she wants for everyone what she has for her grandchild. Well, that would mean every grandchild in this country would have to have a father who was funded in a hedge fund by Lloyd Blankfein, the head of Goldman Sachs. It would have to mean, you know, all of us would have to have one of these top-choice jobs like he has, where he can lose lots of money and still make lots of money. That's what they do. So maybe we should begin by giving us the ethos of Goldman Sachs and how bipartisan it is. It's something people -- you know, it's all easy to blast the Koch brothers and the evil right-wing forces, but if you think about who really runs this country, it's not the Koch brothers. Goldman Sachs is much closer to the center of power. And one thing people seem to have forgotten is that with the great meltdown -- you know, and the ending of Glass-Steagall, ending of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's great restrictions on greed done in response to the Great Depression -- Goldman Sachs was allowed, when it got in trouble over these derivatives, to go from being an investment bank to a commercial bank and get public funding as a result. You know, so that, not only did that legislation benefit Citigroup and Bill Clinton gave the pen he, one of the pens he used to sign to Sandy Weill, the head of Citigroup, and Robert Rubin left the Clinton administration and worked for Citigroup for 10 years at 15 million bucks a year. So these people are -- what are they? Are they totally without ethics? You have smelled them [laughter]; you have rubbed shoulders with them. You have been in their world, Nomi Prins. You've done an excellent job in your books, but now share that with people listening to this. Are these people, do they have any kind of a moral sensibility? NP: To these people, morality is basically, to them, money. It's a greed for profit, it's a greed for hierarchy, it's a greed for power. And that's all associated together; it's not like just the idea of being a billionaire, which Lloyd Blankfein now almost is, or is, depending on where his stock is at the moment. It's about being able to control what's going on in the company, in Goldman Sachs; what's going on in the government, and basically to buy and sell power. That's really what it is. And it's like that, it was like that -- and that was one of the reasons I left in tremendous indignation, and I kind of turned my back on all the money of it. Because the money of it, the power of it, the struggling -- now this is my trade, now that's my trade, now let me get Hank Paulson to like me, now let me get a promotion -- all of that sort of manifestation of what happens on a day-to-day basis, in terms of the internal struggles of people within an environment like Goldman Sachs, has absolutely nothing to do with the real world. It has nothing to do with how people, ultimately most people in the world are betrayed by what happens in these financial hierarchies, and particularly because of how they control and collude with -- I shouldn't even say it's just the Goldman Sachs bankers that control the government. It's a welcomed control; these people are friends. So when Bill Clinton becomes the president because Robert Rubin was one of his chief fundraisers in Washington in the early nineties, and then he turns around and thanks Robert Rubin by offering the most powerful banking position, really, in the country, which is the Treasury Secretary spot in his administration -- that's the kind of collusion and collaboration that's at the core of our financial-political structure, and that is, as you said, that's not just on the democratic side or just on the republican side; that is on the side of the power of those two components working together. So when Robert Rubin leaves Goldman Sachs to ultimately become a vice chairman at Citigroup -- and for a little bit he was even chairman during the financial crisis, when Chuck Prince was kicked out, and there was a dislocation going on there in chaos -- that's an indication that this power circle has multiple decades and generations and associations that continue through the administrations of any one president. So by the time we got to Obama -- well, by the time we stopped for George W. Bush and had Hank Paulson, who was the head of Goldman Sachs and then became the Treasury Secretary for George W. Bush during the financial crisis, whereby he helped architect help to the largest financial institutions, which are predominantly larger today than they were before the financial crisis, as well as helping his old firm Goldman Sachs -- and then relinquish that position to Tim Geithner, who had been an Assistant Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton and who was now, then reemerged in Obama's administration -- you see this, like, multiple increase of individuals who continue to maintain their political and financial power through administration and through party. So when we look at Hillary Clinton running now, and trying to disassociate herself in some just abstract manner from Wall Street, it's ridiculous if you consider the depth and the intricacies of the relationships between not just the Clintons but the parties, the families in power, with the individuals who are in power and the financial institutions, how they continue to stay linked throughout the years and throughout the different administrations. It's illogical -- and Bernie Sanders pointed this out, as do many people in America see this -- to assume she is not connected to this infrastructure. Not simply because she is funded by it, not simply because her husband was funded by it, but because these are associations that exist for the purpose of maintaining that financial and political power structure. RS: This is Robert Scheer and I'm talking to Nomi Prins, who is an American original in many ways. But one that's quite interesting, because she defies what Lawrence Summers said in his misogynist manner as head of Harvard, that women can't learn the intricacies of math and economics and so forth, and it's been a male territory. And you have really called these people out, I think as effectively as anyone. Instead of drinking the Kool-Aid and going for all the money -- because we've had women executives before; we've had women rise to the top of these big corporations and banks -- you turned your back on them and you called them out. And you've done so very effectively, and they've attacked you for it. What got you to play, really, one of the leading roles in challenging these -- what are they, these banksters? It's time for Greece to stand up for itself. No, not against the waves of traumatized refugees that are besieging its incredibly long and unfence-able coastline, but against a Germanic-led initiative to label the tortured country as a scapegoat in the Syrian crisis. Imagine you live in an apartment building surrounded by a tent city. You can only afford a ground floor unit, which is vulnerable through a myriad of glass windows and doors. Your corrupt leaders left the building years ago, taking their ill-gotten gains with them to the Caymans or Switzerland, so you, who never saw or spent that money, can barely afford to eat, much less, pay for a guard or for bars for the doors and windows. The war of austerity has already depleted your savings, and is leading your own people to starvation, homelessness, and suicide. Now, imagine the fat cats in the military-security-oil/gas-industrial complex on the other side of the 'river' fomenting chaos in the Middle East to feed their swollen coffers; actors who've made a devil's alliance with power-players seeking to expand their influence in the Anatolian war zones, such as Erdogan's Turkey, Wahhabist Saudi Arabia, and Netanyahu's Israel. Add in the crew that's currently living in the penthouse of your apartment building, Angela and her friends who are looking for a growing labor pool, tax base, foreign aid, and obeisance to the 'divide and conquer' strategy now being plotted to undermine Europe and the euro. Finally, imagine thousands upon thousands of fat cat-created refugees are now descending on your apartment building, breaking into your home and taking the last breadcrumbs from your mouth. Shouldn't Angela and the "landlords" mount a "federal" emergency intervention to come and help you address this human hurricane for which you are blameless? Shouldn't they help with resources, human and financial to help you both protect your home and offer humanitarian aid as the refugees are repatriated or relocated in the countries that are responsible the Syrian chaos? Why are you being made a scapegoat for the years of Angelic starvation that have made you so weak you can barely stand, much less carry out the solo security guard function that the penthouse is demanding? The EU, which couldn't find resources to help a torched Greece regain its human dignity and European footing, gave 3 BILLION dollars to Erdogan's Turkey to stop the flow of refugees. And yet, Turkey, a major player in the Syrian battle, has continued to allow thousands of refugees to "escape" from its coastlines with nary a cork in the "leak". (I won't mention Turkey's history of land grabs and ethnic cleansing against Armenians, Greeks, and Kurds.) I'll just say that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others near and far have caused this mess--don't take the EU's money and dump the refugees onto Greece. Meanwhile, the Greek people are being flooded with a human tragedy from the sea, and an inhuman tragedy from Brussels, which continues to impose pension and salary cuts on the poor and working class while sharing champagne with those who stole Greece's funds. And now, instead of coming down the stairs to Greece's rescue, the EU, and former SSRs that owe a debt to Greece, are locking their doors and blaming Greece for not falling on their swords for the corrupt EU. No. No! It's time for Greece to stand up and shout that this must cease. The refugees are an EU problem, not a Greek one, and EVERYONE in the EU needs to contribute, humanly and financially to the solution. If fences are put up and borders are closed, the EU needs to "build" and enforce those borders in the waters between Greece and Turkey, not in the mountains between Greece and the former Yugoslavia. Funding to Turkey, a fascist proto-empire under Erdogan, must stop immediately, and those funds must be used to help Greece, Italy, and other countries affected by the crisis. Scapegoating Greece must end immediately--Greece's inclusion in the Schengen pact must be maintained, and this brutal and unjust criticism of an assaulted country must end. The 300 are bleeding and Thermopylae must not be an expectation in 2016. And, finally, let's put the blame for this tragedy where it belongs. There are plenty of candidates, across rivers, seas, and ponds. One place where there should be no blame is a country that needs to reclaim its heroism, even if it means speaking truth to the powers that are. When it comes to gun violence on Valentine's Day, many will think of the 1929 massacre as Al Capone's South Side gang battled with an Irish American gang for organized crime's control of Chicago during the Prohibition Era. But it has only been eight years since Stephen Phillip Kazmierczak shot 25, killing 5 at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL on Valentine's Day. Unlike the 1929 killings of battling mobsters, Kazmierczak's victims were students attending an oceanography class at a state university. Kazmierczak may have been institutionalized for a year and given a psychological discharge from the Army, but he passed his background check like the Virginia Tech, Aurora, Tucson, Umpqua, Roanoke, Fort Hood, Santa Barbara, and Navy Yard mass killers (and most others). In fact, five days before the massacre he bought four firearms at Tony's Guns in Champaign, IL. According to published sources, Kazmierczak strode into an auditorium-style lecture hall that held 120 students wearing a black T-shirt with the word "Terrorist" written across the chest imposed over an image of an assault rifle. (Was he wearing that T-shirt when Tony's sold him lethal weapons?) He sported a black utility belt with two magazine holsters, a holster for a handgun, three handguns (a 9--19mm Glock 19, a .380 ACP SIG Sauer P232, and a .380 ACP Hi-Point CF380) and eight loaded magazines. He also carried in a 12 gauge Remington Sportsman 48 shotgun concealed in a guitar case. The police recovered 55 un-expended rounds of ammunition from the scene, including two fully loaded magazines containing rounds for a .380 semi-automatic pistol. Like so many mass shooters, Kazmierczak was mentally disturbed and amassing lethal weapons. He was discharged from the Army in 2001 for lying on his application about his mental illness. Before the murders he was on psychoactive drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist and sent his girlfriend a gun holster and ammunition and a textbook on serial killers. Nice. The year before Kazmierczak's murders there were two other Valentine's Day spree killers. Sulejman Talovic killed five in Salt Lake City's Trolley Square mall and Vincent Dortch killed three at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Both also breezed through their background checks. In fact, Talovic, who was a Bossnian immigrant, bought his weapon at Sportsman's Fastcash without even showing a second form of identification said investigators police. Like Kazmierczak, he had "gun rights." US gun violence is a public health epidemic. Tell President Obama to declare a National State of Emergency by signing the petition. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Reprinted from Paul Craig Roberts Website Presstitute Media, such as the UK Telegraph, spend a lot of energy debunking exposes of government conspiracies. For example, the thousands of highrise architects, structural engineers, physicists, nano-chemists, demolition experts, first responders, military and civilian pilots, and former government officials who have provided vast evidence that the official story of 9/11 is a made-up fairy tale at odds with all evidence and the laws of physics are dismissed by presstitutes as "conspiracy theorists." Similarly, those, such as James W. Douglass, who have proven beyond all doubt that President John F. Kennedy was not assassinated by Oswald but by his own paranoid anti-communist military-security complex, are dismissed as conspiracy theorists. The 9/11 Commission Report and the Warren Commission Report were cover-ups. VP Dick Cheney and the neoconservatives he sponsored needed a "new Pearl Harbor" in order to begin their military assaults on the Middle Eastern countries that had independent foreign policies instead of being US/Israeli vassals. 9/11 was their orchestrated "new Pearl Harbor," and this fact had to be covered up when 9/11 families persisted in their demands for an investigation and could not be bought off for large sums of money. Similarly, the Warren Commission had no choice but to cover up that a popular American president, John F. Kennedy, had been murdered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CIA, and the Secret Service, because he was believed by paranoid anti-communists to be "soft on communism" and thereby a threat to the security of the United States. The cold war was on, and the Warren Commission could not hold those responsible accountable without destroying the public's confidence in the American military and security services. Nevertheless everyone aware of the forged case against Oswald knew what had happened. One of these people was Attorney General Robert Kennedy, JFK's brother. Bobby Kennedy understood the situation. He knew that as a member of a cover-up administration he could do nothing about it. However, he knew that if he won the presidency, he could hold accountable those security elements responsible. His brother had told him that after his reelection he was going to "break the CIA into a thousand pieces." When the Vietnam war destroyed President Lyndon Johnson, Bobby Kennedy emerged as the next president of the US. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated the evening that he won the California Democratic primary. Sirhan Sirhan was blamed. He was standing in front of Kennedy. He had an eight-shot low-caliber pistol, which he fired. He did hit Paul Shrade, who was standing next to Kennedy. But he did not hit Kennedy. Kennedy, according to the medical evidence and eye witnesses, was killed from shots to his back and to the back of his head. This was confirmed to me years ago by a distinguished journalist and documentary filmmaker who was standing just behind Robert Kennedy when he was shot. He told me that he felt the bullet that hit Kennedy go by his ear and saw its impact. He wrote a full report for the FBI and despite his credentials was never contacted by the investigation. Now, last Wednesday, 48 years later, Paul Shrade has presented ironclad evidence at the parole hearing of the now 71-year-old Sirhan Sirhan that Robert Kennedy was shot by someone else from the rear, not from the front where Sirhan Sirhan was standing. You can read Paul Shrade's statement here. Of course, the presstitute media will say that Paul Shrade, who was himself shot when Kennedy was assassinated, is a "conspiracy theorist." Remember: a conspiracy theorist is anyone who on the basis of hard evidence challenges a government that blames its crime on an innocent third party. At the time of Robert Kennedy's assassination, the CIA was conducting mind control experiments. Experts think that Sirhan Sirhan was one of those under the CIA's control. This would explain why Sirhan Sirhan has no memory of the event. President John F. Kennedy had experienced in the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Chairman Lyman Lemnitzer a high level of insubordination. Lemnitzer showed in White House meetings contempt for the president. When Lemnitzer brought Kennedy the Northwoods Project to shoot down American citizens in the streets of America and to blow American airliners out of the sky in order to place the blame on Castro so that the US could invade and achieve "regime change," a popular term of the George W. Bush regime, in Cuba, President Kennedy removed Lemnitzer as chairman and sent him to Europe as head of NATO. Kennedy did not know about Operation Gladio, an assassination program in Europe run by NATO and the CIA. Communists were blamed for Operation Gladio's bombings of civilians in train stations in order to erode communist political influence, especially in Italy. Thus, Kennedy's way of getting rid of Lemnitzer put Lemnitzer in charge of this program and gave Lemnitzer a way to get rid of John Kennedy. Anyone who thinks that democratic governments would not kill their own citizens is uninformed beyond belief. If, dear reader, you are one of these gullible people, please go to the Internet and become familiar, for example, with Operation Northwoods and Operation Gladio. Reprinted from Paul Craig Roberts Website While you are enjoying your Sunday, the insane neoconservatives who control Western foreign policy and their Turkish and Saudi Arabian vassals might be preparing the end of the world. Any person who relies on Western media has no accurate idea of what is happening in Syria. I will provide a brief summary and then send you to two detailed accounts. The neoconservative Obama regime set-up the Syrian government headed by Assad for overthrow. A long propaganda campaign conducted in Washington's behalf by the Western media portrayed the democratically-elected Assad as a "brutal dictator who uses chemical weapons against his own people." Washington organized and supported a front group posing as democrats and involved them in conflict with the Syrian military. With conflict underway, Washington began predicting that something had to be done to overthrow Assad before he used "chemical weapons against his own people." Obama turned these predictions into a "red line." When Assad used chemical weapons against Washington's puppets, the US would invade Syria. With the "red line" drawn, a false flag chemical weapons attack was staged, or an accident occurred, that Washington used to say that Assad, despite the US warning, had crossed the "red line." Preparations for an invasion began, but hit two roadblocks. David Cameron, Washington's puppet prime minister of Great Britain was unable to deliver British support for the invasion as the Parliament voted it down. This left Washington uncovered and vulnerable to the charge of naked aggression, a war crime. Russian diplomacy threw up the other road block by securing the removal of all chemical weapons from Syria. Their invasion plan frustrated, the neoconservatives sent the jihadists they had used to overthrow Gaddafi in Libya to overthrow Assad. Initially known as ISIS, then ISIL, then the Islamist State, and now Daesh, a term that can be interpreted as an insult. Perhaps the intention of the name changes is to keep the Western public thoroughly confused about who is who and what is what. Washington now pretends that it is fighting the Islamist State, but Washington is doing its best to frustrate the success of the Russian/Syrian alliance that is defeating the Islamist State... Washington's support of the Islamist State is the cause of the war in Syria. General Michael Flynn, the recently retired head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has stated publicly that it was a "willful decision" of the Obama regime to support ISIS. See also here. The neoconservative insistence that "Assad must go" comprises a threat to the security of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah is the Lebanese force that has twice defeated Israel's attempt to annex southern Lebanon for its water resources. Hezbollah is dependent on Syrian and Iranian support for its arms and financing. Israel wants to be rid of Hezbollah. The Islamic State that Washington is trying to create in Syria would provide Washington with a means of destabilizing Iran and Russia by exporting jihadism into those countries. The Russian Federation has Muslim populations as do former provinces of the Soviet Union that now cooperate with Russia. By bogging down Russia in internal conflicts, Washington can move Russia out of the way of Washington's exercise of hegemony. Similarly, non-Persian populations in Iran could be radicalized by jihadism and used to destabilize Iran. In order to protect themselves, Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah have come to the support of Syria. The Russians are there legally at the invitation of the Syrian government. The US is there illegally. Russian air power in support of the Syrian Army has turned the tide against the Islamist State. The invaders are being driven out. The neoconservatives cannot accept this defeat. John and Heather Kryza have owned their modest Lents home, built in 1949, since before Southeast Yukon Street was actually a paved street. When they bought the property in 2004, it was on a dirt road. Sidewalks were out of the question. Paving and sidewalks are there now. And the Kryzas are paying the price - their property taxes jumped by more than 20 percent last year, an experience shared by many of their neighbors. "I blame them," Heather Kryza said, pointing across the street at three big homes built in 2012, all with a similar design. "I call them the behemoths." Lents - still teetering between gentrification and blight, between charming and hard-nosed - was among the neighborhoods that stood out in an Oregonian/OregonLive analysis of 2015 property tax bills in the Portland area. For the most part, taxes in Lents and other outer-east Portland neighborhoods like Madison South and Centennial rose by a higher percentage than in the city's more affluent neighborhoods. The analysis is the latest evidence that Oregon's complex property tax system hasn't played out evenly, as 1990s ballot measures that limit year-over-year increases continue to distort the relationship between what many properties are worth and how they are taxed. Tax Fairness Oregon founder Jody Wiser said in an interview that property taxes are "the part of our taxes that are the most messed up, the least fair, the least productive." An Oregonian/OregonLive study conducted last year found that neighborhoods with the fastest-growing home prices have gained the most from Oregon's property tax limits, leaving often less-affluent areas to pay higher effective tax rates. The culprit behind Lents residents' disproportionately high 2015 increases could be one of the property tax system's most complicated elements: compression. When voters passed Measure 5 and Measure 50 two decades ago, they limited the amount by which a property's tax burden could rise each year. Generally, tax increases are capped at 3 percent annually - although that's before property improvements, bond measures and local option levies are taken into account. The base year for properties is 1995, and the 3 percent a year grows from there. For the most part, home prices in the real world have risen by more than 3 percent a year, so a gap tends to build over time between the assessed value the state uses for tax purposes and the real market value of a property. That means many homeowners - especially those in neighborhoods that have gentrified - are getting a discount from what their actual rate should be. The more your house has grown in value since 1995, the bigger the discount. An additional quirk of Oregon's system is that a homeowner is required to pay no more than $10 per $1,000 of real market value for general government expenses and no more than $5 per $1,000 for schools. In a good economy, there tends to be no danger of that happening - paying taxes based on an artificially low assessed rate guards against it. But in a recession, the $5-and-$10-per-$1,000 thresholds plummet along with real market value. The assessed value, though, is still growing at a 3 percent clip. The tax on that assessed value could cross the threshold. That's when compression kicks in, dropping the tax bill to be back within the threshold's limits. As properties like the Kryzas' in Lents have recovered from the collapse of the housing market - their home gained $29,000 in real market value last year, according to Multnomah County tax assessors - they have started to come out of compression. So, even though the assessed-value tax on the Kryzas' home only increased by about $43 between 2014-15 and 2015-16, the total tax bill rose by about $423. They saved approximately $733 in compression the prior year, but only about $353 this year because of the improving market. The couple fell on hard times recently. They used to work at bulk mailer Reed Harris; she had to quit because of a disability and he lost his job when the company went out of business in July, they said. Heather's disability payments are barely enough to pay the mortgage. John's unemployment benefits are about to end and he will need to find a job. They don't take much solace in their home's increasing value. "We're going to die here," Heather said. "So it [the home equity] makes no difference to us." In a way, the Kryzas are getting a good deal since their home remains in compression - they're still paying less than they would had the assessed value simply been allowed to rise by 3 percent every year, unchecked. But compression introduces unpredictable fluctuations in the tax bill that not all Oregonians experience. And the Oregonian/OregonLive analysis shows that the Kryzas' effective tax rate per $1,000 of real market value remained relatively flat despite the large increase to the total amount due. Meanwhile, homes in areas that have seen home prices skyrocket since 1995 - areas unlike Lents - are paying extremely low taxes relative to their market value. Mike Vaughn, deputy director of the Multnomah County department of assessment and taxation, said the agency gets "a lot of phone calls" when real market values suddenly take off after recovering from a downturn. "Compression is one reason why a tax bill goes up more than people think it should," Vaughn said. The effects of the tax system can be hard to predict. For example: as is the case in Lents, most of the homes in North Portland's Portsmouth neighborhood posted gains of 15 percent or more in real market value. But tax bills there generally didn't increase to the same extent as in Lents. Multnomah County spokesman David Austin warned against making neighborhood-to-neighborhood or neighbor-to-neighbor comparisons. Tax bills are subject to a whole range of factors, including different taxing jurisdictions, overlapping school districts, expiring and newly adopted bond measures, local option levies, new construction, property improvements and compression. The system, in other words, remains anything but uniform decades after Oregon's 1990s tax revolt. "Our tax system is messed up," Wiser said. "I don't think enough people realize that." -- Luke Hammill lhammill@oregonian.com 503-294-4029 @lucashammill -- Interactive maps by Mark Friesen Eighty-seven years ago today, the federal government's war on Al Capone began in earnest. Sure, U.S. Attorney George E.Q. Johnson had been pursuing a tax-fraud case against the powerful Chicago bootlegger and gangster for some time, but Valentine's Day 1929 fundamentally changed the government's approach. Because that morning police sergeant Thomas Loftus stepped inside the dank, smoke-filled industrial building at 2122 North Clark Street in Chicago, responding to a report of shots being fired. Here's what he found: "He smelled burnt gunpowder and heard a wet scraping sound. Then he spotted a man on all fours crawling toward him. He recognized the man -- Frank Gusenberg, a member of Bugs Moran's crew, one of the few remaining gangs that didn't answer to Al Capone. Gusenberg's clothing was shredded, blood streaked behind him like an airplane contrail. Only then did the policeman notice the horrors beyond -- the herd of men bloodily arrayed against a brick wall, steam from their gore rising softly into the cold February air. An eyeball oozed on the slick concrete floor like a poached egg." This scene quickly became known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Up to that time, Chicagoans tended to have a somewhat romantic idea of gangsters in the booze business. Bootleggers were violent criminals, yes, but they were also viewed as daring, even heroic, businessmen willing to risk their freedom to slake the thirst of their fellow Americans during Prohibition. But the St. Valentine's Day Massacre made Americans realize they were living in an increasingly lawless, scary world. That bootleggers' violence could strike any of them. "Can you imagine standing seven guys against the wall and running a machine gun and killing all of them?" one Chicagoan said. "You'd have to be crazy, right? Got to be doped up, no matter what kind of enemies they are." Even some gangsters were appalled by the flamboyant execution of seven men in cold blood. New York bootlegger Lucky Luciano said Chicago was "a real goddam crazy place. Nobody's safe on the street." The "Massacre," which ran on the front pages of newspapers for weeks, helped lead to the formation of Eliot Ness' famed Untouchables squad, which was charged with running Capone to ground. It was widely assumed, but never proved, that Capone was behind the Valentine's Day murders. (The description above of Sgt. Loftus' macabre discovery comes from my 2014 biography of Ness.) This year a new piece of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre's history popped into view, thanks to James Sledge. The administrator at the Cook County medical examiner's office, a history fan, dug up the long-lost autopsy reports from the killings. The Chicago Sun-Times has excerpted the report on victim Reinhardt Schwimmer: "Both thoracic . . . cavities contain a large amount of blood, the lungs are perforated 12 times, there is laceration of the thoracic aorta, laceration of the liver and of the diaphragm." Sledge felt triumphant when he found the reports in a forgotten metal container in a Cook County warehouse. But then, as he started to read the descriptions, his feelings changed. "I felt a little chill down my back," Sledge told the Sun-Times. "The reports are very graphic about what happened. You read about history, you talk about it, but to have something in your hands -- it gives you an odd feeling." -- Douglas Perry lamb.JPG Isaac Lamb and Amy Frankel. (The Oregonian) Somebody in the marketing department at British insurer Beagle Street really loves love. Last year, the life-insurance company surveyed more than 1,000 people about the most memorable love letters ever penned. A 1994 note Johnny Cash wrote to his wife June topped the list. ("Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit," Cash wrote. "Maybe sometimes take each other for granted. But once in a while, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met.") This year Beagle Street celebrated Valentine's Day by ranking the greatest marriage proposals of all time. And Portland came out on top. Yep, Isaac Lamb's 2012 proposal to girlfriend Amy Frankel, in which the local stage actor famously thrilled and moved Amy by turning their Portland street into a dance party, is number one. "When I decided to ask Amy to marry me, I wanted something she wouldn't forget," Lamb told The Oregonian after the proposal video went viral in the days after he posted it. Nearly four years later, the folks at Beagle Street haven't forgotten it either. Here's what they had to say about the proposal: "This stuff isn't easy. The weight of expectation hangs heavy on the shoulders of anyone who musters up the courage to ask their other half to spend the rest of their life with them. So well done then, Isaac. The man who shot to internet stardom when he roped all of his family and friends into filming this incredible lip-sync proposal video." Watch Lamb's video below to get teary-eyed all over again, then check out the other proposal videos on Beagle Street's list (it seems proposals had to be filmed to be considered). She and Him She & Him, perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day. (Autumn de Wilde) (Autumn de Wilde) Here in Portland, Oregon, we like our beards oiled, our flannel fuzzy and our music mellow and acoustic--unless you're into metal or shoegaze or hip-hop or blues or any other genre that's proudly represented here. That stuff's all wonderful, but it just doesn't set the mood quite right for shy people who love artisanal coffee trying to make out. We heard you loud and clear, Stumptown smoochers: here's 90-plus minutes of folky, sexy jams to soundtrack the perfect Valentine's Day, from Kings of Convenience to Feist to Iron & Wine. Stream the full playlist via Spotify below and find more playlists here. Portland is also full of Valentine's concerts tonight, including Dead Moon's Fred and Toody Cole at Mississippi Studios and the Star Theater's "Hearts on Fire" country duets show. -- David Greenwald dgreenwald@oregonian.com 503-294-7625; @davidegreenwald Follow @davidegreenwald Photo courtesy of Delta Keeping the Delta nonstop to Tokyo matters to Oregon's economy: Editorial Oregon has a lot riding on Delta Airlines ability to negotiate access to Tokyos Haneda Airport, the editorial board writes. Deltas longstanding direct flight between Portland and Tokyo offers a convenient and timesaving connection for a vital part of the states economy. 'Reduced competition in a Tokyo market without Delta could ultimately raise fares charged to the Portland-Tokyo traveler,' the editorial states. 'That would undermine the Open Skies agreement and thwart the efforts of those growing the Japan-Oregon partnership even further.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Photo by Beth Nakamura/Staff Portland Police's 48-hour rule a barrier to accountability: Editorial Agenda 2016 The city of Portland should seek to change a contract term that prevents police personnel investigators from interviewing officers who shoot a suspect for 48 hours, the editorial board writes. That delay hampers the review into whether work policies were violated and degrades the publics trust in the bureaus commitment to hold its officers accountable. 'That means looking at whether the bureau sets professional standards, trains its officers and disciplines them if they violate policies,' the editorial states. 'It also means conducting thorough investigations that rely on the best possible information when evaluating the actions of an officer who uses deadly force.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Cap-and-trade overreach makes mockery of legislative short sessions: Editorial Agenda 2016 Legislators should push consideration of a complex cap-and-trade bill to the 2017 session instead of trying to cram it through the five-week session, the editorial board writes. 'Setting up Oregonians for uncertain and potentially big costs, and doing it during a legislative sprint, could be justified as a response to a genuine emergency that could be affected measurably by immediate action,' the editorial states. 'That is not the case here. The fate of the climate does not hinge upon Oregon's adoption of cap and trade this year.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Photo by Beth Nakamura/Staff Portland's homeless strategy must match options with enforcement: Editorial Agenda 2016 Mayor Charlie Hales plan for allowing organized homeless camps and limited sleeping in public spaces offers a reasonable way to deal with the on-the-ground reality of homelessness in Portland, the editorial board writes. But the city must pair these allowances with strict enforcement that establishes what is and is not acceptable. 'Too often, the debate about homelessness has devolved into a narrative of the compassionate versus the NIMBYs,' the editorial states. 'Compassion doesn't mean ignoring the fact that homelessness encompasses a wide range of people families priced out of housing, teen runaways, people with untreated mental illness, and "travelers" who don't want a permanent address. Some follow the law and some flout it. It's up to the city to show that it will act on the distinction.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Is flip-flop on BETC audit good governance or PR? Editorial The Secretary of States decision to audit the energy departments handling of its marquee tax-credit program seems like a promising reversal from the secretarys previous stance, the editorial board states. But there are reasons to question what the audit will ultimately produce. 'The worst outcome would be for the audit to be a cursory review for appearance's sake rather than a dissection of how and who abused the program,' the editorial states. 'The state has loitered this long before pledging an audit. It might as well be a review that is worth the wait.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Don't Edit Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Supporters of no-coal bill say voters want it. Let's vote, then: Editorial Agenda 2016 Supporters of a bill that would phase out coal contend that its necessary to push it through in order to stave off a more-dramatic ballot measure. But thats hardly a sure thing, considering the many other tax measures that Portland voters in particular may be considering. 'No-coal proponents would like legislators and their constituents to assume that victory in November would be a snap,' the editorial states. 'But it's just as likely, if not more likely, that Portlanders will take one look at their ballots, do a little mental math and vote selectively, approving new costs for the basics (school buildings) while looking with less favor at exotic proposals with potentially large effects on their utility bills.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Photo by The Associated Press Legislative panel OKs new PERS perk even as deficit balloons: Editorial You would think legislators would remember that the public employees pension system faces a more than $20 billion shortfall that will translate into crippling contributions by public agencies in coming years, the editorial board writes. Instead, Democrats on a legislative panel opted to make matters worse by moving forward a bill to make Oregon State Hospital employees police officers for pension purposes. 'This bill's legislative journey to date, however, suggests that the intent of supporters is to use safety only as a pretext to hand thousands of public employees those who work for the hospital now and in the future a retirement perk for which the state is ill-equipped to pay,' the editorial states. 'Such is the failure of this legislative session that HB4011 is still alive.' Read the editorial here. Don't Edit Photo by Thomas Boyd/Staff End to Malheur occupation, DEQ's slow motion response: Editorial peaks and valleys The peaceful end to the 41-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge marks this week's peak. The week's valleys include the failure of the Department of Environmental Quality to check out for months hotspots with high concentrations of poisonous metals and the city of Portland's ignoring transparency, fiscal responsibility and accountability in the building of a $15.1 million pathway to nowhere. 'But DEQ's air-quality flub should be unsettling even for Oregonians who are more enthusiastic about programs like cap and trade and the low carbon fuel standard than we are,' the editorial states. 'Oregon's state agency failures are legion, from Cover Oregon to the Department of Human Services foster care fiasco to, well, almost everything the state Department of Energy touches.' Read this week's peak here and the valleys here and here. Malheur occupation: Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, along with "about a dozen lawmakers from Washington, Idaho and Wyoming," planned to be in Portland to meet with local legislators and Ammon Bundy's attorneys. She planned to ask "precise questions about the charges against the jailed occupiers" of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Referring to older brother Ryan Bundy who lives in Nevada, Fiore said, "We have the state of Oregon holding some of my Nevadans in their prison because of political free speech." Well, yeah -- that and the armed occupation, among other things ... John Kniser Northeast Portland * Malheur occupation: What's in a name? Other than their name, the Harney County Committee of Safety's opinion piece did not include the word "safety" in the entire lengthy commentary. There were political references, grievances against government and pleas for peace. Just what is this "safety" committee? Unfortunately, a major committee "duty," as listed on the group's website, is as follows: "The Committee of Safety is the governing body for the Militia and directs the Militia in its defensive actions." So much for safety. Apparently, the committee doesn't see the irony of an armed civilian militia attempting to achieve safe, peaceful outcomes. Paul Lizundia Northwest Portland Klamath Basin: It is encouraging that stakeholders in the Klamath Basin are finding another way to get rid of the four lower dams on the river. These obsolete structures have blocked fish passage for decades, but now the Klamath has the opportunity to return to its place as one of the most productive salmon rivers in the nation. Not only will a healthy Klamath support vibrant fisheries within the river itself, but it will also improve salmon fishing up and down the California and Oregon coastlines, creating more jobs and bolstering our multibillion dollar sportfishing industry. In spite of Congress' failure to approve the local solution to one of the West's most fierce water usage disagreements, this new plan would circumvent the dysfunctional political climate in Washington, D.C., and accomplish what residents, the tribes, the owner of the dams and the states wanted all along. Dan Cherry Oregon City Cherry is the communications director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. bullseye.jpg Bullseye Glass on Southeast 21st in Portland, which has stopped using toxic cadmium and arsenic. (Steve Duin) By Laura Jane Gifford Oregonian/OregonLive columnist Steve Duin excoriates Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality for allowing industrial pollutants to waft through the air of inner Southeast Portland for months ("Air pollution scare part of a bigger Oregon issue," Feb. 7). Duin quotes former state Sen. Charlie Ringo, D-Beaverton, as saying that during the 1990s, "the DEQ was so constantly browbeat by the Republican leadership that it got to acting in a subservient way toward polluting industries." Duin is correct; something clearly is not right. Oregon's putative environmental protector seemingly lacks the ability to take timely action when confronted with alarming information. In light of Ringo's comments, however, we should remember that the DEQ's roots lie in an era when GOP leadership protected Oregonians and successfully called polluters' bluff, maintaining industrial production on cleaner terms. Future Oregon secretary of state and governor Tom McCall took on industrial polluters even before he won elected office with 1962's KGW documentary "Pollution in Paradise." McCall condemned a West Linn pulp mill for dumping industrial "liquors" into the Willamette River that created enormous rafts of oxygen-absorbing pollution. He cast weighty suspicion upon the activities of the Harvey Aluminum mills at The Dalles, fingered by farmers for sending toxic plumes across acres of fruit crops. As well, however, McCall lauded the environmental devotion of the Weyerhauser lumber mill at Springfield, citing a vast array of mitigation programs ranging from air scrubbers to "liquor" collection ponds that kept waste out of the McKenzie River during periods of low flow. Once elected governor in 1966, McCall installed himself as chairman of the state's Sanitary Authority, securing a paradigm-shifting pollution abatement bill. He then turned over the authority to another Republican, former legislator John Mosser, just as an opportunity arose to show that Oregon could support environmentally conscious industry. American Can Company wanted to open a pulp mill in the Willamette Valley town of Halsey. Contrary to most pulp mills -- generally serious polluters -- American Can proposed an innovative waste-management system. Over opposition, Mosser voted to let American Can proceed, and the mill lived up to its promises. In 1969, state lawmakers created a new Department of Environmental Quality. The DEQ's budget grew quickly, but McCall wanted a more robust and responsive agency. Accordingly, he put longtime union official and former state representative L.B. Day, a "master of intimidation," in charge. In 1972, Day's DEQ challenged claims made by Salem's Boise Cascade pulp mill that sufficient anti-pollution measures were in place. Day issued an ultimatum: If Boise Cascade failed to mitigate air and water pollution by July 19, DEQ would shut down the mill. Boise Cascade didn't, and Day's attorneys filed an injunction. Boise Cascade then closed the mill on its own, blaming McCall and the DEQ. Angry workers marched on the Capitol, but McCall stood up for his DEQ, telling the assembled crowd that management was "using you as pawns." McCall and Day then led workers back to Boise Cascade to confront mill management -- which backed down, agreeing to Oregon's terms. McCall, Mosser and Day provide ample demonstration that "Republican" and "environmentalist" need not become mutually exclusive identities. A robust DEQ does not limit Oregon's ability to maintain a vibrant economy. Principled environmental leadership, political regard for human and ecological health and support for environmentally conscious industry can restore the conservationist ethic of the McCall era. * Laura Jane Gifford, Ph.D., is a local historian and scholar of American politics. 1obama.JPG President Barack Obama speaks to Illinois lawmakers in the House chamber of the State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS) By Ruth Marcus WASHINGTON -- In the fevered atmosphere of an election for president, attention naturally drifts away from the one who's still there. So it is with President Obama. The day after the New Hampshire primary, Obama returned to the scene of his political education -- and the launching pad for his own campaign nine sobering years ago. In Springfield, Illinois, Obama lamented the "poisonous political climate" and mourned that "the tone of our politics hasn't gotten better since I was inaugurated; in fact, it has gotten worse." His message, mostly, got buried -- bumped off the front pages and evening news by the aftershocks of New Hampshire. Some of the coverage correctly understood the president as criticizing Donald Trump, as when he denounced politics that "reward the most extreme voices or the most divisive language or who is best at launching schoolyard taunts." But the more interesting aspect of Obama's speech was its implicit disagreement with Bernie Sanders, the previous day's winner. Decorum dictates that an incumbent stay above the current political fray, yet Obama's speech can be interpreted as a rebuttal to Sanders, a rebuke of the Vermont senator's unyielding approach to politics and an unstated endorsement of Hillary Clinton's more-plodding pragmatism. Contrast, first, Obama's ingrained tropism toward the middle ground with Sanders' call for political upheaval. Voters, Obama said, "instinctively know that issues are more complicated than rehearsed sound bites." They "understand the difference between realism and idealism." They possess "the maturity to know what can and cannot be compromised, and to admit the possibility that the other side just might have a point." This analysis is antithetical to Sanders' stark depiction of the political landscape. Like Ronald Reagan, Sanders paints in bold colors, not pale pastels. If the other side has a point, Sanders doesn't see it, or at least doesn't acknowledge it. The business model of Wall Street is fraud. The economy is rigged. The billionaire class has purchased a chokehold on Congress. Obama's message was that voters should find what unites them, across red and blue America. Sanders' is that they must man the barricades. Contrast, second, Obama's assessment of why voters are so repulsed by politics with Sanders' grimmer diagnosis. In Obama's analysis, "a poisonous political climate ... pushes people away from participating in our public life. It turns folks off. It discourages them, makes them cynical." The consequence, Obama said, is that "more powerful and extreme voices fill the void. ... And that's how we end up with only a handful of lobbyists setting the agenda. That's how we end up with policies that are detached from what working families face every day. That's how we end up with the well-connected who publicly demand that government stay out of their business but then whisper in its ear for special treatment." Sanders sees the situation in expressly monetary terms: "a campaign finance system which is corrupt, which is undermining American democracy, which allows Wall Street and billionaires to pour huge sums of money into the political process to elect the candidates of their choice," as he said in Thursday's PBS debate. In Sanders' view, the problem is not that voters are discouraged, it is that they are disenfranchised by the corruption of the existing system. He does not believe in political climate change but in political revolution. Which leads to the third, striking difference: Obama's clash with Sanders over the role of money in politics. Obama, correctly, perceives serious flaws in the system -- in particular, undisclosed, unlimited "dark money" contributions. But he puts the problem in important historical perspective, while Sanders depicts the situation in far bleaker terms. Part of Obama's Springfield message was that folks who subscribe to the Sanders' worldview should get a grip. "There's also the notion sometimes that our politics are broken because politicians are significantly more corrupt or beholden to big money than they used to be," he said. "Folks aren't entirely wrong when they feel as if the system too often is rigged and does not address their interests." Still, he noted, invoking America's rich history of political pocket-lining, ward-bossing and vote-buying, "the truth is that the kind of corruption that is blatant, of the sort that we saw in the past, is much less likely in today's politics." You wouldn't know this from Sanders' thundering. Too bad Obama's speech didn't get more attention. Too bad voters won't get the chance to hear him and Sanders debate directly. Ruth Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com. (c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group February 14, 2016 On a cold Saturday afternoon in January, a group of armed militants seized an isolated federal bird refuge in southeastern Oregon. And they refused to leave. The loosely aligned group of ranchers and self-styled militiamen from at least 10 states immediately began to fortify their position inside the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Almost none of the occupiers had Oregon roots. But it was here, about 30 miles from the small town of Burns, that they had chosen to make a stand against the federal government. Index Photos | Videos | All Stories The armed occupation of the refuge would span 41 days. Some days were so mundane it appeared the standoff would never end. Others were packed with incredible drama and intrigue. The Oregonian/OregonLive's coverage of the standoff included more than 350 articles, about 2,500 photographs and 110 videos. This chronology captures the highlights. To see the full coverage go here. Jan. 2: An estimated 300 marchers, militants and local citizens alike parade through Burns in support of father and son ranchers preparing to report to federal prison to serve out their arson sentences. Within minutes of the rally's peaceful end, a splinter group of armed protesters takes over the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, about 30 miles south of Burns. An estimated 300 marchers parade along Court Avenue in Burns, Jan. 2, 2016 in support of the Hammonds. Among the occupiers is Ammon Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy, and two of his brothers. The militants claim to have as many as 100 supporters with them. The wildlife refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is closed for the holiday weekend. Duncan Evered was working alone at the Malheur Field Station on the wildlife refuge when his cellphone buzzed to life. "Duncan, you need to get out of there now because you have an armed militia down the road," said the caller, a federal law enforcement officer. The catalyst was the convictions and re-sentencing of Dwight Hammond Jr. and his son Steven. The Harney County ranchers had been found guilty of arson for setting fires on federal land in 2001 and 2006, and a federal judge sentenced the elder Hammond to a three-month term and the younger one to a year in prison. After an appeals court overturns the Hammonds' original sentences, a federal judge issues new, five-year prison terms to each man, with credit for time served. Militants throughout the West begin assembling in Burns, a community of 2,800 in Harney County, to protest the pending re-imprisonment of the Hammonds over what they contend are unjust federal land policies. Jan. 3: Ammon Bundy, the leader of the wildlife refuge occupiers, says the group has no intention of violence unless the government acts against them. Ammon Bundy is the leader of the group occupying the wildlife refuge. the 40-year-old son of Cliven Bundy, whose 2014 standoff with federal officials in Nevada over $1 million in unpaid grazing fees and penalties made national news. It is his first time in the spotlight as an anti-government protest leader. Bundy says in several interviews that the occupiers want federal lands returned to Harney County ranchers and loggers. He, Ryan Payne and other occupiers insist that under the Constitution the federal government has no legal right to Harney County land. Dwight Hammond Jr. outside his home, Jan. 2, 2016. Jan. 4: Dwight and Steven Hammond report to federal prison in California but say they will seek clemency from the president. Years before their 2012 arson convictions -- for setting fires on federal land adjacent to their ranch south of Burns -- the Hammonds had a history of making death threats against officials, a federal agent tells The Oregonian/OregonLive. Sheriff Dave Ward asks the militants to go home. Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward "You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County," he says. "That help ended when a peaceful protest became an armed and unlawful protest." Federal officials, having learned from the sieges at Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, in the early 1990s, take no immediate action, choosing a wait-them-out approach. The desolate beauty in mid winter in and around the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Jan. 5, 2016. Harney county is home to approximately 7,700 residents, most of whom live in Burns and Hines. Jan. 5: Ammon Bundy tells reporters that occupiers won't stand down until the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge becomes privatized. "We have been very active in forwarding our plan and assisting the people of Harney County in claiming and using their rights," he says. Once that happens, "then we will go home." Arizona rancher LaVoy Finicum holds a rifle as he sits in a rocking chair to guard the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016. Jon Ritzheimer, a 32-year-old motorcycle mechanic from Arizona becomes an Internet star thanks to his video dispatches from the refuge. The onetime U.S. Marine Corps reservist's tearful, nearly 14-minute clip explaining why he would miss Christmas with his daughters snags more than 360,000 views on YouTube. Sheriff Ward, attempting to reassure his community and the nation, tells The Oregonian/OregonLive that steps are in motion to end the occupation. "There are things being done," he says. "It's not visible to the public." Oregon Congressman Greg Walden delivers an emotional speech on the House floor urging lawmakers to try to understand why rural residents feel so oppressed. "There's a better solution here," he says. The video goes viral. Vestiges of unease begin to surface in Burns, including signs urging the occupiers to go home. "It's destroying our community," says Lola Johnson, 36, who works at a local store. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown calls for a "swift resolution" to the conflict and says Oregon State Police have offered up more troopers to assist county and federal authorities. Burns Paiute Tribal chair Charlotte Rodrique. Jan. 6: Leaders of the Burns Paiute Tribe, which once occupied a chunk of land including the wildlife refuge, weigh in, telling the militants to "get the hell out." Says one tribal member: "We as a tribe view that this is still our land no matter who's living on it." Cowboys, mothers, retirees and dozens of other Harney County residents praise the protesters for drawing attention to federal land management issues and government overreach during a community meeting. Nonetheless, they want them to leave. "You don't get to come here from elsewhere and tell us how to live our lives," the sheriff tells the audience. A scuffle breaks out between occupiers and an outside group, sending one man to the hospital with a black eye. Jan. 7: A week into the standoff, Sheriff Ward meets face to face with the occupation leader. "I'm here to offer safe escort out," he says. Later, Ammon Bundy tells reporters that the militants won't leave until federal lands are returned to the residents of Harney County. We will remain, he says. "That could be a week, that could be a year." Police disconnect the electricity to a building in Frenchglen at the far end of the nature reserve to prevent militants from moving to a new facility. Ryan Bundy. Gov. Brown demands that the protesters "decamp immediately." Many of the Oregon occupiers stood with Cliven Bundy in 2014, a standoff that yielded no criminal charges. Such inaction was likely to have consequences, a government report warned, and is likely to spawn more violence and armed standoffs, especially against government officials and law enforcement. Ryan Bundy, the eldest of Cliven Bundy's 14 children, is among the most visible of the occupiers and memorable for his asymmetric face, the result of being hit by a car when he was 7. He and his family have come to embody the nation's swiftly growing patriot movement. Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer, speaking on the House floor, condemns the militants in Oregon as "armed thugs" and calls their occupation a "side show." One of the anti-government protesters stands watch in the lookout tower at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Early in the occupation armed protesters began occupyipng the watch tower around the clock. The high vantage point allowed them to see for miles around the refuge. Jan. 8: Ammon Bundy reiterates that he and his followers have no plans to leave. Members of the Harney County Committee of Safety, a local group previously affiliated with Ammon Bundy, indicate they now want him to leave. The group's name references the "committees of safety" that served 18th-century revolutionary interests before the U.S. won independence from Great Britain. LaVoy Finicum walks with family members, Ammon and Ryan Bundy, and other occupiers, Jan. 8, 2016. An Idaho group that stands for "freedom, liberty and the Constitution" descends on the Harney County wildlife refuge to "secure a perimeter" and prevent "a Waco-style situation." Members of the Idaho 3% gathered at the Harney County Courthouse, Jan. 9, 2015. Eventually, Sheriff Dave Ward came out to speak with the group. Jan. 9: The militants appear ready to settle in for the long haul when a rifle-toting "security detail" arrives at the compound. Members of the Pacific Patriots Network emerge from their cars and trucks carrying rifles and sidearms and clad in military attire. Their leader, Brandon Curtiss, says they've come to "de-escalate" the situation by providing security for their brethren. But their presence raises concerns that law enforcement's low-key response to the situation might backfire. The FBI sets up a staging area at Burns Municipal Airport, blocking the entrance to a U.S. Bureau of Land Management base that's used to fight fires during the summer. Militants come and go at the wildlife refuge headquarters. A few people describe themselves, in videos from the compound, as sympathetic visitors. But the Bundy brothers -- Ammon, Ryan and Mel -- and their lieutenants remain constant. The inner circle includes Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, Ryan Payne and Jason Patrick, among others. A flag is planted in a pile of dirt where armed militants occupy the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Jan. 10, 2016. Jan. 10: More and more outsiders, many of them armed, begin flocking to Harney County. Many are well-meaning and want to help bring the occupation to a close. Some revel in the media attention. Others are inspired by the militants and want to join the protest. Few, if any, have been welcomed by law enforcement. "There's armed militia, and they're in our community," one frustrated official grumbles. David Nowland of the Idaho 3% was among those who helped clear snow and ice away from fire hydrants around Burns, Jan. 10, 2016, after Sheriff Dave Ward had suggested the chore as a way they could help out around the community. In a bizarre turn of events, a state legislator from outside Harney County arrives in Burns with out-of-state politicians in tow to meet with protesters. Local law enforcement and county officials tried to wave off Rep. Dallas Heard, a Roseburg Republican elected in 2014, from making the trip. But he came anyway, along with a posse of elected officials from Washington, Idaho and Nevada. It seems to me that "we now have a state representative who will not listen to local input," Harney County Judge Steven E. Grasty observes. "And isn't that the same thing that our armed visitors are saying about the federal government? It's the same thing." Burns students return to school Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, after schools were closed in response to armed militants at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Jan. 11: Schools reopen in Burns. All schools in Harney County School District 3, serving 802 students, were closed last week. But normalcy does not magically reappear: The school district office downtown remains closed to the public, surrounded by yellow tape and law enforcement. The former junior high school is being used as a police command post. And each school in the district tightens security. The occupation of the wildlife refuge may have looked spontaneous but was anything but. It was a plan two months in the making, hatched by Ammon Bundy and Payne, a militia leader from Montana. They strategized and cased federal offices in Burns as well as the wildlife refuge even as a wider network of anti-government groups and community members rejected taking any action stronger than holding a public rally. Robert "LaVoy" Finicum and other militants destroy a portion of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fence, Jan. 11, 2016, saying they received permission from the rancher whose cattle graze on private land adjoining the wildlife refuge. In front of numerous journalists, occupiers destroy a portion of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fence, saying they received permission from the rancher whose cattle graze on the private land adjoining the wildlife refuge. The militants remove barbed wire - Bundy with only his bare hands - then use an excavator adorned with the Fish and Wildlife Service's logo to pluck stakes from the ground. "This will help them out, being able to run their ranch like they have in the past," Ammon Bundy said. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service condemns the militants' actions. Ryan Bundy, brother of Ammon Bundy, stands next to an opening created by occupiers in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fence. Sheriff Ward calls out the militants for harassing and intimidating law enforcement and urges residents to take precautions: Be aware of vehicles following yours; don't open the door for strangers; watch for unfamiliar vehicles parked near home. Jan. 12: A self-proclaimed "U.S. Superior Court judge" who has participated in property rights protests in other states arrives in Burns with plans to convene a "citizens grand jury" that he says will review evidence that public officials may have committed crimes. Bruce Doucette, 54, tells The Oregonian/OregonLive that he made the trip from Denver at the request of Harney County residents. David Fry drives his 80s-vintage Lincoln from near the lookout tower towards the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on January 12, 2016. Fry, 27, made a website supporting the occupation, defendyourbase.net, which he said he hoped would be used for following developments at the refuge. David Fry. a 27-year-old from Ohio who has posted "#Pray4ISIS" on his Google+ page, creates a website supporting the standoff. He characterizes his Google+ page -- which also includes the hashtag "#HitlerWasRight" and the phrase "obama needs to be hung after being found guilty for TREASON!!" -- as a venue for his rants. "The media is blowing this up and making me look like a bad guy, but I was just being sarcastic," he says. "I was being very offensive. That was the goal, to be very offensive." As the days drag on, frustrated Harney County residents and other observers grow impatient: Why doesn't law enforcement take some action? The anti-government protesters issue a plea for snacks and supplies, and America responds. But many of the care packages landing at the commandeered wildlife refuge aren't exactly meant to provide aid and comfort. Ritzheimer, the Arizona motorcycle mechanic, takes to Facebook to register his displeasure at the "abundance of hate mail." Harney County residents tell the armed outsiders to go home and express fear for their personal safety during a community meeting that exposes deep rifts within the community. Robert "LaVoy" Finicum leads media on tour of buildings they believed were left in a state of disrepair by refuge managers, Jan. 12, 2016. They proceeded to clean and organize the buildings in an effort to leave them in better shape than before. Jan. 13: Tim Puckett, a rancher whose cattle graze private rangeland adjoining the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, says he didn't give Ammon Bundy and followers permission to enter the ranch and destroy a publicly owned fence. "I work with BLM," Puckett says. "I have no problem with them." "I am a good steward of the land. ... In no way do I feel that I am entitled to the refuge for grazing." Pucket says he had his ranch hands repair the fence. "They're (occupiers) not coming onto my place no more." Tim Puckett's crew make repairs to the public fence,Jan. 13, 2016, that was cut by militants two days earlier. Harney County tells an Ammon Bundy-affiliated group of locals that it can't hold a planned community meeting at the county-owned fairgrounds. The meeting location has become a wedge between the Harney County Committee of Safety and the county government, once loosely allied in their desire for Bundy to leave town. Duane Ehmer, 45, is a welder from Irrigon, Oregon. He was often seen riding or walking "Hellboy", carrying an American flag. "I came down here to find out what was really going on," he said in an interview on the porch of one of the headquarters buildings wearing a "Desert Storm Veteran" baseball cap. Jan. 14: Protesters send mixed signals about their plans. Though Ammon Bundy and his followers say they plan to unveil their exit strategy, they're also reaching out to nearby sheriffs and other officials ln search of support. They have accumulated a large stash of food and supplies from backers online. Nature lovers who stewed as armed squatters strolled the lands on which they've hiked and tracked sandhill cranes, lose patience after the occupiers use government-issue pliers to snip a wire fence protecting grass and wetlands long dedicated to birds and other wildlife. Harney County's yearslong economic decline helps explain the bitterness that fuels sympathy with the militants at the wildlife refuge, if not their tactics. Desert ranching is one of few industries an environment as harsh as Harney County's has been able to sustain, and many residents say federal overreach threatens the future of this fragile bright spot. Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio calls on the Justice Department to take action against the "illegal occupation"of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. A flag signed by various occupiers hangs in the common area of a bunkhouse at the Malheur National Forest, Jan. 15, 2016. Jan. 15: The anti-government protesters say they want every county in the U.S. to start giving back federal land to the previous owners. They expect that process to start in Harney County, says Payne, a self-styled militiaman and a key leader of the refuge occupation. In an interview, Payne provides the most clear statement yet about what the occupiers want to achieve. They now call themselves Citizens for Constitutional Freedom. Kenneth Medenbach participated in the fence cutting on Jan. 11, 2016. Oregon State Police troopers arrest one of the protesters in a Safeway parking lot after he's found with a vehicle bearing federal government license plates. Ken Medenbach, 62, of Crescent is charged with the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Law enforcement officials say Medenbach is on probation in connection with another militia-style episode in southern Oregon last year. Holding signs that read, "Birders against bullies," protesters take to the street in Bend, a two-hour drive from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Though refuge supporters have become increasingly vocal, the Bend gathering was the first held to send a clear message to occupiers at the refuge. Jan. 16: The morning news briefing that has become routine during the course of the occupation descends into a shouting match, complete with a bullhorn and name-calling, after three conservationists attempt to speak. The spectacle erupts just after occupiers arrive with a wicker basket full of security cameras they say they removed at the behest of residents. Environmental activists faced off with refuge occupants at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Jan. 16, 2016. Occupiers presented a pile of surveillance cameras they say were installed by law enforcement. Jan. 17: Critics of Ammon Bundy and his followers at the wildlife refuge launch a protest designed to line the pocketbooks of Bundy's opponents. The campaign, founded by a pair of brothers from Oregon, is known as GOHOME; the acronym stands for Getting the Occupiers of Historic Oregon Malheur Evicted. Jan. 18: The protesters take their crusade to end federal land ownership to a new level, imploring local ranchers to tear up their government grazing contracts. Standing before a crowd of about 30 in the dining room of a resort near Crane, the militant leadership urges those gathered to "lay claim" to the area's federal lands. Harney County is the largest county in Oregon. Encompassing over 10,000 square miles, it is larger than nine states and the District of Columbia. The government holds deeds to 75% of the land. Jan. 19: Hundreds of people converge on a Portland park to show support for federally owned lands and call for the prosecution of the wildlife refuge occupiers. Jarvis Kennedy, a tribal council member with the Burns Paiute Tribe, spoke to the crowd rallying in Northeast Portland in support of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Jan. 19, 2016. Conservation groups stage similar rallies throughout the state, including in Eugene, Bend and La Grande, as well as Idaho and Washington. In Burns, the divide among friends and neighbors over the refuge occupation boils into the open during a community meeting. In sometimes highly personal remarks, speaker after speaker vents at public officials, at the federal government and at the man in the cowboy hat sitting high in the bleachers - Ammon Bundy. In Harney County, cattle outnumber people 14-to-1. In the wake of timber and manufacturing's decline, ranching has emerged as the central private sector player in the county. And ranching has enjoyed a growth spurt recently. Desert ranching is one of few industries an environment as harsh as Harney County's has been able to sustain, and many residents say federal overreach threatens the future of this fragile bright spot. Jan. 20: A 68-year-old former woodworker from California who is often seen roaming the Oregon compound and talking to reporters is a convicted killer, The Oregonian/OregonLive learns. In 1977, Neil Sigurd Wampler bludgeoned his 62-year-old father after a night of drinking. He served four years for second-degree murder. Wampler says he was drawn to the occupation over concerns about government encroachment on the rights of states and citizens. A fundraiser in protest of the occupation raises more than $50,000 in 72 hours, the Oregon brothers behind the crowdfunding site announce. The same day, members of the wildlife refuge staff make their first public comments about the standoff on Facebook. "We hope to be back soon and pick up where we left off." The FBI opened negotiations with refuge occupier Ammon Bundy at the local airport drive for nearly an hour, talking to an FBI negotiator by cell phone, Jan.21, 2016. Jan. 21: The FBI opens negotiations with Ammon Bundy by cellphone. The federal agent, known only as "Chris," listens to Bundy's well-practiced litany of complaints against the government and probes for what it would take to end the standoff. They end the call with a promise to talk again. In a letter to the nation's top law enforcement officials, Gov. Brown presses for a "swift resolution" to the occupation. The FBI counters that its response has been "deliberate and measured" as it pursues a peaceful resolution. The former lumber mill in Hines, Oregon. This remote expanse of southeast Oregon, now in the spotlight for a long anti-government standoff, was one of the most prosperous pockets of the state just 40 years ago. No place earned more money per resident in 1973 than Harney County. All of that changed within a generation. Jan. 22: Negotiations stumble after Ammon Bundy questions whether the FBI has legal standing in Harney County because none of its agents has been deputized by the sheriff. Militiamen and self-styled patriots contend that, under the U.S. Constitution, the sheriff is the highest law enforcement power in a county. The word "sheriff," however, doesn't appear in the Constitution. Finicum, a member of Ammon Bundy's inner circle, tells Resistance Radio's blogtalk that he is sensing heightened activity from federal law enforcement. "Definitely a lot of saber rousing going on around us,'' he says. "I do believe they're positioning themselves. There's definitely a hardening of their postures. They're bringing in more assets.'' The former lumber mill in Hines, Oregon. The timber industry's decline began in the 1980s and continued into the 1990s when new federal policies limited harvests and increased conservation measures statewide. Harney County suffered multiple blows as the industry withered. The first, and likely largest, came when the original owner of the Hines mill exited the business in the early 1980s. No employer ever ramped back up to the number of jobs lost from the initial shock, said Karen Nitz, an archivist at the county library based in Burns. Businesses that relied on mill workers or orders also vanished. The last holdout in the county's timber industry, Louisiana Pacific, shuttered in 2008. Jan. 23: Local and federal authorities say the occupiers' sweeping demands -- immediate freedom for the Hammonds, federal deeds voided and grazing permits vacated, among others -- are both brazen and unrealistic. Interviews with lawyers, ranchers and others make clear: Little of what they want is likely to happen due to legal principle, basic property rights, economic forces and cost. A view of downtown Burns, Oregon on Jan. 4, 2016. "It was actually a pretty exciting little town when the mills were going," said Ty Morris, who has lived in the small town of Burns for 32 years, most of his life. He now cuts hair and rents a chair at a barber shop on the county seat's North Broadway Avenue. "The mills went out," he said, "and Burns died." Jan. 24: Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer stuns the law enforcement community by saying that freeing the Hammonds from prison "would be a start" in ending the standoff. "I just pray to God that cooler heads prevail and that no one gets killed," he says. The protesters say they have commitments from nine ranchers in two states, including an ex-con, agreeing to renounce their grazing privileges. They promise more will follow and take the symbolic step toward shaking federal control of ranchland. A sign outside of the Harney County Courthouse notes cancellation of a weekly community meeting Jan. 25, 2016, at the Harney County Senior Center. Jan. 25: A 54-year-old Woodburn man is arrested in Hines, a town of 1,500 near Burns, after saying he wanted to join the wildlife refuge occupiers and "help with killing federal agents," according to the Harney County Sheriff's Office. He appears to be intoxicated and had a pellet gun. The founder of the Bundy family's Independent American Party challenges New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to 10 rounds of sumo wrestling. If Christie can win just one round, Kelly Gneiting says, then the militants will walk away. Christie doesn't bite, which is just as well given that the 6-foot, 430-pound Gneiting is a ringer. The Burns Paiute Tribe demands that law enforcement officials stop allowing Ammon Bundy and his followers free passage to and from the federal bird sanctuary. "Condoning the illegal occupation of a federal facility by armed lawbreakers only encourages others to believe they can behave in the same way, with impunity," a tribal leader says. Jan. 26: Oregon State Police and the FBI confront protest leaders on U.S. 395 north of Burns as they are heading to a community meeting in John Day. By the time it's over, Robert "LaVoy" Finicum is dead and five people are in federal custody, including Ammon Bundy. Six more occupiers would be arrested by day's end. Robert "LaVoy" Finicium, who served as the face of the 25-day standoff, was killed during a confrontation with law enforcement, Jan.26, 2016. Finicum, 54, was a rancher in Northern Arizona, along the Utah border. He, and his wife, Jeanette, had 11 children, according to his website "One Cowboy's Stand for Freedom". Finicum wrote a novel called "Only by Blood and Suffering: Regaining Lost Freedom." He filed for bankruptcy in Arizona in 2002, public records show. Video frame shows Robert "LaVoy" Finicum (center) moments before he was fatally shot by an Oregon State Police officer Tuesday. The FBI released a video showing the shooting death of Finicum, Jan.28, 2016. Finicum was shot and killed while charging at police, according to a Facebook video by one of the militants. Finicum, who frequently served as a spokesman for Ammon Bundy, became known as "Tarp Man" after doing a series of interviews one frigid evening with a blue tarp over his head. With a gun in his lap, he said he'd rather die than be arrested. Finicum died one day before his 55th birthday. Reactions pour in from around the state on word of Finicum's death. "I'm deeply disappointed that this thing ended in bloodshed, says Harney County Chair Steve Grasty. Pete Santilli, the self-styled journalist who started live-streaming reports of Ammon Bundy's arrest, is taken into custody on a felony charge of conspiracy to impede federal officers. Jon Ritzheimer posts a video to his Facebook page: "I came home to visit my family. The Feds know I am here and are asking me to turn myself in. I need an attorney so I can get back to my girls. Please help my family. Donations can be made at www.rogueinfidel.com to help with legal fees. Thank you all in advance. I just want the country to live by the Constitution and I just want the government to abide by it." He surrenders later that night to police in Arizona. Sergeant Tom Hutchison stands in front of an Oregon State Police roadblock on U.S. 395 at Seneca. The highway was blocked between John Day and Burns, Jan. 26, 2016, after LaVoy Finicum was killed and other protesters were arrested on their way to John Day. Law enforcement officers set up roadblocks around the wildlife refuge, and the FBI tells those who remain that they are free to go, and should. By midnight, there were few takers. The FBI stands ready at a highly fortified road block about 5 miles from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, Jan. 27, 2016.. Jan. 27: Ammon Bundy urges the remaining occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to go home and "please stand down." The message, issued through his attorney, comes moments after Bundy and six others are arraigned in U.S. District Court in Portland. The judge orders them to remain in jail, calling them flight risks and a danger to public safety. Security was strong at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland, Jan. 27, 2016 as the defendants arrested in Harney County had their appearance in court. A YouTube user gives tens of thousands of people an inside view of the militants during what could be their final hours. Viewers tune in to watch militants say goodbye to their families, promise to defend their "base," and vow to avenge Finicum's death. The ragtag remnants of the armed occupation start bowing to calls from supporters, congressional members and even their arrested leader to abandon the windswept bird sanctuary. Jason Patrick, a former roofer from Georgia, steps in to organize the estimated 10 or so people left. David Fry, one of the last of the occupiers, says he is prepared to die. "I'll pass on and move on to the next life. I don't know (how it will end), but I'm willing to go that far,'' he tells The Plain Dealer in Cleveland during a brief phone interview. "Obviously they are murdering people at this point. They've been doing it for a long time now, and you guys are watching it.'' Oregon FBI Special Agent in Charge Greg Bretzing tells reporters that the occupiers at the wildlife refuge had "ample" time to leave peacefully. "It didn't have to happen," Sheriff Ward says at the same news conference. "We all make choices in life. Sometimes our choices go bad." Jason Patrick, a former roofer from Georgia, finds himself the de facto leader of the remaining occupiers. He says he isn't sure how the occupation, now in its 26th day, will end, but that he hopes for a peaceful resolution. Jason Patrick lights a cigarette at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Jan. 10, 2016. Duane Leo Ehmer, 45, of Irrigon and Dylan Wade Anderson, 34, of Provo, Utah, are taken into federal custody. Hours later the FBI arrests Patrick, 43, of Bonaire, Georgia, at a checkpoint outside the refuge near Burns. Jan. 28: After a series of arrests and voluntary departures, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is left in the hands of four people: Sean Anderson, 47, his wife, Sandy, 48, of Riggins, Idaho; Jeff Banta, 46, of Yerington, Nevada; and Fry, 27, of Blanchester, Ohio. Though occupiers stop answering calls from the outside, they are negotiating the terms of their departure "around the clock," says the FBI's Bretzing. After a second night in jail, Ammon Bundy again urges the remaining holdouts to go home and pledges to expose federal injustices through the court system. "Turn yourselves in and do not use physical force,'' he says in a statement read by his lawyer. "Use the national platform we have to continue to defend liberty through our constitutional rights.'' The FBI releases footage of Finicum's final moments in an attempt to dispel rumors about his death. The video shows him reaching twice for a pocket that police say contained a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol. That's when troopers fired. A network of anti-government groups call on their supporters to flood into Burns. "We need not hundreds, but thousands to come here," BJ Soper writes. "I am asking for any and all to come." Ammon Bundy and his followers are being charged under a 154-year-old law created for a nation divided by war. It applies, experts say, because the Confederates, like the occupiers, also rejected federal power. A federal judge makes clear that she won't release anyone accused in the wildlife refuge takeover as long as the occupation is still active. Portland-based Voodoo Doughnut creates a doughnut featuring Ammon Bundy behind bars. The decline of the timber industry felled the mill, then the regional economy. Timber supported a third of the county's employment base in the 1970s. It now accounts for virtually none. Jan. 29: A judge refuses to release five of 10 defendants accused of conspiracy in the wildlife refuge; Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Ryan Payne, Jason Patrick and Dylan Anderson remain in lockup. The last of the Harney County holdouts say they'll quit the compound in exchange for pardons. "Before we leave, every single one of the people involved in this operation should be pardoned," Fry says on a YouTube feed. Birders and conservationists voice concern over the damage done by the occupation. A short video offers a peek inside a refuge building, and one thing is clear: Occupiers aren't big on housekeeping. Broken auto glass remains strewn along the road surface about 19 miles north of downtown Burns on U.S. 395 at the location where authorities stopped Robert "LaVoy" Finicum and others on Jan. 26th, 2016. The truck Finicum was driving plowed into this snow bank on the opposite side of the road. With Ammon Bundy behind bars, someone posts a fake listing for his favorite blue plaid wool jacket on Craigslist. The price? $50,000. Just past the Juaquin Miller campground on a juniper-lined mountain pass, a wooden cross appears in bloodstained snow where Finicum died three days earlier. Broken glass litters the ground near a snowbank rutted from the impact of a pickup truck's front bumper. A wooden cross was erected at the site where LaVoy Finicum was fatally shot on US 395, Jan. 29, 2016. Jan. 30: The Finicum family, in its first public statement on the shooting, disputes the official account of the confrontation. They interpret his actions on the video as "animated," not threatening. Ammon Bundy's attorneys in Portland announce "there's nothing further that can be done" on their end to bring closure to the standoff. The four wildlife refuge holdouts discuss their exit strategy and talk chow in a livestream posted on YouTube. Four voices can be heard on the video, which apparently was filmed in the dark of night. The federal government's role is particularly large. It accounts for 12 percent of jobs but 20 percent of all wages earned outside of farms. "If you take federal away, you might as well finish making us a ghost town," said Jan Cupernall, of Burns, who sits on the local historical society board. Jan. 31: Shawna Cox, who was there, says in an interview that Finicum yelled "just shoot me" during the deadly confrontation with state police. The four holdouts awake to find their phone and Internet service out, and the sudden quiet heightens the sense of uncertainty about when -- and how -- the standoff will end. Harney county's remote location makes it difficult to sway new businesses to come, even to a large enterprise zone that offers tax breaks. Feb. 1: Ammon Bundy's lawyers say they will challenge U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman's order to keep their client in custody pending trial. Beckerman cited Bundy's repeated disregard of federal orders to leave the wildlife refuge in her decision. A judge's decision to release Cox makes no mention of a condition that the occupation had to be over before any of the protesters could leave jail. Judge Beckerman's order to free Cox is inconsistent with one she gave during Cox's detention hearing. An intersection in the town of Burns, Jan. 4, 2016. Nearly half of the county's jobs -- 45 percent -- are on public payrolls. No other county in 2013 derived a greater share of wages from the government than Harney County, said Josh Lehner, an economist who has researched rural Oregon for his job at the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. Feb. 2: Ammon Bundy issues another statement asking the four wildlife refuge holdouts to "go home now so their lives are not taken." Christian evangelist Franklin Graham joins talks to end the occupation, a spokesman confirms. Graham runs the North Carolina-based evangelical organization named after his father, Billy Graham. Moments before Ammon Bundy was to appear in a federal courtroom in Portland to challenge a judge's order to keep him in custody pending trial, his attorneys withdraw their challenge. The Finicum family issues a second statement on the shooting and accuses the FBI and Oregon State Police of a cover-up. The family says it reached its conclusion upon further review of the FBI video and accounts of the shooting from Cox, a passenger in Finicum's truck. "What we believe the video shows is that LaVoy was being fired upon before he even got out of the truck," the statement says. A federal judge affirms another judge's decision to release Oregon standoff figure Joseph O'Shaughnessy from custody with home detention and GPS monitoring. An old guard gate at the former lumber mill, long since closed, in Hines, Oregon. At the recession's height in 2009, unemployment hit 17 percent, the second highest rate in the state. Two-thirds of the county's children qualified for free and reduced lunch prices in 2012. Young people who leave for college often never return. Today, Harney County is one of the few in Oregon whose population is shrinking. Feb. 3: A federal grand jury hands down indictments against Ammon Bundy, his brother and at least nine other co-defendants in connection with the wildlife refuge takeover. Feb. 4: Ammon Bundy says from jail that the wildlife refuge occupation was "a needed action" and calls on state and federal law enforcement officials to leave eastern Oregon. Bundy's attorneys release an audio statement from their client after he learns of his federal indictment in the Jan. 2 takeover. He and 15 others are charged with conspiracy to impede federal officers through intimidation, threats or force, a felony punishable by as much as six years in prison. The four remaining holdouts at the Harney County refuge say they are down to a single link to the outside world - a FBI-provided cellphone. They continue to camp out at the compound, refusing federal agents' demands that they surrender. Cox asks a judge to lift an order barring her from attending Finicum's funeral in Kanab, Utah. "Ms. Cox is not seeking permission to attend a reception or make a home or social visit in connection with the scheduled funeral," her lawyer writes in the emergency motion. "Her request is limited to entering a church, offering prayers and condolences, and then returning home." Hundreds of people across the country indicate they will stage rallies and vigils in Finicum's memory. More than 30 memorials, candlelight vigils and rallies in at least 17 states are planned over three days. Duane Leo Ehmer is released under GPS monitoring, home detention and travel restrictions after U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice M. Stewart determines that the lone defendant from Oregon is not a flight risk. She also agrees with his lawyer's assertions that Ehmer's involvement in the occupation was limited, and that he was not an "inciter,'' but more of a "joiner.'' U.S. District Court Chief Justice Michael W. Mosman affirms a decision to detain Santilli pending trial, saying he was disturbed by several remarks the independent broadcaster made during his online broadcasts promising to shoot federal officers if they came to take him or his guns away. "There's a handful of statements I can't discount as just shock-jock" bravado, Mosman says. A riderless horse is used to honor LaVoy Finicum as his hears drives by during the funeral in Kanab, Utah, Feb. 5, 2016. Feb. 5: About 1,000 people turn out to pay their respects to Robert "LaVoy" Finicum at the Kanab Utah Kaibab Stake Center. He lay, dressed in white, in a pine casket built by his family. On the inside of the lid, surrounded by a barbed-wire border, were the words "One Cowboy's Stand for Freedom." Cox, meanwhile, was given permission to attend the funeral. Negotiations continue with the four holdouts after a militia's weekend plan to escort them out is canceled. Despite the relative calm, residents remain on edge as the armed takeover wraps up its fifth week. A federal magistrate judge orders Brian Cavalier, the self-described "personal bodyguard'' for Ammon Bundy, to remain in custody pending trial. His lawyer promises to appeal. Mourners decorate the scene on US 395 outside of Burns, Oregon, Feb. 6, 2016, where occupier LaVoy Finicum was shot dead by police. A memorial was erected and then destroyed. The cross was reconstructed. Feb. 6: Soon after somebody tears down a cross erected in honor of Finicum along the Oregon highway on which he died, someone takes the remnants and builds a smaller version of the cross. The Oregonian/OregonLive creates a timeline of the fatal traffic stop, sourced from public statements by the FBI, the two women in Finicum's truck and the driver of a Jeep who saw it happen. Feb. 7: In one of a series of videos, David Fry rails against those who destroyed a roadside memorial for his fallen colleague, calls for the FBI to leave Oregon, and takes a joyride in a pickup with government plates. Members of the Burns Paiute Tribe are both amused and frustrated that militants seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on behalf of ranchers they claim had lost the land unfairly to the federal government. They have a message for the occupiers: You're not the victim. An old barn adorned with a painted American flag in Burns, Oregon, January, 2016. Feb. 8: Ammon Bundy continues to make his voice heard while sitting in jail. He uses his latest public statement to urge elected officials from eight states to support their imprisoned constituents. Feb. 9: One-time occupier Scott Willingham offers himself up as a mediator between the FBI and the last four still at the refuge. "At this point in time, all anybody should care about is trying to help the community get past it," he says. Pete Santilli. The ACLU of Oregon isn't convinced Pete Santilli, who is being held pending trial, is a danger to the community and cautions the court against using his broadcast statements against him. Mat dos Santos, the group's legal director, says in a statement that he is troubled a federal judge and prosecutors relied on remarks Santilli made months or even years before the armed takeover in Harney County. Ammon Bundy's lawyers deny claims they violated ethics laws after two complaints were filed with the Oregon State Bar. Bundy hired the Arnold Law Firm of Eugene less than three weeks after its lawyers traveled to the wildlife refuge to offer their services for free. The bar prohibits lawyers from soliciting professional employment in person, by phone or through electronic contact "when a significant motive for the lawyer's doing so is the lawyer's pecuniary gain.'' Mike Arnold, who runs the firm, says his lawyers did nothing inappropriate, and outside legal experts agree. Feb. 10: Surrounded by FBI agents in armored vehicles, the four holdouts continue negotiations through an open phone line being live-streamed on YouTube. As many as 60,000 people are listening in as the occupiers seesaw between anger and panic, praying and screaming over the course of the five-hour broadcast. Three SUVs proceed through the Narrows roadblock on Oregon 205 after FBI agents surrounded the remaining four occupiers at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Feb.10, 2016. A Nevada state legislator and vocal gun rights advocate offers to be a go-between in the negotiations. Michele Fiore, a two-term assemblywoman, gets on the phone with occupiers upon arriving in Portland. Cliven Bundy. Cliven Bundy, the rancher who touched off one armed showdown with federal authorities and applauded another started by his sons, is arrested at Portland International Airport in connection with the 2014 standoff at his Nevada ranch. Bundy, 74, faces a conspiracy charge of interfering with a federal officer -- the same one lodged against his sons, Ammon and Ryan, for their roles in the Oregon takeover. He also faces weapons charges. The Bundy patriarch had traveled to Portland with plans to continue on to Burns, where the four remaining occupiers remained encamped. Franklin Graham rides in an SUV with Michele Fiore and three FBI agents past the Narrows roadblock on Oregon 205, on their way to assist with the surrender of the final four occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Feb.11, 2016. Feb. 11: Jeff Banta, Sean Anderson and Sandy Anderson surrender as planned but Fry holds back, insisting he is suicidal and demanding to talk to a negotiator. "I'm a free man and I will die a free man," he can be heard saying on the live feed. FBI negotiators, with help from Fiore and Graham, spend the next hour talking to the 27-year-old Ohio man who at one point says he's pointing a gun to his head. KrisAnne Hall also joins the conversation, shifting a crisis intervention into a monologue on her Tea Party-infused views (and attracting social media ridicule). Finally, Fry asks for a cigarette and cookie and starts walking out, and the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is over after 41 days. The end of the occupation means the Harney County wildlife refuge is now a massive crime scene. It will remain closed for weeks as investigators check for explosives, gather evidence and help the Burns Paiute Tribe assess damage to their cultural artifacts. FOLLOW UP March 8: Oregon State Police troopers were justified in firing on Robert "LaVoy" Finicum and killing him with three shots, law enforcement officials said. And police and sheriff's deputies still don't know exactly who's responsible for two stray shots linked to the FBI during the confrontation, a matter that remains under investigation. Those were the two big takeaways from a Tuesday morning news conference at the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office in Bend. The agency was charged with determining whether state police were justified in using deadly force on Jan. 26. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive PX00187_9.JPG Whidbey Island, Wash. (The Oregonian) The U.S. Coast Guard earned some love in the Northwest in the 24 hours heading into Valentine's Day. The maritime service reports that it rescued six people in three separate search-and-rescue operations along the Oregon and Washington coasts on Saturday. The Coast Guard snatched three people from the water off Coos Bay after the boaters' craft overturned and pulled to safety an unconscious man who had fallen from a dock at Washington's Port of Ilwaco. A Coast Guard crew also retrieved two kayakers who had capsized between Washington's Whidbey and Hope Islands, where water temperatures were in the 40s and winds were blowing up to 30 knots. The video below shows a Coast Guard helicopter lifting the stranded kayakers from uninhabited Hope Island, where they ended up after capsizing in the water. PERS problems. A pet-leasing service. Oregon's birthday. Here's a look at some of our favorite stories from the week. Residents of this coastal town had been preparing for Friday's ceremony for several days. And as morning broke, with rain giving way to blue skies, they believed they were ready. It was just a week ago that one of their police officers, Sgt. Jason Goodding, a man paid to protect them, was gunned down on the city's main street while trying to arrest a man with a long criminal record. Goodding's afternoon memorial service in the city's convention center would take place about four blocks from where he died. And so the town got busy. Oregon turns 157 on Sunday with a party at the Oregon Historical Society. American flags lined the main streets of Burns and Hines by early Thursday afternoon. Typically reserved for national holidays, the display marked a special occasion: Emancipation from the fear and disruption that had plagued people here for weeks as armed militants moved among them. The militants were no more. Oregon Treasurer and Portland mayoral candidate Ted Wheeler issued a statement recently noting that the state pension fund's investment returns were 2.1 percent in 2015. That beat the Standard & Poor's 500 index, and topped the performance of 88 percent of comparable institutional investment funds. What Wheeler's statement didn't mention was that investment returns for the year still fell 5.6 percentage points below the system's 7.75 percent assumed rate of return for 2015. That's terrible news for public employers and taxpayers. It means the pension system's unfunded liability just increased by another 20 percent - growing from $18 billion at the end of 2014 to between $21 and $22 billion a year later. Mayor Charlie Hales' decision to tolerate homeless camps popping up along the waterfront, in public parks and on busy downtown sidewalks isn't winning him any popularity contests. But the debate over what to do with unwelcome homeless habitats in Portland has been kicking up political dust storms since the Great Depression. Eight decades before the Hales-villes, the city put up with shantytowns known as Hoovervilles. Dave Anderson, longtime co-host of KATU's "AM Northwest" morning show, co-host of the "Mark and Dave" show on KPAM-AM (860) radio, and a Portland stand-up comedy legend, died. He was 55. "AM Northwest" broke the news early Monday on Twitter with a post saying that Anderson died on Sunday "surrounded by friends and family. Please keep his family in your thoughts." The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating Hannah the Pet Society after complaints that the pet-leasing company unnecessarily euthanized three dogs in November. Hannah, founded by Oregon veterinary mogul Scott Campbell in 2010, offers a unique pet-adoption model. In exchange for a monthly fee, the company provides food and health care for the entire life of the dog, cat or other animal. There's just one catch: Hannah retains ownership of the pet, and the company has the final say in all of the animal's medical decisions. An Oregon woman was infected with the Zika virus while traveling abroad, the first such case of 2016. Oregon Public Health officials said she's recovered. They did not identify her, say where she traveled or whether she was pregnant to protect her identity. Dr. Richard Leman, public health physician, indicated she returned to Oregon within the past month. She saw a health care provider who had her tested. That test was sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a week ago. Results came back Tuesday. Without any public comment and without a moment of discussion at a Nov. 3, 2010 meeting, the Portland City Council unanimously approved a deal negotiated in secret to take a toxic parcel of South Waterfront property off the hands of Oregon Health & Science University and a pair of the city's most prominent developers. The land would be designated for a 4-acre park serving the South Waterfront neighborhood. But an Oregonian/OregonLive investigation found that the biggest beneficiaries of the South Waterfront Greenway were the developers who unloaded the land, converting a multimillion-dollar liability into a multimillion-dollar asset. Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton has signed a settlement agreement following an employee's accusation that he created a hostile work environment through sexually inappropriate comments about his colleagues. Tom Hallman Jr. has worked at The Oregonian for more than 36 years. Now a senior reporter, he recently published an anthology of his work: Dispatches from 1320. As part of the process, he reflected on his past and he remembered a special woman from his time at Portland's Lincoln High School. Correction appended to the accompanying fact box. SALEM -- Gov. Kate Brown often turns to numbers when talking about her first year in office. They tell a story. Five days to assemble a staff after John Kitzhaber announced his resignation. Fourteen new policy advisers. Eight new agency directors. Two state departments swept up in troubling scandals that took root under her predecessors. And two crises no governor would wish on her worst enemy: Oregon's deadliest mass shooting, followed by a 41-day standoff with armed militants in Harney County. But on the advent of Brown's anniversary as governor, Feb. 18, two other numbers may come to define her tenure instead: $15.52 and $13.50. Brown put both at the center of an early plan to raise Oregon's minimum wage, taking command of an issue that seemed destined for a contentious ballot fight. She also jump-started a conversation that's looking more and more likely to end with a bill on her desk. That gambit -- hatched after meetings with business, labor and legislative leaders -- has charted a new course for an administration that insiders increasingly worried was adrift. And now, a year in, Brown might finally be controlling politics instead of letting politics control her. Kitzhaber and Hayes: A year later A year ago, John Kitzhaber that he planned to resign from what was to have been his historic fourth term as Oregon's governor. The move, made official on Feb. 18, capped nearly four months of scrutiny about the role he had allowed his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, to play in the governor's office and how her first lady title played into consulting contracts totaling at least $237,800 during Kitzhaber's third term. While those issues had been raised for months by the media, FBI and IRS investigators also announced on Feb. 13 that they were launching an exhaustive review of the former first couple that from the past four years. Kitzhaber and Hayes have continued to insist they did nothing wrong and that they kept her business life separate from her public duty. A year later, the inquiry continues, which is not uncommon for federal investigations - especially one of such scope. Hayes, who has been increasingly vocal in recent months, has said that she has not been interviewed and continues to submit any requested documents to investigators. Kitzhaber, who has largely remained out of the public eye, has declined to discuss the investigation. Federal inquiry : A grand jury has heard from numerous witnesses as investigators look how Kitzhaber named Hayes as his policy advisor on energy and sustainable development and allowed her to spearhead a project to change how the state measures success. At the time, Hayes had or was soliciting paid consulting contracts for work on the same issues. Sources say investigators are sifting through millions of state documents and emails gathered from the sweeping subpoena, along with documents related to Hayes' and Kitzhaber's personal finances. Hayes has secured a federal public defender while Kitzhaber has relied on a high-profile criminal defense attorney. Oregon Department of Justice investigation : The investigation into the role Kitzhaber provided for his fiancee in his administration has been put on hold since the federal investigation was launched. Oregon Government Ethics Commission : The ethics review after Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that she had begun a criminal probe into Kitzhaber and Hayes. A law required the commission to put its reviews on hold when criminal investigations are launched. However, after a series of ethics law changes following the Kitzhaber scandal, the commission now may continue an ethics review in tandem with a criminal investigation. Hayes' email lawsuit : While Kitzhaber's administration was slow to release public documents related to the scandal, Hayes refused to respond at all to any requests for state-related emails she'd sent from her personal and business accounts. The Oregonian/OregonLive appealed to Rosenblum, who ordered Hayes to release the emails. Gov. Kate Brown later released between Hayes and Kitzhaber's staffers, yet all of her other state-related emails remained outstanding. Instead of handing them over, Hayes sued to block their release. Her lawyer put through numerous arguments, including that she wasn't actually a public official and her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. and was ordered to release the communications, which have been released in small batches to The Oregonian/OregonLive after being reviewed by a judge. A series of those recently released emails for a $24,200 grant they later received. -- Laura Gunderson "Yes, I started the conversation," the Democrat said in an interview. "It was imperative we act in February." It marked a do-over for Brown as Oregon's negotiator in chief, months after partisan talks over transportation funding fell apart. It also spoke loudly to supporters and foes alike about Brown's vision for the state and the agenda she might push when she got a legislative session all to herself. "She gets a lot of credit. She could have just left it and said, 'Whatever. Go to the ballot,'" said Joe Baessler, political director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 75. The union's international organization has donated $100,000 to Brown's campaign committee. "It was a bold move." Not everyone agrees. "We used to have a governor who would force politics into the middle," said House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, remembering the centrist notes Kitzhaber struck in his third term. "The question is whether Kate Brown will. So far I've not seen it." "I don't have a mandate" In speeches and media chats, Brown talks less and less about the bizarre circumstances that thrust her into the governor's office, in the midst of a legislative session, with just days to get her bearings. But she's not forgotten them, either. "I don't have a mandate," said Brown, mindful that she was appointed governor, as the former secretary of state, not elected. Though Brown picked up major pieces of Kitzhaber's agenda, pushing for affordable housing and full-day kindergarten, she's been reticent to charge too far down a new path without the vetting of a campaign. And for months, that caution rang from her speeches and interviews. "I don't shoot from the lip. I've learned that," Brown said. "In this role, it's really important that you think through all sides." Some observers hoped in vain she'd seize the chance to take stronger stances on tax revenues and pension reform. Others sighed with relief when she stuck to subjects like ethics reform and education, and used her charm to calm a scandal-torn state government. "She was willing to lead from behind," said Ryan Deckert, president of the Oregon Business Association. "That was a sign of leadership. It would have been very jarring for a lot of folks if she had said 'I'm ready to give my state of the state speech right now.'" That's not to say Brown's shied from controversy. She tried last session to win an agreement on transportation funding, mulling over fundamental changes to a newly passed low-carbon fuels standard -- a priority for environmental groups -- in search of votes from Republicans. The deal, coveted by trade unions and others, collapsed under the weight of shaky data. But, as The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported, the unraveling also followed a phone call with billionaire Tom Steyer, one of the nation's leading donors on environmental issues. Steyer spent heavily on Oregon's legislative races in 2014, helping Democrats grow their majority large enough to pass the low-carbon standard last year. Brown has said she'll wait until 2017 to try again on a gas tax, something that hasn't changed despite pressure from Republicans. "There could have been a transportation bill last session," said Doug Moore of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. "At the end, the governor said she's not going to accept a false choice between clean air and better roads." "Pushing, pushing, pushing" Brown's minimum wage plan seems to be on firmer footing. A modified version cleared the Senate after a six-hour session Thursday and now heads to the House. Serious talks started in November, about the same time Brown replaced her first chief of staff, Brian Shipley, with a widely respected veteran lobbyist, Kristen Leonard. By then, some lobbyists worried she'd waited too late to deliver an agreement during the February session. "We pulled businesses and labor together, and we basically started pushing them," Brown said. "I met with the entire group initially. They had some separate meetings to see if we could keep pushing, pushing, pushing to get them to yes." That hadn't happened by mid-January, when Brown unveiled her first draft of a plan. It included a daring $15.52 top wage for the Portland area, which would have been higher than any city in America. Her statewide wage was $13.50. Business lobbyists took notice and returned to the table. Brown put out a revised proposal that lowered the metro area to $14.50. Minimum wage legislation Gov. Kate Brown's final minimum wage proposal -- $14.50 for the Portland area, and $13.25 statewide -- was only the beginning of discussions on the wage in the Oregon Legislature. The six-year plan approved by the Senate and headed to the House would still give Oregon the highest rates in the nation. But it would spread them over three tiers instead: * $14.75 inside Portland's Urban Growth Boundary * $13.50 in a middle tier that includes Eugene and Bend * $12.50 in sparsely populated "frontier" counties Oregon's current minimum wage is $9.25, the eighth-highest in the nation. The federal minimum is $7.25. She defended the increases as essential for working families, including 90,000 woman-led households scraping by and raising children on a median income of $22,000 a year. "I knew, and my team knew, that unless we had a pushback point we weren't going to get anybody to move," Brown said. "We didn't have a choice other than to throw down." Senate Republicans, worried about devastation for smaller towns and farms, poked at Brown in their floor speeches Thursday. "Why is Kate Brown so gung-ho on this bill? It polls 80 percent in downtown Portland," said Sen. Fred Girod, R-Stayton. "That's a politician. That isn't a manager of the state that we desperately need. We need another darn governor." "Really damn resilient" McLane, the House Republican leader, praised Brown, sincerely, for nailing at least one part of her new job. "Anyone who wants a selfie with the governor can get one," he said. "She's always been friendly. That's good. The state should have a friendly governor." But Brown's cheeriness, kept up by twice-weekly yoga classes, has been tested repeatedly over the past year. Headline-grabbing scandals, turnover among agency directors and outside crises -- such as October's mass shooting in Roseburg and the Jan. 2 occupation of federal land in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge -- have all conspired to sap time Brown might have spent looking ahead. Brown ripped into the Department of Human Services last fall amid allegations top officials ignored years of financial mismanagement and shocking reports of abuse and neglect involving foster children. The allegations were particularly galling for Brown, given her years as a lawyer in the foster care system. She launched an outside investigation and demoted the agency's interim director. She also helped lawmakers with legislation that aims to tighten licensing rules. "This is just unacceptable," she said, "and it angers me at such an incredible level that we basically lent a blind eye to what was happening to these children." Brown has also taken steps to face years of wasted money in the Department of Energy -- although, this time, her call for a study privately annoyed some of her allies as too mild. Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, trumped Brown's move with plans for a "legislative overhaul" that could include shutting the agency down. But the shooting and the Malheur occupation were by far the most painful and demanding moments in Brown's first year. She still has the note an adviser wrote, telling her someone had shot up a classroom at Umpqua Community College. Brown stepped in to get the victims' bodies quickly returned to Roseburg. And after she demanded a swift end to the standoff in Harney County, her office endured threats and vicious messages. Now that the occupation has ended, she's emphasized the need for healing. Oregonians, she said, "are really damn resilient and very tough." Kotek was sympathetic when asked about the management challenges Brown has endured. "Going into next year," Kotek said, "she's going to have a clear set of proposals, because she'll have time to decide where she really wants to put her energy." "It's still early" That assumes Brown will be back in 2017. Voters will decide later this year whether Brown deserves to finish the final two years of Kitzhaber's fourth term. Bud Pierce, a Salem oncologist who once helped Kitzhaber broker a deal between doctors and trial lawyers on liability payments, has promised to spend millions of dollars on a campaign for the Republican nomination. And that means Brown can't take victory for granted. As of Friday, Brown had raised more than $1.5 million. "Bud Pierce is no joke," said Rep. Brian Clem, D-Salem. "She can beat him. But she'll have to do it by being herself, being a governor for the whole state of Oregon and not listening to people who tell her how to keep her funders happy." Labor unions, meanwhile, remain encouraged by Brown's pivot to the left on minimum wage. They've pressed her to back a ballot measure this fall that would raise taxes on large corporations by more than $2.5 billion a year. Brown has said Oregon needs more money for schools and social services, but she's not yet said whether she'll say yes to the union-backed measure. For now, labor and business both seem ready to pour tens of millions of dollars into one of the most expensive campaigns Oregon has ever seen. "I wish she could be a governor who could keep that off the ballot," said McLane, invoking a plea for peace from Courtney at a gathering of business leaders in December. "The one person who could is Kate Brown, and it appears she does not want to. And that is the greatest disappointment of all." Is Brown working on another compromise? If so, she's not ready to talk about that, either. "It's still early." -- Denis C. Theriault 503-221-8430; @TheriaultPDX An earlier version of the sidebar within this story inaccurately stated that Hayes has interviewed with federal investigators. Hayes has said she has not been interviewed by federal investigators but that she has submitted any documents they have requested. GOP 2016 Debate Republican presidential candidates (from left) Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, businessman Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson take the stage before the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (The Associated Press) GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Republican White House hopefuls insisted that President Barack Obama step aside and let his successor nominate the next Supreme Court justice, in a raucous Saturday night debate that also featured harshly personal jousting over immigration and foreign policy. The debate was shaken by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia hours before the candidates took the stage. Among the contenders, only Jeb Bush said Obama had "every right" to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said the presidency must be a strong office -- though he added that he didn't expect Obama to pick a candidate who could win consensus support. The five other candidates on the stage urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. "It's up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it," Donald Trump said. "It's called delay, delay, delay." A debate that began with a somber moment of silence for Scalia devolved quickly into fighting between Trump and Bush, then between Trump and Cruz. The exchanges highlighted the bad blood between the billionaire businessman and his rivals as the race turns to South Carolina, a state known for rough-and-tumble politics, where the next Republican primary will take place in one week. Trump, repeatedly interrupting his rivals, lashed out at Cruz after the Texas senator challenged his conservative credentials, calling him the "single-biggest liar" and a "nasty guy." The real estate mogul also accused Bush of lying about Trump's business record and said Bush's brother -- former President George W. Bush -- lied to the public about the Iraq war. Bush, who has been among the most aggressive Republican candidates in taking on Trump, said that while he didn't mind the businessman criticizing him -- "It's blood sport for him" -- he was "sick and tired of him going after my family." Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in Greenville, South Carolina, a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. George W. Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Ohio Gov. John Kasich sought to inject the election's high stakes into the discussion in the midst of the fiery exchanges between his competitors. "I think we're fixing to lose the election to Hillary Clinton if we don't stop this," Kasich said. The governor's warnings did little to deter his feisty colleagues. Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio also revived their fight over immigration, with the Texas senator haranguing his Florida counterpart for sponsoring failed legislation that would have created a pathway to citizenship for many of those in the United States illegally. Cruz also accused Rubio of taking a more moderate approach when speaking to Spanish-language media in an attempt to appeal to Hispanics. "I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision -- he doesn't speak Spanish," Rubio shot back. Rubio entered the debate under immense pressure following his disappointing fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. He stumbled badly in a debate days before that vote. Rubio appeared more fluid in Saturday's contest, including during a robust defense of his proposed 25 percent corporate tax rate -- which is not as much of a tax cut as many of his rivals are pitching. Rubio said his idea would leave enough revenue in the federal budget to triple the child tax credit for working families with children. Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier GOP events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge Trump and Cruz. Many GOP leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. Scalia's sudden death -- and the chance to replace him -- could serve as a reminder for voters of the consequences of elections. Cruz cast the moment in stark terms, saying allowing another Obama nominee to be approved would amount to Republicans giving up control of the Supreme Court for a generation. "One of the most important judgments for the men and women of South Carolina to make is who on this stage has the background, the principle, the character, the judgment and the strength of resolve to nominate and confirm principled constitutionalists to the court," Cruz said. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson is fighting to stay in the mix in South Carolina. He was overshadowed in the debate by his more aggressive rivals but lined up with most of the field in saying he agreed Republicans should not allow a Supreme Court justice to be appointed during Obama's final year in office. Bush and Kasich both see an opening in South Carolina after Rubio's stumbles. Kasich defended himself against attacks on his conservative credentials, particularly his decision to expand Medicaid in Ohio despite resistance from his GOP-led Legislature. Kasich argued that his decision was a good deal for the state in the long run. "We want everyone to rise and we will make them personally responsible for the help they get," said Kasich, whose fledgling campaign gained new life after a second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary. --The Associated Press SUNDAY "Brain Games": Host Jason Silva is back for a new season of brain-tickling info and games. (6 p.m. and repeats at 9 p.m. National Geographic Channel) The EE British Academy Film Awards 2016: The Brits have their big movie prize party, hosted again by Stephen Fry, with nominated films including "Bridge of Spies" and "Carol." (7:30 p.m. BBC America) "An SNL Valentine": Sketches from the "Saturday Night Live" vault in honor of Valentine's Day. (8 p.m. NBC/8) "The Tonight Show Valentine's Day Special": More clips, this batch from Jimmy Fallon's late-night show. (9 p.m. NBC/8) "The Walking Dead": And what could be more romantic than the midseason return of Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his ragtag group of zombie apocalypse survivors? When we left them, a zombie herd was shuffling around Alexandria, and things weren't looking great. But when are they ever? (9 p.m. AMC) "Vinyl": Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger are executive producers of this ambitious, but cliched look at the New York music scene of the 1970s, as told through the perspective of a record executive (Bobby Cannavale) who may be coked-up and a boozer, but who has a great ear for music. Or so we're told. Read my review. (9 p.m. HBO) "Adele: Live in London": Adele performs hits from her album, "25." (10 p.m. BBC America) MONDAY Grammy Awards 2016: The 58th annual celebration of music is again hosted by LL Cool J, and this year's performers include Adele, Justin Bieber, Ellie Goulding, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and The Weeknd. Best of all, it's live on the West Coast, finally. (5 p.m. CBS/6) "Better Call Saul": Bob Odenkirk returns for Season 2 of one of last season's most promising shows, about how Jimmy McGill transforms into the sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman, who we first met on "Breaking Bad." (10 p.m. AMC) "11.22.63": James Franco stars in this compelling adaptation of Stephen King's novel about a high school teacher who travels back in time to try and prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. (First episode streams today on Hulu.com; read my review) TUESDAY "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution": Stanley Nelson directed, produced and wrote this two-hour documentary about the history and impact of the Black Panther Party, and the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. (9 p.m. PBS/10) "The New Yorker Presents": New series that takes stories, cartoons, and other content from The New Yorker magazine and adapts them. (Premiere episode streams on Amazon Prime Video) WEDNESDAY "Survivor": The reality show that will not die returns for Season 32. (8 p.m. CBS/6) "Broad City": Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer return for a new season of comedy about life in New York City. Sometimes you'll cringe, and sometimes you'll cackle. (10 p.m. Comedy Central) THURSDAY "Vikings": A new season of pillaging begins. (10 p.m. History Channel) "Join or Die with Craig Ferguson": New late-night show, with a difference: Ferguson takes a look not as current events, but historical episodes, such as tonight's inaugural episode, "History's Biggest Political Blunder." (11 p.m. History Channel) FRIDAY "Grimm": Is that the Black Forest calling? Monroe is contacted by relations from Germany, so we're thinking, ja! Meanwhile, things are still on edge in Portland. (9 p.m. NBC/8) "Love": Judd Apatow is an executive producer of this new comedy about the quirky relationship between two oddballs, played by Gillian Jacobs ("Community") and co-creator Paul Rust. (Streaming on Netflix) -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist German Madrigal After winning a Portland fashion design competition in October, German Madrigal is showing his futuristic line at New York Fashion Week this Tuesday. The 27-year-old from Vancouver will show the line as part of The Art Institutes Fall 2016 Runway Show, and will be one of 13 Art Institutes students or grads sending their designs down the runway. While Madrigal has shown at the prestigious New York Fashion Show once before, this will be his first time without a co-designer, and the exposure could give him a big boost in the fashion world. Madrigal's trip to New York Fashion Week comes on the heels of his win at FashioNXT, a Portland fashion show and competition. He wooed the judges with his stark gender-neutral designs, and he'll build on this line for his New York show. We got a chance to chat with Madrigal before he heads to Manhattan, and he told us where he got his inspiration for the line, and gave us a few hints about his next collection. Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. Q: Tell me a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up, and how did you get into fashion? See the show German Madrigal, along with 12 other designers from Art Institutes throughout the country, will be showing their lines at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Skylight at Moynihan Station, located at in Manhattan. A: Nothing out of the norm. My family migrated from Mexico. We moved to Vancouver and have lived here ever since. I always remember gravitating toward the arts, anything I could get my hands on. My mom always had to clean up the piles of products I had everywhere, so she could vouch for this. I would love dressing up my sister's Barbies. You could see the gleam in my eye every time my sister got a new Barbie. Then, in high school - they make you do all those career assessments tests - and they would always tell me to go into the arts or fashion design. Then I took the ASVAB, that super accurate career test, and fashion design was my number one career. That kind of just gave me a spark. When I got my drivers license, I called my parents. I said, "We're going to dinner, and I'm driving." They were suspicious. Next thing you know I end up kidnapping my parents and sending them to an Art Institute [of Portland] orientation meeting to see if I could go. My mom said, this is not a restaurant. I visited the campus by myself, and then I had those typical conversations about choosing a school. Except I was super dramatic. I just wanted their blessing. I was like, I will die if I don't go here, I know what I want to do in life, I don't want to work at McDonalds. So I started in 2008 and I've been taking classes ever since. I've worked full time the whole time. At first I babysat, then I worked at a Chinese restaurant. That didn't last long. I'm a barista at Starbucks now. Q: What was the first time you designed something you were proud of? This is the dress Madrigal designed for his friend. A: I had never touched a sewing machine in my life, never patterned anything, never been to a fabric store. I was starting from zero. This was the one thing that made me realize that this is really hard but really fun: I first made a hot-pink corset dress for my friend who does drag. Somehow I made it happen, I remember thinking, I've never had so much fun. As the years passed, I focused on my aesthetic. I really like modern, edgy, slick designs. I started from the beginning, with bright colors, but now I've evolved. Q: Will you show the same line from FashioNXT? A: Yes, but I added additional pieces because it's my senior thesis. I've added some styles and some custom handbags that I made myself. They're not your typical handbags. Q: The line is very futuristic and gender-neutral. Tell me about your inspiration. The Inversion: Plus Minus sculpture, created by artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo, sits at the Eastern base of the Hawthorne Bridge. A: It was honestly - you know that Inversion: Plus Minus sculpture near Belmont? After I came back from New York, I would get a drink at Dig A Pony and look at that sculpture, and that was my inspiration. That and constantly looking in stores' men's departments, and then looking at the women's departments, where there's such a wide variety. My female friends would always say they wanted something different. Something that wasn't too feminine but still classy. That sculpture was made of so many parts but together they form this great shape. I love fall, and I love all the layers. I decided to make pieces that look like layers but you're really just wearing one. Pieces for both genders have equal attention to detail. Q: How do you design clothes to flatter both men's and women's bodies? A: Well, the jumpsuit is unisex, and so is the overcoat. I play with the silhouette and give room in certain areas. I give it a boxy fit. So it has a little more flow but still has that tailored look. Q: Why do you shroud your models' faces? A: The number one reason? Every fashion show I've ever been, I've never been given freedom to do hair and makeup how I want to do it. And at FashioNXT it was a contest. So I custom-made these overthrow masks and handpainted them with India dye. I thought it worked better - it's not about the model, it's about the clothes, about how the garment is moving. And I was trying to mask the gender a little bit. Q: Can you tell us about your plans for your next line? Will it build on this one, aesthetically, or be a big departure? A: I'm thinking about doing another collection with my friend Ryan Edmonds. (Madrigal worked with Edmonds for his first NYFW show). We still work together as a team. I'm doing a third collection with him, debuting at FashioNXT this fall. I've decided to do a high-end avant-garde collection with actual dresses. I want to do something experimental - keep the tailoring in there but do something unexpected for me. I'm looking at a combination of Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto and Celine. Still feminine but there's still something twisted about it. I want to play with making my own textiles. We're still talking about it. It's going to be interesting. This might be my last collection for a while. Q: What's next for you? A: I need to focus on getting a job after I graduate in June. I really want to move to New York or California. I love Portland, but there's only so much here [for fashion designers], unfortunately. I want to keep growing and learning. I'm willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to make this career happen. You can bet that after nine years in school I'm coming out running. -- Anna Marum amarum@oregonian.com 503-294-5911 @annamarum Midland City Council will consider numerous topics at its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 15, including a new solar energy campaign and a presentation on the future of Putnam Park. Dan Scripps and Stephen Wooden of the Institute for Energy Innovation, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, will present information about a partnership between IEI and 5 Lakes Energy Consultants and Midland Tomorrow. The partnership is meant to prime the markets for solar deployment, with funding provided by the C.S. Mott Foundation. In a letter to city council, Scripps and Wooden wrote they are not seeking funding or formal approval but wanted to be up front about the solarize initiative they will be bringing to the Great Lakes Bay area. We simply hope to speak with you all about our efforts and how we can work together to make this successful, the letter stated. A public hearing will be held for approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 56, to review and approve the construction of a single-family dwelling in a Multiple-Family Residential zoning district, located at 309 Sam St. The request was made by the Midland County Habitat for Humanity. Brad Kaye, assistant city manager for developmental services, will present more information on the conditional use permit at Mondays meeting. The first reading of an ordinance, meant to expand the Center City Authority Board from seven to nine members, will be read and subject to approval by city council, along with the first reading of an ordinance for amending general recreation fees. Both readings will require a 3/5 vote to be approved. After the consideration of a second Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) request brought forward by Lockwood Developers, city council will consider a list of questions to be referred to the Housing Commission before beginning a public-hearing process. The PILOT request is related to the sale of Bracken Woods Apartments, 5301 Dublin Ave. Some of the questions include: How many inspected apartment/rental units are there in the city of Midland (and the county of Midland if that is available)? And what has that number been for each of the past 5 years? How do Midlands rental rates compare to 5 other similarly sized cities? What is the PILOT rate in those 5 other similar sized cities? Have PILOT programs in other cities removed this tax benefit if the complex fails to maintain a minimum percentage of qualified tenants? City Manager Jon Lynch will conduct a presentation on the process of establishing Putman Park. The 2.5-acre green space was at the heart of a discussion last summer and fall, when investment group Momentum Midland proposed using the site as the future location of the Midland Area Farmers Market. His presentation will cover the background of Putnam Park and how it came to be considered a park, the process of establishing it as a park through the Midland City Charter and the recommendation that city council not consider establishing Putnam Park until the purpose for doing so is clear or it is more actively used as a recreation site by city residents. Midland residents will also be able to address city council during the public comment period, to talk about issues relevant to Council business but may not be included in the meetings agenda. The regular meeting of the Midland City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 333 W. Ellsworth St. The agenda can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/1PJsWDC. GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) A shooting at a suburban Phoenix high school that killed two 15-year-old girls and caused panic among parents was a murder-suicide, police said. Police announced that a suicide note was found at the scene of the shooting Friday morning near the cafeteria area of Independence High School in Glendale. They said the girls each were shot once, were declared dead at the scene and a weapon was found near the bodies. "Information gathered by detectives reveal the two girls were very close friends, appeared to also be in a relationship," Glendale police spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said in a statement Friday afternoon. It is believed nobody witnessed the shooting, Breeden said. Both teens have been identified, but Breeden said "their names will not be confirmed or released at this time by the police department due to their juvenile status." Hours before the lockdown of the school was lifted, hundreds of worried parents crowded the parking lots of nearby discount and convenience stores. One woman gnawed on her fingernails as she spoke on a cellphone, while another had tears streaming down her face. Other parents chain-smoked as they waited for news. Cheryl Rice said she went to a store after a friend called about the shooting and asked about Rice's 15-year-old daughter. But the girl called to say she was safe as Rice arrived at the store. She said it was horrible waiting for word about her child. "You don't know if it's your daughter or not. You don't know who's being bullied. You don't know who is being picked on. You don't know anything. It could be anybody," Rice said. Lanie Walter, who is a senior at the school, heard ambulances on her way to campus but didn't think much of it until her first class was locked down. When she called her parents to tell them she was safe, "my mom was actually really relieved because she was watching it on the news," she said. Parents were bused to the school to be reunited with their children. Some cut through a nearby field as they rushed toward their kids in emotional reunions. Other students who got permission from their parents left campus on their own. The Glendale Union High School District alerted parents to the shooting through emails and automatic phone calls and released information on social media, Superintendent Brian Capistran said. Students typically are not allowed to use their cellphones during lockdowns, but as calls from parents flooded the district, officials asked teachers to have students call family, Capistran said. Social workers and counselors will be available to students and staff when school resumes Tuesday, the superintendent said. Minnie Kramer, mother of a 15-year-old student, said she rushed out of work when she got a text from her son right after the shooting, telling her that he was OK. As she waited to be reunited with her son, Kramer said she worried about whether any of his friends were harmed. "I know that my son is OK, but, emotionally, you don't know what it does, especially at 15, especially if it's someone he knew," Kramer said. ___ UTICA, Mich. (AP) Coast Guard members across the nation have rallied behind a Detroit-based petty officer who was severely wounded in an attack while on vacation. When word got out that Storekeeper 2nd Class Petty Officer Jennifer Smith was stabbed in a robbery while visiting Belize in December, members of her unit at Air Station Detroit began brainstorming ways to help. Smith was transferred to a Coast Guard facility in Virginia after the attack, where she has received medical care and is closer to family, the Grand Rapids Press (http://bit.ly/1PhbPsM ) reported. She and her husband, James, are now faced with having to sell their Utica home, which Chief Petty Officer Robert Holden said the couple bought less than a year ago with the intention of it being a "fixer upper." Holden, president of the Chief Petty Officers Association Greater Detroit Chapter, and other members are renovating the house to minimize the financial loss with the sale. "We tried to find a way to alleviate the pain. Because of her injuries, we knew she probably wouldn't be coming back here to Detroit," Holden said. The Coast Guard showed support in huge numbers, raising $10,000 in donations directly for renovations, Holden said. Money and gift cards to home improvement stores came from units as far as Alaska and Puerto Rico. Since early January, dozens of Coast Guard members and volunteers have been busy putting the funds to use with home projects that include installing new flooring, painting, plumbing work, and installing new cabinets and countertops. They're now working on the finishing touches. Two Coast Guard members from Cleveland even took leave to help renovate the Metro Detroit home. "It's very much a family group, and people started coming out of the woodwork from all over," Holden said. "We've gotten a lot of support from everybody. It kind of reiterates why I joined the Coast Guard." Smith, who is in her mid-20s, was in Belize with a friend when she was attacked, Holden said. The San Pedro Sun reported she was stabbed twice while walking on the beach back to her hotel at night. A man approached her for money, then stabbed her in the back near her spinal cord and the back of the head, the newspaper reported. A description on a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $15,000 for Smith said the attack left her paralyzed on the left side of her body from the abdomen down. Holden said her injuries will require long-term care to overcome mobility challenges. Her future home will require a handicap-accessible ramp. "She's the sweetest girl you'd ever meet," Holden said. "It's one of those things I think I'll always wonder, 'Why her?'" Local business owners learned of Smith's story and donated granite and cabinets, which freed up funds for smaller projects around the home. Other companies donated their services, such as boiler repairs and plumbing. The Chief Petty Officers Association Greater Detroit Chapter has posted frequent updates on the group's Facebook page that show the home's transformation from demolition stage to nearly complete with polished floors and fresh coats of paint. "Whatever they make off of this house can go toward their next home," Holden said. Holden said Smith and her husband have expressed their appreciation. "I'm so excited to be out (of the hospital), but I miss my house so much. I am however extremely grateful for all the work my unit is doing in the house. I really hope it sells fast!," Smith wrote in a recent update on the GoFundMe page. The Chief Petty Officers Association is a nonprofit made up of active and retired petty officers who help enlisted members when hardships arise. This has been the Detroit chapter's biggest project yet, Holden said. "I've had my rescues, those kinds of things you look back on," he said of his 22 years of service with the Coast Guard. "I really think this is probably the most rewarding, being so hands-on with this." ___ Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, http://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids LANSING, Mich. (AP) An information freeze on local and school officials is thawing after a federal judge put a preliminary injunction on a new Michigan election law that critics called a "gag order." The injunction was a relief to many local and school officials fearful of legal repercussions for distributing information about upcoming ballot proposals. Gov. Rick Snyder had signed the legislation into law early this year. Some local officials say they're once again holding public meetings, talking to media and distributing information about some of more than 100 upcoming money-related local ballot proposals up for vote. Others said the law only stopped them from using taxpayer money for mass mailing, robo calls and TV or radio advertising campaigns. The law confused many. Now that the injunction is in place, some local officials are rushing to spread the word about their city, county, or township proposals. Dickinson County Clerk Dolly Cook said she's scrambling to inform voters about 12 proposals. That includes a 911 dispatch millage renewal, a service that can't function without tax money. "We do need to get (information) out, like I'm on the radio once a month," Cook said. "And man, I'll tell you what, when they put that out I didn't say a word because you're looking at a $20,000 fine. I'm glad the injunction is there." Benton Harbor Area Schools has a $6.062 million millage renewal request on the ballot. Chief Financial Officer Scott Johnson for the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency said the agency is "seriously considering" sending information about the proposal with the injunction in place. Superintendents from Pontiac School District and Pittsford Area Schools also say they're happy about the injunction. The Pontiac School District has a $27.6 million millage renewal proposal over the next 20 years. Pittsford has several bonding proposals that would help fix a leaky roof in a 1939 section of the school, repair old bathrooms and add electrical outlets to classrooms. The new law stopped them and other local governments from distributing information about upcoming ballot proposals 60 days before an election through mass mailing campaigns, robo calls and television or radio ads. The law was meant to curb the use of taxpayer money to spread biased interpretations of proposals, a practice that supporters of the change called "electioneering." U.S. District Judge John Corbett O'Meara issued the injunction about a week ago citing vague and confusing language after 18 plaintiffs mostly school and local officials filed a lawsuit against the state and secretary of state over the law. One plaintiff, Dowagiac Mayor Donald Lyons, said he was concerned about language he thought prohibited the use of city resources for informing voters about proposals. "What defines a city resource? Am I, as a mayor, a city resource? They're spending money, and I'm a resource, so does that mean that I can't speak on this issue?" Lyons asked. "The whole thing was very confusing, and I felt poorly written." Some believed it prohibited local officials from broadcasting public meetings or speaking with the media, something Alto Republican Lisa Posthumus Lyons denied. She sponsored a bill meant to clarify the law after Snyder asked lawmakers to do so in a bill-signing letter last month. Four other lawmakers have bills with similar intent. House leadership declined to hold a vote on Lyons' bill Wednesday because they're taking more time to craft clearer language and make revisions, said Gideon D'Assandro, spokesman for House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant. "It is unfortunate that at this point, we cannot seem to round up the votes for a bill that represents a good policy between addressing the schools and local governments' concerns and protecting our hardworking taxpayers," Lyons said. State law already prohibited local and school officials from using taxpayer money for outright advocacy, and the secretary of state has only found five such cases in the past three years, according to the Michigan Municipal League, which opposed the law. It's unclear what will happen after the March 8 primary as Republican leaders in the House go back to the drawing board with legislation meant to clarify the law. The Legislature passed the bill in December without public hearings or votes from Democrats. NORWAY, Mich. (AP) No matter what, her friends are always happy to see her. "Hi babe!" Wally said as she walked into the room. "Hi babe," Dianna Larson replied. Wally stuck his beak through his cage, cocked his head, then let out a cackle of a laugh. "You think that's funny?" Larson asked the 20-year-old cockatoo. "Yeah, come here, give me a kiss." She leaned her face in. Larson is the owner of Snuttles Hut Parrot Rescue and Refuge also known as her house which is in the small western Upper Peninsula town of Norway, right by the Wisconsin border. Since 2007, the 52-year-old has taken in dozens of parrots that were starved, abused or neglected by their owners, the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/1L2ZaHY ) reported. Right now, she's got 13 large birds sharing her small home. On top of that, she's taken in four dogs that came from troubled circumstances or shelters. Add in some clutter, and it's gotten pretty crowded in the old miner's shack she calls home. "This house isn't usually this cramped," she said, motioning to boxes stacked by the stairway to her bedroom as the dogs barked outside the back door. "My parents died within six months of each other, and a lot of stuff got shifted over here. I'm still trying to go through it." Nine years ago, she took in an ailing bird. Then another. More followed. And soon enough her home became a parrot rescue the only parrot rescue in the U.P. Larson walked through the birds' room, a bedroom filled with bird cages, and said "hi" to all of them in turn Luna and Napoleon and Buddy and Yoshee and Shamrock and the others. She lives alone, except for the birds and the dogs, which are part pets, part roommates, part companions. "They're like my kids," she said. "I love every one of them even the mean ones." In many ways, her home has become the birds' house. Her meals revolve around theirs. Her days are scheduled based on their needs. Her sympathy for these abused parrots is sometimes repaid with bites and scratches from the aggressive ones. Yet she remains devoted to them all. And, she says, they're just as devoted to her. "I have a house full of love," she said. "It can get noisy. It does get annoying sometimes. But it's a house full of love. You know, when I hear one of the cockatoos say 'I love you' I know that they mean it." ___ Her first bird was a pet, a racing pigeon her father found lying in the desert while he was riding his motorcycle. "He came across this thing flopping around, and when he came back an hour later he came back through the same way the bird was still there. So he picked it up and brought it home." Larson was born and raised in Illinois, got married and divorced there, and moved to the U.P. seven years ago to be near family members who'd migrated north. One day, she saw a little cockatiel in a pet store and bought it. "Well, friends of mine found out that I had gotten this bird, and the next thing I knew they were bringing me their birds, and it just kind of snowballed from there." At one time, back in Illinois, she had 52 birds in her house. Now she's more selective and keeps their numbers low. "I'm turning dogs away, I'm turning birds away," she said. "I just flat out can't afford it." But the calls for help still come in a bird someone tried to starve, another bird someone abused, a bird so stressed it mutilates itself. She regularly advertises on Craigslist, telling people she's willing to take in their sick and neglected parrots. There's an endless supply of them out there. The birds can live for decades, and most owners aren't prepared for what that entails. "People don't do their homework," said Larson, who also offers taming, training and grooming of people's birds at Snuttles Hut. "They don't realize a cockatoo, you've got to spend five, six, seven hours a day with one cockatoo or you end up with a bird like Yoshee, who pulls his own feathers out." Diana Allbaugh, who runs a wildlife rehab in nearby Kingsford, agreed that parrots require a lot of attention. But she says they're worth it. "They are incredibly intelligent, equal to a small child," said Allbaugh. "They have intense personalities, and once you get to know them they're just really neat little creatures. But you have to interact with them." She met Larson a few years ago and adopted two of her rescue birds. "She'll go hungry before those animals do," Allbaugh said. "She loves them, she cares for them the best she can with limited resources. She can use some help along that line. A bigger space would solve a lot of her problems." Larson admits that some people in her family worry that she's becoming a hoarder, what with all the birds and their cages, the dogs, the stacks of mail and paperwork on the kitchen counters, and the curio shelves with framed photos of her late father propped up behind stacks of souvenirs. "They're afraid that I've got too much stuff in the house, which I really do. And you know, they're afraid that the animals are going to suffer for it. But my animals get excellent care." ___ A two-page note, typed and taped to the front door of Snuttles Hut, greets her guests. It lays out very specific rules. Do not pick up the Chihuahua, it notes, adding that it "will bite your ankles if given the opportunity." Do not approach or make eye contact with Amy the abused dog, who is afraid of everyone but Larson. And watch your mouth around the birds. "Please refrain from using God's name in vain, and the F-bomb will not be tolerated here. Many of my birds talk and they will repeat words." After years of neglect or abuse before they got here, many of the animals are skittish, and anything can set them off. Even the friendly birds sometimes peck at her fingers or her face, drawing blood. "Please keep in mind that each and all of the animals here are rescued and they have not had very good lives before they got here," the note explains. Hosting a parrot rescue in a house isn't unusual; in fact there are several in downstate Michigan based inside people's homes. Plus, she's been certified as an avian specialist by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council in Washington, D.C., so she's not just some lady with a bunch of birds and no knowledge of how to care for them. As owner of the only parrot rescue Up North, she's well known in the region. The nearby animal shelter will call if it gets a large bird. And a library just over the Wisconsin border books her for lectures on parrots. But Snuttles Hut isn't a nonprofit and receives no funding from anywhere. So the birds' food and care is almost entirely paid for out of Larson's own pocket, even though she's on disability and holds only a part-time job as a cashier at a drug store in a neighboring town. A few people help her out. Her son drops off food sometimes. A bird-loving woman in France came across the Snuttles Hut Facebook page and has sent contributions. The manager of a local grocery store donates expired fruits and vegetables for the birds. And friends offer a little money now and then. Marti McDowell, who lives a few miles away in Iron Mountain, had a sick bird and found Larson on Craigslist. "I went to visit her and she's very overwhelmed with what she's taking care of there," she said. "She needs a bigger space." McDowell sponsors Conan, one of the birds, for $25 a month. Not long ago, Larson started a Go Fund Me page, seeking up to $1,200 for things like bird food, and possibly a bigger space for her and the birds. So far, the page has drawn little attention and no contributions. So she continues to pay for everything herself, with a little help from others who sympathize with her selflessness toward her animals. "Dianna has an absolute heart of gold," McDowell said. "And the reason she has so many birds in a small space is just because she doesn't have the heart to turn any of them away. And I hope someday she can get help more than she has now. Because she's just a wonderful person." ___ Larson poured some pancake batter in tiny circles on a hot frying pan and sprinkled them with little bits of fruit. It was lunch time. That day's offering was pancakes with strawberries and pineapple pieces. She and the birds eat the same meals at the same time. But the birds always eat first. "I get the leftovers," Larson said with a laugh. Taking care of 13 large, demanding birds is time consuming. It takes two or three hours to clean their cages. Feeding all of them takes about 90 minutes, and they get fed two or three times a day. She does this all by herself, often leaving her with little alone time before going to work. But all that effort is worth it, she said, for the reception she gets when she comes home. "I usually close the store," she said, "and I get home sometimes 10:30, sometimes quarter to 11, and Conan will wake up and he'll talk to me for about an hour. You know 'Hi! Welcome home! I'm glad you're home. I was a good bird,' and he just tells me how his day went, just jabbering away." She doesn't get to go out much, partly because there's not a lot to do in Norway, she said, and partly because she suffers from health problems, like migraines and fibromyalgia. "I've got days where I can't even get out of bed," she said. "Being on a fixed income like I am, I don't go out. I go to work, I go home, I go to the doctor's, I come back. And that's about the extent of my going out." But she doesn't need to. She's always got the companionship of her birds at the house, who don't know whether she's sick or broke or had a long day at work. She knows they're just happy she's home. "I don't get lonely," she said as she talked over the squawks and chirps and cackles of all the birds. "Like I said, I've got enough love in this house 13 birds and four dogs. There's plenty of love in this house. And I like it that way." ___ Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com Saginaw Valley State University has signed an agreement with the Michigan Department of Education that will allow high school students from approved teacher cadet programs to receive university credit. We are dedicated to providing the best opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in education, said Craig Douglas, dean of SVSUs College of Education. Many students feel a calling to be a teacher at a young age. This agreement empowers students to expedite their college education while still in high school. Under the agreement, students who graduate high school having completed an approved Teacher Cadet Career and Technical Education program will receive SVSU credit for the introductory teacher education course (TE 100/101) that is a prerequisite for SVSUs education programs. There are nearly 50 approved teacher cadet programs in Michigan. The job market for teachers is improving dramatically, and that trend will continue, especially in Michigan, Douglas said. So this is part of our commitment to providing the best educators to support our region and our state and get outstanding students into the teaching pipeline to educate future generations. To qualify, high school students must complete each of the 12 segments of the teacher cadet program, including the field work component, with a GPA of at least 3.0. Upon successfully enrolling at SVSU within three years of high school graduation, students must complete at least 12 credits as a full-time student, in addition to other requirements, prior to applying for the articulation credit. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts nearly 700,000 new jobs in education fields through 2024, making it No. 8 on the list of occupations expected to see the most job growth over the next decade. For more information on SVSUs teacher cadet agreement, contact the College of Education at 989-964-7107. ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) A 14-year-old girl accused of plotting with her soldier boyfriend to kill her mother last year called herself "a monster" as she pleaded guilty in exchange for a 35-year-to-life sentence, according to a transcript of the court proceeding. The transcript of Thursday's hearing also indicates that Jamie Silvonek has agreed to testify at the upcoming trial of Army Spc. Caleb Barnes, The (Allentown) Morning Call reported. Silvonek pleaded guilty in Lehigh County to first-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, evidence-tampering and abuse of a corpse in the March 15 death of 54-year-old Cheryl Silvonek. "I was a monster. There is no sugarcoating it and there is absolutely no sympathy," she said, according to the transcript. Silvonek said the couple discussed killing her mother for a week and Barnes talked about weapons he planned to use, the transcript said. "He had proposed that we kill her and we had discussed things such as luring her away, me luring her away," Jamie Silvonek said, according to the transcript. "And he made a comment such as, 'I already have my knives picked out.'" The hearing was not on any public court schedule and reporters weren't told about it, the newspaper reported. Judge Maria Dantos subsequently allowed a viewing of the transcript; lawyers in the case are subject to a gag order. Silvonek, who was charged as an adult, was accused of conspiring with Barnes via text to kill her mother in the driveway of her home near Allentown after returning from a concert. Authorities allege that Barnes, 21, stabbed the woman, and he and the teenager then ate at a restaurant and went shopping for gloves, bleach and other cleaning supplies. Barnes's trial on charges of homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy is scheduled for April 11. "I spent months lying about, about what I did. I can't go on with the rest of my life doing that," Jamie Silvonek said, according to the transcript. "My mother was . the glue that held everyone in my family together, including me. And I can't look at myself in the mirror knowing that." She told the judge, however, that Barnes did not force her to take part in the slaying, according to the transcript. "I did it myself. No one made me do it," she said. "I wasn't under the influence of anyone, or under any drug, or under anything, but my own selfishness." She also said she didn't care how much time she served in prison because "there is nothing, there is no punishment on Earth that can, that can ever compare to how I feel about myself." Authorities said Barnes and Jamie Silvonek met in October 2014, when she was 13, but she told him she was 17. Cheryl Silvonek found out about their relationship in early March 2015 and ordered them to end it, and a day later, the teenager told Barnes she wanted her parents dead, authorities alleged in court documents said. On March 14, Cheryl Silvonek learned that Barnes, who was based at Fort Meade in Maryland but was off-duty at the time, intended to take her daughter to a concert in Scranton, and she texted her daughter that he would not be allowed at the house. The teenager then texted Barnes, "She threatened to throw me out of the house. I want her gone," authorities said in an affidavit, and she later wrote to him "Just do it," authorities said. Police found Cheryl Silvonek's body in a shallow grave a few miles from the Silvonek home and the victim's blood-soaked car was found nearby. A while back in Germany, I was driving on the straight as an arrow B-1. That is Bundesstrasse, the equivalent of a U.S. highway, a notch below the Autobahn. Roads tend to curve around farmers fields, having been there first. The B-1 from Cologne on the Rhine toward Berlin was built by Napoleon, whose engineers cared little about farmers' rights, and aimed straight at one town church spire after another. I saw a big flag saying "Mitsubishi." Sure enough, the window stickers all said the same thing, Normal, Illinois USA. Trade among the three involved countries has been open and free. But as one issue disappears, others arise. Tax is often at the forefront. Assume the car engine is made by Mitsubishi in Japan and shipped to Normal, where it was put in the car. The finished product was sent to and sold in Germany, hopefully at a profit. Mitsubishi then paid tax on its revenue, less expenses. That might sound simple until one asks where the profit was really made. Understandably, Japanese, American and German authorities are all eager to collect. While the bottom line is all Mitsubishi, there was value added and expense in each of the countries, and each country is entitled to its share. Treaties do protect Mitsubishi from being taxed twice on the same profit. That engine made in Japan must be sold to the operation in Normal and the finished car again to the German branch. Now comes the accounting. It is well known that the U.S., at 35 percent, has the highest corporate tax rate in the world. Japan has about 30 percent and Europe averaged 25 percent, with Ireland a very attractive to business at 12.5 percent. Mitsubishi wants to charge itself a high price for those Japanese-made engines and then the American branch almost gave away the cars to Germany, shifting the profit to lower-tax Germany. The law, however, requires what is called the transfer price to be fair, whatever that might mean. A lot of energy goes into finding that number and the U.S., with its high tax rate, is usually on the short end of the stick. Hiding revenue is illegal tax evasion, but in transfer pricing, all the numbers are on the books and the fair value of that engine is not an easy call. You can bet companies are well aware of what they can get away with. A more world competitive tax rate might bring in more money. Mitsubishi is closing here and we all hope there will be some interest in the facility. Suppose both General Motors, headquartered near Canada, and Bavarian Motor Works from Munich would find the Normal facility attractive. Business has been good in Europe and both companies have $500 million socked away in a European bank ready to go. Wouldnt it be a thrill if we could help turning out those Bavarian buggies? Wouldnt be bad, either, but there is an additional problem of taxes. BMW, as a foreign company, is more than welcome to invest European profits in Normal but GM would have to pay a heavy tax to bring those foreign profits home. BMW, of course, pays no U.S. tax on European profits but GM as an American corporation has to pay the difference between the 35 percent and the lower foreign rate only if it repatriates the money. Some years ago, American toolmaker Stanley and just recently Walgreens flirted with going offshore. Pfizer has gone to Ireland. In the last week or so, Johnson Controls of Milwaukee also is going for that 12.5 percent tax rate in Ireland. Some politicians have called for laws to prevent our companies from leaving. It wont be that easy. Treaties allow American companies to buy up foreign firms and, in this two-way street, a corporate inversion allows a foreign company to acquire a much larger American firm, moving its seat of incorporation overseas. Others say our corporations should pay our higher tax up front. In this corner, Dr. Leslie Parrott. In that corner, Dr. Les Parrott. Come out swinging ... and may the best same-named Parrott win. But first: some back story. Thirty-three years ago, two doctors, each called Leslie, found true love and, soon after, enduring wedlock. They also found that, among a host of other long-term relationship challenges, conflict is handled best by those who know how to fight well. Their mantra: "Conflict is natural in most marriages ... the price you pay for deepening intimacy." Hence, Parrot vs. Parrot, a grudge-free match coming Feb. 21 to Peoria's Northwoods Community Church, fast on the heels of the most romantic day of the year (which is today, in fact). Besides being a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Parrott (Les) is also an ordained Nazarene minister, thus the aptness of the event's church forum (though, he insists, no specific faith agendas are being promoted). The other Dr. Parrott (Leslie) is not a minister, but she is a marriage and family therapist. Together the Seattle-based couple have pooled their formidable resources to internationally noted status as, among other things, New York Times best-selling authors, regular TV guests ("Oprah," "CBS This Morning," CNN, "The View," etc.) and globe-trotting guest speakers/relationship mentors in countries far and wide. "Fight Night," as the currently touring live event is officially dubbed, features the Parrrotts squaring off in a two-round match "to help couples learn how to fight well." And not just legal couples, but inquiring singles, too, says Dr. Les (the Parrott interviewed for this story), noting singles typically make up a sizable chunk of each show's audience. "This is intended as a date night, and it's fun, first and foremost," says the Kankakee native with roots deep enough in Midwestern turf to know what makes us tick hereabouts. "Secondly, you get to learn while you laugh in 2 hours," he adds, noting that the evening is structured in true WWE fashion: It starts with Round One, in which the Parrotts address the subject of "why we fight with the person we love most." Following a break, the bell sounds for Round Two, in which the topic is "how to fight with the person you love most." All told, the two rounds culminate in the overarching theme of the Parrotts' basic premise of that aforementioned mantra about conflict being the price we pay for intimacy. Who should know better than an "old married couple" of 33 years? "We're not here to say, 'look how great our marriage is, so do it like us' ... we're here to show you what we've learned from our own fights," he adds. Like, say, the time early on in their union, when they had a little, but loud, meltdown on the streets of San Francisco, involving a trolley. Les jumped on, extended his arm for Leslie to grab and jump up, too. But she pulled back, leading to an exchange witnessed by the crowded trolley's occupants as well as the couple they were visiting with, who retreated across the street to avoid the spat. Leslie's retort to pulling back: "I trust God for my safety, but I can't trust you!" Ouch. Then there was time that the marriage counselors were en route to a marriage retreat, where they were the star speakers. And they were on the verge of being late. Les was in the car fuming; Leslie, in the office gathering papers, eventually showed up as rain began to fall. Then she dropped all her papers, with hundreds of handouts and notes pages landing in or near a curb-side puddle. Physicians, heal thyself ... especially before you get thee to the marriage retreat? "We were young enough when these fights happened that we've learned a lot since," Les admits. "We have fewer of them now, and when they do happen, we've learned how to turn the tables on them and make them work to our advantage." Bottom line: "Every marriage has conflict; it doesn't matter how loving you are," he adds. "I used to be suspicious of marriages where the people told me they never fight. But, truth be told, there are a few out there where the couples have similar personality types, which includes conflict avoidance." Les calls that's a coping mechanism that suppresses the conflict, but doesn't necessarily resolve it. In general, he, says, "the absence of fights doesn't auger well for most marriages," while, at the same time, "clean and constructive fighting is better than down-and-dirty fighting." Despite having the same names and professions, the two Parrots come into their roles as individuals in the realm of offering enlightened views "coming from different perspectives as a man and a woman." WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Park Service is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, but the system faces a multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog that officials say is no cause for rejoicing. Long-delayed projects range from replacing water works at the Grand Canyon to making sure the Jefferson Memorial doesn't sink into the Tidal Basin to improving roads at Yosemite National Park. The bill for deferred work is nearly $12 billion nationwide a $440 million increase over last year. About half the total is for road work. The remainder is for buildings, campgrounds, trails and infrastructure such as water systems and wastewater treatment. Hoping to take advantage of the Park Service's August centennial, President Barack Obama has proposed spending $900 million over three years to reduce the backlog, with another $300 million targeted for restoration projects. Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis said the annual bill for maintaining America's national parks is nearly twice as much as appropriated by Congress, with expenses growing every year. Still, Jarvis said he is encouraged that Congress seems to be getting the message after years of complaints. Lawmakers approved $547 million for maintenance in the current budget year, a $118 million increase over last year. The figure includes spending in the agency's budget and in the five-year transportation law Congress approved in December. "We have a lot yet to do, but I think everything is moving in the right direction," Jarvis said last week, adding: "Congress has pitched in." The Park Service also hopes to expand a Centennial Challenge project that enables the agency to leverage private contributions to complete important projects that improve visitor services in the parks, Jarvis said. Congress provided $15 million for projects this year that will be matched by almost $33 million from more than 90 park partners, Jarvis said. The centennial project includes $4 million to support the "Every Kid in a Park" program that provides opportunities for children, especially fourth-graders, to experience national parks. Most of the nation's 409 park sites have a piece of the maintenance backlog. Alcatraz, the former federal prison in California, has crumbling walls and deteriorating windows. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky needs to have dirt trails replaced for safety. DWIGHT Angela Marie Boundy and Trent Steven Becker, both of Homewood, were married Oct. 17, 2015, at Dwight Methodist Church, Dwight. The bride's parents are Steve and Vivian Boundy of Dwight. The groom's mother is Mary Becker of Odell. Stephani Hoegger was matron of honor. Melissa Funk, Erin Fogarty, Sarah Gereaux, Sarah Sanken, Alyson DePaul, Kathleen Albert and Katie Good were bridesmaids. Jan Rakes was best man. Groomsmen were Nathan Hoegger, Roger Felentz, Michael Sand, Ryan Barschdorf, Jesse Walker, Jake Marshall and Jake Wilson. The ushers were Jody Davis and Andy Price. The flower girl was Leah Hoegger, and the ring bearer was Reid Hoegger. The reception was at Pontiac Elks Lodge, followed by a wedding trip to Jamaica. The bride is a graduate of Dwight Township High School, and has a bachelor of science from Illinois State University and a doctor of physical therapy from Bradley University. She is a physical therapist at METT Therapy Services in Olympia Fields. The groom is a graduate of Pontiac Township High School, and has a bachelor of science from Illinois State University. He is a safety manager at Walsh Construction of Chicago. BLOOMINGTON Lives are being saved outside of hospitals in Bloomington-Normal because people know what to do to save hearts and aren't afraid to act. Three people in the Twin Cities collapsed in public places in unrelated incidents around the same time several weeks ago. In all three cases, people responded with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to keep blood flowing and used an AED (automated external defibrillator) to shock hearts back into rhythm. All three people who had been clinically dead lived and are recovering. Sheila Diaz, Robert Krueger and Dr. Bill Neil said last week that they were doing well. "I'm glad that people stepped up to help me and the other two people," Neil said. "They had the courage and knowledge to help." Even veterans to the CPR/AED awareness effort were impressed with three saves at the same time. "It was really rather shocking to me," said Dr. James McCriskin, a cardiologist with Advocate Heart Institute at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and medical director of Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation's AED program. That all three survived without cognitive impairment shows the value of immediate chest compressions to keep blood flowing to the brain, McCriskin said. "How wonderful is it that three relatively young people are returning to being fully functional members of society." "This shows the importance of recognizing the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and getting involved," added Jan Berlin, Advocate BroMenn Training Center coordinator. "If you see someone go down, yell to see if they respond," Berlin advised. "If they do, talk with them to find out if they're OK. If they don't respond, call 911, yell for someone to get an AED and push hard and fast in the center of their chest until paramedics arrive." In reaction to the three public saves, Illinois Heart & Lung, Advocate Heart and Heartland Community College are organizing a communitywide CPR/AED certification training day Feb. 27 at Heartland. In addition, Illinois Heart and Lung which helped to place 103 AEDs countywide is urging employers to buy AEDs and register them with Metcom. Locations that already have an AED are encouraged to have them serviced. There are more than 326,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests each year in the United States and 90 percent of those people die, Berlin said. If they are administered CPR immediately and an AED is used, their odds of survival can double or triple. "People hesitate because they don't know what to do or are scared to do something wrong," Berlin said. But CPR/AED classes are offered throughout the community and people who do what they are trained to do are shielded from lawsuit by the state's Good Samaritan law. "The person is dead," Berlin said. "If you do nothing, they will stay that way. You need to act fast if you are to improve their chances." "We've heard from the experts in the medical community that performing CPR and using an AED can play an important role in saving people and we have embraced that as first responders," said Chief Rick Bleichner of the Normal Police Department. "It's one thing to hear that. It's another thing when you see it happen," her said. "The more people who know CPR, the better off we all are. That makes us a safer community." BLOOMINGTON A parking ban is in effect Sunday for snow routes in Bloomington with snow measuring up to 3 inches expected before it stops by late afternoon. A A snow parking ban also will go into effect on all streets in Normal at noon. In Bloomington, the ban means all vehicles must be off of designated snow routes in Bloomington. According to a press release issued by the city, residents are encouraged to park off all streets, even if they are not designated snow routes, to allow plow drivers to clear snow more efficiently and safely. In Normal, no parked cars are permitted on any streets. Cars must be moved off the streets to a driveway, garage or parking lot. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Lincoln calls for 2 to 3 inches across most of Central Illinois, with the heaviest snowfall late Sunday morning into mid-afternoon. There also is chance of a brief period of freezing drizzle late Sunday before it changes to rain Monday morning, according to NWS. A winter weather advisory is in effect for most Pantagraph-area counties until 6 p.m. Sunday. Wind speeds will be 15 to 20 mph with gusts near 25 mph, said NWS. The advisory means periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. NWS urges drivers to be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility. Roads will certainly become slippery until they are plowed and treated, said meteorologist Patrick Bak. Be sure to allow extra travel time Sunday. On Saturday, Bloomington's Public Works Department crews loaded trucks with snow and plows were mounted, according to an alert on the city's website. As hazardous conditions begin to develop, crews will plow and/or salt snow routes as needed. If snow accumulation reach more than 2 inches, trucks can be sent onto residential roadways as long as the major roads are safe for vehicular travel, says the alert. While temperatures on Saturday lingered in the single digits with wind chill factors below zero much of the day, Sunday will warm up, with the mercury reaching the mid-20s, said the weather service. It was 15 degrees at 8 a.m. The New Hampshire results have solidified the reigning cliche that the 2016 campaign is an anti-establishment revolt of both the left and the right. Largely overlooked, however, is the role played in setting the national mood by the seven-year legacy of the Obama presidency. Yes, you hear constant denunciations of institutions, parties, leaders, donors, lobbyists, influence peddlers. But the starting point of the bipartisan critique is the social, economic and geopolitical wreckage all around us. Bernie Sanders is careful never to blame Obama directly, but his description of the America Obama leaves behind is devastating -- a wasteland of stagnant wages, rising inequality, a sinking middle class, young people crushed by debt, the American Dream dying. Take away the Brooklyn accent and the Larry David mannerisms and you would have thought you were listening to a Republican candidate. After all, who's been in charge for the last seven years? Donald Trump is even more colorful in describing the current "mess" and more direct in attributing it to the country's leadership most pungently, its stupidity and incompetence. Both candidates are not just anti-establishment but anti-status quo. The revolt is as much about the Obama legacy as it is about institutions. Look at New Hampshire. Hillary Clinton had made a strategic decision, as highlighted in the debates, to wrap herself in the mantle of the Obama presidency. Big mistake. Beyond railing against the wreckage, the other commonality between the two big New Hampshire winners is in the nature of the cure they offer. Let the others propose carefully budgeted five-point plans. Sanders and Trump offer magic. Take Sanders' New Hampshire victory speech. It promised the moon: college education, free; universal health care, free; world peace, also free because we won't be "the policeman of the world." Plus a guaranteed $15 minimum wage. All to be achieved by taxing the rich. Who can be against a "speculation" tax (whatever that means)? So with Trump. Leave it to him. Jobs will flow back in a rush from China, from Japan, from Mexico, from everywhere. Universal health care, with Obamacare replaced by "something terrific." Veterans finally taken care of. Drugs stopped cold at the border. Indeed, an end to drug addiction itself. How? That question never comes up anymore. His will be done, on earth if not yet in heaven. Yes, people love Trump's contempt for the "establishment" which as far as I can tell means anything not Trump but what is truly thrilling is the promise of a near-biblical restoration. As painless as Sanders'. In truth, Trump and Sanders are soaring not just by defying the establishment, but by defying logic and history. Sanders' magic potion is socialism; Trump's is Trump. The young Democrats swooning for Sanders appear unfamiliar with socialism's century-long career, a dismal tale of ruination from Russia to Cuba to Venezuela. Indeed, are they even aware that China's greatest reduction in poverty in human history correlates precisely with the degree to which it has given up socialism? Trump's magic is toughness toughness in a world of losers. The power and will of the caudillo will make everything right. Apart from the fact that strongman rule contradicts the American constitutional tradition of limited and constrained government, caudillo populism simply doesn't work. It accounts in a large part for the relative backwardness of Africa and Latin America. In 1900, Argentina had a per capita income fully 70 percent of ours. After a 20th century wallowing in Peronism and its imitators, Argentina is a basket case, its per capita income now 23 percent of ours. There certainly is a crisis of confidence in the country's institutions. But that's hardly new. Yet not in our lifetimes have the left and right populism of the Sanders and Trump variety enjoyed such massive support. The added factor is the Obama effect, the depressed and anxious mood of a nation experiencing its worst economic recovery since World War II and watching its power and influence abroad decline amid a willed global retreat. The result is a politics of high fantasy. Things can't get any worse, we hear, so why not shake things up to their foundation? Anyone who thinks things can't get any worse knows nothing. And risks everything. Illinois has 97 local health departments. They are the first line of defense for public health they make sure the food you eat is safe, regulate private sewer systems, provide immunizations against infectious disease, and investigate and respond to disease outbreaks. They analyze and access local health conditions, and they work on preventive control of disease through health promotion and early intervention. They do a job unlike any other local entity. Staff is ready to respond to unexpected public health crises 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and maintain a readiness level to rapidly distribute lifesaving medication or vaccine within 48 hours or less should a pandemic, bio-terrorism or natural disaster warrant such action. As we enter our 70th year of operation, the McLean County Health Department remains steady in its mission to assure conditions conducive to good health and provide leadership in promoting and protecting the health of county residents. We continue to adapt to the ever-changing needs of a diverse and growing population and are proud to have played a role in many public health victories, including a reduction in the number of low birth-weight infants, and the reduction in adult smoking rates. We continue to be faithful stewards of monies entrusted to us. The fact that we have achieved these things for the past 70 years while keeping the overall public health tax levy at just 56 percent of the statutory maximum and decreasing personal property tax support by 38 percent over the past 10 years, underscores our commitment to fiscal responsibility. Taxpayers receive many protections at a modest cost. The health department receives 1.3 percent of county property tax bills; if, for instance, a person has a $4,200 tax bill, then for the year, that individual would contribute $56.28 toward the health departments $8.4 million operating budget. We are working to reduce our reliance on property tax support even further, and from 2005 until 2015 weve put $1.24 million from the fund balance toward that objective. Our county residents also receive a wide range of services designed to ensure that public health protections are available and accessible to everyone. Diligent analysis of unmet needs as related to current services and available resources guide our efforts. We would be careless to spend our unappropriated reserves to establish new programs that we have no funding to maintain. It not only jeopardizes our ability to maintain our preparedness level, negatively impacting our emergency response capabilities, but also new programs without identifiable future funding sources may require future rate increases or funding requests to sustain at the potential expense of taxpayers. Reducing our unappropriated reserves for one-time, short-term savings is no better, as that could place us at jeopardy for what is happening to many local health departments now, forcing them to reduce hours of operation and staff, or discontinue programs. We will always remain one of the best kept secrets around always vigilant, always working to maintain a safe and healthy environment, while operating in the background without great fanfare, as residents go about their daily routines relatively unaware of the protections we provide. So, instead of a continued debate about how much money is too much money to hold in reserves, allow us to remain focused on whether adequate time, effort, and resources are being devoted to preventative health efforts and the protection of our community. That has been our strong suit for the past 70 years lets continue together as partners in prevention, and shine light on our resourcefulness rather than resources. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Bipolar disorder has afflicted a number of everyday characters in film, from Mark Ruffalos struggling dad in Infinitely Polar Bear to the ballroom dancing Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook. But the illness seems to strike the creative class the hardest, with the highs and lows often romanticized on screen as an exchange, of sorts, for an artists gift. Look at the biopics available about Virginia Woolf, Jackson Pollock, Ludwig van Beethoven to watch any number of tortured artists at work. Touched with Fire, writer-director-composer Paul Dalios feature debut (and executive produced by his NYU mentor Spike Lee), is the latest film to explore creativity and mental illness. Originally titled Mania Days, the film follows a tempestuous relationship between two bipolar poets, Carla (Katie Holmes) and Marco (Luke Kirby), whose talents are more quotidian than Keatsian. They meet during a group therapy session at a residential mental health facility and immediately dislike each other. The two warm up once they discover common interests in art and poetry. Rather than making the romance the central story, Dalio, who has firsthand experience with bipolar disorder, keeps the focus on the characters journeys with the illness. Dalio also manages to keep Touched with Fire (mostly) away from the melodrama, though he seems less adept at subtext and subtlety. The multiple references to Vincent van Goghs The Starry Night (1889), a painting that depicts the view from the artists room in an asylum, become tiresome. Touched with Fire is at its most successful when Dalio attempts to articulate the bipolar mind. Holmes delivers a powerfully restrained performance as a character trying to temper her manic movements and rapid-fire speech, though her countenance belies a racing psyche. Kirbys Marco, a rhymer and street poet, is pure frenetic energy, talking nonstop about nothing and everything. Its in these early scenes that Dalio and director of photography Kristina Nikolova use the camera to dizzying and claustrophobic effect: The unsteady and breakneck maneuvers become almost experiential for the viewer. In the hospital, the two meet surreptitiously in the art room at night. They begin to fuel the others mania, and its here that Dalio wisely employs swirling projections of Starry Night to illustrate their reality. Carla and Marco are convinced they are not from this planet, and they both want to return home. They build a transport device from the art rooms chairs, silverware and Play-Doh. Their doctors and parents (who are almost too compassionate) must now separate them. The depression that follows is the inverse of their highest highs, and the films changing color palette, now steeped in gray, reflects their inner states. The two eventually reunite against the wishes of their families and the advice of their doctors, but Carla and Marco are adults, so they choose each other and choose to foster their creativityby going off their medication. Touched with Fire wallows in bathos during its final act, as the lovers embark on a random road trip thats reminiscent of Drew Barrymore and Chris ODonnell in Mad Love. Two other scenes in the final third feel out of step with the rest of the film. One sequence between Carla, Marco and their parents feels all too staged, despite the notable performances by Bruce Altman and Christine Lahti as Carlas parents and Griffin Dunne as Marcos father. In the other odd scene, author and psychologist Kay Jamison meets Marco and Carla for coffee, and proceeds to gently lecture Marco how medication wont strip him of his creativity. We find out later that Jamison wrote the book Touched with Fire, a medical text that was among the first to examine the correlation between artistic genius and bipolarism. Jamisons work helped Dalio come to terms with his own illness. Marco, like Dalio, is a fan of the book and references it often in conversation with Carla, but bringing in the author for explanations isnt necessary. Dalios film is thought-provoking, with his characters offering different perspectives on bipolar disorder. When Marco asks another character to think about if youd medicated van Gogh, Touched with Fire refuses a simple conclusion. With captivating performances by Kirby, Holmes and the supporting cast, Dalio has created a complex portrait of those caught in the push-pull between the illness and the desire for a normal lifewhatever that may be for people like Carla and Marco. Director: Paul Dalio Writer: Paul Dalio Starring: Katie Holmes, Luke Kirby, Griffin Dunne, Bruce Altman, Christine Lahti Release Date: Feb. 12 in New York and Los Angeles, Feb. 19 nationwide Christine N. Ziemba is a Los Angeles-based freelance pop culture writer and regular contributor to Paste. You can follow her on Twitter. Pope Francis addressed the Bishops of Mexico in the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City after the historic reception of the Pope by President Pena Nieto. Weaving the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe into his address, I wish to share some topics the Pope addressed in his talk. Francis said strongly to the bishops, we do not need princes, but a community of witnesses of the Lord. The Pope emphasized the need for unity and communion among the bishops. If you have to fight, fight; if you have to say things to each other, say them, but as men. Say them to each others faces as men of God, who afterwards will pray together, discern together, and if you went past the line, ask for forgiveness to maintain unity in the episcopate. The Pope recognized that the church of Mexico is vast and multifaceted, hence the need for bishops to be servants and custodians of unity built upon the Word of God, nourished by His Body and guided by His Spirit. I imagine that whoever is causing discord among the bishops received a clear message from the Pope. The Pope called bishops not only to be united, but to be blameless in word and action. Be bishops with pure vision, transparent souls, and luminous faces. Do not be afraid of transparency. In a nation where it is easy to become entangled by corruption and the drug trade, the Pope called the bishops to remain in the light, and away from the seducing darkness. He warned them of being distant or aloof, clerical, cold, indifferent, and self-centered. Do not waste your time and energy in secondary things, in gossip or intrigue, careerism, empty plans for superiority do not allow yourselves to be dragged into gossip and slander. I imagine that the initial excitement of welcoming a Pope who shared their Latin American background wore off a bit as the Pope revealed his knowledge of the shortcomings faced by Latin American bishops. My favorite words from this address happened when Pope Francis stated, I invite you to grow tirelessly and without fear in the task of evangelization, and in deepening the faith of others through a catechesis that treasures the popular religiosity of the people. In Spanish, the Pope literally invited the bishops to grow tired as they catechize and respect the traditional piety of the people, key in transmitting the faith from generation to the next. I loved the image of bishops growing tired as they labor in the catechesis of their people. If there is one thing worth getting exhausted while doing, it is preaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelization and catechesis. Pope Francis emphasized several times during his address the importance of indigenous populations. Mexico, like most of Latin American nations, is composed of a melting pot of indigenous, African and European populations, where the vast majority (indigenous and African members) have suffered tremendously. The Pope acknowledged this great suffering which has spilled much blood over the years. He exhorted the bishops: I ask you to gaze with singular attentiveness towards indigenous peoples, towards them and their fascinating, and many times massacred, cultures. Mexico has need of its indigenous roots in order not to remain an unresolved enigma. The indigenous peoples of Mexico still await recognition for the richness of their contributions and the fruitfulness of their presence. The Pope called on the bishops to encourage their people to remember their ancient roots that have allowed a lively Christian synthesis and have aided them in overcoming challenging situations. Francis described the devastating effects of the drug trade as a cancerous metastasis which devours and attracts many of the youth. Giving old answers to new questions is not good enough. He challenged the bishops not to hide behind generic condemnations, but to become courageous and prophetic voices in the midst of difficulties. Many are crying out to God, and the bishops must answer by responding that God exists and He is near through Jesus. The address concluded with a reference to immigrants. The Pope mentioned the millions who have traveled north seeking new opportunities while leaving behind their roots and facing new challenges. This leaves divided families and leads to integration troubles. The Pope challenged the bishops saying, brothers, may your hearts be able to follow and reach beyond borders. Strengthen your bonds with the bishops of the United States, so that the maternal presence of the Church may keep alive the faith of immigrants. The following words of the Pope struck me right in the heart, May it never happen that, hanging up their lyres, their joys become damped, they forget Jerusalem and are exiled from themselves. Making reference to Psalm 136 where Jews lamented the loss of Jerusalem, Pope Francis does not want immigrants to grow discouraged in the United States, lose their faith, and become exiles not only from their country, but also from their faith. My hope is that closer cooperation between Mexican and US Bishops may lead to a greater willingness to release priests from Mexico to work in the United States in immigrant communities. Though the Pope showed the bishops tough love, he strengthened them and encouraged them in their mission. He recognized that the Mexican bishops have increased in number and collegiality while promoting pastoral work in the family, vocations and social work. As Pope Francis continues his apostolic visit to Mexico, he will experience the love and devotion of a deeply Catholic nation that experienced a blessed visit from Mary, the Mother of God. They are a people whose identity is found in La Morenita who not only is mother, but also one them. May the joyful visit continue and bring about many blessings for the whole Church. All these pictures are mine, all rights reserved. First Iranian Marine Hotel To Show Beauties of Persian Gulf 02/14/16 Report: Tehran Times ; Photos: Toranj Hotel Tourists who travel to Iran's Kish Island can enjoy beauties of sea life in the Persian Gulf during their sojourn in the first Iranian marine hotel, Toranj, which was inaugurated on February 11. The hotel, which is located in the northwest of Kish Island, comprises water villas with a direct seafloor view through a glass floor. Toranj Hotel, Kish Island, Persian Gulf The water villas are linked via a wooden jetty and designed in the form of Paisley, an Iranian national symbol. The complex has a private balcony and includes 100 suites, namely 40 sq.m classic suites, 60 sq.m royal suites, and 120 sq.m imperial suites, with the capacity of 2, 4 and 6 persons, respectively. The onshore section of the hotel is being constructed, the hotel's website announced. The design and construction philosophy of the hotel have been based on environmental friendliness and minimal damage to the ecosystem. The hotel is equipped with a restaurant with a glass floor for direct seafloor view, tourism information center, currency exchange and rental service (car, scooter, bicycle). Foreign nationals need no entry visa at the authorized arrival and departure points on the Kish Island. Kish Island Iran eyes historic air trips to New York 02/14/16 Source: Press TV Iran's media say the country is eyeing historic direct flights to New York and Toronto in a recent major deal it has signed for buying planes from Airbus. Only weeks after Iran sealed a lucrative deal with Airbus to purchase 118 new planes that include long-range aircraft, a debate has opened in the country as to for which destinations those planes will be used. Titre20.ir, a Persian-language news website, speculated on Sunday that the long-range Airbus 380 planes will be most specifically used for direct flights to New York and Toronto which experts say will be made through the North Pole. Trips to both destinations - if proceeded as speculated - will take over 12 hours for a distance of above 9,000 kilometers and will occur for the first time in more than three decades. The historic flights could facilitate Iran's trade with the US and Canada given that they will have merchants and tourists on board as the most frequent travelers. Other long-range direct destinations will include Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Johannesburg, London, Casablanca, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro, added Titre20.ir. The $16-billion-deal with Airbus to purchase planes from the French aviation giant was signed during the trip to Paris by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani. The deal - which is yet to be finalized - envisages providing Iran with a mix of new and used jets from the A320 family and the out-of-production A340s apart from about a dozen A380s. The country is also looking to purchase smaller planes from Canada's Bombardier and Brazil's Embraer. A separate is on agenda for Iran to buy narrow-body 737s for domestic flights and two-aisle 777s for long-haul routes from US aircraft maker Boeing. Iranian officials have already said that the country's civil aviation fleet consists of 248 aircraft with an average age of 20 years, 100 of which are presently grounded. Murrieta Valley and Riverside Hillcrest received the top seed in Division 2 and Division 7, respectively, as the CIF-Southern Section released its girls water polo playoff pairings Saturday. Murrieta Valley (22-7) has been the No. 1-ranked team in the Division 2 poll since early January. The Nighthawks are undefeated against Division 2 opponents this season, including a 3-0 mark against No. 2 seed Lake Forest El Toro, the divisions defending champion and the team that ended Murrieta Valleys 2015 season in the semifinals. The Nighthawks will open at home Tuesday evening against Thousand Oaks or Alhambra Vista Murrieta (21-8) will host Montebello in a Division 2 first-round match Thursday evening. Its a rematch of a nonleague game in December, which Vista Murrieta won 11-10. With a win, the Broncos likely would get a chance to avenge last seasons opening-round loss to Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos. Hillcrest is one of three Inland area teams looking to avenge title match losses from last season. The Trojans (19-9) received a first-round bye in the Division 7 bracket and will host Fontana or Rowland Heights Rowland in Thursdays second round. Ventura Foothill Tech, the which beat Hillcrest 10-7 in last years title match, is the No. 2 seeded team in the bracket. Teams from the Big VIII League had to wait a couple of hours to find out their matchups, as the Division 3 bracket needed two revisions after bracketing errors. Riverside King (21-7) is the divisions No. 2 seed and will host Pico Rivera El Rancho or Paso Robles in a first-round match Wednesday evening. The top seeded team is Arroyo Grande, which beat King 6-4 in last years final. Corona Santiago (15-13) will host Whittier California in the opening round. Riverside Poly (19-9) picked up the No. 2 seed in Division 4, putting the Bears in good position to reach the finals for the fourth consecutive season. Poly will open at home Thursday against Glendale. Simi Valley Royal, which beat the Bears 13-8 in last years title match, is the divisions top seed. Citrus Belt League co-champs San Bernardino Cajon (16-12) and Yucaipa (23-6) will open the Division 5 playoffs on Wednesday. Cajon will try to avenge an earlier loss when it hosts Chino. Yucaipa will travel to Hacienda Heights Los Altos, which is the divisions defending champion. Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon (15-13) will host Culver City in a Division 6 opener Thursday. Murrieta Mesa (21-6) and Lake Elsinore Lakeside (15-13) will make their programs playoff debuts Tuesday in wildcard matches. Murrieta Mesa will host Lakewood in Division 2, and Lakeside will host Hemet West Valley in Division 6. Perhaps the best compliment ever paid Jerry and RoseMarie Smith was on an 8-day motorcycle trip through Spain in 2007. Their Andalusian tour director said: You guys ride like one rider, like youre dancing. That remark could serve as a metaphor of the Riverside couples 55-year marriage. In biker lingo, the Smiths, clad in full padded armor, ride seamlessly together as 2-up, with RoseMarie, 75, leaning into Jerry, 77, but not clinging to him. Today, thousands of miles, hundreds of adventures and 48 years after buying their first motorcycle, the Smiths are still riding high on their current heartthrob, cycle number seven, a Honda ST 1300. They have no plans of slowing down. The fact of their 2-up ridership also captures the soul of the couples relationship. They remain committed, equal partners, but strikingly different individuals, staying together despite some bumpy roads and rough patches. Both grew up poor in broken homes wearing hand-me-downs: RoseMarie in New Orleans, Jerry in Beach City, Ohio. Married after a brief courtship, they raised two sons while shuttling among five states because of Jerrys 24-year Air Force career. While Jerrys studies stretched over 16 years to earn a college degree, RoseMarie still made sure they ate as family, often at 8 p.m. after his night classes. Even after Jerry retired in 1982 as a lieutenant colonel, the Smiths weathered challenges. They toughed it out during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in Biloxi, Miss., where miraculously, a 26-foot tide of water halted a block from their house. Sons Matthew, 54, who works in insurance in Ashboro, N.C. and Micah, 51, a freelance photographer in Los Angeles, said that their parents completely support but complement one another. RoseMarie is the North to Jerrys South, her midnight to his noon, her song to his talk. Arlene Canaan, 67, a dear friend in New Orleans, said Jerry is the reserved, harder-to-get-to-know half while RoseMarie with her fizzing personality, is his extroverted counterpart who never meets a stranger. In their case, opposites did attract, Canaan said. Five years ago the Smiths settled in the Altavita retirement community, formerly Air Force Village West in Riverside, to be close to Micah. It proved to be a propitious move for both families. For a-year-and-a-half, RoseMarie rode the Metrolink to L.A. several days a week to help care for his two young children while Micahs wife, Katie Smith, now in remission, was treated for brain cancer. Jerry has never held me back, but encouraged me in everything I wanted to do, said RoseMarie during an interview at home. I trust him. I like him. Hes a real cool guy. With Jerrys blessings, she reinvented herself throughout their marriage as a travel agent, tour guide, caregiver, oil painter and jewelry maker. As volunteers, they helped build a church in Chile and house bring supplies to Katrina victims. And although they may look like theyre dancing while riding, Jerry admits that hes got two hopeless left feet. RoseMarie set out to teach me, Jerry said. I made an attempt and I stomped on her foot. And I said, Youll never dance with me. And she said, Youre right. Hes still a fighter, trying to keep up with his whirling dervish wife at line dancing and Zumba classes. RoseMarie, she of the nimble footwork, learned her first moves at 6, dancing with her single moms dates at honky-tonk clubs in New Orleans. I came up to their belts, she remembers. She danced off with Jerry, proposing to him five months after they met on a blind date in April 1960. She was 19, a fun-loving 5-foot beauty pageant finalist working for at an airlines ticket counter in the Big Easy. He was 21, a serious, quiet, 6-foot second lieutenant with white-gold curls and cornflower blue eyes, stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. In the sunshine, his hair looked like golden threads, Rosemarie said. She was gorgeous, Jerry said. She liked him, but enjoyed hanging out with her friends in the French Quarter, too. After she wrote Jerry a letter allowing him to see other women, he fired back with an ultimatum: Its me or nobody else. RoseMarie retorted: Well, if its no one else, we might as well get married. On Jerrys next day off, they got hitched in a full military saber ceremony on Sept. 3, 1960 in the chapel at Keesler. They honeymooned over the long weekend in Mobile, Ala., catching a live wrestling match and boating to nearby Dauphin Island. While Jerry worked a a ground electronics officer, RoseMarie stayed home with Matthew and then Micah. They wanted Matt and me to have the childhoods and upbringings they never had, Micah said. The Smiths first motorcycle joined the family in 1968, partly for nostalgic reasons, partly for diversionary ones. I had a stressful job, Jerry recalls. At the time, Jerry, a commander of a military radar site in Empire Mich., found the solution beckoning from an old photo he loved. He was a baby perched on his parents motorcycle before they divorced, before his mom died when he was 10, before he lived with his grandmother. RoseMarie needed no prompting to hop on behind her hubby for that first ride after he splurged, spending $800 on a BSA 500. My mom is fearless, said Micah. Jerry may be a dancing dud, but RoseMarie discovered that her man was a driving dandy graceful, gentle controlled and smooth in his dips and turns while piloting the motorcycle. What I love so much is that its relaxing for me, said RoseMarie. As a painter, I can enjoy the beauty of seeing things, the ochre mixed with viridian. These days theyll roar off to Tahoe, Carlsbad or Pala for quick getaways and impromptu lunches. They plan to scout out Santa Barbara soon before RoseMarie arranges a three-day group Altavita bus tour there in April. And of course, it wouldnt be Valentines Day without a spin. After a brunch Sunday at the Village, theyll quickly doff their matching red, white and black dress-up clothes and don their riding gear. Then were gonna blow out, RoseMarie said, laughing. Contact the writer: llucas@pressenterprise.com, 951-368-9559 MEXICO CITY Pope Francis issued a tough-love message to Mexicos political and church elites Saturday, telling them they have a duty to provide their people with security, justice and courageous pastoral care to confront the drug-inspired violence and corruption that are tormenting the country. The raucous welcome Francis received from cheering Mexicans who lined his motorcade route seven-deep contrasted sharply with his pointed criticism of how church and state leaders here have often failed their people, especially the poorest and most marginalized. Experience teaches us that each time we seek the path of privileges or benefits for a few to the detriment of the good of all, sooner or later the life of society becomes a fertile soil for corruption, drug trade, exclusion of different cultures, violence and also human trafficking, kidnapping and death, bringing suffering and slowing down development, he told government authorities at the presidential palace. In a subsequent hard-hitting speech to his own bishops, Francis challenged church leaders known for their deference to Mexicos wealthy and powerful to courageously denounce the insidious threat posed by the drug trade and not hide behind their own privilege and careers. He told them to be true pastors, close to their people, and to develop a coherent plan to help Mexicans finally escape the raging waters that drown so many, either victims of the drug trade or those who stand before God with their hands drenched in blood, though with pockets filled with sordid money and their consciences deadened. The speech was met with tepid applause, with only a handful of bishops standing in ovation. Francis entire five-day trip to Mexico is shining an uncomfortable spotlight on the churchs shortcomings and the governments failure to solve entrenched social ills that plague many parts of the country poverty, rampant drug-inspired gangland killings, extortion, disappearances of women, crooked cops and failed public services. Over the coming days, Francis will travel to the crime-ridden Mexico City suburb of Ecatepec, preach to Indians in poverty-stricken Chiapas, offer solidarity to victims of drug violence in Morelia and, finally, pay respects to migrants who have died trying to reach the United States with a cross-border Mass in Ciudad Juarez. Francis began his first full day in the country with a winding ride into the capitals historic center to the delight of tens of thousands of Mexicans greeting historys first Latin American pope. Despite an exhausting Friday that involved a historic embrace with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Francis obliged their demands and stopped to hand out rosaries to the elderly, sick and disabled who gathered in front of his residence. The mileage that Francis is clocking standing up in his open-air popemobile is a testament to his appreciation of Mexicans need to see him up close: After a 14-mile (23-kilometer) nighttime ride in from the airport and the 9 miles (14 kilometers) logged Saturday morning, Francis still has about 93 miles (150 kilometers) more to go in the popemobile before his trip ends Wednesday. In a nod to his thrifty ways, three of the five popemobiles Francis will use are being recycled from his U.S. trip in September. Francis is also sticking to an economy car when hes not in a popemobile, using a tiny white Fiat to move around. Francis began Saturday by meeting with President Enrique Pena Nieto at the presidential palace. He told the president and other members of government that public officials must be honest and upright and not be seduced by privilege or corruption. Corruption permeates many aspects of Mexican society, from traffic cops and restaurant inspectors who routinely shake down citizens for bribes, to politicians and police commanders who are sometimes on the payroll of drug cartels. Even Pena Nietos administration has been tainted by what critics call fishy real estate dealings by people close to him, including the first lady, with companies that were awarded lucrative state contracts. Francis said political leaders have a particular duty to ensure their people have indispensable material and spiritual goods: adequate housing, dignified employment, food, true justice, effective security, a healthy and peaceful environment. In his speech, Pena Nieto said he shared Francis concerns about hunger, inequality and the dangers of people letting themselves be carried away by evil. Pena Nieto, who has sought to make economic reform, modernization and bolstering the middle class hallmarks of his administration, is suffering the lowest approval ratings of any Mexican president in a quarter century. Francis then met with his own bishops at the citys cathedral, issuing a six-page mission statement urging them to be true pastors and not gossiping, career-minded clerics who spew words and inoffensive denunciations that make them sound like babbling orphans beside a tomb. Speaking off the cuff, he urged them to maintain unity and show more transparency. If you have to fight, fight. If you have to say things, say them, but do it like men: to the face, he said. Later in the day, Francis celebrated his first Mass in Mexico at the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, considered the largest and most important Marian shrine in the world. Francis has spoken reverently of his most intimate desire to pray before the icon so beloved by Latin Americans, Catholic and not. Thousands packed the square outside to welcome the pontiff, holding balloons and flags in a festive atmosphere befitting a rock stars welcome. Catalina Ramirez, 77, said she came to beseech the Virgin and the pope to help her great-granddaughter recover from surgery for cerebral palsy. She added that she was excited to witness her first papal Mass, and hoped that Francis comes to rescue us. Francis visit has been cheered by Mexicans who have been treated to six previous papal trips five by St. John Paul II and one by Benedict XVI and are known for their enthusiastic welcomes. Tens of thousands of people lined Francis motorcade route, some watching from rooftops and balconies, and thousands more gathered in Mexicos main square, known as the Zocalo, to catch a glimpse as he arrived for his meeting with Pena Nieto. Authorities set up huge TV screens that transmitted the scene inside the National Palace. What the pope told the president shows he is very aware of the violent situation the country is going through, said 48-year-old Jose Luis Santana, who watched the popes speeches at the Zocalo. I think (the speech) was good, and hopefully it will be able to change things. On a broad avenue leading to the Zocalo, hundreds of people waited for hours for the pope to arrive. Its very cold, but its worth it to see his holiness, said Maria Hernandez, 69. This will be the third pope Ive seen. Hopefully his visit will help us to be better Mexicans. Francis denunciation of the social ills afflicting Mexico reflected the reality of the worlds largest Spanish-speaking Catholic country: According to government statistics, about 46 percent of Mexicans live in poverty, including 10 percent in extreme poverty. Mexicos homicide rate rose precipitously after then-President Felipe Calderon launched a war on drug cartels shortly after taking office in 2006, with the bloodshed peaking around 2011. Murders declined somewhat for the next three years after that, before ticking up again in 2015. Women have been particularly targeted: At least 1,554 women have disappeared in Mexico state, bordering Mexico City, since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide. White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz released a statement today from Rancho Mirage, where President Barack Obama is staying, ahead of meetings with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Monday and Tuesday: This afternoon the President was informed of the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the statement read. The President and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to Justice Scalias family. Well have additional reaction from the President later today. Justice Antonin Scalias death plunges the court and the nations politics into turmoil. His replacement could swing the balance on a court closely divided along ideological lines. While it presents President Obama with the chance to appoint a third justice, it would not be surprising if the Republican-led Senate refused to fill the seat until after the election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said in a statement that the Senate should not confirm a replacement for Scalia until after the election. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President, McConnell said. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate, warned Republicans against trying to run out the clock on Obamas presidency by holding up any nominee to replace Scalia, who was found dead Saturday at a resort in West Texas. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said in a statement. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Reid urged Obama to send a nomination to the Senate right away. The Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat, he said. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senates most essential Constitutional responsibilities. The ferocity of early reactions from McConnell and Reid, barely an hour after Scalias death became public, foreshadowed a bitter and bruising political fight over how to replace him, directly in the middle of the 2016 White House campaign. Scalias death also creates doubt about the outcome of a Supreme Court term that was filled with some of the most controversial issues facing the nation: abortion, affirmative action, the rights of religious objectors to the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, the presidents powers on immigration and deportation. An eight-member court could split on all of those issues. Scalia advocated an originalist constitutional interpretation that hewed to the words of the document and the meaning they had at the time of adoption. Scalia disdained the concept of a living Constitution whose meaning could change as society evolved and different justices took the bench. The Constitution is not an organism. Its a legal text, Scalia said in a 2012 public appearance. It means today what it meant when it was adopted. He invoked originalism when he wrote the Heller v. District of Columbia decision, which established that the Constitutions Second Amendment protects individual gun rights. It is not the role of the court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct, Scalia said. When the court voted in 1992 to reaffirm the constitutional right to obtain an abortion, Scalia accused the majority of relying on personal predilection. It is difficult to maintain the illusion that we are interpreting a Constitution, rather than inventing one, when we amend its provisions so breezily, he wrote. Dissenting from a 2003 ruling that said consulting adults have a right to engage in private homosexual conduct, Scalia said the court has taken sides in the culture war. He predicted that the majority would eventually legalize same-sex marriage, a prophecy that came true 12 years later. Scalia was courts leading proponent of a strict interpretation of federal statutes, preferring to parse statutory language rather than sift through volumes of legislative history. He sought out bright lines in the law and criticized the multifaceted balancing tests used by colleagues. He issued a blistering dissent in 2015 when a 5-4 majority interpreted President Barack Obamas health care law as allowing critical tax subsidies nationwide. Scalia said the majority defied the laws clear language, called the courts reasoning pure applesauce and interpretive jiggery-pokery. In 1990, Scalia joined the court majority in saying a state could require clear and convincing evidence of a patients previously expressed wish to die before family members could disconnect a life-support system. Scalia said the justices were no more qualified to question a states judgment than nine people picked at random from the Kansas City telephone directory. Southland legal scholars and elected officials are joining those around the nation today in reacting to the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who passed away while on a hunting trip in Texas today, apparently of natural causes. This is huge. Scalia has been such a dominant conservative force on the Court, said Laurie Levenson, professor of law and David W. Burcham Chair of Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School. There are big cases before the Court this term, including those affecting affirmative action and abortion. His voice was sure to have an impact on those cases. As for the long-term impact, the real question is whether (President) Obama will be able to get a replacement confirmed before the election. Levenson said. The U.S. Marshalls Service in Washington confirmed Scalias death today. The 79-year-old justice was staying on a luxury ranch in the Big Bend area of South Texas, according to The Associated Press. The passing of Scalia, a staunch conservative, leaves the nine-member court with a vacancy, and with conservatives and liberals on the court now split 4-4, it is sure to roil the presidential campaign. President Obama will nominate someone to fill Scalias seat, but that nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a process that has grown increasingly partisan in the years since Scalia was confirmed by a 98-0 vote in 1986. That point was underscored today by Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean and professor at the UC Irvine School of Law. Justice Scalias death leaves a pivotal vacancy on the Court, Chemerinsky said. President Obama should nominate someone quickly and put pressure on the Senate to confirm and not leave a vacancy for the rest of this term and all of the next. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich released a statement mourning Scalias passing. The passing of Justice Scalia is a great shock and tremendous loss for our judicial system, Antonovich said. Justice Scalia was a titan in the conservative movement and constitutional scholarship. He leaves a legacy for future generations with an unwavering commitment to justice and dedication to American values. Update with more comments. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday, Feb. 13, left a lasting impact on many Inland lawyers and lawmakers. Though Inland lawyers and lawmakers didnt always agree with Scalias staunchly conservative views, they all agreed that he was an important figure in American government as well as an admirable man of the law. Riverside County Public Defender Steven Harmon described Scalia as a true lawyer, and someone he hopes the lawyers in his office aspire to be like. Being able to strongly disagree with somebody, and be able to shake hands with your opponent when the discussion is over is the essence of what a lawyer is all about, Harmon said. Harmon said he also admired Scalias intellect and sense of humor, even though the two strongly disagreed on several issues. Although I never met him he seemed like he would have made a wonderful friend, Harmon said. Retired San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman said he had the pleasure of meeting Scalia at a Federalist Society conference years ago. Scalia was a member of the society, which supports an originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Though Penman and Scalias conversation lasted less than five minutes, Penman said hell never forget it. Hes a very charming gentleman, Penman said. He was very engaging and intelligent. He understood the law and its nuances very well and was obviously probably the most conservative member of the (U.S. Supreme) Court. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside, praised Scalia in a Twitter statement for serving 30 years as a Supreme Court Justice. Antonin Scalia dedicated his life to this nation and served it honorably, Takano said. My heartfelt condolences are with his friends and family. Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, of Yucca Valley, said in a written statement that Scalias passing left him deeply shocked and saddened and that he was an enormously important figure. A masterful writer with a wit to match, he was devoted to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, and will be remembered as one of our nations most brilliant jurists, Mayes said. A familiar dictum advises that politics end at the waters edge. We believe a similar protocol should apply when death claims a member of the Supreme Court while he or she yet wears the robes of justice. Politics should be suspended at deaths door. At least until the late justice is properly laid to rest. Alas, such respectfulness such decency has not been accorded Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday of apparent natural causes during a visit to Texas. No sooner was news of the 79-year-old jurists passing first reported before the first salvos were fired in what almost certainly will be mother of all election-year battles for his now-vacant seat on high court. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reed, the Nevada Democrat, demanded that the late Mr. Scalias seat be filled right away. Conversely, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican, declared that Mr. Scalias seat on the nations highest court should remain unfilled until the next president submits a nominee to the upper chamber for its advice and consent. Out of deference to Mr. Scalia, we will restrain ourselves this day from joining the speculation among the chattering class about how the post-Scalia Game of Robes will play out. There will be plenty of opportunity in the days and months ahead. For now, our preference is to remember the legacy Justice Scalia leaves. As President Obama graciously eulogized Saturday afternoon, the late justice dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy: the rule of law. He truly was, in the presidents words, one of the towering legal figures of our time. Indeed, during his three decades on the Supreme Court, the conservative jurists powerful legal arguments transformed America jurisprudence, shaping debate not only on the high court, but also among lower courts and law schools throughout the land. Considered somewhat acerbic when he first took his seat on the court, Justice Scalia reportedly became more collegial with fellow justices in the years that followed what was arguably his most significant majority opinion, which affirmed the Second Amendment right of individuals to keep and bear arms. In the ensuring years, the conservative icon began to write a majority of the high courts biggest cases, using his formidable powers of legal persuasion to bring less-conservative justices around to his view. America owes a debt to Antonin Scalia for his extraordinary service to this country. He will be missed. GREENVILLE, S.C. The next president should nominate the successor to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the Republican candidates for president said Saturday during the last debate before the South Carolina GOP primary. Scalia, the longest serving justice at 30 years and the leading conservative voice on the Supreme Court, died in his sleep Saturday while visiting Texas. He was 79. Scalias death was reported 41/2 hours before the GOP debate at Greenvilles Peace Center. The first question the six remaining GOP candidates received was who should pick Scalias successor Democratic President Barack Obama, who has 11 months left in office, or the next president. If (Obama) were to nominate somebody, lets have him pick somebody that is going to have unanimous approval and such widespread approval across the country that this could happen without a lot of recrimination, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said. I dont think thats going to happen. I would like the president to just, for once here, put the country first here. Were going to have an election for president very soon, and the people will understand whats at stake in that election, Kasich said. And so I believe that the president should not move forward, and I think we ought to let the next president of the United State decide who is going to run that Supreme Court with the vote of the people. Obama said before the debate Saturday that he plans to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor to Scalia in due time. He added he expects the Senate, which must confirm court nominations, to give his selection a timely vote. These are responsibilities that I take seriously as should everyone, the president said. They are bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy. They are about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life. In Saturdays debate, New York billionaire Donald Trump called Scalias death a tremendous blow to conservatism and the country, adding no one can block Obama from nominating a justice. Hes going to do it whether Im OK with it or not, said Trump, the winner of the New Hampshire primary and the front-runner in South Carolinas primary, next Saturday. Its up to (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it. Its called delay, delay, delay. McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate should wait for the next president to weigh a Scalia successor so voters have a say in the next choice. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, warned the nations top court could be tilted to strike down gun-ownership laws and efforts to restrict abortion, and approve bans on religious liberty. The Senate needs to stand strong and say, Were not going to give up the U.S. Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee, Cruz said during the Greenville debate. Then the senator, who won the Iowa caucus and is the second choice in S.C. polls, made a pitch for Palmetto State voters, saying he was the one candidate who would nominate principled constitutionalists like Scalia to the Supreme Court. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla,. said the debate over the timing to pick a successor for Scalia showed the importance of the presidential election for Republicans, who are trying to regain the White House. Someone on this stage will get to choose the balance of the Supreme Court, said Rubio. It will begin by filling this vacancy, and we need to put people on the bench who understand the Constitution is not a living and breathing document. It is to be interpreted as originally meant. Retired Maryland neurosurgeon Ben Carson reiterated his call to end lifetime court appointments, saying life expectancies have increased over the years. Carson also called for national healing after reading criticism of Scalia in the wake of his death. Were not going to get healing with President Obama, Carson said. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said he would pick Supreme Court nominees based on their judicial record, rather than apply a litmus test. He said that could avoid appointing justices who make different rulings than the president expects. The problem, in the past, is that we have appointed people thinking you can get it through the Senate because they didnt have a record, Bush said. The problem is that were sometimes surprised. As testing on the Perris Valley Line accelerates this weekend, officials have adjusted their projection on the opening of the latest addition to the Metrolink commuter rail system. Transportation officials started testing trains traveling at higher speeds today on the 24-mile extension that expands Metrolink into northeast Riverside, Moreno Valley and Perris. Officials had hoped the project plagued by lawsuits that delayed its construction would open by the end of 2015. Later, the target date was pushed back to February. Now officials expect passenger service to start in March. Most likely sometime next month, said Riverside County Transportation Commission Deputy Executive Director John Standiford. Part of this testing is to determine when (the opening of service) may be. A Metrolink news release issued on Friday stated that speeds of the trains could reach 79 mph during this round of testing. Previous testing has been conducted at lower speeds. Standiford said those test trains will run the full length of the route, from Riversides Hunter Park to the Perris-Menifee border. We just want people to know because you dont often see that many trains on those tracks, Standiford said. The news release included a safety note as well. Residents and businesses in the community are reminded of the importance (of) abiding by rail safety rules, the news release stated. The only safe place to cross tracks are at designated public crossings. It is both dangerous and illegal to trespass on rail property. Contact the writer: 951-368-9682 or tsheridan@pressenterprise.com Hemet City Council members and a fair number of residents are not happy that the threat of a lawsuit is forcing the city to change how elections are held. But city leaders say its best to deal with the issue with a positive outlook. Even though we dont like it, it has to be done so we might as well make the best of it, Mayor Bonnie Wright said. Council members decided last month that its members will be elected by districts instead of at large after the city was threatened with a lawsuit under the California Voters Rights Act, which was passed to help more minority candidates get elected. City officials and the public got a primer about the process of creating council districts Tuesday, Feb. 9. Beginning with the November election, candidates will have to live in a specific area and will be voted on only by residents of that area. Residents have expressed their unhappiness with the change, Wright said. We got several phone calls opposing this practice in the community, she said. Ann Smith is one of the residents not pleased with the switch. This districting thing is a bunch of hooey, she said. Its racist, time consuming and leaves the community open to all kinds of unnecessary litigation, whether Hemet complies or fights it. Basically, an out-of-area law firm who knows nothing about our community or its demographics has tied Hemets hands behinds its back, both in terms of voting rights and self governance. Wright said that the citys demographics appear as if they would withstand a court challenge, as there are no specific minority enclaves. Hemet is not really close to falling into the criteria, she said. But even a victory in court would come with huge legal bills. Even if you win, you lose, Wright said. Theres no way to win this fight. Wright said tentative tract maps are expected to come before the council at its next meeting Feb. 23. Then there will be at least three public meetings to gather public input. City Manager Alex Meyerhoff said dates have not been set for the meetings, but they are likely to happen in March and April. Wright wants to be assured that members of senior communities are involved in the process, as older residents tend to vote in higher numbers than others. Although the city is no longer the retirement Mecca it once was, 27 percent of Hemet residents are age 60 or older. The seats of Shellie Milne, Robert Youssef and Bonnie Wright expire this year. Milne, who is running for county supervisor, said she will not seek another council term. Wright has said she plans to run again, and Youssef has said hes undecided. Anyone who lives in the districts that will be represented by Linda Krupa and K. Paul Raver will not be able to seek a seat until 2018. Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@pressenterprise.com Protesters outside Brisbanes Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital have pledged to stand watch until Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull or Immigration Minister Peter Dutton release a statement regarding the possible deportation of Baby Asha. Darwin-born Asha was brought to Australia after suffering burns in detention on Nauru; while doctors have confirmed her condition is now stable, theyve refused to release her over their belief shed be returned to detention. Despite the protests gaining national attention, neither the PM nor the Immigration Minister have offered a comment on the situation. 7 News reports protesters on-scene will be taking shifts outside the hospital until they do. Today, two days after protests began, the states Health Minister Cameron Dick told the crowds he supports the decisions made by clinicians at Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital in relation to Baby Asha. He was quickly backed up by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said her government stands absolutely ready to look after the people who are due to be sent back to Nauru we stand ready, willing and able to do that. That stance mirrors her claim Queensland would help resettle 267 asylum seekers currently on Australian shores and their immediate families, in stark contrast to the (likely) possibility of them being returned to offshore detention. Source: Sky News / 7 News. Photo: Twitter. Every man and their iPhones fish-eye lens wants to get out there and see the world (and capture some +A Gram content while theyre at it). The main impediment of jetting off on a whim? A serious lack of funding. PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with NAB to help all yall #SpendBetter. Together, were hoping to help you realise all of your wanderlust ambitions. A NAB everyday banking account will give you errythang you need to better manage your cash-monay and save up for your next adventure. Hook yoself up with one of their killer accounts by visiting NABs website HERE. Ah, travel: the perfect opportunity to enlighten yourself, see the beauty of our lil blue marble as well as curate a deck of images thatll have your social posts sorted for the next 6+ months (sorry for the travel spam hahaha, couldnt resist sharing this shot of me on Rodeo Drive. #LifeGoals, am I right? 110% will be going back! LA, I love you). The issue faced by most 20-summins is gathering the means to hop on a plane and jet off to some thrilling corner of the globe. To offer yall a solution, we got in touch with our mate, Geneva Vanderzeil creator of the ~digital destination~, a pair & a spare for financial advice tailored for the travel-hungry, as well as her pick for most affordable holiday spot (SPOILER: its Vietnam). Photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi. I started a pair & a spare in 2010 as a digital destination for all my tutorials and guides, and since then it has grown to cover all things that inspire a creative and adventurous life, whether that be making a dress from scratch, travelling to a far flung destination or building your creative business. Genevas garnered a strong following because her content is severely on-point. Of all the places shes been, she reckons theres one spot in particular that everyone should hit up before theyre six feet under. South East Asia has so much to offer in terms of adventure and culture it packs a punch with so many interesting cities and countries in such a small area. It helps that as a destination its cheaper than many other parts of the world, meaning you can feel like youre treating yourself when you travel without having to spend much. Yall are in luck because, in Genevas opinion, the most affordable place to piss off to just so happens to fall within that region. Without a doubt it has to be Vietnam. I visited three times in 2015 Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City and loved every minute of it. Its the perfect mix of amazing food, generous people and stunning scenery and best of all, a place where your money stretches unbelievable far. The town of Hoi An would have to be my best pick for someone wanting to enjoy both the town and the beach life of Vietnam. Photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi. The cost of living in Vietnam is relatively low, so day-to-day travel like transport and food can be done on a very small budget. Throw in the fact that you can find reasonable accommodation in Hoi An without having to spend too much, and it means you can live like a king without having to break the bank. Because at the end of the day, you want to enjoy yourself when you travel rather than feeling like youre on a tight budget. CHEAP EATS MADAME KHANHS BANH MI Youre going to want to try the famous Banh Mi, and theres no better place in town than this hole in the wall where lunch will cost you less than a dollar. PHO XUA The perfect place to try local street food including the amazing regional dish of Cau Lau (hearty noodles, pork and fresh greens). REACHING OUT TEAHOUSE Dont miss this charity teahouse run by speech and hearing impaired people. Its a calm oasis in a busy town! SOUL KITCHEN Photo: Soul Kitchen. On An Bang Beach, grab yourself a traditional cabana and a Pina Colada. The freshest cocktail for less than a few dollars, youre going to want to have a few. $0 SHIZZLE TO DO EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN The old town architecture is really spectacular a mix of French colonial, Chinese and Japanese and completely unique to the area. The best time to explore and really take it all in was first thing in the morning before the shops open and before the other tourists woke up (Like 7am first thing in the morning!). BEACH IT Hit An Bang Beach for the day swim, sunbathe, repeat. BIKE THE COUNTRYSIDE Almost all the hotels have bikes you can borrow as well as maps outlining self-directed tours. The whole area is flat so cruising around is easy and fun. Explore the town, ride your bike to the beach or take a tour through the rice paddies while buffalo spotting. Cheap and as cheerful as youll find. WHERE TO STAY HOI AN BEACH RESORT 01 Cua Dai St, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. www.hoianbeachresort.com.vn Photo: Hoi An Beach Resort. LONG LIFE RIVERSIDE HOTEL 61 Nguyen Phuc Chu St, Hoi An Old Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. www.longlifehotels.com/riverside/ Photo: TripAdvisor. TRAVEL FINANCE TIPS UNTOUCHABLE TRAVEL FUND Im all about creating a travel fund account that I cant touch, and setting money aside every month. This helps me keep my travel goals in mind. I also like to book travel as early as possible because in my experience travel only gets more expensive the later you book. This is sometimes hard living the freelance life, but when possible I do. Although it takes preparation and an ability to commit ahead of time (hello travel goals!) if you book six months in advance youre almost definitely going to get better deals. FINANCIAL TRAVEL HACKS The actual flight will often be the most expensive part of your trip, particularly if you choose your destination right. Which is why one way Ive managed to save in the last few years was seeking out deals directly from airlines and hotels via their newsletters. These companies often reward newsletter subscribers with one-off deals that you just cant find on the website, so sign up to as many as you can! Might mean a hefty inbox but its well worth it. Also, choosing a frequent flyers program and flying as much as possible with that group, and making sure you get airmails on your credit card are also ways to get more for less. PACKING PRIOR Some of the most frustrating costs that happen when travelling are those you dont notice like phone data charges and card charges. Before I leave, I make sure that Ive researched my trip properly, including how to reduce charges. Sometimes that means setting up structures before I leave, other times it might mean making sure I hit the ground running when I arrive, like buying a new sim card at the airport. TRAVEL MUST-HAVE I prefer to travel with carry-on luggage if possible, great for avoiding luggage charges and also makes moving around easy. A reliable carry-on suitcase is a must! UTILISE THE SHARE ECONOMY Im sure youve all heard of AirBnb and Uber, companies that have used the sharing economy to revolutionise the way we travel (amongst other things). In addition to well-known companies like these, there are many new sharing economy apps that help you travel for less, including apps that allow you to house-sit for someone, pet-sit or even do odd jobs in the city you arrive in for extra cash. Or you could rent out your own place while youre away! If youre game on learning how to #SpendBetter for your next holi, or you wanna apply for your own account, visit NABs website HERE. Lead photo: Vietnamtourism Hanoi. Photos: a pair & a spare / Geneva Vanderzeil. JAMES ROBINSON, PennLive I-78 crash involves 60 vehicles, leaves 3 dead The pileup of 60 vehicles on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County Saturday certainly can be counted among the worst crashes seen on a Pennsylvania highway, both interms of the number of people killed and injured, and the number of vehicles involved. Latest reports from state police are that three people died in the pileup, and about 70 were treated at area hospitals. But it is not unique. There have been several other crashes on Pennsylvania highways over the years that are similar to Saturdays pileup in terms of the conditions under which they happened, the number of vehicles involved and the general scope of the tragedy. Heres a look at a few: Don't Edit Feb. 9, 2015 Interstate 80 westbound between the Lamar and Bellefonte exits in Centre County was closed for several hours, February 12, 2015, when a whiteout conditions caused by a snow squall resulted in a crash involved 12 tractor trailers and seven other vehicles. No serious injuries were reported. Four people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. State police said 26 vehicles were involved in 11 separate crashes within a three-mile stretch of I-80. Don't Edit Jan. 7, 2015 Two people died, and several others were injured after a mutli-vehicle pile-up that happened around 1:30 p.m. in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Clarion County. State police say nine tractor trailers and nine passenger vehicles were involved. Don't Edit May 12, 2014 Three people died in a chain-reaction crash involving seven vehicles that occurred near the border of Berks and Lehigh counties. It occurred whe a tractor-trailer rear-ended a car as it attempted to pass a box truck. That started a chain reaction that involved seven vehicles, three of which burst into flames. Twelve people were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Don't Edit Feb. 14, 2014 A 25-car pileup occurs around 8:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-276 (Pa. Turnpike) near exit 351. Before it was done, 75 to 100 cars and tractor-trailers were involved and the wreckage stretched west to exit 343. No deaths were reported, but about 30 people were injured. The Turnpike reopened about 7 hours after the first crash. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jan. 2, 2012 Two major, multi-vehicle crashes occurred on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Flurries and heavier snow squalls were moving through the areas during and prior to the time of the crashes. One crash involving more than two dozen vehicles halted traffic on I-80 in Clinton County late in the afternoon. Another crash involving at least 20 vehicles took place around 3 p.m. on Interstate 80 in Jefferson County, near Falls Creek. There were no fatalities, but more than a dozen people were taken to area hospitals. Don't Edit AP Photo/Pat Little Jan. 6, 2004 A sudden snow squall causes whiteout conditions on Interstate 80 near Bellefonte, similar to what happened Saturday on I-78 in Lebanon County. When visibility returned, emergency responders said a series of crashes involved 44 vehicles, 30 of them tractor trailers. Six people died and 17 were injured. The impact of the crashes ignited drums of hazardous waste being carried in a box truck, and the fire spread from trailer to trailer. so firefighters fought flames at the same time they were trying to rescue people who were trapped. The fires burned for 11 hours, with emergency crews working through the night battling now only the blaze but a wind chill that made it feel as though it were 11 below. The eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed by the crash for 25 hours. It took an additional day before the westbound lanes reopened. In this photo, water and foam are frozen to the trees in the median as westbound traffic resumed on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, Don't Edit AP Photo/Larry Neff Dec. 28, 2001 A sudden storm that caused a white-out and iced roadways caused two massive crash on Interstate 80, the first near exit 185 for Loganton. The crash involved at least 63 vehicles, including tractor-trailer carrying flammable material that exploded after impact. Eight people died and at least 45 others were taken to local hospitals. The second multi-vehicle crash, also caused by whiteout conditions, occurred on Interstate 80 near Hazleton. One person died in that crash. In this photo, a firefighter looks into the cab of a tractor-trailer after a multi-vehile pileup Friday, Dec. 28, 2001, on Interstate 80 near Hazelton, Pa. (AP Photo/Larry Neff) Don't Edit Sept. 24, 2000 A tractor-trailer on I-76 (Pa. Turnpike) plowed into a line of cars stopped because of an earlier accident. Upon impact, the truck continued down the highway only to burst into flames and cause a couple cars to explode. Three people died and nine were injured in the crash that occurred shortly after midnight on the westbound side of the highway, two miles east of the Conshohocken interchange. A total of 12 vehicles, including two trucks were involved. Drivers looking for cars left on Interstate 78 following a massive pileup Saturday should be able to get their vehicles back by Sunday. Pennsylvania State Police Jonestown said in a news release that they will have a list of vehicles removed from the interstate by tow companies. Drivers are asked to wait until Sunday before calling state police for the location of their vehicles. Pennsylvania State Police Jonestown can be reached at 717-865-2194. Crews are still removing vehicles from the scene of the crash as of 6 p.m. Saturday night. Police report at least 60 commercial and passenger vehicles were involved in the morning crash in the westbound lane of I-78 in Bethel Township a few miles east of Fort Indiantown Gap. Officials will not confirm the number of deaths, but at least three have been reported. The day after the 60-car pileup that killed three people, Interstate 78 in Lebanon County has reopened to traffic. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Greg Penny said that as of 7 a.m. Sunday, the highway was opened again in both directions. The crash occurred about a half mile west of Exit 8 on I-78 around 9:30 a.m. Saturday after a sudden snow squall created whiteout conditions. About 60 vehicles were involved in the crash, including a large number of tractor trailers, closing the highway in both directions, Penny said. More than 50 victims were transported to hospitals all around the area, including the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Good Samaritan in Lebanon, the Reading Hospital, Penn State Health St. Joseph, Pottsville Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Holy Spirit and Pinnacle Medical Center. About 130 stranded but uninjured passengers were transported to the Jonestown Fire Hall where Red Cross volunteers provided assistance. Several area tow companies assisted in removing vehicles form the highway. Drivers can contact the Pennsylvania State Police at Jonestown at 717-865-2194 to find the location of their vehicles. UPDATE: Police identify three killed in pileup The day after a 60-car pileup that killed three people, injured dozens more, and closed a portion of Interstate 78 for nearly 24 hours, investigators still have a lot of work ahead of them. "It's a 60-vehicle puzzle," said Greg Sullenberger, senior accident reconstructionist with Crashteams Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Sullenberger is an internationally-accredited crash reconstructionist out of the Pittsburgh area, and he said every crash - whether it involves two vehicles or 60 -- is like a puzzle. He took some time on Sunday to discuss how local investigators will likely find out what happened, and he said they will solve it one piece at a time. The crash occurred Saturday morning, and according to drivers who were on the highway, it started with a sudden whiteout. It appears that once that snow squall hit, cars and trucks crashed into each other, drivers blinded by the white, leaving the highway and median clogged with a mass of twisted metal. Crews were on the scene Saturday rescuing stranded motorists, rushing the injured to hospitals and the uninjured to a nearby Red Cross staging area. The highway reopened at 7 a.m. Sunday, but for those trying to figure out what happened, their work has just begun - a scattered mess of puzzle pieces spilled out on the table. Sullenberger said the investigation and crash reconstruction can take weeks. Maybe longer. "It's going to be a painstaking, one-step-at-a-time process," Sullenberger said. But some of those pieces will start fitting together. With photos from the scene and data recovered from airbag deployments and the electronic control modules on trucks that record braking and speed changes, reconstructionists will be looking at each individual collision in the 60-car pileup. And those individual collisions will start linking up with the others, forming a more complete picture of what happened, he said. They will likely match paint scrapes to figure out which vehicle hit which. Investigators will also check out how fast cars were going. When they swerved. When they braked. And a big piece of that puzzle - perhaps one of the corner pieces - is the weather. If most witnesses say a snow squall suddenly struck, enveloping the highway in white, and those stories match up with weather reports from that day in that part of Bethel Township, it will be a pretty clear indication that weather was a factor, Sullenberger said. And brief whiteouts like this are not unusual. "You usually have a few of these each winter in Pennsylvania and in the northern states," he said. "If everything goes white, it only takes a brief couple of moments if someone brakes or loses control and the next car coming along can't see them." While the crash happened quickly, figuring out just what happened won't be so fast. But it's just a matter of plugging away, he said. One piece at a time. Keystone Q&A What do Penn State president Eric Barron, Gov. Tom Wolf and a medical marijuana advocate have in common? Each of these influential Pennsylvanians have appeared on Keystone Q&A. (Wallace McKelvey) Each of these influential Pennsylvanians, and many more, have appeared on Keystone Q&A. The podcast features newsmakers and captivating personalities from across Pennsylvania, talking stories both personal and political. Most recently, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak discussed his history in the U.S. Navy, his family and his views on the economy and national security -- while walking along the side of the road between campaign stops. We welcome your feedback or suggestions for future shows. Just comment below or email Wallace McKelvey. In the meantime, check these past editions, which are also available to stream via iTunes and SoundCloud. 1. Marcus Brown was Gov. Wolf's controversial pick for state police commissioner at the time we sat down with him. More recently, the longtime law enforcement official was tapped as Pennsylvania's homeland security chief. 2. As one of a group of Pennsylvania's "mama bears," Dana Ulrich has become an unlikely advocate for medical marijuana. She hopes that the treatments could help her daughter Lorelei, who suffers from as many as 700 seizures a day. 3. Dr. Karen Murphy, Pennsylvania's leading head official, calls upon her many years as a registered nurse on the hospital floor in her current role overseeing health policy and education for the nation's sixth largest state. 4. Gov. Tom Wolf anticipated pushback against his ambitious budget proposal way back in March, when he sat down with us for a half-hour interview on Keystone Q&A. 5. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski has one of the more interesting back stories among the current crop of Pennsylvania lawmakers. Starting in the early 1960's, he led a number of rock bands and would call upon those experiences in advocating for his causes, which include health care reform. You can listen to some of Pashinski's music in the show notes. 6. Having grown up in the Harrisburg area, the Rev. Mim Harvey has seen the impact of violence in her own life. Since 1995, she has parlayed those experiences into her Stop the Violence Ministry, which provides counseling and other services to victims of violence and at-risk youth. 7. Darrel Zaccagni led the investigation into the disappearance of Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar in its early days. Ten years on, the now-retired detective still follows the case. 8. Penn State University President Eric Barron has arguably been one of the most active leaders of the state's largest university. He discussed sexual assault reforms, a proposed tuition freeze and the legacy of the Sandusky case. 9. As a black businesswoman and deputy chair of the statewide GOP, Renee Amoore has been key in reaching out to minority voters. The party has a lot to offer those communities, despite the strained politics of several current presidential contenders. 10. Jim Burn didn't want to become part of the story, but a struggle over the leadership of Pennsylvania's Democratic Party that spilled out into the public did just that. He resigned his post this September after a protracted battle involving Gov. Tom Wolf. 11. John Fetterman, mayor of a Rust Belt community of Braddock, has garnered a lot of attention for his singular appearance and unconventional approach to politics. This year, he's entered the U.S. Senate race against two established Democratic opponents and, potentially, the incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. 12. Retired Navy Admiral Joe Sestak has taken a unique approach to campaigning for the U.S. Senate this year. He often walks along the road between campaign stops, inviting his supporters to walk with him. PennLive joined him to discuss his outsider status in the Democratic party, his military history and the driving force behind his campaign, his family. Hillary Clinton Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton addresses an audience during a town hall campaign event Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Derry, N.H. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne) By Tony May Hillary Clinton has a big red circle around two dates on her calendar: Feb 20 and 27. And for good reason. Tony May Those days are when she will know with a high degree of certainty whether her quest to become the nation's first female president is doomed to failure or has a good chance of succeeding. Feb. 27 is the Democratic primary election in South Carolina, a state where African-Americans make up more than half of the Democratic voter rolls. Before that, a key date is Saturday, which is Democratic caucus day in Nevada, where one in four residents is Latino. Conventional wisdom has it that Clinton is a lock for the Democratic nomination and the odds-on favorite for president in the fall because she has a lock on three constituencies: women, African-Americans and Latinos. Her opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, has demonstrated an ability to peel off votes among younger women. If Clinton is to remain viable, she needs to demonstrate that people of color are still solidly behind her. Simply put: Clinton has to meet or exceed expectations. She's polling as well in South Carolina as Sanders performed in New Hampshire. The expectation that she will win South Carolina by double digits is a reasonable one. In Nevada on Saturday, she has to demonstrate that she can dominate among Latino voters. It won't be easy. A lot of Clinton's campaign has been built around presumed inevitability. It's the same miscalculation we - the casual observers and the Clinton campaign - made in 2008 when people were still saying "Barack who?" She was Coca-Cola. Obama was Mountain Dew. And then the caffeine kicked in. Occupy Wall Street, apparently, did not die. It just morphed from sleeping bags to ballot boxes. At least that seems to be the new narrative. What we've seen so far in Iowa and New Hampshire is that the war on Wall Street is selling on Main Street and College Boulevard. But will it sell in the hood and in the mercado? (On the GOP side, the anti-establishment message championed by Donald Trump and, to a lesser degree, by Sen. Ted Cruz has succeeded in the early going, too. The test in their battle would seem to be whether the message is strong enough to overcome the negatives of the messengers. It defies logic that the two least likeable of the huge field of candidates - Trump and Cruz - seem to have a handle on the support of a majority of Republican primary voters.) Republicans vote Saturday in South Carolina and caucus Feb. 23 in Nevada. To succeed - or at the very least to regain the momentum of the election narrative being written this primary season, it's not necessary for Clinton to win every primary or to wipe the floor with Sanders. But she cannot afford to fall short of expectations in too many categories. It may be unreasonable to expect her to get three out of four African-American votes in South Carolina, as early polls have indicated she will. But she does need to run strongly and win by double digits. The same is true for Latino voters. She doesn't need a super majority, but she does need a clear win. Among Republicans, Trump must win convincingly in South Carolina and likely will. The real race there is who comes in second, third and fourth. Gov. John Kasich of Ohio can limp along to Super Tuesday on March 1 without a strong showing in South Carolina or Nevada. But Jeb Bush needs to finish at least third to suggest that he is making a comeback. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio needs to do better than his New Hampshire fifth-place showing. And Ben Carson? Is he still in the race? Will he be after South Carolina and Nevada? Donald Trump Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump poses with a ring given to him by a group of veterans during a campaign event on the campus of Drake University Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) By Charlie Gerow There's an old adage that there are three tickets out of Iowa. With a crowded platform at the beginning of the Republican nomination contest, there were a few more passes this year. Republican strategist Charlie Gerow (PennLive file) The campaign train rolled into New Hampshire with eight or nine serious candidates. After Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, the field had been whittled down considerably. They say that getting offstage gracefully is the toughest act in life. Chris Christie and Carly Fiorina, who left the race after finishing sixth and seventh, each managed to do that. They leave the race with their personal brands enhanced and their campaign skills proven. There's a bright day ahead for both. The New Hampshire results were not surprising. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders had both been expected to win. Their margins of victory were what commanded attention. Trump took more than a third of the vote, eclipsing second-place finisher John Kasich by better than two-to-one. Trump didn't conduct a typical New Hampshire campaign. Instead of relying on the retail politics Granite State voters love, he jetted in, held large rallies and moved on. It worked, especially among the state's largest voting bloc, "non-affiliated" voters who are permitted to vote in either primary they choose on election day. These independents voted in large number in the Republican primary and they voted overwhelmingly for Trump. How well Trump fares in primaries where only Republicans are permitted to vote remains to be seen. A bigger problem for Trump is that he has a hard ceiling on his support. Over 60 percent of the electorate indicated that they would not vote for Donald Trump under any circumstance. When there are eight legitimate contenders in the ring, 35 percent is "huge." When it's just one or two, not so much. John Kasich, who ran as the reasonable voice with executive experience, finished a solid second with 45,000 votes. He effectively "pulled the goalie," pouring all of his resources into The Granite State. Whether he's able to quickly replicate that effort in upcoming primary states will be the test of his longevity. The real battle in New Hampshire was for third place. Clustered tightly behind John Kasich were Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. Only 3,000 votes separated the trio. Cruz and Bush could claim "victory" with their finishes. Cruz came into New Hampshire with the wind at his back following his victory in the Iowa Caucuses. But New Hampshire is very different with fewer hard-core conservatives and evangelicals. His showing indicates that he may have broader appeal than some pundits believe. Jeb Bush did well in New Hampshire. He had his best debate performance, although that may be damning with faint praise, effectively taking on Donald Trump over eminent domain. His respectable showing, coupled with a hefty bank account, pushes him into southern primaries where he should do considerably better. Marco Rubio had a tough time in the cold. Although he recovered at the end, he had the worst 90 seconds of the 2016 debates. Rubio has acknowledged the flub in charming fashion and has an opportunity to "rehabilitate" himself on the debate stage in South Carolina. There's pressure on Rubio now that wasn't there before, however. Many expected that his momentum would allow him to challenge Trump in New Hampshire. That didn't happen. The debate debacle exposed his weak side. He can recover and regain his footing, but he needs to re-establish himself quickly. The primary season runs on momentum and right now Rubio's isn't positive. On the Democratic side Bernie Sanders margin was the key. Not only did he beat Hillary Clinton by more than twenty points, he kept her below 40 percent. He beat her across the board, winning every demographic except women over 65. The Clinton team claims that South Carolina will yield a reversal of her fortunes. They predicate this on the assumption that a massive vote from the black community, which accounts for nearly half the Democratic electorate in South Carolina, will tilt things dramatically in her favor. But the Clinton campaign made the same assumptions about women voters in Iowa and New Hampshire. They never took into account the fact that these voting groups are not monolithic. Younger women went for Sanders in large numbers in both states. Young blacks may do the same in South Carolina. Ditto for Latino voters in Nevada, where Clinton is also counting on a large vote. Hillary Clinton has never read the electorate very well. She's relied on "establishment" theories and pols. It's one of the reasons she lost to Barack Obama eight years ago. It's one of the reasons she's in trouble against Bernie Sanders this time around. New Hampshire again provided more clarity for the Republicans as the field continues to shrink. For the Democrats there are still a lot of questions. Many of them will be answered in South Carolina and Nevada. Valero's Aruba refinery to restart by PDVSA Citgo under lease Aruba's refinery sits along the island's breathtaking beaches. HOUSTON Petroleumworld.com 02 15 2016 Venezuelan PDVSA's unit in the United States, Citgo Petroleum, is working to restart some processing units at the Aruba refinery under a 25-year lease contract with the government of the Caribbean island, sources at the facility and firms involved told Reuters on Saturday. The Aruba refinery's former operator, Valero Energy Corp, has not been involved in the negotiations, but the island has guaranteed the U.S. company that it can walk away from the refinery with zero environmental liability and without obligation to dismantle it. A source from the refinery, with capacity to run 235,000 barrels per day of crude, said a technical team has been working since September on the facility's new configuration, including equipment replacement. Other sources added the process of hiring staff and contractors is about to begin. A spokesman for Aruba's government told Reuters a group of representatives is currently in Houston discussing terms of a possible deal. Valero told Reuters its policy is not to comment on business negotiations. PDVSA and Citgo were not immediately available. Even though PDVSA's financial condition is weak amid low crude prices, its subsidiary Citgo enjoyed some relief in 2015 due to higher refining margins, which would allow it to direct a portion of its profit to Aruba. Last month, the catalysts used at Aruba's hydrodesulfurization unit (HDS) were removed and new ones are planned for purchase, one of the sources said. But the restart date has yet to be defined. Operational units could take more than two years to get ready, another source said, because of the long time the facility has been idled. U.S. Valero Energy halted Aruba refining operations in 2012 due to low profit. In 2014 it reclassified the facility as "abandoned," except for terminals currently used by it and PDVSA. Aruba would offer a good way for PDVSA to produce heavy naphtha that it currently imports as diluent for its extra heavy oil output, and it would also produce refining feedstock for Citgo, according to the sources. It is still unclear if the lease agreement will also include the terminal, but one of the sources said Valero has been reluctant to let it go. The island's energy ministry in September confirmed a memorandum of understanding had been signed to explore reopening the facility. Valero paid $465 million for Aruba in 2004. Two injured in Levittown fire A fire broke out early Saturday morning at a Bucks County apartment complex, sending two people to a hospital for minor injuries, authorities said. The fire erupted at about 5:20 a.m. at the Foxwood Manor apartments, 2180 Veterans Highway in Levittown. It was extinguished shortly after 6 a.m., said Deputy Chief Robert Johnson of the William Penn Fire Company in Hulmeville. A man and a woman who lived in one apartment went to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, he said. Johnson said the fire affected four apartments. All residents in the complex were evacuated. The cause of the fire was under investigation, he said. - Julie Shaw Ursinus tries to pinpoint source of illness The Montgomery County Health Department on Saturday posted the report of its latest inspection of Ursinus College's kitchen - a Thursday visit that found one minor violation, allowing the Wismer Dining Hall to reopen - as attempts to pinpoint the source of widespread stomach illness continued. More than 200 students reported gastrointestinal symptoms between Tuesday and Friday, and university spokesman Tom Yencho said Saturday that he believed two or three more had come up overnight. Twenty-two students had been treated at area hospitals earlier in the week; none were admitted, and most students are getting better. The symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, suggest a food-borne illness, but finding the source requires health officials to determine what those who were stricken had in common, and then confirm the presence of a virus through laboratory testing. So far the main thing they are known to have in common is that they are students. After an inspector found 17 violations - none of them necessarily related to the illnesses - on Wednesday, the university in Collegeville voluntarily shut the kitchen for sanitizing. Classes, which were canceled Thursday and Friday, will resume on Monday. - Don Sapatkin Woman convicted in shooting death of boyfriend A woman has been convicted of third-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend in northeastern Pennsylvania more than four years ago. Jurors in Luzerne County deliberated for just over two hours Friday before convicting Jessica Alinsky in the September 2011 slaying of Matthew Gailie at the couple's Hazle Township home. Alinsky, 32, maintained that Gailie, 34, shot himself during a dispute, but prosecutors alleged that she staged the crime scene to make it appear that Gailie shot himself. Alinsky bowed her head and wiped away tears as the verdict was announced by the jury, which also convicted her of evidence-tampering. She sobbed as she was escorted from the courthouse. Defense attorney Demetrius Fannick vowed an appeal of the verdict. Earlier in the week, he asked for a mistrial, saying testimony by an expert witness conflicted with his previous description of the case at a 2014 police seminar. - AP MEDIA QUESTIONNAIRE Name of Publication Established (Give exact date) ADDRESS TELEPHONE FAX NO NAME OF EDITOR Name of Printer Language Frequency Please attach a copy of declaration certificate Off Days Please specify whether morning, evening or state the date of issue Date on which the first issue was brought out Any special edition Price per copy Annual subscription Editorial Objectives and policy Appeal to any special community, class or section News services subscribed to Special regular features (i.e Womens or Children page etc) & when appearing 2016 EPT Dublin 25,750 High Roller Day 2: Mustapha Kanit Leads Final Eight February 13, 2016 Will Shillibier Executive Editor E.U. Eight players will return for the final table of the 2016 PokerStars European Poker Tour Dublin 25,750 High Roller, each assured of 65,170 and all with a chance of the 501,640 awaiting first place. It's a star-studded final table, with former EPT Monte Carlo High Roller champion Charlie Carrel (2,755,000), 2016 Aussie Millions $25,000 Challenge champion Chance Kornuth (1,310,000), qualifiers Anton Bertilsson (3,850,000) and Keith "The Silver Pigeon" Johnson (1,155,000), and high-rolling regulars Nick Petrangelo (570,000), Jeff Rossiter (1,120,000), and Ivan Luca (1,265,000) still in the hunt. However, they are all chasing the heels of chip leader Mustapha Kanit, who has a staggering 5,460,000 in chips going into the final table. Kanit started the day as one of the short stacks with just 151,000, but soon vaulted through the chip counts thanks to first cracking the kings of Sam Chartier before getting into a big pot with the Day 1 chip leader, Bertilsson. Bertilsson raised to 60,000 from the hijack seat to start the action. On the button, Luca made the call before action got to the player in the big blind, Kanit. The Italian high roller squeezed to 215,000 with 1,324,000 behind. Bertilsson thought about it for just a bit before shoving all in for almost 1,900,000. Luca folded, and Kanit made the call. Bertilsson tabled the and Kanit showed the . The board ran out and Bertilsson handed over a large portion of his chips to Kanit, in what was at that stage the largest pot of the tournament. After that hand, Bertilsson was down to just a couple of big blinds, but he made an impressive recovery, ending the day second in chips. As play approached the bubble, the quality of the players was nothing short of exceptional. But, not everyone could make the money. The likes of Davidi Kitai, Chartier, Timothy Adams, and Christoph Vogelsang were all eliminated without cashing. With 10 players left and nine places paid, the bubble had arrived. In what was a relatively short bubble, Dario Sammartino exited in 10th place after his two pair was cracked by a rivered gutshot for Bertilsson. While Sammartino departed with hanging shoulders, the nine remaining players were redrawn to the unofficial final table, all assured of cashing for at least 49,730. There was just enough time for Martin Jacobson to bust. He shoved his last couple of big blinds in with , but got called by Luca with . No deuce on the flop, turn, or river, and Jacobson made his exit in ninth. With that, play was halted with 55:53 left on the clock in Level 19 (30,000/60,000/10,000), and the final eight players are seated as followed: Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Nick Petrangelo United States 570,000 10 2 Jeff Rossiter Australia 1,120,000 19 3 Chance Kornuth United States 1,310,000 22 4 Anton Bertilsson Sweden 3,850,000 64 5 Keith Johnson United Kingdom 1,155,000 19 6 Mustapha Kanit Italy 5,460,000 91 7 Ivan Luca Argentina 1,265,000 21 8 Charlie Carrel United Kingdom 2,755,000 46 The remaining eight players will return at 12.30 p.m. local time on Sunday with all eyes on the 501,640 first-place prize and the trophy for the winner. PokerNews.com will bring you coverage of the final table on a one-hour delay with hole-card information. Sunday isn't just time for the final table of the 25,750 High Roller, either, as the 5,300 Main Event also starts. PokerNews will be on hand for that as well, so expect updates all day long from both events. In the meantime, check out a short interview Sasha Salinger did with Kanit on the dinner break today: Want to stay atop all the latest in the poker world? If so, make sure to get PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+! Sharelines Mustapha Kanit leads the final eight in the 2016 EPT Dublin 25,750 High Roller. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Hillary Clinton warned Republicans not to dodge confirming President Obamas replacement for Justice Scalia, saying in a statement, The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons. 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton chastised Republicans for politicizing the passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Justice Scalia as they mourn his sudden passing. I did not hold Justice Scalias views, but he was a dedicated public servant who brought energy and passion to the bench. The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons. Republicans didnt waste precious minutes after the shocking news of Justice Scalias death. They immediately jumped to concluding that they would block President Obamas nominee, as if the President didnt have the same presidential authority as the people gave him, and as former President Reagan had when he nominated Justice Kennedy who was confirmed in an election year. The average time for confirmation of a Supreme Court judge is 67 days. Republicans would like to stretch that out for a year so that they can use it to their advantage as a get out the vote tactic. The problem with that thinking is that Hillary Clinton has already given a nod to nominating President Obama to the court, and if she were to run on that it would solidify an avalanche of Obama voter turnout for her in addition to her supporters. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fired back against the already entrenched Republican obstruction to a President Obama nominee, saying SCOTUS is too important to leave understaffed. Politico congressional reporter Burgess Everett tweeted: The battle has already begun. Leahy: SCOTUS "is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons." Burgess Everett (@burgessev) February 13, 2016 Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and he has already assumed that Republicans would successfully block a President Obama nominee. Cruz is already using Scalias death as a get out the vote tool for his campaign. This is shaping up to be a brawl that Democrats are not backing down from as they have in the past. The fact of the matter is President Obama won two elections, he is in office right now, he has almost a year left in office and every right to have his nominee appointed. Not only does he have that right, but that is what the people wanted and that is why they voted for him to be their President. Furthermore, Justice Anthony Kennedy, who is now the most senior Associate Justice on the court, was appointed by former President Reagan and he was confirmed by a Democratic senate in an election year. Nominated in November of 1987, Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate on February 3, 1988 after sailing through the confirmation process. Meanwhile as Republicans look for ways to exploit Justice Scalias unexpected death for political purposes, the President and First Lady extended their deepest condolences to Justice Scalias family. There will be a statement from the President later today. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print If Republicans want to obstruct an Obama nominee and make the Scalia replacement an election issue, they will potentially be inviting a wave of Obama voters to turn out in massive numbers. Just 18 days ago, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked about nominating President Barack Obama to the Supreme Court and she said, Thats a great idea! Politico reported: Asked by an Iowa voter at a town hall event here what she thought of appointing President Barack Obama to the Supreme Court if she were to become president, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton seemed delighted by the prospect. Ill tell you, thats a great idea! a beaming Clinton told the crowd of 450 packed into a theater, noting that shed never heard the question before. Well. Its an even greater idea if it is something that would happen immediately after the election, effectively motivating the same turnout as surprised the beltway for Obama in 2012. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump was booed at the CBS Republican debate for stating that George W. Bush lied about WMDs in Iraq and that he is responsible for 9/11. Trump was asked about his previous comment that Bush should have been impeached for the war in Iraq. After trying to dodge the question with his Im a businessman, and I get along with everybody song and dance, Trump said, Obviously, the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake. Now, you can take it any way you wantThe war in Iraq we spent $2 trillion, thousands of lives. We dont even have it. Iran is taking over Iraq with the second largest oil reserves in the world. Obviously, it was a mistake. George Bush made a mistake. We can make mistakes, but that one was a beauty. We should have never been in Iraq. We have destabilized the Middle East. Trump was asked if he still thinks Bush should be impeached. He answered, You can do whatever you want. I want to tell you. They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none. And they knew there were none. There were no weapons of mass destruction. Jeb Bush jumped in and said that he was sick and tired of Obama blaming W. for all of his failures. Bush said that while Trump was building a reality TV empire, W. was building a security apparatus to keep America safe. Trump pointed out that 9/11 happened on Ws watch, which drew more boos. Marco Rubio blamed Bill Clinton for 9/11, and the crowd went wild. The Republican audience turned on Trump for speaking the truth. When Donald Trump is the most realistic person in the room, it speaks volumes about the level of collective delusion within the Republican Party. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Here are the winners and losers from the CBS Republican debate in South Carolina. Winners and Losers: Winners: 1). Jeb Bush This was easily Bushs best debate. His I dont care what the Trump the bully says stuff came off as weak, but Jeb! was ready for Trump. He hit Trump hard on attacking his family. It didnt matter that Trump was correct. Bush turned the tables on Trump and got the crowd on his side. Later, Bush took down Trump for disparaging women, the disabled, Hispanics, and Muslims. It might be too late for Bush to be the Republican nominee, but he finally delivered the kind of performance that his supporters have been looking for since last summer. 2). Marco Rubio Rubio was a winner, because he engaged in an absolute bloodbath with Ted Cruz on immigration. Rubio knows all of the Republican red meat lines and how to tap into the voters collective psyche. Rubio drew huge applause for blaming Bill Clinton for 9/11. The throw down between Cruz and Rubio on immigration was ugly, but it gave Sen. Rubio the chance to hit Cruz by pointing out that the Texas senator is lying and making things up. Rubio is still a shaky candidate, as the crowds boos on when he started speaking about immigration demonstrated, but South Carolina is vital for Sen. Rubio after his collapse in New Hampshire. Anything less than a top three finish for Rubio in South Carolina could be nearly fatal. For one night, Rubio gave the party establishment hope that he might pull it together. 3). John Kasich Kasich is the happy Republican. He made it through the debate unscathed, and he represents the alternative to the ugly negativity of the other candidates. Kasich had the line of the night when he warned Republicans that they are fixing to lose the election with the negative and personal attacks on each other. While Bush and Rubio fight to be the establishment candidate, Kasich is quietly flying under the radar with an appealing message and a cheerful campaign. Losers: 1). Donald Trump The CBS debate was Trumps roughest outing yet. Trump started with applause for urging the Senate to obstruct Obamas Supreme Court nominee, but it went downhill from there. The other Republican candidates are figuring out how to get Trump to expose his liberal side. When Trump talked about WMDs, moderates and liberals probably agreed with his answer, but the Republican audience booed him. Each time Trump moved left the crowd turned on him. Ted Cruz called Trump a liberal and said that most of his policies have been very liberal. Republicans have figured out how to bring out Trumps liberalism. The change in tactics made the CBS debate was an ugly night for Trump. 2). Ted Cruz Cruz was called a liar by Marco Rubio and Donald Trump. Cruz went back to his evangelical calling card and buzzwords. The words liar and Cruz were frequently put together by people sharing the stage with the senator. It was an ugly debate, and Cruz did not come out well. The message for voters from this debate is that they cant trust Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. 3). Ben Carson Ben Carson flubbed a question about replacing Scalia and his answers on issues like immigration reform involved incoherent rambles. The wheels fell off of the Carson campaign long ago. Carson got mentioned more often for being a victim of Ted Cruzs dirty tricks in Iowa than he did for any of his positions on the issues. It is all over for Carson, and he is likely to be the next candidate to drop out of the Republican race. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed Republicans for their absurd denial of President Obamas basic constitutional right to replace the deceased Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. Video: Transcript via Face The Nation: DICKERSON: Senator Sanders, before we get back to the political questions, I want to ask you about the presidents replacement for Antonin Scalia. What do you think will happen? Hes going to nominate somebody, but Republicans have said theyre just going to let it sit. SANDERS: Well, Ill say, John, it is beyond my comprehension and it just speaks to the unbelievable level and unprecedented level of Republican obstructionism against Obama from day one. This is not something that is in debate. The Constitution of the United States of America provides that the president appoints, nominates a Supreme Court justice. And then the Senate holds hearings and deliberation and votes on whether or not to approve that nomination. The idea that Republicans want to deny the president of the United States his basic constitutional right is beyond my comprehension. So I will do everything that I can to make sure that when the president makes his nomination, the Senate goes forward in as speedy a process as possible, holds the necessary hearings and hopefully appoints and selects the president the Supreme Court justice that the president nominates. DICKERSON: What levers, senator, do the Democrats really have, though? If the Republicans are in the majority they decide to slow walk this, what could Democrats do? How far could it go? SANDERS: Well, I think we should do everything that we can. But I think the main leverage that we have is rallying the American people. Look, you can be a conservative, you can be a progressive, but you cannot allow we cannot allow the Republican majority in the Senate to deny the president his basic constitutional right. There are very important cases that need to be heard that are not going to be determined if we do not have a ninth member of the Supreme Court. I think the issue is taking the situation to the American people. And I think fair minded Americans, no matter what their political point of view may be, will say, this is absurd. This is obstructionism. This is not what democracy and what the Congress is supposed to be about. Also in the interview, Sanders repeated that his litmus test for Supreme Court nominees is their support for overturning Citizens United. The level of obstruction that President Obama has faced is unprecedented. There is no legal or constitutional reason that Republicans cant hold a hearing and a vote on President Obamas Supreme Court nominee. There is not an I dont want to clause in the Constitution. This is not a debatable issue. The President must nominate a replacement for Justice Scalia, and the Senate must confirm the permanent replacement. Senate Republicans dont get to ignore and neglect the Constitution without being held accountable. As Sen. Sanders said, to deny President Obama his absurd and a violation of the democratic principles that our nation is supposed to stand for. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print After Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced that he would lead Republicans in obstructing President Obama yet again, this time by leading his party to abdicate their Constitutional duties, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) reminded McConnell that President Obamas will is the will of the people and that he won by five million votes. Senator Warren said in a statement, Senator McConnell is right that the American people should have a voice in the selection of the next Supreme Court justice. In fact, they did when President Obama won the 2012 election by five million votes. Then Warren proceeded to remind McConnell about that thing Republicans are always claiming to worship the Constitution, specifically Article II, Article II Section 2 of the Constitution says the President of the United States nominates justices to the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Wait for it I cant find a clause that says except when theres a year left in the term of a Democratic President.' Warren reminded McConnell that Republicans took an oath just like Democrats did and if they fail to do their duty, their talk about loving the Constitution is empty, Senate Republicans took an oath just like Senate Democrats did. Abandoning the duties they swore to uphold would threaten both the Constitution and our democracy itself. It would also prove that all the Republican talk about loving the Constitution is just that empty talk. Senator Warren is absolutely correct. The idea that Republicans get to obstruct the power of the presidency invested in Obama by the people in not one but two elections is outrageous. Republicans think that obstructing President Obamas nominee is good politics and will help them in the 2016 election. However, 2016 was already set to be a tough year for Republicans in the Senate. Mitch McConnell must be suffering from Fox induced epistemic closure if he doesnt see that these tactics will not sell in blue or moderate states. Furthermore, as I pointed out last night, if Republicans want to run against President Obama again, they just found a way to do it. And since they have never come close to beating him, that doesnt seem very smart. The next time a Republican waves their pocket version of the Constitution around as they drone on about the debt as an excuse for why they have not shown up to work for weeks, someone ought to remind them that they cant pick and choose what works for them from the Constitution like they do from the Bible. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Republicans seem to have a really hard time doing the most basic tasks for which they are paid handsomely by the American people. Here is an easy-to-read chart that even a ten year old can comprehend, which shows that the Senate has managed to confirm a presidential nominee for the Supreme Court in a mere 19 days, so its hard to understand why Republicans feel they cant possibly get this done in the next 342 days. Courtesy of the New York Times via the Democrats: Pres. Obama has 342 days left. The Senate needs a fraction of that to confirm an appointment https://t.co/zGF6VsoRfl pic.twitter.com/lEs6TCIOR8 The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) February 14, 2016 Read the full chart here. Republicans have promised once again to obstruct President Obama and to steal his presidential authority from him- an authority vested in him by the citizens of this country. There is no greater demonstration of the Republican disrespect and contempt for this President than their immediate decision that they would not allow President Obama to do his job as President. They made this decision within hours of Justice Scalias sudden death. Republicans have been pointing their fingers at Obama for seven years, blaming him for the results of their deliberate and willful obstruction. Pundits have decried both sides do it! and blamed Obama for the divide. Let it be clear from this point on that there is one party to blame for the divide, and that party is not in the White House. The party to blame for the divide is the same party that is on record as making obstruction their only goal during Obamas presidency. Republicans have been churlishly insubordinate and completely lacking in obedience to the political process and will of the people. What kind of patriotism is this? Why are they even being paid? The people of this country should be outraged by this blatant spitting in the Presidents face. Republicans have jumped their own shark of obstruction and disrespect. This is what they built a party of petulant, disobedient children refusing to do their jobs, ignoring the many pressing issues of this country in order to service their own egos and political agendas by tossing nothing but red meat at their rabid base. Republicans need to do their jobs for once. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ripped the hypocrisy behind Ted Cruzs promise to filibuster any Obama Supreme Court nominee during an interview on ABCs This Week. Cruz promised that he would filibuster any Obama nominee to replace Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. Video: ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos Transcript via ABCs This Week: STEPHANOPOULOS: does that mean that youre going to filibuster anyone anyone that President Obama nominates? CRUZ: Absolutely. This should be a decision for the people, George. Weve got an election. And, you know, Democrats I cannot wait to stand on that stage with Hillary Clinton or with Bernie Sanders and take the case to the people, what vision of the Supreme Court do you want? Let the election decide it. If the Democrats want to replace this nominee, they need to win the election. But you know what, I dont think the American people want a court that will strip our religious liberties. I dont think the American people want a court that will mandate unlimited abortion on demand, partial birth abortion with taxpayer funding and no parental notification. And I dont think the American people want a court that will write the Second Amendment out of The Constitution. Later during the same program, the number two Democrat in the Senate, and a member of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) lit into Cruz, You know, the Constitution, Ted Cruz holds the Constitution, you know, when he walks through the halls of Congress. Let him show me the clause that says presidents only president for three years. Does this mean we dont hold hearings on anything? The president shouldnt nominate Cabinet ministers? It certainly might mean the Republicans shouldnt repeal Obamacare in the fourth year. Video of Sen. Schumer on ABCs This Week: ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos The Republican argument that the Constitution is invalidated because it is an election year is a contrived bit of nonsense that the right would never use if a Republican president was in his final year in office and faced with an unexpected Supreme Court vacancy. Cruzs filibuster threat is another attempt by the senator from Texas to use the United States Senate as a prop for his presidential campaign. Republicans are facing the prospect of being punished by the voters if they obstruct Obamas nominee. What Cruz suggested was more self-serving political suicide from the man who brought the Party of Lincoln the government shutdown. Schumer nailed it. Republicans love the Constitution until they are called upon to fulfill their constitutional duties. There is nothing in the Constitution that states that Supreme Court nominees can only be nominated and confirmed in non-presidential election years. The ploy to block Obamas nominee is more empty pandering to the base that is likely to cost the Republican Party both the Senate and the White House in November. The Republican presidential candidates debate in South Carolina last night must have warmed the hearts of Democrats everywhere. I would say you have to see it to believe it. I am posting a video of the entire event below. As usual, I want to offer a few thoughts and brief observations in the spirit of inquiry. CBS hosted the debate. Moderator John Dickerson acted as a Democratic operative seeking to advance the Democrats position on the replacement of Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court. Justice Scalias death opens up the hypothetical opportunity for President Obama to make his final contribution to the fundamental transformation of the United States. It should therefore remind Republicans of the importance of nominating a candidate who can defeat Hillary Clinton in the coming election. What was the Republican National Committee thinking when it signed with CBS to conduct this debate? CBS perpetrated the Rathergate fraud in the 2004 campaign. CBS News is now run by David Rhodes, brother of Obama national security adviser Ben Rhodes. Sharyl Attkissons memoir reviewing her years at CBS in the Age of Obama shows Rhodes to be running CBS News for the benefit of President Obama. CBS News should not have been part of the equation. The ground rules recited by Dickerson at the outset limited the candidates to 60 seconds in responding to the questions posed. Thats become standard practice, but it is ludicrous. The moderator and others (last night, Major Garrett and Kim Strassel) formulate the questions and address them to a specific candidate. Another candidate mentioned (criticized) in an answer is entitled to respond. The ground rules produce the cat fights to which we have grown accustomed this year. Last night Donald Trump achieved maximum obnoxiousness in his impersonation of Michael Moore. He seemed to be acting as an agent provocateur. His assertion as the leading Republican presidential candidate that President Bush lied us into war with Iraq is simply mind-boggling. He may have spoken on this matter with some forethought, but he appeared to be deranged. At this point he not only damages our public discourse, he damages the Republican Party. I have thought this has become a two-man race between Trump and Cruz at this point. Trump, however, must view Jeb Bush as a threat in South Carolina and perhaps elsewhere. I doubt it, but maybe so. If so, I dont think he helped himself in South Carolina last night. I thought Rubio was good. Maybe he can recover from his performance in New Hampshire. Its possible. I hope so. Last night, however, he repeated his same line on the Gang of Eight fiasco that he has used many times before. His line is that Ted Cruz is as bad as I was! I think that is a poor, poor argument, even among school kids. In this case it has the additional deficiency of being untrue. Rubio was the key Republican cog and tool of Chuck Schumer in the Gang of Eight. John Kasichs effort to stand above the fray had some appeal last night, but hes not going to be the nominee. I cringe whenever he defends his expansion of Medicaid in Ohio. If he has a place to go from New Hampshire, its to Ohio-Michigan-Illinois primaries. Ben Carson is over. The continuing division of the non-Trump vote among several candidates works to Trumps advantage. Who among this crew has a reasonable prospect of taking it to Hillary Clinton? I have my doubts about all of them, but after last night I can say with certainty that its not Trump and that Trump is compounding the difficulty of the task. UPDATE: Washington Times national security reporter Rowan Scarborough is the author of Rumsfelds War and Sabotage. He emails us this morning to comment on Trumps attribution of responsibility for 9/11 to George Bush: Recall the memoir of Clintons CIA director George Tenet: under Clinton the CIA was going into Chapter 11, the NSA was going deaf, the agency cut case officers and closed bases around the world at the very time al Qaeda was planning 9-11. Its no secret that Donald Trump is a vicious bastard. Its no secret that his views have often been more aligned with liberals than with conservatives. But until tonight, I didnt know that his stance on George W. Bush is more vicious than that which leftist politicians are willing publicly to take. Nor did I know that Trump once urged Nancy Pelosi to impeach President Bush. In tonights debate, Trump claimed that the Bush administration knew in advance of the invasion of Iraq that Iraq did not possess weapons of mass destruction. This is a ludicrous assertion. No president would be stupid enough to invade a country based on the claim that it has WMD, knowing that the claim would be exposed as false by the invasion itself. Thus, even leftist politician normally dont level Trumps allegation at President Bush. Whatever they may say in private, they have left this vicious claim to the Bush lied, people died protesters i.e., to Code Pink and its ilk. Trump also blamed President Bush for the attack on the World Trade Center. This claim is less outrageous and more common than the assertion that Bush knew Iraq didnt have WMD. But its still unfair, given the short amount of time Bush had been in office as of 9/11. And its not something one expects to hear from a candidate with realistic aspirations to win the Republican nomination. Similarly, one doesnt expect such a candidate to have talked with Nancy Pelosi about impeaching a Republican president. Yet, when confronted with this allegation, Trump didnt deny it. Instead, he said he gets along with everyone. Everyone except the only Republican president in the past 23 years, it seems. Will Trumps vicious attacks on George W. Bush hurt him in South Carolina? Ive read that the ex-presidents approval rating among Republicans there exceeds 80 percent. The fact that Jeb Bush has enlisted his brother to campaign for him South Carolina seems telling. But Trump probably only needs about 30 percent of the South Carolina vote to win the primary. I dont assume that attacking President Bush will prevent the tycoon from reaching that mark, but we will see. I do suspect that the viciousness of the attack will hurt Trump down the road. There will come a time when Trump needs 40 percent of the vote to win primaries. In a two-way race, if we ever get there, he will need 51 percent. Polls have shown that Republican opposition to Trump is substantial. After tonight, it may solidify and grow. Theres also a general election that Trump would have to win in order to become president. To win it, he would need solid, across-the-board support from Republicans. The viciousness of Trumps attack on Geroge W. Bush may cause reconsideration on the part of many Republicans who had intended, if it came down to it, to hold their nose and vote for Trump. (Nor can Trump expect the votes of the Code Pink crowd no matter how viciously he attacks Bush). Why did Trump, who appears to hold a big lead in South Carolina, risk alienating Republicans by attacking the popular brother of a candidate who is running a distant fourth in South Carolina? Thats an easy one for those who have been paying attention to Trump. George W. Bush is coming to South Carolina to campaign for Jeb. Anyone who dares oppose Trump, even just by supporting someone else, must be smeared. This is the modus operandi of the Clintons and the Obama administration. The only difference I can detect is that Trump seems to enjoy engaging in the politics of personal destruction more than Bill, Hillary, and Obama. Nigerian capital market investors are now guaranteed payment of their dividends within 24 hours of declaration through the e-dividend payment platform initiative by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Director General of SEC, Mounir Gwarzo, said on Thursday in Lagos that the platform would automatically allow dividends to be credited directly into shareholders accounts within hours of payment by the company. Mr. Gwarzo said the initiative was part of the Commissions 10-year Capital Market Master Plan to encourage retail investors to return to the market, thereby deepening the market. He said the only way to attract retail investors back to the market was to take steps to address their concerns. The domestic investor is the only that, no matter the condition of the market, will stay with us, the SEC DG said. What we have been experiencing in the market is the dominance of the foreign investor where, anytime they want, they move out of the market and dont come back. He said one of the reasons retail investors are not in the market was the complaint about not getting their dividends, pointing out that the e-dividend payment platform has made Nigeria one of the countries in Africa that payments are done on transactions within five days. With this system, Nigeria is going to achieve T+1 settlement system, where payment are effected within 24 hours on shares sold today, Mr. Gwarzo said. This is going to be the first capital market in Africa to achieve that feat. Once the e-dividend platform becomes fully operational, he said the issue of stale warrant would be checked, while travelling from one place to another to deposit the warrant or change of address, would be a thing of the past. The issue of unclaimed dividend, which is in excess of N90billion, will be eliminated. These unclaimed dividends are from small stakeholders and we need to ensure that they are claimed. The era of proceeds not being remitted for shares sold, the SEC DG said, would stopped with the use of BVN and e-dividend platform, adding that once an investor register for e-dividend, he would benefit from the Direct Cash Settlement. The BVN platform, he explained, would enable the Commission to implement other initiatives to ensure investors have their data captured. That will check impersonation, he said. The Executive Director, Market Operations and Technologies of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Ade Bajomo, commended SEC for working to get every Nigerian investor get their dues in good time. As the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gets set to name a new chairman on Wednesday, one of the key contestants to the office, Wilberforce Juta, said the young generation of members seeking to take over the reign of leadership should still allow the old brigade to correct the mistakes made which led to the failure of the party in the 2015 election. In an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Abuja, Mr. Juta, a founding member of the PDP and former governor of defunct Gongola State, said he was asked to come and help rebuild the party. Q: Many people outside the PDP may not know who Ambassador Juta is. Can you give us a brief biography? A: I come from Maiha Local Government in Adamawa State and I am about 71 years old; very strong still, doing so many things. I was one of the founding fathers of the PDP in 1998 when Abdulasalami (Abubakar) lifted the ban on politics. I was one of the G34, that is the great people who started the PDP in 1998. When the PDP was established, I became the first national vice chairman for north east. I remained the national vice chairman until 1999 when we won the election and then President (Olusegun) Obasanjo decided to send me to Zimbabwe as Nigerias High commissioner there. I was recalled in 2003 and the same Obasanjo sent me to NDDC, representing the north east. I voluntarily resigned from the NDDC, but I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP since then, holding many other responsibilities. Q. The PDP lost the general elections in 2015. As a result of that, a lot of factors came up leading to the resignation of the former chairman, Adamu Muazu. Now, the party is poised to replace him with someone from the north east. We understand you are one of the major contenders. The youth within the PDP appear to belief that now is the time for them to take over the running of the party. Why should you be the next chairman after Mr. Muazu? A. It is very important for the new breed to be mixed very well with the old brigade if they are to succeed. If you remember, the founders of this party began with Ekwueme, who was a very experienced man, then Solomon Lar, at the age of about 70, also very experienced, then came Gemade, another experienced individual, followed by Audu Ogbeh and Ahmadu Ali. The truth is to chair a big political party like the PDP requires people who are experienced; who have known the progress of the PDP from the start, if possible. These are the people who know how to manage things. That is not to say that the younger generation cannot, but we saw what happened when we brought in Muazu. PDP lost in his hands. Even with an acting chairman, Dr. Bello in 2011, we were able to win. But when a younger person took over, he was bombarded with so many things. Dont get me wrong, he was a very capable individual, who performed excellently well as the governor of Bauchi State. However, that patience, that elderly patience required to handle affairs within the party was missing. So many people took advantage of that to come to the national headquarters to install themselves instead of going to their various constituencies where the people will nominate them. The power which belonged to the people was seized by the national headquarters by imposing people on others; an elderly person would not allow that. That is why I offer myself because I feel that as one of the founding fathers of the PDP, if this party goes down completely while we are still alive, some of us will be blamed. Some of the people I mentioned earlier like Solomon Lar, has gone to meet with the lord. We were the young ones among them when this party was founded and now we are the elders after they are gone. It is our duty to make sure that this party survives and then the younger generation would have a good party to contest for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate, Governors and even the office of the President. We are not for elective positions, but we want to keep the party strong and leave it as a legacy for the next generation yet unborn Q. There are organs of the party responsible for selecting who becomes the next chairman of the PDP, such as the national caucus, the PDP Governors Forum, BoT and NEC. How confident are you that you have the support of these organs to emerge as chairman? A; I really have very good support because I actually did not just apply to contest. In fact, it was peoples voices saying please Baba come and help us. From my state, my zone and I always believe the saying Vox Populi, Vox dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God. When I was called upon by the people to come and salvage the party, I feel that it would be irresponsible of me to say no. If people didnt ask me to come, I would not have come. I have never just come out looking for power, especially at this age. To come forward and head a party that has no government is a sacrifice and I feel that I should give that sacrifice in order for the party to survive. As a member of the BoT, I believe my colleagues know my worth and I have confidence in them. As a member of NEC also, I know that most of those with elective powers in NEC, such as chairman of various state chapters are people we have worked with in various capacities and they know me very well. Also, the two PDP governors from my zone also deeply know about me, they know my worth and I believe they have also given their support to my candidature. Q But have you reached out to them personally? A: Yes I did, if I did not, I wouldnt say that they are with me. I personally met with them. I was the governor of both Adamawa and Taraba as Gongola state governor, so that one there is no problem at all. The chairman of the party would of course need the support of the other governors too, because it is not just a north east affair, we are only given the chance because the chairman who resigned comes from our zone. I have reached out to quite a number of them including former governors too. So, I believe I have no problem with the governors too. Q. The PDP is known for settling for consensus candidates to fill up positions and only resort to election if that effort fails, what is your position regarding the choice of a consensus candidate and going for election? A: I have no problem at all with any of the options. I believe and I have confidence that I would emerge under any option the party structures decide on. I am confident on both ways. I have no fear or doubt of my capability or acceptability at all. But remember it is not a general convention; we are only trying to fill a vacancy and we dont have to go through congresses and convention. So, if the structures (Caucus, BoT, and NEC) decide to come up with consensus candidate, they are free to do so, our constitution allows that. If that happens. As I said earlier, I have no fear. Whatever they decide, provided it is in the interest of the PDP, I would be at home with it. Q; There are rumours that at the end of the day, a caretaker committee may be what would be formed to run the party until the time for a congress and national convention to elect new set of leaders. Also, when is the tenure of Muazu expected to end? For how long would the new chairman to be appointed be in office? A: Again, this depends on the structures of the party and their preparedness. The tenure of Muazu ends in March, but that is not our concern. Our concern is how to get a good structure that would conduct very credible congresses and convention. That is what is important. As far as I am concerned it doesnt matter when the tenure ends provided we sit down with the structures and plan how to get credible people who would hold this party for the next term. That is what I am after. If the structure feels there is need to extend the time, may be for a month or two, so that we prepare very well, that is acceptable to me. If, they also feel that there is enough time for us to do everything before the end of March, that is also okay with me, but it depends on what the structures will do. If I am elected chairman, one thing I want to see done is not to do haphazard things that would allow people hand pick and impose others. I will not allow that. I would make sure that people really determine their leaders from the ward up to the national levels. As a chairman, I will not be there when someone will come and say here is the chairman, here is this, No. So the structures may decide to put in place caretaker or a chairman, but the most important thing is to put in place plans that would produce a good set of people that would hold PDP together, this would of course require us to update our membership register because many have left. You know in third world, some people play politics for bread and butter. Now that we are not in government. Many people have left, hoping to get something in the government, so, we need to know how many members we still have and how dedicated are these members. These are the people that would form the delegates, who would elect leaders of this party for the next four or more years. These are my reasons of wanting to be the chairman; to restructure this party very well, so that we are poised to take over in 2019. The Yobe State Government has said there is no part of the state currently under the occupation of the Boko Haram insurgents. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam stated this in Damaturu while receiving a delegation from Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, who delivered relief materials to the state. Mr. Gaidam, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam-Wali, said the areas initially taken over by the insurgents had been liberated by the military. Presently, there is no part of the state that is under the control of insurgency. Plans are in the pipeline to relocate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to their communities, he said. Mr. Gaidam said that the state had over 300,000 IDPs out of which 280,000 were living in host communities. We are awaiting clearance from security agencies who are mopping up the areas of explosive devices to give us the go ahead to commence relocation of the IDPs, he said. The governor commended the NPA for providing assistance to support displaced persons in the state. Isa Suwaid, leader of the NPA delegation, said the management assisted the IDPs with immediate and basic needs to cushion their hardships. Mr. Isa said 150 mattresses, 500 pieces of blanket, 200 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 100 bags of beans, 100 bags of maize; 100 bags of millet and 1,500 nylon mats were donated to the state through the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. Also, the Acting Chairman, Gujba Local Government in the state, Mai Musa, said people who fled the area due to the Boko Haram insurgency, had returned to their respective communities and engaged in irrigation farming. Mr. Musa disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Damaturu. He said residents of Wagir, Nyakire, Mutai, Buni Gari, Gujba, Katarko and Garin Itace, who fled their communities had mostly returned. The people have engaged in irrigation farming in most of the communities, while business activities have picked up in the village markets, he said. The chairman said except Buni Yadi, headquarters of the local government, most of the communities had returned and engaged in various means of livelihood. As you know, Buni Yadi, has since been liberated and occupied by the security but, they have yet to be authorised by the residents to return. Although the people are anxious to go back, the security forces are still clearing the town to ensure that it is free from explosive devices that might have been planted by the insurgents when they occupied the town, he said. Mr. Musa also said trading activities had improved in Wagir, adding, we have recorded increase in livestock trade in Wagir after the liberation of the area. He commended the military/civilian relationship in the liberated communities, saying it had strengthened mutual trust between the army and the host communities. Members of the host communities have constituted vigilance groups working closely with the army and this has recorded tremendous success in identifying the insurgents and effectively fighting them, the chairman said. He said the resettlement of people in the reclaimed areas had consolidated the success recorded by the military over insurgents. He, however, lamented the destruction of public and private structures in the affected areas during the occupation of the insurgents. Boreholes, schools, hospitals and private properties were either burnt or vandalised. There is the urgent need for government, international organisations, donor agencies and philanthropists to contribute and support the resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people, the chairman said. (NAN) Next week, the chief of the London Metropolitan Police, Bernard Hogan-Howe, will answer questions from UK parliamentarians over claims that Scotland Yard officers investigating former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, were involved in a deliberate cover-up, the Daily Mail is reporting. A UK court was told that the Met and the Crown Prosecution Service concealed documents showing that officers investigating Mr. Ibori took bribe to reveal details of the investigations that could have helped the convicted politician dodge jail. Ibori was sentenced to a 13-year jail term by the Southwark Crown Court in 2012 after admitting to fraud and money laundering. According to the revelation, one detective on the team investigating Mr. Ibori made several unexplained cash deposits into his account running into thousands of pounds after disclosing sensitive information. But the police are accusing the whistle-blower, Bhadresh Gohil, a lawyer who had represented Ibori in the past, of falsifying documents. Surprisingly, the charges against Mr. Gohil were dropped after the CPS was forced to release papers it originally said did not exist. The papers suggested that Met officers took bribe. Mr. Gohil had served seven years in prison for admitting to helping Ibori to launder some of his loot. He later claimed he was wrongly advised to do so by his legal team. I uncovered serious corruption, but when I tried to expose this, I was victimised. Astonishingly, the CPS used the might of the state and all its resources to cover up what had happened, and brought trumped-up charges to persecute me. The truth has finally unravelled, Mr Gohil told the Daily Mail on Saturday. Mr. Gohil claimed he received an anonymous letter while he was in Wandsworth Prison suggesting police in the case had been paid by a private investigative firm, RISC Management, hired by Mr. Ibori. Mr. Gohil had planned to use the evidence of police corruption to overturn his convictions but he was later charged with perverting the course of justice and for forgery. His appeal was thrown out by the court. His counsel, Stephen Kamlish, stated that the police acted in bad faith by failing to investigate who had received cash payments. The document had revealed that John McDonald, a Met detective involved in the Ibori investigation, met RISC director Clifford Knuckey on September 10, 2007. It further revealed that Mr. Knuckey claimed 46.75 in expenses for a meal he enjoyed in a pub with a source that day. Two days later, the document also shows that a meeting with confidential source to hand over source payment for information provided 5,000. Telephone records also revealed that 120 calls were made from RISC to Met officers during the Ibori investigation including one to Mr. McDonald on the day of the pub meeting. Another document reveals Mr McDonald made 19 unexplained cash deposits into his bank account, most of around 500, while he was working on the case in 2007. After the pub meeting, Mr. Knuckey provided a report to Iboris lawyers detailing secret information he had been given about the case. Their records stated: CK [Knuckey] explained that he had met with a senior officer on 10 September 2007 and that DC McDonald (DCM) has had a serious fall out with other officers on the case. A RISC list of payments reveals that between 2006 and 2007 the firm paid some 360,000 to a network of confidential sources in Iboris and other cases, delivered in cash by couriers to the firms London offices. DFIDs Conflict of Interest The UKs Department for International Development (DFID) who financed the Met investigation of Ibori, ironically invested huge sums in Iboris businesses, investigations have revealed. The conflicting involvement of the DIFD has given rise to claims of conflict of interest which has stalled the process of seizing Mr. Ibori asset. Last week, it was also claimed that DFID would be paid 25 million from Iboris asset when processes of seizing them are complete. It was discovered that the investment arm of the DFID, Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) had invested hundreds of millions of pounds into banks, including the defunct Oceanic and Intercontinental Banks and other businesses in which Mr. Ibori had huge interests. But the DFID has denied the allegation of conflict of interest in the matter claiming that thought it funded the investigation into Mr Iboris case, it did not influence it. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has condemned the recent criticism of its decision to transfer a Priest of its Enugu Diocese, Ejike Mbaka. Mr. Mbaka was transferred from his former parish, Christ the Kind, to Our ladys Parish Emene, in the same diocese. The transfer of the priest from his parish of over a decade, where he introduced the popular Adoration-prayer Ministries Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN) met with various criticisms from those who regarded it as a punitive measure by the church against Mr. Mbaka. Critics had at various points attributed the transfer to Mr. Mbakas repeated sermons where he condemned the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and proclaimed a revelation that the former President will lose the 2015 presidential election. Mr. Mbaka had not only stated ahead of the 2015 election that Mr. Jonathan would lose, but condemned the former presidents performance in office particularly on corruption matters. When Mr. Jonathan lost in the election, Mr. Mbakas courage was praised by President Muhammadu Buhari, who received the priest at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The fiery priests subsequent transfer was condemned by critics including the South East chapter of Nigerias ruling party, APC, who claimed Mr. Mbaka was being victimised. In its earlier reaction to controversies trailing the transfer, Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Ralph Madu, told PREMIUM TIMES that the transfer is a normal church procedure. Addressing the church at its opening session of the CBCN on Sunday, President of the Conference, Ignatius Kaigama, condemned Mr. Mbakas prophecies stressing that the church and particularly its priests and leaders must avoid the what he regarded as the melodramatic displays that resembles modern broadway shows. Those priests who tend to compete with so-called trendy pastors to dream dreams, see visions and utter prophecies are reminded that not all dreams, visions and prophecies are revelations from God. They are sometimes the product of ones psychological disposition, brain waves or even the result of mental fatigue and should not be confused with absolute reality, said Mr. Kaigama, a bishop. He called on leaders in all facets of the nation to work for the unity of Nigeria. We need to think positively about the Nigerian project and act in a manner that builds rather than destroys, he stated. Also in his brief remark at the introduction of guests, the Assistant Secretary General of the CBCN and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix Ajakaiye, said, When I am transferred I am transferred; no sensation should be attached. Speaking earlier at the sermon, during the opening mass, Bishop of Abuja Arch Diocese, John Onaiyekan, said Nigerians have a right to be angry at the criminal corruption, which led to diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms, stressing that it is the hope of all well meaning Nigerians that such fraudulent acts are now a thing of the past. Our gallant troops must never again be left with inadequate resources to carry out the dangerous acts imposed on them on our behalf, he said. Mr. Onaiyekan called on the current administration to keep up its legal efforts to thoroughly investigate the crimes of the past, transparently prosecute accused persons and hold the guilty accountable according to the law. He reiterated his earlier call for collaboration with the church and religious bodies in the effort to bring about a transformation of minds and action by Nigerians. As part of its annual practice, Mr. Onaiyekan said the CBCN will make suggestions at the end of its session on January 17, on ways to move the nation forward. President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the virtues of Hajiya Fati Koko, popularly called Maitalla Tara, who passed away at age 95. Mourning Hajiya Koko, who had waited nine hours in Kebbi early last year to donate the sum of N1 million (One million Naira) to him as the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Buhari described her as a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions, and gave sacrificially. Hajiya Koko had offered virtually her lifes savings to candidate Buhari then, saying she admired his honesty, discipline, and stand for truth. Receiving the news of her passage, President Buhari commended Hayiya Kokos conviction and sacrificial giving, urging Nigerians to learn vital lessons from her life. She gave practically all she had towards our campaign. Though well advanced in age, she still believed a new Nigeria was possible, and followed her conviction with action. What generosity of spirit and what tenacious faith in her motherland. Nigerians, old and young, have a lot to learn from her, the President said. President Buhari condoled with the family and relations of the departed, urging them to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to a ripe old age, and she saw the beginning of the change she had long yearned for. The onus is now on all of us to ensure that the change gets entrenched and solidified for even generations yet unborn to benefit from, Mr. Buhari said. The president also sympathized with the governor and people of Kebbi State, whom he said would also miss the sterling qualities of Hajiya Koko, but added that the life of the departed will serve as a standard to emulate in the service of God, humanity and country. May Allah grant her soul repose in Al-jannah, the President prayed. The Rivers State government has lashed out at the chairman of President Muhammadu Buharis Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, Itse Sagay, for his criticism of the recent Supreme Court judgment upholding the election of Governor Nyesom Wike. In a statement Sunday, the state government said Mr. Sagay, a professor of Law, launched a bitter and completely unwarranted attack on Supreme Court justices in the wake of the apex courts decision. Prof Itse Sagay, one of the most opportunistic enablers of the corrupt regime of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in Rivers State, seems to have finally found the courage to step out of his closet, the Rivers State government said in the statement issued by Austin Tam-George, Commissioner for Information and Communication. Speaking to journalists in Warri, on Saturday, Mr. Sagay had described the Supreme Courts decisions in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States as very perverse. Everybody knows that people like Wike climbed into the governorship seat (over) dead bodies and over bloods of human beings. There were no elections, they wrote the results, the evidence is there, Mr. Sagay had said. But in its swift reaction, the Rivers State government said Mr. Sagay does not have any proof to back his claims. For a trained lawyer, Prof Sagay has obviously lost his sense of irony. He criticizes the legally sound and unanimous judgement of the Supreme Court, by resorting to the silly and unsubstantiated hearsay mindlessly peddled by the APC, the government said. In the twilight of an unremarkable career, is Prof Sagay seeking to be the dubious originator of the sick jurisprudence of Everybody Knows, even without evidence? Is the Supreme Court no longer supreme in its judgements? Why is Sagay re-litigating a settled matter in the streets in such a disgraceful manner? Prof Itse Sagay may wish to re-read the history of the people of Rivers State. We never give up our sovereignty. The state government condemned the carefully orchestrated campaign of calumny which it said was launched by the All Progressives Congress, the main opposition party in the state. Working with other Nigerians and our sister states in the Niger Delta region, the government and people of Rivers State will continue to defeat the dark political fundamentalism of the APC, the statement further said. We call on the international community to restrain the All Progressives Congress from its desperate attempts to politically dominate our people and plunder the resources of our land. The Nigerian military says it is winning the war against terrorism in spite of some challenges. Victor Ezugwu, the GOC, 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, stated this while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri. We are winning the war. We are bringing the war to conclusion, very soon, Mr. Ezugwu, a Brigadier General, said. He, however, said that Nigerians must support the military to sustain the successes so far recorded. We want everybody to help us to support the peace that is emerging. The peace is more enduring and more gratifying for us in Borno and other parts of the North-East of Nigeria, Mr. Ezugwu said. He commended civic groups that had been partnering with the military toward the success of the counter-insurgency operation. I thank traditional rulers and NGOs that are stakeholders to us in the fight against insurgency. Their accurate information, their support and advice to us have given rise to a growing civil/military relationship that is existing between the military and the authorities in our areas of operations, Mr. Ezugwu said. Meanwhile, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has commended the military for their sacrifice in restoring peace in the North-East. Mr. Shettima stated this while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri. The military has recorded tremendous achievements in the past six months, we are now consolidating the emerging peace in the state. . It is wrong for anyone to say that the Boko Haram are in control. Yes you might have pockets of them trying to foment mischief, but eventually, we shall overcome the hiccups. We are all living witnesses to what is happening in Borno, you and I know that in the last couple of months Ngala was liberated by the military, so also was Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa, Mafa and so many other communities that were hitherto under the terrorists control. The military deserve commendation not condemnation, the governor said. He said it was clear that the Boko Haram terrorists had been decimated by the military. The Boko Haram terrorists have been decimated and President Buhari deserves special commendation for that. The people of the North-East, especially those of Borno are eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment toward restoring sanity in the area, Mr. Shettima said. He said that the military were making efforts to uproot the terrorists from their hideouts in Sambisa forest. The most important thing for us now as a people is to support the Federal Government on the anti-terrorism war, Mr. Shettima said. He said that it was difficult to end terrorism within a short time. Nine days after he wrote the Nigerian government advising against the plan to secure a $3.5 billion loan, Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has said he would commence legal proceedings against the government. Mr. Falana had, in a letter dated February 5, urged the Finance Ministry to jettison its plan to secure a $3.5 billion (about N700 billion) loan from the World Bank and the African Development Bank. In a statement on Sunday, the lawyer said he had not received any response from the ministry. Since you have not deemed it fit to react to the serious issues raised in the letter, kindly be informed that we shall commence legal proceedings not later than February 29, 2015, with a view to compelling the Federal Government to recover the said loans, royalties, levies, and other recoverable revenues of not less than $66.5 billion, Mr. Falana said. In a letter to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Falana had said instead of taking the loan, the government should direct the anti-graft agencies to recover all loans and revenues accruable to it. From the information at our disposal, the federal government is owed not less than $66.5 billion (about N13.3 trillion) which ought to be recovered without any further delay, Mr. Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated in the letter dated February 5. According to Mr. Falana, the five cycles of independent audit reports compiled by the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, showed potential recoverable revenues of not less than $20.2 billion. The potential recoverable revenues are said to have arisen from underpayment/under-assessment of taxes, royalties, levies and rents. If you require more information in respect of this matter you may wish to contact your colleague, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning. In her capacity as the immediate past Executive Secretary of NEITI she had called on the federal government to recover the said sum of $20.2 billion. Mr. Falana said the Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2006, apportioned $7 billion out of the nations external reserves to 14 Nigerian banks to manage. In addition, following the crisis of global capitalism, which occurred in 2008, the Central Bank of Nigeria gave a bailout of $4 billion (N600 billion) to the commercial banks in the country. The CBN has not deemed it fit to ask for the refund of the total sum of $11 billion injected into the banking system in the space of two years. Mr. Falana also said the Presidency, in September last year, announced the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporations commencement of recovering of $9.6 billion in over-deducted tax benefits from joint venture partners on major capital projects and oil swap contracts. Weeks ago, Mr. Falana continued, Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation, disclosed that the federal government had concluded arrangements to recover an additional $750 million from the Abacha loot. In the ongoing Senate Probe into the affairs of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), it has been revealed that the corporation had accumulated over $25 billion (about N5 trillion) debts as against its Act which put the debt ceiling at N800 billion, said Mr. Falana. According to Mr. Ahmed Kuru, the Managing Director of AMCON, most of the debtors of AMCON are big men who fly in private jets, live in big mansions and they have taken money and they are not paying back. From the foregoing, you will agree with us that the hapless Nigerian people should not be made to pay for the gross mismanagement of the national economy by the federal government and the profligacy of the pampered members of the ruling class. While acknowledging the concerted efforts to recover the looted wealth of the nation through the anti-graft agencies and the Arms Procurement Panel, the Buhari administration should embark on the immediate recovery of the aforesaid loans and accrued revenues with a view to financing the 2016 budget and the infrastructural development of the nation. Parents in Kaduna have been reacting to the free school feeding recently introduced by the state government. The feeding program for primary school pupils in the state was launched on January 19 by the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai. A cobbler, Kabiru Abu, said the free feeding program for primary school children has taken off the burden of providing school meal for his three children. Mr. Abu, who works at the popular Sati market, Badarawa area of Kaduna, said his three children attend LGEA primary school in Badarawa. Let me tell you that this feeding program is not for the children only, it is also for us who are parents in the state, he told PREMIUM TIMES. Im a cobbler who barely makes between 1000 and 1500 naira a day and I have three school children. Before now they will come to me every day in the market to collect money for break during school hours. Sometimes I do borrow to give them N20 each, but now that has been taking care of by the state government through the school feeding program. Mr. Abu also spoke of his childrens joy for the program. For me, it is like taking care of one big responsibility for five days. Every morning they do not wait for their mother to give them food anymore because they know that at 10 a.m. they will be fed in the school. One amazing thing that is happening now is how the children are getting more committed to learning. Any time I return home from the market, they are always in a rush to show me something they learnt from school which has never been so. Apart from taking off the burden of breakfast for me, my wife no longer wakes up in a rush every morning to prepare something for the children to eat or drink before they leave for school, he said. When asked if the government also provides school uniform and books for his children, he said, Not yet but I have trust in this government and I am sure they will soon do that. You can see that virtually all the schools in Kaduna are witnessing massive transformation. More classroom blocks are being built and renovations is taking place all over the state and the feeding of course, books is not going to be a problem, I am sure about that. One of Mr. Abus wards said he is happy he does not need to go to his fathers work place to get money to buy food in school anymore. We do not come to Baba again because we eat well in the school and we are happy about that. They serve us with rice and beans, moi-moi, yam and egg, the primary four pupil said. Another parent, Zainab Sani, said she does not believe any program could benefit the poor in Kaduna better than the feeding program. This program came at the right time, the widow, who resides in Kakuri area of Kaduna, said. I have two children who are all in primary two and my problem has always been how to provide feeding at break time. I am a tailor and have been struggling to provide for my orphans. My two children, Hafsat and Balki, will always return home during classes to say its break time that they need food. Sometimes they will not return to school that day again. She said the situation has changed since the Kaduna government began the feeding program. They are always in school now and will only return during closing time. It is a great initiative by the government, she said. Another mother, Rebecca Bitrus, shed tears while speaking about the program. Her only child, Usman, who attends LGEA school on Aliyu Makama road, Barnawa, has been returning home happy since the program began; talking about the food they are given in school. And for me I have no reason to worry for what to give him every morning to take to school again, she said. The free feeding program also seems to be achieving one of its aims of returning out of school children to schools. Nigeria has over 10 million out of school children, the largest in the world, according to the United Nations; with many of them in Northern Nigeria including Kaduna. While speaking on the increased enrolment since the program began, a teacher said it was already leading to over congestion of schools. Adama Mohammed, the headmistress of one of the benefitting public primary schools, said the feeding program was a success so far but the state government needed to hasten the renovation and building of new classroom blocks to reduce the number of children in the classes. With the increased enrolment , student population in some classes doubled and feeding in such over-populated classes could be unhygienic, she told PREMIUM TIMES While launching the programme in January, Governor El-Rufai said the programme would feed1.5 million pupils in the states public primary schools We are conscious that it would save parents break-time money, empower the women within the community who have been selected as the catering vendors and expand the market for farm products. He also said that the school feeding programme is directly creating 17,000 jobs for catering vendors, each of whom will need to employ workers to help them deliver. In seeking to take care of our children, we are creating jobs, boosting demand and exposing our people to new skills and hygiene standards and providing extra income. Also responding to the issue of renovating the schools and building more classrooms blocks the governor said, We inherited a baleful legacy of dilapidated schools, inadequate classrooms, and no furniture for 50 per cent of the pupils. The schools also often lacked water and toilet facilities. It is a massive commitment to fix the more than 4000 public primary schools in the state and transform them into conducive places for the delivery of quality education. We will strive to complete the rehabilitation within our term of office. The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has banned the operation of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. daily in four local government areas of the state for security reasons. The ban takes effect on Sunday, February 14. The four local government areas include: Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni (ONELGA). A statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, said that the stipulated ban on the operation of Okada in these local government areas is indefinite. Governor Wike has directed security agencies to enforce the ban. The governor regrets any inconveniences the ban will cause residents, businesses and commercial motorcyclists in these local government areas. He, however, called on all stakeholders in the mentioned local government areas to cooperate with the state government and security agencies to improve the security situation in their communities. The Acting Director, Applied Meteorological Services department of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Joseph Alozie, said that Akwa Ibom State recorded the highest amount of rainfall recorded in Nigeria in 2015. Mr. Alozie disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja. The director said that the region recorded about 600 millimetre of rain in just one particular month during the year. He said the volume was more than was recorded in some northern states in a year, adding that the highest amount recorded in the north was 750 millimetres. Alozie stated that there were above normal rainfall in many southern coast and inland regions like Oyo and Ogun States, where NiMet predicted above normal rainfall in its 2015 Seasonal Rainfall Predication. There were serious rains around Anambra and northern part of Delta, that is, Asaba area and the area bordering River Niger in Onitsha had substantial rainfall. There is a heaviest of all rainfall received in Akwa Ibom state especially in parts of Eket. There was a month that we got more than 600 millimetres (mm) in just one month in part of Akwa Ibom state, which was unprecedented. What some states in the North would have almost for the whole year was what Akwa Ibom got in just one month, he said. Mr. Alozie explained that rainfall recorded in the far north ranged from about 500 mm annual value, to the middle of the country, where it could be up to 1,200mm or 1,300mm. (NAN) The Nigerian Army on Sunday said it has arrested members of a four-man gang allegedly terrorising residents of Ulakwo community in Etche Local Government area of Rivers. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there had been rising cases of cultism, assassinations, armed robbery and kidnapping in some communities in the state. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Eli Lazarus, made the disclosure while parading the suspects in Port Harcourt. Mr. Lazarus said that following intelligence report, troops raided criminal hideouts in Ulakwo community and recovered arms and ammunition from the gang. Following reports of criminal activities of some young men who had been unleashing terror on innocent citizens, troops from 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a search in Ulakwo community. The operation, which was successful, led to the arrest of four young men, aged between 23 and 35, who were terrorising law-abiding citizens in the community. Two Pump Action rifles, a Dane gun and four cartridges of live ammunitions, were recovered from the suspects during the raid, he explained. Mr. Lazarus said the suspects would be handed over to the Department of State Security, DSS, for further investigation and possible arraignment in court. He said the Army had put in place, mechanisms to rid the state of criminals, to enable residents go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation. Criminals and restive youth should have a change of heart and engage themselves in legal ventures, otherwise we will come after them, he said. The army spokesman urged members of the public to continue to provide security agencies with information that could lead to the arrest of criminals. (NAN) Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa was on Sunday sworn-in for the second term in office, with the promise to move the state forward. Speaking at the event in Yenagoa, the governor dedicated his victory at the poll to the people and assured that he would not play politics with the security of the state. My victory as governor is victory for the people; this administration will continue to sustain the existing security in the state. We must stand for good governance and light must always triumph over darkness in Bayelsa. Mr. Dickson also promised to complete the ongoing airport project and empower youth in the state. He disclosed that the airport project was 80 per cent complete; adding that diversification of the state economy will also be his priority. In the past four years, the state has witnessed transformation and we are ready to do more. We will consolidate and expand security in the next four years; this victory is ours and I want us to build a strong synergy to accelerate development of Bayelsa. I must say that my government is ready to work with the federal government in ensuring that the issue of kidnap and oil pipeline vandalism is properly checkmated. My advice to our people is to steer clear of encouraging or covering-up criminal acts in the state and Niger-Delta region, he said. Charles Sambo, a youth leader, commended Mr. Dickson, assuring that the youth will help to promote peace and security in the state. Mr. Sambo called on youth in the state to support the federal governments efforts in fighting crime, especially oil pipeline vandalism. According to him, development of the Niger-Delta will not be possible in an atmosphere of insecurity. Let us say no to criminality, especially to pipeline vandalism and kidnap, Mr. Sambo said. The ceremony was attended by Governors Ayodele Fasose of Ekiti, Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, among others. (NAN) The Enugu Police Command on Sunday said it has nabbed two undergraduates who are students of one of the state-owned universities in the South-East, for alleged murder of one Stella Uhuo. The Commands Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu. He said that the suspects (names withheld) were arrested by in Ebonyi and Kogi states by police operatives. According to him, the duo murdered Mrs. Uhuo, who just returned from a vacation in U.S., by beating her to death after dispossessing her of her belongings. It was gathered that on that fateful day, Nov. 14, 2015, the deceased, Mrs. Stella Ohuo, had allegedly contacted one of the suspects who usually assists the deceased in running errands, to inform him that she will be landing from US through the Enugu Airport. She requested the suspect to assist her convey some luggage given to her by some friends in US to Abakaliki. On the said day, the suspect came to the airport with his friend in a Volvo car, alongside some family members of the deceased, who came to welcome her. On arrival at the Airport, personal luggage of the deceased was said to have been put in the car brought by family members while the ones to be taken to Abakaliki were loaded into the boot of the Volvo car. Along the way, the suspect and his friend diverted the car off Enugu-Abakiliki Expressway, at about 10 a.m., where they dispossessed the victim of her belongings, beating her to death when she resisted. On noticing that the woman had given up the ghost, they smartly brought her to a dust bin located near Enugu-Abakiliki Expressway, dumped her body and left with the luggage, he said. The spokesperson said the deceased had been helping the suspect many years back before this incident and that was why she trusted him to convey her as usual to Abakiliki. (NAN) The leadership tussle rocking the Abakaliki Rice Milling Company got messier at the weekend as two rival factions clashed in the Ebonyi State capital. A factional Chairmen, Chukwuemeka Nwankashi, was hospitalized following machete cuts he received on his head and face. It was gathered that the clash could have been bloodier but for the quick intervention of the Police. Parallel elections held on Friday by the two factions produced two parallel executives. One faction supported by government held its election at the Abakaliki Township Stadium where the former chairman, Joseph Ununu, was re-elected. The second faction elected Mr. Nwankashi as its chairman during their election which held at the mills hall. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Mr. Nwankashi accused Mr. Ununu of causing the fracas. He alleged that Mr Ununus faction armed with various weapons and on his (Ununus) orders swooped on him and his supporters with dangerous weapons as they were celebrating their victory on Friday. We planned to have our elections but contrary to our constitution, government interfered in it. According to our constitution, it is only registered members that will vote during the election. We told government to allow us hold the election at our hall but they refused and said we must hold the elections at the stadium. We still agreed. But when we got to the stadium at 8 a.m. as they fixed, we discovered that they had brought in hoodlums to take over the stadium. We told them that those people are not authentic members of the association but they refused listen so we left. The authentic members then went to the mill and held our election but before that we stopped at government house to let the state government know what was happening. At the election, I won by 158 votes as I was unopposed. Other officers were also elected thus: Elias Nwogwu (Treasurer), Chijioke Ilodiba (Vice Chairman) and Emeka Agu Ozo financial secretary. After the election, we went to celebrate. And when we were celebrating, the former Chairman Joseph Ununu aka Zuma came with thugs armed with various dangerous weapons and attacked us. They used cutlass and cut my head and my face. They also injured many others. If not for the intervention of the police we would have been killed. But the polices timely intervention saved us and they took us to hospital. The former Chairman even boosted that he has the backing of government and that they told him to eliminate anyone opposing him. He called on the state government to intervene adding that even if they have interest in a particular candidate they should come and tell us. We only want the proper things to be done. Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Uchenna Orji, has said that the state will only recognize the election which produced Mr. Ununu as the Chairman of the Abakaliki Rice Mill Association. Mr. Orji said this while reacting to the emergence of two chairmen after the elections. According to him, the state government has done all it can to ensure that peace reigns at the mill but its efforts were frustrated by selfish individuals. The government therefore constituted a committee from the office of the Special Adviser on Trade Unions and Market Development headed by myself with other commissioners as members, he said. He noted that the committee designed a time table for elections which all aspirants accepted as the election was fixed for February 12 at the Abakaliki Township stadium. All 13 aspirants were screened as provided by the constitution of the association with recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and at the end, we adopted the Option A4 system with the delegates raising their hands to be counted. Mr. Orji said Mr. Ununu eventually emerged as the chairman, saying the election which produced him was conducted in the presence of security officials and accredited election observers. The purported parallel election was conducted by a cartel inside the mill who are produce merchants that connive with rice vendors to brand the rice produced at the mill with name of other state governments. He said that their acts gives the false impression that Ebonyi rice is produced by other states and urged the rice millers and the public to conduct their ricebusinesses without fear of molestation. Mr. Ununu on his part denied leading the attack. He, however, maintained that he was duly elected by the members as the people who conducted the parallel election are those installed by the immediate past governor while the new government belongs to the millers. 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. ATLANTA, Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Diamond, a diamond and fine jewelry manufacturer and retailer, is 'The Pick' for 2016 for The Knots' Best of Wedding Awards. Having also won in the same category in 2015, the jeweler has not only consistently received positive customer reviews but have also been acknowledged by wedding experts for their superior products, quality of service and unbeatable value. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160211/332273 The Knot Inc is a reputable wedding media and services company founded in 1997. The company provides information and advice on wedding planning, and also runs a wedding magazine available at newsstands and bookstores across the country. The Best of Weddings Award is recognized as prestigious recognition that is marked by online and physical badges by the winners in order to establish themselves as leaders in their domain. Union Diamond holds the special distinction of having received this award twice in a row. If it continues to hold on its winning streak, this fine jewelry provider could be inducted into the The Knot Hall of Fame, which is a special privilege. Union Diamond provides a range of wedding bands and diamond wedding rings, along with the services of GIA trained Graduate Gemologists, Diamond Graduates, Pearl Graduates and Accredited Jewel Professionals, who help customers to make an informed choice. Customers can choose solitaires, halo or a three stone rings, or choose from the antique or designer collections. Moreover, with the help of talented CAD designers, the company also offers custom ring design. The online 'Design Your Ring' tool has several parameters on the basis of which it makes suggestions, including skin tone and ethnicity. The metals that can be chosen from include yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum and palladium. The selection of diamonds include ideal cut stones certified by the GIA, EGL and AGS laboratories, and priced lower than equivalent products in other retail stores. The company also sells through its online portal, http://www.uniondiamond.com, apart from its flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia. The motto of the company is 'Just Expect More' and Union Diamond takes pride in always striving to exceed customer expectations. All products dispatched by the company are insured by Jeweler's Mutual, a reputable insurance provider licensed across all 50 US states as well as in Canada, with the exception of Quebec. Moreover, there are no additional shipping costs incurred by online buyers and there is a 30-day return policy on all products, no matter what the cause of dissatisfaction. Every piece is guaranteed to be 100% new at the time of purchase. About the Company: Union Diamond was established on September 11, 2001, as a wholesale diamond merchant, selling to jewelers across the US and abroad. The website and flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia, were launched in 2002. Over the years, the company has earned repute in the global diamond market and has also achieved recognition for its customer service. Jeff McLaurin, who has worked with Union Diamond as a senior jeweler and a master jeweler, is the current owner of the company. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Union Diamond Related Links http://www.uniondiamond.com London, Feb 10 : In another setback to Facebook in Europe, the French data protection authority has ordered the social networking giant to stop sending user data to the US and comply with the European data protection law. According to a report in technology website Tech Crunch, Facebook has been given three months to make the changes deemed necessary by the data protection authority CNIL and failing to do so will incur heavy fines. Specifically, the data protection agency is unhappy that Facebook collects the browsing activity of internet users who do not have a Facebook account. "The company does not inform Internet users that it sets a cookie on their terminal when they visit a Facebook public page (page of a public event or of a friend). This cookie transmits to Facebook information relating to third-party websites offering Facebook plug-ins (e.g. Like button) that are visited by Internet users," the CNIL notice read. According to the notice, Facebook collects user data concerning sexual orientation, religious and political views "without the explicit consent of account holders". Nor does it inform users on the sign up form "with regard to their rights and the processing of their personal data". Facebook is also accused of using the now illegal "Safe Harbor" data transfer mechanism - a longstanding trans-Atlantic data transfer agreement that was invalidated by the European Court of Justice last year, the report added. According to a Facebook spokesperson, "We are confident that we comply with European Data Protection law and look forward to engaging with the CNIL to respond to their concerns." According to CNIL, it has made its notice against Facebook public due to "the seriousness of the violations and the number of individuals concerned by the Facebook service". Facebook has more than 30 million users in France. The social networking giant is facing several privacy-related probes in Europe. In November, a Belgian court ordered the company to stop using cookies to track the web activity of its users. As well as investigations by the French and Belgian authorities, Facebook is also being probed by Spanish, Dutch and German (Hamburg) data protection authorities. Imphal, Feb 10 : The Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi on Wednesday said it will file police complaints against the Manipur government for the killing of nine tribals by the police during a protest in September last year. The bodies of the nine people, who were killed in violence in Churachandpur district after the assembly passed three bills for the protection of indigenous people, have been lying in a morgue since then. The Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi said it was "not happy" that the state government has not booked anyone regarding the killings. Representatives of the group have already met President Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and other officials and that they understood the grievances of the tribals as "genuine". The group claimed that many parliamentarians also supported the tribal cause. It also demanded a high-level inquiry into the killings, and that the Centre ought to intervene in the matter of passing of the three bills by the Manipur assembly. However, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has maintained that there was not a single word against the tribals in the three bills, and if it was pointed out on the contrary, the government was ready to delete the same. The group also demanded a separate administration for tribals in Manipur. Violence erupted on September 1, 2015, following the state government's adoption on August 31 of three landmark bills -- Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015. The bills are pending with the president. Churachandpur witnessed widespread violence, when several schools and government offices were torched. Police opened fire at protestors, and eight people were killed. One youth died in a road accident during the protests. Protesting groups in Manipur refused to claim the bodies and these are still in a hospital morgue in the district. On Tuesday, representatives of all important organisations and women's groups resolved that the bodies will be buried on February 13. Patna, Feb 13 : The BJP on Saturday expressed anger over the killing of its Bihar unit vice president Visheshwar Ohja by forcing closure of markets in the Bhojpur district while the police said it picked up eight people in connection with the murder. According to reports reaching here, protesting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers forced closure of markets in Shahpur, Bihia and Karnamepur in Bhojpur district to protest against the killing of Ojha (53) who was shot dead on Friday evening in Ara in the district. They also shouted slogans against the state government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Meanwhile, the police said it had arrested Harender Singh, the "main accused" as well as "another accused" in connection with the case. Six other suspects have been detained for interrogation, the police said. Ojha will be cremated on Saturday. His funeral is expected to be attended by top leaders of the state BJP. The railway authorities have tightened security at railway stations in Bhojpur district in view of political tensions. Ojha was the vice president of the BJP's Bihar unit. His body was riddled with more than a dozen bullets on Friday as he entered his car after meeting a relative near Sonbarsha bazaar in Bhojpur district, about 60 km from here. He had unsuccessfully contested last year's assembly election against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Rahul Tiwari from Shahpur constituency. Ojha's murder took place less than 24 hours after another BJP leader Kedar Singh was gunned down in Saran district of the state. Earlier this month, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Brijnathi Singh was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Patna. Ankara, Feb 14 : Saudi Arabian military jets could arrive in Turkey in the next few days to carry out missions against the Islamic State (IS) militants group, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday. The aircraft are likely to be based at the Incirlik air base in Turkey's southern Adana province, from which many US bombers have been bombing the IS areas in Syria. Cavusoglu said it was not certain how many Saudi warplanes would be based in Turkey. "Because this is our common struggle... Saudi Arabia also wanted to send aircraft and join the air operations," he added. As Syrian government forces are making gains lately on the battlegrounds, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and others have voiced readiness to deepen their military intervention in the war-torn country. A Saudi military spokesperson has pledged to send in ground troops in case of the US-led coalition's agreement to launch a ground operation in Syria, while the UAE has agreed to dispatch special forces there, as claimed by US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed early this month that it had "reasonable grounds to suspect intensive training in Turkey for a military invasion" into Syria. London, Feb 14 : The US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter said on Saturday that Britain must renew its Trident nuclear weapons system if it wants to play an important role in the world. Carter told the BBC that this system was an "important part of the deterrent structure of NATO" and aided the "special relationship" of Britain with the US. The House of Commons is expected to vote before the end of 2016 on whether to back government plans to renew the four Vanguard submarines carrying the Trident, whose cost is estimated at about $44.9 billion. Carter noted that the US is "very supportive" of this system and London should invest in its renewal. "We depend upon the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom depends on us, that's part of the special relationship," he said. British Conservative government backs renewing these nuclear missiles, while Labour opposition is currently reviewing its support for this deterrent system. Wellington, Feb 14 : The police have seized Indian restaurant chain Masala's 33 properties worth $34 million in what is believed to be the largest cache of property ever restrained by the law enforcement authorities in New Zealand, a media report said. The asset freeze came after allegations of tax fraud to the tune of $7.4 million dollars, newstalkzb.co.nz reported on Saturday. Revenue authorities have been investigating 17 firms involved with the Masala chain for allegedly under-reporting earnings. The restaurant chain owners, Joti Jain, Rupinder Chahil, Rajwinder Grewal and Supinder Singh have allegedly evaded paying tax by systematically stripping cash from the restaurants and not declaring cash sales in GST returns, investigator Elena Bryleva stated in an affidavit. The brand came under scrutiny last year for paying its employees as little as $2 an hour. Co-owner Jain was sentenced to 11 months home detention last October after admitting immigration and exploitation charges. According to Immigration New Zealand, one of her victims worked 66 hour weeks for months at the Takapuna restaurant and was also told to clean Jain's house - all for no more than $3 an hour. Masala founder Chahil is already facing six charges alleging he falsified immigration documents and supplied misleading information contrary to immigration laws. Properties seized include a $3 million dollar house in Auckland's Remuera area, a parcel of land in Takanini and four other properties believed to have been used as accommodation for Masala workers. Some of the restaurants have since been sold and renamed. Nay Pyi Taw, Feb 14 : A fire destroyed 600 houses in Myanmar's southern Tanintharyi region, an official report said on Sunday. The fire brokeout on Saturday night when a child was playing with a lit candle in Palaw town, Xinhua quoted the police as saying. As the village area was not accessible by fire engines, firefighters had to battle the blaze with water pumps. The fire caused a total loss of property to 75 million kyats (over $585,000), the police said. The victims were evacuated to a nearby village where they were given temporary shelters. Relief supplies were brought in to the fire-ravaged area, the report added. Munich, Feb 14 : The US Secretary of State John Kerry said Syria crisis should be settled on a political track, urging parties to take advantage of current opportunity to end the conflicts. Political settlement was the only way to end conflicts in Syria, Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Agreements reached by top diplomats earlier on Friday provided an opportunity that parties could not miss, Kerry said. "If the international community and Syrians themselves miss the opportunity now before we to achieve that political resolution to the conflicts, the violence... will continue," he said. Kerry said humanitarian aid could start flow to areas where in urgent need "today or tomorrow," while a lot of work must be done in order to ensure an effective "cessation of hostilities" within the week. One of the issues needed to be clarified was which actions could be defined as against terrorists, and which could not, he said. The US claimed that Russian airstrikes targeted against oppositions in Syria instead of terrorists. The claim was rejected by the Russian side. Shimla, Feb 14 : The picturesque tourist resort Shimla saw a sunny day after a day of intermittent snowfall with the minimum temperature recorded at 1.8 degree Celsius. The temperature remained below the freezing point at most places in Himachal Pradesh due to snow and rain, an official of the meteorological office told IANS, adding the western disturbances has withdrawn largely. Shimla's nearby tourist spots like Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda experienced more spells of snowfall in the past 24 hours. "It's literally snowing Valentine's fun in the hills," an elated Aditi Rao, a corporate executive from Delhi, told IANS in Shimla. Lower areas of the state, including Dharamsala, Solan, Nahan and Mandi, received moderate rainfall, bringing the temperature down considerably. The Met office said the snowy landscape in some pockets of Shimla like the US Club and Jakhu hills will remain for one or two days. Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest in the state with a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Manali saw a low of 3.2 degree Celsius. It saw four mm rain but remained devoid of fresh snowfall. However, its nearby destinations were marooned in the snow. Kalpa, some 250 km from Shimla, saw a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius. It saw four cm of snow. Ranchi, Feb 14 : Appalled at the sight of the menfolk of a primitive Jharkhand tribe lolling around in a drunken stupor while the women crafted a range of artifacts for which unfortunately there was no market, a woman bureaucrat took matters in hand and effected a social miracle of sorts, for which she is worshipped as a "Mother Goddess" in more than 25 villages of the area. Suchitra Sinha, currently Jharkhand's tourism director, is worshipped as "Devi Maa" with her photograph occupying a prominent place among the other gods and goddesses in the prayer room of tribal homes. "She is our mother. Our Devi mother. We have not seen God but for us this mother has always stood by us whenever we have needed her," Manju, a Sabar tribe woman who resides in Samanpur village of Nimdih block, some 135 km from Jharkhand capital Ranchi, told a visiting IANS correspondent through a translator. It's not just the 250 families of Samanpur village but also those of Makula, Bhangad, Bindubeda, Biridudih, Chirubeda, Bereda and other villages where Sinha is venerated. The reason for this lay in a huge hall behind the village school where large numbers of men and women were hard at work making artefacts and other items of daily use from forest produce. "It is maa (Mother) who has made sure that food is prepared in our homes, our children are fed and the male members were put on the right track of life," Manju explained. Sinha had cleared the Bihar Public Service Commission examination (Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar) in 1988 and was familiar with the underdeveloped area that was a hotbed of Maoist rebels as well from the time she as posted as Jamshedpur's deputy collector in 1990. However, her visit to Samanpur village in 1996 for attending an event was the turning point. She took up the matter with the Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), who, instead of hearing her out, suggested she concentrate on her official duties. Jeeringly, he said it was naive to believe that the villagers could be pulled out of the state of intoxication they lived in for most of the time. Even Sinha's family members laughed at her intentions. However, this did not deter Sinha and she made repeat visits to Samanpur village, speaking to the men to turn a new leaf, making the women realise their exceptional talent and soon earned their trust. Gradually, people started listening to her; even the youths started to associate with Her. She suffered a setback when she was transferred to New Delhi but she was committed to ensuring that her efforts see the light of the day. Sinha took the items made by the villagers to the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts and informed him about the talent of the villagers. The commissioner encouraged her and also suggested that the villagers be trained in modern techniques. By now, word of Sinha's mission had spread and the residents of other villagers too began to enthusiastically join in. She later formed a self-help group named Amabalika and in groups of 10, the villagers were brought to New Delhi, where they were trained at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). These villagers, in turn, trained others in their own villages and the rest, as they say, is history. Her efforts translated into reality and soon the handicrafts started getting markets for themselves. In all this, Sinha is extremely self-effacing. "Please do not highlight me. Highlight the problems of the primitive tribes who need immediate help. I will be happy if corporate houses adopt the villages and develop basic infrastructure in the area. The area lacks electricity, roads and basic facilities. We are planning to develop the area and develop the craft village," Sinha told IANS. "I do not want to be worshipped as goddess; neither do I want to be in the limelight. I have just made sure that the members of the Sabar tribe, who are on the verge of extinction, get economic benefits through their skills," she said. Asked whether family responsibilities have come in her way, Sinha said she has beautifully managed to strike a balance between her roles as a wife, daughter-in-law and mother and is fully supported by her family members in her efforts. Her husband, an Indian Revenue Service officer, is posted in New Delhi and her children are settled. She lives alone in Ranchi and wants to continue her work for the betterment of the Sabar tribals. (Nityanand Shukla can be contacted at nityanand.s@ians.in) New Delhi : It is that time of the year again when love and its expression is on everyone's minds - and makes for a range of spectacles ranging from the touching to grotesquely ludicrous from both those who celebrate Valentine's Day and those who deride it. But this is a fairly recent social phenomenon, and any serious, fairly wide-ranging reader has already come across any aspect of love that can be conceived - and they don't have to be aficionados of the romantic genre. Let alone its role in real life, love, taken here at its most conventional sense of romance, is a fundamental force in literature - and can be seen in various guises and stages that would bewilder the most amorous of us. It often drives the plot (or subverts it), and accounts for quite a bit of motivations of characters and their choices, actions and decisions, even if they are not those directly involved, and can be drive a totally different genre. Not only the most famous detective in fiction, Sherlock Holmes is also the most noted bachelor, always making light of love - one who "never spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer". But of the dozen stories in "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" (1892), eight have a motif or motivation of love right from the first ("A Scandal in Bohemia") to the last ("The Adventure of the Copper Beeches"), especially "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor", in which Holmes figures out a mystery which is actually a complicated love story but also displays understanding, though being unsuccessful in placating the distressed party. Holmes can also simulate love well enough when needed, once ending up engaged - to a housemaid - but with an ulterior motive. ("The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"). Love can even crop up unexpectedly, and help the protagonist achieve the outcome they were striving for. Was it apparent that a bachelor of the most regular habits and schedule, who embarks on a most singular adventure after accepting a bet at his club, would end up hitched at the end? This also enables him to find out that he has not lost his wager. Phileas Fogg finds he had succeeded in travelling "Around the World in Eighty Days" (Jules Verne, 1873), when he decides to marry Aouda, an Indian princess he has saved from being ritually immolated with her dead husband during his eventful journey, and tries to fix an appointment with a clergyman for the wedding. "The course of true love never did run smooth," says a character in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and a break-up between love partners - and the eventual (but not always) reconciliation, is a common component of love stories, and is frequently melodramatic. What if it comes in a way that leaves you in splits? Say, the hero has left the supposed villain sweltering in a Turkish bath to rescue the heroine he suspects is confined against her will but she doesn't appear grateful, or the parties make up in a cupboard in which they have been sent as punishment by their former nurse, who still believes (and treats them) they are children. For this, we must dip into the hillarious corpus of P.G. Wodehouse. These stories - "A Slice of Life" and "Portrait of a Disciplinarian" respectively - figure in "Meet Mr. Mulliner" (1927), where you can also find what atypical actions love can lead you to do in "The Romance of a Bulb-Squeezer". And then who is the most successful love champion you could find in fiction? Going by sheer number of carnal exploits, it is that arch-scoundrel, cad and lecher, Sir Harry Paget Flashman, a bit player from "Tom Brown's Schooldays" who gets his own series courtesy George Macdonald Fraser. At one stage, Flashman, who gets embroiled in almost all major events of the 19th century, counts up his sexual conquests, "not counting return engagements", and reaches a total of 478 - and at the moment is a dungeon in Gwalior during the 1857 Indian revolt! Since he is is just at a little over a third of his long and eventful life, it must have been considerably augmented, and would include two Indian maharanis, queens of Ethiopia and Madagascar and an imperial concubine who would later become the empress of China. The fictional ones range from assorted noblewomen, African-American slaves and a daughter of Apache chief Mangas Colorado. You could find much more extraordinary happenings - to paraphase Shakespeare, there is more in books and stories that can be dreamt in your philosophy. So celebrate Valentine's Day as you like but include reading a book. (14.02.2016 - Vikas Datta is an Associate Editor at IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in ) Beijing, Feb 14 : Tianqin, China's domestic gravitational wave research project initiated by the Sun Yat-sen University in July 2015, is awaiting governmental approval. The US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) announced its ground-breaking discovery of gravitational waves on Thursday, which fulfilled the prediction of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity one century ago. The new discovery has encouraged further studies into gravitational waves around the world, with China accelerating its domestic research, Xinhua news agency quoted Li Miao, dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science of a university in China, as saying. According to Li, Tianqin has already made progress on some key technologies and will be carried out in four stages over the next 15 to 20 years, including the last step of launching three high-orbit satellites to detect gravitational waves. The university plans to build a 5,000-square-metre observatory and a new lab occupying more than 10,000 square metres on Fenghuang mountain in Zhuhai city in Guangdong province. Chen Yanbei, scientist with LIGO, said Tianqin will study the gravitational waves in the space, which is different from research made by the US ground-based observatory. "Tianqin will likely collect more information about the phenomenon, as a larger black hole may be detected in space compared with one detected on the ground," said Chen. The Sun Yat-sen University is willing to cooperate with other institutions in China as well as around the globe to carry out its project, Li added. Washington, Feb 14 : US President Barack Obama said he planned to nominate a new Supreme Court justice after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a step promising to be another partisan jockeying with Republican rivals. "Today is a time to remember Justice Scalia's legacy. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibility to nominate a successor in due time," Xinhua news agency quoted Obama as saying on Saturday. "There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a full hearing and timely vote." According to the ocal media, Scalia died in his sleep during his trip to Texas. The cause of his death was not available at the moment, but early reports suggested that he apparently died of natural causes. The first Italian-American to sit on the country's highest court, Scalia, 79, was the leading conservative voice on the court and his death was expected to set off a prolonged fight over who would succeed him. Shortly after the news of Scalia's death, Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell, who sets the Senate schedule for confirmation of the Supreme Court nominations, said Scalia should not be replaced till after the presidential election. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice," said McConnell in a statement. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled till we have a new President." Calling it "unprecedented" for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat, Senate Minority Leader Democrat Harry Reid blasted McConnell's suggestion as "a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities". With the absence of Justice Scalia, a former lynchpin of a conservative majority of the Supreme Court, the eight remaining justices are evenly divided, a fact which could change the ruling on contentious issues, including Obama's Clean Power Plan and executive actions on immigration. The last time a major shift in the country's highest court's makeup occurred was in 1991 when former US President George H.W. Bush nominated conservative Justice Clarence Thomas to succeed liberal Justice Thurgood Marshall. Since then, a five-conservative majority in the the Supreme Court has held steady. Paris, Feb 14 : Social media giant Facebook would be tried in France for blocking a French teacher's account after he posted an image of a nude painting, a media report said. A Paris appeals court threw out Facebook's appeal after the social media giant argued that only the US courts had jurisdiction to hear cases against it. The court also backed a March 2015 ruling which said Facebook's clause forcing all users to agree that any litigation must be based in California, where the site is based, was abusive', The Local reported on Saturday. Facebook was sued by a teacher whose account was blocked after he posted a 19th century painting by Gustave Courbet, "The Origin of the World", depicting a woman's genitalia. The teacher filed a complaint against the social media giant, saying the site could not differentiate between pornography and art. Noteworthy, Facebook closed its legal arm "Facebook France" in May 2012, meaning complaints have to be filed in the US. On the basis of this, in a hearing on January 22, Facebook's lawyer argued that the site did not fall under French jurisdiction as users have to sign a clause agreeing that only a California court can rule in disputes relating to the firm. However, the teacher's lawyer Stephane Cottineau said, "It is hugely significant because this decision creates jurisprudence not just for Facebook but for other social media networks who use their being headquartered abroad, mainly in the United States, to attempt to evade French law." "They might be multi-nationals but the court ruling means they are not outside French law. If they set up in France and contract workers here, then French law must be applied to them," Cottineau added. The French court will now decide whether or not the teacher's freedom of expression was violated when Facebook blocked his account. Srinagar, Feb 14 : Two villagers, including a woman, were killed and 10 other people injured in clashes with security forces on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Police said the clashes erupted in Astan Mohalla (Kakapora) area of Pulwama in the afternoon as a mob hurled stones at the security forces even as a gunfight was raging on between guerrillas and security personnel in the area. Two people -- identified as Shaista, 25, the daughter of Abdul Hamid, a resident of Lalhar village, and Danish Rashid Mir, 24, the son of Abdul Rashid Mir, a resident of Ratnipora village -- died of gunshot injuries. At least 10 other protesting civilians sustained gunshot wounds, and other injuries after police lobbed tear smoke shells. All 10 were taken to Srinagar for treatment, police said. After news of the gunfight spread in Lalhar village, dozens of villagers pelted stones at the security forces who were trying to cordon off the area. Tension has gripped the entire Pulwama district after news of the death of two civilians spread. Senior civil and police officers rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Patna, Feb 14 : Leaders of the BJP-led NDA on Sunday told Governor Ram Nath Kovind that law and order was deteriorating in Bihar and referred to the three "political killings" since February 5. "We have submitted a memorandum to the governor and requested him to instruct the government to do something about the collapsing law and order situation," BJP leader Prem Kumar told reporters here. Criminals have been targeting people like never before, state BJP president Mangal Pandey said. Jailed gangsters and criminals have been threatening people from jails and demanding extortion money, the leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) told the governor. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who leads the Hindustani Awam Morcha, and Chirag Paswan, working president of the Lok Janshakti Party, demanded imposition of President's Rule in Bihar. Three politicians of the NDA have been killed in Bihar over a span of nine days this month. BJP's Bihar unit vice president Visheshwar Ohja was shot dead on Friday in Bhojpur, less than 24 hours after another BJP leader, Kedar Singh, was gunned down in Saran. LJP leader Brijnathi Singh was shot dead in Patna on February 5. Former RJD leader and Lalu Prasad's brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav was booked in a case for allegedly demanding extortion money from a builder here, the police said on Thursday. The BJP on Saturday protested against Ohja's killing by forcing closure of markets in Bhojpur. The NDA called for a day-long strike on Sunday in Shahabad region, which includes Bhojpur district, against Ojha's killing. The call evoked a mixed response. A group of activists of the NDA, mainly the BJP, disrupted train traffic in Ara town in Bhojpur district. The NDA delegation that met Governor Kovind included BJP MPs C.P. Thakur and Ashwani Kumar Choubey, in addition to Prem Kumar, Pandey, Manjhi and Paswan. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The CPI-M on Sunday asked police to "thoroughly investigate" the attack on its main office here by some right-wingers, one of whom was caught. The Communist Party of India-Marxist said that around 3.30 p.m. "a few goons owing allegiance to right-wing forces" attacked its headquarters. "Party comrades apprehended one of the attackers and handed him over to Delhi Police. "Police must thoroughly investigate this incident and take action against the culprits and their mentors." The CPI-M said those who hero-worship the murderer of Mahatma Gandhi as a "national hero" have the temerity to accuse the CPI-M of being anti-national. "We do not require certificates of patriotism from such elements. "This is a politically motivated attack on the CPI-M headquarters. The CPI-M will meet this challenge politically and defend ourselves against such attacks." Mumbai, Feb 14 : To catapult the state to a high growth trajectory, the Odisha government on Sunday unveiled new Odisha Industrial Development Plan 2025 (Vision-2025) intending to attract an investment of Rs 2.25 lakh crore and generate 10 lakh jobs by 2025. Unveiling the plan at Odisha investors' meet as part of the ongoing Make in India week in Mumbai, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also rolled out the e-biz portal aimed at easing business hassles for investors. "The Vision-2025 lays a 10 year roadmap for development with transformational policies and strategies and presents a paradigm shift with the government acting as an 'enabler' to aid industrial growth. It aims at achieving sustainable manufacturing and employment generation and intends to attract an investment of Rs. 2.25 lakh crores in five focus sectors and to generate 10 lakh jobs," he said in his address to the business delegations here. Patnaik said during last one and half decade, Odisha has a remarkable political stability and a progressive and robust governance system which are essential to development. It has made all stupendous progress in all socio-economic indicators and is generally a quite peaceful state providing the most ideal environment for investment, he added. "Now it is emerging as a manufacturing hub on the east coast of India. The state witnessed a robust economic growth of over 8 percent in 2014-15 and is poised to grow at 12 percent by 2020. The government's efforts in expanding the industrial base and promoting value addition are triggering enhanced industrial growth," said Patnaik. Noting the state's investor-friendly new Industrial Policy-2015, he said it offers innovative features including incentives to industries with high employment potential and anchor industries. Patnaik also said the government is finalising a new "start-up' policy to boost the start-up ecosystem in the state. To provide a fillip to this, he dedicated the "Bhubaneswar Start-up Hub", a 4.5 lakh square ft ready to move facility in the state capital. The start up ecosystem will be mentored and guided by TIE Silicon Valley, with which the government has a strategic partnership, the first of its kind in the country. About the e-biz portal, Patnaik said it would minimise physical interfaces and give approvals online to the investors. Odisha would be the first state where 14 services required by the entrepreneurs can be applied for and the applications disposed of online, he added. Informing that his government has created a land bank of one lakh acres, he said it had also decided to set up an Industrial Infrastructure Development Fund with an initial corpus of Rs. 100 crore. The chief minister said that the government has also decided to tap the expertise and experience of the private sector in the implementation of industrial townships and industrial parks with self-contained facilities. The government shall also encourage `Swiss Challenge" system in the procurement of key infrastructure initiatives which will promote innovation and efficiency and tap the inherent potential of the state. New Delhi : Media and political brouhaha about David Coleman Headley notwithstanding, the recent admission of the Pakistan-American terrorist about his already known terror links actually mean little to India's Mumbai attack investigations -- not least in New Delhi's attempt to nail Islamabad's complicity in the meticulously planned operation. Headley has off and on been hogging the headlines since his arrest from a Chicago airport in 2009 for his terror odysseys that included surveying targets unsuspectingly in several Indian cities and meeting with senior terrorist operatives of Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. And the master plotter did that for years under the nose of intelligence and security agencies without raising the index of suspicion in the countries, including Denmark, where he scouted freely. He managed to do so without being noticed partly because of his deceptive American looks with heterochromatic eyes and partly because of his "no-guts-no-glory" attitude. When he was arrested more than six years ago, Indian authorities had hoped that the big terror catch by the Americans will help nail Pakistan and its terror lies. But that was not to be. This was revealed by none less than G.K. Pillai, the then home secretary, in an interview with IANS in 2010 when he told me that whatever Headley speaks in the United States, it won't make the Indian case against the Pakistanis any stronger. "I don't think we will get much cooperation from Pakistan. That is not really hoped. We can shout and scream (but) we will have to tackle Pakistan separately," Pillai told me when an Indian team of investigators visited the US to interrogate Headley in a Chicago prison. Pillai was unequivocal in saying that any questioning of Headley was not to nail Pakistan, which he said "is a separate issue" and needed a different strategy than getting evidences from the terror mastermind. That holds good even now despite the fact that India's Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was expecting that Headley'a stating the obvious will end all ambiguity between state and non-state actors involved in the Islamist terrorism that sprouts from Pakistan. Rijiju, in fact, himself admitted that "it is known that who all were involved" but still the government, he said, believes that "Headley's statement will lead to a logical conclusion. It will help us." The inferences from Headley's statement and the minister's reaction are even more obvious. Are we yet to understand that there are no differences between state and non-state actors when it comes to Pakistan's known support for extremism as an instrument of its foreign policy? Moreover, Headley has revealed nothing that was not already known. The names of perpetrators, including from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army have already come up in the terror dossiers -- one has lost count of them -- India has handed over to Pakistan. The dossiers include DNA samples of Mumbai attackers, photographs, voice records and detailed operational information of the carnage that was being carried out in India in 2008 and overseen in Pakistan. In fact, all these so-called "revelations" have already been recorded judicially in a US court. All these statements, including the names of the terror masterminds -- Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi -- have been recorded by the investigators who interrogated Headley in 2010. An argument is being made that India did not know all that judicially before Headley spoke to an Indian judge through videoconferencing from the US jail. Will it really help to make a case against Pakistan is a question that begs an answer. Doesn't look like that is possible. Because the Pakistani court which is hearing the Mumbai attack case against the five accused has rejected as "inadmissible" even what looked like plausible findings of two judicial commissions from that country which visited India for evidence and testimonies. Are we to believe that the Pakistani court will take into account an Indian court's findings out of Headley's testimony? Nothing will change in that country till its security, political and judicial establishments look within and realise in true sense the Frankenstein monster has outgrown everything else there. No Headley's medley of information, known and unknown, is going to change that. Least of all, the terror policy to destabilise India. If Headley's judicially valid statement should change anything, it must be India's alertness of its intelligence and swiftness of its security agencies to thwart and prevent attacks like at Mumbai, which was planned long before by Lashkar and ISI operatives who had employed the "perfect terrorist" to map the city unnoticed for two years and develop a blueprint for the mayhem that killed 166 Indians and foreigners. (14.02.2016 - Sarwar Kashani is a Senior Editor with IANS. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at sarwar.k@ians.in Ahmedabad, Feb 14 : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's car was on Sunday stoned by some miscreants while he was shooting for his forthcoming film "Raees" here. He was not in the car and was not hurt. According to police, a small crowd shouting "Jai Sri Ram" and "Shah Rukh, Hai Hai" stoned the car parked some distance from the location where the shooting was taking place. "Raees" is based on the life of a city-based underworld don of the 1980s, Abdul Lateef Shaikh, who was killed in a shootout with police. The film is being directed by Rahul Dholakia, who had earlier made controversial film "Parzania" based on the 2002 Gujarat riots. "Raees" has Pakistani heroine Mahira Khan along with Shah Rukh. Shah Rukh shot a couple of scenes at the historic Sarkhej Roza mosque and dargah campus during the day. Over 200 policemen guarded the Roza campus. Meanwhile, over a dozen activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were detained by police as they burnt an effigy of the actor on Ashram Road. Last week, a group of demonstrators staged a protest near the Kutch district collector's office in Bhuj demanding a ban on Shah Rukh Khan's entry into the Rann of Kutch. The VHP has called for a boycott of Shah Rukh to protest his reported statement that India was intolerant. Ranchi, Feb 14 : Three people, including a girl, committed suicide on Sunday in different incidents here, the police said. Rakesh Oraon, 27, a resident of Bariatu colony of Ranchi, took his own life for reasons related to a love affair, according to the police. In the same neighbourhood that Oraon lived, a class 10 schoolgirl killed herself by consuming poison. Her family members said she succumbed to the pressure of her studies. A class 12 student Rana Kumar from another area of the city also committed suicide by hanging himself. Here too, the police suspected a failed love affair. The bodies in all the three cases have been sent for post-mortem examination. New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) on Sunday protested skipping of the "institutional mechanism" by the varsity administration in allowing police on the campus and letting them "make random arrests". Addressing media persons in the university campus, the association also demanded immediate release of JNU student union president Kanhaiya Kumar. JNUTA general secretary Bikramaditya Choudhary rpt Choudhury said students should not have been arrested randomly and the matter should have been dealt with sensibly. "JNUTA is of the firm opinion that the matter arising out of the event can and should have been dealt with through established institutional mechanism. Instead of relying on this (mechanism), the university administration allowed police to enter the campus to search different premises and even make random arrests," he said. A large number of JNU teachers, university students, teachers from Ambedkar University and Federation of All India Central University Teacher's Association gathered in the campus to express solidarity with Kanhaiya Kumar. They formed a long human chain from the university gate up to Chandrabhaga hostel. Choudhary said certain forces were trying to create fear in the students' minds to discourage dissent. "Forced away from their normal academic activities, the students are out on the street. There is an attempt to create panic that criticism of any kind would entail sedition charges is much more than merely disturbing," he said. "I only believe that good sense (must) prevail and the university be allowed to function. The (central government) has been elected democratically and they should act democratically and allow dissent," Choudhary said. Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) president Nandita Narain held with the statements made by union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, "a situation similar" to the Hyderabad varsity was being created. "The situation is similar to what had happened at University of Hyderabad. It is almost an identical script. The ABVP first takes it up and says these are anti-national activities," she said. Meanwhile, the university administration has asked all the people to help "maintain a conducive environment to achieve our academic goals". "As a university, we would like to focus on academics. Maintaining a conducive environment in JNU to achieve our academic goals. We request everyone to help focus on our main objective without any interference," said a press statement from the vice chancellor's office. Chandigarh, Feb 14 : The Haryana Police on Sunday launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a new mother in a private hospital in the state's Jhajjar district. The woman, who was admitted to the hospital in Bahadurgarh town for delivery, alleged that a man had sexually assaulted her while she thought that he was a doctor come to examine her. The incident took place early on Saturday. CCTV footage showed the man getting off a luxury car and walking into the hospital wearing a white coat like the one that doctors wear. Police, based on another CCTV footage, said the same man later entered another private hospital and tried to repeat his act. The victim, aged around 22 years, had delivered a child in the hospital through caesarean surgery barely hours before the incident, police said. "We have got CCTV footage of the accused and raids are being conducted to nab him," said Jhajjar district police chief Sumit Kumar. Police are also questioning the hospital staff and security to ascertain how the man was able to walk so easily into the ICU wing and sexually assault the woman. A case of rape has been registered. Mumbai, Feb 14 : Maharashtra will create an ecosystem to encourage start-ups, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday. "Innovation in startups should be encouraged. We have lacked in creating the ecosystem and now we need to create that. For start-ups, we need to do the hand-holding, mentoring and financing and marketing," Fadnavis said at the Make in India Week event here. "The Maharashtra State Innovation Council would create ideas for innovation which will require support of government. We believe if we create the ecosystem in the state it can lead in innovation explosion in the country. "In India, innovation is the way forward. The role of the government is to create the much needed ecosystem to create opportunities for the young minds to innovate. In a country like India we cannot any more look at the growth trajectory the way we used to in the past," he added. Fadnavis also said the world is looking at new investment destinations, and India has the potential to become the next such destination. Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 14 : Malayalam superstar Mammootty, who has had a week of hectic travelling, complained of feeling uncomfortable while returning from Dubai to Mumbai, underwent a check up and is now resting, said sources. The actor received medical attention and is now keeping fine. He is now resting at his daughter's home in Bengaluru. A source in the know of things told IANS, that due to hectic travel, Mammootty was unable to get proper sleep and hence this had caused uneasiness. He will however join shooting of his latest film being shot near Bengaluru later this week. An aide of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told IANS that he tried to contact the actor a few times to enquire about the news of his ill-health but could not get through. Moscow, Feb 14 : Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama on Sunday discussed the Syrian crisis over phone, the Kremlin said. During the "frank and business-like" conversation, Putin and Obama positively assessed the results of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting in Munich on February 11-12, Xinhua reported. Both leaders supported the tasks of achieving ceasefire and delivering humanitarian aid, while agreeing to intensify cooperation through diplomatic and other channels to implement the agreement reached at the ISSG meeting. Putin noted the need to establish regular working contacts between the defence ministries of the two countries in order to ensure a "systematic and successful" fight against terrorism. Both countries have carried out military campaigns in Syria. The ISSG meeting, sponsored by the the US and Russia, agreed on a nationwide cessation of hostilities to be implemented soon in Syria, and on humanitarian aid delivery to besieged areas in the country. The two leaders also touched on the situation in Ukraine, especially the implementation of the Minsk accords. Putin expressed hope that Kiev would take practical steps to meet its obligations under the Minsk deal as soon as possible, including constitutional reform, establishing direct dialogue with the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, and amendments to the law on special status of the Donbass region. Relations between Russia and the Western countries have been undermined by disputes over the Syria and Ukraine issues, with both sides waging a sanctions war and cutting dialogues. Bioscience Americas, LLC, the leading international developer of adult stem cell therapy clinics (http://www.bioscienceamericas.com), is pleased to announce that its science team at the Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research met recently with acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking to discuss the Global Institutes progress in the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Hawking suffers from a rare early-onset, slow progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis commonly known as motor neuron disease that has gradually paralyzed him over the decades. He spent time with the team to learn about recent developments in the field of stem cell, especially as these developments relate to ALS. Deven Patel, the Global Institutes CEO, said that Dr. Hawking had many questions and was very encouraged with the progress of stem cell science in the field of neurology. The Global Institutes Chairman and lead scientist Dr. Anand Srivastava added, With the rapid progress we are experiencing in the field of stem cell science, we are not far from finding permanent cures for many devastating diseases that are considered incurable. Dr. Srivastava concluded by saying that his science team has made great progress in treating ALS and welcomed Dr. Hawkings interest. This assessment was shared by Bioscience Americas' CEO Eric Stoffers who welcomed the news regarding Dr. Hawking. Our research team at the Global Institute is considered to be the best collaboration of stem cell scientists in the world. We are pleased that Dr. Hawking shares our view. Bioscience Americas has partnered with the Global Institute to develop autologous stem cell treatment facilities throughout the world. Initial efforts are focused on the Western Hemisphere, including South America. The Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research is the worlds leading consortium of stem cell scientists and researchers. Based at the University of California Medical Center Campus in San Diego, they maintain affiliations with other universities and research groups including Harvard University, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Dr. Hawking is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a lifetime member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Dr. Hawking was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge between 1979 and 2009. BHC closed Feb. 15 for Presidents' Day All Black Hawk College facilities will be closed Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of Presidents Day. Prep for ACT, learn Spanish, write resume or just relax with BHC classes Black Hawk College Professional and Continuing Education offers a variety of community education classes. Upcoming classes include: ACT Exam Preparation Saturdays, Feb. 20 to March 12, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Cost is $135. Aromatherapy: Using Essential Oils for Relaxation and Sleep Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $15. Spanish I Tuesdays, Feb. 23 to April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $135. Resume and Cover Letter Writing Thursday, Feb. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. No cost but you must pre-register. Loosen Up and Lighten Up Thursday, Feb. 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $15. Class locations vary. For details, visit bhc.edu/communityed. To register, call 309-796-8223. BHC computer classes available in RI Black Hawk College offers day and evening computer classes for all skill levels. Upcoming classes at the BHC Adult Learning Center in Rock Island include: Facebook Mondays, Feb. 22 to March 7 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Cost is $42. Windows 7 for Beginners Mondays, Feb. 22-29 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Cost is $32. Word, Level II (2013) Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $90. Access, Part I (2010) Tuesdays, Feb. 23 to March 8 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost is $90. Excel, Level III (2013) Thursday, Feb. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $97. To register, call 309-796-8223. Forklift, safety classes available at BHC The Business Training Center at Black Hawk College provides OSHA classes in Moline. Forklift Operator Safety and Driving Training Tuesday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon. The course covers the OSHA standard, forklift inspection and hands-on practical exercises in moving pallets and driving between barriers. Cost is $99. Developing a Safety Program Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Learn how to write company safety policies, understand training requirements, establish a safety committee and manage safety data aheets. Cost is $125. For more information or to register, visit bhc.edu/OSHA or call 309-796-5718. BHC offering food handler, food service manager trainings Black Hawk College offers training for restaurant and food service workers at the Geneseo Public Library. In Illinois, all food handlers must receive basic safe food handling principles training within 30 days of employment. The next food handler training will be Monday, Feb. 22 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Cost is $20. The food service sanitation manager course meets Illinois and Iowa state requirements and prepares students for the food service sanitation manager certification exam. Classes will be Tuesdays, Feb. 22 to 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $137. ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL A woman who fought on the front lines of the civil rights movement shared her experiences with audience members during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance on Jan. 19 at Heritage Hall on Rock Island Arsenal. The First Army Equal Opportunity Office hosted the observance. During her remarks, Patti Miller talked about her memories of King, her work with him and his legacy. While attending Drake University in 1964, Miller traveled to Mississippi to participate in the Freedom Summer for minority voting rights. I was 21, and I saw a brochure, and I said, This is something I can do something about. Along with 700 other college students, I went to Mississippi, which was the most deeply segregated state and the most impossible to bring about any change, Miller said. It was a very frightful place to live if you were an African-American and a very frightful place to go if you were a civil rights worker. On her third day there, the bodies of three murdered civil rights workers were discovered. Undaunted, Miller and her fellow civil rights campaigners continued to fight and were rewarded later that year when the Civil Rights Acts was signed into law. The next year, Miller participated in one of the Selma to Montgomery marches. After graduating, Miller organized students to support fair housing practices while working with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Chicago. In this position, Miller worked closely with King. Housing in Chicago was extremely segregated, Miller recalled. So Dr. King and Coretta moved into one of the slum apartments. One of my most treasured memories is when we had a Southern Christian Leadership Conference staff meeting in one of these apartments. He was trying to get some rest, but we could not come to a conclusion, so out comes Dr. King in his robe and slippers and took his time to join in the conversation, and thats how involved he was in all the projects. First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, praised Miller for her civil rights work and the role model she is for others. That was a powerful message from someone who has walked in the shadow of a giant, Lt. Gen. Tucker told Miller This is not the first Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony that we have attended, but this is the one were going to remember for a long time. You went to the sound of the guns, and that sets a great example for all of us. Then he jumped up and merrily pawed his owned and handler, Wendy Cerilli of Greenwich, New York. "He's a very loyal and hardworking dog," she said. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old Boston terrier-beagle mix named Hailey won a separate title for the No. 1 mixed-breed agility dog, a win that left owner and handler Karen Profenna drying her eyes. With Holster's win, Aussies barked their arrival at an event that border collies had won since it started in 2014. Not that participants are necessarily keeping score. Many say they're just out to have fun and showcase their pets' abilities at the nation's most illustrious dog show. Spanning 76 breeds, the 330 competitors ranged from Chihuahuas to giant schnauzers and included 26 mixed-breed dogs, nearly twice as many as last year. The event has given them a place at a show that was purebreds-only for over a century, and some contestants are even combos designed to be agility super dogs. Hailey, on the other hand, is a dog Profenna got as a pet, then started training in agility as an outlet for her boundless energy. During breaks from competing Saturday, Hailey demonstrated some of the 175 tricks she knows. She also makes 200 therapy dog visits a year, said Profenna, of New City, New York. Border collies were the most prevalent breed competing, and the driven, fast, flexible herders are seen as tough to beat. The animals compete in height classes, but unlike many other agility trials, Westminster has 10 winners from each class run off to crown one top dog. The lowest time wins, with time added for errors. Winning the other classes were a Belgian Tervuren named Smartie, handled by Julie Hill of Mandeville, Louisiana; Cruzer, a Shetland sheepdog handled by Diane Patterson of Middletown, Connecticut; Keebler, a Pembroke Welsh corgi handled by Roger O'Sullivan of Giahanna, Ohio; and Wren, a Papillion handled by Betsey Lynch of Delaware, Ohio. Organizers say it can be any dog's game, and participants note that any animal or handler can have a great day or make a false move. "You never know what to expect," said Suzann Milheron of Somers, Connecticut, whose border collie Ffynch won his height class at Westminster last year and made it to the finals this year. Westminster added agility in 2014 amid a boom in the fast-paced, TV-friendly sport. The number of agility events sanctioned by the American Kennel Club has surged nearly 50 percent in the last five years, from under 2,500 in 2010 to nearly 3,700 last year. More than 12,000 canines are registered with the U.S. Dog Agility Association, which sponsors hundreds of events nationwide. Fans say the sport strengthens communication and trust between dogs and owners. Rickie Roo, a rat terrier, has to trust owner Deborah Davidson Harpur to help her navigate the agility course: The 8-year-old dog has little depth perception because of a genetic disorder. Even after eye surgeries two years ago, "she was trying to do agility in her cone," says Harpur, of Harbor City, California. Rickie Roo might not have had a great chance of winning it all, but that's OK with Harpur. "I had a dog, two years ago, who could have been blind forever, and here I am, competing at Westminster," she said. "No matter what, I'm a winner." The Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City is one of the Midwest's greatest showcases for music, art, literature and comedy. What began as a small local festival has transformed into a mini-Lollapalooza, drawing big names and talent to a neck of the woods that seldom sees A-list performers who aren't named Donald Trump. I hate that this year's headliner sold out before I even knew about it. Mission Creek draws great bands but even better lecturers, and this year it somehow managed to pull in director Kevin Smith for one of his legendary Q-and-A sessions. I am a huuuuge Kevin Smith fan. His movies can occasionally be hit-or-miss, but his weekly podcasts fall somewhere between raindrops-on-roses and whiskers-on-kittens on the list of my favorite things. If you see me in my car and I'm laughing hysterically to myself, I promise you I'm not insane I'm listening to a Kevin Smith podcast. It's the comic oxygen that gets me through any given week. Smith once read one of my letters on his Hollywood Babble-On podcast, and that remains among my finest hours. But here I am, thinking I'm an ardent fan, and I had no idea he was even coming to Iowa until I saw it on Facebook. After skillfully executing the obligatory "WHAT THE ... ?!" double-take and racing to the website, I was greeted with the two suckiest words in the English language: SOLD OUT. I am seriously gutted. The GOOD news, though, is that I managed to score a couple tickets to see the festival's OTHER headliner, comedian Marc Maron. That's a pretty decent consolation prize. Maron's been one of my favorite comedians ever since the early days of Conan O'Brien, and his cultural skewering has become even more refined since. These days, he's best known for the weekly podcast he hosts out of his garage. He interviews pretty much anyone and everyone you've ever considered cool, from Zach Galifianakis to President Obama. But in MY world, he's probably best known for stealing things from me in my dreams. The act of dreaming is one of the most complex neurological wonders in all of biology. While our body rests, parts of our mind light up and take us on a revelatory journey without any limits whatsoever. In the dream world, boundaries cease to exist as you ride a wave of pure imagination into a land of absolute possibility. So what was MY dream about the other night? I was sitting at a desk looking up news stories on the Internet. Yes, the dreamscape where I could be flying a chartreuse dragon across wind-swept fields en route to a golden palace filled with an infinite number of Katie Holmeses. A reality where I could scale Mount. Everest or dive to the deepest depths, travel to parts unknown, save the world from killer robots, or even turn INTO a killer robot and destroy the world. The possibilities are endless. And given those endless possibilities, I apparently opt to sit around and surf the Internet. If this is what a being a mature adult's all about, I'd like a do-over on my childhood, please. So in this world's most boring dream, I'm sitting there Googling news stories when I come across a recently updated headline that reads: "COMEDIAN MARC MARON SHARES MIXTAPE; SOME DECLARE IT TO BE WORLD'S BEST." The accompanying article explains how Marc Maron sent out a tweet that simply said "ENJOY!" along with a link to a 90-minute music mix that was setting download records, trending on websites, and rapidly becoming the toast of the Internet. Reviewers were applauding its bravery in song selection and the depth of meaning and intricate symbolism behind each chosen track, and describing how this simple mixtape was bringing people out of chronic depression and shedding a new light on the human condition. Basically, this mixtape was my dream's equivalent of the music of Bill & Ted's Wyld Stallyns. Even in my dreams, I'm still a music nerd, so I had to hear it for myself. Imagine my dream-surprise when I dream-downloaded it and quickly dream-discovered that it was one of MY mixtapes. And ooh, was my dream self upset. And then I woke up. The end. NOTE: In the real, non-dream world, I really DID meet Marc Maron once. Well, except that I didn't. And yes, I realize this column is starting to resemble the plot of "Inception." Let me explain. Years ago, I ran an online indie music blog, and we once launched a very ambitious project. To celebrate Valentine's Day, we asked some of our favorite bands to contribute love songs, and then we put them online as a free giveaway album. It was a neat idea, but I wanted something to tie the songs together, so I randomly emailed Marc Maron to see if he'd be willing to contribute some spoken-word bits that we could include with the download. To my surprise, he wrote back within the hour and sent us 20 minutes of brilliant off-the-cuff material, for which he still has my eternal thanks. The one thing he does NOT have, however, is my mixtape. Few people on Earth have ever been graced with a Shane-curated mixtape, and those people fall squarely into three distinct camps: girlfriends, crushes and fellow music nerds. My DREAM self, however, apparently remains convinced that I repay celebrities for their assistance with the currency of home-recorded music of questionable legality. So what was the most unsettling part of this absolutely pointless dream? Was it the realization that, given a free ticket into the endless void of possibility, the best I can come up with is dream-Googling? Or perhaps it's the disturbing reality that I dream about making mixtapes for middle-aged male comedians? No, I think what TRULY deserves careful examination and deep psychological analysis is the tiny piece of my subconscious that apparently believes I'm capable of making a mixtape that cures depression, heals humanity, and elicits universal critical acclaim. This seems a bit far-fetched, although I DO make a mean mixtape. Perhaps, come this April, I'll go to see Marc Maron in Iowa City, and as he's leaving the stage, I'll be able to yell, "Hey, Marc, remember a decade and a half ago when some guy emailed you and asked you to donate some material to a website that you'd never heard of? And then you said OK? And then you did it? Yeah, I'm that guy. And let me tell you, I had the craaaaziest dream the other night ..." Or maybe I should just keep my dreams to myself. Either way, I'm still mad about missing Kevin Smith. If you have a hookup for tickets, email me. There might just be a mixtape in your future. Gov. Bruce Rauner is moving across the state attacking anyone who doesnt agree with his agenda. Is this true leadership; can Illinois afford this type of iron fist mentality? There have been many great leaders in our history who have changed how government is operated, but they have done it with true leadership. A true leader gets parties together, discussing the differences and finds real solutions that everyone can live with. Having the mentality in decision making that the only reason to do something is because I said so, generally doesnt work with adults. The facts are: government is NOT a business and cant be run like one. Government is not a hedge fund or a pizza joint, government doesnt operate on profits, and it doesnt have a CEO. Government is for ALL people, its here to serve the greater good and to keep the playing field fair for everyone. Recently, Gov. Rauner has bashed many of our local politicians because they dont agree with his Turnaround Agenda; is this a true sign of leadership. A true leader knows how to agree to disagree in times when real change is needed. A leader is a person who can let his own ideas go when progress is needed. Every day this state doesnt have a budget, is taking years away from our futures. I pick on our governor not because Im a Democrat, but because he is in a position of leadership, he is our leader, but is only acting like a boss. Joseph Swan, Colona VOA, February 14, 2016 By Ayaz Gul ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN The United Nations said Sunday Afghan hostilities left more than 3,500 civilians dead and nearly 7,500 others wounded in 2015, an increase of four percent in civilian casualties from the previous year. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the number of civilian casualties during 2015 were the highest recorded since it began its systematic documentation of civilian casualties in 2009. UNAMA said increased ground fighting in and around populated areas, along with suicide and other attacks in major cities were the main causes of conflict-related civilian deaths and injuries in 2015. The report, however, documented a 10 percent reduction in civilian casualties from Taliban attacks. Anti-Government Elements continued to cause the most harm 62 percent of all civilian casualties despite a 10 percent reduction from 2014 in the total civilian casualties resulting from their attacks, it said. Despite the drop in civilian deaths caused by the Taliban in 2015, there were more civilian deaths caused by pro-government security forces during ground fighting and attacks by aircraft, according to the U.N. report. Pro-government forces caused 1,854 civilian casualties. While this accounts for 17 percent of the total, it all represents a 28 percent increase compared to 2014, said Danielle Bell, UNAMA Director of Human Rights. UNAMA Chief Nicholas Haysom told reporters in Kabul the report has been shared with all parties to the conflict before its publication, including Afghan security forces and the Taliban. Our objective is not simply to shame and blame, but to effect real changes in the practices of the parties to the conflict because our primary objective is to change what happens on the battlefield, he said. The report also documented a 37 percent increase in women casualties and a 14 percent increase in child casualties. In 2015, the conflict caused extreme harm to the civilian population, with particularly appalling consequences for children. Unprecedented numbers of children were needlessly killed and injured last year one in four casualties in 2015 was a child, said Bell. The statistics and percentages contained in the report dont really reflect and capture the real horror and the impact of the bombs, the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the the indirect fire on civilian communities, said Haysom. He again called on all the parties engaged in the Afghan conflict to uphold their public commitments and take every step to avoid harm to civilians. Sunday's report cited a deadly U.S. airstrike in October on a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in northern Afghanistan for largely contributing to the 9-percent rise in civilian causalities caused by international military forces in 2015. The air raid in the strategically important city of Kunduz killed 42 staff, patients and family members, and wounded another 43. The provincial capital was at the time briefly overrun by the Taliban. The UNAMA report called for conducting an "independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation of the attack against the MSF hospital and make the findings public. Ensure accountability for those responsible." Property details: YOU ARE BIDDING ON THE DOWN PAYMENT - PLEASE REVIEW THE ENTIRE LISTING THOROUGHLY Approximately 45 minutes from Las Vegas, we have a beautiful 2.5 acres parcel of vacant land in Calvada Springs California. This land is right across the Nevada State line. There are several homes just west of the lot. As seen in pictures below, the land is pristine and peaceful, a fantastic location for RV on weekends or for building, as well as a good affordable investment! Terrain is level. Power would be by Sol... Price: $ 139 Seller State of Residence: California Property Address: E Shirley Lane State/Province: California City: Tecopa Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Zip/Postal Code: 92389 Location: 923**, Tecopa, California You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 92389 Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate After spending the two quarters or more of your life in employment, where should your money go? Whether you are a retiree or just a random middle-aged who wants something to invest in for settling down some day, right location should always be in your bucket list. Indeed, you need to make sure of the place where your future property is housed. So, is there really the wrong place to invest in? Here are top places that may not be conducive to investments: Panama Viva Tropical says Central America is not the best place to retire neither to invest in. The source says Panama has its own set of uncertainties, making the investment in the place quite risky, notwithstanding how investment and business savvy you are. Transactions in Panama are not efficient. The article "Live and Invest in Panama: Why It Might Not Be Right For You" reveals how imminent long queues are in any public government offices. Boston Many would say Boston is a nice place but there are just some who are adamant about investing in the area, especially if you are eyeing for a tech business. Venture Beat reports that as far as tech business is concerned, no companies in Boston have had graceful exits. These include Demandware, TripAdvisor and Care.com, among others. There's zero funding and no support for young startups to begin with. Georgia Macon, to be specific, is not a good place to invest in as it is ranked as fifth lowest in home values in Georgia and 10th highest in crime. As per FBI numbers, when you are in the city of Macon, you have a greater chance of becoming a victim of a property crime as there are a lot of theft, including gadget robbery and home break ins, according to Road Snacks. Even if median prices are high in Sydney, finding a house that is less than $700,000 is not impossible. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the home prices in Sydney have dropped for two consecutive months making the quarter ending in December 2015 the worst since May 2013. Moreover, with the drop in home values, CoreLogic's latest data finds Sydney to be the weakest performing city in 2015. Surprisingly even if the prices are dropping, as of December 2015 the median home prices in Sydney stood at $800,000, while it is $610,000 for Melbourne and $595,000 for the other capital cities together. "Throughout 2016, we may see further moderate value declines in Sydney and Melbourne," Tim Lawless, head of research at CoreLogic, said. And while it may take a long time before Sydney's median home price catches up with Melbourne, it is not impossible to find good-value Sydney home that costs less than $700,000. According to Domain, the one-bedroom, one-bath home in 33/40 Victoria Street, Potts Point sells at around $650,000. Comparing it to a similar home in the area for which the median is $805,575 this one is a good deal. The 38 square meters could be a little compact but newly renovated. Moreover, the building that was designed by Harry Seidler features a rooftop terrace that has a large pool with outstanding views. The three-bedroom house on 5/21 Longueville Road, Lane Cove sells from $600,000 to $650,000. It has two baths and a provision for one vehicle parking. It is a good deal because it is rare to find a three-bedroom unit with that price range when Lane Cove's median is a little over $1 million for a similar unit. When you are lucky, you can also get the one on 805/1 Vermont Crescent, Riverwood for about $600,000 to $650,000. It features two bedroom and two baths and has parking space for one car. Lastly, the two-bedroom house on 308/5 Stromboli Straight, Wentworth Point sells for about $700,000. After all, according to Lawless, population growth is still strong in areas like Sydney and Melboure. He also said that economic conditions are rather healthy so despite the drop in home prices, Sydney could still be a good place to either buy a home to live in or as an investment. The United States government is giving Florida and Ohio a $50 million and $74 million funds, respectively, to improve public housing. According to Fox35, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said the grant will be used to do some major improvements including roofs replacement and old plumbing and electrical systems upgrades. The upgrade will make public housing more energy efficient and modernized. Meanwhile, public housing organizations in Ohio will receive an allocation from the $74 million funding from HUD for large-scale repairs and renovations, Fox8 reported. The largest allocation goes to Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority at $19 million. Cincinnati will get $9 million, while Dayton and Columbus will receive $5 million. HUD said that since 2000, the nation has seen a net loss of 135,000 public housing, which translates to an average loss of 9,000 units every year. This comes despite the government's billions of investments in building and maintaining them. A third-party independent report that the department released in 2011 also revealed that 1.1 million public housing in the country need a hefty $25.6 billion in large-scale improvements. HUD is giving more than $1.8 billion funding in all states in the U.S. to make necessary capital improvements. District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will also receive an allocation. Hawaii Public Housing Authority and the Guam Housing & Urban Renewal Authority are set to receive $10.6 million, according to KHON2, HUD's Capital Fund Program will provide the fund to 3,100 public housing authorities across the country. Meanwhile, AllGov.com reported that HUD might introduce new regulations that would require public housing authorities to identify those families who are already "overqualified" for a subsidized housing and should be evicted. This consideration has emerged after a recent report from the department's inspector general revealed that 2.5 percent of families in the U.S. public housing are already earning big income to qualify for housing assistance. Getting behind a drug rep in the Starbucks line is no one's favorite. In fact, I actually feel sorry for those guys that likely go crazy trying to keep the drink orders straight. The new mobile app must be a godsend for them. At least we can take comfort in the fact that some of the pharmaceutical industry marketing funds are being spent in our community. Maybe we are even sharing in our stock portfolios if we were smart enough to buy Starbucks' stock years ago. Individual Redding doctors received as much as $58,000 in 2014 from pharmaceutical companies, according to the website. Some received very nominal amounts, but there were several in the tens of thousands of dollars. This is a far cry from the No. 1 recipient in San Diego, SUJATA NARAYAN. The bulk of fees paid to this recipient were speaking fees and were paid to a foundation that is apparently named for him and his spouse. In 2014, $3.53 billion was paid to 681,432 doctors by 1,630 companies. In California, the 2014 total was $806 million. The information is being made public under a provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act. The law mandates disclosure of payments to doctors, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists and optometrists for things like promotional speaking, consulting, meals, educational items and research. Do these payments influence a physician's prescribing habits? Or is it just the reverse? Does a physician promote the product because she or he has seen such great results that she or he wants to be sure to get the word out to the public? Or is it a simple business decision, like any other? All things being equal, most business will promote the line that gives the best incentives. I simply don't have the answers to those questions. But these are interesting statistics and certainly speak to the pharmaceutical company contention that drugs are so expensive due to the research and development costs. I will accept that, in part, this is true. But not to the extent that they allege. America spent about $329.2 billion on prescriptions in 2013, according to a Washington Post article published in February 2015. John Oliver reminded us that this works out to $1,000 for every single person in the United States. According to one 2013 report prepared by the healthcare research firm GlobaData, total sales and marketing costs far outweigh research and development costs for most big pharma companies. For example Novartis spent $14.6 billion on marketing vs. $9.9 billion on research, while Pfizer spent $11.4 billion and $6.6 billion, respectively. Please note that these numbers are billions. I am certainly tired of erectile dysfunction ads, but I was surprised to find the bulk of the advertising dollars are actually directed to physicians, rather than the public. So even if those silly ads were all withdrawn, the marketing costs would exceed research and development costs. California recent passed legislation to limit the insured member's share of cost on prescription drugs. No later than 2017, the patient's costs per prescription will be limited to $500. This will help those with crazy high-priced drugs. But it will do nothing to reduce the cost to insurance companies who simply pass on that cost to the rest of us with the next rate increase. Remember insurance companies must pay out 85 cents of every dollar in direct health claims. The other 15 cents is used for administration, marketing and risk-sharing expense. This rule was also provide by the ACA. I likely sound like a broken record, but the fact is that if we don't do something to control the underlying costs of care in this nation, it matters not which health plan is in effect; ACA, Medicare for all or some new yet to be announced program. These costs are the drivers. We must decide as a nation. Is any form of health care a basic service that must be provided and regulated accordingly? Or is this something we want to leave to the markets to sort out? The ACA may not be perfect, but it has brought to light and actually addressed some of these issues. Now we have to see if our legislators have the back bone to do even more about it. The health insurance and healthcare financing market is highly regulated. The healthcare delivery market is also subject to regulation. But be very clear, they are distinctly different and, while interrelated, they are not the same. All information in this column is provided "to the best of my knowledge" subject to final regulation by the respective agencies. Submit your questions to info@insuranceredding.com to be answered in the paper. Margaret R. Beck is a licensed insurance broker. She can be reached at 225-8583. FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2015 file photo, actor James Franco attends the LA Premiere of "The Night Before" held at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. The Zola twitter story about a wild road trip to Florida that went viral late last year is in development to be turned into a feature film that Franco is to direct. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) SHARE LOS ANGELES (AP) The Zola twitter story about a wild road trip to Florida that went viral late last year is in development to be turned into a feature film that actor James Franco will direct. Franco's publicist confirmed on Thursday reports that Franco, Andrew Neel and the production company Killer Films were working to adapt the Rolling Stone article about Aziah "Zola" Wells' 148-tweet account of the road trip with a stripper and her boyfriend and a pimp. Zola's story took the Internet by storm in October, captivating everyone from Ava DuVernay to Missy Elliott who both tweeted about the saga. Neel and Mike Roberts are writing the script. There is no cast or distributor set. FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, file photo, Delta Air Lines President Edward Bastian smiles as he listens to questions from the media during a news conference in Tokyo. On May 2, 2016, Bastian takes over as the new CEO of Delta Air Lines, replacing the retiring Richard Anderson. Bastian has been Andersons close deputy, helping to turn around the airline from bankrupt carrier to one of the worlds leading airlines, one whose playbook is often copied by others. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, File) SHARE By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ, AP Airlines Writer NEW YORK (AP) On May 2, Ed Bastian takes over as the new CEO of Delta Air Lines, replacing the retiring Richard Anderson. Bastian has been Anderson's close deputy, helping to turn around the airline from bankrupt carrier to one of the world's leading airlines, one whose playbook is often copied by others. Bastian has been with Delta except for a brief break since 1998 and has held various leadership roles including chief financial officer and his current post as president. Wall Street analysts expect Bastian to continue running Delta with the same general strategy as Anderson. They did, after all, work side by side on most of the changes. The Associated Press interviewed Bastian by phone following his appointment. The incoming CEO explained the need to still invest internationally, improve the airline's regional jet service and continue its efforts to make passengers want to fly Delta because of the experience, not the ticket price. The answers have been edited for length and clarity. __ Q: Low fuel prices have caused other airlines to irrationally set prices and routes. How do you defend against that? A: There's always going to be a low-cost competitor in our marketplace. The answer about how it is different today, compared to how we've competed in the past, is that we've got the staying power. We've got the cash returns that we're investing in the product, service and our people. Price is always an important part of a travel decision. But we've been very clear that we don't see our product as a commodity. We're out to break the commoditization cycle. Q: Are increased labor costs a problem? A: Our people need to share in the success of the airline. We're paying out bonuses equal to 21.4 percent of annual salaries, across the board. But we've got to stay disciplined. When we look back at our fourth-quarter results, we retained about two-thirds of the fuel savings to the bottom line. Some of it went, as it should, to improved employee profit-sharing and compensation, some of it went to lower fares, which were down 5 percent on average. Q: What is the role of regional airlines? A: They play an important role but less than they have in the past. The regional fleet is smaller. Four or five years ago, we were at over 700 regional jets and we'll get down close to 400 by the time we're done with the fleet changes we're making. But they're still a very important part of the product. What are the things Delta needs to do to improve in the future? I would say the space with the greatest opportunity still for improvement is the quality of the regional experience. Q: You have a stake in Brazil's GOL. Any concerns? A: Brazil is in a tough place. There's no question about it. It's a tough place from the economy, from a political situation, from a currency perspective, commodity prices are really hurting the local economy there. But it's also the most important market in Latin America. We own about 10 percent of GOL currently and we are assisting in its restructuring, in terms of trying to raise additional liquidity because the next two years will be tough. We do think that GOL, over time, will have the staying power and strength. We're very impressed with the quality of the product and service. Photo courtesy of Shasta Historical Society The booms and busts that characterized the brief life of Coram are inextricably tied to those of the Balaklala mine and smelter. SHARE By Michael Kuker Special to the Record Searchlight Copper was discovered at the Balaklala mine sometime prior to 1890 on West Squaw Creek, about seven miles northwest of what is now Shasta Lake City. In 1902, the property was purchased by eastern capitalists, who began to invest heavily in its development constructing a smelter and the City of Coram to serve its workers. Twenty years later, the town was virtually abandoned and nearly forgotten. Join the Shasta Historical Society 1:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the historic Redding I.O.O.F. Hall to learn more about the history of Shasta County's shortest-lived city. The booms and busts that characterized the brief life of Coram are inextricably tied to those of the Balaklala mine and smelter. Its population would rise and fall along with the fortunes of the mine. Although in its heyday, Coram was said to have between 1,000 and 2,000 residents, 23 saloons, a hospital, fire department, telephone system, railroad depot, jail, school, numerous hotels, boardinghouses and other businesses, little remains today to mark where it once stood. By June 1905, the Balaklala Consolidated Copper Co. had selected a 320-acre site for the smelter near the mouth of Cottonwood Creek, a small creek north of Motion Creek, not the creek near the town of Cottonwood. By April 16, 1906, all the titles were cleared and in May the company placed an order with Holt & Gregg for 1 million bricks to build a smelter at their new town site, to be known as Coram in honor of the company's president, Joseph Arthur Coram. On July 12, town lots went on sale for the first time with dozens selling in the first few hours at prices up to $400. By Nov. 3, the town had a working electric system and phones were being installed. On Dec. 6, fire struck Coram for the first, but not last, time. In January 1907, local entrepreneurs established the rival East Coram township just up the river from the smelter and began to sell lots. In March, the first tower in what would become a 4.5-mile aerial tramway between the mine and smelter was built. A crash in the copper market later that year caused work on the smelter and mine to halt in October, throwing 1,000 men out of work until work resumed the following summer. Finally, on Oct. 20, 1908, the smelter at Coram was blown in for the first time and began processing ore. On May 15 1909, the smokestack was struck by lightning about 80 feet from its base, creating a 6-inch dent and blowing off a few bricks. The damages were described as "slight." The 1910 federal census revealed the town's population was just fewer than 700. On April 5 of that year, the town of Coram voted 60-28 in favor of incorporating a sixth-class city, allowing it to regulate its saloons or not as it saw fit. As early as 1897, the poisonous effect of smelter smoke was being observed locally on plant life, and the first lawsuit against a local copper smelter was filed by November 1901. The courts were largely unsympathetic, but the copper companies finally volunteered in 1910 to restrict their emissions to head off further litigation. Unfortunately, the level of emissions agreed to was still 3,000 times the amount demonstrated to be lethal to plants and the smelter at Coram even had difficulty meeting that meager mark. An injunction was finally granted against the Balaklala smelter in 1911, shutting it down. By August, Coram was again a ghost town. Between fluctuations in copper prices, further experiments with emission reduction technologies, and industrial accidents, the smelter operated only sporadically over the next few years. By February 1912, the smokestack at the Balaklala smelter was described as "crumbling to pieces" and the San Francisco Call reported, "Every day another large piece of the masonry falls from the huge stack and it looks like an ancient ruin." Finally, in July 1913, the 250-foot chimney was dynamited and the Holt & Gregg firm of Redding was contracted to build a new, shorter smokestack. The bricks from the demolished smokestack would be purchased by Orlando Merlo half a decade later to rebuild what would become the Empire Hotel on Redding's California Street. In 1914, the company gave up trying to find an effective emission control system and shut down the smelter permanently. The Balaklala mine continued to operate, on and off, as late as 1928. Ore was sent down the tram to Coram and then shipped by rail to other smelters in other towns, including Kennett; Mason, Nevada; and even Tacoma, Washington. Coram, for the most part, continued to decline, slowly losing its buildings to fires deliberate and accidental salvage, and demolition. On May 28, 1918, the city of Coram voted for disincorporation unanimously. At the time, there were 13 registered voters, one saloon and no stores. In July 1920, the Bully Hill mine company bought the smelter building at Coram for its structural steel and set about moving it to their facilities at Winthrop. The rebuilt smokestack at Coram was reportedly demolished around 1926. In 1938, the forgotten town sprung from anonymity thanks to Shasta Dam. Activity resumed around the Coram area and the site was the terminus of the 9.5-mile conveyor belt that would eventually carry more than 12 million tons of sand and gravel to help construct Shasta Dam. Following the final concrete pour in 1944, Coram slipped into anonymity for the next 30 years, until Carl and Patricia Lubson bought much of the property in a tax sale in 1976. The following year, the South Forty Group Home for Children opened and operated until 1997. The following year, the Coram Ranch opened as a recreational destination and operates until this day. Oddly, one of the forgotten town's oldest foes fire recently brought it a modicum of attention. In 2008, the Motion Fire started by a lightning strike above the Coram town site. After the fire, forgotten foundations, bed frames, and even boilers were found among the ashes. Artifacts of the town's bygone days are continually discovered on the property to this day. On Feb. 20, Curtis Byron will share the interesting history of Coram and many of his historic finds from the Motion Fire. What: The Rise and Fall of Coram, Shasta County's Shortest-Lived City When: Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. Where: Redding I.O.O.F. Hall, 1445 Butte Street Admission: Free SHARE By Joe Szydlowski of the Redding Record Searchlight Anderson's City Council on Tuesday will discuss temporarily waiving development fees and other ideas as a way of attracting commercial development. City staff will propose several other ideas to the council to try to lure commercial development particularly retail to the city. The proposal comes just two weeks after there was talk that Costco could move its proposed, new store to Anderson during the public comment period of the Redding City Council. Anderson City Manager Jeff Kiser said the timing is a coincidence, however. He said city staff have been considering ways to attract businesses to properties near the freeway for some time. Kiser is proposing to explore a hold on development fees one-time costs used to pay for infrastructure. Those fees cannot be used for labor. "It has no effect on the general fund, but it would enhance the general fund if you get a business," he said. The city's current development-fee accounts are generally in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars, said Kiser. He also suggests considering tax rebates or other financial incentives. But the extent of the city's ability to alter its taxes to encourage businesses is much murkier than development fees, Kiser said. The city likely can't use tax rebates to poach businesses from nearby areas, for example. Staff members, if the council agrees, would need to further research that idea, he said. Two other suggestions include a "fast-track, project-review process" and the creation of a simple list of all available real estate. The fast-track process, however, would mainly consist of trying to find places to tweak the process for more efficiency rather than an overhaul, he said. In his report to the council, Kiser noted Anderson has many commercial lots with easy access to Interstate 5. That list, he said, would come in handy to distribute to businesses when staff or other organizations attend conferences outside of Northern California. "When we're marketing Anderson, we can hand (the list) to those people or give them a thumb drive to really demonstrate all the good things Anderson has to offer," Kiser said. At its meeting, the council will also discuss changes to dog licensing fees brought forward by Anderson Police Chief Michael Johnson. Chad Praetorius, fisheries biologist with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, collects juvenile salmon from a screw trap located at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam earlier this month. The traps are used to collect data on salmon numbers. SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Juvenile salmon are dyed to be used in a mark, recapture survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm the accuracy of its data. The fish were to be released upstream to see how many get caught in the screw traps. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Salmon and some trout captured at the Keswick Dam fish trap are moved into an elevator to be taken by truck up to Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery Tuesday. The fish will be sorted and returned to the river or the Coleman National Fish Hatchery. Livingston Stone handles winter-run chinook salmon and delta smelt. The hatchery starts keeping winter-run fish later this month as part of its breeding program. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Beau Hopkins, a fish culturist at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, takes a DNA sample of a salmon on Tuesday, at the hatchery at the bottom of Shasta Dam. Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight Beau Hopkins, a fish culturist at Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, holds a salmon as Assistant Hatchery Manager John Rueth, not pictured, writes down data on the fish on Tuesday at the hatchery at the bottom of Shasta Dam. By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight Members of the Winnemem Wintu tribe believe their lives are intertwined with the salmon particularly the winter-run chinook salmon. The Winnemem culture is based around the McCloud River and the salmon. Caleen Sisk, the tribe's chief and spiritual leader, pointed out that the tribe, like the salmon, no longer have access to the river. "We believe that whatever happens to the fish, happens to us," Sisk said. "It's a cultural and traditional life thread that we really try to hang on to." The winter-run once spawned by the thousands in the rivers and streams upstream of Lake Shasta, including the McCloud River. But the construction of Shasta and Keswick dams blocked the salmon's access to those streams. The salmon's hold on its last remnant of habitat the Sacramento River in Redding has grown more tenuous during the past four years of drought. Fish die-offs in the Sacramento River over the past two years have many people worried about the winter-run going extinct. Trent Orr, a staff attorney for Earthjustice, said salmon have a three-year life cycle. They are born, swim out to the ocean, where they live for three years and then return to where they were born to spawn and die. But more than 95 percent of the past two generations of the salmon have died in the river before ever reaching the ocean. "We've now lost two years of salmon runs. If we lose three years, that species may well be gone,"said Orr, who represents the Winnemem in a winter-run chinook related lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Hatchery tries to keep species alive While winter-run still spawn in the Sacramento River in the Redding area, most of them are born and raised at the Livingston Stone Fish Hatchery near Shasta Dam. Some time within the next few weeks, officials with the hatchery will release about 400,000 young salmon into the Sacramento River. The fish are typically released in late January or early February, but the release has been delayed this year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which operates the hatchery, has been waiting to release the fish during a rain storm. When it rains, the river gets muddy, providing cover for the juvenile fish (about 3 inches long) from other fish that prey on them, said John Reuth assistant hatchery manager. So far, though, February has been dry, delaying the release. If it doesn't rain by the end of February, the little fish will be too big to keep any longer, and the hatchery will be forced to release them regardless of rain, Reuth said. Typically, the hatchery releases 175,000 to 200,000 fish a year, but Fish and Wildlife has increased the number of fish it releases to compensate for the higher die-off rate the past couple years. Last year, the agency released about 600,000 fish into the river. Unlike Coleman National Fish Hatchery in Anderson, Livingston Stone's mission is to help boost the number of winter-run to the point they are no longer endangered and the fish won't need to be raised in captivity, Reuth said. Coleman raises fall-run and late-fall-run salmon for commercial and recreation fishing, as well as natural production. But Livingston Stone was opened in 1998 to exclusively raise winter-run and help the species recover from the brink of extinction. "It's a conservation and supplement program. We just want to help jump start the numbers so they can recover a little faster than they would on their own," Reuth said. The hatchery was originally designed to be a temporary measure that close after the fish recovered to the point where there were enough fish spawning and surviving in the river that the hatchery is no longer needed. "We're trying to bolster the population. The population is endangered. Back in the 1980s and '90s, the number of adult winter-run were down to less than 200 fish," Reuth said. "We just want to help jump start the numbers so they can recover a little faster than they would on their own," he said. Fish numbers decline Rather than thrive, though, the condition of the winter-run has continued to worsen. Over the past couple of years, recently hatched winter-run salmon have been nearly wiped out before they can get as far south as Red Bluff on their way to the ocean. The salmon need cool water 56 degrees or colder from Lake Shasta, via Keswick Reservoir, for the young fish and eggs to survive in the river during the summer and fall when the fish are migrating out to the ocean. But the young fish head out to the ocean when the weather and the water are warmest, so bureau officials try to ship colder water down the river. A temperature curtain on the lake side of Shasta Dam allows the bureau to get colder water from deeper in the lake. But over the past several years the drought has left Lake Shasta at nearrecord low levels in the summer and fall. In 2014 the cold water pool in the lake was depleted, leaving thousands of eggs and young fish to die in the river before they could swim south. Fisheries officials estimated only about 5 percent of the young fish survived to Red Bluff, where they are counted in fish traps near the former diversion dam. In 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which operates the dam, cut back the amount of water coming out of the dam in the early summer in an attempt to preserve cold water and stretch the supply out further into the fall. The plan didn't work, though, and most of the fish were killed by high water temperatures. Only 3 percent to 4 percent of the eggs and young fish survived to Red Bluff last year. Closing the river Federal and state fisheries officials are so concerned with the die off that for the past two years they have taken the unprecedented step of closing the Sacramento River in Redding to fishing from April to August when the salmon are spawning. State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said they are worried about trout anglers accidentally hooking a spawning salmon. National Marine Fisheries Service officials have also added the winter-run to a list of endangered species that are "the most at-risk of extinction." The agency has also laid out a five-year plan to "turn the trend around for this species from a declining trajectory to a trajectory toward recovery." The plan includes five steps to improve the winter salmon runs. -- Improve the way the bureau keeps track of the temperature in Lake Shasta and how the agency manages water coming out of Shasta and Keswick dams. -- Restore fish access to Battle Creek by removing barriers and installing fish ladders around dams and other obstacles in the creek. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. operates numerous hydroelectric facilities on the creek that have blocked salmon and steelhead from reaching spawning habitat. The bureau has spent about $121 million on restoring the stream and plans to spend an additional $18 million. -- Improve habitat in the Yolo Bypass near Sacramento for young fish and improve access for the salmon to and from the area to the Sacramento River. -- Install measures in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that prevent young fish from getting drawn into the interior of the Delta, where they are more likely to die and be prevented from reaching the ocean. -- Reintroducing winter-run chinook to their McCloud and Sacramento rivers upstream of Lake Shasta. Bureau officials expect to begin a pilot program of releasing the salmon into the two rivers in the summer of 2017. Fisheries officials said water in the two rivers is colder and more suitable for the salmon. The rivers are also less susceptible to drought because they are also spring-fed mountain streams. Taking fish for a drive The McCloud and Sacramento plan would involve plucking salmon out of the river at Keswick Dam and hauling them by truck past the dams so they can spawn in the streams. After the young fish hatch, they would be trapped before they reach Lake Shasta and again hauled by truck to the Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, where they could be released into the Sacramento River. Sisk said the Winnemem have submitted an alternate plan to the bureau that proposes the salmon swim up Sacramento River tributaries such as the West Fork of Stillwater Creek, Churn Creek and Cow, Little Cow and Dry creeks to a point less than a mile from Lake Shasta. The salmon would then swim through large pipes to the lake and on to the McCloud and Sacramento rivers. After the young fish hatch, they would return to the lake, swim back through the pipes, into the creeks and back to the Sacramento River, according to the plan. While the Winnemem plan is not included in the federal five-year recovery plan, Jonathan Ambrose, a biologist with the fisheries service, said his agency and the bureau are willing to consider whether the tribe's proposal is feasible. Albert Sanchez and his wife, Aleta Carpenter, pose at the Clover Creek Preserve in Redding. They have been married for nine years. SHARE Frank Bulthuis and his wife Helen Clark have been married for 20 years. They pose for a portrait at their Cottonwood home. By Amber Sandhu of the Redding Record Searchlight As couples celebrate Valentine's Day across the country Sunday, one might pause to wonder whether a person has to be at the right place at the right time to fall in love. Some meet their match at a university, a coffee shop, dance class and even online. But here are two unique stories of how two North State couples found their mates. Chance meeting Aleta Carpenter, 69, headed back to school at age 49 after having spent years working as a lobbyist in Sacramento. She enrolled at Sacramento State University and was standing in line for an anthropology class, when she noticed the man standing in front of her. The Redding resident describes first meeting her husband Albert Sanchez, now 64, as a tall man with "grayish-whitish" hair and "massive curls at the nape of his neck." And when she entered the classroom, she saw his face. "I discovered that the front of his head, looked as good as the back," she said. Although it was unintentional, she found a seat next to him. "He accuses me of sitting next to him," she said. Albert said there were 120 seats available in the lecture hall, but Aleta made her way to the empty seat next to him instead. "She was stalking me," he joked. But Aleta said the seat was "waiting for someone to come sit next to him." As soon as she sat down, he looked over to her and introduced himself. They soon became part of a study group and began spending time with each other. Albert is an avid mountain biker and Aleta, a passionate runner. When Aleta turned 50, she decided to run Eppie's Great Race in Sacramento, a triathlon where participants run, cycle and kayak. And since she had never been kayaking before, Albert introduced her to it. "He was kind of like my playmate," Aleta said about their relationship. "It just kind of evolved over time, and there he was." During the semester, Albert took a few weeks off to recover from knee surgery, and didn't tell Aleta about it. But as soon as Albert returned to school, Aleta immediately asked where he had been. "That's when I knew she was interested," he said. One day, Aleta was running late for their study session in the library, and Albert dozed off waiting for her. When she found Albert, she sat across him and put her feet up on his chair, waking him up. He responded by picking up her foot, and massaging it slowly. Aleta said that's when she felt like she fell in love. But they were both still cautious about being together, since their previous marriages ended in divorce. Albert said he'd been a "happy bachelor" who he didn't fall in love easily. "I didn't have to fall in love, and I didn't need somebody in my life," he said. "But you couldn't resist me," Aleta responded. Although they didn't feel marriage was necessary at the time, they eventually married in 2007 on a cruise ship in San Diego and spent their honeymoon in the Mexican Riviera. "He snuck up on me. He had these endearing qualities you don't find in many men," Aleta said. Love in the classifieds In an age where online dating is the new norm and dating sites like OkCupid, eHarmony and Match.com dominate the market, it's rare to see a classifieds personal ad in a newspaper. But back in 1994, Helen Clark, then 37, placed a personal ad in Record Searchlight's classifieds section asking for a "single, sensuous, intelligent, cuddly man between the ages of 35 and 45" who was looking for a "serious relationship." Helen said back then a voicemail system was available for people who answered her ad, which ran for four days. And by the time she checked her messages, 134 men had responded. "I didn't think there were that many single men in Shasta County," she said. Frank Bulthuis, her current husband, then 35, was a single father who responded to the ad. "I saw the ad and thought it was hysterical," he said. And Helen did call him back, but she had confused him with somebody else. Eventually, Frank managed to talk her into a date. Helen said she was taken aback at how tall Frank was, who stands at 6 foot 5, compared to her at 5 foot 4. Their first date was at a Chinese restaurant in downtown Redding, and afterward Frank talked her into a drink at Billy Bombay's, a local bar in town. Helen said she knew it was Frank's idea from the beginning since he was looking for a way to get close to her. "It was so loud, you needed to nuzzle in tight to hear," Frank said. And at the end of the night, there was a kiss. "I made him stand in the gutter for our first kiss," she said. But Frank was not the only man in Helen's life. She was seeing another man, "a richer man" that she'd also met through the newspaper ad. And she was in love with him and with Frank. Helen said she couldn't decide between the "rich guy" and the "tall guy," so she stopped dating them both. "Turned out I was bachelor number two," Frank said. Frank suggested they all go out together to help Helen decide who she wanted to be with, but she refused the idea. She needed time to figure things out, she said. Frank said Helen suggested he come visit her family in Arizona. When Frank looked at his ticket, he saw that the "rich guy's name was crossed out," he said. "I wasn't the first choice, but I ended up winning in the end anyway," he said. "It's been a blast the whole time." Two years later, in April 1996, they married, and they'll soon be celebrating their 20th anniversary at their home in Cottonwood. "Not a day goes by that we don't make each other laugh," she said. "In the end, we both made the right choice." SHARE Jazmn Louise Neher Date of birth: April 7, 1993 Vitals: 5 feet, 9 inches; 160 pounds; blond hair, blue eyes Charge: Vehicle theft Jacob Eugene Taylor Date of birth: Feb. 2, 1979 Vitals: 5 feet, 10 inches; 145 pounds; brown hair, blue eyes Charge: Vehicle theft Michael Todd Webb Date of birth: April 24, 1993 Vitals: 5 feet, 7 inches; 130 pounds; brown hair, blue eyes Charge: Driving under the influence Hermelinda Garcia Date of birth: Sept. 3, 1981 Vitals: 5 feet, 3 inches; 120 pounds; brown hair, brown eyes Charge: Assault with a deadly weapon By Staff Reports Shasta's Most Wanted, featured in the Record Searchlight in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, targets people who have failed to show up in court for sentencing after being convicted of crimes. As of Friday, a total of 549 arrests have been made through the Most Wanted program since it began September 2013. Authorities say they have seen an increase in criminals failing to appear in court since the onset of Assembly Bill 109. Also known as prison realignment, the state program shifted certain state prison inmates to county supervision. Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti said court appearances have been going up since the rollout of the program. Five new people are added each week. Those caught will be held until at least their next court appearances. Shasta County Secret Witness is offering a reward of up to $250 for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 245-6540 or 243-2319. The feature appears Sundays in the Record Searchlight's Northern California section and on Redding.com. SHARE Reno Riddle On Friday evening a man attempted to kidnap a child from a Redding neighborhood, but fled the scene when confronted by a family member, and was later arrested on the charge of kidnapping, according to the Redding Police Department. The man asked a group of children if they could help him fix his bike on the 1700 block of Azoulay Court around 7:20 p.m. The suspect also asked the children for directions to an apartment complex and after they walked him to the apartments he began to smoke out of a clear glass pipe, according to Sgt. Mark Montgomery. All but one of the children left to go find tools to help the suspect fix his bike. The suspect, who identified himself as "Reno" put his arm around the one child who remained, age 11. The suspect led the child to Victor Avenue with his arm on the child's shoulder. Another child who witnessed this reported to the victim's mother, according to police. The suspect began to talk about drugs with the victim and said, "I think we can be good friends," according to police. The victim asked to be let go, but the suspect refused. At the same time the victim's sister was driving by and saw the suspect holding onto the victim's shoulder, according to Montgomery. The sister yelled in the victim's direction and when the suspect saw the sister immediately let go of the victim and fled the area. According to police the victim was not hurt and returned to his mother. Investigating officers recognized the name "Reno" from prior contacts and descriptions given by witnesses. Police showed photos to several witnesses and the victim, who identified the man as Reno Riddle, 44 of Redding. An all points bulletin was issued for Riddle, and on Saturday morning, around 4:30 a.m. police located Riddle near Cypress Avenue and Larkspur Lane. According to police Riddle attempted to run, but was taken into custody, transported to Shasta County Jail and booked on the charge of kidnapping. FILE - This Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, file photo, shows a Twitter app on an iPhone screen, in New York. Twitter is tweaking its timeline. The social media site will let people turn on a setting that lets popular tweets related to people you follow show up first in your timeline. It's part of the microblogging service's attempt to make its service more accessible to new users. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) SHARE By Ian Duncan, The Baltimore Sun BALTIMORE Seen a flood of support for Russias foreign policy on Twitter? Or a surge in sympathy for Islamic State terrorists? It could be genuine. But it also might be the work of bots automated social media accounts programmed to push a message out widely and quickly. Thats why the Pentagons advanced research arm organized a four-week Twitter Bot Challenge, inviting researchers to try to find 39 Robotic tweeters. Five teams found all the fakes. But Filippo Menczer, an Indiana University researcher who headed one of them, warns that the technology advances rapidly, and what worked today might not work tomorrow. Its very much work in progress, Menczer said. Its a moving target. In an age when life is increasingly lived online, and the Islamic State in particular has proved adept at using social media to attract support and recruits, intelligence officials across the government are looking for ways to make sense of the deluge of information posted every day. They are working on ways to channel the flood to help spot terrorists, make better military decisions and identify threats against the president, presidential candidates and other leaders. The potential is obvious: Billions of tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram pictures are posted every day, all of it possibly useful to law enforcement, the military and intelligence. Isaac Porche, a researcher at the RAND Corp., said the potential is huge, especially if the information can be combined with other databases. Its one thing that if someone posts they like al-Qaida or ISIS, he said. Its another thing if you have some data that shows this is not just a rant. While much of the interest is in using the data to spot terrorists and guide military campaigns overseas, law enforcement and domestic security services are also combing social media at home. Following the unrest in Baltimore last spring, officials compiled a spreadsheet of dozens of online postings. The list of posts was included in documents the city released under a public information act, but its not clear who created or how it was used. But reliably plucking out the threats from among pictures of children, pets and meals, or turning the swirling stream of data into a clear picture of whats happening in the real world, remains a challenge. In recent papers, Menczer and his colleagues detailed their efforts in the bot challenge and described a publicly available tool that anyone can use to help figure out if a Twitter account is controlled by a human or a few lines of computer code. Such tools can be made. Getting them to cover the entire social media universe is hard. Working that scale is hard, Menczer said. Twitter is big. Civil libertarians, meanwhile, warn that tracking even public posts runs the risk of undermining Americans free speech rights. But despite the challenges, officials say, some work is showing promise. The Department of Defense expects to have a system to suck in and analyze information from social media and elsewhere on the Internet fully operational this year. The tool, called Information Volume and Velocity, was created to scrape information from all corners of the Internet, including places not normally reached by search engines, analyze it for trends and provide commanders with up-to-the-second information. The Defense Information Systems Agency, headquartered at Fort Meade in Maryland, said in December it would be looking for a contractor to pull data from news sites, social media sites, micro-blogs, aggregation sites for news, blogs and forums, pictures, video, and images into the system. Charlie Fields, an official at the DISA, said the tool has already been used in several different kinds of military operations, including humanitarian work and disaster relief. The program is designed to enhance commanders situational awareness of what is happening in the social media realm and can help improve decision making, Fields said in a written response to questions. Its also cheap: The system costs less than $4 million per year to run an almost insignificant sum in the Defense Departments massive budget. Other efforts have fared less well. The governments efforts to battle the Islamic State online have faltered, and after sending top officials to Silicon Valley to meet with social media company bosses, the Obama administration announced that it was changing the bureaucracy that was established to lead the fight. Last Friday, Twitter announced that it has suspended more than 125,000 accounts since the middle of 2015 for connections to terrorism primarily the Islamic State. We condemn the use of Twitter to promote terrorism and the Twitter Rules make it clear that this type of behavior, or any violent threat, is not permitted on our service, the company said in a blog post. A proposed effort by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency to track the terror groups movements through the darker corners of the Internet is being reconsidered, a spokesman for the agency said. Another push to bring social media to bear on the militarys counterterrorism mission failed to meet its goals last year, a Pentagon spokeswoman said. The Department of Homeland Security faced criticism after the December shooting attack in San Bernardino, Calif., for not scanning the social media accounts of visa applicants. Homeland Security spokeswoman Marsha Catron said the department does have three pilot programs looking at how to use social media data as part of the application process. We are actively considering additional ways to incorporate the use of social media review in various vetting programs, she said. Rand Waltzman, a former researcher at DARPA, wrote a scathing critique of the governments efforts in Time magazine. He argued that U.S. officials are holding themselves back in the name of protecting peoples privacy and falling behind authoritarian states and terror groups that have no such qualms. Current interpretations of laws written well before the Internet age, he wrote, have led to overly cautious and non-uniform policies and prohibitions resulting in massive confusion and paralysis. Waltzman declined to be interviewed. The tool being developed at Fort Meade filters information that would identify individuals, Fields said. A long-running program at the Department of Homeland Security follows a similar policy, collecting personal information only in limited circumstances. The Secret Service sought extra funding in its budget request for 2016 to step up its monitoring of social media during the presidential election campaign. Agents want to use the information to find groups who may oppose a candidates viewpoint and who are using social media to organize protests. The Secret Service declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of its operations. Aaron Mackey, a lawyer at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said citizens might be reluctant to share their opinions online if they know that their tweets or Facebook posts are being collected by the government. If the user knows theyre going to be put on a watch list or the FBIs going to knock on their door and ask if everyones OK, theyre not going to say anything remotely controversial, he said. Mackey said its not clear that agents are easily able to discern between statements protected by free speech guarantees and real threats. The government does a really poor job trying to draw these lines, he said. One way around the potential legal issues is to have the social media companies spot threats and other problems themselves. The White House sent top officials to meet with bosses at Silicon Valley firms last month to find ways to do just that. Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said the meeting showed how the president was committed to fighting the Islamic State online. The horrific attacks in Paris and San Bernardino this winter underscored the need for the United States and our partners in the international community and the private sector to deny violent extremists like ISIL fertile recruitment ground, he said in a statement. The meeting also spurred fresh interest in using social media data to calculate some kind of radicalization score for users a sort of early warning system for terrorism. The concept would be similar to the work of Menczer and the other bot-spotters, only much more difficult. To detect a potential terrorist you have to infer intention, Menczer said, and this is very hard even for human experts. 2016 The Baltimore Sun Visit The Baltimore Sun at www.baltimoresun.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Why Redding is taking lead on state homeless program The Housing and Homeless Incentive Program will help connect the unsheltered population with housing services and medical care. On a Friday night in January, halfway through dinner at the eccentric and delightful Armando's Gallery House in downtown Redding, I looked up to see former Redding City Manager Mike Warren enter the restaurant. Seeing Warren, an Armando's regular I subsequently learned, reminded of something. At home I logged on to Newsbank, the indispensable online "morgue" of Record Searchlight articles, going all the way back to the early 1990s. It's available to everyone with a Redding Library card. Yep. This year, come July, Warren will have been CEO of Turtle Bay Exploration Park for 10 years one year short of his tenure at city hall. The job was initially portrayed as an interim, part-time three-day-a-week gig paying $7,600 a month after the abrupt and unexplained departure of horticulturist John Peterson. Chatting with him at an art opening in the late fall of 2006, Warren said he expected to stay on "well into 2007." How time flies. 'Like a business' Warren's early reviews were glowing. Board President Charles Ryan told me, in late 2006, "He's running it (Turtle Bay) like a business it's the first time we've had a businessman in charge." In fact, Warren was not a businessman. He retired from the city of Redding (and a career in local government) in April 2006 with a reported annual pension of $186,000. It's been an eventful 10 years at Turtle Bay. The park had to deal with the Great Recession and the loss of its $400,000 annual subsidy from the city. To weather the financial storm, Warren downsized budgets and staff. That's something he didn't have to do as city manager. His tenure at city hall was largely marked by boom years thanks to the 1990s bull market on Wall Street and, later, the housing bubble. And he retired just as the city's sales tax revenue began to slide, presaging the dramatic fall that accompanied the housing bust. The considerable heavy lifting at city hall was left for Kurt Starman, Warren's protege. To boost attendance at the park, Warren booked costly traveling exhibits featuring, among other things, dinosaurs, poop and plasticized cadavers. Sheraton hotel As Turtle Bay settled on the idea of a hotel to generate new revenue, Warren and others resisted building trade union demands that the project triggered so-called "prevailing wage." Personally, I think Warren exaggerated the costs associated with prevailing wage. The fight was bitter and costly and, crucially, delayed the opening of the upscale hotel for years. It's now scheduled to open in mid-2017. On the other hand, Warren was more forthright than some other hotel boosters about what the project ultimately will mean for Turtle Bay's finances. In a May 2013 e-mail to employees and supporters that I received and printed on my blog and in my column, Warren said the hotel "does not solve the problem ... it helps quite a bit with our serious maintenance needs as well as some serious salary and staffing issues but by no means does it get us to our goal." Redding's rating I wish Warren and Turtle Bay success with the Sheraton. But I've always worried that a hotel and restaurant are risky and cyclical businesses. And the prevailing wage issue remains unsettled even after the sale of the underlying land to the McConnell Foundation. I asked Warren before his retirement as city manager what he thought his biggest accomplishment was. "The pride the community has in itself," he answered. That echoed an earlier comment Warren made to me in the heady wake of the opening of the Sundial Bridge and the restored Cascade Theatre. "When I came here almost 10 years ago," he said, "we were a 2 (on a scale of 10). Now we're an 8, and I think we're on our way to becoming a 9." Knowing Warren, I imagine he'll feel the same way when he finally retires from his interim part-time job at Turtle Bay. What do you say, Mike by then will we be a nine? Marc Beauchamp lives in Redding. Reach him at NotBusinessAsUsual@gmail.com. SHARE Now it's time to dig into the details. Housing crusader Lloyd Pendleton was asked Thursday whether Redding and Shasta County should push ahead to house five chronically homeless people by June 1 or finish coming up with a strategic plan currently underway thanks to a privately funded effort led by Councilwoman Kristen Schreder. Pendleton deftly dodged the either or choice. His message: Do both. Do it now. By Friday, city and county representatives were huddling about the commitment their top elected officials had made at the Thursday forum. Although the Record Searchlight was one of three partners that arranged Pendleton's visit from Utah, where he has led efforts that nearly eliminated chronic homelessness statewide, this page has consistently said our community has no obligation to follow exactly anyone else's model. On the other hand, it is an approach that has worked. So it's worth revisiting some key points that may define the debate as we see talk quickly moving into action here: Not requiring that residents be clean, dry and sober. This is the core of the "housing first" concept, and perhaps its most contentious point. Research has indicated that the success rate for rehab is much better once someone has a safe and stable home, but many of the most dedicated warriors in the fight against both addiction and homelessness have long believed that sobriety needs to come first. In San Diego County, leaders of one nonprofit just turned down $95,000 in federal funding over this point calling it "the most insane policy" they'd heard of. But if it works better, should we allow ourselves to be bound just by past assumptions? Change often sounds insane, until it becomes the new normal. Using federal Section 8 housing money differently. The funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development are the financial backbone of Utah's strategy. But to move forward, Pendleton stressed the need to adopt a "project based" approach to Section 8 rather than simply a first-come, first-served waiting list for assistance. That means diverting money to housing for people who are the hardest to house. Start at the biggest end of the log. Pendleton, raised on a ranch and still wearing cowboy boots with his suit, likes to compare housing "homeless citizens" to chopping firewood. Utah began, he said, by getting the help of police and others to identify the toughest cases on the street addicted, with criminal records, suffering from complicated illness. These became the first 17 members of the pilot project. If it works with them, he reasoned, it'll work with everyone. And the process of piloting that way brings a focus to the whole effort that pays off from then on. Case management with minimal coercion. Although Utah's apartment complexes and converted hotels have on-site case managers, they aren't checking apartments for drugs and alcohol. It's hard to get evicted, though not impossible. Criminal activity like dealing drugs or "beating up your neighbors" are dealt with by calls to police and potential eviction but even then the resident is offered another apartment in another complex. Maybe a new environment will work. In the meantime, the message is clear: We aren't going to give up on you. This may be the toughest to replicate in Shasta County, where we place a pretty high premium on accountability for crime. Cooperation with the state. Utah invested from the highest level. Its ongoing efforts are directly overseen by the lieutenant governor. In California, this may seem like a huge missing piece. But there's also the possibility of an unlikely alliance. Before he came to Redding, Pendleton visited the nation's greatest concentration of homeless: Los Angeles. The city is "home" to 20 percent of Americans who don't have a roof over their heads. Our problems are tiny by comparison. And Los Angeles has the statewide clout to drive progress. We shouldn't wait for the state, but our state representatives should be talking now to their colleagues about how our interests align on this issue. Engagement of the Mission. One very hopeful note from Pendleton's presentation was Redding's Good News Rescue Mission. In Salt Lake City, he said, the mission has continued on its own path. But after touring our Mission and meeting with CEO Jonathan Anderson, he identified correctly, we think an open leadership approach that will move our efforts forward faster, and farther. Here in the North State, our goal shouldn't be to exactly replicate anyone else. It should be to do even better. And so these questions, and more like them, are fertile ground for serious debate. But, like the challenge of housing 10 people by July 1, that debate doesn't need to come at the expense of action. We can do both. ECATEPEC, Mexico Pope Francis condemned the drug trade's "dealers of death" and urged Mexicans to shun the devil's lust for money as he led a huge open-air Mass for more than 300,000 people Sunday in this violence-riddled city. "Let us get it into our heads: With the devil, there is no dialogue," the pope said at the biggest scheduled event of his five-day visit to Mexico. Advertisement Francis brought a message of encouragement on the second full day of his trip to residents of Ecatepec, a poverty-stricken Mexico City suburb of some 1.6 million people where drug violence, kidnappings and gangland-style killings, particularly of women, are a fact of life. "He's coming to Ecatepec because we need him here," said Ignacia Godinez, a 56-year-old homemaker. "Kidnappings, robberies and drugs have all increased, and he is bringing comfort. His message will reach those who need it so that people know we, the good people, outnumber the bad." Advertisement In a clear reference to the drug lords who hold sway in the city's sprawling expanses of cinderblock slums, Francis focused his homily on the danger posed by the devil. "Only the power of the word of God can defeat him," the pope said. In a final prayer, he urged Mexicans to make their country into a land of opportunity "where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work, no need to make the despair and poverty of many the opportunism of a few, a land that will not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death." The faithful lined the pope's motorcade route to the huge field where the Mass took place, tossing flower petals as he passed by and cheering with pom-poms in the yellow and white of the Vatican flag. Vendors sold T-shirts, plates with Francis' image on them, pins, bandanas and cardboard-cutout figures of the pope. An estimated 100,000 people have been killed and 27,000 have disappeared in gangland violence since President Enrique Pena Nieto's predecessor launched an offensive against drug cartels shortly after taking office in late 2006. At least 1,554 women have vanished in Mexico State since 2005, according to the National Observatory on Femicide, and last year the government issued an alert over the killings of women in Ecatepec and other parts of the state. Nevertheless, women who came to see Francis said they felt safe, thanks in part to the huge security presence. The government assigned more than 10,000 police, soldiers and members of the presidential guard to protect the motorcade and Mass. Advertisement "I'm protected by my faith and the joy of seeing the pope up close," said Graciela Elizalde, 35, who arrived at the field Saturday evening and spent the night on the street, "and the thugs know that we the good people have come out to take the streets." She added: "The pope is not going to change things, but at least he will touch the hearts of those who do harm and are trying to destroy the country. He is the 'messenger of peace' because that's exactly what Mexico needs, not just Ecatepec." However, Maria de la Luz Estrada, coordinator of the National Observatory on Femicide, said she was disappointed that Francis didn't directly condemn violence against women or offer support to families of victims, saying that at the very least he could have made reference to discrimination against women. "I still feel that he owes us these words," she said. Conchita Tellez, 65, from the border city of Mexicali, held out hope that Francis can help ease the troubled soul of the country. "The pope comes to Mexico at a very ugly moment," Tellez said, "and he comes to pray for us and for all those who lost hope and have submerged the country in blood and violence." Advertisement Francis' grueling schedule seemed to be taking a toll on him on Saturday, when the 79-year-old pontiff appeared to nod off at an evening Mass and also lost his balance and fell into a chair set up for him. He appeared much livelier Sunday, beaming and waving at the crowds along his route. As Francis drove down a main boulevard before adoring faithful in central Mexico City, dozens of emotional nuns rushed the metal barricades to salute the popemobile and a group of lay missionaries, mostly teenagers, sang the traditional Mexican folk song "Cielito Lindo." At his last stop, a pediatric hospital, one girl performed a heartfelt rendition of "Ave Maria" for the pope. Another presented Francis with a handmade Valentine's Day card with a big heart on the front. "You made this?" Francis asked as he accepted it. "Gracias." The pope bent down and kissed dozens of sick kids, playfully mussing the hair of the older ones. Some posed for selfies with the pope. Several rose from their wheelchairs to embrace him. Francis also played doctor to one little boy, administering medicine from a dropper. The pope makes a point of stopping at children's hospitals during his foreign trips, both to visit with the kids and to thank the staff for caring for them. While parts of the encounters are televised, Francis also visits bedridden patients in private for more personal encounters. Associated Press 'Perhaps the finest example is from the current avalanche itself.' 'The Commanding Officer of 19 Madras (the affected unit) is Colonel Um Bahadur Gurung, a Gurkha who joined the Madras Regiment.' 'He inspired this recovery operation at 19,500 feet, a unique feat by itself.' 'He knew that if it was delayed the chances of finding the mortal remains in the Saltoro's ice would be impossible.' 'He did not pass orders from his base at Kumar (15,000 feet) or gave directions; he simply went there himself, inspiring the multitude that followed.' Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd), who has served on the Siachen Glacier, salutes the incomparable spirit of the Indian Army. IMAGE: The Indian Army's rescue operations at the Siachen glacier this past week to locate the 10 soldiers buried in an avalanche. The 'Great Awakening' -- this is the title that history may well bestow on the Sonam Avalanche at the Northern Siachen Glacier and all the connected events of the last few days. Just in case you think it is an awakening for the Indian Army, think again. The Indian Army remains awake as an institution all 24x7 and all 365 days of the year, doing what it does and ensuring excellence in every endeavour. It is the public which forgets what the army does and needs that Awakening. No doubt, life is fast paced in today's world and in spite of omnipresent media, awareness is only focused on the immediate environment. That restricts vision and the ability to appreciate what national institutions like the Indian armed forces do. The common refrain is that there being no ongoing war the armed forces would be relaxing. People forget we are always at war and there is no need to elaborate that except to state that with disputed borders and fragile internal security you won't ever have the armed forces in 'relax mode.' Mercifully the quest for at least basic knowledge on what warriors of different shades do is on the rise. The media really came to the fore in the last few days to throw up Siachen, an issue probably at some remote corner of the public mind. Full front page stories on past operations are something uniquely new in the Indian print media, but it has happened. People need to be repeatedly told the saga of the capture of Quaid Post in 1987 by Major (later Brigadier) Virender Singh, Vir Chakra, and Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Bana Singh, Param Vir Chakra. It should be folklore. From the media trends that I have followed it appears that there is considerable interest in knowing what the living and operating conditions at the glacier are. Much has been spoken about that on the television channels. There is equal thirst to know why the army is there at all and can we just give it all up and withdraw when the ground is so inhabitable? I won't answer the last one in this essay, but to my mind the most important question the public should be asking is -- How does the Indian Army make a Mission Impossible into Mission Possible? There has to be a unique chemistry which drives men to do such impossible feats. Firstly, let me remove one misnomer and I am not being unfair in this. The Pakistan army claims that it is fighting or at least is deployed at Siachen. Siachen is an oft repeated word in its military-related television dramas, but sadly for them they cannot even see Siachen which is curtained from their view by the mighty Saltoro Ridge where India's flag flutters proudly. Siachen for them is the intention and the dream they hope for. Watching Pervez Musharaf on television and his continuous rant defending Pakistan's sponsorship of the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir leaves me to only think how we can ever consider a mutual pull back from Siachen without looking at the feasibility of yet another backstab. The very next spring we will find Pakistan's flag at Saltoro. Top of the head suggestions such as technological monitoring to get early warning of Pakistan reneging on an agreement are passe. It is not easy -- in fact almost impossible -- to respond in glaciated conditions and hope for any success. Someone correctly pointed out the other day the borders finally need boots to be there and fragile borders need many of them. So how does the Indian soldier gel? Perhaps the finest example is from the current avalanche itself. The Commanding Officer of 19 Madras (the affected unit) is Colonel Um Bahadur Gurung, a Gurkha who joined the Madras Regiment. The man is obsessed with his men, his regiment, his cap badge and his lanyard. He inspired this recovery operation at 19,500 feet, a unique feat by itself. He knew that if it was delayed the chances of finding the mortal remains in the Saltoro's ice would be impossible. He did not pass orders from his base at Kumar (15,000 feet) or gave directions; he simply went there himself, inspiring the multitude that followed. The men knew that if it ever happened to them their mortal remains would never go un-honoured as long as men like Colonel U B Gurung exist. It is an ode to the Indian Army's regimental system that makes men like Colonel Gurung. An erstwhile Gurkha jawan, who came up by sheer dint of hard work to make it to the Army Cadet College from where qualified and selected jawans can graduate as officers. True to the army's system of officer jawan integration Gurung was actually commissioned into the Intelligence Corps, but attached for an initial period with 19 Madras. He decided to stay on, thus earning the title 'Gurkha Tambi.' The Tambis of the Madras Regiment became his life and no doubt that of his family. Officers of the Indian Army live in two worlds: The regimental and the native; the latter is usually overpowered by the dominance of regimentation. The men take to the officers and the officers to the men on a simple principle of honour and brotherhood. Progressively, the officers' families similarly get wedded to regimental culture. Those uninitiated to the ways of the army may find it extremely revealing that a Sikh or a Hindu by faith, who is in command of a pure Muslim sub unit such as the Grenadiers, joins his men in prayers and fasting through Ramzan, all 30 days. The vice versa is equally true, each of them know more about the faith and cultural practices of their men then the men themselves know. It is by tradition and by the culture of 'passing it on' that the system survives. IMAGE: Indian soldiers at their base camp after returning from training at the Siachen Glacier, 2012. Photograph: Reuters There is nothing written except some principles of leadership but each regiment of the Indian Army has culled its own unique way of grooming its leaders. Interfere with that and you will break the very edifice of the system on which rests the effectiveness of the organisation. When a band of such men who are truly 'all for one and one for all' arrive at an operational area, the bonding is even stronger. They are together day in and day out, facing the same threats and the same elements; the officer will shield his men from danger by being the first ahead and the men will shield the officer from being the first. In this awkward tussle it is the ethos which prevails and cuts through the environment of life threats and more. This is what you call the indomitable spirit of the Indian warrior. It has to be experienced to be believed. When you are at the head of a group/sub unit of soldiers, everything in them is owned by you, including their lives. They know it and you know it. That is why an officer's personality changes as he witnesses casualties among his men. He will put himself in harm's way for the sake of his men and feel the regret and remorse of any losses, all his life. When such spirit prevails in an environment where challenges come in droves and men are tested to the extremes of their will none can let the other down. I can recall a moment in the jungles of Sri Lanka in 1988 when we were battling one of the largest LTTE camps against the best trained LTTE cadres. Exhaustion had overtaken me after almost four days and nights of continuous nerve wrecking operations. There was a brief lull in battle and as I lay exhausted on a grass patch in the jungle little did I realise that I was exposing myself to a flank from where I could be easily shot. Sleep overtook the senses and when I woke up four hours later I found myself surrounded by a wall of bullet proof jackets, BPJs. The men did not wish to disturb me and knew I was vulnerable. They removed their BPJs and created that wall. That is the only moment in my 40-year career when I silently wept with emotion. Modernisation et al has done nothing to this bond, in fact it has only reinforced it. Old soldiers bemoan the loss of strength of the officer-man relationship today, but they need to be reminded and informed that nothing has changed. The youth of today is a little more boisterous and the media a little more open, that is why you hear an odd case of indiscipline. Classically, nothing has changed. It is for the public and society to remain reassured. Moments such as these when the nation has been emotionally linked with the tragedy at Sonam must be grabbed to convey and reassure that the Indian Army remains the same steadfast army that it always was. No unaware authority should ever tamper with its unique fabric of brotherhood, otherwise he will only be compromising the security of this country. Pay it or do not pay it, equip it or do not equip it, this army will still deliver when it comes to the crunch and if it does, it will be because of the uniqueness of its sense of honour and brotherhood. Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) had the unique experience of serving in almost all the turbulent spots where the Indian Army is deployed, including Siachen, Kashmir and Sri Lanka. He is currently associated with the Delhi Policy Group and the Vivekanand International Foundation. 'China's moves are of direct significance to India, which will closely monitor Chinese naval activity in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean not least because of Chinese maps depicting claims over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,' says former senior RA&W official Jayadev Ranade. IMAGE: Chinese citizens from Yemen board the naval ship Linyi at a port in Aden, March 29, 2015. They were transported across the Red Sea to Djibouti to be flown home. Photograph: Reuters On January 21, 2016, China took a big stride towards fulfilling its almost decade-long quest of getting port facilities for the People's Liberation Army Navy -- PLAN -- in the Indian Ocean. In a little publicised comment, US African Command, AFRICOM, Commander General David Rodriguez said, 'They are going to build a base in Djibouti, so that will be their first military location in Africa.' Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh signed agreements with China on January 20, 2016, to set up a trade zone and establish a legal framework to let Chinese banks operate in the African nation. The first phase of the 48 sq km free zone for trade and business is to be completed by 2016. There are plans to expand Djibouti's role as a transhipment port for Chinese goods and cargo. China has had an interest in Djibouti as an Indian Ocean port since at least 2013, with credible reports surfacing at regular intervals of contacts between the authorities in China and Djibouti. PLAN ships and officers have familiarised themselves with Djibouti, which they have visited more than 50 times since the PLAN began conducting anti-piracy operations off Aden from December 2008. The visits have mainly been for in-port rest and replenishment. China's official news agency Xinhua, on February 27, 2014, quoted Djibouti's Defence Minister Hassan Darar Houffaneh as calling for more military cooperation between his country and China to contribute to peace and security in the sub-region. Djibouti, Houffaneh said, was ready to allow Chinese military ships to access its ports and urged his Chinese counterpart to concretise the military cooperation between the two countries. Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan, who was then on a visit to Djibouti, assured him that 'The People's Republic of China is ready to support Djibouti to reinforce its military capacities and guarantee its security. The PLAN has long been interested in a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean. Since China began anti-piracy operations off Aden, the PLAN has ensured that by now captains of all its warships have done a tour of duty in the Indian Ocean. Beijing's plans to develop Djibouti as a 'navy base' in the Indian Ocean meshes with the PLA's stated task of being capable of defending China's national interests at home and abroad while expanding China's strategic space. The emphasis on 'integrated joint operations' and ongoing military reforms are to enable the PLA achieve these objectives. Relevant in this context is that Djibouti is within the un-refuelled flight range of an IL-76, or Shaanxi Y-8 maritime patrol aircraft, taking off from airbases in southern Xinjiang. It would give China an airfield that would simultaneously significantly improve its intelligence gathering capabilities over the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Eastern Libya and well into Central Africa. IMAGE: Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh at his home in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, January 30, 2016. Djibouti's president defended Beijing's right to build what will be its first foreign military outpost on one of the world's busiest shipping routes in an interview to Reuters. Photograph: Edmund Blair/Reuters The existing port at Djibouti can accommodate the largest vessels presently in PLAN's inventory. Experts assess that China will choose to develop Obock, in the northeast corner of Djibouti, as its base as that would provide relative secrecy for operations and surveillance. Beijing has, anticipatedly, developed economic linkages with Djibouti as well. The China Merchants Group funded construction of the Damerjog livestock port and the multipurpose Doraleh port, both of which were launched in 2013. Later, the China Communications Construction Company Tianjin constructed a salt pier in Djibouti. More recently, in August 2014, the China State Construction and Engineering Company won the bid for the engineering, procurement, and construction project of Phase I of the Doraleh Wharf in Djibouti, which includes construction of a 1,200 m long frontage for five multi-purpose deep water berths, a 175 m long service berth, and related supporting facilities. China Merchants Holdings (International) holds a 23.5% stake in Port de Djibouti S A, which includes two-thirds of the port's Doraleh Container Terminal. As China concretises its effort to secure a foothold in the Indian Ocean, it continues to look for other bases in the Indian Ocean littoral. The Namibian Times on November 24, 2014 disclosed that China and Namibia are holding high-level talks regarding construction of a naval maintenance and supply base for the PLA Navy at Walvis Bay. It added that a satellite tracking station nearby at Swakopmund, makes Walvis Bay suitable for future PLA naval operations in the region. China announced its ambition to become a maritime power at the 18th Party Congress in November 2012. As it commenced building its second aircraft carrier, a US military think-tank in May 2015 separately assessed that China will have about 415 warships including four aircraft carriers and 100 submarines in the near future, which will enable it to alter the politics and strategies throughout the Asian theatre. China's moves are of direct significance to India, which will closely monitor Chinese naval activity in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean not least because of Chinese maps depicting claims over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Jaydev Ranade -- a former Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India -- is President of the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy. 'We just reminded the BJP that they too, should follow this dharma.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Last October, Modi called Badal 'India's Mandela'. Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral tells Aditi Phadnis that differences with the SAD's alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party are not irrevocable. Your party is an important ally of the BJP, yet, you along with some others, had complaints about the conduct of the party as an alliance partner... We are one of the oldest alliance partners of the BJP and now that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government has come to power at the Centre, we want them to do some things that Punjab has been fighting for, over several decades. The amendment of the Gurdwara Act is one such. The Act was framed before Partition and said that anybody who believes in Sikhism can vote in the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee) elections. We believe this should be amended and the right to vote be granted to those Sikhs who follow the tenets of the religion: Keeping a full beard, not cutting hair, not drinking alcohol etc. Not just anyone can be allowed to vote simply because they have submitted an affidavit saying they believe in Sikhism. After a long struggle, this demand of the Sikhs was accepted by the (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee government. The then NDA government issued an executive order to this effect. However, the order was challenged in the high court, which said that as it was a law, it needed to be changed through an amendment by Parliament. We have been telling the government, 'Please amend this law,' and not just this government. Manmohan Singh, who was prime minister and is a Sikh, believes the amendment is right and appropriate. But he sat on the file for months because others in his government and party (the Congress) did not agree with this: There must have been other pressures on him. We have told the BJP that the government should not delay this: It is an important issue and it must be done. But it still hasn't happened, 18 months down the line. Then there is the issue of the rejuvenation of irrigation canals. Over a period of time, canals have been silted up and many have shrunk. The Manmohan Singh government had allocated Rs 700 crore (Rs 7 billion) to revive them. We need more money that this government had promised when it came to power. There have been two consecutive failed monsoons. Punjab has defied that and managed to retain its place as India's food bowl. We need more water to produce more food. So we told the government, 'Don't delay it, give us more money so that we can grow more food to feed India.' We also told the BJP that we need action against those who were involved in the riots of 1984. There has to be closure on this. We want the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to expedite its investigation and punish those who were guilty. We and the BJP are partners. Our people don't criticise the BJP openly even if they have profound differences. We discuss within our party and with each other, but not openly. We just reminded the BJP that they too, should follow this dharma. The BJP's argument is that those who have been tried and convicted of sedition and attempts to overthrow the state must continue to stay in prison -- any leniency in their terms will be an insult to India... Our line is consistent and clear. We believe in the law of the land. Which means, if someone has been tried and sentenced to life imprisonment, and life imprisonment is x number of years, he must be released when his term is over. All those who have completed their prison terms should be released. That is the law. How do you rate the performance of the NDA leadership in the past 18 months in terms of dealing with national problems? We believe the government has done exemplary work. It inherited a bankrupt economy, which was paralysed by indecision on policy and administration, and has tried to turn it around. The green shoots of recovery are already showing, as the latest GDP (gross domestic product) numbers tell us. Yes, there is a problem with non-performing assets in public sector banks. But we have to ask ourselves who created this situation; who was fiscally so profligate in giving money away to -- largely -- wealthy people that the money never came back; who was irresponsible and negligent? Not this government! Despite two bad monsoons, India's is the best performing economy in the world. Do you hear about corruption in high places any more? The PM is leading from the front. That is what India needs. If that is the case, then your problem with the BJP is a local domestic one? A small quarrel within the family? We are the BJP's oldest ally. We have never put any conditions to our participation in elections or in a government with them. Everyone left them, but we and the Shiv Sena stayed by their side. They have assured us that there will be a coordination committee where their leaders and ours will sit together and sort out all our differences. When is the meeting of the committee due? There is an election in Punjab on February 13 -- the first meeting will take place sometime after that. The PM has launched an important initiative with Pakistan. What is your opinion of it? We are deeply appreciative of the initiative and support it irrespective of the recent happenings in Pathankot and elsewhere, which are the result of the designs of the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and the Pakistan army. The Pakistan army and the ISI foment trouble between the two nations. We believe India should continue to support the civilian government in Pakistan and its initiatives to normalise relations with India. Many questions were raised about the Pathankot incident and the role of your government. We have a porous border and Punjab is a frontline State. We are conscious of this and have been telling the government for years to augment the present of the BSF (Border Security Force) along the border. We have argued that the forces must have more modern equipment and an infiltration detecting system. Surely all that equipment becomes useless when your own police is involved in helping those who cross over? The central government would not have been able to prevent the attack had it not been for the Punjab police. We were the ones who told Delhi there had been an infiltration; we informed them and that is how they were able to get central forces and the SPG (Actually, the NSG, the National Security Guard) in time to Pathankot. We even brought the superintendent of the Punjab police to Delhi. He has been given a clean chit. Are you worried about the rise and rise of the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) in Punjab? If the AAP and the Congress were so sure our government was slipping why didn't they contest the Khadoor Sahib by-election on February 13? Our constituency is in rural Punjab and it is unimpressed by AAP. We are the only state in north India that is power surplus and provides 24x7 electricity to farmers. Power to farmers is for free. There is great support for our social programme: 3.8 million families get atta at Rs 2 a kg and delivery mechanisms are faultless. We have an inclusive social programme for Dalits. But leaders in your government are alleged to be engaged in the manufacture and smuggling of recreational drugs.... Name the people. You will be sued and an apology will follow (from your side) just as it was in the case of other publications that made similar irresponsible statements. The government has investigated, the Enforcement Directorate has investigated... not an iota of evidence was found. How do you see the period leading up to the assembly elections in 2017? Our alliance is intact. It is healthy and in fine fettle. We have had good meetings with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP President Amit Shah. There are no serious differences and those that are there can be ironed out. Bodo tribals influence as many as 30 seats. No wonder, national parties are keen to forge alliances with Bodo groups, reports Bivekananda Biswas. In the run-up to the 2016 Assam Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party has found its first ally in the Bodoland People's Front in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts -- BTAD comprising the Kokrajhar, Kajolgaon, Udalguri and Baksa districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew down to Kokrajhar, the capital of the Bodoland Territorial Council and one of the most backward districts in the state, on January 19. For decades, these districts have been racked with militancy and economic backwardness. The BTAD was in the limelight for all the wrong reasons four years ago, when a bloody communal riot broke out between the Bodos and Bengali-speaking Muslims, in which more than 100 people were killed and at least 500,000 rendered homeless. In December 2014, Bodo rebels gunned down more than 70 Adivasis. For the BJP, the BTAD is important, as 16 of the 126 assembly seats in the state fall in these districts and the BPF had won 12 of the 16 seats in the last election. The Bodos influence as many as 30 assembly seats in the state. More so, because in lower Assam the BJP does not have a strong organisational and mass base. In the BTAD, national parties have traditionally made inroads through alliances with the BPF. In the last assembly election, the BPF was in alliance with the Congress. This year, there is another player in the fray -- the newly-formed United Progressive Party backed by the All Bodo Student Union. The students body has a good hold over the people in the BTC areas. It is the first organisation that raised its voice for the Bodo cause and protection of their identity in the early 1980s. Modi, during his speech, talked only of development; He avoided the issue of Bodoland statehood, a demand made by the Absu. However, the Absu and Hagrama Mohiliary, the chief executive member of the BTC, are not on the same page on this issue. Considering Mohiliary's sour relations with the Absu, local BJP cadres were not in favour of an alliance with the BPF; instead, they wanted it with the Bodo People's Progressive Front. Mohiliary, however, managed to bring his one-time colleague, BPPF chief Rabiram Narzary, before the latter formed his own party in 2005, into the fold. The BPPF chief announced his party's merger with the BPF on January 17. The BPF also recently floated a platform, the United People's Front, to unite the Bodos living outside the BTC. This, the BJP leadership believes, will help win the party tribal votes outside the Bodo areas. The BPF fought the 2006 and 2011 elections in alliance with the Congress and contested all 16 assembly seats in the BTC areas. The BPF said it would not share seats with the BJP in the BTC areas; seat-sharing would apply only in the areas outside the BTC. Although Modi, in his speech, laid stress on development of BTAD areas, he did not announce a financial package, which was Mohiliary's main demand. Modi said he had a three-point programme for the development of the backward BTAD region: 'Development, development and development.' The prime minister's announcement granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Karbis living in the plains and the Bodo Kacharis of the hill areas of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts has led to resentment among the Koch Rajbongshis and other non-Bodos residing in these districts. The cause: Bodos account for only 30 per cent of the total population of Assam, yet they want a separate state. Koch Rajbongshis, spread over lower Assam and north Bengal, have been seeking Scheduled Caste status for decades, but their demand is yet to be accepted. The other major communities in these districts are the Bengalis, Muslims, Adivasis, Santhals and Nepalis. Attacks on Adivasis and Muslims have dented the BPF's image significantly. In the BTC polls last year, the BPF won 20 seats out of 40 -- 13 less than its tally of 33 in the 2010 election. The All India United Democratic Front won four seats and the BJP managed to open its account. The Congress failed to win a single seat, down from the three it bagged in the 2010 polls. In the last election, the AIUDF had tied up with the Congress. This time, the Congress, trashing the possibility of a Bihar-like Mahagatbandhan, has declared that it wants to go it alone, as it could not concede to the AIUDF's demand on seat-sharing. The BJP has not only wooed the BPF, but it is also 'in talks' with the Asom Gana Parishad. The saffron party has taken over the political space vacated by the AGP. The young urban voters, who once voted for the AGP, voted for the BJP in 2014. Among urban voters, 45 per cent voted for the BJP and 18 per cent for the Congress. During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won seven seats and a 36 per cent vote share; the Congress scored three seats with a 29.5 per cent vote share; and the AIUDF bagged three seats with 14.8 per cent votes. The Kokrajhar seat was won by an independent candidate. The AGP won only 3.7 per cent of the votes and more importantly, no seat -- marginally higher than the 2.1 per cent vote share of the BPF. In upper Assam, the BJP has a good support base, which is evident from the fact that it won all the seats in that part of the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In the 2011 assembly election, the BJP won only five seats, against the 78 bagged by the Congress and 18 by the AIUDF. The BJP is trying hard to garner the support of some communities that have traditionally voted for the Congress in the absence of options. The party has already supported the proposal to include the Motok, Moran, Tai Ahom, Koch Rajbongshi, Sootea and Tea tribes in the Scheduled Tribes category. At present, these tribes fall under Other Backward Classes. The BJP also has the advantage of contesting against a divided Opposition. The Congress is facing anti-incumbency after being at the helm for 15 years. Its vote share declined by about 10 per cent between the 2011 assembly polls and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, says a study by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. IMAGE: Preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Guwahati last month. RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav, who has been accused of raping a minor, was suspended from the party. M I Khan/ Rediff.com reports from Patna. Facing aggressive opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance over collapse of law and order in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal of the incumbent Grand Alliance on Sunday suspended its MLA Rajballabh Yadav for allegedly raping a minor girl. RJD state president Ram Chandra Purve told newspersons in Patna that party has suspended Yadav for his crime. Yadav is absconding after an arrest order was issued on Saturday against him following a minor girl filed a complaint of rape against him, police said. The girl from Nalanda district filed an FIR against Yadav, the legislator from Nawada, for her rape. Police said the charges against Yadav were found to be true during their preliminary investigation. According to the police complaint filed by the girl, on February 6, a woman named Sulekha Devi took her to an undisclosed location in Nalanda and forced her to have liquor, after which she was raped by a man, later identified as Yadav. After she was raped, the girl said the woman gave her Rs 30,000. She then went home and spoke about the incident to her parents who approached police. Last month ruling Janata Dal-United Suspended its MLA Sarfaraz Alam for allegedly misbehaving and abusing a Delhi-based couple on board Rajdhani Express.Alam waa also arrested in the case and later released on bail. IMAGE: A screengrab of a video featuring Rajballabh Yadav. Photograph: Mera Neta/ Youtube Two civilians were killed and four others wounded in alleged security force firing in south Kashmir Pulwama district on Sunday afternoon. Mukhtar Ahmed/ Rediff.com reports from Srinagar. Two civilians, 24-year old Shaista and 22-year old Danish were killed when an angry mob pelted stones at the security forces who had cordoned off a gunfight site in Lalhar area in Pulwama district where one militant was killed. The protestors belonging to neighbouring villages comprising hundreds pelted stones at the cordoning troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police to reach the encounter site. Troops of RR and police, according to a senior police officer had jointly surrounded Lalhar village near Kakpora this afternoon on specific information about presence of a group of militants there. The holed up militants opened fire at the security forces triggering an encounter in which one militant was killed, the officer said. He said 13 injured civilians with gunshot wounds and other injuries have been evacuated to hospital for treatment. Condition of one injured person is stated to be critical. Security forces fired warning shots and used tearsmoke and baton charges to disperse the protestors. High tension has gripped Pulwama and senior civil and police officers have rushed to the spot. The People's Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti in a statement this evening strongly condemned killing of two civilians in the firing of security forces in Pulwama area. Mehbooba termed this incident as unfortunate and uncalled for. She lamented that the unfortunate incident, which can be avoided, has claimed lives of two students including a female one and injuring nearly a dozen civilians. Separatists have called for a shutdown on Monday against the killings. Image for representation only. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh unleashed a political storm on Sunday with a claim that an event at the Jawaharlal Nehru University to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Hafiz Saeed amid an escalating showdown over the crisis at the varsity. Opposition parties demanded that the home minister provide proof to back up his claim on the event at the JNU campus. In a shot in the arm for the students demanding the release of its students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was slapped with sedition charge, teachers associations of 40 central universities extended support to the protest by the students and teachers of the prestigious JNU JNU's teachers' association also openly came out against the administration for mishandling the matter and particularly slammed it for allowing police action before completion of a probe by the university's proctorial committee in connection with the event. The teachers are backing the students. Amid the protests and mounting outrage over police action in JNU, Rajnath said, "The incident (Afzal event) at the JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand." "What has happened is very unfortunate," Singh told reporters in Allahabad referring to an event at JNU campus to commemorate the third death anniversary of Afzal Guru. Singh's comments about Hafiz's links with the event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a "very serious charge" to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the home minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his "serious allegation". CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Rajnath's comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Throwing its weight behind the students and teachers of JNU, President of Federation of Central University Teachers Association Nandita Narain said teachers' associations of 40 central universities including of HyderabadUniversity have extended support to agitation by JNU students and teaching community. Seven of eight JNU students who were debarred from academic activities earlier this week in connection with the Afzal Guru event have been asked to appear before a high level committe of the varsity probing the matter. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on the social media, purportedly showing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. However the ABVP, the students wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, rubbished the allegations, saying it is a morphed video. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Home Minister has made a serious charge and he should produce evidence. Police has formed a team to trace 13 students allegedly involved in anti-India sloganeering at the event on February 9. DCP South Delhi, Prem Nath, has also written a letter to the top brass favouring transfer of the case to Delhi Police's Special Cell. While the students have called for a strike from Monday till Kanhaiya is released, the teachers' association said it is yet to take a call on the issue. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. A shocked mother of Kanhaiya, who hails from Begusarai in Bihar, said "Please do not call my son a terrorist. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one." Meena Devi, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, said she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. JNU vice chancellor Jagdish Kumar appealed to the students and teachers to let the law take its course and maintain a conducive environment in the university. The JNU row on Saturday turned into an ideological battle between the BJP and its Left opponents, with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi lending them support and comparing the Modi government with Hitler's regime. The arrrest of Kumar, a leader of CPI-affiliated student outfit, set the two sides on the warpath, with the government declaring that the varsity cannot be allowed to be a "hub of anti-national" activities. "The event which took place could be in bad taste but was not seditious. Whatever opposition the students have is against the present government, not against the Constitution. This kind of police action on students on pretext of national security is uncalled for," Narain said. A protest was also held at Jantar Mantar where people from various spheres expressed solidarity with JNU students. At the JNU campus, families of JNU staff, also joined the teachers and students in forming a human chain. When the high court turned down the state government's plea, Maharashtra approached the Supreme Court. IMAGE: The fire at the Make in India event, February 14, 2016. The Bombay high court had rejected the Maharashtra government's plea to stage the Make in India Week event at Girgaum Chowpatty, but the state government was adamant and petitioned the Supreme Court which granted the permission. Bombay High Court Justices Abhay Oka and C V Bhadang rejected the Maharashtra government's application on January 21 when it sought permission to host the Make In India event at Girgaum Chowpatty on February 14. In their order on January 28, the judges stated that the Bombay high court had formed a committee in 2005 to look at the staging of programmes at Girgaum Chowpatty, South Mumbai. The high committee committee was formed after then chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde approached the court for permission to conduct a political rally at Girgaum Chowpatty. The committee recommended that the Girgaum Chowpatty stretch be out of bounds for political rallies and other events. The only exception to be made was for immersion of Lord Ganesh and Durga idols. Since 2005, the only event held at Girgaum Chowpatty was a function to celebrate 50 years of Maharashtra's statehood in May 2011. Maharashtra Advocate General Sheehari Aney told the Bombay high court last month that the Make in India event would be four hours in duration and open to the public. Aney further stated that the prime ministers of some countries and 57 foreign dignatries would be present and that it would be nice to host the event against the backdrop of Mumbai's famed Queen's Necklace on Marine Drive. 'We are not concerned about how to impress people, the judges said, asking why the event should be staged on the waterfront. The presence of foreign dignitaries did not make a case for treating the Make in India event on par with the May 2011 function to celebrate 50 years of Maharashtra as a state, the judges said and rejected the state government plea. The Maharashtra government then approached the Supreme Court on February 1 and Justices M Y Eqbal and Arun Mishra granted the permission to hold the event. Appearing for the state of Maharashtra, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the Supreme Court that the Make in India event was 'India's pride' and added that the Devendra Fadnavis administration did not propose to raise a permanent structure at the site. Leaders of the BJP-led NDA on Sunday told Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind that law and order is deteriorating in Bihar and demanded imposition of President's rule in the state. M I Khan/ Rediff.com report from Patna. Opposition National Democratic Alliance leaders including former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi and Lok Janshakti Party working president Chirag Paswan on Sunday demanded imposition of President's rule in Bihar in view collapse of law and order in the state. There is a need to impose president's rule in Bihar. I demand imposition of President's rule in Bihar in view of deteriorating law and order and rising crimes, Manjhi said in Patna. Manjhi also demanded a CBI probe into the killing of state Bharatiya Janata Party vice president Visheshwar Ojha. Chirag Paswan, who LJP MP and son of union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, said there is no option other than imposition of President's rule in Bihar. There is no law and order in the state. Criminals are free to target people. Both Manjhi and Paswan told newspersons in Patna after a delegation of the BJP-led NDA on Sunday submitted a memorandum to governor Ram Nath Kovind in Patna on deteriorating law and order in Bihar and expressed serious concern over political killings in the state. The NDA leaders including leader of opposition Prem Kumar, BJP state president Mangal Pandey, BJP MPs C P Thakur, Ashwani Kumar Choubey, met governor and raised the issue of deteriorating law and order in the state. We have submitted a memorandum to the government and requested him to instruct state government to improve law and order, Pandey said. Pandey said criminals have been targeting people like never before. The state government has failed to check and control crimes and act against criminals, they are free to do anything, he said. Pandey said the BJP will launch a state-wide agitation against political killing from Feb 16. BJP leaders told the governor that jailed gangsters and criminals have been threatening people from behind the bars and demanding extortion. However, opposition BJP-led NDAs day long strike on Sunday in Bihars Shahabad region against killing of the saffron party state vice president Visheshwar Ojha evoked mixed response. A group of protesting NDA workers disrupted train traffic in Ara district. The BJP gave a call of strike in Shahabad region comprises of Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar districts on Sunday in protest against the killing Visheshwar Ojha, on Friday. The state BJP president had already said the party had given 72 hours ultimatum to the state government to arrest the main culprits involved in the killing. "Please do not call my son a terrorist," says Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union President Kanhaiya's mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbour's house in Bihar's Begusarai district. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one," his mother Meena Devi told PTI over phone from Bihar. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiya's father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. "My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad university. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics," he said. "Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult 'Mother India'," he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the JNUSU polls with 1,029 votes to become its president -- the first from the All India Students Federation, the student wing of the Communist Party of India. Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiya's arrest has been politicised, Prince said, "It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national. This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, it's bigger than him." Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The JNUSU president, who has been popular among students right from the day of the presidential debate held before JNUSU elections, had asserted a day before his arrest that he did not need a "certificate of patriotism from RSS". Kanhaiya studied in R K C High School in Bihar's Barauni area before joining College of Commerce in Patna in 2004. After completing his graduation from Nalanda Open University, Kumar moved to Delhi and subsequently joined JNU for his MPhil in 2011. He is now a third year PhD student in the School of International Studies. What you need to know about Powerball and the $550 jackpot SUNDAY Chamber music MAPS Trio will present a chamber music concert at 5 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. For more information, call 325-677-2091 or go to www.heavenlyrestabilene.org. MONDAY Square dance workshop TYE The Key City Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Claudie C. Royal banquet The annual Claudie C. Royal will begin at 7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. Sixth St. Admission is free. Other ... AARP, 10 a.m., Rose Park Senior Citizens Center Room B. Cancer Services Network's Auxiliary meeting, 10:30 a.m., 100 Chestnut St., Suite 100. 325-672-0040. Overeaters Anonymous, noon, Hinds Square Building, 100 Chestnut St., Room 112. Schizophrenia Support Group, 1-2 p.m., Mental Health Association of Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Brookshires, Comanche. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Anorexics Bulimics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Shades of Hope, 402A Mulberry St., Buffalo Gap. 800-588-4673. De Leon 4-H Club, 6:30 p.m., De Leon City Hall. Central Texas Gem & Mineral Society of Abilene, 7 p.m., 7607 Highway 277 South. 325-692-0063. Abilene Toastmaster's Club 1071, 7 p.m., Conference Center, Texas State Technical College, 650 E. Highway 80. 325-692-7325 or abilene.toastmastersclubs.org. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. Mid-City Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First Christian Church. 325-670-4304. Memory Men (4-part a cappella singing), 7 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1165 Minter Lane. Park on east side, enter through kitchen. 325-676-SING. Those Left To Cope, 7-8:30 p.m., First Baptist Church Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. Abilene Community Band rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Bynum Band Hall, McMurry University. 325-232-7383. South Pioneer Al-Anon Group, 8 p.m., 3157 Russell Ave. Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Avoca United Methodist Church. 325-773-2611. Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Group. 325-676-1400. TUESDAY Women's luncheon A Christian Women's Connection luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Carole Chapel will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $16. For more information, contact 325-370-6567 or AbileneCWC@aol.com. Business workshop Texas Tech Small Business Development Center Abilene will present a franchising panel workshop from 6-8 p.m. in the Texas Tech Training Center, 749 Gateway St., Suite 301. Space is limited. To make a reservation, call 325-670-0300. Square dance workshop TYE The Wagon Wheel Squares will conduct a square dancing workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the Wagon Wheel. Religion discussion The Abilene Interfaith Council will present 'How Do You View Islam?' at 7 p.m. at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St. Abdulhakim Mohamed will be the presenter. For more information, call 325-692-3353. Chamber music A production of the musical 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. Other ... Mission on the Move Soup Kitchen, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Drive Community United Methodist Church, 3025 Southwest Dr. Abilene Southwest Rotary Club, noon, Beehive Restaurant, 442 Cedar St. High Noon Al-Anon, noon, Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road (south end; follow the yellow signs). Blood drive, 1-6 p.m., Cash Saver, Hamlin. Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program support group, 1:30-2:30 p.m. West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3535. Dystonia Support Group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Not Without Us, 3301 N. First St. Suite 117. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 5:30 p.m., Brook Hollow Christian Church, 2310 S. Willis St. 325-232-7444. Legacies Al-Anon Family Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-280-7584. Family (of Mental Health Consumers) Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Mental Health Association in Abilene, 333 Orange St. 325-673-2300. MHAA Bipolar/Depression Peer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Ministry of Counseling & Enrichment, 1502 N. First St. 325-673-2300. Free certified nurturing parent class (pregnancy to toddler), 6-8 p.m., Mission Church, North Third and Mockingbird streets. 325-672-9398. Abilene Star Chorus, 6:15 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1333 N. Third St. 325-829-1470. Overeaters Anonymous, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Exodus Metropolitan Community Church, 1933 S. 27th St. Family Support Group for parents with special needs children, 6:30-7:30 p.m., West Texas Rehabilitation Center boardroom, 4601 Hartford St. 325-793-3500. Alzheimer's Association North Central Texas Chapter, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Chisholm Place, 1450 E. N. 10th St. 325-672-2907. Abilene Area Aggie Moms' Club, 6:45 p.m., Coldwell Banker Panian & Mash, 2500 S. Willis St. Al-Anon Parents Group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. Use Church Street entrance. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., Doug Meinzer Activity Center, Knox City. 940-658-3926. Brigadier General John Sayles Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 366, 7 p.m., American Legion Building, 302 E.S. 11th St. Abilene Society of Model Railroaders, 7-8:30 p.m., 2043 N. Second St. Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St. WEDNESDAY Free tax assistance The AARP will offer free assistance in preparing income tax forms for low- and middle-income taxpayers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Abilene Public Library, 202 Cedar St. Doors will open at 9 a.m. Space is limited, and help will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children's program COMANCHE A program about birds for children age 3-5 will be presented from 10-11 a.m. at Comanche Public Library. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free. Art film A showing of the art documentary 'Robert Motherwell and the New York School, Storming the Citadel' will begin at noon at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 220 Cypress St. A discussion will follow. Participants are invited to bring a lunch. Candidate forum COMANCHE The Comanche County Law Enforcement Association will conduct a candidate forum at 7 p.m. at the Comanche Community Center. A dinner will be served. Participants are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert. Ubuntu lecture As a part of the Ubuntu lecture series, Shannon Sedgwick Davis will give a presentation, 'Justice for Kony's LRA: Seeking Peace in Central Africa,' at 7 p.m. in Matthews Auditorium at McMurry University. Admission is free. 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' A production of the musical 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Admission is $10 for adults; $7 for military, seniors and students; and $5 for HSU faculty, staff and students. Other ... Overeaters Anonymous, 8 a.m., Hinds Square Building, Room 112, 100 Chestnut St. Blood drive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m, First Financial Bank, 400 Pine St. Abilene Cactus Lions Club, 11:45 a.m., Cotton Patch Cafe, 3302 S. Clack St. Abilene Wednesday Rotary Club, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway. $12 for lunch. Jo Ann Wilson, 325-677-6815. Kiwanis Club of Abilene, noon, Abilene Country Club, 4039 S. Treadaway Blvd. Clearly Speaking Toastmaster Club, noon, Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Drive. 325-795-5570. Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Western Hills Healthcare Residence, Comanche. Alzheimer's disease support group, 5:15 p.m., Cedar Crest Care Center, 1901 W. Elliott, Breckenridge. Assists those who have a family member with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. 1-800-272-3900 or 254-559-3302. Free swim class for people with multiple sclerosis, 5:30 p.m., YMCA, 3250 State St. Veterans Peer Support Group, 6 p.m., 765 Orange St. 325-670-4818. Mid-week Al-Anon Family Group, 6-7 p.m., Open Door Building, 3157 Russell Ave. 325-698-4995. Advanced Square Dancing, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wagon Wheel. Al-Anon, 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1501 N. Broadway, Ballinger. 817-689-2810 or 325-977-1007. DivorceCare support group, 7 p.m., Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave. 325-691-4200. Huntsville bird-watcher Kermit Cummings has produced a book for young children about birds. He also has developed an interactive app, allowing children to hear the bird calls of the species featured in the book. "A Backyard Birding Adventure: What's in Your Yard?" (Brown Books, $16.95 hardcover), illustrated by Holly Weinstein, introduces children through rhyming text to 10 common birds that may be found around their homes such as the robin, blue jay, wren, woodpecker and cardinal. Cummings includes a note to parents on how to help their children take up birding or bird watching as an educational and entertaining activity. "The first step is to put up a bird feeder," he suggests. "Another must is a birdbath." And a good pair of binoculars. Oil and Ranching: Dennis McBeth of the Crews community has published "Oil About Ranching" (Ballinger Printing, $22.95 paperback), a collection of his columns printed in Livestock Weekly in San Angelo. The pieces are arranged pretty much in chronological order from April 2013 to August 2015, McBeth points out, chronicling the oil boom and bust over that period. In the introduction, McBeth apologizes in advance "to any English teachers who might be drinking hot coffee and have a spasmodic reaction regarding the use/misuse of the English language. Some of which may be intentional." He also says he has tried to "keep it clean," noting a friend's advice: "By leaving out the profanity from oil field stories, it takes a third less ink and paper." In the Livestock Weekly column and in the book, McBeth's goal has been to "help bridge the information gap between ranchers and the oil field in an informative and entertaining manner." The book is available at Cactus Books in San Angelo and on line. Or contact the author at Dennis.McBeth@gmail.com. Mineral Wells Tales: Stephenville author James Pylant has written "Texas Gothic: Fame, Crime & Crazy Water," which he says is the "untold story of Mineral Wells" (Jacobus Books, $18.95 paperback). The book, Pylant says, include "true tales of the town's forgotten past: murder, white slavery, prostitution, and a headless corpse." And, of course, the 14-story Baker Hotel, which is being renovated, and the Hexagon, a mansion designed like a honeycomb but torn down more than 50 years ago. One of the central characters in the book is Corinne Griffith, a Mineral Wells belle who would become a famous star in silent movies and one of America's richest women. Read more at jacobusbooks.com. Glenn Dromgoole writes about Texas books and authors. Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net. A look at elections in Taylor County and beyond Office: Taylor County District Attorney Candidates: James Hicks, Joel Wilks. Both are Republicans. District Attorney James Eidson is running unopposed in the Republican primary to be judge of the 42nd District Court, from which Judge John Weeks is retiring. Both Hicks and Wilks are assistant district attorneys Hicks the prosecutor in 42nd District Court and Wilks the prosecutor in 104th District Court. Both entered those roles in 2000. There are about three dozen full-time employees in the DA's office, which commands a budget of $2.8 million. There are a few differences in how the two candidates arrived at this election. Wilks is a Cooper High School and 1998 Texas Tech law graduate who was hired as a new lawyer in the DA's office. He said he started at the bottom of the ladder in the office, prosecuting in justice of the peace courts and representing the state in civil cases. One of his selling points as a candidate, he said, is working his way up and gaining experience by being part of the overall operation. Hicks practiced privately for 15 years elsewhere and twice was a city attorney before coming to Abilene. He was hired as an experienced prosecutor by Eidson. He said he has tried 200 jury cases in his career, from misdemeanor offenses to capital murder. We noted a difference in their 'courtroom manner' when each spoke separately with us in a more casual setting; Wilks was more laid-back and Hicks more direct. Both said there is a need to move cases along but not at the expense of hurrying a demanding case. Hicks said he might serve notice of more bench trials, which are less time-consuming than jury trials but also must be approved by the defendant. That, he said, could lead to more pleas by defendants who likely were to plead before a jury trial. Wilks said there is a difference between making a mistake and being a criminal. Hicks draws on his pre-prosecutor experience to understand the impact on both sides of a case. Recommendation: The residents of Taylor County would be well served by both candidates, and many call this election a tossup. Opinions on how a DA's office is run may vary with the public, the legal community and law enforcement. Both candidates, however, are law-and-order types. We slightly favored Wilks, who seems more comfortable in the challenging job of administrator to maintain the highest level of effectiveness. Though few of us like more meetings, he said there is a need for staff meetings in the DA's office. One benefit is to prioritize cases to speed them along, especially family violence and crimes against children. Another could be an exchange of information what worked, what didn't work. Wilks would seek better coordination between prosecutors and CPS staff to get help where it will work but put away criminals. He posed the ideas of a family violence court and an additional attorney as a misdemeanor prosecutor. Staffing, he said, has not changed in 20 years. Rehab resources for women caught up in the cycle of crime are lacking, he said. Both candidates expressed the need to pair an experienced prosecutor with one less seasoned. This valuable in mentoring new prosecutors starting their careers in lower courts. Today in history: On Feb. 14, 278, a priest in Rome in the days of Emporer Claudius II was executed. His name is Valentine, and he had defied a ban and performed marriages in secret. He was arrested, beaten and then beheaded. Legend has it that while in jail, he left a farewell note to the jailer's daughter and signed it "from your Valentine." This may be our valentine or it may be one of three Catholic martyrs. Or the day may be the Christian version of a pagan festival of love called Feast of Lupercalia. Each of the three Taylor County Court-at-Law No. 2 judge candidates say they have unique experiences that make them the ideal choice for the job in the March 1 Republican primary. Local attorneys Kevin Willhelm and Erica Hall, as well as Taylor County prosecutor Harriett Haag are seeking to be preside over the court-at-law bench formerly held by Sam Carroll, who died from injuries he suffered in a bicycle accident during the summer. Currently, Judge Barbara Rollins is serving in the interim. Harriett Haag, a Taylor County assistant district attorney for juvenile cases, said she will transition easier into the role of judge than her opponents because she feels she's already doing the job. "My burden is probable cause, as (an assistant district attorney); the judge's burden is beyond a reasonable doubt, that's the only difference really," she said. "It seems like a natural progression for me to move into the judgeship because of what I already do." As a single mother, Haag, 62, finds joy and inspiration through parenting her daughter Lezlei, whom she adopted from China. "She is the second best thing I've ever done in my life," Haag said. "The first best thing is of course being baptized. She is absolutely the joy of my life." Haag said she always wanted a child but did not want one out of wedlock. "Here I am prosecuting kids and I thought, 'I can do that; I can raise a kid,'" she said. Haag went to China with her family when her sister adopted a child. "I decided that I wanted a daughter," she said. "And why not from China? It doesn't matter what color skin they are; it just about loving them." She also described the experience of seeing Chinese children being discarded due to health reasons. "When I went, they had rooms that they call the dying rooms that if a child was ill, instead of giving them medicine, they would just put them in a room and let them die in the orphanages," she said. "That was very motivating to me. I look at my daughter and she's extremely smart, an engineering major at ACU, extremely talented, fantastic ballerina, personable, she's loving and she's a Christian. And she would not have survived had I not gotten her. She's going to be an asset to our society and she already is and that makes me happy." Erica Hall, the 37-year-old attorney, wife and mother of two, said family dynamics play an integral role both personally and professionally. "There's not an area of law that I've practiced that doesn't involve family dynamics, from how an issue or a problem came to light to how you have to work through it within the legal system and how you have to pull in other resources within the community to kind of help the family," she said. As a teen growing up in Austin, Hall and her older sister volunteered to join a church group to help individuals diagnosed with AIDS. She called the experience "eye-opening," as she learned lessons of hope, compassion, heartbreak and sadness. "Anyone that you were paired with was in the late stages of AIDS," Hall said, sharing that she became extremely close with one man. "It was an honor that he would let me in at such a delicate time in his life," she said. According to Hall, the man, who was nearing death, called her up while she was out of the state. "He had asked that I'd come and do his eulogy at 16 (years old)," she said. "That experience stayed with me. It really solidified what one person can do for another person who don't know each other ahead of time." Kevin Wayne Willhelm, a self-employed attorney who has been practicing law in Abilene since the beginning of the century but about 23 years in total, said his early devotion to his Christian faith has put him on this path. "By nature, I'm a peacemaker; I like to resolve things," he said. The 49-year-old Willhem is also a husband and father of three children. "Everything that I am as a person makes me the best person for the job," he said. At age nine, Willhelm, after consultation with his parents and the church, got baptized. He said that experience best represents what motivates him. "You put on that mantle of Christian and it's something you carry with you for the rest of your life." When it comes to the law, Willhelm said he knows it well. "I've worked enough different types of people cases. I've worked both sides of the fence civilly," he said. "All of that diverse experience has given me a different world view of what comes before a judge." He added that being owner of a law firm gives an edge over his opponents. "When you're self-employed in a small business, you learn how to be efficient," he said. "You learn how to be expeditious and you learn how to get things done with what you have to the best benefit of your client and business, because your business puts food on the table. Coming into this judgeship, I will be expeditious (and) efficient without cutting corners, without short changing anybody." Early voting in the primary begins Tuesday. Twitter: ARN_Titus The outgoing U.S. commander of international forces in Afghanistan says U.S. forces will not return to an active role fighting the Taliban. General John Campbell said there would be no change to the U.S. mission despite the likelihood of another difficult year of combat. U.S. Special Forces assisting Afghan forces have been involved in fighting in the volatile southern province of Helmand. "The mission hasn't changed," Campbell told reporters in Kabul in what is likely to be his final news conference before handing over to Lieutenant General John Nicholson in March. But he said they would be able to defend themselves and call in air support if necessary. Afghan forces, which took over combat operations when NATO's fighting mission ended in 2014, have struggled and are expected to need international assistance for years to come. Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told EU leaders on October 20 that Russian attacks that have destroyed a large portion of Ukraine's energy infrastructure are aimed in part at provoking a new wave of migration of Ukrainians to EU countries. "Russian terror against our energy facilities is aimed at creating as many problems as possible with electricity and heat for Ukraine this fall and winter, and for as many Ukrainians as possible to go to your countries, he told an EU summit in Brussels. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. This should be "answered immediately," primarily by more air-defense systems sent to Ukraine, the president said. "We must do everything possible to make it completely impossible for Russia to destroy our energy system with missiles and drones," Zelenskiy said in a virtual speech to EU lawmakers, calling on Ukraine's partners to provide systems "to create a truly reliable air shield." Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian civilian and infrastructure facilities since October 10, mainly using kamikaze drones that Ukraine and its Western allies say are made by Iran. Moscow and Tehran have denied the accusations. Zelenskiy also warned that Ukraine suspects Russia has mined the dam and units of the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant on the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine, and if it were blown up, more than 80 settlements, including Kherson, would be in danger of flooding. Zelenskiy said Ukrainian workers have been thrown out of the facility, leaving Russians in control. He asserted that Russia "has already prepared everything to carry out this terrorist attack." He called for an international observation mission and the return of Ukrainian personnel to ensure the mines are removed from the dam and its units. Zelenskiy's comment came two days after Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed head of the Kherson region of Ukraine, announced an "organized, gradual displacement" of civilians from four towns on the right bank of the Dnieper River to the left side. Saldo accused Ukrainian forces of planning to destroy the dam and also warned of "an immediate danger of flooding." The Moscow-installed authorities of Kherson said on October 20 that about 15,000 people had left the region. The Moscow-appointed deputy head of the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, encouraged people to cross over to the left bank of the Dnieper River and posted a video of a column of buses on Telegram. Kyiv has denounced Moscow's move, calling it a "deportation" of Ukrainian civilians to Russia. But Stremousov said people should follow the evacuation instructions and leave Kherson, one of four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed by Russia. "Give the military a chance to do what they have to do," he said, claiming that the Russian Army will not surrender Kherson. Zelenskiys office said Ukrainian forces on October 20 had mounted 15 attacks on Russian military strongholds in the Kherson region. Russias Defense Ministry spokesman said the Kremlins forces repelled Ukrainian attempts to advance with tanks on three Kherson villages. Another Russian-installed official in the region, Vladimir Leontyev, said Ukrainian forces had launched five missile strikes against the Kakhovka dam. Ukraine earlier on October 20 began restricting electricity consumption for the first time since the start of Russia's invasion as the country sustained serious damage to its infrastructure following waves of Russian air strikes targeting its electricity grid ahead of the onset of winter. Oleksandr Kharchenko, an adviser to the energy minister, said on October 19 that there would be outages, including some that are scheduled. "Unfortunately, according to new data, about 40 percent of the total infrastructure is seriously damaged. Repair and connection work is ongoing, but outages are expected," Kharchenko said on Ukrainian television. In the latest Russian attack, an energy facility was struck and damaged in the Kryvorizka district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, the head of the regional administration, Valentyn Reznichenko, reported on October 20. Earlier, a missile strike hit a major coal-fired power station in the city of Burshtyn in western Ukraine, the region's governor said. "Our region experienced missile fire today. The Burshtyn thermal power station was hit, which caused a fire," Svitlana Onyshchuk, governor of Ivano-Frankivsk region, said in an online video statement. The Burshtyn power station supplies electricity to three western regions and 5 million consumers. Ahead of the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed lawmakers in Berlin on October 20, condemning Russia's latest drone attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine and saying that "such scorched-earth tactics will not help Russia win the war." Scholz said such tactics by Russian President Vladimir Putin would "only strengthen the resolve and the will of Ukraine and its partners to persevere." "In the end, Russia's bombing and missile terror is an act of desperation -- just like the mobilization of Russian men for war," Scholz said. "He wants to sow fear, divide, and intimidate. He is speculating on our weakness, but he is wrong -- we are not weak." Scholz said the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war would be a "generational task in which the entire civilized community of states must join forces." In London, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace will also make a statement to parliament on Ukraine later on October 20, the House of Commons said on Twitter. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, dpa, and BBC The situation in northern Afghanistan, in areas along the border with Central Asia, has been deteriorating for more than two years now. Local officials, military officials, and residents of the northern provinces admit there are districts near or at the border of Central Asia that are currently under the control of the Taliban and their foreign militant friends. Winter, as it does, had led to a lull in fighting in northern Afghanistan. But in recent weeks a renewal of hostilities has seen power lines coming from Central Asia cut and some amazing allegations from Afghan officials about militants in the north and their ability to sustain their efforts. RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, assembled a "majlis," or panel, to discuss the recent developments in northern Afghanistan and how these developments are impacting neighbors to the north. Azatlyk director Muhammad Tahir moderated the discussion. Participating from Kabul was Obaid Ali of the Afghan Analysts Network who recently visited Kunduz, one of the more restive provinces of northern Afghanistan. Joining the talk from Canada was Helene Thibault, professor at the University of Montreal's School of Public and International Affairs who has spent a great deal of time in Tajikistan doing research there and has authored many articles about the country. And I threw in a few comments also. The panel first listened to an audio recording of Imomuddin Kureyshi, the head of the Imam Sahib district in Kunduz Province, who spoke with RFE/RL at the start of February. "The people who make explosives and carry out suicide bombings are organized by Tajik and Uzbek militants. According to reports we have received from the intelligence [service], their numbers are about 200 in Imam-Sahib and Dashti Archi districts," Kureyshi said. The Imam Sahib and Archi (sometimes called Dashti Archi) districts border Tajikistan. Ali confirmed some of what Kureyshi said. Ali was in the Archi district and he said, "There they [foreign militants] have their training bases where they train Afghans, Taliban, and also other Central Asian fighters who came to Afghanistan." But Ali cautioned about the numbers of these foreign fighters. "I would like to mention that the number of Central Asian fighters or foreign fighters supporting the Taliban in Kunduz Province is not clear," he said. Kureyshi had even more sensational news. "Some of them have even created a base...in Tajikistan on the other side of the river. When militants come under pressure on the Afghan side they escape to their base in Tajikistan," he claimed. Tajik border guards reject this claim. Thibault has been to the border area and she also found it difficult to believe militants would be able to cross from Afghanistan into Tajikistan because, she said, there is not much support for militant groups on the Tajik side of the border. "The connections between the two peoples are actually quite limited," Thibault explained. "Within [Tajikistan's] population there isn't much support for Taliban and even not so much interest in Afghanistan." Reporting on the situation along the Tajik-Afghan frontier on February 3, Russia's TASS news agency quoted a "representative" of Tajikistan's State Security Committee as saying there were some 5,000 militants along the Tajik border in northern Afghanistan. Russia media has been prone to quoting officials and experts who provide dire and sometimes incredible assessments and information about the Central Asian-Afghan border region. But interestingly, the "representative" TASS quoted also mentioned "several hundred militants in the Imam Sahib district," which jibes with what Kureyshi told RFE/RL. Ali said, "What I noticed particularly in Kunduz Province, the places or the areas where the militants are more interested to establish their bases, actually it's very close to the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border." But on the other side of the border Thibault said that at the moment, "Tajik authorities are more concerned with internal politics than they are with external politics, especially the Afghan conflict." Power Cuts Moving further west, there has been fighting in Baghlan Province since late January. During that fighting the power line from Uzbekistan to Kabul, which provides more than 30 percent of Afghanistan's electricity, was cut, leaving the Afghan capital and other areas with limited or no electricity. And moving a bit more to the west, the power line from Turkmenistan to Faryab Province was also knocked out.* These acts of sabotage in themselves would be bad enough but there is more to the story here. Members of the Baghlan provincial council said Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs Golab Mangal made a deal with the Taliban that handed over the Dand-e Ghowri area, where the fighting has been going on, to Taliban control in exchange for promises to leave the provincial capital Puli Khumri alone. There are accusations that similar deals between officials and the Taliban have also been made in Kunduz, Badakhshan, and Faryab provinces, again, all provinces that border Central Asia. Tahir mentioned that Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has not followed up on his pledge to drive the Taliban and their foreign allies from northern Afghanistan. Dostum led successful counteroffensives against militants last summer in northwestern Afghanistan, Dostum's native region. But there has been little evidence of a new push in recent weeks. Ali concluded the discussion by saying, "this is the time the government needs to gain the ground." He followed that comment by saying, "If they [the government] lose it at this time it means that during the spring and summer the Taliban will obviously start their so-called spring offensive, so that will be very difficult for the government to fight against the Taliban in several fronts across the country." The group discussed these issues and greater detail and looked at other issues of security along the Central Asia-Afghan border. You can listen to the full roundtable below: * On February 11, the day after the panel discussion, the power line from Tajikistan to Kunduz was also cut. One night in March 2014, two luxury BMWs were stolen from the underground parking garage of an elite residence in Moscow. It was the prosaic beginning of a story that has unexpectedly cast light onto the usually shrouded world of Russian police corruption and malfeasance. In July 2015, Filipp Romanov and Sergei Bulanov were convicted of stealing one of the two cars. Romanov was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Bulanov got seven. A few months later, an appeals court reduced Bulanov's sentence by six months because he had no previous convictions. It would have been an ordinary case among thousands of others in which a court ignored glaring flaws in the police investigation except for one unique circumstance: The lead investigator in the case, police Lieutenant Anastasia Baryayeva, dropped her mobile phone in the car of Romanov's wife, Inessa Biryukova, during a meeting about the case. When the phone was found, the messages it contained laid out a shocking pattern of police abuse of office and corruption that marred a highly dubious case. "In general this case about the BMW 6 is completely dodgy," Baryayeva wrote in a text message to a friend on April 3, 2014, less than a week after the thefts. "There is zero proof; there is an alibi; no witnesses. In short, complete crap." Biryukova is convinced her husband is the innocent victim of a gross miscarriage of justice. She repeatedly presented the evidence from Baryayeva's telephone to the authorities, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), but no investigation was opened. An appeal to all 450 members of the Russian State Duma eventually led to an investigation by the Interior Ministry that determined the phone did belong to Baryayeva but found no evidence of wrongdoing. In September 2015, Baryayeva's office requested the telephone's return and threatened to file criminal charges against Biryukova for "theft." On February 5, prosecutors officially rejected Biryukova's request for charges against Baryayeva, two of her colleagues, and the two arresting police officers, arguing circularly that the fact the two men had been found guilty proved the investigation was conducted properly. With nowhere left to turn, Biryukova showed the telephone and the case materials to RFE/RL's Russian Service. Dodgy From The Start The case of the stolen luxury BMWs was strange from the beginning. One of the cars, a BMW X5, disappeared without a trace and has never been recovered. But Moscow police found the second car the very next day in the Moscow region village of Krasnoznamensky. They arrested Romanov, 34, and Bulanov, 42, as they came out of the house where Romanov and Biryukova rented an apartment. The stolen BMW X6 was parked nearby. From the beginning, the accounts of the arresting officers -- senior police Lieutenants Stanislav Belov and Aleksandr Tutushkin -- differed substantially from the testimony of the accused. The investigation lasted over a year, and when investigator Baryayeva was trying to assemble the case file for the court, she was stymied by the inconsistencies in the police report. She wrote texts to her supervisor, police Captain Nelli Trostyanskaya, several times in February and March 2015 asking advice on which bits of the police report to include. During the trial, apparent irregularities mounted. Romanov's lawyers asked that the police crime-scene report be deemed inadmissible because the accused was not allowed to read it. A defense expert testified that the defendants' signatures on the report had been forged. On February 16, 2015, Baryayeva wrote to Trostyanskaya that if it was determined the signatures were fake, the court could arrest Baryayeva herself for "illegally detaining" a suspect. "Don't worry about that," Trostyanskaya wrote back. And then she sent a second message saying, "I won't leave you in the lurch." (For screenshots from the phone, see the Russian version here.) An expert enlisted by investigators later ruled the signatures were "probably" not made by Romanov or Bulanov but that "it isn't possible to say with absolute certainty." The court decided that opinion was enough to rule the document admissible. The defendants also allege that, soon after their arrest, police began asking for bribes. Romanov had two previous convictions for theft. He reasoned that he would have a hard time being acquitted even though he had a solid alibi. Telephone records and traffic cameras showed the defendants were working -- they were account representatives for a wholesaler visiting client stores -- outside the Moscow ring road the entire night. So Romanov reportedly decided to pay the bribe. The police officers originally asked for 1 million rubles (about $27,800). They later increased their demand to 3 million and then 5 million rubles. Biryukova filed a bribery complaint in December 2014. That is when investigator Baryayeva began meeting personally with Biryukova to discuss the case. On April 3, Baryayeva, allegedly after consuming alcohol, dropped her telephone in Biryukova's car, where Biryukova found it days later. 'We've Had Enough Of This Case' There appeared to be many other questionable aspects of the case, including the handling of alleged microfiber evidence, the gathering of fingerprints, and the collection of cigarette butts that police claim were found in the car and belonged to the defendants. By early March, it is clear from the text messages on Baryayeva's phone that both she and her boss, Trostyanskaya, believed the case against Romanov and Bulanov to be bogus. "We aren't going to hold these innocents anymore," Trostyanskaya wrote on March 1. "I think I've had enough of this BMW," Baryayeva responded. "We've had more than enough of this BMW," Trostyanskaya wrote back. Nonetheless, they sent the case to court. In Moscow's Kuntsevsky district court, a judge seemingly accepted every point of the prosecution's case. All the defense motions were dismissed. The entire process lasted about six weeks, and the men were found guilty and sentence was pronounced on July 6, 2015. Romanov and Bulanov are now serving their sentences. Baryayeva and Trostyanskaya still work at the same branch of the Moscow Interior Ministry. Inessa Biryukova continues to try to prove her husband's innocence. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says that any ground operation by foreign troops in Syria will lead to "a full-fledged, long war." Speaking to Euronews TV on February 14, Medvedev criticized U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for saying earlier that foreign troops could enter the conflict if a recently agreed truce in Syria fails. Commenting on Kerry's words, Medvedev said that "he should not have said that." Medvedev added, "no one is interested in a new war, and a ground operation is a full-fledged, long war." He also said Kerry should not "try to frighten anyone" with "futile words." Major powers agreed on February 12 in Munich to a pause in combat in Syria, except for strikes against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group and the Al-Nusra Front, Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria. Moscow has said it will continue bombing "terrorist" groups, raising fears it might maintain strikes on Western-backed rebel groups by putting them in that category. Separately, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has reportedly said that his country and Saudi Arabia may launch ground operations against the IS group in Syria. "Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation [against IS] from the land," Turkey's pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper quoted Cavusoglu as saying on February 13. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP U.S. President Barack Obama has emphasized to Russian President Vladimir Putin the importance of Moscow playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria. The White House said that Obama made the point in a phone conversation with the Russian president on February 14. Obama also spoke of the need for getting humanitarian aid to populations besieged by fighting in the country. The phone conversation came after world powers agreed in Munich on February 12 to work for a humanitarian truce in Syria to begin in a week's time. The Kremlin said that Putin stressed to Obama the need to create a united international front against global terrorism. Putin reportedly said that closer contacts were needed between U.S. and Russian military officials in order to successfully counter Islamic State and other terrorist groups. Putin also expressed the hope that authorities in Ukraine will "promptly fulfill their obligations" under the Minsk process to regulate the conflict in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv and Russia-backed separatist militants, according to the statement. Western countries have blamed Russian air strikes in Syria and support for the government of President Bashar al-Assad for the worsening security situation there. And on February 13, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Moscow had failed to implement its obligations under the Minsk process, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine and handing over to Kyiv complete control over Ukraine's borders. Based on reporting by Reuters, Interfax, and TASS MUNICH, Germany -- U.S. Senator John McCain has sharply criticized an international agreement on a cessation of hostilities in Syria, calling it "diplomacy in the service of military aggression" by Russia. McCain spoke on the final day of a prominent security conference in Munich on February 14, where U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and diplomats from other countries in the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) reached the agreement early on February 12. "I wish I could share the views of some of my friends who see this agreement as a potential breakthrough, but unfortunately, I do not," said McCain, a Republican critic of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The agreement, which U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed by telephone on February 14, calls for a cessation of hostilities to start in a week in Syria. The White House said that Obama emphasized to the Russian leader the importance of Moscow playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria. Western officials say most of Russias air strikes to date have targeted other opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government, Western-backed groups. McCain predicted Russia would use the cessation-of-hostilities deal to press ahead with support for the assault by government forces on Aleppo, a big city that it wants to take back from rebels . "Let's be clear about what this agreement does: It permits the assault on Aleppo to continue for another week. It requires opposition groups to stop fighting, but it allows Russia to continue bombing terrorists -- which it insists is everyone, even civilians," McCain said. "And if Russia or the Assad regime violates this agreement, what are the consequences? I don't see any," he said. 'Not Our Partner' McCain said the agreement would help Putin achieve the goals of the bombing campaign he launched in Syria on September 30 and laid out his view of what those goals are. "Mr. Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime; he wants to establish Russia as a major power in the Middle East; he wants to use Syria as a live-fire exercise for Russia's modernizing military; he wants to turn Latakia Province into a military outpost from which to harden and enforce a Russian sphere of influence -- a new Kaliningrad or Crimea; and he wants to exacerbate the refugee crisis and use it as a weapon to divide the transatlantic alliance and undermine the European project," he said. "The only thing that has changed about Mr. Putin's ambitions is that his appetite is growing with the eating," McCain said. McCain said the predictions of some U.S. officials that Russia would get stuck in a quagmire in Syria and have to "sue for peace," as he put it, appear far off the mark at this point. "Instead, Russia has indiscriminately bombed civilians and moderate opposition groups for months with impunity," he said, adding that "U.S. intelligence leaders have stated publicly that Russia's intervention has stabilized the Assad regime and helped it get back on the offensive," he said. "And now...Syrian, Iranian, Hizballah, and Russian forces are accelerating their siege of Aleppo." The head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, Norbert Roettgen, also indicated he believes Russia will use the cessation of hostilities agreement to advance its goals in Syria. "Russia is determined to create facts on the ground, and when they have accomplished this, then they will invite the West to fight a common enemy, this is IS," Roettgen, a senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said at the Munich Security Conference. 'We've Seen This Movie Before' McCain said that Russia had also used negotiations and cease-fires to further its military aims in Ukraine, where Moscow has backed separatists in a war that has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014 and forcibly annexed the Crimean Peninsula the same year. "We've seen this movie before in Ukraine," he said. "Russia presses its advantage militarily, creates new facts on the ground, uses the denial and delivery of humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip, negotiates an agreement to lock in the spoils of war, and then chooses when to resume fighting." "This is diplomacy in the service of military aggression. And it's working because we are letting it," he said. McCain also said that the cessation-of-hostilities agreement "commits the U.S. and Russian militaries...to coordinate" actions in Syria, where the United States and allies have been targeting IS militants with air strikes since 2014. The United States has so far refused Russian calls for coordination of their military activities in Syria beyond efforts to avoid incidents and accidents involving their forces, and it is unclear what was agreed upon in the cessation of hostilities deal. Russia has portrayed closer military coordination as crucial. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested in Munich on February 13 that the agreement would not work if the United States refuses to coordinate more closely, in remarks that added to Western concerns about the chances of success. The Kremlin said that in his conversation with Obama, Putin put particular stress on "the need to establish close working contacts between representatives of the defense ministries of Russia and the United States, which would allow for...a successful fight against IS and other terrorist organizations." MUNICH, Germany -- Fighting between Russia-backed separatists and government forces has flared in eastern Ukraine and the humanitarian situation is "dire," the head of Europes main security organization has told RFE/RL. Combatants have moved heavy weaponry back up closer to the front line and the separatists in particular have been conducting military activities including exercises under cover of night, Lamberto Zannier, the secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said on February 14. The cease-fire is not holding as we would like it to, Zannier said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where Russia traded angry accusations with Ukraine and the West over a war that seemed unthinkable just over two years ago but has killed more than 9,000 people since April 2014. A cease-fire that was agreed as part of the February 2015 Minsk II accord took hold in September, but fighting increased later last year and has surged again after a truce for the New Year and Christmas holidays, Zannier said. Its still, unfortunately, an active conflict, he said. We see...ongoing military activities, especially on the separatist side, weve seen rather large night exercises military exercises. So there is a lot of dynamic, a lot of movement there, and thats of course a concern. He said the OSCE, which has 700 unarmed monitors observing the conflict with equipment including drones, had recorded the use of multiple-rocket launchers and field howitzers. Ukrainian forces and the Russia-backed separatists, who seized control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions after Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia in the face of protests over his abandonment of a landmark deal with the European Union, pulled heavy weaponry back last year under Minsk II. The accord also set out steps to resolve the conflict and was supposed to be completed by the end of 2015, with the return of Ukrainian control over its border with Russia in the separatist-held areas. Few of the steps have been carried out, however, and Zannier said that elections under Ukrainian law in the separatist-held areas -- another key point of the settlement plan -- could probably not be held until after the summer. A senior separatist, meanwhile, said it would be at least 10 months before voting could be held. At the Munich Security Conference on February 13, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev accused Kyiv of foot-dragging on its obligations under the accord. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said it was Russia that is blocking a resolution, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Western sanctions imposed on Moscow will remain in place until Russia fulfills its commitments. Western governments fear Russia is using the conflict to destabilize Ukraine, undermine its pro-Western government, and keep it from drawing closer to NATO and the European Union. Despite powerful evidence, Russia denies accusations by Kyiv and the West that it has sent troops and weapons into eastern Ukraine to support the separatists. Zannier said it is difficult for the OSCE monitors to determine whether Russian soldiers and arms are crossing into Ukraine now because they only have a mandate to observe at two border crossings, where they are positioned on the Russian side. In separatist-held areas on the Ukrainian side, we are being systematically prevented from reaching the border, especially in the Luhansk area, he said, adding that because its rather flat territory, obviously there are possibilities for men and equipment to cross that border in places where we are not there to see it. The ability of the monitors to record violations is also restricted by the fact that they operate only in the daytime, while many of the violations occur at night, Zannier said. He also said that the OSCE monitors are now experiencing systematic limitations to their freedom of movement, and in some cases threatening behavior on the part of separatists at checkpoints. As people stop them, they also point guns, and this is obviously something we dont like, Zannier said. Its not, you know, a kind of friendly warning. He said that 90 percent of the incidents of this kind of limitation of movement in the past few weeks have been on the separatist side. He said the frequency of such incidents "is making our role more complicated, but its also pointing to the general deterioration of the situation." The cases of heavy weaponry use are on both sides, and its understandable because if one side starts using heavy weaponry again, its inevitable that the other reacts, Zannier said. Its a general dynamic that we are assessing, and its a worrying one, of course. Ukrainian military spokesman Oleskandr Motuzyanyk said on February 14 that seven Ukrainian military personnel were wounded over the previous 24 hours, and had no information on civilian casualties. Citing Ukrainian military intelligence, Motuzyanyk said that one Russian serviceman was killed and died and one wounded nea rZaytsevo, in the Donetsk region. There was no comment from Russia on the claim. Many of the people killed or maimed in the war have been civilians, and hundreds of thousands have been driven from their homes. For those who remain, Zannier said, the humanitarian situation is dire. He said that we really feel that there is a need to open up channels to facilitate the movement of the population, improve access to humanitarian assistance, and repair vital infrastructure for supplies of gas, power, and water. Zannier said that people living in the war zone are increasingly tired, and they want this thing to finish. He said he was speculating, but that there may be increasingly a gap between the militant side of the separatist movement and the normal people, many of whom have left. Those people are bitter about everything, but they also dont seem to think that this is sustainable any longer, this kind of situation, he said. That should push us to find ways to help bring this to an end, Zannier said. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian service, TASS, and Interfax Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine say that local elections mandated by the Minsk process on ending the conflict in the region can only be held toward the end of this year. Separatist official Vladislav Deinego said in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk on February 14 that first the political situation must "stabilize" and economic concerns must be addressed. "It will take at least half a year to complete constitutional reform and at least a month to adopt a law on elections and begin preparing," he said. "It turns out it will take at least 10 months." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking in Munich on February 13, urged Kyiv to adopt "constitutional reform that will reinforce the permanent status of Donbas." In an interview with TASS on February 14, Lamberto Zannier, secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said his organization was prepared to facilitate elections on the separatist-held territory. He said he had discussed with Ukrainian officials the possibility of creating an international police mission to "help creating a secure environment for the elections." Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Look around and its hard not to see some of Jack Zehmers saved graces: Monumental Church, the National Theatre, Linden Row, the Bolling Haxall House, the Monument Avenue and Broad Street historic districts, the Virginia Executive Mansion, the Wickham-Valentine House and Old City Hall. Growing up in Mc Kenney and surrounding Dinwiddie County, he lived in a county where there were many, many old houses, said Frances Nimitz Zehmer, his wife since 1998. He was passionate about preservation and historically correct renovation of historic buildings. Mr. Zehmer, who died Feb. 7 at age 73 in a Richmond retirement community, in a variety of ways had tremendous impact on preservation in Richmond and other places in the state, to say nothing of North Carolina, said Calder C. Loth, a retired senior architectural historian and consultant with the Virginia Department of Historical Resources and a longtime friend. Born in Richmond, John Granderson Zehmer Jr. earned bachelors and masters degrees in architectural history from the University of Virginia, punctuated by a Peace Corps stint in Malaysia. His masters thesis was a comprehensive survey of old buildings in Dinwiddie, many of which are now gone. He continued doing survey work or supervising it his entire career. Loth recalled, We were all pioneers then, starting out where people hadnt gone before, surveying old properties, recording information and using that information to facilitate their nominations to state and national historic registers, a first step in preservation. In 1970, Mr. Zehmer, an architectural historian, began his career as director of historic sites and museums for the state of North Carolina. He set up his departments historical site survey program, which began noting all historical properties in the state. He accepted a job in 1972 with the city of Richmond. Two years later, he became the citys first senior planner for historic preservation. The city of Richmond wouldnt have any department of preservation and planning if it werent for Jack, said Kimberly M. Chen, a senior planner with the Richmond Division of Planning and Preservation. He set the tone for it being an important part of what we do at the city. The books (that he wrote), the lectures and projects made people understand what historic preservation was all about. A lot of what we still do owes a lot to that foundation that he laid. Concurrently, he began serving as executive director of the Historic Richmond Foundation, a post he held until 1998. He was instrumental in expanding its real estate projects and advocacy programs and founding its publications programs. He was instrumental in saving Old City Hall, under wrecking ball threat in the mid-1980s, and helped to create a real inventory of houses in the St. Johns Historic District on Church Hill and another of buildings from the Capitol complex to the Boulevard on Broad Street showing the impact of restoration. Jack was taking on real problems, Loth said. The theaters on Broad Street were threatened. Jack was going out on a limb (buying The National for Historic Richmond) and holding it several years. Eventually, he was able to find a party to acquire it and use it as a performing arts center. Often a mediator, he could take a hostile, adversarial situation and defuse it so that all parties came away satisfied and feeling as if they were the winner, Historic Richmond Executive Director Cyane Crump wrote in an email. Mr. Zehmer chaired a citizens advisory council for the Executive Mansion that oversaw restoration of the mansions exterior during the Baliles administration and a small cosmetic redo of the interior during the Wilder administration. After becoming director of the Valentine Museum in 1981, he began one of the most important restorations of a Federal-style house in the country restoration of the Wickham-Valentine House, Loth said. He was standing in the houses dining room and noticed these funny little bumps and ridges in the paint on the wall, Loth said. They were remnants of elaborate murals and friezes once decorating the walls. He returned the house decor to the period consistent with the murals, which were either reclaimed and restored or re-created. Mr. Zehmer joined the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in 1999 and served as director of the Capital Region Preservation Office, which covers 30 counties in south-central Virginia, until he retired in 2004. He was working getting properties recognized as historic landmarks, Loth said. He was able to get historical districts expanded on Monument Avenue and Broad Street. He was the widower of David Kathryn Wilborn Zehmer, who died in 1994. After her death, he purchased a 1820s-era small farm in Dinwiddie as a project for him and his sons to restore. In addition to his wife, survivors include two sons, John G. Zehmer III of Ashland and James David William Zehmer of Gordonsville; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth J. Whitman of New York; a stepson, Chester William Nimitz Johns of Chatham; a brother, Reynoldson Butterworth Zehmer of McKenney; a grandson and three stepgrandchildren. Last fall, in the days after the election, Richmonders awoke to headlines about problems on Election Day in Richmond and other areas around the commonwealth. Although this was not the first year Virginias voter ID law was in place, some election workers struggled and were confused. They asked for back-up IDs and did not accept permissible identification. Right here in Richmond, Gov. Terry McAuliffe was questioned as he attempted to cast his ballot because of queries about his ID (which was perfectly legal and legitimate). In 2015 in Richmond, other problems arose at polling places. Voters were given the wrong ballots and had to ask for the correct ones. Some voters were even turned away and some were asked for multiple forms of ID. Fortunately, if these issues had to occur, they happened in 2015, an off-off year election. Last year was the time when, unfortunately, the fewest Virginians make the effort to cast votes. Fewer than one-third of Virginia voters only 29 percent voted. This year, in 2016, turnout will be significantly higher. In 2012, almost 72 percent of Virginians went to the polls to vote for a presidential candidate. In 2008, when there was an open seat, as there is this year, almost 75 percent of Virginians voted. These numbers are well over two times the turnout from 2015. All of us remember the long lines and significant waits to vote in both 2012 and 2008. More voting machines and more polling places are needed to reduce these wait times and extraordinary lines. However, additional machines and polling sites have costs attached to them. In these tight budgetary times, where even more burdens have been placed on local government, the resources to address this are limited. As local governments and the commonwealth try to address competing interests, resolving lines at the polls tends to lose priority. *** The most significant component of smooth and efficient elections are our election workers. These individuals work incredibly hard, enduring long hours and facing high expectations. They are the backbone of our elections and without them our polling places could not function. Anyone who has been to a poll on Election Day recognizes the difficulty of their jobs and their commitment to efficient and fair elections. However, to address the long lines that hamper voters and workers, incremental improvements that dont have budget-busting ramifications do exist. The Department of Elections has developed training materials and an on-line course for election workers. At this time, local electoral boards are only required to certify that such training has taken place once every four years. As our election laws continue to change, this is clearly insufficient. The photo ID law passed in 2014, which means there still may be election workers who have not taken training that involves which IDs are acceptable. This is problematic for voters who dont have time to stand in long lines while workers struggle to make determinations about IDs. Voters are frequently en route to and from work, trying to pick up children from school or daycare or carrying little ones as they wait. Voting is the most critical part of our democracy and it needs to be efficient, fair and fast. *** Well-trained election workers are a critical first step in achieving these goals. Moreover, it can be accomplished at little additional cost to either localities or to the commonwealth. Uniform standards and practices need to be instituted throughout the commonwealth. All jurisdictions should require and use similar training materials. Training should be more frequent and workers should be required to attend training or to demonstrate competency. I introduced legislation this year to begin this process. My bill would require training every three years or when there is a material change in election law that impacts election workers. The state Department of Elections will be responsible for setting at least minimum training standards and developing training programs and curricula to be used throughout Virginia. Local electoral boards and registrars will be required to use these materials that have been created to the highest standards and in compliance with the latest changes to the laws. Local electoral boards will then be required to certify to the state that the election workers have received this valuable standardized training. With this in place, Virginians can at least know that election workers are prepared for any election, whether it is a presidential election with highest turnout or a local election. They will be confident that the workers will be knowledgeable about the latest changes in the laws and will be able to expedite processing voters. While this bill will not, obviously, eliminate long lines, lack of voting equipment and overly large polling places, it is a necessary step in the right direction, making sure that voters throughout Virginia know that the workers they encounter are prepared, knowledgeable and up to date. It looks like nothing was found at this location. Maybe try a search? Search for: Search A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. RICHMOND The political impasse over Virginias coalfield tax credit continues as the program draws closer to a crucial deadline. The states coal employment tax credit which cost the state an estimated $28.4 million last year is due to sunset at the end of December. Southwest Virginia lawmakers are again pushing to reset that clock and extend the program by three to five years. But Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who vetoed extension bills last year, is renewing his concerns about the program. McAuliffe, pointing in part to the findings of a 2012 study, has called for revamping how the state funnels money into the coalfield regions economic development. Ive been pretty vocal on the coal tax credit. It hasnt worked, he told reporters after an event Friday. Weve spent hundreds of millions of dollars on it, and weve still lost a lot of jobs. Ive got to protect taxpayer dollars. Ive got to invest our tax dollars so we can grow our economy. But the coal companies who have come to rely on the industry tax break one of the larger ones the state offers are pleading with lawmakers not to kill the program. This is absolutely key to our survival, and were in a survival mode, Donnie Ratliff of Alpha Natural Resources, which declared bankruptcy last summer, told a House subcommittee during a hearing Friday. Last year, we asked, Ratliff said. This year, were begging. Virginia offers two major tax credits targeted at the coal industry. One benefits coal mine operators while another is used by power companies that purchase coal though portions of the second can be shifted to mine operators. The tax credits were created to slow the decline of Virginias coal industry, but a 2012 Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission study questioned whether they were succeeding. Coal production has continued to plummet, it found, and mining jobs have disappeared at faster-than-projected rates. In 1988, Virginia had over 11,100 coal jobs, according to the states finance office. Today, only about 2,800 remain. That was despite the state plowing over $610 million into coal tax credits during that period. The JLARC study did credit the incentives a portion of which benefit a regional economic development authority with contributing to the areas economic diversification. But it suggested that more effective approaches were out there. Harry Childress, of the Virginia Coal & Energy Alliance, noted the JLARC comments were just one part of a larger review of the states tax policies and said a deeper study is needed. While the coal industry has continued to struggle, he argued, pulling the plug on the tax credit will only hasten its decline. Right now, that tax credit is the difference between some operations staying in business or not staying in business, Childress said. In the General Assembly, Sen. Bill Carrico and Del. Terry Kilgore are carrying bills to extend the coalfield employment tax credit. Carrico, R-Grayson County, proposes to push the expiration date back to January 2022. Kilgore, R-Scott County, would set it at 2020. Both bills would cap the tax credit for power companies at $7.5 million a year, an offer included in last years proposals to try to lend a degree of predictability to the program. Redemption of the utility company tax credit can vary wildly. In fiscal year 2012, zero credits were claimed. In 2013, $59.4 million was claimed. In only two of the past eight years have claims exceeded the $7.5 million mark, according to state figures. The utility company tax credit doesnt have a sunset date; though the ability to transfer a portion of the credits to coal mine operators is also due to end later this year. Carrico and Kilgores bills would extend that deadline as well. Kilgores bill is advancing through the House committee process now. During a hearing Friday, he said the measure is probably the No. 1 priority for his region because of its connection to jobs. Parts of Southwest Virginia are straining under double-digit unemployment rates. Were just barely holding on right now, Kilgore said, dismissing criticism of the program as an extension of the war on coal. McAuliffe said the region would be better served by shifting focus to courting new industries like renewable energy and the tech sector. Those are the jobs of the 21st century, he said. Ive got to invest where were growing jobs. Glen Besa, state director for the Sierra Club, contended it would be short-sighted of Virginia to continue banking so heavily on coal and subsidizing companies like Alpha Natural Resources, which he criticized for filing for bankruptcy and then seeking permission to pay millions of dollars in executive bonuses. The states coal production is only going to continue to decline, Besa said. When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging, he said. Theres no question that coal has run this country for over 100 years, and the people that mine that coal should be respected. But we should be finding ways to help those people and that region make the transition away from coal. McAuliffes administration spoke against the tax credit extension bills during both House and Senate committee hearings last week. If the deadline isnt extended, companies will still have three years over which to redeem the tax credits already earned. But no new credits will be approved. Carrico, whose bill is set to come up for a full Senate vote this week, said he hopes legislators can marshal enough support for a veto override a high bar that lawmakers werent able to reach last year. UPDATE 1:20 PM, 2/15: We have reached the afternoon lull in precipitation. Widespread snow/sleet totals of 6-10 inches have occurred in and near the Roanoke and New River valleys, with a few reports of over 10 inches, mainly in Montgomery and Giles counties. A few periods of freezing drizzle or light sleet may occur this afternoon. By late afternoon into evening, showers of heavier freezing rain will begin to move in from the southwest. Overnight there will be a threat of heavier rain and freezing rain, bringing both some flooding and ice storm issues to the table. I'll plan a new post on that before 3 p.m. END UPDATE ---- UPDATE 9:20 AM, 2/15: Sleet is mixing with snow from south to north across our region this morning. When you start seeing the big quarter- and half-dollar-sized conglomerated snow "flakes" that's a sign of warming aloft and a likely change to sleet in the relatively near future. That may still be 2 or more hours, as it tends to toggle back and forth between sleet and snow for a while. Some of the heavy snow bands are still capable of 1-2 inches per hour, and may push a few locations over 10 inches, with 5-10 inches widespread across our region. Many forecast models shift the heavier precipitation north of us just as it would turn to freezing rain later today, leaving freezing drizzle and light sleet. A heavier band of rain is due overnight, with temperatures beginning near the freezing mark and possibly warming above it in many locations. END UPDATE ---- UPDATE 2:15 AM, 2/15: Heavy bands of snow have ratcheted snow totals up to the 3 to 6 inch range in the Roanoke and New River valleys and nearby areas as of this post shortly after 2 a.m. Moderate to occasionally snow appears likely to continue at least a few more hours, with many snow totals reaching 5 to 9 inches and locally more in and near the Roanoke and New River valleys, dwindling to 2-5 inches in parts of Southside. During the day Monday, warmer air aloft will begin creeping northward, though forecast models still vary as much as 6 hours on when it will become warm enough to start mixing snow with sleet. This will likely start near or shortly before sunrise in far southwest Virginia west of I-77, but will encroach on the rest of the area from the south and southeast between late morning and mid afternoon. The timing of this will greatly affect snowfall totals, as a later mix or changeover combined with heavier bands moving in from the southwest could mean additional inches of snow during the day. An earlier mixing and/or a lull in the heavier precipitation would mean significant snowfall is essentially over by mid-morning. By Monday night it will become warm enough aloft for mostly freezing rain and rain, as temperatures at the surface rise to near or slightly above freezing while they are several degrees above freezing aloft. A period of heavier rainfall is expected late Monday night and early Tuesday, which may continue as freezing rain in at least some pockets well into the wee hours of Tuesday morning. This is something that will have be fine-tuned during the day Monday for the risk of an ice storm. A low-pressure system track over the Appalachians just to our west is favorable for strong surface warming over our region, but new snow cover and falling precipitation into remnant Arctic air will resist that warming. A good melt still looks likely on Tuesday with highs in the 40s. I'll rejoin you in the morning sometime. Please continue to post any observations below, remembering to give your general location to make that observation more meaningful. END UPDATE ----- UPDATE 9:45 PM, 2/14: Most of the snow that has fallen so far in the Roanoke and New River valleys and nearby localities has been light to moderate, with accumulations steadily building into the 1-2-inch range. Heavier snow appears to be on the way later this evening as a band of much greater moisture transport from northern Tennessee into southern Kentucky and far southwest Virginia feeds the snow bad currently moving through our region. Some 1- to 2-inch per hour snowfall rates may develop with this heavier snow band later tonight. Widespread snowfall of 4-8 inches still appears likely for most of our region with localized 8-12 amounts, depending on how the heavy banding sets up. My guess for the Roanoke and Blacksburg-Christiansburg areas right now, based on radar trends, would be in the neighborhood of 6-8 inches. Snow is likely to continue into the morning hours on Monday before it perhaps slacks some and mixes with sleet near midday. END UPDATE ----- Snow is spreading eastward into the New River and Roanoke valleys early on this Sunday evening (radar above near 5 p.m.), reaching the high points first, and eventually filtering downward as the lower atmosphere saturates. It won't take long for travel to get slick, as it already has west of us from the I-77 corridor and southern West Virginia across most of Kentucky. We have many hours of snow on tap, possibly heavy at times, with 4-8 inches looking likely across all of the Roanoke/New River valleys and surrounding localities a county or two in all directions, with locally as much as 12 especially near the West Virginia state line but also possible anywhere narrow intense snow bands may set up during the night. With this system arriving a bit earlier than most projections and moving eastward rapidly, it may well be that most of our snow accumulation has occurred by morning light on Monday, with a little more snow during the day in conjunction with a low in the South intensifying, then perhaps a lull by afternoon with some light sleet and freezing rain entering the picture later in the day and into the evening. A heavier band of freezing rain and rain is likely to move through overnight Monday into early Tuesday as surface temperatures warm to near the freezing mark. We'll be nowhere close to that tonight or early Monday, with teens to low 20s temperatures. If it seems like deja vu to be having a winter storm in conjunction with Valentine's Day and Presidents Day in Southwest Virginia, there's a good reason. This will make 4 of the last 5 years we've had a winter storm in close conjunction with one or both of the holidays, which conveniently happen to be consecutive days this year. In 2012, there was a 5-8-inch wet snowstorm on the Sunday of Presidents Day weekend that essentially broke up a "no-hitter" for snow in the second warmest winter on record in Roanoke. In 2014, there was the 18-24-inch bomb on the two days before Valentine's Day. Last year, we had a 7-10-inch snowfall on Presidents Day, Feb. 16. And now ... this. I welcome your local observations in the comments below through the evening. Remember to tell us where you are (generally -- not a specific address, but a locality). At the top of many lists of the potential picks that President Barack Obama could make to fill Justice Antonin Scalias seat on the Supreme Court is an appeals court judge the Senate unanimously confirmed in May 2013. The Senate voted 97-0 to confirm Sri Srinivasan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, sometimes referred to as the second highest court in the land behind the Supreme Court because it decides many regulatory issues that have a nationwide scope. But the vacancy left by Scalias death means those cases could end up 4-4, a result that leaves the lower court ruling standing whether it was conservative or liberal. The Supreme Court would simply issue a one-page order upholding the lower courts decision because the high court was split. With a presidential election in November, the courts decisions were already likely to become political flash points. The vacancy raises the stakes for candidates from both parties. One closely-watched case that had been expected to be 5-4 was over whether public employees have a right to choose not to pay dues but still reap the benefits of collective bargaining and other union activities. A 4-4 split would uphold a lower court decision that required employees to pay those dues. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., the ranking member of Senate Judiciary, also urged the president to propose a new justice. The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons, he said. The President and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court. Scalias death also throws into question the courts ideological balance for the remainder of the current term and the timing of naming his replacement could also ripple into the term that begins in the fall. Scalia was one of four reliably conservative justices. His absence could change the outcome of decisions in the current term and the choice of cases to take in the next. Obama and many Democrats are likely to see the courts vacancy as an opportunity to install a more liberal justice. Republicans are likely to resist, with an eye toward the possibility that a Republican victory in the presidential election in November would enable the new president to make a conservative appointment. Both sides will see a confirmation conflict as an opportunity to score points with their supporters and rally voters to their cause. (1prime.ru) Viktor Vekselberg, a billionaire and the main owner of the Renova group, said he may consider the participation in the privatization of Russian state companies, including ALROSA. "The question, of course, is the price," - said Vekselberg to reporters, responding to a question whether he is interested in asset privatization. The Russian government's economic plans for 2016 include the possible privatization of several state companies, the list of which has not been determined yet. At a meeting on February 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to finalize the list of companies that can be privatized. The meeting of top managers of state-controlled companies and banks was attended by the heads of Rosneft, Sovcomflot, Aeroflot, VTB, Bashneft, ALROSA and the Russian Railways. "Certainly, (we do not plan to acquire) oil sector companies, and we will look carefully at all the rest. ALROSA, yes. We have traditionally been interested in this part of the mining sector, so we'll take a closer look," Vekselberg said. Speaking about the current market prices for Russian assets, he noted that "they look quite reasonable." "The question is, what package will be sold, under what conditions and what the situation in the company in terms of medium-term prospects will be like. This is the set of factors that will determine the degree of our interest in the assets," Vekselberg added. The U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to address the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in northern Syria, emphasizing the imperative for de-escalation in the area. The Vice President expressed support for Turkey's fight against PKK terrorism and the two leaders reaffirmed their shared goal of defeating ISIL and to work towards a cessation of hostilities, as agreed in Munich. The Vice President noted U.S. efforts to discourage Syrian Kurdish forces from exploiting current circumstances to seize additional territory near the Turkish border, and urged Turkey to show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area. The two leaders pledged to work together, emphasizing the need to protect displaced and vulnerable populations in northwest Syria and ensure routes for humanitarian assistance to Aleppo remain open. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Japan will on Monday release preliminary Q4 numbers for gross domestic product, highlighting a busy day in Asia-Pacific economic activity. GDP is expected to contract 0.3 percent on quarter and 0.8 percent on year after expanding 0.3 percent on quarter and 1.0 percent on year in the three months prior. Japan also will see final December figures for industrial production, with little change expected from the previous reading that called for a 1.4 percent decline on month and a 1.6 percent drop on year. Also due are December numbers for the tertiary industry index, which skidded 0.8 percent in November. China will release January figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to fall 3.9 percent on year after dropping 7.6 percent in December. Exports are called lower by 2.0 percent after slipping 1.4 percent in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to show a surplus of $60.90 billion, up from $60.09 billion a month earlier. Thailand will see Q4 numbers for gross domestic product, with forecasts suggesting a flat quarterly reading and a gain of 2.3 percent on year. That follows the 1.0 percent quarterly increase and the 2.9 percent gain in the third quarter. Australia will provide January numbers for motor vehicle sales; in December, sales dipped 0.5 percent on month and added 2.2 percent on year. New Zealand will see January figures for non-resident bond holdings; in December, the rate was 67.4 percent. Singapore will release December data for retail sales, with forecasts calling for a decline of 2.4 percent on month and an increase of 3.4 percent on year. That follows the 1.4 percent monthly increase and the 4.7 percent yearly gain in November. Indonesia will provide January figures for imports, exports and trade balance. Imports are expected to slide 8.17 percent after losing 16.02 percent in December. Exports are called lower by 15.4 percent after shedding 17.66 percent in the previous month. The trade deficit is pegged at $210 million, up from the $230 million shortfall a month earlier. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com : . 506 505 701 . A first-of-its-kind journey along India and Pakistan border What binds the two most talked about nations - India and Pakistan together? What makes the HEMINGWAY, S.C. Hemingways Charles (Chuck) Hunter believes in love at first sight. Sitting around the table of his and wife Marys Hemingway home and listening to him tell tales of how he and Mary met and fell in love, may make a believer out anyone. Chuck was stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base as a base photographer in 1960. Mary Haselden was a member of the Hemingway Senior Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts has been credited with many things like teaching girls to live outdoors, encouraging good citizenship, developing talent and skills, but never has the organization been credited with starting romance. Until now! This was no ordinary scouting weekend. Among Mary's many adventures with Girl Scouts was the National Senior Scout Round-Up in Colorado in 1958. She joined a group from the Girl Scout Council of the Pee Dee Area on a six-week tour of Europe in summer of 1960. But it was on a trip in 1957 where 2,000 Girl Scouts were invited to visit the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base for an overnight camporee and tour of the base, sponsored by the Pee Dee Council in corporation with base personnel, that Mary met Chuck. The camping area was strictly supervised and guarded. But Cupid seems to always make a way, even in the case of Chuck and Mary. The base Commander approved only a few key airmen to be in the campsite area Friday night, one being Airman First Class Charles F. Hunter Jr., base photographer. His job included developing the pictures he had taken and distributing them to various newspapers. Mary said she remembered seeing him everywhere that Friday night, but then he went back to the lab and was just gone. Although he was supposed to work on Saturday, his tech sergeant encouraged him to take the day off, but he chose to work instead, wanting, he said, to see Mary again. All the girls were clamoring for autographs of the airmen, and Chuck walked up to Mary and said, "Everybody is getting my autograph, may I have yours? He said he stuck something out for her to sign. When he turned it over, it was a picture of her he'd taken the night before. Then he asked for her name and address. She just gave him "Hemingway. Chuck said "If I wrote you a letter and just sent it to Hemingway, S.C., would you get it?" Mary said, "Heavens yes, everybody in Hemingway knows everybody else. The following Tuesday, she got the letter. She had told him she was 16, but actually, she was only 15. A few days later, he came to see her. Her mother owned the "King and Queen" dress shop and was in Charlotte at Market and Mary was tending the shop. When she closed the shop, she had to go home and prepare supper for the family, so she invited Chuck to entertain himself in the living room. After dinner they went for a short ride, and when he started to leave, he kissed her on the forehead. "That was the sweetest kiss I've ever had," Mary said, adding that she could hardly wait to get to school the next morning to tell the girls Chuck had visited and kissed her! Romance blossomed and there was talk of marriage. Her mother and Chuck met her on her return from Europe and they drove to Danbury, Conn., to meet his family. Things got hectic; Mary said, with high school graduation coming up, the six-week tour of Europe, and plans for a wedding being formulated. Mary received her engagement ring at Christmas 1959. They were married in the Hemingway Methodist Church in what might be called a "Girl Scout Wedding" on Oct. 7, 1960. Miss Helen Saleeby, executive director of the Girl Scout Council of the Pee Dee, was maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Girl Scout Robin Bauer. Susan Haselden and Ginger Haselden, scouts and sisters of the bride, served as junior bridesmaids. Her flower girl was Judy Haselden, a Brownie Scout. Following the marriage, Mary and Chuck said they have had a wonderful life. He had numerous Air Force assignments after being stationed at Myrtle Beach for three years. He then was sent to Turkey for 16 months and to Shaw Air Force Base until 1967; then to Viet Nam for a year where he had 100 combat missions as a photographer. The couple said they bought a small trailer and when Chuck went to Vietnam, they moved it to Hemingway in Mary's parents, Ed and Virginia Haselden's, yard. After Vietnam, Chuck was sent to Dayton, Ohio for six years. At one time, Mary and the boys moved in the house with Ed and Virginia, they recalled. When Chuck was discharged, the couple moved into a little house on the Haselden property while Chuck took six months off, building their home. Chuck's first civilian job was with Haselden Brothers' Ford as a salesman. He was then offered a job with the Post Office and served as rural mail carrier for 20 years. Before retirement, he became magistrate for nine years. Mary was mostly a stay at home mom, she said, with the exception of some subbing at school and a bit of summer work at the tobacco warehouse. In 1989 she was offered the position of director of Indiantown Play School. She retired in 2015. Mary and Chuck are free to spend time with their family,(the couple has three sons and four grandchildren), travel, pursue their own hobbies (both being extremely talented), and to enjoy each others company. If he is watching a ball game, she said she may sit with him and shell pecans, but they're still together. Source: Talent 2025. Source: Talent 2025. Abundant natural resources that contribute to the beauty and character of our communities, create jobs and provide recreational opportunities, such as biking, fishing, paddle sports and sailing. Michigan is surrounded by Great Lakes and this alone provides us such a strategic advantage for attracting and retaining talent. Top-ranked research universities, particularly the partnership of the University Research Corridor, which provide extensive education and research opportunities and are spurring both innovation and entrepreneurial activity. A strong immigrant community, which accounts for large and growing shares of our states economic activity, and welcoming policies that have helped foster job opportunities and immigrant-friendly communities Cities that are rich in history, architecture and cultural resources, and still provide affordable living, but which need investment in diverse housing, commercial activities, public spaces, parks, and other critical infrastructure that contribute to quality of life. Source: Talent 2025. Source: Talent 2025. Talent development appears to be a national Catch-22. The education system struggles to keep pace with the economy and employers cant seem to find skilled workers.7.9 million American people were unemployed in September 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , with millions more underemployed. Yet, 5.4 million job openings were available the month prior.Weve long been told to look at cities like Portland, Washington, D.C. and Denver as examples of places that have figured out the talent formula. Sure, there are lessons to be learned from these usual suspects, but often when you mention these giants, Michiganders roll their eyes. Its not that their successes are unimpressive; theyre just hard to relate to as a state that has been through so much in the last seven years.What about those regions more closely aligned with our set of challenges and struggles? What might we learn from them?Pittsburgh - Americas Most Livable City in 2010. St. Louiss Forest Park - one of the Ten Great Public Spaces for 2013. Milwaukee - one of The 35 Best U.S. Cities For People 35 and Under in 2013. These can feel more relatable for us.Take Pittsburgh, for example. Once a victim of the fallen steel industry, it has been called the "miracle city," "America's smartest city" and "America's most livable city" by the likes of Forbes and The Economist.Why?These places arent flashy - theyve picked themselves up by their bootstraps just as were in the midst of doing in Michigan and have made placemaking and talent retention top priority.How?Theyve made it to the other side of the talent attraction and retention question by being thoughtful about creating places that people want to put down roots and digging deep to answer tough questions. Pittsburgh has attracted the next generation of workers by being affordable and offering social mobility, according to The Atlantic Michigan has been increasingly focused on the issue of talent in recent years, with much discussion on how to improve and expand our talent pipeline. Everything from K-12, adult education, workforce development and higher education policy have come to the table as needing to be addressed to face the challenge.We should be looking at the models of regions like Pittsburgh, Minneapolis-St. Paul or northeast Ohio, because, in our global economy, we are competing for talent, says Shanna Draheim, senior consultant at Public Sector Consultants, a Lansing-based public policy consultancy. None of these efforts is perfect, but there are best practices that could be very applicable in many of Michigans regions.Public Sector Consultants recently released Building a Brighter Future: Recommendations for How to Improve Michigan's Education System , which provides recommendations on what Michigan can fix in regard to broken educational practices negatively impacting workforce development.The concern is that for Michigan to be successful and for our children to be successful, we need to do better on the talent front, says Jeff Guilfoyle, vice president at Public Sector Consultants.Having to take remedial courses is the norm at a two-year college degree, and common at four-year institutions.Guilfoyle explains that employers are having trouble filling some jobs because they cannot find workers with the right skills and some workers are struggling to get into good jobs because their skills don't fit what employers are looking for. That should sound familiar - Michigan is no exception to the national trend.These problems are expected to get worse as the workforce ages and much of future job growth will be in areas that require a higher skill set than jobs did in the past.However, there are other key parts of the talent pipeline equation that havent been as included in the conversation as they ought to be.I dont think this is something that is recognized as an issue in our state, says Guilfoyle. People need to be concerned about improving the whole system. We ought to raise the concern we have for talent to the level of concern we have for, say, roads.Having high quality, economically diverse and vibrant places where talent wants to live, and ensuring we have a strong entrepreneurial and welcoming culture that fosters innovation and new businesses and industry opportunities are just two examples of important ingredients for growing a strong talent pipeline, according to Public Sector Consultants. And theyre ingredients that have been largely ignored.Michigan has many assets that could help us leverage these places, including entrepreneurial and innovation ingredients that could help expand our talent pipeline, says Draheim.Draheim names a few:What we havent gotten right as a state, according to experts like PSC, is combining all of these ingredients for success.We havent been very aspirational, says Guilfoyle. Theres not a statewide conversation about raising Michigans stature into a top 20 region for talent.Despite this lack of conversation, there is one region that has started to wrap its arms around the big picture. West Michigan has begun to whip up those ingredients into gourmet talent development.Well on its way to being globally recognized as a top region in the U.S., West Michigan has Talent 2025 to thank for its workforce aspirations and signs of success. A catalyst to create a truly integrated talent development system designed to make the region a magnet for both talent and jobs, Talent 2025 is an inspiration for how the rest of the state can address talent issues.Talent 2025 is a coalition of nearly 100 CEOs from across West Michigan coming together to drive performance improvement across the regions talent system, says Kevin Stotts, Talent 2025 president. Our vision is to align supply and demand to be a top 20 talent region by the year 2025, with the primary goal of 64 percent of our workforce acquiring post secondary credentials by the same year.Forty of the 100 CEOs from premiere employers in the region serve in regular working groups, and offer a high level of engagement as advocates and partners in accountability.The working groups convene in eleven different areas - early childhood development, K-12 education, post-secondary education, workforce development, entrepreneurship, Michigan work ready communities, talent demand, inclusion, talent attraction and retention and veteran employment.Each workgroup has a goal, accompanies by measurable strategies. Overarching strategies include linking employer talent demand to educators and talent, exposing K-16 students to todays world of work, attracting and retain talent, establishing an entrepreneurial ecosystem and engaging small- and mid-sized employers.Talent 2025 also acknowledges the need to address occupations requiring extensive post-secondary education.Stotts attributes Talent 2025 successes so far to two things: engagement of West Michigan talent at scale and enthusiastic alignment around its vision. Improvement has been reported in 12 of the 17 indicators the organization actively measures.We work with higher education, economic development, workforce development and post-secondary education employers across all 13 of our counties to engage the system, he says. You cant just pull out one element.Stotts notes the enthusiasm of Talent 2025 CEOs as being a major part of the solution.Our CEOs really care and want to be part of the solution, and are becoming content experts within their workgroups, which is especially appreciated by stakeholders.He also recognizes this as a potentially non-replicable accomplishment specific to West Michigan, noting other communities lack of a critical mass of family-owned businesses headquartered in the region.In the past 10 years, weve come to appreciate the value of the region as an asset, rather than value the individual places in the region. The region is the asset.He agrees that Michigan is lacking in the placemaking element crucial to driving talent attraction and retention.We could definitely to more as a state to make communities more attractive to people for live and work. Millennials want to work in diverse, urban communities that have equitable outcomes, and were struggling with this. They can live anywhere in the country, so the question to employers is how do you become an employer of choice?As for the takeaway Stotts hopes for?For others to see the valuable role that business leaders can play in solving these issues, he says. Business leaders coming to the discussion saying how do we help you do your job better? can be extremely powerful. Talent 2025 advocates for demand and data driven organization and looking at problems from a different perspective - were trying to solve the problems of while contributing to a vibrant community. Its quite special.Steps in the right direction arent limited to West Michigan. Organizations like Michigan Talent Agenda The Grand Vision and Inspire Michigan are talking about place and cities and talent attraction, too.Draheim recommends strategies like evaluating what level of public and private investment is needed, what partnerships work most effectively and where we should be focusing our resources and energies based on the successes and lessons learned of other regions and states.Guilfoyle says what is most important is that the state set a vision for where we need to go on the talent front and then actively works to implement this vision.This will not just happen, he says. It will happen through the concerted effort of the Governor, legislators, education leaders and stakeholders, business groups and others. Improving outcomes is hard work. But other states have demonstrated that it can be done, and we need to focus on these issues here and start down the path to improvement.Photos of Kevin Stotts of Talent 2025 leading a group of West Michigan CEOs in talent-focused workgroups. Photos by Adam Bird.This piece was made possible through a partnership with Public Sector Consultants Press Release February 13, 2016 CHIZ CALLS FOR FRONT-LOADING OF FARM BUDGET TO CUSHION EL NINO EFFECTS Leading vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to boost its budget spending on programs and projects meant to ease the impact of the current El Nino episode, seen to be the worst ever to hit the country in years. Escudero sought the immediate release of funds of the agriculture department to avoid further delays in the implementation of projects and prevent a negative growth in farm production this year. "Last year, our farm production hardly grew due to El Nino and other calamities that hit the country. But more than the economy, our farmers bear the brunt of these disasters since they rely heavily on farming for their livelihoods," he said. The DA was allotted P 40.3 billion this year. The agency had also requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for P2.06 billion in supplemental budget to mitigate the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. Section 4 of the General Appropriations Act of 2016 also provides the DA a Quick Response Fund of P500 million, which shall serve as a standby fund to be used for provision of seeds and other planting materials, fingerlings and fries, livestocks, minor fishing paraphernalia and minor repair of small-scale irrigation systems. The special fund is provided "in order that the situation and living conditions of people living in communities or areas stricken by calamities, epidemics, crises and catastrophes, which occurred in the last quarter of the immediately preceding year and those occurring during the current year may be normalized as quickly as possible." Escudero said government preparations for El Nino are hardly felt by farmers even though the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had long warned of the ill-effects of the drought. "Noong isang taon, nagbabala na ang PAGASA na may El Nino na tatama sa atin ngayon pero may nakita ba tayong bagong irigasyon? May nakita ba tayong small water-impounding projects? Nararapat na agarang ilabas na ngDA ang pondo nito para sa mga magsasaka. " the veteran lawmaker said. PAGASA) said the current El Nino episode is among the four strongest events alongside the big episodes in 1972-1973, 1982-1983, and 1997-1998, and may last until June this year. The 1997-1998 El Nino episode caused severe drought in 70 percent of the country and damaged some 292,000 hectares of rice and corn plantations, costing the agriculture sector at least P3 billion in damages, according to PAGASA and the South Australian Research and Development Institute. PAGASA has warned that the current 29 provinces affected by El Nino will increase to 34 in March, and 68 by April. The 29 provinces include Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Samar, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Catanduanes, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Siquijor, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur and Sarangani. Escudero said the government should have been more proactive in shielding farmers from the effects of drought on their livelihood. "Binigyan ba natin ng alternatibong kabuhayan yung ating mga magsasaka na tatamaan ng El Nino? Sinakop ba natin sila sa conditional cash transfer dahil tatamaan sila ng El Nino? Lahat po yun ay wala pong nagawa ang gobyerno," he said. In a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country's agricultural production was almost flat in 2015, inching up by a measly 0.11 percent to settle at P788.7 billion from P797.84 billion in 2014. The PSA said farm output slowed down due to strong El Nino, coupled with heavy rains brought by strong typhoons, particularly "Lando" which battered almost the entire island of Luzon. According to the agriculture department, the dry spell caused damage to crops, livestock and fisheries worth about P3.32 billion from February to August last year. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, on the other hand, said the damage caused by "Lando" to agriculture reached P9.7 billion. Press Release February 13, 2016 Sen. Marcos slams door on DNA test for Poe MANGATAREM, PANGASINAN- Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today slammed the doors shut on the issue on undergoing a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) test to determine possible blood ties with presidential candidate and fellow senator Grace Poe. Earlier the lady senator's DNA test with possible relatives in Guimaras proved negative. It was the second such negative test that was done not only to determine her parentage but also to settle the question on whether or not she is a natural born Filipino citizen. In a press conference at the residence of Mayor Teodoro Cruz here, Marcos admitted saying he is willing to take a DNA test but clarified that it was made in jest. "Yes, but there is no point. Kayo naman hindi na kayo mabiro, nagbibiro lang naman ako," he told members of the media, stressing it will not be of any help to Poe. "Sinabi ko lang yun kasi hindi nyo ako tinitigilan dun sa DNA: 'O sige I'm willing to have a DNA'. Kayo naman sineryoso ninyo," he added. On the fourth day of the campaign, Marcos went on the last leg of his 2-day sortie in the vote-rich province of Pangasinan, which he said is a crucial component of his bid to cement his hold on the "Solid North" as the launching pad in presenting his vision of national unity. Meanwhile, Marcos also squelched speculations his family is supporting Poe who campaigned recently in his hometown province of Ilocos Norte and was accompanied by his sister, Governor Imee Marcos. He said that as a presidential candidate Senator Poe and her rivals are expected to go around all the country's provinces for their campaign, including in Ilocos Norte. "Hindi palibhasa't nandun (sa Ilocos Norte) hindi ibig sabihin yun ang suportado namin," Marcos said. On the contrary, the senator reiterated his full support to his presidential running mate, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. "I am running together with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago as my President. I am running with her for vice president. Tomorrow we will introduce our senatorial line up," Marcos said. Press Release February 14, 2016 Renewable energy should be priority of next administration The next administration should speed up the implementation of the country's renewable energy program that will ease the problematic power situation while ensuring the protection of environment. This call was made by vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr., who said that renewable energy offers the best solution to avert an impending power crisis and address an ever-increasing energy demand. Marcos, a staunch advocate of renewable energy, said the next administration must vigorously increase the country's RE capacity targets to make it at least 50 percent by 2030. "We need to boost our renewable energy program and this should be prioritized to ensure economic development while protecting our environment," he said. At present, some 70 percent of the nation's electricity is generated from fossil-fuels, 90 percent of which are imported. Experts have predicted that if the country remains to be coal and oil-dependent, Filipinos should expect higher power costs because of the steady increase in the prices of these fossil fuels in the world market. The only solution, according to Marcos, is for the country to increase its renewable energy portfolio. "The next administration should be aggressive in increasing our renewable energy programs by encouraging companies to build more solar, wind and hydrogen power plants," he said. This can be done, he said by giving them additional perks on their investments and cutting bureaucratic red tape. Currently, the Bureau of Investments (BOI) gives incentives to RE companies which include income tax holiday for seven years, duty-free importation of renewable energy machinery, among others. However, Marcos said, more have to be given in order to encourage RE companies in doing their business here. "Our government needs to give support for research and investigation of possible sites for RE endeavors and pilot locations as well as give them more tax exemptions in the production aspect," he stressed. Marcos also noted the complaints of RE companies on the slow processing of their applications before regulatory bodies. "Many of them are complaining about the slow processing of their applications for land conversion and other environmental clearance from the national level to the local level. This should be shortened or simplified," he said. Marcos added, "(t)he said the government should ease the process of doing business in the country in general so that companies like those engaged in RE will be encouraged to invest here." Marcos had been instrumental in building the first wind farms in Southeast Asia while he was governor of Ilocos Norte in 2003. The wind farms in Ilocos Norte have become the country's flagship projects for renewable energy. During his stint in the Senate, Marcos authored Senate Bill No. 2953 or the Act creating a Hydrogen Research and Development Center to support and encourage the use and development of hydrogen as an alternative source of energy. The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is offering a $1,000 reward to help catch people who have spread thumbtacks around a Hercules dog park. PETA is sending a letter to the local police chief offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible and another $1,000 toward the installation of security cameras at the park, the group said in a statement online. Terrorism, by definition, intends to create irrational fear a mystique around the terrorists and victims that enables militant organizations to project far more power than their limited resources would otherwise allow. Peter Bergens achievement in his new book, United States of Jihad, is demystifying the domestic jihadis that have played such a central role in American politics since 9/11. In doing so, he reveals another truism: Sometimes, banal realities are more worrisome than exaggerated fear-mongering. According to Bergens statistics, 330 people have been charged with jihadi terrorism in the United States since 9/11. Eighty percent were American citizens or permanent residents; most were well educated, one-third or so are married. Nearly 20 percent are women and the average age is 29. The vast majority of these people share little with the master terrorists of Hollywood nightmares. Rather, as Bergen notes, they are ordinary Americans. Bergen writes about these American jihadis with the dexterous prose of a career journalist and the assumption that whatever crimes they ultimately committed, these people did not begin life as mass murderers. Sometimes, this approach raises more questions than it provides answers. Why, for example, did Nidal Hasan decide to open fire on his fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, but his first cousin, Nader, who was raised in a similar environment only blocks away, became a family man and respected lawyer in northern Virginia? On the one hand, Nidal was an Army officer clearly disturbed by the prospect of deploying to Afghanistan to support a war he opposed deeply. He was also in touch with Anwar al-Awlaki himself an American citizen who had joined al Qaeda and the jihadis single most effective English language propagandist. Nader, however, dismissed these explanations and offered a more prosaic account for his cousins behavior: He had become totally social isolated, with no wife, no children, no parents, no friends. In the end, Nader argued, Nidal went postal. And he called it Islam. He sucked every Muslim into his suicidal plan. Not every American jihadi fits that mold, but the statistical and psychological normalcy of would-be jihadis creates a huge problem for law enforcement and intelligence agents tasked with keeping us safe. In the wake of 9/11, agencies from the FBI to local police departments have shifted their focus from prosecuting crimes after the fact to interdicting terrorism plots before they are actualized. But if those would-be terrorists share so much in common with ordinary Americans, how do you identify those threats? In practice, this conundrum has led law enforcement to more aggressive surveillance programs and broader use of confidential informants. In the eyes of many civil libertarians, it has also meant illegal monitoring of mosques and law enforcement entrapping terrorism suspects. Thankfully, Bergens book does not fall into tired cliches either defending or excoriating law enforcement. Rather, he humanizes the fear and sense of purpose among counterterrorism professionals in the wake of 9/11, but does not shy from the conclusion that their determination to prevent terrorism has led to unacceptable intrusions on Americans civil liberties. New York City is the biggest target for jihadis hoping to attack the United States and is also central to the debate about appropriate law enforcement techniques. After 9/11, the New York Police Department dramatically enhanced its ability to gather intelligence both inside the city and beyond in an effort to interdict any plot that might threaten New Yorkers. The CIA and FBI had failed to connect the dots prior to 9/11; New York officials aimed to ensure that no such failure would lead to another major strike in the city they were obligated to defend. The heart of that effort was the NYPDs Intelligence Division, which recruited a 30-year veteran of the CIA following 9/11 and employed civilian analysts focused not on gathering evidence of crimes, but on figuring out where the next threat to the city would come from. The Intelligence Division built a broad collection program focused on Muslim communities in New York and surrounding areas. Part of this project was simply an effort to better understand social, economic and demographic conditions, but a Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press investigation revealed that it also targeted mosques, bookshops and restaurants where Muslims would gather. The NYPD was effectively monitoring innocent people based on their religion. These oversteps were real, but they were not the product of jack-booted thugs with discriminatory intent. Rather, Bergen portrays them as the overreaches of everyday Americans living with the day-to-day responsibility of preventing terrorism, and fearful of the consequences if they were to fail. Bergen challenges readers to imagine whether we would do better in their shoes. The debate over security and liberty in the United States predates our Constitution, but rarely has the balance between those principles been so stark as in the years since 9/11. Bergens profile of the (mostly) men accused of supporting jihadi terrorism and those doing everything they can to prevent those attacks reminds that this is a fight of practical choices between otherwise normal people. Presidential candidates should take notice. The overheated rhetoric of the campaign season, in which Donald Trump irrationally called for banning all Muslims from the United States, is out of whack with the everyday work of keeping the United States safe. Such proposals contradict cherished American principals of religious freedom; just as fundamentally they try to solve the wrong problem. The real danger, Bergen argues, does not primarily come from abroad. The real world challenge is less existential, less dramatic and more insidious, and it starts with ordinary Americans. Brian Fishman is an affiliate with the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and the Center for Right-Wing Studies at UC Berkeley. He is the author of The Master Plan: ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Jihadi Strategy for Final Victory (forthcoming in 2016). E-mail: books@sfchronicle.com United States of Jihad Investigating Americas Homegrown Terrorists By Peter Bergen (Crown; 387 pages; $28) War in Afghanistan and Iraq has defined his generation, according to 38-year-old Danish writer-director Tobias Lindholm. Denmark had sent few men into battle in decades when it joined the post-9/11 coalition forces. Lindholm wanted to make a film about this part of contemporary Danish life, but a way into the story eluded him. Then I read this interview with a Danish officer going on his third tour to Afghanistan, says Lindholm. He said he wasnt afraid of getting killed down there. He was afraid of getting prosecuted when he got back home because of the rules of engagement that he felt were in the way of him doing his job, preventing his men from dying, and so on. Right away, when I read that, I knew that was probably a place I could find a story to tell. Lindholm titled the drama that interview inspired simply A War, and it is an Oscar nominee for best foreign-language film. Pilou Asbk a longtime collaborator who appeared in his 2010 prison drama R, the 2012 A Hijacking co-directed by Michael Noer and also Borgen, the TV series that Lindholm scripted for a time stars as Claus Michael Pedersen. While his wife, Maria (Tuva Novotny), holds down the home front and cares for their three children, Claus is a company commander in Afghanistan. When a mission goes wrong, resulting in collateral damage, he is called back to Denmark to stand trial for war crimes. The rules of engagement are there for a reason, Lindholm says. We need to have them there. We need to protect civilians, but at the same time, I felt the politicians use these rules of engagement to tell their voters that it was a civilized war. I think thats a very dangerous thing to believe in, that there is such a thing as a civilized war. I do believe that we as a Danish society should be in some moral way put on a trial, he adds. Not for real, but have we done the right thing? What have we done? Its ultimately the opposite thats happening. Whats happening is we are not talking nearly enough about it. Asbk has been cast as Euron Greyjoy in the upcoming sixth season of Game of Thrones, and Lindholm jokes that he is probably the only person in the world hoping the character will die quickly so that they can resume their partnership. The collaboration has been close, and the director calls the actor the finest European actor of his generation. And yet when casting A War, Lindholm who researched his story by talking to soldiers, their families, refugees, lawyers, judges and even Taliban soldiers mixed and mingled professional actors and real people, thrusting amateurs up against the consummate pro Asbk. In a practical way it helps me a lot because I dont need to direct the soldiers, they can direct me, he says. They can tell me how soldiers move and do stuff. Same with the judge. We cannot go out and claim to be a realistic picture of anything if we are not 100 percent dedicated to do exactly that. Its definitely my point that we have a responsibility to make sure that we are 100 or 110 percent sure that what we are portraying is actually a part of the real world. Lindholm made A War to spark discussion in Denmark, which he says it has, but he has also discovered in screening the film for veterans in the United States and Britain that he has struck a nerve internationally. The veterans recognized their reality and their lives in the film, which makes it somehow a global conversation, he says. Not a debate. I dont want to be part of a debate pro or against the war. It has already happened. I want to be advocating for us looking at it and being able to talk about it. What we need to do is look at what actually happened down there, what is happening, and hopefully well be clever enough to learn from it. Pam Grady is a Bay Area freelance writer. A War opens at Bay Area theaters Friday, Feb. 19. To watch a trailer, go to www.magpictures.com/awar. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, an eloquent conservative who used a sharp intellect, a barbed wit and a zest for verbal combat to oppose what he saw as the tide of modern liberalism, has died. He was 79. Justice Scalia was a dominant figure at the court from the day he arrived, and he could be an intimidating presence for lawyers who had to argue there. He had a profound impact on the law and legal thinking through his Supreme Court opinions and speeches. His sharply worded dissents and caustic attacks on liberal notions were quoted widely, and they had an influence on a generation of young conservatives. Justic Scalia died while on a hunting trip in the Big Bend area of Texas, according to a statement issued Saturday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Justice Scalia had retired Friday evening and was found dead Saturday morning after he did not appear for breakfast, said U.S. Marshals Service spokeswoman Donna Sellers. The cause of death was not immediately known. Angry dissenter Inside the court, Justice Scalias rigid style of conservatism and derisive jabs directed at his colleagues limited his effectiveness. Justice Scalia himself seemed to relish the role of the angry dissenter. As a justice, he was the leading advocate for interpreting the Constitution by its original words and meaning, and not in line with contemporary thinking. He said he liked a dead Constitution, not a living one that evolves with the times. Laws can change when voters call for change, he said, but the Constitution itself should not change through the rulings of judges. As Justice Scalia saw it, the difficult constitutional questions of recent decades were easy to resolve if viewed through the prism of the late 18th century when the Constitution was written. The death penalty? Give me a break. Its easy. Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state, Justice Scalia told the American Enterprise Institute in 2012. If such comments made him sound old, grumpy and out of touch with modern America, Justice Scalia would agree and consider it a compliment. He said his job was to preserve an enduring Constitution. His tone was mournful at times. Day by day, case by case, (the court) is designing a Constitution for a country that I do not recognize, he wrote in a 1996 dissent. He issued thunderous dissents when the court upheld the right to abortion in 1992, and in 2003 when it struck down the sex laws that targeted gays and lesbians. Then, he accused his colleagues of having largely signed on to the so-called homosexual agenda directed at eliminating the moral opprobrium that has traditionally attached to homosexual conduct. Same-sex marriage He predicted the ruling would lead to a national debate over same-sex marriage, and he was right. A few months later, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court became the first to rule that gays and lesbians had an equal right to marry. A decade later, a majority of Americans agreed that gays deserved the right to marry. During his first two decades on the court, Justice Scalia was known mostly for his dissents. But after Chief Justice William Rehnquist died in 2005 and Justice Sandra OConnor retired a few months later, Justice Scalia took on a new prominence as a leader of the courts conservative wing. John Roberts, the new chief justice who was a generation younger than Justice Scalia, deferred to him and often assigned him to write the courts opinion in momentous cases. In what may have been his most important majority opinion, Justice Scalia spoke for the court in 2008 declaring for the first time that the Second Amendment gave Americans a right to own a gun for self-defense. A lifelong hunter, Justice Scalia said the right to bear arms had been understood as a fundamental right since the American colonies became independent. Justice Scalia also played a key role in a series of 5-4 decisions that struck down campaign finance laws and said that all Americans including corporations and unions had a free-speech right to spend money on election ads. Justice Scalia was an old-school traditionalist. He was fiercely determined to fight a rear-guard battle against modern trends. A Catholic, he and his wife Maureen had nine children, and he insisted that they go each Sunday to a church with a traditional Latin Mass. On Saturdays, however, Justice Scalia like nothing better than hiding in a duck blind waiting for unwary birds. He was born in Trenton, N.J., on March 11, 1936, the only child of a Sicilian immigrant who became a professor of Romance language at Brooklyn College and a mother who taught elementary school. He was known as Nino at home, and he carried the nickname throughout his life. He enrolled in Jesuit-run Georgetown University in Washington and graduated at the top of his class in 1957. He went on to Harvard Law School and graduated in 1960. In Cambridge, he met and married Maureen McCarthy, a Radcliffe student. After Ronald Reagans election, Justice Scalias stock soared. He was named to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington. And in 1986, when Rehnquist was named to succeed Warren Burger as chief justice, Reagan chose Justice Scalia to take Rehnquists seat. The conservative justices often came together in major cases, none better known than the 5-4 ruling that ended the recount of paper ballots in Florida and ensured a presidential victory for George W. Bush in 2000. Most lawyers had expected the Supreme Court court to stay out of the postelection battle in Florida because vote counting is governed by state law and because federal law says that the House of Representatives will decide a disputed presidential election. Halting recounts But acting on an emergency appeal from Republicans, five justices, including Justice Scalia, ordered a halt to the county-by-county recount in Florida on the grounds it could do irreparable harm to then-Gov. Bush. The counting of votes that are of questionable legality does in my view threaten irreparable harm to petitioner Bush by casting a cloud upon what he claims to be the legitimacy of his election, Justice Scalia wrote in the Saturday order. Three days later, on Dec. 12, 2000, the court issued an unsigned opinion ending the recount. For years afterward, Justice Scalia bristled when questioned about the Bush vs. Gore decision. Get over it, he replied. The Associated Press contributed to this report. GREENVILLE, S.C. Republican White House hopefuls insisted that President Obama step aside and allow his successor to nominate the next Supreme Court justice, in a raucous Saturday night debate that also featured harshly personal jousting over immigration and foreign policy. The debate was shaken by the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia hours before the candidates took the stage. Among the contenders, only Jeb Bush said Obama had every right to nominate a justice during his final year in office. The former Florida governor said there should be consensus orientation on that nomination but added that he didnt expect Obama would pick a candidate in that vein. The five other candidates on the stage urged the Republican-led Senate to block any attempts by the president to get his third nominee on the court. Its up to Mitch McConnell and everybody else to stop it, Donald Trump said. Its called delay, delay, delay. A debate that began with a somber moment of silence for Scalia devolved quickly into fighting between Trump and Bush. The exchanges highlighted the bad blood between the real estate mogul who leads the Republican field and the former Florida governor who was once expected to sail to the nomination. In a particularly heated confrontation, Trump accused Bushs brother former President George W. Bush of having lied to the public about the Iraq war. Obviously the war in Iraq was a big fat mistake, Trump said. Trump was jeered lustily by the audience in South Carolina, a state where the Bush family is popular with Republicans. George W. Bush plans to campaign with his brother in Charleston on Monday, making his first public foray into the 2016 race. Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio also revived their fight over immigration, with the Texas senator haranguing his Florida counterpart for sponsoring failed legislation that would have created a pathway to citizenship for many of those in the United States illegally. Cruz also accused Rubio of taking a more moderate approach when speaking to Spanish-language media in an attempt to appeal to Hispanics. I dont know how he knows what I said on Univision he doesnt speak Spanish, Rubio shot back. Just six contenders took the debate stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier GOP events. Yet the Republican race remains deeply uncertain, with party elites still hoping that one of the more mainstream candidates will rise up to challenge Trump and Cruz. Many GOP leaders believe both would be unelectable in November. WASHINGTON Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, offered this years hopefuls advice about a hard-learned lesson: Release your tax returns before the primaries, and avoid tough scrutiny later. But the top three Republicans leading in national polls dont appear to be listening. Even as other candidates most notably Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush have already disclosed years worth of private tax returns to dispel questions about their personal finances, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have failed to do the same despite promises to do so. None of the campaigns will say why theyve delayed or when the candidates will release their returns. The best explanation: Its postponing an unpleasant moment, said Joseph Thorndike, a contributing editor for Tax Notes who maintains the organizations tax history project. If you say youre going to do it, youve got to do it, Thorndike said. I dont like the disingenuousness of Were working on it. He said the candidates tax returns for 2014 were long ago filed with the government. The three Republican candidates have unequivocally said they will disclose their returns. Trump, who broke a promise in 2012 to disclose his returns if Obama produced his long-form birth certificate, said in January that he was preparing to release his big returns. The Cruz campaign told the Dallas Morning News in April that Cruz would release his returns soon after they were filed, but he still hasnt. Shortly before Rubio filed his 2014 taxes last year, he told the Tampa Tribune that he would make them public. The Republican candidates have company on the Democratic side: Bernie Sanders released only excerpts from his 2014 tax returns. The documents showed income mostly limited to his $174,000 Senate salary and a $5,000 annual pension from being mayor of Burlington, Vt., from 1981 to 1989. The most interesting of the returns will probably be Trumps, Thorndike said. Trump posted a photograph of himself on Twitter in October next to a stack of documents several feet tall. If Donald Trumps tax returns really are that big as the stack he had next to him, theres a lot going on in there, Thorndike said. A key interest for Trump and Cruz will be how much they gave to charity. Previously, Cruz released five years of tax returns in January of 2012, revealing that the conservative Christian candidate and his wife had donated less than 1 percent of their $5 million income to charity. Cruzs stinginess was especially notable because he says that private charity not government programs is the best source of aid to the poor. As the Zika virus spreads in Latin America, Catholic leaders are warning women against using contraceptives or having abortions, even as health officials in some countries are advising women not to get pregnant because of the risk of birth defects. The challenge posed by Zika for the Roman Catholic Church comes as Pope Francis is making his first trip to Mexico, where the virus appears to be spreading. After a period of saying little, bishops in Latin America are beginning to speak up and reassert the church's opposition to birth control and abortion positions that in Latin America are unpopular and often disregarded, even among Catholics. "Contraceptives are not a solution," said Bishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, the secretary general of the National Council of Bishops of Brazil, and an auxiliary bishop of Brasilia, in an interview. "There is not a single change in the church's position." He urged couples to practice chastity or use "natural family planning," a method in which women monitor their menstrual cycles and abstain from sex when they are fertile. This is not a stance likely to win many new followers. South America happens to be the continent with the highest proportion of Catholics who already disagree with the church on abortion and birth control, according to a large international poll commissioned by Univision in 2014. Seventy-three percent of Catholics in Latin America said that abortion should be allowed in some or all cases, and 91 percent supported the use of contraceptives a higher percentage even than in Europe or the United States. While church leaders frequently say that doctrine is not determined by polls or popularity contests, they are nevertheless sensitive to counts of their flock. And the Catholic Church has been losing adherents in Latin America in recent decades as people leave to join evangelical and Pentecostal churches, or reject religion entirely. Nearly 70 percent of adults in Latin America still identify as Catholic, but that is down from 94 percent in 1950, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. Much of the fall-off has occurred in just the last generation. No Vatican department has yet issued a statement about the Zika issue, and it is not clear whether Francis will address it during his trip to Mexico, where he will be until Thursday, said the Rev. Thomas Rosica, the English-language media attache to the Vatican's press office. "The Vatican is very well aware of the seriousness of this issue, and the Holy Father is very aware of it," Rosica said. "We're waiting to see how the local churches in those countries respond." But Rosica said there was no leeway in church teaching on abortion or contraception. The Zika epidemic, he said, presents "an opportunity for the church to recommit itself to the dignity and sacredness of life, even in very precarious moments like this." The five countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that have advised women to delay pregnancy are Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia and Jamaica. But access to contraception is limited throughout the region, especially for poor and rural women. Abortion is restricted in many countries, and it is illegal without exceptions in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, but researchers have found some cases transmitted by sexual contact. Experts are not yet sure whether Zika is the cause of a sudden surge in babies born in Brazil with microcephaly unusually small heads and, often, damaged brains. Microcephaly could lead to serious disabilities but not always. There is no vaccine for the Zika virus, and no cure for microcephaly. The World Health Organization this month declared the Zika epidemic an international public health emergency. The organization advised that women should have full access to a range of contraceptive options, as well as "safe abortion services to the full extent of the law." Many church officials are wary that the Zika epidemic will lead to the loosening of laws on abortion and contraception. Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, who serves on Francis' nine-member advisory council, denounced the notion of "therapeutic abortions" for women carrying babies with microcephaly. He spoke at a Mass attended by the Honduran president and first lady. "Therapeutic means curative, and abortion doesn't cure anything," he said, according to a report in the newspaper La Tribuna. "It takes innocent lives away." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Al DiGuido may be one of the sweetest guys on earth. Not only is the Westport man opening a Fairfield store in addition to his first Saugtauck Sweets shop in Westport, but for years he has dedicated much of his time to raising money for children with cancer and rare blood diseases, and those whose families suffer financial hardships. His philanthropic group has been dubbed Als Angels. DiGuidos shops are called Saugatuck Sweets, and designed to be community gathering places where ice cream, baked goods and friendliness are offered, DiGuido said outside his new outlet at 28 Reef Road in Fairfield. The new shop, across from the Sherman Green gazebo in downtown Fairfield, is slated to open before Valentines Day, he said. His original sweet shop at 575 Riverside Ave. has been open nearly two years. Its much more than an ice cream shop, he said of the enterprise. Were trying to be a throwback to how life used to be. His Westport shop hosted Girl Scouts selling cookies on a recent weekend, for example, and before last weekends storm, had lined up a blank-athon at the Fairfield shop for women to knit blankets for hospitalized babies, which had to be canceled because of the weather. An upstairs room to host parties and charity events is a feature of the new location. We pride ourselves that we give back to the community, DiGuido said. DiGuido, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and the son of a New York City police officer, worked 15 years in the marketing and advertising business, specializing in digital advertising. He was the publisher of PC magazine and Computer Shopper before that. But for the past 16 years, he has been focused on Als Angels, a charity that started in his garage helping 30 families the first year. This past holiday season, Als Angels provided Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas gifts and food for 3,200 families and 9,000 children, he said. Sixty percent of the fundraising helps families in Fairfield County and 40 percent goes to families in Bronx, N.Y.; New Jersey and Long Island, according to DiGuido. DiGuidos charity work has its roots at a New York Giants game where a plea was made to help a 10-year-old girl dying from cancer whose family was in dire financial straits. I said to myself, how is it possible that in the United State of America, parents have to run fundraisers in order to provide food and gifts for their sick children? he recalled. He went home and, haunted by the plea, was inspired to organize charitable fundraising guided by this question: What if that was you, what would you do to help your children? DiGuido, the father of three children and grandfather of six, said the plight of children facing such challenges really hit home. It is that family and community connection that he hopes to re-create at his two sweets shops, he added, as well as in his fundraising efforts. Judging from comments by patrons at the Westport shop, next to the Saugatuck River, on a Sunday afternoon, he has succeeded. I love it, its such a sweet place to come to its old-fashioned Tracey Stidolph, of the Rowayton section of Norwalk, said as she enjoyed ice cream with her daughter, Stella, 4, and her parents, who were visiting from Pennsylvania. The family had come to Saugatuck Sweets after a performance at the Westport Country Playhouse. Stella was thoroughly enjoying her Oreo ice cream. This definitely works for us, her mother said. Its awesome, agreed Chris Drummond, 13, finishing a waffle cone adorned with chocolate and caramel, with his friend Jerrad Beaver, 12, who polished off a giant sundae called the Great Gatsby. We have a lot of fun here, said Chris Di Guido, Als wife, as she served the frozen treat. In addition to ice cream, Saugatuck Sweets serves what Al DiGuido calls scooped yogurt (not frozen), and 100 different kinds of candy. Baked goods including brownies, fruit bars and cakes are on the menu, along with milkshakes, root beer floats and egg creams. The businessman sees his sweets shop ventures also is a way to promote small businesses, and a device to bring people so tied to iPhones, iPads and social media together in a different setting. The shops are simply an old-fashioned place to hang out no one walks away grumpy, he said. For information about Als Angels, visit www.alsangels.org , and to learn more about Saugatuck Sweets, go to http://on.fb.me/20ApHZC . Police are hunting for a gunman who shot a driver to death in a residential San Jose neighborhood early Sunday, officials said. The victim, who was not immediately identified, was struck by a bullet and slammed into pole at Via Monte and Carlsbad drives near Pioneer High School around 3:45 a.m., police said. A three-alarm fire heavily damaged at least two structures and displaced more than a dozen residents in a neighborhood north of the Panhandle near the University of San Francisco on Saturday night, fire officials said. The fire was contained around 9:30 p.m. after scorching the buildings at 1571 and 1565 Fulton St., said Jonathan Baxter, a San Francisco Fire Department spokesman. Sixteen people were displaced, and an 11-year-old child had a cut foot from fleeing the blaze, Baxter said. No one was seriously injured in the fire. The Red Cross was called to assist residents displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire was not immediately known and remains under investigation. Bob Miller is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: bmiller@sfchronicle.com Matt Tennyson and Chris Tierney scored in the first period and the Sharks skated past the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 on Saturday night at SAP Center. Tomas Hertl and Joonas Donskoi also scored for the Sharks, who are 6-0-3 at home since a 2-8 mark in their previous 10 contests. Martin Jones stopped 22 shots for his second straight win. Hes 10-2-2 over his past 14 games. Melker Karlsson and Brent Burns each had two assists for San Jose. Martin Hanzal scored for the Coyotes, who lost their fifth in six games against San Jose. Louis Domingue stopped 24 shots but fell to 1-4-1 in his past six games. Tennyson, appearing in back-to-back games for the first time since early December, got the Sharks on the board three minutes in. He scored his second goal by firing a shot that Domingue could not get down in time to stop. Logan Couture, who has points in his past four games, set up Tennyson with a nice pass from the side. Tierney extended the lead by tapping in a hard pass from Burns from the top of the crease. Hanzal cut the Sharks lead in half early in the second period, beating Jones to the glove side. Moments after his apparent goal was disallowed because he deflected the puck with a a high stick, Hertl made it 3-1 midway through the third period. He redirected a pass that beat Domingue to the glove side. Donskoi added an empty-net goal with 1:19 to play. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP / Getty Images JERUSALEM Five Palestinians were killed and another critically wounded while attempting to attack Israelis in four separate incidents in the West Bank and Jerusalem on Sunday, according to the Israeli police and military. No Israelis were injured in the attacks. Late Sunday, two Palestinians were fatally shot after they opened fire with automatic weapons on Israeli security forces near Jerusalems Damascus Gate. LONDON If the European Union were a patient, its survival would be seen as threatened by multiple organ failure. Thats the view of many experts as EU leaders prepare for a Brussels summit that starts Thursday. Analysts believe the combined strain of challenges including a refugee crisis, threats facing the euro currency and Britains plan to hold a referendum on whether to leave the EU may be unbearable for the 28-nation bloc. Just 20 years ago, the EU seemed to be growing in stature as it proudly offered freedom and democracy along with lucrative subsidies, military alliances and billions in foreign investment to newly freed former Soviet satellites. Now, NATO warships are steaming toward the Aegean Sea in an escalated bid to impose order on the chaotic arrival of more than 1 million migrants, which has not abated despite the wintry weather in southern Europe. Informal mini-blocs have formed within the European Union, with some countries banding together to challenge, or just ignore, the EUs announced refugee resettlement program. Temporary border controls have been introduced in countries including Germany and France, threatening the cherished notion of freedom of movement across European borders. Britain, a nuclear power with a seat at the U.N. Security Council, is demanding concessions before a referendum on whether the U.K. should simply abandon the EU, a prospect known as Brexit. And a slow-burning, extremely divisive budget crunch threatens the future of the euro single currency that has been a hallmark of European integration. Ian Kearns, director of the European Leadership Network research group in London, said the EU is undergoing an existential crisis as a once shared sense of mission fades. Countries are pursuing their perceived national interests instead of seeking collective solutions, he said, and the notion of European solidarity is fading. Its anybodys guess now whether it will survive long term, he said of the European Union. I think its that serious. Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe group at Kings College London, says the European Union simply doesnt have a practical method of tackling its myriad mounting problems. Europe needs to have one cogent immigration policy to cope with the influx of people from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere but wont be able to forge one because countries dont view the problem the same way. The countries in the south like Greece and Italy are facing the brunt of it, Menon said. A few countries in the north Germany and the Scandinavians were generous at first and are now regretting it. The Brits are pretending its not happening. MUNICH A top Syrian opposition figure criticized Russia on Sunday for continuing with its bombing in Syria, insisting that people in the country need to see action rather than words. The head of the Saudi-backed Syrian oppositions High Negotiations Committee, former Prime Minister Riad Hijab, also stopped short of declaring a clear commitment to implement a planned temporary truce. You ask me if I accept a cease-fire or a cessation of hostilities. I ask you: Why is the onus on the opposition and whether it has preconditions for negotiations? Hijab said. I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement. Diplomats from a group of countries that have interests in Syrias five-year civil war, including the U.S., Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran, agreed on Friday to seek a temporary cessation of hostilities within a week. They also agreed to accelerate and expand deliveries of humanitarian aid to besieged Syrian communities beginning this week. It remains unclear whether those commitments can be made to stick on the ground and whether deep differences regarding the truce and which groups would be eligible for it between the U.S. and Russia among others can be overcome. The truce deal in Munich comes as Syrian government forces, aided by a Russian bombing campaign, are trying to encircle rebels in Aleppo, the countrys largest city, and cut off their supply route to Turkey. Hijab questioned whether the continued fighting by Russia was a seriously acceptable position to the international community. We have gotten used to conferences and words put into hope, but what we need is action and the action that I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians, Hijab told the Munich Security Conference, an annual gathering of foreign and security policy leaders. Speaking before Hijab, senior Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., sharply criticized the temporary truce deal, arguing that Russia is engaging in diplomacy in the service of military aggression. Lets be clear about what this agreement does: it permits the assault on Aleppo to continue for another week. It requires opposition groups to stop fighting, but it allows Russia to continue bombing terrorists which it insists is everyone, even civilians, said McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. McCain said Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime. He wants to re-establish Russia as a major power in the Middle East. On Saturday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the Munich conference there was no evidence that Russia was bombing Syrian civilians. Hijab complained that the Syrian people have been shredded and abandoned by the international community over the past five years and have not seen any leadership, specifically by the United States of America. Four Kiwi startups are in Silicon Valley for a month in a new initiative with Kiwi Landing Pad in the US. Auckland-based technology companies Pageproof, Weirdly, and Hop Ventures, along with Dunedins Cloud Cannon, are the first cohort of businesses chosen to receive direct support from Bank of New Zealand in a scheme that includes $50,000 cash, business advisory support and free office space at Kiwi Landing Pad (KLP) in San Francisco. The non-profit KLPs chairman, John Holt, said it wanted to take that further and directly help a group of its small business customers looking to expand offshore and for investment. The risk of supporting entrepreneurs indirectly is that value can be diluted if recipients are not completely ready to take advantage of that support, Holt said. By proactively scanning the ecosystem and doing some pre-work you can be a lot more targeted and valuable to the participants. The initiative has been timed to coincide with major networking events in the US, with the four companies attending the annual SaaStr conference, the worlds largest Software as a Service event, over the weekend. Theyll also attend a Kiwi-only event with several senior Silicon Valley startups executives, SaaS founders, and vice-presidents of sales and marketing during the month along with a Startup Grind event on Feb. 22 where theyll demonstrate their products on the exhibition floor. Holt said the bank has provided funding for a second cohort of four companies, to be chosen in September. KLP was co-founded by Trade Me founder Sam Morgan and Holt in 2011 and partners with the government to soften the landing of aspiring Kiwi tech startups into San Francisco. Holt said to date it had directly helped around 80 companies and double that number of entrepreneurs, including those who learnt quickly their business idea wasnt going to fly. He said the KLP had also worked with a number of Kiwi companies in the past year, including banks, insurance companies and Trade Me, who came to Silicon Valley to glean ideas on introducing innovation within their organisations. BNZ has been a sponsor of KLP for the past two years. BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service Wellington International Airport has hit back at analysis of its runway extension project by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, saying the critique undertaken for airlines opposing the $300 million project has overstated the number of routes proposed and used unreasonably low estimates of the value of tourists to New Zealand. The Board of Airline Representatives released the NZIER analysis overnight as the main element of its submission that the 350 metre extension is "highly speculative and should not proceed." NZIER based its conclusions on analysing seven potential routes to the Middle East, Asia and the US west coast, but airport spokesman Greg Thomas told BusinessDesk in an email that its consultants had based their findings in favour of the runway extension's viability on far fewer routes. "World route development experts InterVISTAS have confirmed viable long haul routes from Wellington starting with a daily service (not seven as BARNZ have suggested), growing to four services by 2035 similar to what Christchurch already has today," said Thomas. The NZIER analysis suggested only one of seven routes mooted as having potential would be commercially viable - a Wellington-Singapore route. The airport also took issue with NZIERs suggestion that the economic value to New Zealand of each additional tourist is overstated in the cost-benefit analysis conducted for the airport by Wellington economic consultancy Sapere, released in draft form late last year. NZIER's "estimate that each additional tourist would add just $160 of economic benefit is massively disproportionate to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment guidelines for determining the net benefits that New Zealand derives from international visitors to New Zealand," said Thomas. "The draft CBA implied a conservative value of $246 for each visitor, a figure which the MBIE analysis and other commentators have suggested is too low." NZIER also suggested InterVISTAS's estimates "grossly overstate likely visitor arrivals", especially from China, because of the likely tailing off in visitor growth caused by the maturing of those markets and the falling spending power of Chinese households as the country's huge population rapidly ages. "InterVISTAS have already taken into account that China's growth rate will slow and conducted extensive risk analysis on their modelling of the Wellington market," said Thomas. "The total market projections for growth in passenger numbers through Wellington are an average annual rate of 2.4%, which is very close to the airports historical growth rate." Owned 66:33 by infrastructure investor Infratil and the Wellington City Council, WIAL is seeking both central and local government funding for the majority of the cost of the proposed extension and is currently preparing a full business case following public consultation on the proposal. At this stage, the WCC is supporting funding for the studies and resource consent process, but government ministers are lukewarm. Prime Minister John Key told reporters after his state of the nation speech on Jan. 27 that "we havent ruled out funding it but we have to have confidence it is commercially viable. It is not a closed door at this point." BusinessDesk.co.nz Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Mainfreight Investor Day / Market Update GFI - Greenfern - Offer closes 27th Oct MCY - Quarterly Operational Update VCT - Operational performance for the 3 months ended 30 Sept 2022 NZL - Forestry Estate Acquisition October 21st Morning Report Air New Zealand Limited Retail Bond Offer Books Close Spark welcomes C-band spectrum allocation AIA - 2022 Annual Meeting Chair & Chief Executive Addresses MOVE Completes Purchase of Vessel for Trans-Tasman Service STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The last thing you want to do on a Saturday with the coldest temperatures New York City has experienced in 20 years is be at work -- outside. Earlier Saturday Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New Yorkers to brace for the coldest temperatures and wind chills the city has seen in 20 years. "It's the coldest day of the year; the wind feels like knives piercing your face," said George Rapsani, a gas station attendant at the Pleasant Plains M&B Gas and Auto Service Station. "The customers are nicer and more courteous than usual (in this weather)," he added. Rapsani is one of hundreds of workers -- from crossing guards to car washers -- whose jobs require them to be outside in all types of weather. And today is among one of the coldest days outdoor workers say that have ever had to brave the elements for their job. "I have on three T-shirts, a thermal, my jacket and two pairs of sweat pants as well," said a "mascot" for an income tax company who must be outdoors. '"This is the coldest I've ever been in my life... I have on two sweaters with my jacket and two pairs of jogging pants," said the worker, who asked that his not be used. And there's not much relief in sight for these outdoor workers. It's only expected to hit the mid-teens on Sunday and a couple of inches of snow could hit the city Monday morning, the mayor said. The area could see minor coastal flooding on Tuesday morning. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police seek a man for questioning in connection with a stolen credit card used at a Stapleton deli. On Tuesday, an unidentified man used the 57-year-old victim's credit card to make purchases at the Van Duzer Deli, located at 226 Van Duzer St., at around 5 p.m., according to a written statement from the NYPD's deputy commissioner for public information. The man is described as black and 15 to 20 years old, police said. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue pants and black and white sneakers, the statement says. The NYPD released surveillance photographs of the man wanted for questioning, which were taken from inside the deli, an NYPD spokeswoman said. Anyone with information can call the NYPD's CrimeStoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), submit tips at the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577. NWS Maniscalco Award Borough President James Oddo (Hilton Flores) Even Borough President James Oddo concedes that a judge's decision to allow the snarky names he chose for streets in the new development in Fort Wadsworth to stand is not truly a victory. The development of 250 townhouses on the desecrated wasteland that used to be the lovely grounds of Mount Manresa is proceeding according to the developers' plan. A beloved, leafy sanctuary has been lost forever, the surrounding community must now brace for a flood of new residents its streets and schools and sewers can't handle and Staten Island moves a step closer to being Queens. But the developers, Savo Brothers, will make a ton of money from the project, as did the Society of Jesus, which quietly unloaded the property for top dollar to the Savos before the inevitable opposition could coalesce. And in the end, the money that could be made off the 15-acre site trumped everything else. Money trumped all else So a decisive victory goes to the developers, who couldn't care less about what's best for the community, and to the Jesuits, who sold off and skedaddled out of the borough before their many supporters on Staten Island knew what hit them. But the judge's ruling does represent a small but significant symbolic blow against the development forces that have been allowed to run rampant here for too long. That includes the prime Mount Manresa property somehow escaping the attention of the much-ballyhooed Growth Management Task Force. We can only hope that what happened at Manresa serves as a cautionary tale for officials and leaders in their dealings with other not-for-profit organizations, including religious institutions, that own sizable tracts of property. No longer should they be trusted implicitly to do the right thing simply because of what they say they represent. Money does indeed talk loudest. Names signifying greed, deceit So Mr. Oddo, who had been forced by the court to issue house numbers for streets in the new development, chose to use sarcastic street names as his retort. He rejected the absurdly sylvan names the developers wanted to use -- Timber Lane, Lazy Bird Lane, Turtle Drive and Rabbit Ridge Road. He insisted that those names were either too similar to other street names or insensitive to the community in light of all that has happened. (A street named "Timber Lane" in a development where all the stately old trees have been felled is a bit much.) Instead Mr. Oddo used his authority to select street names of his own choosing, such as Cupidity Drive, Avidity Place and Fourberie Lane, all alluding to the greed and deceit he and many others say have been the overarching themes of the entire Mount Manresa development. Of course, the attorney for the Savo Brothers' ad-hoc legal entity, Mount Builders LLC, immediately filed suit, complaining that the BP's names, were not "within the spirit of the judge's order." The attorney added, "Yes, the borough president has discretion as to what names to give, but that doesn't give him the right to be vindictive, and disparage our client unnecessarily and be spiteful." But Judge Minardo grudgingly upheld the borough president's authority this past week, writing, "These provided names, which mean greed, trickery and deception, are not considered insensitive nor will they inflame controversy." However, he added that perhaps, instead of choosing names that reflect the bitterness of the long-running dispute over the fate of the property, Mr. Oddo could chose street names that honor the borough's fallen heroes, such as Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis or Army Sgt. Ian Sanchez. "It is within Borough President James Oddo's discretion to decide if the street names of the residents of the Borough of Staten Island should reflect greed, a lazy bird or a fallen hero," Judge Minardo wrote. Yes, but how much of a tribute would it be to Sgt. Ollis, Sgt. Sanchez or other Staten Island heroes would it be to name a street in a widely hated townhouse development named for them? We'd bet they'd pass on such an "honor." (Maybe in 20 or 30 years, when the bitterness has subsided, the streets can be renamed for a new generation of heroes.) 'Not a victory' In a Facebook post, Mr. Oddo responded, "This is not a victory. Victory would have been the agencies allowing us to rezone the property years ago to prevent this proposed project. Victory would have been the Jesuits not being so singularly focused on selling the property to the highest bidder, or at the very least, giving those of us in local government sufficient time to cobble together the resources needed to purchase this property. Victory would have been a developer heeding the community's concerns and attempting to do right by -- to some degree -- the trees, the sacred buildings and the natural topography." He continued, "This court decision is not a victory because it will not bring back the trees or the historic structures that were wantonly and spitefully destroyed. One trip down Fingerboard Road demonstrates the sad fact that those are gone forever and Judge Minardo's correct ruling can't ameliorate that loss. As this project proceeds through the land use process, we will continue to stay vigilant on behalf of the community." Of his street names, he said, "The fact is that the names chosen are auricularly pleasing and historically illuminative." (If nothing else, Mr. Oddo's statements throughout this episode have allowed us to expand our vocabulary.) Business / Economy by Staff reporter The IMF will not be influenced by American calls to tighten sanctions on Zimbabwe and will proceed with its re-engagement with Zimbabwe as planned, an official has said.About two weeks ago, US senator Bob Corker wrote to US treasury secretary Mr Jacob Lew saying Washington should pressure the IMF and World Bank not to lend money to Zimbabwe until American-prescribed conditions were met.Among the conditions were security sector "reforms" and reversing land reforms, all opposition mantras feeding from Zidera, Washington's sanctions law on Zimbabwe.Responding to inquiries by The Sunday Mail, IMF Zimbabwe head Mr Christian Beddies said experts from the multilateral lending institution would visit Harare next week to assess implementation of the last phase of the Staff Monitored Programme (2013-2015).Mr Beddies said Zimbabwe would access new money if it fulfilled the Arrears Clearance Strategy that IMF executives accepted in Lima, Peru in October 2015."I think everybody is entitled to have a view on issues pertaining to an institution they are a member of. My interpretation of what the Senator said was that new financing should be subject to reforms, which, by the way, applies to any country that the IMF has a financial arrangement with."What these reforms could look like is an area subject to discussion. (Accessing new money from the IMF) will depend on the execution of the Arrears Clearance Strategy that the authorities presented in Lima in October 2015, and the drawing up of a strong economic reform programme that could be supported with Fund resources."He added: "The upcoming Article IV consultation provides an opportunity to discuss how such cooperation could look like. The eight-member mission, led by our Mission Chief, Mr Domenico Fanizza, will be in Harare from February 24 to March 11, 2016."The mission will undertake the third and final review of the Staff Monitored Programme and the Annual Article IV consultation. The Article IV consultation is an exercise where we step back a little from the day-to-day challenges and provide a medium term assessment of the economy, in consultation with the authorities."Zimbabwe has been under US and European Union sanctions since 2001 on account of its stand-off with Britain over the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme.After enduring the ruinous embargo for 15 years, the country is targeting growth.Its Arrears Clearance Strategy entails using Special Drawing Rights to settle outstanding payments (US$100 million-plus) to the IMF, "a bridge loan" to clear African Development Bank debts (US$600 million) and medium to long-term loan facilities to settle World Bank arrears (US$1,1 billion).The strategy will be backed by "bold policy reform measures aimed at debt sustainability and improving the socio-economic environment" that include "strengthening financial sector confidence, accelerating the re-engagement process with the international community and revitalising agriculture and the agro-processing value chain".Part of the strategy document reads, "It also entails advancing beneficiation and/or value addition to the agriculture and mining resource endowment, focusing on infrastructure development, unlocking the potential of small to medium enterprises and improving the investment climate."The clearance plan is also anchored on accelerated public enterprises reform and improving public finance management, modernisation of the labour laws and aligning of laws to the Constitution and adhering to the rule of law and the pursuit of an anti-corruption thrust."Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa and his information counterpart, Dr Christopher Mushohwe, have already dismissed Mr Corker.Minister Chinamasa said, "I hope that as he has written this letter, he keeps an open mind with respect to the reality of the situation in Zimbabwe and should not be swayed by distorted information he receives about our country."He makes reference to equitable, legal and transparent land reform yet that's basically what we have undertaken. It's much more transparent and equitable than the land tenure system and ownership that existed before the land reform."Dr Mushohwe weighed in: "The letter dated 28 January, 2016, by Bob Corker, chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, to the US Secretary of the Treasury, Jacob Lew, concerning Zimbabwe's efforts at clearing her arrears and securing new lines of credit from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the African Development Bank once again reveals and confirms US attempts at gross interference in the internal politics of our country, Zimbabwe, contrary to norms of international relations. "Much worse, it reveals US control of what are supposed to be international financial institutions, including seeking to turn regime change in independent-minded African countries like Zimbabwe."The statement leaves no one in doubt about the reality of country sanctions, contrary to claims that these are targeted, or that Zimbabwe is being denied lines of credit for failing to service its arrears."What lies at the heart of the US foreign policy towards Zimbabwe, is the vain hope for regime change through sanctions-aggravated social conditions, which the US hopes will benefit the opposition."The ultimate objective is to reverse the land reform and to weaken Zimbabwe's status as a sovereign, independent African state." Business / Economy by Africa Moyo ZIMBABWE generated US$684,4 million from gold exports last year, with small-scale miners accounting for more than US$273 million, or 40 percent of total exports, as the country's output of the metal continued to soar.About 18,3 tonnes of gold was exported in 2015 4,4 tonnes more than a year earlier.Fidelity Printers and Refiners is the country's sole buyer and seller of gold and all of Zimbabwe's exports of the metal are channelled through the Rand Refinery in South Africa.The jump in gold production and exports comes at a time Zimbabwe has been rebuilding its reserves.A gold reserve is the gold held by a national central bank, intended as a store of value and as a guarantee to redeem promises to pay depositors, note holders, trading peers or to secure a currency.China's central bank held US$3,23 trillion as at January 2016 in gold reserves and purchases the precious metal on a monthly basis.Reports suggest that the People's Bank of China added 580 000 ounces of gold to its official reserves in January and the bank now holds 57,18 million ounces, representing a 0,9 percent increase from December 2015.Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa told Parliament in 2014 that the apex bank did not have "any gold reserves except for gold coins" which were valued at US$501 390 as at January 31, 2014."I have however asked the Reserve Bank to prepare for the day we can start to build our own gold and diamond reserves. The legal responsibility to keep such reserves would fall squarely on the RBZ," said Minister Chinamasa then.The RBZ disposed of 284 632 grammes of gold held by Standard Chartered Bank in London in early 2013.Last week, a source familiar with the goings on at the RBZ said the bank had started building gold reserves and reaffirmed the need to push production up.Said the RBZ source: "Without disclosing numbers, there is some progress in the area . . . the country has indeed started the process of building its own gold reserves. The building of gold reserves requires first that the country's gold production levels be increased."When production is increased, there will be enough room to easily set aside gold reserves. In this regard, the Bank is working with some regional and international financial institutions in order to provide affordable funding to the sector."Important to note is that the country is leveraging on the current gold output in structuring gold backed offshore lines of credit, for the economy."Local output of the yellow metal is nearing peak production of 27 tonnes reached in 1999.Government has set a target of 24 tonnes for 2016.Fidelity Printers and Refiners, an arm of the RBZ, believes the target is achievable, but has stressed the need to fund gold producers.It is estimated that a US$20 million facility can oil gold producers' operations.Fidelity acting CEO Mr Fradreck Kunaka told The Sunday Mail Business that any fund availed to the sector must be affordably priced.The RBZ has said the 24-tonne target is achievable given that the 18,3 tonnes realised last year represented a 32 percent growth from the 2014 figure of 13,9 tonnes."What is required to achieve the target is for all stakeholders in the gold sector to work together in increasing production. In this regard, Government and the Bank will continue to strengthen their compliance monitoring in the gold sector as well as making interventions to boost gold production."As already highlighted, the bank will continue to engage its regional and international financiers in order to raise long-term affordable funding for the sector and the economy in general," said the RBZ source.The country has not invested in new gold coins.The value of existing gold coin reserves may have come down from US$501,390 in January 2014 because of fluctuating international prices.To help build gold reserves, the RBZ, Mines and Mining Development Ministry and Zimbabwe Republic Police are conducting thorough on-site inspections at all gold producers to ensure compliance with rules and regulations governing operations and to fully account for output and sales."This ensures that all gold produced by the miners is sold to FPR thereby reducing incidences of side marketing of gold by gold producers," said the RBZ source.A massive blitz at the country's border posts has netted several local and foreign smugglers.Minister Chinamasa proposed additional incentives in the 2016 National Budget Statement such as a reduced royalty rate of three percent on incremental output of gold "using the previous year's production as a base year" beginning last month. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree Entertainment / Celebrity by Staff reporter One of Zimbabwe's greatest musicians Lovemore Majaivana's son - Derrick has relocated to Harare and is set to release his second eight-track."I started here in Harare before I moved to Bulawayo to let the Majaivana fans know that Majaivana music was still there. However, I am back in the capital," said Derrick.Although he has not achieved much, he has had a fair share of performances with local top class acts."I was promoted by the business community here in Harare when it came to live performances," said the 36-year-old who has shared the stage with Oliver Mutukudzi, Jah Prayzah and Alick Macheso, among others.While it appears to be a bearable transition for other upcoming artistes born of late musicians as they inherited bands and intact fan bases, Majaivana conceded that it takes extra hard work to try and match or even surpass a living legend."Well, it's really an uphill task because definitely one needs to release good music which is up to standard and it is really a challenge, but l like it because at the end of the days you really produce good music," he said.He cherishes great support from his father who is based in the United States. Derrick has matured under the tutorship of poet-cum-musician Albert Nyathi.He said the new project will make an impact on his career because the songs on the album sound like his father's popular album Isono Sami which was released in 2001."My messages are actually based on real-life issues, what we face in our day-to-day lives. I am still to decide what name to give the album because all the songs are good," he said.Music has proven to be a hereditary talent, especially among Zimbabwean families as other names like Simon Chimbetu and Tongai Moyo have continued to live own through their songs long after their deaths. Best Canadian Blog 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 About Kate Why this blog? Until this moment I have been forced to listen while media and politicians alike have told me "what Canadians think". In all that time they never once asked. This is just the voice of an ordinary Canadian yelling back at the radio - "You don't speak for me." (goes to a private mailserver in Europe) I can't answer or use every tip, but all are appreciated! Katewerk Art Support SDA I am not a registered charity. I cannot issue tax receipts. Reconnaissance Man Economics for the Disinterested ...a fast-paced polar bear attack thriller! Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights The Church of England has defended tweeting a prayer for outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins after it was accused of trolling him. A short tweet stated that the Anglican Church was praying for the secularist scholar, evolutionary biologist and author of The God Delusion after he suffered a stroke on Friday. Professor Dawkins, 74, is expected to make a full recovery but was forced to cancel his Australian and New Zealand tour, including an appearance at the Sydney Opera House on February 28. A Spanish civil servant who failed to turn up for work for six years was only discovered when he was considered for an award for loyal service. Former public employee Joaquin Garcia, who was still collecting his annual 37,000 ($58,000) salary, was on Friday ordered by Cadiz city hall to pay 27,000 in compensation. Joaquin Garcia was employed as a civil servant in the Spanish city of Cadiz. He had been sent by the city council to oversee the building of a waste-water treatment plant in the south-western city, but records show that Mr Garcia had not turned up for work for six years. Mr Garcia responded by filing his own complaint with city hall, demanding that councillor Jose Blas Fernandez, in charge of personnel at the time, be disciplined for negligence for failing to notice his absence. Virgin Australia remains confident in its target of at least $150 million of annual revenue from cargo by mid-2017, despite sales having gone backwards in the first half of the financial year as the business was restructured, chief executive John Borghetti says. Virgin launched its cargo division on July 1, 2015, after its long-time freight manager Toll Holdings said Qantas would carry its freight, which had gone in the belly of Virgin aircraft since 2007. At the time, Qantas also re-signed with Australia Post for a five-year deal that, when combined with Toll, was expected to contribute more than $100 million of annual revenue. Virgin Australia chief executive John Borghetti says the airline will consider buying dedicated freighters. Credit:Daniel Munoz "We always knew we were going to take a hit in revenue in the short term," Mr Borghetti told The Australian Financial Review of the decision to manage the cargo itself rather than through Toll. "We were confident in the long term we'd be further ahead. I am still confident of our ability to do $150 million [by the end of the 2017 financial year]." Virgin set a target in August 2014 of tripling annual freight revenue to $150 million to $200 million by the end of the 2017 financial year. Entertainment / Music by Lazaraus STUDENTS of political science, social studies and linguistics must be having a torrid time trying to unpack what exactly happened at Kanyemba Secondary School in Chiweshe last Friday. It's back to basic in semiotics.Even the politicians themselves are in wonderland trying to knit the meaning of what came out from Kanyemba while the ordinary people are just watching and wondering.In case you didn't know dear reader, the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe (she says you can call her Mai Mafirakureva) has resumed her countrywide rallies and get ready for some ride. She left Kanyemba stunned, but she says this is just the beginning.After what the First Lady said in Kanyemba with regards to Lacoste, there must be some confusion, but hey macomrades there is nothing to be confused about. Nothing at all, because Bishop Lazarus had prophesied it all on January 31, 2016. Just check The Sunday Mail edition on this day and you will see kuti haasi Magaya ega anowoneswa.Let me rewind for the benefit of those who missed this edition. I started the sermon on this day saying: "IF my memory serves me well, it was George Carlin who said "never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." This statement came to my mind after watching the unfolding drama in Zanu-PF's Midlands Province."There is a lot of stupidity going on there and the most tragic outcome of it all is that those from that province who think are doing Vice President Mnangagwa some favours are actually doing him more harm"In my prophetic mood I continued saying: "The circus which is no longer funny by the way, took Bishop Lazarus to the Book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs from Chapter 26 vs 4 upwards, deals extensively with the issue of fools."Dear reader I know you must be wondering which fools I was referring to but soon you will get the drift. But before exposing the fools, as the most understood Bishop I quickly made a short prayer to God saying: "Please God open my mind so that this sermon is understood in the proper context in these toxic political days of our lives."You see, I had to speak to my God because due to my frankness, I have been said to be supporting G40 and on some weeks I am said to be supporting the Lacoste faction. But the truth is, as a man of God, I have to speak the truth as preached in Proverbs 12 vs 17 which says: "He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit."After this short prayer to God, I then continued my sermon saying: "Now, can someone tell me what Norest Makururu, Godwin Gomwe, Ratidzo Mukarati, Godfrey Tsenengamu and Mike Nyamutsika were doing posing for pictures wearing those t-shirts printed Lacoste? We have gotten to know that those pro-VP Mnangagwa in the Midlands province call themselves team Lacoste. Now what on earth is that? Another faction?"What has happened to that one centre of power in Zanu-PF? Are these comrades not creating another Joice Mujuru scenario? If you didn't know dear reader, Joice's people thought the deal was done for her and they became very reckless. Now where is Joice?"Indeed its true and I repeat here, some people in the Midlands province were getting carried away the same way as those who fooled Joice to her political dustbin. And I continued my sermon asking these comrades a few tough questions.I asked: "Why sink that low? Does VP Mnangagwa want such desperate people on his side? There is no sophistication or deep thought."Just some overzealous, overexcited and over-ambitious youths whose foolishness is unfortunately packaging VP Mnangagwa as a regional and not national leader. The VP has nothing to gain from all this. He was and he remains a shrewd politician who can stand on his own."Actually, some of us who have been watching the VP during live debates in Parliament have been charmed by his conduct so will the monkey business from the Midlands please stop!"I am not sure whether the monkey business in the Midlands province has stopped but look now Mai Stop It, Mai Mafirakureva spoke about the same issue at Kanyemba. Unlike the mild Bishop, Mai Mafirakureva was ruthless in her warning to the Lacoste group.She said: "Vanhu vari kuswera vakapfeka maT-shirts hanzi Lacoste, vaakubvunzwa kuti Lacoste inorevei hanzi iperfume. Hatizi maremaka isusu. Don't abuse mutupo waPresident. Mobuditsa vana mumapepa, because this is public knowledge we saw the pictures in the papers, vana vakapfeka maT-shirts akanzi Lacoste akaembroidwa neflag yeZimbabwe.""Hatidi kuabuser that flag, ine meaning yainoreva flag iyi. Let's not abuse it. Munodarirei? Kana vanhu vachikudai regai vanhu vakusarudzei. Tanga takangozvigarira isu vanaMai Mugabe isu, vanhu vakati tirimafuza nekuti tanga takanyarara. Mugoti unopiwa anyerere"Varikuita zvefactionalism ngavazvirege izvozvi"Stop it forthwith! Nekuti nguva yava kukwana yekuzotaurirana chokwadi. Imbwa iripo apo handivigi mupini ndinoiponda nemupini inini."Again, I offer free advice to those who were getting carried away in the Midlands province there is only one centre of power in Zanu-PF and that is President Mugabe. The sooner you tear those suicidal and factional Lacoste t-shirts, the better.Having said this, I also have words of advice to the Zanu-PF national commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere because he said something that tete vemusangano should never say at Kanyemba."We are coming to the Midlands, Mashonaland East and Masvingo. You stopped women from coming to welcome the President claiming it was a Kasukuwere plot. Now we are coming for you," said Kasukuwere.The good commissar should not get carried away. Tete vemusangano does not instil fear into the people. I have preached about this before and will preach about it in future.The First Lady did a good job whipping the Lacoste group into line and honestly people want to hear the gospel according to Mai Mafirakureva. Let's leave her to unite the party.In these toxic political times of our lives, any other voice will be misunderstood because there is so much politicking going on.You see, izvozvi ini this poor Bishop after this sermon will be accused of being in this or that faction. Ko kuzoti national commissar kana vataura? He will be put in all sorts of factions and I am sure, Kasukuwere doesn't want that.One centre of power means President Mugabe chete chete!Bishop is out! From the most recent figures on long-term arrivals, it's possible to give odds on the 24 millionth's place of birth. In December 14.7 per cent of settler arrivals were from China, 12.9 per cent from India, 12.1 per cent from New Zealand. But the 24 millionth could be from just about anywhere and could be just about anything from a refugee who has lost everything and everyone to a multi-millionaire who has effectively purchased the passport. As a class, the foreign-born have plenty of company more than 28 per cent of us were born overseas, the highest proportion since 1895. By far and away the most are from the UK, double the next lot Kiwis. Mentioning Kiwis, various international studies suggest only half of "Piggy" Muldoon's aphorism is true. The former NZ prime minister infamously opined that the large number of New Zealanders fleeing to Australia on his watch raised the average IQ of both countries. In reality, it's the receiving nation that gains. There's an element of this that can't be objectively measured by educational qualification or wealth of migrants and it is the most vital and important part. I have a treasured quote from fellow Queenslander Lloyd Rees who said he felt sorry for people born in Sydney because they never saw it with fresh eyes. That pretty much applies to the Australian-born about Australia. Each year, a wave a migrants arrive, look around and say in various languages words to the effect of: "How bloody good is this? Let's get stuck in!". And, mostly, they do, working with a drive and enthusiasm that shades we skippys. Of course it doesn't last their grandchildren as slack as the rest. But by then many more have landed to keep reinvigorating the economy and culture. You tend to have to be a risk taker to migrate and it's risk taking that grows us. At the extreme edge of risk was Alex Graus, pushing 90 when he died last month, an event largely unheralded beyond his family. His is an almighty story, one of many. After being among the last Jews to be deported from Czechoslovakia in August, 1944, it took calculated risks and luck for a boy to survive Auschwitz-Birkenau, Ravensbruck, and Sachsenhausen and to leave Czechoslovakia in 1949 for Australia. His family tell me he did not like to speak of the war years and rarely did, but he broke that rule to help a granddaughter with a sanitised version for a school assignment. In part: "For many migrants adjusting to the new life was challenging. Alex recalls, 'It was reasonably easy. No one actually wants to leave their home country but my family perished in the war so a fresh start was good. Ben Chifley was the prime minister at the time and Australia was fair to me. I remember there was a strike for eight weeks, which left us with no electricity for a week'. "Alex's experience of Australians as a migrant was generally very positive. He recalls that 'they were not hostile. They felt sorry for me I think and were very sympathetic. I mean, if you weren't arrogant there was no problem. They were actually very helpful and personally, I didn't experience any racial discrimination'." Her brief, poignant eulogy began: "Grandad is the bravest person I know. Although we will never be able to truly understand what he went through in his early life, I can imagine the strength and bravery it must have taken him to live through the horrors of the holocaust, the loss of his family and come to a new country." Alex Graus and his brother, Walter, who had escaped Czechoslovakia before deportation, eventually started making neck ties, establishing Boston Ties, employing 100 people at its height. Alex had two sons, themselves continuing to build this country, as are his granddaughters. His descendants tell me Alex was always optimistic, no matter what happened. I suppose after you've been to hell, any purgatory would look like heaven. The 24 millionth Australian could be the makings of another Alex Graus, a survivor of war and horror who would be forever grateful to the country that gave him or her a fresh start. Or maybe the 24 millionth will be a much younger Rosa Masinello, a nonagenarian who also died last month, the mother of my school mate Sergio. Rosa was a young woman when she left all the closeness of Filicudi, one of the Aeolian islands off the coast of Sicily. Here, she married Frank, also from Filicudi, forming a partnership to raise four children and build businesses, helping to literally build Brisbane. "Mum, in her quiet, humble way, achieved great things for her family and friends," Sergio told me, also with characteristic humility. Rosa, like Alex, was part of that great post-war wave that changed Australia forever, just as the present wave does. She remained more at home with Italian than English, certainly more at home with Italian food, but, with Frank, she very much wanted her children to be Australian. The most powerful economic driver on earth is a mother's desire for her child to have a better chance in life than she did. There'll be Rosas arriving tomorrow, for sure. Or maybe the 24 millionth will be like an economist friend who admits he might bore his children by reminding them how fortunate they are to be born here. He's a fine man, a servant of the country, who says he has had opportunities that would not have been afforded him elsewhere. Or maybe the 24 millionth will be like his brother who died before Christmas. "He wasn't one of our migrant triumphs," my friend wrote. "He was a single man whose life took a different path from his brothers. His triumph was the simple one of how much people, especially his nephews and nieces, loved him, and in how much he'll be missed." Mind you, to be loved and missed is great success indeed. It is to be a successful human being the rest, merely trappings of one type or another. Whoever our 24 millionth person is and our 24th million, they will make us rich through their diversity, by bringing their experience and desire, their fresh eyes. Australia would not be as promising, as fine, without them. There are people who, for various reasons, don't want Australia to have this injection. Some underestimate our ability to grow while protecting our environment. Some fail to see the benefits growth brings us and only see the challenges. Some carry the prejudices of small, ignorant minds. The lockout laws in Sydney are squeezing the life out of Sydneys social scene, causing businesses to shut, staff to be sacked and Sydneys place as a desirable tourist destination to be put in jeopardy. There are reports of 60 per cent reductions of foot traffic through what were previously vibrant metropolitan streetscapes, and restaurants and bars that were previously winning prestigious awards for service, style and hospitality are closed for good. Despite this I think its time for a rethink of the states alcohol lockout laws because it is undeniable that a large part of Sydneys night life is closing down, perhaps never to reappear. I wouldnt hit the Kings Cross night clubs if they were opened til 6am or shut promptly on the dot at 6pm. After all, nothing will make you feel old like seeing hordes of party people who werent even born when you could take your first legal drink. I remember going to Jimmy Liks in Kings Cross close to a decade ago and for the first time thinking that with restaurants and bars like this Sydneys nightlife would soon be competing with cities like Hong Kong and New York. It seemed Sydney was developing a sophisticated night life that didnt involve poker machines, barn sized interiors and carpet designed to hide vomit stains. However, after 14 years Jimmy Liks has gone bust - a victim, the owner insists - of the NSW governments lockout laws, and there are many other businesses that once employed hundreds of others that have gone the same way. The Premier in a high-handed response on Facebook informed NSW that he wouldnt be changing his mind on the lockout laws, in effect, killing the promised review of the laws. This is a big mistake: it means the government will not be reviewing all of the data on the impact of the laws (which the government and Bureau of Crime Statistics & Research are now in dispute about) and, more importantly, they will close their minds to new ideas that could reduce violence while allowing nightlife for responsible adults to exist. Here are two ideas that could be part of a review. Currently the liquor lockouts dont apply to small bars of less than 60 occupants. However, not many wine bars are able to take advantage as very few have a 24-hour licence. The government could allow small bars to open later, thereby encouraging responsible nightlife in a smaller, more manageable environment, without closing down entire suburbs. What the hell is wrong with those daft women on commercial breakfast TV! Why are they winding up the ditzy dial? And why are they so dead keen to present themselves as mindless bimbos? As a woman who has spent 25 years on television, believe me, I ask these questions with great reluctance. And frustration. But seriously, what on earth is going on in Samantha Armytage's head? Not much it would seem, given the pitiful episode she and her gal pals put actress Kristin Davis through on Sunrise on Thursday. It was gender-cringe TV at its worst. And the sanctimonious nonsense that followed was utterly shameful with Daddy Bear Kochie sitting in the middle of the couch, flanked by his po-faced girls, pulling their best "we've been hurt and it wasn't our fault" expressions. Oh please! Comedian Lawrence Mooney has launched a scathing tirade against a female journalist, calling her a "deadshit" and "f***ing amateur" for her unfavourable review of his latest show. The Advertiser's Isabella Fowler praised Mooney's show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival on Sunday but suggested he was "just a funny guy" rather than a comedian. After the review went live, Mooney began harassing Fowler on Twitter, accusing her of having "a small mind". Foreign Minister Julie Bishop plans to issue a "please explain" to Beijing over its massive island-building program in the South China Sea, amid fears the reclaimed structures could be militarised by the Chinese. Ms Bishop, who left on Sunday for a visit to Japan and China, said she also planned to use her meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to urge Beijing to do more to rein in neighbouring North Korea, which launched a long-range rocket this month in defiance of international warnings. Australia's planned new fleet of submarines and broader security matters in the region are also expected to be high on the agenda of the trip, which includes calls on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The visit comes as the Turnbull government continues to weigh up whether to join the United States in so-called freedom of navigation patrols through the contested waters of the South China Sea, designed to undercut Beijing's excessive maritime claims and test previous pledges not to militarise the islands. A summer marred by ministerial crises and the prospect of a higher GST has taken the shine off the Turnbull government, sending the Coalition's share of the vote below that achieved by Tony Abbott at the 2013 election. A four point two-party preferred slump to 52-48 still has the government winning but is set to dispel any lingering early election barracking from within the government. Just one in five voters (22 per cent) would look favourably on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull running to the polls before his full term is served. Mr Turnbull has told his party to be on guard for a snap poll should key legislation be blocked in the Senate. Mr Turnbull's personal support remains high, with voters decisively preferring the incumbent PM to the alternative Bill Shorten by more than three to one at 64 (down 5 percentage points) to 19. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reignited criticism of his government's same-sex marriage policy after posting on social media to celebrate Valentine's Day. Mr Turnbull, who supports the reform of marriage, posted a photo of himself and his wife Lucy, a businesswoman and former lord mayor of Sydney. The Prime Minister wrote: "When I first asked Lucy to marry me, she said, 'Let's wait until we grow up.' Well we didn't wait long and now it is almost impossible to imagine, let alone remember, what it was like not to be together, so much so that I have a much clearer sense of 'Lucy and me' than I do of 'me'." While many responses were positive, others were disappointed and angered with Mr Turnbull's stance since becoming leader. Politicians from all sides of politics are gazing wistfully at our superannuation. The Coalition has hinted at increasing the contributions tax, while both Labor and the Greens are making noises about reducing the amount that can be held in the low-tax superannuation environment. There are also rumours that transition to retirement pensions (TTRs) may be attacked in the May budget. The transition-to-retirement scheme allows someone to wind back work commitments without retiring fully. Credit: supplied TTRs were introduced in 2006 in tandem with the Howard-Costello reform of the superannuation system. Australia was facing a growing skill shortage, with the oldest baby boomers then nudging age 60 and as more and more of them retired, the difficulty of finding replacements was growing. At the same time, many older workers wanted to cut down on their hours and were happy to accept a reduced wage for doing so, but they did not want to give up work completely. The problem was access to super. Even though withdrawals from super become tax free from age 60, employees cannot access their super until preservation age (55 if born before July 1, 1960) unless they are prepared to sign a statement that they are permanently retired. Once they reach 60 they have to resign from a job to access their super. Mount Lawley neighbours chased a serial burglar through local streets on Saturday evening before police arrived to arrest him. Police spokeswoman Susan Usher said the Parmelia man allegedly threatened his pursuers with a wooden stake and a broken roof tile during the street drama. An alleged burglar was arrested in Mount Lawley on Saturday after being pursued by homeowners. File image. Credit:jason@tnv.com.au The 37-year-old man first climbed into the backyard of a home in Vincent Street, Mount Lawley, around 6.30pm. He was challenged by the homeowner as he attempted to get into the house. The man ran off and the homeowner followed him. News / Africa by CAJ News PROMINENT churchman TB Joshua, is leading the race to become the first African Prophetic Pastoral Award Winner.HOPe Africa, a nonprofit, public charity organisation, is organising the award, based on popular opinion.Over 30 African pastors were selected for this exercise and four made the final list.Among the pastors and their region, as well as scores, are Paseka Mboro Motsoeneng (87,5 percent, Southern Africa), Gary Skinner (88 percent East Africa), Jerry Antonie (85,5 percent, Central Africa) and Joshua (90,5 percent, West Africa).Recommendations from the public close on Tuesday.The winner will be determined in a couple weeks but at a date to be announced in due course.Francis John, founder and chief executive of HOPe Africa, thanked volunteers and participants in the exercise. The West Australian opposition wants to introduce a "no body, no parole" law so murderers who refuse to reveal their victim's whereabouts can't be released. The new laws would require the Prisoners Review Board to consider a report from police about the offender's co-operation in their investigation before deciding to release them. Hayley Dodd went missing near Badgingarra in 1999. A similar law is already in place in South Australia and being considered in other states. Margaret Dodd, whose teenage daughter Hayley was murdered in 1999, collected 20,000 signatures in a petition calling for a change to WA's laws. SEOUL, South Korea. North Korea has announced a halt to an investigation into the fate of Japanese citizens said to have been abducted by its agents decades ago, retaliating for sanctions Japan imposed this week after the North's latest rocket launching. North Korea blamed Japan for the development in a report on Friday from its official Korean Central News Agency, saying that Tokyo's new sanctions were "little short of the declaration of its own scrapping" of a 2014 agreement under which North Korea set up a panel to investigate the abduction issue. The panel and its investigation were terminated as of Friday, the report said. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se (right) shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida after a joint news conference. Credit:Getty Images Japan's foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, called North Korea's decision "deplorable," the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported. North Korea admitted in 2002 that its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and '80s. Five abductees were later allowed to return to Japan. The North said the others were dead, but Japan wanted a full investigation of those cases and the cases of other Japanese who Tokyo believes were also kidnapped. Resolving the emotional issue has been a pressing concern for the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Kabul: Civilian casualties from the war in Afghanistan rose to record levels for the seventh year in row in 2015, as violence spread across the country in the wake of the withdrawal of most international troops, the United Nations reported on Sunday. At least 3,545 non-combatants died and another 7,457 were injured by fighting last year in a 4 per cent increase over 2014, the UN said in its annual report on civilian casualties. "The harm done to civilians is totally unacceptable," said Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Scalia passed away of natural causes at a luxury resort in Texas over the weekend . With a vacancy on the Supreme Court this bitterly divided nation will in the next 12 months decide on which philosophical doctrine holds sway within the White House, the Congress, and the Supreme Court all three arms of United States government. It is difficult to exaggerate the significance of the death of the longest serving and most conservative member of the United States Supreme Court, 79-year-old Justice Antonin Scalia. US Senator Lindsey Graham moved to defend Trump. Credit:AP The opening shots of this war have already been fired, with the Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issuing a statement saying, "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new President." His Democratic opponent Senator Harry Reid responded with his own statement saying in part, "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities." Scalia, a man who believed, he said, in the physical presence of Satan on earth, was arguably the most powerful conservative voice in the country. His death potentially upends the balance of power on the court whose members include liberals and conservatives, shifts the course of the ongoing election and presents Obama with his greatest opportunity for cementing his legacy, and sets the battleground for what will doubtless be the greatest political fight of his second term. Washington: Conservative US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died, setting up a major political showdown between President Barack Obama and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace him just months before a presidential election. "On behalf of the court and retired justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement on Saturday, calling Scalia, 79, an "extraordinary individual and jurist." Appointed to the top US court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia was known for his strident conservative views and theatrical flair in the courtroom. Obama, who is travelling in California, extended his condolences, and the White House said he would have more to say about Scalia's death later on Saturday. The threat of the Zika virus may be overstated, according to a new analysis of the prevalence of birth abnormalities linked to the mosquito-borne disease. An outbreak of Zika across Central and South America has sparked an international public health emergency due to fears it is causing an increase in babies born with microcephaly, or an abnormally small head. Two pregnant Australian women have been diagnosed with the virus this year, with both cases acquired overseas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued an advisory to Australians who intend to travel to countries where the virus is prevalent. Evidence of a direct link between Zika and birth abnormalities is yet to be proven and health researchers are questioning whether the number of cases of babies born with microcephaly has been overstated. PHILIPSBURG:----The tenants of the Belvedere and the emergency homes have been complaining about the harsh treatment they have been receiving from the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. Since 1995 those emergency homes were constructed for those citizens that were left homeless after the passing of Hurricane Luis. However, no one would have believed that after so many complaints by the tenants for over 21 years that these homes still have one door. This situation at these homes is dangerous and is waiting for some major fire to break out and lives are lost. This is unacceptable and especially since these homes are owned by a government foundation that should be leading by example. All the foundation rules are enforced when a tenant falls in arrear with his rent which most of the time leads to eviction. We expect the government to enforce their building codes and instruct the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation to install a second door in the back of these homes at their expense. We have also learnt that the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation is charging the tenants a monthly maintenance fee of 10% of the monthly rent. A tenant is also required to pay three months deposit when signing a rental contract with one month non-refundable. All of these regulations are putting a tremendous financial burden on our people and forcing many of them to apply for a loan to meet these demands. Above and beyond these rules the tenants are required to install their own light fixtures, bulbs and cabinets and when leaving either remove them or leave them behind without being compensated. The OSPP has forwarded a letter to the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Angel Meyers asking him to explain to the general public what is the government policy on housing in particular the emergency and the Belvedere homes? We also want to know why the Vorst Estate was not transferred to the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation for one guilder to build homes for our young professionals. The core business of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation is the development of properties for rent and for sale. Can the government explain if the subsidy policy for the Belvedere homes is still available to the tenants? Some of the duplexes in Belvedere have been sold in the past and many tenants are stating that they were told that after living in the homes for a certain amount of years those homes will be sold to them. Is that a true statement? If yes, when will the government commence will selling those duplexes and the emergency homes to the occupants? In the last year and a half there have been a lot of reports in the media about the management and the supervisory board of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. During that time the Managing Director and others were sent home. Has a new Managing Director been appointed to the foundation? Is the Supervisory Board complete and who are those members? We cant continue operating this very important foundation in this manner. A large proponent of the cost of living is rent and we need to address this housing issue without any further delay. Ministry of Housing, Physical Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, The Government Administration Building Clem Labega Square Philipsburg, St. Maarten Attention: Mr. Angel Meyers Minister of VROMI Dear Mr. Minister Angel Meyers, It is very unfortunate that after twenty one (21) years the homes that were constructed for those persons that were mostly affected by Hurricane Luis in 1995 to date still have one door. This has been brought to the attention of many of our Ministers of VROMI since St. Maarten attained the status of Country within the Dutch Kingdom. Some one would expect that our government would lead by example and correct this situation within the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. Or are we to wait until a major disaster takes place such as a fire and lives are lost before this situation is corrected? Can we for once be pro-active and addressed this issue before it is too late? We would also appreciate if the Minister can inform the general public what is this government policy regarding the sales of those emergency homes and the duplexes in Belvedere? Many tenants in Belvedere are indicating that during the time they begun leasing those homes they were told that in due time they would be sold to them. In the past the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation began selling some of those duplexes. How many duplexes were sold and why those duplexes and not others? Are the plans of this government to continue selling those duplexes, given first preference to those tenants who are presently occupying them and that the moneys paid to date in rent would be subtracted from the selling price? It is important that the tenants know in advance in order to make the necessary financial arrangements with their banks. We have also noticed that the maintenance on those homes is very poor and leaves a whole lot to be desire. However, what is very striking to us is the fact that the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation is charging the tenants ten percent (10%) of their rent as a maintenance fee and a third deposit that is non-refundable. How can these homes be referred to as affordable when our people in many cases need to obtain a loan in order to sign the lease because of these draconian rental policies. They are given short notice from one day to the other to come up with the money otherwise the home is given to another person. Wouldnt you consider this an abuse and total lack of respect towards our hard working citizens who want the best for their family? It is also unheard of that tenants when moving into these homes must install their own cabinets, light fixtures, bulbs and when leaving can either remove them or leave them without being compensated for them. Many of the tenants are complaining about the termites that eating up the place and when complaining to the foundation, they receive no type of satisfaction. The tenants who are living there for a long time feel as if the foundation wants them out even though they are in good standing. This is due to the fact that the foundation feels that the rent they are paying is very low. The OSPP also wants to know if the subsidy policy is still into effect for the tenants of Belvedere and if the one year contract is automatically renewed? The OSPP wants to know who the members are of the board of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. Is all the Supervisory Board positions filled according to the articles of the foundation? If not, why not? Is it the intention of this government to have the position of Chief Executive Officer (Managing Director) of the foundation filled within short? If not, why not? Or is the government satisfied with the Interim Management team that is leading the foundation at this moment? If yes, who are the members of the Interim Management and for how long are they appointed and by whom if the board is incomplete? The OSPP also wants to know why the Vorst Estate was not transferred to the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation for a symbolic guilder in order for them to build the low income homes for the young professionals. After all, the core business of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation is the development of properties for rent and for sale. The OSPP wants to thank you in advance and look forward to you addressing these very serious issues affecting our people. Yours truly, One St. Maarten People Party Lenny F. Priest Leader Cc: Members of Parliament News / Education by Staff reporter FIFTEEN students from the country's ten provinces have been awarded full scholarships to study for a degree in Islamic Studies in South Africa.The students, who left Zimbabwe for South Africa last Friday, have been enrolled at Al-Mustafa International University in Johannesburg.The university, headquartered in Iran, was established to demystify stereotypes and end Islamophobia with the Islamic Republic of Iran spearheading the initiative.Zimbabwean students will join others from South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Botswana who also have been enrolled at the same university.Al-Mustafa International University representative, Sheikh Ahmed Hamidu, said the university sought to empower Africa with knowledge and life skills to uplift living standards."The university extended its hand to the people of this beautiful country of Zimbabwe, we came here and selected students and we offered them a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies which they will pursue among other disciplines like Political Science," Sheikh Hamidu said."Islam has become the religion that most people have stereotyped, a number of people view Islam as a religion of terrorism, war and a number of bad things and this is why we want to send the message and tell the world that Islam is a religion of peace."It promotes peace and it is a religion that command people to live with fellow humans in peace and co-existence. These are the fundamentals of Islam."Sheikh Hamidu added that Iran was also offering the scholarships to non-Muslims."These students are going to promote the Islamic values within the African people; the University will give these students insights in social injustice, spiritual uplifting which have a huge impact in our life."Everyone knows that when the spirit is down everything becomes down and problematic, but when one's spirit is high people are capable of doing anything for their good and for the good of their communities."He said Islam did not promote hatred, tribalism and sexism; but rather commanded people to love one another without discrimination.Sheikh Ishmail Duwa, who assisted in the student selection process, said they were confident the scholarship winners would raise Zimbabwe's flag high through hard work and good morals. What you need to know about Powerball and the $550 jackpot Here's everything you need to know about Powerball from how to play for the lottery jackpot to when the next drawing will be. Oak Creek to host outdoor 2022 World Cup watch party A partnership between Morans Pub in South Milwaukee and the city of Oak Creek will offer residents food, drinks, music and games on Nov. 25. News / Local by Stephen Jakes Traditional leaders in the Masvingo and Manicaland area have pledged to uphold peace during the peace clubs programme. The Traditional leaders made the remarks during the peace clubs meetings conducted by the Heal Zimbabwe Trust."...Here in Gutu, we have managed to talk openly with everyone on issues that strengthen peaceful co-existence in our locality through Peace clubs, we promise to continue upholding peace in our communities", said Chief Chiriga during one of the trainings."Traditional leaders who are part of the membership of Community Peace Clubs which were formed by communities working with Heal Zimbabwe have pledged to uphold peace in their communities," the Trust said through a statement. "This came out during preparatory reference group training meetings for peace clubs carried out by Heal Zimbabwe from the 2nd - 6th of February 2016 in Manicaland and Masvingo Province. The trainings specifically targeted the two provinces as areas susceptible to human rights violations."The trust said the trainings involved use of different models of peace building such as the conflict tree, which is a model that highlights the root causes of conflicts and their effects on peaceful coexistence in local communities."During the trainings, peace club members were able to demonstrate their understanding of the different conflicts in their areas by using the conflict tree to identify potential conflicts which might degenerate into violence if left unaddressed," said the trust. "They further discussed strategies to use in order to avoid open violence like use of mediation and dialogues techniques. Peace club members were also trained on Stakeholder mapping and analysis, which allows peace clubs to map and identify stakeholders to engage in resolving conflicts and disputes."Heal Zimbabwe Peace clubs are inclusive in nature and they involve ordinary villagers, Traditional leaders such as Chiefs, Village heads and other key stakeholders in communities such as Councillors.The trainings in Masvingo Province saw a total of 152 peace club members being trained in Zaka and Gutu respectively. The peace clubs trainings in Gutu targeted Ward 6, 5, 2, and 41 with a composition of 20 members per each club. Village Heads Chiwawa, Zemudzo, Mutamba, Matoto and Chief Chiriga who are part of these peace clubs, welcomed the training as it equipped and complemented peace building initiatives that they were already carrying out.In his welcome remarks, Chief Chiriga hailed the work being done by Peace clubs in his area."...Here in Gutu, we have managed to discuss openly with everyone on issues that strengthen peaceful co-existence in our locality through Peace clubs, we promise to continue upholding peace in our communities", he said.In Zaka, the training was attended by Chief Bota's wife Mrs Eunice Bota who leads a Peace club from Ward 24, Village head Chunhuru and other peace club members from wards 18,13 and 24. In her remarks, Mrs Bota highlighted that since they formed peace clubs in their community, people have managed to build mutual trust and respect among each other."In our area, people now relate and work together well despite social or political differences.... I strongly urge peace club members gathered here to continue spreading the message of peace as it brings development", she said.In Manicaland, a total of 226 peace club members were trained in Headlands, Penhalonga and Hauna. The training in Headlands was carried out at Chiwetu Training centre with peace club members from Wards 16,15 and 25. The training had Councillor Timothy Chigwende attending since he is a member of a peace club. Village head Madechiwe hailed the work that peace clubs in the same wards have carried out in resolving disputes and bringing diverse people together given the violent past that characterised Headlands constituency particularly during the 2008 elections."...Our peace clubs have managed to have a wide reaching membership which has seen Councillors and Traditional leaders opting to join peace clubs as they help to build community peace..", he saidThe other training within Headlands constituency took place in Tandi ward 12 at Chatindo Creche. Ephraim Chingosho, son to Hon Christopher Chingosho, the Member of Parliament for Headlands constituency, also attended the training. In his remarks he thanked Heal Zimbabwe for working with communities to build peace in his father's constituency."...This is a good initiative from Heal Zimbabwe, on behalf of my father, I would like to thank you for encouraging communities to build peace as peace encourages community development', he said.Headman Nemaire from ward 12, who is part of a peace club from ward 12, also hailed the training and advised that it had come at the right time."...We had longed for this training as it set the ground work for further peace building engagements and assist us to continue with our peace building initiatives", he said.In Hauna, Village Heads Chigweshe, Muparutsa and Gwarimbo attended the peace club training which brought together ward 4, 5 and 31. Of interest, the peace clubs in these wards have managed to mediate other disputes that are not politically related ranging from social to economic. This has thus earned them respect and acknowledgement from Traditional leaders who have also joined the peace clubs."...Peace clubs in my area have managed to bring peace and good social relationships, that is why I became a member', said Village head Gwarimbo.After the trainings, Traditional leaders and peace club members made peace pledges to uphold peace in their areas.The peace club trainings are part of Heal Zimbabwe's capacity building exercise for peace clubs meant to strengthen the work of peace clubs in conflict mediation, violence prevention and community peace. They are also part of Heal Zimbabwe initiatives of promoting community tolerance, healing and cohesion in local communities. The month of February will see Heal Zimbabwe carrying out similar trainings in Gokwe, Muzarabani, Buhera, Chipinge, Murehwa, Mutoko, Mbire, Mazowe, Bikita and Tsholotsho.Peace clubs are ward based platforms that brings people from diverse backgrounds together where they constantly meet and dialogue on conflict management, prevention and transformation. Their role is to mobilize communities for peace activities which include collaborative neutral platforms where people from diverse backgrounds are united by one goal in the community.This allows for the creation of a neutral platform for communities to engage on issues affecting their areas. The composition of peace club include members from different political parties, Councillors, Traditional leaders, Opinion leaders and other key stakeholders at community level. Quantum entanglement is when two particles link together in a certain way no matter how far apart they are in space. Their state remains the same. Quantum entanglement is a bizarre, counterintuitive phenomenon that explains how two subatomic particles can be intimately linked to each other even if separated by billions of light-years of space. Despite their vast separation, a change induced in one will affect the other. Related: How quantum entanglement works (infographic) (opens in new tab) In 1964, physicist John Bell posited that such changes can be induced and occur instantaneously, even if the particles are very far apart. Bell's Theorem is regarded as an important idea in modern physics, but it conflicts with other well-established principles of physics. For example, Albert Einstein (opens in new tab) had shown years before Bell proposed his theorem that information cannot travel faster than the speed of light (opens in new tab). Perplexed, Einstein famously described this entanglement phenomenon as "spooky action at a distance." How to test quantum entanglement For more than 50 years, scientists around the world experimented with Bell's Theorem but were never able to fully test the theory. In 2015, however, three different research groups were able to perform substantive tests of Bell's Theorem, and all of them found support for the basic idea. This cartoon helps explain the idea of entangled particles. Alice and Bob represent photon detectors, which NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology developed. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) One of those studies was led by Krister Shalm, a physicist with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, Colorado. Shalm and his colleagues used special metal strips cooled to cryogenic temperatures, which makes them superconducting, meaning they have no electrical resistance. A photon hits the metal and turns it back into a normal electrical conductor for a split second, and scientists can see that happen. This technique allowed the researchers to see how, if at all, their measurements of one photon affected the other photon in an entangled pair. Related: 10 mind-boggling things you should know about quantum entanglement (opens in new tab) The results, which were published in the journal Physical Review Letters, strongly backed Bell's Theorem. "Our paper and the other two published last year show that Bell was right: any model of the world that contains hidden variables must also allow for entangled particles to influence one another at a distance," co-author Francesco Marsili, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, said in a statement (opens in new tab). What is quantum entanglement used for? In addition to proving Bell's Theorem, there are practical applications to this work as well. The "superconducting nanowire single photon detectors'' (SNSPDs) used in that experiment, could be used in cryptography and in deep-space communications (opens in new tab), NASA officials said. NASA's Lunar Atmosphere Dust and Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission, which orbited the moon from October 2013 to April 2014, helped demonstrate some of this communications potential. LADEE's Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration used components on the spacecraft and a ground-based receiver similar to SNSPDs. The experiment showed that it might be possible to build sensitive laser communications arrays that would enable much more data to be up- and downloaded to faraway space probes, NASA officials said. Quantum entanglement experiments may help develop powerful quantum computers that could be used in deep space. (Image credit: Getty Images) Latest quantum entanglement research Quantum entanglement continues to puzzle researchers around the globe. In 2019, researchers from the University of Glasgow published the first-ever photo of quantum entanglement (opens in new tab), captured with a sophisticated system of lasers and crystals. In late 2021, an international group of researchers reported they had successfully subjected a tardigrade to temporary quantum entanglement (opens in new tab). Despite critical reviews, the team said their experiment represents the first time a living animal was quantum entangled. And in March 2022, NASA announced (opens in new tab) it would be sending a quantum entanglement experiment to space. The experiment, called the Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment, or SEAQUE, will test two quantum computers in the harsh environment of space. Additional resources For a more in-depth definition and exploration of quantum entanglement, check out Jed Brody's "Quantum Entanglement (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series) (opens in new tab)" (Knopf, 2008). Read the fascinating stories about what life was like at the time of quantum entanglement's discovery in Louisa Gilder's "The Age of Entanglement: When Quantum Physics Was Reborn (opens in new tab)" (Deckle Edge, 2008). Or, take a broader look at quantum physics as a whole in this book, "Quantum Physics for Beginners: From Wave Theory to Quantum Computing. Understanding How Everything Works by a Simplified Explanation of Quantum Physics and Mechanics Principles (opens in new tab)" by Carl J. Pratt (Independently published, 2021). Bibliography Rochester Institute of Technology scientists produced one of the first computer simulations of gravitational waves arising from colliding black holes. Image released Feb. 11, 2016. Scientists made history's first direct detection of the space-time ripples known as gravitational waves, North Korea launched a satellite and NASA announced its $19 billion budget request for fiscal year 2017. Here are Space.com's top stories of the week. At last! Gravitational waves detected directly for first time In one of the biggest discoveries in the history of space science, scientists have directly detected gravitational waves, the ripples in space-time predicted by Albert Einstein's famous theory of general relativity in 1916. [Full Story: In Historic First, Einstein's Gravitational Waves Detected Directly] What gravitational waves sound like This would have blown Albert Einstein's mind: We now know what ripples in the fabric of space-time sound like. [Full Story: This Is What Gravitational Waves Sound Like (Video)] Gravitational-wave detection opens a new window on the universe The first-ever direct detection of gravitational waves will open up an entirely new window on the universe, researchers say. [Full Story: Gravitational Waves: What Their Discovery Means for Science and Humanity] NASA's $19 billion 2017 budget request unveiled The Obama Administration's final budget request, released Feb. 9, offers $19 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2017, a decrease of $300 million from the agencys final 2016 budget. [Full Story: White House Proposes $19 Billion NASA Budget] NASA eyes late 2020s for Europa mission launch NASA's highly anticipated mission to the potentially life-supporting Jupiter moon Europa may not get off the ground until the late 2020s, agency officials say. [Full Story: NASA Europa Mission May Not Launch Until Late 2020s] Meteorite actually not to blame for Indian man's death A report earlier this week suggested that a falling meteorite killed a bus driver and injured three others in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. However, experts have since looked into the matter and cast serious doubt on the initial report from Indian government authorities. [Full Story: Meteorite Did NOT Kill Man in India: Experts] Zero-G music video On Thursday (Feb. 11), OK Go whose members famously danced on treadmills in the video for their 2005 song "Here It Goes Again" released the music industry's first zero-g video. [Full Story: OK Go Releases First Zero-G Music Video] Apollo 11 spaceship graffiti Apollo 11, the first moon landing mission in July 1969, produced a number of iconic quotes, such as, "The Eagle has landed," and "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind." Now, thanks to a surprising discovery by the Smithsonian, history can possibly add "Smelly Waste!" to that list. [Full Story: Apollo 11 Crew Wrote on Moon Ship Walls, Smithsonian 3D Scan Reveals] North Korea is at it again North Korea has apparently launched a satellite to orbit, in a move that the United States and other nations quickly condemned as an attempt to further develop a prohibited long-range missile capability. [Full Story: North Korea Launches Satellite to Space] Asteroid impact could lead to mini ice age A strike by a medium-size asteroid could change Earth's climate dramatically for a few years, making life difficult for people around the world, a new study suggests. [Full Story: Medium-Size Asteroid Strike Could Unleash a Mini Ice Age] Hundreds of hidden galaxies found A new telescope view has revealed hundreds of galaxies that were previously obscured by the Milky Way's bulk. [Full Story: Hundreds of Hidden Galaxies Glimpsed Behind Milky Way (Video)] . Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It could be that your workplace tops those built by Candace Adams at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Dan Mahar at Tauck World Discovery in Wilton or Chris Peck at CBP in Stamford. Only one way to find out. For a sixth year, Hearst Connecticut Media is sponsoring its Top Workplaces competition that singles out area organizations in Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties for the working environments that engage, stimulate and attract and retain talented people. Administered by WorkplaceDynamics of Exton, Pa., the program recognizes employers large and small, whether they exist to earn profits or provide services on a nonprofit basis, with Hearsts Connecticut newspapers chronicling the stories of those organizations each September, including last years aforementioned winners among dozens of others recognized for their own unique work cultures. The companies that are involved in the top workplaces program understand that the intent here is to celebrate what organizations are doing right, and to learn from each other, said Bob Helbig, a director at WorkplaceDynamics. The best companies arent content to just stand pat and say Hey, we figured it out! Everythings perfect. Theres always something that can be improved on or something that needs to be changed to address circumstances. Connecticuts employment situation has changed radically since 2011 when Hearst Connecticut Media launched the program, cracking the 1.7 million jobs mark in November 2015, and needing to add 12,300 more jobs to recover all those lost in the recession. In the Fairfield County area since 2011, employers have added more than 33,000 people to their payrolls, creating increased competition for the best talent. Peck, who is CEO of CBP in Stamford, knows a thing or two about the issue, both in engaging his firms employee base as well as giving client companies the tools to do the same with their own. Great client experience starts with a great employee experience, Peck told Hearst last year. We certainly try to practice what we preach. WorkplaceDynamics says the surveys it administers represent one way for businesses to gauge how their people view the companies they run, and in a running blog chronicles issues brought to light through its surveys, including an entry from late January titled Six hard facts every CEO needs to know about employee engagement. All thats required of eligible employers is a survey of 22 questions, and Helbig says the process is well worth the effort. Retention is a huge issue right now in workplaces, Helbig said. Its one thing to hire. Its another thing to keep the good employees that you have If companies are not looking at the issues that drive retention, theyre setting themselves up for some problems. The program is open to organizations in Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties with at least 35 employees, and companies can nominate themselves online at www.ctpost.com/nominate or by calling (203) 617-0727 through March 18. Surveys are administered through mid-April. What matters ... to people is, Do I believe in the leadership of my company? Do I believe in the direction were heading? Do I feel appreciated for what I do? Helbig said. If youre not focusing on those issues to keep your employees motivated and appreciated and engaged, youre going to lose good people to somebody else. Includes prior reporting by Makayla Silva. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-964-2236; www.twitter.com/casoulman This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Gregg Wagner Greenwich native Gregg Wagner has been appointed managing broker of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerages Greenwich and Old Greenwich offices. In his new position, he will oversee about 200 real estate professionals in Greenwich and surrounding communities in southern Farfield County. Wagner has worked in real estate for almost 30 years, serving a variety of roles from office manager to senior executive. Most recently he served as Coldwell Bankers regional vice president of Fairfield and Litchfield counties. Sally Parris Coldwell Banker Curtis sales agent Sally Parris has been inducted into the Greenwich Realtor Hall of Fame, the highest honor presented to a member for their lifetime service to the real estate industry and the Greenwich community. Parris has been a member of both the National and Connecticut Association of Realtors since 1984. She has also served as a board member, vice president and treasurer for the Greenwich Association of Realtors, and has volunteered at a number of Greenwich organizations including the 375th Town of Greenwich Anniversary Parade Committee, Greenwich YMCA, Literacy Volunteer of America and mo re. Patrick Gillespi Greenwich-based real estate investment trust Urstadt Biddle Properties (NYSE: UBA and UBP) announced this week it has hired Patrick Gillespi as senior project and property manager. Gillespi previously served as the director of real estate of The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P). In his new role, he will assist in the management of Urstadts portfolio, as well as acquisition goals in the metropolitan New York suburban markets. News / Local by Dumisani Sibanda and Kuda Bwititi THE Bulawayo Province of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association has dismissed the vote-of-no-confidence passed on the organisation's national chairman and war veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa as "null and void".The move by the province comes as infighting between members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association escalated yesterday with two rival camps saying they will convene conferences to map the future of the association.Mutsvangwa and his wife, Monica, deputy chairman Headman Moyo and secretary-general Victor Matemadanda were booted out on Friday at a meeting chaired by the association's secretary for information, Mandi Chimene.While Matemadanda yesterday dismissed the sacking as null and void, the group led by Chimene insisted their action was binding, saying 28 executive members - who are more than the required quorum of 24 - appended their signatures backing the jettisoning of their erstwhile colleagues.A defiant Matemadanda said Mutsvangwa will soon convene a conference to map the way forward."What Chimene and her group have done is to form a splinter organisation. They had no mandate to carry out such a meeting from the start because she was no longer part of the executive because she failed to attend meetings for three consecutive occasions, thereby automatically relinquishing her post," he said."What we have now done is to get the input from other executive members and they have requested that we should call for a conference so that we set the record straight and give the correct position of the association."Contacted for comment, Chimene stuck to her guns saying consultations were taking place between members to craft the future of the association without Mutsvangwa and the ousted members."Mutsvangwa is history and we are now looking ahead to the future," she said. "We are not in a rush but we will consult with the comrades on the way forward."In a hastily arranged Press briefing yesterday morning at the war veterans' provincial offices Bulawayo's Entumbane suburb, provincial chairman Cephas Ncube dismissed the move as "comic"."The reason why we called you is yesterday's statement by Mandi Chimene and her group who said they are passing a vote-of-no-confidence on the following; Chris Mutsvanga who is our chairman and Minister of War Veterans, his deputy Headman Moyo, secretary-general Victor Matemadanda," he said."First and foremost we want to make it clear that Mandi Chimene is not a national executive on her own and what she did is a sign of ignorance of the provisions of the constitution of the association. If she knew its provisions she would have followed the constitution with a national executive being called for a meeting where the accused persons would be present and then pass the vote of no confidence at that forum."Ncube said they were disturbed that Chimene was now discrediting her national executive counterparts and leaders."We are saddened by Mandi Chimene's statement, coming after we elected the President and President Mugabe was given the power to choose people he would work with and Mutsvanga was elected to chair the war veterans association during a meeting in Masvingo including Mandi Chimene herself," he said. "President Mugabe endorsed the election of Mutsvanga as the chairman of the war veterans and that is why he appointed him as Minister of War Veterans. We are surprised that Chimene now says she is passing a vote of no confidence in her counterparts as an individual. At the same time on Wednesday , President Mugabe made it clear that people should learn to work together and if there are any problems people should learn to channel those problems in the right manner."Ncube also dismissed those who were introduced at the First Lady's rally in Chiweshe as war veteran leaders as "sore losers"."We are also surprised that there are some who were paraded as the national executive at a rally," he said. "These are the same people who were rejected by the people when elections were done. Patrick Nyaruwata, George Mlala and company. They were rejected by the people. People did not elect them to be members of the national executive. They are now trying to impose themselves. Nyaruwata was once in the (late Chenjerai) Hunzvi executive and people are still asking a lot of questions about their investments. Nyaruwata is answerable. People want to know what went wrong with their monies they invested their $50 000 (gratuities received from Government) in Zexcom."Ncube said there were detractors bent on derailing efforts to improve the welfare of the former freedom fighters."This vote-of-no-confidence was done at a wrong place and wrong time," he said."I am the provincial chairperson of Bulawayo, as Bulawayo Province, we are saying no, this is unconstitutional, they should go and sleep and not confuse comrades who want to improve the lives of war veterans."The Bulawayo provincial commissar for the war veterans, Molly Mpofu said it was wrong for some people to try and put a wedge between the First Lady and war veterans when she actually stated that she "does not hate war veterans".Apart from Cdes Ncube and Mpofu those who attended the media briefing were the war veterans provincial secretary for information and publicity, Rodwell Mpofu and a war veterans national executive member Japhet Phuthi. Dozens of other ex-fighters were lurking around the office premises.However, ZNLWVA national secretary for lands George Matanda said the 28 executive members who signed the vote of no confidence were drawn from all the country's 10 provinces.He said the list of members who appended their signatures were: Cdes Chimene, George Matenda, Thomas Mashoko, Malaki Mpofu, Charles Mpofu, Esther Munyaradzi, Hisbon Chinyandura, Nesi Ncube, Kennias Ndebele, Rayilos Mutodi, Nelsom Chadamoyo, Melusi Muleya, Future Pariani, Thomas Kunaka, Joseph Serima, Banning Nyemba, Sinikiwe Siwela, Zakeyo Neshumba, Lynn Gororo, Lavert Nyaruwata, Dumisani Ncube, Lloyd Siyoka, Joshua Kativhu, Reuben Chikomo, Passmore Chigwada, Davision Ndlovu and Gibson Siziba. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In less than nine months, American voters will elect a new president. Whoever they choose, the victor will likely have some connection to Greenwich. As the town celebrates Presidents Day on Monday with the rest of the country, it can boast uncommon presidential credentials: One of its own made it to the Oval Office. And so did one of his sons. They are, of course, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. Now, another of the 41st presidents sons, Jeb Bush, is making a bid to get the job at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. While he is the candidate in the 2016 race with the strongest ties to Greenwich, the town is familiar to other contenders who have either lived here or have acquainted themselves with the community through its status as a fixture on the fundraising circuit. Its a great day to recognize the chief executives, said Greenwich resident Joseph Verner Reed, who served as George H.W. Bushs chief of protocol. Greenwich should be very proud of its connections to the presidency. The elder Mr. Bush is not only a great president and a great American, but a great friend. Made in Greenwich The towns connections to the presidency date to the nations first commander-in-chief. As a general, George Washington is said to have passed through Greenwich in June 1775 on his way to taking command of the Continental Army in Cambridge, Mass. Then, in April 1776, Washington trekked through the town again on his way back from Boston to New York. In October 1789, as president, he reportedly returned for a visit to Second Congregational Church. Abraham Lincoln, who many historians rank with Washington as the two greatest presidents, does not appear to have visited the town. Washington, the man who was in charge of the founding of the country, is most worthy of the honor of citizens today, said Lewis Lehrman, a Greenwich resident and presidential historian. And the same can be said in a different way for Lincoln. He led the Union Army to victory, but he didnt rest on the laurels of victory. He did what he believed American democracy needed to help it become a system based on equality before the law. But Greenwich has forged its strongest link to the presidency through the trajectory of George H.W. Bush. He was born in Milton, Mass., but he is widely regarded as a Greenwichite. His family moved here soon after his 1924 birth, and it was not long after then that he started his schooling at Greenwich Country Day School. I think they thought it was a great school, and they proved to be right, the elder Bush said of his parents in a 2009 interview with Country Day head Adam Rohdie. They liked what they saw, they liked the teachers. George H.W.s father, Prescott Bush, was a Greenwich Representative Town Meeting moderator and later represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate. Reed is one of a number of Greenwichites who have worked for presidents. In addition to serving as Bushs chief of protocol, Reed represented the Ronald Reagan administration as ambassador to Morocco and was nominated by Reagan for his current position as an under-secretary-general at the United Nations. Lehrman worked under Reagan as well. He served from 1983 to 1986 as chairman of the national civic league Citizens for America. The group set out to explain Reagan's economic and foreign policies to constituents in each congressional district. A Greenwich High School graduate, Jennifer Psaki, is the current White House communications director. She worked on both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns and as deputy press secretary and deputy communications director in Obama's first term in the Oval Office. Handicapping the 2016 race Despite the Bush familys abiding popularity in town, many Greenwich Republicans like their counterparts in other parts of the country are lukewarm about Jeb Bushs candidacy. Jeb Bush has little to no support among the Republican electorate in Greenwich, said Republican Town Committee Chairman Jim Campbell. Greenwich Republicans arent uniquely different from Republicans elsewhere in the state or in our region. Jeb Bush has run a weak campaign. He has not articulated a rationale for his candidacy. Past loyalties will not bring voters to the polls to support his own campaign for president. Campbell declined to say which Republican he would endorse. But he said that he expects Donald Trump to maintain his dominant position in the polls by cruising to victory in the Connecticut GOP primary on April 26 and also finish first in Greenwich. Trump is not beholden to any special interests, and that is enormously appealing to the Republican electorate, and, I think, to the broader electorate across the country, Campbell said. When Jeb Bush calls Trump the chaos candidate, hes right. It may be time for both parties to recognize that they need to rethink some of their positions. Trump has his own Greenwich connections. Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for his campaign and director of communications for the Trump Organization, is a town native. The real-estate moguls holdings once extended to Greenwich: He owned a six-acre estate on Long Island Sound that he sold and which is on the market now for $54 million. Despite his friendship with the Bushes, Reeds top pick is not Jeb Bush, either - even though he praised him for his leadership of Florida as governor from 1998 to 2006. He is endorsing another Floridian, Sen. Marco Rubio. Hes very articulate, very active and young, Reed said. He has all the attributes to be chief executive and commander in chief. I thought it was a regrettable performance from him in the debate last Saturday, but I hope that hell turn the page and start anew. On the other side of the aisle, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Frank Farricker said that he and most other Greenwich Democrats favor Hillary Clinton. The way I look at Bernie Sanders, I think that everything he stands is for great, Farricker said. I agree that we need to address income disparities and bring a sense of fairness back to political and regular lives. But I think Hillary Clinton has the tools to be president for the full four or eight years. I dont know if Bernie does. Selectman Drew Marzullo is also backing Clinton. I will be voting for Hillary Clinton, even though I have been a true admirer of Bernie Sanders and his authenticity of social and economic issues for over a decade, Marzullo said. However, Hillary Clinton is better positioned to win and make sure a Ted Cruz doesn't end up living in the White House. That's actually a scary thought. Lehrman said that he sees the rise of anti-establishment candidates like Trump and Sanders as a reflection of how voters view the countrys direction under President Barack Obama. Americans are feeling uncertain about their security at home because of the (recent) incidents of terror both at home and abroad, Lehrman said. Even though unemployment has come down, the level of prosperity for 90 percent of people has not changed. Wages have not risen, and Americans tend to hold the president responsible, even if he or she is not responsible. Looking for dollars For years, Greenwich has stood out as a lucrative stop on the presidential campaign trail. When George W. Bush was still Texas governor, he drew a packed crowd in 1999 to the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich for a fundraiser for his first presidential campaign. In 2006, he returned as president for a fundraiser at the Riverside home of Republican L. Scott Frantz, now a state senator. In the 2016 campaign, the likes of Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio have made stops in Greenwich to boost their campaign coffers. Greenwichites also open their wallets for Democratic candidates. Obama attended a fundraiser in town during his 2008 campaign. He has come back as president. Most recently, he visited in 2014 for a fundraiser at a Conyers Farm home. Hillary Clinton has also made numerous fundraising trips to Greenwich in recent years. Sanders has not stopped in town during his campaign perhaps not surprising for a candidate whose rhetoric focuses heavily on income inequality. Farricker said that presidential hopefuls are always welcome in town, but he is ambivalent about their purpose for visiting. They come here for money thats the only reason they come here, Farricker said. Theres something inherently wrong about what drives the political process. But Campbell said that he thinks that the rise of Trump, a billionaire who is self-funding his campaign, could signal a different direction in campaigning tactics. Its a new world with Donald Trump, Campbell said. Hes not coming to Greenwich or anywhere else in Connecticut for money but hes the most popular candidate. pschott@scni.com; 203-625-4439; twitter: @paulschott HARTFORD Flags over state buildings are flying at half-staff in honor of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on Saturday. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced that, in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama directing flags to be lowered to half-staff, U.S. and state flags in Connecticut will fly at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on the day of interment. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MARFA A first-time guest to the Cibolo Creek Ranch, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was animated and engaged during dinner Friday night, as one of three dozen invitees to an event that had nothing to do with law or politics, according to the ranch owner. Just hours later, he would be found dead of sapparent natural causes, which media outlets were reporting Sunday was a heart attack. "He was seated near me and I had a chance to observe him. He was very entertaining. But about 9 p.m. he said, 'it's been a long day and a long week, I want to get some sleep," recalled Houston businessman John Poindexter, who owns the 30,000-acre luxury ranch. When Poindexter tried to awaken Scalia about 8:30 the next morning, the judge's door was locked and he did not answer. Three hours later, Poindexter returned after an outing, with a friend of Scalia who had come from Washington with him. RELATED: 11 things to know about the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and what happens next "We discovered the judge in bed, a pillow over his head. His bed clothes were unwrinkled," said Poindexter. "He was lying very restfully. It looked like he had not quite awakened from a nap," he said. Scalia,79, did not have a pulse and his body was cold, and after consulting with a doctor at a hospital in Alpine, Poindexter concluded resuscitation would have been futile, He then contacted federal authorities, at first encountering a series of answering services because he was calling on a weekend. "Ultimately they became available and handled it superbly. They flew in by helicopter. They told me to secure the ranch, which I did until this morning," he said. Scalia was just the latest newsworthy guest to visit the celebrity hideaway that covers 30,000 acres near the Chinati Mountains. Mick Jagger, Julia Roberts and Tommy Lee Jones have also partaken of its scenic vistas and luxury accomodations. Established in 1857 by Milton Faver, known as the first Texas cattle baron west of the Pecos, the ranch retains 19th Century constructions, including "El Fortin de Cibolo," a primitive fort designed to protect settlers from Apaches. RELATED: Inside the West Texas ranch where Antonin Scalia was found dead In a special guest package offered last month, rooms went for $545 to $565 a night for two people, with a meal package and ranch tour included. Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching and ATV tours. Scalia, who was scheduled to return to Washington on Sunday, had little time to avail himself of the ranch's offerings. Poindexter said he had only met Scalia once before briefly, in Washington. Scalia came to the ranch because he was friends another guest. Poindexter said he knew the other guests. "All the guests were friends of mine, I paid for all of them. There were no politics, no jurisprudence in the slightest," he said. "This was strictly a group of friends that the judge decided to join. He was coming with his son who had to drop out for reasons I don't' know. "It was an honor to have him. He was widely admired. There were no speeches. He wasn't asked any hard questions, it was all about the outdoors and Texas, and what it's like to being a Supreme Court Justice," he said. RELATED: Body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia arrives in El Paso Scalia's personal financial disclosures show no previous trips to the ranch. The disclosures, posted on OpenSecrets.Org show that the justice made several trips to Texas since 2005 to speak at colleges and universities, including St. Mary's University in 2008. Poindexter, 71, said Scalia's sudden death was both a "personal tragedy" for those at the ranch, and for the nation. "All of us here saw him as a stalwart defender of our way of life in Texas, in a real sense," he said. "It's a great loss. Having made that statement, if it was his time to go, he was surrounded by friends, in fairly nice setting, with a full tummy too. He said he was very happy to be invited so it could have been in worse circumstances," he said. "It's caused all of us here to stop and think about life, how precious it is, and how it is so unexpectedly lost," he added. RELATED: Scalia: 'I probably would want to be a Texan' The body of the Supreme Court justice was moved to an El Paso funeral home early Sunday. The body was driven from Marfa and arrived around 2:30 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Homes, according to spokesman Chris Lujan. Lujan said the funeral home was chosen by family of the justice, and at the advice of a family friend. The El Paso County medical examiner's office said they hadn't received any information regarding the possibility of performing an autopsy. Staff Writer David Saleh Rauf contributed to this report . jmaccormack@express-news.net A woman arrested by detectives investigating the murder of West Ham businessman Akhtar Javeed has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The 19-year-old was detained by West Midlands Police late on Friday at an address in Leicester on suspicion of assisting an offender. Officers are continuing to question two men aged 18 and 26, who were arrested in Derby and Leicester, on suspicion of murdering Mr Javeed. The father-of-four, aged 56, was shot in the neck during an attempted robbery at a drinks distribution warehouse in Digbeth, Birmingham, on February 3. The father-of-four was among five staff members who were tied up by masked men at his warehouse. Mr Javeed is believed to have been trying to fight back when he was shot. His family, who live in east London, said they have lost a "loving grandfather", and continue to be supported by specialist officers. In a statement issued after his death, his family said: "Hes left behind a wife, a daughter and three younger sons, two of which are still so young and in school. He was a loving grandfather and his grandchild was the apple of his eye. He was an honest man who valued his family more than anything else. Thats why he was up here, he moved to Birmingham to run this warehouse so that he could provide for his family and he was planning to move back very soon. Detective chief inspector Martin Slevin, who is leading on the investigation, said: "I continue to appeal to people to come forward, I firmly believe that someone out there may still have information that could help our investigation and I am urging them to call me or one of my team." Detectives have seized a silver Renault Megane as part of the inquiry, having appealed for sightings of a car seen leaving Rea Street South with its lights off shortly after the shooting. G amblers lost more than 22 million betting on high-stakes machines in the nine worst-hit high streets in London, it was claimed today. Figures released to the Standard show the London streets where millions were gambled away on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). In the capital, punters spent 3 million on machines in High Street North, Newham and 2.8 million in Hounslow and Edgware Road last year. A further 2.5 million was spent in both Chinatown and Tottenham High Road. Expensive: 2.8 million was lost on betting machines in Edgware Road, figures revealed / Google Maps More than 2 million was gambled in each of another five streets across London. The Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG) released the figures based on profits generated from betting terminals, provided by the Gambling Commission. Described as the crack cocaine of gambling the 100-a-spin machines have become a controversial fixture on Britains high streets, with critics arguing they fuel crime and poverty. The Met investigated more than 600 violent cases linked to betting shops last year, it was claimed. The streets where most money was lost High Street North, Newham 3 million High Street, Hounslow 2.8 million Edgware Road 2.8 million Chinatown, Soho 2.5 million Tottenham High Road 2.5 million Commercial Road, Limehouse 2.3 million Leytonstone High Road 2.3 million Kilburn High Road 2 million Walthamstow High Street 2 million The CFG is campaigning to reduce the maximum stake to 2 a spin in what it claims will reduce harm in the community. Matt Zarb-Cousin, from the group, said: These machines have been called the "crack cocaine of gambling" due to their addictive characteristics, allowing users to stake up to 100 every 20 seconds on roulette. FOBTs now account for more than half of betting shops' profits, so bookies open shops in clusters to maximise the number of FOBTs on London's high streets. They aggressively market their machines, offering free credit and tournaments to customers to try and get them hooked. "Aggressively marketed": Matt Zarb-Cousin described the machines as the "crack cocaine" of gambling / Matt Zarb-Cousin Punters who lose more than they can afford often take it out on the machines or on staff. The Metropolitan Police have said that last year 613 cases of violence and assault were linked to betting shops. However, the Association for British Bookmakers (ABB) said betting shops were the "safest place" to gamble on the high street. An ABB spokesman said: Like pubs, coffee shops and other leisure facilities betting shops are located in areas where people like to spend their leisure time. "Without high street bookies leisure gamblers would be driven into the illegal gambling dens of yesteryear. Campaigners revealed hopes for change as a previously rejected call for a 2 cap on fixed odds betting terminals is due to be reconsidered. In 2014, Newham Council submitted a proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act to impose a limit but it was rejected by the Government, despite the support of 93 town halls. However, the proposal has been resubmitted by the Local Government Association. The LGA and the Government are expected to meet with a view to reach an agreement within the next six months. Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, urged the Government to lower the cap. He said: Fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) are swallowing up millions of pounds from Londoners. "Their very existence on our high streets is crippling local economies as bookies block other businesses starting up or providing crucial employment and services to local residents. "The Government must not ignore a quarter of councils in England who want to see the maximum stake on FOBTs slashed to 2, they will have failed in their duty if they do not help us reclaim our high streets from the crack cocaine of the gambling industry. T ransport bosses have slammed a prankster who slid down a Tube station escalator in a dangerous stunt. The man - egged on by a group of friends - sits on the handrail of the escalator clutching what appears to be a bottle of beer before launching himself down the steep slope at Angel. Clad in a pink polo shirt, the 30-year-old smacks into a metal sign, which ironically warns passengers to stand on the right, and is sent tumbling onto the escalator steps. He can be heard crying out in pain as he lands with a sickening thud. How not to use an escalator!! (excuse my laugh ) SHARE!!! Posted by Bailey88 on Friday, February 12, 2016 Transport for London condemned the man's actions, saying he was putting the safety of himself and others at risk. Mark Evers, Director of Customer Strategy for London Underground, said: Safety is our top priority and pranks like this are dangerous for not only those involved but also to other customers. We have frequent PA announcements reminding customers to be careful when using escalators, and we also run safety campaigns throughout the year to encourage customers to take care whilst traveling on our network. The 30-second clip has gone viral after it was uploaded to Facebook by David Bailey, and has since been viewed more than 32,000 times. His friends can be heard laughing riotously in the background at the escapades of their friend. Mr Bailey, who cannot remember exactly when the video was taken, told the Standard: We were all egging my other mate on to do it. It was a bit stupid, not the best idea weve ever had. Then he came out of nowhere and did it himself with a beer in his hand and his wallet in his hand. He came off but he was alright. There was a quite a bit of blood but no major injuries, he was a bit bruised. Mr Bailey, a lorry driver from St Albans, added: There were hundreds of people going up the escalator and they were in absolute shock. This was the middle of the night. He carried on drinking and went out afterwards. He said he woke up in the morning and he couldnt move for the rest of the week. The 27-year-old captioned the video: "How not to use an escalator. (Excuse my laugh.)" A massive search operation has been launched to hunt for a junior doctor who has not been seen for two days. Dr Rose Polge, 25, who works at Torbay Hospital in Torquay, Devon, has not been seen since Friday. Police and coastguard have been searching for Dr Polge after her car was discovered in a car park near Ansteys Cove. The search for the medic has been hampered by strong winds and rough seas, but have gone ahead despite the bad weather. Martin Ringrose, interim director of human resources at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are aware that one of our junior doctors is missing. "Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very distressing time. "We will do whatever we can to support the authorities investigating her disappearance and searching for her, as well as providing support to her colleagues, who are anxious for her wellbeing." A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said officers, HM Coastguard and local rescue groups were currently looking for Dr Polge. "We are searching the Torquay coastal area around Ansteys Cove trying to find her," he said. A ll proceeds from the final single of an indie band who died in a Swedish road crash will go to their families, it has been announced. The four members of Viola Beach and manager Craig Tarry were killed after their vehicle plunged off a bridge just hours after they had played their first gig outside the UK. Tributes were paid to the group - whose members were Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin - and Mr Tarry following the accident in Sodertalje, 18 miles from the capital Stockholm, in the early hours of Saturday. The family of Mr Reeves, 19, said they were "heartbroken" by his death alongside his band-mates and the manager "he adored". In a statement, they said: "Viola Beach were on such an exciting journey and River could not have been happier. He would have loved to have stuck around for the party. "All River wanted to do was perform and entertain and to think that he will never make us laugh again with his ridiculous impressions and cheeky banter is beyond comprehension for all his family." Mr Reeves had "such talent and such humility, such charm and such innocence it seems so unfair that he can be taken so cruelly from us like this", his family said. "We are so proud of him, not only for what he achieved in his short, beautiful life, but also what he was clearly destined to achieve," they added. Mr Tarry's family said they were "devastated" and "grieving the loss of their son and also for the other families involved in this tragic accident". Ian Grimble, the band's producer, who has worked with the likes of Mumford & Sons said: "I first became aware of Viola Beach through their single Swings & Waterslides and was very taken by the energy and vibrancy that jumped out of the speakers. "Upon meeting them for the first time, along with Craig their manager, I could soon see why, their exuberance and determination to scream out to the world was overwhelming. "It is with great sadness that we will not be able to see them grow from the spark that they are now, into the raging fire that they so desperately desired to become." The band had recently released their second single - Boys That Sing - on January 22. Their record label Communion Records will donate all proceeds from the single to the band and Mr Tarry's families. The band, who previously toured with The Courteeners, were just weeks away from playing a homecoming gig at Warrington's Pyramid on March 12. They had also announced plans to play their biggest home town show at the Parr Hall on October 1. Additional reporting by the Press Association. News / National by Stephen Jakes The government must be forking out thousands of dollars in lodging fees in hotels for senators and house of assembly members who will be visiting the capital city Harare for sessions as it emerged in parliament that some senators spent a week living in hotels while expecting to start senate sessions.This was exposed by Binga MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda in parliament when he said some Senators informed him that they have been in hotels since last week on Thursday up to Thursday 11 February."My question is that are Hon. Members of Parliament becoming prisoners of the State who are being kept in hotels for a week against their will, when they are supposed to be servicing their constituencies. They have stayed from Thursday last week up to date because they have not yet been given fuel for them to travel back to their constituencies," he said.Speaker of the house Jacob Mudenda said he will investigate that matter administratively."I will advice next week giving you a full response." he said. T wo British men and a UK resident have been arrested in Greece near the Turkish border carrying over 200,000 bullets and 22 guns, police say. A senior Greek security source said two Iraq-born British nationals, both in their 20s, were driving a trailer when they were arrested on Saturday night by coastguard officers in the port city of Alexandroupolis. Greek police counter-terrorism officers and National Intelligence Agency staff were dispatched to Alexandroupolis, in the north east of the country. Police also arrested a third person who was a UK resident. In all, the men were said to be carrying over 200,000 rounds of ammunition, officials said. The Foreign Office said it was urgently investigating the reports. A spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into reports that two British nationals have been detained in Greece." T he Eagles of Death Metal are returning to Paris this week to finish the show which was interrupted by a terrorist massacre at the Bataclan. Many survivors of the November attack will be in the crowd at the Olympia Hall on Tuesday for a sold-out gig. Psychologists will also be inside the venue to offer help to anyone who might find the experience brings back traumatic flashbacks. Survivor Maureen Roussel told The Sunday Times: We're going to find ourselves in a traumatic situation - for many of us it'll be the first concert we've been too since the attacks. There's that fear of it happening again. Yesterday, three months after the attacks which killed 130 people in the French capital, the band kicked off their rescheduled European tour in Sweden. A statement on the band's website said: "Fans who were at the Bataclan show on November 13th will be entitled to a free ticket for the rescheduled Paris date at the Olympia Theatre on February 16th. "They must contact their original ticket supplier between January 5th and January 20th to claim their ticket." R ebel Wilson waded into the Oscars diversity debate, branding the American awards ceremony racist as she took to the stage at the BAFTAs. Wilson, 35, criticised the Academy Awards for the lack of non-white actors among this years nominees as she presented Mark Rylance with the Best Supporting Actor award at Sunday night's ceremony. On taking to the stage she said: "I've never been invited to the Oscars because, as you know, they are racists, but the BAFTAs have diverse members and that's what we all want to see in life. Diverse members. The How To Be Single actress courted controversy as she joked about practising how to look transgendered in order to win a BAFTA. BAFTAs 2016 - red carpet 1 /40 BAFTAs 2016 - red carpet Kate Winslet poses for the cameras before heading inside Dave Benett Alicia Vikander ahead of the ceremony Dave Benett Cate Blanchett Best actress nominee Cate Blanchett walks the red carpet Dave Benett Julianne Moore poses on the red carpet Dave Benett Best Actor nominee Eddie Redmayne and wife Hannah Bagshawe Dave Benett Nominee Idris Elba heads inside Dave Benett Carol star Rooney Mara, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress Dave Benett Olga Kurylenko wears a white embellished gown Dave Benett Domnall Gleeson looks dapper in a black tux Dave Benett Rising Star nominee Bel Powley is bright in a multi-coloured gown Dave Benett Dakota Johnson matched the carpet at the awards Dave Benett Steve Jobs co-stars Kate Winslet and Michael Fassbender Dave Benett Rebel Wilson Dave Benett John Boyega looks dapper ahead of the ceremony Dave Benett Saoirse Ronan arrives at the awards Dave Benett Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw Dave Benett Leonardo DiCaprio and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu Dave Benett Best actress nominee Kate Winslet in black Dave Benett Sacha Baron Cohen and wife Isla Fisher Dave Benett Matt Smith is suited and booted Dave Benett Best Actor nominee Bryan Cranston Dave Benett Angela Bassett Dave Benett Laura Haddock Dave Benett Gemma Chan Dave Benett Julie Walters Dave Benett Dree Hemingway Dave Benett Emilia Clarke Dave Benett Lily Donaldson Dave Benett Stefanie Powers Dave Benett Laura Whitmore Dave Benett One day I hope to return here to win a BAFTA myself, she continued. I've already been practising my transgendered face." Wilson also made a shout out to Beasts Of No Nation actor Idris Elba who she said was making her nervous. "Idris Elba you're making me nervous but I'm sociologically programmed to want chocolate on Valentine's Day," she said. Sacha Baron Cohen also waded into the row as he deemed the Best Actress category the "Best White Actress". Speaking on stage the comedian said: "Bafta has shown none of the discrimination and prejudice that is so shamefully on display at the Oscars. Bafta make sure at least one of the nominees for best actress is a Dame. Dench, Smith, Jolie..." Stars including Spike Lee and Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith have all voiced their plans to boycott this year's Oscars over the lack of diversity. Lupita Nyongo, Whoopi Goldberg and David Oyelowo are among a host of stars who have all spoken out against alleged bias. News / National by Staff Reporter Zanu-PF Political Commissar Saviour Kusukuwere yesterday announced the suspension of three provincial chairpersons for alleged disobedience and inciting insolence.Cdes Kizito Chivamba (Midlands), Ezra Chadzamira (Masvingo) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Mashonaland East) were suspended and are under investigation.In the interim, Kasukuwere said, Tapuwa Matangaidze (provincial secretary for administration) takes charge of Midlands, while Mashonaland East deputy chair Bernard Makokove replaces Matiza.However, the Midlands leadership has disputed the major allegations leading to Chivamba's suspension.And Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association executive members who received no-confidence votes along with their leader Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa on Friday also maintained their ouster was "null and void".At a Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Lupane, Kasukuwere said errant party members would be dismissed.Among those present were Zanu-PF politburo members Professor Jonathan Moyo, Dr Obert Mpofu, Cain Mathema and Patrick Zhuwawo; and Matabeleland North provincial chair Richard Moyo and Central Committee member Clifford Sibanda.Kasukuwere said, "We have suspended Chivamba because he was no longer coming for meetings. Secondly, he blocked members of the Women's League from coming to Harare to welcome the President. He also went to the Press, making statements that undermine (the party) leadership."The same with Matiza in Mashonaland East He was harassing women there and we have said to him enough'. He came for the meeting, but made sure there was pressure on women not to attend that meeting."In Masvingo, Ezra Chadzamira had the same problems, and we have told him to step aside. We can't have insolence in the party; such arrogance and disrespect for leadership."He said Zanu-PF was well-prepared to thwart elements fanning instability and attempting insurgency against President Mugabe."We know there are people who wear clothes with President Mugabe's picture and sing his praises in the afternoon, but turn against him at night. They caucus at night, telling each other that the President must leave office. You think we don't see you?"You make our President your legitimate target and think that we will just stand there and watch? That won't happen If you want to destroy yourself in Zanu-PF, go against a man called RGM. If you want to be finished, plot against him."We know some people go to a house in Kwekwe where they are told all sorts of things and think that we don't know. You must know that whatever you say in the cover of darkness, we will always know about it. If you are called for a private (meeting), refuse. Hold formal meetings such as this one where there are minutes which can be referred to in future."He added that the party would not rescind no-confidence votes."Some are now saying let's sit down and review the votes of no confidence; let's go for a hearing. We have some who are lawyers who say, No, let's have a meeting and have natural justice'."Natural justice has already taken place. Vote of no confidence means that the appropriate organ has made a decision and the party cannot revoke that."Dr Mpofu said: "In Matabeleland North, we are very united and will remain united. Factionalism has no place in the province and as the leadership, we might have a misunderstanding, but we are all united and rally behind the President."People from this region have no ambition to be President. No one has the qualities to be President in this region and we are shocked that some people are saying so and so should replace the President because he is from this tribe. We are not involved in all that because none of us has ambition to rule."However, Politburo member Dr Joram Gumbo disputed the allegations against Chivamba in Midlands.He said this in an interview after the Zanu-PF Midlands provincial co-ordinating committee met in Gweru yesterday."Midlands is very united, united under the leadership. For a very long time, we have been united behind the President. We will not be worried by statements that were made without any background information. We are solidly behind President Mugabe."We only wear party regalia in the province with the President's image and the party logo. There is nothing like Team Lacoste; maybe elsewhere, but not in this province Investigations are on going and reports I received today show that there was no such thing (intimidation). What has emerged is that one bus that went to Mberengwa had a breakdown."Another report is that the chairwoman was informed on Saturday that they would get one bus to ferry members of the Women's League to Harare."However, on Tuesday evening, at around 5.30pm, (there was) another message which is purported to have been relayed by Thokhozile Mathuthu telling the chairwoman that they would be provided with five buses. It was too late to organise the women. Three buses went to Harare. I am happy because all women have said nothing of that sort happened."Women's League provincial chairperson Elena Shirichena concurred that no one was intimidated or assaulted, while Chivamba confirmed his suspension."I have received the suspension letter through e-mail. This follows my interview with The Herald where I was asked whether I was aware of the rally at party headquarters. I told them that I had not attended the meeting, but instead sent my deputy who was still to advise me of the development. Also the issue of people being harassed in the Midlands was never reported to me; I was not aware."War Veterans secretary-general Victor Matemadanda told The Sunday Mail that Ambassador Mutsvangwa would soon convene a conference to map the way forward.Yesterday, ZNLWVA Bulawayo dismissed the votes of no confidence as efforts to "derail measures to improve the lives of the former freedom fighter".Ambassador Mutsvangwa, his wife Monica Mutsvangwa, and Cdes Matemadanda and Headman Moyo were purportedly booted out at a meeting chaired by the association's secretary for information Mandi Chimene in Harare on Friday."What Chimene and her group have done is to form a splinter organisation. They had no mandate to carry out such a meeting from the start because she was no longer part of the executive. She failed to attend three consecutive meetings, automatically relinquishing her post," said Matemadanda."What we have now done is get input from other executive members and they have requested that we call a conference so that we set the record straight."He added: "Our mandate is clear; we have been doing everything procedurally. When we fired (former ZNLWVA chair Jabulani) Sibanda, the President asked us to organise ourselves. We did that by convening our congress in Masvingo where we elected Mutsvangwa as our chairman."So, since then, proper structures have been in place and we have been carrying out our programmes despite lack of resources. The shortage of resources has been our major concern because our ministry is yet to receive any funding from Treasury."Chimene stuck to her guns."Mutsvangwa is history and we are now looking ahead to the future. We are not in a rush but we will consult with the comrades on the way forward."Speaking to journalists at ZNWVA Bulawayo offices, provincial chair Cephas Ncube said the "dismissals" were comical."First and foremost, we want to make it clear that Mandi Chimene is not the national executive. What she did is a sign of ignorance of the provisions of the association's constitution."If she knew its provisions, she would have followed them with a national executive being called to a meeting where the accused persons would be present and then pass the votes of no confidence at that forum."He also said: "We are saddened by Mandi Chimene's statement, coming after we elected the President. President Mugabe was given the power to choose people he would work with, and Mutsvangwa was elected to chair the war veterans' association at a meeting in Masvingo."President Mugabe endorsed the election of Mutsvangwa as chairman of war veterans, and he appointed him as Minister of War Veterans Bulawayo province says no, this is unconstitutional'. They should go and sleep and not confuse comrades who want to improve the lives of war veterans." It might seem that the same problems keep popping up for U.S. sugar beet growers, but most producers believe that with continued efforts by American sugar industry supporters in Congress, and the growers support team in Washington, D.C., they will be able to maintain profitability in their production. Mario Pitts, Scotts Bluff County sugar beet producer and representative to the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, said Wednesday that the recent ASGA meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, was informative and gave hope for the future. Some of the issues they are working on will raise sugar prices and locally, help profitability, Pitts said. We have such a successful team in Washington, and a board of directors, working tirelessly to get things done, that Im comfortable that they are taking care of us. The team includes the staff of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, which is lead by Executive Vice President Luther Markwart, and other members of the American Sugar Alliance, which represents beet and cane sugar producers. According to Pitts, one of the highlights of the convention was the discussion on the national GMO issue. Vermont is leading the nation in mandating GMO labels on food, and has a July 1 deadline for compliance by all grocers and producers that do business in the state. The Senate is still drafting a bill, trying to settle the issue in the next seven to eight weeks, so there is time to put the legislation into affect, Pitts said, noting that the price tag for compliance by grocers is estimated at $40 million, just in Vermont. According to the ASGA, if non-labeled products are still on the shelves July 1, stores will ask companies in the supply chain to recall their products in order to comply with the Vermont law. But either way, they have to get something in place before July. Whatever it is, it needs to be the same across the country to make it easier for consumers and suppliers, Pitts said. Another tough problem is the ongoing fight to prevent illegal sugar imports. Pitts said that in spite of an agreement with Mexico defining allowable sugar imports from there, it appears that some sugar might still be bypassing the cane mills, and going directly to facilities where it is melted into liquid sugar and sold to soft drink and candy manufacturers. If its not reported as refined sugar, the USDA numbers are not correct when it determines allotments to our sugar companies, Pitts said. He further explained that unrefined sugar entering the United States should be refined by U.S. refineries, boosting that industry and providing jobs, especially in Louisiana and Florida. If this is happening, we are not getting the benefit of refining that sugar here, he said. The anti dumping laws are meant to protect U.S. sugar producers, whether cane or beets, in an effort to maintain profitable prices. In addition to the illegal imports, Pitts said there is also the issue of subsidized sugar from nations such as Brazil and especially India, where the government has creative ways of subsidizing sugar production, in spite of the agreements. Pitts said U.S. producers must rely on the loan rate program, and the flexibility of the feed stock program, because the government does not provide subsidies to sugar producers. Because of this situation, Pitts said U.S. growers have taken some major hits in recent years. Sugar is currently about 30 cents a pound, compared to 40-50 cents per pound four years ago (Milling and Baking News). Its hard for American farmers to compete with that, Pitts explained. We need to do something to raise prices, to maintain the profitability. Mathcounts, a competition that tests a subject that brings many students chills was held on Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Harms Advanced Technology Center. Fifty-two sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from six area schools tested their math skills in a chance to advance to state and national competition. Bluffs Middle School won the trophy for the team competition and a plaque for the most improved school. Western Nebraska Chapter of the Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers hosted the event. WNCC's Harms Center was one of five sites in Nebraska where the competition took place. Winners from each of the five sites will compete at the state level. The Mathcounts competition began in 1983 and seeks to provide a solution to the declining math skills of U.S. students. Larry McCaslin, chapter president for NSPE Western Nebraska Chapter, said that math is a key component of students education and through this they can better their math skills. Probably the biggest benefit is the fact that were trying to generate interest in mathematics for students, said McCaslin. Students were tested on different types of math in three written tests, two individual and one team event. The tests contained algebra, trigonometry and probability and statistics problems. I think, overall, the math skills are getting better. Its taking a lot of hard work but they are getting better. The scores are a lot better this year than they were last year, said McCaslin. He said there is still a long way to go to catch up to other countries that spend a lot more time teaching math. There was also a different event called Countdown which is a head-to head competition where students faced off and were timed to answer difficult math questions. This had no influence on the scores, but was a way to end the events with a friendly competition. It does get them ready, because there will be an official Countdown round at the state and national level. It gives the students an opportunity to perform in front of a crowd and makes them think on their feet, said McCaslin. Bluffs Middle School had 12 students in the organization and eight who participated in the Mathcounts competition. Jake McLain, seventh grade math teacher and Mathcounts sponsor at Bluffs Middle School, said during the practices there will be information that he will go over with the students and strategies on how to attack different problems. During the fall semester he met with the students once or twice a month after school. This semester the team has practiced once a week, and sometimes twice a week. Its been a really fun group to work with. Weve got a lot of experience I would say coming back from last year, two students are new to it this year, said McLain. McLain said that a lot of the practice material focuses on story problems and a lot of problems that involve variables and interpreting the symbolization. Two students and two teams were able to advance to the state-level competition. State competition is March 19 in Lincoln. The top-four finishers at the state competition will go on to the national competition. Some students brought home trophies, and plaques to their coaches. Jamie Chen, a seventh-grader at Bluffs Middle School, who won the individual competition last year, also won it this year. Matthew Bohlman, an eighth-grader at Gering Jr. High School, received second place in the individual competition. St. Agnes Academy in Alliance received second place in the team competition. News / National by Staff reporter Diamond production in Chiadzwa plummeted from 12 million carats in 2012 to 3,36 million carats in 2015 due to diminishing alluvial deposits and anxieties over amalgamation of companies operating there.This saw a corresponding decline in earnings from US$700 million-plus to US$180 million.Experts, however, say further exploration should be conducted to determine the resource's full extent as indications point to vast deposits in the diamond fields.Government is also forging ahead with an amalgamation plan to revitalise the sector.Marange Resources, Gye Nyame and Kusena have already been merged into the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Corporation, with Mbada Diamonds, Jinan and Anjin expected to soon follow suit.The ZCDC became a legal entity in 2015 when it began recruiting technical staff.The inaugural Mining Industry Survey Report released to The Sunday Mail by the Chamber of Mines states that diamond revenue dropped from US$336 million in 2014 to US$180 million in 2015, with production declining from 4,77 million carats to 3,36 million in that period.It also shows that the sector accounted for the biggest drop in value earned from minerals in 2015. Treasury received US$2,189 billion in 2012 and then US$2,05 billion in 2013."Total value of mineral revenue generated in 2015 declined by 7 percent from US$1, 95 billion in 2014 to around US$1, 8 in 2015," reads part of the report.Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa told The Sunday Mail that remedial work was in progress."We are worried about the performance of the diamond sector as we feel that this is a sector that should contribute to national economic development in a big way. However, we believe that the process we have begun to consolidate the operations of companies mining in Chiadzwa will bring better results."We are putting in place a number of initiatives. Last week, I was in Belarus to discuss the possibility of getting new equipment for the ZCDC. Negotiations for equipment are at an advanced stage, and we are expecting this to be the first boost in the operations of the ZCDC."An official with a diamond mining company attributed declining production to diminishing alluvial stones and "a wait-and-see attitude" among miners. "Production declined as our shareholders were last year seized with the consolidation issue. We could not invest in more equipment because there were uncertainties over the way forward," said the official. "Remember, alluvial diamonds are also running out, so this also contributed to low production."University of Zimbabwe Institute of Mining Research chair Mr Lyman Mlambo recommended further exploration."We need to be sure about the quantity of the resource because what was stated a few years (ago) is not what we are seeing now," he said."More exploration needs to be carried out so that we get the correct figures of what is available in Marange, and this will help authorities to plan accordingly."Experts say consolidating diamond mining companies will optimise production and earnings.In Botswana, Debswana a joint venture between the Botswana government and mining giant De Beers controls all diamond production, operating four mines. Cumulative production can reach 30 million carats annually, making the firm the world's leading diamond producer by value. Diamonds account for a third of that country's GDP, over 90 percent of export earnings and 50 percent of government revenue.In Russia, Alrosa a grouping of several companies virtually controls diamond production.The Russian Federation represented by the Federal Agency for Management of State Property is the majority shareholder with 44 percent.Alrosa is the world's leading diamond producer by volume, producing 33 million carats in 2013. LINCOLN A Massachusetts group that opposes capital punishment has made another large contribution to an effort to sustain the repeal of Nebraskas death penalty. The Proteus Action League of Amherst, Massachusetts, gave $198,495 in October to Nebraskans for Public Safety, upping its total contribution to the anti-death penalty group to $598,495, according to year-end campaign finance reports released recently. Nebraskans for Public Safety formed just after the Legislature, over a veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts, repealed the death penalty in the state. That sparked a petition drive financed by Ricketts and others that was successful in suspending the repeal until Nebraska voters could decide the issue at the polls in November. Year-end reports by Nebraskans for Public Safety indicated that it had raised $750,190 during 2015, and had about $13,000 of cash on hand. By comparison, Nebraskans for the Death Penalty, the pro-capital punishment group that ran the successful petition drive, raised $940,133 during 2015. It reported having $9,991 of cash on hand, and $54,369 in unpaid legal and consultant bills at years end. Dan Parsons, a spokesman for Nebraskans for Public Safety, said the group has entered phase two of its campaign to retain the repeal of the death penalty, which is to mobilize voters to defeat the referendum. He made no apologies for the large donations from a group outside of the state and said that recently, more contributions have been received from Nebraskans. Obviously, this is an issue thats not only important to Nebraska but the whole country, Parsons said. Both sides will continue to get interest from outside of this state. Were not going to shy away from that. The Proteus Action League has said the primary source for its contributions in Nebraska is billionaire businessman Chuck Feeney, an Irish-American who has pledged to give away his $7.5 billion fortune to promote education, human rights and health care causes. Feeney founded the Atlantic Philanthropies, one of the largest private foundations in the world. From Sept. 22 to the end of 2015, Nebraskans for Public Safety reported raising $288,611. That compares to $36,701 raised by Nebraskans for the Death Penalty. The largest new donation for the pro-death penalty group came from a Denver organization called Citizens for a Sound Government. That same group ran attack ads against then-Attorney General Jon Bruning, who was an unsuccessful challenger to Ricketts for the 2014 GOP nomination for governor. Ricketts was one of the prime financiers of Nebraskans for the Death Penaltys drive during 2015, contributing $200,000. Ricketts father, Joe, who started the family company TD Ameritrade, gave $100,000. The pro-death penalty group collected more than 143,000 valid signatures from Nebraska voters in just over two months to force the referendum and the suspension of the death-penalty repeal. Their spending translated into about $6.30 per signature. 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To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. News / National by Thobekile Zhou In 1980 Robert Mugabe became the premier of Zimbabwe. By his side stood the hugely popular Sarah Mugabe affectionately known as Comrade Sally. She was a liberation war hero in her own right and was popularly elected to lead the powerful women's wing of the party. However Mugabe never needed her to fight his political battles for him whether internal or external. After her demise Mugabe married his long time mistress Grace Goreraza nee Marufu in a colorful ceremony. She assumed a low political profile and at one time even said she was not interested in politics contenting herself with being a shopping dinosaur and fashion freak. Mugabe never needed her services. The question is; " what has changed?" What vacuum is Grace Mugabe filling right now? Unwittingly Grace Mugabe known for her political brawn than brains has let the cat out of the bag. She has said that she will carry Mugabe in a wheelbarrow to political rallies come 2018. This is not coming from an aide but a wife who knows her husband in and out. Is that a bedroom revelation? No one can know beside a person's wife that her husband will be in a wheelbarrow in two years' time. Remember at one time it was a wheelchair, now it's a wheelbarrow. In other words as we speak Mugabe is practically in ICU and totally unfit to run a country. Motormouth Grace also revealed the dent of leadership in the former liberation movement as she lamented how she felt let down by people she had thought were good leaders. So there we are Zimbabweans, looking forward to be ruled from a wheelbarrow. My fellow Zimbabweans our economy is in the doldrums, services are non-existent, unemployment is now the order of the day and there seem to be no end in sight for these myriad problems we are facing. Our former proud nation has now been reduced to a basket case. An energetic and resourceful Robert Mugabe presided over the death and dearth of a vibrant and promising economy. Now he is expected to revive it from a wheelbarrow. This is ridiculous. A frightening scenario is that Cyclone Grace's bemoans the lack of leadership in ZANU-PF; yet she seems to be doing her best to pull down any person with the potential to lead both the country and party. Is she clearing any challenge to her wheelbarrow husband or is she creating a vacancy for someone we are yet to know? Are we seeing the creation of a Mugabe dynasty here? Let us keep our eyes open comrades. In her rambling and disorganized ranting she touched on morality saying that some aspiring leaders have multiple mistresses and are hardly fit to be leaders. But is she the right person to say that was she not a mistress herself to Mugabe while he was still married to Sally and she to Goreraza. Under Chapter 37 of the marriage act at least one of them should have been arrested for bigamy or sued for adultery. As Zimbabweans we remember that she had three children out of wedlock with a married man. Even as she spoke we can only conjecture what she meant when she said she commended the ability of the Mashonaland East governor to love and encouraged him to teach others how to clean their teeth before kissing. The things supposedly respectable people speak these days! it boggles the mind. Fellow Zimbabweans it is high time we stood up and said no to the abuse of our beautiful country by a clueless cliche of tired and spent forces. Let us forestall the ignominy of being ruled from a wheelbarrow which is an indictment not only to the party concerned but to the nation as a whole. We owe it to our ourselves and to our legacy in the eyes of those who shall come after us. PDP is the party of choice with the solutions to the problems of our country. Let's embrace it for a secure and prosperous future. AMANDLAAAAA!!!!!!!! OPPOSITION People Democratic Party Harare spokesperson Nqobizitha khumalo has said First Lady Grace Mugabe has told the world that her husband is now 'practically in ICU and totally unfit to run a country'.During a rally in Mazowe on Friday, Grace said she will carry President Mugabe in a wheelbarrow to political rallies come 2018.Khumalo said this is not coming from an aide but a wife who knows her husband in and out. "Is that a bedroom revelation?" he asked."No one can know beside a person's wife that her husband will be in a wheelbarrow in two years' time. Remember at one time it was a wheelchair, now it's a wheelbarrow.In other words as we speak Mugabe is practically in ICU and totally unfit to run a country," said Khumalo.Below is Khumalo's full statement : Right now, a possibility of dialogue between the NATO and the Russian Federation was not ruled out, the Romanian National Defence Minister, Mihnea Motoc told on Saturday night a tv broadcast. Mihnea Motoc added for RTV private television that there is no hypothesis of conflict there, either."Of course, everything that was built, ever since the NATO Summit in the Wales, was triggered by the illegal annexation of Crimea, by the separatist evolutions in Eastern Ukraine, by the accumulations, meanwhile by the military presence of military, naval, air capabilities at the Black Sea - all this are concrete matters, obviously to which we report to and documented hypotheses based on which the planning is made, but we are not in a scenario that deprives us of dialogue, a dialogue that starts from defining some procedures to avoiding incidents (...) to Russia and the coalition acting in Syria, mainly. In the NATO, as you know, the possibility to having a dialogue, between the NATO and Russia, has not been ruled out. A dialogue that could not be 'business as usual', could not take place in the same terms as it used to be years ago, a dialogue with a certain agenda, at a certain level, up to a certain level, which will probably take place in the next period. So, it's a two-way approach," said Mihnea Motoc.AGERPRES The current legislation in Doctor titles is incoherent, chaotic, as there was no political will to give the academic milieu a robust framework and the necessary autonomy, and the political games did harm the Romanian tuition a lot, said on Sunday the Education Minister, Adrian Curaj. The minister in a press conference talked about the launch in public debate of a Government Decision's draft on the Code of the Doctor studies."We wouldn't have been here, if things would have been clear. (...) We have had political games that have done a lot of harm to the Romanian education. And we see the results and we are so amazed at them," said the minister."We've decided to create a legal, proper framework. (...) I'm certain effects will resist in time. I find it the obligation of the Education Ministry to father a correct, predictable framework, a framework we have hadn't so far, we did had a double-standard in connection with what is it to be done with the politician Doctors and Doctorands," Adrian Curaj added.The new modifications as regards the Doctorates will allow the recovery of trustworthiness, where it is necessary, of the education units the strengthening of the academic credibility and the consolidation of the reputation of universities of Romania."The alterations come bundled with a transparent approach of the information on doctorat es, the self-assessment of the doctoral schools and the international evaluation of the doctoral schools," the minister explained.Curaj concluded that the granting and withdrawal of the Doctor's titles will be from now on the attribution of the organizing bodies, namely universities and the Romanian Academy.The new Council for the diplomas' certification will be, according to the said draft, an appeals' court.AGERPRES President Klaus Iohannis met on Saturday with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko on the sidelines of the International Munich Security Conference, reiterating on the occasion the support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and stressing the importance of the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements for the crisis settlement. "President Iohannis reiterated Romania's support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and stressed the importance of the Minsk Agreements being fully implemented for settling the crisis. Iohannis also assured his Ukrainian counterpart of Romania's support at bilateral and international level," reads a Presidential Administration release to AGERPRES.According to the document, in their talks, the two top officials also addressed some of the main issues on the bilateral agenda, including from the perspective of the official visit the Ukrainian President will be paying to Romania this year.The talks also highlighted the progress already made in specific bilateral files and the desire of both sides to advance in the implementation of the joint ongoing projects. News / National by Walter Mswazie ZIMBABWE will soon introduce a television station for the Sadc region which will promote the African cultural ethos of member states, a Cabinet Minister has said.Speaking on the sidelines of a consultative meeting on digitalisation with independent film and content producers in Masvingo on Thursday, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe said the television station will cover all cultural aspects and promote national identities of member states.In March 2015 Zimbabwe received a capital injection of about $125 million for the digitalisation programme under the directive of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) whose initial deadline was June 2015. Zimbabwe seeks to migrate television stations from analogue to digital by the end of the first quarter this year.Dr Mushohwe said the idea of a regional television station has been shared with other Sadc member states and plans are underway to launch it in Harare sometime this year."We are going to launch the television station soon, once the digitalisation is complete. I was in Lesotho recently and I discussed the initiative with my counterparts there. We also want to do the same with our Southern Times newspaper that we do with Namibia for it to be a regional paper where all Sadc countries are covered," said Dr Mushohwe.He said the regional television station will promote integration between Sadc members with a number, if not all countries ready to have a buy in.Dr Mushohwe also said the station will be hosted by all member states on a rotational basis."This is in line with our ethos as the Sadc region. As a block we should be able to tell our story and the television station will present each member with such an opportunity as we seek to have a wholesome integration among member states as Africans. One should be able to relate to the Zimbabwean culture, Zambian, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, among other Sadc members. This will also help our country promote its brand," he said.He said upon completion of the massive project, the country's broadcasting flagship, ZBC will have six high definition channels with the other six HD channels reserved for independent producers. There will be 48 transmitter sites throughout the country for all the provinces to have easy access to the transmission.Present at the meeting were Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Mr George Charamba, Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa director Dr Rino Zhuwarara, ZBC chief executive officer Mr Patrick Mavhura, Trasmedia chief executive officer Florence Sidugu-Matambo and BAZ officials, among others. For several years, researchers have been sending people into tax preparation offices to test the quality of the work. The results have been scary: A tax preparer in North Carolina wasnt sure what to do with one clients dividend income form. She decided to just ignore it. At a major tax prep chain in Florida, the preparer seemed to want to help me with owing less, but was unsure how to go about it, a client told researchers. The preparer tried clicking and unclicking various fields on her computer, explaining that sometimes it made customers owe less. An independent preparer deducted car expenses from a return. The client didnt own a car. A tax preparer in New Mexico asked plenty of questions, but then forgot to list her clients daughter as a dependent even though the daughter attended the tax session. A second preparer in New Mexico had to ask a supervisor how to round a number to the nearest whole dollar. Such incompetence isnt hard to find. Last year, the National Consumer Law Center tested 29 tax prep offices and found only two forms completed correctly. Just two of 19 preparers randomly selected by the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculated the correct refund amount in 2014. One GAO tester was told that income didnt need to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service if it was reinvested in a mutual fund. The studies arent big enough to generalize about tax preparers. No doubt, there are many well-educated practitioners. The problem is that its hard to be sure your preparer knows what he or she is doing. Almost anyone can claim to be a tax preparer; no CPA, law degree or formal education is required. Pretty much the only thing you need to open up shop is a tax identification number, which the IRS gives out for a $50 fee. Consumer groups are pushing federal and state lawmakers to impose tighter rules on preparers, requiring certification and education. A Consumer Federation of America survey released on Jan. 19 found that 80 percent of 1,011 respondents supported the idea of requiring tax preparers to pass a test. Though large tax-prep companies, including H&R Block, support tighter regulations, new rules are opposed by many independent tax preparers. Representing them is Dan Alban, a lawyer at the Institute for Justice who in 2014 successfully used federal courts to block new IRS regulation of tax preparers. Licensing doesnt ensure that people are honest, Alban said, arguing that education requirements would do little to fight fraud by tax preparers who try to inflate customer refunds (and thus, their fees). Burdensome rules would only push part-time and mom-and-pop preparers out of the business, driving up prices and benefiting larger firms, he said. And its not clear if uncertified preparers are any worse than CPAs or lawyers who do taxes. Just about every tax return has an error on it, Alban said. Thats because the tax code is so complex. Consumer groups counter that the lack of standards has turned tax preparation into a quick way to make a buck, rather than a true profession. Preparer regulations wont eliminate all mistakes, said Chi Chi Wu of the National Consumer Law Center. By having a profession that is tested and trained, you raise the level of professionalism. You give businesses and people who are licensed an incentive not to commit fraud or be sloppy. Paul Harrison, director of the tax clinic at the Chicago-based Center for Economic Progress, must regularly clean up messes made by tax preparers. He has often found dumb mistakes that, while boosting a clients refund, are easy for IRS computers to spot. Examples include ignoring income from a 1099 form or deducting car expenses twice by using both mileage and the standard deduction. If you were trying to scam the IRS and the taxpayer, you wouldnt put such a glaring mistake in a return, Harrison said. Its the taxpayers who end up suffering from these blunders. Even if they get a larger refund in the short term, they must eventually pay when the IRS spots the mistake. By then, refund checks have commonly been spent. How can taxpayers find competent tax preparers? A year ago the IRS launched a database of tax professionals who voluntarily provided proof of their education and credentials. In addition to CPAs and lawyers, the list includes enrolled agents, who go through at least 72 hours of tax courses every three years. Taxpayers can also download software and do their taxes themselves. The GAO estimates that half of all self-prepared individual tax returns contain at least one error, compared with 60 percent of returns completed by a paid preparer. Among the least popular parts of the Affordable Care Act has been the requirement that most Americans get health insurance coverage or risk facing a hefty tax penalty. But while health policy experts say the penalty is a critical tool that has helped reduce the number of people without insurance, others worry that its straining some households that are already pressed financially. After the close of the third open enrollment period for HealthCare.gov, 12.7 million Americans signed up for coverage through the governments health insurance marketplace. That number included more than 290,000 Missourians an increase of 78,000 compared to 2015. Many of those enrollees were new to the marketplace. And many were young, a coveted demographic, federal officials said during a conference call in early February. What drove more consumers to sign up for insurance coverage this year? Reminding them about the tax penalty was a factor, Kevin Counihan, CEO of HealthCare.gov, said during the call. Reminders sent at the right moment proved powerful, Counihan said. It worked. It got more consumers covered. Emily Bremer, an insurance broker in Clayton, agrees: Consumers were, in fact, motivated by the tax penalty. I had quite a few people say to me this year that having to pay the penalty in 2015 when they did their 2014 taxes was a bit of an eye-opener, she said. The fine for not having coverage in 2015 is 2 percent of adjusted household income or $325 per adult and $162.50 for children under 18, whichever is greater. Next year, the fine for not having coverage rises to 2.5 percent of household income or $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, whichever is greater. I think it will increasingly catch peoples attention going forward, said Tim Jost, a law professor at Washington and Lee University and a health law expert. Its going to make much more of an impression on people once they realize that that refund I was counting on to catch up on my car payments is not coming, and I may owe some money to the IRS, he said. Still, many Americans are unaware of the tax penalty, health policy experts say. In 2014, about 7.9 million taxpayers were hit with the penalty for not having insurance. But another 12.4 million taxpayers successfully claimed an exemption and avoided the fine. One of the most common ways taxpayers avoided the fine, the IRS said in an October 2015 report to Congress, was by simply demonstrating they couldnt afford health insurance. Under the Affordable Care Act, coverage is deemed unaffordable if premiums exceeded 8.05 percent of household income. Despite that exemption, Bremer says there are people who may have qualified for some financial assistance on the marketplace but still would have struggled to pay for coverage. The people who seem like they get the best deal are the people who are very, very low-income, Bremer said. Its the people in the upper range who are having the hardest struggle. Shes talking about the upper range of the sliding scale of financial assistance given to consumers who shop on HealthCare.gov. Consumers are eligible for financial assistance between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. An individual in Missouri making between $11,880 and $47,520 currently qualifies for help purchasing coverage. Individuals making closer to $11,880 receive more help than the folks making closer to $47,520. But its the individuals making 300 percent to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or individuals making between $35,000 and $47,520, who seem to be struggling, Bremer said. Those individuals the ones who dont qualify for as much government assistance dont appear to be getting coverage to the same degree as others, said Linda Blumberg, a health care economist with the Urban Institute. There is a lower take-up in that income group because the assistance is much smaller, she said. And despite the fact those individuals have lower incomes and could have qualified for some assistance, they wont be able to avoid the tax penalty because they could have qualified for assistance that would have made insurance affordable under Affordable Care Act. There will be some people for whom health insurance would have been affordable using tax credits but didnt take advantage and will be subject to the penalty, Jost said. But Blumberg said its important to think big picture about the individual mandate. Without the individual mandate, the expansion of coverage would be much smaller, the average premiums would be significantly higher, and that (would mean) more federal spending per person assisted, she said. PK Paper Art Co-owner/designer Jennifer Clancy Age 43 Home Columbia, Ill. Family Mom and business partner Karen Nosovitch of Jefferson City; husband Sean Clancy of 16 years; daughters, Summer, 8, and Ally, 9; son Riley, 12; a golden retriever, Ginger; and chihuahua, Reese. What they make Paper flower backdrops used for wedding shoots, photo booths and formal room decor; as well as bundles of individual paper flowers to display on walls, hang from ceilings or otherwise adorn a room. They do most of their business making backdrops for wedding ceremonies, but spend a good deal of time also making individual flowers and garlands for nursery room walls. How to buy Visit their website at pkpaperart.com. Flowers start at $8 or you can get a bundle of seven various sizes for $75. A backdrop thats about 8-by-8-feet can be rented for $650 including installation and delivery. The largest project was a 20-by-20-foot backdrop that cost $4,000 to rent. PK Paper Art will be at the Unveiled Bridal Show, noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Ritz-Carlton, 100 Carondelet Plaza ($25 admission). Crafts project Jennifer Clancys mom, Karen Nosovitch, was teaching her children to make flowers with paper one day as a fun activity. My mom was always learning to make something new when I was growing up, Clancy said. She just learned on the Internet one day and taught herself. Clancy loved the look for the paper flowers and asked her mom to make a backdrop for their upcoming Christian Music Festival in Columbia. Clancy and her husband have coordinated the event for years. Its a unity concert bringing a group of unaffiliated churches together in praise and worship by featuring different bands. A successful debut Nosovitch, the overachieving novice paper artist, showed up with a 6-by-8-foot backdrop. Thats just what she does, Clancy said. She asked what can I do to help and thats what she did. The response was better than any commercial advertisement. People marveled at the backdrop and repeatedly suggested that they go into business. They started tentatively part time, and its turned into a full-time job for Clancy (she left her previous job as a bookkeeper and now uses those skills for their business). They rent and sell and help with events in- and out-of-state. A recent job had Clancy shipping their 8-by-8-foot backdrop to St. Petersburg, Fla., and taking a barrage of flowers with her to set up scenes during a dinner cruise and later at the wedding reception. Paper perfect They dont wilt, and we can spray them to waterproof (the flowers), Clancy said. And some have asked if we could do something more permanent, so we are experimenting with that. Can you imagine a sky on a ceiling with clouds and then 3-D flowers? Better than real? Well, real flowers are a lot more expensive, especially for the size, and these are definitely cheaper and more whimsical, and they can be reused. She said that they use coffee filters for some and cardboard for others to make them look more or less realistic. And the novelty means that the flowers are sure to be a focal point and topic of conversation. Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Adolphus A. Busch IV looked out the front door of his farm house in St. Charles County Friday morning and took in the view. Thousands of ducks of various species, snow geese and Canada geese were nestled down in the farmland and wetlands west of the Mississippi River. As a child, he spent time on his famous beer familys farm every August and November. Hes lived there since 1975, and inherited the farm from his father in 1985. I was captivated by its beauty early on, Busch says. This place is truly unbelievable. Hes talking not just about the farm, but the entire area in St. Charles County and parts of St. Louis County that sits at the confluence of the countrys two great rivers. Its a unique area of intrinsic beauty that also demonstrates the awesome power of water to determine its own path. Protecting that beauty, and teaching the St. Louis region about its importance, has become a quest for Busch. It was why he was one of the founders of the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, a group that is going to end up in the news quite a bit over the next couple of years. Why? It is likely to be one of the key forces battling the next big development mistake on the horizon. That mistake is the one announced by the city of Maryland Heights this month when it sought proposals to develop 1,800 acres of flood plain along the Missouri River. The city, and some big developers, have long sought to develop what is now mostly farmland. Its why it invested in building the Howard Bend levee up to so-called 500-year-flood protection. That decision, of course, followed what happened in Chesterfield after the massive 1993 flood when the Monarch Levees reconstruction led to a massive complex of concrete and retail in what used to be the Chesterfield Bottoms. Its why they extended Highway 141 north. The writing on the wall for this development has been there for a long time. Busch, and many others like him, sees the Maryland Heights proposal as a debacle of Herculean dimensions. Hes serving notice that the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, which just hired a new executive director, David Stokes, is gearing for battle. Its just a disaster waiting to happen, Busch says of the proposal to develop flood plain in an area that most certainly will flood again. He joins a growing chorus of voices, from St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, to Washington University geology professor Bob Criss, to individual homeowners who lived through the recent holiday flooding that saw waters rising faster and higher than ever before, who are urging civic leaders in the region to take a step back before putting more homes and other development in flood plain. Criss warns that the old maps that define what is flood plain and what isnt are no longer accurate as the combination of climate change and massive development in St. Louis, and newer and higher levees, have changed river patterns. Indeed, Busch has a friend in St. Charles County, who recently found out that his house is now in the 100-year flood plain according to the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency maps, and it never was previously. Put thousands of acres of concrete in the Maryland Heights flood plain, and the problems that were so prevalent in late December and early January all over the St. Louis region will be worse. When are we ever going to learn? Busch asks. How many times can we continue to make the same idiotic mistakes? Like Ehlmann, Busch blames the use of tax-increment financing districts as one of the worst development culprits. The tactic allows developers to earn upfront investment to reduce their risk and encourage building in areas that otherwise wouldnt be feasible. TIF districts steal money from schools and libraries and fire districts in the meantime, without truly bringing the exponential growth promised at the outset. Individual municipalities earn a tax windfall but the region gains nothing. Busch is hoping that increased awareness of flood plain development in the St. Louis region, along with the connection of billionaire Stan Kroenke to the project, will create a groundswell of opposition to the Maryland Heights project. Even so, he knows approval by the City Council of whatever comes down the pike is almost inevitable. But Great Rivers Habitat Alliance is ready to fight. It lost its last battle against a flood plain development in St. Peters, over the 370 Premier business park, but it might have won the war, as that development continues to produce little fruit. Public awareness might be on the side of those who respect the power of Americas great rivers to forge their own path. Busch lives near that confluence and wants to save its beauty for another generation. Update, from 9:30 p.m. the Jackson Sun reports that the Decatur County, Tenn., Sheriffs Office says Scotty Eugene Priest "is in custody in Russellville Kentucky, and surrendered to Kentucky Police without incident and no one was harmed. He will be transported back to Decatur County." ST. CLAIR COUNTY A fugitive labeled armed and dangerous was on the run in the St. Clair County area. Scotty Eugene Priest is wanted by the Decatur County, Tenn., Sheriff's Office for making online threats to kill police officers. He specifically named several Tennessee officers. Caseyville police put an alert out on Sunday saying he is believed to be in St. Clair County. Priest, 53, is six-foot-one and about 180 pounds. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Decatur County Sherriff's Office at 731-852-3911. ST. LOUIS A city police captain was put on forced leave Friday without pay while internal affairs and federal investigators try to determine whether he twice ordered officers to release suspects in felony cases, the Post-Dispatch has learned. But the police department is refusing to confirm the employment status of Capt. Ryan Cousins, saying it is not an open record under the states Sunshine Law. Cousins, a 19-year veteran of the force, was transferred earlier this month from a key command post to an administrative job involving department accreditation after officers took concerns to the Internal Affairs Division about an incident Jan. 29, according to police sources. Since Oct. 1, Cousins had been commander of the Sixth District the citys highest crime area. The Post-Dispatch reported earlier this week that Police Chief Sam Dotson has asked the U.S. attorneys office to assist with an investigation of why Cousins would try to protect the suspects. Although department investigators are questioning multiple people about the incidents, no other officers have been accused of wrongdoing, sources said. The department did not make Cousins available for comment. Sources say Cousins ordered officers to let a suspected armed robber go before the suspect was to perform in a rap performance at a club in Midtown in November. Then, in January, sources say Cousins ordered officers to free a felon suspected of possessing a firearm and firing shots at would-be burglars. The sources say he also ordered officers to alter a police report about the incident, discard ballistics evidence at the scene and return the gun to the suspects wife. Alderwoman Dionne Flowers said Wednesday that she was shocked by the allegations against Cousins, whom she says has worked with her and the constituents in her ward since he took over command of the district. Hes been nothing but professional, she said. She added that Cousins had been addressing a string of burglaries in the neighborhood where the January incident occurred, and said she was unhappy with the way officers treated the man and woman whose home was being broken into during the investigation. They were treated more like suspects than victims, she said. Cousins became a police officer in February 1996. He has been assigned to the Sixth District, Special Operations, Eighth District and the Rapid Deployment Unit. He will become eligible for his police pension when he earns 20 years with the department later this month. News / National by Munyaradzi Musiiwa A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Gokwe has been sentenced to 16 years in jail after he was caught red-handed by his stepmother raping his 10-year-old half-sister.The man from Muvhimbi Village under Chief Chireya in Gokwe pleaded not guilty to rape but was however, found guilty by Kwekwe-Gokwe regional magistrate Mr Amos Mbobo."Your Worship, I did not rape my sister. My step-mother hates me so much that she made a false report against me," he said.Passing sentence, Mr Mbobo said the evidence provided showed that the accused committed the offence."Instead of protecting your half-sister from other men, you went on and sexually abused her. After considering evidence laid against you, it is clear you committed the offence. You are therefore sentenced to 16 years of which two years are suspended for five years if you do not commit a similar offence," he said.Giving her evidence in camera, the 10-year-old girl said she was saved from the sexual abuse the moment her mother walked in. "I woke up and noticed that my brother was on top of me, he covered my mouth and raped me and I was only saved when my mother walked in," she said.Prosecuting, Mr Robert Ndlala told the court that on a date unknown but in the month of October last year, the man went into the kitchen where his sister was sleeping with her five-year-old neighbour and sexually abused her.The court heard that the accused upon being busted, stood up shivering and pleaded with his stepmother not to report the matter to the police. The matter was later reported to the police leading to his arrest. WASHINGTON Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., says he agrees with his partys majority leader that the replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court should be made by the next president, not Barack Obama. This is a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land, Blunt said in a statement responding to a question posed by the Post-Dispatch. Americans will be voting in just a few months, and that election should help determine the next member of the Supreme Court. The Senate should not confirm a new Supreme Court justice until we have a new president. But Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., disagreed. There is a vacancy we should do our job and fill it, she told the Post-Dispatch in a statement. Only in Washington would politics interfere with doing our jobs. Lets do the work the Constitution requires. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky set off a debate when he issued a statement hours after Scalias death that the American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, McConnell said, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Republican presidential candidates, debating in South Carolina on Saturday night, also urged the Republican-controlled Senate to resist a nominee. Democrats immediately hit back. The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons. President Obama said in a short statement that today is the day to remember Justice Scalias legacy, calling him a larger than life presence who profoundly shaped the legal landscape by a dedication to the rule of law. But Obama said he plans to fulfill my constitutional duties to nominate a successor in due time and that there would be plenty of time for the Senate to have hearings on his nominee and to vote. Over the past 100 years, since two of Woodrow Wilsons appointees were confirmed to the court in 1916, only five of the subsequent 44 justices were approved in a presidential election year. The last was current Justice Anthony Kennedy, who was approved in 1988, President Ronald Reagans last year in office. But that came after two previous nominees were turned down the previous year. One was Robert Bork, who did not survive contentious hearings. Blocking an Obama nomination is a risk for Republicans. They control the Senate, which must approve a nominee; but several incumbents, including Blunt and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., face re-election challenges. Loss of the Senate along with the election of a Democratic president could result in a new justice less appealing to Republicans than one appointed by Obama. If Obama risks nominating a person deemed too far afield for Senate Republicans,, he would lose a chance to make a final impact on the court. Obama already has appointed two justices: Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Chuck Raasch 202-298-6880 @craasch on Twitter craasch@post-dispatch.com If the execution is carried out, it too will leave a grieving family, in addition to having lost a little boy who might have survived if he could have gotten to the hospital in time. Books and articles have portrayed Pierre Liguest Laclede as an inept businessman, calling attention to Lacledes problems in the St. Louis area with enforcing company trade privileges. When he died, he was declared bankrupt. These accounts do not give the full story. Lacledes era valued not mercantile success but service to the crown that resulted in wealth; that motivated Laclede. Although Laclede had attended military school in France, in New Orleans he was not an officer of the crown but a mere merchant. His boss, Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, also received military training in France, but he was officially only a merchant. Maxent, who had gained influence by overseeing Indian relations, held the rank of colonel in the militia in New Orleans because of his Indian dealings. As his aide de camp, Laclede held the militia rank of major. See his statue adjacent to St. Louis City Hall. At the end of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War), Maxent formed a company to control the remaining portion of Upper Louisiana by overseeing the distribution of gifts to the loyal tribes and the trade for European goods desired by the Indians. This activity validated French claims to the vast Louisiana area. Both diplomatic activity and Mercantilist economic policy dictated this monopoly. As Maxents partner, Laclede was more than a fur trader/merchant; he was the Indian agent for the crown. Lacledes economic problems arose not in Upper Louisiana but in New Orleans. The remaining Louisiana colony had been ceded to Spain, but Spanish authority arrived late and confused. When the last French governor, Louis de Kerlerec, had left and the replacement, Jean DAbbadie, died on Feb. 4, 1765, the marine officer, Charles Philippe Aubry, replaced DAbbadie. After a long delay, the Spanish governor, Antonio de Ulloa, arrived and insisted that Aubry stay on to effect the transition. Loyal to the French crown, Maxent helped Aubry work to establish Spanish rule. However, there was growing unrest in New Orleans because the Spanish had little money and few troops, raising the question: Was Spain serious about possessing the colony? The Superior Council in New Orleans plotted to oust Ulloa and ask France to take back the colony. As tensions mounted, Aubry asked Maxent to go to a town to pay Spanish debt, one of the grievances against Ulloa, a cause for revolt. On orders of the Council, Maxent was seized on the way and held, a brazen act that forced the Council to act immediately. The Council called up 700 to 900 militia, while Spanish authority consisted of only 100 French marines and 40 Spanish soldiers. After Aubry held counsel with Ulloa, the governor then fled to a Spanish warship. With his flight, the Superior Council declared him ousted and appointed Aubry acting governor, and requested France to repossess the colony. When word of these startling events reached Laclede, he returned to New Orleans. On May 8, 1769, Maxent and Laclede addressed a trade request to Ulloa (long gone from New Orleans). On the same day, the two dissolved the company, with Laclede paying an inflated price for its assets. These acts demonstrated an attempt to show loyalty to Spanish rule and to protect the company from reprisal by the Superior Council. Then, Laclede returned to St. Louis. The French Crown disavowed the Superior Councils action, and the Spanish Crown moved to retake the colony. Gen. Alexander OReilly arrived and re-established Spanish rule with harsh punishment for rebel leadership. No longer needed and expecting financial reward from the French Crown, Aubry sailed for France, leaving Maxent and Laclede to await recompense for their service to France. When a storm sank his ship, Aubry was lost, along with all of his papers and those of Maxent and Laclede. When word of this disaster reached Laclede, he left St. Louis for New Orleans and then sailed to France. Obviously, he tried to present his and Maxents case to the French Crown. This trip also resulted in his portrait, now in the History Museum. Laclede returned empty handed and went back to St. Louis. In a similar effort, in 1774 marine officer Pierre Francois de Volsey traveled from St. Louis to France and returned with a medal for his service. He had expected much more. Because of the rejection by the French Crown, Laclede could not repay the notes he had signed. When he died suddenly in 1778, all assets went to Maxent to pay the debt. The unfortunate Laclede, the visionary who founded St. Louis 252 years ago today, proved to be a victim of circumstance, not an inept businessman. Had Laclede lived longer, he may well have gone on to a prosperous career. He had served the crown, the King of France; and the King of France failed him. Frederick A. Hodes is the author of Beyond the Frontier. News / National by Dumisani Sibanda SENATOR Matson Hlalo has scoffed at his "expulsion" from the MDC-T describing it as a "nullity" and vowed that no-one will be able to "force" him out of the political organisation.The action stems from Sen Hlalo taking MDC-T to court in 2014 over the alleged imposition of Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Gift Banda, as the party's Bulawayo provincial chairman. Sen Hlalo got a favourite court ruling which interdicted Clr Banda from assuming the position at the helm of the province.MDC-T secretary- general Mr Douglas Mwonzora, wrote a letter to Sen Hlalo about two weeks ago informing him of the decision to "expel" him from the political organisation and also informed the Senate president Edna Madzongwe that Sen Hlalo was being "re-called".But yesterday Sen Hlalo hit back maintaining the action by Mr Mwonzora was of no legal consequence and he will challenge it."Well, I am actually calling it a nullity," he said. "It was a decision made by Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe(MDC-T vice-president). What happened is that they came here on a mission to force people to accept(Councillor) Gift Banda as provincial chairman. But Banda was rejected by the people. When there were those cluster meetings recently Banda was never allowed to address. He was made to sit down. They wanted to impose him on the people."Sen Hlalo and Ms Khupe have a long standing power struggle. The "expelled" Senator said he took his party to court so that it could follow the set-out procedures and not impose people in positions of authority."This effort- of going to court- is not mine only. It's an effort by all those who want to stand up against doing things unprocedurally and unconstitutionally. We are challenging all these things that have been done. There is a court decision and it still stands that Banda was disqualified. Why should I respect an order by some elements in the party when it ignores an order made by a competent court? The action by Mwonzora is a nullity. Bayadlala (They are joking)."Sen Hlalo said MDC-T president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai should not allow Ms Khuphe to cause disunity in the party."She (Khupe) is the citadel of all these shenanigans in the party, the biggest impositionist," he said.Sen Hlalo was adamant that he would not be forced out of the party."I joined according to my free will and I will leave the party when I want to and no one will force me," he said.Efforts to get a comment from Ms Khuphe and Mr Mwonzora yesterday were fruitless. News / National by Tinomuda Chakanyuka and Lungile Tshuma Zanu-PF National Secretary for Finance and Macro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said the Matabeleland region was not part of any factional fights as no one had any ambition to be President.He expressed disgust at some people, whose names he did not mention, whom he said were appointed to help the President execute his duties but were now angling to dethrone him.Dr Mpofu added that he supported what was said by First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central on Friday, where she lashed out at party factionalists, and the suspension of War Veterans leaders headed by Minister Christopher Mutsvangwa."In Matabeleland North Province we are very united and we will remain united. Factionalism has no place in the province and as the leadership, we might have a misunderstanding but we are all united and rally behind the President. People from this region have no ambition to be President. No one has the qualities to be President in this region and we are shocked that some people are saying so and so should replace the President because he is from this tribe. We are not involved in all that because none of us has ambition to rule," he said.Dr Mpofu added that he was surprised to learn that there were celebrations in the Midlands province over his transfer from the Transport Ministry, before the Cabinet reshuffle was even announced."Two days before the last Cabinet reshuffle I received a call from a Bulawayo youth saying that people in Midlands province are celebrating that I am no longer in the Ministry of Transport as they have taken it. I was surprised because I had not received the letter. Some of us are very loyal to the President and we are always ready to do what the President assigns us to do," said Dr Mpofu.In 2014, when former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and her cabal were booted out of the party, nine party provincial chairpersons were suspended. Richard Moyo from Matabeleland North province was the only chairperson who was not suspended.Also present at the meeting were Politburo members Professor Jonathan Moyo, Cain Mathema and Patrick Zhuwawo. Clifford Sibanda, the Minister of State in Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's office was also present together with other central committee and provincial members, including Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Richard Moyo. Wellesbourne Airfield Kevin Nugent, Warwickshire County Councils planned works delivery engineer, has informed residents that work on the A3400 High Street and Stratford Road will be carried out under traffic control off peak between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Thursday. Work on the A4189 Warwick Road will be carried out under road closure off peak between 9.30am and 4pm, on Monday and Tuesday, and traffic control on Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, work on the A4189 New Road will be carried out under a 24 hour road closure from Monday until Friday. Access for residents and business deliveries fronting the works sites will be maintained where possible, and pedestrian access throughout the site will be fully maintained at all times during the works. LONG GROVE, Ill., Feb. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forsight Vision, Ltd. optometric office in Long Grove, Illinois, plans to continue the community action it focused on in 2015 for the upcoming year. During the past year, Todd Cohan, O.D., and the entire staff at Forsight Vision, Ltd. were involved in many types of charitable projects within Long Grove and the surrounding northwest suburban Chicago community. Dr. Cohan has supported many activities for the children and families of Buffalo Groves District 102 PTO as a Gold Level Sponsor from 20132016. The office gave prizes to be awarded to visitors at the Long Grove Strawberry Festival in June; this donation helped support the Lions Club of Long Grove. Over the summer months, Forsight Vision sponsored the Long Grove Arts and Music Councils free Sunday afternoon concerts. In September, the office helped raise money for the District 96 Kids in Need Fund by supporting the District 96 Dash, 5K race. And throughout the year, Dr. Cohan happily supported various places of worship, schools and charities with raffle and silent auction donations. In addition, the office proudly held a food drive during the holiday season of November and December, collecting food and personal items to benefit the Vernon Township Food Pantry. Also in December, Forsight Vision, Ltd. made $50 donations to five different charities through their first-ever Season for Giving Promotion. These donations benefited numerous charities that were chosen by the office's patients, including Save-A-Pet, International Needs Ghana through the Christ Church Lake Forest, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the ALS Association. Doctor of Optometry Todd Cohan said, Last year, we were able to give back to our community in a number of ways, which was rewarding to our office and well-received by our patients. Because of this and the fact that we see many opportunities to support the people in our community, we have plans to be just as active this year, if not more so! In the coming year, this eye doctors office plans to work with many of the charitable organizations it supported in the past, as well as expanding its reach. One new project it committed to for the next two years is the Lake County Adopt-a-Highway Program. Patients and community members will see the 1.25-mile stretch of road Forsight Vision, Ltd. adopted on Old McHenry Road from Cuba Road north to IL Route 22. The office plans to start cleaning this road with a spring 2016 event, and plans to invite friends and patients to help maintain this roads cleanliness and beauty. About Forsight Vision, Ltd. Forsight Vision, Ltd. is an optometric office in Long Grove, IL that offers eye exams, eye testing, care before and after surgery, and glasses and contacts. This office centers around using the best technology to provide the highest level of treatment, while also creating a welcoming atmosphere with top-notch service. Forsight Vision, Ltd., (847) 955-9393 Source: Forsight Vision Update on the Share Buyback Program and the Liquidity AgreementPeriod from 13 October 2022 to 19 October 2022 Share Buyback Program In the context of the share buyback program of Bekaert, announced on 25 February 2022, the third tranche of 30 million started on 29 July 2022. Bekaert announces today that during the period from 13 October 2022 to 19 October 2022, Kepler Cheuvreux on behalf of Bekaert has bought 96 932 shares. The table below provides... (continue reading...) By Julio Rodrigues and Ben Hirschler PRAIA/LONDON (Reuters) - Florzinha Amado is eight months pregnant and trying to stay calm about whether the Zika virus infection she contracted at 21 weeks could have harmed her unborn child. But Amado isn't Brazilian. She lives on the volcanic archipelago of Cape Verde, 570 km (350 miles) west of Senegal, and is one of 100 pregnant women in the capital of Praia who have contracted Zika there. Their fears, and those of West African authorities seeking to prepare the region's defenses, are shared by global health experts who say it could have unknown consequences in countries ill-equipped for another public health emergency following the Ebola epidemic. Zika, a mosquito-borne virus, was first identified by two Scots, virologist George Dick and entomologist Alexander Haddow, in a forest near Entebbe in Uganda in 1947. The disease itself is mild and 80 percent of those infected do not feel ill, but it has shot to the top of the global health agenda after an outbreak in Brazil was suspected of causing a spike in birth defects. And now, nearly 70 years after its discovery in mainland Africa, it is threatening to return to its roots - this time apparently in a changed form causing large-scale outbreaks. "Cape Verde has historical links with Brazil and it seems very likely it has got there from Brazil," said Nick Beeching of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, a Zika expert for the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. According to new data from Cape Verde's health ministry, more than 7,000 cases of Zika have been recorded in the country since the beginning of the epidemic in October 2015, with heavier than normal rains last summer boosting mosquito numbers. Beeching believes it is highly probable Zika will soon be back on the African mainland, thanks to regular flight connections from the Atlantic islands, potentially triggering a new chain of transmission. Regional health officials told Reuters they were most worried about Zika being exported to Senegal or Guinea Bissau, which shares the same Portuguese heritage as Cape Verde. A regional meeting on Zika took place in Dakar on Feb. 9, with African and Western partners discussing preparations for possible imported cases, according to officials. Abdoulaye Bousso, the coordinator of the health emergency operations center in Senegal, said his country had an active surveillance program with several "sentinel sites" being established as early warning points for an outbreak. "We do not have cases in the country currently but the risk is there," he said. MANY MOSQUITOES Africa is fertile ground for Zika. Researchers have found more than 20 different mosquito species carrying the virus there, although whether they all transmit the disease effectively to humans is unclear. Ultimately, how much damage Zika may cause on this vast continent will depend on the level of immunity among African populations - and that hinges, crucially, on the extent to which Zika's genetic make-up has mutated on its round-the-world trip. A warning from World Health Organization experts in a paper published online on Feb. 9 that the virus "appears to have changed in character" is heightening concerns. The exact nature of the shift has yet to be unraveled but Mary Kay Kindhauser and colleagues said Zika had altered as it moved through Asia - from an infection causing limited cases of mild illness to one leading to large outbreaks and, from 2013 onwards, linked to babies born with neurological disorders and abnormally small heads. Jimmy Whitworth, a British-based researcher now at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who studied Zika in Uganda back when it was still a "virological curiosity", said the ground was shifting and the risks increasing. "There are a few genetic differences between the African and Asian lineages, and it looks like the Asian lineages may be better able to transmit and flourish in a human population," he told Reuters. What this means on the ground is uncertain. In theory, there may be some cross-protection between different Zika strains, which could protect Africans from the latest version. But Beeching noted that dengue fever, a closely related mosquito-borne virus, had four recognized strains and there was only limited and temporary cross-protection between them. "We just don't know how Zika will spread if it gets to Africa," he said. Another big question is why there is no apparent link in Africa between Zika and birth defects, since the continent has been home to sporadic cases of Zika for decades, if not centuries or millennia. It may be that any past cases of small heads in newborns, known as microcephaly, or of the neurological condition Guillain-Barre syndrome may have been missed in Africa given its limited healthcare infrastructure. But Whitworth hopes to go back and take a retrospective look, since countries including Malawi, Kenya and Uganda have good population records, head measurement data and serum banks that should make checks possible. Back in Cape Verde's Central Hospital in Praia, clinical director Maria do Ceu says there is so far no evidence from scans of any microcephaly among the country's infected mothers-to-be, who are due to deliver their first babies this month. Amado is optimistic. "The doctor encouraged me to do morphological ultrasound and told me that I am okay," she said. "It happened suddenly. I started having blotchy skin and then I went to the maternity ward. I was followed up and thank God everything is fine." (Writing and additional reporting by Kate Kelland in London, with Emma Farge in Dakar; Editing by Pravin Char) A BAE Systems sign is seen at the naval dockyards in Portsmouth, southern England November 6, 2013. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth LONDON (Reuters) - British defense company BAE Systems has picked former oil industry executive Charles Woodburn as heir apparent to Chief Executive Ian King, a source close to the situation said on Sunday. Woodburn, who has worked at oilfield services company Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) and is currently chief executive at private equity-backed Expro, is likely to be appointed as BAE Systems' chief operating officer this week before taking the top job in 12 to 18 months, the source said. Reports last year said that BAE Systems had started a search to find the replacement for King, who has been in the role since 2008 and has had to navigate cuts in defense spending by the British and United States governments, BAE's biggest customers. The company is set to embark on major new projects in the next few years, including building the replacement for Britain's Vanguard nuclear submarines. Woodburn's appointment, which was first reported by Sky News, is a departure from BAE Systems' tradition of choosing an insider to the top job. BAE Systems, which reports full-year results on Thursday, declined to comment. (Reporting by Sarah Young; Writing by Paul Sandle; Editing by David Goodman) (Reuters) - Two Louisiana police officers were shot and wounded early on Saturday when a suspect opened fire on them, police said. A bullet grazed the head of one Baton Rouge police officer, and the other was struck in the side, The Advocate newspaper reported. Both are expected to survive. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. CST when police responded to a call concerning property damage, the Baton Rouge Police Department said in a statement. The suspect fled in a car to his home nearby. He got out and fired several shots at the officers with a rifle, police said. "Both officers sustained gunshot wounds but were able to return gunfire striking the suspect," police said. The officers and suspect were taken to a hospital with critical injuries, police said. The officers involved will be placed on paid administrative leave under standard procedure, police said. The department's release did not indicate the condition of the suspect. (Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Florida. Editing by Scott Malone and W Simon) More Big Gay Out selfies with the PM at the Big Gay Out. John Key was booed and glitter-bombed during annual Big Gay Out appearance in Auckland. Three protesters also closed in on him holding signs that said "capitalism is climate change war and pollution". One man was seen being detained by police and taken away in handcuffs. A witness said he was "swearing and carrying on". JASON DORDAY/Fairfax Media John Key meets the Big Gay Out crowd He was then booed by protesters throughout delivery of a short speech on stage. The vocal protests against Key seemed focused on Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement issues and were in marked contrast to the usually positive reception to the PM at the Big Gay Out in past years. READ MORE: *What you need to know about the 2016 Auckland Pride Festival *Prime Minister John Key target of flying-dildo Waitangi protest Fashion personality Colin Mathura-Jeffery was one who welcomed Key's presence. He said the TPPA protesters boo-ing the Prime Minister during his speech on the Big Gay Out main stage was disappointing. "There is a time and place for everything and this community has fought so long for recognition, so that when people and politicians such as him make the effort to turn up these events, it's a real shame to alienate them like that." Others, like Mathura-Jeffree, were cheering in support of Key, one yelling "I love you babe" as he walked past. Jason Dorday Protesters try to interrupt Prime Minister John Key's meeting and greeting the crowds at Big Gay Out. A group threw pink glitter all over him and his entourage as he passed - though whether that was a gesture of goodwill or 'glitterbombing' is unclear. 'Glitterbombing' is a form of protest by some groups with a bevy of conservative politicians in the US the subject of glitter showers. Thousands of Aucklanders - and some from further afield - turned out for the annual Big Gay Out festival on Sunday. JASON DORDAY/FAIRFAX NZ John Key meets the community at the Big Gay Out. In its 17th year, the event at Coyle Park, Point Chevalier on Valentine's Day was more colourful than ever. Drag Queens, in their choicest outfits, also made their way through the crowd, posing for photos and offering inspiration to the newly out of the closet. And the LGBTIQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual) community have special reason to celebrate - it's the 30th year anniversary of the 1986 Homosexual Reform Bill - legalising homosexuality in New Zealand. Jason Dorday Lively costumes were in vogue at the Big Gay Out. Revellers among the crowd, enjoyed the good weather and colourful atmosphere. "Wish you were here, it's just fun; family environment, laughs, no dramas, no hate, no discriminate. Come on down, there's heaps of food" one group said. Other politicians, including the leaders of Labour and the Green Party, were also set to make their obligatory appearances. Jason Dorday The Big Gay Out celebrates Auckland's LGBT lifestyle. Labour Party leader Andrew Little mentioned the latest Canterbury quake before making a political speech. "Take a couple of moments to spare a thought for Christchurch." Buses to the event were bringing more from Karangahape Rd every 15 minutes at its height. Jason Dorday Prime Minister John Key poses for selfies at the Big Gay Out - though TPPA protesters were far less welcoming. News / National by Staff reporter Vigilant handling staff at the Harare International Airport discovered a corpse that was stashed in the stow away of an American 6-member crew registered cargo plane, registration number N545JN.Investigations revealed that the plane departed from Munich, Germany at 8.pm on Saturday destined for Durban, South Africa carrying the Reserve Bank of South Africa consignment.When it stopped in Harare for refueling, Harare International Airport ground handling staff discovered blood dripping from the aircraft air condition vault and when opened a dead body of a male adult fell out.When the News crew arrived at the airport, they were not allowed to film as investigations were said to be underway.National Police Spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba confirmed the incident and said police and other stakeholders are investigating the matter. The number of electric cars on New Zealand roads has now hit four-figures. Unless you are a multimillionaire, buying a house in New Zealand is likely to mean making a few compromises. But settling for house without a garage or off-street parking could be one compromise you don't want to make, if electric vehicles take-off as expected over the next 10 or 20 years. Transport Minister Simon Bridges said New Zealand was well-placed to switch to electric vehicles in part because a high proportion of Kiwi homes had off-street parking which enabled "easy overnight charging". About 85 per cent of Kiwi homes have off-street parking, according to property information company QV. READ MORE: * Electric vehicle wins over Wellington man Sigurd Magnusson * Electric cars to get a boost in NZ from Government * Electric cars could be recharged as they are driven * More electric car charging stations on the cards for Wellington region * Mighty River Power boss Fraser Whineray says more could be done to seize electric car opportunity But Bridges observation raises a red flag for the 15 per cent of homeowners who rely on on-street parking and who might have no way to securely recharge an "EV", other than relying on potentially busy public charging stations. The number of electric vehicles registered in New Zealand has just ticked over 1000. Many of them are fleet vehicles as EVs can add-up for business owners that run up very high mileage on lots of short trips. Take-up among consumers has been hampered by the initial outlay and their limited range. One of the most popular electric cars, the Nissan Leaf, retails for $39,000 new or about $20,000 for three-to-four-year-old second-hand models. The International Energy Authority forecasts demand will take-off worldwide once the price of electric cars drops below that of equivalent petrol-driven cars in about 2020. Harcourts Wellington sales director Antonia Brown said EVs were too futurist for charging issues to figure high on home-buyers' agenda now. But she said that could change, noting other tech trends had quickly fed through to the property market. "Certainly people want to know if a street has got fast broadband now, when five years ago' people were still getting to grips with that." Brown said it was fair to say that anyone in Wellington who could put a garage on their property probably had already. "They are a very desirable commodity in the sloping suburbs and if electric cars become more prevalent those houses with them will become more desirable." Bridges said in October that the Government hoped to announce a package of measures by the end of last year to "support and encourage the uptake of electric vehicles". A spokeswoman for the minister said the package was still being worked on but Bridges hoped to take a paper to the Cabinet in the near future. Lines company Vector extended its public-charging network with the installation of two "rapid charging" stations in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket on Friday morning. These are capable of recharging EV batteries in between 15 and 30 minutes, but only if there is no queue for their use. In comparison, it takes about 90 seconds to fill an average-sized fuel tank with petrol. Garages may eventually return to their prime function of storing all the junk you can no longer squeeze into your house; Google's ultimate vision is that no-one need own a car and that self-driving cars will instead come around to your place when you need one. A fire broke out in the rear of the bakery and roof area, it was found that the roof was electrically live. The roof of a Wellington bakery was surging with electricity after a fire struck this morning. The fire, which started in the roof area of the Hataitai Hot Bread Shop on Moxham Ave, set off alarms about 7.40am on Monday. Police were forced to close Taurima St while six trucks and an ambulance surrounded the bakery. ROBERT KITCHIN The Haitaitai Bakery fire on Moxham Avenue. The bakery had an electrical problem which made the roof live, senior station officer James Gray said. Firefighters left the building for their own safety, while the local electrical authority was called to shut down the power. By 8.40am, fire shift manager David Meikle said the fire was contained and was being dampened down, but there were still road closures in the immediate vicinity. ROBERT KITCHIN Roads were closed and buses delayed while six fire trucks attended the blaze. He said no-one was injured in the fire. Buses travelling through Hataitai village were delayed, police said. The fire is not the first to hit a business in Moxham Ave. In 2011, the much-praised fish and chip shop Supremo Takeouts, just two doors down from the bakery, was gutted by a fire. The building and everything in it was destroyed in the fire, except a "local winner" certificate from New Zealand's Best Chip Shop Competition 2002. Liquefaction spewed out of the ground outside Danny Morris' property on Broadhaven Ave, Parklands, after the earthquake. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: * 5.7 earthquake struck Christchurch around 1.13pm * 4.0 magnitude aftershock at around 6.27pm * Intensity listed as "severe" * Buildings evacuated * Felt widely around the South Island, as well as Wellington * No reports of serious injuries or damage so far * No tsunami threat to NZ * NZTA advises drivers to stay away from Sumner * Spark network congested - use text messages * Christchurch and Burwood hospitals remain open CLEAN UP Christchurch residents will now have to once again begin putting their homes and property back together after the earthquake which rocked Christchurch. So far, no major injuries or serious structural damage has been reported. But there is still plenty of cleaning up to do, with reports of some buildings in South New Brighton being badly damaged, including broken glass and products having fallen off shop shelves. There has also been some liquefaction in areas of Christchurch. What GNS can tell us about the severe earthquake that hit Christchurch on Valentines Day. READ MORE: * Severe Chch quake: What you need to know * Couple on collapsing Christchurch cliff sprint for safety * CHAT REVIEW: Seismologist talks about the Chch quake * Christchurch earthquake in photos * Insurers not expecting big claims * Earthquake minister Gerry Brownlee says shake was expected The EQC have told people that have suffered damage to their property that they have three months to lodge a claim with them. EQC chief executive Ian Simpson says that Canterbury people have plenty of time to make a claim, after taking care of themselves, their families and friends. "It can take some time for the picture regarding claims to emerge as people come to terms with what's happened and had a chance to take stock of what's happened to their properties," said Simpson. EQC would increase the number of contact centre staff from Monday to handle any increase in calls. People could make a claim by phoning 0800 DAMAGE. The call centre would be open from 7am to 9pm. People could leave a message outside those hours. Geotechnical engineers were out on Sunday assessing damage, Simpson said. Stuff.co.nz Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel, says the people of Christchurch will cope with the latest quake. 'ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED' A British woman, who just arrived in Christchurch when a "severe" earthquake struck, said she thought she was going to die. The quake was originally listed as a magnitude 5.9, however Geonet has since downgraded its reading to a 5.7. It stuck around1.13pm on Sunday, 13km east of Christchurch at a depth of 14km. Stuff.co.nz Hundreds evacuated in central Christchurch after Sunday's earthquake. * Did you feel the quake? Email your stories, pictures and video to newstips@stuff.co.nz British couple Mark and Elaine Bramwell had just arrived at their hotel after flying in from London. "We ... went to our room and within minutes we heard a loud bang, the whole building shook for several minutes." "It's the first time we ever experienced anything like this," Mark Bramwell said. His wife said she was "absolutely terrified, I thought I was going to die." "I knew straight away it was an earthquake." "Strangely enough, I said to Mark, 'do you think there will be an earthquake when we're here' and he said, 'no, of course there won't', and within five minutes of getting into our hotel..." How safe do you feel in Christchurch? Share your stories, photos and videos. Contribute CHECK ON FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURS Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive David Meates says people should check on their family and neighbours, particularly the elderly following the quake. Meates said health board buildings have come through today's quake with reports of minor damage and further engineering inspections underway. Burwood mums and babies who were in the Burwood Maternity Unit at the time of the first quake have been temporarily moved to other facilities as a precaution while that facility is checked. Any mums expecting to go to Burwood on Sunday or on Monday should check in with their midwife. General Practices, pharmacies, after hours services and the hospital emergency department are operating as normal. Community and public health have been in touch with local councils and advise that no damage has been reported to infrastructure such as water supply. IAIN MCGREGOR/Stuff.co.nz Young surf lifesavers had a narrow escape and jumped off a cliff to avoid being hit by rocks during the earthquake. 'SAVED FROM FALLING ROCKS' A bike rider said containers at the bottom of Sumner cliffs saved his life from falling rocks when the quake struck. Adam Bull, 19, was riding along Sumner with his friend when the quake hit. "All of a sudden the bars start shaking and we hear this massive bang on the container. It sounded like someone was running on top of it and all of a sudden this dust just swept straight across the road. "We looked up and just saw all these rocks just coming down so we biked as fast as we can out of there and stopped at the end, looked back and the rest of the cliff at the other end of Sumner was coming down." "It was just mental. "We were right at the start of the containers, it just went bang, bang, bang with all the rocks hitting the containers. If they weren't there, we were riding right next to it and we would have just been absolutely cleaned out for sure." Huge plumes of dust billowed across parts of Sumner in the minutes after the quakes as parts of the cliffs near the seaside suburb collapsed. SUPPLIED A cliff collapse, as seen from Taylors Mistake. A section of cliff at Godley Head collapsed into the sea with cliff collapses continuing for up to 30 minutes after the quake, creating loud booms and dust clouds. A police spokeswoman said police were out doing "reassurance patrols" while a Fire Service spokesman said they had not had reports of damage yet, other than a "situation" at Whitewash Head near Sumner. Police are stopping people from going up Whitewash Head, in Sumner, where parts of cliffs had fallen down. Officers were not aware of anyone being injured from the cliff collapses, but residents were urged to stay away from cliff sides. Nick Smith, 14, and his family were out boating near the entrance Lyttelton Harbour when the quake struck. "We thought something had hit the boat. Mum just told us to look up and we saw rubble falling [from Godley Head] and collapsing on the water." He quickly pulled out his phone and captured what was happening. "It was a bit scary. It looked pretty bad from out there with all the dust." CHRISTINE TUCKER Christine Tucker's front fence after the quake. BUILDINGS BADLY DAMAGED South New Brighton resident Tony Jensen said some buildings in nearby suburbs were badly damaged, with a pub 2km to the north in New Brighton hit hard. "I think everything smashed out of their fridge. Yet the club across the road is open, no drama." The quake was an unpleasant reminder of the shake that devastated the city five years ago. "It was just very, very scary," Jensen said. "All this is going to do is just freak everyone out." Jensen said one woman he knew was extremely traumatised after the quake, and he imagined many other people would be, too. He said many people would be too scared to go out to places such as shopping malls, as they were five years ago. "It knocked me off my feet, but once again we didn't get a great deal of damage." 1 of 13 Nick Smith/ Volo Jetski Adventures Cliffs collapsing at Sumner. 2 of 13 HAMISH PRINGLE/SUPPLIED Hamish Pringle and his family were no more than 200m from a cliff that collapsed during Sunday's quake. 3 of 13 BRYN HILL Richmond Hill cliff collapse and dust over Sumner just after shaking stops (as seen from Scarborough Hill). 4 of 13 Supplied People watch on as huge dust clouds rise have Talyor's Mistake, where a cliff collapsed in Sunday's earthquake. 5 of 13 PETER COOK Dust coming off slips at gun emplacements at Godley Head during earthquake. 6 of 13 Iain McGregor Liquefaction on Linkwater Way in Parklands. 7 of 13 DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ The Valentines day 5.7 quake caused more of the already damaged front of Christ Church Cathedral to fall away. 8 of 13 Iain McGregor/FAIRFAX NZ Danny Morris checks out the liquefaction outside his Broadhaven Ave house in Parklands. 9 of 13 FACEBOOK Stock fell from shelves during the quake. 10 of 13 GEOFF COLLETT Briscoes is a complete mess following Sunday's earthquake. 11 of 13 JOHN WALKER/FACEBOOK Once again, liquefaction is a problem. 12 of 13 TOM BURGESS Dust rises over the beach following the 5.7 earthquake near Christchurch on Sunday. 13 of 13 JEFF TOLLAN Items were thrown from the shelf in this store during Sunday's earthquake in Christchurch. PEDESTRIANS HUDDLE ON STREET Fairfax reporter Emily Spink was in the foyer of Christchurch's Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA) when the earthquake struck. The gallery re-opened on Saturday, after the February 2011 earthquake saw the closure of the art space. Art-goers and people in a neighbouring ground-floor cafe ran from the building, and glass could be heard shattering from the second floor. Pedestrians were visibly upset and some huddled together in the street. In Cathedral Square, more of the Cathedral fell away in the shaking and a large gap could now be seen between the scaffolding and existing masonry. David Gunzalez was in Re:Start Mall and said many people ran outside to the street and were crying or on their phones. Tram operators did a full check of the tracks and overhead lines and were able to continuing working. Stuff.co.nz The moment Sunday's 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit caught on camera. SHATTERED GLASS Lydia Clark of New Brighton BBB Florist said the quake was "violent without any warning". "We've got a lot of broken glass," she said. "A lot of the shops around us had to shut. "There were a lot of shop alarms going off but they've stopped now." "Obviously Valentine's Day is one of our busiest days, but we have still had people come in afterwards. We have power and water, which we didn't have last time." HAMISH PRINGLE Hamish Pringle and his family were hiking to Boulder Bay on the Godley Track when the quake hit. "About 10 seconds later we were all shrouded in dust from a big rockfall about 200m away from us." St John had deactivated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Christchurch St John Ambulance spokesperson Ian Henderson said there had been a number of calls following the earthquake, but no reports of serious injuries or damage. The National Crisis Management Centre has also been stood down, with the response to the earthquake being managed locally by Christchurch City Council. The centre was activated to monitor the situation and coordinate support across Government if required. MIHCELLE O'BRIEN Liquefaction is blocking this New Brighton street. People have been advised by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to avoid the Sumner area as roads were congested. The Lyttelton tunnel had been checked and re-opened following the shaking. CELLPHONE TOWERS, POWER OUT BRYN HILL A collapse on Richmond Hill cliff sends dust over Sumner just after the shaking stopped. Telecommunications company Spark said 10 cellular towers were out, which was causing some network issues. The network was also experiencing congestion, so Spark urged people to use text messages and data instead of calling where possible. Electricity network operator Orion said just over 500 customers were impacted by the quake. By mid-afternoon that number was down to around 190. Areas impacted were northeast Christchurch and Piper Valley on Banks Peninsula, Orion said. There had been multiple calls about fire alarms activating, due to water pressure dropping. He urged people to check on friends and neighbours, but not to clog up roads needed for emergency services. Seventeen aftershocks hit Christchurch within an hour, according to GeoNet. The strongest of the aftershocks were two 3.5-magnitude quakes, both centred 10km east of the city. The first was recorded at 1.17pm, just four minutes after the main quake, and the second at 2pm. NICK SMITH/VOLO JETSKI ADVENTURE Nick Smith was out on a Jetski tour not far from Taylor's Mistake when the earthquake hit. "It was the nerve racking 'quick check' behind me to make sure the clients were all OK on their Jetskis." POOL COLLAPSE Tina Bell, 39, and her family had just left their home in Linkwater Way when the earthquake struck. "I thought my husband's tyre had blown out and he said 'no, it's an earthquake'." They returned to their home to find one side of their 20,000 litre pool, which sits above the ground in their backyard, had buckled. Bell said she raced outside to switch off the power and the pool collapsed sending a wave of water through her house. The carpets were soaked, she said. "I'm just glad my daughter wasn't in there. It's only a house." Bell said the property was scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt. Outside her home, liquefaction had bubbled up through freshly laid asphalt and residents were busy with their spades and wheelbarrows cleaning up. "This is nothing," Bell said. "The whole road exploded in the February and June [2011] ones. "This is just so typical of our neighbourhood. Everyone just gets out and helps." QUAKE CENTRED OFFSHORE GNS seismologist Bill Fry said the quake was centred 15-20km offshore. "If [a tsunami] was generated, we would probably know about it by now." The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management said there was no risk of tsunami anywhere in New Zealand as a result of the earthquake. The fault had been known about since the devastating 6.3 Christchurch quake in February 2011. While GNS was yet to get reports of damage, the magnitude was enough to cause some, Fry said. The final magnitude of the quake would likely remain in the "high fives". The shake was reported as being felt around the South Island, as well as Wellington. GeoNet said the quake was likely to cause liquefaction. Christchurch residents are being urged to document and photograph any damage to their home or possessions. Riccarton Mall and Northlands Mall were evacuated. Eastgate Mall and The Palms closed for the day but plan to open again on Monday. Ballantynes department store was evacuated and a spokesperson said an engineer would check the building. Siobhan Sadgrove, 20, was working in the Contemporary Lounge in the store when the quake struck. "It was just quite violent. It definitely scared a lot of people." She said there were cracks in the walls, but they appeared superficial. A lot of items had fallen off shelves and there was smashed glass on the floor. 'I DIDN'T WANT TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER ONE' Chrissy Coulter, 54, who still has scars on her leg from an injury in the February 22, 2011 earthquake, said she had not felt a quake like it in some time. She was also working in Ballantynes when the quake hit. "It's just reminded me of what happened on the 22nd of February five years ago," she said. "This one was obviously a big quake so it just bought it all back again. "I didn't want to go through another one." Meanwhile, St Andrews College student Meg Longley was standing in Re:Start mall when the quake hit. "It's quite a while since we've had a big one like that," she said. "It started off really small but then it just kind of kept rolling and getting bigger and bigger which was really similar to the big 6.3 one. "It just kind of felt the same." QUAKE 'EXPECTED' Earthquake minister Gerry Brownlee says the Christchurch shake on Sunday may have been "frightening" but was expected. He had received no reports from officials of injuries or deaths, and there were engineers on the ground to assess any damage. Tramper Mark Wilson, left, of Auckland, and his namesake, Hump Ridge Track manager Mark Wilson, of Tuatapere. Kiwis are becoming a minority in their own backyard on the Great Walks. Department of Conservation figures show while Kiwis remain the biggest group by nationality using the Great Walks, they are using the tracks less frequently and on some tracks made up only a quarter of the total walkers. In the 2014-15 Great Walks season, 2957 New Zealand walkers took to the Kepler Track in Fiordland National Park. New Zealanders made up only 24.77 per cent of the 11,936 people who walked the track in total that year. READ MORE: * DOC may charge overseas visitors to enter national parks * International tourism overtakes dairy to regain top spot as our biggest export earner * Life at the busiest campsite on the Milford Highway * Invented infants used to fully book out tramping hut The previous season, 3301 New Zealanders walked the Kepler Track. Of the 7107 walkers on the Milford Track during the 2014-15 season, 2522 were kiwis. Fiordland National Park operations manager Greg Lind said there could be a number of reasons why fewer New Zealanders were using the great walks. One reason he suggested was that tourists would book their trips months in advance when setting travel plans, whereas New Zealanders might leave it to the last minute and miss out. While there would initially be disappointment when missed out on the Great Walks, they would soon find other places to tramp. "There is growth on the other tracks," Lind said. DOC staff in the visitor centres would direct keen walkers to other tracks, and could even book accommodation at the huts or campsites if needed, he said. "New Zealand is highly regarded for it's tramping so if they [overseas visitors] can't get on a track they will go somewhere else." At the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, staff could redirect walkers who wanted to do the Milford, Routeburn or Kepler Great Walks to other tracks, like the Hollyford, Greenstone Caples or Hump Ridge tracks. There had been a noticeable increase in popularity of the Great Walks since DOC partnered with Air New Zealand, Lind said. With the number of tourists on the rise concern about pressures on conservation land has led the Conservation Authority to consider a user pays system to cover the increasing costs of handling those numbers. The Milford, Routeburn and Kepler tracks did cover some of their own costs, with the revenue from hut and campsite fees in excess of $3 million each year, Lind said. DOC was considering a user pays system, but that was a decision that would come from a higher level, he said. Venture Southland tourism team leader Warrick Low said other tracks like the Hump Ridge or Dusky had the potential to grow. "The more they get used, the more they are managed, the more they get marketed." There were many other tracks out there of a similar quality to the Great Walks, but the Great Walks just had bigger established brands, Low said. Low said DOC bringing in a user pays system made business sense to him. "It alleviates the pressure from the taxpayer." Some national parks in other places - such as parts of Europe and the United States - charged for entry, and Low believed that created value for users who were more likely to appreciate something if they paid for it. Visitors to New Zealand could take our parks for granted because access was free, he said. "It would be nice for everything to be free but that's not a reality." While the Great Walks are flooded with visitors, some private tracks are struggling. Mark Wilson, who manages the Hump Ridge Track near Tuatapere, said the track was operating at about 40 per cent capacity, even though it was on pace for its best year since 2004. "When it opened, there was a lot of publicity, but it's sort of drifted away," he said. "We're still only running about 40 to 50 per cent [capacity]. We have only two or three days a year when we're completely full. You can walk the Hump Ridge and go an entire day without seeing another person." Wilson said part of the struggle was the fact the track did not rank highly on Google searches compared to the Great Walks, and that it was not advertised as extensively as the Great Walks. He also said Air New Zealand's partnership with the Great Walks provided marketing muscle the Hump Ridge Track could not match. AT A GLANCE: NEW ZEALANDERS USING THE GREAT WALKS Opinion / Columnist COMRADE Fox Adolphus Urayayi Ndambakuwa Muwani whose Chimurenga name was Larry Dube is one interesting comrade. He joined the liberation struggle from Ndola, Zambia on February 3, 1965 and went on to receive training in military intelligence in Russia under Zapu.He calls himself "The Fox" and up to this day maintains that "I am an intelligence officer." And indeed, like a typical intelligence officer, gleaning information from him was not easy, especially the training aspect.He went to Zambia in 1961, after Zapu had been banned in Rhodesia and worked at one of the biggest copper mines in Zambia, Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mine which he says had over 6 000 employees.Also like a typical intelligence officer, Dube kept all the information about his arrest and the court proceedings where he together with other freedom fighters were sentenced to 10 years in prison.In this interview with our team comprising Munyaradzi Huni and Tendai Manzvanzvike, Fox narrates how, as a group of 12, they went for military training in Russia and were later deployed into Rhodesia as intelligence officers.He also narrates how he was arrested and the tortuous journey in prison, but we won't publish his full narration because we want to publish some documents from the court process that led to their 10 year sentence to show how the Rhodesia regime handled cases involving these prisoners of war.In the court case, Fox was wrongly referred to as Adolphus Mwane and he says he was cool with it.SM: Briefly tell us about your journey till you went for training in Russia.Fox: When Zapu was banned, George Nyandoro suggested that I should go to Zambia because the party was not banned in Zambia. So I went to the Copperbelt because I heard that they were recruiting workers from Zimbabwe.I was in the youth wing of Zapu and I can tell you that all over the country, the late VP Nkomo was very popular. They called him "Chibwe Chitedza." The man was very, very popular and during that time there was no this thing that Zapu is for Ndebele people. I am from Daramombe in Buhera but I was Zapu.MH: Ok, tell us how were you recruited to join the liberation struggle?Fox: James Chikerema and the others leaders of Zapu travelled all over the towns in Zambia recruiting people. They were targeting Zimbabweans living in Zambia, especially those they knew were Zapu members.I was recruited together with 11 other comrades. There were six Ndebele comrades and six Shona comrades. We were recruited to go for military intelligence.I was with the following comrades, John Mashakada, John Gusha, Ephraim Musaka, Steven Gondo, Moffat Ndlovu, Richard Ncube, Shadreck Majaya, Elliot Moyo, Swithin Mbambo, Banabas Sithole and Clement Dube.We were taken to Mbeya in a Ford vehicle and the driver was Bhebhe Dube. We arrived in Mbeya and stayed for two days. We then proceeded to Dar es Salaam where we went to the house of our representative Mandlela.We stayed there for a week. Then on the day of our departure, Chikerema and Mandlela took us to the airport and via several African countries we were flown to Moscow. This was still 1965.SM: You say you trained to be an intelligence officer. What kind of training do intelligence officers go through?Fox: I got training in espionage and counter-espionage, administration, political science and politics.When we got to Moscow, we found Stephen who was one of the instructors and some Russians led by Mr Boris. These are the people who trained us. We started with political orientation where we were taught the background of the Soviet Union. After that we were taught about the intelligence system of the British, the intelligence of the Americans, the intelligence of the Germans, intelligence of the Israelis and many other countries.They warned us that when you go back home, you may meet intelligence officers from these countries so you should know how they operate. By the way, we were not staying at some military camp. We were staying at some private place and it was just the 12 of us with these instructors.Sometimes, the instructors would take us into town and we would go to their libraries where we read a lot about Lenin. We would be taken to their parliament. We went to almost all important areas in Moscow, learning about Russia.They told us that as long as you are here in Moscow you pretend that you are students at Lumumba University. They wanted us to help them arrest some Germans who were causing problems in that country. Indeed we got many of them arrested because they thought these students from Zimbabwe are harmless and they opened up. This was part of our training.While on these missions, the Russian trainers would be monitoring us from a distance and they would be hearing everything we would be saying.SM: So you didn't receive any military training?Fox: We didn't have military training. It was all about intelligence, but of course we were taught how to use small arms for our own defence in case you would be discovered that you are a spy and had to defend yourself.We had lessons in political science and were taught about the struggle back home. The training was from February to August 1965. Before we finished the training, we were taken for a holiday in Central Asia in Tashkent. I can tell you we had fun there and after this we went back to our place in Moscow. I got hooked to drinking whisky while in Russia and as I speak, I am the champion of drinking whisky. (laughs)From Moscow we went back to Dar es Salaam, but we were never put at the same place with the comrades who had gone for military training. The third day after arriving we were taken to Mbeya then to Lusaka.When we got to Lusaka, most of the comrades who had received military training were staying at Zimbabwe House but we were taken to some place, called Nkomo camp that was about seven kilometres from Lusaka.SM: How were you deployed into Rhodesia?Fox: Dumiso Dabengwa, Chikerema and Nyandoro came to talk to us. They said the first group from our group was supposed to be deployed into Rhodesia on the day that Smith declared UDI.The first group comprised me, Mbambo and Dube who later became a sellout. In fact while in Moscow, our commander, John Mashakada was told by the Russians that when you get back to Lusaka, don't let this man, Dube get into Rhodesia. He will sell you out. When we got to Lusaka and we were chosen to go with Dube, we told Dumiso and Chikerema about this but they ignored us.We went through the town of Livingstone into Victoria Falls. While in Livingstone, Dube started complaining that mari yamandipa haikwane. We left him there. We got into a train and when we got to the border, the train was stopped by Rhodesia police.Fortunately they failed to detect anything and we went up to Bulawayo where we booked ourselves into a hotel. The next day I got into a train and came to Harare. On the way, I saw several members of the Special Branch but they failed to recognise me.SM: What exactly where you supposed to do in Rhodesia?Fox: We were deployed as provincial intelligence officers. I was supposed to cover Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central as an intelligence officer. There was a conduct I was supposed to see in Rhodesia, Joseph Nyandoro the young brother to George Nyandoro. My task was to gather intelligence information and relay it back to Zambia to our leaders like Dabengwa. We were supposed to see how the Rhodesian system was operating and to see how our comrades could be deployed into the country.This wasn't easy considering that the Special Branch was all over the place and that during this time, not many people in the country had political understanding so there were many sellouts.SM: Ok, let's get back to your journey. You were on your way to Harare?Fox: On arrival in Harare I went to Mbare where I used to stay with my brothers. I was told that kumusha kwanetsa because helicopter iri kumhara pamba asking kuti ndakaenda kupi. I got worried and I went kumusha secretly to see my parents. They told me how they were being tormented by the police.They told me that they had told the police that I had gone to school in London. Vanhu vakaoneswa nhamo because of me kumusha. I think word got round that I was back and the torture got worse. Maiguru vangu, mukadzi wemukoma aiva nepamuviri pematwins akatorwa akaoneswa nhamo.SM: Comrade explain to us exactly what happened because you just became emotional.Fox: When I went kumusha, my parents told me that the police were looking for me. My, mother, mai vangu Emma, they almost killed her. (Tears rolling down) They were tortured. They told me it was unbearable, but they did not sell me out. They didn't release any information, even though they knew I had gone for training. Kunonzi kuzvara. My parents are late now, but God bless them.Instead of selling me out, my parents suggested that I should go kwatete to hide there. I went there and tete welcomed me. She knew what was going on. I stayed there for about two weeks. After I left kwatete, the Special Branch arrived and harassed her.Someone had sold me out. It later turned out that it was that Dube guy because during training in Moscow I had told him where I came from and a lot about my relatives.In fact, some of my comrades about seven of them were arrested as soon as they were deployed into Rhodesia. I managed to dodge the police for a while, but the Special Branch was in hot pursuit.I decided to go back to Harare and I was now thinking of going back to Zambia. The situation was really bad. The Special Branch was everywhere and I knew it was now a matter of time before I got arrested. I went to Mbare and organised with my brother that I would get transport to go back to Zambia.After making the arrangements, the next day we woke up to discover that the whole house had been surrounded by the police and army. They shouted that I should get out of the house and if I tried anything funny they were going to shoot me.I shouted back saying "indeed you have won!" They shouted back saying "the invisible man, nhasi takubata!" I got out of the house and I was arrested. I was taken to some torture place that was in Beatrice. After two weeks, I was taken to another place near Half-Way along Bulawayo road. While being taken to court in Harare that's when I was told how all my other seven comrades were arrested. Dube had provided the Special Branch with all the information.SM: So you were taken to court and sentenced how many years?Fox: We were all sentenced to 10 years in prison and we were taken to Khami Maximum Prison. The story was all over the media.At Khami we were put in single dark cells that were so small that movement was very difficult. Food was so scarce at Khami that most of us grew so thin that one could see blood flowing in our veins. There was inhuman treatment and I think most of the comrades who served their sentences there have already told you.I tell you the Lord is there. Up to now I really wonder how we survived.We were at Khami prison until 1973. We were taken to Gweru prison. While at Gweru prison, three of our comrades managed to escape.That was Duri, Morgan Tandi and Ignatious Muchero. However, Duri and Ignatious were captured while Tandi managed to go back to Zambia. At Gweru we were staying with some comrades from Zanu. We were later moved to Hwahwa Maximum Prison. Here we were allowed to do some farming.Later I was put under home restriction where I was allowed to go within 20 kilometres radius of Harare Post Office.Later I was released and I joined the Manica Freight Services as a shipping clerk.N/B The International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa in its book titled "Ian Smith's Hostages: Political Prisoners in Rhodesia" published in December 1976 revealed that by the time of publication, there were a minimum of 1 905 freedom fighters incarcerated in Ian Smith's jails for political and ideological reasons, including 57 who were under death sentence.The Fund went further saying " a more realistic estimate of the total might be one approaching 3 000" prisoners. According to the Fund, at least 1 064 were held in detention under the terms of the Emergency Powers while about 841 were serving prisons sentences under Rhodesia's Law and Order (Maintenance) Act. Top Nepal group to seal cement deal in Sri Lanka By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): CG Group Chairman Binod Chaudhary, the Nepalese billionaire, is likely to spend more money focusing on the construction of a cement manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka. Having already invested in the hospitality industry, Mr. Chaudhary has plans to open a cement manufacturing facility in the North East of the country. This is expected to come under the groups CG Cement unit that would look at exploiting the potential for the increased demand for cement in the country, CG Corp Sri Lanka Chairman Tilak De Zoysa told the Business Times on Wednesday. The biggest focus is on cement production right now, he explained. He noted that in view of the US$400 million worth of cement imported monthly, the Nepalese group is looking at tapping into the possibility of manufacturing cement within the country. In this regard, plans are being drawn up to work with Danish partners and TATA Consultants to establish this facility in the country, he said CG Cement Industries Pvt. Ltd. based in Nepal is a most advanced state-of-the art fully automated on that uses the latest Closed Circuit with Centralised Control Room monitoring technology, the company stated on its official website. The plant in Nepal has been custom designed to make it fully compact and ensures that pollution is reduced to a minimum level and produces the CG Ordinary Portland Cement and the CG Portland Pozzolana Cement, the website stated. Co-existence of two opposition groups within a patched up House has Karu J. groping By Chandani Kirinde- Lobby Correspondent View(s): View(s): Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is being put to the test, probably in a way none of his predecessors have been. He has to decide if he is going to allow two Opposition groups to co-exist in the same Parliament. A decision he has put off for nearly six months, but came to the fore in a forceful manner in Parliament this week, with members of the Joint Opposition Group (JOG) staging loud protests in the House to draw attention to their demand they be recognised in Parliament as a separate group. The Group headed by former Chief Government Whip UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena has been agitating to be recognised as a separate group in the new Parliament elected last August. This week Mr Gunawardena made it clear that the Group does not want the post of Leader of the Opposition, now held by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan, but is seeking acceptance as a separate group, with more time allocated to its members, as well as representation at Party Leaders meetings held regularly to decide on Parliamentary business. We have repeatedly requested you (the Speaker) to tell us if you have decided to recognise us as an independent group in Parliament or not. We should be allowed to work according to our conscience. We have waited for six months, held 13 rounds of talks with you, but still there is no decision, Mr Gunawardena said Wednesday. The Group comprising 51 MPs, majority of them from the SLFP and others from the UPFAs constituent parties, have signed a letter and handed it over to the Speaker asking that they be given due recognition, he said. Several other members of the JOG also spoke in support of the demand, including MP Bandula Gunawardena who said President Maithripala Sirisena as leader of the SLFP, has told its Parliamentarians they can take decisions in Parliament according to their conscience. Before the Budget vote, the President met us and said, It is good if you can support the Budget, but a group of us said we cannot do that and hence, we were allowed to vote against it. No disciplinary action was taken against any of us by the Party, which means the SLFP leaderships accepts the fact that we can remain in it and still act independently in Parliament, Mr. Gunawardena said. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said there was no room for two Opposition groups to operate within the same Parliament, but agreed that those in the JOG need more time to speak in the House. We can discuss and solve this. I will talk to the President about this, he assured. The problem of who constitutes the untamed Opposition has been a matter of debate ever since the UNP and the SLFP decided to cohabit in Government, in keeping with a pre-election pact endorsed eagerly by the SLFP leadership, but reluctantly by the majority of its party members. TNA Leader MP Sampanthan, whose party won 16 seats at the August election, was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the new Parliament, while the JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, whose party won six seats, was appointed Chief Opposition Whip. This arrangement has left the 51 MPs who contested on the UPFA tickets and do not want to be a part of the Government, somewhat in the lurch. They are being denied adequate time to speak during debates, as well as the opportunity to raise questions relating to matters of public importance under section 23 (2) of Standing Orders of Parliament. Such questions can only be raised by the Leader of the Opposition or a leader of a recognized political parity. Speaker Jayasuirya explained that there are only six recognised political parties in Parliament United National Party (UNP), United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi ITAK/TNA), Peoples Liberation Front (JVP), Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC). While these parties consist of 13 constituent parties, it is only the six party leaders who are allowed to raise questions and attend party leaders meetings in keeping with Standing Orders. The Speaker quoted from Parliamentary conventions both in the Sri Lanka legislature and the UKs House of Commons, instances where political parties have broken up and MPs elected from the same party have decided to sit as separate groups in the House, but said there were no conventions that allowed two Opposition groups to sit in the same Parliament. Moreover, the Speaker said he did not want to shoulder the sin of splitting the UPFA-SLFP, hinting that, recognising them as a separate group in Parliament could lead to the break up of the Alliance, as well as a split in its main constituent party the SLFP. The constitution of the present Parliament and its unique character means the Speaker may have to look beyond conventions to ensure that JOG is given the right to participate in Parliamentary business without any discrimination. And it is in his authority to give a ruling, taking the character of the new Parliament into consideration. This Parliament has to continue for at least the next four years and however uncomfortable a workable arrangement may be, the Speaker will have to ensure that Parliamentary business is conducted smoothly, with the full participation of the House. Otherwise, what the country will see is more of the unruly scenes in the House that took place this week when a Bill was passed into law while more than half the members occupied the Well of the House, and the speakers voices were barely audible amidst the din created by the protesting MPs of JOG. IMF loan essential to resolve BOP crisis View(s): The government has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bail out facility to resolve the current balance of payments crisis. A loan facility is urgently needed owing to the critical state of the balance of payments. This crisis in the external finances has been brought about by the mismanagement of the economy over several years. Previous requests In similar situations in the past, governments resorted to a rescue package from the IMF. In 1977 the government obtained a Structural Adjustment Facility (SAF) to undertake trade liberalisation and economic reforms. In July 2009 the IMF approved a 20-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) of approximately US$ 2.6 billion, as a Balance of Payments (BOP) support. Macroeconomic weaknesses Once again the severe difficulties in external finances have made the government request the IMF for a loan facility to resolve the critical balance of payments situation. This situation arose owing to fundamental macroeconomic weaknesses: high fiscal deficits, large foreign debt, and widening of the trade and balance of payments deficits. Recent capital outflows that accentuated the balance of payments problem were due to these weaknesses as well as international factors. IMF facility The current request for an IMF facility is absolutely necessary at this critical point in the external finances. The government is sensible in turning to the IMF rather than depend on higher cost commercial borrowing. There is a high probability that a facility would be given after the IMF processes the request and obtains approval of the IMF Board.Without such a loan the economy would be in a severe crisis. The economic instability caused by the balance of payments difficulties would impose severe hardships and disable an economic recovery. Advantages Had we resolved the crisis by international borrowing from commercial sources, the cost of borrowing would have been much higher and the repayment period much shorter. This would have meant that debt servicing, that is already a severe strain on the balance of payments, would be more onerous. The IMF loan that is likely to be given in several instalments would support the balance of payments and boost the depleted reserves. The international confidence that it creates would stabilise the exchange rate, encourage more capital inflows and foreign investment into the country. Conditions The government must take the fiscal, trade and balance of payments problems seriously and implement remedial polices. The IMF should impose conditions that would lessen the complacency of the government in fiscal management and compel it to take adequate measures to reduce the high fiscal deficit and trade imbalance. The IMF itself has had a complicity in the governments complacency in fiscal policy in the past. The advice on fiscal policy has not been backed up by severe admonitions or withdrawals of later tranches of loans. IMF advice has been polite and diplomatic rather than stern and serious. IMF evaluations of the economy should be more forthright and ensure fiscal discipline in particular. IMF assessment In its latest statement, the IMF pointed out the serious weaknesses of the economy. It stated that the government fiscal deficit for 2015 is estimated to have exceeded the original budget target. Based on the budget framework for 2016, IMF staff estimates suggest the fiscal deficit could widen further. Meanwhile, Sri Lankas public debt has risen to over 74 per cent of GDP by end-2015. Despite the narrowing of the current account, capital outflows have intensified and the overall balance of payments (has) deteriorated. These outflows were accompanied by downward pressure on the rupee and a decline in central bank gross foreign exchange reserves mainly due to short-term capital outflows as experienced in many emerging markets. These are serious flaws in the countrys economic policies and performance that are not indicative of a positive economic performance. Fiscal weakness The underlying cause of economic problems is the fiscal weakness. The IMF has stressed this: The mission has advised the government to urgently make a stronger effort to narrow the fiscal deficit and put the public finances on a sustainable path. While several measures in the budget (such as elimination of several special purpose levies, and the commitment to eliminate tax exemptions and bolster the efficiency of tax administration) are welcome, the mission highlighted the macroeconomic and financial risks of a large deficit and the associated need to borrow from domestic and international markets. The IMF has advised the government to focus mainly on measures to raise revenues by broadening the tax base, simplifying and making equitable the tax system, and improving tax administration. However there is little evidence that steps have been taken to implement these. Fiscal crisis The government has not been disciplined in its fiscal policy to reduce the fiscal deficit. The amendments made to budget 2016 has forced the Treasury to introduce adjustments towards bridging the higher deficit by cutting down capital expenditure to cushion the impact of the amendments made to several revenue and expenditure proposals. The revenue estimates in the 2016 budget were unrealistic. There was no way by which the targeted 40 per cent increase in revenue envisaged in the budget could have been realized. The subsequent amendments to revenue proposals made the revenue target even more unlikely. The Finance Minister himself admitted in parliament that the amendments made to the budget increased government expenditure by Rs.35.5 billion. Less revenue Instead of increasing income tax to generate more revenue to meet the increasing expenditure, the budget reduced taxes from both individuals and companies. There were other measures too that would bring down revenue. Due to these revenue shortfalls are likely. Since expenditure overruns are inevitable, the fiscal deficit is likely to increase much above 6 per cent of GDP, unless new revenue measures are introduced to increase revenue. Conclusion The serious balance of payments crisis left the government with no option but to turn to the IMF. It must use the new breathing space to correct the fiscal imbalance and reduce the pressures on the balance of payments. The IMF facility is yet another opportunity for economic reforms and realistic policies. Will the government take stern measures to reduce the fiscal deficit? Why these displays of acute legal incompetence? View(s): As President Maithripala Sirisena and the Constitutional Council (CC) played a virtual game of catch the ball if you can with each other over the appointment of Sri Lankas 29th Attorney General (AG) this week, the Rajapaksa-led section of the opposition engaged in raucous antics over not being allowed to sit as a separate group in Parliament. Perversely, this fracas took place precisely when a shamefully overdue amendment increasing female representation to local government bodies was being passed in the House. In a sense, both developments indicate the atrocious degeneration of the countrys institutional culture. As Sri Lankans are fast realizing, two euphoric election victories seems the easier part of this oftentimes seemingly hopeless journey to recapture democratic balance. Credibility of the process Quite apart from the grotesque romps of the Rajapaksa-faction, serious constitutional questions emerge over the confusion regarding the AGs appointment. Several months ago, it was questioned in these column spaces as to why there is no public disclosure of the guidelines and criteria under which individuals are appointed to key offices as well to constitutional commissions under the 19th Amendment. These bodies include the police, the public service, bribery and corruption and the human rights commission The credibility of that process was a primary challenge mounted to the 18th Amendment under the Rajapaksa Presidency. This resulted in public uproar which brought in a different government last year. The matter cannot therefore be cursorily left to the sole wisdom (or the considerable lack thereof) of the political authority. But let alone public disclosure, it appears now that the Head of State is himself unaware of the conditions precedent in regard to which his power of appointment must be exercised. Sneakily smuggling in constitutional changes The 19th Amendment lays out distinctly separate procedures in two different situations. Where appointments to the commissions are concerned, Article 41b stipulates that the CC first nominates names of potential members to the President after which the appointment is made. This was the same under the 17th Amendment. However a little realized fact is that the 19th Amendment has sneakily smuggled in a clause (Article 41B(3)) which significantly departs from the 17th Amendment. When it comes to nominating the Chair of a particular Commission, It allows the CC to suggest three names to the President. This was different to the 17th Amendment under which the CC recommended only one name as Chair for appointment by the President. This was no academic clause as evidenced when former President Chandrika Kumaratunga refused to appoint retired Supreme Court justice Ranjith Dheeraratne nominated by the CC as Chair of the Elections Commission. In turn, the CC declined to change its nomination in the absence of justifiable reasons. Consequently the Elections Commission never came into being under the 17th Amendment. The then CC was a formidable body having a majority of non-political members unlike its more flawed successor created by the 19th Amendment. Incredulity in the public mind Now, it is the executive which effectively chooses the Chair. This carries attendant problems as was seen recently when one retired public servant of repute resigned after his initial appointment as Chair was demoted to member shortly thereafter by the Presidential Secretariat in a letter following hot on the heels of the first notification, reportedly after pressure was exerted by a powerful hand behind the throne. This process is somewhat in the reverse regarding appointments to specified offices including that of the AG. Here, the initial onus is on the President whose recommendation therein must be approved by the CC (Article 41c). It is only then that the appointment can be made. There is no similar constitutional leeway given to the President to recommend three names when sending his recommendation to the CC. Regardless it is probably this somewhat discomfiting allowance given to the CC to nominate three names for a commission Chair which led President Sirisena to go constitutionally astray in following on the same path. When some Council members nervously if not justifiably jibbed at the idea of making the choice between the three state law officers named in order of seniority in the Department by President Sirisena, the President withdrew his first recommendation, sending back one recommendation of the second most senior officer which was duly approved by the CC. Need to clarify the process That such confusion is evidenced at the highest levels of State is largely due to panjandrums who are limpet-like in their anxiety to manipulate the process. This allows the social media to play favourites between the names recommended, indulging thereto in vicious personal slandering. This is unpardonable regardless of whether failures had occurred in the prosecutorial role or not. Further serious questions arise. The bypassing of the rule of seniority in the AGs appointment calls for appropriate clarification of the process. The law in this regard has already been settled by authoritative judicial precedent. Responding to a plethora of cases when Sri Lankas Supreme Court was free of the unprepossessing controversy which dogged it in later decades, the Courts consistent rule has been that proper weightage must be given to seniority and merit-based performance. Transparency demands that proper guidelines are formulated. These concerns are imperative, particularly if the next contentious appointment coming up may (reportedly) be that of the IGP. More care must be demonstrated But legal incoherence is not limited to weighty constitutional matters. This week also saw the Supreme Courts ruling that certain clauses of the Theravada Kathikavatha Bill contravened the Constitution. Should not more care be observed in formulating such drafts? In the pre-Rajapaksa decade, when asked to consider similar issues in relation to the discipline of the Buddhist clergy, the Law Commission of Sri Lanka responded in an excellently reasoned policy paper pointing out the dangers of haphazard law reform. Do we learn nothing from the past? These are not issues on which political points should be scored. It is also no answer to say that the judiciary now has the independence to decide. The Presidency and the Government must pull its act together in regard to its legal competence. Otherwise, this bodes ill for the so-called constitutional reform process which involves vastly complex questions of constitutional law. It must not go the way of the 19th Amendment, plagued as that was with ambiguities and contradictions. He came, he saw, he conjured View(s): Foreign experts, they used to say, were persons who came to the country to find out, and left before they were found out. Foreign correspondents were known as Running Johns or Running Janes as the case may be, for the in-out reporting they would do from the worlds hot-spots. One recalls these jibes of the past having seen the recent visit of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) chief to the country; how he met very important persons by prior appointment and after four days and only a few hours after meeting the President and the Prime Minister issued a full-blown statement on the state of the nation vis-a-vis the UNHRC Resolution that binds Sri Lanka to holding an inquiry into what his statement refers to as the final years of the Northern separatist insurgency. Some would probably have liked the Jordanian Prince, like Prince Siddhartha, and many Royals of yore, to have worn a turban, donned a sarong and roamed the streets to see what life is like outside the Royal Courts and Chief Ministers offices. Had he done so in Jaffna and Wellawatte, and spoken to ordinary Sri Lankans, he might have got a better feel for what it is like for the ordinary people in this post-war otherwise secular island-nation. Why the Prince is interested only in the final years of the virtual civil war (earlier it was the final stages) is a moot point. Who started this armed militant movement; the geo-politics and hegemony involved; was it an ethnic issue or was it due to the caste-dominated mainstream politics in the North? The whole question was a by-product of so many factors. His statement says, if Sri Lanka wants to confront its past honestly. then, surely, these factors of the past also must be taken into consideration. His statement has some important elements to discuss. At least he has dropped the exaggerated figure of 40,000 deaths during the final stages of the war as concluded in the UN Darusman Report. The Prince now, more modestly refers to the tens of thousands of lives. He refers to the credibility of the Sri Lankan judicial system. He gives some lame examples, but no one doubts the fact that the Sri Lankan judicial system had become a rubber-stamp of the Executive President. That does not mean there are no upright judges in Sri Lanka. It is just that they were sidelined. However, when he underscores, therefore, the need for international participation in a war crimes tribunal by whatever other name, that is where the bone of contention lies. He has the audacity to say that this is an unfortunate argument. He might be an international civil servant, but one might ask his views if a similar tribunal was to be imposed into the affairs of his kinsmen. Jordan is not a squeaky clean kingdom, after all. A redeeming point of departure is that he says that the UNHRC suggests (not insists) such international participation. Then, the Prince went completely out of his territory to call for a reduction of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces from the North and East. Plainly put, that is none of his business. That is a matter entirely of national security for the Government of a sovereign state. The Elephant in the room remains whether there will be foreign judges or not, and it is an issue that continues to haunt the Government. Wedged as it is between the commitment it has given to the Geneva UNHRC Resolution and domestic compulsions, the Government must work out a strategy to wriggle out of the problematic issue. The President is caught on the wrong foot having told foreign media channels there will be no foreign judges, only to back-flip on Independence Day and tell the visiting UNHRC chief that Sri Lanka will abide by the Geneva Resolution and no sooner the chief leaves, have two of his (SLFP) Ministers hold a press conference and say the President will not allow foreign judges. This whole process of opening old wounds is part and parcel of the Resolution that was aimed at the previous regime in Sri Lanka. One needs to wait and see if the wound will heal, or fester as a result of this whole process. Soon after the UNHRC chief issued his statement the UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence says that Sri Lanka cannot be asked to make hasty decisions. The Jordanian Prince must have read Machiavellis The Prince that lofty ideals sometimes translate to bad government; he speaks of the desirability of native troops and that leaders of a principality must avoid being hated and despised by the people; that their goodwill is the best defence of a fortress. Give more resources to AGs Dept. After a month of vacillation and buck-passing, the Government has eventually decided on a new Attorney General. The choice is all the more significant in the backdrop of the impending war crimes tribunal and the domestic mechanism that is to be set in motion to try those including members of the Armed Forces who are alleged to have committed violations of International Humanitarian Law. That the Government kept to a choice from within the department unlike in the past needs to be recognised and praised. The politicisation of the department ruined its reputation in the past and is part of the overall bad image the countrys legal and judicial processes have acquired in recent years. Finally, the department was brought under the then President discarding whatever semblance of independence and impartiality it may have had. The Attorney Generals Department has been the butt-end of unfair criticism during the past year especially from politicians who have all kinds of vested interests in its workings. There is a politician who as Minister of Justice ordered the then acting AG to send out an indictment paper even when senior officers of the department said there was no case. A member of the current Constitutional Council cannot be unaware of this incident. The entire judicial system was tampered with thereafter to get a conviction in favour of the then President. Such politicians have the temerity to preach justice today from the Opposition pulpit. The AGs Department is supposed to indict an individual in the High Court only after a considered, impartial view that there is a very real probability of a conviction based on the facts usually from a Police investigation and ought not to be based on rumour, hearsay or a political directive. The AGs office is terribly understaffed and overworked. It gets an average 6,500 files per year from the Police, magistrates, government departments and other agencies dealing with issues such as child abuse, all to be handled by a staff of 60 state counsel with 20 senior supervisors. To expect them to work at the speed of greased lightning is unfair, and the Government needs to give the department a helping hand without merely bad-mouthing it at every turn. Opinion / Columnist Four love' letters still stand out prominently from among the many I am lucky to have seen and read. Of course, one was written by me and it made me the laughing stock of the whole class if not the whole school. My brothers had just come back from Wenela in South Africa and they had brought back old fashioned praise singing which could have been useful to my grandfather and not my generation. It sounded catchy, and one could use it for show-off, so I thought, until I was disgraced at school. I had written a beautiful and flowery letter but I spoiled it in the end by singing my praises'."Gegela gege ntombi; kikilikigi ntombi!"And signed; "Yimi u gamgugudu ugubula zimshiye ukhasi lemali; ungulube ziyam'osh'ukiss ngoba zimfak'odakeni!" This was simply irrelevant and archaic. I guess it sounded kind of spooky to the poor girl. And this is that stupid declaration that had the whole class in stitches and the teacher seething and the girl going off sick for a fortnight until hopefully the dust had settled. But the dust stubbornly lingered around like some chronic halitosis, diffusing to other classes too. The naughty boys twisted this whole thing and called us Mr. and Mrs. Mgugudwana, despite the fact that ngangingaka qonywa. The teacher did not help matters too, calling me Mgugudwana at every opportunity. Abanye who did not know the origins of the name concluded ukuthi ngele khaya! I tried to go with the flow hoping if I didn't remonstrate, they would forget it. This stupidity also destroyed whatever chance I had hooking up with prospective dearly loved Mrs. Mgugudwana.I met one former primary school mate the other day at Carlton Centre. He called me Mr. Mgugudwana, and asked when last I had seen Mrs. Mgugudwana. Surprisingly he was not even in my class then. That small and seemingly innocent act of seeking love left a stigma which is so impossible to shake off some forty years later.Then there was this boy in form three a very quiet boy who never showed any emotion regardless of what was happening around him. He always wore an impressionable expression that baffled both friend and foe. He had just one known friend. They were like lightning and thunder in many instances. Everyone wondered how these two got along since the other one was always sullen and taciturn. On the other hand the one friend was always prancing around like a toy that just got a new battery; he went through life by lying joking and copying."Do or die", was the Jesus-Wept kind of verse on the full-scape paper. "Die", was the vicious, red-inked answer a few lines beneath the boy's stylish signature. And I think the girl had deliberately put that letter in that exercise book just to fix him. Yes, it was him; the hand-writing and the awkwardness he displayed said it all. He hid half his face behind DG Mackeens Human Biology' text book, and from where I stood, I could see only half of his face beyond the edge of the broad book, and the hunched miserly shoulders. But still, he showed no facial emotion, although he fidgeted right through the lesson. But he came to me lunch hour to apologize. I said I never found his letter offensive or criminal. The letter did not say what the other person was supposed to "Do", or what they were supposed to die of. "Hey, but stop threatening these young girls; they will think boys are monsters" I admonished.The third letter was written by a dreamer who literally promised the poor girl all things celestial and heavenly. "I have decided to send my 377 stars to deliver this message of love to my one and only angel". And all the other confused teenage garbage coming out of a simmering combo of hormones-driven' passion. I wondered why the letter had not reached its addressee. Yes, like all the rest, how do they end up in exercise books? Never mind this but what annoyed me was the fact that students plucked out so many pages from their exercise books just to satisfy that desire to express love'.The fourth letter was written by a teacher from a neighbouring Secondary School. The man had taken a dictionary and stolen every thinkable jaw-breaker in there. I had never seen such madness in my life as a teacher. He was also a seer who saw the girl's face roll round and round, making the sun dimmer and colder and jealous. It was my first time also to see such terms as gorgeous, exquisite, perambulate, tigress, figure, copulation, fervent kiss, tears of love and such other gorgeous' terms. He had started the letter well I think. "As usual, I do the pen-pushing and you do the reading - - -". And signed well too, "My pen is crying for freedom". Yes, I'd have cried too if I had been your pen! Having to spew all this trivia was entirely exhausting and discomforting?But he came to see me after he heard what had befallen his letter. He wanted to aplogise and buy my silence and also ask for advice. I told him yes he was assured of my silence but I wasn't doing well also in that department, sorry.And then there was this skelem of a local girl, a school leaver who used to write one letter and copy it to all her boy-friends. She used her younger brother as her fast mail courier, delivering at least three letters to her polyandrous relationships. The boy somehow forgot the three letters in his Commerce exercise book. I read through the letters or should I say letter. She was an experienced con-woman. In one letter she had told Mr. X from the primary school that it was long over with Mr. P. from the secondary school; in the second letter she declared her undying love for Mr. P, and promised that it was definitely over between herself and Mr. X from the Primary School, "Lowana uyazifosela nje; ngamala kudala - - - and you are the only one for me". In the third letter to a local guy who traditionally stayed and worked eGoli and had just arrived, "Lowo", referring to the primary school teacher who was the chief suspect enjiveni, "uyangifuna kodwa mina angilandaba laye vele". This was good work from the trickster, intended to leave each of the three thinking they were the only one in her life. Then disaster struck, as it would in such messy affairs of the heart. The boy crossed the letters in such a way that no one got what was due to them. Mr. X got a letter that was written about him; Mr. P also; and so did Mr. C. I said to Mr. P, just post back that letter and ask her to send your rightful one. He did. And the girl ran away to South Africa.But I still miss those days of love letters. They had lasting effects good or bad, like the one that made me a celebrity. Ngiyabonga mina! Moved by victims tales, Prince Zeid hits out at failed judicial system By Namini Wijedasa Meeting Joint Opposition members not on agenda View(s): View(s): Everywhere he travelled in the North and East, head of the United Nations rights body Prince Zeid Bin Raad al-Hussein received letters from ordinary people. They waited for him on the way to most of his official meetings staging, as the UN calls them, unplanned interventions. He took time to speak with all of them and faced no restrictions. The tenor of the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioners visit was relaxed and informative, official sources said. He readily posed for photographs throughout the tour . The Government considered the visit a success. Prince Zeid was afforded wide and open access to officials and civilians. Despite a tight schedule, he spoke at length with ordinary people and also visited the historic Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna as well as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy. The visit was remarkably different from the one Prince Zeids predecessor, Navi Pillay, conducted. Her tour was marred by demonstrations everywhere she went by groups who were not permitted to have appointments with her. There was only one similar protest during Prince Zeids visit. On the last day, an organisation of Muslims expelled from the North by the LTTE waved placards and shouted slogans outside the United Nations Headquarters in Bauddhaloka Mawatha demanding a meeting with the rights chief. The demonstration took place while Prince Zeid was conducting a news conference inside. The joint opposition also held a protest at the start of Prince Zeids visit. A meeting with Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former president, or other vocal members of the joint opposition, was not on his agenda. It prompted some of them to remark that Prince Zeid only saw one side of the political story. During meetings with the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters in Kandy, Prince Zeid was told there was opposition in the country to the setting up of a hybrid court involving foreign judges. The prelates said measures were being taken to promote reconciliation and unity and that Sri Lanka must be permitted to resolve its problems on its own. At his news conferencewhere he delivered a 20 minute statement before taking questionsPrince Zeid indicated that the concept of foreign judges was not set in stone. The preference of the Sri Lankan Government has been made known, he said, in response to a query. We have a view that we put into the report but, as we discussed this with them, we know they are looking at various options within the limits of what they have defined as their preference. What were saying from our side is that it is your sovereign right to make these decisions, he said. We can make recommendations but it is your sovereign right. However, in the end, the recommendations or rather whatever you do will be for naught if the victims themselves do not feel that justice is being done. So in the final analysis its not whether the UN says this is good or this is not good, this is enough or not enough, its not whether others do it, he continued. Its whether the affected communities on all sides, all of those who have suffered loss, suffered losing their parents, their children, their siblings, its only they that ultimately can make these determinations and say that the government has done enough in respect of us. And for that reason the consultative process is so vital and so important for Sri Lanka.In his prepared statement, however, Prince Zeid was heavily critical of the countrys judicial system. Sri Lanka has many excellent judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officials, he remarked. But over the years the system they depended on, and which depends on them, became highly politicised, unbalanced, unreliable. The countrys history over the past few decades is littered with judicial failures, he said. Virtually every week provides a new story of a failed investigation, a mob storming a court-room, or another example of a crime going unpunished, he said. Sexual violence and harassment against women and girls is particularly poorly handled by the relevant State institutions especially when the alleged perpetrators are members of the military or security services and, as a result it remains all too widespread. Prince Zeid paid particular attention during his visit to victims. One of the most moving stories he related during his news conference was about a woman who had suffered sexual abuse during the JVP insurgency. I met one woman carrying the emotional scars of her rape by security forces nearly 30 years ago during the JVP insurgency, he said. Her pain, and that of all these victims and their families is terrible to behold, and it is cruel to prolong it if ways of alleviating it are available. Asked by a journalist whether this meant the ambit of his offices focus would now extend back to the time of the JVP insurgency, Prince Zeid said his point was that victims do not forget their pain easily. When I was meeting this lady, and she was a very dignified lady who expressed in heartfelt terms and in detail, sort of horrifyingly, how she was abused, and she was weeping, he narrated. And one realizes that for victims of any such violation time collapses very quickly. Germany-Lanka relations in retrospect By Satharathilaka Banda Atugoda View(s): View(s): President Maithripala Sirisena will make an official/state visit to Germany on February 15. State visits are viewed as a crescendo of bilateral diplomacy. British Scholar-Diplomat Sir Ernest Satows Guide to Diplomatic Practice, mentions of the visits of heads of state to other sovereign states, from historical times, and the facilities, and ceremonials accorded. Depending, on the diplomatic level of these visits, and the level of friendship, they are categorised as state visits, official visits, working visits or private visits. Each country has its own practice and norms in relation to the ceremonies and honours accorded to a visiting dignitary. Some media reports said last time a Sri Lankan leader visited Germany on a state visit was some 43 years ago. This is not correct. As Sri Lankas Ambassador to Germany, I was privy to the state visit of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga from March 12th to 16, 2001. As our relations with Germany were excellent, the visit had all the ingredients of a state visit. They included: the Invitation from Germanys Head of State Johannes Rau, military honours on arrival and departure, playing of the national anthems, residence at Adlon Hotel, the historic State Guest Palace, meetings with Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, bilateral meetings, visit to Bavaria, ceremonial welcome by its Minister-President Edmund Stoiber, presidential dinners, and witnessing German opera and of course, reception by Sri Lankas ambassador. It was a successful visit spearheaded by the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. A similar reception probably awaits President Maithripala Sirisena, too. Lanka-German relations, at that time, were at their zenith, and two notable achievements were Germanys pledge to persuade the European Union to proscribe the terrorist outfit LTTE, and make the fund-raising activities of the LTTE diaspora illegal. These factors paved the way for the defeat of the LTTE in 2009. One person who sacrificed his life in this endeavour was Mr. Kadirgamar. There were discussions between the two business delegations, but some of the proposals did not materialise due to the terrorist menace. One such proposal was to set up a BMW plant here and make Sri Lanka its South Asian hub. We hope the new proposal to locate here a Volkswagen plant will give a boost to Sri Lankas industrial sector. On the educational sphere, Germany agreed to provide university facilities for Sri Lankan students. Though these openings are being utilised by Sri Lankan students, the momentum is slow. German Stiftungs (foundations) were to assist Sri Lanka in varied development segments. However, due to our short-sighted foreign policy, some of these were temporarily closed, but they are being re-established now, indicating a new thaw in relations. The GTZ (now GIZ) has been supporting livelihood projects to help low income groups. Small and medium enterprises and industrial projects are also being supported. It is a welcome move by the German Government to look afresh at the links forged over the years to strengthen bilateral ties extending to more than 64 years. Early links If one goes back to antiquity, the people of Sri Lanka and Germany had the same beginnings, as taught in the migration of humans from the ancient Aral-Caspian Depression. Some moved north while others moved south. Sri Lanka became a Buddhist Religious-Cultural centre, while Germany became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Until, the age of Great Explorations in the 16th and 17th centuries, the two regions had only a few contacts, except for some seafarer or a traveller who moved along the old Silk Route. The island was known in antiquity as Taprobane. Eighth century German literature describes Sri Lanka as a land of legends, elephants, and precious stones, as written in Rhabanus Maurus, the Abbot of Fulda. Even at present, Sri Lanka is a land of dreams for many Germans. Germans were not invaders or colonizers. They were intellectuals and financiers whose support was sought by other European colonisers. German sailors wrote books on their travels, and one such was the Collection of Travels to Eastern and Western India (Sammlung von Reisen in das Oestliche und Westlich Indien), published by De Bray. Another publication was the Map of the World (1569) by the famous Cartographer, Mercator. It included Ceylon and it was shown to us by our teacher Professor George Thambyapillay in the 1960s. Germans served in the Dutch fleets in the 17th and the 18th centuries, and notably, Dutch Governor Baron Gustav Wilhelm Von Imhoff, who later became the Governor General in Batavia, present Indonesia, was of German origin. Eminent names like Wolf, Spittel, Schneider, Lorenz, and Drieberg who have contributed to the Sri Lankan literature and science have links to German families. Writers such as Major Raven Hart who wrote Germans in Dutch Ceylon, give a glimpse of Sri Lanka in the 17th century. German Chroniclers such as Von der Beer, (1636-1642), Christof Schweitzer (1676-1682), and Langhanz (1705) also provide interesting accounts about Ceylon. A notable contributor was Prince Waldemar of Prussia. These historical antecedents are important to understand German ethos vis-a-vis Sri Lanka, as Germany, like Sri Lanka, experienced vicissitudes of fortune. In 1871, Germany was unified and became an empire under Emperor Wilhelm I; Otto-Von Bismarck was the Chancellor. During this period Germany started commercial ties with the outside world and started plantations in Ceylon. John Hagenbach and Christian Boehringer, Saloman, Gabriel, and Maurice Wolmster were pioneers and Sogama Estate in Udapussellawa is one such plantation. Entrepreneur Phillip Freudenberg started the coffee trade in 1876. He was also appointed as the consul and official representative of the German empire in Ceylon. By 1903 the Germans established a German Club opened by the son of Emperor William II, Prince Albert of Prussia; it was located in front of the Colombo Museum. With the First World War, German property was confiscated. The Second World War too had a negative impact on business and trade-relations. On cultural links, famous Indologist Wilhelm Geiger (1856-1953) laid the foundation for the systematic study of Sinhala Grammar. He made critical editions of the Pali Text in English to Mahawamsa and Chulawamsa. It is said he received inspiration from Archaeological Commissioner Paul Goldschmidt, who was a German. Another German Protestant Missionary, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg (1682-1719), laid the foundation for Tamil Grammar, and translated religious books to Tamil. The present period Emerging from the ashes of two world wars, the Federal Republic of Germany under Konrad Adenauer became a world power like Japan in the 1950s and 60s, although there was the German Democratic Republic created by the Cold War divide. The Germans never gave up until the two Germanies were unified in October 1990 following the fall of the Berlin Wall when Helmut Kohl was chancellor. Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations in 1953 while Germany became a full member of the UN in 1973. The delay was due to cold war politics. Nations go through such turmoil but they should have the will and capacity to come out of them. Both Sri Lanka and Germany have that courage to face adversity and win the day. Sri Lanka after Independence became one of the leaders among the newly independent countries and commencing from the Colombo Powers Meeting and Bandung Conference, it played a key role in the Afro-Asian movement and later in the Non-Aligned Movement. Friendly relations with countries, with international prestige and standing was crucial for Germany, as it was on the path to recover its lost glory, and was keen to establish diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka. Diplomatic representation Since 1872, Germans had their consul responsible for Ceylon, starting with H.H. Kramer. During the world wars, the consulates were closed by the British, and business ventures were confiscated. When Sri Lanka gained Independence, there was a need to begin diplomatic relations. After negotiations led by Sir Oliver Goonetillike, Sri Lankas first High Commissioner to London, diplomatic relations with Germany were established , with Dr. Georg Ahrens taking up the post as the first German envoy on December 3 1953 while top Civil Servant Glennie Pieris, Prof. G.L. Pieris father, was sent as Sri Lankas ambassador to Germany. The Sri Lanka embassy was located on a picturesque hillock at Bad Godesberg in Bonn, the administrative capital. After Germanys reunification in 1990, Berlin became the capital. By the end of 1990s, most foreign missions and government offices had shifted to Berlin. After a few years, in keeping with the policy of reorientation of foreign missions under Lakshman Kadirgamar, Sri Lankas mission was moved to Niklasse Strasse in Berlin, after establishing a Consulate in Bonn. The year was 1999. As ambassador of Sri Lanka, I was fortunate to be instrumental in the relocation and organising the state visit of President Kumaratunga in 2001. Our consulate in Bonn was later shifted to Frankfurt. Except for a brief period when Sri Lanka was to recognise GDR in the 1970s, the relations were expanding in substance and meaning. Even in the admission of Germany to the United Nations, Sri Lanka helped sort out differences with GDR, suggesting that both countries be admitted. Sri Lankas ties with Germany prospered in the varied segments. Culture Goethe Institute that promotes German culture and educational policy was established in 1956 in Sri Lanka. Prior to this, Herman Hesse, a Nobel Prize winner in Literature produced his work, Siddhartha, in the first decade of the 20th century and visited Sri Lanka in 1906; Marie Musaeus Higgins founded Musaeus Collage in 1892; Dr. Paul Dhalke founded the Buddhist Haus in Berlin in 1923. Economic partnership Besides establishing German Tech in 1959, German financial assistance for the development of the Port of Colombo began to arrive in 1961. The cement factory in Kankesanturai, the paper factories in Valachchenai and Embilipitiya, the iron foundry at Enderamulla were some of the industries started with German assistance. The German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ) has been giving aid through German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) to more than fifty projects, including reconstruction and reconciliation projects in the north. The Chamber of Construction Industry was granted financial support to train craftsmen in the North and East during the early post-war period. Now the GIZ is directly handling the programme. The German Development Bank (KFW) through a government programme grants soft loans to small and medium enterprises. It has also given loans to the electrical power rehabilitation programme in the Jaffna peninsula. Foundations Several German foundations (Stiftungs) named after German leaders Konrad Adenauer Foundation of the Christian Democrats, Friedrich Ebert Foundation of the Social Democrats, Friedrich Naumann Foundation of the Free Democrats and Helmut Kohl Foundation of former chancellor Helmut Kohl support programmes aimed at improving democratic value systems, education and institutions. It was a moving decision of Chancellor Kohl to grant aid to finance a hospital in Galle, where he was stranded for some time during the 2004 tsunami while holidaying in Sri Lanka. Irrigation schemes Germany built the Randenigala, Rantambe and Kirindi Oya irrigation dams in the 1980s under the Accelerated Mahaveli Programme. Sri Lanka should be grateful for the financial outlay of 1.2 billion German Marks (then currency), and also 380 million German Marks as direct technical assistance, to brighten the lives of millions. In the 1980s, Germany was Sri Lankas second biggest development partner. It became a leading investor, operating more than fifty BOI projects, which were adversely affected by the terrorism. Trade and Investments Germany is Sri Lankas fourth largest trading partner and there is much potential for trade relations to be developed. Sri Lanka exports textiles, garments, rubber, tea, plastics, transport accessories, vegetable products, machinery and allied goods and imports fabrics, iron and steel products, motor vehicles, paper products and beverages to Germany. The trade turnover is more than Rs. 8,000 million. Germany has signed an Investment Protection Agreement with Sri Lanka. Today, more than 170 BOI-approved German ventures operate in Sri Lanka. Tourism Tourism between the two countries developed in spite of terrorism with more than 50,000 arrivals a year. Some Germans operate tourist inns in the south. There is a lot of potential for development of the tourism sector, by promoting allied segments such as Ayurvedic treatment, meditation facilities and the study of Buddhism. Sri Lankans in Germany There are around 60,000 Sri Lankans in Germany; a majority of them migrated to Germany after the 1983 ethnic problems. Sri Lankan students who migrated have become professionals. There are medical doctors, hoteliers, and public servants. There are also Tamil Diaspora members who are opposed to the reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankas gift The greatest gift that Sri Lanka could give to the West, including Germany, which suffered ignominiously due to two world wars, was the Buddhist Doctrine. Sri Lankas links with Germany through Buddhism had their origins in 1903, with Anton W.F. Gueth, a German, being ordained as a Buddhist monk. Known as Ven Nyanatiloka Thera, he did immense service to humanity as the Maha Thera of the Island Hermitage in Rathgama Lake in Dodanduwa. He was considered a Bodhisatva. When he passed away in 1957, Sri Lanka paid the highest honour to him by having a state funeral at Independence Square. He had many erudite pupils such as Nyanaponika, Nyanatassa, Nyanamoli, Anagarika Sugathananda, and Vappo. Ven Nyanaponika, (lay name Siegmund Feniger) was a great writer on Buddhism. He lived in a Kandy hermitage. One of his students, Bhikku Bodhi, became the principal speaker at the United Nations in 2000, on the occasion of the Declaration of Vesak as a Day of International Recognition. A branch of the Maha Bodhi Society of India and Sri Lanka was established in 1921 in Germany by Dr. Karl Siedenstueker, and a small Buddhist Community exists today in Utting near Ammersee. The Buddhist Haus of Dr. Paul Dhalke, established in his own property, was later converted to a Vihara by the Most Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanishanthi (lay name Asoka Weeraratne). He did yeoman service to the doctrine and its teachings through his German Dharmadutha Society established in 1954. Helped by Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka and other philanthropists, the Berlin Buddhist Vihara in Fraunau was established in 1957. Today, there are Buddhist Viharas in Bonn, and in places, where Buddhists live. German cooperation is crucial today as Germany is the most economically and politically strong country in Europe under Chancellor Angela Merkel, and President Joachim Gauck. The coalition government comprising the Christian Democratic Party, the Christian Socialist Union and the Social Democratic Party is similar to Sri Lankas Unity Government. At a time Sri Lanka is planning a new constitution, and the electoral system, it would be useful to study the German systems closely, especially the Basic Law and the Personalized Proportional Representation system. (The writer is a former Sri Lanka Ambassador to Germany.) This article originally ran in the February 2016 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the digital edition. Valentines Day is still the time of year when the average vanilla shopper is more likely to venture into an adult boutique. What are they buying? AVN spoke to retailers and distributors to find out about the latest trends. Although the same words can have different definitions depending on the user (note romantic directly below), we spotted some similarities in their observations. Romancing the Body We use romantic to refer more to things that are not toys but more body products, Searah Deysach, owner of Early to Bed in Chicago, told AVN. Massage oils and candles, nipple nibblers, edible body oils and the like. Stuff that I think of as more R-rated rather than XXX. For Valentines Day, I think a lot of people are looking to make a more drawn-out sensual evening of it, so we encourageand see an uptick inanything that helps make sex a full-body experience, rather than going right for the genital-pleasing toys. I think massage candles will be warming up a lot of folks this V-Day. The first thing that comes to my mind is setting the mood, basically, said Eldorado Senior Buyer Dennis Jones. That category of products. Candles, stuff like that. There are romantic board games, body flavorings, edible undies, honey dust and flavored body dust. Body paints. Romance items are big, said Tamara Bell of the Home Pleasure Party Plan Association. Colors like pinks and reds in vibes, a lot of very soft items like massage oils, massage mitts, candles. creams, rose petals, things that are non threatening, unlike like toys that vibrate. People are getting more creative, according to Crystal Goldberg of 69 Adult Novelties in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Im getting people asking for rose petals. System JOs Dona line has fake rose petals in different colors and theyre infused with pheromones. The massage candles are really popular right now. You burn them and they turn into massage oil. Chivalry is coming back, Id say: Ive gotten a lot of men in the store trying to get nice, romantic things for their women. Theyre also incorporating pink. Chelsea McCain, director of novelties at AdultEmpire.com, is also on board with massage oils and massage candles: Great foreplay items! Light the candle to set the mood, it melts, pour the wax on the partner. ... Same with just the basic oil. Who doesnt like a good massage? Also, with items like these, there also comes the purchase of rubber sheets, which we have noticed a major increase in sales. Bundled Up Whether assembled by manufacturers or retailers, kits or bundles make multi-item purchases easy for consumers and retailers. A majority of the manufacturers are putting kits together. We also suggest that our party planners put bundles together. Thats our number-one thing, Bell said. We stress bundling because it makes it better for our consumer. They dont have to try to figure out what little pieces they need. We put it together, because we know what works together. It makes it easier for consumers. Its important to have different bundles because sometimes people like different flavors: Some people like fruity, some people like hot/cinnamon. Variety is important. For Valentines Day, Wet is offering a new Sweet Kisses Flavored Gift Set, said Dara Shlifka of Wet International parent company Trigg Labs. Its a must-have for Valentines Day. This will be available in your favorite local love boutique and through BuyWet.com beginning mid-January 2016. The gift set includes two new Wet flavors: Salted Caramel and Frosted Cupcake. Both formulas are water-based, non-staining, latex-friendly, sugar free and paraben free. You can treat your lover and yourself with the Wet Sweet Kisses Flavored Gift Set this Valentines Day. Kits are great because for the price of one item you can get a variety of toys to see what you like, McCain said. Its always nice to have choices, especially during sex to keep things spiced up. She recommended Jimmyjanes After Dark Pleasure Kit, Pipdreams Fetish Fantasy First Time Fantasy Kit, Cal Exotics His and Hers line of kits, and the Good Head Ultimate Oral Sex Kit from Doc Johnson. McCain also recommended manufacturer lube sets: I have noticed more and more lubes that come together. Maybe an enhancer for him and a stimulating for her, or one that is warming and one that is cooling. Its a nice way for both people to enjoy what they like for the price of one item. Always nice to have a variety, especially when with someone. Quality Counts Customers who are accustomed to using luxury items will pursue that upscale interest into the bedroom. Eldorado is doing well with luxury brands, which Eldorado Director of Purchasing Jon Vogt defined as something that somebody has actually taken the time to develop themselves. Materials are always quality, like medical-grade silicone, but its the new thing that no one else is making yet. Weve done a lot with more niche-y items, from interesting vendors that allow us to speak to different customers that have been out of reach to the typical distributor in the past, Vogt said. Weve been doing well with OhMiBod app-enabled stuff. Its pricier stuff, so its a little bit harder for some people to reach to, but its been very good for us. Sensuelle is a new line thats more moderately priced, but its high quality. Exciting for the customer because they get a lot for their money. Great value. Extreme vibrations. McCain said, I think you see sales of remote control and app-run toysitems like Vibratissimo, panty vibes, OhMiBodgo up more during Valentines Day because they trigger that flirtiness between a couple. One partner controls the sensation that the other is feeling. Its playful. The Womanizer is popular. Its a very lightweight vibrator that females can actually place on the clit, Nenna Feelmore, of Feelmore Adult Gallery in Oakland Calif., told AVN. Its a hot item right now. Its a little bit pricey, but I think the name is giving it a lot of its legs. Some people dont like the name, but it calls attention to the product. Youre looking at $189-$200 worth of product. It doesnt look like much but its very, very powerful. Weve done a couple of demos here at Feelmore and we like it. Its seeming to be that one product thats getting the attention of the newspapers and the publications to help sell it. The Womanizer is the hottest thing in town these days and I predict the rose-patterned one will be replacing gifts from the florist this year, Deysach said. The truly unique sensation of this toy is making it a great option for all kinds of folks. We love the Rosa from LAmourose and think the name and the cute pinkish color will secure it as a hot item this holiday. Along with the new Womanizer, the We-Vibe continues its popularity, especially with the addition of a new app that allows it to be controlled remotely via the Internet. The We-Vibe also will make a big splash this V Day, bringing couples closer together, according to Deysach. With the app we are seeing more folks buying it for sure. People love the idea of that level of function. Our staff likes it a lot so that helps sell it and it is also one of the few toys that people come in here knowing the name of. We-Vibe continues to be strong. Theyve figured out the app thing, which others have had trouble making easy to understand, Vogt told AVN. Its a perfect idea for Valentines Day because its a couples toy. It was first marketed as a couples toy and with the controls in the cell phone it makes it a more interesting high-tech toy. Goldberg also noted a trend toward lower-priced high-end toys. Theyre more accessible. Its so hard to find a rechargeable toy these days under $100. These are going for around $89, with a warranty, which is a hard thing to get. A lot of people like the style, but not the actual brand. Its quality and accessible to lower price ranges. I usually ask a customer, What do you want it to do, and whats your price range? If someone doesnt have a price range, you show them a high-priced toy. The Harder Edge It isnt all hearts-and-flowers out there. Some customers like a little spice with their sex toy purchases. Anal stuff is also coming around, Goldberg said. A lot of anal training toys, to prepare for anal sex. A lot of people are really getting into it now. Small plugs, vibrating plugs, little wands, even a jeweled plug. We sell a ton of those. Its a cute idea. The plug isnt too big, the jewel is very cute. Some positionary items, like Sportsheets, are hot, and big, Bell told AVN. A doggy strap, a sling, that kind of thing. Arm cuffs, leg cuffs, all soft and non-threatening. It has to be sexy. Reds are really hot colors because those are sexy colors for love. Its all about love. Feelmore pointed out that a new mainstream parody movie called Fifty Shades of Black, starring Marlon Wayans and set for a January 29 release, may revitalize the Fifty Shades market. That movie is a satire based on the African-American experience. I think it will put people in the mood, to come in with a joke, and say, I want to look at this. I think it will spur attention. McCain pointed out the popularity of waterproof toys like Sportsheets Sex in the Shower products: This line is great and a nice chance to have an excuse to have sex other than in bed. Even just waterproof toys in general so couples can have fun other than just in the bedroom. She also mentioned CalExotics Colt Waterproof Power Cock Ring and Lelos Bruno waterproof prostate massager. Speaking of Hard Toys intended for men were also mentioned by some of the retailers contacted by AVN. Feelmore said, For the men, I like the Quickshots from Fleshlight. I think that Fleshlight has done an excellent job with their branding, and everybody knows it: Its like the Polo or Clorox for masturbation products for men. Theyre really small, they can go in a pocket. Its like an 8-ounce can smashed down to about 6 ounces. Deysach also mentioned Quickshots: New innovations in penis toys are going to make buying for your guy easier this year. The Fleshlight Quickshot is flying off the shelves already and we think our little Blue Valentine sleeves will make it into a lot of lucky guys drawers this season. McCain recommended cock rings and enhancers: Guys want to make sure they truly please their partner, so adding a little length and girth with an enhancer on one of the sexiest times of the year makes sense, if not all year round. The cock rings these days are wild. With vibrating and ticklers attached, both partners can truly get a great sensation on top of a harder erection. She mentioned Pipedreams X-tensions Deluxe Silicone Power Cage, Sinclair Institutes Fulfill Penis Extension Kit and Oxballs Hood Moreskin Foreskin Set. Detective Sergeant William Loughrin says the victim, who has been formally identified as 50-year-old Raewyn Green, was found unconscious at a Pinfold Avenue address on Monday evening. The woman was taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition and died on Thursday morning. A post mortem was conducted in Auckland which revealed the woman sustained injuries consistent with an assault. A scene examination has been completed at the Pinfold Avenue address and a number of people known to Ms Green have been spoken to. The womans family is being supported by Victim Support through this difficult time. Detective Sergeant Loughrin says police would like to hear from anyone who had contact with Raewyn in the days and hours leading up to her admission to Waikato Hospital on Monday. Police are also seeking information from the public about any sightings of a man and woman arguing on Monday afternoon/evening, in and around the Pinfold Avenue area. If you have any information, please contact Detective Sergeant Loughrin at the Hamilton CIB on 07 858 6200. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Detectives have worked through the night and will continue the investigation during the weekend to establish the exact circumstances leading up to the assault and death. Police offer their condolences to Simons family, who are being supported by the Police and Victim Support. As the matter is now before the courts, no further comment will be made. Police say the death is suspicious and a homicide investigation has been launched. Detective Inspector Darryl Sweeney says police are speaking to a person of interest and want to ensure the public that there is no danger to any other members of the community as a result of this matter. Police will have an area of riverbank cordoned while a scene examination is undertaken. Ferry Road between Richardson Terrace and Hargood Street was closed to all traffic for several hours. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information or images, is asked to contact Christchurch Central Police Station on 03 363 7400. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at or online at www.crimestoppers-nz.org Mr Key has now gone further and said: Theres plenty of pictures of Winston on boats out there, just maybe not his boat. Well that statement is totally untrue as well, the New Zealand First Leader said. Mr Key should come clean and quit while he is behind, Mr Peters said. On Wednesday Mr Peters challenged Mr Key to find a witness showing he has been out fishing on his boat since the Northland by-election, however Mr Key has refused. As I said previously, he should apologise, pay $100,000 to a Northland charity of my choosing, and stop wasting Parliaments Question Time with such blatant untruths. How can you believe the Prime Minister on questions on the TPPA when he cant be honest on simple issues like this? The Teaching and Learning International Study (TALIS) ranked New Zealand teachers fourth out of 35 participating countries, behind the Russian Federation, Estonia and Singapore. This is great news, and a real bouquet for our teachers, says Ms Parata. In New Zealand the study looked at more than 2800 Year 7-10 teachers and their principals at primary, intermediate and secondary schools. New Zealand teachers did well in teacher training and professional development, autonomy in their work, and networking with peers. One of the reports main findings was that, unlike many other countries, there was no drop in teacher professionalism at socio-economically disadvantaged schools. This is very encouraging, says Ms Parata. It shows our kids have access to great teachers, no matter what their background. The reports recommendations include providing more support for individual and collaborative research, and encouraging participation in networks with other teachers. We already do well in these fields, and well do even better as our newly-established Communities of Learning gain momentum, says Ms Parata. Thats exactly what the communities are designed to do help schools to cooperate so all kids can benefit from the expertise of our best teachers. The Whakatane community has experienced the benefits of fluoridated water for over 40 years, and Im delighted that they and Ohope can now continue to receive the ongoing oral health benefits that water fluoridation provides, says Bay of Plenty District Health Board Chief Executive Officer Helen Mason. Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet agrees. This is a good decision for the community that is supported by an overwhelming scientific consensus on the benefits and safety of water fluoridation," says Neil. "It also respects the choice of the community expressed in the referendum." The most recent referendum in 2013 showed that 65.8 per cent of voters in Whakatane and 70.5 per cent of voters in Ohope wanted to retain water fluoridation. Referenda in 1995 and 2001 also supported water fluoridation. We also welcome the decision to investigate options for water fluoridation in other communities in the district that voted in favour of water fluoridation in the 2013 referendum. The Bay of Plenty DHB looks forward to working with council as they consider this further, says Helen. Improving oral health is an important priority for the Bay of Plenty DHB. The Bay of Plenty DHB strongly supports water fluoridation as part of a comprehensive approach to improving oral health and preventing tooth decay. For more information on fluoridation, visit www.ttophs.govt.nz/fluoridation The first warrant was executed by Armed Offenders Squad members where a 29-year-old male was arrested on domestic and firearms related charges after a warrant to arrest was issued. He was due to appear in the Whanganui District court on Thursday. Police also executed a number of other search warrants in the wider Taihape area and, as a result, have arrested four people in relation to drugs and firearms offences. The arrests include a 36-year-old female for procuring/possessing drugs; a 38-year-old female with selling/giving/supplying/administering/dealing cannabis; a 27-year-old female with possessing a firearm without a licence; and a 32-year-old male with possessing a firearm without a licence, cultivating cannabis, and possessing a needle or syringe for drugs. All four were due to appear in the Taihape District Court on Thursday. Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong says its great further drugs and firearms have been removed from our community where they may cause harm to others. Police continue to urge members of the public who have any information on illegal drug use and supply or the illegal possessing of firearms to contact their local police station. As these matters are now before the courts, police are unable to comment further. Former Bay of Plenty businessman Mark Wilson has been named the United Kingdoms New Zealander of the Year 2016 at the New Zealand Societys Waitangi Day Charity Ball. The award recognises the outstanding contribution a New Zealand, or British, national has made in promoting the interests of New Zealand or New Zealanders in the United Kingdom. Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to Suva this week to meet with Fijis Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola. This will be my first visit to Suva since the 2014 elections and it is an opportunity to discuss our ongoing re-engagement directly with the Government of Fiji, Mr McCully says. My discussions with Minister Kubuabola and other Government representatives will cover a range of matters including regional issues, trade, and our aid and development programme. Fiji is New Zealands largest trading partner in the Pacific and a growing number of New Zealand businesses are active there. "We are ramping up our development relationship and I plan to visit the Koronivia Agriculture Station near Suva, where New Zealand is looking to support an upgrade to help boost Fijis agricultural sector. While in Suva I will also meet with Opposition representatives and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Dame Meg Taylor, Mr McCully says. Source: Office of Murray McCully. There were mothers of young children, mothers and daughters, students, retirees and professionals attending the Womans Winter Sojourn Retreat at the Floyd EcoVillage January 29 31st. Twenty-six women ranging in age from 17 to 70 came together to set their intentions for the New Year and to participate in a program that included guided meditations, ceremony, mapping life pathways, yoga, art, dance and more. The women came from Floyd, Roanoke and Radford. There was a contingency from Lynchburg and one woman came from as far away as Kentucky after seeing the retreat announcement posted on Facebook. Billed as a time away and a time within, the Winter Sojourn was an inaugural event of the newly formed Floyd Retreats at the EcoVillage. Meals were catered by Ashleigh Ward of Floyds Cast Iron Catering. Most of the women lodged on site at the EcoVillages off-gird, earth-bermed lodge. Workshop sessions were guided by: Katherine Chantal, an herbalist and life ceremonialist; Mary Brown a certified yoga teacher and licensed massage therapist; Katherine Devine, a master artist and art teacher; Katie Wells, a professional dancer and adjunct faculty member at Radford University; and Eco-Village co-owner Kamala Bauers, a licensed clinical social worker, small business owner, and social entrepreneur. Chantal, one of the event organizers, explained that EcoVillage is open for rental for a variety of retreats with the inaugural one being hosted by the Floyd EcoVillage. She is planning an upcoming day long retreat for nourishing the body, mind and spirit, a poetry, music and tea party and an herb walk on the 78-acre property and suggests that people check the Floyd Retreats webpage and Facebook page for dates. This has been a dream thats been in the works for 30 years, Bauers told the women during one of the weekends circle gatherings. She presented a workshop on making personal treasure maps, asking the women, What would you do if you had no limits? Guiding them through a step-by-step process of creating a life plan pathway, she suggested they take a picture and put their finished documents on their phones and computers as a screen saver, so that you see it multiple times a day. That increases the power of it, she said. The sunny mornings began with yoga. On Saturday, Brown guided women in a 14 yoga position series that gently work all parts of the body. Devine led a mixed media art collage session in the EcoVillages art studio building that produced an exhibition showing of colorful expression. With a focus on self-kindness, Chantal led guided meditations throughout the weekend and facilitated writing exercises and small discussion groups. In the evening, Wells presented a guided intentional movement class that combined movement meditation and creative improvisational dancing with a goal of embodying intention. Weve done a lot, Chantal said at Sundays closing circle. She asked the women to speak about what they received and what was most important for them to bring home. I feel honored by all of you for sharing your stories and I feel nurtured by those stories. We started out as strangers and you provided this beautiful space for us to connect on a deep level. I feel like Ive grown, said one of the women from Lynchburg. I feel affirmed that we can allow the spirit part of our lives to be the focus ... and it can be fun! Devine added. An elder attendee spoke about experiencing the power of the group, saying, I really liked having women of various ages, seeing the potential of the younger women and seeing that as we age we can still grow. There were lots of laughs, a few tears and much gratitude expressed as the sharing went around the circle. One woman summed up the weekend with a description, Its been a lovely jigsaw puzzle of strong creative women. Another said, Im struck by how we all come from different places and backgrounds and different ages, but were all kind of the same with similar desires and needs. Post note: Visit floydecovillage.com/retreats or call 745-4434 for more information on Floyd Retreats. Since Feb. 23, 1832 when it received its charter and even before, Smyth Countys history has grown richer almost daily. Formed from parts of Washington and Wythe counties, the county was named in honor of Alexander Smyth, a War of 1812 general and a member of the House of Representatives. Thanks to the work of local historian Clara Hill Carner and many others, that history is being preserved. Bits and pieces of the countys history are preserved in a central place for all to enjoy today and for generations to come. In 1961, Carner founded a local museum to preserve and protect the history of Smyth County by collecting, protecting and displaying pieces of history. From a one-room schoolhouse used in the 1800s to a building that was the site of Smyth Countys first public high school in the early 1900s, the museum has been moved around, but it now has a permanent home in downtown Marion. In its third year in the old Parks Belk building, the Holston River Heritage Center now has a wealth of space and a multitude of historical items to display. The Gwyn family donated half the value of this property and the museum bought the other half, using money from the sale of the Staley-Collins house, said AnnaLeigh DeBord, president of the Smyth County Historical and Museum Society. The society contacted a design company to have plans for the museum developed. However, the roof had to be replaced so there went the money to pay the design firm, DeBord said, explaining that the museum operates on a shoestring budget, receiving donations, often $100 at a time, for operations. The county and its three towns do not contribute to the museums finances, she said. The society would like to find a grant writer willing to help secure funding. The museum is also requesting monetary donations of any amount and is in need of volunteers to help staff the facility when it is open and to work behind the scenes cataloging items, creating displays and doing other necessary work. The museum has several collections set up for viewing. Inside the door to the left is the American Indian display, which includes several frames filled with arrowheads that were a part of Harold Martins collection. His family donated them to the museum after his death. A popular display among male visitors is the military exhibit, DeBord said. The exhibit features several uniforms, helmets, photos, medals, flags and military gear from the World War II era. A wall calendar dated December 1944 was donated by Bill Thompson of Marion. The calendar hung in Thompsons father Brodies Marion Easy Pay Tire Store, the forerunner of Thompson Tire. Dwight Barker donated his fathers World War II uniform. All of the items in the museum are donated, DeBord said. An 1861 First National Flag that was crafted by women from Smyth County in honor of soldiers fighting in the Civil War was found in Betty Stewarts attic and given to the museum. The flag has been restored, preserved under glass and now occupies a place of honor in the center of the downstairs display area. A copy of an 1861 letter from Captain John Preston Sheffey, whose descendants provided the flag, is attached to the display case. The letter, to Sheffeys fiancee, Josephine Spiller, refers to the flag. DeBord said the flag was restored at a cost of $8,000. The Confederate war uniform of John Montgomery Preston II is enclosed in glass. A note pinned to the shirt explains that the suit was hand sewn throughout and while buttons were used as ornaments all fastenings are hook and eyes. General Order No. 9, General Robert E. Lees farewell address, is preserved under glass. Lee delivered the address to his Army of Northern Virginia on April 10, 1865, the day after he surrendered to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Beside the yellowed, faded pages is a photograph of Lee. A typed translation of the order is located underneath. Other displays include a collection of farming tools, a set of the Dionne Quintuplets dolls and a storybook telling the story of the worlds first living quintuplets, B.F. Buchanans photo along with inaugural hat and Bible, Walter Beattie Jackson Jr.s railroad train models, and old dental, medical and optometry equipment including several items from Dr. Charles Thompsons Marion office. Perhaps as important as the displays already set up for museum visitors to enjoy are the many items in storage. In the buildings storage areas are boxes of vintage clothing, newspapers, books, typewriters, furniture, hats, gloves, embroidered scarves, wreaths made of human hair, diplomas, old ledgers, scrapbooks, an 1897 judges docket, family Bibles, church hymnals, maps, blueprints, advertising signs, a 1902 Marion Democrat, bound copies of the Smyth County News and photographs. We are working to identify the people in the photos. We hope to have a genealogy room, where people can come and do research and to have files available online. We want to tell a story. We dont want to just put stuff in there. We have the materials to have a really neat museum, DeBord said. She explained that the process of providing a detailed record of what is in the museum by assigning each item an accession number is time consuming and requires extensive paperwork. The process, however, is important because it identifies what is in the museum, when it was acquired, from who it was acquired and includes a description of the item. DeBord and the other volunteers are enjoying organizing and sorting through the items in storage. Its just like Christmas in here every day. You dont know what you are going to find when you open a box, she said. The museum is open on Friday evenings and Saturdays from April until November. A small entry fee is charged to help generate revenue. It is also the site of class reunions and meetings. DeBord said the society hopes to begin hosting bridge tournaments in the spring. Marion author Joan Tracey Armstrongs book History of Smyth County, Virginia: Volume Two 1832-1870, Ante-bellum Years through the Civil War, is available for purchase for $20 with proceeds going for museum projects. Since the museum is a non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status, individuals and businesses and groups who wish to donate to the museum can deduct the contributions from their taxes. For additional information on the museum and the historical society, visit smythcountymuseum.org. To donate money or volunteer, call 276-783-7286. Helen R. Frigo, Jensen Beach Letter: No chance that these supposed Christ believers will act like Christ Will St. Peter demand proof when all these American "Christians" arrive at the Pearly Gates? Here's his successor on earth, Pope Francis, saying: "Of the poor, the homeless, and those 'immigrants who have survived the crossing and who land on our shores, we touch the flesh of Christ in he who is outcast, hungry, thirsty, naked, imprisoned, ill, unemployed, persecuted, in search of refuge.'" Then here's our Congress, claiming to be 88 percent Christian since Republicans took over, cutting funds to Meals on Wheels, Head Start, etc., while voting 64 times to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Sen. Marco Rubio and House Speaker Paul Ryan, led the fight the latter fight. I thought they were Catholics, who believe the pope is the Vicar of Christ on earth. Ryan's 2016 budget plan cuts programs that serve people of limited means by some $3 trillion over 10 years. Rubio wants to take up the sword, and attack Muslims. Pope Francis said: "Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God Himself." The pope also warns, that a cry is "rising up from humanity and the very bowels of the earth itself." And, "The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth." The pope adds, "Nothing will happen unless political and technical solutions are accompanied by a process of education which proposes new ways of living." Nothing will happen unless the Republicans, who now have the power in Congress, and in Florida, too, practice what Christ preached. He specifically told Peter to put down his sword. Republicans just bought new Stealth bombers. Dear Judie: Does anyone every master 'long distance' caregiving? My sister reported the doctor said Mom (87) needs 24-hour supervision (no one seems to know why); my brother says, 'Forget about it, Mom's fine. All she needs is a little help cooking and cleaning'; and Dad (86) says, 'Don't worry, I've got it under control.' If the conflicting versions of Mom's health weren't bad enough, the part about my demented dad having it under control scared me silly. So I took off work, traveled to New Jersey to see Mom's condition, tried to set up an in-home plan to help them, accomplished almost nothing and returned home several hundred dollars poorer and dreading the next call. Lynn, Port St. Lucie Dear Lynn: Long distance caregiving presents many special challenges. As with all extremely difficult problems, your best bet is to eliminate the guesswork and seek help from experts who will provide the information you need to make decisions. Start with these recommendations: Caregiving: Retain a geriatric care manager for a written assessment of your parents' status, including their past and current medical histories, and a list of options for their care. This report will give you the information you need to make appropriate decisions. Legal: Retain an elder law attorney in New Jersey to help you obtain the documents you'll need to care for your parents (examples: advance directives, durable power of attorney, health care surrogate, etc.). Share the care manager's report with your attorney. Financial: Caregiving can be costly. Consult with your parents' financial advisers and your attorney for financial advice. Consult with the care manager to identify potential benefits or care at the lowest cost. Continuing assistance: Create a support team of lay people and professionals in your parents' area to provide ongoing information that will help prevent expensive unnecessary trips to New Jersey and help increase your peace of mind. Retain the geriatric care manager or a responsible party who lives near your parents and who can act of your behalf to help interview home-care workers, arrange for transportation and shopping assistance, manage physician appointments and check on your parents regularly and accurately report their condition to you. SAM WOLFE Correspondent Brent Brisben, of 1715 Fleet Queens Jewels, LLC, points out details in a gold bird found by Bonnie Schubert and her mother Jo while diving for treasure on Aug. 15. You know that its out there, said Bonnie Schubert, while talking about treasure located in the waters off of Fort Pierce and Vero Beach. The untarnished artifact was appraised and valued at $885,000. SHARE By Tyler Treadway of TCPalm VERO BEACH ? Bonnie Schubert couldn't believe her eyes when, about 1,000 feet off Frederick Douglass Beach near Fort Pierce, she came face to face with a solid gold statue of a bird that had lain under the Atlantic Ocean exactly 295 years and 15 days. "I remember asking myself, ?Is this real?'" Schubert recalled Wednesday as the 5.5-inch-tall statue she found Aug. 15 was revealed to the public at her home in the Vero Shores neighborhood of Vero Beach. "The Bird," as it's come to be known, is real all right. So is it's $885,000 appraised value. The statue was aboard one of 11 Spanish ships laden with treasures from the New World that were bound from Havana to the court of King Phillip V before encountering a hurricane July 31, 1715, and sinking off the Treasure Coast. Shubert, 49, found the statue as she and her one-person crew ? her 87-year-old mother, Jo Schubert ? were combing the plot of ocean bottom they've been assigned as subcontractors for 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC, a historic shipwreck salvage operation based in Sebastian and Jupiter that acquired rights to the fleet from the heirs of renowned treasure hunter Mel Fisher. Bonnie Schubert said she had just started to examine a "hole" where several feet of sand had been blown away when she saw the bird. "I got a hit on the metal detector, and I was hand-fanning away some more sand when I saw it just lying there upright in the sand, absolutely perfect and so impossibly gold," she said. "Every time you get a hit on the metal detector, you're thinking, ?It's a gold bar; it's a silver bar.' But it's usually a fishing weight or a beer can." Bonnie Schubert brought the artifact back to the boat where her mother was waiting. "I could see Bonnie had gold in her hand as she was coming up," Jo Schubert said. "I just started crying." But in a businesslike fashion, the women stowed the bird in the cabin; and Bonnie Schubert dove back down to the same spot. "The bird is missing a wing," she explained, "and I was hoping I could find it. Also, there's a cavity in the bird's middle, and I thought I might be able to find what had been in there." The wing is still missing, and what was in the bird's midsection remains a mystery; but experts believe the relic is a depiction of a "pelican in her piety," said Brent Brisben, operations manager of 1715 Fleet-Queen's Jewels. "Mother pelicans are said to prick their own chests so that they draw blood to feed starving chicks," Brisben said. "The Spanish were devout Roman Catholics, and to them the pelican in her piety represented Christ on the cross shedding his blood to redeem mankind." Now in a safe deposit box at a bank Brisben would rather not disclose, the relic's future is uncertain. By law, the state has first dibs on up to 20 percent of treasure from each salvage site. "The bird will be about 99 percent of the take from that site," Brisben said, "so the state would have to give up a lot of other treasure to get it. More than likely, the bird will be sold to a collector or at an auction." The Schuberts and 1715 Fleet-Queen's Jewels will split the proceeds 50-50. Since acquiring Fisher's admiralty rights to salvage the shipwrecks in June, Brisben said his firm as retrieved between $1.3 and $1.4 million worth of relics ? mostly gold and silver coins ? from the Atlantic. Bonnie Schubert, who's been wreck salvaging since 1991, called the bird "the find of a lifetime." But she'll keep looking for more. "I didn't expect to find it," she said, "and I don't expect to ever find another. But you never know." AT&T on Friday announced plans to start testing 5G technology, with a possible limited commercial rollout before the end of 2016. 5G offers the promise of besting the speeds of todays fastest wireless networks by a factor of 10 to 100, through the use of millimeter waves, network function virtualization, and software-defined networking. Through a collaboration with Ericsson and Intel, AT&T will be ramping up its efforts to bring 5G to market starting in the second quarter of this year. The planned tests follow extensive research, patent filings, and the development of software-defined networking, which allows AT&T to update systems without touching the hardware a faster, more efficient method of introducing new versions of programs and technology, the company said. Bumps in the 5G Road The race to 5G isnt without its challenges, however. Its no small feat to create a working fixed broadband network that delivers at least a gigabit of speed to consumer and business customers. Some of the things AT&T will be testing for are power and performance in rain or other disruptive weather conditions, like cold, said Fletcher Cook, AVP of global media communications at AT&T. If it goes well in the summer, you could start seeing point-to-point limited commercial availability for limited fixed broadband soon after, he told TechNewsWorld. However, that isnt for the wireless phone, wide-area network type 5G, Cook pointed out. Thats much longer term, because we have the standards that need to be sorted. AT&T is working diligently with IEEE to establish uniform standards, he said. The standards piece is the biggest hurdle. Identifying how networks between carriers will work and how those standards are set are two things weve got to figure out. Driving Forces Advances in new technologies, coupled with the rise in using smartphones for bandwidth-gobbling video consumption, are propelling AT&T and other companies to get 5G networks up and running. The combination of connected cars, the Internet of things, speed, and new technology like virtual reality is driving this, Cook said. Marketing agencies also are jumping on the new tech bandwagon. Ever since CES, especially, the stage has been set for 2016 to be the year virtual reality becomes a household name, Cook noted. Its become a checkbox for marketers and creative directors to have in their marketing strategies. For example, there are a lot of Fortune 500 brands that are making content for YouTube360, Facebook360 and Little Star; this is a new way to get their message out. The trick will be finding enough bandwidth to seamlessly deliver all that content. As more and more people are investing in affordable means of watching VR content like Google Cardboard which requires only a viewer (priced as low as US$6.99) and a smartphone the demand for faster speeds and more bandwidth is growing exponentially. Streaming a lot of virtual reality content requires a lot of bandwidth, observed Austin Mace, CEO of Subvrsive. The introduction of a 5G network would definitely accelerate the mass adoption of virtual reality because it gets content to people faster, he told TechNewsWorld. One of the biggest bottlenecks we face in live-streaming VR content is data speeds, so I can see this really alleviating that. An estimated 4 billion people in the world do not have access to enough water supplies in order to meet their daily needs, according to a new study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands. In a paper published in the journal Science Advances, Arjen Hoekstra, a water management professor at the University of Twente in Enschede, led a team of researchers in studying the impact of water scarcity on the people and ecology of the world. Their findings suggest that the water shortage being felt by the planet right now is fueled by the rapid growth of human populations, their consumption habits and the demands for supplies for agricultural purposes. The effect of the water crisis can be seen on the landscape of the Earth, according to Hoekstra. "Groundwater levels decline and lakes disappear," Hoekstra pointed out. "You have less water flowing in the rivers. This threatens ecosystems and biodiversity, and harms local downstream communities where water will not flow." While earlier studies have tried to analyze water consumption around the world on a yearly basis, Hoekstra studied its effects on each month. The models the research team used took into consideration various climate data, land use, soil samples, the growth of different crops, irrigation systems, population densities and industries. The researchers discovered that the ongoing water shortage affects about 4 billion people in the world compared to the 1.7 to 3 billion people that were initially believed in previous estimates. About half of the total number of people without enough water supplies can be found living in India and China alone. The team also found that the water crisis has become widespread, with regions and countries such as North and South Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and even parts of the American West suffering from critical shortages. Hoekstra said that they now have more accurate data on how water scarcity affects these areas of the world. They are able to determine when a possible shortage could occur and what could likely be the cause of it. Their findings can help provide a new baseline for world leaders to use as basis for future policies. Hoekstra recommends for governments to designate a water cap for their area every month in order to help regulate water use depending on the available supply. This also raises the public's awareness on just how much water they use to meet their basic needs. By allowing people to become more aware of their water consumption, Hoekstra believes that they can make better choices regarding the amount of water they use to make their products. If people consume a less amount of meat, for instance, they will be able to save a large amount of their water supply. Hoekstra and his team point to the importance of using water sustainably to help maintain enough supply for everybody. This is one of the key points highlighted in the agenda of world leaders. Aside from climate change, water scarcity is another high priority in terms of environmental concerns set by the World Economic Forum, Hoekstra said. It remains one of the biggest risks to the economy of the world. Hoekstra added that government leaders should place a premium on available water resources. They should learn how to allocate their water supplies more wisely as well. He and his colleagues hope that their findings can help urge people to take action on the ongoing water shortage. The study can provide them with information on how to use water efficiently and sustainably and how to make a lasting difference by changing even their consumption habits. Photo: Mark Lee | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In May 2010, a South African astronomer discovered what he thought was a supernova in NGC 300. A supernova is a massive dying star spending its last remaining time in blazing at its finest. Most supernovae are only visible for only a few weeks before fading away from view. When the dying star finally explodes, it leaves a residue that is what we call a black hole or a neutron star. None of these supernova residues should be seen from Earth. However, the supernova impostor called SN 2010da remained visible. A supernova impostor is often mistaken for a supernova because of its massive light emission. Later on, it is found to be an enormous star with an intense flare. Many of them are actually two massive stars that orbit each other, and scientists believe that the irregular flares could be the result of distress from each companion. In September 2010, SN 2010da was confirmed a fake when a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Washington's (UW) Department of Astronomy Breanna Binder looked at NGC 300 using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. However, the UW Bothell's School of STEM lecturer found something else. "There was just this massive amount of X-rays coming from SN 2010da, which you should not see coming from a supernova impostor," said Binder, who found that SN 2010da's X-ray intensity is the same as those coming from a neutron star. This type of star is the dense, broken core residue of a supernova. Binder found it surprising since it was previously determined that SN 2010da is a supernova impostor. The research team analyzed SN 2010da once more in 2014 using Chandra, but this time, they brought in the big guns Hubble Space Telescope. They found that SN 2010da wasn't alone; it had a companion like other impostors of its kind. However, SN 2010da is special because, unlike other impostors in a binary system, this one most likely had a neutron star as a companion once upon a time. This new data makes SN 2010da an even more impressive impostor to have survived when its real supernova companion exploded. "The fact that this supernova event didn't expel the other star, which is 20 to 25 times the mass of our sun, makes this an incredibly rare type of binary system," said Binder. The discovery was published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Feb. 11. Photo : Hubble ESA | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Archeologists have raised a medieval ship from a riverbed in the Netherlands after more than half a century of resting there. Construction workers stumbled upon the find as they were preparing to excavate the port in the city of Kampen. The ships skeleton was sitting beneath sand and silt underwater. Experts have confirmed that the discovery named Ijsselkogge after the river delta it was retrieved from is a cog from the 15th century, a trading vessel used for sailing the North and Baltic Seas. The delicate structure was raised out of the water in a special metal frame structure, with computer-operated straps around it. It will be restored at the Nieuw Land Heritage Center in Lelystaf, where the ship will be constantly bathed with water to preserve it and keep it intact. Ijsselkogge, measuring 20 by 8 meters (65 by 26 feet) and weighing 40 tonnes (88,185 pounds), is deemed well-preserved and sturdier than other vessels of its time because of its metal joints, which prevented it from disintegration during the retrieval. The medieval sea vessel features glazed tiles on its rear deck, as well as a brick-arched oven. Cogs are typically made of oak and fitted with a sole mast and a square-rigged sail. They were first used in the 10th century and became a common sight around the 1100s in medieval Europe. These vessels were of particular service to the Hanseatic League, a commercial network of ties between the North and Baltic Seas guilds of merchants. Last year, 500-year-old remains this time of a human being were unearthed under a school playground in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The remains were previously thought to belong to a Bronze Age human. In January, however, it appeared from radiocarbon dating that it was a 16th-century skeleton, possibly of a pirate executed in a nearby area, according to the City of Edinburgh Council. Just like in the surprising discovery of the medieval trading ship, the skeleton was found by workers during their survey work, which was intended for extending the citys oldest working primary school. Workers expected to find remains of the original harbor and shipbuilding but instead uncovered human bones, said the city council in a statement. In 2014, a 2,700-year-old shipwreck, believed to be a Phoenician ship, was discovered in the Mediterranean. The latest discovery adds to the growing body of knowledge about seafaring in history. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Google I/O 2016 is just a few months away and excitement surrounding the next operating system from Google is gathering momentum. Come May 18, Google is slated to release Android N, which will be the next major Android update. What does the N stand for? Speculations are wide that it could be Nectar or Nougat, possibly even Nutella - keeping the company's naming convention styles in mind. Google has confirmed several features the Android 7.0 OS will bring users' way, including multi-window support. We check out some confirmed and rumored features Android 7.0 will bring in its folds. Multi-Window Mode During a Reddit AMA with the Pixel C team, Google's Product Director Andrew Bowers said that Android N would have multi-window mode. "We're working on lots of things right now for N that, of course, we wish we had, you know, yesterday. But we'd spoil the surprise of N if we shared all of them. Split screen is in the works!" revealed Bowers at the time. While some may argue that Android 6.0 Marshmallow already supports the feature, it is anything but polished. OpenJDK Instead Of Java APIs Because of the issues with Oracle pertaining to rewritten Java APIs, Google will be moving to OpenJDK for Android N. OpenJDK is basically part of the Java Development Kit, which is open source. "We plan to move Android's Java language libraries to an OpenJDK-based approach, creating a common code base for developers to build apps and services," Google has previously confirmed. Improved Tablet Support Interestingly, at the same AMA, Glen Murphy, a member of the Pixel C team, spilled the beans that "a range of enhancements for this form factor" was also in the works, referring to split-screen multitasking support. Even though Murphy did not elaborate, the message was clear that Android N would bring better support for tablets. We could see apps that are tablet optimized, with custom navigation buttons and more. Stock Stylus Support It is anticipated that Google will bring stock support for styluses in Android N. Samsung hinted at this possibility when it let on that it intends to retire some primary S Pen features from Look API. On its developer page for Look API, Samsung says that several Look API S-Pen features will be "deprecated in N." It follows that Samsung is making the feature obsolete only since the stylus features will get stock support in Android N. Photo: Rob Bulmahn | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Top executives at Xiaomi have confirmed the launch date of the long-awaited Mi 5 smartphone. Many rumors on the upcoming handset have been doing the rounds in the tech industry for months but the company has yet to provide any details on the Mi 5. Here is everything that we know so far about the upcoming mobile device. Specifications Display: Rumors suggest that the Xiaomi offering will have either a 5.2-inch or 5.3-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. Processor And RAM: The Xiaomi Mi 5 is expected to be the first smartphone to come running on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 820 processor. Its predecessor the Xiaomi Mi 4 has 3 GB of RAM. If rumors are to be believed then the Xiaomi Mi 5 will come with 4 GB of RAM, which will boost the performance of the device. Storage: The Xiaomi Mi 5 is speculated to be available in 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB built-in memory. The Mi 4 did not include a microSD card slot, which could be used to expand the memory. The same is rumored for the Mi 5, something that may disappoint many smartphone enthusiasts. Camera: Rumors point out that the Mi 5 may be equipped with a 16-megapixel rear-facing shooter and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The camera may also get Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature that was absent in the Mi 4. Battery: A massive 3,600 mAh battery is expected to power the Mi 5 and offer long productivity to users. Operating System: Google officially released Android 6.0 Marshmallow in October 2015. The new mobile operating system (OS) has a number of new features that has already attracted many Android users. The Mi 5 is also expected to come running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow straight out of the box. A previous report also suggests that apart from an Android version, Xiaomi may also release a Mi 5 Windows version, which will run on Windows 10 Mobile. Only a handful of smartphones run on Windows and if the Mi 5 is also available with Window 10 Mobile, it may attract many Windows Phone enthusiasts to try the device. Others: The Mi 5 is said to be available in two models: one with a glass panel at the rear and the front, and the other sporting an all-metal frame to give a more premium feel to the handset. Most of the top-end smartphones now come with a fingerprint scanner. Xiaomi is also expected to include a fingerprint sensor at the back of the phone, just under the camera lens. A fingerprint scanner will help users keep their device secure and unlock it without the need of a passcode. Launch And Release Date The Mi 4 was launched and released in August 2014, which means that Xiaomi fans have been waiting for a year and a half for the new Mi phone. Many smartphone makers such as Samsung and LG have already confirmed that they will showcase their new handsets at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) event starting Feb. 22 in Barcelona. Xiaomi will also take advantage of the platform by launching the Mi 5 at the event. On Jan. 22, Wanqiang Li, senior vice president at Xiaomi, confirmed via Weibo that the Mi 5 will be unveiled on Feb. 24. In late January 2016, Hugo Barra, vice president of Xiaomi global, confirmed on Twitter that the Mi 5 will be launched on Feb. 24. Xiaomi #Mi5 media preview in Barcelona on Feb 24our first time ever hosting an event at MWC. Can't wait! pic.twitter.com/MU0GHsfIc3 Hugo Barra (@hbarra) January 28, 2016 Hopefully, customers around the globe will not have to wait long for the Mi 5 to hit the shelves after it has been officially launched at the MWC. Price Rumors hint that the 16 GB version of the Mi 5 will have a price tag of $625 while the 64 GB variant will cost $728. Feb. 24 is just a little more than a week away, so customers will be able to get their first glimpse of the Mi 5 and get the full details soon. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Samsung Galaxy View tablet is now retailed at a lower price of $449 in various online selling sites. Samsung launched its huge 18.4-inch tablet at $549.99 then dropped its price by as much as $100 two weeks later. This time, the tablet's price is once again dropped by $50 which makes it all more enticing for those who are in the market for the mammoth tablet from Samsung. Customers can snag the 18.4-inch Galaxy View tablet from Samsung by going to the sites of Amazon, Best Buy and B&H Photo Video. While the latter did list the tablet at the exact price of $449, the offer seemed to be available only until Feb. 15 and until 11:59 p.m. EST on that day. Amazon and Best Buy both listed the tablet at $449.99 but didn't give details on the duration of the offer. While Best Buy instantly displays the tablet's price on the page, Amazon seemed to "hide" the price initially and had just given the link "See price in cart" instead. Customers can simply click the link in order to see the price offer. Samsung touts the Galaxy View as an "immersive viewing experience in a portable design that lets you take in every moment from any room in the house." It has a unique built-in handle which allows the user to bring the tablet anywhere he or she pleases. It's like a personal home theater that one can use in the living room, the kitchen, the bedroom or perhaps even on top of the roof. With its powerful speakers, users can enjoy the rich stereo sound of the tablet that will never fail to impress friends and family members. The dimensions of the tablet are measured at 17.79 x 10.86 x 0.47 (HxWxD) inches while the weight is at 93.44 ounces. Some of the tablet's notable specs include a TFT LCD touchscreen display with pixel resolution of 1,920 x 1,080; 1.6 GHz Exynos 7580 Octa-Core Chipset; a RAM of 2 GB; internal storage of 32 GB that can be expanded up to 128 GB through the microSD slot; 2.1-megapixel front camera; 5,700 mAh battery; and connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. "The Galaxy View runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, which gives you access to over a million of your favorite apps through the Google Play store," states the product's description on Amazon. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Scott Wasson, AMD's resident frame pacing guru, recently tweeted a teasing image of the much-anticipated "Fury X2" dual Fiji graphics board. Wasson is an expert in frame pacing in dual GPU graphics card evaluation. Smooth gameplay experience is his main field of expertise, as he is in charge of optimizing AMD's dual GPUs and CrossFireX dual systems. The findings in frame pacing allowed OEMs to understand and analyze one of the most elusive characteristics found in GPU boards with two cores. We are talking about "micro-stuttering," a problematic behavior that's been appearing in dual GPUs for years, plaguing gameplay experience with hiccups and stutters. AMD is working on delivering a flagship board GPU codenamed Gemini that should come with two full-fledged Fiji XT GPUs. The OEM did not reveal the official name of the dual Fiji XT, so we are just going to refer to it as Fury X2. The new flagship Radeon GPU card should take the place of the current Radeon leader, the R9 295X2, which holds the world's fastest graphics card title. At E3 2105, AMD announced that a dual Fiji board is up for release in autumn, but that has yet to be fulfilled. The company stated late in 2015 that it postponed the release so that it coincides with big VR products that are coming in Q1 and Q2 of 2016. The recent tweet hints that the wait for the famed device is almost over, but excited fans should hold their enthusiasm in check. Wasson's tweeted image reveals two Fiji XT GPUs, which are the fundamental parts of AMD's R9 Nano, R9 Fury X and R9 Fury graphics cards. The technical specs of the card went public at the end of last year. The card should feature two Fiji XT GPUs amassing a whopping 8192 GCN cores, 8 GB of High Bandwidth Memory and a full memory bandwidth of 1 Tbps. To put it in perspective, that equates to more than four R9 380 graphics cards. Did we even mention that the Fury 2 is shorter in length than a reference design GTX 960? 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Linux-based Steam machines and mobile devices will get enhanced graphics due to the upcoming Vulkan API (application programming interface). Vulkan is useful in many applications, but games benefit from it more than all. It performs the same actions as DirectX does for Windows, but it is far better adapt to new technologies. Vulkan is a welcome upgrade to OpenGL, which starts to show its age, 25 years after its launch. In spite of lacking an official release date from Khronos, Vulkan's developer, insiders claim that the API is almost ready to go live. The Vulkan API should ensure that Mac systems, Linux and mobile devices get better visuals in games. What is more, games will use system resources more judiciously as well as save more battery life in mobile devices and laptops. The new API's uses could extend beyond gaming. From virtual reality headsets to robots and from smart cars to drones, all rely on visual computing. This means that apps for all the devices could be coded with the API. One great advantage of Vulkan is that it is a low-level API which packs closer interaction with hardware than OpenGL. Vulkan utilizes fewer steps when "talking" to the hardware, so multi-core processors and high-performance GPUs will pull more power from the API. Another difference is that Vulkan allows coders to request a specific type of rendering mechanism from the GPUs, which OpenGL did not. OpenGL relied on the hardware's default rendering process. Porting games between different platforms will be easier and more consistent with the help of Vulkan. Lately, a lot of big names in the tech industry focused on developing low-level APIs, such as DirectX 12, AMD's GPUOpen or Metal from Apple. Vulkan, aside from being a low-level API, has the advantage that it works across multiple hardware ecosystems. It does share a root with OpenGL, which in turn differentiates itself by being hardware agnostic. Intel and AMD, two of the companies that back Vulkan, said that they plan on rolling out open-source drivers. Imagination Technologies, the enterprise that provides Apple devices with GPUs will showcase Vulkan's capabilities at the Mobile World Congress show that is around the corner. Nvidia is also hosting discussion sessions about Vulkan in April, at its GPU Technology conference. Vulkan SDKs will be available for Windows, Android and Linux, according to Khronos' website. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. When 5G rolls out in earnest around the end of the decade, U.S. wireless carriers will be waiting at the front of the technology curve to accept the throngs of consumers ready to embrace an era of communication that will see speeds 10 to 100 times faster than what's currently available. AT&T has joined Verizon in stepping in front of that curve. There's a framework for its definition, but coalitions of telecom companies and regulators are still working on the specifics of what 5G exactly is so that it can be properly standardized. That's much of the reason companies such as AT&T and Verizon are starting work now. Verizon started exploring 5G last year, and now AT&T has announced that it plans to start developing 4G's successor during Q2 of this year. AT&T will collaborate with Intel and Ericsson on lab testing and then move to a field test in Austin, Texas, where it hopes to have fixed points that deliver 5G before 2016 comes to a close. The company's field trials will be critical in "rapid and wide-scale adoption" of the technology, stated Arun Bansal, Ericsson's senior vice president and head of Business Unit Radio. "5G will impact the entire mobile network - from devices to access and core to cloud - and open up exciting new IoT applications for consumers and industry, so Ericsson is enabling AT&T to move beyond 5G lab tests to gain a greater understanding of 5G's potential in their own network environments and markets," Bansal says. What Is 5G? It's whatever comes after 4G - that's the simple answer. Countries have developed their own definitions of 5G, but there has yet to be any global consensus on what it means. 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology and there are several promising concepts for what methods should, or will, constitute it. One of the most promising methods of delivering 5G wireless is a combination of MIMO and carrier aggregation. MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) moderates traffic to ensure that data flows efficiently, while carrier aggregation combines several streams of data between endpoints: servers and mobile devices. The results of the combination of technologies are ultra-low latency connections and average speeds that are 50 times faster than the fastest 4G LTE deployments currently available. What Can We Do With 5G? 5G will deliver on the promise of superfast speeds, allowing consumers and businesses to move deeper into the cloud. When a connection to a cloud account with infinite space is just as fast as the transfer speeds of a local storage, which is finite, it's not much of a decision to decide where to store data. And with local storage much less of a priority, 5G devices will be significantly slimmer than their predecessors. There are also the raw download speeds that should connect more people to 4K content and other massive data types. While the aforementioned benefits of 5G may seem the most tangible, it also promises to bring to reality some technologies that still seem to be a decade or more away in many consumers' minds. 5G will deliver the super-low latency needed to power virtual reality experiences, self-driving cars, smarter city grids, robotics and more. Latency, the time it takes between a query and a response, will be critical to each of the aforementioned technologies. Without the ultra-low latency 5G promises, self-driving cars and robots may not be able to make split-second decisions based on new information. Just imagine timber falling off a truck in front of a self-driving car. "These technologies will be immersive, pervasive and responsive to customers," John Donovan, chief strategy officer and Group President, AT&T Technology and Operations. "5G will help make them a reality. 5G will reach its full potential because we will build it on a software-centric architecture that can adapt quickly to new demands and give customers more control of their network services." 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Any of these 10 online activities could land you in jail in some part of the world Internet is an unrestricted realm for its users. It brings you latest information, allows you to share movies, images and music without any bounds, allows you to communicate in a split second and share files. It is a medium which is full of advantages, but there are some disadvantages that come with it in some countries. Particularly if you dont follow certain rules and regulations laid down by these countries while using the Internet. Cyber crimes and terrorist attacks have dramatically increased over the years and that may be one of the reasons that if one is seen violating rules of Internet, he/she may be put behind the bars. So, see the below activities that can get you arrested in some parts of the world. 10 Online Activities That Can Get You Arrested #1 Having An Open Wi-Fi Keeping your WiFi Open and not keeping it password protected can sometimes land you in prison. Your open Wi-Fi connection can be used by criminals or terrorists without your knowledge and this can land you in trouble with the law in almost any country. This happened with a person name Barry Covert whose open WiFi was used by his neighbor to access child pornography websites. Though, police arrested his neighbour after investigations, Barry had to face the police questioning for a month before the correct person was arrested. It is always better to password protect your Wi-Fi with WEP, WPA (WPA-Personal), and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2). #2 Deleting Your Search History Sometimes erasing your search history can also land you behind bars. This happened in United States, when a person namely David Kernell was arrested for deleting information on his computer. A University of Tennessee student, Kernell was being investigated by federal authorities for allegedly hacking Yahoo Account of the then vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. India to had brought about laws making it mandatory for users to save their browsing history for 3 months. But the same was scrapped after there was huge public outcry against it. #3 Offensive Posts, Messages or Tweets Making offensive posts or tweets or sending offensive messages can land you in trouble in any part of the world. Two persons from Leigh Van Bryan aged 26 and Emily Bunting aged 24 tweeted about their upcoming visit to USA, Free this week for a quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America. They were interrogated for about five hours by the authorities. Bryan and Bunting tried to convince the police that Destroying was a British slang for Partying. Comment Policy Advance Indiana allows you to post comments via this blog subject to the guidelines set forth herein. You understand that any comments you post are your own and are not those of Advance Indiana. You further understand that Advance Indiana is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced in your comments. Unlawful, harassing, defamatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, racially offensive, or otherwise objectionable comments are not acceptable. If you think any content posted or otherwise included in Advance Indiana violates the guidelines set forth herein, then please alert Advance Indiana. Advance Indiana reserves the right to pre-screen, edit, and remove any post as it deems appropriate. You specifically acknowledge that Advance Indiana has no obligation to display any post submitted or otherwise provided via Advance Indiana. Momentum says it has been created to continue the energy and enthusiasm of Jeremys campaign and insists that it is not about deselecting Labour moderates. However, the group has been described as stupid, aggressive and a rabble by members of Labours shadow cabinet, and several Momentum activists appear to substantiate the fears of moderate Labour MPs that it is targeting them. The former president of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, deemed the comeback of the incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, unlikely. | Read More Pranitha & NTR Met Accident At Same Spot Cute beauty Pranitha has escaped from a major accident. The accident happened at Nalgonda district when Parnitha was returning to Hyderabad from Khammam after participating in an inauguration event of showroom with her mother and four of her staff members. The actor had cone to Khammam to inaugurate a shop VRK Silks and was on her way back when this incident took place. The car in which she was travelling overturned in Mothe village of Telangana's Nalgonda district .The car lost balance and overturned when the driver tried to avoid hitting a two-wheeler. A few people repairing a road nearby rushed to their rescue and called an ambulance. Actor Junior NTR's vehicle also had also met with a similar accident in this village way back in 2009 after campaigning for Telugu Desam during elections. At that time NTR had sustained injuries. The road from Khammam to Suryapet was also not good and had sharp curves. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Suryapet. Pranitha returned to Hyderabad in another vehicle and she posted images of the overturned vehicle on Twitter. 'While on our way back from Khammam. Perfectly fine but unable to come out of the shock,' she tweeted. News Posted: 14 February, 2016 AP's temporary Secretariat to be ready by June 15 Hyderabad, Feb 14 (INN): The Andhra Pradesh Government has assigned the task of construction temporary Secretariat in Vijayawada to L&T and Shapoorji Pallonji. According to sources, the AP Government has assigned two packages of construction of four buildings to L&T while one package of two buildings has been given to Shapoorji Pallonji. These buildings would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 3,305 per sft. The buildings would be handed over to State Government by June 15 this year. News Posted: 14 February, 2016 The Tourism and Sports Ministry is working to address the issue of tourist safety after a 54% jump in the number of foreign tourists who lost their lives in Thailand in 2015. A report by the Bureau of Prevention and Assistance in Tourist Fraud revealed that 83 foreign tourists died in Thailand last year, up 54% from the previous year. Another 166 were injured, down 160% from the previous year. The figures were compiled from reports from the ministrys 10 offices nationwide. More than 40% died in a road accident Of the 83 deaths, 34 were from road accidents, nine from swimming and boating accidents, six from congenital disease, four from suicides and 30 from other causes. The report named several risky swimming areas for tourists, including Tawan Beach on Pattayas Koh Larn (Chon Buri) and Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui (Surat Thani). Mu Koh Similan (Phangnga) and Koh Hae (Phuket) were noted as risky areas for scuba diving.Dangerous roads for tourists included highway 1095 from Chiang Mai to Pai district in Mae Hong Son, highway 118 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, highways 2258 and 2296 to Khao Khor (Phetchabun) and highway 4233 to Karon mountain (Phuket). Although Thailands tourist industry has been growing, with the number of tourist arrivals reaching almost 30 million visitors last year, tourist safety is still a major concern. According to the World Economic Forums Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2015, Thailand ranked 35th globally and 10th in Asia-Pacific. For safety and security, Thailand came in 132nd place out of 141 countries and was the lowest in Asean with a score of 3.75. Last Friday when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his concern after Russian tourists were seriously injured in a speedboat accident near Koh Phi Phi. Gen Prayuts remarks prompted authorities overseeing tourist safety to seek out a solution. Source: Spike in tourist deaths sparks ministry concern | Bangkok Post: business The Vietnamese prime minister Friday called for ASEAN +3 nations to focus resources on implementing the 2007-2017 cooperation plan in general and strengthening financial and monetary coopration in particular . PM Nguyen Tan Dung was speaking at the 14th ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit in Bali. Dung also suggested the countries should improve their ties in trade, investment, tourism, transport, and infrastructure development. The Vietnam News Agency reported that leaders attending the summit pledged to improve ties in many areas, including dealing with non-traditional security issues. The same day Dung attended the third ASEAN Plus One summit with the US. The two parties wrapped up the meeting by releasing a joint statement, and a cooperation project between 2011 and 2015, VNA reported. Meanwhile, at a meeting between Mekong riparian countries and Japan, projects cooperation in tackling cooperative initiatives for climate change fighting projects were highlighted. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand proposed that Japan helps them with studying on the environmental impacts of the dams along the Mekong Delta River. Dung said recent abnormal flooding along with saltwater intrusion in areas along the Mekong River have highlighted the need to cooperate in managing and using the river's resources in a sustainable manner. A Metro Rail employee and CFA volunteer has been charged with a spate of arson and sabotage crimes across Melbourne's rail network and in country Victoria over the last six years - including the $3-million derailment of a train on the Hurstbridge line last November. Nicholas Archer, 27, an equipment assistance manager at Metro Rail, has been charged with more than 25 offences - including setting his local CFA fire station alight - after he was arrested on Saturday at his house in Waterford Park, east of Kilmore. Mr Archer is accused of lighting fires in the Newport fire museum, Newport steam rail club warehouse, Clonbinane CFA fire station and the Tottenham railway station as well as lighting several grass fires, a bushfire and most recently a tyre fire in a Brooklyn business on Friday night. The long string of charges relate to one alleged incident in 2009 and 24 alleged incidents since March last year in the western suburbs and in rural areas. A man has gone on a 40-minute crime spree, stealing multiple cars, threatening to kill a woman and her young children and also causing several crashes in Melbourne's CBD. The chaos started at 7pm on Sunday, when a 39-year-old man tried to steal two cars at the intersection of Williams and Collins streets. His first two attempts failed, but he was successful in stealing a Toyota Echo. He sped off down Flinders Street, before crashing into a taxi outside Federation Square. He drove on the wrong side of the road, mounted tram tracks and then hit a Ford Ranger at the intersection of Russell and Flinders streets, before leaving the CBD. If Bill Heffernan had said "f***, that's risky shit" on the street, the Liberal senator for NSW could have found himself among thousands of Australians whose swearing made them criminals. Instead, he said it safely in Parliament House last week, although it is wiped from Hansard as if it didn't happen, his pointed view of cross-runway landings saved for posterity only by well-timed Buzzfeed Vine. Bill Heffernan, Liberal senator for NSW, Credit:Andrew Meares Heffernan should be able to swear on the potentially catastrophic use of an airport, or on any other topic, without risking criminal sanction or relying on parliamentary privilege to avoid it. It may not make his argument more compelling, but the state shouldnt ban his choice of language. Dropping four-letter words in public should not allow NSW Police to give anyone a $500 on-the-spot fine. It should not allow a prudish constable to force you to court, where you risk up to 100 hours of community service for breaching the Summary Offences Act prohibition on using offensive language near, or within hearing from, a public place or school. You risk a lower instant fine for doing worse things, like shoplifting ($300) or entering someone elses car ($250), or blocking traffic ($200). It may not be apparent yet, but the most important and enduring legacy of President Barack Obama's two terms in the White House may prove to be the Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan gives teeth to the United States' promise of compliance with globally agreed temperature targets, set two months ago at the UN climate change talks in Paris. The plan hinges on having the US Environmental Protection Agency require states to curb coal-fired power stations' carbon-dioxide emissions. But it is on ice following an unexpected order of the US Supreme Court last week. The court has, for now, barred the EPA from implementing the new rule pending legal challenges in lower courts. It is a big setback. Reducing emissions from dirty power stations is an eminently sensible proposal, and you might imagine state governments would not need any prompting to pursue their own emissions reductions. While the targets imply deep cuts for most states, the plan is flexible in so far as it allows states to pursue what the EPA calls their own "glide path" for reducing emissions; their own strategies and timetables. But 29 conservative-leaning states and a slew of coal-mining companies, energy providers and industry groups have launched legal challenges against the EPA, saying the President has exceeded his authority. Getting their appeals through the courts could take more than a year, by which time there will be a new president and some changes in Congress and that could lead to a new administration dumping the entire plan. All this highlights just how difficult it can be in practice to get feel-good global promises on climate change translated into action. While plenty of people are thinking globally in the hope of mitigating climate change, their work too often is thwarted by domestic politics, denialists, sceptics and industries that all refuse to act locally. Golden era returns for the Nats I'm extremely pleased with the ascension of Barnaby Joyce to the leadership of the National Party. After several decades of competent, yet ineffectual leadership, having someone at the helm who understands how the media works and is able to get a point across may usher in a new golden age for the party, unseen since the times of "Black Jack" McEwen and Doug Anthony. Cameron Gosley, Cheltenham Why the double standard? What a contrast. The newly elected leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, has immediately claimed an additional cabinet position as a "simple fact of numbers". The National Party is "entitled" to an extra place in cabinet due to the application of a simple numerical formula. But what happens when the issue of increased female participation in cabinet, or preselection for safe seats in Parliament, is raised? It is no longer a question of numbers or percentages; positions must be earned on merit alone. Either the Nationals should have to earn their places in cabinet on merit, or women should be "entitled" to a prescribed number of positions in Parliament and cabinet according to a simple numerical formula. They can't have it both ways. Jo Vandermark, Larrakeyah, NT Get serious on diversity If the Liberals are serious about diversity in the party and real reform, I hope they consider a moderate and decent candidate for Goldstein. The toxicity of Tony Abbott wasn't popular in Victoria and thus was a failed ideological experiment. Far-right-wing politics have no place in Australia's most liveable and multicultural city. Pamela Papadopoulos, South Yarra Lobby league of its own The real story about the Paul Marks and those Rolex watches is that for a brief moment we have observed a small part of the secret, very lucrative, insidious and all-pervading business lobby industry. This isn't your free corporate-box tickets to the AFL/NFL grand finals or opening night gala in exchange for sharing business cards and a commitment to catch up later. It is leagues from there. And unfortunately it seems this government is so dependent on the allied patronage that it will jump hoops when the calls come. David Anderson, Geelong West Recalculate tax talk Why does tax discussion inevitably become a discourse about reducing income tax and corporate tax? The tax debate should be much more than this. It should focus on what type of society we want and what services we expect government to deliver. The Australian government is among the lowest spenders in the OECD, in terms of expenditure as a percentage of GDP and the expenditure that we might define as "social spending". The longest period of sustained economic growth in Europe and the US was the postwar period up to the oil shocks in the 1970s, a period of much higher and more progressive tax rates. The revenue problems today are the result of tax giveaways to high-end earners by successive governments. This needs to be reversed with more progressive tax rates at the top end, loopholes closed, inheritance taxes introduced for the top 1per cent of wealth holders and a lot more. Perhaps we could then start delivering decent education, free childcare and a host of other services that would improve workforce participation and efficiency. John Turner, Inverloch Workers divided I wish Wade Noonan the very best as he recovers from a stress-related illness ("Traumatised police minister Noonan steps down", 9/2). In all likelihood, he will be able to return to his position of responsibility and authority and maintain his high standing in the community as well as retain his career, earnings and future prospects. Many others are not so lucky. With an increasingly casualised workforce, affecting largely women in insecure jobs such as retail, the possibility of taking leave to treat a stress-related illness is exactly zero. With no leave entitlements, these casual workers would forgo all income in the event of absence due to ill-health. And if a crisis cannot be averted, and they take a break even for a short period, their chances of getting shifts at work again are minimal. There are other casuals who don't have health issues ready to step in. While it is terrific that many people can take curative leave with support from colleagues, employers and the broader community, many workers are suffering in silence and forging on because they have no choice. As casual jobs become more prevalent, the divide between their working conditions and the rest of the workforce grows ever wider. Pauline Hopkins, Beaconsfield An inclusive journey Newly appointed Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins plans to consult women from "all walks of life" ("Gender discrimination more than 'sexist jokes"', 12/2). Surely the commissioner's role applies to us all and I encourage her to consult more widely, regardless of sex. We need to get rid of all discrimination, but this needs to be an inclusive journey, uniting us all. Defining an issue primarily from a gender perspective can be divisive. I want everyone to be paid equal rates of pay for equivalent work; I want everyone to have superannuation laws that permit everyone with a broken employment record to have adequate super; we all should have economic independence; I want everyone to have equal access to all available services, etc. These are universal rights and I urge the commissioner to treat them as such. Des Bleakley, Vermont South Frontline of drought Thank you, Mayeta Clark, for powerfully revealing the human face of the drought in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, Australia's nearest neighbour ("PNG's food bowl empties as drought hits 2million", 13/2). It is so sad to read about people in this usually fertile and productive region having to rely on unripe bananas and weevil-ridden sweet potatoes for their food. And with the PNG government "keen to control the response to this unfolding disaster without outside help", it is all the more important to tell the stories. Sadly, climate change means such droughts will happen more regularly. I hope the federal government will find ways for Australia to help. Josh Meadows, Castlemaine Function to fulfil Neil Chirgwin (Letters, 12/2) is being a bit unfair on CSIRO chief Larry Marshall. CSIRO's redirection doesn't mean all climate research in Australia will stop. Remember the meaning of the "I" in CSIRO and the purpose of the organisation (Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation)? CSIRO is just fulfilling its true purpose by transferring some of its limited resources to projects that will help industry with mitigation strategies. Ian Davis, Bella Vista, NSW Transparency first We must separate the appalling conditions and the secrecy surrounding the Nauru and Manus Island detention centres from the issue of onshore and offshore detention. Many Australians are uncomfortable with uncontrolled "boat" arrivals, but would be shocked if they knew the true conditions in the centres, set up in our name. These issues can be addressed immediately; immigration policy is more complex. We must fight first for transparency. It was easy to get access to the Woomera and Port Hedland centres. Why should the offshore centres be any different? It is hard to know who is responsible for what in Nauru and Manus. Who signs the contracts? Who has control? Who checks the backgrounds of the local workers employed there? Why does it cost a fortune to get a visa? Why can't journalists have easy access? Why do nurses, teachers, doctors, etc have to sign confidentiality agreements? Mary Jo Kelly, Footscray Decency at last How refreshing to hear a leading politician, our Premier Dan Andrews, speak so honestly, comparing refugee children to his own and, would you believe, seeing no difference ("It wasn't a political stunt, it was a moment of clarity", Comment, 12/2). The family men and women comprising the federal leadership responsible for this continuing national disgrace are careful not to go beyond glib "motherhood" statements, such as piously declaring they care about all children. But, of course, it's their own politics that comes first, not children. Well done, Dan Andrews, for being a decent person first. Chris Brennan, Gladsdale Lifestyle proselytising Letters (13/2) about the Safe Schools Coalition manual All of Us seemed to have missed the point that social conservatives are in rightful consternation about. When Victoria recently legislated the teaching of special religious instruction out of regular lesson times, there was an accompanying mantra that proselytising also had no place. Yet, this is precisely what is occurring with LGBTI sexual lifestyle choices being presented to malleable minds as inevitable genetic occurrences. It is a given that schools should teach and uphold respect and tolerance; yet, this message is being delivered via a boutique cultural carriage, which seeks to essentially deny the biological facts of birth certificates and sex chromosomes, in exchange for a confusing gender-bending vocabulary. I accept that it may sound alarmist, but this is simply a case of state-sanctioned social engineering. Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn Back to square one I went to renew the old passport at the passport office. All downloaded and only photo, signature and date to apply. Signed in front of the passport officer. "Oh no, sir, some of your signature is below the box." Well, I happen to have a north-south signature, as I'm sure a fair percentage of the population does. Upshot is, if the signature is outside the rectangle, you can't get a new passport. And I can't yet; have to go away, practice the signature and do it again. To qualify, I have to falsify my signature, or make it so small one would need a magnifying glass to see it. Wonder how that would go overseas if I ended up at the Australian consulate with nothing but my signature and me to prove who I am? Malcolm Turnbull, and all budding rulers, where's the common sense? Clearly not that common. Please have a chat with the passport office and don't worry, squaring up the box is still going to allow folks to think outside it. Denis Ryan (signature upon request), Torquay AND ANOTHER THING ... Federal politics PM, you want to raise more revenue, increase employment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? The all-in-one solution: a carbon tax. Peter Seligman, Brunswick West Any more ministerial misdemeanours and Malcolm will have to find a new barrel. Greg Curtin, Blackburn South Such a truffle shuffle ("PM rejigs cabinet", 13/2). Vivienne Martin, Coburg Barnaby Joyce's "business partnership" with Malcolm Turnbull epitomises the conservatives' view of government. They are entrusted with an economy, not a society. Shauna Tansey, Berwick I thought they were trying to scrape a few Barnabys off the hull. Jeff Taylor, Carlton North Housing Smug inner-city residents espouse the joys of living close to everything. Until they realise it actually means living near EVERYTHING. Jen Morris, Bulleen Our population is ticking over 24million. Feels like they're all living in my suburb. Graham Smith, Cheltenham Language I see we no longer win something; we "ace" it. Where did that come from? Geoff Schmidt, Fitzroy North I'm another pedant. Dr Who should really be Dr Whom. Pamela Pilgrim, Highett The universe Now that gravitational waves have been discovered ("A century later, and Albert Einstein is proved right again", 12/2), will they join with the likes of leaves on rail tracks and hot weather to explain the problems with our rail network? Tony O'Brien, South Melbourne Where are the sceptics and deniers who believe that these gravity wave things are crap? Henry Herzog, St Kilda East Can you surf gravitational waves? The murder of a British pilot, Roger Gower, shot down by elephant poachers near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania on January 28, highlighted the scale of the threat posed by armed crews of poachers. Tanzania's elephant population has crashed from 109,000 to 40,000 in the past seven years. The threat to the African rhinoceros is even more dire. Between 2007 and 2013, the poaching of rhinos in southern Africa grew by 7000 per cent, from 13 animals killed in 2007 to 1004 in 2013. These numbers are understated, because not all carcasses are found in the wild. We are used to seeing population growth and economic growth described as progress, but progress is on a monstrous and pointless collision course with nature in Africa. The massacre of rhinos and elephants is reaching an industrial scale, apart from the enduring problem of encroachment by human activity. In South Africa alone, more than 4000 rhino have been poached since 2010. At this rate, the southern white rhino population faces extinction in the wild in about 10 years. The new firm: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Credit:Andrew Meares Thinking ahead will be important for Joyce. His remarks seemingly in support of Stuart Robert exhibited neither insight nor forethought, let alone nuance or finesse. He can't afford to be seen to lack those skills. Only time will tell. Turnbull now has a fresh bunch of newly promoted people who will be grateful for the chance they have been given. One might expect they'd be fiercely loyal to boot. It will mean an enthusiastic start to the year. A good lead-in to Turnbull's and Scott Morrison's first budget. The new Nationals: Barnaby Joyce and deputy leader Fiona Nash. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Speaking of which, the PM said everything would be looked at. Good. No rush. Actually I find the PM's refusal to play the daily "here I am at the centre of the universe" game quite refreshing. I don't want an announcement a day, I want good government. Pressing problems are not solved by daily announcements. Equally, a PM pretending to be one of the boys as Kevin Rudd was wont to do is a bit ridiculous or one wanting to be action man eating onions, like Tony Abbott is disconcerting. Thank heavens Turnbull appears to simply want to do the job. The old guard: Tony Abbott flanked by Warren Truss and Andrew Robb. Credit:Andrew Meares Some foolish people are out there trying to tag Turnbull as the 'do nothing PM' all silver tongue and no shovel. Well, I might start collecting those articles so as to be able to send appropriate notes to the authors in due course. Some foolish people are out there trying to tag Turnbull as the "do nothing PM" all silver tongue and no shovel. Well, I might start collecting those articles so as to be able to send appropriate notes to the authors in due course. We say we want good government, where all options are considered. We say we don't want the narrow-minded, short-term fix. I for one am delighted to not be assaulted everyday with all that stuff. Delighted and relieved. When decisions and announcements are made we will all get our chance to decide whether the worker bees have done a good job. I will do so with gratitude that they haven't been buzzing in my ear throughout the process. Stuart Robert: "hardly any of us knew anything about him". Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Turnbull may understand more than a number of his predecessors. Australians grumble at going to the polls; many of us just want the pollies to get on with the job and then front up in three years when we decide if they've done a good job. Not everybody wants in-your-face politics every day. I think there is a palpable sense of relief that all that flim flam, look-at-me stuff is off the agenda. The May budget will be a good sign of just how much work has been going on behind the scenes. We will see just how much shovelling the PM is up to. Increasing the GST seems to be off the agenda. Personally I think that's a mistake, but for different reasons than the premiers who are so keen on it. They want the Commonwealth to "sell" an increased tax to the people while they just sit back and clip the ticket so they can continue to spend. If the states want more money there is another way to do it. Simply let them nominate a rate of personal income tax. The Commonwealth would be the collector but the states would have to sell to their constituents why they need to get the extra dollars. They would have to defend their decision to take more money. Making the premiers more responsible to us, the people, would be a good thing. Short version of incredibly long story is that the Coalition, Greens and independent senator Nick Xenophon have reportedly agreed to bring in above-the-line preferencing for the upper house ballot paper , thereby removing the influence of "preference whisperers" that cut the deals to get microparties and independent senators over the line despite a tiny direct vote. Speaking of bold ideas that are likely to cause a good deal of public swearing, something very, very important came up on Friday that is going to have major effect on Australian politics. These federal petals are currently being secretly delivered to the baths of each of the new ministers: a love gift from a grateful nation. Happy Valentine's Day, friends and lovers, and V from the S hopes all readers are feeling well-loved: especially the guy who tried to buy his better half an entire case of Kinder Surprises at Coles Broadway yesterday only to be rebuffed and stalk away angrily cursing them for thwarting his scheme of chocolatey romance. That was most obvious in the case of Ricky Muir, who received a record-setting 0.51 per cent of the vote yet accumulated enough preferences to end up in the Senate. Where, it should be noted, he's done an unexpectedly excellent job of taking his responsibilities seriously - which, as MPs like the often absent Clive Palmer and ex-Nationals leader Warren "sleepytime" Truss have proved, is hardly a guarantee. There are all sorts of reasons why this is important - in order to avoid making this column all about the complicated details, there's a special extended rant on this subject at m'blog - but the takeaway is that the changes will pretty much guarantee that independents and microparties never darken the door of the Senate again. Why fix what ain't not-broke? The Coalition likes the idea because it will definitely get more upper house seats. Labor will also get more seats under this scheme, but is not in favour since the Coalition will get a small but significant advantage. Xenophon likes the idea because he already gets the largest direct vote in SA and such a change would be certain to put more of his Nick Xenophon Team members in Parliament. And the Greens would probably lose seats under the plan, but would be far more likely to control the balance of power in their own right. It was to set the tone for 30 years to come. At the launch of the first Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1987, the guest of honour was British comedy titan Peter Cook, then in failing health and reportedly three sheets to the wind for the festival's duration. By his side was none other than our own Sir Les Patterson, the besuited, tooth-stained, interminably uncouth creation of Barry Humphries. In front of a room full of press, Cook dropped the F-bomb, then Patterson dropped his trousers. "His celebration of bodily functions went to unprecedented lengths when he was asked by festival organisers to leave a celebrity imprint in a bowl of wet cement," wrote The Age's "chief comical correspondent" Martin Flanagan. And with that, the festival was born. Sir Les Patterson and Peter Cook front the first Melbourne International Comedy Festival launch in 1987. Credit:Peter Milne Forty local and international acts donated their talents free of charge to the debut event, made possible by a $170,000 gift from the state government. Yeti skirts and grandma's curtains stole the limelight on the red carpet in London for the British Academy Film Awards where stars braved a chilly four degree evening. While Irish emigrant saga Brooklyn has been named best British picture, our Cate Blanchett looked every inch the regal "goddess", according to style commentators, wearing a colourful sequin and feather trimmed Alexander McQueen gown. Some onlookers were left confused by her "yeti" skirt, yet texture was the major trend of the red carpet, which featured more sequins than Studio 54 and more leather than a bikie convention. Ex Machina's Alicia Vikander turned heads in a leather Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2016 dress as Brooklyn star Saoirse Ronan chose muted sparkles for her bespoke Burberry gown. A decision on whether explosive phone taps involving crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen are made public could be taken as early as Monday amid moves by Labor members of a parliamentary committee to push for their release. The secret recording by the Australian Crime Commission captures Ms Cunneen telling a tow truck driver she had sent a message to her son's girlfriend, who had been drinking alcohol, "to start having chest pains" after a car accident to delay a breath test. It also reveals Ms Cunneen expressed the hope that the delay would mean an ambulance would be called and the woman, Sophia Tilley, would record a blood alcohol reading of zero once tested. The recording prompted the Independent Commission Against Corruption to launch an investigation later abandoned into whether Ms Cunneen had tried to pervert the course of justice. A proposal to lay a 33,000-volt cable through Chatswood to power Sydney's $8.3 billion metro rail link to the northwest has sparked the ire of residents and the local council who fear major disruptions from the work. Transport for NSW identified six options for a power link before preferring one to lay 5.2 kilometres of underground cable between substations at Artarmon and Chatswood. Two independent power supplies are needed at either end of the new northwest rail line to ensure the system cannot be crippled by a single fault. However, Willoughby City Council has raised concerns about the preferred option for the cable because it will disrupt more residents than the other options, such as one located entirely within the nearby rail corridor. Luke Foley has made education the centrepiece of his first state conference speech as NSW Labor leader, vowing to fix the soaring cost of preschool to make it "affordable and accessible" for every four year old in NSW. Mr Foley has also promised that every primary school child would learn a second language under a Labor government. On Sunday morning, Mr Foley entered Sydney Town Hall to a rousing reception from party members. He thanked party members and unions who campaigned for Labor at the 2015 state election and attacked Premier Mike Baird for advocating an increase in the GST from 10 to 15 per cent and cutting TAFE funding. The state government's plans to redevelop Sydney's Fish Markets and waterfront areas of Glebe and Rozelle are starting to kick in the gear and that may mean kicking out people who have long worked the harbour. The Pyrmont Heritage Boat Club only months ago won a $25,000 government grant to sustain its work with the community, where it runs programs for at-risk youth and the unemployed. But the club now faces an uncertain future amid the redevelopment scheme known as the "Bays Precinct". Orion Alderton at the Pyrmont Heritage Boating Club, which may have to move to make way for the Bay Precinct Property Development, in Pyrmont, Sydney. Credit:Janie Barrett The club, which restores old vessels, was issued with an eviction notice by Roads and Maritime Services days after receiving its latest government grant in December. Under the terms of that notice, the club was to be evicted this month to allow RMS to hand a section of the waterfront underneath Anzac Bridge at Pyrmont to government developer UrbanGrowth NSW. Two billion-dollar tech companies have teamed up with several smaller technology groups to help thousands of Syrian refugees who will arrive in Australia later this year. Employees from search giant Google, successful Australian start-up Atlassian and fellow tech players Palantir, Optiver, Salesforce, Ansarada and Industrie IT gathered in Sydney on Thursday and Friday for a 24-hour 'hack-a-thon' to find solutions to common problems that newly arrived refugees face. The problem-solving session focused on a humanitarian intake of 12,000 Syrian refugees, the bulk of whom are expected to arrive in Australia some time this year. As many as 7000 will settle in NSW, with many expected in Liverpool and western Sydney. With the help of Settlement Services International (SSI), a non-profit agency that is the first point of contact for about 3000 refugees that arrive in greater Sydney each year, 15 small teams of workers from each company were told of the challenges of fleeing to a new country. The baby girl is believed to be well enough to be released, however, doctors on Friday issued a statement saying they refuse to let her go if she is to return to Nauru, citing concerns for her welfare in detention on the Pacific island. The 12-month-old, Darwin-born daughter of Nepalese asylum seekers was flown to the Brisbane hospital for treatment to accidental burns she received while learning to walk in a detention centre on Nauru last week. But while both Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Cameron Dick publicly declared the doctors had their "strong support" on Sunday, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the physicians should follow "the law of the land" and release baby Asha, if she is well enough. Queensland opposition leader Lawrence Springborg has said on Sunday that baby Asha should be discharged. Credit:Kim Stephens "We always should principally take the advices of clinicians about the status of patients, there is no argument about that but once a patient is right to be discharged, they should be discharged for and cared for in accordance with Australian and international law," he said. "We always should take advice of clinicians with regards to the suitability of a patient for discharge, regardless of whether they are an infant, a child or an adult, but of course once the person is right to be discharged, they should be treated in accordance with the law of the land." In expressing her support for the doctors, Ms Palaszczuk denied the act was politically motivated. Cape Grim, the premier site monitoring atmosphere composition in the sourthern hemisphere, will celebrate 40 years of operations next month. Credit:John Woudstra A spokesman for CSIRO said the organisation's role in the advanced stage of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) project was limited to coating the optics. "We have maintained the optical thin film and metrology capability and all the coatings infrastructure," he said. "[California Institute of Technology] which is responsible for [the main] optics are arriving at CSIRO this week to work with us to coat further optics." Dr Walsh, though, said the closure of the Australian Centre for Precision Optics at the Lindfield site and the departure of the senior team indicated the reduced interest in this field from CSIRO. CSIRO staff were involved in optical polishing for the first phase of LIGO, and later coating work for the advanced stage of the project, Dr Walsh said. "Staff of both sides (polishing and coating) have left," he said. Tim Davis, a former scientist with CSIRO who worked with some of the optics team that was made redundant, was also critical of the organisation's response to the gravitational wave breakthrough. "Given that the Precision Optics group has done such wonderful work we should be asking why CSIRO management recently sacked most of the staff, effectively closing down the facility," Dr Davis said, adding that he left the organisation after almost three decades as a physicist and now works in Germany. Fairfax Media also sought comment from Science Minister Christopher Pyne. 'Vandalising' CSIRO Opposition Leader Bill Shorten linked the abandonment of the optics research to the current CSIRO plan to slash another 350 staff, including half those in climate modelling and monitoring. "[Prime Minister] Malcolm Turnbull is happy to use the CSIRO for a photo-op but his cuts are vandalising a great Australian institution," Mr Shorten said, referring to the PM's use of the agency to launch his innovation plan last December. "Australia cannot compete for the jobs of the future and for innovation with the rest of the world when we have a government that is recklessly sacking 350 scientists." The latest cuts, which have prompted international calls for the PM to intervene, also drew the ire of former US Vice President Al Gore. "CSIRO's research has been vital to the world's understanding of how our climate is changing and it has helped to build a foundation on which we can anticipate future change and risk," Mr Gore said in a statement. "[T] he decision to cut this effort from CSIRO should be revisited at the highest levels of the Australian government." Grim funding slashed Separately, an email leaked to Fairfax Media shows the climate monitoring site at Cape Grim on Tasmania's north-west one of three key locations globally talking carbon dioxide readings had had its CSIRO funding cut by more than 80 per cent this financial year. One executive, Alex Wonhas, told a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday CSIRO's funding this financial year for Cape Grim would be $226,246 and the Bureau of Meteorology would chip in $458,500. The installation would not shut down, he said. An email sent on February 8 to Mr Wonhas's office shows previous years' funding was much higher, including $1.5 million the year before. "Cape Grim is an important project through which CSIRO delivers international impact by the ongoing monitoring of greenhouse gases," a spokesman said on Sunday. "Funding is negotiated annually with the BoM depending on research activity, priorities and needs." It's understood, though, that the $226,246 figure is only intended for maintenance of the site. The laboratory in Victoria that analyses the gas for its changing components is not currently funded, and will come under severe pressure given the current plan to cut staff. Foodies will rejoice at news celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal will return to Melbourne in March with four pop-up restaurants. The "Hidden Heston" restaurants will pop up for one night only in separate secret locations across the city, with each offering a "unique dining experience". Heston Blumenthal: roaring success. Credit:Alisa Connan But fans who paid $525 plus drinks for a seat at the two Michelin star Fat Duck restaurant during its short stay last year might choke on their snail porridge and meat fruit, because this time the high-brow menu will be absolutely free of charge. Lucky diners will have to solve clues posted on MasterChef Australia's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to find out where each restaurant is. And independent Queensland Senator Glenn Lazarus is pushing for a national approach to lockout laws in a bid to curb alcohol-fuelled violence. Ten times as many ambulance call-outs are in response to alcohol intoxication as ice. Credit:Arsineh Houspian Tough lockout laws used in Sydney have no place in Melbourne because of the economic and cultural damage it would do to the city, according to the the Victorian government. But Victoria will resist any attempt for a Melbourne lockout after the failed trial of a 2am lockout policy in 2008, and because of the city's vibrant late night economy which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The night time economy in the City of Yarra, which includes popular drinking strips in Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond, has been valued at $665 million a year, employing 3000 people at night. In 2008 the Brumby Labor government abandoned a 2am lockout policy in Melbourne. A KPMG report into Melbourne's lockout found there had been an increase in reports of violence during the trial. State government data shows that the rates of assault in "High Alcohol Hours" Fridays and Saturdays between 8pm and 6am have dropped in the past two years. The rate of assault in this period was 13.3 assaults per 100,000 people in 2012/13 to 11.7 in 2014/15. Two men are wanted over an Australia Day firebombing that targeted the Bandidos clubhouse in Geelong. The hooded men used a power gel and detonator to set fire to the Bayldon Court bikie hangout, police said. Security camera footage of the incident, seized and then released by Victoria Police on Sunday, shows the men running from the building moments before the front door is consumed in a massive fire ball. The explosion caused major damage to the building and a nearby vehicle, but no one was injured. Washington: US President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally Bashar al-Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are meanwhile helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial hub before the conflict. Mexico City: Pope Francis called on Mexico's government on Saturday to fight endemic corruption and drug trafficking and then prayed with thousands before the icon that unites the country the Virgin of Guadalupe. Corruption is deeply ingrained in Mexico, and President Enrique Pena Nieto, his wife and finance minister have all been embroiled in conflict of interest scandals involving homes purchased from government contractors. The Pope also exhorted Mexico's bishops to take a more active stand against the drug trade, which he said "devours like a metastasis". Drug-trafficking gangs have infiltrated police forces across the country and more than 100,000 people have been killed in drug violence over the last decade. Some 26,000 are missing. The United States has urged Turkey and Kurdish forces in Syria to quit firing at each other as reports of fresh violence between the two parties threaten their efforts to counter Islamic State. "We are concerned about the situation north of Aleppo and are working to de-escalate tensions on all sides," a Pentagon statement said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a meeting of local administrators at his palace in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday. Mr Erdogan has ratcheted up his criticism of the United States for not recognising Syrian Kurdish forces as "terrorists", saying Washington's lack of knowledge of the groups operating in the region had led to bloodshed. Credit:AP "We have urged Syrian Kurdish forces affiliated with the YPG not to take advantage of a confused situation by seizing new territory. We have also seen reports of artillery fire from the Turkish side of the border and urged Turkey to cease such fires." The Pentagon noted that the Turkish and Syrian Kurdish forces share an enemy in Islamic State, and urged all parties to abide by agreements made in Munich last week to seek a cessation of hostilities in Syria. Millennials are shifting car ownership preferences TOKYO Feb. 13, 2016; Norihiko Shirouzu writing for Japan Today reported that When Toyota Motor looked to the future at the turn of the millennium and aimed its new, edgy Scion small-car brand at twenty-somethings, it could not have guessed that the model would be dead after just 12 years. In killing off the brand last week, the Japanese company was responding to the changing habits of millennials - those born in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s - who are reshaping the traditional model of car ownership. Surveys we do tell us young buyers are less interested in owning cars, one of those behind the Scion brand told Reuters. They either dont have the financial leeway or theyre substituting car ownership with ride-sharing or car-hailing services like Uber, he said, adding Toyota would redirect its Scion resources to its Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota launched the Scion brand hoping Generation Y-ers would become the grown-up Toyota buyers of tomorrow. It worked, for a while, with the brand selling 173,000 cars in 2006, but sales dropped to just 56,167 last year, prompting the worlds biggest car maker to call time. Some Scions will be re-badged as Toyotas. I dont think my generation hates cars, but the way we look at cars is different now, said Brandon Perez, an 18-year-old construction management major at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. For my parents generation ... buying a car was a big goal. Cars are still important and kids in my age group still want to drive, but were not as auto-centric. Perez also feels young people today are practical and dont mind buying used cars. Cars are so reliable now, and more durable, he said. He thought Scion failed to live up to its billing as an aspirational brand. They were kind of like re-styled Toyotas. They look different, but otherwise the Scion tC, for example, isnt that different from driving a Corolla. Faced with the demographics of a sharing economy and a generation that is - very broadly - still living at home with their parents, juggling debts and marrying later, the auto industry is having to shift gear to respond. Also, technology companies such as Apple, Alphabet and Uber are muscling in to control cars of the future. In the biggest Detroit-Silicon Valley crossover deal to date, General Motors is investing $500 million in Lyft, a privately-owned ride-hailing service in the United States, and plans to develop an on-demand network of self-driving cars. Others are responding, too, to the disruptive waves from technology and tech-savvy millennials, who increasingly want their cars to be as connected as their homes - though Paula Poveda, a 19-year-old student in Tallahassee, Florida, thinks todays connectivity acts against the need to own a car. Were more connected than my parents generation and technology allows us to be in contact with friends constantly. We dont have to go out and see them all the time, she said, adding she doesnt need to own a car, and when she does shell probably buy a used model or get a hand-me-down from her parents. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Toyota and Ford said they will adopt the same SmartDeviceLink (SDL) software to link smartphone apps to car dashboard screens, and invited other automakers to join them. Toyota is also exploring its own ride-sharing business model, designing smaller, easier to maneuver i-Road vehicles, which could be used specifically for city car-sharing services. The marketing chief of one Asian automaker said the changes prompted by ride-hailing and car-sharing services were a major factor in his firms recent move to overhaul its premium brand strategy. As these apps and services gain traction, more households are likely to limit themselves to just one car, said the executive, who didnt want to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media. Day to day, for short commuting and doing errands, they can use Uber or similar services. Those households would more likely buy just one car and spend more money on that car. That would most likely be an upscale car. Thats where our growth is going to come from, he said. A lot of my generation arent so good at saving money, said Daniel Scarpato, a 25-year-old e-commerce worker who recently moved to Beijing from California. The job market for us isnt great, and most young people I know are in debt. Buying a new car is a bit of a luxury. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/02/2016 (2441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. His is the classic immigrant story, he acknowledges. He came from nothing and became something. Roman Drouchkevitch was well on his way to becoming a dentist in his native country when, he, in his early 20s, was whisked from Ukraine with his parents to Canada. They couldnt leave in years previous under Soviet Union rule. He moved to Winnipeg in the early 1990s, where his uncle had settled. He worked in his uncles meat shop six days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. He cut meat, tied sausages and hung them up. He was paid no more than minimum wage, $5 at the time. IAN FROESE | THE CARILLON Dr. Roman Drouchkevitch and his wife Nell are behind Choice Dental Clinic, a new dentistry clinic in Steinbach serving patients in four languages. The thought of trying dentistry crossed his mind but re-training wasnt feasible. It was expensive, and he figured he should get a few years of work behind him first. Thats what he did. Drouchkevitch worked for a few years before venturing into part-time studies in physics. He was good at it, began studying full-time, and figured he would turn physics into a career. But a chance encounter with an old professor from Ukraine guided him to dentistry, a path that led him to opening his first dentistry practice in Steinbach this year. Its been fantastic, said Drouchkevitch, 47. Its a new place so a new place has to be organized in a way that the other office I worked at has been organized. I want to work in a room where I know where everything is. I extend my hand, I can touch what I want with my eyes closed, so Im trying to do the same thing here. Choice Dental Care is located at 175 First Street. A residence once located at the spot was razed last year. In some ways, Drouchkevitch is returning full-circle to his roots preparing meat: he still works a lot. His new Steinbach clinic is open on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, while he continues working in Morden on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The world comes around, he notes. I started with six days and I still work six days. Case in point: on a recent Monday night, after his last patient walked out, this interview was conducted. An hour later he still had administrative work to finish, their daughter to pick up from their babysitter, and then a drive to Winnipeg. Afterwards, they would cook up dinner far closer to 10 p.m. than most would tolerate. He would be awake by 6 a.m. to commute to Morden the next day. It is that commitment to hard work that has brought the Drouchkevitchs to owning their own clinic. Roman was in his late 20s, pursuing a physics degree at the University of Winnipeg, when he came across an old dentistry teacher from Ukraine, now studying in the city. He says, I remember you as a student, recalled Drouchkevitch of the conversation with his former teacher. You can go to any field that you like but you already tried dentistry once, why dont you try it again? And I thought, Well, thats probably a good idea. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a dentistry degree in 2001, and took on stints in dentistry clinics in Dauphin, Ashern, Steinbach and Morden. He married Nell in 2010, who encouraged him to strike out on his own. He was not fond of handling administrative duties beforehand, but now his wife offered to help. It took a couple years until they settled on Steinbach. Their clinic, with Nell as co-owner, opened in January. White and glistening, the complex Choice Dental calls home is state-of-the-art. There is no paper, everything is done electronically. There is a screen in each dental operating room to show patients what work is being done. Drouchkevitch is the lone dentist in the clinic, which may change, along with the number of days the clinic is open, depending on their success. He said they are starting off well. They are hoping to cater to non-English speakers, with services also provided in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish, but they arent being exclusionary. Ill provide service to anybody who walks through, he said. Now what? The Supreme Court vacancy created by Antonin Scalias death blows everything wide open. It givesin theoryPresident Obama a chance to put a third justice on the court, but much more than that, it would be a third appointment that would change the ideological balance of the court. The question many are asking, then, is: What sort of nominee could Obama put forward whom the Republican Senate might approve? But its the wrong question. Or, its a fair question, but its a question with a depressing answer, because the answer is probably: no sort whatsoever. That is to say, its nearly impossible to imagine this Senateand this majority leader, the intensely political Mitch McConnellletting Obama tilt the balance of the court in his last year, an election year. And sure enough, McConnell put out a statement Saturday evening before Scalias body was even cold. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president, he said in a statement. And that would seem to be that. Alas, according to legal scholars I consulted Saturday evening, there is no constitutional imperative requiring the Senate to act according to any timetable. So McConnell can do what he wants. He controls the calendar. But there are two things he doesnt control. He doesnt control public opinion. And he doesnt control the chess moves Obama can make on the other side of the board. It could prove to be a bad public relations error for McConnell to have made this Shermanesque statement at this early juncture. Obama will come out and say: Hey, wait a minute here. I am the president. I was elected to a four-year term, not a three-year term. We have a Constitution. It dictates a process. I plan to follow that process. And presumably, he will. With who? Well get to that. But first, heres another key procedural point to bear in mind. Any Supreme Court nominee needs 60 votes to clear cloture, not just 51. The deal the parties struck on the use of the filibuster a couple of years ago specifically excluded Supreme Court justices, so any nominee will need 60 votes. And that seems like Mission Impossible times 10. Then the political question becomes, with 46 Democrats (including independents Bernie Sanders and Angus King), is there any remote way to get 14 Republicans to sign on to a justice who might vote to overturn Citizens United, restore the Voting Rights Act, support Roe v. Wade, support public-employee unions in the Friedrichs case, and the many other matters on which the conservative majority has in essence been 5-4 for all these years? Fourteen is a big number. The election factors into this. There are some Republican senators from purple or blue states who might be hurt in their re-election bids by balls-to-the-wall obstruction. But there arent 14. There are four. Rob Portman of Ohio, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. So its a big climb. But bear in mindwe are presumably going to see a series of deadlocked 4-4 decisions on a number of contentious issues. Will the American public sit still for that? And bear further in mindthe court may already have decided some of these cases, because theyve heard them, and theyve quite possibly voted on them. What happens after they vote is that they assign an opinion to someone. But theyre decided, so its not impossible that Scalia could reach up from the grave and have a part in deciding, by 5-4, to dismantle public-employee unions. How would that sit with the public? Heres another weird scenario: a recess appointment. The Senate is going to be on Easter recess from March 21 to April 1. What if Obama put somebody in during those 10 days? Theres precedentin 1956, another election year, Dwight Eisenhower made a recess appointment out of William Brennan. He stayed on the court until 1990. OK, now, some names. Deval Patrick has been high on the White Houses list of court nominees before. The former Massachusetts governor is clearly qualified. But lets face itthe simple fact that hes black would increase the opposition to him. I hate to write that sentence, but its true. Thats not because a guy like McConnell is a racist, but the GOP base, which is currently so animated by fears of white decline, would on some level hurt Patricks prospects. Sri Srinivasan is a federal judge on the DC Circuit. Hes a past solicitor general whos argued 25 cases before the Supreme Court, and he was fairly recently confirmed to his current job, in 2013, by 97-0. It might be hard for Republicans to explain how theyre backing away from 97-0. Speaking of the DC Circuit, its headed by Merrick Garland, appointed to the DC Circuit by Bill Clinton. He became the chief judge in 2013. Hes considered a judicial moderate, and back in 2010, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, always a big player in Supreme Court deliberations, said that Garland would be confirmed for the high court on a bipartisan basis, No question. Now lets have some fun. Is there a respected Washington-insider type, a Washington lawyer, who is respected on both sides of the aisle in the way John Roberts was? A Ron Klain type. Klain is a lawyer, and while he does have a political background, his most recent foray into public service involved helping to save hundreds of thousands of lives in West Africa, as the Ebola czar. There are surely others in this category, but my point is that its not a bad category for Obama to think about: A person senators know personally, who has the Washington stamp of approval. And speaking of people senators know personally: What about a senator? Heres a thought for you. Chuck Schumer. I ran this by two Democratic Senate aides, and they said ha habut they didnt say no. Schumer has been in the Senate almost 20 years. Most Republicans respect him. He actually tries to work across the aisle. They all know how smart he is. And hes a lawyer. Harvard Law. Not even Ted Cruz could say with a straight face that he isnt qualified. The NRA would go apeshit. And hes in line to be the next Democratic leader. But that would really box the Republicans in. And a final question: How does this reverberate in the presidential election? Thats a whole other column. But it brings the court to the fore, which is to say that it brings the question of electability to the fore. It makes voters aware of the judicial stakes in November in a very concrete way, and that is something that has only been abstract so far. That would seem to help Hillary Clinton on Democratic side and Marco Rubio on the Republican side. It would seem to hurt Donald Trump, because given his history, Republicans cant be sure that hed even name anti-Roe judges. But it depends on how they play it. This will take skill and nuance on the candidates parts, the kind of skill and nuance that we all fairly use as a criterion of their fitness for office. Hold onto your hats. You think polarization has been bad? It has. But its about to zoom into hyperspace. On Jan. 28, 2016, the Michigan State Senate passed a bill amending a portion of the state penal code dealing with animal cruelty. The bill, from Republican Sen Rick Jones, cracks down on using, selling, or breeding animals for fighting and baiting, but it leaves uncorrected old outdated laws about unnatural sexual acts. According to Michigan law, it is a felony for anyone to commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal. This is language that Sen. Jones did not see fit to strike from the record. The bill doesnt outlaw sodomy, but the truth is that sodomy is already criminalized in Michigan, even if the laws are never enforced. Sodomy lawsthat is, legislation that prohibit anything but vaginal intercourse between heterosexual married couplesare nothing new. Prior to 1962, sodomy was a felony in every state in the union, punishable by imprisonment, and until 2003s Lawrence v. Texas 13 states still had sodomy laws on the books. In many of these states sodomy laws included oral sex as well as anal sex. It was only in 1971, for example, that Alaska decriminalized oral sex between a married heterosexual couple. In other countries, sodomy laws have been explicitly gendered, targeting men rather than women. The Buggery Act of 1533, passed by questionable moral authority Henry VIII, made anal penetration and bestiality crimes punishable by hanging. The law was rather eccentrically applied. Nicholas Udall, the headmaster of Eton College (alma mater of Princes William and Harry) and the first person charged under the law in 1541, for abusing his students, was imprisoned, only to be released and later become head of the equally prestigious Westminster School. Women have historically fared much better than men. Lesbianism has never been a crime in the U.K. Urban legend attributes this to the idea that Queen Victoria simply could not believe that ladies really did such things. That this is a myth doesnt blunt the fact that women have had it better, legally speaking. This was true even in the medieval period: In the eighth century Pope Gregory III proscribed penances of 160 days for lesbian offenses and a year for male same-sex relations. Rare exceptions to this rule, in the U.S., include New Haven Colony, which included same-sex acts between women as part of its sodomy laws in the 1600s, and the prosecution of women for engaging in fellatio and cunnilingus in the 1920s. The implementation of these laws has always favored the wealthy and the white. As William Eskridge shows in his book, Dishonorable Passions, in the 18th century it was immigrants and men of African descent who were vulnerable to accusations and prosecution. In fact the lone capital case of that century involves a slave named Mingo who was executed for forcible buggery. While homophobia looms large here, the intellectual basis for sodomy laws has been that anal sex (whether between men or between a man and a woman) is non-procreative. The impetus for this procreative focus is a religious one based in natural law: The Catholic Churchs opposition to contraception is grounded in the understanding that all sex should be open to life. But non-procreative sex hasnt always been viewed with disdain by religious groups. Some ancient Near Eastern priestesses, sworn to vows of chastity, practiced anal sex as a means of contraception. In Egyptian mythology, its not homosexual anal sex that is the problem but the way it inscribes a certain power dynamic andin an episode of rapeattempts to seize power. Similarly, in Greek and Roman society, the problem wasnt male-male relations, it was assuming a passive (and, thus, subordinate) sexual role out of keeping with ones social status. What sodomy laws in general and the Michigan Penal Code in particular do is draw upon a storied religious tradition that links all unnatural sexual acts together. So relations between consenting male adults are grouped with relations between human beings and animals. Bestiality and homosexuality are natural bedfellows in heteronormative rhetoric. This much is implied in the Book of Leviticus, in which laws stipulating that men who lay with men should be stoned to death are found in close proximity to laws proscribing the death penalty for bestiality. The New Testament stays silent on the question of homosexuality, but early Christians worried about how difficult it is to regulate human sexual conduct. In legislating sex, the author of the apocryphal second-century Epistle of Barnabas strikes upon an ingenious solution. He interprets the prohibitions against eating certain animals in the Hebrew Bible as warnings against the sexual practices that they represent. So hares are seen as representing child molestation, hyenas stand in for adulterers and perverts, and weasels embody oral sex. What this means in practice is that if you have oral sex you might up giving birth through your mouth (like the weasels). The rationale for these associations lies in erroneous zoology. The hyenas, we are told, change sex from male to female every year. This isnt true, of course, but the enlarged clitorides of female hyenas meant that people in the ancient world were often confused about their gender and would see male hyenas give birth. Similarly there was a popular ancient misconception that weasels copulated and gave birth through their mouths, probably based in the fact that weasels carried their young around in their mouths. The message here is clearif you molest children, are a sexual pervert, or engage in oral sex, youre no better than an animal, and risk undergoing the same physical changes that they do. Adding an orifice annually like the hare or giving birth through ones mouth like the weasel is socially awkward. The genius of Barnabass threat is his ability to threaten those he sees as sexual sinners with public exposure. While for the Greeks and the Romans anal sex was rarely problematic, Christian morality soon overran the empire and by the medieval period sodomy was generally regarded as a crime punishable by death. By the 13th century, French law stipulated castration for the first homosexual offense, dismemberment for the second, and burning for the third. In the Quran, liwat (homosexuality) was grouped with the crime of adultery, but by the medieval period Islamic scholars disagreed on the appropriate punishment for those found guilty. Only one of the four schools of thinking advocated for the death penalty on the basis that it was a form of adultery. The method of execution was also debated. Some recommended stoning, others burning, and others still the ISIS-favorite, being thrown headlong from a minaret (followed by stoning). In 1858, during a period of secularization and renewed interest in womens rights, homosexuality was actually decriminalized in the Ottoman Empire. Today, sodomy laws are all but defunct. In 2003, the Supreme Court struck down Texass sodomy laws, and in doing so invalidated similar statutes in 13 other states. Michigans sodomy laws are unenforceable. The good news, then, is that these laws are toothless. Unless you give birth through your mouth, in which case legal trouble will be the least of your worries. I first met Antonin Scalia in the winter of 1977. He had just completed a five-year stint in the Executive Branch serving Presidents Nixon and Ford. With Jimmy Carters election, Nino, as he was known, needed something else to do. He had spent some time earlier as a professor at the University of Virginia Law School, and decided that a return to academia made sense. He applied for a position at the University of Chicago Law School, where I was then a relatively young faculty member. The faculty voted to offer Nino a position, and he joined us that fall. Nino was then 41 and I was 30. Because we both taught Constitutional Law, we became not only colleagues, but friends. We agreed about almost nothing and we argued constantly. I was an ACLU-type who had served as a law clerk to the very liberal Justice William Brennan and who very much admired the achievements of the Warren Court. He was of a rather different frame of mind. But our arguments, though intense, were always respectful and productive. At the personal level, Nino and I both had daughters who were in school together and we both participated regularly in the Law School facultys monthly poker game. Nino was lively, engaging, smart, and funny. He used to make up absurd games for us to play when he was the dealer. He could be quite charming, even though he was wrong about most things legal. After the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, it was inevitable that Nino would return to government in some capacity. Reagan appointed him to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in 1982 and then to the Supreme Court in 1986. As a renowned conservative and constitutional originalist, Scalia was a natural for Reagan. His appointment was part of Reagans quest to remake the Supreme Court. His goal was to shift the courts direction sharply to the right. A central issue driving the Republican Party was abortion. In a memo on Ninos nomination, White House staffer Patrick Buchanan invoked passionately, if ungrammatically, the cruciality of the Supreme Court to the Right-to-Life Movement, a movement that could, Buchanan noted, provide the Republicans with the decisive margins in future elections. Nino was the perfect choice. No one doubted for a moment his views on the issue. Nonetheless, when asked by Sen. Edward Kennedy during his confirmation hearings whether, if confirmed, he expected to vote to overrule Roe v. Wade, Nino deftly responded: Senator, I do not think it would be proper for me to answer that question. He was confirmed by a vote of 98-0. In the first abortion case Nino heard as a member of the Supreme Court, he called for Roe to be overruled. Nino and I stayed in touch over the years, but in 2007 we had a very public falling out. After the court handed down what I regarded as a particularly unprincipled 5-4 decision in a highly controversial abortion case, in which the court upheld a ban on so-called partial birth abortions, I published a rather provocative op-ed noting that all five justices in the majority were Catholic, and suggesting that their religious views might well have overshadowed their constitutional analysis. Frankly, this upset Nino quite a bit and he ranted both privately and publicly about my remarks. After a while, though, we made up, and he thereafter returned to the University of Chicago Law School, where he gave generously of his time through a public lecture, teaching a class, and meeting with students and alumni. Two months ago, after he made some controversial comments from the bench during oral argument in an affirmative action case, I wrote an op-ed defending his questioning. He very graciously emailed me to thank me. That was, sadly, my last personal contact with him. In his 30 years on the Supreme Court, Nino was a passionatesometimes too passionateadvocate for his positions. He was a brilliant analyst, an extraordinary writer, and fervently committed to his views. He won some huge victories for his positions, including a series of 5-4 wins on such profoundly important issues as gun control (unconstitutional), campaign finance reform (unconstitutional), and affirmative action (unconstitutional). But he also had some wrenching losses, most obviously on abortion, sodomy, and same-sex marriage. These were issues that mattered deeply to Nino. As a legal theorist and an originalist, he furiously rejected the argument that the Constitution could properly be understood to protect rights that clearly had not been anticipated by the Framers of the Constitution. He resisted without qualification the notion of a living Constitution, of a Constitution whose meaning could evolve over time. But it went deeper than that. Although he would hate me for saying this, Ninos views on these issues were also colored by his moral understandings and beliefs. And that was one of his failings as a justice. In the end, I suspect Ninos greatest disappointment was that he could never persuade his colleagues to embrace his originalist vision of constitutional law. When he was appointed, he and Robert Bork were the two most visible champions of this theory. Given that 12 of the last 16 justices to join the court were appointed by Republican presidents, I have no doubt that Nino expected his vision to triumph. But it hasnt. With but a few exceptions, even his Republican-appointed colleagues have not embraced his originalist approach to constitutional interpretation. In recent years, Ninos opinions have become increasingly testy and acerbic, even though he still won most of the time. If he could speak to us at this moment, my guess is that he would say, with some annoyance, that when all was said and done his colleagues simply failed to see the light. Though we never much agreed on anything, I liked Nino greatly as a person and as a friend, and I deeply respected his intellect. I may not miss his votes as a justice, but I will miss him. He added sparkle to the court and to the lives of those who knew him. The George Bush Presidential Library Center is sponsoring several programs in February and March. Presidents Day with Ambassador Sichan Siv On Tuesday, we welcome Ambassador Sichan Siv as he recounts his experience with presidential leadership. From 1989 to 1993, Siv served as a White House deputy assistant to President George H.W. Bush. The topic of discussion will include his book, Golden Bones. The event will begin at 7 p.m. For more information and to register, go to bush41.org/events Liberation of Kuwait Symposium On Thursday, Bush School Dean Ryan Crocker, former ambassador and noted expert on the Middle East, will join leading scholars, journalists and diplomats to discuss the events surrounding the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the country's liberation in 1991 and the lessons learned in the 25 years since. The symposium will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Annenberg Conference Center and will include presentations by Bush School students, a panel discussion on the causes and consequences of the Gulf War, and a conversation with Crocker and noted journalist Caryle Murphy. Those wishing to attend may register at http://bush.tamu.edu/kuwait/ or call (979) 862-7974. Battle of 73 Easting: Victory from Chaos Join us on the eve of the 25th anniversary of "The last great tank battle of the 20th Century," as we hear first-hand stories from those who were in the thick of the ground war in Desert Storm in the Battle of 73 Easting. The panel discussion will feature many personnel who were at the battle. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25. For more information and to register, visit bush41.org/events. Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy: On Feb. 23, an Education Policy Workshop is scheduled. Amy Ellen Schwartz, professor of public affairs at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, will discuss how academic success is shaped by what happens to students outside of school, and possible remedies to the negative influences. The lecture will be at the George Bush Presidential Library at 5:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. On March 3, a conversation in public policy with Richard Breeden, 24th chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is scheduled. The lecture and conversation will be at the George Bush Presidential Library at 5:30 p.m., with a reception preceding the event. For more information about Mosbacher events, visit bush.tamu.edu/mosbacher/ or call (979) 845-1927. Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs Seminars: Tuesday, The Mind of an African Strongman, Ambassador Hank Cohen, United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1989 to 1993. Feb. 22, The Collapse: The Accidental Opening of the Berlin Wall, Mary Sarotte, professor, University of California. March 1, Europe's Refugee Crisis, Erik Kirschbaum, Reuters correspondent, Berlin. March 8, NATO's View on Europe, COL(R) Andrew Budd, head of the Defence Capabilities Section, NATO March 8, Fighting 21st Century Disease through Vaccine Diplomacy, Peter Hotez, dean of the Baylor College of Medicine and president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute For more information about Scowcroft events, visit bush.tamu.edu/events. We all have seen the terrible stories of people -- many of them young black men -- killed by our law enforcement officers. Such deaths always are shocking, particularly in this time of cell phone videos that capture the horror. In each instance, we think we know the full story, but most likely we don't. Surely, though, each such event must be investigated fully, fairly and without bias. If law enforcement officers acted with malice or hate, or were wrong or incompetent or poorly trained, they must be held legally accountable. Even law enforcement officers are not above the law. While we mourn those who died at the hands of the police, what about the loss of those who wear the badge? Should we not be as outraged when they are killed? Last week, six law enforcement officers died -- four on Wednesday alone and two on Thursday -- five of them by gunfire and one in an aircraft accident. Another officer was killed by gunfire earlier in the month. And, in January, three officers were killed, two by gunfire and one in an automobile accident. In 2015, 130 law enforcement officers died on the job, including 41 from gunfire. Thirteen of those officers were from Texas. We remember the deputy murdered while filling his squad car simply because he was wearing his uniform. We mourn these officers and we continue to pray for their families. The average age of law officers killed this year is 38, while last year the average age was 40. Many of those killed had been serving and protecting us for close to 20 years or more. Locally, we understand the pain and sadness that comes when a peace officer is killed in the line of duty. Constable Brian Bachmann was gunned down as he was attempting to serve an eviction notice. He was a good guy and a great peace officer. We continue to miss him. Obviously, police officers understand the dangers when they pin on the badge, but that doesn't lessen the grief if they are killed. We can give our law enforcement officers the best training and the best equipment, but we cannot lessen the dangers they face daily, often from something as simple as a traffic stop. Yes, we should be angry when young black men are killed by law enforcement officers -- although we should learn the facts before expressing that anger -- but we should be just as outraged when a law enforcement officer is killed while protecting us and our property. Remember these names: Police Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr., Danville, Ohio, Police Department, Jan. 17, gunfire. Police Officer Douglas Scott Barney II, Greater Salt Lake City Unified Police Department, Jan. 17, gunfire Correctional Officer Adam Conrad, Marion County, Illinois, Sheriff's Office, Jan. 20, automobile accident. Sgt. Jason Goodding, Seaside, Oregon, Police Department, Feb. 5, gunfire. Deputy Sheriff Scott Ballantyne, Tulare County, California, Sheriff's Office, Feb. 10, aircraft accident. Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer, Mesa County, Colorado, Sheriff's Office, Feb. 10, gunfire. Senior Deputy Mark Logsdon, Harford County, Maryland, Sheriff's Office, Feb. 10, gunfire. Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey, Harford County, Maryland, Sheriff's Office, Feb. 10, gunfire. Major Greg "Lem" Barney, Riverdale, Georgia, Police Department, Feb. 11, gunfire. Police Officer Jason Moszer, Fargo, North Dakota, Police Department, Feb. 11, gunfire. God keep them and God bless those they leave behind. They are not really different, except that there is an added dimension of seeing ecological destruction and seeing the very life-support system that makes us survive on this planet being destroyed. That makes me do more than just inquire; it compels me to act and to intervene. I'm a woman, born the daughter of a feminist and the granddaughter of a feminist grandfather. I don't think I could have avoided working on women's issues. I don't do it as a career or profession; it's my very essence as a human being. When I find too many puzzles about the way explanations are given about why there is inequality - why people who work the hardest in the world end up being the poorest - I can't just sit back and not try to understand why the gaps between people are increasing, or why there are so many homeless and hungry people in the world. To me, all these issues - of justice, of ecology, of a scientific inquiry into nature through physics - come from the same source. In a sense, I haven't really moved; I've travelled the same road. Isn't it somewhat unusual for an Indian woman to be interested in physics and to pursue a doctorate in the field? I was unusual. In fact, I still can't figure out what inspired me to do physics. But since I was nine or ten years old, I wanted to be like Einstein. He was my hero. I knew no physicists. I knew no scientists. I had nobody around me. And I went to a convent that didn't even have higher mathematics and physics. I taught myself these subjects in order to get into university. But given that I was interested in physics, I think it was easier for me to do physics in India. I think the structures of exclusion are more systematically built up in American society, for example, so that young girls interested in science eventually lose their confidence over time. The structures of exclusion work against them. We have other structures of exclusion in India, but not around modern scientific knowledge. So, if you can make it, nobody stops you because nobody defines it as something women shouldn't be doing. In a way, there are more mathematicians, more doctors, more scientists in India than there are in this country. We even had a woman head of state, and that's something the United States has yet to catch up with. That's right. So, after getting your master's degree in physics, you went on to earn a doctorate in the philosophy of science. Yes. I started out in nuclear physics. But after I became more sensitized to the environmental and health implications of the nuclear system - I was being trained to be the first women in the fast-breeder reactor in India (and was in it when it first went critical) - I didn't feel comfortable with it. So I went into theoretical physics. I did my masters in elementary particles. But the foundations of elementary particles is quantum theory and there were too many conceptual problems around quantum theory that I couldn't live with. So I decided I was going to work on the foundations of quantum theory. That's what I did my PhD on. The only place it was offered as a program was at the University of Western Ontario. The university collected mathematicians, physicists, philosophers, logicians from across the world. So I was part of this amazing department at its most exciting peak, in what were probably the five or six most glorious years in the foundations of quantum theory work. I didn't leave physics because of boredom. I left it because other issues compelled me in a bigger way. And I always say to myself, "When I'm 60, I'd like to go back to what I interrupted." What were some of the hot issues that compelled you in those early days? The first issue that compelled me was a very strange split between India being highly development scientifically (we were the third biggest scientific manpower in the world then) and yet at the same time struggling with amazing poverty. The linear equation that says that modern science equals progress and the reduction of poverty did not apply to India. It wasn't working. Something was wrong. So understanding the social context of science and technology started to become one of my imperatives. The other issue was the disappearance of the Himalayan forest where I had grown up. There was a movement blossoming called the Chipko movement. Peasant women were coming out and embracing trees to prevent logging. My father had been a forester and I had grown up on those hills. I had seen forests and streams disappear. I jumped into this movement and started to work with the peasant women. I learned from them about what forests mean for a rural woman in India in terms of firewood and fodder and medicinal plants and rich knowledge. My father who was a scientifically trained forester knew something about the forest. But it became clear to me that these women knew much more about the local diversity than any trained forester could. They knew about every nook and corner of their local ecosystem. So I learned from them, and I worked for them, writing their reports and counter-reports. That's what made me leave university teaching and start an institute called the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Active Resource Policy. It's a very big name for a very humble objective - to put research at the service not just of the rich and powerful in society, or of government and the private sector, but also of grassroots movements. I saw brilliant ideas coming out of the movement that needed better articulation, that needed elaboration and systematic analysis. I just followed that and it's been very exciting. You've said that the most critical issue confronting the world today is a dual one: the need for ecological sustainability, on the one hand, and social justice on the other. Many people, especially here in the United States, see these issues as separate and unrelated. But for you they are inextricably linked. Yes, for me the two are very closely linked, in part because my view of ecology comes from the margins of Indian society, from the agricultural producers who make up 70 percent of India - people who are dependent on natural resources, on biodiversity, on the land, the forests, the water. Nature is their means of production. So for them ecological destruction is a form of injustice. When the forest is destroyed, when the river is dammed, when the biodiversity is stolen, when fields are waterlogged or turned saline because of economic activities, it is a question of survival for these people. So our environmental movements have been justice movements. I think the reason it doesn't appear that way in the North American setting has a lot to do with the history of this country. The occupation of America (and Columbus's arrival quite clearly was an occupation, no one can deny that) meant that the entire history of the Native Americans was rendered invisible. The land could only be occupied if it was first defined as empty. So it was defined as a wilderness, even though it had been used by native people for millennia. So historically nature has been defined as wilderness. Later, when the wilderness movement emerged, it emerged separate from the issue of social inequality and the economic problems of survival. It was a preservationist ecology movement created by an occupying culture. Clearly, a wilderness movement started by Native Americans would not have had the same roots. So today the environmental movement has become opposed to issues of justice. You can see this in the way issues are framed. It's a permanent replay of jobs-versus-the-environment, in nature-versus-bread. These are extremely artificial dichotomies. I think we have reached a stage now where we need to find solutions to economic injustice in the same place and in the same ways that we find solutions to sustainability. Sustainability on environmental grounds and justice in terms of everyone having a place in the production and consumption system - these are two aspects of the same issue. They have been artificially separated and have to be put back again in the Western way of thinking. It's interesting to me that even though you were trained as a scientist and schooled in a distinctly Western intellectual tradition, you represent a very different worldview. Well, my training in science is actually one that is very critical of mechanistic science. I was trained in quantum theory which emerged at the turn of the last century. We are a whole century behind in absorbing the leaps that quantum theory made for the human mind. For example, the idea that objects have properties out there in fixed ways is an incorrect idea about the world. Properties are created through relationships and processes. They are not inherent in electrons or photons or quanta any more than they are inherent in soil or trees or people. So my critique of reductionistic science is a critique that I have inherited from my scientific training. But it has been deepened by my experiences as an ecologist, in seeing the ecological destruction taking place today. My reading of this, basically, is that our dominant structures of science have been extremely good at manipulating objects for single functions and for external objectives. So, for example, if you want a cow to be not just a cow but a milk machine, you can do a very good job at that by creating new hormones like the Bovine Growth Hormone. It might make the cow very ill, it might turn it into a drug addict, and it might even create consumer scares about the health and safety aspects of the milk. But we've gotten so used to manipulating objects and organisms and ecosystems for a single objective that we ignore the costs involved. I call this the 'monoculture of the mind'. Seen from a monocultural perspective, manipulating objects is very, very clever. But seen from a multidimensional perspective, from a perspective of diversity, this is extremely crude because what we have lost out on is a cow that serves as a source of sustainable energy. In India, crossbreeding programs aimed at mimicking the milk yields of Western cows like the Jerseys and the Holsteins actually breed out the capacity of our animals to pull ploughs and pulley-cars. So, thanks to cross-breeding programs, we now have humpless cattle with no stamina. If you see cattle as a source of organic manure, animal energy, as well as milk products, then Indian cattle are not inferior. It is only when you measure them as milk machines that they become inferior. What if we measured the dairy cows of America or Jersey or the Swiss Alps in terms of their work functions? They would be terribly inferior. So a single, one-dimensional way of thinking has created a monoculture of the mind. And the monoculture of the mind has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is the root of why we have pitted equity against ecology and sustainability against justice. We've tended to justify these monocultures in the name of growth and human development. When you take the entire system into account, ways of developing more of something in one dimension can actually create scarcities in another. If we say we have to increase production because people need more food, more housing, more meat, or more milk, we can make one thing grow in a certain way. But by doing that we create externalities so that there are scarcities in other related things. So, for example, there are scarcities in drinking water when you pollute the groundwater with nitrates. There is a scarcity in diversity when you create huge cornfields with the same strain of corn so that when one disease strikes - which happened in the United States in the 70s - all the cornfields in the country are wiped out. That was the first time the US realized the value of diversity in agriculture and began to discuss genetic resources and their conservation. The system of technological production that we have today has been justified in terms of creating more goods to feed more people and to meet more needs. But it actually destroys more of the resources that we need in order to meet those multiple needs. If we shift to an ecological perception, a diversity perception, we realize that some of the instruments of which we are very proud are actually extremely primitive for dealing with nature. To me that is the great lesson of ecological awareness at the turn of the millennium. You have spoken out against the patenting of plants and herbs, something the pharmaceutical industry has been pursuing very aggressively in recent years. Yes, it's a phenomenon that started in the United States in which corporations make claims on the life forms, biodiversity and innovations of other cultures by applying for patents on them. For example, pesticides made from the neem tree in India are patented. There is now a patent restricting the use of an herb called philantis neruri for curing jaundice. An even more blatant example is the use of turmeric for healing wounds, which is something every mother and grandmother does in every home in India. Now the Mississippi Medical Center claims to have 'invented' the capacity of turmeric to heal wounds. You describe a dramatic case in which some American researchers travelled to India and basically co-opted time-honoured and widely known folk-remedies for purely commercial purposes. Absolutely. I have called this phenomenon of stealing common knowledge and indigenous science 'biopiracy' and 'intellectual piracy.' According to patent systems we shouldn't be able to patent what exists as 'prior art.' But the United States patent system is somewhat perverted. First of all, it does not treat the prior art of other societies as 'prior art.' Therefore anyone from the United States can travel to another country, find out about the use of a medicinal plant, or find a seed that farmers use, come back here, claim it as an invention or an innovation, take a patent on it, and grab an exclusive right to the use of the products or processes that are linked to that knowledge. Do any other examples come to mind? I've just been told that Nestle has taken out patents on the making of pullao. (Pullao is the way we make our rice in India, with either vegetables or meat or whatever.) Before you know it, every common use of plants will be patented by a Western corporation. To me, this is an absolute outrage. It's worse than slave trade because what is being traded is the very knowledge that makes survival possible for 80 percent of the people of this world. These 80 percent live on the biodiversity and the knowledge they have evolved as part of a rich collective heritage involving the use of seeds for growing crops and medicinal plants for healing. The statement that this kind of piracy is an 'invention' is a bit like the statement that Columbus was the first to 'discover' this country. In fact, this country was 'discovered' over millennia by the Native Americans. The enclosure of the biological and intellectual commons in this way is a real threat to the future of people everywhere because it creates a situation where common practices that have been part of people's lives for generations become monopolies of a handful of pharmaceutical, agribusiness and agrichemical corporations. People then become incapable of looking after their own needs. Every farmer must go to the seed industry every year to buy their seed and pay an 80 percent royalty to a corporation. This is already happening in this country. Over-the-fence exchanges have started to be treated as crimes. Or, if you need a biological pest control, you can no longer use the need seed in your back yard. Instead you have to depend on the Grace Corporation or some other entity. That kind of dependency basically leads to increased poverty and increased ecological destruction. How do you and the women that you work with counter this? We have a multi-levelled program of resistance. The first step is challenging it as a moral and ethical issue - in the same way as slave trade was challenged on the grounds that it's unethical to trade people. You can't pirate knowledge; it's illegitimate, and shouldn't be done. The second step is to develop methods of rejuvenating people's knowledge, of making sure that people regain confidence in their own knowledge so that biodiversity and knowledge is kept in the common domain. The third involves working on legal alternatives. One of the movements we have developed is to say that, just as intellectual property rights protect the inventions of individuals, common rights are needed to protect the common intellectual heritage of indigenous peoples. These are rights that are recognized through the Convention on Biological Diversity. We are working to make sure that they become foundations of our jurisprudence. It's not very easy because every second day we are threatened, as a country, by the United States Foreign Trade Act. It has a clause in it called Special 301 which says that if India or another country doesn't have laws like those in the United States which allow these monopolies to grow, then there will be a trade retaliation. So we have to build movements in the face of trade retaliation on the basis of people's democratic rights, on the basis of an ancient heritage of collective innovation. We work from the grassroots all the way to the national government and the World Trade Organization. It basically means being very multidimensional in our campaigns. And that is where part of the fun is. It involves both resistance and creativity. It involves constructive action, while at the same time saying "no." The emphasis on peaceful non-cooperation has a lot in common with Gandhi's approach to social change ... Well, in fact, when we first started out, we called it the seed satyagraha. As you know, Gandhi had started the independence movement with the salt satyagraha. Satyagraha means 'struggle for truth.' The salt satyagraha was a direct action of non-cooperation. When the British tried to create salt monopolies, he went to the beach in Dindi, picked up the salt and said, "Nature has given us this for free, it was meant to sustain us, we will not allow it to become a monopoly to finance the Imperial Army." We've done exactly the same kinds of actions around biodiversity and seed. Nature has gifted this rich biological diversity to us. We will not allow it to become the monopoly of a handful of corporations. We will keep it as the basis of our wealth and our sustenance. For us, not cooperating in the monopoly regimes of intellectual property rights and patents and biodiversity - saying "no" to patents on life, and developing intellectual ideas of resistance - is very much a continuation of Gandhian satyagraha. It is, for me, keeping life free in its diversity. That is the satyagraha for the next millennium. It is what the ecology movement must engage in, not just in India, but in the United States as well. People who believe in the freedom of ideas must engage in this wherever they are. You quote Gandhi as saying, 'In the resistance is built the creative construction of an alternative.' So putting up resistance is not just an act of saying 'no', I take it. It's also part of a very constructive effort to find a better alternative. Yes. We always draw lessons from the independence movement. Gandhi did not merely say "no" to the imported textile that was destroying our textile industry; he put everyone to work spinning cloth. The spinning wheel became the symbol of Indian independence. So we always say, "if the spinning wheel was the symbol of our first independence, then the seed is the symbol of our second independence." The most urgent ecological issue facing the planet today, by many accounts, is overpopulation. The issue is often framed, particularly here in the West, as a 'third world problem' since the birth-rate is highest in poor countries. What is your perspective? The people who see the population explosion in the Malthusian way - as a geometric progression - forget that population growth is not a biological issue. People are not increasing in numbers out of stupidity and ignorance. Population growth is an ecological phenomenon linked very intimately to other issues, such as the usurpation of the resources which allow people to live. In England, the population explosion can be linked very clearly with the enclosure of the commons that uprooted the peasants from their land. In India, it was the same thing: the population increased at the end of the 18th century when the British took over and Indian lands were colonized. Instead of the land feeding Indian people it started to feed the British Empire. So we had destitution. Destitute people who don't have their own land to feed themselves can only feed themselves by having larger numbers, therefore they multiply. It's the rational response of a dispossessed people. The population explosion is an ecological phenomenon of displacement. Unless we solve that ecological problem of displacing people - to build huge dams, to build motorways, to take away what people need in order to survive - we will keep pumping more and more money into population programs. We will have more and more coercive and violent methods through which women's bodies are treated as experimental grounds for new contraceptives. Yet we will not have a solution to the problem of numbers. How do we address the problem? The problem of numbers can only be dealt with by recognizing that people have a fundamental right to economic security. If you provide them with economic and environmental security, the population will stabilize itself. The example of Kerala shows this very clearly. Kerala is a state in south India in which the trends are the absolute opposite from the rest of the third world and from the rest of India. There are two or three reasons. There is tremendous equality between genders in Kerala. Also, there has been a very strong land reform program in the state so that even the poorest of people own the plot of land on which their hut is built. For example, landless labourers might not own the land on which they do their agricultural work, but they own the land on which they have their hut. That resource-guarantee has tremendous implications for the security of the people. When I was in the capital of Kerala state, I remember some rich people telling me, "You can't get the maids to come every day out here. They have a house and don't need to work every day because if they stay home they won't starve." That is where the population control issue needs to be addressed. Population control is not an issue involving contraceptives for third world women. It is an issue of ecological justice. Do you have any great role models? As I told you earlier, Einstein quite clearly was a big role model. Now there are all kinds of rumours that he played the fool with women and was very nasty with his wife, and maybe if I had known all that, he wouldn't have been such a hero. I do sculpting sometimes when I have the time, and the first thing I sculpted was a bust of Einstein. It still sits on my table and still inspires me. He was a person who triggered my imagination and my ideas. Gandhi is the other person. I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy - not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred. To me, those are the real freedoms on the basis of which good human societies are based. The women of Chipko and people like Sunderlal Bahaguna who have been part of Chipko have also been tremendous role models for me. Having worked for years and years on environmental issues, there are a handful of creative people across the world who constantly inspire in their interactions - which is what makes this kind of work inspiring. It makes it worthwhile to leave home and travel all the way to California, to be with the people in the Forum on International Globalization (Edward Goldsmith, Jerry Mander, and others), people of creativity, integrity, and deep fearlessness. There are plenty of people in the world who inspire me. Are you hopeful as you look toward the future? I'm absolutely confident that things will change. I believe that we will see a lot of destruction, but I believe that if we can see the right patterns and draw the right lessons from that destruction, we might be able to rebuild before it's too late. And then I have that ultimate optimism that even if we can't, life will rebuild itself. In a way, the global economy might collapse, but Gaia won't, and people's ingenuity won't. We will rebuild society, we will rebuild local economies, we will rebuild human aspirations. The kind of global monoculture in which everyone feels as if they have to run faster than they are running to stay in the same place cannot continue. I think we will become disenchanted with the glamour of globalization. Scott London is a California-based journalist, photographer and consultant. He's published widely in newspapers and magazines, and has written, edited, and contributed to many books and other publications. This interview is adapted from the American radio program 'Insight and Outlook'. It originally appeared in this form on Scott's website. It is republished here by kind permission of the author. Also on The Ecologist: Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013. SHARE By Beth Smith of The Gleaner The Kentucky Attorney General's Office says an investigation by its office found no violations in the election process regarding the Henderson County School District's "nickel tax" narrowly approved by local voters on Nov. 3. Residents protesting the tax which would generate funds for renovation and construction projects at Henderson County schools appealed to the Attorney General's Office in December asking for an opinion of the legality of the tax, questioned if a tax could legally be applied "retroactively," and asked for review of the election process itself. Some of those protesting the tax said the increase puts them in a financial bind, while others said residents were victims of tax fraud and asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate, according to documents obtained from the Attorney General's Office through an Open Records request. In a statement issued to The Gleaner, Terry Sebastian, a spokesman for the Kentucky Attorney General's Office said, "The Office of the Attorney General has received an opinion request asking about the legality of the tax. The request is currently under review. We received a request to review the election process on the tax. Our office partnered with the Kentucky State Board of Elections, reviewed the election process and found no violations." According to documents obtained from the AG's office, Henderson residents Dean and Lynda Spooner, two of those who submitted complaints, contend the tax is a ballot violation as voters approved a $.05 tax per each $100 of property valuation, but what was levied was $.058. The Spooners also maintain the school district engaged in illegal politicking by using taxpayer money and resources in the form of the school system's social media venues and marquee signs to promote the tax. The findings of the Kentucky Attorney General's Office at this time are regarding the election process itself. Other portions of the complaint are still under review. "We've referred our findings of the election process to the Kentucky Office of Education Accountability, asking that office to review a specific part of the election process regarding the use of school property to promote the tax," Sebastian said. While Karen Timmel with the Kentucky Office of Education Accountability would neither "confirm or deny if we have a complaint," documents provied after the Open Records request show email correspondence between the Attorney General's Office and the Office of Education Accountability. Assistant Attorney General Aaron Ann Cole sent an email to Timmel on Dec. 14 which said, "We received this letter and exhibits, attached here, from the Rev. Spooner and his wife regarding a potential violation of election law. I spoke with Maryellen Allen at the State Board of Elections and determined there is no election law violation. However, due to the nature of the complaint we wanted to send this to you for your review. Please see the attached, and feel free to contact me regarding the issue." Kimmel responded, also by email, "Thank you Aaron. OEA will review to see if there is anything for our agency." Meanwhile, local tax protesters acknowledge the findings of the Attorney General's Office for the election process itself, but say they there is still an ongoing inquiry into their other complaints. "(Cole's) response of finding no fault with the election aspect complaint only seemed to deal with the election day process and result," Dean Spooner said. "The election itself was sound, as the Henderson County Election Board also stated and certified. The problem is that our county government is showing that the ballot result has no binding authority over their actions, as they are not implementing the new tax as defined by the ballot result." Spooner said the crux of their complaint "is against the illegal confiscation of $.009 per $100 valuation of our personal wealth by Henderson County School Board and their agents." "To date, Henderson County government has carried forward that wrongful tax amount as if it was legitimate despite the complaints and objections of Henderson County citizens," he wrote in a statement. Spooner claimed that since the finding of no election violations, he had been in contact with "two other assistant A.G.'s who seem to comprehend the seriousness of the wrongful implementation of the ballot result." The Gleaner contacted the Attorney General's office, but was unable to confirm the statement. SHARE By Sen. Mitch Mcconnell Like many Kentuckians, I'm concerned about the Zika virus and the growing number of reports of people infected. In a recent meeting with President Obama at the White House, I raised the spread of this virus and what it could mean for Kentucky and the country as we head into warmer weather this spring and summer. Millions of people in Latin America and the Caribbean have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, which is transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. There are several isolated cases of Americans suffering from the virus, most of them due to recent travel to affected areas. Cases have been confirmed in neighboring Indiana and Ohio. Being infected with Zika virus can lead to a fever, a rash, joint pain and other mild symptoms. There is also evidence that pregnant women who have Zika can give birth to children suffering from a birth defect, causing their babies to have unusually small heads and brains. Brazil, the epicenter of the Zika outbreak in the Americas, has seen a surge in babies born with this condition, called microcephaly. Here in the U.S., concern about the Zika virus is growing in our country, and Americans deserve to have a clear understanding of what preparations their government is making to protect them. That's why, as Senate Majority Leader, I recently requested that Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Burwell come to the Senate to give Senators of both parties a briefing on the facts about Zika and how the federal government is readying a response. At the briefing we heard not only from Secretary Burwell, but representatives from the National Institutes for Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well. I pressed them to get a better understanding of the Administration's plans to fight Zika, and where it fits within the HHS department's priorities. The Administration is asking Congress for $1.8 billion in emergency funding, primarily to reduce transmission and create protective measures for pregnant women and their babies. Over the coming weeks, various Congressional committees will hold hearings to evaluate this funding request and learn more about how the Administration would plan to spend these federal dollars. Congress must ensure appropriate steps are being taken to address the threat of Zika, while protecting taxpayer funds. Some of the important work to fight the spread of the Zika virus is happening right here in Kentucky. The world's leading mosquito experts will gather this March in Brazil to share ways to control and manage the type of mosquito known to carry the virus, and a University of Kentucky researcher, Dr. Grayson Brown, is one of the leaders in this international effort. Meanwhile, the University of Louisville Center for Predictive Medicine is hosting a discussion to bring together infectious disease researchers to address the Zika virus. Our state and national public health agencies are working hard to learn more about this virus and prevent its widespread transmission in the United States. And our smartest scientists, doctors and researchers are ardently searching for ways to contain it, treat it, and develop a vaccine for it. While the CDC recommends that women who are pregnant consider postponing travel to the impacted areas, it's important to remember that the mosquito that normally carries the virus is not known to be circulating in our state's mosquito population. So Kentuckians should be sure to stay safe and stay informed. I will continue to make the health and safety of Kentuckians and all Americans a high priority. And I'll work my hardest to protect people, especially children, from communicable disease whether it is Zika or any other threat. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, is the Senate majority leader. SHARE South Carolina, the nation turns its troubled heart to you. And we expect you will rip it apart. In Texas, they say, politics is a contact sport. In South Carolina, it is a savage, gladiatorial spectacle. Case in point: The George W. Bush forces who ran the John McCain Straight Talk Express off the road in South Carolina and then pulverized it. McCain didn't know what hit him. And when a not-insignificant number of New Hampshire voters say they are torn between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders, that is a confused electorate. Historians undoubtedly will say that one reason for the wild 2016 electoral ride was that Americans had lost faith in their institutions and didn't believe government worked for them. A pox on all their houses. Another factor has been the strange pull of celebrity on our psyche. Wealthy celebrities such as the Kardashians and Justin Bieber do outrageous things, but we're still fascinated by them. Trump says ridiculous, profane, stupid, insulting things, and he keeps winning. Possibly the strongest reason for our chaotic political system, in the short term, is that we are more polarized than we have been since the Civil War. Democrats are moving way to the left; Republicans are moving way to the right. The center does not hold. Iowa spoke. New Hampshire nodded. And now, after a brief interlude in Nevada, the South will yell. Are Sanders and Trump the inevitable nominees? Nope. The reason is that we don't elect our government by popular vote; we have an electoral college. Percentages of the popular vote elect delegates who elect nominees both for the primaries and the general election. Super delegates (establishment types) will help Hillary Clinton. Independents will hurt Trump. (And we can never forget that in 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote but not the presidency.) Does that mean Sanders and Trump are finished? Nope. Trump has one-third of Republicans in his pocket, and his supporters are having a great time listening to him spout nonsense. He says so many outrageous things that we forget from week to week his latest assault on civility. Remember when he was saying he could stand on Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and not lose a vote? Remember when he bragged he's got a great gene pool because his uncle taught at MIT? Remember when well, it's too disheartening. Sanders also is having a great time, reminding us inadvertently of how irritatingly insufferable Clinton can be. And what's up with her friends telling us we're going to hell if we don't vote for her and, really, young women voting for Sanders are just interested in stud muffins flocking to the campaign. Really? Sanders? At this stage, it is still a horse race. Oh, no. Chris Christie is faltering. Oops, he's out. Here comes Marco Rubio, riding hard on the inside stretch. Oh no. He stumbled. And there is John Kasich, the long shot, getting everyone's blood pumping. Oh my goodness. Jeb Bush is still flogging his horse, Also Ran, refusing to give up. And what about what's her name, Carly Fiorina, who can't even persuade the boys to let her on the debate stage. Oops, she's gone too. Does anybody know what happened to Ben Carson? After the Nevada Democratic caucuses and the South Carolina GOP primary Feb. 20, the Nevada GOP caucuses Feb. 23, and the South Carolina Democratic primary Feb. 27, we've got Alabama, the Alaskan GOP caucuses, the American Samoa Democratic caucuses, Arkansas, Colorado caucuses, Democrats abroad, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota caucuses, North Dakota GOP caucuses, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wyoming GOP caucuses. ALL ON ONE DAY! Mark March 1 on your calendars for another long night of TV. MSNBC's Brian Williams is salivating. He's baacckk. But the pundits say we might not know who the nominees will be until well into May. We can only hope, what with "The Good Wife" going off the air. Oh yes, friends, we have miles to go before the nominating conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia in July. Miles and miles and miles and miles. Isn't this fun! Be gentle, South Carolina. SHARE It's shameful that the Bevin administration is refusing to defend thousands of Kentuckians who bought small life-insurance policies from being ripped off by insurance companies. Attorney General Andy Beshear should step up and defend the model consumer-protection law unanimously enacted by the General Assembly in 2012. The law, which is being challenged by the St. Louis-based Kemper Corp., requires insurers to use readily available public records to identify and pay beneficiaries after a policy holder dies. (As the Herald-Leader's John Cheves reported, the industry already uses these records to alert itself when it can stop sending annuity payments because a customer has passed away.) Kemper has sold more than 9,000 life insurance policies in Kentucky, mostly burial plans, with an average value of $4,800, by sending its sales force door-to-door in low-income neighborhoods, according to legal briefs in the case. The company claims the legislature intended for the law to apply only to policies sold after the 2012 law took effect. But common sense, common decency, the law's sponsor and a circuit court judge all say that the legislature intended the law to apply to existing policies. Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd upheld the statute, writing that "for insurance companies to attempt to keep the money through willful ignorance of the death of the insured amounts to unjust enrichment at the expense of some of the least privileged citizens in this state." But in 2014 the Court of Appeals ruled that, because the law did not specify that it was retroactive, the industry should remain free to keep other people's money on policies sold before the new law took effect. The three-judge panel said the law unfairly shifted the notification burden from consumers to the industry. The Insurance Department appealed to the Supreme Court, which had scheduled oral arguments for Friday. Both sides have submitted their briefs. The high court obviously thinks the appeal has merit. But on Monday, the Insurance Department, now under the control of a former insurance industry executive, withdrew its defense. The stage is set for the new attorney general to step up and fulfill his consumer protection duties by defending the law which also is endorsed by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators. Surviving beneficiaries often don't know such policies exist or have a difficult time collecting the benefits. The sponsor of the 2012 law, former Rep. Bob Damron of Nicholasville, said that before Kentucky and at least 14 other states began enacting such laws, the life insurance industry was sitting on more than $1 billion in unclaimed benefits some owed to the families of Kentuckians who paid $16 a month to cover the cost of their funerals. For the Bevin administration to abandon those Kentuckians in favor of an insurance company is unconscionable. This editorial was written by the Lexington Herald-Leader. NORWALK -- Senior citizens from around Norwalk showed up to City Hall on Saturday morning to learn about qualifying for tax relief on their property taxes and solar energy options for their homes. "The reason we organized this event is because we knew that there were a lot of senior citizens out there who are eligible for senior tax relief but were just not aware of the program," said Councilman John Kydes, D-District C. Mayor Rilling gave an opening speech and introduced Michael J. Stewart, Norwalk's tax assessor, who educated the senior citizens about the tax relief program. The Mayor's Energy and Environment Task Force, with the help of the common council, worked together to teach the attendees about the benefits of solar energy. About 100 senior citizens were in attendance. "Mayor Rilling stepped up and I am so happy that he allowed the task force to be formed," said Diane Lauricella, founding member of the Mayor's Energy and Environment Task Force. "We are planning to do several events related to this and our point (is) to show how solar energy is not like it was in the 1970s ... so this solar energy challenge will introduce people to the modern technology and will show how people can save tons of energy and money." Lauricella said that there are three different options for getting solar energy: solar power purchase agreement (PPA), getting out a bank loan or a lease (both the loan and the lease are no money down). "We are going to show them that they can really save their family's budget and that even if they have trees on their property, in certain circumstances, there are different mechanisms that will help get more of the solar (energy) gained," said Lauricella. "The technology has improved so much that we're hoping people will choose solar in the inner core of the city and in the woods." Lauricella went on to add that Direct Energy has the marketing agreement with the city of Norwalk, but there are many solar companies that the Connecticut Green Bank has approved. "The public doesn't need to purchase through Direct Energy, but we are giving them a leg up," said Lauricella. "But education is still key. A lot of people think that the 1970s ugly solar (panels) are what its going to look like on their property -- which it's not. It's not just rooftop (solar panels), Direct Energy promised me that they'd tell the public that if they don't want it on their roof, they can do a ground mounted array which allow for trackers that can actually follow the sun to be more efficient." Barb Welch and Kevin Erbe, sales consultants for Direct Energy, were there to answer questions the senior citizen had in regards to solar energy. Their questions mainly had to do with the cost which is a tricky question to answer since each solar energy setup has to be customized to the customer's home. "We are putting solar panels down on Calf Pasture (Beach) as our demonstration project which will be up for Memorial Day," said Councilman Tom Livingston, D-District E. "There is great interest in the program and we have to get the information out there to help the senior citizens learn about (these benefits)." A Red Bank woman has been charged with kicking her boyfriend's dogs during an incident at the Airport Inn on Feb. 4. Juliet Michelle Gaines, 29, is charged with assault and cruelty to animals. At 10:38 p.m., police responded to the hotel on Lee Highway. Adam Coffey said Ms. Gaines was drunk and hit him in the nose with her elbow. He said she then repeatedly tried to strike him with both open hands and closed fists. He said she then kicked his male dog three times in the ribs and his female dog once before leaving. Police said the boyfriend's nose was red from being hit. He did not require medical attention. Officers were called to the hotel earlier because Ms. Gaines was yelling and screaming, it was stated. After police arrived, she said she would calm down and no longer be a problem. Agriculture is the undisputed foundation of Nebraska. The economic engine of our state, Nebraska agriculture represents one in every four jobs and over $23 billion in economic impact. The vitality of our rural communities, the conservation of our natural resources, and the protection of our defining culture as Nebraskans is inextricably linked to the success of the 50,000 Nebraska farm families who provide food, fiber, and fuel for every Nebraskan and millions more globally. Protection of Nebraska agriculture is my highest priority. It is for that reason my legislative priority bill for the 2016 session will be LR378CA, a resolution to establish a constitutional Right to Farm and Ranch in Nebraska. Nebraskas farm and ranch families are producing higher quality crops and meats with greater sustainability and a smaller environmental footprint than ever before. Modern stewardship practices and the use of technology for crop protection and promotion of animal health have enabled family farms and ranches of every size to thrive in a competitive global commodity market. As a national leader in agriculture and natural resources research, the opportunities for Nebraska to be home to new agricultural innovation are limitless. Unfortunately, as fewer and fewer consumers have a direct connection to agriculture and food production, misconceptions about modern agriculture created by activist groups take root. In the social media age, anyone with an anti-agriculture agenda can quickly undermine Nebraskas farm families, even using the guise of pro-farmer or pro-food groups. Activist groups also promote increasingly restrictive legislation and regulation that impairs the right of family farmers and livestock producers to use accepted, safe practices on their farms and ranches. Nebraskas farm families do not have the resources to defend legal challenges in response to suits filed by deep-pocketed, anti-agriculture activist groups. Even incremental adoption of their agenda is crippling to Nebraskas rural communities and to our entire state. With constitutional protection provided by LR378CA, Nebraskas family farmers and ranchers will have certainty as they build their operations and invest in our rural communities. Proposing an amendment to the Nebraska Constitution is no trivial matter. The significance of Nebraska agriculture, economically and culturally, raises it to the level of inclusion in the guiding principles of our state. Doing so clearly codifies the role and significance of agriculture as the foundation and stabilizing force of Nebraska. Placing the protection only in statute, which can be amended, fails to provide adequate protection. The amendment process in the Unicameral will require a super-majority of 30 votes on Final Reading to be placed upon the general election ballot. Then people of Nebraska have the final voice. In the past year Nebraska has seen the disruption that can be caused by anti-animal agriculture extremists targeting producers. Misinformation about the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and animal health practices is rampant on social media. Activist anti-agriculture legislation in California, Ohio, and Rhode Island has been crippling to agriculture not only in those states, but has had far reaching impacts on states nationally due to the interconnected nature of agriculture. The threat is real. The time to proactively protect Nebraska agriculture is now. Constitutional Right to Farm already exists in North Dakota and Missouri, and the Oklahoma legislature has placed the issue before the voters this November. As the national leader in crop and livestock production, Nebraska needs to provide a similar level of protection to our farm families, now and for generations of future farmers and ranchers. WASHINGTON The New Hampshire results have solidified the reigning cliche that the 2016 campaign is an anti-establishment revolt of both the left and the right. Largely overlooked, however, is the role played in setting the national mood by the seven-year legacy of the Obama presidency. Yes, you hear constant denunciations of institutions, parties, leaders, donors, lobbyists, influence peddlers. But the starting point of the bipartisan critique is the social, economic and geopolitical wreckage all around us. Bernie Sanders is careful never to blame Obama directly, but his description of the America Obama leaves behind is devastating a wasteland of stagnant wages, rising inequality, a sinking middle class, young people crushed by debt, the American Dream dying. Take away the Brooklyn accent and the Larry David mannerisms and you would have thought you were listening to a Republican candidate. After all, whos been in charge for the last seven years? Donald Trump is even more colorful in describing the current mess and more direct in attributing it to the countrys leadership most pungently, its stupidity and incompetence. Both candidates are not just anti-establishment but anti-status quo. The revolt is as much about the Obama legacy as it is about institutions. Look at New Hampshire. Hillary Clinton had made a strategic decision, as highlighted in the debates, to wrap herself in the mantle of the Obama presidency. Big mistake. She lost New Hampshire by three touchdowns. Beyond railing against the wreckage, the other commonality between the two big New Hampshire winners is in the nature of the cure they offer. Let the others propose carefully budgeted five-point plans. Sanders and Trump offer magic. Take Sanders New Hampshire victory speech. It promised the moon: college education, free; universal health care, free; world peace, also free because we wont be the policeman of the world (mythical Sunni armies will presumably be doing that for us). Plus a guaranteed $15 minimum wage. All to be achieved by taxing the rich. Who can be against a speculation tax (whatever that means)? So with Trump. Leave it to him. Jobs will flow back in a rush from China, from Japan, from Mexico, from everywhere. Universal health care, with Obamacare replaced by something terrific. Veterans finally taken care of. Drugs stopped cold at the border. Indeed, an end to drug addiction itself. Victory upon victory of every kind. How? That question never comes up anymore. No one expects an answer. His will be done, on earth if not yet in heaven. Yes, people love Trumps contempt for the establishment which as far as I can tell means anything not Trump but what is truly thrilling is the promise of a near-biblical restoration. As painless as Sanders. In truth, Trump and Sanders are soaring not just by defying the establishment, but by defying logic and history. Sanders magic potion is socialism; Trumps is Trump. The young Democrats swooning for Sanders appear unfamiliar with socialisms century-long career, a dismal tale of ruination from Russia to Cuba to Venezuela. Indeed, are they even aware that Chinas greatest reduction in poverty in human history correlates precisely with the degree to which it has given up socialism? Trumps magic is toughness toughness in a world of losers. The power and will of the caudillo will make everything right. Apart from the fact that strongman rule contradicts the American constitutional tradition of limited and constrained government, caudillo populism simply doesnt work. It accounts in a large part for the relative backwardness of Africa and Latin America. In 1900, Argentina had a per capita income fully 70 percent of ours. After a 20th century wallowing in Peronism and its imitators, Argentina is a basket case, its per capita income now 23 percent of ours. There certainly is a crisis of confidence in the countrys institutions. But thats hardly new. The current run of endemic distrust began with Vietnam and Watergate. Yet not in our lifetimes have the left and right populism of the Sanders and Trump variety enjoyed such massive support. The added factor is the Obama effect, the depressed and anxious mood of a nation experiencing its worst economic recovery since World War II and watching its power and influence abroad decline amid a willed global retreat. The result is a politics of high fantasy. Things cant get any worse, we hear, so why not shake things up to their foundation? Anyone who thinks things cant get any worse knows nothing. And risks everything. KATHMANDU (TIP) : Former Prime Minister of Nepal and Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala passed away due to Pneumonia at his residence early on February 12. He was 79. Koirala, who was elected Prime Minister [] NAYPYITAW: The names of Myanmars next president and two vice presidents will be revealed on March 17, an official said on February 9, setting a clear timeline for the transition of power from a military-controlled [] UNITED NATTIONS (TIP): Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, on February 12, applauded the United Nations Secretary Generals report on Preventing Violent Extremism. Thanking the President of the UN Body [] MUMBAI (TIP): Making fresh disclosures on the brazen 26/11 attacks, Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley on February 11 exposed how ISI and LeT majorly funded terror operations in India and financed him from time to [] Alexander and Corker really need to talk some sense to their leadership So a Supreme Court Justice dies and before the POTUS can even come up with a list of replacements, Mitch McConnell states the Republican Senate will not seat Obama's replacement. Why? Because they want to throw a hissy fit. For 240 years the Senate has done their constitutional duty and has given advice and consent on nominations to the High Court. And during that time there have been times it was a Democratic President with a Republican Senate and a Republican President with a Democratic Senate. True, in the past there have been fights and horse trading to get nominees on the court. But what the current Senate leadership is proposing is unprecedented/ The longest confirmation process for the High Court was Brandeis, which took 125 days. The current President has 341 days left in his term as of this writing. Three times that amount of time. The Senate leadership, and I use that term loosely, is proposing that the country's business before the High Court should lie fallow for almost a year. And in the process set a dangerous precedent for our country in the future. Besides damaging our civic virtues of constitutional stability and getting the country's business done, this is bad politics for the Republicans. Let us examine why. The High Court is always an issue in presidential politics, but one most people ignore. This action puts that issue front and center in front of everyone. As well as making it an issue in Senate races in a year the Republicans are playing defense to hold onto control of the Senate. And for what? Obama is the devil you know, a centrist Democrat arguably to right of Nixon on many issues. With a little horse trading you could get a nominee that is palatable. Not your first choice, but palatable. But Republicans would rather have a year-long hissy fit and face a crap shoot as to who will get the presidency next year? Let look at the options. You could face a President Sanders. It is a weird year. With his growing youth vote this and retaking of the Senate could be a real possibility. And you want to energize that base with this issue? Do you really want Sanders filling Scalia's seat? Could be Madame President Clinton. Arguably her politics are not much different from Obama's. But y'all hate her and yet you risk letting her pick Scalia's replacement. Or how about President Ted Cruz. If there is one person more hated by Senate Republicans, it is Ted Cruz. Plus he is just a little too cozy with Christian Dominionists who want to turn our legal system into something out of the Old Testament. You think I'm joking? It was only last November he attended a conference of people who want to make breaking the Sabbath, adultery, and worshiping false gods, all capital offenses. To let Ted Cruz choose a Supreme Justice should give even conservative Republicans pause. Or you could get President Trump. It is anyone's guess what his idea of a Supreme Court jJstice is. But given his neo-fascist rhetoric this option should be as scary as President Cruz. How Senator Alexander and Senator Corker respond to this will tell us volumes if we have statesmen as senators or partisan hacks. This member of the Green Party is hoping for statesmen. R.W. Young Chattanooga Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bradley Klapper (The Jakarta Post) Washington Sun, February 14, 2016 The State Department has released more than 1,000 new pages of Hillary Clinton's emails. Eighty-one messages were classified, mostly at the lowest level of sensitivity. None was declared top secret. The department has now released more than 45,000 pages of emails from the private account Clinton used as secretary of state. It plans to finish making her emails public on Feb. 29, a day before the critical Super Tuesday primaries when multiple states hold nominating contests . Clinton has struggled to put the email controversy to rest as she seeks the Democratic presidential nomination. Last month, 22 emails were withheld in full because they contained "top secret" material. The FBI also is examining the security of the home server she maintained for email use while in office. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hans David Tampubolon (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 14, 2016 Banda Neira ' the band that branded itself as a nelangsa pop (miserable pop) duo ' recently launched its second album Yang Patah Tumbuh, Yang Hilang Berganti (The Broken Will Heal, The Lost Will be Replaced) in a small but intimate gathering. Hipsters from Jakarta and nearby areas flocked to the small but cozy PGP CafA in Rempoa, South Tangerang, which hosted the event. The lights were dimmed and the audience sat cross-legged on the cafA floor as Banda Neira ' consisting of Rara Sekar on keyboard and vocals along with Ananda Badudu on guitar and vocals ' took to the small stage in the corner of the cafA. The overall atmosphere of the launch was intimate as the duo performed very close to their audience and the relatively small space inside the cafA forced audience members to sit very close to one another. 'It has been a long, long time since we played in a small vicinity such as this one,' Ananda said as he greeted Banda Neira fans. 'I love it this way ['] with no barricades and all that. We can communicate with each other more easily and more intimately.' Ananda and Rara kicked off the show by performing 'Matahari Pagi' (Morning Sun), the first song from their new album. They continued with other songs from the new album, such as 'Pelukis Langit' (Sky Painter), and old ones from their previous album, such as 'Esok Pasti Jumpa' (Tomorrow We Will Meet Again). In between songs, Ananda and Rara spent time explaining to the audience about their new album and why it took them a while to release it. Banda Neira started as a part time project for Ananda, who works as a journalist, and Rara, who is a social worker, back in 2012. What began as a hobby then developed into something more serious as they garnered a fan base of people who loved their pop music and sorrowful lyrics. In 2013, Banda Neira released debut album Berjalan Lebih Jauh (Walk Further). In this first album, the duo relied on one guitar, their two voices and one glockenspiel to produce their music. In between the first and the second albums, Banda Neira also released a mini album called Paruh Waktu (Part Time) in 2012 and a concert album called Kita Sama-sama Suka Hujan (We All Love The Rain) in 2015. Rara said the second album, which took three years to produce, offered something different from the first one. The second album consists of 15 songs divided into two discs. The first disc is titled 'Yang Patah Tumbuh' and the second one is 'Yang Hilang Berganti.' Rara said the music offered on each disc was completely different in terms of style and lyrics. 'We consider the songs on the first disc are for our dedek-dedek [little brothers and sisters]. They are more suitable for those who are still young and under 25,' Rara said. The songs on the second disc are aimed at those over 25 as they discussed more mature matters and issues. 'The songs on the second disc are very suitable for those facing a quarter-life crisis. If you are still young and have no idea what a quarter-life crisis is, then you can listen to the first disc. Once you get to 25, you can switch to the second disc and find the songs to be very relatable to your life,' Ananda said. Banda Neira also collaborated with other musicians to produce the songs on their new album. Some of the musicians that collaborated with the duo included composer Gardika Gigih and a string trio group comprising Suta Suma Pangekshi, Jeremia Kimosabe and Dwi Ari Ramlan. The production of the new album was different to the previous one. While the previous album was produced using the tracking method, the new one was made through a live recording session. 'We did not enjoy producing music using the tracking method and we believe if we cannot enjoy the production, then the end result will not be enjoyable either. So, we adjusted the production method to something we could truly enjoy,' Ananda said. The mood during the album's launch turned a bit gloomy when Ananda and Rara revealed the show may be their last performance together because one of them is set to take a long break. 'Rara will go to New Zealand for two years to continue her study. So, during that time, Banda Neira will not perform,' Ananda said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Sun, February 14, 2016 We are pleased to present our interview with Vivi Yip for our cover story this week (p6-8). Vivi, an art dealer and curator, is the latest in the series of fugitive 'mad men' (and women) we've we featured in JPlus who've escaped advertising for more creative efforts. I'm thinking of two people in particular: Luthfi Hasan of Jakarta Vintage, who'll be writing a design column for us starting this month, and Triawan Munaf, the head of the Creative Economy Agency. It's good to see these talented people putting their skills at networking to a good cause: Promoting the nation's culture and creativity. Turning to The List (p3), we're focusing on interesting events to refresh and revive yourself after a busy week. We've got an event listing for the Kineforum, which deserves special attention. The brainchild of the Jakarta Arts Council and run by dedicated cineastes, Kineforum regularly screens independent and rarely seen Indonesian films. By the way, congratulations are in order for our friend Joko Anwar, whose latest film, A Copy of Mind, is now in wide release in Indonesia. As usual, Joko has made an excellent film. As usual, prominent international film festivals around the world have lauded Joko's work. As usual, it's up to us now to make sure the film finds a good audience at home. I encourage everyone to make it down to the movie theater this weekend, buy a ticket and some popcorn and enjoy A Copy of Mind. There will be time for zombies, superheroes and wushu films later. I promise. Chris Razukas jplus@thejakartapost.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Sun, February 14, 2016 The head of the Gerindra Party's Jakarta gubernatorial election campaign team, Syarif, has confirmed the party has not yet formed a coalition with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) for the 2017 election, as previously stated by the head of the PKS Jakarta executive board (DPD), Syakir Purnomo. Syarif said a Gerindra -PKS coalition would only be confirmed during the registration of Jakarta governor-deputy governor candidate pairs at the Jakarta General Elections Commission (KPUD). 'Pak Syakir's statement is correct. The discussion of the Gerindra Party-PKS coalition is not yet complete. The coalition will be final, de jure, only after Jakarta governor-deputy governor candidate pairs are registered with the KPUD,' said Syarif as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday. Nevertheless, Syarif said, Gerindra had always had good relations with the PKS; thus, informally, the two parties actually had built a 'coalition'. He added that Gerindra in Jakarta had suggested that the party's central executive board set up a coalition with the PKS. 'It can be said that currently, the Gerindra Party and the PKS have only established a coalition in spirit. The real coalition will be decided by their respective central executive boards,' said Syarif. Earlier, Syakir denied that his party had set up a coalition with Gerindra for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election. So far, he said, the PKS had only approached other parties, including Gerindra. 'The PKS will continuously strive to build communication and strengthen the bonds of relationship with all parties. We have met with officials of the Jakarta chapter of the Gerindra Party to strengthen our bonds of friendship. Next time, we may do the same thing with officials of other parties, such as the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle [PDI-P], Golkar Party and the Democratic Party,' said Syakir on Tuesday. Syakir's statement contradicted Gerindra's Jakarta head Mohamad Taufik's claim that his party had already agreed on a coalition with the PKS. He said the coalition was part of Gerindra's plan to set up a major coalition for the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Syofiardi Bachyul Jb and Hotli Simanjuntak (The Jakarta Post) Padang/Banda Aceh Sun, February 14, 2016 Floods that have submerged a number of regions in Indonesia over the past week have begun to result in major health consequences for local residents, as hundreds in the affected areas report the quick spread of respiratory and other diseases. In West Sumatra, at least 250 residents within the Pasaman regency reportedly suffer from gastritis, acute respiratory infections (ISPA) and/or skin diseases after heavy downpours brought floods to the Rao and Panti districts, home to more than 2,000 people. Pasaman Health Agency head Desrizal said on Saturday that all the patients had received treatment at Puskesmas (local community health centers). 'There is a possibility that the diseases have emerged due to shock and anxiety,' he said, adding that the agency had also set up health posts in the affected districts to provide emergency medical aid. Meanwhile, in South Sumatra, residents of the North Musi Rawas regency have been struggling with the widespread skin diseases that emerged after floods inundated some parts of the region earlier this month. M. Kosim, who lives in Muara Rupit subdistrict, said he and his family members had been suffering from itchy skin over the past week, adding that, after they began to scratch, red, pus-filled spots had also appeared on their skin. Kosim claimed that dozens of people in his village were also experiencing a similar condition. 'We have received some medicine from the Puskesmas, but it doesn't work,' he said on Saturday, as quoted by Antara news agency. After a prolonged dry season, the rainy season finally arrived in many parts of the country in December and has since intensified. A series of heavy downpours have subsequently triggered floods in several provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau and Central Java. In West Sumatra, at least seven people have died over the past week due to floods and landsides triggered by heavy rains. On Saturday, search and rescue team members in South Solok regency managed to recover the body of a 2-year-old child after a landslide had buried a house in Alam Pauh Duo district the previous Monday, killing the child and five other family members. In Riau, floods have hit three regencies: Kampar, Rokan Hulu and Kuantan Singingi. Leaders of the three regencies have declared an emergency response status, saying they were overwhelmed with carrying out anticipative measures. Meanwhile in East Java, floods from the overflowing Kalikemuning River in Sampang had submerged thousands of houses across the regency since Thursday and have killed at least one local resident. The victim, 14-year-old Faisal Sipli, was swept away by the river's strong current on Thursday. His body was finally found two days later. Sampang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Wisnu Hartono said the flood had been the region's biggest to date. 'We have experienced some floods in the past, but never this big,' he told Antara. In Aceh, at least three regencies ' East Aceh, North Aceh and Bireun ' have been hit by floods triggered by heavy rains and overflowing rivers. The North Aceh BPBD reported on Saturday that at least 4,000 residents had moved to public facilities, like schools and mosques, or moved to relatives' houses after floods submerged seven districts in the region. Meanwhile in Bireuen, Jeunieb district is reported to be the worst-hit area in the regency as it was engulfed by up to 1-meter-high floodwaters. 'Many villagers have fled their homes to stay in the district's capital so as to avoid the worsening situation,' Jangot Tungko subdistrict bead Apriadi said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tammara Soma (The Jakarta Post) Toronto Sun, February 14, 2016 A growing number of fringe groups in the West have argued that Islam is not compatible with a modern, pluralistic civilization. These groups support the 'clash of civilizations' rhetoric, arguing that an Islamic society simply cannot peacefully coexist with predominantly non-Muslim societies. The majority of Muslims, on the other hand, argue that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, and that the Koran declares 'there is no compulsion in religion.' This debate on whether Muslims can peacefully coexist with those of different faiths is precisely why the world looked optimistically to President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's leadership following the latest rogue action by the regent of Bangka, who threatened to force the conversion of all 29 Muslims of the minority Ahmadi sect or expel them from the island. I can only hope that Indonesia, a nation with the largest concentration of Muslims in the world, will lead the way. The world is watching, Islamophobia is rising, and the behavior of Indonesian Muslims is under scrutiny. Members of the Ahmadi community in Bangka, most of whom are indigenous to the island, are waiting anxiously for their fate after having faced months of threats, harassment and intimidation from the local administration. The Ahmadiyah community preaches 'Love for all, hatred for none' and identifies as Muslim. A delegation of Ahmadiyah in Indonesia have expressed their concerns to state representatives in Jakarta, stating that Ahmadi children in Bangka are being traumatized. Indonesia prides itself on being a tolerant democracy, especially after the fall of Soeharto's regime in 1998. The national motto 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' (Unity in Diversity) is seen as essential for peaceful coexistence and pluralism. ____________________________________ The government and the public have the choice to stand on the right side of history Considering that Indonesia is home to hundreds of millions of people speaking thousands of different languages, comprising thousands of ethnic tribes, national unity is of absolute importance. The state recognizes six official religions (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism) and states that their members have the right to practice their faith freely. Today's persecution of minorities therefore touches upon the question of who gets to determine who belongs in Indonesia. The targeting of Ahmadis is ironic considering that the iconic figure WR Supratman ' an Ahmadi Muslim ' composed the country's anthem 'Indonesia Raya' and is considered a national hero. Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono set a dangerous precedent of turning a blind eye to the rise of hard-line groups who have increasingly threatened Muslims of other sects such as Shiites and Ahmadis, as well as Christian minorities. It was Yudhoyono who in 2008 established a decree punishing Ahmadi Muslims with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for 'preaching and spreading' their teachings. Such policies have fueled vocal fringe hate groups such as the Islam Defenders Front (FPI). It is thus unsurprising that the persecution of Ahmadis in Indonesia has increased, including the closure of at least 100 mosques as well as the gruesome murder of three Ahmadi in Cikeusik, Banten, by an extremist mob in 2011. Zuhairi Misrawi, a figure from one of the largest Sunni Muslim organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama, has condemned the persecution of Ahmadis as anti-Islamic and as against Indonesian values of respecting diversity. A group of Muslim women has marched for freedom of religion. Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has requested that the Bangka administration cancel the order to expel the Ahmadi families. Protecting the human rights of others to practice their faith peacefully is essential to Islam and to Indonesian unity. The attack against Ahmadis is literally an attack against the unity of all Indonesians. The government and the public have the choice to stand on the right side of history and uphold Islamic values by protecting the religious freedoms of minorities. Moderate Indonesians of all faiths need to stand united and speak up to drown out the hate rhetoric of fringe extremists in Bangka and beyond. After the recent attack by extremist Islamic State movement supporters at a crowded Jakarta junction, Indonesians can no longer afford to stay silent. _______________________________ The writer, a human rights activist, is a Pierre Eliot Trudeau doctoral scholar and a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tama Salim and Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, February 14, 2016 The arrest of a Supreme Court official in charge of handling civil suits and appeals for receiving bribes has again exposed rampant corrupt practices at the country's highest judicial institution. Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators arrested on Friday night the head of the Supreme Court's subdivision for civil lawsuits, appeals and judicial reviews, Andri Tristianto Sutrisna (ATS), who is accused of accepting a bribe at his private residence in Gading Serpong, Tangerang in Banten. Andri was arrested after allegedly receiving from a middleman Rp 400 million (US$29,629) in cash, which KPK investigators seized along with a suitcase full of money of an undisclosed value. As a result of the raid, KPK investigators also detained five other individuals, including the businessman who allegedly bribed Andri, Ichsan Suaidi (IS), and Ichsan's lawyer, Awang Lazuardi Embat (ALE). KPK investigators apprehended Ichsan separately in a sting operation at his apartment complex in Karet, South Jakarta, after getting a tip-off about the bribery attempt. Two security guards from Andri's housing complex and Ichsan's driver were also detained for questioning. Ichsan allegedly bribed Andri through his lawyer Awang, who is accused of having delivered the money through the businessman's driver, who worked as a courier in the scheme. The KPK said the bribe was paid in exchange for having the Supreme Court delay issuing a cassation ruling in a graft case involving Ichsan, whose case the court had earlier rejected. 'After questioning and evaluating the case, we have decided to move forward with the second stage of the investigation, naming ATS, ALE and IS as suspects,' KPK spokesperson Yuyuk Andriati said during a press conference in South Jakarta on Saturday. Friday's arrest was a repeat of a similar incident that took place in 2013, in which a non-active Supreme Court staff member, Djodi Supratman, received a bribe from Mario Cornelio Bernardo, a legal practitioner from the law firm of Hotma Sitompoel and Associates. Djodi received Rp 150 million from Mario through a middleman in exchange for rigging the cassation of a fraud case involving Hutomo Wijaya Ongowarsito. The bribe was paid for the services of Djodi in convincing a justice presiding over the case to issue a ruling that would put Hutomo behind bars. The Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Jodi to two years in prison for the crime. The arrest of Andri has sparked speculation over whether a non-judge, an administrative staff member, could intervene in a case or if he would have to be acting on behalf of a justice. A Supreme Court spokesman, justice Suhadi, said it was unlikely Andri would have been able to intervene in an ongoing civil case as he had no authority to communicate with litigants. 'Given his position, it is less likely he could meddle in the case. However, we do respect the KPK and believe its law enforcement is done extra cautiously and based on strong grounds,' Suhadi said. Suhadi later defended the internal monitoring mechanism of the Supreme Court, which has long opposed the idea of judges being monitored by the Judicial Commission, saying the court carries out thorough internal monitoring on all staff members all the time. The Supreme Court's internal monitoring body oversees all staff members at the court, not only its justices, while the Judicial Commission only has the power to monitor judges. Judicial Commission deputy head Farid Wadji was concerned with the latest development, saying the alleged actions that led to the arrest were a blow to the continued efforts to overhaul the graft-ridden judiciary. 'All judiciary members should take a lesson from the incident. They must improve their professionalism and maintain integrity,' Farid said. Suhadi, however, said the Supreme Court is currently pushing for greater transparency in line with a recent initiative ordered by President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's administration to develop an integrated database of legal cases that will be accessible via an online management system, which is expected to help prevent irregularities in prosecutions, as well as to improve coordination between law enforcers and the judiciary. 'The Supreme Court will continue to improve our existing website-based ruling management to allow the public to access our rulings immediately after they are announced. Such transparency will prevent wrongdoings,' Suhadi said. ____________________________________ To receive comprehensive and earlier access to The Jakarta Post print edition, please subscribe to our epaper through iOS' iTunes, Android's Google Play, Blackberry World or Microsoft's Windows Store. Subscription includes free daily editions of The Nation, The Star Malaysia, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Asia News. For print subscription, please contact our call center at (+6221) 5360014 or subscription@thejakartapost.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Aldrin Rocky Sampeliling (The Jakarta Post) Depok Sun, February 14, 2016 Students in Depok seem unfazed by the ban on Valentine's Day, widely known as affection day. The Depok Education Agency issued a circular on Jan. 28 asking schools to prevent students from celebrating Valentine's Day on Sunday as it is not in accordance with Eastern values and culture. The circular instead calls on parents and homeroom teachers to engage with their children and students in joint activities such as recreation to improve harmony and resilience among family members or students. Rafli Fadlurahman, 16, and Muhammad Nashirul Haq, 15, both students of SMAN 1 senior high school in Depok, said that Valentine's Day celebrations were 'not in accordance with the teachings of our religion' and thus agreed with the ban. Rafli added that affection did not need a special occasion to be commemorated. 'We should be affectionate every day,' he said. The Depok SMAN 1 senior high school spokesperson Sutarry said that the school planned to be strict in its monitoring of students' activities. 'They [the activities] should not even include the word Valentine, even though the event may be held with good intentions.' Sutarry said that the school had never held any Valentine-related events as they were afraid such activities would lead to negative behavior. 'Some non-Muslims students celebrate the event though, but it's outside of the school,' he said. Yulline I. Souhoka, a teacher at SMA Kasih, one of few Christian private senior high schools in Depok, said that even though the school had yet to receive the circular, they would forbid Valentine-related events that could lead to negative actions. 'But if it is for positive reasons such as worship, that's fine,' Yulline said. Teresia Heny Octavia, an 18-year-old student who attends SMA Kasih, does not commemorate Valentine's Day for a totally different reason. 'Valentine's Day is actually a commemoration of the death of Saint Valentine. It's not an affection day, that's why I decided not to celebrate it,' she said. Another student, Bastian Pardos, 18, on the other hand, doesn't celebrate Valentine's Day as he considers it to be part of Westernized culture. 'It's okay if the government has decided to ban schools from celebrating Valentine's Day. I'm not celebrating it anyway,' he said. On the other hand, Febriyanti Diana, 18, said she celebrated Valentine's Day because it is a day for affection, which she considers to be a positive thing. 'I disagree with the order to ban schools from celebrating Valentine's Day.' Depok is not the only region in the Muslim-majority nation that has banned the celebration of Valentine's Day. Tangerang City in Banten has also issued a circular ordering schools to eschew the celebration of Valentine's Day because it is not considered to be in accordance with Indonesian culture. The ban, however, does not seem to perturb youth in the city, many do not appear to consider affection as something to be commemorated on a single day and instead argue that it should be expressed in daily life. _________________________________ The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post. This practice of constitutional revision by an unelected committee of nine, always accompanied (as it is today) by extravagant praise of liberty, robs the People of the most important liberty they asserted in the Declaration of Independence and won in the Revolution of 1776: the freedom to govern themselves. A system of government that makes the People subordinate to a committee of nine unelected lawyers does not deserve to be called a democracy. The world does not expect logic and precision in poetry or inspirational pop-philosophy; it demands them in the law. Justice Scalias dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges, June 26, 2015. Rest in peace. UPDATE: Justice Scalias Great Heart. Please read this. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Sun, February 14, 2016 Pertamina University has announced that it is ready for the enrolment of new students for the academic year 2016-2017 in July. The newly launched university, which belongs to the Pertamina Foundation, a social foundation affiliated with state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, aims to educate the human resources required for the development of energy sources, including new and renewable energy, in Indonesia. Pertamina president director Dwi Soetjipto said the company's decision to establish the university was part of its efforts to participate in the development of the science and technology that Indonesia would need to face tighter competition among countries in ASEAN and globally. 'Indonesia must prepare to fulfill the need for quality human resources, especially in the field of energy, including energy research,' he said as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday. Dwi was speaking during the launch of Pertamina University located in Simprug, South Jakarta, on Thursday. Technology, Research and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir, the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry's deputy minister for energy, logistics, regional and tourism development Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Pertamina University rector Akhmaloka and Pertamina Foundation executive director Umar Fahmi attended the launch ceremony. It is planned that Pertamina University will have six faculties and 15 study programs, comprising geophysics, geology, oil, mechanics, electricity, chemistry, logistics and civil and environmental engineering. The new university will also provide study programs on computing and communication sciences as well as international relations, economics and management. Nasir said the government warmly welcomed the establishment of Pertamina University, which was aimed at primarily fulfilling the needs of technical engineering. 'I support the establishment of this university so that there will be more technical engineering study programs established in this country. This is because our development needs a lot more support from manpower with special skills in technical and oil engineering as well as energy,' said Nasir. Umar said the establishment of Pertamina University was in line with the industrial development, globalization and global economic growth, which had led to increasing demand for quality human resources, particularly those able to cope with tighter competition in energy management. The Pertamina Foundation said it planned to further develop Pertamina University so that it could be a world-class university. 'We will do it in stages [...] Pertamina University must become an internationally recognized campus, based on a research culture that is applicable in the natural environment,' said Umar. Built on a 6.5 hectare site, Pertamina University is expected to draw at least 60 students for each study program so that every school year it will accept at least 900 new students. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta Sun, February 14, 2016 The deputy director of the special crimes unit at the National Police's Criminal Investigation Corps (Bareskrim), Sr. Comr. Agung Setya, rejected on Sunday a recent statement by noted lawyer Yusril Ihza Mahendra about the police's investigation into a defamation case against President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo. He said it was not true that the Attorney General's Office (AGO) had returned the case dossier on Yusril's client Yulianus 'Ongen' Paonganan to Bareskrim and that the AGO had asked the police to complete the dossier with an explanation from President Jokowi, as recently claimed by the former law and human rights minister and Crescent Star Party (PBB) politician. 'There has been no request [from the AGO] for us to question the President,' Agung said as quoted by kompas.com on Sunday. The police officer further said that Ongen was suspected of having spread pornographic content about Jokowi, not of defaming the President personally. Therefore, he added, police investigators did not need to get an explanation from Jokowi. 'Merely by diplaying pornographic content, a person can be prosecuted, no matter whether his or her act defames another person,' said Agung. 'The pornographic elements that investigators are currently examining are negative values that must be monitored and prevented from spreading further so that they will not damage the values and social order of society. That's all,' he went on. Agung said the police were not influenced by Yusril's statements. The investigators would still focus on their work to complete Ongen's case dossier before they sent it again to the AGO. The police named Ongen a suspect for allegedly spreading a pornographic message that read #papadoyanl***e, over a picture of President Jokowi and actress Nikita Mirzani. Investigators from the police's Cyber Crime unit arrested Ongen in December 2015 and immediately detained him. Yusril, as Ongen's lawyer, recently submitted a request for bail for his client. The police rejected the request and instead extended Ongen's detention period for another 30 days. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin The Jakarta Post Greenville, South Carolina Sun, February 14, 2016 Republican presidential candidates turn their sights on the South in Saturday night's debate, with Marco Rubio looking to right his campaign after a costly stumble that gave new hope to some of his rivals. Just six contenders will take the stage, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier Republican debates. But even with a streamlined field, the Republican race remains deeply uncertain. On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders said Saturday that opponent Hillary Clinton was becoming "unraveled" by his progress in the race. Republicans Jeb Bush and John Kasich are vying with Rubio for the support of more traditional Republican voters. But all three are chasing Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Having split the first two voting states, Trump and Cruz are hoping to add to their win total in South Carolina's Feb. 20 primary, the next state in the state-by-state voting to decide each party's nominee for president in the November general election. The relationship between the billionaire and the Texas senator has become increasingly acrimonious in recent days: Cruz released a television advertisement before the debate accusing the real estate mogul of a "pattern of sleaze," spurring Trump to fire back on Twitter with another round of questions about his Canadian-born rival's eligibility to be president. While Trump will be standing at center stage, signifying his lead in national preference polls, Rubio will be the center of attention. Florida's junior senator entered the last debate facing criticism from rivals who said that while he delivers a good speech and sharp answers in debates, he lacked depth. He played into that characterization when he repeated the same practiced line multiple times under pressure from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, contributing to his fifth place finish in the New Hampshire primary. While Rubio has sought to shed some of his reliance on well-rehearsed talking points in recent days, the debate will be a prime test of whether he can rebound. Rubio's poor performance has created a potential opening for Bush, the former Florida governor, and Kasich, the current governor of Ohio. Bush in particular will need a solid showing in South Carolina, given his prominent political family's ties to the state, while Kasich is just hoping to remain viable until the race heads to friendly territory for the Midwestern governor. Also on stage Saturday will be Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who has struggled to stay relevant in the debates as his standing in the race sharply slipped. Carson pledged that he wouldn't allow himself to be ignored. Poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire led some frequent debate participants, including Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, to end their campaigns. Nearly all lower polling candidates who have populated undercard debates have also all ended their White House bids. Former Secretary of State Clinton has sharpened her argument in recent days that Sanders, an avowed socialist, is pitching unrealistic domestic ideas, lacks foreign policy depth and can't match her commitment to minority voters ' important constituencies in the coming contests in South Carolina and Nevada. On Saturday, she kept up the pressure at a union rally in Henderson, Nevada, saying the Sanders health plan would "cost an enormous amount in taxes for every single American." Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, spoke to reporters Saturday before flying to Colorado for a Democratic dinner at which both he and Clinton were scheduled to appear. He used unusually blunt words to express frustration with his opponent. "I am really stunned by some of the attacks we are getting from Secretary Clinton," he said. 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"The idea to make this exhibition occurred a couple of years ago, when I saw for the first time this absolute masterpiece of Xu Bing at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing," de Wolf recalled. "For me it was a moment of inspiration. I understood immediately the extreme quality of this artwork," he said. Yet also in the same year 2013, de Wolf went on saying, the Venice Biennale welcomed more than 100 Chinese artists who won no attention, a sign that Western audiences were not much aware about the fact that in China there are absolutely excellent artists. "That is why I decided to put Xu Bing at the center of an exhibition gathering other artists from different countries but all dealing with the same phenomenon, written language," he said. It was in this way that the Milan Triennale's exhibition running between Feb. 13 and March 6 and titled "Xu Bing Worlds of Words/Goods of Gods" was born and brought together eight artists from Africa, Europe and India who have all explored the world of words, "such an extremely powerful thing that in most cultures language is considered as a gift by the Gods," de Wolf elaborated. But whereas most languages were born as pictograms and evolved in other ways, the Chinese language is the only one that has kept a very high level of sophistication, de Wolf highlighted. "Looking back at my life as an artist, I find that I have made a lot of works related with Chinese characters. In fact when we write a word we are actually drawing a picture. Our children copy thousands and thousands of characters, they draw thousands and thousands of pictures," Xu Bing told Xinhua in an interview. He said that this very special culture and education system aroused profound reflection in his mind about the relation between China's culture and language. In Chinese history, a new dynasty always started with the reform of the language. "Why is China like this? Why are Chinese people thinking or working in this way? Through my art I want to show how much nutrition we have in our cultural background and how this has affected our history and contemporary art," he said. Xu Bing told Xinhua that in his rich life experience - he has witnessed the Cultural Revolution and has lived for 18 years in the United States before going back to China - he has put a "high degree of research" in these artworks produced in a lapse of time of more than 30 years. All of this complexity together with the contrasts and harmony born from his encounter with the Western culture is reflected in "Square Word Calligraphy," also on display at the exhibition, almost a code designed by Xu Bing. At first glance it appears to be Chinese characters, but in fact it is a new way of rendering English. Chinese viewers expect to be able to read it but cannot, while Western viewers are surprised to find that they can read it. In "Book from the Sky," another of his artworks, invented characters play a joke as they look real but have no meaning. "Here I tried to present the major elements of characters, a functional one and a decorative one. Take calligraphy as an example, it is like a ritual for worshipping characters, which become 'holy,' something higher than a tool passing information, and able to give space to knowledge instead of giving things," the Chinese artist explained to journalists at the exhibition preview. And this is exactly what art means for Xu Bing: reflection. "Human beings have discussed what art is for long time, but actually no one can give a definition of art, like so of the world, which is changing so fast. I never think that an art form or style are very important in order to be looked at as art. I just want my artworks to benefit humankind, help people think and go to right way of thinking," he told Xinhua. Artists from southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality Saturday brought their classic Sichuan Opera performances to the Museum of London Docklands to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with local people. Prior to the performance, the Museum of London Docklands held various kinds of family activities on Saturday morning, including Chinese traditional paper cutting and calligraphy lessons for children as well as enchanting Chinese ribbon dance and peacock dance lessons. Shen Tiemei, director of Chongqing Chuan Ju Theater, and also a leading character of Sichuan Opera introduced the history of Sichuan Opera, the five different roles and their different costumes and performance style. After a brief introduction of the 300-year-old national intangible cultural heritage, actors performed some parts of the classic Sichuan operas. The comic A Roller with an Oil Lamp on the Head received warm applause from the audience. Shen has taken her team and Sichuan Opera to New York, Toronto, Amsterdam and many other cities across the world, however, this was the first time that Sichuan Opera being displayed at a British museum. "The form of combining lecture with performance is very helpful not only for adults but also for children to have a better understanding of the unique traditional Chinese culture," Shen said. Alex Werner, head of History Collections of Museum of London told Xinhua that the Museum of London Docklands is very close to the first Chinese community in London, the Limehouse area where the first Chinese settlers established themselves almost 200 years ago. The principal reason to hold Chinese New Year celebration at the museum was because there are still many Chinese Londoners living in the area, meanwhile, an increasing number of Londoners love the Chinese New Year celebrations as well. "Chinese New Year celebrations are one of the high points in London's festival season," he said. The celebration and relevant events on Saturday attracted a lot of local families. "It's a chance to learn about other cultures and these spectacular customs that the opera actors wear I think is one of the main attractions," said Werner, adding that any kind of cross cultural event in London is really important, as it is the cultural link between the global city and the world. Max Fras brought his three-year-old son to take part in the celebrations at the museum, they learnt Chinese calligraphy and wrote Chinese characters. "We are interested in different cultures in the world, and Chinese culture is quite important in London, so we come here to see how the Chinese New Year is celebrated," he said. "Celebrations being held in the main local organizations is the best way to open to the wider public, because if it was only happening in the Chinese community center, it wouldn't be known about," added Fras. Happy February 14: The History of Valentine's Day The history of Valentines Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. St Valentines Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. By The Phuket News Sunday 14 February 2016, 06:53AM Today, the Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men, but Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentines actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According to legend, Valentine actually sent the first valentine greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young woman who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed From your Valentine, an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasise his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. While some believe that Valentines Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentines death or burial around 270 A.D others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentines feast day in the middle of February in an effort to christianise celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, during an ancient festival on February 15, there was a love lottery in which young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The citys bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St. Valentines Day around 498 A.D. The Roman lottery system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds mating season. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois. In Great Britain, Valentines Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. With the advent of technology, ready-made cards became increasingly common medium to express ones emotions. Americans probably began exchanging handmade valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentine cards in America. Known as the Mother of the Valentine, she made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colourful pictures. In addition to the United States, Valentines Day is also strongly celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. InterBike Hash #4 Start From: Friday 29 April 2016, 08:00AM to Sunday 1 May 2016, 06:00PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. Phuket Mountain Bike Hash will be hosting the InterBike Hash #4 between 29 April & 1 May, drawing Hashers from all over SEA and beyond. Enjoy the lush tropics of the Andaman Sea, with 3 days of guided off-road rides for strong-willed and meeker hearts. Indulge in Phukets history, folklore, and hash festivities. We promise COLD drinks, wet water, and hot weather.along with your favorite forget-me-not souvenirs. Registration required and limited to 200. Special lodging arrangements, find all details on our website - http://phuketinterbikehash.com/. Two more Thai tuna vessels apprehended for IUU fishing violations off Phuket PHUKET: The Port Authority and Royal Thai Navy are investigating two Thai tuna fishing vessels suspected to be in violation of the kingdom's new illegal, unreported and unregistered (IUU) fishing regulations. marinenatural-resources By Eakkapop Thongtub Sunday 14 February 2016, 01:49PM The vessels Yu Long 6 and Yu Long 125 were apprehended somewhere outside of Thai territorial waters, in the Indian Ocean, yesterday before being escorted back to Phuket for processing. It is understood that the vessels have been stripped of their respective registrations as the investigation continues. More details to follow as they become available. The case represents the second IUU fishing regulation violation by Thai fishing boats off Phuket in two weeks after two other vessels were apprehended late last month. On a wintry morning in New York, traditional lion dancers and a classic Chinese dragon made their way from Manhattan's Chinatown to the Upper East Side, then down Madison Avenue, before arriving at East Midtown where families with children were lining up the streets, ready to embrace the Chinese Lunar New Year -- the Spring Festival. In the Big Apple known as the "melting pot", a spate of festive activities were held at iconic venues across the city and saw a broad participation of local communities.[Photo/Xinhua] In the Big Apple known as the "melting pot", a spate of festive activities from the Chinese New Year Concert by famed New York Philharmonic to a spectacular fireworks display on the Hudson River, to an Empire State Building light show, were held at iconic venues across the city and saw a broad participation of local communities. On Saturday, a flash mob featuring 100 monkey performers broke loose at Times Square, to the cheers and excitement of passers-by, while a video introducing the Year of Monkey was aired at the "Crossroads of the World." "The celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year is no longer a purely Chinese event but an occasion that celebrates the diverse cultures that make up our communities today," said Shirley Young, chair of U.S.-China Cultural Institute. With so much fun in the air, it might be hard to imagine a time when Lunar New Year celebrations had been forbidden in the city. Michael Perrone, in his Belleville Times column, wrote: "There was at the time (around 1870) a very strong anti-Chinese sentiment in the country, backed by state and federal laws restricting the immigration, employment and rights of the Chinese. For example, it was illegal for the Chinese to gather publicly in large groups in New York City." Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation. South Dakota high school football playoffs scores and pairings The South Dakota high school football playoffs start tonight with the Class 11B and 9-man teams facing off in the first round. Near the end of his riveting if unrelievedly sombre chronicle of Rwandas descent into total one-man rule, the American journalist Anjan Sundaram recounts the day in 2010 one of his colleagues explained to him why Rwandan president Paul Kagame is systematically stifling the countrys free press and literally eradicating its journalists. He has a plan in mind starting with this election to keep power with his close ones for many generations, he told the author. Sundaram was in Rwanda on an assignment to train journalists in a program financed by the United Kingdom and the European Union, just two of the donor countries who underwrite half Rwandas budget and the colleague was a student of his. Clearly, he was very well-sourced. At the end of last year the Rwandan people voted in what is widely regarded as a rigged referendum to amend the constitution to permit Kagame to run for an unprecedented third seven-year term and potentially hold power until 2034. And so aside from its other merits, BAD NEWS, The Last Journalists in a Dictatorship, is also quite prophetic. Initially, Sundaram meets with some success enlisting a coterie of talented young reporters. But over the course of this story, one after another disappears: one is beaten into a coma and then escapes abroad; another is murdered in cold blood; yet another is imprisoned; and finally, the hero, of sorts, of this book, a young man named Gibson, is bullied and brutalized into catatonic irrelevance. Along the way, Rwandas free press is systematically shut down, starting with the countrys premier newspaper, Umuseso. A seasoned Rwandan journalist named Moses succinctly captures the implication of this muzzling of independent information sources. When Umuseso closed . . . it was the beginning of the pensee unique. Of a single way of thinking. There is something particularly chilling about the way Kagame exercises power absolute power in his country and it distills down to mind control. At another point in the book, one of Sundarams more cynical, if perceptive, colleagues explains how power is exercised in Rwanda. You know, people are only free when they are not. He pointed to his head and then said The control is here, once you are controlled here, then they let you walk around like you are free. At the conclusion of Bad News, Sundaram is harshly critical of countries in the West, Canada likely included, that finance Kagames brutal regime and demand no accountability for his accumulating sins. Its a profound warning of the dangers of not having a free press. Robert Collison is a Toronto writer and editor. SHARE: One recent Monday, Jane Little got her weekly chemo shot. That Thursday, Feb. 4, she gulped down five green steroid pills and reported to Symphony Hall to fight her way back to the stage. And that she did, all 98 pounds of her, stroking a D chord at 8:04 p.m. to make her comeback official. The 87-year-old Atlanta Symphony bassist now held the world record for longest tenure with an orchestra. Seventy-one years ago, Little sighed during intermission, overcome by emotion after a five-minute-long standing ovation. Its hard to remember when I wasnt here. She was 16 and wearing a pastel evening gown when she made her debut on Feb. 4, 1945. That same Sunday, a long way from Atlanta, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill gathered to start the Yalta Conference. Guinness does not list an official record for longest orchestra tenure, though that may change since ASO has sent documentation to have Littles feat registered. The unofficial record had been held by Frances Darger, a violinist in the Utah Symphony who retired in 2012 after 70 years. Just over a handful of musicians played more than a half-century, including New York Philharmonic clarinetist Stanley Drucker (60 years), Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist Rolland Tapley (58), and San Francisco Symphony flautist Paul Renzi (52). Littles quest is even more remarkable when you consider that she plays an instrument more than a foot taller than she is. Its just mind-boggling, says Timothy Cobb, the principal bassist with the New York Philharmonic. It takes a tremendous amount of physical power, frankly, and just brute force to play in a big orchestra. I have had friends who have made it into their 70s but to be pumping it out in the orchestra is really something. Little grew up in Atlanta during the Depression, her family too poor to afford a piano. But she loved music and was encouraged to try bass because, simply put, the orchestra at the Atlanta Girls High School didnt need her to play clarinet, her first choice. She made her debut in 1945 with the Atlanta Youth Symphony, which became the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1947. Over the decades, Little has had her ups performances with Igor Stravinsky and Arthur Rubinstein and downs, none of them harder than the 2002 death of her husband, Warren Little, a longtime ASO flautist. Little has also had a number of physical setbacks. She currently has multiple myeloma, a cancer thats being managed with chemotherapy and pills. Shes broken her shoulder, elbow and pelvis over the years. Then, last August, Little was scrambling out the door to meet a friend for dinner when she slipped and fell and, despite muscling her way through an evening out, woke up the next morning unable to get out of bed. Little had to call an ambulance. She had cracked a vertebra. The pain is still there. It takes so much, to push those metal strings down against the fingerboard, says Little. When I first started practising two months ago, I could only practise for two minutes because it hurt so bad. Little plans to retire after this season. Shes got a house in the North Carolina mountains and wants to spend more time there. It also feels like time. In the past two years, the gang who made up the bass section has changed dramatically with a few retirements and a couple of deaths. But Little always kept Dargers record in mind. Id thumb through the Guinness book and say, Wouldnt it be neat? A lot of people do crazy things like sitting on a flagpole for three days. I just kept on. It was just me and the lady in Utah. So finally, I said, Im going to do this. At the Feb. 4 concert, after a Brahms concerto and intermission, ASO executive director Jennifer Barlament walked onstage with Little and told the crowd of the historic moment. Thats when everybody stood and cheered, and Little began to cry. SHARE: The Bakours were among the first Syrian refugees to arrive in Canada. They came on Dec. 7, four days before Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted arrivals at the new refugee reception area of Pearson airport. They were sponsored jointly by the Canadian government and by the Metropolitan United Church, through the Blended Visa OfficeReferred program. Their profile, on paper, is very similar to that of the government-sponsored refugees now crowded into hotels near the airport. If you have wondered who those people are, and what their stories are, meet the Bakours. The Star visited them over the past two months. Hussein Bakour and his wife, Wahida Salameh, decided to flee their home outside Damascus as they were walking back from a burial. It was about a year after the civil war started. Hussein had been tortured for three months in prison, and theyd spent days in the basement, shaking in fear during regular blasts when rockets came down like rain. Their nephew, just 9, had been en route to their home when a snipers bullet struck him in the head. As they were returning from his burial, a rocket hit the home of the familys neighbours. Hussein carried the mother and her son to the hospital. Her son died in my arms, he says in Arabic. They bundled their five children into their car, expecting to return soon once local fighting between the Free Syrian Army and the regime of Bashar Assad calmed. That was four years ago. Their two-storey house, theyve heard, has been levelled. Before the war, Hussein, 35, was an electrician and pipefitter. He started working when he was 9, and by the time the war started, had a business with more than a dozen employees. He met Wahida, now 34, when they were in their early 20s and he was called to her familys home to fix an electrical problem. They were married, built a home and raised children. Hussein dug a tiny pool in their backyard, where he also grew vegetables and raised ducks and sheep. What follows is their story as they tell it. The Star has not been able to verify it, but Samer Abboud, a professor who has written a book about the Syrian war, says it is typical. The anti-regime protests spread to their Damascus suburb in March 2011, but Hussein and Wahida didnt join. I was too frightened, says Hussein. I didnt think there would be any benefit, except a bullet. Staying away from the protests offered no protection, however. In the summer of 2011, he was driving to get groceries when army officials stopped him at a checkpoint and demanded he give them his car. He refused and was hauled to prison for three months. Over weeks of torture, his right hand was mangled he can no longer use it to lift or carry things. Most of his teeth were broken. He was repeatedly electrocuted. He still suffers from panic attacks and memory loss. (The familys official refugee profile states Hussein was jailed for a year and a half, but Wahida and Hussein say it was three months.) The family left Syria for Lebanon. The Bakours sense of dates is vague. But it is clear they lived for at least two years in a tent Hussein built in a camp outside Anjar, a Lebanese town two-and-a-half hours from Beirut. They shared the space with Wahidas father, stepmother and three of her half-siblings. There, they received some financial aid from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Program, but not enough for food and rent. Hussein couldnt work, because of his crippled hand and fragile psyche, so the familys three oldest boys went into the streets to hawk Kleenex and napkins. The oldest, twins Ali and Fawaz, were 8 at the time. The most successful salesman was their little brother Mohammad, then 6. (People) gave me money without taking anything, he says proudly. The boys and their parents never felt secure in Lebanon. On the streets, they were often cursed at, they say. They were threatened by the Lebanese military, who detained people with expired residency permits. The Bakours got the first call from the Canadian visa office about being accepted as refugees more than a year ago. When they boarded the flight to Canada their first trip on an airplane they knew very little of what would await. Their hearts were heavy, as they left the rest of their family behind. Id never thought of Canada before, says Wahida. They attended a daylong workshop by the Canadian visa office in Beirut a few days before leaving. From it, they gleaned a grab bag of ideas about their home-to-be. One: there was a big waterfall. Two: there was snow. The third one, however, left the biggest impression. Its the one they offer a reporter, asking what they knew of Canada before arriving. Its banned to hit your kids, says Hussein. In Canada, if you ever hit your kids, the government will take them away. The kids first day at school Inside the Bakours new home near Danforth and Pharmacy Aves., the four oldest children are by the front door, excitedly pulling on their new winter jackets and boots. It is their first day of school for all intents and purposes, ever. There was a school for refugees not far from their tent in Lebanon, but they rarely attended because the teachers flogged them with a thick whip, they say. Besides, they had to earn money. They have already toured nearby public schools, which allayed any fears about corporal punishment here. I swear, its beautiful, says twin Ali, 10, who attended one year of kindergarten before the war. We are going to learn to read! Hussein walked the two-block route twice last night, practising for this morning. I hope (the kids) will be doctors and offer free medicine to everyone, he says, as they step out the door. The children will attend two adjacent schools, Oakridge Junior Public and Samuel Hearne Middle School. Both are part of the TDSBs Model Schools for Inner Cities program, which provides extra support to students and their families. There is a parent literacy centre, a community support worker and a settlement worker who helps newcomer families find housing, training, jobs and doctors. Every Friday, the schools send many kids home with backpacks full of food. Theres a free halal breakfast program. Most important, since 86 per cent of the schools students speak English as a second language, there are extra ESL teachers and the Literacy Enrichment Academic Program (LEAP), designed for newcomer children with little schooling experience. There, they are taught not just English, but the routines of school and essentially how to learn. The Bakours ended up in this school catchment area by chance. Just before the morning bell, the family makes its way to the administration office. The principal at Oakridge, Heather Groves, is waiting, along with Grade 1 teacher William Assaf. Assaf shakes 6-year-old Malaks hand and says good morning to her in Arabic. Would you like to come and see the classroom? Up on the second floor, she quickly settles in at her desk, and is instantly surrounded by students saying hello. Things dont go as smoothly for Mohammad, 7. His Grade 2 teacher, Kelly Lunn, sits on a rocking chair surrounded by her students on the carpet. Boys and girls, this is Mohammad. Hes come a long way to be here, she says. We are going to be helpful, but not aggressively helpful. He kneels awkwardly on the edge of the carpet. But when he sees his father and brothers leave the class, his face crumples. He races after them into the hall, crying. Vice-principal Rod Zimmerman tells Hussein many students have first-day problems. The school has also found Mohammad an Arabic-speaking buddy to play with at lunch and recess. By 9:27, Hussein is exhausted after dropping the twins off. He, too, is learning a new ritual as a parent. The parents first day of school The scene replays itself three weeks later: kids pulling on coats, a nervous excitement in the room. A routine is forming in thin layers, like the snow drifting down outside. Mohammad is happy now. He lists his friends in class: Karim, Abierto, Abdullah. Its his parents who are nervous. Hussein and Wahida are going back to school after a 20-year gap. Hussein finished Grade 6 on paper, but really left at age 9 to work. He never learned to read or write. Wahida made it through Grade 4, but she, too, cannot read Arabic. They take the subway to WoodGreen Community Services, carefully counting the stops since the letters on the station walls are like hieroglyphics to them. The centre at Danforth and Coxwell is an official English language centre, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Here, landed immigrants and those with refugee status are offered free English classes and settlement services until they are sworn in as citizens, usually in three or four years. There is a free daycare for 2-year-old Rahaf. Four Syrian refugees are starting classes today. Two are in advanced language classes for professionals a gynecologist and an MBA student, both from Aleppo and fluent in English. The Bakours are at Level 1. They are ushered into a bright classroom, where desks face one another in a square. Most classmates are Chinese grandparents, but there is a woman in an Ethiopian shawl and a Spanish speaker. Teacher Cindy Law tries to keep the class fun and welcoming. She is wearing bright red lipstick to match her shirt, and beside her whiteboard shes pinned a poster with Dont worry. Relax. Have Fun! written in cherry red. She gets the students to go around in a circle, repeating the days of the week and the months. Wahida shakes her head, smiling. Hussein looks stunned. Law goes over the same material every few months since there is continuous enrolment. Today, its back to seasons. She asks the class to describe things they see in a picture of summer, and notes each word on the whiteboard. Apples. Blanket. Flip-flops. Students copy the words in English, then in their native tongue, so they can study later. Hussein and Wahida follow suit, carefully copying the strange scratchings they see on the board. But how will they study? Since prison, Husseins memory is terrible. I dont know what Im writing, he says. With hard work, newcomers can learn enough English to function in a mainstream job in their field in two or three years, says Maisie Lo, WoodGreens director of immigrant services. But thats assuming they are literate in their native language. For people like the Bakours, it will be many years, she says. Essentially, they have to learn how to learn how to organize and analyze information, and create new knowledge. These are all skills we learned in school, that we take for granted. But Hussein and Wahida have come from a war zone. Sitting in a class and watching a kind lady speak a strange language seems a wonderful change. They love it. Says Hussein: I feel like Im becoming a very little kid again. It seems theyve been here forever Fawazs right calf is in a cast. The 10-year-old either broke his foot or badly sprained it slipping down the stairs. His father and mother hustled him to a nearby clinic, from where they were dispatched to hospital in a taxi. In the emergency room, they were greeted by an Arabic translator the hospital had called. She brought us back home, Hussein says with a huge smile. She even gave us her phone number, if we need anything in the future. You can understand why he says Canada is full of the best people Ive ever seen. If integration is a two-way process, so far Toronto has proven very amenable to this family. The Bakours have felt welcomed at just about every corner. Strangers have offered baked goods, stuffed animals, job opportunities, dinner dates But the family has also adapted remarkably well. In an emergency, they got themselves to a doctors office on their own. They take the subway daily. Their vocabulary is expanding. (See you tomorrow, no problem, crazy.) The principals at both schools give positive reports on all four children. They are engaged in class, they say. Ali and Fawaz were playing soccer at recess, before Fawazs injury. When asked what she loves most about Toronto, Malak replies: My teacher loves me very much. On a recent day, Karen Scott, one of the familys sponsors, was driving the children to visit the beach, when Mohammad yelled in English to stop. His sister had taken off her seatbelt. Considering he moved here from a place with spotty traffic regulations, Scott puts this in the category of adapting exceptionally well. It seems to me theyve been here forever, she says. In two months, her group has ticked off most of its obligations as private sponsors to the Bakours. They found lodging, registered the family in school and English classes, set up bank accounts, found doctors and dentists. The notable exception is employment. When the sponsorship term expires at years end, ideally, one of the parents will have at least a line on a job, so the family can support themselves. Typically, privately sponsored refugees land jobs faster than government-assisted ones, because of sponsors contacts. (While 70 per cent of privately sponsored refugees have jobs by the end of their first year, their average annual earnings are only $18,500, according to government statistics.) A job using his trade skills might be obvious for Hussein. But he would need the full use of his right hand. Initial consultations with doctors have left him pessimistic. Wahida has never worked outside the house and, so far, Hussein opposes the idea. Traditionally, refugee scholars have considered finding meaningful employment to be the prime indicator of successful settlement. This might prove elusive for the Bakours for some time. Its a five- to seven-year process, says Fawzia Haji, the settlement worker with Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office who works at Oakridge and Samuel Hearne schools. It takes that long for people to feel settled. There are other problems. The three boys are showing signs of trauma, their mother says. Ali, one of the twins, will only sleep under his parents bed. Ali has seen something in Syria probably, something we dont know about, Wahida says, adding she has spoken to a school counsellor. (The same counsellor provided Wahida with some Canadian-style discipline techniques, such as confiscating the iPad when the children misbehave. I tried, but it didnt work, she says. The kids are giving me a hard time.) For her, the most difficult part has been worrying about her family back in Lebanon. The members of the Metropolitan United Church refugee sponsorship committee are committed to the family for the long term. They raised $47,000 more than twice as much as needed for a combined government-private case. If the Bakours need financial and settlement support after a year, Scott intends to provide it. Morally, if there are still challenges, (abandoning them) will not be an option for me, she says. Of the committee members, she has spent the most time with the Bakours. She delights when the children run to her for a hug at the door. The experience has pushed her to examine a career change, from IT management to refugee settlement. I cant imagine my life without that little family, she says. Over the past two weeks, Wahidas father, stepmother and three of her siblings followed her path from the informal refugee camp near Anjar, Lebanon, to Pearson airport. However, they are government-assisted refugees with no private sponsor, and are being settled in Hamilton. Without any guides or translators, the Bakours made their way to that city by subway, train and bus to greet them at their hotel. I feel so, so, so happy, says Wahida. Two streams of refugees The Bakours are more typical of government-assisted Syrian refugees (GAR) than of privately sponsored refugees arriving in Canada. Private sponsors bear the costs of supporting a refugee or family for a year. The Bakours arrived on the Blended Visa OfficeReferred (BVOR) program, in which Ottawa financially supports the family for six months and their sponsors pay the remaining costs and oversee the first year of settlement. So far, only 1,173 of the 16,565 Syrian refugees who have arrived in Canada are in the BVOR program, and for statistical purposes, Ottawa considers them similar to GAR cases. Family size Government-sponsored: 53% of applications have 5-8 people. Privately sponsored: 52% of approved cases involve just 1 person. Age Government-sponsored: 56% of cases in progress involve people 14 years of age or younger. Privately sponsored: 31% of cases in progress involve people 14 or younger. Language Government-sponsored: 85% of cases in progress involve people who speak neither French nor English. Privately sponsored: 38% speak neither language Education Government-sponsored: In 40% of approved cases, 14 years of age or younger, the refugees have no education. In 8% of approved cases, age 15 or older, they have some post-secondary education. Privately sponsored: No data available. Sources: Syrian Refugee Profile: Addendum January 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Welcome Refugees: Key Figures, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Read more about: SHARE: Byelections always give voters a chance to express their dissatisfaction with the government, but last weeks Liberal defeat in Whitby-Oshawa delivered an unusually stark warning to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Despite pulling out all the stops to wrest the seat from the Progressive Conservatives, the Liberals had the worst showing in their 13-year tenure. Wynne brought in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau two days before the vote to boost Liberal support. Her government released a large swath of land, set aside 44 years ago for a new airport in Pickering, to developers for a sustainable community creating an estimated 35,000 jobs in the region. She deployed negative advertising, accusing the Conservatives of plotting to bring back coal, the dirtiest source of energy. She invested a huge amount of time and effort in the riding. It was all for naught. Conservative candidate Lorne Coe beat his Liberal counterpart Elizabeth Roy by 53 per cent to 28 per cent. It wasnt because Whitby-Oshawa was unwinnable. Federal Liberal candidate Celina Caesar-Chavannes picked it up in last falls general election. It wasnt because the Tories had a star candidate. Coe, a 66-year-old Durham councillor, had a much lower profile than Christine Elliott, the popular incumbent who stepped down last August. And it wasnt because of local issues. The month-long campaign was dominated by the governments decision to sell off most of Hydro One, the accumulation of scandals on (and predating) Wynnes watch, and cuts in health-care services. The premier had nowhere to look but in the mirror to explain her partys showing. She insisted the Liberals will win back the riding in two years. Elizabeth Roy went further. This is not a loss, she assured her supporters, vowing to turn things around before the 2018 provincial election. Although the provincial Liberals face a palpable hunger for change, there are several steps Wynne can take to put a fresher face on her government. The first is to get moving on its plans to improve public transit, build affordable housing and get other municipal projects started. That will depend on how quickly the federal government releases the $10 billion a year in infrastructure funds Trudeau has promised. The second is to shake up her cabinet. Several of her senior ministers are weak. Most are holdovers from former premier Dalton McGuintys tenure. She needs new talent and new energy. The third is to put some solid accomplishments in front of Ontarians. Her government has plenty of plans. What it needs to win back a measure of public confidence is progress that people can see and feel; hydro bills they can understand; home care services they can count on; a functioning cap-and-trade system; and jobs that pay enough to live on. Finally, it would help if Wynne kept her partisanship in check. Her job is to serve all Ontarians, not just Liberals. The premier went further than any of her predecessors and all her provincial peers in endorsing and campaigning for Trudeau in last falls election. Whitby-Oshawa was always a long shot for the Liberals. The Conservatives led the polls throughout the race. There was a lot of goodwill toward Elliott and her husband, the late Jim Flaherty, in the riding. The timing of the 1,000-acre land release was suspicious. Voter turnout was low. For a long-serving government, that is a lethal combination. But it would be a mistake to dismiss Whitby-Oshawa as an isolated aberration. The byelection showcased many of the issues the Liberals will face at the polls in 2018. It highlighted voters misgivings over the sell-off of public assets. It demonstrated that newly elected Tory leader Patrick Brown is building support on the ground. And it signalled that the trusty red machine that carried the Liberals to victory in four successive elections is badly in need of a tune-up. Read more about: SHARE: Chinese shoppers are seen in a photo taken in the Akihabara electronics shopping district in Tokyo, Japan on October 2, 2015. [File Photo/Xinhua] Chinese tourists comprised the major consumption force in overseas markets during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday starting from Feb. 7. Chinese purchasing made up 55.8 percent of overseas consumption in the period, reflecting a new impetus to economic growth emerging through the various sales tactics in different countries. Dubai: A big Chinese character "Monkey" made its appearance in the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai on the first day of Chinese Lunar New Year, reflecting the fact that the monkey is the zodiac animal for the Chinese lunar year that began on February 8. A string of promotional programs, including the offering of preferential prices with 25 most favorite commodities to Chinese customers inside the tax-free shopping arcade of Dubai Airport began on February 2. The arcade was spruced up with decorations accentuated by Chinese elements and shops hired a number of Chinese assistants wearing traditional costumes to welcome the massive influx of Chinese customers. There are over 100 flights connecting Dubai and the Chinese mainland, and 28 between Dubai and Hong Kong, each week. Therefore, Chinese customers constitute a major part of local sales. Los Angeles: Chinese customers enhanced the festive atmosphere of the South Coast Plaza, a high-end shopping mall in the U.S. city. The shopping center was decorated with hundreds of Chinese red lanterns to attract Chinese customers as their numbers have been soaring in recent years. A shop assistant from Vivienne Westwood said the annual celebration of Spring Festival always brought in an increased number of Chinese customers to the shopping mall. Maldives: A gala celebrating the Spring Festival for the Chinese travelers was held on February 8, 2016, in Faafushi, Maldives. The backdrop of the performances displayed four conspicuous Chinese characters meaning "Wish you an affluent New Year." South Korea: According to the administration of travel development of South Korea, the visits of Chinese tourists were expected to boost the current sluggish Korean market. Official statistics show that the average consumption of a single Chinese traveler to South Korea reached US$2,095 in 2014, creating roughly 330,000 job opportunities in the country. The diversified payments: China has occupied top position in terms of numbers of overseas travelers and their consumption since 2012. They currently contribute 13 percent of the annual revenue of the global travel industry now, helped by the availability of payment facilities, such as UnionPay and Alipay, in the overseas markets. The increase of young travelers and the internationalization of Yuan: Wei Liang, director from the Economic Security Research Center of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), said that, with the speeded-up internationalization of Yuan, more and more people have been involved in the international business platform, which consequently influences the habits of consumptions of Chinese travelers. A market supervisor from Bandos, Maldives, said, with the increasing consumption on foods and wines and growing appetites for interactive programs, more young Chinese travelers and backpackers are changing the tourist mode while preferring individual and international services. Domestic supply needs to be upgraded: The massive purchase of the overseas merchandises revealed the insufficient supply of quality goods in the domestic markets to meet the growing demands of Chinese customers, Wei said. Domestic manufacturers needed to accelerate the innovation of the products to satisfy the diversified demands, especially those at the medium-and-high ends, he added. Li Jin, director from the China National Tourism Administration, said, tourist consumption will undergo a massive surge by 2020, when the GDP per capita is estimated to surpass US$10,000. Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said on Saturday that it is wrong to use the term "Fishball Revolution" to justify the mob violence in Mong Kok during the Lunar New Year holiday. Lai told the media on Saturday that the word "fishball" is misplaced as it implies hawkers were selling food and the government took enforcement action against them. Lai said the fact is Food & Environmental Hygiene Department officers were patrolling the area close to the location where the unrest started and were not taking any enforcement action. The officers were then surrounded by a group of more than 50 people and that's why they then asked for police assistance, said the official. Lai said the government's position is clear that this is a case of violence and it must take all possible legal action to apprehend the culprits and bring them to court. Tsang Yok-sing, president of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, said people should not resort to violence even though they are dissatisfied with the government, and violence is not acceptable to the great majority of the society. Cheung Chi-kong, a member of Hong Kong's Executive Council, said he was shocked and upset over the Mong Kok riot, reckoning hawking was not the most controversial issue but an excuse for violence. Looking for excuses to justify the riot is not helping the rioters but driving them over another edge, Cheung said, urging people to rethink what will happen next following the violent scenes in Mong Kok. Following the riot, which happened on Feb. 8 to Feb. 9, with more than 100 people injured, local media strongly condemned the incident and unveiled the rioters' act of defiance. A number of social groups expressed their concern over the riot, stating their stance that the breach of law and order is intolerable. Heads of Hong Kong's disciplinary forces released a joint statement on Friday to condemn the riot and show support to the police. As of Saturday, the police have arrested more than 60 suspects and 40 of them have been charged with riot. Central Military Commission (CMC) Chairman Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have signed orders to give an honorary title to a unit of the Chinese People's Armed Police (CPAP) in eastern Shandong Province. The armed police squadron in Chengwu County in Heze City was honored for its excellence in military competition, outstanding fulfillment of its missions and no accidents in more than 30 years, said a statement jointly released by the State Council and the CMC on Saturday. In the statement, all soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, the CPAP and all police forces were urged to learn from the Chengwu County squadron in their loyalty, purity and reliability, implementation of real-combat training, and efforts in boosting a strong military. It also urged military forces and police forces to contribute more to the realization of the two centenary goals and the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Flash As a Chinese saying goes, Taste is actually a memory of childhood. Local specialty food may not be popular among all people, but it offers outsiders a glimpse of local culture and history. Gongcheng oil tea is such a kind of food that would be considered weird by many first-time visitors to the remote county in the north of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Many people dislike its bitter and astringent flavor when they take a sip. It felt like drinking Chinese herbal medicine. I never expected that I would gradually accept it afterwards, and even become addicted to it, said a traveler surnamed Zhang who comes from Shijiazhuang in northern Chinas Hebei province. Langshan village is said to be the birthplace of Gongcheng oil tea whose ideal ingredients are green tea and fermented tea. The village has preserved well its buildings and roads dating back to late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as well as its traditional way of making the special tea. Lin Fengyou, 60, introduced the cooking process. She looks younger than her age, and attributes this to the benefits of drinking oil tea throughout the year. The first procedure is to use a wooden hammer to pound the tea while heating it in an iron pot, and then add edible oil and boiled water afterwards. She filters off the solid residues, and pours the glue-like green tea soup into bowls. Then, she adds salt, caraway seed, green onion, dried rice, fried groundnuts, sliced taro and fried beans. The taste of the oil tea is a mixture of the distinctive flavors of all its ingredients. Local people usually eat it together with glutinous rice balls, rice dumplings and glutinous rice cake. The villagers consume oil tea three times a day. The tea soup is a healthy and refreshing food. The tea soup to us is coffee to Westerners, said Lin. But it is tastier. The village head said Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty once tasted the oil tea during his visit to South China and named it as a refreshing soup. One of Qianlongs chefs came from Gongcheng. He made some innovations, adding more ingredients such as ginger and garlic that were considered especially good for the emperors health. Lin said: Although every step of the procedure of making tea soup is simple, they have evolved over hundreds of years. The tea soup is an extension of Gongchengs history and culture. The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia sent shockwaves through the political establishment and immediately changed the focus of the presidential campaign. President Obama pledged to send a nominee to the Republican-controlled Senate, but GOP leaders dug in their heels and suggested that the appointment should be made by the next president. And the candidates are already staking out positions on the issue. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, said on the NBC program "Meet the Press" that the election should be a "referendum on the Supreme Court." On the Democratic side, both former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Obama's plan to exercise his Constitutional authority to submit a nomination. "It appears that some of my Republican colleagues in the Senate have a very interesting view of the Constitution of the United States," Sanders said at a Democratic gathering in Denver. "Apparently they believe that the Constitution does not allow a Democratic president to bring forth a nominee to replace Justice Scalia. I strongly disagree with that." At the same event, Clinton echoed Sanders' comments. "Let me just make one point," Clinton declared, "Barack Obama is the president of the United States until January 20, 2017." The Democrats' remarks were reported by ABC News. Scalia was found dead at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in West Texas, according to a report in the San Antonio Express News. Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed Scalia's death, issuing a statement Saturday evening. "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues," Roberts said. "His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Maureen, and his family." Scalia was the longest-serving member of the Court, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. As a legal theorist, Scalia insisted that in making its rulings, the Court need look no further than the text of the Constitution and that its meaning has not changed since its authors set it down. In practice, that meant that legislative history -- how Congress came to enact the laws under the Court's review -- is irrelevant. Critics, though, suggested that Scalia's fealty to original intent extended only as far as it produced the ideological results he desired. Scalia's death sets up a major political struggle. The Supreme Court is now divided evenly between liberal and conservative justices. President Obama can nominate a replacement, but the Republican-controlled Senate, which must confirm the appointment, has resisted the president's efforts to fill judicial vacancies. While two Obama Supreme Court nominees have been confirmed -- Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan -- the Senate GOP will likely attempt to delay any confirmation until after a new president is inaugurated in the hope that the next occupant of the Oval Office will be a Republican. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, issued a statement Saturday saying the Senate should not take up any nomination from Obama. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," McConnell said. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." But the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said on Twitter: "Would be unprecedented in recent history for SCOTUS to go year with vacancy. And shameful abdication of our constitutional responsibility." Sen. Patrick Leahy, Democrat of Vermont and the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: "The American people deserve to have a fully functioning Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons. It is only February. The President and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court." President Obama, in his first public comments on Scalia's death, spoke in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and offered condolences to the justice's family. He also said that he would nominate a replacement and that he expected the Senate to give the nomination fair consideration and a timely vote. Antonin Scalia was born on March 11, 1936 in Trenton, N.J. His father, Salvatore Eugene Scalia, was an Italian immigrant who became a professor of Romance Languages at Brooklyn College. His mother, Catherine Panaro Scalia, was also born in Trenton to immigrant parents and was an elementary school teacher. Scalia began his legal career at what is now Jones Day in Cleveland. President Ronald Reagan appointed Scalia to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1982 and elevated him to the top court in 1986. Scalia is survived by his wife, Maureen McCarthy Scalia, and nine children. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Mostly sunny skies. High 57F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 43F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Flash The United States Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that Syria crisis should be settled on a political track, urging parties to take advantage of current opportunity to end the conflicts. The United States Secretary of State John Kerry addresses the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 13, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua] Kerry said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference that political settlement is the only way to end conflicts in Syria. Agreements reached by top diplomats earlier on Friday provided an opportunity that parties could not miss. "If the international community and Syrians themselves miss the opportunity now before we to achieve that political resolution to the conflicts, the violence... will continue," he said. Kerry told audience that humanitarian aid could start flow to areas where in urgent need "today or tomorrow," while a lot of work must be done in order to ensure an effective "cessation of hostilities" within the week. One of the issues needed to be clarified was which actions could be defined as against terrorists, and which could not, he said. The United States claimed that Russian airstrikes targeted against oppositions in Syria instead of terrorists. The claim was rejected by the Russian side. Indigenous women sit on stools as they wait for Pope Francis to pass on his way to the Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. The pontiff's five-day visit includes a prayer before the Virgin of Guadalupe shrine, the largest and most important Marian shrine in the world and one that is particularly important to the first Latin American pope. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Republican presidential candidates turn their sights on the South in Saturday nights debate, with Marco Rubio looking to right his campaign after a costly stumble that gave new hope to some of his rivals. Just six contenders will take the stage in Greenville, South Carolina, far from the long line of candidates who participated in earlier GOP debates. But even with a streamlined field, the Republican race remains deeply uncertain. Jeb Bush and John Kasich are vying with Rubio for the support of more traditional Republican voters. But all three are chasing Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. Having split the first two voting states, Trump and Cruz are hoping to add to their win total in South Carolinas Feb. 20 primary. The relationship between the billionaire and the Texas senator has become increasingly acrimonious in recent days. Cruz released a television advertisement before the debate accusing the real estate mogul of a pattern of sleaze, spurring Trump to fire back on Twitter with another round of questions about his Canadian-born rivals eligibility to be president. If Cruz doesnt clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen, Trump wrote. While Trump will be standing at center stage, signifying his lead in national preference polls, Rubio will be the center of attention. Floridas junior senator entered the last debate facing criticism from rivals who said that while he delivers a good speech and sharp answers in debates, he lacked depth. He played into that characterization when he repeated the same practiced line multiple times under pressure from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, contributing to his fifth place finish in the New Hampshire primary. While Rubio has sought to shed some of his reliance on well-rehearsed talking points in recent days, the debate will be a prime test of whether he can rebound. Rubios poor performance has created a potential opening for Bush, the former Florida governor, and Kasich, the current governor of Ohio. Bush in particular will need a solid showing in South Carolina, given his prominent political familys ties to the state, while Kasich is just hoping to remain viable until the race heads to friendly territory for the Midwestern governor. Katon Dawson, former chairman of the South Carolina GOP, said he expects the debate to have more of an impact on his states voters than the results in either Iowa or New Hampshire. In the last couple of races, we have seen our voters hold their final pick until a couple of days before, Dawson said. After the church bells ring on Sunday, people are going to start paying a lot of attention. Also on stage Saturday will be Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who has struggled to stay relevant in the debates as his standing in the race sharply slipped. Carson pledged that he wouldnt allow himself to be ignored. Im going to be much more boisterous, he said on Fox TV. Poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire led some frequent debate participants, including Christie and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, to end their campaigns. Nearly all lower polling candidates who have populated undercard debates have also all ended their White House bids. (AP) He is a Republican former Army colonel with political positions diverse enough to support gun rights and gay marriage. He won re-election in a Hudson Valley district that favored President Barack Obama and captured a third term by crushing a deep-pocketed Democrat by almost 30 points. Its enough to make U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson confident he can break the hammerlock Democrats have had on statewide offices in New York since 2006 to become governor. But as the 51-year-old edges closer to running in 2018, he acknowledges the Republican path to victory is steep and narrow in a state with twice as many Democrats. My eyes are wide open you serve in Iraq your eyes are wide open, Gibson told The Associated Press at his Kinderhook district office. Its hard, but you look at the disillusionment across this state. People are starving for truth and leadership. Gibson this past week launched a committee allowing him to raise money for a run. And hes crisscrossing the state for the likes of Republican receptions in western New York and a post office dedication in Long Island as he finishes his final term in Congress this year. It can seem ridiculously early to prepare for 2018, but hes using the head start introduce himself to voters. Gibson and his wife are raising three teenagers in Kinderhook, the same quaint town south of Albany where he grew up. His 24-year Army career included four combat tours of Iraq and he still keeps a tight-on-the-sides haircut and peppers policy talk with lessons he learned from his time as a brigade commander. Though he first won his seat during the 2010 tea party surge, Gibsons votes reflect a district closely split between Democrats and Republicans. Gibson opposes Gov. Andrew Cuomos 2013 firearm restrictions and has supported the repeal of Obamas health care act. But he also was among hundreds of Republicans who signed a friend-of-the court brief at the Supreme Court last year supporting same-sex marriage and introduced a resolution calling for action on climate change. Gibson has really, in an odd way, staked out position on both the left and the right, said Iona College political science professor Jeanne Zaino. Its almost difficult to tell where he stands at some point. A little-known Republican state senator named George Pataki defeated Gov. Mario Cuomo in 1994 in part by projecting that kind of moderate, suburban-friendly appeal. But other Republicans have not been able to repeat the feat since Pataki left office in 2006, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who lost to the younger Cuomo in 2014. Republicans running statewide have often become snared in the same campaign-crushing cycle. As underdogs, they have a hard time raising money, which helps cement their longshot status. Though outspent, Astorino actually got more votes outside of New York City than Cuomo in 2014. But Cuomo ran stronger downstate and won three-quarters of the city vote on his way to a second term. Republicans need to perform better downstate for a decent chance to win statewide. Gibson has a four-point agenda he believes can rally his partys base while attracting independents and even picking off some Democrats. It includes tax reform, a roll-back of the unpopular Common Core standards, a plan to addresses violent criminals without gun control and a vow to clean up corruption in Albany. He adds a fifth point too, governing with humility a shot at Cuomo, who already has $16 million on hand if he runs for a third term. Gibson describes his potential rival as a credit-seeking bully. Theres too much self-aggrandizement in this governors approach, he said. There was no comment on the Cuomo campaign on Gibsons possible run. Gibson raised $3 million in 2014 to defeat Sean Eldridge, the husband of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, who tapped his own wealth as he raised more than $6 million. This time, Gibson said he would need a minimum of $20 million to run a credible gubernatorial campaign. But even if he runs, there are potential roadblocks. Astorino has shown interest in running again. So has Carl Paladino, the bombastic Buffalo businessman who lost to Cuomo in 2010. Theres no guarantee that the state Republican party home to tea party enthusiasts and white-shoe establishment types will band together this time. Ive always felt like the New York Republican party really does eat its young, if you will, Zaino said. The party really does have to coalesce around him. (AP) Rebitzen Shifra Nebenzahl AH, the wife of the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalems Old City, HaGaon HaRav Avigdor Nebenzahl Shlita, was niftar over Shabbos. The levaya was held on motzei Shabbos. The rebitzen, who was known for her total and absolute commitment to supporting the ravs limud Torah, was the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Zeev Finkel as well as the sister of the Mir Brachfeld Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Finkel Shlita. Kol Chai Radio on Sunday morning 5 Adar I reported that when the rebitzen learned of her illness, she informed the doctor her only concern was who would continue making certain the ravs needs are taken care of around-the-clock to permit him to continue his learning without any disturbances. She was not concerned for herself but was distressed her illness might compromise the ravs limud Torah. Her family explains that her entire being was engulfed in acts of chessed, as was evident by all who merited meeting her. The rav visited her bedside on Thursday and family members were with her when her neshama left this world on Friday night. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Shas MK Yaakov Margi set off a political explosion with his recent visit with leaders of the Crimea government established by Russia, setting off a volatile response from the Ukraine as he walked into the heart of that conflict. Margi was invited by Chief Rabbi of Sevastopol Binyomin Wolf and decided to take him up on the offer. Margi, who serves as the Chairman of the Knesset Education Committee, met with Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov. Israel was quick to distance itself from the visit announcing the MK acted on his own initiative and he in no way is a representative of the State of Israel. He did however inform the Knesset Ethic Committee of the invitation and his visit was approved by the committee. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 while Ukrainian officials prohibit meetings with those officials under penalty of law, viewing the Russian government as a puppet government that occupies the area. Margi walked into the heart of this conflict and set off a political storm as the Tass news agency reported Margis visit was likely to assist Israeli citizens in forming their opinion vis-a-vis the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Margi is quoted telling the media that he had a misconception regarding life for 17,000 Jews in Crimea but as a result of his visit, he sees life for the Jewish population is good and they are safe as he feels safe, eliciting the Ire of Ukrainian officials. The Israel Foreign Ministry is carefully monitoring the situation that results from Margis blunder. Foreign Ministry officials, like the Prime Ministers Office, have distanced themselves from Margi and his actions, announcing they were unaware of his planned visit in advance. Realizing the error of his ways, Margi is not saying much but he has announced his trip was authorized by the Knesset Ethics Committee as well as coordinating with the Knesset Foreign Affairs Department and the Foreign Ministry. Knesset spokesman Yotam Yakir also announced the visit is not an official one and Margi is not acting as a representative of the Knesset. Israel is caught in a difficult situation as it does not wish to strain relations with Russia but officials are also aware the Ukraine is now serving as a member of the United Nations Security Council and this too is relevant. Israel does not wish to take sides in this battle between Russia and the Ukraine, but Margi has literally walked into political quicksand as the Russians did not waste time and they used Margis visit to signal it marks an official visit by Israel and, which is viewed as recognition of its government. The Ukrainian government late last week informed Israeli that it is considering indictment Margi for the visit for in the eyes of the Ukrainians, the MK broke the law and he visited a Russian-occupied area, namely the Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian officials have already filed a formal protest with the Israel Foreign Ministry. Ukrainian officials have announced a formal investigation into Margis actions has been launched. Only seven countries recognize Crimea today: Russia, Syria, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Venezuela, North Korea and Cuba. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday morning, 6 Adar I, will be entering prison to serve a 19-month term. He must be at bloc 10 of Massiyahu Prison by 10:00am. He was convicted in the Holyland real estate case and the Talansky cash envelopes case. As was reported by YWN-ISRAEL, bloc 10 has been remodeled to accommodate ISA security demands for the former Prime Minister and there will be three inmates in each cell, including Olmerts, all serving sentences for white collar crimes. This bloc will be much more isolated than others due to the special security considerations for an imprisoner former national leader. Israel Prison Authority officials report they are ready for all possibilities as they are quite aware this situation addresses a new reality, the imprisonment of a former Prime Minister. Officials add no one wants to see something occur on their watch and therefore, much has been done to accommodate the VIP prisoner and to ensure he completes his sentence without incident. On Sunday, 5 Adar I, prison service officials report there will be 18 prisoners in bloc 10, three in each of six cells. A former commander of Massiyahu Prison explains all of the persons involved are aware of the mission, reminding the public a former Prime Minister knows many state secrets and this is one of the reasons special security arrangements are essential. It is added that in other blocs of the prison there are 100-120 prisoners and clearly, the small population in Olmerts bloc will facilitate meeting ISA security demands while he serves his term. If and when Olmert will wish to work out in the prisons gym, which is reportedly state-of-the-art, the facility will shut to all other prisoners. Similar concerns will be in place regarding the library and other facilities available to prisoners. All involved admit the first days will be awkward and difficult but they are confident the Mr. Olmert is likely to be speaking with the social worker a great deal as he is compelled to adjust to a very different environment, one with many restrictions. Each cell has three beds, a shower, toilet, clothing closet, table, chairs and a TV. The bloc has public phones in the hallway, classrooms, recreational area, visiting area, two areas to meet with an attorney, a room used as a shul, library, sport equipment, dining room, a courtyard, social worker, and the office of the blocs commander. As a new prisoner, Olmert will be permitted to bring with him two towels, four pairs of underwear, four pairs of socks, two sets of training clothing without hoods and unlined, a single blanket cover, a non-feather blanket, two pairs of unlined sport pants, two sheets, a pillowcase, tefilin, a tallis, a prayer rug, religious seforim, hygiene accessories (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and transparent bottles), identity card and NIS 1,500 in cash. (YWN Israel Desk, Jerusalem) [BREAKING UPDATES, VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] At least five people have RL been killed in a serious crash on Sunday evening on Route 1. Dozens of emergency personnel responded to scene of the crash which involved an Egged bus and a tractor-trailer. The bus is the Egged #402 line from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak, and was full of Chareidim. UPDATE 8:09PM IL: Israel Police Traffic Enforcement Unit Chief Deputy Commissioner Yaron Beeri has ordered the establishment of a special investigation team and is refraining for releasing any additional information due to the volume of rumors circulating, explaining when he has hard facts he will inform the public. There is a total of 3 persons in critical condition in different hospitals, with doctors working to save their lives. After interviewing the driver and speaking with his brother, who he called minutes before the crash by the driver, it appears the driver called and explained he was pulling over because of mechanical issues, giving added credibility to reports that accident was driver error by the bus driver and not an intentional act on the part of the truck driver as some felt may have been the case. UPDATE 8:00PM IL: The following is a translation of a bulletin to the media released minutes ago by the Israel Police Traffic Enforcement Unit. The possibility of a terror attack is being probed. It appears however the accident is the result of human error on the part of the number 402 bus driver from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak. The bus left Jerusalem at 17:40 and it does not appear to be terrorism as rumors are indicating. the truck driver was moderately injured. He is a resident of the eastern capital. Total of the dead & Injured Five persons were killed 3 people are critically injured 8 people are seriously injured 3 people are moderately injured 15 people are lightly injured The injured were transported to Kaplan, Tel Hashomer, Assaf HaRofeh and Shaare Zedek Hospital. Route one from Jerusalem is closed to traffic. UPDATE 7:47PM IL: All of the injured were transported to Assaf HaRofeh, Kaplan and Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospitals. Assaf HaRofeh reports one victim in emergency life-saving surgery at this time. Bchasdei Hashem most of the injured are not in life-threatening condition. UPDATE 7:44PM IL: While Zaka has a great deal of work to complete on the scene of the fatal crash, police are signaling they plan to reopen the highway in the coming minutes, well-aware of the traffic pileup that has resulted in the closure due to the accident. All motorists who do not absolutely have to use Highway 1 are urged to take an alternate route. Ichud Hatzalah CEO Moshe Teitelbaum reports it will be some time until the bus and truck are cleared from the area but confirms, police are hoping to reopen the highway soon. UPDATE 7:41PM IL: Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has arrived at one of the hospitals that received victims of the bus accident commenting A horrific site, no other words. To our sorrow there are fatalities and persons seriously wounded. One of the wounded is now reported critical and another in serious condition. Some of the victims were taken to Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot and Assaf HaRofeh in Rishon LTzion. The bus left Jerusalem for Bnei Brak until getting to the Latrun area, where the truck with the building materials was parked on the side of the road. The bus driver began braking but he was not able to stop in time. It appears he did realize the truck was protruding into his lane, but the driver had nowhere to go. Both the bus driver and truck driver are being questioned by police. Contradicting this report are statements the bus driver did not realize the truck was in his lane, but this does not explain why he began braking. It is confirmed children are among the dead RL. It will take some time to piece the pieces of this accident together. The head of the Israel Police traffic investigations unit is on the scene along with other senior officials to make certain to oversee each step of this investigation. Channel 2 News reports the truck driver was slightly injured, adding the bus driver simply did not see the parked truck in the dark. Needless to say the details surrounding the accident are most likely to change as accident investigators piece together the pieces of this tragic puzzle. The Jerusalem-Tel-Aviv Highway remains closed in both directions from Ben-Gurion east (to Jerusalem) and Latrun west (towards the airport). UPDATE 7:27PM IL: Despite a great deal of confusion and contradictory reports, it is confirmed that the bus involved in the crash was an Egged 402 from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak that departed from the capital at 17:40. The bus driver apparently did not realize the right side of the bus caught the parked double tractor truck, actually a truck delivering marble tile with a crane mounted at the rear of the double carrier portion, which resulted in peeling back the right side of the bus. It is added by police that the truck was protruding into the right lane of the highway and police are questioning the driver, an Arab resident of the eastern capital to determine if he might have parked his truck this was intentionally to cause a crash as occurred. Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, is now closed I both directions from Latrun west and Ben-Gurion Airport east. UPDATE 7:16PM IL: As emergency workers continue working on the scene, the magnitude of the disaster is becoming increasingly evident RL. The official death toll has now reached five. According to preliminary police reports, an accordion (double) truck was parked on the side of the road and for reasons that remain unknown as this time, the buss right side was sliced along its entire side as it passed the truck. Channel 2 News reports all of the wounded have been taken from the scene and on their way to area hospitals, including Assaf HaRofeh Hospital. MDA spokesman Zaki Heller reports the number of injured transported from the scene is 25, including the dead. More to follow VIDEO AND PHOTOS VIA MEDIA RESOURCE GROUP: Hundreds of UK steelworkers will travel to Brussels today to protest outside the EU Commission, writes Rupert Steiner. They will be joined by 5,000 steelworkers from 15 European countries demanding urgent action to stop the flood of cheap imports into the European Union from China and other countries. The march, organised by the European steel association, Eurofer, follows a brutal few months for the UK steel industry which has seen thousands of jobs lost in the wake of cheap imports and high energy costs. Jobs threat: Steelworkers from across Europe will descend on Brussels today demanding urgent action to stop the flood of cheap imports into the European Union from China and other countries The industry has been devastated by a deluge of cheap steel which has mainly come from China. Lower growth from the Asian powerhouse left it with an excess of steel and it has been exporting this to Europe. Chinese steel shipments have leapt more than 50 per cent last year, while imports from Russia and South Korea jumped 25 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. Eurofer has identified that Chinese steel is being exported at prices below the cost of production, a practice known as dumping. Unions have accused the Government of betraying steelworkers, claiming business minister Sajid Javid had blocked the EU from putting higher trade tariffs on cheap Chinese steel. But the European Commission has since announced a new set of tariffs on Chinese imports to prevent the worlds second-biggest economy from distorting the steel market. UK business minister Anna Soubry said: We are taking action on energy costs, public procurement and industrial emissions at home to help the steel sector but this is a global problem requiring a global solution. Prof. Dr. DJAWED SANGDEL The EU Refugee crisis can not be effectively tackled without addressing the root problems. Why the unique higher education program for development in conflict zones with or without internet connectivity is the key to stop refugee flow? Is this the cheapest, most effective and most durable way to eventually reverse the trend by stabilizing the sending countries for a longer run? KEY BENEFITS: Accessible in all geographic areas including conflict zones Accessible to all communities and groups (regardless of gender or economic status) No cost to students High quality, needs-based content Flexible learning access TV, online platform and offline CD package Quality controlled assessment Designed and led by international experts in higher education Programme delivered in 3 languages: English, Dari and Pashto A model for accessible, needs-based higher education globally Dunya University of Afghanistan (DUA), in association with Swiss UMEF University of Geneva, has developed a new, critically-needed education programme for delivery to the population of Afghanistan. Drawing on the expertise and extensive experience of leaders from Afghanistans higher education sector and faculty from around the world, this initiative provides access to high quality higher education specifically designed to respond to the needs of the Afghan population, whose country continues to suffer the impact of decades of war. One of the major problems in Afghanistan for over 40 years now has been the lack of access to education across all sectors of society. We have therefore developed a new method of teaching open to all at no cost to the student. The key innovation of this integrated, progressive programme is its flexible access using three methods of delivery : teaching by television, an online learning platform and offline learning (with CD course and textbook package). This means that the programme is accessible to all communities, including those in conflict zones, as well as to different learner groups, economically, geographically and culturally. The initiatives rationale is anchored in the critical need to develop an educated and confident population in Afghanistan, and in doing so, nurture future leaders with an ethical focus on the interests of the country and region and the world. By providing high quality education opportunities to diverse groups in all sections of the population, this programme promotes and supports future economic prosperity, stronger social cohesion and therefore greater security in Afghanistan. Students are offered undergraduate and graduate modules in relevant subjects including management and business, finance and economics, innovation, leadership and diplomacy. All courses are designed and led by expert international faculty, with syllabi specifically adapted to the social and economic needs of Afghanistan, such as leadership courses for women and courses designed to foster and support entrepreneurial activity. The courses are available in English, Dari and Pashto. Delivery of the learning programme via three channels gives students optimum flexibility and accessibility: DUAs online platform serves those students in areas with connectivity, while the offline CD and textbook packs means students with no internet access can also follow the programmes. DUAs own television channel is dedicated solely to educational broadcasting and allows communities in even remote or conflict-affected zones to access the education programmes. Quality-controlled assessment will take place through interim exam centres set up in regional locations according to local enrolment numbers. This sets the programme apart from education delivered purely online, by maintaining rigorous, university assessment standards. Due to the ongoing shortage of higher education provision, more than 150,000 people annually remain unable to obtain a university place in Afghanistan. Our programme offers this sector of the population the opportunity to gain an education to support both their future and the future development of their country. It also provides young people who would otherwise leave Afghanistan with an incentive to stay in their country, and achieve success as students, citizens and potential future leaders. A quarter of refugees worldwide are from Afghanistan . Afghans make up the second largest refugee population in Europe, with at least 64,000 applications for asylum so far this year. The Afghan population needs the opportunity, incentive and motivation of accessible, quality education in order to build confidence within the country and region. Our initiative is supported by DUAs existing reputation in Afghanistan as leading education provider and trusted brand. We are very proud of this unique programme, which has been developed by academic experts of over 20 nationalities during a period of over five years. The faculty and researchers involved in development of the project have significant experience in education in conflict and/or post-conflict zones, and all bring their commitment to development of accessible education to support leadership for peace and security. Following successful delivery of this programme in Afghanistan, our aim is to make this programme available as an effective model for other conflict and post-conflict countries in world. Airport development adding to economy, jobs in the region Pittsburgh may always be known as the Steel City, but a wave of new industries are popping up near its airport to redefine business in the region. photos by TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS Jerry Bettenhausen, president of Work Services Corp., refers to plans for Work Services to move into the postal distribution center on Hatton Road later this year. Bettenhausen is retiring after 26 years with the nonprofit organization, which provides employment for people with disabilities. SHARE TORIN HALSEY/TIMES RECORD NEWS Jerry Bettenhausen, president of Work Services Corp., talks about the nonprofits mission to provide employment to people with disabilities. Work Services employs 600-700 people in manufacturing, grounds maintenance, document scanning, custodial, food service and carpentry work. Bettenhausen is retiring after 26 years with the company. Bettenhausen talks with Faith Andrade as she organizes boxes of paper clip for shipping. By John Ingle of the Times Record News A sense of belonging is a common desire shared among most people regardless who they are, where they come from or how much or little they have. The feeling of self-worth and accomplishment is an intrinsic need. Jerry Bettenhausen, president of Work Services Corp., perhaps knows that more than others, providing meaningful employment for people with disabilities for more than two decades. The retired Air Force officer is retiring at the end of February after almost 26 years at the Wichita Falls-based company. Bettenhausen said he enjoyed his time in the Air Force and all the places and capacities he was able to serve, and he wouldn't have traded a day of his military service. But there's no comparison between his military and civilian careers. "This is really special," he said. "This is where I have an opportunity to lead a tremendous team here. We've got a great, supportive board of directors. We have dedicated, talented staff. And we've got great employees. "What I get to see is I see life-changing experiences people with disabilities have a very high rate of unemployment. They don't have the same opportunities to get a job. We make that possible." Bettenhausen said not all opportunities work out, but they do have a high rate of success with their disabled employees. When the 68-year-old started work at WSC in 1990, the company had about 200 employees and four contracts including three at Sheppard Air Force Base in food, postal and commissary services, as well as a contract to make paper clips for the entire federal government at their Armory Road facility. Now WSC employs between 600-700 workers including for seasonal workers and continues their contracts with Sheppard as well as contracts with Goodfellow and Dyess Air Force bases and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Employees are also contracted to perform grounds maintenance for the Texas Department of Transportation in Archer, Clay and Wichita counties and a rest area on U.S. 287 near Iowa Park, and WSC also has a contract with Alcoa for cafeteria functions. Other services offered include linen folding, custodial and carpentry. "People ask me what business we're in, and the answer to that is we're in any business that has the potential to provide jobs for people with disabilities," Bettenhausen said. "If we're not really skilled or not experienced in a particular line of business ... we will partner, we will learn whatever it is to find an opportunity to employ people with disabilities." Gerald Hohfeld, a retired postal worker and four-year member of the WSC board, described Bettenhausen as a man with a "heart bigger than he is" and is passionate about his work. He said the soon-to-be retired WSC president recognizes the needs of people with disabilities goes beyond employment. "He's real in tune with their social needs," he said. "The things that have developed under his guidance over all these years they have dance classes, they have art classes, they go fishing once a year and they have people who get trophies for the biggest fish and little fish. Things we take for granted. But people with disabilities don't get those opportunities." Hohfeld, a board member at The ARC of Wichita County, another organization that works with disabled people, said he is saddened to see Bettenhausen retiring, but also understands. He said he is excited to see the new ideas new President David Toogood will bring to the organization. Bettenhausen said one accomplishment he was glad to see happen before his retirement was the purchase and renovation of the old postal facility on Hatton Road. The building will provide triple the work space than the Armory Road location, possibly meaning more contracts, more services and more disabled people employed by WSC. His plans for retirement are simple, he said. He and his wife, Sandi, will spend more time with their grandchildren. He won't be leaving Wichita Falls, and he will be more "deliberate" with his volunteer efforts. SHARE Gonzalez Beauchamp By Christopher Collins of the Times Record News The rubber is about to meet the road in the primary race for Wichita County's Precinct 1 commissioner. Incumbent Ray Gonzalez, who has served as commissioner since 2008, says he's been able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in part by maintaining county roadways. But challenger Mark Beauchamp, traffic superintendent for the city of Wichita Falls, says overseeing residents' safe, affordable road travel is his specialty. Early voting for the Republican primary race begins Tuesday. The day of the primary election also known as Super Tuesday is March 1. Gonzalez, 70, is a former city councilor-turned-county-commissioner and business owner, he said. That resume makes him a shoo-in for re-election, he told the Times Record News. "I did my time and learned how government works. I learned about sitting in and working on budgets for the city," he said. "I think I bring more to the table as far as experience with running a small business, being able to work a budget. Learning how to stretch a dollar." Gonzalez' big success, he said, is bringing his precinct's expenses down from about $1 million to $700,000. He said he was able to cut costs by performing some maintenance for county equipment in-house instead of contracting the work out, along with preserving roads instead of building new ones. The savings were realized in large part by using a process called "fog sealing" on county roads instead of paying for a more expensive "chip seal," about four years ago, he said. Currently, the county pays about $1,200 for road materials per mile, as opposed to the $5,000 it was spending before. A fog seal is a light application of a diluted asphalt emulsion to an aged pavement surface, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. A chip seal is the layering of asphalt with layers of fine aggregate material. "(Fog seals) extend the life of (the pavement), you know, to where water doesn't get in and ruin the road," Gonzalez said. "But sometimes the roads will deteriorate faster and we have to go in there and chip seal." In another example of his ability to save taxpayer money, Gonzales said he's made an effort to perform the maintenance of some county equipment including tractors and other vehicles in-house. In one case, the county was able to repair a tractor for $800 instead of paying a company $3,000. The commissioner also pointed out cost savings "doesn't mean we started cutting back on services. We're still maintaining the roads and doing our other duties." Moreover, Gonzalez said, he's committed to "looking for ways to save some money and provide service for the constituents." Beauchamp said he's no slouch either when it comes to ensuring that residents have access to dependable and cost-effective roadways. The traffic superintendent said he "loves" the job he has now, but is looking for a "new challenge." "Roadway safety has been my thing my whole career," he said. Beauchamp, 51, has 25 full- and part-time employees and manages an average budget of $2 million each year, he said. His jurisdiction comprises 8,000 streetlights, $30,000 signs and "countless miles" of pavement markings, such as road stripes and crosswalks. And though travel infrastructure is his specialty, Beauchamp said he wants his campaign to focus on action something he said he hasn't seen much of in this Commissioners Court. "Our current Commissioners Court seems to take a long time to get things done. It's frustrating when I see the same issues year and year," he said. Among the cyclical issues he mentioned is that of a new county jail facility, a possible project which still appears to be a pipe dream. The most recent reports were that the county was considering building a multistory jail facility across the street from the courthouse in the old Joe Pistocco automobile location. "When you look back at the history, every election that's an issue. I would like to get in there and push that thing into reality," Beauchamp said. As far as cost-cutting goes, the superintendent said he's made a career of getting the best services for residents at the best prices. One example he gave is replacing the city's high-pressure sodium streetlights with LEDs, which saved residents $20,000 a month after the upfront costs or replacement were paid back. He mentioned also that Wichita Falls is one of two Texas cities which manufactures its own road signs, "which saves us a lot of money," he said. Beauchamp described himself as "very fiscally conservative," adding, "I always look for opportunities to save money and put the best product out for the people." SHARE Miller Lunns Col Paul H. Miller, Jr., SGM (Ret), 69, of Wichita Falls, died on Friday, February 12, 2016. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 16, 2016 in the chapel of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home with Charlie Thomason and Jacob Hawk officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery with full military honors under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. A son of the late Nell (Wood) and Paul H. Miller, Sr., Paul was born on December 4, 1946, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He and LaDonna K. Miller were married on February 21, 1973. Paul proudly served his country in the United States Army for 27 years before his retirement. During those years he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 70 device, National Defense Ribbon with bronze star, Good Conduct Medal with 3 Ropes, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and numerous other awards and decorations. Following his retirement from the Army, Paul worked a number of years for the Times Record News as a District Manager, at Delphi Corp. and later retired from the City of Wichita Falls Housing Department. Paul loved riding his Harley trike motorcycle with his wife. He was an active member and former Ride Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders and was a member of the American Legion Riders. Paul was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart; a member of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor; a lifetime member of Chapter 41 Disabled American Veterans; and Chapter 2 American Legion of Wichita Falls. He was recognized on the Texas Senate floor on January 24, 2011, as a Wounded Warrior/ Purple Heart recipient. Paul was a member of Faith Village Church of Christ. Paul is survived by the Love of his life, his wife, LaDonna Kay Miller; children, Kimberly Kay Miller, Heather Looney and husband, Steve, Richard Miller and wife Kimberly, all of Wichita Falls, Russ T. Wagers and wife, Kathy and Sharon Wortaszewski of Columbus, Georgia; his sisters, Judith Brown and husband Ron of Greenwood, South Carolina, Susan Mosley and husband Joe, Janice Pearson and husband Bobby, all of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Joyce Lawing of Hickory, North Carolina. He is also survived by another love of his life, his eleven grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 until 7 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2016, at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Wichita Falls, PO Box 4804, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 or to the Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Florida 32256. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.lunnscolonial.com. SHARE If your attention has been on the presidential election instead of local politics, we can understand. Who hasn't been a little distracted by what's going on nationally? This has arguably been one of the most interesting and baffling presidential elections in recorded history. We won't even weigh in on the presidential primaries at this time. We're scratching our heads, to say the least. For now, you're on your own. But when it comes to local politics, the primary contests aren't nearly as baffling. Only a few races on a rather long ballot feature contested races; most of our local incumbents find no opposition either in the primary or the November general election. They're as good as re-elected. For three races on the Wichita County ballot, two incumbents face opposition and two relative newcomers vie for a constable post. Two-term Wichita County Commissioner Ray Gonzalez, representing Precinct 1, has been a steady force on the court, albeit often a somewhat quiet one. Just as he served his country with honor in Vietnam, this former Wichita Falls City Council member has represented Wichita Falls laudably. That being said, one cannot help but feel the enthusiasm and excitement newcomer Mark Beauchamp brings to the race. The city of Wichita Falls traffic superintendent possesses a wealth of knowledge about our city's major thoroughfares and seems aptly able to transfer that intellect to county roads and infrastructure. Managing a multimillion dollar budget and a staff of a couple dozen employees, Beauchamp presented energized ideas about how to effectively oversee the duties of a county commissioner, not only for the betterment of his precinct but for all of Wichita County. Beauchamp's concerns over the county jail, an item almost certain to be presented to the voters, resonated with the Times Record News Editorial Board consisting of Publisher Dwayne Bivona, Editor Deanna Watson, Editorial Page Editor Frances Tate, and community volunteers Dr. Emerson Capps, Shirley Craft, Dr. David Hartman and Larry Petrash. He reminded us that the Sprague Unit was supposed to be a stopgap until the jail situation was addressed, but it has been a jail annex for more than 20 years. New perspective is needed in order to fix the status quo and perpetually throwing good money at bad. The editorial board greatly appreciates the service of Gonzalez and would find no fault in his re-election. We were, however, impressed with the visionary aspects of Beauchamp. Incumbent Wichita County Tax Assessor/Collector Tommy Smyth seeks his second term in an office where he had no experience. And yet, the board found his knowledge of the inner workings enhanced in a short time. Whether the ideas were started in a previous administration, Smyth oversaw the implementation of key customer service initiatives that were the foundation of his 2012 campaign. Glass windows separating customers from county employees have come down. Vehicle renewals can now be obtained at United Market Street long after typical business hours are over. For the taxpayer, these additions must seem refreshing and progressive. Further steps were also taken that seem logical and assertive. Take, for instance, Smyth's push to change the method by which overdue taxes are paid. While his opponent and former 15-year tax office employee, Mike Pollard, believed the compassionate method for collecting back taxes would be to apply any payments to new debt, reducing compounded fees, Smyth championed what most other Texas counties have implemented payments would be applied to the oldest debt first. While public servants should consider compassionate approaches to their constituents, our elected officials also have an obligation to hold taxpayers accountable. Pollard expressed to the board his desire to have the job, to no longer be a bricklayer. That's commendable, to want a job. To transform a process is entirely different. In the race for Wichita County Constable, Precinct 3, Alton Yeakley and David Blackerby compete for the spot being vacated by Randy Alsup. Yeakley served as constable before losing to Alsup in 2012. Retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Yeakley yearns to serve again. Retirement doesn't suit him, he said, and he's eager to bring his decades of law enforcement support out of retirement. Yeakley said he'd extend his services to Electra, where a constable post has not been filled for some time. Those duties are accomplished through the Precinct 1 constable's post, something Yeakley said he could do at a savings to the taxpayer. His opponent, Blackerby, did not seek a meeting with the Editorial Board, which found Yeakley's eagerness and aptitude worthy of election success. Endorsements by the Times Record News Editorial Board should be taken as suggestions. The endorsements, while not necessarily the opinion of board members individually, they are our consensus views on the March 1 election. Our hope is that you are inspired to participate in the process more so than use these as the ultimate authority. We're given a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with candidates and strive to bring that awareness to the voters, who do not have the same exposure. In the end, we hope you participate in democracy, either way, for any candidate. SHARE Marcus Scarbrough, Wichita Falls We celebrate and honor Veterans on Nov. 11 each year for their service to our country. I am a 91 year old World War II veteran and I'm grateful for the recognition. I wish the Department of Veterans Affairs would honor our service and fulfill the promises made to care for us after we competed our service. Among the promises is medical attention for health problems that are service connected and especially war wounds. I'm one of those veterans whose claim would not be processed unless I produced my medical records verifying my wounds were the result of enemy action. I was treated in a field hospital in Germany, an Army hospital in Nancy, France and three VA hospitals in California. I received a letter from Records Storage stating all of my records were destroyed in the Records Storage warehouse fire located in St. Louis, Mo., in 1973. More than a million records were destroyed and I asked the VA, Congress and the president to issue a policy allowing the processing of claims based on the veteran's account of their wounds. In five years no action has been taken, therefore we are expendable, cast aside. An organization, Wounded Warriors, is soliciting $19 per month to provide prosthetic and sensory aids for wounded warriors. Money is pouring into their organization. The question is why? All the veterans' needs are supplied by the Federal Benefits for Veterans. Perhaps the Veterans Affairs is so bound by outdated policies and regulations that they are unable to process the veterans' claims. This is a big problem and will require a lot of attention. As I said, I feel we Veterans have been cast aside. I've sent another letter to the VA and Thornberry asking them once again to address the problem. By the way, I'm still paying taxes and enjoying life even though I'm in the 9th inning, have rounded third base and heading for home plate. I would like to hear of corrective action for this problem before I slide into home plate. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 The death of Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday immediately set off a partisan battle over a vacancy that could reshape the Supreme Court for years to come, as Senate Republicans called on President Barack Obama to let his successor fill the seat. Within hours of Scalia's death, both sides began laying the groundwork for what could be a titanic confirmation struggle fueled by ideological interest groups. The surprise opening also jolted the presidential campaign and could shift the conversation toward the priorities each candidate would have in making such a selection. Obama would be the first president since Reagan to fill three seats on the court. But Senate Republicans made clear they would not make it easy for him, arguing that with just 11 months left in office he should leave the choice to the winner of the November general election. With 54 seats in the Senate, Republicans have the power to block the confirmation of any nomination sent by Obama if they stick together. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice," Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican majority leader, said in a statement. "Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the Republican chairman of the Judiciary Committee, agreed. He cited "the huge divide in the country and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda." Though the White House made no formal statement about a replacement, advisers to Obama made clear privately that he had no intention of leaving the matter to the next president. His Democratic allies made the case that Republicans would be irresponsible to block an appointment. "It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat," said Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic minority leader. "Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential constitutional responsibilities." The opening of a seat on the Supreme Court was sure to roil the presidential campaign. Both sides will use the vacancy to rouse the most fervent members of their political bases by demonstrating the stakes in the election. Republicans will likely talk about the need to stop Obama from using the court to advance his liberal agenda while Democrats will warn their supporters about the dangers of a Republican president making the selection. The unexpected timing of the vacancy will force Obama to make a choice about how far he is willing to go to confront Republicans and inject social issues like abortion into the fall campaign. Will he opt for a relative moderate in hopes of winning over enough Republicans to actually seat a replacement despite McConnell's warning? Or will he choose a more liberal candidate at the risk of being blocked on the theory that it might galvanize Democratic voters? The situation may prove complicated for McConnell, who since winning the majority in 2014 has labored to shed the obstructionist label and prove that his caucus can govern responsibly. Approving an Obama nominee could provoke a backlash from conservatives, but a prolonged battle would put Senate Republicans in the middle of a campaign where McConnell had hoped not to be. Obama has already installed two reliable liberals on the high court, justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, and adding another in place of Scalia's formidable conservative voice could alter jurisprudence on issues like criminal justice, civil rights and affirmative action. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany During a May 2012 visit to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia showed off his deft use of the English language and conservative viewpoint, neatly packaged in a punch line. Scalia was participating in the school's annual commencement colloquy when he was asked by RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson about his vote in the minority in a 2007 decision that allowed the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases for the first time. "It is not the atmospheric protection agency, it is the Environmental Protection Agency," Scalia said. The remark was one of several memorable quotes Scalia made that day, his last public visit to the Capital Region. And it revealed many of the same qualities that local legal experts and attorneys who knew and studied Scalia said made him both a great and polarizing figure. "He had a brilliant wit," said Thomas Marcelle, a Bethlehem attorney who argued a high-profile religious rights case before Scalia and the court in 2001. "His questions (during arguments) were in the form of jokes. No matter what your views are, people view him as really a brilliant jurist. He was very funny, and he was very famous for his dissents." Marcelle, now chief legal counsel for the Albany County Sheriff's Office, was, like others, saddened by the news of Scalia's sudden death. "It was surprising. It was shocking," Marcelle told the Times Union. "It's a dramatic moment any time there is a change in the Supreme Court." Scalia was known for his conservative views and "textualism" or strict interpretation of the text of the Constitution that often put him at odds with others on the court. Marcelle, who won his 2001 case with Scalia in the majority, says the timing of Scalia's death during the middle of the court's term will complicate things for the time being since there will only be eight justices, evenly split along ideological lines. "That's going to present issues in close cases," Marcelle said. Other local legal experts say that despite his intelligence and humanity Scalia loved opera and hunting and was deeply religious he was a divisive force on the court. Albany Law School Professor Vincent Bonventre said the Supreme Court works best when the justices work together in thought and debate. When the court is so divided along party lines, the court is weak. Bonventre said the decisions made during Scalia's tenure, while cheered by political conservatives, weakened the protections of many Americans, including religious liberties. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. "Many of these (decisions) did a great deal of damage," Bonventre said. Bonventre believes the Supreme Court should be stronger if it was filled with more moderates, and he said if President Barack Obama tries to nominate a new justice while he is still in office, he should pick a "real moderate," although he said any move would be viewed as "very questionable" by Senate Republicans. Stephen Gottlieb, an Albany Law School professor who recently published a book on the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, said Scalia's votes on the court consistently weakened the ability of average Americans to fight against corporate greed and misdeeds such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Gottlieb says the political stakes are too high during an election year for Obama to nominate a new justice without failure. "I don't think anyone will go through," Gottlieb said. lrulison@timesunion.com 518-454-5504 @larryrulison Finally, we sense a favorable turnaround for residents of Hoosick Falls, ignored victims for generations of dangerously tainted drinking water. State government and its health and enforcement agencies have been finally shamed into acknowledging the severity of the potential consequences. Now they are acting with an uncommon speed that such severity demands. Sad to say, sometimes it takes a media circus to get politicians to behave properly. On Friday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the village will get $10 million for charcoal filtration systems for private wells in the village that show toxic contamination with an ammonium salt of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in the manufacturing process of specialty plastics by a series of companies in Hoosick Falls since the early 1950s. The state is advancing the money which it expects to recover from some of the responsible parties. The day before, the Department of Environmental Conservation served notice to both Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, current owners of the facilities, and Honeywell that they are deemed among others as responsible parties, initiating consent orders that should bring resources in terms of clean up, and perhaps more importantly, a new municipal water supply. The current municipal system is heavily contaminated and off limits for drinking and cooking and unsurprisingly is right next to Saint-Gobain's processing towers and stacks that spewed spent PFOA until about a decade ago. How dumb is that, a community water supply right next to a plastics plant, still using chemistry in its manufacturing that may prove as toxic as PFOA. So that's right at the top of remediation needed to make it right, and soon finding a new source of municipal water that is not tainted, paid for by the responsible parties. The good news is the area appears blessed with good systems of aquifers to tap into. On Friday, Hoosick Falls high school students made a brilliant, emotional appeal to the governor for a new water system. ''How do you not get emotional when you've been drinking poisoned water for so many years?" asked high school senior Anna Wysocki. And how do you not get livid at how the state Health Department patronized those justifiable concerns and all but dismissed the dangers of PFOA up until December when they got slapped up side the face by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. For a solid year, from a year ago January when the town physician, Dr. Marcus Martinez, called for shutting down the municipal water supply which had tested hot for PFOA, and December when EPA Region 2 director Judith Enck declared the tainted municipal water unfit to drink or use, the Health Department wallowed between incompetence and willful ignorance, maintaining the water was fine to drink and use without any health consequences. Something you might expect from a third-world country. When they recently had to begrudgingly acknowledge there might be a problem with the water and health, they tried to excuse the inexcusable by claiming PFOA was unregulated and its health consequences still unclear. A word on both those ridiculous dodges. There are only a relative couple of handfuls of regulated toxic compounds among the tens of thousands used in industry that are known toxins and that kill or hurt you badly. You are just as dead whether it's regulated or not, and regulated is a political designation, not a scientific one. Industry lobbyists in Washington are quite successful in keeping regulated compounds to a minimum. If the Health Department only reacts to regulated toxins, they'll have lots of time on their hands for paperbacks. As for the claim of questionable health consequences, that dodge is shameless. Since the C-8 peer reviewed scientific studies on PFOA were wrapped up in 2012, there has been a staggering amount of verified information easily available on the health dangers of the chemistry, right down to probability tables for increased numbers of common and oddball cancers depending on the level of PFOA found in blood work. Which means, of course, it is critical everyone who drank the water get their blood tested. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. The practical use is with the C-8 tables available, physicians knowing the blood levels of their patients can keep an eagle eye out for sometimes difficult to diagnose cancers, and other consequences, such as compromised immune systems. Which brings us to job 2 for proper remediation of the Hoosick Falls debacle. Before widespread filtration systems are put in place it is critical there be a meeting of the minds among state and federal health officials on what the acceptable level of PFOA should be in the water. The current EPA designated of 100 parts per trillion or ppt is a whole lot better than the 50,000 ppt the Health Department was advocating, but not good enough. New Jersey has it down to 40 ppt. But even at that level emerging research is showing that some vaccines in children, such as for tetanus and diptheria, don't take. One scientist I know says 10 ppt would be a good political and scientific compromise.Whatever it is, it is doable with current and affordable technology. Charcoal filtration systems work extremely well with PFOA, at least until they clog and have to be cleaned. The political response to the plight of Hoosick Falls has been depressingly predictable. The governor praising his health department and trying to deflect any hard look at how and why they screwed up. Senate Majority leader John Flanagan wants the problems fixed before any hearings on what went wrong. Why? What has one got to do with the other? The astounding aspect of Flanagan's reaction is that you hardly see the strings from his arms and flapping mouth attached to the governor's office. Fortunately, two of the most respected members of the Assembly, Richard Gottfried and Steve Engelbright, will be holding hearings on statewide water quality in April, with an emphasis on Hoosick Falls. We have high hopes for these hearings. flebrun@timesunion.com 518-454-5453 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Schenectady Mary Ann Bruno has had enough of the rampant illegal activity at Summit Towers, where she lives. "We are inundated with prostitution, drug sales, squatting, every single day they literally take over," said Bruno, 69. She said outsiders run amok inside the 12-story building, especially late at night. Bruno, who is considering withholding her rent in protest, and several other tenants of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development subsidized high-rise insist they don't feel safe in the building because of all the interlopers. The average rent in the 185-unit building is about $160 a month. HUD pays the difference up to the fair market value, a HUD spokesman said. It's not uncommon for stairwells to reek of feces from squatters and elevators to be smeared with blood from fights, tenants said. The group is sick of the steady flow of prostitutes who sometimes rob their customers, infestations of bed bugs and armed drug dealers threatening tenants over money. The tenants are demanding that the Albany-based L.A.S. Schenectady Redevelopment Co., which runs the building, provide better security. Jack Foley, part owner of Summit Towers, countered that residents need to stop letting just anyone into the building and that its Albany Street location on the edge of Hamilton Hill makes the apartment complex a magnet for thugs and unsavory characters. Foley and Barbara McBride, executive director at Summit Towers, said tenants routinely let visitors stay with them for longer than the two weeks maximum and smoke in their rooms, both violations of the building's rules. The city has no special jurisdiction in the building, but McBride lamented that Mayor Gary McCarthy has not responded to her attempts to meet with him and police brass. "We are looking to deal with it appropriately, but sometimes buildings inadvertently foster some negative activities," McCarthy said, adding he is willing to meet with McBride. Carolyn Townsend, 63, a Brooklyn transplant who has lived at Summit Towers for five years, said getting on the elevator can be a risky proposition. "They need to get some more kind of security in here because there's sometimes if I get on the elevator and there's too many people I don't know, I wait for the next elevator because I don't know where you're going or what you're doing, especially if it's late at night," she said. Luticia Goodman, who moved out in December, said she has seen friends relapse because of freely available drugs in the building. She said many residents are elderly or disabled and others are afraid to speak up for fear of retribution from drug dealers. Townsend remembers visiting the building when the security guard at the front door called the tenants to make sure they were expecting a visitor. She said she is most scared after McBride, who has been executive director at Summit Towers for nearly 30 years, leaves for the day. Victor Marrero has worked on-call as the building monitor from 8:30 p.m. Friday to 4:30 p.m. Sunday for about two years. "It's so hectic on the weekend sometimes, I can't keep everybody out," he said. He said he calls police when things get out of hand and "sometimes they come and sometimes they don't." Many tenants are scared to leave their apartments, he said. Marrero described people shooting up drugs and seeing prostitutes in the building. Some apartments overflow with so many people that when they become unruly he responds with the other building monitor because he's afraid of getting jumped. Weekdays, he lives at Yates Village, Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority subsidized housing on the other side of Schenectady. "It's better than being here all week, I'm telling you that much," Marrero said. "This building is bad and needs to get cleaned up." McBride knows the problems all too well and thinks a quicker police response would help. "We call and we do not get a response or what they tell me is that they prioritize the calls," she said. "Unfortunately, if they respond 45 minutes later, the incident is over, the person ran away when somebody could have been arrested." Lt. Mark McCracken, a city police spokesman, said Summit Towers generates a heavy call volume. For the first 11 months of 2015, police responded to nearly 300 calls. "You have a whole city block's worth of people confined to one area, so am I surprised there are a large amount of calls? No," he said, noting that the department handles emergency calls based on their urgency and whether a person is in immediate danger. Councilman Vince Riggi, who has discussed the matter with police, said the management company needs make security more of a priority. "It's not the taxpayers' responsibility to make a private entity a safe place, and the police department is stretched thin as it is," he said. McBride said paying for an armed security guard is not in the budget. Foley faults a combination of tenant apathy and the location of the building in a crime-ridden neighborhood as the major source of the problems. "If you're afraid, how are we going to solve the problem?" he said about tenants' fears of reprisals. "There is an epidemic and drugs are all over the place," Foley said. "Real change at the building will only come when the tenants and neighbors stand up against crime." McBride said City Court Judge Guido Loyola makes it difficult for her to evict problem tenants. "He is more on the tenants' side than the landlord's side and the feeling is we're this big company that makes a lot of money and they're these poor defenseless tenants, and that couldn't be further from the truth," she said. Loyola did not return calls seeking comment. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and features with our afternoon newsletter. McBride said things weren't always this bad at Summit Towers. She remembers when the building was mostly inhabited by senior citizens and a few disabled tenants under HUD rules. The problems began when the definition of disability was broadened to include people with addictions and alcoholism as a mental illness, McBride said. HUD spokesman Charles McNally said ensuring the safety of the tenants is the responsibility of management and police. He said HUD is aware security is an issue at some developments and urged tenants to contact the agency's New York regional office at (212) 542-7701 with their concerns and report suspected criminal activity to the police. "There really does need to be a partnership with law enforcement to bring these problems to bear," McNally said. The problem at Summit Towers "was not really on our radar" before a reporter called, he said. He pledged to work with management. In June, the last time HUD inspected, Summit Towers received a score of 85 out of 100. The next scheduled inspection is summer 2017. Those examinations check for everything from exposed wires to mold to smoke alarms but are not public safety inspections, McNally said. A score above 90 means inspections are done every three years. Lower scores trigger more frequent inspections. A few blocks from Summit Towers, four HUD-subsidized properties are clustered around State, Hulett and Albany streets. They are run by Boston-based Wingate Companies. By contrast, city and police officials said, those buildings seem to be tamer than Summit. Wingate pays for off-duty city police officers to patrol the exterior and hallways when employees leave for the day. A police dog is brought in when they suspect illegal drug use. "Hamilton Hill is a scary neighborhood and we want to attract good tenants and we want to make people feel safe," said Bonnie Parsons, regional manager for Wingate. Parsons said the company is on the verge of installing a sophisticated alarm system that will sound shortly after the front door is propped open. "You have to be strict to run a property well," she said. Despite all the problems, McBride said Summit Towers is still a good place and that she would let her relatives live there. "If you have to live in low-income housing because you're low income," she said, "I think this has the potential to be such a wonderful building." pnelson@timesunion.com 518-454-5347 @apaulnelson Last weeks column featured a close-up view of one of the many wintertime logging camps maintained and operated by the giant lumber harvesting firm, the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company of Menomonie. The lumber giant maintained, with only one or two exceptions, virtual and total control of the waters of the Red Cedar and Hay Rivers in northwestern Wisconsin. That fact was emphasized in writer/historian Paul Wallace Gates book, The Wisconsin Pine Lands of Cornell University, and with permission, was published in 1943 by State Historical Society. Gates writes that the Knapp, Stout & Co. had acquired 15,000 acres of white pine land in Wisconsin by 1857, 10 years after companys modest beginning in 1846. Competition Gates points out that by 1880, a strong competitor of the Knapp, Stout Company was the enterprising Frederick Weyerhaeuser, an energetic man who was determined to acquire the logging and milling rights of the Chippewa River system. That included a mill that had formerly been owned by the Eau Claire Lumber at the Chippewa River port of Meridean in Dunn County, effectively giving Weyerhaeuser almost total control of any logging operations on the Chippewa River. This was an alarming situation since, Gates noted: There now remained but one dependent company of importance in the entire Chippewa Valley, namely, Knapp-Stout. Control of this interest would give Weyerhaeuser and associates a gigantic corner on the lumber industry of the upper Mississippi Valley. Negotiations for the purchase of [the Knapp, Stout Co.] were begun in 1887, and it was soon reported that a sale had been arranged for the record price of $7,500,000. According to Gates account, however, The deal struck a snag, and was called off. Weyerhaeuser was doubtless disappointed at his failure, but they did succeed that same year, in buying from Knapp-Stout 2497 acres of choice pine land for the almost record price of $38 and acre. And to no ones surprise, the Knapp Stout Co. Company continue to expand its logging operations from Dunn County to the four corner meeting of Barron, Washburn, Sawyer, and Rusk counties and beyond. Deaths in the family In 1888, founder John Holly Knapp died of ill health in the fall of 1888. Four years later, in 1892, Capt. William Wilson, the co-founder of the Knapp, Stout Company died at the age of 85. Fellow owner Captain Andrew Tainter died on Oct. 18, 1899, followed nine months later Henry Stout in his home in Dubuque, Iowa, on July 17, 1900. Even after the deaths of the four founders of the largest white pine lumbering firm in the world, however, the mills of the company continued to operate long enough to finish the job of sending the last raft of lumber down the Red Cedar, the Chippewa, and on to markets along the banks of the Mississippi River in Aug. 13, 1901. According to an account in the 1925 History of Dunn County, With the final lumber raft on its way, the water power and franchises were sold to the Wisconsin Power Company, which disposed of them to the Chippewa Valley Railway, Light & Power Company, by which they are now [1925] owned and operated for the transmission of electric current to various points. The St. Louis, Missouri, property was taken over by the heirs of T.B. Wilson. The Thornton, Ark., interest was acquired by James H. Stout, who greatly extended them. He died on December 10, 1919. F.C. Stout purchased the properties of the company located at Leeper, Missouri. Dubuque and Fort Madison, Iowa, and in Mississippi. The land holdings in this vicinity went to various parties. The Wisconsin Land Company purchased a large tract of Barron and Washburn County lands. The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. continues to cater to hop heads. Fresh on the heels of its India Pale Lager and the release of an India pale ale, the Chippewa Falls, Wis., brewery is now treating Wisconsinites to a new red pale ale. I grabbed a six-pack of the Wisconsin Red Pale Ale after a recent stop up at the brewery and gave it a taste. And like I usually am, I pleased with what the Leinies brew master was able to create. The Wisconsin Red Pale Ale throws its hops in your face without them overwhelming you. The malts end the ale with rich flavors. All of the elements of the red pale ale enrich and balance each other, making for a good beer from beginning to end. I give the Wisconsin Red Pale Ale a 9/10 and suggest pairing it with a hearty dish, but one that also has some twang in it. And to pander to my family a little bit, here is the recipe for my grandmothers German-style meatballs. Just the tangy kick to complement the red pale ale. Almas Meatballs in BBQ Sauce For the meatballs: 1 pound ground pork 1 pound ground beef 1 cup milk 2 eggs, beaten 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 cup bread crumbs 1 teaspoon onion salt For the sauce: 1 cup ketchup 2 teaspoon dry mustard 1 cups brown sugar cup vinegar Mix the meatball ingredients well in a large mixing bowl and form with the tips of your fingers into balls. Place into a casserole dish or baking pan. Mix the sauce ingredients well in a small mixing bowl and pour over meat balls. Let sit to marinate in refrigerator for one hour or more basting occasionally. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 90 minutes. Wisconsin education officials released results Wednesday from the beleaguered Badger Exam, the one-off state standardized test given for the first and final time last spring. The results showed that 51.2 percent of public school students in grades three through eight were proficient or advanced in English language arts and fewer than half, 43.7 percent, were proficient or advanced in math, according to the state Department of Public Instruction. Whether to cheer or bewail those numbers is more subjective than ever this year. Comparisons with the previous Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE) are not possible because of significant differences between the two tests, DPI said. And because of the Badger Exams fleeting existence, students performance on future tests cannot be measured against this years results. Thats left local school district officials to ponder how much significance to give the scores. Its more powerful to look longitudinally at more years of data, said MaryBeth Paulisse, director of curriculum and assessment for the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. With the Badger Exam, unfortunately, were not able to do that. The results still are helpful, she and others said, but as one data point on a continuum of assessment results. Simultaneously Wednesday, state officials released the results of last years first-ever testing of nearly all high school juniors on the ACT college admissions exam. The statewide composite score was 20, out of a possible 36. As with prior years, scores from both the Badger Exam and the ACT reflected pronounced achievement gaps across racial, ethnic and income groups, a persistent trend state Superintendent Tony Evers called most troubling. For instance, while 60 percent of white third-graders tested proficient or advanced in English language arts, the comparable figures were 19.8 percent for black students and 35.3 percent for Hispanic students. Economically disadvantaged students had a composite ACT score of 17.4, compared to 21.3 for those students who are not economically disadvantaged. Badger Exam The Badger Exam was built around the controversial Common Core national academic standards by a group of states called the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. Wisconsin leaders began to sour on the test due to significant cost overruns and technical glitches that delayed its administration and diminished some of its trumpeted attributes. Gov. Scott Walker, in his biennial budget proposal last year, stripped funding for the test. Its replacement, to be called the Wisconsin Forward Exam, will align to state academic standards, of which the Common Core standards are a part. But it is being developed by a different vendor and will no longer be associated with the Smarter Balanced consortium. That means that this spring, Wisconsin students will take a different state exam for the third time in three years. Its not an ideal scenario, as any new test comes with an understanding that the first year may have some bugs, said Andrew Statz, executive director of accountability for the Madison School District. There can be technical problems, he said, and students need some time to become familiar with a new tests approach and format. When a test is brand new, you really do take that into account when looking at results, Statz said. For that reason, districts tend not to make sweeping curriculum changes or establish new performance goals based on first-year scores, he said. Statz said the districts internal testing through the Measures of Academic Progress test, or MAP, remains the primary, consistent way Madison tracks student academic growth over time. As for this years Badger Exam results, Id file it under, Good to know. Thanks, he said. Last spring, 367,327 students statewide took either the Badger Exam or the new Dynamic Learning Maps exam, which measures the academic progress of students with significant cognitive disabilities. The scores reported by DPI include results from both tests. More than 700 students, or about 7 percent, of elementary and middle school students in Madison opted out of taking the tests, compared to about 2 percent statewide. Several firsts DPI officials say the Badger Exam has value in that it is the first to measure how well students are meeting the new academic standards the state adopted in 2010. Evers called the results a good starting point for Wisconsins more rigorous testing program. The Badger Exam broke new ground in other ways, too. It was completely computer-based, replacing pencil-and-paper exams, and it was more dynamic, incorporating short writing responses and interactive elements. Prior tests relied mostly on multiple-choice questions. Paulisse, with the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, said many teachers and students preferred it over the WKCE. They found the format and type of activities more interesting and engaging, and we thought the questions better addressed our curriculum and the states standards, she said. The Badger Exam initially was intended to be adaptive or able to adjust the difficulty of the questions based on how the test taker answered previous questions but that element later was dropped because it wasnt ready. School districts got Badger Exam results over the summer and shared individual student scores with teachers and parents at that time. But until Wednesday, when DPI released the data, districts could not share publicly their schoolwide and districtwide results. Consequently, districts did not know until Wednesday how they scored relative to other districts. Tim Schell, director of curriculum and instruction for the Waunakee School District, said his district will compare itself to numerous benchmark districts across the state, ones that are similar in size, demographics and per-student spending to Waunakee. If we see that a district similar to us has much better results in, say, math with low-income students, well look at what that district does, he said. Like many district officials, Schell said he hopes for more stability and fewer surprises in future tests. Weve got a bit of a Groundhog Day scenario going on, he said, referring to the 1993 movie in which Bill Murrays character repeats the same day over and over. It was a steep learning curve with the Badger Exam, and it will be another steep learning curve with the Forward Exam. From an implementation standpoint, I hope the state is able to stick with this one for a while. ACT assessment For the first time in state history, all public high school juniors had the opportunity to take the ACT. The state picked up the cost about $56 per student. This was really valuable to students, said Ann Franke, director of curriculum and instruction for the Verona School District. If the cost was a barrier, it has now been taken away. With this new statewide ACT measure, there is potential for confusion, as there now will be two differing ACT numbers released each year. Historically, ACT results have been released annually for all public and private school graduates who took the test during their high school career. For last years graduating class, the composite score was 22.2. That score represents about 73 percent of all graduating seniors, whereas this new measure represents almost all high school juniors. For that reason and others, comparing the two numbers would be misleading, DPI officials say. In addition to reporting the composite ACT score for all juniors Wednesday, DPI said it took an additional step and converted the scores into performance levels. Those results show that 45.7 percent of juniors who took the ACT were proficient or advanced in English/language arts and 35.9 percent achieved at those levels in math. State Journal reporter Molly Beck contributed to this report. As we discuss, debate and vote on legislation in Madison, one theme rises to the top every session our focus on growing Wisconsins economy and creating more jobs. In order to move legislation forward that will increase job opportunities, we need to understand both where Wisconsins job market stands right now and the challenges we need to address. Our efforts to support job creation are building on a strong base. While the United States has a 5 percent unemployment rate, Wisconsins unemployment rate is 4.3 percent. If the rest of the country had Wisconsins unemployment rate, there would be over 1.1 million more people working. On the other hand, if Wisconsin had the same unemployment rate as the rest of the country, there would be over 20,000 fewer Wisconsinites working. Another important measure of job health is the labor force participation rate, which tells us the percentage of working-age people who are either employed or looking for work. Wisconsin is outperforming the country in labor force participation; the U.S. has a labor force participation rate of 62.6 percent, while Wisconsins labor force participation rate is 68 percent. If the rest of the country had Wisconsins labor force participation rate, there would be over 13.6 million more Americans in the labor force. In fact, if the rest of the country had the same labor force participation rate and unemployment rate as Wisconsin, there would be over 14 million more Americans working. Despite these strong numbers, small businesses and job seekers still face many challenges. One of the main issues is the skills gap, where employers have family-supporting, skilled jobs to fill but cannot find workers trained for these jobs. These jobs remain unfilled while young people in our area think they need to move to another city or get a four-year degree to find a career. One way to address this gap is by exposing young people to different career opportunities through apprenticeships. Wisconsins Youth Apprenticeship program integrates school-based and work-based learning to teach students the skills that are in demand in Wisconsin industries. Local programs provide training based on statewide youth apprenticeship curriculum guidelines that are endorsed by business and industry. Apprentices are instructed by qualified teachers and skilled worksite mentors. During this time, they are enrolled in academic classes to meet high school graduation requirements, in a youth apprenticeship-related instruction class, and are employed by a participating employer under the supervision of a skilled mentor at the same time. Recently, I co-authored two bills with Rep. Ed Brooks of Reedsburg to support this program. Assembly Bill 795 will increase grants for Wisconsins Youth Apprenticeship program by 22 percent to help meet the current demand. These grants are awarded to local partnerships including school districts, other public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the implementation and coordination of apprenticeships. This support will help these groups to expand current programs and create new ones for the skilled careers of the future. Assembly Bill 796 supports the Apprenticeship Completion Award program. This program, created in 2013 with strong bipartisan support, reimburses eligible apprentices, sponsors and employers for up to 25 percent of the costs of instruction in an apprenticeship program with a $1,000 cap. This bill will increase funding for the Apprenticeship Completion Award program by 67 percent. By expanding these proven programs to connect young people to the well-paying jobs in demand, these bills will help Wisconsin businesses find workers to meet a growing demand and expand our economy. Apprenticeships give young people the opportunities to learn about and gain experience in well-paying careers. Finally, apprenticeships are built on the values of hard work and cooperation that make Wisconsin such a great place to live. Apprenticeships are a clear win-win-win, helping businesses to grow, job seekers to find jobs, and strengthening bonds in our communities. While not every government program delivers as promised, when we find one that works, we should do what we can to give it our continued support. One of Kansas City's top rising star authors offers acritique of some of the d-bags in the blog comments and we can't help but agree with his analysis . . .Also, the ad for his new book is apt and might provide a teaching moment in the eternal fight for love against hate on Valentine's Day and every other day of the year.Personally, we rarely feed the trolls who are mostly comprised of lesser bloggers, jealous types, trolls, sportos, motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, dickheads and a few occasional moments of brilliance.You decide . . . The Sweet Golden Ghetto Baskin Robbins Comeback Vs. Yogurtini TKC Sweet Tooth Tipster . . . "Old school ice cream replaces hipster yogurt place" Super Dave Fears Funny Kansas City Gourmet Chocolate Taste Super Dave: "This chocolate is all the rage this year to give at Valentines. I guess to each their own but does anyone besides me maybe feel semi repulsed at eating something that has the would anal in it that's brown?" Legendary Kansas City Politico Pix Make Craigslist Appearance A KICK-ASS TKC TIPSTER with an eye for detail: "Look for the picture of Kay Barnes in this ad for local companionship." Today our TKC blog community shares the love with a few important insights found from around the Internets.Take a look . . .More in a bit but our blog community looking for good stuff makes us blush as we thank our community of lonely hearts on this love day. Prez Obama Now Confronted With The Opportunity To Change The Supreme Court Kansas City Considers Global Plague Central States Organized Labor Fight Coming Soon Golden Ghetto Rock Chalk Partisan Battle Kansas City Leaders Fear New Economy In this latest link blast we're focusing on bigger picture news that's till connected to the future of this town. Take a look:And this is thefor right now . . . ON THE EVE OF VALENTINE'S DAY WE CELEBRATE THE LOVE OF THESE ELITE KANSAS CITY POWER COUPLES!!! Councilman Scott Taylor And Cathy Jolly Could Soon Be The King And Queen Of Kansas City Congressman Cleaver & Wife Dianne Crusade For Kansas City Together Adriana y Uzziel Pecina Lead Power New Generation Of Local Latino Elite Finally, We Appreciate Kris Ketz And Dana Wright And Their Winning Broadcast Media Romance Ernesto "Che" Guevara: "At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love . . ." Politics and public service have destroyed many romantic relationships but tonight we offer our congratulations to these couples who have not only shown their love for Kansas City but also remained committed to their partners.To wit . . .More than anybody else these players provide a bit of inspiration for political pessimists who believe that love can't endure within election cycles and civic events. Even better, among these power couples that we've identified, both partnerson the discourse of Kansas City .Check it . . .has the top jobs in local politics within his grasp. He could not only contend for the Exec position at the County Courthouse but now Democratic Party insiders are pushing him toward a run for Mayor. Meanwhile,from Jackson County operatives amid the downfall of the Mike Sanders administration and her integrity amid harsh times and tough talk is one of the biggest reasons she remains one of the few female politicos who is widely respected throughout Kansas City.needs no introduction and he remains one of the most influential politicos in Kansas City and throughout the nation. Meanwhile, his wifeDos Mundos recently penned. "Uzziel is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Adriana is the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City program officer." Together they represent the future of the local Latino elite who prize achievement over identity politics whilst still working to serve the betterment of the community overall.It's even harder to make a relationship work within the context of the media game but Ketz & Dana do a lot to inspire newshounds with their later in life coupling that sometimes earns quips only inspired out of envy. Still, both of these two are atop of the local news game in their respective fields and often reference one another for their fans and social media followers to share the love.And so . . .We celebrate the dedication of these local elites not to make the denizens of this blog feel even lonelier and powerless upon this day of love but rather to inspire readers and note that commitment can endure in the rough and tumble world of Kansas City politics.TKC Parting Shot . . . And while romance is nice here's another thought for our critical, skeptical and sometimes cynical blog community from a commie who still accomplished quite a bit and remains part of the global political lexicon,and a bright spot of the t-shirt industry.As always, thanks for reading this week and have a fun and safe Saturday night . . . Dijsselbloem said yesterday that the Eurogroup discussed the state of play of the first review of the ESM programme for Greece, following the visit of mission chiefs to Athens last week Eurogroups President Mr. Dijsselbloem said yesterday that the Eurogroup discussed the state of play of the first review of the ESM programme for Greece, following the visit of mission chiefs to Athens last week. This important review deals with the key fiscal and structural measures. Eurogroup was informed that there is good cooperation, a lot of ground has been covered, progress achieved on important issues, but further work is still needed in a number of areas before a staff-level agreement can be reached. The Eurogroup has called on both the Greek authorities and the institutions to pursue the discussions on the review further, in particular on items such as pension reform, the fiscal issues and the privatisation fund, with a view to reaching that staff-level agreement. RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report The following editorial appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on Thursday, Feb. 11: The Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee has met just seven times in 13 months this legislative session. Thats a pretty light load. And according to its website, the committee has a wide open schedule for the remainder of the year. Not a single meeting is listed. So theres plenty of time and opportunity in the coming weeks for a public hearing on the Iowa model for nonpartisan redistricting. Good government groups, newspaper editorial boards and citizens across Wisconsin have been calling for such a hearing for years. The committees chairwoman, Rep. Kathleen Bernier, R-Chippewa Falls, should finally make it happen. She told the board of Common Cause in Wisconsin she would allow such a hearing. She should keep her word and schedule a hearing soon on Assembly Bill 328. The bill would mirror Iowas time-tested and fair process for drawing congressional and legislative voting districts after each major census. We can start with a hearing on the redistricting, Bernier told Common Cause on Feb. 21, 2013, according to a WisconsinEye recording of the event. A Common Cause board member specifically asked her: Will you do it? Bernier responded: I see no problem with that. Just one problem: Bernier still hasnt scheduled a hearing nearly three years later. A public hearing would allow lawmakers and the public to discuss in a serious and thoughtful way how best to ensure a fair redistricting process following the 2020 census. Bernier seems to agree the current system of letting top lawmakers draw the maps is flawed. There has to be a better way, she told Common Cause leaders in 2013. AB 328 mirrors the successful and popular Iowa model for drawing voting district lines once every decade. Instead of top politicians and their expensive lawyers huddling in secret to carve voting districts into odd shapes for political advantage, Iowa assigns the delicate task to a nonpartisan state agency with strict requirements for drawing districts as compact and contiguous as possible. No gerrymandering or special favors for incumbents of either party are allowed. The Iowa model boosts competition for seats, giving voters of all political persuasions more choice on ballots. It also costs far less money, saving taxpayers millions in lawyers fees. Bernier and her committee have shown they can act quickly when they want to. Last October, they held hearings and endorsed a complicated overhaul of the states campaign finance laws, as well as a bill to dismantle the nonpartisan Government Accountability Board. Bernier rammed those unfortunate proposals through her committee in just days, no doubt hoping to limit scrutiny. Then the full Legislature sent them to the governors desk the very next month. Now Bernier is sitting on a bill that actually would improve state government practices, rather than polluting them with more money and partisan scheming. Her committee should hold a hearing and get the facts. Let supporters tout the benefits. Let critics identify their objections. Thats the way the legislative process is supposed to work if only Bernier would allow it to. Alternate Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Elena Kountoura will participate in meetings with Iranian tourism organizations Alternate Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Elena Kountoura is scheduled to visit Tehran between February 15-18 to attend the International Tourism Fair TITE 2016. During her visit, she will participate in meetings with Iranian tourism organizations and will be accompanied by Michael Angelopoulos as diplomatic consultant, Angela Chondromatidou (Director of the Deputy Minister's Office) and National Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) General Secretary Dimitris Tryfonopoulos. The amount of 25,000 euros will be allocated for the construction of the GNTO pavillion from the official manufacturer of the exhibition company, Haddish International Fair Services. EOT also decided to translate its three thematic publications, Touring, City Break and Gastronomy from English to Iranian. 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 Greek tour operators expect the climate to improve soon and bookings flow to increase as Spain is calculated to be overbooked within the next 2-3 weeks Heraklion Patris newspaper published the following story on the progress of bookings from the main markets of Greek tourism this year, so far: Travelers' bookings have been influenced by the public's continuing fear of possible new terrorist attacks, yet there is an increase from Germany and Russia. Tourism operators expect the climate to improve soon and bookings flow to increase as Spain is expected to be overbooked within the next 2-3 weeks. Former Heraklion Hotel Association president Nikos Chalkiadakis said that German bookings record a 6%-15% growth by Thomas Cook and 15% by TUI, but bookings from France, Holland, Austria, Switzerland have slumped by 15% -20%. According to him, destinations where European travelers can go by car, such as Croatia and Italy will also benefit this year. Regarding the Russian market, Chalkiadakis noted that difficulties remain with the visa centers, since Greece has opened only eight, while Spain operates 25 and offers visa home delivery as well. Finally, he expects the Greek season to commence by the end of March during Catholic Passover which is celebrated this year on March 27 and several major hotels in Crete to open during that time. 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 Kaleseramik, a leading ceramic tiles manufacturer, has opened its new showroom in Doha, Qatar, in partnership with Al Farman Group, a major supplier and distributor of construction and interior finishes materials. Operating under Kale Group, a leader in the Turkish ceramics industry, the company said this launch had brought it closer to the market and customers. Commenting on the launch, Musa Tangoren, the vice-president for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), said: "Kaleseramik has completed key residential projects in the Middle East and is now aiming to increase its market share in Qatar by providing innovative products and prompt service. According to Tangoren, the company's rapid growth has been mainly because of its star brands such as Kanakkale Seramik, Kalebodur and Kale as well as Edilgress, Edilcoughi and Campani acquired in Italy. Kaleseramik exports to more than 100 countries, topping more than $100 million in exports, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Qatar-based United Development Company has reported a net profit of QR732.8 million ($201 million) for 2015, up eight per cent over QR676.3 million ($186 million) the year before. Announcing the results, the Qatari developer said the net profit attributable to owners of the company surged 10 per cent to QR689.6 million ($189 million) from QR625.6 million ($171.5 million) the previous year. UDC board chairman Turki bin Mohammed Khaled Al Khater said 2015 was a year of achievement for UDC and he was looking forward for the same this year. "The results reflect the positive performance and progress, leading the company to propose dividend distribution of QR1.50 per share, which is more than the last year by 20 per cent," he noted. Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman, the president and chief executive, said the increase in the companys net profit was coupled with the increase in the earnings per share which stood at QR1.95, up 10 per cent from 2014. The year 2016 will witness the execution of the companys strategy focusing on its core activities, while devoted to meet the shareholders expectations, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Sanabil Investments, a closed joint stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund and headquartered in Riyadh, has completed its acquisition of a 20 per cent equity stake in Ebrahim Mohammed Almana & Brothers Company. This is the third direct investment by Sanabil Investments in the last 12 months. The company owns and operates the Almana General Hospitals (AGH) in the Eastern Province. The acquisition is part of Sanabil Investments strategy to invest in the Saudi economy and contribute to the kingdoms National Transformation Programme, said a statement. Based in Al-Khobar, the company has been active in the healthcare industry since 1949 and established the first private sector general hospital in the Eastern Province. Today, with more than 900 beds and more than 300 outpatient clinics across four hospitals in Al Khobar, Dammam, Hofuf, and Jubail, and two medical centres in Dammam and Jubail, the company is considered one of the largest and oldest healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. Ibrahim Al-Romaih, Sanabil Investments CEO, said: We are delighted to partner with one of the most renowned and reputable healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. The acquisition is in line with Sanabils expected role to assist leading family businesses in Saudi Arabia in adopting a higher degree of corporate governance and institutional framework to ensure their long term sustainability and continuity for the benefit of their shareholders and the overall Saudi economy. Ebrahim Almana, the companys chairman, said: The shareholders are very pleased with this important strategic milestone by the company which reflects our prominent position in the market today and our attractive prospects in the future. This transaction affirms our role as a key healthcare provider to citizens and corporates in Saudi Arabia. All shareholders and members of the company are equally proud of the efforts that Sanabil Investments has put in to make this deal happen. GIB Capital acted as financial advisor and Clifford Chance acted as legal advisor to the company. The law office of Looaye Al-Akkas in association with Vinson & Elkins acted as legal advisor to Sanabil Investments. - TradeArabia News Service Germany-based BASF, a leading chemical company, has announced plans to invest around $4 billion in Irans petrochemical industry, a report said. The negotiations are underway with BASF to construct a petrochemical township in southern Iran, Marziyeh Shahdani, managing director of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), was quoted as saying in The Iran Project report. BASF will have a share of 60 per cent in the project which will be constructed in Parsian Special Industrial Zone, it said. Hamid Reza Rostami, NPC director for planning affairs, said in December last year that BASFs planned investment in Iran will also involve a guaranteed market as well as the transfer of technology. He added that BASF has decided to make direct investment in Iran, bringing in capital, technology, management and a guaranteed market for products. Iran has already unveiled plans to become the leading producer of petrochemicals in the Middle East by significantly expanding the range and volume of its petrochemical production, added the report. Ooredoo Kuwait, part of the international Ooredoo Group, has launched mobile billing for Google Play applications and games to make it easier for Android users to purchase apps, games, and digital content on their devices. With the introduction of direct carrier billing with Google, customers can now perform any online purchase transaction through the Google Play Store by paying for their purchases via their mobile phone balance without the need of using their credit cards. Ooredoo Kuwaits mobile billing service for Google Play not only allows more convenient shopping for Ooredoos customers, it is also more secure removing the need to save personal credit card details on the Internet. Direct Carrier Billing allows users of select mobile operators to pay for digital content on Google Play by billing purchases to their mobile accounts; postpaid or prepaid. Once the payment option is set up, customers will be able to charge app and content purchases from the Play Store directly to their mobile accounts. The Google Play store is the official application store for Android smartphones and tablets. Google makes software applications, music, movies and books available for purchase and download through the store. The Google Play store, which comes pre-installed on Android devices, allows users to purchase, download and install applications from Google and third-party developers. The service can be activated on any Android mobile phone or tablet. TradeArabia News Service Russia said on Saturday a Syria ceasefire plan was more likely to fail than succeed, as Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes took rebel ground near Aleppo and set their sights on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. Russia said on Saturday a Syria ceasefire plan was more likely to fail than succeed, as Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes took rebel ground near Aleppo and set their sights on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa province. International divisions over Syria surfaced anew at a Munich conference where Russia rejected French charges that it was bombing civilians, just a day after world powers agreed on the "cessation of hostilities" due to begin in a week's time. US Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated accusations that Russia was hitting "legitimate opposition groups" and civilians with its bombing campaign in Syria and said Moscow must change its targets to respect the ceasefire deal. The conflict, reshaped by Russia's intervention last September, has gone into an even higher gear since the United Nations sought to revive peace talks. These were suspended earlier this month in Geneva before they got off the ground. Turkish forces shelled Kurdish YPG militia targets near the northern Syrian town of Azaz on Saturday, Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, demanding that the group withdraw from land it recently captured. The United States urged both Turkey and the Syrian Kurds to step back and focus instead on tackling the "common threat" of Islamic State militants who control large parts of Syria. The Syrian army looked poised to advance into the Islamic State-held province of Raqqa for the first time since 2014, apparently to pre-empt any move by Saudi Arabia to send ground forces into Syria to fight the jihadist insurgents. A Syrian military source said the army captured positions at the provincial border between Hama and Raqqa in the last two days and intends to advance further. "It is an indication of the direction of coming operations towards Raqqa. In general, the Raqqa front is open ... starting in the direction of the Tabqa area," the source said. Tabqa is the location of an air base captured by Islamic State two years ago, and the source said the army had moved to within 35 km (20 miles) of the base. The cessation of hostilities deal agreed by major powers falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the warring parties - the government and rebels seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad in a five-year war that has killed at least 250,000 people. If its forces retake Aleppo and seal the Turkish border north of the city, Damascus would deal a crushing blow to the insurgents who were on the march until Russia intervened, shoring up Assad's rule and paving the way to the current reversal of rebel fortunes. Russia has said it will keep bombing Islamic State and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which in many areas of western Syria fights government forces in close proximity to insurgents deemed moderates by Western states. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, asked at a security conference in Munich on Saturday to assess the chances of the cessation of hostilities deal succeeding, replied: "49 percent." Asked the same question, his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier put the odds at 51 percent. The complex, multi-sided civil war in Syria, raging since 2011, has drawn in most regional and global powers, caused the world's worst humanitarian emergency and attracted recruits to Islamist militancy from around the world. Assad, backed on the ground by Iranian combatants and Lebanon's Hezbollah in addition to big power ally Russia, is showing no appetite for a negotiated ceasefire. He said this week that the government's goal was to recapture all of Syria, though he said this could take time. The US government said Assad was "deluded" if he thought there was a military solution to the conflict. Syrian state television announced the army and allied militia had on Saturday captured the village of al-Tamura overlooking rebel terrain northwest of Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported advances in the same area, adding that Russian jets had hit three rebel-held towns near the Turkish border. Government offensives around Aleppo have sent tens of thousands of people fleeing towards the Turkish border. ISLAMIC STATE TARGETED Islamic State, driven by the goal of expanding its "caliphate" rather than reforming Syria - the original goal of the opposition when the conflict began as an unarmed street uprising in 2011 - is being targeted in separate campaigns by a US-led alliance and Assad's government with Russian air support. Regional Kurdish forces supported by Washington are also fighting Islamic State in Raqqa province. Gulf states that want Assad gone from power have said they would be willing to send in troops as part of any US-led ground attack against Islamic State. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday he expected Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to send commandos to help recapture Raqqa. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was reported as saying Saudi Arabia will send aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base to support the air campaign against Islamic State in Syria. "Saudi Arabia is now sending planes to Turkey, to Incirlik. They came and carried out inspections at the base," Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper, adding it was unclear how many planes would come and that the Saudis might also send soldiers. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Saturday in Munich there was no need to scare anyone with a ground operation in Syria. Two Syrian rebel commanders told Reuters on Friday insurgents had been sent "excellent quantities" of Grad rockets with a range of 20 km (12 miles) by foreign backers in recent days to help confront the Russian-backed offensive in Aleppo. Foreign opponents of Assad including Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations centre. Some of these groups have received military training overseen by the US Central Intelligence Agency. The vetted groups have been a regular target of the Russian air strikes. Reuters Hi! I'm a Jesus-lover, and I've had this blog now since 2011. It's been mainly for myself as a way to reflect on what God has done in my life lest I forget and fail to bring Him glory. However, it's also a way, I hope, that others are inspired to trust Him more themselves and a way I can solicit prayer as I always desperately need it. Thank you for reading, and I pray you are blessed! :) P.T.L! S.D.G! High on the dew-dampened peak of Mount Kaputar, in New South Wales, Australia, there exists a world distinct unto itself, an alpine forest populated by organisms found nowhere else on the planet. There, in that isolated mountaintop ecosystem, only a lucky few have chanced upon its most colorful inhabitant -- this giant, fluorescent pink slug. Michael Murphy, a ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, was one of the first to get an up close look at this remarkable creature, which was only identified just recently. Jim McLean/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0"Giant pink slugs are about 20 cm long (7.8 inches), only found on top of Mount Kaputar," says Murphy in an interview with Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "On a good morning, you can walk around and see hundreds of them, but only in that one area." "As bright pink as you can imagine, that's how pink they are," he added, noting that each night they crawl up trees in large numbers to feed on mold and moss. But giant pink slugs aren't the only squishy inhabitants unique to that particular mountaintop. According to Murphy, the forest there is also home to several cannibal snails, battling it out in slow-motion to see who can eat the other first. "We've actually got three species of cannibal snail on Mount Kaputar, and they're voracious little fellas," says Murphy. "They hunt around on the forest floor to pick up the slime trail of another snail, then hunt it down and gobble it up." Mgillaus/CC BY 2.0 Scientists believe that the distinct biodiversity of this particular region are living relics from a bygone era, when Australia was lush with rainforests, connected to a greater landmass called Gondwana. As volcanic activity and other geological changes over millions of years transformed the landscape into one more arid, Mount Kaputar and its inhabitants were spared. As a result, such unique invertebrates that might have dried out to extinction remain alive today, tucked away in a world all their own -- and that's just how Murphy prefers it: "It's just one of those magical places, especially when you are up there on a cool, misty morning.'' Amritsar, February 14 Dr Yadvinder Singh, chief interventional cardiologist at Ivy Hospital here, has received the Best Case Award of the year at an international conference held in Singapore recently. Dr Singh received the award for his presentation and management of a complicated cardiac case. Singapore Live Conference is one of the most reputed cardiac interventional conferences in the world. More than 200 cases were selected for oral presentation out of the over 500 cases submitted. Competing with more than 200 entries from over 20 countries at the conference, Dr Singhs case won the award. Dr Singh said it is an honour to be recognized among cardiologists who presented their cases from various parts of the world. It is my constant endeavour to provide the best cardiac care to patients and we believe in providing more reliable and affordable cardiac care, he said. Dr Singh has expertise in radial, through wrist angiography, angioplasty and permanent pacemaker implantation. TNS GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 14 Though Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal often goes on whirlwind tour of reviewing the ongoing development works, the state government is yet to provide clean and adequate water to the resident in the holy city. After getting an alarming feedback about the bad quality of water in Amritsar, the experts are advocating introducing canal-based drinking water supply, but the project is still hanging fire. World Bank was roped in by the state government to fund various development projects, which primarily included the canal-based water supply scheme. Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi gave a digital presentation of the project on November 27, 2014, on ways to increase water demand in the city, reeling under water shortage due to depleting underground table. Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said the proposal was finalised and sent to the government to get a final nod six months ago, but till date there was no response. He said, The World Bank is ready to fund the project, but it requires governments nod before giving it a go ahead. If this project takes off, then we will have 24-hour-water supply. Presently, with hardly any scientific way of water treatment in place and a majority of tube wells lying in defunct in the city, the residents are facing water scarcity. They are forced to drink unsafe water. Jagdish Singh, a resident of Bagh Ramanand said, There is enough lip service to make Amritsar like Paris, Switzerland or Singapore. It is pity that the government till date has not been able to provide safe drinking water for the residents. Harcharan Singh, a retired zonal manager of Punjab and Sind Bank said, The government needs to set its priorities. Instead of planting ornamental trees or spending crores on entrance gates, the government should make adequate arrangements to supply safe water in homes. The Chief Minister had chaired a meeting to discuss a scheme on July 10, 2012, under which canal-based water supply was to be introduced in Amritsar. An inspection of Beas river and Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) was conducted by an IIT team from Roorkee and health officials of the Municipal Corporation in September 2012 to study the feasibility of supplying drinking water. The study indicated that the water level of the city had depleted to almost 60 per cent of the permissible norms and the tube well-based water supply could not remain dependable for long. Therefore, canal-based water supply was the only solution. As per the estimates it requires Rs 120 crore in extracting water from 40-km long stretch and another Rs 130 crore as cost of treatment, conveyance of treated water up to the master reservoirs and then to area reservoirs. The proposal is pending till date. Tribune News Service Bathinda, February 14 Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) today burnt an effigy of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for joining the students protest at JNU. BJYM leader Vikram Lucky claimed that a handful of people gathered and raised slogans like Pakistan Zindabad and Bharat ki barbadi tak, jang rahegi jang rahegi. This is not any ideology. It is anti-national and Rahul Gandhi had gone to support them, he added. Describing Gandhis visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University as unfortunate, the BJP leader asked him not to make educational institutions a hub of politics. This shows the bankruptcy of the Congress party whose members went to support anti-national activities of a handful of people, he added. Tribune News Service Bathinda, February 14 Demanding release of compensation meant for cotton labourers and possession of five marla plots, labour unions will stage a three-day protest in front of the SDM offices from Monday. The unions would stage the protest in Chandigarh from March 15 to 17 in support of their demands. In the cotton belt of Punjab, the district administrations are yet to distribute compensation to farm labourers despite government had released funds against damages to the cotton crop. A total of 10 per cent of compensation fund would be distributed among the farm labourers. But the officials are yet to come up with the list of farm labourers after identifying them in villages. The labour unions would also demand the possession of five marla plots allotted to labourers by the state government since 2002. Besides, the unions would raise the demand of clearance of dues to MNREGA labourers. We will stage the protest for three days from tomorrow. The government had failed on all aspects. The labourers demands are ignored and the government is not taking interest in distributing the funds. There should be a policy regarding this that how much amount would be distributed among each labour family. We are demanding Rs 20,000 for each labour family but all pleas had fallen on deaf ears. The MNREGA labourers had not got their wages for the past many months, said Mazdur Mukti Morcha state president Bhagwant Smao. The amount of compensation would be divided among the total number of labour families in each district as there has been no policy by the government to disburse the amount of compensation to each labour family. The farmer and farm labour unions are already agitating continuously for compensation for the damaged cotton crop. The farmers are demanding Rs 40,000 per acre per farmer whereas the labour unions are demanding Rs 20,000 per acre per labour family from the state government for the damaged cotton crop due to the whitefly attack. Farm labourers alleged that they could not get employment without cotton crop in the region. About Rs 22 crore would be distributed in Bathinda and around Rs 14 crore would be distributed in Mansa district among the cotton farm labourers by the district administration after identifying them in various villages. Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service Sampla (Rohtak), February 14 A day after the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) lifted their rail blockade from Hisars Mayyar village, another faction of the community organised a Jat Swabhiman Rally and blocked the Delhi-Fazilka NH-10 here today. Jats are protesting for reservation in government jobs and education institutes under the OBC category. In todays protest, khap leaders from Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonepat districts participated and their plan of action was to organise only a rally. The situation turned volatile when a majority of Jats defied the advice of khap heads and other elders to wait till March 31, the date by which the government has assured the community to meet their demand. Those leading the rally proposed a state-level meeting in Rohtak on April 6 to discuss the matter and take a final decision. Ruckus, however, broke out as a majority of the participants said they wanted immediate and concrete action. They grabbed the centre-stage and some of them directed others to block roads and the railway track. As soon as this was announced from the dais, a mob of nearly 1,500 men rushed to the bypass and blocked the NH-10. Acting promptly, the police and administration got the vehicular traffic diverted. Later, Rohtak Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dalbir Phogat and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Amit Dahiya reached the protest ssite. They tried to pacify the protesters by offering to fix a meeting of Jats representatives with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The protesters, however, were adamant on having some Jat minister at the site for talks. Rohtak Deputy Commissioner (DC) DK Behera said efforts were under way to resolve the situation and get the blockade lifted. The blockade was on till the time of filing the news report. Efforts were being made to arrange a meeting of protesters with Agriculture Minister Om Prakash Dhankhar, who met AIJASS leaders in Hansi on Saturday and broke the deadlock. The decision to organise todays rally was taken at a meeting of khap leaders from Rohtak, Jhajjar and Sonepat districts in Rohtaks Bohar village recently. Nandal khap president Mahender Singh was the convener of the rally, while community leader Jai Singh Ahlawat presided over the event. A considerable number of Jat youths from Sanghi, the ancestral village of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, were present at the rally venue. Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 A suspected local Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmirs Pulwama district on Sunday afternoon. Two civilians also died in the incident and the subsequent protests. A woman Shaista Hameed of Lelhar village died in the crossfire and another civilian Danish Rasheed of Ratnipora village died when a tear-smoke shell hit him during protests that followed the shootout, a senior policeman said. A gunfight broke out in Pulwamas Kakpora town began a search operation in the area after they were received intelligence reports of militants hiding in the area. The militant killed has been identified as Adil Wagay, a Pulwama resident who is suspected of having links to Lashkar-e-Toiba. Jasmine Singh Lets do the bhangra or maybe Vamos fazer o bhangra, however you say it, in English or Portuguese, once you are pulled into the sound of dhol, you cant stop it...not till you drop dead, literally! This pretty woman from Kharar, Punjab, Shelly Bhoil can validate bhangras infectious quality for she comes from Brazil where she co-hosted Bloco Bollywood, the first Indian street party in the Brazilina carnival, themed on Bhangra dance and music. Bhangra is like a tempting offer, once you accept it there is no going back, adds Shelly who is now settled in Brazil, but her doctorate in Tibetan English fiction and nationalism keeps bringing her back to India. This time, she comes back with the sound of dhol and balle balle reverbating in her mind. Taking Punjabi culture to Brazil is one of the many other things that keep Shelly busy. As for Bloco Bollywood street party she has loads to share, Blocos are theme parties that happen around the carnival in every nook and corner of Brazil. Actually, the idea of this party was casually suggested by the mayor of Sao Paulo to Shobhan Saxena and Florencia de Costa, an Indo-Brazilian journalist couple, who took the initiative to organise this party on Feb 6 in Sao Paulo. The first time happening Bhangra theme party saw a gathering of about 500 Indians and Brazilians who danced to the hilt on Bhangra beats. Bloco Bollywood will now become a permanent feature in the calendar of Brazil. Next year we will have Bollywood stars and dance troops from India feature in this event, Shelly animatedly tells us how people would throng the Indian Culture Centre to learn Bhangra. Back in Brazil, this Bhangra comes with improvised steps and tunes. She smiles, Okay, there we dont have the typical Bhangra, it is like Bhangra steps infused with zumba, danced to Bollywood tunes like Nagaada Baja from the Hindi film Jab We Met. You cannot possibly take out Punjab from a heart that has seen and lived it, now whoever said that, seems to be true in Shellys case. And, also, in the case of all the Indo-Brazilians who laugh and cry with Bollywood movies, fall off their seats with Punjabi one liners. Shelly is waiting for the release of her debut poetry book, An Ember From Her Pyre, which she would be releasing in Kolkata soon. Dance and poetry are intrinsic to where I come from and no matter where I go they will beat within me. jasmine@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 14 Two major fire incidents were reported in the city today in which raw material and finished goods worth crores were destroyed. A massive fire broke out at Puneet Knitwear in Beant Nagar near Samrala Chowk around 5 am. Workers informed the owner of the factory who called up the fire brigade. Three workers, Gautam Pandit, Ashok and Sonu Sharma, were inside the factory when the fire broke out. They broke a grill at the back of the building to escape from the fire. No worker was injured. Sanjiv Dhir, owner of the hosiery unit, claimed that raw material, finished goods and machines worth crores of rupees were destroyed in the fire. The fire officials said around 150 fire tenders were used and the fire was brought under control by 4 pm. Balwinder Singh, Assistant District Fire Officer, said: We doused the flames around 1 pm but the yarn was still burning. They faced difficulties in putting out fire in the congested building. We used around 150 fire tenders to control the flames. Firefighters are still on work. We hope we will completely control the fire by 7 pm. The firefighters broke walls at three points to control the fire. The officials believed the fire was caused by a short-circuit. Sweaters, track suits, sweatshirts and pullovers were manufactured at the factory. Meanwhile, another fire incident was reported at Arihant Hosiery on Bahadurke Road in the morning. Workers at the factory woke up to the smell of smoke. They informed owner of the factory Anil Jain about the incident. There were seven workers in the factory when the fire broke out. All came out safe. The fire brigade reached the spot around 6:30 am and the fire was controlled by 10 am. Anil Jain said: We had stored finished goods worth lakhs at the factory. The cause of the fire was a short-circuit. We believe that we have lost goods worth Rs 40 lakh in the fire. Suresh Dharur Pending construction of new capital city, Andhra Pradesh has decided to first build an interim government complex to serve as a temporary administrative seat at Velagapudi village in the coastal district of Guntur. Spread over an area of 45 acres, the temporary secretariat will have offices of all the key departments being shifted from Hyderabad. The government has already set June 1 as the deadline for shifting all departments from Hyderabad. While the initial plan was to construct the buildings to locate a temporary secretariat over an area of 20 acres, the government has now decided to increase the extent of the complex to 45 acres to fulfil the administrative requirements, a Government Order (GO) said. In the 45 acres, the interim government complex would be located in 27 acres and 18 acres would be left for public facilities, the order said. The present arrangement would be a temporary one as ambitious plans are underway to build a new capital, Amaravati, in the Vijayawada-Guntur region with all modern amenities. The Vijayawada-Guntur region has been chosen for the river-front capital as it is centrally located and accessible from all parts of the state. The Singapore government has designed a master plan for the city that seeks to combine tradition with modernity and incorporates the concepts of Vastu and Feng Shui, the Indian and Chinese sciences of construction. This is the first time that a foreign country has designed a state capital in India. The state government has already pooled 33,000 acres from farmers spread over 29 villages under the Land Pooling System for building the new capital city. Coming up on the banks of river Krishna, Amaravati, named after the ancient Buddhist city and the seat of power of Telugu rulers nearly two millennia ago, will be spread over 217 sq km. New Delhi, February 14 Taking the first step towards gradually reverting to its original role of undertaking counter-terror operations, the NSG has pulled out over 600 commandos from its VVIP security unit and used them for the first time during the recent Pathankot attack. The plan has been in the making since the last over two years and the terrorist attack on the forward IAF base in Pathankot became the first operation, where these black cat commandos made their assault. According to the new blueprint being worked upon by the elite force, two teams out of the total three of the 11th Special Rangers Group (SRG), stand withdrawn from VVIP security duties and have been tasked to undertake counter-terror operations along with and in assistance of the primary strike unitsthe Special Action Group (SAG). National Security Guard (NSG) commando teams are raised under five primary units, two SAGs manned by officers and jawans from the Army and three SRGs comprising personnel from paramilitary forces. While each of the two SAGs (51 and 52) are tasked with counter-terror, counter-hijack and hostage rescue operations, the SRGs (11, 12 and 13) were used to render logistical support to the SAGs during such operations and have been primarily deployed for guarding high-risk VVIPs for many years now. Each SRG has three teams, with over 300 commandos each, and the estimated strength of an entire unit is about 1,000 personnel. Officials said the Pathankot operation was the first time that the unit was inducted into a full-scale anti-terror operation and select commandos were deployed to undertake door-to-door sanitisation of numerous buildings at the Indian Air Force station that was attacked in the wee hours of January 2. NSG commanders said the force, which was raised in 1984 for exclusive counter-terror operations but later entrusted with VVIP security duties, has the least number of 15 such protectees under its cover and, after its request to not burden it further in this regard, the government has not given it any additional responsibility in this domain for over two years now. While one team of the 11th SRG and two units (12 and 13) are still tasked with the security of high-risk dignitaries, commanders of the special federal contingency force foresee a time when even these units will be gradually pulled out of VVIP protection duties. Not in the very near future but NSG is on it way to go back to its original charter of being a specialist counter-terror and an exclusive commando force. The last team of the said SRG will also be pulled out sooner than later and prepared for terrorist combat roles, they said. They said the results of the first experiment at Pathankot have been satisfactory even as these units have been subjected to rigours undertaken by the strike units comprising personnel drawn from the army, with each of its commandos undertaking precision firing, unarmed combat and special tactics course every day of the year. The plan was mooted in 2012 when NSG commanders, keeping in mind the evolving terrorist attacks scenario across the globe, visualised an event where simultaneous assaults could be launched by them at multiple centres in the country and hence a good number of combat-ready commandos will have to be rushed in different directions. While the 2008 Mumbai terror attack involved about 400 commandos over a period of three days, over 300 NSG men were deployed for the Pathankot operation that was officially called off in five days. In what has come as a help, the government has also not given any additional duty in the VVIP security domain and assigned that task to Central paramilitary forces, like the CRPF, CISF and ITBP. The forces charter states that the primary role of NSG is to combat terrorism in whatever form it may assume in areas where activity of terrorists assumes serious proportions and the state police and other central police forces cannot cope up with the situation. The NSG is a force specially equipped and trained to deal with specific situations and is therefore to be used only in exceptional situations. The force is not designed to undertake the functions of state police forces or other paramilitary forces of the Union of India, it says. The force is modelled on the pattern of foreign special forces like SAS of the UK and GSG-9 of Germany but has now included the best practises of a few other such elite forces over the years. PTI Allahabad/Srinagar, February 14 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday claimed that the event on the JNU campus in Delhi commemorating the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received support from LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, a statement that sparked a political row with Opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. As Singh said the truth that the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) event received support from Saeed, who is the chief of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), needed to be understood by the nation, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a very serious charge to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. The incident (Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand, Singh told reporters in Allahabad, adding, What has happened is very unfortunate. CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Home Minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his serious allegation. CPI leader D. Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Home Minister has made a serious charge and he should produce evidence. Rajnaths comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation at JNU. The police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioners office, saying, This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence. In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet by the handle named HafeezSaeedJUD which says, We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers. In a series of tweets, Omar, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all, he said. Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government. Yechury said Rajnath has made a very serious allegation about terrorists backing JNU protests, adding. We hope that he has concrete proof. Considering the gravity of the charge made by no less than the Union Home Minister, we would like him to share the evidence with the country, he added. When we met the Home Minister yesterday, he never mentioned Hafiz Saeed to us but only harped on the slogans being raised at the protests. Later in the day, Singh tweeted, I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty &integrity of the country. Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed. I seek cooperation and support from all political parties &people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces, he said in a series of tweets. Singh while talking to newspersons also asked political parties not to view protests at JNU through the prism of political gains or losses. In a shot in the arm for the students demanding the release of its students union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was slapped with sedition charge, teachers associations of 40 Central universities extended support to the protest by the students and teachers of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) JNUs teachers association also openly came out against the administration for mishandling the matter and particularly slammed it for allowing police action before completion of a probe by the universitys proctorial committee in connection with the event. The teachers are backing the students. Seven of eight JNU students, who were debarred from academic activities earlier this week in connection with the Afzal Guru event, have been asked to appear before a high-level committee of the university probing the matter. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on the social media, purportedly showing ABVP members shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. However, the ABVP, the students wing of the BJP, rubbished the allegations, saying it is a morphed video. The police have formed a team to trace 13 students allegedly involved in anti-India sloganeering at the event on February 9. DCP South Delhi, Prem Nath, has also written a letter to the top brass favouring transfer of the case to Delhi Polices Special Cell. While the students have called for a strike from tomorrow till Kanhaiya is released, the teachers association said it is yet to take a call on the issue. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over holding of the event at the varsity during which anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. A shocked mother of Kanhaiya, who hails from Begusarai in Bihar, said Please do not call my son a terrorist. We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one. Meena Devi, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, said she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. JNU Vice-Chancellor Jagdish Kumar appealed to the students and teachers to let the law take its course and maintain a conducive environment in the university. PTI Mumbai, February 14 Sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan was part of a legacy announcement but his country expected Islamabad to do "more" on eliminating terror safe havens on its soil, US envoy to India said on Sunday. "Over the years, our equipment (sale) to Pakistan have been a mix of civilian and military equipment. (The latest decision on F-16 aircraft) is part of a legacy announcement," US ambassador to India Richard Verma said during interaction at the CNN Asia Business Forum organised as part of ongoing 'Make in India' week here. "The reality is that there are dangerous groups operating within Pakistan," Verma said. Islamabad needs to act against terror groups operating on its soil, the US envoy maintained. "More action needs to be taken by Pakistan on terror groups. Safe havens need to be eliminated." Verma's comments came a day after the Obama administration notified the US Congress of its decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth nearly USD 700 million. Verma said praised Modi governments work and the "substantial progress" made in India in the last two years. Among the challenges before India were those of rapid urbanisation and tackling climate change, he said. George Yeo of Kerry Logistics Networks, who also spoke at the interaction, said the India-China conflict would not get out of control. "There may be scars of the 1962 war (with China) on Indian psyche but in China it is almost forgotten," Yeo said. PTI New Delhi, February 14 Couples young and old enthusiastically celebrated Valentine's Day across the world on Sunday despite calls to ban it. Harpreet Singh of DAV College, Chandigarh, cycles around the city with a board Clean Chandigarh, Green Chandigarh on Valentines Day at Sector 17, Chandigarh, on February 14, 2016. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari A couple share a moment on Valentine Days in Dehradun on February 14, 2016. Tribune photo: Abhyudaya Kotnala A couple clicks a selfie as they stand next to a heart-shaped paper flower decoration at flower market on Valentine's Day in Islamabad, Pakistan, on February 14, 2016. Reuters photo A foreign visitor celebrates Valentine's Day with a performer dressed as Hindu God Krishna at the 30th International Surajkund Crafts Mela in Faridabad on February 14, 2016. PTI photo People release balloons during a Valentine's Day celebration at the Medeo skating rink in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on February 14, 2016. Reuters photo A couple at a flower shop at Connaught Place on the occassion Valentines day in New Delhi on February 14, 2016. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui New Delhi, February 14 India continued its rapid progress as world struggled to cope with global slowdown because of the Central Governments policies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. "Everyone is saying this... the World Bank, the IMF. The world is going through an economic crisis, but it is India alone that is progressing at a rapid pace. This is a unique situation when the whole world is slipping and India is growing," Modi said. "People across the world are saying that the steps taken by the government have led to India becoming the fastest growing economy among the larger economies of the world," he said at an event to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dayanand Sarawati, the pioneer of the Arya Samaj movement in the latter half of the 19th century. Earlier in the day, Congress said it would demand a white paper on the state of the economy in the Budget Session of Parliament beginning February 23. The prime minister spoke about his governments schemes such as Skill India initiative and Mudra Bank. "One thing can free us from our problems, from poverty, from lack of education and that is development," Modi said. Over two crore people have benefited from MUDRA Yojana and over Rs one lakh crore has been disbursed to them. Financial support has been given to people and we have faith in them." He said many believed that the 21st century would be India's and asked the countrys youngsters to take the country forward with their skills and knowledge. He also said the government intended to add another sector the personal sector to the existing public sector and the private sector to ensure people became job creators and not job seekers. He spoke about his governments schemes for the countrys youth, such as Jan Dhan Yojana, for which the government had deposited more than Rs 30,000 crore for the scheme in various accounts. "The government's focus is on how the power of the youth can be used for development of the nation. Therefore, we not only launched a skill development programme, but also created a new ministry, with its own budget and a set of officers to take the programme forward," Modi said. By 2030, when the population of many countries will grow old and when they require work force, India can power these nations with skilled and technically qualified manpower, he said. "Apart from having certificates in their hands, our youth must be skilled," he said and exhorted the youth to "pick up any one idea and work on it...let India's strength on the world stage increase through the idea you pick." PTI Azhar Qadri/Suhail A Shah Tribune News Service Srinagar/Anantnag, February 14 A militant with Lashkar-e-Toiba links and two civilians, one of them a woman, were killed in a gunfight in Kokpora town of Pulwama district in Kashmir this afternoon. Militants opened fire as security personnel cordoned the area and launched a search operation following intelligence inputs. One militant has shot. A woman was caught in the crossfire while another civilian was probably killed because of shell injury, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) SJM Gilani said. He said the security forces came under fire as they closed in on the militants' hideout. That is when the civilians were injured and militant Adil Wagay was killed, the IGP said. At least two militants are believed to have escaped. The civilians killed are 19-year-old Danish Rasheed of Ratnipora village and 22-year-old Shaista Hameed of Lelhar village. Seven civilians were reportedly injured in protests that followed the gunfight. Separatists groups have given a called for a region-wide shutdown on Monday to protest against the deaths. It was the second encounter in the Kashmir Valley in past two days. Five militants with links with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and two soldiers were killed in a fierce gunbattle in northern Kupwara district on Saturday. Lt Gen SK Dua, GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, told the media that all them were foreigners. The weapons and equipment found at the encounter site point towards Lashkar hand, he added. (With additional inputs from Amin Masoodi in Kupwara) Amaninder Pal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 14 Punjab scientists have developed the countrys first-ever low-seed kinnow variety. India is the third country in the world to accomplish the task after Pakistan and the US. Experts have given their approval to cultivating the new variety on a commercial scale beginning this year. It took Punjab Agricultural University scientists eight years to evolve the low-seed kinnow from a variety developed at the Citrus Research Centre, Riverside, University of California, US, and introduced in Punjab way back in 1959. The new variety, with a 0-9 seed count, has been approved by Punjabs Varietal Approval Committee. The committee has assessed all aspects of the variety and given its approval, said Dr Gurkanwal Singh, Director, Department of Horticulture, and committee chairman. Dr MIS Gill of the Department of Fruit Sciences, PAU, said the new variety had been developed by using gamma rays. Our scientists began work on the project in 2007. Having a negligible seed count, this variety is bound to create a market for itself as seeds turn kinnow juice bitter, he added. Seeds in kinnow are a major obstacle in exporting the fruit to Europe. The export market for citrus fruit is worth $2.13 billion and Indias share is a measly 1 per cent. Key export markets for kinnow are Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, the Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, UK, Russia and Vietnam. Tribune News Service Dehradun, February 14 Members of the DAV PG College Students Union held a Tiranga march on the campus here yesterday in protest against the anti-nation sloganeering at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi. They criticised members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) for promoting anti-national activities on the JNU campus. They demanded legal action against people involved in the incident. The protesters gathered on the college campus and raised slogans against Pakistan and the SFI. Students union president Rakesh Negi said, Anti-national activities will not be tolerated in the country. The SFI has degraded the dignity of the country by supporting a terrorist. The safety of the nation is greater than a political party or personal belief and any person who threatens it would counted as a traitor. Paras Goyal, Sanjay Tomar, Kapil Sharma, Tarun Jain, Sagar Mishra and Sanjay Bahuguna took part in the protest. Thessaloniki (Greece) February 14 The Greek police said on Sunday they had arrested three heavily armed Britons near the border with Turkey where they were suspected of heading to join Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State jihadists. One of the three, a 40-year-old said to be of Kurdish Iraqi origin, had four firearms and 200,000 rounds in his possession when he was picked up at the Kipi border post on the Evros River which borders the two nations. The plice arrested two other men, both in their mid-30s, in the port of Alexandropolis, the main town in the Evros region and a key commercial centre in northeastern Greece. They were found in possession of 18 firearms and 40,000 22mm and 5.5 mm bullets stowed in a trailer. Counter-terrorism services are now investigating the trio afer police said they suspected all three of terrorism and belonging to a criminal organisation, as well as arms trafficking. On January 31, two men with Swedish passports were arrested in the same region after they were found carrying combat material having flown to Greece from Sweden before heading towards Turkey by bus. One, Mirsad Bektasevic, a suspected jihadist of Bosnian origin, was charged with terrorist activities along with an accomplice believed to hail from Yemen. Bektasevic was previously arrested in 2005 in Sarajevo after a police search of his house uncovered ammunition and explosives and a video in which a masked man called for attacks on Capitol Hill and the White House. AFP Washington, February 14 The US and its allies conducted 27 strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq on Saturday, the Combined Joint Task Force overseeing the operations said in a statement. In Iraq, 25 attacks were carried out near nine cities, six of them near Ramadi, striking Islamic State tactical units and destroying Islamic State staging areas, fighting positions and assembly areas. Near Mosul, 12 strikes hit two separate tactical units and other targets and destroyed 12 fighting positions and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. In Syria, one strike near Al Hawl and another near Al Hasakah struck tactical units and destroyed a tunnel and a building used by the group. Reuters What some European countries did to other nations that they felt were beneath them or how they used and exploited them is in todays terms unbelievable and a gross infringements of human rights. Some of European history of their colonization and exploitation of other nations should not be forgotten. Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa, India and so on by the British. Congo in Africa by Belgium. The Philippines and South America by the Spanish. The Dutch in Indonesia. The French in Vietnam, Morocco, Polynesia and so on and so on. Europeans in destroying and committing genocide against the native people of the Americas. The Germans to the Jews and killing 6 million of them! The list continues. Not only do they steal the wealth and natural resources away but they convert the religions of these countries by force, re-education, laws and insist on the superiority of their European religions, culture and race. They change the names of the people saying its hard to pronounce but its more indoctrination, to force them to be more European but never accept them as equals, as total imperialists creating situations by force where the local people of these lands are degraded, tortured, forced into labor and or killed. It is genocide, to say the least. This is a terrible legacy where white supremacist attitudes prevailed and did so much damage, where many Europeans were prejudiced against other cultures, religions and people. Today many Europeans are different, thank goodness, and live a more enlightened view, but the legacy of their forefathers damage still lives on in many countries. People like to quote Chinas human rights abuses but look at your own history in the not-so-distant past. Every countrys citizens, especially countries with a history of colonialism, should self-examine very carefully as well as see whats happening everywhere and China. If you dont like whats happening in China, then demand your governments to stop all economic ties, business and profits immediately. Dont make money from China and then criticize China and until that happens, self-examine. China definitely needs to improve but so do many other countries. Your governments and private sectors are making plenty of money from China and the economic benefits filter down to the citizens. Even today in the U.S., a supposed powerful human rights advocate, there is so much racial tension as you can see in the recent Ferguson events. So many countries, past and present, are guilty of this. We need to think how much damage and pain has been created. Yes its still happening in some parts of the world. This story shared here for educational purposes expresses the point very well. It is abominable what Belgium did in Congo. It is unacceptable in todays terms when we recall all the looting, and the wealth and dignity that was plundered by some European countries that was never returned from the countries they stole from. As Winston Churchill famously said, I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion. What a interesting viewpoint from a white imperialist colonizer of India and a so-called respected world statesman. I am very sad to read this about King Leopold II of Belgium but growing up in a very racist environment in the US, I understand somewhat. I have not suffered as much as the beautiful people of Congo, but I understand when who and what you are is degraded. What religion you are is insulted and you are segregated because of it. My particular form of Tibetan Buddhism includes the enlightened protector Dorje Shugden. Because the Tibetan leaders for political gains banned this worship, I am segregated. What culture you come from is not understood but made fun of. Where the color of your skin and facial features are taunted by the majority or prevailing powers. Tsem Rinpoche When You Kill Ten Million Africans You Arent Called Hitler By Liam OCeallaigh / walkingbutterfly.com Take a look at this picture. Do you know who it is? Most people havent heard of him. But you should have. When you see his face or hear his name you should get as sick in your stomach as when you read about Mussolini or Hitler or see one of their pictures. You see, he killed over 10 million people in the Congo. His name is King Leopold II of Belgium. He owned the Congo during his reign as the constitutional monarch of Belgium. After several failed colonial attempts in Asia and Africa, he settled on the Congo. He bought it and enslaved its people, turning the entire country into his own personal slave plantation. He disguised his business transactions as philanthropic and scientific efforts under the banner of the International African Society. He used their enslaved labor to extract Congolese resources and services. His reign was enforced through work camps, body mutilations, executions, torture, and his private army. Most of us I dont yet know an approximate percentage but I fear its extremely high arent taught about him in school. We dont hear about him in the media. Hes not part of the widely repeated narrative of oppression (which includes things like the Holocaust during World War II). Hes part of a long history of colonialism, imperialism, slavery and genocide in Africa that would clash with the social construction of the white supremacist narrative in our schools. It doesnt fit neatly into a capitalist curriculum. Making overtly racist remarks is (sometimes) frowned upon in polite society, but its quite fine not to talk about genocides in Africa perpetrated by European capitalist monarchs. Mark Twain wrote a satire about Leopold called King Leopolds soliloquy; a defense of his Congo rule, where he mocked the Kings defense of his reign of terror, largely through Leopolds own words. Its 49 pages long. Mark Twain is a popular author for American public schools. But like most political authors, we will often read some of their least political writings or read them without learning why the author wrote them (Orwells Animal Farm for example serves to re-inforce American anti-Socialist propaganda, but Orwell was an anti-capitalist revolutionary of a different kind this is never pointed out). We can read about Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, but King Leopolds Soliloquy isnt on the reading list. This isnt by accident. Reading lists are created by boards of education in order to prepare students to follow orders and endure boredom well. From the point of view of the Education Department, Africans have no history. When we learn about Africa, we learn about a caricaturized Egypt, about the HIV epidemic (but never its causes), about the surface level effects of the slave trade, and maybe about South African Apartheid (which of course now is long, long over). We also see lots of pictures of starving children on Christian Ministry commercials, we see safaris on animal shows, and we see pictures of deserts in films and movies. But we dont learn about the Great African War or Leopolds Reign of Terror during the Congolese Genocide. Nor do we learn about what the United States has done in Iraq and Afghanistan, potentially killing in upwards of 5-7 million people from bombs, sanctions, disease and starvation. Body counts are important. And we dont count Afghans, Iraqis, or Congolese. Theres a Wikipedia page called Genocides in History. The Congolese Genocide isnt included. The Congo is mentioned though. Whats now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo is listed in reference to the Second Congo War (also called Africas World War and the Great War of Africa), where both sides of the multinational conflict hunted down Bambenga and ate them. Cannibalism and slavery are horrendous evils which must be entered into history and talked about for sure, but I couldnt help thinking whose interests were served when the only mention of the Congo on the page was in reference to multi-national incidents where a tiny minority of people were eating each other (completely devoid of the conditions which created the conflict no less). Stories which support the white supremacist narrative about the subhumanness of people in Africa are allowed to be entered into the records of history. The white guy who turned the Congo into his own personal part-plantation, part-concentration camp, part-Christian ministry and killed 10 to 15 million Conglese people in the process doesnt make the cut. You see, when you kill ten million Africans, you arent called Hitler. That is, your name doesnt come to symbolize the living incarnation of evil. Your name and your picture dont produce fear, hatred, and sorrow. Your victims arent talked about and your name isnt remembered. Leopold was just one part of thousands of things that helped construct white supremacy as both an ideological narrative and material reality. Of course I dont want to pretend that in the Congo he was the source of all evil. He had generals, and foot soldiers, and managers who did his bidding and enforced his laws. It was a system. But that doesnt negate the need to talk about the individuals who are symbolic of the system. But we dont even get that. And since it isnt talked about, what capitalism did to Africa, all the privileges that rich white people gained from the Congolese genocide are hidden. The victims of imperialism are made, like they usually are, invisible. Source: http://www.filmsforaction.org/news/when_you_kill_ten_million_africans_you_arent_called_hitler/ This is strictly for educational purposes only. Comedian Trevor Noah mocking colonisation Or view the video on the server at: https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TrevorNoah.mp4 For more interesting information: 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. Hertz to close Tulsa center, lay off 80 employees Hertz Global Holdings announced to employees Wednesday that it will be closing its Tulsa Service Center and that 80 employees around 45 percent of the centers workforce will be laid off. The Tulsa Service Center is located in two buildings at 5310 E. 31st St. and helps with customer care, franchise/licensee support, marketing and vehicle remarketing. In December Hertz sold both buildings to 31st Street Plaza LLC for $5.9 million, records show. Since the sale closed, Hertz has been renting space for the Tulsa Service Center from the new owners. The company says that 100 employees from the Tulsa Service Center will keep their jobs. Some will remain in the office space on 31st Street until new office space is found and Hertz vacates the building completely. Others will transition to long-term positions working from home. Wednesdays announcement follows the recent completion of Hertzs integration of the operating systems of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc., which it acquired in November 2012. The Tulsa Service Center is in what was previously the Dollar Thrifty headquarters. CASEY SMITH, World Business Writer WPX Energy will sell Colorado assets, cut staff WPX Energy announced Tuesday a $910 million sale of its business line in Colorados Piceance Basin and plans for staff reductions, including some layoffs in Tulsa, company spokesman Kelly Swan said. WPX CEO and President Rick Muncrief announced the asset sale and staff reductions to employees in an email sent early Tuesday morning titled Our Industrys Changing Environment. With commodity prices at levels not seen in more than a decade and a current and future gas market that appears challenged, we must make further changes to live within our means, Muncrief writes in the email. We will have to reduce our overall headcount in a post-Piceance environment. Piceance is an amazing asset, but has required a significant amount of support both in Colorado as well as in Tulsa. Terra Energy Partners is a relatively new, private equity-backed company that does not have the existing organization to work this asset and, therefore, it will need additional employees. We will provide detail about this process along with transition services as more information is known. Companywide, WPX has around 1,000 employees, with 500 in Tulsa, Swan said. Approximately 200 workers are in the Parachute, Colorado, office that directly supports the subsidiary being sold to Terra Energy Partners LLC. Employees directly tied to the subsidiary WPX Energy Rocky Mountain LLC will have to interview for jobs with Terra Energy. Swan said the number of Tulsa employees who will be affected and the timeline for the reductions are not yet clear. CASEY SMITH, World Business Writer Occupancy rate dips in Tulsa as market softens Things had been going well for local apartment owners. Vacancies were the lowest in years, and confidence that it would stay that way led to rent increases. The market, however, started to soften in late summer, said David Forrest, a broker with CB Richard Ellis. Conditions were strong through the first part of the year, but by August or September, there was enough weakness to pull that back, he said. The latest Tulsa-area apartment survey assembled by CB Richard Ellis indicates the average occupancy reached 92 percent at the end of 2015, down 1.5 percent from both mid-year 2015 and the end of 2014. Rental rates stalled overall, but the movement varied by floor plan. Rates for one-bedroom apartments rose $8 to $555 per month; two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments fell $11 to $660, and two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments stayed at $721. Tulsas apartments fared worse than the national average. Axiometrics Inc. estimated occupancy reached 95 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, up slightly from the 94.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the highest fourth-quarter occupancy since 2000. Axiometrics report which did not include Tulsa noted that of the top 50 apartment markets, only Oklahoma City experienced a rent decline. ROBERT EVATT, World Business Writer Bill in Legislature targets historic tax credits Ken Alexander bought the former Sand Springs power plant in 2010, and hes got big plans for the now 104-year-old building. The 38,000-square-foot building at 212 S. Main St. has long been vacant, and Alexander estimates itll take $8 million to fix it up. About $3.2 million of that cost is slated to come from historic tax credits half from the U.S. government, and half from Oklahoma. He said those credits are a necessity. Im having a hard time seeing how the project goes forward without tax credits, Alexander said. Historic tax credits, which can reimburse up to 20 percent of the cost of a redevelopment project so long as the building retains much of its original features, have helped fund various redevelopment projects in Tulsa. To date, an estimated $155.9 million in credits has been granted to 16 projects, and another $137 million has been approved for 20 projects that are underway or planned. These credits are also part of nearly two dozen Oklahoma tax credits that would be suspended under Senate Bill 977. Although the bill was amended last week to allow redevelopment projects currently underway to continue accruing tax credits, David Pettyjohn, executive director of Preservation Oklahoma Inc., said he believes the amended bill would still prevent new developments from qualifying for tax credits during the moratorium. ROBERT EVATT, World Business Writer In Allstates television ad, actor Dennis Haysbert explains in his deep, authoritative voice that your rate wont rise after one accident because of the insurers accident-forgiveness program. Liberty Mutual, Nationwide and several other insurers offer accident forgiveness, too. But before you sign up, figure out how much the extra coverage costs compared with the benefits. The costs and coverage vary. Allstate offers accident forgiveness as part of Its Your Choice auto insurance program, which costs an extra 10 percent to 19 percent, depending on the number of accidents to be forgiven and other special features (including new-car replacement for up to three years and reductions to your deductible if you are accident-free). Allstate and several other insurers will also forgive longtime customers if theyve been accident-free for five years or more; Liberty Mutual offers the break even for new customers who are accident-free. Still other companies forgive the first accident if the damage is less than about $500 or $750. Without accident forgiveness, your rates could rise by 5 percent to 10 percent for three to five years after an accident, depending on the insurer, says Derek Ross, president of Kulchin Ross Insurance Services, in Tarzana, California. These programs may be more valuable (but also more expensive) if you have a teenage driver, says Carolyn Reynolds, an independent agent in Richmond, Kentucky. One way to reduce the chance of a rate hike is to increase your deductible. Hiking the collision deductible from $250 to $500 or $1,000 can cut your premiums by up to 20 percent and make you less likely to file small claims that could raise your rates and jeopardize a claims-free discount. Robert Hunter, of the Consumer Federation of America, recommends raising your deductible and adding the money saved in premiums to a savings account. He has been doing that for almost 40 years and now has about $12,000 saved. If you have an accident on your record, shop for new coverage after a couple of years. Some insurers add an accident surcharge for five years, but some look back only three years. And a new insurer may give you a break sooner. Kimberly Lankford is a contributing editor to Kiplingers Personal Finance magazine. Send your questions and comments to moneypower@kiplinger.com. For more on this and similar money topics, visit kiplinger.com. Some small U.S. companies are getting an influx in calls and in some cases, unexpected business due to fears about the Zika virus. The virus often produces either no symptoms or mild ones like fever in adults, but an outbreak in Brazil has been linked to a rare birth defect that causes a newborns head to be smaller as well as brain development issues. Outbreaks also have been reported in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. Pest control companies in Texas are getting a surge in business because of concerns that mosquitoes bearing the Zika virus will arrive from neighboring Mexico. The companies are already spraying homes, schools and other properties; usually they dont start until April. Darryl Nevins Mosquito Joe franchise in Houston began getting an increase in calls last week after news reports of seven cases of Zika virus in the metropolitan area. None of the cases resulted from mosquito bites in Texas, the reports said, but people arent taking chances and want their property sprayed. Its not just residential customers, what we primarily had in the past, Nevins says. Schools, day care, commercial customers with a park nearby are calling and asking, What do we do to protect outdoor seating? Nevins says hes getting 15 inquiries a day, which is very unusual for this time of year. Even in the middle of the summer, he says, the company typically only gets 10 calls a day. Based on the demand Nevins is seeing, he expects to double his staff of four workers to handle the spraying. In North Austin, Texas, Karyn Browns Mosquito Squad franchise has been getting calls since mid-January a marked change from typical years, when the phone doesnt ring until April. Some of her customers want their property sprayed, while others want information about how mosquitoes spread the virus. Brown is considering hiring more workers to handle a heavier workload. I feel a little guilty I dont want to profit off something so negative, Brown says. Jim Graces travel insurance company is selling more policies known as cancel for any reason coverage because of the Zika virus. Unlike regular insurance, it allows a traveler to be reimbursed if they just dont want to make the trip. Grace, CEO of InsureMyTrip in Warwick, Rhode Island, estimates his sales of these policies are up between 15 percent and 20 percent from last year because people are on the fence about vacations or business trips to affected areas. As long as its at least 48 hours before you have to depart, you can say, Im not going, Grace says. In many ways, the Zika outbreak is like past outbreaks of disease in that it has created business for some U.S. companies, while hurting others. During the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa in 2014, companies that sold protective clothing like hazmat suits had increased sales because of demand from customers like medical facilities. On the flip side, companies that arranged safari tours to Africa lost some of their business because would-be travelers were afraid they might catch the disease. There was some concern in the travel industry that people would cancel some trips to places like Brazil because of the Zika virus. But the trade group American Society of Travel Agents says its members arent losing money to the virus so far theyre reporting few outright cancellations, where people, concerned about the virus, cancel trips and dont pick another destination. Still, customers are calling agents with questions about the virus. In this case with the Zika virus, if it tracks along the same lines as some other recent travel concerns, there will only be a small shift in booking patterns, spokeswoman Jennifer Michels says. Some travelers, if they do cancel, will simply ask advice on somewhere else to go and how to best switch their itineraries. Authorities are investigating a shooting death that occurred late Friday at a Coweta hotel. Coweta police responded to a fatal shooting just after 9:30 p.m. at Best Western, 13593 Oklahoma 51, Police Chief Michael Bell said. When police arrived, they found a man who had died from a gunshot wound. A woman staying in the room with him alerted hotel personnel of the death shortly before 9:30 p.m., Bell said. We know there was a 35-year-old male in the room with a female companion and they had been there for approximately three days, Bell said. There were drugs and alcohol in the room and, according to the female, they had had very little sleep for the past three days. They had been on some type of a binge. Bell said the weapon was reportedly a recent purchase and the pair had been out shooting the past couple of days. Coweta police called the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist with the case after it wasnt readily apparent whether the death was a homicide or a suicide, Bell said. We know the male was shot and died from that, but we do not know who did the shooting at this point. We have to let OSBI complete their investigation, Bell said. There were two people in that room and something took place, but I dont know if it was a suicide, homicide or an accident at this point. It could have been a game they were playing with each other. We dont know. Authorities gathered evidence from the hotel room and in the victims vehicle for about three hours Friday night. OSBI will analyze the evidence and compile a report of its findings, which Coweta police will use to determine whether the case was a homicide, Bell said. Specifically, OSBI agents are working to determine the trajectory of the gunshot wound and whether it was feasibly self-inflicted, Bell said. Authorities will also interview the mans family to determine his state of mind before the shooting, Bell said. The woman is not in police custody, Bell said. Coweta American News Editor Christy Wheeland contributed to this report. The shiny metal exterior of the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office training center masks its empty interior and uncertain future. The newly constructed shell is likely to remain just that a shell into the foreseeable future as funding toward the completion of the multimillion-dollar project has been shifted to shore up Tulsa Jail finances. The facility is to house not only what the Sheriffs Office hopes to become a regional training center, but also its 911 call center. Sheriffs Office leaders tout the opportunity for both to become revenue generators, with smaller agencies visiting to train or contracting for 911 services. But the projects overall construction cost has gone up significantly from early projections. Sheriffs Office Chief Financial Officer Christina Morrison last week told the Tulsa World that $878,684 has gone into the construction for the current fiscal year that began July 1. The Sheriffs Office also is making monthly payments of $37,000 on general obligation bonds related to the 2013 purchase of 33.82 acres at 6094 E. 66th St. North from the U.S. Shooting Academy, she said. The Sheriffs Office couldnt provide figures for how much was spent on construction in prior fiscal years. The entire project including the $1.6 million in general obligation bonds to purchase the property and cover engineering and preliminary infrastructure work is expected to tab out at roughly $4 million, Morrison said. Initial construction estimates were placed at $1.2 million to $1.6 million. Current estimates indicate the cost has climbed to about $2.4 million. Bond payments and construction costs have come from the sheriffs cash fee account, which has been at the forefront of recent disagreements with the county. The account is managed at the sheriffs discretion and contains monies from contract work, as well as drug and property seizures. Acting Sheriff Michelle Robinette told the World she hadnt been involved in the project until a few weeks ago, so she is still familiarizing herself with it and cant specifically account for the rise in projected costs. That has a lot to do with materials and the spike in the steel; the steel has gone up quite a bit, Robinette said. So without looking exactly at it I cant tell off the top of my head. Sheriffs Office spokesman Justin Green said the building is weathered in and secure, meaning there is no urgency or need to protect it from the elements. But public budget squabbles between county commissioners and the Sheriffs Office over the facility and other spending matters has created an indefinite road block. Former acting Sheriff Rick Weigel announced that he was pulling funding for the construction in a memo issued Jan. 12 the same day he unexpectedly retired after a contentious meeting with the county. The 911 call center Robinette said she is working to identify an alternative funding source through a reimbursement program that would allow for the completion of the 911 call center. She estimated $500,000 to $600,000 would be needed to finish that aspect of the project and move in dispatchers, allowing the Sheriffs Office to sever contract obligations to the city of Tulsa and generate cost savings. During the weekly County Commission meeting Thursday morning, Commissioner John Smaligo questioned Robinette on the 911 call center. Robinette noted the Sheriffs Office has eight full-time employees staffing its 911 operations and 12 part-timers. Originally the Sheriffs Office believed it would only need eight full-time employees, but she said an increase in call volume necessitated the use of part-timers. Robinette expressed hope that a couple of years down the line the center will become a regional dispatch hub to generate additional revenue. She told the World the Sheriffs Office hopes to attract smaller area law-enforcement agencies that perhaps struggle with financing or operating their own 911 dispatch services. Robinette also assured commissioners the county will still save dollars operating its own 911 call center, even with the 12 part-timers not initially figured into the plans. Well be saving $200,000 to $300,000 just by severing that tie with that contract with the city, Robinette said. The training center Although training center funding is in limbo, Robinette said there is no doubt on the future utility the facility will provide. She said the training center will become a hub that area agencies can send people to rather than making a longer drive to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training facility in Ada in south-central Oklahoma. Sheriffs Office training for detention officers also will be moved to the center, which Robinette said already is considered a regional program. Robinette addressed concerns the center might be a duplication of services with the Tulsa Police Department academy, which is a next-door neighbor. She said deputies also must train for civil process serving and jail duties. Theres more pieces to a Sheriffs Office than a police department, she said, adding that if the two agencies can partner on some training they will. She noted the Sheriffs Office plans to utilize the Police Departments mental health training. Robinette is optimistic the new sheriff will be in favor of the project once educated on the plans and reasonings behind their intentions. I think hell support it, too, Robinette said. As soon as we can and funds are available, well begin the process again. The week ahead: Congress does not meet. Softer, gentler feds: Federal workplace safety regulators were asked to work harder at helping employers instead of fining them during a lengthy hearing chaired by U.S. Sen. James Lankford. Lankford and others chided the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for appearing too adversarial in its dealings with employers. Lankford, R-Okla., said the emphasis should be on working with employers to solve safety issues. The goal of federal regulations should be to promote health and safety, but regulatory enforcement must be balanced with common-sense policies and assistance for businesses, Lankford said. Most businesses believe regulators intend to fine them, rather than help them protect their workers. Serious violations should bring real consequences, but minor violations should only incur warnings that encourage compliance. The VA: The fallout continues from U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofes displeasure with the Muskogee and Oklahoma City Veterans Administration hospitals. On Friday, Inhofe and Lankford filed legislation giving regional VA directors more latitude to fire employees they conclude are failing to provide adequate care to veterans and to outside investigations of the facilities under their management. Inhofe said regional directors are not presently empowered to address staffing concerns in the facilities they oversee. Our legislation peels away the layers of bureaucracy and empowers directors ... to play a larger role with improving the VA system as whole. No help: Second District Congressman Markwayne Mullin ripped the Federal Emergency Management Agency for refusing individual aid to nine counties in northeastern Oklahoma hit by a winter storm in late December. I have seen firsthand the devastation experienced by families and businesses across our district, Mullin said. My team on the ground in Oklahoma has spent weeks inside the homes of people who dont know where to turn for help. I cant believe that the federal government has denied individual assistance to families and businesses that will never recover what they lost. Dots and dashes: Fourth District Congressman Tom Coles vaping bill, giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate vapor products, has more than 40 sponsors. ... Inhofe referred to North Korea as a habitual proliferator during a Senate floor speech. ... A story in The Hill said the filibuster reform backed by Lankford appears stalled. Ann Compton spent 41 years covering the White House for ABC News. Even today, almost two years removed from her retirement, she continues to work for the network and says, I will always consider myself a reporter. Thats one of the reasons Compton will be in Tulsa on Feb. 23 for a noon presentation to the Oklahoma State University Business Forum at the Renaissance Hotel. We here in Washington tend not to see much outside the beltway, Compton said. When I covered the White House, I told people, I dont see the forest, I dont see the trees, I just see the bark. It is a healthy exercise to step back from time to time. That can be hard for a White House correspondent to do. The unpredictable nature of presidential schedules keeps reporters closely tethered to the chief executive, whether in Washington or on the road. Now, Compton said, she has the freedom to travel, meet people outside the political inner circle, and pass along some of the insights she has acquired over more than four decades. Compton will spend two days in Oklahoma, speaking in Stillwater and Oklahoma City as well as Tulsa. Her remarks, she said, will center on the current presidential landscape, the arc of presidential history and how the medias coverage of politics and the president have fundamentally changed in the digital era. Like never before, Compton said, the proliferation of media in an age of global connectivity has shifted reporting emphasis to speed over accuracy and craftsmanship. It also has allowed candidates to bypass the news media to deliver their unfiltered message directly to voters. The 2016 presidential campaign is unlike any other campaign Ive covered, Compton said. What strikes me is how radically different it is even since 2008. Candidates are being measured by their digital footprint, not by how many people show up at their rallies or even how many contributors they have. Some of these candidates have zero political establishment at their beck and call, she said. Its enabled candidates to run who would never have been able to in the past. GLENPOOL Smiles told the story Friday night as 325 people with special needs got the red-carpet treatment at A Night to Shine, a prom at the Glenpool Conference Center sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and The Assembly, a church in Broken Arrow. Smiles as the special guests arrived decked out in prom dresses and tuxedos, including those in wheelchairs. Smiles as they entered the building, received corsages and boutonnieres, and met their special buddies, volunteers who would be their host/guide/dates for the evening. Big smiles as the couples walked down a literal red carpet, the crowd cheering along the walkway, paparazzi cameras flashing, and their buddies placing crowns or tiaras on their heads; and later as they sang, danced, laughed, rode in limousines and ate refreshments. Shes been waiting for this for weeks, said Dana Lawson, mother of 18-year-old Jesse Lawson, a Broken Arrow High School junior, as she watched volunteers fix Jesses hair and apply makeup before the prom. Its very important to these kids, because they dont get to participate in things like this every day, Dana Lawson said. Here she gets to let her hair down and do what she wants, and dance and have a great evening. She can be herself. Its a safe place. Lawson and her husband adopted Jesse as an infant. She was suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. She is an amazing little girl, she said. Jesse Lawson, a little shy in front a video camera, said she was going to sing and dance at the prom with her date, Bryan Jeffus. Its going to be amazing, she said. How special is this event? No words can describe it, said Mike Lawson, Jesses father. All the trials and tribulations that weve gone through with Jesse, watching her grow. I dont think people have an understanding of what goes on in the lives of people with special needs, and I think this night will open up a lot of eyes. I think people are going to walk away touched like theyve never been touched before. Halfway through the evening, special guest Tony Tabor was standing in line to have a gag picture taken with his buddy, Kindel Meek. It was his first prom, and they had just come off the dance floor. I like it. The people are nice, and I get along with them very well. Im very outgoing, he said. I like it that it focuses on Tony, Meek said. Hes the king of the prom tonight. Hes having a good time, and that makes me happy that hes having a good time. Its just a night for him to shine, she said. Their next stop: the food area and a limo ride. Special guest Aaron Sharpe and his buddy, Lauren Parker, have been friends for five years. He is a graduate of Jenks High School, where she is a senior. Shes been my buddy since Special Olympics, Sharpe said. Parker said she has been a Special Olympics volunteer for several years. Sharpe said this was not his first prom. He attended a prom at Jenks High School. That prom was different from this one, because Ive never been here before. Theres a lot of cool stuff here, he said. The Assembly in Broken Arrow was one of about 200 U.S. churches that sponsored A Night to Shine proms Friday night. One also was held in the Oklahoma City area. We look for ways to be a blessing to the community, said The Assembly Pastor Ron Woods. The church is overwhelmingly excited about this. There is a deep sense of fulfillment. He said the church received $8,500 from the Tim Tebow Foundation, which covered part of the cost, and the church covered the rest, including dresses and alterations for the women. This allows us to express love to people who are so deserving, he said. Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, made an appearance at the prom via video and crowned each guest en masse as king or queen of the prom. I wish I could see every single one of your tuxes and your dresses, to see how awesome you look, he said on the video. This night is about you. Its a night for you to shine. This is how special you are, and that is how much you are loved. Joel Thompson, young-adult pastor at The Assembly, who organized the event, said it has been almost a full-time job since last fall. Its been a lot of hours of planning and preparing, but seeing peoples faces tonight, theres no question that it was absolutely worth it. People really feel special. People really feel the joy, and that was what we wanted to convey, that they fit in with us. They belong right alongside of us. Commenting on the number of young people who volunteered, Thompson said, This generation of young people, more than just talking about doing good, they really want the opportunity to do good to be hands on. He said he hopes young people will come away thinking, What if I could be a buddy, not just for one night. What if I could really make this persons life better? About 1,000 people attended the event, including 450 volunteers and many family members and friends of the special guests. Among the volunteers were medical personnel, security, food servers and 325 buddies. So many people have naively thought all the fuss about family values and no prayer in schools was about teaching ethics. Motivations are difficult to prove, but for those of us who have been watching carefully this has really been part of a coordinated assault on our public schools. In case there is anyone who hasn't noticed, it has been legislators like Sen. James Lankford ("Parents, local decisions key to schools," Jan. 29) who have purposefully done everything they can to assure failure of public schools by simply dumbfounding the public. Our state legislators have been knowingly and deliberately doing just that. Lankford is promoting "choice" aka, vouchers, privatization or state-funded religious schools. He dares to say we don't have time to fix them, so parents ought to be able to choose private schools for their children. I have a better idea. There is no substitute for a quality public school system. We ought to re-invest in the schools whose funds were taken away. Give it all back, and vow to repair the damage immediately. Beg, borrow and provide with the same determination used when our nation met the challenge of Sputnik. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com. An economics professor made the audacious suggestion a few years ago that the medieval practice of trial by ordeal worked because innocent people were more likely than guilty ones to pick up pieces of hot iron or plunge their bare hands into boiling oil. The practice depended on suspects having unwavering faith that God would save the truly innocent from third-degree burns. And the priests in charge could temper the heat, just in case God wasnt paying attention. Likewise, less brutal means of psychological manipulation in U.S. criminal investigations may work to elicit confessions, but theres a growing scientific case that currently acceptable tactics arent conducive to discovering the truth. The recent mass distribution of videotaped interrogations, such as the ones featured in the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer, reveal that confessions arent always spontaneous acts of contrition, motivated by the need for a clear conscience. The interrogation process can still be something of an ordeal, with confessions coaxed by combinations of psychological pressure, deception and sheer exhaustion. Exhaustion factor The exhaustion factor interested psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, a memory expert known for demonstrating the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. She wondered whether it mattered that many interrogations are held between midnight and 8 a.m., or that in some cases, the process can drag on for many hours. Teaming up with researchers at the Michigan State University sleep laboratory, she and colleagues set up an experiment to see if sleep deprivation might make subjects more prone to making false confessions. Their results were published Feb. 9 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study used 88 student volunteers who were asked to complete questionnaires and take tests on a computer, and were explicitly warned that pressing the escape key would destroy the researchers valuable data. Told the study had something to do with sleep deprivation and memory, they were asked to report back a week later to spend the night in the lab. Half of them were allowed to sleep and the other, asked to stay up all night. Those in the all-nighter group were monitored and could do homework, watch TV, or play games with lab personnel. The next morning, all subjects were told someone had observed them press the escape key the week before. Pressing escape Of the sleep-deprived, a full half 22 confessed on a first round of questioning, and eight more confessed on the second. Fewer of the sleepers did so: just eight on the first round and nine on the second. Unfortunately, the researchers didnt build in a mechanism to reveal how many people, if any, really did press the escape key. They said its unlikely anyone would press it by accident given its far corner location. But they had to rely on faith and the assumption that few subjects would press the forbidden key on purpose. If what the study indeed measured false confessions, it may help explain why the phenomenon is so common. False confessions are thought to account for 15 to 25 percent of wrongful convictions. So damning is a confession that in some cases, even DNA isnt enough to reverse a conviction. I did it Take the case of Juan Rivera, who was convicted of the 1992 rape and killing of an 11-year-old girl in Chicago. Rivera initially denied having anything to do with the crime, but over a protracted interrogation, he signed a confession. Heres how a New York Times Magazine story described the interrogation: What followed was 24 hours of near constant interrogation, and around 11:30 on the morning of Oct. 30, after banging his head on a cell wall, pulling out a clump of his hair and being handcuffed behind his back and placed in leg shackles, Rivera finally provided investigators with a detailed confession. Rivera later explained that he blacked out and didnt remember signing the confession. When a lab was finally able to analyze DNA found in the victims body, it didnt match Riveras. But so damning was the confession that in a second trial, the prosecutor persuaded the jury that the 11-year-old victim must have had sex with someone else shortly before she was raped and killed. Rivera was convicted again, though he was subsequently exonerated in 2012. Big questions There was no such exculpatory evidence in the case of Brendan Dassey, one of the two suspects questioned in Making a Murderer. Theres widespread disagreement over whether Dassey assisted in the murder for which hes now serving time. But thats beside the point, said law professor Adam Benforado, author of the book Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Injustice. Benforado said hes recently watched the documentarys confession scenes, during which Dassey, with a reported IQ of around 70, comes across as stressed and confused. Hes led to think that signing the confession will allow him to go home. I dont know whether Brendan for sure didnt do it, said Benforado. But I know the techniques being employed by the police are bad techniques. So much deception Until he became a law professor, he said, he didnt realize how much deception police are allowed to use whether its telling suspects theyve been incriminated by nonexistent fingerprints or eyewitness testimony, or falsely claiming that they have failed polygraph tests. Imagine youre a suspect and youre told theres evidence against you, Benforado said. If you confess, youll get a two-year sentence, but if you fight it, you might end up with 25. When faced with this choice in his class, he said, many of his law students would confess. When presented that way, falsely confessing isnt an irrational choice. Some of us would do it on a full nights sleep. One of the candidates for Chairman in the People's National Movement's internal election says there is a major detachment between those in office and people at the grass root level. Kenneth Butcher says things need to change from the inside. This week SBS will screen The Girl Who Played with Fire, a 2009 Swedish thriller and sequel to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. This had a cinema release in some territories, but plays as 2 parts this week and next. It will be followed by The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest in March. This Swedish Emmy Award-winning television drama is based on the film adaptations of Stieg Larssons best-selling Millennium series. Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) is wanted for a triple murder. All three victims are connected to a trafficking expose about to be published in Mikael Blomqvists magazine, Millennium, and Lisbeths fingerprints are on the weapon. Lisbeth vanishes to avoid capture by the police. Believing in her innocence, Mikael tries to clear her name, using all his resources. During his investigation, Mikael discovers Lisbeths past a terrible story of abuse and trauma growing up in the Swedish care system. He also learns that she is far more entangled in his initial investigation of the sex industry than he could ever imagine. 10:30pm Tuesday February 16 SBS. Even by Spain's standard, it was an extraordinary victory. Spain's nine-year reign as UEFA Futsal EURO holders was ended in the 2014 semi-finals after extra time by Russia, but after that they embarked on a run of 22 straight victories including the three in qualifying that booked their place in Belgrade. Key players Fernandao, Sergio Lozano, Adri and Aicardo were ruled out before the finals, but that did not stop Spain producing perhaps the best of their seven European title triumphs, the first time they have won every game without even needing extra time. Click on the video players to watch highlights of each game. Group B: Spain 5-2 Hungary Spain had beaten Hungary 5-0 in qualifying, actually the closest of their three main round games, and even without injured captain Ortiz, Jose Venancio Lopez's men hit five again. Watch superb Spain goals Group B: Ukraine 1-4 Spain Already through, Spain made sure of first place in the group as two of the tournament's revelations, Alex and Mario Rivillos, scored twice. Watch Spain turn on style Quarter-final: Portugal 2-6 Spain Spain were three up by half-time and despite two goals by Ricardinho, the second another extraordinary strike, Portugal's wretched run against their neighbours went on. Watch Spain's quarter final show Semi-final: Spain 5-3 Kazakhstan Spain actually trailed for four minutes and had a 4-1 lead cut to 4-3 late on, but in the end the finals debutants, without forward-running goalkeeper Higuita, were beaten. Watch Spain survive Kazakhstan fightback Final: Russia 3-7 Spain No final had been won by more than two goals and no team had scored more than five in a decider, but both those records went as Spain took their tally in Belgrade to 27, equalling the best ever. It was Spain's seventh win in eight final appearances; there have only been ten in total. At the beginning of the South Carolina GOP Debate, the candidates stood together in silence to mourn the death of a conservative judicial hero, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. For a few moments, there was solidarity and kinship among the candidates. The Peace Center, the site of the debate, lived up to its name. But by the end of the night, the floor was covered in pools of blood, body parts, and strands of Donald Trump's finely combed hair. As conservative radio host Glenn Beck aptly put it, "It is not a presidential debate. It is a combination of WWE, a cheap game show and the worst of Jerry Springer." Nonetheless, it may have been the most important and telling Republican debate as of yet. Let's delve into the chaos. Bombs Away From U.S.S. Trump Donald Trump used his unfazed mouth to the fullest tonight, engaging in some of the most bombastic attacks to date. Whoever wasn't called a disgrace was a labeled a liar by the New York businessman. "You are the single biggest liar," Trump yelped at Ted Cruz after the Texan slammed his abortion flip-flops. "You probably are worse than Jeb Bush. This guy lied." That set the tone for what could go down as the most gory, attack-riddled presidential debate in United States history. Trump, speaking for almost 16 minutes on the night to lead the field in speaking time, gave forth his most brazen debate performance of the election cycle. He constantly was interjecting his say, interrupting Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz with zingers and allegations. Reuters/Jonathan Ernst One of the most memorable attacks "The Donald" uttered was when Bush went after Trump's history of vulgarities. Trump responded, "Two days ago [Bush] said he would take his pants off and moon everybody." Trump referring to Bush's recent interview with the Boston Globe in which Bush mentioned, "I could drop my pants. Moon the whole crowd. Everybody would be aghast, except the press guys would never notice." Clearly the comments Bush made to the Globe were not nearly as callous as Trump's typical statements. However, Trump used the statements to, somewhat disingenuously, paint the former Florida governor as crude. This added to the many bizarre and misleading insults Trump has used during this primary season. Donald Trump not only went out of his way to battle his old foes in Bush and Cruz, but he also went after the Greenville, South Carolina crowd in attendance, saying the crowd was made up of lobbyists and special interest groups. Whether this helps or hurts Trump, it remains to be seen. All other strong punches Trump has thrown have helped him solidify his status as a brutally honest revolutionary. But tonight's performance might just change the narrative, showing him as a brutally mouthy monster. Trump Picks Wrong Fight Against "Walker" Former president George W. Bush was a large conversation piece tonight. After CBS moderator John Dickerson directed a question to Trump over whether he truly believed Bush should have been impeached over the Iraq War, Trump offered a Trump-esque response. "You call it whatever you want," saying that Bush and his staff had "lied." Trump later mentioned to Jeb Bush, "The World Trade Center came down when your brother was president." CBS The statements gave Marco Rubio a golden opportunity for a response, one that electrified the building. "Just want to say, at least on behalf of me and my family, I thank God all the time it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11, and not Al Gore. I think you can look back in hindsight and say a couple of things, but he kept us safe. And not only did he keep us safe, but no matter what you want to say about weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein was in violation of US Resolutions, an open violation, and the world wouldnt do anything about it, and George W. Bush enforced what the international community refused to do. Again, he kept us safe. I am forever grateful for what he did. It is very debatable whether or not this was a wise turn for Trump. He has not been shy about his criticisms of the Iraq War in the past, but bringing out the bazookas against GWB in a state that is still highly supportive of the former president was likely unadvised. Trump was immediately hammered by Republicans for his comments, adding to the case that Trump is not a true conservative. Cruz - Rubio Resurfaces For the past several debates, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have went at it over which one of them is a hypocrite on the issue of illegal immigration. That war became even more bellicose tonight. "He either wasnt telling the truth then or isnt telling the truth now, Rubio said. But to argue hes a purist on immigration just is not true." Cruz responded, "You know, the lines are very, very clear. Marco right now supports citizenship for 12 million people here illegally. I oppose citizenship." Cruz continued his attack until things went haywire, or should we say, 'muy loco': "Marco stood on the debate stage, and said that but I would note not only that but Marco has a long record when it comes to amnesty and the state of Florida, Speaker of The House, he supported in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, in addition to that Marco went on Univision, in Spanish, and said he would not rescind President Obamas illegal executive action on his first day in office. I have promised to rescind every single illegal executive action, including that one. and on the question Spencer Platt/Getty Images Rubio said with a flurry, "First of all, I dont know how he knows what I said on Univision because he doesnt speak Spanish. And second of all, the other point I would makein Spanish. Ted Cruz would not stand an attack on his Latin heritage. He launched into the offensive, "That's how you want it? Right now, say it in Spanish, if you want." He said all of that in Spanish. No winner could truly be found in the hilarious sequence. But, it is clear that Republicans are getting tired of the hackneyed arguments from both camps. Many took to Twitter to voice their frustrations with the bickering, saying that the tedious fight is bad for the party. Whether they know it or not, Rubio and Cruz may be helping Trump by continuing the incessant attacks on each other about illegal immigration policy. Kasich And Carson Take The High Road Ohio Governor John Kasich and Dr. Ben Carson both tried to win votes by sticking above the nippy, jabbing ways of their opponents. Although he was sucked into a debate over Medicaid with Jeb Bush, Kasich, fresh off of a 2nd place finish in New Hampshire, continued his positive strategy by touting his record. Kasich can face the problem of sounding like a broken record, stating his accomplishments in debate after debate, but it's hard to deny the validity of his claims. AP Photo/John Bazemore Kasich also ended with some touching statements in his final remarks, emphasizing the importance of coming together in America by helping each other and realizing one's potential to make a difference. He brought forth some Kennedy-esque morals and values that will help his cause with those trying to avoid the candidates who consistently engage in bitter chatter. Carson stuck to his strategy of staying with the issues, never pushing his limit by going after another candidate. The retired neurosurgeon has endured criticism over his complacency in debates, but he is still banking on the hope that the voters will respect his calm, friendly persona and come out to vote for him. AP Photo/John Bazemore Final Grades Trump: C. People like his war-like image, but tonight was way too far out of hand. He occasionally rambled, harming his intellectual integrity. Whether this debate will hurt him in South Carolina and beyond remains to be seen. Bush: B. Jeb could have went for Trump's jugular at times, but he passed. There were numerous opportunities for Jeb Bush to devise a statement that would have put Trump in his place, but the Floridian was not quite quick enough or willing enough to get it done. Still an overall decent performance. Kasich: A. Hard to deny that Kasich has found a smart strategy to stay above the bludgeoning. He needs to at least stay ahead of last place in this state, and he should be good to move on and contend in Nevada and beyond. The Washington Post Cruz: B. Nothing too bold, but he was his normal, liberty-touting self. He held his own in fights with Rubio and Trump, but didn't do anything special. He's still in a great position to contend in SC. Rubio: B. Not a lot different than Cruz. Nothing totally drastic that changed the course of his campaign, but he did let many viewers forget about his dismal performance in the opening of the last debate. Same situation still as Cruz in this state for Rubio, although maybe a little more bleak. Carson: C. He put together some quality responses, but stuttered through some of them. Long pauses in his speech drained enthusiasm from supporters. He needs to get at least 3rd in South Carolina to move on. A Facebook spokesperson has confirmed through an email statement on Thursday that 'Free Basics' is no longer available in India. The social site has been compelled to shut the app following an embargo from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Facebook has teamed up with India's Reliance Communications Ltd. during last year to offer subscribers certain services through universal connectivity. Soon after, it has started to encounter serious opposition from the startup founders accusing for violating net neutrality. In December, TRAI has instructed Reliance India to refrain from providing access to Free Basics. The instruction has remained valid till investigating legal basis of the service, according to a report published in International Business Times. TRAI has ordered on Monday that differential pricing for accessing content on the internet or violating net neutrality has been referred as illegal by TRAI on Monday. Probable violators have been cautioned with realization of penalty for IRs. 5000,000, reports HindustanTimes. From now on, no service provider will be allowed to charge differential pricing on basis of application, platforms, websites, or source. No ISP will be able to enter any arrangements based on discriminatory pricing, reports Gadgets 360 quoting Ram Sewak Sharma, TRAI Chairman while announcing the order through a press conference. More than a billion people in India don't have access to the Internet. However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg vows not to give up since he considers connecting India as important goal. Despite closure in India, Free Basic project continues to operate in around 30 countries around the globe. Facebook has officially decided to abandon the service centering negative reaction over a tweet by Facebook board member Mark Andreessen. The tweet, humiliating the anti colonialism sentiment of the Indian people has elicited a swift reaction and been removed later on. However, Zuckerberg has termed the tweet as deeply unsettling. Following the TRAI order and Andreessen centric tweet row, Facebook has retreated from the stage. But Facebook is believed to reappear aided by the best lawyers to fight the case on its behalf. The net neutrality advocates consider Free Basics as bad product with bad communication. They have urged the common people to remain vigilant fearing old wine may be reserved in new bottle with new brand. Net neutrality advocates have been protesting against Facebook's efforts to establish monopoly regime through Free Basics. The move has witnessed a victory on Monday since TRAI announced net neutrality violation as illegal. The regulator has also warned of imposing monetary penalty against the violators. Oil prices have been witnessed to increase by 12% amid speculations of a possible production-cut deal amongst Russia and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) as well as other OPEC nations. The average oil price has dipped well below $30 a barrel on Thursday, which has been reported to be sold at $31 on Friday. Sharp fall of oil prices on Thursday has been analyzed as the triggering factor for some bargain hunting by some traders. However, KSA poses as the key factor for the production cut deal. This is due to the desert nation's large reserves and its ability to increase or decrease production to affect the world market acting unilaterally, according to a report published in the Voice of America. Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui, Energy Minister for the United Arab Emirates has been quoted to highlight readiness of the OPEC members in reducing output. Meanwhile, Eulogio Del Pino, the Venezuelan minister has confirmed for approaching towards a deal aiming to reduce oil production, reports BBC. Oil prices have hit a 12 year low with 75% price slump since mid 2014. The price rising has been assumed sooner or later due to tightened production or increased demands. It has been expected to raise up to $50 a barrel by the end of the year, forecasts CNBC citing a Commerzbank note as the source. The crude oil has been reported to be sold at $26.05 a barrel on Thursday in the US crude market. The price has been soared by 12% to $29.44, the highest one day increase since 2009. Singapore's decision to auction radio frequency to a fourth carrier has ruffled the feathers of the island's leading telecommunication company, Singtel. Their chief expressed her concern regarding the market becoming too price-competitive and consequently damaging the industry. A fourth carrier is about to enter the scene as Singapore prepares to auction radio frequency, thus challenging Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. or Singtel and two smaller companies, reports The Straits Times. The regulator had been looking to resolve the high mobile data traffic problem in Asia Pacific, whose 5.6 million customers are ranked as the most active users of social media. Given this scenario, a new entrant may not be able to have a bigger reach in terms of network, compared to the already-existing players. "The only way that they can gain customers will be by way of reducing prices," Chua Sock Koong, Singtel's chief executive officer, said in a Bloomberg TV interview on Friday. "The existing operators would look at how best to respond. Clearly just leading prices down, it's not good for the sustainability of the industry." Clearly, Koong's sentiments in this regard seem to be reflective of a unanimous view. A fourth mobile operator in the market would place Singapore at the top spot, before China or Japan, in terms of the number of carriers - but this is something the existing players are not in favor of. The disagreements mainly stem from the fact that the profit margins will get thinner leading to dividend cuts almost immediately. One such potential fourth carrier is MyRepublic, an internet service provider. The company claims to be more inclined towards innovation rather than just price and seems quite bemused with all the market speculations. "If the market was only about a price war, we would have no interest in being the 4th operator," their CEO Malcolm Rodrigues said in an e-mailed statement. However, Koong, clearly threatened by a possible new entry, went on to state that the new carrier will not be able to cover a network area that's already taken over by the likes of Singtel, who has even begun rolling out the 5G trials in its established market. "It is an industry that significant capital investment on an ongoing basis," she said, according to Today. Singtel's profits do not look too encouraging at the moment as their third-quarter profit dropped 1.7%, to $954 million. The main factor behind the fall was Singapore dollar strengthening against the Australian dollar and Indonesian rupiah, countries where this telecom giant has stakes in other telecom operators. At the Singapore trading, their stocks rose to 0.9%, to S$3.57 at 12:14 PM, paring this year's decline to 2.7%. Anthony Foxx, the US Transportation Secretary and his entourage from the State Department are scheduled to fly for Cuba on Tuesday to sign a deal on resumption of commercial flights. The US officials have announced the deal on Friday which will resume the flights between the two countries just after five decades. Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced trade relationships in late 2014, paves the way to reach the agreement. US carriers will get a fifteen-day deadline to submit applications to the Department of Transportation for routes to fly between the US and Cuba, reports CNN. The Obama administration seems to make rapid progress on developing economic and diplomatic ties with Cuba prior to leaving Oval office. The relationships are believed to get momentum with the probable visit of the US Premier to Havana by the end of March, reports The Denver Post quoting Thomas Engle, deputy assistant secretary of state for transportation affairs. The deal will enable US airlines to initiate bidding on routes for 110 Cuba bound flights every day. The number of probable flights is more than five times compared to the current flights operating on charter. However, the US transportation officials expects to parcel the routes out among carriers by this summer and prior to Obama's leaving from the White House, reports Global News. The agreement allows 20 regular daily US flights to Havana which will add to 10 to 15 charter flights each day. The rest of the flights will be bound to other Cuban airports posing less demand than the flights routed to the capital. Around 160,000 tourists from the US have flown to Cuba last year. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of Cuban Americans visits family frequently through charter flights from Florida. Boeing Co. is believed to go for an investment plan of a significant amount to continue production in its Saint Louis plant. The plan for investment related to production of 28 jets against a delayed order from Kuwait, seems to be unusual since the deal still requires approval from the US government. The aircraft manufacturer will have to decide for purchasing titanium and other materials for manufacturing jets in coming weeks. Decision on investment may be taken prior to Kuwait deal or finalization of potential orders by US Navy, reports Reuters quoting Dan Gillian, chief of Boeing's F/A-18E/F and EA-18G electronic attack jet programs. Further delay in orders for the jets will compel Boeing to decide on investing hundreds of millions of dollar into the F/A-18 program. Situation gets complicated since its commercial division is going through job cuts and a federal investigation on accountability of two jetliners, the 747 and 787, according to a report published in Business Insider. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all weather multi-role fighter jet that is capable of landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier. Every Super Hornet has been delivered on cost and on schedule, according to the description furnished in the Boeing website. Boeing has been encouraged to invest with the funding proposal made by US Navy. The Navy intends to purchase two F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in a supplemental war budget and 14 more jets in the fiscal 2018 base budget. India is frustrated over the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, the reason U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma was summoned on Saturday. Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar expressed in behalf of India his disappointment of selling Pakistan the fighter aircrafts that meant India's protests were disregarded. On Thursday, Pentagon imparts the decision to the U.S. Congress and was announced on Friday by the U.S. government. India was "disappointed at the decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan', as stated on early Saturday morning by the Ministry of External Affairs. Officials will surely ratify and tackle the issue in Washington with the Obama administration. India believes that these fighter jets will only empower Islamabad's capability of threatening New Delhi, reports The Hindu. "We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan. We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfer help to combat terrorism. The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself. The US Ambassador will be summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to convey our displeasure," the MEA emphasized in a strongly worded statement on Saturday. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker notified Secretary of State John Kerry on Feb. 9, that he would hinder the F-16 fighter jets sale to Pakistan by the Obama administration. He stated the relationship between Islamabad and Haqqani network, as reported by The Economic Times. India is troubled that selling these jet fighters to Pakistan will unbalance the regions military. Oppositely, Washington thinks that strategic situation of Pakistan which is next to Afghanistan would make a productive associate during war against worldwide terror. However, Pakistan allows operation of a large number of militant groups outside its territory. Britain gave India and Pakistan their independence in 1947. Since then the two countries have fought three battles. Pakistan has been accused by India of support and refuge of terrorist groups targeting Indians, according to abc NEWS. The sale of the F-16 fighter jets is to fight terrorism but India is convinced that Pakistan will use it against them. This move disappoints India a lot and takes the matter to Washington. From 2002 to 2014, Pakistan has been buying military equipment from the U.S. as stated by the Congressional Research Service that reached almost $5.4 billion. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Bibimbap, or mixed rice served with sauteed vegetables, sliced meat and a raw or cooked egg, is one of the traditional dishes available at Arirang Korean Restaurant & Bar in downtown Ventura. Lisa McKinnon Columnist SHARE LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR Bacon-studded beignets served with raspberry coulis are on the Valentines Day brunch menu at Jeannines Gourmet Food Hall in Westlake Village. LISA MCKINNON/THE STAR On the Thirty will open Feb. 20 at what used to be Leilas Restaurant in Oak Park. The new restaurant has a sister site in Sherman Oaks. Its owners include actor turned chef-restaurateur Justin Urich. If you don't already have reservations for one of the biggest dining-out holidays of the year, the situation could be not so funny, Valentine. But the fact that Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year could be a saving grace for procrastinators. Some area restaurants are offering special menus that took effect Thursday and/or will remain available through Monday. That helps spread out the competition for tables for two over multiple days. Others are focusing on brunch. And several Ventura County wineries plan to offer tastings that include perks like chocolate and roses, turning visits into romantic scavenger hunts for Valentine gifts-with-purchase. Read on for a selective list of possibilities. (They include two events that should appeal to anyone who says bah-humbug to the whole hearts-and-flowers thing.) Remember that good-through-Monday menu we mentioned earlier? You'll find it at Paul Martin's American Grill at The Promenade at Westlake in Thousand Oaks. Diners can order such dishes as herb-crusted filet mignon with mashed potatoes, spinach and garlic confit ($45), along with chilled Alaskan King Crab legs served as an appetizer (half pound, with lemon and cocktail sauce, $25) and as an entree (full pound, with crispy red potatoes, carrots and drawn butter, $48). Regular lunch and dinner menus are available, too (100 S. Westlake Blvd., 805-373-9300, http://paulmartinsamericangrill.com). Also located in Thousand Oaks, The Napa Tavern will continue service of its three-course Valentine's Weekend menu through Sunday. At $49 per person, it includes diner's choice of such dishes as pesto and mascarpone flatbread, lobster ravioli with vanilla bean cream sauce, leg of lamb with minted pesto risotto, and blackout chocolate cake with raspberry-cabernet sorbet (101 S. Westlake Blvd., 805-497-4911, http://www.thenapatavern.com). At La Dolce Vita in Oxnard, executive chef Michelle Kenney will unveil her Festa di Amore menu in its entirety at 2 p.m. Sunday, following sneak peeks of select dishes on Friday and Saturday. Possibilities include grilled filet mignon served atop mushroom risotto and drizzled with port wine demi glace ($32) and hazelnut-encrusted, chipotle aioli-glazed pork loin with garlic mashed potatoes and bourbon demi glace ($25). After the meal, diners have the option of settling in next to the fireplace in the downstairs lounge for a cocktail and a to-be-announced romantic movie (in Heritage Square, 740 South B St., 805-486-6878, http://www.ladolcevitadimare.com). Valentine's Day brunch options include Jeannine's Gourmet Food Hall at The Shoppes at Westlake Village, where $18 will get you bottomless mimosas for two with the purchase of such dishes as bacon-studded beignets ($10), Kahlua French toast ($14) and the caprese eggs Benedict ($16). The offer is available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (30770 Russell Ranch Road, 818-735-9726, http://jeannineswestlakevillage.com). Beignets and crabcake Benedicts are on the Sunday brunch menu available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Azu Restaurant in Ojai (457 E. Ojai Ave., 805-640-7987, http://www.azuojai.com). Valentine's Weekend wine-tasting events at area wineries can offer a sense of romance without the pressure of booking a table. In Camarillo, Cantara Cellars will add fresh strawberries and dried apricots hand-dipped in chocolate to its current tasting flight of six Lodi wines (selections range from a 2014 Ruth Vineyard Reserve chardonnay to a 2012 petite sirah). The flights, $10 per person, will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The working winery and tasting room also serves cheese plates (126 N. Wood Road, Suite 104, 805-484-9600, http://cantaracellars.com). Four Oxnard-area wineries will band together Sunday to present the Love Trail, described as a "romantic romp through local wine country." The promotion will include separate gifts of roses, chocolates, candles and more for visitors who purchase flights at each of the participating tasting rooms. Those who get their tasting cards punched at each location will be entered in a drawing for a gift basket that includes a certificate for a ride aboard Gondola Paradiso in Channel Islands Harbor. Hours and tasting fees vary at the four sites: Herzog Wine Cellars (3201 Camino del Sol, 805-983-1560, http://herzogwinecellars.com), Magnavino Wine Cellars (961 N. Rice Ave., Suite 5, 805-983-2500, http://www.magnavinocellars.com), Rancho Ventavo Cellars (in Heritage Square, 741 South A St., 805-483-8084, http://www.rvcellars.com) and Strey Cellars (951 N. Rice Ave., Suite J, 805-988-1087, http://www.streycellars.com). Meanwhile, the inaugural Wine N Roses event will take place Saturday and Sunday at six wineries with tasting rooms in the Conejo Valley. Participants include the newly opened NABU Wines, named for its use of grapes grown in the Napa Valley and Malibu Coast AVAs, or American Viticultural Areas. For a map of participating wineries, go to http://bit.ly/1SjVnhe. For a previous Star story about the event, click on http://bit.ly/1O5FLpS. But if you find yourself wondering what to do with pictures of a former Valentine, the "Shred Your Ex" event at Public School 805 in Thousand Oaks could be for you. The weekend-long promotion allows patrons to shred one photo of a former sweetheart before enjoying a half-price beer (120 N. Promenade Way, 805-379-3909, http://www.publicschool805.com). To cap it all off, the Anti-Valentine's Day Party at Barrelhouse 101 in downtown Ventura promises "no special menus, no reservations, no stress" from 11:30 a.m. to closing on Sunday. There will be prizes, and you're welcome to order all the chicharron burgers your cynical heart desires (545 E. Thompson Blvd., 805-643-0906, http://www.barrelhouse101.com). OPEN, SHUT AND IN BETWEEN Touted as an "organic tofu bar," Arirang Korean Restaurant & Bar opened late last month in downtown Ventura. The address previously was home to White Sand Thai Barbecue & Bar. Operated by Podo Inc., the new restaurant shares at least one of its owners with Yokozuna Sushi in Oxnard and Santa Paula. But as befits a place named for a Korean folk song, the menu at Arirang focuses on such dishes as bulgogi ($21.99) and bibimbap ($13.99-$15.99). The latter features rice with sauteed vegetables, sliced meat and your choice of a cooked or raw egg on top. All entrees come with an array of side dishes that includes kimchee, bean sprouts and potato salad studded with chunks of apple. The bar serves beer, wine and sake. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (394 E. Main St., Suite B, 805-667-8644). But Gino's Bistro in Newbury Park is closed for reals. Owner Gino DeFelice announced late last year that he would retire the day after the restaurant at 1620 Newbury Road hosted a gala New Year's Eve party. On Jan. 14, a post to the business' Facebook page alerted patrons to its still-open status ("Our retirement has been delayed," it read.) The restaurant closed again on Jan. 31. A call to its phone number this week was greeted by a recording of DeFelice saying, "Gino's Bistro kitchen is closed. Thank you. Don't leave a message." On the Thirty will open Feb. 20 at what used to be Leila's Restaurant in Oak Park. With one location already open in Sherman Oaks, the restaurant is named for the 30 California craft beers it offers on tap, the 30 California vintages on its wine list and the 30 ingredients available as toppings for its gourmet pizzas. It is co-owned by Shawn Kerwin and Justin Urich, the nephew of late actor Robert Urich. Justin Urich is an actor turned chef/restaurateur in his own right: For a video of his appearance on William Shatner's "Brown Bag Wine Tasting" series, click on http://bit.ly/20ZEXwb. Opening-day activities from noon to 6 p.m. in the restaurant's Oak Park Plaza parking lot will include live music, activities for kids, appearances by as-yet unnamed celebrity guests and free food and drink tastings. The party will continue at 6 p.m., when On the Thirty opens for its first public dinner service. After that, hours will be from 11 a.m. to midnight daily (706 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 752, 818-707-3333, http://www.onthethirty.com). MRS. OLSON'S UPDATE Fans of Mrs. Olson's Coffee Hut in Oxnard won't have much longer to wait for the breakfast-and-lunch spot to open at its new location. The restaurant closed on Christmas Eve to prepare for a move from Hollywood Beach to a new address at the Channel Islands Harbor. Plans to reopen in January were stalled by unexpected plumbing issues, but things are on track for a debut later this month, owner Tom "Brim" Brimigion said this week. Muralist Lisa Kelly was seen Wednesday painting the restaurant's name on the sides of the building, which is part of the complex that includes The Lookout Bar & Grill and The Italian Job Cafe (2800 S. Harbor Blvd., 805-985-9151). At Mrs. Olson's original site, meanwhile, "coming soon" banners have gone up for a new restaurant called Hollywood Beach Cafe. It has a projected opening date of spring 2016, according to the outgoing message on the business' phone line (117 Los Altos St., 805-590-2233). IN MEMORIAM Bill Connell, the Vietnam War vet who operated the All-American Surf Dog stand at the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve for more than 20 years, died in his sleep sometime between Feb. 4-5. He was 61. Connell, who was known for greeting patrons with pieces of red licorice, spearheaded a long but ultimately successful effort to enact a provision in the California constitution that exempts veterans who work as vendors from paying sales taxes. Two services are planned at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Carpinteria (1532 Linden Ave.): a rosary at 7:30 p.m. Friday and a Mass at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20. Lisa McKinnon is a staff writer for The Star. Her Cafe Society column also appears Fridays in the Time Out section. For between-column updates, follow 805foodie on Twitter and Instagram and "like" the Facebook page VCS Eats. Please send email to lisa.mckinnon@vcstar.com. SHARE PHOTOS BY ANNE KALLAS/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Grilled tangerine-marinated opah is served on a bed of creamed Swiss chard served with tangerine aioli. ANNE KALLAS/SPECIAL TO THE STAR The Ventura II brings a variety of fresh fish straight off the boat to Ventura Harbor a few times each year. Here is some wahoo. ANNE KALLAS/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Fresh shrimp also are available Saturday mornings at the Ventura Harbor fishermans market, where Hung Tran offers what he catches off the Golden Eagle. Ingredients for a meal featuring opah, Page tangerines, Swiss chard and dill. Everything is super-fresh and purchased straight from the farm or the water. By Anne Kallas There is a reason the Department of Agriculture last August named Ventura County the best place to live in the United States. The reason is especially evident when enjoying a meal that features a delicious ingredient we can get here. The Ventura II aka the Ventura Fish Company made its first visit to Ventura Harbor last weekend, laden with fresh-caught fish from about 800 miles away, according to Denise Citelli-Dupuy, of the Dupuy family who run the fishing operation. One of the reasons the Department of Agriculture gave for the top ranking was the county's access to a body of water the Pacific Ocean that yielded those fresh fish. According to Citelli-Dupuy, the Ventura II first went to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro to unload its commercial cargo and then, much lighter, was escorted by Ventura Harbor Patrol through the silt-filled harbor entrance. Fishing has been great this season for the Ventura II, which brought fresh ahi tuna, swordfish, wahoo, opah and mahi-mahi. I've enjoyed the ahi tuna before, so this time I decided to expand my culinary horizons and try the opah, which looks a lot like light pink salmon when it is cut into steaks. After reading about the fish online, I decided to grill it after it sat for a short time in a fresh Page tangerine/dill marinade. The tangerines and dill were from the Ojai farmers market. I chose the Page tangerines because they have a deep, rich citrus flavor, and the skins don't separate from the fruit the way some tangerines like kishus do. This makes zesting a lot easier. It was only too easy to continue the farmers market theme when I served the fish on a bed of colorful creamed Swiss chard, also from the Ojai market. A tangerine aioli sauce set the whole meal off perfectly, and right there on my plate was a reason that Ventura County is No. 1. GRILLED TANGERINE-MARINATED OPAH WITH CREAMED SWISS CHARD Ingredients 1 pound fresh opah steak cut into 3 smaller pieces - juice of 2 Page tangerines - zest of 1 Page tangerine 3-4 tablespoons chopped, fresh dill Swiss Chard Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 bunch Swiss chard, thick stems removed, cut crosswise into 1-inch strips - salt to taste 1/3 brick cream cheese cup heavy cream - pinch of freshly grated nutmeg Tangerine Aioli Ingredients cup mayonnaise teaspoon granulated garlic (fresh garlic is a bit intense here) - juice of 1 Page tangerine teaspoon Page tangerine zest Directions Mix dill, tangerine zest and juice in a resealable plastic bag. Add opah steaks, and make sure they are covered with the juice. Let marinate for about 15 minutes. Fish shouldn't be marinated too long, because it is delicate. For the grilled fish: Directions Cook the fish directly on the grill over hot coals. It holds together like salmon. I added some water-soaked mesquite chips for extra flavor. Cook for about 5 minutes a side, or until fish is just slightly undercooked in the middle or just cooked through, however you prefer. Don't overcook. For the Swiss chard: Directions Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add chopped shallots and cook until fragrant but still opaque about a minute or so. Add the Swiss chard and cook until the chard wilts, about 5 minutes. Salt. Add creamed cheese, and stir until melted. Add heavy cream until the cream sauce reaches desired consistency. Grate nutmeg over dish and stir in (Not too much. It isn't eggnog, after all). For aioli: Directions Mix mayonnaise, tangerine juice and zest and granulated garlic until smooth. Serve the fish on a bed of creamed chard, with a healthy dollop of aioli to the side. Find the markets Sundays: 8:30 a.m. to noon, College of the Canyons (parking lot 5 via Rockwell Canyon Road off Valencia Boulevard), Santa Clarita (529-6266). 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 300 E. Matilija St., Ojai (698-5555). 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Harbor and Channel Islands boulevards (includes a fish market), Oxnard (818-591-8286). 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Village Glen Plaza, between Agoura and Townsgate roads, Westlake Village (818-591-8286). Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific View mall parking lot facing Main Street, Ventura (529-6266). Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Plaza Park at Fifth and C streets, Oxnard (247-0197). 1:30-6 p.m., The Oaks shopping center, Thousand Oaks (529-6266). 3-7 p.m., Ventura Community Park, corner of Kimball and Telephone roads, Ventura (263-2907). Fridays: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Regal Cinemas/Civic Center Plaza, 2750 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, (643-6458). 3-7 p.m., The Village at Moorpark Shopping Center, southwest corner of East Los Angeles Avenue and Miller Parkway, Moorpark (479-9699). 4:30-8:30 p.m., Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, (310-663-2609). Saturdays: In the bathroom of a breakfast shack on Half Moon Bay I encountered the conundrum that is the California Coastal Commission on my first visit to this state in the late 1970s. This particular accommodation lacked a towel dispenser. A hand-scrawled note advised patrons the proprietor awaited a decision by the California Coastal Commission on whether he could install one. Later I asked my friend, a longtime Californian, "Why does a Coastal Commission regulate restroom fixtures? Is that a joke?" He started to explain and then summed it up with words to the effect of "it's complicated." And complicated it remains, as the coastal commissioners voted in a split decision last week to dispense with the agency's executive director for the first time since a voter crusade to save the coast spawned it four decades ago. Wednesday's 11-hour public session in Morro Bay had to be one of the noisiest public breakups ever. Commissioners accused Charles Lester of serial failure to communicate with them and of allowing his staff to drag out the approval process for projects along 1,100 miles of coast. In a love fest for Lester, most of the 200 speakers praised him for protecting the shoreline from pro-development forces, which many said included some commissioners who sought to oust him. It's hard to know who to believe, because after the public comments the commissioners sealed Lester's fate in secret, going so far as to tape yellow paper over the windows of their private meeting room. One of the most interested parties in this affair is maintaining radio silence: Gov. Jerry Brown. During his first round as governor, Brown signed the commission into existence with dual and seemingly dueling missions: To preserve the coastal environment and to ensure public access to it. These twin goals make it tough to guess where the commission will land on any number of contentious issues, such as short-term vacation rentals. Humans being as we are, giving us access also means beer bottles amid the sea glass, loud parties ruffling the snowy plovers and monster pickups crushing sensitive native fauna. "The California Coastal Act hierarchies (of priorities) are paved with good intentions," said Ventura City Councilman Carl Morehouse, a retired Ventura County planner. At times, said Morehouse, the commission has been "overzealous in interpreting its mission and lost sight of reality." Veterans of development wars in inland cities usually favor single-family homes as the highest and best use of land. They will turn out in fierce droves to fight rental units and motels. Things go differently by the sea. Recently when a developer proposed a single-family subdivision along a stretch of Seal Beach, the Coastal Commission staff recommended building a motel instead. By their application of the Coastal Act, single-family homes are a low priority because they benefit the few and the rich. The commissioners overrode the staff and voted for homes over a hotel. Critics charge the commissioners with being cozy with the developer. In the inland world I have observed, pro-development forces would back building the motel. Slow-growthers would favor the homes. Seaside vacation rentals are a California tradition. Old-time Faria Beach families tell me of year after year welcoming renters fleeing the inferno that is the Central Valley in August. Friendships that lasted generations formed over sharing sunburn cures. Then the Internet put short-term vacation rentals on steroids giving homeowners access to dozens of prospective renters they have never met and don't vet and allowing them to turn over their places multiple times. After permanent residents complained about noise, traffic and fill-in-the-blank nuisances, city councils cracked down. But one guess who favors short-term vacation rentals? The Coastal Commission endorses them because they give more people access to the ocean at rates more affordable than luxury hotels. With 160 staffers, the commission is a big dog on the development porch, and officials in coastal cities are wise to maintain good rapport with the agency. So far, officials in many coastal towns like Ventura opted to allow but to tax and regulate short-term rentals. Out of the commission's jurisdiction, the Ojai City Council recently voted to forbid them entirely. Along the San Diego County stretch of the Pacific, Carlsbad officials recently banned them except in the coastal zone, specifically citing the commission's favorable view of them. With the Coastal Commission's leadership, direction and future uncertain after Lester's ouster, Ventura County is weighing its options on short-term rentals. Unlike that towel dispenser issue I encountered all those years ago, the impact of this shake-up is unlikely to be something we will be washing our hands of anytime soon. Email Colleen Cason at casonpoint101@gmail.com. Check yes or no: These are the 5 ballot propositions in California. SHARE DAVID YAMAMOTO/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Gao Hong Mei from the California Institute for Chinese Performing Arts performs a Beijing Opera story during Saturdays Chinese New Year celebration at the Camarillo Public Library. DAVID YAMAMOTO/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Ella Levin (front), next to Sabrina Bell tries tai chi in an audience participation lesson led by David Chang (center back) from the Oak Park Tai Chi Club during Saturdays Chinese New Year celebration at the Camarillo Public Library. DAVID YAMAMOTO/SPECIAL TO THE STAR Dancers entertain the crowd during Saturdays Chinese New Year celebration at the Camarillo Public Library. DAVID YAMAMOTO/SPECIAL TO THE STAR According to Mary Goldberg, youth services librarian, the crowd visiting Saturdays Chinese New Year celebration was larger than in previous years. By Staff Reports The Year of the Monkey was welcomed with a celebration in Ventura County. A variety of dances and demonstrations from local groups were included in Saturday's Chinese New Year celebration at the Camarillo Public Library. This is the seventh year the Ventura County Chinese American Association has brought the celebration to the library. During the rest of February, traditional Chinese kites are on display inside the library, along with an exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the selection of William "Bill" Soo Hoo as mayor of Oxnard. Soo Hoo was the first person of Chinese heritage to become a mayor in California. SHARE ROB VARELA/THE STAR Chumash elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie poses next to a sculpture of a condor at the Ojai Valley Museum last month. ROB VARELA/THE STAR Chumash elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie poses in the Chumash Interpretive Garden at the Ojai Valley Museum last month. ROB VARELA/THE STAR Chumash elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie poses in the Chumash Interpretive Garden at the Ojai Valley Museum last month. By Claudia Boyd-Barrett Hundreds of years ago, before freeways, buildings and shopping malls crowded the Southern and Central California landscape, Julie Tumamait-Stenslie's ancestors lived here. The longtime Ojai resident of Chumash descent can trace her family history back to the early 18th century, before Spanish friar Junipero Serra's founding of the San Buenaventura Mission. Her ancestors lived here before any European even set foot on California soil. Today, Tumamait-Stenslie is an embodiment of the region's past, a living reminder that the land we inhabit once belonged to a very different civilization. She is also keeping Chumash culture alive in the present, educating children and adults on Chumash traditions and history in schools, at workshops and other events. She provides advice to museums on the area's pre-Hispanic past, and she advocates for the protection of Native American archeological sites, particularly in the Ojai Valley. Her tireless efforts recently garnered recognition from the city of Ojai. In December, the City Council awarded Tumamait-Stenslie with a Historical Preservation Lifetime Achievement Award. "We're lucky to have her because she brings so much to this city," said Ojai councilman and former mayor Severo Lara, who has worked with Tumamait-Stenslie on city efforts to strengthen protections for archaeological sites during construction projects. "She's just full of energy, very passionate about her culture When she speaks you can just feel that passion, that connectedness in her voice." At age 59, Tumamait-Stenslie still has plenty of passion and lifetime goals ahead of her. She is chair of the Barbareno/Ventureno Band of Mission Indians, a group of Chumash families from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties working to secure federal tribal recognition and build a local cultural center. Since 2007 she has also served on the Native American Heritage Commission, a nine-member body appointed by California's governor and tasked with identifying and cataloging the state's cultural resources. Locally, Tumamait-Stenslie performs Chumash blessings and ceremonies at community events, weddings, funerals and other occasions. She has worked with the Ojai Music Festival to educate children about Chumash history through music, story and movement. She's taught people about traditional uses for native plants through various programs, including those run by the Ojai Valley Land Foundation. She helps organize the annual Sukinanik'oy festival in Ojai, celebrating Chumash cultural traditions. "I do everything that's been asked of me that I can," Tumamait-Stenslie said. "To bring to the valley and to bring to people the prayers and the languages and the rituals within the Chumash culture only adds to the richness of being a community member here." Tumamait-Stenslie wasn't always an expert on the Chumash. Although she grew up aware of her heritage her late father Vincent Tumamait was almost full Chumash she learned little about what that meant as a child. Even her paternal grandmother, Maria Barrios, who spoke a Chumash language, refused to talk to her grandchildren about "Indian stuff," Tumamait-Stenslie said. "It wasn't a good time for them back then, there was a lot of prejudice," she explained. "They were considered poor and ignorant, never going to amount to anything, and if you practice any of those 'heathen' ways you're going to go to hell. It's hard to explain and understand that isolation and that alienation of one's cultural background." It was only as a young adult, while studying at UC Santa Barbara, that Tumamait-Stenslie became interested in archaeology and Native American culture. She set out to learn as much as she could, she said. Then, in the 1960s, her father got involved in promoting Chumash culture through storytelling, music and other programs. Tumamait-Stenslie would accompany him, and after her father died in 1992, she took over his role as a Chumash elder. John Johnson, curator of anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, has known Tumamait-Stenslie for many years and also worked with her father. He said she is an authentic and dedicated emissary for her culture, and he noted that her family ancestry, which extends from Chumash historical homelands in Malibu up to San Luis Obispo County and west to the Channel Islands, is remarkable. "It's pretty unusual to have that broad of an ancestral connection in one family from all those different areas," he said. "They have an amazing family tree." Tumamait-Stenslie said there is still much she wants to achieve. Among her goals: Create a children's book about the Chumash, finish a music and storytelling album, and set up a Chumash cultural center. She also continues to advise the city of Ojai on somewhat controversial legislation aimed at preventing the destruction of ancient Chumash sites during development. "There is a rich level of history that has valuable information underground, under our feet, of who's been here," she said. "Yes, progress has to happen, but there's ways we can do that, and there's ways we can protect our culture without having to put it in museums." JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Francisco Briones waits for mother Lourdes Galaviz at a hotel in Oxnard. Despite being rewarded $125 million in lawsuit damages after being severely injured in a DUI crash, it is unknown when Briones and his family will see that money. Briones is paralyzed. SHARE JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Lourdes Galaviz, son Francisco Briones and four other children now live in an Oxnard hotel despite getting a $125 million lawsuit judgment for a 2013 crash. It is unknown when Briones and his family will see that money. Briones is paralyzed. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Francisco Briones expresses his feelings about a crash that left him paralyzed. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Francisco Briones is helped by mother Lourdes Galaviz in a hotel in Oxnard. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Lourdes Galaviz, son Francisco Briones and four other children now live in an Oxnard hotel. By Cindy Von Quednow of the Ventura County Star Francisco Briones was recovering from a surgery, one of four since a March 2013 crash that left him paralyzed, when his family was evicted from their home. By the time he was released from the hospital, his mother and four siblings had to move into a hotel. Despite winning a lawsuit against the driver and a $125 million judgment from a jury last month, the family continues living from hotel room to hotel room, an ironic situation Briones calls "depressing." "As it is, we've already been through so much," said the 24-year-old Briones, who is known as "Franky." Gary Dordick, Briones' attorney, said he expects the verdict to go through an appeals process, and it could be years before his client sees any money. While half of the award is expected to be covered by driver Christopher Zink's insurance company, Zink is responsible for the rest. The amount was based on expected lifetime medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages. Briones was 21 at the time of the crash. The Channel Islands High School graduate had left Oxnard College to help out his family. He was on his way to work at a nearby warehouse about 5 a.m. when Zink ran a red light at Rice Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard and crashed into Briones, authorities said. Zink's blood alcohol level was 0.14 percent after the crash. He had been in the Air Force and was stationed with the Channel Islands Air National Guard in Port Hueneme at the time of the crash. He was eventually convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for felony driving under the influence causing injury. Briones now requires constant care and a special wheelchair and bed, among other things. He is only capable of moving his head and left hand. "I can no longer help my family," Briones said at a hotel room in Oxnard, where he and his family are staying. "I was a provider. I'm the oldest that's what the oldest brother has to do." His siblings range in age from 9 to 23. A nurse visits Briones once a week. He has regular checkups with a doctor, and his mother, Lourdes Galaviz, receives some help from home support services. Briones is scheduled for another surgery next week, and Galaviz hopes to find a home before then. She's out looking every chance she gets, but with a previous eviction looming over her and just one shared car, it's not easy. "Another day, another struggle," Briones said. Briones remembers the crash that changed his and his family's lives as if it was yesterday. He never lost consciousness. He thought about his mother, siblings and friends, and whether he'd ever see them again. He said he thought he was going to die, and he felt his body go numb. He believes a good Samaritan who witnessed the crash came to his aid and helped him stay alive. His mother remembers watching her son take his last steps to his SUV that morning before hearing the crash, which happened around the corner from their home, on a street Briones took every day. She'd hoped she wouldn't get a knock on her door or a phone call letting her know it was her son. But the knock came. She ran to the scene, but Briones had already been taken to a hospital. She knew it was bad when she heard he was at Ventura County Medical Center, a trauma hospital. When she spotted the other driver, Zink, she could tell he was intoxicated. "He ran a red light and took my son with him," Galaviz said. "I wanted to attack him." Briones spent about three months in the hospital after the crash and another three at a rehabilitation center in Los Angeles learning how to live with his condition. Galaviz never left his side. The reality didn't sink in for Briones or his mother until they arrived at the rehab center and were surrounded by wheelchairs. He said it took him about a year-and-a-half to accept and get used to his new lifestyle. Before then, he would ask himself why he didn't just die in the crash. "Until this one day I started thinking differently. ... I had to be the strong one, I'm still the oldest one and I try to think I'm still the man of the house," Briones said. "I try and take things one day at a time." Galaviz knows the verdict money will help her son and family tremendously. But for now, it's just a "piece of paper." "It's a lot of money," she said before pausing and catching her breath, fighting back tears. "But my son will still be like this. I'd be very happy to .... make us the poorest family again and for him to be able to walk." In the meantime, a relative has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with living expenses. Asked if they had any idea of when they might actually see the money, they both shook their heads no. "Hopefully soon," Galaviz said. "Hopefully," her son said. On the Net: To donate to the Briones family housing fund, go to www.gofundme.com/9kc2jpfx. AP FILE PHOTO In this April 7, 2004, file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks to Presbyterian Christian High School students in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. SHARE By Staff Reports Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who was found dead Saturday in Texas, had visited Thomas Aquinas College near Santa Paula several years ago, according to the small Catholic school. College President Michael F. McLean issued this written statement Saturday: "The community of Thomas Aquinas is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. A faithful Catholic, a patriot, and a brilliant jurist, Justice Scalia will long be remembered for his fidelity to the Constitution of the United States. His passing today is an enormous loss for our country. "In 1997, Justice Scalia visited our campus in Santa Paula to attend a dinner in his honor and address our students, faculty, and board members. It was as much an honor for us to host him then as it was a delight to make his acquaintance. In more recent years, we have had the pleasure of knowing his son, Fr. Paul Scalia, of the Diocese of Arlington, who now serves as chaplain to our Board of Regents there. "To Fr. Scalia and all his family, we extend our deepest sympathies for the loss of this great man, and a promise of our prayers for the happy repose of his soul." The diocese with which Paul Scalia is associated is in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO A display with a pictorial of Ventura County scenes framed by steel art has been hung at the state capitol. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Artist Shannon Lundberg CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Trees frame the ocean and the San Buenaventura Mission in a close-up view of the art. By Staff Reports A display showing iconic features and scenery of Ventura County has been installed at the state Capitol in Sacramento. The piece consists of close to 100 photographs that flash on a television screen, framed by a steel panel of artwork with citrus and oak trees, the Channel Islands and the San Buenaventura Mission. Artist Shannon Lundberg drew a freehand sketch for the artwork, then cut the design through the thin layer of steel to create the three-dimensional piece. "I am so honored and thrilled to be asked to do this," said Lundberg, a Newbury Park resident who specializes in sculptural welding. The display for Ventura County replaces one that was installed in 2007 and needed to be redone, county Supervisor Kathy Long said. Officials said technology will keep this one from getting stale. It can be controlled remotely from the Ventura County Government Center, allowing the photographs of landmarks and scenes to be freshened from time to time. The project costing about $10,000 was funded by county government. Volunteers also assisted. Several business and community organizations worked with Long and county staff on the project. Included were the Ventura County Lodging Association, visitors bureaus in Ventura and Oxnard, the Ventura County Arts Council, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum and Maple & Associates, a Newbury Park firm specializing in museum design. The exhibit was officially introduced early this month at the capitol, where each county in California has a display, officials said. SHARE At the Democratic Party presidential debate of Feb. 3, Hillary Clinton accused Bernie Sanders, her opponent, of unfairly criticizing her and her super PAC for taking millions of dollars for campaign purposes from large corporations, including pharmaceutical companies, oil companies and Wall Street banks. She called it a "big smear." I wonder if Hillary ever asked herself, "why are they giving me all this money?" Let me give her a simple answer they are buying votes. Does she think they are giving away all this largesse for truth, justice and the American way? If they are not buying votes, how does she explain all of the subsidies, tax breaks and loopholes that have been granted to some of our largest companies? In the case of the investment banks, they are large and prosperous. How did they get that way? They got that way, as their name suggests, through good investments, and some of their most successful investments have been in buying congressmen. Large oil companies, receive hefty subsidies to dig trial wells. Big Pharma got a provision in federal law preventing Medicare, the largest single purchaser of drugs in the U.S., from negotiating for price. For many years after the surgeon general made known the great dangers in smoking, Congress was still subsidizing tobacco. And farm subsidies that were granted by the federal government to help the small farm families get through the Great Depression of the 1930s are still on the books, but now they are going to large corporations called agribusinesses consequently we all pay more for a loaf of bread, a quart of milk, a box of sugar. To get elected and stay elected, members of Congress are constantly on the phone, soliciting money. They raise large sums from Wall Street, corporations, professional associations, etc. who expect to be doing business with the federal government at a later date. What are the congressmen going to do when the lobbyists from these organizations later return to tell them how much they need their help in getting a certain bill out of committee? Are they going to turn them down? I don't think so. Not many people are capable of perfect ingratitude. I am not campaigning for Bernie Sanders, but I believe he is right on this issue by not accepting any money from these large lobby groups he will not be obligated to them, and, hence, will be able to make his decisions with a truly open mind. But we should use this Bernie, Hillary example as an analog to the much larger problem: the whole issue of money in politics today. Since the wrongheaded U.S. Supreme Court decision in the "Citizens United" case, the floodgates of unlimited campaign funding have been opened. Today, a corporation in New York may give millions of dollars to a political party to elect candidates, even in nonpartisan elections, in California. The man we revere as "father of the Constitution," because he was its primary author, is James Madison. In the Federalist Papers, which were written by Madison and two others to persuade the states to ratify the Constitution, he stated that the great enemy of democracy is concentrated power and money. He referred to groups with such undesirable influence as factions today we would call them interest groups. He warned against the great mischief they could create by having an undue effect on elections. His point was that the individuals who will be governed by those who win particular elections should determine the outcome, and not wealthy outside groups for their own financial betterment. We are taught in school that this is the American democracy. The word, "democracy, from the Greek, "demos," people, plus "kratia," rule. Until the present system is changed, we should speak of it as being, rather, the American plutocracy, "ploutos, wealthy, plus kratia, rule. Ed Jones, of Thousand Oaks, is a member of the board of the Conejo Recreation and Park District. AP FILE PHOTO/REED SAXON In this 2010 file photo, vehicles make their way northbound along Interstate 5, Californias main north-south artery, in the Tehachapi Mountains. SHARE Don't mess with the Tehachapis. California has taller mountain ranges, more famous mountain ranges, more beautiful mountain ranges. But no mountains here are tougher or more important than the Tehachapis. A mishmash of mid-sized peaks extending 40 miles across southern Kern County and north Los Angeles County, the Tehachapis effectively form a wall that defines our state. This is their paradox: The Tehachapis at once separate and connect California's regionsnorth and south, valley and desert, Sierra Nevada and coastal range. As a barrier, the Tehachapisthe name is often attributed to the Kawaiisu word "tihachipia," or "hard climb"boast an undefeated record. They have been penetratedby I-5, aqueducts, and power transmission lines but they have never been conquered. Recently, the Tehachapis emerged at the center of the big California debate over high-speed rail. Plans to build the project first from the Central Valley to Southern California have survived lawsuits, bipartisan political opposition, and waning public support. But last month, spooked by the financial and engineering challenges of tunneling through rock and earthquake faults in the Tehachapis (and nearby San Gabriels), the high-speed rail authority said it might make a U-turn, and connect the Central Valley to the Bay Area first. Of course, the high-speed rail builders would hardly be the first people to lose their nerve at the prospect of crossing the mountain range. Is there any more fear-inducing drive in our state than traversing the Tehachapis on that scarily steep and windy stretch of I-5 known as the Grapevine? Trains still go over the mountains as slowly less than 25 miles per houras they did in the 1870s. And planes almost always hit a little turbulence going over the mountains, because shifting wind patterns (at least that's what a Southwest Airlines pilot once told me). The Tehachapis represent Californians as we really are tough, stubborn, and shorter and wider than we look in our publicity stills. (Not everyone can be as beautiful as Yosemite or Angelina Jolie). And, as staffers at the Tejon Ranch Conservancy recently explained, the Tehachapis are the most Californians of mountains: the only place in the state where four varied regions converge the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada, the coastal range, and the San Joaquin Valley. As a result, the Tehachapis offer an incredible diversity of plants: desert scrub and Joshua trees next to Sierra Nevada forest, or coastal chaparral near untouched Valley grasslands. Why do we know so little about the Tehachapis? In the 19th century, when most of the state's population was in the north and crossing the Tehachapis was a life-threatening expedition, the papers often referred to Southern California as "South of the Tehachapis" in the tone one might speak of an uncivilized hinterland. But in the 20th century, California tilted south, and the Tehachapis became less prominent, serving mainly to prevent Southern California from sprawling too far north. It also didn't help the mountains' profile that they were mostly privately owned, and therefore not so easily explored by California's nature seekers. But the last decade has brought the promise of a new era to the Tehachapis. The Tejon Ranch, a 422-square mile property in the Tehachapis, has pursued retail and housing development on some of its property, while also striking a historic 2008 agreement with environmental organizations to protect 90 percent of its land. Now the Tejon Ranch Conservancy is conserving, exploring, and providing public access in many ways wildflower viewing stations, community hikes and drives, naturalist classes, and citizen science projects. In the years ahead, Californians will want more connections both with the range, and through it and we'll need to be careful to minimize their impacts. The Tehachapis, once again, will have to hang tough. SHARE A grand jury indictment in Houston against David Daleiden, director of the anti-abortion Center for Medical Progress, for his videos of Planned Parenthood employees has kicked over a hornet's nest in the continuing battle in this country over abortion. But Daleiden's defense that he was protected by the First Amendment has stirred up a whole separate nest. He is the one who used fake documents to go into Planned Parenthood offices and secretly record conversations with officials discussing purchase of fetal body parts. The highly edited videos were released last summer, causing an uproar that spilled into the presidential campaign and prompted a drive to defund Planned Parenthood. Daleiden claims he was a citizen journalist who was going undercover to get the story. The indictment, he and his lawyers say, will create a chilling effect on future undercover investigations. We get a little heartburn when the courts appear to be restricting what journalists can and cannot do. We get acid reflux when we try to figure out who is a citizen journalist and what legal protections cover them. We get full-fledged dyspepsia when those two elements are mixed with undercover reporting and lying to get the story. In this case, the indictment charges Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, a center employee, with tampering with government documents by creating their false IDs, and with a misdemeanor of trying to buy fetal remains. It does not initially wander into the realm of controls over journalistic practices, but the debate could quickly head that way based on Daleiden's defense. We recognize that the definition of who is a journalist got tossed to the side of the Internet highway with the invention of the smartphone and Facebook. If you see it, now you can report it, record it and send it to your Mom and everyone else on your Facebook timeline, or YouTube or Instagram channel, or Twitter feed. We, like almost every other news organization, encourage you to be a citizen journalist. We want you to be reporting what you see. The information we see you report, or you send to us, is always checked out by one of our reporters before we publish it. If we can't verify it and still feel it's important to publish, we'll be clear on the source and the fact we have been unable to confirm the information. Photos and video are more difficult. It's easy to manipulate a photo, or edit a video, to get it to show what you want rather than what you saw. We remain vigilant when we see those images. It's too easy to deceive, intentionally or otherwise, so we are far more cautious in using visuals. So should you have the protection of the First Amendment when you don your citizen journalist hat? Yes. But you, like everyone here at The Star, have that protection only if you do not violate the law, and if you do not cross the ethical boundaries that we follow with everything we do. That brings us to undercover journalism. There is certainly a history going back to Upton Sinclair's expose of the Chicago meatpacking industry at the start of the 20th century of journalists going undercover to get the story. But undercover journalism, particularly where it includes any level of deceit, has fallen out of favor in most newsrooms in the last generation. Most news organizations do not approve it. And those that do in almost all cases do not approve of deceit to get the information. The courts, by the way, have a somewhat mixed record on whether such activity is protected by the First Amendment. Here at The Star, we do not do it. That said, we never say never. But before anyone is approved for an undercover journalism assignment (and it would have to be approved), there would have to be an extraordinarily high standard to meet. We would follow the guidelines outlined a decade ago by journalism ethicist Bob Steele. Among his points: the information sought must be of profound importance, of vital public interest; there are no other alternatives to obtain it; we must be willing to disclose how we got it; we must be convinced the harm prevented fully outweighs any deception. For us, there would be one other criteria: we would not lie. Ever. John T. Moore is editor of the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at 805-437-0200 or by email at john.moore@vcstar.com. SHARE Democrats have a creepy new parlor game: pushing the concept that Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are fake Latinos. Apparently, somewhere, there is a test. And these overachievers failed it even though Rubio speaks better Spanish than many of his detractors and, as a child, Cruz was known as "Felito," which paid homage to his father, Rafael. Still, the partisans claim, the Republican presidential candidates don't "identify" as Latino. What happened to what Democrats told us in 2008 and 2012, about how one of Barack Obama's chief attributes was that he was "post-racial"? Didn't it used to be a good thing not to be hung up on race or ethnicity? Not anymore. In December, The New York Times charged into the arena with a presumptuous article titled: "Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz Diverge in Approach to Their Hispanic Identity." Recently, I was on a public radio show in New York when the host, who is Jewish, asked a question that we never hear from the media: "How Jewish is Bernie Sanders?" Huh? The obvious answer is: "As Jewish as he wants to be. Mind your own business. Next question." Cruz and Rubio aren't so lucky. While Sanders' identity is treated as a personal matter, theirs is a matter for public debate. Remember how it was a sign of enlightenment that Obama was seen by many not as a black president but as a president who happened to be black? Why not say that Cruz and Rubio aren't Latino senators but senators who happen to be Latino? Not happening. In the media, and other Democratic circles, it's open season on these Cuban-Americans. The latest shot came from Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., who joined the chorus by accusing Cruz and Rubio of "running from their heritage." First, I suppose it's a good thing that Democrats have gotten smart and started using Latinos to attack other Latinos. We no longer have only white Democrats arguing that Latino Republicans aren't really Latinos. Those optics were not good. That's what happened in 2001, when a brilliant and high-powered lawyer named Miguel Estrada was nominated by George W. Bush to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Concerned that Estrada might wind up on the Supreme Court, white Senate Democrats filibustered the nomination. Some lawmakers even had the gall to insist that Estrada wasn't representative of Latinos. How would they know? Second, if the message is that Cruz and Rubio are not authentically Latino, Becerra is not the right messenger. Elected to Congress in 1992, with undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford, Becerra never made a peep when the Clinton administration militarized the U.S.-Mexico border through "Operation Gatekeeper." Or when President Clinton signed a bill that made it easier to deport people and harder for them to return legally. Years later, with President Obama in the White House, Becerra did not side with his colleague Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., in protesting Obama's deportation juggernaut, or join his other colleague, Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, in resigning from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to protest the group's support for the Senate immigration bill, which would have further militarized the border with more fencing and a doubling of the ranks of the Border Patrol. Nor did Becerra raise his voice and criticize Obama for locking up women and children refugees from Central America and keeping them in detention where a federal judge had to intervene and demand their release. Lastly, a couple of years ago, Becerra bungled a faceoff with Erika Andiola, a youth leader in the "Dreamer" movement who now works for the Bernie Sanders campaign. Andiola urged the congressman to pressure Obama to curb deportations. According to Andiola's account, which she penned for The Huffington Post, Becerra shrugged off the idea and insisted that the undocumented should concentrate on becoming citizens so they could elect more Democrats. The same party that is deporting all these people. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Becerra who is these days being mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick if Hillary Clinton gets the nomination has the nerve to claim that "I'm Latino before I'm Democrat." Given that he has spent most of his time in Congress scurrying away from Latino immigrants in need when party loyalty demanded it, the congressman has it exactly backward. Becerra should be careful with this game, since two can play it. Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. This week some of the finest chefs in the world put their talents on display at Caesars Palace for the first night of Vegas Uncorkd by Bon Appetit (Pictured: Giada DeLaurentiis and Bobby Flay Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com). Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Renowned chefs Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, Gordon Ramsay, Francois Payard, Guy Savoy, Nobu Matsuhisa ,Frankie Pellegrino Jr. and Greg and Marc Sherry prepared special menus as part of the sold out Master Series dinners. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Ticketed guests had the unique opportunity to dine on dishes prepared by celebrated chefs, while sipping on wine specially paired with the multi-course menus. Guests at these exclusive dinners had the opportunity to interact and have a truly personal experience with culinary masters. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Bobby Flay and Giada DeLaurentiis, two of the worlds best known chefs, collaborated for When Stars Align: Master Series Dinner with Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis dinner at Mesa Grill. In true stardom style, the meal was comprised of six-course menu filled with flavor. The specialties featured at the dinner included steamed East Coast halibut, stuffed lamb chops with walnut gremolata, lemon-smashed fried potatoes and espresso bread pudding to finish off. De Laurentiis provided her famed lemon ricotta cookies as a take-away gift to all of the guests. Chef Giada and Bobby were joined by Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit Adam Rapoport who welcomed the guests to a one-of-a-kind experience, where truly two stars aligned. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. One of the newest addition A Scots Tale: Master Series Dinner, Chef Gordon Ramsay, who, along with Bon Appetits Senior Editor Alison Roman, hosted a six-course dinner with wine pairings at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, which opened just over a year ago. Chef Gordon greeted each guest, while the courses were being served. The signature mini steak & ale pie and pan-seared diver scallops were perfectly paired with craft beers including the Wells Brewery Toffee Ale to compliment the Gordon Ramsay favorite: Sticky Toffee Pudding. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Another new addition to the Master Series dinner line-up, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa welcomed his guests for Global Gourmand at Nobu Caesars Palace. Critically acclaimed Chef Nobu was joined by Bon Appetit editor Andrew Knowlton in welcoming a full house. Taking the time to speak with every table, Nobu chatted with all his guests prior to the courses being delivered. The seven-course meal consisted of the salmon kelp roll, fluke spinach salad, Chilean sea bass moronic miso, Braise short rib and zuke maguro, finished by the kinako tiramisu, which did not disappoint. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Guests had the opportunity to get up close and personal with pastry master Francois Payard in his intimate dining room for the French Elegance with Francois Payard Master Series dinner. The five-course tasting menu featured pan seared Alaskan halibut, short ribs a la bierre and Payards signature Palet DOr for dessert; all perfectly paired with Italian, French and Australian wines. Guests were welcomed by Bon Appetit Senior Editor Dawn Perry, Sr. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Restaurant Guy Savoy treated guests to six courses of refined elegance including the famed artichoke and black truffle soup. Michelin Star Chef Guy Savoy interacted with guests during the Dinnertime Decadence Master Series dinner and took photos along with David Lynch, wine insider for Bon Appetit. One lucky lady dined at the Krug Chefs Table along with her five friends, for a once in a lifetime experience with Guy Savoy being the host of the evening. Photo: Erik Kabik / Retna / www.erikkabik.com. Guests were treated, and fed, like family at Raos, enjoying beef capriccio, beef gnocchi, ginger and lemon olive oil poached sea bass and of course, Raos famous meatballs. The evening was hosted by Frankie Pellegrino Jr. as well as Danielle Walsh, the Associate Web Editor from Bon Appetit for a Raos Italian Feast with the Pellegrino Family. Frankie Pellegrino Jr. welcomed guests to a true Italian family dinner with music playing in the background and laughter in the air. Greg and Marc Sherry hosted a five-course menu filled with Old Homestead staples during The Great American Steakhouse Master Series dinner. The menu featured pan seared Alaskan halibut, Dry-aged New York Strip along with the numerous seafood canapes being served. The Maine lobster, Kusshi oysters, Dungerous crab, poached shrimp and bay scallops were served with complimenting cocktails and the desserts, left the guests full and happy. Do you love burgers? Do you love frosty beers and homemade milkshakes? Would you like to work in an environment that cherishes your love of all things delicious? If so, come join us! I Love Burgers is hiring talented, hungry staff for its new location, opening mid-December 2010 at The Shoppes at The Palazzo. I Love Burgers is hiring more than 100 positions for an approachable, gourmet burger restaurant including servers, hosts, bartenders, line cooks, prep cooks, and the first milkshake-ologist in the history of mankind. Interviews will take place on the dates listed below. All applicants must bring a valid government-issued ID and must be 21 or older to apply. The I Love Burgers menu will offer tasty gourmet-quality food, quick and friendly service and great value. Each burger will be an experience in taste, ranging from the traditional beef and turkey options to buffalo, ahi tuna, and Executive Chef/General Manager Errol LeBlancs custom vegan burger recipe. WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 21 noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino- Casanova Ballroom 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109 For more information on I Love Burgers, please visit www.ilvburgers.com McFaddens Restaurant and Saloon at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will host a St. Patricks Day celebration the Saint himself would be proud of. Starting early Thursday, March 17, and going into the wee hours of the night, the Irish celebration, hosted by Xtreme 107.5, KLUC 98.5 and MIX 94.1, will include green drink specials, traditional food, a build-your-own green bikini contest and plenty of Irish fun. Kicking off the St. Patricks Day celebration at 7 a.m., McFaddens will host all-you-can-eat-and-drink Kegs and Eggs until 11 a.m. for only $20, and the first 21 guests to show up will receive a free beer to shotgun in the 21 Shotgun Salute. A traditional Irish breakfast will be served all day and night for only $10. To avoid that 2 oclock feeling, patrons will push through with a Mid-Day Mind Eraser Open Bar from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. for $20. To entertain party-goers, Irish dancers will tap and kick to modern and authentic beats, Bread and Circus will perform from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., The McFaddens Desert Skye Pipes and Drums band will perform live, and resident DJ Ted will spin throughout the day and night. Daring patrons can show off their creative and sexy side with a build-your-own green bikini contest, with crowd applause determining the winner of the $1,000 cash prize and a Gibson guitar. Drink specials will include $4 green beers, $6 Irish Car Bombs, $5 green injection shots and $3 green beer bongs. McFaddens Restaurant and Saloon is open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. until 4 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 702.270.6200 or visit www.McFaddensVegas.com. Customers shop at a Thai trade fair. Thai consumer goods like fruits, sweets, and home appliances have flooded the local market. Thai farm produce and foodstuffs can be seen at any traditional market, convenient store or supermarket in Viet Nam. - Photo vinexad.com.vn A report from the General Department of Customs (GDC) showed that exports from Thailand reached US$7.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2015, an increase of 17 percent compared with the same period of 2014. Thai consumer goods like fruits, sweets, and home appliances have flooded the local market. Thai farm produce and foodstuffs can be seen at any traditional market, convenient store or supermarket in Viet Nam. The latest statistics released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade reveal that the volume of import products originating from Thailand are ranked second, after China. Currently, garments and household appliance products supplied by Thailand have been presented in nearly 9,000 traditional markets across the country. Thai electronic and electrical products currently account for 70 per cent of the market share. Dang Thu Hien, an owner of a mini mart in Ha Noi's Nguyen Trai street said she sold Thai goods in addition to Vietnamese products, adding that more and more people have favoured Thai consumer products because they are of high quality, durable, well-designed and quite affordable. Hien said she intended to open one or two more stores to expand her retail store chain specialising in Thai imports as the demand of customers buying the products had increased rapidly in recent years. Mai Phuong, a loyal consumer of Thai products, said she had been buying Thai goods for many years because every member in her family preferred using the products. "I have bought enough food for the coming Tet holiday, and most of it is sourced from Thailand, such as rice, vermicelli, some spices and candy. I think Thai foodstuffs are more tasty than Vietnamese foodstuffs, not to mention that some of them are cheaper," Phuong said. Phuong said many of her friends also tend to consume Thai products as they believe the products have high quality while they are much cheaper than imports from Europe and the US. Phuong added that many local traders in her neighborhood who once sold Chinese products and Vietnamese products now shift to selling products made in Thailand. "There are now three convenience stores near my house selling Thai products, I'm always able to find something good to buy when I visit," Phuong added. "Not only in stores, but Thai products such as soap, fabric softener, electric fans, knives, electric rice cookers and bowls can be easily found at big supermarkets," Phuong said. Thai retail ambition Thai retailers have nurtured their ambition of scaling up their presence in Viet Nam for quite some time now. The retail sector has witnessed waves of international capital with the most popular retail brands in Viet Nam falling into the hands of Thai investors. Vu Vinh Phu, Chairman of the Ha Noi Supermarket Association, gave this warning as he mentioned a number of concerns about recent deals that enable Thai companies to further penetrate the domestic retail market. The deals mentioned include Thai company Berli Jucker's (BJC's) purchasing Metro Cash & Carry Viet Nam for over $870 million. Berli Jucker, a major stakeholder and contributor to Thai expansion in Viet Nam, is owned by billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, who is currently the second largest shareholder in Viet Nam's leading dairy products company Vinamilk. Earlier, Power Buy, a subsidiary of the Central Group of Thai billionaire Chirathivat, also acquired a 49 per cent share in New Solution and Technology Development Company NKT, the owner of Vietnam's leading retailer Nguyen Kim Trading JSC. Central Group is also the owner of the Robins supermarket chain in Viet Nam, which distributes Thai goods in Ha Noi and HCM City. Phu said the acquisitions marked the Thai giants' aggressive expansion into Viet Nam's retail sector, adding that domestic retailers might face the risk of losing market share to Thai billionaire retailers in the near future if they do not draw up strategies to defend themselves against the foreign rival. "When these distribution channels belong to Thai investors, it is a risk for Vietnamese businesses because Thai products have good quality, competitive price and have gained the confidence of Vietnamese consumers. The near geographic distance and the open policies on tariffs of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will enable the flood of Thai products in Viet Nam in the coming years," Phu said. Phu said to combat the encroachment of Thai goods, local firms must make comprehensive reforms to enhance the quality of products and services, improve productivity, and reduce costs. Small local enterprises should co-operate or merge to create strong links to compete with foreign retail rivals. They should also take measures to encourage customers to use Vietnamese products to maintain their market dominance, he added. Since World War II, the Holocaust has been the subject of countless films. Son of Saul by Hungarian Laszlo Nemes and Labyrinth of Lies by German Italian Giulio Ricciarelli are two new additions in the filmography. Both have been nominated for an Oscar in the category of Foreign Language Film for their great cinematography, their exceptional acting and mainly their cutting edge approach to the Holocaust. Son of Saul offers a gruesome portrayal of the Holocaust through the eyes of Saul Auslander, a member of a Sonderkommando unit at the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp during World War II. Sonderkommandos were Jewish prisoners forced to work in the crematoriums. The film chronicles Sauls desperate search for a Rabbi to perform a proper burial on a young boy, one of the hundreds of thousands gassed in the chambers. Using a handheld camera, filmmaker Laszlo Nemes focused almost exclusively on Sauls face throughout his two-day-long ordeal, while heinous acts are being committed in the out-of-focus background, leaving the details to the viewers imagination. Nemes said he employed loud disorienting sounds of people pleading, screaming and dying in his effort to recreate the chaotic and horrific atmosphere the sonderkommandos described in their texts about life and death at the camps. He said "the thinking process has no place in the camp and it is something that we never understood after the war. Thinking comes after the war. When you're inside, it is a different state of mind and we wanted to communicate that state of mind, and I think the audiences experience reflects the individual experience in camp with all the frustration, the sense of being locked or limited and the very limited access to what's going on." Nemes said his film takes the viewer on a journey along with the victims, most of whom never survived to describe their experiences. So the viewer inhabits extermination camp testimonials that see the light on the large screen for the first time. Nemes said his film offers an internal look at the Holocaust, as opposed to the traditional approach of cinema on the saga where the camera observes but does not participate. Despite its grim outlook, Nemes said there is humanity in a story where the main character, in the midst of death, risks his life to bury another. There is this idea about leaving a trace. And its also something very human. That is also something that the sonderkommandos wanted: Even if the Jews of Europe are being destroyed let there be a trace of them, he said. Watch the VOA Interview with Laszlo Nemes on the making and the meaning of his Oscar-nominated film about the Holocaust Son of Saul Labyrinth of Lies, by Giulio Ricciarelli, told the story of Johann Radmann, a German prosecutor who while investigating a suspected Nazi for war crimes in the late 1950s discovers that massive crimes against humanity were committed at Auschwitz. Labyrinth of Lies reveals how, for almost 20 years after the end of the war, Germany covered up its atrocities at Auschwitz, so the younger generation knew nothing about the extermination camps or the Holocaust. The filmmaker said the code of silence was broken in 1963, when Nazi war criminals were finally tried in Germany for their acts at Auschwitz. Ricciarelli said that, as unlikely as the story sounds, it is true. He says the camps were not located in Germany, so they were not visible to many Germans who might have heard something about them, but they had received a sanitized description of them as "protection camps." He said the Nazis even shot a propaganda movie about the Theresienstadt concentration camp in today's Czech Republic, calling it "The Fuhrer gives the Jews a new city." It was described like a summer camp, he said. A character in the film said, "all we had to do was to open our eyes." "But there was no wish to open the eyes," said the filmmaker. "And then you had a young generation growing up, somebody who was five or six or nine and when the war ended, they grew up in an atmosphere of silence." Labyrinth of Lies runs like a taut thriller, but filmmaker Ricciarelli said as unbelievable as it sounds, this is a true story with the exception of Johann Radmanns character, who is a composite of real-life prosecutors. He sits on a very high moral horse. He is convinced he knows what is right, and he will be a very changed man at the end of the film. He will be humble, but he will have matured to the point where he actually can deal with it. The process almost breaks him. He is the metaphor for the young Republic of Germany after the war." Watch the VOA interview with filmmaker Giulio Ricciarelli on his film Labyrinth of Lies Since then, Germany has been facing up to its past. Labyrinth of Lies is Germanys official endorsement for the foreign language Oscar. Efforts to integrate Southeast Asias economies are beginning to bear fruit, experts say, although there is some way to go before the goal of turning the region into a single market and production base can be reached. The 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations officially formed the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), an ambitious regional trade bloc, at the start of this year. The move has been viewed as a boost for the regions economies and is part of the reasoning behind the U.S. stepping up its engagement with the region. Leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations will attend a summit hosted by President Barack Obama at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a trade roadshow in the San Francisco Bay Area. The ASEAN countries already have a combined annual gross domestic product of $2.4 trillion, making the bloc the second largest economy in Asia, after China, and the seventh-largest economy in the world. The region also enjoys an average growth rate in excess of 5 percent. ASEAN has so much potential to offer for international investment and trade because of its young population, said Chan Sophal, director of the Center for Policy Studies in Phnom Penh. That plays a key role to creating a competitive workforce, and that is what investors are looking for. Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies board of directors, has noted that the region will soon also be better connected thanks largely to Chinese plans to build railways connecting the countries of mainland Southeast Asia to Yunnan province. We also see Thailand and Cambodia created a railroad project which they hope to complete by the end of 2016, Vannarith said. But there are concerns that turning the region into an integrated market and production base is still some way off. Anthony Nelson, director of communications at the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, told a recent press conference in Washington that while the AEC was an exciting initiative, some of its goals were ambitious. If you look at the customs single windowin order for ASEAN to really, truly be a single market and a single production base, thats something thats going to be in place, Nelson said. The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council has also raised the issues of corruption and poor governance as barriers to trade with Southeast Asian economies. Oum Sothea, a Cambodian economist based in Singapore, said that most tariffs imposed on goods imported within the region had already been reduced to zero, with very few exceptions. However, he said, there were a number of non-tariff barriers to trade still in place that would require the states concerted collective action to remove. ASEAN countries implement different set of rules for product standardization, and having to harmonize such a diverse set of rules is going to be the biggest challenge for ASEAN to achieve a single production base, said Oum Sothea. For the U.S., the ASEAN countries as a bloc are already the countrys fourth-largest trading partner. By 2014, American companies had put more than $200 million of foreign direct investment in to the region. At a recent public forum, Ben J. Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, reiterated ASEANs importance to U.S. economic growth. The fact that matters is this region is going to drive a lot of U.S. growth and job creation going forward that already support, in our estimate, over half a million American jobs, said Rhodes, predicting that ASEAN was soon going to be one of the largest markets in the world for U.S. exports. Southeast Asian leaders meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama will look to agree on a list of points to be known as the Sunnylands Principles, which could include references to maritime navigation and militarization in the region, according to a diplomat and a draft statement obtained by VOA Khmer. Obama is hosting the two-day summit at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California, starting Monday. The unprecedented act of engagement with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states is part of his administrations efforts to counter the influence of a rising China in the region. The draft, which appears to be an early version of a joint statement to be released at the end of the talks, was obtained from an Asian diplomat. It was unclear to what extent agreement has already been reached on the drafts 14 principals. The draft statement begins by saying that the U.S. and ASEAN take this opportunity to reaffirm the key principles that will guide our cooperation going forward. It affirms the two sides commitment to free trade and to building stronger democracies, good governance, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the promotion of tolerance and moderation. The draft principles also back a multilateral approach to dispute resolution, affirming Respect for ASEAN centrality as a guiding principle in shaping the multilateral architecture of the Asia-Pacific. It contains clear allusions to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea between ASEAN nations and China. China and its allies in the region, primarily Cambodia, have previously rejected calls from Vietnam and the Philippines for these disputes to be solved through ASEAN. China prefers to deal with the disputed islands and atolls bilaterally with smaller nations. Key principles in the draft affirm Peaceful resolution of disputes, including through arbitration, in accordance with international law; and The importance of unimpeded lawful commerce, including the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight as described in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as a commitment to non-militarization. Both Cambodia and neighboring Laos, which have received large amounts of financial aid from China in recent years, could find themselves in a tricky position if asked to commit to these principles. John D. Ciorciari, a professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan who studies Southeast Asia, told VOA Khmer that the increased U.S. engagement with ASEANembodied by the Sunnylands summitgave individual leaders like Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen leverage, since ASEANs internal policies require consensus among the 10 states to commit to any action, including the issuing of a joint statement. "U.S. officials want Cambodia not to block consensus when a majority of ASEAN members favor diplomatic language or action asserting a common stand on the South China Sea, Ciorciari said. In the past, especially when chairing ASEAN in 2012, Cambodia has been accused of serving as a Chinese lackey and keeping ASEAN from taking collective positions unfavorable to Beijing. As it seeks to build its strategic position in the region, the U.S. has been accused of taking a soft line on human rights issues in Southeast Asia. Critics have remarked that handing Cambodias Hun Sen the credibility boost of an official visit to the U.S. could embolden the long-serving prime minister at a time when opposition leader Sam Rainsy has recently been forced back into exile. On Thursday, Obamas deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, Ben Rhodes, publicly raised concerns about the worsening political climate in Cambodia, according to the Associated Press. Peter Maguire, a legal scholar and long-time Cambodia researcher, noted that the criticism of Hun Sens government just before the Sunnylands summit came from Rhodes rather than Secretary of State John Kerry, meaning that the human rights in Cambodia were not a foreign policy priority. "The U.S. obviously wants Cambodia and the ASEAN nations to stand firm against Chinese territorial claims, Maguire said, adding that it was unlikely Hun Sen would turn his back on his generous patron. However, given Cambodias relationship with China, why would they bite the hand that has fed them so generously? he said. Love him or hate him, Hun Sen has forgotten more about realpolitik than the entire Obama administration will ever know. When they were in diapers, he was on the battlefield." More than 100 Southeast Asian parliamentarians are urging President Barack Obama to address regional human rights issues during his meetings with ASEAN leaders next week, according to an open letter posted online Thursday. Signed predominantly by MPs from Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia but also with some signatures from lawmakers in Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand the letter says they "recognize and understand" the administration's need to strengthen economic and security relations with Southeast Asian leaders, but called on Obama to "press [leaders] on unfulfilled human rights commitments and to directly raise specific concerns with them." The lawmakers note that many Southeast Asian countries have taken "dramatic steps backward" in the areas of democracy in the last two years. The letter was posted hours after a group of seven Democratic U.S. senators issued a separate and unrelated letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is expected to attend the upcoming ASEAN summit at Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California. "We are troubled by the recent increase in social and political turmoil in your country ... [particularly] the numerous reports that your government continues to deny the legitimate demands of ordinary Cambodians for a more transparent, fair, and democratic Cambodia," the letter said. Following on a similar letter that a bipartisan group of 16 U.S. Congressional representatives sent to the Cambodian leader on Dec. 3, Thursday's letter to Hun Sen also expresses concerns about polling irregularities in the 2013 national elections and "reports of systematic property and land appropriation" by domestic and transnational companies. Signed by Democratic Sens. Christopher Murphy of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Al Franken of Minnesota, Maria Cantwell of Washington state, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the letter calls on the Cambodian leader to address human trafficking within his own borders and to ensure the immediate release of American citizen and human rights activist Meach Sovannara, who has been jailed since July 2015. On Wednesday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz was asked about reports that the Cambodian prime minister threatened protesters who would demonstrate against Phnom Penh's human rights record at the upcoming summit, which is scheduled to kick off Feb. 15. "A lot of these countries are in different phases of becoming democratic with a small 'd,'" Schultz said. "Those are reforms that [Obama] takes very seriously and pursues in private conversations and in public forums. So, I'd expect the right to protest and the right to peacefully be heard falls under that umbrella and do expect the president to talk about the importance of democratic reforms as part of the summit conversations next week." The United Nations said Sunday Afghan hostilities left more than 3,500 civilians dead and nearly 7,500 others wounded in 2015, an increase of four percent in civilian casualties from the previous year. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the number of civilian casualties during 2015 were the highest recorded since it began its systematic documentation of civilian casualties in 2009. UNAMA said increased ground fighting in and around populated areas, along with suicide and other attacks in major cities were the main causes of conflict-related civilian deaths and injuries in 2015. The report, however, documented a 10 percent reduction in civilian casualties from Taliban attacks. Anti-Government Elements continued to cause the most harm 62 percent of all civilian casualties despite a 10 percent reduction from 2014 in the total civilian casualties resulting from their attacks, it said. Despite the drop in civilian deaths caused by the Taliban in 2015, there were more civilian deaths caused by pro-government security forces during ground fighting and attacks by aircraft, according to the U.N. report. Pro-government forces caused 1,854 civilian casualties. While this accounts for 17 percent of the total, it all represents a 28 percent increase compared to 2014, said Danielle Bell, UNAMA Director of Human Rights. UNAMA Chief Nicholas Haysom told reporters in Kabul the report has been shared with all parties to the conflict before its publication, including Afghan security forces and the Taliban. Our objective is not simply to shame and blame, but to effect real changes in the practices of the parties to the conflict because our primary objective is to change what happens on the battlefield, he said. The report also documented a 37 percent increase in women casualties and a 14 percent increase in child casualties. In 2015, the conflict caused extreme harm to the civilian population, with particularly appalling consequences for children. Unprecedented numbers of children were needlessly killed and injured last year one in four casualties in 2015 was a child, said Bell. The statistics and percentages contained in the report dont really reflect and capture the real horror and the impact of the bombs, the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the the indirect fire on civilian communities, said Haysom. He again called on all the parties engaged in the Afghan conflict to uphold their public commitments and take every step to avoid harm to civilians. Sunday's report cited a deadly U.S. airstrike in October on a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in northern Afghanistan for largely contributing to the 9-percent rise in civilian causalities caused by international military forces in 2015. The air raid in the strategically important city of Kunduz killed 42 staff, patients and family members, and wounded another 43. The provincial capital was at the time briefly overrun by the Taliban. Report urges independent, transparent investigation The UNAMA report called for conducting an "independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation of the attack against the MSF hospital and make the findings public. Ensure accountability for those responsible." The Taliban has rejected the UNAMA report, alleging in the past two weeks alone Afghan security forces and their foreign partners have killed hundreds of people in northern Baghran province. Civilian casualties can never be prevented with such injustice rather it only encourages irresponsibility of stooge Kabul administration and their masters in this regard, the militant group said. Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis office in a detailed written response to the report has acknowledged UNAMAs efforts to highlight civilian suffering in the country but insisted the findings did not present the full picture of casualties the Taliban and their affiliate groups have inflicted on Afghan civilians in 2015. It said the government "is concerned that UNAMAs decision to not attribute such a large number of civilian deaths misrepresents reality and could help the Taliban and other terrorist groups avoid accountability and escape justice. An Australian hospital is refusing to return an asylum-seeking baby to a detention center. Hundreds of people are keeping a vigil outside the Brisbane hospital to show their support for the doctors, Baby Asha and her parents. Asha, who is 12 months old, was born to asylum-seeking Nepalese parents after they arrived in Australia. Asha was accidentally scalded with hot water at a detention camp on the remote Pacific island nation of Nauru. Asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat are sent to detention camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They are blocked from being resettled in Australia, even if found to be refugees. Lady Cilento Children's Hospital said in a statement Asha "will only be discharged once a suitable home environment is identified." The hospital's move came as state governments, churches and activists stepped up their efforts to stop the return of some 267 refugees to Nauru following a High Court ruling. Queensland state's Health Minister Cameron Dick has sided with the doctors. He said in a statement Sunday he "strongly support[s] doctors in our hospitals to make the right clinical decisions." Doctors For Refugees co-founder Richard Kidd said in a statement on Facebook Sunday that his organization "commends the Brisbane doctors who put their responsibility to patient care ahead of political pressure. . .Doctors are ethically bound to provide their best care and resist any government attempts to interfere with this." While Australia has defended its immigration policies, human rights groups have been harshly critical of the policies and the conditions of the detention centers. The French news agency, AFP, reports the government-funded Human Rights Commission has found that children who lived in the Nauru center have high levels of mental illness. Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls Sunday in the final round of presidential elections and in a re-run of elections to the national assembly. Polling stations were relatively quiet this morning, with just a trickle of people voting at several centers, but in the afternoon VOA saw many more people arriving to vote. Georges Anicet Dologuele, one of the two candidates in the presidential run off, spoke to reporters outside Bangui city hall. He wished everyone a Happy Valentines Day and said that as Valentines Day is a festival of love he would like Central Africans to think of voting as an act of love for the country. There was a livelier atmosphere outside the Boganda high school in Bangui where the other presidential challenger Faustin Archange Touadera went to cast his ballot. He said he felt serene. In view of what we've seen in the rallies and meetings during the campaign, which have often been very well attended", he says, "I think our compatriots have heard the message and theyll act on it at the polling stations. There were 30 candidates in the first round of the presidential election, 20 of whom have since said they are backing Touadera while three say they're backing Dologuele. Many of those voters may abstain in the second round. Second round abstentions Dologeuele said it was too early to say if there would be many abstentions. Only a few voters VOA spoke to were willing to say how theyd voted. This student said he voted for Touadera because he was paid his bursary regularly during the time Touadera was prime minister up until 2103, and he thought Touadera had done other good things - such as paying government workers regularly and upgrading some roads. This man said he voted for Dologuele, because he embodies change whereas if the other candidate is elected, he said, it will be more of the same. First round results cancelled The first round of the legislative elections last month was so flawed with irregularities the results were cancelled. The head of the African Union election observer Mission in CAR Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye said this time round the polling stations seem to have enough ballot papers. He also said hed heard teachers have been recruited to improved the reporting of results from polling stations, so there has been a bit of improvement, as he put it, since the first round of the legislative elections. Egypt's highest appeals court has overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial for a police officer currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for his role in the death of a female protester in early 2015. Egypt's official MENA news agency announced the decision Sunday in the case of Yassin Hatem Salah Eddin, who was convicted in June of premeditated manslaughter in the death of activist Shaimaa el-Sabbagh. The 32-year-old victim was hit with police birdshot while she and others sought to lay memorial wreaths in Cairo's Tahrir Square to honor those killed in 2011 in anti-government protests that led to the ouster of autocrat president Hosni Mubarak. Witnesses later said police ignored pleas to allow an ambulance access to the shooting site, and said police also prevented anyone else from helping the victim. Egyptian media described el-Sabbagh as an advocate for workers' rights and a leading member of the Popular Alliance Party in the city of Alexandria. She was the mother of a young boy. Sunday's MENA news report said the policeman's defense lawyer had argued that circumstances surrounding the demonstrations leading to el-Sabbagh's death triggered confusion among police officers assigned to enforce bans on street demonstrations. In recent days, al-Shabab fighters killed individuals accused of collaborating with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in the town of Marka after the international force withdrew. Al-Shabab posted pictures of the body of at least person labelled collaborator riddled with bullets. In September last year a local elder was abducted by al-Shabab in Awdhegle shortly after AMISOM and government troops pulled out. He has not been seen again. In June the same year when al-Shabab took over Leego, the towns chairman was apprehended and beheaded by militants. Sunil Suri, of the London-based NGO Saferworld, said the current approach to fighting al-Shabab has not benefited ordinary civilians. A military approach is meant to provide security, but then security for who? When we think about the withdrawal of Marka a collaborator gets killed, that is not security for that person who helped AMISOM and the government structure of that town, he said. Suri said the AU mission has not been effective in terms of ensuring the Somali peoples security needs are met. Instead, he argues, international security concerns are often prioritized. The former Governor of Lower Shabelle Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur lamented the withdrawal of AMISOM and government troops from towns in his region. We move into town only to withdraw when people start to come out of their shell, Nur said. Suri warns that al-Shabab wont be defeated by a militarized approach led by AMISOM and the Somali national Army. The International Crisis Group this week said the reason for al-Shababs recent success is that the militant group has not been defeated politically and socially in parts of Somalia. ICG says the military offensive against al-Shabab can only achieve progress within durable political settlements. The paramount focus should be on addressing local Somali political grievances, not on regional or international priorities. Tapping into the grievances of local communities is what enables al-Shabaab to remain and rebuild in Somalia, ICG said. Suri says the AU mission needs to reinforce peoples security first. AMISOM should have a clear and explicit mandate from the United Nations Security Council to protect or provide immediate security to civilians in areas taken from al-Shabab, he said. Leaders of AMISOM and military chiefs of troop contributing countries this week met in Nairobi, to discuss the situation on the ground. The Head of the AU Mission Ambassador Francisco Madeira defended AMISOMs strategy and achievements. The most significant indication yet that our efforts have borne tangible results is the decision made by the Federal Government of Somalia on the electoral model to be used in the coming elections later this year, Madeira said. Madeira indicated he understands, that despite the terrorism challenges posed by al-Shabab, the AU mission also needs to win the support of the locals to succeed. Robust military action must go hand in hand with an equally robust, inclusive and effective political reconciliation process to win the hearts and minds of the population, he said. Haitian lawmakers have chosen legislative leader Jocelerme Privert as the country's interim president to fill the void left by the recent departure of former president Michel Martelly. Privert received the nod from his fellow lawmakers after a lengthy legislative session that lasted from Saturday into Sunday. Privert said after the vote he hopes to lead a government that will "foster confidence within all sectors of society." A new election will be held in the coming months. Embattled Haitian president Martelly left office last Sunday as required by Haiti's constitution. Ahead of Martelly's departure, the former pop music star told lawmakers in Port-Au-Prince that he was leaving office "to contribute to constitutional normalcy." Martelly's exit was the latest turn in a months-long political crisis triggered by a first round of elections in October that featured 54 candidates seeking to succeed Martelly. Critics described those polls as rife with corruption and rigged in favor of little-known ruling party candidate Jovenel Moise. Election tallies triggered protests across the capital and prompted opposition leaders to announce a boycott of any runoff. A second round of voting has since been postponed twice over security concerns in and around the capital, leaving Haiti still struggling to establish a stable and enduring democracy 30 years after the overthrow of the Jean-Claude Duvalier dictatorship. Analysts say the ongoing political turmoil has discouraged badly needed foreign investment in the country of 10 million people - already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The lack of foreign funds has in turn undercut efforts to recover from a 2010 earthquake that left parts of Port-Au-Prince in ruins. Five Palestinians have been killed and another critically wounded by Israeli forces in the West Bank, the Israeli army said. Late Sunday, two Palestinians were fatally shot after they opened fire with automatic weapons on Israeli security forces near Jerusalem's Damascus Gate. Earlier in the day, the army said two teenagers were throwing stones at cars in the West Bank city of Jenin. When the military forces arrived, one of the teens opened fire prompting soldiers to respond, killing them both. The Palestinian Health Ministry said both Palestinians were 15 years old. Israeli authorities say a Palestinian was shot dead after attempting to stab Israeli border police on the outskirts of Jerusalem . No Israeli officers were injured in the attack. Palestinian officials identified the assailant as a 17-year old from a village near Bethlehem. Since October, Palestinian stabbings, shootings and assaults have killed 27 Israelis, while at least 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops. Analysts say Palestinians frustrations with Israeli occupation coupled with the lack of progress over peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have led to the unrest. The director of a prison in northeast Mexico where 49 people died in a riot this week was accused of murder and detained, along with two others, a state prosecutor said Saturday. The riot, likely the deadliest in Mexico's history, happened in the old and crowded Topo Chico prison in Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon, just days ahead of a planned visit by Pope Francis to another jail in Mexico's far north. The prison warden, Gregoria Salazar, and the deputy superintendent, Jesus Fernando Dominguez, were accused of homicide and abuse of authority and placed in preventive custody, said Roberto Flores, Nuevo Leon's prosecutor. A prison guard, Jose Reyes Hernandez, was also detained, Flores told a news conference. The riot started when fighting broke out in two areas of the Topo Chico prison between supporters of a gang leader known as "Zeta 27" and another group. The prison has long housed members of the feared Zetas drug cartel, who many believed controlled it. "Who is directly responsible? ... The director of the penitentiary," Flores told reporters. For much of the last decade, the Zetas spread terror across Mexico before being debilitated by arrests and the deaths of their founding members. The gang was also linked to another prison incident in Nuevo Leon in 2012, when 44 inmates died after Zetas members plotted with guards to stage an elaborate escape. South Korea said on Sunday that 70 percent of the U.S. dollars paid as wages and other fees for the now-suspended Kaesong industrial project run jointly with the North had been diverted for use in Pyongyang's weapons program and luxury goods for its leader. It is the first formal acknowledgement by the South that the 54,000 North Korean workers at the Kaesong complex saw little of the $160 they were paid on average a month. South Korea on Wednesday suspended the project as punishment for the North's long-range rocket launch Feb. 7, saying it would no longer allow the funds paid to Kaesong to be used in the North's missile and nuclear programs. The North conducted its fourth nuclear test last month. The North called the South's move to suspend operations "a declaration of war," kicking out all South Korean workers Thursday and freezing the assets of the South Korean firms. "The wages for the North's workers and other fees were paid in cash in U.S. dollars to the North's authorities and not to the workers," South Korea's Unification Ministry said. "This is believed to be channelled in the same way as other foreign currency it earned." The cash is then kept and managed by the ruling Workers' Party's Office 39 and other agencies, the ministry said. The ministry said it had confirmed the movement of the money through various sources, but did not specify them. Office 39 is widely believed to exist to finance the luxurious lifestyle of the North's leader. The office is also believed to be part of the North's agencies that fund the country's missile and nuclear program. Kaesong's North Korean workers were given a taste of life in the South, working for the 124 mostly small- and medium-sized manufacturers that operated there, about 54 km (34 miles) northwest of Seoul. The minimum wage for North Korean workers was about $70 a month, although the companies paid more than double that amount after overtime and bonuses, although that payment is low compared to the cost of labor in the South. The Kaesong project was born out of the first summit meeting of the rival Koreas in 2000, where their leaders pledged reconciliation and cooperation. It was the last remaining symbol of that effort in the volatile North-South ties over the years. Kaesong had been shut only once before, for five months in 2013, amid heightened tensions following North Korea's third nuclear test, although its continuing existence often seemed tenuous. U.S President Barack Obama has discussed the Syria crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the importance of Moscow playing "a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria." The two leaders spoke by phone Saturday to "discuss the decisions and agreements made at the February 11 meeting of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and to stress the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas of Syria," a White House statement said Sunday. The Obama-Putin discussion came just days after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced a plan for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria within a week, with a formal cease-fire to follow at a later date. Russia began carrying out airstrikes in Syria in late September, with the stated goal of diminishing Islamic State forces. But Western governments say the majority of the airstrikes are targeting moderate groups opposed to Syrian President Bashir al-Assad. Moscow has rejected the criticism. As the Obama-Putin talks unfolded Saturday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev said the Syrian conflict has triggered what he called "a new Cold War." Speaking at the Munich conference, Medvedev linked heightened East-West tensions to NATO expansion and "regime change projects." On Sunday in Munich, U.S. Senator John McCain, a staunch critic of Russia's role in Syria, said Putin is "not interested" in being a partner to international efforts to end the multi-factioned war in Syria. Speaking at the close of the ISSG conference, McCain accused Putin of using airstrikes in Syria "as a live-fire exercise" aimed at evaluating and upgrading Russian military technology. He also accused the Russian leader of trying to turn Syria's Latkia province into a "military outpost from which to harden and enforce a Russian sphere of influence." I want to be wrong," McCain said, while voicing fears that "the war in Syria will, in his words, "grind on, more innocent people will die, Western credibility and influence will diminish, the refugees will continue to flow out, [and] the terrorists will continue to flow in." Pope Francis held an open air Mass Sunday for some 300,000 Catholic faithful in Mexico City's gritty suburb of Ecatepec. The pontiff, in his message, spoke out against the drug trade and associated violence, a central theme of his five-day visit. "Let's get that in our heads, with the devil there is no dialogue," he said while urging the faithful to resist vanity, pride and wealth. In a final prayer at the end of the Mass, Francis urged Mexicans to be on the " front lines'' in forging their country's future. He urged them to make their country "a land of opportunities, where there will be no need to emigrate in order to dream, no need to be exploited in order to work, no need to make the despair and poverty of many the opportunism of a few, a land that will not have to mourn men and women, young people and children who are destroyed at the hands of the dealers of death.'' The city of Ecatepec lies in the populous state of Mexico, a region plagued by warring drug cartels and infamous for a spate of disappearances of women, whose bodies have turned up in abandoned lots or canals. According to the National Citizens Observatory on Femicide [murders of women], in 2011 and 2012, nearly 1,300 girls and women -- more than half between the ages of 10 and 17 -- disappeared in Mexico, while 448 were murdered, many with gruesome violence. Further data shows that only about one-in-four such cases are investigated, with less than 2 percent of those leading to arrests and convictions. On Saturday, the Pope called on Mexican leaders to provide "true justice" and security in the country after years of endemic drug violence, official corruption and poverty. Francis told President Enrique Pena Nieto and assembled lawmakers in Mexico City they have a responsibility to help citizens gain access to "indispensable material and spiritual goods," including housing, employment and a peaceful environment." In a separate address to Mexican bishops, Francis urged the clerics to take a more aggressive stand against drug trafficking and corruption. He challenged church leaders to denounce what he called the "insidious threat" posed by trafficking. Chiapas On Monday, the pope travels to Chiapas, Mexico's poorest state, where he will preside over a Mass conducted in three indigenous languages. He then visits Morelia, the capital of the western state of Michoacan, where farmers in 2013 took up arms to battle the so-called Knights Templar drug cartel. Francis caps his visit Wednesday in the U.S.-Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico's former murder capital, where he is expected to address issues of crime, trafficking and migration. Most presidential candidates reacted quickly to the news of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia with messages expressing sorrow for Scalia's passing, admiration for his service, and condolences to his family. Here's the reaction from the candidates seeking their party's nomination for president. Republicans laud adherence to letter of Constitution Texas Senator Ted Cruz called Scalia "one of the greatest Justices in history," and praised his focus on the original text of the U.S. Constitution "after decades of judicial activism." Businessman Donald Trump, also said Scalia was "one of the best of all time." Trump also praised Scalia's "reverence for the constitution" and "legacy of protecting Americans most cherished freedoms." Marco Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, recalled attending oral arguments during a 2014 Supreme Court case that ruled prayers could be said at the beginning of town meetings. Rubio said watching "Justice Scalia eloquently defend religious freedom" was a memory he will hold forever. Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Scalia was "an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow." Retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson said Scalia's "towering intellect and trenchant wit has characterized the deliberations and decisions of the high court." Carson also noted Scalia's adherence to the letter of the law "angered Americans on both the left and the right, but he has never wavered in his dedication to the Constitution." Former Florida governor Jeb Bush said Scalia was his "favorite justice," and that Scalia's "decisions were models of clarity and good sense." Democrats didn't agree with Scalia Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders noted that while he "differed with Justice Scalia's views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful, and outspoken member of the Supreme Court." Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted that while she did not "hold Justice Scalia's views ... he was a dedicated public servant who brought energy and passion to the bench." Calls for delay in filling seat Republican's Cruz, Rubio and Carson all called for Scalia's replacement to be named by the next president, who will be inaugurated Jan. 20, 2017. Clinton said those calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant " dishonor our Constitution," and said the U.S. Senate "has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." President Obama announced Saturday he plans to nominate a successor "in due time." Shock spread through official Washington and beyond Saturday, as word came of the death of Antonin Scalia, an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court known for his towering intellect, outsize personality and conservatism. Scalia, 79, was found dead early Saturday at a resort in western Texas, with early reports attributing the death to natural causes. The White House expressed President Obama's "deepest condolences" to the Scalia family, while Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, in a statement, called Scalia an "extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues." Texas Governor Greg Abbot called him "a man of God, a patriot and an unwavering defender of the written constitution." Rapid Rise Linked to legal writings, wit Appointed in 1971 by President Richard Nixon as counsel for the Office of Telecommunications Policy, Scalia was later nominated by President Ronald Reagan to the District of Columbia Circuit Court, where he built a conservative record in large part, according to analysts, based on his powerful and eloquently crafted legal writings. He so impressed Reagan administration officials, including Attorney General Ed Meese, that Reagan named him to the Supreme Court in 1986 to fill the seat vacated by the appointment of William Rehnquist as chief justice. The first Italian-American to serve on the court, the outspoken Scalia was an staunch opponent of abortion, affirmative action, and what he called the "homosexual agenda." He was also renowned for his sharp questioning of lawyers presenting cases to the court. In 2009, author Joan Biskupic quoted a study showing he provoked laughter on the bench more often than any of his colleagues. Key role in 2000 Bush versus Gore case Scalia played a pivotal role in in the court's 2000 decision Bush vs. Gore, which ended a recount of the presidential vote in Florida, effectively deciding the presidency for George W. Bush. Years later, he continued to tell critics of that decision to "get over it." Writing in The New Republic, Judge Richard A. Posner, a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago, described Scalia in 2011 as "the most influential justice of the last quarter century." Lawyer Adam Liptak, Supreme Court correspondent for the New York Times, called him "a champion of originalism," the theory of constitutional interpretation that seeks to grasp and apply the understanding of those who drafted and ratified the Constitution. "In Justice Scalias hands, originalism generally led to outcomes that pleased political conservatives, but not always," Liptak writes. His approach was helpful to criminal defendants in cases involving sentencing and the cross-examination of witnesses. Scalia was the only child of an immigrant father and an Italian-American mother. He was raised in a multi-ethnic neighborhood of Queens in New York City. He enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington, graduating with honors in 1957, and then attended Harvard Law School, where he met his wife of 48 years, Maureen McCarthy. Scalia is survived by nine children and 28 grandchildren. Uganda's electoral commission plans to meet with both local and international poll observers on Monday ahead of the February 18 presidential, parliamentary and local elections. The electoral officials say they will brief the poll monitors about preparations made so far to ensure the polls are free, transparent and credible. They also said the electoral commission would seek to inform the poll observers what is expected of them during the elections. The electoral body has so far approved about 2,000 poll observers who would be deployed across the country to monitor the elections. They have been coming in to pay courtesy calls to also ask a few preliminary questions. They have been around so we think they also have notes they have made through their observations since we accredited them, and on Monday we will share with them and to learn something from them, said Jotham Taremwa, spokesman for the electoral commission. He denied media reports that there appears to be rising tension among supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and opposition supporters from the Forum for Democratic Change (DFC) as well as supporters of independent candidate, Patrick Amama Mbabazi, who is a former prime minister. Opposition supporters accuse the NRM of using state institutions including the police and other security agencies to intimidate and harass them in a bid to suppress opposition voter turnout in the upcoming polls. Taremwa says the electoral commission has embarked on a nationwide campaign to educate prospective voters about their rights and responsibilities in the run up to the elections. We have a very good relationship with the Uganda police force, we work closely, and they have not disappointed us, said Taremwa. Politicians are bound to say anything, but we have come out as a commission to conduct public campaigns to ensure that everybody works for violent free polls and a peaceful elections." He says the commission would be using the biometric system to administer the polls, which he says would ensure transparency and credibility of the elections. We think with that system in place the question of voter bribery or voter impersonation or voting more than once has been solved, said Taremwa. We have conducted enough voter education and we have intensified our voter education messages in all kinds of media. So we think the public is fully aware. Meanwhile, a latest opinion poll conducted by IPSOS Synovate shows incumbent President Yoweri Museveni will win the presidential election with 53 percent, while main challenger Dr. Kizza Besigye of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) comes in second with 28 percent. The survey which was conducted in February 1-8 showed a two-person race with the 6 other presidential contenders recording less than 2 percent of those surveyed. Watch video: Adding elections to Valentines Day Ugandans tuned in Saturday as the nation's first-ever presidential debate attended by all candidates - including President Yoweri Museveni - took place in Kampala. Many say it was a small victory for democracy. In homes and bars across the country, Ugandans were fixated on their screens as the eight political candidates running for president took part in the national debate. Those who could not watch tuned in on their cellphones, cheering and applauding as candidates addressed issues important to them. At the forefront was President Yoweri Museveni, who is running for his fifth term in office. Speculation over whether President Museveni would attend the debate was rampant throughout the capital, up until the moment he stepped out onto the red carpet at the debate hall. Excitement was high as the debate got under way. Crispy Kaheru, a coordinator for the Citizens Coalition for Electoral Democracy Uganda (CCEDU) attended the debates and said it showed an important shift in how citizens were encouraging political dialogue in Uganda. Uganda is one of those countries where the culture of debate is not deeply entrenched. And seeing us making baby steps in that direction is very much encouraging. And beyond a debate of this nature, I think it lays a foundation for dialogue processes to happen post the election, which is important for this country, said Kaheru. This was a sentiment shared by many, including Jermaine Eguesa, who said the organization of the event and questions posed gave him a feeling of empowerment. I must say it makes sense discussing foreign policy with an incumbent who has been largely in charge for the foreign policy. It made a lot of sense for me....On the overall I think it's a telling statement for people who do not believe Africa can actually practice democracy. I have been to foreign countries I know how some stereotypes are about African politics. But I think it's a telling statement. There were no fist-fights there was no name calling, it was very civil it's been very decent...Everybody has put their best foot forward, said Eguesa. Supporters of President Museveni, such as Susan Ojyra, said she was glad Museveni could attend the debates this time, and that she preferred his straightforward style to answering questions. The other time when he was so busy they started speculating that he was fearing the debate. Why should he fear debate?...we feel honored because we are sure of his answers. According to the last debate actually some candidates were failing to answer straight questions, some were dodging questions, she said. Although many citizens have already picked their preferred candidate, some say the debates helped them choose who to vote for. Voting in Uganda is scheduled to take place this Thursday. Six Ugandan presidential candidates waited for several minutes after being introduced at Saturday evening's debate before President Yoweri Museveni appeared belatedly on stage. Because Museveni has never participated in such a debate during his 30 years in office, the moment was historic. The president offered an explanation as to why he missed a previous debate in January. "Thank you very much for organizing this debate, he said. The other time I did not come because I was far away." The eight candidates the last one appeared later in the event focused on foreign policy and national security issues, while touching on other topics. Health care and education dominated the first debate. At a Glance: Ugandan Elections At a Glance: Ugandan Elections These are Uganda's third general elections since the start of multi-party politics in 2005. President Yoweri Museveni and his NRM party won landslide victories in the 2006 and 2011 polls. Observers said both polls were marred by irregularities and intimidation of opposition parties. Museveni, 71, has been president since seizing power in a 1986 coup. His main challengers in this year's vote, longtime opposition leader Kizza Besigye and former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, have seen election rallies broken up by police during the campaign. Top issues this year include chronically high unemployment, corruption and Uganda's international role. At the final presidential debate, candidates discussed whether the country should continue sending troops to conflict areas like Somalia, and whether it should pull out of the International Criminal Court. 15 million Ugandans are registered to vote in the polls. This time around, candidates gave their positions on topics such as whether Uganda should continue sending troops to conflict zones like Somalia and South Sudan; how the country can best fight terrorism threats; if it should withdraw from the International Criminal Court; and how best to improve the economy. Museveni with the ruling NRM party was joined on stage by Kizza Besigye, the longtime leader of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change, and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister to the president who is running as an independent, as well as five other candidates. Besigye has run against Museveni three times before, losing each time amid accusations that the president's supporters rigged the vote and intimidated his opponents. In the debate, the 71-year-old Museveni briefly addressed one of the biggest concerns about his presidency. "Finally, about democracy, democracy means that people support you, he said. If they don't support you, you don't win. That's all." Businessman Edward Luwemba, who attended the debate, said Ugandans benefit from hearing the views of all the candidates. "Look, they want to make informed decisions, on reason and logic. Not just a matter of I love so and so,' but they want to know what someone is going to offer them," he said. Ugandans head to the polls Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has used a visit to Albania to thank the government for resettling members of an Iranian opposition group known as the Mujahedin e Khalq, or MEK. Over the past two years, Albania has taken in about 1,000 members of the MEK and has committed to resettling an additional 2,000, said a senior State Department official. Most lived in U.S.-backed camps in Iraq. Ahead of Kerrys Sunday visit to Tirana, the official said Kerry would not talk publicly about the resettlement effort, which remains a sensitive issue. The U.S. has assisted Albania in its efforts to resettle the MEK, a group that has supported the U.S. in military operations in the Middle East and in its fight against terrorism. The U.S. assistance includes a donation of $20 million to the U.N. refugee agency to help resettle the MEK, said the State Department official. The U.S. has also provided Albania with security and economic development assistance, to help the country build up its physical capacity to house the refugees. Support for Albania's justice reforms Kerrys visit comes at a time when Albania is trying to adopt judicial reforms, as part of a wider effort to combat corruption. Kerry praised those efforts in his public remarks in Tirana The country is considering legislation that would bring Albanias judicial sector more in line with U.S. and European norms. The measure would also create an entity similar to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. and European Union provided advice to help Albania draft the provision, which would create a special anti-corruption force. Your country is moving in the right direction, said Secretary Kerry during an appearance with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Kerry added that he was encouraged by the judicial reform package under consideration. Without the support and advice of the United States, Albania would not have managed to make so much progress in its reforms, said Rama. The judicial reforms could also benefit Albania in its bid for EU accession. Kerry traveled to Albania from Germany, where he participated in the Munich Security Conference and an International Syria Support Group meeting. He received a robust welcome in Albania, that included a column of U.S. and Albanian flags lining the streets along his main routes and onlookers who crowded street corners to catch a glimpse of his passing motorcade. In addition to meeting with the countrys prime and foreign ministers, he met with opposition leaders and civil society groups. The U.S. State Department has called for the release of three Iranian opposition members held under house arrest without charge. Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, both candidates in the 2009 presidential election, have spent five years in house arrest along with Mousavis wife, womens rights advocate Zahra Rahnavard. The two men led large-scale protests in 2009 after losing the presidential election to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a vote they say was rigged. They have been detained since February 14, 2011 when their supporters staged an anti-government protest in the capital, Tehran. In a statement Sunday, the State Department said it joins the international community in condemning the continued detention of the opposition leaders and "the harassment of their family members." "The United States will continue to urge the Iranian Government to respect its international obligations, including minimum fair trial guarantees and not subjecting its citizens to arbitrary arrest or detention," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "We repeat our appeal for the immediate release of these individuals and of all prisoners who are being held for their religious or political beliefs." The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia set off a legal and political earthquake in Washington and beyond. The arch-conservative jurists passing guarantees a confrontation between the White House and the Republican-led Senate on confirming a successor, and could put ideological control of the high court at stake in this years presidential election. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, Justice Antonin Scalia authored some of the Supreme Court's most conservative and impactful opinions on voting rights, immigration, and terror suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to name but a few. He also authored some of the high courts most colorful dissents on President Barack Obamas signature health care law, gay rights, and prayer in public schools. Although Obama and Scalia rarely saw eye-to-eye on constitutional matters, the president was quick to pay tribute to Scalia and his judicial legacy. For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin Nino Scalia was a larger-than-life presence on the bench -- a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style, incisive wit, and colorful opinions, Obama said. He influenced a generation of judges, lawyers, and students, and profoundly shaped the legal landscape. He will no doubt be remembered as one of the most consequential judges and thinkers to serve on the Supreme Court. Justice Scalia dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy: The rule of law. Focus on vacancy No sooner had condolences and tributes been uttered, the nations attention shifted to filling the Supreme Court vacancy. Federal judicial nominees must be confirmed by the Senate, and Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell swiftly issued a statement saying, The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Obama, meanwhile, signaled he will not be deterred. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, the president said. Senators across the ideological spectrum were quick to weigh in. Republicans, two of whom are vying to be their partys presidential nominee, say no Supreme Court pick will be confirmed until a new president is sworn in next year. Were not going to move forward until theres an election. And I think thats the right decision, said Senator and presidential hopeful Marco Rubio, speaking on ABCs This Week program. The Senate has not confirmed a nominee that was named in the final year, an election year, in 80 years. This is a lame-duck president, said another presidential contender, Republican Ted Cruz, also on ABC. This next election needs to be a referendum on the court. The people need to decide. Senate Democrats disagree The fact is, when you elect a president, you have to assume a Supreme Court vacancy, he is going to make the nomination, said Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, speaking on CNNs State of the Union program. And it would be a sheer dereliction of duty for the Senate not to have a hearing, not to have a vote. The constitution is pretty clear. Its the job of the president of the United States to appoint, nominate members of the Supreme Court, and the Senate confirms, said Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president as a Democrat, on ABC. President Obama in my view should make that nomination. I hope he does it as soon as possible. Such arguments triggered a blunt response from Cruz. If the Democrats want to replace this nominee, they need to win the election, the senator said. Supreme Court justices have lifetime appointments, and Scalias successor could move the courts ideological center of gravity on a multitude of polarizing issues including abortion, gun control, corporate power, and environmental regulation. If Senate Republicans hold true to their pledge, the November election will not only decide the next occupant of the White House for four years, it will impact the makeup of the Supreme Court for a generation or more. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the longest-serving justice on the high court, is dead. Scalia died in his sleep of natural causes at Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in southwest Texas. The conservative Scalia was 79 years old. He was appointed to the high court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. The White House says President Barack Obama has sent his condolences to Scalia's family and plans to make a more extensive statement later Saturday. Chief Justice John Roberts, in confirming Scalia's death, called him an "extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues." Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, who first announced Scalia's death, called him "an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the rule of law...a solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution." There are nine justices on the Supreme Court. It will be up to the president to nominate Scalia's replacement, who will need to be confirmed by the Senate. But an eight-member court can also decide cases. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, immediately voiced opposition to President Obama nominating a successor. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president," McConnell said said Saturday. Obama would almost certainly nominate a liberal to the court. McConnell is banking on a Republican winning the presidency in November and naming a conservative. With Scalia, the conservatives on the court enjoyed a slim 5-4 majority, although Justice Anthony Kennedy occasionally voted with his more liberal colleagues, most notably on the recent case they made gay marriage legal in the U.S. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Rarry Reid said Obama "can and should send the Senate a nominee right away." Mr, Obama intends to nominate a new Supreme Court justice. A Zanu PF lawmaker and a senior official of the Movement for Democratic Change led by former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai say there is no room for factionalism in their parties. Joseph Tshuma, who is also a Zanu PF Central Committee member, said in a panel discussion that the current internal strife in his party pitting groups eyeing the succession of 91-year-old President Mugabe, is doing a lot of harm. He commended recent remarks made by Mr. Mugabe that party members must stop factionalism in order to focus on issues affecting Zimbabweans and to strengthen Zanu PF ahead of the 2018 general elections. Indeed let us focus on building our nation, lets make sure that Zimbabwe goes ahead (develops). Factionalism must be eradicated, it does not build it destroys. We dont want something that is destructive, we want something that glues (party members together). He could not say how this could be stopped amid serious conflicts in the party pitting two bitter camps one allegedly led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and another calling itself Generation 40 or G40 using First Lady Grace Mugabe as its likely candidate for succeeding President Mugabe. Mrs. Mugabe last Friday attacked the Mnangagwa faction, widely known now as the Lacoste Group, for allegedly attempting to topple the president, an accusation similar to the one laid against former Vice President Joice Mujuru before she was expelled from the party. The former vice president and her colleagues, who include former Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo and former party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and several others, have dismissed these allegations as baseless. On factionalism, Abednico Bhebhe of the MDC-T believes that there is no factionalism in his party despite the expulsion of Senator Matson Hlalo in Bulawayo last Friday and several other incidents related to internal conflicts. I am not qualified to discuss factionalism because we dont have factionalism in our party. We respect each other. We are preparing to ourselves to actually rescue Zimbabweans from the problems that they are facing right now. We have seen all the factionalism in Zanu PF. We believe that this factionalism is the one that is taking Zimbabwe back and is the one that is diverting the attention of Zimbabweans from the problems they are facing particularly of hunger and economic decline. Reacting to these remarks, Tshuma said some of these issues are created by the media. You end up seeing somebody who is not your enemy as your enemy number one. Mr. Bhebhe will be lying to himself when he says their party has no factionalism. In fact, its full of that as well. Bhebhe said the factionalism bedeviling Zanu PF is fueled by a leadership vacuum as they need to seriously think about removing President Mugabe who is now a national liability. President Mugabe will be turning 92 this month, making him one of the oldest presidents in the world. He has been in power since Zimbabwe attained independence from British rule in 1980. A Zimbabwean living in Ireland says he has teamed up with some colleagues from Kezi, Matabeleland region, in developing schools in the areas of origin. Addmore Bonani Mlilo, who works in the Irish capital, Dublin, said he is helping several schools together with at least 28 other Zimbabweans in ensuring that children in Kezi and surrounding areas get good education. He told VOA Studio 7 that they normally pool their personal resources for making different packages for needy schools. We come from a place called Nhlupho. We discovered as former students that the area does not have proper secondary school as the one in the area had only two blocks that did not have chairs and they were not painted and plastered. So, kids had to travel for long journeys to the nearest secondary school to write examinations at another school which is 17 kilometres away. We then decided to collect money among ourselves to help in developing the local school. He said they set up an organization they called Nhlupho Development Project, which was designed to provide some of the basic infrastructure needed by the school. We noticed that the school did not have a cottage for teachers who never used to stay for long when they were hired. We have since built a five-roomed cottage at the school for teachers. Mlilo has since teamed up with his brother and about 28 colleagues to help more schools that lack the necessary resources. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Design upgrade Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleague Mr Valls, distinguished Mr Ischinger, my speech will be of a more general nature, but I hope it will be useful. The first cold war ended 25 years ago. This is not long in terms of history, but it is a considerable period for individual people and even for generations. And it is certainly sufficient for assessing our common victories and losses, setting new goals and, of course, avoiding a repetition of past mistakes. The Munich Security Conference has been known as a venue for heated and frank discussion. This is my first time here. Today Id like to tell you about Russias assessment of the current European security situation and possible solutions to our common problems, which have been aggravated by the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West. Before coming to this conference, I met with President Putin. We talked about his speech at the Munich conference in 2007. He said then that ideological stereotypes, double standards and unilateral actions do not ease but only fan tensions in international relations, reducing the international communitys opportunities for adopting meaningful political decisions. Did we overstate this? Were our assessments of the situation too pessimistic? Unfortunately, I have to say that the situation is now even worse than we feared. Developments have taken a much more dramatic turn since 2007. The concept of Greater Europe has not materialised. Economic growth has been very weak. Conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa have increased in scale. The migration crisis is pushing Europe towards collapse. Relations between Europe and Russia have soured. A civil war is raging in Ukraine. In this context, we need to launch an intensive dialogue on the future architecture of Euro-Atlantic security, global stability and regional threats more than ever before. I consider it unacceptable that this dialogue has almost ceased in many spheres. The problem of miscommunication has been widely recognised both in Western Europe and in Russia. The mechanisms that allowed us to promptly settle mutual concerns have been cut off. Moreover, weve lost our grasp of the culture of mutual arms control, which we used for a long time as the basis for strengthening mutual trust. Partnership initiatives, which took much time and effort to launch, are expiring one by one. The proposed European security treaty has been put on hold. The idea of a Russia-EU Committee on Foreign Policy and Security, which I discussed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Meseberg, has not materialised. We believe that NATOs policy towards Russia remains unfriendly and generally obdurate. Speaking bluntly, we are rapidly rolling into a period of a new cold war. Russia has been presented as well-nigh the biggest threat to NATO, or to Europe, America and other countries (and Mr Stoltenberg has just demonstrated that). They show frightening films about Russians starting a nuclear war. I am sometimes confused: is this 2016 or 1962? But the real threats to this small world are of an absolutely different nature, as I hope you will admit. The term European security is now more embracing that it used to be. Forty years ago it concerned above all military and political relations in Europe. But new issues have come to the fore since then, such as sustainable economic development, inequality and poverty, unprecedented migration, new forms of terrorism and regional conflicts, including in Europe. I am referring to Ukraine, the volatile Balkans, and Moldova that is teetering on the brink of a national collapse. The cross-border threats and challenges, which we for a while believed to have been overcome, have returned with a new strength. The new threats, primarily terrorism and extremism, have lost their abstract form for the majority of people. They have become reality for millions in many countries. As Mr Valls has just mentioned, they have become a daily threat. We can expect an airplane to be blown up or people in a cafe to be shot every day. These used to be everyday events in the Middle East, but now its the same the world over. We see that economic, social and military challenges have become mutually complementary. But we continue to act randomly, inconsistently, and in many cases exclusively in our own national interests. Or a scapegoat is appointed in an arbitrary manner. I am offering you five theses on security as such. First, the economy. We have approached a change in paradigm in international economic relations. The traditional schemes are no longer effective. Political expediency is taking priority over simple and clear economic reason. The code of conduct is revised ad hoc to suit a specific problem or task or is bluntly ignored. Ill just point out how the International Monetary Fund adjusted its fundamental rules on lending to countries with overdue sovereign debt when the issue concerned Ukraines sovereign debt to Russia. Talks on creating economic mega-blocs could result in the erosion of the system of global economic rules. Globalisation, which was a desired objective, has to a certain extent played a cruel joke on us. I personally talked about this with my colleagues at the G8 meetings when everyone needed them. But times change rapidly. Even a minor economic shift in one country now hits whole markets and countries almost immediately. And global regulation mechanisms cannot effectively balance national interests. The energy market remains extremely unstable. Its volatility has affected both importers and exporters. We regret that the practice of unilateral economic pressure in the form of sanctions is gaining momentum. Decisions are taken arbitrarily and at times in violation of international law. This is undermining the operating foundations of international economic organisations, including the World Trade Organisation. We have always said, I have always said that sanctions hit not only those against whom they are imposed but also those who use them as an instrument of pressure. How many joint initiatives have been suspended because of sanctions! I have just met with German businessmen and we discussed this issue. Have we properly calculated not only the direct but also the indirect costs for European and Russian business? Are our differences really so deep, or are they not worth it? All of you here in this audience do you really need this? This is a road to nowhere. Everyone will suffer, mark my words. It is vitally important that we join forces to strengthen a new global system that can combine the principles of effectiveness and fairness, market openness and social protection. Second, the crisis of the global economic development model is creating conditions for a variety of conflicts, including regional conflicts. European politicians thought that the creation of the so-called belt of friendly countries on the outer border of the EU would reliably guarantee security. But what are the results of this policy? What you have is not a belt of friendly countries, but an exclusion zone with local conflicts and economic trouble both on the eastern borders (Ukraine and Moldova) and on the southern borders (the Middle East and North Africa, Libya and Syria). The result is that these regions have become a common headache for all of us. The Normandy format has helped us launch negotiations on Ukraine. We believe that there are no better instruments for a peaceful settlement than the Minsk Agreements. We welcome Frances balanced and constructive stance on Ukraine and on all other acute international issues. I fully agree with Mr Valls that the Russian-French dialogue never stopped, and that it has produced concrete results. It is true that all sides must comply with the Minsk Agreements. But implementation primarily depends on Kiev. Why them? Not because we are trying to shift responsibility, but because its their time. The situation is very unstable, despite progress made in a number of areas (heavy weaponry withdrawal, the OSCE mission and other issues). What is Russias biggest concern? First and most important, a comprehensive ceasefire is not being observed in southeastern Ukraine. Shooting is routinely reported at the line of contact, which should not be happening. And we must send a clear signal to all the parties involved, in this regard. Second, amendments to the Ukrainian Constitution have not been approved to this day, although this should have been done by the end of 2015. And the law on a special status for Donbass has not been implemented. Instead of coordinating specific decentralisation parameters with the regions, and this is the crucial issue, Ukraine has adopted so-called transitional provisions, even though the above requirements were put in black and white in the Minsk Agreements. Third, Kiev continues to insist that local elections be based on a new Ukrainian law. Furthermore, Kiev has not implemented its commitment on a broad amnesty that should embrace all those who were involved in the developments in Ukraine in 2014-2015. Without being amnestied, these people will be unable to participate in elections, which will make any election results questionable. The OSCE will not endorse this. As I said, the Minsk Agreements must be implemented in full and this is Russias stance on the issue. At the same time, being reasonable people open to discussing various ideas, including a compromise, we, for instance, accepted the initiative of Mr Steinmeier on the temporary application of the law on special status as soon as the election campaign begins. After the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights recognises the election results, this law must be applied permanently. But theres still no progress here, despite the compromise suggested. Of course, the humanitarian situation is extremely alarming. The economy of southeastern Ukraine is deteriorating, that part of Ukraine is blockaded, and the German Chancellors initiative on the restoration of the banking system in the region there has been rejected. Tens of thousands of people are living on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. Oddly, Russia seems to be more concerned about this than Ukraine, why is this so? We have been sending and will have to continue sending humanitarian convoys to southeastern Ukraine. I must say that Russia has shown and will continue to show reasonable flexibility in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements where this doesnt contradict their essence. But we cant do what is not in our competence. That is, we cannot implement the political and legal obligations of the Kiev government. This is under the direct authority of the President, the Government and the Parliament of Ukraine. But unfortunately, it appears that they dont have the will or a desire to do it. I think this has become obvious to everyone. As for Syria, we have been working and will continue to work to implement joint peace initiatives. This is a difficult path, but there is no alternative to an interethnic and interreligious dialogue. We must preserve Syria as a union state and prevent its dissolution for denominational reasons. The world will not survive another Libya, Yemen or Afghanistan. The consequences of this scenario will be catastrophic for the Middle East. The work of the International Syria Support Group gives us a certain hope. They gathered here the day before yesterday and coordinated a list of practical measures aimed at implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, including the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians and outlining the conditions for a ceasefire, except for terrorist groups, of course. The implementation of these measures is to be led by Russia and the United States. I would like to emphasise that the daily work of the Russian and American militaries is the key here. Im talking about regular work without the need to seek incidental contacts, day-to-day work, everyday work. Of course, there should be no preliminary conditions to start the talks on the settlement between the Syrian government and opposition, and there is no need to impend anyone with a land military operation. Third, we sincerely believe that if we fail to normalise the situation in Syria and other conflict areas, terrorism will become a new form of war that will spread around the world. It will not be just a new form of war but a method of settling ethnic and religious conflict, and a form of quasi-state governance. Imagine a group of countries that are governed by terrorists through terrorism. Is this the 21st century? It is common knowledge that terrorism is not a problem within individual countries. Russia first raised this alarm two decades ago. We tried to convince our partners that the core causes were not just ethnic or religious differences. Take ISIS, whose ideology is not based on Islamic values but on a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy. Terrorism is civilisations problem. Its either us or them, and its time for everyone to realise this. There are no nuances or undertones, no justifications for terrorist actions, no dividing terrorists into ours or theirs, into moderate or extremist. The destruction of the Russian plane over Sinai, the terrorist attacks in Paris, London, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, Iraq, Mali, Yemen and other countries, the grisly executions of hostages, thousands of victims, and endless other threats are evidence that international terrorism defies state borders. Terrorists and extremists are trying to spread their influence not only throughout the Middle East and North Africa but also to the whole of Central Asia. Unfortunately, they have so far been successful, mostly because we are unable to set our differences aside and to really join forces against them. Even cooperation at the security services level has been curtailed. And this is ridiculous, like we dont want to work with you. Daesh should be grateful to my colleagues, the leaders of the Western countries who have suspended this cooperation. Before coming to this conference, I read much material, including some by Western experts. Even those who dont think positively about Russia admit that, despite our differences, the anti-terrorist formula will not be effective without Russia. On the other hand, they sometimes frame this conclusion in an overall correct, but slightly different way, saying that a weak Russia is even more dangerous than a strong Russia. Fourth, regional conflicts and terrorism are closely related to the unprecedentedly large issue of uncontrolled migration. This could be described as a great new transmigration of peoples and the culmination of the numerous problems of modern global development. It has affected not only Western Europe but also Russia. The inflow of migrants from Syria to Russia is not very large, but the inflow of migrants from Ukraine has become a serious problem. Over a million Ukrainian refugees have entered Russia over the past 18 months. Wars and related deprivations, inequality, low standards of living, violence, and fanaticism force people to flee their homes. Unsuccessful attempts to spread Western models of democracy to a social environment that is not suited for this have resulted in the demise of entire states and have turned huge territories into zones of hostility. I remember how my colleagues once rejoiced at the so-called Arab Spring. I literally witnessed it. But has modern democracy taken root in these countries? Looks like it has, but in the form of ISIS. Human capital is degenerating in the countries the refugees are leaving. And these countries development prospects have taken a downward turn. The ongoing migration crisis is rapidly acquiring the features of a humanitarian catastrophe, at least in some parts of Europe. Social problems are growing too, along with mutual intolerance and xenophobia. Not to mention the fact that hundreds and thousands of extremists enter Europe under the guise of being refugees. Other migrants are people of an absolutely different culture who only want to receive monetary benefits without doing anything to earn them. This poses a very real danger to the common economic space. The next targets will be the cultural space and even the European identity. We watch with regret how invaluable mechanisms, which Russia also needs, are being destroyed. I am referring to the actual collapse of the Schengen zone. For our part, we are willing to do our best to help address the migration issue, including by contributing to efforts to normalise the situation in the conflict regions from which the majority of refugees come, Syria among them. And fifth, lets be as honest as possible. The majority of these challenges did not develop yesterday. And they were definitely not invented in Russia. Yet we havent learned to react to these challenges properly or even proactively. This is why the bulk of resources go into dealing with the consequences, often without identifying the root cause. Or we invest our energy not in fighting the real evil, but in deterring our neighbours, and this problem has just been voiced here The West continues to actively use this deterrence doctrine against Russia. The fallacy of this approach is that we will still be debating the same issues in 10 and even 20 years. Provided there will be anything to debate about, of course, as discussions are not on the agenda of the Great Caliphate. Opinions on the prospects for cooperation with Russia differ. Opinions also differ in Russia. But can we unite in order to stand up against the challenges I mentioned above? Yes, I am confident that we can. Yesterday we witnessed a perfect example in the area of religion. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope of the Catholic Church Francis met in Cuba following hundreds of years when the two churches did not communicate. Of course, restoring trust is a challenging task. Its difficult to say how long it would take. But it is necessary to launch this process. And this must be done without any preliminary conditions. Either all of us need to do this or none of us. In the latter case, there will be no cooperation. We often differ in our assessments of the events that took place over the past two years. However, I want to emphasise that they dont differ as much as they did 40 years ago when we signed the Final Helsinki Act and when Europe was literally divided by The Wall. When old phobias prevailed, we were deadlocked. When we managed to join forces, we succeeded. There is much evidence to support this. We managed to agree on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, which was a breakthrough achievement. We have worked out a compromise solution regarding Irans nuclear programme. We have convinced all sides in the Syrian conflict to sit down at the negotiating table in Geneva. We have coordinated actions against pirates. And the Climate Change Conference was held in Paris last year. We should replicate these positive outcomes. Ladies and gentlemen, The current architecture of European security, which was built on the ruins of World War II, allowed us to avoid global conflicts for more than 70 years. The reason for this was that this architecture was built on principles that were clear to everyone at that time, primarily the undeniable value of human life. We paid a high price for these values. But our shared tragedy forced us to rise above our political and ideological differences in the name of peace. Its true that this security system has its issues and that it sometimes malfunctions. But do we need one more, third global tragedy to understand that what we need is cooperation rather than confrontation? Id like to quote from John F. Kennedy, who used very simple but the most appropriate words, Domestic policy can only defeat us; foreign policy can kill us. In the early 1960s the world stood at the door of a nuclear apocalypse, but the two rivalling powers found the courage to admit that no political confrontation was worth the human lives. I believe that we have become wiser and more experienced and more responsible. And we are not divided by ideological phantoms and stereotypes. I believe that the challenges we are facing today will not lead to conflict but rather will encourage us to come together in a fair and equal union that will allow us to maintain peace for another 70 years, at least. Thank you. Excerpts from replies to questions by journalists Question: My name is Mingus Campbell, I am from the United Kingdom. My question is addressed to Prime Minister Medvedev. Is it accepted in Russia that increased influence in Syria brings with it responsibility for all of the citizens of Syria? And if that is so, how has that responsibility been exercised in respect of the citizens of Aleppo who are now fleeing in such numbers? Dmitry Medvedev: Thank you. I will continue answering questions concerning Syria, including the situation in Aleppo, but not limited to that. I think a large part of the people present here have never been to Syria, whereas I have been there. I made an official visit there when Syria was a quiet, peaceful, secular nation, where life was stable and balanced for everybody: the Sunnis and the Shiites, the Druze, Alawites and Christians. Almost six years have passed since then. Today we see Syria that is torn by a civil war. Let us ask a question: who is to blame for that? Is it al-Assad alone? It is absolutely evident that without a certain external influence Syria could have gone on with its life. But I remember those talks, those conversations with my partners, both European and American, who kept on telling me the same thing over and over: al-Assad is no good, he should step down, and then peace and prosperity will reign there. And what has came of it? It resulted in a civil war. This is the reason I cannot but agree with my colleague, Prime Minister Valls, in that we must join efforts to solve this issue, but we must work effectively, not just watch as events unfold there, not just watch one party attack another; not divide the warring parties into those who are on our side and adversaries, but instead sit them all down at the negotiating table, except those who we have agreed to treat as real terrorists. We know who they are. Russia is not pursuing any special goals there except the ones that have been declared. We are defending our national interests because a large number of militants fighting there came from Russia and neighbouring countries, and they can come back to wage terrorist attacks. They must stay there... This does not apply to civilians in any way. Unlike most of the countries present in the region, we have been helping civilians. Nobody has any proof that we have been bombing civilian targets there, even though they keep on talking about it, about wrong targets and so forth. They do not share information. I have just said this from the stand the military must keep in constant contact. They should call each other a dozen times a day. Otherwise there will always be skirmishes and conflicts. And this is our mission. We are ready for such cooperation. I expect that we will see some positive development from the dialogue we had here in terms of both achieving a ceasefire in Syria and the humanitarian issues. It is crucial that we should agree on key points, because otherwise, and I think it is no secret for anyone, Syria will split into separate parts, the way it happened to Libya and the way it is in fact happening with a number of other nations in the region. What does that entail? It poses a threat of the conflict becoming permanent. The civil war will go on, Daesh or its successors will always be there, while we will engage in arguments as we try to figure out which of them is good and which is bad, who should receive our support and who shouldnt. We have a common enemy, and that it the premise we should start with. Now I would like to come back to the topic of Ukraine. I cannot assess the past developments in Ukraine; the Russian leadership has already done this a number of times, including myself. I will answer the part of the question regarding the air crash investigation. Obviously, the Russian Federation is no less interested in an unbiased investigation than the countries whose citizens lost their lives in the crash. It is indeed an enormous tragedy. But even the tone of the question implies that the person asking it has already decided who is responsible, who should bear the legal responsibility, no investigation is needed, certain justice committees should be set up instead and certain legal procedures followed. But this is not the way it is done. This should be a regular comprehensive investigation that would cover all the relevant aspects. This is the first point. And second, this is unfortunately not the first case in the world of this kind. Such tragedies have never been dealt with by criminal courts or other similar agencies. These are issues of a different order. And this is what we have to agree on. Russia is ready to provide any information to contribute to a quality investigation. It didnt take Cutter Haigood long to prove he belongs at quarterback for the China Spring Cougars. Making the switch from receiver, Haigood threw a touchdown pass and rushed for two scores to lead the Cougars to a 49-12 romp over Lorena in Friday nights season opener. Haigood is taking over at quarterback for Kameron Coe who helped the Cougars finish 12-2 last season with their only two losses coming to Class 4A Division I state champion La Vega. Haigood was China Springs backup quarterback last season. Cutter did a great job for his first game out, said China Spring coach Mark Bell. Once he gets his motor going, hes a heck of a player. I like his competitive spirit. With Keaton Dudik rushing for 174 yards and three scores, China Springs speed and high-tempo offense were too much for the visiting Leopards to handle. Keaton is very quick and shifty, and once he gets in the open field hes a lot of trouble, said Lorena coach Ray Biles. I was impressed by their offensive line. They really came off the football and crushed us. We didnt make it very difficult for them. The Cougars roared to a 49-0 lead late in the third quarter before Ben Johnston returned a kickoff for Lorenas first touchdown. China Spring set the tone by driving 74 yards for a touchdown on the first drive. Haigood hit a pair of 11-yard passes to Christian Truman before scoring on a 7-yard run up the middle to give China Spring a 6-0 lead with 7:41 left in the first quarter. China Spring threatened to score again near the end of the first quarter before fumbling at Lorenas 25. But on their next possession, the Cougars moved 69 yards for their second touchdown. Dudik supplied the biggest play when he broke loose down the right sideline for 49 yards to the 25. After Haigood picked up 15 yards, he found Tyrick James wide open in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown. Haigood ran for the two-point conversion to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead with 9:29 left in the second quarter. On their next drive, the Cougars moved 83 yards for a touchdown with Dudik finishing it off with a 10-yard burst up the middle to lift the Cougars to a 21-0 lead with 5:43 left in the second quarter. China Spring put together another impressive drive on its last possession of the first half by moving 81 yards. Haigood hit Dudik for 17 yards and Kody Fulp for 18 to the 22-yard line. Haigood then made a beautiful run as he broke away from several Lorena tacklers for a 22-yard touchdown to open up a 28-0 lead with 1:14 left in the first half. Haigood and Dudik are a great 1-2 punch for us, Bell said. Our offensive line is getting better. Overall it was a good start for us. The Leopards only threat of the first half came on their last possession as they moved to China Springs 15. But Brett Cain broke up Cole Bakers pass from the 15 as the clock ran out. The Cougars picked up where they left off to open the second half. After recovering a Lorena fumble at the 27, Dudik roared for a 23-yard touchdown to send the Cougars to a 35-0 lead with 10:13 left in the third quarter. Following Brayden Mathis fumble recovery at the Leopards 26, China Spring had a chance to cash in for another score. But Haigoods pass from the 7 was intercepted by Cam Bryant in the end zone for a touchback. China Spring was undeterred as it scored on its next possession. Dudik busted up the middle for a 21-yard touchdown for his third score as the Cougars grabbed a 42-0 lead with 6:32 left in the third quarter. Even when Haigood stepped out of the game, the Cougars were productive as backup quarterback Hobbs Price ran 37 yards for a touchdown with 2:08 left in the third quarter. Sunday is Valentines Day, and a new survey shows spending for the holiday varies from state to state. Finder.com, a personal finance and education site, took a look at Valentines holiday spending. It polled more than 3,000 people and determined that people in Kansas spend the most on their partners, an average of $117. The Jayhawk state was followed by Nevada, $112; Idaho, $111; North Dakota, $108; Hawaii, $102; Arkansas, $93; Virginia, $87; California and South Carolina, $82. Texas showed up in the middle of the pack, with Texans spending an average of $78 on gifts and dates. People in the states of New Hampshire, $31; and South Dakota, Delaware, Maine, Vermont, Wyoming and Kentucky, all $36, came in spending the least. The survey also found that 34 percent of people polled plan to celebrate Valentines Day by visiting a restaurant. Those involved in relationships of 2 to 5 years indicated they will spend more for gifts, while married couples are the most likely not to buy a gift at all. The report on the survey included a category titled, What could this buy? A Texas resident spending $78 could spend $65 on what is described as a secret bar tour of Austin. Apparently, the $13 left over could be used to buy gas for a trip to the capital city for those traveling. Texas export dominance For the 14th consecutive year, Texas is the top exporting state in the United States. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement following the release of a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report showing Texas Exported $251 billion in goods in 2015. This latest economic metric is yet another testament to the continued strength of the Texas economy, Abbott said. During my first year as governor, I had the opportunity to lead business development trips abroad and saw firsthand the impact Texas businesses are having across the globe. This year I plan to lead more business development missions to bolster our states economy and create opportunities for Texas businesses to further compete in the global marketplace. Texas exports accounted for more than 16 percent of U.S. goods exported last year. And for the third year in a row, Texas surpassed California in high-tech exports, shipping $6.3 billion more than the state known for its Silicon Valley. Dwyer book A book titled Values Inc.: How Incorporating Values Into Business and Life Can Change the World, written by The Dwyer Groups Dina Dwyer-Owens, has been included in a list of the top 10 business books of 2015 by Forbes. This book is filled with stories and facts that prove that a value-driven organization can come out on top, said Shep Hyken, author of the column in Forbes magazine that ranked the books. This may be one of the most important books you ever read. Dwyer-Owens released her book in March of last year, challenging business leaders to focus on running a company with character. She offered inspiring stories from within Dwyer Group and from admirable companies, business leaders and even heroes worldwide who have overcome obstacles by applying a set of life rules. Dwyer-Owens, daughter of late founder Don Dwyer Jr., long has been associated with her companys signature Code of Values and the culture it has created for the $1.3 billion organization with headquarters just off University Parks Drive near Lake Brazos. Copies of the book are available by visiting values-inc.com or by ordering through Amazon. More awards for Balcones Waco-based Balcones Distillery has again come home with a barrel full of awards for its whiskey. It was named the American Craft Whiskey Distillery of the Year at the annual Wizards of Whisky Awards, an honor reserved for the highest-scoring whiskey makers in a particular region of the world. Balcones Staff Selection Single Barrel, a limited edition of the distillerys Texas Single Malt, was named the American Craft Single Malt of the Year. In all, the distillery earned three gold medals, one each for Texas Blue Corn Bourbon, Texas Single Malt and Staff Selection Single Barrel. It also earned a silver medal for True Blue 100. In addition to these medals and titles, the Staff Selection Single Barrel was recognized as a runner-up for World Distiller of the Year, World Whisky of the Year and Single Malt Whisky of the Year, according to a news release the company published after its victories. Having our whiskies recognized at such a prestigious competition by impartial judges is an honor, Balcones Head Distiller Jared Himstedt said. These awards affirmed the art and passion we put into our expressions and drive us to keep striving for excellence. More information about the distillery and the awards it has received is available at balconesdistilling.com. The widening of Interstate 35 through Waco has not started, but the process of buying land to make room for a wider highway is forcing two local businesses out of their I-35 locations. TxDOT has been buying land for years with long-term plans to widen the highway to four lanes in each direction between North and South Loop 340 and install new entrances and exits. Altex Computer & Electronics and Standard Hat Works will have to leave their current locations. TxDOT has informed Altex, near South 16th Street and the I-35 frontage road, that it must bow to progress and depart the premises, store manager Chris Coffey said. It falls in the boundaries of the planned $400 million Waco portion of the project. Money for the project is not yet in place. We have to be out of this building by April 11, and our last day of business is March 31, Coffey said. The store sells computers, hardware, security equipment, cabling, technical supplies and power sources. Coffey said TxDOT is paying Altex for the building and land, but the company has decided not to reopen elsewhere in Greater Waco. We couldnt do that without paying a bunch of money beyond what they have offered, so corporate has decided just to pull out. It is frustrating, Coffey said. Altex has been in Waco for 12 years and has created a loyal following, he said. The store serves local school districts, Baylor University and McLennan Community College, he said. Now I guess well just have to meet their needs from one of our other stores in Texas, but they wont have a local place to get service and advice, Coffey said. San Antonio-based Altex has three locations in its hometown and others in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. Coffey said Altex has become a success because it refuses to take on unnecessary debt, and relocating within Waco would put us in the red for a time. Kevin Tullous, owner of Custom IT Solutions in Robinson, said Altexs decision to leave the Waco market may put him in a bind. I install most everything they sell, and I receive referrals from them, Tullous said. If someone buys surveillance cameras, the work of installing them goes to me. He said Altex fills a critical need by helping him with last-minute purchases or assisting in replacing faulty parts he may have acquired from other providers. To deal with the companys departure, he said, he may have to stock up on parts and even become a supplier to other Altex customers who find themselves in a lurch. Josh Obat, who manages the Computer Giant store at 3112 Bellmead Drive, said he was stunned to hear of Altexs decision to leave the market. Gosh, thats catastrophic, Obat said. We buy a lot of newer product from them, and we refer customers back and forth. He said Computer Giant has done business locally for about 18 years, selling and repairing personal computers, tablets and phones. TxDOT spokeswoman Jodi Wheatley said the department does not comment on negotiations with property owners for privacy reasons. A lot of the decisions about whether to relocate are made by the property owners themselves, Wheatley said. If an acquisition requires demolition of a building, we have money available for moving costs, and we have relocating agents who get involved in that process. When TxDOT deems a piece of property vital to a project, it hires an independent appraiser to determine its market value, she said. Whatever the appraised market value is, that is what the offer is, Wheatley said. The property owner receives a copy of the appraisal and has the opportunity to make one counteroffer. If that counteroffer is within bounds, we can deal. If the two sides cant agree, we move to the process of eminent domain. Eminent domain is the legal authority of one organization to buy property against the owners wishes. In the case of TxDOT, an independent commission handles eminent domain decisions. Its decision can be appealed to a jury. Cameron Morris, who owns Standard Hat Works at 1826 Circle Road, near Wacos traffic circle and I-35, is searching for a new location for his business. TxDOT has informed him that its work on the interstate will require him to move. Its a shame Im having to leave an I-35 location, because I get so much business from it, Morris said. Staying in Waco He said he leases the building and plans to relocate in town. I definitely will stay here in Waco, and Im looking for another building near Baylor University or downtown, Morris said. Im not really looking for a shopping mall environment. Im wanting a rustic, old-school place, probably 2,000 to 4,000 square feet in size. Wacos Standard Hat Works, which specializes in customized hat making, can trace its founding to New York City more than 100 years ago. Williams Gross, a Hungarian immigrant, walked the streets selling hats off his head. He later found a home for his shop in Waco, settling at 622 Washington Ave. The store attracted George Strait, Clint Black, Garth Brooks and Neal McCoy as clients as its reputation for making quality western hats spread. The shop went through a succession of owners and moved to its current location on Circle Road in 2006, before TxDOTs plans for I-35 became common knowledge. Wheatley said construction to widen the interstate through Central Texas began in 2010, and much of the work between Waco and Hillsboro has been completed. It began just south of Hillsboro and continues south through Lorena, Bruceville-Eddy, Troy, Temple, Belton and Salado. Within Waco and Temple, it will be expanded to four lanes, Wheatley said. Funding for construction in Waco remains pending, but right-of-way acquisition has been underway for years, she said. The process already has led to the demolition of the original Heitmillers Steakhouse in Elm Mott, with owner Jay Hinojosa erecting a larger, stone-covered Heitmillers on the interstate frontage road near Lake Shore Drive, not far from Cracker Barrel and the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Bellmead. Rumors abound that the widening will impact the popular El Chico restaurant on Wacos traffic circle, possibly forcing it to relocate. Its just a lot of rumors, nothing definite, said Bill Watson, vice president of marketing for the El Chico chain. We are very much open for business and expect to remain open for business until TxDOT tells us otherwise. I can tell you this: The location we have now is irreplaceable. Wheatley said plans for the widening remain in flux, and properties affected by it are subject to change. She said developers placing new restaurants and retail establishments along the I-35 frontage road between University Parks Drive and South 10th streets have kept TxDOTs plans in mind. Dallas-based DuWest Realty demolished the Clarion Hotel near the interstate to make room for an In-N-Out Burger and a CVS Pharmacy, which it built farther away from the highway than the hotel had operated, Wheatley said. Moody Aljadael, local Dennys franchisee, closed the Dennys near Baylor two years ago, fearing a widened interstate would slice into his already small parking lot. He built a new Dennys in Bellmead and also owns the 150-seat Dennys that opened in 2010 inside the Flying J travel center at New Road and I-35. Raymonds Southern Kitchen in Lorena saw a slowdown in business while an exit off I-35 was closed for work related to the interstate expansion. Yes, we were impacted, but the exit has reopened and were getting back to normal, said Diana Aguilar, a team leader at the home-style restaurant. Aquillas Garland R. Lively knows a thing or two about helicopters. If youve ever heard of Pelicans, Scorpions and Hurricanes, you know they arent catchy buzzwords but call signs of helicopters that flew over Vietnam. Lively, 72, born in Oklahoma, moved with his family to Texas when he was 9 years old. He was a farmhand, but wanted to be a cowboy. It didnt quite work out that way. He graduated from high school in 1961, and in August of that year, he married his high school sweetheart, Alitia Mae Westerman. In 1965, he got his draft notice, and on Jan. 26, 1966, became a private in the United States Army. He scored high enough to become a helicopter pilot, and as he was informed, a warrant officer. My goodness, I thought. Thats much better than slogging through the swamps in Vietnam with a rifle in my hand, Lively said. Basic training followed at Fort Polk, Louisiana, leading to a promotion to E-5. He attended the Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, then moved on to advanced helicopter training at Fort Rucker in Alabama. After graduating in February 1967, he was promoted to warrant officer and ordered to Vietnam. There he was assigned to the 161st Assault Helicopter Company of the 1st Aviation Brigade, 223rd Aviation Battalion at Camp Lane near Quin Nhon. For a time, he served with the Pelicans, flying troops in and out of landing and pickup zones. They werent supporting American forces, though. Instead, they were assisting the Capital ROK (Republic of Korea) Division, the Tiger Division, with the help of the Scorpions, who provided firing cover, if needed. Lively said the Koreans were brutal soldiers, and as a result, it was safer than being stationed elsewhere. If we got shot at, the Koreans would come in and wipe out a whole village and herd people into a concentration camp, he said. Because of their terror of the Koreans, we didnt get shot at much. That would soon change. Flying into the heat of battle The unit was moved to Chu Lai as part of Task Force Oregon. The unit received support from other forces and was designated the 123rd Infantry Division, or the Americal Division. Lively volunteered to fly gunships and joined the Scorpions. The Scorpions began to support the 5th Special Forces at Khe Sanh and Phu Bai, Lively included. He became section leader of his platoon. It was while on these classified missions that he earned two Purple Hearts. Wounded in the cockpit Part of the job included protecting troop transport helicopters slicks that flew Special Operations teams into Laos and North Vietnam. At one point, Lively was flying a particularly dangerous mission to protect a compound that was under heavy attack in Hue. He had bent over to look out the back window just as a round went through the aircraft. Several more shots broke through the cockpit. He was injured by shrapnel and shattered Plexiglas, but was able to return to Phu Bai. He was still bandaged a few days later when he was asked to fly the one remaining gunship to aid a company pinned down by the enemy. He had to work with an unknown wing man, who was supposed to cover him after he fired and turned to move out. That didnt happen, and Lively and his crew came under heavy fire. Suddenly, Livelys arm flew up. He thought hed been shocked. When he reached for the collective stick, he realized hed been shot in the forearm. Although he wasnt seriously wounded, he spent a long time moving from hospital to hospital. His biggest fear was he wouldnt be able to fly again because his hand was numb. Eventually, Lively returned to flying but moved to Skycrane helicopters (call sign Hurricane) with the 478th Transportation Co. for his second Vietnam tour in July 1970. He served as maintenance officer and commander of the platoon, but he did his share of flying, too. The saddest point of his military career was when he escorted his best friends body back to the States for burial on the request of the mans wife. It was the most painful experience in his life, he said. Lively went on to have a long career with the Army, eventually serving in Germany. In January 1986, he retired at the rank of major. Although he insists hes no hero the men in foxholes were real heroes, he said during his service he received a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, 22 Air Medal awards and many others decorations, including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Lively worked as a civilian in Germany for a time, but retired altogether at 50. He and his wife moved to Texas. They will soon celebrate 55 years of marriage. I have absolutely no regrets, Lively said. Ive had a wonderful life. I think the thing Im most proud of all is that I never had anyone killed in my section. Voices of Valor, which features stories about Central Texas veterans, runs on Sundays. To suggest a story about a Central Texas veteran, please email voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com. Exactly 200 mostly exotic-looking cats were registered for the South Central Region of the International Cat Associations annual two-day cat show at the Extraco Events Centers General Exhibits Building, officials said. Some are long-haired and fuzzy, some almost bald, some tiny and some really an armful. All seemed alert but quiet and relaxed, as if they thought they deserved all the admiration. The regional show was hosted by the Big Tex Cat Club in the same location last year, and organizers plan to continue in the Extraco Events Center next year, said regional director Wendy Klamm, of Lafayette, Louisiana. This years show was bigger than last years by 25 cats, which came from the region and several other states. The South Central Region includes Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Arkansas. Twelve judges worked from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and will return Sunday, to rate the condition and breed purity of all the cats. They will bestow ribbons that will qualify some for the international associations worldwide Labor Day show in Houston, said Anne Paul, of Houston, a comanager of the show with Toni Jones, of San Antonio. Mistelle Stevenson, of Waxahachie, owner of several Maine coon cats, said all the judging is to protect the breeds against mixed breeding. Maine coons are large, long-haired cats of various colors, and Stevenson said her grandfather in Minnesota has several weighing up to 24 pounds around his barn. The cats down here are so small, she said. Ive been breeding for five years, but this is my first show, Stevenson said. I was pretty nervous about it, but Ive had someone mentoring me, and Ive been able to mentor someone else. Thats how we work. Lena Voerster, of Oklahoma City, was showing short-haired, pug-nosed Abyssinians, a breed she has worked with since 1995. Voerster said she had been working with other breeds for 12 years before then. When you win prizes, it tells you youre on the right track to preserve your breed, she said. Some of the cats shown this weekend are among the best examples of their breeds, said Fate Mays, of Corpus Christi, a judge for 25 years. I know some cats here will be international winners this year because of their histories, Mays said. He said judges have to begin their preparation by serving as clerks, eventually writing long papers summarizing their knowledge. His paper ran to 93 pages. But it becomes a colorful hobby. Mays recalled a dozen nations he has visited to rate felines besides Canada and Mexico. The show continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with part of the proceeds from admission and sales of souvenir items going to the Central Texas Humane Society and Recycled Love Animal Rescue. Fuzzy Friends Animal Rescue of Waco and Recycled Love, of Fort Worth, have booths offering animal adoptions, Jones said. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and military, $3 for children ages 6 and older and free for children younger than age 6. Visitors can talk with owners of more than 30 breeds on display and watch judging booths. Food service is available. Madeline Rodriguez was born by emergency cesarean section amidst a troubled pregnancy just after Christmas 1996 in an El Paso hospital. Due to a lack of oxygen, she became totally dependent on others for all activities of daily living. Her mother blamed the emergency room physician and hospital but, for whatever reason, she failed to file a lawsuit alleging malpractice till 15 years later. Problem: Tort reforms passed by the Texas Legislature in 2003 forbid medical malpractice lawsuits from being filed more than 10 years after the injury. And so Madelines mother, Elizabeth Rivera, challenged the states tort reform law as denying Madelines state constitutional right to access to the courts as well as on retroactivity grounds the alleged injury happened well before the tort laws passage. The case bristled with emotion: a child born with severe brain damage; a parent who delayed filing a suit in the matter; and the potent question of whether tort reform and its time limits on suits unfairly block someone from filing over medical bungling if he or she doesnt come of age till more than 10 years after the alleged injury. In short, if parents or guardians drag the matter out, the child might pay a lifelong price. In 2014 the Texas Supreme Court held in an 8-1 decision that Madelines mother had waited too long to file under state law, regardless of whatever the Texas Constitution says. So heres the big question: Is this many-layered matter one over which conservative-minded jurists can reasonably debate and disagree or should the jurist who dissented from the pack be booted from the high court as a judicial outlier? That in a nutshell sums up issues in the Republican primary election for Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann, 59, a former family law judge whose re-election bid is challenged because of occasional dissents from the court majority. The accusations by her challenger allege shes a judicial activist a damning claim in Texas. She is the most frequent dissenter on the court against the majority of the court, which is widely considered to be a conservative court, Texas First Court of Appeals Justice Michael Massengale said during a campaign stop in Waco last week. When you look at her written dissenting opinions, half of them have been specifically on one subject tort reform. Massengale, 43, has stacked up some heady political endorsements, including Texans for Lawsuit Reform and, not unexpectedly, the political arm of the Texas Medical Association. He says his argument with Lehrmann has less to do with her dissents as what unguarded moments betray about real motivations behind some of those dissents. Massengale acknowledges Justice Lehrmanns court opinion in the Rivera case relies on constitutional grounds including the idea of access for all to the courts versus legislative restraints to such access. But he holds that her subsequent comments to the Texas Medical Association while trying to win its endorsement showed her real motives: in this case, the welfare of children. Local physician Brad Holland, who oversees TEXPAC, which scrutinizes candidates for the Texas Medical Association, verifies Massengales take on the matter. It was more philosophical, that she wanted to support children and be their advocate and give them every opportunity, but she was not citing a lot of constitutional backing for that, though I cant say that was a huge issue, Holland said of Lehrmanns meeting with TEXPAC. It was more the fact that, on the issue of tort reform, we feel that we have enough of a threat of being sued as it is without being a moving target and that, even though the law is written, it could be changed by a justice on the Supreme Court, altruistic motives or not. Endorsed by former Texas Supreme Court chief justices Wallace Jefferson and Tom Phillips, Lehrmann correctly insists judicial dissent is vital on any appeals court and dismisses right-wing critics who take issue with the fact that we dont have a court that rubber-stamps each other. She cites one of her teachers, the late, great Antonin Scalia, as an example of one offering influential dissents. In the final analysis, though, Scalias being a federal judge with a lifetime appointment allowed him to say all manner of things, some pretty wild, beyond his court opinions. Lehrmann and the complicated layers of at least some of her court opinions instead depend on the whims of an electorate that couldnt name a third of the justices on the Texas Supreme Court if their collective lives depended on it. Immigration policy has long been a source of heated rhetoric and debate, particularly as it relates to the undocumented population. While there are numerous considerations surrounding this issue, it is clear that immigrants, both legal and undocumented, influence business activity in fundamental ways. The value of a readily available workforce cannot be denied, but neither can costs of immigrants such as health care, education and social services. The issues surrounding immigration are complicated (particularly in the case of the undocumented segment), ranging from security to tax policy to the provision of social services. Moreover, given the emotional nature of the immigration debate, the statistics emphasized and the conclusions drawn vary widely. Radical proposals, such as immediate deportation of all undocumented individuals, are often suggested, as well as sensible reforms to make the labor force and the process more effective and efficient. Beneath all of the sound and fury is one incontrovertible fact: Texas needs the workers! In fact, the estimated number of undocumented workers in Texas today is about twice as large as the total number of unemployed persons in the workforce. Even if all currently unemployed persons filled jobs now held by undocumented workers (which is impossible for myriad reasons), the state would be left with a glaring gap of hundreds of thousands of workers if the undocumented workforce were no longer available. In a recent study, my firm took a balanced view of the economic costs and benefits of the undocumented workforce for Texas, considering factors such as the likely numbers of undocumented workers and concentration by industry, spillover effects as various supply chains and payrolls are affected, and relative differentials in skill levels and compensation associated with undocumented workers. On the cost side, expenses associated with the undocumented population were estimated based on available data regarding outlays by governmental entities. Analysis is complicated by a lack of detailed data. However, several thorough investigations of the issue have been conducted and available information from well-respected organizations has been compiled. While there is some variation across studies due to such factors as methodological differences, the major findings are relatively consistent. In Texas, a recently released study from The Center for Migration Studies estimates that the undocumented immigrant population exceeds 1.7 million. Over the past several years, the number of undocumented immigrants in the state has remained fairly stable, with fluctuations linked to overall economic conditions. These immigrants are an important component of the workforce and, thus, economic activity. As an initial phase of our analysis, we measured the direct contribution of the undocumented workforce by industry. We used available data related to the employment patterns of the undocumented workforce as a starting point and allocated to various industries based on the best available information. We then quantified the resulting output, income and spending based on the coefficients of our impact assessment model. We also fully adjusted for the wage and productivity characteristics of the relevant population. The net direct economic benefits of undocumented workers in Texas were found to include almost $326.1 billion in total expenditures and $144.7 billion in output (gross product) each year as well as 1.2 million jobs. This economic activity generates multiplier effects through the economy, which we also measured. We then took out the costs involved with undocumented workers such as health care, education, social services and law enforcement. The result is an estimate of the net economic benefits associated with the undocumented workforce. We estimate that the total net economic benefits of undocumented workers in Texas are estimated to include $663.4 billion in total expenditures and almost $290.3 billion in output (gross product) each year, as well as more than 3.3 million jobs when indirect and induced effects are considered. To illustrate the potential costs of a restrictive immigration policy, in our study we also looked at a scenario reflecting a program that would restrict entry, have more enforcement mechanisms and not provide a sensible approach to obtaining needed labor resources. The adjustment process would be disruptive, resulting in potential fallout ranging from failing farms due to unharvested crops to an inability to complete construction projects in a timely manner. Tourism would also likely be affected, as significant numbers of undocumented worker jobs fall within accommodations and food services industries. We estimate that when multiplier effects are considered, the economic cost of restrictive immigration policy would include hundreds of thousands of Texas jobs. Obviously, more extreme measures would bring correspondingly greater disruptions. On the other hand, policies that promoted greater labor market efficiency would bring corresponding benefits. As immigration policy reform is considered, it is important to fully examine the economic implications. A balanced analysis reveals that the economic effects of the undocumented workforce are clearly positive, including hundreds of millions in business activity and millions of jobs. In addition, the economic activity associated with this important segment of the Texas labor force generates millions in tax receipts to federal, state and local governments each year. There are certainly valid concerns regarding undocumented immigration such as security. However, the Texas economy clearly needs this source of labor and any discussion of policy should recognize this essential fact. Ray Perryman is president and chief executive officer of The Perryman Group, based in Waco. The internationally known economist has been called a genius by The Wall Street Journal, a world-class scholar by Business Week, the unofficial state economist by The New York Times and the most quoted man in Texas by Texas Monthly. Throughout history there have been many times when youth, frustrated by issues affecting society, have rallied together to invoke change in our nation. In previous decades, those issues included civil rights, education, the Vietnam War and free speech. What made the movements of these past generations successful was hope that change could be enacted and a willingness to use the collective power people hold in our democracy to achieve it. By contrast, our generation, the millennials, are described as too lazy, sensitive, safe-space-confined, selfie-obsessed and self-absorbed to care about anything going on in the world. If judged by voting percentages of 18- to 29-year-olds, that assertion might be correct. Millennials voting participation rate peaked in 2008, when 51 percent of the eligible voters from the youngest voting block participated that presidential election year. In contrast, during the last midterm election only about 21 percent voted. Because of this, politicians have had little incentive to act in our generations best interest. In particular, there is an urgent issue that I, along with the other members of the McLennan Community College Up to Us team, believe must be addressed because of its impact on our generation: the national debt. This debt issue threatens the future prosperity of our country and the future livelihood of young Americans through its effect on taxes and federal spending. The Up to Us team at McLennan College is running a national debt awareness campaign as part of a national competition, in the hope that we can inform our peers about the issue and inspire them to take action by participating in the political process. Our campaign is non-partisan; we arent endorsing any political ideology, party, candidate or even legislation. Instead, we believe this issue should transcend party lines and ideologies because Democrats and Republicans alike have gotten us to this point and everyone will be affected by it, whether they consider themselves liberals or conservatives. We dont promote intergenerational conflict but believe our current political leaders, in respect to the national debt, are making decisions hurting our generations best interest. Debt accumulated today will affect society tomorrow. Our main goal is to make our peers aware of the national debt and the importance of government fiscal responsibility, because our federal budget, apart from showing how we allocate our resources, demonstrates where our values and priorities lie. After years of continued borrowing from the prosperity of future generations by running high federal budget deficits, the national debt is close to $19 trillion. This trend, if left unaltered, could have negative consequences for our country. For example, in 2015 we spent approximately $224 billion in interest, more than we spend on education, research and development, and infrastructure which are investments for our future combined. And our annual interest payment is expected to more than double to $772 billion by 2025. We must consider our priorities when thinking about increasing the national debt because we cant fund the government through deficits indefinitely. Major drivers of the national debt are the national health-care programs, but sadly there has been little done to make them sustainable. Over 40 percent, or about $1.8 trillion, of our federal budget goes towards social health programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, with costs growing every year. For example, due to the baby boomer generation retiring, Social Security and Medicare have become extremely costly and are unsustainable under current law. In 1960, the worker to beneficiary ratio was 5 to 1. In 2009 it reached 3 to 1, and by 2035 its projected to reach 2 to 1, which will make Social Security an even bigger burden on our budget. Granted, these programs are important for our society, but if we want to continue having them, we need to make them sustainable in a way that wont sacrifice the future of our county. Our political leaders are heavily divided among political parties and ideologies and unwilling to solve the issue. This has led to a government shutdown in 2013 and inaction to reduce our budget deficits. Politicians from both sides of the aisle continue to propose ideas that could have a significant negative impact on our deficit, such as heavily increasing spending or cutting taxes by trillions. Proposals like this borrow from the prosperity of future generations for immediate political benefits. Therefore, its up to millennials, the generation that in the future will suffer the consequences of decisions made today, to demand action and hold our politicians accountable by participating in the voting process. By joining together now, we can cement our legacy as the generation that ensured Americas prosperity by demanding fiscal responsibility and ensuring our resources are spent investing in our future. Saul Cornejo Bravo is a student at McLennan Community College. Amid the drumbeat of outsiders playing on anxieties about the direction of our nation, its easy to dismiss qualities such as experience, discipline and maturity in candidates who show intellectual grounding. But while red-hot rhetoric might be politically useful in whipping crowds into a frenzy, it doesnt make for wise, long-term policy benefiting our children, our nation and our destiny. Thats why we vigorously recommend Congressman Bill Flores in the March 1 Republican primary election. Flores, 61, an oil and gas executive who lives in Bryan and represents a winding congressional district that includes Waco, was swept into power during the tea-party tidal wave of 2010. His business background, amiability, pragmatism and ability to grasp complicated issues ranging from health care to immigration in great detail and to reasonably discuss these with people of different perspectives explain not only his success in Congress but his popularity back in Central Texas. In his few years in Congress, like-minded colleagues recognized his talents and tapped him to chair the Republican Study Committee, the largest, most influential conservative voting bloc on Capitol Hill. He has the ear of House Speaker Paul Ryan and, given the chance of a Republican president in 2017 (assuming that Republican voters coalesce around the right candidate), Flores is poised to carry to completion the issues and priorities of many Texas constituents. His two primary election opponents pale by contrast. In a 90-minute interview with boisterously engaging former McLennan County Republican Party Chairman Ralph Patterson, 58, we pressed for policy stances on immigration, tax reform, Social Security, an Article V Convention of States and Gov. Greg Abbotts proposed constitutional amendments. Patterson provided no specific answers on these other than to vow support for lawmakers such as Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert. Kaleb Sims, 38, offered more in the way of solutions but sometimes bungled his facts, such as his claim that active-duty military would be paid even if the omnibus bill failed and the government was shut down. (That provision expired in 2013.) Flores has taken unfair hits for voting to pass the omnibus spending bill in December. Like anything that passes Congress and must gain the signature of President Obama, this bill included items to cheer, items to lament. No one gets 100 percent of what he or she wants when government is so fiercely divided. Thats a fact of life in a democratic republic. Yet for all the hacks claiming otherwise, the omnibus bill made some significant gains that conservatives have long demanded, including dismantling key parts of the Affordable Care Act, including two-year delays of the so-called Cadillac tax (for expensive health insurance plans) and medical device tax. It cuts some $35 billion in funding for Obamacare. And it scuttled a four-decade ban on the export of domestic crude oil a likely boon here in energy-rich Texas. Swanton for sheriff It is my honor to notify you that the Waco Police Association, by an overwhelming margin, has voted to endorse Patrick Swanton for McLennan County sheriff. The Waco Police Association represents Waco Police Department officers and retirees in matters involving their jobs, pay and benefits and working conditions. The WPA also plays an active role in our community through charitable giving, education and athletic activities. While we are proud to give our support to one of our own association members for this very important elected position, we believe this endorsement is well earned. During the 35 years Sgt. Swanton has worked at the Waco Police Department, many of us have worked closely with him and know him to be a man of courage and integrity. He has earned a reputation throughout our community of being professional, open and transparent. These traits are extremely important as a leader and a law enforcement officer. Our endorsement is also based on the well-rounded training and experience that Sgt. Swanton has as a peace officer. We believe his traits, skills and experience have served the citizens of Waco well and have brought honor to our profession. We are confident in Patrick Swantons ability to lead the McLennan County Sheriffs Office. For these reasons, he has our endorsement in the upcoming McLennan County sheriffs election. Jared Wallace, Police Action Committee chairman, Waco Police Association Flores for Congress Why our family will be supporting/voting Congressman Bill Flores for re-electron: Four years ago our son, Chad Krakowian, enlisted in the U.S. Army. Congressman Flores took time out on a Saturday morning to meet with Chad for more than an hour, giving him words of encouragement and thanking him for putting his life on the line for our country. During their talk, Flores gave Chad a challenge coin which he kept during his basic training, advanced individual training and tour of duty overseas. Now this might not seem to be so big to some people, but to our family including Chad it was very honorable for the congressman to take time with no cameras, no media, just a one-on-one thank you. This is why our family is supporting and will be voting for Congressman Flores this election. We need to send a level-headed family man back to D.C. to work for us in Central Texas. I encourage all military families, current or past, to vote for Congressman Flores. Kurt Krakowian, Hewitt For a vivid look at the McLennan County Precinct 1 commissioner race, visit wacotrib.com for online Trib editorial board interviews with incumbent Kelly Snell and challenger Cory Priest focusing on the budget, county roads and what it means to be a conservative. Exclusive: The Walt Disney Company is seeking a telecommunications partner to help it launch a subscription video-on-demand service into the increasingly crowded and fragmenting Australian marketplace. Fairfax Media has learned that the Hollywood giant is talking to telcos about bundling the service, which would be its second direct move into SVOD in an English-speaking country after it launched DisneyLife in the UK in November. Disney films such as Frozen could be available on the Hollywood giant's own Australian streaming service DisneyLife offers more than 300 movies from Mary Poppins to Disney's Pixar films including Toy Story the Disney Channel's TV box-sets with over 2000 episodes, 5000 music tracks, from movies such as Frozen, and books including Winnie the Pooh. A DisneyLife subscription offer could be attractive to parents and could pose a challenge to Foxtel's revenues from children's television. It is believed that Disney will not launch here until it strikes the right deal with a telco. A collective $3 billion in market value has been added to the thriving Australian gold sector in the past week as established producers and junior project developers alike continue their golden run. An analysis of the bulk of the Australian Securities Exchange-listed gold sector revealed its collective market capitalisation had increased by $7.9 billion to $26.6 billion in the past three months. Gold has been pushed back onto the radar of investors, helped by the recent recovery in the gold price. The increase included a rapid $3.1 billion rise last week alone as the Australian-dollar gold price edged up to $1740 an ounce. Spot gold was trading at about $US1237 an ounce on Friday, up almost 17 per cent since January 1. The data, compiled for Fairfax Media by Patersons Securities, includes 21 ASX-listed gold producers as well as three companies with promising development projects. Two former 7-Eleven workers who played a key role in exposing rampant underpayment at the convenience store chain have received their back pay while another worker is expecting to receive $270,000 in unpaid wages from the company. Geelong-based Mohamed Rashid Ullat Thodi, whose back pay claim dates back to 2007, has received what is believed to be a sizeable five-figure sum after spending nine years pursuing his former boss for underpayment. Another worker, Pranay Alawala who risked deportation by coming forward to tell his story about being underpaid by two different store owners in Brisbane has received $33,000 in back pay. Hollywood's finest are set to descend on London this weekend as Australian actress Cate Blanchett vies for another prestigious Bafta trophy for her role in Carol. Blanchett has been nominated in the Best Leading Actress category at the British film awards alongside Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl, Dame Maggie Smith for The Lady in the Van, Room's Brie Larson and Brooklyn's Saoirse Ronan. Cate Blanchett at a Baftas event in January. Credit:AP The Aussie star, who is up for a coveted Oscar at the Academy Awards later this month, is already a three-time Bafta winner. She first won the British film award in 1999 for her leading role in Elizabeth. Blanchett won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role gong in 2005 for The Aviator and won the best leading actress Bafta again in 2014 for her Oscar-winning performance in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine. Some rushed to warn us how terrible it was most memorably Elle Hardy writing in The Spectator Australia, who beautifully dubbed it a "ham-dripping, ham-fisted, cliched minstrel show". The chattering classes have been in a flurry about The Habibs for weeks, and once the first episode aired the hot takes spewed forth mostly from white people, of course. It's one of those delightful Australian things where the premise is all there in the title: they're different, and they're coming here. Over at Channel Nine, we were being taken even further back in time with Here Come the Habibs, a "sitcom" about wealthy white people struggling with the arrival of newly rich Lebanese neighbours. Others stamped The Habibs with their "not racist" seal of approval. Critic Luke Buckmaster thought it was a "funny, well-made" and punchy show, declaring the "outrage apparatus" had spoken prematurely, while cultural attache Kyle Sandilands attested to the program's visual accuracy: "Every Lebo I know looks like they're on that ad." It was interesting to note the more sensitive responses of people of colour, such as journalist Rashell Habib, who felt the program that bears one of her names was funny, harmless and equal-opportunity comedy. "For Channel Nine to take a chance on this locally produced show is something to be admired," she wrote. Or Osman Faruqi, son of Australia's first female Muslim MP Mehreen Faruqi, who lukewarmly endorsed the program as "not as racist as it first appeared" but not all that sharp, either. Debating whether things are racist is one of the great Australian pastimes, especially when it comes to TV. It was quite a few years ago that another American visitor, Harry Connick jnr, was aghast to find himself judging a blackface skit on the reprised Hey Hey It's Saturday. The world was pretty shocked, too but plenty of folks Down Under were prepared to defend the segment as a harmless example of "Aussie humour". No doubt one of the reasons a show like The Habibs commands so much attention is because it involves the rare incursion of non-white faces into the land of commercial television. Any show about a minority or marginalised group carries that albatross around its neck; the hopes and dreams of anyone with a stake in Australia's cultural landscape. Havana: Cuba is a curious destination for a technology reporter. Of course, you can book a room over the internet these days, through any number of online directories like homestay.com or Airbnb. The bright lights of Havana's Hotel Inglaterra. Credit:Hannah Francis Homes with internet access remain a tiny minority, but the version of Havana that is frozen in time with its vintage cars and lack of mobile phones is gradually fading. So, when staying in a 1920s casa particular without any internet access available for guests, I was left to navigate the city with a free mobile app I'd downloaded including an offline map which didn't always have its landmarks in the right spot and a Lonely Planet guide to Havana, published in 2007, which belonged to my landlady. Between them I managed all right. Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson has announced he will resign from his lucrative position to seek Liberal Party preselection for the federal seat of Goldstein. Former Trade Minister Andrew Robb's decision to retire at the election opened up the seat, which is considered one of the Liberal Party's most sought after Victorian electorates. Mr Wilson, 35, is the first to declare he will seek preselection for Goldstein though several other candidates' names have been discussed. West Australian Premier Colin Barnett remains confident he will lead the Liberals to next year's election and says he's not worried about the potential return of Labor's Alannah MacTiernan to state politics either. Ms MacTiernan, the federal member for Perth, announced on Friday she would not recontest the seat. West Australian premier Colin Barnett 'misses' his tiffs with Alannah MacTiernan. Credit:Erin Jonasson While she has not ruled out returning to state politics, she's dismissed speculation she was interested in taking over the Labor leadership from Mark McGowan. Mr Barnett acknowledged on Sunday that Ms MacTiernan had been an effective minister when Labor was in government. "Get over it", and "I'm sick of the grizzlers", is Premier Colin Barnett's fiery rejection of an open letter to the WA public from a group of frustrated doctors at the beleaguered Fiona Stanley Hospital. Mr Barnett's annoyance on Sunday was evident as he defended health minister, doctor Kim Hames and FSH from a series of charges levelled by medicos in a letter that charted a climate of fear, bullying and possible surgery cancellation as early as this week. A CCC investigation has revealed systems at Fiona Stanley Hospital were inadequate to detect drug theft. "They don't even put their names to it (the letter), that's how much credibility I give it," the Premier said. "I'm getting sick of a small group of people carrying on and criticising what is, arguably, the best hospital in Australia and, probably, the southern hemisphere," Mr Barnett said. In the second half of 2015 the flow of refugees into Europe was a lively river, flicking around obstructions into new routes, past wave-through checkpoints. Now it is more like a painful, halting digestion, borders opening and closing in reaction to each other in a kind of peristalsis. Syrian refugee children. Credit:Nick Miller The gates close for any number of reasons: a landslide on a railway track, a protest by Macedonian taxi drivers accusing the government of depriving them of refugee cross-country fares. But often the reason is simply this: there is no room for new arrivals until the last lot have moved again. A child in a refugee camp. Credit:Nick Miller As soon as movement is cut it shunts up the line. Transit camps fill and the message passes back, Austria to Croatia to Serbia to Macedonia to Greece: stop the flow, we're full. And now there are signs that these temporarily closed borders are about to become more permanent. The double-line fence is up, guarded and buttressed. Idomeni, Greece, is right across the border from Macedonia. Credit:Google Maps In late January the European Union gave Greece a three-month ultimatum to stop migrants crossing from Turkey, or else the EU would "quarantine" it outside the borderless Schengen area, ending free travel for more than just the refugees. Macedonia is determined not to become the meat in this sandwich. This week, Macedonian officials told Deutsche Welle that "when the signal from the EU comes" it was ready to seal its southern border to refugees. Syrian refugee Shade, 21. Credit:Nick Miller Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, promised to help: to "provide assistance [to Macedonia] to support controls on the border with Greece through the secondment of police/law enforcement officers and the provision of equipment". The Greeks are not happy with this ultimatum, believing that Europe is washing its hands of the problem rather than helping. With some of their islands within swimming distance of Turkey, or a few hours in a dinghy, Interior Minister Nikos Toskas pointed out there was no practical way of stopping refugees from arriving "except via sinking or shooting". Two women in wheelchairs wait for the border to Macedonia to open. Credit:Nick Miller A furious Greek Migration Minister Ioannis Mouzalas claimed a Belgian minister said "just push [refugees] back into the sea. The Belgian said 'go against the law. I do not care if it's illegal. Just push them back'." He also accused Europe of short-changing Greece by providing smaller-than-promised numbers of everything from cots and fingerprinting machines to border guards. Don Johnson from the Red Cross at Greek-Macedonian border with two refugee children. Credit:Nick Miller But the crisis is not yet upon Greece, not today. At 2.30pm in Idomeni, the border finally opens. For the rest of the afternoon, every half hour or so, 50-odd refugees are let through as long as they can prove they are Syrian, Iraqi or Afghan, a condition imposed by Macedonia late last year. Protesters next to a sign with the Greek word for "No" outside a refugee camp near Thessaloniki. Credit:Nick Miller It's enough: thanks to rough weather in the Aegean some days before, and farmers' protests blocking bus routes up from Piraeus, the number of refugees arriving at Idomeni today number in the hundreds, not thousands. Don Johnston sits in the sun, and declares it a good day. A refugee child displays his drawing. Credit:Nick Miller Johnston is the Red Cross' field co-ordinator for northern Greece. His is a 'surge' job he swings in when the pressure's on, and helps the locals plan their humanitarian strategy. Johnston was born in Colorado but is an adopted Aussie: for the last eight years he's lived in Melbourne and Sydney, jetting out for a few months each year to work for the Red Cross. He's worked in just about all the instantly recognisable troublespots: Kurdistan, Iraq (he was there when Islamic State took Mosul), Liberia, the Haiti earthquake, South Sudan. "I hardly ever get deployed to Fiji," he jokes. But he says this job is "singular" a humanitarian crisis on an epic scale. "I've never been involved in a mission like this," he says. "From a human point of view it's heartbreaking. What you are seeing is really difficult." From one point of view his job is simple: when the refugees arrive in Idomeni they need food, shelter, clothing (it drops to freezing here at night), many need medical care (respiratory tract infections are common, almost every child has a cough). In concert with other groups such as the UNHCR and Doctors Without Borders, they do what they can. But the biggest challenge is uncertainty, Johnston says. The situation can change in an instant. Just a few days earlier 80 buses arrived from Athens in one day. "There were 7000 people here, the police in riot gear were super-tense, wouldn't let people move around," he says. "It was really cold. People were getting one or two meals a day. They are with their families, their kids. "They're just regular folks. You talk to them, they're teachers, a carpenter, musicians. Just the entire population of a well functioning country is just being vacated and they're really uncertain about what's going to happen in their lives." If the border closes for too long it can get tense. In early December, when it was closed for days without explanation, migrants rioted. Angry graffiti from the riot still colours many tents around the site. "They really want information, that's the big thing," Johnston says. "They want to know what's going to happen with them, they want to know when the border's going to open, where things are at. There's a large desire. You can see they're just beset by uncertainty." And it's hard on the local volunteers, too. Johnston says his people "tell me they cry every night when they go home". Johnston says one of the contingencies he is planning for is Greece's nightmare: the borders close, but refugees keep coming. This is the suspicion, too, of the UNHCR's head of the Idomeni field unit Alexandros Voulgaris. "[Idomeni] is a bottleneck," he says. "We could have a large population stranded here hopefully the [Greek] authorities will get across this responsibility and move them to other facilities." Greece is, indeed, setting up a series of "hotspot" camps to take refugee spillover. But locals have been protesting against them. Outside one, on the outskirts of Thessaloniki, a group of protesters stand blocking the entrance beside their "Oxi" ("No") banners. Theodore Papagriogoriou says, "our region is a poor region. If the European countries close their borders and we get 4000 people staying here, we can't provide jobs for these people, or houses, or food. This is a big problem for us. "I don't' believe [the government] has a plan. That is our fear." (One of the NGO officials comments to me: "I think he's right on the money"). And if the border closes, it may encourage the criminal people-smuggling trade. According to reports, smugglers in the area sell fake ID papers at up to 1000 ($1600) each. And there are traffickers all over Idomeni, offering help to the nationalities who already aren't allowed over the border. They bundle into poorly ventilated trucks or risk precarious mountain tracks. A nurse at the Idomeni camp told of a regular stream of patients coming back down from the mountains, beaten by the terrain or beaten by Macedonian police. Freelance photojournalist Nicola Zolin followed one group of "second-class refugees" just over a week ago. "Dark has come, time to go ... forest and smugglers the only choice," she tweeted. "Tonight, like every night, migrants from Pakistan, Iran, Maghreb will try their luck crossing [the] border by foot ... Stranded migrants still prefer to get smuggled through the 'mainstream' route than trying Bulgaria and Albania that they see as dangerous." A few hours later she reported: "One hour walk to the border, then their smuggler got beaten by people with sticks. Now they go back to Athens." Meanwhile, at the Idomeni camp, the refugees wait their turn. Johnston says the demographics have changed this year it used to be mostly young single males, now it is mostly families. A Syrian woman is travelling with her three children: 10, 5 and 1. Her home was destroyed, she says, and "if I stayed there for a million years we could not buy a house any more in Syria" before the war her husband sold insurance, a concept now as alien as peace. A young man, Shade, 21, fled Syria because he was told he had to join the army. He worked for eight months in Turkey to save money so he could catch a boat across to Greece they crowded onto a small inflatable dinghy, "I was not scared for myself, death in Syria is the same to me as death in the water. I was just worried about the little ones on the boat." And Naser Kasem, a 60-year-old Kurd from the north of Iraq, has a horror story: IS killed most of the people in his village, abducted his 22 year-old daughter, and killed two of his second daughter's young children. He is bringing his wife and his third daughter to Europe, to safety. They floated over from Turkey on two inner tubes lashed together, with 13 other people, including a two-month-old baby. "The water was coming through," he says. "We all covered the baby. I didn't care for myself, as long as the baby was alive." Later, I see Kasem and the baby in the queue at the border (it's closed again). There is movement on the other side. Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has come to visit. He exchanges platitudes with the border guards. But you can read a politician better by his actions than his words. He doesn't greet the refugees, standing in a bemused line barely a metre away. He doesn't even acknowledge them. Rita Redmond was a true lady who felt that every pupil had something to gift to the world Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/02/2016 (2441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CAIRO Egypts president said Saturday his country has established democratic and constitutional rule after years of turmoil following the 2011 uprising, but rights groups say he has presided over an unprecedented crackdown on dissent. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi declared the completion of Egypts transition to democratic rule in a 32-minute address to parliament, a 596-member chamber packed with his supporters. In practices reminiscent of Egypts past autocratic regimes, state television labelled the presidents speech historic before it started, and some lawmakers, in a show of patriotism, placed Egypts red, black and white flags before them in the chamber. Several others greeted el-Sissis arrival in the chamber with shouts of We love you, Mr. President! When his speech was later interrupted by the same chant, he replied: I love you too! El-Sissi acknowledged the country is still struggling to rebuild its economy and combat Islamic extremists, but said it had succeeded in restoring representative government. From this place, under parliaments dome, the Egyptian people declare to the entire world that they have laid the foundation of a democratic system and rebuilt constitutional institutions, he said in a speech that largely consisted of generalities and was repeatedly interrupted by applause. The former general led the 2013 military overthrow of president Mohammed Morsi, Egypts first freely elected and first Islamist leader, amid mass protests against his divisive year-long rule. Since then, the government has waged a massive crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of Islamists as well as several prominent secular activists who led the 2011 revolt that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. A draconian law passed in November 2013 prohibits all unauthorized protests. Over the past week, Egypt has faced allegations security forces were behind the abduction, torture and killing of an Italian researcher who disappeared Jan. 25, the fifth anniversary of the 2011 uprising, when police were out in force to prevent any demonstrations. Egypts Interior Ministry has denied the police had any involvement in the killing and insists it was a criminal act, but the incident has strained ties with Rome. The Associated Press Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/02/2016 (2441 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MUNICH Russias prime minister accused NATO Saturday of restarting the Cold War amid increased military manoeuvres and troop deployments to countries neighbouring Russia, moves the alliances top official defended as a necessary response to aggression from Moscow. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a meeting of top defence officials, diplomats and national leaders sanctions imposed after Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea and new moves by NATO only aggravate tensions. NATOs policies related to Russia remain unfriendly and opaque one could go so far as to say we have slid back to a new Cold War, Medvedev said. On almost a daily basis, were called one of the most terrible threats either to NATO as a whole, or Europe, or to the United States. The Associated Press YEKATERINA SHTUKINA / SPUTNIK FILES Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev calls NATOs policies toward Russia unfriendly. The comments came after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Munich Security Conference Russias rhetoric, posture and exercises of its nuclear forces are aimed at intimidating its neighbours, undermining trust and stability in Europe. Later, Stoltenberg told The Associated Press in an interview all NATOs moves had been made in response to Russian aggression. NATO does not seek confrontation, and we do not want a new Cold War. But we had to respond to the Russian military buildup, which we have seen over several years, he said. Not only a military buildup, but the fact that Russia is willing to use military power to change borders in Europe as they have done in Ukraine. The annual conference in Munich is one known for frank talk among top officials. Speaking after Medvedev, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry fired back Europe and the United States would continue to stand up to Russias repeated aggression and noted in addition to a joint focus on Ukraine, Washington plans to quadruple spending to help European security. That will allow the U.S. to maintain a divisions worth of equipment in Europe and an additional combat brigade in central and eastern Europe. NATO also announced this past week it would add new multinational reinforcements to beef up defences of front-line alliance members most at risk from Russia. Those who claim our trans-Atlantic partnership is unravelling or those who hope it might unravel could not be more wrong, Kerry said. Stoltenberg stressed the need for dialogue, but also defended NATOs move to strengthen defences, including moving more troops and equipment to countries bordering Russia. He said at a summer summit in Warsaw he expects NATO members to decide to further strengthen the alliances defence and deterrence. He told the AP it was also a positive first step that NATO members have mostly stopped cuts to their defence budgets and were working toward NATOs expectation that its members spend two per cent of GDP on defence a goal few meet. I think all politicians would prefer to spend money on education, health, infrastructure. But security doesnt come for free, and as tensions increase then we have to adapt, he said. When tensions went down after the end of the Cold War there was a peace dividend and defence spending went down. But when tensions are increasing, then we have to again increase our defence investments. Expressing the concerns of some eastern European countries, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite told the conference Moscow is already demonstrating open military aggression in Ukraine, open military aggression in Syria. Its nothing about cold, she said, referring to Medvedevs Cold War comments. It is already very hot. Ukraines President Petro Poroshenko blasted Russias actions in both Ukraine and Syria, saying they are a demonstration that we live in a completely different universe from Russia. He said the main danger to Europeans now is an alternative Europe with alternative values such as isolation, intolerance and disrespect for human rights. Poroshenko added: This alternative Europe has its own leader. His name is Mr. Putin. Stoltenberg, in his conference address, underlined that NATOs deterrent also included nuclear weapons, saying No one should think that nuclear weapons can be used as part of a conventional conflict it would change the nature of any conflict fundamentally. Medvedev scoffed at what he said was a suggestion Russia may use nuclear weapons in a first strike. Sometimes I wonder if its 2016 or if we live in 1962, he said, referring to the year of the Cuban missile crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov weighed in later, saying it seems that old instincts are still viable. Cliches of ideological confrontation are returning into common use, the conceptual basis of which ceased to exist a quarter of a century ago, he said. We need to agree on reforms of the world order, because such NATO-centred self-conceit, which reflects political short-sightedness, causes severe damage to the search for responses to common real challenges. Medvedev also called for sanctions on Russia imposed after it annexed Crimea to be lifted, saying they are a road that leads nowhere. He suggested the West would only harm itself if it did not lift the sanctions soon. The longer the sanctions continue, the more chances fade for Europeans to keep their positions in Russian markets as investors and suppliers, he said. Thats why one has to act quickly. Kerry said if Russia wants an end to sanctions, it has the simple choice of fully implementing the Minsk peace accord agreed upon last year. Russia can prove by its actions that it will respect Ukraines sovereignty, just as it insists on respect for its own, he said. The Associated Press Well, that didnt go well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued new advice aimed at preventing fetal alcohol syndrome and the warning went over like a flat beer. Heres what the CDC said: Women, abstain from drinking if you are trying to get pregnant or are not using birth control when you have sex. Heres why the CDC said that: It found that three in four women who plan to get pregnant soon are still drinking alcohol when they stop using birth control. It estimated that about 3 million women between the ages of 15 and 44 are at risk of exposing their developing baby to alcohol because they are drinking, sexually active and not using birth control to prevent pregnancy. Heres what social media thought about that message. The language insinuates that your womb is a Schrodingers box and you shouldnt pour alcohol into it unless youve peeked in there to be 100 percent sure the coast is clear. said an article in The Atlantic. Story headlines reflected the anger over what some people took as preachy, condescending advice about hypothetical babies. Protect Your Womb From the Devil Drink. CDC Says Women Shouldnt Drink Unless Theyre on Birth Control. Is It Drunk?!? The CDC Has Some Insulting Advice For Women Who Drink. The CDC scored love, though, from the Daily Caller with its headline: Women Freak Out When CDC Recommends Not Poisoning Their Babies. But that did not reflect the majority opinion. The agencys logic is that about half of all American pregnancies are unplanned, and many women dont know theyre pregnant for the first month or so, wrote Ruth Graham for Slate. But its the kind of swath-yourself-in-bubble-wrap thinking that has turned modern pregnancy into a nine-month slog of joyless paranoia. Drinking alcohol during a pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome. Babies born with a type of alcohol spectrum disorder can face a wide range of mental, behavioral and physical problems that can stay with them their entire lives. The CDCs report also pointed out that drinking can make a woman more vulnerable to injuries or violence and sexually transmitted diseases. That message bombed, too. Wheres the advice warning men that drinking can lead to violent behavior and STDs, social media fumed? The assumption that women should avoid drinking so they dont become the subject of unwanted sexual attention which can lead to an unintended pregnancy or an STD is one of the many victim-blaming pieces of advice that women regularly hear about how they should avoid being raped, wrote the ThinkProgress blog. The CDCs principal deputy director Anne Schuchat told reporters on Tuesday that the agencys new message was aimed at more than just women. Its important to note that women who are drinking during pregnancy are not trying to harm their babies, she said. They are either not aware of their risks, are not aware they are pregnant, or need help to stop drinking. We urge women and their partners and their friends to be supportive of that idea Im not going to drink for a while, because Im thinking about getting pregnant. Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University who wrote a book the advice women get when theyre pregnant, told NPR that the CDC has an important message to spread, but the way (the CDC) stated this is very extreme. Given the tone and judgment in the message, Oster said, it touched a nerve. In January, more than 350,000 lower income New Yorkers began paying $20 a month or less for comprehensive health insurance with no deductibles and low copayments, under a federal health law program. Minnesota has similar coverage in place through the same program, with more than 125,000 enrollees. The two states are using a provision of the health law to create a basic health program. And even though the coverage is significantly more affordable than the alternative subsidized marketplace plans health policy experts say its unlikely other states will follow suit. The fact that the basic health program is likely not going to be adopted by other states means that a lot of people probably arent going to be helped who could be, said Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health reform at the Kaiser Family Foundation. The option is generally aimed at people just above the Medicaid cutoff, with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,540 for an individual) who would otherwise qualify for subsidized coverage on the health insurance marketplaces. Low-income legal immigrants who are not eligible for Medicaid because they havent been in the country for five years, however, also can join. Like marketplace plans, basic health program plans have to cover the 10 essential health benefits and have to be at least as affordable as those plans. The states contract with plans to run the program. To fund it, the federal government pays states 95 percent of the amount it would have paid marketplace insurers in premium tax credit and cost-sharing subsidies for those consumers. Consumers who are eligible cannot instead go to the marketplace to get subsidized coverage. But these basic plans are a better buy than marketplace plans even when those plans have a premium tax credit and cost-sharing subsidies. For those who are getting close to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, the premiums and particularly the deductibles (of marketplace plans) are very challenging for people to pay, said Tolbert, who co-authored a paper about the basic health program. In New Yorks Essential Plan, as the states version is called, someone with an income of $23,540 would pay a monthly premium of $20 for a plan with no deductible and $15 copayments for primary care doctor visits. Maximum out-of-pocket spending for the year would be capped at $2,000. (People with lower incomes would generally have no premiums, no copayments for doctor visits and maximum out-of-pocket spending of $200 annually.) Contrast that with the least expensive standard silver-level marketplace plan in New York County available to someone with an income of $24,000, who is just slightly above the limit for the Essential Plan. Even with a $237 premium tax credit, the monthly premium is $131. After incorporating cost-sharing reductions, that buys a plan with a $1,500 deductible and $30 copayments for primary care doctor visits (after the deductible is paid down). The maximum out-of-pocket spending limit: $5,450. Even though marketplace subsidies are incredibly generous, at 175 to 200 percent of poverty you dont have an extra $100 a month to spend on health insurance, said Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president of health initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, an advocacy group. In addition, consumers on the basic health plans dont have to reconcile how much they received in subsidies against what they should have received at tax time. Also, under the basic health program, states have more flexibility to cut costs by adjusting plan payments and reimbursements to doctors, hospitals and other providers to lower rates than they receive from marketplace plans. So why arent more states putting a basic health program in place? Experts say it makes more sense in some states than others. New York and Minnesota, for example, were already providing Medicaid coverage to many people now eligible for the basic health plan. For those states, and a handful of others with more comprehensive Medicaid coverage, moving residents from the Medicaid program, where the state pays about 50 percent of the cost of coverage, to the basic health program, where the state pays just 5 percent, could be an attractive proposition. (New York had an added incentive because for more than a decade it has been paying the full Medicaid cost for low-income legal immigrants following a lawsuit.) But even a 5 percent payment responsibility gives many states pause. Instead, some may be eyeing other strategies to improve coverage and affordability for lower-income consumers next year using the state innovation waiver program, under which they could receive 100 percent of the marketplace subsidy amounts. In addition, people with incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level make up as much as two-thirds of marketplace enrollment in some states, according to an Urban Institute report. A smaller marketplace might be less attractive to insurers and result in fewer, more expensive offerings. If you pull those people out, youve decreased the size of the marketplace significantly, and that has the potential to change way the insurers look at it, said Linda Blumberg, a senior fellow at the Urban Institutes Health Policy Institute. New York is taking steps to stop therapists from trying to change young people's sexual orientation, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday, joining a number of states that have acted against what's known as gay conversion therapy. The Democratic governor's move, announced late last week, comes as gay rights advocates have campaigned state by state with mixed results to try to ban a practice that major mental health organizations have repudiated. Using executive power in a state where legislative bids to ban the therapy have stalled, Cuomo announced planned regulations that would bar insurance coverage for the therapy for minors and prohibit mental health facilities under state Office of Mental Health jurisdiction from offering it to minors. "Conversion therapy is a hateful and fundamentally flawed practice" that punishes people "for simply being who they are," Cuomo said in a statement. Nationwide, there are no firm figures on the extent of conversion therapy. But proponents and critics have said it is not rare for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths to undergo some sort of program aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. The American Psychological Association and other mental health groups say conversion therapy, sometimes called reparative therapy, wrongly treats being gay as a mental illness and may make young people feel ashamed, anxious and depressed. Democratic President Barack Obama's administration called last year for an end to the practice. Chad Griffin, president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, commended Cuomo's action. "No young person should be coerced or subjected to this dangerous so-called therapy," Griffin said in a statement. Cuomo was presented with the group's National Equality Award on Saturday night and told an audience his action "rejected fundamentally the absurd notion that being gay is a psychiatric disorder." California, Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati have outlawed the practice. But efforts to ban it have fallen short in several other places, including Colorado, Nevada and Iowa. In New York, a ban has passed the Democrat-controlled state Assembly twice. But it has gotten nowhere in the Republican-led Senate. Giving Winona families options when it comes to their childs education is a top priority for the Winona Area Public Schools. Thats why the continued support and development of Winonas specialized elementaries Jefferson Elementarys STEM program and Madison Elementarys Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP) is so important, said WAPS superintendent Stephen West. These programs are something that the community has a need for, West said. Any time we can give options to our families, there are always positives. Jeffersons STEM, now in its fifth year, provides a hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering and math. Students must meet the standards required of all students in core classes like English and social studies, as well as specialized classes like art and music, but are taught through a STEM lens. In Madisons program, in its second year, classes are taught 90 percent in Spanish, including core classes such as math, social studies, English and science, while art, physical education and music are taught in English. Open enrollment for both schools ended this week, with Jefferson accepting applications for K-4 students and Madison for kindergartners, and both continue to grow. Developing, growing through STEM Jeffersons STEM curriculum integrates different subjects into units, and currently the emphasis is on using the scientific method to solve problems, principal Arthur Williams said. The kids are in the middle of a Lego and Bee-Bot robot unit, where they are programming robots to move. In one example of integrating subjects, the students were recently reading a chapter in The Mouse and the Motorcycle where Ralph, the titular mouse, gets trapped in a trash can. The students were asked to write their own version of the next chapter to solve the problem and to program their robot to move Ralph out of the trash can. At STEM, we are developing the 21st-century learner, teacher Sara Fellman said. Students need to be prepared to think, collaborate, communicate and problem-solve. Parents of STEM students praise the programs curriculum. Allison Biesanz has a fourth-grader, Brett, whose been in the program all four years, and a second-grader, Mallory, at the school. She has noticed her kids more engaged with school, and interested in collaborating with others. It forces the kids to think about things in different waysthere might be 15 different ways of doing something, so I think they learn a lot more by doing, and taking a look at how other people solve problems, too, she said. West and Williams said that as the curriculum grows, the focus is on staff development and finding the resources to keep the curriculum current in an ever-changing field. For example, learning coding has been a focus of recent efforts at Jefferson. Development and learning is just as important for teachers as it is for kids, Williams said. I want to be able to provide the opportunity for my teachers to grow and to be the lifelong learners that they are in science, he said. Williams said the ultimate goal is to get kids excited about STEM fields, and prepare them for the high-demand, evolving jobs they will face in the future jobs that may not have even been invented yet. So far its been a success, he said, one thats become more evident with students who commit to the school. Its really cool to see the fourth-graders who have been at STEM for four years, just to see their critical thinking, the way theyre able to work collaboratively with one another and work with different groups, Williams said. Learning the language Madisons Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP) has been growing consistently, starting with kindergarten and first-graders and expanding to second grade, and next year to third grade. The program has 20 to 24 students in each of the three grade levels. In kindergarten teacher Darlene Centenos class, the focus is entirely on comprehension. Centeno speaks 90 percent Spanish to them, per the curriculum, which is a challenge for the students at first. Its a new experience, new school, and then they come in and they have no idea what their teacher is telling them, she said. Centeno said after a few weeks, however, the students begin to figure it out. She helps by using a lot of gestures, pictures, exaggerated expressions Ill roll around on the ground if I have to, she said, laughing. And after a while, they begin speaking Spanish. Its truly amazing how fast the kids are picking up on it and really learning the language, said principal Mark Winter. Winter said finding true curriculum in Spanish as opposed to English curriculum translated into Spanish is difficult, but Madisons teachers have used other schools resources, created their own curriculum and adapted along the way. New this year, for example, are college graduates interning in classrooms through an international exchange program, so students can work with native speakers. One challenge with SLIP is staying patient, Winter said. SLIP parents are warned that students may get tired and frustrated in the beginning. And students typically lag behind peers in English around the third grade. But the curriculum shifts to a model of teaching half the curriculum in either language, and by the fifth grade, research shows students not only have caught up to their peers in English, but in some cases passed them. Once you have that base knowledge of Spanish, it transfers over to English, Winter explained. Joy Davis Ripley, who has a daughter, Azure, in the program, said her daughter is thriving. I had prepared myself for some very hard months: I expected her to feel lost and confused, even overwhelmed or unhappy, she said. But there must be something about a childs cognitive development around the age of five that makes this such a good age at which to learn a second language. Another SLIP parent, Juan C. Fernandez-Iglesias, who was born in Barcelona, Spain, and is a native speaker, wanted his children to become truly bilingual. He said having them learn Spanish in school, versus him teaching them at home, demonstrates to them the value of learning the language. When they started Spanish at school, they realized that Spanish was something real and that other kids spoke it, too this is very important for kids, he said. Since then, they have become much more curious and accepting of the fact that they are other people in the world that do not speak English, he said. That means a lot to him and his family, since his kids will be able to interact with extended family living in Spain. As the program grows, one challenge is finding qualified teachers and bringing them to southeast Minnesota. That will be a challenge from now to the end, West said. Theres no way we will get over that challenge. For now, Winter said, the plan is to continue to build sustainably. We dont want to get too big too fast so that we cant find qualified teachers, he said. Build one class at a time and remain one section (for each class), and see how it goes from there. Moving forward West said the district will continue to integrate the specialized learning at the elementaries into higher levels. That means continuing curriculum into the middle school and high schools as the kids grow older. These are going to be different learners, West said. These kids are going to come with a different educational experience, with different needs. Its making sure they continue that experience, he said. The parents have invested their time and their energy in the K-4 experience, but we have to make sure they have a K-12 experience. For STEM students, that means strengthening and expanding programming already in place. For SLIP students, that means continuing to offer core classes in Spanish. The district has begun to look at K-8 models, and West plans to present an action plan to the school board this spring or early summer, he said. These are two programs that both the school board and community have supported and we have to continue to support with our time and resources, West said. Im very excited about whats going on at these schools. It forces the kids to think about things in different waysthere might be 15 different ways of doing something, so I think they learn a lot more by doing, and taking a look at how other people solve problems, too. Allison Biesanz, who has two children in the STEM program Despite Saturdays temperatures approaching zero, members of the Winona community got outside to Goose Bump Jump in the Big Lake for charity, snowshoe race by Holzinger Lodge and bond as a community while participating in the annual Winona Winter Carnival. Events for the Winona Winter Carnival took place in various areas throughout Winona Friday through Sunday. On Saturday morning, the Valencia Arts Center hosted winter-themed art workshops for children in kindergarten through fifth grade at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. At the 10:30 a.m. workshop, 15 children gathered for print and snowflake making. Art teacher Brianna Haupt demonstrated how to etch a design in Styrofoam, roll ink on the stencil and press it on a piece of paper to create a print. When she pulled the paper from the stencil to reveal a freshly-inked snowman, Mia Bagniewski, 5, turned to her mom, Megan Bagniewski, MCA administrative assistant, with mouth agape, eyes wide. After Mia printed her design a snow hill she set to work on making paper snowflakes. She folded a small piece of light blue paper and carefully cut out a geometric design. Look, Mommy! she said after each creation. I wanna make another one. Across town at the Lake Lodge, a large group gathered at noon for a Minnesotan tradition: jumping in a freezing lake on a frigid winter day for charity. The proceeds from this years Goose Bump Jump will benefit the Winona Park & Recreation Scholarship fund. For exchange student Juliette Billy of Nice, France, the Goose Bump Jump is an essential part of visiting the Midwest. She jumped in with her host dad, Carew Halleck. Its a Minnesotan experience. You cant go to Minnesota and not do that, she said. Oh, I can feel my toes now. For jumper Alex Bilski, jumping in freezing waters is a fun family cabin tradition. He estimates hes jumped in lakes in the winter at least 20 times maybe 30. The waters warmer than the air. Any day like that is a good one, said Bilski. First-time jumper Lon Lonskappel said waiting to jump in was the worst part. After he hit the cold water, he said he ran the first few steps and then thought, Oh, well. It was just like swimming the first time of the year, Lonskappel said. At the Holzinger Lodge at 1 p.m., 20 people in snowshoes prepared for the third annual snowshoeing 5k race, with racers from as far as Ann Arbor, Mich. Avery Prondzinski, part of the Outdoor Education and Recreation Center, which organized the event, said winter carnival events promote community and encourage people to be outside in the winter. Even on a day when its, what, eight degrees? You can still get outside, he said. Prondzinski also added that donations from local groups such as the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, J.R. Watkins, Benos Deli and Ground Round prove that there are a lot of ways to take part in recreation via local businesses in Winona. In recognition of Valentines Day, three Winona couples, all at very different stages of their lives and relationships, talked about what brought them together, whats kept them together and what makes love stay. Here are their stories: YOUNG LOVE: Cassie and Zach Cassie Douglas and Zach Spanton met while they were both in high school at summer camp in Waupaca, Wis., in 2011. Cassie, from Eagle, Wis., more than 500 miles away from Zachs home in Milbank, S.D., wasnt even supposed to be there. She and her cousin typically attended the camp during its third week, but her cousin decided they should meet new people and go the first week. If we hadnt gone that week, I wouldnt have met him, she said. She nearly didnt anyway. It wasnt until the last day of camp and a compliment from Zach about Cassies Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt that the two young campers began talking. Over the next year they exchanged texts and wrote letters. When summer camp started again in 2012, the two talked quite a bit more. I remember the first night, I just remember this because it was so cute, Cassie said. We were just sitting there talking, and he goes, Would you be offended if I hold your hand? Throughout the week, Cassies cousin asked her if she would ever consider a long-distance relationship. As the week progressed, the less hesitant she became. On Aug. 6, 2012, the high-school students began dating after a meet-up date of Chinese dinner and a movie in Tomah, Wis., even though their parents werent exactly pleased with the arrangement. My dad was really mad, because he knew I would have to be driving or traveling far somehow, Zach said. He was hesitant about letting me go in the first place. The couple saw other in person about once a month, otherwise relying on face-to-face video calls as they digitally dated across 500 miles including their first Valentines Day. Zach purchased two copies of the same movie and gave one to Cassie, and they spent the night eating dinner and watching a movie together, in separate homes. When Zach graduated high school, he chose Winona State University. Cassie came the following year. The couple, once separated by a full state, now shared a hallway as next-door neighbors. I thought it would feel a lot different than it actually did, Cassie said. But it just felt normal. I feel like most couples are pretty goofy, Zach said. But thats what makes couples work. You can be weird around each other. GROWING LOVE: Danya and Carlos Carlos Espinosa was sitting in the wrong seat of a flight to California that he only took because he had a free flight voucher. It turned out he was sitting in the seat purchased by his future wife. After some confusion about who was supposed to sit where, Danya Espinosa and a friend settled in next to Carlos. I had my boarding ticket in my hand, and I thought I put it back in my backpack, Carlos recalled. And I sat down; I never had this problem before. And lo and behold, Im sitting in the wrong seat. Their flight stopped in Las Vegas, and while other passengers geared up to party, the three played a game, Catchphrase. It wasnt awkward, Carlos said. We established a friendship right away. They took a quick selfie after a few hours together and ate lunch at the Vegas airport, at which point Danyas friend urged her to get Carlos information. We were both in the same point in our lives, neither of us were in a relationship, Danya said. We seemed to have a lot in common. Danya continued on her trip and Carlos went to visit a school he was considering attending in California. At one point, Danya decided to check in and see how his trip was going. The rest was history. It just was really comfortable, Danya said. I felt that right away, too, Carlos said. I felt that just something clicked, it was an immediate friendship. Back home in Minnesota, Carlos, living in Minneapolis, and Danya, living in Winona, started dating. Telling her parents she met a random stranger on a plane made her a little uneasy, though, so she made up a story about meeting him at the University of WisconsinLa Crosse. Her parents knew better. They played along at first because I was still living at home at the time, Danya said. From the first time they met him they kind of knew he was going to be the one ... They just welcomed him in with open arms. Carlos soon accepted work as the assistant city planner in Winona, and headed to town. I almost knew it was coming, but at the same time it was kind of a shock because no one had ever really done something like that before for me, Danya said. In July 2010 the couple married with a plane-themed wedding. Five-and-a-half years later, the couple still believes fate played a role. I wasnt planning on meeting somebody and moving to Winona, Carlos said. But it ended up working out. And thats amazing. The couple lives in Winona with their cats Hobart and Beatrice. Danya said communication skills are key to their marriage, including a Thank You journal they keep. Just say thanks for the small things, Danya said. Even acknowledging some of those things, even everyday things, are important to showing that we appreciate one another and that we feel valued in the relationship. Her advice to those looking for love? Just sit in the wrong seat. HALF-CENTURY OF LOVE: Margaret and Ray Margaret and Ray Kiihne have shared a lifetime built on long eyelashes, spontaneity and a casual question. In fall 1963, Margaret was a new English teacher at a high school in California. One day in the teachers lounge, she swore she recognized the man across the room. To this day, she maintains she really thought she did. The man, Ray, remains fascinated with his wife to this day. The couple started dating and were engaged by Christmas. They married in April 1964 and two months later took a trip overseas that lasted nearly a year. They were driven not so much by spontaneity but by tragedy, though not their own. In November, Kennedy is assassinated, Ray said. Margaret and I are walking the beach together, and its sort of a powerful thing to get to know another person. A lot of it was the instability that we felt after and the sort of need to have a solid core that neither one of us had. So that June the couple sold everything, quit their jobs and took off to Europe, one of Margarets dreams, for nearly a year after only knowing each other for a matter of months. It was a revelation that didnt hit Margaret until she was already in Europe. I remember sitting in this car at one point and thinking, You know, I hardly know this guy, Margaret said. But weve been married ever since. He had a sense of humor, number one, and the other part of it is, well, gee, hes an artist, how romantic and how free of life. After nearly a year in Europe, the Kiihnes made their way back to the U.S., where their son Robert was born. They eventually had two other children, Megan and Suzanne. The Kiihnes have never stayed in one spot, moving all over the U.S., including New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan and eventually a place close to their heart and love of art, Winona. When Ray accepted an offer to teach at Winona State University, they moved to Winona, where they still live nine months out of the year. The other three months are spent with the other love of their lives: New Mexico. Countless moves and trips later, Margaret said their relationship never stops growing. It deepens as you get older, Margaret said. There are frustrations, there are issues, there are some questions that seem insurmountable, but Im glad Im married to him. Fifty years later, Ray still surprises her. Thats her favorite part. He will come up the surprising answer, Margaret said. It may be one that I totally disagree with, but in general I think thats what it is. For Ray, the key to 50 years of marriage is simple: Stay fascinated. In ancient scripture, the psalmist asks, What [are humans] that you have been mindful of [them, mortals] that you have taken note of them, that you have made [them] little less than divine, and adorned [them] with glory and majesty? (Psalm 8:5-6, Tanakh) This is a good contemporary question also. The history of humanity could be characterized by such a question: Who are we? To understand ourselves is no simple task. We are very intricate beingsso far, the pinnacle of creation as we know it. Professor David Christian (San Diego State University) describes the significance of humanity on a scale of time (the 14 billion years of our universe) as rather small; but, on a scale of complexity, huge. Seventeenth-century French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal expressed it this way: For what is man in nature? A nothingness in respect to infinity, a whole in respect to nothingness, a median between nothing and everything. Interesting shoes to fillour particular speck of cosmic stellar dust that has a name, may wear glasses, and eats oatmeal for breakfast in the winter. Imagine a tangerine. It is a whole fruitfor our purposes comprised of an outer rind and inner segments of juicy tastiness. The rind represents the unity and the wholeness of who we are as individuals. Simple image. Begin to peel away the rind (so much easier than for an orange!) and many segments are revealed. These segments represent the spherals (components) that make up each individuals LifeSphere (wholeness). Now, a tangerine has eight to 10 segments, but for the sake of this model, we are going to imagine only seven. Why seven? In Scripture, seven (a prime number) is considered a perfect number. There are seven days in creation (Genesis 1); seven wonders of the world; seven continents; seven deadly sins and seven cardinal virtues; seven colors in the rainbow; and Naaman was told to wash seven times in the River Jordan to be cured of his leprosy (2 Kings 5). So, seven it is. What are they? Not in any hierarchical order, the first spheral (They all end in -al. So OCD!) is the physical. We are our bodies: size, shape, musculature, complexion, eye and hair color, host of many organisms (some benign, some lethal), gene pool strong or mutated, born into the world healthy or damaged. The Hebrews have the best understanding of our anthropology: we are bodies animated by soul. We are not bifurcated into a body and a soul, each having a separate identity. Think Greek or Klingon here. NO, the body does not exist without the soul and the soul does not exist without the body. We are truly a wholeness; one cannot be peeled away and exist separately. A second spheral is the psychological/emotional. Here we can turn to the Greeks and the Freudians, Jungians, Adlerians, Rogerians, Myers Briggs, LIFO, Flag Page, Four Colors and Dr. Phil and a host of others. There is a dynamic within each person that gives unique personality to how the individual lives each day. The archetype from which most all of these spring are the four temperaments: sanguine (popular, talker), melancholy (perfect, thinker), choleric (powerful, doer,) and phlegmatic (peaceful, watcher). How all these possibilities are embodied in each individual is a mysterious dynamic that keeps the counseling couch warm and each person guessing which side of the bed he or she will wake up on in the morning. In the weeks to follow for In Season, the other segments of our wholeness (to stay with the model of a tangerine) will be explained, not just for a 3-D world, but for a 4-D world. Yet to come are the intellectual, social, recreational, vocational and spiritual. We will see how all are important, though they may not all be equal; how they can change over time, yet always contribute to the trajectory of each unique, juicy and tasty life. (Mark J. Molldrem is a writer, community volunteer, and daily host of Joy in the Morning on WBEV. He lives in Beaver Dam with his wife, Shirley. WordPowerSolutions@gmail.com) China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Woonsocket Police Captain Michael Lemoine is looking forward to running this year's Boston Marathon and in doing so, raising funds for the Alzheimers Association. This weekend thousands of people were in attendance for the opening of a Make in India drive, designed to attract foreign direct investment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event and initiative as the biggest brand that India has ever created. According to Daily Mail, Prime Minister Modis enthusiasm for the Make in India drive has been criticized by marketing experts and bosses alike. Failure to deliver on the drives promises of making India a business hub of the world would be public relations disaster for Modi. When you over-communicate and you under-deliver, the biggest risk is that you begin to lost trust, said Chandramouli Nilakantan, CEO of Blue Lotus Communications, a consultancy for branding and public relations. While the festival got off to a rocky start in the form of a fire on Sunday, things proceeded swimmingly. The prime ministers of Sweden and Finland were in attendance, as well as 2,500 foreign and 8,000 domestic companies. Taiwans Foxconn has pledged to invest $5 billion in a new electronics manufacturing facility in India. Foreign direct investment nearly doubled to $59 last year, the seventh highest in the world according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. However, critics still consider India far behind its purported goals. The governments goal for manufacturing jobs by 2022 is 100 million however, only 4 million have been created since 2010. Additionally, Professor Ravi Aron, a U.S.-based expert in manufacturing, said India is not equipped for a Chinese-style export boom as a result of its lack of infrastructure and skills. It should not be called Make in India but Make in Spite of India,' said Aron. Yeimi Rey By: Feng Qian (Scroll down for video) A supermodel became extremely angry that her rival posted pictures on the Internet, showing how she looked before undergoing plastic surgery several years ago, police in Colombia said. Bogota police said that they have arrested 21-year-old Yeimi Rey, moments before boarding a plane to Miami, Florida. Rey was charged with kidnapping and torture after she and her sister were accused of kidnapping and torturing Carolina Munoz. According to the police investigation, the sisters had attacked Munoz in an act of revenge after she opened bogus social networking accounts and published unflattering pictures of them before plastic surgery procedures. Munoz told police that the sisters pushed her into their car after which they bit and tortured her. They pulled out her hair and cut her clothes. They also shocked her with a stun gun. They also warned her of an acid attack that will destroy her career. Munoz also complained that the sisters stole and published nude photos of her on social media sites. Munoz admitted to creating fake Twitter accounts to shame the sisters because they left negative comments on her social media accounts. Reyas sister has not yet been arrested. Local Businesses Help Fund Wrexham Scouts London Trip This article is old - Published: Sunday, Feb 14th, 2016 1st Esclusham Scouts based in Rhostyllen are soon embarking on the trip of a lifetime to London thanks to three local businesses, Tesco, Birch Dane and Utilities Connections Management. The trip has been six months in the planning with the girls and boys having their say in what they do when down in the capital. As part of the fundraising for the trip, the Scouts did a four hour bag pack at Tesco in Wrexham, which saw generous customers donate 511. Of those customers, Bridget Glendinning, Managing Director of Birch Dane Business services based in Llay was so impressed that she agreed to extend her donation to help cover the planned activities. During their weekend trip the group will see popular London sights such as Big Ben and the London Eye. Speaking about the trip, Hannah Hughes said Im most excited about being able to learn new facts in the Science Museum. Bethan Houghton added: Im keen on spending time with my friends in a new environment. The group would also like to extend a big thank you to Utilities Connections Management Limited who has kindly helped support the Scouts trip. Scout leader Pete Jones said: Without these kind donations, this trip would not have gone ahead. We are still trying to raise funds for us to participate in more activities whilst in London. If you or your company would like to put something back into the community and support the Scouts contact Pete on 07738 339630. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Leon County Deputies have now arrested the man they say robbed a bank Friday afternoon. Thomas Richards II was booked into the Leon County Jail Friday night, after deputies say he demanded money from the clerk of the Wells Fargo Bank on Mahan drive. Officials say he he did not have any weapons on him at the time of the incident. According to officers, Richards was later found in Gadsden County. He was arrested and taken to the Leon County Jail. Investigators say Richards had planned on robbing more banks and then flee to Mexico. An angry Gov. Jay Inslee addresses the media about the Senate's firing of Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson on Feb. 8, 2016 in Olympia. (Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times) Submit An Obituary Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death. Go to form If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. A convoy of over a hundred Humvees was recently captured on video near the Saudi Arabian town of Qurayat, about 19 miles away from the al-Haditha border crossing with the Kingdom of Jordan. Al-Haditha, which is the Saudi Kingdoms largest land border crossing, was previously used as the primary crossing point for goods transiting through Saudi Arabia to the rest of the Gulf countries from the north, as well as people making the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, coming from as far away as Turkey, Syria, and even Russia. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Humvees seen allegedly heading towards the border appear to be of the Oshkosh M-ATV variety. The Saudi military currently uses these in its conflict with Yemen, and is thought to have approximately 450 of the vehicles. Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman Additionally, Saudi Arabia has stationed a squadron of F-15 fighter jets at the Turkish air force base in Incirlik, close to the city of Adana. This base is also used by the US air force. This seemingly massive buildup of Saudi forces heading into Jordan and Turkey seems to reinforce Saudis statements on putting boots on the ground in Syria, a decision which been met by the Assad regime with enmity. Although the Saudis claim they only want to fight ISIS, the regime responded by saying that any attack on any group on Syrian soil would be considered an act of war. The new kingmakers The timing of the Saudi decision to send ground forces says much about the state of geopolitics in the region, and how the Saudis currently see themselves in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, with all of its fancy high tech weapons, has lost face in its fight against the Houthis a rag-tag, flip-flop-wearing militia that has overtaken Yemen. With their GCC coalition and army of South American mercenaries, the Saudis are slogging their way through the country, and even getting attacked in their own southern cities of Najran and Jazan. However, by hitting ISIS hard and on the ground in Syria, they may be able to restore some of their pride and prove to the world that they are a fighting force to be reckoned with. Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman At the same time, the Russians and the Iranians two non-Arab peoples have entered the Arab Middle East, and are exerting their power and influence there in a way that totally shuts out the Saudis. The House of Saud does not want to see these foreigners threatening their influence in the region. The Saudi government may believe that by leading the effort on the ground in Syria, they will be able to assert themselves politically and strategically and maintain their perceived role as the regional Sunni power when and if the Russians and Iranians leave.The move into Jordan and Turkey may simply be an attempt to project Saudi military power to the world in general, and to show the Russians and the Iranians that if they want to have influence in the Middle East, the House of Saud must also have a seat at the table. A clash of religion Perhaps even more important than geopolitical considerations is the millennium-long war between the two main branches of Islam the Sunnis and the Shiites. Saudi Arabia views itself as the protector of Sunni Islam, while the Iranians are the major Shiite power in the world. The Sunnis of Syria are being subjected to ethnic cleansing, and the Saudis are well-aware of the uptick in the number of massacres of their co-religionists. They are also fearfully aware that the tide of the civil war is turning in favor of the Assad regime (and by extension, the Iranians), and understand that solely providing weapons and air support to their Syrian Sunni bretheren will no longer be enough to mitigate the risks of a Syrian Sunni slaughter becoming a reality. To save their fellow Sunnis from utter annihilation, the Saudis are forming a grand Sunni coalition including Turkey and the UAE with which to enter into the fray. Although Saudi Arabias stated goal is to defeat ISIS, it has also said time and time again that it will not allow Assad to remain in power. To the Saudis, the Shiites have too much Sunni blood on their hands, and it appearsthat Saudi Arabia intends to make them pay. Israel voiced doubt on Sunday that an international ceasefire plan for Syria would succeed, suggesting a sectarian partition of the country was inevitable and perhaps preferable. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter While formally neutral on the five-year civil war racking its neighbor, Israel has some sway among the world powers that have mounted armed interventions and which on Friday agreed on a "cessation of hostilities" to begin within a week. Ruins in Homs, Syria, seen from a Russian drone The deal, clinched at a Munich security conference, is already beset by recriminations between Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar Assad militarily and wants to see his rule restored, and Western powers that have called for change in Damascus involving select opposition groups. Addressing the conference after he met European counterparts and Jordan's King Abdullah, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said he was "very pessimistic" about the truce's prospects. "Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time," he said. "And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelette from an egg. I don't know how to make an egg from an omelette." Referring to some of the warring sects, Ya'alon added: "We should realize that we are going to see enclaves - 'Alawistan', 'Syrian Kurdistan', 'Syrian Druzistan'. They might cooperate or fight each other." Damascus (Photo: AFP) Ram Ben-Barak, director-general of Israel's Intelligence Ministry, described partition as "the only possible solution." "I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there," he told Army Radio, arguing that Assad's minority Alawite sect had no way to heal its schism with the Sunni Muslim majority. "I can't see how a situation can be reached where those same 12 percent Alawites go back to ruling the Sunnis, of whom they killed half a million people there. Listen, that's crazy." Helped by Russian firepower, Syrian government forces and their allies have been encircling rebel-held areas of Aleppo. That would give Assad effective control of western Syria, Ben-Barak said, although much of the east is dominated by Islamic State insurgents. An Assad victory in Aleppo, Ben-Barak said, "will not solve the problem, because the battles will continue. You have ISIS there and the rebels will not lay down their weapons." While sharing foreign concerns about Islamic State advances, Israel worries that the common threat from the insurgents has created a de-facto axis between world powers and its arch-foe Iran, which also has troops helping Assad. "As long as Iran is in Syria, the country will not return to what it was, and it will certainly find it difficult to become stable as a country that is divided into enclaves, because the Sunni forces there will not allow this," Ya'alon said in an earlier statement. At the conference, Ya'alon also met with Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former ambassador to the US and the former head of Saudi's intelligence agency, and the two shook hands. Ya'alon shaking hands with Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal at the defense conference (Photo: Defense Ministry) Ya'alon said that Israel had channels of communications with neighboring Sunni Arab countries. "Not only Jordan and Egypt. I speak about the Gulf states and North African states too ... For them, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood are the enemy. They are not shaking hands (with Israelis) in public, but we meet in closed rooms." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says staffers for US Vice President Joe Biden are arriving in Israel ahead of Biden's possible visit to the country. At a Cabinet meeting Sunday, Netanyahu cited media reports that Biden was considering visiting Israel in the coming days. He said Biden's staff is landing in Israel Sunday, but dates for a visit have not been set. Last month, Biden met Netanyahu in Davos, Switzerland shortly after the US lifted sanctions on Iran as part of a nuclear deal. The US has sought to soften Israel's concerns on the deal through discussions about a new long-term agreement on US military aid for Israel. Do nine tenants in a residential building have the right to place the dumpsters in front of the tenth tenant's door? Seemingly, they enjoy a clear majority. But the role of democracy is not only to assure the governance of the majority, but to protect the rights of the minority. This simple perception was handed down by Shulamit Aloni to pupils at an elementary school in Holon many moons ago, and it comes back to mind whenever the latest dysfunctional idiot in Israeli politics flaunts slogans about the will of the people, the governance of the majority etc. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The Netanyahu government was chosen lawfully, in alliance with the rules of democracy. Those who cry out: "They've deprived us of our country," are, well, no more than crybabies. The rules of democracy haven't been broken. No one has altered the rules, not even the bastards. Yes, but the fact that a government is chosen lawfully, abiding by the rules of democracy, doesn't necessarily mean that the country will be run as a law-abiding state and that democracy will be protected from those who try to undermine and destroy it, including the government itself and the prime minister himself, with his own bare hands. Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Amit Shabi) Netanyahu is crippling the very foundations of democracy by clutching on to three major ministries Foreign, Finance and Communications while ravaging them like a crazed elephant. He crushes senior civil servants, weakens the gatekeepers and appoints unworthy people who can be nicknamed "Filbers," referring to the director general of the Communications Ministry. Their main attribute being loyalty to the interests of Netanyahu, and their only goal the abolishment of any opposition to the totalitarian rule which he has been striving to establish. He incites and encourages incitement against citizens the Arab minority, the state of Tel Aviv, human rights organizations, writers and artists. He turns against senior business figures who don't abide to him, media people who dare criticize him, and just plain old Israelis who get in his way while heading to Davos. Cab drivers for instance. A law-abiding state? Laws can be broken, bent or ridiculed. Dozens of laws which were subject the daunting legislation process under the previous government his government! met their early demise in the passed year, just because they were passed by parties who were later exiled to the opposition. And so we have witnessed the death of Yair Lapid's equality in the shared burden initiative and Orly Levi-Abecasis' social laws. He has no mercy for children either. The teachers' obligation to inform parents when their children have skipped school is not in on Bibi's agenda. Concurrently, he initiates, or enables, various wacos in his party to initiate laws which are of clear and immediate threat, amongst them laws that put to ridicule the very foundations of democracy, laws that undermine the principles of social equality, laws which bruise Israel's reputation, laws that make a mockery of war against corruption, laws that destroy secular education. And the list goes on. Are these Putin-like initiatives pre-meditated, or are they the hallucinations of a ruler whose paranoia is nourished by backscratchers? Those who have worked with him warmly advise not to treat his intentions lightly. The Messiah King Netanyahu, in his view, can't make do with a mere fence protecting us against the deadly animals of the Middle East in order to salvage the State of Israel. The prime minister wishes to weaken the political system, and while doing so, dwarf his ministers as well. On the second tier, he is trying to undermine trust in holders of public positions and eliminate their ability to stand in his way. On the third tier he is doing all he can, literally all he can, to kill the free press. The bombshell hidden within this analysis is that it has not been worded by a Leftist from the state of Tel Aviv, but by right wing folk who are closely acquainted with the prime minister. They speak of him in awe, some even admire him, and they undoubtedly support his political views and his macro-economical perceptions. But, none the less, Netanyahu's "big plan" to destroy democracy in order to save the state scares them. They shared their fears with the writer of this column, out of true and utter anxiety. In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Supreme Court on Sunday to personally defend the natural gas deal signed in December with US and Israeli developers drilling offshore gas deposits, while the five justices deliberate on petitions against it. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The prime minister asked the judges to reject the petitions against the gas plan, warning that "with so many good intentions, we might miss a historic golden opportunity." While Netanyahu was delivering his testimony inside the courtroom, about 50 people protested outside. One wore a cape, a scepter and a mask of Netanyahu's face, while another held a sign that read "selling the state." Netanyahu at court (Photo: Gil Yohanan) Israel announced the discovery of sizeable offshore natural gas deposits about five years ago. A partnership between Noble Energy and Delek Group, which is led by billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, is the main developer at Israel's two larger gas fields, Tamar and the heftier Leviathan. After the country's antitrust commissioner determined the gas companies' ownership constituted a monopoly, a government committee reached a deal with the firms to introduce competition. Under the deal, Texas-based Noble Energy and Israel's Delek Group, which discovered Leviathan in 2010, would retain control of the field but are being forced to sell other, smaller assets such as the nearby Tamar field that began production in 2013. Critics, including the anti-trust authority, have argued that planned control of the country's gas reserves by one consortium will limit competition and keep prices high. Opposition parties Zionist Union and Meretz, and non-government organizations like the Movement for Quality Government in Israel and Adam Teva V'Din, filed petitions to block the deal because they said it favored the developers over the Israeli public. Holding estimated reserves of 622 billion cubic metres, Leviathan will cost at least $6 billion to develop. It is meant to begin production by 2020 and supply billions of dollars worth of gas to Egypt and Jordan, and possibly Turkey and Europe. The prime minister said that Israel was "at a critical point in time, both with regards to the risks and with regards to the opportunities relating to this issue. In the most concise way, we're at the last minute with regards to our ability to realize the potential in the State of Israel's gas reserves. As I'm about to elaborate, any additional delay, any backtracking, could lead to grave results that I doubt we could overcome." He argued the blueprint provided major opportunities for Israel's foreign relations and significantly boost its economy, and noted that if Israel were to alter its deal investors could turn away and buy gas from Israel's enemies instead. Netanyahu said he had no intention of going into the legal arguments against the gas deal, noting he asked to appear in person in front of the extended panel of judges "to demonstrate the great importance I see in continuing the quick and smooth implementation of the gas plan. It's important not just to the State of Israel's economy, but also to its national security, its energy security and to our standing in the Middle East." The extended panel of justices presiding over the petitions against the plan (Photo: Gil Yohanan) He argued that there was "no realistic alternative to the approved gas plan and I'm anxious of the possible consequences of any further delay. It could lead to the collapse of the plan that has been formulated, which could lead to grave, significant and long-term damage to the State of Israel." The prime minister stressed that Israel "needed to create relationships of trust and long-term cooperation with international companies and foreign governments because developing the Leviathan field, much like other fields, necessitates massive investments of tens of billions of shekels. This requires long-term contracts to produce gas so we could fund the development of the gas fields." However, he noted, Israel's rigid regulatory system has "undermined the trust of energy companies and the international banks that are supposed to fund the investments, as well as of those countries that are supposed to be the buyers of the Israeli gas. The development of the gas fields, much like the development of new gas fields, has completely stopped." "This isn't another economic project," Netanyahu said. "In order to develop gas that's at a great depth of almost two kilometers under sea level, dozens of kilometers from the shore, that is a very complex operation that requires knowhow and expertise." The prime minister also defended the gas plan from claims that it was meant to help the wealthy and harm the rest of Israel's citizens, saying that "A significant portion of the revenue from the gas plan has gone to the state, meaning to the citizens of Israel." "I've led many of the significant competitive reforms in the Israeli economy," he went on to say. "I don't need a push to promote competition and reduce centralization. I supported the gas plan because I realized that in this case, we are at a pressing situation and we do not have another realistic alternative. Without the plan, there will definitely not be any competition. I have no doubt about that." Last year, the Knesset narrowly approved the deal but the anti-trust commissioner resigned in protest. The deal still needed anti-trust approval or for the economy minister to sign a waiver to bypass the Anti-Trust Authority. The minister, Aryeh Deri, refused and ultimately resigned and Netanyahu took over as economy minister. In December, he invoked a never-before-used clause in the anti-trust law that allows for decisions of the Anti-Trust Authority to be overridden in the name of security and international diplomacy. "Until a year ago, I've allowed the different regulators to act independently, but the decision of the previous antitrust regulator to go back on a contract has led to a serious crisis of trust, almost irreversible, not just with the energy companies but also with the relevant countries. "We had an agreement with the Kingdom of Jordan to sign a contract on the supply of Israeli gas (to Amman) and everything was ready, and then the surprising decision came to cancel the agreement. This was an important security, geo-political and economic contract. Had this contract been signed a year ago, it would've helped a lot to the economic stability of Jordan, which is facing the significant and difficult challenge of hundreds of thousands of refugees. It strengthens our relations of peace, relations that are very important to the State of Israel." Netanyahu had defended the deal in an affidavit to the Supreme Court last week and requested appearing in front of the judges before they make their final, binding ruling. "This is the first time I've asked to appear in front of the court in the 10 years I've served as the prime minister. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time in the history of the State of Israel that a prime minister asks to appear in front of the court," Netanyahu said at the beginning of his testimony. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz was present during the prime minister's testimony, as well as representatives of the petitioners: MKs Shelly Yachimovich (Zionist Union), Zahava Galon (Meretz), Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin (Zionist Union), Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg (Zionist Union), Eitan Cabel (Zionist Union) and Tamar Zandberg (Meretz). RIYADH - Saudi Arabia says troops from 20 countries are gathering in the oil-rich nation for large-scale military exercises. The kingdom announced the exercises Sunday on the official Saudi Press Agency, describing them as "the largest and most important" military maneuvers in the region's history. It says the exercises in the country's north will include air, sea and land forces. They are expected to last 18 days, with participating forces arriving in "the next few hours." Most of the participants are Arab and African countries, and do not include the United States and other Westen powers. A 20-year-old Jewish resident of Jerusalem was arrested on Satuday morning on suspicion he attacked an Arab taxi driver. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The alleged attacker is suspected of damaging property and perpetrating a hate crime. Two other passengers who allegedly participated in the attack have yet to be caught, but their identities are known to police. On Saturday morning, five friends headed back to Jerusalem from an outing in Tel Aviv. When they arrived at the International Convention Center station in Jerusalem, they split up into two groups and hailed two taxis to Beit Shemesh. The three suspects entered a taxi driven by an Arab. The three allegedly started cursing the driver because of his Arab identity, which prompted the driver, who was afraid for his safety, to return to the International Convention Center and ask the three to exit his taxi without payment. Photo: Ido Erez At this point, one of the suspects turned to the driver and demanded NIS 20 for a cigarette he gave him. When the driver refused, the suspect assaulted him, breaking his glasses, and then continued his verbal attack of the driver and another taxi driver that drove by, before fleeing the scene with the two other passengers. The friends that were in the second taxi were detained but not arrested because they did not participate in the attack. The suspect was brought on Sunday before the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, where police asked to extend his remand by five days, but the judge decided to free the suspect on the conditions that he pay bail and cut off all contact with others involved in the incident. The suspects lawyer from the Public Defenders Office comfirmed his client was in the taxi, but said there is no evidence that he attacked the driver. His version of the story is that he did not attack the driver. The police dont have hard evidence that he participated in the attack, the lawyer said, calling on the court to put his clint on house arest instead. Judge David Shaul Gabai Richter partially accepted the defendants argument and noted that there is uncertainty as to which passenger attacked the driver and broke his glasses. He said, According to the evidence presented by the driver, the suspect cannot be convicted of assault. There is no doubt in my mind that the suspect and the driver exchanged words, and the defendant may have played a part in the damage caused, but not in the attack. Education Minister Naftali Bennett called on Sunday to annex Area C of the West Bank, while giving the Palestinians "autonomy on steroids" in Areas A and B. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "We've already separated from the Palestinians, they're governing themselves," the Bayit Yehudi leader said at the new Ynet studio's debut broadcast. "My plan is to actually give the Palestinians a sort of autonomy on steroids in Areas A and B, while in Area C, we gradually start applying our sovereignty. Let's start with Gush Etzion. We need to start advancing this." Bennett at the new Ynet studio (Photo: Ido Erez) "I think the government has done a lot," Bennett said about the ongoing wave of violence. "I remind you there was a very intensive wave of terror attacks in Jerusalem and with the help of the government, this wave has definitely abated, and moved from Jerusalem to the Hebron-Gush Etzion area, where were are currently in the midst of an ongoing wave of terrorism. Look, we've been dealing with terrorism in Israel for 120 years, long before the state was founded, long before the Six-Day War. We've overcome this before." Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi also discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, declaring that We, the Joint List, do not represent the Zionist narrative; we are not a part of that game. You need to get used to the fact that we are 20 percent of the country and another people, but we want co-citizenship for Jews and Arabs. Tibi, who did not participate in a recent meeting of Arab MKs with families of terrorists, said it was "legitimate and humanitarian. In Islam, one must bury the deceased immediately. What the Israeli government is doing amounts to necrophilia. Photo Credit: Ido Erez Tibi also discussed the rightward turn of the Labor Party and its head, Isaac Herzog: Our opinion regarding the two state solution is solid. The policies of Benjamin Netanyahus government are closing the door on it and Herzog is supposed to provide an alternative, but he is not doing that. Thus, we are criticizing him and we will continue to do so on this issue and socioeconomic issues. Herzog, on his part, attempted to draw clear differences between his and Netanyahus policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians: The difference between me and Bibi is clear. I want to separate from the Palestinians and Netanyahu is not ready to do anything that will change the status quo. I am taking steps to change the status quo. Photo Credit: Ido Erez Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev spoke about her efforts to halt funding to some cultural institutions. The Culture Ministry is not an ATM. It is not acceptable that I can transfer funds to a cultural organization, but I cannot cut off those funds after a given organization undertakes anti-Israel activity, she said. There is no connection between freedom of speech and freedom of funding. Freedom of speech is a part of the DNA of the Israeli society. Everyone can say and write what they want, but the moment we need to fund someone, that is something else. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman, who served as the foreign minister in Prime Minister Netanyahus previous government but was left in the opposition this term, argued that the current government does not have clear policies. The problem with this government is that there is a lack of policy. One day the IDF Chief of Staff tells us that the existential threat facing Israel is Hezbollah and he sees opportunities in the agreement with Iran. The day after, the defense minister says that Iran is the greatest threat. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who was the finance minister in Netanyahu's previous government and like Lieberman found himself in the opposition this term, also voiced strong critiques of the current government. Israeli foreign policy has completely fallen apart. The Foreign Ministry has been divided between six ministers and public diplomacy has been divided between six ministries. People here do not understand the extent of the foreign policy crisis and implications of it for our national security, he said. Photo Credit: Roi Idan Interviewed from the Gaza border, Lapid also talked about the situation on the southern border a year and a half after Operation Protective Edge. We need to a stick and carrot policy. On the one hand, we need to partake in the major process of building a Gaza port, which would guarantee seven to eight years of quiet for the Israelis living in this area. On the other hand, we need to destroy tunnels the minute they are uncovered and not wait for the next Operation Protective Edge. Photo Credit: Ido Erez Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon expressed his reservations about a biannual budget. The Kulanu leader said, There are major challenges in the bi-annual budget and I oppose it for that reason. However, he said that he and the prime ,inister are trying to reach a compromise: I am committed to a coalition agreement and we are trying to find a way to resolve this issue. LIVE-2 Inning |21-25 IRELAND VS WEST INDIES IRE 84/1 VS 146/5 WI Ireland need 63 runs in 66 balls at 5.72 rpo New Delhi: Hopes of normalisation in ties following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise visit to Pakistan last December appear to be getting dashed. Analysts say there is unlikelihood that the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD), agreed upon last year by the two countries, is going to start/resume anytime soon. The Times of India reports that the planned meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries doesn't appear to be materialising. And the reasons behind the setback to normalisation of ties are many. - The recent announcement by the United States that it is proceeding with planned sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. While India has registered its protest with Washington over the move, Islamabad has expressed surprise and disappointment with New Delhi's reaction. The US has justified the sale as "critical" to the success of Pakistan's counter-terrorism operations. - Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf's recent confession that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were being trained by the ISI for operations against India. - Revelations by David Headley, convicted in the US for his role in the 26/11 attacks, that ISI officials and other Pakistani agencies were involved in the Mumbai attacks. - Pakistan's failure to take concrete action against 26/11 attacks masterminds as well as against whose who carried out the recent attack on the Pathankot Air Force base. India has blamed JeM for the attack on the airbase but Pakistan has yet to confirm any action against its chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Like before, the moves to bring peace talks back on track appear to be failing yet again. New Delhi: In the backdrop of an ongoing controversy over anti-national slogans being raised in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, Vice Chancellor M Jagdeesh Kumar on Sunday urged all to help the varsity in focusing on academics. "The function of a university is to provide high quality of education to students. As a university we would like to focus on academics. Maintaining a conducive environment in JNU to achieve our goals should be our primary concern," Kumar said in a press note, as per ANI. "We request everyone to help us focus on our main objective without any interference," he added. Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the JNU agitation received support from Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed needs to be understood by the nation and asked political parties not to view such protests through the prism of political gains or losses. "The incident at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate." His comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Later, Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday on sedition charges over a protest organized in the JNU campus on February 9 against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. (With Agency inputs) Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked Union Home Minister Rajjnath Singh to share evidence to support his allegation that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed supported the protests Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus. "That Hafiz Saeed supported the JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," Omar said in a tweet. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the anti-national protests in the JNU campus had the backing of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. "I also want to make it clear that the JNU incident has the support of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. We should also understand this reality that Hafiz Saeed has supported this incident and it is extremely unfortunate," he told the media here. Singh further said that his government would not pardon all those who have raised slogans against the nation's integrity. "I have given all the necessary directions to officials to punish the offenders and not to harass the innocents," he added. When asked to comment on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to varsity, Singh said that nobody should try and take a political mileage out of this unfortunate incident. "Whatever happened in the JNU is extremely unfortunate. I appeal to every organisation in the country to speak in one voice if they find any anti-national activity taking place in their surroundings," he added. The Home Minister told the CPI (M), CPI and JD (U) members, who met him yesterday seeking the releasing of JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, that the court would decide whether further action should be taken against those students arrested. Kanhaiya was arrested on Friday on sedition charges over a protest organized in the JNU campus on February 9 against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. New Delhi: Delhi Police on Sunday initiated a probe into the now-defunct Twitter handle in name of Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed, on which a message was posted in support of the JNU student stir that prompted it to issue an alert. "We got to know that the Twitter handle has been deleted. We have initiated a probe into the matter, starting with tracking the handler, who can also be charged with sedition in view of the contents posted," a senior officer said. Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sundari Nanda, who monitors Delhi Police's Twitter handles, said, "When the tweet was brought to our notice, we, as a law enforcement agency, issued the alert based on its content which was found to be anti-national." "We checked the particular Twitter handle and most of its tweets and activities on the micro-blogging site were found to be anti-national. No matter who the handler was, the content was threatening, especially in the backdrop of the ongoing agitation at JNU," she said. The alert was issued by one of Delhi Police's official twitter handles on Friday, on which it said, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet posted on Wednesday by the handle -- #HafeezSaeedJUD, which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers." Twitterati criticised Delhi Police, alleging that it issued an alert without verifying the source of the pinned tweet. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the JNU stir received support from Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Saeed and this needs to be understood by the nation. Kolkata: Calling for punishment for the students who participated in the "anti-India" march, the BJP on Saturday said the CPI-M and the Congress should drop India from their party names for supporting "anti-nationals". Interacting with media persons, Bharatiya Janata Party national vice-president Dinesh Sharma also questioned the silence of the West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress over a section of JNU students holding a meet on Tuesday to mourn hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) co-founder Maqbool Bhat. "When the whole country is outraged at the protesters who publicly gave anti-India slogans and supported a terrorist like Afzal Guru, the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Indian National Congress, instead of condemning, have been rallying in their support," he said. Mr Sharma strongly criticised CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechuri who on the day met union Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding the release of JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar arrested on sedition charges. "What can be more unfortunate than people are now advocating for those who deserve strong action for their anti-national stand. "Both Congress and CPI-M who are supporting such anti-national elements, should drop India from their party names because they are pursuing anti-national politics. They are as guilty as the protesters," said the BJP leader. Questioning the the Trinamool's silence over the issue, Mr Sharma said: "The silence itself is an indication of their support to such anti-India sentiments. The Trinamool is no different from the Congress or the CPI-M. "The protesters deserve to be punished for their anti-national stand and parties cutting across political lines should condemn it but unfortunately many of them are indulging in politics," he alleged. New Delhi: The row over 'anti-national' activities in JNU is getting bigger day by day as various political parties paid a visit to the varsity on Saturday after JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on sedition charges. Here are all the latest updates:- - Seven students have been sent notices to appear before the university's high level committee probing the matter. Eight students including Kanhaiya have been debarred from any academic activity till the inquiry is over,, says JNU registrar Bhupinder Zutshi. - Request everyone to help us focus on our main obejctive without any interference, says JNU Vice Chancellor. - JNUTA always stands for upholding the constitution of India and the values enshrined therein: JNU Teachers Association - We love our autonomy and want to preserve our autonomy at whatever cost: JNU Teachers Association - Lashing out at Congress leader Anand Sharma, ABVP has said that its members were not behind the attack on the Congress leader during his visit to JNU - Union Home Minister Rajnath has alleged that Hafiz Saeed was behind the anti-India slogans that were raised in JNU campus. Also, the home minister said that those found involved in any anti-national activity won't be spared. - Delhi Police is investigating if protesting JNU students had any terror links - Be it JNU row, Sunanda Pushkar case or any other case, Delhi police investigates every matter in a completely fair manner on basis of merit: Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi - If 10, 20 or 50 people have raised anti-India sentiments, take action against them. But why brand entire JNU as anti-national, asks Congress leader RS Surjewala - Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday hit back at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for accusing the ruling dispensation of suppressing the voice of students in the JNU and advised him to install the statues of separatists and terrorists at the AICC office and offer floral tributes to them. - Congress leader Anand Sharma has filed a complaint against unknown persons in Delhi's Vasant Vihar Police Station over alleged attack on him in JNU - Delhi Police wants to transfer JNU sedition case to Special cell, their anti-terror branch; Letter written by DCP South says that the matter needs probe regarding links between JNU students and terrorist Afzal Guru - Delhi Police's Special Cell may probe the sedition case as the officials of Delhi Police have raised a request - ABVP is planning to launch a fresh and bigger protest on Sunday to raise their voice against 'Pakistan Zindadbad' and 'Bharat ki barbaadi' slogans with other 'anti-national' activities in the campus. - The Congress party issued a statement condemning the attack on deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma at a protest meet in JNU on Saturday evening. The party claimed that he was attacked by "ABVP goons". Anand was allegedly attacked as he was leaving the protest meet held at Jawaharlal Nehru University against the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar. - Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was on Saturday shown black flags during his visit on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus to meet students protesting for the release of Student Union president Kanhaiya Kumar. The protestors, allegedly belonging to ABVP, raised slogan of "Rahul Gandhi go back" in the varsity. - The arrest of JNUSU Kanhiya Kumar saw an outpouring of solidarity from various political parties including left organisations and Congress. Rahul Gandhi visited the campus to speak at the protest meeting on Saturday evening. - Delhi's Patiala court on Friday had sent Kanhaiya Kumar to 3-day police custody. However, he claimed that the JNU Students' Union was not responsible for organising the anti-India protests. Some video footage had showed that there were 'Pakistan Zindadbad' and 'Bharat ki barbaadi' slogans were raised in the JNU campus. - JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over holding of an event at the prestigious institute against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The case was registered under Section of 124 A (sedition) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC against unknown persons at Vasant Kunj (North) Police station following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and ABVP. New Delhi: Sparking a major political row, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday claimed that the event organised inside Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed. "The incident(Afzal Guru row) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh told reporters in Allahabad, adding, "What has happened is very unfortunate," ANI reported. Shortly after the statement was issued by the Home Minister, the opposition parties asked him to provide evidence of his sensational claim. As Singh said the truth that the JNU agitation received support from Saeed, needed to be understood by the nation, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a "very serious charge" to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. In a series of tweets, Omar, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said the Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level the charge against the JNU students. "That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all," he said. "Cracking down on students & using #HafizSaeed to justify the crack down is a new low, even for this NDA government." That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all. Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 The Home Minister must go public with the evidence collected that enabled him to level this charge against the #JNU students #HafizSaeed Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 Meanwhile, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Home Minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his "serious allegation". CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Yechury said Rajnath has made a very serious allegation about terrorists 'backing' JNU protests, adding. "We hope that he has concrete proof." "Considering the gravity of the charge made by no less than the Union Home Minister, we would like him to share the evidence with the country," he added, as per PTI. "When we met the Home Minister yesterday, he never mentioned Hafiz Saeed to us but only harped on the slogans being raised at the protests. However, later in the day, Singh tweeted, "I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty &integrity of the country. Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed." I appeal to all organisations and the political parties to stand united on issues pertaining to unity, sovereignty &integrity of the country Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) February 14, 2016 "I seek cooperation and support from all political parties &people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces," he said in a series of tweets. I seek cooperation and support from all political parties &people from all walks of life to join hands in fight against anti-national forces Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) February 14, 2016 Those involved in anti-India activities or propaganda will not be spared and those who are innocent will not be harassed. Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) February 14, 2016 Singh while talking to newspersons also asked political parties not to view protests at JNU through the prism of political gains or losses. Rajnath's comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder. Delhi Police had issued an alert through the official twitter handle of the Commissioner's office saying, "This is to alert and sensitise the student community in JNU and across the country. Do not get carried away by such seditious anti-national rhetoric. Abetment of any kind of anti-national activity is a punishable offence." In the alert, Delhi Police had also pinned a tweet by the handle named HafeezSaeedJUD which says, "We request our Pakistani brothers to trend #SupportJNU for our pro-Pakistani JNUite brothers." The uproar in the JNU intensified after police arrested JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested on Friday on sedition charges over a protest organised in the JNU campus on February 9 against the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The raging JNU row yesterday turned into an ideological battle between the BJP and its Left opponents, with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi lending them support and comparing the Modi government with Hitler's regime. The arrest of Kumar, a leader of CPI-affiliated student outfit, set the two sides on the warpath, with the government declaring that the varsity cannot be allowed to be a "hub of anti-national" activities. The BJP also attacked Rahul Gandhi, saying he and "his friends are speaking in the voice of LeT terrorist Hafiz Sayeed who had tweeted in support of anti-India event in JNU". Watch the video here (Coursety-ANI): New Delhi: The Rashtriya Sawamyamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday supported the government action in JNU and branded the students who allegedly raised 'anti-India' slogans as anti-nationals. RSS' joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale sought to connect the student protests in Hyderabad and JNU with Yakub Memon and Afzul Guru respectively. "What is happening in Hyderabad university and then in JNU? When the entire country was praying for the Siachen solider some students in JNU were raising slogans against India," The Hindu quoted Hosabale as saying. Referring to the JNU incident, the top RSS leader said, "They were supporting and eulogising a person (Afzal Guru) who was executed by the verdict of the top most court of the country. Several soldiers were killed in the attack (Parliament attack in which Guru was convicted)". Asked if the government decision to charge the JNUSU president with sedition was justified, Hosabale told The Hindu, "All universities must be purged of all kinds of anti-national elements". He said that "anti-national" activities inside university campuses should not be tolerated. Referring to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's comments on the JNU row, Hosabale said: "How can a leader of the party which imposed Emergency talk about attack on freedom of speech." New Delhi: A panel instituted by the Supreme Court to protect the rights of sex workers and ensure better working conditions for them has said that prostitutes participating with consent should not face criminal action or police interference. The panel was set up in 2011 and is expected to submit its report next month. While India has not made prostitution illegal, yet existing laws make sex workers vulnerable to police action. Whenever there is a raid on a brothel, since voluntary sex work is not illegal and only running the brothel is unlawful, the sex workers should not be arrested or penalised or harassed or victimised, says the panel, as per a report in the Hindustan Times. Stating that law enforcement agencies misuse Section 8 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA), 1956, the panel recommends deleting the offence of soliciting under the provision. As per law, sex workers cannot solicit or seduce and the same is punishable with six months' jail and a fine of Rs 500. The English daily reported that the panel, headed by senior advocate Pradip Ghosh, is also expected to come up with measures to rehabilitate sex workers who wish to leave prostitution in order to help them live with dignity. It is believed that a majority of sex workers in India are forced into the trade by poverty. As per estimates, there are 1.2 million prostitutes in the country. According to the panel, women in sex trade enjoy an equal right to protection. When a sex worker makes a complaint of criminal/ sexual/ any other type of offence, police must take it seriously and act in accordance with law, it recommends. The panel also suggests amending the law which has a provision of jail upto 10 years for persons above 18 living on the earnings of prostitution. Srinagar: All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Syed Ali Geelani has received death threats from underworld don Ravi Pujari, according to a media report on Sunday. Pujari has allegedly called on the landline number of Hurriyat office in Srinagar's Hyderpura area and threatened to kill its chief, Pakistani newspaper The Nation quoted APHC spokesman Ayaz Akbar as saying. His (Pujari's) tone was uncivilized and abusive, Akbar reportedly said. Despite all these threats, Geelani will continue to pursue his stand and continue his struggle for freedom of Kashmir, Akbar said. The gangster's threat to Geelani raises many questions and it clearly indicates that he has the backing of the Indian government and communal forces of India, the report further quoted him as saying. Akbar said that the Indian government would be held directly responsible if any unpleasant incident happened to the Hurriyat chairman. Hurriyat is mulling over consulting legal experts on the issue, he said. Ravi Pujari is a third-grade uncivilized goon and his threat to kill Geelani is a matter of concern in the wake of rising intolerance in India, he added. New Delhi: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Delhi Police on Saturday questioned Shashi Tharoor for over 5 hours in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death case. The Congress MP during questioning dismissed any foul play in the death case of his wife, a report in CNN-IBN said. Reportedly, throughout the probe Tharoor said he doesn't suspect foul play in death and claimed that Sunanda died due to medication. "Shashi Tharoor believes that his wife died due to medication," SIT sources said. He was also asked about the medicines taken by his wife. Earlier, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had said that Sunanda Pushkar's death was not a natural one. "One thing is clear that the death was not natural. It was unnatural as per our investigation till now and evidences collected so far. I can say that with certainty," Delhi Police Commissioner Bassi had said. In January 2015, Delhi Police had registered a case of murder in connection with the death of Sunanda. An AIIMS medical board had found poisoning as reason for her death following which the police had sent her viscera samples to an FBI lab in Washington in 2015. Sunanda was found dead inside her suite at a five-star hotel in New Delhi in January 2014, a day after she was involved in a spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar on Twitter over the latter's alleged affair with Shashi Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram. Srinagar: One terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces of Indian Army in Kakapora area of Pulwama district here in Jammu and Kashmir. "An encounter broke out in Kakapora area of Pulwama district after a cordon and search operation was launched in the area," an army official said, as per ANI. A militant was killed in an exchange of fire between the two sides, the official said. The militant is yet to be identified, he said, adding that details are awaited. Meanwhile, two villagers, including a woman, were killed and 10 other people injured in clashes with security forces today in Pulwama district. Police said the clashes erupted in Astan Mohalla (Kakapora) area of Pulwama in the afternoon as a mob hurled stones at the security forces even as a gunfight was raging on between guerrillas and security personnel in the area. Two people -- identified as Shaista, 25, the daughter of Abdul Hamid, a resident of Lalhar village, and Danish Rashid Mir, 24, the son of Abdul Rashid Mir, a resident of Ratnipora village -- died of gunshot injuries, as per IANS. At least 10 other protesting civilians sustained gunshot wounds, and other injuries after police lobbed tear smoke shells. All 10 were taken to Srinagar for treatment, police said. After news of the gunfight spread in Lalhar village, dozens of villagers pelted stones at the security forces who were trying to cordon off the area. Tension has gripped the entire Pulwama district after news of the death of two civilians spread. Senior civil and police officers rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. (With Agency inputs) Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday ordered an inquiry into the incident of a massive fire that broke out at the venue of 'Make in India Week' at Girgaum Chowpatty here. "The fire that broke out at around 8.22 pm was put under control. Inquiry ordered into fire; other 'Make In India Week' events won't be affected, Fadnavis told reporters here. He said, Cause of fire not yet known; no casualties or injuries. Fadnavis further said that the venue was evacuated immediately and traffic management allowed early disbursal without any trouble. "A fire safety audit was conducted prior to the programme and all SOPs were followed. Number of fire fighting equipment were kept stationed at venue. A comprehensive inquiry into the incidence of fire will be conducted to ascertain the reason," he added. The Maharashtra CM then took to Twitter to inform that PM Narendra Modi called up to take stock of the situation. Hon'ble PM @narendramodi just spoke to me over the phone about the unfortunate incident and extended all support from GoI, Fadnavis tweeted. Hon'ble PM @narendramodi just spoke to me over the phone about the unfortunate incident and extended all support from GoI. Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 14, 2016 CM @Dev_Fadnavis at the Disaster Management ControlRoom in Mumbai,monitoring the fire incident and overall situation pic.twitter.com/P7sxHnYUME CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) February 14, 2016 According to TV reports, the fire broke out under the stage during a performance of Maharashtra's Lavani folk dance at the mega event at Girgaum Chowpatty beach. Besides CM Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Udhav Thackeray, Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Amir Khan, Hema Malini, Vivek Oberoi and others were present when the incident took place. Around 20,000 spectators were evacuated from the venue. It took about 30 minutes to douse the inferno by fire-fighters. At least 14 fire tenders and 10 water tankers were rushed to the site. The stage was completely burnt down and the show was stopped midway. Speaking to news agency ANI, Chief Fire Officer (Mumbai) said, "We'll investigate to know cause of fire, will submit report in a day or two." "We had more enforcement than regular but due to wind and involvement of fire crackers, fire intensified," he added. The exact cause of the fire that broke out one hour after the entertainment segment had begun was not known but state BJP spokesman Atul Shah, who was seated in the front row, said the fire apparently broke out from beneath the stage. Shiv Sena MLA Vijay Shivtare said a spark was noticed beneath the stage, which was a "wooden structure", before the fire broke out. Shivtare said there were 500 artistes behind the stage and an estimated 50,000 people, several of them VIPs, had assembled at the venue. Actor Vivek Oberoi, who was at one of the flanks of the stage and was getting ready to perform another event, said the flames leapt 4O to 50 feet high and there was threat of it spreading to nearby tents beause of the strong sea breeze but things were brought under control because of timely coordination between various agencies. "I was watching a dance performance when this happened, then suddenly the stage was engulfed by smoke. I was backstage when this happened. Authorities were quick to react and evacuated people from there," actor Isha Koppikar said. Lyricist Prasoon Joshi said he was there at the event because Amitabh Bachchan was reciting His poem. "As soon as the recital got over, I left the venue and another event started and suddenly the fire broke out." Superstar Aamir Khan said, "It was a very bad fire and spread at an alarming speed due to wind. I am fortunate to be alright. Police and fire dept did a wonderful job in evacuating people. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Evacuation was smooth". Event Manager Sabbas Joseph said, "Everyone is safe and fire is under control". Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray hailed the role of Mumbai police and Fire officials in putting out the flames swiftly. "Unfortunate fire at Make in India event at Chowpatty. As of now all safe, great efforts by @Mumbai Police and Fire dept. In evacuation," he tweeted. However, NCP leader Sachin Ahir alleged that the "shoddy planning and organisation (of event) led to the tragedy". "Action should be taken for those responsible for the fire," he said. Make in India is a flagship event designed to impart greater momentum to the initiative to boost the manufacturing sector in the country. The 'Make in India Week' is aimed at showcasing to the world the achievements of the nation in the manufacturing sector and promote India as a preferred manufacturing destination. Lahore: Pakistan's Senate will discuss a controversial clause in the landmark Hindu Marriage Bill that calls for annulment of a marriage if any of the spouses converts to another religion, after unanimously passing the law recently. The National Assembly committee on law and justice last week approved the draft law on Hindu marriages, paving the way for registering marriages in the minuscule religious minority of Pakistan following decades of delay and inaction. Chairperson of standing committee on law and justice Senator Nasreen Jalil has called a meeting of the committee this week to take up the matter. The Hindu Marriage Bill clause 12(iii) says, a marriage will be annulled if any of the spouses converts to another religion. Jalil said some opposed the clause others supported it. There needs to be a consensus among the committee members. "If there is a consensus on deletion of the clause the committee will forward its recommendations to the speaker of National Assembly," Dawn Newspaper quoted her as saying. On the other hand, National Assembly standing committee has witnessed serious opposition to the deletion of the clause by Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, the JUI-F parliamentarian and chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). PPP's Shugufta Jumani and Ali Mohammad of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said if any of the spouses converted to Islam, the marriage should be terminated. PPP Senator Taj Haider said "I do not understand how the marriage will be annulled if any of the partners converts to Islam. The clause will also discourage cross-marriages". Ruling PML-N member Ramesh Kumar Vankwani who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said the matter is related to the basic human rights of Pakistani Hindus. "There are fears the clause would be misused for forced conversions of married women the same way young girls are being subjected to forced conversions," he said. He also referred to the current practice by elements who kidnapped teenage girls and eventually presented them in courts along with a certificate that the girl had married after converting to Islam. Islamabad: Pakistan today said it is surprised and disappointed at India's reaction over the US' decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, arguing that India is "the largest importer" of defence equipment and its arsenal stock is "much larger". Pakistan reiterated the Obama Administration's justification that the acquisition would enhance the country's precision strike capability to combat terrorism. "We are surprised and disappointed at the Indian Government's reaction. Their (India's) army and arsenal stock is much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment," the Foreign Office said in a statement in response to media queries. "As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism. US spokesperson clearly announced that the sale is to enhance precision strike capability," it added. Pakistan's reaction comes a day after India summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its "displeasure and disappointment" over Obama Administration's decision to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly USD 700 million to Pakistan. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Verma to the South Block and during the 45-minute meeting told him about India's concerns over US military aid to Pakistan which New Delhi believes goes into anti-India activities. According to sources, such military aids will embolden Pakistan. India yesterday disagreed with the US rationale that such arms transfers help Pakistan in combating terrorism. "The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself," the Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement. The proposal is likely to face stiff resistance in the Republican-controlled Congress. New York: Next month, an asteroid will make a close flyby of Earth between 11,000 miles (17,000 kilometres) and 9 million miles (14 million kilometres) to be precise. Scientists have given this wide range for the asteroid's flyby as the space body was tracked only for a brief period of time after its discovery in 2013. Named 2013 TX68, the asteroid - 100-foot (30 meters) long - will pass close by Earth on March 5. US space agency NASA has, meanwhile, said that Earthlings need not worry as the asteroid is not going to smash into us. NASA's clarification has come amidst paranoia spreading among some on the Internet who still believe 2013 TX68 could hit the Earth. According to the agency, no possibility exists of the object smashing into the Earth during the flyby next month. But, this could become a possibility in 2017. The asteroid will flyby Earth next time in 2017 and there's a remote - 1-in-250-million possibility that it could hit Earth then. "The possibilities of collision on any of the three future flyby dates are far too small to be of any real concern," reports quoted Paul Chodas, manager of NASA's Center for NEO Studies (CNEOS), as saying. "I fully expect any future observations to reduce the probability even more." Riyadh: Armed forces from around 20 countries were gathering in northern Saudi Arabia today for "the most important" military manoeuvre ever staged in the region, the official news agency SPA reported. The "Thunder of the North" exercise involving ground, air, and naval forces sends a "clear message" that Riyadh and its allies "stand united in confronting all challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region", SPA said. Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in its southern neighbour Yemen. Last December, it also formed a new 35-member coalition to fight "terrorism" in Islamic countries. Today's announcement also comes as the kingdom, a member of the US-led coalition targeting the jihadist Islamic State group, said it has deployed warplanes to a Turkish air base in order to "intensify" its operations against IS in Syria. SPA did not specify when the military exercise will begin or how long it will last. However, the agency called it the "most important and largest in the region's history" in terms of the number of nations taking part and the weaponry being used. Twenty countries will be taking take part, SPA said. Among them are Saudi Arabia's five partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Tunisia, it added. A Saudi source said on Thursday that members of the new "anti-terrorism" coalition will gather in Saudi Arabia next month for its first publicly announced meeting. Riyadh has said the alliance would share intelligence, combat violent ideology and deploy troops if necessary. Bavaria: Abandoned by France, defied by eastern Europe, German Chancellor Angela Merkel cuts a lonely figure in her struggle for EU "solidarity" on the refugee crisis ahead of a Brussels summit. Merkel is battling for a deal that will see refugees more evenly spread around the European Union after Germany welcomed 1.1 million asylum seekers last year. But instead, eastern European countries are planning new razor wire fences, and even Paris -- traditionally Berlin`s closest EU ally -- has shown little enthusiasm for Merkel`s welcome policy. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Saturday that the mood in France was "not favourable" to Merkel`s call for a permanent quota system. "Europe cannot take in all the migrants from Syria, Iraq or Africa," Valls told German media. "It has to regain control over its borders, over its migration or asylum policies." US Secretary of State John Kerry praised Merkel for showing "great courage in helping so many who need so much" amid "the gravest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II". But he also told the Munich Security Conference that the mass influx spells a "near existential... threat to the politics and fabric of life in Europe".Another guest in Munich, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, took a far darker view, charging that "it`s quite simply stupid to open Europe`s doors wide and invite in everyone who wants to come to your country". "European migration policy is a total failure, all that is absolutely frightening," he told the Handelsblatt daily. A number of EU nations that were once in Russia`s Cold War orbit seem to agree. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia plan to meet Monday to discuss how to close down the main refugee route through the Balkans, reported Germany`s Spiegel news weekly. "As long as there is no common European strategy, it is legitimate that the nations along the Balkans route protect their borders," Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak told the magazine. He also opposed Merkel`s plan for an EU quota system, saying "quotas only increase the incentives for migration". At the other end of the route, Austria`s foreign minister warned Macedonia on Friday that it should be ready to close its border to migrants coming up from Greece. Vienna also plans to impose a cap on refugees and may start turning them away in the coming months.Merkel, long dubbed the "Queen of Europe", has seen poll numbers drop at home, coalition members rebel and EU allies duck away as the refugee crisis has sparked deep discord and threatened the bloc`s system of open borders. She has pledged to reduce arrivals by more quickly turning away "economic refugees" and combating traffickers, including through a new NATO surveillance mission in the Aegean Sea. Meanwhile, her government has urged fellow Europeans to remember their core humanitarian values. "How can a continent of 500 million citizens see its foundations shaken... by 1.5 million or 2 million refugees?" said Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen in Munich. Merkel said Friday there was "a group of countries" that may voluntarily accept more refugees in exchange for redoubled efforts from Turkey to tackle illegal immigration. She did not name the members, but at a EU summit in December, Germany gathered officials from Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden. Merkel is planning to bring together what the media have dubbed a "coalition of the willing" on the margins of a two-day EU summit in Brussels starting Thursday.She suggested its members could help Turkey`s refugee effort beyond the three billion euros ($3.3 billion) already committed by the EU. Turkey, which is hosting over 2.7 million mostly Syrian refugees, has voiced deep frustration with the EU as a fresh wave of Syrian refugees mass on its border. Angry over calls that Turkey should do more, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that his nation could throw out its existing refugees, threatening to fly and bus them to Europe. "We do not have the word `idiot` written on our foreheads," he said. "We will be patient, but we will do what we have to. Don`t think that the planes and the buses are there for nothing." Mexico City: This is certainly one of most shocking news on the rape incidents and crime against women! A woman, who was lured into prostitution at the age of 12, has shared some horrifying facts about her 4-year ordeal. Here are some of them:- - She was raped 43,200 times - Karla Jacinto was forced to have sex with 30 men a day - She beaten and abused by pimps - She fell pregnant to one of the pimps and gave birth at 15; the man used the infant as leverage - She was forced to work from 10 AM to midnight How it all happened Karla Jacinto, Mexican woman, says that she was sexually abused and mistreated from the age of five by a relative too. "When I was 12, a 22-year-old man approached me and convinced me to move in with him in Mexico City; later he forced me into prostitution," Karla Jacinto said. Now, she is an activist Karla Jacinto is now using her story to campaign against sexual slavery. - Details according to a report by The Telegraph Nablus: Two 15-year-old Palestinians fired on Israeli soldiers before being killed in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, and another two were shot -- one fatally -- in attempted stabbings, Israeli authorities said. The incidents were the latest in a wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming assaults that erupted in October. They came as US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power visited Israel and the Palestinian territories for talks with leaders from both sides. In the first incident, the two teenagers attacked an Israeli patrol west of the city of Jenin with rocks before firing on soldiers with a rifle, an army statement said. "The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths," it said. The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked, both 15 years old. They were not thought to be closely related. Later in the day, a Palestinian tried to stab Israeli border police between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank before being shot dead, Israeli authorities said. The Palestinian health ministry identified the assailant as Naim Safi, 17, who was from a village near Bethlehem. Also today, a young Palestinian woman tried to stab an Israeli policeman but was shot in the attempt in the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron, Israeli police said. She was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said the attacker drew a knife on a border police officer at a checkpoint and the officer, who was unharmed, shot her. She was identified as Yasmin al-Zaru, 20. The incident took place close to the shared religious site known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs and to Muslims as the Ibrahimi Mosque. Tensions are high at the site -- a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot dead in a stabbing attempt there yesterday. Since the current round of bloodshed erupted at the beginning of October, 170 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. Most were carrying out attacks but others died during clashes and demonstrations. The violence has claimed the lives of 26 Israelis, as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. Many of the assailants have been teenagers who appear to have acted on their own. Some analysts say Palestinian frustration with Israeli occupation and settlement building in the West Bank, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fed the unrest. Copenhagen: Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen warned Sunday that Denmark still faces a "serious terror threat" as it marked a year since a gunman killed a filmmaker and a Jewish security guard in twin attacks in Copenhagen. The Danish capital honoured the victims under tight security, as Rasmussen left flowers outside the cultural centre and the synagogue targeted on February 14, 2015 by Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane of Palestinian origin. An emotional day closed after dark when some 2,000 people walked in silence along route between the two locations attacked, lit by a chain of 1,800 candles. "We must stand up and fight against hatred and violence," said Harold Ryan, a retired journalist who joined the 3.6-kilometre (2.2-mile) march with his wife. El-Hussein opened fire with an automatic weapon at the cultural centre where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks -- reviled by Islamists for portraying the Prophet Mohammed as a dog in 2007 -- was attending a conference on freedom of expression. Danish filmmaker Finn Norgaard, 55, was killed and three policemen were wounded. After managing to escape, the assailant shot dead a 37-year-old Jewish security guard, Dan Uzan, in front of a synagogue, also wounding two police officers. El-Hussein, seemingly inspired by the attacks on French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, was killed a few hours later in a shootout with police in Copenhagen`s immigrant-heavy Norrebro district.Rasmussen told journalists Sunday: "The Danes have shown that we insist on living our peaceful life. "We must live in harmony... must protect democracy and tradition which we have had for years in Denmark, to live side by side even if we believe in a different God," he said. He added: "We`re in a situation where there is still a serious terror threat against Denmark -- that is unchanged. But it is also a situation where we have acted... We have equipped our intelligence service, we have equipped our police." Later the Danish leader attended an event at parliament organised by the Finn Norgaard Association, a charity for immigrant youngsters set up in the filmmaker`s name. "What we want in the association is to ensure that something as insane as what took Finn away from us does not happen again," its founder Jesper Lynghus told AFP. El-Hussein, who had been released from prison weeks before the attacks after serving time for a stabbing, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group on his Facebook page on the day of the attack. Danish intelligence agency PET was criticised for failing to act on information from prison services that he was at risk of radicalisation, and former classmates said they tried to warn police as far back as 2012.Four men charged with helping El-Hussein will appear in court next month. Danes "have become used to living with terror and don`t let it dominate" life, Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on radical Islamic movements at the Swedish National Defence College who helped Copenhagen officials devise an anti-radicalisation plan, told AFP. Nearly every year in the past decade, authorities have thwarted attacks linked to Denmark`s involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and to the Mohammed cartoons published in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in 2005, Ranstorp said. Denmark`s already tough tone on Muslim immigration has hardened further over the past year, partly as a result of the attacks but also due to Europe`s refugee crisis. Denmark registered 21,000 asylum applications in 2015, making it one of the top European recipients of migrants relative to its size. Once a champion of refugee rights, attitudes have gradually shifted along with the rise of the anti-immigration Danish People`s Party over the past 15 years. And some observers say there has been an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the attacks. "Some people have used this shooting episode to bring forward their hate speech, it has become a little clearer than before," said Sami Kucukakin, chairman of an umbrella group for Danish Muslim organisations. Ankara: Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday, despite growing pressure on Ankara to stop the shelling. In telephone talks, Davutoglu told Merkel that Turkey "will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so," his office said in a statement. Turkish artillery struck at targets of the PYD and its People`s Protection Units (YPG) militia on both days of the weekend, while insisting that it was returning fire under the rules of engagement. Davutoglu alleged to Merkel that the Syrian Kurdish forces, who Turkey accuses of being the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers` Party (PKK), had been advancing with Russian air support. Russia is the key ally of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Turkey wants to see ousted. He said the move by the Kurdish fighters was aimed at uprooting "hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians" from the border region and "creating a new humanitarian crisis" that would affect both Turkey and the European Union. "This is aimed not just at Turkey but also the European Union," he said, warning of a "new wave of hundreds of thousands of refugees". The EU and Turkey, which hosts over 2.5 million Syrian refugees, are already grappling with the crisis that saw around one million migrants cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the EU in 2015. France had earlier called for an "immediate halt" to Turkey`s artillery bombardments while the US State Department had also urged Turkey to cease firing. London: Security services in the UK are hot on the heels of a British Islamic State (ISIS) terror suspect in Turkey after he mistakenly disclosed his whereabouts by joining the Linkedin professional network. Rabah Tahari, 46, from Birmingham is believed to have recruited the so-called "Jihadi John" British Muslim terrorist as the leader of an extremist group linked to Al Qaeda. British and Turkish security services are concerned that Tahari has moved to Turkey where he gave away his location when he joined Linkedin recently. There are growing fears that Tahari, 46, who is the leader of a network of fighters, will make his way back to Europe to carry out terrorist attacks, reported 'The Sunday Telegraph'. It is estimated that up to 50 British terrorists are hiding out in Turkey, where they can plan terror attacks against the West safe from allied bombing. Tahari has taken part in key operations in Syria where he and his fighters were trained to use a range of weaponry. In November, the Turkish security services captured Aine Davis who was reported this week to be one of the so called "Beatles" who guarded foreign hostages who were later slaughtered by Mohammed Emwazi or Jihadi John. Davis is now in custody in Turkey where he is awaiting extradition to Britain. He was arrested alongside a number of other unnamed jihadists suspected of planning an attack to coincide with those that killed 129 people in Paris in November. Tahari's group, Kateeba al-Kawthar, comprises fighters from more than 20 nations all seeking to impose an Islamic state. Emwazi is thought to have followed other members of his Islamist network who left London in 2012 to join up with Tahari in Syria. He later left Tahari with a group of other extremists to join ISIS where he took part in the execution of British and American prisoners. In 2014 UK Home Office minister James Brokenshire said, "Kateeba al-Kawthar describes itself as a group of mujaheddin from more than 20 countries that seeks a just as it perversely says Islamic nation. It is an armed terrorist group fighting to establish an Islamic state in Syria." "Abu Musab, who is also known as Rabah Tahari, a western mujahed commander, is its leader. The group is believed to have attracted a number of western foreign fighters, and it has released YouTube footage that encourages travel to Syria and asks Muslims to support the fighters," James said. By Paulo Prada Rio de Janeiro (Reuters) - Last January, long lines formed outside health clinics in Recife, a city in Brazil's northeast hit hard in recent years by outbreaks of dengue, a painful tropical disease. Doctors were on guard because federal health officials and the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned 2015 would be a bad year for dengue and possibly another viral disease, chikungunya, both spread by the same type of mosquito. But the symptoms of the hundreds of people seeking treatment did not fit dengue. Instead of high fevers and intense muscular aches that dengue is known to cause, patients were running only slight temperatures and complaining of joint pain. Many had rashes sooner than with dengue and chikungunya. "We knew this was something else," says Carlos Brito, a doctor from Recife who told state and federal health authorities in January-February last year that they were wrong to classify all the cases as dengue. "But the authorities were slow to believe, he said. Kleber Luz, a physician in Natal, a city 300 km up the Atlantic coast, says he gave similar feedback but got the same response. The two - who were part of a group of doctors discussing the odd symptoms in text messages - grew frustrated with the authorities narrow focus. They asked the federal health ministry to broaden its search beyond viruses known in the area. It took until early May for the health ministry to recognize that the Zika virus had arrived in Brazil and to alert the WHOs regional arm, the Washington-based Pan American Health Organization. And it wasn't until November that a Rio de Janeiro laboratory made a link between the virus and microcephaly, which can lead to abnormally small brains in developing babies. The WHO has been lambasted in the past couple of years by scientists, aid organizations, and public health experts for the slow way in which it initially reacted to the Ebola epidemic as it spread across West Africa in 2014. And so far, the hesitant response to the Zika outbreak, which has created the worst global health scare since Ebola, says much about the difficulties that the WHO and other health authorities face in combating unexpected public health threats. EXPLODING ACROSS THE REGION On Dec. 1, the WHO cited the lab evidence linking Zika to microcephaly in an advisory to its member countries. It will consider on Monday whether to declare an international emergency. The WHO said in Geneva on Thursday that Zika in the last few months has spread "explosively" to more than 20 other countries in the Americas and could infect as many as 4 million people. Whether the health authorities in Brazil and the leadership at the WHO have taken too long to get to this point is a subject of debate within the international health community. The Brazilian government says its response when it was first alerted by the doctors about the unusual symptoms they were seeing was driven by the evidence. It was too early," said Claudio Maierovitch, director of the health ministry's Department of Communicable Disease Surveillance. "There are so many other viral possibilities and Zika had never been seen in this hemisphere." And he said that when Zika was identified, the authorities response was based on knowledge of the disease. Previous outbreaks of Zika, a virus first identified in 1947 in Uganda, had occurred in small and scattered rural populations in Africa and Southeast Asia and the symptoms were relatively benign. "We based our response on the scientific knowledge available, that Zika caused a mild illness without major complications," said Maierovitch. "But as soon as we saw that there was an association with microcephaly, we reacted in record time." Critics say that the WHO has been slow to act after the link between Zika and microcephaly was made, and should have declared an emergency as soon as that was determined. "My chief criticism is of WHO in Geneva. After being widely condemned for acting late on Ebola, it is now sitting back with Zika," said Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University, who has worked with the WHO and written extensively about pandemics and policy. WHO officials say the agency's response to Zika is driven by science, and they point out that much remains unclear, including the precise nature of any link between Zika and microcephaly. "In any unfolding crisis you're dealing with a lot of uncertainty," Bruce Aylward, the WHO's assistant director-general, told reporters on Thursday. Since October, 4,180 cases of microcephaly have been reported in Brazil but only 270 have so far been confirmed, with just six so far linked by the government to Zika. Of the rest, 3,448 are still being investigated through a long process involving clinical research, laboratory testing and monitoring of the infants' development, and 462 were dismissed as not being microcephaly. Following the spread of the disease is difficult. Many of those who get Zika can recover quickly from only mild symptoms, and across the Americas, hospitals do not have the clinical testing materials to quickly and definitively determine whether a patient is infected. I THINK ITS ZIKA Luz, the Natal doctor, may have been the first person to make a link between the symptoms his patients had shown and Zika. After poring over scientific literature about a 2013 outbreak in French Polynesia, Luz in early March sent a text to a WhatsApp group for doctors, declaring: "I think it's Zika." He compared the symptoms he had seen with those reported in that outbreak. Soon, several doctors in the same region began collecting blood samples from patients and sent them to various laboratories for analysis. On April 30, a laboratory at the Federal University of Bahia, also in Brazil's northeast, said it had identified the presence of Zika in samples from one patient. The health ministry alerted state governments. On May 2, it notified PAHO. The notification put a Zika outbreak on record at the WHO. On May 7, PAHO issued an epidemiological alert saying public health authorities of Brazil are investigating a possible transmission of the Zika virus. But concern remained limited mostly to the contagiousness of Zika, rather than whether it could be a serious threat. In its alert, PAHO wrote: "Complications (neurological, autoimmune) are rare." 'REAL ANGUISH' In late May, Brito received a call from a Recife neurologist who noticed a surge of new patients with symptoms of Guillain-Barre, a little-understood autoimmune syndrome that can weaken the muscles and cause paralysis. Brito interviewed the patients, many of whom said they had previously suffered a light fever, joint pain and rashes. He collected blood samples and by June a laboratory had used genetic testing to find traces of the Zika virus. "It was real anguish," Brito said of the patient's suffering and the wait for official confirmation of Zika's presence. But despite the results, there was no proof to show that it was Zika causing the syndrome. Neither the Brazilian health ministry nor PAHO heightened warnings. By September, the chat groups among doctors were abuzz over a spike in the number of babies born with microcephaly. Many mothers of affected babies recalled having Zika-type symptoms. In October, Adriana Melo, an obstetrician in the nearby state of Paraiba, noticed troubling signs in sonograms of a 34-year-old expectant mother. There were calcium deposits in the developing baby's brain, a possible sign of viral infection. The cerebellum, the part of the brain crucial for motor control, was shrinking. Melo phoned the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a public health institute in Rio de Janeiro, and got a lab there to test the patient's amniotic fluid. By then, the number of babies born with microcephaly was surging. The health ministry, now more alarmed, declared a national emergency on Nov. 11 and in public comments mentioned that there were possible ties between the condition and Zika. The WHO was not yet ready to draw the same parallels. On November 17, the Rio lab said it had found the virus in the amniotic fluid. On Nov. 28, after lab tests from another baby, Brazil's government confirmed the link between the virus and microcephaly. Starting Nov. 30, WHO deployed a small team of researchers from PAHO's Washington headquarters to Brazil. On December 1, PAHO issued a new advisory, warning countries in the region of the link between the virus and microcephaly. Two months later, the WHO is considering whether to declare an international emergency. "You have to gather the data," says Marcos Espinal, director of the department of communicable diseases at PAHO, dismissing criticism that the regional body or headquarters could have moved any sooner. (Additional reporting by Anthony Boadle, Brad Brooks, Stephanie Nebehay, Tom Miles and Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Kieran Murray, Lisa Girion and Martin Howell) By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government has directed senior officials on how to respond to questions about political turmoil and alleged corruption in Nauru, where it has an asylum seeker detention center, documents obtained by Reuters under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request show. The diplomatic cables, ministerial talking points and classified emails between Australian officials cover a tumultuous period that began with the 2014 sacking of Nauru's independent judiciary by President Baron Waqa and end in October 2015 with an Australian Senate hearing on the arrests of opposition Nauru lawmakers. In recent months, some critics have said Australia was downplaying concerns about human rights and the erosion of law in its smaller Pacific neighbor, where more than 500 men, women and children who had sought asylum in Australia are held. In emailed comments to Reuters, a spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Julie Bishop rejected the view that a desire to maintain the detention center outweighed human rights concerns, and stressed that Bishop raised such matters directly with President Waqa "on several occasions last year." "The Australian government's position in relation to the Regional Processing Centre on Nauru has no bearing on the stance we take on domestic human rights issues in Nauru," the spokeswoman said. Several documents among the 115 pages released to Reuters on Wednesday show Department of Foreign Affairs officials advising staff and ministers to deliver a muted response to events in Nauru. For instance, weeks after Nauru ordered its sole Internet provider to block access to Facebook in April 2015, which critics including former Nauru Chief Justice Geoffrey Eames said was an attempt to stifle dissent, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs advised officials to call political debate there "robust", a May 14 document showed. In talking points prepared by the department for staff including Bishop, officials are directed to defend Nauru's rights to make new laws if asked about the ban by journalists. "Nauru is a sovereign nation able to establish its own legalframework," the document says. Weeks earlier, Nauru Justice Minister David Adeang initially explained the Facebook block on the grounds of limiting access to child pornography. In May, Nauru made it illegal to make a statement "likely to threaten national defense, public safety, public order, public morality or public health", punishable by up to seven years in prison. The Nauru government declined to comment on what it called "internal matters of the Australian government," spokeswoman Joanna Olsson said in response to Reuters queries, adding "any suggestion that the rule of law is not respected in Nauru is false." POLITICAL TURMOIL In 2010, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) began investigating an Australian company, Getax, over allegations it paid bribes to Nauruan officials to secure more favorable rates for Nauruan phosphate. In June 2015, the Australian Broadcasting Corp, citing leaked emails, reported that the investigation involved a former Getax official paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to Waqa and Adeang. In talking points about both allegations of human rights abuses and corruption at Getax, Bishop, the prime minister's office and other Australian senior ministers are instructed by the Department of Foreign Affair's Pacific Affairs Division to respond to the question of what the allegations mean for the bilateral relationship. "I expect Australia's good relations with Nauru to continue," say the talking points in a June 10 document. "Our longstanding bilateral relationship covers trade, people to people links and cooperation on regional and international challenges, including people smuggling." Olsson, the Nauru government spokeswoman, said the government was not aware of any AFP investigation. She added the corruption claims had been "dealt with and found baseless". An AFP spokesman said the Getax investigation is ongoing. A spokeswoman for Getax declined to comment. Reuters was unable to reach Waqa, Adeang or the Getax official, or to independently confirm the accusations. A Nauru government spokesman previously said the accusations were "a slur on the character of our president and offensive to our nation." PROTESTS, ARRESTS Another FOI document dated June 24 advised senior officials how to respond after protests related to the suspension of three opposition lawmakers outside Nauru's parliament last June resulted in the arrest of the lawmakers. If asked: "Is the Australian government ignoring the erosion of law in Nauru?", acceptable answers included: "It is understandable that the protests ... are attracting some attention" and "We recognize and respect that these are domestic issues for Nauru." Jenny Hayward-Jones, a regional expert at Sydney think-tank the Lowy Institute, said it was in Australia's interest to maintain the asylum seeker center on Nauru and keep the government there operating as effectively as possible. "To do that, I think the Australian government assesses that it's better not to criticize the Nauru government," she said. The FOI documents were heavily redacted, in many cases citing an exemption where disclosure could damage Australia's international relations. In redacted notes regarding a call from Bishop to Waqa dated Sept. 3, Bishop notes "continuing strong interest" in the arrest of the opposition lawmakers, and adds she is "encouraged to hear that legal hearings are progressing." On the same day, New Zealand suspended NZ$1.2 million ($801,600) in annual aid for Nauru's law and justice sector citing concerns about "civil rights abuses." (Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Ian Geoghegan and Lincoln Feast) A Gadsden flag and a U.S. national flag fly over the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Burns District Office outside Hines, Oregon January 31, 2016. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart By Jonathan Allen (Reuters) - The wife and mother of two men whose imprisonment in January precipitated a 41-day standoff at an Oregon wildlife refuge told Reuters on Thursday she hopes the peaceful outcome will spur further activism to curb the reach of the federal government. Speaking exclusively to Reuters, Susan Hammond, who did not participate in the standoff, said that she hoped the attention brought by the occupation would galvanize Americans to pursue legal avenues for weakening federal government control of millions of acres of land. "I don't think it's over. I think it's just beginning," she said in a telephone interview. "We have hopes that possibly this will be the beginning of a change in the overreach of federal government, but it's only the beginning." The takeover at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2 was sparked by the return to prison of Hammond's husband and son, two Oregon ranchers convicted of setting fires that spread to federal property in the vicinity of the refuge. Dwight Hammond Jr., 74, and his son, Steve Hammond, 47, are serving the remainder of their sentences in federal prison. The occupation of the Oregon wildlife refuge was led by Ammon and Ryan Bundy as a protest against federal control over public land in the West. The men are the sons of Cliven Bundy, who staged an armed protest over a federal land dispute in Nevada in 2014. Both Bundy sons were arrested in late January and Cliven Bundy, who counseled his sons by phone, was arrested at the Portland airport on Wednesday. Members of the Hammond family hold differing views on the Bundys methods, Susan Hammond said. Hammond said she did not know the Bundy family well, but had met Ammon Bundy on more than one occasion. She suggested that the Bundys were being targeted by the government and expressed her support in the wake of Cliven Bundys arrest. "I cannot imagine why they would pick up an old man at the airport and charge him with something like that, Hammond said. "It's just piling on of government bureaucracy onto the Bundy family. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Shelby Sebens in Portland, Oregon; Editing by Sara Catania, Dan Whitcomb and Lisa Shumaker) Bitter cold is gripping parts of Central and Eastern Canada as temperatures dipped to -45 C with the wind chill in some areas. Environment Canada issued cold or winter storm warnings on Saturday for provinces from Manitoba to Newfoundland and Labrador. The national weather forecaster said temperatures could fall to -45 C in Ottawa on Saturday with the wind chill, warming up to -35 C overnight. In New Brunswick, temperatures were expected to hover between -35 C and -40 C with the wind chill until Sunday. Quebec and Manitoba can expect much of the same, with temperatures warming up early next week. Meanwhile, Newfoundland was bracing for a winter storm that could bring up to 20 cm of snow to eastern parts of the island. Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and eastern Newfoundland all had cold alerts in areas. Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montreal and Fredericton were expected to be among the coldest cities over the next two days. "We're going to see Ottawa today, the last weekend of Winterlude, the high today -24, the wind chills -33. That's going to freeze flesh in a matter of minutes, so it's almost as if it is too extreme to enjoy the outdoors," said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, on Saturday. Environment Canada said, "Some improvement is expected on Sunday as temperatures moderate somewhat." It issued an extreme cold warning for the region. Manitoba experienced the worst of the cold front on Friday, its fifth day of extreme lows in temperature and wind chill values of -40 in southern regions, dipping to -45 to -50 in northern areas. Environment Canada blames the extreme cold on an Arctic ridge of high pressure sliding southward toward the U.S. Midwest. "Some are at greater risk than others for frostbite and hypothermia: homeless people, outdoor workers, people living in homes that are poorly insulated or with no heat or no power, people with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy and diseases affecting the blood vessels, people taking certain medications including beta-blockers, winter sport enthusiasts, people who consume excess alcohol, infants, and seniors." the agency warns. Story continues Effects on wildlife South of the border in New York City, the blast of Arctic air forced the cancellation of the city's annual Central Park Ice Festival. "There are also the long-term effects," Phillips told CBC News. "We won't know what the full accounting of this will be until we get to the summer." Due to periods of milder temperatures this winter, some wildlife have been caught on the ground rather than burrowing beneath the snow, he says. "This winter may be known as a pothole kind of winter because of the freeze/thaw cycle periods we have seen." HSBC has decided to keep its headquarters in the UK, following speculation the bank was considering a move to Hong Kong. The company, which employs about 5,000 people at its London base, launched a review in April on where it should be based in response to sweeping reforms in the banking sector. It said the decision to remain was unanimous, adding in a statement: "London is one of the world's leading international financial centres and home to a large pool of highly skilled, international talent. "It remains therefore ideally positioned to be the home base for a global financial institution such as HSBC." HSBC had been concerned about tax changes, implemented since the financial crisis, which were costing banks hundreds of millions of pounds a year. However, a move by Chancellor George Osborne to make reforms to the banking taxation system - reducing HSBC's long-term bills - will also have incentivised the bank to stay put. A spokeswoman for the Treasury said it welcomed HSBC's decision, and claimed it amounted to "a vote of confidence in the Government's economic plan". HSBC was based in Hong Kong until 1993 - but the recent market and economic turmoil in China is likely to have been a factor in the decision not to return. Analysts had predicted that such a move would have cost HSBC between $1.5bn and $2.5bn (1.03bn and 1.72bn). The bank has stressed that Asia "remains at the heart of the Group's strategy" - and plans to invest more into southeast Asia and China's Pearl River Delta are intact. "Having our headquarters in the UK and our significant business in Asia Pacific delivers the best of both worlds to our stakeholders," HSBC Group's chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, added. Mr Gulliver expects the world economy to pivot towards Asia - forecasting that 80% of HSBC profit will soon be derived from the region up from a little over 60% today. On Saturday, Sky's City Editor Mark Kleinman reported that HSBC will stop reviewing the location of its headquarters every three years - in part because of the resources, cost and management time involved in each exercise. Story continues In its statement confirming plans to remain in London, the bank confirmed it will "only revisit the matter if there is a material change in circumstances". HSBC is due to announce its annual results on 22 February. Shares in the group have fallen 18% since the start of 2016 - and are down more than 30% compared to April 2015, when the HQ review began. The bank is currently in the process of cutting 50,000 jobs - or about a fifth of its global workforce - by the end of 2017. By Ju-min Park PAJU, South Korea (Reuters) - North Korea said it was kicking out all South Koreans from the jointly run Kaesong industrial zone on Thursday, calling the South's move to suspend operations, in retaliation for Sunday's rocket launch by the North, a "declaration of war". The North declared the industrial park, run by the rivals as a symbol of cooperation for more than a decade, a military control zone, the agency that handles its ties with Seoul said, according to the official KCNA news agency. Dozens of South Korean trucks were already returning across the border earlier in the day, laden with goods and equipment, after the South said it was pulling out. "Unpardonable is the puppet group's act of totally suspending the operation in (Kaesong), finding fault with the DPRK's H-bomb test and launch of a satellite," the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said, referring to South Korea. Isolated North Korea regularly dismisses the South as a puppet of the United States and just as regularly accuses both of acts of war against it. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea tested what it said was a hydrogen bomb on Jan. 6 and on Sunday launched a rocket, putting a satellite into orbit. The United States, Japan and South Korea said Sunday's launch was a ballistic missile test, and like last month's nuclear test, a violation of U.N. resolutions. The U.S. Senate voted unanimously in favor of tougher sanctions. North Korea ordered South Koreans out of the zone by late afternoon, forbidding them to take anything other than personal belongings, KCNA said. South Korea said after the North's announcement that its top priority was the safe return of all of its people. Halting activity at the park, where 124 South Korean companies employed about 55,000 North Koreans, cuts the last significant vestige of North-South cooperation - a rare opportunity for Koreans divided by the 1950-53 war to interact on a daily basis. North Korean workers were given a taste of life in the South at the complex, about 54 km (34 miles) northwest of Seoul, including snack foods like Choco Pies and toiletries that were resold as luxury items in the North. They also rubbed shoulders with their managers from South Korea. Supporters of the project said that kind of contact was important in promoting inter-Korean understanding, despite concerns that Pyongyang might have used proceeds from Kaesong to help fund its nuclear and missile programs. RISKS AND REWARDS Except for Kaesong, both countries forbid their citizens from communicating with each other across the worlds most fortified frontier. "We piled up instant noodles, bread and drinks in our warehouse so North Korean workers could come here and eat freely," said Lee Jong-ku, who runs a firm that installs electrical equipment for apparel factories in Kaesong. "We don't mind them eating our food, because we only care about them working hard." For the North, the revenue opportunity from Kaesong - $110 million in wages and fees in 2015 - was deemed worth the risk of exposing its workers to influences from the prosperous South. In recent years, North Koreans have had increasing access to contraband media, exposing them to life in the South and China. Still, Pyongyang took precautions to ensure the workers it hand-picked for the complex had minimal contact with their South Korean managers that could be potentially subversive. "These North Korean workers are strongly armed ideologically," said Koo Ja-ick, who was waiting on the south side of the border on his way to Kaesong, where he has worked at an apparel company for the past four years. "They never act individually. They always work and move in a group of two, even manager-level people do so. They never go to the bathroom by themselves - always in groups," he said. The average wage for North Korean workers at Kaesong was roughly $160 a month, paid to a state management company. The workers received about 20 percent of that in coupons and North Korean currency, said Cho Bong-hyun, who heads research on North Korea's economy at IBK Bank in Seoul. A South Korean government official involved in North Korea policy said it was difficult to see how operations could be resumed anytime soon at Kaesong, which opened in 2005. Shares of several leading companies in the Kaesong zone plunged in Thursday trading, falling by nearly 10 percent or more. Defense shares, on the other hand, performed strongly. Despite volatile North-South relations over the years, Kaesong had been shut only once before, for five months in 2013, amid heightened tensions following its third nuclear test. Its future had often seemed uncertain over the past decade. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim in Seoul; Writing by Tony Munroe. Editing by Bill Tarrant and Nick Macfie) By Jack Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea and the United States are expected to begin talks next week on possible deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system following North Korea's recent rocket launch, officials said on Friday, as Seoul cut power to a factory park run jointly with the North. The discussions would focus on placing one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system with the U.S. military in South Korea, a South Korean defense official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Pentagon spokesman Commander Bill Urban said in an email that a joint working group would "review all aspects regarding the potential of deployment of a THAAD system to South Korea." "We expect the first meeting to occur next week," he said. North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Feb. 7 carrying what it called a satellite, drawing renewed international condemnation just weeks after it carried out a nuclear bomb test. It said the launch was for peaceful purposes, but Seoul and Washington have said it violated United Nations Security Council resolutions because it used ballistic missile technology. North Korea carried out a nuclear bomb test last month, also banned by a U.N. resolution. On Wednesday, South Korea suspended operations at the Kaesong industrial zone as punishment for the rocket launch and nuclear test. The zone, just inside North Korea, had operated for more than a decade. The North on Thursday called the action "a declaration of war" and expelled the South's workers. Kaesong was the last venue for regular interaction between the divided Koreas. The 280 South Koreans who had remained in Kaesong rushed to leave the industrial park on Thursday evening, completing the pullout at 11:05 p.m. (9.05 a.m. ET/1405 GMT), according to the South's Unification Ministry, which handles relations with the North. A few minutes before midnight, the South shut off the supply of electricity into Kaesong that powered the factory zone, the ministry said early on Friday. It also cut the water supply. The United States, Japan and South Korea are seeking tougher U.N. sanctions against North Korea in the wake of the nuclear test and rocket launch. CHINESE, RUSSIAN CONCERNS Wang Yi, the foreign minister of China, North Korea's neighbor and main ally, said on Friday that Beijing supported a U.N. Security Council resolution to make Pyongyang "pay the necessary price" for the launch. He also expressed concern over a possible U.S. deployment of its sophisticated THAAD missile defense system to South Korea, saying it could also be used to target China. U.S. military officials have said the THAAD system is needed in South Korea, but Seoul had been reluctant to openly discuss its deployment given the risk of damaging ties with China, its biggest trade partner. Russia has also expressed concern about the potential deployment of THAAD, saying it could trigger an arms race in Northeast Asia. South Korea and the United States have said the system, built by Lockheed Martin Corp and designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight, would be focused only on North Korea. South Korea accused North Korea of "illegal" acts by freezing the assets of South Korean companies in Kaesong, and warned that Pyongyang would be held responsible for any consequences from the industrial park's suspension. The Kaesong project employed about 55,000 North Koreans, who were given a taste of life in the South, working for the 124 mostly small- and medium-sized manufacturers that operated there, about 54 km (34 miles) northwest of Seoul. Except for Kaesong, both countries forbid their citizens from communicating with each other across their heavily armed border. Despite volatile North-South relations, Kaesong had been shut only once before, for five months in 2013 amid heightened tensions following Pyongyang's third nuclear test. (Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Dean Yates, Toni Reinhold) By Tom Perry and Jeff Mason BEIRUT/RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama urged Russia on Sunday to stop bombing "moderate" rebels in Syria in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad, a campaign seen in the West as a major obstacle to latest efforts to end the war. Major powers agreed on Friday to a limited cessation of hostilities in Syria but the deal does not take effect until the end of this week and was not signed by any warring parties - the Damascus government and numerous rebel factions fighting it. Russian bombing raids directed at rebel groups are helping the Syrian army to achieve what could be its biggest victory of the war in the battle for Aleppo, the country's largest city and commercial center before the conflict. There is little optimism that the deal reached in Munich will do much to end a war that has lasted five years and cost 250,000 lives. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin and Obama had spoken by telephone and agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the Munich agreement. But a Kremlin statement made clear Russia was committed to its campaign against Islamic State and "other terrorist organizations", an indication that it would also target groups in western Syria where jihadists such as al Qaeda are fighting Assad in close proximity to rebels deemed moderate by the West. Russia says the "cessation" does not apply to its air strikes, which have shifted the balance of power toward Assad. It says Islamic State and the al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front are the main targets of its air campaign. But Western countries say Russia has in fact been mostly targeting other insurgent groups, including some they support. The White House said Obama's discussion with Putin stressed the need to rush humanitarian aid to Syria and contain air strikes. "In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," the White House said in a statement. AID THREATENED Relief workers said efforts to deliver humanitarian aid were being threatened by the latest escalation of violence. "We must ask again, why wait a week for this urgently needed cessation of hostilities?" said Dalia al-Awqati, Mercy Corps director of programs for North Syria. The situation in Syria has been complicated by the involvement of Kurdish-backed combatants in the area north of Aleppo near the Turkish border, which has drawn a swift military response from artillery in Turkey. The Kurdish YPG militia, helped by Russian air raids, seized an ex-military air base at Menagh last week, angering Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group that waged a bloody insurgent campaign on Turkish soil over most of the past three decades. Turkey began shelling while demanding that the YPG militia withdraw from areas it has captured from Syrian rebels in the northern Aleppo region in recent days, including the Menagh air base. The bombardment killed two YPG fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Syrian Kurdish PYD party rejected Turkish demands for withdrawal, while the Syrian government said Turkish shelling of northern Syria amounted to direct support for insurgent groups. France called on Turkey to stop the shelling, but Turkey said it would continue to respond to Kurdish militia attacks in Syria. Syria also said Turkish forces were believed to be among 100 gunmen that entered Syria on Saturday with a dozen pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns in an operation to supply rebel fighters. Other fronts were also active on Sunday. Kurdish-backed forces were fighting with insurgent groups near Tel Rifaat in the northern Aleppo countryside, while farther south, government forces renewed their shelling of rebel positions to the northwest of Aleppo city. The Syria Democratic Forces alliance, which includes the YPG, gained more ground from insurgents north of Aleppo, capturing a village on the road between the two rebel-held towns of Tel Rifaat and Azaz, the Observatory reported. It also reported air strikes by jets believed to be Russian in areas east of Damascus, north of Homs, and in the southern province of Deraa. Reaction from politicians in the West to the Munich deal was skeptical. U.S. Senator John McCain said he did not view the deal as a breakthrough. "Let's be clear about what this agreement does. It allows Russia's assault on Aleppo to continue for another week," he said at security conference in Munich. "Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner. He wants to shore up the Assad regime," McCain said. A senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had gained the upper hand in Syria through armed force. Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, said Russia was determined to create "facts on the ground", to bolster its negotiating position. 'RECONCILIATION' As the fighting continued, the Syrian army urged citizens in Deraa province, the Ghouta area east of Damascus, and in rural districts east of Aleppo to quickly seek "reconciliation" with the government. So-called local reconciliation agreements are often seen as a means for the government to force surrender on insurgents, and have typically followed lengthy blockades of rebel areas and the civilians living there. Saudi Arabia confirmed it had sent aircraft to Turkey's Incirlik air base to join the fight against Islamic State, but said any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria must await a decision by the U.S.-led coalition combating the militants. Any ground operations in Syria will lead to "a full-fledged, long war", Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned. (This story has been refiled to add Assad's title in paragraph 1) (Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla, Angus McDowall, Orhan Coskun, Katya Golubkova and Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Giles Elgood; Editing by Dominic Evans) By Joan Biskupic and Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died, setting up a major political showdown between President Barack Obama and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace him just months before a presidential election. "On behalf of the court and retired justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away," Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement on Saturday, calling Scalia, 79, an "extraordinary individual and jurist." Scalia's death was first reported by the San Antonio News-Express, who said he had apparently died of natural causes while visiting a luxury resort in West Texas. Obama, who is traveling in California, extended his condolences, and the White House said he would have more to say about Scalia's death later on Saturday. The Supreme Court lowered its U.S. flag in honor of Scalia on Saturday. The U.S. president will face a stiff battle to win confirmation of a nominee to replace the dead jurist, with Republicans likely to delay in the hope that one of their own wins the November election. "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican who currently controls if and when the Senate would vote on a nominee. But Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said Obama should send the Senate a nominee "right away." Obama could tilt the balance of the nation's highest court, which now consists of four conservatives and four liberals, if he tries to and is successful in pushing his nominee through the Senate confirmation process. Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy sometimes joins with the liberals on high profile issues, including gay rights and the death penalty. "Justice Scalia was an American hero. We owe it to him, and the nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next president names his replacement," Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican presidential candidate, said on Twitter. The question of replacing Scalia is likely to come up when six of the Republican White House hopefuls participate in a televised debate Saturday evening in South Carolina, which holds its Republican nominating contest on Feb. 20. POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS Appointed to the top U.S. court in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan, Scalia was known for his strident conservative views and theatrical flair in the courtroom. Scalia's replacement would be Obama's third appointment to the nine-justice court, which is set to decide its first major abortion case in nearly 10 years as well as key cases on voting rights, affirmative action and immigration. Obama's first two appointments to the court, liberals Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 and Elena Kagan in 2010, both experienced relatively smooth confirmation hearings in the Senate, which was then controlled by Democrats. This nomination will be different, with Republicans now in charge of the Senate and keen to exert their influence over the process. Obama is likely to be forced into picking a moderate with little or no history of advocating for liberal causes. Other factors the White House is likely to consider is whether to nominate a woman or a member of a minority group, or someone who fits into both categories. Among those mentioned within legal circles as potential nominees are Sri Srinivasan, an Indian-American judge who has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since May 2013, and Jacqueline Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American who has been a judge on the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since May 2012. Paul Watford, a black judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals who was appointed in May 2012, and Jane Kelly, a white woman and former public defender who has served on the St. Louis, Missouri-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals since April 2013, also have been touted as possible nominees. (Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton, Jeff Mason and Scott Malone; Editing by Bill Trott and Paul Simao) RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A special non-surgical technique from Family Eye Care Center helps keratoconus patients reshape their corneas and improve vision while they sleep. North Carolina patients have a new option when it comes to keratoconus treatment, thanks to Family Eye Care Center, an optometry center in Raleigh and Rocky Mount. Designed to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for vision correction, the Ortho-K process allows patients to improve their eyesight as they sleep. This is especially ideal for those who are generally not considered good candidates for laser surgery. To use the process, the patient puts in a special set of contacts before going to bed for several nights. These lenses subtly work to change the shape of the cornea, providing near perfect to perfect vision when they wake up. The effects last from one to two days before the treatment needs to be repeated. In addition, creation of the Ortho-K treatment is customized to the patient's needs. Generally, an eye care professional will map out the cornea and then create specialized lenses depending on the exact level of correction required. For many who are used to wearing contacts on a regular basis, this process may seem counterintuitive against most vision providers' constant warnings about not sleeping in them. The truth is that the Ortho-K lenses are extremely breathable and designed just for use at night. (Thus, as a warning, those who wear contacts shouldn't try to repeat the process on their own using their regular lenses.) While this special treatment is a big step in promoting vision health, it isn't the only thing patients need to be concerned about. Nearly one in every two thousand patients suffers from keratoconus, a condition where the cornea becomes misshapen. The occurrence is much more prevalent in certain minorities, but an exact cause isn't known. Essentially, the best way to help prevent additional damage is early detection. Jeff Handschumacher of Family Eye Care Center in Raleigh, North Carolina explains, "A person who is still young, but whose vision cannot be corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses should be evaluated by an eye doctor whose expertise is keratoconus. Parents who have keratoconus themselves should consider having their child or children screened for the disease starting from the time they turn ten years old." Patients interested in more information about the Ortho-K process, keratoconus treatment, and other vision health services can contact Family Eye Care Center at 919-981-4444. About Family Eye Care Center Family Eye Care Center proudly offers quality vision services to Raleigh and Rocky Mount residents. They provide routine examinations, specialty care, and everything in between for patients of nearly all ages. Contact their knowledgeable and friendly staff today at 919-981-4444. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE (Reuters) - Central European leaders are ready to help Balkan countries seal their borders with Greece to stem the flow of migrants across the continent, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka told Reuters on Sunday. Despite objections from regional powerhouse Germany, which says it would make the situation in Greece more difficult, the so-called Visegrad group will debate the plans on Monday at a summit hosted by Sobotka. He said the European Union's agreements with Turkey to reduce the flow of refugees and migrants crossing to Greece to flee war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa had so far not yielded satisfactory results and time was running out. "The current situation when up to 3,000 people come to Greece every day certainly is not what we had in mind," he said in emailed answers to Reuters questions. "The Visegrad Four (V4) realizes how important it is to focus on the west Balkan route and show solidarity with the west Balkan countries and help them with protection of their borders." "Already now policemen from V4 countries are helping on the Macedonian border, we are prepared to strengthen our aid if needed," he said. The Visegrad group is made up of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, and the Prague meeting will be also attended by the leaders of Bulgaria and Macedonia. Sobotka said he would discuss the plans with the Greek foreign minister on Tuesday, ahead of an EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday. The central European countries, with the exception of Hungary, have so far not seen any significant numbers of migrants, but they fear they could be swamped as well if Europe's external borders stay leaky, or if Germany were to close its own borders. Germany believes sealing Balkan borders with Greece could undermine its approach focused on making the agreement with Turkey work and would lead to accumulation of refugees in Greece, a country already under huge strain. Sobotka said Europe needed to adopt a range of other measures to reduce the migration flow, including urging Turkey to prevent human traffickers from taking more and more migrants to Greece from its western coast. He also called on other EU members to better coordinate returning unsuccessful asylum seekers to their country of origin. "Europe must have migration policy that will have clear and enforceable rules, including the ability to stop economic migration on EU's external borders," he said. (Additional reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Alison Williams) Rancho Mirage (United States) (AFP) - US President Barack Obama has urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to end air strikes against Syrian opposition forces, the White House said Sunday. In a phone call with Putin Saturday, Obama stressed the need to quickly get humanitarian aid to besieged areas and initiating the cessation of hostilities across the war-wracked country, it said. "In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria." The call came in the wake of a truce deal forged Friday by Washington and Moscow that has been criticized by the Syrian opposition, which accuses Russia of continuing bombings of civilian areas. Obama also raised Russia's conflict with Ukraine in the call to Putin, urging "combined Russian-separatist forces" to adhere to a ceasefire and ensure that monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have "full access to all areas of eastern Ukraine, including the international border." Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Saturday that Russian troops, weapons and ammunition were entering Ukraine every day. "Mr (Vladimir) Putin, this is not a civil war in Ukraine, this is your aggression," he said. His remarks came as US Secretary of State John Kerry said Moscow must pull its troops out of Ukraine and that sanctions on Russia would remain in place until it implements all aspects of the Ukraine peace agreement reached in Belarus' capital Minsk last year. Beirut (AFP) - Hopes for a ceasefire taking hold in Syria this week dimmed Sunday as Turkey renewed its shelling of advancing Kurdish militants and Washington demanded Moscow end air strikes on rebels. Tensions over Syria have continued to mount despite the proposal from international powers in Munich on Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" within a week. Defying US and French calls, Turkey on Sunday carried out a second day of shelling on a Kurdish-Arab alliance advancing in northern Aleppo province, prompting condemnation from Syria's government. And in a telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria. Turkey says it is targeting Kurdish forces it accuses of links to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. A statement from Davutoglu's office said he told Merkel that Ankara "will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so". Washington has been working closely with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, and the Turkish attacks highlighted tensions within the US-led coalition battling the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. Differences were also clear between Washington and Moscow, which backs international diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syria conflict but has also launched air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally. The White House said Sunday that President Barack Obama in a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had urged Moscow to end the strikes. - Kurdish gains worry Turkey - "President Obama emphasised the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," it said. Russia has long insisted that it targets only "terrorist" groups in Syria. Story continues The Turkish shelling in northern Syria has added to an already complicated situation in Aleppo province, where regime forces have made significant advances with backing from Russian air strikes. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab militia alliance, has also advanced, seizing the Minnigh air base and battling for Tal Rifaat, a town held by mostly Islamist opposition fighters just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border. Kurdish forces already control large parts of Syria along the border and Ankara is concerned the SDF will gain new ground. Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency said the shelling resumed for a second day on Sunday, with army howitzers on the border hitting Kurdish targets around the Syrian town of Azaz. It said the shelling was in response to incoming fire and targeted the PYD, whose People's Protection Units (YPG) is a key component of the SDF. The SDF announced the deaths of three fighters in the shelling, and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saying a female civilian was also killed. It said the SDF had taken the village of Ain Daqna, cutting the main road and rebel supply route between Tal Rifaat and the border. It also reported fierce fighting between the SDF and Islamist insurgents in western Tal Rifaat, with at least 17 rebels killed. The US State Department had on Saturday urged the Kurds to stand down, as well as calling on Ankara to cease its shelling. France joined that call on Sunday, with its foreign ministry urging "an immediate halt to the bombing, both that of the regime and its allies throughout the country and that of Turkey in the Kurdish zones". - Rebels under pressure - Damascus called the Turkish strikes a violation of its territory, and urged UN Security Council action to "put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime". It also accused Ankara of allowing some 100 gunmen to enter Syria. The Observatory said some 350 Islamist fighters had been allowed to travel through Turkish territory on Saturday to reinforce Islamist rebels in Azaz and Tal Rifaat. The SDF advances came as Syria's regime piled pressure on rebels throughout northern Aleppo province in a major Russian-backed operation that has displaced tens of thousands of civilians. The operation has virtually encircled rebel-held eastern Aleppo city and raised concerns among opposition backers including Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Both belong to the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes in Syria, and Riyadh has now deployed warplanes to the Turkish base of Incirlik, a hub already being used by American, British and French aircraft. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Ankara and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against IS. Senior Saudi defence official Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri also said Saturday that there was consensus within the coalition on "the need for group operations". He said military experts would meet shortly to decide "the role to be played by each country". Echoing Obama's concerns, a senior figure in the Syrian opposition on Sunday criticised the truce deal as unworkable without an end to Russian strikes. "What we need is action, and the action I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians," Riad Hijab told the Munich Security Conference. US Senator John McCain said the Munich deal would only empower Moscow's "military aggression". Three Workers Suffer Serious Injuries at Schwan Facility: OSHA Schwans Global Supply Chain has been fined $172K by OSHA OSHA has cited Schwan's Global Supply Chain Inc. for three repeated, four serious and one other-than-serious safety violations at one of its facilities in Salina, Kansas, fining the company more than $172,000, after an inspection discovered that the company exposed workers to amputation and other serious hazards. "Three women's lives were dramatically altered because their employer failed to protect them from hazardous operating machinery parts," said Judy Freeman, OSHA area director in Wichita. "Each year, thousands of workers like these suffer amputation and other injuries that are preventable when basic safety guards are in place and proper procedures are followed. Schwan's needs to protect their workers, and they need to do it now." On Aug. 11, 2015, a worker's hand had to be amputated after her glove was caught in the unguarded conveyor chain and sprocket drive assembly. The second incident happened on Sept. 30, 2015, when an employee tried to clear a jam of pizza pans. The worker sustained a laceration, fractures, and burns the palm of her left hand. The final incident occurred on Oct. 23, 2015, when an employee reached up to try to catch her balance, and in the process, contacted an unguarded chain and sprocket underneath a conveyor belt. According to OSHA, the company is a subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, a multibillion-dollar company that sells frozen food brands in North America, including Red Baron, Tony's and Freschetta frozen pizza, and Mrs. Smith's desserts. Iran remains essentially off limits to US banks, despite the lifting of some US sanctions following the landmark Iranian nuclear deal. The Obama administration in mid-January eased several restrictions on doing business with Iran, including former "secondary" sanctions that had threatened to penalize companies outside the US for their business with Iran, as well as some restrictions on Americans seeking to make inroads in the oil-rich country. Nevertheless, most "primary" sanctions tied to accusations that Tehran supports terrorism remain in effect, blocking US businesses from joining a rush by non-US companies to cash in on Iran's potential revival. It means that US banks have little access to the oil-rich country compared to their rivals in other countries. They mostly cannot handle transactions for US and other companies involved in Iran, and the Iranian government and private entities cannot open accounts with US banks. "Broadly, the US primary embargo on Iran is still in place," John Smith, acting director of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), told a congressional panel on Thursday. The sanctions still in place were imposed not over Iran's nuclear program but its record on terrorism and human rights. That means the easing arising from the nuclear deal so far "does not have any impact on us," said an official with one large New York bank who requested anonymity. "We're still very prohibited from engaging in just about any business activity with Iran except on very limited exceptions." Several leading US banks, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, declined comment on the issue. But many remain keen to exploit the Iran opportunity. They have turned to teams of lawyers and other specialists as they plumb the shifting legal terrain. "We continue to monitor the developments in Iran," said Citigroup spokesman Kamran Mumtaz. - Non-US banks also restricted - Foreign banks operating in the US too remain hemmed in by the sanctions still in place, because they are forbidden from clearing US dollar-denominated transactions involving Iran through US banks, according to OFAC. Story continues In addition, some 200 Iran-related individuals and entities on a list of "blocked" persons, including large government entities involved deeply in the economy like the powerful Revolutionary Guards. Non-US companies who provide support to still-blacklisted Iranian entities "may face being cut off from the US financial system," said OFAC's Smith. In 2014, US officials fined BNP Paribas a record of almost $9 billion for moving payments involving Iranian entities through the US economy. To avoid such punishments, non-US banks that work in both Iran and the US must isolate Iranian business from their US assets and implement rigid internal controls, law firm Clifford Chance said in a memo advising US banking giant JPMorgan Chase. "Many organizations looking to trade with, or make investments in Iran, now that sanctions have been eased may experience a tension between business development personnel who may wish to take advantage of the opportunities offered, and those whose responsibilities are for risk management and compliance," said the memo. US policy has freed banks to make loans in some specific businesses and activities involving Iran, such as to companies that have obtained specific US Treasury permission, or "licenses," to sell airplane parts or to upgrade Iranian civilian aviation engines. Boeing and General Electric have obtained such licenses. US banks can also provide financing to US companies that import Iranian foods or carpets, said a New York banker. But "there are still a number of risks to consider when conducting business under the terms of a specific license," said Howard Mendelsohn, a managing director at Camstoll Group, a consultancy. US banks must carefully vet all parties involved in a transaction to make sure none are on the Treasury blacklist. Adding to the caution is the call by Republican presidential candidates to undo the nuclear agreement promoted by President Obama. If Obama's policy is overturned, the broader sanctions on Tehran could return, jeopardizing US businesses that had pushed in to the county. "Any mistake that might be made would be subject to a higher level of criticism," said a sanctions expert who has consulted with big Wall Street banks. Sunday, 14 February 2016 - Pacific Andes Regional Developments (PARD) subsidiary China Fisheries Group (CFG) has welcomed the formation of an informal committee of investors holding some of its US$300 mln 9.75% notes due July 30, 2019. The Hong Kong-based firm representing them, Kirkland & Ellis, is in contact with a further twelve financial institutions which might join this committee in the future. Together, they hold more than 40% of the principal amount of the notes. CFG had missed a coupon payment of about US$14.6 mln on the notes. CFG says it looks forward to "open and transparent dialogue with the Committee and their legal representatives and to participate in discussions with other long-term financial creditors". Alleged breaches of bond covenants by CFG parent company Pacific Andes is having a big impact on the Singapore market. PARD had informed its bondholders that it will not be able to pay interest on the S$200 mln 8.5% bonds due in 2017. PARD and CFG have managed to win the legal proceedings against the joint liquidity providers from KPMG in Hong Kong and Cayman. However, the company had to pay US$3.1 mln to KPMG, before February 10, to cover costs. At the time of publication, PARD had not made any further comments about whether it had made this payment. "This situation is opening a can of worms in Singapore," was a comment made by Mr Raymond Chia, head of credit research for Asia ex-Japan at Schroder Investment Management in Singapore, after PARD received a letter from bond trustee HSBC Holdings alleging breaches on the 2017 bonds. In November 2015, HSBC filed an application in the High Court of Hong Kong to appoint liquidators for PARD's subsidiary China Fishery listed on the Singapore Exchange and China Fishery International. But PARD wants to sell these assets on its own because it believes it can sell them at a higher price. In August 2015, PARD and CFG announced that the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Commercial Affairs Department had asked for certain documents dating back to 2011. The company has established a committee comprising independent directors, but did not opt for any third party review, to investigate the reasons for these events. When bond holders take action it means that the company is definitely having major problems because they have the first right to the company's assets. Equity shareholders usually come last. Hong Kong-listed Pacific Andes International Holdings owns about 66% of SGX-listed PARD, which in turn controls about 70% of China Fishery Group. The group has had its share of controversy. In the early 2000s, the company was blamed for illegal toothfish fishing. A decade later, the group's vessel Damanzaihao, the world's largest fishing vessel with 49,367 tons capacity, was declared a pirate ship by a Wellington-based international control agency. It was also involved in allegations of over-reporting of catch figures by Peru and Russia in the South Pacific to secure larger future quotas. However, the Group has always found a way out. For example, as the toothfish scandal hit it moved more into Russian pollock. Story continues Question 1. Can Pacific Andes and China Fishery repay its bondholders? Both subsidiaries of Pacific Andes International Holdings (PAIH) told bondholders they won't be able to make interest payments. PARD justified that preservation of cash for use in the business was the highest priority at this time given existing cash constraints. Standard & Poor's downgraded China Fishery after the company missed the coupon payment on the US$300 mln senior unsecured notes due 2019 that China Fishery guarantees. The coupon payment of about US$14.6 mln was due on January 30. It does not expect China Fishery to make the payment within the 30-day grace period, given that the company may need to reserve all available cash to fund its fishing operations in Peru. It also does not believe the company will pay its other debt obligations, given its tight liquidity position. All of China Fishery's banking facilities are at standstill, and it has no additional liquidity support. However, Fitch Ratings says that China Fishery's failure to pay a coupon on 30 January 2016 does not immediately trigger a downgrade to 'RD' as the company has a 30-day grace period to make the payment, under the terms of the notes. Hence, its rating remains at 'C'. Therefore, it makes us wonder whether it can make coupon payment anytime soon, and indeed repay the bond principal? Question 2. When will it release its FY15 results, which is long overdue? PARD and CFG are yet to publish its fiscal 2015 ended September 28 and Q1 FY16 results. It had applied to the Singapore Exchange to grant an extension of time. The rationale for the second extension till February 28 is the matters relating to the liquidation of China Fishery and China Fishery International as they are in a state of flux. This causes uncertainty in the basis of assessment of carrying amount of certain assets and liabilities, it said. S&P expect China Fishery's operating performance to continue to deteriorate over the next 12 months. It anticipates that revenue for FY15 may have dropped by 30% to 35% YoY given the adverse weather conditions that have affected fishing catches in Peru, significantly reduced sales from the fish supply business in Russia, and still-weak operations in Namibia. It also expects revenue growth in fiscal 2016 to remain flat, given the impact of El Nino on the 2015 'Season B' and possible delays in fishing activities, given the company's liquidity distress. On November 10, Moody's highlighted that the Peruvian government had announced a much smaller allowed total catch for anchovy. It was only going to be 1.1 metric tons for the November-January fishing session, which is less than half of the 2.58 metric tons allowed for the April-July season. Consequently, it expected China Fishery's revenue would fall below US$300 mln in 2016, from US$488 mln for the 12 months. Its EBITDA would drop to US$100 mln - US$110 mln from US$240 mln over the same period. The company reported cash of US$41 mln and inventory of US$235 mln as of 30 June 2015. In addition, it expects to collect US$80 mln cash repatriation from its Russian suppliers in the next 12 months. However, these cash sources are insufficient to cover the company's operating and debt servicing expenses over the next 12 months, it said. Analysis by Investor Central on PARD's and China Fishery's financial statements reveals that 50% of China Fishery's assets on the balance sheet are intangibles, which includes goodwill and fishing permits in Peru after it acquired Copeinca in August 2013. Moreover, accounts receivables outstanding more than 90 days has increased 186% YoY in 2013 and 199% in 2014. China Fishery's inventories have also increased by more than 50% since 2013 indicating cash blocked in this current asset. Moreover, its revenue growth reflects huge volatility with an average growth of 20% for 2011-2014. However, PARD's revenue has been declining for the last three fiscal years. PARD's cash declined by 72% and China Fishery's by 68% in nine months. Given below is the snapshot of both the companies' financials. Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen warned Sunday that Denmark still faces a "serious terror threat" as it marked a year since a gunman killed a filmmaker and a Jewish security guard in twin attacks in Copenhagen. The Danish capital honoured the victims under tight security, as Rasmussen left flowers outside the cultural centre and the synagogue targeted on February 14, 2015 by Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old Dane of Palestinian origin. An emotional day closed after dark when some 2,000 people walked in silence along route between the two locations attacked, lit by a chain of 1,800 candles. "We must stand up and fight against hatred and violence," said Harold Ryan, a retired journalist who joined the 3.6-kilometre (2.2-mile) march with his wife. El-Hussein opened fire with an automatic weapon at the cultural centre where Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks -- reviled by Islamists for portraying the Prophet Mohammed as a dog in 2007 -- was attending a conference on freedom of expression. Danish filmmaker Finn Norgaard, 55, was killed and three policemen were wounded. After managing to escape, the assailant shot dead a 37-year-old Jewish security guard, Dan Uzan, in front of a synagogue, also wounding two police officers. El-Hussein, seemingly inspired by the attacks on French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, was killed a few hours later in a shootout with police in Copenhagen's immigrant-heavy Norrebro district. - 'Serious terror threat' - Rasmussen told journalists Sunday: "The Danes have shown that we insist on living our peaceful life. "We must live in harmony... must protect democracy and tradition which we have had for years in Denmark, to live side by side even if we believe in a different God," he said. He added: "We're in a situation where there is still a serious terror threat against Denmark -- that is unchanged. But it is also a situation where we have acted... We have equipped our intelligence service, we have equipped our police." Later the Danish leader attended an event at parliament organised by the Finn Norgaard Association, a charity for immigrant youngsters set up in the filmmaker's name. "What we want in the association is to ensure that something as insane as what took Finn away from us does not happen again," its founder Jesper Lynghus told AFP. El-Hussein, who had been released from prison weeks before the attacks after serving time for a stabbing, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadist group on his Facebook page on the day of the attack. Danish intelligence agency PET was criticised for failing to act on information from prison services that he was at risk of radicalisation, and former classmates said they tried to warn police as far back as 2012. - 'Used to living with terror' - Four men charged with helping El-Hussein will appear in court next month. Danes "have become used to living with terror and don't let it dominate" life, Magnus Ranstorp, an expert on radical Islamic movements at the Swedish National Defence College who helped Copenhagen officials devise an anti-radicalisation plan, told AFP. Nearly every year in the past decade, authorities have thwarted attacks linked to Denmark's involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and to the Mohammed cartoons published in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper in 2005, Ranstorp said. Denmark's already tough tone on Muslim immigration has hardened further over the past year, partly as a result of the attacks but also due to Europe's refugee crisis. Denmark registered 21,000 asylum applications in 2015, making it one of the top European recipients of migrants relative to its size. Once a champion of refugee rights, attitudes have gradually shifted along with the rise of the anti-immigration Danish People's Party over the past 15 years. And some observers say there has been an increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric since the attacks. "Some people have used this shooting episode to bring forward their hate speech, it has become a little clearer than before," said Sami Kucukakin, chairman of an umbrella group for Danish Muslim organisations. By Timothy Mclaughlin LOI TAI LENG, Myanmar (Reuters) - Speaking to 1,000 of his soldiers at a mountain base on Myanmar's border with Thailand, the leader of a powerful ethnic armed group called on other rebels to join government-led peace talks and appealed for unity among the country's minorities. "Stop shooting and come to the negotiation table," said Yawd Serk, who leads the 6,000-strong Shan State Army-South (SSA-S). "Whether it is trustworthy or not, we should grab the chance to talk." Ending decades of ethnic conflict is one of the biggest challenges for the incoming government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has made it her first priority. But although Yawd Serk signed a government-brokered ceasefire deal last October, in a much-needed boost to the peace process of outgoing President Thein Sein, over the winter some of his troops have been fighting another ethnic group for control of remote swathes of eastern Myanmar. That a contingent of Yawd Serk's soldiers could travel unchallenged some 300 km (190 miles) north to fight the Ta'ang National Liberation Army near the border with China shows how little control Suu Kyi's government will have over Myanmar's wild hinterlands at the start of its five-year term on April 1. It also highlights the shifting loyalties and complexities that have made peace so elusive in the ethnic conflicts that have plagued the former Burma since World War Two. Yawd Serk has courted international businesses since signing the ceasefire and recently joined a study trip to Switzerland. He is not willing to lay down his arms, however, or give up influence over a region rich in gold, timber and gemstones. "Disarming is impossible," said Yawd Serk, flanked by a heavily armed security detail including a man who said he was a former member of U.S. special forces. NATIONAL DAY The SSA-S leader was speaking as thousands of Shan from Myanmar and Thailand flooded his windswept headquarters at Loi Tai Leng, perched on a ridge a few hundred metres from the Thai border, on Feb. 7 to mark Shan National Day. Visitors pitched tents on the mountainside. The base's main thoroughfare, a dirt road straddling Thailand and Myanmar, was lined with carnival games, noodle stands and mobile phone booths selling Thai mobile phone SIM cards. "We are not soldiers with guns but we help as much as we can," said Lar Yen, 33, selling Shan souvenirs with the proceeds donated to the SSA-S. One of the new cadets was Sai Sai Wan, 28, who, like many soldiers, said he joined the group to protect Shan heritage and shared its deep distrust of the Myanmar military that ruled the country with an iron fist for decades. "We need to protect our people and our country. We don't want the Burmese army controlling our future," he said. He signed a five-year contract in December and will be paid $11 a month for his service. While ethnic groups carry many grievances rooted in decades of discrimination by a government and military dominated by the Bamar majority, their vested economic interests, many illicit, and human rights abuses make achieving peace a daunting task. Officers in Yawd Serk's militia say it has given up forced recruitment from villages and towns, though the U.N. Secretary General still lists the SSA-S as "persistent perpetrators" in the recruitment and use of children in its ranks. The SSA-S emerged under Yawd Serk's command in 1996 as a breakaway faction of a narco-army led by heroin kingpin Khun Sa, who signed a ceasefire with the then-ruling junta. It has been accused of continued involvement in the drug trade along the borders with Thailand and China, an allegation its members reject. To fund its operations, the group collects "taxes" on everything from mining and logging operations to cars driven by residents of towns under its command. Asked what would happen if someone refused to pay, one group member said: "You are going to have some trouble." (Additional reporting by Soe Zeya Tun; Editing by Alex Richardson) PARIS (Reuters) - The French Foreign Ministry called on Turkey to halt bombardments of Kurdish zones in Syria, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday. "France is worried about the deteriorating situation in the region of Aleppo and the north of Syria. We call for the cessation of all bombardments, those of the regime and its allies on the entire territory and those of Turkey in the Kurdish zones," the statement said. It added that the priority should be the fight against Islamic State and application of agreements reached by the major powers in Munich on Friday. The Turkish army shelled Kurdish militia in northern Syria for a second day on Sunday, while Russia made clear it would continue bombing Syrian rebel targets, raising doubts that a planned halt in hostilities would bring much relief. (Reporting by Geert De Clercq, editing by Larry King) By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Friday it had resolved its differences with the European Union after weeks of diplomatic tension following an EU decision not to allow goods produced in settlements in the occupied West Bank to be labelled "Made in Israel". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Israel's foreign ministry said. The two "agreed that relations between the two sides should be conducted in an atmosphere of confidence and mutual respect," it said. Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said that Israel would no longer insist on the exclusion of EU bodies from peace talks with the Palestinians over a two-state solution to the Middle East peace process. Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in April 2014 and there have been no signs of them resuming. While the United States has traditionally played the lead role in peace efforts in the region, the EU is Israel's largest trading partner and is the biggest donor to the Palestinians, and is looking to play a larger role in peace negotiations "The conversation resolved the tensions and we are, Israel and the EU, back to good and close relations," Nahshon said in a text message to the media. In November, the EU said that goods produced in settlements could not labelled "Made in Israel" and should be marked as coming from settlements, which the EU considers illegal under international law. The EU holds the position that the lands Israel has occupied since the 1967 Middle East war, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, are not part of the internationally recognised borders of Israel. After the guidelines were published, Israel suspended contact with EU bodies involved in peace efforts with Palestinians, although the government said bilateral ties with nearly all EU countries remained strong. The Palestinians want the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank for their future state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Nahshon said Mogherini had expressed solidarity with Israel at a time of heightened Israeli-Palestinian violence and had strongly opposed attempts by various groups to boycott Israel. Since October, 27 Israelis and a U.S. citizen have been killed in near-daily Palestinian attacks that have included stabbings, shootings and car-rammings. Israeli forces have killed at least 157 Palestinians in the same period, 101 of them assailants, according to Israeli authorities. Other Palestinians have died during violent anti-Israeli protests. The bloodshed has been partly fuelled by Palestinian frustration over the stalled peace talks and anger at perceived Jewish encroachment on a contested shrine in Jerusalem. (Editing by Hugh Lawson) Foreign ministers put pressure on Libya Saturday to finalise its unity government and head off the growing threat from the Islamic State group. "There is no time to lose for the national unity government to assume its functions and securely establish itself in Tripoli," said the newly appointed French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, following a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The meeting was attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry and his counterparts from Britain, Egypt, Germany and Italy, as well as EU and UN representatives. The speaker of Libya's internationally recognised parliament, Aguila Saleh, was also present. His parliament has given itself until Sunday to form a new national unity government aimed at ending years of chaos in the North African country. The Islamic State jihadist group has taken advantage of the turmoil to establish a stronghold with thousands of fighters in the coastal city of Sirte. "The time of tactical maneuvering is over. Now it's time for Libya to show responsibility," said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "Germany, Europe and the international community are ready to offer any help to support the Libyan government in this. "This also applies to state-building and the training of security forces," Steinmeier added. Ayrault, who took over as France's foreign minister from Laurent Fabius this week, warned that anyone obstructing the process would face international sanctions. "That point is clear," he said. Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations and armed groups fighting for control of the oil-rich country. A militia alliance including Islamists overran Tripoli in August 2014, establishing its own government and parliament and causing the recognised administration to flee to the country's remote east. Last month the recognised parliament rejected a 32-member unity government announced as part of a UN-brokered deal, saying it was too large. The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have signed the terms of reference (TOR) for the Joint Task Forces on MILF camps (JTFC) transformation. Under the Annex on Normalization of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), the JTFC shall be formed to transform six previously acknowledged MILF camps into peaceful communities and bring back normalcy to the lives of former rebels. The government and the MILF peace panels signed the TOR following a two-day meeting on the BBL in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia early this week. Government panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF and Bangsamoro Transition Commission chairman Mohagher Iqbal said the BBL Annex on Normalization provides for confidence-building measures that may be undertaken through the joint task forces. There shall be joint task forces for each of the six previously acknowledged MILF camps and their work shall be coordinated and supervised by four coordinators two each from the government and the MILF, the TOR, posted on the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, stated. The tasks of coordinators include the provision of overall leadership and direction for the transformation of the former MILF camps into peaceful and productive communities. Four coordinators shall be tasked to coordinate and give logistical support for the work of the JTFC in each camp, the two panels said. They are also tasked to establish protocols in camp development and tap necessary government agencies, development partners, non-governmental organizations, private sector and local government units for the implementation of programs/projects. The government and MILF panels may amend the TOR after the necessary review to meet changing conditions. Ferrer and Iqbal signed the TOR in the presence of Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed. Breathing room Meanwhile, Malacanang welcomed yesterday the breathing room for the peace process between the government and the MILF despite the failure of Congress to pass the BBL. Story continues The two panels have agreed to extend the ceasefire until March 2017. The pledge to keep commitment to the peace process would give breathing room for the peace process to continue under the next administration, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said. Quezon cited the peace process as an important deterrent to security threats and terrorism. It is not in the interest of any side not the government and not the groups involved in the peace process. No one wins in a war, not the government and not our Moro brothers, he said over dzRB. Security officials who asked not to be identified also said the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF should go beyond 2017 as renewed hostilities would likely force a number of foreign and local investors to stop doing business in Mindanao. With Aurea Calica, Jaime Laude By John Irish and Warren Strobel MUNICH/AMMAN (Reuters) - Major powers agreed on Friday to a pause in combat in Syria, but Russia pressed on with bombing in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad, who vowed to fight until he regained full control of the country. Although billed as a potential breakthrough, the "cessation of hostilities" agreement does not take effect for a week, at a time when Assad's government is poised to win its biggest victory of the war with the backing of Russian air power. If implemented, the deal hammered out during five hours of late night talks in Munich would allow humanitarian aid to reach besieged towns. It was described by the countries that took part as a rare diplomatic success in a conflict that has fractured the Middle East, killed at least 250,000 people, made 11 million homeless and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing into Europe. But several Western countries said there was no hope for progress without a halt to the Russian bombing, which has decisively turned the balance of power in favour of Assad. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that if the peace plan fails, more foreign troops could enter the conflict. "If the Assad regime does not live up to its responsibilities and if the Iranians and the Russians do not hold Assad to the promises that they have made ... then the international community obviously is not going to sit there like fools and watch this. There will be an increase of activity to put greater pressure on them," Kerry, who was in Munich, told Dubai-based Orient TV. "There is a possibility there will be additional ground troops." U.S. President Barack Obama has ruled out sending U.S. ground troops to Syria, but Saudi Arabia this month offered ground forces to fight Islamic State. A White House spokesman, Eric Schultz, called the agreement "an important step," but added, "In the coming days, we will be looking for actions, not words, to demonstrate that all parties are prepared to honour their commitments." The complex, multi-sided civil war in Syria, raging since 2011, has drawn in most regional and global powers, producing the world's worst humanitarian emergency and attracting jihadist recruits from around the world. Rebels said the town of Tal Rifaat in northern Aleppo province was the target of intensive bombing by Russian planes on Friday morning. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring body, said warplanes believed to be Russian also attacked towns in northern Homs. The news agency AFP quoted Assad as saying he would continue to fight terrorism while talks took place. He said he would retake the entire country, although this could take a long time. Another week of fighting would give Syria's government and its Russian, Lebanese and Iranian allies time to press on with the encirclement of Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the war, which they are now on the verge of capturing. They are also close to sealing the Turkish border, a lifeline of rebel territory for years. Those two victories would reverse years of insurgent gains, effectively ending the rebels' hopes of dislodging Assad through force, the cause they have fought for since 2011 with the encouragement of Arab states, Turkey and the West. The cessation of hostilities agreement falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the main warring parties, the opposition and government forces. REBEL MISSILES Two Syrian rebel commanders told Reuters they had been sent "excellent quantities" of ground-to-ground Grad missiles with a range of 20 km (12 miles) by foreign backers in recent days to help confront the Russian-backed offensive. Foreign opponents of Assad including Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations centre. Some of the vetted groups have received military training overseen by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Russia suggested it might not stop its air strikes, even when the cessation of hostilities takes effect in a week. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not stop bombing fighters from Islamic State and a rebel group called the Nusra Front, which is affiliated with al Qaeda, neither of which were covered by the cessation deal. "Our airspace forces will continue working against these organisations," he said. Moscow has always said that those two jihadist groups are the principal targets of its air campaign. Western countries say Russia, in fact, has been attacking mostly other insurgent groups. Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday Russia was targeting schools and hospitals in Syria. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Moscow must halt strikes on insurgents other than Islamic State for any peace deal to work. "Russia has mainly targeted opposition groups and not ISIL (Islamic State). Air strikes of Russian planes against different opposition groups in Syria have actually undermined the efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution," Stoltenberg said. Britain and France said a peace deal could be reached only if Russia stops bombing insurgents other than Islamic State. The United States has been leading its own air campaign against Islamic State fighters since 2014. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday he expected Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to send commandos to help recapture Islamic State's eastern Syrian stronghold, Raqqa. Assad said he believed Saudi Arabia and Turkey were planning to invade his country. Russia has said Saudi ground troops would make the war last forever. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said in an interview published on Saturday that Russia's military interventions will not help Assad stay in power. "There will be no Bashar al-Assad in the future," al-Jubeir told a German newspaper. Kerry had entered the Munich talks pushing for a rapid halt to fighting, with Western officials saying Moscow was holding out for a delay. The tactic of agreeing to a break in hostilities while battling for gains on the ground is one Moscow's allies used in eastern Ukraine only a year ago. A ceasefire there eventually took hold, but only after Russian-backed separatists overran a besieged town after the deal was reached. Diplomats from countries backing the plan met on Friday to discuss sending urgent humanitarian aid. "Convoys can go very soon if and when we have the permission and the green light from the parties," said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who chaired the meeting in Geneva. (Additional reporting by Denis Dyomkin, Shadia Nasralla, and Robin Emmott in Munich, and Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman; Writing by Peter Graff, Anna Willard and Will Dunham; Editing by Andrew Roche and Andrew Hay) ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will send aircraft to NATO-member Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was reported as saying on Saturday. Saudi Arabia has resumed its participation in air strikes against Islamic State in recent weeks and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Thursday welcomed its commitment to expand its role. "Saudi Arabia is now sending planes to Turkey, to Incirlik. They came and carried out inspections at the base," Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper, adding it was unclear how many planes would come and that the Saudis might also send soldiers. Saudi officials could not immediately be reached for comment on Cavusoglu's remarks. U.S. President Barack Obama has ruled out sending U.S. ground troops to Syria. But Saudi Arabia this month offered ground forces to fight Islamic State and Cavusoglu said Turkey and the Saudis would support a coalition ground operation. "We said that if there is such a strategy, Turkey and Saudi Arabia can join a ground operation," he told the Yeni Safak paper on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich. Major powers agreed in Munich on Friday to a pause in combat in Syria, but Russia pressed on with bombing in support of its ally President Bashar al-Assad, who promised to fight on until he regained full control of the country. Four months of Russian air strikes in Syria have helped Assad wrest back territory from rebels fighting government forces, alarming Gulf Arab states who back the insurgents. Asked if Saudi troops could enter Syria from Turkey, Cavusoglu said: "This is a wish, not a planned thing. Saudi Arabia is sending planes and says, 'I can send soldiers for a ground operation when it is necessary'". (Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Thousands of people took to the streets of Burundi's capital Bujumbura Saturday to condemn what the country's embattled government calls neighbouring Rwanda's meddling in its affairs. Around 4,000 people rallied to the government's call to demonstrate over Rwanda's "acts of aggression" towards Burundi, journalists at the scene said. The organisers estimated the turnout at over 10,000. "We condemn (Rwandan President Paul) Kagame and his plan to destabilise Burundi and the entire Great Lakes region," a placard waved by one of the protesters read. Relations between Burundi and its neighbour to the north have deteriorated since Burundi sank into a deep political crisis ten months ago over President Pierre Nkurunziza's quest for a third term in office. Saturday's demonstration in Bujumbura came to a halt outside the Rwandan embassy in Bujumbura where Kagame was copiously booed. "We are on the battlefield. Encourage our soldiers! Kagame is an enemy, we are going to wash him away," the crowd sang. Burundi has accused Rwanda of backing rebels intent on overthrowing Nkurunziza, who was returned to power in July elections, despite weeks of protests that were violently repressed and calls from world leaders for him to step aside. Smaller anti-Rwandan demonstrations also took place Saturday in the Burundi's second city of Gitega and in Nkurunziza's home province of Ngozi. Last week, UN experts told the Security Council that Rwanda has recruited and trained refugees from Burundi, among them children, who wanted to remove Nkurunziza from power. Rwanda has denied the allegations. This week Kigali announced it would relocate the estimated 75,000 Burundians sheltering on its soil to third countries, saying the "long-term presence of refugees so close to their country of origin carries considerable risks for all involved." - 'Adding fuel to the fire' - Hundreds of people have been killed in the unrest in Burundi, which has become entrenched, with armed opposition members periodically engaging in shootouts with the security forces. Over 230,000 people have fled the fighting abroad. Saturday's pro-government demonstrations have dampened expectations for a breakthrough in the crisis during an upcoming visit by African heads of state. "Of course, Rwanda has meddled in Burundi's affairs but it's clear Nkurunziza is overdoing it. He's adding fuel to the fire to try show he is facing an external aggression and not a domestic political crisis that is turning into a civil war," a Western diplomat based in Burundi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP. By Steve Holland GREENVILLE, S.C. (Reuters) - Donald Trump will face pressure on Saturday night to show a more presidential side to his personality at a debate with his rivals where he may draw more fire than in previous encounters. With a week to go until South Carolina's Republican primary vote on Feb. 20, the 9 p.m. EST debate comes at a time of high anxiety for Trump's opponents. Trump, who won New Hampshire handily on Tuesday after placing second in Iowa on Feb. 1, has a big lead in the polls in South Carolina. Unless he is slowed down, he could be in position to roll to his party's presidential nomination for the Nov. 8 election. That means it is in the interests of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush to try to raise questions about the New York billionaire before it is too late. Those three candidates, along with Ohio Governor John Kasich, are competing to emerge as the top alternative to Trump for mainstream Republicans. "My sense is this is going to be a melee," said Republican strategist Doug Heye. Attempts to knock down Trump at previous debates have rarely been successful, as the former reality TV star has been quick on his feet and mercilessly dismissive of rivals. Trump's use of vulgar language during the New Hampshire primary campaign, repeating a comment from someone at one of his rallies who said Cruz is a "pussy," may raise eyebrows in South Carolina, where evangelicals form an important voting bloc. At a candidates' forum at evangelical Bob Jones University on Friday, Bush told the crowd: "Is anybody worried about the front-running candidate shouting out obscenities at children?" Trump was not at the event, sending instead a surrogate to speak for him, Pastor Mark Burns. When Burns told the crowd that Trump is "pro-faith," someone shouted out from the audience "Trump is profane." 'EACH HAS SOME IMAGE ISSUE' All Trump's rivals have something to prove at the CBS-hosted, two-hour debate, particularly Rubio, who needs to show he can rebound from a disastrous debate performance a week ago in New Hampshire. Kasich must try to generate more momentum after a second-place finish in New Hampshire, Cruz must solidify his position with evangelical voters and Bush needs upward movement anywhere he can get it. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, whose campaign has turned anemic, has to show he is still in the race. "Each has got some image issue they need to fix," said David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. "Can Trump start acting more presidential without losing what makes him so appealing? Can Jeb continue the flicker of momentum he has coming out of New Hampshire? Have Rubio's bruises healed? Can Carson show something that puts a spark back into his campaign? Has Kasich got more than his New Hampshire game?" Heading into the debate, Trump was taking swipes at Cruz and Bush, who finished third and fourth in the New Hampshire primary. Responding to an attack ad run by the Cruz campaign against him, Trump tweeted that he might sue Cruz to try to settle any remaining questions about whether the Texan can legally run for president since he was born in Canada. Cruz and many legal experts say Cruz meets the constitutional requirements because he was born to an American mother and grew up in the United States. But Trump, who famously questioned President Barack Obama's citizenship, fired off a tweet against Cruz. "If @TedCruz doesn't clean up his act, stop cheating, & doing negative ads, I have standing to sue him for not being a natural born citizen," Trump said. The Cruz campaign dismissed the blast with spokesman Rick Tyler saying Trump was demonstrating a "Trumper-tantrum." (Editing by Mary Milliken and Helen Popper) Hopes for a ceasefire taking hold in Syria this week dimmed Sunday as Turkey renewed its shelling of advancing Kurdish militants and Washington demanded Moscow end air strikes on rebels. Tensions over Syria have continued to mount despite the proposal from international powers in Munich on Friday for a "cessation of hostilities" within a week. Defying US and French calls, Turkey on Sunday carried out a second day of shelling on a Kurdish-Arab alliance advancing in northern Aleppo province, prompting condemnation from Syria's government. And in a telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey will continue to strike back at Kurdish fighters of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria. Turkey says it is targeting Kurdish forces it accuses of links to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. A statement from Davutoglu's office said he told Merkel that Ankara "will not permit the PYD to carry out aggressive acts. Our security forces gave the necessary response and will continue to do so". Washington has been working closely with Kurdish forces in northern Syria, and the Turkish attacks highlighted tensions within the US-led coalition battling the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. Differences were also clear between Washington and Moscow, which backs international diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syria conflict but has also launched air strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally. The White House said Sunday that President Barack Obama in a phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had urged Moscow to end the strikes. - Kurdish gains worry Turkey - "President Obama emphasised the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," it said. Russia has long insisted that it targets only "terrorist" groups in Syria. The Turkish shelling in northern Syria has added to an already complicated situation in Aleppo province, where regime forces have made significant advances with backing from Russian air strikes. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed Kurdish-Arab militia alliance, has also advanced, seizing the Minnigh air base and battling for Tal Rifaat, a town held by mostly Islamist opposition fighters just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the border. Kurdish forces already control large parts of Syria along the border and Ankara is concerned the SDF will gain new ground. Turkey's state-run Anatolia news agency said the shelling resumed for a second day on Sunday, with army howitzers on the border hitting Kurdish targets around the Syrian town of Azaz. It said the shelling was in response to incoming fire and targeted the PYD, whose People's Protection Units (YPG) is a key component of the SDF. The SDF announced the deaths of three fighters in the shelling, and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saying a female civilian was also killed. It said the SDF had taken the village of Ain Daqna, cutting the main road and rebel supply route between Tal Rifaat and the border. It also reported fierce fighting between the SDF and Islamist insurgents in western Tal Rifaat, with at least 17 rebels killed. The US State Department had on Saturday urged the Kurds to stand down, as well as calling on Ankara to cease its shelling. France joined that call on Sunday, with its foreign ministry urging "an immediate halt to the bombing, both that of the regime and its allies throughout the country and that of Turkey in the Kurdish zones". - Rebels under pressure - Damascus called the Turkish strikes a violation of its territory, and urged UN Security Council action to "put an end to the crimes of the Turkish regime". It also accused Ankara of allowing some 100 gunmen to enter Syria. The Observatory said some 350 Islamist fighters had been allowed to travel through Turkish territory on Saturday to reinforce Islamist rebels in Azaz and Tal Rifaat. The SDF advances came as Syria's regime piled pressure on rebels throughout northern Aleppo province in a major Russian-backed operation that has displaced tens of thousands of civilians. The operation has virtually encircled rebel-held eastern Aleppo city and raised concerns among opposition backers including Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Both belong to the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes in Syria, and Riyadh has now deployed warplanes to the Turkish base of Incirlik, a hub already being used by American, British and French aircraft. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saturday that Ankara and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against IS. Senior Saudi defence official Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri also said Saturday that there was consensus within the coalition on "the need for group operations". He said military experts would meet shortly to decide "the role to be played by each country". Echoing Obama's concerns, a senior figure in the Syrian opposition on Sunday criticised the truce deal as unworkable without an end to Russian strikes. "What we need is action, and the action I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians," Riad Hijab told the Munich Security Conference. US Senator John McCain said the Munich deal would only empower Moscow's "military aggression". BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Turkish army shelled positions held by Kurdish-backed militia in northern Syria for a second day on Sunday, killing two fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said. Turkey on Saturday demanded the powerful Syrian Kurdish YPG militia withdraw from areas that it had captured in the northern Aleppo region in recent days from insurgents in Syria, including the Menagh air base. The shelling has targeted those areas. Turkey has been alarmed by the expansion of Kurdish sway in northern Syria since the start of the conflict in 2011. The YPG controls nearly all of Syria's northern frontier with Turkey, and has been a close ally of the United States in the campaign against Islamic State in Syria. But Ankara views the group as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade-old insurgency for autonomy in southeast Turkey. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Saturday the shelling had taken place under "the rules of engagement against forces that represented a threat in Azaz and the surrounding area". He demanded that the Menagh base be evacuated and said he had spoken to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to make that point and stress that the PYD was an extension of the PKK and a direct threat to Turkey. The shelling intensified at 2 a.m. (0000 GMT) before dying down but not stopping, said the Observatory, which reports on the war using a network of sources on the ground. The Kurdish-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance was also fighting Syrian insurgents near the town of Tel Rifaat in the province of Aleppo, the Observatory said. One of the armed groups in the SDF, Jaysh al-Thuwwar, warned Turkey against any escalation, saying if it "has goals in our dear nation, we will defend our land and our people, and view it as a hostile party". Syria's military, backed by Russian air strikes, is fighting Syrian insurgents in the same area, trying to seal the frontier with Turkey and reclaim areas of Aleppo city held by rebels. Syrian rebels say the YPG is fighting with the Syrian military and its allies against them in the five-year-old civil war. The YPG denies this. (Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Louise Ireland) By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In almost 30 years on the bench of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was strident, colorful, and most of all, conservative. That made him an unlikely buddy for fellow justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I love him but sometimes Id like to strangle him," Ginsburg, a liberal who bonded with Scalia over a love of opera, once said. Scalia, who died at age 79, was appointed to the high court by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 and built a reputation as one of the nation's most brilliant, conservative jurists. He was passionately opposed to abortion and strongly supported the death penalty. Although Scalia prevailed in many areas, thanks in part to the courts conservative majority during his tenure, he also was known for his colorful and angry dissents, often read with theatrical flair in the courtroom. The court term that ended in June brought him a series of defeats, most notably on gay marriage and President Barack Obamas healthcare law, which left Scalia especially outraged and believing he had had his worst term ever. When the court legalized same-sex marriage in June on a 5-4 vote, Scalia, who was in the minority, took aim at Justice Anthony Kennedys majority opinion and the liberals who joined him, saying he would hide my head in a bag if his own name were associated with that decision. He said the opinion was couched in a style that is as pretentious as its content is egotistic. That same month his dissent on a ruling affirming Obamacare dismissed the majority opinion as "pure applesauce" and "jiggery-pokery." During oral arguments, the voluble Scalia often aimed sarcastic verbal barbs at lawyers. He once declared to a lawyer, "Ah, come on. You can't be serious about that." 'GET OVER IT' He was equally combative off the bench. His stock response when asked at public events about the controversial Bush v. Gore ruling in 2000, which effectively handed the presidency to George W. Bush, was: Get over it. On the law, he took special pride in Sixth Amendment cases he helped develop that changed sentencing rules and that involved the right of defendants to be confronted by the witnesses against them. But perhaps his greatest achievement came in a 2008 case in which he authored the majority opinion when the court ruled 5-4 that the U.S. Constitutions Second Amendment right to bear arms extended to an individual right to keep guns in the home. It marked a major victory for the gun rights movement. Nicknamed "Nino," the former federal appeals court judge and law professor was proud to be the first Italian-American on the court. Scalia brought to the court a concept of jurisprudence based on the belief that judges should keep out of issues better handled by democratically accountable institutions such as Congress and state legislatures. STRICT CONSTITUTIONALIST His doctrine of originalism centered on the belief that the U.S. Constitution should be understood in the context of the 18th century era when it was written. A contrary view is that the constitutional principles evolve to meet the needs of modern society. When interpreting statutes, Scalia insisted the justices should look at the actual words and shun congressional reports, floor speeches and other artifacts of legislative history. In one of his most passionate stands, Scalia argued the right to an abortion never appears in the U.S. Constitution, and that the Supreme Court's historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that created a woman's constitutional right to an abortion was wrongly decided. In a 1992 dissent, Scalia explained his position on abortion. "The Constitution says absolutely nothing about it and the long-standing American traditions of American society have permitted (abortion) to be legally proscribed." In 1996, he vigorously dissented in the court's ruling that the all-male Virginia Military Institute must admit women or give up its state funding. "It is precisely VMI's attachment to such old-fashioned concepts as manly honor that has made it, and the system it represents, the target of those who today succeed in abolishing public single-sex education," Scalia wrote. A devout Catholic with one son who became a priest, Scalia was never shy about discussing his religion. He used a 1996 speech in Mississippi to urge Christians to stand up for their religious beliefs. "We must pray for the courage to endure the scorn of the sophisticated world." He was in the majority when the court ruled in 2014 that privately held corporations could mount religious objections to a provision of Obamas signature healthcare law that required employers to provide health insurance that included contraception coverage. POKER AND PIANO Scalia graduated from Harvard Law School with honors in 1960. Three years earlier, he had graduated first in his class from Georgetown University. He spent eight years in private law practice in Cleveland and then joined the faculty at the University of Virginia Law School. In the 1970s, he served as general counsel of the White House Office of Telecommunications Policy under Republican President Richard Nixon. Scalia was a law professor at the University of Chicago before Reagan named him to the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., in 1982 and then four years later appointed him to the highest court in the land. Off the bench, Scalia was known to play the piano and sing at parties. He used to enjoy a regular game of poker with the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist and others. A tuxedo-wearing Scalia once explained to reporters at an evening get-together at the court that he was going to another party, adding, "Esteemed jurist by day, man-about-town by night." Scalia, an only child, was born on March 11, 1936, in Trenton, New Jersey, and grew up in the Queens section of New York City. His Sicilian-born father was a professor of Romance languages at Brooklyn College and his mother taught public school. He and his wife, Maureen, had nine children. (Reporting and writing by Lawrence Hurley; Additional reporting by Joan Biskupic; Editing by Bill Trott and Matthew Lewis) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Friday it had approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million. The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal. The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Lawmakers have 30 days to block the sale, although such action is rare since deals are well-vetted before any formal notification. India said it was disappointed with the U.S. decision. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker notified the Obama administration that he would not approve using U.S. funds to pay for the planes through the foreign military financing (FMF) program. That means Pakistan must fund the purchase itself, instead of relying on U.S. funds to cover about 46 percent of the cost. Given the funds it has available, Pakistan may be able to buy only four of the F-16 Block 52 models, and the associated radar and electronic warfare equipment, said one U.S. source familiar with the situation. Corker told Secretary of State John Kerry in a letter that he was concerned about Pakistan's ties to the Haqqani network, a militant group that U.S. officials have said is behind attacks in Afghanistan. "I may reconsider my blanket hold on U.S. FMF assistance should the Pakistanis make progress on addressing my significant concerns about their support for the Haqqani network, but for now, if they wish to purchase this military equipment, they will do so without a subsidy from the American taxpayer," he wrote. One U.S. official said the administration was convinced that F-16s were the right platform to support Pakistans counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. "These operations reduce the ability of militants to use Pakistani territory as a safe haven for terrorism and a base of support for the insurgency in Afghanistan, which is in the national interests of both Pakistan and the United States, and in the interest of the region more broadly," the official said. Lockheed referred questions about the deal to the U.S. government. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Additional reporting by Douglas Busvine in New Delhi; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Leslie Adler) The United States has temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea following North Korea's recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, US Forces Korea said Saturday. The move came as the two allies plan to start detailed discussions on bringing in an advanced, high-altitude US missile defence system opposed by China as early as next week. "This deployment is part of an emergency deployment readiness exercise conducted in response to recent North Korean provocations," the US Forces Korea said in a press statement, referring to the temporary roll-out of a Patriot missile battery, which was flown from Fort Bliss, Texas this week. "Exercises like this ensure we are always ready to defend against an attack from North Korea," said Lieutenant General Thomas Vandal, commander of the US Eighth Army. The newly deployed Patriot battery is conducting ballistic missile defence training with the Eighth Army's 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Osan Air Base, some 47 kilometres (30 miles) south of Seoul. The brigade has its own two Patriot battalions. One Patriot battalion is reportedly composed of four batteries. Just hours after North Korea launched a long-range rocket that both condemned as a disguised ballistic missile test, South Korea and the United States announced their intention to start discussions on deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD). The Pentagon has since stressed that it would like the system to be deployed in South Korea "as quickly as possible". A senior South Korean defence ministry official said Friday detailed discussions on THAAD deployment would kick off as early as next week. China and Russia argue that it would trigger an arms race in the region, with Beijing voicing its "deep concern" over the deployment. South Korea had previously declined to formally discuss bringing in THAAD in deference to the sensitivities of China, its most important trade partner. But North Korea's continued missile testing and frustration with Beijing's resistance to imposing harsh sanctions on Pyongyang apparently triggered a change in Seoul's stance. The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out By Morag MacKinnon PERTH, Australia (Reuters) - Doctors at an Australian hospital are refusing to release a baby girl facing repatriation to an offshore immigration detention camp, after she was treated for serious burns, adding to pressure on the government over its tough asylum seekers policy. The one-year-old girl will not be released from Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital in the city of Brisbane until a "suitable home environment is identified, a hospital spokesman told Reuters on Saturday. The girl and her parents face being returned to a camp on the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru, about 3,000 km (1,800 miles) northeast of Australia. The detention centre, which houses more than 500 people, has been widely criticised for harsh conditions and reports of systemic child abuse. Earlier this month the High Court rejected a legal test case that challenged Australias right to deport 267 refugee children and their families who had been brought to Australia from Nauru for medical treatment. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said the asylum seekers will be treated "with compassion" and deportation will be decided "on a case by case basis." Immigration Minister Peter Duttons office did not respond to a request for comment on the hospitals' stance on Saturday. Protesters opposed to the detention of asylum seekers gathered outside the hospital late on Friday in support of medical staff and called for the closure of the offshore detention centres. Further protests were planned for Saturday. The baby girl was flown from Nauru to Brisbane for treatment for serious burns last month. "All decisions relating to a patients treatment and discharge are made by qualified clinical staff, based on a thorough assessment of the individual patients clinical condition and circumstances," the hospital said in a statement. The decision to only release the child to a suitable environment "is the case with every child who presents at the hospital," it said. The hospital stance, although not political, adds to pressure on the Australian government and its policy of sending asylum seekers who attempt to reach the country by boat to camps on Nauru or on Manus island in Papua New Guinea. They are not offered resettlement in Australia. The government says the policies are necessary to stop asylum seekers drowning aboard the unseaworthy vessels used by people smugglers to ship them from Indonesia to Australia The number of asylum seekers trying to reach Australia are small in comparison with those arriving in Europe, but border security is a hot-button political issue in Australia which is scheduled to hold a national elections later in the year. (Reporting by Morag MacKinnon; Editing by Michael Perry) By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel voiced doubt on Sunday that an international ceasefire plan for Syria would succeed, suggesting a sectarian partition of the country was inevitable and perhaps preferable. While formally neutral on the five-year civil war racking its neighbour, Israel has some sway among the world powers that have mounted armed interventions and which on Friday agreed on a "cessation of hostilities" to begin within a week. The deal, clinched at a Munich security conference, is already beset by recriminations between Russia, which backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad militarily and wants to see his rule restored, and Western powers that have called for change in Damascus involving select opposition groups. Addressing the conference after he met European counterparts and Jordan's King Abdullah, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said he was "very pessimistic" about the truce's prospects. "Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability for a very, very long period of time," he said. "And part of any grand strategy is to avoid the past, saying we are going to unify Syria. We know how to make an omelette from an egg. I don't know how to make an egg from an omelette." Referring to some of the warring sects, Yaalon added: "We should realise that we are going to see enclaves - 'Alawistan', 'Syrian Kurdistan', 'Syrian Druzistan'. They might cooperate or fight each other." Ram Ben-Barak, director-general of Israel's Intelligence Ministry, described partition as "the only possible solution". "I think that ultimately Syria should be turned into regions, under the control of whoever is there," he told Israel's Army Radio, arguing that Assad's minority Alawite sect had no way to heal its schism with the Sunni Muslim majority. "I can't see how a situation can be reached where those same 12 percent Alawites go back to ruling the Sunnis, of whom they killed half a million people there. Listen, that's crazy." Helped by Russian firepower, Syrian government forces and their allies have been encircling rebel-held areas of Aleppo. That would give Assad effective control of western Syria, Ben-Barak said, although much of the east is dominated by Islamic State insurgents. An Assad victory in Aleppo, Ben-Barak said, "will not solve the problem, because the battles will continue. You have ISIS there and the rebels will not lay down their weapons." While sharing foreign concerns about Islamic State advances, Israel worries that the common threat from the insurgents has created a de-facto axis between world powers and its arch-foe Iran, which also has troops helping Assad. "As long as Iran is in Syria, the country will not return to what it was, and it will certainly find it difficult to become stable as a country that is divided into enclaves, because the Sunni forces there will not allow this," Yaalon said in an earlier statement. (Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla in Munich; Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Stephen Powell) (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died, setting up a major political showdown between President Barack Obama and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace the jurist just months before a presidential election. Following is reaction to Scalia's death. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA "For almost 30 years, Justice Antonin 'Nino' Scalia was a larger-than-life presence on the bench, a brilliant legal mind with an energetic style, an incisive wit and colourful opinions." "I plan to fulfil my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time. There will be plenty of time for me to do so and for the Senate to fulfil its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote." "These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. They're bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy. They're about the institution to which Justice Scalia dedicated his professional life and making sure it continues to function as the beacon of justice that our founders envisioned." FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH "He was a towering figure and important judge on our nation's highest court. He brought intellect, good judgement, and wit to the bench, and he will be missed by his colleagues and our country." SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS "He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served." REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." DEMOCRATIC SENATE MINORITY LEADER HARRY REID "The president can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. With so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate's most essential Constitutional responsibilities. REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY, SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN "Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice." SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY, RANKING DEMOCRAT ON SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE "The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons. It is only February. The president and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court." REPUBLICAN SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM "Unless (Obama) can find a consensus choice, the next president will pick the replacement for Justice Scalia ... If we lose the election, Hillary Clinton is going to pick somebody that I wouldnt pick. Im telling every conservative now, dont expect to lose the election and still get your way." REPUBLICAN SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS "I think it is too late to nominate someone now. "He (Obama) has every right to nominate but it will be up to the Senate to evaluate that nomination ... and decide whether to move forward with it." DEMOCRATIC SENATOR RICHARD BLUMENTHAL "My hope is that the president will promptly nominate someone with strong intellect and integrity who can win bipartisan support. I will work vigorously as a member of the Judiciary Committee to achieve confirmation." HILLARY CLINTON, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonour our Constitution. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "While I differed with Justice Scalias views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colourful and outspoken member of the Supreme Court." DONALD TRUMP, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "He was a justice who did not believe in legislating from the bench and he is a person whom I held in the highest regard and will always greatly respect his intelligence and conviction to uphold the constitution of our country." SENATOR TED CRUZ, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "As liberals and conservatives alike would agree, through his powerful and persuasive opinions, Justice Scalia fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Constitution and statutes, returning the focus to the original meaning of the text after decades of judicial activism." SENATOR MARCO RUBIO, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "One of the greatest honours in my life was to attend oral arguments during Town of Greece v. Galloway and see Justice Scalia eloquently defend religious freedom." JEB BUSH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "His logic and wit were unparalleled, and his decisions were models of clarity and good sense. I often said he was my favourite justice because he took the Constitution, and the responsibility of judges to interpret it correctly, with the utmost seriousness." OHIO GOVERNOR JOHN KASICH, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "His death is a serious loss to our nation and the court. He was an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow." BEN CARSON, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "It is imperative that the Senate not allow President Obama to diminish his legacy by trying to nominate an individual who would carry on his wishes to subvert the will of the people." DAVID AXELROD, FORMER ADVISER TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA I expect they will nominate a replacement and the Senate will refuse to take it up. From a policy standpoint, a lot of knotty decisions that might have been 5-4 will now be tied and, assuming the Senate won't act, the lower court rulings will stand. That means on immigration, for example, the Fifth Circuit ruling invalidating the president's order may prevail." (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, Richard Cowan Jeff Mason, Lawrence Hurley, Alana Wise; Editing by Bill Trott, Paul Simao and W Simon) Storyful UK Conservative politician William Wragg told the House of Commons in London that he submitted a letter of no confidence in Prime Minister Liz Truss on Wednesday, October 19.Wragg also said that he intended to vote with the government to oppose a fracking ban, despite formerly being in favor of banning the practice, in order for his letter to remain valid.The BBC reported on Wednesday that Conservative MPs had been sent messages saying they must vote with the government and oppose the ban or risk being expelled from the parliamentary party.The fracking debate that follows has been made a confidence vote, Wragg told the House of Commons.Wragg explained that if he were to vote in favor of a fracking ban, he would no longer be a member of the Conservative Parliamentary Party.My letter lodged with my honorable friend, the member for Altrincham and Sale West [Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee], would fall, and I wish to maintain that letter with my honorable friend, Wragg said, referring to the letter of no confidence.Wragg is the vice-chair of the influental 1922 Committee group of Conservative MPs. Credit: Parliament TV via Storyful By Warren Strobel and Benet Koleka TIRANA, Albania(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stopped off in Albania on Sunday to encourage its leaders to complete anti-corruption measures that could improve its chances of joining the European Union. His visit, planned to last four hours, was shown live on television and crowds lined his route through the capital. Kerry met Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama as well as opposition leaders. The Balkan country is a close NATO ally, but has struggled to halt the intertwining of political and criminal power a generation after the end of Communism. The parliament in Tirana is weighing reforms, backed by the West, that include a new anti-corruption unit modelled after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. "The evidence is absolutely clear, and Albanians should be very pleased with the fact that your country is moving in the right direction. You're on the right track," Kerry said at an appearance with Rama after their meeting. "I know that it's tough to take on those who have become happy with a process of avoiding their shared responsibility," Kerry said, referring to corrupt individuals. The secretary of state's aides said he would push Albania's leaders to quickly complete the legislative reform package. Rama noted this year's 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Washington and told reporters: "Our joint goal, bearing in mind the direct implications the reform has for joining the European Union, is to vote the package of constitutional changes in parliament in March ... I'm fully confident that we shall succeed." In December, Albania's parliament voted to kick anyone with a criminal record out of politics and the state administration. Albania has received sustained U.S. economic assistance, including $20 million thus far to reform its judiciary and law enforcement. Tirana, in return, has frequently helped Washington with its foreign policy goals. Albania has given 15,000 tons of excess, Soviet-era ammunition to Kurdish fighters and Iraqi Security Forces battling Islamic State, a senior State Department official said. It has also contributed a small number of troops to Afghanistan, where Rama said they would remain "as long as it is deemed necessary." Kerry and Rama also planned to discuss efforts to deter people from leaving the Balkans to join Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. U.S. officials said Albania has cracked down on the flow, reporting 140 citizens who left to fight in the Middle East in 2013-2014, compared with none in recent months. (This story corrects length of stay in second paragraph) (Editing by Tom Heneghan) Corrupt SEIU corporate thug SEIU-UHW Dave Reagan is being sued by the California Hospital Ass for violation of a secret corrupt deal drafted by Weinberg, Rogers and Rosenfeld hack attorney Bruce Harland. The secret deal with the CHA -- aka the "Code of Conduct" -- including its gag clause is now a subject of dispute with the hospital bosses. " the "centerpiece" of Regan's dirty deal with hospital bosses: a "money-for-members" quid pro quo in which Regan agreed to deliver $6 billion in public Medicaid funds to hospital CEOs in exchange for the right to unionize up to 60,000 California hospital workers without employer opposition." More E-mails Describe Terms of SEIU-UHW Dave Regan's Secret Deal with California Hospital Association"Hack" Attorney Bruce Harland, who works at the Weinberg, Rogers and Rosenfeld wrote secret deal with CHAFriday, February 12, 2016More E-mails Describe Terms of SEIU-UHW Dave Regan's Secret Deal with California Hospital AssociationSEIU-UHW's Bruce HarlandHere are more e-mails exchanged by SEIU-UHW and the California Hospital Association (CHA) during the course of their arm-breaking legal battles.In the first e-mail, a CHA attorney -- Curt Kirshner of the Jones Day law firm -- reports that the CHA "has filed three arbitration complaints against UHW which should be scheduled for hearings."According to the CHA, SEIU-UHW violated three separate provisions of a secret gag clause that prohibit SEIU-UHW from suing hospital corporations, supporting legislation that's "adverse to the interests of the hospital industry," and saying "derogatory" things about hospital corporations and their bosses. The gag clause was signed by SEIU-UHW's President, Dave Regan.Regan's gag clause is so far-reaching that SEIU-UHW apparently violated the no-derogatory-comments rule when it called CHA CEO Duane Dauner a "saboteur."The second e-mail is a response from SEIU-UHW's hack attorney, Bruce Harland, who works at the Weinberg, Rogers and Rosenfeld law firm. In 2014, Harland worked hand-in-hand with Regan to write the secret deal with the CHA -- aka the "Code of Conduct" -- including its gag clause.In this e-mail, Harland acknowledges that SEIU-UHW is bound by the deal's gag clause and arbitration clause. He also makes a final, pathetic plea to the hospital bosses to cough up 30,000 non-union workers to SEIU-UHW.In so doing, Harland reaffirms the "centerpiece" of Regan's dirty deal with hospital bosses: a "money-for-members" quid pro quo in which Regan agreed to deliver $6 billion in public Medicaid funds to hospital CEOs in exchange for the right to unionize up to 60,000 California hospital workers without employer opposition.Here's an excerpt from Harland's e-mail. A full copy of the two e-mails is below.Second, with respect to the first two complaints filed by CHA, UHW is willing to arbitrate these disputes, under the Code of Conduct, so long as CHA and the hospital signatories meet the obligations that they are required to satisfy, under the Code of Conduct, by January 1, 2016. These obligations require, among other things, that "[b]y "January 1, 2016, various hospitals and health systems in California execute a conditional agreement providing access rights to the Union at acute care hospitals in California for at least 30,000 (30,000) non-union, non-supervisory employees." Sec. D(2) If the hospitals or health systems fail to execute such agreements, then "the Union shall be released from all further obligations under this Agreement..." Id . CHA has already announced to CEOs that it will not satisfy this obligation, and Mr. Dauner has expressed to UHWs President that the likelihood of CHA and the signatory hospitals executing such an agreement is "highly remote." In addition, despite the Union's best efforts, CHA and the signatory hospitals have failed to agree to a conditional access agreement.E-mail Exchange between SEIU-UHW and California Hospital Association on Secret Deal and Gag Clause: Dec. 15... 2/20 SF Meeting TIME TO FIGHT BACK NOW! Stand UP To Defend Public EducationTIME TO FIGHT BACK NOW! Stand UP To Defend Public EducationStatewide Initiative To Repeal California Charter Laws Shutting Down Publicly Funded Privately Run ChartersSaturday February 20, 201612:00 NoonSan Francisco City College Ocean CampusScience Building Room 200 San Francisco, CAPublic education is under attack from City College in San Francico to the CSU and public schools that are battling charter privatization. Billions of dollars have been spent by the super wealthy to attack teachers scapegoating them for the crisis in education, while pushing privatization in every school, college district and public university in the country. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, the Gates, Broad, KIPP and the Walton Foundation owned by the Walmart family are firmly implanted in California education and throughout the country. Top government officials get funds from them and help implement their political agenda. They are electing privatizers to school boards throughout the state and the politicians are appointing privatizers to the California Board of Education, Community College Board of Trustees and University of California Regents.This forum will look at how the privatizers are attacking unions and working people, and how workers and our unions can go on the offensive. We will discuss the statewide initiative to repeal California charter laws and how this initiative can be used to challenge the further privatization of public education. The California charter school laws were passed in 1992 and now the supporters of charters are seeking to take over entire school districts. Also religious cults are using the charter laws to set up religious charter schools threatening secular education in California and charters are re-segregating the schools.SFSU and other CSU CFA faculty may be going on strike for a contract. CCSF AFT2121 also has no contract, and the administration is implementing a 26% cut in classes and staff. It is time to unite all education workers, students and supporters of public education throughout the state, and act collectively including the demand for making the billionaires pay for free public education in California.Public worker unions have over a million members in California, and we need to look at how we can build a real education political campaign to stop the onslaught of union busting and attacks on public workers.Speakers:Kristyn Jones, United Teachers Of Richmond Executive Board MemberKathy Carroll - Public Education Advocate And Lawyer Whistleblower at the CA CTCProfessor Bob Price - CCSF , AFT 2121 delegate to SF Labor CouncilBrian Crowell - Berkeley Federation Of Teachers delegate to CFT ConventionRepresentative of Puerto Rican Teachers Union FMPR And Lessons On The Fight Against ChartersDr. George Wright - AFT 1493 Retired Skyline Community College and Chico State CollegeUPWA Mehmet Bayran, Journalist On Turkey Education Privatization and Repression of Kurdish and Turkey TeachersSponsored by: United Public Workers For Action ( http://www.upwa ) (415) 282-1908, info [at] upwa.info Voices Against Privatization of Education ( http://www.facebook.com/CitizensForEducationRestoration Voices Against Privatizing Public Education Initiated November 2016 ballot to REPEAL the CA Charter School Act of 1992Voices Against Privatizing Public Education, a statewide coalition of labor activists, parents, educators and community activists is working hard to save our public schools from mass privatization, mass segregation and union busting perpetuated by the charter school industry. We believe the most effective way to stop the corporate takeover of our public schools is to place a ballot initiative on the November 2016 ballot to REPEAL the CA Charter School Act of 1992.Charter schools are resegregating our schools, cherry picking their students, busting up unions and using our schools and our kids for profiteering.But we can fight back! We can repeal the charter school laws in the state of California that have allowed our tax dollars to generate profits for billionaires and investors while our public school children suffer with fewer resources.Just a few of the reasons charter schools laws MUST be repealed in California:Union Busting the charter school industry as a whole is anti-union. Many of their CEOs have bloated salaries while their teachers are often at will employees.Private School Boards Charter schools receive public funds but charter schools have private school boards unaccountable to us, the taxpayers. These boards are often those who have business, personal, religious or other ties to the schools founders. Real traditional public schools have school boards that are elected by the public.Cherry Picking, Fraud, Embezzlement It is well documented that charter schools cherry pick students, reject students with special needs, reject students who are English language learners and reject students with low test scores. The charter school industry also have a horrible lottery system for admission that should never be allowed in any public education system.Resegregation There are a number of university studies showing increased segregation based on race and income in the charter school industry. This is illegal, immoral and shameful. This should NEVER be tolerated in any public education system.Exempt from Californias Education Code Charter schools are exempt from many laws including sections of the education code. For example school administrators in charter schools do NOT have to be licensed/credentialed, so you can have someone walking the street who has NEVER seen the inside of a teacher preparation program, let alone a school administration program become a CEO or a principal or a vice principal of a charter school. The same goes for school counselors in charter schools- they do NOT have to be licensed. In our REAL traditional public schools ALL school administrators have to be licensed and so do our school counselors.Safety Concerns Charter schools are exempt from building safety code requirements such as the Field Act which sets minimum standards for school building construction and even any renovation of any school building and there are rigorous inspection requirements for building and/or renovation. Charter schools ARE exempt from these requirements. Our REAL traditional public schools MUST comply with all building safety requirements of the Field Act. This is of particular concern in California, where we often have earthquakes.Lower Standards for Teachers In charter schools all teachers are NOT required to be licensed/credentialed. In fact, in many low income areas you will find charter schools with not only very inexperienced teachers but also teachers who are completely unlicensed. This is reminiscent of the Jim Crow era and pre-Brown v. BD of Education where separate but equal was tolerated. In REAL public schools, all teachers of record whether the subject be art or math, must be licensed/credentialed.Violations of Separation of Church and State Another disturbing trend is the fact that charter school operators are using our public funds to inject religious beliefs into the classroom which is a serious violation of the constitutional mandate of separation of church and state. Please see 60 Minutes piece on the Gulen Charter Schools run by Fetullah Gulen as just one example. Our true public schools absolutely cannot teach, promote or inject religious doctrine of any sort in our public education system and to do so would be a violation of both state and federal constitutions.Problems Run Too Deep for Band-aid Fixes The charter school corruption-financial scams, conflicts, kickbacks, fraud, cheating scandals, segregation and discriminatory practices simply run too deep and the legal loopholes are just too numerous to attempt any patchwork fixes like trying for more accountability-these are mere band-aid solutions that will not cut out the insidious cancer that the charter school industry has become on our public education system. Charter school laws (California and elsewhere) must be repealed and we must focus strictly on improving our REAL traditional public schools so ALL students, not some have a fair opportunity to learn.Profiteers Must Be Stopped The stakes are extremely high here- our REAL public schools are at serious risk of being dismantled by profiteers like Eli Broad, Bill Gates, Michel Milken and the Walton Family- unless we the people who care about our PUBLIC education system come together and stop them by repealing the CA Charter School Act. The billionaires will continue to pull every trick in the book to keep siphoning off public education monies that belong to our REAL public schools.The public schools are OUR schools, not Eli Broads, Bill Gates or any other billionaires! By placing an initiative on the 2016 ballot we will be able to let the peoples voices be heard above the noise and false claims created by the lobbyists for those who want to make a profit off our kids.We will need funds for gathering signatures, printing costs and getting the word out about our initiative. Voices Against Privatizing education is a grassroots organization. We are parents, grandparents, educators, attorneys, filmmakers, publishers, and concerned citizens from all backgrounds. We do not have funds from the wealthy and powerful. We need your help. Please contribute what you can to help save Californias public schools. And please sign our online petition.Together, we can we can save our public schools.Donate here at Rally.org or you may send a check to: Any checks should be made out to:REPEAL Charter School LawsChecks should be sent to:Repeal Charter School Laws Attention: Diana Mansker- Treasurer 7753 Laurie Way Sacramento, CA 95832 Jaycitos First Foal Born at Haras Vista Hermosa in Venezuela: In January of 2015, news came of Jaycitos arrival to Venezuela to stand at Haras Vista Hermosa. Upon hearing of this news, we simply had to wait to meet Jaycitos first foal. The long-awaited day arrived on Feb. 3, 2016 with the birth of a filly out of Musical Storm, a daughter of My Funny Horse (Voyageur), making her inbred 44 to Danzig. The filly also has Seattle Slew and Graustarks influence on the bottom. She is an spectacular filly, tall and with long legs like her dad, Julio Pazos, manager of Haras Vista Hermosa, said. Certainly, there are many expectations for Jaycitos foals in their physical appearances and their running abilities. We would like Jaycito [to have] transferred his stunning physical, producing tall, lengthy, and strong foals, Pazos expressed. These qualities lead us to the next attribute, the distance; Cryptoclearance, Victory Gallop, and Jaycito were horses for route races, something that draws our attention since the best races in Venezuelan horse racing are over 1600 meters (one mile) and upwards, Julio Pazos stated. In fact, Jaycito will receive all the opportunity to demonstrate his quality as a stallion. This year, Jaycito will have great support from the farm. He has [been] assigned at least 20% of our mares (we have 70), without leaving the boarding mares owners who wants to use Jaycitos services, Pazos said. Haras Vista Hermosa is very excited about Jaycitos future as a stallion and has decided to help him show all his potential. For all Jaycitos fans, we would like to add that he will receive all the support, from Venezuelan champion mares and black type producers [to] some imported mares [that] are waiting for Jaycito. For example, Spark Plug, who was a 2- year-old champ at Hinava (Hipodromo Nacional de Valencia) and -sibling to the champion older Super Juancho [is one of the mares going to Jaycito]. We expect a lot from Jaycito; hopefully, he will be a great stallion, Pazos concluded. Jaycito, a son of Victory Gallop out of Night Edition by Ascot Knight, won the Norfolk Stakes (GI) as a two-year-old, making him a Kentucky Derby contender. At age three, Jaycito finished second in the San Felipe Stakes (GII), but when he was ready to run in the Santa Anita Derby (GI), a foot abscess sidelined him from the Derby Trail. As a four-year-old, Jaycito was a runner-up in the Strub Stakes (GII) and finished his career at the age of six. In general terms, Jaycito was a sound horse, something longed for by any breeder. Lady and The Track would like to thank Julio Pazos for taking the time to talk to us, and we wish the best of luck to Jaycito in his role as a stallion. We are looking forward to seeing his progeny excel on the track soon! California is increasingly subjected to environmental disasters, from the discharge of toxic chemicals into water we drink to gas leaks contaminating the air we breathe. Oil spills causing coastal water damage have impacted the livelihood and property values of countless Californians. Consequently, citizens and communities are filing gas well lawsuits and gas leak lawsuits, oil spill lawsuits, polluted water lawsuits, contaminated water lawsuits, air quality lawsuits and more. FREE CALIFORNIA ENVIROMENTAL DISASTER LAWSUIT EVALUATION Send your California Enviromental Disaster claim to a lawyer who will review your claim at NO COST or obligation. GET LEGAL HELP NOW California Environmental Law Porter Ranch SoCal Gas Leak Hinkley Groundwater contamination Brownfields Wildfires or Forest Fires Santa Barbara Oil Spil Benzene (e.g., Porter Ranch Gas Leak) Hexavalent chromium (e.g., Hinkley Contaminated Groundwater) Coastal Water Damage (e.g., Santa Barbara Oil Spill) Fracking Chemical spills Pesticides Chemical exposure Carcinogens Failure to analyze GHG emissions Porter Ranch SoCal Gas Leak Hinkley Groundwater Contamination Chromium 6 Brownfields Santa Barbara Oil Spill Failure to Analyze Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions California Butte Wild Fire Sierra Pacific Industries Wildfire Settlement California Fracking Asbestos Drilling Mud Environmental Toxic Tort California Environmental Disaster Legal Help Environmental law governs any environmental issues regarding individuals, businesses, and government entities. Environment law includes regulations and cleanup regarding hazardous or chemical materials and the consequences of individuals who violate environment statutes; it provides environmental protection for prospective purchasers of environmentally impacted property; and environmental law policy prohibits the dumping of toxic waste or other hazardous materials in our lakes, rivers, streams, and public land.Evironmental protection has become a major issue for Californians and environmental lawyers are continuously putting pressure on California public agencies to protect the public and evaluate potential adverse effects caused by the discharge of toxic chemicals, oil spills, dangerous pesticides, and hazardous materials into the environment. California Environment law firms are increasingly involved with cases related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions--and more.People living in California contact environmental law firms about cases typically involving the following:The Porter Ranch gas leak that has become the largest contributor in California to climate change has also caused thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Locals have also reported health issues, including nosebleeds, headaches, nausea and rashes. The leak from the broken well at Aliso Canyon, which has released massive amounts of methane gas since October 2015, is expected to be stopped by February 2016.The massive gas leak also triggered the declaration of a state of emergency on January 6 by California Governor Jerry Brown (under much criticism as environmental attorneys such as Robert Kennedy Jr said Porter Ranch should been declared a state of emergency immediately after the leak was discovered in October 2015).An environmental class action lawsuit filed on behalf of hundreds of plaintiffs and the "Save Porter Ranch" group against Sempra Energy and its California utility Southern California Gas Company (SoCal) claims the gas was injected underground by SoCal into illegally permitted wells.Several lawsuits were brought against Pacific Gas & Electric Company , after the release of the movie 'Erin Brockovich' in 2000, showing that 104 people were exposed to contaminated water in the town of Hinkley. The suits alleged that Pacific Gas & Electric exposed people to the cancer-causing chemical chromium (V1) in the town of Hinkley. PG&E agreed to resolve the lawsuits with a $20 million payout, but the company eventually paid $333 million in damages to the 600 townspeople, some of whom developed cancer due to groundwater contamination. The Hinkley cleanup is ongoing.Water contaminated with hexavalent chromium or Chromium-6 is not only found in Hinkley. A survey from 2010 found the carcinogenic chemical in 31 cities nationwide. In January 2016, residents inwere informed by the Special District Department Water and Sanitation Division that the levels of Hexavalent Chromium were tested to be above the drinking water standard.The EPA defines a brownfield as "a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant."Brownfields are typically abandoned, vacant, derelict or underutilized commercial and industrial properties where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination and where there is an active potential for redevelopment. And cleaning up a brownfield often results in the removal of a potential threat to human health or the environment.California' brownfields differ from those in the Northeast/Midwest United States, largely due to the more recent onset of the industrial revolution in the State. Former manufactured gas plants, and remnants of the computer industry are some key examples of California' "newer" brownfields. Additionally, many "rural"areas in California have significant brownfields problems, e.g., lumber mills.Brownfields are a constant source of environmental poisoning. Persons working or living nearby are at high risk and environmental illness and cancer caused by chemical injury are on the rise. Here is a list of brownfields in California.An environmental class action lawsuit was filed in June 2015 against Plains All American Pipeline, stemming from the Refugio State Beach oil spill in Santa Barbara. The complaint alleges the Texas-based company negligently operated the pipeline, Line 901, causing a rupture that discharged over 100,000 gallons of crude oil onto beaches and into the Pacific Ocean, damaging ecologically and economically significant natural resources. The complaint claims violations of state and federal laws.Many lawsuits have been filed against agencies for failure to analyze GHG emissions generated by projects subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).For instance, Attorney General Kamala Harris in 2013 announced a settlement in a lawsuit challenging the approval of an industrial project in Riverside County that would cause additional diesel truck traffic near a community already overwhelmingly affected by diesel exhaust and noise pollution. Harris more recently has filed a lawsuit against SoCal , the gas company responsible for the Porter Ranch gas leak, claiming that it violated health and safety laws by failing to report and contain leaking methane.The CEQA Guidelines were revised on December 30, 2009, requiring projects subject to CEQA to consider potential environmental effects caused by GHG emissions.The environmental disaster known as the Butte Wild Fire in September 2015 was presumably caused by a tree hitting a Pacific Gas and Electric power line. Two people were killed and 252 homes destroyed.An environmental lawsuit brought against Sierra Pacific Industries by the US Department of Justice reached a $122.5 million settlement over a 2007 wildfire that was among the most devastating in California history, according to the Department of Justice. The settlement includes a $55 million cash payment and 22,500 acres of land in California owned by Sierra Pacific. See more California Wildfires or Forest Fires The environmental group Center for Biological Diversity (CDB) filed a lawsuit in July 2015 against the state of California' oil agency for not incorporating certain information into its fracking rules. That information included warnings of the risks fracking poses to drinking water and the environment.One month earlier, a Kern County group filed a RICO lawsuit, claiming that Governor Jerry Brown' office ordered the California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources ("DOGGR") to approve permits to injectin violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.The RICO lawsuit , dubbed "California' Water-Gate" and filed by the R. Rex Parris law firm on behalf of plaintiff Mike Hopkins, is seeking damages in the tens of millions, which under the RICO statute could be tripled if they prevail in Los Angeles federal court. The case number is 2:2015cv04149.In 2013 the CDB filed a California fracking lawsuit against the state of California for doing what it deemed an insufficient job of regulating hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking".Environmental advocates have been seeking to end the practice of oil and gas companies dumping used asbestos drilling mud in California' Central Valley. A number of advocates are concerned that asbestos and other chemicals, all part of drilling mud composition, have been slowly leaching into groundwater.In California environmental toxic tort litigation is on the rise, particularly against corporations spilling toxic materials. For example, industrial manufacturing facilities and refineries have been cited for alleged violations of California OSHA General Industry Safety Orders and federal OSHA regulations.The J.R. Simplot Company (Simplot) has agreed to upgrade and operate emissions controls, and implement improved emissions monitoring, at each of its five sulfuric acid plants including a plant in Lathrop (Alfonso Rivera v. J R Simplot Company et al, Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. BC440560).Environmental toxic tort lawsuits involve exposure to toxic chemicals or other environmental pollutants. They generally involve a community or region where residents may have their health and lifestyle compromised and/or their property values decreased, and want to bring the polluters to justice.If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation. Feb-15-16 Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has threatened that he would commence legal action against the federal government if it does not jettison its plan to secure a $3.5 billion (about N700 billion) loan from the World Bank and the African Development Bank. The renowned lawyer made this known in a statement he made public on February 14 where he stated that his earlier letter which he sent to the Finance Ministry on February 5 to jettison its plan to secure the loan has not be responded to. The latest letter read: Since you have not deemed it fit to react to the serious issues raised in the letter, kindly be informed that we shall commence legal proceedings not later than February 29, 2016, with a view to compelling the Federal Government to recover the said loans, royalties, levies, and other recoverable revenues of not less than $66.5 billion." Falana had said in his initial letter that instead of taking the loan, the government should direct the anti-graft agencies to recover all loans and revenues accruable to it. READ ALSO: Jonathan Left N13.6 billion Abacha Loot For President Buhari He said: From the information at our disposal, the federal government is owed not less than $66.5 billion (about N13.3 trillion) which ought to be recovered without any further delay." Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had also stated that the five cycles of independent audit reports compiled by the National Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, showed potential recoverable revenues of not less than $20.2 billion. He also urged the federal government to contact Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning if it needed more information in respect of the matter, saying: The potential recoverable revenues are said to have arisen from underpayment/under-assessment of taxes, royalties, levies and rents. Falana added that the Central Bank of Nigeria, in 2006, apportioned $7 billion out of the nations external reserves to 14 Nigerian banks to manage. Only recently, Falana asked the International Criminal Court to investigate former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Colonel Sambo Dasuki over misappropriated $8billion vote for weapons. Okonjo-Iweala dismissed the call as a desperate joke by an integrity challenged charlatan. Source: Legit.ng David and Liisa Wallace raise water buffalo in Virginia, first selling the meat and, now, cheese. (Wade Payne/For The Washington Post) With the fat orange sun shimmering its way over Thompsons Mountain, promising a June scorcher in Stuart, Va., Leia kicks impatiently at the bucket that milker David Wallace is trying to attach to her udder. When she knocks it away, Wallace tries again. The machine hisses to life; Leia kicks it back off. Wallace sighs and starts over. Milking a jumpy water buffalo is not for the impatient. It has taken months of persistence for Wallace and his buffaloes at Mulberry Farm to reach an understanding. On this particular morning, Leia gives him three pints of thick, rich buffalo milk. The other member of the milking herd, Regina, is gentler and more generous: six pints. [How Americas most famous farmer appeals to left, right and center] Im happy with that, Wallace remarks, scrubbing down the milking equipment. That was a really easy morning, by the way. In the eight months since, things have continued to improve. The milking herd grew to four buffalo. Before they went on pregnancy hiatus (theyll return to the milking parlor after their calves are born in the spring), Wallace was bringing in well over 30 pints a day. Call it a vindication of persistence. Back in fall 2014, when he first tried to milk Leia, Wallace came up empty, bruised and wondering, not for the last time, whether all of this had been a very bad call. 1 of 9 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Where the buffalo roam and are raised and milked View Photos David and Liisa Wallace moved from England to rural Virginia to start Mulberry Farm, where they raise buffalo, sell their meat and use their milk to make buffalo mozzarella. Caption David and Liisa Wallace moved from England to rural Virginia to start Mulberry Farm, where they raise buffalo, sell their meat and use their milk to make buffalo mozzarella. Wait 1 second to continue. A decade or so ago, David and his wife, Liisa (thats a Finnish spelling), were home in England, running a scuba business on the Dorset coast. They dreamed of retiring to a country spread, to a quiet home surrounded by acres of serenity. They loved England, but land prices were out of reach. Acreage comes cheaper in Patrick County, Va., down at the quiet, undulating intersection of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the North Carolina line. Liisas brother lives there, and the Wallaces, both 51 now, had become familiar with the place during periodic visits. In 2009, when a 100-acre Patrick County farm came on the market, they put their dream plan into action. First, they built a super-efficient home on a hillside above the pastures and barns. Then they began chipping away at the trickier task of putting their 100 acres to work for them. To pull it off, they pinned their hopes on the water buffalo. [The aggressive, Nazi-bred cows that wreaked havoc on a modern farm] David and Liisa Wallace are raising water buffalo, creatures not usually ranched in the United States, on 100 acres of land in Patrick County, Va. (Wade Payne/For The Washington Post) Travis Bunn remembers the day he got the message from the Wallaces. As an extension agent in Patrick County, hed heard weird stuff before. Sometimes someone inherits some land, sees a cute farm animal in a magazine and comes to Bunn for help with chasing whimsy. I honest-to-goodness thought thats what this was, he recalls. Water buffalo? He put the message at the bottom of his stack, to return to after hed taken care of all his serious business. As it turned out, his assumptions proved wrong. Before their scuba days, both Wallaces had worked in the white-collar business world. Liisa, a self-described compulsive spreadsheet person, and David had put together a plan that won Bunns admiration. Theyve gone about it the best way they possibly can, he says. The original mozzarella Buffalo meat (water buffalo meat, that is entirely different from bison meat, sometimes also called buffalo meat) is the bread-and-butter bit of the Wallaces plan. They slaughter one animal a month, giving them about 500 pounds of meat that fetches an average of $10 per pound. That covers expenses on Mulberry Farm. To carry them into the black, the Wallaces plan calls for something more upscale yet: buffalo mozzarella. [Bison is roaming back onto restaurant menus] Buffalo mozzarella is, in fact, the original mozzarella, developed nearly a millennium ago when farmers in central and southern Italy first began raising water buffalo. Although Italy still churns out tens of thousands of tons of this mozzarella di bufala each year, nearly all mozzarella in the United States comes from cow milk. Theyre just two different products, says Justin Owens, a curd nerd and butcher at Society Fair in Alexandria. Though he gets inquiries from customers who, like him, love the creamy and luscious richness of buffalo mozzarella, Owens doesnt carry imported varieties from Italy. He is holding out for a good domestic one, which hes confident would move off his shelves. According to their spreadsheet plan, David figures to eventually milk around a dozen buffalo, giving Liisa the primary cheesemaker enough for around 10 pounds of cheese a day. Their market research has them confident theyll sell their mozzarella at $25 a pound, and aged cheeses for even more. All of it goes in the profit column. The demand for the cheese is certainly there, even at that price, David says. Go ahead, get out a calculator. On paper, it looks pretty darn good. When the Wallaces searched for a farm to buy, they found that land in southern Virginia was relatively affordable. (Wade Payne/For The Washington Post) We might as well work together Understatement: Farming in real life is harder than farming with spreadsheets. Confounding variable: Farming in real life is particularly hard when youre farming water buffalo, a bovine animal that looks like a bigger, bigger-horned, dark version of a cow. Raised by the tens of millions in Asia, where it was first domesticated thousands of years ago, the water buffalo is little more than a curiosity in America. Thomas Olson, president of the American Water Buffalo Association, guesses there are 6,000 to 8,000 water buffalo, total, in the United States, scattered across somewhere between 25 and 100 farms. (Olson has raised water buffalo for 30 years in Texarkana, Ark., and is basically the eminence grise of U.S. water buffalo husbandry; he cautions that these are fuzzy numbers.) Water buffalo dairies are certainly exceedingly rare. Including the Wallaces, Olson knows of just a handful of farmers in the country milking water buffalo, which yield significantly less milk than dairy cattle, with any sort of commercial intent. Practically speaking, that means the Wallaces cant just call the farmer across the way for advice. There is no buffalo specialist at Virginia Tech. [Why you should make your own mozzarella] So when Leia was beating David black and blue in the milking parlor in the early days, or when they started finding dead calves in the pasture, the Wallaces were forced to cast a wide net for solutions. It was a particularly hardy type of grass, called Kentucky 31, that cost them six calves and presented the Wallaces with one of their biggest initial problems. Kentucky 31, the most widespread grass in Virginia pastures, has a downside: The symbiotic fungus that gives it resistance to drought and other stresses can threaten pregnancies and inflict other mischief on livestock. Here, their solution involved pasture management, something the general Virginia farming community knows a great deal about. With the assistance of experts from Virginia Tech, David has embarked on a five-year process of methodically replacing Mulberry Farms Kentucky 31 with friendlier grasses. The countrys few other water buffalo farmers have also been generously sharing their own hard-won tricks of the trade when questions have arisen. Its going to be two decades before any of us are going to be competitive with each other, so we might as well work together, says David. The couples cheesemaking venture is a team effort: David milks the water buffalo, and Liisa develops the procedures and makes the cheese. (Wade Payne/For The Washington Post) I know well get there Another major obstacle to the Wallaces buffalo dream has been the matter of actually making good buffalo mozzarella. On the June day of a reporters visit, for instance, something pH-related goes awry during pasteurization. In the cheese room, a disappointed Liisa pulls apart a glob of prematurely curdled milk. David puts in a call to the equipment supplier. There would be no mozzarella di bufala this day. Liisa consults the cheesemaking book on the table. She decides to salt, press and age todays attempt into some sort of experimental buffalo cheese: a Mulberry Farm cheese, she calls it. Liisa has been pleased with the cow mozzarella she has made. Shes happy with the taste, though not the texture, of earlier buffalo mozzarella attempts. Todays trial ended in error, for reasons that arent immediately clear. At least there will be more milk tomorrow. [Virginias cheesemaking nuns] Its frustrating, she says. I know well get there. And finally, success Then, late last July, a breakthrough: After much fiddling, Liisa refined her cheesemaking processes to the mozzarella cultures liking. (The culture has, she reports, strong opinions on its preferred living conditions!) The following Saturday brought the first validation of all the prior elbow grease, dreaming, spreadsheeting and cheese experimentation. The Wallaces took five pounds of buffalo mozzarella to the Cobblestone Farmers Market in Winston-Salem, N.C., and sold out in a half-hour. By Thanksgiving, when Cobblestone, their primary sales venue, closed for the winter, Liisa was making about 30 pounds of cheese every week. About half of it was mozzarella (to make a pound of it, you need about six pounds of buffalo milk, which is richer than cows milk). Buffalo feta, another big seller, accounted for much of the rest. It was a good fall at Mulberry Farm, and now the road ahead is looking better yet to the Wallaces. Around the time the farmers market opens in the spring, David will have his four buffalo back in the milking parlor. He plans to be milking six later in the year. It took an enormous amount of work and trouble-shooting, but the Wallaces have more or less made it past what David calls a huge, huge, huge learning curve. Milking, not a battle of wills with a buffalo, has become his daily chore. Making cheese, not dairy alchemy, has become Liisas. Things are going according to the spreadsheet plan, and theyre starting to settle, thanks to the water buffalo, into the kind of life theyve been long dreaming of. For more information, and to inquire about online sales, visit Mulberry Farm online at mulberryfarmproduce.com. Jenner writes frequently about farming. He lives in Brazil. Follow him on Twitter @_Andrew_Jenner_. Sue Klebold, mother of Columbine shooter Dylan Klebold, has written a memoir about her son and the aftermath of the 17-year-old tragedy. (Jesse Dittmar/For The Washington Post) NEW YORK The terror and total disbelief are overwhelming. The sorrow of losing my son, the shame of what he has done, the fear of the worlds hate. There is no respite from the agony. Imagine the worst thing that can happen to a parent. Far worse befell Sue Klebold. Yes, that Klebold, a name as synonymous with the 1999 mass shootings as Columbine High School and the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. It was Klebolds son Dylan, along with his friend Eric Harris, who killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 24 more in a plan a year in the making and hidden from all. As other mothers hoped for their childrens lives on that April day 17 years ago, I knew the greatest mercy I could pray for was not for my sons safety, Klebold recalls, but for his death. Moments past noon in the school library, the two shooters killed themselves. The next day, Klebold wrote the words quoted above in her journal. She has now published A Mothers Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, culled in part from that journal and the 39 that followed, chronicling the life she was forced to live after her old one was extinguished. She always knew that she would write the book. The big decision was to publish, she says. All the profits are earmarked for mental-health and suicide-prevention organizations, her new community. [Review of A Mothers Reckoning] It is a memoir of sheer terror, heartbreak and mystery, not because Dylan was some monster, but because he was like so many teenagers withdrawn yet loving, who apparently managed to shield suicidal thoughts and searing depression from his parents, friends and teachers. He fit no model of the alienated, violent loner. From Columbine to Charleston, here's a look at some of the notable U.S. mass shootings since 1999. (Alice Li/The Washington Post) The mass killings occurred three days after Dylan went to his prom. He had recently visited the University of Arizona, which he planned to attend after graduation. Or so his parents believed. His mother found new ways of coping with a situation few parents ever experience. You build a construct in your head which allows you to accept what is impossible to accept, says Klebold, 66, sitting in a Midtown Manhattan hotel room holding a large coffee cup from which she rarely sips. Tall, slim and graceful (her younger son was a gangly 6-foot-4), she is given to direct eye contact, frequent smiles and sensible shoes. She is gracious, outgoing, considerate and, in her own assessment, a profoundly honest person sometimes to a fault. She needed to know the truth about her son, even though there was no way she would ever know the whole truth. Why would Klebold wish to revisit the nightmare so many years later? I dont think its anything I have any control over. If Im in a grocery store, if I see other peoples children, I always think of the victims, of these beautiful young people who were killed, of the teacher, she says calmly. Any mention of the victims and their families is always very, very difficult for me. I have such a visceral reaction because I have so much horror and shame and anguish over what Dylan did. She never became angry at Dylan, except when seeing what she calls the basement tapes, the hate-spewing videos the two seniors recorded primarily in Harriss bedroom. Just know Im going to a better place, Dylan says flatly on one tape. I didnt like life too much. His parents had no idea. This was not the son they knew. She writes in the memoir, In the immediate aftershock of the tragedy, we werent mourning simply Dylan, but also his very identity and ours. Time magazine published a cover of Harris and Klebold, one of her favorite photos of her smiling son, with the headline The Monsters Next Door. She thought she knew him, that they were close, but learned that his last two years were filled with anger and depression. One of the peculiarities of a murder-suicide is that the perpetrator is never considered to be a victim, says Klebold. I believe Dylan was a victim of whatever was going on in his head. Sue with Dylan in 1985. (From Sue Klebold via Penguin/Random House) Her memoir re-creates the horror of the aftermath, the days so jarring and revelatory, the first half barely progresses six months. The Klebolds loved their home, a mountain sanctuary miles from Littleton. Immediately after the tragedy, they were forced to vacate for days as a SWAT team searched for evidence. When they returned, it became a sort of prison. To keep reporters and others from peering in, the oversize windows had to be covered with newsprint, blocking the mountain views. A lawyer was hired before an undertaker. He told them, There will be a firestorm of hatred leveled against your family. It took four years to settle the 36 lawsuits they were hit with. Relatives received death threats. Small acts of generosity were suspect: Though some strangers offered comfort, sending food to Tom Klebolds office, it was declined for fear of poisoning. Dylan couldnt be buried for risk of vandalism. His body was cremated. The mystery was, Dylan grew up in a house without weapons. She and her husband, Klebold writes, were so adamantly anti-gun. They were inspired by literature. Tom, a property manager, and she, then a community-college counselor, named their children after poets: older son Byron after Lord Byron and Dylan after Dylan Thomas. Dylan was their Sunshine Boy, for his golden hair and because everything came easy to him. Klebold was unhappy about her sons friendship with Harris. Their junior year, the two teenagers were caught stealing electronic equipment and had to attend a probationary counseling program to avoid criminal charges. She believed that he was on the mend, receiving early dismissal from the program for good behavior and staying out of trouble his senior year. Until April 20. The Klebolds were not close to the Harrises, whom she liked. I like to protect their privacy, she says. We certainly have communicated with each other over the years. A month after the killings, Klebold wrote condolence letters to all the victims families. It took a full month to write them all. She received two responses, from one victims sister, who said she did not blame the family and, 11 months later, from the father of a slain boy who offered compassion and help. Years later, after the lawsuits were settled, the Klebolds met separately with the parents of three victims. Of one encounter, she writes in the memoir: We wept, shared photos, and talked about our children. When we parted, he said he didnt hold us responsible. Others, however, did blame them. One of her many hopes for the book is that when things like this happen, people wont automatically jump to the conclusion that a perpetrator is either evil or hasnt been raised properly. She thought about changing her last name. She thought about moving. What I realized very quickly is you cant get away from this, and that she would lose her support group of friends. She thought about suicide. Tom once said, I wish hed killed us, too, a thought we would have on many occasions. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer two years after the massacre, it seemed almost like a lark. Dylans actions have defined her life and her mission: meeting the families of people who have committed suicide or murder and dealing with mental-health issues. Most people have an incident like this in their family, and they hate what this person did, they are humiliated, she says. They just want to live their lives in privacy. Almost everyone Ive talked to feels that way. My choosing to do this is the aberration. Most people includes son Byron, now 37, and Tom, now her ex-husband. After 43 years of marriage, they divorced in 2014. We seemed to be on different pages, she says. There was nothing we had in common. Except the shared tragedy. But we didnt feel the same way about it, we didnt process it the same way. Tom and Byron were not comfortable about the books publication, she says, but they never tried to stop me, which is amazing to me. And I love them for it. Sue was absolutely clear about the mission of the book. Anything she can do to stop anyone from doing this, helping parents in any way, then shes gotten something back from the tragedy, says her editor at Crown, Roger Scholl. Its your worst nightmare. You realize about teenagers, I dont know what theyre thinking. I might not know if theyre in trouble. That is the memoirs message, recognition of her denial, the search for clues and knowledge. At first, Klebold says, when you lose a loved one, you feel like a victim. This has happened to you. You feel helpless and confused. You progress to feeling like a survivor, and survivors reach out to each other, create support groups, band together and share their feelings. And then, after a while, we become advocates. We just want to make a difference. We want things to be better. Klebold understands that her revelations may prove painful. I fear Im going to re-traumatize people by putting this book out there, she says, her long fingers curled around her undrunk cup. I considered the alternative of doing nothing. But, no. I would be missing the thing I was supposed to be doing in my life, which was to share what I know, she says. Knowing my story has the potential to help those who are in distress. Now, her story is out there, sunlight on a private hell. Rocketship Regional Director Jacque Patterson show parents Rhondesia Small and Christopher Smith the construction of Rocketship Elementary School on Feb. 12, in Washington, D.C. (Kate Patterson for The Washington Post) The construction site in Southeast Washington barely resembles a school, yet the two parents already can navigate their way through the still-imagined gymnasium, computer lab and nursing station. Oh, this is my favorite part of the building, said Rhondesia Small, 26, pointing to doors at the citys new branch of the Rocketship charter school. The doors connect classrooms so younger students have no excuse for lollygagging in the hallways. Small and her boyfriend, Christopher Smith, plan to send their 5-year-old daughter, Beautyful, to Rocketship next year and are part of a group of parents that has been involved in its launch. Theyve taken frequent tours of the two-story, 54,000-square-foot building on an Anacostia hilltop and have attended community meetings. And theyve interviewed prospective teachers, part of an innovative approach to involving parents in building the schools academic foundation. A group of parents interviews each teacher before the teacher is offered a job, and Small and Smith have participated in more than a half-dozen of these sessions in recent months. The parents feedback has swayed some candidates to get an offer, and swayed some not to get an offer, said Josh Pacos, the schools principal. Rocketship D.C. Elementary School is under construction in Ward 8. (Kate Patterson for The Washington Post) The parents take the job seriously, examining each candidate closely. There was this one candidate who had a good background, but her attitude, I didnt like that, said Smith, 29, a D.C. native who did not graduate from high school and wants to make sure his daughter has a better educational outcome. Rocketship, a California-based charter operator that opened its first elementary school in 2007, gained national attention with its initial strong test scores and blended-learning approach mixing traditional teaching with online and computer-assisted instruction which has kept administrative costs low. The heavy reliance on technology and ability to sustain its test scores as it expands, however, have been matters of controversy. [Is a charter school chain called Rocketship ready to soar across America?] The D.C. Public Charter School Board voted in 2013 to allow Rocketship to open as many as eight schools in the District, with the one in Ward 8 being the first. The school is situated across the street from Woodland Terrace a sprawling public housing complex that has long been known for violence and down the street from Hope Village, a large halfway house for convicted felons. Some residents have criticized the location, calling it unsafe. Opponents have argued that the school could bring unnecessary competition to the nearby traditional elementary schools that belong to the D.C. Public School system, including Stanton Elementary, which has seen one of the citys more promising school-improvement efforts. [Killing an example of chilling violence in D.C.s Woodland Terrace] Jacque Patterson, Rocketships regional director, said the charter hopes to operate more like a neighborhood school than the Districts other charters; the school is required to accept applications from any D.C. child who wishes to apply, but Rocketship is focusing on recruiting students from the Ward 8 neighborhood. The school, which has plans to run through fourth grade, will house 350 students in kindergarten through second grade during its inaugural 2016-2017 school year. The Appletree Institute also will run a preschool at the facility. About 40 percent of Rocketship applications so far have come from families living in the Woodland Terrace housing complex, Patterson said. Administrators said they hope families will be involved in the school, and they are building a room where parents can have Internet access and computers, allowing them to submit job applications while they are on campus to pick up their children or attend school functions. If you want people to start buying into their community and the revitalization of the community, then a school is the best first way to start, said Patterson, who also is a Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commission official and is considering sending his two children to the school next year. For many of the schools parents, this is the first time that they have played such an active role in their childs schooling. Pacos, the principal, said Rocketship aims to teach parents how to advocate for their children in the middle school and high school years, after they leave Rocketship. By interviewing teachers, the parents will develop rapport with them before the school year begins. School officials plan to make home visits to each students family during the academic year, and the school plans to have frequent events for parents to attend. Rocketship already is planning to host a Ward 8 D.C. Council debate ahead of the next election. Im new to this, so Im learning as I go along, said Jermaine Carter, a construction worker who recently moved to Ward 8 from Houston. He plans to send his son to Rocketship and has sat through a few teacher interviews. Its a good idea to see and get a feel of who your child is going to be working with and what kind of personality they have. Television newscaster Jack Bowden, who worked at WMAR-TV for more than two decades. (Staff Photo/Baltimore Sun) Jack Bowden, a former Baltimore news anchor and reporter at WMAR-TV for more than two decades, died Jan. 20 at a hospice facility in Towson, Md. He was 82. The cause was leukemia, said his wife, Susan White-Bowden, a fellow reporter who appeared with him on air. Mr. Bowden spent 21 years in television and left WMAR in 1988 in a contract dispute. In December 1989 he joined WBAL radio and hosted an afternoon news program. He was a household word in the mid-1960s, said Richard Sher, a friend who is the moderator for the WMAR-TV program Square Off. Jack was a consummate professional. Known for his boyish looks and easygoing style, Mr. Bowden achieved top ratings when he appeared with his wife. It may surprise some people, a 1981 Baltimore Sun column said, but the hottest personalities on Baltimore television right now are Jack Bowden and Susan White-Bowden, the husband-and-wife co-anchor team on Channel 2s Noon News. Amid budget cuts at the station in 1989, Mr. Bowden was asked to take an annual salary reduction of close to $20,000, a 1989 Sun story said. He refused and left the station, followed a few months afterward by his wife. John Jose Bowden was born in Baltimore and was a 1950 graduate of the University of Maryland, where he began his broadcast career in 1955 at the campus radio station in College Park. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He initially worked at WFMD radio in Frederick, Md., then in 1960 became a classical-music announcer at WBAL-FM. He worked a year at WBAL-TV and joined WMAR in 1967. According to a biographical sketch, Mr. Bowden reported on the 1968 Baltimore riots, political corruption and the 1977 trial of Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel (D) on fraud and racketeering charges. He also helped establish WMARs Annapolis bureau in 1971, broadcasting daily reports on state government. But it was the March 1976 kidnapping of a 10-year-old Towson boy, Billy Arthes, that Mr. Bowden recalled as the most important story he covered in his long career. The Boys Latin School student did not return home after he left to deliver afternoon newspapers. Police identified a suspect but requested that his name and photo not be publicized. Despite the protests of the police, but with the approval of the boys parents, [I] broadcast the identity of the kidnapper as Arthur Goode, who had murdered two other young boys, Mr. Bowden wrote in his biographical sketch. He showed photos of the kidnapper and the boy on the air. After a tip, police arrested Goode and rescued the boy. As we waited for Billys return, Mr. Bowden wrote, his father, Dr. Arthes, embraced me and said, over and over, Thank you for my son, thank you for my son. This meant more to me than anything else in my career. Mr. Bowden also remembered saving WMAR-TVs film library. I was literally pulling film out of dumpsters when management began throwing it away, Mr. Bowden wrote. Eventually the University of Baltimores Langsdale Library agreed to take the film and tape, and preserve it. He retired in 1998 as a reporter and anchor at WJLA-TV in Washington. He also had minor roles in several films, including Forrest Gump, Cry-Baby and The Distinguished Gentleman. With his wife he wrote, Off Season, a book about living in retirement. They lived in Finksburg, Md. In addition to his wife of 36 years, survivors include a son from an earlier marriage; two stepdaughters; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Baltimore Sun An effort by the chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to eliminate the fee for concealed-handgun permits in the county failed to move forward last week. In January, Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R-At Large) introduced the idea of nixing all or most of the $50 fee, saying the local government shouldnt charge residents for exercising their right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Although Stewarts colleagues also expressed their support for gun rights Tuesday, a measure seeking to reduce the concealed-permit charge to $15 failed on a vote of 4 to 4. The chairman and other supervisors spoke about Americans right to protect themselves, and to do so in what board Vice Chairman Pete K. Candland (R-Gainesville) described as an increasingly dangerous world. I really see this as a safety issue, Candland said. But Supervisor Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Potomac) said that county residents pointed out to her that Virginia charges fees for a variety of other pursuits, including hunting and fishing. Why is this one being the only one that we are pulling? Caddigan asked. Stewart countered that those other enterprises arent constitutionally protected. This is the only one where were charging individuals to practice their rights that were given to them, the chairman said, not by government, but by God. Supervisor Martin E. Marty Nohe (R-Coles), however, noted that although hunting and fishing arent protected in the U.S. Constitution, they are covered in the Virginia Constitution. He also said that Prince William charges a fee for permits for large gatherings of people. The ability to peaceably assemble is one of our First Amendment rights, Nohe said, but we require a permit. Supervisor Frank J. Principi (D-Woodbridge), meanwhile, suggested that a discussion of gun rights in general was not relevant to talk of concealed-weapon permits specifically. Prince William County is not charging for the right to bear arms, he said. We are charging to conceal. The Second Amendment does not give us a constitutional right to conceal. In addition, Principi, Nohe, Caddigan and others spoke of Stewarts proposal in terms of how it could affect government budgets. The $50 fee for a concealed-carry permit is made up of the $10 that Prince William Circuit Court Clerk Michele B. McQuigg (R) collects, as well as $35 for the county sheriffs office and $5 for the state police for processing applications, which include a background check. State law mandates that court clerks collect the $10 but gives the law enforcement agencies discretion in determining fees. The total charge is not to exceed $50, according to the Code of Virginia. Stewarts idea was to ask county Sheriff Glendell Hill (R) to waive the $35 portion. The sheriffs office budgets for revenue of $75,000 annually from the fee but usually ends up collecting even more. Stewart suggested that $75,000 could be replaced by diverting money from the Prince William jails budget. But McQuigg and Hill, who, like the supervisors, are elected by voters, expressed concern about losing revenue from the permit fee. They also said a reduction or elimination of the fee could translate into more work for their offices, which could be deluged by new permit applicants attracted by the change. Im so stretched now, McQuigg, a former supervisor and state delegate, said outside the meeting. Her office, which also serves Manassas and Manassas Park, last year issued 5,311 concealed-handgun permits. Tuesdays vote came after 14 people addressed the supervisors on the issue. Nine were in favor of Stewarts plan; five were opposed. One of those speakers was Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. Although he was disappointed with the outcome, he pointed out that the vote was close. And he said that even if the charge for a concealed-carry permit is called a fee, he thinks its really just the government taking money from residents exercising a right. This is a tax, he said. Because Tuesdays vote ended in a tie, Stewart can bring up the issue again, and he said he plans to revisit the idea when there seems to be more support for the proposal. Candland and Supervisors Ruth M. Anderson (R-Occoquan) and Jeanine M. Lawson (R-Brentsville) joined him in voting for the fee reduction. A separate measure by state Sen. Amanda F. Chase (R- Midlothian) to make the $10 fee charged by local circuit court clerks optional was approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee in Richmond. It was bound for the Senate floor. Hunley is a freelance writer. Its a relatively new downtown Washington street, and its called an alley. But it is lined with new, high-end shops, and from time to time, including Friday, it is the scene of an old crime: theft. The two-block street is called Palmer Alley NW, it runs through the CityCenter development, and it is bordered by Ninth and 11th streets, and by H and I streets. Stores operating along the stretch include Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade New York. Two thieves took part in the crime, police said, one to conceal a watch in a black book bag, and an accomplice to try to block the view of the closed-circuit television camera. The value of the timepiece was not specified, but the store website shows many items priced around $200. Police said that no arrest has been made and that the case is under investigation. Denver Riggleman and his wife, Christine, stand by one of the stills at their Silverback Distillery in Afton, Va. (Norm Shafer For The Washington Post) Ever since Virginia slapped strict laws onto the sale of distilled spirits after Prohibition, enterprising businesspeople have looked for ways to set the devils water free. This year, the legislature is weighing bills pushed by local makers of small-batch liquor that would allow them to pocket more of the profit from their bottle sales and give customers inventive ways to imbibe the strong stuff. The bills are among dozens seeking to ease alcohol regulations in Virginia, including efforts to serve drinks in cigar shops and art studios, reduce the amount of food restaurants must sell in order to be allowed to pour cocktails, and allow state-run liquor stores to sell tourism merchandise such as Virginia Is for Lovers swag. The onslaught has left lawmakers weighing public safety against economic development as Virginia struggles to reconcile its tip-of-the-Bible-Belt rural communities with Washingtons progressive suburbs and the embrace of entrepreneurs by Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D). It poses a particular conundrum for some Republican lawmakers, who must balance the teetotaling tendencies of some of their socially conservative constituents with an ideological aversion to government regulation and interference. And the proposals have sparked a wave of opposition from sellers of other forms of alcohol, who are reluctant to give producers of hard liquor a competitive edge. Denver Riggleman, center, chats with customers Fritz Bowker and Vicki Bowker of Williamsburg, Va., at the Silverback Distillery. (Norm Shafer For The Washington Post) Were [seeing] more folks looking for ways to sell alcohol that were not used to, said Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), a former prosecutor who chairs the committee that hears alcohol-related bills. We certainly want to encourage business to thrive in Virginia, but that is bumping up against long-established rules and regulations. We may need to go back to the drawing board. [Beer-fueled battle in Fairfax prompts look at state farming law] An overhaul of Virginias Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control cant come soon enough for Denver Riggleman, who followed his wife Christines hunch a few years ago that they could build a business distilling spirits in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They named it Silverback Distillery after Denver Riggleman a former intelligence officer with gray hair and a hot temper. Christine apprenticed out west, learning to cook liquor that is far superior to the bathtub gin that, according to family legend, her aunts made years ago. We learned from the ground up, Denver Riggleman said. I was a good drinker I was talented at that but I never made liquor. . . . It might be a family tradition, we just dont want to own up to it. The Rigglemans two-story distillery features modern tasting rooms with photos of their signature gorilla and fermentation equipment that rivals national brands. On a recent Saturday, customers crowded around locally sourced soapstone bar tops like they would at any tavern. But there were some subtle differences. Bottles of Strange Monkey gin and Blackback White grain spirit on the bar at Silverback Distillery. (Norm Shafer For The Washington Post) The glasses were small Virginias craft distilleries can serve at most four half-ounce tastings of their product, amounting to a series of mini-neat drinks or cocktails. There is no similar limit at wineries and breweries. And the share of sales that goes to the state ABC agency is larger than what beer and wine sellers have to pay. Hoping to change all that, some of the states 40 distillers including the Rigglemans formed a guild and hired W. Curtis Coleburn III, a former ABC head, to lobby lawmakers and the states powerful alcohol interests. They so far have found little enthusiasm for making big changes to a state-run system that generated $845 million last year, for a record profit of $152 million. [What bar, brewery and distillery openings are coming in 2016] We as an industry are vested in making sure that stays in place and grows, said Philip H. Boykin of the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association, which is pushing to limit changes in the states alcohol regulations. Because if those profits arent coming out of ABC, theyre going to be looking to other alcohol interests for those tax dollars. The Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association opposes the proposal to allow much bigger tasting portions at distilleries, which they say would give those businesses an unfair advantage over restaurants. Restaurants can serve unlimited, full-portion cocktails, but unlike distilleries they must sell a certain proportion of food in order to be able to serve liquor. Until that state policy changes, we as a restaurant community dont want to see some businesses being given an advantage in selling liquor where we dont enjoy the same privileges, lobbyist Thomas A. Lisk said. The Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association did not return messages seeking comment. Riggleman said the lobbies fear competition and see the growth of businesses like his as a threat and a slippery slope toward privatization of the sale of hard liquor a concept that former governor Robert F. McDonnell (R) tried but failed to push through the GOP-controlled legislature in 2011. The wine and beer lobbies made $1.7 million in political donations in 2014 and 2015, according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. The loosely formed distillers guild is so new that it has not coordinated a similar political giving effort. But Virginias distilled spirits industry has seen a 62 percent jump in total sales direct from distilleries and through ABC retail stores over the last five years, according to a beer and wine association analysis of state data. Boykin, the beer lobbyist, said those numbers show craft distilleries can afford to wait for thoughtful, deliberative change. The General Assembly approved a small increase in tasting size last year, for example, and seems likely to approve another small increase this legislative session. But Riggleman, who considers himself a rebel and an entrepreneur, is impatient. He says he and his wife would not have built their business in Virginia had they known what they were up against. If youre lobbying to hurt another industry because youre afraid of competition, thats cronyism, he said. Every other industry has this level playing field. Why not us? That frustration is exactly what McAuliffe is trying to combat with a slick economic development operation and incentive grants. His administration has awarded eight businesses involved in craft brewing a total of $471,500 in exchange for a $30 million capital investment and 128 jobs, data show. You will be hearing more about economic development happenings in the distilled spirits sector during 2016 because of projects that are coming online and existing projects that are growing, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore said in an interview. Scott Harris who with his wife, Becky, founded Catoctin Creek Distilling in Purcellville in Loudoun County in 2009 said he is optimistic about the future of the spirits industry in the state. Millennials want to know where their food comes from, Harris said, and its no different for whiskey. They say, Oh, this whiskey was made an hour from here, and I can go visit. Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R) is headed to Burns, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 11, to help the Oregon occupiers negotiate with authorities. Here's what you need to know about Fiore. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post) Nevada Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R) is headed to Burns, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 11, to help the Oregon occupiers negotiate with authorities. Here's what you need to know about Fiore. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post) Michele Fiores phone lit up as her flight touched down in Portland, Ore., just after 6 p.m. Wednesday. The FBI was closing in on the armed occupation of a remote federal wildlife refuge, and the last four occupiers were panicked. On a phone call being live-streamed to tens of thousands of people on YouTube, the four were demanding to speak with Fiore, a Nevada state assemblywoman who had flown to Oregon to offer her help. Fiore pulled a Sharpie from her purse, wrote the number on her wrist, and dialed. This is Assemblywoman Michele Fiore. Yes, Im here, she said. It was the start of a long 18 hours for Fiore, and the beginning of the end of an angry five-week standoff by anti- government activists in the lonesome high desert of eastern Oregon. The last four holdouts had been barricaded on the refuge for two weeks, since the FBI and Oregon State Police arrested the occupations leaders. During the Jan. 26 arrests, a state trooper had shot and killed LaVoy Finicum, 54, the groups main spokesman. Others gave themselves up over the next two days, but a well-armed group of four David Fry, 27; Sean Anderson, 47; his wife, Sandy Anderson, 48; and Jeff Banta, 46 dug in and refused to yield. Though the FBI had released a video showing that Finicum was shot after he appeared to reach for a gun in his jacket pocket, the four called it an assassination and took to calling the refuge Camp Finicum. Now, they feared for their own lives. For days, the FBI had deliberately held back, hoping to avoid more bloodshed. But now it had rolled Bearcat armored trucks closer to the occupiers encampment and were intensifying negotiations. We came in slowly; we didnt come in fast like we were assaulting, said a senior U.S. law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. With the Bearcats . . . we could protect our people if [the occupiers] did something stupid, without having to escalate. By cellphone, the FBI urged the occupiers to come out peacefully. But they wanted to go free without facing charges, the official said an unacceptable demand. Their demands never changed, the official said. There was no real belief on our part that they were negotiating in good faith. The four felt they would be safer if they used social media to draw attention to their plight. That decision, the law enforcement official said, changed the dynamics. It allowed them to have this platform. Gavin Seim, an activist who describes himself as a Liberty Speaker, helped Fry and the others connect to a livestream he hosts on YouTube. On that broadcast, they raged that the FBI would murder them. They screamed at FBI agents in the background, calling them Nazis. And they asked for Michele Fiore. Fiores battery was dying. Seven percent. Seated in the last row of the plane, she fumbled with her carry-on bag, talking to Seim and the occupiers as she exited the plane. She scanned the arrivals hall for an outlet and sat down on the floor to plug in her phone. A native New Yorker who moved to Nevada in the 1980s, Fiore had made a name for herself with tough talk about putting a bullet in the head of rapists and terrorists and with her Second Amendment Calendar, which features the 45-year-old blonde wearing tight clothes and carrying an array of guns. A candidate for Congress, Fiore is a celebrity among anti-government activists. She has long fought against federal control of land in the West the initial spark for the refuge takeover. Fiore was also among the first to call Finicums death murder. As she juiced up her phone, she kept talking, trying to project calm. She offered to come to the refuge to negotiate peacefully, with no bloodshed. She was still talking when the TV cameramen spotted her. Fiore went to find Mike Arnold, an attorney representing the occupations jailed leader, who had come to meet her. The pair escaped the cameras by flagging down a stranger to drive them to the airport parking garage and Arnolds Ford pickup truck. Arnold texted the FBI. The previous day, Fiore said, he had offered her help in negotiating an end to the siege, an offer the FBI rejected. Now he tried again. We can slow this down, he wrote. This doesnt need to be a military operation. An FBI negotiator got on the phone: We need you to come to Burns, he said. On the livestream, Fiore assured the four holdouts that the FBI would not harm them. Yes, she said, the federal government had overstepped its authority. But she urged them to surrender so they could live to continue their anti-government protest. Were putting our big-girl panties on now and we are taking America back, she said. And were doing it the right way. In the darkness, Fiore and Arnold sped east, across the snow-capped Cascade Range and into the rolling high plains of eastern Oregon. Arnold kept talking to the FBI, and Fiore to the four holdouts. Everyone recognized the growing hysteria. In one video posted to YouTube, a furious Sean Anderson said: Theyre going to murder all of us . . . American people better wake up and get here and fight for your country right now: It is on. If they stop you from getting here, kill them! On the YouTube livestream, an agitated Fry shouted: They got their machine guns pointed at us. They got six armored vehicles. Its hard to keep calm. Im ready to go, Im ready to die! He invoked the deadly sieges at Waco, Tex., and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, in the 1990s. Everybodys in position, ready to wipe these guys out, Fry said of the agents. Im about to Molotov cocktail them. Im ready. Monitoring the livestream, the FBI could see that the four were amped up, the senior law enforcement official said, so they backed off to let the situation defuse a little bit. Fiore was key to that strategy, he said, as was the Rev. Franklin Graham, a North Carolina evangelist and the son of the Rev. Billy Graham. The four holdouts had asked for Graham to negotiate on their behalf, and the FBI had contacted Graham, according to Grahams Facebook page. For the past week, Graham had been talking and praying with Fry and the others. Now, he was in the air on his way to the refuge. Around midnight, a deal seemed to be set: If Graham and Fiore were at the refuge by morning, the occupiers would surrender. Fiore and Arnold stopped for the night in Bend, a ski town about three hours from the refuge, feeling good. Then Fiores phone rang. It was Carol Bundy, wife of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, famous for his 2014 standoff with federal agents over unpaid cattle grazing fees. Their sons, Ammon and Ryan, the original leaders of the refuge occupation, had been arrested the day Finicum died and were locked up in Portland. Carol was upset. Cliven Bundy had flown to Portland to visit his sons, and now she couldnt find him. It turned out he was also in custody, nabbed by the FBI as he got off his plane and charged with six counts related to the 2014 standoff. Officials feared Bundy was heading to the refuge to inflame the situation: On Facebook, he had urged patriots and militia to gather as many people as possible and go now!!! Fiore called the FBI and complained that the arrest could jeopardize their fragile agreement with the skittish occupiers. What the hell is wrong with you guys? she said. You really have to do this now? The next morning, at 5:45 a.m., three FBI agents arrived at the hotel in a red Kia minivan. Fiore and Arnold hopped back in his Ford, and they headed east. On the long, empty road, Fiores cellphone service was spotty. The drive was taking longer than expected, and the four holdouts were getting nervous and second-guessing their decision to surrender. They were having cold feet, said KrisAnne Hall, a prominent tea party activist and radio host from Florida. They felt that . . . people would look at them as failures. Hall was in Boise, Idaho, about 200 miles east of the refuge, and ready to offer her support. On Thursday morning, she was asked to fill in for Fiore on the livestream. She encouraged them to stick to the plan, to remain calm. I hate this use of the word, surrender, Hall told them. Were not surrendering, were taking this to a new fight. Around 8 a.m., Fiore and Arnold arrived at the tiny airport near Burns, the closest town to the refuge. Still on the livestream, they were led into a tent the FBI had set up as a command center. Graham was already there; an FBI agent gave him a Bible that had belonged to Finicum, Fiore said. One of the last occupiers had passed it to the FBI and asked them to get it to Finicums widow in Arizona, the agent said. Graham said he would make sure it was delivered. They drove south toward the refuge in a caravan of black SUVs. Fiore and Graham stayed on the livestream, passing the phone back and forth. Graham led the holdouts in prayer. They seemed calmer. At an FBI checkpoint inside the refuge, Fiore and Graham transferred to a Bearcat with three agents and lost their cellphone signal. The armored truck lumbered deeper into the refuge, pulling within 30 feet of the tent where Fry, the Andersons and Banta were holed up behind a barricade of trucks. Three or four other Bearcats, along with other FBI vehicles and heavily armed agents, surrounded the encampment, Fiore said. An agent handed a microphone to Graham and then to Fiore so they could identify themselves over the Bearcats loudspeaker. The FBI is going to give you commands. Follow their commands, they said. Once the FBI has you, they will bring you to us. We have their word. Sean and Sandy Anderson stepped out of the dirty white tent and walked toward the FBI. More than 18,000 people were listening on the livestream. Fry, still in the tent, described the scene: Sandy and Sean both have their hands up in the air. Sean has a flag in his right hand. Theyre both holding hands. . . . Now they are kissing and hugging. Its okay. He continued: They are not pointing guns at us. Theyre just basically patting her down. Moments later, Banta left the tent. They let him take the American flag and hold it up in the air, Fry said. But suddenly the fragile situation had a new twist. Fry wasnt moving. Unless my grievances are heard, I will not come out, he yelled to the FBI agents outside. From her hotel room in Boise, Hall urged Fry to surrender. Go ahead, David, weve got this under control. Weve got people who are willing to pick up the fight, she said. Im actually feeling suicidal right now, Fry replied. I have to stand my ground. Its liberty or death. I will not go another day a slave to the system. Im a free man. I will die a free man. Outside, the Andersons and Banta were handcuffed and led to Fiore and Graham. Fiore said they all embraced and stood in a circle, praying and talking for the next half-hour. Then an FBI agent told them Fry was balking. On the livestream, Fry was rambling almost incoherently about the government, abortion, the Middle East, nuclear power plants, drone strikes in Pakistan and his belief in UFOs. He railed against monopolies and chemical castration by the government. He was angry that he couldnt find a way to make an income without paying taxes for atrocities. He complained that nobody would bring him any marijuana. He spoke about killing himself and said he had his weapon at his side. The FBI called Fry and handed the phone Graham. He urged him to come out. Fiore did, too. Then Sandy Anderson took the phone: David, listen they were very nice. They didnt mistreat us. Theyre not going to hurt you. Sean Anderson and Banta told Fry: We have to stick together; we made a pact last night that we were coming out together. So we need our fourth. But Fry wasnt moving. The FBI had made Arnold wait just outside the refuge. As Frys emotional state deteriorated, he decided to call Ammon Bundy in jail. Bundy made a personal appeal for Frys surrender, which Arnold recorded and texted to the FBI. Inside the refuge, an agent played the recording over the Bearcats loudspeaker. David, this is Ammon Bundy, he said on the 96-second clip. I want you to know that there is a future out here. You have a future. . . . Your actions here really mattered and we love you. Please come out of there. After several silent minutes, Fry lit a cigarette and said, Well, alrighty then. He shouted that he wanted everyone there to say Hallelujah. The FBI agents yelled Hallelujah! Thirty miles away, at an FBI command post in an old schoolhouse in Burns where top state and federal officials were watching a live video feed, everyone shouted Hallelujah! And Fry walked out of the tent. mark.berman@washpost.com Adam Goldman contributed to this report. INDIA Convicted molester is reinstated as priest The Roman Catholic Church in southern India has lifted the suspension of a priest convicted last year of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the United States more than a decade ago, a spokesman said Saturday. The suspension of the Rev. Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul was lifted last month after the bishop of the Ootacamund Diocese in Indias Tamil Nadu state consulted with church authorities at the Vatican, said the Rev. Sebastian Selvanathan, a spokesman for the diocese. Jeyapaul was sent to Minnesota in 2004 to serve a parish near the Canadian border. He was suspended in 2010 after being charged with sexually assaulting two girls who were 14 at the time. Jeyapaul fled but was arrested in India by Interpol in 2012 and extradited to the United States. He pleaded guilty to molesting one of the teenagers. The charges involving sexual abuse of the second teenager were dropped as part of a plea deal. Jeyapaul, now 61, was sentenced to a year in jail, but was freed because of time served while awaiting trial. He returned to India five months ago, and the process to lift the suspension was started soon after. Bishop Arulappan Amalraj of Ootacamund had referred Jeyapauls case to the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the suspension was lifted on the church bodys advice, Selvanathan said. The Vatican declined immediate comment. Associated Press TAIWAN Rescue efforts end week after quake Rescue efforts at a 17-story building that collapsed in a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in southern Taiwan last week ended Saturday, with the quakes overall death toll reaching at least 116. At least one person remains missing, authorities said. Most of the deaths 114 came when the Weiguan Jinlong high-rise collapsed Feb. 6, the Central Emergency Operation Centre said Saturday. The collapse also injured 550 people. Three former executives of the company that developed the complex have been arrested The city government says 123 buildings in Tainan, Taiwan, were seriously damaged by the earthquake. Those buildings will have to be reinforced or torn down, the state-run Central News Agency reported. Deutsche Presse-Agentur Knife-wielding woman shot dead by Israeli soldiers: A knife-wielding Palestinian woman attacked an Israeli soldier on guard near a sensitive West Bank holy site Saturday, wounding him and a Palestinian bystander before she was shot and killed by Israeli troops, the military said. The stabbing incident occurred in Hebron, a flash point during the past five months of violence in which Palestinians have carried out near-daily attacks, mainly stabbings. Protesters call for charges to be dropped against puppeteers: About 600 protesters marched through the southern Spanish city of Granada on Saturday, calling for charges to be dropped against two puppeteers jailed for allegedly praising terrorism. The puppeteers were detained without bail Feb. 6 for using a sign during a performance in Madrid that read Long Live Alka ETA, a word-play reference to Spains armed Basque group ETA and al-Qaeda. A court released them Wednesday, but a judicial probe into their satirical show continues. Praising terrorism is a crime in Spain. South Sudan rebel leader agrees to be vice president: South Sudans rebel leader said Saturday that he has accepted his appointment by President Salva Kiir as vice president and will return to the country to take up the position when adequate security arrangements are made. Riek Machar called for the demilitarization of the capital, Juba, adding that the first phase of integrating government and rebel forces should be done before his return. U.S. recovers missile accidentally sent to Cuba: The State Department said on Saturday that the United States has regained an inert but errant Hellfire air-to-ground missile that had mistakenly ended up in Cuba. A team from Lockheed Martin, which makes the missile, traveled to Cuba to retrieve it, a congressional source said. The missile had been sent to Europe for a training exercise in 2014 but somehow ended up in Cuba, an embarrassing loss of military technology, the Wall Street Journal reported last month. From news services ANTONIN GREGORY SCALIA held many titles in the remarkable life that ended on Saturday after 79 years. Maureen McCarthy Scalia called him her loving husband for 55 years. Five sons and four daughters called him father; more than two dozen of their children called him grandfather. This good family mourns him, as do the numerous friends who knew Nino as a professor, an assistant attorney general and, for the past three decades, as a justice of the Supreme Court. At the court, he earned another title, Leader of the Opposition, albeit informally, in a magazine headline. But it fit: Scalia was the intellectual avatar of a conservative movement that took issue not only with modern American jurisprudence but also, in a real sense, with modern America itself. It was not simply the Supreme Courts expansion of federal power and the declaration of new rights to Miranda warnings, to some affirmative action and, in Roe v. Wade, to abortion that energized Scalia during the 1960s and 1970s. It was the arrogance with which, in his view, the court departed from, or even ignored, constitutional and statutory text, contrary to democratic accountability and the rule of law. By dissecting the courts methodological failings, Scalia believed, he could ultimately win the underlying substantive battles. He thus acquired another title originalist and used his considerable verbal gifts against liberal shibboleths in one tartly worded opinion after another. Scalias vision of a society that decides its big issues through democratic processes, as opposed to delegating them to nine unelected lawyers, as he liked to call the Supreme Court, is not unattractive. Its weakness, of course, is the tendency manifest with sad frequency in U.S. history of majorities to trample the rights of minorities. That was the tendency the Warren Court tried to correct in the 1950s and 1960s. Scalia was not blind to individual rights himself; he wrote seminal rulings expanding certain protections for criminal defendants, and he stood up for protesters right to burn the American flag. Scalia helped promote state sovereignty as one of five Republican-appointed justices who made up a majority bloc on those issues under Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. He wrote the courts opinion in the 2008 case establishing an individual right to firearms possession, a 64-page tour de force that showed how the courts arguments had shifted to Scalias originalist terrain; his historical interpretation of the Second Amendments drafting obliged dissenter Justice John Paul Stevens to respond with his own. But on the issues that most animated him and the conservative activists who cheered him abortion, affirmative action and gay rights Scalia did not, over time, carry the day. Originalism, however cogent, could not sway more pragmatic justices, such as his fellow Republicans Sandra Day OConnor and Anthony M. Kennedy , who understood, better than Scalia did, the risks of setting the court against contemporary culture. To the contrary, when his wit, soured perhaps by deep disappointment at Roes durability, morphed into sarcasm, or even insult, he alienated those colleagues and many citizens, too. At his best, though, Scalia embodied the wisdom of Proverbs 27:17: Iron sharpens iron. For decades, he wielded mental steel against liberalism, and this obliged progressives to acknowledge their excesses and toughen their arguments. The essential achievements of the pre-Scalia court survived their legitimacy enhanced for having been so relentlessly and brilliantly tested by him. Antonin Scalia died on Saturday, Feb. 13. Here's a look back on his tenure, his judicial philosophy and the legacy he leaves behind. (Monica Akhtar,Natalie Jennings/The Washington Post) Antonin Scalia died on Saturday, Feb. 13. Here's a look back on his tenure, his judicial philosophy and the legacy he leaves behind. (Monica Akhtar,Natalie Jennings/The Washington Post) In most presidential elections, Supreme Court nominations are a major issue for elites and a substantial concern for significant parts of the conservative movement. Other voters usually see the future makeup of the court as a side matter, or not essential to their decisions at all. Justice Antonin Scalias death on Saturday will change this. The issue of conservative judicial activism had already begun to take hold among liberals because of a series of fiercely ideological and precedent-shattering 5-to-4 decisions. You read that right: After decades during which conservatives complained about liberal judicial activism, it is now conservatives who are unabashed in undermining progressive legislation enacted by the nations elected branches. Scalia will be remembered fondly on the right as the brilliant exponent of the theory of originalism that provided a rationale or, in many cases, a rationalization for decisions that usually fit conservative ideological preferences. In 2010, Citizens United v. FEC rewrote decades of precedent on Congress power to regulate how campaigns are financed, facilitating a flood of money into elections from a small number of very wealthy Americans. Three years later, Shelby County v. Holder ripped the heart out of the federal governments enforcement power in the Voting Rights Act. Last week, conservatives on the court halted the implementation of President Obamas Clean Power Plan, his central initiative on climate change. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press) This is merely a partial list. The courts conservatives have also regularly undercut the power of unions and the ability of citizens to wage legal battles against corporations. Such decisions already had the potential of broadening the range of progressive constituencies invested in making the court a major election issue, including political reformers, African Americans, environmentalists and organized labor. But Scalias death means that Obama or his successor if that successor is a Democrat could overturn the current conservative majority on the court, which could lead it to revisit many of the most troubling decisions of recent years. And Republicans did themselves no favors in the coming argument by moving in a hard political direction even before most of the tributes to Scalia had been published and even before the president had actually picked someone: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) proclaimed that no Obama nominee would be considered, period. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice, McConnell said. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Republicans claimed precedent for ignoring court appointees from presidents on their way out the door. During Saturday nights debate in South Carolina, Marco Rubio said that it has been over 80 years since a lame-duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice. Ted Cruz made a similar point. Well. A Senate controlled by Democrats confirmed President Reagans nomination of Anthony Kennedy on a 97 to 0 vote in February 1988, which happened to be an election year. By what definition was Reagan not a lame duck when he put Kennedy forward on Nov. 11, 1987? Obama rejected the rejectionists. He said Saturday he would name a new justice and that there would be plenty of time . . . for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. My hunch is that Obama will try to put the Republicans obstructionism in sharp relief by offering a nominee who has won support and praise from GOP senators in the past. Three potential candidates who fit these criteria and won immediate and widespread mention were Merrick Garland and Sri Srinivasan, both judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Jane Kelly, a judge on the 8th Circuit. (I should note that Garland is a dear friend of long standing.) Whatever choice Obama makes, he will try to make it as hard as possible for Republican senators especially those struggling for reelection this year in blue and purple states to claim that he had picked an ideologue. Obama could also argue he had deferred to the Republicans Senate majority by offering a candidate whom many of them had supported in the past. An extended court fight would allow progressives, once and for all, to make clear it is their conservative foes now using judicial power most aggressively. The partisan outcome of this years election just became far more important. This fall, Americans will not just be picking a new chief executive. They will be setting the course of the court of last resort for a generation. Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. A U.S. flag flies at half-staff in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington Saturday, Feb. 13, after it was announced that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, 79, had died. (J. David Ake/Associated Press) Last I checked, presidents are elected for four years, not three. Which means President Obama should quickly nominate a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia. Then the Senate should play its assigned role. For the Senate to shut down the confirmation process would be bad for the court, bad for the country and, ultimately, bad for Republicans. It would be bad for the court because it would leave a vacancy for more than a year, stretching across two terms and, in any number of important cases, preventing a majority from having a definitive say. (A 4-4 split affirms the lower court ruling and lacks value as precedent.) It would be bad for the country for similar reasons. Citizens deserve conclusive answers on issues important enough to reach the high court, and divisive enough to split the justices, whether that involves Obamas executive actions on immigration, Texass restrictive abortion law or the role of public-sector unions. They also deserve a functioning political process. Refusing to go forward would serve to deepen and entrench the existing partisanship and ensuing gridlock. Finally, a Senate work stoppage would, in fact, be bad for Republicans. In the nations capital these days, everything is political, every institution politicized. That may be inevitable and irreparable, yet tables here have a way of turning. One partys obstructionism ends up hurting it down the road. Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) Of course, a president in the final year of his second term, confronting a Senate controlled by the opposite party, is in a different position than one facing a high court vacancy earlier. This reality appropriately shapes and constrains the presidents choices about who can win confirmation. Throw in the filibuster, and it is clear how severely limited Obamas options are. Indeed, considering that any nominee must clear a 60-vote threshold, what is the risk Republicans perceive in following the regular order of holding hearings? And as a pure matter of ideological calculation, might not conservatives be better off with what would have to be a consensus Obama nominee than gambling on winning the White House? What if instead they face a would-be justice nominated by a newly elected Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, and a Senate controlled by Democrats? At some point, with a lame-duck president and an election looming, confirming a new justice is simply not feasible. But as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vermonts Patrick J. Leahy, tartly noted, It is only February. Running out of time is not a credible claim. Listen to the Republicans, in the Senate or on the campaign trail, arguing for inaction. Their claims proceed from the position of raw power, not constitutional language. Unpack this statement by Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, who will face the first, critical choice of whether to hold hearings on Obamas nominee. Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, the Iowa Republican said in a statement, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court Justice. A divided country elected this president and this Senate. Doesnt it make sense, in Grassleys terms, that we defer to the votes Americans already cast? As to circumventing Congress and misusing the courts gee, weve seen an awful lot of conservatives turning to the courts to try to circumvent the legislative process. (See Obamacare.) History offers no refuge for Republicans here. Grassleys argument that it has been standard practice that nominees are not confirmed during an election year conveniently ignores the fact that such vacancies are thankfully rare. There is no standard practice. The presidential candidates have been even more strident. Ill single out Ted Cruz, because hes both a former Supreme Court clerk and a current member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. We should not allow a lame-duck president to essentially capture the Supreme Court in the waning months of his presidency, Cruz told ABCs George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. Capture? Read the Constitution, senator. The president shall nominate. Not shall unless some unwritten nominate-by date has passed. So much for strict constructionism and conservatives who bleat about their fealty to the constitutional text. The Senate is authorized to advise and consent. It is not entitled to conduct a constitutional sit-down strike. Read more from Ruth Marcuss archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook. WHEN A university president likens struggling freshmen to bunnies who should be drowned, and suggests that the best course of action is to press a gun to their heads, its a fair conclusion that hes in the wrong line of work. Any doubt is dispelled when, in response to the public disclosure of his peculiar prescription, he responds by firing critical professors for disloyalty. In fact, it is Simon Newman, president of Mount St. Marys University, whose departure at this point would best serve the 208-year-old Catholic institution in northern Maryland. Hired last year to raise the universitys national profile, he has instead tarnished its reputation, and triggered a storm of national derision in the process. Mr. Newman has only himself to blame for the mess at the Mount, as the university is known, despite his and the board of trustees despicable efforts to deflect fault to what they regard as a cabal of infidels among the faculty and alumni. It was Mr. Newman who, in a conversation with professors, said that struggling freshmen should be culled in order to improve Mount St. Marys student retention rate, which affects its standing in U.S. News and World Reports rankings of colleges and universities. Mr. Newmans remarks were reported last month by the student newspaper, the Mountain Echo, whose reporters gleaned the story from professors who heard the presidents words. This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you cant, he was quoted as saying, apparently accurately. You just have to drown the bunnies . . . put a Glock to their heads. Evidently incensed by the article the characteristic outrage of bumbling leaders caught behaving as buffoons Mr. Newman fired the student newspapers faculty adviser, Edward Egan, and a philosophy professor, Thane Naberhaus, who had been publicly critical of the president. Mr. Egan is an alumnus of the university and former trustee; Mr. Naberhaus was tenured and, as such, his firing may have been illegal. The professors letters of dismissal cited their supposed disloyalty to Mount St. Marys. In fact, both men exhibited loyalty to principles of free speech and frank debate that should be at the core of a universitys mission. The British-born Mr. Newman, a former private equity executive with no professional background in higher education, apparently didnt get that memo; nor did John Coyne, chairman of the universitys board, who defended the president and attacked his critics. Its fair for universities to debate how to deal with (and help) struggling students though, in this case, Mr. Newmans proposal seems a craven attempt to game the arbitrary criteria used in the U.S. News rankings. Its also crass and imprudent for educators to demean those students, let alone in terms reminiscent of jackbooted villains in movies about the Third Reich. In the face of national criticism, and an overwhelming vote by the universitys faculty calling for Mr. Newmans resignation, the university offered to reinstate both professors. It should, since the firings were retaliatory and unjustified. But the damage has been done, both to Mount St. Marys stature and to its presidents. University administrators, no less than other leaders, are judged by their skills as communicators. By that measure, Mr. Newman has failed. ONE MORE cookie, one more cigarette. So said David Fry, the last holdout in the armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon; and with a final alrighty then, he surrendered on Thursday without incident. That there was a peaceful denouement to the 41-day siege that created so much potential for bloodshed is a credit to federal law enforcement authorities. They showed restraint in sitting out the armed activists, but did not waver on the need to bring to account those who so willfully and flagrantly broke the law. The surrender to FBI agents of the last four anti-government activists who staged a takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge to protest federal land management policy came after tense negotiations that played out live on YouTube. The events gave the public an up-close view of law enforcement at its best in deescalating a volatile situation. It was smart to involve those seen as sympathetic to the protests cause, such as a gun-toting Nevada legislator, in the final negotiations for peaceful surrender. The FBI clearly had learned lessons from the bloody sieges in Waco, Tex., and Ruby Ridge, Idaho, in the 1990s; a patient approach in letting the Oregon siege play out and burn out proved far more effective than a SWAT team assault. The four people arrested Thursday had been alone at the remote facility since Jan. 26, when organizers of the occupation and others were arrested on their way to a meeting. Sadly, one occupier was killed in that encounter. But notwithstanding the mythology around the incident quickly fabricated by right-wing extremists, it appears from a video released by the FBI that LaVoy Finicum was shot after running a police blockade, refusing demands to surrender and reaching for a gun. The incident is still under investigation, but, as the FBI agent in charge said, Actions have consequences. For those involved in the occupation, that now means facing federal charges. Particularly fitting is the fact that Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher whose sons organized the Oregon takeover, was himself arrested Wednesday on charges stemming from his armed 2014 standoff with federal officials over grazing rights. Law enforcement came under criticism for its handling of those events, with critics saying a too-timid response not taking immediate action against a defiant lawbreaker emboldened the militants of the Oregon occupation to think they, too, could thumb their nose at the law. So, good for the FBI for enforcing the law and removing a threat to public safety with a minimum loss of life. Flowers lie in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington on Sunday a day after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Justice Antonin Scalias sudden death Saturday shifts the dynamic of the Supreme Court and undermines conservative hopes for far-reaching victories this term on important, highly controversial issues such as abortion, immigration and unions. If Republican leaders hold to their pledge not to confirm anyone President Obama nominates, it could affect the next term as well, having a dramatic impact on the cases an eight-member court accepts and decides in the term that begins in October. [Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dies at 79] The battle lines being drawn will probably only add to the concern that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. expressed recently that the officially nonpartisan court is being viewed with the same skepticism that voters reserve for the political branches. In the short term, conservatives could still prevail on many of the cases before the court this term. But the wins could come in the form of tie votes that preserve the status quo rather than provide precedents that will shape the future. Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) On other issues, an evenly divided court would mean upholding lower-court victories that liberals were trying to preserve. The possibility of big conservative wins this term has gone down dramatically, said Irv Gornstein, head of the Supreme Court Institute at Georgetown Law Center. If the court splits 4 to 4 on a case, the ruling simply affirms the decision of the appeals court from which it came, without setting a national precedent. No opinion is issued. And Supreme Court experts agree that votes Scalia would have taken on cases already argued do not count. [Obama says he will nominate a successor to Scalia] In some cases, such as whether Obama properly used his powers to shield from deportation millions of illegal immigrants who have long-standing ties to the country, a divided court could doom the presidents chances of implementing the program. That is because a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled against him. But Scalias absence might restrict the court from making a more far-reaching decision about the presidents powers, a question that it added when it agreed to hear the case. In some cases, a diminished conservative majority might mean unexpected victories for liberals. 1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad The life of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia View Photos Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Caption Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Oct. 8, 2010 Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court. Larry Downing/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue. The best example of that concerns a battle over public employee union fees that the court considered last month. At oral arguments, the court seemed prepared to hand a significant defeat to organized labor and side with a group of California teachers who claim that their free-speech rights are violated when they are forced to pay dues to the states teachers union. The courts conservatives Scalia included appeared ready to junk a 40-year-old precedent that allows unions to collect an agency fee from nonmembers to support collective-bargaining activities for members and nonmembers alike. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, citing that precedent, had ruled for the union. And with the Supreme Courts liberals seemingly united in upholding the precedent, a 4-to-4 vote would mean the union victory would stand. Scalias death could even affect cases not yet teed up for the courts action. Last week, the court, on a 5-to-4 vote, stayed implementation of Obamas ambitious proposal to limit carbon emissions and reduce global warming while the plan is challenged. [Supreme Court freezes Obama plan to cut carbon emissions] The court granted a stay request from more than two dozen states, plus utilities and coal companies, that said the Environmental Protection Agency was overstepping its powers. The courts granting of the stay did not address the merits of the challenge but indicated the five conservative justices thought the states have raised serious questions. The stay was unusual because no court had yet ruled on the legality of the plan. Now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear the challenge in June. If the appeals court upholds the plan, would the four remaining conservatives feel it was worth accepting an appeal if it were clear that it would be impossible to get a fifth vote from one of the liberals? That sort of gamesmanship will play out in the months before the court adjourns at the end of June. And the result could be that the law would be interpreted different ways in different regions of the country. For instance, a Texas law that imposes new restrictions on abortion providers was found constitutional by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A 4-to-4 tie would uphold that finding. But a similar law in Wisconsin was struck down and would be unaffected by the courts tie in the Texas case. One option for the court is to hold on to a case and have it reargued in the new term that begins in October. It has employed that option in the past when there was a transition. But there might seem little reason to do that if there would be no new member of the court until months after a new president is inaugurated in January. The courts dynamic will change in other ways. For the first time in decades, conservatives and liberals will be on equal footing in the eight-member Supreme Court. Without Scalia, there are four members of the court, all nominated by Republican presidents, who most often vote conservative Roberts and Justices Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. But Kennedy is the justice in the middle, voting with liberals on issues such as the death penalty and gay rights. The courts four liberals, all named by Democratic presidents, have had success when they have voted together and brought Kennedy, and occasionally Roberts, to their side. They are justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. [Supreme Courts liberals prevailed in important cases, but it may not last] It is the first time in generations that the courts ideological divide so neatly aligns with its partisan appointments. The last three justices Alito, nominated by President George W. Bush, and Obamas choices Sotomayor and Kagan faced opposition in largely party-line votes during their confirmation process even though there was no controversy about their qualifications, Roberts said at a law school speech in Boston. When you have a sharply political, divisive hearing process, it increases the danger that whoever comes out of it will be viewed in those terms, he said. If the Democrats and Republicans have been fighting so furiously about whether youre going to be confirmed, its natural for some member of the public to think, well, you must be identified in a particular way as a result of that process. And thats just not how we dont work as Democrats or Republicans. Labels aside, the court will be different without Scalia. He was a liberal attorneys nightmare at oral argument, a dominating presence who often asked the most questions and got the most laughs. That bloc of the court will be much quieter without him. And because of their sway, the conservative justices have never had to be as strategic as their colleagues on the left. They often agreed on the outcome of a case but split over the reasoning. They wrote separately even in major cases; Scalia was famous for not joining an opinion unless he agreed with every word of it, even the footnotes. And Scalias brand of constitutional interpretation, or textualism, sometimes led him to take positions he said he found uncomfortable. He sometimes joined unusual coalitions of the justices in cases such as upholding free-speech rights of those with whom he disagreed, or siding with criminal defendants who challenged law enforcement techniques. Donald Trump got into it with pretty much every other candidate at the Feb. 13 CBS News GOP debate. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) Donald Trump got into it with pretty much every other candidate at the Feb. 13 CBS News GOP debate. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) In an election that Republicans have long seen as a chance to put forward new stars with a fresh and broadly appealing conservative vision, the GOP is instead at risk of tearing itself apart over its past as it heads into the thick of the primary season. A day after a debate marked by a series of personal, petty exchanges and a day before former president George W. Bush was set to make a high-profile return to the national scene Republicans were grappling with their core beliefs on a host of issues, as well as the image they were broadcasting to the country. The infighting was ignited at the debate Saturday night by front-runner Donald Trump, who was unrelenting in his criticism of both how well the 43rd president kept America safe before and after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and of the hawkish Republican worldview in general. The foreign policy fracas is only the latest row among 2016 candidates over many of the basic tenets that have guided Republican and conservative thinking since the Reagan years, from free trade to the extent to which the federal government should be involved in providing health care for its poorest citizens. Trump reiterated threats to use tariffs on imported goods to punish corporations that leave the United States, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich defended his decision to accept an expansion of Medicaid in his state as a humane step in line with conservative goals. 1 of 25 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Republican presidential candidates clash during CBS News debate in South Carolina View Photos The six remaining GOP candidates differed sharply on U.S. foreign policy just hours after learning of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Caption The six remaining GOP candidates differed sharply on U.S. foreign policy just hours after learning of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Feb. 13, 2016 Ohio Gov. John Kasich, left, Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.), Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Ben Carson take the stage beneath an image of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died earlier in the day, for the Republican debate in Greenville, S.C. Erik S. Lesser/European Pressphoto Agency Wait 1 second to continue. The increasingly harsh discussions of these and other issues amount to an existential crisis within the Republican Party and reflect the growing influence of non-ideological, populist voters who have flocked in particular to Trumps nationalist Make America Great Again message. Trump was defiant and unapologetic Sunday, saying that he is a truth-teller and that the majority of Americans weary of war, alienated by the political class and thirsting for a populist revival would heed his call. The war in Iraq has been a disaster, Trump said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation. It started the chain of events that leads now to the migration, maybe the destruction of Europe. [Bush] started the war in Iraq. Am I supposed to be a big fan? Todd Harris, a senior adviser to Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, echoed the sentiment of many in the GOP when he said after the debate that Trump was at war with the Republican Party. So far, at least, it is a war that many Republicans are willing to wage alongside Trump. Fresh off his commanding win in the New Hampshire primary, a new poll released Sunday by CBS News showed Trump surging here ahead of Saturdays South Carolina primary. The survey showed Trump with the backing of 42 percent of Republican voters, more than double the support of his closest rival, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The poll was taken before the debate and the ensuing fallout, which many Republicans predicted would limit Trumps appeal going forward. Nevertheless, the coming weeks will test not only who is most popular in South Carolina but whether the ties that have bound the GOP for a generation will unravel entirely. Jeb Bush poses for a photograph with his wife, Columba, after the Republican presidential debate Saturday night in Greenville, S.C. (John Bazemore/AP) Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), a supporter of Bush, said of Trump: This man accused George W. Bush of being a liar and suggested he should be impeached. This man embraces [Russian President Vladimir] Putin as a friend. The market in the Republican primary for people who believe that Putins a good guy and W. is a liar is pretty damn small. As confident as the Republican establishment is that voters will eventually turn against Trump for his apostasies and controversies, there is little evidence that they will. Still, other contenders are making their most concerted effort yet to stop him here, even though many top party officials and financiers are remaining on the sidelines and previous attempts to take down Trump have attained little. If the real estate magnate is able to win convincingly in South Carolina, he would enter the Super Tuesday states on March 1 with considerable strength and having endured a sustained assault. Despite the polls, Trumps competitors and their allies view South Carolina as perhaps their best opportunity to slow or stop Trumps march to the nomination. Bush, the former Florida governor, hopes to capitalize on the argument over his brothers legacy here, where polling suggests George W. Bushs popularity is extremely high among Republicans. The Bush brothers will appear together at a rally Monday night in North Charleston, where Graham predicted the crowd would cheer so wildly that the Richter scale would break. The escalating quarreling may increase the likelihood of a long, expensive and potentially futile effort to unite Republicans around the eventual nominee. The barbs at Saturdays debate were ferocious and personal: Trump made fun of Bushs mother and bickered with him over whether Bush had suggested that he would drop his pants and moon people (which he had); Rubio jabbed Cruz for not being fluent in Spanish; and they all seemed to call one another liars. Pollster Frank Luntz, who for years has helped Republicans carefully calibrate their language to appeal to a broad range of voters, was aghast. If 10-year-old kids spoke to their teachers the way those candidates spoke to each other, those kids would be suspended, he said. There is no way that any independent observer can say the Republicans gained a single vote against the Democrats because of last night. If youre honest and unbiased, the GOP lost votes last night. Kasich, who largely avoided the vitriol, warned during the debate and again Sunday morning that the nominee could emerge so bloodied that he might lose in the general election. It was like a demolition derby. . . . I think these debates are ridiculous. This is not a way to pick a president, Kasich said Sunday on ABCs This Week. Ben Carson sounded a similar note. The retired neurosurgeon wrote in a fundraising email to supporters on Sunday: Last nights debate was ugly, vicious, and not worthy of the American people. Theres a reason that the first word in my campaign slogan is heal, and last night it was there for everyone to see. The cancer of divisiveness is corroding our politics and the soul of our nation and if we dont fix it, nothing else matters. On the debate stage, Trump blamed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in part on George W. Bush, and he accused Bush of lying to the American people by directing the 2003 invasion of Iraq despite knowing, according to Trump, that there were no weapons of mass destruction there. Trumps strident criticism reopened a wound that party leaders had hoped was in the past. Jeb Bushs advisers and supporters scoffed and argued that finally Trump had done himself in. Bush lied, people died thats the Democrats refrain, said former senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), a Bush backer. Its a bridge too far. What do they say? Jump the shark? 9/11, blaming Bush thats a kooky thing, thats a conspiracy thing, thats way out there. Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Cruz, said Trumps comments about the Sept. 11 attacks were completely out of step with the Republican base and most Americans overall. I think it will reverberate not just here in South Carolina but across the field for as long as this contest continues. The possible danger for Bushs defenders is that though the family may be generally revered in some quarters of the party, its political standing is complicated. Embracing the Bush mantle, with its elite pedigree and associations with war, could prove problematic. Trump and his team are confident that the hawkish mind-set that has defined Republican orthodoxy since the Cold War is now viewed suspiciously by grass-roots conservatives. He has been very clear on the foreign policy side that the Iraq war was a disaster. I think a lot of people agree with that, said Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager. We lost thousands of lives and $5 trillion for what? As the candidates returned to the campaign trail, the mess they left behind on the stage of Greenvilles Peace Center had some party strategists wondering whether the damage may be politically irreparable. I saw assaults going on across the stage: Mr. Trump to Jeb, Jeb to Mr. Trump, Cruz to a lot of people, and on and on, said John Weaver, Kasichs chief adviser. It was shameful all around, actually, and itll put us in a bind as a party. Flowers are seen in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C. after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (Carlos Barria/Reuters) The stunning death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, announced just hours before the six remaining Republican presidential candidates gathered Saturday evening in South Carolina for a debate, immediately ups the ante in the GOP primary and could well cement the bases commitment to nominating a true conservative along the lines of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. We ought to make the 2016 election a referendum on the Supreme Court, Cruz told NBCs Chuck Todd on Meet the Press on Sunday. I cannot wait to stand on that debate stage with Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders and talk about what the Supreme Court will look like depending on who wins. As Cruz well knows, there is no issue that so animates the Republican base as appointments to the judicial bench most notably the Supreme Court. Many conservatives have never forgiven then-President George H.W. Bush for appointing David Souter to the court, only to see Souter turn into a less-than-ideal conservative pick. George W. Bushs 2005 nomination of Harriet Miers was scuttled by conservatives who believed her past record demonstrated a lack of fealty to their principles. The importance of the court, and of the party of the president who nominates the justices, has been made ever more clear to Republicans during the Obama administration. In the past seven years, the court has ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and has legalized same-sex marriage two rulings that the GOPs conservative base views as betrayals. In a July 2012 Washington Post-ABC News poll, 61 percent of self-identified conservatives said that judicial appointments were extremely or very important to deciding their vote considerably higher than the 49 percent of the general electorate who said the same. A 2015 Pew Research Center poll showed that 67 percent of conservative Republicans had an unfavorable view of the court. At a Republican presidential debate in September, Cruz condemned the out-of-control court. He added: I give you my word, if Im elected president, every single Supreme Court justice will faithfully follow the law and will not act like philosopher kings. Cruz was far from alone in bashing the court. Even mild-mannered former Florida governor Jeb Bush had harsh words for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., saying that he did not have a proven, extensive record that would have made the clarity the important thing, and thats what we need to do. Cruz, a well-regarded constitutional lawyer who has argued several cases before the Supreme Court, would seem to be the obvious beneficiary of a more-energized Republican base looking for someone who is committed to fighting like hell to make sure that the court represents conservative values. (Worth noting: Cruz voted for Roberts as chief justice, a vote he has come under attack for from Donald Trump.) Scalia was an unrelenting defender of religious liberty, free speech, federalism, the constitutional separation of powers, and private property rights, Cruz said in a statement posted on his Facebook page Saturday evening. All liberty-loving Americans should be in mourning. The death of Scalia and the opening it creates on the court could well cause Trump problems, given his past wishy-washiness regarding the sort of people he would like to see on the bench. Trump was more forceful on Sunday with Todd. Id like to have the person tailored to be just like Justice Scalia, he said. Other 2016 candidates such as Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are likely to use Scalias death to argue that the stakes of electing a president in November are even higher than they were before this past weekend, a way of arguing that picking Cruz or Trump, both of whom trail Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in most general-election surveys, could have disastrous consequences. It remains to be seen whether that sort of appeal to electability, which hasnt affected the rises of Trump and Cruz so far, suddenly becomes an issue that sways persuadable Republican voters in the wake of Scalias death. What is known is that the justices death will reshape the fight for the Republican nomination and the White House in the fall in ways large and small. At first blush, those changes should further move the debate within the GOP into territory where Cruz is comfortable and can make a compelling case for his candidacy. The U.S. Supreme Court and the array of contentious social issues that it decides has become a major focus of the 2016 elections and is almost certain to remain that way for the rest of the year. The unexpected death Saturday of Justice Antonin Scalia, regarded as the dominant figure of the courts conservative majority, has left it deeply divided, much as the country is. And the question of who might replace Scalia will draw into even sharper relief the nations political and ideological fault lines. It reminds us of this how important this election is, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Saturday night at the GOP presidential debate, which was sponsored by CBS News. With a year left in President Obamas term, it is likely that it will be left to his successor to appoint a replacement, who would determine whether the court leans left or right. Antonin Scalia died on Saturday, Feb. 13. Here's a look back on his tenure, his judicial philosophy and the legacy he leaves behind. (Monica Akhtar,Natalie Jennings/The Washington Post) Shortly after the announcement of Scalias death, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a statement saying that the Senate should not confirm a replacement until after the presidential election. Obama plans to send a nominee to the Senate, but it is unlikely that any could get through, especially given that two senators are among those vying for the GOP nomination. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice, McConnell said. That elevates the makeup of the court to a front-line issue in the presidential race. It also appears certain to become a central focus in Senate races across the country, as that chamber has the power to confirm whomever the next chief executive would choose. Before today, it was unlikely that many voters would choose a presidential candidate for this reason, given the importance of issues like the economy, terrorism, and immigration, wrote Tom Goldstein, publisher of SCOTUSblog. But the fact that there is an immediate vacancy and a vacancy that could tip the Courts ideological balance makes the future of the Court much more concrete. The candidates are certain to be pressed constantly to describe the qualifications they will look for in a nominee, as well as the litmus-test questions that would determine their choices. The simple fact is the next president has to appoint someone with a proven conservative record, former Florida governor Jeb Bush said during Saturday nights GOP debate. Republicans will pledge to appoint strict constructionists who will follow the letter of the Constitution, and they will also be under pressure to pledge that their choices would roll back court decisions that upheld the Affordable Care Act and legalized same-sex marriage. Democrats will press for nominees who would overturn court decisions such as the one that opened the floodgates for unregulated money in elections and who would hold the line against efforts to narrow voting rights protections and access to abortion. Even with a conservative majority, the court has been a target on the right. Shortly after it ruled last July in favor of same-sex marriage, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, now a GOP presidential contender, proposed a constitutional amendment that would impose term limits on Supreme Court justices. This past term, the court crossed a line and continued its long descent into lawlessness to a level that I believe demands action, Cruz said. In an era when the legislative and executive branches have been at loggerheads, it has increasingly fallen to the court to decide the direction of major political issues and even to weave the social fabric of the nation. During Obamas years in office, that has included decisions on the fate of the Affordable Care Act, same-sex marriage, environmental issues, immigration policy, voting rights and redistricting, religious freedom, racial discrimination, reproductive rights and the extent of presidential powers. The court faces a number of controversial decisions this term as well all of which will elevate the question of who will replace Scalia. Obama has made two picks for the court, neither of whom shifted its ideological balance. Liberals Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor were replacements for others who generally voted that way, David Souter and John Paul Stevens. Usually, discussions of Supreme Court nominations during presidential elections are theoretical ones. Before Scalias death, the question of Supreme Court appointments had fallen into that category, given that four of the justices were in or approaching their 80s. Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton caused a recent stir when an Iowa voter asked if she might consider appointing Obama. Wow, what a great idea. Nobody has ever suggested that to me. Wow. I love that. Wow. He may have a few other things to do, but I tell you, thats a great idea, she replied. It is true the next president may get anywhere from one to three Supreme Court appointments, Clinton added. I think the Supreme Court has really unfortunately been headed in the wrong direction, and we need new justices who will actually understand the challenges we face. You know, I cant tell whether its just naivete, or its just ideological, theoretical views. On the Republican side, leading candidate Donald Trump caused consternation in December, when he criticized Scalia for questioning affirmative action. After Scalia said that minority students who did not qualify for elite universities might do better at less advanced schools, Trump said: I dont like what he said, no, I dont like what he said. . . . Im going, Whoa. On Saturday, Trump issued a statement saying that Scalia was a remarkable person and a brilliant Supreme Court justice, one of the best of all time. Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) President Obama declared Saturday that he intends to nominate a replacement for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a move aimed at deepening his imprint on the nations highest court. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, Obama said, adding that theres plenty of time for the Senate to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should everyone. Theyre bigger than any one party theyre about a democracy. But the president faces a fierce and protracted battle with Republicans who have already signaled that they have no intention of allowing Obama to choose a nominee to succeed Scalia. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said that Scalia should not be replaced until the next president has taken office. The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice, McConnell said in a statement. Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) rejected that position. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat, he said in a statement. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senates most essential Constitutional responsibilities. 1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad The life of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia View Photos Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Caption Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Oct. 8, 2010 Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court. Larry Downing/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue. Obama has nominated two justices to the court in the past, and he has expressed the desire for jurists with empathy. He did not discuss his thinking about that on Saturday night. Instead, he used the moment to pay tribute to Scalia, whom he described as an extraordinary judicial thinker. In selecting Supreme Court nominees, Obama has relied heavily on the advice of Vice President Biden, a former Senate Judiciary chairman. Biden has demonstrated again and again a strong working relationship with McConnell, having previously negotiated several tax and budget deals. The court nomination may hinge on Bidens ability to reach a deal with McConnell again. But the fate of the nomination would clearly be in Republican hands. While Democrats were able to change the rules in 2013 to make it easier to approve lower court judges with a simple majority, Supreme Court nominations still require 60 votes to advance past an opposition filibuster. To derail or delay the nomination, McConnell could simply not schedule a vote, but even if he allows Senate consideration of the nomination, Democrats do not have the numbers to overcome a GOP filibuster. Although the Republican-controlled Congress could easily thwart an Obama nominee, such a decision could reverberate across the presidential campaign and into in the November elections, in which several GOP senators face tough, competitive races. The most immediate outcome of the Scalia vacancy is that it offers Obama the chance to draw sharper battle lines with Republicans during an increasingly acrimonious presidential election. The administration now faces a chaotic political and legal environment in which the president must prepare for a bitter confirmation fight or embrace the prospect of a deadlocked Supreme Court divided evenly between liberals and conservatives. Scalias death also throws into doubt the outcome of some of the most controversial issues facing the nation in cases before the court this term: abortion, affirmative action, the rights of religious objectors to the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act, and the presidents powers on immigration and deportation. Antonin Scalia died on Saturday, Feb. 13. Here's a look back on his tenure, his judicial philosophy and the legacy he leaves behind. (Monica Akhtar,Natalie Jennings/The Washington Post) A deadlocked court could leave appellate decisions in place without setting a precedent. That would please the administration on a case involving union membership, for instance, but would keep Obamas executive action on deportation from being implemented. White House officials would not comment Saturday evening on their deliberations about a potential nominee, but the administration has an extensive list of possible candidates to choose from, including some who would change the face of the court by virtue of their race or sexual orientation. Blocking a strong person of color, a woman or an historic LGBT candidate for the Supreme Court might cause conservatives more trouble than they think theyre preventing, said Robert Raben, a Democratic consultant and lobbyist who served as a senior Justice Department official under President Clinton. The perception of unfairness or bias at the height of a national election could seriously backfire. One former senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said the president was likely to look to someone young enough to make a mark on the court over several decades. Obama has appointed several such jurists to U.S. appellate courts, the person noted, providing him with a relatively deep bench to from which to choose. Among the leading candidates would be Sri Srinivasan, a judge on U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, who was confirmed to seat in a 97-to-0 Senate vote in May 2013. Srinivasan would be the first South Asian American on the court. He worked in the U.S. Solicitor Generals office under both Obama and President George W. Bush, and clerked for former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor. [Why Obama fought so hard to seat Sri Srinivasan on the D.C. Circuit] Other contenders from that same court include its chief judge, Merrick Garland, who is well liked by conservatives and was a finalist for such a nomination when Obama selected Justice Elena Kagan in 2010. Patricia Ann Millett, who won confirmation to the D.C. Circuit in December 2013, may also be considered. Obama could also look to current or former administration officials, said those familiar with the presidents thinking, or even to the Senate. Among those officials are Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr., Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Eric Holder, the former attorney general. Other potential choices could include Deval Patrick (D), the former governor of Massachusetts, or Paul Smith, who chairs the appellate and Supreme Court practice at Jenner & Block and, if confirmed, would be the first openly gay justice. Beyond the D.C. Circuit, there are many other appellate judges the president could look to in selecting a nominee. Those include Paul Watford and Mary H. Murguia of the 9th Circuit; Albert Diaz of the 4th Circuit and Ojetta Rogeriee Thompson of the 1st Circuit. Regardless of whom Obama selects, the combination of the timing of the opening, the stark division on the court and deeply partisan passion being evoked in both presidential primaries would make this confirmation battle unlike any of the past 40 years. The last confirmation in the eighth year of a presidency was Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, whose 97-to-0 vote in February 1988 came after two failed nomination efforts by President Reagan in the face of a Democratic-controlled Senate in late 1987. Kennedy is seen as a traitor among conservative activists, who view his rulings on abortion and gay rights with the liberal bloc as an example of GOP leaders choosing political expediency over ideological rigidity. The only other attempt to fill a vacancy during a presidential election year came in 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson tried to elevate Abe Fortas to be chief justice. The Senate blocked Fortas. Subsequently, the other nomination to fill Fortass spot as associate justice was withdrawn during the final months of Johnsons presidency. Under normal circumstances, the nomination of a justice takes about 75 to 90 days, the first 60 or so involving a thorough vetting process by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Typically, the panel does not consider judicial nominees after mid-May, under a tradition established by the late Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.). While chairing the Judiciary Committee, Thurmond declared that he would not take up new judicial nominations within a few months of a presidential election. Filling the post of Scalia, however, will be anything but normal. He was the outspoken champion for the courts conservative wing and had many admirers in the Senate, including McConnell. Obamas first two appointments to the court were relatively easy because Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Kagan were replacing liberal-leaning justices. Senate conservatives, already predisposed to not approve of Obamas choice, might be loath to allow him to replace their judicial hero with a liberal jurist who would tip the court in a left-leaning direction. As of now, Sotomayor and Kagan often sided with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer in the most ideologically driven cases, with Kennedy and sometimes Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. providing the tie-breaking votes. If Republicans leave the Scalia seat vacant for any lengthy time, that sets up the chance of a series of 4-to-4 votes in which the ruling of the lower federal court would stand as the law of that particular region of the country. That political math in the Senate means Obama will need the support of all 46 members of the Democratic caucus and at least 14 Republicans to end a filibuster and successfully appoint Scalias successor. In the presidents previous Supreme Court nominations, just nine and then four Republicans voted to confirm Sotomayor and Kagan, respectively. Sari Horwitz and Steven Mufson contributed to this report. In the cloistered chambers of the Supreme Court, Justice Antonin Scalias days were highly regulated and predictable. He met with clerks, wrote opinions and appeared for arguments in the august courtroom on a schedule set months in advance. Yet as details of Scalias sudden death trickled in Sunday, it appeared that the hours afterward were anything but orderly. The man known for his elegant legal opinions and profound intellect was found dead in his room at a hunting resort by the resorts owner, who grew worried when Scalia didnt appear at breakfast Saturday morning. It then took hours for authorities in remote West Texas to find a justice of the peace, officials said Sunday. When they did, Presidio County Judge Cinderela Guevara pronounced Scalia dead of natural causes without seeing the body which is permissible under Texas law and without ordering an autopsy. As official Washington tried to process what his demise means for politics and the law, some details of Scalias final hours remained opaque. As late as Sunday afternoon, for example, there were conflicting reports about whether an autopsy should have been performed. A manager at the El Paso funeral home where Scalias body was taken said that his family made it clear they did not want one. One of two other officials who were called but couldnt get to Scalias body in time said that she would have made a different decision on the autopsy. Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains where the Supreme Court stands after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and how the vacant seat will impact the presidential election. (Whitney Leaming/The Washington Post) If it had been me . . . I would want to know, Juanita Bishop, a justice of the peace in Presidio, Tex., said in an interview Sunday of the chaotic hours after Scalias death at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a luxury compound less than an hour from the Mexican border and about 40 miles south of Marfa. Meanwhile, Guevara acknowledged that she pronounced Scalia dead by phone, without seeing his body. Instead, she spoke to law enforcement officials at the scene who assured her there were no signs of foul play and Scalias physician in Washington, who said that the 79-year-old justice suffered from a host of chronic conditions. He was having health issues, Guevara said, adding that she is awaiting a statement from Scalias doctor that will be added to his death certificate when it is issued later this week. Guevara also rebutted a report by a Dallas TV station that quoted her as saying that Scalia had died of myocardial infarction. In an interview with The Washington Post, she said she meant only that his heart had stopped. It wasnt a heart attack, Guevara said. He died of natural causes. In a statement Sunday, the U.S. Marshals Service, which provides security for Supreme Court justices, said that Scalia had declined a security detail while at the ranch, so marshals were not present when he died. Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Western District of Texas responded immediately upon notification of Justice Scalias passing, the statement said. One thing was clear: Scalia died in his element, doing what he loved, at a luxury resort that has played host to movie stars and European royalty, and is famous for bird hunts and bigger game such as bison and mountain lions. 1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad The life of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia View Photos Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Caption Antonin Scalia, the influential and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79. Oct. 8, 2010 Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court. Larry Downing/Reuters Wait 1 second to continue. Other than being with his family or in church, theres no place hed rather be than on a hunt, said Houston lawyer Mark Lanier, who took Scalia hunting for wild boar, deer and even alligators. Lanier said he first learned of Scalias love for hunting through former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day OConnor. Hell do anything if you take him hunting, Lanier recalled OConnor saying. Scalia had recently returned from a trip to Asia, where his last public event was a book signing in Hong Kong. John Poindexter, the Houston businessman who owns the Cibolo Creek Ranch, said Sunday that Scalia and a friend arrived Friday by chartered aircraft, traveling through Houston. At the ranch, Scalia joined about 35 other people invited by Poindexter, who declined to name the other guests. Later that day, Scalia went out with the group to hunt blue quail. But he did not exert himself, Poindexter said. He got out of the hunting vehicle and walked around some. Law enforcement officials said Scalia attended a private party that night with the other guests and left to go to bed early. But Poindexter said that didnt seem unusual: All of the guests were tired from traveling to the remote ranch, as well as the days other activities. Everyone was in bed by 10 p.m., he said. Scalias behavior, Poindexter said, was entirely natural and normal. The next morning, Scalia did not show up for breakfast. Poindexter at first thought he might be sleeping late, but eventually he grew concerned. Late Saturday morning, he and one other person knocked on the door to Scalias room, an expansive suite called the El Presidente. When there was no answer, they went inside. Everything was in perfect order. He was in his pajamas, peacefully, in bed, Poindexter said. Emergency personnel and officials from the U.S. Marshals Service were called to the scene, then two local judges who also serve as justices of the peace, Guevara said. Both were out of town, she said not unusual in a remote region where municipalities are miles apart. Guevara also was out of town, but she said she agreed to declare Scalia dead based on the information from law enforcement officials and Scalias doctor, citing Texas laws that permit a justice of the peace to declare someone dead without seeing the body. On Saturday evening, Scalias body was loaded into a hearse and escorted to the Sunset Funeral Home in El Paso by a procession of about 20 law enforcement officers. It arrived there about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, according to funeral home manager Chris Lujan. The funeral home is about 31/ 2 hours from the ranch where Scalia died. About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Scalias family declined to have an autopsy performed, Lujan said, so the body was being prepared for Scalias funeral and was expected to be transported to Washington on Monday. Late Sunday, it was under guard by six law enforcement officials, including U.S. marshals and Texas state troopers, he said. Funeral arrangements for Scalia a devoted Catholic who was given the last rites by a Catholic priest were unclear Sunday. Horwitz and Markon reported from Washington. Lana Straub in Marfa, Tex., and Alice Crites and Robert Barnes in Washington contributed to this report. Read more: Scalias death upends court dynamics. These are the top cases to be heard by an 8-member court. The three types of people Obama could nominate. Scalia: A brilliant mind, and a frequent critic of civil rights. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, rear, walks past rival Donald Trump at the conclusion of the Republican presidential debate sponsored by CBS News and the Republican National Committee in Greenville, S.C. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) As Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) bickered over immigration policy during the Republican debate Saturday night, Donald Trump was given the chance to weigh in and he immediately turned to another candidate. The weakest person on this stage by far on illegal immigration is Jeb Bush, Trump said, pointing at the former governor of Florida. He is so weak on illegal immigration its laughable, and everybody knows it. Bush responded with a shrug: This is the standard operating procedure, to disparage me. Thats fine. Spend a little more money on the commercials, Trump snipped. If you want to talk about weakness you want to talk about weakness? Bush snapped back. Its weak to disparage women. Donald Trump went after President George W. Bush and Jeb Bush wasn't having it. (CBS) I dont know what youre talking about, Trump said, shaking his head as many in the audience booed. The two engaged in eight of these nasty tiffs Saturday night, clashing in broad terms over how best to fight terrorism, the mistakes of the Iraq War, immigration, eminent domain, Ronald Reagan, super PACs, attack ads and their differing abilities to manage budgets. It was a dramatic escalation of a months-long feud between two vastly different candidates: Bush, who brings the Republican establishment and his family legacy to the race, vs. Trump, the ultimate outsider candidate who has completely upended the traditional process of selecting a Republican nominee. At times, the debate felt like a verbal death match, both seemingly intent on destroying the other before the night was over. It was the stark culmination of years of tension between Trump and the Bushes a long-running battle pitting a patrician clan of presidents, governors and financiers against a loud Queens-raised dealmaker with a penchant for conflict and showmanship. [Inside the Bush-Trump melodrama: Decades of tension and discomfort] Throughout the night, Bush painted Trump as a reality-television star who is not qualified for the White House because he gets his foreign policy from the shows and considers attacking people a blood sport. Trump hit Bush again and again for his heavy campaign spending and meager results, while accusing him of being not a good governor and allowing Floridas economy to crash. Trump also criticized Bushs brother for not preventing the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and seemed to accuse President George W. Bush of lying about finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before going to war. Bush then uninvited Trump from a rally on Monday that will feature his brother, and Trump said he didnt want to go anyway. Trump repeatedly interrupted Bush, who at one point exploded: Let me finish! When Bush did the same thing, Trump said: Excuse me, Jeb. And as the donor-heavy audience repeatedly booed Trump, he at one point glared in their direction and said: I only tell the truth, lobbyists. At another point, when Bush was praising his mother, Trump mumbled: She should be running. Bush, once the presumed front-runner, has struggled in the polls, and this debate might have been one of his last chances to truly damage Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has dominated the polls for months and is riding a wave of confidence following a decisive win in New Hampshire last week. Yet even with a clear lead, Trump wont stop attacking Bush; at his rallies, he often says that he shouldnt be attacking someone with such low poll numbers but he just cant help himself. Obviously, Jeb Bush is getting under Donald Trumps skin, said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who has endorsed Bush. Jeb Bush has just consistently stood up to him and said: Donald, what youre saying is not right. It hurts the party but its just not right. [The remarkably personal feud between Bush and Trump, in one video] Corey Lewandowski, Trumps campaign manager, said Bush must have chugged a Monster Energy drink before the debate because he suddenly had more fight in him. He described his boss as a natural fighter who wont be pushed around. They just put up ads that are just so disingenuous, and I think it bothers Mr. Trump because he doesnt run that kind of campaign, Lewandowski said after the debate. Youve got a guy who has a super PAC that has gone out and raised over $100 million, attacking Trump all the time. And then Jeb tries to be the happy warrior when he has his super PAC doing all of his dirty work for him. And I think its very disingenuous. During the fight about who is weaker, Trump called Bush out for criticizing his bad language on the campaign trail when Bush himself has said some questionable things. Two days ago he said he would take his pants off and moon everybody, and thats fine. Nobody reports that, Trump said. He gets up and says that, and then he tells me: Oh, my language was a little bit rough . . . My language. Give me a break. Bush shook his head as a moderator tried to break up the fight. Just for the record, Bush said. Make sure my mothers listening if shes watching the debate I didnt say that I was going to moon somebody. Another moderator tried to jump in, with no luck. You did say it! You did say it! Trump said, referring to a Boston Globe article in which Bush said he could moon the crowd and the media still wouldnt cover him. As the debate continued, so did the insults hurled between Trump and Bush over the head of Cruz, who was stationed in between them and who could pose a greater threat to Trump in South Carolina. At one point, a moderator asked Trump whether he ever allows anyone to tell him that hes wrong. His wife does all the time, he joked. When pushed for a real answer, he shifted into another Bush attack an area where hes much more comfortable. In New Hampshire, I spent $3 million, Trump said. Jeb Bush spent $44 million. He came in five, and I came in No. 1. Thats what the country needs, folks. In a few boisterous minutes, the Republican presidential race was crystallized around the question that has been asked for months: Can anyone stop Donald Trump, or will the New York billionaire bulldoze the party elites with tough talk and a no-quarter antiestablishment message that has allowed him to dominate the GOP race for months? Rarely has the division between Trump and party elites been more apparent than it was on the debate stage Saturday night at the Peace Center here. Refusing to bow to party orthodoxy or even politeness, Trump trashed one of the most revered families in Republican politics and made a big political bet that standing his ground is better than backing down, no matter how much he is under fire. Drawing boos from an audience that appeared stacked with supporters of his rivals and fans of the Bush family, Trump did not flinch. But whether he will be punished or rewarded by voters here in next weekends primary was the unanswerable question. Over the objections of former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who issued a sharp defense of his brother, former president George W. Bush, Trump pressed his case that the war in Iraq was a disaster for the United States and for the Middle East. But there was more. He criticized Chief Justice John Roberts, defended eminent domain and staked out other positions contrary to what many conservatives hold dear. This was by far the rowdiest of any of the GOP debates, with Trump accusing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz of being a liar and with Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tangling again over immigration. The action became so heated that Ohio Gov. John Kasich called for an end to hostilities lest the party risk losing the general election to the Democrats in November. Kasichs words held little appeal on a night when so many candidates had so much at stake, but what was most striking was the degree to which Trump, who sometimes has stepped back a bit as others squabbled, turned hostile and aggressive. He held special enmity for Bush, who has staked his candidacy in part on his attacks on the front-runner as a man trying to insult his way to the White House. The debate came just a week before a critical primary in a critical state and just two days before the former president arrives here to campaign on behalf of his brother, who badly needs a strong finish in South Carolina to keep his candidacy alive. Trumps decision to go straight at Bush on the Iraq War and on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks raised the stakes for that appearance and for the outcome here next weekend. One big question for Republican voters is whether they are prepared to overlook or play down questions about whether Trump is sufficiently conservative for a party that has moved further to the right during President Obamas administration. His views on some domestic issues have already put him at odds with hard-line conservatives, and on Saturday he decided to highlight as never before his differences with many in the party over the decision to invade Iraq. And on the day that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died, Cruz warned that Trump would not nominate conservative justices to the high court as president. The exchange over Iraq, which came in the opening hour of the debate, proved to be one of the most contentious and tension producing of any in the campaign. With insults and sarcasm, Trump flayed a family that has produced two GOP presidents and whose members are still among the most admired people in the Republican Party. Trump didnt just disagree with the decision to go to war in Iraq a long-standing view that he has enunciated many times. This time he made it personal, accusing Bush of lying about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as the pretext for the 2003 invasion. They lied, he said over catcalls from the audience and protests from Bush, who said he was sick and tired of Trump going after my family. The debate put the issues facing Republican voters front and center: What kind of candidate do they want to lead them? Trump has proven his ability to rally at least a portion of the Republican electorate, but whether he commands enough support to win the nomination hasnt been answered after just one primary and one caucus. The next seven days are likely to see some of the most intensive and negative campaigning so far in the Republican race, with several of the remaining candidates battling for political survival. South Carolina has earned a reputation for picking winners, which heightens the stakes here this week. The surprise victory by former House speaker Newt Gingrich in 2012 was a rare departure in an otherwise unblemished record since 1980 of South Carolina Republicans foreshadowing the outcome of the GOP nomination contest with their primary. As the first state in the South to hold a primary, South Carolina also serves as a gateway to later contests across a region that has become the home base for the modern Republican Party. That too gives South Carolina special prominence as a key test in the early calendar. Republican candidates will make a brief detour to Nevada for caucuses on Feb. 23, but for the most part they are pointing to the big round of contests on Super Tuesday on March 1. On that day, 11 states seven in the South or Southwest hold primaries or caucuses. A total of 595 delegates will be at stake, more than four times the combined number of delegates at stake in the first four states. South Carolinas standing as the first-in-the-South was designed to be the protector of the candidate of the Republican establishment against a surprise rival and over the years the eventual nominees have used the primary to put themselves on track to the nomination. This year, however, South Carolina could play a different role. If Trump prevails, the Palmetto State could provide a crucial boost to the antiestablishment insurgent battling a badly fractured party establishment. Victory here would not make Trump unstoppable, but it would heighten the pressure for anti-Trump Republicans to coalesce around one of the three establishment candidates still in the race. Trump has led the polls here since last summer, shortly after he formally announced his candidacy. The Real Clear Politics poll average currently shows Trump with the support of about 36 percent of GOP voters here roughly double that of Cruz, his nearest rival. The only other candidates with an average in double digits are Rubio and Bush. Trumps current strength here serves as a warning to other candidates and to those in the GOP establishment who worry about the consequences for the party if he were to become the nominee. After his double-digit victory in New Hampshire last Tuesday, the New York developer would gain valuable momentum with another sizable win here. Cruz won the Iowa caucuses on the strength of his support among evangelical Christians and has long been pointing to South Carolina and the Super Tuesday contests in the South as his moment to break away from his rivals. Kasich conceded South Carolina almost immediately after his second-place finish in New Hampshire. He has arrived here with some momentum and is eager to win some delegates by attracting votes along the seacoast. For Bush and Rubio, the stakes could not be higher. Each stands in the way of the other and its not likely either can survive a disappointing finish for too long. Until the competition among the three candidates who are seeking to consolidate mainstream conservatives is clarified, however, the dynamic of the race will continue to favor the outsiders. But with his performance on Saturday, Trump has raised the stakes for everyone, and no one more than himself. I am here because we are friends, we are allies, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Sunday during his first, brief visit to this small Balkan nation. The friendship between the United States and Albania, a NATO member, has been solidified in recent years by the countrys strong support for U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East, its participation in the anti-Islamic State coalition and NATOs operations in Afghanistan, and its willingness to take in more than 1,000 members of the Iranian opposition group in exile known as the Mujahideen-e Khalq, or MEK. Long considered one of the most corrupt and crime-ridden countries in Europe, Albania is undergoing governance, law enforcement and judicial reforms to boost its application for membership in the European Union and to increase international investment. This year, the Obama administration is spending $25 million to assist those efforts. Returning to the United States after four days of Syria-related meetings in Munich, Kerry made a four-hour stop here to meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama, civil society representatives and opposition leaders whose support is crucial to completion of the reforms. [U.S., Russia and other powers agree on cessation of hostilities in Syria] The evidence is clear that Albania is moving in the right direction, Kerry said in a joint appearance with Rama. That begins with an awareness of the need to combat corruption, and I am heartened that essential reforms are underway. Kerry declared himself impressed with approval of legislation that bars those with criminal records from participating in the political system. Rama noted that Albanians are today more respected than any time in their history, a status that he said would not have been possible without the United States by our side. Albania, with an arsenal of Russian-made weaponry dating from the era of the Soviet Union, has donated about 1,500 tons of small arms and ammunition to the peshmerga, the Iraqi Kurdish force fighting against the Islamic State. In 2013 and 2014, up to 140 would-be terrorists were believed to have traveled to Syria from Albania, a Muslim-majority country. Last year, a senior State Department official said, that number was believed to have dropped to zero. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the State Department, described the Albanians as regional heavyweights in efforts to counter extremist propaganda and recruitment in the rest of the Balkans. In his closed-door talks here, the official said, Kerry also expressed gratitude for Albanias willingness to solve a festering U.S. policy problem by serving as a destination country for the Iranian MEK members. [In Laos, Kerry has memories of a rice paddy both beautiful and haunting] As an opponent of the shah of Iran before that countrys 1979 revolution, the MEK was believed to be responsible for acts of terrorism, including the alleged killing of U.S. citizens. It broke violently with the revolutionary government in the early 1980s, eventually finding common cause with Saddam Husseins Iraqi government during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. Many of its members were housed in an Iraqi military camp along the Iranian border. The United States declared the MEK a terrorist organization during the Clinton administration. Following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which overthrew Hussein and led to the rise of Iranian influence, the new Iraqi government turned against the MEK, subjected it to harassment and pushed for its relocation to another country. Aided by heavy lobbying in the United States, the group became a cause celebre among some lawmakers, who support it as a resistance group against Irans Islamist government. At least partly in exchange for the Obama administrations decision in 2012 to lift the groups terrorist designation, MEKs several thousand members agreed to transfer to a protected former U.S. military base in Baghdad while the United States and the United Nations sought more permanent homes for them. An estimated 700 now living in Albania are expected to be joined by additional numbers sometime this year. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Saturday rejected the idea of a permanent quota system for distributing asylum seekers across Europe, putting Paris at odds with Berlin ahead of a summit of European leaders to discuss the crisis over migration. Speaking to reporters at a security conference in Munich, Valls said France would stick to its pledge to take on 30,000 of the 160,000 asylum seekers European countries have agreed to divide among themselves, but it would not accept additional numbers. We wont take any more, Valls said. The prime minister expressed admiration for Germanys readiness to take on more, but he added, France never said, Come to France. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to push European partners to accept contingents of asylum seekers at a meeting Thursday in Brussels, shortly before European Union leaders meet at their summit. Cobbling together a coalition of countries ready to accept more asylum seekers over time is crucial to Merkels efforts to persuade Turkey to stem the tide of those fleeing the Middle East, notably Syria. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will attend the pre-summit meeting. France rejects this, Valls said of the permanent quota mechanism. He said France had received 80,000 asylum applications last year and was struggling with youth radicalization and high unemployment. In another sign of Europes deep divisions over the influx of migrants and refugees, Slovakias prime minister, Robert Fico, said Germany had protested plans by Eastern European leaders to help Macedonia and Bulgaria seal their borders with Greece, the entry point into the E.U. for many. Leaders of Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, known as the Visegrad Group, will meet Monday in Prague with their Macedonian and Bulgarian counterparts and could offer them manpower and other aid, diplomats said Friday. The closure of Greeces northern borders could strand migrants in that country, which has been struggling to protect its sea borders as the influx of migrants and refugees arrives via Turkey. We want an agreement among the Visegrad Four countries that if Greece is not working, and its not working, it makes more sense to invest money into the protection of borders between Greece and Macedonia, Bulgaria and other countries, Fico said. Reuters Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world A warden, superintendent and a guard have been arrested on murder charges after a prison riot in northern Mexico that killed 49 people, state prosecutors said Saturday. On Friday, Nuevo Leon prosecutors had said that three state officers had been charged with murder in connection with the riot, but did not identify them by name or position. The two prison officials also were charged with abuse of authority. On Thursday, rival factions of the Zetas drug cartel slaughtered each other inside the Topo Chico prison. The guard who was charged with murder fired on an inmate and killed him, prosecutors said. State prosecutor Roberto Flores said prison director Gregoria Salazar Robles and superintendent Jesus Fernando Dominguez Jaramillo were charged for not maintaining necessary security measures inside the prison. Investigators determined inmates had bats and metal bars that were used in the bloodbath. Some cells did not have locks, and inmates were roaming freely when they should not have been. Many prisons in Mexico are under the inmates control. On Friday, Flores said that four of nine unidentified bodies could not be named because the prison had no record of them at the facility. The other five bodies were badly burned and were awaiting DNA testing. It is a pretty irregular situation, he said of the violence in the prison in Monterrey, Mexicos northern industrial hub. Authorities said the hours-long fight that raged into Thursday morning was a battle between rival drug gang factions that underlined the power cartels wield inside many of the countrys prisons. Nuevo Leon Gov. Jaime Rodriguez Calderon said 60 hammers, 86 knives and 120 shivs were used in the bloodbath in which 49 inmates were hacked, beaten or burned to death and a dozen were injured. At least 40 of the victims died from wounds from stabbing and cutting weapons, blows from hammers and clubs, Rodriguez said at a news conference What we have to see as a reality in the entire penitentiary system is that there is self-rule by the inmates, Rodriguez said. All this corruption inside the prison creates the conditions we have today. He acknowledged that prisoners effectively lord over the facility and that there were not enough guards watching them. Nobody wants to be a guard, he said, because of the meager pay. Before flying from Cuba to Mexico on Friday, Pope Francis sent a message to Monterreys archbishop expressing profound sorrow for the victims. He also asked that his condolences be conveyed to the victims families and wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the melee. About half the inmates at Topo Chico have been sentenced for minor offenses or are suspects still awaiting trial. They are housed among the prisons overcrowded general population with many of the countrys most hardened killers. One of them was Raymundo Gonzalez Hernandez, a 23-year-old who is accused of kidnapping but whose trial is still pending. He was not among those listed as wounded during the riot, but his cousin said he was covered with bruises and welts when she was allowed inside to see him. Both his eyes were practically closed from all the hits they gave him, Cynthia Hernandez said. He couldnt even speak. He just went like this, she added, moving her head from side to side. No escapes were reported in the clash, which took place on the eve of Franciss arrival in Mexico, a visit that is scheduled to include a trip next week to a prison in the border city of Ciudad Juarez. Flores confirmed that the clash was between two gangs led by two members of the infamous Zetas drug cartel, Juan Pedro Zaldivar Farias, also known as Z-27, and Jorge Ivan Hernandez Cantu. Rodriguez blamed the violence on the old, outdated, obsolete system under which Mexican prisons are run, and suggested after having visited the United States that his country may have to move to U.S.-style, privately operated prisons. We have to think about efforts with private initiative, he said. We have not been doing rehabilitation work. He also criticized judicial reforms that have given inmates greater ability to appeal transfer orders that could send them farther from their hometowns. Zaldivar had successfully fought to be moved to Topo Chico, while Hernandez won an appeal against transferring him elsewhere. Basically this is creating the conflicts in the prisons, Rodriguez said. President Obama, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin last spoke face-to-face in November 2015 at the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey. (Pool/Reuters) President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to intensify diplomatic and military cooperation to implement a cease-fire and the delivery of aid in Syria, the Kremlin said early Sunday. A statement from Putins office said that Obama initiated a telephone conversation between the two. The White House, which said the call took place Saturday, did not mention increased U.S.-Russia cooperation but said that Obama stressed the importance of rapidly implementing humanitarian access to besieged areas. Obama also urged Putin to cease Russias air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria, according to a White House statement released Sunday. The call came amid reports that at least one siege had been broken with the first delivery of humanitarian aid to the rebel-held Douma area, east of the Syrian capital of Damascus. Douma had been cut off by government troops since 2013. A United Nations spokesperson said from Geneva, where a task force is organizing aid under an agreement reached Friday in Munich, that the Douma delivery was a previously scheduled shipment by the Syrian Red Crescent. [Turkey pledges to send ground forces to fight Islamic State in Syria] The spokesperson, Jessy M. Chahine, said that it would take at least 72 hours for the new assistance to reach a besieged area after approval has been given by whichever side is blocking access. Steffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy for Syria who helped negotiate the agreement, had said that immediate shipment of humanitarian assistance was expected over the weekend. In the Munich agreement, Russia pledged to stop bombardment of all but terrorist groups in Syria. U.S. and Russian teams are scheduled to meet this week to delineate areas that will be off-limits to the Russian airstrikes a task made difficult by differences of opinion on which rebel groups represent legitimate opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The deal calls for the cease-fire to start by Friday. Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev said Sunday that Russia would be willing to stop bombing Aleppo to allow a humanitarian corridor to be instituted only if the parties involved are willing to lay down arms. When one group stops fighting while the other begins to build on its military success, this is the most dangerous situation, Medvedev told Euronews. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who negotiated the agreement with 16 other countries, including Russia and Iran, which support Assad, said Saturday that Russia must change its targeting. Kerry visited the Albanian capital Sunday. The Kremlin statement said that Putin and Obama had emphasized the need to establish close working contacts between Russian and U.S. military officials to fight the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations. During the telephone conversation with Obama, the Russian leader again emphasized the importance of creating a united anti-terrorist front while giving up double standards, Putins office said. The White House statement did not provide details of the conversation. It did report that Obama urged Putin to adhere to a cease-fire agreement in eastern Ukraine and to ensure that monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have full access to all areas of that region. Since Russia began airstrikes in Syria in the fall, the Obama administration has said that the vast majority of Russian bombs have fallen on U.S.-backed opposition forces rather than the Islamic State. The United States has resisted Russian entreaties to share intelligence and coordinate its own airstrikes against the Islamic State. U.S. officials have said they would limit their defense cooperation with Russia to deconflicting flights in Syrias increasingly crowded airspace. Administration officials have said there will be no change in that policy until the cease-fire is in place and Russia demonstrates it has stopped bombing the opposition and is ready to support the campaign against the Islamic State. Michael Birnbaum in Moscow contributed to this report. Mexicans take part in an open-air Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Ecatepec, near Mexico City, on Sunday. (Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images) On the crime-ridden outskirts of Mexico City, Pope Francis urged Mexicans to avoid the temptations of wealth and corruption, deepening his warnings against materialism and selfishness in a country suffering from the ills of drug-trafficking and violence. Francis, on his first visit to Mexico, an overwhelmingly Catholic country, celebrated a morning Mass before a quarter-million people on a field in Ecatepec, a working-class area north of Mexico City that has been one of the centers of kidnapping and killing in recent years. Arriving by helicopter from Mexico City, the pontiff led the outdoor ceremony from a covered stage, under a hazy sun, delivering an extended warning against wealth, vanity and pride. Taking goods that have been given to everyone and using them only for me is to take bread from someone elses toil or even their own life, he said. That wealth is bread that tastes of pain, bitterness, suffering. That is the bread that a family or a corrupt society gives its own children, he said. [At start of Mexico tour, Pope Francis addresses drug trafficking, violence] The pope, in his homily, inveighed against vanity and pride, extending the message he delivered at the start of the weekend, when he warned President Enrique Pena Nieto and his cabinet against the evils of corruption. Francis cautioned Mexican youths over the corrosive power of drug-trafficking and told bishops to be servants to the poor and not to the wealthy and powerful. Francis on Sunday described Mexico as a land of opportunity, where it is not necessary to emigrate to dream, where its not necessary to be exploited to work, where its not necessary to make of the desperation and poverty of many into the opportunism of the few. Its a land where men and women, youth and children, dont have to cry, the pope went on, gathering steam, or end up destroyed in the hands of death traffickers. His message startled some observers who didnt expect him to so directly confront Mexicos ills during his six-day visit. The banner headline on the front page of El Universals Sunday newspaper was: Pope criticizes corruption and narcos. [Meeting of pope and patriarch highlights ancient rifts, current fears] Its a very strong criticism, Bernardo Barranco, a sociologist who studies religion, said. He questions the political class in a manner thats gentle but also direct and forceful, rejecting the politics in the country, because this political class is far from the common good. After the Mass, Francis planned to visit a pediatric hospital to meet with sick children. On Monday, he is headed to the southern state of Chiapas, one of the poorest in the country, where Central American migrants are flooding through on their way to the United States. Before leaving Ecatepec on Sunday, the pope told the massive crowd, Dont forget to pray for me. Gabriela Martinez contributed to this report. Refugees gather outside the city of Azaz on Syria's northern border with Turkey. (Mujahed Abul Joud/AFP/Getty Images) Turkeys military shelled Kurdish militia targets in northern Syria on Saturday, and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu demanded that the group, known as the YPG, withdraw from the area, further complicating the conflict across the NATO members border. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces captured another village near Aleppo on Saturday, tightening the noose around rebel-held parts of the northern city, Syrian state television and an opposition activist group said. The shelling by Turkish forces took place after fighters with the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, or YPG, backed by Russian bombing raids, drove Syrian rebels from a former military air base south of the town of Azaz, near the Syria-Turkey border. A Kurdish official confirmed the shelling of the base but said that Menagh had been captured by the Kurdish-allied Jaysh al-Thuwar group rather than the YPG. Both are part of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance. The shelling came amid growing anger in Ankara with the United States for supporting the YPG, which Ankara regards as a terrorist organization, in its fight against Islamic State militants. The Kurdish Democratic Union Party, which backs the YPG, controls most of the Syrian side of Turkeys border, and Ankara views it as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, which for three decades has waged an insurgency for autonomy in southeastern Turkey. U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby urged both Turkey and the Syrian Kurds to step back, saying they should focus instead on tackling the common threat of Islamic State militants who control large parts of Syria. [Turkey pledges to send ground forces to fight the Islamic State in Syria] Turkeys disquiet has been heightened by the tens of thousands of people fleeing to the Turkish border following attacks by Russian-backed Syrian government forces, swelling the number of displaced in the area to 100,000. Turkey, which already hosts 2.6 million Syrian refugees, has tried to keep the latest arrivals on the Syrian side of the border. On Saturday, Syrian state TV and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said state troops captured the village of Tamoura near Aleppo amid intense shelling and air raids by Russian warplanes. Syrian troops have been advancing under cover of Russian airstrikes with the aim of besieging the rebel-held parts of Aleppo, Syrias largest city. If they are able to do so, it would be the biggest defeat for the rebels since the conflict began four years ago. [Why the Syrian cease-fire probably won't work] After capturing Tamoura, troops would still have to take several more villages and towns including Hayan, Anadan, Hreitan and Kafr Hamra in order to completely encircle the Aleppo rebels. Hezbollah-run al-Manar TV said troops are now overlooking Hayan and parts of Anadan. The Lebanese militant group is fighting alongside forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Manar later aired live footage from an area overlooking Anadan in which Syrian troops were heavily pounding the area with artillery shells, and white smoke could be seen billowing from several spots. Al-Manar has a reporter embedded with Syrian troops in Aleppo province. To the north, warplanes carried out more than 20 air raids on the town of Tal Rifaat, a stronghold of the powerful ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and activist Amer Hassan, who is currently in nearby Azaz. Tal Rifaat is about nine miles from the Turkish border. By Regan McMahon, Common Sense Media Today, when the latest campaign trail gaffe or political scandal goes viral, your kids will likely hear about it before you do. How will they know whether a claim or a charge is based in fact, an unsubstantiated smear, or typical campaign overstatement? For todays teens, social media is their primary news source. According to a study by the University of Chicago, nearly half of young people age 1525 get news at least once a week from family and friends via Twitter or Facebook. And they cant necessarily tell fact from fiction. The presidential candidates now use Twitter to spin their messages and slam their opponents. One of the studys conclusions: Youth must learn how to judge the credibility of online information and how to find divergent views on varied issues. The media plays a huge role in our countrys political process. And with the 24/7 news cycle, those effects are magnified. On the plus side, there are plenty of age-appropriate resources at your fingertips, some of which are listed below. Heres how you can help your kids become media-savvy participants in democracy. Elementary School Kids Seek out kid-friendly news. Turn to news sources designed for kids, such as HTE Kids News, Time for Kids, and Scholastic Kids Press Corps. These news websites break down the events of the day in age-appropriate terms, while avoiding stuff you probably wont want them exposed to. Decode ads. When a political ad comes on TV or is striped across or down the side of a computer screen, talk to your kid about the claims the ad is making and how music and visuals are used to persuade viewers. Talk about why there are so many negative ads and why they work. Read kid-friendly books about American politics. Check out Bad Kitty for President, which does a surprisingly good job of explaining the U.S. political system. And since candidates are always referring to the founding fathers, find out what they were really like in The Founding Fathers: Those Horse-Ridin, Fiddle-Playin, Book-Readin, Gun-Totin Gentlemen Who Started America. See Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May? and Why Dont You Get a Horse, Sam Adams? for a taste of colonial-era politics. Story continues Keep the bombast at bay. Kids may not understand concepts such as abortion, guns, troops, and immigration, but they can certainly feel the emotion behind the rhetoric. Try to change the station and mute the TV when you can. Kids will pick up on your reactions and they sometimes feel at fault for causing them so if a candidate makes you mad, explain that the man or woman on TV made you feel that way and why. Middle School Kids Watch one or more of the many televised candidate debates. Discuss the issues during the commercials and after its over. Ask your kid: Whom do you think won, and why? Did the moderator challenge the candidates or just let them spout their talking points? Talk about political advertising. How is a political ad like a regular commercial for a product? Is it selling a candidate just like another sells cereal? Who paid for the ad youre watching? Can political ads actually influence the outcome of an election? Watch political movies to see how fictional political strategies mirror real-life ones. Share political cartoons. Mocking the candidates is a long-cherished tradition Americans can enjoy in the name of free speech. Poking fun of politicians takes some bite out of their often harsh statements, shows kids that challenging bold claims is part of our political process, and offers a sense of relief when the campaign rhetoric heats up. Ask how elections really work. Draw a link between your kids experience of student body elections or mock presidential elections at school and those on the state and national levels. Are elections just a popularity contest, or does someone win because he or she has the best ideas? De-fang hate speech and fear-mongering. Be sensitive to the fact that when candidates unleash extreme, zealous statements, they can stir up scary emotions (worry, confusion, fear, anxiety) in tweens. Explain that candidates intentionally try to appeal to peoples emotions to gain an advantage over their rivals and that some candidates will resort to insulting, bullying, and even lying. Tell your kids that much of what the candidates say simply isnt true. See if you can get your kids to pick out the kinds of statements that are attention-getting vs. meaningful comments about what policies the candidates would institute if elected. High School Kids Watch news and debates together. Compare the media coverage on different shows and networks. Do reporters, news anchors, and opinion shows spend too much time on distractions that heat up the news cycle rather than on the real issues facing our country? Check the credibility of candidates claims at the nonpartisan site FactCheck.org. Talk about the influence of polls. A lot of what drives momentum in campaigns are the latest poll results, reported on news shows and websites. Your family may be getting calls at home from pollsters or one of the campaigns asking whom youll vote for. How might polls influence people? Are polls accurate predictors of election-day results? Send teens to Reddit, where they can share, rank, and discuss the news. Discuss the role of social media in elections. Do your teens follow any politicians on Twitter or other feeds? What kinds of posts earn your teens respect, and what kinds erode it? Is it risky to talk politics with friends online if you disagree? Remind them not to believe everything they read. Encourage them to get out from behind their computers with Rock the Vote, which uses music and pop culture to engage teens. Talk about fear and hate-mongering among politicians. Teens are old enough to understand that extreme positions and outrageous comments attract attention and sometimes thats all politicians want. Why do candidates make offensive statements, and what impact do zealous positions have on voters and the political process? Do you pay more attention when a candidate is making outrageous statements or discussing actual policy? How much of what a candidate says is designed to appeal to voters emotions? (Photo: Getty Images) Senior Parenting Editor Caroline Knorr contributed to this article. Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org. All six candidates for the Republican presidential nomination urged the Senate to block President Obamas expected replacement for the newly vacant Supreme Court seat. They also heaped praise on Antonin Scalia, the conservative firebrand who died Saturday in Texas at 79. The Senate needs to stand strong and say, Were not going to give up the Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee, Sen. Ted Cruz, who is on the Judiciary Committee, said to applause. He pointed out that no justice has been confirmed during a presidents final year in office in 80 years. Frontrunner Donald Trump said he hoped the Senate would use the tactic of delay, delay, delay until the election. This is a tremendous blow to conservatives, its a tremendous blow to, frankly, our country, Trump added. Sen. Marco Rubio praised Scalias scathing dissent in the decision that legalized same-sex marriage and called his death a tremendous loss. We need to put people on the bench who understand that the Constitution is not a living and breathing document it is to be interpreted how it was originally meant, Rubio said. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Ben Carson and Jeb Bush also weighed in against Obamas right to replace Scalia. I believe the president should not move forward, and we ought to let the next president decide who is going to run that Supreme Court, Kasich said. The unanimity on the question suggests Obama will face united Republican opposition to any attempt to replace Scalia and that the Supreme Court will be operating with a man down for the rest of the term. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is threatening to filibuster any Supreme Court nominee made by President Obama to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. This should be a decision for the people, Cruz said on ABCs This Week With George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. Let the election decide. If the Democrats want to replace [Scalia], they need to win the election. But I dont think the American people want a court that will strip our religious liberties. I dont think the American people want a court that will mandate unlimited abortions on demand, partial-birth abortion with taxpayer funding and no parental notification, and I dont think the American people want a court that will write the Second Amendment out of the Constitution. On Saturday, Obama said he plans to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, pressing the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. Asked whether he would filibuster Obamas choice, Cruz said: "Absolutely. The Senates duty is to advise and consent, Cruz said on NBCs Meet The Press Sunday. Were advising that a lame-duck president in an election year is not going to be able to tip the balance of the Supreme Court. Scalia, who died suddenly Saturday at the age of 79, was the courts longest-serving member and an outspoken conservative champion of the Constitution. Also read: Supreme Court Justice Scalia dies at 79 His death, Cruz said, will have a profound impact on the Republican primary and that voters ought to think about who the next president would nominate to the lands highest court. If Donald Trump becomes president, the Second Amendment will be written out of the Constitution because it is abundantly clear that Donald Trump is not a conservative, Cruz said. He will not invest the capital to confirm a conservative, so the result will be the same whether its Hillary [Clinton], Bernie [Sanders] or Donald Trump. The Second Amendment will go away. Story continues Cruz added: Anyone that writes checks to Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid and Jimmy Carter and Hillary Clinton does not care about conservative justices on the court. Cruz, Trump and Rubio pause for a moment of silence in honor of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia before the start of Saturdays Republican debate. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) During Saturday nights GOP debate in South Carolina, Trump said if he were in Obamas position, he would certainly want to try and nominate a justice. But the Republican frontrunner urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell not to bring Obamas pick for Scalias replacement to a vote. Its called delay, delay, delay, Trump said. Dr. Ben Carson also called on the president to delay picking a Supreme Court nominee. We need to start thinking about the divisiveness that is going on in our country, Carson said. I looked at some of the remarks that people made after finding out that Justice Scalia had died, and they were truly nasty remarks. And that we have managed to get to that position in our country is truly a shame. And we should be thinking about how we could create some healing in this land. Slideshow: Justice Antonin Scalia A look back >>> Florida Sen. Marco Rubio called Scalia one of the greatest defenders of the Constitution in U.S. history. You talk about someone who defended consistently the original meaning of the Constitution, who understood that the Constitution was not there to be interpreted based on the fads of the moment, but it was there to be interpreted according to its original meaning, Rubio said. Justice Scalia understood that better than anyone in the history of this republic. Rubio continued: I do not believe the president should appoint someone. And its not unprecedented. In fact, it has been over 80 years since a lame duck president has appointed a Supreme Court justice. And it reminds us of this how important this election is. Someone on this stage will get to choose the balance of the Supreme Court, and it will begin by filling this vacancy thats there now. And we need to put people on the bench that understand that the Constitution is not a living and breathing document. It is to be interpreted as originally meant. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush believes that Obama has every right to nominate someone to replace Scalia, but he needs to appoint someone with a proven conservative record, similar to Justice Scalia, that is a lover of liberty, that believes in limited government, that consistently applied that kind of philosophy, that didnt try to legislator from the bench, that was respectful of the Constitution. During the debate, Cruz offered his full-throated praise of Scalia, and warned voters that the next justice could have a profound impact on their lives. He was somebody that I knew for 20 years, Cruz said. He was a brilliant man. He was faithful to the Constitution. He changed the arc of American legal history. And Ill tell you, his passing tonight, our prayers are with his family, with his wife, Maureen, who he adored, his nine children, his 36 grandkids. But it underscores the stakes of this election. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will strike down every restriction on abortion adopted by the states. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will reverse the Heller decision, one of Justice Scalias seminal decisions that upheld the Second Amendment right to keep and to bear arms. He added: We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that would undermine the religious liberty of millions of Americans and the stakes of this election, for this year, for the Senate, the Senate needs to stand strong and say, Were not going to give up the U.S. Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a tart-tongued champion of conservative interpretation of the Constitution, has died at a West Texas ranch resort, government officials said Saturday. Scalia, the longest-serving justice on the court and its first Italian-American member, was 79. President Barack Obama, on a trip to California, praised Scalia as a larger than life presence on the bench and a deeply influential brilliant legal mind with an incisive wit. And Obama flatly rejected Republican demands that he leave the job of replacing the late justice to whomever wins the November elections. I plan to fulfill my constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time, he said, pressing the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. Scalias death had instantly triggered a pitched political battle in Washington, with Democrats urging President Obama to nominate a new justice rather than leave a vacancy for the next occupant of the White House. But top Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and several of the partys presidential candidates, immediately called for leaving the decision to Obamas successor. An SUV and hearse from Alpine Memorial Funeral Home arrive at Cibolo Creek Ranch in Shafter, Texas, on Feb. 13, 2016, to pick up the body of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. (Photo: San Antonio Express-News via ZUMA Wire) Slideshow: Justice Antonin Scalia A look back >>> Obama learned of Scalias passing while on a trip to California, White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a brief statement that offered no clues as to the presidents plans. The president and first lady extend their deepest condolences to Justice Scalias family, Schultz said. Obama was expected to say more later. A knowledgeable source with close ties to the White House, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared a short list of potential Obama nominees. Story continues The list included Sri Srinivasan, a U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the District of Columbia circuit; Merrick Garland, chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit; Attorney General Loretta Lynch; Neal Katyal, a Georgetown law professor who spent one year as Obamas acting solicitor general; Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson; Solicitor General Don Verrilli, beloved in the White House for his high-profile successes in defending Obamacare before the court; and former Attorney General Eric Holder. One long-shot contender could be Charles Wilson, U.S. circuit judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, in Florida. But any Obama nominee has only a 1 out of 1,000 chance of getting confirmed in the face of Republican opposition, the source said. Still, the president could make things difficult for the GOP by nominating a woman or minority to the Supreme Court, the source said. Obama has told friends that he views nominating two women to the court as a key part of his legacy. The president could now try to name a third, after Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. His death meant that his votes on a series of high-stakes and controversial cases will be invalidated. The surviving eight justices will have to renegotiate their decisions on issues from whether universities can continue to use affirmative action to whether unions can collect fees from nonmembers to survive. On behalf of the court and retired justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away, Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues, Roberts said. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. In the Senate and on the campaign trail, Scalias passing drew careful tributes from Democrats, who acknowledged his intellect and commitment to his principles, while Republicans mourned a loss for the conservative movement. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a former Supreme Court clerk now seeking the GOPs presidential nomination, called Scalia one of the greatest justices in history and insisted that Obama leave the job of filling the vacancy to the winner of the November elections. We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement, Cruz, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said on Twitter. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, one of Cruzs rivals, agreed, saying, The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalias unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear. McConnell also agreed, saying: The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced those demands. The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalias seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution, she said in a statement. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons. And Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Obama can and should send the Senate a nominee right away. In a statement, Reid said that with so many important issues pending before the Supreme Court, the Senate has a responsibility to fill vacancies as soon as possible. It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat. Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senates most essential Constitutional responsibilities, the Nevada Democrat said. Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, his partys senior member on the judiciary committee, also sharply disagreed. The Supreme Court of the United States is too important to our democracy for it to be understaffed for partisan reasons, Leahy said in a statement. It is only February. The president and the Senate should get to work without delay to nominate, consider and confirm the next justice to serve on the Supreme Court. Democrats quickly pointed out that President Ronald Reagan nominated Anthony Kennedy to the Supreme Court in late 1987 and the Senate confirmed him in February 1988 Reagans final year in office. The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, did not weigh in on the timing of a nomination. While our opinions on the law and jurisprudence were frequently at odds, he was steadfast and true to his beliefs during his tenure, Durbin said in a statement. Donald Trump, another Republican presidential hopeful, tweeted that the totally unexpected loss was a massive setback for the Conservative movement and our country. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, another Republican White House contender, mourned Scalias passing but did not weigh in on the timing of a nomination. Justice Scalia was a brilliant defender of the rule of law his logic and wit were unparalleled, and his decisions were models of clarity and good sense, Bush said in a statement. I often said he was my favorite justice, because he took the Constitution, and the responsibility of judges to interpret it correctly, with the utmost seriousness. Now it is up to all of us to fight for the principles Justice Scalia espoused and carry forth his legacy. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said his thoughts and prayers were with Scalias family and colleagues on the court. While I differed with Justice Scalias views and jurisprudence, he was a brilliant, colorful, and outspoken member of the Supreme Court, Sanders said in a statement. The news was first reported by mysanantonio.com, which cited federal officials. (Cover tile photo: Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) Public Corruption in Chester County, PA I believe an unlikely mix of alleged drug trafficking related politicos and alleged white nationalist related politicos united to elect the infamous Bloc of Four in the abysmal voter turnout election of 2005. During their four year term the drug business was good again and white nationalists used Coatesville as an example on white supremacist websites like Stormfront. Strong community organization and support from law enforcement, in particular Chester County District Attorney Joseph W. Carroll has begun to turn our community around. The Chester County drug trafficking that I believe centers on Coatesville continues and I believe we still have public officials in place that profit from the drug sales. But the people here are amazing and continue to work against the odds to make Coatesville a good place to live. Rob Carrigan is a third-generation Colorado Native. His grandfather's homestead was near the Hamilton turnoff between Craig and Meeker. He grew up in Dolores. Carrigan can be reached by emailing robcarrigan1@gmail.com. s A diplomatic row erupted between Britain and Germany last night after a senior ally of Angela Merkel was accused of threatening a trade war if Britain quits the EU. Prominent German MP Gunther Krichbaum said the UK cannot survive on its own and raised the spectre of crippling trade tariffs on British exports should we vote to leave the union. Mr Krichbaums warning came in a clash with senior Tory MP Sir Bill Cash, who accused the German politician of threatening Britain. Sir Bill said Britain had fought Germany in two world wars to keep its freedoms and was not going to surrender them to a German-run Brussels now. +5 Close ally: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) sits next to chairman of the parliamentary commission charged with EU affairs Gunther Krichbaum (R) Mr Krichbaum last night rejected Sir Bills claims. However he has previously attacked David Cameron and the in-out referendum. In January 2013, he accused Mr Cameron of trying to blackmail the EU; in May 2014 he mocked the flip-flopping PM and derided his attempt to exempt Britain from the EUs pledge for ever closer union as a desperate attempt to appease Ukip; and in November 2014, he said Mr Cameron would get a bloody nose if he curbed immigration without permission from Brussels. But the timing of his latest comments, so close to the referendum, is bound to be seen as provocative. Mr Krichbaum and Sir Bill had a sharp but courteous disagreement during a meeting in The Hague on Monday, but the gloves came off when they argued face-to-face afterwards. Mr Krichbaum, seen by some as Mrs Merkels anti-Cameron attack dog, claimed Britains economy would be devastated as a result of lost EU trade deals, saying: You wont be able to survive, trading conditions will not be in your favour. Sir Bill retorted: Yes we can. Weve been doing it for generations. We have a multi-billion-pound trading deficit with the EU: you run a multi-billion surplus. You need to sell us your cars and trucks. What do you take us for? Do you think we are incapable of running our own affairs? It was at this point that lawyer Mr Krichbaum, 51, a member of Mrs Merkels ruling Christian Democrat party retorted: There is the question of tariffs. Indignant Sir Bill replied: Youre not threatening me, are you? The Conservative MP told his German adversary: There is history between our two countries. We have had to battle for our freedom over the last century. We should not and will not be governed by EU majority voting dominated by Germany. The row had started earlier at a formal meeting when Sir Bill declared: Our people no longer trust the democratic structures of the EU. We are not going to be in the second tier of a two tier Europe effectively run by Germany. Brexit: David Cameron defends strong alliance with Germany Progress: 0% 00:00 Play Mute Current Time 0:00 / Duration Time 1:37 Fullscreen Need Text +5 British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend the annual Matthiae-Mahl dinner at Hamburg City Hall But he was slapped down by Mr Krichbaum, heard of the Bundestags EU affairs committee, who defended EU solidarity and maintained all 28 nations worked together. A defiant Sir Bill told The Mail on Sunday: Mr Krichbaums reference to trade tariffs was a clear threat. It is basically Germany telling the British to get lost; its in their DNA to want to be on top. Sir Bill described their exchange as a serious disagreement but denied it was a shouting match. Mr Krichbaum last night denied he had threatened Britain and accused Sir Bill of lying. He said: I did not make any threats that is a lie. Bill Cash has his own agenda because he wants to leave the EU. I said that if Britain leaves the EU it will no longer have access to the single market and that will add costs to British industry and make exports less competitive. That is why much of British industry wants to stay in the EU. CRUNCH WEEK FOR BIG EU VOTE MONDAY David Cameron had called a crunch Cabinet meeting to fire up Ministers for the negotiations in Brussels but has been forced to cancel it as too many of his senior team were out of the country. One sardonic source said: The most crucial Cabinet since the Election is scrapped due to skiing holidays. TUESDAY The Prime Minister flies to the European Parliament to discuss his reform plans. He will to try to win politicians over as the Parliament is likely to vote on whether Britain is allowed to apply an emergency brake on benefits to EU migrants. THURSDAY Today the talking will start in the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels. The draft agenda says the UK deal should be concluded over dinner. FRIDAY Friday is meant to be set aside for talks on migration. But sources acknowledge that UK negotiations might stretch into a second day. They could even be a three shirter, running into Saturday. Although diplomatic sherpas have started talks, four of Britains key demands remain in the air: the UKs wish to halt ever-closer union, protection from the eurozone block, the brake on benefits and curbs on child benefits for migrants. NEXT After the summit, the PM has pledged a Cabinet meeting, after which Ministers will be free to announce whether they back In or Out. No date has been set, but Mr Cameron is under pressure to hold it on Saturday. Mr Krichbaum said it was not fair for Britain to blame Brussels for its problems and said he hoped Britain would stay in the EU and he was convinced Mr Cameron felt the same, insisting the PM called the referendum to calm down people in his party like Mr Cash. Mr Krichbaums warning came days after fellow German Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, said many Euro-MPs now wanted Britain out of the EU as Britain was testing their patience with its continuous demands. Mr Cameron met Mrs Merkel in Hamburg on Friday in his latest bid to secure more concessions on a new EU deal for Britain. The final agreement will be hammered out at a summit on Thursday and Friday, and put to the UK Cabinet by next weekend. At least five Cabinet Ministers are expected to campaign against the Prime Minister and join the Out campaign for the referendum, expected on June 23. Tory MP and son of a war hero compares current situation to pre-war Europe and warns Britain is heading for APPEASEMENT Anti-EU Tory grandee Sir Bill Cash is sitting in front me, slumped in an armchair in his Commons office, sobbing uncontrollably. It is a shock: 6ft 4in tall and ramrod straight, Cash is the quintessential buttoned-up English gent in his pin-striped suit. But not today. He whispers through tears: Im proud of my dad, he was in the front line of the front line. The tanks... just came right at him. He is talking, painfully, about the moment that shaped his life, his destiny, perhaps Britains too. +5 Bill Cash Tory MP with a letter from Margaret Thatcher written in 1993 and other documents and photographs in his office Cash was four years old when his father, Captain Paul Cash, was killed in Normandy on July 13, 1944, at the age of 26. He won the Military Cross for his bravery and is still so revered in Fontaine-Etoupefour, where he fell, that they recently named a community centre after him. Seventy one years ago, young Cash was at home with his mother Moyra when a postman arrived at the door with a telegram. Just like the mother in the opening sequence of Stephen Spielbergs D-Day film, Saving Private Ryan, Moyra Cash collapsed even before it was handed to her. When its contents were explained to Bill, the little boy told her: Dont worry mummy, I will look after you. I have known Cash since he became an MP in 1984. He and I have discussed D-Day before: my dad was there, but survived. But I have never seen him like this and awkwardly reach out a hand to this weeping giant as he recovers his composure. She never got over it, he says, dabbing his eyes and sipping a glass of water. In truth, I had not intended to interview Cash. His intellect and unflinching patriotic principles have earned him private audiences and respect from world leaders as diverse as Margaret Thatcher and Helmut Schmidt. But I confess that, when he made a beeline for me in the Commons, my first instinct was to give him the slip. +5 Bill Cash's father Paul, who died in Normandy after the D-Day landings Never mind speak for England, at times it can seem that Bill can bore for England on the subject of Brussels and he wanted to bend my ear over David Camerons worthless EU referendum deal and the way it was being spun as a historic triumph by No 10. I listened politely. It was only when he mentioned the word appeasement and an unusual picture in his office that my ears pricked up and accepted his invitation to go and inspect it. Capt Cash would immediately recognise the photograph that dominates his sons dingy office: a sepia tinted portrait of Neville Chamberlain, the man who tried to appease Hitler. Disconcertingly but deliberately, it stands on the window sill upside down. Permanently. It is a copy of a photo that appeared in the Illustrated London News when Chamberlain came back from his infamous talks with Hitler in Munich in 1938 waving his peace in our time bit of paper. Cash draws my attention to the caption, attributed to Chamberlains notorious Tory propagandist, Sir Joseph Ball. Said to be Britains first ever spin doctor, he makes Alastair Campbell look like a saint. Ball was a pro-Nazi, pro-appeasement, anti-semitic, former spy who smeared Churchill with dirty tricks. Incredibly, the caption fawns over Hitler and Mussolini for helping Chamberlain steer Britain towards the port of peace. It talks of Chamberlains immensely enhanced prestige in Germany and how he had abundantly fulfilled the hopes of Il Duce. YOU can imagine where my headline-grabbing thoughts were heading: Tory PM lands at Heathrow after crisis talks with German dominated Europe as Conservative spin doctors claim he has saved Britains sovereignty. Chamberlain? Or Cameron? Cash reads my mind. I am NOT comparing Cameron to Chamberlain, he says emphatically. Here is how he puts it: Appeasement means to placate. By accepting the EU as it is now, we are placating them. And we know who runs the show. [He means Germany] As Churchill said, we should be associated with Europe but not be absorbed by it. +5 Infamous: Neville Chamberlain proclaiming 'peace in our time' in 1938 Cash was one of Margaret Thatchers closest confidants and she once asked him to spell out to her pro-EU Cabinet the threat of a German-run Europe. Tell them what you feel, she urged him. In front them all, Cash said: You have it tougher than Churchill, Margaret: he only faced bombs and aircraft; you face bits of paper. Cashs loyal wife Biddy gets cross when people call him a Little Englander: he has campaigned for destitute Indian women rag pickers and against female genital mutilation, she points out, prompting Bob Geldof to joke that Catholic Cash is second only to the Pope in the aid world. Cash freely admits some critics have called his EU obsession bonkers. But even the BBC is coming round to his view. I did an interview with John Humphrys and he said as I left, We used to think you were all wrong on Europe, were not so certain now. Lady Thatcher said Cashs relentless analysis of EU propaganda was living proof a single MP could change history. He is determined to prove her right in the referendum: People like my dad died to defend our freedom and democracy. Resources for all concerned with culture of authoritarianism in society, banalisation of communalism, (also chauvinism, parochialism and identity politics) rise of the far right in India (and with occasional information on other countries of South Asia and beyond) History is a set of lies agreed upon. The Dude Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others. Robert Louis Stevenson When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Via Ventures Africa, a February 10 report: Nigerias health minister ignores Zika virus as a global problem, says Nigerians are immune. Click or tap through for the full report and many links. Excerpt and then a comment: Recently, Nigerias health minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole sought to rest Nigerians minds at ease when he said the incurable Zika virus which is spreading fast through the Americas poses little threat to Nigerians due to a study in the 1970s which shows that several Nigerians were immune to the virus at the time. The Zika virus was recently declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the minister, the virus has been in Nigeria since 1954 and could not harm the citizens, as Nigerians have developed strong resistance to the virus. Once a person is infected with Zika virus, they are free from future infections. According to a 1979 essay on Zika virus by AH. Fagbami, a study of Zika virus infections was carried out in four communities in Oyo State, Nigeria and virus isolation studies between 1971 and 1975 yielded two virus isolations from human cases of mild febrile illness. The essay went further to reveal that Haemagglutination-inhibition tests showed a high prevalence of antibodies to Zika and three other flaviviruses used. The percentages of positive sera were as follows Zika (31 percent), Yellow fever (50 percent), West Nile (46 percent), and Wesselsbron (59 percent). With Lassa fever already thriving in Nigeria, I wish the health minister had maintained a tactful silence about Zika. And that he'd update his Lassa fever page, which hasn't changed in three long weeks. Via O Dia, a February 13 report: Ligacao de Zika com microcefalia e enigma que desafia a ciencia.[Link between Zika and microcephaly an enigma that challenges science] Edited excerpt from the Google translation: Paulo Gadelha, president of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (Fiocruz) and in charge of the research results announcement on finding Zika virus in saliva and urine, sees the global concern about the disease as a major factor in combating Aedes aegypti, which for so long has punished Brazil with dengue. In Gadelha's view, science "is facing one of the greatest enigmas of humanity": establishing the actual relationship between the Zika viruses and the increasing cases of malformation of the brain. The Ministry of Health has confirmed more than 400 cases of microcephaly and/or changes in the central nervous system. Seventeen of them are demonstrably related to the agent. The ministry and the health departments of several Brazilian states are still investigating 3,670 suspected cases of zika, representing 76.7% of the notifications. Seventy-six deaths were recorded after childbirth or during pregnancy, and 15 with the virus identified in fetal tissue. Gadelha does not expect a vaccine against the virus in less than five years of research. For him, instead of waiting for the impossible, what everyone should do is to intensify the fight against the transmitter, Aedes aegypti. In the interview that follows, Gadelha says research into the Zika microcephaly connection is Fiocruz's "absolute priority," with over a thousand doctors, technicians, and researchers forming a "shock troop" producing studies daily. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Make in India Centre in Mumbai Published: February 13, 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Make in India Centre at MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai, Maharashtra. On this occasion, Finland Prime Minister Juha Petri Sipila and Sweden Prime Minister Kjell Lofven were also present along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated the Make in India Week at NSCI, Worli where he addressed a gathering delegates comprising senior leaders and captains of industry from both India and abroad. Make in India Week is the flagship event that seeks to provide greater momentum to the Make in India initiative and to promote India as a preferred manufacturing destination globally. In this event, government delegations from 49 countries and business delegations from 68 countries are going attend it. Month: Current Affairs - February, 2016 Topics: Current Affairs 2016 Make in India Centre Mumbai Narendra Modi Latest E-Books 103 6.87 118 29-0 (2.5) 29-0 (2.5) VS 146-5 (20.0) 146-5 (20.0) Our Divisions Copyright 2022-23 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. The GOP hypocrisy seems an endemic curse for the retrograde party. The GOP spokesmen like US Sen. Mitch McConnell almost immediately stated that Republicans would refuse to consider any Supreme Court nominee President Obama might send to the Senate. The US Constitution seems pretty clear on the President's obligation to make a nomination and also clear that Senate should "advise and consent". Republican apologists are lauding dead Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia for his "originalist" interpretations of the US Constitution. Any time there is a hint that a Supreme Court decision might "create new law", the wingnut right Republicans go nearly berserk raging about their respect and demand for strict adherence to founders idea of the Constitution and the language. Except now of course when their insane hatred of President Obama leads them to trash the constitution in the interest of partisan venality and tribalism. As I have said too many times, the GOP hypocrisy is as obnoxious as is heir retrograde policy positions. Oh, and then their is candidate Cruz waving the Bible as he lies through his teeth. Thanks to Bernie Sanders for noting this other bit of GOP hypocrisy and deception. *** Stay tuned and try not to toss a shoe through your TV when you hear these hypocrites preach to us.--- Doug Wiken According to the Jordanian government, the terrorist Ahlam Tamimi, who masterminded the Sbarro massacre in 2001, cannot be extradited to the... Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Yet another North Korean general is killed by the Pyongyang regime. That's the story that's been doing the rounds this week after a South Korean news agency quoted an anonymous South Korean official from an unnamed South Korean agency as saying that Ri Yong Gil, chief of the Korean People's Army [KPA] general staff, had been executed for corruption. It fit with the pattern that has emerged since Kim Jong Un took over the leadership of North Korea from his father at the end of 2011: Aging member of the old guard dispatched by young upstart leader. After all, it happened with Hyon Yong Chol, the defense minister executed by anti-aircraft gun for insubordination and treason. And to Pyon In Son, head of operations in the army, said to have disagreed with Kim. The 33-year-old leader even had his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, shot for amassing too much power. This rumor about Ri may well be true. But as with almost everything related to North Korea, very little is clear. A memo from South Korea's National Intelligence Service, obtained by the Washington Post, said that Ri was executed on Feb. 2 or 3 for factionalism and corruption charges. "Even though corruption and factionalism were given as reasons behind his execution, Ri had been considered a man on principle so it is more likely that these reasons were just given to justify his execution," the memo said. "This is another sign of Kim Jong Un's reign of terror," it said. But the South's spy agency has a history of being wrong about North Korea almost as often as it's right, and the Daily NK, a Seoul-based news service with informants inside Norh Korea, Friday reported that Ri had been arrested rather than executed. Ri was "going against the Party's monolithic teachings and monolithic military system" by "exercising privileges and partaking in factional bureaucracy," a source told The Daily NK. He was arrested at a party meeting and dragged out in handcuffs, the site reported. There is also recent precedent for top officials being given a time-out: Choe Ryong Hae, Secretary of the Korean Workers' Party, went missing for three months last year, reportedly because of corruption, then returned to the public eye last month. North Korea's state media reported he gave a speech at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League in Pyongyang. There were also rumors in South Korea that Hwang Pyong So, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean Peoples' Army, had been knocked off at the end of last year after three weeks passed without him putting in an appearance. Then he showed up next to Kim during a trip to a tree nursery operated by the army (yes, in North Korea trees are a military issue.) Further obscuring the truth about Ri, the elderly general had appeared on state television in recent days, alongside Kim Jong Un, an unlikely occurrence if Ri had in fact been executed. Those who've been put to death are usually edited out of official news broadcasts. Ri, who has (or had) held a number of top military positions, was ranked number 76 on the national funeral committee formed after Kim Jong Il's death in December 2011, according to Michael Madden's biographical notes on his Web site, North Korea Leadership Watch. In 2012, Ri delivered a speech at a Korean People's Army rally commemorating the 1-year anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, and the following year accompanied Kim Jong Un on several field inspections. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in August 2013, according to Madden. But he did not appear during footage broadcast this week of Kim celebrating North Korea's latest long-range rocket launch. What is clear is that the Pyongyang regime is in a state of upheaval ahead of the Congress of the Korean Workers' Party, scheduled for May. It would be the 1st time such a shin-dig has been held in 36 years, and many of Kim's recent moves - including the nuclear test and rocket launch - are considered preparation for the Congress. "The head of the party congress is going through the files of everybody in senior positions in the government, military or party very closely," Madden said. "This is where someone like Ri Yong Gil could possibly get in trouble. I think that's one of the reasons we've seen a lot of secondary personnel changes too." What that means is that there is plenty more change in and brinksmanship from North Korea over the next 3 months, Madden said. Source: Washington Post, Feb. 13, 2016 Currently, small cars that are less than four meters in length attract excise duty of 12.5 per cent, while cars with more than four meters length but with engine of less than 1,500 cc capacity attract a duty of 24 per cent. New Delhi: Automobile industry body SIAM wants the government to reduce excise duty on large cars and SUVs to 20 per cent from the current rates of up to 30 per cent in the upcoming Budget. Besides, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has also asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for an incentive scheme for scrapping of old vehicles in the Budget. "We have asked for 20 per cent excise duty on vehicles that currently have excise duties of 24, 27 and 30 per cent," SIAM Director General Vishnu Mathur told PTI. Explaining the rationale behind the demand, he said, "From 12.5 to 30 per cent, the differential in excise duty has grown over the years. We are asking for two rates -- one for small cars and one for large vehicles." Currently, small cars that are less than four meters in length attract excise duty of 12.5 per cent, while cars with more than four meters length but with engine of less than 1,500 cc capacity attract a duty of 24 per cent. Further, vehicles with engine capacity of more than 1,500 cc are charged an excise duty of 27 per cent and while those with ground clearance of more than 170 mm attract an excise duty of 30 per cent. The demand for excise duty cut is among the main proposals that SIAM has put before the finance minister ahead of the Budget. "The second thing which we are asking is incentive scheme for scrapping of old vehicles," Mathur said. Elaborating on the scheme, Mathur said the move would help reduce air pollution. "We want this vehicle scrapping scheme to be incentive based and not a mandatory one. Even if 15-20 per cent old vehicles go off the road, it will make a huge difference. Besides, the scheme would be revenue positive for the government," Mathur said. The government will present the Union Budget for 2016-17 on February 29. The move follows SEBI getting Rs 41 crore, from interest earned on money deposited by Sahara for investor refunds. New Delhi: As it scurries to garner funds to ensure release of jailed chief Subrata Roy, embattled Sahara group has begun another mammoth exercise of taking back loads of investor documents it had given to the markets regulator SEBI in 128 trucks over three years ago. The move follows SEBI getting Rs 41 crore, from interest earned on money deposited by Sahara for investor refunds, as reimbursement of expenses incurred by the regulator in this high-profile case including towards huge storage costs of these documents that are key to verification of investors. In this long-running case, the Supreme Court had ordered Sahara in August 2012 to deposit with SEBI over Rs 24,000 crore collected from nearly three crore investors through issuance of certain bonds. Sahara was also asked to give SEBI the entire sets of investor documents for verification so that the money can be refunded to genuine investors. Consequently, Sahara had sent 128 trucks, containing more than 31,000 cartons full of documents to SEBI, which had to hire special storage facility for their safekeeping. The regulator later digitised those documents for easier access. The group said SEBI refused to take custody of another batch of documents, estimated at about 25 per cent of total investor documents, that were sent by it to the regulator. As per the court orders, Sahara is to pay for the expenses incurred by SEBI towards the storage of documents and other expenditure involved in the investor refund process. Amid mounting costs associated with the storage of the documents, Sahara has now sought taking back the custody as SEBI has digitised the original papers. The regulator has agreed to return the original documents, provided they are kept in "safe custody under double-locking system by SEBI and Sahara", a senior official said, while adding that the Supreme Court has also given its approval for the same. When contacted, a Sahara spokesperson confirmed that the group has begun working on an arrangement for safe keeping of these documents and the costs would be "naturally" much less. "We shall prefer to transport documents ourselves," the spokesperson told PTI in reply to queries on whether Sahara would want SEBI to transport the papers back to it and reimburse them the associated costs. The spokesperson further said SEBI has refunded only Rs 50 crore to the Sahara investors in the last 40 months. "After publishing four times through 144 newspapers in the country, SEBI could get demand of only Rs 52 crore, whereas SEBI has our Rs 12,000 crore (including interest earned)" in the SEBI-Sahara account, the spokesperson added. "So, it is painful that that we have to pay Rs 41 crore," he said on reimbursement of expenses incurred by SEBI. The spokesperson further said, "SEBI has not yet received around 25 per cent of the document, for the reason best known to SEBI. After discussing with SEBI, we shall take a decision whether this 25 per cent documents shall be kept with rest of the documents or not." Roy and two other senior group executives have been in Tihar Jail for nearly two years, even as it claims to have refunded over 95 per cent of the investors directly. On a net-calorific value (CV) basis, the gas price is likely to be USD 3.50 per mmBtu as compared to USD 4.24 currently (Representational Image) New Delhi: Natural gas prices in India are likely to decline 17 per cent in April to USD 3.15 per unit, further straining economics of developing discoveries in deep sea. As per the new gas pricing formula approved by the NDA-government in October 2014, gas prices are to be determined on a semi-annual basis and calculated based on a volume weighted average of rates in gas surplus nations of the US, Canada and Russia, based on the twelve-month trailing average price with a lag of three months. Using benchmark prices for the period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, gas price for the period April 2016 to September 2016 is likely to be about USD 3.15 per million British thermal unit as against USD 3.82 currently, sources said. On a net-calorific value (CV) basis, the gas price is likely to be USD 3.50 per mmBtu as compared to USD 4.24 currently. Development of numerous existing discoveries in the blocks operated by state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) as well as Reliance Industries are dependent on remunerative price. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh K Sarraf last week stated that developing finds in the firm's Krishna Godavari (KG) basin block KG-DWN-98/2 or KG-D5 was economically unviable at current price. The company has asked the government to raise the rates to make developing the explorations economically viable, he had said. Goldman Sachs had in a recent report stated that "Indian domestic natural gas prices that are linked to prices in gas surplus economies remain materially below the costs to develop marginal and deep-water fields and hence do not incentivise exploration and production capex." This has resulted in Indian producers potentially losing USD 2 billion annually in value added assuming they can replace imports entirely, it added. "We believe the current gas price regime is not incentivising domestic capex sufficiently as we expect prices under the current formula to decline in 2016-17 while cost for new deep-water discoveries ranges between USD 6 to USD 7 per mmBtu," Goldman had said. Gas price in India, it said, is lower than USD 9 per mmBtu in China, USD 10.5 in the Philippines, USD 6.5 in Indonesia and USD 8 per mmBtu in Thailand and Malaysia. Sources said going by current price trends, gas price may rise marginally to USD 3.32 (on gross calorific value or GCV basis) in second half of 2016-17 fiscal. They may further rise to USD 3.36 per mmBtu and USD 3.42 in the first and second half of 2017-18 fiscal and would be around USD 3.45 in the following fiscal. Mumbai: Maharashtra will create an ecosystem to encourage startups so that new ideas and innovations prosper in the country, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on February 14. "Innovation in startups should be encouraged. We have lacked in creating the ecosystem and now we need to create that. For startups we need to do the hand-holding, mentoring and financing and marketing. "The Maharashtra State Innovation Council would create ideas for innovation which will require support of government. We believe if we create the ecosystem in the state it can lead in innovation explosion in the country," he said during the ongoing 'Make in India Week' here. He added that the government is proactive and will match expectations of innovators to make lives better. "In India, innovation is the way forward. The role of the government is to create the much needed ecosystem to create opportunities for the young minds to innovate. I think innovation is nothing but positive thinking for betterment of society. In a country like India we cannot anymore look at the growth trajectory the way we used to in the past," he said. Maharashtra Minister of State for planning Deepak Kesarkar said the state needs to evolve in innovation and not just replicate others. "We must strive to address the issues of the commoners and see how technology can solve them. We need to evolve and not just replicate innovation and technology of others," he said. The minister also said innovation cannot be thought in isolation but there is a need to examine its impact, adding, "Technologies should not only be always related to industries but also to initiatives and decisions of the government." Kesarkar also said the recently formed Maharashtra State Innovation Council will have to take decisions that will be linked with startups. Speaking at the event, Council's Chairman Raghunath Mhashelkar said there is a need to combine technology, talent and trust to ensure speed, scale and sustainability. "If there is no speed we can't compete with the world, if there is no scale we will not be able to make an impact and if there is no sustainability then we will vanish. We, therefore, require to create innovation led inclusive growth," he added. The projection has been made after taking into account the likely improvements in economic output and labour productivity (Representational Image) New Delhi: The domestic aviation sector is projected to employ nearly four million people in two decades, driven by improved economic activities and labour productivity, says a study instituted by the Civil Aviation Ministry. While emphasising the need for having skill development programmes across various levels in the sector, the study has suggested setting up of the National Civil Aviation Training Entity (NCATE). The study, done by ICRA Management Consultancy Services Ltd (IMaCS), comes at a time when the ministry is in advanced stages of finalising the civil aviation policy. "Our estimate indicates that by 2035, the Indian civil aviation sector (across the study segments of airport, airlines, cargo, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and ground handling) will employ 0.8 to 1 million personnel directly and another 3 million indirectly (for 1 direct job about 3.5 indirect jobs are created)," the report said. The projection has been made after taking into account the likely improvements in economic output and labour productivity. "For the direct employment opportunities estimated, the airlines segment contributes the maximum share of 32 per cent followed by cargo at about 25 per cent, airport at 23 per cent (which also includes contractual staff), ground handling about 17 per cent and MRO about 3 per cent," it noted. Last year, IMaCS was asked to carry out a comprehensive study on skill gap analysis in the civil aviation sector and also formulate future road map in this regard. It was conducted during August, December 2015. According to the report, the new employment opportunities would not only call for enhanced functional and segment- specific competencies across levels but also demand several soft skills and domain-specific knowledge. "The government needs to seed a significant part of the initial investment to invigorate skill development in the sector. We estimate that this investment would be about Rs 560 crore for kick-starting the skill development initiatives in the civil aviation sector...," it said. Among other suggestions for enhancing skill development in the civil aviation sector, the study has called for setting up NCATE that would oversee all training related activities. Going by estimates, the airport segment alone contributed to USD 1.4 billion to Indian GDP, apart from creating direct employment for about 22,000 persons as of 2015. The ministry has sought comments from the public on the 'Draft Report on Comprehensive Skill Gap Analysis and future road map for Skill Development in Civil Aviation Sector' till February 26. Subhash Ghai said, Films always have been a mirror of change taking place in society." Romance has been the most popular theme in Bollywood films but its on-screen handling has changed over the years from subtle and sweet to bold keeping with transformation in society. Hindi film veterans recalled how the treatment of love in movies has changed over the years with directors handling the theme in diverse ways. Earlier, it was all done in a dignified way. One used to blush talk eye to eyenow hugging and kissing has become a way of expressing love on-screen. There are some filmmakers who capture romance in its purest form while some make it appear bold, veteran actress Moushmi Chatterjee told PTI. Another veteran, Prem Chopra, agrees with Chatterjee. Love used to be discreet earlier now it is all out in the open. It used to be subtle now with changing times its all fast paced, he said. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who has directed romantic films like 'Hero', 'Pardes' and 'Taal', said the change in portrayal just reflects what is happening around. Films always have been a mirror of change taking place in society. Its (portrayal of love) is more open to physicality than olden days, Ghai said. For some people today love is lust, but for some it is about respect and being affectionate towards your love, Chatterjee maintained. I am still very much in love with my husband. We have grown old so love is more about caring and doing little sweet things for each other, she added. Actress Juhi Chawla, who has been part of several romantic films like 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak', 'Darr' and 'Yes Boss', rued that people dont have time for love in todays tech-driven world. Today people have no time for love. In the time of technology, love is expressed on WhatsApp (the popular messaging app). The pure essence of loveromance is lost somewhere in this fast-paced life, she added. Actor R Madhavan, whose on-screen romance with Dia Mirza in 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' and with Kangana Ranaut in 'Tanu Weds Manu', was applauded by audience, believes in the idea of old school of romance. The good old way of wooing a woman had undergone change. But I still prefer the old way of making the woman feel like a queen. I think my thoughts are little old when it comes to expressing love. Today women are at par with men so the guys have to be smarter to woo her, Madhavan said. Actress Katrina Kaif, whose tryst with on-screen romance in films like 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani', 'New York', 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' was loved by people, feels its difficult to define love. One can have different beliefs about love. Even great poets like Ghalib could not define love. Love is very important to me. I give a lot of importance to it in life. Do you crave for salted foods? Does less salt in your food make you angry and reject the plate of food? If so, think twice and change the habit as salt is one of the reasons for increasing incidences of stomach cancer in India. Stomach cancer risk is 68 per cent higher among people with high salt intake compared to those with low salt intake, according to a meta-analysis. Salt and salty foods are classified by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) as a probable cause of stomach cancer. This is one of the reasons why the World Health Organisation has recommended 6gm of salt per day for a normal person and reduced it to 3.75 gm per day in case of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases and uncontrolled hypertension. Majority diagnosed too late By Dr P. Vijay Anand Reddy Food high in salt like meats, fish, pickled foods and typical Indian dishes have increased the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer in the upper throat behind the nose. This incidence has been recorded at two to six per cent, according to the clinical evaluations from 12 major cancer registries in the country. The incidence of gastric cancer has been recorded at 6.8 to eight per cent, which is an alarming number. Nasopharyngeal cancer is found among those aged between 15-25 and 50-60, while gastric cancers are seen in those 60 years and above. Dr P. Vijay Anand Reddy, director, Apollo Cancer Hospital explains, Majority of the patients are diagnosed too late because of the non-specific symptoms of both these cancers. Hence regular screening is recommended to detect at the earliest. Detection in advanced stage only By Dr Bharat Vaswani Unfortunately, early-stage stomach cancer rarely causes symptoms. Only 1 in 5 such cases are found at an early stage. This is one of the major reasons stomach cancer is so hard to detect early. Dr Bharat Vaswani, consultant oncologist and haematologist at Yashoda Hospital explains, Most of the incidences come to light when a person is complaining of constant pain in the abdomen, feeling of heaviness and also swelling of abdomen. The pain is generally not there in the earlier stage. In most of the cases, pain is felt once the disease spreads to the bones, lymphnodes or liver. In recent times, a burning sensation in the heart and indigestion have been some of the major causes where patients have come to the clinic and after tests have been diagnosed with stomach cancer. There are options to completely or partially remove the tumour through surgery. If its in the advanced stages then radiotherapy and chemotherapy are being done. Treat early for survival chances By Dr Naidu N. Bethune Salt intake is found to increase H. Pylori infection and/or inflame/damage stomach tissue directly. H. pylori infection is found in 60 to 80 per cent of the gastric cancers which have been recorded in North and North-eastern region in India. The other reasons for gastric cancers are spicy food, high intake of chilly, dried meat, fish and pickles. Alcohol and tobacco are also additional factors which are secondary reasons for stomach cancer. Dr Naidu N. Bethune, consultant medical oncologist and haematologist at the American Oncology Institute explains, Of late, we are seeing a lot of young patients suffering from an aggressive form of gastric cancers. This was not the case earlier. Change in the lifestyle is one of the reasons for these cancers striking the young early. At the same time, in younger patients, the treatment outcomes have been excellent if the cancer is detected on stage 1 and stage 2. There are 60 per cent chances of recovery and leading a quality life thereafter. Hence it is becoming very important to opt for programmes which are related to gastric health at the national level which will make people aware and also ensure regular screening. The most prone to stomach cancer Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) Working in rubber production Tobacco smoking X-radiation, gamma-radiation Limited/Probable risk factors Asbestos Epstein-Barr virus Inorganic lead compounds Nitrate or nitrite[a] Pickled vegetables (traditional Asian) Salted fish, chinese-style Salt Salted/salty foods Symptoms to watch out for Vague discomfort in the abdomen, usually above the navel A sense of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating a small meal Heartburn or indigestion Poor appetite Weight loss (without trying) Vomiting, with or without blood Low red blood cell count (anaemia) Washington: Traditional homes made of locally sourced materials maybe more sustainable than modern houses built from industrial building materials that are often scarce and expensive, according to an Indian-origin scientist. Everyone wants a house to live in, and more and more, people around the world want the kinds of houses seen in Europe and North America, rather than those they grew up with, said Khanjan Mehta, assistant professor of engineering design, at Pennsylvania State University. "What makes a good house? Is it wood, steel, concrete or bamboo?" Mehta said. "It all depends on the context. In some places steel and concrete are perfect, while straw bales and bamboo are optimal in other places," Mehta said. "We should be evaluating what is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable at the necessary scale in a given location," he said. Mehta acknowledges that often, indigenous housing is temporary housing. Seasonally or yearly it needs to be repaired or replaced due to weather and use damage. However, switching to permanent concrete-block construction is not necessarily the answer. In many places in Africa and South East Asia, cement - the major component of concrete - is scarce and or expensive. "In Zambia, I was in a small village, and the concrete walls moved if someone leaned on them," Mehta said. He explained that if cement is expensive, workers will use the least amount of cement they can and instead add more easily accessible sand to the concrete. This mix, however, does not have the strength or longevity of properly mixed concrete. "In Western Kenya, on the shores of Lake Victoria, all the houses now have tin roofs. Ten years back, no one had a tin roof and now tin roofs are called by the name of the company that makes them," said Mehta. This branding reflects the fact that there is only one manufacturer of tin roofs, which creates a monopoly that could lead to price manipulation. According to Mehta, one project, a windmill farm, failed because of dependence on a single supplier of steel. The material became so expensive, the windmills could not be built. "What we need to find are materials that are economical, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable. The materials also need to be scalable," said Mehta.For example, one approach uses locally thrown pottery vessels as the layer between a subroof and the final roof. The pots are all uniform, easily manufactured and inexpensive. Their installation on the roof provides an air space as insulation so that other, more expensive, materials are not needed. "People see western stuff as better, more modern and therefore they think it is good. Traditional homes can be just as cool, and maybe more sustainable," said Mehta. "They lived like buddies, they served like buddies and (as) buddies they embraced martyrdom in the highest traditions of the organisation and nation they served and died for," an army official said. (Photo: DC) Srinagar: Senior Army officials on Sunday joined a wreath laying ceremony held in Srinagar for two jawans who laid down their lives while fighting a group of heavily armed militants in Jammu and Kashmirs frontier district of Kupwara on Saturday. Five militants were also killed and three Army personnel including a Major were injured in the 22-hour-long gun battle. Army on Sunday said that all the slain militants belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit. The ceremony took place at Srinagar's picturesque Badami Bagh cantonment where the headquarters of Armys Chinar Corps are located. Among those who paid homage and laid wreaths to salute the final journey of Naik Shinde Shankar Chandrabhan and Gunner Sahadev Maruti More was Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua. He was joined by all ranks of the Corps at the solemn ceremony. A wreath was also laid on behalf of the Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. DS Hooda. Lt. Gen. Dua said exemplary acts of brave soldiers witnessed during Saturdays encounter serve as an inspiration to the present and future generations of soldiers. In their sacrifice, they have inspired an entire generation of soldiers and will continue to inspire generations of soldiers to be, he said adding Standing and eventually falling for and by ones comrade, they have redefined camaraderie and the entire nation salutes them. Lt. Gen. Dua also said that their families will forever remain the Armys responsibility and that it will ensure they are looked after and lead a life of dignity and pride. The encounter followed a search operation launched by the Armys 41 Rashtriya Rifles, 16 Grenadiers and 19 Maratha Regiment along with local polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and CRPF after receiving information about presence of militants in a private house in Marsari-Zunreshi village of Chowkibal area of Kupwara on Thursday evening. Defence spokesman Lt.Col. N.N. Joshi said the slain soldiers lived as buddies, they served as buddies and as buddies they embraced martyrdom in the highest traditions of the organisation and nation they served and died for. And in this sacrifice, they redefined camaraderie. He said Naik Shinde and Gunner Sahadev were the leading scouts of the team of Army and J&K police that had launched the search operation. As is often the case in such counter terrorist operations where the security forces take the first hit because terrorists invariably take shield of the civilians, the soldiers came under an intense volley of fire, a statement issued by Army said. It added that being the scouts Naik Shinde and Gunner Sahadev bore the brunt but true to their reputation for selfless bravado and grit, they, despite being grievously wounded, immediately retaliated with fire and prevented the terrorists from firing with impunity. It further said, Despite being mortally wounded, they continued fighting the terrorists leading eventually to their elimination. The Army said that the duo seemed to have been meant for each other. Though coming from two different parent Units (of Infantry and Artillery) with almost ten years separating them in age and service, they began their tenures in the 41 Rashtriya Rifles unit together in Jun 2015 and in this short span of time, this potent mix of experience and youthful vigor had not only become inseparable buddies but had also carved a niche for themselves as sharp scouts and had been part of numerous operations. Ever ready to volunteer for one challenging mission after another, the two embodied the true spirit of the buddy system in the Army that encourages true comradeship between soldiers. They lived by this spirit and they breathed their last, lending more to that spirit, it added. The Army statement reads The 34 year old Naik Shinde had joined 11 Maratha Light Infantry Battalion in September 2000. Right from his days of initial training in Army recruitment centre he was known for his determination and resilience. With an elder brother also in the Army who is now a JCO in 5 PARA battalion, soldiering came naturally to him. It was his passion for adventure and challenges that made him volunteer for RR again after an earlier stint in the same unit in 2006-07. He had also been deployed as a UN peacekeeper in South Sudan during a very restive period in 2012 where again he had discharged his duties with aplomb. His exceptional instructional capabilities and tactical acumen had earned him the nickname 'Master' by which he was fondly called by his fellow soldiers. His humble agricultural family background always reflected in his humility and his caring and giving nature. Late Naik Shinde is survived by his wife Smt Suvarna and two young children - a 6 year old daughter, Vaishnavi, and a year and a half old son Om besides his aging parents. Fondly called Maurya by peers for his indomitable spirit, the young 26 years old Gunner Sahadev was the youngest of three brothers who also came from a humble family of farmers in Bijapur, Karnataka. Good at academics with a first division in tenth standard, he was also a keen and proficient sportsman having represented his district in Kabaddi and Volleyball. His passion for adventure saw him getting enrolled in the army at Belgaum in 2011 and joined 158 Medium Regt. Endowed with leadership qualities he would naturally assume responsibility even during the rigorous endurance runs and other competitions during his recruitment training. Sharp in intellect and highly professional, he had already passed the potential NCO cadre within five years of service. The martyr is survived by his old parents and in fact, was about to turn a new leaf in life in a week's time when he was to proceed on leave for his marriage to a girl he had seen only last year. The progressive man that he was, he had insisted on delaying the marriage so that his prospective bride could complete her education. New Delhi: A strong pitch for bringing out a white paper on the state of the economy will be made by the Congress in the Budget session of Parliament beginning on February 23, a move it claims will expose the "boastful" assertions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The opposition party would also raise the issues of alleged misuse of the office of the governor, atrocities on dalits, "tension and conflict orchestrated" in university campuses and other institutes of excellence, deputy leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said. He said that Congress would persist with the demand of a white paper on the economy in view of the "boastful claims" of the Prime Minister. Sharma claimed that all sectors of the economy were slowing down. There is slide in manufacturing and industrial production, free fall in exports for the past 13 months, thousands of job loss in the export manufacturing sector, sharp decline in domestic investment and escalation of debt to GDP ratio, he said. Striking a similar note, another party leader Manish Tewari said "in the past 20 months, the only one thing that has outmatched the arrogance of the NDA-BJP government is its singular ignorance about governance". Only last week, the main opposition party had accused the Prime Minister of steering the economy "into a crisis" when sensex had crashed 807 points to drop below 23,000-mark, its lowest level in 21 months, on concerns over global economy and mounting bad loans as also weak quarterly earnings of state-run banks. The AICC has also cast doubts over official projections that GDP would grow at 7.6 per cent during the current fiscal and has alleged that the Prime Minister was "encouraging financial jugglery". "With there being low production and capital utilisation in many sectors, we have to wonder the veracity of this (official economic) data. India was always known for having credible statistics prior to the arrival of Modi government. "But, Modi government is obsessed with its image. In his quest to mask his failures in trying to fulfill the audacious promises he made, Modi is encouraging financial jugglery to maintain some semblance of credibility," the party had alleged last week in a commentary "Modi Govt's new GDP projections raise more questions than they answer". Instead of any effective policy intervention, all that the government is doing is repackaging old schemes and speaking about a Make-in-India programme, has been the refrain of the opposition. The issue of alleged misuse of governor is in the light of the imposition of President's rule in Arunachal Pradesh, where Congress was in power. Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: "Please do not call my son a terrorist," says JNUSU President Kanhaiya's mother as she breaks down while watching the news flashes on TV at a neighbour's house in Bihar's Begusarai district. "We are constantly watching TV after we got to know that Kanhaiya has been arrested. I hope police does not beat him too much. He has never disrespected his parents, forget the country. Please do not call my son a terrorist. He cannot be one," his mother Meena Devi told PTI over phone from Bihar. Meena, an Anganwadi worker who earns Rs 3,500 per month, says she and her eldest son Manikant are the sole bread-winners for the family as her 65-year-old husband has been bedridden for seven years due to paralysis. Kanhaiya's father Jaishankar Singh, who was a farmer, said his son is being framed into the case for opposing Hindutva politics. "My son has been part of so many campaigns against the BJP government, be it on fellowships or suicide of a Dalit student in Hyderabad university. He is being victimised for his opposition to Hindutva politics," he said. "Kanhaiya can never be anti-national. There is no question of his following an ideology of anti-nationalism. He is a nationalist like hundreds of thousands of youths of his age. He cannot insult 'Mother India'," he said. Last year in September, Kanhaiya swept the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union polls with 1,029 votes to become its president, the first from the All India Students Federation (AISF), the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Another of his brothers, Prince, who is preparing for competitive exams, said the entire family has been associated with CPI for generations. Alleging that Kanhaiya's arrest has been politicised, Prince said, "It is alarming that anti-national forces, which played no role in the national movement, are today branding my brother and his university as anti-national. This issue is not about Kanhaiya alone, it's bigger than him." Kanhaiya was arrested earlier this week in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy registered over the holding of an event at JNU against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the event, anti-India slogans were alleged to have been raised. The JNUSU president, who has been popular among students right from the day of the presidential debate held before JNUSU elections, had asserted a day before his arrest that he did not need a "certificate of patriotism from RSS". Kanhaiya studied in R K C High School in Bihar's Barauni area before joining College of Commerce in Patna in 2004. After completing his graduation from Nalanda Open University, Kumar moved to Delhi and subsequently joined JNU for his M.Phil in 2011. He is now a third year Ph.D student in the School of International Studies. BVP activists protest against an event at JNU supporting Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in New Delhi (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh unleashed a political storm today with a claim that an event at JNU to protest the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from LeT founder Hafiz Saeed amid an escalating showdown over the crisis at the varsity. Also read: JNU row: Rajnath Singhs remarks based on agencies' inputs, says MHA Opposition parties demanded that the Home Minister provide proof to back up his claim on the event at the JNU campus. WATCH: 'Unfortunate that JNU incident has been supported by LeT Chief Hafiz Saeed', says HM Rajnath Singhhttps://t.co/Djplbeakyo ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2016 In a shot in the arm for the students demanding the release of its students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, who was slapped with sedition charge, teachers associations of 40 central universities extended support to the protest by the students and teachers of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU). Also read: JNU row: 7 students asked to appear before probe panel JNU's teachers' association also openly came out against the administration for mishandling the matter and particularly slammed it for allowing police action before completion of a probe by the university's proctorial committee in connection with the event. The teachers are backing the students. Read: New video shows ABVP members allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans at JNU Amid the protests and mounting outrage over police action in JNU, Rajnath said, "The incident(Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand." Also read: JNU protest got support from LeT chief Hafiz Saeed: Rajnath Singh "What has happened is very unfortunate," Singh told reporters in Allahabad referring to an event at JNU campus to commemorate the third death anniversary of Afzal Guru. Singh's comments about Hafiz's links with the event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. Also read: Ex-soldiers threaten to return degrees over 'anti-national' activities in JNU National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it is a "very serious charge" to level against the students and that the evidence must be shared with all. That #HafizSaeed supported the #JNU protests is a very serious charge to level against the students. The evidence must be shared with all. Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) February 14, 2016 CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Home Minister has to come out and share the evidence he has with the country to back up his "serious allegation". CPI leader D Raja also demanded that the evidence be made public. Considering the gravity of the charge made by no less than the Union Home Minister,we would like him to share the evidence with the country. Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 14, 2016 Rajnath's comments came two days after a series of tweets, purportedly by Saeed, had appeared under a hashtag asking Pakistanis to support the agitation in JNU. Also read: JNU row: Please do not call my son a 'terrorist', says Kanhaiya's mother Police are investigating as to whether the twitter handle actually belonged to the LeT founder.Throwing its weight behind the students and teachers of JNU, President of Federation of Central University Teachers Association Nandita Narain said teachers' associations of 40 central universities including of Hyderabad University have extended support to agitation by JNU students and teaching community. Also read: People suppressing voice of students anti-national: Rahul Gandhi at JNU Seven of eight JNU students who were debarred from academic activities earlier this week in connection with the Afzal Guru event have been asked to appear before a high level committe of the varsity probing the matter. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on the social media, purportedly showing ABVP members shouting pro-Pakistan slogans. However ABVP, the students wing of BJP, rubbished the allegations, saying it is a morphed video. Leaders from across the political spectrum had condemned the Home Minister for unsubstantiated claims (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement that the JNU event had received "support" from terror outfit LeT founder Hafiz Saeed was based on inputs from "different agencies", a Home Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday. "Statement of the Home Minister is based on the inputs available from different agencies," a Home Ministry spokesperson said without elaborating. Earlier in the day, the Home Minister said in Allahabad that the event on JNU campus in Delhi against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru had received "support" from Saeed, a statement that sparked a political row with opposition parties asking him to provide evidence. Singh said the truth is that the Jawaharlal Nehru University event received support from Saeed, who is chief of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), needed to be understood by the nation. "The incident (Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand," Singh said, adding, "what has happened is very unfortunate." Police chase protesters during a clash, at Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar. (Photo: PTI) Srinagar: Separatist groups, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference, on Sunday called for a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow to protest the killing of two youths in firing allegedly by security forces in Pulwama. Condemning the killing of two civilians, including a girl, hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani called for a statewide shutdown tomorrow, a spokesman of the Hurriyat said. Geelani termed the killings as "cold-blooded murder and the worst kind of state terrorism of India in Jammu and Kashmir", he said. The moderate faction of Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also called for a statewide shutdown, terming the killings as "inhumane and immoral". Mirwaiz appealed to people to observe a complete strike against the killings. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik also called for a strike against the "brutal killings" and condemned the "silence" of international community, civil society and human rights organizations on the "unprovoked" killing of innocent people. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz has been put under house arrest, his Media Advisor Shahid-ul-Islam told PTI. A large contingent of police reached his residence in Nigeen here and placed him under house arrest, Islam said. Danish and Shahista were killed and three others injured allegedly in firing by security forces on protesters today after an encounter in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Chennai: About 100 members of the Tamil Nadu government college teachers association (TNGCTA) gathered at Chepauk on Saturday to protest against the government order to place Annamalai University professors in Government colleges. The teachers who were on a hunger strike throughout the day claimed that the Annamalai University professors had been hired through a contract basis, but their appointments had been against the rules of the government colleges. The protesters also demanded that they be given a pay hike, including a request to the government to revert back to the old pension scheme instead of the new one. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, R. Venkatachalam from TNGCTA said that the government teachers had been treated unfairly and demanded that the government revoke its government order about Annamalai University teachers being hired by government colleges. We are raising our voice because we deserve better and we hope the government will oblige, he added. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru (Photo: Twitter) New Delhi: Three youths on Sunday tried to vandalise the CPI(M) headquarters here as the police detained one of them. The attack came in the backdrop of the raging row over an event at the JNU campus against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. While the CPI(M) said the attackers were RSS-BJP workers who also hurled stones, the police said the detainee claimed to be member of an outfit called the Aam Aadmi Sena. Three youths came to the office of CPI(M) where they sprayed black ink on the wall of the office building. While, two of them managed to flee, one was held by CPI(M) workers and handed over to police, DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said. The youth, identified as Sushant Khosla, told police that he is a member of the Aam Aadmi Sena. We have initiated legal action in connection with the matter and investigation has been taken up, he added. Confirming the attack, CPI(M) General Sitaram Yechury said they tried to write slogans like Pakistan Zindabad at our office board. They were pursued by our comrades and one of them was caught and handed over to the police. We condemn this attack. The RSS which venerates the assassins of Mahatma Gandhi, is now branding the most secular democratic force, the CPI(M), as anti-national. We do not need certificates of patriotism from the murderers of Gandhi. We will meet this challenge politically, he said. The RSS is doing this to divert attention from the complete mess they have brought to the country in terms of economic and social conditions. They want to divert the attention of the people by whipping communal polarisation, Yechury said. CPI(M) sources said the youths threw stones and shouted slogans like CPI(M) Desh Chhodo (CPI-M quit the country). CPI National Secretary D Raja strongly condemned the attack on the CPI(M) office and said the Sangh Parivar cannot subvert our democratic political system and the constitutional arrangement of our polity. If they have anything to argue, they can argue but they should not resort to such cowardly and uncivilised attacks, Raja said. Yechury later shared a picture of the board at the party headquarters which was defaced. He stressed the alleged attack was a move aimed at "scaring" the Communist party members, which he termed as "Gujarat Model". "Tweet ka jawab pathar se? Just a poser to Home Minister and #SanghiHandles deface our Central Office! #GujaratModel." "Our accessible office now has barricades. Their idea is to try and scare us off! Us today-who tomorrow #GujaratModel," he tweeted. Patna: The NDA, which is observing a Shahabad bandh to protest against the recent killing of BJP leader Visheshwar Ojha, on Sunday, submitted a memorandum to Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and sought his intervention in checking alleged spurt in the state's crime graph. "We met the governor today and apprised him of the lawlessness prevailing in the state and urged him to intervene and direct the Chief Minister and Director General of Police to take appropriate steps to ensure proper law and order situation and a terror-free atmosphere," BJP state chief Mangal Pandey told reporters. Miscreants had on Friday shot dead Bihar BJP vice president Visheshwar Ojha between Sonvarsha and Parsaura village in Bhojpur district. Pandey said the delegation comprising prominent NDA leaders - Mangal Pandey, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, Prem Kumar, Ashwini Choubey, and Sanjay Mayukh - requested the governor to apprise the President and the Centre of the law and order situation in the state. In its 17-point memorandum, the NDA has enumerated the major incidents of crime in recent months, including the killings of NDA leaders like BJP V-P Visheshwar Ojha, BJP leader Kedar Singh, and LJP leader Brijnathi Singh. It also raised the issue of alleged rise in incidents of kidnappings for ransom, extortion. The issue of alleged involvement of grand alliance's legislators in cases relating to rape, eve teasing, killings of engineers and traders in Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Patna and alleged intimidation by the Patna IG to media persons were also raised. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "The IG is intimidating journalists openly. He is working as agent of grand alliance led by JD(U)." BJP has given a call for 'Shahabad bandh' today to protest against the killing of the party leader and "deteriorating" law and order situation in the state. Shahabad region comprises four districts - Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur, and Buxar. If it was hanging of Yakub Memon that led to protests at University of Hyderabad, it was the issue of Afzal Gurus hanging that led to a showdown between students union and ABVP at the JNU. Heres the issue in details: The genesis Some students pasted posters across the JNU campus inviting people to a protest against judicial killing of Afzal Guru, triggering a row. ABVP up in arms Members of ABVP objected to the event and wrote to the V-C that such kind of protests should not be held on the campus, prompting the university administration to order cancellation of the march. Admin steps in The JNU administration already instituted a disciplinary inquiry as to how the event took place despite withdrawal of permission and said it will wait for the probe report before taking any further action. Sedition charge However, Delhi Police registered a case of sedition against unknown persons in connection with the event, following complaints by BJP MP Maheish Girri and BJPs student front ABVP. Student leader arrested On February 12, JNU Students Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was arrested in a sedition case over the Afzal Guru event. Issue takes political colour Kumars arrest sparked a massive outrage among students and criticism from non-BJP parties which dubbed it as an emergency-like situation. Governments refrain Asserting that JNU cannot be allowed to be a hub of anti-national activities, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said freedom of expression cannot be absolute and unqualified and reasonable restriction has to be there. Comparisons with Rohith issue Politicians were quick to draw a parallel between the JNU row and Rohith Vemula suicide issues, accusing the NDA government of suppressing freedom of expression. Degree wapsi A batch of ex-servicemen, alumni of the university, threatened to return their degrees as they found it difficult to be associated with an institution that has become a hub of anti-national activities. Politics on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using police to terrorise everyone even as he asserted that anti-national activities should not be tolerated under any circumstances. New Delhi: New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University became the centrestage for national politics as the ongoing row over anti-India sloganeering by a group of students escalated Sunday, setting off a massive political storm after Union home minister Rajnath Singh claimed the event at the JNU campus to commemorate the third death anniversary of Afzal Guru had the support of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba patron and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed. The incident (Afzal event) at JNU has received support from Hafiz Saeed. This is a truth that the nation needs to understand... What happened is very unfortunate, Mr Singh said referring to the event at the JNU campus last week. The Congress and Left parties, along with other non-BJP parties like the NCP, pounced on the Modi government demanding that the home minister corroborate his statement with proof as it had serious implications. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it was a very serious charge to level against the students, while CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI national secretary D. Raja demanded that the evidence be made public. The RSS too jumped into the fray, making a veiled attack on the Congress and the Left over their stand, saying that some political leaders were condoning anti-national acts instead of demanding action against them. Cautioning his fellow politicians and intellectuals, minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju asserted that freedom of expression is not absolute and unqualified and that it cant be at the expense of the national interest. MHA tries to cover up for mistake After it turned out that the Twitter handle was reportedly fake, the MHA tried to distance itself from the tweet, saying: Statement of the home minister is based on the inputs available from different agencies. MHA sources said the intelligence agencies had warned that LeT wanted to stoke unrest and fish in troubled waters amid the students protests at JNU. The security agencies are now probing whether the Twitter handle was created by the LeT founder, and if not, who were the elements behind it. This is the first time any event at the institution is being linked to terror from Pakistan. JNU teachers rallied behind the students and questioned the universitys decision to allow the police crackdown while they appealed to the public not to brand the institution as anti-national. Hyderabad: Childline officials and the police rescued 80 children from brick kilns and tile units in RR district in January. Most of the children are sons and daughters of migrant labourers from Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Some are orphans from RR district. The children were exposed to harsh conditions under the sun. Unlike in the bangle units of Hyderabad, the children are exposed to danger in the brick kilns of Tandur, Pargi, Chevella and Vikarabad. All the rescued kids are aged between four and 14. Some are paid a small amount, but most of them, whose parents are working in the same units, are not paid at all. After the rescue, the orphans from the villages in RR district told the police that they had to support their grandparents. The kids of migrant labourers said they were made to believe they were just helping parents. The parents and kiln owners encourage kids to work without pay. If both parents and a child work, the owner will pay Rs 500 a day, said a senior police official. The state government wants to secure this entire loan from Brics Bank in China. (Representational image) Hyderabad: The Telangana state government will rely entirely on foreign loans to mobilise Rs 77,533 crore to fulfil its GHMC poll promise of transforming Hyderabad into a global city by creating world-class infrastructure facilities. The municipal administration and urban development (Maud) department, which had identified 10 key sectors in city that need to be developed on a war footing, has pegged the total expenditure at Rs 77,500cr. However, the government first needs to obtain approval from the Centre to mobilise such a huge foreign loan. The government has decided to send the loan proposals to the department of Economic affairs in the Union finance ministry in a week for approval. The state government wants to secure this entire loan from Brics Bank in China. If the Centre approves, the government wants to secure the entire Rs 75,000cr loan in three years. Proposals are being sent for sanction of Rs 25,000cr each year. A three-year timeframe has been fixed, said a Maud official. Hyderabad: Three persons were killed and one was injured seriously in a car-bike collision in Mahbubnagar district on Sunday. The mishap occurred when the car hit the bike. Police said the deceased, Ramesh, 35, Papulu, 30, and Saraiah, 28, had come to work at the electric sub station in Sarva Reddy Pally village. Ramesh and Papulu died on the spot and Saraiah died in hospital. Car driver Ramesh, 27, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. The passengers in the car were on way to attend a wedding at Nizamabad. Bengaluru: With elections to the Rajya Sabha and state Legislative Council looming, the JD(S) is reportedly not keen on taking action against Gangavathi MLA, Iqbal Ansari just now, though he has challenged it to expel him for hobnobbing with the Congress. Mr Ansari not only campaigned for the Congress in ZP-TP polls, but also called himself a Congress MLA while daring the party to show him the door. But the JD(S) leadership has decided not to be provoked in view of the coming Council and Rajya Sabha polls where every vote will count. A senior JD(S) leader says Mr Ansari has become a hot potato for the party , which it can neither swallow nor spit out. Given the number of MLAs it has, the party is in no position to expel him, according to him. If he is expelled, the party will have no control over him as its whip is not applicable to expelled members. Mr Ansari merely wants to escape the anti-defection law and so the party has decided to ignore his antics, he said. Another party MLA, Zameer Ahmed Khan too has not crossed the 'lakshman rekha' despite his criticism of JD(S) leader H.D Kumaraswamy, according to party insiders. Although Mr Khan has been making comments against the JD(S) state president, they say the tiff is more like one between Tom and Jerry as the two men are close friends. Two IIT students have developed an app to automatically find available tickets starting from stations before or after the source station. (Representational Image) Kolkata: Two students, one of them from IIT, have launched a mobile app, which uses a unique algorithm to find out alternative routes for getting seats in train. "There are some station-wise quotas for ticket booking. For example if you are booking a ticket from station A, it might show waiting list but when you book it from a previous station you might get the ticket. If you try to find out such stations manually it becomes tough but our app has automated this," the app's co-developer Runal Jaju told PTI. The 'Ticket Jugaad' app is developed by second year IIT Kharagpur student Jaju and his cousin Shubham Baldava, who studies in NIT Jamshedpur. Supported by Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT, the start-up won the first prize of Rs 1.5 lakh in IIT Kharagpur's Annual Global Business Model Competition recently. The app automatically finds available tickets starting from stations before or after the source station to provide passengers the maximum path that can be covered with a confirmed ticket. The Railways allows passengers to board the train from a station, which comes after the booking station. "What we do is to provide you with all the possible permutations and combinations to cover the maximum part of your journey," the 20-year-old engineering student said. Jaju said some ticket agents are experts in manually calculating such combinations to find seats but they charge a hefty fee from passengers. The app is not only free for download but charges nothingfrom the passengers for providing the service. The idea came from Jaju's personal experiences of travelling in between Kharagpur in West Bengal and his hometown of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. "When I went to the website to book tickets it showed waiting list while when I boarded the train it had few empty seats. They were left unutilised despite a huge demand and so I thought of solving this problem by using technology," Jaju said. He then contacted his cousin, a computer science student in NIT, who did the coding part for the app. Currently only on the Android platform, where it has seen more than 5000 downloads in a month's time, the student-entrepreneurs are now planning to launch it on website and Apple's iOS operating system as well. 'Ticket Jugaad' has a tie up with online travel agency Cleartrip for booking tickets. "We will never have ads on our platform. To raise revenue we will try to get a license for booking the tickets from our app," he said adding that they are trying to expand their services gradually. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The death of the 79-year-old conservative justice, announced by Chief Justice John Roberts, promises to provoke a major confrontation between President Barack Obama, a Democrat, and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace Scalia later this year. (Photo: AP) Washington: The future of the US Supreme Court grabbed center stage in the country's presidential campaign with the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia, setting up an election-year battle over who should succeed him on a nine-member bench that interprets US law over such hot-button issues as abortion, gay marriage, healthcare and immigration. The death of the 79-year-old conservative justice, announced by Chief Justice John Roberts, promises to provoke a major confrontation between President Barack Obama, a Democrat, and the Republican-controlled Senate over who will replace Scalia later this year. The prospect of such a battle drew swift and furious comment from candidates vying to be elected president in November. The US president has the job of nominating justices, and the Senate has the job of confirming. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whose Republicans control the Senate, issued a statement saying the vacancy should not be filled until Obama's successor takes office next January so that voters can have a say in the selection. In California for a summit of leaders from Southeast Asia, Obama pledged to tap a replacement for Scalia and said he was confident the Senate would have "plenty of time" to review and vote on the nomination. "I plan to fulfill my Constitutional responsibilities to nominate a successor in due time," said Obama, who has the opportunity to become the first president to appoint three justices since Republican Ronald Reagan, who appointed Scalia in 1986. Obama did not indicate who he would nominate. Another Obama nominee has the potential to swing the court in a more liberal direction, making this particular slot the most contentious in modern politics. The last time a Senate of one party confirmed the choice of the opposite party during an election year was in 1988, when Justice Anthony Kennedy, another Reagan appointee, was elevated to the high court. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged Obama to nominate Scalia's replacement despite McConnell's threat. "The Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail who are calling for Justice Scalia's seat to remain vacant dishonor our Constitution," Clinton said in a statement. "The Senate has a constitutional responsibility here that it cannot abdicate for partisan political reasons." Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, and Ted Cruz, a US senator from Texas, earlier had called on the president to leave the seat vacant until the next administration. "Justice Scalia was an American hero," Cruz, a former Supreme Court law clerk, wrote on Twitter. "We owe it to him, & the Nation, for the Senate to ensure that the next President names his replacement." Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, who chairs the Senate committee that would vet a court nominee, also called on the White House to wait for the next president. Both political parties already had made the future of the country's highest court a campaign issue even though it usually fails to resonate with voters and rarely ranks as a top issue in public opinion polls. Debating the court allows both Democrats and Republicans to argue policy planks that are central to their message. Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton often speaks at campaign rallies about the recent decisions of the court, such as legalising gay marriage, and how a Republican president might name justices who could undo that decision. Her Democratic rival, Bernie Sanders, often rails against the 2010 Citizens United decision, which legalized unlimited campaign spending by individuals and corporations. Democrats would likely be pleased to see Obama name a replacement, which would tip the balance of the nine-member court in favor of liberals after several years favoring conservatives by a 5-4 majority. Despite the court's conservative credentials, Republicans have been highly critical, telling voters that a Republican president is needed to name jurists who will overturn such decisions as Roe vs Wade in 1973 legalizing abortion and one in 2015 legalizing same-sex marriage along with two decisions upholding aspects of Obama's 2010 signature healthcare law. "The next president must nominate a justice who will continue Justice Scalia's unwavering belief in the founding principles that we hold dear," US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida said in a statement. British Prime Minister David Cameron is trying to force changes in four main areas, the most contentious being limiting access to welfare benefits for EU migrants for their first four years in the country. (Photo: AP) London: The European Union will "lurch very much in the wrong direction" if Britain votes to leave in an in/out referendum, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond warned Sunday. The British minister predicted that negotiations with other European leaders to secure a reform deal for the bloc "would go to the wire" at a European Council summit on Thursday and Friday. British Prime Minister David Cameron is trying to force changes in four main areas, the most contentious being limiting access to welfare benefits for EU migrants for their first four years in the country. "There isn't a deal yet," Hammond told BBC's Andrew Marr Show. "We have to make progress, there are blanks in the text. "The text on the table recognises there can be a period of four years in which people are treated different. That is a major breakthrough in challenging one of the sacred cows of EU ideology. "I don't think that's going to get resolved before Thursday," he added. "We've got a negotiation that will run through this week and I have no doubt that will go right to the wire." Hammond accepted that Britain might get "slightly less than we expect" in some areas, but stressed that European leaders "understand we have to have a robust deal if the British people are to vote to remain within the European Union." Cameron promised an in/out referendum by the end of 2017, but is likely to bring it forward if a deal is reached this week, with a date in June earmarked. Hammond said that Britain would not necessarily push for a treaty change to lock in the reforms, saying it wasn't essential to give them binding force, and that it would push back the proposed referendum date if it wasn't happy with this week's proposals. But if Britain did eventually vote to leave, it could spell crisis for remaining members of the EU, and lead to bitter break-up negotiations, he said. "I fear that without Britain Europe would lurch very much in the wrong direction," he said. "Britain has been an enormously important influence in Europe, for open markets, free trade and a less dirigiste approach to running the economy. "There's a real fear in Europe that if Britain leaves, the contagion would spread," he added. "Countries remaining in the EU will be looking over their shoulder at the people in their own country going 'if the Brits can do it why can't we?' and they will not have an interest in demonstrating that we can succeed outside the EU." Cameron's personal ratings have fallen as a result of his renegotiations, according to a poll in The Independent on Sunday. Only 31 percent of those polled by ComRes look on Cameron favourably, dropping seven points in the last three months. Rio de Janeiro: The presence of the Zika virus in Brazil won't compromise the Olympics in August, President Dilma Rousseff vowed on Saturday as soldiers went door-to-door across the country to share key tips on how to stem the outbreak. "The situation does not compromise the Olympics," Rousseff said. "We are confident that until the Olympics begin we will have considerable success in exterminating" the Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits the virus. Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Games August 5 to 21, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world. Brazil has been most affected by the outbreak that has spread rapidly through Latin America and the Caribbean, with 1.5 million people in the country infected since early 2015. While it causes only mild flu-like symptoms in most people, Zika is strongly suspected of a rapid rise in the number of children born with microcephaly abnormally small heads and brains to mothers infected during pregnancy. Multiple governments have urged women to avoid getting pregnant as researchers work to confirm whether Zika causes microcephaly and the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome. Rousseff spoke to reporters after visiting houses in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro as part of the national anti-Zika campaign. Early today, some 220,000 soldiers fanned out across the vast South American country, part of the operation to knock on three million doors and distribute informational leaflets. Warning that pregnant women were especially at risk, Rousseff urged all Brazilians to come together. "The war depends on us," she said, accompanied by officials, health workers and a swarm of journalists. Wearing a white cap and short-sleeve shirt with the slogan #ZikaZero, the president personally sprayed larvicide in areas where mosquitoes can breed. "The government is taking the lead but that alone won't win the war," she said. "We need to get everyone involved." Members of the three branches of the armed forces visited homes, restaurants and shops, sharing information on how to eradicate mosquito breeding areas that are found in everyday settings. The troops handed out leaflets with the slogan "a mosquito is not stronger than an entire country," and advised residents to keep water tanks tightly covered, turn open bottles upside down and store tires in places where they won't collect water. There is currently no cure or vaccine for Zika. Brazil has confirmed three deaths linked to the virus. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, Brazil recorded 462 cases of microcephaly between October and February, compared with an annual average of 150 cases. Forty-one of the cases have a confirmed link to Zika virus. Another 3,852 suspected cases of this birth defect were being studied. "Militants from several countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and central Asia are fighting in Iraq," said Sheikh Meesam Zaidi, a senior commander of Al-Abbas Popular Mobilisation Forces. (Photo: AP) Baghdad: Hundreds of militants from around the world, including from Pakistan, are fighting alongside the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq, according to top military commanders of the war-torn Arab country who said they had no information of Indians being among them. "Militants from several countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and central Asia are fighting in Iraq," said Sheikh Meesam Zaidi, a senior commander of Al-Abbas Popular Mobilisation Forces. When asked about presence of Indians in ISIS ranks in Iraq, the commander whose forces are battling terrorists in areas like Salahuddin, Anbar, Baiji said that they have "no such information". Responding to a similar question, another top Hashd commander also that they have no knowledge of presence of Indians on Iraqi soil. "We have no information about their (Indians) presence in Iraq," Kareem al-Noree, advisor to Hashd's Badr Bridge chief Hadi al-Amri, told a group of visiting Indian journalists. According to earlier media reports, some Indians were killed in Syria fighting alongside the ISIS. However, there was no report of Indians joining the battle in Iraq. Zaidi, whose brigade has lost 50 personnel, said that it was impossible for one country to stop the ISIS and the world should unite to fight against the dreaded terrorist group. "ISIS is a brutal terrorist group and it's a threat to the world. We are not fighting (against them) just to save our country, we are fighting to save the world," Zaidi told reporters. Hashd al-Shaabi is a state-sponsored umbrella organisation composed of several armed groups formed in 2014 to fight against the ISIS. Noree said ISIS has nothing to do with Islam and the outfit just wants to establish its control over the region. "They don't believe in Islam. They are opportunist who care only for their interests," he added. ISIS is an al-Qaeda splinter group which has captured a large part of Iraq and Syria and declared a caliphate led by Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. The Swiss Embassy in Tehran already provides consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran in the absence of an American diplomatic mission there. (Photo: AFP) Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Sunday that Switzerland has agreed to handle its diplomatic services in Iran so that Iranian pilgrims can continue to visit the oil-rich kingdom. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran last month after protesters outraged over the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric set fire to the Saudi Embassy and another diplomatic mission. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the Swiss would facilitate procedures for Iranian Muslims to visit Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimages. He spoke during a visit by his Swiss counterpart, Didier Burkhalter. The Swiss Embassy in Tehran already provides consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran in the absence of an American diplomatic mission there. Switzerland has separately offered to represent Iranian interests in Saudi Arabia, Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency quoted Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari as saying. He said Switzerland is prepared to assume that role once consultations with Saudi Arabia are finalized. Beijing: A Chinese nationalist newspaper says American politicians are resorting to petty actions following a unanimous bill approval by the Senate to rename the plaza in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington after an imprisoned Chinese political dissident. The Communist Party-controlled Global Times called the move Sunday provocative and said it's intended to outrage Beijing, although China would not consider it a big deal. "The US has been at its wits' end in dealing with China as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire," the newspaper wrote. "The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China." The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. Senate Bill 2451, as proposed by Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, wants to rename the plaza after Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Peace laureate serving an 11-year sentence on the conviction of inciting state subversion. The bill still needs to clear the House of Representatives and must be signed by the president before it can become a law, and make "1 Liu Xiaobo Plaza" as the official address of the Chinese Embassy. Its current address is 3503 International Place. Cruz's office said the bill expresses solidarity with Chinese dissidents. The Global Times says the bill is driven by Western jealousy and is unlikely to disturb China, which has grown confident to brush aside ill-intended moves by the West. "This latest move by Congress cannot change the fact that Liu jeopardised China's national security and was sentenced to jail," the paper wrote in its editorial. "Whether Liu feels proud of such turbulent embraces from the West or not, he has become a tool of the West against China. Elbit Systems is showing the Hermes with a full range of sensors, including the AMPS, a heavy, high resolution EO payload providing Highly detailed imagery from medium and high altitude. Until now such sensors were commonly employed by manned aircraft, such as the Beechcraft B-200 and similar, as unmanned aerial platforms could not carry such heavy payloads. Hermes 900 was also shown here with the DCOMPASS EO stabilized ball, an airborne radar, SIGINT and COMINT sensors (underwing and belly); all can be employed simultaneously on the Hermes 900. Singapore is displaying its latest air defense asset the Israeli Spyder short range air defense system. The system acquired by Singapore shares many common features with the Indian Spyder, although the version on display at the Singapore Airshow does not have the Toplite EO system, operational systems will receive this function soon. Rafael has developed two versions of the Spyder the short range (Spyder SR) employing the Derby and Python surface-launched interceptors (identical to the air launched missiles) and the Medium Range (Spyder MR) featuring the same missiles equipped with boosters for additional range. The ACMS Lite uses the latest ARM processor and mobile communications technology to enhance the soldiers networking and situational awareness capability. The new kit, currently in evaluation, includes a smartphone portable device providing mesh-networking communications, processing and display of situational awareness, and support of C2 applications. It will also include fabric cabling integrated into the load Bering vest, offering more reliable and lightweight, low power solution. ACMS Lite is designed to be used by team members and team leaders. Key components of the system are the soldier computer subsystem, including a wearable computer and power pack, the communications subsystem supporting wireless radio and data connectivity through mesh networking, full color OLED based helmet mounted display and active noise diction hearing protection, indoor and outdoor navigation system with GPS support, and weapon-mounted camera (offering round the corner vision), MARS reflex sight with laser aiming device. The weapon subsystem offers hands-on-weapon operation of six functions via the weapon interactor. STELOP is unveiling an uncooled thermal viewer at the Singapore Airshow, developed for modern soldier system programs. The main advantage of such thermal viewer over image intensifier viewers is its capability to operate in mixed lighting condition, (no saturation effect) as well as in total darkness (such as underground facilities). Helmis is currently at a prototype stage, expected to be tested with the Singapore Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) soon. The viewer weighs less than 500 grams, and can be mounted on a helmet or strapped onto a headband as shown in its photo. It uses an uncooled 8-12 micron sensor offering 30 degree field of view, supported by a 800600 OLED display. Operating time is more than four hours. ST Aerospace is showing a civil version of its Skyblade 3 mini UAV system designed for homeland security and law enforcement. It is designed to carry a modular payload, operated by a two-man crew assisted by a new, redesigned ground control unit.The new drone dubbed Skyblade 360 is designed for quick reaction missions supporting emergency response, scientific or law enforcement missions. The drone weighs about nine kilograms and can operate at an altitude of 300 up to 3,000 above ground, (90-920 m), up to 15 km away from the ground control station. Powred by battery, it can operate for three hours, or up to six hours using a fuel cell. Its length is 1.8 meters and the span is 3 meters. Skyblade 3 was shown at the Singapore Airshow 2012 using a new uncooled stabilized thermal imager. Skyblade 3 has a take off weight of five kilograms, operational altitude of 90-460 meters. Flying at a speed of 35 knots, it has an endurance of more than 60 minutes. It can operate on a mission up to eight kilometers from the ground control unit. Rafael is expanding the Spike missile family with the lightweight, man-portable Spike SR, a fire and forget short range guided missile enabling infantrymen to engage a wide range of targets with high precision, from ranges up to 800 meters. Spike SR is positioned between the Spike MR (medium-range) weapon and the unguided Matador multipurpose rocket, offering the advantages of both weapons for infantry-relevant ranges, at a full system weight of less than 10 kg., therefore reducing load by 3 percent. This is the thermal camera (seeker) view as seen by the Spike SR operator, just before launching at a MBT target from a range of 500 meters. The missile is effective at ranges of 800 meters. The operator has an option to zoom in to aid target identification. the seeker automatically corrects and locks on the stationary or moving target, aiming to maximize probability of kill. New aiming algorithms can be added to improve the missiles hit probability against specific targets. The new Boeing F-15SG of the Singapore air Force are equipped with Lockheed Martin AN/AAQ33 Sniper targeting pod and the new TigerEyes InfraRed Search & Track (IRST) sensor mounted on the snipers carrying pylon. TigerEyes has already been unveiled at the RSAF open day at Paya Lebar last year, but is being shown at an airshow for the first time. TigerEyes, developed by Lockheed Martin has been selected for the Korean Slam Eagle and most recently for the Saudi Arabian F-15SA program. IAI is displaying the EL/M 2258 ALPHA Advanced Lightweight phased Array Radar at the Singapore Airshow 2012. The new radar is designed to support the latest Barak 8 Air and missile defense missiles deployed on corvettes and frigates, where installation of the large, four-panel MF-STAR radar cannot be supported. Rear view of the ALPHA radar: Gulfstream/IAI G5500 CAEW and Elbit Systems Hermes 450 UAV displayed at the Singapore Airshow 2012. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update IAI combined outdoor display showing the Heron, Panther, and Barak 8 Air Defense Missiles. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update Over the six-day show from 11-16 February, Singapore Airshow 2014 welcomed some 146,000 visitors in total. Visitorship over the four trade days from 11-14 February stood at almost 46,000 visitors from 129 countries/regions, with 31% coming from overseas. Singapore Airshow 2014 also played host to 279 delegations from 72 countries. Singapore Airshow returns from 16 to 21 February 2016 at Changi Exhibition Centre. Singapore Airshow 2014 attracted close to 100,000 visitors over the public day weekend on 15 and 16 February. In addition to the 80,000 public day tickets that were completely sold out, the Airshow also welcomed guests for the Republic of Singapore Air Forces 45th anniversary celebrations at Singapore Airshow, exhibiting personnel, student groups and concession ticket holders over the two days. We are delighted with the achievements of Singapore Airshow 2014. We received good feedback from our public day visitors who enjoyed the impressive line-up of activities, especially the stunning aerial display performances, and found it convenient to access and leave the show. We will look into how we can improve on this further for the next show in 2016. We would like to thank all our partners and agencies for their support in making this another successful Airshow, said Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, organiser of Singapore Airshow. Visitors to the Airshow were treated to an impressive line-up of public day activities, including the highly-anticipated flying display, featuring the largest number of aerobatic teams in the history of Singapore Airshow. The line-up included awe-inspiring team aerobatics performances by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Black Knights, the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles and the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) The Jupiters. There were also solo aerobatic performances by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RSAF pavilion, part of the RSAFs efforts to celebrate its 45th anniversary with the public at Singapore Airshow 2014, was also a major highlight of the public days. The new public day arrangements introduced this year by show organisers, where visitors go through security clearance at Singapore Expo before boarding the shuttle bus to Changi Exhibition Centre, were well-received. In particular, the objective of getting visitors into the show swiftly and safely during the peak period in the morning before the flying display was achieved. Defense-Update has posted a series of reports from the Singapore Airshow, including a preview, live and post event reports. Either Albany Police Lieutenant Alan Lynn is a great grill chef, or the department as a whole possesses a healthy mix of self-sacrifice, community service and insanity. Maybe its both. But Lynn cites the fact that he promised to prepare his barbecue brisket for anyone who signed up for the seventh annual Polar Plunge, a law enforcement-supported event that raises money for Special Olympics Oregon through pledges given to volunteers who dress in costumes and rush into the frigid February waters of the Willamette River. Whatever the case, the department fielded 22 swimmers, a roster consisting of officers, department employees and family members. The next largest team APD brought to the plunge had eight members, and that was two years ago. Not only did the department bring its largest team yet, but the Frozen Few, as they are known, raised $3,893 the most money raised out of the 40 teams at the Corvallis event, held at the Crystal Lake Boat Ramp. For Lynn, it was a special priority to beat the Sweet Home, Corvallis, Lebanon and Salem police departments for fundraising. One of five such events statewide, the Corvallis teams raised more than $35,000. It was just about 41 degrees in the gray water, and the crews from the Linn and Benton County Sheriffs Offices, as well as Corvallis Fire, gunned their rescue boats against the current, waiting just downstream for any emergency, with rescue divers deployed as well. The teams were made up primarily of police departments and college sororities and fraternities, with mobs of swimmers waiting with palpable excitement for what they were about to do. Lets take a look at the physiology of the act of jumping into icy water: Plungers introduce themselves to a four-phase reaction, which involves cold shock response, cold incapacitation, hypothermia and Circum-rescue collapse. Of course, those final three reactions are the ones to avoid, but the fact remains the teams flirted with such perils. The first phase lasts for about a minute and generally causes gasping and hyperventilation. The danger is in submerging and then involuntarily gasping for air, taking a lung full of water. The other phases are likely not factors for the plungers, but it is worth the mention, and certainly the reason for the boats and rescue divers. Maybe more important are the warming tents, where the plungers change into dry clothes immediately following their turn in the water. And of course there are the spectators, lining the grassy knoll to witness the spectacle, while the country strains of Corvallis band Wild Hog in The Woods put a warm edge on the brisk air. After the plunge, the Frozen Few stood for a shivery group shot on the knoll, talking in excited tones about their individual contributions. Department employee Mike Peaslee raised $225, and Albany Police recruit Dakotah Hinrichs raised $360. Lynn, as it turns out, raised $1,001. I made some calls, he said casually. Maybe he also promised some of his brisket. He said he plans to serve his promised fare at a lunch sometime next week. Maybe somebody from the D-H could cover that event as well? Flowers, a handmade wooden cross and messages of love have replaced the crime scene tape that once surrounded the spot at Alan Berg Park in Corvallis where Kimberly Theresa Hakes was found dead one year ago Monday. The 42-year-old Hakes, affectionately known as mom by many in the community, was found dead about 10 a.m. Feb. 15, 2015, inside a tent at the park, a wooded area across from downtown on the Willamette Rivers east bank that is frequently used by homeless as a campground. For those who knew her best, and for the police searching for answers to Corvallis only unsolved murder in the last 25 years, Kimberly Hakes will never be forgotten. When she smiled, she lit up the room, said Kevin Weaver, outreach worker at the Daytime Drop-In Center. And when she was upset, everyone scattered. She was one of the most wonderful people Ive ever met. Hakes had been homeless off and on for more than a decade and had been living on her own in Avery Park for the last several years. Hakes street family a group of homeless people who knew her for a long time have made frequent visits to the site where her body was found to offer items of remembrance, flowers and kind words. They meet regularly every Saturday morning for breakfast at the Daytime Drop-In Center and frequently share stories about mom. Were going to be there on the anniversary to add some more flowers and to talk about how wonderful she was, said Mary Wagner, who had known Hakes for more than a decade. She had a great heart. Wagner was homeless for nearly 10 years and had a campsite in Avery Park near Hakes. While Wagner now has a place to live, shes reminded every day of Hakes passing as she still gets around town on a bike that Hakes gave to her as a gift. She protected and loved her friends. Thats why we call her mom, Wagner said. She was loud and fun, and she was a fighter. Craig and Emily Kinney, themselves homeless for several years, said Hakes often ate meals in the same group of close friends for years. The couple now find it difficult to eat breakfast without Hakes beside them. When we found out about mom, we were all devastated, Craig Kinney said. Mom always looked out for us. But Hakes closest friends also share their fears of never finding answers in the mystery surrounding her death. She was a fighter and a scrapper and we cant figure out what circumstances led to this, Kinney said. There is nothing. Just rumors. Hakes longtime friend Paula Lindsey echoed the sentiment. Kim could seriously hold her own. Not kidding that girl really knew how to box. No one messed with her, so you wonder what happened, Lindsey said. People talk about it like they were there, but its rumors. The investigation The Corvallis Police Department has ruled Hakes death a homicide, but few details have been released in the investigation. No suspects have been identified and no one has been detained in connection with the incident, which the department still classifies as an open investigation. With the exception of the Brooke Wilberger case, the Hakes murder case is the only one in the past 25 years that has taken the CPD longer than six months to solve. In the weeks after Hakes body was found, more than 100 law enforcement representatives from around the region were involved in the case and nearly every officer with the Corvallis Police Department assisted with the investigation. Six months after it began, police said work was being done on the case daily. Now a year into the investigation, department representatives say the assigned detective works on the case weekly. While it may look as if the investigation has slowed, Capt. Dan Hendrickson of the Corvallis Police Department said it remains a top priority for the department and that officers are doing everything they can to track down every possible lead. This is not a cold case. This is far from being a cold case, Hendrickson said. We all recognize this is one year coming up here. Thats an important date to us as well. Hendrickson said each case carries its own unique challenges and that some like the 1982 murder of Greg Kirkelie that concluded with a conviction of Kirkelies wife, Brenda Kirkelie Duran, in 2006 take decades to solve. But Hendrickson acknowledged that each day the case remains unsolved is a difficult day for law enforcement. It certainly is frustrating for our investigators to not be able to put to rest who took her life, and to not be able to bring some sort of justice to her life, he said. Theres an element of frustration when they go on and we havent resolved it yet. In the year since Hakes body was found, police have questioned nearly 200 people, gathered more than 200 pieces of evidence, conducted hundreds of interviews, and sent and received test results from the state crime lab. The department has brought in the Albany Police Department, Benton County Sheriffs Office, Linn County Sheriffs Office, Philomath Police Department, Linn County District Attorneys Office and Oregon State Police. The department does not keep track of hours worked on individual cases, but police have estimated that thousands of hours have been put into the case. We have to solve this. Period, Hendrickson said, adding that Hakes photo was posted in the departments briefing room days after the murder to serve as a reminder of the citys only open murder case. The photo recently was taken down when it was replaced on Jan. 15 when 29-year-old Jason Scott Williams was shot to death outside of Sharis Restaurant. But Hendrickson, who personally knew Hakes for several years, said the case will never be forgotten and never put to rest until it is solved. Other cases get closed or discontinued. Homicides never go away, Hendrickson said. When it comes to a homicide, its some of the most atrocious things youre going to see. Not only with the scene of the crime, but what it does to the family, what it does to the community. That never goes away. Same community, different home Police acknowledge that Hakes homeless status has created challenges. But they point to other solved murder cases involving homeless people (like the Jan. 15 slaying of Williams, who was living at Community Outreach Inc. at the time of his death) as evidence that each case is unique and that someones address is not a factor in the effort put forth. Still, many in the community wonder whether a possible divide between the homeless and police is reason the case remains unsolved. I think the difficulty police are having has an awful lot to do with trust issues that they have with the homeless, Weaver said. The police and the homeless run into each other more than anyone else and are often clashing. Because there is nothing about homelessness that is illegal, except for everything you must do to survive. Gregg Olson, executive director with Corvallis Housing First, agreed that trust between the two groups is a major factor. With the amount of substance use in the community, if someone says something, the authorities have trouble with believing it, because they might not be admissible witnesses if it goes to court, Olson said. I think that makes it difficult to get the right feedback and to know who to rely on. Hakes close friends say she had a history with substance use. She went to drug court after being arrested on possession of methamphetamine charges in 2006 and 2011, according to court records. She was a known drug addict, but she was getting help for it, friend Paula Lindsey said. We dont know if that has something to do with it because its all rumors. I think for a long time her street family wanted to take care of it, rather than go the legal way to get justice, but nothings happened yet. Craig Kinney said he could sympathize with Hakes as he also has a criminal past: multiple convictions for felony theft and burglary dating back to 1996, according to court records. Its hard not to think that the police arent trying as hard because of that, he said. She had her own issues and she was working on them. But she was a great person. Whatever the reason for the lack of new developments, there is a lingering uncertainty in the community that the case will ever be solved, said Aleita Hass-Holcombe, a homeless outreach provider and head of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center. At first when it happened, there was a fear that it was going to happen again. Now there is a cloud of doubt, Hass-Holcombe said. I know a lot of people are thinking, well, if it wasnt someone who lives here who did this, then why would they just pick her and leave? And if they live here, why hasnt anything happened yet? There are still so many questions. Renewed hope Police expect that the anniversary will renew community interest in the case and that the department is also likely to field additional questions from the community about why it hasnt been solved. But Lt. Cord Wood of the Corvallis Police Department said investigators arent using time as the measuring stick for solving the case. We get hung up on time. But sometimes, it takes time for that right person to come forward, and for that right piece of information to line up with that right piece of evidence, Wood said. Cold cases are something where youve done all the work you can do. Were not there with this case. Were still touching it. Were still looking at it. Were still working it. Police have not discussed some key details in the case, including the manner in which Hakes was killed, the time of her death and whether it was related to any other criminal activity. Wood said the department is going to continue to withhold information investigators believe could be the key to solving the mystery. Sometimes with these kinds of cases, wading through some of the disinformation can be very challenging, he said. We keep some of this information close to us because its what we use to evaluate the validity of things that come in. We need to be able to pare off the illegitimate from the legitimate. Investigators anticipate they will receive new phone calls around the anniversary from people who claim to have information in the case. And even though some of the information may lead them down the wrong path, Wood said he welcomes all calls anyway. We really want people who know something about this case to call us. Even if we have to wade through some of that stuff thats illegitimate, he said. Were not going to quit, ever, until we reach that solution. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Corvallis Police Department at 541-766-6914. TANGENT Sharayah Johnsons kindergarten class is hopping. Literally. The 19 Tangent Elementary School students have been sitting on the rug for the first part of the morning, going through the January calendar and counting the days theyve been in school so far this year (77 as of this particular Tuesday). But now its time for the Counting Superhero Dance, a two-and-a-half-minute video to help them get their wiggles out while they chant along with numbers up to 100. Albany teachers say the occasional dance break is critical for kindergartners, all of whom are experiencing full school days in Albany district-wide for the first time this year. Its a big change for teachers who used to have to cram a days worth of learning into two and a half hours. Its an even bigger change for 5-year-olds who may never have had any prior school experience, let alone one that lasts all day. But if academic progress is the ultimate goal, early indications are the longer hours are working. Incoming kindergartners go through a short assessment of their school readiness skills during the first few days of the school year, such as how many numbers, letters and letter sounds they can recognize. Thats a requirement that began for Oregon schools in fall 2013. Lori Greenfield, Tangents principal and the districts director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, said assessment reports for this years entering kindergartners show only minor differences from last years class. But at the 77-day mark, shes seeing a much larger difference in what this years class now knows and can do. Each fall, after the initial assessments, teachers check student vocabulary, phonics knowledge and reading comprehension against a benchmark called Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, or DIBELS. These tests are checked again in the winter and a third time in the spring. On average, DIBELS scores for Albany kindergartners rose much faster between fall and winter this year than last year. When I looked at historical data, there was nothing greater than a 4 percentage point difference in the past, Greenfield said. This year it was already 11 percentage points district-wide. Its too early to call it proof positive of an effective all-day kindergarten program, she added. But it looks good. Kindergarten here and elsewhere In the grand scheme of things, kindergarten is still relatively new to the Oregon education system. Oregon law doesnt require students to go to kindergarten. Mandatory school attendance doesnt start until age 7 (unless the student has already been in school, and then he or she is required to keep attending). Although many districts offered it, kindergarten wasnt even a required part of the Oregon public school experience until July 1, 1997. Oregon law stated any school district that didnt offer kindergarten after that date would be considered nonstandard. Up until full funding kicked in this year, even schools that did offer kindergarten often provided only half a day because thats all the state funding they received. Some districts chose to pay for full-day programs anyway, using either their own general funds or federal Title dollars set aside for students needing an academic boost. By last year, a full 42 percent of Oregon kindergartners were in an all-day program, according to the Oregon Department of Education. Those included students in Lebanon, which has paid for full-day classes for almost a decade, and Corvallis, which started a tuition-funded program in 1994 but discontinued it in 2010 after a parents complaint that it discriminated against low-income families. Full-day classes started again throughout that district in 2014. Oregon is following a national trend of offering full-day kindergarten now, however. The U.S. Census Bureau recorded 77 percent of children in kindergarten in 2011 attended kindergarten all day, up from 37 percent in 1987 and 8 percent in 1967. Families with working parents are part of the reason, but higher academic stakes also play a role. Studies indicate students who dont do well in reading by the time they hit third grade are at increased risk for dropping out, which puts greater pressure on early learning. Some research indicates full-day kindergarten does close learning gaps. The effect is hard to fully measure, however, because laws arent consistent from state to state on kindergarten curriculum or whether programs are available to everyone or just to students who arent working up to their grade levels. Albanys experience Albany kindergarten teachers say theyre already seeing benefits of a longer day. Ill tell you, I waited 17 years for this to come back for me, said Marlana Graham, a Clover Ridge School kindergarten teacher who taught a full-day, Title-funded pilot program at Sunrise Elementary in 1999. This is the gift of time. I am so happy the district put this back in. Graham said she would try to shoehorn in as much information as she could in two and a half hours, but she couldnt spend time on review or extra help. They didnt even have time for recess. I got it all in, but it was rushing the boys and girls so much, she said. Now, she said, theres time for breaks and for practicing newly introduced skills. I have time to re-teach, too. I really do. And small group intervention that I didnt have time for, Graham said. And I can meet with students one on one. Her colleague Maggie Phillips, in her first year of teaching kindergarten and her 30th in the district altogether, said her students have made giant leaps in being able to recognize and apply reading skills such as memorizing sight words. Im seeing kids do things now that I would be doing handstands seeing in first grade, she said. I think its the best money spent on any intervention that you could ever have. Kristina Burkhart, who teaches kindergarten at Oak Elementary School, said the extra time helps her get to know her students. Sometimes in half day, Id reflect on the day and realize Id totally missed connecting with certain students managing 50 students and their parents was difficult, and I never felt like I had enough time for them, she said. With only half the number of students, I feel like Im able to build better relationships with students and parents, which contributes greatly to student success. The district has experienced some tradeoffs, however. More behavior problems are being recorded in younger children, and Ryan Mattingly, the districts director of special programs, speculates thats coming in part from kids having to spend longer hours in school. Greenfield agrees it wasnt an easy transition for some students, particularly in the first couple of weeks. Some of them did struggle, she said. I dont remember any dramatic naps, but there were some tired kids. Some parents arent completely happy with the change. The pros of all day is that all three of my children get out of school at the same time and more experiences in learning, said Beth Baker, adding that everyone has adjusted well. The cons I would say is she comes home hungry and tired. School starts at 7:45 a.m. this year and we hate it. They eat lunch really early, therefore being hungry the rest of the day. Ive been dropping off snacks for the class often to help out. Kelsi Snider, whose son will turn 6 in May, said she thinks hes just not developmentally ready to be in school more than half a day yet. He takes a little bit longer to learn things and he does have some behavioral problems. I still give him a nap on the weekends, she said. By the time he gets home, hes just out. Snider said her son went to preschool last year, but only for two hours twice a week. For him, jumping to six and a half hours each day was too much, too soon. Each new day brings a new problem behavior report. I honestly think hes just tired. Snider said her older son went to a half-day program and isnt suffering academically because of it. I just dont see why they need to increase it, she said. Bottom line, its asking too much of them for such a young age. But Michelle Slay said she struggled to work child care around half-day classes when her older daughter was in kindergarten. Her youngest daughter is now in kindergarten at Periwinkle Elementary and really likes it. Our little girl is excelling in class, she said. Keep them moving Burkhart said she agrees a full day for some kindergartners is a little too long but the half-day program wasnt nearly long enough. They are definitely tired at the end of the day, but I think kids should be tired at the end of the day it means theyve engaged, learned something, grew as people, she said. We try to structure our school day so that afternoons have more movement, more learning stations, less sitting, to help with tired behavior. And I try to remind parents frequently that good nutrition and enough sleep will help with these issues. At Tangent, Johnson works movement throughout the day. After the Counting Superhero Dance, its back down on the rug to go over the days schedule: reading groups, recess, handwriting practice, lunch, music, more writing and reading, recess, math stations. Then everyone stands back up for hold everything. Johnson has forgotten to keep the video projector on for the January song. I made a mistake, Johnson groans. Is it OK to make mistakes in this class? Yesssss, the students chorus. Class give me an Its cool. Its cool, they console. January song completed, Johnson takes out Mr. Sentence Man, a paper doll with a ballcap bearing a big C and shoes marked with periods, question marks and exclamation points. She lays Mr. Sentence Man sideways so the class can see where the capitals and punctuation marks go, and students take turns coming up to make changes in the sentence she has written. Then its off to reading groups, and every group gets to move there in a different way: tiptoe, giant steps, penguin waddle. Small-group centers on specific skills are new to Johnsons class this year, because she never had time before. They give students more chances to cooperate, share and take turns. This is Johnsons second year at Tangent. Last year she taught kindergarten half a day for some students, and three-quarters of a day for the ones who needed reading help. The new schedule, she said, does make for a long day. I was absolutely exhausted for the first few weeks of school. My students are definitely building their stamina in terms of being able to focus for longer periods of time, however, by the end of the day we have worked their little brains so hard that it gets much more difficult to focus, she said. That said, she added, the learning gains are worth it. In December I had students demonstrating scores on DIBELS and on my own assessments that I wouldnt normally see until March or beyond, Johnson said. This has been the most exciting part of the all-day transition for me and it has also been the light at the end of the tunnel that I often remind myself of when the days get tough. As you might have noticed, a proposal crafted by Portland Sen. Michael Dembrow to increase Oregons minimum wage won approval in the Senate on Friday after a six-hour debate. The Senate approved the measure, Senate Bill 1532, on a 16-12 vote. Not a single Republican voted for it. One Democrat, the notoriously independent Betsy Johnson of Scappoose, voted against it. (By the way, this vote illustrates again the importance of the mid-valleys 2014 Senate race between Democrat Sara Gelser and Republican Betsy Close, at the time the incumbent. Gelsers win added a reliably Democratic vote to the Senate. Gelser, a longtime supporter of an increase in the minimum wage, voted for the measure.) The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where it seems equally unlikely to attract any votes from Republicans. Of course, on paper, no such votes are needed, considering that Democrats hold a 35-25 advantage. But its still possible that House Democrats from the states more rural areas might be tempted to vote against the measure. Dembrow surely had those rural votes in mind as he came with the notion of a three-tiered minimum wage, to be phased in over six years, to replace a proposal crafted by Gov. Kate Brown. At the end of the six years, the Portland area would have a minimum wage of $14.75. A middle tier, which would include Linn and Benton counties, would have a minimum wage of $13.50. Sparsely populated counties (dubbed frontier areas by the bill) would have a minimum wage of $12.50. It would be the highest minimum wage in the nation. Oregons current minimum wage is $9.25. The federal minimum wage is $7.25. Despite the bow to rural legislators, this entire business is being driven by the Portland area, and thats where this bill enjoys a sizeable advantage. A quick look at Oregons Blue Book suggests that the broadly defined Portland metro area includes 27 House districts; in other words, just under half of all of the representatives in Oregons House hail from that area. Democrats represent 22 of those 27 districts. Thats 22 votes right there in favor of the minimum wage increase. That means minimum wage proponents need nine additional votes from the remaining 13 Democratic representatives (again, assuming that no Republicans vote for the measure). Its not out of the question that five Democrats jump ship in the House, but its a very long shot. This bill, despite the fact that its bad public policy that has the potential to do real harm to rural economies, seems to be a lock to pass. Which raises a couple of questions: Linn County Commissioner Roger Nyquist has argued that the measure is unconstitutional in that in represents an unfunded mandate from the Legislature. How far will Nyquist and other opponents of the wage be able to push that argument? And remember that the Legislature is dealing with this issue in its short session to hold at bay a ballot measure that would more aggressively increase the minimum wage. Will this modified measure be enough to keep the measure off the ballot? Its supporters arent saying yet. In other words: It may be a sure bet that the minimum wage measure will pass the Legislature. But this story still has plenty of additional twists and turns that will play out long after the session ends. (mm) One of Hillary's many bad moments during Thursday's debate was her psychotic attack on Bernie for being mean to president Obama. In the past we talked about how Hillary savaged Obama during the 2008 campaign claiming he wasn't as anti-NRA as she was, even though her own gun record is purely opportunistic and changed whenever she needed to appear on one side or the other-- the entire story of her life from the time she was a Goldwater Girl and the President of the Young Republican Club at Wellesley College right until the present day. Her attempt to turn Obama supporters-- especially African American voters in South Carolina-- against Bernie based on him being anti-Obama was especially hilarious in light of how vicious and negative she was during the 2008 campaign. Funny how she still hasn't learned that that's exactly why she lost the respect of Democratic voters and why they chose Obama over her. A little trip down memory lane , courtesy of Donald Trump's least favorite newspaper in the world: Hillary Clinton's assault on Barack Obama shifted from outrage to heavy sarcasm Sunday, with the former First Lady mocking her rival as much as chewing him out for his tactics. Framing Obama as both a deceiver and a dream weaver, Clinton said "none of the problems we face will be easily solved." Then oozing derision, Clinton cracked, "Now, I could stand up here and say, 'Let's just get everybody together. Let's get unified. The sky will open. The light will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing, and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect.'" Her remarks drew chuckles from a supportive audience gathered at Rhode Island College. "Maybe I've just lived a little long, but I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be," she said. "You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear." Clinton's mockery of Obama came a day after she railed, "Shame on you, Barack Obama," decrying what she termed deceptive mailings in Ohio about her stances on universal health care and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Later, in Boston, Clinton signaled she would continue her more aggressive approach against Obama. "I just have this sense that finally my opponent is getting maybe a little bit of scrutiny," she said. The New York senator has a narrow lead over Obama in the Buckeye State and is trying to regain ground after 11 consecutive primary defeats. Campaigning in Cleveland, Obama pushed back on the NAFTA issue, using quotes from Clinton's book to demonstrate her past support for the pact. NAFTA has been blamed for an exodus of jobs in pivotal states like Ohio, where Democrats vote March 4. "Ten years after NAFTA passed, Sen. Clinton said it was good for America. ... Well, I don't think NAFTA has been good for America-- and I never have," Obama said during a campaign stop at a wallboard factory. "The fact is, she was saying great things about NAFTA until she started running for President." Clinton has said on the campaign trail that the trade agreement-- which was passed during her husband's administration-- is problematic. Obama said Sunday that while he has issues with NAFTA, an attempt to repeal it "would probably result in more job losses than job gains in the United States." A Clinton spokesman retorted that Obama has spoken positively of NAFTA in the past: "Sen. Obama's insistence on repeating attacks that have been demonstrated to be false by independent entities proves once and for all that his speeches about the new politics are just words." Bones Name: Yaakov Kirschen Location: Israel I started Dry Bones in Jan 1973. Since then I've been known as "Bones" to friends and colleagues. This is the first time I've ever shared the "stories behind the cartoons." Enjoy. more "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." -C.S. Lewis What we read has such an impact on us, and I am always on the lookout for something that will inspire me to be a better person. Here is a sampling of books that have been in the teetering stack sitting on top of what is rumored to be my bedside table. There are also two blogspot blogs which record what I think are my main recent articles here and here . Similar content can be more conveniently accessed via my subject-indexed list of short articles here or here (I rarely write long articles these days)(My frequent reads are starred)Email me here (Hotmail address).The archives provided by blogspot below are rather inconvenient. They break each month up into small bits. If you want to scan whole months at a time, the backup archives will suit better. See here or here And on the occasion of the valentine's in Egypt we saw that scene on Saturday during the trial of Aya Hegazy and her team from Baladay NGO and we became speechless.Mohamed Hassanein, Aya's husband brought her flowers bouquet before the hearing of their trial would star on Saturday.Hassanein was given the bouquet by one of his friends while he was entering the court.Aya and Hassanein as well the rest of the defendants in their trial have been detained for 650 days pending trial on charges of "human trafficking" and "sexual exploitation of street children to collect donations in conferences" !!!According to the official autopsy report which was published earlier by Shorouk newspaper, the kids involved in the case were not sexually abused during their stay in the NGO. The trial on Saturday was adjourned to next Wednesday in order to hear witnesses and see the evidence in the case.FYI , Aya Hegazy is a U.S. Citizen but she rejected the help of the U.S. embassy insisting to face the charges as an Egyptian citizen.Anyhow Happy Valentine's and be grateful that you are free to celebrate it. My friend Charlie invited me to go on a 6-mile hike in a nearby nature preserve. Sure, why not? Just because Ive never been hiking before in my life shouldnt hold me back. Besides, what is a hike, anyway, but a long walk? I walk all the time. Why, just yesterday I put out the garbage, and that meant taking it all the way to the end of the driveway. If thats not a hike, I dont know what is. Bring some water and something for lunch, he said. Thats so vague. How much water? How big a lunch? And how long is 6 miles? In a car, I could go 6 miles in 6 minutes, so walking would probably take twice as long no, maybe four times as long. So, 24 minutes. How much water will I need for that? And what will I put it in? I do have a couple of empty vodka bottles lying around; is one enough? Is two too many? And what will I carry them in? I know: my bowling bag. Now all I need to figure out is what to bring for lunch. How hungry can I get in just 24 minutes? Id better not take much. Maybe a bag of chips and a candy bar. When Charlie showed up on Saturday to pick me up, I couldnt believe how sloppy he looked. He was wearing some old beat-up boots I wouldnt be caught dead in, some ragged old pants, a floppy hat and a giant backpack, and carrying a walking stick. The poor man. What if someone we know saw him dressed like that? How embarrassing for him! Charlie gave me a funny look as I put my bowling bag in the back seat and asked me if I wanted to change my shoes into something more comfortable. More comfortable than bowling shoes? I asked. I dont think thats possible. After an hour in the car, I began to wonder where we were going. Hiking, Charlie said. Were meeting everyone at the north entrance. Everyone? The north entrance? Obviously I should have asked a few questions about this little walk we were going to take before saying yes. Twenty people dressed more or less like Charlie were waiting for us in the parking lot. As soon as they saw his car, they waved and took off single-file up a dirt trail. A very dirty dirt trail. Charlie and I quickly followed them. After fifteen minutes, I told Charlie that since we were halfway to the end of our hike, this would be a good time to stop and eat lunch. My bowling bag seemed as if it were carrying a real bowling ball, not just two vodka bottles filled with water and a bag of barbecue potato chips. Halfway there? he said. What are you talking about? We just started. We wont be halfway there for two hours. An hour later, I begged Charlie to take a rest. There was something wet in my shoes. Blood? Sweat? Mud? I was afraid to look. I sat on a big rock, opened my bag and took a big swig of water. Of course, what Charlie saw was me drinking a quarter of a bottle of vodka in one gulp. In a moment, I realized I could salvage what little manliness I had left by letting him believe his eyes. Besides, the more vodka I drank, the lighter my bowling bag got. I took another slug and said, Lets go, I just needed to hydrate. Soon we caught up with the rest of the group, and ate lunch before trekking back. The vodka bottles had pulverized my chips to dust, so as I poured them into my mouth, I followed them up with a few more hearty swigs. The other hikers, eating chia-seed health bars and drinking rarified water, edged slowly away from me. When I started eating my sugar-filled candy bar, Im sure I heard one of them start to retch. That was four days ago. The good news is that the feeling is starting to return to my feet. The bad news is, that feeling is pain. ELKO -- A crowd gathered outside Adobe Middle School this morning, waiting to get in to see presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Clinton is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. today during a "Get out the Caucus" event at Adobe Middle School. Her campaign announced her visit Sunday. "With 6 days left until the February 20th Caucus, we're in a sprint towards the finish line and Hillary Clinton is right there with us. Come and join Hillary Clinton in Elko as we gear up ready to caucus for her stated an announcement at hillaryclinton.com. Doors open at 8 a.m. at the school, which is located at 3375 Jennings Way. Participants can RSVP through her website. Democrats will be caucusing Saturday across Nevada for Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Clinton's last visit to Elko was in January 2008, when she spoke at the Elko Indian Colony gym. She campaigned Saturday in Southern Nevada, where she has the endorsements of major labor groups but is trying to shore up support as Sanders surges, according to The Associated Press. (Check Twitter @elkodaily for updates) Customers at Lao Bao special trading region in Quang Tri Province (Source: nhandan.com.vn) The information was released in Circular 216/2015/TT-BTC by the Ministry of Finance about import and tax rates for implementation of bilateral trade agreements between Vietnam and Laos. The Circular 216 stipulates a list of goods originating from Laos imported into Vietnam that will enjoy a tax reduction of 50 percent under ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement). The circular also stipulates that in case export tariffs in the ATIGA are higher than the tariff regulations in the Most Favoured Nation (MNF) Rules, imported goods will be subject to a 50 percent tax reduction under the MNF. Goods subject to tax reductions will include preserved or cooked poultry and birds' eggs, rice, sugarcane or refined sucrose. The provisions on non-tariff incentives, the Circular 216 also issues instructions on guidelines and conditions applied for a tariff rate regime at zero percent for tobacco and rice annually. Specifically, imported items eligible for 50 percent tax incentives, must fulfil the following conditions: It will consist of customs declaration of imported goods from October 3rd, 2015. Goods must be imported and transported directly from Laos into Vietnam. Imported items must have certificate of origin form S issued by Laos authorities. If the volume of imported unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse exceeds the quantity of quota regulated by Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade, it will be subject to a tax rate under the Circular No.80/2014/TT-BTC. This circular dated June 23rd, 2014. The Ministry of Finance amends and supplements its Circular No. 111/2012/TT-BTC of July 4th, 2012, promulgating the list of commodities and their import duty rates for application of tariff quotas. This circular is to add the over-quota import duty rates of unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse under sub-heading 2401.10.40. Three kinds of imported rice from Laos will also enjoy tax incentives at 0 percent. Of the rice volume, quota for rice imports is 70,000 tonnes and quota for tobacco imports is 3,000 tonnes, according to Circular 2160./. ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh (R) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai (Source: asean.org) Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai has visited the ASEAN Secretariat, seeking to carry out the next steps after the launch of the ASEAN Community at the end of last year. The visit of Foreign Minister Pramudwinai to the ASEAN Secretariat was the first since he assumed the post in 2015, according to the announcement of the ASEAN Secretariat on February 12th. During the talk with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, the two stressed the need to enhance ASEAN awareness among the peoples of the region. They noted that this would be in line with the people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community and it would be of greater significance when ASEAN celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017. The Secretary-General said that Thailands efforts in promoting ASEAN at the national level would serve as a good example for other ASEAN Member States. Thailand has done much work in creating awareness among its business sector on the benefits of the ASEAN Economic Community, he said. Both sides also agreed on the need to strengthen regional coordination on cross-cutting issues such as humanitarian assistance and disaster management, counter-terrorism and maritime security. Secretary-General Minh also expressed his appreciation to Thailand for its continued support in strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat. He also reassured the Thai Foreign Minister that the ASEAN Secretariat will continue to do its utmost to assist Member States in further integration and community-building efforts./. It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the A flower trader has a meal at work in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province, on Feb 13, 2016.[Photo/IC] Geng Xinwei has only slept for three hours a day for the past 12 days. The 24-year-old flower trader in Kunming, Yunnan province, has been busy with the Valentine's Day flower auction. "Orders increase and flowers sell for prices that are five times higher than usual," he said, adding that most of the flowers he bought in the past two weeks were red roses. Rising at 8 am, Geng goes to the Kunming International Flora Auction Trading Center to inspect the flowers he wants to buy. 5 1 [ Editor: Xueying ] Making A Murderer Subject Steven Avery Molested Brendan Dassey? New Angle Revealed Regarding Netflix Show Reports have surfaced that Steven Avery, who is the subject of the hit Netflix series "Making a Murderer," may have allegedly molested Brendan Dassey. The Business Insider report comes weeks after the show opened up the murder case of Teresa Halbach. Dassey, meanwhile, said the local police were aware of who actually killed Halbach but did not investigate despite evidence that could exonerate him once more. Advertisement The Business Insider report quoted a statement from reporter Dan O'Donnell, who said that investigators, as well as the production team behind Netflix's "Making a Murder" completely ignored Dassey's confession regarding Steven Avery. "He clearly is saying that Steven molested him," O'Donnell was quoted as saying. "Really, I don't have any reason to believe that Dassey would have been lying." O'Donnell maintained a podcast about the Netflix series as well as the case. The reporter said that he was "troubled" that no one was considering this angle of the alleged molesting of Dassey by his uncle. "According to court records obtained by The Wrap, on May 13, 2006, Dassey, 16 at the time, told police during one of his highly contested interviews, which some believe resulted in a false confession, that his uncle sometimes tried to grab his genitals 'through the pants.'" Netflix showrunners for "Making a Murderer" refused to comment on the matter relating to Steven Avery. Avery's counsel Kathleen Zellner, on the other hand, denied the claims, saying these were "meant to distract from the facts of the case." "Mr. Avery categorically denies this unsubstantiated allegation," Zellner said in a released statement sent to The Express. Just recently, Avery released a note saying that the Manitowoc Police did not investigate the actual culprit of the crime. "To my supporters: I want everyone to know that no one in my family including me was involved in the murder of Theresa [sic] Hallbach," Avery said. The defense team will also seek for advanced Luminol testing of the crime scene to show the absence of Halbach's blood in any of Avery's properties, as well as re-evaluate the role of the parked Rav 4 in the crime. Halbach was spotted dead inside a locked Rav 4 outside Avery's property. Avery had previously served years for rape but was released 18 years later because of inconclusive DNA evidence. GQ Magazine UK, on the other hand, said "Making a Murderer" released on Netflix had 19.3 million viewers since its release barely a month ago. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2022 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. According to reports, the US Senate has unanimously approved a bill to name the street in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington "Liu Xiaobo Plaza." A similar bill was passed by the House of Representatives in June 2014. A White House spokesperson said senior advisers to US President Barack Obama would recommend that he veto the bill. The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican contender for the 2016 presidential election. Sources said that Cruz ended holds on blocking Obama's nominations of two ambassadors after Democrats agreed not to oppose the plaza-naming measure. The apparently provocative move intends to outrage and unsettle China. But this is no big deal. In addition to anger, it will enable us to learn more about the US from another perspective: the US has big problems in abiding by the rules and keeping self-respect and its Congress acts so rashly. The US has been at its wits' end in dealing with China as it is reluctant to employ military threats or economic sanctions that may backfire. The only option for Washington seems to be petty actions that disturb China. But these can help China better understand what vile characters it will meet during its rise and face whatever awkwardness comes by dealing with them. This latest move by Congress cannot change the fact that Liu jeopardized China's national security and was sentenced to jail. The rise of China is being confronted by external forces like the US. Whether Liu feels proud of such turbulent embraces from the West or not, he has become a tool of the West against China. It's worth noticing that Congress, in support of Liu, has long played the harshest role in US attempts to counter China and has always guarded US national interests. The contest of national interests between China and the US is particularly prominent in the 21st century. The latest Congress move to back Liu makes more explicit the logic between Liu's deeds and the rejuvenation of China. US senators and a few Chinese dissidents they support may think that their behavior can throw dust in the eyes of Chinese. But they may have underestimated how discerning Chinese people can be. China needs to grow more confident. China's brilliant performance in countering the West's ill-attempted moves in marketization and informatization has defined it as a resilient and dynamic country. China's development seems to have given lots of stress to some narrow-minded US elites and prompted their gaffes. But this is not our fault. After all, what can we do when those elites want to maintain their privilege in a changing world? SYDNEY, Feb. 11 -- To celebrate Chinese New Year of the Monkey, Shaanxi folk dance performance The Glamour of Shaanxi in Sydney Town Hall on 10th of Feb evening was a big success. 2016 Chinese New Year Shaanxi Folk Dance Performance was hosted by Shaanxi Province Department of Culture and organised by Ausfeng Group. It is part of ''Happy Chinese New Year" series events with two main themes of "Happy New Year" and "Silk Road", bringing Australian audience the rich culture of this north western province of China. SYDNEY, Feb. 13 -- The annual Chinese Lantern Festival was launched on 12th February at Sydneys Darling Harbor celebrating the Chinese New Year of Monkey. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia, joined the ribbon cutting ceremony together with Bill Shorten, Leader of the Opposition, as well as Li Huaxin, Consul General of China in Sydney. The event lasts for 6 days, which marks one of the biggest celebrations of the Chinese New Year in Sydney. The US Navy's 'ghost hunter' to set sail The US Navy is set to unleash an army of 'ghost boats' to scour the coasts for enemy submarines. They hope to end the growing threat of quiet, diesel powered enemy submarines entering American waters undetected. Bosses revealed the first 132 foot long ship, officially named 'The Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel' will take to the water on April 7th. The first 132 foot long ship, officially named 'The Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel' will take to the water on April 7th. It could be used for counter-mine missions, reconnaissance and resupply. Darpa director Dr. Arati Prabhakar and deputy director Dr. Steve Walker revealed the craft. 'Imagine an unmanned surface vessel following all the laws of the sea on its own,' Walker told media, 'and operating with manned surface and unmanned underwater vehicles.' The robot boats will go to sea for us to three months at a time. It will be christened in April in Portland, Oregon, and then begin to demonstrate its long-range capabilities over 18 months in cooperation with the Office of Naval Research and the Space and Naval Systems Warfare Command. 'We think the real cost savings will be in operating this vessel at sea compared to how we operate vessels today,' he added. 'It could be used for counter-mine missions, reconnaissance and resupply.' The project began in 2010, when the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, announced that they were building a 132-foot autonomous boat to track quiet, diesel-powered submarines. The program was dubbed Anti-submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, or ACTUV. In six weeks of tests along a 35-nautical mile stretch of water off of Mississippi earlier this year, testers at engineering company Leidos and Darpa put the ACTUV's systems through 100 different scenarios. The test boat was able to tail a target boat at 1 kilometer's distance, something military bosses say is a major step forward. 'Picking up the quiet hum of a battery-powered, diesel-electric submarine in busy coastal waters is 'like trying to identify the sound of a single car engine in the din of a major city,' says Rear Admiral Frank Drennan, commander of the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command. Speaking at a National Defense Association Event in Virginia last year, Darpa program manager Ellison Urban outlined why the Navy needs sub-hunting boat bots. Before the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the bride spends one hour in the dressing process. Photo taken in a village of Meishan city, Sichuan province on February 12, 2016. The process includes a Chinese Cheongsam wedding dress, complex but elegant headdress, exclusive hairstyles, and delicate make-up. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Wang Mengzhen] A traditional Chinese wedding was held in a village of Meishan city, Sichuan province on February 12, 2016. The joyful ceremony usually consists of some complex but interesting traditional rituals. This includes the exquisite dressing procedure, eating Tangyuan (glutinous rice ball), welcoming the bride in a bridal sedan, the bowing process, and serving tea to each others' parents. Traditional Chinese wedding customs have existed for thousands of years. In recent years, reviving such rituals has become a trend in China. Let's take a closer look! Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Munich, Germany, Feb. 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Luo Huanhuan) US THAAD system in S.Korea will complicate situation China will not follow the US in imposing unilateral sanctions on North Korea, and the possible deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in South Korea will only complicate the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, observers said. Meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday made clear China's opposition to the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. As one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world, THAAD can intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or just outside the atmosphere during their final phase of flight, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Despite claims by Washington and Seoul that the missile shield would be focused solely on North Korea, analysts warn that the deployment would pose a considerable threat to neighboring countries, especially China and Russia. "The latest North Korean nuclear test has served to assist the US' intended deployment of THAAD, which will become a direct threat to both China and Russia. Both countries will not let their guard down against South Korea after the deployment," said Lu Chao, a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. The US and South Korea began talks on the deployment of THAAD, hours after North Korea carried out on February 7 what it said was a satellite launch but which others believe was a missile test. The Pentagon has since stressed that it would like the anti-missile system to be deployed in South Korea "as quickly as possible." There is already a THAAD battery stationed in Guam and the other key US ally in the region, Japan, is also considering taking on the system. Broader agenda "The deployment of the THAAD system by the US ... goes far beyond the defense needs of the Korean Peninsula and the coverage would mean it will reach deep into the Asian continent," Wang said in an interview with Reuters. "It doesn't require experts. Ordinary people know that the deployment of the THAAD system is not just to defend South Korea, but a wider agenda and may even be meant for China," Wang said, urging the US side to act cautiously, not to undermine China's security interests or add new complications to regional peace and stability. The North will not be threatened by either THAAD or nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Instead, the country will only enjoy more strategic opportunities when THAAD leads to conflicts between major powers including China, Russia and the US, Lu noted. "It's clear that the US is trying to promote its rebalance to the Asia-Pacific. The South [Korea] should also be aware that further submission to the US is likely to lead to more conflicts between itself, China and the US," he added. Guiding principles Wang stressed in the interview with Reuters that China's policy would be increasingly attentive on the regional nuclear issue and guided by three principles. "First the Korean Peninsula cannot be nuclearized. This applies to the North and South. Second, there is no military solution to this issue. If there is a war or turbulence it is not acceptable for China. Third, China will not allow its legitimate interests including in national security interests to be undermined," Wang said. China's three principles do not suggest a changing attitude in Chinese foreign policy toward North Korea, but reflect a continuance of foreign policy, with more specific details on its opposition to nuclearization and militarization, according to Lu. "It also shows China's stance, which is different from the US, will not create chaos and conflicts," Lu noted. China and the US have agreed to speed up the consultation process at the UN Security Council to reach a new resolution and take strong and effective measures to deter the further development of nuclear and missile programs by North Korea, Wang said in his meeting with Kerry. When asked whether Beijing was ready to support stronger economic sanctions, Wang said the resolution would be wide-ranging, but its objective should be to curb Pyongyang's efforts to develop nuclear and missile technologies. "Sanctions are not the end, the purpose should be to make sure that the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula be brought back to a negotiation-based resolution," he said, adding that China will back a UN Security Council solution to make North Korea "pay the necessary price." Lu said that this is one of the sternest declarations from China and the nation will strictly follow the UN resolution. However, Beijing will not follow the US in imposing unilateral sanctions on North Korea outside the UN framework, which is against China's interests and the spirit of humanitarianism, he said. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since its first nuclear test in 2006. "Our policy on the North is not weak and we will not tolerate challenges and provocation from the North. But it is groundless to demand a reaction from China similar to the US'," Lu noted. Lu added that China is North Korea's largest trading partner, but a complete shutdown of bilateral trade will trigger a crisis similar to the European migrant crisis, which will in turn affect China and South Korea. Recent volatility a result of economic imbalance between classes: experts The UK should not interfere in Chinese affairs, observers said Saturday, after a British government report claimed that Hong Kong publisher Lee Bo had been "involuntarily" taken to the Chinese mainland, a claim which China has strenuously denied. Foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said in a Friday statement that China is strongly displeased with and firmly opposed to the UK government report on Hong Kong, which accused the mainland of infringement upon Hong Kong's freedom. "Mr. Lee was involuntarily removed to the mainland without any due process under Hong Kong SAR law," the report said, adding that it is "a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong and undermines the principle of "One Country, Two Systems." Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic affairs, Hong said, stressing that no foreign country has the right to interfere. He urged the British side to be cautious with words and deeds and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs. "The UK should get its facts straight before making groundless remarks, and it could express its concerns to the Chinese government via diplomatic channels instead of releasing such reports," Zhang Dinghuai, a professor at the Contemporary Chinese Politics Research Institute of Shenzhen University, told the Global Times. No grounds Lee, a shareholder in the Mighty Current publishing house, allegedly went missing on December 30 from Hong Kong. It was alleged that four other people associated with Mighty Current were also missing, with the case triggering strong protests in Hong Kong. It was later revealed that Lee had traveled voluntarily to the mainland and was cooperating with investigators. He asked Hong Kong police to stop their investigation, Hong Kong-based Sing Tao Daily reported. "There are no grounds to say there is a serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong, as this bilateral agreement mainly deals with China's resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, but Lee's case is an internal matter that should not be dealt with under international treaties," said Jiao Hongchang, deputy dean of the Law School at the China University of Political Science and Law. Since July 1997, the British Foreign Secretary has reported to Parliament at six-month intervals on the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong. The latest report issued Thursday by Philip Hammond covered July 1 to December 31, 2015, according to the Xinhua News Agency. "The UK should also avoid such groundless judgments in order to safeguard the stable ties between China and the UK, especially since Chinese President Xi Jinping's State visit to the UK in last September heralded a golden era for the bilateral relationship," said Chen Lijun, a professor from the Center for Studies of Hong Kong, Macao and Pearl River Delta under Sun Yat-Sen University. Volatile city Hong Kong has often been volatile in recent years, following the Occupy Central protests of 2014 and rallies targeting mainland parallel traders in 2015. On Tuesday, a riot erupted in Mong Kok shopping district after police tried to clear away street vendors, with mobs barricading the street, setting fires, damaging police cars, and assaulting police officers, injuring 89 police officers and several journalists. Early on Saturday, 31 vehicles in a parking lot at Lai Chi Kok container port were set on fire. Police said the fire, which started from two containers filled with styrofoam at midnight Friday, may be arson, China Central Television reported. A slowing economy and the gap between the rich and poor may be to blame for many of these disturbances, experts said. "The root of those riots lies in the economic imbalance of different classes in Hong Kong and the lack of mobility. It's especially hard for the young generation to move up," Zhu Shihai, a professor specializing in the study of Hong Kong at the Macao University of Science and Technology, told the Global Times. Beijing is obliged to take measures to adjust the economic imbalance and address social contradictions in Hong Kong to safeguard the interests of the lower-income labor force and of the unemployed, analysts said. "The mainland can fully utilize the region's free-trade environment to help boost its economy and benefit local residents," Zhang said, adding that the UK could also invest more in Hong Kong, rather than interfering. Tehran, Iran, February 14 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Iran made a deal with six world powers for more global engagement and booming economy. The deal, implemented on January 16, ended sanctions which had brought the country's economy to its knees. In the days following the implementation of the JCPOA (official name for the nuclear deal), one could see more and more of foreigners walking down the streets of capital city Tehran. They are either tourists or businessmen seeking a share of the giant market that has opened up to them. "For the time being we are seeing mostly businessmen, and I have to add that was I expected beforehand," a hotel clerk told Trend February 14. "What I mean is businessmen were preparing for this day and now they are here exploring the market." But, most of the visiting foreigners look like more official people coming with delegations and rather very business-minded than otherwise, Jamshid, a clerk at a hotel downtown Tehran said. "That's why you see them going to rather high-class hotels rather than any place around the city. I guess we have to wait some more to see real ordinary foreigners visiting us," he added. Numerous delegations from especially European and Asian countries have been visiting Iran since about a year ahead of the implementation of the deal when prospects were on the rise that Iran and the powers would succeed in pushing the task home. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also responded the visits by traveling to Italy and France a few days after the deal was put into force. Numerous economic agreements have been signed during the visits. Iran plans to rebuild its economy via foreign expertise, technology, and finance. The deals so far signed expand a wide area from transportation to oil, gas and insurance. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Khalid Kazimov - Trend: Three leading European airlines namely British Airways, KLM and Air France have plans to launch extraordinary trips to Iran on the eve of the new Iranian year starting March. 21, an Iranian official with the transportation ministry has said. Hamid Reza Seyyedi, a board member of Iran's main international gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, has said that the European airlines have presented flight plans for late March, the transportation ministry's official website reported. According to the official, Lufthansa which has already resumed flights to the country has submitted a request to increase the number of its flights during the new Iranian year March 21 - 1 April. He further added that the domestic airlines have also requested to increase the number of flights during the holidays. The European airlines halted their flights to Iran due to international sanctions over the past years and now with the removal of sanctions they plan to resume or increase the number of flights to the Islamic Republic. After a number of nuclear talks between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries, the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced Jan. 16 about the implementation of the JCPOA, aka nuclear deal, and the removal of economic sanctions on Iran. According to the statement, the EU confirmed that the legal framework, providing for lifting of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions, is effective. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Farhad Daneshvar - Trend: Despite the outstanding disagreements between Tehran and Ankara over gas prices, Iran and Turkey appear reluctant to spoil trade ties. As soon as the reports regarding the International Court of Arbitration's verdict on gas dispute between Tehran and Ankara appeared, a number of international and local media outlets devoted some space for the story covering various angles, but some bias and hasty. Iranian conservative media that basically is after picking faults with moderate President Hassan Rouhani's administration raised its voice criticizing Rouhani for the loss while a number of international media highlighted Turkey's win against Iran giving the sense that the ties between the two traditional partners are coming into conflict. According to a deal inked in 1996 between Tehran and Ankara, Iran is committed to provide Turkey with some 30 million cubic meters of gas per day. Back in March 2012 Ankara filed a complaint against Iran in the International Court of Arbitration requesting for a 25 percent price reduction. The controversy stirred up in early February when media sources reported that the court has ruled in favor of a 10-15 percent price discount. Although the controversy seems to many as a sore point in the ties of the neighboring countries, Iran-Turkey ties are here to continue given the considerable trade turnover over the past several years as well as $10 billion gas trade per year. The trade turnover between the countries was $13.71 billion in 2014 and $9.76 billion in 2015. Although the trade turnover dropped by 29 percent in 2015 compared to the preceding year, many observers believe that the decline came amid global economic crisis ruling out the role of the political and economic disagreements in the decline. Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Alireza Bikdeli has forecasted a profitable year for Iran and Turkey describing the ties between the neighboring countries as friendly. "A profitable year [Iranian new year to start March 21] is coming. The train of ties between Iran and Turkey will keep moving on the rails of friendship," Bikdeli wrote on his Facebook page. On the other hand the Turkish presidential administration has told Trend that "Tehran is Ankara's economic partner". Now with the new economic and political developments in the world including the partial removal of international sanctions against the Islamic Republic and also the sharp decline in oil prices as well as global financial crisis, preparing a new economic plan including a revision of gas prices seems as a crucial step on the path to cement economic ties between Tehran and Ankara. Tehran, Iran, February 14 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Iran has reached a MoU with Italian Saipem for joint production and export of oil equipment from Iran, said the member of the board of directors of Iran's Oil Industry Producers Association Reza Padidar. "We will boost the oil equipment export capacity in plans," he said. "In the 2-year plan, we will boost export by 15 percent, in the 3-year plan by 30, and in the 5-year plan by 35 percent," he said, ILNA news agency reported. According to Padidar, the MoU says that 30 percent of the total production should be exported. He added that Iran has requested technical support for the development of upstream sections, including the E&P projects. "After the upstream sections, we will also need help with down and mid-stream sections," he further said. Iran is currently exporting five percent of its domestically-made oil equipment to India, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Algeria. "We also asked Italian oil companies to come and take part in Iran's oil industry development with investment if they can," Padidar further stated. Iran's oil industry has remained underdeveloped due to years of economic sanctions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Fatih Karimov- Trend: Iran will spare no effort to provide Syria with assistance in the air defense field, if Syrian government requests, commander of Iran's Khatam ol-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said. He underlined that Iran's activities in Syria is only in the form of advisory help as the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted, Tasnim news agency reported Feb. 14. While commenting about possible deploy of Saudi Arabia's ground troops to Syria, Esmaili said that any presence in Syria without coordination with the Damascus government will bring nothing but failure. Tehran has always expressed support for the Syrian government since it views the Assad regime as its main strategic ally in the region and as part of an "axis of resistance" against Israel. Western countries accuse Iran of running military operations in Syria, but Tehran denies these accusations. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that they only provide military consultations to Syrian forces. Last December Hossein Jaber Ansari, the spokesman with the Iranian foreign ministry said that no request was submitted from Syria so far for sending fighters to the country, however Tehran would consider that within the framework of its policies and principles if Damascus issues such a request. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Fatih Karimov- Trend: Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan will visit Russia on Feb. 15, at the invitation of his Russian counterpart to discuss ways to boost mutual military cooperation. During the visit, Dehghan is scheduled to hold meetings with senior Russian political and military officials, including Sergei Shoigu, Russian defense minister, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Feb. 14. Alongside with the military cooperation issue, the two parties also will discuss regional and international issues as well as matters of mutual interest. Dehghan's visit will come days after Ali Akbar Velayati, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's senior adviser on international affairs, announced that Iran plans to boost defense cooperation with Russia and buy more weaponry from Moscow. Earlier in January 2015 Shoigu visited Tehran, being Russia's first acting defense minister in 15 years to visit Iran. During the visit the two sides signed an intergovernmental agreement on "long term and multifaceted" military cooperation. Tehran and Moscow also share the same stance towards various regional issues including the ongoing crisis in Syria. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Fatih Karimov- Trend: Iran wants to import technology from Russia to manufacture its own T-90 tank, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force General Kiomars Heidari said. He added that Iran's plan for purchasing T-90 tank is not canceled, YJC news agency reported Feb. 14. Iran wants to transfer the technology of manufacturing the Russian tank to the country alongside with its purchase, Heidari said, adding the army has been ordered not to purchase the military equipments without importing the technology. Iran previously held talks with Russia regarding the purchase of the T90 tanks, however later abandoned the idea. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian army's ground forces said Feb. 2 that purchase of T-90 tank from Russia is not on Iran's agenda, adding Tehran currently plans to use its domestic capacities to meet its demand for tanks. "The Russian T-90 tank is one of our favorites," Pourdastan underlined. The country's Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Feb. 10 that Iran is manufacturing its own tank - Karrar, instead of purchasing Russian T90 tanks. Karrar has all the capabilities of the T90, Dehghan said, claiming that "it is more advanced than T90." According to some experts, the T-90 is more advanced in terms of its penetration capacity, fire power, navigation technology, fire control and guidance system, maneuverability, and sophisticated electronics compared to the existing tanks in Iran's arsenal. The T-90 is considered to be among the 10 best main battle tanks in the world. Currently it is the most commercially successful main battle tank on the global market. Earlier deputy director general of Russian Uralvagonzavod company Alexey Zharich said that his company proposed to license production of T-90 in Iran if the UN sanctions on the country are lifted. Under international restrictions, Iran has turned to domestic talents to improve its military power, frequently unveiling new products. Since 1992, Iran has been manufacturing its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles, radar, boats, submarines and fighter aircraft. Iran also unveiled its first long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in 2010. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14 By Fatih Karimov- Trend: Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, deputy chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces has warned Saudi Arabia about sending troops into Syria. Iran will not permit that "rogue" states to change the situation in Syria in accordance with their desires, Jazayeri said in an interview with Iran's state Al-Alam TV channel. "If needed, we will take the necessary decisions at the appropriate time," the Iranian commander warned. He made the remarks while responding to a question whether Iran will send more military advisors to Syria if Saudis dispatch troops to the country and the risk of confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. "The terrorists who are fighting in Syria are employees of Saudi Arabia or the Americans and the reactionary forces in the region," he claimed. "Today, with the victories of the Syrian army and the popular forces, they want to send troops to Syria, but it is a bluff and a psychological war," said Jazayeri. "Saudi Arabia has used all of its power, and today not only in Syria but also in Yemen it has failed," he added. Jazayeri further said that if Saudis had had the ability, they would have already sent troops to Syria. He also expressed Iran's support for Russia's military assistance to the Syrian government, adding that Tehran and Moscow coordinate their political and military measures in Syria. Tehran has always expressed support for the Syrian government since it views the Assad regime as its main strategic ally in the region and as part of an "axis of resistance" against Israel. Western countries accuse Iran of running military operations in Syria, but Tehran denies these accusations. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that they only provide military consultations to Syrian forces. Last December Hossein Jaber Ansari, the spokesman with the Iranian foreign ministry said that no request was submitted from Syria so far for sending fighters to the country, however Tehran would consider that within the framework of its policies and principles if Damascus issues such a request. Iran and Germany are to set up an international university, says the deputy president of Iran's University of Science and Technology. Touraj Mohammadi noted that the university's initiation was decided during the last visit of a German trade delegation to Iran, Mehr news agency reported on Saturday. He noted that Iran's Science and Technology University follows various international initiatives, the latest of which is "becoming a communication portal between Iran and Germany's universities." According to Mohammadi, the university will accept students from all over the world while similar cooperation with other countries is in the planning stages. He refrained from giving a location, time-table or budget for the university's establishment. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the Cuban government has returned a wrongly shipped missing air-to-surface Hellfire missile to the United States, national media reported Saturday. "We can say, without speaking to specifics, that the inert training missile has been returned with the cooperation of the Cuban government," The Wall Street Journal quoted Toner as saying in a written statement. Toner attributed the reestablishment of US-Cuban diplomatic relations and the reopening of the US embassy in Havana to allowing Washington "engage with the Cuban government on issues of mutual interest." The inert missile was sent by manufacturer Lockheed Martin from Orlando International Airport to Spain for joint NATO exercises in early 2014. It was delivered to Germany after the NATO drills, expected to be loaded on a return flight to Florida. Officials later discovered that the missile was placed on an Air France flight to Paris, then Havana, for unclear reasons. Cuban officials were said to remove the missile and hold it with no public explanation. The newspaper cited officials as saying a plane carrying the 5-foot 100-pound missile, which did not contain explosives, landed at the Orlando airport early Saturday. It is later expected to be returned to a warehouse that holds a large stock of Hellfires. An investigation is underway to determine whether the redirection was a criminal act. Turkey's Ahmet Davutoglu and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke Sunday about the situation in Syria, the prime minister's office said, Anadolu agency reported. The telephone conversation came in the wake of Turkish shelling of Kurdish group YPG's positions in northern Syria, amid a fresh wave of civilians forced from their homes by a Russian-backed Syrian government and Kurdish offensive in Aleppo province. Ankara considers both PYD and its armed wing YPG to be terrorist organizations. In a statement, Davutoglu's office said Merkel voiced her willingness to provide humanitarian and technical aid to help deal with tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes. "The two PMs decided to continue their exchange of ideas on this issue on February 18 at like-minded EU countries' meeting on migration in Brussels," the statement said. To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry. Disclaimer Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. 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The Red Cross said on Saturday it had entered the war-torn Yemeni city of Taiz for the first time since August, delivering three tonnes of life-saving medical supplies to four hospitals treating the wounded. "This is a breakthrough and we hope that today's operation will be followed by many more to come," Antoine Grand, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Yemen, said in a statement. Taiz is contested between local militias and the armed Houthi group which many residents say blocks aid from entering and bombs civilian targets. It is one of the worst fronts of the 10-month war, in which forces loyal to a Saudi-backed government ousted by the Houthis in March are seeking to fight back to the capital Sanaa. Search Keywords: Short link: The two-day opening, on 13 and 14 February, is the first time in 2016 that the Rafah border crossing has been open to both sides On Saturday, the first day of Egypt opening the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, 1,323 people crossed from both sides, MENA reported. The state news agency reported that 721 people arrived in Egypt from Gaza while 602 crossed in the opposite direction. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered the opening of the borders for two days, 13 and 14 February. The two-day opening marks the first time in 2016 that the Rafah crossing has been made accessible to both sides. An official source at the border said that procedures have been eased to facilitate the travel of those returning to the Gaza strip, according to MENA. Twenty-four trucks transporting 2,265 tonnes of cement needed for Gazas reconstruction crossed the border from Egypt on Saturday. Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing for the second day on Sunday, allowing travelers stranded on either side to pass through and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The Rafah border crossing, which is the main entry and exit point to Gaza, has mostly remained closed since October 2014 when a militant attack in North Sinai left over 30 Egyptian security personnel dead. Search Keywords: Short link: The former court verdict against the CSF officer was deemed the first and toughest such sentence against a policeman for killing protesters since the 2011 uprising Egypt's Court of Cassation overturned on Sunday a 15-year jail sentence issued to a police officer for the fatal shooting of protester Shaimaa El-Sabbagh during a peaceful march last year in downtown Cairo ahead of the fourth anniversary of the January 25 uprising. The court ordered a new trial of the Central Security Forces (CSF) officer Yaseen Mohamed Hatem in front of a different district court. The policeman's lawyer, Fareed El-Deeb, said that the march where El-Sabbagh was killed took place under exceptional circumstances due to the timing of the anniversary, adding that if his client had an intention to commit murder, dozens of casualties would have fallen. El-Deeb added to his defense that the march, organised by Egypt's Socialist Popular Alliance Party (SPAP), was not given a permit by the interior ministry, claiming that the demonstrators created a state of confusion for the forces. The lawyer pushed to prove the absence of criminal intent and murder for his defendant by adding that the killing of 32-year-old El-Sabbagh resulted from the indiscretion and inexperience of a young 25-year-old police officer. In June 2015, a Cairo court sentenced the CSF police officer to 15 years in jail after it convicted him for "beating that led to the death" of El-Sabbagh -- a charge similar to manslaughter, as well as "deliberately wounding" other protesters. El-Sabbagh was killed after being hit with birdshot fired by the CSF police officer. Egypt's CSF often disperse protests using birdshot and teargas. The former court verdict against the CSF officer was deemed the first and toughest such sentence against a policeman for killing protesters since the 2011 uprising. Search Keywords: Short link: By tracking Regeni's phone, the prosecution knew that he was around his home in Dokki shortly before he disappeared Egypt's general prosecution received mobile tracking reports showing that slain Italian student Giulio Regeni's last phone call was with his Italian friend "Genaro" and that it lasted for 20 minutes, a judicial source told Ahram Online on Sunday. The report, the source added, showed that the 28-year-old PhD student's last phone call was at 7:20 pm local time on 25 January and was made while he was close to his home in Giza's Dokki district in Greater Cairo. It is not known yet where the slain student's phone currently is. The prosecution has received all the phone call information from an Egyptian mobile company. Meanwhile, Regeni's phone records were matched with what the Italian national Genaro said in his statement to the head of prosecution Hossam Nassar. Genaro told the prosecution that during the phone call they both said that they would meet in Bab El-Louq neighbourhood in downtown Cairo to go together to a mutual friend's birthday party. However, Genaro said that he waited for a prolonged period of time for Regini and tried to call him several times but his phone was off. Shortly after Regini's body was found on 3 February, Egypt's prosecution said there were cigarette burns and other signs of torture on his body. Italian officials also said that Regini's body showed signs of torture. Two days following the discovery of Regini's body, the corpse was repatriated to Italy upon Rome's request. Search Keywords: Short link: The current opening of the borders between the Gaza strip and Egypt is the first in 2016 Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi extended on Sunday the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for one more day, meaning that it will close on Monday instead of Sunday, state news agency MENA reported. The decision aims to "aid [our] Palestinian brothers in Gaza," El-Sisi said. El-Sisi previously ordered the opening of the crossing in both directions for Saturday and Sunday, making it the first time the crossing has been opened in 2016. On Saturday, the first day that Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, 1,323 people crossed between both sides- 721 people arrived in Egypt from Gaza while 602 crossed in the opposite direction. Twenty-four trucks transporting 2,265 tonnes of cement needed for Gazas reconstruction also crossed the border from Egypt on Saturday. The Rafah border crossing, which is the main entry and exit point to Gaza, has been mostly closed since October 2014 when a militant attack in North Sinai left over 30 Egyptian security personnel dead. Egypt has been fighting Islamist militancy in the North Sinai region. Destroying the underground tunnels leading in and out of Gaza was one of several counter-terrorism measures the Egyptian state has adopted. Egypt sees the tunnels as a pathway for arms and militants that it perceives as a direct threat to the country's security. However, the Palestinian Centre for Humans Rights said in 2013 that goods imported to Gaza "through tunnels, especially foodstuffs, medicines, fuel, construction materials and cars, have spared the Gaza strip the breakdown of all vital sectors." Search Keywords: Short link: Cairo University head Nassar cites 'the protection of the rights of the patients and work interests' as a reason for the decision Cairo university head Gaber Nassar issued a decision to ban female doctors and nurses from wearing face veils in all of the universitys hospitals and clinics starting from Sunday. The decision will be applied on doctors, nurses, hospital technical assistants and all staff in Qasr Al-Aini hospital as well as other medical facilities owned by the state-owned university. Nassars decision cites the protection of the rights of the patients and work interests. Last October, Nasser issued a decree to ban the university's academic staff from wearing face veils, also known as niqab, inside classrooms. He justified his decision by saying that the number of teaching staff members wearing the full-face veil is only 10 out of approximately 22,000 members teaching in 24 faculties. "The university received reports from some of the faculties deans regarding difficulties in communication between students and teachers wearing the niqab, particularly in language courses," Nasser said at the time. "The ban aims to enhance the quality of communication and education." A court verdict in January said that Nassar had the right to ban teachers from donning face veils inside classrooms. Lawyers representing 100 Cairo University researchers who wear the face veil filed the case against the ban. Search Keywords: Short link: Observers of Oman usually describe it as the "Switzerland of the Middle East" due to Sultan Qaboos bin Saids neutral approach to foreign policy. Omanwith Yousef bin Alawi heading the foreign ministrysucceeded in maintaining strong ties with the United States, Britain, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), while also forging relations with Iran. This was clear in Omans contribution to the breakthrough in the nuclear talks with Iran that ended in July 2015 with a deal that benefited Washington. For Rex J. Brynen, political science professor at McGill University, Oman is neutral in the sectarian tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as roughly 70 percent of Omanis, including Sultan Qaboos, are neither Sunni nor Shia, but Ibadi (a school of Islam). Though a GCC member-state, Oman has a longstanding commercial relationship with Iran. It has concerns on some aspects of both Iranian and Saudi foreign policy, accordingly remaining neutral and promoting a reduction in regional tensions, Brynen said. Hatim Al-Taei a member of Oman's State Council and editor-in-chief of Al-Roya newspaper said that Oman's foreign policy is characterised by stability and continuity in terms of being open to all parties in the region, and "nothing has actually changed over the past 45 years." "The Omani constitution does not allow the sultanate to join military alliances or any blocs that have certain orientations, which explains why it does not interfere in the affairs of other states, Al-Taei pointed out. The analyst referred to the decision of all Arab countries who cut diplomatic relations with Egypt following the 1979 peace treaty with Israel, a trend that Oman did not follow. As a matter of fact, the Egyptian case is not an exception in Omans history of foreign relations. Oman refused the GCC decision to back Iraq against Iran during their war in the 1980s. It did not withdraw its ambassador from Qatar following the adoption of such a step by Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain in March 2014 and it did not join the Saudi-led military coalition against Yemen's Houthi rebels. Omani-Iranian ties: The big question Omans strong relations with Iran began in the 1970s and have since developed rapidly. Oman has represented Iran's interests in a number of Western countries on several occasions, Mohammed Mohsen Abo El-Nour, an Egyptian political analyst and researcher in international relations, told Ahram Online. "The relationship between the Sultanate and Iran dates back to the 1970s during the time of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, when Iran intervened militarily in 1973 to help Sultan Qaboos defeat the Dhofar province rebellion," Abo El-Nour said. "Tehran helped the Sultan restore his rule even after the deposition of the Shah following the 1979 Islamic revolution. The Sultanate reciprocally helped Iran in its nuclear program negotiations by using its good ties with the US and UK." On an economic level, Oman and Iran cooperated in the extraction of natural gas from some common fields between both states, as well sharing control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where 40% of the world's tanker-borne oil passes. Shortly after the nuclear deal was signed, Moody's Investors Service said that Oman and the UAE would likely benefit most from the lifting of trade sanctions on Iran as it will pave the way for increased flow of trade and investment. "After sanctions on Iran were lifted, a hike in the traffic of oil tankers and commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz is highly likely, which will make an Omani-Iranian military cooperation unsurprising," stated Al-Taei. The recent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran represented an indicator of Al-Taei's expectation that it will spark anger among the Sultanate's Gulf neighbours. Muscat frequently hosted meetings between world powers and Iran that remained secret for many years. Oman insisted, according to Al-Taei, that a political solution was possible instead of a US-Israeli military intervention in Iran that seemed possible on several occasions. "There were some extreme Gulf voices that disliked the Omani role, but Oman did not listen to these voices. Qaboos himself visited Tehran in August 2013 and met with Iranian leaders in an attempt to bridge the gap between the West and Iran to help overcome points of contention, which were mostly technical. "Al-Taei explained. Iran is broadly blamed for dramatically fueling many conflicts in Arab countries such as Bahrain, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Most political commentators in the Gulf believe that the nuclear deal will unleash the evils of Shia Iran in the region and negatively impact the Sunni world, especially in light of the latest escalation between Riyadh and Tehran. Yemen Oman's position as a mediator is a unique case, as it is the only Gulf state that refused to engage in the Saudi-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels while also remaining an active and important player in the crisis. One example of its critical role in Yemens ongoing conflict can be traced to the visit of some senior Houthi leaders to Muscat several times in the past eight months, Abo El-Nour noted. "Oman, with its good ties with the Iranians, is the most suitable party to push to resolve conflicts in both Yemen and Syria, although it depends on the willingness of the actors involved to make compromises and reach comprehensive settlements, he said. Historically speaking, Oman has strong bonds with the Yemeni people, as the former has set up a series of sincere initiatives to bridge the gap between the Houthis and the coalition, although Saudi Arabia has dubbed the Houthis a terrorist group and considers them an enemy of the kingdom. "In this frightening and uncertain conflict, everyone understands that there is a chance for hope. The Gulf states are aware that Oman is keen on reaching a resolution for Yemens war, especially with its access to all players in the conflict. I believe a compromise is possible within few months, but there are some concessions that everyone should make," Al-Taei argued. Brynen lacks the same optimism about prospects of peace in Yemen. Although he mentioned that Oman could be "an important mediator" in Yemen, he believed that major domestic actors "seem unlikely to show much flexibility." Civilians are suffering a terrible toll in the fighting tearing Yemen apart, with casualties now topping 8,100, nearly 2,800 of them killed, amid Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, shelling by pro-Houthi forces and other clashes, according to a United Nations report released in January. Syria & Libya At the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2012, Oman made an initiative, establishing contact with Bashar Al-Assad's regime and the opposition to resolve the conflict before it turned bloody. According to Al-Taei: "Omans foreign minister visited Syria on 27 October 2015, seeking a political solution, and there were also real initiatives inside the Arab League, but they were thwarted by some Arab countries that deliberately pushed for further escalation." Oman opposed the Arab League decision when it suspended the membership of Syria. It said that such a movement is only for good of the Islamic State group and the Al-Nusra Front. Syrian foreign minister Walid Al-Muallem paid a visit to Muscat in August 2015, which was the first by a Syrian official to a Gulf state since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. The visit reportedly came at the behest of the Iranians as a kind of face-saving for all parties involved in this complex equation. For Iran, being a main supporter to Al-Assad's regime, the Omani role is acceptable, and no doubt about their need for Muscat's support when it comes to peace talks. More than 250,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the Syrian war, the United Nations estimates. Half the countrys pre-war population more than 11 million people have been killed or forced to flee their homes. At the end of 2015, Muscat also played a mediatory role in another ongoing Arab conflict, this time in Libya. Bin Alawi received the UN special envoy to Libya Martin Kobler and discussed with him the latest developments on the Libyan front as well as efforts by the UN envoy with Libyas warring parties. The information that was circulating, according to Abo El-Nour, indicated that Oman was keen to intervene to help resolve the Syrian crisis in light of the Vienna and Geneva negotiations. The complexity and liquidity of the crisis, however, as well as the multiple conflicts in Iraq, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia, made the Omani task unachievable, as all issues were interrelated. "I think Oman faces countless obstacles that will eventually do away with its mediation efforts." Search Keywords: Short link: At least ten separatist insurgents were killed and 12 others arrested in an operation by paramilitary troops in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan, officials said Saturday. The incident occurred in Sangan area of Kahlu district, some 180 kilometres (112 miles) southeast of the provincial capital Quetta. "The frontier corps (paramilitary force) had launched an operation against insurgents of the Baloch Liberation Army in Sangan area since Friday and gradually closed on them Saturday evening, killing 10 insurgents and destroying three training camps," Anwaar Kakar, spokesperson for the provincial government told AFP. The provincial home minister Sarfaraz Bugti said 12 insurgents were also arrested, adding that a local leader of the separatist Baloch Liberation Army was among the dead. Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest but least developed and most sparsely populated province, has been wrecked for decades by a separatist insurgency that was revived in 2004. The separatists believe that locals do not receive a fair share of the province's energy and mineral wealth, while rights groups accuse the government of extra judicial detentions and the killing of activists. The province is also blighted by religious extremists, banditry and sectarian violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Search Keywords: Short link: The Israeli occupation forces shot dead two Palestinian teenagers in the northern occupied West Bank on Sunday, Israel's army claimed, the latest deaths in a months-long wave of unrest. An army statement claimed the pair attacked an Israeli patrol west of the city of Jenin with rocks before firing on soldiers with a rifle. "The force responded to the shooting and fired towards the attackers, resulting in their deaths," it said. The Palestinian health ministry named those killed as Nihad Waked and Fuad Waked, both 15 years old. They were not thought to be closely related. It was the latest incident in an almost four-month long surge of Israeli-on-Palestinian deadly repression met with violent responses by Palestinians against settlers and Israeli soldiers. The recent surge in violence has raised concern of wider escalation, a decade after the last Palestinian uprising subsided. Since the start of October, Israeli occupation forces have killed at least 170 Palestinians. Meanwhile, almost daily stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks by frustrated and unarmed Palestinians have killed 26 Israelis as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. The current wave of protests by Palestinians and repression by Israeli occupation forces started in late July when toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians were severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers. Settlement-building, racial discrimination, confiscation of identity cards, long queues at checkpoints, as well as daily clashes and the desecration of Al-Aqsa mosque, describe Palestinians' daily suffering. The anger of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem has increased in the last three years after the Israeli authorities allowed increasing numbers of Jewish settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque. The surge in violence has been fuelled by Palestinians' frustration over Israel's 48-year occupation of land they seek for an independent state, and the expansion of settlements in those territories which were captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinian leaders say a younger generation sees no hope for the future living under Israeli security restrictions and with a stifled economy. The latest round of US-brokered peace talks collapsed in April 2014. *The story has been edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces following claims of an attempt to stab Israeli border police on Sunday in the occupied West Bank. Seventeen year-old Naim Safi was shot between Jerusalem and Bethlehem; and earlier on Sunday two Palestinian teenagers were also shot dead by Israeli forces in Northern West bank. The incidents are the latest in an almost four-month long surge of Israeli-on-Palestinian deadly repression met with violent responses by Palestinians against settlers and Israeli soldiers. The recent surge in violence has raised concern of wider escalation, a decade after the last Palestinian uprising subsided. Since the start of October, Israeli occupation forces have killed at least 170 Palestinians. Meanwhile, almost daily stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks by frustrated and unarmed Palestinians have killed 26 Israelis as well as an American, a Sudanese and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. The current wave of protests by Palestinians and repression by Israeli occupation forces started in late July when toddler Ali Dawabsha was burned to death and three other Palestinians were severely injured after their house in the occupied West Bank was set on fire by Israeli settlers. Settlement-building, racial discrimination, confiscation of identity cards, long queues at checkpoints, as well as daily clashes and the desecration of Al-Aqsa mosque, describe Palestinians' daily suffering. The anger of Palestinian residents of Jerusalem has increased in the last three years after the Israeli authorities allowed increasing numbers of Jewish settlers to storm the Al-Aqsa mosque. The surge in violence has been fuelled by Palestinians' frustration over Israel's 48-year occupation of land they seek for an independent state, and the expansion of settlements in those territories which were captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinian leaders say a younger generation sees no hope for the future living under Israeli security restrictions and with a stifled economy. The latest round of US-brokered peace talks collapsed in April 2014. *The story has been edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Syria needs action not words, says Riad Hijab, head of the High Negotiation Committee that represents several Syrian opposition groups. A senior figure in the Syrian opposition movement on Sunday criticised the truce deal forged by the US and Russia, saying Moscow was continuing its onslaught on civilian areas. "We have gotten used to conferences and hope put into words but what we need is action, and the action I see is that Russia is killing Syrian civilians," said Riad Hijab, head of the High Negotiation Committee that represents several Syrian opposition groups. "The Syrian people continue to live in terror and utter despair after the international community has failed to prevent the gravest crimes," he told the audience at the Munich Security Conference. Hijab dodged questions about whether the "moderate" rebels would accept the "cessation of hostilities" agreement reached on Friday that calls for a truce within a week. "Why is the onus on the opposition and whether it has preconditions for negotiations? I would like to see a single day of a cessation of hostilities in order to give a chance for real political movement," said Hijab. Critics have said Friday's deal is hobbled by the fact it does not include "terrorist" groups such as the Islamic State group and the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra, leaving room for Russia to continue attacks by claiming it is targeting jihadists. It followed a major offensive by Syrian government forces, backed by heavy Russian bombing and Iranian troops, on the rebel stronghold of Aleppo. Others, including Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, lined up to voice their doubts about the deal. "I'm very pessimistic about a potential cessation of hostilities at the end of this week. Unfortunately we are going to face chronic instability (in Syria) for a very, very long period of time," said Yaalon. He said it was very hard to imagine Syria being reunited. "We know how to make an omelette from an egg, we don't know how to make an egg from an omelette. We are going to see enclaves -- Alawi-stan, Syria-Kurdistan," said Yaalon. US Senator John McCain also slammed the deal, saying it would only empower Moscow's "military aggression". "Let's be clear about what this agreement does: It permits the assault on Aleppo to continue for another week. It requires opposition groups to stop fighting but it allows Russia to continue bombing terrorists which it insists is everyone, including civilians," said McCain, a leading member of the opposition Republicans and head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. "If Russia or the Assad regime violates this agreement, what are the consequences? I don't see any," he told the conference. McCain said it was "no accident" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had chosen this moment for a deal. "We've seen this movie before in Ukraine," he said. "Russia presses its advantage militarily, creates new facts on the ground, uses the denial and delivery of humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip, negotiates an agreement to lock in the spoils of war and then chooses when to resume fighting." Search Keywords: Short link: